Um, Hi?

As a child, Will never understood why he could not invite his closest friend into the library with him. No matter how his mother tried to explain that the castle libraries were closed to the public. Entry was only granted to the royal family, court mages, or scholars; that was how it had always been. Will could not accept that the magnificent halls full of fairytales and spell books were off limits to the one person he longed to share it all with.

When Jonathan ascended the throne, one of the first changes he made was to allow every person in their kingdom access to the labyrinth of knowledge held behind their walls.

Will had been so excited back then, practically bouncing off the walls as he led the other by the hand through all of his most favorite sections and hidden reading nooks.

There were days, however…

“Mike.” Will sighed for the umpteenth time in only a few minutes.

Where he wouldn’t so much mind if Mike were turned away at the door.

He looked over at the knight, out of his armor for the evening, and choosing to spend his time off duty being a nuisance.

They were sitting at a corner table by one of the windows, Will’s preferred spot, so he could gaze upon the gardens or the stars in between memorizing incantations. Mike sat beside him, his own book abandoned on the desk, as he instead looked to bother Will as a form of entertainment.

“Sorry, sorry.” Mike slid his hands away from where they wrapped around Will’s waist, placing them atop the book that he hadn’t looked at in nearly ten minutes, “I’m just a bit restless, is all.”

“Perhaps you should be restless somewhere else?” Will took note of a particular addendum marked beside a spell, ignoring the wide-eyed pout watching him from the side.

Fluffy curls nudged at his cheek as Mike rested his head upon Will’s shoulder, “You don’t mean that.”

Will’s lips ticked upwards just slightly. He shrugged him off with a huff, placing his quill in its vial of ink to take the knight’s hands in his.

“I’ll be done in just a moment. Then you’ll have my sole attention for the rest of the day.”

His thumbs smoothed over the backs of Mike’s hands. Will liked to complain, but they both knew he enjoyed the company on slower days. Even if Mike was testing his patience.

Mike sighed, eyes softening as he looked at their joined hands, “Alright.”

Will turned back to his studies, pleased that that would be the end of it.

Why would he ever think it could be that simple?

Mike was fidgety at the best of times, nearly incapable of sitting still for more than a minute. It was one of the reasons being a knight suited him so well, hardly ever complaining about the long hours of training or guard duty.

He was also…clingy, at least when Will was involved. Much like a capricious cat, Mike often chose the worst times to show his affections, draping himself across Will’s shoulders or grabbing hold of him whenever he saw fit.

Will should have anticipated it. But when his chair was pulled to the side, sending his quill streaking across the page, he could only sit there in shock.

“That wasn’t- I only meant-” Mike stuttered, looking between the harsh black line and Will’s blank face. He sighed, “I just wanted you closer...”

It was sweet. Will tried to remind himself as he took a deep breath. Mike was sweet and usually smarter than this.

“Michael,” He smiled, gripping the quill harshly between his fingers, “I suggest you continue reading.”

Mike nodded, quickly picking up his book and flipping a page that he definitely did not read.

Will sighed, staring at his parchment. The mark really wasn’t that bad, only crossing through two words in his notes. He supposed he could fix it later; he’d been at this for hours anyway, and Mike clearly wanted him for something.

He’d been about to close the spell book when a thought crossed his mind. A memory of something he hadn’t done for quite some time.

Quill in hand, Will aimed to appear as if he was still studying, when in reality he was looking inwards to the magic that lived within him. Magic has always been a part of him. Unlike the mages who have to study spells just to experience it for the first time, magic flowed through every fiber of Will’s being, much like the blood in his veins.

With a small tap of his finger, a low fizzing ignited within his core, extending a sparkling warmth over to his target. As a child, this simple action took much greater concentration. Now Will could sit back and watch Mike’s struggles while barely lifting a finger.

˗ˏˋ ♥︎ ˎˊ˗ ˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗

Mike stared at the book in his hand like the words had personally offended him. Out of the corner of his eye, Will was still looking at his ruined notes, as if he didn’t know what to do with them anymore.

It had been stupid. He could only hope Will wouldn’t be upset with him for long.

Right then, a sudden fluttering itched at the back of his neck. Not thinking much of it, he rubbed the feeling away, determined to look like he was actually reading while waiting for Will to finish up. But then it started again, a strange, gentle scratching spreading out to the sides of his neck.

Mike’s shoulders hiked up to his ears. He felt rather tingly all of a sudden, as if something was crawling across his skin. Once again, he tried ridding himself of the feeling by smoothing a hand over his neck, but it didn’t leave. In fact, it only got worse.

He placed down the book, folding his hands in his lap. What started out as a light flutter was quickly working up to a low buzzing, warm and simmering right below his skin. Traveling downwards from his neck, he felt it in his collarbones, making way across his shoulders and arms. Mike squirmed slightly in his seat, doing his best not to alert Will to any shenanigans. The prince would be completely fed up with him if he were disturbed again. He just had to-

“Mmnh-” Mike slapped a hand over his mouth. His arms clenched at his sides, suddenly all too aware of the familiar feeling twirling under his arms.

Tickles.

It…tickled.

How could that be? Nothing was touching him, outside of the loose fabric of his clothing. This seemed to be coming from inside him, tapping directly on his nerve endings and making him horribly twitchy.

Then just as quickly as it came, it stopped. Mike sighed, dragging a hand over his face. He must be going mad. That’s the only probable explanation for such a random lapse in composure. He reached for the book once again, choosing to ignore all that just occurred.

“Agh-”

Only for the sensation to erupt across the expanse of his sides, dragging up and down his skin. His elbow knocked into the table with a loud thump in a rush to wrap his arms around himself. Mike bit his lip harshly, trying with all his might not to disturb the peaceful silence of the library with every fitful noise looking to burst out of him.

