#sondum

“Sorry, Souda. Our mistake.” Sonia smiled sheepishly, Gundhum hiding in his scarf with a mumble. The mechanic deflated, looking away with a sigh. After a moment, Sonia got up, gesturing to Gundham to follow. “Souda…could we sit with you?”

Kazuichi shrugged, and the pair took the empty seats. Sonia sat to Kazuichi’s right while Gundham pulled up a nearby ottoman. “What’s going on? You’ve been so down lately- it’s unlike you.”

“Have you dueled with anyone prior?” Gundham looked at him intently. “Depending on its level of power, I might have the ability to lift this curse upon you.”

“....Still can barely understand what you're saying dude, but- no, you didn’t do anything wrong. Neither of you did.” Kazuichi looked at his hands, twiddling his thumbs. “Do you…do you two think I’m a loser?”

Gundham and Sonia stared in silence.

“Nobody speak at the same time now, I won’t be able to hear you..” Kazuichi seemed to droop more.

“No! N-No, that’s not it.” Sonia shook herself out of her shock, eyes growing sad. “Why would anyone think you're a loser? You’re far from it!”

“There are many things I’d classify you as, but ‘loser’ isn’t one of them.” Gundham declared. “Why the sudden thought?”

“It’s stupid.” Kazuichi laughed bitterly, carrying on when the two waited. “Okay so…recently, you know how everyone is improving their talents and whatnot, and how Ibuki recently wrote that new song? Well…I guess it got me thinking, and I realized just how far behind I am to everyone else.

“Like- don’t get me wrong: I’m really happy that everyone’s growing and improving. It’s just sometimes I can’t help but compare myself to you all, and I feel so let down that the most I can do is fix a machine or tinker alittle. It’s a waste! You guys are making massive strides in talent growth while I’m here making baby steps!” He blinked rapidly, biting his lip. “Heh, here I am, crying about it. Sorry- that really did sound stupid, didn’t it?”

The pair were quiet as they mulled over Kazuichi’s dilemma. Finally:

“I see. So it is a mental poison.” Gundham nodded, leaning forward so he could meet Kazuichi’s eyes. “It’s not within my skill level, but I can try to fix it. 

“Mortal- a being such as yourself is making more strides then you realize. The ‘waste’ as you claim it to be is far from that wretched word. Your powers in machinery manipulation and repairs are the backbone to alot of our day to day lives and talents. If you hadn’t fixed the cooling agent in the barn, my army would have overheated and be no more. That is something I’ll be forever in your debt for.”

Kazuichi huffed as he wiped at his face, shaking his head. “Fixing an air conditioner isn’t that great of a debt. Really-”

“Oh no it is! Those poor animals would have suffered hadn’t you stepped in!” Sonia cut him off firmly. “And let’s not forget the other day! The stove was broken  and could have hurt a lot of people had someone used it. Thanks to you, we still have our kitchen, and no one here got burned or worse! And let’s not forget the other day- you helped Ibuki with her stage setup! You made that concert so fun!”

“Sure, but those were just repairs-”

“Repairs even a great lord such as myself couldn’t do. A being of ice and darkness cannot work with metals and flames.” Gundhan cut him off. “Do not doubt yourself, Souda. A being like you calling yourself a loser is disgraceful.”

“Not to mention horribly mean. You’re a great guy with incredible talent. Even if things seem slow right now, you’re still making great work!” Sonia took his hand, patting it gently with a smile. “As Chiaki once put it, our talents are like levels. We all grow and gain exp. at a different pace. It doesn’t mean we’re not growing- it just means we’re on a different path. So don’t call yourself a loser anymore, okay?”

Kazuichi let their works sink in, torn between sobbing and laughing as he shook his head. “Heh, you two are insane. Thank you though…I didn’t realize how much I needed to hear that.”

Sonia hugged him, gesturing to Gundham to do the same. The taimer was a tad more awkward in the process, but he got there eventually.

“Okay! Now we’ve got you here, it’s time for a new spell!” Sonia decided, winking at her boyfriend. “Wouldn’t you agree, my dear Tanaka?”

“Eh…oh! Right, but of course my dark queen.” Gundham grinned, the look just menacing enough to send shivers down Kazuichi’s spine. 

Guys? Kazuichi blanched, not liking how close they suddenly were. “What are you-Ah! Ahehahahahhaha! Coohoohohme on! Wahahahahait!” 

Kazuichi jerked upon feeling twenty fingers attack his torso, pressing gently into his ribs and sending waves of ticklishness throughout him. Squeaking and twisting, Kazuichi doubled over in giggles, helplessly pawing at their hands. “Guhuhuhuhuhys! Nohohoho, wahahhahahait!”

“Aww, look at you, smiling already!” Sonia cooed, pleased with the results. She dropped her hands down to his waist, reaching around and giving his belly a few scribbles to really get him going. Gundham moved upward, keeping his attention on the redhead’s ribs just beneath his armpits. “Do you still believe your talents are a waste, mortal?”

“Buhuhuuhuuhuht thehehehhhehey ahahhahahre-AH! Nohohohoohoho nohoohohohoht thehehehehere, Soohohohohohonia!” Kazuichi’s laugh increased by an octave when Sonia reached down, squeezing his knees. “Nohohohohohot the kneehhehhehees!”

“Yes, the knees! Admit you’re not a waste and I’ll stop!” She grinned, using one hand to hold down his leg while the other made an egg-crack motion against his kneecap. “Tanaka always loses it when I do this! What about you?”

“Dohohohohohohoohn’t coohohohohmpare me to hihihihihim!” Kazuichi cried, nearly headbutting said man out of reflex.

“S-Sonia! Don’t tell him that- what do you mean don’t compare you to me?” The taimer shot his hands up to Kazuichi’s armpits, earning a scream. “You’re a diabolical moral, it seems I’ll have to really teach you a lesson! Forfeit your soul to me!”

It took alot of tickles, a few breathers, and Kazuichi nearly falling out of his seat before he finally gave in. “OHohohoohhoohkay! Ohoohohkay I’m nhoohohohot a waahahhhaste!” He cried, face matching his hair and eyes wet with new tears. Sonia and Gundham retracted their hands, watching as the mechanic curled up on himself, soft giggles pushing past his lips. “Ahhehehe…hehehe…nohohot cool!” He grumbled, no real malice in his voice.

“You loved it!” Sonia teased, gently poking his belly and making him jump. “Besides, you needed it.”

“So it seems the dark curse has been lifted. Good work, my Dark Queen.” Gundham smiled, offering a hand to the princess and pulling her up.

“But of course, darling! All in a day’s work!” Sonia giggled, curtisying.

“You two don’t really think after all that,” Kazuichi’s voice was dangerous. “You can just walk away, do you?”

With a flash and a yelp, he had both of them on the coach with him, hands flying across their stomachs and sides while Gundham and Sonia laughed themselves silly.

“Soohohoohoohohuda wahahahhahahahit!”

“Ahehahahahha! Uhuuhuhuhnhahahahnd me mohoohohrtal!”

“Heh, you two are cute.” Souda grinned. “Maybe I am worth more than I thought.”

I hope this was good!

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