#dead boy detectives tickle

[princesslightgiggles]

Laughter, rediscovered

After their myriad spectral adventures, the Dead Boy Detectives, Charles Rowland and Edwin Paine, had been granted a peculiar reward: life. Restored to the living realm in their boyish forms, they found themselves wandering the lush gardens of their boarding school, a site once familiar in its spectral gloom, now vibrant and filled with the hustle of life.

One crisp autumn afternoon, while the golden hues painted the leaves in fiery tones, Edwin found himself particularly engrossed in a classic novel, his brows furrowed in concentration. Charles, on the other hand, had grown restless with the stillness of the day and was looking for a bit of mischief.

"Edwin, have you ever considered that perhaps, just perhaps, there's more to life than dusty old books?" Charles teased, trying to snatch the book from Edwin's hands.

Edwin adjusted his glasses and replied with all the seriousness of a seasoned scholar, "This isn't just any book, Charles. It's a masterpiece of literary—"

Before he could finish, Charles poked him in the ribs, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. To Charles' surprise, Edwin jumped a foot in the air, letting out an uncharacteristic squeak that shattered his usual stoic demeanor.

"What on earth—Charles!" Edwin exclaimed in shock, his face flushing with embarrassment.

Charles burst into laughter, unable to resist the temptation of his discovery. "Oh, Edwin! Who knew you were ticklish?"

"I am not!" Edwin protested. But Charles, delighting in the reaction, darted forward and launched a full-scale tickle assault.

Edwin squirmed and writhed under the onslaught, his scholarly composure melting into peals of genuine, uncontrollable laughter. The sensation of being tickled was overwhelming; each poke and prod ignited a spark of laughter that cascaded uncontrollably from him. His usual reserve shattered, and he found himself giggling hysterically, his body jerking in spontaneous, erratic movements as he tried to evade Charles’s playful fingers.

"Stop, Charles! This is—this is most undignified!" he managed between his giggles.

“Oh, come now, Edwin! It’s just a bit of fun!” Charles chuckled, relentless in his tickling. The sight of Edwin so out of character only spurred him on.

The feel of Charles’s fingers were like electric impulses, sending jolts of laughter through Edwin’s body, utterly disarming him. He was embarrassingly aware of the involuntary spasms and giggles that betrayed his stoic facade. But as he gathered his wits amidst the laughter, he saw an opportunity and flipped their positions, pinning Charles down with a sudden, surprising strength.

"Now, let's see how you fare, Mr. Rowland!" Edwin declared, his fingers finding Charles's ribs. Charles’s reaction was immediate and explosive. As Edwin tickled him, his laughter boomed across the garden, a sound so hearty and infectious it seemed to echo off the school walls.

Charles tried to squirm away, but Edwin was quick and merciless with his tickling, discovering every sensitive spot with a playful yet determined precision. "Mercy, Edwin! Mercy!" Charles begged between uncontrollable bursts of laughter.

"I thought you enjoyed a good tickle fight, Mr. Rowland!" Edwin teased, his eyes sparkling with mischief as he continued his playful assault. Charles's laughter, pure and uninhibited, filled the air, transforming the usually serene garden into a playground of joyous sounds.

Their tickle fight evolved into a rolling, laughing tangle of limbs on the grassy lawn, the seriousness of their former lives forgotten in these moments of childish glee. Finally, breathless and spent, they lay side by side on the soft earth, the late afternoon sun warming their faces.

Edwin, his composure thoroughly undone but his heart lighter than it had been in decades, glanced over at Charles and chuckled. "Well, that was thoroughly unbecoming of a gentleman."

Charles propped himself up on an elbow, grinning at his friend. "Perhaps, but I daresay, Mr. Paine, sometimes it's perfectly fine to be a little ungentlemanly."

And as the shadows lengthened and the laughter echoed in the cool breeze, Edwin found himself agreeing. For the first time in a very long time, he felt truly alive, not just in body but in spirit. And all it had taken was a little bit of laughter—a language, he realised, that was just as important as any he had ever read about.

[utterlyrandomperson]

We Do After All Have A Case To Solve

Fandom: Dead Boy Detectives

Summary: When waiting for your mortal friends to complete their quest, one might have to resort to special methods to keep the boredom at bay. However, those special methods are also very likely to backfire.

Content warnings: swearing, tickling.

Edwin gasps and flinches away when he feels ten fingers lightly squeezing his waist. He turns around and catches sight of Charles, who is grinning cheekily.

"Mate, don't tell me you're ticklish?", he aks, though he is fully aware of the answer. Edwin eyes him with suspicion.

"What's this about?"

Charles tilts his head. "What's what about?", he responds with an innocent voice while slowly making a few steps towards the other. Edwin immediately backs up.

"What do you want?", he says, trying to sound annoyed. But the way his voice quivers gives him away. Charles smirks as he keeps approaching.

"To tickle you", he simply says.

"And why would you want that? I didn't do anything to provoke you", Edwin argues, his facade starting to break down. He has a nervous smile on his lips and his hands are raised, ready to defend himself. Charles laughs.

"Well, since we have to wait for Crystal and Niko to return so we can continue with our investigations, I have to find ways to keep my boredom at bay... and, unfortunately for you, tickling you seems like a fun thing to do. And besides, don't start with that 'didn't do anything to provoke you' bullshit. You were literally lecturing me like thirty seconds ago."

Edwin swallows when his back hits the wall. Theoretically, he could just fade through the wall. But somehow, his mind does not catch on that quickly. Before he can make an escape, Charles closes the distance between them and starts squeezing the other's hips. Edwin opens his mouth to protest, but a stream of giggles escapes him instead. He's gripping Charles' wrists but doesn't manage to push them away.

"Charles! Charles, stop thihis at once!", he exclaims. His giggles suddenly become more high-pitched and he bends his body forward to protect his hips.

"Please! You know I cahan't-"

Charles pauses. As soon as he does so, Edwin loosens his grip around his wrists, which allows for Charles to change their position so he's now holding onto the other's wrists. Edwin gasps for air and shakes his head.

"Don't, don't your dare-"

He cuts himself off with a burst of laughter when he feels hands kneading into his sides. He tries to break free by pushing the other away, but he's too weak already.It takes only a few more seconds until he can't take it anymore. His knees buckle and he slowly sinks to the ground, his back pressed against the wall.

Turns out that is exactly what Charles has been waiting for. As soon as Edwin goes down, he grabs one of his legs and buries his fingers in the hollow of his knee. Edwin cries out and tries to pull his leg away but fails miserably. He shuts his eyes and leans his head back, a stream of giggles making his whole body tremble. When Charles begins tickling the front and the back of his knee, he squeals and his laughter becomes louder and higher in pitch. It takes him several attempts to form words as he keeps interrupting himself with wheezes and fits of giggles.

"Not there! Not thehere, Charles I cahan't- plehease! Nonono please-"

Charles abandons his leg, only to grab the other one and repeat the same procedure, pushing Edwin into the next laughing fit.

