One, Two, Three
Hello Gigglers!
I made this Squid Game Fic to help us heal after S3.
Summary - After the 2019 games, it seemed like the old Gi-Hun was gone forever. Luckily, the man had a secret that, if exploited, could help resurrect his old self.
(Hello @lord-of-hyperfix (: )
(This piece is dedicated to Gi-Hun's puppydog eyes).
Warning: This is a TICKLE FIC. Also sprinkles of 457.
There were three Seong Gi-Hun's.
First there was the man before the 2019 games. Poor, whiny and a little miserable. But still bright eyed and hopeful, open to new experiences, prone to cases of the sillies.
The second man was player 456 - Gi-Hun during the first games. Cautious and afraid, lost and unstable. But still kind and compassionate, friendly and hardworking.
The final Gi-Hun was whatever he had been reduced to now. Gaunt face, no light in his eyes, emotionless frown.
But that wasn't to say that the first two Gi-Hun's were complete history. In fact, kindness and affection from the other players in the second game often led him back to Gi-Hun Number Two. And there were even moments, although rare, where the lightheartedness of Gi-Hun One would shine through.
This was because there were a few things that never failed to put Gi-Hun in a good mood, no matter how bummed or depressed he was. Most of those things he had always been open about - like smoking a cigarette with his mates and going out for a nice cheap fast food dinner. But there was one other thing that he loved, one silly little thing that he often found himself craving, which he had always been too ashamed to share.
Tickles.
He really longed for them - the laughter, the playfulness, the feeling of trust and helplessness. The freedom to let go and just laugh and squirm, not have to focus on life's problems.
Gi-Hun had always been terribly ticklish. But he hadn't been properly tickled in years. His ex wife would poke him from time to time when they were married, but that was it. He had never admitted his longing to be tickled to a soul. How could he? It was humiliating.
He vowed to himself that nobody would ever find out about his weakness nor his desire.
He could never have imagined that both of his secrets would be exposed - in the second games, of all circumstances.
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"Hey, Gi-Hun", Jung-Bae called, crouching down beside said player's bunk. Player 456 just had his arms wrapped around his knees, staring at the floor, a frown on his face. He looked up at his best friend without a word.
"Aren't you supposed to be on look out?", he chuckled, sitting beside him, "Man, remind me to never trust you to guard my stuff again-"
No reaction. Jung-Bae scoffed at this. Gi-Hun had always been very reactive and easily provoked. Jung-Bae would be lying if he said that he wasn't at least a little bit intimidated by this new Gi-Hun, who seemed so distant and dethatched from the man he once knew.
"Come on, you need to get some sleep. I'll keep watch the rest of the night"
Gi-Hun just shook his head, "It's okay, I don't need sleep. My bodies' used to only three hours a night".
"He talks!"
Still no reaction.
Jung-Bae had to think strategically. He had to get his friend to crack, had to see a glimpse of the old Gi-Hun, even if for a second.
"Your' so bloody stubborn", Jung-Bae said, shaking his head, "You never know when to give up. You might think your being heroic, but it just comes off as arrogance".
Gi-Hun just shot Jung-Bae a silent glare. Damn. He really had to step it up.
"Hey, quit acting like that"
Gi-Hun frowned, "Like what?"
"Like your better than all of us because you've' 'played these games before'. Your always such a downer when your in a bad mood. Like, we get it, your upset, but you don't need to take it out on the rest of us".
Gi-Hun just sighed. That was something, but definitely not enough.
Jung-Bae softly cackled to himself, "The last time you were in one of these moods I had to tickle you until you were crying to get you to agree to lighten up".
Snap! There it was. Gi-Hun's eyes widened, his face flushed red.
"Not true!"
Jung-Bae just smirked, "Oh, I seem to remember it pretty well. You were begging me to stop and because of what, a few jabs at your sides? It was quite pathetic-"
"That's bullshit!", Gi-Hun snapped, "I would never beg over something as stupid as that. Why are you even talking about this? Were' in a life or death situation, come to your goddamn senses!"
