#ticklish!mk

“C’mon, kid! Just take a breath and center yourself.” Wukong balanced on his tail in front of Mk, watching as the boy fell once again.

“What Wukong is trying to say is that you need to balance.” Macaque’s snide voice cut in as he sauntered over, getting into the same position as Monkie King. “Your tail is a part of you, just like your arms and legs. You have to feel your center and hold yourself there.”

“I don’t see how tricks are gonna help me get used to this.” Mk gestured down at himself, specifically his tail. Ever since they’d “freed” the Nine-Headed Demon, the team had been lovingly forcing Mk to confront his Monkie side and learn about his powers.

That also meant bodily exercises, such as the one they were focusing on at that moment.

“It helps you understand your new form, bud. Before you can master your powers or anything else, you have to know your body.” Wukong tried to sound patient, but he was really getting tired of explaining the same thing over and over again.

He was endlessly happy, of course, that Mk was alright, but they didn’t know when the next big-bad whatever was coming. His monkie form needed to be mastered, or at least understood, before that happened.

“Fine, fine. I’ll try again.” Mk sighed before leaning on his hands, planting his tail beneath him. It still felt so strange to have muscles there – to have something to move. Pushing himself up, he felt his tail strain with his body’s weight.

“There ya go, kid. Just breathe and stay centered.” The black monkey’s tone was calming then, urging him to stay focused and grounded. It was nice, even if he was annoyed by the entire exercise.

Mk managed to stay balanced for a solid thirty seconds. His mind wandered as he sat there, the thoughts he’d oh-so carefully compartmentalized trying to fall off their shelves. The scarily calm look the Nine-Headed Demon had given him…

”You just opened the cage."

Mk gasped, his eyes flying open as he fell backwards. Macaque’s tail was there in a second, cradling his head before it could hit the ground.

“Hey, new record, bud!” Wukong did his best to sound supportive, but his impatience leaked into the reassurance. They’d been at it for the better half of two hours by then.

“What happened?” Macaque used his tail to sit Mk up, patting his shoulder supportively. Macaque had been unusually caring and touchy since his sacrifice; it wasn’t bad at all, but it was unexpected.

“I just…can’t keep my mind straight. It keeps going places I don’t wanna visit.” Mk sighed, sitting fully on the ground as his tail flicked. It showed his agitation, and it was too new for Mk to suppress it.

“Bud…” Wukong tried to gather his own thoughts, not knowing how to respond to that. He didn’t want to tell the kid to push them aside; that wasn’t healthy. Then again, how else was he gonna advise him? “Wanna…talk about it?”

“Not really. It’s the same stuff that’s been bothering me. Snake guy, the chaos, all that goodness.” Mk chuckled dryly, trying to play off his dread with humor. It usually worked, though he could still feel the uncertainty within him.

“Want us to distract you?” Macaque didn’t meet either of their eyes when he asked this, staring off into the horizon. The corner of his lip twitched, giving away a hidden amusement.

“I…guess so, yeah. Is it gonna hurt?” The monkie boy quirked a brow suspiciously, not liking how vague that was. What did he mean by “distract”?

“No, not hurt. If you want us to stop, just say so, and we will.” Macaque shot Wukong a look, hoping he’d get the tacit message. The orange-furred monkey blushed when he got it, a surprised huff leaving him. He hadn’t expected a solution like that from Mac, but…it’d work.

“Okay…” Mk nodded, a slightly anxious feeling rising in his chest when he saw the look they shared. It wasn’t bad, more…giddy. “Why’re you looking at him like that? Monkey King?”

Monkie King’s tail wrapped around Mk’s middle, tugging the boy into his chest. Two strong arms hooked under his own, keeping him restrained. “H-hey! Lemme go!”

“No can do, kid. You’ve at least gotta let me start before you run.” Macaque grinned as he plopped down in front of the two, his tail curling amusedly behind him. His expression was soft and affectionate as he reached out, giving Mk’s stomach a little poke.

The boy’s eyes widened with realization, a giddy smile immediately blooming on his face. “Wahait! G-guys, c’mon! We need to be training!”

