#ler!nick

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Charlie stood outside of Nick’s house after ringing his doorbell. He was dressed in his witch costume as he patiently waited for his boyfriend to go to Darcy’s Halloween party.

Charlie heard the door unlock and his expression formed into a smile, eager to see Nick’s costume. However, what he wasn’t expecting was to see the door open, and no one was on the other side.

“…Nick?” Charlie called out, a little worried as he stepped into the house, “Nick? Are you okay?”

Popping out of seemingly nowhere, Nick was suddenly in front of Charlie, dressed in his Zombie costume as grabbed onto Charlie’s shoulders, grunting out a “EUUUUGGHHHH” as he gently shook the brunette.

To Nick’s surprise, Charlie giggled, covering his mouth trying to stop laughing. “Nihick! I was wohorried you dihied or something!” Nick’s jaw hit the floor. How did that not scare him?! “Why ahare you making that face?” Charlie continued to giggle as he closed Nick’s mouth by pushing up on his chin. That action only made the younger to giggle even more, borderline laughing now.

“How did that not scare you?” The redhead asked, “I was full on expecting you to, like, scream or something.”

Finally, Charlie’s giggles died down as he held Nick’s waist, “what can I say, I’m just immune to your scare-tactics.” He quickly booped Nicks nose before turning around to get his boyfriend’s things, “now that was cute and all, we’re gonna be late. At this rate, Tao is gonna be there before us.”

Nick was disappointed at the lack of reaction, but he quickly found another way he can make Charlie scream. “Yeah, you’re right. But Charlie, I don’t think this is just a costume anymore…” Nick said as he walked toward Charlie with his hands behind his back.

“Oh come on, Nick. You tried to scare me, it didn’t work. Now let’s gO-” Charlie squeaked as he felt a poke to his side. He turned around to face Nick, who had a mischievous expression on his face.

Without Nick saying another word, Charlie bolted, Nick following not too far behind. Charlie couldn’t stop the anticipatory giggled from flowing out of his mouth. “Nihick! This is uhuselehehess!”

“Get back here, Charlie!” Nick called as the two ran into the kitchen. Charlie on one side of the table, Nick on the other, holding onto the chairs as both of them waited for the other to make a move. “I’m gonna get you!” Nick said as he sprinted to the left.

However, Charlie was faster and sprinted left as well, the two switching sides. “I ahalways knew zohombie’s were slow! At least thahat’s lore accurate!” Charlie giggled as Nick attempted to catch him off guard by running to the right, but again Charlie just went the same way, the two switching sides again.

“‘Lohore accurate’? Since whehen doho zohohombies have lore?” Nick’s confusion just made Charlie giggle along with his boyfriend. The older finally thought of a plan. He moved over to the left, Charlie sprinting that way again. However, Nick quickly turned around, so Charlie unintentionally fell right into his mean boyfriend’s trap.

Nick secured Charlie in a strong bear hug, the latter giggling more than he was before as he struggled in Nick’s arms. His attempts were fruitless, however, as Nick easily moved the two of them into the living room. Nick laid the two of them down onto the couch, Charlie having no choice but to lay underneath Nick’s bodyweight.

“Nihick! Yohou’re crushing mehe!” Charlie giggled, uselessly punching his boyfriend’s back as he attempted to squirm against the couch.

“Oh yeah? Am I?” Nick played clueless as his hands got to work, tracing circles into Charlie’s sides. Charlie immediately squealed as he threw his head back, giggling as the anticipation killed him. “Charlie, on the surface you just see a terrifying zombie. But underneath that, I’m really… the TICKLE ZOMBIE!!!”

As Nick yelled that out, he proceeded to blow raspberries on Charlie’s neck, it being exposed due to him throwing his head back. “NOHOHoho! Nihihick dohohon’t you dahahare cohohintinue!” Charlie laughed, squeaks and hiccups peppering his sentences.

