@theartofmadeline
The Bowery Presents
Aqua Utopia｜海の底で記憶を紡ぐ
ojovivo
Noah Kahan
occasionally subtle
No title available
Misplaced Lens Cap
roma★
tumblr dot com
I'd rather be in outer space 🛸
Sade Olutola
The Stonewall Inn
Xuebing Du
sheepfilms
🪼
No title available
KIROKAZE
Origami Around
Lint Roller? I Barely Know Her
seen from Portugal
seen from Austria
seen from France
seen from Malaysia
seen from Australia
seen from Canada
seen from Brazil
seen from Germany
seen from United Kingdom
seen from Bangladesh
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United Kingdom
seen from Singapore
seen from United States
seen from Malaysia
seen from United States
seen from Indonesia
seen from Venezuela
@dustybns
𝒪𝐻 𝒩𝒪 ! 𝙸 𝚑𝚊𝚍 𝚝𝚠𝚘 𝚋𝚘𝚕𝚘𝚐𝚗𝚊 𝚜𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚠𝚒𝚌𝚑𝚎𝚜 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚕𝚞𝚗𝚌𝚑. ᴵ ᴰᴼᴺᵀ ᴷᴺᴼᵂ ᵂᴴʸ ! dustin henderson of stranger things. ʎʇıʌıʇɔɐ ʍol & lazy.... ( 𝘦𝘹𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘦. ) DON'T BE A WEIRDO. basic rules, lovingly geeked out by moon (she/her 27) please note all interactions will be s1-4 based unless otherwise plotted for s5.
" you can be mean!" <3
vulnerability incites sadism⸻ 𝙼𝙴𝙰𝙽. a word that sticks between her teeth, (gum on the underside of a school desk) flattened and ugly and far too impossible to scrape off. SHE THINKS IT FUNNY, how people confuse ᵀᴱᴱᵀᴴ for ᴹᴬᴸᴵᶜᴱ. sharpened edges mistaken for a gnawing hunger. and the girls who survived only get called cruel in the end, instead of careful. but what was vulnerability if not a blood sport anyway? all final girls learned this eventually. caught after the moment when they cried too loud, or loved too openly, or let someone see the hollowed - out bird ribcage of their chest … when something came running. 𝚖𝚊𝚡 𝚑𝚊𝚍 𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚗𝚎𝚍 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚠𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐: (curled on the old sofa, remote wielded like a knife between freckled fingers; 𝘔𝘈𝘟𝘐𝘌 𝘛𝘜𝘙𝘕 𝘛𝘏𝘌 𝘛𝘝 𝘋𝘖𝘞𝘕!) if you didn’t bare your throat, nobody got the chance to bite* “ yeah, i’m a real asshole. ”
eyes trace the chipped grip tape of the skateboard propped beside her, A NERVOUS RITUAL. but anything was better than looking at dustin while 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯 skated around her head, a nauseating cacophony of screams and shattered bones. “ what ? are we stating the obvious now or something ? ” ¹. ᴮᴼʸ ᴳᴱᴺᴵᵁˢ, DIDN'T HE KNOW BETTER? — mean was split knuckles and too much beer on breath and doors slammed hard. mean is the way love had a tendency to sound like a 𝚝𝚑𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚝. max swallows. suddenly ((𝘛𝘖𝘖 𝘈𝘞𝘈𝘙𝘌)) of the growing lump in her throat. “ gotta say … that's a little reductive, even for you. ” she considers then, explaining 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘵𝘺 to someone who'd only just noticed the ground. “ of course i'm mean, ” she settles on a shrug instead, one shoulder hitching higher than the other. something almost feral under her skin now, pacing *𝙰𝙻𝚆𝙰𝚈𝚂 counting exits and listening to the snap of a trap. “ i'm not stupid. ”
𖥻 │▌ ₍ ★ ₎ ／ UNREAL ᵎ ᵎ
sweatshirt clings in ways that are uncomfortable. ────( sporting a known classic. brontosaurus - THE THUNDER LIZARD ) body a satellite to micro aggressions. todays recess speciality: 𝙷𝙴𝙽𝙳𝙴𝚁𝚂𝙾𝙽 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙵𝙰𝚃 𝙰𝚂𝚂! glasses pushed back to the flesh of face. there is a slight crack in the left frame. the result of a purposeful ball to the face. but it is max who has the final laugh. pushing him (literally) out of the way. middle finger shot up, staring into the eyes of danger. ' 𝚂𝙰𝚈𝚂 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙺𝙸𝙳 𝚆𝙷𝙾 𝚂𝚃𝙸𝙻𝙻 𝚂𝚄𝙲𝙺𝚂 𝙷𝙸𝚂 𝚃𝙷𝚄𝙼𝙱 ' ; callous animosity raising pink cheeks & the dispersal of bullies. its a dog eat dog world after all. words that came off before thinking .uɐǝɯ ǝq uɐɔ noʎ (only in response). ────rattled by nervous syllables. however, sit in the contents of truth. she resembled the precipice of a wounded dog. survival found by the means of self protection. always on guard & ready to bite. it wasn’t unsettling, even when the shot felt personal. because even those who are hurt, have an uncanny connection to selfless behavior.
