#ler!don

“Let’s go ask him then! I doubt he has anything else to do than read those boring books all day.” With that, the two skipped over to the boy, who peered over his book after noticing their presence. 

“Hey.” Ray muttered, lazily waving his hand. 

“Ray! Play with us!” Phil exclaimed, bouncing lightly. Ray furrowed his eyebrows, a hesitant look on his face, lowering the book to his side.

“Sorry, Phil. I’m a little busy right now.” Ray apologized, turning away. Don frowned upon seeing Phil physically deflate, wanting to fix it somehow.

“Please? It’ll be more fun with you!” Phil pouted, trying to ask as politely as possible. Ray sighed, looking at the four-year-old sadly.

“I’m sorry, Phil, but I really can’t.” Don squinted his eyes, realizing this was most likely about the house’s secret. But Ray had been reading that same book for hours! A small break would benefit everyone. Ray needed a break and Phil needed another person to play with.

“Come on! Surely a break should be fine! Play Tag with me and Phil!” Don shouted, hopefully. Perhaps if he as an older kid asked, Ray would be more likely to join? Nope. Ray didn’t change his mind, not bothering with a verbal response, just shaking his head and turning back to his book.

Maybe Don would have to go through more desperate measures.

“Play with us or else…” Don said, trying to sound intimidating. He wasn’t exactly sure if he could intimidate Ray, but it was worth a try. Ray lifted his head to look at the pair once more, raising a brow.

“Or else what? What could you do?” Don paused. He really hadn’t thought that far yet. Ray let a smirk fall onto his face seeming to have read Don’s thoughts.

“Or else.. Or else…” Don muttered, desperate for an idea to come across his mind. “Or else Phil and I will tickle you!” Don said at last, a confident smile on his face for being able to come up with a harmless threat and have a little bit of fun at the same time. Phil seemed to like Don’s idea too because when Don looked back at him, there was a huge smile on his face.

Ray, on the other hand, Don was unable to pinpoint the exact emotion painted on Ray’s face. Horror, embarrassment, shock. Ray’s eyes widened, lips parting slightly and his face turned a deep shade of red as he sputtered out of a response.

“Y-you’ll tickle me? That’s ridiculous! Now leave me alone!” Ray exclaimed, but Don could hear the nervousness creeping into his face, whether Ray wanted it to or not.

“No can do! Phil and I want you to play with us! And if we have to resort to this,” Don started, poking the raven haired boy in the side, causing him to fllinch. “So be it!”

“W-wait, Don- stAHAP!” Ray pleaded, but Don ignored him, as he began kneading his sides.

“You’ll have to play with us then!” Don said, remaining firm on his original goal. He looked at Phil who was watching, a little unsure of what to do. Don smiled, “Come help me, Phil. You get his tummy!”

Phil nodded, excitedly, crouching so he was eye level with Ray. Immediately, the toddler shoved his small hands onto Ray’s tummy, scribbling around messily and without coordination. Somehow, though, it was still very effective on Ray.

“Y-yuhuhuyou twoahaha! StaHAhap!” Don smiled, amused, when he realized Ray was unsure of what to do. He wanted to escape but Phil was in the way and he also obviously didn’t want to accidentally damage his book.

“He’s so ticklish, right Phil?” Don spoke suddenly, Ray’s face blushing a bright red while he tried to clamp his lips together but to no avail.

“Yes, ehehe!” Phil answered, happily. The two continued speaking about Ray as if he wasn’t there and Don had to try not to burst out laughing at Ray’s reactions.

“IM RihihiGHT h-hehehere, yohuhu knohow!” Ray snapped, thought it didn’t sound genuine at all through his laughter.

“Oh, sorry Ray! Would you like to be included too?” Don asked, innocently as he began tickling his ribs. That did.. a lot.

“n-nOHOHO DOHAHAN, PHIHIHIL!”

“You’re laughing so much, Ray! It’s so loud!” Phil exclaimed, not as a way to be teasing but in a tone that showed his excited wonder.

“Isn’t it, Phil? At this rate, he’ll play with us in no time!”

“S-SHUHUT- STAHAP!” Ray shrieked, remembering that he did not want to “swear” in front of a toddler.

“You know what you have to do for us to stop, Ray!” Don laughed, knowing that Ray wouldn’t be able to take it for much longer.

“OHOHOKAY FIHIHINE! I’LL PLAHAHAY- JUST STAHAP!” Don gave a few more scribbles and pokes to his ribs to tease him before retracting his hands, nudging Phil to stop, as well.

“Yay! Ray’s gonna play with us!” Phil jumped up and down in joy. Ray, who was panting from his previous assault, stood up.

“I’ll be it then.” Without even counting down, he started charging towards them. Don grabbed Phil’s hand in alarm, running away because he knew that if they were caught, they were dead.

“Run, Phil!” Don yelled, as Phil laughed. Unfortunately for them, Ray was known to be one of the fastest runners, catching up to them easily. Since Don was the easiest to reach, Ray tugged on the back of his shirt, yanking him back. “No-ahaha!”

Phil stopped to look back as Ray kneaded his fingers into Don’s sides.

“Phil help me!” Don cried, helplessly and squirming.