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Dustin sat on the couch across from Steve, watching him as he anxiously tapped his fingers against his jeans. The Never Ending Story song Dustin loved was blasting in his ears, preventing Vecna from attempting to kill him. Huffing in amusement, he ripped a piece of paper from his notepad and crumpled it into a little ball before tossing it at Steve, hitting him on the arm.
Steve looked up at him, glaring at him. Dustin faltered slightly at the anxiety that Steve was trying to hide behind his eyes, but he quickly recovered. He scribbled a note on his notepad, showing it to Steve. Worried about me?
Dustin sees Steve scoff reflexively as he writes something back. Not in the slightest. Dustin fights to keep a smile off his face as he knows it’s a baldfaced lie. Steve had been the one panicking the most in Dustin’s living room that day, when he was under Vecna’s control the first time. Dustin had been surprised to see how much Steve cared about him, but had sprinted back to him while Never Ending Story had been blasting in his ears. Dustin still couldn’t quite believe just how lucky he was to have Steve care about him so much.
Steve was scribbling something else down on his notepad. Milkshakes tomorrow? My treat.
Dustin smiled, prepared to nod, but then hesitated. He pursed his lips and started writing a reply, ignoring Steve’s confused expression as he did so. He figured he would push his luck now, considering he doubted Steve would say no to anything he asked for in his present state. Only if we can go to the arcade after, too.
Dustin saw Steve’s exasperated smile, but he shrugged at Dustin, grinning. Dustin’s heart soared. He now had something to look forward to after all this.
Oh, that’s why Steve had offered.
The smile faded on Dustin’s face as he remembered the fight ahead. He shivered as Steve turned away towards the flashing light coming in through the window. Erica’s signal. It was time. Dustin ignored the way his stomach twisted with nervousness as Steve looked back at him. He pretended he couldn’t see the way Steve’s hands shook or the fear behind Steve’s eyes.
Dustin really didn’t want to die. He thought their plan was good, excellent even, but it still relied on a lot of luck. He had no doubt that Lucas and Eddie could distract the bats, letting Max, Nancy and Robin get the final kill in, but he was scared that it would take just long enough that his arms and legs would snap and his eyes would get sucked into his skull-
Nope. Dustin quickly shut off that train of thought as he slowly and resolutely clicked the Walkman off and took his headphones off. Dustin ignored the way Steve tensed immediately as he said, “Hey, shithead, no more music, it’s just me.”
The lamp he was holding suddenly lit up bright blue, and Dustin swallowed, glancing at Steve. Steve’s lips curled into a half smile, half grimace, and he started slowly following the light up the stairs. Steve’s footsteps behind him slowed Dustin’s heart rate as he took a deep breath.
He would be okay. Steve was right here. Steve had him and was going to use the music if anything bad started to happen. Dustin would never admit it, but he was beyond grateful that Steve had demanded to stay with Dustin through this. Lucas had originally wanted to stay with him, but Steve had said that the only way he was going to agree to use Dustin as bait was if he was with him in case anything went wrong. The sentiment had warmed Dustin to the bone and given him the courage to continue.
The stairs creaked beneath him as they reached the attic, following the blue light. Dustin gulped nervously as he followed the light to where Vecna had attacked earlier. Vecna was right here, just in the Upside Down. Dustin took another deep breath to calm himself before sitting on the ground by the lamp. He ignored the way Steve had become noticeably more anxious and ignored the urge to tease him for it.
Dustin cleared his throat. “I’m here. No more hiding. What are you waiting for?” Dustin bit his lip, looking at Steve helplessly. Steve shrugged, and Dustin held back an eye roll because that was not helpful in any way. He sighed before considering what else he should say.
He knew Vecna used people’s worst thoughts and emotions against them. Dustin bit the inside of his cheek, debating whether or not he should start spilling his guts. He really didn’t want to appear weak in front of Steve, but he also recognized that Steve would never actually use the information against him.
