Summary: Getting to finally spend a little bit of time with your favourite blond friend, you somehow managed to push one too many of Ryuji’s buttons. You totally deserved it.
Author’s Notes: Hello! Sorry I died. :P I haven’t had tickles hugely on the brain (for fics at least) so I took some time to do some other things. However, a certain Mementos quote from Ryuji sparked a fic idea. 👀 A little bit of lee AND ler Reader for this one, my brain asked for it. >:) Hope you all enjoy. 💚
Words: ~1,150 | AO3 Link
The nice, fresh spring air blew a light breeze on your ice cold can of soda as you cracked it open, taking a long sip. Across the table was your long time friend, Ryuji Sakamoto, who was also cracking open a cold one, taking a big gulp of his fizzy beverage.
You’ve become closer to Ryuji in the past couple of months, though you’ve known each other since you started high school. You used to watch the track and field team do their rounds, and cheered Ryuji on back when he used to race. But it’s a shame what happened…
Despite his horrible leg injury that was caused by the now ex-teacher Kamoshida - who has now been fired from the school - Ryuji has been in high spirits lately. Though, he hasn't had a whole lot of spare time to spend with you as of late - he has been busy with some other affairs, he explained once. But you were both happy with spending time with each other whenever both of you were free. Like right now.
You were joking around, poking fun at each other. Which eventually let you into physically poking him, right in the ribs. He let out a yelp.
“H-Hey! Watch where you're pokin’!” Ryuji cried with a chuckle, attempting to shoo your hand away. But you did not relent, continuing to poke, poke, poke, right into the side of his ribs. Each poke caused the blond to jolt, attempting to protect himself with his arm. You were unable to mask the pleased smile on your face.
“Are you tryin’ to start something? Because you're on track if that's your plan.” He pouted, though he wasn't serious with his discontent.
“I just can't believe you're still ticklish - I thought you said you ‘outgrew it’ when you got older, didn't you?” Your questioning tone grew mischievous once you started to add some scribbles against his sides and ribs into the mix. “Doesn't look like it.”
The pout flew right off his face, making way for sporadic laughter, his face scrunching up. A few tweaks on a particularly ticklish rib caused Ryuji to throw his head back in ticklish laughter.
But that was the final straw.
He grabbed onto your wandering wrist, flashing an evil grin of his own - admittedly a little bit breathless. “That's it - you're so gettin’ it now!”
You let out a gasp - that was your cue to run. Ryuji wasn't holding onto your wrist tightly, luck being on your side. Your wrist quickly slipped out of his hold, getting up from the table you were both sitting at, making a mad dash away from him. You knew you needed to get away, and fast. He was a former track member, after all.
It seemed you had even more luck today, as a glance behind you revealed that Ryuji stumbled trying to get out of his seat, his foot catching on the leg of the table affixed to the ground in his haste.
Good! Maybe you would be able to get away scott free this time. A few running steps forward however, you looked behind your shoulder again. Your look of triumphant freedom changed into immediate concern.
Ryuji was kneeling on the ground, head down, his hand clutching his bad leg.
Oh no - did he get hurt?
Your legs moved on their own, immediately running back to your friend to check up on him. You bent down, placing a hand on his knee in concern. Craning your neck, you tried to get a view of his face. “Ryuji, are you okay?? Ahhh, I shouldn't have tried to run away, I knew you were going to try to chase me if I did.” Babbling on, you didn't realise what storm was about to hit you.
He had you right where he wanted you.
A devious smirk formed on his face, hidden by his head facing downwards, all your worried talk going in one ear and out the other.
“Should I go and get the nurse? Do you need help getting to the nurse's offi— AAAAA?!”
Ryuji sprang up with renewed vigor, latching onto your body in a tight bear hug. He used his strength to lift you up just enough so that you were barely touching the ground. Wrapping his arms around you, agile fingers immediately dug into your ribs and sides.
A loud shout left your throat as quickly as it was replaced by desperate laughter.
“RYUHUHUJI—!! YOU TRIHIHICKED MEHE!!” Laughter was ripped from your throat as your friend's fingers found a ticklish spot you didn't even know existed between two of your ribs. You kicked and thrashed about, causing Ryuji to adjust his hold on you, which just ended up tickling you more.
