THIS IS A TICKLE FIC, IF YOU DONT LIKE IT, SCROLL!!!
The problem with knowing someone for twelve years was that eventually, you learned everything about them. Their favorite food. The stupid little habits they didn't realize they had. The exact face they made when they were annoyed. The things that made them laugh.
And, unfortunately for Travis, every single one of his ticklish spots. Devin considered this knowledge a responsibility. A sacred duty, even. Travis considered it a war crime. It had started all the way back in third grade. They'd been eight years old, sitting on the playground after school while everyone else ran around screaming.
Travis had been quiet even then. Devin had been... well. Devin. He'd talked enough for both of them. Somehow, they'd ended up becoming inseparable. And twelve years later, absolutely nothing had changed. Well. Almost nothing. They weren't eight anymore. Travis had grown quieter over the years. Life had gotten complicated, and some days talking was simply too difficult for him.
Devin had learned not to push him when he couldn't. He'd also learned that sometimes Travis needed someone to just sit beside him. No questions. No pressure. Just company. Tonight was one of those nights.
Travis was curled up on one end of the couch, sleeves pulled over his hands, staring blankly at the television. The television wasn't even turned on. Devin noticed. He stood in the doorway for several seconds."...You know that's not actually showing anything, right?"
No response.
Devin nodded.
"Cool."
He walked into the room. "I'll pretend I didn't notice."
Nothing.
Devin sat down. Still nothing. He glanced sideways. Travis hadn't moved. Devin sighed dramatically. "Okay."
Silence.
"How about this." Travis's eyes moved toward him."I am going to say increasingly stupid things until you acknowledge my existence."
Travis blinked. "That's your plan?"
Devin froze. Then slowly grinned. "YOU SPOKE!!"
Travis immediately regretted it. Devin pointed at him.
"That was a complete sentence!"
Travis pulled his sleeve over his mouth. Devin laughed. "Okay, okay. Sorry." He settled back against the couch. For a while, neither of them said anything. And that was okay. Devin knew Travis didn't always need to talk. just having someone nearby was enough. After a few minutes, though, Devin noticed something. Travis's shoulders had relaxed slightly. The tension in his hands had eased. He wasn't staring at the television anymore. He was looking at Devin. Devin smiled.
"Better?"
Travis gave a tiny nod. "Good." Another quiet moment passed. Then Devin's eyes narrowed. Travis immediately became suspicious."What?"Devin's grin appeared."Nothing."Travis stared at him.
"Nothing."
"...Devin."
"Yes?"
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
Devin leaned forward."Do you remember third grade?" Travis's expression immediately changed.
"No."
"You do."
"Noho."
"You absolutely do."
Travis slowly started scooting toward the opposite end of the couch.
Devin's grin widened.
"Oh, you remember."
"Dohon't."
"I haven't even done anything and you're already giggling."
"Youre going to."
"Probably."
Travis moved farther away. Devin followed.
"Travis."
"No."
"You can't escape."
Travis gave him an exhausted look. Devin pointed at him.
"That face."
"What face?"
"That exact face that saus your tired of my bullshit."
Travis rolled his eyes.
"You've been making that face since we were eight."
Travis shook his head.
"You have."
"No."
"Yes."
"Noho."
Devin gasped.
"Are you calling me a liar?"
Travis nodded, smiling slightly.
"Wow." Devin put a hand dramatically over his heart. "After everything we've been through." Travis actually smiled more. Devin saw it. And immediately ruined everything.
"There it is." Travis's smile disappeared. Devin laughed. "Got you." Travis sighed. Devin leaned closer. "Just one minute." Travis shook his head. "One tiny minute."
"No."
"One."
"Noho!"
"Half a minute."
Travis stared at him. Devin wiggled one finger. "Half." Travis tried to move. Devin lightly poked his side. Travis jolted. His eyes widened. Devin froze.
"...Oh."
Travis slowly looked at him. Devin smiled.
"That still works."
