Author's Note: Heya @lilaccfeathers! I was your secret santa this year, I saw the Spelldrive Trio™️ as one of your pairings and immediately jumped at the opportunity, I absolutely love getting to write for these three and I had a lot of fun! I also tried out a new way of shifting perspectives as well, and I think it turned out pretty ok all things considered.^^` I really hope you enjoy the fic, happy holidays! 💖 @squealing-santa
Summary: Leona oversleeps again at a Spelldrive training camp, as per usual, and Ruggie uses the opportunity to drag a certain apple loving freshman into trouble with him! Leona doesn't appreciate this very much.
Wordcount: 927
~~~
"Uh, Ruggie-san? Are ya- err, are you certain this is a good idea?"
Epel couldn't help but to question his upperclassman, a hesitant frown of skepticism on his face as they both hovered over their sleeping Spelldrive Captain, who remained blissfully unaware of their presence for the time being.
When Ruggie had first come to him during training camp suggesting they mess with Leona the next morning, he couldn't deny that he'd been more than a little... Hesitant...
As much as he preferred Leona to Vil most of the time, that wasn't to say he was stupid enough to think that his Spelldrive Captain couldn't be just as, if not more temperamental than his own dorm leader at times.
He could actually be pretty scary too in his own right, just not in quite the same way...
Where Vil could most accurately be compared to an icy blizzard when he was mad, Leona was more akin to a raging flame of quiet anger. It would hardly be considered wise to test his patience... The last thing Epel would ever want to do would be to intentionally incite that blazing wrath upon himself.
Ruggie hardly seemed to share in these reservations, however...
"Aawww, don't tell me you're chickening out on me now? What's wrong, you scared? Shyehehe..." the second year taunted him, not seeming the least bit nervous over the potential consequences his little scheme might result in.
Either he was incredibly brave, or extremely stupid... Maybe both.
Why he'd even come up with this idea to begin with Epel had no idea. All he knew was that he'd been remarkably persistent in his efforts to get him to participate, and it was only after a significant amount of taunting and bothering that he agreed.
Sitting here now though, crouching in their shared tent at training camp, while actively planning to tickle their literal apex predator of a captain awake? He was really beginning to question whether he'd made the right decision...
He almost found himself tempted to back out, only to end up caving again anyway when Ruggie began to cluck at him teasingly, an embarrassed flush rising to his cheeks as he whipped his head up to glare at him.
"Ok ok! Fine!!" He growled out, taking a swat at his snickering upperclassman that he unfortunately managed to dodge.
"Ugh! J-Just shut up will ya?! I ain't no chicken!!" He huffed. No one accused Epel Felmier of being a coward, and he never backed down from a challenge!
With this thought in mind, he firmly pushed aside the quiet voice in his head suggesting this was all a terrible idea... After all, what was the worse that could happen? Leona surely wouldn't be mad enough to actually hurt them right?
Probably...
~~
"Mmmggh..." Leona grumbled in his sleep, twitching a little at the annoying tingling feeling that disturbed his peaceful slumber.
It was still pretty early in the morning by his standards, and he'd been hoping to catch atleast a few more hours sleep before he'd inevitably be dragged out of bed by Ruggie or some other annoying juniors to run Spelldrive drills. It seemed that would not be the case, however.
As his mind reluctantly began to shift towards wakefulness, his body too became more aware, and it suddenly became a lot more apparent what had disturbed him to begin with...
"Wha?! Whahaha?!" He growled out a startled involuntary laugh as he blearily opened his eyes, and there hovering over him were Ruggie, because of course it would be him, and a little more surprisingly, Epel, the only somewhat tolerable person that dwelt within Pomefiore's halls.
"Wakey wakey Leona!" Ruggie snickered, sounding far too cheerful and mischievous this early in the morning, his grubby little hands squeezing up and down his sides, causing him to laugh against his will while Epel was a lot more unsure about it as he scribbled along the underside of one of his knees.
"Wahaha?! You lihihittle-?!" No doubt he'd been dragged into this little scheme by Ruggie, that much he was certain of, but that little fact was hardly going to earn him any kind of lenience, oh definitely not. As far as Leona was concerned?
They were both dead!
~~
In retrospect, Epel really should've listened to the voice in his head. This had, in fact, been a terrible idea from the beginning.