"It is kind of funny to me that you didn't believe someone could be ticklish on their knees not too long ago. And now it turns out that you are even worse than me", he teases playfully. Edwin winces violently when he grazes his nails over the back of his thigh and Charles chuckles.

"Seriously, you're too ticklish for your own good."

Edwin tries to curl up, but he's trapped against the wall (and still doesn't realise he could simply fade through it... though that probably wouldn't make any difference anyway since Charles could just follow him). He has a weak grip on one of Charles' wrists, but he doesn't have any strength left to push it away.

"Mehercy! Please, Charles plehease."

He hiccups once before he bursts into giggles again. Charles smiles and slows down, leaving his knees alone and tracing patterns over his calfs instead. It's not nearly as torturous and allows Edwin to catch his breath.

"Wow, didn't think I'd ever hear you use the word 'please' in a sentence twice. Your knees must be a really bad spot."

Edwin decides to ignore the blush on his cheeks and scowls at the other. "I'll do what I must to get you to stop this nonsense. We actually have a case to-"

"Oh, stop acting like you are above all this. I know that part of you is enjoying it. Why else would you have conveniently forgotten that you could just make this stop by fading through the wall? Or through the floor, for that matter."

Edwin sighs. Yes, why indeed. Deep down, he knows as well as Charles does that the latter is right. He does enjoy this. Or at least he enjoys the lightheartedness of it. He shoots his friend a glare.

"I will get you back for this", he warns.

Charles breaks into a grin and tilts his head.

"I'm counting on it. But first-"

His hands shoot forwards before Edwin can react and attach themselves to his ribcage.

"-it's your turn."

Edwin shrieks and doubles over. He protectively crosses his arms in front of his chest, but Charles keeps finding new openings. Shortly after, the latter is tickling him all over. His hands dart from his ribs to his sides to his belly to his lower back. When he traces his neck and collarbones, Edwin's laugh falls silent for a few seconds before he inhales and bursts into a fit of hysterical giggles. He pulls up his shoulders and weakly pushes at the other's chest.

"Noho! Charles, for Gohod's sake!"

When Charles doesn't let up, Edwin curses under his breath. It's a very tame cuss, but Charles still raises his eyebrows at it and acts shocked.

"Edwin Payne! Did you just make use of a swearword? How very rude of you. I shall have to punish you for such indecency."

When he grabs onto the other's thigh and squeezes it, Edwin curses again, only this time a lot filthier and directed at Charles. The latter can't help but crack up.

"Wow, okay. Guess I had that coming."

Edwin shudders and frantically tries to push the hands away that have now found the back of his thigh.

"Stohop! Charles, this has been enohough!"

Charles slows down a bit but doesn't stop yet. "Say please one more time?", he asks innocently but with a mischievous grin on his face. Edwin glares at him but crumbles the second the other goes for his knees again.

"Alright! Plehease, please stohop."

Charles nods contentedly and draws his hands back, leaving Edwin as a panting and giggling mess. It takes him half a minute before he manages to calm his breathing and sit up.

"You're a menace, you know that?", he mutters. Charles gives him one of his signature smiles that makes it impossible to stay angry with him. Not that Edwin was angry with him in the first place. But he definitely does not plan on just allowing this to stand. So he makes a show of straightening his clothes to gain a couple of seconds to assess the situation. Then he clears his throat and looks Charles in the eyes.

"But you also know that I promised you revenge, right?"

Charles laughs, but he still eyes the other warily.

"Come on mate, do you seriously think you can get the upper hand over me in the condition that you're in? You couldn't even push my hands away a minute ago."

Edwin purses his lips.

"Maybe not, but I think you will probably let me get the upper hand. Perhaps I should mention that the alternative would be me convincing Crystal and Niko to assisst me, which you know they definitely will. So probably it's better if you just get it over with."

Charles stares at him and slowly shakes his head.

"Oh, you are playing dirty."

Edwin shrugs. "Thought I'd give you a taste of your own medicine. Now."

He suddenly closes the distance between them and grabs his leg.

"Let's see if I'm really that much worse than you."

Charles doesn't even have time to fully process what's happening before Edwin starts squeezing his thigh and skitters his nails over his knee. Despite his mind telling him to grab the other's hands or tickle him back, his body simply goes limp and he collapses onto the floor. As soon as he's lying on his back, Edwin seizes the opportunity and climbs onto his thighs to pin him down. Then he reaches back with one hand to continue tickling his knee while the other hand hovers over Charles to keep him in check.

The latter is bucking his hips and giggling, but he isn't so far gone that he's not able to try to fight Edwin off. After he's blocked two of Charles' attempts to push him off, Edwin clicks his tongue.

"Okay fine. Your knees aren't that ticklish. But I know a place that is."

Charles bursts into booming laughter the second Edwin starts tickling his waist.

"Nohoho!"

Edwin evades the hands reaching out for his own and keeps going, squeezing the other's sides and spidering over his belly. He even slides one hand beneath Charles' shirt and grazes his nails over the bare skin of his waistline. Charles immediately begins writhing and kicking while frantically shaking his head.

"No! I'm sorry! I'm sohorry, I- please, Edwihin!"

He tries to break free, tries to fight the other off. But all of his strength seems to have left his body. He protectively wraps his arms around his abdomen and curls up as much as possible, but Edwin's fingers still find ways to sneak past his defenses.

"Please! Edwin, plehease!"

"Charles, come on. It's been ten seconds", Edwin says with raised eyebrows, but his voice betrays his amusement. He gently tickles the other's lower back when he is presented with the opportunity due to Charles turning onto his right side. He's rewarded with a squeal followed by a stream of giggles and pleas.

"I- No- I can't, I fucking cahan't!"

Charles closes his eyes and focuses on getting air into his lungs. He's holding onto both of Edwin's wrists, but he doesn't manage to push him away. One moment he's close to screaming, the next he's shaking with silent laughter. Just when Charles is seriously considering screaming at the top of his lungs to make Edwin stop, he hears someone entering the room.

When he turns his head and catches sight of Crystal and Niko standing on the threshold, he only manages a very giggly "Hehelp!". But in combination with the tears sparkling in his eyes and the high pitch of his voice, it still conveys his urgency.

Crystal chuckles and walks up to them.

"Alright, alright. Whatever he's done this time Edwin, I think he's learned his lesson. But if you're not sure yet, you can always go for his upper ribs. That'll put him over the edge."

Charles wails and his squirming becomes more frantic.

"Noho! Please don't, Edwin please-"

He yelps when Edwin pinches his ribs, but the other doesn't repeat the action. Instead, he climbs off his thighs, which finally allows Charles to properly curl up on the floor.

"You are in luck, Charles. Now that Niko and Crystal have returned, we can finally continue working on our case, which I think has a higher priority than punishing you for your shenanigans. But this time, please do actually remember the lesson that I - apparently - taught you", Edwin says. Charles is still breathing heavily, but he still manages a cheeky grin.

"You know I won't, mate. Now, Crystal and Niko, would you like to inform us about what you've found out? We do after all have a case to solve."

