There and Back Again
{Rewritten}
Warnings: minor bullying, use of slurs for the purpose of bullying
Synopsis: It’s been 23 years since the defeat of Vecna, and life in Hawkins has returned to normal (well, as normal as it could get in Hawkins) Those lost in the Upside Down were returned home. Everyone moved on. Nothing bad could happen now…. Could it?
Now, 14 year old Tommy Emerson and his friends go about their lives playing DnD and enjoying their adolescence. Until their world is shaken by the unexpected appearance of strange portals around the town of Hawkins. Will they be able to save their hometown? Will they be able to save their family?
“I would have gone with you to the end… Into the very fires of Mordor”
“I know… Take care of-”
“Tommy! Come on, buddy! You’re gonna be late!”
Tommy Emerson’s attention was immediately ripped from his TV as his dad called for him. He quickly switched it off before yanking his backpack off the floor and speed-walking his way into the living room.
“Sorry, Dad. I was watching Fellowship of the Ring again. Got lost in the scene.” Tommy walked past his father, who was throwing on a cut-off flannel over his Quiet Riot T-Shirt.
Gareth grinned softly, grabbed his keys, and walked out the door after his son “The Aragorn scene?”
The boy only nodded in response.
The older brunette nodded as well “Good scene. Glad to know I spawned a man of taste.”
They both let out a small chuckle as they slid into the old station wagon. (Affectionately dubbed ‘The Fuck Wagon’ by his uncles and Mom)
Tommy tossed his backpack into the backseat before sitting back and buckling up. He gave his dad a once over and his expression became one of amusement “I still can’t believe you bagged mom and became a teacher dressing like that.”
Gareth shot his son a confused glance, looking at what the boy was wearing “I’m sorry, I know the guy wearing an Electric Mayhem t-shirt isn’t giving me fashion advice.” he said with another chuckle before looking back at the road “Plus, your mom digs the rugged, rockstar look. If she didn’t you wouldn’t be here.”
Tommy rolled his eyes, still grinning as he looked out the window “You’re gross, Dad.” He said, laying his head back against the seat.
Tommy’s dad was his best friend. Two peas in a curly-haired pod. He inherited his father’s love of music, fiction, and, of course, Dungeons and Dragons. They did have their differences, but Tommy didn’t know anyone cooler than his dad. Except maybe his Uncle Eddie.
They passed through their suburban Indiana neighborhood quietly. Gareth’s Metallica: Master of Puppets album playing faintly in the background.
Tommy had only ever known Hawkins. The small-town hospitality and Mom-And-Pop shops made him feel at home. But he promised himself he would not be here forever. He would become a world-renowned puppeteer. Like Jim Henson, the third coolest guy he knew of.
As they approached the school, he turned his head to look at his dad again. “Has mom called since her plane left?” He asked, tapping his fingers rhythmically.
Tommy’s mom was a Veterinarian specializing in livestock. So, sometimes she had to fly to different places to assist in places where there were no vets like her. Tommy thought it was super cool
Once, he saw her help birth a baby cow. It was gross but super awesome.
Gareth looked at his phone for a moment and nodded “She boarded around 5. Should arrive in another hour or so” he said, sighing softly as he looked back at the road. Tommy knew it was because he missed her.
Tommy believed in soulmates because he saw it in his parents. The way Gareth Emerson adored his wife was something out of a storybook. He worshiped the ground she walked on, protecting every hair on her head while she took care of him in his hardest, most vulnerable moments. They were made for each other.
“You know she's only going to be gone for 3 days. Plus, it’s Spring Break, so we can hang out till she gets back” Tommy reassured his dad as they parked in the teacher's parking lot.
Gareth shot his son a small smile as he turned off the car “I know… I just miss her when she's gone…”
“You’re whipped.” Tommy teased, punching his dad’s arm
“Fuck off, crotch goblin”
“Not a nice way to speak to your kid, Goodwill”
Gareth lunged over and got Tommy into a playful headlock, ruffling his auburn curls causing them both to laugh.
