More Cult Of The Hedgehog!! This Time I Actually Drew Designs For Them Holy Shit-

IM CRYING SEND HELP

I swear it started as a sketch and then got carried away 🧍‍♂️

...😎😎🌟

My two favorite anarchists 🥰🥰

ao3

Dustin and Max were hanging out at Dustin’s house watching The Princes Bride for the fiftieth time since its home release. Claudia got sick of renting it twice a week, she just caved and bought it for the two teens. Mainly so she didn’t have to listen to them argue about what to watch since they both loved it and were practically glued to each other’s sides anyways.  

Just as Princess Buttercup and Westley (who Max insists looks like a younger Mayor Kline) are about to reunite, Dustin says to the room, “I think I have to tell Steve and Robin.” Max whips her head so fast Dustin almost starts rattling off the risk of neck, and head injuries. He quickly decides against it when he realizes how intense she’s staring. “Okay? What the hell’s your problem?” Dustin asks, genuinely confused. 

“Why?” Her eyes narrow in a way that makes Dustin squirm. She has this freaky ability to see right through him, which means there’s no way he’ll be able to bullshit her even if he wanted to.

He sighs and pauses the movie, turning to fully look at Max now. “I got my period at Steve’s, left a big fucking stain on his couch.” He threw his hands up.

“He didn’t have questions?” Max asked with disbelief.

“You know how Steve gets at the sight of blood, he went all Mr. Mom and insisted I was hurt.” He puts on his best Steve voice, “Well Dustin obviously something’s going on there’s blood on you pants, come on just let me see–”

“No!” Max gasps.

“I swear on my Ghostbusters Certificate of Authenticity. It was mortifying, and then Robin got her Robin look. Like she knows she’s missing something, and almost has it, so I came up with a lame excuse about homework and bolted. Haven’t seen or talked to them in three days.”

“Well, you technically don’t have to tell them you could say you actually did have a cut on your ass or something. Seriously though you don’t have to tell them if you don’t want to. It’s not anyone else’s business.” She pauses and cocks her head in thought,  “But on the other hand it is Steve and Robin, and honestly I think they’d be safe to tell. And if not, I stole Steve’s bat last week and he’s been losing his mind looking for it.” She’s smirking, and somehow it eases his nerves. 

Telling Max had been easy but it was also heavy. She was still in the hospital two weeks after she opened her eyes after the coma and he just had this burning need to tell her. She almost never knew, and she was too important to him not to know. In response she weakly grabbed his hand, tears in both of their eyes, “Totally tubular dude.” They both laughed and cried together while a confused Claudia came in with edible non-hospital food for them. That was kind of the turning point for the three of them, when they became their own version of family, and eventually Steve and Robin were more or less forced to join them too at Claudia’s insistence. 

His friendship with Max isn’t necessarily surprising since despite her denial about it, they’re both nerds, but it does surprise him how close they ended up becoming. He thanks every deity he can think of that his crush on her died relatively quickly and they were able to become the platonic soulmates that their little adventuring party is weirdly full of. Dustin didn’t really understand why Steve and Robin wouldn’t date until getting closer to Max, and now the thought of kissing Max makes him want to gag, like that’s his sister. So, much to the relief of Steve and Robin he finally dropped it. It was also a pretty good indicator it wasn’t going to work out when Robin came out to all of them. 

Dustin turned his eyes back on the movie, even though his mind was everywhere else. Almost everyone in their friend group knew, he came out to Max first and after that initial confession it got easier and easier to tell everyone else. The fact he kept it from the original party for so long seems so silly in retrospect. They were the first kids that ever made him feel like he was supposed to even when they didn’t realize they were doing it at all. When Will came out to them it was a rush of relief, because while obviously different there was some kinship in it, then one by one it seemed like everyone they were friends with started coming out. He doesn’t care what they say, queer people fucking clearly have a way of finding each other. Steve being the straight anomaly was the only thing that really made sense about their gay little family.