“But Charlie~ I’m hungry! Hungry for you braaaaiiinnnnssss..” Nick groaned out the last word, similar to a zombie as his tracing turned to quick squeezing along the younger’s sides.

Charlie giggled as he decided to play along, maybe that’ll make the torment end quicker (not that he minded of course). “My brahahahains ahaharen’t ihin my sihihides, Nihick!” Charlie switched to burry his head into Nick’s shoulder, hoping that would muffle his happy giggles.

“Oh they’re not?” Nick played dumb, as he switched tactics again by roughly scribbling his fingers into Charlie’s sides, causing the latter to spasm as his laughter picked up in pace. “Hmmmm then maybe they’re here!” Nick said as he moved his scribbling to Charlie’s ribs, the bones easy to feel due to Charlie’s thin frame.

Said boy practically screamed as he squeezed onto Nick, thinking if he pressed the redhead towards him, it’ll make him stop. However, he was weakened by the tickles running through his nervous system.

The action still didn’t get unnoticed by Nick. “Aww, you’re pulling me closer? You must love the tickle zombie!” Nick chuckled at Charlie’s protests, “fine, fine, I have one more spot I think your brains are, and if I’m wrong I’ll stop. Okay?”

Charlie glared at him, but realised that there wasn’t any getting out of this situation otherwise. “Fihine.” At that, Nick smiled and latched his hands onto Charlie’s hips.

Before Charlie could get a single word out, Nick’s hands got to work, squeezing the bone quickly with no pattern Charlie can detect. And Charlie practically lost it. “NIHIHICK!! THEHEHEYRE NOHOHOT THEHEHEREEE!” Charlie screamed as he finally brought his head out of Nick’s shoulder as he shook it side to side.

Nick stopped his hands to admire his boyfriend. His hair was a mess, and the eyeliner he had on (probably Tori’s doing) was smeared due to the tears of laughter pricking in his eyes.

Nick smiled, “one more thing.”

“Nick!” Charlie groaned as he attempted to kick out from under his boyfriend.

“I’ll be quick! I just need to give you the tickle zombie bite!” Charlie couldn’t help but chuckle at the silliness of Nick’s words.

He knew he was gonna regret this.

“Fine. Be quick.” Charlie sasses as he rolled his eyes. Nick smiled, knowing Charlie wasn’t actually annoyed with him.

But at Charlie’s words of consent, Nick brought one of his hands up and very gently tilted Charlie’s head to the right. Charlie’s eyes went wide as he regretted allowing Nick to do this (he didn’t regret anything) “Oh my god Nick wait-”

Nick didn’t wait as he brought his own head down to gently nibble at Charlie’s neck, making silly “omnomnomnom” noises as he shook his head around, causing his hair to tickle Charlie’s cheeks and neck.

“Nihihick! *snort* NOhoho!” Charlie tried to lift his shoulder but it didn’t help at all, “*snort* OHOhokay nohohow *hic* QUIhihihit ihihit!”

Nick brought his head up at the verbal surrender. He had a huge smile on his face as he watched his boyfriend.

Said giggle-pile looked up at Nick, bringing a hand up to run it through the rugby player’s hair. “Yohou’re such a dohork,” Charlie said, smiling as Nick obviously found it hard not to melt into the contact.

“What? How am I the dork?!” Nick argued playfully, finally melting as Charlie kissed him quickly.

“Cahause you have a big, stuhipid dohorky smile on your dorky face,” Charlie sassed again, then chuckled at Nick’s “offended” face.

“You’re so rude!” The redhead said as he finally got up. As they went to collect their stuff, they got into a playful arguement.

“Oh I’m rude?!”

“Yes! Yes you are! And a liar!”

“A liar?”

“Mhm, cause you’re the dorky one here! You’re ticklish and dorky! You have the whole wambo combo!” Nick and Charlie left the house.

“Oh my god you did not just say “wambo combo”.”

