Chapter Text
How do you go back to a normal life after experiencing what you have?
Fighting for your life in the dream realm, uncovering an actual hellscape of memories that make you want to rip your own throat out, and only to have your lover move away and promise to stay in touch.
Until you don’t.
Quentin was adjusting to his current life, they tried to keep it a secret, but things that dealt with Freddy only made things worse, especially with their new ability to dreamwalk. He’s kept a habit of staying up as long as he could, until they had to take small breaks- very unwelcoming breaks- and having to deal with that disgusting, melted monster like before. Quentin has gotten better at avoiding Freddy, or even stopping him from taking other victims, but his father has definitely noticed his change in personality after every encounter.
At first, they got him to a doctor, it started with repressed trauma coming to light, so Quentin had gotten a bit of therapy. He knew how to answer the questions without making himself sound insane about the monster who chases him in his dreams. So, after a few sessions, the therapist had diagnosed him with CPTSD and BPD. It took a bit to adjust to the medication, but it just wasn’t doing him any favours. They weren’t keeping him awake like his adderall, if anything they made him the opposite- sleepy. Eventually he stopped taking the meds, told his dad they don’t seem to be working.
Back at the therapists, Quentin’s father was told that environmental factors could be at play here, and it would be easier on the boy to either send him to live with a distant relative or move away from the town, similar to Nancy. Quentin had been so dissociated that the decision to move seemed almost abrupt, but maybe a new environment could help him for a change. While he didn’t agree with it at first, having debated on trying to push his dreamwalking to further distances, his father was dead set on it. He wanted what was best for them, and the phrase of “you’ll understand when you have your own children”. Yeah right.
Quentin wasn’t particularly chatty, which was understandable. Their father must have thought the meds either fucked them up more or the traumaversary effect was taking place. Either way, besides little chatter here and there, Quentin just watched the trees go by from the window. It gave his father some time to make calls for a new position along with the moving, and hopefully Quentin can start a new life, a better one.
It wasn’t too long of a drive, a two hour and fifty-four minute one, while it may not be that far of a distance, it’s still a decent chunk away from the previous trauma with Krueger.
Quentin was pretty sure they were dozing off, considering he was convinced he kept seeing a figure of a child on the side, it almost felt like the child was in his mind, but it could’ve just been the lack of sleep. Either way, they were going to ignore it for now. He finally learned where he was going from seeing the big sign pass them by:
“Welcome to Hawkins!”
…
It took a few days for them to get settled into their new place, right into a Cul-De-Sac with a few kids younger than Quentin was, you’d see them biking about and using their walkie-talkies, but they paid them no mind. Whenever he was about, the kids would sometimes give a wave, and they would wave back. It’s a new neighbourhood, and may as well be friendly.
Quentin and his father would familiarize themselves with Hawkins, getting used to the downtown area and occasionally getting offered food, and while they usually say no, their father got them food anyways.
“I don’t want a child of mine to starve. I noticed your eating patterns Quentin. Monsters are not food.”
He could only roll his eyes at what Alan said, but the weight of food in their stomach would turn them into a rabid dog even. He would scarf down the food with Alan patting their back to encourage them to slow down, and help them if they choked.
They were grateful to still have their father.
A week and a half had passed, and it was time for Alan and Quentin to start their new lives. Alan had become principal for Hawkins High, and Quentin a student. While socializing with new students wouldn’t be the best, it would probably be better to keep up with studies to both not be a drop out and have something to keep him awake.
He was given his locker and code, which changed to something better for them to remember; 0815, his birthday. He had just turned 17 and it already felt like he aged 50 years after dealing with Freddy. A hand was placed on his back before startling them out of their thoughts and turning, hoping it wasn’t a face he was all too familiar with.
“woah-! Hey, sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you..”
A girl? Okay.
Quentin took a breath to assess, she had brown hair that was curly and was set as a bob on her shoulders, her sweater was a gentle gray and her nails were painted, her makeup almost seemed like they classed her as the preppy-popular type, so they didn’t have the greatest of hopes to wonder why she was talking to them.
“I haven’t seen you around before, are you new?”
Here we go.
“Y-yeah, I am.”
