#ler!durin

The Akademiya was unusually quiet today. No bustling researchers, no loud debates spilling into the corridors, no overexcited students sprinting between their lectures. Just a few rustling leaves and the slow hum of the desert wind from the far distance. It made Wanderer’s room feel even more still than usual - Too still, Durin thought.

He pushed open the door without knocking, a habit Wanderer pretended to despise but never actually stopped. “Hat Guy? I’m here,” he called out lightly, peeking inside.

Wanderer sat at his desk, back rigid and shoulders tense, staring out the window with a scowl that wasn’t his usual scowl. His normal irritation had a bite of arrogance, disdain, even amusement. This one… sagged at the edges. Quiet. Sulky, even.

Durin blinked, his head tilting. “You look weird.” Wanderer’s glare flicked over. “Wonderful. Just what I needed. A lizard-brained dragon trying to analyze my expression.” “Mm. Definitely weird,” Durin concluded cheerfully, unbothered by the comment, as he stepped further inside, leaves his boots at the entrance, “but I brought snacks.”

The ravenhead didn’t even acknowledge the gesture. He just crossed his arms and huffed sharply through his nose. That was when Durin knew something was actually wrong. He padded closer, crouching beside Wanderer’s chair.

“Albedo taught me what to do when someone, especially a friend I’m close with, is upset,” he began in a bright, matter-of-fact voice, forming his hands to claws, wiggling them playfully at him. “Don’t,” Wanderer warned immediately, tone low and loaded. He looked the other in the eyes with a mix of fear and- was that a spark of excitement? Durin smiled.

“Don’t you dare,” Wanderer repeated, straighter now, clearly sensing danger. “Well,” Durin said as he reached out, “he said people need comfort and sometimes… tickles.” Wanderer shot up from the chair so fast it screeched. “Absolutely not!” Durin’s fingers poked lightly at his waist. A tiny, strangled sound escaped Wanderer’s lips.

He slapped both hands over his mouth instantly, face flushing. “S-Stop that! That’s childish.” Durin’s eyes sparkled. “Oh. That worked better than I thought.” “I SAID-” Wanderer tried to take a step back, but Durin darted in again, fingers skimming teasingly at the sides of his ribs.

“Hn! Durin!” Wanderer stiffened like someone had run a current through him, his breath hitching hard. He twisted away quickly, retreating toward the bed. Giggles - small, unwilling, furious - tried to slip out, and he bit down on them. “Oooh,” Durin sing-songed, “you’re really trying not to laugh, huh? Albedo said that it isn’t good to try hiding it!”

What the hell had he been teaching him?! “You are not allowed,” Wanderer sputtered, retreating further and further until the back of his knees hit the mattress. Durin seized the opportunity. A gentle shove - nothing forceful, nothing Wanderer couldn’t resist if he truly wanted to - and he fell backward onto the bed with an indignant yelp. “AHh!”

Durin climbed onto him without hesitation, straddling his lower back as Wanderer tried to scramble away. The smaller dragon-boy easily sat his friend down, pinning him with barely any weight. “GeHeht off!” “Nope,” Durin chirped, “I’m cheering you up.” And with that, he scribbled both hands along Wanderer’s sides.

Wanderer jolted violently, a sharp gasp bursting from him. “PfFtt- AhHAHahAh! StoHop ihit! D-DuHurin!!” “Oh wow, you are ticklish,” Durin marveled, delighted, “Albedo was right. This works on everyone.”

“Th-ThiHis does not work on- ngh!” Wanderer clamped his jaw shut, shoulders trembling under him as he tried to hold back laughter with visible, desperate effort. Durin leaned down just slightly, fingers slowing into soft, purposeful circles at the dip of Wanderer's waist. “You’re shaking,” he observed warmly.

Wanderer’s hands fisted in the bedding. “I-I’m not shh-shaking…” “You’re totally shaking,” Durin said. A tiny giggle escaped. Wanderer froze, feeling caught red-handed and Durin beamed. Then he dragged his fingertips lightly up his back, slowly tracing them devilishly gentle upwards. The sensation made the other buck.

“HA! G-GeHehet OFF!!” “Oh, now you’re laughing!” Durin laughed too, delighted as he kneaded lightly along the tense muscles near the other's shoulder blades. “See? You sound happier already!” “That! Is NOT!! HnnHAHA Durin d-damn!” Wanderer whined.

He wriggled, twisted, tried to push himself up, but the purple-haired only followed the motion, adjusting his seat calmly and dragging his fingers up the sides of Wanderer’s neck. The soft and unexpected touch made the ravenhead squeak.  “Oh!!! Your neck works too?!” Durin gasped. “SHUT UP!!”