“I think it describes you very weHEHELL” Before Nick could lock the door, Charlie reached his hands out and quickly tickled Nick’s stomach. Nick yelled out as he ungraciously dropped his keys on the ground.

“Don’t forget who’s the most ticklish, Nelson~” Charlie teased as he picked up Nick’s keys for him. He chuckled at Nick’s attempt to glare at him.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Nick loved to tickle Charlie. This was common knowledge at this point. Charlie could barely make it through an hour in Nick's company before he was pounced on and his high-pitched babbling and squeals filled the air. Charlie would put up a dramatic fuss every time but honestly, he really didn't mind. And he could see from Nick's shit-eating grin just how much joy it brought him.

However, the main issue was that whenever Charlie reached out a retaliating hand to tickle Nick's side, or grabbed his knee to squeeze it, Nick would immediately employ Strong Rugby Arms and intercept his movements, never giving him the chance to properly get his revenge. He'd never admit it to anyone, but all Charlie wanted to do was hear his boyfriend squirm and giggle and it was starting to drive him up the wall.

One Sunday afternoon, they were studying on Nick's bedroom floor, music playing softly in the background. They lay on their stomachs alongside each other, hips and shoulders touching. Charlie had sunk so deep into quadratic equations that he was barely aware of his surroundings, until he felt the familiar sensation of fingers digging expertly, but gently, into his armpit. It took a few seconds for his brain to catch up and then he gasped and squirmed away.

“Nick!” he all but squawked. “You're such a menace.”

When he turned to look at him, Nick was scribbling on his own Geography paper, his face schooled into an unconvincing expression of concentration. Charlie scoffed.

“You're fooling literally no one at this point,” he said, rolling his eyes affectionately and tapping Nick gently on the forehead with his pen.

A smile spread slowly across Nick's face, and he suddenly grabbed for Charlie's hips with both hands and squeezed. This was one of his worst spots – which Nick knew, the arsehole – and Charlie immediately crumbled, attempting to curl into the foetal position on the floor while high-pitched squeals poured out of him.

“Stop it, stop it, stop it!” he cried, trying to wriggle away. Nick just chuckled and ignored him, spidering his fingers up his sides. “Ah fu – fuck, Nick, that tickles so m-much – please...” His arms were flailing wildly, trying to grab Nick's hands and slow his movements.

Nick grinned but paused for a second, clearly winding down so as not to completely overwhelm him, and Charlie saw his chance. He lunged for Nick's thigh but before he could get any leverage, Nick casually plonked his entire body across Charlie's on the floor, leaving him unable to move.

“Nah, I don't think so,” Nick said calmly.

“Oh, for god sake.”

They lay there for a few moments, Charlie catching his breath after the attack. Nick's pinning was clever in stopping him being able to move much, whilst carefully avoiding actually hurting him. Eventually, Nick lifted his weight off Charlie and they rolled onto their sides to face each other.

“You good?” Nick asked, giving him his trademark lopsided smile.

“Yeah,” Charlie said, returning the grin with ease. They just drank each other in for a few seconds. “But you always -” He started, but then faltered, embarrassed.

“Hmm?” Nick was suddenly frowning slightly, always able to read him like a bloody book. He reached for Charlie's hand, linking their fingers together.

“You don't -” Charlie blew out a breath, frustrated at his inability to form words. “You never let me tickle you back.”

“Oh!” Nick's face softened with understanding, and then he grinned. “I know.”

“But why?”

“It's just funny,” Nick shrugged. “And because you're cute when you're annoyed. And in general.”

Charlie would never get used to Nick's unabashed compliments. He felt his face heat up as a rush of warmth spread through his body. “Shut up.”

“And when you're flustered.” The lopsided smile of pure sunshine was back.

“Nick, stop it! It's not fair when I don't get to fluster you back.” Nick's grin just grew wider. “Are you even ticklish?” Charlie asked, his eyes roaming around the parts of Nick's body that he knew were his own worst spots. He leaned in to poke his stomach but as usual Nick was too quick for him, grabbing his wrist.