Sensing his continued unease about the situation Max, “Do you maybe want to call Steve and like I don’t know, set up a time to tell them?” She asked.

“What like an appointment?” Dustin laughed, a beat, “Actually that’s a good idea, because they’ve been hanging out with Eddie a lot recently and I want to keep it Scoops Troop and you, if you’ll come.” He gives his best puppy eyes.

“I literally already decided I’m bringing the bat, even if it’s just to annoy Steve,” She shrugs, shoves Dustin a bit and softens her tone, “Of course I’m going to be there, I was already planning on it,” She squeezes his hand. “It’s going to be okay no matter what.”

Dustin sighs, “Let’s hope for their sake, because if not Mom will go apocalyptic, we thought Vecna was bad, but Hawkins will not recover from a Claudia rampage.” He’s kidding of course, but also not. There was a reason they moved to Hawkins in the first place. 

On Dustin’s eighth birthday, he broke down and told his mom how he felt wrong and he didn’t know what to do about it. She did the research, found bars and people like him, who directed her to secret specialists. Which is how Dustin was able to be Dustin. 

When his dad found out however, his mother was beyond shocked at his frankly, traumatizing reaction. Before that, Dustin’s dad was his idol, he was smart and a huge dork, he kept his heart locked up for a long time after that. The night his ‘father’ spit all those horrible names at him, his mother packed them up, found ways to forge his government documents and that was that. He hasn’t seen his dad since, and it’s not like he ever tried to find them or reach out ever again. 

One time he had Suzie’s help locating his dad, finding out he was remarried with new kids, like Dustin had never existed stung of course, but then his mom made his favorite dinner just because, and he realized with her and all his other found family, he didn’t need that piece of shit. Steve and Robin reacting negatively would probably hurt more than being torn apart by a demodog, he guesses. They really took on the role of siblings and losing them would be the worst thing to ever happen to him. 

Dustin grabbed the phone and put it between him and Max so she could hear everything too. “Family Video this is Robin. How can I assist you in bringing the theater to your home?” Robin says with clearly fake sincerity. Max and Dustin snort.

Dustin rolls his eyes, “Yeah its Dustin, but if I need some movie magic you’ll be the first person I ask thanks.”

“Oh thank god what’s up dingus junior?” She audibly relaxes knowing that it’s just one of the kids, and not an obnoxious customer.

The familiarity of Robin’s casual teasing usually was enough to calm Dustin’s nerves, but he was still too keyed up to lean into the comfortability of it all. He awkwardly paused, and Robin to her credit was patient as he tried to find his words. A soft nudge from Max and he was able to, “Uh. Yeah, so I have something I wanted to run by you and Steve if you guys are around later tonight, just me and Max?” There was no answer, which was concerning seeing how Dustin hadn't said anything yet.

“Dustin?” Steve’s voice coming through the receiver, “What’s going on? Is this a code red?” Steve sounded frantic.

“What? Jesus no, I would’ve just shown up if it was that. Like last time. No this is… it’s personal okay? So can Max and I come over later or…?” Dustin twisted the cord around his finger.

“Oh! Yeah, sorry man. Yeah that’s okay. We get done at six so anytime after that come on over.” His voice gets distant, “It’s all good Robbie, nothing to worry about.” Dustin wishes he could agree. “Do you guys need a ride?”

“We’re good, it’s nice enough to bike. Thanks though Steve. Um I’ll see you later then.” Dustin finishes lamely.

“You good man? Sounds like you’re about to upchuck through the phone.” Steve huffs an airy laugh.

“Uh huh. Bye.” He hung up the phone as soon as he finished his sentence. 

Max eyes him, “Smooth.”

Dustin just groans and slumps against the couch in lieu of a response.

