⋆𐙚 ̊. Beautiful Boy ⋆𐙚 ̊.
Characters : Lee!Norman Bates x Ler!Reader
Content : Tickling, Tooth-Rooting Fluff, Comfort, Kissing, Established Relationship
Summary : Norman brings you to the house for the first time, showing you his room. A heartfelt chat leads to you patching a hole left in his heart
A/N : My first ever fic with Norman! I’ve been so nervous to write this because I wanted to get his character down perfectly. This is a bit of a lengthy one, so get comfy and strap in. I hope you all enjoy! Happy reading ♡
For Norman, being in a romantic relationship was…strange to say the least.
It was something he never would have anticipated happening in his life, given the unnatural dynamic between him and his mother. Her words, so harsh and unloving, still echo in his mind about the sinful nature of attraction and what that does to weak men like him. As always, Norman obeyed, and reluctantly swore against the idea of romance as to not defy his mother.
Those values were immediately challenged once you came into the picture. All at once, loneliness and solitude seemed unbearable if he couldn’t have your companionship.
You worked at Statler’s Cafe, a humble little diner in the Fairvale area that was close to the Bates Motel. Norman was a regular customer who always ordered the exact same thing without fail. Every other morning, around nine, he would sit in the back booth and ask for toast with warm milk. You always seemed to be the one to take his order, which was an odd coincidence, but it did get you very well aquatinted with the man. Norman was very shy and somewhat skittish, opting to read quietly in his booth rather than engage in conversation aside from the polite greetings and partings with you. He never stayed in the diner very long either, always rushing back to the motel to run his errands.
You found Norman cute in a way, like a sad little puppy. It wasn’t that you took pity on him, but someone as passive and reserved as him was bound to catch your eye. One morning, after Norman places his usual order, you take a leap of faith and start up a friendly chat. He seemed almost shocked by this sudden change of formula, but not displeased. After all, it wasn’t everyday someone actually instigated conversation with him. This became your new norm, taking his order and then discussing anything interesting in your lives, getting to know each other day by day. This was soon to be the seed that bloomed your relationship…
Things developed slowly between you two. Dates mostly consisted of visiting Norman at the motel and giving him a helping hand with his job. Either that, or taking short walks to get some air and hear the birds sing, before Norman has to inevitably return home and tend to his ill mother. Acts of affection were as innocent as can be, with hand holding and forehead kisses being the main things you two engage in. Cuddles also come up occasion, especially when Norman is feeling particularly clingy and needy.
Moments shared together were always treasured, but usually short lived. Some days were worse than others, with Norman forgetting to answer when you call or unintentionally giving you the cold shoulder. He never did it out of spite or cruelty. He just didn’t know how to put others before his beloved mother. It didn’t help that her persistent scolding still lingered in his consciousness.
“I’m not going to let some filthy stranger seduce my son!”
“So, I’m thrown to the winds now, eh? Neglecting your poor mother like I’m yesterday’s newspaper?!”
Needless to say she hated you.
But Norman loved you, truly loved you despite his lack of experience and confidence. He would be out of his mind to let go of something as bright and lovely as you.
One day in particular, Norman decides to prove how far his devotion for you goes by inviting you into his home. You knew this was not to be taken lightly, as he always spoke so fondly of his home, but never mentioned much of the memories inside it. Hand in hand, he leads you up the long and winding front steps, your eyes taking in the looming Second Empire style house. It was very large and elegant, with big windows and a front porch. Norman’s excitement was palpable, his lips quirked into a lopsided smile the closer you approached the front door.
“I hope you like it. I cleaned it extra carefully for your arrival.”
Norman chuckles shyly, looking at you over his shoulder as he reaches in his pocket for the keys to the door. He fumbles with it for a second or so, revealing the nerves he’s trying so hard to hide.
“I’m sure it’s lovely, Norman.”
You reassure gently, giving him a warm smile in return. You were used to easing his mind by now and it seemed like the only way to calm him down was the sound of your voice. That seemed to do the trick, as Norman unlocks the door with a low squeak, holding it open for you to enter like the gentleman he was.
“It’s not much, but it’s awfully cozy...”
Norman murmurs humbly, rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand as he watches his partner first step foot into his sacred home, your presence immediately making the vacant abode feel far more welcoming. You take in the eerily quiet Victorian home, your footsteps making the wood flooring creak with each step. There was lots of antiques and beautiful paintings lining the walls, the elegant chandelier providing a soft glow that casts shadows. Taking a few subtle glances over at Norman, you can see the pride written all over his face. He watches your every move, almost awaiting your approval it seems like. You give him a genuine smile, already feeling like this was the next big step in your relationship.