“Mike?”

Will was looking at him, brow arched in bemusement. “Are you alright?”

Mike nodded, clinging tighter to the fabric at his sides, “I am- fIHINE-”

As he tried to speak, the feeling soared, forcing a choked laugh past his lips. It covered his entire mid-section in a light skittering, like sunlight dancing over the tree leaves, if only the light could be felt by ticklish skin. He slid down in his chair, quiet titters sounding just below the table’s edge.

Looking over to Will, he expected to find hazel-green eyes wide with concern. Instead, the prince was smirking slightly, seemingly very amused by his bizarre behavior.

Only then did Mike notice the hand holding his quill, a single finger tapping a gentle rhythm atop the feathered end.

“Y-You! Gah-” Mike’s head hit the back of the chair, a tight smile directed towards the ceiling. He wasn’t mad after all. Will was trying to ruin him, which was undoubtedly worse.

“Is something the matter?” Will tilted his head, voice low and even, “You’re looking a little…squirmy.”

Mike couldn’t believe he didn’t recognize it sooner. The gentle warmth that seemed to sparkle and simmer just over his skin. This was Will’s magic at work, teasing him in a way it hadn’t since they were children.

“W-Will, you cahan’t!” Only his closest companion could ever get him begging in such a way, “Not hehere!”

“I’ll do whatever I’d like, Sir Michael.” Will stared down at him, never breaking eye contact with Mike’s shaking form. A challenge. “Are knights not trained in self-control?”

A strangled squeak sounded in his throat. He shook his head frantically, back arching up off the chair. Mike had no control. Not where Will was involved.

A fingernail scritched under his chin, and Mike lurched forward, nearly sliding off the seat completely. It was entirely unfair, being made to listen to Will’s quiet laughter when he was fighting tooth and nail not to do the same.

Will stored his quill back in the vial of ink before turning to face Mike in his seat, a curious frown on his lips, “Earlier, you rushed in here, practically demanding I give you attention. One would think you’d look happier now that you have it.”

He waved a hand over where Mike was slouched and…

Oh.

Oh gods—

The only comparison he could think of was being trapped in a lightning storm, one that concentrated around his entire upper half. From his neck all the way down to his hips, tiny zaps of electricity hit the surface and fizzled out underneath layers of flesh. At a higher intensity, the feeling would probably burn, but Will knew how to control it just so.

Mike pressed his forearm over his face, biting into the sleeve of his tunic. If someone were to pass by, they would certainly second-guess his sanity, pausing to wonder about the strange gasping commotion that he failed to contain in his now damp sleeve.

“Mike,” Will tutted, “You’ll be removed from the library at this rate. Who shall interrupt my studies if you are banished?”

“I- AHA- uagh-” Mike would swear Will was trying to prevent him from speaking, a shock shooting down his spine every time he opened his mouth.

He twisted and turned, this way and that, sliding further down in the chair until his hair splayed out over the wooden seat. So much of his weight was already dangling over the edge that it only took one frantic kick, shoes slipping on the cobblestone, to send him toppling over.

“AHAHAHAheHAHaha!!”

The chair fell back, clattering against the floor, while Mike landed with a thud. It was much too loud for the quiet space. Though none of that compared to the raucous he himself was making, head thrown back cackling.

Above him, Will hid snickers behind his palm. His eyes sparkled, much like a toddler all too delighted by the mess they just made. With one last flurry of his fingers, the feeling stopped, leaving only a giggly puddle of a man behind.

“I do believe we are the only ones in here this evening,” Will chose to share this after the fact because he is evil and relishes in Mike’s torment, “So don’t be too embarrassed. Although, really, you’re so loud I wouldn’t be surprised if you could be heard out in the halls.”

Mike’s heels pressed to the floor as the last of his giggles flowed through him. His arms chased away the lingering tingles, staring up at Will’s pleased little grin, “Y-You ahahare actually wicked.” He glared, though his smile refused to leave, rendering the look ineffective.

Will only shrugged, shutting his book and rolling up his now dry parchment. He stood, tilting his head at the knight, “Do you need a hand?”

Mike huffed, but allowed himself to be helped to his feet. He wobbled in place while Will kindly picked up his chair before turning to leave.

As Mike moved to follow, he gasped, hand braced against the table. A fuzzy prickling started at the bottoms of his feet, tucked away inside his boots. He only managed a half step before he crumpled to the floor in a heap.

“Mmnh- Will- NAHAHAHA!” It shot up his arches, another tickly zap, before it faded away completely, finally leaving him alone. Palms pressed to the ground, Mike barely registered Will walking back to stand before him.

A hand tangled in his hair. It trailed along his cheek to hook under his chin, tilting his head up. Will looked him over, taking in his flustered appearance with a quiet hum, “Are you coming?”

“Will,” Mike heaved, slowly pushing himself to stand, “Do not…let me catch you.”

The prince took a step back. His grin turned shy, watching as Mike rose to his full height before he booked it, nervous giggling echoing off the high ceilings as he went. The knight strolled past rows of bookshelves, taking his time exiting the library. He was almost certain Will would trip over himself somewhere, clumsy with anticipation.

“Oh my god. You like someone!”

Max looked excited. Really, really excited. The tight grip she held on Jane’s wrists said it all. Her smile was teasing, almost like she knew something. Jane didn’t see how that could be possible when she herself still felt so confused.

They were having a sleepover. It was their mission to have one at least once a month; Max said it was criminal how long they had been apart, and this was the only way to fix it. Plus, they deserved it for saving the world. Late nights reading magazines, watching bad movies, and getting high off too much sugar. It was Jane’s new favorite thing.

