#lee!phainon

The Hall of Respite was silent, since night had set in hours ago - and yet there was still one room lit in candle light. Mydei was lounging across his expansive bed in his quarters, reading over a scroll with half-lidded eyes, his golden bangs falling into his face. He let out a yawn, the boredom ruining his nerves, though, he still couldn't - and wanted - to find sleep yet.

Lost in thought, he didn't even hear the door open, nor did he hear the steps creeping closer, or felt the presence lurking behind him, until he heard a familiar voice purring right next to his ear. “Gotcha!~” Before he could fully turn his head, the weight of another body crashed into him with sudden, enthusiastic force.

He grunted as he was shoved onto his back, the scroll tumbling out of his hands and rolling to the floor. “P-Phainon?” he asked as he stared into a pair of blue eyes. The other smiled down at him, white hair cascading forward like a silk curtain. “Still awake at this hour my dearest prince?” he whispered and Mydei could see a faint blush on the other’s lips.

“You’re always so composed, thought I’d test that resolve of yours once again hehehe.” His voice was laced with wicked amusement. “In the middle of the night?” the Kremnoian prince asked, narrowing his eyes calmly.

It was strange for the other to act like that, he was still straddling him, making no attempts to get off of him, but Mydei decided to play along for once, since whatever the other had in mind, was definitely more interesting than that scroll that lied somewhere forgotten on the ground. Supported on his elbows he smirked up at him with a challenging smile.

“Fine, I’ll play along for now… So, what should it be this time? A card game? A drinking contest? Some wrestling? Recite all laws while-” “Nope,” Phainon interrupted smugly, fingers twitching in the air like mischievous claws, “a tickle fight. First one to break loses. Simple.” “...Tickle?” Mydei echoed, a single eyebrow rising. Did he hear him right?

“Yes, you do know what that means, don’t you?” the white-haired asked playfully and before Mydei could form a retort, his hands dove downward. His fingers danced straight over his stomach, where the red lines of his tattoos curved like flowing ink.

Phainon’s nails slid along them, tracing their shape, barely brushing against the skin, but enough to elicit the reaction he was looking for. Mydei’s torso jerked.

“Tch- Pfftt- P-Phainon,” he exhaled sharply through his nose, “t-t-hiHihis is childish… eheHeven foHor you…” the blonde said in-between suppressed laughter, trying very hard to hold back the giggles that wanted to get out of him.

Memories of his childhood crossed his mind, scenes he had locked in a chest deep inside - a time where he had laughed freely by the hands of blurred. He was pulled out of his thoughts by a voice sweet as honey, licking at his ear.

“Childish? Says the one who stubbornly tries not to laugh… here let me help you with it~” Phainon crooned, shifting to straddle Mydei’s hips, knees pinning him in place. His grin widened as he lightly skittered his fingers higher, grazing over Mydei’s chest, deliberately avoiding pressure, keeping it feathery.

The muscles beneath his touch tensed and he sucked in a breath, his mouth twitching. “Mhmh!!” “Still holding it in?” Phainon teased, voice syrupy sweet. “You’ve got nerves of steel. Let’s see, how about here?~” His fingers slipped beneath the edge of the other’s robe, deftly nudging fabric aside to trace under his arms.

The reaction was instant. “Agh!” Mydei arched involuntarily, his composure shattering like glass. His arms shot downward, trying to block him, but Phainon dodged, his fingers swirling in the hollow of Mydei’s bare armpits. A strangled giggle forced itself past the prince’s lips. “D-DoHohon’t! That’s- aHahAhahAhah!”

“Oh there it is,” Phainon chuckled, voice triumphant as if he’d just won a high-stakes wager. “I was wondering if you were ticklish here. Most people are, you know.” Mydei's shoulders twisted, hands gripping Phainon’s wrists now in a desperate attempt to halt the torment.

His long legs kicked slightly against the bed, golden hair flopping wildly with each sharp breath he drew. “Y-You’re iHihnsufferaHable!” he sputtered and Phainon just grinned wider, his fingers still scribbling along the edges of Mydei’s ribs before slipping back to the vulnerable curve beneath his arms.

