#tickletober25

My list

She showed up without fanfare. Rumi didn't drift, didn't sneak. She came striding down the path with the same confidence that had made him nervous the first time they'd met. A demon hunter walking openly to meet a demon... something about that still felt like they were tempting fate.

Jinu tilted his head, smiling despite himself. "Did they give you any trouble?" he asked, nodding toward her ankles as though his bird and tiger might still be hiding somewhere nearby.

Rumi's lips quirked. "No. I came right away."

"Yeah, I bet." His giggle slipped out too easily, betraying both his relief that she came and the odd giddiness that always came over him around her.

They sat. At first, the conversation was mundane: trading updates, feigning disinterest in the war both their sides were waging, letting their words circle closer to the dangerous truth that they enjoyed each other's company. Jinu's bird was off in some tree, preening silently, and his tiger lay stretched in the grass like a bored cat, giving them the illusion of privacy.

It was almost too peaceful. Which, Jinu would realize too late, was exactly the setup for Rumi's trap.

"So," she said after a lull, her tone innocent enough to raise alarm bells in his head. "About a few nights ago."

He froze mid-shift on the bench. "What about it?"

"You tickled me."

Jinu blinked, trying not to grin. "Uh... yeah?"

"You think I forgot?" Her voice carried the same seriousness she used when talking about sword training or something.

He laughed nervously. "Come on, that was just... like, a moment. You laughed! You had fun!"

"Oh, I had fun." Her smile spread, sharp but playful. "But now it's your turn."

Before Jinu could process that, she lunged.

Her fingers caught him in the ribs, quick and merciless, and his entire body jolted off the bench like she'd sent a spark through him. "WoahwoahWohohah- W-wahahahaitwahahaitwahahait!!" he yelped, collapsing back against the wood, laughter bursting from his throat in uneven gasps. "HehehehehEEHeee!! RuHUhuhumi, RuhUHUMi!!! Okahahayokayokahahahay!!"

She didn't relent. She had her hunter's focus, her hands quick and precise, skittering along the spots she'd already guessed would be sensitive: his sides, his ribs, the base of his neck. Every touch made him fold, wheezing laughter escaping in a rhythm she didn't let him catch.

"See?" she teased, leaning close like she was interrogating him. "Not so fun when it's happening to you, huh~?"

"HEEEheehee- w-wahahahait!! Nohoho, stohohohop-!! Ruhuhumi, Ihihihi c-caAhahHAHHAn't!!" His words tumbled out, breaking apart with giggles. He tried to wriggle sideways, only for her to follow, pinning him lightly against the arm of the bench.

The tiger raised its head in mild interest, then yawned and went back to dozing.

Jinu's demonic tattoos, usually glowing faintly across his collar and arms, flickered, dimmed, and then vanished altogether when her fingers traced over them. He barely noticed. All he could register was the raw sensation, the way her touches erased Gwi-Ma's ever-present voice in his skull: no commands, no whispering cruelty or shame, just laughter, spilling out of him unrestrained.

"Ughuhuhgh—ohohOHOHohkayokayokaAHAHAYay!!" Jinu wheezed, repeating himself like a broken record. "WohOHahwahahait- waAAHAHAhait!!!" He doubled over, knees bouncing, hoodie riding up to expose the pale stretch of his stomach that she immediately zeroed in on.

Her grin widened. "Oh, so this is worse~?"

"NOHOHOHO! DOhoHOn't- Hehehehhee- DohoHON't youhUhUHUu DahhahahAAAHARE-!!"

She dared.

Her fingers swirled in his belly button, and he nearly folded in half, laughter pitching into desperate squeaks. His bird flapped down from its perch with a sharp cry, landing on the back of the bench as though to protest his torment, but it didn't intervene. Even his familiars knew he'd sort of brought this on himself.

Minutes (or maybe seconds, time blurred) passed before she finally leaned back, hands withdrawing. Jinu slumped instantly, gasping for air, his hoodie clutched around his middle like it might shield him from another attack. His cheeks were flushed, his hair stuck to his forehead, and he couldn't stop giggling even as he tried to compose himself.

"Y-youhuhu-" he panted, pointing weakly at her, "youhuhu ahahare ehehevil."

"Funny, I said that to you last time. And it's revenge," Rumi corrected, brushing her hands together like one just finishing a chore. "Fair's far."

"Not fair at all," he muttered, still huccuping soft laughter. "Youhuhu're, like, way toohoo good at thahat."

Her smirk softened into something fonder. "I didn't think demons could be ticklish."

"Guess I'm full of surprises." He tugged his hoodie down, still smiling despite himself. "D-don't tell anyone, okay? If the others find out..."

"They'll what? Gang up on you?" She leaned back, crossing her arms smugly. "You'd probably like it." (Foreshadowing is a literary device in whi-)

He sputtered, face heating. "Wh- no, I- I wouldn't- shuhuhut uhup!"

