Work Text:
Dustin layed in bed, a heavy feeling spread across his entire body- as if someone had set a weighted blanket overtop him.
An odd feeling was settled in his stomach, and he felt weak. He questioned whether or not he should get up, but the hellfire club would be starting a new campaign today, he couldn’t just miss that.
He forced himself upwards, letting out a small groan. Swinging his legs over the side of his bed, he plants his feet on the ground and stands up, but one of those waves of dizziness hitting him.
Dustin stands with his arms stretched out to prevent himself from falling. Once he felt steady, he slowly started getting ready. He dragged himself into his bathroom and started brushing his teeth, but the taste of his tooth paste made him wanna vomit. He quickly brushed his teeth and went to continue getting ready.
—
When he eventually showed up at school, he had missed home room and hardly had anytime to stop by his locker.
Fumbling into his first period, his teacher glared at him.
”Care to explain why your late, Mister Henderson?” She asked, staring into what felt like his soul.
”Overslept, sorry- Ma’am.” Dustin stuttered out. He carefully crept into his seat, and the teacher continued teaching whatever she was teaching. Most of it was going in one ear and out the other, though.
He leaned into his desk and sighed, his eyelids drooping. Today was going to be long. It was gonna be even longer if he couldn’t stand the taste of anything. He ached to go back in his bed, lay down and watch whatever was on TV, but he couldn’t do that.
Once first ended, he sat down in second and there was no change in how he felt, but there had to be a change in how he acted. Him, Lucas, Mike and Max were all in this class together.
He wasn’t really sure how they had all managed to get into one class all together again, but he wasn’t gonna question that.
The lectures continued to go through one ear and out the other, but he tried to sit up straight to convince his friends he felt okay. Though, it obviously wasn’t doing a good job, considering their concerned faces.
”You okay?” Lucas whispered, leaning closer to Dustin.
”I’m fine, thanks. Just been tired lately.” Dustin had already planned out a response for the unavoidable question that he would at least be asked twice. “You excited for the campaign tonight?” He whispered, changing the subject.
”I think we all are.” Lucas smiled, causing Dustin to smile as well. It felt good to smile right about now.
He rested his head in his right hand and took a deep breath. Keeping the idea of the Club in his mind, he tried his best to - at the least - stay awake.
—
Eventually lunch arrived, usually Dustin would be excited for lunch. Getting to sit with Eddie and his friends while eating good food was always a good way to cheer him up, but he could barely swallow a few bites.
Eddie’s friends were missing, and Dustin assumed they skipped or were somewhere else, but Eddie had stayed.
”There he is!” Eddie called out, that big, goofy, smile plastered on his face. “Are you getting excited, cause I’m getting excited.” He asked as Dustin settled into his seat.
”I’m excited to see what happens. Did you set something good up this time?” Dustin hated how off he sounded, his voice slightly raspy from whatever illness decided to creep into his body.
Eddies smile quickly faded at the sound of Dustin’s voice, “You okay? You sound… iffy.” He asked.
”I’m fine, thanks.” Dustin repeated what he had said to Lucas, just removing the ‘tired’ excuse.
He could tell Eddie wasn’t buying it. Not in the slightest bit. It was all he really had though. There’s only so many times you can use the whole ‘I’m just tired’ thing until no one believes you anymore. He still needs that excuse. He needs it to last as long as it possibly can.
”What time are we starting the campaign, again?” He asked, trying to force the subject away.
”Six, on the dot. Don’t be late like you were last time.” Eddie said jokingly, elbowing Dustin in the side.
Dustin chuckled and tried to swallow down a bit of his sandwich. It made his stomach angry and it felt gross to even swallow it, but he had to eat at least half of it to not look weird.
Once he finished forcing the first half down he threw the rest of hind sandwich in the trash can and sat back at the table.
”You aren’t gonna finish? You love those sandwiches.” Eddie looked concerned again, looking st the trash can then to Dustin.