he pauses to move red & blue cap further on top of unruly curls. only to turn, offering an over indulgent smirk, mocked by the scowl that is returned. eyebrows shoot up in defense. dustin had never met a line he had not crossed. from being kicked out of robotics summer camp in 82'. to being forced to sit by himself during fourth grade recess for apparently talking over several teachers. that resulted in a serious conversation at home regarding : BOUNDARIES. and he almost does it again ────that internal pull to offer some kind of physical acceptance (maybe even gratitude). it is why hands shoot up but awkwardly, ghosting the air in what would have been a hug- only to drop against tan khackis “ mean yes - but that was awesome ! 𝐌𝐀𝐃𝐌𝐀𝐗 : MY HERO ”
i love dustin henderson 😤
Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson Stranger Things
come back home.
things have been off. ──── meaning undeniably weird. it had been explained in words that made no ((sense)). jumbled in the mystification of dustin henderson. but its happening too often. he can barely focus nowadays, words are becoming muddled & short. from spacing out in testing and barely being able to hang head during class. and it ripples through temple now looking to the party that is paces ahead. “ GUYS ! CAN YOU - JESUS WAIT UP ! ” time almost stops as its ripped in a new direction.
but he is no longer there. ──── blink! claudia & walter henderson sit quietly at the mahagony table. a conversation peeking through the lips of his father. fingertip pointing at the little boy who sits worldless by his mothers feet. clutching a 'pet rock' named kirby. “ there is something wrong with him... that boy is not my son. i will not have some some freak for a son ” a cruel mans words, palms slamming against the kitchen table. and it breaks even. with a shudder so heavy it shakes home that once belonged in a sanctuary. and it ((eats)) him hole. dumping body with it. landing stomach first in the upside down. “ NO - NO- NO ” barely a whisper as he pushes himself up. think think goddamnit think! , and eyes dart around his surroundings but there is nothing. and he cant stop it. vines travel the surface of body. locking him in place. another appearing before him.
I̸͖̦̜͊̃̀T̷̙̪͇͙͙̟̩͒̏̾͜ ̷̢̛͖̣̝̳̟̱̫̎̅̅̑͝͠I̷̡̟̤̣̬̰̘̔͛̍̑̈͗͜ͅS̸̻̤̹̦̦͔̫̙̘̒͆̋͜ ̶̢̩̗̑͋̉̑̃̈́́̕͠͝T̵̟̘̲̹̺̲͋̈́̿̔ͅḮ̶̛̛͓͕̱̤̭̔̑̔͒͝M̸̢̗̘̙͙̣̩̄̀̿͒͗̓Ę̷̥̖͎̤͖͋͂͂̓̑̂̽̎͘͜ ̸͉̙̠̮͍̳͌͛͋́͌̚Ḋ̵̫̭͖̞͗̒U̵̡̳̩͎̪̬̜̎̈̿̾̂̔̇S̶̨̡̲̳͚͖̈́̔͂̂͋̆̊ͅŢ̵̪̣͗̇I̶̙̹͕͔̻͇̥̎̌͐̄͋͘͜N̶̟̠̤͈̝̳̳͊̌̈́͜͜.