Another high-pitched giggle spilled out as Durin traced circles right beneath his ears, the spot making Wanderer kick against the blankets helplessly, face now fully crimson. He hid it by pressing half his face into the comforter. “D-Durin! St-StoHop iHihit! EHenough!” he whined, his face burning with embarrassment. Durin finally paused.

Wanderer’s panting, trembling breaths filled the room. His fingers remained curled tight in the sheets. His voice, when it came, was embarrassingly soft. “You’re such a child.” Durin smiled fondly and leaned forward, laying his chest gently against Wanderer’s back in a warm hug-like sprawl. “But your mood’s better now.”

Wanderer didn’t respond. Durin waited. Waited. Then, very softly, Wanderer muttered “…Argh! I wasn’t in a bad mood.” “You were,” Durin said gently into his shoulder, “but it’s okay. You can tell me.” A long silence. Wanderer’s shoulders rose and fell with a slow inhale, before he spoke up. “…I don’t like that you went to Mondstadt first.” Durin blinked. “Huh?”

“You came to see Albedo,” Wanderer grumbled, voice muffled, “and spent time with the Knights of Favonius and the citizens. And then finally you came here,” he whispered had the last part almost inaudibly. Durin blinked again. “Wait… are you- jealous?” Wanderer went still. Very still. “…No,” he said too fast, too stiff. Durin gasped. “You ARE!”

“I am not,” Wanderer snapped, but the defensiveness was already an answer. Durin’s expression softened. He slid his arms around Wanderer’s torso and hugged him fully from behind, cheek pressed between Wanderer’s shoulder blades.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered gently, “I didn’t mean to make you feel left out. You’re… You’re my best friend, Hat Guy. I would’ve come here first if I knew it mattered.” Wanderer’s breath stuttered. He didn’t hug back but he didn’t pull away either. “…Don’t say sappy things,” he muttered. Durin smiled. “Then… I’ll say something else instead.”

He pulled back slightly, allowing him to turn around. Durin lifted his hands, wiggling his fingers with an innocent grin. “You have five seconds~” Wanderer shot upright beneath him. “Wait. What does that-” Durin counted. “Five.” “Durin don’t-” “Four.” “I swear if you touch me again-” “Three.” “Durin!” “Two.” Wanderer froze, realization hitting too late. “One.”

Durin pounced at him once more, both hands squeezing his sides. “D-DON’T YOU- HAHAHA YOU LITTLE!!” Wanderer practically exploded, twisting under him with a torrent of laughter he couldn’t hold back this time. “AHAHAHAHAH! QUIHIT IHIHIT!” Durin only laughed with him, chasing every squirm and every gap in his defenses.

“No, I have to make it up to you for making you feel lonely~” he teased as his fingers danced along Wanderer's ribs, up his waist, back to the neck - every spot that made him jolt and squeal. “DUR- HAHAHA DURIN!! DAHAMN IT!!” Wanderer pounded weakly on the mattress.

“I’LL- EHEHHE KILL YOU WHEN I BREA-HAHAHA!!” Durin giggled joyfully. “You always say that! But you’re smiling!” And Wanderer definitely was, brightly, helplessly, genuinely.

The playful tickling continued for a while longer and even turned into a bit of wrestling where Wanderer, weakened by the ticklish assault of his friend, ended up face-down again, reduced to a giggly fit as Durin continued to wiggle his hands up and down his sides, before he finally choked out, breathless, “FI-FiHihne!! FINE!! I give!!”

The other stopped right away, causing Wanderer to collapse face-down, panting hard, ears and neck as red as the dragon-boy’s ruby eyes. Durin sat proudly atop him, grinning. “Feel better now?” Wanderer didn’t lift his head.

“…I hate you.” Durin hugged him around the waist again, cheek pressing to his back. “No you don’t.” A quiet, defeated exhale. “…No. I don’t.” Durin’s smile widened. He nuzzled lightly into Wanderer’s shoulder and Wanderer let him, feeling how the other’s closeness calmed him down. For a moment, all was warm, peaceful, strangely soft.

Then Durin chirped, “I’m still your best friend, right?” Wanderer groaned into the blankets. “If you ask me that again-” “Okay, okay! No more questions.” Durin shifted, hugging him tighter. “Just… no more sulking, or I’ll tickle your ears again.” Wanderer stiffened immediately. “Don’t you DARE, I’m serious!” Durin giggled.

And though Wanderer growled into the pillow, the room stayed warm with the quiet glow of both their smiles - until Durin’s cheerful laughter filled the room once more as Wanderer launched a sudden counterattack, fingers digging mercilessly into his sides.

“AHAHAH HAHAT GUHUY HAHAHA STOP!! IHIT TIHICKLES! I’M SORRY!!” Durin laughed, but he didn't even try to make him stop or break free. Wanderer couldn't help but grin down at him, knowing right away that he actually wanted him to tickle him back - or rather didn't mind it. His hands moved on their own, squeezing playfully the other’s flanks. It made fun.