“This is what you get for bein’ a little shit, y’know.” A chuckle accompanied his comment. His wandering, wriggling fingers managed to find the side of your belly, which surged a new violent reaction from you. He held onto you tighter, both so you couldn't get away, but also so you didn't accidentally hurt him or yourself. “Wow, you're just as ticklish as you were when we met - hell, even more, I think.”
“SHUHUHUT UHUHUP!!” You nearly squealed when his hands travelled back to the bottom of your ribs in an attempt to keep a tight hold on you again. After a few extra seconds of your nerves being set alight by tickles, his hug loosened, your feet finally touching solid ground again.
You panted as you leaned down, sucking in air to fill your empty lungs. “I shohohould have beheheen an awful friend… ahahahad ran when I hahahad the chance…”
“But you didn't. I knew ya wouldn't. You're too kind to do that,” A bright laugh left him, both at your kindness to make sure a friend is okay, but also from how easily you fell into his trap. He placed a comforting hand on your head, your head shooting up to look at him. “C’mon. I'll get ya a new cold one after givin’ me that cute laughter. On me.”
You faked pouted with a huff, closing your eyes and turning your head, cheeks tinted a little red. “That was not cute - I was nearly screaming!!”
“Pfft, whatever. You want a new drink or not?”
Both of you started to make your way back to the courtyard table you sat at with the vending machines right next to it. “Of course I do - and, I want some ice cream when we finish up today.”
Ryuji scoffed. “Jeez, ya think I'm made of money?” He was originally going to say no, until he noticed the glare you were beaming at him. Fear flashed in his eyes for a moment, and he gave up. “Fine, fine, I'll get ya whatever you want.”
You clapped your hands together with glee to accompany the winning smile on your face.
You may not have been able to get away without consequence - but you did get to have fun with your friend again.
I said I wanted to do another Animal Crossing or Dreamlight Valley fic, and ended up with Persona 5 🙃 It’s okay though, I love these two 💕
Warnings: None, other than tickles. But I’m guessing that’s at least one reason you’re here.
“Ryuhohohojiheheh! Stoaoahahpp, I am yoohohohor leader!” Ren tried to scold, but it was awfully hard to appear threatening in a giggle fit like this. The atomic blonde currently had his Joker pinned, using one hand to drill his thumb into a hip and the other hand to scurry across his shaking belly.
“Yeah, leader, all right,” he replied, “leader of cheating! A leader cheater, if you will.” Ren’s giggles reluctantly picked up at the stupidity of the comment.
“What the hell is going on up here?” Sojiro yelled, briskly climbing the stairs to his tenant/adopted son/part-timer’s room. It was quite the sight, and to someone outside of the Phantom Thieves’ circle, might have appeared a bit risque. There was a “GAME OVER: PLAYER ONE WINS!” message across the TV, and a little 3 - 0 counter underneath the text. Two controllers lay forgotten next to the couch where an almost predatorial Ryuji was hunched over a red-faced and giggling Ren.
They hardly acknowledged Sojiro’s appearance, but once Ren saw his frame come into view from the staircase his blush deepened. Ryuji noticed his eyes shift and followed them, immediately upon realization jumping off of Ren and started rambling.
“S-Sojiro-san! This isn’t what it looks like, I swear, I-”
“Cool it, kid, I know exactly what’s going on up here.” Both teens were mortified, but for different reasons. Sojiro’s mischievous smirk was not helping, either.
“On paper, it’s my job to keep that one safe and out of trouble,” Sojiro started, pointing at the raven-haired boy. “But just keep it down while I have customers, and I can allow for trouble of the “revenge of a sore loser” variety.”
“Whew, okay, thanks-HEY!?”
“And I’m sure he still has a few secrets we haven’t found yet.”
Ren and Ryuji’s hearts leaped simultaneously, and the latter glared back at the former. “Oh yeah?”
Sojiro looked at Ren’s betrayed eyes. He sometimes forgets Ren was just a teenager, still very much a kid in some ways. But he took on so much more responsibility; a responsibility that most adults couldn’t handle. If they could, the Phantom Thieves may not exist in the first place. Then he remembered how hard of a time he gave the boy after coming to Le Blanc and not believing his story. He could go on a guilt trip about it, but he’d rather see Ren’s tension replaced with mirth at the moment.
