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revisedthe3rd · 19 days ago

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A Different Meaning for "Touch Therapy"

CHAPTER 1

An ISaT tickle fic. Read on AO3 for the best experience! Or don't!! I'm just words!

Word Count: 3,883

When Isa discovered Siffrin enjoyed touch, the floodgates, while not exactly open, were still widening by the day. Gentle brushing became leaning, became handholding, became hugging, became cuddling, and after some time, Siffrin's touch-averse nature had completely dissipated. Except for… some occasions. Certain forms of touch, that Siffrin would recoil at, or flinch away from, nearly as bad as back in Dormont.

Not wanting to let this stay a mystery for long, Isa puts himself on the case, and the answer is… well, adorable.

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Rain pelts the window, as Siffrin feels the warm embrace of sleep call for him. They are, for the first time in many months (maybe over a year?), safe. The calming sounds, the bustle of activity, their family so close, so loving, so happy; was bliss. He nearly accepts the call of sleep this time, though the scent of Bonnie's cooking keeps them alert. Stars, they really should just decide one way or the other. Nap, and eat cold food later, or stay awake, and eat the food warm? ...With their... Family... Well, the choice seems obvious, now.

He sits up, still making himself comfortable in the little napping corner he'd found. They glance around the room. Odile sits by the fireplace, reading a familytale. Not the Paperasse one, though, they'd managed to find another person willing to let her borrow theirs. It was sweet! Vaugarde's weird, willing to give things like that out to a complete stranger. Though knowing they're The Saviors, it makes a little more sense.

Mira's scanning the bookshelf wedged into the corner, probably looking for the last Cursing of Chateau Castle issue. Did they ever tell her how the series ended...? Eh... they won't. Time's on everyones' side for once, so she can read it herself. Bonnie is, ah... Right. In the kitchen. Probably bossing Isa 'round. The thought of him standing at attention, saying "yes chef!", brings a dopey grin to their face. Oh! Speaking of, he pokes his head into the room, face brightening upon meeting Siffrin's gaze. Their face feels warm, and they smile back. He steps in, walking over to begin with a simple, "hey, Sif!"

They grin nearly twice as hard. "Isa!"

"SIf!!!" He responds, right on cue.

They bite their lip, and don't egg him on further. "How's the food going?"

He crosses his arms, pouting playfully. "Good. Bonbon kicked me out of the kitchen, though... Apparently my hair's gotten too long, and they didn't have a second hairnet?"

Siffrin sticks his tongue out, giving a horribly recognizable grin. "Yeah? Well, I like your hair the way it is." The considerable darkening of the man's face does nothing to dissuade them from saying what they do next. "So I guess that's just a whisk you're willing to take?~" Aaaaaaaand... wink, perfect timing! Isa was nearly a puddle, giving them the fondest of looks, even through the laughter. Did he always act like this? Or is he just being less subtle, now that they know? Hm. Well, regardless, his laughter fills the room, as they'd expected. Butterflies aside, he can appreciate a good joke.

Sadly, the noise dies down quickly. "Ahhhh, that was good." He doesn't retort with one of his own, opting instead to plop down on the couch. Siffrin's feeling... More bold, than usual. A consequence of his newfound openness at Loop's request, no doubt. So he scoots closer, resting his head against Isa's arm, and the man is so warm, stars. Did Bonnie cook him over the stove, too??

He leans in further, trying to siphon as much of the (amazing-wonderful) heat as possible. Their nuzzling only serves to make Isa warmer, which they're quick to bask in, as well. "H-Hey, Sif?" Hm? They open their eye, looking up at him while pressed against his arm. Isa, unfortunately, composes himself. Teasing him was so easy, though, they could get him stammering again in a few minutes. "Can I ask you something?" ...A suspicious question.

"About the loops?" He asks, voice muffled against the buff man's arm.

"Oh, no! I... Think? Mmmmaybe, let's say maybe." Siffrin nods, waiting for him to continue. "So, you like touch. O-Or at least! Don't. Hate it, like we all thought you did." Another nod. "Well, I was just wondering, sometimes, you get really. Weird. About it?" His eyes go wide, taking on the expression he wears when he thinks he's messed up. " Crab , that's not how I meant it-" They smile up at him, and lean in a little harder. He melts under their touch. "Right." Isa clears his throat. "I-I mean, just, even catching you by surprise doesn't make you jump a lot anymore, ya know? But whenever we put a hand, like, on your side, or whatever? You flinch." Oh. Well that. Siffrin had no clear explanation he would willingly volunteer about that.

