At the Bathhouse
Switch!Phainon — Switch!Mydei
This is a honkai: star rail tickle fic. If this isn't your cup of tea, keep scrolling please.
"Tch, HKS." Mydei mutters under his breath as Phainon's face finally comes into view across the steaming water. The dim glow of the bathhouse lanterns catches in his white hair, that smirk already tugging at his lips like he's already won something.
Mydei shifts slightly, damn this water for being so relaxing and damn him for sitting so close. "You’re still here? I was thinking the steam had swallowed you whole."
Mydei narrows his eyes. “And don’t think calling this a ‘duel’ makes it any less ridiculous. This is just an excuse for you to watch me squirm.” His fingers curl against the smooth stone beneath him. “I lasted longer than you last time, and don’t deny it.”
A soft chuckle rumbles from Phainon, rich and warm.
“Did you now?” The deliverer leans forward slightly, arms resting on his knees, eyes glinting with mischief. “Or did I just let you win so it could stroke your ego?"
Mydei sputters, offended. Damn it all.
"HKS! You insufferable sun-blessed prick- you did no such thing!"
Phainon's smirk only widens at Mydei's outburst, the steam curling around his shoulders almost resembling the halo in his ult form. He tilts his head, cyan eyes sparkling with pure, unfiltered gloating.
"Denial? From you?" Phainon tsks dramatically. "Mydeimos the undying, immortal prince of Kremnos, reduced to blushing in hot water because I called you pretty."
Mydei's face burns hotter than the bath, hotter than a titan's wrath.
"Pre-? I did not blush!" He snaps, voice cracking slightly. His hands fly up in defense, steam swirling as he shifts like a cornered beast.
The lantern light catches the faintest pink on his cheeks, just enough to betray him.
Phainon leans back with a satisfied sigh. "Mmhmm. Sure you didn't." A pause.
"You're even redder than your cape."
He flashes that stupidly perfect grin, the one that used to make Mydei want to punch him… and also maybe kiss him? No, bad thought!
"HKS! You’re impossible...."
Phainon lets out a low, melodic laugh, warm and entirely too pleased with himself. He stretches his arms behind his head, leaning back into the water like a king on a throne of steam.
"Impossible? Me?" He says, feigning innocence. "I'm just stating facts. Like how you definitely shrieked when I tickled your armpit last time."
Mydei's breath hitches.
Oh no.
He remembers it all too well. The splash of water as Phainon suddenly lunged across the baths and grabbed at him between nimble fingers…
The memory flooded the immortal's head.
Mydei's breath hitches and he instinctively scoots back, pressing his shoulders against the smooth stone edge of the bath.
Phainon sees it. Of course he does.
That predator-like grin spreads across his face, the one Mydei knows all too well. The "I'm about to ruin your life" smile.
Before Mydei can even react, Phainon pushes off from where he was lounging and slides across the water like a sea creature. Fast for someone so relaxed moments ago.
The water ripples violently as Phainon lunges, fast, precise and wicked.
Mydei barely has time to yelp before strong hands grab his sides. His entire body jerks.
"No- Phainon I swear-" He barks, voice cracking into something far too high-pitched for the crown prince of war and bloodshed.
But it's too late.
Fingers dig into his armpit with expertise, the same spot that made him shriek last time. That one weak point no one else knew about…except this insufferable sunbeam of a man who apparently has memorized every ticklish inch during their previous duel.
A squeak escapes Mydei’s lips before he can clamp them shut. The prince immediately bites back an impending laugh. "ggRrrr...d-deheliverer-!"
Phainon beams at that sound.
That tiny, high-pitched squeak, sends pure joy surging through his chest. He’s merciless now, fingers dancing quickly with one hand on Mydei’s armpit, the other sneaking down to brush against his ribs.
"Come on," Phainon teases between soft chuckles of his own. "Laughter is good for you! Doctor's orders!" Acting as if he was just like Hyacine. How silly.
