#multiple lers

September 30th, 1998. It was Leon Kennedy’s first day at the Racoon City Police Department (RPD for short). He pulled into the parking lot. Leon stared up at the large building towering over him. He shifted the car into park, grabbing his keys and shoving them hastily into his pocket. He locked the car and shut the door, double checking that his phone was still in his pocket. Pushing open the gate, he walked up to the door and opened it. 

Walking in, he was immediately greeted by a large and majestic statue holding a large flag. Leon guessed it was made of marble. There was an American flag hanging from one pillow on the right side of the desk. The other pillar had a black flag with a police badge emblem on it. The lighting was beautiful. He stared in awe. 

A banker’s lamp and a few files were scattered about the desk. He glanced around the interior of the building a bit more–the ceiling went higher than he thought it would. From the outside, the building looked tall, but inside was better. Looking down at the floor, he noticed the RPD badge on the tile, along with the year it was established. Leon glanced up to the side of the walls–on both sides he noticed a hallway along with railings. He could infer there was a second floor along with rooms. 

A woman was sitting at the front desk. How he didn’t notice her first was beyond him. ‘Are you looking for someone?’ she asked kindly, her smile almost infectious. ‘I’m here for work. Uh, Leon Kennedy? I was supposed to be here yesterday but had a rough night.’ She nodded sympathetically, flipping through a file or two on her desk. ‘I’m Rita Phillips. I usually run the desk around this place. The bullpen area is that way.’ Rita pointed to her right–his left–and turned in her chair a little bit. ‘Go up that ramp, and there should be a door just to your left. That’s where you’ll find everyone!’ 

He nodded, thanking her. He felt almost dizzy with the exhilaration and anxiety of finally being here. If he hadn’t broken up with his girlfriend a couple nights ago and blacked out at a shitty bar, he would’ve been here a day earlier. He walked up the small ramp, glancing around the corner a little. The door to his left. He took a deep breath, shaking off the nerves. Leon opened the door. Immediately he was greeted with quite a few faces. 

He looked around the room. There was a desk on the end with a nameplate–specifically his name engraved in the bronze colored metal. There were party decorations everywhere. Golden streamers from the ceiling swung gently, their green, red, and silver stars spinning a little bit. They caught the light in a good way. There was a party banner set up with a ‘Welcome Leon’ in yellow lettering against a blue background. 

A man in a crisp uniform came up to him–introducing himself as Marvin Branagh. Lieutenant. Leon shook his hand, unable to stop the excited smile coming across his face. The lieutenant had the other officers introduce themselves. There was Elliot Edward who usually wrote reports, David Ford who recorded incident logs and kept track of accidents and calls, Geroge Scott who he learned was usually the night watchman but had come in to meet Leon, and then Neil Carlsen. Neil was the sergeant and planned to get Leon his uniform.

‘Pleased to meet you,’ Leon said, practically vibrating with the amount of energy he felt coursing through his body. ‘Rookie’s got energy,’ one commented with a lopsided smile. If Leon recalled correctly, it was Elliot. ‘Come this way, and you’ll get your uniform,’ Neil–Sergeant Carlsen? Leon wasn’t sure what name to use right now–said breezily, walking off. Leon quickly followed. They went out the end door of the bullpen, taking a right. The pair went to the right again, around the safety deposit room until they reached the stairs. ‘First day?’ the sergeant asked casually, as if it wasn’t obvious. Leon nodded, worried that if he were to speak it’d come out in a haze of excitement and energy. 

They reached the top of the stairs. Turning to the right again, Neil started to talk again. ‘It’ll be the first door on our right. This is the locker room,’ he explained as he opened the door, holding it so Leon could follow him inside. Carlsen grabbed a bundle of clothing, handing it to Leon. The blue and black of the uniform was bright, new, clean. Leon stared at it, then back up at the man. ‘Change in here and meet back in the West Office. The others set up a…celebration for our newest rookie. They keep getting scared off, but I believe you’re a good fit. Do you think you know the way back?’

‘Yeah…yeah, I think I can get there,’ the brunette said with a hint of hesitation, ‘if not, I’m sure someone will find me first.’ Carlsen gave a little chuckle then nodded, leaving Leon alone in the locker room. He changed into his uniform–pulling his shirt and pants on first after getting his civilian clothes off. He glanced at the vest–that must go over his shirt. He slipped that on over his shirt, stretching a little. It hugged tightly to his body but in a comfortable way. It had RPD on the back and front. 

Leon finished adjusting his uniform, then opened the door. By some miracle he remembered the route back to the West Office–the bullpen. Immediately after walking back into the office, an officer grabbed him around the shoulders and slid their fingers into his hair. He had combed it that morning to try to look somewhat neat. Leon opened his mouth to protest, and it came out as a squawk of a laugh as the fingers ruffled and tousled his hair roughly. He pulled out of their grip, glaring at them as he tried to smooth his hair back down. The officer–Elliot–grinned with a stupid smile on his face. ‘Rookie initiation,’ he claimed.

‘Leave the rookie alone,’ Marvin chuckled, squeezing Leon’s shoulders like a father would. Leon had to choke back a squeak at the way it tickled. ‘Now, son. We’ve got soda, beer, pizza, and cupcakes. Figured we’d give you a proper initiation.’ Leon blinked, surprised and almost overwhelmed by the sheer amount of measures they all took to make him feel welcome. Marvin invited all the officers to eat. Leon took a styrofoam plate, putting a couple pieces of pizza on it. He sat down at the chair by his new desk, setting the plate on the clean wooden surface. 

He wasn’t too thirsty at the moment, so he chose to ignore the drinks for now. Considering he had drank himself blackout a couple nights ago, he didn’t need the beer. Soda he drank, but didn’t feel the vibe in the current minute. David Ford pulled up a chair, practically throwing himself into it with a grin. Leon looked up in bewilderment, then smiled back. ‘First day jitters?’ the officer asked. Leon looked at his pizza, took a bite, then nodded. He felt stupid for even admitting so. 

‘We all had that at one point. Ask Ryman all about it,’ he laughed as he gestured to a burly man in the corner of the office with a cup of soda in his hand. The man glared at David, then softened at Leon, jesting back, ‘Says the one who couldn’t figure out how to file shit until his 3rd week in!’ The whole room laughed while David rolled his eyes, shaking his head with a smile and brushing a bit of black hair out of his eyes. 