One minute, he'd been sitting next to his captain's knees and only just starting to get into the fun of tickling him when he heard his raucous laughter, and the next?
He found himself being roughly tugged off balance by one arm. Not by Leona, but by Ruggie, whom much to his insult and dismay was already darting out the tent flap after shoving him on top of their already ticked off upperclassman like some sort of human sacrifice.
"Thanks for being a good decoy Epel, have fun! Shyehehe!" He teased, turning tail completely and rezipping the tent, quite literally sealing poor Epel's fate just as Leona began to recover from the bony elbow that had struck him in the gut.
Oh no...
Epel laughed a little nervously as he scrambled to sit upright, bringing his hands up placatingly as he began to back away from the furious lion.
"W-Wait just a- aaAAH!! Aahahaha nohohOHO!! Leona-sahahahaan I'm sohohohorryyehe!!" As Leona finally pounced on him, and his own frantic laughter bega to fill the tent instead, he made a vow to himself right then and there;
2 fics in one day?? That’s character development imo! Btw can you try making Lee!Yuu and ler w/ any of the freshman boys? Or better yet! A full-on first year tickle fight!
you got it! Also so sorry this took so long, I got sick and then a bunch of other stuff started happening 😭
Lee! Yuu and Ler! The first years
Yuu was studying with the boys, Jack had offered them to come (he insisted it was just because team effort is better then being alone).
Ace and Deuce were poking and arguing with one another, Sebek for a rare moment was quiet, Epel was carving a apple instead of his work.
Ramshackle was quiet for once, Grim was out with Cater trying new trending food places. Jack leaned over and stretched "Man, sometimes I hate homework."
"HOMEWORK IS A IMPORTANT METHOD OF STUDY AND LEARNING WITHIN THE BUILDING!"
"The yellin' ain't needed, Sebek."
Epel sighed, setting his apple down to circle an answer on his work. Ace gave Deuce shoulder a firm push.
"I haaaaaaaate thiiiiiiiis. Can we just go get some food instead? I rather be with Cater and try those new diners."
Deuce immediately grabbed his wrist, earning a eyebrow raise from Yuu.
"Ace, we gotta study! Or else we will fail classes and struggle and-"
Yuu gave a exhausted sigh. Sometimes they wush students wouldn't act like toddlers. They already stopped five Overblots and even with the first years a break was a luxury Yuu didn't have.
They stared at their paper, wondering if it was a suitable bed to just go to sleep. Jack seemed to notice the slump shoulders and the bags under their eyes.
Hes seen it a lot with Ruggie or even his father. His ears lowered, trying to think of a way to help, hos eyes traiked to the others. Sebek was yelling at Ace for trying to cheat off Deuce, who was concerned by Epel using a blade.
Jack sighed. "Guys. Shut up for a second, Yuu looks tensed and I feel bad for them."
He whispered, making sure Yuu didn't hear, they were too far on the couch and too tired to care. Epel covered Sebek mouth to shut up.
"Awe? The big bad wolf cares?" Ace teased, earning a sharp growl from Jack.
"I have noticed that, actually.. Yuu said they were fine. But they've been so stressed lately handling everything."
Deuce frowned, felling guilty for not helping his friend earlier but he wasn't sure entirely what to do.
"IT WOULD HELP IF HEADMAGE CROWLY WASN'T A USELESS PILE OF FETHERS AND ARROGANCE AND ACTUALLY DO HIS JOB INSTEAD OF DROPPING IT ONTO A CHILD!"
Debek snarled, gripping the table it creaked in pain. Everyone stared at him.
"Ya.. ya good, Sebek..?" Epel raised a brow.
"Yes, why would I not be?" Sebek answered in confusion. Jack just shook him head.
"Lets just go.."
Yuu seemed to snap out of their tired state and saw Jack suddenly sitting beside them. "Er.. hi..?"
Jack gave a nod.
"Can... I help you?" Yuu muttered.
"Uh.. I... ahem. Yes, yes you can, uhm... can I have your hands? Just a test thing." Jack asked, Yuu gave a confused look, they shrugged and held their hands in Jack's. The wolf turned his hand and held Yuu's wrist with ine hand and held them up.