“Ooooh, now you care about training?” Wukong’s tail came up to brush against Mk’s monkey ear, making him squeak. “Too late for that, bud.”

“If you actually want us to stop, just say…hmm. What’s a good word, Wukong?” Macaque spoke smugly, lazily tickling the boy’s stomach. He was already giggling up a storm, the silliness of the position he was in making him way too giddy.

“How about ‘peaches,’ eh?” He wiggled his eyebrows at Macaque, knowing the word would annoy him. The darker-furred monkey rolled his eyes, deciding to deal with it later. “Fine. Say peaches, and we stop."

Mk thought of saying it immediately, but…well, he was kind of enjoying the touch, and it was helping to distract him from his thoughts. He could wait a few minutes…

“Knew it. Just one more thing the kid’s got in common with you, Wukong.” Macaque teased, practically purring the words as he looked up at the Monkie King.

Said king scoffed indignantly, grateful for the fur helping to hide his blush. “Hey, pick on the kid, not me! He’s the sad one!”

“Debatable, but…fine.” Macaque grinned as he focused back in on Mk, adding a second hand into the mix. He was still leisurely tracing across his chest, mapping out his worst spots before really trying anything.

Meanwhile, Wukong’s tail continued to tease the shells of Mk’s monkie ears, watching him squirm and squeak.

“M-Mahahacahaque! Mohohonkie Kihihing!” Mk kicked and squirmed in Wukong’s grip, his tail twitching and flicking against the other monkey’s chest. He could not stay still while he was being tickled.

“Yes?” Both monkeys spoke at once, though Wukong’s voice was a lot more teasing than Macaque’s. The two’s different energies somehow made it the more flustering, making Mk’s face burn.

“I-ihihit tihihihickles!”

That made both monkeys’ hearts squeeze, paternal hearts practically sparkling in Wukong’s eyes. How could one kid be so adorable?

Macaque was the first to recover from the psychic attack, chuckling fondly as he continued to tickle him. He’d explored enough to map the kid’s spots. “Hey, Wukong? Try getting the base of his tail.”

“Uh…oh! On it.” Wukong snapped out of it, a big grin settling on his face as he went for it. He had to release one of Mk’s arms to do it, but the boy was too distracted to really make use of that. When the king’s fingers scribbled on that little spot near the bottom of his spine, he lost it.

“GYAHAHAHA! M-MOHONKIE KIHIHING! NAHAHAHO!” Mk flapped his free hand as his worst spot was targeted, nearly kicking Macaque in the face. His back was already ticklish before he’d had tail nerves. After, though? It was so much worse.

“Woah- careful, kid!” Macaque laughed as he dodged the boy’s shoe, shoving it back down. He was so squirmy… Cute kid. “Wouldn’t want me to get mad, would ya? It gets worse when I’m mad.”

“Wow, you’re mean, Mac,” Wukong mused, giving the boy a breather as he dragged a claw up his spine. The little squeals that motion received made his grin widen somehow, splitting his face. “Thought you’d take it easy on the poor kid.”

“That’s your job. I’m not soft,” Macaque huffed, taking his slight annoyance out on Mk. The hand on his stomach narrowed in, going for his navel. Mk shrieked, kicking about once again.

“F-FIHIHIGHT LAHAHATER!” Mk’s pleas fell on deaf ears, the two monkey men distracted by their playful argument.

“Oh really? How come you sleep with the baby monkeys then?” Wukong’s voice was smug, knowing he had the other monkey pinned.

“I- that’s different!” Mac growled, his tail flicking in exasperation. The king was always a tease, but he wasn’t wrong. Macaque hated it when he was right.

“Doesn’t seem like it…”

“Ugh, just focus on the kid.” Macaque gave up, knowing he wasn’t going to get anywhere with Mk between them. Besides, he wasn’t quite done with the boy.

