#ticklish!will

Distracted.

Will has been on edge the whole day, pretty much as soon as he woke up.

Whenever his mind gets like this, unfocused and hopelessly lost in thought, there’s one common recurring cause.

Mike Wheeler.

Always worming his way into Will’s head with his shiny black curls, the freckles that dot his cheeks like tiny stars, or his endearingly awkward smiles.

One would think Will would get used to constantly being in Mike’s radius, seeing as their families have been sharing the same roof for months now (thanks again, Mrs. Wheeler).

But Mike was acting weird today. Or maybe he had been for a while, and Will had just forced himself not to notice any changes until it became actually impossible to do so.

Ever since returning from California, Mike and Will had returned to being, well, Mike and Will. Their mothers joked that they were attached at the hip, never apart for too long, just like when they were kids.

After a whole year of not seeing each other at all, and the weird tension between them during Mike’s spring break visit, Will welcomed the change. He really had missed being able to call Mike his best friend without feeling a nervous pang in his chest.

Until recently, and it was there again. Only this time, he wasn't sick to his stomach at the idea of Mike growing up and leaving him behind. Or consumed by a constant fear that anyone could see the way he looked at Mike, hear the way his heart sped up and his breathing quickened, and know that his feelings for the other went so far beyond a simple friendship.

This was different. Still nervous, but in a way that didn’t feel so scary.

Will felt crazy for thinking it at first, but he swears Mike has been paying extra attention to him lately. Standing just a little bit closer. Smiling a little softer. Touches lingering on the edge of what could be considered appropriate for two teen boys.

Will didn’t want to see it, but it was hard when everything Mike did made front page news in his own mind.

Today, though, it was entirely too much.

At breakfast, Mike had been up early helping Holly set the table, already a strange sight to see. When Will sat down, his chair was just slightly closer to Mike’s than usual, not enough to be noticed by the wandering eyes of their families. But it was all Will could think about.

Their knees brushed underneath the table with every little movement they made—or, that Mike made, really. It almost felt like whenever Will pulled away, trying to give them some space, Mike pushed right back, closer than he had been before.

Will wouldn’t delude himself into thinking it’d been purposeful if he hadn’t glanced over to see brown eyes staring at him over the rim of a glass of orange juice.

Later on, Will decided to spend his afternoon coloring in the living room with Holly. With no school till Monday and no news about a crawl happening anytime soon, there really wasn’t anything better to do (maybe his poetry assignment for English, but that could wait).

It had been peaceful, a quiet house except for the sound of colored pencils on paper and Holly occasionally asking for advice on color combinations.

Then Mike joined them, situating his long legs under the Wheelers’ coffee table and sitting way. Too. Close.

Their legs pressed together on the floor, much closer than they had been at breakfast. Whenever Will reached to grab a new color, the sleeve of Mike’s sweater brushed against his arm. Only three people were currently in the house, but for some reason, Mike was acting like there was no room.

He wasn’t even coloring with them, just sitting, poking fun at his little sister’s color work from across the table, but mostly just watching. Watching Will.

The obvious staring was already distracting enough, his hair standing on end and palms sweaty where he gripped the pencils. But after a few minutes of silence, he felt long fingers squeeze the top of his knee, making him jolt and knock his foot into the table leg.

Will’s face flushed as Holly innocently asked if he was okay.

“Yeah, Will?” Mike spoke from over his shoulder, the words little puffs of air against his neck, “Are you alright?”

Will turned to glare at the boy sitting next to him, only to lose all momentum when he saw the beautifully freckled face mere inches away from his. A subtle smirk on perfect, pink lips had Will turning back to the coffee table with a tiny nod, butterflies fluttering in his chest.

After dinner was the most notable offense.

Will liked to help Karen clean up the kitchen whenever he could. She was the main reason his family had a place to stay at all, so he did his best to be helpful to her.

She asked if he could finish washing the dishes for her, Holly dragging her off upstairs for some unknown but very important reason.

