Hiiii I'm obsessed w/ BG3 at the moment and wanted to write a fic hehe.
Warnings: this is a tickle fic, so tickling. Also swearing, and fluff :)
Hope you like!
Days and nights spent in close proximity on the road to Baldur's Gate were bound to result in people becoming closer. Some teammates were even starting romances or casual flings. Though you didn't think of any of your companions romantically, you couldn't help the ache in your chest watching the others interact with affection and playfulness.
You first realized you wanted connection when you were sitting outside alone, sharpening your dagger. You noticed Karlach and Lae’zel were wrestling one another, Halsin spooned Wyll by the fire, and Shadowheart played with Gale’s hair.
A melancholy feeling took you over, and you realized you didn't have that kind of relationship with anyone here. You didn't know how to, and were to ashamed to ask for it. You got along with all of your friends well, sure, but physical touch had never been a part of the equation. Maybe it could be? For Mythra’s sake, Karlach was literally burning hot and still found ways to touch the others.
You decided to try to push down the sadness, you had other more important things to worry about, such as the tadpole in your head. You retreated into yourself, trying not to think about the softness you craved. You were a paladin, supposed to be tough and strong, only in need of your patron goddess rather than human connection. At least, that's what you tried to tell yourself.
—
One evening, after a day of tough battles, you sat around the fire, passing a bottle of of wine you had pillaged that day. The air was cool, and the wine made you feel a bit relaxed and warm inside. You watched your companions as they talked and laughed.
Gale and Astarion were having a good natured argument, when the wizard said something very, very stupid, “You may be a vampire, but there's no way you can overpower me, even without my magic!” It was like he was asking for a fight, and knowing Gale, maybe he was. He and Astarion had something going on, and you thought he liked having Astarion all over him.
You swore you saw Astarion's red eyes flash in the firelight as an evil grin spread across his face. “Oh really, wizard of waterdeep? I don't even think I need a quarter of my strength to take you down.”
“–AH!” Gale yelped as Astarion deftly lunged at Gale, knocking him off his log and onto the dirt. Everyone turned to them now, snickering at them as they wrestled.
“The wizard is so weak, of course he’ll be easily overpowered by Astarion” Lae'zel snarked.
“I don't know, I think Gale might give him a run for his money,” Shadowheart chimed in.
Gale looked like he was about to get the upper hand, climbing on top of Astarion and about to pin him when the vampire shot his hands out to squeeze Gale’s sides. The effect was immediate, Gale made a strangled noise and curled in on himself like a pill bug, falling to the side.
“Oh, it seems I've found a wonderful weakness for our most obnoxious companion, he’s maddeningly ticklish!” Astarion purred.
Your cheeks went hot at the mention of, well, that word. Ever since your days at the convent, wrestling with your paladin siblings, you had known about your fondness for tickling. There was something so light and fun about it. You yearned to connect with the people you cared about in this physical way. You grew even redder at the thought of switching places with Gale, having everyone know how sensitive you actually were. Multiple members holding you down and–
“Eep!” You were pulled out of your thoughts by Wyll playfully jabbing you in the back. You flinched at the touch, looking at Wyll in confusion.
“Whoa! Never heard that sound come out of you before. Are you okay? You were completely zoned out looking at those twits,” Wyll pointed a thumb in the direction of the men. Astarion now had Gale's arms pinned under his knees, and was viciously attacking Gale's upper body. The wizard laughed and spluttered, trying and failing to reason with the pale elf.
Wyll snapped his fingers in front of your face, “Hellooo? Hells, Tav it's like your mesmerized by them,” he chuckled.
“No, nope, not sure what you're talking about, goodnight.” You swiftly got up and walked to your tent, not looking back. You could not break your façade of the stoic paladin this way. No, you had to be strong, and under no circumstances would you let anyone find out about your weakness, even if deep down that was exactly what you craved.