Besides, if he had to spill his most secret thoughts to someone he hated and didn’t trust at all, he figured it would also be beneficial to spill them to the one person he trusted above everyone else at the same time.
Nodding slightly, Dustin made up his mind and began to speak softly. “I figured out why you picked me. I was wondering about it, you know? I figured that there were a lot of people with issues, so why me? But I think I figured it out.”
He hesitated, knowing Steve was going to force him to talk about everything he was about to say later. He could feel Steve’s not so subtle gaze burning a hole in the side of his head, but he took a deep breath and continued anyway. “I always knew there was something wrong with me. After all, when I was only eight my dad died trying to get me out of our old house as it burned down.”
He heard Steve inhale sharply to his side, and Dustin held back a wince. He never really talked about it, but he felt bad that this was the way Steve was finding out. His hands trembled in his lap as tears stung at his eyes.
Dustin did always blame himself for his dad’s death, and when they moved, he felt even more guilty about making good friends immediately. He knew that his mom was happy he was fitting in, but some days he wondered if she wished that he had died instead of her husband. She just always seemed so lonely without him.
Dustin cleared his throat quietly, pushing back the guilt as he continued. “That’s why we had to move to Hawkins. My mother was never really the same after that, so it’s my fault. She got a cat, you know, I think it was to help her deal with the loneliness. She named it Mews, which I kind of always thought was a dumb name, but it made her happy. And then, I got her cat killed because I was stupid enough to believe that I had found a new species of lizard in my backyard. Surprise, surprise, it was a demodog, and it killed Mews. I had to bury it and lie about it to her, all the while giving her false comfort about how Mews would come back.” Dustin laughed bitterly, self-hatred welling up within him.
It wasn’t fair that she didn’t know about the Upside Down. Dustin felt guilty about every lie, every secret that he kept from her, but Mews was the hardest. His dad had gotten Mews only a week before his death as an anniversary gift and while she was an old cat and probably would have died soon anyway, Dustin knew that her disappearance had hit his mom like a freight train. She deserved to have closure. She didn’t deserve to think that she was such a bad pet owner that Mews had run away, refusing to come back. He had heard her cry late at night, when she thought he was sleeping as she mourned the last reminder of her husband. His eyes prickled with guilty tears and he shuffled slightly.
He hesitated as he toyed with the next idea, the next big thing that he felt enormous guilt over. It was about Steve, but there was something very uncomfortable about revealing it in front of him. His ears went a bright shade of pink in embarrassment, and fear coursed through him as he wondered what Steve’s reaction would be. Dustin almost wished Vecna would take him now so he didn’t have to continue, but after a few moments with nothing happening, Dustin started speaking again, jaw trembling slightly as he stared at the ground, pointedly refusing to glance over at Steve.
“And then there’s Steve Harrington. I treated him awfully. I used him as a means to an end, someone to take care of my issues and drive me places. He’s my best friend now, but I treated him like he was a tool to be used.” Dustin’s voice shook as he spoke, terror flickering through him at the thought of Steve’s reaction. He desperately hoped that Steve knew that he loved him now, but he had treated him awfully. Dustin knew that friends weren’t supposed to be treated as something to be used, or discarded, but it had taken him a while to realize how incredible Steve was.
Dustin curled in on himself as he quietly whispered out the next few words. “I don’t know why he even bothers to put up with a screw up like me.” Dustin couldn’t stop a few tears from falling and he quickly scrubbed at his eyes with his sleeve.
“You- You used me?” Steve spoke up, eyebrows knitting in confusion. Dustin’s head snapped over to Steve in alarm.
“Dude, quiet, you’re not supposed to say anything,” Dustin said, refusing to meet his eyes head on.
“No, no, hold on a minute. You mean that you just wanted me to fix all of your problems? And then what, dump me on the side of the road?” Dustin’s mouth went dry, shaking his head.
