THE REAL WORLD SUCKS

A STUDY IN  ||  fire-forged friendships.  badass bookworm.  beware the quiet one.  big brother instinct  /  becoming the father-figure.  commitment issues.  growing up too fast.  breaking the cycle.  wisdom beyond one’s years.

                                            GOOGLE DOCS || RULES ⟱

               THEY   WERE   NOT   CLOSE,   BUT   HE   WISHED   THAT   they   could   have   been.   Perhaps,   a   fresh   start   was   in   order.   He   always   liked   to   include   people   in   general   because   he   also   knew   the   feeling   of   being   so   alone.   It   was   a   sick,   stomach   lurching   feeling.   However,   as   he   grew   older,   he   found   that   some   people   would   rather   be   alone.   By   choice.   Either   way   he   would   extend   a   hand   to   see   if   could   lead   them   somewhere.   It   was   never   too   late   to   start   over.   That   was   something   he   truly   believed   in.

               DUSTIN’S   SMILE   ONLY   WIDENED   WHEN   HE   SAW   THE   grin   on   Jonathan’s   lips,   the   gentleness   in   his   tone,   and   the   playful   jab.   It   made   his   chest   swell   in   a   good   way.   Making   people   smile,   feel   comfortable,   was   something   Dustin   aimed   to   do.   Especially   in   times   like   this.   A   dark   cloud   may   hang   over   their   town,   but   that   didn’t   mean   they   had   to   feel   like   it   all   the   time.   There   was   always   time   to   feel…   comfort.   Despite   being   in   his   own   pain,   he   made   sure   to   make   the   pain   of   others   disappear.   Even   if   it   was   just   for   a   minute,   “   Well,   that   too,   ”   he   admitted,   “   But   it   was   more   because   it   was   sooo   good,   ”   Dustin   said   while   he   leaned   more   of   his   weight   against   the   surface   behind   him,   “   You   know,   I   would   pay   to   see   that.   I   hear   you   have   quite   the   pack   to   your   punch.   ”   in   honor   of   poor   Steve’s   face   of   course.

                   THE   SUBJECT   OF   HIS   FRIEND   CAME   FROM   PURE   curiosity,   to   understand   him   better,   and   to   let   him   know   that   he   did   care.   That   he   noticed.   He   noticed   that   this   was   Jonathan’s   friend.   Noticed   and   was   genuinely   wanting   to   know   more   about   Jonathan.   Small   bits   here   and   there   added   up   in   the   long   run.   That   was   another   thing   he   could   do.   Collect   and   observe.   Argyle   wasn’t   like   most,   and   in   a   strange   way,   he   reminded   him   of   Eddie.   A   man   who   simply   was   living   his   life.   Not   caring   about   how   others   perceived   him.   It   made   that   feeling   in   his   gut   tighten,   warmth   changed   to   cold.   It   was   almost   sickly.   The   guilt.   The   loss.   Man,   he   did   miss   Eddie.

                    OWN   THOUGHTS   REMOVED   FOR   THIS   MOMENT.   THE   YOUNG   man   leaned   closer   to   the   older   as   he   spoke,   eyes   roamed   for   Argyle   as   he   spoke.   Not   wanting   to   search   longer,   and   not   wanting   to   seem   like   he   wasn’t   listening,   his   eyes   came   back   just   as   quickly   as   they   started   to   move,   “   Just   like   that?   ”   head   dipped   with   furrowed   brows.   He   knows   that   friends   can   happen   just   like   that.   A   simple   action   can   cause   the   greatest   ripple.   That’s   what   happened   between   these   two,   “   Do   you   consider   yourself…   close   friends?   ”

-ˋˏ [ ◉¯] ┈┈┈┈ THERE IS A FLMSY SMILE that punctuates his features , diminishing within seconds back to a neutral stance when he remembers the day he and Steve fought ; while he didn’t quite forgive him, the man had apologized, yeah, but did that mean he had to forgive him completely? Was he invalid for not feeling anything he stated was redeemable to him? Maybe he should forgive him, but there wasn’t too much they had talked about in the years leading up to the move nor had they a chance to mend the bridge that was smoldering closer and closer to collapse. It wasn’t much that he hated Steve, no, but he certainly didn’t feel any attachment to him -- not quite... In coming events, perhaps he’d find that salvage he’d been secretly longing for ; maybe he’d finally find that forgiveness to give out.

   ❝ Yeah, ❞ he managed, a soft restrain to his vocals -- as if he couldn’t quite tell if he should feel pride in this or shame in it ; after all, his blind fury could have killed Steve had the cops not shown up. Even Tommy was struggling to get him off him and...honestly, there was some part of Jonathan that day that hadn’t been sure himself if he wanted to kill him or just brutally hurt him for everything he spat. After all the grief and trauma, after having to see a body that wasn’t his brother’s, after having cried himself to sleep countless nights since the disappearance -- all those instances piled up on him until it burst when he heard someone pushing him to his breaking point. 