“Ah now, that would be telling,” Nick replied in a gentle tone.

Charlie groaned, and Nick laughed brightly. “Do you giggle? I bet you're a giggler.”

“Absolutely not.”

A thought occurred to Charlie, and he had a sudden flash of anxiety. “If you really hate being tickled then it's fine, I won't tickle you. I just thought -”

“Charlie,” Nick interrupted softly, running his thumb over Charlie's knuckles. “It's okay. I don't hate it. I just happen to be very very good at stopping you.”

“Well, I think it's mean of you to use Muscle 1 and Muscle 2 against me,” Charlie said sternly, poking each of them in turn with a finger.

Nick snorted. “Ah, but we both know that you like the arms.”

“Not in this context! Anyway, forget homework because this is my new assignment.”

Nick said nothing, just looked at him affectionately for a moment and then leaned across to kiss him. Charlie sank into it, but pulled back after a few moments to appraise him. “You scared?”

Nick pretended to mull it over. “Hmm... nope. But you should be.”

Charlie rolled his eyes, but then burst into surprised laughter a moment later as Nick dived for his knees.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Charlie took this assignment very seriously – it was in his geeky nature, after all – and work began the very next day. He figured that the best tactic was to catch Nick off guard when he might not be able to react quickly enough to stop him. It was hardly the most well-thought-out plan but he didn't really have many other options.

His first attempt was first thing on Monday morning, in form room. Mr Lange was about to take the register and Nick was hastily completing his Geography homework that was (of course) due first thing.

“If only you'd finished this yesterday like a good student, instead of distracting us both with those magic fingers of yours,” Charlie whispered.

Nick just turned to him, raising an eyebrow at his inadvertent choice of words.

“Tickling fingers, I mean,” Charlie added, hastily and unnecessarily.

“I know,” Nick replied, entirely too innocently. “What else would you mean?”

Charlie gave him a look, but couldn't stop the grin that took over his face a moment later. Nick was winding him up, and it was on. When Nick turned back to his work, Charlie bit his lip in concentration, looking him up and down. The problem was that he didn't know where Nick's weak spots were, but the idea of finding out was more exciting than he'd care to admit.

Knees were normally a weak spot, right? And they were hidden under the desk where no one else could see what was going on. Probably a good place to start.

Charlie shuffled a bit closer to Nick on his chair – not unusual, so Nick didn't bat an eyelid, just continued writing. He reached out his left hand as surreptitiously as he could, shifting it under the desk towards Nick's right leg. Before he could overthink it and chicken out, Charlie reached for the fleshy part just above Nick's knee and squeezed.

He heard Nick's sharp intake of breath and felt his hand instantly shoot out and close around Charlie's hand.

“Excuse me!” Nick muttered, chuckling in surprise. “What do you think you're doing?”

“My new homework assignment,” Charlie answered, unable to keep the grin off his face. “Finding Nick's giggle.”

“Oh, I see how it is. Well, I'm pretty certain there was no giggle there, so good luck with that.”

“Well, that was just phase one. Plenty more to come.”

Nick just smirked. “Has anyone ever told you that you're weird?”

Charlie ignored him. “So, knees, seemingly ticklish – noted.”

Nick's expression changed then, to something that Charlie didn't like the look of. “Do you know who else has ticklish knees? My very weird boyfriend.” Before Charlie could blink, Nick's hand shot out to his knee and squeezed back, getting more leverage than Charlie had managed. The sudden and intense ticklish sensation shooting up Charlie's thigh produced a startled giggle in the mostly silent classroom that he couldn't stifle in time. He clapped a hand over his mouth, blushing.

“Charlie, Nick! Quiet down, please,” called Mr Lange.

When they caught each other's eye a second later, they both leant over their desks in silent laughter.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The next day, they were studying in a quiet corner of the library during a free period, with their backs against the shelves and textbooks spread around them. Charlie had already finished his work but he was always happy to keep Nick company.