He looks away. Isa says, "I-I'm sorry if it's a sensitive topic?" They mutter a weak, albeit serious, 'no'. "Then... What is it? If you're okay to talk about it! I mean!"

Well... They've done this before. Saying the tough parts out loud. They had a system in place for a reason , so... "...Difficult," they say.

Isa clocks on. "In what way??"

A moment passes. Before things can get too awkward, and make giving an answer more difficult, they reply, in a hushed tone, "embarrassing." Isa's whole demeanor brightens. Something Siffrin found hard to share because it was embarrassing tended to be the best outcome, for both parties. It was always something they'd overthought, or expected everyone to hate about them, and putting those fears to rest, according to Isa, had never gotten old. This was going the same way as all the other talk, so... Was he overthinking this, again? Probably, right?

He gives Isa a content smile. Stars... So handsome.

An arm slowly wraps around them, as Isa attempts a hug, giving plenty of time for them to opt out, which they don't. "Alright, Sif. Do you want to try and say it, or lemme figure it out?" Siffrin's smile widens. Everyone had their own approaches to feelings talks, and they all helped in their own ways, but Isa's was... one of the best. Not that they'd ever say that! All the methods were good!! It's just that, Isa trying to puzzle out an answer always drained the tension, what with the sometimes silly guesses, or the connecting of dots Siffrin already knew about, and made the eventual reveal (because he always figures it out, he's one of the smartest people they know) very tolerable. And it's not like the responsibility is solely on him, Siffrin still does yes or no questions even when words are difficult. So, they nod, both of them knowing option one wasn't really on the table.

"Okay, okay." Isa shifts to get more comfortable, bringing one leg up to sit under the other. "Sooooo, I surprise you with touch, you don't flinch." He accentuates this with a hand, stroking through their hair, without warning. It feels heavenly, as they lean into it, almost forgetting that there's a second half to the demonstration. "But if I put my hand here..." The same hand that combed through his hair (great, wonderful, best thing ever) now moves down to their side, resting upon it (evil, horrible, the audacity to betray them like this). Siffrin recoils toward Isa, with a squeak. "...That happens. Which! By the way!!" A pause. ".....Cute."

Siffrin could probably die right then. He reaches up for a hat that he no longer has, suddenly realizing that Isa taking so long to come up with a replacement is probably on purpose. "So, are you ticklish, Sif??" That. Huh? Huh?? He just??? Said it???? He doesn't even look flustered , and Siffrin knows from extensive experience that Isa flusters ridiculously easy! Wow. That must be what it's like to be normal! What a concept! Siffrin nods at the question, trying not to react in a particularly strong way when the world leaves the mans mouth.

Isa... Tilts his head. "Is that it, then??" 'It', referring to what this talk is for, which... No, it isn't. Embarrassing, potentially life-ending information for anyone to have, but not what's worrying them. He shakes his head. "Oh, alright! Is iiiiiiit related, though?" ..................He nods, a small flush creeping up. Isa purses his lip, planting his chin firmly in his hand, thinking. "Hmmmmm..."

They really hope he's able to figure it out. Only considering the alternative is saying it themse- His fingers grip Siffrins' side, and squeeze. It takes every ounce of willpower not to flail, but he still squirms away as hard as he can. Which, given the strength he garnered from the loops, is very hard. Isa has to stand his ground a little, to keep the rogue from bulldozing his way through. "Woah-!" He's surprised. Though, after a few moments, that look is replaced with a devious grin. What is he planning? "Sif."

Their eye is clenched shut, lips pressed together. That was the most evil thing Isa's done!! But hesitantly, they open their eye, and look at him. He holds out a hand, face flushed. "C-Can I, uhm- Hold your hand?" What...? Where's this coming from? They've both gotten used to displays of affection, but now seems like a weird time?? Ah, well, he'd be a fool to pass this up. Greedily, he reaches out, snatching Isa's hand into their lap. It's massive , especially in comparison to their own. Isa takes advantage of this fact, closing his hand around both of Siffrins'. "Good! Thanks, Sif!" He sounds like he's about to do somethING-

Isa lifts Siffrins' arms up, using one hand to hold both of his, firmly. Not tight enough to hurt, but an experimental tug reveals they're locked in. They are suddenly. Overtly. Aware of how exposed their torso is. Their sides, their belly, under their arms- A soft static buzzes through them as their brain forces them to consider what's about to happen, his sides already feeling Isa's hands, roaming. The squeezing, and poking, and scribbling... And nibbling, a part of his brain adds, rather unhelpfully.