“No, no, of course not-”
“That’s what you just said, I heard you!” Steve suddenly shouted, then sneered at him. Dustin’s heart shrivelled up at the disgusted look Steve sent his way. “I mean, wow. I’m surprised you even let me stay with you during all of this. At this rate, it wouldn’t surprise me if you just wanted me to take all of the hits, and die for you and your little friends in their places.” Steve laughed darkly and Dustin stood up, legs shaking beneath him. “I guess I’m just expendable, then.”
“Steve, no, don’t say that, please don’t say that-” Dustin pleaded, absolutely gutted at Steve’s words. “I love you, I couldn’t survive losing you.” Tears fell quickly down Dustin’s face as he took a step towards Steve, desperate to convince him that he loved him.
Then, Dustin paused, cocking his head to the side and staring at Steve closer. Steve was looking at Dustin like he was disgusted at him. Like Dustin was the worst thing he had ever seen. Dustin’s heart lurched at the sight, but… Steve would never look at him like that. Ever. Even on his worst days, Dustin knew that Steve would always be there for him.
“Vecna,” Dustin breathed. The next instant Steve had transformed into the creature that haunted his nightmares, vines wrapped around his body completely. He was walking towards Dustin, his deep, gravelly voice wrapping around his skull.
“Come on, Dustin. This is what you wanted. No one else has to die tonight. Just let it end.” Vecna stalked towards him, lifting an arm towards Dustin. Adrenaline coursed through him, and Dustin ducked under Vecna’s arm and sprinted out the door and down the steps.
Dustin tore through the house wildly, heart pounding in his throat. He had to give the girls enough time to take Vecna out. He violently swung the door open, panting heavily as he expected to continue running down the road, but there were boards blocking him.
Dustin pushed against them, cursing vehemently as they refused to budge under his weight and he turned, sprinting towards the back door of the house. He was shaking now, terror lancing through his veins as he desperately tried to open the back door.
The door swung open with ease, but it wasn’t a way to the outdoors like he had thought, but rather a fiery inferno.
Dustin gasped in shock, stumbling back as his dad appeared, face half melted off and skin dripping from his exposed bones at the heat. He flinched, biting back a sob as his dad began to speak.
“How could you leave me here, Dustin? I thought you loved me, but you left me. I thought you were smart, but you couldn’t even find a way out. I had to give up everything for you,” His dad snarled at Dustin, and he sobbed, stammering out apologies as he stared at the twisted version of his dad. “You weren’t worth it. Useless.”
Dustin tore his blurred vision away from his dad, trying to look for another way out. The words had cut him deep in his heart, but Dustin knew that those words weren’t true, that they were his worst thoughts. Dustin’s dad loved him and would never blame him, because that was the incredibly kind man Dustin had known. He still let the sobs bubble out of his chest, but he whipped his head around, trying to find another exit.
Vecna was coming down the stairs in front of him, and his dad’s voice still echoed behind him. Dustin panicked, eyes searching in vain for anywhere else to go. He was completely trapped.
“Happy place,” Dustin muttered to himself, shutting his eyes. He thought back to the Snow Ball, to when Steve had helped him get ready. They had spent several hours in his bathroom, laughing and talking as Steve had helped him style his hair like his. He thought about Steve’s house, the way he had spent hours there watching movies or sleeping over there when he had nightmares, learning to cook with him.
Dustin exhaled slowly, and blinked his eyes open in anticipation. Either he would be safe, or he would be dead. The sight of Steve Harrington’s living room blinked into existence, and Dustin practically collapsed in relief.
“I did it,” he whispered, giddy with relief. He looked around the room, and his legs gave out as he sunk onto the couch, taking several deep breaths. He was going to be okay.
After a few moments, his heart had finally stopped pounding hard in his throat, and Dustin got up, walking to the closet he knew his favorite blanket was in. He pulled out the fluffy white blanket, then hesitated and pulled out Steve’s navy blue blanket as well.
Dustin wrapped himself in his white blanket and carried the other one to the couch, sinking back into it. He hesitated for a moment, then held the blue blanket tightly to his chest, pressing his face into it and breathing deeply.
