#lee!mike

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.

Michael Wheeler was suffering.

Not in the sense of pain or discomfort, but in the sense of wanting. He wanted something... there was an itch that he needed to be scratched, if you will. A very, very specific itch. The kind that makes you laugh if someone touches you a certain way. Mike wanted that more than anything right now.

He was never very good at expressing his emotions or wants, but when it came to this topic, he would never be able to say anything. No, not Mike Wheeler. Plus, who would he even ask? Nobody would be willing to do that to him, right?

So when he's hanging out with Will Byers on a normal weekend day, he can't help but to provoke a little bit.

It started off with some contemplating. A bit of nervousness would wash over him the moment that Will stepped foot into his room, the two sitting down on his bed each doing their respective activities. Will was drawing, it looked like he was drawing a person. Maybe he was drawing Mike. Mike was reading a comic book. Or, well, he looked like he was reading a comic book. He would flip the pages every few seconds or so but not paying attention to any of them, only to the way that Will's hand glides across his paper, the way his fingers readjust the pencil in his hand. The way he taps his fingers on Mike's bed when he thinks. It makes Mike go crazy, until he forgets to turn the page-

"Mike?

Will waves his hand in front of Mike's face and the boy snaps back into reality, inching away from the hand in front of his face as his fingers flexed. He could feel his face get warm.

"You okay?" Will asked, soft as ever.

"Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine." Mike answered. A bit too quickly. Will raised an eyebrow in some confusion but nodded and turned back to his paper. Mike leaned against the wall, looking at Will's side. He bit his lip, fingers twitching. Just one movement, and maybe Will would think to get revenge.

Mike propped his knees up, comic book flat on them, and he turned a page before quickly prodding Will in the side. The boy jumped with a gasp, inching away from Mike.

"Hey!" He'd managed with a jumpy giggle. "Don't do that," Will smirked, looking at Mike as he rubbed his side free of phantoms. He turned back to his sketchbook.

That was it? No, "I'm gonna get you for that" or "If you do that again, I'll do it to you", or anything? He was hoping for at least a poke back.

Mike smirked. Looking away, he imagined Will's fingers digging back into his side, then turning it into scribbling and squeezing and eventually it turning into a full-on one-sided fight where Will is on top of Mike wrestling him down and kneading into his ribs and-

Suddenly, a squeal.

Mike covered his mouth as if it would cover up the sound that just came out of him.

Will had been trying to get his attention again and break him from his daydream, and in a failed attempt to do so, resorted to placing a gentle poke to his side.

The two looked at each other, Mike wide eyed with his face as red as a tomato, and Will with his eyebrows raised and a small smirk on his face.

"I'm- sorry, I didn't think you'd have that kind of reaction." Will giggled, bringing his hand up to his mouth. Mike stammered, looking for a response. Something. To make him continue.

"No, it's okay! I- uh... I- I don't mind,"

I don't mind? God, that sounds so weird. Why would he even say that-

"...So, you don't mind if I just-"

Suddenly Mike was giggling. Loud giggles poured from his mouth. He jolted as Will's fingers lay on his side.

"I haven't even moved yet, Mike."

He was laughing for no reason. Just the gentle tapping of Will's fingers, his hands resting on his sides, got him overly giddy. Then Mike was readjusting himself, propped up on his elbows as Will straddled his waist. Mike's heart dropped to his stomach, and he felt the butterflies flutter around as Will's fingers tapped over his sweater once more.

Will grinned softly, slowly pulling up Mike's sweater. He looked almost eager. Like he's wanted to do this for so long. Or at least, something similar. Mike shivered, then slightly jolted when Will's fingers made contact with the soft skin of his stomach to pull up the shirt beneath.

"God, your fingers are so cold-" He lay on his back, covering his face with his hands. He sucked in his stomach with a shiver as Will's hands landed back on his sides, which were now bare. Christ, why did he have to build so much anticipation? Mike waited, biting his lip with a small whine. He groaned softly at Will's small chuckle.

"Hello?!" Mike squeaks, uncovering his face to be met with Will's brown eyes, and the evil grin on his face.

"Sorry, sorry, It's just... I don't really know what you want, you know?"

"Bullshit!" Mike cried through soft giggles. And after a long pause, he whined out, "Just do it already!"

Will smirked, and Mike threw his head back in laughter immediately as Will clawed into his ribs. Scribbling over each individual bone, poking into the divots that separated them, quickly raking his fingers down each ladder. Mike bucked his hips, uncharacteristically high-pitched laughter pouring from his lips. "Wait- wait!" He cried out suddenly, going to grab at Will's wrists, and Will paused.

