Chapter Text
Dustin Henderson, 23, he's in a band with his best friend, Eddie Munson. It took him forever to get recruited into the band, he begged and begged to be a part of Corroded Coffin. Finally Eddie let him join.
Dustin loved performing for people, he loved metal, he was the second vocalist. Sometimes Eddie would even ask for his help on lyrics. Most of the time they just covered songs, anything from metal to grunge, none of that gay music.
Eddie was… ehh 25, 26. Dustin looked up to him a lot, so much to the point people would ask him if he liked Eddie, romantically. Dustin wasn't gay, Eddie was, Eddie flaunted it. They went to high school together, Eddie being held back. He was rebellious, but also having a hard time with family. Dustin kind of helped him.
Dustin was a good kid, he got bullied for… a lot but it never stopped him from being nice, yes he had moments where he lashed out but he was still kind to anyone. If anyone needed help he was there. Lending a helping hand to Eddie did kind of give him a head up on joining the band. He wouldn't ask for anything more.
Currently they are in New York, sitting in an ice cream parlor. Eddie was in the front flirting with the male worker trying to get free ice cream, which actually worked. A few minutes later they walked out with cones in their hands.
“He even wrote his number on the receipt, isn't that insane?!” Eddie laughed as ice cream already started to drip down his hand. It was hot out.
“I just couldn't believe it worked," Jeff noted.
“Where are we going next?” Gareth looked down at his phone, squinting at the screen trying to see it under the sun.
“No clue, we have a ton of time to spare before we perform tonight.. let's see…” Eddie hummed and started to walk, more like trotted but psh. Until he looked at Dustin, a certain look was on his face. “Whats that look for Henderson?”
Dustin looked over, a little hesitant “oh uhm, I actually.. I kinda have friends over here. Maybe we could go to a bar and meet with them..?” He was hoping Eddie would say yes. He hasn't seen his friends since they graduated, Lucas went to get a basketball scholarship and Max surprisingly became a teacher? Even though she hated everyone.
Eddie and his band mates looked at each other “you know” Eddie paused and twirled some of his hair between his fingers “that would be sick! Meeting more dweebs like you” he ruffled Dustin's head.
A good hour and a half passed, and they were finally at the bar. Dustin was looking around trying to find someone.. his eyes finally locked on someone.
They both ran to each other giving each other, quite rough hugs. “Dustin dude I missed you!” Lucas laughed and slapped Dustin's arm a little too hard. That hurt.
“Missed you too man, hi max” Dustin gave Max a small hug. It was exciting, seeing them again, it's been 4ish years. Oh shit right “Oh uhm, also these are my band mates I've talked about, they're excited. Mainly Eddie.”
“Yo, what's good?” Eddie reached out and gave Lucas a firm handshake “it's nice to meet you man,” Eddie nodded “let's hit up the bar!” And with that they were off.
Dustin looked at Lucas and just shrugged, they shared a laugh. Eventually they all ended up at the bar and started to talk about, honestly whatever. Lucas asked when the next performance was.
“Tonight actually, it's really late though” Dustin shrugged as he took a drink of his beer “you guys wanna come?” Dustin felt.. a little nervous, but they were his friends, he knew Eddie wouldn't mind.
“That would be cool.” Max nodded and looked at Lucas.
“Yeah, we've got nothing better to do honestly,” Lucas smiled. Dustin let out a relieved sigh.
Suddenly Max started to stand up “yo I'll be back, my friend is here with her stank ass boyfriend, ugh!” Max's body shivered before she walked off towards the door.
“Damn, is he that bad?” Eddie joked leaning back in his seat.
“He's like… decent I guess, he doesn't really talk to anyone whenever he's over which is really eerie” Lucas shrugged and tapped his glass against the table.
Eventually Max ended up back at their table, two people trailing behind her, they took a seat at the end of the table. The guy was tall and lanky, he looked awkward, his hair was long and looked like he needed a haircut with how messy it was.