–
As you walked away, gears started turning in Wyll’s head. He and the others had noticed your withdrawal from the group. They all cared about you and understood you had baggage and might not always want to talk, but they wished you wouldn't be so prickly all of the time. He couldn't be sure, but the way you acted made him suspect you were very ticklish and very bad at hiding it.
He began to concoct a plan, moving to the log Shadowheart was on and whispering in her ear.
—
You were restless that night, tossing and turning, desperately trying not to think about the events of that night.
Definitely did not think about fingers sliding up and down your sides, wrestling while giggling and squirming. Nope, definitely not.
Your group was on a serious mission, no time for frivolity. It was fine, you were strong and didn't need physical affection.
You knew you were lying to yourself, even inside your own mind. You drifted to sleep with the thought of ticklish hands at your sides.
—
Outside your tent, Shadowheart and Wyll looked at each other, jaws slacked. They had heard your thoughts through the tadpole and understood, not only were you ticklish but you wanted it.
This was going to be glorious. Shadowheart had a glint in her eye, and cast her spell on Wyll.
—
*scrape, scrape*
Your eyes flew open; someone, or something, was scratching your tent. There was no moon tonight, and the fire had long since been smothered.
*scrape, scrape*
“Who–who’s there?” You asked, propping yourself up on your elbows.
The knots on your tent were being untied, one by one, you froze. Who would open your tent at this hour? You readied yourself for a fight, starting to sit up, as the flaps flew open.
Towering over you was a tall horned creature, with four arms. It was still too dark to see their face, but their voice boomed in your mind.
Hello Tav, can't sleep?
Something sounded familiar about the voice, but we're too panicked to think about it further. You gulped, trying to speak but instead stuttered, “w-wh–?”
I think I might be able to help, hold still
Suddenly, the beast darted forward clamoring on top of you. Stuck under your blanket, you couldn't move as two of its four hands pinned your arms down and seated atop you.
“Ngh–HEY let me go!! HELP!!”
No one can hear you Tav, No one is coming. The thing sounded giddy, almost teasing.
You stopped yelling to listen, and realized you heard nothing outside. The bugs had stopped chirping, there was no breeze, and no one was coming to save you. You looked at the monster and swallowed. You couldn't make out its features, just arms, horns, and darkness.
I know what you want
Your mouth went dry, recalling your fuzzy dreams, “I-uh, I don't know what you're talking about."
I think you do
You struggled against the creature, “Who are you?”
Isn't it obvious? I'm the tickle monster.
You went rigid, too stunned to move or speak. The creature started shoving your blankets away, while pulling your wrists over your head with the other two. You just lay there like a dead fish and let it happen. You knew you were absolutely, undeniably, screwed. This had to be a dream, right?
Hm did I break you already? I haven't even touched you yet. Let's see, where to start… ah!
The monster began prodding at your stomach with its two free hands.
“Ah-ihi don't – wha–A!?!” you were in instant hysterics, not just from the light pokes but from how fucking flustering and embarrassing this all was. You were too shocked to fight back, and just exploded into giggles.
Oh my, what a sensitive one I’ve found
The monster started vibrating its fingers into your stomach.
“OhMYGOHODSpleahehease”
Ah that got quite the reaction from you, let's try that again
The monster vibrated it's hands from your stomach, all the way up your sides and back down. This thing was absolutely ruthless, you could barely catch your breath to wheeze, “pleahehease have mercyhyhy,”
The monster paused it's assault, instead gently tapping fingers on your sides in thought.
Don't tell me you've had enough already? This is what you want, is it not?
“Ihim a paladin he–i only want what my Goddess does–hehe”
The tickle monster retracted all of its limbs, and sighed.
Do you not eat and drink? Do those not further your service to your god? You must feed your body as well as your soul to further your oath. Do not use your profession as an excuse to deny yourself pleasure
You were stunned, what was happening right now? You couldn't possibly be entertaining the idea of wanting anything for yourself, especially not something as asinine as tickling. “P-pleahehease just let me go-” you whined.