Masterpost

[voulezvulcan]

charles is of the magnus bane and klaus hargreeves lineage of character traits

[bow-of-aros]

All the Time in the World

Hi folks!! Dealing with a little bit of writer's block BUT I thought that this idea was cute and by god I was gonna get it on the page. Hope that y'all enjoy!! <33

Summary: Edwin's not exactly one for taking breaks. Luckily, Charles has some interesting, but sure-fire, ways of convincing him :)

-

“Don’t look at me like that.”

Edwin’s sat behind his desk, folder held in front of his chest like some sort of shield. He gazed at Charles who stood opposite him, trying to keep his face impassive so as not to encourage his nonsense, but the corners of his lips were already twitching upwards as a sort of giddiness unfurled within him.

Charles, on the other hand, was making no attempt to stifle the wide grin on his face, his eyes sparkling with mischief as he inched ever closer to the desk.

“Like what, mate? Aren’t I allowed to just look at my best mate? Nothing wrong with that.” His tone was innocent, too innocent.

Something was definitely up.

Edwin straightened his posture, not wanting to give Charles the satisfaction of seeing him curl up defensively, “You are plotting something, that much is obvious, and I do not care for it.”

“I’m plotting nothing!” Charles put his hands up in a mockery of surrender, laughter colouring his voice, “I just want to be closer to you. Is that so bad?”

Edwin cut him a flat look, “Charles, we have not separated for more than a day in over thirty years. If you’re going to make up an excuse for whatever this is,” he gestured vaguely at Charles’ person, who was still moving forward, mind you, “at least make it somewhat believable.”

Charles laughed at that, a sound so filled with genuine joy that Edwin couldn’t help the smile it drew out of him.

“There he is!” Charles leaned against the desk, gently prying the folder out of Edwin’s hands and setting it down, “You’ve been focusing on cases all day and, honestly mate, your face is making my face upset.”

He pulled his lips down into a dramatic frown, drawing his eyebrows together and squinting his eyes until he was peering out of little slits.

Frankly, it looked quite ridiculous.

“I do not look like that!” Mostly because Charles was making it very difficult to maintain a scowl.

“Well, not anymore, but that’s just because—Oh come on. Edwin!” Charles scoffed in exasperation.

Edwin’s finally managed to school his features into some semblance of neutrality. Pasting on his usual flat expression in an effort to hide the way his lips threaten to curl up and the way his eyes are trying to crinkle at the corners.

“Now, if you would excuse me,” Edwin said, reaching for the folder, “I would very much like to get back to work.”

But before his hand could make contact, Charles phased through the desk and stood in the very minimal space between Edwin and all the tasks he had yet to complete. For his part, Charles seems completely at ease with his current position. He leaned himself back against the desk and crossed his arms loosely in front of him, looking for all the world like he was exactly where he belonged.

Edwin raised a hand to pinch at the bridge of his nose. It’s because he’s tired of Charles’ antics, not because he needs a little extra help in smoothing out his expression.

“Charles, is this truly necessary?” Edwin was trying to keep his tone even, he really was, but Charles was making it awfully difficult with his close proximity and playful grin.

“Yes, Edwin. It truly is,” Charles smacked Edwin’s hand away from where it had been trying to sneak around him, “You need to take a break. If you keep frowning like that, it’s gonna be stuck on your face forever.”

Edwin couldn’t help rolling his eyes at that, it’s something his mother used to say when he was younger, and he would stick his tongue out at her, “That wouldn’t be so bad. At least then I wouldn’t have to worry about monitoring my facial muscles.”

“It would be so bad to me! I can’t go the rest of my afterlife without seeing you smile again now can I?”

Charles’ grin sharpened just the slightest bit, and Edwin was suddenly very nervous.

“Hey!” Charles said, snapping his fingers as though a thought had just occurred to him, “I bet that I can get you to smile and take a break! What do you think about that?”

Edwin, very conveniently forgetting that he could simply phase through his chair, held up his hands in a half-hearted defense.

“Now Charles, let’s not do anything rash he—no! Wahahait! Chahahaharles!”

Apparently, Charles didn’t feel like waiting around. Instead he shot out rapid little pokes to whatever part of Edwin’s torso was unprotected at the moment. When he speaks, he punctuates each word with a poke to the side, or to the ribs, and sometimes to the stomach.

It was very entertaining, to say the least.

“Take!” Poke “A!” Poke “Break!” Pokepokepoke.

Edwin either let out the most adorable or the most embarrassing squeaks at each attack, depending on whose perspective it was. He’d also long given up trying to school his face, his open-mouthed grin stretching his cheeks as frantic giggles escaped him.

After a particularly vicious attack on his sides that had Edwin desperately curling around Charles’ hands, he gave in.

“Okay! Okay I’ll tahahahake a break! Charles plehehease!”

And just like that, Charles’ wiggling fingers were replaced by palms smoothing up and down his sides for a moment before tugging Edwin through the desk and onto the sofa.

Charles laid down first, pulling Edwin down on top of him and wrapping him up snugly in his arms. Edwin immediately felt tension that he hadn’t even realized was there begin to drain out of him and, yeah, maybe he had needed this.

A long sigh escapes Charles, and Edwin realizes that maybe he wasn't the only one who needed a break.

“We can remain here for an hour but, after that, we really should get to work.”

He felt a soft kiss being pressed into his hair followed by a murmured, “Mhm, whatever you say, mate,” and decided that he wouldn’t be opposed to staying for a bit longer than planned.

After all, he and Charles had all the time in the world.

[otomiyaa]

Siiigh, everyone please block:

(and do not engage, it's useless sadly)

It's pretty clear the person who's been harrassing the community & @bambinella, for months, has again made a new account after deactivating the previous ones (ticklee25, ticklelover5, lifeisstrangeenthusiast, god knows what else).

If you're confused about what's going on I can best refer to this:

[laughterisorange]

Fic Length: Tangerine

Fandom: Dead Boy Detectives

Ler: Charles

Lee: Edwin

August’s Daily Tickletober Day 1 (2 days late): ANTICIPATION

~ ONE OF THESE DECADES ~

“Come on mate, you need to learn how to defend yourself.”

“Charles, give it a rest. I don’t throw punches, and you don’t know how to properly teach a man to box anyhow.”

“Ay - I’m getting better at it. I told you, one of these decades -“

“You’d get me to defend myself, yes yes, you said.”

Charles lifted his palm, raising his eyebrows in invitation.

“You look stupid.”

“Says the man wearing boxing gloves from 1899.”

Edwin pouted, holding his gloved hands close to his chest. “…They’re gentlemanly. But at least you got the time period right - mostly.”

Edwin flinches as Charles goes in for a fake punch, dancing around him again.

“Would you stand still? You’re making me dizzy.”

“And you’re making me bored, so let’s up the ante, shall we?”

Charles reaches out, tazing Edwin side. The lanky boy recoils, bending at an odd angle to get away from the sensation. “Charles!”

“Ed.” Charles says cheekily, jutting his lip out teasingly.

“You’re being ridicuhuhlous.” Edwin’s statement is broken by giggles, as Charles darts in, skittering his fingers across Edwin’s stomach. “Stop.”