nails sink into skull, body crushing from the iniside out. and it pounds against eardrums ( COME BACK HOME ) spoken by the girl who had been entwined in every happy memory. and he closes his eyes. perhaps hoping to be swallowed by it whole. its an echo of the past : sitting on the grass line after a summer away at camp. he passes the book to jane. he is almost too giddy, smile vibrant in its assault against cheek. “ no this one. it's a tadpole. they are baby frogs! ” and it's outlined in the cycle of life. pictures gazed between as he sneaks a shameless look at her. taking in cheeks burnt a rosy pink. as her own fingertips trace the organisms in fascination . and he memorizes it all, freckles that dance upon nose. ( speckled by the suns warmest kiss ). now all turns to black. IT IS A HIGH PITCH SCREAM - HIS OWN. body now wailing against another ((her)). with a bloodstain dripping by lip and concern etched on girlish feature. a soft : you - are okay. you - are okay. you - are okay.
the crux deluxe (disc 2) starters
from the singer djo . if you are sending to a multi-muse, remember to specify the muse that the sentence starters are being sent for . some of these could be considered usfw / nsfw . you can find the starters for disc 1 here .
lonesome is a state of mind
“ Tale as old as time, you're not quick enough. ”
“ I've seen this movie before. ”
“ I think I've heard this song. ”
“ Your future's right out the door. ”
“ Now I drive truck, and it drives pretty well. ”
“ My dog is at my house, again. ”
“ I swear I've had this dinner before. ”
“ My future's not what I thought. ”
“ Thought that you were on my side. ”
“ Lonesome is a state of mind. ”
“ I couldn't change it, so don't ask me anymore. ”
“ No, I won't be lonely anymore. ”
“ Now I take the train, it's good enough for me. ”
“ I've shot this picture before. ”
“ Tell me what's that song? ”
“ Guess I'll play along. ”
“ Yeah, the future's over, don't drag me anymore. ”
“ I'm done. ”
basic being basic
“ I get food, barely eat. ”
“ Every bite just kept me glued to my seat. ”
“ I worried, even cried. ”
“ How'd it feel to take the light from my life? ”
“ I'm a sucker for looks. ”
“ I think you're scared of bein' basic. ”
“ It's not funny... ”
“ It's so funny, 'cause you're basic. ”
“ Nothingness won't change it. ”
“ Good luck with that. ”
“ Good luck with what? ”
“ I don't want your money, I don't care for fame. ”
“ I don't wanna live a life where that's my big exchange. ”
“ I want simple pleasures, friends who have my back. ”
“ Everyone has secrets, but not everyone can fool someone like that. ”
“ It's like my capacity to love and give has changed. ”
“ I guess I'll thank you and spite your name again. ”
“ The past's the past, and I'll outlast. ”
“ I guess I'll take it. ”
“ Change your body, change your face. ”
“ Curl your hair, then make it straight. ”
“ What an empty epitaph that is. ”
link
“ I just graduated! Top of my class. ”
“ Furthest from last, so why do I feel so bad? ”
“ I'm emancipated, out on my own. ”
“ I've got it under control, so why do I feel so bad? ”
“ You must do what's right. ”
“ I always do what's right. ”
“ I think I see a different side. ”
“ A link is breakin' outta the chain. ”
“ I got a feelin' that a break is gonna happen. Maybe right now, right now. ”
“ Come on, go there. Surprise me. ”
“ Punch in, punch out. ”
“ Bad food, still swallow. ”
“ Same ripped old jeans? ”
“ Uh, what does it say about me? ”
“ What does it say about us? ”
“ Am I just another jail mate? ”
“ Don't listen to him / her / them! Just listen to me. ”
“ I see you sittin' like an arrow. ”
potion
“ Witchin' hour's too strong. ”
“ Like a witch, I know I need my potion. ”
“ I might find love. ”
“ I'm lookin' for it in an alphabet soup cup. ”
“ I'm lookin' under my thumb. ”
“ It's lookin' like a little rain cloud loves me. ”
“ I'll try for all of my life, just to find someone who leaves on the light for me. ”
“ Big walk, no talk. ”
“ Glitz and glamour doesn't age like wine does. ”
“ I'm countin' on love. ”
“ Man, it's always sad to go... ”
“ Whatcha takin' from the rightful lender? ”
delete ya
“ Back in the city, no longer my home. ”
“ Trying to let it go... ”
“ My old apartment isn't looking too good. ”
“ There's a lyric that, in context, stings. The immediate pain it brings... ”
“ Now I'm back on your couch, frozen peas to my head. ”
“ You picked me up every time, drove me back to our home. ”
“ It doesn't leave you alone. ”
“ Oh, God, I wish I could delete ya. ”
“ Nothing can compete with ya. ”
“ Take these kids for a ride. ”
“ Why's my heart pounding, beating out of my chest? ”
“ Remember to try and forget. ”
“ I'm locked, she's / he's / you're the key. ”
“ I'm a boat that's sinking, guess who's the sea. ”
“ Now I'm back in my truck, I'm driving to our place. ”
“ There's nothing more to be said. ”