Silence. Than laughter. Jung-Bae just giggled, shaking his head.
"There he is! There's the Gi-Hun I know!"
Gi-Hun opened his mouth to speak, but stopped himself. Had Jung-Bae just...won that conversation? How was that even possible?!
The victor just kept giggling and poked Gi-Hun's sides a few times. This made the ticklish man gasp and let out a few whiny chuckles. He tried to smack his attackers hands off but Jung-Bae didn't let up, only increasing the speed of his pokes and scribbles the more his friend tried to resist. And because they were both under Gi-Hun's bunk there was nowhere for the man to escape to.
"Quihihit ihihit", Gi-Hun begged, letting out the most high pitched, childish giggles imaginable.
"No way! And he's still this sensitive? After all these years? Man, this is classic!"
Gi-Hun flushed at Jung-Bae's teasing, "Fuhuhuck ohohoff!"
Jung-Bae cackled, "Shh! Keep quiet! You'll wake up the others!"
This went on for a few more seconds before Jung-Bae finally let up. Gi-Hun glared at him, making a move to get out from under the bunk.
Jung-Bae just laughed to himself - "Worth it".
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It was morning. Gi-Hun peered over at Jun-Hee, checking if she was okay. He knew that his wife had often had morning sickness when she was pregnant with their daughter, and he prayed that it wouldn't be the same for player 222. Luckily, Jun-Hee looked fine. Slightly dazed, sure, but fine.
It was time for the players to line up for their breakfast. Gi-Hun ended up standing directly behind Jun-Hee. After a few seconds in silence, she finally started to make conversation.
"I'm exhausted. Some player was laughing hysterically in the middle of the night and it woke me up. Did you guys hear that?".
Gi-Hun froze. Oh no. He felt a rush of guilt - it was one thing to wake up another player, but the pregnant one? He gulped. But, like the noble man he was, he had to confess.
"I'm so sorry Jun-Hee, that was me".
"No, it was my fault".
Gi-Hun jumped. Dang, how did Jung-Bae get behind them in the line?! He must have just been there the whole time.
"I was tickling him, I shouldn't have been", Jung-Bae admitted sheepishly. Gi-Hun's cheeks went dark pink. Goddamnit Jung-Bae, your just making it worse!
Although Gi-Hun couldn't see this, (and he might not have even believed it if he had), Jun-Hee couldn't help but smile at the childishness. The fact that Jung-Bae still had the energy to muck around in a place like this gave her a weird but comforting sense of joy.
"So, your ticklish Gi-Hun?"
Said man wished he could sink into the floor. As Jun-Hee turned around after collecting her food, she let herself brush past Gi-Hun, gently prodding his left side. The man stiffened, making Jun-Hee smirk triumphantly.
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"Two players"
It was Gi-Hun and Dae-Ho, crammed in a room together, relieved that they had made it. Still, they were both on edge. What if the others didn't find a room on time? What if all the rooms were full, and the others would be left outside? They were also feeling the adrenaline and aftershock from running to the room in the first place - they had literally been running for their lives.
Gi-Hun often went quiet when he was anxious. But not Dae-Ho. The little former marine was rocking back and fourth on the balls of his feet, whimpering a bit, twiddling his fingers. Sure, this was an embarrassing reaction, but he was so overcome by dread that he didn't have the energy to suppress it. Gi-Hun just pitied him, wondering if there was anything he could do to make him feel better in these next few moments.
That was when Gi-Hun remembered that morning. He'd heard sweet, carefree giggles. It had been Jung-Bae digging his fingers into Dae-Ho's ribs...
"Sihihihir, stohohohop!"
"Aww, you poor ticklish baby-"
"Mr.Seong what are you thinking?"
Gi-Hun snapped back to reality. He knew that Dae-Ho had grown particularly close with Jung-Bae. And Dae-Ho hadn't shown any obvious signs of being angry or upset with his elder marine for what he had done. So perhaps Gi-Hun could try using Jung-Bae's method to distract the poor man.