    With a dry swallow, he forced his mind to put it to rest, blinking slow. ❝ Argyle really is my only friend in California, ❞ an admittance that wasn’t without its faults ; he wanted to call him his best friend, but he couldn’t put Will aside like that, unsure if he’d appreciate a new best friend. Although...he was kind enough, a heart too big for this world and its spikey interior. Will would accept it, regardless of how much it struck him down. but Jonathan would always tell Argyle he was his second best friend -- something he was pretty sure the guy didn’t care about. Jonathan’s mind was so rigid, under pressure constantly, only managing through it by the introduction of Argyle. Would he say the guy saved him? Yeah...it’s a small instance of relief in his life ever since he lost nearly everything: his home, his life, his girlfriend’s presence, his town that he hated and liked at the same time...

          The lack of reaction Mike received from Jonathan must’ve been a good thing. Or at least, that’s where his mind went with it, since people often tended to react in shock if something was really gruesome or bad. He currently had no way of seeing it for himself, and it didn’t help that the adrenaline was preventing him from feeling as much pain. Once the adrenaline wore off, he was certain to be hurting though, and it wouldn’t be as easy to ignore. Faintly grinning when he noticed Jonathan playing along with the movie reference, Mike then began to carefully tug his shirt back down with the older male’s assistance. The fabric continuously rubbing against his wounds with various movements was definitely going to be unpleasant.           ❝ My entire back? My entire back is messed up? ❞ Mike repeated after Jonathan, his brow furrowing as he tried to imagine what it looked like. The bites on his wrist and hand weren’t good enough to allow him to get an accurate idea of it, since less damage had been taken there and it didn’t include claw marks. ❝ Okay, well, maybe I’ll be left with some badass scars. Maybe we both will, ❞ he added, nodding towards the injured arm that Jonathan was trying to prevent Mike from looking at. It was a good effort, but Mike wasn’t fooled. He knew he’d been hurt during the attack, and both of them would have to tend to their wounds to ensure they didn’t get infected or slow them down too horribly. There was no point in fussing over it now though, since there wasn’t anything they could really do until they found medical supplies.           Beginning to walk with Jonathan then, Mike followed his lead and stepped carefully over the vines. ❝ I wouldn’t be surprised if the Upside Down didn’t have anything. All it’s ever shown us is danger, danger, and, oh yeah, more danger, ❞ he began to say, lifting up one finger at a time as he listed off the reasons. ❝ It’s never done anything good for us, but…I don’t know, maybe we’ll find something usable at the hospital. ❞

-ˋˏ [ ◉¯] ┈┈┈┈ THE HOSPITAL -- memories flash before his mind that take him aback: Tom, Bruce, the Mind Flayer, nearly dying, Nancy being trapped in a room he couldn’t break into to help her ...  A sharp inhale is taken that he doesn’t want to admit is true ; it’s a constant source of misery, yet he wasn’t one to reflect too horribly on it, knowing that if he were to freeze up over it, he’d be putting them both at risk. They had to take that chance and head for the hospital ; however, there came the large risk of losing themselves in there, being caught on the way there, being thrown out into the open to be torn to shreds.

    Head would shake, though not to dismiss Mike’s idea but to savagely beat himself out of his stupor ; they were in this too deep to quit now. The hospital might be their best option at finding all the necessary materials they’d need to fix up their forms, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t be vigilant -- did they have a fire ax in there he could use? A necessity that sprung by his own mind to conjure up more reassurance at going. If they were basing their odds against whatever might hit them when they leave, having anything on their side would give them the boost needed to keep going, though he wasn’t sure how much Mike could do with his back that way ; he’d hope that there were still pain pills in there that weren’t...disgusting -- this was Hawkins so it had to have something...

          THE HESITATION WAS THE LAST THING HE NEEDED. Will knew Jonathan well, and he understood that no matter what he said — convincing him would be difficult. His gaze crossed over the rear view mirror, as it had done repetitively for the duration of their conversation. Hazel eyes swooning over every inch of his brothers expression, trying to unscramble the complex bunch of emotions situated next to him. Often times, he wished the powers he granted to himself in D&D could be transferred to the real world. Using them, perhaps he could better comprehend where his puzzle piece would fit into this complex puzzle. Will huffed quietly.

            Scared?

          Will’s eyebrows flicker at the mention of the emotion. The shy boy had been frightened for as long as he could remember. Constantly worrying and envisioning his inevitable return to the Upside Down. Prone to being weaponized against every person he loved dearly, or maybe just having it all come to a quiet end. All the regrets he carried, all the words he hadn’t said— gone at the snap of a finger. For the longest time he couldn’t figure out what he truly feared. Was it death itself, or coming face-to-face with the mastermind of this torment? He was sure he’d meet this Vecna soon enough, and he was dreading that thought.

