#skribes

It doesn't take long for Gen to realize that they were heading toward a nearby creek; all those trips to collect flowers for his tricks gave him decent knowledge of the land. Senku leads him down to the side of the water and allows Gen to roll up his the bottoms of his pants before obediently stepping in.

"It's cold!" He whines immediately.

"Deal with it, you big baby." Senku snickers at the mentalist's discomfort, letting this go on for awhile more. "Alright come on, get over here." He sits. "Give me your foot."

Gen backpedals a bit, trying not to fall into the freezing water. He’d prefer not to be soaking wet after all. Senku’s words did surprise him though, and he voices his concerns with a titter. "W-what? Who would've thought you were into stuff like this, Senku-chan!"

"Don't make it sound weird, I'm just cleaning your feet for you."

"I can do that myself-"

"You're the one who says how caring I am. So let me show how much I care." The scientist deadpans. He didn't understand why Gen was being so reluctant, unless there was actually a reason he didn't want his feet touched? Was he trying to hide an injury?

He frowns at Gen, offering his hand expectantly. The other shifts nervously, slowly sitting down on the grassy bank before placing his right heel onto the hand.

Senku immediately starts inspecting, taking note of the (thankfully) shallow scratches. Though when he starts prodding around for anything broken, Gen jolts and his face scrunches up all weird.

"Sorry, does this hurt?"

"No, no. I'm fine." The magician squeaks, willing himself to stay still as Senku shrugs, continuing his lighting poking and tracing.

After what seemed like ages, the sensations stop and Gen breathes a sigh of relief. He hears the bag rustle and Senku pulls out a bar of soap and dunks it into the water a few times. And without warning, he starts scrubbing the surface of Gen's sole.

And Gen squeals, instinctively yanking his foot out of the scientist's loose grasp.

"Oh yeah, you have some scratches so it might sting a little, but I thought you could take it?"

"A little too late for a warning don't you think!?"

"Just let me finish. It's your fault for not wearing shoes in the first place."

"And that's my choice!" Gen cries, trying to crawl away.

"And I'd rather not become the stone world's first amputator so you're just gonna have to bear with it." Senku remarks, snatching up the foot with a firmer grip.

"No means no!"

"Can you not?"

“Can you noEEE- NAahahaha!” The mentalist cackles as the scrubbing begins again. Although he noted that Senku was a bit gentler this time, it didn’t really help with his predicament. Gen’s back hits the grass as he clutches his stomach, desperately tugging at his trapped foot while the giggles fall endlessly from his mouth.

The scientist quickly puts two and two together, finally realizing why Gen was so reluctant to have his feet cleaned. It also explains the constipated looks he got during his inspection. "Huh, you're ticklish.” Senku says, mostly to himself. He watches the other squirm with great interest, cataloging each moment Gen twisted his head, face cherry red and mouth decorated with the cutest smile. “Why didn’t you just say so?”

"Behehecause it's- hAHahaha! Embahaharrassing! Nonononohoho!"

“I guess so.” Senku throws out casually, opting to dig his fingers into the magician’s toes. And Gen goes berserk, hands thumping the ground as he throws his head back, bright laughter filling the sky. He even almost kicks Senku in the face.

Senku, however, found this whole ordeal rather fascinating. He is very amused to find out how such a simple action could prompt such a large reaction. All that smooth-talking and witty remarks, turning into dorky, uncontrollable giggling. “Y’know, I think I like this side of you better, mentalist. Way more easier to deal with.”

And Gen wants to protest and argue and rebuke, but how could he? Nothing but chortles would come out; the ticklish sensations from his foot overloaded his brain, causing him to flail around madly.

The scientist decides that this is enough for now, dropping the foot back into the river. And Gen doesn’t complain this time, chest heaving grateful breaths. Each exhale produces a string of residual giggles, making Senku’s heart flutter just a tiny bit. Gen didn’t need to know that, he determines.

“Thahahat....was so...cruel.” 