Of course, he would always be too flustered to initiate tickling under regular circumstances, but this wasn't a regular circumstance. His desire to relieve Dae-Ho's pain superseded his own embarrassment.
"Hey, Dae-Ho, may I try something?"
The younger man looked confused and a bit weary, "Sure..."
Well, here goes. Gi-Hun poked gently at Dae-Ho's side, making him yelp. It was a very endearing sound. Satisfied, Gi-Hun started raking his fingers around the edges of the younger man's belly. That made Dae-Ho let out a bark of laughter and jump back in shock.
Oh no, had Gi-Hun gone too far? He waited anxiously for Dae-Ho to say something. The last thing he was excepting was the wicked smirk that appeared on his face.
"How dare you! Did you seriously believe I wouldn't fight back?"
Before Gi-Hun had time to process those words, he felt fingers squishing the sides of his belly. That was hell. He collapsed into desperate giggles.
"Wow!", Dae-Ho remarked, "Somebodies ticklish!"
Gi-Hun was laughing too much to respond.
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"So, what do you reckon the next game will be?"
In-Ho was just toying with Gi-Hun of course. It was fun having these little discussions, playing ignorant, testing the waters.
Gi-Hun just sighed. The two "players" were standing next to each other in line for the bathroom.
"As I said, I really can't know. These games aren't the same as the games three years ago".
The Frontman could tell how much pain Gi-Hun was in - how he really wished he could help but couldn't. This actually bugged the man a bit. He used to like watching this man suffer, but hanging out with him in person made him feel a bit differently. In-Ho couldn't tell why, but he was starting to feel empathy for Gi-Hun, and maybe a little protectiveness.
"But surely there are some patterns you could recognize", In-Ho prompted. Player 456 just shook his head in defeat.
The Frontman glanced into the distance and threw his hands in his pockets, giving off a casual energy. "I guess I'll be fine if it's a game of problem solving, but not if it's a game of strength. Goodness knows how I survived Red Light Green Light..." He chuckled to himself, "The last time I did that much cardio was when I was chasing my younger brother around the house with the evil older-sibling plan of tickling him to death".
In-Ho took note of how this made Gi-Hun tense a bit. "Oh...."
The Frontman just kept chuckling, "Death by tickles is definitely a lot more humane than this, don't you think?"
Gi-Hun was visibly shaking, "....I guess?"
In-Ho scoffed, "You guess?! Your not certain? You must be horribly ticklish than-"
The Fronntman didn't think he'd ever seen someone so red in the face in his life. Wow, Gi-Hun really wasn't going to respond. He was just looking in the opposite direction, and In-Ho could swear he heard his heart beating.
The Frontman chuckled again, "Don't worry, I won't tickle you".
He waited until Gi-Hun's eyes met him again before flashing a playful smirk, "Well, not while were' in here anyway..."
Gi-Hun actually squeaked.
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Gi-Hun and his Six Legged Pentathlon team were sitting in a circle. There was clearly a feeling of hope and excitement in the air. They knew that the X's outnumbered the O's, so they would be sure to get out on the next vote. None of them had felt this relieved in days - heck, even before the games they hadn't felt this good. Not only would they be leaving safe, they'd be leaving with a bit of money, as well as some new supportive friends. If they added their money together, including Gi-Hun's previous winnings, they could all start a new life. Even In-Ho was in a good mood - the joy was contagious. Hey, it wasn't the first time he'd had to stop the games early, and In-Ho actually found himself rooting for Gi-Hun and his gang.
Still, Gi-Hun's first self hadn't yet returned. After all, there was no guarantee that the people who had voted X in the last round wouldn't change their minds. He'd learned from experience to always fear the worst. That was why he tried his best to keep out of the conversation they were all having, which was about their plans for when they got out.
"Hey, let's all go to a bar in the city, drinks are on me", In-Ho offered, giving Jung-Bae a friendly pat on the back.
Jung-Bae just chuckled and looked to Gi-Hun, "Nah, Gi-Hun is the richest. Why aren't you offering to take us out buddy? Still a little cheapskate?"
