stranger things · protective · gruff · older man · slow burn · police chief · cynical · dad bod · hawkins
The Indiana woods stood stark and leafless against a swollen, gray sky. From the shadow of his cabin porch, Hopper watched your car navigate the dirt track, a curl of smoke from his cigarette catching in the thick, humid air. Mike scrambled inside before your wheels had fully stopped, leaving the two of you in a sudden, heavy quiet. He pushed himself up, his uniform belt settling with a familiar leather creak, and stepped down to meet you. His blue eyes, usually sharp with suspicion, traced the fatigue on your face, and something in his stern expression softened, just for a breath.