Dustin couldn’t hold back his tears. The blanket even smelled like Steve’s Farrah Fawcett hairspray. He laughed brokenly and cried, sobs wracking his frame.
Dustin didn’t want to die. He had volunteered for this because it was the only way and he didn’t want anyone else to get hurt, but he was just a kid, no matter what he told Steve. He wanted to curl up next to Steve on the couch and ramble on about the newest Star Wars movie that was supposed to come out as Steve pretended to hate it. He wanted to throw popcorn at him as Steve scolded him for making a mess.
Above all, Dustin just wanted to spend more time with his brother.
Dustin took a deep breath, pulling himself together as he stood up and leaned against the wall, facing the doorways. He didn’t want Vecna sneaking up on him, after all.
For a while, it was quiet. Dustin vaguely wondered what Steve did here when his parents were gone, because the big space seemed incredibly lonely without anyone else in it.
The lamp next to the couch burst in a bloody explosion, causing Dustin to jump up in alarm, eyeing the bloody lamp and cursing repeatedly under his breath. The lights overhead burst next, and Dustin quickly dropped the blankets and moved the biggest couch to block one of the doorways.
He turned back to move another piece of furniture, but when he turned back again, the couch was gone. Dustin backed away from the armchair in shock, swallowing thickly as he heard Vecna’s raspy voice again.
“You can’t hide from me.” Dustin shivered, backing up faster in alarm, then froze as he hit something with a loud squelch. Dread flooded his system as he turned. Vecna was no less scary up close, and Dustin gasped in horror as Vecna picked him up with his mind and pressed him against the wall.
Dustin had always thought Eleven’s mind powers were awesome, but now he wished that he had never gotten involved with all this in the first place as Vecna strolled towards him menacingly. Dustin’s heart hammered loudly in his chest, raw terror coursing through him.
Just when he was sure he was about to die, Vecna was suddenly tossed through the wall of Steve’s house.
Dustin fell to the ground, landing on his knees as he scrambled back in shock. He frantically looked around and saw Eleven quickly approaching him, concern flashing in her eyes.
“Are you okay?” she asked. Dustin’s jaw dropped as he stood up, breathing heavily. He poked her, confused.
“Are you real? Did I conjure you?” He pinched her and she batted his hand away, scowling.
“I’m really here.”
“How?”
“I piggybacked from a pizza dough freezer.” Eleven replied. Dustin tried to process that and failed, shaking his head in confusion. He opened his mouth to reply when Vecna reentered the room.
“Hide,” Eleven said, walking to face Vecna. Dustin turned heel and dove behind the second couch, desperately hoping that Vecna hadn’t seen him. He pressed himself to the floor, watching in awe as Vecna and Eleven fought psychically.
Dustin’s heart dropped. Clearly Vecna had the upper hand here, and he grabbed a vase on the end table, hefting its weight a couple times as he tensely watched Vecna holding Eleven in his grasp.
Dustin sprinted out from behind the couch, raising the vase over his head as he screamed in desperation, attempting to knock Vecna out with it.
He had just enough time to think ‘oh, shit,’ before Vecna tossed him hard against the wall. Dustin immediately blacked out.
A headache pulsed in Dustin’s temple as he blearily opened his eyes. The world was a strange red color, and Dustin knit his eyes in confusion, moaning slightly as he tried to blink the blurriness out of his vision. He was suddenly aware of a cool, slimy tendril wrapped around his arms, then jolted as he realized it was around his legs and throat, too, choking him.
Dustin gasped, breathing erratically as he saw Vecna approach him. He looked to his right and his eyes caught Eleven, being held by the vines as well. Dustin’s breath caught in his throat and he flicked his eyes back towards Vecna, embarrassed as a whine of panic escaped him.
Where was Steve? Surely he was supposed to be playing music now. Surely he had lifted off the ground by now. Dustin began hyperventilating as he watched Vecna’s hand raise above him.