He has an awful poker face normally , and this exacerbates the problem, the ghosts of tickling eliciting a smile. Nothing's even happened yet, he needs to get it together, this isn't how normal people act about tickling touch! "I-Isa-?"

He grins. Not a smile, this is a devious, evil grin, for sure. "Thanks for trusting me." Ah! Betrayer! They have been deceived! They-! Oh, he's starting. Siffrin falls into a fit of giggles the moment Isa's other hand makes contact, thumb digging in and tracing soft circles into their side. They squirm about, body on autopilot to get away from the tickly horribly evil daggers that are Isa's fingers. It was just. So much, even this little bit of attention. A tad overwhelming, if he were being honest, but in a really good way?? Isn't that weird? Isa's fingers worm their way under his cloak, and that is so much blinding worse! Funny how one layer closer to his skin makes such a big difference.

Siffrin's laughter grows, along with the sensations. They lean into Isa, which. Bad idea. Possibly the worst idea, because now, Isa lets go of their hands, and wraps his whole arms around them! A H ! They were starting to feel lightheaded. Isa seems to reconsider, letting go. "Uhm- Sif, is it- Is it okay if I...?" He mimes a hug. Siffrin takes the time to recompose themself.

"It's. ...Fine?" He thinks so, anyway. "Just slowly, please."

"Oh! Great! Then- Well. I should probably ask, first, do you want me to. Stop? B-Because I can! Tickling you just seemed like a fun thing to do in the moment, but I dunno if you're used to that much touch, and I don't want to overwhelm you? Or anything??" Siffrin... Can't say anything, to that. How awful! Even just a simple 'no' would tell Isa everything he needs to know, what a horrible position to be put in!! So they do what they do best. Nothing. He even looks away when an embarrassed blush creeps up, for good measure. "Sif...?"

He can't look Isa in the eyes, and can't help but think this whole idea to talk was a mistake. Why would he want- "Ohhhhhhh!" Isa nips that spiral in the bud, something he's gotten increasingly good at. It feels weird. Being seen like that. Isa smiles. "Do you like it?"

...!

The question hits them like a sack of bricks, and he can only imagine how terrified he must've looked, for the first few moments. ...He knows. Isa knows, now. And their silence may as well have been a 'yes', so there's no backpedaling, he knows, and that must be so weird . An immediate sense of embarrassment weighs heavy on them, like an anvil (or a boulderstop thinking about it). Isa. Probably doesn't hate them, right? He wouldn't, he wouldn't. But still, he's not going to go along with this, it's creepy , they shouldn't have-

"SIF!" They startle, eye wide, briefly expecting to see a look of disgust. But it's Isa. Of course they don't. Instead, he gives them that look. Stars practically dotting his eyes, gazing into them as if they're the most beautiful, and precious thing he's ever seen. For once, they think he might be right. They'd absolutely find this adorable, in his shoes! But they see tickling this sort of thing way differently than everyone else. It's an interest not many have, so why does he find it cute?? "That's adorable!!" Do his cheeks not. Hurt?? He's smiling really hard.

They almost forget to stammer out a denial. "It's not-!" A poke to the ribs, and they squeak, curling up with a wide, shaking smile.

Isa's clearly enjoying himself. "See?? Adorable!"

He tries, once again. "I-It's not- " Isa grabs their sides with both hands, and starts to squeeze , sending them immediately into hysterics.

"Yeah, but... It totally is, though???" Siffrin can't even get out a reply, this time. Every attempt is met with a change of spots, to mix him up. After a moment, though, the tickling (he can't even think of a way to replace this, but the word is too much) stops. "Any more objections?"

Siffrin. Breathes. Then speaks. "Isn't it... weird, to you?"

Isa raises an eyebrow, and a corner of his mouth lifts up. "Sif. Siffrin. Sifarooni." A beat of silence. "...No."

"No...?" Is the only reply they have.

