Part two of Intertwined, in every universe
Pairings: Dustin henderson x fem!reader, Bard!Dustin Henderson x fem!Alchemist!Reader
Summary: Just as you and Dustin finally confess the feelings you’ve hidden for years, another portal opens — bringing a different version of you. Confident and shaped by a life you never lived, her arrival turns relief into chaos, forcing you both to face who you are, who you could have been, and what makes your connection truly yours.
Themes&warnings: Friends to lovers / new relationship adjustment, romantic tension and awkward situations, multiverse displacement and existential themes.
The peace didn't last long. It only lasted one hour. One hour for you to catch your breath—stealing a few more quiet kisses with Dustin in that side room, his hands steady on your waist like he was afraid you'd portal away. One hour for you to sit back with the others while Steve had taken Bard Dustin elsewhere just to have a little more peace because he was singing too much.
That was all before chaos ripped back into the Squawk station.
Another tear cracked open in the center of the room once more. It started the same way: a sharp rip in the air, right in the middle of the main room where the group was still buzzing. Papers flew, Lucas yelped, and that unnatural glow pulsed brighter than before.
Mike jumped up. “Not again!”
You grabbed onto Dustin’s hand, him squeezing back. You grumbled, “Don’t tell me it’s actually happening again…”
But this time the portal was slow.
Frustrated, you suddenly stood, slipping your hand from Dustin’s grasp. “I think I’m just going to go for some air.”
Dustin’s eyes flicked up to you. “You okay?”
You nodded, caressing his shoulders. “I’m fine… I’m just going to the bathroom real quick.”
You gave him one last smile before leaving him with the others watching the portal slowly widen.
“I’m calling it right now— another us is going to fall out,” Jonathan said, blinking.
Robin scoffed. “My bet’s on Y/N.”
Nancy and Will nodded in agreement with Robin.
The glow stretched, humming low. Dustin shifted uneasily, eyes darting between the portal and the hallway where you'd vanished.
“This better not be another me,” he muttered. “One other me was enough.”
Lucas snorted from beside him, throwing an arm around Dustin’s shoulders. “Speak for yourself, man. That guy’s got style.”
The portal pulsed wider, edges flickering like frayed silk. Mike paced. “It’s taking forever. Last time it was instant puke-out.”
Meanwhile, down the hall, you stepped out of the bathroom with a quiet sigh.
“Okay,” you muttered to yourself. “Just breathe.”
Then suddenly— a scream blasted outside. It was loud, dramatic, and familiar. It was Dustin’s.
Your heart nearly jumped out of your chest. You rushed out of the station and toward the Squawk van where the scream came from. Your heart pounded in your ribs, terrified something had happened to him. You yanked the van door open as soon as you reached the van. Then you froze.
Inside, Steve sat in the driver’s seat, leaning back casually. Bard Dustin sat in the passenger seat, gripping the radio like it was a holy relic.
Music blasted through the speakers. Bard Dustin looked completely stunned.
“This box contains an orchestra,” he said in absolute awe.
You huffed out a breath at the scene and Steve looked at you. “Hey, he discovered the radio.”
Bard Dustin turned to Steve with a delighted laugh. “You mean to tell me,” he said breathlessly, “that minstrels sing from inside this enchanted carriage at the turn of a dial?”
You let out a long breath of relief. And stared at him. “…He screamed because of the radio?”
Bard Dustin laughed again before spotting you. “Oh! My st—” He stopped himself, clearing his throat quickly. “Apologies, force of habit.”
He nodded politely instead. “Hello, Ms. Y/n.”
You chuckled. “Hi, Dustin.”
Steve then raised his head. “To answe your question, yes he did screamed because of the radio. Practically lost his mind when the guitar solo started.”
“Okay… good,” you muttered. “For a second I thought something happened.”
Bard Dustin continued fiddling with the radio dial, laughing as new songs burst forth. Steve shrugged. “Yeah, well, I had to keep him occupied.”
You nodded, then remembered the chaos inside your eyes widened. “Wait—can we get him back inside?”
“There’s another tear in the Squawk,” you said quickly. “It might mean Bard Dustin can get back home.”
Bard Dustin immediately turned toward you.