“ You kept it tight to your chest at someone else's expense. ”
“ That doesn't sound like real love... ”
“ One heart could beat for the two of us. ”
“ Oh, God, I wish I could release ya. ”
“ If we were young, but this is done. ”
egg
“ I was downtown late last night. ”
“ I was walkin' 'round last night. Passed a man, we locked eyes. ”
“ Your entire life is wiped clean from the bathroom window. ”
“ Don't you wish you could be somebody else? ”
“ I'm crawlin' out of my skin. ”
“ I can feel how you feel right now. ”
“ Every single step that you take is just another one back. ”
“ Another step to take back, another regret... ”
“ You just gonna let fear take that? ”
“ People go by, I smile and wave. ”
“ Deep down inside, there's always that fear. That I'm not enough, I seem cavalier. ”
“ It's all an act, I'm cold 'cause I'm weak. ”
“ Deep down inside, there's nothing unique. ”
“ I'm fighting the flame, I'm gaspin' for air. ”
“ I'll follow the rules and do what I'm told. ”
“ Can one be great? Can one be kind? ”
“ What will you choose, your heart or your pride? ”
“ Could you really be that self-satisfied? ”
“ [Name], is that you? ”
“ Is that the child who's afraid in you? ”
fly
“ I'm runnin' through the snow again. ”
“ When will spring come again? I need the bloom. ”
“ No, I don't look back in anger. Do you? ”
“ I must fly. Fly away from her / him / them / you. ”
“ I'm packin' up my things again. ”
“ This chapter is through. ”
“ Wind's at your back now. ”
“ Carry me away now. ”
fly
“ I'm runnin' through the snow again. ”
“ When will spring come again? I need the bloom. ”
“ No, I don't look back in anger. Do you? ”
“ I must fly. Fly away from her / him / them / you. ”
“ I'm packin' up my things again. ”
“ This chapter is through. ”
“ Wind's at your back now. ”
“ Carry me away now. ”
charlie's garden
“ Take a cup, drink the sleepy away. ”
“ [Name]'s up, hear the paws scratch the back of the door. ”
“ The sun is out, take a break. ”
“ How can I convince myself to stay? ”
“ That work just won't do itself. ”
“ That can wait another day. ”
“ Just one more day. ”
“ Hey, uh, sorry to let you know last minute, but we're not gonna get to you tonight. Maybe Thursday, maybe Friday? ”
“ I don't know... sorry, man. ”
“ The fire's on. ”
“ Thank me now for when the sun's down, we're gonna be warm. ”
“ You doubt me now? Well tomorrow you'll be shakin' my hand. ”
“ When will I release myself today? ”
“ I'll just wait another day. ”
“ Well, you better believe me, darlin'. ”
“ Hey, [Name], would you mind callin' me back? ”
gap tooth smile
“ There she / he is, gap-tooth smile. ”
“ God, how lucky can a simple man / woman / person be? ”
“ I see right through your skin. ”
“ Yes, I know who you are. ”
“ Come on pretty baby, let's last a while. ”
“ Last a while with me. ”
“ Ooh-la-la, that's the spot! ”
“ No, I didn't say a century, I just said a while. ”
“ Oh, my God. Haha, she's / he's / they're gone! ”
“ My heart's in your dreams. ”
“ It's not fair, it's love. ”
“ I fell in love with her / his / their gap-tooth smile. ”
“ I fell in love, yeah. ”
“ Come and find me. ”
golden line
“ The world can be so cruel. ”
“ I still trust in love. I find that trust in you. ”
“ Maybe you can show me how? ”
“ My intention was to make you proud. ”
“ Yes, it's true. I do it all for you. ”
“ You've got a golden line that I try to live up to. ”
“ Time can give and life can take. ”
“ Every day is better with you. ”
“ How can I repay the due? ”
“ The way you know me, love me, pull me through. ”
back on you
“ Dry those eyes, hangin' on. ”
“ Through the tears, sing yourself a song. ”
“ Come back home. ”
“ I remember who you are. ”
“ I'd lay my life down on the line for you, that's the truth. ”
“ When life's plan isn't shinin' through. You understand, you help me see it through. ”
“ So, you can count on me. I'm leanin' back on you. ”
“ When the rain started fallin', I had to close my eyes to keep myself from washin' away... ”
“ In the dark backseat, I heard somethin'. ”
“ I used to say I didn't have a brother / sister. Well, I guess I can't say it anymore. ”
“ You're nursin' black and blues. ”
“ Well, there's that smile. Oh - it's just a missin' tooth. ”
“ Yeah, it's easy. It's not hard. ”
crux
“ There's a crux to everything. ”
“ Only you unsatisfied. ”
“ I wonder who is on this island with me? ”
“ The connection is real. ”
“ Get back to your heart. ”
“ Will you give it back? ”
“ Somethin' special's happenin'. ”
“ It's all but over. ”
“ Maybe head games aren't for free. ”
“ Let it be what it is. ”
“ Let it out from inside you. ”
when I do my whole canon write up it needs to be known that dustin was always in love with jane
Little sketch with my little nerds
also canon note that dustin has (and) will always wear glasses
made a super lowkey multi, like for the follow.