He was trapped in his chair between both of them and the desk as he squirmed, trying to fend off their hands.

“Leheheave mehehe alonehehehe!"

“No can do, honey~” Sethos teased, scribbling along his neck.

“Yeah! Isn't this what you do to cheer me up?~” Durin spoke up innocently as he scratched at his belly.

“Ihihi dohohon’t neheheed cheheheerihihing uhuhuHUHUP!”

He screeched when Durin went for his hips, feeling him worm his fingers into his hip windows.

“DURIHIHIHIN! NOHOHOHAHAHAHA! THAHAHAT’S OHOFF LIMI—AHAHAHAHA! SEHETHOS?! NAHAHAHAT THEHEHEREHEHEHEHE!”

Sethos switched to massaging deep circles into the sides of his ribs with his thumb, and Scara cackled, shaking his head from side to side in ticklish mirth.

“YOUHUHU TWOHOHO AREHEHEHE BRAHAHAHATS! STAHAHAHAP!!”

Sethos and Durin simultaneously grinned, keeping up the tickles.

“Promise you'll take a break, honey?”

“I NEHEHEED TO FINIHIHISH THIHIS! BWAHAHAHA! W-WAIT! PLEHEHEHEASE! NONONOHOHOHO!!”

Scara cried out, feeling them double their efforts. He tried to curl into himself and slide under the table to escape those wiggling fingers to no avail.

“The cat is trying to escape!" Durin laughed, grabbing at Scara's hips and pulling him back.

“I’M NOHOHOT A CAHAHAHAT!"

“I don't knowwww. You do act like a cat~ Coochie coochie coo~”

“YOUHUHU DAHAHAHARE TEHEHEHEASE MEHEHEHE DURIHIHI—!? GAHAHAHAHA!"

“What are you going to do about it?" Durin cheekily replied, unfazed by Scara's attempt to scold him, and squeezed his hips in retaliation.

He felt giddy being the ler, flapping his wings in delight as he saw Scara laughing with a big smile on his face. He liked the fact that he was able to get back at Scara for all the times he tickled him, but more importantly, he wanted to bring a smile to his face after seeing him stressed over his work. He looked towards Sethos, who had stopped tickling Scara, opting to let Durin do all the work as he gave him a thumbs up and a grin.

“Try his armpits! Here, I'll lift his arms~"

“DOHOHON’T LIHIHIHISTEN TOHOHO HIHIHIHIM! I’LL TAHAHAHAHAKE A BREHEHEHEAK!"

"I don't believe you~"

Durin stood beside Sethos and delved into Scara's armpits, raking his fingers up and down with vigor, making Scara howl with laughter. He shook in his chair and kicked his feet out, knees banging underneath the table. How the chair didn't topple over or the table flip over was a miracle.

"I knew you were ticklish, but I didn't know you were this ticklish!" Durin said excitedly.

"THIHIHIHIS IHIHHIS! NOHOHOHOTHING! I-IHIHI'M NOHOHOHOT TIHIHIHIHICKLISH EITHEHEHER!"

"So if I tickle your hips..." Durin began drilling into his hips with one hand, a sly smirk starting to set on his face. "...and armpits at the same time~" He continued, using his other hand to vibrate his fingers between the junction of his armpit and upper rib. "You're still not—"

"OKAHAHAY, OHOHOHOKAY! IHIHI AHAHAM TIHIHICKLISH! IHIHI GEHEHET IHIHIT! IHIHHI'LL TAHAHAKEHEHE A BREHEHEAK! IHIHIHI SWEHEHEHEAR! IHIHIHI PROMIHIHISE! PLEAHAHAHASEHEHE!”

Hearing that, Durin slowed to a stop, a satisfied smile on his face, poking Scara's side for good measure before pulling away completely and hugging him. Scara hugged him back, his laughter teetering off into giggles.

Sethos slightly pouted as he watched the two. I would've gotten completely wrecked by him if I even tried to hug him after I tickled him like that. He sighed, sitting on the side of the bed before smiling fondly at the two. At least his love is finally taking a break from his work.

“Since I'm taking a break because of a little someone~” Scara scribbled his fingers over Durin's belly, making him giggle. "Let's go out. We can get ice cream. My treat."

“What's ice cream?"

“It's a sweet, cold treat. You'll see it when we get it. Go get ready so we can head out."

“Okay!"

Durin excitedly got off Scara and rushed to his room, leaving both Sethos and Durin alone.

“You have that communication device that Xiao and Tubby made?” Scara asked, getting up from the chair and stretching as he turned towards him. “I wanna call Albedo."

