Self Defense
Hello gigglers!
This is the promised ler!Min-Su and lee!Se- Mi fic, as requested by an anon.
Summary: Min-Su is crushed by his guilt for betraying Se-Mi in Mingle. Se-Mi, tired of always seeing him so nervous, decides to have a go at toughening him up. But than the tables turn....
Warning - This is a TICKLE FIC
Idiot. Coward. Asshole.
Why had he betrayed Se-Mi in Mingle like that? Min-Su was beating himself up about this as he walked down the stairs back to the dorm.
Yes, his life was on the line, but hers was too. He'd always thought of himself as a kind, generous person. But what he'd done...if Se-Mi hadn't have ended up with a room...
When they got back to the dorm, Min-Su knew that it was time to stop being a coward. It was time to do something brave. He had to face his demons. He had to walk up to Se-Mi and apologies to her in person.
Sure, the woman had always been kind to him - but he couldn't imagine how riled up this tough player would get when pissed off. Moreover, it would be hard to even say a word to her, he would be drowning in his own guilt.
But that's what bravery is, player 125 reminded himself - doing things your afraid of.
So off he went, on his way to Se-Mi, who was sitting alone on the floor next to a bunk, fiddling with a string of cloth from her green jersey.
He stopped walking. Looked at her. Swallowed. No, maybe later. Feeling both embarrassed and ashamed, he started to walk back.
"Min-Su?"
Uh-oh. Player 380 had spotted him. He was being called back.
He gulped again, wishing the floor would cave in around him, and turned around. Man, this guy had faced death games every day for almost a week, but his heart still hadn't beaten as hard as as it did now.
He stopped in front of Se-Mi, looking down at her.
"Sit", she said, patting the place on the floor next to her. He obeyed her command like a dog.
Nobody spoke for a few seconds, before Min-Su looked away and muttered - "I'm s-sorry"
"What was that?", Se-Mi prompted.
He looked down at the floor. He would look anywhere but in that woman's eyes.
"I'm s-so sorr...sorry"
380 let out a condescending chuckle, "You prick".
He felt his heart sink.
"Look me in the eye at least", she continued, "You owe me that much".
He felt his shoulders shaking and slowly, hesitantly, turned his face toward hers. Upon seeing her, his whole body started aching, burning. As if he had been set on fire.
"Why did you do it?", she asked.
Damn. How could he respond to that? He knew why he did it - he didn't want to die. But that wasn't enough of an explanation, because his actions could have led to...
"Never mind", Se-Mi interrupted his train of thought, realizing that he wouldn't answer.
"Look, I get it. I would have done the same to you to be honest".
Min-Su didn't know what to say. He felt a slight pang in his heart. Than the pang doubled as he imagined how hurt she must have felt. Her statement was only hypothetical. His betrayal had been real.
"It's important to put your life first in a place like this", she continued, "You had a guaranteed shot at surviving so you went for it". She chuckled, "And you outsmarted me in the process. Playing scissors to my 'paper'. Asshole".
Min-Su still didn't know what to say.
Suddenly, he felt Se-Mi lean toward him. He flinched- was he about to get punched? Instead, he just felt a light slap in the shoulder, "I'm impressed. It seems like your better at these games than I thought".
Her hit hadn't hurt the slightest bit, but Min-Su rubbed his shoulder anyway.
"Besides", she continued, "It's not that easy to break me. I'm still a bit pissed but...I understand why you did what you did. Let's stay allies for the next game, okay?"
He looked up at her again, his whole body shaking, "W-why? How c-can you trust me".
Surprisingly, she let out a big grin, "You seem like the kind of guy who wouldn't hurt a fly. You would only betray me if your life was at stake. I would also betray you if my life was on the line so...we're even. I'd say your the most trustworthy person in this place - it's your weakness. People like you don't belong in...."
She trailed off, looking around and gesturing to all the other players before continuing, "...a place like this".
Min-Su was about to speak, when he was interrupted.
"I mean, I think you might be the only person here whose never gotten into a fight outside".
Min-Su looked at her again, his eyes wet with tears, "Th-thank you for understanding".
Se-Mi raised an eyebrow, "But was I right? Have you ever gotten yourself into a brawl?"
Min-Su blushed, looking away again, sensing her teasing tone and what her query implied - "No".
"Oh, I have an idea!", Se-Mi said, "I could teach you some self defense moves! You'll probably need them in here!".
"Wh-what?"
"Come on asshole", she said, pulling his arm up so that they were both standing, "I'm tired of pitying you. I need to teach you some moves".
Min-Su opened his mouth to respond but, before he could, Se-Mi slapped him in the cheek.
He moaned. It hurt.
"Step one - never let down your guard".
Min-Su, rather aggravated by the slap, reached forward to hit her back. Player 380 jumped away just in time, smirking.
"Oh come on, your so naive. You can't catch me by surprise when the fight has already started".
Min-Su couldn't help but glare a bit. Sure, he had no right to be angry with Se-Mi, or even slightly irritated, but this was just the definition of condensing.
