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“Dude! No fucking way you haven’t listened to Tears For Fears! You literally like The Smiths and Joy Division!”
“And Echo and the Bunnymen. If you actually liked me you’d know all my favorite bands.” Dustin spoke, dramatically throwing himself back onto the red broken car.
They were at the junkyard, again but in a nice way. You know, not fighting danger and saving the world.
“Oh yeah, my bad. I forgot it’s soooo important that I remember all of your bands. What’s about my favorites though?”
“Hmm, easy. Journey, Cyndi Lauper, and don’t lie! I know you like her! But also Michael Jackson and Elton John. I mean I’m not an idiot so obviously, that makes me better than you.”
“Woooww, yeah ok. Bold coming from the nerd who forgot that I also love Phil Collins.”
Dustin rolled over to face him, rolling his eyes as he spoke. “Fine, you win.”
Lucas laughed and sat up, it was getting late. The stars began to appear as the sky slowly went dark. It was honestly beautiful. “Do you think we should go home?”
Dustin sat up, resting his head on Lucas’s shoulder, “I don’t want to go yet. Our backpacks are here and we can totally just sleep here. I saw a truck with a few tires in it, I’m sure we can just fix it up really quick.”
“But won’t your mom totally freak? Plus I thought you needed to be home by ten.”
“Yeah…but I want to stay with you. We can go if you want, we can just come back tomorrow.”
Lucas smiled, hopping off the car and coming around to the other side, offering a hand to help Dustin off. “Nah, let’s go fix that truck.”
It was nearing fall, the weather was colder than usual and the moon was barely out. The two began to clean down the old red Chevy, using sticks to swap away the old cobwebs and an old shitty broom to sweep the dust off the truck bed.
“You came prepared…why did you even bring a blanket?”
“My mom told me too, she said it might get cold.”
“That’s cute, you’re a mama’s boy.”
“Shut up oh my god. You’re so annoying.”
Lucas grinned and set down the blanket before pulling Dustin to sit beside him. “I know you love me.”
“I know you’re basically the kid's mom but do you always have to look for him when his mom panics? He’s probably just doing nerd stuff and tracking the stars or something.”
“No way,Munson. He would’ve told me. I just need to make sure he’s safe, ok? It’s not like him to just leave and not tell his mom. I mean, what if he’s lost? Or stuck or-.”
“Or being a normal teenager and sneaking off. He’s not a total weirdo, you know.”
Steve rolled his eyes, they had been driving up and down every street possible. Dustin was nowhere in sight.
Normally he’d let it go, assuming he was with friends or doing some weird science project with Susie but when his mom called worried he knew something was off. It wasn’t like him to just leave. Especially without telling Steve! He was basically his older brother! The kid literally asked him to show him how to shave, not that he had any facial hair, but he still asked him. Not Eddie, not his friends, or his mom. He asked him.
“What if he’s hurt? Or being chased? What if it came back- what if it took him?”
“Woah- Woah ok calm down, Steve. We defeated vecna for good. He’s gone and even Jane is sure about that, ok? Dustin would never go off to do something like that alone.” Eddie smiled softly and gave Steve’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “He’s going to be ok, he’s not a dumb kid. We haven’t checked near the Byers’ house or junyard, he’s definitely got to be somewhere in town. When we find him you can give him your mom lecture or something, ok? Don’t worry.”
Steve nodded, relaxing his grip on the steering wheel. “Yeah- yeah you’re right. Sorry, he scares me I guess.” He laughed, giving Eddie a quick glance. “I worry about him, you know? He’s such a smart kid but he can just be so…stupid. I’m just scared he got himself into trouble.”
“Ha, yeah. Yeah I get that. He’s so book smart but so dumb when it comes to basic things.” Eddie laughed, “he’ll be ok. Let’s ask Will.”
“Ok ok ok. I won’t lie, this was a good idea. It’s super pretty…minus the fear of spiders biting us.”
“You think there’s a black widow somewhere in the corner?”
“Jesus Christ. You just had to ruin the moment, huh?” Lucas grunted, bumping Dustin with his shoulder as he sat up.
“Yeah, it’s because I’m being logical.”
“Says the one who suggested we sleep out here.”
Dustin stopped and stared at Lucas for a moment before laughing and bumping him back. It was nice. Just the two of them together on this crappy old truck staring at the stars. Possibly risking death by black widow.
“Yeah, but it’s nice. Plus we can hang out together, alone.” He smiled, watching Lucas as he pulled a jacket out of his backpack.