"Yes?" He asked, waiting for a response. His fingers rest on Mike's ribcage. Mike stammered, groaning before muttering out, "N-Nothing,"

"What were you gonna say?" Will leaned in, tilting his head a little bit. Beckoning. Mike groaned. "Nothing! K-Keep going, please?" He asked, his face bright red as he hid behind his hands again. The second squeal of the day escaped his lips as Will's fingers now attacked his tummy. Gently scribbling over the bare skin and especially attacking the spot on either side of his stomach where it met his sides. It killed Mike Wheeler. Will was having the time of his life. He dared to imagine he was having even more fun than Mike now, as his fingers wiggled and scribbled over his exposed stomach and sides. Seeing the love of his life with that giant smile on his face, hearing that laughter that he barely gets to hear anymore... it's bliss, and Will adores every second of it.

He smirks down at Mike, who's thrashing and bucking, but not actually trying to get away. If anything, he's leaning into the touch. And if there's anything Will wants to do before this comes to an end, then he would like to do it now.

"Hey, Mike, want some fruit?"

The rhetorical question was enough to make Mike's eyes go wide in his mirth as Will took in a big breath and leaned down. Mike squeaked and threw his head back as Will planted a giant raspberry on his stomach.

"SHUT UP!" Mike cried through laughter, shaking his head.

"We know you don't actually want that," Will hummed softly. A little bit uncharacteristic for him to be so teasy. But when it came to Mike Wheeler, he would do anything. Even if that meant wrecking him silly.

Will took in some more air and blew another raspberry, directly on Mike's bellybutton.

snrk!

"Oh my god, did you just snort?" Will smirked, merely lifting his head from Mike's stomach as he wiggled his fingers over the boy's sides.

"No!"

"Friends don't lie, Mike,"

Suddenly, Will's fingers slowed to a stop, resting on Mike's sides. Unfortunately, this was almost worse, as Mike kept jerking and squirming. Waiting for him to continue.

"W-Why'd you stop?"

Mike's tone made Will melt. He wanted to crumble and just wreck him, but he couldn't let Mike get away with snarky comments now. Especially not lies. Not when he's in this position.

"Did you snort?" Will asked.

Mike scoffed through small giggles. "Fine! Yes- I did, can you please-"

"Okay, okay, jeez. You're such a baby." Will chuckled softly, and slowly grabbed Mike's wrists in one hand and pulls both his arms above his head. Mike's eyes go wide once more as this occurs, shaking his head softly. "No, no, no, Will, please- that's so bad!" He whined.

"Should've thought about that before you lied to me, huh?"

"I didn't lie!"

"Yes, you did, you told me you didn't snort when you obviously did," Will teased.

"That's not fair- NO!"

Mike shrieked as Will's fingers dove into his armpits, and he clamped his arms down in cackles. He squirmed desperately despite the fact that, now that Will's fingers were trapped beneath his arms, nothing was happening.

"Mike," Will hummed in a low, sing-song tone. "I'm not doing anything yet. And you kinda trapped my hands," He smirked wide.

"Wihill please, it's so bad," Mike whined.

"Dude, shut up, stop begging," Will giggled out, wiggling his fingers from under Mike's arms earning a shrill squeak. "Let me have my hands back."

Mike slowly raised his arms back above his head, flinching a few times before his arms fully went up. Will couldn't help but giggle each time he jumped, and now that his hands were free, he simply wiggled his fingers in his direction. Mike wrapped his arms around himself, a wide goofy smile on his face. "Stop it-"

"Oh, okay." Will said, his hands now in his lap.

"That's not what I meant!" Mike whined.

"What'd you mean, then?" Will asked.

God, Mike loved hated this. He hated how good Will was at teasing, especially alongside the fact that Will knew exactly what he wanted. He was just acting oblivious.

"You're so mean-"

"Oh, I'm mean? Okay, let's see how you like this-"

Mike erupted once more into chaotic laughter as Will's fingers found their way to his hips. They drilled circles into the skin, and Mike couldn't help but buck and grab Will's wrist as he squirmed desperately. "WILL!"

Will ignored him, smiling softly down at the boy beneath him. God, he was beautiful. A beautiful, beautiful boy. He grinned, and now reached behind him and squeezed gently down his thighs. Mike giggled softly, covering his face with his hands again.

His legs kicked out as Will's fingers squeezed his kneecaps, and he let out another shriek when Will's fingers wiggled behind his knees.

"OKAY- OKAY! WILL!"

Mike whined out, tapping the bed three fast times. Will smiled softly, and his fingers slowed to a stop behind Mike's knees. He looked at what he caused.

Never did he think he'd get a chance to be straddling Mike Wheeler, sweat slicking his hair to his forehead, face red and wet from tears of mirth, and a big, wide smile plastered on his face. But he would cherish every moment of it.

"Can I do one more thing?" Will asked.

Mike whined softly, hiding behind his hands. He nodded.

Will smiled softly, leaning down and placing a gentle kiss to Mike's stomach. Then peppering kisses, all around, leaving Mike in giggly squeaks and giggles. Then to end it off, one last raspberry to the center of his stomach. Mike cursed as Will additionally shook his head to add to the sensations.

