#lee!nick

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Nick loved to tickle Charlie. This was common knowledge at this point. Charlie could barely make it through an hour in Nick's company before he was pounced on and his high-pitched babbling and squeals filled the air. Charlie would put up a dramatic fuss every time but honestly, he really didn't mind. And he could see from Nick's shit-eating grin just how much joy it brought him.

However, the main issue was that whenever Charlie reached out a retaliating hand to tickle Nick's side, or grabbed his knee to squeeze it, Nick would immediately employ Strong Rugby Arms and intercept his movements, never giving him the chance to properly get his revenge. He'd never admit it to anyone, but all Charlie wanted to do was hear his boyfriend squirm and giggle and it was starting to drive him up the wall.

One Sunday afternoon, they were studying on Nick's bedroom floor, music playing softly in the background. They lay on their stomachs alongside each other, hips and shoulders touching. Charlie had sunk so deep into quadratic equations that he was barely aware of his surroundings, until he felt the familiar sensation of fingers digging expertly, but gently, into his armpit. It took a few seconds for his brain to catch up and then he gasped and squirmed away.

“Nick!” he all but squawked. “You're such a menace.”

When he turned to look at him, Nick was scribbling on his own Geography paper, his face schooled into an unconvincing expression of concentration. Charlie scoffed.

“You're fooling literally no one at this point,” he said, rolling his eyes affectionately and tapping Nick gently on the forehead with his pen.

A smile spread slowly across Nick's face, and he suddenly grabbed for Charlie's hips with both hands and squeezed. This was one of his worst spots – which Nick knew, the arsehole – and Charlie immediately crumbled, attempting to curl into the foetal position on the floor while high-pitched squeals poured out of him.

“Stop it, stop it, stop it!” he cried, trying to wriggle away. Nick just chuckled and ignored him, spidering his fingers up his sides. “Ah fu – fuck, Nick, that tickles so m-much – please...” His arms were flailing wildly, trying to grab Nick's hands and slow his movements.

Nick grinned but paused for a second, clearly winding down so as not to completely overwhelm him, and Charlie saw his chance. He lunged for Nick's thigh but before he could get any leverage, Nick casually plonked his entire body across Charlie's on the floor, leaving him unable to move.

“Nah, I don't think so,” Nick said calmly.

“Oh, for god sake.”

They lay there for a few moments, Charlie catching his breath after the attack. Nick's pinning was clever in stopping him being able to move much, whilst carefully avoiding actually hurting him. Eventually, Nick lifted his weight off Charlie and they rolled onto their sides to face each other.

“You good?” Nick asked, giving him his trademark lopsided smile.

“Yeah,” Charlie said, returning the grin with ease. They just drank each other in for a few seconds. “But you always -” He started, but then faltered, embarrassed.

“Hmm?” Nick was suddenly frowning slightly, always able to read him like a bloody book. He reached for Charlie's hand, linking their fingers together.

“You don't -” Charlie blew out a breath, frustrated at his inability to form words. “You never let me tickle you back.”

“Oh!” Nick's face softened with understanding, and then he grinned. “I know.”

“But why?”

“It's just funny,” Nick shrugged. “And because you're cute when you're annoyed. And in general.”

Charlie would never get used to Nick's unabashed compliments. He felt his face heat up as a rush of warmth spread through his body. “Shut up.”

“And when you're flustered.” The lopsided smile of pure sunshine was back.

“Nick, stop it! It's not fair when I don't get to fluster you back.” Nick's grin just grew wider. “Are you even ticklish?” Charlie asked, his eyes roaming around the parts of Nick's body that he knew were his own worst spots. He leaned in to poke his stomach but as usual Nick was too quick for him, grabbing his wrist.

“Ah now, that would be telling,” Nick replied in a gentle tone.

Charlie groaned, and Nick laughed brightly. “Do you giggle? I bet you're a giggler.”

“Absolutely not.”

A thought occurred to Charlie, and he had a sudden flash of anxiety. “If you really hate being tickled then it's fine, I won't tickle you. I just thought -”

“Charlie,” Nick interrupted softly, running his thumb over Charlie's knuckles. “It's okay. I don't hate it. I just happen to be very very good at stopping you.”

“Well, I think it's mean of you to use Muscle 1 and Muscle 2 against me,” Charlie said sternly, poking each of them in turn with a finger.

Nick snorted. “Ah, but we both know that you like the arms.”

“Not in this context! Anyway, forget homework because this is my new assignment.”

Nick said nothing, just looked at him affectionately for a moment and then leaned across to kiss him. Charlie sank into it, but pulled back after a few moments to appraise him. “You scared?”

Nick pretended to mull it over. “Hmm... nope. But you should be.”

Charlie rolled his eyes, but then burst into surprised laughter a moment later as Nick dived for his knees.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Charlie took this assignment very seriously – it was in his geeky nature, after all – and work began the very next day. He figured that the best tactic was to catch Nick off guard when he might not be able to react quickly enough to stop him. It was hardly the most well-thought-out plan but he didn't really have many other options.

