#ler!ghost

And so you lay there, a play for all to see. A comedy for people to heckle at. A tragedy to amuse. With the responsibilities of your life coming to crash down on you, you were paralyzed. The inner turmoil of failure trapping you within it's corrosive claws of anxiety. Whereas others would disregard the pains of being, the torture of existing, the agony of living, you were not so numb to it all. The demonic laughter echoed throughout your mind, a smile of malice to accompany it. Your mind begged for you to take this head of yours and hit it with a sense of sanity, whether that be metaphorical or literal. Your head hurt, but no medicine in the world could cure you. Your body lusted for violence against you, but with your waning self-control, you reigned it in.

Simon saw your inner struggle. He saw your will to survive, much like his own. You fought and fought, even when there was no way to win a battle of this magnitude on your own. Your hands were twitching, a sign for Simon to assume the role of your protector once again.

"Love, is there any way I can help you?" A voice so soft, so full of warmth, as if wrapped in the downs of a mother bird. He sat down beside you, placing one of his large, warm hands on your thigh. With a few gentle caresses, you felt yourself ease into his touch.

The ceiling, however, was much more interesting than your boyfriend as you were unable to tear your gaze from it. You sighed, another pang of pain shooting through your head. The pressure was unbearable. For a moment you hummed with closed eyes, images of violence flashing before your eyes, piercing through the little bit of peace you had. Your mind was blank. "I don't know... I don't know anything at this point. I just want to not have to think for a little bit. It's all so exhausting, really..."

He regarded you for a moment. There were quite a few things you liked, but none of them would give you some peace of mind for a few minutes. Oh, how he despised himself for not being able to help you.

"You know what? Please just tickle me. I can't do this anymore."

The way you looked at him, so vulnerable in this moment. The shame in your eyes was evident as you moved your wrists closer to your face. Simon moved his hand to your side, caressing your body all the way. He inched closer to your face, pressing a gentle kiss to your forehead. "Your wish is my command."

A lone finger was all it took to shift your focus to something mor pressing. Gliding along your ribs, down to your waist, along your thigh, before finally nestling within the warm comfort behind your knee. You wiggled as it traced your sensitive skin, unable to flee before this mercy. Simon grabbed your leg and angled it in a way, where he had easy access to your inner thigh. Gently fluttering his fingers across that very spot, he observed you. Even in this moment of weakness, your desire to appear tough ruled out the possibility of giving in just yet. You bit your lip, your eyes squeezed shut. Even so, the smile on your face was undeniable. As you crossed your arms over your chest, Simon smiled.

"Seems like someone wants to laugh a little. Come on, baby, let me hear you." Setting aside your leg, he made himself comfortable between them. Had it not been for the sensation making you giggle, you would have missed it. Gentle fluttering of his fingers up and down your upper body made you squirm a little. You clasped your hands together, fingers intertwining tightly. Simon watched in amusement. A single finger scratching along your side had you arching your back in the opposite direction. Two fingers nestling in the opposite armpit, dancing without worry, had you clasp your arm down. You gasped, airy giggles leaving your throat. A battle worthy of being fought. An insecurity, a greater enemy than any historical figure.

"Does that tickle? You gotta talk to me. Or would it be better if I did this?"

Two fingers spidered down your body, making detours as often as they could. From circling your tummy to tracing your knee, it seemed as though their journey was endless. But even an odyssey has an ending. Celebrating ever after, one of Simon's hands grabbed your ankle, applying light pressure on it. You, on the other hand, inhaled sharply. A lone finger traced up and down your foot. You whined, gently pulling your foot away from him. A mere civillian stood no chance against a lieutenant and so you were left with that strange sensation you could not describe. Your breathing was uneven, soft gasps filling the room here and there. The lone finger was joined by three others.

"Come on, I want to hear you. Do I need to be rougher with you? Or do I need to do something along the lines of... this?"

Although deadly as a soldier, swifter than the minds of many can comprehend, he was deliberate in his leisure of moving his hand holding your ankle to your hips. Once more, you whined as his hands chased your body, caressing it with all the love a forlorn man could muster. You rolled over, onto your stomach, and kicked your legs ever so slightly. Giggles spilled from your lips as you wiggled some more. Simon ceased his onslaught, leaning over your form and pressing his forehead against the back of your head. He took in your scent, and then a content sigh left him.

