The Myth of The Unticklish Traveler (Busted)
A/N: Upon writing this one I began to realize I might have added a bit too many characters there, but I didn’t want to change my idea, so this fic turned into a little mess. Number 13 - Myth - of @vqler's Tickletober prompt list of 2025 ft. Aether and a whole bunch of his friends.
Words: 1,964 words under the cut
Aether was known for many things and had received many titles throughout his adventures across Teyvat - Honorary Night of the Knights of Favonius, Hero of Liyue, Paladin of Breezes and Bells, Tumaini - the list could be continued almost endlessly, just as his deeds. So, it wasn’t surprising, that many rumors and myths entwine themselves around the blonde man.
However, in certain circles, a particular rumor is currently a much-discussed topic: Aether, the Traveler - they say he isn’t ticklish. That myth had conquered every nation by now - from the flower fields of Mondstadt, to the deserts of Sumeru and the faraway lands of cherry blossoms, Inazuma.
Many and tried, many had failed… Old gods as Venti had tried. Tricksters like Lyney had tried. Even Xiao had poked him once, accidently of course. But no matter who, the Traveler had never cracked a laugh. Instead, he had snorted or blinked, or rolled his eyes, before he took revenge. Now, it wasn’t like he didn’t laugh at all, that would be a lie.
It was just that it wasn’t through tickling, an action he himself loved to deliver onto others a lot. So, it didn't take long that a group of brave individuals had formed, all in alliance to test out if these rumors were true and to pay him back with his own medicine.
They all had once or repeatedly being involved in tickly happenings with him - only on the receiving end of course. Preparations had been made, techniques and plans discussed and detailly planned. A certain flying partner bribed with sweets... all was ready and today was their final gambit…
...
Aether stepped through the grassy field of his teapot, two hands covering his eyes from behind, as Bennett guided him to their destination. "Are we there already?" the blonde asked, curious what the other had planned.
"Hehe, we're almost there, be careful you don't trip~" "Shouldn't it be you that should be careful?" he teased back and Bennett gave him sly smile. "Oh don't worry about me." You should rather worry about yourself, he finished in his mind. They walked for another minute or so before Aether was suddenly pushed forward. "Ups… my bad~"
But rather than falling to the ground, he was caught by two pairs of arms that guided him to the ground. "WhoHh... h-hey what the-" Puzzled, Aether opened his eyes, blinded by the sun at first, before he felt more hands on his body, gently but firmly pressing him into the grass.
He blinked a few times and then he saw them: The ones that caught him in their arms turned out to be Gaming and Gorou who were grinning down at him. "Hello Traveler~" "We haven't seen each other in a while, it’s good to see you friend~" Raising his head a bit, he could also see Ororon and Freminet who were kneeling by his sides. "Surprise Grandpa~" "...H-Hi..." Lastly, there were also Wanderer and Razor, who were seated by his feet. "Hello..." "Traveler, friend, Razor happy to see you~" Bennett stood before him, arms crossed and a huge grin on his face. "Traveler, I'm happy that you decided to join us today for our little gathering~" he announced, before he sat down, straddling him as he sat onto his chest.
"E-Everyone, what's the big plan?" Aether stuttered, feeling a wave of nervousness and excitement rising inside him. As happy as he was to see his friends, they were looking at him with these impish smiles that didn't bode well. "You will see in a second~" was all Bennett said before he and the others glanced at each other, nodding.
"Don't worry, it will be funny..." Gaming reassured him, leaning his head above his "...at least for some of us~" he added with a wink and before Aether could've had a chance to ask what he meant, he already felt how his boots were tugged off and discharged on the ground and then it dawned on him: They were going to tickle him!
Panic rose in him and he began to squirm. "W-Wait, guys, y-y-you don't have too- pffFtft noHOho waHAhit!" he broke midsentence as fourteen hands began to wiggle, slid, and scratch over him, seeming to explore every inch of his body. His mouth opened and light giggles were bubbling out of him that got louder and stronger with each passing second.
"He's already giggling, guess the rumors weren't true after all..." Gorou commented, amused, holding one arm up so that he could wiggle his fingers into the blonde's bare armpit, his tail wagging excitingly. Gaming did the same on the other side, both tickling the sensitive spot in sweeping motions. Freminet looked delighted. “So he’s… really ticklish?” he asked innocently.
"*Sigh* What a letdown and here I thought breaking him would take longer..." Wanderer comment, almost seeming disappointed, as he stretched his foot with one hand while sliding his fingers from his heel up the arch and to the toes with the other. The action made Aether's sole twitch, but the dark-haired had a strong grip, making escaping impossible.
"HaAhahhah noHoHohoo g-guHuhuys n-noHoot thHEhehre!" "Where grandpa, you have to be specific. Does it tickle here?" Ororon asked all innocently, squeezing his hip. "Or does it tickle, here?" he added, squeezing his knee this time.
"Yeah, "Grandpa" tell us where it tickles, hehe~" Bennett teased, as he wiggled both hands into his sides, pressing them in-between the blonde's ribs. He was surprised that Aether had cracked so quickly, but it only benefited him and the others. In made the whole situation even better and made their actual plan - to get him back - already a huge success.
"Ahhahahaha I- ehEhehHEeh I caHahahn't!" Aether squealed, not able to concentrate what the others were saying. The ticklish feeling all over his body was almost unbearable and yet he didn't really hate it, strange as it was. "AHAHhAHAHAh heEHEHhHEhe s-stoHohop iIHit!"