          Thinking about it, Will had dozed off into his imagination and with a swing of his head he was warped back into reality.  ❝ Yeah— but that’s okay. We’re supposed to be scared, right? ❞  Had Lonnie heard either of the admitting to being scared they’d both be scolded. Scolded for not being good enough, or bold enough. Perhaps that was the Byers’ brothers fatal flaw. Their minds had been wrongfully conditioned to believe the worst by the people they loved most. Even though their father had been vacant.

          Vacancy. That’s what bothered Jonathan?  ❝ Jonathan… ❞  Once more the words were aloof, because the concerns he expressed were more than valid.  ❝ Just stop… stop that. ❞  Will would never allow himself to back down from calling Jonathan out on his foolish behavior.  ❝ Stop, okay? Look. ❞  Will leaned forth out of the shadow he had been reclined in, the Nevada sun now beating down on him.  ❝ You’re smart, you’re talented… you’re an amazing brother… an amazing boyfriend. ❞  Flustered, Will looked to Jonathan as the words left him. Gaze fluttering to the dash, cupholder, and his lap as he found the words.  ❝ But as amazing as you are, you’re not a— a Demigod. ❞  Shameless D&D reference tossed into his rant, he continued,  ❝ You can’t be everywhere all the time, and that’s fine. Okay? That’s fine. ❞

          For each verbal confirmation Will provided Jonathan, he nodded in affirmation and ensured they had meaningful eye contact.  ❝ I’m growing up… and I mean, some day I’m gonna go to college too. Me and El, we both will. ❞  The thought of moving away from his family was sickening, he couldn’t fathom being alone.  ❝ That’s life… right? And besides— you’ll be the first Byers’ to go to college I think. ❞  An encouraging smile came to his face.  ❝ We’ll beat him… I know we will. Then, you need to keep growing okay? If you mope around me forever I’m gonna catch up to you, then I’ll be your big brother. ❞  He teased with a chuckle.  ❝ Mom— ❞  Will nearly choked at the mention of their dear mother, knowing she had been through the worst since this entire thing started. Freezing, he stared at Jonathan for a moment before his gaze fell once more.  ❝ It’s gonna be okay. We just have to believe it will be… I guess. ❞

-ˋˏ [ ◉¯] ┈┈┈┈ A SOFT BREATH RELEASED PROVIDED no relief , expression solemn listening to his sibling speak up. There was some hope, he supposed, that maybe, after everything was over, they could be whole again, a normal family of freaks and losers -- a place where they could smile and laugh...but that wishful thinking was for those not capable of grasping reality: nothing in life ever came with a happy ending ; somehow, someone would wind up with the short end of the stick. This time, with this conversation, he couldn’t decide who had the shorter end: his mom or Will ; both of them suffered immensely and all Jonathan did was flounder with help...and after this year, he hadn’t been any.

    No job, no income, no bills, barely anything except a ride for Will and Eleven.

   ❝ You would bring up fantasy, ❞ he softly spoke, voice weaker than Will’s this time, the juxtaposition an oddity between them. How many times had Jonathan been cheered up by Will rather than the other way around? Perhaps there’d been plenty of examples but maybe they were over the trivial, mundane, life situations that were hardly anything to warrant the poor kid’s time. Hell, the last time he could recall, Jonathan had secretly cried into his shoulder after a screaming match with Lonnie, the ending result being a blow to the youth’s stomach, knocking the wind out of him and the older slamming the front door to go off and -- fuck if he knew: buy a bottle of beer or cheat or anything other than deal with a ‘disrespectful kid.’

    No...that wasn’t true -- Will had done more than that ; he knew that his mind skipped over so many instances: when Nancy got back with Steve, Will was there ; when he came home from a bad day at work, Will was there ; when he broke his hand, hit his head, and had nearly passed out on the way to the hospital, Will was there to keep him awake...

    But this? This was different because this time, Will was telling Jonathan he should let go of them, not that he was always there for them -- not that he was someone they always would need. The boy was trying so hard to push him toward his future, feeling like Jonathan deserved it and yet...Jonathan’s shaking hands gripped so tightly to him, afraid that if he lets go, he’ll lose him to something again. Even if the Upside Down is destroyed, what about the military hunting Eleven? What if he leaves and they come back? What if they break in and shoot them? What if Will comes out and is rejected by others? What if -- countless screaming thoughts piled on like ants on a dropped piece of fruit.

          Before Mike could even get a chance to ask Jonathan what he was doing, he was urging him to start making a run for the forest and away from the Demobats that were flying menacingly towards them. The younger obliged after only a moments hesitance, seeing that Jonathan was just taking a second to collect his broken camera, and took off at a sprint towards the trees. He wasn’t the most physically active person, but he was at least pretty fast thanks to his height, and maybe running for his life urged him to go a little faster. He had to wonder if the bats had been here the entire time, or if they were a new addition to the Upside Down. Whatever the answer was, he just hoped they didn’t come across more of them.