“Insufferable?” the whitehead repeated, delighted. “You’re laughing and don’t even try to say you’re not!” he teased, the rules he himself had set long forgotten. It was too much fun to mess with the Kremnoian prince, his rival, his friend. “I’m- aHAhah I’m restraining myself!” Mydei barked, his voice strangled and breathless, trying - and failing - to twist away.

“Do you now?~” Phainon hummed, wiggling his fingers devilishly. “Then let’s speed things up a bit, shall we~” But just as Phainon leaned in to get one last victorious scribble down Mydei’s exposed side, everything shifted. In a flash of motion, Mydei’s hands clamped around his wrists hardly, making Phainon blink in surprise. “Uh-oh.”

The other’s red eyes gleamed with fire, his expression flickering from flustered to fiercely resolved. “Well,” Mydei murmured through breathless pants, “since we’re apparently waging war through absurd means… it’s time for you to taste defeat.” In a powerful twist, he bucked his hips, shoving Phainon off balance and rolling them.

Oof! The other let out a startled sound as he landed flat on his back, with Mydei now sitting astride his waist. Golden bangs framed the prince’s face like a halo, but there was nothing angelic in his smile now. “Your turn, Deliverer.” Phainon paled and flushed all at once.

“W-Wait a moment, let’s not be hasty-” he stammered, already giggling nervously before a single finger had touched him. And Mydei? He merely cracked his knuckles. The lion wasn’t beaten yet, instead he bared his teeth, ready to strike.

Sensing the danger he was in, Phainon squirmed beneath him, a nervous grin twitching at his lips, the usually smug glint in his eye now traded for something much more vulnerable - anticipation and the faintest bit of panic.

“Y-You surely understand that what I did was merely messing around, r-right?” he said, his voice still melodic, but his words spilled a bit faster than usual. Mydei arched a brow, unamused. “Messing around? I thought you wanted a challenge and I believe in balance.” He placed his palms firmly on Phainon’s sides, just beneath his lowest the ribs. Phainon flinched.

“M-Mydei.” “Yes?” “You’re acting unusually playfully tonight. Never thought you’d-" “Shh~ Here I come…” And with that, he dug in. “AAH!! NohoHoho!” Phainon’s voice cracked as laughter erupted out of him instantly, loud and unfiltered. He thrashed beneath the other, legs kicking and back arching like a wild horse.

“You were saying something about being ticklish?” Mydei asked smoothly, his tone like liquid gold as his fingers moved skillfully up and down the white-haired’s sides. “I see now, that you’re just as ticklish as me haha or even more! This is a very… enlightening~” he mumbled. “Y-You’re sohohohoho dead! HAHAAHA WAHAIT!!”

“I don’t recall giving you the floor,” the blonde replied, delighting in Phainon’s completely unguarded laughter. He sneaked his hands under his shirt, his cool fingertips brushing along the whitehead’s bare stomach. “N-NO! Nonononohohoho g-get out of thehere!”

“Oh, is this spot a bit too sensitive?” Mydei teased, swirling a finger right around his navel and earning a shrill squeal. “How undignified of you, Phainon. And here I thought you’d last longer.” Phainon was laughing too hard to form words now. He thrashed wildly, trying to twist away, but Mydei had perfect leverage sitting astride him.

He squealed as his fingers fluttered along the curves of his ribs. “You started this,” Mydei added casually, trailing upward and lightly dragging his nails along the warm skin of Phainon’s chest before he moved higher, dangerously close to- “No, not there, not th- HAHAHAAA!!”

Too late. The prince’s fingers grazed along his neck, right at the spot where it met the collarbone. Phainon squirmed like mad, giggling uncontrollably and helpless. Mydei tilted his head. “Interesting. I didn’t even know someone’s neck could be this ticklish.”

“Y-You sadist!” Phainon gasped between hysterical peals. “Mydei! Y-You’re- Pffft noHOhooH! I’m gonna dihihie! HAHahAAH!” But Mydei wasn’t done yet. He leaned down ever so slightly, one hand still scribbling over his neck while the other - almost playfully - traced just behind Phainon’s ear. That broke him.