"What... are you doing-"
Yuu was cut off by a loud declaration- "YUU ATTACK!"
From Ace, Yuu suddenly found themselves tackled to the floor. Jack felt bad and let go so he wouldn't hurt their arms, he reached down and gripped their elbows and pulled them up on the side of the couch.
Ace gleefully dug into Yuu' sides, his fingers slipping under their hoodie to their ribs. Deuce was much more gentle, but more nervous tben anything, he lifted their shirt and attacked their belly.
Sebek sat on their legs, not only was he heavy, but he's delt with two older siblings, he just smirked as Epel attacked Yuu' soles. Sebek squeezed their knees, which were surprisingly ticklish.
Yuu shrieked at the attack, bucking and struggling "GYhayahYahahaA! HaahHahha- wwhah- what the hehehehell-! Ahahaha!"
They cackled, letting out a squeal as Jack hand traiked to their neck and underarms. "Sorry, we noticed you were tense and we wished to help you relax for once. Ace said this was the best option."
Jack explained, but he found Yuu' face amusing.
"Lol, its not the BEST option, Im just an asshole~" Ace smirked, digging into Yuu' hip bones.
Deuce sighed "That seems roght for you."
"GyHYhaahaha ahaaha ahaha HaahHa! NHahoHo- ahHa! AahaaHHA, I ahahhHATE all of yohou!"
Yuu snorted, squirming on the floor. They bucked harsher when Epel targeted their toes.
"Ohoho! You got some strength, Yuu! We coukd wrestl sometime!" Epel teased, scribbling over Yuu's foot, yearning a loud shriek.
Sebek grunted, but held Yuu steady, he smirked back at them "KEEP TRYING. HUMAN! I HAVE HELD DOWN STRONGER THEN THIS!"
"Sus."
Ace snickered, earing a harsh hit from Deuce.
Sebek scoffed and reached down to held Eoel attack Yuu' other foot. Jack scratched Yuu' neck, making their shoulders hunch.
"YhGHhahahaA! Hhahaha ahaha! HHGYyhyhaah! CuhUHUT IT OHOHOHOUT!"
Yuu curled up, ir as much as they could. Deuce was worried they were hurt and kept freezing, only a glare from Ace made him dare to poke again.
Eventually Jack let go and got everyone to back off, Sebek immediately ran to the kitchen and came back with some water for them.
"I... I am so getting you all for this..." yuu sigges, taking a sip of the cool water. The ice soothing their sore throat.
"Yeah, yeah, you hade fun! Admit it!" Epel smirked, crossing his arms.
"How do you feel? Any better? Did we go to far at all, I can call the school nurse and-" Deuce cut off as Ace put a hand over his mouth.
Yuu couldn't help but smile "I'm alright, Deuce. Don't worry."
"Good. Can't have the only sane one here losing it." Jack smiled, his tail wagging behind him.
"I AM GLAD YOU ARE OKAY, HUMAN. I ENJOYED THIS WEIRD ACTIVITY."
HI JAI! I HOPE YOU'RE HAVING A WONDERFUL DAY/NIGHT
I COME HERE TO HUMBLY MAKE A REQUEST
My Riddle obsession keeps getting worse by the day, and it's been a while since I've seen AppleTart content so I'd like to request that pairing.
Feel free to write whatever you want with them, but I will include an idea just in case. I feel like they both would get weirdly competitive when it comes to tickle fights and end up taking it more seriously than what actually is lolol
Take all the time you need and no pressure to write this💖💖💖💖
A Matter of Time
Appletart/Riddle x Epel (TWST)
a/n: EEEKK THANK YOU SAKURA!! I WAS SO HAPPY WHEN I GOT THIS because i love appletart so much!!! i had a lot of fun writing this!!!! i made it romantic cuz they r my fav so i hope you dont mind… anyway,, enjoy !!
summary: being with epel makes riddle feel lighter.
word count: 1.8k words
warnings: tickle fic and theres a bit of angst at the beginning 😭😭 not proofread so may be mistakes/typos
——
Recovery is a long process. Riddle knows this, especially now more than ever, when it’s been months since his overblot and he doesn’t feel any better than the day it happened. His finger twitches. It’s wrong. It’s all wrong.