It was also the perfect time to get something off her chest. A series of weird thoughts and feelings that she’s been noticing for maybe a month now.

“What does it mean when you think about someone a lot?”

Jane wasn’t expecting such a big reaction to such a simple question. But the more Max prodded for details, the more convinced she seemed that Jane had a crush. Which was, apparently, a very big deal.

“No.” Jane shook her head halfheartedly, “I…I don’t think so?”

Max gaped at her, “You definitely do. There’s a guy you supposedly can’t stop thinking about. And! You get a ‘weird fuzzy feeling’ when he compliments you? Jane!”

Maybe it was a little obvious, but she had never felt this way before. In all the romance movies Jane has seen, love always looked so big and dramatic. She never imagined it would feel like a gentle simmering in her chest at just the thought of someone.

“I don’t know. I guess I do?” She smiled shyly, twisting her hands out of Max’s grip, “I just didn’t think I would like him.”

“Hey, it happens.” Max shrugged, “One day you think a guy is kind of a weird, nerdy, loser, who may actually be stalking you. And then all of a sudden.” She mimed a firework going off with her hand.

Brows furrowed, Jane tilted her head, “He explodes?”

Max rolled her eyes, shoving Jane by the arm and sending her toppling onto the mattress with a little laugh, “You know what? Sure. He explodes.”

Jane giggled, fiddling with the hem of her frilly pink pajamas. This was exciting. She had a crush! Now that she understood, the fuzzy warmth in her chest felt twice as intense. Jane wanted to sit in this feeling forever.

Max cleared her throat softly, blinking in rapid succession when Jane looked over to her, “What?”

“Well?” Max waved her hands expectantly, “Who is it?”

“Oh, umm.” For reasons she couldn’t explain, Jane felt hesitant to share, a sudden shyness taking over her.

“Oh, come on!” Max grabbed onto her side, shaking Jane back and forth gently, “You can’t say all that and then not tell me!”

She shrugged, laughing when Max held up one hand in a fist as if planning to hit her.

Max thought for a second, crossing her arms as she observed her friend. Jane could only smile up at her, happily rocking from side to side where she lay on her back, “Is it the cute guy in your history class?”

“There’s a cute guy in my history class?” Jane blinked at her.

“I don’t know, that’s what Will told me.” Max shrugged, “You guys have history together, right?”

Jane nodded slowly, trying to remember every other student in their class. Will never told her he thought someone was cute. She would have to pester him about it later.

Smirking, Max leaned back against the bed with a playful sigh, “Well, it wouldn’t exactly be the first time you guys liked the same guy.”

Not this again. Jane covered her face with her hands, groaning into them, “Maaaax!”

“I’m just saying! It is actually unbelievable. You finally. Finally! Break up with Wheeler, and then Will likes him too?” Max made a face that would make someone think this is the worst thing she’s ever heard. It probably is. “Ugh!”

“It’s not his fault.” Jane quietly came to her brother’s defense, removing her hands from her face, “And I think Mike likes him too.”

“Oh, no, he definitely does. He’s just too stupid to figure it out on his own.” She sighed, “Someone’s gonna have to spell it out for him. You know Dustin thinks they’re already dating?”

Like magic, warmth seemed to seep through Jane’s skin like a tiny fire ignited by the quickening thump of her heart. She nodded, playing with the ends of her pajama shirt once again.

The room was quiet. Too quiet. No sound except the slow tick of Jane’s blue wall clock. She looked up at her friend, and Max was staring right back, a curious amusement drawn across her face.

“I almost forgot.” Max pressed a finger to Jane’s stomach, “You still need to tell me something.”

With a little wiggle, Jane shrugged. It felt like bubbles were floating inside her chest. Almost nervous, but in a good way. She kind of liked the attention, Max studying her with narrowed eyes like she was a puzzle to be solved. This was a new feeling too; a good one.

Two hands rested atop her belly, lightly ruffling Jane’s shirt. Now she felt bubbly for a whole different reason, but Max didn’t seem to notice, carefully considering her next steps.

“You know you're a terrible liar, right?” Max suddenly asked.

Jane pouted slightly, “Lying is bad.”

“But sometimes it’s necessary.” Max nodded, “Like when you, I don’t know, want to keep a secret from your best friend?”

She leaned down slightly, hands pressing into soft skin. Jane pulled her knees up, rubbing fuzzy socks against her comforter while Max held her in place with a calculating gaze. A silly little smile refused to leave her face.

“Because I think I figured something out.” She continued, “And when I ask you about it, whether you like it or not, I will know the truth.”

Every word was emphasized by Max shaking her hands atop the squish of Jane’s belly. Little tingly feelings and nervous anticipation teased at Jane’s mind until she started giggling and couldn’t stop.

Max’s brows furrowed, chuckling softly as Jane pushed her hands away, “Are you ticklish?”

The question seemed to make Jane laugh even more. Still, she shook her head, “No…”

For a second, they sat there. One girl giggling up a storm while the other watches, unknowingly making it worse with her stare.

Max shook her head, an evil little grin on her face, "What did I tell you about being a bad liar?”

Then Jane was covering her tummy, trying to defend against the hands that quickly launched an attack over her midsection.

“Mahahahax!” She squealed softly, stomping her feet against the sheets and wiggling in place while fingers poked along her stomach.

“Were you hiding this from me, too?” Max easily avoided the attempts to block her hands. “We like keeping secrets now?”

“Nohoho! Ihihihi dohon’t!” Jane shook her head, grabbing hold of Max’s wrists. It didn’t stop the tickling, but it did slow her down just a bit.

Until Max stopped poking her, leaving her hands in place to wiggle her fingers against the edges of her belly. Jane’s legs kicked out, writhing around and bunching up the blankets.