***

Both kids are staring at the Harrington door, almost daring it to open itself. After a few more minutes and another nudge from Max, Dustin rolls his shoulders back, takes a deep breath, and knocks probably a little more subdued than he normally would. And going by the concerned and confused look Steve is giving them, the abnormal Dustin behavior is absolutely being noticed.

Or it was until Steve spots his bat at Max’s side, “What the fuck Mayfield? I’ve been looking for that everywhere!” Steve’s pinching his nose with one hand while his other lands on his hip. “I swear to god one of you little shits is going to be the death of me, but for real this time! Is this what you’re being so weird about?”

Dustin sighs and shakes his head slowly, “No but think you could let us in? Would rather not have the whole town hear my business if that pleases his highness.”

“Jesus Christ with the dramatics already,” Steve huffs but still moves aside letting them pass, not before taking the bat from Max and putting it in its spot beside the door. He closes the door and shuffles the kids toward the living room, where Robin is already perched on the edge of the sofa, biting her nails and tapping her socked feet soundlessly against the carpet. 

Seeing the teens walk through, she immediately tucks her hand away, but her feet speed up it seems. “Hey guys!” She says obviously trying for casual which she misses by a mile. It softens Dustin to see, giving him a bit of courage to just get through this. 

With his nerves settled at least a bit, Dustin realizes how silly this whole thing is. It's Steve and Robin for crying out loud, if they can handle inter dimensional flesh monsters, they can handle the fact he’s trans. The new confidence rushes through him, he just starts explaining everything, the flowing it easier than he ever thought they would. As he finishes he feels Max grab his hand again as they wait to see their friends’ reaction.

When he sees them visibly sag with relief at the end of his speech, Dustin calms even more. Doubting Steve and Robin was always a mistake, he sneaks Max a relieved smile, she returns it and pushes her side into his for a brief moment. 

Realization dawns on Robin’s face, “So that’s why you were so weird the other day! Dude you should’ve said, Steve has like the most supplies ever for that stuff, especially since E–” She gets cut off due to Steve elbowing her. Okay... weird Dustin thinks to himself but that isn’t going to stop him from feeling relieved that his friends are extremely normal about this whole thing.

“I honestly thought you’d guys have way more questions. I think Lucas asked questions for forty-five minutes,” Max adds, eyes squinted with a smirk, teasing. “Especially you mister perpetually concussed.”

“Oh come on, give me a break. I am in fact capable of complex thoughts you brat.” Steve throws a pillow at Max as a scowling Robin backs him up and throws another pillow at her.

With the noise of their playful banter the entire group misses the sound of someone descending the stairs, and a groggy voice fills the room. “Stevie, Robin what the hell are you guys doing.” He yawns and stretches completely unaware there are two people in the room then when he left to take a nap earlier. “Baby?” 

Max, confused, whispers “baby?” under her breath with furrowed brows.

Steve is up in an instant, concealing Eddie from the kids’ view. He’s not fast enough because Dustin gets an eyeful of similar chest scars Eddie’s sporting, clearly forgoing a shirt during his nap. He stands wide eyed, and just points at Eddie with his mouth open. 

In retrospect Dustin realizes he probably could’ve reacted better, especially when Eddie starts scrambling to explain the scars and hides himself behind Steve. With words stuck in his throat and not wanting Eddie to shrink in on himself further, Dustin just rips off his shirt, his hat goes flying, and wordlessly points back and forth between himself and Eddie trying to emphasize his non verbal point. Eddie goes slack, mouth dropping open. Eddie is gripping Steve’s arm like it’s the only thing holding him in place and he just stares at Dustin.

“Is this a really fucked up dream or am I actually seeing what I’m seeing?” Eddie says out of breath like he just ran a mile.

“Not dreaming man,” A huge smile takes over Dustin’s entire face. “Holy shit Eddie!” He’s laughing so hard now tears are starting to run down his face. 

Before anyone can get their bearings from the first reveal, Max as it seems has figured out her own realization, “Wait wait wait, Steve and Eddie are dating?” 