And if the opportunity arose, perhaps continue with his separate Nick-related assignment.

Twenty minutes in, Nick was on the final page of his history essay, with Charlie mostly watching him work, and chipping in with helpful information when he could. He started absent-mindedly trailing his finger along Nick's forearm, stroking back and forth. After a few minutes, Nick paused.

“You're being quite distracting, you know,” he smiled.

Charlie immediately withdrew, sheepishly. “Oh um, sorry.”

“No no, it's okay, it's, um – it's a nice type of distraction,” Nick said, flushing slightly. “You don't need to stop.”

Charlie looked at his feet, smiling shyly, and continued the soothing motions on Nick's arm. He felt Nick's relaxed exhale a moment later.

After a couple more minutes, Charlie was getting a little restless, and a slightly dangerous thought entered his mind. He looked down at Nick's side, perfectly exposed as his arms were raised to write in his book which was balanced on his bent knees.

He couldn't, could he?

Charlie took a look around – there was no one within sight, but the library wasn't empty. It was as quiet as you'd expect from such an environment. He slowly shifted his hand that was caressing Nick's arm, and casually moved it down to trail his fingers lightly over Nick's side instead. Nick immediately jerked away in surprise, but still no giggle – dammit.

Nick turned to look at him. “Don't you dare,” he said warningly, but Charlie could easily spot the amused glint in his eye.

“Don't what?” Charlie asked innocently. “Finish your homework.”

And surprisingly, Nick did. Bless his trusting soul. However, it was as he was writing the very last paragraph that Charlie just couldn't resist a second attempt. This time, he was determined to produce some sort of audible reaction from him. He knew he'd have to be quick because Nick would surely be expecting it at this point, and the rugby player had lightning-quick reactions. So Charlie waited until Nick was deep in concentration, scribbling away, before he reached for his side again and dug his fingers into the flesh more firmly. Nick didn't manage to move away quite as quickly this time and Charlie got a few good squeezes in - Nick's gasp and slight yelp were music to his ears.

“Oh I'm sorry, what was that?” Charlie asked, far too pleased with himself.

“You're ridiculous,” Nick retorted, but he was grinning widely. He'd only shifted to the left slightly, hadn't blocked Charlie's hand as he usually would, so Charlie decided to try his luck and moved up a little higher, feathering fingers over his ribs through his shirt. Nick's nose scrunched up adorably and a second later he was actually laughing – admittedly quietly, and it wasn't quite the uncontrollable giggle he was aiming for, but Charlie's heart still clenched at the adorableness of it as he watched Nick's eyes clench shut and felt him squirm against the sensations. He also noted that Nick could easily get away if he really wanted to, but he hadn't moved. Definitely not torture, then.

A few moments later, just as Charlie became bolder and travelled towards his armpit, Nick's hand finally came down to block him. “Ch – Charlie,” he managed around a soft gasp. “Stop.”

“Sorry, I didn't quite catch that?”

Nick rolled his eyes, breathing slightly heavily. “God, that was intense – I had to stop you before I really started cackling. We're in a library, you maniac.”

Charlie pouted dramatically. “But I wanted to hear you giggle.”

“Tough,” Nick replied, smiling. “Also, why do you keep doing this in places where we need to be quiet?”

“It's more fun that way.”

“I'm not sure if I like this new, rebellious Charlie.” The lingering kiss Nick gave him a second later was a pretty strong argument to the contrary.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

After his recent success, Charlie abandoned his mission for a few days. The plan was to lull Nick into a false sense of security, but based on the way he put up almost no resistance in the library, Charlie probably didn't have much to worry about. The memory gave him a little thrill whenever he thought about it. However, he still hadn't fully scratched that itch and he was nothing if not determined.