Max was talking to the girl, giggling and smiling. She was … striking. She had long brown hair with bangs, lots of jewelry, she sported a frilly tank top with the skirt-jean combo. Her nails were painted purple and some of them were chipped. Everything seemed to be glowing around her, his heart started to pound. God she was beau-
“Yo earth to Dustin!” Eddie snapped in his face, Dustin quickly looking over. “Can you get us more drinks pretty please” Eddie clasped his hands together in a begging plea.
“Yeah- yeah sure” Dustin got up and headed for the bar once more. He shook his head. He couldn't get distracted, even if… she was pretty. She had a boyfriend though which made it worse. He fought through the crowd and eventually made his way up to the bar, told them the order and waited, tapping his fingers against the counter.
“Hey” a voice appeared behind him.
Dustin quickly turned around, he jumped a little, it was the girl from the table. God she was even more beautiful up close. “Sorry I didn't say hi back there… max distracts me sometimes..” she shrugged and messed with one of her rings. “Do you have any drink recommendations..? I've never had anything before, I uh, turned 21 not that long ago” she looked at Dustin nervously.
Dustin blinked “ah uh- yeah! Uhm what do you prefer like.. sweet, spicy, fruity, bitter..?” He smiled, he was kinda freaking out. His heart was going a million miles, was his face red?
“Maybe something fruity.. that sounds okay” she smiled softly “oh uh, I'm Jane by the way” Jane held out her hand and Dustin shook it. Her hands were soft. Stop your being weird now.
His drinks were set on the table “hey wait!” He called the bartender back over “can I get a Malibu pineapple?” He looked over at Jane “you're not allergic to anything right?”
“Nope,” Jane laughed. Ohhh and he liked her laugh, he was so fucked.
“Alright cool, I think you'll like that one. I'm gonna go run these back to the band I'll be right back-” Dustin gathered all the drinks and hurried back to the table, god he was a mess, freaking out over someone who had a boyfriend kind of mess! God her name was pretty too. Fuck get your shit together henderson! Fucked so fucked overly fucked!!
Dustin made his way back to the bar with his beer, he took the seat next to Jane, “no drink yet?” he leaned against the counter, is he trying to look cool? Or not fall over. He wasn't sure.
Jane hummed and shook her head “no I chugged it all before you came back” a small smirk on her face. “I'm kidding no it hasn't came out”
Dustin chuckled and took a sip from his bottle. “You know uhm.” He looked down at his hands, “we have a show tonight, Lucas and Max are going… maybe you could go?” He looked over. What was he doing? She would probably bring her boyfriend along.
Jane's drink was slid in front of her as she looked over to Dustin, she glanced at the drink quickly “oo pretty,” she looked back up, thinking. “oh, well I think I could… I just have to tell my mom or she'd freak out, she freaked out over me coming here. That's why Mike's with me…” she nodded, sounding a little sad.
“Okay, yeah that works” Dustin smiled softly, he felt a little bad. She didn't need to be guarded “it starts at 11 tonight, if you do come,” he looked down at Jane's drink. “try it”
Jane chuckled “what if I don't like it?” her finger messed with the base of the glass, rubbing circles.
“Oh come on, I can try it first if you're that scared” he started to reach for the drink, he gestured to the straw “do you mind?”
Jane shook her head no. Dustin took a small sip from it, he took a second to think, licking his lips. “Hmm…” he tilted his head a bit.
“Is it bad?!” Jane leaned forward a bit, her head tilted.
“It's…” he tapped his bottle “it's… super fucking good!” He looked at her with a smile. Was he being too much?
Jane laughed and took the drink back, “I'm trusting you…” she took a drink from it and looked back at Dustin “holy shit you weren't joking, oh my god thank you.” Jane took another sip.
“Yeah, of course,” Dustin smiled and watched her. They talked for a good while, Jane explained how she knew Max and Lucas. She was, unfortunately, bullied a lot when she was little. Dustin understood deeply. Hers was so bad to the point where she had to be home schooled. Dustin rubbed her arm for comfort, no one was perfect but she didn't deserve any of that.