"I wish there was more I could do for you."

His skin touching yours rivalled the sun shining on a pleasant spring day. Both were just as healing in their properties. For a moment, all the thoughts racing through your mind had come to halt in order to consider something far more important: Simon. Despite everything, you deserved him. Despite everything, you were grateful to have him. You inhaled the scent surrounding you. Some cheap men's deodorant, but it was familiar. The weight on your back kept you grounded, a reminder that you weren't alone in this.

"Where would I be without you," you murmured, twisting your arm so you can touch him. The pale skin was adorned with scars, the soft bumps making him all the more unique. For a moment, you didn't have to think.

"I'd find you, even if you were with some other bloke."

✧ ˚ ࿔ LEE :

- surprisingly welcome to touch and affection from people he loves, which makes him a semi-easy target.

- doesn’t deny his ticklishness, but he doesn’t tell the whole truth either. if someone asks he tells them “no, not really” and leaves it at that, and that’s usually enough to make people back off.

- he genuinely didn’t remember how ticklish he was until he met Soap. the last time he got that kind of attention was as a child, and that was a long time ago.

- however, once you get the chance (and you know where to look), he’s actually got a lot of ticklish spots.

- generally, Ghost isn’t all that ticklish: the most common spots like his sides and stomach will only get huffs and chuckles at best.

- but there are a certain few spots that will make him fold like a cheap lawn chair, including his lower back, thighs, and armpits.

- Ghost’s laugh changes depending on the situation he’s in. gentle tickling gets those huffs and chuckles, along with the occasional giggle, but rough tickling on the right spots can get this guy howling.

- one of his odd spots is along his jaw and just under his chin. since he has a mask on most of the time no one really gets a chance to try there, but chin scratches are a surefire way to get him to relax and soften up a bit especially after a long mission.

- Ghost isn’t too easily flustered: most teases don’t have much of an effect. but if you want to make him blush a genuine compliment is the way to go, especially about his smile. telling him that he has the cutest smile will make him turn into a puddle.

- another thing that makes him flustered is giving special attention to spots he’s insecure about. being a big dude with a lot of muscle he’s got some squish to him, and someone laying with him and gently tracing their hands along his stomach has him completely lost on what to do or say. he’ll just get all red and look away.

✧ ˚ ࿔ LER :

- no matter how cute a lee he is, the moment Ghost goes on the offensive it’s time to run.

- this man is a menace to lee society. he harbours revenge like an incubator of vengeance, and if you’ve got one up on him you won’t for long. he’ll find a way to get you back.

- he’s a believer in anticipation. he knows the longer he lets his lee fester the more worked up they’ll be, which makes their eventual downfall at his hands all the more satisfying. and he’s patient. military life has given him the blessing of being able to wait it out, and you’d best believe he uses that to his advantage.

- he’s built up Soap on anticipation for literal days, to the point that Soap practically barged into his office and begged him to just get it over with.

- Ghost is also big on the chase. it adds more anticipation to the eventual attack, and he loves it. he also likes to hear his lee giggling as they run before he’s even touched them.

- once he catches you though, it’s so over. he’s strong and he knows it, so as gentle as he reminds himself to be there’s no way you’re getting out of his grasp unless he wants you to. he always leaves a little wiggle room, but when he’s got you he’s got you.

- generally he focuses on gentler tickling, and instead of getting his lee worked up from laughing he teases the fuck out of them. and god damn it he’s good at it.

- “poor darling. you’re not going anywhere, are you?”

- he also has no issue saying the t-word and will do it repeatedly if he knows it makes his lee embarrassed, just to see them blush.

- essentially he’s a big meanie pants (literally the softest guy, i love him)

The Ghostbusters alarm was set off! The boys quickly grabbed their stuff, slid down the fireman pole, and grabbed their proton packs. They hopped into the car, and drove to their destination in a matter of minutes.

They opened the door to the facility and walked in. “You called?” Peter asked.

“Yes! We need your help.” The man spoke.

“What seems to be the problem, Sir?” Dr. Raymond Stantz asked the man there.

“People have reported hearing giggling in the hallways, and seeing hands chasing them.” The man explained.

“Great! We’ll get it captured as soon as possible.” Stantz promised.