Tommy broke from Gareth’s grip, moving away as he chuckled and struggled to catch his breath. He grabbed his bag from the back and opened the door
“See you later, Pops. I love you.” He said as he got out and walked towards the high school.
Gareth got out as well, walking towards the elementary school “Love you too, bud. I’ll see you after Hellfire.”
——
Tommy pulled his backpack up his shoulder before putting both of his earbuds in his ear. He searched through the list of songs on his iPod Nano before landing on ‘I’m Just a Kid’ by Simple Plan. He didn’t really like Simple Plan all that much, but the song made his brain waves feel like they were doing the salsa so he played it on repeat.
He reached his locker, humming as he put in his combination and grabbed his English 1 supplies that he kept in a yellow binder. All of his things were color-coded by subject.
Except for his DnD books. They had their own spot along with his handmade dice bag and his miniatures that were placed to look like they were fighting each other. The scene made him very happy every time he opened his locker.
“Hey, Mop Top.” The voice that he heard even through his headphones made him roll his eyes as he slowly turned his head to look at his cousin, Billie Munson.
Billie was tall and slender, like her dad. Except she had more muscle from years of being the best softball player Hawkins had ever seen. She even won a medal at the Indiana state fair for the fastest throwing arm in Indiana. She was destined for greatness and everyone knew it.
Billie grinned wide at her cousin, leaning against the locker next to him “You ready for the end of Sammie’s campaign? Heard it’s gonna be fuckin’ brutal.”
Tommy nodded as he closed his locker with a chuckle “Oh, hell yea. Sir Thomas the Unbreakable Ranger is going to fucking slam dunk on whatever Big Bad Evil Guy that Overlord Sammi throws his way”
Billie rolled her eyes, adjusting her jersey buttons a bit “Well, you know Sammi. She’s almost certainly going to throw some crazy shit our way. She’s definitely living up to the Munson name.”
Tommy turned and walked away from his locker and Billie followed him closely “You both are, Munster.”
The mention of Billie’s softball name made her grin.
Tommy looked back at her, his grin mirroring hers “So where is Sammie?” He asked, looking forward again.
Billie braided a strand of her hair as she walked “With Henry Buckley in the library printing out more flyers for Hellfire.”
“At this time of year?”
“She says she’s preparing for next year”
“Jesus, she’s dedicated”
“You should see our room.”
Tommy let out a soft chuckle.
Sammie was Billie’s younger sister and the Leader of the Hellfire Club. She was as dedicated to that club as their father before them was. Maybe even more if that were even possible. She made sure it was advertised in the school newspaper, and the Friday school news broadcast, and she even handmade the posters and banners that were placed around Hawkins High. She was goddamn insane but in an almost admirable way.
Tommy looked up towards Mrs. Click’s classroom door before smiling to himself. There, standing and talking to another girl Tommy didn’t know, was Iris Summers, his best friend.
Iris was wearing pretty yellow overalls that stood out against her deep brown skin. She was the prettiest girl Tommy had ever seen.
As he walked closer, she noticed him and smiled “Hey, Tommy Lee. Are you ready for Hellfire tonight?”
Tommy grinned at the use of his middle name. Only a few people knew he was named after the Mötley Crüe drummer, but (and he would deny it to his grave) he liked when Iris called him that. But, then again, he liked anything Iris did.
He had known her since they were kids and her dad, Jeff Summers, was best friends with his dad.
“Yea. I’m stoked.” He said, admiring the way the beads in her braids made her eyes pop. He stared for a moment before remembering that Billie was still on his heels.
He turned to her “Don’t you have a class, meat brain?”
Billie shot him a cheeky smile before walking away from them backward “I do. See you later, lover boy.” She said before turning on her heels and disappearing down the hall.
Tommy returned his attention back to Iris, but she had already made her way into class so she wasn’t late.