          By the time Jonathan had tugged on his arm to get him to stop, Mike was struggling to catch his breath and desperate for a break, the second tug more than enough to get him to come to a complete halt. ❝ Okay, yeah, I think… ❞ he began to say, leaning forward to rest his hands against his knees and allow oxygen back into his lungs first. It was too hard to talk when he was so out of breath. Gym had never been his favourite nor his best subject, but he would push himself to his limits when it came to running from danger. ❝ I think they’re gone. ❞ After taking a few more seconds, he straightened himself back up and attempted to look over his shoulder at the bites. It was hard to get a good look at them, even through the torn fabric of his shirt, so he couldn’t give Jonathan a solid answer.

          ❝ I don’t know. You tell me. ❞ Turning around to allow his back to face Jonathan, Mike tugged his shirt up a little to expose his back. It would no doubt have some claw marks and bite marks, especially from where the Demobat had been forcibly removed, but he was pretty sure it hadn’t been latched on long enough to do any extensive damage. ❝ Am I about to lose my mind and go all Cujo on you? ❞ Everyone knew about the rabies that could come from being bitten by bats, and what if Demobats were the same? Or worse? ❝ Seriously though, are you okay? Your arm looked, uh…It looked pretty messed up. ❞

-ˋˏ [ ◉¯] ┈┈┈┈ AS THE SIGHT OF WOUNDS enters his eyes , Jonathan suppresses a sharp breath in, not wanting to alarm Mike when he noted the lacerations that glistened in this deranged moonlit part of the forest. These weren’t serious enough that he’d need stitches, but they certainly were concerning enough to consider infection or scarring or the pain levels that would slow him down if they needed to run in the near future. It makes the elder's lips thin as he attempted to come up with a plan to mend this ordeal. ❝ If you do start foaming at the mouth, I’m changing your name to Cujo. ❞ A serious concern between the boys yet he sprinkled the effect alongside Mike to keep the humor present despite the gravity of it all ; he could find some gratitude that Mike had initiated the joke, feeling that sometimes it just...felt like a heavy burden on his shoulders to attempt it himself during these times.

    When the top breached his own health, Jonathan’s mouth twisted downward, though not without the wince of recognition that he was in pain. Still, his head would shake, waving the arm before him in a successive set of motions to avoid a clear cut image of it being implanted into Mike’s mind before he’d help the teen pull his shirt back down to cover the wounds with the same hand. ❝ This? It’s nothing, ❞ dismissive tone would utter, camera from his left hand popping into his right -- as if his dominant hand holding it would mitigate the extent of his injuries. ❝ Don’t worry about me, alright? ❞ Right at this moment, they had two scenarios to consider: bandaging up their wounds (mostly Mike’s) and finding safety for the two of them to hold out in until a proper plan of escape could be set in motion.

   ❝ It’s just my arm -- one of them ; your whole back is pretty messed up right now and the longer it stays like that, the harder it’ll be for you to move around. ❞ He doubted they’d have to pull themselves up anything high in Hawkins when hiking back toward civilization (the mockery that it was), but the movement would rub Mike’s back hard and eventually the wounds would take their toll on him. Bending and twisting would become a hassle and, god, if they had to run, his shoulder blades would probably cause him unceremonious amounts of pain.

          After everything Mike had been through with the Byers, there was a certain level of trust left between them. Even as the Demobat continued to bite and tear at his flesh, relentless in its goal to devour, he knew that Jonathan would have his back. Mike could count on him not to abandon him, but to work with him as a team and even risk his life for him if it came down to it. It was just the type of person that Jonathan was—that the entire Byers family was. Joyce, Will, Jonathan. They were all great people. Together, Mike was confident that they’d be able to fend off these creatures and figure out a plan for safety.

          A foot pressing against his body only to then be used to roughly shove him had caused the teen to unexpectedly lose his balance, leading to knees scraping uncomfortably against the stone below while his palms slammed against the ground to brace himself and prevent further injury. The feeling of claws being ripped from where they’d been firmly dug into his back had inarguably been what hurt the most, leaving a prominent stinging sensation behind and eliciting an initial yelp from Mike. It had at least done the trick in getting the Demobat off of him, though. That was one less problem to deal with.           Gaze lifting upon hearing approaching footsteps, Mike looked up at Jonathan shortly after feeling hands firmly gripping his shoulders. Through the torn fabric of the other males sleeves, he could see that he’d taken quite a bit of damage to one of his arms in the process of trying to grab the Demobat by the tail. Though they were both soaking wet thanks to the lake, he could still see the glistening of fresh blood trickling down to his hand. He wasn’t sure just how bad the lacerations were just yet, but again, they could look each other over once they were somewhere safe. ❝ Yeah, I’m—I’m okay. Thanks, ❞ Mike assured him, relief easily heard in his tone. He looked to the sky, spotting more Demobats in the distance. They were making their way towards them, getting closer and closer with each passing second. They weren’t as deadly as a Demogorgon, but he had no doubt that they could be when there was a lot of them attacking at once.