Dustin talked about the band, how he got there. He told Jane he was also an outcast, that he understood. It's the main reason he's here. He kind of nerded out about D&D, Jane looked at him like he was speaking another language. Their time together was fun after all the sad stuff, they were having fun. They were becoming friends. Dustin was a few drinks in, Jane was 1 and a half.
Unfortunately that fun didn't last long, Jane's boyfriend, who Dustin thinks is Mike from past conversation, sneaked up behind Jane, wrapping his arms around her and whining. Dustin's stomach churned
“I'm bored, it's loud, I wanna go home” Mike kissed Jane's head. Jane's smile fell a bit as she looked back at him.
“Oh uhm, yeah we can do that” Jane started to get up, “thank you for the drinks, it was fun talking to you Dustin.” she smiled and waved as she started to head out.
Dustin sighed and looked at the empty seat, he got up and started to head back to his band's table. Eddie and Max were talking about how easily they could plummet Mike. Dustin slid into a seat next to Eddie. Lucas looked over at Dustin and reached his hand out.
“You alright?” He rubbed Dustin's arm slightly
“Yeah… I just.. I was actually getting along with someone and then she got dragged away” Dustin looked away, he was flustered and drunk.
“Jane and her freaky boyfriend?” Lucas laughed “she's really nice, I don't know why she's with him though” Lucas shrugged and leaned back. Freaky, at least no one liked him.
“He came up to her all whiny, ‘I wanna go home, I'm bored’, she folded so fast.” Dustin mimicked mike, reaching over and taking Eddie's drink, sipping from it. Lucas let out a laugh.
After a bit of talking and more drinks they decided to part, back in the tour bus Dustin locked himself in the bathroom, he kept looking at himself. He shouldn't have been jealous, he just thought she was pretty, which she was, and maybe a bit more than that... He splashed water on his face as he felt the bus move. Eventually he came out and walked into the front, sitting in the passenger by Eddie.
“Do we have a lineup for tonight?” Dustin looked at Eddie.
“Yeah, I got a great one planned” Eddie smirked and tapped the steering wheel. Dustin replied with a nod, he stared out the window, watching signs and landmarks pass. “Are you thinking about her?”
“What?” Dustin whipped his head over to Eddie, why would Eddie say that??
“The girl from the bar.” He shrugged “you seemed to of hit it off Henderson.”
“I- Eddie no we're just, like, friends! I mean plus she has a boyfriend so why would I even care” Dustin shook his head but he was tense. His heart was racing a little.
“Hey, that's never stopped anyone before, I'm just saying if you think she's cute go for it.”
Dustin crossed his arms looking down at his feet. “She is really cute..” he grumbled.
“Exactlyyy man!”
“I just.. don't want to get my hopes up.. you know… what if she actually enjoys being with the pile of rocks.”
“Oh trust me Henderson no one would want to be with that pile of rocks” Eddie laughed and adjusted his mirror, then his phone rang. Dustin looked over at it, Eddie quickly grabbed it.
“Who the fuck is sexy scooper?!” Dustin yelled.
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They got to the performance stage right on time, everything was set up in a hurry but everything still worked, even with eddies bootycall mid trip. They were also still a little… bitty, tiny but drunk. But that makes performing more fun.
They got through half their songs, a mix between their own and others music, Dustin pulled Eddie to the side during an inner mission and asked if they could do a specific song, Eddie said yes, which was surprising, then he informed everyone else.
They took position and Dustin started to strum his bass. They began to play “She Keeps Me Up” by Nickelback. It wasn't their usual music, kind of straying away but Eddie let it slide this once. It was kind of a dig, maybe obvious, maybe not.
Dustin scanned the crowd, looking for someone. He found Max and Lucas but not who he was trying to find, still he powered through the rest of the performance. He had hope.
After a handful more songs the night ended. They went backstage to take a rest, Lucas and Max joined them.
“Dude you did awesome” Lucas dapped Dustin up and gave him a hug.
“Thanks man,” he laughed.
They chatted for a while, they were all tired honestly, suddenly the door opened with a squeak.