Leon ate his pizza rather quickly. The brunette set the empty plate back on his desk then sat back in his chair, taking in the scene. Everyone was socializing and poking fun at each other with Marvin supervising like he was babysitting. Neil Carlsen had stayed long enough to grab food then had vanished to go check on calls and reports. Lieutenant Branagh came up to Leon, smiling warmly at the new officer. ‘Enjoying it?’ he asked, standing near the man. Leon nodded. ‘It’s a bit overwhelming, but it’s nice. Everyone I’ve met has been really friendly.’ 

‘Watch for Chief Irons,’ Branagh mentioned out of the blue, taking a sip of his drink, ‘he can be harsh at times. Just…keep up on your training and paperwork and you should be fine. You fit in just fine, kid.’ Another shoulder squeeze, another suppressed squeak. Leon got up abruptly. He threw his empty plate away. He was starting to like his new coworkers. He wandered over to where George Scott’s desk was. The man was sitting there finishing off a slice of pizza, downing a cup of soda right after. Leon blinked and waved shyly. Scott snorted softly then shook Leon’s hand. ‘George Scott. I’m a night watchman, decided I should come meet the newest recruit!’ 

If Leon had to guess, Scott was probably early thirties. He still looked energetic for an officer. Elliot came up behind Leon, leaning on him. The brunette quite honestly didn’t mind–he liked the attention, he supposed. ‘You know, we still have to put you through true initiation,’ Elliot mentioned, prodding lightly at Leon’s vest. He meant for it to be harmless. Playful. Did not expect the flinch from the rookie at his hands. ‘Hurts?” he asked, pulling his hands away for a moment. Leon’s blue eyes were wide, his face starting to go a soft pink. 

Elliot’s smile went to a predatory grin as soon as the pieces came together. ‘Kennedy is ticklish, huh?’ He snuck a finger down to poke up Leon’s waist, making the poor guy squeak and writhe in place a little. Scott was snickering under his breath, and out of the corner of his eye Leon could see David’s curiosity had been piqued because now he was wandering over. ‘No! Noho no, guys, really!’ Leon ducked out of Elliot’s grip, the blonde watching with a devilish smirk. 

Leon bolted out of the office, getting back to the lobby. Rita looked up in confusion and surprise. ‘They are trying to torture me!’ Leon hissed, frantically looking back at the bullpen’s door. At the turn of the handle, he bolted. Rita didn’t even have a chance to respond or ask why. Taking the stairs on the right to get to the second floor, then entering a room and slamming the door shut. Empty room, a few lounging sofas and chairs, coffee machine, microwave, and a small table. Break room, he supposed. 

He flopped down onto one of the sofas. Leon realized he didn’t have his phone on him–he had left it in his pants pocket, which was currently in the locker room. He was trying to get his face to stop being so…blushy. He’d quite honestly forgotten he was ticklish. How ticklish he was. Scott burst into the room. Leon yelped, caught off guard. ‘Hey! What-’ 

‘We just want to try something,’ Elliot stated as he followed Scott into the room. Then David. Scott grabbed the young officer before he had any chance of bolting away. ‘No, no, no! Wehe can talk about thihis!’ Leon’s giggles were already bubbling up, and none of them had even started doing anything yet. He felt Scott grab both his wrists and slowly pull his arms above his head. He whined and kicked slightly. His blue eyes met Elliot’s green ones. Elliot was standing to his right side, seemingly plotting his next move.

‘I’m wohorried sohomeone’s gonna–’

‘Oh, don’t you worry your sweet little head,’ David said, coming up on Leon’s left side and ruffling his hair. Leon whipped his head to the side to try to glare at him, but it came off as more of a pleading stare. ‘Fucking asshole,’ Leon growled out, trying to be the tough guy despite being the one in the compromised position. ‘Rookie, do you happen to be ticklish?’ Leon shook his head stubbornly. Classic. Elliot hovered his fingers over Leon’s waist. He could see the little movement of Leon trying to suck his tummy and waist in. ‘Oho, I think that’s a yes,’ Elliot cooed, wiggling his fingers and watching Leon squirm side to side. He hadn’t even touched him. 

‘What’s the matter, pretty guy? Huh?’ David teased, tracing a finger up and down Leon’s inner bicep. Leon squeaked and shook his head, squeezing his eyes shut so he wouldn’t have to look at either of their stupid faces. One of them snapped their fingers. Leon snorted and opened his eyes to glare at them. ‘Atta boy.’ Elliot placed his hands on Leon’s waist, reveling in the way the man’s body jolted. ‘Guys–thihis is stuhupid! Dohon’t we have work to doho?’ he giggled out. Nervousness and anticipation was really starting to get to him. 

‘Oh, yeah, we have work to do,’ Scott said casually, tightening his grip on Leon’s wrists when he felt him try to pull his arms down. David’s light tracing on his inner bicep had turned to more of an insistent scribble. He’d get infuriatingly close to Leon’s underarm then scribble back up toward his elbow. ‘The work to be completed is seeing how ticklish our newest officer is.’ Elliot hovered his fingers over Leon’s waist again. Leon let out a whiny laugh. 

‘Fuhuck off!’ Elliot raised his eyebrows in mock offense. ‘Swearing at me now?’ The hands lowered immediately, scratching and kneading into the officer’s waist. Leon shrieked, one leg instantly kicking as he thrashed. ‘Fuhuhuck–shihihhit–nohohho!’ He felt the other pair of hands–David’s–dig into his underarms. His laugh went high pitched and frantic. He felt Elliot do some stupid thing with his hand where he was squeezing up and down his waist. The other hand spidered across his belly. ‘Ahahahasshohohohole!’ he cackled, throwing his head back, unintentionally headbutting David in the collarbone area. He heard a surprised grunt and babbled out an apology through his laughter.

He tried kicking. The brunette’s knee successfully connected with the blonde officer’s stomach. Elliot grunted and grabbed the offending leg. He tickled under Leon’s knee which got a mortified squeak and a shake of the head. David’s hands moved from his underarms to his belly. Tracing shapes and clawing his fingers across it at an unpredictable pace. Leon was thrashing, and he could feel the rumble of Scott’s laughter against his back. Leon tried to kick his leg again to get Elliot away from the back of his knee, but the man grabbed his ankle instead. ‘Hm. You know, we haven’t tried your foot yet. Most people are ticklish th–’ 

‘IHIHIT’S NOHOHOT!’

‘Oh, it’s not? Real convincing there, rook,’ Elliot said sarcastically, unlacing Leon’s shoe and slowly taking it off. 

