Very Important Paimons

"I can put on my own shoes, you know," she said, crossing her arms, but quickly uncrossing them when she remembered not to wrinkle her clothes.

Kyle chuckled. "Oh, I am well aware, but is my wife not going to humor me?" he asked with a grin. Joe rolled her eyes, but she was smiling too.

Both servants watched the scene with wide eyes, covering their mouths as a deep blush settled against their cheeks.

Kyle stopped in front of her. The warmth in his eyes made Joe's heart soften in her chest. They had gone through a lot to end up in that exact moment. Some days she still found herself overwhelmed by how ordinary their lives could be. How easy. How peaceful. How happy. Even while being Emperor and Empress, ruling a whole Empire together.

Kyle knelt in front of Joe. The most powerful man on the continent kneeling in front of her wife to help her with her shoes. And he did it with the confidence of someone that had done the same thing hundreds of times before.

Joe blinked, looking at her husband. Kyle smiled. "You're staring," he said softly.

She pretended to pout. "So are you."

Kyle chuckled. He was, indeed, staring at Joe with so much adoration that the servants looked away, embarrassed. "Well, I am," he admitted shamelessly. "I love looking at my wife."

The maids nearly squealed.

"Are you trying to embarrass me?"

"No."

"I think you are."

"You look beautiful."

Joe felt warmth crawl up her neck. Oh he was hopeless. Completely hopeless… and she was just as much. Joe sighed, not tiredly, but like one did when they thought about their love. She quickly cleared her throat and looked away, pretending to sulk.

"Oh, be quiet."

His laughter filled the room, practically making her melt on her chair.

They had barely noticed that their room was filled with servants. Some carried a very light snack for Kyle and Joe, some others just there to clean up the mess of dresses and ribbons that weren't used.

"Excuse me then, Your Majesty," he said, gently taking one of delicate ankles in one of his hands to slip the shoe in, but then a sudden thought crossed his mind.

It was the sort of thought that could have only been formed thanks to Joe's influence. The sort of thought that made a spark of mischief appear in his eyes. Joe didn't notice. At least not yet, but oh she would.

She looked down at him, still unaware of her mischievous husband's plans. Kyle had his gaze lowered toward Joe's foot and shoe, which already made her feel a little nervous and shy. Kyle gently guided the shoe onto her foot.

"Let me know if I hurt you, Your Majesty," he said softly.

Joe rolled her eyes fondly. "It doesn't hurt. You're just putting a shoe on me, Kyle."

Kyle shrugged, smirking a little. "Anything can happen."

Joe could be many things, but one of them wasn't dumb. She noticed the tone. To the people around them it was probably nothing, but Joe knew Kyle, and she knew it was something.

The back of the shoe carefully brushed against her sole. Joe's toes curled, more in instinct than anything, but she froze. Kyle noticed, of course, and his eyes flicked upward with an innocent expression. Joe stared back at him, blinking in confusion.

For one short, silent moment, neither of them moved, but then Kyle's lips stretched into a dangerously playful grin that made Joe feel a bit tense.

"Did something happen?" he asked smoothly.

Joe narrowed her eyes. "No. Something like what?"

Kyle chuckled and shrugged again. "I don't know. You suddenly seemed a bit tense."

Joe hummed, crossing her arms and leaning back on the chair with a stubborn expression. "Well, I'm very certain that nothing happened."

"Hmm~" He lowered his attention back to the shoe.

Joe told herself she was being paranoic. It had been just an accident. Kyle was helping her with her shoe, he really couldn't control it from brushing against her foot. That was simply the reality of the situation.

There was no reason to be suspicious. No reason at all.

As she was getting comfortable again, Kyle pulled the shoe off, the back of it brushing her sole again. This time, Joe inhaled sharply through her nose.

One of the maids turned around with a bit of a worried expression. "Your Majesty?"

Joe looked up at her and smiled softly, or at least she tried. "I'm fine."

The maid nodded and turned around again. Joe also turned around to look at Kyle and she caught the trembling of his shoulders as he tried to hold back a laugh. Ah. He was absolutely doing this on purpose, was he not?

Joe leaned forward and reached down, catching the edge of his sleeve between two fingers. Kyle paused, looking up at her with another innocent smile.

"Ah," he said quietly, his eyes half-lidded. "Apologies, Your Majesty… I thought the shoe looked a bit crooked."

Joe narrowed her eyes. "It is a shoe. It would have straightened once I stood up."

Kyle chuckled. "Oh, is it like that?" he nearly purred. "I will make sure to be more careful, then."

"Behave," Joe said in a low whisper.

"I am."

"You certainly aren't."

A servant nearby noticed the whispery tension, but found the wall suddenly very interesting.

Kyle tilted his head to the side like a confused bird. "I'm only helping with your shoe, Joe."

"You know exactly what you are doing, Kyle."

His name came out like a soft warning, but to Kyle's ears, it lacked authority. He was just as immune to Joe's warnings as she was to his. He chuckled again and then turned his attention back to her shoe.

He finally put it on properly, but not without teasing Joe's sole and causing her to grip the armrests of her chair. He fastened the strap carefully, the back of his nails brushing against the top of Joe's foot and she had to bite the inside of her cheek to stop herself from squealing.

The first shoe was done. Joe relaxed almost immediately. A mistake.

Kyle's fingertips moved very lightly around her ankle as if checking that the shoe sat properly. Joe's knee jerked up a little and her fingers tightened around Kyle's sleeve, tugging it slightly. Kyle's hand immediately steadied her ankle.

"Careful, Your Majesty," he said with a smile.

Joe stared at him. The audacity. She looked up at the servants around the room and she narrowed her eyes once again. It suddenly occurred to her that they all were enjoying the show very much.

Kyle followed her gaze and every face in the room immediately became professional. He laughed quietly and Joe glared at him.

"I will make you regret this," she whispered.

"I look forward to it," he answered and Joe felt her heart doing a little somersault.

Joe huffed, crossing her arms one more time and leaning back again. Kyle grinned and reached for her other foot, but Joe immediately pulled it back, causing the hem of her dress to turn inside out. One maid quickly stepped forward to smooth the fabric back in place and prevent it from wrinkling.

"Your Majesty," she almost begged, "please be careful."

Joe froze, looking up at her and then at her husband… she couldn't exactly tell her that Kyle was secretly torturing her. Kyle, meanwhile, was the picture of patience. Joe's eyebrow twitched slightly.

"You heard her, Joe," he said, making the maid look at him proudly before she continued fixing Joe's closet. "Now, your shoe."

"No."

Kyle arched an eyebrow. "No?"

Joe shook her head firmly. "I have changed my mind about attending the banquet," she said with a very serious expression. "I'm not going."

Kyle couldn't help but let out a bright bark of laughter. "This is your first banquet as the empress. Our first banquet after our marriage. You can't not go. It's basically a banquet in our honor."

Joe let out an indignant sound. "Then they should honor my decision about not attending."

A maid nearly choked, trying not to laugh. Joe pretended not to hear it.

"Is this because of your shoes?" he asked with a soft laugh as his fingers wrapped gently around her ankle. Joe went still. She could feel the warmth of his skin through the thin fabric of her stocking.

For a second, he only held her there, but then his thumb moved slowly and lightly along her arch. Joe bit the inside of her cheek so hard she could nearly taste blood. Her toes curled and her foot flinched.

Kyle's eyes lifted again, and Joe felt her stomach fluttering when she saw the smile on his lips.

"Did that tickle?" Kyle whispered and Joe blushed slightly, glaring at him.

Kyle giggled and guided the second shoe onto her foot. The back of it touched her sole and Joe jolted enough to make a few servants around jolt too. She had to cover the smile pulling at her lips with her hand as his fingers fluttered unnecessarily against the top of her foot.

Her other hand flew to his shoulder, trying to push him, but afraid of actually pushing him, he only clutched at the fabric of his jacket desperately.

"Don't," she said through gritted teeth.

Kyle chuckled. "Don't what?"

"You know what," she nearly barked, tightening her grip around his jacket.

"I'm just helping you with your shoes," he said, shrugging his shoulders as if he didn't understand what was happening. "Is that a crime?"

Joe glared at him. "You finished helping me ten seconds ago."

"Oh? Did I?" he purred, glancing down.

Joe immediately reached out to grip his shoulder. She leaned down so close her nose was almost touching his. "You are dead later, Kyle."

Kyle chuckled, pressing a tiny peck on her lips. "Might as well enjoy myself a little more while I have the time."