On Friday night, Nick was round at Charlie's house and they were sitting on the edge of his bed, mostly making out and occasionally playing Mario Kart. Charlie won every time, of course. After his third loss, Nick was so worked up that he thwacked Charlie in the face with a pillow and Charlie couldn't stop cackling.

“I'm really never gonna let you win, you know,” Charlie said firmly, after he'd calmed down.

Nick sighed. “Yeah, I know.” He flopped backwards onto the bed dramatically. “Maybe we need to find a game I'm good at.”

“Sorry, not sorry.” He looked at Nick out of the corner of his eye. “I feel like you need some stress relief.”

Nick raised his head from his lying position. “Are you going to give me a massage?” he asked, all hopeful puppy dog eyes.

Charlie giggled, shaking his head. “Maybe later. I've got a better idea.” He deftly climbed onto the bed and sat himself on Nick's calves, facing him. “A cliche once told me that laughter is the best medicine, so I think we should test that theory.”

Nick just frowned as he watched him. “Charlie...”

“Are you seeing where I'm going with this?” Charlie asked, smirking at Nick's adorably confused expression.

“I'm not sure, but it definitely doesn't seem like I'm about to get a massage.”

A thought struck Charlie. “Okay, fine, I'll give you a massage. How about a... foot massage?”

Nick's eyes widened. “Um, no, I'm – I'm good actually.”

Bingo. “Oh really? Why's that, then?”

“Um...” Nick sat up slightly and tried to move his legs, but they barely budged with Charlie's full body weight on top of them. His fate seemed to fully dawn on him then and he flopped backwards, hands covering his face and a nervous laugh bubbling out of him. “Shit.”

“So first thing's first – socks. You won't be needing those.” Charlie reached behind him and, with some skill considering he couldn't see what he was doing, slowly peeled off Nick's socks one at a time. Even just these simple movements caused Nick's feet to twitch slightly, and Charlie bit back a smile. He'd surely hit the jackpot here.

“Would you mind telling me what you're doing?” Nick asked, clearly attempting to give him the stink eye through the gaps in the hands covering his face.

Charlie thought about it. “Homework,” he said simply, before reaching back to run a single finger gently along the arch of Nick's bare foot. The reaction was immediate and delicious – the scrunching of the toes, the panicked gasp of “Charlie!”. Charlie chuckled and brought his hand back in front of him.

“This is so unfair,” Nick whined, trying again to shift his feet but with absolutely no success.

“Consider it payback for the many times you've reduced me to a squealing mess.” He leaned closer, to whisper in Nick's ear. “You're about to get wrecked, Nelson.”

“I – no – come on, please -”

“Begging already, are we?”

“Will it make you stop?”

“Definitely not. We have to find that giggle.” He paused, struck with a sudden thought. “Oh and by the way, your safeword is bubblegum.”

“I – okay – but Charlie -” Nick screwed his eyes shut. The anticipatory giggles were already starting to sneak their way out of him, and Charlie's heart melted at the sound. He leaned forward again to press a kiss to the tip of Nick's nose.

“You're so fucking cute – I haven't even started yet,” Charlie smiled.

“Yeah, but -” Nick ran his fingers through his hair anxiously. “My feet are so ticklish, I might actually die.”

“Well, the ticklish truth is finally coming out. Also, you definitely won't die. Now stop distracting me.” He reached behind him again with his right hand, hovering close to Nick's foot for a few moments for dramatic effect. Nick groaned loudly as the seconds passed.

“Such a tease...” he muttered.

When Charlie could hold back no longer, he went straight for Nick's arch with purpose, scribbling his fingers vigorously over the soft skin. To his delight, Nick fell to pieces instantly, emitting a high-pitched squeal that Charlie had definitely never heard him make before. It was immediately followed by chuckles which quickly turned into desperate, breathy giggles as Charlie moved up to scratch at the back of his toes.

