#lee!gorou

It was a particularly peaceful night on Watatsumi island, the air cool and crisp. The moon beamed down from shore to shore, giving the place a tranquil atmosphere. Now there, in the general's quarters, was Gorou himself, and Kunikuzushi, or Wanderer. The two men had grown close together over time, especially with the Wanderer's more frequent visits to Inazuma to see his favorite little shiba.

Inside the abode, Wanderer, or as Gorou liked to call him—Kuni—was sat up, back against the wall and sitting on a futon as the doggy general was splayed out across his lap, happily basking in the affection he was being given. His tail thumped softly against his blanket with each gentle rub to his plush ears, eyes closed blissfully.

"Gorou, are you falling asleep on me now?" Wanderer murmured, feigning irritation as Gorou opened one eye to look at the vessel, almost cheekily, before replying. Despite the slight hint of shyness in his tone, he still managed to make an at least somewhat witty reply. "W-with the way you're rubbing my ears.. I may as well be."

Wanderer clicked his tongue, trying to hide the faint smile that graced his lips. "Oho, really? Don't you close your eyes, pup." He chided playfully, his free hand moving from the futon to gently prod Gorou's ribs, to which the general squeaked and glared halfheartedly, ears twitching.

"Gorou~" The puppet cooed, moving his hands down from Gorou's ears to his ribs, beginning to gingerly poke and scribble at the exposed skin. The general yelped at the sudden tickling, then melted into soft, hiccupy laughter. His tail began wagging, the appendage exposing his love of the treatment every time.

"BwahAha! K-Kuhuhuni—ehe! " Giggled the general, his cheeks flushing an adorable shade of pink. "Oh noo~ Gorou, are you ticklish?" Wanderer cooed, gently poking between each rib one moment, then scribbling his nails towards Gorou's armpits the next, to which the shiba snorted.

Once Wanderer had decided Gorou's ribs had enough attention, he shot his fingers towards his tummy without warning. Gorou immediately squealed, his tail whipping madly against the sheets in delight as he felt those soft fingers scratching and wiggling all over his belly. "NAhahAH! Ghk—bwehehEe! Eheep, haha, Kuhuniiii!"

Gorou whined between his laughs and squeaks, squirming beneath the 'assault' on his poor, ticklish tummy. The shiba kicked when Wanderer traced up his side, and snorted and bucked at the softest caress to his navel. His tail wagged wildly, his happiness evident in the pitch that sweet laughter Kunikuzushi loved to hear so much.

"Awee, is my little pup hap–" "YEHEHEHES!"

Gorou interrupted, his head tossed back as mirthful tears pricked the corners of his teal eyes. Wanderer looked pleasantly surprised at the eager confession, but gradually slowed his tickling to gentle rubbing, allowing Gorou to catch his breath.

As soon as the general's breathing wasn't so heavy, Wanderer leaned down to pepper kisses all over Gorou's face and cheeks, prompting more wagging from that fluffy tail. The two men eventually locked eyes, then leaned forward to press their lips together, holding the position for a good 10 seconds before pulling away, expressions fond and flustered.

"I l-love you." Gorou whispered after a few moments of silence, shifting his gaze as his features gained a bashful look. "I love you too, Gorou." Kunikuzushi murmured in reply. Lying back against the tatami mat on the floor, Wanderer gently stroked Gorou's soft, brown locks. He watched fondly as the general's eyes eventually fluttered shut, to which he leaned down to peck him on the forehead before shutting his own eyes, allowing sleep to take over.

Aether hesitated at the entrance of the newly opened Aisa Bathhouse in Inazuma, his fingers fidgeting with the hem of his tunic. The warm, inviting glow of lanterns illuminated the wooden interior, the faint scent of herbal steam wafting through the air.

The blonde had been invited by some of his old friends to try out this new establishment and after being away for such a long time, he had happily agreed to join, eager to see all of them again. He had been on his feet all day, traversing from Natlan back to the islands of Inazuma, and the idea of soaking in a hot bath sounded heavenly.