“We haven’t tried his knees or feet yet. Do with that what you will, I’m going to shut the door to the staircase, though,” Sojiro told Ryuji as he made his way back downstairs. Ren, having never seized the opportunity to stand, released an “Oomph!” as Ryuji pounced on his waist, facing away from him.
“Ryuji, please, doohohon’t, NOHOHO AHHAHAHA!” Mercilessly and with a wicked cackle, Ryuji squeezed the soft area above Ren’s knees, causing an absolute explosion of laughter. He reflexively brought up his knees, which did nothing to deter Ryuji’s ticklish grip, and brought his hands to grab futilely at his assailant’s shirt, unable to move much more than that.
“Ryhehehujihehe!” Joker cried, attempting to twist out from underneath his teammate.
“Nuh uh uh!” Ryuji scolded, pinching his calves. As it turns out, Ryuji found a not-quite-ticklish spot. Ren, still giggling, took the opportunity to hook his fingers into Ryuji’s hips, a recently discovered weak point of his.
“WaitwahehetWAHAHEHET NOHOHO! I KNEHEHEW YOU WERE A CHEHEHEATER!”
“You wound me, Ryuji,” Ren started, “I’m defending myself! Why would I need to cheat?” He asked as if he was truly hurt by the accusation. He continued to knead and tease his friend's hips, holding strong against every attempt Ryuji made to try to stand.
“Toohoo beheehat meehehehe!” Ryuji cried out, desperately trying to free his hips from Ren’s hands. Ren, swiftly and cruelly, wormed his fingers under Ryuji’s waistline, just enough to contact the taught skin covering the hip bones. Trading kneading for scratches with his dull fingernails nearly sent Ryuji into hysterics. His cackle jumped up to a full-blown, unhindered belly laugh.
“Clearly, I don’t need to cheat to beat you. I’m just a natural at most things, it seems,” he teased. He didn’t know exactly why, but he enjoyed antagonizing his friend this way, especially while he was coaxing out the most unabashed giggles from him.
“Imagine if Shadows fought this way. You wouldn’t have a chance,” Ren started, “All they would have to do is this,” and spidered his fingers along not just the hip bones, but up his sides and across is belly. Ryuji screeched, trying to grab the offending hands while enduring a barrage of ticklish jolts that were turning his mind and muscles to mush.
“YOHOHOU’RE ASKING FOHOHOR IT!”
“Even if I was, you aren’t so scary right now. You’d think someone with the name Skull would be more of a threat.”
That did it. Ryuji, mind still fuzzy, lunged forward, breaking out of Ren’s “lethal” grip. He grabbed one of Ren’s ankles. He scribbled all along his socked sole, hoping to throw his leader off guard. Sure enough, Ren’s head was thrown back in a surprised yelp before devolving into bubbling, boyish giggles.
“Dohohohon’t! Quihihihit, Ryeeehehehujii!” Ren spat through his cackles, hoping not to hurt his friend with his spastic kicking. Ryuji, on the other hand, was glad to be catching his breath. And while he regained breath, he also regained his deviousness.
“Don’t quit? Didn’t plan to, chuckles.”
“Nohoho nahahame calling!” Ren retorted. He couldn’t reach Ryuji’s hips again from where he scooted forward to sit closer to his ankles. Smart, so now he wouldn’t get kicked in the head, but it put Ren in a position without many options.
“You want scary? I’ll give you scary!” Ryuji, fired up now that he had the upper hand again, shifted slightly so his wiggling fingers were in plain view, slowly descending toward Ren’s captured foot. Despite himself knowing this tactic, he couldn’t stop himself from giggling at such anticipation. He yelped when Ryuji just barely grazed the tops of his toes, and the blonde assailant shot his hand back up to repeat the maddening process.
“And you want to talk about me! The Shadows would only have to think about tickling you and you’d be a mess!”
“Ryeehehehujihehe, pleeheheease!”
“Please what, fearless leader?”