“No no no no no, Charlie ple - hease -” Nick spat out through giggles, his face scrunched up in a beautiful combination of euphoria and torture. His hands gripped the pillow behind his head. Charlie didn't let up, focusing in on the base of his big toe that was evidently incredibly ticklish based on the strangled cry he let out, and in a moment of pure evil, Charlie reached behind him with his other hand and attacked both big toes at once, producing a new bout of uncontrollable laughter. He didn't turn around as he didn't want to miss a second of Nick's helpless reactions.

“Yep, this is how I d-die,” Nick managed to get out, writhing from side to side in ticklish desperation.

“How does it feel, Nick? Do you promise never to tickle me again?” Charlie knew he didn't actually want this, but he also knew Nick would never agree to it either.

“I can never p-promise that – oh god, stohohop -” Charlie had moved back down to the arches of his feet in just the right spot, and Nick's hips bucked as the giggles poured out in a constant stream. Charlie wished he could bottle the sound. He focused on the killer spots of Nick's feet for a solid few minutes, often giggling along with him as he worked his magic, but listening carefully for any utterances of the safe word. It was only when Nick's laughter turned completely silent that he let up. He pulled his hands back to his front but stayed perched on Nick's legs, watching him recover fondly.

“I hate you,” Nick said weakly, a few moments later. “I also love you, but I hate you. Just so you know.”

Charlie just grinned and leaned forward to lie gently on top of him, resting his chin on Nick's chest. “I love you too,” he said, suddenly feeling bashful and overwhelmed with affection. “I can't really deal with how cute you are.”

Nick just rolled his eyes and smiled at him. “Do you know who else is cute? My very ticklish boyfriend.” And Charlie should have predicted what would happen next as Nick's hands reached greedily for his sides.

Charlie groaned, rubbing his face. Nick took a breath and turned onto his back.

“You need to clear up before going to see that historian you’re obsessed with.” Tori continued blankly.

“I could make eggs on toast. Feel like you guys need eggs on toast,” Micheal offered up. He stood and headed towards the kitchen, leaving Tori and the two boys alone. Charlie smirked at her.

“Did he stay over?” he asked.

“Yeah,” Tori answered casually. “So?”

When all she got from her brother was a smug expression, she kept talking.

“I can have friends over too.”

Charlie hummed. “Friends~?” He grinned widely, glancing at his boyfriend.

Tori glared at him for a second before scoffing. She lunged at the younger, scaring him and eliciting a yelp. They began to wrestle slightly; Tori fighting to pin him and Charlie fighting to not get pinned.

Nick gasped out a subtle, “Oh!” while scooching as much out of the way as he could be, not daring to be caught up in whatever sibling tousle was happening. It was only when a shrill shriek escaped the youngest that a slight sense of worry washed over him. However, the giggles that followed the shriek told him that it was safe.

“Tohohorihi!” he laughed, falling flat on his back. She took the opportunity to sit on his thighs, still squeezing his sides.

“Charlie,” she echoed. “Maybe you should think twice before teasing me.”

Charlie shook his head, reaching for Nick. “Hehehelp!”

Tori shoved a hand under his arm and drilled. He screamed and slammed his arm down. Nick laughed at him. “Help? Like help your sister?”

“Nohoho! Hehelp mehehe!!”

“Help Tori? Okay, you asked.”

Tori raised an eyebrow, looking at Nick. “If you’re helping me, grab his arms.”

Nick nodded and tried to grab his arms, but Charlie crossed them in hopes of making it more difficult to trap them. “Charlie.”

“Noho!”

“Charlie, you’re making this harder than it needs to be.”

“Ihi dohont cahare!”

Nick huffed out a breath in annoyance. He rested his hand on his boyfriend’s shoulders, causing him to tense up. Nick smiled. “Charlie~”

“Dohont!”

“Work with me and I won’t.”

“Won’t what?” Tori asked, suddenly worried about whatever they were talking about.

Nick snickered before skittering his fingers over the boy’s neck. Tori fought back a smile and moved both her hands to his ribs.