Steve would play the song, any minute now.
“He’s not coming this time,” Vecna said and Dustin flinched, eyes glazing with terror. “He’s better off without you anyway. He’s sitting back, glad he no longer has to deal with you.”
Blood roared in Dustin’s ears and he scowled, because he knew that wasn’t true. But as Vecna’s hand came closer and closer, Dustin’s resolve started to crumble.
Why couldn’t he hear music? Was Vecna… right? Did Steve really not care about him? Was it easier to let Dustin die? Tears spilled out of Dustin and his heart shattered at the thought. Without realizing it, Dustin slowly stopped struggling as he processed the lack of music. He couldn’t help the sob that escaped him.
Did anyone care? Dustin thought Steve cared about him, but did he? Did any of his friends? No one really fought to stay with Dustin when they discussed the plan. Lucas had offered, but had instantly backed off when Steve had offered. No one else even tried.
Was this the plan all along? Did everyone just figure that it was easier to let him die and not worry about him anymore? Something in Dustin’s chest cracked, and fresh sobs escaped him as the vines pushed his head upwards.
Vecna’s hand against the red sky above was going to be the last thing he saw. Dustin shut his eyes tightly, choking as the vines tightened further around his neck.
Turn around
Look at what you see
In her face
The mirror of your dreams
Dustin paused, blinking open his eyes. He sobbed in relief. Steve was playing it after all. Dustin started struggling again, but found he couldn’t move as Vecna’s sharp nails dug into his skull. Panic shot through him as he clung to the music.
Make believe I'm everywhere
Hidden in the lines
Written on the pages
Is the answer to a never ending story
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
Something… something about the music sounded weird. Different from the recording. Dustin forced his eyes to focus past Vecna and saw the portal or tear in reality and froze in shock.
Steve was singing, standing on a table.
Steve was singing his song, by himself, acapella.
And he knew all of the words.
Reach the stars
Fly a fantasy
Dream a dream
And what you see will be
Something warm blazed in Dustin’s chest, repairing the cracks from earlier, and pulled his arms forward, screaming loudly as he pulled an arm free from the pillar he was against. Arm straining, he grabbed Vecna’s wrist from where he was digging his nails into his skull and forced it upward, shaking from the effort. At the same time, he ripped his other arm free and blindly reached out, jamming his fingers into Vecna’s eyes.
Rhymes that keep their secrets
Will unfold behind the clouds
And there upon the rainbow
Is the answer to a never ending story
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
Vecna stumbled back in shock, and Dustin tore himself free from the pillar. He collapsed on all fours on the ground, sparing a glance towards Eleven as he greedily gulped in air.
Story
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
“GO!” She cried out. Dustin wasted no time and sprinted towards Steve’s voice. It was shaking and teary, but Dustin clung to it like a lifeline, heart hammering in his throat as he sprinted faster than he had ever run in his life. The floor, covered in red water (Dustin refused to think about it as blood or else he would throw up), making every step slick and slippery. He fell once, scrambling back to his feet as he sprinted, chest heaving, towards the portal.
Show no fear
For she may fade away
In your hands
The birth of the new day
Dustin could see Steve clearly now, and the sight of his limbs mangled almost caused Dustin to falter. He grit his teeth and forced himself to keep going, reasoning that pain was better than death. He was so close now, and Dustin panted harder, legs shaking with exertion. He refused to slow down now, even as slabs of the old Creel house fell from the sky around him.
Rhymes that keep their secrets
Will unfold behind the clouds
And there upon the rainbow
Is the answer to a never ending story
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
Steve’s voice sounded absolutely gutted, and Dustin was so close he could see the tears streaming down his face, and Dustin somehow found a burst of speed as he was ten feet away, five -
Never ending story
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
Never ending story
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
Never ending-
Dustin gasped, eyes opening in shock as he registered himself falling. Someone caught him, and Dustin was confused for a moment because Steve couldn’t have gotten there so fast, but his eyes snapped towards where Steve was standing on the table. Steve had turned and was currently throwing up, so he glanced at who was holding him in shock.
