Hey, guys, so some of my readers may have noticed I write a lot of brotherly/family moments in my favorite series, and this is another one of those! I'm also working on some friendship one shots for all Stranger Things characters, but this one is for the Byers family. Will contain a lot of brotherly moments between Jonathan and Will, and fluffy family moments for the whole family. May contain Jopper in future stories, along with Jane and Hopper being a part of the Byers family (I'm pretty sure that's going to happen in season 3). Anyway, enjoy, and feel free to leave requests!

Also, for this story, I'm not exactly sure where Hawkins would fit on the Indiana area, so I took a guess and made it near Princeton. If I'm incorrect, I apologize.

Perfect Birthday Present

Jonathan's POV

March 22, 1985

I stop the car at Melvald's General Store, and walk towards the store, where my mom is helping a customer. She looks tired, but at the same time, content. There's a cold breeze, but it's not nearly as bad as it has been. Indiana seems to be cursed with terrible and unpredictable weather, but no matter what, I'm going to make today perfect. It's Will's birthday, and I want him to have a good day. I bought tickets for The Secret of the Sword, a movie he mentioned he wants to see, and it comes out today. I bought them for a movie theater in a nearby town, Princeton, Indiana. That way, we can see the movie in peace, without anyone knowing who we are. I got him his present, and planned the whole day so everything is perfect and he gets to just be a kid.

"Hey, sweetheart.", Mom hugs me, the moment she finishes it up with the customer, who thanks her before leaving. "Do you have the tickets?"

"Yeah, and enough money to get him dinner and some time in the arcade.", I pause. "Are you sure you can't get some time off to go with us?"

"No, Donald needs me to work today. I'm sorry. But you two go have fun, you deserve it."

"Alright. I'm about to go pick him up from AV club. Mr. Clarke got Will a cupcake and they wanted to see him for his birthday."

"I'm happy he has good friends."

"You and me both.", I reply, and another customer walks in. "I better go pick up, Will. I'll call you when we get to Princeton."

"Alright, have fun, and stay safe. If you need anything, call the store, and if you can't get a hold of me, call Hopper.", she tells me, and I nod.

"Alright, Mom, don't worry, we'll be fine.", I assure her, and she hugs me before going to help the customer. I walk out of the store and to Hawkins Middle. Once I get there, I park the car and make my way in the building. I don't have to think about where I'm going, I know exactly where the AV room is. I get outside the door, and hear the party singing happy birthday. I open the door quietly, and see Will rather embarrassed, while his friends sing happy birthday to him and Mr. Clarke hands him the cupcake. I smile and Will blows out the candle to make his wish.

"Jonathan!", Will smiles, and I return it. Mr. Clarke looks at me, and we both nod at each other. I have great respect for the man, helping find Will without realizing it and always supporting the boys' and their love for science. I get out a rectangular box, with the tickets inside, and hand it to Will.

"Happy birthday, buddy.", he opens it and finds the tickets.

"How did you get these?", he asks.

"I have my ways.", he hugs me tightly, and I return it.

"Will, you better not ruin the movie for us.", Dustin warns.

"Seriously.", Lucas agrees, and he laughs.

"You guys knew about this?"

"Duh, why do you think we rushed you in here? We were on a time limit.", Max replies, and Mike nods his head.

"We better get going, bud.", he nods, and says goodbye to his friends, and then thanks Mr. Clarke for the cupcake. We begin to head out, and I grab his backpack, while he tells me about his day.

"Mike's working out the plans for a campaign, and Max tried to show us how to ride her skateboard."

"How did that one work out?"

"Not so good.", he laughs. "Then Mr. Clarke's class was awesome as it normally is.", we get in the car, and I put in his favorite mix tape.

"It's about a thirty minute drive, but I thought you'd like to see the movie, go to the arcade, and grab something to eat all in peace. We get to be normal for once.", he smiles brightly at the idea. "It's just me and you, though, I hope you don't mind. Mom had to work."

"I don't mind.", he assures me, and I smile. I make a right, and he turns up the radio, Should I Stay or Should I Go blasting, and he's nodding his head, with a wide smile on his face. I try to keep my eyes focused on the road, but I can't help but smile and laugh at my younger brother. For the first time in awhile, he's acting like a regular kid. "Thanks for all of this."

"Well, I have to make sure you have the perfect birthday, don't I?"

"Yeah, but you went all out.", he replies, and I shrug my shoulders.

"It's not a big deal. I just want you to have a good day.", I reply, and get on the interstate. He smiles, and I ruffle his hair. "You're my brother and best friend, Will. You deserve the perfect day."