Charles grinned, dancing around like a goddamn twinkle toes once more. Edwin fought a smile. “Make me. Defend yourself from the tickle monster.”

“Dohoho not call yourself that.” Edwin admonished, grinning in earnest, the gloves coming up to hide it.

Charles furrowed his brows. “Tsk. So serious.” He drove a flurry of pokes into Edwins side. The gloves came back down to protect himself.

“Chahaharles!”

“Ehehed!” Charles mocks, darting around him, those devilish hands squeezing at his hips for a moment and then they were gone again.

It was driving Edwin insane. His face was hot, but his chest was light and fluttery, almost giddy.

Charles barely needed to touch him, Edwin was giggling so much on his own, and his laughter jumped as Charles made a move to attack again. He tested it a few more times - each time he would move in quickly and fake out Edwin, Edwin would twitch violently and giggle. Charles was having the time of his life!

“Ehehehnough already! If you’re going to do it, just dohohoho it!”

“Fight back!” Charles pinched at his shoulder blades, and Edwin positively squawked, whipping around red faced, and shoving Charles back a step.

“Better!” Charles laughed, keeping on his feet. “Honestly, if I had known a little tickling,” He said moving again to scratch at Charles’ stomach. “-Would get you to finally defend yourself, I would’ve started this shit earlier!”

Edwin folded, his back hitting the shelves, as he sunk to the floor. “Chahahahrles!”

Charles just grinned, attacking him in earnest now, training forgotten.

“Shihihihihit! Nohohohoh!”

“It’s refreshing to see you smile and loosen up like this you know, you’re always so tense!”

“We dohohon’t have the luxury of - gAH - of relahahahaxing! Merherherhecy! Please Charles!”

Charles slowed his hands, rubbing over Edwin’s side to chase away the last of the maddening sensations as the older caught his breath.

Edwin shook his head in mirth. “You absolute, buffoon…”

“Ah you love me, really - ” Charles said, finishing his ministrations before patting Edwin’s arm and standing.

And as Edwin took the hand that was offered and was pulled up to Charles’ shining face, adorable dimples and sparkling eyes, he found himself thinking that yeah, he really did.

FIN

[skznccmlee]

HOW IS IT POSSIBLE THAT THERE'S NO TICKLE CONTENT ABOUT DEAD BOY DETECTIVES??????

I CAN'T BE THE ONLY ONE NEEDING TO SEE LEE!EDWIN, CAN I???????

[starlightseraph]

finished dead boy detectives!!! (spoilers ahead!)

quick disclaimer: i haven’t gotten around to the comics yet but i’ve been very interested since the sandman came out and i do plan on reading them eventually lol.

- edwin is my new blorbo cutie and i too would go to hell for him. also, his style is immaculate, exactly how i want to dress all the time.

- i am SO sad about niko. but i’m glad that it seems like she’s not totally gone? i hope she’s not an antagonist in the next series (the ending was a touch ominous), but i’ll honestly be happy either way. it’s so rare to find good western-japanese characters. it made me incredibly happy when she switched into a japanese accent when saying “osaka” because it’s something i recognise in my family and in me. i know people from lots of different backgrounds do that with words from their own languages, but i’d never seen a japanese character do it before so i was very tickled.

- charles. man. please fall in love with edwin. how tf are you quite literally dragging him out of hell and he confesses to you and you look him in the eyes and say that you love him but you’re not in love with him. i mean that’s the best possible way he could’ve gone about it, but if i were edwin i might just have gone back down to the doll face spider thing.

- i hope that crystal’s past doesn’t land her in jail or anything. i really like her dynamic with the others but i’m not sold on her and charles romantically, mostly because edwin is so fucking sweet and i don’t want his heart to be broken. he’ll be happy if charles is happy, but i cannot stand see him get hurt even the tiniest bit.

- jenny is amazing. she’s literally me fr. also i love how she just hands people cleavers.

- i found the night nurse’s breakdown when she was in angie’s stomach very relatable. i feel like that a lot lmao. and i love her accent. i will go to bat for my own weird ass culchie irish/valley girl hybrid, but if had to pick another accent…

- i need a wise and eternal south asian man to talk me down from the ledge. it’s almost finals week and a ring from kashina would be a big help.

- tragic mick (top tier wordplay name) is a sweetheart and i hope he gets to be a walrus again eventually. my first reaction when i saw the cat king was “oh my god, it’s the piss kink guy from You!” but that aside, he was ok in the end. so was monty. i hope the night nurse can help crystal drag david the demon back down to hell.

[perseidlion]

I completely understand why people give The Cat King a grandiose background in fic or in headcanons. I personally prefer to write him as kind of pathetic.

Why? Well, it's just more interesting to me because Cat not being some all-powerful being who is apart and above the boys makes things more equal. It's especially good fuel as a Catwin writer. It also avoids the trope of the worldly and morally gray immortal seducing a naive hero.

I also think it has basis in canon. Cat implies that he's 'hundreds of years older' than Edwin, which means he's probably not an ancient being. He's also not fully immortal. He has nine lives but presumably at the end of those, he'll die.

Then there's the fact that his 'kingdom' is Port Townsend, a tiny tourist town on the Pacific Northwest. Not exactly the king of a very large hill. I mean, his throne is a stack of palettes and his castle is an old cannery.

Then there's his actual power level. Esther is a very powerful witch, but she bests him without the use of magic. Cat has no defense against a woman with a cane. His magic doesn't seem to be especially powerful, either. His power is flashy and mysterious, but we never really see him defend himself or attack with it. The most impressive thing he does is make the bracelet, which is probably not unique magic.

The other thing that takes his power away is that he's down so bad for Edwin from the second they meet. All his machinations are to get Edwin to pay attention to him. He even acknowledges how pathetic that makes him, even if he says that's down to him being 'a romantic.'

This to me is all much more interesting than if he's a more typical Sandman-esque powerful and mysterious elemental being. It puts him on more equal footing with Edwin, who is accomplished and capable in his own right. No one knows who The Cat King is, but the second the ghosts of Port Townsend hear the Dead Boy Detectives are in town, there's a line around the block. That implies the boys are very well-known with a stellar reputation.

That's also why I don't like the idea that The Cat King is a Child of Desire. I get the connection between them, certainly, and why people like that idea. But making him a Child of the Endless gives him too much importance. Plus, as we saw from The Sandman, that would mean the other Endless couldn't mess with him, which I think would be a missed opportunity.

Maybe they will go that way in Season 2! It would certainly be a treat to see Lukas and Mason play off each other. And I'm sure I'd enjoy it.

But for now I'm enjoying writing Cat as a fifth-rate animal spirit from a tiny town who talks a big game and falls hard for an Edwardian ghost.

I wrote my version of The Cat King's background in my fic Cat and Ghost in case my analysis tickles your fancy.

