Dustin Henderson

Character portrayed by: Bakaray17. A main character in Stranger Things: The Fall of Hawkins.

## History

### Background

Dustin Henderson, born on May 29, 1971, to Mr. and Claudia Henderson, experienced a pivotal change in his life around 1980 when his family moved to Hawkins, Indiana. It was here, in the new setting of Hawkins' school system, that Dustin entered fourth grade and crossed paths with Lucas, Mike, and Will. This encounter marked the beginning of a profound friendship, as Dustin quickly gelled with the group, forging a bond that went beyond mere acquaintanceship to form a tight-knit circle of best friends.

A common interest that brought Dustin and his friends together was their shared love for Dungeons & Dragons. Mike's house became their usual gathering spot for these gaming sessions, where they embarked on imaginative adventures, honing their strategic skills and fostering a deep camaraderie.

Beyond their leisure activities, Dustin and the boys shared a strong connection with Mr. Clarke, their science teacher. Mr. Clarke's guidance and mentorship were instrumental in nurturing their inquisitive minds, especially through their involvement in the school's AV Club. Under his tutelage, Dustin and his friends not only explored various aspects of science and technology but also cultivated a sense of teamwork and mutual respect.

Their collective passion for science was further showcased in the annual school science fair. Dustin, along with Lucas, Mike, and Will, consistently impressed at these events, often clinching the top spot almost every year. This achievement was not just a testament to their scientific prowess but also to the strength of their friendship and their ability to collaborate effectively.

## Personality and Traits

After the Hawkins Earthquake and the cloistering of Hawkins, Dustin slowly starts to curl in on himself in the following months. He mostly focuses on making gadgets and motors that can sustain batteries and small appliances.

His new reclusive lifestyle limits his interactions with friends and others in Hawkins, but he can sometimes be seen biking around the non-crumbling roads, looking for anything he can salvage. Be it old car batteries, leftover soldering or tools he can use to create something useful.

These days, he's keeping close to home, trying to make contact with the world outside Hawkins to see what's going on, listening in to whatever conversations he can find to gleen information about the potential fate of Hawkins.

Over the years, Dustin has gone on many misadventures and quests in his hometown. Somehow, he's always managed to stay alive and mostly unscathed. Although, that doesn't truly account for what lay beneath the usually chipper and comical facade he wears.

## Skills

* Team Player
	+ Always down for making battle plans and strategizing, he's a little less on the statistical side and more on the 'have at thee!' front when danger isn't a present threat. In danger, however, he's more realistic and *does* mind the statistics and probability of things going sideways.
* Mechanical Proficiency
	+ Can draft, build, create and operate small to medium machinery and fix broken items

* Computer Whiz
	+ Started learning how to code upon picking up more complex projects that required more technological aspects.

## Relationships

### Familial

*Claudia Henderson*

* She's always been his biggest supporter and cares deeply about her son. After the earthquake, she's more worried about his well being and makes sure to pull him out of his room to help at the school when they need extra hands.
* Dustin also cares deeply about his mother, but feels as though it'd be better to just hide the truth about what he's been doing these past few years, as some things are better left unsaid.

### Non-Familial - (WIP)

*Steve Harrington*

*Eddie Munson*

*Lucas Sinclair*

*Will Byers*

*Mike Wheeler*

*El / Jane Hopper*

*Max Mayfield*

*Robin Buckley*

*Nancy Wheeler*

*Erica Sinclair*

* Much like her brother, Erica balances out Dustin in a way that makes for good teamwork. Erica's sharp and 'to the point' commentary often brings Dustin back down to reality, helping to fine tune his plans to perfection.
* While he does see her as a 'little sister' at some times, more so, she's more of a 'partner in crime', fellow nerd, and valuable party member.