(I had this idea bouncing around in my head after watching an Essek comp. He had admitted to Scrying on the Nein occasionally. Im thinking about making a part 2 because itd be pretty cute if this was Esseks awakening/ introduction to the Mighty Nein tickling. How long can he go before he gets rangled in or trys it himself. Anyway anyway! I hope this keeps you fed for a bit. As always, enjoy!)
Essek had a couple duties that were less than ideal when it came to babysitting observing the members of the mighty nein. The bright queen was still wary of this strange group so having Essek to Scry on them wasn't too obtuse of an task.
He didn't mind the action itself, however he also was tasked in writing a report of everything that he saw. Mostly he viewed them doing mundane things. Beau and Fjord getting up early to go on a run, Caleb writing spells into his book, Caduceus making tea, and everyone sitting down for dinner. He even once saw Jester drawing his own face followed by drawing a concerning amount of tiny dicks.
Some moments held importantance where they spoke of they're many travels, and where their motives aligned. He had made close to a dozen reports and was starting to feel closer to this group. There was a tinge of regret that followed after these Scrys, like he was betraying the trust they so willingly threw his way.
When the Bright Queen told him he needed to perform one last Scry, he felt a weight lifted off his shoulders. He just had to get through this last one.
Floating into his work chamber he gathered the proper components and his spell book. He began reciting the spell and looked into the small water well thinking of Jester. The reflection on top of the waters edge shimmered in its familiar way and showed him the Jorhouse. The familiar tile and moody light from the wall sconces set the scene as he willed the image to find the blue teifling. The viewing angle slide across the walls until it landed on the couch they have in the living area.
Essek took a moment to understand what he was looking at, until the image clicked into place and heat crept onto his cheeks. Beau was leaning back against the couch arm and had put Caleb into a full Nelson while Jester was sitting on hip hips poking and proding at his torso.
"Bitte! Ah-h Jehester! Ehh-hahaha I cahant!" Caleb squirmed and squeaked trying to get his arms to come down but Beaus hold was iron tight.
"Sure you can, just admit your little crush and this all can stop" Beau spoke out.
"Beau he doesnt want this to stop, otherwise he would have said the name by now." A voice out of view said, though Essek knew it to be Fjord.
"Omg Caleb, your super enjoying getting tickled right now. Look how big your smile is~" Jester teased, her tail coming out from behind her to pull the hair out of Caleb's face.
Essek saw Caleb's face which was as red as flame and practically split in two from all the laughing. The drow could feel his stomach do little somersaults looking at the scene in front of him. The feeling of dread filled him thinking about the report he'd have to make later. The second hand embarrassment creeping into his mind as his own face was burning. He'd have to watch this scene unfold, as was his duty to his queen, but he felt shame for what felt like another betrayal to his new friends.
Then again.
There was also a bit of excitement. The idea he now knew something so exploitable from about his friend was undeniably satisfying.
A yelp took him out of his own thoughts as he watched Caleb almost buck Jester off his hips. Immediately he saw the reason, the tip of her tail was wiggling and digging into his toes.
"Ahhaa-AAH! JEhester! Ihi lihiehied! I-Ahahah I have feeheehehelings fohor no One! Bihihitte!"
"Caleb! Your lying to your friends? Thats it! You left me no choice" She stops her attack for a moment to give the wizard a moment to breathe. Her eyes brighten slightly as she brings her arms out to both sides and yells "Zooone of Truuuuth!"
The magic extends into the space around her twisting around and into her friends around her. Caleb's eyes go wide as he tries to fight the effects, but to no avail. The laughter and tickling had weekend his mind. Beau behind him smiles and speaks into his ear "Uh oh. You're really in trouble now."
Jester looks at Cakeb with a predator like intensity "Looks like you cant get away, and you cant lie." She holds her hands up and begins to start wiggling into Caleb's direction "Do you want to tell us now, or do i have to tickle you until you admit it?"
His giggles still laced his breathing, and his wobbly smile grew bigger. "Jester, this is unfair! You-you cant be serious"
"I am very serious Caleb, we're your friends and we deserve to know who tickles your fancy" she emphasized by scribbling her fingers along his waist. It looks like Caleb is going to say something but physically can't. "I totally forgot! Now you can't pretend you hate it when we tickle you. "
Interesting.
"Thihis is soho cruel!"
"This can all end, If you say one name"
Wiggling fingers shot to his hips and dug in little circles. Her nails occasionally digging into the soft flesh below. The wizard bucked and tried crunching inwards, not really getting far. "NEHEHEIN! Ihi Dohohont wahant to saaha-Ahahay ihit!"