‘Nonononohohoho plehehehease! I’m fuhuhucking sohohohorry!” Leon begged, throwing his head back again and honestly not giving a shit if he headbutted Scott–which he did. His giggles got sweetly high pitched and frantic as he felt his shoe come off. ‘Thihihihis is buhuhullshihihihit!” Leon closed his eyes, turning his head to the side to partially hide his face in his raised arm. Elliot could see an adorable red blush across Leon’s face–well, the part that he could see, anyway. ‘Is the rookie ticklish? Hm?’ the officer teased, beginning to slowly tickle up and down the sole of Leon’s socked foot. A scream escaped from the brunette as his squirming got more desperate. He felt his other leg starting to go weak.

David stopped the stomach tickles, now wanting to try another thing. Reaching up to where Leon’s neck was exposed from tilting his head, he fluttered his fingers up the side of his neck and around under his jaw. That got some sweet bubbly giggles mixed in with the wheezy laughs. ‘Jesus, whatever you’re doing, Ford, that’s working,’ Elliot commented, digging a couple fingers into the center of Leon’s foot which got a rather creative string of curses. 

‘His neck is ticklish,’ David observed with a grin, scritching right behind Leon’s ear. Leon made a very boyish noise as he shook his head to try to dislodge David from his spot. Leon felt his leg finally decide to give out. ‘Fuhuhucking hehehehell!’ he swore, and Scott caught him neatly. They paused the tickling in order to haul Leon over to one of the empty lounging sofas, ignoring the way he was begging and pleading with them. 

‘Keep cursing us out and I’ll make this worse,’ Scott threatened, all too playful, ‘I’m sure the whole lobby can hear your laughs from here anyway. You laugh loud.’ Laying Leon down on the couch, Scott positioned himself in a way that Leon’s arms were still above his head, but he was using his shin and knee to pin them down that way his hands were also available. Leon refused to look at any of them. Elliot he could already tell was fucking evil. David was more gentle with the tickles. Scott he was about to find out what his techniques were like. Six hands on him? That’d be an experience for sure. 

He decided that the shiny black vinyl on the couch’s exterior was very interesting. He bit his lip as he tried to ignore the way he felt Elliot’s hands slowly walking fingers up his waist. Then higher, up to his lower ribs. Then those hands slipped under his vest. Leon’s whole body jolted. ‘Gehehet the fuhuhuck out ohohhohof thehehehere, you bihihhitch!’ Elliot glanced up at Scott, who nodded. He started tazing in between Leon’s rib bones, rubbing into the soft muscle between them. Leon’s back arched hard, which only pressed his body further into the attacking hands. 

‘Leon, I think he’s stuck,’ David said very seriously, ‘the vest seems to be a little tight.’ Leon shook his head hard. ‘Nohohoho he’s nohohhoHOHOT!’ He felt the hands slide higher, starting to really dig into his ribs. Scott dug his fingers into Leon’s shoulder blades. Well, what he could reach. Leon gasped and bucked, hearing David laugh. Elliot was perched atop his thighs and was still very insistent on trying to kill him. ‘Thihihihis–thihihihis is a crihihihime!’ 

‘Not a crime to tickle you,’ Elliot commented, dragging his knuckles down to Leon’s lower ribs, still under his vest. He got a high pitched titter from Leon then one heck of a cackle. ‘Still stuck here, rook. What should I do? Huh?’ He wiggled his fingers roughly, making Leon thrash side to side. He felt thumbs massage into his shoulder blades which made him arch again. The arching of his back pressed his ribs further into Elliot’s teasing fingers. 

‘Stahahahap ihihit–fuhuhuhuck ohohohoff!’ 

He let out a choked silent laugh as he felt David drill fingers into the slight dip of his hips. His body went limp momentarily before desperately writhing in place. In some twist of fate, he squirmed free of all three of them. The brunette hit the floor with a thud and a grunt of surprise. Elliot rolled his eyes playfully, grabbing Leon by the leg and starting to drag him back. ‘Ah, ah, did we say we were done? There’s one more spot I wanna try.’ Leon opened his mouth to (playfully) scream for help, but one of the men–he couldn’t tell which–scribbled right into his lower back to make him burst into snickers. 

Elliot sat himself on the backs of Leon’s thighs. He rubbed up and down Leon’s back, murmuring with a slight bit of concern, ‘You’re comfortable in this position, right? I just want to try a massage. Gets those first day jitters out, right?’ Leon felt a rather comfortable rub on his upper back. A little nod. Elliot hummed in satisfaction, moving so he could pull Leon’s vest off his body. Leon did assist–kind of. At least moved his head up so it could be pulled up over and off of him. 

Suddenly, Scott stood up with a grunt. ‘Well, I should probably get going. Need to go home and sleep a bit before my night shift. Nice to meet you, Kennedy. I look forward to working with you outside of…this.’ Leon looked up from the floor rather awkwardly, responding, ‘Nice–nihice to meet you too.’ Stupid giggles still came out even though Elliot wasn’t doing anything. David came and sat near Leon’s shoulders. He pulled Leon’s arms above his head, eliciting a giggly whimper. 

‘Oh, relax. You’re tense. Elliot’s going to fix that,’ David reassured him. Leon mustered up as much of a glare as he could from his odd laying position on the floor. He felt Elliot massage the heel of his palm into his shoulder. Leon let out a flustered hiss, burying his face back into the floor. He felt David grab one of his hands, gently prying his fingers away from his palm. ‘Nohoho-noho!’ Leon let out a squeaky, adorable giggle as soon as fingers began to trace shapes on his palms. By instinct, he was trying to squeeze his hand back into a fist but the man wasn’t letting him. 

Elliot traced a featherlight line down his spine then scribbled across his lower back. This was starting to be less like a massage. Leon should’ve known it was going to go this way. He tried to wriggle or at least arch a little, but it was practically impossible with the way he was restrained. He let out a muffled scream into the floor and kicked his legs as much as he could. 

David started tickling up and down his forearm, soft little lines back and forth. Leon whined through a giggle, a loud laugh coming out as Elliot massaged right into the back of his shoulder, then squeezed his shoulders. ‘Ohohoh my gohohohhod!’ Leon scrunched his shoulders up to try to get away, but Elliot’s fingers only followed, thumbs rubbing into the space between his shoulder blades. 

‘Relaxed yet, rookie?’ Elliot teased, watching as David went back to the palm tickles, now doing it to both of Leon’s hands. 

‘Yehehehhes–yehehehhes! I swehehehehear–I’m fuhuhuhcking–’ 

‘Alright. That’s 30 seconds more just for the swearing.’