"You're the best big brother ever, Jonathan. For real."

"For real?", I ask, and he nods his head. I laugh.

"Seriously. You've always been the best older brother anyone could ask for.", I smile genuinely and pull him in a one armed hug.

"Yeah? That's because you deserve the best.", I tell him, truthfully. He smiles, and we go back to listening to music, and soon enough we arrive at Princeton Theater. We get in, and I let Will order whatever he wants, while I call Mom and let her know we got here safely. We end up with a large Dr. Pibb, popcorn, and candy. Will carries the drink, and I carry the other two and we make our way to our seats. Once the movie starts I kinda zone out. I'm not really into this type of movies, truth be told. But Will wanted to see this movie since the day he found out it came out on his birthday. I just focus on the parts that I know Will would want to talk about. I occasionally look over, and see Will watching the movie with fascination.

Once the movie is over, Will and I step out of the theater, and he still has some of the candy left. We get in the car, and I look at him.

"Arcade first, or dinner?"

"Arcade.", he answers, as though it isn't a question, and I nod. I drive to a nearby arcade, and we spend the next few hours playing Pac'Man, Galaga, Dig Dug, Zaxxon, Spy Hunter, and Dragon's Lair. He ends up getting the highest score on most of them. I smile, until I see a father playing games with his son, and for a moment, my mind wanders back to Lonnie. How he was so unsupportive of Will, and how bad the abuse got before I snapped. I could have killed Lonnie right then and there for touching Will. How could he not love Will? I get I'm not the best son, but my God Will's a little genius, who doesn't get into trouble, and just wants everyone around him to be happy.

No, no thinking of that man. This is Will's birthday. Don't think about that. I continue to watch my younger brother play, and once he's done he looks at me.

"Can we get some food?"

"Yeah, good idea. Any ideas?"

"Burgers?", I nod.

"Alright, let's go.", we walk out and drive to a restaurant, where Will and I can eat a meal out in public in peace for the first time in months.

"How's things with you and Nancy?", he asks, out of the blue, once we hand the waitress our menus.

"It's going good.", I answer. It's the truth. Nancy and I are still going strong, even without the world hanging in the balance. "How's school?"

"It's going."

"What does that mean?"

"Kids still aren't too ready to accept me back yet. I feel like even more of an outcast."

"There's nothing wrong with you. Kids are just cruel. Don't let them bring you down."

"I never do. You and the others don't really give me the chance."

"That's because you're the last person on earth who needs to be brought down. You're a great kid, Will."

"Because you helped raise me to be. You and Mom. I guess the party had some help with that, too. But you and Mom were the biggest role models."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah, everything you did for me, and you still do. Even when Lonnie was around, you made sure every day that I knew I was loved. And when he left, you stayed out in the pouring rain to make Castle Byers because I was too stubborn to go back inside. You made sure that I was safe, and Mom did everything she could to make ends meet.", the waitress shows up with our food, and I thank her, but am unable to find the words to speak to Will. He takes a bite of his burger, and we start eating. "I never really thanked you… for what you had to go through, so I wouldn't have to."

"I'd do it all over again. You don't have to thank me for doing my job.", I reply. Once we finish, I pay the bill and leave the tip with the waitress, and then head out. Will lets out a yawn. We get in the car and I reach out in the back seat and hand him a wrapped gift. "I imagine it'll be too busy at your party this weekend to give you this."

"Jonathan.", he looks at me, and I smile.

"Just open it.", he does so, revealing a wooden box, full of sketch pencils and good coloring pencils, along with a leather sketchbook. "I know how seriously you've been taking drawing lately, and you're one of the most talented artist I've seen, even with your age. I thought you would like the materials to advance it more.", he puts down the gift and hugs me tightly. I return it, and when he lets go, he examines the sketchbook and pencils. "I know you can do anything you put your mind to, Will. And I know you have the talent to take this far.", I start the car, and drive home. We don't play the music as loud, instead Will curls up against the passenger seat and begins to fall asleep. When we stop at a red light, I quickly take off my jacket and put it over his sleeping form, and drive the rest of the time in silence. When we get home, he barely opens his eyes, and I chuckle and help him out. Mom waits in the living room for us.

"Hey, how was your day?"

"Best birthday ever.", Will suddenly seems wide awake, and begins to tell Mom everything. His smile never vanishes, and Mom smiles as well, and looks at me.

"I'm going to get some rest, buddy. I'm glad I was able to help give you a good birthday.", I ruffle his hair, and he nods. I hug Mom goodnight, and when I finally get in bed, I sleep at peace, knowing I was able to give Will the birthday he deserved.