Min-Su lurched forward again, but Se-Mi jumped back, laughing. That laughter made him fume. He tried again, hoping to get a punch this time - and he did, right in her stomach. Yes!
Wait, what?
Had he just....oh no.
"Se-Mi!", he cried, running up to her side as she clutched her stomach in pain, "Oh my god, Se-Mi. I'm so sorry. I don't know what came over me, I just..."
"No", Se-Mi wheezed, "That was good. Just, maybe let me sit down for a second".
"Of-of course!".
Min-Su carried her to a bed, letting her sit. She was still rubbing her stomach and groaning a bit.
"Is there anything else I can do to help".
"No", Se-Mi responded, smiling, "That was really good. But I think that's enough training for today".
Min-Su didn't know what to do. He couldn't just leave her here.
He watched as she lifted her shirt up, rubbing the place that had been punched. There was a noticeable red patch. Shit, he'd bruised her. Her shirt went back down almost the second it came up.
"I am so sorry", he said, looking at her, "I didn't mean to give you a bruise, I swear".
Se-Mi tilted her head to the side, "Bruise, what bruise?"
"Th-the bruise I gave you".
Se-Mi chuckled again, "You didn't bruise me Min-Su. For fucksake, your not that good, and I'm not that weak".
Min-Su couldn't tell if 380 was trying to lie to defend herself or weather she legitimately didn't know she was bruised.
"But I saw it", he continued, "Right here...", he reached out to tap her stomach, poking it lightly and delicately so that it wouldn't hurt.
Surprisingly, Se-Mi actually reacted, recoiling a little with a 'humph'. Oh no, how could he be so stupid? It would have been a sensitive area from the grazing. As much as he wanted to prove his point - he was that good - putting 380 through more physical pain was not on the top of his priority list.
"I'm sorry", he squeaked. Shit, he must have sounded pathetic.
"It's okay", Se-Mi responded. But Min-Su noticed something odd. The woman seemed well put together and confident, as she always was, and she was looking him with a relatively straightforward expression. But there was something subtle beneath that, a slight quiver in her lips, a fidget of her hands, a flush of pink rising in her cheeks.
"Are you okay?", he asked, concerned, "Did that really sting?"
Player 125 was scrunching his face up in the way he always did when both confused and cautious. It would be cruel of Se-Mi not to give him an honest answer and relieve him of that sheepish guilt.
"No, it's fine, it didn't hurt", she said. And that blush got darker. What's going on? Min-Su wandered silently.
"It's just a sensitive spot", she continued, "Not in a painful way but, y'know...."
Sensitive? Not Painful? What could that possibly....oh. Min-Su couldn't help the slight, cheeky grin growing on his face, "Oh, did it tickle?"
He watched as Se-Mi's already pink cheeks turned red as a tomato as she instantly snapped her denial. She was being defensive. Too defensive. Min-Su's smirk grew.
"Really? I don't know", he chuckled, "That seemed like a ticklish reaction to me".
Se-Mi sighed, visibly humiliated, "Just drop it".
And that was when Min-Su saw a glimmer of a smile on her face. He had never seen her smile in a non-forced and non-condescending manner, and just that remnant of a grin was enough of a motive for him to tackle her over - making sure to be gentle as she may have been hurt - and start wiggling his fingers at the side of her belly experimentally.
And the result was priceless. Big, strong, tough, fearless, scary Se-Mi was giggling. Giggling!
"Step One - Never let down your guard", he teased, watching as she kicked her legs gently. The giggles were pouring out of her - bubbly, carefree, joyous.
The older player used his knees to pin her legs, putting her desperate kicking and squirming to a halt. Min-Su had an ear to ear grin, genuinely over the moon to see Se-Mi so relaxed, and proud of himself for having the confidence to dish out this 'attack'.
He switched to pinching at her ribs, making her squeak before her giggles resumed. 380 had no chance of escaping now that her legs were stuck, but she still tried out her luck with an alternate mode of defence.
Min-Su was caught completely off guard, his whole body jolting as Se-Mi jabbed her fingers under his arms. He couldn't help but squeal - this was a particularly bad spot after all. Surprisingly, he quickly regained his composure, and only responded to Se-Mi's act of defiance by digging his fingers even deeper and faster into her ribs.
"Silly Se-Mi", he chuckled, shaking his head, "You can't take me by surprise when the fight has already started".
The usually stoic player was now cackling hysterically, throwing her head back as her leg's struggled under Min-Su's own. "Wow", he muttered to himself. If the giggling had been satisfying to watch, this was on a whole other level. He couldn't believe that he - the cowardly Min-Su - was defeating the mighty Se-Mi with something as silly as tickling.
"So what were you saying about being hard to break? And look at you now, reduced to THIS!"
Damn. Min-Su was a confident teaser and 380 was practically melting. Se-Mi wondered if perhaps some of Thanos and Nam-Gyu had rubbed off on him. Her thoughts were interrupted whens he heard a gasp as 125 slowed his fingers down to a stop.