Her laugh rang out bright in the empty park, and though he wanted to argue, Jinu let it linger. For the first time in what felt like forever, the darkness inside him was silent, replaced by something lighter, stranger. Unknown, but not unwelcome.

Eventually, the moment stretched thin, and he knew he had to leave before someone noticed his absence. Rising shakily from the bench, he stuffed his hands back in his hoodie pocket. "You... win this round," he admitted.

"Of course I do," Rumi replied. "But don't think I won't do it again~."

"O-ohoh... I bet," he said, laughing under his breath.

And with that, he turned down the path, his tiger slinking after him and his bird fluttering overhead. He didn't dare look back, but he didn't need to. Rumi's laughter still echoed behind him, a sound so bright it carried him all the way home.

Jinu slipped into the apartment as quietly as possible, hoodie pulled low, sneakers squeaking faintly against the polished wood floor. He told himself he'd just breeze past the living room, disappear into his room, and no one would notice.

Well, that plan shattered the second Mystery's voice drifted from the couch. "You're late."

Jinu flinched. Mystery sat cross-legged, periwinkle hair shrouding half his face. Across the room, Abby was sprawled on the carpet with a dumbbell in one hand, doing lazy reps, while Romance leaned against the counter, scrolling through his phone. Baby was perched on a beanbag, silent, watching a drama on the flat-screen.

Every head turned when Jinu froze mid-step. In the awkward silence, Jinu's tiger brushed past him and lay down on a beanbag next to Baby to snooze.

"Uh," Jinu said, trying to look casual. "Hey. What's up?"

Abby grinned, setting the dumbbell aside. "'What's up' is you sneaking out again. What, you think we don't notice?"

Romance slid his phone into his pocket, a smile playing at his lips. "Don't tell me, don't tell me- you were off infiltrating Huntr/x, hm? Whispering sweet nothings to the enemy~?"

Jinu's ears burned. "N-no! I was just-"

"Spill it," Mystery interrupted, his tone as calm as ever, though the corner of his mouth twitched. "You've been disappearing a lot."

Jinu fumbled for an excuse, but the silence stretched too long, and his stupid, nervous laugh bubbled out. "Heehee- I- It wasn't anything like that, I just... Rumi and I were..."

Romance's eyes sharpened. "Oh, this is good. You're glowing, Jinu. Don't think we can't see it."

"Glowing?" Abby sat up, eyes widening in recognition and pointing at him. "He's right! Totally, look at his face! That's not demon work, that's... what, did you two go on a date or something?"

Jinu threw his hands up. "No, no, it wasn't a date! I just-"

Baby, quiet until now, finally looked up from the TV. "Then what happened? What, exactly, did you and Rumi-from-Huntr/x do?" His tone was flat, but everyone leaned in like he'd just issued a command.

Jinu opened his mouth. Closed it. Tried again. "I... g-got tickled."

A beat of silence followed, so heavy he wondered if he'd accidentally said something in another language.

Then Romance doubled over, laughter spilling out like music. "Tickled? Thahat's what this is about!?"

Mystery's stoic façade cracked into a grin. "Unbelievable."

Abby howled, actually falling back onto the carpet and clutching his stomach. "THEHehE MIHIGHT DEMOHON JIHINU, TIHIHICKLED!"

"Oh, stop it!" Jinu shouted, face blazing, taking off his hoodie and throwing it in the corner. "It's not funny!"

"It's hilarious!" Romance countered, wiping tears from his eyes. "Tell me, tell me! Did you beg? Did you squeal?"

"N-nohoho-!" Jinu sputtered, the giggle betraying him instantly.

They roared even harder.

Even Baby's lips twitched, just barely, before he looked back at the screen with forced indifference.

Jinu flopped onto the nearest chair, burying his face in his hands. "I hate all of you."

"Ahaww, don't be mad~!" Abby teased, crawling closer to nudge his shoulder. "We're just surprised. Ticklish demons! That's new lore, bro!"

Romance leaned in with mock seriousness. "Maybe the Demon King's greatest weakness is feather dusters. We should report this!"

Mystery's smirk softened as he studied Jinu, who still shook with leftover laughter he couldn't entirely suppress. "You really don't look miserable, though. You look... lighter."

The comment hushed the group just a fraction. Abby glanced away, Romance pocketed his grin, and even Baby seemed to be listening now.

Jinu lowered his hands, blinking at Mystery. "... So what if I do?"

Romance exhaled, suddenly thoughtful. "It's just... been a while, you know? Since any of us..." He trailed off, gesturing vaguely. "...felt something like that."

Abby nodded, quieter than usual. "We fight, we train. We obey. But laughing like that? Haven't done that since..." He exhaled, staring off into space. "...since before."

The word 'before' hung heavy... before they'd been bound to the Demon King, before their humanity had been scrubbed away.

