Downside Up [W.Byers]

015

"Something is coming. Something is angry." Mike states. "Hungry for blood. It is almost here."

"What is it?" Will asks curiously. Ruby chuckles. "It's the thessalhydra, Im telling you."  Dustin responds. "It's not the thessalhydra." Ruby says, rolling her eyes. The boys had taught her how to play recently and she loves the game.

"I'm telling you, it's the thessalhydra." Dustin argues. Mike slams down the figurine onto the board with a loud thud. "The thessalhydra!"

"Damn it." Dustin shouts. "It roars in anger! Will, your action!" Mike orders. "What should I do? I—"

"Fireball him!" Lucas shouts. Dustin smirks, leaning forward. "Fireball the son of a bitch."

Will rolls. "Fourteen!" They all exclaim. "Direct hit. Will the Wise's fireball hits the thessalhydra. It makes a painful.." Mike shouts, imitating the shrieking noise.

"And then... it crumbles to the ground. Its clawed hand reaches for you one last time and, and, and..." Mike pretends to die, causing them all to cheer.

Will and Ruby high five, then hug. They all parade around the table as mike takes his seat once again. "Lucas cuts off its seven heads, Ruby burns its flesh, and Dustin places the remains into his bag of holding!" Mike exclaims.

"You carry the heads out of the dungeon, victorious, and you present them to King Tristan. He thanks you for your bravery and service." Mike explains.

"Let king Tristan know I send my regards to his wife." Ruby jokes, doing a gentle  curtsy.  The four boys chuckle. "Whoa. Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, that's not it, is it?" Dustin asks disappointedly.

"No, there's a medal ceremony—"

"Oh, a medal ceremony? What are you talking about?" Dustin asks. "The campaign was way too short. How is Ruby supposed to learn?" Lucas argues.

"Yeah!" Will agrees. "It was ten hours!" Mike yells. "But it doesn't make any sense." Dustin comments. "It makes sense!"

Ruby leans back in her chair, chuckling quietly. "Uh, no, what about the lost knight?" Dustin asks. "And the proud princess?" Lucas adds. "And those weird flowers in the cave?" Will says.

"I don't know, it's—"

"Guys, it's not that important. We had fun, right?" Ruby cuts in, beaming brightly. The basement door opens, where Johnathan walks down. "Jeez, What's that smell?" He asks in disgust.

"Have you guys been playing games all day, or just farting?" He jokes. "Johnathan.." Will rolls his eyes, glancing at Ruby. "Oh, that's just Dustin." Lucas responds. "He farted. Dustin farted." Lucas sings.

"Very mature, Lucas." Dustin says sarcastically. Ruby snickers, covering her face as she smiles. "Will, Rube, come on." Johnathan calls.

The two nod, getting up and following him up the stairs. "Bye, guys." Will says. "See you, will. Bye, Ruby!"

"Bye!" She waves.

"So, you have fun?" Johnathan asks the two as they walk towards the door. "Yeah." Will smiles. "Hey, boys, girl." Mrs. Wheeler beams.

"Hey, Mrs. Wheeler."

"Hey, wish your mom a merry Christmas for me, okay?" She requests. "Yeah, thank you. Uh, merry Christmas." Johnathan nods.

"So, Uh, you win?"

"Yeah." Ruby states happily. "Awesome." He chuckles. "Hey, Johnathan. Wait up." Nancy calls, running down the steps. She smiles, handing him a gift.

"Merry Christmas."

"Thanks, um. I... I didn't get you anything." He sighs. "I... I feel bad."

"No. No, it's, uh, it's not really a present. It's Um... well, you'll see." She smirks. She leans forward, giving him a peck on the cheek. Will and Ruby turn to each other, rolling their eyes. "Merry Christmas." Johnathan smiles, before exiting.

"You ready?" He asks the two. "Yeah." They nod. "Let's go."

They get into the car. Will sits in the front, and Ruby sits in the back. "All right, buckle up." Johnathan instructs. "Can I open it?" Will asks, peering down at the present. "Yeah, sure." Johnathan nods.

Will easily rips the paper, smiling at the gift. "Whoa." He states. "Pretty cool." He turns the box, facing it to Johnathan. Johnathan chuckles. "What is it?" Ruby asks.

"A camera." Will responds.

"Your dog is so cute." Ruby giggles as the dog licks her face without end. "What you got there?" Johnathan asks as will holds a large present. "Is that for you?"

"No, it's for Ruby." Will whispers, motioning his head towards the blonde, who is still joyfully playing with the dog. "Looks pretty big." Johnathan smirks, pulling out his camera and snapping a photo.

Johnathan quickly makes his way over to Ruby, snapping some more photos of her with the dog. "Stop." She chuckles, covering her face. "It's cute!"

Will walks over to another gift, shaking it to feel for what's inside. "What are you doing?" Ruby chuckles, walking over. "Checking to see what it is!" He replies.

"It's definitely an Atari." Will says as he takes a seat. "An a- What- I?" Joyce questions. "It's an Atari. I felt Dustin's today, it's the same exact weight." He smiles proudly.

"Really? Well... we'll have to see, won't we?" Joyce smirks. Will suddenly gets up, beginning to walk away. "Hey, no more snooping!" Joyce says.

"No, I forgot to wash my hands. I'll be right back." He says. Joyce turns to Johnathan and Ruby with a surprised look. "He's washing his hands?" She chuckles.

Not so long after, Will returns back to the table, pale faced. "You alright, will?" Ruby asks worriedly. "Yeah, I'm okay." Will says casually. "This food is very good, Mrs. Byers." Ruby says, mouthful.

"Oh, please. Call me Joyce. Thank you." She beams. "Mmm. Hey, mom. Did Will and Ruby tell you about, Uh, the game?" Johnathan asks. "Oh, yeah." Will nods.

"No. What game?"

"Will threw a fireball at him and.." Ruby begins, and will continues by imitating an explosion. "dead." He exclaims. "Wait, What is.. you mean, this is.." Joyce questions.

"No, it's just Dungeons & Dragons." Will explains. "Dungeons & Dragons. Right." She repeats confusedly. "It's fun." Ruby adds.

"You really think so?" Will asks excitedly. "Yeah." She beams