No one else was downstairs as he scrubbed the few remaining plates, leaving them in the dish rack to dry. Or so he thought, until he felt two hands taser his sides from behind, sending water splashing across the counter as he almost lost hold of the plate.

Of course, when he whipped around with an annoyed frown and pink cheeks, Mike was there, hands held out in front of him like he was ready to talk down an angry mob.

“In my defense,” He was grinning, not even looking the least bit sorry. “I wasn’t even trying to scare you- hey! Will!” Mike ran off with a yelp as Will threw the soggy sponge at his attacker before chasing him down with still-wet hands.

That had been a little over an hour ago. And for some reason, against his better judgment, he let Mike drag him up the stairs to his bedroom.

Mike claimed that he wanted to show Will a new comic series he had gotten a while ago, some niche superhero that had a really good story despite the lack of general interest.

Will thought that he would be reading his own comic alongside Mike, like when they read together as kids. Always choosing to be near each other, even when wanting to do different things.

For a while, that’s exactly what was happening. Will sat crisscrossed on dark blue bedsheets, resting against the wall, while Mike lounged beside him, taking up half the bed with his lanky limbs.

Apparently incapable of keeping his hands to himself today, Mike had to find some way to invade Will’s space. He sat up, sliding closer to Will and dropping his head down onto Will’s shoulder. Because in the logic of Mike Wheeler’s mind, friends made a better headrest than the pillows on his very own bed.

Will wouldn’t have even been so bothered by this had Mike’s unruly curls not been pressed flush against the side of his neck, fluffy and undoubtedly distracting. Even worse, with Mike’s tendency to fidget, never one to stay still for more than a minute at a time.

He was staring down at the comic book still in his hands, nothing but a blob of colors and shapes as he fought himself not to squirm away. Not that there was anywhere to run, Mike basically trapped him at the edge of the bed.

Another shift from the boy beside him, another flutter of soft tendrils that has him biting his lip just to keep any embarrassing noises at bay. Maybe he should just push Mike off the bed. That’d be easier than having to explain himself when he can’t hold off his reactions any longer.

“Are you even reading it?”

Will couldn’t see Mike’s face from their position, but he could tell the other boy was looking at him from under his mop of black hair. “You haven’t turned the page in like, ten minutes.”

And, well, Will couldn’t exactly just say, ‘No, I haven’t, because you’re distracting. Actually, you’ve been messing with me all day, and it’s kind of driving me crazy.’

So instead, he flipped the page, not even sure that he finished reading the last one, “Yeah, of course.”

That could have been the end of it. It should have been, but Mike was nothing if not persistent.

A firm poke against his side made him flinch, probably a bit of an overreaction, but he really couldn’t help it.

Mike snorted softly, finally sitting up fully. “Dude. Why are you so jumpy today?”

Pushing him off the bed was looking really good right now.

Will rolled his eyes, “I don’t know, Mike, you’re…heavy.”

Mike was looking at him, a small, disbelieving smile on his face, “Heavy?”

“Yeah, you,” Will huffed, looking back down to the comic as if it could defend him, “Your head was crushing my arm, and it felt numb.”

“Okay. Yeah, sure. Sure, but-” Out of the corner of his eye, Will saw familiar slender fingers reaching up towards him. His heart jumped, a nervous swoop of his chest making his shoulders scrunch up to hide his neck.

Mike only poked his cheek. “Why is your face so pink?”

Oh.

“It’s hot in here.” Will shrugged, trying to ignore the heat in his cheeks, growing warmer now that it’s been pointed out.

“It’s January!”

“Yeah, well, you’re really warm.”

Will turned the page again, his best attempt at looking unbothered. Mike knew him too well, though. He probably saw straight through Will to the frantic beating of his heart.

“So it’s my fault then?” Mike was somehow even closer, his arm tucked against Will’s side. It was actually ridiculous how much empty space was left on the bed; two boys squished into the corner when a whole full-sized mattress was available.

