Movie Night
A/N: A wonderful and happy birthday to our dearest @otomiyaa I wish you all the best on your special day. I decided to write another story from your universe for your gift and hope you will forgive me that I was bold enough to add a laughing Hank here for once. Please enjoy this rare sight from which me will see a lot more in the future~
Summary: Surprise
Words: 1,311 words under the cut
The Walters’ apartment above the restaurant was warm with the glow of the TV, a bowl of popcorn balanced precariously on the coffee table in front of the couch. For once, they weren’t working, cooking, or dealing with drama. It was movie night, a newly family event they did from time to time, now that they had more free days to their hands.
All four brothers were crammed together on the worn leather couch. Josh and James sprawled on one end, Theo wedged awkwardly between them and Hank, and Hank himself lounging at the far side, one massive arm resting along the back of the couch. He didn’t even need to try to dominate the space - he just did.
The twins were already bickering over the plot of the movie, their voices overlapping as if it were a competition. Theo mostly ignored them, quietly munching popcorn, just enjoying being close to them. Hank, as usual, looked unbothered, eyes glued to the screen.
But beneath all that normalcy, an idea was brewing. James leaned toward Josh, whispering just low enough that Theo barely caught it: “You realize we’ve never seen Hank laugh for real? Not from tickling anyway.” Josh’s eyes gleamed immediately. “Ooooh~ You’re right. You think we should try it today?” he whispered back at his other half.
Theo’s head snapped around. “Don’t,” he whispered urgently, already guessing where this was going. “Don’t what?” James said, far too innocent, wiggling his eyebrows. “Don’t start, he’ll kill you.” Josh grinned, nudging James with his elbow. “Or maybe… we’ll finally kill him.” Theo groaned, sinking back against the couch.
He had a bad feeling about this, but had to admit, that hearing his big brother laugh really laugh was a bit temping as well. However, he didn’t have any longer to think about it further, because the twins were already shifting, their whispered plotting turning into action. With perfect synchronicity, they lunged towards their inattentive target.
Josh grabbed Hank’s right arm while James pinned his other side, and Theo, caught in the middle, yelped as they shoved past him to pile on their oldest brother. “What the hell?” Hank grunted, more confused than threatened at first. He sat up straighter, glaring at the three of them now trying to wrestle him down. “Are you idiots serious?”
“Yes,” James said simply, already digging his fingers into Hank’s side. Hank didn’t even twitch. He raised one eyebrow, his expression flat. “Are you finished? Let go or else I-” Josh joined in on his other side, poking and scribbling at Hank’s ribs. “Oh come on, don’t pretend you’re made of stone.”
Hank smirked, steady and unshaken, though his shoulders shifted slightly under their combined efforts. “Better men have tried.” Theo hesitated, half-in, half-out of the pile. He knew this was a terrible idea, but when James shot him a look that clearly said, help us or else, Theo sighed and gingerly pressed his fingers against Hank’s torso.
Nothing, not even a twitch. Josh groaned dramatically. “He’s a monster, a brick wall… completely immune.” “Not for long,” James muttered, determination burning in his eyes. He wasn’t going to give up that easily. “We just haven’t found the spot yet.”
They doubled down, scribbling at his ribs, digging into his underarms, clawing lightly at his stomach. Hank endured it all with infuriating calm, his only reaction the occasional grunt as he adjusted against their combined weight. “You three are idiots,” he said flatly, though there was the faintest edge in his voice now.
Theo, trying not to panic, muttered, “I told you this was a bad idea.” Then Josh’s hand slid lower, squeezing Hank’s thigh just above the knee. The effect was instantaneous. Hank jolted, a startled bark of laughter bursting from his chest before he could stop it. His massive frame twisted, legs kicking reflexively.
The twins froze, eyes widening, then identical grins spread across their faces. “Oh my God,” James whispered in awe, “he laughs.” “He laughs!” Josh crowed, immediately digging both hands into Hank’s thighs with gleeful abandon. “Nohoho-!” Hank’s composure shattered as the laughter spilled out, deep and booming, shaking the room.
His hands shot out instinctively, but with James holding his arm and Josh fully latched onto his legs, he couldn’t immediately dislodge them. Theo’s jaw dropped. He’d never heard Hank laugh like that - raw, unrestrained, almost panicked. It was terrifying and weirdly hilarious at the same time. “Get his knees!” James shouted, practically bouncing with excitement.
“No, don’t,” Theo started, but it was too late. Both twins pounced lower, scribbling their fingers mercilessly behind Hank’s knees. The action made Hank roar with laughter, his massive body thrashing so hard the whole couch rocked. “S-Stohohop! You little shi-ahahaha!”
His head fell back against the cushions, eyes squeezed shut, the deep rumble of his laughter seemed to fill every corner of the apartment. Josh was cackling just as hard, not from being tickled but from the sheer joy of seeing their untouchable brother reduced to such a state.
“This is amazing! He’s actually ticklish here - James, don’t stop!” “I’m not!” James shouted, fingers flying faster as Hank bucked beneath him. “Theo, help us! Get his other leg!” Theo flinched back, shaking his head rapidly. “Are you crazy? He’s going to murder us when he gets free!” “Worth it!” the twins shouted in unison, doubling down on their assault.
Theo bit his lip, torn between self-preservation and the undeniable hilarity of the scene. Hank, the unshakable rock of the Walters, was reduced to helpless, booming laughter by two relentless little brothers scratching at his thighs and knees. A sight for the gods.
Finally, with a surge of strength, Hank twisted violently, throwing both twins off balance. Josh tumbled onto the floor with a yelp, James scrambling backward before he could be dragged down. The laughter cut off as Hank gasped for breath, his face red, chest heaving. His glare snapped immediately toward the retreating twins. “Run,” James whispered, eyes wide.
They didn’t need telling twice. Both bolted, scrambling off the couch and disappearing down the hall with panicked laughter echoing behind them. That only left Theo. He froze, still half-curled on the couch, staring up at Hank with wide eyes. “...H-Hi.” Hank’s lips curved into a slow, dangerous smirk.
“Theo,” he rumbled, voice low but teasing now, “you didn’t try hard enough to stop them.” Theo’s stomach dropped. “I did! I told them not to-” “Which means,” Hank continued, reaching out one massive arm and snagging him with ease, “you’re staying right here.”
Before he could protest, he was yanked into a crushing bear hug, pinned against Hank’s chest. His heart raced as he squirmed, but the smirk on Hank’s face told him everything. “You’re next,” Hank called loudly, so the twins could hear wherever they were hiding, “and after I’m done with Theo, you’d better be ready! You boys are in serious redouble now~”
“Hahank, w-w-waHahit” Theo tried, but it was too late. Fingers dug into his sides and he dissolved instantly into helpless giggles. “Nohoho! I knew it! I knohohow this would happen!” Hank chuckled darkly, his earlier laughter now replaced with low, teasing rumblings as he kept Theo trapped. “Consider this your punishment for joining them.”
Theo kicked and squirmed, laughter spilling out in wild bursts as Hank’s huge hands explored his ribs and waist. His pleas were drowned out by his own laughter, filling the room as the screen flickered forgotten in the background.
And though James and Josh were doubled over in the hallway, laughing at the sound of it, both knew one thing for certain: Hank’s payback was only just beginning.
The night ended not with the movie, but with Theo’s bright, helpless laughter echoing through the apartment, Hank’s smirk carved firmly into his face, and the twins whispering frantically about how they’d avoid being next.
