Roll For It
Wanna Play D&D?
***Time Stamp: 1992***
Mikey got off the school bus. He unlocked the door and made his way inside. He stopped at the coatrack and hung his jacket up. He moved to the dining room where he put his books down. He made his way into the kitchen and rummaged through the fridge for a snack. Choosing some left over fruit salad, he spooned some into a small dish. He grabbed a bottle of water and made his way back to the table. He pulled out his homework and set himself up. He looked at review sheet and began to study.
”Michael, how was school?”
Michael looked up as his mother entered the room from work. He looked at the clock and was surprised to see it was already after five.
”It was fine mother thank you for asking.”
”I am glad, but your father and I want to talk to you about something. We noticed that your grades on your last test were not up to par.”
At that moment Donald entered the room. He sat down at the head of the table with Donna moving behind him taking up the concerned parent pose. Michael looked at the test before him and sighed.
”Mother, I had explained to you that I was under the weather that week and was not able to study as well as I could with a clear head. “
”While we appreciate your explanation, it still does not excuse this grade and…”
”Yeah cause God forbid the kid gets an A- instead of an A on anything.”
The conversation was cut into by Michael’s older brother walking into the room. He looked at his parents and rolled his eyes.
”And Mikey was not just under the weather. He had a fever of 101.6 that I helped to nurse him back from.”
”Oh and where were we Gerard?”
”Connecticut.”
”Oh…well he could have said something and …”
”The kid just said he did!”
”Gerard, you will not raise your voice to your mother again.”
Donald’s voice was stern and final.
”Whatever.”
Gerard walked up to Michael and ruffled his hair affectionately.
”I’m still proud of you kid.”
”Thanks Gee.”
”Ugh, do you two have to use these vulgar nicknames? We gave you names for a reason.”
”Vulgar? What’s vulgar about Mikey and Gee? It’s not like I called him asswipe.”
”Gerard!”
”I need a drink.”
Michael tried really hard to not laugh at his brother’s joke. He got up from his seat and went to the bartable. He grabbed two red wine goblets and brought them to the table with a fresh bottle of wine. He used the corkscrew expertly and opened the bottle with little damage to the cork. He carefully poured his parents a half goblet and handed them off.
”Thank you Michael.”
”Congrats mom and dad, you created the perfect servant.”
”That is it young man! I have had enough of you and your smart mouth!”
Michael cringed as his brother and father squared off. This was never good and Michael prayed for a miracle. At that moment the doorbell rang. Donna left the room to answer it.
"Yo GeeWay!"
"Hail mighty Dungeon Master!"
"Hey Gee!"
"Hey guys!"
Gerard friends that made up about three fifths of his usual D&D group walked in the room. They had bags laden with books, dice, pencils and character sheets along with Mountain Dew and Doritos. Gerard smiled at them all the argument with Donald forgotten. Michael thanked whoever was listening for answering his prayer.
"Head down to the basement. I'm gonna call the pizza in. Everyone got their share?"
"I got Mike’s and Billie’s since they are going to be late!"
"Awesome Tre!"
Tre, Ray, and Bob all paid respects to Gerard's parents and then handing Gerard their five bucks each heading down the stairs. Gerard smiled after them and then sighed.
"Well I hope your lot is not going to make too much noise that Michael will not be able to study?"
Donna frowned at the boys pushing and shoving as they made their way down the stairs.
”Don’t worry mother, they have never bothered me before, today is no different.”
Truth be told he was happy they were here. Now he would not be so bored after dinner Gerard returned from the kitchen after calling in the food.
"See ya later Mikey. Save you a slice."
"You most certainly will not. Michael is going to eat the healthy dinner prescribed by the specialist so that his brain can continue to develop in a healthier manner."
"I was just kidding ma, I know that he is not allowed to eat junk food."
Gerard winked at Mikey and disappeared down stairs.
*
*
*
”May I be excused, I am quite full.”
