#ler!sethos

Sethos had come to a very important conclusion: His new roommate was weird. Not dangerous weird - he’d met plenty of people in Sumeru who qualified for that - but the quieter kind. The kind that sat on the edge of the room, watched everything, and acted like the world had personally offended him just by existing.

Sethos lay on his bed, one arm tucked behind his head as he stared lazily up at the ceiling, letting his thoughts wander. Day three of sharing a room at the Akademiya, he mused. Name: Wanderer. Or… Hat Guy, apparently. Personality: Grumpy Cat. He snorted softly to himself.

It wasn’t like he hadn’t tried. “Hey, want to grab lunch?” had been met with a flat “No”. “Want to come study with me?” had gotten him a blank stare and a “I don’t waste time”. Even casual conversation had been… difficult.

Wanderer was quiet, sharp, and distant. Always perched somewhere slightly offside - at the back corner of the auditorium or the windowsill in their room - like he didn’t quite belong on the same level as everyone else. Like a cat, Sethos thought again, amused. An unapproachable one. Still… Sethos turned his head slightly, glancing across the room.

Wanderer was sitting on his desk, one leg loosely crossed over the other, a letter held in his hand. His hat rested nearby, abandoned for once, and his expression - usually so cool and composed - looked… different. Softer. There was the faintest curve to his lips. Sethos blinked.

…Wait. What?! He pushed himself up onto his elbows, eyes narrowing. “A smile?” he whispered to himself. That was new. That was very new. Curiosity sparked inside him immediately. Okay, Sethos thought, grinning to himself, what could possibly make Mr. Grumpy Cat smile like that?

He rolled off the bed in one smooth motion, padding quietly across the room. Wanderer didn’t notice at first. He was too focused on the letter, eyes scanning over the page with that same faint, almost absent smile. Sethos leaned in just enough to peek over his shoulder.

“…make friends…” “…friendly…” “…stubborn…”

That was all he managed to catch before, the dark-haired finally noticed him. “Get lost,” he snarled, sounding as if been caught red-handed. Sethos didn’t even flinch. Instead, his grin widened. “Aww, Hat Guy,” he said lightly, leaning closer, “what’s that? Someone writing you love letters?” he teased, trying to get a better look at it.

Wanderer’s expression snapped back to its usual sharp edge, and he folded his arms quickly, hiding the paper. “Mind your own business.” “Oh, come on,” Sethos laughed, “I just saw you smiling. That’s a historic event, I deserve context.” “You deserve to leave,” the dark-haired replied annoyed. “Not happening when you finally show a hint of emotion there~”

Wanderer turned his head slightly, eyes narrowing. “You’re annoying.” “And you’re hiding something,” Sethos shot back, clearly pleased with himself, resisting the urge to poke his nose, and settled to wiggle a hand over the back of his neck instead. The light touch caused his him to flinch, but he kept quiet.

There was a beat of silence, before the brunette smirked, a sudden thought coming to his mind. It might be childish- embarrassing even, if it wouldn't work, but if it did, he might finally be able to get closer to him. There was nothing to, lose anyways, right? The slight reaction he just got gave him the confidence to proceed.

“Alright,” he said, flexing his fingers slightly, “if you won’t show me…” Wanderer raised a brow “…I’ll just have to make you.” Before Wanderer could react, Sethos darted forward and jabbed his fingers straight into his sides. It was a gamble, a complete, reckless guess… and it paid off instantly.

Wanderer squeaked. It was soft, completely unguarded and absolutely priceless. His entire body jolted in surprise, his arms snapping tighter against his sides to protect them, causing the grip on the letter to loose in the process. “WhaH-?!” he sputtered, breath hitching as Sethos’ fingers scribbled lightly along his ribs. Sethos’ eyes lit up. “No way!~”

“StoHop that!” Wanderer snapped, trying to suppress the giggles that wanted to get out, but the command broke halfway into a startled laugh, as he was not able to hold them back. “Oh, you’re ticklish,” Sethos grinned, doubling down immediately, visibly relieved that his intuition was right. He had learned something new about him.

Wanderer tried to twist away, but with his arms pinned close to protect the letter, he had no defense. Sethos took full advantage of that, wiggling his fingers teasingly over the exposed sides. “H-HeHey, gehet your hahAnds out of theEhre!” Wanderer hissed, laughter slipping through despite his best efforts.

“That’s so unfair,” Sethos teased, “you act all cool, and this is what happens?” “ShuHut…uHup!” the navy-blue-haired cursed, but his composure was already cracking. His shoulders trembled and another soft, breathless laugh escaped him as Sethos squeezed lightly at his ribs, making sure to target the sensitive areas in-between.

That was all the opening Sethos needed. With a quick movement, he snatched the letter from Wanderer’s loosened grip. “Got it!~” he cheered, holding it up in the air like a trophy. Wanderer froze for a moment. Then his eyes sharpened. “…Give that back.”