“ah, uh sorry -” Jane stood at the door, she pointed to her phone. “I followed Max's tracking, I lost them way back when the concert started, I'm sorry.” She rubbed her arm nervously.
“You made it-” Dustin sat up in his seat. Suddenly he was awake.
“She made it!!” Eddie got up and cheered. He ran up and hugged Jane, spinning her, she squealed and laughed. Eddie set her back down and fixed her hair for her.
Everyone shared a collective laugh, Jane took a seat next to Dustin, the conversation just flowed back into what they were on about before. It didn't take long for everyone to get tired again, it was nearly 3am.
Max and Lucas started to head for the door “come on Janey.” Max held out her hand for Jane. Jane started to get up.
“Wait -” Dustin looked up at Jane “would you come on a few tours with us? We'll bring you right back home after I promise.” Eddie's head whipped over.
Jane looked at him, then Max, she had a smug look on her face. Jane looked back at Dustin “yeah.. yeah that sounds awesome- could we just.. make a pitstop by my house?” she smiled softly.
Dustin nodded and they all headed outside, everyone climbed in the van, Dustin was grabbed by the back of his shirt though, being tugged away.
“Really Henderson?” Eddie gave him a stern look.
“What?” He looked at Eddie confused.
“I know you like her but this- is kind of insane! Plus hauling around another person?” Eddie groaned and rubbed his face.
“Hey- it- it's gonna be fine! She's okay with everything! It'll be fun! And if anything happens it's all on me.” Dustin patted Eddie on the shoulder before going into the van. Eddie followed him with a grunt.
Dustin took the wheel for tonight, just to get to Jane's house..and well.. him and everyone was impressed. She had a huge 2 story house with a whole backyard that was even lit during the night. Jane got out and Dustin followed.
“My mom's probably sleeping but my dad stays up pretty late so just be.. quiet until i spot him” she closed the door quietly and began moving through the house. Dustin nodded.
He couldn't help but glance around the house, he saw family photos, apparently Jane has 2 brothers. They made their way to the back patio. It was still inside, like the garden things… open house?
“Hopper?” Jane stuck her head out the door. A man smoking a cigar was sitting looking out the back, he looked over. He was. Scary, broad, he looked tough.
“You're home really late.” he grunted and got up “how was it?” He reached and gave Jane a hug.
“It was fun,” she paused and looked back at Dustin. Who Hopper was also looking at, and who Dustin awkwardly waved at. He was kind of freaking out.
“Is that one of the band boys?” Hopper sat back down kicking his feet up. He eyed Dustin suspiciously.
“Yess… he also invited me to.. go on a few tours with them…” Jane grimaced and held her hands up to her face, like the kind of look that was ‘please let me go but don't be mad I asked’
“Like across the country?” Hopper asked, looking at Dustin, who nodded. He let out a sigh “I mean I guess.”
Jane squealed and hugged Hopper once more. He cleared his throat “But.” Hopper sat up “in case of anything, locator on at all times and I want a picture of everyone's ID asap, I'll give you more phone credits to stay in touch.” Jane nodded and grabbed Dustin's arm as she ran up the stairs.
They were eventually in her room, she seemed to just be shoving clothes into a bag. Her room was very… whimsical and cluttered, it was nice though.
After about 10 minutes she closed her bag and grabbed a funny looking device, “alright, let's hit the road” she smiled and looked at Dustin.
“Alrighty, yeah.” Dustin followed her downstairs and out the door, they got to the van. “There's a 90% chance everyone is asleep already.” he looked back at her.
Jane giggled, “okay”
They snuck back into the van, Jane set her stuff up more near the front. They got into the seats. “I'm gonna drive somewhere more.. not in the middle of the town but you can head to bed, I don't mind.”
“Are you sure? I can stay to keep you company” Jane looked over at him.
“You can if you'd like.” he smiled softly as he began driving. This kind of felt… unreal. I mean her dad was just fine with this, maybe he just wanted her to have fun.
Eventually he found a place to park, they wouldn't get fined for being there either which was a bonus. Jane was drowsy but kept herself awake anyways.