“Then, tell me.”

“Whahahat?”

“You know what.” Max sped up her fingers for a second, making Jane shriek and roll over onto her side, facing her lavender walls. Following after her squirmy friend, Max sat up on her knees to lean over and look at Jane’s face.

“Is it someone I know?”

Her eyes shifted, staring at the wall and not making eye contact. Max scoffed at Jane’s refusal to answer, poking her side and watching her flinch.

She leaned down slightly to whisper in Jane’s ear, “Is it someone with curly hair?”

She knew. They both knew that she did. Max figured out who was occupying all the thoughts in her head. The boy that she suddenly seemed to think was really cute. Who had always been nice to her, but now it made her palms sweaty and her insides feel all fluttery and weird.

But Jane didn’t want to just tell her. It was dizzying, being playfully scrutinized like this. She wanted Max to drag it out of her. To tickle and tease until she couldn’t take it anymore.

So she shook her head.

Max pinched her side, and a short, loud screech seemed to echo through her room before she fell back into her typical giggling. Max huffed out a laugh, clearly shocked by the noise.

“Is this a bad spot?” Jane shook her head again, “You know, for someone who hates lying, you keep doing it.”

“Ihihihi aham nohohot!” But then Jane screeched again when Max began squeezing up and down her side.

“Let’s see…” Max sighed, pausing to rest her hand unmoving over Jane’s side, “Is he kind of nerdy?”

Jane barely got to shake her head before a series of rapid squeezes right in the middle of her side had her jolting with a bubbly laugh. Max’s knees pressed against her back, a solid reminder that there was nowhere to go.

Max stopped again, waiting for Jane to calm down before asking, “Does he really like Star Wars? Like wayyy too much?”

Once again, Jane says no, and Max takes it out on her side. It left her feeling twitchy, somehow worse than continuous stretches of tickling. She could stop this only by answering correctly, something she refused to do. Max knew that, and was toying with her, basically saying, ‘How long are you gonna keep this up?’

Wild giggling didn’t die down at all as Max geared up for her next question.

“What about video games? Most guys like those, right?” Max laughed when Jane visibly hesitated before giving the tiniest shake of her head.

“EEEHEHAhahahahaha!” Max tasered two fingers into her ribs as well this time, her own little way of upping the stakes. Jane’s arm flinched back to cover herself, only to be chased away by a quick poke at her belly.

“Does he like sports?”

She started to shake her head instinctively before registering the question. Looking over her shoulder, she saw Max eyeing her knowingly, “If he’s not a nerd, he must be into sports.” She shrugged.

Jane didn’t look away as she nodded, giggling while Max sighed.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” She smiled, somewhat proud of Jane’s stubborn defiance.

“Mahahahahahax!” This time, when Max started squeezing her side again, she didn’t stop. Not even when Jane squealed and kicked, sunny laughter bouncing around the room.

Max ignored her, pushing up her pajama shirt to skitter over her stomach while tweaking her ribs. Jane screamed, trying to pull her shirt back down. “MAHAHAX! EHEHahaAHAHeha!”

She sighed, as if this whole thing was one personal inconvenience to her, “You know, it honestly seems like you like this. Or you love lying to me, either one.”

“IHIHIHI’M NAHAHAT!”

“Of course you’re not.” Max nodded sarcastically, “You definitely like some jock guy I’ve never met and not one of our close friends. Right?”

This was the closest they’d come to saying it out loud; the not so secret identity of the boy she liked. Jane felt flushed, leaning forward slightly to press her face into the cool sheets. She shoved Max’s hands away from her belly, only to squeal when nails pressed into the skin just above her hip.

Max leaned down towards her face again, “Right, Ellie?” She whispered, making Jane hike up her shoulder as soft breaths tickled her neck. The words seemed to crawl inside her ears, fluffing up her brain with little feathers.

“Ehehehehaha!” She flopped over onto her belly, clenching her arms by her sides. Hearing her nickname made Jane feel like a warm puddle of syrup stuck to her bedsheets.

Max wasn’t even surprised when Jane once again found a way to avoid answering her question. She sighed loudly, smiling at the giggles that tapered off into the sheets.

“You’re so stubborn,” She muttered, placing her hands onto Jane’s back and laughing softly when she jumped. Max tapped her nails at the sliver of available skin. “Maybe you need this spelled out for you.”

A singular nail dragging down the small of her back had Jane crying out in pitchy, desperate squeals. Already wiggling from side to side, she grew frantic when Max started calling out letters.

“D.” Max paused, holding Jane down with her free hand as she traced the next letter, “U.”

“STAHAHAHAP!!” Her face felt hot, legs kicking rapidly as Max dragged out pronouncing, “S,” slowly slithering one nail down her spine. “EEAHAHA!! STAHP! STAHP!”

This was beyond mean—evil and targeted in a way that could only come from her best friend. Jane reached up towards the head of her bed, faltering slightly as Max crossed off a “T” along her exposed side. She grazed the corner of one of her pillow cases.

Max hummed quietly, trailing her fingernail up along the center of Jane’s back. She almost couldn’t believe such a tiny touch was enough to make her usually quiet friend go insane like this. Although Max knew it had to be more than just the tickling, very aware of the way Jane’s laughter grew louder the more letters she got through. It was cute, honestly, how shy she seemed to be about her little crush.

Swirling her finger in circles to dot the “I,” Max was interrupted by a soft thump against the side of her head. She flinched with a quiet, “Oof,” looking down to see a pillow resting beside her.

Out of the corner of her eye, Jane flipped over one final time, still in hysterics with her back pressed against the wall.

“You hit me…” Max looked slowly between her friend and the weapon she used, a pretty light pink pillow.