His laughter hit a new pitch, shrill and melodic, spilling out of him like a symphony of chaos. He couldn’t stop. His body jerked, his hands beat weakly at the mattress, his voice hiccupping in-between breathless gasps. “I- ehHehe I giHive!!” he cried finally, face flushed, white hair plastered to his forehead with sweat. “I give! Mydei, you moHOhonster!”

The prince finally relented, pulling back with a look of immense satisfaction. He exhaled softly, catching his own breath as he looked down at the mess of giggles beneath him. Phainon lay there, chest heaving, cheeks glowing crimson, a dazed grin still twitching on his lips. “…You’re ticklish everywhere, aren’t you?” he said flatly.

“I- shut up,” Phainon gasped, trying and failing to cover his face with one arm, “that was… totally unfair.” “Oh please,” Mydei brushed a few strands of his own golden hair out of his face, “you challenged me. Don’t cry when the game turns.” They stayed like that for a beat - Mydei still straddling Phainon’s waist, both panting, chests rising and falling in unison.

Then Mydei reached down and took Phainon’s flushed face gently in one hand, his thumb brushing over his cheekbone. The motion was unusually tender, lingering. Phainon’s eyes opened again, blinking slowly. “You’re glowing,” Mydei murmured. “It’s very hot in here,” Phainon managed with twitching lips.

Mydei’s voice softened to something nearly reverent. “Hmph. Irritating.” He bent down suddenly, his golden bangs falling like a curtain again as he pressed his lips to Phainon’s - firm, unyielding at first. Phainon tensed in surprise but only for a second, then, he melted.

A low, pleased hum escaped him as he responded, tilting his head just slightly, eyes fluttering closed. The kiss deepened, Mydei’s lips moving with a slow, savoring rhythm as his hand slipped into Phainon’s hair, gripping it lightly. Phainon reached up and clutched at the front of Mydei’s robe, pulling him closer, as if afraid he’d disappear the moment they pulled apart.

They didn’t rush. When they finally separated, the breath they both released was slow and tremulous. The white-haired opened his eyes again, dazed and utterly charmed. “...I really hope tickle fights become our new go-to duel.”

He tries to steal another glance again slowly and notices the guy has stopped staring back. He feels a little sad but decides that's enough ‘studying’ for today. He debates talking to him, but ultimately decides to leave in a hurry.

Later in the week, he confesses to his friends the occurrence that has had him on edge so much lately.

“You’re joking? That’s Mydei, he is one of the top sports science students!” Tribbie explained in disbelief.

“You certainly got his attention, I heard he can be a little rough around the edges sometimes.” Aglaea smirks as Phainon sinks lower in his seat.

“Come on… I couldn’t help it… I zoned out and next thing I knew he was looking my way!”

“Yeah right, ‘zoned out’ huh? You were just eyeing that body. I bet…” 

The three sat at the same library table gossiping quietly.

“What if he comes in today? Or worse… he is already here and listening to us form nearby!?”

“If he is, then he should know that Phainon is just a giant puppy and doesn’t mean any harm~” Tribbie says out loud, Phainon dives under the table as the girls giggle.

Alas, no Mydei showed up today.

It would be another few weeks before Phainon saw him again, this time later in the day, and unfortunately it was only the two of them in the library. He looks around, wondering if there is anyone else besides the grumpy old clerk who always gives him dirty looks. Resigning himself to his fate, he decides to try and make up some excuse to go into the same aisle as him. He has no use for sports med… or does he? He supposes there is no harm in wanting to learn about some muscle training for his own sake.

Mydei is deep in a book when Phainon saunters into the aisle. No reaction from him yet, good good, Phainon thinks to himself.

He eyes the spines of the books until he sees one with ‘muscle’ in the title and reaches for it, but unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, Mydei reaches for it too.

“Pff… haha~ This feels like one of those movies where the protagonists meet!” Phainon jokes aloud, hoping to diffuse the awkwardness and his own nerves bubbling in his chest.

“Hmph, I thought you were in the history class? What do you need a sports med book for, hm?” Mydei’s voice was gruff, but the tone of the question was gentle and teasing, it made Phainon’s heart somersault. This guy was actually talking to him.