“My mom told me to take something to keep warm too. Here, wrap up before you get sick and your mom totally freaks out.”
He grinned, putting the jacket on and leaning back to rest his head on the other boy's shoulder. “You know, I don’t think you’re trying to keep my mom from freaking out, I think you just care about me.”
Lucas smiled and leaned down to press a soft kiss to his lips. “Yeah. I don’t want you to get sick, I guess I’m just amazing and romantic like that.”
“Wait! Do you still have your Walkman? I have a cassette we can play.”
“Pfft yeah, one second.”
“Wait.”
Lucas stopped and turned his head to face Dustin who returned the kiss with a toothy grin. “It’s a Great Song.”
“Ok so he’s not at the Byers…but! We still have to check the junkyard, he’s probably there.”
“Ok but what if he isn’t there? What if he’s out of town or lost or scared and alone? What if-“ Steve rambled, tightening his grip on the steering wheel as he pressed harder on the petal. He probably shouldn’t be speeding but Dustin was gone. What if he’s missing? Jesus’s Christ. What the hell is that kid doing anyway?
“Woah- ok Harrington, maybe calm down for a moment. Like I said earlier, he’s not a dumb kid. He’s probably just doing kid stuff, finding frogs or whatever he likes.”
“Eddie, he would’ve told me! He would’ve told you! I mean, he wouldn’t just go somewhere without telling one of us or his mom. That’s not like him- he’s not a rebel or even like that! I’m just-.”
“Scared. I know- I know you’re scared but you can’t just think the worst. I’m worried too but I know he has to be ok. He wouldn’t get in trouble and just not walkie us. He’d tell us or anybody. It’ll be ok, dude. Let’s just head to the junkyard, yeah?” Eddie replied, “and…maybe stop speeding? We escaped death from a literal mythical monster and I’m not ready to go down in a damn car crash. If I’m going to die, it has to count.”
Steve smiled, typical Eddie shit. “Yeah- yeah you’re right. Sorry about that. Let’s just check the junkyard. He’s probably fine. He’s fine.”
The last part was honestly for himself. He can’t save Dustin if he isn’t calm.
“Really? Landslide? I mean I love Fleetwood Mac but isn’t that a bit cheesy?”
Dustin rolled his eyes as he leaned his head closer to the headphones. “Obviously it’s cheesy but you literally took me to the arcade for our first date talking about ‘where I first fell in love.’”
“Oh shush.” Lucas laughed, reaching down to hold the other boy's hand. “You never told me when you first realized you liked me…can you tell me?”
“It’s so embarrassing though.”
“I literally told you it was the arcade, it can’t get worse than that.”
“…fine. You remember the snowball?” Dustin replied, rolling over so he could entirely face Lucas. He was so pretty. How did he even get this lucky?
“Yeah? You danced with Nancy.”
“Yeah but I didn’t want to dance with her. I had Steve help me with my hair and help me out in a tie and everything.”
“I remember the hair,” Lucas smiled, facing Dustin as he held his hand. “It was cute.”
“When we had that big fight over bringing Max along and you telling her everything I figured maybe I was just jealous. I thought maybe I liked her or maybe I was mad she was taking away my friend, you know? When we were at the Dance I saw you and her start dancing. I’ve never felt that way- like about anyone. I was so hurt and angry? I didn’t even know why I felt like that. So instead of dwelling in it I went around asking girls to dance, which as we all saw, I got rejected pretty hard.” He awkwardly laughed, tightening his hold on Lucas’s hand as he spoke, “but when I started dancing with Nancy I realized I wasn’t jealous of you. I wasn’t even upset that Max was our new friend or that you hung out more with her. I was jealous of her- of her being the one you liked. I was so hurt that I wasn’t her- that you didn’t like me. I realized that all I had wanted that night was to dance with you. I didn’t care about those other girls or Nancy. I just wanted to dance with you. I just…I really like you and have for a long amount of time. I didn’t even realize it, which is insane.”
Dustin smiled, before pulling his hand away and sitting at the edge of the truck bed. It had been so long ago that all that had happened. This…them being together like this- it’s just something he never expected. He had liked Lucas for so long. He never thought that maybe he’d even think of him like that- think of him at all.
Lucas sat up beside him, looking up towards the sky. “I didn’t know. I honestly thought you liked Max. I mean, I thought I liked Max. It’s funny how things work out I guess.” He laughed, pulling Dustin closer to him. “…can I hold you? I know that sounds weird and maybe you don’t want to and you totally don’t have to or anything. I’d never make you do anything you didn’t want to do- I mean, I just want you to feel safe and happy and stuff. Unless you think me saying that is weird? That’s like a normal basic boyfriend thing and I probably shouldn’t have to reassure you or-“
“Yes.” Dustin interrupted, saving him from rambling on and possibly embarrassing himself.
