The automatic response tickles the buzzing pest

Desmona goes by Mona to everyone but Robb who thinks of her as Demon. She still calls him Robbie which is his preferred name but stop using as people tried to call him Bobby which he hates. Mona will be used most often unless Robb is the focus of what is being described to show what he is doing has some focus on her.

Tickling? Ok. I won again. Robb thinks but is still in the grips of sleep. He automatic responds with the arm hanging off the couch to light brush the calf next to it with his fingertips. Just automatic response since childhood to get the Demon off him as that is her weakest point. Tickling either calf is enough to make her a squirming jelly mass. It was how he survived her trying to dominate him since she was bigger growing up. 5 years of this not happening and all the changes that brought did not stop him from automatically knowing how to win.

"HEY!!!" Mona yells as tries to pull her leg away from Robb's hand. This puts her balancing on one leg which he immediately tickles.

There is a muffled noise from Robb as Mona falls on him she tries twist herself. Her chest pushes his face into the couch and an elbow delivers a solid blow to his ribs. She giggles as she slides to the floor. Mona reaches to tussle his hair when she sees he is crying, out of breath, and has a bloody nose. This of course causes her to start crying.

"MOM!! MOM!!! Robbie is bleeding," Mona cries out as tries to roll him over. "I'm sorry," is what she keeps saying while her crying is getting worse.

Robb of course is still trying to get his breath back without sucking all the blood back in so looks like a fish stuck on dry land as their mom comes in to see what is wrong.

Mom mode is activated and she grabs tissue box to hand to Robb and make Mona sit down beside him. She tries to see what happened as Robb had stopped having nosebleeds while sleeping when he was 7 but this is all fresh.

"What caused this and why is your brother having a hard time breathing," mom asks to try and stay calm since he is breathing so doesn't seem to need ambulance though ER might be necessary.

"I wanted to *HICCUP* tease him awake *HICCUP* so I threaten to tickle *HICCUP*him which lead to him *HICCUP* tickling me while waking up *HICCUP* which led to me falling on him," *HICCUP* Mona is sucking up all the snot draining out from crying while rubbing her eyes.

"STOP THAT. Here," mom says as she grabs a few tissues and gives them to her. She turns to Robb and checks him to see his breathing is better but had been crying also. "Both of you need to get up if we don't need the hospital so I can treat the blanket before it soaks through to the couch and maybe save the blanket. I will be back after I do that. Behave and sit still," mom states. She waits for compliance before giving them the mom stare then leaves with the blanket.

A few minutes later with Robb breathing ok and nosebleed under control which has given Mona's hiccups time to stop. She still won't look at him and he still leaned forward to make sure the bleeding is stopped and it is just drainage he is wiping away.

"I am sorry. I just wanted to tease you since you are finally home. I didn't think it would turn into me beating you up by accident," Mona says with a guilty smile as she tries to downplay what happened jokingly.

Robb responds, "I was asleep and already tired and sore from the drive. The nose was likely allergies already had it dried out but I think I am going to have a huge bruise on my ribs and that still hurts a lot."

Robb sighs from the fact he is about to be 18 in very short period of time and he feels like someone took a stick to his body then stabbed him in the ribs.

Mona tries not to cry again as she sees this while also trying to wrap around how different Robb is now as she was taller all their lives but now shorter. She knew it from her visits but they didn't really get to hang out with just them two as that "best friend" of his always had to be around when she was visiting. She realizes she can't really pull him into her chest any more and he is old enough now that he might get mad at her. She scoots close to him so she can bump him her shoulder. This causes Robb to automatically put and around her and pull her close. She shivers at that as it seems natural to him.

"Do you regularly pull girls in close to you? Have you been making the girls all gaga over you?" Mona teases as she knows Robb is unlikely to ever approach girls after being teased by them when younger. "You seem to smoothly do it."

"HUH? What are you talking about? You know Angel breaks up a lot and I hold her while she cries and complains since it gets her back to normal quicker. I found out that hiding from her just makes her mean to everyone for weeks," Robb explains. "It is easier to watch a movie and let her sit next to me doing that till she is done. I love her almost like a sister but she is horrible at love."

Mona is glad Robb can't see her face as she looks furious. That bitch is still trying to get him. She was warned that being friends is all she can be after I found out how much she gets around. Robbie deserves better. He will give up so much to help those he loves like the past 5 years since we couldn't afford all of us to be together. I will make sure to pay him back for staying there without us right after becoming a teen.

"Let's go check on mom since she is up a little later tonight. She has your food ready but probably going to want to warm it up before she gives it to you."

"What time is it?" Robb asks as he expected to be woken when dad got home. He reaches down to his satchel to grab his phone.