His throat is dry, but he ran out of the only tea he can drink past 7pm. He sees freshmen with their ties messily tied together, and even though he reminds them, he doesn’t know for sure if it was done. Whenever he sees something wrong, his first instinct is to behead him, but then he remembers he wants to change, and feels guilty afterwards.
Everything is all wrong. And he’s just meant to be okay with it. It’s too much. He wonders if he will feel like this forever. He’s standing in the hallway and it’s dark. He is shocked that no one has come this way yet, or maybe he hasn’t been standing there as long as it feels like he has, but either way, he knows he needs to move soon. He doesn’t want anyone to catch him like this.
Just as he is about to take his meltdown into the safety of his own bedroom, a voice stops him. A voice all too familiar to him and almost immediately sends a wave of comfort through him. “Riddle?”
“Epel…” Riddle says in a low exhale.
Epel looks worried for him. He does, sometimes, when Riddle gets like this. Riddle doesn’t usually let it get this bad in front of anyone though.
“Are you okay?” Epel asks with hesitance in his voice.
Riddle wants to look away, a bit shameful. He knows how he looks, beads of sweat on his forehead, panicked, and to be frank, downright pathetic. But it’s Epel, so he doesn’t.
“I…” He doesn’t know what to say. What can he say?
Epel walks closer to him. “I’m not real good with my words, but I know you’re having a bad time right now.. S-so.. I’ll be h– no, want to be here for you!” Epel holds his hands, and Riddle lets him. Even if Riddle doesn’t say it, he loves Epel’s touch.
He sighs, long and hard, and leans against Epel, resting his head on his shoulder.
“I just… wonder when things will get better.” Riddle mumbles, his voice defeated and shaky.
“I know, I know. Let’s get to your room first. alright?” Epel starts walking, his hand clasped tightly with Riddle’s. Riddle follows, and when they get to his room, he’s utterly exhausted.
“Eh… do you want to talk about it?” Epel asks, and Riddle contemplates for a moment, before shaking his head.
“Not.. not today,” He mutters, slowly.
“That’s okay,” Epel smiles, softly. “Is there anything I can help with..?”
“... A hug might be nice,” Riddle admits, slightly flushed. Epel wastes no time, pouncing on him and wrapping him in a tight hug. Riddle smiles against his will at the sheer force.
“See, all ya had to do was ask!”
“I didn’t ask for you to jump on me,” Riddle says, pretending to be angry.
“Like you mind it,” Epel laughs, and Riddle rolls his eyes, already feeling his mood lightening up. Epel really was special to him. They stay like that for a while, in each other’s arms, until Riddle feels like he’s finally calmed down.
“Thank you.. It really means a lot to me.”
“You don’t hafta thank me..” Epel averts his eyes. Riddle chuckles at him.
“Of course I do. I give credits when they are warranted. You’ve always done so much for me.” Riddle says, a bit firmer this time. Epel buries his head in Riddle's chest, hiding the flush of cheeks. He is always so shy about showing how much Riddle’s words affect him (even though, he basks on it when it’s the other way around).
“Oh stop it, I just wanna be there for you, ya know?” His voice is mumbled, but Riddle can understand him clearly.
“You always are. It really…” Riddle blushes a bit, feeling a bit awkward. “It really means more to me than you could ever know.”
A beat of silence, the..
“Ghk!” Riddle feels a twinge at his sides. He looks down to see Epel’s fingers had wrapped around his sides and… him!
“W-wait! No–” Riddle frantically tries to get from underneath Epel, but it’s too late. “Gahaha! Stohop it!” He laughs when Epel’s squeezes become more firm.
“Hm? I’m not doin’ anything…” Epel tilts his head, finally looking up at his boyfriend.
“Dohohon’t ahahact cohohoy!”
There’s three reasons why Epel does this. The first one is because he likes hearing Riddle laugh. The second is that he almost always tickles him when he gets flustered because it distracts Riddle from his blushing face. Riddle picked up on this right away, but if he points it out, Epel goes to tickle him again. The third reason, and most important reason Epel tickles him, is because he knows Riddle won’t get him back. Riddle has never tickled him before. It’s not that he doesn’t want to, but whenever he tries, he hesitates and flusters, and by then, Epel has already picked up on what he is trying to do. Epel who is much less shy about tickling someone than he is.