Sethos jumped back, waving the letter triumphantly back and forth, while paying attention not to crumple it by accident, knowing how much it seemed to mean to the other. “Make me~” he challenged. That was a mistake. A very big mistake he realized way too late. A rush of wind surged through the room.

Before Sethos could even react, Wanderer used his anemo power to propel himself forward- fast… very fast, catching up to him in an instant. “Whoa-!” The world tilted as he slammed into him, tackling them both onto the bed in a tangle of limbs. “Oof!”

The impact knocked the breath from Sethos’ lungs, and the letter fluttered from his grasp, drifting uselessly to the floor. For a second, everything stilled. Sethos blinked up. Wanderer was above him, straddling his hips, his dark hair slightly disheveled, his blue eyes sharp- and just faintly flushed. “…You’re fast,” Sethos breathed.

Wanderer smirked. “If you wanted to ‘bond’ so badly,” he said coolly, “I suppose I can humor you.” Sethos barely had time to process that, before the other’s fingers dug into his sides, kneading into them with such a surprised and unexpected gentleness that it broke him instantly. He burst into loud, belly laughter. “HAAHAHAH H-HEY-! NOHOHOHO!”

He couldn’t believe that he was seriously tickled by the other and why was he so good at it? His touch was quick and precise, fingers dancing over Sethos’ ribs and slipping under the edge of his shirt to trace along his stomach, as if had to done it countless times already.

The brunette's interest and wish to get closer to him was triggered even more by that, but right now, he had to get out of this situation, and fast. Sethos squirmed beneath him, laughter spilling out freely. “OhoHohokay- Okay I- Pfft I diHihidn’t mean this kind of bonding!”

“Too late for that~” Wanderer teased, not even realizing what expression was shown on his face. His lips curled into a small, amused smile - different from his usual sharp smirk. Softer. More genuine. And Sethos noticed. “You’re- hahaHa smiling again!” he managed between giggles. Wanderer’s expression faltered for a split second. “Shut up.”

“That’s so uHunfair!” Sethos laughed, twisting under him. “I’ve neHehver seHehen you like this!” “Then stop looking.” “CaHahn’t! AhAHAHHhah!” Sethos gasped as fingers skittered up his sides, dangerously close to his underarms. “Oh no- n-n-noHo doHohn’t… noHohot theEhre!” he laughed, tears of mirth already forming in his eyes.

He was giving him a pleaded look- well, he tried to, considering he looked like a complete mess right now. Wanderer did it anyways, and his fingers found their way into his bare armpits, wiggling into his hollows with gusto.

Sethos yelped, high-pitched laughter spiking as he tried to curl inward, only to be held in place by Wanderer’s weight. “AHhAHahah iHit t-tiHickles!” “Sensitive?” Wanderer asked, almost teasingly. “YoHou’re eHEhvil!” Sethos replied. “And you started it.”

Sethos grinned despite himself, breathless and flushed. “…Worth it~ I like tickling and I’ve never seen you so happy- well, anything besides that kind of face, so totally worth it~” Sethos said, trying to mimic Wanderer’s serious face which got him a chuckle from the other. Wanderer huffed, but the smile lingered.

That was Sethos’ chance. With a quick twist, he shifted his weight and grabbed Wanderer’s sides in return. The other froze. “Oh?~” Sethos panted, still laughing. “You didn’t think I’d fight back?” Wanderer’s eyes widened - just a fraction, but before he could even have a chance to react, Sethos had already squeezed a now well-known weak spot of his.

His composure shattered. A startled laugh broke free, as his shoulders jumped, fingers faltering against Sethos’ sides. “S-SeHehthos! StoHop iHit!” Sethos didn’t stop. “Oh, this is good,” he grinned, digging into his sides more firmly now.

Wanderer tried to push himself up, but Sethos used the momentum to roll them over, reversing their positions in one swift movement. Now he was on top and Wanderer was pinned beneath him. For a second, they both froze again. Wanderer’s face was flushed, his usual sharp expression replaced by something softer, more flustered.

“SeHethos,” he said, his voice tight, “g-get off-” “Nope.” Sethos grinned down at him. “You said it yourself,” he teased, “let’s “bond”~” The navy-blue-haired’s eyes narrowed. “ThaHaht’s- argh noOH- ahAHAHAhahaH!” “That’s the way buddy~” The brunette’s fingers wiggled teasingly over his sides, absorbing each and every reaction from the other.

The other sucked in a breath and Sethos struck, sneaking in something teasing pokes on his stomach as well. Wanderer laughed, his giggles sounding almost childlike. It was softer than Sethos’, more restrained, but no less genuine.