          ❝ Shit. They’re coming. We have to go, we have to go right now. Before more of them swarm us, ❞ the younger continued on to say, hands pushing against the ground to aid him in getting back up to his feet. ❝ Come on! ❞ Hand finding Jonathan’s wrist, slender fingers wrapped around it to then begin pulling him in another direction. It looked like there was a forest just up ahead, which was better than standing out in this wasteland of an environment. The place they were in now had nothing but vines, bats and more vines. There was no shelter, which definitely wouldn’t do any good for them.

-ˋˏ [ ◉¯] ┈┈┈┈ SCREECHES AND HOWLS IN THE far distance pulled him from the seconds of peace they’d managed to obtain. Though brief, it was something they both could agree on that they’d needed...but it lacked in its entirety to grant them much time to recover as the sight of thousands more of whatever the hell had attacked them were barreling toward their location. It’s a hivemind, he recalled hearing from them once and his gaze flickered toward the vines on the ground, the writhing masses of tendrils that had once yanked them inside the upside down now acting as if they were mere plants, overgrown and forgotten.

    Before Mike could pull him a foot, Jonathan yanked back, his body slouching over to snatch up the Ziplock bag with his camera inside, the evidence still obtainable despite the state his poor device now lay in. ❝ Go go go go! ❞ Voice shouted, item clenched to his chest as their legs carried them away from their only known exit from this abominable location. Unfortunately, their exit would also become their grand reentrance if this place had ANY say in the matter, knowing they’d want to reuse the same door they’d opened prior, which would only create them more difficulty in the long run if they were dragged back, bats descending on them like flies on a corpse.

   ❝ This place has bats now?! ❞ Unbelievable how the more they come into contact with this whole area, the more it seems to create new identities for the monsters that lurked. What’s next -- a dragon?! At this point, he couldn’t tell what was the most unbelievable: the lotus-headed monster, the demodogs, the Mind Flayer, the Freddy Kreuger ripoff, or the bats that were flapping their disgusting writhing selves toward the last spot they felt the teenagers. The last time a Byers stepped foot in this place, he recalled, it was just Hawkins -- just Hawkins -- but stranger...like a version of it that only existed in the dark universe of their world.

    As trees became their salvation, he’d duck his head down, avoiding a branch to the cheek, but after a while, he finally yanked back on his arm, wincing but attempting to force the other to stop in his tracks with him. A couple minutes of running was far more exercise than he’d ever want to experience again, gym class having been the only time he wanted to commit to something akin to that sort of exercise. ❝ Okay, stop -- stop! I think that’s far enough, Mike! ❞ Another tug, this one lighter in case he didn’t hear him or didn’t let go of him. Breathing heavily, the older but shorter of the two leaned back against a tree, eyes shooting down to ensure he didn’t manage to press himself against any vines growing. ❝ God damn it... ❞

    Okay, plan...plan...they needed a plan...

          A CRIPPLING AND EERIE GROAN ESCAPED THE FABRICATED BOY, the impact from the lamp prompting the image of him to completely vanish as if Jonathan had done it; he had beaten one part of the horrid nightmare (although real) he was being subject to. The entity was in no rush to cease his suffering so quickly, allowing the wooden board to tumble to the ground with a rigid clunk. Bedroom door swinging open, it allowed Jonathan free realm to the rest of the Byers’ home. Rotting and being taken over by vines, as if foreshadowing its eventual place in Vecna’s ring of plans. Another portal to be used, Jonathan was the one who would be sacrificed for it.

          For a moment, everything around Jonathan came to a grinding halt. No guilty statements being slung at him from a alternate version of his younger brother, no hard clanking of wooden planks could be heard either. A silence that was too silent, as if derived straight from a horror movie before a jump scare took place. One may argue that after everything the older Byers had been subject to thus far, it was a little bit peaceful. Allowing one to regenerate any sanity that had been demolished from this entire experience.

         And then just like that, he was no longer standing in his bedroom. As if the house had been nudged back several feet, Jonathan was now standing on the front porch. A change of scenery done so quickly one would miss it if they blinked.  ❝ Jonathan? ❞  Silence broken alas, except this time the voice echoed throughout the entire world. Endlessly bouncing off of the oak trees from the forest surrounding the Byers home.  ❝ Jonathan! ❞  His brother called out once more, the Upside Down was playing Jonathan as if he were no more than a fiddle. The voice, clearly directly coming from Mirkwood. A clear cutout of trees paving the exact path Will had desperately traversed to escape the Demogorgon on that fateful night.

          ❝ Jonathan, help me! He’s — he’s back, help me. Please! ❞  Oh how trauma was so easy to exploit, the silence had only acted as a means to put Jonathan in position for his next horrible experience within the Upside Down. For there was no end in sight for the horrific suffering that he would be subject to tonight. Aiming to remove every inch of sanity and dignity that the older Byers contained in his mind.  ❝ Don’t let him take me again — I can’t go back… ❞  Sobs erupted, echoing into the world surrounding Jonathan once more. So loud, it was as if his younger brother were speaking through a megaphone.  ❝ Please, please! ❞  Chilling pleads continued.