But today… As another squeeze to his sides makes him bark out a laugh, he decides he will change this!
“Nohoho, Epehehel!”
“Hm? Sorry, I don’t get it..” Epel replies, cheekily.
“Thahahat’s ihhihit!” Riddle says, as his hands reach towards Epel’s sides and he tickles him. He doesn’t know where this newfound confidence came from, but he is not going to waste it.
Epel’s eyes widen, completely caught off guard as he falters. Still, he’s clearly determined because he doesn’t release his tickling hands from Riddle.
“W-whahat?!” He cries, as he moves to change spots, one he knows is a bit more effective.
“Nohoho!” Riddle laughs, when Epel’s hands meet his hips. He twists and turns, already wondering if this was a bad idea, but no! What is he doing? Riddle Rosehearts can’t give up so easily.
Epel may have the advantage, but Riddle will take it from him. Epel’s sides are bad, but they can’t be that bad if he’s still able to tickle Riddle in this position. Fortunately, his underarms are exposed as he reaches over Riddle, so Riddle takes the chance to scribble underneath his arms.
“No– Rihihihiddle!” Epel clamps his arms down, but that makes his hands on Riddle’s hips less coordinated and therefore, less effective. It was the chance Riddle had been waiting for as he pushed Epel so that he was laying flat on the bed. Epel put his knees up, trying to protect himself and accidentally letting go of his hands on Riddle. “Wahahit!”
Riddle maneuvers around Epel’s panicking body and he laughs, feeling very amused. His mind is a lot clearer when he’s not being tickled to pieces, but the adrenaline is still high. He continues tickling Epel’s underarms and occasionally prods at his ribs.
Epel is laughing hard, unsure what to do with himself, but he’s reaching towards Riddle, trying to get back the upperhand.
“Can’t handle what you dish out?” A part of him feels he might think back later and die of embarrassment for taking a tickle fight so seriously, but the rest of him is on top of the world right now. He isn’t going to lose!
… Or so he thinks, until Epel uses the same trick on him as Riddle had earlier. Epel starts to tickle his armpits and Riddle has to fight with all his might to resist it. “Y-you hahaha have t-to try hahaharder than that!” Riddle exclaims.
“Dohohon’t wohohorry ahahabout that!” Epel replies, his voice shaky with laughter. When Riddle is momentarily distracted, Epel’s hand reaches towards Riddle’s tummy, scratching at it. Riddle had forgotten that he had practically left his stomach out in the open and well, of course he had to be so sensitive there.
“Nononohoho!” Riddle squeaks, embarrassingly enough. Epel reaches over, scribbling along his tummy while Riddle still has his hands tickling underneath Epel’s arms.
“I wohohon’t let you wihihin!” Riddle hears that and suddenly, there's nothing he desires more than to win.
“T-thahahat’s whahahat you t-thihihink!” Epel has managed to sit up a bit, which actually helps because Riddle has more access to his neck and ears. Epel’s nose scrunches, clamping his neck down, but it traps Riddle’s hands in, so he keeps tickling him.
The spot is much more effective, but Riddle feels his stamina starting to drain, so he needs to figure out something soon or else he really will lose again.
He doesn’t exactly know why, but suddenly a particular thought pops into his head. He doesn’t like to think about his childhood often, but his happiest moments were whenever he was with Trey and Chenya. One particular hangout was the first time he had been introduced to tickling. Of course, he understood the concept but he never actually experienced it himself. However, in this hangout, he had gotten tickled and there was one thing that was especially sensitive to him. It was.. worth a shot.
“Gahahaha!” Epel cried, flailing and shaking his head from side to side. His attempts at tickling Riddle were already diminishing.
He leaned over Epel again, because clearly his neck was sensitive enough to weaken him, and when Epel was on his back, he moved his hands from Epel’s neck to his hips, noting it as one of the spots he hadn’t tried yet.
Then… he blew a raspberry onto Epel’s tummy. Flustering himself at the thought, but pushing his embarrassment away.
“ACK- A-ahaha! NOHO!” Epel shrieked, his face red and overwhelmed as he bucked his hips. Riddle had officially gained the upper hand and this time, he was sure he would keep it. He blew another raspberry, receiving the same exact reaction.