“Geehehet on wiheheth it!”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, dude. I’m not even touching you.” Though he tried, Ryuji couldn’t keep a straight face through the whole interaction.
Ren groaned, and ultimately resigned to his fate, however long that would take. But then he found his assailant’s own socked foot and grabbed his ankle. Ryuji paused, and Ren took in several breaths, keeping his other hand poised for attack on Ryuji’s sole.
“Ihi’ll make your life reheally hard, don’t you dare,” Ren smirked, noting the preliminary giggles lacing the threat. He twitched his fingers and Ryuji jumped.
“Another bad spot? You make a lot of threats for someone with so many weak points.”
“HA! You’re one to talk. At least I don’t deny it as it’s happening.” Ren only rolled his eyes and felt the blush that finally started to settle come back.
“Don’t be embarrassed or anything, dude. I’m not. Makes us human, ya know?” Ren met his eyes and smiled genuinely, but twitched his fingers again on Ryuji’s sole, causing another jolt.
“Okay, bro moment’s over, you’re deHEHEHAHAHAD!” Ren, knowing he was instigating and still pinned, made sure to get the first move in.
“Don’t you mean a bro-ment?” Ryuji’s cackles, like Ren’s earlier, picked up at the pun.
“Yooohoohou deheheserve this!” Skull claimed, haphazardly tearing off Ren’s sock, skittering lightly from heel to toe. He immediately relented his own attack and squealed before his giggles came bubbling over.
“You like that, huh?”
“NOOOHOOHOO I DOHOHON’T!” he denied, a little too vehemently. He didn’t understand how just a few well-placed swipes on such a small part of the body could render him to such a state. Whether Ryuji was aware or not, Ren wasn’t sure, but every time those malicious fingers wandered too close to his toes, his laughter kicked up an octave. Ryuji snickered.
“Dude, yoohoou make the best noises. I could do this aaaaallllll day!”
“PLEHEHEASE DOHOHON’T!” Ren spat, tapping the couch, trying to signal he had enough. Ryuji obliged immediately, finally removing himself from on top of his friend and sat on the floor to allow him to recover. Ren, still catching his breath, shot up and put his sock back on, catching Ryuji’s glance. Chuckling, Ryuji reached and patted Ren’s back reassuringly.
“*pant*... asshole... *pant*,”
“Ready for another round?” Ryuji asked.
“NO!” Ren boomed, already curling in on himself. Ryuji was startled, but then laughed at his poor friend.
This has been so long overdue and I really have no excuse other than work and studies. But it’s here now and I hope you enjoy ❤️
Ryuji was expecting some training with his usually calm and collected leader. Though he happened upon some rather sensitive information that he just couldn’t waste. A bright smile was plastered on the blonde’s face as he strode down the street. There was no school today, there wasn’t a cloud in the sky, and the Phantom Thieves were recently able to inch closer to the depths of Mementos. Though he and Morgana didn’t always get along, Ryuji was happy to help his friend, as well as the souls that needed it in the cognitive abyss.
Upon reaching his destination, he opened the door to Le Blanc. The smell of curry and coffee greeted him; they went surprisingly well together. Or maybe it was just becoming familiar. Either way, he always felt a sense of comfort with it.
“Welcome to Le Blan- Oh, it’s just you,” Sojiro turned and commented, no malice in his tone. He offered a father-like grin.
“The kid’s upstairs getting ready, I think. I can get you a cup of coffee or something, on the house for keeping him out of trouble.”
“Not today, Sojiro-san, but thanks! I don’t wanna have your coffee sloshing around during a run, it’s too good for that.” Ryuji replied thankfully. He’d never cared too much for coffee until he had Sojiro’s.
“Eww! A simple “no thank you” would have done the job!” Futaba exclaimed in disgust, emerging from the kitchen, hands wet from washing dishes.
“What do you mean? I’m just sayin’!” Ryuji defended, caught off guard momentarily. He forgot Futaba would work with Sojiro on mornings he and Ren trained together. Ryuji developed a wicked grin. “You’re lucky anyway if the sloshing only happens on the inside!”
Futaba groaned and flicked the water from her hands at him, causing a chuckle from Sojiro.
“Arrgh, hey!”