“There is a way for me to return?” he asked hopefully. “To my star?”
You smiled softly. “Yes. To your star.”
His entire face lit up. He jumped out of the van instantly, mandolin bouncing against his back. “Lead on!”
Back inside the station, chaos had already arrived. The portal released a final whoosh. And just like before, a figure tumbled through— it was a girl this time.
She crashed straight onto the floor with a loud thud, sliding across the tiles before groaning and rolling onto her side.
She rose slowly, shaking out a cloak heavy with embroidered runes, leather corset hugging her frame over practical trousers tucked into knee-high boots. Vials glinted at her belt, and a silver circlet tamed her wild waves—your waves, but sharper, battle-worn.
Eyes like yours scanned the room, fierce and calculating.
Dustin felt something twist unexpectedly in his chest. It was uncanny. The way her eyes sparkled was almost exactly like yours. The same warmth, the same curiosity, but there was something wilder in it. Like looking at a version of you that had lived through a hundred adventures.
His brain struggled to process it. She looked like you. But also… not. Still, he couldn’t deny the momentary flutter in his stomach as he looked at the girl.
The girl’s gaze swept across the room and then locked onto Dustin. Her whole demeanor shifted—softened, ignited. “Dustin!”
Before anyone could react, she surged to her feet and rushed forward. Lucas immediately stepped aside, lifting both hands in surrender.
“Not my moment,” he muttered.
Lucas unwrapped himself from Dustin and stepped away as the girl reached him in seconds.
She reached Dustin in seconds, wrapping her arms around him tightly, fingers tangling instinctively in his curls. “Oh, my bard,” she breathed, pulling him close. “The Veil Rift swallowed you—I thought I’d lost you!”
Dustin yelped, “Whoa—hey!” His voice cracked, face flushing hot as her warmth pressed in. His arms flailed for a second before awkwardly settling around her shoulders. Up close, she smelled faintly like herbs and leather and something earthy— like forests after rain.
Dustin’s face turned bright red. “Okay, wow,” he said nervously, his voice cracking slightly. “Uh—hi?”
She pulled back just enough to cup his face between her hands, scanning him quickly like she was checking he was real.
“You’re alive, my love,” she said with clear relief.
Dustin blinked, trying very hard to ignore the nickname. “…Last time I checked.”
So this is what Y/N felt an hour ago. Dustin thought
The others didn’t panic this time. They just looked exhausted. They were supposed to be planning how to stop Vecna tonight. Instead, they were dealing with their second multiverse visitor in one hour.
Robin rubbed her face at the scene.“I am too tired for this.”
Mike whispered, “We officially have two Y/Ns now. That’s just great.”
Lucas muttered, “So I was right, Dustin does have game in other universes.”
Then the other you suddenly leaned forward and kissed Dustin directly on the lips. Several people yelped.
Dustin immediately jerked back, stumbling half a step. He laughed nervously. “Whoa—no. You— you can’t do that.”
Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Dustin hadn’t fully pulled away yet, his cheeks still red.
“Why not?” she asked quietly. “Wherefore does you behave as if we are not promised to one another?”
Will slowly turned to Mike, who looked just as confused. “…Promised?”
Dustin’s brain short-circuited. He remembered your earlier chat with Bard Dustin—the whole “promised to each other under the trees” thing. But knowing it in theory and having another you kiss him? Two very different experiences.
His mouth opened. Closed. Opened again.
Then he finally lets out. “I—uh—well—technically—”
She stepped closer before he could finish, fingers brushing his cheek, soft and affectionate. “My poor bard,” she murmured. “The rift must have confused you.”
She slid her arms around him again, resting her head against his shoulder like it was the most natural thing. Dustin stood stiff as a board, face so red it almost matched Lucas’s jacket.
Lucas leaned toward Mike. “He’s gonna pass out.”
Mike whispered back, “I’m giving it thirty seconds.”
She traced small circles on Dustin’s back. After a few seconds of him awkwardly holding her waist, she pulled away— but stayed close.
“My love,” she murmured thoughtfully, cupping his cheeks. “Upon closer gaze… you lookest somewhat younger.”
Dustin glanced desperately at the others for help. No one helped. Lucas was openly grinning.