“Way ahead of ya," he says, already calling Albedo.

He tossed the device over to Scara, who caught it with ease. Said device is called the Adeptalstone, which allows Aether and his lovers to communicate with each other within the Serenitea Pot and outside it, thanks to Xiao’s adeptal abilities alongside the teleportation keys that each of them holds for access to the Serenitea Teapot.

“Hello?" a soft voice spoke, tickling his ears.

“K-Kazuha?!” Scara felt his face warm up and a shiver go down his spine. The ghost tickles of before were still lingering, which was not helping at all.

“Wait, Kazuha!?" Sethos exclaimed in surprise before stealing the Adeptalstone from Scara. "Why are you with Albedo?” He then switched his voice into mock betrayal. "Are you cheating on us with him!?"

Rolling his eyes, Scara snatched the device back from Sethos with one hand and used the other to tickle him. Hehehehey!

“Don't mind him. Are you two done having fucking fun without us?” He drawled out, wanting to tease Kazuha.

Scara heard some choking on the other end and chuckled.

“You two are most peculiar when speaking," an amused voice spoke.

“Well, you should be used to it by now, Bedo.”

“I am, but apparently Kaz isn't, even though he's the one who's always to—”

“Ahem,” Scara cut him off, glaring at the Adeptalstone in his hand, hoping Albedo could feel his gaze through it and at Sethos, who was hiding a laugh behind his hand. Scara then turned Sethos over onto his stomach before scribbling his fingers over his back. Nohohoho!

"What I was going to ask you is if Durin can eat ice cream.”

“Yeah, he can,” Albedo answered, trying to hide his chuckles as he heard Sethos's voice filtering through. "Why? Haven't you fed him ice cream before?”

“Planning to go Plehehehease! get ice cream with him and Sethos. And no, I haven't because Scahahahara!! I wasn't sure if that was safe for him in his little dragon form and didn't want to risk it."

“Oh, well, in both forms, he can eat ice cream. No side effects or anything.”

“Okay, thanks for letting me know. Talk to you later, Albedo. Hehehelp mehehehe! And make sure Kazu has a good time~"

Scara immediately hung up, but not before hearing Kazuha's squeaking voice of protest.

“And now for you."

Scara turned to Sethos, setting the stone aside and smirking as his lover let out sweet giggles.

“Thihihis ihihisn’t fahahair! Whahahat dihihid I doho?!"

“Many things…besides laughing, so laugh my little bee~"

Scara grinned before tackling Sethos onto the bed and immediately drilling into his armpits, leaving no time for Sethos to protect himself, not that it would've helped anyway, according to Scara's inner professional opinion.

“WHY MEHEHEHEHEEEE??"

“Are you really asking me that question?"

“IHIHIT WAHAHAS DURIHIHIN’S IDEAHAHA!"

“You and I both know that's a lie, love. This really must tickle if you're blaming our little dragon~"

Scara then bent down and whispered in his ear.

“Don't worry, I'll make it tickle much more~"

“HONEY! W-WAHAHAHAHAHA! I’M SAHAHAHAREHEHEHEHEYYYY! PL-PLEHEHEHAHAHA—! HAHAHAVE MERCEHEHEY!!!!”

“Mercy? Love, you know me. I don't show mercy~”

Scara proceeded to wreck Sethos, turning him on his stomach and clawing at his back, making Sethos squeal in ticklish laughter. Scara also sat on his waist to keep him in place, but not pinning his hands.

I should just let him struggle. Let him think he can escape, heh~

“YOU'REHEHE SOHOHOHO MEHEHEHEAN!"

“You're the one who tickled me first."

“BEHEHECAHAHAUSEHE YOUHUHU NEHEHEEDEHED IHIHIT!!”

Sethos tried crawling away, doing everything he could with what strength he had in him to push Scara off or even tickle him, but he just couldn't and swore that anything he did, the sensations became more unbearable as his legs kicked out defenselessly.

“BAHAHABEHEHEHE! GAHAHAHAHA!

Sethos felt helpless and did the only thing he could: Bang his fists on the bedsheets in ticklish mirth.

“LEHEHEHET MEHEHE GOHOAHAHAHAHA! HONEHEHEYAHAHAHA!"

Scara just smirked.

“I’m not hearing a safe word or feeling any true resistance from you. Besides, you're still laughing quite loudly. And I do quite love your laughs so... “ He aims a well-placed scribble at the back of his neck. "Keep laughing for me, will you~"

“NAHAHAHA! MmMNahaHeheHE!"

Sethos tried to muffle his voice, betting that Scara would stop, but…

“Oh little bee~ You can't hide your laughter away from me~”

His honey’s voice was suddenly right next to his ear, whispering, and it sent tingles throughout his body; ticklish tingles that somehow made every touch more ticklish than before.