Joe's eyes widened slightly, but before she could say anything back, Kyle tightened his hold around her ankle and his free hand fluttered its fingers up her calf. She let out a strangled sound that the servants around decided to pretend they didn't hear.

Oh how badly she wanted to kick him right there. She covered her mouth with both hands, curling on herself a little. Her skin covered in goosebumps under his playful touch. Kyle's blunt nails skittered across her warm skin covered by her stockings.

"Kyle—" she managed through gritted teeth, but Kyle only smirked, looking up at her with sweet, playful eyes.

There was a sudden knock at the chamber door and Joe gasped, trying to pull her leg away as a servant quickly rushed to open it, but Kyle held her firmly, fingers going around to tickle her shin as he looked up.

An older nobleman stepped inside with a deep bow. "Your Majesties. Forgive the interruption. The delegation from the eastern provinces has arrived earlier than expected."

Perfect! Exactly what Joe needed, now she was going to be free from this silent torture!

Kyle blinked calmly. He remained kneeling in front of Joe, his hand still around her ankle and her fingers still tickling her leg lightly.

"Thank you," Kyle finally answered, nodding once. "We will greet them shortly."

The nobleman nodded once as well. "Of course, Your Majesty," he said before bowing deeply and leaving the room. The door closed behind him and silence followed.

Joe looked down. Kyle looked up. He looked satisfied. Too pleased with himself. Joe glared hard at him, and Kyle's smile only widened. Joe realized then that he was just getting started.

Joe had made a terrible mistake.

The mistake, unfortunately, had been marrying Kyle. Or maybe the mistake was even before that… when she started to rub her mischievousness all over him. Before, Kyle couldn't even look at her without blushing, now he was comfortable enough to tease her. Comfortable enough to ignore her threats. Comfortable enough to sit there looking innocent while she tried not to lose her composure in front of all these servants.

Now that she thought about it, why were servants still here?! And, most importantly… wasn't it too obvious that Kyle had spent way too long just helping her with her shoes?! Why weren't they helping her?!

Just as she was thinking that, Kyle's fingers scratched the top of her foot and her shoulders flinched up as a snort filled the room. She covered her face with both hands, her cheeks and ears flushed bright red. Kyle giggled quietly, drawing figures eight across the top of her foot. One maid approached like nothing was happening between the Emperor and Empress, carrying a small box of jewelry.

"Your Majesty, the sapphire earrings?"

"Yes," Joe answered from behind her hands, not daring to look anyone in the face… especially because she was smiling like a crazy lady, but Kyle stopped for a moment and she relaxed slightly. She lowered her hands and looked at the jewelry and nod. "Those are perfect."

The maid smiled, clearly pleased with herself and nodded, placing the box on Joe's vanity. She carefully grabbed the beautiful necklace and gently placed it around Joe's neck.

Joe looked at her husband again, he was already looking at her. "… You may stand now."

He hummed, smiling at her. "I don't particularly want to."

Her eye twitched just as the servant finished fastening the clasp of Joe's necklace before she reached for the earrings and Joe tried not to squirm as Kyle's hands climbed up her leg, fingertips grazing the sensitive skin until he reached her knee.

The maid had just put the second earring on Joe before the Empress let out a gasp that quickly dissolved into an involuntary burst of laughter as Kyle's fingertips tickled her knee and the back of it. It was barely the flutter of fingers, maybe a bit of short nails scraping the skin. It lasted less than a second, but it was enough.

Her leg jerked, not on purpose, but Kyle, already balanced awkwardly after crouching for so long, wasn't really prepared for such a sudden move.

"Ah—"

He tried to hold onto Joe's chair, but his fingers slipped. Joe watched her husband fighting for his life with wide eyes, and she reacted too late.

Thump.

Kyle landed back rather unceremoniously on the polished floor. The silence falling upon the room was deafening. One servant gasped. The maid beside Joe looked horrified, her hands flying to her mouth.

"Your Majesty!" Someone hurried forward.

Kyle blinked, "… I'm alright…"

Joe stared at him. Kyle was sitting on the floor, one hand still half-raised from his failed attempt to save himself. For one second, actual concern flashed across her face.

"Are you hurt?" she asked, moving forward too to help him up, but Kyle shook his head gently and lifted himself.

"Only my dignity is hurt."

Joe blinked, looking up at him and holding his gaze. One… two… three heartbeats. Then the corners of her mouth lifted slowly. A tiny smile, the start of a smirk.

Kyle groaned. "Don't—"

Joe covered her mouth, her shoulders trembled. She pressed her lips together behind her hand, trying not to react, but she failed spectacularly. A quiet laugh escaped her, then another. Soon she was laughing into her hand as she tossed her head back.

A few servants seemed relieved and quickly went back to work around the room. The maid helping with the jewelry let out a soft chuckle, more polite than anything, and bowed respectfully to Joe, leaving the box closer in the vanity to put the necklace and earrings back in place when the banquet was over.

"It serves you right!" Joe managed to say once her laughing fit slowed down, her lips stretched into a smirk.

Kyle rolled his eyes, but he was grinning. "And here I thought you were worried."

Joe shrugged. "For three seconds."

Kyle actually laughed at that and shook his head. "Anyway, we should move on now that you are ready," he looked at the servants that were already lined up near the door. "Thank you, you may leave."

They all bowed deeply before starting to march quietly out of the room. Soon there was silence again. Kyle was still looking at the last servant leaving the room when he felt Joe's presence just behind him. Her hands cupped his sides and gave a squeeze, then her fingers fluttered down towards his hips.

Kyle let out a soft giggle, jerking a bit before he grabbed Joe by one of her wrists, not tightly enough to hurt, just enough to pull her in front of him and pin her against the nearest wall.

Joe squealed, flushing brightly when Kyle placed his knee between her legs and held her wrists up above her head with one hand.

"Kyle!" she gasped, arching her back a little.

Kyle chuckled. "Hmm? What is it?" he said lowly, the tip of his nose brushing against hers. "Did you want to tickle me back?" he giggled quietly. "I don't think you can do that just yet, you know? I am kind of not satisfied by Her Majesty's reaction."

Joe's eyes widened, immediately understanding what he was trying to say. "Are you crazy?! We need to leave right now! The banquet is about to start!"

He laughed. "Now you're worried about the banquet? I thought you didn't even want to go?" He smirked. "Besides, we need to leave right now, but is it okay if you were the one tickling me? That's a bit unfair, don't you think?"

Joe stared at her husband with disbelief… She really had created a monster! She opened and closed her mouth a couple of times, but she didn't really have any idea how to defend her case. Not when Kyle was looking at her like she was a prey!

"I think we could be five minutes," he purred, placing a hand against her waist. Joe tensed immediately.

"Don't you dare. Kyle. D-Dohohon't you—AHAHAHA!"

"I'm fine." His response was quick and tense. The knight looked unconvinced.

Just what kind of thought was that?! Why was she wondering about that all of a sudden?! And most importantly, how did she know Kyle was ticklish?! Wait… no way…

Kyle's face went a little pale. The knight arched an eyebrow.

"Your Highness? Do you need a break?"

There was no way Joe could know he was ticklish… unless she watched him the other day at the stables! Kyle fought the urge to groan and kick himself in the face. Of course something like that would happen, that day was way too perfect. He was not going to hear the end of it… but then he noticed he couldn't hear her voice at all anymore. Maybe she was just passing by. Yeah! He can at least finish his practice in peace.

He took a deep breath and adjusted his grip around his wooden sword. He looked up at the knight again and shook his head. "I said I'm fine. Again."

The knight barely had time to nod before the spar resumed. Wood met wood, some splinters flying off after each hit. Kyle settled back into rhythm. He even almost forgot about the whole incident.

But then that dreamy voice filled his head.

Maybe his ribs or waist~?

The tip of the blade scraped harmlessly across the knight's guard instead of striking properly. The knight's eyebrows rose and Kyle froze in place, the tip of his ears turning slightly pink.

Several seconds passed and no further thoughts arrived, but Kyle already wanted to walk into the ocean. He still thought it was nothing… just a passing curiosity. The sort of thing Joe would think since she was so obsessed with Kyle. There was no reason to worry about this.

The knight stared at him for a whole minute before he dared to speak.

"… Your Highness—"

"Again," he said coldly.

But—

Would he laugh right away? Or pretend he's not even ticklish? Oh, he would look so adorable either way~

Kyle missed another parry. The training sword struck his shoulder. Not hard, really, but enough to make him wince slightly.