Mike looked like he was trying not to laugh. Will was enjoying the scene, but he is a little in his thoughts the others.. they try not to look.
Dustin chuckled awkwardly. “Uh… thank you?”
She tilted her head, studying him more closely. Her hands slid up to his hat, gently lifting it off his head and letting his curls fall free.
“This is a very unique bonnet, my love,” she said curiously. “What is it made of?”
Dustin stared at the girl was studying his hat, her fingers tracing the fabric. Dustin rubbed his neck. “It's.. polyester.”
Her eyes snapped to him, eyebrows rising. “What a curious word.”
Dustin shrugged. She handed the hat back, and he quickly shoved it on again.
Then she paused. Her gaze dropped to his hands. She gently took one of them, turning it over in her palm. Her expression changed instantly. Confusion. Then hurt.
Her eyes widened. “Why do you not have our promised band?”
Dustin blinked. “Our… what?”
“Our ring,” she said softly.
Her thumb brushed across his bare finger where a band should have been. “We forged them beneath the silver trees of Alderwyn,” she continued quietly. “You said no force in any realm would part us.”
Will leaned over to Mike again in shock. “…He’s
engaged in another universe.”
Mike whispered back, “I hate this for him.”
Dustin’s brain scrambled for an explanation.
“Okay—so— this is gonna sound crazy—”
She looked up at him with worried eyes. “Did the rift steal it?” she asked quickly. “Did you lose it in the Veil?”
Dustin hesitated. “…Not exactly?”
Her shoulders slowly sank. For the first time since arriving, the adventurous confidence in her expression cracked slightly.
“You do not remember,” she whispered.
Dustin immediately panicked. “No! I mean—maybe? Sort of? It’s complicated!”
She looked genuinely heartbroken now. Dustin groaned internally. Great. Fantastic. Now you’ve emotionally devastated a magical warrior version of your girlfriend.
He awkwardly patted her arm, gently. Trying to calm the situation. “Okay.. I think you need to sit down, yeah?”
The other you— Fantasy alchemist you— nodded. Dustin gently guiding her to sit down in the couch.
“I have just reunited with my love, and he does not even remember me..” Other you mumbled, staring at her hands.
It was silance for a moment before she looked up to scan the others. Her eyes landing to Mike, Will, and Lucas. “Oh! William, Sir Michael and Lucas.. I am so glad you are here.”
She stood up to them, “You do recognize me.. right?”
The three boys exchanged looks, then nodded awkwardly.
Fantasy You tilted her head towards Will.
“William, can you fix this? Why does my love not remember me?”
For a moment, Will looked like someone had just handed him a math test written in another language.
He blinked at her. Then at Dustin. Then at the very concerned, very hopeful look on the warrior version of you.
“…Uh,” Will started carefully.
Dustin then cleared his throat, “Y/N.. that is not William that you know.”
Other you scoffed, turning to Dustin with a confused and hurt look. “Now you are speaking nonsense.”
Dustin then sighed. “Your love. Has he ever told you about other realms excisting?”
She paused. “…Aye,” she said slowly. “Infinite reflections of the same souls. You— he promised to me we are destined in every single one.”
Dustin's heart stutters slightly before nodding. “Yeah.. t-that.”
He gestured around the room. “This isn’t your world.”
The realization slowly dawned across her face. Her eyes moved around the room again. The strange lights. The modern furniture. The confused teenagers that some she recognize some she not.
Then back to Dustin. “…You are not my Dustin.?”
The room went very quiet. Dustin scratched the back of his neck. “Technically… I am. Just… not your version.”
Her expression cracked. The warrior confidence disappeared for a moment. “Oh.”
A minute later you pushed open the station door with Steve and Bard Dustin behind you. And the chaos inside was still unfolding. The other you was still standing close to Dustin, she was looking at him like her heart had just broken. And Dustin looked like he was trying to solve something, quickly.
The room went completely silent. Every head slowly turned toward the doorway. Dustin looked like someone had just unplugged his brain.
You stood there with Steve and Bard Dustin behind you, blinking at the scene in front of you.
Another you. Standing inches from Dustin. Holding his hand, him holding hers. And looking like she had just been told the worst news of her life.
Your eyes narrowed slightly. “…What did I miss?”