i’m our paladin, will’s our cleric, dustin’s our bard, lucas is our ranger, and el is our mage. […] well i could be your zoomer. // the evolution of the party (season 1 - season 3)
the car doesn't like it. the bmw bucks when he yanks the wheel, maroon frame shuddering. a living thing dragged by the scruff. tires scream protest, rubber tearing 𝚊𝚐𝚊𝚒𝚗𝚜𝚝 gravel as the whole body lurches sideways ──── seatbelt bites sharp across his chest, dashboard rattling like teeth chattering in fear (an animal wrenched into obedience; ᴵᴿᴼᴺᴵᶜ ᴵˢᴺ'ᵀ ᴵᵀˀ) metal howls. 𝘨𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘴 𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦𝘴. the engine snarls, offended. steve's offended too. “ jee - sus! enough. ENOUGH! don't you— ” there's a minute: a moment, minuscule, ᵀᴵᴺʸ. however fleeting --- where he chokes on the rest of it. where hands are braced on the wheel, white - knuckled and clinging to leather. where teeth are clenched so hard the jaw beneath creaks (the sound of bone under pressure; 𝚜𝚗𝚊𝚙, 𝚌𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚔𝚕𝚎, 𝚙𝚘𝚙!) where regret flares hot in his gut and for a blink, FOR A BLINK ──── he regrets he ever let the kid in. ever let him see him. ever let him know him.
to be seen is to be known and to be known is to be hurt, isn't it? ᴵᵀ'ˢ ᵀᴴᴱ ᴳᴼˢᴾᴱᴸ ᵀᴿᵁᵀᴴ. and dustin henderson always knew it all. KNEW IT BEST. far better than steve ever would, could, should. now words are sharp - laced, 𝚋𝚊𝚛𝚋𝚎𝚍 𝚠𝚒𝚛𝚎 𝚘𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚝𝚘𝚗𝚐𝚞𝚎, posed mean enough to draw blood ──── blood as red as what leaks from @dustybns's nose, bright and wet and ugly, staining an already ruined shirt. “ OH YEAH, I'M THE IDIOT … because i don't know shit about remote radio heads or dunegons and dipshits, when you're the one getting his face rearranged? ” 𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘺 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳. but the engine idles rough. and the hood ticks. and something hot cools too fast.
the car ticking grows louder, the cry of cooling metal and something ᵗʷᶦˢᵗᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ inside his chest (suddenly he can't take it anymore*) AND THEN— he's out. the driver's door flies open hard enough to rock the frame, hinges squealing protest as steve shoves himself free. sneakers hit gravel with a 𝚌𝚛𝚞𝚗𝚌𝚑 that feels way too good, even as the door slams behind him. a full - bodied get me out of here. air hits his face sharp and cold, he drags it in anyway. TOO FAST. again, again, again. his hands rake through his hair, fingers snagging, pulling. he paces three steps out, two back again. shoulders hunched and jaw tight. a whole body coiled and nowhere to put it. he doesn't look back at the car. he knows if he does, he'll see dustin still inside. still bleeding. still looking at him like 𝘛𝘏𝘈𝘛. and something in his chest --- already cracked --- might finally 𝚜𝚙𝚕𝚒𝚝 𝚌𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚗 through (he talks to the air instead) “ y'know, MAN, i thought you were finally starting to grow up— ”
tires screech in agony. ──── machinery stopped dead in its tracks. a moment in time turned noxious. body hitting the dash with a mild 𝒪𝒪𝐹 ! and it sizzles around them. all that has remained unspoken. 𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘯, 𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘺, 𝘣𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴, 𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘵. the smoke speaks first. as it pours from the hood into their surroundings. the smell of burnt rubber charred behind senses. enough to make a choked cough break free. wince depicted as face contorts. unbuckling, throwing open the car door. and he almost gags. bile stomached down, pressure resting slowly in the back of temple. but he is up & out. that is what he does now after all. reckless embodiment of another. jumping in danger without a second thought. feet tripping against the gravel. before he comes face to face with steve once again. no where left to run.