The steady thump of Will’s pulse felt so loud in the quiet room. He was not going to answer that. Whatever game Mike was so invested in playing, Will refused to participate any longer.

He really should’ve known that ignoring Mike only incited a challenge. A quiet intake of breath was all he heard before he felt cool air blown against his ear.

Like everything else Mike did today, it made him flinch, a quiet squeak escaping him as he hiked up his shoulders once again. Mike’s soft little laugh, a warm, teasing sound, directly in his ear, was his last straw.

He shut the comic book, tossing it in a random direction on the bed, before placing his hands on Mike’s chest to push the other boy away. “Mike! Just- move over!”

Mike, stubborn as ever, gave Will maybe an inch of space, laughing at his obvious annoyance. Will kept trying to force him away, a tiny smile worming its way onto his face. He bit his lip, refusing to look like he was enjoying himself. Mike being a pain was not fun, or endearing, and it didn’t make his insides feel warm and fuzzy.

Looking annoyed got even more difficult, though, when Mike grabbed hold of his hips and squeezed.

His small shout felt like it ricocheted off the walls of Mike’s bedroom, Will’s arms quickly recoiling to wrap around himself. The sudden jolt and loss of his hands to prop him up made him lose his balance. He toppled over slightly, head resting on Mike’s chest.

Mike scoffed from above him, “Weren’t you just pushing me away? Why are you on top of me now?”

Will knew that his face, neck, and maybe even his ears were completely red as he felt Mike’s sweater brush against his cheek. He could feel himself rising in time with every gentle breath Mike took. And maybe, if he focused, he could hear a steady heartbeat-

He moved quickly on shaky arms, trying to push himself away, not wanting to let his mind wander down that path. Only, the second he tried to create any distance between them, Mike pinched his hips again, long fingers pressing firmly against the fabric of his sweatpants and digging into the bone.

“Mike!” Will choked back a surprised laugh, disguising it as a cough.

“You know,” Mike huffed a little laugh, a smile evident in his voice, “I wasn’t sure you’d still be ticklish.”

Will couldn’t keep himself from squirming, a small gasp leaving his lips as Mike walked his fingers up his sides, “What- are you- talking about?!” His words came out choppy, barely contained giggles lodged in his throat.

“I was just thinking…” He could feel Mike shrug behind him, “I guess I’ve been feeling nostalgic lately.”

‘What does that have to do with anything?’ ‘Why are you being so weird?’ ‘Stop touching me!’ All things that Will wanted to scream and demand an answer for, if only he weren’t busy reshaping his limbs into a protective cage around his torso. Weird little hiccupy gasps and snickers had him hiding his face in Mike’s pajama pants, knees pulled up to his chest as he slid even further down, head resting in Mike’s lap.

This was all clearly very amusing to the boy tormenting him. “Why does it sound like you’re choking? You do realize I’m barely touching you, right?”

A quiet whine sounded in the back of Will’s throat, Mike’s evil laugh taking up all available space in his mind. “D-Dohon’t touch me- at AHALL! MIKE!” He screeched, a sharp, pitchy sound, immediately followed by giggles muffled into soft fabric. Poking through Will’s loose t-shirt wasn’t enough, apparently, Mike had to shove his hands under Will’s shirt, squeezing at too warm skin.

Will’s arms managed to cover the exposed sections of his stomach and sides, but Mike had enough ticklish spots available just in Will’s lower back. The tips of his fingers trailed over Will’s spine, making his giggling quieter and less frequent, but had him squirming twice as much. Will arched away from the sensation as far as he could, but devilish hands always followed.

“Will, I don’t know if you’re aware, but I’m not exactly keeping you here.” Mike commented on Will’s twitchy state, yet made no move to put an end to it, “No one told you to curl up like a pill bug.”

