Tickle Monster
A/N: Story number 29 is here~ Today @lovelynim and I return with another collab the two of us wrote together. It features Wise and Manato from Zenless Zone Zero. I really love how this story turned out and once again I had an awesome partner by my side who turned this story into something special~
Summary: Wise just wanted to watch a movie peacefully. But a horror genre and the apperance of a certain monster put a spoke in his wheel.
Words: 3,905 words under the cut
Wise didn't know why he'd expected a different outcome. He knew he couldn't stand this type of movie and how it would probably cost him that night's sleep, but he still agreed to watch it together with Manato when the invitation came up to him.
Now, here he was: His muscles tensed, rigid as stone while he waited for the next jumpscare to play on the screen. Wise was barely paying attention to the plot at that point, too focused in trying to not make a fool out of himself with his reactions.
Of course, hoping any of this went unnoticed was a far, far stretch. Manato noticed something was off by the first time the monsters appeared, but Wise insisted in finishing the tape whenever he asked about it. And even if he couldn't help but pity the Proxy a little, this was a classic among horror movies, how could he think of stopping it on his own?
It had all the things a good horror movie should have and had been widely praised for its special effects and dark storyline. Besides, the title song had been sung by none other than Asta Yao, which gave it that certain something.
Manato glanced over at the other, who was nervously chewing on his popcorn, eyes glued to the screen, as if he could somehow analyze- and predict its outcome to mentally prepare himself. He was taking this so seriously, he should really relax and enjoy himself.
A light smile crossed the corner of his lips, he reminded him so much of A-Cing and A-Yuet right now, acting just like when they had tried to act cool during the one time they watched a "horror" movie. The Thiren's hand moved before he could think of it and he laid it around Wise's shoulder, pulling him a bit closer to himself.
"...Don't force yourself, Wise. Are you really fine with continuing to watch?" he asked for the umpteenth time, just to make sure the Proxy was enjoying himself as well. The answer, however, was still the same as before.
An hesitant nod, a strained smile and a “Of course” in a shaky voice. Wise already felt proud of himself for not jumping to the roof with Manato’s sudden touch, so he just tried to convince himself he could still make it to the credits.
“We are already halfway into it,” Wise sighed, looking up to Manato and using the moment as an excuse to not pay attention to the movie, “I can finish it.” “Hmm,” Manato arched an eyebrow, the uncertainty in Wise’s words not even close to being subtle.
He opened his mouth to speak again, but a loud sound from the movie captured his, and Wise’s, attention again. The ethereal had just bursted through the front door, making the protagonist gasp and hold her breath as she pressed herself against the wall, hoping to remain unnoticed.
The tension of the scene weightened on the duo’s shoulder, one taking it better than the other. Wise couldn’t comfort himself with just the popcorn anymore, unconsciously pressing himself against Manato and having one hand clinging to the other’s clothes.
Manato only let his arm hang around Wise’s shoulder a bit longer and even leaned a bit forward, eagerly waiting for the end of the scene and, if it wasn’t tucked behind him, his tail would probably be wagging by then.
The movie’s atmosphere seemed to expand beyond the screen, Wise anticipating it as if he was about to become one of the monster’s victims while Manato couldn’t wait for the next bits of action and thrill. The scene went on, the sound of the floor creaking beneath the ethereal’s feet getting quieter as the creature walked off the screen.
The protagonist, with her mouth still covered, shifted slightly, trying to check if the monster was really gone. RAWR!! "HIYAHH!" Wise screamed just as the ethereal popped up from God knows where, right in front of the poor protagonist whose face had turned corpse-like pale upon being eyes to eyes with it.
The air seemed to prickle as time got slower as the beast moved forward. Wise averted his gaze, knowing what was about to happen, and closed his eyes, rubbing his face into Manato's side. He didn’t want to see it. "Nooo!" he screamed in harmony with his digital comrade-in-suffering, who just found her brutal end, the sounds making his hackles raise.