Avoiding eye contact, Dustin mustered out the best lie he could think of, “I had a big breakfast. I’m not hungry.”
Eddie rested a hand on Dustin’s shoulder, he could see right through him. “Is… something wrong?” He asked, “You know you can talk to me, right?”
”I…”
“Hey, Munson.” Steve’s voice came from behind them. “You still owe me ten bucks.”
“Not right now, you’ll be fine if you don’t have your precious ten dollars.” Eddie mocked Steve, giving him a condescending look.
“It’s still my money.”
”So what? I’ll pay you back later. I’m busy right now, and I’m gonna be busy later.”
They continued to bicker until the bell rang. On one hand, Dustin was glad he could avoid Eddie’s question and Him and Steve’s arguing, but on the other hand; he kinda wanted to stay there. No teacher staring him down, or stupid heavy backpack. He felt the day just kept getting longer.
”Just hold on a little longer,” He though, “The club will make you feel better.”
—
The second the last bell rang he was out the door, taking no time to say goodbye to any of his friends. He knows it’s rude, but he just needs to get home.
He pulled his bike out the rack and hopped on before riding off.
“What’s he in such a hurry for?” Steve thought as he opened the door to his car.
”Steve~” Eddie’s voice called out, causing Steve to turn his attention to his side.
Eddie was walking over with a ten dollar bill in hands, “Catch.” He says, tossing the bill to Steve.
Steve grabs it out of the air, “Thank you.” He says, “But I’ve got work in an hour, I can’t stay to talk.”
”Just one thing.” Eddie says, “About Dustin.”
Steve pauses. If Eddie needs to stop him in the middle of leaving to talk to him about something, it must be important, especially if it’s Dustin.
He rests his arm on the top of his car, ”What’s going on?”
“Did he seem - off - to you at all?” Eddie asked.
”I haven’t seen him much. From what I heard from the other pipsqueaks, though, hes been acting weird.” Steve couldn’t help but feel a little worried.
”He was just, acting weird at lunch. I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t overthinking or something.”
”No, you’re fine. I mean- I didn’t notice, but other people did.” Steve sighed, “Do you… think he’s okay?”
”I have no idea, but I have a feeling he isn’t.” Eddie looked to the road Dustin had used to leave, “He didn’t finish his lunch, he sounded like crap, he didn’t look the best either.”
Steve leaned against his car and joined Eddie at looking to the road, “I hope he’s okay…”
”Maybe he’s just having an off day, don’t worry your pretty face off about it.” Eddie walked past Steve, making sure to ruffle his hair on his way out.
Steve felt his cheeks warm as he fixed his hair, “Dammit, Munson.” He said under his breath.
—
Dustin threw his bike into the front yard and stormed inside, throwing himself onto his living room couch and burying his face in some pillows. He felt ten times worse than before, his body ached and conflicting moods ruched over him.
Hot then cold, hot then cold. Starving, but he can’t eat, starving, but he can’t eat.
He wrapped his arms around his stomach and brought his knees to his chest. He was hoping and praying this would pass, but 6 o’clock was growing closer and he didn’t even feel strong enough to get up.
His stomach refused to settle and it got to the point where the pain was almost unbearable. He felt his stomach start to flip and forced his entire body upwards and rushed to the restroom.
Leaning over the toilet bowl, he began to retch out his lunch. Once he was sure it was over, at least for now, he wiped his mouth and flushed the toilet.
Dustin carefully pulled himself up and weakly shuffled out of the bathroom and towards the nearest phone. He couldn’t take it anymore. He needed someone, anyone, to come help.
Shakily, he dialed Steve’s number and sat on the floor, the phone pressed to his ear.
”Please be at home, please be at home, please be at home.” He thought.
Steves voice picked up, “Hello?”
”Steve…”
”Henderson? I’m about to go to work, is everything okay?” Steve asked.
