Smiling Hero
A/N: @lovelynim Feliz Natal! Surprise, I bet you didn't expect me to write for these two, right? I had another pair in mind but thought why not trying to catch you off guard this time?! I hope that I managed to make your Christmas days a bit sweeter with it~
Words: 1,302 worder under the cut
The practice room echoed with the dull thump of Nice’s boots against the padded floor as he paced back and forth in front of the mirror. His posture was perfect, his stance balanced, his shoulders squared like a hero carved out of confidence itself. He lifted his head slightly, adjusted the angle of his chin, and smiled. Then frowned. Then smiled again.
“No… that one’s weird,” Nice muttered to himself, lips twitching as he tried again. He pulled the corners of his mouth up deliberately, holding it there as if the expression might lock into place if he concentrated hard enough. Behind him, sprawled lazily against the wall with his arms crossed, Wreck watched the whole thing with barely contained amusement.
He’d been quiet for a while, watching his friend’s attempts to create a proper and Oscar-worthy smile, but the longer Nice practiced, the harder it became to keep it in. “…You know,” Wreck said finally, pushing himself off the wall, “if you keep staring at yourself like that, you’re gonna scare the mirror.” Nice glanced over his shoulder.
“Hey, I’m serious. Smiling is important. Image matters.” “Uh-huh,” Wreck replied, walking closer, “that wasn’t a smile though. That was more like you were about to announce the end of the world.” Nice scoffed and turned fully toward him. “It’s fine, I just need it to look more… natural.” Wreck tilted his head, studying him openly. “You’re overthinking it.”
Nice stepped forward and lightly jabbed his elbow into Wreck’s side. “Says the guy who doesn’t have to think about this stuff.” Wreck let out a short laugh and rubbed his side. “Ow. Okay, okay, no need to get violent.” Nice crossed his arms, still looking faintly frustrated.
“Well? Does it look okay or not?” Wreck considered him for a moment longer, then a slow grin spread across his face. “Actually… I know a way to make you smile for real. All natural and unforced.” Nice narrowed his eyes suspiciously. “That sounds like a trap.” “It’s more of a… technique,” Wreck said innocently. “…What kind of technique?” “The fun kind.”
Before Nice could react, Wreck suddenly lunged forward and planted both hands firmly against his sides. Nice made a startled noise that didn’t sound heroic in the slightest. “W-WhaHat?!” Wreck’s fingers wiggled playfully, digging in just enough to hit all the sensitive spots at once, and Nice’s composure shattered instantly.
“Hahaha! WreHeck! H-HeHey! NOHoho tiHickling!” he giggled. His legs buckled as bright, airy laughter spilled out of him, completely unrestrained, just as the other had promised. He stumbled backward, grabbing at Wreck’s sleeves in a failed attempt to steady himself, but the brunette followed, laughing along as he tickled him mercilessly.
“There!” Wreck teased. “See? That’s a real smile!” “I-! Hahaha! ThaHaht’s- That’s cheHeheating!” Nice laughed, his laughter getting louder the higher Wreck’s fingers wiggled. It had been a while since the other had tickled him, heck, he couldn’t even remember it, but his body surely did, sending ticklish waves up to his brain, causing it to malfunction.
They lost balance together, collapsing onto the padded floor in a tangled heap. Nice landed on his back with a soft thud, still laughing breathlessly as Wreck hovered over him, hands never stopping, continuing to tickle these bright sounds out of him and making him smile.
His fingers traveled up to his ribs, poking and squeezing the spot as if it was the most natural thing in the world. “WreHeck! St-StoHop iHit!” Nice protested between giggles, his cheeks flushing pink. He could feel his face heating up from all the laughter and his friend’s playful snickers didn’t make it easier. He felt so vulnerable right now, so lost, so carefree.
Wreck grinned down at him, clearly enjoying himself. “Nope, you agreed.” “I didn’t agree to this!” Nice managed to say between laughter. Though, the lack of him really fighting back, not even using his abilities, told Wreck enough that Nice didn’t mind, being not-so-perfect in front of him, and the brunette really appreciated this side of him.
He shifted his weight a bit and switched to attack Nice’s sides again, fingers skittering upward before darting beneath his arms, wiggling up into his armpits. Nice squeaked. “AH! N-Not there! CoHome oHOn!” “Oh, definitely there,” Wreck said, unapologetic. He drew little circles into them and oh how did he wish to be able to take a picture of the other’s smile right now.
It already was perfect, wonderful, and heart-capturing, if only Nice could see it too. Nice didn't notice any of this, his laughter went higher, brighter, his whole body squirming beneath Wreck as he tried - and failed - to twist away. The tickling made him unable to think clearly and the longer it went one the more sensitive he seemed to get.
"HAHAhAAh ooHoho my goHohod!" His hands flailed uselessly, trying to get a hold of something, anything, before finally finding purchase. His fingers managed to grab Wreck's hips, and the moment Nice realized it, he dug them in, trying to tickle the other back. Wreck froze the moment he felt the other connect with his flanks.
However, he himself soon began to tremble as the first laughs bubbled out of him. "Pftt- N-NiIHhice!" Nice’s eyes lit up. “Oh~” How could he forgot that a certain someone was just as ticklish as him? He squeezed again, his thumbs rubbing softly into the spot. Wreck burst out laughing, the sound loud, unfiltered, and punctuated by a very undignified snort.
“HEY! N-NoHot faHahair!” Wreck wheezed, laughter shaking through him as Nice kept squeezing. The brunette was losing his hold, enough so that the whitehead could overpower him. They rolled across the floor, tickling each other relentlessly, laughter overlapping and echoing through the room.
Wreck tried to regain control, but Nice clung to him stubbornly, fingers relentless wiggling against his sides. “You started it!” Nice laughed. “And I regret nothing!” Wreck shot back, even as he struggled. Eventually, strength and momentum won out. Wreck managed to roll them again, pinning Nice beneath him with his hands braced on either side of his shoulders.
The other was still laughing, breathless and flushed, hair a mess against the floor. Wreck paused, chest rising and falling as he caught his breath. He looked down at Nice, at the way his eyes crinkled when he laughed, the warmth radiating off him like sunlight.
Wreck’s expression softened and there was something shinning in his eyes that you couldn't quite describe. It was a radiant you wouldn't show just anyone, maybe not even your best friend. His lips turned upward, they had to, and Wreck opened his lips before he could think further. “…You know,” he said quietly, “you’ve got the most natural, radiant smile I know.”
Nice blinked up at him, laughter fading into a surprised grin. His face heated up instantly. “T-That’s-” he stammered, then huffed. “You’re such a dork.” Wreck chuckled. “Yeah, but I’m not wrong, am I?” Nice looked away for a second, then back up at him, still smiling despite himself. “Well… if that’s the case… maybe I don’t need to practice so much.”
Wreck’s grin widened. “Told you,” he teased and gave him one more squeeze, causing one last giggle from his friend. They stayed there for a moment longer, the room quiet again except for their shared breathing, before Nice laughed softly and gave Wreck a light push.
“Okay,” he said, “get off me before someone walks in.” Wreck stood and offered him a hand, helping Nice up with an easy smile. “Anytime you need help smiling, or a little reminder of how to do it, you know where to find me,” he said with a wink while wiggling one hand playfully midair. Nice rolled his eyes, but his grin never left his face. “I’ll remember that.”