“Ihihihit tihihickled!” Jane looked up at Max with a nervous shine in her eyes, curling her knees up to her chest and wrapping herself in a tight hug. “Ihihihi’m sohorryyy!”

Max narrowed her eyes, picking up the pillow, “So you hit me?”

Jane’s spine dug into the wall, “Mahahax, pleheheahehese- AAHAHA!” She screamed when a soft pillow repeatedly thumped over her, hiding her head in her hands.

Max only hit her a couple of times, not wanting to be too mean. When she tossed the pillow to the side, Jane was still giggling, hands raised to protect herself from another attack. Pushing a hair out of her face, she shook her head with a little smile, “You can relax. I’m done.”

For a moment, Jane still looked wary, waiting for a sudden movement. After it seemed she was truly in the clear, she rose on shaky arms before launching herself at Max, the two of them landing back on the bed with a thump.

“What the-” Max braced herself for retaliation, relaxing when Jane simply wrapped her in a hug, nuzzling more quiet giggles into the side of her neck.

“You’re soho mehean to mehehe…”

Max smirked, rubbing along Jane’s back gently, “Isn’t that why you love me?” She laughed when Jane shook her head with a little whine.

Jane slowly calmed down as Max rubbed away the lingering tingles. Only to stiffen up when Max offhandedly mumbled, “I can’t believe you like Dustin.”

“Maaaax.” Jane pressed closer, head bumping against Max’s chin and making her chuckle.

“No, it’s cute! I just wasn’t expecting it.”

Another quiet moment passed between them until Jane finally whispered, “I like his curly hair…it looks soft. And he’s really nice to me.” Max knew Jane was smiling from the way she wiggled in her arms slightly, “He makes me laugh, and he thinks I’m smart. And he likes that I take all my Calc notes with a glitter pen, even though we’re supposed to use pencil.”

Max couldn’t help but coo, imagining Jane blushing in their math class after Dustin complimented her notes. They’re such dorks.

“Well, you know,” Max pulled away slightly, just to look at Jane’s face, “For Dustin, calling someone smart is basically the same as saying they’re super hot.”

“Max!” Jane squirmed, going all pink just like Max knew she would.

“It’s true!” Max smirked, “He probably likes you, too.”

Jane faltered, plopping her head back down on Max’s shoulder, “I don’t know. I think we are just friends.”

“Hey, you don’t know that. He could be at his desk right now brainstorming cheesy pick-up lines to use on you.” Jane giggled slightly, and Max continued, “Having a crush should be fun. Don’t even worry about it.”

A happy little hum muffled into Max’s sleep shirt, Jane clearly feeling a bit better. Then, quietly, she asked, “How did you know I liked him?”

“El.” Max laughed, “I said his name and your whole face went bright red.”

“No, it didn’t.” Jane looked mortified, with wide brown eyes and pink cheeks that only got darker as Max kept laughing.

Max pinched her side, giggling at Jane’s mousy squeak, “Now you’re saying I’m lying?”

Jane squished her face into Max’s chest, mumbling, “I wish you were.”

Giving Jane one last squeeze, Max pushed herself up, separating from the hug, “Okay. I think we’ve talked enough about boys for one night.”

“Can we paint our nails again?” Jane sat up as well, flapping her hands, “Joyce bought me some new colors!”

There was something so endearing in the little things Jane got excited about. Max chuckled, “Sure. That’s perfect actually, I brought some music I wanna show you.”

An excited little squee is all Max heard as a flash of pink rushed off the bed to gather her nail polish.

If Mike were asked to describe himself, he’d probably stick to three main ideas: smart, creative, and resourceful.

If anyone else were asked to describe him in three words, he’d probably get a lot of: loud, opinionated, or annoying.

The last of which, he firmly disagreed with, particularly when it came from either of his sisters or one antagonistic redhead.

Though he had to admit, the first two were pretty accurate. Mike really understood that right now, physically unable to shut up about the stupid movie they just watched.

When Will suggested he stay over and watch a movie with them, Mike thought they would be picking from their typical selection. Gorey slasher films and low-budget horror or intricate plot lines, tangled with cool action sequences like Star Wars or Blade Runner.

According to house rules, though, Will and El always took turns picking when they had their movie nights. And tonight was El’s turn. When Mike asked if he could choose, being their guest and all, he was vehemently denied by both parties. Apparently, whenever the party watched stuff all together, he almost always got the final say.

Which certainly wasn’t untrue, but they didn’t have to look so annoyed by it.

Mike just wasn’t expecting El’s first and only choice to be some long, overemotional love story. It wasn’t even a weirdly entertaining rom-com like the ones his mom would fall asleep watching on the couch next to an empty wine bottle. This was some kind of soap opera, so much drama, even more crying, and almost no comprehensive plot.

Sure, maybe he didn’t have to say anything. He and Will could’ve wished El a good night, slinked off upstairs to his room, and made fun of it together. Or maybe he shouldn’t have even thought about the movie at all. Pretend it doesn’t exist, completely erased from memory.

But he loves El. She’s one of his best friends. And as a friend, he had to tell her,

“That might have been the worst movie I’ve ever seen.”

The second those words left his lips, they’ve been at it nonstop, back and forth like lawyers in a courtroom. Will and El may not actually be twins, but one thing they definitely shared was their ability to hold an argument on a topic they were passionate about.

“How could you not like it?!”

“It made zero sense!”

“It was beautiful!”

“Yeah, maybe if I was blind and deaf! I’d definitely appreciate it then.”

“They are in love! You’re just jealous!”

“El, I am telling you, I have never-”

On and on and on. Mike wasn’t even sure how long they’d been talking, but a glance at the living room TV showed the tape paused at the end of the final credits. Definitely a good few minutes.

