Tickletober 2023 - Critical Role - Campaign 2 - lee!Essek
[see my other tickletober 2023 fics]
A/N: It started out with a kiss, how did it end up like this? It was only a kiss. It was only a kiss. (Shadowidomauk but Caleb is out getting groceries or spell supplies ok.) [read on AO3]
Words: 661
—
From the floor, Essek makes his best attempt at a glower, his face fixed on Mollymauk, who sits above him, a few inches away, on the love seat. He tries his best to ignore the burning feeling rising in his cheeks as he takes in Molly’s absolutely devious grin.
They both stare, energy tense and prickling in the air, waiting for the other to make a move.
Instead of attempting to dissuade him or plead, when Essek opens his mouth it is to start the incantation for Misty Step. Not the brightest move, but he was still yet unaware of just how good Molly was becoming at hindering a spellcaster in close range (thanks, Caleb).
“Well,” Mollymauk interrupts as he pounces off the love seat and onto the drow below. “This afternoon just became much more interesting.”
–
A few minutes earlier, Essek had been thinking things would take a very different direction. He was laying against the love seat in the study he shared with Caleb beneath a very persuasive tiefling. The books the wizard had been studying lay strewn about on the nearby table. He had gotten less than an hour of studying in while Caleb was out before Molly traipsed into the study and demanded affection. He had asked Essek to read something to him on the chair, but that quickly devolved into him snuggling into the drow’s chest and starting to pepper kisses on his cheeks, taking his lips soon after. The book Essek brought over tumbled out of his hand as he readjusted to kiss him a bit deeper.
This was still rather new for Essek, Molly was quite a different type of partner than Caleb. They both shared a streak of mischief, though Molly was much more ornery about it. Mollymauk also showed his affection much more openly, and while Caleb pushed his mind, Molly pushed his… buttons. In the best of ways. Though it was sometimes not without inconvenience or embarrassment. Speaking of embarrassment…
They made out for a few minutes before Mollymauk’s kisses began to trail off of his lips and catch the edge of his chin. Essek leaned his head back, eyes fluttering shut as he hummed. Molly kissed his way down Essek’s neck, nipping once or twice playfully. Essek was smiling, a pleasant squirm baring his neck further. Molly kissed just below his ear and Essek tensed up a bit, shaking it off when he pulled away.
Molly gave him a curious look, one that Essek barely registered, eyes trained on Molly’s lips, and leaned down and nipped at the side of his ear.
Essek let out a squeak, his whole body jumping with a flinch.
Molly made a pleased sound and started to kiss and nibble the edge of his ear, from base to point. Essek screeched, hands coming up to push at Molly’s head and shoulders. “Wait- wait!” He laughed as his voice caught up to his brain. Molly blew slightly into his ear and Essek scrambled to the side, sliding out from underneath the tiefling and onto the floor, his cheeks bright. “Molly.”
–
Essek would like to think he doesn’t shriek when Molly bounds after him, the attempt at Misty Step fizzling off his lips. Instead of somatics, his hands scramble to grab Molly’s arms. He rolls a bit, squirming to get out of the way.
“Light above- you- you’ll kill me!” Essek cries out. He shuffles on the ground beneath Molly, wrists pinned near the sides of his head.
“Oh, I’ll do no such thing.” Molly pouts. He sounds so sweet, almost songlike as he continues. “So, tell me, are your ears the only place you’re ticklish?”
“No!” Essek flushes more. “I-I mean, yes- I- I-” He feels giggles already starting to build up in his chest.
“Well which is it? No? Yes?” Mollymauk teases.
Essek’s eyes meet his, frantic and bright. He shakes his head as he fights off a smile.