It slipped out in breathless bursts as Sethos’ fingers traced over his stomach, his ribs and the sensitive spots in-between, and up under his arms. “AHaHAHAHAH s-stoHohOHop!” “Not a chance.” Wanderer twisted, trying to escape, but Sethos held him easily, laughing along with him now. “You’re even more ticklish than me,” he teased. “Am noHohot!”

“You totally are and it’s adorable.” Wanderer huffed- and then laughed again when Sethos squeezed his sides. The room filled with overlapping laughter, warm and bright and completely at odds with the quiet distance that had existed between them just minutes ago. Neither of them noticed how close they were anymore, or how natural it felt.

Eventually, their movements slowed, laughter fading into soft, breathless giggles. Sethos collapsed beside Wanderer, still grinning. “…Okay,” he admitted, “that was fun.” Wanderer turned his head slightly, avoiding his gaze. “…As if...” “But you laughed.”

“…That means nothing,” Wanderer mumbled, but the undertone in his voice made it quite obvious that he had enjoyed it too - whether it was just as much as for him, well, he now had enough time to find it out.

Sethos chuckled. His eyes drifted to the floor. To the letter. It lay there, slightly crumpled from the fall, the writing - a bit crooked as if written by a child - still visible from where it had landed. His gaze caught on a line.

Did you already make friends at the Akademiya?

He blinked. His smile softened. He read a little more.

I know you can be stubborn sometimes, but I also know that you’re actually a kind person deep down. If you give it time, I’m sure the people around you will see it too.

Sethos’ eyes flickered back to Wanderer, then back to the letter.

You’ll probably pretend not to care, but I think you’ll make a lot of friends before you even realize it, Hat Guy.

There was a small pause. And then, at the bottom-

-Durin P.S. I miss you. Come visit again soon.

Sethos smiled quietly to himself. “…Hey,” he said after a moment. Wanderer stiffened slightly. “What.” Sethos didn’t tease him this time. “…You’re doing fine, you know.” Wanderer frowned faintly. “What are you talking about.”

Sethos just shrugged, still smiling. “Nothing.” Wanderer narrowed his eyes but didn’t press. And for once, the silence between them wasn’t uncomfortable.

...

Bonus

A few days later, Wanderer sat alone at the desk. The same place where Sethos had first caught him smiling. This time however, there was no one peeking over his shoulder, no sudden attacks, or no annoying voice calling him “Hat Guy” every five minutes. Just silence and a blank sheet of paper. Wanderer stared at it. “…Tch.”

He picked up the pen. Paused. Put it back down. “…Ridiculous,” he mumbled to himself. And yet, after a moment, he picked it up again. The scratching of ink on paper was soft, almost hesitant at first.

Durin, Your timing is as inconvenient as ever. The Akademiya is just as insufferable as you’d expect. Full of scholars who talk too much and think too highly of themselves.

There was a pause. Wanderer tapped the pen lightly against the paper, his eyes narrowing slightly as if debating whether to continue.

…However. It seems I’ve acquired a roommate.

Another pause. His expression shifted- just barely.

He is loud. Persistent. Annoying beyond reason. He lacks any sense of personal space and has a habit of inserting himself into matters that do not concern him.

The navy-blue-haired exhaled quietly through his nose.

He also laughs too much.

The pen stilled again. For a moment, it looked like he might stop there, but instead, he added:

…He is not entirely unbearable.

A faint flicker of something - something softer - crossed his expression and he caught himself smiling, despite himself. He shook his head.

He has a tendency to act before thinking, which is troublesome. However…

Wanderer hesitated, then he slowly continued to write:

…I suppose I understand what you meant.

Another small pause.

About “making friends”.

The word looked almost out of place on the page. He stared at it for a second longer than necessary, then scoffed under his breath.

Don’t misunderstand. I am not confirming anything. But…

The pen hovered- then moved again.

He hasn’t left yet.

That was the closest he was willing to get. For now at least. Wanderer leaned back slightly, glancing at what he had written, as if checking for errors - not in grammar, but in something far more intangible. After a moment, he continued:

As for your other point- I will visit when I have the time.

A brief pause. Then, almost as an afterthought:

…Don’t get used to it.

The pen lifted. Wanderer stared at the letter, expression unreadable. Then, with a quiet huff, he added one final line at the bottom.

-Hat Guy

A moment later, the door creaked open. “Hey, Hat Guy- Oh!” Sethos leaned into the room, blinking in surprise. “You’re writing a letter? That’s rare.” Wanderer’s hand moved instantly, flipping the paper over. “Get out.” Sethos grinned. “No way. Who’s it for?” “None of your business.” Sethos stepped further inside anyway, clearly undeterred.

“And then use your…thumb joint thingies? Those are actually called— Albedo, I love you, babe, but we are not doing a full anatomy lecture right now, to press into the temple area and pull up—”

“BWAHAHAHAHA!”

Whatever Scara said after was lost as Durin exploded in laughter, shrieking and frantically pulling at Scara’s hands while his feet kicked out, almost toppling the chair over if Scara wasn’t there behind him.