“Sh-Shut up! ‘M nohot!” Will grasped at the air behind him, blindly reaching for slender wrists. His distracted mind, filled with cotton and quiet teases, didn’t seem to realize this left his side completely open once again. Mike quickly took advantage of his lapse in judgment to slip a hand over Will’s ribs, inviting frantic giggling back into the room.

“You’re not a pill bug, or you didn’t realize you could leave at any time? You really should be more specific.”

Mike wanted to kill him. That must be what this is. Mike Wheeler, age 15, woke up on a random Saturday in January with murderous intent towards his best friend of ten years.

Will honestly felt a little ridiculous at how easy it was to incapacitate him with a few well-placed pokes and a teasing voice. Or maybe that was all Mike. The boy he spent entirely too much time thinking about. The only person who could make him feel flustered just by existing in his vicinity.

“Is this why you’ve been so skittish all day?” Mike was questioning him again. Will couldn’t comprehend why, seeing as he could barely respond with more than an embarrassed squeak. “Because it kinda seemed like you were waiting for me to do something.”

This could be Mike being too smart for his own good (doubtful), or it was more proof of Mike watching Will extra carefully.

Of course, Will would never admit to waiting to be tickled to pieces. But he can’t deny that the way the other had been acting: hovering, touching, staring, made him feel like there was a good possibility. Although it was definitely more than possible that his over-the-top responses to Mike’s actions influenced the outcome.

A shake of his head was Will’s only answer, his inner deliberations unable and unwilling to be shared.

Mike’s bedroom actually did feel too hot now, his earlier fib gaining some truth. Will’s skin felt warm wherever Mike’s hands touched him, the gentle glide of fingers over his lower back, and the continuous squeeze of his ribs. His flushed cheek still pressed into Mike’s fuzzy pajama bottoms. If they didn’t stop soon, his brain might simply melt and leak out of his ears.

For now, though, Will was almost too content to lie there, floating on a cloud of endless giggles.

The hand on his back trailed higher, drawing little shapes and leaving a tingly trail in its wake. Will twisted away from the feeling, thoughtlessly moving to avoid the feather-like touch. Partially lying on his stomach provided much better access to his whole upper back, and the curious fingers he was trying so hard to run away from were quick to explore.

As Mike’s hands raised, so did the pitch of Will’s every noise. Light, airy titters spilled out of him like bubbles in a can of soda, mixed with little hiccups and soft squeaks.

Another quiet whine interrupted his squeaky giggles as Mike gently scratched at the back of his neck. “Mihihike..” Will felt like he couldn’t move, or maybe he just didn’t want to. It was all the same to his slowly melting mind.

“I didn’t think people could be ticklish on their backs.” Mike’s voice sounded softer, a gentle curiosity in his tone. “Is that just a Will Byers thing?”

Hearing Mike say his name while reducing him to a bundle of ticklish nerves only strengthened the effect. Will felt electrified down to his toes, a warm buzzing under his skin as he laughed.

He was so lost in the feeling of Mike’s hands pulling silly reactions out of him that he didn’t even remember to be embarrassed when a firm press between his shoulder blades made him squeal.

After a short while, Mike slowed to an eventual stop, allowing Will to catch his breath quietly. He stayed still for a moment, not quite ready to move away. Not because he was disappointed or anything—just a bit tired from the ticklish onslaught.

Besides, Mike wasn’t moving either, which was…weird, honestly. Will still felt hands on him, smoothing along his back and tracing over his hip. Not enough to tickle, just kind of there.

Peering over his shoulder, Mike looked a bit out of it himself, clearly lost in thought. It must be a trick of the light, Mike’s low lamp casting tricky shadows across the room, but Will could almost swear the faintest hint of pink was dusted across Mike’s cheeks.

Will’s mind offered the unhelpful comparison of Mike’s freckles to seeds on a strawberry before he quickly rolled away.

“Um.” Will’s proficiency with words was astounding, “That was- You uh- What was that for?”

From his position lying at the end of the bed, Mike looked somewhat puzzled, like he was still wading through a sea of complex thought.