It was none other than Jason Carver, and Dustin was so confused for a moment as he panted heavily, but then he saw Steve stumbling towards him and he figured his questions could wait. Steve fell to his knees next to Dustin and was pulling him gently into his lap, somehow not jostling Dustin’s broken bones, which hurt.
“I got you, I got you, please-” Steve mumbled as he held Dustin close. Dustin gazed up at him, catching the moment when Steve finally looked him in the eyes and watched as his expression crumpled in relief.
Dustin could have sobbed in relief as well, but exhaled shakily instead. “H-Hey, Steve. Miss me?” He asked shakily.
Steve let out a sob as he instantly retorted, “Shut up Henderson.” Dustin’s heart swelled with fondness as Steve cupped Dustin’s face. He figured he was turning bright red under Steve’s gentle touch, but he really couldn’t find it in him to care. “Are you feeling okay? How are your eyes? Can you see clearly?”
Dustin rolled his eyes. “Yes, mom,” he replied, holding back a gasp as his hand twitched.
Steve immediately caught Dustin’s pained expression, which really shouldn’t have surprised Dustin at this point. “What’s wrong?”
Dustin laughed breathily, trying not to move at the onslaught of pain in his limbs. “Uh, well, I think my limbs are all out of whack.”
“Jason, Jason, please go call an ambulance,” Steve said, desperately. Dustin saw Jason reply and sprint out of the room and had so many questions about what had happened, but he looked back up at Steve instead.
“You sang my song,” Dustin said after a beat had passed. He beamed up at Steve. “You knew all the words!” Dustin watched the tension seep out of Steve’s shoulders at the exclamation. He laughed roughly.
“Of course, you made me listen to that stupid song a thousand times.” He said, voice thick with tears.
Dustin grinned. “Bet you’re glad you did now,” he teased Steve, expecting another quip in response. Steve’s jaw just trembled instead.
“Yeah, it’s probably my favorite song now.” He whispered, threading his fingers gently through Dustin’s hair. Dustin focused on the grounding touch, humming slightly as he relaxed further in Steve’s hold.
“Really?” Dustin couldn’t help but ask, incredulous.
“Of course,” Steve replied softly. “It saved my brother’s life.”
Dustin inhaled sharply at Steve’s admission, tears prickling in his eyes. His brother. Dustin liked the sound of that. He thought about the song, then thought about the relief he had felt when he had heard Steve’s voice and seen him standing on the table, desperately singing through his tears as he sang, practically begging Dustin to wake up. Dustin suddenly knew, in that moment, that it wouldn’t have mattered what song Steve sang. He would have always followed Steve’s voice, no matter what song. With this in mind, Dustin firmly responded, “No, you did.”
Dustin watched the way Steve’s expression shifted, clenching his eyes shut briefly as he held back a deep sob that surely would have caused Dustin to shift painfully in his grasp. It only lasted a moment before Steve opened his eyes again, tears still falling down his face despite his best effort to hold them back. A tear landed on Dustin’s forehead and he blinked in surprise, but Steve was already moving, gently brushing the tear aside with his sleeve.
“I love you, Dustin,” Steve suddenly said. Dustin’s heart splintered, warmth curling through his broken body at the statement. He couldn’t stop himself from grinning.
“Sap,” Dustin retorted, grinning. Steve snorted at that. “But I love you too.”
Steve’s eyes filled with tears again, but they were both smiling ridiculously hard now, and they both relaxed, Dustin sighing contently in his brother’s arms. Even with his mangled limbs, he had never felt more secure and safe.
The feeling of love intensified as Steve refused to let Dustin out of his sight, fighting with the ambulance lady. Steve was eventually allowed to ride with him, and Dustin drifted off to sleep on the pain meds, the feeling of Steve’s hand running through his hair the last thing he remembered for a while.