“Typical for a Numb Skull to be so vulgar!”
“I am not!”
“Ren! Come down here, you have company waiting! And I’m getting a migraine..” Sojiro called, mumbling the last bit as everyone heard shuffling and the sound of someone descending stairs. Futaba, unworried suddenly about her and Ryuji’s debate, shuffled behind the bar and snickered, ducking as Ren appeared, gym bag slung over his shoulder.
“I’m sorry to have kept you waiting, I was going over notes from the last meeting with Morgana-AAHAH!” Ren jumped and firmly brought his arms to his sides, already feeling a light dust of pink creep on his cheeks as Futaba had successfully snuck behind and tazed the sides of her older brother figure, giggling in amusement as she scampered back to the kitchen. She and Sojiro had promised not to broadcast Ren’s *sensitive* information after the eventful morning not too long ago. So either this was Futaba’s loophole in telling Ryuji, or she was just being her mischievous self, it was hard to tell.
Ren growled and rolled his eyes, walking quickly towards Ryuji, and the door.
“Come on, we should get to training.” Ryuji grinned his energetic grin.
“Right! Later, Sojiro-san, Futaba-chan!” Ryuji didn’t think anything of what happened at first, until he noticed Ren actively trying to hide his face while it returned to its usual color. He grew worried.
“Dude, you okay?” Ryuji was used to his leader’s usual quiet demeanor; it was most often a sign that some scheme was being concocted in that mind of his. But something seemed off, like his leader was shaken instead of contemplative.
“Yeah, I’m good. Just thinking a bit.” Ren assured with a smile as the pair made it to Shujin Academy, where they would be able to use the track and field. They stretched as they watched the track team leave, giving the pair the area to themselves, save for if any other students or faculty decided to use the track, which in their experience was rare.
Once they’ve properly stretched, the two took off on a light jog to warm up. Ren relaxed, allowing himself to loosen and clear his head. The sun felt warm in the cool morning air and, speaking of, the air smelled pure: trees and grass and free of any smoke or other unpleasant city smells. His mental tranquility came to an abrupt shatter as he felt a poke to his side. Though it didn’t cause quite the reaction as Futaba’s tazing did, he still turned quickly to face Ryuji. Ren swore he saw a glint of something in his eyes before he spoke.
“Hey, you looked like you were on another planet. I asked what the plan was for today. You sure everything’s good?” They stopped their jog to take a brief break. Ren smiled at his friend’s concern. “I must just be paranoid.”
“Yeah, everything’s good. Just a little distracted today, I guess. I’m sorry to worry you.”
“Don’t apologize, man. Just checkin’ in, that’s what bros do. Gotta keep you on top of your game, ya know?” Ryuji said with a nudge. In that moment Ren was glad he ran into the “bad influence” at Shujin.
“I planned on sparring a bit for combat practice, then some short sprints for building strength and stamina.” Ryuji beamed, clearly pumped.
“All right! Let’s do it!” They assumed their regular fighting stances: Ryuji’s more geared for the offensive, Ren’s geared to adapt to his opponent, in this case, more defensive.
“Ready or not leader, here I come!” Ryuji charged, seemingly without a plan, which didn’t surprise Ren as he successfully dodged and blocked the blonde’s blows. Ryuji, growing frustrated, backed off of Ren to think.
“Oh, is it my turn?” Ren taunted, smirking as he does when he has a Shadow cornered. This time he charged, aiming for the spots Ryuji habitually left open, adding to the blonde’s frustration. Though he caught on, and was able to match Ren in blocking and dodging. Albeit not as graceful, but effective. Ren smiled at the progress, but wasn’t about to let up. In fact, he took the opportunity to feign a punch, and when Ryuji’s attention was on his fist, Ren swept his feet out from under him. The offensive blonde fell to his backside and cursed loudly, not in pain, but in defeat.
“Dammit! How do you do that? Get me to your level, dude!” Ryuji groaned, accepting the outreached hand to help him up.
“You’re already on my level. We just have different fighting styles. The only advice I can really give you is to be more adaptable: it’s all in observation and timing. Brute force works with a lot of Shadows, but it won’t work with every match.” Ryuji took this advice in and mulled it over. Ren was right; they had started training around the same time and seldom did so without the other. They both learned about the Personas and Metaverse together through Morgana and they’ve fought at each other’s side since day one. He just needed to be open to different methods, as Ren has been able to do thus far.