He had only arrived a few hours ago, already having meet with them for a (very) late breakfast in Hanamizaka, to indulge in some Tricolor Dango, much to the joy of Paimon and the detriment of his wallet, and had agreed upon meeting with them in the bath, after checking in in a nearby Inn.

But as he glanced down at his attire and then at the row of lockers before him, a flush of embarrassment crept up his cheeks. With a deep breath, he stepped forward, unbuckling his boots and neatly placing them into an empty locker.

The cool floor against his bare feet sent a small shiver up his spine as he continued, peeling off his clothes, layer by layer, until he was left in nothing but a simple towel wrapped securely around his waist. His hands briefly hovered over the lock on his locker, his stomach twisting with nervousness.

It wasn’t like he was unfamiliar with bathhouses - Liyue had plenty - but being this exposed in the presence of others still made him shy. Taking another breath, he straightened his shoulders and stepped past the entrance curtain into the steamy bathing area.

“Aether, buddy! There you are!” a loud and enthusiastic voice boomed across the bath, making the blonde jump slightly. Itto grinned widely from his spot in the hot water, waving him over eagerly. Next to him, Thoma and Gorou were already settled into the bath, their heads barely visible above the rising steam. “Hey Traveler~” “Aether, glad you could make it.”

The trio looked relaxed, their expressions glowing from the heat of the water and Aether couldn’t help grinning at them. “You took forever! C’mon in, the water’s perfect!” Itto added, slapping the surface of the bath, causing small ripples to form. Aether chuckled sheepishly, stepping towards the edge and carefully dipping a foot into the water.

The heat immediately sent a soothing wave up his body and he exhaled in relief as he slid further in, submerging himself up to his chest. The tension in his muscles began to melt away and he sighed contentedly. “Man, you look so tense and did you get even more skinny!?” Itto commented, tilting his head before he waded towards him.

“You should really loosen up a bit~” Aether raised an eyebrow, but before he could retort, he felt large fingers suddenly squeeze at his sides. A high-pitched squeak slipped from his lips as he jolted, his arms instinctively snapping to his sides in defense. “WaHAh! D-DoOHohn’t!” he laughed, gently pushing his hands off of him. “Oh-ho! What was that?”

Itto smirked, his ruby eyes lighting up with mischief. “Did you just- No way! Traveler, don’t tell me you’re ticklish?” he fake-gasped and Aether could clearly hear Thoma and Gorou giggle at him. “He got you now~” “Itto found his next victim, ehh~” Aether’s face burned instantly, his body stiffening in place and he once again cursed his body for it sensitivity.

“W-Wait, that was just-” he began, instinctively taking a step back from the oni. He was in trouble now. “…Just you being ticklish?” Itto grinned wickedly, eagerly wiggling his fingers at him. Yeah, in a very big trouble. “Oh, this is too good to pass up!” he laughed. He had to get away, like right now, before it was too late.

However, before the blonde could even make a proper escape, Itto lunged, wrapping his strong arms around him in a playful yet secure hold. “C’mere, you squirmy little guy!” he chuckled, not wasting another second as he dug his fingers into his ribs.

Aether immediately burst into uncontrollable giggles, twisting and wriggling as he tried to pry himself free from Itto’s iron grip. “N-Nohoho! I-ItohOho! StoHohop!!” he pleaded, his laughter echoing in the steamy room. He just wanted to relax and spend the afternoon soozing in the water and here he was, in the arms of an excited oni, getting tickled to pieces.

This wasn’t like he expected his afternoon to turn out. His hands grabbed at the white-haired’s arms, his legs were kicking out, splashing water everywhere, but the hero of nations, the conqueror of dragons and Master of the Jinni couldn't break free. Instead, he felt a tingle inside his stomach, creeping up, further and further throughout his body.

“HhahAhHAHa I-IHIhiTOo! IhiHit ehEhhehe it tiHIicklekeles!” He managed to breath out, tears of mirth forming in the corner of his eyes and running down his flustered cheeks as Itto continued to explore the ticklishness of his flanks, even daring to sneak his fingers up into his underarms, wiggling into the sensitive holes with gusto.