For a long moment, no one spoke. The faint sound of Baby's drama played in the background, oddly poignant.

Finally, Baby broke the silence with his low, even tone, turning to look at Jinu. "So. Tickling." He didn't smile, but his voice carried the slightest hint of curiosity. "That's what made you feel human again?"

Jinu swallowed, hesitant but honest. "Y-yeah. It... it shut everything else out. Just laughing, just being there. No... Gwi-Ma. No orders, no shame. Just... me."

His voice cracked on the last word, and suddenly the room felt fragile, like one wrong move would shatter the unspoken truth between them.

Romance leaned back, softer now. "Well. Maybe we should all try it."

That earned him a round of incredulous looks.

"You're joking," Abby said.

But Mystery's smirk returned, sly this time as if he were squinting underneath his hair. "Are you?"

Romance shrugged, but his eyes glinted. "Well, maybe not. We could use a little... experimentation."

Jinu groaned, already sensing the disaster brewing. "Guys, please- don't get any ideas-"

But that spark was there, that seed planted. And judging by the grins spreading across their faces, it was only a matter of time before this apartment descended into chaos. It was a powder keg.

The quiet didn't last long.

Romance was the first to move, like always, walking forward to lean on the back of the couch with that lazy, mischievous grin of his. "You know," he said, stretching his arm dramatically, "we're idols. We might get asked to do this on some variety show someday."

Abby snorted. "What, tickle each other?"

Romance wiggled his fingers teasingly in the air. "You know those challenges. They're weird, like that hot sauce challenge."

Wordlessly, everyone looked at Baby, who just smirked proudly.

Romance continued, "Anyways, it wouldn't be the strangest thing they threw at us."

Mystery raised an unimpressed brow from his seat on the couch. "Why do humans want us to debase ourselves for their amusement? Tickling would be absurd."

"Is it?" Romance leaned down casually and, before Mystery could react, jabbed two fingers into his side.

Instantly, Mystery, the ever-composed, brooding figure, jolted like he'd been electrocuted. A sharp yelp escaped him, followed by a burst of helpless giggles that shattered his entire mystique in two seconds flat.

"HEHEHEe- WhahAHAHhat-?!" Mystery twisted away, clutching his ribs, laughter bubbling up uncontrollably. His sweater slipped as he curled, and he desperately tried to smother his own giggles with his sleeve as he rubbed at the spot Romance had poked him.

The room exploded.

"NO WAY!!" Abby cried, crawling toward the couch and sitting beside his bandmate. "Mystery?! You're that ticklish!?"

Romance looked smug, brushing imaginary dust off his shoulder. "Ah, what can I say? I have a gift for finding weak spots."

Mystery glared through his hair, but the blush on his neck betrayed him. "D-dohon't- dohohon't make a bihihig deheal-!" His protest was cut off in another squeak when Abby poked his ribs experimentally. Mystery folded instantly, crumbling sideways into Abby's lap, giggling like a kid. "HehehehHEEhee-!! N-nohoHohOo, StohOhohohOp!!"

Abby's jaw dropped. "Oh, this is golden." He wiggled his fingers across Mystery's sides just to prove it, and Mystery writhed helplessly, clutching at his wrists. "He really can't take it, guys!"

Romance chuckled. "Forget the Demon King, all they need to do is poke Mystery, and the war's over."

Jinu leaned forward from the armchair, still flushed from his earlier humiliation, but unable to resist the grin spreading on his face. "See? It's not so bad once you get used to it."

Mystery shot him a betrayed expression between hiccupping giggles. "N-NohOhoHot- fuhuHuHUhUhunny-!!"

"It kinda ihis," Jinu teased, his own giggle slipping through. "Besides, I told you guys. Ticklish demons. It's a thing."

Abby grinned wider. "Well, then we've gotta find out who's the most ticklish, right?"

"Oh, no," Jinu groaned, already feeling dread pool in his stomach. "Don't even start-"

But it was too late. Romance clasped his hands together dramatically. "Gentlemen, I propose a challenge. A noble experiment in the name of science... and fanservice."

Baby, still on the beanbag, finally turned his head from the TV. His expression didn't change, but his tone carried dry amusement. "You're actually suggesting a tickle competition."

Romance's smirk widened, enunciating with his hands as he explained. "Why not? Think about it. If a variety show does spring it on us, wouldn't it be better to train for it? Build immunity, I guess?"

"Build immunity?" Abby barked a laugh. "Dude, that's not how tickling works!"

Jinu buried his face in his hands, chuckling despite himself. "Youhu guys are insane..."

"Insane," Romance echoed, eyes glittering, "or visionary?" He wiggled his eyebrows goofily.

Mystery sat up finally, still giggling under his breath as he shoved Abby away. His cheeks were pink, his composure in tatters. "Ihihi refuhuhuse," he muttered, though his voice cracked halfway through.