[dranathedragon]

I’m a D&D nerd, who is currently obsessed with Dead Boy Detectives, so of course the “What class would everyone be?” thought has been tickling me. I’ve seen a few other people post their thoughts on it, and I’ve been reading the amazing “Messrs Payne and Rowland’s Adventuring Agency” by @terresdebrume whenever it updates. Seriously, it’s really good, highly recommend. So I figured I’d throw my hat in the ring and see what anyone else’s thoughts are while I’m at it. Just doing the core four in this post.

So let’s get the easy one out of the way first, Crystal. She’s 100% a sorcerer, her power comes from her bloodline, she was born with it. Because she’s psychic based I’d say she’s specifically an Aberrant Mind sorcerer, without all the deep space tentacle monster baggage. Though she does have disembodied floating eyeballs in her psyche so MAYBE!

Next up is the second easiest, Edwin. He’s a wizard, everyone knows he’s a wizard. What KIND of wizard though? I’m going with Order of Scribes. He loves that little notebook so much, it gained sentience. How awesome would it be, if in this D&D version of the show, Edwin’s notebook didn’t follow him to hell because it was his sentient spell book, and it stayed behind with a purpose? It stayed behind because it KNEW Charles would never leave Edwin there and he would attempt a rescue. It KNEW Charles would go, and it KNEW it had to stay behind to help him. It showed him the things he needed to see, the information and maps that would reunite him with their wizard. I just love that.

Next up is Charles. He was a little tougher. I’ve seen quite a few posts saying that he’s a barbarian, and at this, I must object. At least with the criteria I’m using I suppose. Charles’ power doesn’t come from his rage. The one time we see him using his rage to fight, Edwin’s horrified and worried reaction pretty much confirms this was wildly out of character for him.

Just as an aside, I’m a firm believer of when Edwin said, “That was extreme”, he wasn’t talking about knocking the night nurse off the cliff. He was talking about Charles’ reaction in general, it was an extreme REACTION. He’d never seen Charles act with that much anger, hate, and violence before. He’s not an attacker, he’s a defender. It scared him, but he was scared FOR Charles, not OF him. Our wizard just isn’t great at people’ing. That’s a discussion for a different post though! Back to the topic at hand!

So, if I don’t think he’s a barb, what is he? Well, I’ve got two possible options. One thing that’s said quite a bit in the show, is how charismatic Charles is. And let’s face it, he is. So, using that logic, I’d say he could possibly be a Paladin. Specifically, an Oath of Devotion Paladin. I mean, come on, his power would so come from his extreme devotion to his favorite wizard. That would be a fun one, but there’s my second option which I find slightly more plausible.

It’s shown multiple times in the show, that while Charles claims to be just the brawn, he’s actually very clever and capable of thinking outside the box. Not to mention, he’s all about magic items. Bag of holding, enchanted cricket bat, enchanted jar/paper weight, enchanted lullaby ball, the disguises, the list goes on. So he’s smart and specializes in magic items, that screams Artificer. I’d say he’s a Battle Smith Artificer, some of their specialty spells are based around defending/supporting their allies, and you can’t tell me he wouldn’t find having a little robot pet, sorry STEEL DEFENDER, completely aces. He’d also name it like “Steve” or something and treat it like it was his and Edwin’s child, fight me on that lol. (Jk, don’t fight me I don’t like conflict!) Update: Charles’ lock picking has been mentioned and it just added to this for me as Artificers get expertise in thieves’ tools. How did I forget this?!

So that leaves Niko, who is kind of the wild card. I saw at least one post saying she’d be a bard, but I don’t think that’s accurate. Bards are all about attention (well mostly, I guess whispers would be an exception but she wouldn’t be a whispers anyway) and the whole sprite possession thing seemed to kinda make her uncomfortable with it. Idk, it just doesn’t really fit right to me. On the same thread though, so far in the show, Niko’s only real power is to see the dead. That might be expanded if we get a second season (🤞🏻), but for right now, that’s all she’s got other than being a good friend and excellent reading comprehension skills (which I might revisit this using that last one later). That said, since she got that ability (technically) because of the sprites (more because they almost killed her, but also they’re with her in the igloo so this still might work!) I’d say Niko is a Warlock. Just by the by, I hate that the class is called “Warlock”. That’s a word that came from an old English word meaning “oath breaker or he who breaks their oath”. Warlocks are all about MAKING not BREAKING pacts. Just a weird choice but MOVING ON! Since the sprites seem kind of Fey, I’d say she’d be a Pact of the Archfey. Nothing to do with the pact’s skill set, since we’d have nothing to compare it to, just because they seem fey to me.

So that’s what I’ve got so far. I might think of other characters’ later, like what would Jenny be etc. What do you guys think? I like to hear other people’s opinions on this! It’s fun to bat around!

[yowlthinks]

Dead Boy Detectives: a no-spoiler review

So I have finished DBDs last night, and frankly, I would have probably finished it in one or two days if not for time limitations. So I wanted to write a review without spoilers and in a Q&A format, so here we go.

tldr: I LOVED IT!

Q: Do I need background knowledge to enjoy it?

A: No, just dive in.

So first of all, a disclaimer: I have not read the Sandman comics, I have read one volume of the DBD comic just after the show was announced, but that did jot even cover the complete case, and I have watched the Sandman on Netflix.

If you are worried that you won't get what is happening, I can assure you, you will. You will get sucked into it immediately and will not want to leave.

Characters from Sandman (it is the same universe) that appear there are a bit like easter eggs: you'll get a kick out of it if you saw Sandman first, but otherwise you just watch them in DBDs and then if you decide to watch Sandman you will get a kick out of seeing these familiar faces there.

Q: What is the general vibe of the show? Is it spooky?

A: The show can be described as a heart-felt mystic detective story. It is funny, sweet and a tiny bit spooky (at a guess, PG13). Overall mood is.. joyful and optimistic.

You know how sometimes you want to watch something exciting, but not too scary?

Dramatic, but optimistic?

Light, but also quite profound and philosophical?

Personally, to me, this show ticks all of the above. And as I watched it with interruptions, at times I felt even lucky to have these because there are just so many big topics this show touches. It was often done by one line of the dialogue, but it would stay with you for the next couple of hours, getting you into this delicious state of philosophical exploration. I feel like at a re-watch this will come forward even more.

Q: I am a GO fan, will this tickle me?

A: Oh yes, it will and despite yourself you will be searching for Clues.

Let me just say that the main characters are another throught-the-ages duo, and you will have a lot of fun comparing and contrasting them with Aziraphale and Crowley, as well as Dream and Hob (these are from the Sandman and are also adorable).

One of the two protagonists wears a bow tie.

Another one is... well, Crowley would love him, I have no doubt in that.

Q: Does it deal well with queer representation? Are there neurodivergent characters?

A: Yes and (I would say) yes

Neil Gaiman was involved, what did you expect? Personally, I think this is one of those instances where the world itself basically treats queer as normal. It is just something that exists, and the world as it is now accepts it. The characters may have inner struggles / self-discovery journeys, but the present world at large accepts them fully and without judgement.

Q: Will it pass the Bechdel test?

A: Yes, with flying colours!!