“S-SCAHAHAHARA! HAHAHAT GUHUHUY! IT TIHIHICKLES! IT TICKLEHEHESSS! OHOHOHO MY GAHAHAHAWD! AHAHAHA!”

“Oh? It does? I didn't realize~” Scara said, innocently, while he continued tickling him.

Durin’s tail swished rapidly behind him, whacking against Scara incessantly as his wings frantically flapped about and his legs kicked out.

“YOUHUHU SAHAHAID IHIHIT WOHOHON’T TIHIHICKL— GAHAHAHA! YOU TRIHIHICKED MEHEHE!”

“Oh, Durin,” Scara cooed. “It was obvious that I was going to tickle you~ ’…a defensive technique’; Pfft. That was such an obvious excuse for me to tickle you~”

Scara angled his fingers a bit, scratching at a particularly sensitive patch of skin on his neck, making Durin roar with laughter.

“AHAHAHA! NOT THERE! NOHOHOT THEHEHERE!”

“Come on, this is good practice for you to try and get out~” Scara teased. “You can do that, right? Since you are an almighty dragon?”

“NOHOHOHO TEHEHEHEASINGGG!!”

“No? I thought you liked teasing. I would even say you like it as much as you like being tickled~”

Scara smirked devilishly before leaning down and placing small ticklish raspberries on the tips of his horns. That, in addition to the tickles on his neck, made Durin completely fall apart.

“BWAHAHAHA! snort MY HOHOHORNS AREHEHE TOHOHOO snort TIHIHICKLISH! SCARAHAHAHA! snort NOHOHOHO!”

He was being tickled to tears, and he was loving every single second of it.

“Aw, those snorts are adorable~” Scara cooed. “Do them again~”

He placed even softer raspberries that were barely there, making Durin squeal and snort uncontrollably.

“snort NAHAHAHA! snort YOHOHOU’RE SOHOHOHO snort GAHAHAHAHA! snort MEHEHEAN! MEHEHEHEANIEHEHE! snort EHEHAHAHEHE! snort WAHAHAHAIT!”

“Heh, isn’t he adorable, Albedo? … Albedo?”

Scara looked towards Albedo, who wasn’t looking at him, making him scoff.

“Albedo! I was asking you—”

“Tahahahake thihihis!”

With Scara distracted, Durin managed to control his tail and make it curl around Scara’s waist, trapping him and dipping the end into one of his hip windows and prodding inside, earning an undignified squeal from Scara, who immediately let him go.

“Youhuhuhu rahahahascal! G-Gehehehet ohout ohohof thehehere!”

In a desperate attempt to gain control again, he gave Durin a bear hug and scribbled over his wings, causing the other to cackle and instinctively give his wings a big burst of energy, flying off the chair and taking Scara with him before heading right directly to Albedo and the bed.

“W-Whoa, DURIN! WATCH OUT!”

“OH SHIT!”

A flutter of bed sheets, pillows, feathers, and blankets exploded from the bed as the two crashed into it.

“Owie,” Durin groaned, taking a punctured pillow out of his horns.

Hearing Albedo groan too, Durin gasped, crawling over to him.

"Albedo! Are you okay?!" Durin cried out with concern.

Albedo gave him a light grin, patting himself down.

"Ah. I feel like 10 million mora. Can't say the same thing about Hat Guy, though," Albedo chuckled, winking at him and gesturing towards a hatless Scaramouche.

“Durinnnn!! What was the plan there!?!”

A grumpy Wanderer pulled the dragon's legs toward him, making him yelp.

“I-I didn’t think that far ahead!” Durin sheepishly grinned, scratching the back of his head before gasping when he felt his arms being raised over his head.

“Albedo?!”

“Finally, deciding you want to join in, huh?” Scara clicked his tongue at the Alchemist as he climbed onto Durin’s hips.

“Mm, he almost destroyed my painting…” Albedo murmured, taking off Durin’s gloves, causing the other to get into a giggle fit.

“D-Dohohon't! Ahahalbehehedohoho! Scahahara!” Durin giggled, squirming around, and his wings flapping about.

“We're not even tickling you, and you're this giggly?” Scara chuckled, looking at Durin’s flushed face with amusement. “Hmm, we have to do something about those wings…”

“No! Y-You dohohon't need toho! Stahahay awahayehehehe!”

Durin giggled, hiding himself behind his wings before immediately unfolding them and letting out a guffaw of laughter when Scara scribbled over his lower abdomen.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk. We definitely need to do something about those naughty wings.”

He exchanged a glance with Albedo, who nodded with a knowing smirk on his face, before they instantly were at opposite ends of Durin’s wings, spreading them taut before gently tracing the inner membranes.

