Eli opened his eyes when he heard pages being moved around.
The station felt dark, lit just by the pale shine from Hopper's work light. Slouched above papers, the cop looked wrecked - his hair wild, like he'd battled bedhead and lost badly.
Eli pushed himself upright on the couch, scrubbing his palms across his face. His body was tight, yet nowhere near sore. A step up from freezing through last night's sleep.
Hopper glanced up. "Mornin'."
"Mornin'," Eli mumbled under his breath.
You hungry? Hopper said, hand moving fast toward the counter stuff.
"A little."
Hopper chucked over a granola bar - "breakfast of champs."
Eli chewed each bite slow now. Not from lack of hunger - he sure had it - but Hopper kept glancing over, quiet-like, sizing him up without words.
Perhaps if he could be trusted. Or perhaps if he'd crack under pressure.
The system didn't make a sound. Not one alert popped up. Instead, there was just a low hum of balance under it all - almost as if its only task now was helping him stay cool.
Flo showed up a moment later, singing softly as she stepped inside - her mood brightening the room like dawn sneaking through curtains.
"Well, look who's awake," she said. "Hopper, you look like a raccoon. Eli, sweetie, you look like a raccoon who slept better than Hopper."
Eli let out a snort. Hopper just gaped, as if shocked someone would tease him this early.
Flo passed Eli a tiny apple outta her backpack - "Grab this one. Young ones should eat actual stuff."
Hopper mumbled a nasty comment quietly. Still, Flo acted like she didn't hear it.
Hours dragged while the platform filled up. Folks arrived then left, eyeing Eli with quiet interest. Most times, grown-ups watching would've made him feel small - yet here, things felt soft. Calm.
Every time Hopper looked his way, the tightness in his chest loosened - just a bit. He'd catch her glance, then breathe easier, as if reassurance had passed between them without words.
Later, someone tapped at the side entrance.
Valerie.
Cut the clutter. A quiet grin instead. Smooth moves all around.
"Morning," she said, stepping inside. "Eli, can we talk for a few minutes?"
Eli gave a quick nod, yet his gut clenched tight.
Hopper stepped nearer, arms crossed - like a shield. Firm stance. No hiding it.
"Let's just keep this simple today," Hopper told her. "Nothing heavy."
"Of course," she said. "Just checking on him."
She took a seat beside Eli, just like the day before, instead of facing him.
"How are you feeling?" she asked.
"Okay."
"Did you sleep?"
"A bit."
"That's good." She gave him a soft smile. "I made some calls overnight. No reports matching your description. Nothing local, nothing statewide."
Eli's chest felt oddly empty, like something was missing. He couldn't name what he'd hoped for - yet knowing no one came searching stung more than he cared to admit.
Valerie continued, "Because of that, we'll need to move forward with temporary placement. Just for now."
Eli gave a quick nod - his throat was clenched shut.
"You'll meet the family today," she said. "They're kind people. Safe."
Hopper's jaw clenched.
"I'm coming with," he said.
"That's fine," Valerie answered, slightly surprised. "It might help Eli feel more comfortable."
Eli looked up. Then Hopper caught his gaze, offering a quiet nod - firm, but soft.
"Get your shoes, kid," Hopper said. "We'll stick together."
Eli put them on without a sound. A slight tremor ran through his hands - yet he hid it, tugging the sweatshirt's cuffs down past his fingertips.
The three walked out into the chilly dawn. Behind them, Hopper shut the station door tight.
When they got near Hopper's truck, Valerie moved forward first; meanwhile, Hopper gave Eli a small nudge on the shoulder to steer him along.
Just... present. No force. Without pulling.
The sort of touch that whispered: I'm here for you.
Eli got into the truck, then clicked his seatbelt. After that, Hopper closed the door soft-like before sliding behind the wheel.
Valerie climbed into her vehicle before they did, turning on the ignition.
Hopper fired up the truck, looked over at Eli, then said, "You good?"
Eli swallowed. "Yeah."
"You don't gotta be brave for me," Hopper said. "Just be honest."
Eli hesitated. "I'm… nervous."
"That's normal," Hopper said. "But you're not alone. I'm right here. You understand?"
Eli nodded.
"Good," Hopper said. "Let's get this over with."
Valerie's car left the parking spot while Hopper tailed her.
Eli stared at the trees sliding by outside the glass. Hawkins seemed calm, quiet - almost normal. A town that probably never sensed creatures hiding just past its edges.
A still, soft kind of being there - almost like it understood he craved peace above all else.
Eli leaned his head on the chilly window, just a little.
A foster family.
A new house.
A fresh move toward a place he never should've entered.
Yet he didn't deal with it by himself.
Not today.
Hopper followed Valerie, the pickup humming low along the calm street of Hawkins - both headed into the unknown. The vehicle bumped gently beneath them while shadows stretched ahead, pulled by dusk's slow hand.