...which only made the others laugh harder.

"See, he's scared already," Abby teased. "That's how you know he's doomed."

Baby exhaled through his nose, almost a laugh. "Fine. But if we're doing this, it has to be fair. Everyone gets tested."

Jinu peeked through his fingers, groaning. "This is going to end badly..."

Romance leaned closer, his grin positively wicked. "End badly for you, maybe. End gloriously for the rest of us."

The challenge was sealed, and it didn't take long to escalate.

"Alright," Abby said, rolling his shoulders, trying to play it cool. "If we're really doing this experiment, then bring it on. I'm not scared."

That bravado lasted all of... thirty seconds.

Romance smirked and pounced first, fingers clawing into Abby's sides from behind the couch. Abby flinched but managed to grit his teeth, shoving him off. "Hah- nice try, playboy. You're gonna have to do better than-"

Hungry for vengeance, Mystery swooped in without a word, jabbing Abby's ribs, and that's when the façade shattered. Abby's laugh burst out like a gunshot, sharp and wild. "bAHAhahAHAHA-!! NoHOHO WhAHahAIT-!!"

"Those abs won't protect you now," Romance teased, already grabbing the hem of Abby's shirt. "Let's see what's hiding under here."

"NoOhOHoHO, DOhohon't youhUhu- dohoHon't youhuHU DahahahARe!!" Abby thrashed, but Jinu, sitting beside him, joined in, tugging his shirt up until his sculpted stomach was exposed. The sight alone made the group chuckle.

"Just look at that target," Mystery mused, grinning softly. "Wide open."

Abby didn't even have time to curse before all three of them attacked. Fingers dove straight for his belly, and especially his belly button, which turned out to be devastating. Abby's deep voice dissolved into shrieking laughter, bouncing around the apartment.

"StaaHAHHAHAHAHA- NOHoHOHO, NOOOhOOHO!! N-NOHoHoHOT THEHEHEHERE!!!" he howled, twisting so hard he nearly flipped the coffee table. "IHIHI-IHiHIHI CAhahaHAN'T- AHhAHAHAHA!! OhOhOHOH MYyHYHY GOHoHOHHD!!"

Romance, merciless, traced slow circles around Abby's belly button, cooing, "Ohhh, this is the spot, isn't it~? Your strength is useless here~!"

"SHUHUHUHUT UhUhUHUP!!" Abby cried, tears in his eyes from laughing. His arms flailed weakly, but with Mystery pinning his wrists and Jinu digging into his sides, he was doomed.

The spectacle left Baby and the tiger both staring impassively from their beanbags, but Jinu caught Baby's almost-smile out of the corner of his eye, which only encouraged him further.

Finally, Abby collapsed forward, flat onto the carpet, wheezing, sweat beading on his brow. "OhOHOHOKAhahAY!! Y-YohUhUHU WIHIHIN!!"

The others fell back, triumphant.

"Science says," Romance announced smugly, "that Abby is extremely ticklish."

"Sh-ShuHUt it!!" Abby groaned, curling protectively around his stomach.

But Romance wasn't safe for long.

"Your turn, loverboy," Mystery said smoothly, lunging forward and making to grab Romance.

Romance yelped, scrambling backward. "Woah, woah, woah- gentlemen, careful-!" He raised his hands in mock surrender, grinning like he could talk his way out. "Y-you're touching dangerous territory. We wouldn't want anyone to get the wrong idea~!"

"Flirt all you want," Abby growled, already recovered enough to grab him by the ankle. "You're not wriggling out of this."

"Waitwaitwait-!! Think of the optics-!!" Romance laughed nervously as they dragged him down onto the couch. "T-The fans will kill you for ruining my perfect image-!!"

Mystery cut him off by digging into his ribs, and Romance's composure shattered instantly. His laughter rang out bright and melodic, spilling over the room.

"GAHhahAHHAHA-! OkaHAHAyokaahahya-!! M-mYHHYStery, youHUhu TraahAHAITOR!!!" He kicked his legs, twisting in their grip, still trying to flirt his way through it. "I-IihIhif youHuhu keehEHep touHUhuching me LihiHike thihihis, IhiHIHI'll hahahave toho BuuHUhUy youHuhu dihihiNner fiHiHIhiRST-!"

Jinu snorted, joining in to scribble over his sides. "Well, you are ticklish!"

"SToHohoHOahp-!! N-NoHoHO!! IhiHihi'm sTIhIhill- stiHIhIll chahahAhArming-!!" Romance wheezed, his words tripping over laughter. "Y-YouHuhU cahHAhan't tahHAHahake thahahAHt froHohOm MeHEhehE- HAhaAHAH!! NoHoHOHo, NOhOHOT MyHYHy RiHIHIBS!!"