“That’s the whole point compadre; nothing beats some good old’ laughing with your bro IttOh~” he teased and to emphasize his statement, he moved on of his strong arms around his midriff, allowing him to tickle the blonde’s stomach, wiggling and sliding his fingers around his navel.

As soon as they made contact with his skin, Aether broke into another wave of contagious chortles and he sucked in his stomach, but neither did it help, nor made it Itto relenting. “AHhhAhahah! YoHou cAhahn’t wehEh’re- ahAhhahah noHoho!” he laughed, trying to reason with his antics, but he wasn't even able to finish his sentence.

“Aw, you sound so adorable!” Itto teased, clearly enjoying to see the youngest member of the Arataki Gang at the loose of his hands. At this point, Aether had given up to try and break free, so he just lends back against the other's chest, letting his laughter out. Seeing this Itto smirked, and he bend his head a bit forward, so that it was now close to his.

"Giving up already? Don't disappoint me now..." he said, blowing in his ear and making him shriek. That was too much for him. In a last attempt, Aether eyed with his other friends who had watched the whole scenario without even lifting a finger to come to his aid.

“WHahAHAhh p-pleHEhehase heEHhelp,” he whined stretching out a hand towards them, taking into account that Itto immediately sneaked a finger into the spot again, well he had to bite the bullet if he wanted to get out of this situation.

…It was Thoma, who had been watching with an amused grin, that finally took pity on Aether and leaned forward. “You do realize this could backfire, right?” he mused, wading closer to the duo before suddenly striking. His fingers poked into Itto’s toned sides, causing the oni to jolt and let out an uncharacteristic yelp.

“HiYaHh…! H-Hey! Thoma! ThaAhaht’s cheap!” Itto barked, his body twitching under the unexpected assault. The moment of inattention allowed Aether to break free and Itto whined when he realized his little toy had escaped. Aether, now freed from Itto’s grasp, gasped for air, his face already flushed both from the tickling and the bath’s heat.

“Thanks T-Thoma, I thought I was gonna die.” He shot Thoma a grateful look, which the housekeeper returned with a knowing smile, having been a victim himself not long ago. “I wasn’t kiIHihll- noHohHOhoho!” Itto wanted to argue but got interpreted by his own laughter as Thoma continued to drag his fingers down his sides.

“Oh, come on Itto, you can dish it out but can’t take it?” Thoma teased, continuing to tickle the large oni playfully. “Well, this is actually kinda fun. What do you think, Aether?” Aether glanced at Itto, who was flailing in the water like a fish out of water, and couldn’t help but laugh along with him - he looked so hilarious right now.

A mischievous grin crept onto his lips. “I think Itto could use a little payback,” he admitted, “after all ‘nothing beats some good old’ laughing with your bro IttOh’, right?~” he mocked making the oni gulp. Thoma grinned, winking at him. “Then let’s get him!” “…W-WahAhahit, guHuys, cahAn’t we talk- aHAHAHAhhahaH!”

The oni’s loud laughter began to flood the room as soon as the duo launched their combined assault with Thoma continuing to squeeze his sides, while Aether, little as he was, wiggled his fingers down his toned chest, dragging his fingers along the patterns of his tattoos lining his skin, reveling in the way Itto’s booming laughter filled the air.

“WAHAHAHahhAhAhh!” The whole room seemed to shake as Itto’s belly laughter broke out of him, not even trying to hold it back, making Aether wonder if he really wanted them to stop. “You’re so ticklish, it’s kinda adorable~” “NoOHohoo teHEehasing,” Itto whined and hid his face inside his palms. He could never handle verbal teasing.

Aether chuckled and stood on his tiptoes, allowing him to reach his armpits, while Thoma focused on his ribs and stomach, making sure their giant friend was left gasping. “Coochie, coochie coo~” “NOHOHO! Y-YOU GUYS ARE EVIL!!” Itto howled, thrashing in the water, he had created a monster, well two of them, when Thoma joined. “Coochie, coochie, coochie~”

“HAHAHHAVE M-MEHEHEHERCY ON MEHEHEHEHHE!” he cried, seeming to forget that he could just fight them off if he really wanted to, but the tickling made him weak and his legs were giving in, making him sink further to the ground, making it only even easier for the blonde duo to reach all these ticklish spots on his body.

Aether and Thoma exchanged mischievous grins, doubling their efforts as they scribbled their fingers along Itto’s ribs and up to his underarms, making the oni nearly jump out of the water. “HAHAHAHHAHAHAH!!”

“Mercy? From us? Nah, I think you can handle a little more, big guy!” Thoma teased, wiggling his fingers right under Itto’s chin and over his neck, causing him to cackle uncontrollably. “GAHAHA! NOT THEHEHERE! AETHER, BRO, PLEHEHEASE!” Itto pleaded, but Aether only chuckled, dragging his fingertips down to Itto’s sides and squeezing rapidly.

“What was that? I can’t hear you over all this laughing,” he teased playfully, watching as Itto’s face turned a deeper shade of red. Thoma suddenly darted his hands to Itto’s belly, squeezing his lower sides before poking right into Itto’s belly button.

“I always wondered if oni were sensitive here,” he mused, feigning curiosity while Itto’s laughter skyrocketed, “turns out, you’re just as sensitive as anyone else!” “STAHAHAHAP! I’M TOHOHO TIHICKLIHIHISH FOR THIHIHIS!” Itto’s howls echoed through the bathhouse, but his thrashing only encouraged them to keep going.

Gorou, who had been chuckling at the scene, was distracted watching the playful attack unfold, feeling a light sting of jealously in his chest, not sure if he was allowed to join. His hands curled into claws and his tail wagged slightly in the water and he let out a low sigh. “I wanna… tickle too,” he grumbled, the last getting lost in-between the loud laughter.

However, his attention was cut short by a sudden, high-pitched scream of his own when he felt a sudden touch on his spin, catching him completely off guard. Turning his head to the side he gazed into a familiar pair of olive-green eyes. “W-WHAAHAHAHAT?! HEIHOZOU?!”

Heizou had appeared from seemingly nowhere, grinning mischievously as he wiggled his fingers into Gorou’s sides. “Hehe~ You looked a little left out,” the detective teased. “I thought I’d give you some attention.” Gorou’s ears twitched frantically as he squirmed in the water, laughter bubbling past his lips.

“N-NoHOohho! I-I didn’t neHEheed any attention! WHahHAHAHH!” “Liar,” Heizou snickered, slipping his fingers to Gorou’s belly and watching as the poor general dissolved into helpless giggles, his tail thrashing in the water. “I could clearly hear you back there~” he mused and gave his sides another squeeze. “HAHAHahahHAHAhahah!” “AHAHAAHhHAhah noHOhoo!”

The bathhouse was soon filled with overlapping laughter - Itto still suffering under Aether and Thoma’s combined tickling and Gorou barely able to form coherent words between giggles as Heizou tormented his sensitive stomach.

Minutes passed before the tickling finally slowed to a stop. The group, exhausted and overheated, collapsed onto the warm stone floor beside the bath, their chests heaving with residual giggles. The bathhouse’s soothing ambiance finally returned as they all lay sprawled, staring at the ceiling in post-laughter bliss.

“...We’re a mess,” Thoma chuckled breathlessly, running a hand through his damp hair. “No kidding,” Aether sighed, rubbing at his flushed cheeks, exhausted but happy. Their peaceful rest was interrupted by a calm, amused voice. “My, my, what do we have here?”

They all turned their heads sluggishly to see Kamisato Ayato standing over them, his usual elegant smile gracing his lips. “You all look like you’ve just fought a battle,” Ayato mused, raising an eyebrow, “and judging from your expressions, I assume you’ve lost?”