“Oh! Then- Welcome to Hawkins, I’m Nancy, I think I saw you move into Cul De Sac a week or so ago, right?”
Ouch.
Okay. First person they meet and she has the same name as the ex.
Life really likes to play games.
“I’m. Quentin, Smith.. my dad became the principal of this school- I think.. it’s awkward”
“I get it, Hawkins is one of those places where everyone knows you, it’s hard to get around and do things when people know you..”
Quentin gave a small laugh, and just before he could say something else, Nancy had gotten swooped up before him. Instinctually, they shot their hand out to grab Nancy's arm, which got him looks from everyone.
“Woah man- calm down, I’m not gonna kill her or anything.”
Once Quentin got a better look, there was this tall jock looking guy with- surprisingly good looking hair who’s.. wearing shades? Inside the school building? Who does that?
“Sorry- I.”
Shit, what do you even say?
“I just had a few of my friends go. Missing or. Killed for the past year or so.”
Did you really just blurt that out like that?
Nancy seemed to have a sympathetic look as the jock looked a bit awkward after that statement. Quentin felt horrible, and as Nancy opened her mouth to say something, the bell rang and Quentin took that as their chance to bail, looking down at his schedule to find the classroom. Thankfully, he knew how to blend into the crowd.
Without much trouble- or interruptions from other students introducing themselves besides giving a hey and “welcome to Hawkins”- they made it to their class. Once they sat in their chair in the furthest back, they set up their books and tried to lose himself in whatever they were studying. A bit into the lesson, a douchebag keeps speaking up and interrupting a teacher, or picking fights with one of the other guys. Whatever.
At least it was keeping them aware. That was until they felt that pull again.
Their eyes had shut.
Quentin had entered this weird void. It was like the ground was water with how it reverbed under their feet, and no matter where he looked, it was void as far as the eye could see. He started walking in one direction to see if he could somehow stumble into someone else's dream.
He followed what seemed to be an invisible tug, usually one he’d feel when in the dreamwalking realm, until he had bumped into someone.
It shocked him awake, the last thing he saw was a shocked face with curly hair. Just as he got his bearings, the same asshat as before tossed a wadded ball at Quentin's head. The splitting had gotten to him but held his tongue, his father was having his first day too and he’d hate to have to ruin it for both of them.
…
Lunch time came about, and Quentin had found himself somewhere quiet to split in peace. The food was mediocre, but it's better than the previous high school. They took the time after they finished their food to check out the library, to see if there's any study that could be done about dream demons or the history of Hawkins. While he couldn’t find much, he did discover this weird energy lab that was sued by a lady named Terry Ives. He found it curious but not exactly what they were looking for.
As they were making their way into the next class, they had witnessed the same asshat that was in the beginning class picking on another student. The guy really didn’t look like he belonged there, with his shirt half open and with heavy makeup that made him look like he’d be a part of Kiss or one of David Bowie's bandmates. While Quentin checked their watch, they could be late by a few minutes.
“Do you really have to overcompensate the size of your tiny dick to bully someone smaller than you?”
Immediately that got the group to whip their heads to them.
“What?”
“You heard me douchebag, ever heard the term pick on someone your own size, or the same gender as you? Or are you just that stupid?”
“Are you really gonna let him talk to you like that Billy?”
Billy is such a stupid name, you’re asking for your kid to get bullied.
Billy had started advancing towards Quentin, and before they could back up, they were lifted off the ground and into a locker, not the worst pain he’s felt, but it's still a stinger. He gave a small wince before looking this guy in the eyes.
“Alright special boy, one thing you get straight out here, I know you’re the kid of that fuckass principal so you must think you get special privileges. I don’t care what you think, but anyone who tries to step up to me has to be brought down. That's the rules of life that you seem to know so much about.”
“God do you ever yap.”
Quentin's gotten into this position before, and what's the best thing to do?
You stick 'em right in the eyes.
He shoved two of his fingers into Billy’s eyes, which made them get dropped. As they were stabling, immediately they were met with a fist to their eye as payback.
Alright.