"That's too bad" Blue hands stopped circling on his hips and reached up towards the top of his body. She reached under his coat and Caleb started to panic.
"Jester! Please, yohou-you know I am t- ah sensitive thehere!"
Essek hears a click from under the cloak and the human man starts babbling before one deft hand skitters on his lower ribs while her other hand slowly digs and explores each divit between each bone. Cackling echos from Caleb as he tries to throw off Beau and Jester.
"Caleb is this where your sensitive? How about here?" Her fingers inched upwards bringing his pitch and volume up with them. Her hand that was skittering changed to pinching and her digging fingers started vibrating in-between ribs. Caleb tried twisting and flailing his arms that were still held in place by Beau.
Essek had never seen Caleb chuckle, let alone laugh. And now he had to bare witness to this normally stoic man reduced to hysteria. If it wasn't for the Queen he would have stopped the spell and given his friend their privacy. Right? That would've been the right thing to do. Even so, he wasnt sure. It's a hard thing to admit that he kept watching not because of orders but because of curiosity. Curious as to what reactions he could cause with his own hands. What he-
Caleb Widowgast screamed as blue fingers dug into the tops of his ribs, thrashing the best he could out of his predicament. You'd think he'd been electrocuted the way he moved.
"Come on Caleb. Who do you like?"
"IHEHEHEHH NEHEIN! CAHAAHANT!"
Essek saw tears roll down Caleb's face. "Just say it" he found himself saying to himself silently.
"EHEHESSEHEK!"
For a moment, he thought he was actually there and Caleb was calling for him to help, or acknowledged he was scrying. Feeling anxiety that he'd been discovered, but it quickly dissolved and surprise graced his features.
"I knew it! You two have been making eyes at each other for months!" She slowed down her fingers, letting him finally get his breath back. Beau took that as her cue and released him. He hunched over and leaned his side into couch cushions. "You did really good Caleb!"
Caleb held his head in his hands letting his titters filter out of him. "Thahat *huff* that, was very cruehel." He practically collapsed forward "Ihi think im going to lie down now."
"No no no no no, you HAVE to tell us more! What do you like about him? Does he get you all fired up? Do you want to get all freaky?"
"Jester pleease, spar me anymore embarrassment for today" Caleb groaned.
Beau hoisted herself up using Caleb's back, chuckling slightly as she walked out of sight. "Its not like he doesnt like you back, we've all seen how you both get when you have your little 'wizard lessons'."
Jester eyes followed Beau as she walked away, and then snapped back to Caleb. "She's right. Oh! And, I'm sure he'd be all over you if he saw how cute you get when your tickled." She lightly traced over his ears and shoulders.
He jumped slightly and twisted and shook with giggles. "Noohohoho"
She leaned into his ear and whispered "I bet you'd lose your little keen mind if he did this to you."
Caleb succumbed to his tickly fate, not denying her remark.
Esseck felt his stomach swoop.
The image before Essek started to swirl and fade until the water well looked as it had before he started to Scry. The chamber felt all too cold and sterile, compared to the warmth of the Jorhouse.
...
Light of the Luxon, what did he just witness?
One million things were running though his head. Caleb had feelings for him?! I mean there was a part of him that had a particular fondness for his human friend. He was often pleasantly surprised by his deftness with dunamancy and his intellect, specifically with the arcane. After sharing notes with each other they're eyes would linger for a second too long and they'd have a whole conversation without saying a word. Even watching him the past 10 minutes had been mesmerizing, and he truly couldnt look away. The first time hearing his laugh, seeing him blush, and confessing his feelings well.... perhaps the Shadow Hand felt similarly.
The image of Caleb's smile was stuck in his head, as well as Jester's words "I bet you'd lose your little keen mind if he did this to you."
Essek put his head in his hands, and immediately felt how hot his face had become.
"I bet you'd lose your little keen mind if he did this to you."
Summary: During another Kitty Cards campaign you find yourself loosing to Caleb. Again. And of course he got to rub it in. You are fed up with the teasing and decide to serve some payback... your special way.
A/N: there are no fics with ticklish Caleb. someone must put an end to this
Word Count: 1.8k
Ever since the very childhood, you never liked thunderstorms. The darkness and that earth-shaking racket outside — as if something was going to bust inside — made your heart race and left you feeling abandoned. Luckily, like a shadow, there was always one person nearby who didn't laugh at this, but carefully covered your ears and tried to make you laugh at every opportunity.
