Stonathan ❤️

40

NOT MINE!!

all credits go to NeroAnne on ao3

It was supposed to be a very relaxed evening hosting Will and El's slumber party and being the general babysitter/host for the night. Jonathan almost said no, having already made plans with someone special but after his siblings had pleaded with almost identical wide brown eyes, he'd conceded-canceling his own plans for the night.

His duties would include picking up the rest of the teenagers at their abodes and bringing them back to House Byers after stopping at a store to let them pick out some snacks, cooking them a reasonably healthy dinner, and then just watching horror movies and playing games with them all night.

Really, how could that have gone wrong?

"Is that an Ouija board?" Jonathan asked, frowning at the board game sprawled out on the table. He crossed his arms, giving his siblings a look. The fourteen-year-olds stared back, faces guilty and feet shuffling. "Where did you even get it?"

"Dustin's cousins sent it from Fort Wayne. They said it would be fun," Will murmured, and Eleven busied herself with nibbling on her lower lip, avoiding her big brother's eyes.

"Oh, come on, Jonathan," Dustin whined as he scratched at his curls, "My cousins say they play it all the time and they're like a whole year younger than us. It's just a stupid little game. Are you scared?"

Yes.

Jonathan snorted, picking at the sleeve of his turtleneck, "This isn't a smart idea," he warned, "I don't want you kids having nightmares after-"

"We're not kids!" Dustin denied, "We're teens now, Jonathan. Treat us with a little more respect."

"This coming from you," Lucas started, a grin on his face, "who last month snuck into my sleeping bag after watching Halloween in Mike's basement."

"Mike's basement can be creepy at night," Will pointed out, ever the considerate one, "Maybe just one quick round of questions," he glanced up at his frowning older brother, "and then we can play some other games and watch movies."

Jonathan sighed, seeing six pair of eyes staring hopefully at him, "Okay, fine," he said finally, his hands settling on his hips. "One round of questions and I'll be the one asking them." They all sat down in a tight circle, Dustin grabbing the plastic planchette and setting it at the center of the board.

Jonathan placed two fingers on the planchette, waiting for everyone else to place their own digits on the little heart-shaped plastic. It was a stretch, but they all managed to put their fingers on some part of the planchette loosely.

The oldest boy swallowed, glancing around, "Um..."

"Start simply," Lucas suggested, "Maybe just ask if there is anyone around."

"Right," Jonathan muttered before clearing his throat. He closed his eyes, letting his mind concentrate on the feeling of plastic beneath his fingertips, "Hello," he began, voice soft, "Are there any spirits here with us tonight?"

They all waited with baited breath, looking back and forth between their each other and the Ouija board.

Jonathan opened one eye, glancing down at the planchette. It remained still. He licked his lips and closed his eye again. "Hello," he said again, voice quieter, more welcoming, "Is anyone here with us tonight?"

The aura in the room seemed to shift. The air suddenly felt so much more condensed, their skin fleshing with goosebumps and there was absolutely no noise besides their low breathing. Jonathan was sure he could even hear their heartbeats right against his ears.