He sighed before walking into the class himself, sitting down, and pulling out his notebook.
——
The school day, unlike most other school days, seemed to speed by for Tommy. Before he knew it, he was trading out his Biology books with his Player’s handbook and a binder full of character sheets and info. His excitement couldn’t be contained.
He closed his locker before immediately having his face slammed into it. His nose made a loud cracking noise against the metal. The hand that pushed him moved away.
“Emerson. Where the fuck is Buckley?” It was Junior Carver, the current ‘King of Hawkins High’ and leader of the Hawkins High basketball team. He and Henry Buckley, a close friend of Tommy’s, had had endless beef since preschool.
Tommy had slid down to his knees on the floor, his head was spinning as he was quickly snatched back up to his feet.
“Don’t make me repeat myself, Freak.” The blonde growled.
“I-I don’t know,” Tommy said, barely able to keep eye contact.
Junior punched Tommy directly in the gut “Where. Is. He.”
Tommy coughed before his fight or flight finally kicked in and he began fighting against Junior’s grip “I. Don’t. Know!”
Junior’s temper had hit a tipping point with Tommy’s defiance. He punched him in the gut, much harder than before, and dropped the smaller boy to the ground before kicking him hard in the ribs.
“Next time you see that fag, tell him I’m gonna smash his ugly face in.” Junior spoke through his teeth before stomping off, his two pug-faced lackey’s in tow.
Tommy laid there, holding his side before slowly getting back up to his feet. He leaned against his locker for a moment, taking deep breaths “Fucking prick…” he said quietly.
He picked up his things and limped off towards the auditorium to meet with the rest of Hellfire.
As he opened the large doors, he was immediately blinded by the large overhead stage lights and overcome with the sound of his friends being absolute idiots around the pushed together pop-up tables.
Samantha turned her head quickly, her teal ponytail swishing behind her “Finally! I was thinking we were gonna have to start without you!” she said, rolling her eyes and moving to walk behind her DM screen before plopping into the throne-like chair that sat behind her “You look like shit”
Tommy smiled softly and seated himself next to his friend, Ben Newman, and ignored the comment about his appearance. He knew he must look terrible. “You know I wouldn’t miss Hellfire. My dad would rip me a new one.”
Ben let out a small chuckle as Henry Buckley spoke up in his loud, obnoxious voice “Well, why were you late? Would the blood on your face have anything to do with that?” he asked with a cocky smirk. Henry was dressed in his normal, very not-easy-on-the-eyes style. His hair was straight off of a Backstreet Boys album while his clothes were also 10 years out of style.
That was Tommy’s favorite part of Hellfire. They were just a bunch of kids who could be themselves free of judgment. They were individuals here. Ben had his nerdy sweater vest look, Sammie her laid back punk stye, Billie had a unique alternative sports look, Tommy was casual punk, Iris looked like she definitely did not belong there by societal standards, and Henry was… well, he was Henry
Tommy’s smile disappeared and his expression turned to one of annoyance as he looked at Henry “Well, Henry, I was busy keeping Junior Carver off of your ass.” He hissed, looking down at his books “Maybe just take your beating like the rest of us do and we wouldn’t have to keep suffering”
Henry’s expression then mirrored Tommy’s “I didn’t hit on his sister! She’s lying!”
Tommy leaned his head back with a sigh before looking back at the boy with frosted tips “Dude, everyone has seen the note. Stop playing stupid.”
“It wasn’t for her! I got the wrong-!”
“Shut up! You’re both giving me a headache!” Sammie interrupted, tossing pretzels at both of the boys. She sat back in her chair again and put her hands together “Now. If you ladies are done fighting-” she stopped and looked between the two boys.
Tommy and Henry held tense eye contact before they both let out a sigh, deeming the battle not worth being angry at each other
Tommy nodded “We’re cool.
Henry nodded in agreement “Yea. We’re cool.”