“Ohohor dohohon’t! Bohoth wohohork!” Mk tried to shove Macaque’s hands away, but the dark-furred monkey easily pushed past the resistance. One spot he hadn’t tried yet…

“H-hehehehey!” Mk nearly whined when he felt the tickles move to his shoulders, fighting the immediate urge to melt into them. Stupid shoulders and their stupid calming sensitivity…

“Aww, you found his favorite spot!” Wukong was wholly unhelpful, only egging Macaque on. He could tell the kid was getting tired, so he followed the curve of the mood, softening his touch. He kept toying with the boy's ears, but less persistently.

“N-Nuhuhuh-uhuh!” Mk’s denial was totally mature as he slowly stopped struggling, his giggles growing softer and more relaxed.

“So convincing, Mk.” Macaque chuckled at the sight of him, leaning closer as his legs stopped flailing. He seemed almost sleepy… Maybe they hadn’t even needed a safeword.

“You gettin’ tired, bud?” Wukong smiled as his mentee’s back pressed against his chest, the top of Mk’s hair tickling his chin. The barely coherent response of mumbled giggles was incredibly convincing.

“I’ll take that as a yes.” With a quick look to Macaque, both monkey men stopped their “attacks” in favor of cuddling up next to him. While monkey piles weren’t common among them any more, the pair still loved them. By the sound of his happy sigh, Mk did, too.

“We’ll work on the training later, bud. Get some rest.” Wukong leaned back on a stump, grateful he’d sat down so close to one. Mk was lying back on his chest, with Macaque on the boy’s stomach.

“Listen to the goof, kid. It’ll make things easier.” Macaque smirked, laughing at the immediate hair-ruffle his words received. Wukong was predictable, but it was a nice, reliable kind of predictable.

“Mmph, fine…” Mk tried to sound stubborn, but he was already falling asleep.

“I think I got it.” Wukong nodded as a pumpkin pail was shoved into his hands. He’d never participated in Halloween before; when Mk heard that, he wasted no time in teaching his mentor all about the traditions.

“Great! Remember, it’s Trick or Treat. I’ll be over there!” Mk smiled and jogged off to one of the little shacks he’d constructed, ready to give Wukong the full Trick-or-Treating experience.

“Right…” The monkey man chuckled as he watched the kid run off, shaking his head. His “mask” was a skeleton face on a piece of paper, but Mk had assured him that even the simplest costume counted. With a fond sigh, he approached the first “house.”

“Uh…trick or treat?” Wukong stood in front of the door of the crude shack, a bit impressed that he’d been able to make six of them in an hour.

“You have to knock!” Mk whisper-shouted from inside, the sound of fabric rustling meeting the monkey’s ears. What was he doing in there?

With three steady knocks, the Monkey King tried again. “Trick or treat!”

The thin wood door opened, revealing Mk…with a sheet over his head. There were two little holes cut out for eyes, though they were dreadfully lopsided. It took everything he had not to laugh at the endearing sight.

“Helloooooo!” Mk drew his “ooo” sounds out to sound ghostly, dropping a few pieces of candy – hair illusions, no doubt – into his pail. “Happy Halloweeeeen!”

“Thanks, kid,” the orange-furred monkey said affectionately, backing away from the shack. The moment he did, he heard more rustling, then saw his mentee high-tailing it to the next little place. He really was going all out, wasn’t he?

Wukong took slow strides over to the next little shack, giving Mk time to set up whatever silliness he was doing. That time when he knocked, the door was answered by a witch; well, it was Mk in a cheap witch mask and black robe, but the monkey had to compliment his quick-change skills.

“Eeyeee-he-he!” The kid did his best witch cackle, which had Wukong biting his lip to keep from laughing. It was so bad… “Here’s yer candy, ye scoundrel!” Again, more likely-hair candies, though that handful contained little green orbs. Very on-theme: he liked it.

The next few stops were similar scenarios, each of Mk’s appearances different than the last. He’d seen the boy as a sock-handed Frankenstein, a toilet paper mummy, and a vampire with a suspiciously similar cloak to the witch’s.

The last house, however, looked different than the rest; the door was a blanket, and the place looked smaller than the others.