‘Nohohoho-nohohho plehehehehease! Plehehease, plehehease, please–plehehehease!’ Leon started begging as he felt Elliot’s hands move to his hips. He miraculously was able to thrash enough to get his wrists free of David’s hold. That opening gave him time and an opportunity to escape. He pushed his palms flat onto the floor, then shoved himself forward hard. Leon heard Elliot yelp as he was jostled off of Leon. Leon shoved his shoe back on his foot–from when it had been taken off earlier–and bolted.

‘Hey, you still owe 30 seconds of–’ 

‘No I dohon’t!” Leon called over his shoulder, exiting the room and practically slamming the door shut. He had maybe sixty seconds to run and hide if he had to take a guess. Especially considering Elliot and David would know the building layout much better than he did. He ran down the stairs, startling poor Rita who was checking something on her computer. Hurrying himself through the bullpen from earlier, he earned himself a few amused stares and chuckles. The rookie found a door at the end of the bullpen, grabbing the handle and practically throwing it open. He nearly ran into some officer carrying a stack of files. ‘Sorry!’ he squeaked out, then found a random room. No clue what it was, but he’d take it.

Leon ran inside, shutting the door as quietly as he was physically able to. He took a shuddering breath in, biting back a smile. He saw a few desks in the room. An armchair. A table or two. Must’ve been a storage room or something. There was a rackety cot in the corner of the room–the metal frame looked quite worn down and a little rusted. Leon looked around some more. He suddenly heard footsteps outside–not close to the door just yet, but close enough that it prompted him to move. He slid himself under the cot, laying on his belly with his arms tucked underneath his chin.

His legs were curled a little unnaturally against him, but it was fine. He was sure he was going to get found anyway. Leon heard the door open and craned his neck a little without coming out from his hiding spot. He saw one–no, now two pairs of boots come in. He chewed on the inside of his cheek in order to hide the giggles that were threatening to spill out. 

‘Oh, rookie, where could you be? We saw you run off this way!’ Elliot’s voice called out. The boots moved to the middle of the room. One of the men split away from the other to look around the other half of the room. He heard David chuckle softly at Elliot’s stupid teases. Elliot clicked his tongue softly, wandering around the room. Leon could see him bend down to look underneath a desk. Then behind the armchair. ‘You know, newbie, the tickle monster is very patient. He can wait for hours just seeing if you’ll come out.’

Leon covered his mouth with one of his hands, trying to stop the anticipatory giggles from coming out. Honestly, he didn’t regret cursing them out for as long as he did. Was he going to regret the thirty seconds of punishment tickles? Probably. Leon’s eyes widened in horror as they met with Elliot’s bright ones. 

‘Hello, rookie.’ 

‘No, no, noho-!’ 

David helped Elliot practically drag Leon out of his hiding spot. Leon was kicking and thrashing, trying to get away to no avail. David gently but unceremoniously tossed him onto the cot. The mattress squeaked annoyingly as his weight hit it. ‘Guys, wehe cahahn talk! Right? R-Rihight?’ Leon babbled out, whining as the bigger officer pulled his arms above his head and pinned them down. Elliot straddled his hips, humming some tune to himself. Making it seem much more nonchalant than it truly was.

‘Do you regret cursing us out?’ 

‘Fuhuck no!’ 

‘Alright. 30 seconds.’ He ignored the way the newbie was desperately squirming. Elliot cooed softly at the way Leon’s face turned back to that baby pink color. ‘Aren’t you a cute little guy? David, where do they keep recruiting all the sweet ones?” He tickled lightly up Leon’s neck which evoked an adorable chortle from the officer and a chin trying to pin to his chest. David chuckled softly.

‘Hips were the worst one. Right? Or do you want to choose where your 30 seconds of tickling will be?’ Elliot asked, hands coming to rest gently on Leon’s sides. Leon let out a stifled noise, clearly trying to stay quiet. ‘No sense in being so quiet, I’m sure the whole station knows what your laugh and giggle sounds like. Now. Am I choosing or are you?’ 

‘I–I don’t knohohow!” He let out a nervous snicker as Elliot rubbed his sides just a little, probably to mess with him. He sucked in a breath as the fingers twitched. ‘Cahan–can we half and hahalf this? Waist and–and hips?’ Elliot grinned, looming over him now. Was Leon going to regret saying this? He wasn’t sure, but he was about to find out. God, Leon didn’t even know why he agreed to this. Why did he ever think letting his coworkers know his tickle spots was a good idea? He had said stop, sure, but that was more to the teasing than the action itself.

He felt the blush on his face grow more prominent at that thought. Was that really how he felt about this whole thing? That he loved the tickling itself and lovingly hated the way their teases could melt him and make him so frantic so quickly? The fact that he truly wanted this to happen, that maybe all the swearing really was just to see how far he could provoke his fellow officers? 

‘Awwh, is the rook flustering himself? Is he? Is the wittle rookie newbie all flustered?’ Elliot gushed, all overly baby talky and lovey. 

‘Shuhut uhuhup!’ Leon hissed, nearly jolting out of his skin when he felt Elliot’s fingers move into position at the top of his waist. 

Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck–

‘Ready?’

Yes.

‘Nohohoho!’ 

‘All set to go,’ David said cheerfully, having a timer on his watch set and ready.

Leon felt the fingers start wiggling. He was able to bite back a giggle for about the first two seconds. The hands moved slowly and steadily down his waist. Then Elliot’s hands hit a spot he didn’t even think was ticklish. The spot right above his hip–that soft, almost pudgy little area right before the top of his pelvis began. A high pitched scream came from the newbie as he arched his back and Elliot’s fingers stayed light and scrunchy over that cursed spot. 

‘Five seconds left on the waist,’ David commented. 

Leon felt the fingers move slowly up his waist, just barely grazing below his lower ribs. The hands then darted down to position at his hips. He whined through a pitiful little giggle as he felt fingers slide down the top of his pelvis to the middle of his hips–thumbs specifically digging right into the little divot of his hips. Leon jerked hard, and Elliot’s grin grew scarily wide. ‘Good spot, rook? And I haven’t even begun to do anything,’ his attacker mused. David chuckled softly, asking Leon, ‘Can you handle fifteen seconds here? I feel like you can.’ 

‘I dohon’t know!’ A squeak slipping out through the babble.

Elliot adjusted his thumbs to be better aimed at the tickle spot. Leon squeezed his eyes shut. To his anticipation-hating self–well, more of a love-hate relationship. But nothing happened. He shakily opened one of his eyes. And saw Elliot’s shit eating grin aimed right back at him. ‘What’s the matter, Leon? It’s Leon, right?’ Leon nodded, biting back giggles before squeezing his eyes back shut. ‘You know, I won’t start until you look at me. Makes me feel like you’re actually okay with it, y’know?’ 