His first attempt was first thing on Monday morning, in form room. Mr Lange was about to take the register and Nick was hastily completing his Geography homework that was (of course) due first thing.

“If only you'd finished this yesterday like a good student, instead of distracting us both with those magic fingers of yours,” Charlie whispered.

Nick just turned to him, raising an eyebrow at his inadvertent choice of words.

“Tickling fingers, I mean,” Charlie added, hastily and unnecessarily.

“I know,” Nick replied, entirely too innocently. “What else would you mean?”

Charlie gave him a look, but couldn't stop the grin that took over his face a moment later. Nick was winding him up, and it was on. When Nick turned back to his work, Charlie bit his lip in concentration, looking him up and down. The problem was that he didn't know where Nick's weak spots were, but the idea of finding out was more exciting than he'd care to admit.

Knees were normally a weak spot, right? And they were hidden under the desk where no one else could see what was going on. Probably a good place to start.

Charlie shuffled a bit closer to Nick on his chair – not unusual, so Nick didn't bat an eyelid, just continued writing. He reached out his left hand as surreptitiously as he could, shifting it under the desk towards Nick's right leg. Before he could overthink it and chicken out, Charlie reached for the fleshy part just above Nick's knee and squeezed.

He heard Nick's sharp intake of breath and felt his hand instantly shoot out and close around Charlie's hand.

“Excuse me!” Nick muttered, chuckling in surprise. “What do you think you're doing?”

“My new homework assignment,” Charlie answered, unable to keep the grin off his face. “Finding Nick's giggle.”

“Oh, I see how it is. Well, I'm pretty certain there was no giggle there, so good luck with that.”

“Well, that was just phase one. Plenty more to come.”

Nick just smirked. “Has anyone ever told you that you're weird?”

Charlie ignored him. “So, knees, seemingly ticklish – noted.”

Nick's expression changed then, to something that Charlie didn't like the look of. “Do you know who else has ticklish knees? My very weird boyfriend.” Before Charlie could blink, Nick's hand shot out to his knee and squeezed back, getting more leverage than Charlie had managed. The sudden and intense ticklish sensation shooting up Charlie's thigh produced a startled giggle in the mostly silent classroom that he couldn't stifle in time. He clapped a hand over his mouth, blushing.

“Charlie, Nick! Quiet down, please,” called Mr Lange.

When they caught each other's eye a second later, they both leant over their desks in silent laughter.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The next day, they were studying in a quiet corner of the library during a free period, with their backs against the shelves and textbooks spread around them. Charlie had already finished his work but he was always happy to keep Nick company.

And if the opportunity arose, perhaps continue with his separate Nick-related assignment.

Twenty minutes in, Nick was on the final page of his history essay, with Charlie mostly watching him work, and chipping in with helpful information when he could. He started absent-mindedly trailing his finger along Nick's forearm, stroking back and forth. After a few minutes, Nick paused.

“You're being quite distracting, you know,” he smiled.

Charlie immediately withdrew, sheepishly. “Oh um, sorry.”

“No no, it's okay, it's, um – it's a nice type of distraction,” Nick said, flushing slightly. “You don't need to stop.”

Charlie looked at his feet, smiling shyly, and continued the soothing motions on Nick's arm. He felt Nick's relaxed exhale a moment later.

After a couple more minutes, Charlie was getting a little restless, and a slightly dangerous thought entered his mind. He looked down at Nick's side, perfectly exposed as his arms were raised to write in his book which was balanced on his bent knees.

He couldn't, could he?

Charlie took a look around – there was no one within sight, but the library wasn't empty. It was as quiet as you'd expect from such an environment. He slowly shifted his hand that was caressing Nick's arm, and casually moved it down to trail his fingers lightly over Nick's side instead. Nick immediately jerked away in surprise, but still no giggle – dammit.

Nick turned to look at him. “Don't you dare,” he said warningly, but Charlie could easily spot the amused glint in his eye.

“Don't what?” Charlie asked innocently. “Finish your homework.”

And surprisingly, Nick did. Bless his trusting soul. However, it was as he was writing the very last paragraph that Charlie just couldn't resist a second attempt. This time, he was determined to produce some sort of audible reaction from him. He knew he'd have to be quick because Nick would surely be expecting it at this point, and the rugby player had lightning-quick reactions. So Charlie waited until Nick was deep in concentration, scribbling away, before he reached for his side again and dug his fingers into the flesh more firmly. Nick didn't manage to move away quite as quickly this time and Charlie got a few good squeezes in - Nick's gasp and slight yelp were music to his ears.

“Oh I'm sorry, what was that?” Charlie asked, far too pleased with himself.

