Live Tickles Times Two
A/N: @ppystkposts I wish you a merry Christmas. Another year has passed and I didn't want to miss the chance to bring you a little joy. It had been a long time since I watched UtaPri, but I hope Otoya isn't too OOC here.
Words: 1,349 words under the cut
The dorm was unusually quiet tonight. Not eerily quiet, not lonely quiet either, just rarely quiet, because for once, Otoya was actually home. With all the events, rehearsals, late-night practices, and interviews ST☆RISH had been pulled into lately, it felt like weeks since the two of you had properly hung out.
So, seeing him sprawled comfortably on the shared couch beside you, his bright red hair slightly messy and a soft smile across his face, filled you with a warm kind of relief. “Man, it feels good to finally relax,” Otoya sighed, stretching his arms above his head. “Thanks for waiting to watch this with me. The broadcast timing was all over the place.”
“I wanted to see it with you,” you said honestly, “it’s more fun when you’re here.” He flashed you that gentle, radiant grin - one that always managed to make your heart skip a little. “Heh… I’m glad.”
You both settled back into the couch cushions as the TV show started: A behind-the-scenes event special where ST☆RISH took on various silly challenges for their fans. The editing was fast-paced and flashy, full of high-energy music and onscreen effects typical for this kind of program, and Otoya, naturally, was in the center of half of it.
“There! That was so tiring,” he started explaining, pointing at the screen, “they made us run through this obstacle course after we were already rehearsing for six hours. I almost fell on the foam bridge, but Tokiya caught me.” Sure enough, on screen, Tokiya grabbed him by the hoodie to keep him from face-planting. You snorted. “Wow, you really almost went down.”
“Told you,” Otoya laughed brightly, “the whole thing was chaos.” You continued watching and the comfortable atmosphere wrapped around you like a cozy blanket. You could feel your eyelids droop a bit - the calmness, mixed with Otoya’s familiar presence, was almost too soothing.
The show moved into a “punishment game” segment where the members had to hold a pose while the others tried to make them break character. That was when it happened. On screen, Syo stepped forward with a mischievous grin and jabbed playful fingers into Otoya’s sides. The real Otoya beside you gave a tiny embarrassed groan.
“Oh no…” he muttered. You barely heard him, because your attention was glued to the screen and you were suddenly wide awake again.
Otoya squeaked - that unmistakable, high-pitched sound - and burst into laughter. A real, bright, heart-melting laugh that reached his eyes. He bent forward, twisting away, trying (and failing) to keep his pose. His smile was huge, shining, impossible to ignore. His laughter made two staff members also start laughing behind the camera.
Your cheeks warmed. You couldn’t help it. Otoya’s laugh was… unfairly cute. When you glanced over at him beside you, he’d pulled his hoodie strings up to hide half his face. “They didn’t have to air that part…” You grinned. You couldn’t resist teasing him a little. “You are pretty ticklish, huh?” His entire face went red. “W-Wha?! I mean I-I guess, kinda, maybe?”
You reached out and gently poked his side. He squeaked. Actually squeaked. You burst into laughter. “Wow, that was real!” Otoya snapped his head toward you so fast his hair flew. “D-Don’t do that!” He puffed his cheeks. “It- It’s not fair! I wasn’t ready!” But your grin only widened. “Just wanted to confirm the authenticity of the footage.”
“T-There was no reason to confirm anything!” he insisted - right before you poked him again. “Eep! (Y/N)!” This time you got a couple of rushed giggles before he snatched your wrist in both hands, holding it firmly but gently. His eyes were round with surprise, but also sparkling with something playful. “H-Hey! You can’t just tickle me out of nowhere!” he sputtered.
“You’re the one who squeaked,” you teased, leaning closer. “I-! You-!” He was flustered beyond recovery and then, as if a switch flipped, his expression softened, shifted… and a warm smile spread over his face. “You’re mean,” he said sweetly. Uh-oh.
Before you could react, he leaned forward, pushed you backward with a smooth, practiced motion, and suddenly you were lying on your back, half-sunk into the couch cushions with Otoya hovering over you. Despite his soft personality, he was surprisingly strong - years of dancing and performing gave him toned arms and quick reflexes. “O-Otoya!”
“You called this fair, right?” he asked, voice still light but eyes gleaming with playful intent. “So you won’t mind if I get a little payback.” Your heart jumped. “Otoya, wai-!” He didn’t wait. His fingers landed on your sides with no hesitation - gentle, quick, wiggling in that way that immediately sent sparks up your nerves.
“Ah! Otoyahaha! No!” “Whoa! You really are ticklish!” Otoya said with a delighted laugh, leaning close enough for his hair to brush your forehead. “See? You made fun of me for squeaking, but listen to you!” His hands danced along your ribs, squeezing lightly, finding sensitive spots with embarrassing accuracy.
You twisted and tried to squirm away, but the couch wasn’t giving you any escape. “Stop! Otoya-sahahaha!” He giggled along with you, his smile growing brighter every second. “Nope! You started it!” Your laughter filled the room - real, uncontrolled, and loud. Otoya’s joy mixed with yours, echoing over the sound of the TV still playing behind you.
He shifted his hands, sliding them up toward your ribs and then back to your waist, keeping the tickles gentle but relentless. His warmth hovered over you, the closeness making everything feel both flustering and comforting. “You have such a cute laugh,” he said cheerfully, “why did you hide it all this time?” “I dihihihidn’t!” “Yes you did!” he teased.
You kicked your legs helplessly against the couch cushions. Otoya was smiling so brightly that you could swear the room looked warmer. He slowed down after a moment - not because he wanted to stop, but because he seemed mesmerized by your expression. “You okay?” You nodded between lingering giggles, catching your breath. “You’re evil…”
“Evil? Me?” He tilted his head, chuckling. “I think I’m just getting even.” He paused before adding, softly, “But I’m really happy. I missed spending time like this.” Your chest warmed. “Me too.”
His blush returned, a soft pink blooming across his cheeks. His hands were still resting lightly on your waist, thumbs brushing absentminded little circles there as if he didn’t want to move just yet. On TV, his recorded self was still laughing as Syo attacked him. “What a timing…” you mumbled.
Otoya followed your gaze to the screen and groaned dramatically when he saw Syo digging into his sides again. “Nooo, why did they air that part too?” You smirked and reached up to poke his side again. He yelped. “Don’t!!” “Can’t help it,” you teased, “you’re adorable when you laugh.” His face went redder than his hair.
“I-I-! T-That’s not-! You can’t just say stuff like that!” You grinned up at him. “And yet I did.” Otoya let out a soft breath, half-laugh, half-surrender. His expression softened into something gentle, warm, almost timid. “You really are mean,” he murmured. “Am not.” “Are too.” He leaned in, close enough for his forehead to brush yours. “Wanna prove it?”
You raised a brow. “What does that mean?” Otoya gently poked your side again. You squeaked. “Yep,” he beamed, “that proves it!” You burst into laughter again, Otoya grinning triumphantly over you before finally collapsing beside you on the couch - both of you panting, smiling, cheeks warm.
For a while, neither of you spoke. The laughter on TV blended with memories of his real laugh from moments before. Your hand brushed his, and when he didn’t pull away, you intertwined your fingers. Otoya let out a soft, content sigh.
“I’m really glad I came home today,” he said quietly. You rested your head against his shoulder, smiling softly. “Me too.” And as the TV continued playing clips of ST☆RISH’s chaos, the room remained filled with warmth, laughter still lingering in the air long after the tickling had stopped.