Leon huffed impatiently. He shifted himself up as much as he could to glare as angrily as he could at Elliot. ‘Happy?’ 

‘Very,’ Elliiot said cheerfully, absolutely drilling his thumbs into Leon’s hip dips. Leon shrieked and arched his back, trying to escape the maddening sensation. ‘Hohohohoholy shihihhihiihit!’ Elliot was beginning to laugh along with Leon, shifting his weight so he could dig and spider around his victim’s hips at the same time. Leon bucked, trying to get Elliot off. David grunted softly, then held Leon down more firmly.

A betrayed noise as Leon whipped his head around as well as he could to look at David, then his laughs went silent as Elliot found a good patch of muscle on either side to massage into. His body went completely limp, and one foot weakly kicked a few times. ‘Okay. Time’s up,’ David said quick, releasing Leon’s hands as Elliot quickly rolled off of him. Leon immediately curled into a little ball, residual giggles spilling out through pants.

Elliot stood up, adjusting his pullover jacket. Then helped Leon to stand, catching him with a soft grunt as the officer swayed a little. ‘You alright, Kennedy?” Leon nodded weakly, the softest smile on his face as he leaned on his coworker. He decided that despite the torture, he did like them. David patted his shoulder softly, rubbing without it being too ticklish. David grabbed a few files on his way out, leaving Elliot alone with Leon.

‘You passed initiation,’ Elliot announced, ruffling Leon’s hair as hard as he could. Strands stuck up sideways as Leon shoved at his hands. 

‘Get awahay!’ With a final playful shove, Leon pushed away from him and then tried to smooth his now frazzled hair down into something a bit more presentable. He adjusted his RPD vest from where they had all messed with it a few minutes earlier. Looking around the room, he began to truly take in how beautiful the building really was. Elliot noticed the admiration, and mentioned quietly, ‘Used to be a museum, you know.’ 

‘Really? That explains all the weird painting and the statue in the front,’ Leon admitted, straightening up and looking around. Elliot led him back down to the bullpen where the party had mostly calmed down. Cups were still on desks, the empty pizza boxes stacked neatly on top of a garbage can. Leon had that smile back on his face. He liked it here. Marvin came up to him, clapping him lightly on the shoulder. 

Leon stumbled forward a little, not expecting the touch. ‘You were properly initiated into the workforce, I assume?’ he said playfully, a warm look in his eyes. Leon’s face went bright red, and almost all the officers still in the bullpen laughed. Elliot grinned, nodding in response to the question. ‘Yep. Checked out all the boxes.’ 

‘Hm. Next time, maybe don’t try to kill him as bad? Could hear his laughs from down here!’ an officer across the room commented–Carlsen. He must’ve finished his reports from earlier. Leon grumbled, flipping him off which earned a surprised laugh from Elliot. ‘Kid’ll fit right in.’ Marvin nodded, getting up and putting Leon’s official badge on his desk. 

Without an invitation, Arataki Itto had urged Aether to cleverly sneak him inside, without giving the details of his plan. He was just so eager to meet Aether's foreign friends, and although he did admit that besides the connections he was especially interested in the yummy snacks the event would provide, Aether hadn't really thought much of it.

Itto was a professional at bugging Paimon and him, so they agreed to help him out just this time and be rid of the whining. Naive as he was, Aether just didn't see the problem of one more guest at the event, and that guest was someone he considered a friend who deserved a nice evening out.

Besides, even though Aether was a normal guest and not a guest of honor or something, a lot of people knew him well so he figured they would get away with it even if they got caught.

It wasn't that simple. It appeared that the Oni's plan was not to only attend the conference as he had claimed, but to sneak out some of the international food and beverage, and apparently bring them to the gang's own secret event venue where they hosted a similar conference, but for 'lower class' merchants, assistants and other people, to celebrate the international relations in true fashion.

Not just by merely stuffing his pockets. More like a suitcase full. And here Aether thought Itto had been trying to appear all fancy to blend in, with his pretty suitcase and formal outfit.

Three other problems added to Aether's case of misfortune.

Problem 1: In his 'innocent' attempts at merely raiding the yummy edibles, Arataki Itto had actually also confiscated some high class supply of rare liquor from Liyue and Fontaine. Not just some simple foreign alcoholic drinks to drink at the pub, but high-end bottles worth tons of mora. He probably didn't even have a clue.

Problem 2: Aether was not informed about the details of Itto's plan at all, that sneaky bastard. He trusted Aether enough to assist, but not to be entrusted with the details of it, including the location of this event they were organizing, and not even inviting him to join it!

Problem 3: Aether was acknowledged as an official member of the Arataki Gang, even if he didn't see it that way himself. He only joined some of their activities and was definitely friends with Itto, but a real member of the gang? Questionable. Unfortunately the Tenryou Commission wasn't stupid. They had seen him with Itto, and witnesses could link Itto's attendance to Aether as they both stood out.

And they did what was only logical to do in this situation. They captured him!

"Traveler," Heizou said formally. He just arrived in the room and faced Aether while holding a notebook.

They had taken Paimon into custody in a separate room to question her, and Aether felt bad for getting even Paimon in this situation when she had been the most reluctant to help Itto and his cute puppy eyes.

"Heizou," Aether said with a smile. It was a relief that Shikanoin Heizou came to meet him first, and he trusted he would let him go easily. It wasn't that much of an interesting case for the talented detective after all, and even though Heizou was loyal to his job, he was also Aether's friend, and not even necessarily on real bad terms with Gang Leader Itto.

But Aether then remembered that the Tenryou Commission was more about rules than friendship and they hadn't really hesitated to put some gang members into prison before, including Itto himself, so he held his breath. He was probably safe, but still needed to take care of this situation with grace and care.

Heizou sighed. "As you know, we have captured you due to your connections with the Arataki Gang and your involvement in today's crime."

So formal. And crime? Wasn't that a bit heavily worded? Heizou didn't even address his uncomfortable position; tied up as if he posed a threat, but Aether also didn't feel like complaining about it. Heizou's colleagues had done what they needed to do, which included tying him up.

"Right?" Heizou demanded. Oh, Aether wasn't even aware this was something he should answer, and he nodded politely.

"Yes. I'm aware." He was unable to completely deny his involvement after all, and Heizou continued.

"Of course we won't just arrest you and send you to prison, that's not really what I wish to do. But since you are the Arataki Gang's accomplice, I can't say you are completely risk-free."

Hmm.