Manato had been surprised as well, his ears twitching as the sudden scream beside him shook him out of his concentration and he looked down at the Proxy. If the whole scenario wouldn't have been due to a horror movie, he would've laughed, finding the situation quite hilarious... whereas he could feel his lips tremble as he suddenly did feel the urge to laugh.
"Pffft... W-Wise hehEhy stoHohop!" he stuttered, feeling bad for kinda laughing at him. Now, to be fair, he couldn't really fight against the ticklish feeling caused by the Proxy himself, who was still eagerly nuzzling his face against his flank, trying to cut out the scene that had already ended and had switched to a more… non-horror-like segment.
The Thiren, unable to withstand the other's touch any longer without going nuts, gently pushed Wise away. "Seriously, you can't be such a scaredy-cat," he mumbled, lying his head to the side and giving him a sheepish smile. Their eyes met and to his surprise, he saw the other biting on his lips all of a sudden, lips trembling before Wise started to giggle.
Did he miss something? The Proxy shook his head, reaching for Manato’s hands that rested against his shoulders. “I’m sorry, I’m really not good with these movies,” Wise sighed, his tone a little lighter and lacking the tension he exhaled moments ago. Maybe he finally managed to relax after seeing that the scary part was over?
“I told you to not force yourself to watch it,” Manato scoffed, frowning a little at Wise’s confession. He knew it from the very start, truth to be told. It had been barely ten minutes since the movie started and the Proxy was already shivering with fear. Still, Manato felt a little guilty now that the truth was revealed, or, rather, confirmed.
“I was fine with just renting the tape.” “I know, I know,” Wise mumbled, reaching for the controller and pointing it at the TV to pause the movie, “but we never really watch movies you like, just the ones for A-Cing and A-Yuet.” Manato averted his gaze, scratching the back of his neck. “These movies are too scary for children, and-”
“Are you calling me a child?” Wise teased, seeing the little nervousness as he caught Manato in the middle of his track of thought. “Ye- no! I mean, it’s just that… you a-are a little similar to them! Your taste, I mean,” Manato explained with widened eyes, shaking one hand defensively in front of himself.
He knew it was a lie, there was no chance his little siblings would be interested in those black-and-white movies Wise liked to watch and talk about. “...and in some other aspects too…” Wise chuckled, Manato was just so fun to tease. “Such as?”
The other thought for a second, hardly thinking how he could talk himself out of it. He couldn't just blurt out what was on his mind without hurting the other’s feelings. Wise could get sulky - another aspect he shared with the kids.
"...Well, you know... you- ahem, ahh yes, you also love sweet popcorn and, hehe, the one movie with the Bangboo knight we watched last week with the kids... you really seemed to be into it as well..." Manato began, averting the Proxy's eyes that were still staring at him. Why did he have to make these reproachful eyes?
"You just love that happy stuff... a-and not the heavy stuff..." Wise's mouth opened and closed a few times. "So, basically, I'm childish, after all, and not made to watch horror, now?" he fake-gasped, biting on his lips so that he wouldn't snicker. Oh, he was gonna savor this, the other was so gullible.
"That's not what I said," Manato panicked, "besides, I was-" "You were?" Wise interrupted him, grinning up at him. Manato looked back at him before realization seemed to set in and a faint blush appeared on his cheeks. "Hey, were you just trying to set me up now?" he whined, but suddenly started smirking at Wise as thought crossed his mind. Could this work?
"You know, Wise... A-Cing and A-Yuet try to act a bit cocky now and then as well and there is always one thing that works like magic..." he mumbled as he loomed over Wise, Manato’s huge shadow covering his entire body. "Would you like to know what it is?" he said with a playful tune in his voice, cracking his knuckles.
It didn’t take Wise much effort to put 2 plus 2 together and figure out where this was going. He had teased Manato a bit, but he didn’t expect to lead things this way. He just wanted to see the Thiren blushing and being the one embarrassing himself a little.
“I-I don’t really think I do,” Wise chuckled, leaning on his hands and pushing himself back while Manato stood on his knee right before him. “Manato, y-you’re scaring me,” Wise lied with a wobbly smile on his face, palming around and hoping to find something, anything, to protect himself.