So focused on proving a point, Mike completely forgot about the other body on the couch. That is, until the blanket over his shoulders slowly slid away, Will stealing the whole thing for himself.

“Does it really matter so much?” Will mumbled, stifling a yawn into his blanket-covered hands, “Can’t you guys just agree to disagree?”

Thoroughly silenced, the two put their bickering on hold to glance at each other and then at Will, pressed into the arm of the couch on Mike’s other side. Mike was instantly swayed, ready to put this whole thing to bed and crawl back under the blanket with sleepy-looking Will.

El didn’t have the same motivations. “I can agree, if he!” She poked a finger at Mike’s chest for emphasis, “Takes back what he said!”

Mike leaned away, crossing his arms over his chest, “That’s not even what agree to disagree means. You can’t try to change my opinion!”

“I can if your opinion is garbage.” El tilted her head at him in a way that reminded him so much of Max. She wasn’t even here, and somehow she found a way to harass him.

Before he could protest, Will spoke up again, “Guys, it’s not a big deal.”

Will continued to be the voice of reason. Always kind, caring, just. One of the best people to have on your side in-

“Mike, just ‘cause you don’t understand it, doesn’t mean it’s bad.”

Jaw-agape, Mike whipped around to see Will’s sleepy smile, green eyes blinking innocently at him.

“Yeah, Mike.” Mike could tell El was grinning just by her voice, “You just don’t understand.”

Unbelievable.

This was unbelievable. They’re totally uniting against him!

“Wha- I-” Mike swore he got whiplash looking back and forth between them, “I do understand!”

El hummed, pressing another poke to his side, making him flinch, “You said it didn’t make sense.”

Mike spluttered, waving his hands in vague disagreement, “Well, yeah. Because it doesn’t!”

“So you admit it?” Will leaned forward, hooking his chin over Mike’s shoulder, “You just don’t get it.”

Will’s words came out as little puffs of air at the side of his neck. It felt weird, a little tingly, but he couldn’t let himself be distracted. Not when he was trapped between two people dead set on proving him wrong, when he knew he was right.

“That’s not what I’m saying. It was just weird.” Mike’s hands moved carefully in front of him, as if he was trying to show each step of logic in his words, “I mean, if that girl was always crying over her boyfriend, why didn’t she just break up with him?”

Like a coordinated attack, El and Will spoke at nearly the same time.

“She has a name!”

“People can’t be emotional?”

Mike’s eyes were wide, feeling like he was digging a hole he’d never get out of, “That’s not- No!”

“Michael,” Will quietly tutted behind him, “Don’t you have two sisters? What would they think if they heard you right now?”

El immediately nodded, leaving no chance for rebuttal, “Yeah. Do you not listen to women, Mike?”

Will sighed, “Definitely doesn’t listen to his mom.”

El did the same, shaking her head, “Poor Karen.”

Mike didn’t want to, but he couldn’t help but laugh. The ridiculousness of the situation and Will’s every word made his hair stand on end. It got to him.

And, of course, they did not let it go.

“I cannot believe you, right now.”

“What’s so funny?”

Mike hid behind his hands, effectively chased away by his attackers. That might’ve been a mistake, though, allowing them to quietly communicate with their eyes over his shaking shoulders.

Before he knew it, Will’s hands slipped out from under his blanket to hold Mike’s hips in a secure grip. Then El slid just a tad closer on the small couch, knee pressed against Mike’s thigh.

A sharp poke to his stomach made him flinch again, uncovering his face to shield himself. El was smirking at him, and if he turned his head, he was sure he’d find Will making a similar face.

“I think,” She poked him again, “We can make you like the movie.”

“Wait, Jane. We can’t change his opinion.” This was it. The moment Will would realize he was right and come to his rescue. “We want him to admit he doesn’t understand the movie or listen to women.”

Mike had never felt more betrayed.

“I’m not saying any of that! It’s not even tru- Don’t you dahahare- shit!” Mike jolted when nimble hands reached out to scribble over the uncovered parts of his belly. He reached for El, managing to grab hold of her wrists and attempt to force her away, but a firm squeeze of his hips had him recoiling into himself.

“Will! You trahaitor!” Mike forced the words past bitten lips, trying not to laugh. El continued the assault on his midsection, rapidly wiggling fingers never staying in the same place for more than a second.

“How am I a traitor?” Will pushed under his shirt slightly, making him gasp and hide his face in the back of the couch, “Did you assume I wouldn’t get the movie either?”

Mike couldn’t answer. He knew if he opened his mouth for anything, all the laughter fizzing inside him would come spilling out. Especially with Will drawing lazy circles with his thumbs over Mike’s hips. The contrast between El’s speedy, all over the place movements and Will’s slow, light touches; it was driving him nuts. His brain couldn't handle processing two completely different sensations.

“Will’s seen it before.” El piped up, poking at Mike’s arms, clenched tightly over his sides, “We both like it.”

Now he really felt crazy. Mike was sure Will didn’t care about that movie at all. He knew Will liked a good love story every now and then, ‘good’ being the key word. That thing El had them watch barely counts as a movie.

Of course, he couldn’t say any of that with these two heathens torturing him just for having good taste.

Will squeezed his hips again, and he jumped, back arching away slightly. This created the tiniest gap needed for El to finally worm her small hands against Mike’s sides, squeezing as fast as she could.

“Nahahahaha!” Mike couldn’t take it anymore, trying to push away from the feeling only to press closer to Will’s chest, “Stahap! Stahahahap!”

“We told you what to say.” El and Will spoke at the same time. How nice of them to start doing the creepy twin thing right this second.

Mike shook his head, sliding down to rest his head on Will’s stomach. He could see the other boy through squinted eyes, a blanket around his shoulders, and a tiny smile on his face. Someone guilty of betraying their best friend should not look so comfy.