“I told you.” He eventually shrugged, “I was thinking.”

Will’s brows furrowed, “About tickling me?”

“Uh. Yeah.” Maybe it was the distance, or the low light, or just the man himself, but Mike’s face appeared totally unreadable.

“Oh.” Will felt squirmy all over again. “May I ask why?”

The other boy pushed away from the wall to lie down beside him. This was the most space Mike placed between them all day, no part of them touching. Will felt a bit antsy looking into deep-brown eyes that stared back with confusing intensity.

“No.”

Will laughed softly, rolling his eyes, “That seems kind of unfair, Michael.”

He hummed, “Don’t you know life’s unfair, William?”

“Well, don’t I deserve retribution for everything you put me through?”

Mike looked incredulous, one eyebrow quirked in disbelief. “You’re acting like you didn’t like it.”

“Because I didn’t!” Will fought to keep a neutral expression, but based on the other’s quiet snort, it was a losing battle.

“Of course not. You just conveniently stayed very still while I tickled you.” Mike poked a socked foot against his leg, “Even after I kindly reminded you, you could move.”

Will’s stupid heart beat faster in his stupid chest. Mike was staring at him with that annoying little smirk he wore when he was so sure he was right about something. Will knew he wouldn’t get Mike to let this go, so he changed the subject, sure he could find a worthy distraction.

“That comic book you gave me was stupid.”

“What?!” Will laughed, watching Mike prop himself up on one elbow just to tower over his still lying form. “Will! Did you not read his backstory? His powers actually make so much sense for his character, it’s genius!”

“Don’t care. It’s dumb.”

Then he was giggling again, hands covering his stomach where Mike was littering him with harsh pokes. “Get out of my room!”

Will found himself rolling away again, placing his socked feet on the floor and quickly stepping to Mike’s door. He was about to open said door before a quiet, “Hey,” sounded from behind him.

He turned to see Mike sitting up at the edge of the bed, “Where are you going?”

A soft huff of a laugh left Will’s lips, “You quite literally just asked me to leave.”

“Yeah, well, I was joking.” Mike was playing with an invisible thread on his sheets, not looking at Will, “You don’t have to sleep in the basement tonight, if you don’t wanna.”

“Oh yeah?” Will bit his lip softly, rocking back and forth on his heels, “Where would I sleep then?”

A roll of brown eyes, “Where do you think, dummy?”

“Maybe I don’t want to share a room with someone who calls me dumb.” But Will was grinning.

“Okay, then stop being dumb.” And Mike was too.

They looked at each other for a moment, quietly taking the other in. Will’s shirt sat slightly askew, brown hair still tousled from the prior assault. Mike appeared relatively unchanged, but maybe. Maybe his cheeks really were tinted pink.

Will turned back towards the door, dopey grin widening as Mike protested again.

“I’m going to brush my teeth.” He called over his shoulder before heading out into the hallway. After only a moment, Mike was rushing after him.

“Oh, sorry. Zoned out.”

“Yeah, you’ve been doing that a lot lately. It sometimes feels like I’m talking to myself,” Will teased.

The boys were sitting on the sofa in Mike’s basement - they had been talking about watching a movie. Suggestions were thrown around, including some that they had enjoyed as little kids but hadn’t watched in years, which made Mike start thinking about growing up and changing and discovering himself…

Will curled up closer to Mike. “What were you thinking about?”

Mike looked down at Will, at his doe eyes and shy smile, and couldn’t help the sudden surge of affection for his boyfriend. He put his arm around Will’s waist to pull him closer, fingers slowly and gently rubbing against the boy’s lower back, and rested his cheek on top of Will’s head.

“Nothing, just… growing up. How weird it feels for everything to be different. How I’ll never lose my first tooth again, but remember when I did like it was yesterday. How we got so tall - remember when we were the shortest out of everyone?”

A pause. Mike could feel a blush rising up his neck and across his cheeks.