“I don’t know what you mean,” Manato only grinned, not even bothering to hide his excitement as his huge tail wagged behind him. He lifted his hands, fingers curled into claws as he leaned closer, bit by bit, building that anticipation that had Wise shifting around already. “Why are you moving away?”
“B-Because you’re scary!” Wise whined through his smile, his skin already prickling with goosebumps under his clothes. His hand closed around a nearby cushion and he didn’t think twice before throwing it at Manato’s huge figure. “Stahay back! I’m serious!”
“Hah, I’m sure you’re,” Manato grinned, grabbing Wise by one of his ankles and effortlessly pulling him closer. Manato got himself between Wise’s legs and he towered over him. He quickly captured one of the hands swatting at him and took his sweet time moving it up and pining high above Wise’s head.
“But I’m serious too. You need to be stern when talking to cocky, misbehaving children or they won’t listen to you.” “S-Shut it!” Wise giggled already, trying to free himself or push Manato with his still-free hand, whatever worked first and better. “I’m not a kid- I-I’m older than you!” Wise whined, squeezing Manato between his legs.
The other raised his eyebrow at that, visibly amused by his fruitless attempts to stop him. "Says the one who sang along the theme song of a children’s movie," Manato teased, all while he nonchalantly caught Wise’s still free hand and gently pulled it above his head as well, letting it join his other one.
"H-Hey you were als- noHo w-wAhahit Manato- LeHEhet gooHo!" Wise whined, already giggling a bit, as he pulled at his hands nervously, which didn't even move an inch. Duh, of course they wouldn't.
He tried to squeeze his legs together a bit stronger, hoping, praying it would make the other lose his balance, but once again his hopes were shattered by the sheer strength of the Thiren, who appeared unimpressed.
"But I like the sight from up here. Besides, since you aren't a kid anymore, a bit of fun shouldn't be a problem, hmm? Maybe it might help you to handle the monsters..." he said, his tail wagging eagerly when he saw the Proxy puffing out his cheeks at him.
"...I can handle monsters quite well," he mumbled, his cheeks bright red. "Is that so?" Manato asked. His smile only grew wider at that. Wise was literally asking for it and he would gladly give him what he wanted.
"...You know, Wise, lately it's spooking around here. There is a rumor that a monster is lurking here and it likes to get cocky brats, and I think it has found its next target... Do you know what they call it?" he asked, his free hand hovering over Wise’s body.
The Proxy gulped, his skin tingling with anticipation as he watched Manato’s hand pass inches away from his side, ribs and armpit. The tip of his fingers barely brushed against the surface of his clothes and Wise was already struggling inside Manato’s grip, trying to free his hands.
“I-It’s prohobably something lahahame!” Wise taunted, still finding some room for attitude while he knew the unavoidable fate that waited for him just moments ahead. Manato continued to move his hand, torturing Wise with the ghost touch, with the fear of a strike that never came.
The Proxy pressed his eyes shut, trying to avoid the sight, and Manato let out a soft chuckle at the face he was making. He continued to tease, poking Wise here and there just for the build up’s sake.
When the Proxy stopped squirming and dared to peek through a half-shut eye, Manato saw the opening he was looking for and latched his hand onto Wise’s side, forcing a loud squeal out of Wise’s lips.
“Steady yourself, Proxy,” Manato boasted, his fingers wiggling and clawing aimlessly at the Proxy’s side, squeezing it through Wise’s shirt, “the Tickle Monster isn’t really known for going easy on its victims!” “M-Mahahanato!” Wise whined, lifting his back off the couch before pressing it down with a renewed stream of laughter.
“S-Stohohop! AHaha, t-thihis is stuhuhupid!” Manato’s tail continued to wag behind him, his hand moving to tickle Wise’s ribs before going back down to squeeze the Proxy’s hips. It was hard to pinpoint where it tickled the most, Wise seemed to get more and more ticklish the more Manato’s assault went on.