"Ahahehehaha!! NoHOhohO! NOHOHOHOHO! P-PleheahasEHE! Dohohon't doho thaHAHAT! My wihIHiHings arehehe sehehensitivehe! BwaHAHAha!”

Durin clutched his sides with his now free hands, scrunching up his face in squeaky, uncontrollable snickers and laughter as Scara and Albedo giggled alongside him.

Albedo glanced over to his side when he felt something brush against his thigh.

“Hmm, oh. A feather…a feather.”

Albedo's eyes lit up in realization. He picked up the feather and twirled it in between his fingers before calling out to Scara.

“Scara! Try this!”

He showed the feather to him, making the latter widen his eyes and flinch, biting his lip before regaining his composure in an instant.

What was that? Albedo thought to himself, filing that detail for later.

“I like the way you think, Bedo,” Scara said, pulling him out of his thoughts.

Scara summoned Anemo, bringing some feathers to his and Albedo’s side. He could use his powers to control the feathers to tickle Durin, but he’s 100% sure that the dragon would not survive the onslaught. Better suited for a dumb bee, too smooth samurai, flirty detective, or a smart ass alchemist.

Durin was grateful for the break, pulling in gulps of air before starting to giggle once again when he saw the two readying themselves.

“Wahahait! Plehehease! Pleasepleaseplehehahasehehe!! I'll do anythihing!” Durin pleaded, a glint of nervous excitement in his eyes.

“Anything, you say?” Scara hummed, armed with two feathers, one in each hand, hovering them over Durin’s wing.

“Ahahanythihing! Eep!”

Durin let out a squeak when he felt a feather brush on his other wing, looking at Albedo with wide eyes.

“Oops, sorry,” Albedo apologized, the apology not reaching his face as he smirked.

“Hmm,” Scara pondered aloud, bringing Durin’s attention back to him. “Say you’re the most ticklish person in the world.”

Durin bit his lip. There’s no way he can say that! That’s too flustering! He looked between Scara and Albedo before sighing in defeat.

“You’re the most ticklish person in the world. There, I said it,” he finally spoke with an innocent face.

The shock on Scara’s face was priceless that Durin had to break into a sly grin, and Albedo started laughing.

“Don’t laugh, Albedo!” Scara cried out, being pulled out of his stupor.

“Sorry! Sohorry!”

Scara rolled his eyes before turning his attention back to Durin and, without even giving him the chance to react, started swiping the feathers across his sensitive wing, which he was pinning down.

The reaction was instant as Durin was beside himself in laughter, kicking his legs out and arching his back before falling back down.

“HAHAHAHA! WAHAHAIT! GAHAHAHA!”

“You were really asking to be tickled, huh, bratty dragon?”

“N-NOHO— !!! ALBEDOHOHO! NAHAHAHA! THIHIHIS IHIHISN’T FAHAHAIR!”

Despite his protests, both Albedo and Scara can see that Durin was enjoying himself with the wide smile on his face and bubbly laughter flowing out of his lips, while his tail whipped back and forth between his legs.

“I knew you were ticklish, but not this ticklish,” Albedo said in awe, as he swept the feather over the edges of his wing, making the dragon let out a squeak.

“DOHOHOHON’T DOHOHO THAHAHAT! IHIHIT TIHIHIHICKLES SOHOHOHO MUHUHUAHAHACH!”

“It does, huh~?” Scara asked with an evil grin. “How about here?”

He reached for a spot on Durin’s wing where he knew was extremely ticklish, thanks to the photo Albedo sent him of Klee drawing on his wing, and suffice to say, it was very effective.

“BWAHAHAHA! L-LEHEHEAVE THAHAT— AHAHA! AHAHARCHOHOHONS! SCAHAHAHARA!”

Durin couldn’t think straight anymore, much less complete his sentence. He just knew it tickled so, so bad! It was only feathers, too! Why does it tickle so much!?

“Now imagine if Albedo did the same thing on your other wing?~” Scara teased, bringing him out of his thoughts.

He darted his eyes towards Albedo, seeing how he was slowly lowering the feathers in his hands towards his wing, and that was the final straw before Durin finally gave in.

“OKAY! OKAHAHAY! NOHOHO MOHOHOHORE! PLEHEHEHASE!”

Hearing those words, Albedo and Scara immediately stopped and let him go. He instantly curled up, giggling as he hid himself with his wings.

The two of them slowly approached him before hugging him, staying like that for a while, before the door to the room suddenly swung open, and Sethos stepped in.

“What’s going on he—? Oh! Is this a cuddle pile?! Let me join!”

Sethos jumped onto the three of them, making them let out an ‘oof!’ as they fell over. Scara immediately started whacking at Sethos and scolding him while Sethos repeatedly let out ‘I’m sorry!’ trying to protect himself with a nearby pillow. Durin laughed at the scene they were in, and Albedo looked at Sethos and Scara fondly, chuckling under his breath.