Senku shrugs in response, “Again, your fault for not wearing shoes.” 

Gen ponders for a moment, was pushing Senku’s buttons right now really worth it? Sitting up slowly, he looks at the younger man through half-lidded eyes. “Well if you continue to give me special treatment...maybe I won’t ever put on a pair of shoes~” 

“That is extremely illogical and you know it.” 

“Maybe I think it’s nice having you touch me like this.” He really couldn’t help himself. Gen smiles flirtatiously, expecting to be met with wide crimson eyes and an equally crimson face. 

But instead, Senku smirks back, eyes not wide, but calculating. He’s not skillful enough to hide the tint of pink dusting his cheeks though.

“Yeah? I’ll touch you more if you’d like.” 

“Ooooh, how dirty~” 

"Hand over the other foot, mentalist." Senku's grin morphs into something more sinister.

The pitcher jolts, and his posture is as stiff as ever, but his darting eyes are now shining with an emotion other than fear for once. From shock to...Is that excitement? Never had he expected Abe to ask such a thing; was it really okay?

“I-I...um...” Mihashi trails off. His fingers twitch and he looks up at Abe, as if silently asking for confirmation.

“Mihashi, it’s a yes or no question.” And Mihashi only nods his head furiously, words stuck in his throat.

“Again, which one is- okay whatever, let’s just-” He sighs, raising his arms lazily. “Here, go for it. Just know that my armpits aren’t ticklish.”

The pitcher just stands still, irises moving furiously from the ground, to his catcher, and back to the ground. He wants to, but what if it makes Abe mad? What if he actually stops catching for him? What if Abe stops being friends with him? Were they even friends? 

“Dude it’s fine, I’m not going to hurt you.” Abe huffs, cutting through Mihashi’s thoughts for the second time, “And I feel out of place standing like this, so get on with it already.”

Mihashi squirms, as if not sure what to do, but his hands his hands inch towards Abe’s waist. “O-okay!” he manages to squeak, giving Abe’s sides an experimental squeeze. 

His catcher jerks lightly, successfully resisting the urge to bring his arms down. “Come on, is that all you got?”

The light encouragement gives Mihashi enough courage to start kneading into his flesh, eyes spontaneously searching for any discomfort on Abe’s face. But all he was met with was scrunched eyebrows and shaky smile, and not long after, a string of soft giggles.

“Seehehehe? Not scahahahary rihihight?”

Mihashi nods rapidly in response, fingers working their way up to the boy’s ribs. Abe barks out a laugh and catches his arms with the top of his head, refusing to give in to the ticklish sensations. His hands ball into fists as he fights off the urge to push his friend away. If this will help Mihashi feel more comfortable around him, then surely he can hold out a bit longer. 

While the catcher wrestled with the challenge of staying still, all Mihashi can think about is how nice Abe’s smile was. It made him feel happy to see Abe laughing so freely, even if he was the one causing it. Without knowing, another wobbly grin slowly spread itself across his face. 

Abe’s laughter eventually starts becoming softer though, as he got used to the skittering along his ribs. Mihashi then decides it’s time change spots, and starts pinching at the other’s hips. 

Abe doesn’t last more than a minute.

“OhoHOkay! I’m gohohood! I’m gahaha-!” The catcher suddenly calls out, hands coming down to clutch at his own sleeves. Mihashi pulls away immediately, silently waiting for the other to catch his breath. 

The atmosphere felt way lighter than before, and Mihashi’s eyes, although laced with a hint of concern, were shining with happiness. Abe seemed way less frightening now that the pitcher has heard him laugh. And he trusted Mihashi enough to allow this in the first place, and that trust is something Mihashi felt very lucky to have.

“...ha...thanks.” Abe breathes out, pleasantly surprised when greeted with his pitcher’s soft smile and less anxiety-ridden posture.

Mihashi shook his head vigorously, his head becoming a blur. “N-no! Thank you...Abe!”

“Woah, don’t worry about it. And stop moving so much, you’re going to accidentally hurt yourself.” 