"However, if you cooperate with us, I'm confident we can find our way around the rules and let you off with a warning. So, it would be appreciated if you help us interrupt their unauthorized event, catch the gang, and retrieve the stolen goods. They are guilty of theft among other crimes."

Aether was sure Itto didn't see it as theft. The food and drinks at the event were provided for free to the attendees. And even though yes, he attended without invitation thanks to Aether, the Oni probably would laugh it off and claim he just had a little more of a snack! He was a big guy! Hungry and thirsty! Aether chuckled at that thought.

"So you think that's funny?"

Oh shit. Aether quickly held back his grin, but he now understood how smug he must've appeared.

"N-no, sorry," he apologized, feeling guilty if it seemed that he disrespected Heizou and his job. The young detective sighed.

"If you and Paimon cooperate, we can settle this with ease. But you'll need to tell me of the gang's plans and whereabouts."

See, that was the problem. "I don't know."

It was the truth, but Heizou glared at him. "I was afraid that was going to be your answer," he sighed. Especially after his accidental chuckle, Aether realized he wasn't very convincing.

"I swear I don't know," he said. This interrogation was going to be short and easy if he didn't know where Itto and his gang were anyway.

"Besides, I'm sure thatー" Aether was going to say that if they were going to be patient, the gang would return the valuables of their own accord at some point, since they were really not that vile.

They were wild, chaotic, a pain to deal with yes, sometimes, but they were not evil criminals. If they knew they stole bottles that expensive, they would make it their dramatic mission to return them even if it meant breaking into the event venue again, rather than sell the loot or keep it to themselves.

But Aether then realized they weren't just valuables. They were valuable liquor bottles. Without knowing their worth, he was sure the gang would pour glasses full, treating their guests and themselves to these luxurious drinks as if they were cheap wines and beers, until the last drop. Aether chuckled again. Shit, that wasn't supposed to be so funny in his head.

Heizou squinted his eyes at Aether's second chuckle. "Fine then. Well. Since some of your closer friends and acquaintances are actually attending this conference, we have taken the liberty to question a couple of them. Of course they all claim that you are innocent and not deserving of even a day in prison. But... Like I said, if you refuse to cooperate, I am afraid it's going to be difficult to defend your position."

He paused for a moment. "And so, your friends are willing to help. I was hoping you'd be honest with me since we are quite familiar, but if this is not the case, let's see if you can keep up your act in the presence of your dear friends."

Heizou went back to the door and called out: "Let them in!"

Aether was impressed to see who they chose to involve. Kamisato Ayato seemed like a logical choice, but with him were also Kaeya and Childe, of all people.

With the nature of today's event, it wasn't surprising to have the Knights of Favonius, Fatui and Yashiro Commission all represented, but seeing them together in this specific setting and walk in like some sort of comedic trio, Aether raised his eyebrows in surpise and couldn't help but giggle.

Sadly Heizou noticed that and he glared again, probably suspecting him of seeing this case as a joke and holding back information on purpose.

"Report to me when he speaks," Heizou ordered them. He eyed Aether one more time before heading out. Pfft, so cold, Heizou! He must be hurt and disappointed that Aether was lying to him. Probably also a bit torn between their friendship and his duty. If only he knew Aether really wasn't lying.

Aether smiled innocently. "Well hello there. Are you here to free me?" Ayato, Childe and Kaeya exchanged glances.

"Of course we are," Ayato said. Aether had hoped the commissioner would simply say that he had enough influence in Inazuma to free him right away, untie him and invite him for drinks, but sadly he didn't.

"As soon as you tell us where Itto took the valuables, we can free you and you'll be enjoying the conference by our side in no time. Right? You are still our distinguished guest after all, Traveler," Ayato said politely.

Childe smirked. "Exactly. You know we wouldn't want to see you and the little fly (Paimon) in prison for a crime you didn't commit. You don't need to stick up for that lousy gang. It's alright to save your own butt, Traveler~" What was he so smug about?

Kaeya nodded. "I didn't come all the way to Inazuma to see my dear friends get arrested. So tell us, where are the Oni and his gang hiding? It's all they need to know. Say it, and you're both free to go."

Feeling slightly disappointed in them, Aether sighed. Did they really think he was lying? They should question Paimon instead then. She would have even less reason to defend Itto and his gang, but she wasn't going to speak either because they didn't know!

"I swear I don't know," he insisted.

Childe chuckled and turned to the others. "He's always been so loyal. If it were me, he would've protected me too."

Aether wouldn't doubt it. Even if he and Childe didn't always see eye to eye, he couldn't imagine ratting him out in a similar situation. So he nodded in agreement, but then quickly shook his head. The fact that he would protect his friends did not exactly defend his case here!

"I am really telling the truth!"

He really tried. He was telling the truth, but it still wasn't convincing enough.

"Are you? I doubt it. We're doing this for your own good, you know."

Aether knew and trusted that fully. None of them were the kind of people who would betray their friend, nor fear their reputation might be ruined if said friend turned out to be a bad person. Well, of course surely Childe wasn't, but Ayato and Kaeya despite their positions were definitely not like this either.

The only reason why they would cooperate with the Tenryou Commission like this was because they wanted to keep him out of prison and help him out, for his own sake, which was actually sweet.

Aether smiled fondly. Sadly despite their attempts, he could not give them information he didn't have.

"I know. And I'm thankful. But I don't know where the gang is. All I know is that they would not steal such expensive liquor on purpose." He decided to leave out the little detail that he feared they might obliviously consume all of it. Other than that he was still honest.

"If you would convince them to let me go, I can maybe help find them."

"And escape, to join their little party? I think not," Childe said. Aether gasped in surprise, offended by the accusation.

"I wouldn't!"

Childe gave a nod in the others' direction. "If you don't mind, I think I know a way to make him speak." As if Aether wasn't already speaking! Well, not the things they wanted to hear, but still!

"W-what....?" Aether eyed the Harbinger suspiciously as he approached. Childe chuckled and grabbed his bound hands, pulling him forward.

"Just a little something to convince you with~" he sang. With his free hand he reached out, and Aether did not really expect any of this until the touch landed.

"HIAYh!" He spazzed and let out the weirdest noise as soon as Childe grabbed his side. No way. Satisfied with his reaction to the mere touch, Childe turned to smile at the others.

"He's ticklish, you know?" Childe slowly traced his fingers from Aether's side towards his bare stomach, making him shudder and giggle.

Oh they knew. Aether's eyes widened, his life flashing by - or well, the specific moments when Kaeya, Ayato and Childe had all separately teased him with this specific weakness of his.

