#ler!jonathan

One evening, the youngest Byers was presumably hiding away in his room.

Normally, the younger would be sitting at the kitchen table, doodling away without a care in the world, enjoying the presence of either Jonathan or Joyce.

Jonathan knew more than anyone that sometimes, people just needed some alone time. But this had been going on for days, and he was starting to worry.

Walking down the hall with the intention of returning to his own quarters, he eyed the open door to Will’s room. With a sigh, he started walking towards the entrance.

He poked his head in and knocked to make his presence known, spotting his little brother situated on his bed, sketching away in his sketchbook with a pensive expression.

“Hey, buddy. Whatcha drawing?” Asked the elder, casually plopping down across from Will.

The younger’s gaze flickered up to meet Jonathan’s before returning to his artwork. “Halloween stuff.” He responded blankly, keeping his head down.

This only fueled the older brother’s concern.

“Will, are you okay? You know you can talk to me about anything…” Speaking in a gentle manner, he placed a tender hand on Will’s shoulder, looking at him with utmost care.

Suddenly, Will threw Jonathan’s hand away and tossed his drawings to the floor, eyes full of frustration.

“Just stop, okay?! I’m not a baby and I don’t need everyone treating me like one!” The kid snapped, taking the older by surprise.

Will had never lashed out on him like this. If he wasn’t worried before, he definitely was now.

“What are you talking about? Will, I treat you like this because you’re my little brother and I care about you.” He tried to reason, seeing the defensiveness in Will’s eyes.

“Yeah, well I’m not fragile and I don’t need you to treat me like I am!”

Seeing that his efforts weren’t getting through, Jonathan decided to try something else.

If Will wanted to stop being treated like he was fragile, then Jonathan would do just that.

“You know what? Fine. You asked for it!”

Before the youngest Byers could ask any questions, his older brother pulled him into a bear hug, growling like a vicious monster.

“Gotcha! Prepare to be the tickle monster’s dinner!”

Jonathan’s nimble fingers began to dance and wriggle all over his brother’s torso, attacking each spot with skill and precision.

“Eek! Jonathahahahan! T-That tickles!” Will squealed, squirming and wriggling in the older’s grasp, though he was unable to evade the tickles.

Jonathan smiled at the sound of his brother’s genuine laughter, a sound that had become quite rare as of late. Of course, nobody could blame the kid for acting the way he had been. He’d been through hell and back and was still struggling to get back to normal, every shadow drowning him in fear and anxiety.

Will needed this, and Jonathan was more than happy to give it to him.

“That’s the idea, smarty-pants. Now let’s see if Will the Wise can handle… this!”

The photographer rolled over and pinned Will to the bed, forcing his arms above his head and holding them down before teasingly hovering his fingers over one of the exposed armpits.

The kid’s eyes widened and he started to thrash, tugging at his arms to no avail.

“Nooo, dohohon’t!!” He protested, eyeing the wiggling fingers that were getting too close for comfort.

With a devilish grin, Jonathan let his digits dig into the sensitive hollows, earning a high pitched shriek from his little brother.

“NOHOHOO! STOHOHOP!”

The reaction only added to the elder’s delight.

“Stop?! Oh, I’m just getting started!”

Will’s laughter continued to fill the room, bright and bubbly. It was a sound that could melt even the coldest of hearts.

Jonathan was relentless, ignoring Will’s pleas and turning him to a squealing mess. The boy’s cheeks were a rosy shade of red and tears were prickling at the corners of his eyes which were squeezed shut in mirth; it was a sight for sore eyes.

Jonathan retracted his hand and admired the kid’s flushed happy face, letting his little brother catch his breath for the next attack.

“You remember what I said about being the tickle monster’s dinner? Well, I think he’s ready to feast!”

The younger once again burst into giggles simply at the statement, unsure what his brother had in mind.

“Nohohooo, I don’t tahaste good!” Whined Will, squirming more intensely when Jonathan started to roll up his shirt, revealing the smooth expanse of his tummy.

Getting a firm hold on Will’s sides, the elder bent down and nuzzled the soft skin, earning a little snort in response.

“The tickle monster begs to differ…”

With no further delay, the older brother started to nibble the tender skin of his little brother’s belly, being careful not to bite too hard.

Will bucked his hips and tossed his head back with unrestrained boyish laughter, the nibbling and occasional grazing of his brother’s teeth against his skin was enough to drive him crazy, but he absolutely loved it.

Will had always loved being tickled, but it had become less occurrent since he returned from the upside down, everyone seemingly not wanting to break him. But now, Jonathan wasn’t holding back. He was completely relentless and Will couldn’t ask for it to be any other way.

“Nomnomnom~ mm, ticklish tummies… the tickle monster’s favorite!” Teased Jonathan, adding playful nomming noises, knowing it would intensify the sensation for Will.

“JONATHAHAHAN, I-ITS TOO TIHIHIHICKLISH!! I CAN’T TAKE IHIHIT!”

The photographer delighted in the kid’s happy laughter, continuing to nuzzle and nibble the ticklish skin.

Sensing his brother was genuinely reaching his limits, Jonathan decided to finish his attack with one of Will’s favorite things.

Pulling away, he looked into Will’s mirthful eyes, a mischievous smirk on his face.

“The tickle monster still had room for dessert, Will… guess what his favorite dessert is~”

Will giggled, squirming with excitement and anticipation.

“W-Whahahat?..”

Jonathan leaned in to whisper into the younger’s ear.

“Raspberries!”

The youngest Byers squealed with delight, bursting into a fit of laughter that could only be described as pure.