"Your Highness!" The knight said, horrified but Kyle raised a hand.

"I'm fine," he repeated for the third time, even though it was more than clear that he was not, in fact, fine.

Kyle closed his eyes and then opened them, looking around slowly. Somewhere not away from here, Joe was wondering what his laughter sounded like. Not just any normal laugh, but his tickle laugh.

He sighed deeply and the sparring session continued, very poorly so. Every few minutes, another thought floated from Joe's head to his.

Would he blush and cry?

Maybe he would laugh so much he wouldn't be able to speak~!

Could it be that he would get annoyed?

Kyle absolutely would get annoyed. He was annoyed right now.

By the time this sad excuse of a spar finally ended, his patience was already hanging by a threat.

"Are you feeling unwell, Your Highness?"

"No."

"… Distracted?"

Kyle stared at him and the knight bowed deeply before he fled. Unfortunately for Kyle, the day was only beginning.

—

By mid-morning, Kyle found himself seated behind his desk with a stack of reports waiting for review. He had taken a bath, had a light snack and now he was ready to work and forget about his horrible training.

Paperwork was peaceful. Predictable and even a little boring sometimes. This was some kind of safe space and there was no way Joe—

He would absolutely shriek if I pinned him down!

Kyle snapped his fountain pen in half. The ink splattered across an empty page, thankfully. Silence filled the office after that. Kyle stared at the broken pen in his hand and slowly, very slowly, he set it down.

A maid just leaving a glass of water and a crystal pitcher on the desk blinked and then cleared her throat. "… Should I fetch another one for you, Your Highness?"

"… Please do."

The maid practically sprinted from the room. Kyle pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket and cleaned his hand with the exhaustion of a man returning from war itself. He sighed and tossed his head back against his chair.

What was Joe doing? … He really didn't want to know. But damn telepathy had never been merciful, has it?

I bet his feet are sooooo tiiiicklish~ maybe even under his toes?

Kyle nearly banged his head against the desk… there was still ink all over it. By now he knew Joe wasn't going to let go of this subject any time soon. The subject being him, of course.

—

Hours kept passing by. The day wasn't going to stop just because Joe was thinking about tickling Kyle until he couldn't breathe. Or because she was thinking of the playful teasing she would use while having the prince surrendering under her tickly fingers. Or because she was very interested in creating a spreadsheet—whatever that could be—about how ticklish every single part of his body was. Or because—

Yes. The day simply kept going. After his paperwork, he had a couple of meetings scheduled. It was just a routine meeting with several minor nobles regarding trade routes and seasonal taxes.

Nothing new. Nothing exciting. Nothing difficult. Nothing that should have tested the limits of Kyle's patience… but, unfortunately for him, he forgot to add Joe's existence into the equation.

Kyle sat at the head of the long table, listening to this man enthusiastically explaining the benefits of repairing a bridge somewhere Kyle didn't even know existed.

"The increased traffic would improve commerce throughout the region, Your Highness," he insisted, nodding his bald head.

Kyle blinked and fought the urge to let out a heavy, tired sigh as he nodded. "Proceed," he said with the firmness only the prince could be capable of.

The noble beamed almost as if Kyle had told him he was going to be King. Several others immediately began offering their own opinions, and Kyle, even though not really interested, managed to focus on the discussion. Peace and boring work.

Until…

I would pin his arms above his head and tickle his armpits until he's crying!

Kyle's hand tightened around the paper he was holding, crumpling it inside his fist. Not now. Please, not now.

The man around the table continued speaking, blissfully unaware of Kyle's suffering. "If the repairs begin before winter—"

I bet he'd go sooo red if I mention how pretty his laugh and smile are!

Kyle stared at the table… would he really get all red?

".. Your Highness?" A noble called him. "Are you alright?"

Kyle blinked and lifted his eyes. They were looking right back at him, some worried, some expectantly. He only wanted to go to sleep for the rest of the day.

"I apologize," he said smoothly, even managing a little polite smile. "Please continue."

The meeting continued and Kyle desperately tried to focus. But it was difficult when Joe's voice was the only thing filling his mind.

I would wiggle my fingers on his neck and ears, I bet he would be so ticklish there!

Maybe his hips too! Or his ribs? Even his hips?! Kyyyaaa~ that's such a naughty spot!

Kyle felt his whole face turning bright red as he rubbed his forehead. The corner of his eye twitched, which was a dangerous sign because it usually meant someone was in big trouble. Fortunately for everyone present, Kyle's irritation wasn't directed at them. Unfortunately for Kyle, the person that was irritating him was nowhere to be seen, so he couldn't do anything about it.

The meeting dragged on. Suddenly all the nobles ruined today had a lot to say and propose to Kyle. And Joe also was very busy thinking about Kyle again.

I would tickle his ribs one by one~ Oh! Maybe I can count them out and pretend to forget the next number~

I would go 'tickle tickle tickle tickle' just to make him squeal!

Kyle choked on his tea. The nobles jumped, some hurrying over him, nearly knocking their chairs over.

"Your Highness!"

"I'm fine," he said, his voice strangled and he coughed a little.

The men looked unconvinced, but nodded anyway, sitting back down. Kyle cleared his throat, straightened and pretended he lost a tiny bit of his dignity just now. Somewhere, Joe was happily thinking about wrecking him while Kyle nearly died.

Kyle narrowed his eyes at absolutely nothing as the meeting continued around him, and for a horrid second Kyle thought that he might, in fact, squeal if Joe went tickle tickle tickle tickle.

—

By the time lunch arrived, Kyle felt as though he'd fought three wars in one single day… and had lost all of them. The dining hall was mercifully quiet. Only a few servants lingered nearby, placing platters before him and drinks.

The meeting from earlier had been a torture. His cheeks were still red, but he was finally alone. No nobles, no more meetings, just warm, comforting food. Kyle sat down and allowed himself a soft sigh of relief.

It was lunch time. Surely Joe is very busy herself right now, having her own lunch or whatever. It had been too long either way. No reasonable person would spend an entire day thinking about the same things… especially not thinking about tickling someone from all things.

Kyle picked up his fork and took a bite of his food. It was good. It was peaceful. It was normal, and, above all, it was tickle-less. He took a few more bites, drank his wine, and wiped his mouth elegantly. And he realized, horrified, that Joe hadn't thought about tickling him in nearly twenty minutes… and he was waiting for it.

He froze. Oh this was bad. Very, very bad. Now every moment of silence felt suspicious. Was she thinking about it right now but she was too far? Was she distracted? What if she had forgotten—

He went still, his eyes widening. No. Absolutely not. He was not disappointed because Joe stopped thinking about tickling him. He did not want Joe thinking about tickling him in the first place! That was ridiculous. So very dumb.

Kyle glared at his half-eaten lunch, but his food didn't even flinch. A few more minutes of silence passed by, and still nothing. Kyle blinked and relaxed a little… alright, yeah. Maybe she was done for today. Good. Very good. The ordeal was finally over.

Perhaps—

Poke, poke, poke, poke, poke!

Kyle's eyes widened, his fork falling from his hand. It clattered loudly against the plate as he visibly jolted as if someone had actually poked him. One nearby servant nearly had a heart attack.

I would poke him all over! I bet Kyle would giggle so much! Aaah~ it would be like listening to music!

Kyle closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. He counted to five… then to ten… then to twenty. When he opened his eyes again, he realized the thoughts—her thoughts were not only embarrassing, they were worse because now his body was reacting to them. Which was unacceptable. Completely unacceptable.

He angrily took another bite of food, chewed, swallowed and repeated, trying not to think. Maybe if he didn't pay attention, Joe wouldn't be able to—

Oh my goodness! What if he's ticklish in his lower back?! Would he laugh so sweetly if I ran my fingers over his soft skin?! SO CUTE!

Kyle blinked, setting down his utensils very carefully, his eye twitching, a muscle of his jaw tightening. Why was he cursed with this… ability to hear her thoughts? Couldn't he turn it off? Couldn't he—

Would Kyle want to be tickled by me?

Kyle stood up abruptly, his chair nearly toppling over. Some servants jumped and stared at him. He stared back, anger as if every single person in the whole world were the guilty ones of his misery.

"I'm done," he informed before he stormed out of the dining room.

This day was never going to end.