“Stupid? Your life is at stake here,” Manato insisted, prodding at the spot between Wise’s armpit and ribcage, nudging the soft skin almost viciously and in a way that made Wise want to crawl out of his skin, “you need to fend off the Tickle Monster or you might die laughing~”
"I- IhiHhi cahAn't! EhHEhe noHOhot whHen you're hoHoHld- ahAhhHahah w-w-wAhahit noOHoho tHehere! Wise wheezed in-between his laughter as Manato's hand continued to dance over his side, fingers pressing softly into the soft spots in-between his ribs, emitting more and more laughter from his "prey".
The sensation got especially worse when he reached his lowest rib, worming right into the soft spot. Wise cursed inside, squirming from left to right as far as his situation allowed him to. He could already feel his face heating up and could only imagine how red he must’ve been already.
The other's smirk he could vaguely discern with his teary eyes didn't make the situation any better. "Ohh? You mean right here?" the other asked and focused his attack on said spot, even daring to sneak under his shirt, robbing Wise from the last defense, the last barrier that separated him from an even worse feeling.
Skin touched skin and the reaction followed instantly. What felt like a dozen feathers to Wise before, now felt as if a hundred, sending ticklish shockwaves into every fiber of his body.
"AHAHAHHHA W-WAHAHIT! OHOHO MY GOODOD!! M-MAHANANTOHOHO!" the Proxy laughed, his feet kicking behind him, as he pulled on his arms more eagerly, without any prosperity of course. His legs were kicking and pulling behind the other's back, toes curling in ticklish agony as his high-pitched belly laughter filled the room.
It sounded almost inhuman by now and anyone would've wondered who the real monster was. The Thiren, however, only adjusted his fingers to Wise’s reactions, moving them slower or more precisely.
"Haha, Manato is not here anymore..." he laughed, as his hand formed into a claw and scratched over Wise’s bare belly, "he won't help you~" he teased, his tail wagging as he continued his little act.
Tickling others was much fun, and since it was Wise, he could also be a little more rougher and intensive, never daring to get this serious when playing around with the kids. Each stroke of Manato’s fingers pushed Wise’s shirt up more and more, giving him more spots to tickle and room to explore.
He switched from Wise’s stomach to his hips, then back to his sides and up to his ribs again. At that point, Wise was already starting to accept his fate as the Tickle Monster’s next fatal victim. He felt the strength leaving his limbs and his muscles tiring out from the struggling.
“M-MAHANATO, PLEHEHEASE!!” Wise cried, again, hoping his pleas would reach the other for a change this time. “I C-CAHAN’T BREHEHEATHE!” He threw his head back, going into a hysteric fit as Manato only changed his attention towards the Proxy’s outstretched, vulnerable underarm.
Wise didn’t even know he was that ticklish, but the feeling of Manato’s fingers digging and tickling that soft spot right in the crease was unbearable, maddening even.
“You shouldn’t waste it speaking nonsense, then,” Manato advised, his tone still filled with playfulness as he pressed down at Wise’s wrists, making sure he wasn’t going anywhere. “Save it for your escape, Proxy!” What escape, Wise thought, trying to peek back at Manato from his teary eyes.
He was never taught how to fight this type of monster and didn’t even have the time to prepare. This was a one-sided, unfair fight from the start! Wise shook his head, pulling at his trapped wrists one last time as if it was going to be any change. “M-MAHANATO! I GIHIHIVE! PLEHEHEASE!”
“O-Oh,” Manato perked up his ears like something about that cry was different from the others. As fast as it started, he let go of Wise’s hands, planting his own on each side of the Proxy’s head. Manato watched, in silence, Wise’s chest wave with each ragged breath and his face turn from really, really red to just flushed.
Something about that sight made his stomach stir up with butterflies. He clenched his hands slightly and gulped, his tail still wagging as he watched the Proxy recover. “T-Thahank you…” Wise gasped, not even bothering to move his hands as he simply laid his head back and relaxed, looking back at Manato with the corner of his eyes.
“W-Well,” Manato coughed, trying to get back into the playful, confident attitude from before as if he didn’t nearly drool over the Proxy just now, “guess y-you’re not a Tickle Monster survivor. That makes one more thing in common with A-Cing and A-Yuet, heh…”
Wise listened to him, taking in deep breaths as he began to calm down more and more, the last tingles of the previous attack finally subsiding. "...Meanie... you went all out. I bet you’re never this harsh on them when playing the Tickle Monster," he pouted, crossing his arms stubbornly. It wasn't like he hated it, no, definitely not.