”No dessert for you? We have a lovely flourless cake and…”
”No thank you father. I want to get to my room and take care of my studies.”
”There is a good lad. Off you go then.”
As Michael walked off he could hear his parents praising him and putting down his brother, he hated that they did that. He walked up the stairs with his school supplies, but he was not going to use them yet. When Michael got to his room he dropped them off on the bed and then made his way to where hi dresser was. There was a careful notch between his bed and desk that he could slide into. He pulled his knees up to get comfortable and opened the vent on the floor.
”Can he really do that?”
”Well he can roll for it.”
The clear sound of small pieces of plastic hitting a wooden table ring through Michael’s room.
”Yes! 20! Double damage bitch!”
”Okay so you hit and crit, but what damage did you do.”
More clattering sound and then a groan with a thunk. Michael laughed. He knew what that meant.
”Are you shitting me!?”
”Okay so you rolled a 2 and you have a plus 4 to damage so all together you did…12.”
Laughter erupts from the vent and mixes with Michael’s.
”Shut up Billie. It’s not that funny.”
”Yeah it is Tre, you talk all this shit and then your thief just sucks. Maybe you should change your name from “Nokned Keys” to “Knedsum Help”.
More laughter and then a scrap of a chair.
”Screw you, I’m gonna get more pizza.”
”Wanna roll for it and make sure you don’t trip up the stairs again?”
”THAT WAS ONE TIME!
”Shhh, keep it down guys, the ‘rents’ aren’t asleep yet!”
’Sorry Gee Way.”
”No worries, hey let’s stop here for tonight and pick it up tomorrow afternoon. Everyone can make it on time?”
A chorus of positives rises through the vent and then the sound of gathering up books and papers. Michael smiled and closed the vent. He headed to his bed to get his studying done.
*
*
*
Michael is just about done with his work when there is a rhythmic knock on the door that can only be one person. The door opens with invitation and Gerard is standing there with a slice of cold pizza and a few napkins.
”Hey Mikes. I just checked and the ‘rents’ have passed out. Too much wine I think.”
”Hey Gee, how was your game?”
Gerard walked over and sat down on the bed next to Mikey. Mikey cleared away all his books to make more room. Gerard handed Mikey the cold pizza. Mikey’s mouth watered as he took a big bite and chewed it slowly savoring the greasy congealed goodness. Gerard smirked at him.
”If you get this excited over it cold, imagine what is going to happen when you finally get to eat it hot?”
”Like that day will ever come.”
Mikey mumbled through his mouth full and Gerard circled his arm around his shoulders.
”Don’t worry Mikes. Someday, I will make it happen, I promise.”
Gerard smiled and then pulled a Mtn. Dew can out of his robe pocket.
”Behold Mikey, nectar of the Gods!”
”You’re a God.”
Gerard laughed as he popped the top on the can and then took a sip.
”Sorry, ten percent delivery fee.”
He burped loudly and giggled. Mikey rolled his eyes and took the can. He took a big gulp and then let out a much quieter burp. Gerard laughed and then ruffled his hair.
”You’ll get there little bro.”
Mikey smiled and finished his greasy pizza and drink. Once he was done he made his way into his bathroom to clean up and change for bed. He was happy to still see Gerard there when he got out. Mikey climbed into bed and snuggled in. Gerard sat next to him near the wall and began to spin the tale of what happened today in game. Even though Mikey knew some of it from listening through the vent, the way Gerard told it made it so much better. Before he knew it he was half asleep and Gerard was kissing him on the head and whispering good night in his ear as he made his way out of the room.
Mikey got off the school bus. He unlocked the door and made his way inside. He stopped at the coatrack and hung his jacket up. He moved to the dining room where he put his books down. He made his way into the kitchen and rummaged through the fridge for a snack. Choosing some left over fruit salad, he spooned some into a small dish. He grabbed a bottle of water and made his way back to the table. He pulled out his homework and set himself up. He looked at review sheet and began to study.
