One of my favourite tickle scenarios is a character who genuinely believes they're not ticklish. Not "ehehe nooo I'm soooo not ticklish", just really thinking they're not ticklish for one reason or another. Maybe they never got tickled, maybe they haven't been tickled in a looong time, maybe they only even got poked lightly and didn't react.
So naturally I insert Scout here. Like, maybe one day he sees some other merc being tickled. Like Demo tickling Sniper, or maybe those two having a tickle fight. And he's thinking that it looks fun but obviously he won't say it cause it's also stupid.
From there of course it can go many ways but yeah. That. I like that
rabbit FINALLY posts something everybody rejoice
the first thing Scout hears upon sidling into the kitchen for a can of Bonk is Sniper's ridiculous wheezing laughter. accompanied, of course, by a fair share of threats and insults, lobbed at his tormentor, one Demoman who is hugging his teammate tightly from behind and has both hands latched onto the marksman's ribs.
Scout merely wrinkles his nose in amusement, digging around in the fridge for his drink of choice. Demo hardly seems bothered by the prospect of having an audience. on the contrary, it seems to encourage him. he rests his chin on Sniper's shoulder, which would not be possible were the man not curled into himself in an attempt at self defense. Sniper beats fruitlessly at the counter as Demo's fingers travel deftly up and down his ribs, prodding and squeezing.
"damn, Snipes." Scout pops the tab of his Bonk and takes a sip. "what'dja do?"
Demo answers for him. "ye won't believe it, lad!" he crows, looking absolutely delighted. "he lied to me! told me he wasn't ticklish, an' look at him!" one hand drops down to Sniper's belly, which results in a fresh stream of dry, cackling laughter.
Scout has some pity for his friend. being the youngest of his siblings, he was subjected to similar treatment at any perceived wrongdoing, and would react similarly as well: flailing and kicking and shrieking with laughter. but that was ages ago, when he was a kid. he's not only an adult man now, but one who kills for a living, and he prides himself on the thought that he's gotten over that particular weakness.
"sucks," he says with a shrug of his shoulders. "I outgrew that stuff forever ago."
Scout earns a scathing glare from Sniper, although it's difficult to maintain such an expression while he is laughing his head off. "oh plehehease!" he protests, making an attempt to pry Demo's hands off of him. "yer probably just as bad!"
this is Scout's cue to leave before Demoman gets any ideas. "whatever, man." he sticks his tongue out at Sniper as he walks past. what he doesn't anticipate is that Demo has already had ideas. in a swift movement, he releases Sniper (who nearly crumples to the ground, grabbing onto the counter so he doesn't collapse) and grabs Scout by the back of his shirt.
"not so fast, laddie." his grin is practically audible in his tone of voice. "yer tellin' me that you are not ticklish, and that you 'outgrew that stuff?'" the demolitions expert asks sweetly, and Scout starts to sweat a little. "Sniper lied to me about that. ye wouldn't do the same, now would ye?"
"what, me?" Scout sputters, trying to find a subtle way to squirm away. "no way, man. I'm not lyin'." and he's, like, a solid 50% certain that he's right, and he did outgrow it. if he's wrong, Demo is going to wreck him, but all he has to do to avoid this fate is just...not laugh. easy enough, right?
"prove it." Demo's eye shines with mischievous excitement. "put yer arms up."
Scout could refuse, but then, why would he? he's got nothing to hide. he scoffs and raises his arms in the air. how hard can it be? just keep a straight face for a while, and Demo will back off. probably go back to tormenting Sniper. Scout can live with that. honestly, it's kind of fun watching his teammate get utterly destroyed.
Sniper seems to share a similar sentiment. he leans against the counter, still catching his breath, watching the scene play out with amusement. he clearly expects Scout to crack, which is all the more reason for the runner to hold out. nothing he loves more than proving people wrong, especially when-
"kh-!" Scout twitches when he feels something against his side. one finger. Demo slowly slides it upwards, tracing over each rib, moving up higher and higher. it takes all of Scout's willpower not to curl into himself, to keep his arms up above his head, and unbeknownst to him the struggle is playing out on his face, too. he wrinkles his nose and squeezes his eyes shut, as if not seeing his tormentor might grant him some respite.