Abby leaned up with wicked glee, slipping his fingers under Romance's shirt to poke at his stomach. "Dangerous territory, huh? Feels like pretty weak territory to me, dude~."

Romance shrieked and tried to twist away, laughter bubbling out in frantic waves. Even while he begged, he still tossed out desperate, half-flirty lines. "S-SOhOho RouhuHUgh WIhIHIhIth mEheHHee-!! YoUHuHu'll RuHuHUIN MyHyHy RehHEHEHEPUhUhUTAHAHATION!"

Mystery smirked down at him. "Oh, it's pretty ruined already."

The apartment dissolved into pure chaos after that.

Abby let go of Romance, only for Romance to lunge at Jinu, pinning him against the couch and scribbling mercilessly over his ribs. Jinu squealed, kicking his legs, his giggles echoing high-pitched and wheezy.

"NoHoHOT mEHehHEE AagAHAhaHAIN!!! NOhOhOHoHOEhEHEHE!!"

Mystery took the distraction to pounce on Abby, returning the favor by digging into his exposed stomach. Abby bellowed, thrashing so hard he almost knocked Mystery into the wall.

"VEhEHEHNEhEHHEANCE!!!" Abby roared with helpless laughter.

The couch tipped, cushions flying as Jinu and Romance squealed with surprise. The coffee table skidded half an inch across the floor from the impact of Abby's foot. Someone's shoe flew off, landing in the kitchen.

The room was a battlefield, alliances forming and crumbling in seconds. Jinu and Mystery briefly teamed up against Romance again, only for Abby to betray them both and tackle Jinu back onto the carpet. Romance seized the moment to tickle Mystery's knees, and Mystery folded instantly, laughing so hard he lost all strength in his limbs.

"T-TrHAhahHAAHAHAITOHOhORS!!! AHhahHAHAALL oHoHOHOF YOuHUHUHU!!!" he cried, giggling uncontrollably.

Even Baby wasn't safe. A stray hand brushed his socked foot when Jinu tried to crawl away, and Baby kicked him square in the shoulder back into the pile, not hard, but enough to remind them he was there.

"Don't," Baby warned, his voice flat as ever. But Jinu caught the faintest flicker of amusement in his eyes.

The laughter filled the apartment like a storm, blending with shouts, squeals, and cries for mercy. It was reckless, it was ridiculous, but for the first time in years, they all sounded alive.

Finally, the storm slowed, the bows strewn across the carpet and couch like casualties of war. Everyone was panting, flushed, eyes glassy with tears, except for one.

Baby sat upright on his beanbag, arms crossed, completely unscathed. The others had been reckless, wild, and undone, but Baby still looked like a statue.

Jinu, cheeks burning, pushed himself up on trembling arms. "HEehEHehehe... youuhuhu've just been sihihitting there. Nohohot fahair."

Baby tilted his head. "Yeah, someone had to stay in control."

"Yeah?" Jinu said, grinning through his breathlessness. "Let's see how long that lasts."

Mystery perked up immediately. "Ohh, I like where this is going."

Abby, still sprawled out, wheezed, "You guys ahahare insahahane. Hehehe's... hehe's not tihicklish."

"We'll find out," Jinu replied, already stumbling toward the beanbag.

At first, Baby didn't even react. Jinu jabbed experimentally at his ribs. Romance leaned forward, fascinated. Nothing. Mystery poked his side.

"Hey, stay down." Baby scribbled under Mystery's underarm, sending him back to the floor in squealing laughter. "You guys are wasting your breath," he said flatly, eyes half-lidded.

But Jinu wasn't backing down. With a sharp grin, he dropped low and dug into Baby's stomach, fingers scabbling with purpose. Romance joined instantly, hands doubling the assault.

For a moment, it seemed hopeless. Baby's jaw clenched, his face blank as stone. And then...

"...mmmMhhffhfhfhff- pfftaahahahaha!!"

The laugh erupted deep and rumbly, startlingly rich. The room froze for a second, jaws dropping, before the boys dissolved into stunned giggles of their own.

"Ohoh my god! Baby's laughing~!" Romance cried.

"It's real!!" Abby barked out, wide-eyed.

Baby twisted, struggling to regain control, but Jinu and Romance pressed harder, circling his belly button and pinching at his sides. The stoic façade crumbled, his face flushed, his lips trembling with sound he clearly didn't want to give.

"Ghhhuhuhuhh- stohohOhohahap- n-nohohohohoho-!"

It wasn't just laughter. There was a slip, a crack into something softer, almost babbling, before Baby snapped his mouth shut again, furious with himself.

The boys went silent at the sound, blinking at him in shock.

Then, with sudden force, Baby surged upright. "Okay, fihine." In a single sweep, he knocked both Jinu and Romance backward, his calm restored in an instant.

"I won't take shit from you..." Baby scribbled over Abby's belly, making him cackle.