“You are an idiot, Sethos! What if we got hurt?!”

“I’m sawry…”

“Don’t. Don’t give me those puppy eyes.”

“You’ll forgwave me? Wight, Scawa?”

Scara’s face was heating up quick and he jolted when Albedo nudged him with a smirk.

“So?”

“Ugh, you all are insufferable! I forgive you, now stop with those puppy eyes!!”

“Yay!”

“You are such a child.”

“Hmm,” Durin hummed to himself, having finally recovered after his two tickle sessions and catching Albedo’s attention.

“What is it, Durin?”

“I was just thinking,” Durin looked towards Scara, who finally left Sethos in peace. “You seem to be quite a tsundere, Scara.”

Scara sputtered as the other two shielded their laughter behind their hands.

“I’m not a tsundere! And where the hell did you learn that word?! Albedo?!”

“Why are you blaming me!? I didn’t teach him that!”

“Sethos!?”

“Not me, honest!”

Scara pinched the bridge of his nose before tackling Durin.

“Ah!”

“Durin, you have five seconds.”

“I’m not telling!”

“Fivefourthreetwo—”

“You can’t count that fa—*one—*hahAHaST! AHahAhAHA!”

“Now tell me where you learned that word or else.”

“NehEHEverrr!!”

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you~”

“Wait! Not the— N-NonononoHOHoho!”

As Durin was tickled once again, Albedo and Sethos looked on in amusement.

“I bet 10 mora that Durin will not give in,” Sethos said after a moment. “What do you say, Albedo?”

“You bet?”

“Yeah. The shenanigans Cyno, Tighnari, Kaveh, Alhaitham, and I get into during Genius Invokation TCG can lead to some…interesting bets.”

“I see. I accept your bet then. 10 million mora says he folds.”

“HUH?! cough I-I see someone’s confident.”

“It’s cause I’m a winning man. See?”

He gestured to Scara and Durin, the latter beside himself in squeals, giggles, and snorts as Scara gently tickled his horns.

“Ready to give in, little dragon?~ I know this is your weakest spot~”

“L-Let’s call off the bet and join in instead?” Sethos asked hopefully because he definitely does not have 10 million mora.

“Sure,” Albedo chuckled, making Sethos sigh in relief.

“Ah, look. Seems like we have two more people who want to join in on the fun~” Scara snickered.

“S-Stahahay bahahack!” Durin giggled at the two new lers.

Sethos feigned hurt as he grabbed a hold of both Durin’s palms while Albedo sat near one of Durin’s wings.

“Rin-Rin, that hurts!” Sethos pouted. “I want to hear more of your giggles!”

“He did curse earlier,” Scara recalled, tracing the ridges of Durin’s horns and making the dragon yelp. “He should be tickled for that, don’t you think, Sethos?”

“Our little dragon cursed?!” Sethos widened his eyes in shock.

“It’s true, I did witness it,” Albedo chimed in.

“Durin, you’re so going to get it!”

Sethos started blowing raspberries on his palms, and Albedo joined in on scribbling his fingers over his wings, and with the added tickles on his horns by Scara, the rush of sensations immediately hit him, igniting the loudest laughter yet from the dragon.

“EHEHAYHAHAHAHA! snort AHAHAHAHA! snort snort I’M SAHAHAHWRYYY! PFFT! PLEHEHEASE! IHIHIHI snort DIHIHIDN’T MEHEHEAN TOHOHOO! snort”

Hiccupy laughter and snorts filled the ears of his ticklers, and they felt their hearts melt at how adorable he was as they slowed down before stopping altogether and hugging Durin tight.

“Never change, Durin.”

“You’re so adorable, little dragon~”

“Sigh, bratty dragon.”

A moment of peaceful silence settled over them before Scara spoke again.

“You still didn’t say where you learned the word tsundere.”

All of them could hear the pout in Scara’s voice, making them all chuckle, and Scara’s face burned a bright red.

“Oh, Hat Guy~” Durin teased, wiggling his wing against his side. “It was Kazuha. He lent me some BL to read because I was curious about love, and I found out about that word.”

“…That Kazuha!! I’ll kill him!”

“Now, now,” Sethos interrupted. “Calm down, everyone knows you’re a tsun—hahaha!”

“I’ll kill you first, Sethos!”

Laughter filled the room once again, and Durin leaned into Albedo’s hand, who was ruffling his hair.

“Albedo?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m happy to have been born,” Durin spoke softly. “Thank you for making it possible. I’m happy I have a family that loves me.”

Before Albedo or even Scara and Sethos, who stopped after hearing what Durin said, could say anything, light snores and purrs emitted from the now sleeping dragon.

“I’m glad you are here,” both Albedo and Scara said in unison to his sleeping form with small tears in their eyes before snuggling close to him and then pulling Sethos towards them, who was unsure if he should say something and leave.