“Not much of a fun out there, eh?” Caleb scratched the back of his head as he stared out the window.
Tonight was exactly one of those stormy nights. It was way path midnight, and seemingly any sane person would've been thrilled to cozy up and snuffle listening to the rain. But that wasn't your case for sure. Thunder fiercely slammed the roof like a jackhammer, and it felt like branches would break the windows in a wild flight. Thankfully, Caleb's house had the solidness befitting colonel. And still, neither of you could sleep, so, shuffling a deck of cards, Caleb perched on your bed.
“Shall we play?”
He smiled with his eyes, reminding little sun. So needed on this stormy night.
“Let's play,” you answer, trying not to give away your enthusiasm.
“Knew you've been waiting for this. You’re totally hooked on Kitty Cards, aren’tcha?”
It was your go-to distraction, indeed. Lately, though, life had been running you ragged, leaving zero brainpower for building good strategies.
“Not really hooked... It's just that you've been winning too often lately. And I can’t let that slide.”
“That's why you’re so eager to lose to me for the fifth time this week?” he sneered, dealing the cards. He knew perfectly well that the phrase "give up" was a rare guest in your lexicon, and he willingly took advantage of this.
“Eager? You were the one who asked!” You snatched your cards, getting into combat readiness. “Besides, you shouldn't be so full of yourself. The higher you climb, the harder you crash. Just wait — you’ll be begging me for a rematch.”
“Oh, so that’s what you're doing when drag me to cafés for playing… I'll note that.”
Without warning, you both shot out your hands. He threw rock; you threw paper.
“Ha! See? Off to a hot start,” you said, immediately slapping down a Freeze card while he drew a Number one.
Luck swung your way. Into the red cup you gleefully slapped your highest-value card — a six. But sike! — the second you ended your turn, Caleb wiped your haul by flipping the cup’s color.
“Oops,” incredibly naturally and almost not mockingly flew off from the guy's mouth.
You shot him a glare, but well, that's only a start. Picking an Assist card, you decided to skip your attack to see what he was going to do.When Caleb's turn rolled around, Lady Luck handed him two more Assist cards. He burned one to draw two more Number cards. Using all the assists somehow snowballed into a full hand, and here you silently widened your eyes, preparing for the probable defeat. Caleb dumped kittens into every remaining cup in one swoop, and now you were laser-eyeing your pathetic two-card hand, scrambling for a strategy.
He’d been studying your face the whole time till finally snorted: “You’re scowling so hard your forehead’s gonna crack. Want a mirror to check the damage?”
His jab yanked you out of strategizing like a hammer to the thumb. “And you’re grinning so smug your cheeks will split soon. Doubt you’ll see past them to any mirror.”
A spark lit behind Caleb's eyes as he leaned on his palm, squinting. “You know, you’re like a little kitten yourself: trying to put your claws on me but ending up adorable and damageless.”
“Shut it!”
You slammed down a card as weak as your odds. Caleb eyed it measurably, then you, like you’d offered him a moldy sandwich, and spoke only after a pause.
“You’re playing so bad I’m starting to think you’re loosing me on purpose.”
“It's you who's the lucky one here. And the burden of thinking about tactics falls on me."
“Tactics?” He barked a laugh, poking your forehead. “All your moves are written all over your face, pipsqueak. You’re fighting fire with gasoline.”
“Urgh, why are you being so annoying?"
“You’re just salty ‘cause victory…” he played his last Assist to boot your kitten and plant his own, “…is already mine.”
Before you could even comprehend what had happened, you looked at the game board, completely filled with Caleb's kittens and branding him the winner. So easily. Total cheat, no doubt.
“Be honest, were you cheating?”
“No. You just don’t see me training all night to beat you…” he paused. “Just kidding. I sleep like a baby.”
“Big statement. I doubt you do anything other than watching me sleeping,” you tartly notice, arms crossed. Caleb pretended not to hear, waving it off.
“Don't worry. One day I’ll be old, blind, and maybe you’ll stand a chance... Till then beating you feels like taking candy from a kid, honestly.”
Caleb's hand plopped onto your head, messing up your hair into a nest. The cup of patience quickly began to overflow. Losing to someone so insufferable as Caleb is one thing; enduring his smug gloating and never-ending teases — funny only to his ego — was another.
“So you say playing with me is the same as playing with a kid?” the complaint in your voice grew bigger, and the cheeks started filling up with blush from irritation.