“Ugh,” Itto groaned, throwing an arm over his face, “we weren’t fighting… just… a little too much fun.” Ayato chuckled softly, shaking his head. “You’re all quite silly.” “Yeah, but it was worth it, right~” Heizou smirked, still watching Gorou with amusement as the poor general tried to regain his composure, glaring daggers at him before retuning his smile.

Gorou’s mind was racing.

When he was informed that the traveller was back in Inazuma, he naturally joined the small gathering arranged for them to ask them about their many adventures. A fun occasion, until it suddenly wasn’t.

For Gorou, anyway.

It started to go downhill when there was brief mention of another friend the traveller had made from Sumeru, which brought up the subject of ears and tails. Tighnari was their name, Gorou believed, he admitted to himself that his mind started to go a little blank, but he remembered the traveller mentioning how well Tighnari kept their fur.

At first, Gorou thought of it as nothing more than a friendly suggestion, which the traveller seemed to think so as well. But of course, bringing his tail and ears into the light of topic, their other friends decided to cross boundaries.

His boundaries.

Itto, Shinobu, and even a couple of members from the Arataki clan, Thoma, maybe Heizou? He wasn’t sure, but they all started to grab his tail, testing its softness for him, and some wandering hands made their way to his ears which overwhelmed his senses completely.

He barely could tell which hand belonged to who at a certain point. But of course, when a certain Yae Miko had started to show her interest as well, that was when Gorou excused himself from the scene immediately.

This explained why Gorou now sat alone, away from everyone, tail curled around him into his lap, holding an expression of defeat and embarrassment. Not just because of his reaction to the situation, but because he also caused a scene at the traveller’s get together.

“How selfish of me,” he thought to himself, sighing. His teal blue eyes were lowered to look down at his tail, which he used a hand to idly tidy up a little, his fur having been messed up by all those curious and rough hands.

“My, my.”

Gorou yelped at the sudden voice that managed to sneak up on him, his tail fur standing on edge.

“Here you are. You scurried off in quite a hurry before, you didn’t even see the cake that the Kamisato house maid for all of us. How unfortunate.” Yae Miko stood beside the seat that Gorou sat on.

“How did she even get over here so fast…” Gorou’s ear twitched warily before he summoned the courage to respond. “I – I apologize. I wasn’t very hungry.”

Gorou knew she could sense his nervousness. She often feasted upon it, after all.

“Oh? Not hungry for cake? And here I thought our little puppy had such a sweet tooth.”

Little puppy.

The male’s fists clenched in his lap at those words. “Don’t – say that.”

“You don’t have a sweet tooth?”

“Not that! I do – I meant the…” Gorou felt himself getting worked up again and decided to drop it before it escalated further. There was no winning against Yae Miko, anyway.

“You didn’t like all that attention before, did you?” She asked, suddenly in the seat beside Gorou which startled him again.

“How does she keep doing that?” he thought, almost leaning away from her instinctively. “The attention? – I don’t know what…”

“Now, now, General. I know exactly how sensitive you are about your ears and tail. Your flustered expression and cute stuttering every time I mention them is a dead giveaway.” She held that teasing tone like she always did, and a small giggle left her lips. “All that attention on your tail and ears must have been overwhelming, hm?”

The truth in her words caused Gorou to sigh as he let his hand work its way through the fur on his tail, almost as if he tried wiping away the memory.

“It’s not like I can help it,” he muttered, almost a whisper. “I am a high-ranking general and I worked hard to get here. I’m not some – pet.” His brows furrowed at the word and left unsaid the words. “I just want some respect.”

“Oh, Gorou. If only you could see how beautiful you are.”

?!

“H-Huh?! Where did that come from?” Gorou stuttered, his ears twitching rapidly in flustered anxiety.

“You talk as if your ears and tail are simply novelty. Nothing more than a burden. Have we not been through this before? I distinctively remember advising you to embrace yourself for who you are.”

Who you are.  

“I – I know who I am!”

“Then tell me.”

“I am General Gorou of the Watatsumi Army!” he declared proudly with the utmost confidence, his fists balled to his chest.