“Uh…what happened here, bud?” Wukong stood back a foot or two, giving the kid any space he might need.

“I kinda ran out of wood when I made this one, so I got creative.” The monkey could hear his slightly nervous chuckle from behind the blanket, though there was a mischievous edge to it… “I’m ready for ya!”

Wukong shrugged and approached the little shack, knocking on the frame of the “door.” Instead of a festive Halloween character, however, he was met by Mk in one of Taang’s sweaters and corduroy pants. “Git offa my lawn!”

“Uh, bud? What’s this about?” The Monkey King chuckled as he took a few steps back, avoiding a swing from the old Mk’s cane – his staff, which he was putting to excellent use.

“Not everybody wants you darn Trick-or-Treaters in their yards. You’ll crush my petunias!” Mk lightly swung his staff, aiming for his mentor’s feet. Wukong dodged it, huffing amusedly. When he was a full five feet away from the shack, Mk went back inside.

Now, he knew there was probably some method to the kid’s madness, but he wasn’t in the mood to think too hard. The activity was called Trick-or-Treating. Since he wasn’t getting any treats, he’d have to play into the tricky side.

Carefully, he climbed onto the roof of the shack, taking special care to make sure it didn’t collapse under his weight. Then, he leaned over and knocked on the frame.

When Mk came out, already scolding him in the mock-old tone, Wukong’s tail wrapped around his waist, hoisting him into the air. The kid yelped, kicking and laughing already as he came face-to-face with his mentor.

“Monkie King! You were supposed to be at the door!” He squirmed as the king brought them back to solid ground. It was probably for the best that they moved; he really didn’t put enough effort into that last shack.

“That’s if you want treats,” Wukong grinned, using his tail to tug his mentee closer. “I was feeling tricky.”

Before Mk could ask what he was doing, he felt the king’s paw-claws kneading his sides. He squealed, falling into a bright giggle fit as Wukong began tickling him. “Mohohohonkie Kihihing! Th-thihis ihihihisn’t pahart of ihihihit!”

“Hey, traditions can change. Aren’t you all about progress and new beginnings?” He teased, watching the boy squirm and twist in his tail’s grip. It was a little difficult to hold the strong boy still, but he managed.

“Nohohot lihike thihihis!” Mk whined as he kicked his feet, pushing weakly at Wukong’s hands. He really wasn't trying to push him away; it just felt impossible to stay still.

“Not like this, huh? Then how about this?” The immortal smiled as he dug into the boy’s stomach, targeting his navel. As expected, he shrieked, the whiny giggles ramping up to bright belly laughter.

“GYAHAHAHA! NAHAHAT THEHEHERE!” Mk’s thrashing doubled as his worst spot was attacked, his arms starting to actively try and defend. He was strong; so strong that Wukong had to pull him in against his chest, trapping the boy in a tickle-hug.

“You were right, kid. I really do love this holiday.” Wukong’s ever-present shit-eating grin grew fond as he listened to his mentee laugh his head off. He was so rarely at ease anymore; seeing him completely carefree, hearing that crazy laughter, made Wukong’s heavy heart a little lighter.

“HAHAHALLOWEEN IHIS SCAHAHARY, NOHOT FUHUNNY!” Mk was still trying to argue the point of the holiday, still sane enough to form coherent sentences. He was slipping fast, but he still had to try.

“I feel like it can be both,” Wukong teased. “Plenty of haunted houses have actors that pop out, scare the pants off you, and then do stupid stuff to make you laugh off the adrenaline. Scary and funny.”

“SHUHUHUSH!” It was always so unfair when the Monkey King had good reasoning behind his silly arguments. He’d have to rewatch Monkie Cop to pick up that talent.

“When have I ever done that on command, kid?” The monkey snorted to himself, dragging a single finger up the kid’s spine to hear him squeal. “And here I thought you knew me…”

“Y-YOUHU CAHAN’T- NOHOT BOHOHOHOTH!” Mk was rapidly losing his ability to think as the orange-furred monkey teased both of his worst spots. That was just uncalled for, and incredibly unfair!