“Worse.” Caleb payed special attention to the shade of your tomatoe-red face, his hand slid from your head to pinch your cheek, stretching it to hamster-pouch levels. “I even feel kinda bad...”
“Then brace for the fitting backlash!” you wanted to slap his hand away, but he managed to quickly dodge and pinched your nose along the way. At that moment, you shoved him with all your strength, sending him sprawling onto the bed, which even Caleb didn't expect, looking at you in surprise.
“Whose face is gonna crack now, huh?”, you grabbed his cheeks and started mashing them in different directions, making funny grimaces on Caleb's face. When his hands reach up to intercept yours, you just as deftly moved hands to the sides, running them over Caleb's neck and ears, which caused a stream of light chuckles to escape from the latter.
Right... He is ticklish. A chorus of self-congratulatory applause erupted in your head for remembering such working weapon against his cockiness.
Without giving him a chance to get his bearings, you aimed at his sides and began to quickly tickle them.
“Ah- Wahahait pipsqueak! Ha-ha-ha... Don't get mad!” Caleb wasn't exactly sensitive to light touch — his skin was practically armor, and you knew pretty well that you wouldn't break through it with gentle attacks, that's why you expertly kneaded his weak spots, making him squirm like a hooked fish.
“Touché! Ahah!...You're playing dirty, learn to lose grac–Ah!”
“Oh, I'm playing dirty? Pretty sure that's been your move all along. And you'll admit it soon.”
When your fingers skated down to the hips and started digging it there, he quickly grabbed and squeezed your wrists — but his grip slackened instantly, like he was scared to hurt you.
Or maybe... he didn't want to stop you, low-key enjoying this game?
“Alright, fine, let's rematch!”
You wriggled free and dove right back in, fingers dancing up his tense torso.
“Told you I'd make you beg for a rematch,” you grinned, doubling down on his most vulnerable spots, not letting him to catch breath.
Not loud, but very sparkling and clear laughter of Caleb filled the room. At moments he tried to stifle the chuckles, after all he always tried to look strong and unshakable in your eyes... But you were a pro at breaking this façade.
“Hahahaha! Ohoh come on! After all I do for you?!..”
“Do what? Being an ass?” his poor attempt to manipulate has failed, but, unfortunately, it faltered your rib counting rythm, forcing you to restart. From the bottom to the top. “You talked too much — pay the price now.”
Somewhere between the gasps, Caleb decided to flip the script: from the victim of revenge to a full-in wrestling participant. His tickle-induced squirming bucked you off and sent you both rolling across the bed as he attempted to tickle you back.
Not very successfully though...
At this point he couldn't stand it any longer and grabbed you, pressing you to himself in a tight bear hug. Your hands crawled to his lower ribs to continue tickling him even in this position, but with the loud exhale he intercepted your "killing tools" and pressed them at the seams. His arms wrapped around over your arms, and now you were trapped in a human straightjacket.
“Truce. I understood. No more teasing...” he said softly after catching his breath, trying to smother your fighting spirit.
Finally, when you both quieted down from the playfight, Caleb huffed a chuckle again:
“In past you would always poke me whenever you were bored. You've studied my weak spots pretty well over years.”
“I remember a time when you laughed so hard a snort flew out and landed on grandma.”
“What?! You sure that wasn't you?”
“Absolutely.”
“You are ruthless...”
You arched a brow and looked up at him. You’d never thought about it before, but now it hit you that he often sounded like a nostalgic grandman. What's this? A cheap trick to soften you up?
“Caleb, why are you dwelling on the past so much?” you couldn't resist asking.
Caleb stilled, resting his chin atop your head.
...
“Maybe I miss those times much more than I'd wanted.”
The tempest was beginning to subside, but the rain outside continued to tap the roof in a chaotic rythm. The sounds of the storm contrasted with the warmth and cozyness of Caleb's arms around you, in which you felt calm and safe.
As you chatted about childhood memories, Caleb tenderly scratched your back in a cuddle. Completely relaxed, you melted into him, sleep dragging you under.
Caleb cracked an eye open at your soft snores. Your face seemed so cute and peaceful to him, that he reflectively pulled you tighter. It'd always been torturous for him to hold back around you. Whatever bond was between you, he never dared to risk it, not when he thought that he was the only one whose heart raced like mad, while you only saw a brother figure. But right now he didn't want anything more. He gently brushed a stray hair from your face behind ear and kissed your forehead softly. A rush of sleep crept up on him too now, but he wouldn't unlock his arms.
“Sweet deams, pipsqueak,” he murmured, drifting off.