"I don't drink", Dae-Ho interrupted, "But Iv'e always wanted to go out for a massage"
Jung-Bae giggled at that, punching Gi-Hun gently in the arm from where he was sitting on the other side of In-Ho, "This man could never - he's too ticklish".
That was when player 456 felt his stomach flip. He stared at the floor, not daring to look the others in the eyes, feeling himself melt with embarrassment and jitters.
Dae-Ho barked out a laugh, "Oh yeah! I gave him a good tickle attack during that Mingle game!"
Gi-Hun let out a little whimper. He was dying. And not in the way one would except in this place.
Jun-Hee rolled her eyes, "Oh my god, men are so immature. This sort of behavior is exactly why I woke up in the middle of the night a few nights ago. Hell, you probably woke up half the players with your tickle fight"
"Hey, I'd hardly call it a fight", Jung-Bae chuckled, "Gi-Hun wasn't really fighting back".
Shit, could this get any worse?
"He's always been completely helpless when tickled. I think it's his biggest weakness. It's funny, though, that he never really tries to resist. I mean, he's not a weak guy"
"Stop talking about me like I'm not here!", Gi-Hun snapped.
That was when the other players noticed how red his face was. They couldn't help but feel a bit scrummy at how adorable their fellow player was being. When most of them had first met him, he was just the crazy guy yelling about them dying in Red Light Green Light. In hindsight, he had just been trying to save them all. And for the rest of the games he had been so somber. This flustered, immature Gi-Hun was a refreshing sight to say the least.
"Hey", Jung-Bae whined, lifting his hands as if in surrender, "No need to be like that. I'm just making an observation"
"Maybe he likes being tickled", Jun-Hee piped in, not believing that she was participating in this conversation willingly.
If Gi-Hun wasn't dying before, he was certainly dying now.
"Oh yeah", Jung-Bae mused, "That makes sense. So you like tickling, do you Gi-Hun?"
Said man could not bring himself to respond. This was beyond the last thing he excepted to happen.
"Hey", In-Ho said, cutting the silence, "You know what Iv'e noticed? Were' all excited about getting out of this place, but Gi-Hun is still moping. Why are you being such a let down 456? I think you deserve to be punished for that-"
Oh fuck. Gi-Hun's eyes widened.
Taking In-Ho's offer, Jung-Bae leaned over and poked his friends' side. The man jolted and made a quick move to stand up, but In-Ho just grabbed his arm and pulled him back down.
"Don't think your' getting away that easy-"
In a split second, In-Ho was sitting on Gi-Hun's legs, straddling him, and Jung-Bae was holding his arms up above his head. The efficiency at which the two men coordinated this was astounding.
In-Ho had the cheekiest grin as he gazed down at Gi-Hun. In the split second that the player looked him in the eye, he felt his stomach drop. This man was gorgeous.
"Hey, Jun-Hee", Player 001 called, interrupting Gi-Hun's thoughts, "You'll be having a baby soon, so you'll probably need some tickling experience. Why not practice on Gi-Hun here?"
Jun-Hee rolled her eyes a second time - "Honestly". Still, she gave Gi-Hun's side a little poke, leading Jung-Bae, In-Ho and Dae-Ho to cheer simultaneously.
"Hey, don't get too excited, that's all I'm doing", the future mother affirmed, leaning back again to become the unimpressed spectator. It was like she was the sober one at a party surrounded by her drunk freinds.
"That's okay", In-Ho said, shifting his gaze to Jung-Bae, "I'm guessing you know Gi-Hun better than the rest of us. Where are his worst spots?"
Gi-Hun gasped, looking up at Jung-Bae, flashing his puppydog eyes. Jung-Bae just shook his head at this pathetic display, "You should start with his underarms Young-Il".
Gi-Hun shifted his puppy dog eyes to In-Ho, (although it was difficult to look pleadingly at such a hypnotizing man).
"No, don't do this...."