He had always been very ticklish, but could easily hide his sensitivity when only one spot got tickled - like in the many tickle fights he had in the past, with - ironically - all of them and many, many more. Though, only his sister and Paimon knew how ticklish he really was, well up till now at least.
He swatted weakly at each attacker though not truly resisting. Eventually, he tried pivoting to wrestle back but he wasn’t just strong enough to go solo against them. “UhUhuhnfair! This is ehHEheheh… goHohood strategy but unfair! AHHahAhah!” he gasped between laughs.
"Razor likes Traveler's laugh. I want to hear more of it," the grey-haired commented, eagerly scratching his toes. "You have to do it more gently, here do it like me," Wanderer guided him and Razor watched how he did it, copying his technique. His fingers got slower and he gently wiggled under his heel, making his laughter high-pitched.
"WHahh thank you Hat Guy, Razor is happy to find a new tickle buddy~" "Hnng, I'm NOT your- arhgh this is your fault," Wanderer cursed and clawed his fingers in-between Aether's toes. "HAHAHAHAh whAhhHy is thhHis m-myhYhy fauHualt?!" "Just because..." Wanderer said, pulling his hat a bit into his face to hide his blush.
Freminet, who hadn't joined the verbal teasing yet, only squeezing gently at his knee, which felt more like a massage, but didn't matter much with more than twenty fingers there to help out, then said, "...But Razor is right... I mean," he hesitated, "he does have a cute laugh... I can't wait to tell Lyney and Lynette about it~" he mumbled, blushing as well.
"AhHahahah doOHon't you daHaahhre!" "Oh don't worry about it," Gaming said, scathing his fingers under his chin, before leaning down, "we'll make sure that tomorrow allll of Teyvat will know about it," he whispered into his ear, before blowing hot air into it, making the other squeal. "HnnHGng waHAhahAhhHh~"
"Hehehe don't be too mean to him, or you'll regret it later on..." Gorou commented. "After today, I'm sure we don't have to worry about it too much, right, Mr. I'm-Ticklish-Everywhere~" Bennett teased as he slid one hand down his chest, gliding over his bare stomach and right into his belly button.
"AHAHAHAHAH OHOHO MYMY AHHAHAHRCHOHOHN! I- AHAHAH I HAHAHTE YOHOHOU!" Aether laughed as he sucked in his stomach in hope to ease the ticklish feeling. But he quickly realized that it only made things worse for him. All Bennett had to do was waiting for him to breath in some air and voilà, there he was, playing right back into his waiting hands.
Tears of mirth were streaming down his flustered face. He felt hot, his head felt light and fuzzy, as if he had drunken a bit too much after an evening with Venti and the sensations were driving him crazy.
"We know you don't, but I guess we got what we wanted, right guys?" Gaming said. "We sure did, but I guess another minute wouldn't hurt," Bennett teased. Aether managed to eke out a breath, still pinned across multiple angles. “DoHohon’t- I’m head spinning!” he protested breathily, though the oranges in his cheeks gave him away.
“Because … I’m so good? Is that it?” the white-haired teased again and Aether made a mental note that he would be the first to feel his "wrath". Gaming leaned in. “We don't want to kill him here, ten more seconds is enough,” he suggested, all while he continued to wiggle his fingers against his neck this time, making the blonde lean against them.
The action made Aether flinch. They all laughed, while he continued giggling. The last ten seconds felt like an eternity and the fact that all of them - even Wanderer - counted them down, didn't make it easier. "...2...1... Time's Up!" One by one they stopped the tickling and finally released him.
Aether lied there, blinking, his chest heaving, his uniform totally messed up and his entire body prickling. He slowly sat upright, his knees to his chest and looked at each of them. He rubbed his face, breath catching in his throat. He didn’t glare, no he… just smiled. "You all … tricked me," he exhaled, "I should’ve known..."
However, in the final hush, Aether said softly, in honest affection: "...Thank you. Truly. For getting me-" Bennett tapped his foot. "For getting you to laugh at last by us tickling the hell out of you? You’re welcome~" Gorou wagged his tail, his eyes sparkling. "Now we know." Razor nodded. "You’re a strong friend, but a ticklish friend too~" Wanderer just crossed his arms and gave him a smirk, visibly satisfied. Freminet, tucking a strand of hair behind his ear, added, "You gave us the best laughter we could ask for, Aether. T-Thank you…" "You’re still cool Grandpa, even if you’re super ticklish," Ororon simply said, content.
Aether hugged his legs, pulling them even closer and hide his face in them, cheeks lingering red. He dared one look around. Their grins were still there - kindness, playfulness and affection pouring from their eyes.
What sign was this? That after countless adventures, explorations, heartbreak and heroism they could still get him laughing? Still bring out the giggle he never thought they’d witness, at least not in a way like that? He closed his eyes briefly, savoring the moment. Then he leaned over lightly and swiped a finger at Bennett’s side.
“Stupid rabbit.” Bennett yelped and a spiderweb of laughter sparked again. “For archons sake, was it worth it?” he mumbled. They all laughed again. They’d witnessed the myth fall and best of all? The Traveler, humbled at last and fully human.
Soon after, among Teyvat’s rumors, a new one would spread like lightning: The Traveler can be tickled! And only after a proper plan of all-star ticklers.
