- S4 Spoilers
- Based in a perfect post-S4 where everyone is FINE and everyone is FINE. The Byers + El are back in Hawkins
- This is a work of FAN FICTION. It's not meant to be 100% accurate
- There are certain characters (Eddie's bandmates) whose names I couldn't confirm. I have made names for
- Certain places (the bar)
- The mall has been rebuilt
- Preliminary rating, may change
- More notes pending
It had rained all weekend. Twice last week, a storm rattled his windows, thunder rolling in the woods, lightening throwing itself across black clouds. The ground was still soaked, and the air was still heavy. As he sat up to look out the window, he barely saw to the end of the yard. The fog wasn't particularly cold, but it was thick and ominous.
He was reminded of that other October, after Will came back. The weather hadn't been so bad then, but he felt almost as heavy and sluggish. As he dressed he cast a few glances over to where Yurtle's tank had been - he'd given the poor thing away to his little cousin, feeling far too guilty to keep him after evicting the loyal turtle in favour of Dart.
"Dustin!" His mom called down the hall. "Breakfast!"
He slouched out and to the table, not feeling particularly hungry until he caught sight of his mother's cooking. The smell of it over came him, and he piled his plate with ham and eggs.
"Remember Mom," There was toast stuck to the roof of his mouth, so he talked around it. His mother scowled. "Eddie's working now, so DND is Tuesdays and Thursdays every week until he gets fired or sets the place on fire."
"Dustin!"
"His words - not mine."
"Can't you skip tomorrow at least?" She urged, leaning across the table."
"Mom! You know it needs to be life or death for me to skip!" He protested. "Unless you have an urgent reason -"
"Oh I know, Dustin." She waved her silverware in surrender. "It's just, your aunt is driving out from Boston. She said she might arrive tomorrow afternoon and I thought you might like to see her. It's been years since you saw her."
"When's she leaving?"
"I told you, we don't know. She said she might try to look for a job in town, or at least nearby. She's taking a year out of college to... well... just take a break, really."
"Well then I have plenty of time to see her, don't I?" He was standing already, shoving the last chunk of buttered toast into his mouth and kissing her cheek. Fetching his backpack, he ran outside. Cycling in the fog would be tough, and he wanted to get to school on time.
The first few periods passed in a haze, and he remained barely awake til recess. Math and science went slightly better, but lunch was when everyone got together. Soggy hotdogs, sticky peas, some questionable milk and two cookies - the only dry thing on the tray - once again, he regretted not packing a sandwich. At least for later.
Mike shouldered him forward. Max, Lucas and El waved them over, but Dustin just put his tray down and turned to face Mike and Will.
"Do you guys think I could possibly... um... miss Hellfire Club tomorrow?" Mike's face dropped. "O-or just leave like... an hour early?"
"What? Do you just get put to sleep for the last hour or something?" Will laughed.
"Yes! Yes! That'a great idea! Mike?"
"I don't know..."
"It's just, yknow. My aunt is coming into town and she really wants to see me. My mom's giving me a hard time because I told her how super important Will's first campaign is. But, yknow...moms!"
"I don't mind!" Will chirped helpfully.
"I don't either. Eddie, on the other hand..."
"I know. I need to convince Eddie."
They rarely got to see the older members of the club, now that they had managed to graduate. Eddie had kept his vow to them and passed everything by a hair. Had even flipped the faculty off as he accepted his diploma, just like he promised. Surprisingly, he was the only member of Corroded Coffin currently to have a job - at the same bar where they now frequently played gigs. He spent most of his time sweeping up broken glass and cleaning toilets, whenever they needed him.
Monday passed with the six of them cycling around town without much else to do. It drizzled shortly before sundown, and they took shelter in the newly-rebuilt Starcourt Mall, where Max and El ditched them for a whole hour to "get away from the stink".
He got home just in time for dinner, tried to finish his homework, played with Tew, and convinced his mom to watch the new episode of The A-Team with him before bed. He fell asleep again to the sound of rain on the windowpanes, with a comicbook under his face.
Tuesday, and the mists had lifted a bit. His mood rose with them, and he felt more confident as the day went on. It was only an hour. Surely Eddie wouldn't care?
"You don't care!" The tables rattled as Eddie slapped them. "The only two days of the week we get to hang out. And you want to leave me?"