All the characters are absolutely delicious, and I am not gonna give any more details because I don't want to spoil anything, but you do have all flavours of female protagonists, and you will love them all.

Q: What else did you like?

A: The way it was filmed, the title sequence and music, the humour, the costuming, THE CHEMISTRY between the characters!!

Look, I loved this show, please go and watch it, it is amazing and we need another season of this!

Also, there is a CAT KING!!!

[princesslightgiggles]

Time Tickle Twist

Charles felt a sudden jolt, as if reality itself had been rewound. His surroundings morphed into a sepia-toned version of the 1980s. Confusion swirled in his mind until the realisation hit him like a ton of bricks—he was back in time, inhabiting his alive self's body, yet retaining all memories of his afterlife adventures as a Dead Boy Detective.

Beside him, Edwin shimmered into view, his spectral form flickering with an ethereal glow. They weren't alone.

A ghostly figure materialised before them. It was another spirit, a remnant of the past with a grudge against Charles, determined to alter the course of history and erase his existence as a Dead Boy Detective.

As Charles struggled against the spectral restraints, Edwin leaped into action, confronting the vengeful ghost with a ferocity born from years of friendship and loyalty. With a swift strike, Edwin banished the ghost.

Charles exhaled a sigh of relief. Edwin moved to untie him, his spectral fingers deftly working at the knots. However, in his haste, one accidental brush against Charles' ribs elicited a surprising reaction.

“Crap” thought Charles, he had forgotten how ticklish he was when he was alive.

Edwin tried again and Charles gasped and twitched involuntarily, the sensation spreading through his body like wildfire. Edwin paused, an intrigued expression crossing his face as he realised the unexpected discovery.

"Ticklish, are we?" Edwin's grin widened mischievously as he couldn't resist the temptation to explore further.

Before Charles could protest, Edwin’s ghostly touch descended upon him with calculated precision. Feather-light strokes danced along Charles’ sides, sending shivers of ticklish delight coursing through his veins. Every nerve ending seemed to be on high alert, amplifying the sensation to unbearable levels.

Edwin revelled in the usually calm and collected Charles’ reactions. It had been so long since he himself had been alive and able to feel that he could not remember if he had ever been ticklish. Whilst it was most unlike him to engage in such childish games, seeing Charles thrashing around and giggling was so much fun, he couldn’t help but take advantage of the situation.

Charles writhed and squirmed, desperately trying to evade Edwin’s relentless assault, but his efforts were futile. Edwin’s ghostly fingers found every ticklish spot with uncanny accuracy—tracing delicate patterns along Charles’ ribs, teasing the sensitive skin beneath his arms, and dancing merrily across his belly.

Laughter erupted from Charles, a symphony of giggles and gasps echoing through the timeless void. His protests were drowned out by the overwhelming tide of ticklish ecstasy, each peal of laughter punctuated by desperate pleas for mercy.

“Edwin, please!” Charles gasped between fits of laughter, his breathless pleas falling on deaf ears as Edwin continued his playful torment with unabated enthusiasm.

As the scene fell away to be replaced by the present day and Charles ceased to feel Edwin’s torturous fingers, echoes of their laughter faded into the temporal abyss.

Charles felt grateful for the timeless bond they shared, transcending both life and death, past and present but was grateful for the torture to be over and the knowledge that Edwin wouldn’t be able to use this discovery against him now he was a ghost once again.

[utterlyrandomperson]

Weapon

Fandom: Dead Boy Detectives

Summary: Edwin walks in on Charles putting up with Niko and Crystal's antics. Niko and Crystal make a list to convince Edwin to join in on the fun.

Content warnings: swearing, tickling.

A/N: I read all the Dead Boy Detectives tickle content I could find about ten times, then I decided it was my time to contribute something. So here you go :)

"What on earth are you doing?"

For a second, Charles feels relief when Edwin wanders into the room and poses that question, mainly because it causes Crystal and Niko to pause. But then his brain catches on and he realises that Edwin has just wandered into the room and posed that question. A question that demands an answer.

"We're tickling Charles!", Niko, who is kneeling next to him on the floor, blurts out enthusiastically. Said dead boy detective flinches and shakes his head wildy.

"NO! Are you crazy?! You can't just hand Edwin a weapon like that!"

Crystal laughs. "Oh, so it's a weapon now? Is that seriously how bad it is? We must've only scratched the surface, then."

When she reaches for his sides, Charles winces and immediately bats away her hands. Before she can start another attempt, Edwin clears his throat and takes some more steps into the room.

"I'm sorry but... what is happening?", he asks, still looking bewildered.

"We were doing research for the case, and then we kind of found out that Charles is ticklish! And I mean like reeeeally ticklish", Niko says, her eyes wide with excitement. When Edwin doesn't give any reaction, Crystal continues: "And now we are tickling him. That's what's happening. You do know what tickling is, don't you, Edwin? That's not like a thing that didn't exist back in the 1910s, right?"

Edwin tilts his head. "Yes, in fact I do know what tickling is. But I don't think I quite understand your excitement about it."

Charles lets out a nervous chuckle and attempts to sit up. "Exactly, mate! It's absolutely nothing of interest. Now, we have more important stuff to talk abAAH- noho, piss ohoff!"

He collapses right back onto the floor when Crystal pinches his upper ribs and tries to shield himself by crossing his arms in front of his chest.

"You don't understand the excitement about it?" Crystal glances at Edwin with a mischievous smile before leveling her focus on Charles again.

"Alright, let me list some things for you. One: you can get him to admit stuff. For example that he is an annoying bastard who keeps distracting other people from doing their work. Right, Charles?"

The latter wheezes when she pokes his belly and arches away of the touch.

"Shut uhup!"

Crystal sighs. "Yeah, still working on that... but there's more on the list! Two: even if he doesn't want to admit he's an annoying bastard, you can still punish him for being one. I haven't really figured out his worst spots yet, but his waist seems to be pretty bad."

As soon as she's said that, Charles' eyes widen and he protectively wraps his arms around his abdomen. When her hands suddenly dart forwards, he lets out a noise that is most definitely not a shriek and instinctively curls up.

"Nonono, Crystal plehease."

This finally gets a reaction out of Edwin. He chuckles softly and takes a few more steps towards them. Niko takes that as her hint to add more to the list. "Three: you can make him laugh! I like it when Charles laughs. He sounds so joyful and carefree, don't you think?"

When she wriggles her fingers under Charles' arms, the latter cries out before bursting into loud laughter. He tries to grab her wrists and drag her hands away, but Crystal uses the opening and tickles his sides with so much vigour that it immediately forces him to bring his arms down again. He writhes until he manages to turn onto his side and curl up, but Niko simply draws her hands back before reaching out again to claw at the back of his ribs and gently trace her fingernails over his nape. Charles' laugh goes up in pitch and volume and he frantically shakes his head.

"Oh my Gohod, Niko please don't do thahat!"

"But it's so much fun!", Niko exclaims and tickles a spot below his ear that makes him bubble over with giggles.

"Aww, Charles! I didn't know you could produce such adorable noises", Crystal teases with a playful smirk. Charles gasps for air and curls up even more, desperately trying to prevent Crystal's hands from reaching his stomach and waist.