“You're ridiculous,” Nick retorted, but he was grinning widely. He'd only shifted to the left slightly, hadn't blocked Charlie's hand as he usually would, so Charlie decided to try his luck and moved up a little higher, feathering fingers over his ribs through his shirt. Nick's nose scrunched up adorably and a second later he was actually laughing – admittedly quietly, and it wasn't quite the uncontrollable giggle he was aiming for, but Charlie's heart still clenched at the adorableness of it as he watched Nick's eyes clench shut and felt him squirm against the sensations. He also noted that Nick could easily get away if he really wanted to, but he hadn't moved. Definitely not torture, then.

A few moments later, just as Charlie became bolder and travelled towards his armpit, Nick's hand finally came down to block him. “Ch – Charlie,” he managed around a soft gasp. “Stop.”

“Sorry, I didn't quite catch that?”

Nick rolled his eyes, breathing slightly heavily. “God, that was intense – I had to stop you before I really started cackling. We're in a library, you maniac.”

Charlie pouted dramatically. “But I wanted to hear you giggle.”

“Tough,” Nick replied, smiling. “Also, why do you keep doing this in places where we need to be quiet?”

“It's more fun that way.”

“I'm not sure if I like this new, rebellious Charlie.” The lingering kiss Nick gave him a second later was a pretty strong argument to the contrary.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

After his recent success, Charlie abandoned his mission for a few days. The plan was to lull Nick into a false sense of security, but based on the way he put up almost no resistance in the library, Charlie probably didn't have much to worry about. The memory gave him a little thrill whenever he thought about it. However, he still hadn't fully scratched that itch and he was nothing if not determined.

On Friday night, Nick was round at Charlie's house and they were sitting on the edge of his bed, mostly making out and occasionally playing Mario Kart. Charlie won every time, of course. After his third loss, Nick was so worked up that he thwacked Charlie in the face with a pillow and Charlie couldn't stop cackling.

“I'm really never gonna let you win, you know,” Charlie said firmly, after he'd calmed down.

Nick sighed. “Yeah, I know.” He flopped backwards onto the bed dramatically. “Maybe we need to find a game I'm good at.”

“Sorry, not sorry.” He looked at Nick out of the corner of his eye. “I feel like you need some stress relief.”

Nick raised his head from his lying position. “Are you going to give me a massage?” he asked, all hopeful puppy dog eyes.

Charlie giggled, shaking his head. “Maybe later. I've got a better idea.” He deftly climbed onto the bed and sat himself on Nick's calves, facing him. “A cliche once told me that laughter is the best medicine, so I think we should test that theory.”

Nick just frowned as he watched him. “Charlie...”

“Are you seeing where I'm going with this?” Charlie asked, smirking at Nick's adorably confused expression.

“I'm not sure, but it definitely doesn't seem like I'm about to get a massage.”

A thought struck Charlie. “Okay, fine, I'll give you a massage. How about a... foot massage?”

Nick's eyes widened. “Um, no, I'm – I'm good actually.”

Bingo. “Oh really? Why's that, then?”

“Um...” Nick sat up slightly and tried to move his legs, but they barely budged with Charlie's full body weight on top of them. His fate seemed to fully dawn on him then and he flopped backwards, hands covering his face and a nervous laugh bubbling out of him. “Shit.”

“So first thing's first – socks. You won't be needing those.” Charlie reached behind him and, with some skill considering he couldn't see what he was doing, slowly peeled off Nick's socks one at a time. Even just these simple movements caused Nick's feet to twitch slightly, and Charlie bit back a smile. He'd surely hit the jackpot here.

“Would you mind telling me what you're doing?” Nick asked, clearly attempting to give him the stink eye through the gaps in the hands covering his face.

Charlie thought about it. “Homework,” he said simply, before reaching back to run a single finger gently along the arch of Nick's bare foot. The reaction was immediate and delicious – the scrunching of the toes, the panicked gasp of “Charlie!”. Charlie chuckled and brought his hand back in front of him.

“This is so unfair,” Nick whined, trying again to shift his feet but with absolutely no success.

“Consider it payback for the many times you've reduced me to a squealing mess.” He leaned closer, to whisper in Nick's ear. “You're about to get wrecked, Nelson.”

“I – no – come on, please -”

“Begging already, are we?”

“Will it make you stop?”

“Definitely not. We have to find that giggle.” He paused, struck with a sudden thought. “Oh and by the way, your safeword is bubblegum.”

“I – okay – but Charlie -” Nick screwed his eyes shut. The anticipatory giggles were already starting to sneak their way out of him, and Charlie's heart melted at the sound. He leaned forward again to press a kiss to the tip of Nick's nose.

“You're so fucking cute – I haven't even started yet,” Charlie smiled.

“Yeah, but -” Nick ran his fingers through his hair anxiously. “My feet are so ticklish, I might actually die.”

“Well, the ticklish truth is finally coming out. Also, you definitely won't die. Now stop distracting me.” He reached behind him again with his right hand, hovering close to Nick's foot for a few moments for dramatic effect. Nick groaned loudly as the seconds passed.