“EHEHEE, TOO MUCH TOO MUHUHUCH! S-STOP PLEHEHEASE, JONATHAN!” He kicked and squirmed, struggling to catch his breath.

After what felt like forever, Jonathan finally relented, releasing his little brother and helping him sit up and seating himself across from the kid, reassuming their earlier placements.

“How was that for not fragile?” He asked, giving a playful shove to Will’s shoulder.

Will continued to giggle and catch his breath.

“It was fuhuhun, but really ticklish…”

Jonathan let out a chuckle of his own, reaching a hand out to ruffle his brother’s hair.

Once the younger had calmed down, he abruptly flung his arms around his big brother, catching Jonathan off guard for the second time that day.

Without a second thought, he returned the embrace, wrapping his arms around the thin frame of his little brother.

“You’re the best brother ever… love you, Jonathan.”

Jonathan felt himself melt, his heart swelling with emotion.

“Love you too, buddy.”

"JOHOHON, YOU FUHUCK, STOHOHOP! I'M AWAHAKE! I'M AWAHAHAKE!"

She cackled hyterically as she felt his right arm pressed against her back, preventing her from turning around. His fingers kept spidering all around her side and back, crawling around every sensitive spots like they were on fire.

"I've been NICE, Angel, I've been VERY VERY nice! I tried to wake you up 10 TIMES, 10 TIIIIMES! And you know what?" he asked, his tone semi exasperated but holding a tint of amusement "I even tried to wake you up with the scent of bacon! You had many extra five minutes, now you get tickles! Wake up, sleepyhead~"

Ready to make her next move, she reached across the board to grab her game piece, accidentally brushing against Will’s wrist in the process.

Her head perked up when she heard a giggle, the youngest Byers jolting and quickly pulling his hand back.

Now, Eleven wasn’t a stranger to tickling. She had gotten into tickle fights many of times, mostly with Mike. She always had a feeling Will was ticklish, but now she was certain.

Suddenly disinterested in the game, she focused all her attention on her brother, eyes glittered with curiosity.

“Will, are you ticklish?”

Will’s cheeks turned a shade redder and his eyes widened, taken aback by the playful question.

“No, I’m not! You just scared me, that’s all…” he said hastily, avoiding eye contact.

Jonathan looked up from the game, raising an eyebrow.

“Since when are you not ticklish?”

Will’s eyes darted towards his older brother, heart racing with suspense.

“Since… forever?”

He tried to sound casual, though his voice betrayed a hint of nervousness.

Jonathan smirked, sensing the opportunity for some fun.

“Oh really? Because I remember when I used to chase you around the house and tickle you until you couldn’t breathe.”

Eleven’s eyes lit up with mischief. “Friends don’t lie, Will.”

Will groaned, burying his face in a cushion. “Oh no.”

Seeing the gleam in El’s eyes, Jonathan grinned.

“You know, El, I think Will could use a little reminder of the rules around here.”

Eleven nodded, trying to hold back her giggles.

Suddenly, the two pounced, fingers wiggling wherever they could reach.

“Ah! No, w-wahahait!” Will yelped, trying to wriggle away. But it was two against one, and he didn’t stand a chance.

Jonathan managed to pin one of Will’s arms down while Eleven attacked his sides, making him burst into uncontrollable laughter.

“G-Guys, I cahahahan’t!” he squealed, kicking his legs out and futility tugging at his arm.

“Admit it,” The girl said, trying to speak through her own laughter. “You’re ticklish!”

Will’s face was bright red, eyes sparkling with mirth as he squirmed hopelessly under his siblings, embarrassed but enjoying the bonding moment nonetheless.

Jonathan’s heart also warmed at the sight, taking in the pure innocence and silliness that the three of them were engaged in. Life had been dark and scary the past few years and it was nice to take part in something ridiculous for a change.

Besides, it had been too long since he’d tickled his little brother, and if he could lend El some useful tickling tips, that was even better.

Getting that very idea, he gave a devious smirk and glanced at their adopted sister.

“Hey, El, try his stomach.”

Will’s giggling increased at the anticipation, his slightly watery eyes widening with dreadful excitement.

“Nonononono, don’t l-listen to hihihim!”

The brown haired girl pretended to ponder, though she had no intention on giving mercy.

“Jonathan, didn’t lie to me, Will.” Raising her hands, she wiggled them just above Will’s tummy, a trick she’d learned from Mike.

The youngest Byers grew more frantic in his squirming, eyes locked onto the wiggling digits.

“EEK- I’m sorry, I’m sohOHORRY!!” He threw his head back with a shriek when El’s surprisingly vigorous fingers made contact with his stomach, wriggling and scratching the soft skin.

Jonathan laughed at his brother’s reaction, all too familiar with which spot got which response.

“Ah, the classic Will Byers shriek… never gets old.” He teased, watching the younger boy’s face turn even redder from embarrassment.

After awhile, the two finally relented and let their brother go.

“Have fun, Will?” Jonathan asked with a smirk, arms crossed as he watched the boy catch his breath.

Will laid there panting dramatically, cheeks still flushed from the laughter.

“No... You guys are mehehean..”

Eleven narrowed her eyes, unconvinced by the statement. “Friends don’t lie, Will…” she glared playfully, raising her hands to threateningly wiggle her fingers once again.

Will giggled more and squirmed away, wrapping his arms defensively around himself.

“Eep- Okay, Okahahay, it was r-really fuhuhun!”

The girl lowered her hands triumphantly and smiled, clearly pleased with herself.