"Nope! Not weird! Cute!"

"It's not- " Big hands dig into their sides once again, practically vibrating against their ribs. His laughter goes so high that it becomes silent, mouth agape.

He stops just as quickly as he began, leaving them curled into a ball, fighting back their lingering grin. "Okay, okay, Sif. I'm not dumb. I know this isn't gonna work. I mean, I'm basically giving you what you want, every time you say you're not cute, right?" Wow, terrifying he pieced that together, albeit that's expected of him. "So how about this? Tell me your top three favorite things about yourself, and I'll tickle you, okay? Sound good??" What. WHAT!

"That's-!" Siffrin pauses, quieting down. Everyone else had already thrown the two of them cursory glances, so it's a little late to worry about volume, but better safe than sorry. He whisper-yells, "that isn't fair!"

"Sorry, Sif!" Isa closes his eyes, face tilted up. "I don't make the rules! Top three favorite things, go!"

"Well, I...!" But there was no argument to be made. Other than 'you quite literally just made the rules', but that wouldn't get them out of this. So Isa just thinks this is cute??? Their mind still grapples with that concept, but they were given an ultimatum. May wanna deal with it, first. Top three favorite things...? About himself?? How was he supposed to even attempt that! ...Well... Ugh, it's a start. "My... Hair...........?"

Isa's face brightens. "Oh! Yeah, your hair's great!!" The hand returns to his hair!! It combs softly and rhythmically, and Siffrin finds himself leaning into it, again. "So soft............. And the shade, too! Darkless looks good on you." This amount of positive attention was sure to overload them, by the end. Their face darkens. "Alright, buddy. Next!"

"Uhm..." This was excruciatingly difficult, even trying to think of two positives. "......My..................... voice......?" Frankly, he didn't sound all that impressive, or nice. A little grating, actually. And yet, it was still top two! Hah. Isn't that sad?

"Yes!!" Isa's smile shines brighter than any star in the Universe. Siffrin can't help but be mesmerized. "You sound amazing, Sif! So many little details, to your voice!"

Self-indulgence sounded awful, but he couldn't help himself. "Details?"

"Oh, yeah yeah yeah! Like the subtle tone shift right before you make a pun, or the tilt to your words when you ask about stuff you don't know, or- Or the deeper tone when you talk about stuff you do! " Wow. He- He didn't even know. That someone paid this much attention, to the way they talk. "Of course I pay attention, Sif." He startles. Isa does, too, this time. "Sorry! Sorry!! You're just- Really easy to read, sometimes?" Oh, right. They. Already knew that one.

Isa clears his throat. "Okay, Sif. One more! You can do it!" One more, one more, one more, what else does he- Siffrin twitches , as Isa's fingers land against their sides. They let out an involuntary giggle, but the hands aren't moving. Just. Sitting there. He fights his face tooth and nail to remain calm, failing miserably, and instead opting to cover it with his cloak. "C'mon, Siiiiiiif!~ You got this!!" The rain against the window starts to beat down a little harder, managing to soothe some of his growing excitement. Juuuuust enough to where he can think straight, thank the stars.

"M-My-" Isa's fingers shift slightly, sending them into another fit of nervous laughter.

"I'm not even doing anything!" His voice drips with amusement. "C'mooooooonnnn.~"

"Okay, Isa, IsaIsaIsa, please-" They were losing it , this was awful!!! In a... good way. That's weird. They're weird- No, Isa thinks it's cute, Isa thinks it's cute, he focuses on that fact. "I-I-I like-" He finally finds the will to spit out something, even if it's, in his opinion, a lame answer. Though he realizes, when has his opinion of himself ever been trustworthy? "I really love you guys?-" They flinch, and squeak, expecting Isa's hands to start digging in any second...! They don't. And somehow, that's worse.

Isa beams. "You do! You make that much clear every day, Sif." Well! ...Good, is all he can mentally add to that. "And we love you, too! We always will, okay?" He feels content, for a moment. "Now, let's see if I can't find a way to tickle your fancy, huh?" Isa gives a proud grind. They! Do not! Laugh!! They don't!!! ..........A few giggles pour out. Then more, and more, especially as Isa's hand start to shift. After a moment, they're full-on laughing.