"...or you..." Baby squeezed Jinu's ribs, causing the demon to giggle helplessly.

"...or you..." Baby grabbed Romance's foot and scribbled over his sole, making him shriek and flail around.

"...and especially... not you." Baby shot his hands back down under Mystery's underarms, who kicked his feet as he squealed with laughter.

Irrefutably, Baby was the one looming victorious, as the other four, defeated, panted for breath. Jinu and Mystery were tangled on the carpet, Abby was groaning against the couch, and Romance was wheezing into one of the couch cushions. Only Baby sat tall, unruffled, as if the outburst had never happened.

The room buzzed with aftershocks of laughter, heavy breathing, and hearts pounding. For a long moment, no one spoke.

My list

My list

She had barely reached the first landing when a familiar shadow padded into view. Crosseyed golden eyes glinted from the darkness, followed by the broad striped form of Jinu's tiger.

"Oh, no," she muttered, backing up a step. "Again? Not tonight."

The tiger slunk closer, brushing against her legs in that deliberate way it always did. A low rumble vibrated in its chest, like a purr and a growl combined. The soft fur rubbed against her thighs, and despite herself, she let out a sharp laugh, stumbling sideways.

"KnoHohock ihit off! I know what you're doing!" She shoved gently at its broad shoulder, but the beast only leaned harder, tail curling with mischievous intent.

Before she could escape, a flutter of wings announced... the other one. Jinu's bird swooped down from the stairwell above, perching squarely on her shoulder. Its feathers tickled her neck as it pecked insistently, then nibbled lightly near her ear.

"Gah-! Stohohop, stohohop, stohohohohop! Ohohoh my gohod!" Rumi squealed, swatting frantically. The tiger pressed closer, effectively boxing her in, while the bird shuffled along her collar, pecking at the loose threads of her sleep shirt.

Laughter spilled out of her in helpless bursts. She wriggled free, bolting up the stairs. The sound of claws and wings followed closely behind. They weren't attacking her... well, not really... but they were relentless, prodding her onward with their brushes and nips until she realized exactly where they were herding her.

"O-ohoh, come ohohon!" she groaned, clutching the railing. "Fihihine! Ihihi'll go seehee him! Youhuhu wihihin!"

With a final squawk of approval and a swipe of a striped tail, her escorts hurried her up the last flight of stairs.

The rooftop was awash in silver light, the city stretching out endlessly beneath. A breeze tugged at Rumi's hair, still mussed from her unwilling tussle with the animals. She stumbled through the door and out onto the flat expense, breathing hard.

And of course, there he was.

Jinu stood near the railing, one hand resting lazily against it, watching the horizon like he'd been waiting all along. The glow of the streetlights below ironically outlined him in a halo, making him look effortlessly untouchable.

His eyes flicked to her, and that smirk of his that never failed to annoy her appeared instantly. "Well. Look who showed up~."

Rumi crossed her arms, trying to gather herself. "Your stupid tiger and bird attacked me," she said flatly. "They wouldn't leave me alone until I came up here."

The tiger padded proudly past her and sat beside Jinu's legs. The bird swooped overhead and landed on the railing, puffing up smugly.

Jinu didn't even glance at them, he was too busy grinning at her. "Attacked you? That's a pretty strong word. You look fine to me. Cute pajamas, by the way~." His gaze flicked down at the patterned pants she'd thrown on, and the teasing lilt in his voice made her flush.

Rumi tugged at the hem self-consciously. "That's not the point- They, they were harassing me. I'm telling you, you need to keep them in line."

"Mm," Jinu hummed, pushing off the railing and strolling closer. His steps were unhurried, confident. "So you came all the way up here to... tattle on them?"

Heat crept into Rumi's cheeks. "I wouldn't call it tattling. It's just... someone's gotta hold them accountable."

Jinu stopped in front of her, folding his arms with mock seriousness. "Wow. You really came all this way just to snitch. On my tiger. On my bird. That's low, Rumi. Real low."

She backed up a half-step, hands flying up instinctively. "Wait, wait. Don't look at me like that. I didn't even want to come up here! They dragged me!"

"Dragged you?" He tilted his head, eyes glinting with mischief. "Funny, I didn't see any claw marks. Or hear you screaming for help. Just sounded like... You had a little fun on the way up."

"I-I did not-!" she snapped, though her ears burned with betrayal from the memory of her giggles in the stairwell.

Jinu leaned closer, lowering his voice until it carried that dangerous, teasing weight. "So, let me get this straight. You laughed the whole way up, and now you're trying to pin the blame on them?"

Rumi's pulse skipped. She waved her hands rapidly, trying to stall. "Hold on, hold on! Let's just talk this through, okay? We can be reasonable about this-"

But the look in his eyes said otherwise.