—

By the end of the day, Kyle was so tired he just wanted to collapse onto his bed. He dragged himself to his chambers a little earlier than usual. He wasn't even going to change into his sleeping clothes. He was just going to pass out on his bed and deal with his clothes tomorrow morning.

He opened the door of his room and stepped inside. It was silent. Silent outside and inside his head. Wonderful, beautiful silence. He walked up to the bed, he could have cried from relief right now.

Perhaps Joe had finally fallen asleep. Perhaps she had moved on. Perhaps—

Would Kyle actually let me tickle him?

Kyle froze with a knee already resting on his bed. His eyebrow twitched. She sounded so worried. Really analyzing the possibilities of him allowing her to tickle him… as if she hadn't been tickling him mentally all the long!

I bet we would have so much fun together!

Kyle stared blankly at his precious bed. So close, just… he could just—

… And maybe I can even tie him up at some point and—

Kyle stood up properly again, he let out a loud, long sigh and walked out of his room again, closing the door behind him with a little bit of more force than necessary. He walked down the long stairs, directly toward the front door. The guards there jumped a little, surprised to see the prince outside at that time.

"Y-Your Highness? Do you need—"

"Do not disturb me," he said, walking straight toward the stables without looking back.

His boots stomped against the stone path, and then against the soft grass until he literally kicked the stables doors open. Joe, who was currently doing her last nightly chores, jolted and shrieked in surprise, even the horses cried in fear at the sudden intrusion.

"KYLE?!" Joe asked with wide eyes, a hand against her chest where her heart was about to jump off. "What- What are you doing here? I—"

Kyle grabbed her collar and dragged her to her room. He kicked the door open and tossed her onto the bed. Joe shrieked, covering her face as a deep blush covered her cheeks.

"K-Kyle?! What- What are you doing?!" she cried and jolted when Kyle kicked the door closed and approached her. Joe's eyes widened when she looked at his face. Oh he was fuming.

The corners of his mouth were pulled upward, but it was something deeply unsettling about it that Joe didn't even dare to call that expression a smile. His eyes were slightly narrowed and unnaturally bright as he stared at her with the intensity of a man who had exhausted every last bit of patience several hours ago.

Joe could clearly see a muscle tightening and twitching so hard, she thought he might wear that expression forever. She could almost see Hell's flames burning behind him. His cheeks were flushed pink, however and Joe's heart couldn't help but flutter at the sight.

It was the sort of expression that suggested he was moments away from committing a crime. Joe gulped. Her mouth opened and closed a couple of times before she could form a coherent word.

"K-Kyle? W-W-What's going on?" she asked cautiously, trying to crawl away from him. Kyle's smile widened and Joe flinched. "W-Wait! Wh-What are you—are you going to k-kill me?!"

Kyle didn't say anything, he simply moved forward like a blur. His hands latched to Joe's sides and, even before she could process what was happening, he started tickling her. Joe shrieked and then dissolved into loud giggles.

"No! Nohoho! Why ahahare you tihihickling meheheheeee!"

She still had the audacity to ask why?! After the whole ordeal she made him go through the whole day?! Kyle grew more certain every day that Joe didn't know what shame was.

Joe collapsed onto her bed, giggling hysterically as Kyle hovered over her, squeezing at her sides with a knee propped on the bed. Joe squirmed beneath him like a little worm, trying to push his hands and then his shoulders away from her, but Kyle was having none of that. He was there with a clear mission: revenge.

Although, could this be revenge even if she didn't actually tickle him?

"NOHOHO!" she shrieked, wrapping her arms around her ribs when Kyle's fingers started to play with each bone with careful precision, rubbing into them all with his thumbs as if he wanted to polish the sensitive skin.

Joe arched her back, her eyes tightly shut and her cheeks blushing red as the tickling continued without mercy.

"LIHIHISTEN! Lihihisten, Kyle, plehehease!" she begged, nearly cackling as the tickling moved higher and higher toward her armpits. She became a bit more desperate then, wriggling from side to side. "I d-dohohon't know whahahat I dihihid, b-buhut—ahahahah, wahahait!" she squealed and tried again," buhuhut I ahaham sohohorry! Ahahaha! J-Juhuhust stoahahap plehehease!"

She must be kidding. How could she not know what she did?! Honestly, Kyle was still amazed could—no, he already knew Joe was capable of thinking about him often, but she could also spend a whole day thinking about tickling him?!

Joe was crazy… and obsessed!

He continued his attack uninterruptedly, his fingers light yet quick and devastating across Joe's ribcage. From the sternum to the spine, he tickled the length of each rib so meticulously even he was surprised by his tickling abilities. He was not someone to tickle people or even get tickled often. In fact, he can't remember the last time he tickled someone, but by Joe's reactions, he thought he was doing a pretty decent job. Or maybe Joe was simply too ticklish.

Worst thing, though, or at least Kyle thought it would be for Joe, was that he wasn't talking. At all. His fast breathing was the only sound that came from him, and a little groan every now and then when Joe accidentally hit his arm too hard or held onto his wrists too tightly. Never enough to make him stop, of course.

Joe's lashes slowly started to sparkle as tears of laughter clung to them before sliding down the sides of her head. She would sniffle too and gasp a little too hard, making herself do a little snorting sound.

She tossed her head back, weakly clinging to Kyle's arms as he vibrated his fingers against her higher ribs.

"Cahahaha—AHAHAHA! C-Cahahan y-you at—ha! Ahahaha, at l-leheast s-say s-s-sohohomething?!" she said through laughter, feeling even more vulnerable that way.

Kyle stared at her for a moment, her fingers not stopping for even a second, before he smirked, his eyes narrowing a bit as he leaned closer to her until his lips brushed against her ear. "Tickle, tickle, tickle, tickle, tickle~," he teased quietly.

Joe's eyes widened, her breath hitching in her throat before hysterical laughter poured out of her as Kyle's fingers finally dug under her arms, right in the middle of her poor, defenseless pits.

She kicked her legs, nearly hitting him, and pressed her arms tightly to her body, expecting to crush his fingers under them, but only making them stay buried under there for longer. His fingers wiggled and dug and rubbed and vibrated against the spot until Joe was nearly seeing stars.

But Kyle was not done yet. Deciding her armpits were one, if not her most ticklish spot, he pulled his arms out from under there and grabbed her wrists. Joe thought for a moment that he was going to stop, but then she arched her back and screamed when Kyle easily lifted both her arms above her head and gathered her wrists in one of his hands.

"PLEHEHEASE! PLEHEHEASE, KYLE!" she begged, laughing even before he started, but once he did. Joe couldn't do anything else besides laughing in ticklish hysteria as her pits were mercilessly tickled by a very angry and flustered prince.

The room fell silent again, except for their shaky breathing. Joe didn't push him. She could feel how exhausted he was. Not only physically, but deeply, emotionally exhausted in a way that settled deeper than just his muscles. Exhaustion settling deep into his bones.

"You scared the hell out of me," he finally managed to say, voice rough and small.

Joe swallowed one more time and she nodded slightly, barely a twitch of her head. "I know," she repeated softly. "I'm sorry."

Kyle let out a quiet laugh that didn't sound like amusement at all. "You should be," he said, but there was no bite in his words. "You didn't have to protect me like that, what if you—"

That 'what if' hurt more than it should… because it had happened. Joe did die.

"Hey…" she mumbled, but then silence filled the room again.

Joe kept stroking her fingers through his hair. Fingernails slowly scratching his scalp enough to make him calm down even a little. His breathing starting to even out little by little.

"I'm okay now," she said quietly after a while. Kyle didn't answer, because it was still hard to believe it.

Joe gently let go of Kyle's hand to gently cup his face with both hands, encouraging him to look up at her. His eyes were red with exhaustion and a little teary.

She smiled softly at him. "Hey," she whispered again. "I'm not going anywhere."

Something in his expression cracked at that. His chin trembled slightly when he spoke again: "You said that before…"

The words nearly left her breathless, but she nodded. Understanding that if she was in his position, she would have probably followed him to the afterlife. She exhaled shakily and nodded one more time. "And that's exactly why I came back."

Kyle's breath hitched and Joe gently brushed her thumb beneath his eyes. Then, she carefully let go. Her hands gently moving to his shoulders and then his arms.

"Come here," she mumbled, scooting over a little. "Lie down with me."

Kyle hesitated only for a second before letting her guide him into bed. The mattress dipped beneath Kyle as he climbed on beside Joe, adjusting until their bodies were laying against the pillows. For a moment neither of them spoke.