the closer Demo gets to his armpit, though, the more twitchy he becomes. and Demo definitely picks up on this. so he'll draw it out a little, have some fun with it. "maybe ye were tellin' the truth," he muses, tracing his finger back down Scout's side right before he reaches his ultimate destination. his teammate seems completely unaware that he's an open book, unable to keep the struggle from playing out on his face. it's cute, honestly, watching him fight for his life to keep his composure. "it looks like...ye actually...ain't..." back up again. slowly. for all of his big talk, Scout is trembling like a leaf. "...ticklish."
and with that, Demo starts to drum his fingers against Scout's armpit. the runner lets out an amusing squeak, feeling his face flood with warmth. he can't lower his arms, he's got to prove them right, but holyfuckingshit if Demoman doesn't get out of there rightfuckingnow-
all Demo has to do is wiggle his fingers and Scout's arms snap back down to his sides. or rather they would if a certain Australian hadn't caught his wrists just a second ago, holding Scout's arms in place with a wicked grin. Scout's knees nearly give out, but his voice is just as loud as always as he breaks out into cackles, tugging at his wrists and cursing Sniper through his laughter.
"ye were lyin' to me!" Demoman makes a show of looking offended, clutching his chest with one hand. the other, of course, still working away at that horrible spot. "I'm surrounded with fibbers! I cannae believe it!"
Scout throws his head back, fighting to pull his arms down. "lemme go, lemme go!" he manages, jumping around frantically. he looks utterly ridiculous and sounds even more so, squawking out laughter. "Snipes, you suck! I'm gonna freeeheheakin' kill you!"
Sniper appears unbothered by the threat. "ya know," he says helpfully. "I don't think you did outgrow being ticklish. I think you might be a little still." the middle finger of scout's right hand extends above the clenched fist it's held in, but the marksman only chuckles.
Demo takes some mercy and moves back down to Scout's ribs again, although it's not much relief. Scout is a mess, trying to double over to protect himself, cheeks red and only growing redder when an honest to god snort escapes him. dammit, he's never going to hear the end of this.
"I'll stop if ye say yer sorry for lyin' to me." the explosives effort offers, grinning broadly at the spectacle before him. not only is Scout ticklish, but ridiculously so, and he seems unable to stifle any of the many ridiculous noises that are pouring out of him. the cuteness aggression Demo experiences as a result only leads to Scout getting wrecked harder, not that the poor lad knows it.
"fuhuhuck you!" is his victim's response, to which Demoman hums to "suit himself" before wrapping his arms around scout's midsection, trapping him in a hug from behind. the same trap Sniper had been in when Scout had initially entered the kitchen. funny how things come full-circle sometimes.
Scout is only allowed a second to appreciate the irony before Demoman starts to claw at his belly, and it's all over. Scout shrieks and beats at his tormentor's hands, but Demo is persistent. somebody is gonna come in here to investigate the screaming, so he swallows his pride and apologizes. "wait, WAIT, I'm sorry I lied!" he yelps out, letting out another undignified snort.
Demoman beams, fingers slowing to a stop. "see how easy that was?" he asks Sniper, who just rolls his eyes and opens the fridge to dig out a beer. Scout slouches against his tormentor, taking a moment to catch his breath, before wriggling out of the man's arms with a scowl. "you freakin' suck," he informs Demo, who looks remarkably proud of himself.
"aw, c'mon lad!" he calls after Scout, who grabs his can of Bonk and seems ready to make his exit. "stay an' have a drink with us!"
Scout looks at him with narrowed eyes, distrustful after what he'd just been put through.
"won't lay another finger on ye. I swear it." Demo raises his right hand solemnly. not today, at least. with this glorious revelation about two of his teammates, he's sure to cause chaos in the near future. but for now, he'll have mercy on Scout and Sniper.
"fine." Scout concedes. "I'll stick around, but I'm not drinkin' in the kitchen. race ya to the common room!"
the other two follow, Sniper with his beer and Demo holding a bottle of scrumpy that may very well have materialized out of thin air, only to find Scout sprawled out across the long couch. of course. all Sniper has to do is wiggle his fingers in Scout's direction, though, and he scrambles to make room for his friends. and...is Scout blushing?
oh, shit. yeah. definitely blushing. he is quick to distract his teammates by turning on the TV, but this fact did not go unnoticed. all Scout can really do now is hunker down and hope nobody remembers this by tomorrow.
Were he only so lucky.