“How your voice is so deep all of a sudden. How your mom doesn’t have to hem your jeans so you don’t trip anymore. How, ten years ago, I never would have imagined dating anyone, let alone my best friend.”

Will hummed in thought. “That’s a lot of thinking.” He leaned closer. “Are you sure it’s safe for you to be thinking that much?”

“Wow, is that sass from William Byers?” Mike tightened his grip on Will to jostle him a little bit and make him laugh. His tone softened again as he resumed running his fingers along Will’s back, mostly using his fingernails this time. “You had to grow up so fast. It feels like I’m just catching up, sometimes”

“Well, we all did. Anyways, I’m glad - it means we finally get to do this.”

Mike grinned and pressed his lips to the crown of Will’s head, and the two allowed a comfortable silence to fill the room. Mike found himself thinking more about Will, and how lucky he was to have Will in his arms and in his heart and -

Did Will just flinch?

Maybe Mike imagined it, but now his focus was 100% on the boy next to him. He became more aware of his cheek resting on Will’s hair and his arm around Will’s side and his fingers along Will’s back…

Ah, yes. That had definitely been a flinch. Mike immediately knew his nails running along Will’s back caused it and focused on his reactions.

He could feel Will’s back almost imperceptibly arching away under his touch and probably wouldn’t have even given it a second thought had he not known how stupidly ticklish Will was, and how much he would try and hide his body’s uncontrollable reactions.

“Growing up definitely didn’t change one thing,” Mike said, breaking the silence. “And it’s my favourite thing, so I’m really glad about that.”

“What’s that?” Will asked, so innocent and so unaware.

Mike tippled his fingers down Will’s side suddenly, making him gasp and flinch harder than he had before. Will’s reached back and tangled his fingers with Mike’s, nervous giggles already pouring out of him as he leaned away. “Mike, I -“

Mike didn’t wait to find out what Will was going to say. He wrenched his hand out of Will’s and immediately latched both hands on his sides, squeezing and digging gently with long fingers that were way, way too good at drawing out the most undignified sounds from Will’s mouth. Will tried to hold in his laughter as much as he could, but he had never been good at that; when Mike carefully pushed Will into a lying position and pressed his fingertips deeply and ticklishly along the ridges between his ribs, Will couldn’t help but laugh loudly and unrestrainedly, head tipped back and body trying to curl in and useless long limbs ignoring every attempt at coordination.

“I guess some things you just never grow out of,” Mike teased, slowing his fingers and gently circling Will’s hips and lower waist with his thumbs.

It took Will a moment to calm his giggles enough he could speak, still flinching under Mike’s fingers, especially when Mike’s hand latched onto his thigh in warning. “Y-yeah,” he breathed, meeting Mike’s eyes with defiance, “like being the most annoying, ridiculous kid in Haw-“

Mike squashed his fingers under Will’s jaw, wiggling his fingers as much as he could with Will’s quickly turtled-up shoulder squishing them, grinning at the yips and vibrating giggles Will was letting out. With his free hand Mike continued to pinch at Will’s thigh, occasionally digging the tips of his fingers into the crease where the boy’s leg met his pelvis so he could enjoy Will’s delicious whine of desperate laughter he let out whenever this spot was tickled.

Will was stuck in a desperate cycle; he clearly wanted to scrunch up his shoulder and arms to protect his neck, but this somehow still left his legs and that terrible, terrible crease above them open to Mike’s fingers. This caused Will’s arms and shoulder to flinch down as he tried to reach for Mike’s fingers on his leg, but then his shoulder would spasm and hike up again to protect his neck and God, now Mike was pressing into that sensitive spot behind his ear -

“Mike!” A staccato squeak, followed by fever-pitch laughter. “M-Mike, oh my Gohod, wait -“

“There is no waiting, Will the Wise,” Mike said in a deep and dramatic voice, which impossibly seemed to make Will laugh even harder. “Time waits for no man!”