“Yeah, I think you’re right. Just need to add a bit of yin to my yang, yeah?”
“Right!” Ryuji was grateful for his friend’s help and guidance, but still couldn’t shake the disappointment of losing, and so quickly. That is, until he recalled today’s events and concocted a devious battle strategy.
“Are you ready for sprints? We can cool off after and go back to Le Blanc, Sojiro’s been showing me how to make curry, I think I could make a good lunch.”
“Actually dude, could we go for another round? I wanna practice your “adapt to your opponent” and “observation and timing” stuff.”
Ren chuckled light-heartedly, both at the comment and in delight that Ryuji was so eager to learn.
“Sure, we can go again.”
The boys assumed stances once more, Ryuji’s looking a bit tighter and more prepared to block open areas. Ren adjusted accordingly, opting to go more in the offensive. It was defense and caution he thought Ryuji wanted to grasp, so he would have to be the one to make the first move. And so he did, but not throwing caution to the wind as his opponent had earlier. He struck slower than normal, becoming more of a teacher than an adversary, and his pupil was doing far better at dodging and blocking.
“What are you smilin’ at?” Ryuji asked.
“I knew you were capable as long as your head was in the right place.” Ren praised, then taunted, “Maybe now our spars will be challenging.” Ryuji knew he was teasing, but if he had any doubts about his plan before, they were thrown out the window as he grinned wickedly.
“Is that so, fearless leader? We’ll see how long you feel that way!” Before Ren could counter, Ryuji managed to grab an oncoming blow and knock Ren off balance, effectively turning him around with his wrist pinned to his back. Ren chuckled.
“You got me, that wasn’t bad!” Ren commended, though grew confused and started panicking as Ryuji took his other wrist, pinning both to Ren’s back with one hand.
“Ryuji, what are you-HHMPH!” Ren gasped at Ryuji’s hand resting on his side, trying and failing to seem unphased.
“Dude, what’s wrong? You were all high and mighty just a second ago…” Ryuji started, lightly kneading his fingers into Ren’s side, already tense in an attempt to keep his giggling at bay.
“Ryuhujiiheh, dohon’t!” Ren managed, not convincing in the slightest that he was unaffected by his friend’s torment. Judging by his encounter with Futaba and Sojiro, and knowing how Ryuji is, he sensed he was in some trouble.
“Don’t what, dude? I’m not doing anything!” Ryuji claimed, adding more pressure, and skittering his hands over to Ren’s belly. The ravenette gritted his teeth, but muffled giggles were still heard, and he was trying harder to break out of Ryuji’s hold.
“Yoohoohoo know whahaht you’re doing-NO! Naaaahahaha!” Ren threw his head back onto his friend’s shoulder and dissolved, unable to fight back cackles anymore as Ryuji’s hand wandered up to his ribs, tickling and teasing in between each one. Ryuji mock gasped.
“No way! Could it be? I didn’t think it was possible!” The blonde continued to tease. He noticed Ren’s knees beginning to give, so rather than expend his energy holding him up, Ryuji swiftly pinned Ren to the ground, straddling his back. Sadistically, Ryuji leaned close to Ren’s ear.
“Dude, are you ticklish or something?” Before even giving Ren a chance to respond, he latched his hands onto Ren’s ribs again, this time with more vigor and purpose as his fingers prodded and scurried unpredictably. Ren’s reaction was instant: his laughter boomed, boisterous and unfiltered, the moment Ryuji made contact.
“Well? Are you?” Ryuji provoked. Ren shook his head, both at the menace tickling him silly and the unbearable sensation itself, as if a “no” would lessen the feeling. Ren, being unable to reach Ryuji in his position, folded his arms and buried his head there, if anything to hide his face and muffle his laughter, ultimately resigning to his fate. Even if there was a way out, he couldn’t think straight enough to figure it out.