Sammie grinned “Spectacular! Now, Adventurers, prepare yourselves for:-” she paused for dramatic effect.
“The Cult of Vecna: The Journey to the Veil of Shadows”
“I still can’t believe you ripped off your da-”
“Shut up, Henry!”
—
“You are tired. You are wounded. All that stands is one lone human ranger:-” Sammie looked at Tommy from her spot on the armchair of the throne “Sir Thomas, you are alone. In front of you lay your dying friends, your dead enemies, and the world’s darkest most dangerous wizard: Lord Vecna. What do you do?”
Tommy wiped the small bit of sweat on his forehead with the back of his hand as he stared in desperation at his character sheet “I- um- I-”
“Sir Thomas! Time is not a luxury you can afford! Everyone. Is. Dying!”
Tommy felt his anxiety spike as he searched his brain for a strategy.
“Vecna raises his dagger, and-”
“I jump in front of the blade with my last bit of health and energy!” Ben interrupted, rolling his dice.
The room went quiet as the dice clacked across the felt of his dice box.
Sammie was in a bit of shock as she leaned over to check the numbers. “18… you jump in front of the blade… taking it straight through your heart… you take 20 damage… and you die.”
Ben didn’t seem phased. He quickly turned to Tommy and shouted “This is your opportunity! Kill him! Kill Vecna!”
Tommy hadn’t noticed he himself had been in shock as he stared at the pudgy boy next to him, but when Patrick spoke, Tommy snapped back into reality.
“I-I use my blade and drive it through Vecna’s heart!” Tommy said quickly, rolling his dice.
The next few seconds felt like slow motion as the dice hit the tray.
Clack
Clack
Clack
Stop.
Tommy swallowed hard as he leaned over to look into his dice tray. He almost felt his soul leave his body.
“N-nat 20!” he shouted as he began to laugh with delight.
The room erupted with laughter as they all stood and began to celebrate.
Henry hugged Ben, Iris high-fived Sammie, Billie planted a huge kiss on Tommy’s cheek. The jollity in the atmosphere was unmatched.
As the celebration died down, everyone got their things and piled out of the room and out to the parking lot where their parents congregated around their cars while some of them smoked and caught up with what had been going on in their lives lately.
The members of Corroded Coffin chuckled amongst themselves as Eddie told a predictably dumb joke.
Gareth caught sight of the kids and quickly put out his cigarette “Kids. 12 o’ clock.”
Jeff and Grant tossed their cigarettes while Eddie kept his hanging from his mouth as he turned and held his arms out for his girls.
“Come to me my minions!” he called to Billie and Sammie.
Both girls rolled their eyes as they walked slowly into their father’s arms
The rest of the kids laughed as they said their goodbyes and walked to the vehicles of their respective parents.
Tommy was walking away with Gareth when he stopped before turning on his heels and jogged towards Grant and Ben.
Gareth turned to look at his son “Where ya goin’, Bud?”
Tommy looked back at his dad “I just gotta tell Ben something!”
“Well, hurry up. Dinner is on the table and it’s gonna get cold.”
Tommy slowed down as he approached Ben and his dad “Hey, Ben!” he said, out of breath a bit.
Ben turned and grinned “Hey, Tom-”
“You didn’t have to do that.” Tommy interrupted.
“Do what?”
“Sacrifice yourself for me. Y-you could have survived and-”
It was Ben’s turn to interrupt “No! It’s cool. Dying a hero is way cooler than dying a coward. I wanted to help.”
Tommy smiled and held his fist up for a bump “Hell yea.”
Ben grinned from ear to ear before finishing the fist bump “Hell yea.”
Tommy turned once again before running back to his dad, and hopping in the car to head home.
~~~
God I’m so glad I decided to rewrite this fic. I love these kids so fucking much and I’m so happy writing this. I hope you guys enjoy!
I will only be posting this on Tumblr and AO3. If you see it anywhere else, unless explicitly stated by me, please let me know so I can deal with it myself