“BWAHAHAHAHA! SCAHAHAHARA! SCARAHAHAHA! NAHAHAHA!"

He burst into frantic laughter as tears streamed down his face. Shaking his head when he felt fingers slide down his spine, wiggling back and forth before going back up and doing the same process over again.

“Tickle tickle tickle my ticklish little bee~"

Sethos desperately wanted to melt into the bed. He was so weak to those whispers and tying that in with being tickled on his worst spot, he had no chance against his lover.

“Your laughter is really cute~”

Oh, he is definitely done for…

—⏳☂️🪽—

Durin heard Sethos’s screaming laughter and begging as it echoed down towards his room, where he was getting ready, and he gulped as he felt goosebumps along his skin and a faint tingling. He shook his head as he concentrated on getting ready instead, trying to ignore the peals of laughter and shrieks filling the house. After a few minutes, the house fell silent once more, and he had just finished changing. He took a peek around the hall before tiptoeing towards Sethos’s and Scara's bedroom, his tail swishing behind him in anticipation and his wings hugging him as a shield.

He found Sethos sprawled out on the bed, completely destroyed. He was giggling as he tried to catch his breath when he caught Durin's eye.

He opened his mouth to try and warn him, but it was too late as Scara scooped Durin’s hands up with one of his own and gently prodded at a patch of skin right below where Durin's wing didn't cover.

“The little dragon comes to save the day, hmm~”

“Nohohoho! Scahahara! Ihihi’m tihihicklish thehehere!”

"Oh, it tickles? Well, that's the point, isn't it~?"

Durin’s wings flapped uncontrollably behind him as Scara dodged them with ease, keeping up his attack. However, he didn't catch a sneaky tail wiggling into his pocket near his hip until it was too late.

“Tahahake thahahat!”

Scara’s actions faltered a little before he redoubled his efforts and moved to the inside of Durin's wing, sliding a finger along them experimentally.

Durin let out a gasp, retracting his tail and wrapping it around Scara’s wrist before choking out a giggle and trying to back away. He didn't want to flap his wings, for fear of hurting the other.

“Dohohon’t tihihickle mehehehe snort thehehere!”

“Aww, you snorted. That’s adorable~ Let me hear it again~”

He crawled his fingers to the base of Durin’s wings, and the latter let out a squeal, his wings folding inwards and unintentionally bringing Scara closer to him.

“YOUHUHU CAHAHAN’T snort AHAHAHAHA! TIHIHICKLE MEHEHE THEHEHERE! snort”

“You’re the one pulling me closer, Durin~”

“NAHAHAT OHOHON PURPOSEHEHE!”

Durin half-heartedly tried to tug Scara’s wrists off of him, but he’s slowly growing weaker by the second.

“Can’t my wittle dragon handle a wittle tickling?”

“SCAHAHAHARA PLEHEHEASE!”

Durin shook his head from side to side, his laughter getting wheezier, and Scara took notice before slowing down to a stop and rubbing the ticklish sensations away.

“Thahank you. You are so good at teheasing! I want to tease as good as you one day!”

Scara smiled at that.

“You will eventually. I know you will, Rin-Rin,” he replied, ruffling his hair. “You have a long way to go before you can reach me, though~” Scara teased, before wiggling his fingers at him. “I will admit, though, you did tease me pretty good today.”

Scara hid his face from him, blushing before letting out a gasp when he felt Durin hug him.

“I did?! Yayyy!!”

“You did, I’m proud of you,” Scara chuckled, tweaking his side.

“Hehehey!”

They embraced each other for a little while until they heard a groan from the bed.

“Can we get ice cream now? I’m hungry and completely tired from being tickled to death,” Sethos whined.

Scara burst out laughing before grabbing his hat from the bedside table and putting it on.

“Shouldn’t Durin be the one wanting ice cream?”

“Well, I want ice cream now, too,” Sethos pouted. “That’s the least you can do for subjecting your helpless boyfriend to tickling.”

“You liked it though~”

“Th-That’s besides the point!” Sethos squeaked, getting off the bed.

“Whatever you say~”

“Let’s get going nowww!” Durin let out impatiently. “I wanna try some ice cream!”

“You heard him, let’s go!” Sethos wrapped his arms around Durin and brought him onto his shoulders, giving him a piggyback ride.

“Ice cream! Ice cream! Ice cream!” Both Sethos and Durin chanted as they left the room.

Scara shook his head fondly, glancing at a photo of the three of them on the dresser and smiling at it.

Family.

“Scara! Let’s go!”

Day one: Boo! / Jump scare:

Day 2: Decorating:

Day 3: Hide n' Seek

Day 4: Surprise / Anticipation

Day 5: "I'm not ticklish":

There was an undeniable look of determination in his red eyes as he looked up at Wanderer.

