Jealous Childhood Friend
A/N: @vqler Happy Christmas! I knew that I wanted to write something from Love and Deepspace for you and seeing that he was the only one you wrote a fic for I knew it had to be him~
Words: 1,299 words under the cut
The familiar click of Caleb’s door unlocking was followed almost immediately by the smell of buttered popcorn and something sweet baking in the oven. It was a scent you’d known for years, tied to countless afternoons and late nights spent curled up together, eyes glued to a screen while the rest of the world faded away.
Some things changed as you grew older - work schedules, responsibilities, the quiet weight of adulthood - but this? This stayed the same. “You’re late,” Caleb said lightly as you stepped inside, though the small smile tugging at his lips betrayed him.
“You say that every time,” you replied, slipping off your shoes and setting your bag down, “and every time, I’m only like… five minutes late.” He snorted. “Five minutes is still late.” You laughed, already moving toward the living room where the couch waited, blankets already folded neatly on one side of it - like they always were.
The movie marathon tradition had started when you were kids - one movie turning into two, then three, then an entire evening lost to laughter and shared snacks. Even now, when time together was harder to come by, Caleb always made space for it. It was something special to him, well to the both of you, reminding you of the good old days.
By the time you settled onto the couch, popcorn bowl between you, the movie playing quietly in the background, you felt yourself relax in that easy, familiar way you only ever did around him. Caleb leaned back, one arm draped casually along the back of the couch, close enough that you could feel his warmth without actually touching. At least, not yet.
You had decided to start with a comedy. It was a classic one you had already watched a few times, and yet the jokes and slapstick situations in it were still one of your favorites. Even Caleb couldn’t hide his giggles and you caught yourself not only once side-eying him whenever you heard it, being drawn to it. You just loved seeing him laugh and be happy.
Somewhere during the second movie, when the plot slowed down and the characters started talking more than acting, you found yourself rambling. It wasn’t intentional - it just sort of happened. “So, uh,” you began, shifting slightly, “I went out with Xavier the other day.” Caleb hummed in acknowledgment, eyes still on the screen. “Oh?”
“Yeah. We went to that little café near the river. The one with the outdoor seating and the fancy pastries?” You smiled at the memory. “He ordered three different desserts just to ‘sample’ them, then insisted we share.” You laughed softly. “It was actually really nice. He’s… attentive and funny in this quiet way.”
You didn’t notice the way Caleb’s jaw tightened or how his fingers curled slightly against the couch. “He walked me home afterward,” you continued, oblivious, “kept making sure I wasn’t cold, even though I kept telling him I was fine.” You finally glanced sideways at Caleb, only to pause. He wasn’t watching the movie anymore.
His brows were drawn together in a faint frown, lips pressed into a thin line. When he noticed you looking, his eyes flicked to yours. “…What?” you asked, confused. Caleb didn’t answer right away, instead, he shifted closer. Much closer.
Before you could react, he swung one leg over yours and straddled you, hands braced on either side of your waist. The sudden movement startled a small yelp out of you. “Caleb?!” “Oh, I see how it is,” he said, his voice low but unmistakably teasing, “you come over for our movie marathon and spend the whole time gushing about another guy?”
Your eyes widened. “I wasn’t gushing!” His lips curved into a dangerous grin. “Mm. That’s not how it sounded to me.” And then his fingers moved. They dug into your sides, light at first, then relentless - wiggling, pressing, finding every sensitive spot with terrifying accuracy. You shrieked, laughter bursting out of you before you could even try to stop it.
“Caleb! Hahaha! W-WaHahait!” Well, it hadn't been the first time you got tickled by him. Truth to be told, when you were younger, you even had tickle fights with him every now and then - you always lost though. But that was ages ago and yet, now that you felt these all-too-familiar sensations, it felt just like yesterday.
“That’s it,” he teased, hands sliding from your sides to your stomach, fingers fluttering there, “I think someone needs a reminder.” “A reminder of what?! AhHh!” “That I’m supposed to be your favorite,” he said with all the confidence in the world, his eyes focusing on you as if you were a puppy that could get snatched away from him if he wasn't paying attention to it.
You squirmed beneath him, instinctively grabbing onto his shirt as your laughter spilled freely into the room. “Y-YoHohu can’t! HahaHAha! Just-!” “Oh, I can,” Caleb replied smugly, “and I am.” His tickling grew more playful than punishing, fingers tracing small circles over your stomach before darting back to your sides.
Your legs kicked uselessly, the couch creaking beneath the movement as you tried - and failed - to escape. He had always had a hand for tickling just the right spot in the right way to drive you crazy. His fingers squeezed into your waist and you felt your entire body spasm.
“CaHahleb! I sweHehear! I’ll-!” “You’ll what?” he asked, leaning closer, his grin softening just a little. “Stop talking about him?” Your laughter turned breathless. “Y-You’re! Being! Ridiculous!” “Am I now?” he asked lightly. “It’s a habit.” You clung to him, your face warm and flushed, your laughter muffled against his chest as he continued to tickle you.
It was unfair how easily he could reduce you to this - giggling, helpless mess - but there was something comforting about it too. Familiar. Safe. Then, in a last-ditch effort, your fingers managed to slip free and they found his lower sides. Caleb froze. “…No.” You grinned, breathless but triumphant. “Oh. Yes.”
You tickled him back, fingers squeezing and fluttering at the sensitive spot just above his hips. Caleb let out a startled laugh, short and almost shy, his composure cracking instantly. “H-HehEhy! That’s-! Pfft noHohoHo!” You took advantage of the moment, shifting your weight and rolling you both until you were the one straddling him.
His laughter spilled out softer than yours had, a little embarrassed, maybe even a little surprised. “YoHou’re uHunfair,” he accused, laughing as you continued to trace light tickles over his sides. “Learned from the best,” you shot back with a smile and even dared to wiggle your hands up and into his armpits, causing another wave of high-pitched giggles from him.
You didn’t tickle him for long - just enough to hear that laugh, just enough to make his cheeks flush faintly pink. When you finally stopped, you rested your hands on his chest, looking down at him. Caleb looked up at you, still catching his breath, his expression open in a way he rarely let himself be.
You smiled softly. “You know… no matter who I go on dates with,” you said quietly, “you’ll always have a special place in my heart and that will never change.” His laughter faded completely. “…Yeah?” he murmured. You nodded, then leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead - slow, deliberate, affectionate.
Caleb’s eyes fluttered shut for a moment. When he opened them again, the frown was gone, replaced by something warm and satisfied. “…Good,” he said softly, “because I don’t plan on giving that spot up.” You laughed, leaning back as he pulled you into an easy, familiar hug, the movie still playing forgotten in the background - just like old times.