“Uh, yeah I can. Watch me,” Wukong sassed, taking the boy’s plea as a challenge because of course he did. One paw remained on Mk’s navel while the other snaked around to his back, scribbling up and down his spine.

Mk promptly lost it.

“NAHAHAHAHA! MOHOHONKIEHE KIHIHING!” Squirming and thrashing beneath the evil touches, Mk tried and failed to get away. The monkey really wasn’t tickling him that hard, but the sensitivity of the spots made it excruciatingly ticklish nonetheless.

The kid could only take so much of that relentless teasing. Within a minute of the intense tickles’ starting, he was tapping out, stomping his foot against the ground. “NOHOHO- GYAHAHAHA! NOHO MOHOHOHOHORE!”

Wukong quickly recognized the boy’s surrender, stopping his tickles in favor of soothing back and belly rubs. His tail remained around the kid’s middle, giving him a reassuring little squeeze every few seconds.

“You okay, kid? Didn’t go too far?”

“N-naha, you’re all goohohod…” Mk panted as he caught his breath, cheeks flushed and eyes wrinkled at the corners with a smile. He really did have fun, as cruel as the tickling method was.

“Good. Want any water?” Wukong was getting better with taking care of mortals, recognizing their needs and trying to meet them. “Big Blue was making some nice lemonade tea if you wanna grab some.”

“Really?” Mk’s eyes lit up at the mention of the Arnold Palmer. Sure, it was out of season, but he still loved the drink. “Yeah, let’s go!” He sprung up, taking off for the shop like nothing even happened.

“This kid, I swear…” Wukong shook his head and chuckled before summoning his cloud, zipping after his mentee. He was a goofy and unpredictable boy, and the monkey wouldn’t want him any other way.

🍜Mk🎧

General:

Sunshine boy is definitely a big fan of tickles. Laughing at just a few touches, bonding with his friends, watching them let their walls down for the sake of silly happiness? Yeah, count him in.

He likes both sides, though being tickled does have a special place in his heart. He’s a lee-leaning switch, but not by a whole lot.

He can only say the t-word on special occasions (extreme confidence, other lers/lees in it with him, drunken boldness). 98.71% of the time, he’ll go beet red at the attempt.

Lee:

When he gets lee moods, everyone around him will know. He can sometimes just ask for help if it’s someone who’s used to his silliness, like Red Son or Mei, but other than that, it’s tacit signals.

He’ll run a hand through his hair a lot (exposing his side in the process), get way more fidgety than normal, speak in a higher pitch, and very nonchalantly stare at his friends’ hands. Not that hard to get the message.

Kicks, flails and squirms when tickled. He really tries not to, but his nerves pretty much go nuts. It’s best to pin him or get him from behind if you don’t want an accidental bloody nose.

Worst spots are his navel and lower back. He absolutely loses it whenever anyone so much as pokes there.

Melt spots are his palms and shoulders. Tickly massages and palm kisses leave him a puddle of giggles.

Really bright and bubbly laughter when you get him going. When it’s light, lots of little squeaks and half-hearted “no!”s

Ler:

Sickly sweet while also a teasing mother-trucker. If you think that’s confusing, imagine how the lee feels-

The sunshine boy definitely has a fiery side, so watch out

“You’re ticklish here too? Seriously, this is adorable. You’re adorable.”

“Holding it in, huh? I think it’d feel a bit nicer if you let out that laughter. Don’t you?

“So many good spots, so little time… Guess I gotta get to work!”

“Your blush is so pretty! I think I’m gonna paint my nails that color…”

He’s incredibly considerate of boundaries, even if you’re obviously okay with it.

Checks in wherever you seem to be laughing a bit too hard, though you’ve only just got done giggling. It’s smart to set up a safeword so he actually does know when to keep going.

Confident lees will love him. He’s easy to fluster if you can say the t-word enough times, and he nearly dies if someone confidently asks him to tickle them.

An aftercare master. He makes whatever your favorite drink is, gets snacks, makes a cuddle nest and just hangs out with you. If you’re not big on touch, he’s fine to just watch some YouTube videos and chill out.