“Such a tease...” he muttered.

When Charlie could hold back no longer, he went straight for Nick's arch with purpose, scribbling his fingers vigorously over the soft skin. To his delight, Nick fell to pieces instantly, emitting a high-pitched squeal that Charlie had definitely never heard him make before. It was immediately followed by chuckles which quickly turned into desperate, breathy giggles as Charlie moved up to scratch at the back of his toes.

“No no no no no, Charlie ple - hease -” Nick spat out through giggles, his face scrunched up in a beautiful combination of euphoria and torture. His hands gripped the pillow behind his head. Charlie didn't let up, focusing in on the base of his big toe that was evidently incredibly ticklish based on the strangled cry he let out, and in a moment of pure evil, Charlie reached behind him with his other hand and attacked both big toes at once, producing a new bout of uncontrollable laughter. He didn't turn around as he didn't want to miss a second of Nick's helpless reactions.

“Yep, this is how I d-die,” Nick managed to get out, writhing from side to side in ticklish desperation.

“How does it feel, Nick? Do you promise never to tickle me again?” Charlie knew he didn't actually want this, but he also knew Nick would never agree to it either.

“I can never p-promise that – oh god, stohohop -” Charlie had moved back down to the arches of his feet in just the right spot, and Nick's hips bucked as the giggles poured out in a constant stream. Charlie wished he could bottle the sound. He focused on the killer spots of Nick's feet for a solid few minutes, often giggling along with him as he worked his magic, but listening carefully for any utterances of the safe word. It was only when Nick's laughter turned completely silent that he let up. He pulled his hands back to his front but stayed perched on Nick's legs, watching him recover fondly.

“I hate you,” Nick said weakly, a few moments later. “I also love you, but I hate you. Just so you know.”

Charlie just grinned and leaned forward to lie gently on top of him, resting his chin on Nick's chest. “I love you too,” he said, suddenly feeling bashful and overwhelmed with affection. “I can't really deal with how cute you are.”

Nick just rolled his eyes and smiled at him. “Do you know who else is cute? My very ticklish boyfriend.” And Charlie should have predicted what would happen next as Nick's hands reached greedily for his sides.

Tao wasn't even entirely sure this prank would work. All he knew was it would be hilarious. Nick was the last to leave the little sleepover the group had, while he was in the shower, Tao had set a pillowcase filled with feathers on top of his cracked bedroom door.

"Hey Tao! Have you got-?" Nick's question was abruptly cut off when he pushed the door open. Tao barely saw it, it happened so quick. Nick was now standing completely still, covered in white feathers with the pillowcase on his head. Tao snickered behind his hand, quickly snapping a few pictures on his phone.

"Really Tao?" Nick asked slowly, reaching up to pull off the pillowcase he yelped and froze.

"Woah! Nick you alright mate?" Tao suddenly grew concerned, jumping up infront of him.

"Hehehelp mehehehe..." Nick was giggling under his breath, when Tao ripped the pillowcase off his head he quickly noticed how many of the feathers got inside his t-shirt. His skin still being slightly damp from his shower caused them to stick to his skin.

"Oh boy, OK hold on." Tao's voice was strained as he tried not to laugh as well. Nick's giggling was higher pitched than he would've bet, yet another assumption Tao had about him that was wrong. He pulled the feathers out in clumps, making note of his finches, occasionally holding his arm out of the way.

"Ok jumpy, that's the last one." He teased, worming his finger into his ribs.

"HEHEHEY! Haven't you tortured me enough?!"

"That prank wasn't supposed to have that outcome! It's not my fault you're so damn ticklish!"

Can you blame him? If you saw Charlie somehow manage to get whipped cream on both of his cheeks, his nose, and his chin all with one strawberry, you would laugh too.

“Quit it! It’s not that funny.” Charlie said as he reached for a napkin.

“Yehehes it ihihis!” Nick laughed, “hohow- how doho you mahahanage to gehet bohoth cheeks?”

“I don’t know, it’s your stupid strawberry,” Charlie had to hold back a laugh of his own. The situation was quite embarrassing, but he had to admit, it was kinda funny. Still, he said this, “I’ll give you something to laugh about, rugby lad!”

At that, Charlie lunged across the half-eaten pizza and tackled the said ‘Rugby lad’. 

“Wohow, if ohonly you could tahackle lihike that ihin ruhuHUGBY- Chahaharlie!” Nick was so rudely interrupted by a squeal when his boyfriend squeezed his sides.

“Yes, my love?” Charlie teased, switching to the redhead’s stomach, “Is something wrong?” “ChARliehehehe! NohoHOHT THEHEhehere!” Nick shook his head and tried to cover his over sensitive stomach. However, as soon as he managed to push Charlie’s hands off, the brunet only traced around his biceps.

