make It exist first, you can make It good later

He can't protect Robin from the world. He can't stop Max from dying. He can't bring Eddie back. But he wants to, because his one purpose is to be the babysitter, the protecter, the one who fixes things. But sometimes your fists aren't enough. Sometimes your will and your hope and your love isn't enough to save everyone. Sometimes there's nothing you can do. And that terrifies him.

Literacy crisis WHO? This was said in the most vocal fried Californian accent ever. I hope The Girls enjoy some Russian lit this summer.

STRANGER THINGS ‣ 4.09- The Piggyback BONUS:

Right as the taxi pulls up to the rehearsal dinner restaurant, Steve grabs Dustin’s arm in a panic. 

“Wait, Dust, what is Will’s fiance’s name?” He asks frantically. He’s completely forgotten.

Dustin is incredulous. “Really, Steve? You pick now of all times to ask me that? Right before we’re about to see him?” He clambers out as Steve pays the driver and stands impatiently on the sidewalk, tugging at his suit awkwardly. “How could you forget? You literally played basketball with him!”

“Fifteen years ago! And he was a freshman when I was a senior, okay?” Steve argues indignantly as they walk inside.

“That’s a terrible excuse when you were hanging out with an eighth grader at the same time!” Dustin shoots back.

“Hold on--you don’t know his name, either!” Steve realizes in a flash. Dustin hasn’t used the guy’s name once. “Dude! Why did we throw the invite away so quickly?”

Dustin splutters for a second, eyes widening as Will and what’s-his-name wave excitedly at them and begin to approach.

“C’mon, babe, you gotta have it in that big brain of yours somewhere!” Steve pleads out of the corner of his rictus grin.

“Shit, uh, I think it’s something like Chad?” Dustin mutters just as the couple approaches. Will folds Dustin up in a hug, but Steve throws out a hand to shake Chad’s, not interested in being more touchy-feely than that.

“Chad! Congratulations, man--It’s good to see you, it’s been forever.”

Chad’s brow furrows in confusion. He looks insulted, and Steve’s stomach drops, quickly realizing that he’s almost definitely gotten the name wrong. The guy seems too polite to say anything, just laughs awkwardly before his face twists into a tight smile that doesn’t reach his eyes when he turns to greet Dustin.

Steve’s eyes narrow, preemptively defensive. Clearly Charlie, or whatever the fuck his name is, hasn’t fully gotten over things from high school. Dustin is equally stiff beside him. 

“Dustin--happy you can be here. Wow, you look---well, not everyone can be as bold as you,” he says, eyeing him up and down distastefully. Steve’s offended. Dustin looks great--especially because Steve had been able to convince Dustin out of his initial loud and inappropriate choice of outfit to one that fit the dress code while still retaining a pop of personality. Over the years, Steve had honed his ability to subtly shape Dustin’s wardrobe without his boyfriend noticing. 

They’re saved from further conversation by the arrival of Mike, Lucas and Max a moment later, and the tension breaks. As they all turn to head to their table, Dustin tugs Steve to hang back a second.

“Okay, so clearly his name isn’t Chad, but it definitely starts with a ‘C,’” Dustin whispers behind his fingers.

“Actually, I don’t care anymore,” Steve says, glaring at Conrad’s back. “Chuck can go kick rocks. I hope it rains on the wedding day.”

Dustin looks at Steve out of the corner of his eye. “What’s your problem? It’s not like you had to go and say his name so confidently like that.”

“Clarence didn’t like your outfit,” Steve sniffs disdainfully, winding his arm through Dustin’s to head to the table.

Best friends

Here is fluffy chocolate Labrador Steve and his Cat friend Dust!

statement statement

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

due to his ccd, dustin has to complete various dental surgeries over the years because teeth are a process even into adulthood. steve becomes old hat at caring for dustin post-surgeries. knows all of dustin's favorite soft foods and makes him smoothies and soups and has perfected his "date night risotto" recipe to ensure dustin feels cared for and nourished.

(dustin loves to bake for steve but steve is the resident cook in the house. for steve, cooking is very intuitive and sensory-- whereas dustin enjoys the more science-y and precise baking process.)