🍑Sun Wukong☀️

General:

We can all agree that he’s a straight-up switch. Loves wrecking people, adores being reduced to a giggly puddle of mush.

However, he refuses to admit any of that

He likes the feeling of being vulnerable around his friends, but the thought of saying that is terrifying for him (again, good luck getting him to say that. The great Monkey King allegedly has no fear)

Lee:

He’s giggling like crazy before you even touch him.

If you even give a small hint of what you’re gonna do, get ready for him to run.

When you do catch him (he will eventually let you), he curls up like a pill bug and rides it out. If you mention his tail wagging, he’ll let out a string of adorably squeaky profanities.

His actual laugh is a lot less obnoxious than his “Monkey King” one. It’s bright and bubbly, full of squeaks and the occasional snort.

His worst spots are his ribs and his lower back, specifically the base of his tail. Good luck keeping him still if you go there.

Melt spots are his ears and hips. His hips are a bit of an obscure spot, but he will dissolve if you trace them.

Once you’re done wrecking him, he becomes a cuddly, sleepy little mess. Be ready to stay with him for at least an hour afterwards.

Ler:

He’s such a chaos goblin I swear-

Loves the “Tickle Monster” trope. He can and will use his power to make clones of himself and/or shift his appearance for optimum tickle-ability

If he’s the one doing the tickling, he can say the t-word. This is a power he always abuses.

“The Tickle Monster’s gonna getcha, kid! Better run~”

“Oh sorry, couldn’t hear you through all that laughter. Did you say ‘keep going’? Perfect!”

“You know, I could stop, but where’s the fun in that? I think you can agree, can’t ya?”

“Your laugh is so fun! I could listen to it for centuries… But I think I can settle for five more minutes.”

It takes him a bit, but he does try to check in and see when you need a break. It’d be a nice idea to set a safeword or a clear tap-out beforehand, just in case.

He’s actually really good with aftercare. He makes the best lemonade tea, and he’ll attempt to make a good snack. Just watch out for any of his “inventive” cooking/baking methods.

🎭Macaque🏮

General:

He acts like he hates it. If you don't know him all that well, he'll seem genuinely done with it.

If you do know him, however, he has tells. The way his tail twitches when the t-word is said, the way just a hint of pink settles on his cheeks, the way his arms just barely clamp to his sides…

Yeah, he's not as slick as he thinks.

Prefers being tickled most of the time, but he isn't afraid to wreck a bitch just because.

Lee:

He will fight and deny it until the day his immortality runs dry, but he loves it.

Until you actually start, he'll act like he doesn't want it. Kicking, hissing, running, the whole nine.

The minute those wiggling fingers touch down, though? He melts.

All protest disappears, the only thing close being small “no”s through his laughter. His tail will wag adorably (be careful if you mention this).

He could just shadow-travel away, but conveniently “forgot because of the literal torture” he was experiencing or “couldn't focus enough” to do so.

Worst spots are his knees and his back. Him and Wukong share the infamous I-will-die spot at the bases of their tails, though this boy's is significantly worse.

Melt spots are beneath his chin and his ears. It is the cutest thing to just scratch beneath and hear his little purrs while he tries not to giggle.

Ler:

Puts his villain experience to use

He'll use his shadow travel to sneak up on you/cheat in a chase. Nobody said he had to play fair…

He definitely makes clones to help himself. One to hold your arms up, another to grab your legs, and a few to get the more annoying spots.

Teasing in a playful-yet-asshole sorta way. If you're feeling shitty, he'll be such a sweetheart, but he's a shit 80% of the time.

“Wow, ticklish here too? You're just a walking tickle-spot at this point.”

“You think this is bad? Just wait till I call in the cavalry~”

“It must be hard, being this ticklish and all. How have you survived so far? Thought you'd have laughed yourself silly.”

“Just a few little pokes and you're down for the count. Would suck if some of the villains found out…”

“Worst spot, huh? Better buckle up~”

Somehow knows exactly when to stop every time. You don't even have to say anything: he just knows.