“Oh, Reeeenn~ You’re not answering me,” Ryuji sang slowly, softly yet cruelly tracing light circles in the hollow region of Ren’s underarms. Ren calmed slightly at the somewhat bearable feeling, though still unable to stop giggling like a child.
“Nooohooho! Eeeeheheehee!”
“No, what?”
“Ihaha’m nooohhooot!”
“Dude, are you for real right now?” Ryuji halted his ticklish onslaught briefly. Ren relaxed, but not too much; he knew Ryuji wasn’t finished. Residual giggles came as he spoke.
“Aahaall right, Ryuji, you wihehn.” Ren was ignored as Ryuji continued.
“You lied to me this morning when you said nothing was wrong. You were obviously thinking about something. I have a feeling I know what, now.” Ryuji sported the same wicked grin as earlier, softly kneading again into Ren’s sides and any part of his belly he could reach. Ren began giggling again, though kept his burning face buried in his arms.
“I gave you the benefit of the doubt, and asked you again. You lied, again.” The blonde suddenly pinched at Ren’s hips, earning a squeal. Ryuji chuckled, not knowing Ren was able to produce a sound like that as his friend finally brought his arms down to grab his wrists. Ryuji then saw Ren’s lightened face and forming tears. He was giggling like a little boy; it was honestly adorable. But still, Ryuji continued.
“Now, I ask you a simple question. A question you had no business lying about. And you have the balls to LIE!” His hands shot back up to Ren’s ribs, causing a jolt.
“AHAAHA! RYUJIIHEEHEE!”
“You LIED! TO! MY! FACE!” Ryuji mock-scolded as he squirmed his fingers into Ren’s underarms. Ticklish sensations seemed to send waves through Ren’s body. His legs kicked out behind the two and he squirmed as hard as he could, but was trapped under his friend, who seemed to be rather enjoying this.
“I’m soohoohorryheehee! Ryyheeheeujii!” Ren cackled, barely able to make out the apology. Then Ryuji stopped again.
“That’s three strikes. I know we’re bros and all Ren, but I can’t allow three strikes without consequence.” Ryuji shifted quickly, now sitting on his calves, turned away from Ren. Ren’s eyes widened in fear as he felt Ryuji try to work off a running shoe, now thrashing to try to get away.
“Nuh uh uuuuuh~” Ryuji sang, reaching around and delivering spidery tickles to the backs of Ren’s knees. It was like little ticklish shocks were delivered to his body at once, and he elicited the same boyish giggle from earlier. This was bearable though, and since Ryuji was now on his calves, Ren had enough leverage to turn on his side, going straight for Ryuji’s calf, hoping it would have some effect.
“AH! He-HEEHEY!” Ryuji, caught off-guard, giggled and toppled over, giving his captive that inch he needed to free himself and take off.
“It’s time for sprints!” Ren yelled back, running as fast as he could.
“You get back here, you coward!” Ryuji shouted and took off after him. Ren was usually a decent runner, but he was drained from having laughed so long and so hard. Not to mention… butterflies? It seemed he was actually enjoying the chase. He let a giggle escape when he turned and saw his wily teammate gaining ground.
“Come on, come on…” Ren prompted himself, trying to think of a way out of this. He can’t run forever and there’s nowhere to hide so… Time to give Ryuji a taste of his own medicine.
“Time to go offensive,” Ren prompted, quickly and without warning stopped and turned toward Ryuji.
“SHIT!” he exclaimed, trying to slow himself down, but couldn’t quickly enough. Ren swerved, grabbing Ryuji around the middle in a tackle to the ground. Both boys were fighting for the upper hand, but neither could suppress their grins.
“What’s wrong, leader? Too ticklish for your own good?” Ryuji teased. Ren groaned, but refused to be pinned again.
“I might be a little.”
“A LITTLE? Do you call begging for mercy a LITTLE?” Ren ignored the question, and took an open opportunity to drill his thumb into Ryuji’s hip bone. The eccentric blonde shrieked and tried to jerk away, but Ren now had his chance: he took both Ryuji’s wrists in one hand, pinning them above his head, and smirked at the surprise that took over his friend’s features.
“H-Hey, come on, man… W-We can talk about this, right?” Ryuji asked, wobbly smile willing itself on his face. “I was taking your advice! Adapting and being observant and stuff, that counts for something, right?!”