Travis immediately shoved him away. Devin laughed."HEY!" Travis tried to retreat. Devin followed."No, no, no. You don't get to run after confirming the evidence." Travis shook his head rapidly.Devin raised his hands."I just wanna tickleee youuu.." Travis gave him the most unimpressed look imaginable."it'll only tickle."
"Exactly."
Devin lightly scribbled his fingers along Travis's side.
Travis immediately folded in half. Giggling.
"DEHEHEVIN!-"
Devin's eyes went huge."THERE IT IS!"Travis covered his face.Devin laughed harder."I KNEW IT!"
Travis tried to shove him away. Devin dodged. "You haven't changed!"Travis was giggling, trying to squirm farther away. Devin kept the tickling light and playful, moving between little pokes and quick scribbles along Travis's sides.
"Still ticklish!"
Travis shook his head.
"Still—"
Another giggle.
"—absolutely—"
Another burst of giggles.
"—Ridiculously—"
Travis kicked his feet against the couch.
"—TICKLISH!"
Travis finally managed to grab one of Devin's wrists.
Devin stopped.
Travis looked triumphant.Devin looked at their hands.nThen at Travis. Then back at their hands. "...You think you've won." Travis nodded with a smirk.
Travis immediately scrambled off the couch. "HEY!" Devin jumped up after him. Travis bolted across the room. Devin followed."GET BACK HERE!" Travis was laughing now, even though he was clearly trying to suppress it.
"Nohoho!"
"YOU CAN'T ESCAPE ME!"
"Dehehevin!"
"You should've thought about that before grabbing me!"
Travis ducked around the table.
Devin went around the other side.They stared at each other. Travis took one step left.Devin matched him. One step right. Devin matched him again. Travis suddenly darted toward the hallway. Devin yelled after him. "OH, COME ON!" Travis was laughing. Actually laughing. Devin's grin nearly split his face.He chased after him."Im gonna getchaaa!~"
Travis slammed himself onto the bed and pulled a blanket over his head. Devin stopped in the doorway. "...Seriously?" A muffled voice came from underneath.
"Goho awahay."
"No."
"Dehevin."
"No."
"Mehean."
Devin smiled."You know, this is exactly what you did when we were kids."
The blanket shifted.
"You'd hide under a blanket." Travis said nothing.
"And then you'd get giggly when I found you."
Nothing.
"And then you'd squeal when i tickled you anyway." A pause. "And then you'd tell me to stop."
Another pause.
"And then, five minutes later, you'd ask me to do it again."
Silence. Devin's smile softened. "Some things don't change."
The blanket moved slightly. Devin sat on the edge of the bed. He didn't touch him.He just waited. Eventually, Travis peeked out.
Devin grinned. "Hi." Travis stared. "...Hi."
"Feeling okay?" A nod. "Good."Devin paused.Then raised one hand.
Travis immediately ducked back under the blanket. Devin burst out laughing.
"OH, COME ON!"
A muffled laugh came from underneath."You don't trust me at all!"
"Nohoho, I dohohont!!"
"...Fair. Oh well."
Devin latched his hands onto Travis's sides through the blanket and squeezed.
"HYEEEK?!- DEHEHEVIN-"
"Yeahhh, kid?"
"STAHAHAHAP ITTT!-"
"Mmm, but do you really want me to...."
"...Nohoho.."
"Thats what I thought."
After a few minutes, Devin pulled Travis's ankle onto his lap, and gently scribbled up and down his sole, and Travis SCREAMED before falling into wheezy cackles.
"DEHEHEHEHEVIN!!-"
"Okay, okahaay!-"
Devin let go, giggling as he pulled his little brother figure close.
"...I love you." Travis mumbled sleepily.
"...Yeah." *Devin looked away, voice slightly thicker. "I love you too, kid."
THE END :3
THIS IS NOT A SHIP FIC!!! IF YOU TAG IT AS SUCH I WILL PUBLICLY CALL YOU OUT!!!