Jinu took a deliberate step closer, forcing her back toward the wall of the stairwell entrance. "Reasonable," he echoed, smiling far too widely. "You know, I don't think that's what you really want right now."

The tiger huffed at his feet, and the bird let out a quick, sharp chirp like an audience rooting for the main act.

Rumi's shoulders pressed against the wall, and she swallowed. "Jinu-!"

He grinned, leaning just enough to hover over her, voice dropping to a conspiratorial murmur. "You tried to turn them in. That's betrayal, Rumi. And you know what happens to traitors, where I come from?"

Her breath caught. "Wait, wait-!"

But his fingers were already twitching in the air, playful and deliberate. The kind of warning that promised Rumi would regret every single word she'd just said.

Rumi didn't even have time to brace herself. Jinu's hands swooped down, fingers wiggling menacingly before landing square on her sides.

"Wha- nohoHOHOHO!" Her laughter burst out immediately, wild and unrestrained as she collapsed backward against the wall, clutching at his wrists.

"See?" Jinu crowed, leaning over her. "You are a traitor. Guilty as charged." His thumbs kneaded against the sensitive spot above her waist, and Rumi shrieked, thrashing.

"STohOHOHoHoP! JiIhIHIhINUHU, NoHohOt FahahhahAir!!!"

"Fair?" His brows arched, the smirk pulling wider across his face. "Rumi, when have I ever promised you fairness?"

The tiger hopped over beside her, brushing its head against her legs with deliberate pressure, and she squealed louder, jerking her knees up. The bird fluttered down just overhead, letting out a triumphant chirp.

"YouHuHuR mIhIHIhInions ahahahare EHEHEEvIhiL!" she gasped between laughter. "YouhuhuHU're- YouhUhuHU're sushuHUhuch ahaha ViHIHILLahAHAIN!!"

Jinu leaned down, close enough that she could see the glint in his dark eyes. "A villain, huh? Careful, Rumi. I'm a demon, remember?" His voice dropped lower, all smoky and dramatic. "You oughtn't tease demons, demon-hunter."

Rumi tried to glare at him through her watery laughter, but it only made her shoulders shake harder. "Y-YOuhuhuHU woUhUhUld SSaHhaahHY tHhahahAt! YouhUhU'RE HOHORRIBLE-!"

"Oh?" His grin sharpened, and he pressed his fingers into her ribs. She squealed, arching against the stone wall. "Funny, coming from someone with demon blood. Shouldn't throw stones from glass apartments."

She gasped out a laugh, swatting uselessly at him. "LOHoHOW BloHoHoW! DohohoHn't tuhuHUhurn thihiHIs arouhuhnd on mehehe- AhahHA! NoHhOhOHO!"

"Maybe you shouldn't call me a villain, then." He teased relentlessly, leaning closer until his breath brushed her cheek.

The proximity made her heart trip over itself in her chest, though she tried to mask it with breathless laughter. Jinu was too close, too smug, and she wasn't sure if her face burned more from his tickling or from the look he was giving her.

For one unbearable moment, Jinu pulled back, giving her a chance to catch her breath. Rumi gulped air, pressing her palms to her flushed cheeks.

Then he leaned in again, slowly, deliberately, fingers hovering near her neck.

Her eyes widened instantly. "D-don't. Don't you dare."

He tilted his head, feigning innocence. "Don't what?" His voice was light, teasing, but his fingers wiggled ominously just a hair's breadth from her skin.

"You know what-!" she squeaked, clamping her shoulders up around her ears.

"Ohhh, so you do know." He grinned, eyes dancing. "Rumors must be true then."

"R-Rumors?!" Her voice jumped an octave, panicked.

"Mhm." He dragged out the hum, circling his hand like a predator playing with its food. "A little birdie told me..." His fingers brushed the curve of her neck, barely a touch, and she exploded into helpless laughter again. "...that this is your weak spot."

"NoHoHohO-! IhiHiHI'm NOhOHOT!" she tried to argue, but her words tangled in her broken laughter.

"Not what~?" he prodded, teasing tone practically babying her. "Not ticklish~? Could've fooled me~." His fingertips danced lightly, fluttering against the sensitive skin, and she nearly curled in on herself.

Her laughter ran sharp and bright across the rooftop, spilling into the night air. "StoHoHoHOp! JiHIHiHINu PlEHehehehEHEase! NoHoHOT THeheHHERe!"

"Wow~," he breathed mock-dramatically, pausing just enough to keep her on edge. "Wonder what happens if I..." His fingers darted under her chin, scratching gently, and she shrieked.

"NoHOHOHOHO, NOhOhOHot AgaHAahaHAHAIN!" Her voice cracked with hysterical laughter as she tried to squirm away, but his other hand pinned her shoulder effortlessly.

The tiger purred approvingly, nudging at her calves, while the bird flapped circles overhead, cheering him on.