“Uh… I actually was looking for some sort of advice or guide so I just… wanted to search… honest!”

It was somewhat true, but he realised how pathetic of an excuse that sounded like. He sighs, the awkwardness is back. “Hey uh… actually, I wanted to apologise… for a few weeks ago… sorry I was staring at you…”

The blond man thinks for a moment, then seems to remember. “Oh, that. Don’t worry about it, I am used to it…” He seems slightly somber in his admission.

Phainon pouts a little, “Used to it? Is that… a good or bad ‘used to it’?”

“A little annoying, I must admit.”

Panic arises in his chest, Phainon feels the guilt surfacing. “S-Sorry… I uh, look, I need to confess… that you are one of the most a-attractive guys I-I have ever seen in my life and I will leave you with that. No more ogling I promise… and-!”

It was Mydei’s turn to feel embarrassed, his eyes widened slightly and his cheeks turned a little pink. He looks away and fidgets with a button on his shirt as if it was a problem that needed his attention. “Oh… th-thanks?” He squirmed, only looking up at the white haired man occasionally.

“What’s this? Are you… secretly a huge softie inside?” He couldn’t help but tease him, causing him to stammer and become more flustered.

“N-No! It's just… Caught me off guard! Don’t say weird things like that to strangers, they will get the wrong idea.” Mydei continues to avoid eye contact and huffs, grabbing the book Phainon was reaching for and handing it to him. “Here… I don’t need it.”

Phainon giggled quietly, this was certainly an individual worth getting to know.

He plays their encounter over and over again in his head when he returns to his dorm room, burying his face into a pillow and rolling around on the bed.

“You look like a high school girl in love.” Tribbie teases, having come over after Phainon spammed her with angsty text messages.

“I am not!”

“A crush then?”

“Hmph… so what if I have a crush on this guy?”

“Go to the library again and see if he will be there! Ask him to hang out or on a date!”

“Noooo!”

Tribbie sighs, “Alright, then I will tell him. The sports classes are in the building next to mine, I am sure I will find him~”

“No! Please don’t!”

“Ohhh~ What if he finds out… you like tickling?” The smirk that spreads across her face could kill a man. Phainon turns bright red in response and cannot even respond, his brain feels like it just short circuited.

“Haha! Aww Snowy~ Sorry… was that a little too far? I mean, there’s nothing wrong with it but… I am sure he would have an open mind!”

“Nope… nuh uh… no way! He… I am not bringing that up with him!”

Tribbie giggles, knowing her dear friend does have a little thing for tickling. She finds it adorable, while Phainon thinks it's embarrassing. Of course, the thoughts and ideas are already rushing through. “Save me… Lady Tribbie!”

“I could just tell him for you?”

“No!”

“What if we ask him to hang out with our group?”

“No!!”

“C’mon Snowy, don’t be like that~”

Maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad idea.

The opportunity to see Mydei again came sooner than he expected. He trudges back to his dorm late one afternoon, his brain feels like mush from the upcoming assignment he needs to complete. Without thinking, he lazily enters his dorm room and kicks off his shoes, then begins to remove his jacket and shirt.

“Anaxa, I am ba-”

Mydei is in his dorm room.

…Mydei is in his dorm room.

Mydei is in his dorm room!

Phainon freezes, still flashing Mydei. He slowly turns bright red and pushes his shirt back down.

The blond’s face is equally surprised and red, unsure whether to stare or look away his eyes continue to dart between Phainon’s face and stomach, “Um… Anaxa tutors me…” He manages to squeak out.

“Oh, you two have met?” The smaller man emerges from his room with some books in hand, looking confused between Phainon and Mydei.

“You could have texted me… I just walked in and started undressing like I normally do!” Phainon complains, pouting at his roommate like a child. Anaxa notices that Mydei is looking rather flustered and trying to find something else to focus on, fidgeting in his seat.

“Maybe you should stop being so shameless? I live here too, you know.” He sits himself down opposite to Mydei, actively ignoring the tension between them. “Don’t mind him, just wait until he shows you what ridiculous fashion he wears when not in public.”

Oh, Phainon was going to kill him. “At least I don’t wear adorable dinosaur onesies and eat dinosaur crackers!”