That was the cycle. Side squeezes, stomach scribbles, bicep traces, back to stomach scribbles, side squeezes, back to stomach scribbles-

“Wihihill you STOHOP IT WITH THAHAT SPOT?” Nick laughed as his boyfriend scribbled over his stomach for what felt like the millionth time that evening. “Ihihit tihihickles SOHOHOHO BAHAHAD”

“I know! That’s why it’s my favourite spot!” Charlie mused, “Funny how the golden retriever of the school can’t take a few belly rubs.”

“SHUHUHUT UHUHUP!”

“Well, that’s not nice!” the drum player smirked to himself as an idea came to mind. He took his time lifting Nick’s shirt to his bottom rib. Nick knew exactly what was coming for him.

“Nonono charlie you- you don’t have to do this!”

“Laugh for me, rugby lad!” Then Charlie blew the biggest raspberry he could muster in the centre of Nick’s stomach. It’s safe to assume that Nick was hysterical.

“CHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHARLIE! Chahahahar- WAHAHAHAIT!” 

Charlie in fact did not wait. He continued to blow raspberry after raspberry on Nick’s stomach, throwing in the occasional kiss to keep him on his toes. 

When Nick’s laugh turned silent, Charlie knew it was his time to stop. “Was that fun?”

Instead of answering, Nick turned away and crossed his arms like a child.

“Oh come on~! I knew you liked it!”

When Charlie’s darling boyfriend still didn’t say anything, the brunette reached over and scribbled his fingers along his neck.

“Hehehey! Chahaharlie! Quhuhuit!”

“Say that you like it! Go on, admit it!”

“Ohohokay! Okay! Ihihi like ihihit!” When Nick giggled that out, the tickling came to a stop. “Yohou’re the worst.”

“Uh huh? That’s why you looked so happy when I was tickling you!”

“Shut up! You have no room to talk!

“Wait what are you- nonono niCK!”

Safe to say that date was filled with romance, comfort, and lots of laughter.

_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~

You can find the sentence starters here

--

"Char," Nick spoke softly, sounding slightly impatient as he sighed hard before he spoke. Charlie turned his head towards Nick slowly, keeping his gaze on the notebook in front of him as he picked his head up from where it rested on his palm. His fingers uncurled from where they sat in front of his lips, and his eyes finally switched to look at Nick when his head was fully turned to him.

"Hm?" He questioned with a hum. Nick sighed again, letting one of his arms hang off the side of the couch where he was laying on his back, one leg straight out and touching the far end, the other bent with his knee up, resting against the cushions on the back of the couch. His head rested against the arm of the couch, a soft throw pillow behind it to keep him comfortable, and his phone sat screen-down on his chest, his other hand on top of it, as if he'd just dropped it there.

"I'm bored," Nick groaned, turning his head to look at Charlie as well. The room was silent for a moment, and Charlie blinked once, twice, raising his eyebrows before he spoke.

"You're bored?" Charlie said in slight disbelief. Nick nodded, a small strand of hair falling in front of his forehead with the movement. Charlie chuckled, pushing himself to sit up from where he had been laying on his stomach to do his homework. He turned his body around, sitting cross-legged to properly face his boyfriend now. "That's what you're complaining about?"

"Yes?" Nick agreed, a soft smile grazing his lips.

"You are such an idiot," Charlie said with another chuckle.

"But Charliiiiiiee…" Nick whined, making Charlie laugh and look back up at him.

"Oh my god, Nick, you're so dramatic." He caught Nick staring at him, eyebrows furrowed and his classic pout and puppy dog eyes on display, and watched as he pushed further.

"I'm boooooored," He whined again, dramatically throwing his arm over his face.

"And what do you expect me to do about that?" Charlie asked, tilting his head to the side and tapping the eraser of his pencil against the carpet below him.

"I dunno… Un-bored me?"

"Un-bored you?" Charlie repeated incredulously, giggling through his words. He pushed himself up once more, standing now, taking the few small steps towards the other boy. Nick's arm slipped away from his face, landing on the pillow above his head, and he opened his eyes just in time to notice Charlie walking over.

"Yeah! Like, entertain me or something! Isn't that what boyfriends are for?" Nick smiled sweetly up at Charlie when he made his way over, the corners of his eyes creasing slightly with his fond expression. Charlie chuckled slightly, raising his eyebrows again.

"Is that all I'm good for? Entertainment?" The younger boy asked, lifting one knee up and resting it on the edge of the couch cushion, leaning his weight onto it.

"Obviously," Nick responded snarkily, as if Charlie should've gathered it immediately, and Charlie scoffed at him, rolling his eyes. He pressed his knee further into the couch, sliding the rest of his calf to lay there as well, next to Nick's leg. He sat down fully, worming one hand between Nick's hip and the back of the couch to steady himself on.