Rumi kicked wildly, half-laughing and half-whining. "YOuhUhUHU're JuHUhUst- YouhUhU're JuhuHUhUst EhehEHeevil!"

Jinu chuckled low, leaning close enough that his lips nearly brushed her ear. "Maybe. But I think you like me that way."

Her heart skipped another beat at that, so quick and soft she almost didn't notice, but her face burned hotter, and she turned it into a fresh round of squirming protests.

At last, Jinu relented, pulling his hands back with maddening slowness. Rumi collapsed against the wall, panting, her cheeks scarlet and her hair a mess around her face.

He crouched beside her, smug grin firmly in place, and casually tugged at the leg of her pagama pants. "By the way, these are too cute. Criminally so."

Rumi groaned, yanking her leg back. "Oh my god, really? That's what you're stuck on?"

"Absolutely." He leaned back on his heels, studying her with infuriating amusement. "You run around the rooftop in these, accusing me of being a villain, while looking like..." He gestured vaguely, smirking. "A build-a-bear."

She kicked at him weakly, still catching her breath. "Shut up! They're comfortable!"

"Cute, though," he added offhandedly, like it cost him nothing, but the way his gaze lingered made her pulse jump again.

She ducked her head quickly, hoping the night breeze would disguise the fresh warmth in her cheeks.

Jinu, of course, didn't miss a thing. His hand reached down to lightly trace her calf, reminding her just how easily he could start all over. "Careful, Rumi. I might just tickle you for those cuteness crimes, too."

She slapped his hand away, laughing weakly. "Don't even!"

"Oh, I'll even." His grin widened, teasing and promising. "In fact, I'm pretty sure you almost want me to."

Her breath caught again, not just from nerves, but from something deeper that she wasn't ready to admit to herself.

And that smug demon across from her definitely knew it.

Rumi sat up, brushing her hair out of her eyes, trying to reclaim at least a shred of dignity. Her lungs still burned from laughing, but she lifted her chin like she was about to deliver a lawyer's closing remarks.

"Okay. Listen. I've learned my lesson," Rumi said, pointing a finger at him. "No more snitching. No more calling you a villain. Your animals are..." She rolled her eyes. "...saints, okay? Just... no more tickling."

Jinu arched a brow, leaning in just close enough to make her lean back instinctively. That's your offer?"

"Yes!" She gestured wildly. "Take it or leave it!"

His grin spread slowly, dangerous and knowing. "Hmm. I'm not convinced."

Her stomach dropped. "Wait- Jinu- Don't. I mean it-!"

"Aww, are you suuure~?" he crooned in exaggerated baby talk, tilting his head. "Are you reeeeally sorry, Rumi~? Or is this just another little trick of yours~?"

She groaned, covering her face with both hands. "You're impossible."

"Eh, possible enough." He grabbed her wrists gently, pulling them down before she could shield herself, and slipped his fingers back into her sides.

Her squeal split the night air, laughter bursting out as she kicked against the rooftop stone. "JIHIHIHINUHuHU! IHIHI SwwHEHEheHEAR! IIHIHIHI'll DOHoHohO AahahHAhNything!!"

"Oh? Anything?" His tone was gleefully sharp. "That's a bold promise. What if I want... five more minutes of this?"

"NOHOHOHO!! NoHohOT FIhIHihIVE! NoHoHOHOT EvEEhehEHN OhoHohone!" she howled, twisting as his teasing fingers found every soft spot along her waist.

The tiger purred and flopped onto its side nearby, as if it was enjoying the show.

Rumi's laughter cracked into hiccups as she thrashed and bargained wildly. "OkAaHahHAY! IhIHiHIHI'll NEHEhHEEVER SNIhIHIHTCH agAHAHAIN! NohOhOHO MOoHoHORE!!"

Finally, finally, Jinu relented. He pulled back with theatrical patience, settling down cross-legged beside her like nothing had happened. Rumi slumped forward, pressing her forehead against his shoulder while she caught her breath, still shaking with after-giggles.

"See?" he said smugly. "Lesson learned."

She mumbled something unintelligible into his shirt.

"What was that?" he asked, cupping a hand around his ear in mock innocence.

Her head snapped up, cheeks blazing. "I said- you're the worst."

He laughed, unbothered, and slipped an arm casually around her shoulders. "And yet, here you are, still here on this rooftop with me."

The tiger curled at her feet, warm and heavy, while the bird hopped closer to perch above them. Together, they looked far too pleased with themselves.

Rumi groaned dramatically, hiding her face in her hands. "One day, I'm gonna get revenge."

Jinu smirked, leaning in close, his voice dropping to that teasing edge again. "Oh, I hope so. Because the harder you fight back... the cuter you get."

Her heart gave a traitorous lurch, and she shoved at him with both hands. "S-SHut Up!" She stood, brushing herself off and walking off with a huff toward the door to the stairwell.