“R-RIHIHIDDLE! W-wahahait!”
“I think I’m going to win this one,” Riddle says, peering at Epel’s laughing face. It was really cute. Riddle loved Epel’s laugh just as much as Epel loved his.
A few raspberries later, Epel finally pleaded for mercy and Riddle stopped, moving to kiss his lover on the cheek. Epel was exhausted, likely even more than he was.
But, Riddle had been tickled like this by him all too many times so he figured that he deserved it.
“I win.”
Epel sighs, then groans in embarrassment. He covers his face and turns away. “Yeah, yeah… you got me real good… I never thought you’d actually get me back….”
“It was only a matter of time…”
Epel groans again. Then, he seems to have some kind of resolve because he whips his head around. “Fine! But next time, you’re in for it!”
Riddle smiles, feeling much lighter than he was minutes ago. He loved being with Epel’s presence more than anything.
Even if he gets embarrassed, he decides he wouldn’t mind this scenario happening more often.. Riddle leans down on the bed next to Epel, and Epel turns, his face red, but then he moves closer to the other. Riddle leans into the touch.
a/n: GOSSHHHH TITLES THE BANE OF MY EXISTENCE…. erm. BUT i always really liked this ship (it was my fav before i started really liking azul) so let me be self-indulgent and write a little something for these two,,,, also i really hope that i got them in character(?) maybe i made them a bit too affectionate IDKKK its my fic anyway so ermmmm…. ALSOO JAI STOP USING “…” A MILLION TIMES IN FICS CHALLENGE GO but either way, ENJOY <33
summary: epel sees riddle’s genuine smile and laughter and doesn’t know what to do with himself.
word count: 2.1k
warnings: contains tickling
——
“Aw, that’s real cute,” Epel cooed, kneeling, when the small hedgehog nibbled happily on its meal. Riddle gave another hedgehog their food, as it responded the same way.
“They are quite adorable, aren’t they?” Riddle agreed. Epel made the mistake of looking at him because on the other’s face was a smile so full of fondness and joy, it was hard to imagine it was Riddle who donned it.
“Y-yeah, thanks for inviting me.” Epel said, a bit caught off-guard. He tried focusing his attention on the little hedgehogs in front of him when he heard shuffling beside him. He turned his head, seeing a few of the hedgehogs crawling on top of Riddle, who fell back on the grass as more crawled over to him.
“H-hey, that tickles!” Riddle cried, and then Epel heard it. Riddle was giggling. The legs of the hedgehogs scurried all over his body, going every which way, so it tickling.. did make sense. But it was just so weird to see Riddle giggling! Epel hadn’t even realized he was staring until Riddle had gotten all the hedgehogs off, no longer laughing but a bright grin on his face. It shifted to confusion when he looked at Epel.
“Epel?” He asked, looking a little concerned. Epel flinched, and he tried as hard as he could to will a blush from rising to his cheeks. He wasn’t sure how successful it worked out, though.
“Yeah, sorry! You– I mean, the hedgehogs were really cute!” Epel croaked. Really, what was with him today? So what if he liked the guy.. just a tiny-bit. Getting all tongue-tied and all? That was not like him at all.
Riddle looked doubtful, but didn’t push. The entire time they were with the hedgehogs, Epel couldn’t stop thinking about how cute Riddle was, smiling and laughing like that. Urghhh….
—-
Epel.. kinda started craving seeing Riddle like that again. He had to admit he started going a bit overboard, but he couldn’t help it! Riddle was ticklish and it was cute!
One time, Epel found the housewarden in the library, looking quite focused on his book.
“Hey, Riddle.” Epel smiled from behind the other, poking him in the side to greet him.
“Hah!” Riddle jumped and giggled, but before he could question it, Epel would change the subject.
Another time, he was with Riddle, who was trying to reach a jar on the shelf in the cafeteria kitchen. Epel was just as short as he was, so he couldn’t really be much help.
“Gah! Epel!” Riddle screeched, his arms clamping down when the freshman scribbled his fingers underneath his armpit.
“Heh, sorry. Thought there was a bug.” Epel explained. Riddle narrowed his eyes at him, suspicious, but stayed silent. They ended up retrieving the jar after finding a ladder in the corner of the room. This time, Riddle made sure Epel was far, far away before reaching for it again.