"I do nohot! I- no, wahait! Dohon't, Crystal let go!"

The latter has a firm grip on both of Charles' wrists, which she has pinned down to the left and right of his body. Where she has got the strength to do that from, Charles has no idea. Or maybe he has simply become very weak due to all the squirming and laughing. Niko is still scribbling over his neck and placing some pokes arcoss his chest and ribcage, but it's not enough to have him laughing full-on. Which means he has nothing to distract him from the words that leave Crystal's mouth a second later.

"Would you like to give me a hand here, Edwin?"

Charles chokes on his spit and has to cough a few time before he manages to protest.

"WHAT?! No, nononono, don't even think about it! Edwin. Mate, come on, you can't do this to me!"

The last part of the sentence comes out as a giggly plea because while he's been talking, Edwin has approached them and is now kneeling on the floor next to Niko.

"Charles. Weren't you the one who said that I should consider Crystal's suggestions more often? Well, this is me considering her suggestion. You're welcome."

"Oh, you’re all just a bunch of dirty bastards!", Charles exclaims, but there is no real heat behind his words.

Crystal narrows her eyes. "Careful. In case you've forgotten, we literally have you pinned to the floor and you're about to get the life tickled out of you."

Totally against his will, his breath hitches and he feels goosebumps rise on his skin. Crystal smirks when she sees it. "Well, Edwin. Where do you want to start? I have a feeling that pretty much everywhere will be effective."

"Maybe you should try his knees!", Niko says full of eagerness.

Edwin raises an eyebrow. "His knees? Is it even possible for a person to be ticklish on their knees?"

"Well, only one way to find out", Crystal says with a crooked grin. She's pretty positive that this will get a good reaction because she felt how Charles tensed up the second Niko mentioned his knees.

Edwin tentatively reaches out and places his hand on one of Charles' knees. After a second of contemplation, he curls and un-curls his fingers, letting his nails gently graze against the fabric of the other's jeans. The reaction comes instantly. Charles throws his head back with a narrowly suppressed laugh as his entire leg jerks.

"Edwin, stop it! Mate come on, plehease."

An amazed smile spreads on Edwin's lips and he eyes Charles.

"Charles, you must be really ticklish if this is already affecting you so much."

He didn't say it in a teasing way but rather as an observational statement. It causes Charles to blush nevertheless. He quickly rolls his eyes and huffs to cover it up.

"Fine, I am! But that doesn't mean you-"

He cuts himself off with a muffled squeal and instinctively tries to grab Edwin's wrist, but Crystal still manages to keep him pinned (no, seriously, how the fuck does she manage that?). So he has no choice but to endure the slow but firm squeezes Edwin is giving to his knee and lower thigh. It doesn't get better when the other decides to let his hand wander upwards until it reaches his hip.

"You said this was a bad spot, right?", Edwin asks with a glance at Crystal. The latter smirks and nods.

"I will probably have a hard time holding him down. He was very adamant at stopping me when I tried to tickle him there."

"I will help you!", Niko suddenly chips in and grabs one of Charles' wrists with both of her hands, allowing Crystal to do the same with the other.

Charles slowly starts to panic. Crystal alone has managed to pin him down for quite a while - there is no way he stands a chance of freeing himself with two people holding him down. He fights to keep the anticipatory giggles at bay, but he is already fidgeting nervously and his breathing has accelerated.

"Oh come on, you can't be serious! Three against one is so unfair", he protests, his eyes darting from Niko to Crystal to Edwin. The latter tilts his head and grins mischievously.

"Oh, come on. It can't be that bad, can it?"

All of Charles' warning bells go off. Edwin is teasing him. And for some reason, he is so susceptible to it. Because for the second time that day, he feels his cheeks heating up. For a second, he finds himself at a loss for words. That is until Edwin decides to start pinching his hips, which drags him back to reality very quickly.

"Dohon't!"

It's all he manages to splutter before dissolving into a fit of gasps and giggles. He cries out when Edwin moves to his waist and starts drawing little patterns with his nails. The gentle touch is sending ticklish shocks through his body and he frantically tries to free his hands. His eyes are tightly shut and his body is shaking with laughter.

"No, please not there, please-"

Niko snickers.

"Oh, I think this really is a bad spot."

Edwin's eyes sparkle playfully as he watches the squirming boy beneath him.

"You know Crystal, I don't think he was exaggerating when he called this a weapon."

Charles makes a noise somewhere between a groan and a whine.

"Yehes, and you are killing me with it!"

"Well, then I guess it's fortunate that you are already dead", Edwin responds and tickles his belly with both hands.

"Go for his ribs. I want to see what happens", Crystal instructs with a grin.

Charles gasps for air and writhes.

"NO! For Fuck's sake, don't you dare- noho! Oh, I bloodly hahate you all!"

But the bubbly laughter that's bursting out of him makes that statement hard to believe. Edwin is carefully working his way up the other's ribcage, dragging his nails over every rib and wiggling his fingers into all the interspaces. By the time he reaches the upper part of his ribcage, Charles is a laughing mess. His chest is rising and falling with every gasp for breath and he feels tears sparkling in the corners of his eyes. He can't remember the last time he has laughed this hard, if ever.

Edwin reaches his uppermost ribs, right beneath the underarms, the spot where Niko was tickling him earlier. A few seconds of this is enough to break him. He arches his back, then tries to curl up as much as he can and weakly shakes his head.

"I cahan't! Edwin please, please stop tickling me, I cahan't take it anymore!"

Edwin laughs fondly and slows his hands.

"Alright, alright. Despite the fact that you are dead already, I'm not actually trying to kill you again."

He strokes the lengths of the other's sides with his palms a few times to help him calm down, then he pulls his hands back. Crystal and Niko also release their grips on Charles' wrists, allowing him to wrap his arms around his torso and curl up. He is breathing heavily and some residual giggles are still tumbling from his lips. Niko soothingly runs her hand over the back of his head.

"I hope we didn't go too far, Charles", she says after a while.

Charles groans and rolls onto his back, but still gives her the hint of a smile.

"It's fine, Niko. Edwin is right, after all. I'm already dead, so it's not like the lack of breath will have any consequences. But still, you three are absolutely ruthless. I won't be quick to froget about this."

Crystal laughs. "You definitely won't, but neither will we. Don't make the mistake of thinking that this was a one-time occurence. You're too much of a cocky bastard for that."

Charles raises his eyebrows at her.

"Don't you make the mistake of thinking I won't get you back for this."

"Ha! Hate to disappoint you Charles, but I'm not ticklish. You're free to give it a shot, but don't be surprised when it ends with you in the same position you've been in a minute ago."

Charles rolls his eyes and turns his head to look at Niko. "Fine. Then I will find myself an easier target. After all, it was you who started this whole mess in the first place."

A light blush spreads on Niko's cheeks, but she smiles nevertheless.

"Good luck with him, Niko. He can be quite persistent once he's got something into his head", Edwin says. Niko looks at him and tilts her head.

