#dbdhjdbsd i was tht younger teen with older friends.... it wasn't weird we were just friends n met in an elective class 💔

[bylertruther]

Why is dustin's primary relationships is with a man who graduated from highschool recently and a man who failed to graduate instead of you know, it being other Party members at his age. Like idk if the writers are realizing this, but it is kinda weird how they pushed dustin to be like this instead of writing him normally with other kids.

i understand bc i also wish dustin would interact with his best friends and party more, but 1) their circles do interlap and they're bonded by the Horrors, supernatural n heartbreak in steve's case and bullying related in eddie's, 2) he went to them in the first place bc he was lonely n left out by his party and they took him, 3) he's good representation for the only children with older friends / friends not in their age group, 4) eddie is still a student just like dustin, not some random drop out drug dealer slash musician or whatever, and they're in a club together, and 5) dustin has an age gap with erica too.

making friends is just like that sometimes, and these relationships have been beneficial for all parties. nothing weird or bad about them. eddie and steve are older, yes, but they're not very mature yet, which makes those friendships make even more sense too.

also, u can't deny the wonderful chemistry gaten has with keery and quinn—ofc the duffers would give him more material with them. dustin got some great development with both of those characters. it made sense why he needed them in his life, and i feel those bonds also really embody the spirit of stranger things in some ways.

at least in s5 we can hope to get the party dynamic back and likely will now that there's a solid older teen group with their own drama, the remaining members of the party will hopefully want to stick together, and eddie's dead lol. we'll just have to see!