#lee!lycaon

The sea breeze was crisp and salty, brushing lightly against Hugo’s cheek and tugging playfully at the ends of his hair. He stood at the railing of Port Elpis, eyes trained on the starlit horizon. Beside him stood Lycaon - his silver-like fur catching the pale glow of the moon above them.

They hadn’t spoken in a while. Not really. With missions, patrols, and the distance that had slowly crept between them over the years, moments like these felt rare, almost precious. Unspoken words lingered in the air between them. “…I didn’t think you’d actually show up,” Hugo broke the silence, tilting his head just enough to glance at Lycaon.

“I said I would,” the other replied calmly. A comfortable silence returned, broken only by the gentle lapping of waves and the rustling wind. Hugo took a deep breath and leaned against the rail. “Remember how we used to sneak out to come here? Back when things were... simpler?” Lycaon nodded, a faint smile tugging at his usually reserved expression.

“You mean when you would drag me here for your late-night scheming and eat an entire pack of ration chips alone?” Hugo snorted. “Hehey, they were stress snacks. Don’t judge me.”

Another breeze blew past and Hugo’s gaze drifted upward. The stars sparkled like distant memories, too far to reach but too bright to ignore. “We were idiots back then,” he mumbled, a wistful edge to his voice, “laughing over nothing, getting into stupid arguments, even having tickle fights...” The wolf Thiren glanced at him, startled.

...

…Flashback - Years Ago…

Their old room was cluttered with energy drink & coffee cans, worn-out gear, and a broken fan that buzzed louder than it cooled. Hugo was perched on his bed, flipping through a fashion magazine, while Lycaon was trying to tidy up the mess he had inevitably left behind.

“I told you not to eat on my bed!” Lycaon growled, pulling a half-crushed snack wrapper from under the sheets. “It’s my bed!” Hugo shot back, sticking out his tongue. “You’re such a slacker.” Hugo smirked, clearly proud of himself. “Yeah, well, at least I’m not a neat freak who panics over snack crumbs-” He didn’t get to finish.

Lycaon had launched at him, intending on shoving him off the bed, but Hugo was quicker - ducking and rolling behind him, he pounced onto the larger male’s back, sending both of them back on the bed. “Oh no you don’t,” Lycaon growled. But Hugo was already sliding his fingers under his arms and over his ribs, wiggling his them into his fur.

The soft touch made Lycaon jerk violently. “H-Hugo! WaHait- Pfft… noHOhot that!” he warned. “What? You mean this?” Hugo cackled, only tickling the other more, a sly smile on his lips. “You’ve been asking for this~” “Nohoho! HUGO!!” His laughter was wild and boyish, echoing off the walls as Hugo tickled him with mischievous glee.

Lycaon tried to shove him off, but his strength was no match against Hugo’s hyperactive sneak attacks. He hated that the other could turn him into a weakly puppy just by squeezing his hands in like this, although Hugo was just as sensitive as him. “S-StoHohop iHit,” Lycaon growled in-between his laughter but soon the giggling took over again.

Even Jack would’ve pitied him if he could see him like that, though he also would’ve laughed along with them, encouraging him to get the other back, watching the duo goof around with an almost fatherly smile.

...

…Back to Present - Port Elpis…

“I still can’t believe you were that ticklish,” the blonde said with a lazy grin, gazing up at the stars, “I had you howling.” “We were teens,” Lycaon replied stiffly, though his ears twitched with what could only be described as embarrassment. “Mmhm. Says the guy who turned bright red and practically cried,” Hugo teased, turning his head to grin at him.

“Bet you still are.” “I’m not.” “You sure about that?” Hugo stepped closer, one eyebrow raised, arms crossing behind his back. “Because you’re twitching again, just like before.” “I’m merely cold.” “It’s twenty degrees and you’re covered in fur, of course you’re cold, old friend,” Hugo said with a chuckle, moving a bit closer.

Lycaon shifted uncomfortably. “You haven’t changed at all.” “That’s rich coming from the one blushing like a schoolboy.” Hugo leaned in, voice dropping into a sing-song whisper. “So… Are you still ticklish?” The wolf froze. “Don’t you dare.” But Hugo’s smirk only grew wider. “Just curious.”

He reached out with one hand - slow, deliberate - and Lycaon immediately caught his wrist. The dual-eyed blinked, eyes softening. “What’s wrong?” “Don’t-” Lycaon began, but he faltered when Hugo lifted his other hand and gave his side the gentlest of squeezes. The reaction was instant. Lycaon flinched, his entire body jerking.

His ears twitched and his mouth opened in a sharp inhale. “H-HuHugo-!” “Oh my god,” Hugo gasped, beaming, “you are still ticklish!” “I am not!” he protested, voice cracking mid-sentence as Hugo squeezed him again. This time, Lycaon couldn’t hide it and broke into laughter.

“MhHMm ahHAHAHAHH!” It started with a muffled chuckle, then grew into full-bodied, unfiltered laughter. He doubled over, arms wrapping around his middle, trying to escape, but Hugo had already slipped behind him and now had him trapped in a loose hold, hands digging mercilessly into his sides. “NOHOHOOO! COHOME OHOOHN!!”

“You’ve still got the same laugh,” Hugo teased, snickering. “Man, I missed this.” Lycaon’s deep, melodic laughter echoed across the quiet docks. His composure shattered and his dignified exterior reduced to gasps and squeals as the blonde tickled him without mercy. “W-Why are you soHoho good at this?!” Lycaon wailed between bouts of laughter.

“It’s a talent,” Hugo chuckled, switching tactics and fluttering his fingers along his ribs and even his lower stomach. The older male howled, almost collapsing under the sensation. “You’re actually crying,” Hugo said with a fond laugh. “Cute~” “I’M- PFFT I’M GOHOHONNA GEHEHT YOUHUHU!!” the wolf Thiren laughed.

With a surge of strength Lycaon pushed Hugo off and pinned him against the rail, his arms on either side of him, chest heaving. Hugo blinked, pressed against the cold metal, caught in Lycaon’s shadow. They stared at each other, breathless. “What are you gonna do now?” Hugo asked a little too softly. Lycaon didn’t answer at first. His eyes searched the blonde’s face.

“Do I really need to answer that?” Hugo’s grin softened. “Guess not.” The moment stretched, filled only with the crashing of waves and the distant buzz of neon. And then, from somewhere deep in his chest, Hugo began to laugh again. Not because he was being tickled, but because he was happy. Warm. Free. “God, I missed this,” he whispered, “missed you.”