Lucas immediately stepped back two steps like he wanted absolutely nothing to do with the situation.
Robin whispered, “Oh boy.”
Steve leaned slightly past you to look inside. “…Oh.”
Bard Dustin stepped in behind him—and immediately stopped as well. His eyes widened.
Because standing across the room was you.
But not you. Another you. His you.
She noticed the movement at the door too. Her head turned. Her eyes landed on you.
The two of you stared at each other.
Identical faces. Same eyes. Same posture. Just two completely different lives behind them.
As the four— two Dustins, two Y/Ns from different universes—stared at each other,
Jonathan groaned. “That’s it, guys—how about we go and come back after all of this is resolved?”
Jonathan and Nancy then dragged everyone else to the basement of the station to start planning ahead, leaving the four to sort out their problems.
Lucas, Mike, and Will complained slightly because they wanted to watch.
“Aw, man!” Lucas protested as Nancy shoved him toward the stairs.
“guys, they're our best friends..” Mike whined, craning his neck.
Will just sighed, “Can we at least leave the door cracked?”
Robin rolled her eyes, following. “Let them have their multiverse family reunion. We’ve got Vecna to kill.”
Steve lingered for a second, shooting Dustin a smirk. “Don’t screw this up, Henderson.”
Then he disappeared downstairs. The basement door slammed shut, leaving absolute silence behind.
Just you, Dustin, Bard Dustin, and Fantasy Y/N in the main room.
Dustin finally found his voice, still holding Fantasy Y/N’s hand like it was glued there. “Okay! Uh—hi? Other me? Other… us? This is… a lot.”
Fantasy Y/N tilted her head at her bard, then back at you then at the Dustin that is still holding her heand, her expression shifting from heartbreak to wary fascination. “There are.. two of my loves..”
Bard Dustin stepped forward, mandolin forgotten, his gaze soft on Fantasy Y/N but flicking to you with that familiar devotion. “My star.. it is me”
The other you let go of your Dustin’s hand before stepping forward to bard Dustin. “My love?”
Fantasy Y/N stared at Bard Dustin for a long moment. Then realization hit her face like a lightning strike.
Her eyes widened. “Dustin.”
Bard Dustin opened his arms slightly. “My star, my songbird, my muse..”
That was all the confirmation she needed. She rushed forward and threw her arms around him, nearly knocking the wind out of him as she hugged him tightly.
“You are here!” she breathed, laughing in relief. “The rift did not steal you after all!”
Bard Dustin held her just as tightly, laughing warmly. “I told you,” he said gently, brushing a hand over her hair. “No force in any realm could part us.”
The other you finally pulled back from Bard Dustin, still holding his face between her hands.
“You are unharmed?” she asked.
“Completely,” Bard Dustin assured her.
Then he gestured around the room, where you had stepped to your Dustin and stood by him.
“Though it seems the realm we have crossed into is… somewhat confusing.” He started, before his eyes lit up. “But i do have grown quite fond of it.”
Fantasy Y/N followed his gesture. Her gaze drifted toward you.
She paused. Really looked. Her gaze moved between the two Dustins. Then between the two versions of herself.
Her brows slowly lifted. “…Oh.”
You awkwardly pulled your hand up to wave, and your Dustin gave her a nod— stepping closer to you unconsiously.
She stepped closer, studying you curiously. “…You are me.”
You nodded once. “Apparently.”
She looked at your clothes. Your sneakers. Your hoodie. “…You dress like a traveling scholar.”
You chuckled awkwardly, glancing down. “Uh.. thanks.”
After sharing a smile, fantasy Y/n gasped, one hand flying to her mouth while the other rested against Bard Dustin’s chest.
“I have made a terrible mistake,” she whispered.
You blinked, glancing at Dustin. Who was having an internal crisis if you look closely. Looking between you and the other you.
She looked directly at Bard Dustin, mortified. “I thought the rift had stolen your memories of me,” she explained quickly.
“So when I saw him—” she gestured toward your Dustin who stiffened slightly. “—I believed my bard— you, my love— had simply forgotten our bond.”
Her shoulders sank. “…and I kissed with the wrong Dustin.”