They had made him laugh, jump and giggle on multiple occasions, and although yes he was deadly ticklish, he also didn't mind it that much. In fact, he enjoyed a good tickle fight, especially if there was a chance to win it, even if the chance was small. All fun and games.

But now, he was tied up and it was three against one. There was zero chance to win or even avoid it. Were they really going to do this? As a means to interrogate him? Gain information from him which he didn't even have?

Kaeya and Ayato smirked knowingly.

"I like the way you think," Kaeya said.

Ayato also gave a humble nod. "Hm.. Tickle him until he speaks the truth? Not a bad idea," he agreed.

This was not the way Aether had thought to see the Cavalry Captain, Yashiro Commissioner and Eleventh Harbinger collaborate! But the moment the tall men approached him, he jumped up like a wild rabbit and tried to gracelessly hop away, only to trip immediately and he fell right into Ayato's arms.

"Got him," he said calmly, and he turned Aether around, pinning him against his chest. Meanwhile Kaeya and Childe approached him with wiggling fingers.

"Now laugh a little, then tell us the truth, you loyal little Traveler," Childe sang. As if Childe cared anything about the Arataki Gang or the liquor theft in general.

Besides protecting him from Inazuma's law, Aether also knew that Childe was just having way too much fun with this, which only decreased his chances of getting out of this predicament without laughing himself to death first.

"Wahahait nohoho! Y-you can't dohoho this!" he cackled, struggling against Ayato, but Childe already ran his fingers up and down his ticklish sides.

"You barely started," Kaeya commented, chuckling at Aether's response to the soft tickle. No shit! They knew he was this ticklish, they shouldn't be this surprised!

Ready to pull out a bratty attitude, Aether tried to protest, but to his surprise, Ayato simply reached under his arms and dug in, gently, but also firm enough for it to tickle. A lot.

"WAhhhah!" Aether jumped against him and twisted from side to side. His hands that were trapped behind his back could do nothing to defend his underarms from those sneaky fingers that wriggled around there to tickle him.

Meanwhile Kaeya stood on the side as if he was the interrogation master of all.

"Already willing to tell us some more?" he asked. Aether shook his head and laughed loudly.

"Nohoho! I cahahan't!" He caught the amusement in Childe's eyes. He must be relieved that he wasn't cooperating, for he loved to bully him like this and most likely wanted it to last as long as possible.

When Ayato was too busy tickling his armpits without holding him steady, Aether found himself stumbling forward, and because he desperately tried to avoid Childe and his villain aura, he turned into Kaeya's direction. A mistake.

Catching him around the middle, Kaeya held him almost as if welcoming a friendly hug, but he immediately clawed at both sides of Aether's ribcage, making him shriek.

"I suspected you were going to be tough, but I admire your efforts, Traveler," he complimented. Besides blushing and laughing, Aether couldn't do much else.

"Let me," Childe demanded, simply taking Aether from Kaeya and holding him tightly as if he was just an item to be claimed. With both hands he reached for Aether's tummy and tickled him mercilessly. They were so mean!

"Chihihilde! No-nohoho! D-don't ahahaha!" Aether was a mess already, and bound to become a bigger mess when his legs lost their strength to keep him upright. He sank through his knees, but Childe moved along with him and lowered Aether into his lap.

"You can try to keep up your act, Traveler. But I'll assure you, you're way too ticklish for this," he said, pinning Aether down on top of him and tickling him without mercy.

To Aether's horror, both Ayato and Kaeya knelt down as well, cornering him completely in between them. When kneeling down, the three of them were not as tall and threatening, but definitely not less dangerous.

While Kaeya decided to dig his fingers into his thighs which he could reach very well from his position, Ayato sat at his feet, and Aether only needed to glance at him and see the way he stared at his feet, to know he was screwed.

In Inazuman style, the officers hadn't trapped him in a tatami floor- room without taking off his boots first, so now his poor unprotected feet suffered from Ayato's death stare before he finally reached for them and made him yelp already with a single touch.

"Let's try this differently," Ayato started while he raked his fingers up and down Aether's bare soles.

"Do you confess that you fabricated an invitation, aided in Arataki Itto's disguise, lied to the officers and snuck him into the conference?"

Aether's eyes widened and he threw his head back when the tickling on his feet got just as demanding as the questioning.

"YEHe-yehehes!" he admitted. Being phrased and summed up like this, it sounded worse than it actually was. To him it was just dress-up and a little prank. Not that serious.

"Hmm, alright then. Do you also admit that you knew about the gang leader's intentions of stealing food and drinks from the event?"

More tickling. Not just Ayato, but still all three of them, wrecking his sensitive body with their evil fingers.

Aether gasped and let out a helpless shriek. "N-nohoho! I dihihidn't knooow!" he howled. He could hear hums of disapproval from all three.

"And we were going so well," Childe sang. Aether shook his head again.

"I reheheally dihidn't knohohow! H-he dihihidn't tehheell mehehe!"

Kaeya responded by moving a hand under his legs to lift them slightly, so he could slip his fingers under his knees to tickle that awfully ticklish area. Aether went from widening his eyes to squeezing them shut while he howled like an animal.

"Excuses, if you ask me. Do you really claim you were not aware at all that he was stuffing his suitcase? With the liquor in particular," he questioned.

"Did you not help cover this up?"

W-wah! No, he had not been aware! But in his defense, no one had been aware! There were people everywhere at this conference! Crowds! No one saw!

"I swehehear I dihihidn't! N-no one dihihid ahahaha!" Itto was a sneaky Oni after all. Clumsy maybe and a chaotic mess, but at the same time calculated, clever and sneaky. At this point, Aether still had no idea how he managed it behind everyone's back.

Childe shook his head. "Is it me or are you enjoying this? You're, as we can see, laughing and lying a lot after all."

Mean! Laughing, yes. Lying, no!

"Plehehease belieheheheve mehehe!" Aether laughed. "Ahahask Pahahaimon!"

If they asked Paimon and heard the same answers it had to be convincing!

"Do not worry, Paimon is getting questioned as we speak. But don't forget that both of you are in trouble," Ayato said in a bossy tone, and that while tickling his soles with the quickest most ticklish scribbles.

"Nooooohoho!" Aether wailed. It tickled so much, and he could still handle it, but perhaps not for long if this would go on and on.

"While time is ticking away and you are laughing to your heart's content, the valuables are in danger. I suggest you speak up soon," Kaeya said. He did not go easy on Aether's poor ticklish legs in the meantime.