”Michael, how was school?”
Michael looked up as his mother entered the room from work. He looked at the clock and was surprised to see it was already after five.
”It was fine mother thank you for asking.”
”I am glad, but your father and I want to talk to you about something. We noticed that your grades on your last test were not up to par.”
At that moment Donald entered the room. He sat down at the head of the table with Donna moving behind him taking up the concerned parent pose. Michael looked at the test before him and sighed.
”Mother, I had explained to you that I was under the weather that week and was not able to study as well as I could with a clear head. “
”While we appreciate your explanation, it still does not excuse this grade and…”
”Yeah cause God forbid the kid gets an A- instead of an A on anything.”
The conversation was cut into by Michael’s older brother walking into the room. He looked at his parents and rolled his eyes.
”And Mikey was not just under the weather. He had a fever of 101.6 that I helped to nurse him back from.”
”Oh and where were we Gerard?”
”Connecticut.”
”Oh…well he could have said something and …”
”The kid just said he did!”
”Gerard, you will not raise your voice to your mother again.”
Donald’s voice was stern and final.
”Whatever.”
Gerard walked up to Michael and ruffled his hair affectionately.
”I’m still proud of you kid.”
”Thanks Gee.”
”Ugh, do you two have to use these vulgar nicknames? We gave you names for a reason.”
”Vulgar? What’s vulgar about Mikey and Gee? It’s not like I called him asswipe.”
”Gerard!”
”I need a drink.”
Michael tried really hard to not laugh at his brother’s joke. He got up from his seat and went to the bartable. He grabbed two red wine goblets and brought them to the table with a fresh bottle of wine. He used the corkscrew expertly and opened the bottle with little damage to the cork. He carefully poured his parents a half goblet and handed them off.
”Thank you Michael.”
”Congrats mom and dad, you created the perfect servant.”
”That is it young man! I have had enough of you and your smart mouth!”
Michael cringed as his brother and father squared off. This was never good and Michael prayed for a miracle. At that moment the doorbell rang. Donna left the room to answer it.
"Yo GeeWay!"
"Hail mighty Dungeon Master!"
"Hey Gee!"
"Hey guys!"
Gerard friends that made up about three fifths of his usual D&D group walked in the room. They had bags laden with books, dice, pencils and character sheets along with Mountain Dew and Doritos. Gerard smiled at them all the argument with Donald forgotten. Michael thanked whoever was listening for answering his prayer.
"Head down to the basement. I'm gonna call the pizza in. Everyone got their share?"
"I got Mike’s and Billie’s since they are going to be late!"
"Awesome Tre!"
Tre, Ray, and Bob all paid respects to Gerard's parents and then handing Gerard their five bucks each heading down the stairs. Gerard smiled after them and then sighed.
"Well I hope your lot is not going to make too much noise that Michael will not be able to study?"
Donna frowned at the boys pushing and shoving as they made their way down the stairs.
”Don’t worry mother, they have never bothered me before, today is no different.”
Truth be told he was happy they were here. Now he would not be so bored after dinner Gerard returned from the kitchen after calling in the food.
"See ya later Mikey. Save you a slice."
"You most certainly will not. Michael is going to eat the healthy dinner prescribed by the specialist so that his brain can continue to develop in a healthier manner."
"I was just kidding ma, I know that he is not allowed to eat junk food."
Gerard winked at Mikey and disappeared down stairs.
*
*
*
”May I be excused, I am quite full.”
”No dessert for you? We have a lovely flourless cake and…”
”No thank you father. I want to get to my room and take care of my studies.”
”There is a good lad. Off you go then.”
As Michael walked off he could hear his parents praising him and putting down his brother, he hated that they did that. He walked up the stairs with his school supplies, but he was not going to use them yet. When Michael got to his room he dropped them off on the bed and then made his way to where hi dresser was. There was a careful notch between his bed and desk that he could slide into. He pulled his knees up to get comfortable and opened the vent on the floor.