This laughter is then sustained as Isa's hands get to work, pinching their ribs with ruthlessness. He arches his back, hands frantically patting at Isa's wrists. The strength he gained from the loops was great, but this far into being tickled AHHHHH, his arms felt like wet noodles trying to push a boulder, it just wasn't happening. Isa's touch was rough , but controlled, a style Siffrin had gotten plenty of familiarity with, and it. Was. Maddening. Especially when used this way.

Siffrin's arms are thrown down to their sides as Isa's fingers wriggle underneath, worming their way against any tickle spot AH they could reach. They smile, both because of the feeling, and because it was... weirdly freeing, for Isa to know. Maybe this could happen more often. The thought was as delightful as it was terrifying. The roughness of Isa's hands, not just his method of touch, could be felt even through their cloak. The calluses add a scratchy sensation that makes everything just that little bit worse. But what makes things truly unbearable is what Isa does next. "Aw, you're so ticklish, Sif!~" He teases, in that whisper-yell voice he likes to do. Instantly, Siffrin jerks, rolling onto their side. "Oh-! Aww, does that tickle? Are you a a little giggle bug?"

Stars, that makes it all so much worse!!! Siffrin tries to speak, "nohoho teheheasiiiiinggg!" Half of him saying 'teasing' is mumbled through a couch cushion, but Isa understands.

"Why?? Does that make it tickle worseeeee?~" Obviously it does, you-! Isa's fingers dig into their back and ohstarsthey'regoingtodie.

They pant, too tired and overwhelmed to laugh. They let out a breathy, "waitwaitwaitwahahahait," and Isa, mercifully, listens.

"Too much?" He's quick to ask. They give a weak nod. "Okay! Sorry!! Did you, uh, enjoy? It??" They give a very fast nod, before once again hiding their face in the couch. They're tempted to cover their ears, too, when Isa starts cooing at them. But they don't, arms too exhausted to even consider rising. After some time for them to calm down, Isa brings them upright, and into a hug. Once again, giving time to opt out, that Siffrin will likely never take him up on. He mumbles into their hair. "Do you have any idea how cute you are?"

Their brain is quick to think of 'adora-beau', but stars, they can barely get one word out, let alone a setup for a joke. So instead, they lean into him, whining pathetically stop thinking like that, Isa probably thinks it's even more cute, the absolute mad man. A hand is quick to start rubbing their back, which they flinch at. It doesn't even tickle, but their brain's trying desperately to make them feel like it is. Thankfully, after not getting what it was hoping for, their brain chills the crab out, and lets them relax. "You okay, Sif?"

Believing he can speak well enough to not be incoherent, Siffrin pries his face away from Isa's chest. "...Yeah, I'm-" The embarrassment of what's happened washes over him, but he presses on, with just a touch less confidence in his voice. "I'm good." They can't think of anything else to say, really.

Isa hums into their hair, having leaned forward just for that. "Aaaaaand you had fun?"

"..............yeah," they say, shyly. He at least manages to say "thank you," in a somewhat normal manner.

"Good! So." Isa stops, thinking over his next words. "You thought I... Wouldn't think was the cutest crabbing thing I've ever seen?" Well when he says it like that and with that tone, it sounds awfully silly. Which it... Probably was, in hindsight.

Siffrin nods, regardless. "It's not really common, is it?"

"Well, no, but uncommon doesn't mean weird! And weird doesn't always mean bad! Siffrin this is adorable, I honestly wish-" They wince. "-uh- I think it would've been a good idea for you to tell me sooner. You're entitled to your privacy, but if the only thing holding you back from telling us is how you think we'd react to it, then... ahhh, what did Bonnie say...?"

That could be anything. But, the first thing that comes to mind is, "stop being such a crab?" Isabeau, thoroughly caught off guard, laughs. Not a pun-laugh, but still amazing on the ears.

He continues through the laughter. "Yeah!! Quit being such a crab, Sif!" They smile, leaning harder into him. So soft.............

.......they prevent themself from drifting off to sleep. "Thanks, Isa." For everything, he does not add, because Isa already knows. It's been said to death, at this point, even if it remains true.

"Hey, no problem." He hugs Sif tighter, just enough to be comforting. "What else are friends for, yeah?"

Yeah... What else are friends for?

#tickling #tickle community #tword community #sfw #tickle fic #fluff #tickle fluff #in stars and time #ISaT #light angst that immediately gets shot down by an anti-tank rifle

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