”I…” he took a deep breath, “I need help… I feel terrible…”
There was a short pause, “I’ll be there.” Steve hung up, and Dustin let the phone hang by its wire, he could care less.
—
Eddie welcomed the hellfire members, but there was no sign of Dustin. He had told him to be here, the right time. Was he late again, but in previous conversations, even before today, he seemed so excited.
”Maybe it has something to do with how he was acting today.” He thought, “I’ll give it a minute. Maybe he’s running late.”
Ten minutes later, no sign of Dustin.
”Where is he? I’m getting bored.” Erica groaned, her head in her hands.
”I’ll call him. Maybe something is up.” Eddie moved into the next room and grabbed the phone off the wall.
He dialed Dustin’s number and pressed the phone to his ear. He tapped his foot as the phone rung, and rung on and on. He was about to place the phone back but the ringing stopped.
”Hello..?” Dustin’s voice came out as a barely audible murmur.
”Dustin, where are you?” Eddie asked, “you’re the last member of the party. Everyone is waiting for you.”
“I-I’m sorry, I can’t make it.” Dustin coughed a few times, and Eddie felt as if they were louder than Dustin’s speech.
”Woah… is everything okay?” Eddie suddenly felt much more worried than impatient.
”I’m fine…” Dustin shuffled on the other end.
”Mm-mm. No. I’m coming to see you. We’ll do the campaign next weekend.” Eddie said.
”No, no! Eddie it’s not a big deal I’m completely fi-“
Eddie placed the phone back on the wall and walked back into the main room where everyone was sitting.
”New plan, everyone get out. We’re doing this next weekend.” Eddie commanded.
Groans and ‘Why’s came from every direction.
”Is something wrong? With Dustin? Is that why we can’t play?” Lucas asked, seeming to be the only one who wasn’t complaining.
”Don’t know, but I’m going to check on him and you can’t play without a dungeon master.” Eddie started to pull on his jacket. “Don’t just stand there, come on!” He gestured towards the door, everyone walking out looking angry and upset.
Mike and Lucas stopped at the door before they left.
”Radio is if something goes wrong.” Mike said.
”We can come help too, if you need it.” Lucas added.
”You got it, but you both should get going.” Eddie patted the on the back as they walked out the door.
After everyone was at least a few feet away, Eddie sighed. He knows Dustin’s house isn’t far, he can walk, but he’s worried that something might go wrong. In Hawkins, you never really know.
—
Steve pulled up into Dustin’s driveway, and saw that most of the lights were on.
He pushed the car door open and climbed out, and walked towards Dustin’s front door. Turning the handle, the door popped open and light flooded into the outside world.
”Henderson?” He called, then waited for a response. He heard a small groan come from the kitchen, “There he is.” He thought.
Steve walked in and closed the door behind him, then made his way to the kitchen to see Dustin sitting on the floor in a ball.
He felt his stomach drop at the sight. Dustin looked like he was in a lot of pain.
“Hey, what’s going on?” He said, trying to sound as calm as possible. Crouching to the ground, he placed a hand on Dustin’s shoulder.
”I feel like shit…” Dustin breathed.
”Why didn’t you tell me sooner? Why didn’t you tell anyone sooner?” Steve asked, “Or did this just happen.”
”No… I’ve felt like this all day…” Dustin muttered, “I thought it would pass.”
”Than why didn’t you tell someone? It’s obviously hitting you pretty hard.” Steve sat on the floor, but kept his hand on Dustin’s shoulder.
”I- I didn’t wanna be a bother. I thought I could take it. I thought it would pass.” Dustin looked down, and Steve’s stomach dropped to somewhere on the other side of earth.
”You would never, ever, be a bother. If you need help don’t hesitate to ask. Plus, it’s not healthy for you to pull stunts like this.” He said.
”I’m sorry…” Dustin murmured.
“It’s okay,” Steve said, pulling his hand off Dustin’s shoulder. “What are your symptoms? Maybe I can figure out what medicine to give you.”