Ren suppressed a chuckle to keep his menacing smirk from fading. While what Ryuji is saying is true, he’d already been tickled mercilessly by Sojiro, Futaba, and now Ryuji: he believed it was finally his turn to dish out a punishment.
“You did take my advice, and I commend you for your quick thinking and improvement,” Ren began, testing the waters by tracing feathery light circles on Ryuji’s hips. Immediately he jerked at the sensation and bit his lip. “It was a bit unorthodox though, don’t you think?” Ren sensed he’d already found one of Ryuji’s more sensitive spots, and moved to pinch at his sides instead: he’d save that for later. Ryuji screwed his eyes shut, determined not to give his friend the satisfaction of breaking him so quickly.
“It wohorked, though, aahaand don’t think Ihehe won’t reheemember to uhuhse it against you-EEP! SHIHIHT, NOHOHOHO! Stahahaap!” Ren smirked at the boldness his friend had for making such comments in his position, and without warning brought his free hand to his ribs, teasing his fingers over and in between them. In hindsight, Ryuji supposed he asked for that, now cackling wildly and trying to throw Ren off of his waist.
“That’s a lot of tough talk for someone who can’t take what he dishes,” Ren teased spidering his way into the hollow of Ryuji’s underarm. The atomic blonde’s madman-like cackle seemed to be traded in for a happier, bubblier giggle, not too unlike the boyish giggles Ren made earlier.
“Whohoho said I couldn’t tahahake ihihit? Eeeh hee hehe! Dohoho yohour WOHOHORST! AAHH Heeheheehe!”
“My worst?” The ravenette was quite enjoying the reactions he was eliciting from his eccentric partner, and began to see why it might have been fun for his friends and caregiver to tickle him silly. He relented, allowing Ryuji a moment to catch his breath-he was gonna need it.
“Just remember, you asked for this. Here lies Ryuji Sokamoto…” Ren started.
“Dude, did you just start my eulogEEHEEE! REEHEHEN! BWAAHAHAHA!” Ryuji absolutely screeched when Ren’s hands darted at lightning speed and latched onto Ryuji’s hips. One hand kneaded and drilled for all it was worth, while the other skittered and teased the taught skin on the bone. It was maddening: If Ryuji could think straight in that moment, he wouldn’t be able to tell you which sensation was worse, not to mention the unpredictable pokes and prods at his belly and sides to keep him guessing.
“REEHEHEN, I CAHAHAN’T!” He pleaded, pounding at the ground under him and flailing his legs out behind them. Ren finally broke his façade and laughed at his friend unraveling in front of him.
“You can’t what?” Ren halted, but left his hands on Ryuji’s hips: just the threat had Ryuji giggling and squirming still. Ren chuckled at the realization.
“I’m not doing anything to you!”
“Yehehes you aaaare hehehe!”
“Then answer me, you can’t what?” Ren pressed, curling his fingers once as a warning, sending a jolt through the blonde. He gripped Ren’s wrists and cackled, shaking his head.
“Tahahake it! Ihihihi can’t tahahake this! Eehehehe! I gihihive man, you wihihin!”
Sensing he was truly reaching a limit, Ren detached his hands from Ryuji’s hips. Ryuji sighed, and some residual giggles poured out as he caught his breath.
“Remind me… NOT… to piss you off anymore…” He said light heartedly. Ren laughed, climbing off his friend and sitting on the grass next to him.
“I was never mad, I… I don’t know really, I was excited, nervous, then I felt like I might have gotten carried away. I’m sorry about that,” Ren apologized, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. Ryuji smiled, patting the grass next to him, suggesting Ren lay back on the grass too. He obliged.
“You’re good, dude. You’ve got a lot going on, in the real world and the Metaverse. I can’t believe I have to be the one to tell you you’re allowed to have fun sometimes, ya know? Even if I almost died.”
“Don’t act like you didn’t try to kill me earlier, you started it!” Ren retaliated, probably sounding much more immature than he ever had, and the two laughed. The whole air around them was positive and light, and both felt their bond deepen.
“Just watch yourself, Joker. You got lucky today. Next time I’ll wreck you.”