“Oh- cool. Um- how do you want to do this?”
Dustin smiled and awkwardly sat on Lucas’s lap facing him. They both giggled before Dustin finally got comfortable and laid his head against the other’s chest.
Such a dumb thing, being out here in the cold on a thin blanket surrounded by broken down cars and swings. It might just be a junkyard but for them it was a haven. This is where they would come to be alone- to be safe. No one came out here and no one would follow them out here. They could just be together without fear. They’ve made memories here, had their first kiss here. It might just be a shitty old junkyard but it meant a lot to them.
“Shit! Look- it’s Lucas! Park and let’s go ask if he’s seen Dustin.” Eddie unbuckled, opening the door before the car even stopped. When the car finally stopped moving Steve practically ran after Eddie who already made his way to the red truck Lucas sat on.
“Lucas! Have you seen Dustin? His mom is worried and I’m worried. That little shit didn’t tell anyone he was leaving and-.”
Steve stopped talking as he approached, looking at Eddie who held a shocked look on his face.
“Um, I found him?” Eddie awkwardly laughed, looking at Steve who finally was near the three.
Dustin fell backwards, falling into the dirt below the truck as he hurried to move off of Lucas. Steve was here- he saw- what if he hated him? What if he hated Lucas? What if he tried to hurt him or Lucas? No. No he couldn’t let that happen. He quickly stood back up and pulled Lucas down from the truck and behind him. “Leave us alone! I don’t care what you think or if you never want to talk to me again. Just- just go away!”
“Woah- what? I don’t hate you-“
“I don’t care! Just don’t hurt us- I know you think this is weird or that I’m gross but I don’t care. I don’t care what you think or what anyone else thinks. I love him, ok? I won’t let anything happen to him.”
Lucas quickly covered Dustin’s mouth from behind, awkwardly laughing as he slowly backed up.
“He didn’t mean that- jokes? Um-.” He stopped, removing his hand and standing beside Dustin with his hand in the others. “…I love him too. I don’t care what you think either but you better leave us alone. I don’t think I can fight you guys off but I’ll sure as hell try. I swear if you lay one f-.”
“For fucks sake! Shut up!” Eddie yelled, silencing the two. “I don’t care if you two like each other! I literally don’t give a shit if you kiss in front of me! I was worried about you little assholes! You could’ve told me, Robin or Steve! Steve was literally shitting his pants in the car and sobbing over the thought of losing you, Dustin!”
“What? I was no-.”
“Shut up! I can’t stand you little fuckers. I swear to god if you just run off and not tell any of us next time I will literally beat your a-.”
Steve quickly covered his mouth, “ok! Ok that’s fine! They get your point. Haven’t you heard of gentle parenting? Maybe you should try it…or just try being quiet for once.” Eddie rolled his eyes and raised his eyebrows at the two boys in annoyance. “He’s right though. You should tell me or Eddie next time. I was genuinely scared…Lucas why didn’t anyone tell us you were gone too? I mean your sister would’ve told everyone you left.”
Lucas chuckled, holding Dustin’s hand as he spoke. “She knows about…us. I asked her to not snitch on me to our parents about me sneaking out.”
“…Steve, can you tell my mom you found me?…and maybe tell her I’m at your house?” Dustin awkwardly smiled as he walked back to the truck.
“What? Dude no-.”
“Yeah we got you, Henderson. We’ll tell your mom and The Sinclair’s we’re all hanging out at Steve’s and watching a movie or something.” Eddie nodded, pulling Steve with him.
“What? No way! He’s literally fifteen- he isn’t old enough to be out here or even dating! No wa-.”
“See you tomorrow boys! We’ll pick you up in my van! Be safe! Use protection!”
“Jesus Christ Eddie! It’s not like that!”
Eddie laughed as he shoved Steve into the driver seat and walked around to his own. “Just saying! Love you guys! Have fun!”
Lucas smiled, waving bye to the two as they drove away. He flipped backwards onto the truck bed and pulled Dustin down with him. “That was something, huh?”
Dustin grinned, laying his head against the other's chest. “Yeah. Another memory for the junkyard…I- I love you, Luke. Thank you for staying out here with me.”
“I love you too Dusty-bun.”
“Oh my god shut up.”