“Nehehever!” Mike twisted for leverage to get his legs up off the floor, kicking El away, “Ihihit’s bahahad! Ihihit’s a bahad movie!”

El let out a surprised giggle as she scooched to the other side of the couch, leaning away from flailing limbs, “Will!”

“I got him.” Will took the place of scratching along Mike’s sides, hands pushing up his shirt, “Grab his ankles.”

“NOHOHO!” Mike thrashed on top of the cushions, hoping he’d fling himself onto the floor. It was no use, though, a sudden pressure holding him very still. El was using her powers on him. All he could do was sit there and laugh as she slid her own legs over his shins, securing him in place.

“Wahahait WAIT STAHAP!!” As soon as El released her psychic hold on him, Mike squirmed as hard as he could. But with Will holding him down, still pinching at his sides, and El practically sitting on top of him, there was nothing he could do.

“What do you say?” El blinked over at him, waiting patiently for his confession.

Mike closed his eyes, trying to think through the fog around his brain. What did they even want from him?

“Wiiilll! Stahahap!!” He shook his head desperately, mind blanking on anything that wasn’t the feeling of short nails gliding across his skin, “Ihihi cahan’t remembeheher!”

Will glanced down at him for a moment before looking over to El. She smiled and Mike just knew he was rolling his eyes, that traitor. “If you forgot, it probably means you don’t care.”

“I cahahahare!! Ihihi cahare! Dohon’t! Dohohon’t!!” Mike had a perfect view of El slowly lowering wiggling fingers towards his socked feet. “Ihihi lied! The movie is good! Ihihi swear!”

Once again, his tormentors made eye contact with each other. Mike was never hanging out with just the two of them ever again, if it meant constantly being scrutinized with no words. El looked down at him, tilting her head suspiciously, “So you lied?”

Oh, fuck, that’s not-

“NOT WHAT I MEANT NOT WHAT I- AAHAHAHAHA!!!” Mike threw his head back when manicured nails dug into the arch of his foot. El held one down in a surprisingly strong grasp while the other wiggled like it was trying to separate from his leg and hop away.

At the same time, Will’s gentle fingers left his torso completely to skritch at the sides of his neck. Mike leaned as far as he could towards the edge of the couch, but Will quickly pulled him back with a giggle, this time keeping one hand on his chest.

“You can’t escape, Mike.” Did Will even realize how ominous that sounded? “Just say what we wanna hear.”

“IHIHI DIHIHID!” He knew he definitely said something. There was too much going on, too many fingers scribbling and wiggling and tickling. Mike was falling apart into tiny smiling pieces. If he couldn’t wade through the maze of his own mind, would they never let him leave?

Mike felt scratching underneath his toes, making him screech and curse uncontrollably, “You didn’t. You said you lied.”

El’s words barely registered; the slow curling of her nails pressed right below the gaps between his toes sent tickly shocks through every nerve in his body. The only thing stopping her was his thin ankle sock, and if Mike knew El well, she’d be crazy enough to remove it.

Another poke at his neck made Mike’s laughter pitch up at the end, a weird squeaking sound that made him feel flushed. Will seemed captivated by it, squishing into whatever crevice Mike couldn’t cover with his shoulders hiked up to his chin. Over and over again, trying to recreate that sound.

Only just remembering his hands were free, Mike covered his neck and grabbed Will’s wrist, “WIH- BWAHAA!” Only to immediately shoot his arm back down when Will’s hand on his chest poked under his arm instead. “WILL, PLEH-a! PLEHEAHESE!!” There it was, that pitchy, embarrassing squeak.

Blearily, he peered up at the boy staring down at him. Mike swore Will had hearts in eyes. There was a giddiness about him, like watching Mike lose it over something so silly was more entertaining than anything on TV.

Then, suddenly, everything stopped. Mike took deep, gasping breaths, prepared to thank whatever being on earth or above or across dimensions for saving him.

“Kids?” A low voice cut through the living room, slowly approaching from the bottom of the stairs. Mike didn’t feel quite so thankful anymore.

Ice running through his veins, Mike quickly gathered the energy to fling Will’s blanket over himself, frantically whispering, “Hide me! Hide me!”

Will laughed softly at his antics but helped cover up Mike’s fluffy black hair and upper half. El was already sitting on part of his legs anyway, so it probably didn’t look weird. He hoped so, anyway. The other two gave a quiet greeting, “Hi, Hop,” as the man walked into the room.

“Hey, what’s uh-” Mike held his breath through the pause, “What’s going on in here?”

“We watched a movie.” El chirped, Will humming in agreement.

“Oh, yeah? Just the two of you?” Hopper was gonna kill him. It’s after midnight, he’s pretty sure, and here he was screaming and swearing in the man’s house. And it wasn’t even his fault!

“Yeah.” Will’s hands found him under the blanket, lightly scratching at his collarbone. If Mike could get away with it, he would bite those fingers right off. “Mike left a while ago.”

“Uh-huh. So that is..?” Hopper must’ve pointed at Mike’s twitching legs, all he could do to keep quiet under Will’s sneaky hands.

“What do you mean? Those are my legs.” Will sounded confused, as if he didn’t understand Hopper’s issue with his legs being twice as long as usual.

A sharp poke to the center of his foot made Mike snort quietly, jolting in El’s grip.

“Yeah, Hop. He’s gone.” El giggled at the little squeaks growing in frequency as Mike’s resolve was slowly broken down.

The room was quiet for a moment, outside of Mike desperately trying not to giggle every time Will poked his neck.

“Well.” Hopper chuckled, “Good riddance.” What the hell?! Is making fun of him all this family ever does?