“Yes!” The boy squawks, about to nod his head off.

“Bu-”

“Yeager.” Levi mutters darkly. “I know your titan powers will allow you to regenerate, but that just means I beat you to death without any remorse.”

Eren gulps, nodding nervously as he raises his hands in surrender, measuring tape and all. Levi sighs, a permanent scowl resting across his face.

Is...Is Captain Levi blushing?

Humanity’s strongest soldier once again glares at the younger boy, as if reading his mind. “Let’s just get this over with.” And loosely raises his arms, stiffening as Eren steps closer to wrap the tape around his waist.

Levi bites his lips as Eren carefully shifts his fingers, but he barely swallows a gasp as those damned knuckles press into his stomach. Eren either doesn’t notice or he’s damn good at pretending he didn’t, eyes focused on reading the numbers.

Eren shifts nervously and Levi sharply exhales, breath fanning across brown covered hair. The boy jolts, daring to sneak a glance at his captain, anticipating the cold, steel look he’d have to face.

But Captain Levi’s eyes are scrunched shut.

There are crinkles around his eyes and nose, mouth in a slight wobbly frown. And once again, there was the tiniest shade of pink dusted across his cheeks.

Eren was mesmerized.

“Are we done here?” Levi’s monotonous voice suddenly cuts the air, eyes open and staring right into Eren’s bright green ones.

“I- uh, yes! Yes, um...”

“Alright then leave. I’m busy.” The captain says, crossing his arms. “Unless you actually want me to slice your hands off.”

“No sir! Thank you for your time sir!” Eren yelps, saluting and stepping out of the office, closing the door softly.

A blush immediately forms across the boy’s face as he walks off.

“-been working me to the bone! I’ve had to scramble between you and Kaseki-chan this whole morning because of one of your crazy projects!” Gen lectures, “I’m tired and you owe me a bottle of cola.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Senku waves off, an infuriating smirk spreading across his face. “Though your complaining may offset all that ‘back-breaking labor’ you’ve put in huh, Mentalist?”

“How rude!” An airy voice huffs, but Ukyo can tell there was no bite in that statement.

The bushes rustle as the pair came into sight, Senku with his pinky stuck in his ear and a pouting Gen right beside him. “Ah! Ukyo-chan! We’re about have lunch now.” Gen chirps, quickly changing his mood, “You haven’t eaten right?”

The archer was about to speak, but his stomach conveniently cut him off with a growl. “Ah...yeah.” The two words stumbling out of his mouth. 

Ukyo may have been able to catch his fake impersonation of Lillian, but Gen doesn’t fail to notice the slight frown and tension in the white-haired boy’s posture. One look at the target embedded with a dozen arrows, all missing the middle red mark, was enough for the magician to understand. 

The three start heading back to the village; Senku in front, eager to return to his experiments, with Gen and Ukyo right behind. “So what brings you two out here? I thought our village chief would never leave his lab.”

“Just thought some fresh air would be nice. Can’t stay cooped up in there forever, so I dragged him out.” Gen nodded wisely, eyes then narrowing with mischief. “It’s like walking a dog, or making sure your grandpa gets enough exercise.”

“The 1079 seconds I’ve spent walking here could’ve contributed towards making your cola, y’know.” Senku states loudly.

Gen jolts. “Why were you even counting in the first place, Senku-chan...” 

Ukyo laughs softly at the two, and Gen decides that this current expression suited him much better than the previous gloomy one. And a wonderful idea comes to mind. Like a snake, his hand latches onto Ukyo’s side to give a few squeezes. The boy squeaks, emerald eyes nervously darting toward’s the offending hand.

“Oh~? Ticklish perhaps?”

“No! No, I was just- surprised.” And Gen just smirks, giving Ukyo no time to react as he pounces, wrestling to be on top.