"Hm…" Charlie hums like he's thinking, squinting his eyes and pursing his lips. making Nick chuckle. "Well, your mum isn't home right now…"

"That is true…" Nick spoke quietly, fingers fiddling with the edge of the pillow behind his head. Charlie smiled down at his boyfriend, scooting to the side more and pressing against his thigh. He adjusted his ankle, realizing how uncomfortable the position was, and opted instead to shift over further and straddle Nick's thigh to make it easier for both of them, leaving his other leg where it was but pressing it against the back of the couch. "Hello," Nick greeted dorkily once Charlie got situated, his hands finding their way to Charlie's waist in seconds.

"Hi," Charlie responded, his hands resting on Nick's stomach, over the material of his yellow and white striped t-shirt. Nick smiled, gently rubbing his thumbs against Charlie's waist where his hands rested, and Charlie leaned down, pausing a few inches away from Nick's face to speak in a hushed tone through a fond smile. "I wonder what we could possibly do to keep you entertained in an empty house like this…"

"I was wondering the same exact thing myself," Nick spoke through a smirk, catching Charlie's lips when he finally closed the distance. The two kissed for what felt like hours but somehow still wasn't long enough, only breaking apart for quick breaths and soft, giddy laughter. Their hands stayed in their chosen places– Nick's holding Charlie's waist delicately, tucked away under the fabric of his flannel, palms pressing in, fingers squeezing, thumbs rubbing gently over his thin t-shirt, and Charlie's having moved up to hold the side of Nick's face, cupping his jaw, left pointer finger barely moving against the short hair above Nick's ear.

That is, until Charlie decided to enact his actual plan, and his hands very suddenly jumped down to Nick's torso, completely ruining the calm atmosphere by digging his fingertips right into Nick's ribcage.

"AH– CHAHAR-lihihie!" Nick screamed, rather embarrassingly as his voice cracked and broke during it, arching his back before crashing down and dissolving into helpless laughter. His hands moved from Charlie's waist, tensing his arms to his sides and squeezing his hands into fists. "Whahahahat the fuhuhuhuck?!"

"This is pretty entertaining, don't you think?" Charlie said, the teasing lilt in his voice making Nick shake his head.

"Nohohoho!" Nick's hands finally came to life– Charlie assumed his brain finally caught up to the fact that he could use them– and they shot down towards Charlie's wrists, grabbing them tightly. It took him a few seconds to be able to actually pry Charlie's fingers away from him, as he was severely weakened due to the surprise attack his boyfriend had launched on him, but after a few moments of desperate pulling, he managed to get Charlie to relent. "Thihihis is unfahair!"

"How is it unfair?! You get me all the time, don't you? It's literally only fair, you just can't handle the fact that you're a big, strong, rugby lad who can get taken down by a few little pokes!" Charlie teased more, proving his point by slipping his wrists out of Nick's grip and placing sporadic pokes all over his torso, over his tummy, sides, ribs, under his arms when Nick moved them too much, even down to the spot right above his hips that Nick loved to use on Charlie whenever he could.

"Ah– AH– Chaharlihie!" Nick squealed, flinching and squirming under the pokes, shifting his upper body any way he could to try to escape the feeling. He tried to grab for Charlie's hands, but no matter how close he got, Charlie's movements were unpredictable, and he just barely avoided Nick's grappling every single time. "Hohohow- ah! How ahare you s-soho quihihick?!"

"I'm just so talented," Charlie responded sarcastically, continuing his pokes for a few more seconds before Nick was finally able to catch his hands. He let Nick hold onto him this time, giggling proudly to himself as he watched Nick breathe heavily and let out residual laughter, and he pushed against Nick's hold to lace their fingers together gently. "You're blushing," He commented, making Nick groan and squeeze his eyes shut in embarrassment. His case wasn't helped when his cheeks only grew more pink.

"Shut up," Nick mumbled, attempting to make it seem like he was unaffected, but the way he continued to squirm under the attention and how he was unable to keep the smile off his face even when he tried to pout caused his attempt to come up short.

"I can't! It's really cute!"

"Shut up, Charlie!" Nick whined again, shifting his leg that was still pressed against the couch, squeezing Charlie's hands before pulling them apart and rubbing his palms up and down his thigh.

"I literally can't! You look–!" Charlie cut himself off, taking in Nick's flushed nose and cheeks, an overwhelming warmth taking over his chest as his gaze softened. "You look… really adorable when you're all embarrassed like this."

Nick's hands flew up to his face, covering himself and hiding how incredibly flustered he was. He slid his hands up to run through his hair and grip it tightly before covering his face again, groaning dramatically.

"I'm actually breaking up with you."

"I actually don't think that's true," Charlie said, calling his bluff, which earned him a scoff in response. When Nick didn't say anything to refute the claim, Charlie smiled, and once again struck brutally, forming his fingers into claws and suddenly scratching at Nick's tummy.

"NO! Chahahahahar!" Nick struggled to whine out through his laughter, squirming as much as could under Charlie's torturous fingers. He curled his leg up further, suddenly kicking it back out when Charlie his a particularly sensitive spot on the side of his tummy, his knee hitting Charlie's shoulder in the process. Charlie gasped dramatically, pressing his palms flat against Nick's stomach again, his thumbs bent in to continue scratching at his tummy to keep him giggling.