The next time, they were sitting on the couch in the Heartslabyul lobby together after Epel had asked Riddle to tutor him on a subject he had been struggling with. He knew Riddle had developed a soft spot for him because he had agreed instantly, despite the fact that they were from different dorms. He would by lying if he hadn’t been developing a soft spot for him either.. maybe even more than that. Romance wasn’t his thing, though, and Riddle wouldn’t like some apple farmer from the middle of nowhere, so he took any chance he could get to be close to the other.
Riddle was teaching him how to solve a question and Epel was.. well, he was bored. He knew he asked for this, but he had never been the learning type! Could you blame him?
He squeezed Riddle’s side, casually.
“And so you– Hck!” Riddle gasped, covering his side with his hand. Epel waited for Riddle to say something. He had been doing this quite a bit, he knew that, and Riddle clearly knew something was up, but he never asked. It was strange, especially with how confrontational the housewarden tended to be.
This time was no different. He stared at Epel, a light blush on his face, before he sighed. It was slow and long, and it even made Epel a bit nervous, until Riddle looked back at the textbook, explaining the concepts like nothing had happened.
Well, whatever. He supposed he should get serious now and he picked up his pen.
Thirty minutes later, they actually managed to get a lot done, which he sort-of expected, seeing as Riddle was his tutor.
“Lastly, I had one last thing I wanted to ask you,” Riddle started, and Epel hummed.
“What is it?”
“Is there any reason you have been particularly interested in tickling me?” Epel’s eyes widened at that and Riddle looked like he was trying hard to be tough, but still radiated nervousness.
“Ah, so you did notice.”
“Do you take me for a fool?” Riddle deadpanned and Epel shook his head.
“Of course not! I was just wondering when you would say something.” Riddle raised a brow.
“And why is that?” There. The question Epel had been waiting for. But, now that he said it, should he really go through with it? It took him exactly one second to decide that yes, he absolutely should.
“So that I can do this!” Epel jumped, reaching over to Riddle’s sides with both hands and squeezing. Riddle’s hands were grasping his wrists in an instant, trying to push him away out of reflex, but perhaps Epel’s determination had strengthened him.
The blush on Riddle’s face bloomed into a deep red as he bit his lip, clearly trying to conceal his giggles. Epel’s grin turned mischievous and he started kneading his fingers along Riddle’s sides and hips.
“E-ehehepel..!” Riddle spit out, as his back met the back of the couch.
“Yeah?”
“S-stop this ahahat ohonce!” He cried, squirming. Epel smiled at that, pretending to think.
“No, it’s not everyday I get to see you smile! Let me cherish it for a little longer, yeah?” Epel traveled over different areas over Riddle’s body, internally noting down what spots were particularly sensitive and what wasn’t.
He got comfortable and relaxed a bit while tickling him because there was no way Riddle would do anything childish like tickle someone.
That was his first mistake because apparently Riddle’s thighs were not really that ticklish at all and by the time that Epel discovered that, the housewarden had already grabbed ahold of his wrists, with a smile on his face but no longer laughing.
“O-oh.”
“Oh, indeed.” Riddle doesn’t seem upset, Epel thought to himself. He would hate it if he actually made him uncomfortable but he had seen what Riddle looked like when he was angry, though he hadn’t been at the receiving end of it. He sighed. His fun was over, he supposed, but maybe he could find ways to tickle him in the future. He doubted Riddle would let his guard down so easily again…
He looked back at Riddle who was– wait, what was with that smirk on his face?!
Epel’s eyes widened when Riddle began tickling… him…! Having not expected it, he burst into giggles instantly.
“W-wahahait, Rihihihiddle!” He cried, as he tried to curl in on himself. How could he have let this happen?!
“Ah, so you are ticklish. With how confident you were in tickling me, I wouldn’t have thought,” Riddle chuckled, and who was this guy?! Riddle Rosehearts– his crush, mind you–was tickling Epel?
Epel thought his heart was going to absolutely explode. Epel had always cursed his ticklishness. Tickling was cute and he wanted to be the opposite of that. He only did it to Riddle because he thought that he wouldn’t retaliate. Clearly, he was wrong.