“Mhm. Is that all?” She questioned with an unreadable smile, almost barely visible but he saw it clear as day.

“I – yes! That’s all that matters.”

The smile faded and Yae Miko sighed, her purple eyes piercing into his own. That cold, unreadable stare sending shivers up his spine.

“Why am I so nervous? She’s just looking at me … I can do this, just stand your ground, Gorou.”  

“It would seem that I have no choice but to convince you otherwise.” She stood up elegantly and held out her hand towards him. “If you would follow me, General. I’d like to take you away from all the noise.”

“But – What about the traveller and everyone else?”

“It won’t take long. If you’re cooperative, that is. Now come along.” Her patience had already been lost, and she grabbed onto Gorou’s wrist, yanking him up onto his feet and dragging him off.

“Wha- hey! Wait a second! Don’t I get a say in this? Let go!” Gorou cursed himself for not being able to break himself free from her unusually iron grip, desperately trying to not raise his voice to catch anyone’s attention to this embarrassing situation. His teal eyes dart back towards the group they leave behind, hoping someone will save him.

They don’t.

~*~

“Where are we going?” Gorou asked after a long walk. He gave up trying to break from her grip ten minutes ago, and that was around twenty minutes after they began walking in the first place.

“Just a little place where we have some peace and quiet.”

“So cryptic… I don’t know how I feel about this.” Gorou gulped and continued to follow in silence.

They were near the shrine, that much he could tell. Yae eventually stopped in what seemed like a quiet, secluded area. He wondered why they needed to come to this hidden, tranquil location but before he could ask, she finally released his wrist and pointed her finger to the ground below them.

“Don’t tell me she’s actually going to say sit-”

“Have a seat.”

“Oh.” Gorou felt relieved but didn’t voice it. “Uh. Alright?” he sat down as instructed, crossing his legs as he took a quick scan of the environment around them. It was pretty, surrounded by nice trees and a small lake nearby. He was genuinely surprised that the area didn’t have anyone else around.

“General. Do you know why you’re here now?” Yae asked in a tone that honestly baffled him, like he was supposed to figure out anything from the quiet walk and secluded area. If anything, he felt more confused than before.

“Should I? You didn’t really explain anything. You just sort of brought me here.”

She sighed. Again.

Gorou’s ear twitched. “This is all pretty weird… I’d better stay on my guard; in case she tries anything.”

She took a silent seat beside him on the grass, so graceful and terrifying at the same time, he really couldn’t fathom how she manged to accomplish both so well.

“I want you to embrace who you truly are, Gorou.”

“What do you- hey!” without warning, he was suddenly pulled from his spot on the grass into her lap. “Y-Yae?! What is the meaning of this?” his face hit a record speed flush of red at the sudden contact. The closeness, the back of his head resting against two cushions that he knew were not appropriate to use as such. This was wrong!

“Shh,” she cooed softly, a hand making its way into the soft fur of his ear. “Relax now, no one is here.”

He froze. She wouldn’t dare… would she?

Apparently, she would, as her sharp, manicured nails started to scratch delicately at the soft fur, eliciting an involuntary shiver that ran down his spine.

“S-Stop that!” he struggled, trying to wiggle his ears away from the intrusive contact. “Hehe, it tickles!”

She had the nerve to giggle at him. “But it feels good, yes?”

“No!”

He lied, because despite the intense ticklish feeling, he didn’t hate it. He had to restrain himself from leaning into the touch.

“Allow yourself to enjoy this, Gorou. You deserve the attention and shouldn’t have to hide that you crave this.”

“Her words are so conflicting. It tickles a lot, but it feels good… No! I can’t let myself succumb to her wicked ways! I need to – wait, she stopped?” he craned his neck to look up at her, the confusion on his face betraying him as he is greeted with a smug smile from the kitsune.

“What’s the matter? Do you miss the attention?”