"Nick Nelson! Did you just hit me?"

"Whahat?! Noho!" Nick replied immediately, reaching down and gripping onto Charlie's wrists, but not moving him away yet.

"You did! You hit me with your knee! That was so unbelievably rude!" Charlie tried acting offended, but he couldn't keep the ecstatic smile off his face from how giddy he felt in that moment.

"Oh, Chahahar, you– you knohow that wasn't ohon purpohose!"

"I don't care, you deserve payback."

"What pahayba–ACK–!" Nick squealed once again, this time caused by Charlie leaning to the side to pin his leg against the back of the couch and start poking and squeezing at his inner thigh with both hands, the material of his sweatpants doing very little to block out the feeling. "Chahaharliiiiihihie–"

"Niiiiiiick!" Charlie taunted, making Nick gasp and look at him in shock before breaking down into more laughter. His laughter grew even louder and more desperate as Charlie moved down his leg, barely before the bend of his knee. He took in a sharp inhale when Charlie hit that spot, jolting so hard Charlie was convinced he'd been electrocuted, and he couldn't stop the laugh he let out at that. Nick shifted to the side slightly, the leg that was under Charlie jolting also, almost throwing him off, and he buried his face in the space between the back of the couch and the pillow he was laying on. "My god, Nick, I didn't know you were this bad!"

"Shuhuhuhut UHUP!" Nick complained, laughter growing squeakier the longer Charlie stayed in that spot. Charlie decided to show him some mercy, not wanting to overwhelm the poor boy too much, so he switched spots with a well-placed squeeze right above Nick's knee.

This made him yelp again, yanking his leg back and bending it up as far as he could– which, unfortunately for Nick but very fortunately for Charlie, pulled his socked foot along with it. He managed to yank it all the way past Charlie's body, ending up with the defenseless sole of his foot resting on Charlie’s stomach, and when he attempted to move his leg back to where it was, Charlie simply caught his ankle in his hand to keep him in place.

“Charlie,” Nick spoke quietly, trying to sound threatening and make it sound like a warning, but his tone was shaky, and he was still giggling and breathing heavily from the tickling he had already endured. Charlie wasn’t scared at all, and Nick was scared out of his mind. “Don’t.”

“Don’t?” Charlie repeated as he lifted Nick’s foot up slightly, off his stomach and into his eyesight. “Why not? Would that be a bad idea?”

“Yes, it would be a very bad idea, so- so just don’t, okay?"

“Why would it be bad? Is this not so much fun for you? Is it not keeping you un-bored like you asked me to?” Charlie pushed, gently swiping one finger over the arch of Nick’s foot and watching his toes curl as anticipatory giggles flowed freely from his lips.

“Charlihihie–” Nick giggled nervously, resting one palm on his stomach to try to calm his nerves, and holding the other hand up towards Charlie, as if he were preparing to grab for his hand. He never did, though, so Charlie continued on.

"Try not to lose your mind too much, Nicholas." The teasing tone of Charlie’s voice was something that Nick heard very rarely, and it never failed to make dozens of butterflies flutter around in his tummy like they had intended to make a home there. He could barely think, too wound up and nervous about what Charlie was about to do to consider much else.

"Please Char, love, please– plehease, don't, Charlie, wh-whatever you're about to do, just– just don't do it, please–"

"Oh, babe, it is way too late for that, you cannot be this cute and this ticklish and expect me to stop now," Charlie teased, shaking his head, smile widening when Nick whined and dropped his head back against the pillow, his cheeks flushing impossibly redder. Charlie swiped his finger over Nick’s sole again, dragging his nail across the entire length of it this time, before repeating the action in the opposite direction.

"Thihis is cruhuhuel, Charlie,” Nick whined, balling his hands into fists before reaching forward and resting his palms on Charlie’s thighs for his own comfort, needing to hold onto his boyfriend in some way to keep himself grounded.

"I know," Charlie said with a smirk that Nick could only compare to an evil cat, and then he deviously scratched his nails all over Nick’s foot, starting just underneath his curled toes and ending up down by his heel, repeating the process over and over again.

Nick broke out into loud laughter instantly, squeezing his eyes shut and throwing his head back, shaking it against the pillow underneath him. He attempted to arch his back, to kick his legs out, to twist his torso to either side, to squirm in any way he could, but with Charlie straddling one of his legs and the other bent the way it was, he was completely trapped.

“FUHUHUCK, CHAHAHAR–“ Nick managed through his laughter, bringing his hands up to his face again, lacing his fingers together and covering his face with the backs of his knuckles, unsure of what else to do with himself.

Then, just as Charlie’s thumb swiped up the inside of his foot, he managed to muster up the courage to yank his foot out of Charlie’s grip, and he immediately pushed his legs past Charlie and shot up to grab his hands.