Anaxa sputters and throws the textbooks he was holding at Phainon, “D-Don’t say that! It’s not true!” The pout on his face and rosy cheeks look adorable, even Mydei chuckles through the initial awkwardness that was in the room.

“Not something I expected one of our top students to be into. Now I need to see photos.”

“No! No you do NOT!” 

Phainon giggles triumphantly and retreats to his room to complete his own study while Anaxa and Mydei stay in the living area. Though he finds himself too distracted by eavesdropping instead of completing his own assignment. By the sounds of things, Mydei struggles with the mathematics components of his courses and Anaxa assists him. It’s kind of cute, he thinks to himself.

He lays his head on his desk, clicking a pen rapidly and bouncing his knee. He wants to join them but doesn’t know how. 

He’s so attractive, I just want to stare at him… oh but that's weird and he doesn’t like that… ugh, what if he hates me?

No no, Phainon. You have a great personality and body too! He might like you!

He continues to think and murmur to himself, only to be snapped out of his thoughts by Mydei appearing in his doorway. His head whips upright and he stares wide eyed, unable to get a word out.

“I… finished my study.” Mydei leans against the door frame as if he is waiting for something. Phainon can’t help but chuckle.

“Come in… I don’t mind.”

“What are you working on?” The blond heads to Phainon’s bed, lazily draping himself over it and picking up a random object to toss around while he chats.

“Supposed to be my history assignment, but I got distracted… I was listening more to Anaxa teaching you math.” He grins.

Mydei scowls and huffs, “Hmph… everyone has their weaknesses! Mine just happens to be math…” He avoids Phainon’s gaze, pulling at a loose thread on his bedsheet.

Weakness… that word rings in Phainon’s head and he can’t help his mind just immediately thinks about tickling… Every. Single. Time. He doesn’t realise he hasn’t answered and his cheeks have turned red.

“Are you okay? You look flushed, are you sick?” Mydei sounds concerned.

“U-Uh no no no! I-I am fine… just thinking about something else, sorry~” Phainon tries to brush it off with a wave of his hand but Mydei only raises an eyebrow of disbelief in response.

The two are cut off by Anaxa standing in the door, “I am going out to get dinner, you’re welcome to stay, Mydei.” He smirks, “Oh and Phainon was probably thinking about his secret when you mentioned weaknesses.”

“YOU-!” Phainon squeaks out as Anaxa laughs maniacally and leaves the dorm room. The white haired man can only sit there and stare at the floor, his face slowly turning more red.

“You got a weakness, huh?” Mydei smirks, amused by this new revelation and Phainon’s reaction to being teased. He has to admit, he is slightly curious.

“Don’t listen to him, he is just… weird. No weaknesses, nope.”

“Are you sure?”

“Very sure… stop smiling at me!” Phainon got up from his chair to grab a pillow from his bed and whack Mydei with it, only for the other to pull him down onto the bed with him. Mydei was strong than Phainon imagined, swiftly pulling him and wrapping his head into a gentle headlock and ruffling his hair.

“Ack! You’re such a brute!”

“Something tells me you enjoy this, I know you were staring at these amazing pecs the other day.”

Phainon blushed heavily again, sputtering and smacking him more, “N-No! I-I mean I was but… pff… you got all embarrassed when I called you attractive!”

“No, we are not talking about my weaknesses right now, we are talking about yours. So care to enlighten me?”

“N-No!”

Unsure what else to do, Mydei pokes and prods Phainon’s cheek, ruffles his hair some more and gives him some playful squeezes. This causes him to laugh and squirm beneath him, trying to free himself.

“Oaf! Brute! Muscle pig!”

“Tsk, some insults you have there…” Mydei responds by prodding his side gently with his index and middle finger, expecting it to hurt just a little, instead, Phainon shrieks loudly and swats his hand away. His flustered response does not go unnoticed.

“Stahap! D-Don’t even think about it!” Phainon buries his face into his pillow after trying to smack his attacker with it.

Oh. 

Now Mydei understands.

He brings his hand to Phainon’s side and with more direct intent, he lightly claws at the sensitive spot, bringing out the more desired reaction.