“Well… I feel really weak. And I vomited earlier… a keep getting these chills, and everything I eat makes me wanna vomit.” Dustin sighed.
”Probably some sort of stomach bug.” Steve said before pressing a hand to Dustin’s forehead, then flipping his hand and pressing the back of his hand to his forehead. “You’re burning up, too.”
A loud series of knocks came from the front door.
Dustin sighed, “I forgot to tell you… Eddie demanded he come help. He canceled the campaign and everything.”
”Alright. Do you want him to help?” Steve asked.
Dustin thought for a moment, then spoke, “Yeah…”
”Okay. Just stay here.” Steve said, pushing himself up. He walked back to the front door where Eddie was knocking and knocking. He opened the door to a less than happy Eddie.
”Steve? Wheres Dustin?” Eddie asked, looking past the man in front of him.
”He’s sitting in the kitchen. He called me and told me to come help. But, I’m just letting you know, he is fragile right now. Don’t try to push him, he feels terrible. He’s got a bad stomach bug, and he didn’t want anyone to know. Be gentle with him. Do you understand?” Steve let out a spiel that was both unnecessary and necessary.
”Got it, got it. I just need to help.” Eddie pushed past Steve and started towards the kitchen. “Where is he?”
”What do you mean he’s-“ Steve stopped upon seeing Dustin was missing from his original spot. “D- Henderson!” He called.
”Steve…” A small voice came from down the hall. Steve rushed down the hallway, Eddie following close behind.
The bathroom door was wide open, and Steve saw Dustin hunched over the toilet bowl shaking.
“Henderson!” Steve threw himself on the floor and started rubbing Dustin’s back. “Are you okay?” He asked.
”I’ll go get you some water.” Eddie said, standing in the doorframe.
”Good idea, get him so medicine too.” Steve rubbed circles into the boys back as he retched up whatever he had eaten in the last 24 hours. “You’re okay…” He consoled, as Dustin began coughing.
He grabbed a small washcloth from the under-cabinet and wet it using the sink.
”Here,” he said, holding it out to Dustin, “Wipe your mouth off.”
With a shaky hand, Dustin took the towel before flushing the toilet and wiping his face off.
”Go change into your pajamas. I’ll get some stuff set up for you in the living room. Does that sound okay?” Steve asked.
Dustin slowly nodded, and Steve helped him to his feet.
While Dustin made his way to his room to change, Steve turned on Dustin’s TV and started making the couch as comfortable as possible.
”I’ve got some water and medicine.” Eddie said, walking into the living room.
”Place them on the end table, he should be out soon.” Steve responded.
Eddie placed the pills and water on the end table and turned his head to Dustin who just started stumbling out of his room.
“Let me help you, you’re gonna fall over.” Eddie said walking over, “Dizzy?”
”Yeah.” Dustin yawned.
Eddie carefully picked Dustin up, placing an arm underneath his legs and his other around his back.
”You could’ve just helped him over.” Steve said.
”Did you see how he was walking? He would’ve fallen over even if I placed a hand on his shoulder.” Eddie argued, “And I also wanted to pick the kid up. He’s already half asleep.” He whispered, carding his hand through the 15-year-olds’ hair.
”Well he just needs to stay awake for just a minute longer. Medicine, remember?” Steve reminded him.
Eddie gave the boy a small nudge, “You’ve still got stuff to do, man.”
Dustin groaned at the thought and both Eddie and Steve couldn’t help but chuckle.
”It’s just medicine, Henderson,” Steve said, “you’ll be fine.”
Eddie sat Dustin on the couch and handed him the medicine and water.
Dustin popped the pills in his mouth and washed them down with a few sips of water.
Steve was already sat on the couch, and Eddie sat on the opposite side of Dustin.
Steve started carding his hand through Dustin’s curls, as the boys eyes started to droop, eventually falling asleep on Steve’s shoulder.
”Thanks for your help, Munson.”
”I’d do anything for this idiot. It’s not a big deal.”