“You’re part of this family. Stay.”

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Sethos x Scaramouche (romantic)

Lee: Scaramouche

Ler: Sethos

Warnings: Tickles! Its 3am help me

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Whoever thought that playing hide and seek at night was a good idea? Wanderer simply wanted some peace and quiet, until that annoying busy bee came up to him with the audacity to ask to play something as childish as hide and seek. 

Despite how bothersome it seemed, Scaramouche couldn’t find it in himself to reject the guy. Maybe it was something in the air, maybe it was the fact that it was his birthday, who knows. 

So there was Scara, wandering around the darkened desert, with only the stars as his guide. At first, he thought he could perhaps ditch Sethos while the latter counted, but that was proving to be difficult. No matter where Wanderer went, he could hear the taunting teases of that annoying bee.

“I’m gonna getcha~”

No matter where he looked, there was no sign of the bow wielder. Where was he even hiding? There's only sand all around!

Before he could curse at his surroundings, a pair of hands materialized from what felt like thin air and poked at his sides. 

“GAH! What the-?!” Wanderer instantly whipped his head around to look for the perpetrator, only to find nada. How strange.

He tried to keep walking, only to shriek in surprise at the sudden squeeze he felt on his hip. And again, no sight of that mischievous bee. 

This same song and dance carried on for a while, with those pesky hands poking and prodding at Scara’s torso. Causing the ex-harbinger to let out an array of embarrassing noises, without much luck at catching the perpetrator. He felt like the desert dweller was just toying with him at this point, tormenting him for his selfish amusement. It annoyed him to no end! Definitely didn’t leave him flustered. What’s that? His cheeks are all red? Shut up, it’s just the light from the moon playing tricks. 

Anticipating another attack, Scara managed to snatch a wrist, quickly turning to apprehend the offendor. Indigo eyes locked onto mischievous, emerald ones.

“Found you~ You’re not very good at hiding, y’know?”

“Where was I even supposed to hide? There’s only sand for miles ahead” Wanderer huffed, definitely not upset at having lost this silly game. Nuh uh.

Sethos could only laugh in response, the sound sending a strange, fluttery feeling through Hat guy’s chest. Though, he chose to ignore it.

“Y’know, I never realized how ticklish you are” the brunette landed a poke on Wanderer’s side, earning a startled squeak. 

“Do that again and I’ll make you regret it” he growled out, which only made him seem cuter, in Sethos’ humble opinion. 

“Oh? Well, I’m always up for a challenge~”

Wanderer wasn’t sure what happened. One moment he was glaring at that annoying bee, and then he’s suddenly laying down on the sand, hat fallen off, getting a full view of the night’s sky. He felt the warm weight of Sethos settling on top of his hips, keeping him stuck, though that didn’t stop him from struggling. He twisted and turned, kicked out his legs, but it was all useless. When that failed, he opted to glare at the man on top of him, even if he knew deep down that it was ineffective. Since the first day they met, Sethos had always been drawn to him like a moth to a flame, never afraid. It was odd, receiving all this attention, but it wasn’t the worst thing in the world.

Hat guy’s inner monologue came to a halt when those fingers rested against his sides, lightly tapping up and down. He hated how it made his skin jump. He hated how much this stupid bee affected him, no matter how hard he tried to control himself. 

“C’mon, laugh for me~” Sethos cooed encouragingly, a bright smile blossoming along his lips at the sight of that delicious red blush painting Scaramouche’s cheeks. 

“I do not lahaugh- waHAit! NoHOho!” any semblance of composure went out the window the moment that those fingers climbed their way up his ribcage, feeling those unbearable pokes and prods along the bones and between them. 

“Haha! You’re even cuter when you actually smile and laugh” the electro user laughed along with him, only serving to further embarrass him. Scara would desperately try to bite down on his lip, to keep those awful sounds at bay, but that sly bee somehow managed to find every little spot that made him want to crawl out of his skin. 

The higher those fingers went, the more desperate Scaramouche’s laughter got. 

“I’m getting the sneaking suspicion that I’m about to reach a sweet spot~” the brunette leaned down to whisper against the flushed ear, serving to fluster the squirming male beneath him further. 

Once he managed to worm his fingers up to Scara’s underarms, the dam finally broke. Loud, unrestrained laughter flowed out of the latter’s mouth. Sethos felt his mouth go agape, he never thought that this ball of grump could ever sound so… free? Happy? Joyful? All the above? It was truly such a mesmerizing sound, as great as finding an oasis in the middle of the desert. Paired up with the rare but beautiful wide smile. Yup, he could pass away to celestia right now. 

When Wanderer went all limp under him did he finally let up, though he couldn’t stop himself from ogling at the mess he left behind. Indigo hair all tussled out of place, flushed puffed out cheeks, and that smile that Scara tried to hide but couldn’t stop himself. 