"Naaahahaha!" Aether cried. "It's so duhuhumb!" Overwhelmed by hysterical laughter and ticklish reactions, he accidentally spoke these words. One by one they stopped tickling him and he gasped for air.

"Dumb?" Ayato asked.

Aether nodded tiredly. "W-why would there be such expensive liquor a-at the event anyway?" he panted. It didn't make sense to him. But to his surprise, the look on Childe's face darkened.

"Why do you think?"

O. Probably, Childe brought them. Probably as a gift. Typical. Aether glared at him, still blushing and wheezing.

"Were you even invited? Or - did you also sneak in?" he asked the Fatui Harbinger. Again, slip of the tongue, but how could he not? The Fatui was literally everywhere they could go, including places where they weren't allowed. Childe looked at Kaeya and then at Ayato.

"Sorry, but he's giving me an attitude," Childe chirped, and before Kaeya and Ayato responded, he gathered Aether's bound hands in one of his larger hands and he yanked them to the side, pinning them even more firmly. With his free hand he started to tickle his now helplessly exposed underarm and ribs without mercy.

Aether let out an uncharming scream in surprise. "CHiiiiiiiilde ahhaha nohoho dohohon't!"

"Who's doing the questioning here, Aether? I'm sure it isn't you," Childe said vengefully. Since Childe seemed to do plenty of the job by himself, Aether noticed vaguely that Ayato and Kaeya both released him again.

"Plehehehease- I'm sohohorry!"

"Oh, you're sorry now?"

The session turned from an interrogation into some cheap tickle torture, and Aether swore he would get Childe back someday for this stunt.

Even when the door opened, Childe didn't stop tickling him.

"The questioning next door has ended." Aether could barely hear Heizou's voice. He glanced tiredly into their direction, at the way Heizou mumbled inaudible words to inform Ayato and Kaeya while Childe took the liberty of tickling Aether to death.

"Plehehease hehehehelp mehehe!" Aether kicked out his bound legs and flopped helplessly in Tartaglia's clutches.

Finally, Heizou's conversation with the others finished and he clapped his hands.

"Alright. That's enough."

Childe pouted. "Awww," he whined, but he did stop the tickle attack, allowing Aether to catch his breath.

"Release him," Heizou said. Wait, what? Childe was also confused.

"But why?" he asked. Did he sound... disappointed?! Kaeya and Ayato stepped forward and helped free him from Childe's clutches. They untied his hands and feet and patted him on the back. Just before Aether could ask what the hell was going on, Paimon appeared, together with... Oh.

"Hello," they all greeted stiffly. Alhaitham, Zhongli and Neuvillette? These were the people who had been questioning Paimon?

"Traveler!" Paimon fell dramatically in Aether's arms.

"What happened?" Aether asked, still a bit in a tickle-daze.

"They just asked me everything that happened! They said if I told them the truth, they would treat me to a free luxury meal later!"

In other words, they bribed her. Aether chuckled and looked at the three men. Neuvillette smiled.

"The whole situation was explained and we came to the conclusion it was an accident."

Aether gaped at him and then at Heizou. The detective nodded. "They were all convinced. So was I."

They believed Paimon, but not him? Zhongli gave a nod. "Paimon was truthful, we could tell by how much she wanted the reward."

"B-but I was truthful too!" Aether squeaked. Heizou bowed his head and looked like he felt bad.

"The Arataki Gang is still guilty, but we will deal with them when we track them down. It is no longer right to punish you, if you were not involved. I mean, not involved completely," he said.

Aether still felt Ayato and Kaeya's hands supporting him. He then glared at Childe who stood sheepishly on the side.

"O-oh? Well, it's solved then. Right?" he said with a merry smile. Aether clenched his fist and took a deep breath. He then smiled.

"Heizou."

The detective froze. "Y-yes?" Aw, he really did feel guilty for treating Aether the way he did.

"If you promise not to get me arrested after I'm finished with him, we're even," Aether said, pointing at Childe. Heizou looked at the both of them and nodded politely.

"It's a deal."

"Wait why just me?! No waaait!" Childe yelled, but now that Aether's hands were untied and he had the elements under control again, he was determined to chase Childe for a suitable revenge. As for Kaeya and Ayato, well. He would deal with them some other time.

Epilogue

Inazuman prison wasn't all that bad actually. At least, not this section of it. Aether walked through the corridors as he was guided to his visitee.

Finally reaching his cell, he was left alone with him, and he gazed through the bars at Itto's back.

Aether stared at him, feeling a little guilty. This wouldn't have happened if he hadn't agreed to letting him into the event.

Itto was bending forward, his back still towards Aether, and he didn't even seem to notice he was here.

Or was he upset, and did he know Aether was here and was he angry? Before Aether was about to call out his name, Itto suddenly screeched.

"IT'S A WIN FOR BOBO NO. TWO WOOHOOOHOOOO!"

..... Everyone in prison should have heard that. Itto then turned around and noticed Aether.

"Oh, Traveler! Hello!" Aether gaped at the two beetles before him. Was Itto having a solo Onikabuto brawl? Aether snorted.

"Hello," he greeted, still grinning despite feeling guilty. "Are you... alright?"

In the end the misfortune was as bad as it could be. As Aether had feared, all of the liquor had been consumed at the party, but at least they had fun. While the confessions of each gang member resulted in a pretty convincing story that they really were not aware, it didn't change the fact that Itto infiltrated the event and did some bad things.

Result? One night in jail (next to a longer time of community service). Well, it could be worse. But still, it was a night, and Aether felt obliged to visit him there. Luckily, Itto didn't seem to care at all.

"Are you worried about me? Of course I'm alright! Don't worry. They just want to assert dominance. Keeping me in here for one night won't change anything. I'll entertain myself anyway."

Aether laughed and felt relieved. "But why didn't you tell me? Any of it. From the event to the plan in general," he asked, still curious. Itto looked like a guilty dog, but if he had a tail, it would be wagging.

"I'm sorry, Traveler. I just didn't want to get you into trouble. You already helped me so much. Besides, you were going to have fun at the event with your friends. Don't mind me - is what I thought. In the end it brought you only more trouble, and I'm sorry," Itto sighed.

Well, a surprise tickle torture and interrogation, but Aether couldn't really call it trouble. He smiled.

"It's okay. No need to apologize." The mood lifted again when Itto raised his head, smirking.

"One little secret between you and me though," he hissed, and he signaled Aether should come closer. Aether stepped closer to the cell and listened.

"That oh-so expensive, rare, luxurious liquor? ......Tasted like dog piss. Hahaha!" Itto's laugh was so loud Aether flinched because of it, but soon he joined in and laughed along.