”Can he really do that?”
”Well he can roll for it.”
The clear sound of small pieces of plastic hitting a wooden table ring through Michael’s room.
”Yes! 20! Double damage bitch!”
”Okay so you hit and crit, but what damage did you do.”
More clattering sound and then a groan with a thunk. Michael laughed. He knew what that meant.
”Are you shitting me!?”
”Okay so you rolled a 2 and you have a plus 4 to damage so all together you did…12.”
Laughter erupts from the vent and mixes with Michael’s.
”Shut up Billie. It’s not that funny.”
”Yeah it is Tre, you talk all this shit and then your thief just sucks. Maybe you should change your name from “Nokned Keys” to “Knedsum Help”.
More laughter and then a scrap of a chair.
”Screw you, I’m gonna get more pizza.”
”Wanna roll for it and make sure you don’t trip up the stairs again?”
”THAT WAS ONE TIME!
”Shhh, keep it down guys, the ‘rents’ aren’t asleep yet!”
’Sorry Gee Way.”
”No worries, hey let’s stop here for tonight and pick it up tomorrow afternoon. Everyone can make it on time?”
A chorus of positives rises through the vent and then the sound of gathering up books and papers. Michael smiled and closed the vent. He headed to his bed to get his studying done.
*
*
*
Michael is just about done with his work when there is a rhythmic knock on the door that can only be one person. The door opens with invitation and Gerard is standing there with a slice of cold pizza and a few napkins.
”Hey Mikes. I just checked and the ‘rents’ have passed out. Too much wine I think.”
”Hey Gee, how was your game?”
Gerard walked over and sat down on the bed next to Mikey. Mikey cleared away all his books to make more room. Gerard handed Mikey the cold pizza. Mikey’s mouth watered as he took a big bite and chewed it slowly savoring the greasy congealed goodness. Gerard smirked at him.
”If you get this excited over it cold, imagine what is going to happen when you finally get to eat it hot?”
”Like that day will ever come.”
Mikey mumbled through his mouth full and Gerard circled his arm around his shoulders.
”Don’t worry Mikes. Someday, I will make it happen, I promise.”
Gerard smiled and then pulled a Mtn. Dew can out of his robe pocket.
”Behold Mikey, nectar of the Gods!”
”You’re a God.”
Gerard laughed as he popped the top on the can and then took a sip.
”Sorry, ten percent delivery fee.”
He burped loudly and giggled. Mikey rolled his eyes and took the can. He took a big gulp and then let out a much quieter burp. Gerard laughed and then ruffled his hair.
”You’ll get there little bro.”
Mikey smiled and finished his greasy pizza and drink. Once he was done he made his way into his bathroom to clean up and change for bed. He was happy to still see Gerard there when he got out. Mikey climbed into bed and snuggled in. Gerard sat next to him near the wall and began to spin the tale of what happened today in game. Even though Mikey knew some of it from listening through the vent, the way Gerard told it made it so much better. Before he knew it he was half asleep and Gerard was kissing him on the head and whispering good night in his ear as he made his way out of the room.
Notes
Hey everyone! So this story was inspired by two things. One was this fucking hilarious YouTube video that someone created of the guys playing D&D. Check it out. it is fucking hilarious! ^0^
The second was another writer on AO3 who was inspired by the video to write her own version on it. Please check out Roll For Reaction by M0use.
The big difference between her and mine is that Gerard and Mikey are not related in hers, much like the video.
I am also writing another version of this with the same writer that I did Kittens with. Here is the link to it on AO3 . I hope that you can see the difference between the two and read them both if you like. ^-^
Oh and all the games that they play come from my own D&D experiences. Turkane, Spinnerwing, and Verasana are my personal characters! Verasana is my favorite ever created! ^-^
@Gee'sCLUELESSgirl!
Stop, you're making me blush! You are so sweet! ^-^
12/19/14