Now it's Steve’s turn to blanch, “Um.” He’s looking at Eddie panicking on how he should answer. Lucky for him it seems like Eddie has been brought up to speed and takes the lead on the conversation. 

“Okay so!” He claps his hands in a very Steve-like jock way that unsettles Dustin and Max just a bit more, “To catch everyone up to speed. Dustin and I are trans, yes?” Looking to Dustin to confirm, to which Dustin nods his head vigorously, eyes wide open waiting for Eddie to continue. With that confirmed Eddie’s smile softens, he nods his head too, and takes a breath to continue, “So Dustin and I are trans, and yes Steve and I are dating.”

“You guys can’t be dating! Steve’s straight!” Dustin squawks.

This makes Eddie frown and Robin just scoffs with a sarcastic yeah right under her breath. “Sweetheart you didn’t tell me you were straight.” Eddie whines at Steve jokingly.

Steve barks a laugh, “News to me baby. This whole time I thought I was bisexual I swear!”

Max laughs but Dustin still isn't satisfied, “But… But Steve’s a jock, you can’t date a jock!”

“Jesus Henderson it might work for you but I do not dabble in nerd on nerd romance thank you very much. Besides you wanted me and Steve here to get along, and congrats buddy we get along real well. Don't we Stevie?”

“Mhm,” Steve says with a flirtatious tone, “Some would say that I guess,” and he leans in to give Eddie a quick peck so as to not traumatize his friends any further.  

“If anyone else has anything to confess I think now's the time.” Max adds laughing. Dustin and Max are laughing so hard over the day's revelations, and getting rid of the last of their adrenaline, they miss the teasing looks Eddie and Steve are sending Robin, baiting her into revealing her own relationship with Nancy. Robin flips them off before the kids start paying attention again.

The rest of the night is filled with questions, and stories about transitioning and how Steve and Eddie ended up together. They talk and laugh. Dustin brings up how happy his Mom will be not only for Dustin to have an older friend who understands all the things he goes through, but for her adopted son to have someone love him as fiercely as he deserves. Not to mention that Claudia has known the entire time about both Steve and Eddie, as well as Robin and Nancy. But what Dustin doesn't know won’t kill him.

passing that single brain cell back and forth between them

people don’t talk enough about this scene from sonic movie 3

(finished artwork, pls give it lots of love, thank you!!)

The idea of a Sonic and DC crossover comic is so silly to me. I love it lol

Reminds me of all those old cameos back in 90’s and 2000’s cartoons. Back when Ben Tennyson showing up in Generator Rex blew my mind.

Anyways. It’s fun to get to draw super cartoony and semi realistic at the same time!

Unpopular opinion: we should all wear masks as much as possible. Forever.

Immuno compromised people were in danger long before 2019. How many people could we have saved, just by masking?

Seriously. Disabled people deserve to live without fear.

We never know if we're carrying a disease or not, since most symptoms only show up after we're contagious.

Very useful in a world with cameras everywhere.

Even if your masking is not perfect, it is still better than nothing. Every step, even the smallest ones, is another layer of protection for immuno compromised people.

Wouldn't it feel good to save a life by doing something so simple?

Thank you and goodnight!

Edit: this is about all mask preventable disease, not just covid.

Link Here!

okay but why are so many medical professionals focused solely on getting their patients back to their jobs and not actually helping the patient feel better. like you will be literally unable to digest food or eat or do anything and they'll be like "that's not good we gotta get you BACK to WORK!!!!!!!!" and so they drag their heels and take up a bunch of time and give you treatments that don't work or take forever to give you ones that do and when you tell them. hey i still don't feel good the first thing is "BUT YOUR JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

fuck my stupid job. i'm dying. i'm a person not a walking job. help me. a lot of medical professionals will refuse to do their job and instead lecture you about being unable to go to your job instead. unreal.