Gorou stuttered, his blush only intensifying when she started to giggle at him once more. “This is inappropriate, Guuji Yae! I have a right mind to report you to the-”

“Hm?” Her voice rang above his, forcing a squeak from him when he felt her nails silence him by poking into his bare midriff. His ears perked up and his tail stood up straight at the sudden contact, eyes widened, and fear struck. “Report me? Well, we can’t have that, can we? After all, I’m trying to help you.”

He didn’t even need to look up to be able to see that devious smile and soon he felt those devilish nails skitter all over his belly.

“Ahahaha! Nohohot thehehere!” his forced laughter poured out of him.

“I thought dogs liked having their bellies rubbed?” she hummed idly as she let her fingers continue to knowingly tickle him, smiling at the way his tail wagged with betrayed enjoyment, his leg even started to kick out in a clumsy display.

“Yeahahah, rubbed! Yohou’re tickling MEHEHEHE!” he squealed when she started to circle his bellybutton with her nail. No matter how much he squirmed, left or right, there was no detaching her hand from his tummy. Forced to be subjected to this torture as if he didn’t suffer enough already.

“Ah, so you admit that you like having your belly rubbed. We’re finally getting somewhere,” with that pleased tone, her fingers all resumed tickling over his belly.

“Ahahaha, nohoho!” he gasped between laughter, unable to recall a time if he had ever laughed so hard in his life. How embarrassing.

“Why are yohou dohoing this?” He tried through his laughs, which seemed to slow down her ministrations. His ears flattened against his head in frustration. “I told you I’m no one’s pet and yet you’ve done nothing but treat me as one!”

“Not true. I’m simply helping you embrace yourself and accept that you deserve to revel in the attention and affection your unique features can bring, General. These ears, this tail – they are a part of you. They are a gift, a unique aspect of your identity that you should take pride in.”

“She’s never said anything like that to me before, this must be a trick, right? She’s too cunning to mean any of that… but what if?” Gorou thought to himself, trying to focus on her words and not the nails drawing little shapes on his quivering belly.

“And if this is what it takes to get you to accept that, then so be it. I’ll be the one that helps you,” her tone took another sinister turn, striking more fear into Gorou’s heart and before he knew it, Yae Miko’s form altered slightly, her pink eyes lighting up and with a flash of light, it revealed her many long tails.

“W-Whoa… so you do have ta- Huh?!” Gorou suddenly felt overwhelmed as her tails all grabbed a limb each, keeping the general secured. “W-What are you doing now?”

“I told you. I’m helping you.”

“No- wahait, WAHAHAIT!” Gorou’s pleas fell on deaf ears as he felt the tickly brushes of Yae Miko’s tail upon the skin of his belly, sending him into a mess of giggly laughter. “THAHAT TIHIHICKLES!”

“I’m aware,” she giggled again. “And don’t you fret, my little doggy General, we will continue this exercise until you finally accept yourself for who you are.”

Sometimes, when there’s nothing else to do, Gorou will seek out Itto to spend time with him. Usually they play some silly games, but this time they chose to snuggle, all nice and toasty in their cozy bed. Sometimes they would ask each other silly questions as a way to bond. It was a fun activity, and a real nice way to spend time together.

“Itto…?” Gorou laid snuggled up next to his lover, hugging him from the side while his head rested on his chest.

“Mm? What’s up, pup?” Itto smiled and gently squeezed him closer, nuzzling his cheek against the warrior’s head. The soft hair felt so nice brushed up against him like that.

“Mm… would you still love me if I was a worm?” Gorou asked with sincerity, glancing up at his partner’s surprised look. He was only joking around for funsies.

“Pfft, what? Of course I would, ya goober! I’ll love you no matter what!” Itto exclaimed, chuckling at such a silly question.

“Hehe~ really? Even if I was a slimey worm? Wouldn’t that be gross?” Gorou asked, grinning playfully as Itto adjusted his position.

“Yeah… heh, bet I could turn ya into a worm right now~ hahaha!” Itto teased, moving to hover over his partner with a mischievous look.