“Thank you for bringing me here. It’s wonderful.”
That seemed to lift Norman’s spirits significantly, his eyes lighting up in the same way they do whenever you approach him at the diner. He suddenly takes your hand again, giving it a loving squeeze as he begins to lead you up the stairs in an almost boyish manner.
“Don’t thank me yet, I still haven’t given you the proper tour!"
And with that, you’re heading up the second floor, your joined footsteps soft yet echoing in the silent parlor. Once you reach the top, Norman’s voice drops to a near whisper, his dark eyes looking into yours with a newfound intensity, as if he just remembered something crucial.
“We best be quiet. Mother still feels a bit…under the weather a-and needs her rest.”
He swallows sharply, eyes quickly darting to the locked door of his mother’s bedroom. He never wanted you to see her, never wanted you anywhere near her…
“Of course.” You nod understandingly, lowering your volume to match Norman’s.
It was then where he ushers you to a secluded room to the right of the stairs, his childhood bedroom. As you make your way inside, you're first met with baby blue painted walls decorated with scenic paintings of ships on the open sea . A small shelf hangs over a discarded record player, its contents filled with toys fit for a child. There's a bookshelf with a taxidermy owl situated on top, positioned right across from an empty rocking chair. Your eyes then land on a twin sized bed in the corner, the covers all rumpled and unkempt. Right above the lone pillow sat a plush rabbit, its white, cotton fur stained and disheveled from years of play. It stared at you with a gloomy expression, its little black eyes searching your soul for your intentions.
Norman's room looked like it was frozen in time, like it hasn't changed a bit since he was a small boy. Maybe that was the case. He might have been in his late twenties, but if this room was anything to go by, he might as well be five years old. You're quiet for a beat or two, turning to face your boyfriend to search for what he's thinking behind those nervous glances and hunched stances.
"This is all yours?" You probe carefully, gently whispering as you stand in the middle of his most private space.
"Y-Yes, it is. I haven't quite gotten around to redecorating it yet. I know it's due for a little overhaul." Norman mutters, trying to nonchalantly brush off some dust that lingered on the furniture.
You then take a seat on the edge of his small bed, your weight making the springs on the mattress let out a low, squeaky sound. The plush rabbit once balanced on the pillow comes tumbling down in your lap from the sudden shift, which prompts you to hold it tenderly in your hands.
"Mother always said I was never much of a housekeeper. She advised that I stick to the front desk of the motel instead." Norman says sheepishly.
This caught your attention, causing you to give him a sympathetic glance. You practically lost count of how many times Norman has talked about his dear mother to you, constantly mentioning how she was living alone and how he was her only source of company. You found that sweet and noble of him, but you can tell there was something more beneath the surface. Usually, you'd brush it off, but not this time. Your curiosity got the best of you, and you directly, yet gently, pry for more.
"Tell me more about her..." You probe with an encouraging glance, patting the spot on the bed beside you for Norman to sit down. "Your mother, that is."
The motel in-keeper freezes for a moment, as if internally debating with himself on what to do. He slowly makes his way to sit next to you, his hands nervously fidgeting on his knees. You had to bite back a smile at the sight of him, this tall, lanky man sitting on his childhood bed that was not built to support his frame. He was just so effortlessly adorable that you couldn't help but feel your heart swell.
"W-Well, she's very...very unpredictable. I never know what to expect from her."
Norman swallows thickly, his tongue tying in a knot as he tries his best to describe mother to you. You can tell he’s trying to be cordial, while also being honest. A hush falls over you both, then he continues.
“She’s not what you would call an affectionate type. She was always quite frigid with me and my father.”
That made your heart ache. Someone as polite and gentle as Norman going without motherly love was so saddening in your eyes. It was no wonder he clung so tightly to your hand, or held you so desperately when you cuddled. He was starved for affection, plain and simple.
"Your mother never held or embraced you?" You asked quietly, your E/C eyes softening profusely the longer you look at Norman's pensive expression.
"Not that I can recall." He simply responds, his index finger tapping restlessly against his knee.
Your empathy and gentle heart takes over from that point on, your hand reaching out to still Norman's jittery fingers by placing it tenderly on top of his. The tone of your voice stays ever so soft spoken and reverent, like a gentle lullabye.
"That sounds so lonely. I can't imagine what that must have felt like."
Norman just shrugs, his shoulders hunched and lips pressed in a thin line. He was teetering between being modest and just pouring his heart out to you. He knew you were a reliable shoulder to cry on, but he also didn't want you to view him as a whiny baby.