As he does, Mona says. "It is after 11 and before you get upset, mom tried but you didn't budge so she said to let you sleep longer. Dad is already asleep after he went to work early and stayed late so could have a normal day tomorrow unless he sells a big property. I just didn't want you to sleep past turning 18 since is first birthday that I have gotten to celebrate with you in 5 years. Sorry again. I did just whisper in your ear to see if you woke up but now realize it would have been better to shake you."

They walk into the kitchen and the mouth watering smells (to Robb at least) of mom's home cooking. He sees there is fried chicken and bowl of mashed potatoes on the island along with a plate. He feels how hungry he is since the time means that somewhere around 12 hours since he last ate. He quickly moves toward the food which has Mona give a laugh.

"Mom, I think he is alright as he seems to be ready to eat everything," as their mom turns from the stove at hearing the laugh and Mona walks up to give her a hug and apologizes again.

Mom hugs Mona as she gives her a kiss on top of head since Robb got his height from her since Robb's sisters are both are same height as their father. He has a couple of inches on mom. She turns back to the stove to continue stirring the gravy. "The gravy is ready again, sleepyhead," mom says while turning of the burner. "I am going to bed in a few as 11 is my normal bedtime. I will be gone tomorrow morning to volunteer for a couple of hours plus pick up the rest of what I need for the party."

"Mom, I don't need a party. I am tired as is. Can't we just have a dinner with my favorites?" Robb whines. He knows there are going to be surprises and he doesn't want them. He is proceeding to pile his plate with chicken, potatoes and bread before moving towards the stove.

"You will be fine. It is not even a house full of people. There will be a couple of Mona's friends and another guest," Robb sees that evil smile for just a second again as his mother continues talking. "You don't know anyone here so we would not have a house full of strangers for you. Mona didn't want you hide in your room playing games so wanted you to meet some gamer friends of hers."

Robb moves to sit down at island but stops to set down his plate. "Where are the glasses and what is there to drink?"

"Sit down and I made Kool-aid so will get it for you before I head to bed," mom says. "Mona, make sure everything is put up and help him clean up the dishes before going to bed." She moves to around the kitchen to grab a glass and fills it for her boy before bringing it back to him to stop for a moment with a frown. "Mona, you didn't make him wash his hands or face? Go to the sink and do that now," looking at him as she gets a clean dish towel for him to use to dry his face.

Robb blushes as he does what he is told. He takes the towel and dries himself before he goes moves towards sitting back down. "Good night, mom," Robb says while giving a quick hug then sits down.

Their mom moves up to give both of them a kiss on the head and says good night. Mona says good night while sitting down next to Robb. She grabs a paper towel and grabs a chicken leg.

"Are you not going to bed?" Robb asks though he knows Demon is going to stay with him till midnight at least but wants her to feel free to go and not mess up her sleep.

Mona laughs and grabs his glass to take a sip before answering, "I generally study between 10 and 2 as mom and dad go to their bedroom then at the latest so everything is quiet. You know I like to use books everywhere and so use the dining table as has enough room for my laptop and books. You are not getting rid of me yet."

Robb smiles and tries to hide his worry for Demon. She has always been the star of their parents eye. She always was scholastically competitive after her 1st grade teacher told her that she didn't need to try so hard because one of her classmates was the best. Demon truly is a demon when she feels she is challenged. She is so stubborn but part of that is she confided once when struggling with a project that Robb helped her. His unique view had given her an insight that allowed her to finish which is why she told him that she was afraid of disappointing their parents.

Robb became a security blanket to Demon which is why she always visited him when she had breaks. He was the only person who she doesn't feel she has to be so focused around which allows her to relax and de-stress. Robb is glad to be able to help Demon relax but he doesn't understand why she can't do that around her friends. Robb learned not to ask her to talk to their parents about it. It is the only time that she actually threaten to hurt him if he told them. She didn't talk to him for a month except when around their parents.

Mona gets up for a moment to get a glass and get in the fridge. Robb doesn't look at her as he is finishing his food. She pours a big glass of milk and take the big cupcake she had gotten that morning out when putting the milk back. She quickly moves to keep him from seeing but he isn't paying attention just like he didn't notice her checking the time on her phone. Robb is pushing his plate back a little as he finishes his drink.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" Mona says loudly. She sets the cupcake and milk down. Mona hugs Robb from behind really tight while telling him, "I am so glad to have you here so we can have fun doing everything we use to do." She just holds him for a few before sitting back down. "I have a surprise for you and not one you will hate."

Robb looks doubtful at Demon but decides to start with, "What kind of cupcake is this? I don't want some weird flavor you think I will like as you never find anything I like."