Silence filled the station. Dustin coughed awkwardly. Your eyebrows raised, turning to Dustin who just looked at his shoes that somehow is now more interesting than the conversation.
You scoffed, crossing your arms. “You kissed her?”
Dustin shot you a desperate, wide-eyed look—half guilty, half pleading—like a puppy caught with two treats. “No- kinda? Listen— ”
Fantasy Y/N stepped forward immediately. “It was my mistake. I am deeply sorry.”
Dustin nodded quickly, making you exhale a breath thet you didn’t even know you were holding and then look back to your other selves.
You shrugged, “It’s fine, you were confused and scared but hey— you're back with him.”
Fantasy Y/n nodded but then groaned softly, covering her face. “I shall never recover from this humiliation.”
Bard Dustin laughed gently and pulled her hands away. “My star,” he said warmly, “you believed you had lost me. There is no shame in that. There is no shame in loving fiercely.”
She visibly relaxed, relief softening her features as she leaned into him for a brief moment. You unconsiously smiled at the moment, not knowing Dustin’s eyes on you— smiling softly and eyes warm.
The bard and fantasy/alchemist you turned to you and Dustin. “But he is your beloved here, yes?”
The question slightly took you both off guard, heart stuttering and hands slightly glazing eachother. Glancing at eachother with a slight smile.
You cleared your throat, “Well we—”
Dustin then said at the same time, “Yes.. something like that.”
She smiled warmly. “I am glad,” she said, squeezing Bard Dustin’s hand. “For he is the best man in any realm.”
A quiet settled over the room—not awkward, but electric with unspoken tension, the air humming like a storm about to break.
Fantasy Y/N stepped closer, her rune-etched cloak rustling, wild waves framing a battle-scarred mirror of your face. she said softly, voice weaving like forest magic, “You are not yet bound,” she observed gently. “But your souls lean toward one another.”
Bard Dustin laughed softly, “Let them be, my star. They are young, they will overcome this phase soon enough.”
He continued with a smirk towards you and Dustin. “Just like we used to be when we were young.”
Dustin's breath hitched, cheeks flaming under his hat as he squeezed your hand, curls bouncing with a nervous nod. “Thank you other me but.. we are together now. Like, officially.”
You nodded too, pulse racing, leaning into his side. “Yeah. Boyfriend and girlfriend. For real. Just a few hours ago.”
Fantasy Y/N’s eyes softened instantly, warmth replacing the lingering embarrassment from earlier. She clasped her hands together in delight. “Oh! Then this is a beginning.” She looked between the two of you with unmistakable approval. “The first dawn of a shared tale.”
Bard Dustin smiled. “I finished my quest then.”
Your Dustin blinked. “Wait—what quest?”
Bard Dustin rested the mandolin against his hip, expression thoughtful. “To ensure that love, once found, is not lost to fear.” His eyes flicked knowingly between you and Dustin. “It seems this realm required only a small nudge. And I did what I had to do.”
You felt heat crawl up your neck. “Okay, well you weirdly almost interrupted us.”
Fantasy Y/N laughed lightly under her breath. “He does meddles when hearts are involved.”
“No, I guide,” Bard Dustin corrected proudly.
“Medddled,” she repeated, glaring at him teasingly.
Your Dustin pointed between them. “See? Even she said meddled.”
Bard Dustin placed a dramatic hand over his chest. “History will remember me kindly.”
You snorted, squeezing Dustin’s hand unconsciously. He squeezed back immediately, thumb brushing over your knuckles like he was reassuring himself you were still there.
For a moment, the four of you simply stood together—two reflections of the same story at
Fantasy Y/N studied you again, softer this time. Not comparing. Understanding. “You are happy,” she said gently.
You hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah. I am.”
Her gaze shifted to Dustin beside you, who straightened slightly under the attention. “And will you guard her well?”
Dustin blinked, caught off guard by the seriousness. “I—uh— I try.”
You squeezed his hand, making him turn to your face that is painted with a bright smile. “He already has.”
Bard Dustin chuckled warmly. “That is the truth. He does more than try. I recognize that look.” He tapped his temple. “The constant worry. The quiet devotion. The absolute certainty that she matters more than anything.”
Dustin’s face turned red again, and turn away to you, the floor suddenlyinteresting. “Okay, wow, we’re not psychoanalyzing me.”