          Headphones now set atop his older brothers head, Will fumbled around with the several tapes he held in his hand. They had gone over this, and labeled a specific tape to use incase this happened. Frustration set in amidst his frightened sobs, tossing each and every tape that served no purpose here aside.  ❝ Come on… where is it? Where is it!? ❞  Failure wasn’t an option, but their time here was quickly vanishing.

-ˋˏ [ ◉¯] ┈┈┈┈ THE SILENCE FELL OVER THE Byers’s home , a calm that didn’t feel real at all in the essence of where he stood. Running down this hallway, he almost expected his feet to sink into the floor like some toothpaste amalgamation from Nightmare on Elm Street, yet his steps remained firm, capable, thrust forward with steadiness that he felt most dream victims would envy. The sensation of freedom wasn’t ever granted to him, knowing that his nightmare wouldn’t be over until he heard Will’s voice greet him with relief, a hug tight around his abdomen to tell him he’s alright, that he wasn’t anything he’d been told -- that he wasn’t a royal screw up like he felt. A breath of fresh air in his stale room that he’d never quite forgotten the scent of...

    Sanctuary that he might have felt akin to peace had Jonathan not been aware of how horrific this place truly was, ripped away in the very next blink of an eye. Where he stood now was damper, colder, his shaking limbs taking hold of the front porch’s column, grip tight enough to whiten knuckles. This must have been what Will had experienced years ago, right? The visions, the torture, the voices -- did he do this all by himself? Was he caught between realms or was this truly in his mind? Pants of air leaving him in trembling succession had his deer-in-headlight irises darting around rapidly, attempting to catch sight of any monsters in the distance -- demogorgons, demodogs, demobats, or imposing figure as they had described him (Vecna/Henry/001).

    Momentary fright broken by the shrill noise that caught him off guard -- GOD, why did it catch him off guard?! By now, he should know that this place wanted to torment him on his insecurities: his lack of being there, his inability to help, not doing more... The precipice presented to him screamed for him to dive in, knowing full well that Jonathan was aware of the sharks inside, yet it divulged a secret that he could save his brother...that he could do something right for him. It hurt, felt equal to a knife digging into his ribcage and twisting itself ‘round and ‘round...

    Bare feet dug into the wood surface that splintered beneath him, his teeth clenching as he gazed longingly into those woods that siren-screamed him to help -- that tempted him to let go. Still, he kept his grip firm, closing his eyes as tears pricked at his lashes, knowing how much he wanted to let go and rush in there to save him, but it was all a trap, wasn’t it? If he left the porch, he’d fall into a pit, he’d be incapacitated, he’d be embracing his own demise with certainty. ❝ Shut up! Shut! Up! ❞ Voice is pale despite his demands, though they fell short of that, resonating as soft pleas for everything to come to a halt, begging to open his eyes and see his brother’s face -- his real brother’s face -- back in his room.  ❝ You’re not real -- none of this is real! ❞ 

    Why did it feel so real...?

   ❝ Go to Hell! ❞ Palms released the column at last, his body turning from the forest, one desperate attempt to return back inside to ignore the screams -- to pretend he didn’t feel so obligated to help his fake younger sibling. A trap -- it had to be a trap... It had to be...it had to be...it...had to be...

          It was only moments after arriving in the Upside Down that Jonathan had called out to Mike, warning him of incoming danger from behind. The teen swiftly ducked his head, arms lifting to shield himself from whatever was going to attack him. Luckily for him, Jonathan had reacted quickly by smashing the bat-like creature over its head. It had done the trick for now, but there was still no time to waste or time to stop to think of a plan. This was a moment-by-moment situation, and they just had to use whatever they could get their hands on to survive. Right now, he was wishing he’d brought a paddle or something with him to use as a weapon. He’d just been so worried about Jonathan, he hadn’t even stopped to think about preparations.

          ❝ Hold on! ❞ Long legs briskly carried Mike over to where Jonathan was laying on the ground, a Demobat keeping its tail wrapped securely around his throat to prevent him from breathing, unrelenting even as fingers tugged and pried. Gaze darting across various parts of the ground, Mike spotted a nearby rock that he wasted no time in running to grab. It was decent sized, taking up the entire palm of his hand, and it would easily do more damage than his fists would. He was back to the older male in seconds, foot coming down on part of the creatures tail to lower it and begin the process of pinning it. After ensuring he had a good grip on the rock, he took a hard swing at the Demobat, which let out an obnoxiously loud screech upon impact. To no surprise, considering they were monsters from the Upside Down, they could take a bit of a beating and didn’t go down so easily.