In-Ho just scoffed, "Oh, don't play pretend! We all know that you'll enjoy this-"
With that, the Frontman dug into Gi-Hun's underarms. The poor man SCREAMED.
In-Ho let out a rich chuckle, feeling Gi-Hun's legs jolt up and down beneath him, knowing that he was trying to kick reflexively but couldn't due to the Frontman's weight.
"Fahahahack!"
In-Ho just shook his head and tutted, keeping one of his hands under Gi-Hun's arm while using the other to sporadically jab at his sides. Gi-Hun gasped and squealed at each jab.
In-Ho just kept shaking his head teasingly, "You know, I must thank you, Seong Gi-Hun. It's been years since Iv'e tickled a person. I'd almost forgotten how great it felt".
This teasing was just too much for poor 456 - although he'd be lying if he said it didn't feel great being on the receiving end as well.
Jung-Bae leaned back and called to Dae-Ho, "Hey, come join us soldier!"
388 just chuckled, "Nahhh, you guys are putting him through enough already"
"Oy, did you just disobey an order from a superior?"
388 was about to respond when an abrupt sound interrupted him.
A snort.
In-Ho slowed his fingers to a stop. The Frontman's face sunk to a blank expression. Silence.
God, Gi-Hun felt so ashamed. He wanted to sink into the floor.
But than In-Ho just started laughing - rich, condescending chuckles - and flashed a dashing grin.
"That was adorable", he mused, delighting in how that comment made Gi-Hun squeeak.
Without further delay, In-Ho started squeezing at Gi-Hun's knees, testing the waters. Gi-Hun dissolved into giggles. His laughter was much lighter and high pitched than before, and he was now scrunching his nose up, making a face so wholesome that even the stoic Frontman felt himself melt a little.
"Oh, if your looking for more spots to try, I know he can't stand squishes on the sides of his stomach", Dae-Ho called out over the man's desperate giggles.
Jung-Bae realized that, even if he let Gi-Hun's arms go, the man wouldn't be able to fight back anyway. So, while In-Ho was still destroying his knees, the victim's best friend decided to take Dae-Ho's advice.
Gi-Hun shrieked.
"Wo-how, I'm impressed soldier!", Jung-Bae remarked.
This really was hell. The sensations on his knees combined with the assault on his belly? He hadn't remembered the last time he'd felt this ticklish. Heck, he didn't think he'd ever been tickled this intensely before. And it wasn't an entirely unwelcome feeling.
In fact, he was really enjoying it. For the first time in years, he felt carefree. He couldn't focus on anything else, only Jung-Bae and In-Ho absolutely wrecking him, reducing him to a helpless pile of cackles and screams.
In-Ho raised an eyebrow, "Notice how he hasn't been asking us to stop?"
Jung-Bae nodded, "Yeah, funny about that. Why is that Gi-Hun?"
Gi-Hun tried to cling on to his dignity.
"STOHOHOHOP!"
In-Ho rolled his eyes playfully, "See now your just being silly. We know you don't mean that".
Still, after a few more seconds, both men let up.
As Gi-Hun tried to catch his breath, In-Ho and Jung-Bae helped restore him to a sitting position. Completely exhausted, Gi-Hun felt his body go limp, and he absentmindedly leaned his head on In-Ho's shoulder.
The Frontman tensed. This felt...unexpectedly nice. In-Ho felt himself lifting his arm and beginning to stroke Gi-Huns' hair affectionately.
"Aww, did we go too far?", Jung-Bae teased, "But how could we have, we know how much you love being tickled-"
Gi-Hun turned his head around, shooting a death glare at Jung-Bae.
"Young-Il, grab his ankles. He can't stand it on his feet".
Knowing exactly what Gi-Hun meant, In-Ho did as he was told.
That was when the most sincere, sweet, and playful smile appeared on Gi-Hun's face.
"Here comes the tickle monster-" he cooed, taking off Jung-Bae's shoes as the man's eyes widened in shock.
It was official - Gi-Hun One had returned.
Thanks for reading!