and when he ((sees))you. ──── who stands before him? an image of a child. with a heart that was far too big, always beating at a pace that kept others on their toes. with cheeks that were stained by a smile. (toothless or a patchwork of dentistry) dimples that were hallowed in the crook of adolescence. in clothing that often made no particular sense. flamboyantly different but always searching for ways to be cool. that very same child who began to look like ((you)). offered the playbook and grace of understanding. do you see him ? or is it the wretched being that he has become. one concocted the very day where a lifeless body rested in his arms. with a bruised eyelid that can barely see in the peripheral. broken nose that will need to be reset to its original destination.( do you see any semblance : ᵒᶠ ʸᵒᵘʳˢᵉˡᶠ ? )
and it sinks in places that feel adjacent. perhaps even in those that should never have existed. “ maybe . . . ” words pause. to be forgotten may just save steve in the long run. but it flickers nonetheless. that awful feeling of loneliness. shit, he has been so alone. and it must be seen as its swallowed back. ((hurt)) head nodding in response. as nail beds dig into palm so harshly ( it may just draw blood ) “ you have just outgrown me ” and the meaning must sit between them. and as he looks, truly, into the image of someone who has turned into family. it pricks at something deep ( that ever longing alignment of always being left ) a stray tear falls. wiped away quicker than it fell. body backs up & heads to the vehicle that is still smoking. similar to their smoldering friendship. backpack pulled from the wreckage & thrown on shoulder as he walks away.
tension sits mildly in the air. it plays like a death note of insanity. stakes being raised as dice clatters across the table. another roll that lands with a heated breath. A TWO , useless on all accords. the game master grins as he tells them. ONLY TWO ROLLS REMAIN. silence again is louder than the boom of a cannon ⸻ yet somehow, ( he can hear mikes stomach growling from three seats over. ) fingers dance impatiently against tan khackis. DUSTIN HENDERSON WAS A TERRIBLE LOSER. pessimism slowing sinking into reality. “ it doesn't matter ⸻ we are completely done for ”
it clatters, faces of the dice against a painted scape. he peeks behind his master screen, fingers messing with the ends of loose paper from a notebook. it's all game notes, odd end doodles of demons and tattoo ideas. it hides what's beneath, something more meaningful. it's character drawings, he makes the effort for everyone for hellfire. the latest work that he eyes is for mike, the paladin. the holy warrior. he's made up of fine lines of black ink ball point, half put together and in elegant robes. dustin is next. eddie's lips curl, something sly and smart. the useless face of a two showing.
“ didn't take you to be such a sore loser, henderson. maybe you don't have what it takes to survive the flames of hellfire. ” his tone sings doubt, but it's all show. he knows he'll survive the fire, the damnation that comes with joining. the spirit is familiar, akin to his own. and when he graduates he'll need to pass the torch. he shifts his attention back to the game, where each character is thoughtfully placed in their story. “ would you let your party burn? ” the eyes of the table look to @dustybns, tension placed on their sweat covered brows as they wait for a move. “ without even trying either? i'm afraid i misjudged you. ”
shifting odds. ⸻it crackles between stomach and knee ( one that hasn't stopped bouncing underneath the table) a heavy truth behind words. sore loser! similar to the nerd, bookworm, dork, brainiac synonyms. taped like a sign to the back. all wrapped in the amour that shows up today. “ my good lord, do you take me as a fool ? to perish in the city of brass.... or die with honor ? ” statistically he knew the end. SCREW IT ! dice sit heavily in palm. raised to mouth with a kiss & prayer. chucked aimlessly against mahogany. left eye closed ( as fingers immediately cross behind back.) when the dice crash in their final wake. he looks back to eddie, as a wink is thrown his way.