“Ack! Nohoho!” Epel giggled, his face heating up. He couldn’t have even stopped his blush if he tried, too distracted by Riddle’s fingers poking and prodding at his sensitive stomach.
“Did you think I wouldn’t retaliate?” Riddle asked, looking very, very smug. Though, who wouldn’t be in his situation. Riddle continued to scribble his fingers over his tummy and belly button, painfully slow and calculated.
Epel, too caught up in laughter, couldn’t form a proper response to that. He tried pushing at Riddle’s hands, but just like him, RIddle seemed determined. “Rihihihiddle!”
“What’s the matter?” Riddle replied, his fingers now gliding along Epel’s ribs.
“Plehehehase! Mehehehercy!” Epel shouted, feeling tingles all over his body and starting to become a bit overwhelmed. Luckily, Riddle did, in fact, relinquish his attack, allowing Epel a chance to breathe.
“Are you alright?” Riddle asked him, scooting a bit farther to give him space.
“Gah, you got me real good, huh? Wasn’t expectin’ that at all…” Epel said, when he felt he could finally breathe normally. Epel wasn’t tickled often. His folks back home still tickled him from time to time, but since going to Night Raven College, it had decreased. Of course, Vil would poke him in the side to jolt him awake and Rook was, well, being Rook, but despite that, it didn’t happen too much. Not like this. Despite that, he found himself not minding it as much as he thought he would have.
“You started it,” Was all Riddle said in response, as he picked up his cup of tea from the table and took a sip. Such a petty response coming from him. Epel decided that seeing this side of Riddle was really fun.
“You just looked so cute smilin’ and laughin’ like that. Wanted to see it more.” At that, Riddle froze, looking at Epel almost like he grew a second head.
“Cute?” Ah, shit. Epel didn’t mean to say that out loud. Well, too late to pretend like it didn’t happen.
“Yeah,” he admitted, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible. “Really cute.” Riddle thought for a moment, before taking another sip of his tea. It seemed like he was trying to look casual, as well, but Epel noticed him tapping his pinky against the glass rhythmically.
“I see,” Riddle said, after a few seconds. “You were.. cute too.”
Cute. Epel always hated hearing that word to describe him. He was manly. He wasn’t cute. And yet, why did that word sound so different hearing it from Riddle? Why did hearing it make him happy?
His face flushed and he averted his gaze. Sevens, why couldn’t he handle a crush coolly, instead of like some lovesick schoolgirl. He tentatively looked back at Riddle. Riddle looked embarrassed too, so he felt relieved that he wasn’t the only one.
“T-thanks,” He stuttered out, awkwardly. “And, um, for tutoring me, too.”
“It was no problem. You can come to me, anytime.” Riddle replied, then he looked at the clock. “It’s late, though, so you should probably be getting back soon.”
Epel looked at the clock, cringing. “Yeah, any sooner and I would never hear the end of it from Vil.” He stood up, stretching his limbs and gathering his items.
“Shall I walk you out?” Riddle asked. What a gentleman. Epel giggled to himself, quietly.
“No, don’t worry about it. You have your own things to do,” Epel replied. He didn’t want to bother RIddle with such a thing. Riddle looked disappointed at that answer and honestly, he was too, but it seemed too late to backtrack his words.
“If you’re certain, I will at least walk you to the door.” Riddle insisted, as he stood up as well.
“Okay!” Epel smiled at that, walking to the door alongside him. It was a little dark outside, but nothing to be worried about. At the door, Riddle smiled at him. A real, genuine smile and suddenly, Epel’s eyes darted to his lips. Epel really wanted to kiss him.
“It was nice being with you, Epel,” Yep, he really, really wanted to kiss him.
“Ah, uh, you too,” Epel could not think straight right now. Before he could help it, Epel leaned in, giving Riddle a peck on the lips, before pulling away just as quickly. Riddle was mystified, turning a bright red. How many times had he seen RIddle flustered today? He had to have set a world record. Epel giggled at his reaction.
“See you tomorrow!” Epel exclaimed, voice full of unfiltered glee as he gracefully walked out the door, humming to himself.
“I– see you tomorrow..” Riddle called after him, still having not recovered. When he was farther out, Epel turned back, seeing a flushed smile on the other’s face. Sevens, he was so excited to see him again soon.