They were facing each other, eyes locked together. Waiting, reassuring themselves. Even now, even with her beside him, Joe could see the tension in him. His breathing suddenly hitched again and again as if he kept repeating that terrible scene inside his head over and over.

Joe being stabbed by a spear. Joe bleeding in his arms. Joe touching his cheek with unfocused eyes… and then, Joe going completely still. It was as if every time he blinked, he saw it all over again.

Joe's chest tightened and she carefully reached over and intertwined their fingers together again. Kyle's hands closed around hers tightly one more time. Clutching her desperately as if that alone would prevent anything from taking her away again.

Joe moved a little closer, Kyle observed her almost without blinking. He looked so tired, so scared and still trying so hard not to show it, but he can't really hide it at all.

She swallowed thickly, lifting their joined hands and pressed a kiss against Kyle's knuckles. "You can hold me," she whispered. "You know that, right?"

Kyle blinked a couple of times. "I am holding you."

Joe shook her head gently. "No," she said softly. "I mean really hold me."

Kyle's jaw tightened a little. He hesitated, not because he didn't want to. He wanted to, but he was also scared to hold her too tightly and make her disappear again. Joe thought he would decline. She thought he was going to pull his hands away, but he didn't. Instead, his expression saddened and then he moved, wrapping his arms tightly around her. One arm wrapping tightly around her waist, the other around her shoulders as he buried his face against her shoulder.

Joe wrapped both arms around him too.

"My sweet canary," she whispered.

The broken breath that left him made Joe nearly sob. There was something different in the way Kyle clung in that moment. He usually held her tightly, warmly and tenderly, but right now, he was holding her desperately. He pressed her against his body as if he could merge their bodies and he could keep her inside him forever. Away from danger. Away from the world and destiny trying to take her away again.

Joe pressed a soft kiss against the top of his head. "I've got you," she murmured.

Kyle didn't answer, but Joe could feel the way his fingers curled tighter in the back of her shirt and how his arms tightened around her frame, pulling her impossibly closer to him.

The room stayed dim and quiet. Some quiet footsteps and hushed voices could still be heard from outside. Joe didn't even know what time it was at the moment, but it didn't really matter. Not when Kyle, her beloved Kyle, was nearly trembling against her like a scared child.

Joe rubbed one hand along his back. Slowly up and down and Kyle shivered. Not from cold, but from soft shivers of relaxation. It was as if all the fear was starting to leak out of his body slowly.

"You don't have to hold yourself together just for me," she said quietly, her fingers gently carded through the back of his hair, nails scratching his scalp.

Kyle let out a shaky laugh against her shoulder. "I'm not trying to."

"Liar."

He chose to stay silent and Joe didn't push him to speak, simply kept carding her fingers gently through his hair. She knew what kind of touches calmed him the fastest. The slow scratches near the nape of his neck, fingertips combing through his whole scalp, a hand gently rubbing his back.

Those things melted him almost immediately, but tonight, Joe almost felt like her mere touch was hurting him. Kyle shifted suddenly, lifting his head just enough to look at her. Joe blinked, her heart twisting when she saw him looking at him with such vulnerability in his eyes. The tiredness of a man that went through hell.

"… You died in my arms," he said quietly and the way Joe felt her heart twisting in her chest almost made her get sick.

"You were dead," he repeated, as if he couldn't believe it yet. Or simply didn't want to believe it.

Joe swallowed thickly. "Yeah," she admitted softly and Kyle stared at her.

She could see the way he came back to that moment, reviving it as if it was happening all over again. She tightened her hold around him a little to anchor him back to the present.

"It didn't feel real," he whispered. "None of it did."

Joe moved her hand to cup his cheek, her thumb lightly brushing across his cheekbone. "I know."

"I kept thinking… that it was not real," his voice broke a little. "That you would be okay even when you weren't breathing anymore—"

"Kyle," she whispered, her expression turning sorrowful.

He shut his eyes hard, frustrated, sad, angry. "It was… insane…" he whispered and Joe moved closer to him. Their legs tangled together beneath the blankets naturally, familiar and warm.

She guided his head down against her chest and he melted immediately, pressing his ear against his chest right where he could hear her beating heart. Joe wrapped her arms around him tightly.

"There," she whispered, carding her fingers through her hair again. "Much better."

Kyle let out a loud, long sigh as his body relaxed even more against her, his arms wrapped around her waist. Joe rested her cheek against the top of his head and closed her eyes for a moment.

"I love you, Kyle," she mumbled quietly.

Kyle swallowed, closing his eyes tightly. "And I love you," he answered without hesitation.

Joe held him a little tighter. "I am okay now," she whispered again. "I promise."

Kyle didn't answer and Joe thought that perhaps he still couldn't fully believe it.

She continued softly. "I'm here. I'm with you. You don't have to be scared anymore."

His breath flinched slightly at that, and even though he nodded once against her chest after a while, she could still feel the lingering fear within him, refusing to let go.

They lay there quietly for a while after that. One of Joe's hands kept moving slowly through Kyle's hair while the other rested against his back under the blanket. Kyle's breathing had evened out some more. Not completely over the fact that he saw Joe dying in his arms and then come back to life, but better.

He would still squeeze her between his arms every now and then like checking she was still there. Joe didn't complain, she simply kissed the top of his head or rubbed his back every time.

The room had gone completely still now. The noise outside seemed to fade away entirely, leaving only the soft rustling of leaves and blankets whenever Kyle shifted. Joe tilted her head a little to look down at him still snuggling against her chest. His eyes were closed, but she knew he was not asleep. His brow was still furrowed faintly.

Her poor canary. Her precious angel. His heart swelled with love so strong it almost hurt. Carefully, she brushed her fingers along the back of his neck and Kyle shivered immediately. Not a sudden jerk, just a tiny, sensitive reaction. Joe smiled so softly.

"What was that?" she whispered with a playful hint, knowing exactly what she was doing, and Kyle made a soft sound against her that might've been a hum.

For a moment, Joe only watched him. Warm beneath the blankets and against her. Their legs tangled, his arms tightly wrapped around her waist as he nuzzled her chest like an oversized kitten. Both safe. Both alive. Then, very lightly just because she couldn't help herself anymore, she let her fingers drift lower, just barely fluttering against his side.

Kyle twitched and Joe pretended not to notice as a playful smile pulled at the corners of her lips. A few seconds later, her fingertips brushed along his waist featherlight, almost like she didn't know what she was causing. Kyle twitched again.

"Kyle," she said softly, acting innocent, "you okay there?"

One of Kyle's eyes cracked open slowly and looked up at her. Joe had to bite the inside of her cheek to stop herself from giggling. Kyle narrowed his eye. "Why do you have that look on your face?"

"What look?" Joe asked, her voice wavering with suppressed laughter.

"That look," Kyle repeated, now lifting his face a little more to look at her with both eyes.

Joe's eyes widened in mock offense. "I have no idea what you are talking about~" Just then, she let her fingers wander lightly against his side again, tiny little scribbling motions through the fabric of his shirt.

Kyle inhaled sharply, going stiff under the playful touch. "Joe," he warned.

"Hm? What is it?" she asked with a soft giggle and a little smile started tugging against his will at the corner of his mouth.

"I know what you're doing and that's unfair."

Joe giggled again. "There are literally no rules right now, what do you even mean?"

The sound of her laugh seemed to loosen him further and warmth started to spread inside his chest, slowly overpowering the pain from earlier. Joe smiled warmly, noticing how he relaxed a little more against her.

Very gently, she scratched the same spot again and Kyle's reaction was more evident now. His shoulder jerked up and he let out a soft breath through his nose that sounded dangerously close to a giggle. Joe immediately beamed at the sound and she also felt better, less tense… as if things were slowly coming back to place and the thought nearly made her emotional all over again.

"Oh, that was a very cute sound," she teased quietly.

Kyle groaned, burying his face against her chest tightly. "Shut it."

"Nope," Joe answered as her fingers skimmed through his ribs this time and Kyle let out a tiny laugh against her, jerking away from her touch slightly.

Joe giggled happily. She was keeping it annoyingly soft. Not enough to overwhelm him with ticklish hysteria, just enough to coax her precious canary out of those terrible memories and bring him back to her.

"You're smiling," she whispered affectionately, her heart swelling with love. It felt like she hadn't seen his smile in years.

Kyle made an embarrassed noise that dissolved into giggles when her fingers poked repeatedly at his waist. Joe grinned and giggled too. She could feel the stiffness in his body easing each time another helpless giggle slipped out of him.