The ghostbusters took the elevators to the 1st floor, and hunted around for the ghost.

“He didn’t specify how many ghosts were here.” Peter Venkman mentioned.

“He’s right. We lack some information. This could be a problem.” Egon Spengler added.

“We’re alright as long as we work together.” Stantz said.

“I...I think I found the ghost!” Winston Zeddemore piped up.

Peter, Raymond and Egon turned around and observed the scene:

Winston was being chased by a pair of gloved hands right beside them in the middle of the hallway. “G-Get away from me! Please!” He tried to slap the hand away, but his hand only went through the ghost hand. “Aw shit…I’m in a little trouble!”

“I’ll get it!” Egon pointed the proton wand at Winston, but was stopped by Peter.

“Don’t point it at him!” Peter warned.

“Well, how else are we gonna capture this ghost?” Egon asked.

“AAH! IT’S GOT ME!” Winston yelled.

The boys turned around and...almost laughed as they realized what was going on: Winston had his hands up in surrender, as the ghost’s hands started skittering and poking at the man’s sides. “DOhoho sohohomething! Ihihit tihihihickles!” He chuckled as he started to double over and hold onto his stomach.

“I...Sense this ghost possesses high levels of mischief.” Egon stated.

“I can tell.” Peter muttered.

“So the ghost...tickles people?” Raymond asked.

“I suppose.” Egon replied.

“GUHUHUHUYS!” Winston laughed, falling to his knees as he continued to hold his stomach. “HEHEHELP MEHEHE!”

“Sorry Winston...I don’t know how to help.” Peter told him.

“I would help, but I’m way too ticklish…” Raymond admitted.

“And I can’t point the gun at the ghost without hitting you.” Egon added.

Suddenly, the laughter died right down. The hands had stopped tickling almost immediately. Winston took this little moment to breathe and recuperate, while the hands got off him and flew around...right towards Raymond.

“Uh oh…” Raymond covered his mouth as he realized what he had said.

“You’d better run…” Egon mentioned.

And run, he definitely did! Raymond tried to run around to prevent the ghost from catching up, but the ghost just wouldn’t stop chasing him! And there was only so long Raymond had until he would be out of breath! Then the ghost would catch up and tickle him! So there was no escaping this damned ghost.

“GET HIM NOW!” Raymond begged. “GET HIM!”

Egon grabbed his wand out and pointed it at the hands. The beam just barely missed the hands, and the hands only went around the beam and back onto Raymond’s tail.

“OH NO! OH NOO!” Raymond ran into a nearby wall, and backed up further against the wall. “HELP!”

Egon ran to the side of Raymond and shot the beam at the hands. But the hands ducked down in a nick of time, and quickly managed to latch onto Raymond’s ribs!

“NO! NOOHOHOHOHO!” Raymond laughed as the hands started to tickle him. “AAAHAHAHAHAHAHA! NAHAHAT THEHEHEHERE!” He pleaded, squirming around as the hands tickled and scratched.

“Well I’ll be damned!” Winston reacted. “This little sucker’s an evil one!”

“Well...What are we supposed to do about it?” Peter asked. “It seems rather innocent enough. Should we leave it alone?” Egon asked as well.

“I don’t think so. The ghost is enough of a bother to warrant a phone call to us.” Peter mentioned.

“GUHUHUHUYS! PLEHEHEHEASE!” Raymond begged as he fell to his side. But even laying on his side didn’t stop the tickles.

“What could we possibly do?” Peter asked.

Egon widened his eyes and quickly gathered the other ghostbusters. “I have a plan.” He admitted.

“Okay. What is it?” Winston asked.

“I’m gonna admit something I never imagined myself admitting...and when I do that, I want you to chase the hands and capture them. But be careful...The hands are dodgy.” He told them.”

“Alright.” Peter replied. “Sounds easy enough.” Peter replied.

Egon got up and took a deep breath. “I’m ticklish on the back of my knees!” Egon yelled.

The hands suddenly stopped, and turned towards Egon. Then, they started flying towards him with wiggly fingers.

“NOW!” Winston yelled and shot the hands. He captured the hands dead on, and watched as the hands twitched and shook. “I GOT HIM! I GOT HIM!”

Peter ran up and shot the beam at the hands as well. “Got it too!”

