relatively anonymous

Canon eddie is a great character because he is rough around the edges. Mike and Dustin are genuinely intimidated by him in the first episode. Steve, Max and - most tellingly - Lucas all briefly entertain the idea that he could have killed chrissy, because that's the image he's cultivated to people who don't know him very well.

And it is an image, obviously, it's a survival mechanism and he's also very much the victim of people's preconceived notions about him, given his family's history. So I don't blame him for playing into it. But he's just as guilty of upholding the high school status quo and us vs. them mentality as the jocks are (and notably it's not just the popular kids he goes after in his speech but other "outcasts" like that band kids that he views as conformist). His approach is definitely helpful to dustin but also contributes towards lucas feeling singled out for joining the basketball team.

Steve and Dustin move back to Hawkins at some point during their retirement. why is not important right now. they buy a house in downtown Hawkins so they're in the middle of things and so they can walk and drive to places easily. by their 70s or 80s, Dustin is very unsteady on his feet and really should be using a walker but he hates it because "it makes me look like an old person, Steve!" to which Steve snipes back "you are an old person!"

Dustin likes to use a cane instead because he thinks it makes him look distinguished (it does but don't tell him that or his ego will get even bigger)

anyways, every week Steve insists on taking a walk to get dinner at their favorite restaurant, which is right around the corner from them because it's important to stay healthy and get regular movement for your body, Dustin. you can't sit in the same chair every day! Dustin grumbles and bitches the entire time but also holds onto Steve's offered arm very tightly because he's really actually unsteady (despite how much he denies it) and he trusts that Steve will never let him fall. and that's how they totter off to dinner every week.

Holding arms like this:

now im just looking at stock photos of old couples holding hands and crying