"Okay- okay!" Mike giggled, pushing at Will's head once the raspberry became too long for his liking. If even possible.

Will smiled, his chin laying on Mike's stomach. "That... was fun," Mike shyly admitted, looking off to the wall. "Really?"

"...Yeah. You're good at that,"

"At what? What do you mean?"

"...Shut up." Mike scoffed, rolling his eyes.

Will grinned widely, laying down on the bed besides Mike. They lay in silence for a moment, before Mike speaks up.

"I'm gonna get you back for that."

"Wh- You asked for it!"

"Yeah, I know... thanks, by the way,"

Will pulled Mike's shirt and sweater back down and picks up his sketchbook. The page has been opened to an unfinished drawing of Mike, waiting to be finished.

Mike yawned, turning on his side, facing Will. His forehead rested on his shoulder, and he almost immediately closed his eyes and fell asleep.

Will looked over, smiling softly down at him, and started drawing.

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.

Safe. Happy. Content. Warm. Himself. All of these were words that Will felt around Mike, as they held each other in their arms and hardly let their lips ever part for the past few months. It used to be something that Will could only describe as a dream, and it's finally come true.

Mike Wheeler's head lay in Will's lap, the two cuddled together in a blanket. They're watching television on the coloured screen, Will absent-mindedly running fingers through Mike's hair. He feels the hairs on the back of his neck begin to stick up, until he looks down at the boy in his lap whom is staring up at him with an adorably content smirk and heart eyes. He might stop breathing, everything might slow down. No matter if he was looking at his boyfriend or not.

"Why're you looking at me like that..?" Will couldn't help but break the silence, looking down at Mike sweetly.

"Sorry, I'm just admiring you... you're really pretty." Mike spoke. His voice was warm, and he lifted an arm from where it rested on his chest to place a hand on Will's cheek, gently caressing with his thumb.

Will scoffed, playfully, at Mike's words. Simple, but always will make the boy crumble. "You're a dork," He smiled.

"Hey," Mike pouted. "Am not. I'm a flirt," Mike corrected, crossing his arms behind his head with a grin on his face. God, he was adorable. Will wouldn't let him play and get away with it.

"Really? Would a flirt get red and squeaky if this happened to them?"

Will grinned widely at the shriek from his boyfriend, dull claws wigging into the hollows of his underarms. Mike's arms shot down and he threw his head back in laughter.

"Stop! No!" He whined, squirming. Now it was Will's turn to admire. He looked down at Mike with sickly sweet eyes, taking in his beautiful laughter and smile, the way that his eyes squeezed closed tightly in mirth but opened slightly every once in a while to see the evil smirk on his boyfriend's face.

"You kind of trapped my hands, babe," Will smirked, his fingers still wiggling beneath Mike's arms, despite being difficult to move as Mike squished his arms down harder. He bucked his hips, arching his back as his hair bounced with each cackle.

Will's hands stopped wiggling, and now they were trapped underneath Mike's arms, waiting to be freed. "Dude, you're sweaty. You gotta lift your arms so I can leave," Will smirked.

"You're just gonna tickle me again!" Mike whined through greedy intakes of breath. The giggles would not stop as Will's fingers lay still, and could begin moving at any moment.

"No, I won't- you're a baby... I promise I won't." Will said with genuity. Mike looked up through the mess of hair that covered his eyes from his thrashing, "Promise?" Mike asked. Will nodded. The boy beneath him slowly raised his arms, and Will's fingers left the hollows of his armpits... Before clawing at his ribs.

"NoO! Not fair! You said you wouldn't!" Mike cried, grabbing his boyfriend's wrists, but not doing anything to really stop it.

"I said I wouldn't tickle your armpits; that's different." Will smirked. Mike covered his face with his hands.

He yelped when Will hit a particularly bad spot near his bottom ribs, and tweaked it a few times. "Okay- Mercy! I yield!" The boy grabbed Will's wrists again. Will's fingers slowed to a stop. He leaned back into the couch cushions, watching as his boyfriend regained his composure.

"Damnit, why are you so good at that?" Mike sighed, but Will didn't answer for a moment. He just adored his blushy freckled cheeks, messy ravenette hair, gently holding his middle as he recovered from the tickle attack.

"I feel like my brother taught me a lot of it." Will chuckled, running a hand through Mike's tousled hair, ruffling it playfully. "But it's also not my fault you're so ticklish." Mike scoffed, crossing his arms, but only melted at his boyfriend's touch. Will sighed, looking down at his content boyfriend. He enjoyed the movements through his hair.

"I'll admit: You're pretty too." Will spoke, smiling softly as the pink returned to Mike's face. And Will leaned down, and their lips locked. Hands were placed on cheeks and the backs of heads, hair being tucked gently behind ears. Their heads tilted slightly tilting before they pulled away. And the world slowed down, and they were happy. Together. Looking into his eyes, Mike spoke.

"You're a sorcerer, Will Byers..."

"I try."