Will tried to roll away but Mike was too strong, and he might as well have been trying to stop a tank with a toothpick with how useless his hands were at stopping Mike’s from finding his worst spots. A final long, adorable squeal pierced the air as Will finally gave in. “Okay fine, fihine, you win! I’m - Mihihike!”

Mike burst out laughing at Will’s whining laughter, stopping his tickling and instead placed his hands gently on Will’s chest. Will’s laughter slowed into cute little giggles that made his chest bounce under Mike’s hands (Mike could barely stand how adorable he was), and eventually reached down to take Mike’s hands into his own. “You really got me.”

Mike grinned. “Like I said - growing up definitely didn’t change how ticklish you are.” Or how cute you are.

“Yeah, yeah. Like you’re any better.” Both boys laughed.

“So… movie?” Will asked again. Mike nodded, still unable to stop grinning at the boy beneath him. The boy he loved.

“You’re so adorable like this. I love it when your hair’s all messy~”

“Ugh, shut up, you sap…”

Nico rolled his eyes affectionately, snuggling closer to his boyfriend. The two were enjoying some quality time in the Hades cabin, making good use of its loneliness. Nico usually hated feeling so isolated, but with Will… Well, it was nice to have some privacy.

“You know you love it,” Will teased, pulling Nico against his chest. He was warm, fending off the slight cold chill that had rolled in for the week. He knew he was being a little much, but it was fun.

“I do, but still.” Nico rolled onto Will’s chest, nuzzling his face in the blonde’s neck.

The son of Apollo wrapped his arms around Nico's waist, squeezing him like a teddy bear as he admired him. He may have been an edgy grump, but he was Will’s edgy grump to cuddle and love.

“Mmph…quit looking at me like that.” The ball of darkness gave his boyfriend's side a squeeze, making him giggle. How could he always tell, even when his eyes were hidden?

“What, I can't look at my boyfriend when he's being adorable?” Will planted a little kiss on the top of his head. “Seems unreasonable.”

“Nope. It's illegal now, punishable by death.” Nico spoke against Will's shirt, the fabric dampening his voice. “Close your eyes or be destroyed by the Ghost King.”

Will couldn't help but snort at that, imagining Nico and a horde of McDonald’s-hungry skeletons glaring at him. Of course, he’d have to look up, and… Well, the blonde just couldn’t help but find his glare precious from that angle.

“I’d like to see that, shorty.”

“Oh my- screw you!” Nico gently headbutted his boyfriend’s chin, making Will laugh. His chest bounced up and down, moving Nico with it. It felt nice…even if he was being a jerk.

Mumbling a few colorful words under his breath, Nico settled back in against the warm skin of Will’s neck. He trailed a few lazy kisses along the side of it, enjoying how the little hairs on Will’s neck bristled beneath his lips.

“N-Nico…” Will was attempting a warning tone, but it was more giddy than anything. The smile on his lips stretched out, growing wobbly at the edges. He could already feel his cheeks beginning to burn.

“Yes, my little care bear?” Nico grinned against Will’s neck, placing a few butterfly kisses beneath his chin. He felt the muscles of his boyfriend’s neck contract from the contact, the hiss he let out making Nico’s heart flutter. Bingo.

“Gohods, don’t- this is mehean!” Will whined, scrunching up his shoulders in defense. He loved the kisses, but the feel of them… It was so cruel!

Nico only grinned at his boyfriend’s complaints, nuzzling his hair against the boy’s neck. “Think you started it, Solace. You asked for this.”

“No I dihihidn’t!” Will’s grip around Nico tightened as he began to squirm, the little kisses and nuzzles sending a gentle buzzing through his nervous system. He didn’t want to push the boy off, but he couldn’t lie still. Stupid ticklish neck…

“You so did! Calling me short, teasing me, being a dork… Those are all serious offenses, Solace.” Making use of his hands, Nico spidered his fingers along Will’s ribs. The boy’s worn-out Camp Half-Blood t-shirt was hardly protective, barely dulling the evil sensation of Nico’s teasing.