The white haired man giggles and yells immediately, kicking his legs behind him and trying to get a grip on the bed to push himself away from Mydei’s ticklish touch.

“Ahahahaha!! N-Nohohohoho no no this i-is not hahahapening!”

“What’s the matter? Ticklish? Is this your little weakness huh?”

“Gahh!! Don’t talk like thahahahat!”

“What? Teasing you? Like the little baby you are? Hm?” Mydei finds himself grinning like an idiot, something about watching this guy squirm and laugh beneath him makes him feel warm and fuzzy inside. It takes some effort to roll him over onto his back, but the sight of Phainon’s red face and shirt scrunched up slightly, revealing his equally impressive abs stirs Mydei even more.

He can’t help but want to touch them, and what better way than to continue tickling him?

“AHHH! HehehehehehEHEHEHEEEKK!” Phainon makes little effort to actually stop the soft clawing of his stomach, he is over the moon right now. The tickling sending a pleasant tingle through his body. He is far too embarrassed to open his eyes though.

Mydei is using the opportunity to secretly test Phainon’s abs. They were pretty solid, he could tell he works out and wonders if he should invite him for a session together sometime at the campus gym. Wait, is he planning a date or something?

“GOD MYDEI Plehehehehehease!!”

His thoughts are broken by a loud laugh from his poor victim, he forgot he was tickling him still.

“Oops, time for a new spot?”

“N-No wahahahait!! AHHH!!”

Mydei’s fingers dive for his armpits, softly trying to dig their way under, making Phainon writhe and arch away.

“GEHEHEHE!!! Nohohohohho!!! W-Waahahahahahahaait!!!”

“Wait for what, hm?” He slows his tickling enough to allow Phainon to speak up, instead he only whines when he stops. Damnit, that was cute.

“Seems you want me to keep going?”

“W-What!? N-No… not a-at all!” Phainon avoids his gaze, unable to hide how disheveled he is now.

Mydei chuckles, the deep, raspy sound sending a little shiver through the white haired man's body. “I don’t mind this… little game? Do you like being tickled or something? It’s not weird, everyone has their quirks.”

“I-I…” Phainon can only squeak out a noise in response.

“You…?” Mydei smiles softly, a little tease in his voice.

Phainon closes his eyes and nods, feeling a little shame.

Mydei removes himself from atop his waist, he then grabs his hips and swiftly flips him over onto his stomach.

“Ah!”

“Here, so you can scream into your pillow while I tickle you to death.”

Wait a second…

“WAAAAAAAAAAH!”

Mydei laughs to himself as Phainon screeches. He switched to softly scribbling the back of his thighs and knees. All the poor man could do was kick wildly and grip the pillow he now buried his face in. 

“MYYDEHEHEHEHEHEEEII!!”

The ticklish sensations shot through Phainon’s body, he never even knew he was ticklish here. When Mydei started kneading his legs softly it just made it ten times worse.

“STAHAAHHAAAP!! NOOOOHOHOHOHOO!”

“Aww come on, it seems like you’re enjoying this.”

“NOOO!”

Phainon didn’t want to admit it, but being tickled felt great, doubly so since it was this new attractive guy he had been eyeing for weeks.

Both of them are soon interrupted by the sound of the door opening and closing out in the living area. Despite knowing they were 100% heard, they both quickly sat up and tried to act nonchalant. Mydei dived for the desk chair across the room while Phainon could only remain frozen and flustered on the bed.

“Hm..” Anaxa huffed as he approached the bedroom door with bags of food.

“D-Do you need some help?” Mydei offered.

“No… you can go back to torturing Phainon, it was amusing to listen to.” A wicked grin flashed across his face as Mydei and Phainon both turned bright red and sputtered nonsense.

“Y-You…. You stupid… annoying…. Mean roommate! Y-You’re a green mint ice cream!!”

— This is a tickle blog. If it's not your thing, kindly scroll by.

— This blog is based off Phainon/Khaslana from honkai: star rail. He can fluctuate between the two depending on who is talking to them. (Ex: an ask sent to khaslana will be answered as khaslana, while one for phainon will be answered as phainon.)

— Phainon is bright and a generally cheerful person, much like a puppy. Very friendly.