“Nihick!” he yelped, reaching to grab his wrists, which was exactly what Nick wanted. Nick latched onto his wrists and pulled them up. “Noho!”

Tori rolled her eyes. “How often does this happen for you to know that works?” She asked flatly. This made Charlie blush and Nick turn away in embarrassment. “Oh okay. Often, then.”

“Shuhut uhup!” Charlie defended.

“Tori, is everything okay?” Micheal asked, walking towards the tent. He stopped abruptly in front of them. “Oh. Uh-”

Tori ceased her movements, turning to face Micheal. “Micheal, I thought you were making breakfast?”

He knelt down to see them better. This made the slight redness on his face more visible. “I was, but then I heard a scream and asked Elle to take over. I thought somebody was dying.”

“Well-” Tori started.

“I am dyihing, actually.” Charlie chimed in hastily, trying for sympathy. Micheal very

rudely laughed at him while lightly tapping his knee. His knee jerked in response and Micheal immediately pulled his hand back.

“I’m so sorry! Did I hurt you?” He asked, fear evident in his voice.

Nick, with a goofy smile on his face, reassured him; “Micheal, no offense, but you barely touched him. If anything, you just tickled him. Lighten up, will you?”

Micheal blushed more. “Yes, right. Sorry, Charlie.”

“You’re fine, Micheal.”

Tori rolled her eyes again. “If you really wanna make it up to him, you should help me.”

“Tori! Stop plotting against me!” Charlie said, betrayed.

Micheal blinked. “Oh. Yeah. Sure, why not?”

Charlie went bug-eyed. “Wait-”

“Nope. I’m not waiting any longer to hear my boyfriend’s adorable giggles,” Nick cooed, earning a groan from the Spring siblings and a chuckle from Micheal.

“Niiick,” he whined. Said teen had already begun to dance his fingers across his neck just as before. Charlie started to snicker right away. “Nihick!”

“Is that the only word you know how to say?” Tori asked with faux irritation, pinching up and down his ribs.

“Thihis ihis buhullyihing!” Charlie complained lightheartedly.

“Well, no, it’s actually mostly used as a form of bonding, especially-”

“Micheal,” Tori and Nick said in sync.

“Sorry.”

With his quick apology, he did the exploding spider trick on Charlie’s knee. Charlie kicked his legs out and struggled against his boyfriend and sister. Micheal repeated the action multiple times afterwards.

“Pleheahase!”

Nick snickered. “Please what?”

Charlie didn’t answer. He instead continued to laugh loudly, pretending to not hear and/or not be able to respond to the question.

Micheal cleared his throat. “Are you sure this is okay? I don’t wanna make anyone uncomfortable.”

Tori only shook her head, moving her hand to the younger’s hip and squeezing.

“Don’t worry, he doesn’t mind much,” Nick clarified. Charlie flushed a red color and muttered a giggly ‘shut up’.

“Oh, well, in that case…” Micheal lightly skittered on the back of his thigh, close to his knee.

“Noho!”

“Say you’re sorry, and I’ll stop,” Tori offered, vibrating a clawed hand into his stomach. He shook his head quickly.

“Sorry for what, exactly?” Micheal asked. Tori ignored him.

Nick laughed, reaching to pat his leg. “Don’t worry about it.”

“Oh, okay, then.”

“Ihi cahan’t!”

“Can’t what? Apologize?” His older sister deadpanned, moving slightly up towards his ribs again.

“Noho!”

“‘No’ what?”

He tried to turn onto his side, but obviously was unable to. Nick laughed at him, booping his nose.

“Ohokahay! Yohou wihin!” Charlie said, finally. “Ihi’m sohory!!”

Tori let up, rolling off of him. The two boys followed in suit, letting go of him.

Charlie caught his breath, curling up on himself and pouting.

“Oh knock it off. Pouting won’t do anything,” she pushed him slightly. “Besides, you still have to clean up.”