He enjoyed the, well... attention the other had given him and it wasn't like Wise was unfamiliar with the treatment of said monster, wasn't he an older brother himself, after all? Even if by mere seconds, but those were details, details.
He had done it multiple times in the past as well and would probably also do it in the future whenever Belle would get cocky or wouldn't share her snacks with him. It felt nice being the one on the receiving end for once, but he wouldn’t admit it. He had a bit of pride, after all, especially after what he had said.
Manato however, couldn’t help but smile at the Wise's childish acting. He couldn't really explain it, but his instincts told him that the Proxy wasn't speaking honestly with him and the fact that he went straight into denial-mode only made him cut- ahem, well, all-to-similar to the children he already knew.
Manato shifted a bit, just so that Wise could get a bit more comfortable. "...That doesn't sound like you hated getting visited by the Tickle Monster, does it?" he said, matter-of-factly, and the expression he got from Wise was priceless.
Wise’s eyes opened wide as if he had been caught off guard. "T-That's not- I was just... Don't make things up now, idiot," he stuttered, and, without really thinking, pressed his hands into the Thiren's lower sides, squeezing the spot in hope it might distract or even cause a reaction out of him. “It’s rude to assume things like that!”
“W-Wihise! Ahah, w-wahait! Ahahagh, o-ok! Ok! I gehehet it!” It didn’t take long for Manato’s panicked giggles to come out. He quickly closed his hands around Wise’s wrists, prying his hands off his body and pulling them back to a safe distance.
He watched Wise’s fingers wiggle at him, as if not satisfied with just a small laugh, but he wouldn’t have that - not when he was still savoring the taste of having the upper hand. “Easy there now,” Manato chuckled at Wise’s pout while fighting back the Proxy’s little tugs at his trapped hands.
“You can’t tickle the Tickle Monster, that’s not how it works. You have to run and hide, Proxy.” “Oh please,” Wise scoffed, leaning forward and looking up to Manato’s face, the distance between them closing dangerously, “I doubt you never let A-Cing and A-Yuet have their way with you.” Manato flinched and a nervous, quiet smile pulled at his face.
Well, it may have happened once or twice, yes, and he mostly pretended the whole time just to make the kids happy… Wise was a whole different case. Manato coughed, trying to regain a serious, composed facade. “That’s diffen-”
“It’s not,” Wise interrupted, managing to pull his hands free before place them just below Manato’s chest, his fingers poised to attack but still hesitating, almost as if waiting for something. “You said it yourself, didn’t you? I have a lot in common with them, it shouldn’t be any different now, right?” “P-Proxy,” Manato gulped, swaying back a little.
The corner of his lips were already twitching and his tail started to wag again behind him. Why did it sound so… different? He looked at Wise’s eyes, both gleaming full of expectation, and gulped.
There were, indeed, a lot of similarities between Wise and the kids. The way they were oh-so-afraid of horror movies, their liking for cheerful and cutesy things and how they would fail (most of the time) to escape the Tickle Monster… but this felt like something new. Manato was sure he never felt something like this before, not for the kids and not for anyone else.
“So?” Wise cooed, just loud enough to snap Manato back into reality. He smirked at him, giving the sides of his large chest a gentle poke just to rile him up. Manato gulped, his throat suddenly dry and with a bunch of words stuck in it. He could simply pull that wobbly, groundless smile back into his face.
“I-I guess… It’s only fair, right? I’d hate to see you get disappointed like them too…” “Great,” Wise smirked, his hands scratching down at both Manato’s sides, forcing a surprised squeal out of the thiren’s lips, “let’s see if you’d make any better as the ‘survivor’.”
“W-Wihihise! C’mohon, don’t tehehe- HEHEY!” “Wise it’s not here anymore,” Wise grinned, moving his hands under Manato’s arm, “just the Tickle Monster now~”