Wanderer sighed and hugged him tightly.

“I always trust you, Durin.”

Scara took a deep breath before placing a hand gently on Durin’s forehead.

“I—”

“Don’t forget about me!” Sethos exclaimed, placing his hand on top of Scara’s.

Scara rolled his eyes affectionately before starting again.

“I, a drifter in this world, and I, a former vessel of Hermanubis, give to you our blessing. May you be able to traverse this world like us and with us side-by-side on our adventures together,” they both finished in unison.

Two other hands placed their hands on top of theirs, and the couple looked to find Aether and Albedo, both glowing a golden light and winking at them.

“We offer you our blessing. May you remain by the side of Sethos and Scaramouche always, and may no harm ever befall you or them. And may Mondstadt welcome you with open arms.”

Their glow faded, and everyone removed their hands from Durin, who looked up at them curiously.

“Did something happen?”

“That wasn’t the transformation yet, Indur.”

“Scar. May I?”

Albedo offered his hands, and Wanderer gently handed Durin over.

“Wait!” Scara shouted as Albedo and Aether started walking away.

Albedo turned around, and Durin looked back at him and Sethos.

“We love you, Durin.”

Durin flapped his wings happily, a knowing look in his eyes.

“I’ll come back to you. Both of you.”

With that, Albedo and Aether walked a safe distance away from Sethos and Scara, who stood close, their hands clasped tightly together.

“You’re my counterweight, Ae,” Albedo spoke tensely. “In case something happens, you know what to do.”

Aether pressed his lips into a thin line, seriousness written all over his face and a little worry.

“I do.”

Albedo took a deep breath and looked towards Durin.

“Close your eyes, Durin. This will be quick.”

Durin nodded his head, following Albedo’s order.

“Here goes.”

Albedo placed his hand over Durin, a glow coming from his fingertips as he recited a saying.

In an instant, a poof of smoke hid everything in Sethos’s and Scara’s view, but they could still see the golden glow from the other two.

Both of them waited anxiously for a confirmation from either Aether or Albedo.

Suddenly, the lights went out and the golden glow disappeared.

“Oof!”

They heard Aether and Albedo groan as it sounded like they were flung towards the wall.

Sethos made a move to go to them, but Scara grabbed him.

“Don’t. Not yet.”

Sethos’s breath caught in his throat as he saw red eyes staring at them through the smoke.

“Is that—”

The being with red eyes barreled towards Scara, and Sethos felt him clench his shoulder tightly. Don’t move, it meant.

Everything felt as if it was in slow motion as it came closer and closer while Scara stood there, narrowing his eyes and staring into those red ones that were rushing at him.

The smoke cleared away, and they finally saw him, Durin. He still had his purple shade in his hair, albeit a bit darker, dark purple horns, and wings that were outlined in the same color and filled in with a shade of red. But the question that was in their minds was, Is it their Durin?

Trust me.

Those words rang in Scara’s head as the distance between them got smaller and smaller.

I trust you.

…

…

…

Slam!

Scara felt the wind knock out of him, his hat flying off as he felt the impact on his chest and started falling. Sethos was knocked out of the way too but felt a wing cushion his fall.

Is it? Sethos thought to himself as he watched another wing and a hand cushion Scara’s fall.

And then…laughter bubbled out of Scara’s mouth.

“DURIHIHIHIN?”

The lights turned back on, and Aether and Albedo walked towards Sethos, all of them looking at Scara, laughing while shirtless Durin drilled into his hip windows with a smirk.

“This is payback for all the times you tickled me~”

He knew it was Durin the moment he was tackled to the ground, but hearing him, that cemented the idea that it was truly him. Durin. Their Durin. And everyone felt the same way as Aether and Albedo shared a peck on the cheek and hugged each other, while Sethos thanked them.

Scara was overwhelmed with emotion and started crying tears through his laughter.

“DURIHIHIHIN!!” Scara laughed, crying happy tears as he managed to hug him for a second before darting his hands down to fend off Durin’s fingers. “IHIHIhit’s rehehEHEHEally youhuhu!”

“I told you to trust me,” Durin grinned, slowing to a stop to hug him back properly.

“Ahand, I nehever had a doubt,” Scara giggled, residual giggles slipping from his mouth as he wiped his tears.

Sethos felt himself being nudged towards Scara and looked behind him to see Aether.

Go, his eyes said.

Sethos didn’t need to be told twice as he went to them and gave them a bone-crushing hug, laughing and crying.

“Durin! It’s really you!”

“Both of you are such crybabies.”

Scara and Sethos looked at each other in a little shock before looking back at Durin, who had a mischievous look on his face.

“Honey,” Sethos whined. “What have you done?? He's already become a mini-you.”