the puppeteer slams down fist as the board rattles with conclusion. and he is the first out of seat, craning body to see the outcome.(too peek at an already known ending ) a five. game over dustin henderson. 𝙰𝙽𝙳 𝙸𝙽 𝙷𝙸𝚂 𝙵𝙸𝙽𝙰𝙻 𝙰𝚂𝚂𝙰𝚄𝙻𝚃, 𝙽𝙾𝙶 𝙸𝚂 𝚃𝙷𝚁𝙾𝚆𝙽 𝙸𝙽𝚂𝙸𝙳𝙴 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙻𝙰𝚅𝙰 𝙿𝙸𝚃𝚂. 𝚂𝙲𝙾𝚁𝙲𝙷𝙸𝙽𝙶 𝙷𝙸𝚂 𝙱𝙾𝙳𝚈 𝚆𝙷𝙾𝙻𝙴. screams from the others sift between anger & frustration. an impeccable campaign coming to end.
gymnasium back door screeches as the crew filters out. laughter filling the silence of an empty parking lot, nightfall gathering amongst the stars that dance in the sky. mike nudges him a goodbye as he runs (or gallops?) to the beat up chariot driven by his sister. reeboks drag aimlessly, looking down at watch ( precisely 7pm on the dot.) where the hell was steve? minute by minute passes, until frustration meets a heavy sigh. son of a bitch! he eyes the large van that is parked all way at the end of the row. the very image of what parents warn you of during adolescence. stranger danger, do not take candy from white vans. body takes him down the darkened row, fingertips knocking driverside window. answered by a cough as smoke drips out of a cracked window in the back. “ ⸻ hey eddie ” nose scrunches, herbal antidote taken in. “ can i grab a ride home? ”
dustin henderson: (modern day) introspection.
genuinely forgot how good season 3 was
Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson Stranger Things, S01E01 vrs S05E02
‘nothing happened.’
he finds himself here. ⸻with the rest of hawkins high at stacy albright's graduation party. teens feasting on a nights reprieve. from the tone death education system and parental grasp. the crew being dropped off by their resident babysitter(steve)with: see you at midnight boys and girls! little do they know that he had given him a pep talk of sorts. dustin it's time to celebrate. come on man, after the year we have had. enjoy yourself. music shrieks as mahogany door is unlocked. exhibits of teenage delinquency with bodies packed around each other. beer cans and liquor bottles flood marble tile. and they are given party offerings. unknown red sludge in a disposable cup. and he eyes @paladinslays first with a raised eyebrow. only to receive a thumbs up! they stand awkwardly, head bopping in response to the vibrance.
will nudges him, leaning over to whisper against the beating drum of voices. “ were going to smoke ”, pointing to mike in addition. the image of an infomercial plays in the back of mind. marijuana is rotting your child's brain! he opens his mouth to repeat it ⸻ but stacy now stands in peripheral. (best friends slipping away.) giving a subtle wink in response to the girl who had rejected him at the snowball dance. “ what you did today .... was incredible. totally badass! ” cheeks burn in response. poison in hand brought to mouth all too quickly. ENJOY YOURSELF. voice of another playing in the back of mind. and so he does. drink after drink. even a lands a three second kiss with miss popular!
he grabs the bannister to the upstairs. swaying slightly in response. footsteps are silent with the weight of the world. or was it the music that dulled over any sense of incoming danger. liquors heavy trail of elation, draws attention to the door at the end of hall. its propped, the smell of looming smoke. “ will you aren't going to believe ⸻ ” fingers push the door open. cup in hand drops without warning. as though time comes to a screeching halt. five heavy blinks. bodies meshed together belonging to his best friends ( MIKE & WILL) . wandering hands and mouths that are entwined with each other. breaths slow, he must resemble a deer caught in headlights or a robot rebooting.
dustin henderson was not an idiot. there were signs littered through childhood. one that many never even cared to examine. call it a superpower or the many diagnosis's that have been offered in response (to a child far too clever for his own good.) he always knew. mouth hangs open, as they both scramble in response. words are being thrown his way in defense. but they sift through silence. body drags itself out the door, running now in response. DUSTIN NOTHING HAPPENED! but he's already out the front door. oh no! oh no! head is spinning as knees buckle against the grass. stomach lining coming back up on the perfectly cut lawn. their chariot for the night showing up with a heavy BEEP ! face down in dirt before he finally breathes again.