“Beautiful…” the words escaped his lips without realizing, surprising the both of them. He could’ve sworn that Scaramouche’s blush deepened, a blush of his own not trailing far behind. 

He suddenly tumbled off with a soft ‘oof’ when Scara pushed him off, seemingly trying to ignore… whatever just happened. He watched as the wanderer stood up, grabbing his hat and dusting the sand off before putting it back on. Was he leaving already? “Wait, where are you going?” 

“It’s still your birthday, right? C’mon, I have something to give you” he stretched his hand out to Sethos, pulling the brunette to his feet. The whirlwind of emotions felt even more intense now, and the bow user didn’t know what to do with himself. 

In an act of impulse, Sethos placed a quick kiss on Scara’s cheek, causing the anemo user to freeze up. Indigo eyes widened in surprise, though there was no anger or annoyance behind them. He reached to touch the patch of skin that had been grazed by soft lips, the corners of his mouth quirking up into a faint smile.

“Tch… annoying bee” Scara feigned annoyance, yet his hand found its way to Sethos’, linking their fingers together as they walked. 

“Happy birthday” Wanderer whispered, like a sweet breeze against Sethos’ skin. To think that a silly game of hide and seek could’ve lead to something much greater. Truly the best birthday yet.  

Wanderer only went out to grab some fresh air away from the stuffy Akademiya but somehow found himself flying across Sumeru city to escape the clutches of the traveller and that annoying little bee called Sethos.

He looked back over his shoulder to see that both were in hot pursuit, both grinning with determination to get their hands on the anemo user.

With a chuckle, Wanderer had to give credit to their efforts, but it was time for this foolishness to end.

The puppet called back a taunting, “See ya’!” before speeding off further into the city and disappearing around one of many corners and kept flying until he reached a small tree and grass patch just outside of the city.

For a fleeting moment, he thought he had escaped his pursuers, a triumphant grin spreading across his face.

“Not fast enough, almighty Traveller- ACK.” He felt a powerful force slam into him from behind before he could even finish his triumphed speech, sending him crashing to the grassy patch below him, his hat thrown from his head.  “What! How?!”

“You underestimated us!” Sethos beamed as he and the blonde traveller wrestled Wanderer down to the ground.

“Which isn’t anything new for you, is it?” Aether’s voice was smug, and in that moment, Wanderer wanted to murder them both. No one would know, he could easily pass it off as an accident.   

“Unhand me!” Wanderer demanded. “Or both of you will face the fatal consequences!”

The two men chuckled at his dramatic declaration and looked at each other with nothing but mischief in their eyes. “Watch this, Sethos – I’ll prove to you now that our beloved Hat guy here is ticklish.”

What.

Wanderer’s eyes widened in alarm as Aether’s fingers crept towards him. This bastard wouldn’t dare, surely? He didn’t have that much of a death wish, did he?

What made the situation even more humiliating was that Sethos was present, and wait, when did he put the anemo user’s hat on his head instead? But if he caught even a glimpse of something that could be used against him, he would never leave him alone.

“Touch me, and you’ll regret it.”

Aether’s fingers making contact with his sides startled a gasp from the puppet, but he sets his jaw, determined to remain stoic and appear unaffected. 

“Hm, not much of a reaction,” Sethos noted, sounding almost disappointed.

“He’s just holding it in,” Aether grinned, nimble fingers now travelling up to his ribs. “Aren’t you, Hat guy?”

“You’re really pushing it,” Wanderer said through gritted teeth, feeling himself crumble as the tickling at his ribs forced a breathy giggle from him. “Stop!”

Sethos watched in awe, then with an amused laugh of his own, he decided to join in. His eager fingers went straight under Hat guy’s arms which startled an uncontrollable cackle to burst from him.

“AHAHA – I sahahaid stop!”

“There it is!” Aether cheered with pride, revelling in the helpless laughter.

“Wow, you were right,” Sethos had to dodge a swift throw of Wanderer’s arm which squirmed rapidly in the tickling. “I’ve never heard him laugh like this before.”

“I’ll show you a laugh,” Aether stopped tickling his ribs and reached down to Wanderer’s bare knee, where he began squeezing around it with vigor.  

Wanderer howled with laughter, shrieks and cackles that Sethos wasn’t even aware could be heard from him.

“I HAHAHATE YOHOHOU!”

Aether only laughed, delighted with the results of his and Sethos’ tickling. The fun came to a sudden halt when anemo energy engulfed all around them, sending both Aether and Sethos flying backwards.

“Ouch…” Sethos groaned, noting Hat guy’s hat sat upon the ground in front of him. He watched as Wanderer then picked up the hat and placed it back on his own head, holding it down over his eyes to hide his expression.

“I’m going to give you both to the count of five.”

Aether and Sethos gulped at the seriousness of his tone. Sensing the immediate danger, they were in, both panicked and started running away with a yell.