"I don't!" Dustin retorted. "It's just... my auntie -"
That was a mistake the older boys shared a smirk. Eddie pounced: "Your auntie?"
"I-I mean my Aunt Rosie. Who I haven't seen since I was ten. She's coming into town."
"And Dear Aunt Rosie is more important to you than Eddie the Freak, The Banished!" He turned in his chair, clutching at his heart. "Fine. Go on. Leave. I'll -" A fake sob. "I'll be fine."
Dustin looked to Mike for help, who rolled his eyes. "He's fucking with you, man."
To Eddie: "You're fucking with me?"
"Partially." The Outcast recovered from his heartache and sat up. "I just think it's lame you're leaving us for some old aunt."
"Y'know what." Dustin jabbed a finger at Will. "Belay that sleep spell."
Their DM tilted his purple hood back. "You sure?"
"Yeah. Rosie can wait."
"I can't believe after so many years in this hell hole." Paulie, the bassist for Corroded Coffin, grumbled. "We still have to sneak in for DND."
"I told you." Will shot back, cape swishing as he turned. "My place is too small, and Mike's parents don't like you guys."
"Why wouldn't they like us?" Warren, the drummer, pouted. "We're so sweet."
"Henderson?" Eddie said.
"Huh?"
"What about your place?" Garret added.
"Ohhh... well... my mom's... um..." Dustin struggled, backing out through the doors.
"Dustin Henderson!"
He nearly leapt out of skin. Abrupt, shrill, echoing. The voice was a poor - almost comical - immitation of his mother's. He turned to find a dinged-up station wagon parked in front of the school building. His aunt leaning on the hood. "Rosie! I, uh... I didn't know... my mom never said you'd be picking me up!"
"I didn't say anything to her. I thought I'd surprise you." He thought she'd be mad at him for making her wait, but she just pulled him into a tight hug. "You're so tall, oh my god! Taller than me now!"
"Yeah, like that's hard." He scoffed. Last time they had met, he had been looking up at her, now he was looking down.
"Are these your friends?" She grinned.
"Right! This is Mike, Will -"
"Henderson, this is your auntie?" Something about the way Eddie said it made him turn, only to find him smiling goofily at Rosie.
Paulie added: "We didn't expect her to be so...sooo.."
"Young!" Eddie interrupted. "Wayyy too young to be somone's auntie."
Rosie laughed. "Thanks, it's just a name, really. Dustin's mom and my mom are cousins."
"But she's still my Aunt Rosie." Dustin added flatly, eyeing the older boys, who were now paying no attention to him. Even Mike was staring.
Warren cleared his throat. "Yeah, like, I'd say you're like... eighteen? Nineteen?"
"Actually I'm twe-"
"No!" Eddie exclaimed, clapping a hand over his friend's mouth. "No! I'm so sorry about him. He clearly doesn't know not to ask a lady her age!"
Rosie frowned, smile fading. She looked Eddie up and down before replying: "If you ever meet a lady, you should remind him."
Something like a giggle. Eddie chewed a piece of his hair. Rosie was now watching him carefully. Dustin felt her discomfort, and tried to step between them. Munson hardly saw him as he nudged him out of the way.
"So, um, Rosie. Can I call you Rosie?"
"Sure."
"Do. Uh. D-do you. Um?"
"Do you play DND?" Garret asked.
"No."
Unable to take any more, Dustin took his aunt by the arms. "You know what, Rosie! I just remembered I have an English essay due tomorrow. One I could actually really use your help with."
"Oh?" She perked up at this. "What's the topic?"
"I can't even remember!" He forced a chuckle. "That's how much help I need! So we better - come on!"
He ran to the car, Rosie following. She smiled across the roof at him and added: "Shotgun's in charge of the radio!"
"Yes!" He slid in and immediately started playing with the dial. Rosie still hadn't sat down, so he looked up. The other boys had all dispersed, but Eddie was still standing with his hands in his pockets, inspecting his shoelaces.
"Eddie?" She asked. "Do you need a ride?"
Munson jumped at the sound of his name, staring at her like a deer in headlights. Rosie waited until he answered: "No! I mean; no, thank you. There's a pile of rust over there with my name on it. Or at least my license plate, haha!"
Dustin cringed as his aunt offered a polite giggle back and eased into the car.
"I'll see you around, then."
"Yeah. See you around."