“You are me,” Bard Dustin reminded.
Fantasy Y/N smiled at the exchange, then stepped closer to you. For a second, it felt like looking into a future shaped by different choices.
She reached out carefully. You mirrored the motion without thinking, your fingers meeting hers.
“It is strange,” she admitted softly. “To see the life I might have lived.”
You tilted your head. “Better or worse?”
She considered that seriously. “…Neither,” she decided. “Only different. And still full of love.”
Behind you, Dustin relaxed slightly at those words, shoulders lowering.
A faint hum suddenly filled the room again.
All four of you turned at once. The portal.
It shimmered brighter now, edges stabilizing instead of tearing. The violent flickering from before had softened into a steady glow.
Bard Dustin’s expression shifted immediately. “Ah.”
Fantasy Y/N followed his gaze, realization dawning. “…The path home. It is open.”
Your stomach dropped a little despite yourself. “Oh,” you said quietly.
Your Dustin looked between them. “So… this is it?”
The portal pulsed once, almost patiently.
Bard Dustin nodded. “Rifts rarely linger once balance is restored.”
Fantasy Y/N stepped closer to him, fingers intertwining with his. The earlier embarrassment was gone, replaced with calm certainty.
She turned back to you and Dustin. “I am glad we crossed paths,” she said sincerely. “Though briefly.”
She hesitated, then leaned closer to you, lowering her voice conspiratorially.
“Take care of him,” she whispered. “He loves loudly but fears quietly.”
You glanced at Dustin, who was currently pretending very hard not to listen while absolutely listening. “I know,” you whispered back.
Meanwhile, Bard Dustin approached his counterpart. The two Dustins stood face to face—same eyes, same nervous energy, just shaped by different worlds.
Bard Dustin extended his hand. Your Dustin stared at it for a second before shaking it.
“…So,” your Dustin said awkwardly, “Uh.. I will love her as much as you love your Y/n.”
Bard Dustin grinned. “You already do. You simply need time to grow and realize that you would die for her.”
Dustin blinked rapidly, clearly not prepared. “Okay,” he muttered. “That’s… yeah, uhm.. That's right.”
Bard Dustin leaned closer slightly. “And protect your hat. It is iconic.”
Dustin instinctively grabbed the brim. “Knew it. Thanm you.”
Fantasy Y/N laughed softly, already guiding her bard toward the portal. The glow bathed the room in gold.
Just before stepping through, she turned back one last time. “To love in every realm,” she said warmly.
Bard Dustin raised his hand in farewell. “May your story be long and filled with music.”
Then they stepped into the light together.
The portal folded inward with a soft rush of air no explosion, no chaos this time.
Just silence. The glow vanished.
And suddenly it was only you and Dustin again.
The station felt bigger without them. Quieter.
For a few seconds neither of you spoke.
Then Dustin exhaled sharply. “Okay. That was officially the weirdest hour of my life.”
You laughed softly. “Only the weirdest?”
“Top three at least.” He looked at you then—really looked, like he was comparing reality to everything he had just witnessed.
“…You’re staying, right?” he asked quietly. He doesn’t mean in the Squawk or in this world. He meant he wants you to be near him.
You stepped closer without answering, resting your forehead gently against his. “I’m not going anywhere.”
His shoulders finally relaxed completely. Relieved that you knew what he meant. “Good,” he murmured.
From downstairs, Lucas’s voice immediately shouted, “ARE THEY GONE? CAN WE COME BACK UP NOW?”
Mike followed, “Did anyone else kiss anyone else while we were gone?!”
Robin added, “I swear if there’s a third Y/n I’m leaving.”
You and Dustin both burst into laughter at the same time. He squeezed your hand again, grin soft and certain now.
“Yeah,” he said quietly, almost to himself. “I think everything’s finally back to normal.”
Right on cue, the lights flickered ominously overhead. A distant, familiar chime echoed through the station radio.
Both of you froze. You slowly looked at him.
“…Define normal,” you said.
Dustin groaned. “Vecna. Right. We still have Vecna.”
And just like that, peace ended again— but this time, you faced it together.
A/n: forgot I had this in my drafts.. miss me guys?? Lol