"You almost died and somehow I'm the one getting bullied." Even when talking about that he didn't look as upset anymore. Joe was glad.

"You say bullied," Joe said, pretending to think hard as her fingers so gently dug into his lower ribs. "I say being loved~"

Kyle snorted at the sudden touch. It was definitely more firm than the light tickles just a moment ago, but still not terribly ticklish. Joe burst into delighted laughter and Kyle groaned dramatically, although he looked up at her with love in his eyes and a sheepish smile on his lips.

"Oh my~" she giggled. "That was adorable! Oh, you're turning pink."

Kyle groaned loudly, tossing his head back, only making Joe laugh again. She smiled tenderly at him. Ah, she was really glad he was slowly back… she thought Kyle would always carry that grief in his heart… he probably will, but at least he's not drowning in it anymore.

Kyle looked at her again. His eyes searched hers carefully again, not as desperate anymore, just checking. Just making sure one more time. Joe's heart softened instantly. She leaned down and pressed a tiny kiss to his lips. Kyle melted.

"You are really here," he whispered against her lips as if he finally was allowing the fact to settle in his brain.

Joe nodded with a loving smile. "I am."

He closed his eyes for a moment as he leaned forward and pressed his forehead against hers. Joe smiled at the contact. Their breaths mingled softly… then, just because she couldn't help herself, she lightly wiggled her fingertips against his sides again. Kyle jolted with a startled laugh.

"Johohoe!"

"I'm here~" she said as Kyle pressed his face against her shoulder when her fingers danced against his ribs once more. He giggled easier this time, sounding alive again too.

At some point they shifted positions entirely. Joe wasn't even sure how it happened. One second Kyle had been mostly curled against her side, and the next he was flat on his back underneath her, breathless and flushed from laughing while she hovered over him grinning and giggling herself.

"Kyle," she said happily, her fingers playing with his ribs relentlessly, "you are so sensitive tonight."

Kyle tossed his head back against the pillows with bright giggles. "Stohohop tohormenting mehehe! I'm grieving!"

Joe laughed. "No, you're not. I'm not allowing it."

Her fingers quickly scribbled down towards his stomach and Kyle squirmed beneath her with bright giggles. "Stahahap!"

Damn it, she loved hearing him laugh. Not only because his expressions were absolutely adorable, but because it made her feel like everything was alright now. "Ah~ your stomach is still very ticklish, hmm?" she giggled mischievously as her fingers fluttered so gently against his belly.

Kyle shook his head. He was nearly laughing into her mouth with how close she was hovering above him. One of her knees rested carefully between his legs to keep her balance and keep him trapped a little. Her hands latched to his body, wanting to draw out every laugh and giggle.

Slowly, carefully, she leaned the rest of her body against him, their forehead resting against each other's. Kyle's breath caught in his throat. Joe kissed his lips, his cheek and then, she was raining little kisses all over his face. "I love you," she whispered and Kyle inhaled softly, melting under her. "I'm here, Kyle. Do you hear me?"

He nodded against her forehead and his hands came to grab at her waist, squeezing her gently just once to make sure one final time that she really was there. Joe smiled and her fingers brushed against his sides again. He twitched and giggled right away.

"Johohoe!" he whispered helplessly.

"What?" she whispered back, smiling innocently.

"It tihihickles!" A tiny bark of laughter escaped him when her fingers fluttered back to his ribs again.

Joe gasped, pretending to be surprised. "Does it? I had no idea~" she said, giggling as she kissed his cheek between soft tickles.

"You're really clingy for someone who died tonihihight."

Joe gasped again. "Wow. Okay. Rude?"

Kyle giggled but then squeaked and laughed when she squeezed his hip once. Joe burst into laughter. "That's what you get."

Kyle whined, but he tilted his chin up to kiss her lips—slow and warm and affectionate enough that Kyle sighed softly against her mouth as their chest ached with unconditional love.

Joe kissed him back again and again. His hands moved up higher against her back, Joe trembled slightly and Kyle pressed her tightly against him as they kissed endlessly.

When Joe finally pulled back slightly, Kyle looked dazed and Joe wanted to eat him whole. She smiled warmly at him before pressing a tiny kiss to the tip of his nose. Kyle scrunched his nose up, looking mildly offended. Joe giggled as she leaned down and pressed another kiss against his cheek again. Then another just beneath his jaw.

Kyle's breath caught instantly. Joe paused for exactly one second before slowly turning her head enough that her lips barely brushed the side of his neck. Kyle squealed so softly.

"J-Joe," he said shakily, laughing already and Joe grinned against his skin.

"Kyle," she whispered against his neck, "are you very ticklish here too?"

Kyle made a strangled sound and tried to squirm under her. "Johoe! Don't!"

She kissed the sensitive spot below his jaw and Kyle jolted so hard he nearly sent Joe flying off him. He let out a helpless burst of laughter and Joe laughed too.

"Oh, I think that's a yes~" she said as if she already didn't know.

She lightly nuzzled her face against his neck and Kyle laughed again, shaking his head and trying to squish her head with his shoulder. His hands landed back on her waist, not quite trying to stop her, simply holding her there.

Joe could feel how warm his skin had grown. He was blushing, giggling his head off even while Joe wasn't even doing anything. A little while ago he looked like he was barely holding himself together, but now he was smiling and laughing and Joe felt like she could cry from relief.

But she didn't, instead, she smiled against his skin and her lips brushed against his pulse point. He tried to cover the spot with his hand, but she lightly scratched his side at the exact time she pressed a quick kiss against the side of his neck. Kyle nearly short-circuited.

"Ahaha! Y-Yohohou ahahare terrible!" he laughed, squeezing her waist, tickling her back.

Joe squeaked before she dissolved into bright laughter against his neck. She tried to push his hands off her, but he held her firmly, his thumbs digging gently into the soft spot.

"KYAHAHALE!"

His own laughter joined her, a little quieter, but warm and playful. For a few seconds they engaged in a messy tickle fight under the blankets, although Kyle was the one doing the tickling and Joe was the one giggling with every squeeze, poke and scribble against her sides and stomach. Joe retaliated once by kissings the side of his neck again and Kyle dissolved into laughter.

Eventually, though, Kyle's hands slowed down and Joe's laughter softened into breathless giggles. They ended up tangled together again almost where they'd started, except now Kyle was smiling warmly against her chest instead of looking like he was on the edge of crying.

Joe wrapped him in her arms, kissing his forehead and the bridge of his nose. Meanwhile Kyle's fingers absentmindedly traced her back underneath her shirt.

"I thought I lost you…"

Joe closed her eyes before pressing a kiss to his forehead. "I know…" she whispered, carding her fingers through his hair. "But I'm here, Kyle."

Kyle's arms tightened around her waist. "I know."

He stopped a second later, turning towards her, already looking like he might yell. "What is it?"

"Don't speak to me with that tone," she pointed at him, frustrated and angry as well. "And don't say I'm saying stupid things because I am not!"

Kyle huffed. "What tone? What are you even talking about?"

"That tone!" she repeated, approaching him and poking his chest. "That tone as if you're trying to make me take the blame when I clearly have done anything for once."

Kyle's jaw tightened. "I'm telling you nothing is happening, but you insist on making a big deal out of this," he said through gritted teeth.

"You are making a big deal out of this!" she said, flailing her arms a little. "You're jealous because I interacted with a random guy for three seconds!"

"I'm not—" he cut himself off, frustration clear in his voice. "You just don't get it."

"Then explain it to me!" she said, sharper this time. "Because from where I am standing, it just looks like you're picking a fight over nothing. Again."

Kyle's eyes narrowed. "I am not picking a fight," he said tightly.

"Then what do you call this?" she gestured between them. "Because it feels a lot like the last five times this has happened!"

"That's not—" he shook his head, sighing. "It's not the same."

"It is exactly the same," Joe insisted. "You get weird, then close off, and get angry at me from doing absolutely nothing!"

"I didn't say I was angry with you."

"You don't have to say it," she said back. "It's clear that you're angry with me!"

Kyle tensed a bit more at that, but her words only made him more defensive. "I am not angry with you," he repeated, not even looking her in the eye.

Joe let out a short, disbelieving laugh. "Stop denying everything I say! You are so—" she stopped talking, pressing her lips together as she looked up at him with her brow furrowed. "You know what?" she said, throwing her arms up, giving up completely on this argument. "I won't do this again."