Immediately with that arm, Quentin had grabbed it and bit as hard as they could, only to be punched at multiple times but he didn’t let go, giving his own swing to Billy’s face and giving one hell of an uppercut with his elbow. Just as Quentin was pried off of Billy’s arm, their head came to a collision with a locker and started to feel kicks hit their ribs and stomach. He tried to hold out as he could until he heard Billy get knocked over. Due to their state, they ended up passing out from how much wind they lost.
They opened their eyes to being in a bright room, hissing through their teeth from the light and feeling a cold pressure on their ribs.
“Oh hey- you probably shouldn’t move..”
Quentin shifted his gaze to look at the jock from earlier, a very obvious black eye and bruise to the jaw visible on that weirdly pretty face.
“You were pretty sick back there. Kinda rabid, but sick. People were getting tired of Billy, me specifically, but y’know..”
“Ah- em.. thanks.. sorry about earlier”
“Nah, it’s alright, some people are not gonna have good upbringing, I get it..”
“Cool..”
They both sat in silence, it was almost comfortable, which was surprising considering Quentin hasn’t really made any friends yet. But it was genuinely nice.
“I’m Steve by the way, Steve Harrington.. dunno if you heard”
“Oh shit, you’re the king guy everyone says rules this school?”
“Ehh, I used to in my prime, I grew up”
Quentin thought about it for a moment, then focused his attention back up to the ceiling.
“Yeah.. I’m Quentin, the kid of the principal and come from a really shitty town..”
“Don’t we all?”
“No I mean- really. Really shitty. It’s a long story..”
“Hmm.. I won’t press you for info.”
“..Thanks..”
They continued to sit in silence until the nurse came in to check on the states of the boys, only for Alan to show up as well.
“Quentin..”
“Heyyyy Dad.. yikes.”
“First day? Really.”
“Dad you don’t get it- the guy was-”
“Billy was picking on a girl and Quentin had stood up for her, he started picking on Quentin and I stepped in to get him out of there.”
Quentin shot a look of surprise at Steve. Usually kids stay out of this situation, but it’s better to have someone else attest to their innocence.
“And you are?”
“Steve Harrington sir, I’ve been here a while..”
“Pleasure to meet you, I’m Mr. Smith, I wish we could’ve met on better terms.”
“It was bound to happen at some point, Billy’s got a record for bullying kids and none of them really speak up about it. Especially because most of the other guys kinda follow him blindly.”
Alan sighed before pinching the bridge of his nose. Resorting to sitting down and petting Quentin’s head.
“Sorry dad..”
“You were just trying to do what’s right. But next time you come to me, alright?”
“Fineeee..”
Quentin sighed before looking back up at Steve, who gave a thumbs up to him. After a little while, they were free to be released back to their end of the day classes. As they were walking to their desk, they took notice of sitting next to Nancy. She gave a small smile and they returned it.
The class started off normally, until Nancy had tossed a little note on their book. As any normal student would, they picked up the note and read it.
“I’m sorry to hear about your friends. That black eye is kinda sick :)”
Their shoulders only sagged a little before scribbling down their own note.
“It’s alright, I shouldn’t have blurted it out like that, you barely know me. Thnks for the comment about the black eye though”
After tossing it back to Nancy, they wrote some notes that were written on the board, before the note hit their pen.
“We can get to know each other though?”
They gave a soft shrug and wrote again.
“Sure. What’s your favourite colour?”
And the passing of notes back and forth became a routine.
They learned a lot about each other, the fact Nancy's colour was a weird mix of pink and purple, how she has a younger brother named Mike, how Quentin’s colour was blue and he was an only child. They wrote until the note was covered front to back, and she tucked it into her bag as the bell rang.
As they were filing out into the hallways, Nancy tugged on their sleeve a bit to have them slow down.
“Hey, I really liked getting to know you..”
“Me too..”
“I’m.. surprised you decided to move here, I don’t know if you heard the news about- the missing boy and all..”
“Missing boy?”
Nancy opened her mouth to say something before looking around, she then grabbed Quentin's hand and led them to the library.
“I’m going to catch you up on.. everything that happened, but I need you to stay quiet, okay?”
As he thought for a moment, they did think if there was some connection of Krueger to Hawkins, he could get a head start to stop it.
“Yeah, alright. Fill me in.”