          ❝ Let go of him, you piece of shit! Let go, ❞ Mike angrily muttered, another smash over its head visibly weakening it. It was even lower to the ground now, making aiming at it easier this time. After another few hits, one strike after the other without any hesitation or pauses in between, it was laying on the ground, and one final blow over the head had finally killed it. It lay motionless on the ground, and no longer was its tail wrapped tightly around Jonathan’s throat, allowing much needed air back into his lungs. ❝ Are you okay? ❞ He was still conscious, at least, which was really all that mattered right now. Any wounds could be tended to later, once they found shelter and were no longer under attack. ❝ —Come on, we have to get out of here. ❞ Just as he’d reached his hand out to offer him assistance in getting back up to his feet, another Demobat had dove down onto him, claws digging into his back while it began biting at the flesh of his shoulder.

          Stumbling away from Jonathan in a panic, Mike reached over his shoulder in a desperate attempt to swat the winged creature off of him. It was stubbornly holding on despite his efforts, sharp teeth biting viciously at his hand with every attempt made to shove it off. He wanted to try to reach for the tail, which would allow him to forcibly remove the Demobat from where it was latched onto his back, but it was too hard for him to reach it on his own. ❝ Grab its tail! ❞ the younger but taller of the two pleaded, his hand yanked back with a hiss of pain as another bite landed on his wrist. Going back through the gate probably wasn’t going to get them out of this mess, since they had vines that would just pull them right back in, but they had to do something to get away from the creatures.

-ˋˏ [ ◉¯] ┈┈┈┈ DESPERATE FOR A TRICKLE OF oxygen in his lungs , Jonathan’s mouth sucked in every chance it had as fingers clawed viciously at tail and skin, which had likely caused own blood to drip out in small doses. Just to save Mike from his own destruction, teen had sacrificed his own but, truthfully, he wouldn’t exchange it if it meant the younger had a chance to flee or help him later. Features had already turned a bright red as the blood flow slowed and congealed in his head, rotting and dying from lack of release. Windpipe SCREAMED in agony until darkening vision caught sight of younger’s rescue, rock in hand as creature screeched in pain, flailed about, before it finally fell limp.

    A wheeze leaves his lips as he collapsed back on to the ground, shaking limbs reaching up to unravel tail, only to pause when the realization it’d done him ONE service by unwrapping it from his throat as it perished. ❝ Fucker -- ❞ he managed to cough out, his fingers now pressed to throat to rub at it before he noticed teen’s offer toward him -- then snatched away instantly. Arms fell back to balance him, eyes shooting open so wide that he might have lost them both in a cartoon if not for the laws of reality. Shit! Out of the frying pan and into the fire, he’d been given only a few seconds to react before Mike’s body was thrashing about to try and get that thing off him, the ravenous creature biting and sinking its jagged claws into his flesh.

    ...how would they explain this to Mrs. Wheeler?

    Managing to push himself to his feet, wobbly still from how little time he’d had to recover, Jonathan lunged toward the two. Creature’s attention only barely glanced his way, teeth biting hand once as warning, before its pursuit of Mike continued, hauling ass on him like it could manage to bite through his neck flesh for a juicy kill. In his attempts to grab hold of it, he barely registered Mike’s plea for him to take the creature down via the same thing that had nearly taken Jonathan out from its brethren. Teeth clenched, grasp released Mike to reach for the whipping tail, arm receiving several deep lashes before he finally snatched it into his palm, tightening his grip around it.

    Within seconds, Jonathan’s mind went from defense to offense, the tail now lacking circulation as his digits creased into its scaley form. With one firm tug, he knew that his strength alone wouldn’t suffice so, in his moment of necessity, he placed his foot on to Mike’s body and shoved him while his arms yanked harshly back, sending the creature ripping from other down to the ground. Without missing a beat did he send his foot stomping down on to its head whilst he simultaneously yanked its tail upward, hoping to cease its functions. A harsh crack would echo between them, soft pants of exhaustion the only remaining noise for a few seconds.

               THIS   TOWN   WASN’T   NICE   TO   THOSE   WHO   WERE   different,   and   high   school   was   much   worse   with   it.   Despite   it   all,   though,   Dustin   knew   he   liked   it   here.   Not   for   that,   but   for   the   friends   he   did   meet.   His   friends   and   their   family.   It   was   a   growing   pot   of   them   now,   especially   since   a   gateway   to   another   dimension   opened   up   in   their   town.   It   meant   that   he   got   more   than   just   friends.   He   got   a   strange…   family?   Dustin   never   thought   about   saying   it   to   them,   but   maybe   he   should.   Maybe   he   should   have   said   it   to   Eddie…

               THE   THOUGHT   MADE   HIS   THROAT   DRY,   LIPS   QUIVERED   as   tears   pushed   at   his   eyes.   No,   he   was   done   crying.   He   was   exhausted   from   it.   He   was   still   a   young   teenager   who   held   someone   in   his   arms,   watching   them   die,   and   reminding   that   person   that   they   were   loved.   So   very   loved.   It   was   a   shock   value,   and   though   he   won’t   admit   it,   he   wasn’t   quite   done   with   his   tears.   Dustin   would   keep   a   brave   face   for   his   friends   who   needed   him.   He   would   grieve   in   his   own   silence.   For   now,   he   closed   his   eyes   tightly,   forcing   himself   to   not   think   about   it.   Not   right   now.