Kyle's stomach dropped at that, but he freezes on the spot, watching Joe starting to walk away, lifting the skirt of her dress so it wouldn't tangle with her feet as she stomped away from him.

Joe shook her head. "If you're gonna be jealous over literally nothing and then act like it's my damn fault, that's—" she gestured vaguely with one hand before lifting her skirt again, frustrated beyond words, "—that's on you, Kyle."

"Joe—"

"Why can't you trust me?" she said, not even turning back to look at his face. "When have I done something that made you think I would choose anyone over you?"

Kyle froze for a hot minute before he took a step forward towards her. "You didn't—" he sighed, taking another step. "It's not that—"

"No, Kyle. I don't want to listen to you right now," she said firmly.

"Joe," Kyle said, rushing towards her. "Joe, please. I—" he captured her hand before she could walk away completely. "Listen, please."

"You want me to listen to you, but you, many times, don't listen to me."

She tried to pull her hand away, but he held her firmly. Not enough to hurt her, but enough to keep her in place and prevent her from leaving. Joe didn't turn right away. She was still annoyed—still so annoyed—but something in his voice didn't match with the argument anymore. It was not sharp nor defensive. And something inside Joe started to soften despite herself.

Kyle didn't let go, not even when she stopped completely. He kept his hand around Joe's wrists, like he was waiting to see if she would shake him off. When she didn't, he let out a soft exhale, his shoulders relaxing only a fraction.

For a few seconds, neither of them said anything. Even the sound of silence around them is different. Less explosive, but still heavy, in a different way.

Kyle took a deep breath and finally opened his mouth to start talking:

"I am sorry," he said softly, the tension in his face gone completely. "I am truly sorry," he repeated. "I—I just… It's just… I know it's stupid" he sighed, frustrated by how hard it was for him to talk about this.

Joe closed her eyes for a second. Damn him. That's the problem. Not the jealousy itself, or at least not entirely… It's the way he said things like that afterwards. Like he already hated himself for it before she even could get the chance to be completely angry.

Kyle shifted nervously, his hold loosening just a bit. "It's not that I don't trust you…" he admitted, running his free hand against his face. "… I'm scared… that you'll leave… me. S-Sometimes… Sometimes i see stuff like that and my brain just—"

Joe rolled her eyes and finally glanced back over her shoulder. Big mistake.

Kyle looked genuinely miserable. Not dramatic or manipulative… just completely frustrated… and with big, regretful eyes that made Joe feel her irritation crumbling… which annoyed her even more.

"My goodness," she mumbled under her breath.

"W-What?" Kyle asked immediately, tensing again.

Joe turned toward him fully this time, and when she did, he let go of her arm. Joe stared at him for a long while. Kyle stared back, shifting nervously under her gaze, like bracing for another round of yelling and arguing.

She finally spoke and Kyle tensed a little, startled. "But why do you think that?! It's stupid! And you know it!" She stomps her feet a little. "You make me so angry! Why would I ever want to leave you, Kyle?!"

"I- I know… I'm sorry, yes? I really—I already said it's stupid, but I—" he sighed. How could he explain all of his thoughts and insecurities to her? How could he put all of his fears into words so she could understand?

But he didn't need to… because she knew it. More than anyone, even himself, she knew it. She stared at him for a long moment again, then she sighed too, shaking her head a little. Frustrated and angry with herself because she had forgotten him already… or at least she was close to do so.

"You are so silly, Kyle," she mumbled, but there was no anger in her voice. "How could I possibly leave you," she growled. "You make me so— agh! You need help! This jealousy thing—" She flailed her arms around, gesturing vaguely around them, "it's getting ridiculous!"

Kyle groaned, already defensive again. "Joe, I—"

Kyle stopped talking and blinked in confusion, surprised when Joe suddenly moved forward. He took an instinctive step back, but then opened his arms, ready to receive her in a tight hug, but a hug was not in Joe's thoughts. At all. Both her hands darted forward and latched to his sides and she started to tickle them with quick squeezes and pinches up and down their length.

Kyle jerked violently at the sudden contact, and then let out a startled sound that was embarrassingly high. He tried to push her hands away from his body before he dissolved into loud giggles, his cheeks flushing bright pink like the little flowers around them.

"Wahahait! Whahat ahahare you d-dohohoing?!" He asked, curling on himself as he giggled and squirmed. "Johohoe!"

"Shut it!" Joe said, pouting, her cheeks puffed out as her fingers moved with expertise up and down his sides. "This is your punishment for thinking the most silly things! You're so dumb! Dumb, Kyle!"

"I'm n-nohohot—Thihis is n-nohohot—ahaha! Wahahait! Okahahay! Okay!" His giggles turned a bit louder as Joe's hands started to move towards his ribs. He shook, his cheeks turning pinker the more he laughed. "Johohoe!" I'm duhuhumb! I r-reheheally ahaham!"

"I know!" she answered, but didn't slow down.

His hands kept trying to push hers away, but she kept changing spots. In one moment, she was kneading the soft skin between his ribs and hips, and at the next, her thumbs were rubbing deep circles against his hips and moving up towards the hollows under his arms, fingers dipping in with just enough pressure to make him squeal.

"Stahahap! Thihihis is nohohot fihihixing ahahanything!" he laughed, reaching for her wrists, but only managing to expose his armpits to her wiggling fingers even more.

"Oh, is that so?" Joe asked, her lips pulling up into a smirk. She already felt lighter and a little less angry, quickly enchanted by Kyle's reactions. "Then I guess I will have to tickle you even more until you learn that I will not ever leave you! Dummy Kyle!" she declared, her fingers speeding up, touching all of Kyle's tickle spots in a flurry of pokes, squeezes and scribbles.

Kyle laughed, curled on himself a little as he pushed at her wrists, but he was already weak from the tickling, his brain overwhelmed by the electric pulses rushing to it. He took a couple of steps back, but Joe easily followed him, her fingers not faltering for even a second.

One minute ago they were arguing. Now Kyle's face is bright red while he tries—and absolutely fails—to shove her away without actually hurting her.

Joe started to laugh too. She couldn't help it. If Kyle laughed, she laughed. If Kyle cried, she cried. If Kyle was jealous… she would tickle the jealousy out of him from now on.

"Look at you," she teases with a giggle, following him as he backs away again. "Grumpy, jealous Kyle is gone now it seems~ are you learning anything right now?"

Kyle jerked hard again when she scribbled her fingers across his stomach. "AHAHA! JOE!" he squealed.

"That is not an answer!"

Kyle could barely answer her at that moment. He kept trying to twist away, catching her wrists for just a second before she slipped free again. The more he laughed, the more Joe could feel the remnants of the argument dissolving, along with her anger and frustration.

Not disappearing completely. She was not going to let Kyle out of the hook so easily. But the tension was definitely loosening… which was good because she was this close to slap him across the face five minutes ago because of that stupid attitude of his.

So this was better. Much better.

"Ohohone m-mohohoment, plehehease!" he giggled breathlessly.

"Nope," she said, relentless in her attack. "Have you learned your lesson? No more jealousy!"

Kyle groaned loudly through his laughter, trying to cover his face for a second out of pure embarrassment.

"Nuh-uh, no hiding," she scolded, taking advantage of the opening, her fingers spidering mercilessly along his ribs.

Kyle yelped, stumbling into a wall near to them. "JOE! Stahahap!" he laughed, trying to cover his ribs with his arms. "Why dohoho y-you ahahalways end uhup tihihickling mehehe?!"

Joe hummed, her fingers not slowing down at all. "Mostly because I like listening to you laughing… but right now because I'm punishing you."

"Y-You ahahare insufferable!"

"And you are too jealous for your own good."

"I'm n-nohAHA!"

His words collapsed into laughter when she squeezed his hips unexpectedly. Kyle shrieked, nearly losing it completely on the spot. He ducked his head, shoulders shaking with each giggle, hands desperately trying to block her while laughing far harder than he probably wanted to.

Joe looked at him. Really looked at him, and something warm twisted in her chest. The defensive posture is gone, his brow is furrowed still, but his lips are spread into a bright smile.

"Oh yeah, do you feel the jealousy leaving your body already?" she laughed, poking the softest part of his belly just to make him squeal.

Kyle's hands moved again. He was trying to push her away again, but this time, instead of grabbing her arms, he reached out and squeezed her sides, accidentally tickling her back.

Joe squeaked, and immediately slapped a hand over her mouth. Her eyes widening in surprise, her cheeks blushing slightly.

