The room was peaceful, the soft hum of the television filling the space as they lay sprawled across the couch, completely at ease. Their limbs were loose, their breathing steady, and the warmth of the blanket draped over them only added to their relaxed state. It was one of those rare moments of pure comfort, the kind where time seemed to slow down.

They didn’t notice the way the cushions dipped beside them, nor the quiet shift of movement creeping closer. A presence loomed just within reach, patient… waiting.

Then, without warning, a single fingertip traced along their side.

A sharp breath hitched in their throat, their entire body tensing instinctively. It wasn’t much—just the lightest, barely-there touch—but it sent a jolt of awareness through them. Their muscles twitched involuntarily.

They froze.

No.

Before they could react, the touch returned—firmer this time. Fingers pressed gently into their ribs, wiggling in tiny, calculated movements. The reaction was instant. A helpless, breathy giggle bubbled up before they could even think to stop it, their body twisting away on instinct.

"Oh?" The voice beside them was slow, teasing. "What was that?"

They shook their head quickly, willing themselves to stay still, to keep quiet. But their body betrayed them—another poorly stifled giggle slipped free, their shoulders scrunching up in defense.

That was all it took.

Their attacker grinned. "Ohhh, I think I found something interesting."

Before they could protest, both hands latched onto their sides, fingers kneading in quick, merciless movements. The result was instant—laughter burst from their lips in a sudden, uncontrollable rush as their body convulsed, limbs flailing against the cushions.

"Nonono—! P-please—!" they choked out between gasps, their hands desperately pushing at their tormentor’s wrists. But their fingers were weak, their body too consumed with laughter to put up any real fight.

"Please what?" their attacker cooed, completely unbothered. "You’re just so ticklish, it’s adorable."

They shook their head frantically, thrashing as the fingers dug into the hollows of their ribs, trailing down to their waist before moving right back up again. Their laughter pitched higher, breathless and helpless, as their attacker explored every sensitive spot with ease.

"Nohoho—I c-can’t—!" Their words broke off into hiccupy giggles, their body twisting in vain as their attacker shifted to straddle them, ensuring there was no escape.

"Can’t what?" The fingers slowed, only slightly, but now they were tracing featherlight patterns along their stomach, just enough to keep them squirming. "Use your words."

They gasped for air, trembling from the aftershocks of laughter. "I—" Their breath caught as a single fingertip dragged torturously slow along their side. A fresh giggle slipped out before they could help it, and they instantly clamped their hands over their mouth, trying to smother the sound.

Big mistake.

Their attacker grinned wickedly. "Ohhh, you’re trying to hold it in now?"

Before they could react, the fingers returned in full force, digging into the sensitive dip of their waist, skittering along their ribs, pressing into every single spot that sent them into hysterics. Their hands flew away from their face as another shriek of laughter tore from their throat.

Their attacker only chuckled. "That’s better."

They were losing their mind. Tears pricked their eyes, their laughter turning silent as they gasped for air. Their body jerked with every ticklish spark, every calculated movement keeping them helpless beneath their tormentor’s grasp.

Finally—finally—the tickling slowed again, though not without a few teasing squeezes to their sides just to make them twitch.

They lay there, chest heaving, weak giggles still slipping out as they curled in on themselves. Their entire body tingled, every nerve still on high alert.

Their attacker hummed in amusement. "You look exhausted."

They shot them a half-hearted glare, their face still flushed with residual laughter. "You…" They panted, voice weak. "Are. Evil."

Their attacker only smirked, reaching out to tap a single finger against their stomach.

They flinched so hard they nearly fell off the couch.

A satisfied chuckle followed. "You are way too fun to mess with."

They groaned, burying their face in the cushions. They knew one thing for certain.

This would absolutely happen again.