— Khaslana is quite literally the embodiment of destruction. Though he's been made a little less violent for the sake of this blog.

— This blog is only to be SFW. Suggestive jokes are okay, but NSFW will be deleted.

— DNI if you're an unpleasant person to talk to. (Ex: tr*mp supporter, ice supporter, homophobe, etc.)

— Again, this blog is about TICKLING.

— As for Phainon, he's very ticklish and almost visibly enjoys it too.

— Khaslana on the other hand is also ticklish, but gets a lot more embarrassed by it. (He secretly likes it too.)

"Tch, HKS." Mydei mutters under his breath as Phainon's face finally comes into view across the steaming water. The dim glow of the bathhouse lanterns catches in his white hair, that smirk already tugging at his lips like he's already won something.

Mydei shifts slightly, damn this water for being so relaxing and damn him for sitting so close. "You’re still here? I was thinking the steam had swallowed you whole."

Mydei narrows his eyes. “And don’t think calling this a ‘duel’ makes it any less ridiculous. This is just an excuse for you to watch me squirm.” His fingers curl against the smooth stone beneath him. “I lasted longer than you last time, and don’t deny it.”

A soft chuckle rumbles from Phainon, rich and warm.

“Did you now?” The deliverer leans forward slightly, arms resting on his knees, eyes glinting with mischief. “Or did I just let you win so it could stroke your ego?"

Mydei sputters, offended. Damn it all.

"HKS! You insufferable sun-blessed prick- you did no such thing!"

Phainon's smirk only widens at Mydei's outburst, the steam curling around his shoulders almost resembling the halo in his ult form. He tilts his head, cyan eyes sparkling with pure, unfiltered gloating.

"Denial? From you?" Phainon tsks dramatically. "Mydeimos the undying, immortal prince of Kremnos, reduced to blushing in hot water because I called you pretty."

Mydei's face burns hotter than the bath, hotter than a titan's wrath. 

"Pre-? I did not blush!" He snaps, voice cracking slightly. His hands fly up in defense, steam swirling as he shifts like a cornered beast.

The lantern light catches the faintest pink on his cheeks, just enough to betray him.

Phainon leans back with a satisfied sigh. "Mmhmm. Sure you didn't." A pause. 

"You're even redder than your cape."

He flashes that stupidly perfect grin, the one that used to make Mydei want to punch him… and also maybe kiss him? No, bad thought!

"HKS! You’re impossible...."

Phainon lets out a low, melodic laugh, warm and entirely too pleased with himself. He stretches his arms behind his head, leaning back into the water like a king on a throne of steam.

"Impossible? Me?" He says, feigning innocence. "I'm just stating facts. Like how you definitely shrieked when I tickled your armpit last time."

Mydei's breath hitches.

Oh no.

He remembers it all too well. The splash of water as Phainon suddenly lunged across the baths and grabbed at him between nimble fingers…

The memory flooded the immortal's head.

Mydei's breath hitches and he instinctively scoots back, pressing his shoulders against the smooth stone edge of the bath.

Phainon sees it. Of course he does.

That predator-like grin spreads across his face, the one Mydei knows all too well. The "I'm about to ruin your life" smile.

Before Mydei can even react, Phainon pushes off from where he was lounging and slides across the water like a sea creature. Fast for someone so relaxed moments ago.

The water ripples violently as Phainon lunges, fast, precise and wicked.

Mydei barely has time to yelp before strong hands grab his sides. His entire body jerks.

"No- Phainon I swear-" He barks, voice cracking into something far too high-pitched for the crown prince of war and bloodshed.

But it's too late.

Fingers dig into his armpit with expertise, the same spot that made him shriek last time. That one weak point no one else knew about…except this insufferable sunbeam of a man who apparently has memorized every ticklish inch during their previous duel.

A squeak escapes Mydei’s lips before he can clamp them shut. The prince immediately bites back an impending laugh. "ggRrrr...d-deheliverer-!"

Phainon beams at that sound.

That tiny, high-pitched squeak, sends pure joy surging through his chest. He’s merciless now, fingers dancing quickly with one hand on Mydei’s armpit, the other sneaking down to brush against his ribs.

