"Uuugghhhh! I can't take this anymore! I think my skull's gonna cave in from boredooommmm!!" He whined, dropping the knife and clawing at his wet eyesockets, only to flick the liquid excess away. Horror grimaced at the black drops staining Nightmare's carpet. Oh well. His eyes wandered back up to the fireplace, the warmth of flames making him tired. Killer noticed Horror's faraway look, leaning against the taller.

"Cmon Horror, you aren't fallin' asleep on me now, are ya?" He mused, jabbing his fingers into Horror's side lightly. To his delight, Horror jumped in surprise, his hand swatting Killer's away. "ooouuhhh~!" Killer teased. "Ya ticklish or sum?"

Horror's face warmed, giving Killer a look of exasperation. "No, your hands are cold, 'course I'm gonna jump." Unfortunately for him, he could tell by the look in Killer's empty sockets that he wasn't buying it. Quickly, Horror moved to stand up off the couch, only to be met with the sensation of Killer's cold hands squeezing into his hips. The taller skeleton yelped, collapsing back into the soft cushions and being trapped against the pillows by someone much smaller than him. Killer clambered his way onto the giant, continuing his attack by worming his icy weapons under Horror's shirt, digging his fingers into the soft ecto-sides. The taller skeleton couldn't help but chortle, squirming lightly as he fought against his teammate's hands.

"Kihihller!! Whahat the hell?!" He bubbled out, swatting blindly with one hand while the other rushed to hide his increasingly red face. Killer's attack didn't falter in the slightest, laughing along with Horror's surprisingly contagious snickers. He'd bring his hands down to pinch at the tall skeleton's hips, having to hold on securely because Horror would NOT feel bad if Killer was knocked off from his bucking. Nonetheless, he just stuck on like an evil little leech.

Dust tried his best to ignore them. Though he found his attention peeling from the game and over to the two every other second. Thankful for his hoodie hiding the increasing flush on his face. He didn't understand why he was getting so flustered... He's not ticklish. Like at all. Not in the slightest. He doesn't care about them at all, probably. He didn't know why the sound of the laughs made his face hot. Or why the thought of getting tickled made his face hotter. Or why the thought-

"Dust!" The hooded skeleton jolted out of his thoughts upon hearing his name, looking over to the two. He'd clear his suddenly dry throat now, attempting to sound nonchalant as he spoke.

"what do you want?-" His voice wavered. Shit. Killer would climb off of Horror and scoot over to Dust's side, leaning against him like a clingy cat.

"I asked if you wanted to help me!! Cmonnn, you aren't doing anything important!"

Dust glanced away quickly. No way. Nuh-uh, just thinking about their playing already bothered him, let alone actually partaking in it. He shook his head, much to Killer's disappointment. "no. 'm not gonna do that stupid baby-bones stuff. I'm busy with my pokémon save anyway."

Killer would puff up his cheeks with a huff before closing the Game Boy in Dust's hands. Thank goodness he recently saved. "Liar!! You weren't even playin' it!! You were completely spaced!! Why are you being so BORINGGGG!!!!!??????!?!?!" The tear-stained skeleton hugged his friend tight, shaking him lightly. If it had been any other time, any other place, it would have had no effect. But Dust jolted. Surprised by the touch, already on guard from the thought of tickles, he expected something else to happen. Cursing himself internally because with Killer, nothing goes unnoticed.

". . .Or maybe... you're just being so unfun because you're scared?"

"there's nothing to be scared of."

"You flustered over tickles? 'babybones stuff'...?"

"No."

"You saw me wreckin' Horror's shit and thought you were next, riiiighhtt~?"

"ITHOUGHTNOSUCHTHING."

All Killer had to do was poke his side, such a simple action, practically had Dust jump out of his nonexistent skin. The Game Boy flew off to God knows where, hopefully in one piece. Dust immediately had to fight at Killer's hands, already tittering nervously as he recited every swear word in the book. "FUHUHUCK!! NOHOO NO!!"

"I barely touched you yet!!! Horror, help me out here!!"

Upon having his name called, the half-napping skeleton sat up and looked over with a surprised smile. He went over and grabbed both of Dust's hands, lifting the very squirmy skeleton. "I didn't know he was ticklish." He muttered, lowering Dust back into his lap after he sat, a gentle hold on his smaller hands.

"I still don't even know if he really is yet, or if he's just really nervous... but moment of truth!!"

Killer held his hands above Dust's tummy, lowering them at a painstakingly slow rate. The latter kicked and wormed; it was almost concerning how he lost his composure so fast.

Almost.

Killer's hands landed on their target, squeezing and kneading gently to start. Dust let out a quiet squeal before it fell into very soft laughter. The other two looked down at him in amazement, Killer smiling wider and cooing down at the other.

"Awwhh!! You were so nervous for what? Your laugh is so cutesy, Dust bunny!~"

"Maybe that's what he was nervous about..."

Dust turned his face to his in his arm, a light purple flush scattered across his cheeks. He hated to admit that he was having fun, that he felt comfortable like this. It was embarrassing beyond belief. "shuhut uhuhup!! nyehehehe!-" he squeaked.

Killer pressed his fingers into the plush surface in a way similar to playing with slime. "And you're so squishy!!! I mean, I guess we all are to an extent, but you're the squishiest! Squish squish squuiisshhh!!" Dust had a daganropa-themed punishment for him after this.

Thankfully, since he had seemed nervous about it, Killer didn't plan to mess with him for long. Bringing his hands up to the sides of Dust's face for one final squish.

"smooooshhhh"

Dust leaned into Killer's left hand, hiding his face in their palm. Killer's mischievous expression melted into a more caring one, flopping onto his friend and sandwiching him between them and Horror. The taller of the three leaned back so they were all more comfortable.

The trio fell into a comforting silence, Dust asleep quickly from the combo of earlier excitement and the cozy environment. Horror well on his way, and Killer...