Hm, let's make this interesting. I will let you go if you promise to ask for affection next time you want it.
“Wh-whatno! Just leave me alone!”
Always taking the hard way, are you Tav. Tsk tsk
The monster sat up straight, and sprouted a third set of arms. You felt one set of hands on your thighs, one set on your ribs, and the final set pinning your arms back above your head.
You giggled and babbled nervously, “hehe heY waitwaitwait hahaHAHAA-”
The tickle monster squeezed just above your knees with both hands, making you shriek and kick out, “PLEASEPLEASENONOAHahaA”
You flailed around, unable to shake the hands off. It then raked fingers up and down your ribcage, causing more boisterous laughter. Soon it kept you guessing, switching back and forth between the two spots. The unpredictable nature of this attack completely destroyed any sliver of composure you might have had left.
The monster could feel you becoming weak, and began withdrawing from your legs and torso. It let your arms down, and gently curled its fingers around your ears, neck, and collar bones to keep you giggling. Once your laughter went silent, it knew you were ready to submit.
You were absolutely destroyed, unable to think or feel anything besides it tickles, it tickles, it tickles. You twitched, vaguely trying to escape but not having the energy for it.
Ready to agree, little one?
“I-*wheeze*-okahay I'll do it illdoanythingpleasehehe,”
Promise to ask for affection, the monster punctuated affection with a squeeze at your hips, making you yelp and jerk.
“OKAY OKAY I PROMISE I'll pursue affection for myself! Pleasejustletmego”
Suddenly, you felt the pull of the tadpole connect with the monster, making the tickle demon pull back. It felt familiar, you felt its intentions to be kind and playful with you. You cocked your head slightly and cast light into the tent. Finally, you could see the face of the monster whom you recognized.
“Wyll??!! What the in the hells?!”
He looked at you with a grin on his face, “Surprise, I'm the tickle monster!” he chuckled. His voice was more normal now, it had sounded deeper and booming in your mind.
“B-b-but? But? What?!?!” You stammered, absolutely dumbfounded.
“I noticed you were upset tonight, so Shadowheart and I–”
“Shadowheart knows about this?!?!” You were regretting bringing lights into the tent, as you knew your face was burning hot now.
Shadowheart popped around the corner of the tent, “how do you think Wyll got all those arms? And didn't you wonder why no one came running? You were screeching so loudly I bet they heard you in the underdark. Tonight was made possible by a modified silence spell and a shape shifting spell, obviously.” With a snap and a wink from Shadowheart, Wyll's extra arms disappeared.
You looked at them both in astonishment, “b-but why? Why would you – I don't–?”
Shadowheart’s face dropped, “Tav, you were so uptight tonight, we thought we could play a funny prank on you when we… well… don't be mad please? We heard your thoughts, your dreams, through the tadpole and… well it seemed like you could use a laugh.”
You stilled, everything clicking together now.
“And you didn't think it was… odd?”
“Tav, have you looked at our group lately? We all have tadpoles swimming in our minds and enough combined baggage to fill an owl bear cave. Your… preference is not odd,” Shadowheart said.
Despite trying to keep a brave face, slight tears started forming in your eyes. “O-oh. Heh, I guess that makes sense.”
“Please Tav, we just want to be close to you, you're not weird,” Wyll said.
Your heart truly soared. You reached forward and hugged Wyll and yanked Shadowheart into the hug too.
“I-I really care about you, and the whole crew. I don't know what I'd do without you. The tadpole, getting to Baldur's Gate – it's all so terrifying. Sometimes I think it would just be nice to relax and be playful with my best friends.”
“Well I had a ton of fun,” Wyll grinned.
“You're very squirmy, maybe I'll get Gale to cast “hold person” on you next time, Shadowheart teased.
You went bright red at the suggestion, causing Wyll and Shadowheart to laugh. They might be the death of you, and you loved them all the more for it.