Kyle froze. Joe froze. Both of them were staring at each other. Kyle's expression changed from confusion, mostly toward himself because he actually tickled Joe back, and then realization.

"Oh~," he said and Joe took one slow step backward.

"Do not, Kyle," she said immediately.

Kyle straightened a little despite still breathing heavily from laughing. "Joe~"

He lunged at her. Joe let out a loud startled shriek and ran away just in time, Kyle's hands barely brushing her side as she grabbed the skirt of her dress one more time so she didn't trip with herself.

"Kyle! W-What are you dohoing?!"

Kyle reached out again, fingertips touching her arm just barely again. He was grinning. "What do you think I'm doing, hmm?"

"Stohop!"

Joe darted away, laughter already breaking out of her despite herself. Behind her, Kyle laughed too, but differently now. Not helpless and too high to be his laughter, but dangerous.

"Why are you running? You can't take what you dish out?" he teased from behind her, chasing her around like a dumb kid.

"That's- That's diffeherent!" she yelled, a little breathless already from laughing and running. "You- You were being so annoying! Why do you even get jealous?! That's just so stupid!"

Kyle groaned behind her. "Now you really are just tempting your luck!" Kyle sped up and Joe let out a loud shriek as she also tried to run faster.

She nearly tripped over herself with a rock, but quickly regained her balance as he laughed brightly, her cheeks were flushed and she was starting to sweat just a little. Kyle followed immediately, gasping a little when he saw Joe nearly falling, and then sighing in relief when she recovered. He was breathless still from being tickled and now for running around, but he was also, somehow, recovering fast.

"Stop chasing meee!" Joe squealed. "This was your fault!"

"My fault?" he purred with a smirk.

"Yes! You were the one acting like a dumb kid!"

Kyle laughed once in pure disbelief. "Oh, now I definitely have to get you."

Joe widened her eyes. "O-Oh no…" she said immediately.

They way he said that… she knew that tone so very well, and knew that she was in big trouble—however, Kyle wasn't acting like himself at that moment. He was usually nearly scared of being too close to Joe for more than two seconds. Extremely shy, that adorable prince… but now? Where did he go?!

Joe kept running around, using trees as barriers that Kyle quickly broke through. They both laughed, and Kyle actually managed to catch the back of her dress for half a second before she twisted free with another shriek of laughter. But Joe had the sudden thought that Kyle was simply letting her think that she was faster than him… her suspicions were true.

"Stop running!"

"Noho!"

Joe could hear him gaining on her, probably tired already of letting her win. She immediately regretted every decision she made in the last five minutes. Because this was not her sweet, precious, shy Kyle… this one was too confident! So terrifyingly confident. Joe risked a glance behind her and instantly regretted it. He looked genuinely determined now, and unfortunately for her, she was growing tired.

Kyle suddenly caught her around the waist before she could dodge again. Joe burst into helpless laughter right away, even before Kyle started to do anything, as the momentum carried them both forward, almost making them fall face first on the ground. Kyle barely managed to keep them both upright, one arm locked around her middle while she twisted uselessly trying to escape.

"Kyle!" she gasped between nervous laughter. "Kyle! Don't you dare! It was your fault from the beginning!"

Kyle chuckled, tightening his hold when she nearly slipped free again. "I was going to be nice," he purred against her ear, making her shiver, blush and giggle.

"You weren't!"

"Not anymore," he said quietly, his lips pulling into a smirk. "I am still jealous."

Joe groaned loudly. "Oh my God, are you serious right now?!"

"And," Kyle continued over her, "I suddenly am remembering all the times you've been a little pain for me, Joe… From the very beginning. So I kind of have several minutes of suffering to make up for."

Joe's eyes widened. Did he just say several?! "Y-You—! I- I'm sorry? Wait! That's not even fair! This is not about me, but about your—AAAH!"

Her pleads dissolved into loud laughter when Kyle's free hand latched to her side and started squeezing. A loud shriek teared out of her as his hand scribbled mercilessly against her side, causing her to nearly collapse against him.

Kyle giggled quietly. "Oh? You're very ticklish, huh?"

Joe tried to squirm away, but Kyle's arm around her waist held her securely against him while his other hand continued its work.

"Kyle! Kyahahale!" she giggled brightly, shaking her head. "Lihihisten to mehehe!"

"Nope," he said, continuing like she wasn't dying in his arms right now. "Since you like teasing me so much, it's only fear that I return the favor, don't you think?"

Joe grabbed desperately at his wrists, trying to push him away, but she was giggling too hard to put any actual strength into it. "Ahahaha! P-Plehehease!"

"Please what?" he mumbled with a smirk as his fingers dug gently into her ribs.

Joe squealed, tossing her head back against Kyle's chest as he carefully pinched and dug into each bone until Joe was nearly hysterical.

Kyle giggled softly. "Could it be that you're more ticklish than me?"

Joe shook her head, but couldn't talk back from how hard she was laughing. Ah, she really set this up for herself, huh? Who would have thought her mischief would come get her back eventually—no, who would've thought Kyle would actually get her back!

"AHAHAHA STAHAHAP!"

"Ah~ so it's right here?" he giggled, his fingers digging against her highest ribs, near her armpit. "That's very ticklish, huh?" he teased, grinning as he leaned forward a little so he could see Joe's smiling face.

Tears of laughter twinkled in her eyes. Her smile was nearly splitting her face in half and her cheeks were flushed bright red. She looked adorable… too adorable, Kyle's hand against her ribs faltered a little as he was awestruck by her beauty.

"AHAHAH! Kyhahale! Plehehease!" she begged, looking up at him with one teary eye and Kyle's breath hitched in his throat, slowing down completely. Joe blinked, confused and breathless. "A-Are you actually stopping?"

Kyle looked at her for a long moment before he chuckled softly, his smile turning mischievous again. "Oh? Do you want me to continue? Okay."

"N-NO, KYLE! W-WAIT!"

His free hand immediately went for her stomach this time and Joe nearly lost it. Her knees buckled so fast Kyle barely had time to catch her properly before she collapsed straight to the ground.

"STAHAHAP"

"Nope," he said simply. Joe could hear the grin on his lips even without looking at him.

Kyle almost never looked this smug around her. Usually, there was hesitation into everything he did around Joe. Self-consciousness, second-guessing, fear of being pushed away and pushing too much. But right now? He looked thrilled. Like he was enjoying himself and actually having a good time. And even though Joe was laughing her head off, she was somehow also happy about this… but that still didn't make his hand tickle any less.

Kyle clawed at the middle of her stomach, right around her belly button. His fingers scribbled against the sides of her belly and poked gently, but persistently across the soft skin between her hips.

"Thihihis is torture! AHAHAH! W-Wahahait uhuhup!" Joe shrieked, doubling over as she hit his arm around her middle.

Kyle giggled. "I already gave you a break, you know?"

"Thahahat w-wahahas nohot a breheheak!"

"I wasn't tickling you, so it definitely was a break," he declared with a smirk, his hand moving to squeeze Joe's waist and she squealed with more bright laughter.

Eventually, Kyle started to slow down completely. Joe was too red-faced and her laughter was turning a little wheezy, so he decided to show some mercy. He wrapped his other arms around her waist and held her firmly against his chest as Joe caught her breath.

He leaned his chin against her shoulder, watching her from the side as she leaned against him.

"Th-thahat was t-terrible and so unfahair!" she gasped.

Kyle let out a soft chuckle. "Congratulations. You have survived." He grinned, but it was gentler now, so painfully lovingly Joe almost wanted to groan.

She pouts, crossing her arms. "You think you can win just because you act cute? That's not nice! Also… stop being jealous, that is so dumb."

Kyle froze for a fraction of a second before he chuckled again, shaking his head a little. "It is dumb… but I don't make any promises," he whispered close to her ear before pressing a kiss to her cheek.

Joe rolled her eyes, but she was smiling a little. This was exactly what she wanted. Not a stupid argument… Kyle exhales slowly.

"I'm sorry," he whispered.

Joe sighed. "I know… I know you're not trying to be a jerk… but you seriously need to stop." She wiggles between his arms to turn around to face him. "Can you at least try?"

Kyle nodded a little. "I will try."

Joe narrowed her eyes, but she eventually smiles and chuckles softly. "Let's go, Kyle. It's getting late."

Kyle smiled back, his eyes softening as he intertwined his fingers with hers. "Yeah… let's go."