Scara had no comment on that as he looked away, but a tiny smirk made its way on his face.

Sethos pouted before he smirked and started whispering to Durin.

“Remember the time when I showed you Scara’s tickle spots?”

“Are you thinking what I think you’re thinking?”

Scara looked between them and, seeing their smirks on him, he felt himself backing away and putting a hand in front of himself to fend off any attack from them.

“I don’t know what you both are planning, but you better— HEY!”

Sethos pulled Scara’s hand towards them and immediately pinned him down. Durin began fluttering his fingers over Scara’s armpits, making him squirm and giggle uncontrollably as Sethos raked his fingers down Scara’s sides.

“Durihihihin! Sehehehethos!”

“You’re a natural in your human form, Durin.”

“I learned from the best~”

Sethos fondly smiled at that. In the inside…Yes! YESSSS! Beat that, Honey :P

“Speaking of learning,” Durin drifted his fingers to Scara’s navel making him suck his tummy in and choke out a giggled, Dohohohon’t! “I want to learn how to do a raspberry.”

Scara looked at him in horror and looked at his bee with the cutest eyes he could muster, but his fate was sealed when an evil smirk made its way to his lover’s face.

“Raspberry, you say~”

“Aehehe! Behehedohoho! Hehehelp mehehe!” Scara called out to them.

“Uhh, we got…stuff to do…”

“Yeah…clean up after the transformation! Very busyyy!”

They both sped off across the room to clean and left Scara in Sethos’s and Durin’s clutches.

“So, get your mouth close to his skin.”

“Waitwaitwahahait! You cahahan’t teach him thahat!”

“Too bad~” Durin grinned down at him.

“When dihid I teheach you to become ehevil?”

All Scara got in a response was a wiggling finger inside his belly button, and he let out a guffaw of laughter.

“Okay, get my mouth close to his skin and what?”

“Press your lips gently against his skin, and then you’re going to blow a strong burst of air through your lips while keeping them loose. You’ll know you did it right when there’s a loud brrrrrrt or pffffft sound. The vibrations will tickle him. I’ll show you.”

Scara was uncharacteristically begging them both not to do it, but Sethos was not having it as he placed his lips on Scara’s neck and started blowing ticklish raspberries on his skin.

“AHAHAHAHA! YOUHUHUHU STUHUHUHUPIHIHID BEHEHEEE!”

Sethos pulled away an inch, grinning at Durin.

“You can also growl or do some other noises that will make it more ticklish for him, like this.”

Sethos placed his lips and renewed his attack, adding little buzzing noises and making Scara go berserk.

“BWAHAHAHAHA! NOHOHOHOHO! LIHIHITTLE BEHEHEHEE!”

“You’re laughing this much just from this? How about if I add my fingers?”

He let go of Scara’s wrists and started fluttering his fingers on the other side of his neck and under his chin, making Scara cackle.

“SEHEHEHETH!”

Scara retaliated by jabbing at his side with his freed hands, but Sethos was unaffected and blew a long and loud raspberry in punishment, making Scara scrunch his neck and shriek.

“Looks like someone is quite sensitive there~” Durin teased.

“DURIHIHIHIN! HEHEHEHELP MEHEHEHE!”

“Sure, I’ll help you~”

Durin winked at Sethos and straddled Scara’s hips, lifting his clothing and exposing his stomach to the cool air.

“WAHAHAHAHAIT! NONONOHOHOHO! THAHAHAT’S NOHOHOHOT HEHEHELP, DUHUHURIHIHIN!”

Scara squirmed wildly, shaking his head and attempting to push Durin off him, but his persistent bee kept him distracted.

“Oh sorry~ I meant I’ll help you laugh more~”

He bent down, recalling what Sethos taught him before, placing his lips right over Scara’s navel and blowing a huge, vibrating raspberry.

And Scara lost it.

“NAHAHAHAHAHA! GEHEHEHET OHOHOHOFFF! PFFT! DURIHIHIHIN! PFFFFFFTTTT! OHOHOHOFFF! BRRRTT! PLEHEHEHEASE!”

Scara thrashed around, squeezing his eyes shut as tears leaked from them, and he almost headbumped Sethos, making the other let up to dodge before going back and blowing little ticklish puffs of air on his ears and maybe the occasional devious lick.

“Heh, a bad spot, huh?” Sethos whispered, chuckling as his love pounded the floor in ticklish agony.

Scara tried to suck in his stomach to which Durin pinched his hips making Scara gasp and subconsciously lift his stomach towards him, making the dragon boy chuckle.

“Aww, do you want more tickles? You could have just asked~”

An idea popped up in his head, and feeling his horns, he made sure they weren’t sharp and experimentally nuzzled against Scara, while blowing small raspberries all over his belly.