All of a sudden, Min-Su's conscience came flooding back to him. How dare he embarrass her like this? What if she hated it? What if he was just making things worse? He trembled a bit - not afraid to show it now as at least Se-Mi would take it as a sign of his genuine regret.
"I-I'm sorry", he muttered, "I-I should have asked earlier. Is it okay that I'm doing this?"
Much to his surprise, player 125 didn't get a response. He studied Se-Mi closely. She was still pinned down, her cheeks were still flushed, but she wasn't shaking her head. Neither was she making any other gesture of discomfort.
"S-sorry", he repeated, incredibly confused by Se-Mi's silence, "I-is it okay if I continue?"
Still no response. Min-Su panicked. What did this mean? Had he hurt her so much that she now couldn't even speak? Was she so offended that she couldn't even bear look at him?
And than it dawned on him.
"Ohhh", he said, letting out a toothy grin and an innocent chuckle, "Your enjoying this, aren't you?"
He could see Se-Mi's body crumbling from how flustered she was. Smiling to himself, he gave himself permission to continue...
And the results were, once again, priceless. He had decided to go for under her arms - the same place that she had tried to get him, and her laughter resumed in an even higher pitch than before. It also got a bit wheezy, as if she could hardly handle 125's fingers gently tracing in the hollows.
"Nahaha!", she finally spoke through her laughter, reflexively pinning her arms stiffly to her side.
"Oh no", Min-Su commented sweetly, "It seems like youv'e trapped my fingers, looks like I'll have to wiggle them around so that they can break free!"
She snorted as Min-Su's left hand went from scribbling to squeezing, making her pin her arm to her side even tighter, further trapping Min-Su.
"Wo-hoah. Your practically forcing me to tickle you", he said. He still couldn't believe the words that were coming out of his mouth. Foolishly, he wondered if Se-Mi would be legitimately proud of him for displaying this much self-assertion.
Nevertheless, he stilled his fingers again.
"Seriously, is this okay?", he questioned sincerely, watching as Se-Mi's chest heaved with residual giggles. Still no response.
Min-Su flashed another excited smile, "I take that as a yes?"
This time, Se-Mi actually growled - "Shut up dickhead".
"Hey!", he whined, feeling a tinge of offence, "Who are you calling a dickhead?". Perhaps Se-Mi had provoked him on purpose. Nevertheless, it worked, and he resumed scratching and squeezing under her arms and on her sides, continuously alternating spots and techniques.
Se-Mi doubled over, the sensations sending a buzz through her whole body. Min-Su wasn't exactly being ruthless, she reminded herself. He kept wanting to make sure that she was okay. And she kept implying that she was! Man, why did she want to be tickled so bad?
"Ooo", Min-Su said, "Is it okay if I tickle you here?". He moved both of his hands to Se-Mi's knees, scribbling and squishing at them gently, making her let out a snort and collapse once more into a stream of chuckles and wheezes.
Min-Su stopped after a second or two and looked down at her with an eyebrow raised, almost like a confused puppy dog. Shit, the player's genuine care for her was lethal.
"This time", Min-Su added, "I'm not taking silence as a 'yes'. I'll only do this if your completely okay with it."
Damn, she was dying. RIP her soul and ego. She really wanted him to keep going. She hadn't remembered how ticklish she was - and how fun it was - until now. It was the perfect distraction from the dread that came between games.
Min-Su was still looking at her promptly, his innocent, reflective eyes requesting an honest response.
She shuddered a bit, how pathetic of her, "Yes".
"Yes what?", Min-Su asked, rasing an eyebrow.
Okay, now the teasing was intentional.
"You know what I meant asshole", she said.
"Wo-hoah!", he chuckled, "Your in no position to act so tough right now!".
With that, he dug into her knees, making her scream and collapse below him.
"EHEHEHEEEE!"
"Your so ticklish!", Min-Su remarked in honest delight, delighting even further in the way Se-Mi's face reddened at his comment.
This continued on for a few more minutes, before Se-Mi, with tears in her eyes, cried "ENOHOHOUGH!"
Min-Su withdrew his fingers before she'd even finished the word. And than the worries came back. Had he gone too far? But those anxieties immediately vanished when he saw the look on Se-Mi's face as she sat up.
"You are so dead for that", she said, chuckling and punching his arm gently, "Looks like I underestimated you Min-Su".
The player in question beamed, "Well, you did say I could keep going".
That comment made Se-Mi look away, her knees twitching a bit.
"Hey, it's okay", he said, grabbing her knee but not in a ticklish way this time. Her eyes met with his.
"There's nothing to be ashamed of. Being tickled can be very nice and relaxing".
There was silence for a few moments, before Se-Mi sighed, "Just don't tell anyone, okay?"
Min-Su, feeling honored to be keeping one of her secrets, replied "I swear it".
This playful interaction had been just what both of them needed - Se-Mi for her fabricated confidence to disguise her fear, and Min-Su for his genuine anxieties and self esteem.
Hope you enjoyed and I REALLY hope this wasn't too out of character. I love these two and thanks for the request!! (:
