attn: Suzie, mt: Max

Dustin was relieved to be back home after putting his mom on the Greyhound to Cincinnati. She was out of danger and couldn't be hurt by anything that was about to erupt in Hawkins. As an only child and with a great job at General Electric as an engineer, he knew that he could finally take care of her like she had him all these years. It was what any good son would do. Sure, he wasn't perfect but he worked hard to do right.

Growing up in Hawkins was no walk through the park. He was glad that things were calm while he was away. It meant he could focus on college. Something was missing though. That something was Suzie. He'd never forgotten that beautiful genius that had so enraptured his heart as a young age. Her religion had kept them apart as did the distance, which always felt unfair to him. Getting their chance before graduation was great and he loved it. Unfortunately both of them knew they needed to go to college first and establish their adult lives first. He always believed they would make their way back together somehow.

Turning toward the door, Dustin was looking for his car keys. There was some kind of to-do at the Sheriff's Office for Hop. He was sure Max would be there with more information about what was happening. His index finger fit inside the round ring when he picked it up. He spun it in his hand when he happened to lift his chin to look out the window.

Dustin couldn’t believe it. All the light of recognition made him positively radiant. He realized she saw him at the same time. When one soul identifies its missing piece, the part that makes it whole again, the natural alignment of the universe itself is ultimately perfect. Dustin flung open the door running outside to see Suzie looking more beautiful than he remembered. He wrapped his arms around her, lifting her off her feet. He held her close burying his nose in her hair. "Suzie! Oh my GOD it's so good to see you."

He held her close just a little longer before letting her feet touch the ground again. If she had said something, he let it go right over his head. "Let's get inside. We should talk a bit before looking for the others." He picked up her bags and carried them inside the Henderson home. "You can sleep in my old room. I'll just crash on the couch." He'd explain to her later about him sending his mom to stay at his house in Cincinnati. It was important to have this time alone with the love of his life before turning thoughts to the evil creeping back into his childhood home.

When she entered his home, Dustin closed the door behind them. "Can I get you something to drink? You came in from Seattle right? Or was it Tacoma?" It was pretty obvious she was here set to help them if Vecna was truly back. It had taken them all working together to stop him last time. Dustin was sure it would again. They were stronger as a group rather than apart. Just by looking at Suzie again, he knew he was better with her than without her.

The same sort of aire about town had been here when they beat Vecna ten years prior. The whole thing turned his stomach. Dustin was more sure than ever, this was going to all work out in the end all because there was more strength in numbers. The veil of evil was lightened even but for a moment with Suzie here in Hawkins again. For the first time since he came home, Dustin smiled.
 

"Never Change Dustin Henderson. Promise Me."