“Just try to keep it down, your mom is still sleeping, okay?” At the whispered agreement, Hopper turned to walk back out of the room.

“Alright, good night, kids.” A pause and then, “Good night, Mike.”

Will and El immediately broke out into a fit of giggles. Mike quietly called out from under the blanket, “Nihihight ch-chief!”

When Will threw the blanket off him, Mike’s hands were over his face, a soft dusting of pink over his cheeks. “I hahate both of you.” He mumbled.

Mike yelped when he felt another poke at his foot, “Like you hate the movie?”

How is this still happening to him? Is this karma for something? Mike could barely remember what he had for breakfast, let alone what evil thing he had done to be facing universal justice.

“Ehehel, stahap! Hop told us to be quiet!”

Will slid his hands over Mike’s stomach once again, making his arms fly down from his face, “Pretty sure he told you to be quiet.”

Mike shook his head, smile wobbling as he looked up at matching grins, “Ihihi cahahan’t! Pleheheheahese!”

Tapping along the edges of Mike’s belly, Will hummed as if thinking it over, “And what do you have to say?”

“Ihihihi- ehehehaha!” El dragged a nail up and down one shaking foot, replacing any answer he may have had with incoherent giggling.

“Don’t think that means anything.” Will shrugged.

When Mike thought of their friends, he always associated Will and El with a sort of innocence. They were never the type to skip school or break curfew if they could help it. Sometimes, though, he forgot just how devious the two of them could be, especially when working together.

They were being gentle now, slow movements and soft, light touches over some of the most sensitive parts of him. Enough to keep him giggling like mad without all that screaming he was doing earlier.

“Wahahahai- Ehehahahaha!” Mike was quietly losing his mind to the slow circles tracing just above his hips and the light scratching over the ball of his foot.

Is this what people mean by ‘tickled silly?’ Incapable of stringing words together and laughing at the slightest touch? Mike felt a whine building in the back of his throat, ready to start pleading for his freedom.

“Will?” El paused, noticing Mike’s descent into delirium, “Do you think he needs a hint?”

Will looked down at Mike’s face, now partially squished into Will’s thigh. His cheeks were still a bit pink, making his freckles stand out, even in the low light. A toothy smile took up most of his face, eyes shaped like little crescents, and his shiny black curls were thoroughly ruffled by all the squirming.

Will hummed, brushing a strand of hair out of Mike’s face, “Maybe? He looks a bit out of it.” A mischievous little smile bloomed across his face, “I think we killed him.”

“Mike.” When he didn’t respond, El huffed, poking his foot once more.

“Whahahahat?” That low giggly whine finally bubbled out of him.

“Did you understand the movie we watched?”

Oh yeah. The movie.

Mike forced himself to shake his head. This was not the time to be prideful. “Nohoho.”

“And do you listen to women?”

He hesitated for a second too long, apparently, El digging into the arch of his foot, “OKAHAY!! OKAY! Nohoho Ihihi dohon’t!”

El smiled, hopping off the couch and freeing Mike’s legs, “Good. Think about that next time we watch it.” She picked up her blanket from where it had fallen to the rug at some point and said a quiet good night to Will before taking off.

Mike found the energy to roll onto his side, curling his legs up to his chest, “Ihihi hahate ihihit here. Ihihi wanna go hohome.”

“Mike.” Will giggled at him, poking his cheek, “Don’t you wanna come sleep in my bed?”

That had Mike pushing himself up to stand on wobbly legs. He almost fell over, Will quickly grabbing his arms and laughing, only mildly concerned.

They got ready for bed together, and when Mike’s face hit the pillows that smelled faintly of cheap bar soap, fresh linen, and just Will, he finally felt normal again.

Except for one thing.

“Will?” Mike whispered to the boy crawling under the sheets beside him. Will hummed, so he continued, “Did you really like that movie?”

Will turned to look at him. Even in the dark, Mike could make out the happy crease of his eyes and the cheeky little smile stretching across his lips. Mike gaped at him, and he laughed.

“I’m leaving.” Mike shuffled away but let himself be stopped by a pair of hands grabbing his and Will’s quiet protests.

“Just wait, okay.” Will looked like he was trying so hard not to laugh in Mike’s face. Clearly, something about his grumpy frown was funny. “I’ve never actually seen it.”

What.

“What?!” Mike whisper-shouted, grabbing Will’s shoulders and shaking him, “What are you saying?!”

“I always fall asleep.” Will couldn’t stop giggling now, pushing Mike’s hands off him, “I knocked out like ten minutes in, and when I woke up, you guys were fighting.”

He knew Will looked sleepy earlier. Mike can’t believe he didn’t notice. How did El never notice if Will’s done this more than once?

“So you had no idea what we were talking about?” Will shook his head, “What was all of that for, then?!”

“Mike.” Will grabbed his hand again, smiling too sweetly to be so evil, “You’re really easy to mess with.”

Mike refused to look at him, knowing if he did, those sparkly green eyes would flush all the annoyance out of him, “I’m telling El.”

“You wouldn’t!” Will leaned over him, and Mike closed his eyes, “Miiiike!”

Mike grunted as a body flopped on top of him. Will mumbled into his chest, “I’ll just keep you here then.”

“That’s fine. I’ll just scream.” Will groaned, and Mike chuckled, pushing a hand through his hair.

Will pushed himself up on his forearms, a determined, little pout hovering over Mike’s face, “I’ll stop you.”

Almost unconsciously, Mike’s hand trailed down soft brown hair to cup Will’s cheek, “How would you do that?”

Either Will leaned in first, or Mike closed his eyes too soon. He couldn’t be sure. All that seemed to matter right now were the lips currently slotted to his. Soft and warm and a tad minty with toothpaste.