“Hahaha! How would you do that, hm?” Gorou chuckled when he got rolled to his back as a result, smiling at the oni while wagging his tail.

“Oh, just you wait. I’ll turn you into my favorite kind~” Itto teased, sticking the tip of his tongue out in a silly expression.

“Mhm? Heh… I-I hope you don’t mean the slimey one…” Gorou’s ears lowered nervously.

“Nah, it’s not... it’s a different one!”

“Huh? Wh-! Hey!” His relief was short-lived.

Itto snickered and grabbed the blanket, attempting to wrap Gorou up in it, but the canine had other plans and put up a fight instead, squirming and trying to wrestle his way out while laughing with amusement.

“C’mon! Co-operate, will ya? Hold still!” Itto complained, pinning the other down against the bed.

“Ack-! Let me go! Hahahaha!” Gorou laughed, having fun with their silly game even though he failed to escape.

“Ah, what the heck…” Itto dropped his previous plan and simply raised Gorou’s arms above his head, gently, but firmly, holding his wrists down with one hand.

“H-Heh…! Whoa, w-wait!! What are you doinnggg??” Gorou questioned nervously, giggling already as his shirt slipped up a little. His ears twitched and his tail wiggled with excitement…

“Heh~ Who’s my little squirmy worm?” Itto didn’t answer his question, deciding to tickle without warning instead, which made the general squeal loudly.

“EEK!! NahahahAHAHAH!! Stahahahahahahap!!” He exclaimed with surprise, squirming around like crazy. Itto laughed, tickling the other’s armpits one at a time, switching between them to make him squeal and wriggle in different directions.

“Ooh, look at you go! Hahaha! Tickle tickle tickle~” the oni teased, letting go of Gorou’s wrists to tickle his sides with both hands instead. If he hadn’t switched it up, the poor boy would’ve suffered. “Tickle tickle~!” Still, all that teasing was driving him up the wall.

“Nahahahahahaha!! Nahahat thahahahahat!!” Gorou’s high pitched laughter spread throughout the room as he wiggled and flailed, free to move wherever he could since Itto wasn’t sitting on his legs this time. He usually doesn’t, anyway, since Gorou is short (lol).

“Hahaha! You’re so cute~ I love your little giggles so much…” Itto said lovingly, smiling at the other with pure adoration on his face as his tickling slowed, his nails gently tracing the tummy under the canine’s shirt.

“Eheheeheheheehee!! You’re sohohoho mehehehean!!” Gorou hid his face in his hands, giggling up a storm while happily wagging his tail. Even though the sensation was very, very ticklish, he found the softness of it comforting somehow.

“Heheh! You love it~” Itto said, moving one hand to pet Gorou’s head and play with his hair.

“Eehehehehehehee~!!”

“Who’s a good boy~? Who’s a good boy~??” Itto ruffled Gorou’s hair, pausing the tickling to rub his ears with both hands instead.

“Mhmhmhm~ hehehehe~! I-I am! Hehe…!” Gorou felt very brave for answering that. Usually he’d die of embarrassment…

“Oh yes you are! Yes you are! Oh, you’re so cute…” Itto struggled to contain his cute aggression, ruffling the other’s hair some more before growling and tickling him silly. “I just can’t contain myself! You’re way too adorable not to destroy!” he exclaimed, playfully scribbling at whichever spot he could reach, adoring each and every squeak, shriek, and hysterical laugh he got out of the other.

The tickling went on til Gorou’s squirms got less frequent, and they resumed their warm snuggles soon after. Gorou laid on top of Itto, resting his head against his chest as if it were a pillow. His cheeks were rosy, his tail was wagging gently, and his smile hadn’t left his face while he panted.

“Heh… ehehe… huff… hehe…” He’d had a lot of fun, now resting after so much silliness and laughter.

“I love you, my lil’ squirmy wormy~” Itto teased, adjusting their blanket and hugging his darling close, petting his fluffy hair and ears.

“Heheh! I-I love you too… but don’t call me that!” Oh, how he wish he could get proper payback for once… Perhaps that day would come soon.