"Sometimes, you become so accustomed to something that you hardly think twice about it anymore."
It was a lame excuse for a lie, one Norman knew deep down that you wouldn't believe. He knew he was touch starved, and you, being the only person who ever saw his vulnerable side, knew that too. As his partner, you couldn't let Norman go another minute without some tender love and care. And with that, your plan was set in motion, your empathetic glance shifting into something playful, but still equally as loving. You place the stuffed bunny back down, giving your boyfriend a small smirk.
"Well, that's a real pity. I was looking forward to giving you some heartfelt care myself, but it seems like you can manage without it..."
You trailed off intently, watching Norman from the corner of your eye to gauge his reaction to your teasing. To your satisfaction, it worked like a charm, and his head instantly turned to face yours with wide, hopeful eyes. He instantly begins to ramble, stammering over every word.
"I-I mean, I don’t mind if you do…that would be nice.” His hand instantly grips yours, his fingers intertwining in such a devoted way, like his world would fade if you denied him any longer.
"Alright, alright." You chuckle softly, scooting closer to Norman on the bed with a thinly veiled smile.
You shift both your hands to gently cup the sides of Norman's face, looking into those beautiful brown eyes with nothing but fondness. He's obviously a bashful mess, unable to meet your stare for even a second, but he's practically putty in your hands.
“Y/N, please…” Norman mumbles, his breath hitching as he feels your thumbs affectionately stroking his cheeks. Meanwhile, you don’t even bother to bite back a smile anymore, your lips curled up brightly despite your best efforts.
“Thank you for asking so nicely, dear.”
You whisper softly, your tone bordering on teasing as you see how that simple term of endearment makes Norman even more shy. He’s about to speak, but you beat him to it, leaning down to place one adoring kiss on his right cheek, followed by another on the left side. Your lips are soft as butterfly wings and linger on Norman’s skin. To say he was flushed would be an understatement, the apples of his cheeks tinting as pink as a spring flower. You’re almost afraid that you overwhelmed him before his lips slowly quirk up in a boyish smile, a breathless chuckle leaving him.
“Gosh, Y/N, I-I didn't think you wanted to…”
You shush Norman gently before peppering another kiss, this time right below his chin and slowly down his slender neck. You can hear how fast his heart is pounding, how his lanky frame shivers ever so slightly as your lips graze just below his jawline. The longer you stay at the spot, the harder Norman finds it to stay calm and collected. He fights tooth and nail to keep a straight face, but you, ever the perceptive one, can pick up on every little quiver.
And then, you hear the most endearing little snicker that ever graced your ears.
You pause your kisses, tilting your head up to look at Norman through your lashes. It didn’t take long for you to put two and two together, a playful smirk etching on your lips.
“Are you ticklish, Mr. Bates?” You purr, raising an intrigued eyebrow.
“N-No!”
Norman replies almost too quickly, his pink cheeks now turning a darker shade of red as he shakes his head. He was such an awful liar, always stammering and rambling through every word whenever he was caught red handed.
“I’m not. Well, I used to be, b-but not anymore.” He mutters, his hands now coming to fidget with the quilted fabric of his blanket shyly.
“Oh, you can’t outgrow being ticklish. That sort of thing never goes away.”
You counter matter of factly, giving his unprotected side an experimental poke. You’re delighted to hear Norman let out an unguarded yelp, his long arms flailing to hug his middle.
“Now, wait a moment! Pl-Please, you don’t have to do this-Snnnrk-“
The words died on Norman’s lips as he yelps again, this time being far louder as your fingers come up to flutter lightly along the slope of his elongated neck. His shoulders instantly scrunch up in defense, feeling that uncontrollable urge to squirm. You don’t stop for a moment, your fingertips continuing to flitter up, down, and around his neck, even reaching back to his nape.
“Of course I have to do this. You’re so starved for attention that it would be a crime to leave you neglected!”
Norman can only whine in response, fighting every muscle in his lips not to burst out in squeals. One of his hands come up to clamp against his trembling mouth, the other still shielding his midsection incase you got any funny ideas. His shoulders shake with repressed ticklish nerves, eyes squeezed tightly shut.
“Norman, dear, don’t hide your smile. You’re only going to make me tickle you more~”
And then you strike, your hands moving down from Norman’s neck to his rib cage. Your fingers still stay ever so gentle, like little feathers whistling in the breeze while they scribble and dance over your boyfriend’s rib divots. Norman instantly comes undone at the first brush of your nails, his squeaky giggles filling his once sterile bedroom.
“Wahahahahait! We hahahahave tohoho be quihihihiet!”