“Coochie coochie coo~”

Scara’s cheeks were a bright red as he let out panicked cackles and fruitlessly tried to twist away, only to yelp when Durin drilled into his hip windows.

“DohohOHOHOn’t TEHeheaSEHE meHEHehe!”

At this point, Sethos had already stopped and was just watching the show as he giggled alongside his love.

Sensing that Scara was at his limit, Durin let up, blowing one final raspberry, relishing in the squeal that left his mouth.

“That was fun~” Durin said gleefully, patting Scara’s stomach as he got up.

Scara let out a giggle and weakly swatted at his hand.

“Stohop it alreheady.”

Durin just chuckled, stretching out his wings as Sethos hoisted Scara up with a grin and somehow wearing his hat.

“When did you— Ugh, whatever.”

“You all finished? Let me get a picture of you three!” Aether called out to them, Kamera in hand.

Durin tugged them both over with his wing and kept his wing surrounding them, a cheeky smile on his face.

Sethos with his honey’s hat. Scara exhausted and leaning against his bee. Durin shirtless in human form with dragon wings surrounding the other two.

It was quite the photo as Scara looked at it. And he wouldn’t have it any other way as he glanced towards Albedo, Aether, Sethos, and Durin, chatting with each other.

Durin caught his eye and he beckoned him to come over, a happy smile on his face.

Scara rolled his eyes, pocketing the photo as he walked towards them.

My wish also came true with you, Durin.

Thank you for coming into my life.

Scara frantically tried to tug Durin's hand away to no avail. Sethos wasn't faring any better, thrashing about and laughing hysterically.

“DURIN! DURIHIHIN! NOHOHOHOHOHOHOT THEHEHERE!”

“Both of you tickle me when I do something dangerous so why not I return the favor when you two do something dangerous. Sounds fair, right?”

The dragon had a mischievous glint in his eyes as he switched spots, digging into Sethos’s hallow and prodding at Scara's upper ribs. And for good measure:

“Tickle tickle tickle~” he cooed at them.

“AHAHAHAHA! PLEHEHEHEASE! THAHAHAT MAHAHAKES IHIHIT TIHIHICKLE MOHOHOHORE!”

It was devastatingly effective against Sethos as his laughter increased tenfold, collapsing against Durin and Wanderer clamped his mouth shut this time, doing his best to muffle his laughter.

“I bet it does~” Durin snickered at Sethos, swirling circles now in his armpit. GAHAHAHA! PLEHEHEASE! DURIHIHIHIN! “And don't be shy, Scara~ I want to hear your laughter!”

Scara shook his head in defiance as tears of ticklish mirth pricked at his eyes, too prideful to give into such a childish game.

“No?”

Durin’s teasy tone shook Scara to his core as he made the mistake of looking at his eyes, which were alight with mischief.

“How about if I tickle you…here?”

Durin drawled out the last word, inching his fingers to Scara’s most deadly spot and the increasing panic on Scara’s face was priceless. One squeeze on Scara’s hip was all it took for the dam to break as a flood of desperate laughter left Scara’s mouth.

“BWAHAHAHA! STAHAHAP! NAHAHAHA! DURIHIHIN! GEHEHE—AHAHAHAHA!”

“Yay! There’s your laughter~” Durin murmured teasingly.

After tickling the two for a few minutes more, he let up, smirking at them.

“I think that is enough,” he hummed, proud of his work. It’s rare for him to be the ler since he really likes being the lee but when he is the ler it makes him feel oh so smug. He likes to be a mean dragon from time to time~

Both Sethos and Wanderer literally had no energy to scramble away, leaning against each other as residual giggles left their mouth.

“Sohoho mean!” Sethos giggled out.

“I’ll gehehet you bahack, Rihin!” Scara tried to threaten him though his giggling took away the effect.

“Serves you two right,” Durin grinned at the two of them before softly smiling. “Happy birthday to you, Sethos and Scara. And you too Scara because I couldn’t find you in Nod Krai when it was your birthday,” Durin pouted. “Though, this was a satisfying gift for a tsundere like you, don’t you think?”

Sethos burst out laughing at that.

“I told you to stop calling me a tsundere!” Wanderer cried out, his ears and face burning red as he materialized his hat to hide himself.

“There, there, my honey,” Sethos purred.

“Little bee, you’re done for. I don’t care if it’s your birthday.”

An evil glint shined in Scara’s eyes making Sethos gulp.

“Durin??”

“I— Uh— D-Dvalin needs me! Sorry Sethos, b-but happy birthday!”

Durin scrambled for his access to Aether’s Serenitea Pot and teleported out of there.

Sethos turned towards Scara with a pleading look on his face.

“Please be gentle?”

Scara gave it a thought.