"Come on," Phainon teases between soft chuckles of his own. "Laughter is good for you! Doctor's orders!" Acting as if he was just like Hyacine. How silly.

The steam swirls around them as Mydei thrashes. Not violently, they're both too strong for that, but frantically trying to twist away like a dignified prince who refuses to be humiliated in a public bathhouse.

Which only makes it funner for the deliverer.

Mydei wriggles, his face contorted in a desperate battle between royal composure and uncontrollable laughter.

"iHif you doHont stop riHiHght nohow-!" He gasps, voice wobbling. A giggle bursts out, small but undeniably there and the second it does, Phainon's eyes light up like twin flames.

He shifts tactics instantly: one hand moves from Mydei’s armpit to dart down and tickle the soft spot at his collarbone. 

Mydei jerks so hard water splashes over the edge of the bath. His breath comes in short bursts now as suppressed laughter finally breaks free. A real one this time: sharp…utterly human beneath centuries of armor and the weight of immortality upon him.

"gHahaHA- dehehlivHeehereHEr thiHiHis ihihis chiHildihHish-! stOhOp thiHis ihiHinstHahaHant-!"

Phainon ignores the demand because of course he does. When has any ruler, prince, or god ever stopped him from doing something fun?

He leans in closer through the steamy air, his white hair damp and clinging to his forehead as laughter spills from Mydei’s lips. The kind that makes Phainon’s heart do something silly.

"Childish? But it's fun! Tickletickletickle Mydeimos~!"

This is better than winning any battle. 

Mydei laughing? Unfiltered? Like this?

Precious.

With zero remorse and all the joy of a man who lives for chaos and affection equally, Phainon shifts again and aims both hands at Mydei's hips now.

Mydei collapses into a full, helpless laugh, rich and warm despite his best efforts to sound offended.

It’s the kind of laugh that hasn’t been heard in a long time. The kind that belongs to a boy who once played in palace gardens before curses, betrayals, and immortality stole his joy.

He flails slightly, water sloshing wildly as Phainon's fingers attack both hips relentlessly. His shoulders shake; he can't even form proper words anymore.

"pHhahHAINON IHIHI WIHIIHILL DROHHOWN UHUUHS BOHOHOTH IHIHIF YOHOHOU DOHOHONT CEHAHAHASE-!" 

But it's not threatening at all. Not when he's giggling like this. Not when tears are starting to prickle the corners of his eyes from laughing too hard after so long without reason for it.

Phainon finally shows mercy though.

Or maybe it's the sight of Mydei, crown prince of Kremnos, laughing like a breathless child with tears in his eyes that softens Phainon’s heart into something so tender.

He pulls back just slightly, hands still hovering but no longer attacking. Steam curls behind them. The bathhouse is quiet again except for their heavy breathing and lingering giggles.

For a moment, they just stare at each other. Wet hair clinging to their foreheads.

Mydei gasps slightly, catching his breath as he pants. Already planning his revenge on the deliverer.

Mydei narrows his eyes at Phainon.

Phainon sees the look.

That narrow-eyed, calculating stare. The one Mydei gets right before he strikes back with twice the vengeance.

Before Phainon can even brace himself-

Mydei pounces.

Water splashes as he tackles across the small bath, stronger than his lean frame suggests. In an instant, those prince's long fingers are digging into Phainon’s sides and stomach with zero mercy.

"Your turn." Mydei growls playfully, still breathless from laughing but now fueled by his need for payback.

Phainon shrieks.

The demigod of worldbearing, shrieks like a startled puppy as Mydei’s fingers find his stomach.

"nONoOononoOhoho mydHheheei! yohoOHOOHURE TOOHOHOO STROHOHONG-!!" Phainon protests between bursts of laughter, thrashing slightly but not pushing him away. He can't even defend himself properly.

He tries to twist away but ends up half-submerged in warm water as Mydei mercilessly attacks with both hands.

"MYDHEHEEEI PLEHEHAAHAHASE!! COHOHOME OHOHON!"

Someone would surely slip with the flood they were practically causing by now. But neither paid attention to that. Only Phainon's laughter echoing throughout the baths.