“Hey,” Dustin touched her shoulder gently “if you want, you can sleep on my bed in the back, it's way more comfy than a leather seat” he chuckled as Jane nodded and started to get up.
Dustin guided her to the back, thankfully Dustin's bed was on the bottom so she didn't have to climb and risk falling. Dustin watched as she curled up into the blanket and drifted off pretty quickly. He closed the curtain so she had some privacy. He yawned and made his way back to the front, he grabbed an extra blanket and turned all the lights off. He settled in the passenger seat where he eventually fell asleep.
Dustin didn't wake up until he felt the van start to move. He grunted and covered his eyes with the blanket. Too bright.
“Come on Henderson, I need you as a lookout but if you're tired get your ass to the back” Eddie turned the radio up.
Dustin groaned and got up, Jeff went to the front and took his place.
Dustin sighed and sat down by his bed, he figured Jane was probably still sleeping. He leaned his head against the edge of the bed and drifted back off to sleep.
After about an hour he was woken back up, “hey, they said we're stopping for food..” he looked over and was met with janes face, she smiled softly “hi sleepyhead,” she giggled. Why was she so perfect?
Dustin got around and joined everyone at the diner, taking a seat next to Jane. They all ordered. Talked, asked how Jane convinced her parents.
“Oh and uh- sorry can I.. take a picture of your guy's IDs.. my dad just wants to make sure I won't be slaughtered while I'm out” she looked at them nervously.
“I get it” Eddie dug in his wallet “is he like… over protective or something?” He slid his ID on the table along with the others following.
“No he's a sheriff.” Jane snapped a picture and sent it to her dad.
“A sheriff?! Man!” Eddie slugged down in his seat “look what you got us into Henderson!”
“What?! I didn't get us into anything! I swear he was okay with her coming!” He looked at Jane who nodded.
“What if it's a setup...” Eddie groaned
“Why would it be a setup??” Dustin was confused
“Daughter of a cop bro.” Gareth noted
“You guys are overdramatic” Dustin sighed and held his head down, he looked at Jane and mouthed ‘sorry’. She giggled. He hated his friends sometimes.
After they ate they ended up at an arcade, they had time to spare, 3 days to be exact. Getting to the next location wouldn't take long so why not do a bunch of shit.
Dustin and everyone else found out Jane was really good at any arcade game, she was like a pro of all pros. Better than him, and he was pretty damn good.
“You're insanely good!” Jeff grabbed her shoulders.
“Who taught you this magic?!” Eddie whipped Jeff out the way and looked at Jane suspiciously.
“Oh, well Max did.” She messed with her sleeve, a bit nervous.
“Max is a pro too?” Eddie looked at Dustin.
“Well- I- yeah she is.” Dustin avoided eye contact. Why would he tell his friends this? They didn't even know max until yesterday.
“Dude we could win a billion prizes like this, you've been hiding this secret! How dare you” Eddie sighed and fake fainted, Gareth catching him.
“Oh come on man,” Dustin chuckled.
After a few more games they headed out, they honestly didn't get that many tickets and just bought a bunch of candy with it.
“Where are we going next?” Jane looked over at Dustin as he closed the van door.
“Uhmm, honestly we just kind of dick around until the performance night.. anything you'd want to do?” He walked down to his bed and sat down.
“Mm.. I don't know” she messed with her hair before sitting next to Dustin “the arcade was fun though.. it's been a while since I've had fun..”
Dustin looked at her confused “you don't have fun? It seems like you do”
Jane let out a small sigh “honestly.. not really, my parents are really overprotective.” She picked at her nail polish “It's why I don't know many people… or why I can't go anywhere. Their scared something will happen, or I end up hurting someone or myself”
Dustin's face softened, he reached out and grabbed Jane's hand. “That's perfectly okay. And I mean, you're about to have the time of your life on this trip, I won't let anything ruin this for you even if I have to punch one of the guys for being too much. You can take a break whenever you need too.” he smiled
Jane laughed and looked at Dustin, she was kind of teary eyed. “You're so sweet” she patted Dustin's hand. His heart bloomed.