“Oh Senku-chaaan, won’t you help me cheer up our dear friend here?” The magician calls, capturing one of Ukyo’s hand in his as the other starts kneading into the archer’s stomach. Ukyo immediately barks out a laugh, ears tinted with pink as his own giggles flooded the forest. “NOHOHohoo! No!”

Senku looks back in slight surprise and interest. He figured Gen would do something about Ukyo’s saddened state, but he never expected the mentalist to be this hand-on. Senku shrugs away the thoughts, why not join in all the fun? “Well, I can’t overwork one of my labor sources if they’re all dejected.” 

“Ah, blunt as always, our chief.” Gen dramatically sighs, but then grins as Senku walks over, settling himself behind Ukyo’s head. “Be a dear and hold these for me will you?” He smiles sweetly, allowing Senku to firmly grasp Ukyo’s wrists. Of course the trapped boy tries to squirm his way out, but once those devious fingers returned to scribble at his sides, it felt like his strength was being sapped away. “Wait! Wahaahait!”

Ukyo is very glad that he’s the one with crazy hearing and not someone else in the village, because knows someone will pick up on his peals of laughter. And it didn’t help that Gen was unfairly meticulous with his attack. With Ukyo’s hands pretty much out of the way, his fingers sought out every spot, each receiving a reaction that ranged from smothered chuckles to full-blown, head-thrown-back, honest laughter. 

“Ohh such a bright voice, how adorable.” The magician coos as he flutters his digits around the archer’s neck, earning a weird stare from Senku. Gen just sticks his tongue in retaliation, but it’s not like Ukyo can pay attention to the interaction anyways since he’s being tickled to death. “You’re always so soft-spoken and reserved. How amusing it is to see- or I guess hear- this side of you, Ukyo-chan!”

“NahahAHT! Nahat amUhuhusing! NOHOHOT THEHEHERE!”

“Just see it as payback for almost shooting me with an arrow that one time!” Gen grins devilishly, relentlessly clawing at the boy’s sides. “I was soooo scared!” And Ukyo only laughs in response, his own chortles interrupting each attempt to speak. 

“I- Ihihi waHAHA-!”

“Hmm? What was that?” 

“Wahahasn’t aiming aHAHat youhuhu!”

“Bet he wishes he had driven that arrow right through your head now.” Senku snickers, and Gen glares back.

“Hey! You’re in this too, so you’d be next, Senku-chan.” 

The two continue bickering, but the speed of Gen’s hands doesn’t let up. Even with his attention divided, the mentalist is scary good at eliciting those sweet giggles. Sometimes he’ll use a lighter touch and then increase the pressure, causing Ukyo’s laughter to go up and down. Other times his fingers will lightly tease an area, just to randomly shoot somewhere else, keeping Ukyo guessing. 

It was until the boy’s voice has gotten a little raspy that Gen knew when to stop. The magician wasn’t trying to kill his friend, so he pulled back with a smile, allowing Ukyo to greedily gasp for air. “Hope you’re not sulking anymore, or else...” Gen trails off ominously, wiggling his fingers.

A bit light-headed, Ukyo nods vigorously, body going limp as he continued to get his breathing under control. “You hah...you guys are terrible.”

Gen chuckles, standing up to stretch, “I know! Senku-chan is such a meanie right? Let me know if you want revenge.” He winks.

“Huh? Again, this whole thing was your doing, Mentalist.” Senku smirks challengingly, “Ukyo, let’s teach him a lesson. Chief’s orders.” 

“Ehh? That’s no fair.”

The three then break out laughing, the atmosphere light and refreshing. 

“Hey, thanks by the way. It sucked, but I’m feeling a bit better now.” Ukyo says, pushing himself up into a sitting position.

“Mhm, and I’m hungry so let’s get going.” 

“Anything to help.” Gen purrs smugly, and Ukyo is very keen on wiping that look off his face. The magician reaches out a hand, and Ukyo takes it, pulling himself up while yanking Gen down to fall on top of Senku. The white-haired boy, face still a bit flushed from the tickle treatment, couldn’t help but snicker as he patted himself off.