The steam swirls around them as Mydei thrashes. Not violently, they're both too strong for that, but frantically trying to twist away like a dignified prince who refuses to be humiliated in a public bathhouse.
Which only makes it funner for the deliverer.
Mydei wriggles, his face contorted in a desperate battle between royal composure and uncontrollable laughter.
"iHif you doHont stop riHiHght nohow-!" He gasps, voice wobbling. A giggle bursts out, small but undeniably there and the second it does, Phainon's eyes light up like twin flames.
He shifts tactics instantly: one hand moves from Mydei’s armpit to dart down and tickle the soft spot at his collarbone.
Mydei jerks so hard water splashes over the edge of the bath. His breath comes in short bursts now as suppressed laughter finally breaks free. A real one this time: sharp…utterly human beneath centuries of armor and the weight of immortality upon him.
"gHahaHA- dehehlivHeehereHEr thiHiHis ihihis chiHildihHish-! stOhOp thiHis ihiHinstHahaHant-!"
Phainon ignores the demand because of course he does. When has any ruler, prince, or god ever stopped him from doing something fun?
He leans in closer through the steamy air, his white hair damp and clinging to his forehead as laughter spills from Mydei’s lips. The kind that makes Phainon’s heart do something silly.
"Childish? But it's fun! Tickletickletickle Mydeimos~!"
This is better than winning any battle.
Mydei laughing? Unfiltered? Like this?
Precious.
With zero remorse and all the joy of a man who lives for chaos and affection equally, Phainon shifts again and aims both hands at Mydei's hips now.
Mydei collapses into a full, helpless laugh, rich and warm despite his best efforts to sound offended.
It’s the kind of laugh that hasn’t been heard in a long time. The kind that belongs to a boy who once played in palace gardens before curses, betrayals, and immortality stole his joy.
He flails slightly, water sloshing wildly as Phainon's fingers attack both hips relentlessly. His shoulders shake; he can't even form proper words anymore.
"pHhahHAINON IHIHI WIHIIHILL DROHHOWN UHUUHS BOHOHOTH IHIHIF YOHOHOU DOHOHONT CEHAHAHASE-!"
But it's not threatening at all. Not when he's giggling like this. Not when tears are starting to prickle the corners of his eyes from laughing too hard after so long without reason for it.
Phainon finally shows mercy though.
Or maybe it's the sight of Mydei, crown prince of Kremnos, laughing like a breathless child with tears in his eyes that softens Phainon’s heart into something so tender.
He pulls back just slightly, hands still hovering but no longer attacking. Steam curls behind them. The bathhouse is quiet again except for their heavy breathing and lingering giggles.
For a moment, they just stare at each other. Wet hair clinging to their foreheads.
Mydei gasps slightly, catching his breath as he pants. Already planning his revenge on the deliverer.
Mydei narrows his eyes at Phainon.
Phainon sees the look.
That narrow-eyed, calculating stare. The one Mydei gets right before he strikes back with twice the vengeance.
Before Phainon can even brace himself-
Mydei pounces.
Water splashes as he tackles across the small bath, stronger than his lean frame suggests. In an instant, those prince's long fingers are digging into Phainon’s sides and stomach with zero mercy.
"Your turn." Mydei growls playfully, still breathless from laughing but now fueled by his need for payback.
Phainon shrieks.
The demigod of worldbearing, shrieks like a startled puppy as Mydei’s fingers find his stomach.
"nONoOononoOhoho mydHheheei! yohoOHOOHURE TOOHOHOO STROHOHONG-!!" Phainon protests between bursts of laughter, thrashing slightly but not pushing him away. He can't even defend himself properly.
He tries to twist away but ends up half-submerged in warm water as Mydei mercilessly attacks with both hands.
"MYDHEHEEEI PLEHEHAAHAHASE!! COHOHOME OHOHON!"
Someone would surely slip with the flood they were practically causing by now. But neither paid attention to that. Only Phainon's laughter echoing throughout the baths.
The deliverer had a lot coming for him from the prince of kremnos.