Egon quickly put the ghost capturing device onto the ground and opened it up. “Okay. lower it!” Egon ordered. Winston and Peter lowered their wands, which lowered the hands as well.

“Now get ready to capture in 3...2...1!” Egon ordered.

The machine grabbed onto the ghost, and pulled the ghost into the device with a big puff of smoke.

And before the boys could collectively say ‘Ghostbusters’, the ghost was captured!

“What a strange little ghost…” Peter mentioned as he grabbed the device.

“So: You’re ticklish on the back of your knees?” Winston asked Egon.

Egon quickly sat on his knees to cover them up. “What...gave you that idea?” Egon asked.

Winston laughed at that and playfully wiggled his fingers at Egon.

Egon pointed a stiff index finger at him. “Nooooo…”

Winston laughed even more at that.

[Back at the station:]

The ghost and the paycheck was successfully collected! And the ghostbusters drove back to their station house to put the money into the bank and put the ghost into its rightful compartment! The ghostbusters parked the car, got out of the car, and headed downstairs. On the way, they said hi to Janine and showed her the ghost in the device.

Egon inserted the ghost and got ready to click the button to neutralize, but...Something seemed to stop him.

“Well? What are you waiting for?” Raymond asked.

“What if...we kept a ghost as a companion?” Egon asked.

“Seriously?” Peter asked.

“I’m serious.” Egon replied. “I mean...I would like to keep this guy. He’s innocent.”

“I think the only reason you’re saying that is because you weren’t tickled by it.” Raymond told him. “Tickling is not that bad…and we can teach him to stop if you’re not in the mood.” Egon told him.

“I’m never in the mood for that.” Peter admitted. “Then we can tell him to not tickle you. There’s other people to tickle.”

“Really? Like who?” Peter asked.

Egon hesitated for a moment, but slowly pointed to himself. “Me.”

“I can’t believe it…You’re actually considering letting a-a-a tickle monster ghost...go free within our house.”

Winston stood beside Egon. “He’s got a point. I wouldn’t mind being tickled by the ghost again.” He admitted.

Egon smiled towards Winston.

“I don’t know...Does it know when to stop tickling? Because we said stop, and the ghost didn’t stop.” Raymond asked.

“We can teach it.” Egon told him.

“You keep talking about teaching it...Where are you getting that from? We can’t teach a ghost! It’s got the mind of the slime monster we caught! We can’t teach it to stop or not tickle people! It will tickle whoever it wants, whenever it wants, and I don’t want that thing wandering around our house.” Peter told him.

Egon looked down and...visibly upset. He never got tickled. And now he really wanted to experience it.

Egon, tired of the inconsideration, pulled the device out of the compartment and clicked a button on the device. “I’m setting it free. Have a problem with it? You can yell at me.” Egon decided quickly and watched as the electricity went off and the ghost hands exited the device.

“EGON NO!” Peter yelled.

Egon smiled at the hands. “Hello.”

The hands flew around Egon and flew down to the knees, having remembered the ticklish spot from earlier. The moment the hands started tickling under the knees, Egon covered his mouth and giggled. Yes, he actually giggled. And what a lovely giggle it was!

“Oh my god…” Raymond smiled upon seeing this scene.

“This is my first time even seeing him smile…” Peter admitted.

Egon continued to laugh and giggle as the hands found more ticklish spots on him.

“Okay. I’m going next.” Winston volunteered.

“I’m not…” Peter told them.

Raymond laughed at this. “So: You convinced yet to let this ghost go?” Raymond asked.

Peter bit his lip and looked at Raymond. “It is tempting…”

“Really?!” Raymond reacted.

“IHIHIHIT’S SOHOHOHO WEIHIHIRD!” Egon laughed.

“Okay...Maybe it’s alright.” Peter decided. “But only tickle me when I’m drunk.” Peter added. “We can tell him that, I’m sure.” Winston replied.

And that’s how one single ghost was set free by the ghostbusters! That same ghost still stays in the old New York fire station. And when the kids visit in the future, they are pleasantly surprised to see gloved hands roaming the fire station.

And Peter got his wish! He was only tickled when he felt like it, and when he was drunk! Any other times, other ghostbusters would be subjected to tickling. Even Janine got tickled a few times!

And the subject who got tickled the most?