Just someone

To calm myself a little, I take a couple of deep breaths, then sit down next to you, gently placing my palms on your stomach. I run my finger from your bellybutton to your chest and back down, testing the feel and noticing how your muscles tense. Up and down... Up and down... I create a large spiral, then take a feather I've set aside. I gently trace its path over your arms, your neck. You smile, but lie perfectly still, your fingers tightening on the blanket, a silent promise not to flinch.

"How's that?" - I ask, not looking up from what I'm doing.

"Well, it's not too bad, I can even bear it" - you murmur, - "I'll tell you if you need to stop."

"As you wish" - I continue to tease your skin with gentle touches, not believing you actually agreed to this.

You're fidgeting. You even tremble a bit when I draw the feather across the more sensitive parts of your torso. I'm not rushing. Partly because it's my first time and I'm afraid of making you uncomfortable. But everything seems to be going well, so I can afford to relax a little.

The moment the feather brushes against your armpit, you can't hold back a quiet chuckle.

"I think I've found one of your weak spots!" - with my free hand, I reach for your other armpit, making you startle and drop your hands, - "Hey, you said you wouldn't squirm!"

"But it tickles!"

"It's meant to be this way! Alright, if you're not going to lie still..." - I put the feather aside and start tickling you all over.

You're laughing loudly, trying to catch my hands, wriggling from one side to the other, but it's no use. Sides, belly, legs, neck – I get them all. I love your laughter and smile as you try to get away from my hands. But I didn't even think that at some point you would be able to push me onto the bed and fix my hands above my head, pressing them with your palm.

"Well, that's it" - you're still breathing heavily, as if after a run - "Now it's my turn!"

"W-wait!" - I tried to free my hands, but you held me tight.