"Oh, that is cherry chip but they only had strawberry icing choice I thought you would like since I don't think you would have wanted chocolate. The surprise is that I set up the pc that dad bought you for your birthday. You can start downloading your porn collection again unless you brought it on a hard drive," Demon starts cackling but Robb just ignores that.

"Thank you for the birthday wishes and the cupcake. I am really thankful that you set up my pc but do I even have a chair or desk? I haven't even seen my room. Also, how did dad afford this house? This seems like so much more than I expected and the living room seems almost empty." Robb quickly speaks all of that to take a breath and say, "Is Ness helping or something?"

Demon smirks at how he ignored the porn thing to then proceed to bombard her with questions and laughing states, "This house is something mom told me to let dad explain to you. You have a gaming chair and a nice desk. You only have one monitor but I made sure the tv they got you was compatible to be used if you wanted. Most of the house seems empty as might have the house but that doesn't mean could afford everything to fill it up. Your room probably has the most new stuff in it as we just brought all our stuff when we started moving in a little over 2 years ago. That is why I visited later that summer."

Robb had started eating the cupcake while Demon explained. He felt like the family all loved to surprise him because he hates them but happy to hear he has a room that seems like he is going to have more room than he ever had. He was used to a folding chair and table being what he had with just enough room for a twin mattress. At least at the Williams, the mattress flipped up to offer some place to store his clothes rather than the hall closet at their old home. Demon didn't answer about Ness though.

"What about Ness and is she helping?" Robb asked Demon so she could not avoid it.

"Ness is not helping as she is struggling with her career because an ex of hers was hired as her boss and harassed her so HR is investigating. There is plenty of witnesses and camera footage of him harassing her but she is kneed him in the balls because he was jostled and grabbed her breast. She didn't see he had been bumped so thought he was just grabbing her. He is trying to say she assaulted him and since he is friends with the son of a member of the board of directors ...." Demon doesn't say anything to let Robb finish the thought of how there is pressure from there on HR.

"Is she alright?" Robb is not close to Ness like Demon but she was always his baby sitter till she started her career. She is like a second mom in his eyes.

Demon shakes her head, " I don't know as she is so angry when talking about it but all I know is that she might have to get a lawyer. She is worried she will lose this job and not find another because of that or will never get a chance to advance because of this. Enough of this though. Eat your cupcake so we can finish in the kitchen then I show you your room."

Robb nods though still worried but knows there is nothing he can do right now and he does want to see his room. Demon grabs a few bites of the cupcake and some of the milk while she is grabbing containers for the chicken and gravy and a lid for the mashed potatoes. They get everything put away and then get dishes rinsed and into the dishwasher before Demon leads him to his room after stopping for his satchel.

Demon turns to Robb and joyfully says as she hugs him, "I am glad you are here and let me know if I can help. I am doing some extra classes this summer that are just for fun and have a job that is maybe 20 hours a week so have plenty of time. I am going to take a quick shower before bed. I will check on you before I head to bed in case you want to shower as well."

Robb nods and hugs her back. _A short shower is 30 minutes at least for Demon and so bathroom is going to be a sauna. Not sure if I want to shower in that. _Robb thinks about it as he did make sure to have a change of clothes in his satchel. "Ok, I will leave the door open," as he feels for the light to turn on and turns to look into the room.

Robb is stunned. The biggest bed he has ever had (just a full size but all his life on a twin then it is major upgrade) and a big computer desk with an arm that has a curved widescreen monitor on it is all he notices as he just stands there. Mona is trying hard to hold in her laughing as Robb starts to finally look around. A nice mesh gaming chair and he can see the tower under the desk on a moveable stand. He actually has a nightstand that looks like it has a place for his phone and a tablet to plus in. and he has an actually dresser. No tub on box under mattress.

"The dresser, computer table and bed frame are all used but dad checked to make sure they were solid. The bottom drawer sticks so be careful pushing it in. I am off to shower." Demon says before bouncing down the hall.

Robb is takes a couple of minutes to absorb that he actually has room to move around while having a bed. He is almost in a daze as he moves his satchel to the bed. He sits down and wakes up the pc to see there is an update to apply. He hits accept and it restarts. The update actually shows a timer that bounces between 25 and 35 minutes. He leans back in the chair while trying to figure out if he is dreaming. His dad must have spent a lot on this set-up.

Hmmm..... What is this? Robb sees a program called Questmaster- PC Edition is the only icon so far. He figures Demon must have installed it so he will try it and let her know. He gets into his satchel to grab his external hard drive so he can load up all his settings. He opens Questmaster up.