Norman pleads half heartedly, his voice going up an entire octave. You never heard him sound so childish and vulnerable before, and you adored it.
“Then stop laughing, silly.”
You reply with a chuckle of your own, continuing your precise, yet affectionate tickle attack. Your fingers cover both sides of Norman’s ribs, one hand dishing out little pokes against each rib while the other skitters about.
“I cahahahahahan’t!”
Norman squawks, twitching and squirming in your arms as his usual reserved self fading away. He was bucking and squeaking like a little boy, his long legs kicking and thrashing despite how much he’s enjoying himself.
“Seems to me like you’re still ticklish after all.” You tease with a flirty wink, your fingers acting like ten little spiders that move as light as silk. It was unbearable in the best way possible.
“I wonder where else gets you giggling…” You muse out loud, humming in mock contemplation to get Norman’s heart racing again. And you succeed with flying colors.
“Nohohohowhehehre! Nohohowhehere ehehelse!”
He waves his hands frantically, trying to pry your hands off his ribs with no such luck. It wasn’t like he was trying very hard to begin with, only attempting to bat your wrists like a little kid. This was all the proof you needed that Norman was more than alright with this arrangement.
“Is that another fib? I better test that claim out myself juuuust incase it is!”
And then you’re off, hands going south from his ribs to his stomach, covering every inch of it that your tricky fingers can reach. A shriek tore from the motel owner, head snapping back as laughter began to pour from him in waves.
“Nononohoho! Y/N, dohohon't dohohoho thahahahat!" Norman’s shoes scuff against the wooden floor amidst his squirming, his neatly kept hair now evolving into a floppy mess right before your eyes. You never heard him laugh so freely before, so unafraid and loose. It was a good look for him.
“Don’t do what? Don’t tickle your tummy?”
You coo teasingly, unable to help yourself against using some lighthearted baby talk. Norman was about as sensitive as a child, so it felt fitting in your eyes. Your fingers don’t let up, wiggling in a circle like motion right in the middle of his stomach. You keep Norman on his toes, polished nails darting down below his navel before shooting upwards without a moments notice.
“Coochie coochie cooooo!” You tease in a sing-song voice. “How’s this, hmm? Do you enjoy this kind of care?”
Norman could only buck and wriggle about, his laughter kicking up into high pitched wheezes that makes his shoulders shake.
“W- Wahahahahait! Ehehehehe!"
The poor motel manager was totally overcome with ticklish nerves, squeaking and squawking like a helpless child. He then brings up his long legs to his chest, curling in on himself like a hedgehog rolling into a ball. Unfortunately, this only gave you yet another idea, one that you had a good feeling of succeeding. Your hands quickly grasped onto Norman’s knees, giving the tops of them little squeezes and feather light scribbles. It didn’t take long for you to wait to see your boyfriend come undone, his head thrown back in pure, ticklish, bliss.
“NEHEHEHAHAHAHA! N-NOHOHOHOHOT THEHEHEHEHERE!"
The cooing was instantaneous, as you’ve never heard such a youthful burst of chortles come out of someone so reserved and mild mannered as Norman. You can practically feel your admiration and love for him growing in your heart, the warmth showing through your tender smile and playful insistence on hearing his laugh.
“Why? You’re so smiley and giddy! It’s very flattering~”
You pause your tickling for a brief moment, placing a sweet kiss on Norman’s forehead. He barely has time to process your little peck before you dive right back in, tickling one knee and one side of his ribs at the same time. He was a flushed mess now, tears of laughter pricking at the corner of his eyes. Norman didn't even care about the volume of his frantic laughter anymore, as he was utterly succumb to your touch.
"PLEHEHEHEHEHEHEASE! Y-Y/N, STOHOHOHOHOHOP! STOHOHOHOHOHOP!"
Fearful of crossing Norman's fragile boundaries, you do stop, quickly retreating your hands faster than when you first began your tickle barrage. You watch Norman recover with a careful expression, anxious to see how he would react. From what you can see, he was taking deep, labored breaths, wheezing out a few more residual giggles. He stays frozen in his curled up position, occasionally glancing up at you through the gaps in his fingers covering his face.
There's a pause, the silence settling in again before Norman's the one to break it again.
"Y-You...could keep going. I-If it's no trouble." He mumbles in that typical timid manner, making you chuckle and shake your head fondly. You lean down to press another kiss to Norman's nape, watching his eyes go wide as you teasingly wiggle your fingers in his direction.
"Sweetheart, I'll gladly oblige."
And with that, you proceed once more, making your once touch starved boyfriend cackle and squirm to his heart's content.
If the visit to the Bates' home was a step forward, this was a giant leap in comparison.