“Hehehey! Nihicohoho!” Will rolled onto his side, bringing Nico with him. The ravenette wasn’t phased, letting his elbow brace him before continuing.

Will’s giddy smile was like a beacon, drawing Nico in with its warm light. The edgy teen liked it even more than his boyfriend’s actual light powers.

“You’re so squirmy, Will,” Nico cooed, feeling extra playful. He trailed little kisses up to Will’s ears, blowing on the back of one to hear his little squeak. “Ticklish, too.”

“Youhuhu lihihihittle- EEEeehehehe! Jeheherk!” Will tried to curl up, bringing his knees up. Nico just pushed them back down, grunting softly with the effort. Will was physically stronger than him, but he noticeably wasn’t trying that hard to protect himself or escape.

“You loooove thiiiis~” Nico sing-songed the words in his ear, his fingers curling on his boyfriend's belly. Will’s arms snapped down, clamping against his sides as he tried to guard his worst spot.

“N-NOHOHOHO! NIHICOHOHO, IHI- TIHIHICKLES!” Will’s boisterous, unrestrained laughter filled the dark Hades cabin as his worst spot was targeted. He did his best to wiggle and get the offending fingers away from his stomach, but he didn’t want the silliness to stop entirely.

“No? Why ‘no’? I’m not lying, Solace. You’re loving every second of this.” Nico’s voice was plain as he said it, knowing his words rang true. Will had told him a while ago that he enjoyed being tickled; while Nico occasionally had problems with touch, he enjoyed it on occasion as well.

“Y-YEAHAHAH, BUHUT- GYAHAHA! NAHAHAT THEHEHERE!” Will kicked out and turned away as Nico’s fingers moved to his navel. He’d agreed on enjoying it; why was he still being tickled so mercilessly?

“But I like it here. It makes you laugh so sweetly~” The teases were rare from Nico, especially when they were so lovingly mischievous. Will would usually let him tickle for longer than that, but he was already nearing his limit. The tease pushed him over the edge.

“N-NOHOHO MOHOHOHORE! T-TEHEHESORO!” Will tapped out, the nickname slipping out through his laughter. Nico moved away from his stomach, instead wrapping his arms around the blonde’s chest.

“Shit, sorry, too much. Are you okay?” Nico brushed his boyfriend’s curly hair aside, checking to see if he’d upset him. That was a bit farther than he usually took things…

“Y-youhuhu’re fihihihine…” Will took a few deep, giggly breaths as he calmed down, pulling Nico closer. He was always really cuddly after being tickled. “Wow. Soho mean, death boy.”

“Shush, gigglebox.” Nico huffed at the little nickname, letting himself be cuddled once again. Thanks to the day’s training activities, he was decently sure nobody had heard Will’s cackling. Speaking of nicknames…

“Did you call me ‘tesoro,’ Solace?” Nico’s grin turned smug as he grinned at the flustered boy next to him. It wasn’t the first time they’d used pet names, but they weren’t a regular thing between the two.

“I…maybe.” Will huffed, his cheeks somehow burning even brighter from the acknowledgement. “You’re special and precious to me, like a treasure. So…yeah.”

“Aww, Will! I love it, and I love you.” Nico let himself smile as he gave Will a proper kiss, pressing their lips together. He could feel Will’s twitch against his, forming a wobbly, giddy smile. That time, however, it was for a completely different reason.

“Love you too, Nico.” Will’s eyes sparkled with adoration as he pulled back, pulling the boy’s fluffy black blanket overtop them.

The shorter teen happily snuggled into the new warmth, pressing the side of his head against Will’s chest. He found his heartbeat, thumping steadily in his chest. It was a bit faster than normal, but Nico was used to hearing that when he was around.

“I’m gonna nap, dork.”

Will pet his boyfriend’s soft black hair, giving his scalp gentle scratches to help lull him. A nap sounded rather nice after all that…

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.”