                    DUSTIN   ALWAYS   NOTICED   JONATHAN.   ALWAYS   WANTED   TO   TALK   with   him,   but   something   stopped   him   from   doing   it.   He   wasn’t   so   sure   what   it   was.   Perhaps,   it   was   his   shyness   when   he   was   younger,   saw   him   hang   out   with   Nancy   more,   and   then   came   to   his   own   conclusion.   Maybe   Jonathan   just   wanted   to   be   alone,   and   not   hang   out   with   them.   

               HEAD   INCLINED   AT   THE   WORDS   THAT   LEFT   THE   older   next   to   him.   Dustin   leaned   back   against   a   hard   surface   with   a   flat   top.   He   let   his   arms   prop   him   up   on   the   edge   of   it,   most   of   his   weight   leaning   on   his   palms,   and   a   soft   breath   slipped   through   parted   lips,   “   Yeah,   we   missed   him   too,   ”   he   spoke   almost   mindlessly,   his   own   eyes   focused   on   nothing   in   particular   before   him,   “   We   missed   you   too,   Jonathan.   Believe   it   or   not,   ”   eyes   pulled   back   to   look   at   him   now,   a   smile   creeping   on   his   lips,   “   Those   snacks   you   use   to   make   for   us   were   always   so   kick-ass.   ”   small   playful   words   to   give   Jonathan   a   smile,   “   I   would   think   there   would   be   a   lot   of   choices   of   people,   but   now   that   you   say   that…   it   makes   sense,   ”   he   nodded   his   head   as   if   he   found   the   answers   he   was   looking   for,   “   How   did   you   meet   him,   Argyle?   ”

-ˋˏ [ ◉¯] ┈┈┈┈ EYEBROWS FURROWED AS DUSTIN CONTINUED , perhaps a small reprieve for himself too to learn that he valued him at some point -- maybe it was just the snacks they really missed but it still felt...wholesome to know that some of Will’s spazzy friends gave him any credit. At some point along the way, he wondered if all the credit would go to everyone but him during his time in Hawkins, though he shouldn’t care much ; he really shouldn’t, having lived that loner life, but somehow it still tugged at him to hear anything about being missed here outside of just Nancy. Maybe Mrs. Wheeler thought of him once or twice, but he wasn’t sure that she missed him on her own behalf more than on her daughter’s.

   ❝ I thought you just gobbled them down because you were in a hurry to go off and play with Will, ❞ he admitted, though his lips kept their playful gentleness to them, no edge meant to slice indicated. Back then, things were so different ; the world was hardly about to end between each installment of the Upside Down creeping into their world, though the second time had been a long development in the making for poor Will. ❝ -- was always afraid I was going to have to gut punch one of you to stop you from choking. ❞

    The subject of Argyle wasn’t one that was unexpected ; the guy was...different than anyone Jonathan was really ever seen around in his lifetime, then again...how many people did he ever truly hang out with? Nancy and Will were the only two that most associated him with, but, as many mention, they didn’t really ever approach him unless it was an emergency or...to talk down about him. All that was really stated about the Byers in this town was how dedicated they were to working to make end’s meet, pulling late shifts on school nights or working weekends just to support themselves without Lonnie around to even micro-assist them with bills. Squeaky clean reputation in work ruined by Tom Holloway...but he’d digress...

They're a 10 but they struggle to run in a straight line and their ability to stand straight isn't much better

-ˋˏ [ ◉¯] ┈┈┈┈ ❝ YOU’RE STILL ON ABOUT THIS ? ❞ Amusement had never existed when it came to this topic, but someone could almost think this is comical -- how many people really noticed this about him? Apparently plenty to bring it to his attention this much. ❝ I walk and stand just fine. ❞

𝟏𝟓 𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐄 𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐎𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒

ANIMAL  :     rabbit or rat.

COLOR(S)  :    dark blue / indigo, black, and dark purples.

MONTH  :     january.

SONG(S)  :    should i stay or should i go (the clash), camera (r.e.m),

NUMBER  :    13.

DAY OR NIGHT  :     night (dusk primarily).

PLANT(S)  :   cannabis, black dahlia, camellia

SMELL(S)  :   cigarettes (his household), weed (his coping mechanism), pages of a book (one of his hobbies), photo developer (his favorite hobby), cheap cologne (his status), old clothes (his poverty)

GEMSTONE  :   garnet (birth stone).

SEASON  :     early fall / late spring.

PLACE(S)  :     his bedroom, the dark room, lover’s lake, mirkwood.

FOOD(S)  :   pb&j, homecooked meals, school lunches on occasion.

ASTROLOGICAL SIGN  :     capricorn.

ELEMENT(S)  :     earth with some water elements.

DRINK(S)  :   soda, maybe a bit of alcohol here or there on occasion.