“Nohohoho mohore! No mohohore, plehehease–“ Nick pleaded, shaking his head, catching his breath as much as he could. Charlie giggled at his reactions, squeezing Nick’s hands before pulling away.

“Okay, okay, fine,” He began, sitting up on his knees and maneuvering Nick’s leg to lay flat next to his other, straddling both his thighs and shifting slightly further back. “No more. I promise.”

“…Holy shihit, Char…” Nick whispered once he’d finally caught his breath, making them both giggle softly.

“I know, I know,” Charlie said with a roll of his eyes, motioning for Nick to sit up. “Come here.” Nick followed his motion, sitting up and leaning back onto the palms of his hands, looking up at Charlie with a smile on his face and a fondness in his eyes that made Charlie’s cheeks feel warm. “What are you looking at, tickle boy?” Charlie asked, reaching up to Nick’s hair and ruffling it to make him giggle before properly carding his fingers through it to try and fix how messy it had become.

“Just you. You’re pretty,” Nick explained, melting into Charlie’s touch.

“Shut up, you idiot,” Charlie complained with a scoff, letting his hands slip down from Nick’s hair to wrap his arms around his neck, Nick doing the same with Charlie’s waist. Charlie smiled softly and leaned in for another kiss, warmth spreading through his chest again when he heard the content hum that Nick let out. "Sorry for all that…" Charlie mumbled when he pulled away, placing a hand gently on his arm and rubbing his thumb over his bare skin soothingly. "That was kind of cruel of me."

"It's alright," Nick reassured quietly, a soft smile on his face. He cleared his throat, bringing his elbow up to cover his mouth as he coughed into it a few times, letting out a soft sigh when he finished. "It was kinda fun." Charlie's head whipped over to look at him, eyes wide and eyebrows raised.

"Fun? Really?"

"I mean, yeah…" Nick continued softly, flicking his eyes up to connect his gaze with Charlie's. "I don't mind it when it's you."

“Well, aren’t you just adorable?” Charlie teased, and Nick groaned again, shoving his face into Charlie’s neck and hugging him around his waist as tight as possible. “I’m sorry! I’m sorry, I had to,” Charlie tried to explain, but Nick only grumbled into his skin. Suddenly, Nick launched himself backwards, pulling Charlie to lay down with him. “Nick!”

“Shhh, cuddle time.”

“Oh, cuddle time, is it?”

“Mhm. I have to recharge after all that torture.”

“Oh my god,” Charlie rolled his eyes and shook his head, but he still adjusted himself to be more comfortable and sank into Nick’s arms. “You’re such a baby.”

“I know,” Nick said with a smirk, closing his eyes and pulling Charlie closer.

The two stayed like that for a while, joined soon after by a very curious Nellie who laid on the floor next to them while they both drifted off to sleep for a soothing afternoon nap.

When he saw Charlie, he quickly wiped his mouth with his wrist. "Oh, hey! Did you call for me?" He innocently asked.

Charlie took a few steps toward his bed before smelling something strange. The smell of pumpkin - the exact thing included in those cookies - jumped out at him.

"Question." Charlie took a seat beside Nick, making the boy put the controller down and sit up as if he were in trouble.

Nick looked at Charlie with his innocent, round eyes, and Charlie couldn't help but smile. But he gathered himself and continued with the questioning.

"Where did the two halves of those cookies go?"

Nick lightened up. "Cookies? You made cookies?" He was about to hop off the bed, but Charlie had other plans. He wrapped his arms around the boy's waist and pushed him down on the bed, straddling his belly.

"Did you eat the cookies?!" He demanded an answer. Nick gulped, trying to push the smaller boy off of him.

"No...I didn't e-even know you made cookies!" He insisted, cheeks growing red.

"You're a horrible liar." Charlie spoke. He slid his hands under Nick's shirt and started tickling his sides with vigor. "Tell me the truth!"

Nick writhed around underneath the boy. "I aham! I dihihahaHAhahadint tahake yohour cohohookies!"

Charlie hummed. "Sure. Then why do you smell like them?" He leaned in and sniffed, only to smell even more remains of the cookies.

"Weheheirdo! Gehet ahaohoff me!"

Taking great offense to being named a weirdo, Charlie crawled his finger under Nick's arms, making him erupt into a volcano of laughter and giggles. He tried to swat Charlie's hands away, but was too overwhelmed with being tickled to do so.

"Nick, all I want is a confession! Did you eat the cookies?!"

"YeHEHes! I ahate thehehem!" He admitted, a single tear leaving his eye from Charlie's ticklish wrath.

"See? Was that hard?" Charlie teased, pulling his hands out of Nick's shirt. The rugby player rubbed his sides and armpits, feeling a few ghost tickles.

"I'm sorry. I thought they were different flavors, so I tried half of two. They were delicious though!" Nick complimented Charlie's baking skills, hoping to get back on his good side. It worked.