"What about you, Edwin? Are you ticklish as well?", she asks.

Edwin startles and his eyes widen.

"What? Me? Er, I..."

"Oooh!", Niko exclaims before he has a chance to say more.

Edwin scowls.

"Don't even think about it, Niko."

He turns his head when he hears the amazed chuckle and freezes when he sees the mischievous grin that is spreading on Charles' face.

"Oh my God. You are in such deep shit, Edwin. Because I will get you back for this. And I will most definitely tell you that 'it can't be that bad' while you are squirming beneath me and screaming with laughter."

Crystal cackles at the face Edwin makes.

"This is too good. I don't know what exactly we started here, Niko, but I feel like all hell will break loose. And I'm definitely here for it."

Masterpost

[ghostgirl666artist]

I bring you a fanfic from an alternate universe of Dead Boy Detectives, which you can find on Ao3 under my username Vale_mlcek.

The creature that protected Charles Rowland.

Notes ;

This story is an alternate universe. It takes place before the events of the series, when Edwin and Charles were in London."

Summary

When Charles is about to be attacked by a ghost they were supposed to help, a strange creature comes to his rescue. Or Charles discovers a dark secret about Edwin.

Chaper 1

Charles rarely got scared. He was supposed to be the brave one on the team; he was the strength, after all. He was supposed to be the tough guy, right? But now, when a ghost they were supposed to help was about to deliver a final blow, Charles was scared.

He was already injured; the fight with that spirit had been tough, and he had to protect Edwin while he tried to find a spell to calm the ghost. However, it had taken too long. Charles finally accepted that he couldn't run away; his leg was "broken," and he was very hurt.

This was going to be painful, but at least Edwin was safe, far enough from the battlefield. Charles closed his eyes, waiting for the ghost's final blow. But... it never came.

When Charles opened his eyes, he saw a dark creature. It was like a shadow in the shape of an owl, a huge and terrifying owl with four intense red eyes. The new creature had shredded the ghost as if it were nothing, devouring its soul like it was candy. Charles didn't know there were creatures that devoured ghosts. He looked around for Edwin and got scared when he didn't see him anywhere, fearing the creature in front of him had done something to him.

He tried to stand up to defend himself. The dark owl turned to look at him, and for Charles, it was strange because he felt something very familiar in the beast's gaze. The owl approached him. He didn't know if the giant animal would harm him, but it didn't seem like it. Charles then remembered that five minutes ago, the owl had saved him; even so, he couldn't let his guard down.

The owl pointed with its head at Charles's injured leg, giving him a strange look of concern. Charles got nervous, not understanding the beast's sudden empathy. This was all too surreal, and he still couldn't see Edwin anywhere. He didn't have time to heal his wound or anything.

However, the dark bird got closer to the wound. The owl rested its head on the injured spot, and then dark shadowy tendrils covered Charles's leg. He felt a slight tickle, but in a few minutes, the leg was as good as new. Charles looked at the owl in amazement; maybe he could trust it.

Charles could now stand up. He wanted to approach the owl, but it backed away and began to... transform? The owl began to shrink until it ended up as a humanoid shadow. That shadow solidified, only to take on the appearance of Edwin.

Charles was stunned, not knowing if this was Edwin or not. Maybe it was all a trap; he didn't know, as Edwin's eyes settled on him, but they were an intense red, different from his best friend's brown eyes, more like the owl's eyes.

"Ed-Edwin?" he asked uncertainly. As soon as he spoke, Edwin's eyes returned to normal. His best friend coughed a little and looked at him again.

"Sorry you had to see that, but I had to do something, or you would have been seriously hurt," Charles then realized that the owl had indeed been Edwin. This was disorienting, to say the least. Then his companion started walking quickly as if fleeing from him, but Charles immediately followed. This wouldn't be left unresolved.

"Wait, I don't understand. What was all that? Was it a new magic trick?" he sounded a bit angry, but he was more confused than upset, wanting to understand everything that had just happened a few minutes ago.

"No, it was me. It's a secret ability I gained in hell. I don't have control over it; it only comes out when it senses danger," Edwin explained, as if it were the most normal thing in the world. Even so, Edwin looked a little tense.

"But we've been in danger many times before, and you never... I don't know... you never transformed into a giant owl," Edwin sighed and abruptly stopped walking. He clenched his fists tightly. Charles knew he was quite nervous and, if his eyes weren't deceiving him, he could see some dark feathers clinging to his friend's hands, confirming that everything that happened was real.

"I controlled it, that's why. I kept it at bay..." Charles watched as the feathers fell from Edwin's hands. His best friend nervously wiped his hands. "...because when I'm in that form, I'm capable of devouring souls, and that's, to say the least, unprofessional and dangerous for everyone. I'm a monster in that form, and what happened today shouldn't happen again." Charles somewhat agreed that it was dangerous, but he wouldn't call Edwin a monster, as he didn't miss the fact that the owl had healed his wound and didn't try anything against him. So, deep down, he was still Edwin.

"But you didn't attack me; you did devour the ghost that wanted to attack me... So I understand that some things got out of your control. I know you wouldn't do that. What I don't understand is that... you weren't in danger... I had put you in a safe place and-"

"But you were," Edwin interrupted. "And when the ghost was about to hurt you, I couldn't control it anymore. She wanted to protect you, and to be completely honest, so did I." Charles felt his cheeks flush a bit; he had never seen this protective side of Edwin, and he didn't dislike it at all.

"I guess she liked me then," Charles laughed. Edwin rolled his eyes.

"I suppose she did." Charles sighed and gently took Edwin's hands.

"Why didn't you tell me before?" It was Edwin's turn to sigh heavily; the nervousness seemed to return to him suddenly.

"I already told you, I'm a monster in that form, and... a very terrifying one. You don't know everything I had to do to get out of hell, everything she did... I feared that you..." Edwin began to tremble; Charles took his hands more firmly.

"You feared I would see you as a monster?" Edwin looked away. Charles looked at his companion as if he were the most beautiful thing in the world. He took Edwin's face and made him look at him again. "Listen to me, Edwin Payne, there's nothing in this world that would make me see you as a monster. You are one of the kindest people I have ever known. I gave up the afterlife to stay with you. There will be nothing, and I repeat, nothing that will make me leave your side, not even the fact that you can transform into a soul-devouring owl." Edwin's eyes were already filled with tears, and Charles couldn't help but hug him.

"Thank you," Edwin stammered. Charles simply stayed there, hugging him, making small circles on Edwin's back to calm him down, which worked. They stayed like that for several minutes until they were ready to go home.

_____________

"This is Edwin's owl form interacting with the rest of the characters."

[bow-of-aros]

Well if I’m Dead, and You’re Dead, Then Who’s Driving the Bus?!

Edwin's been a little tense and Charles offers to help him relax. (No not like that you freaks)

-

Hey guys! School's started back up and it's kicking my ass a little, so I decided to write a soft moment to comfort myself. And to also ignore the cancellation because that's just upsetting. I hope that y'all enjoy <33

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“I swear on my life, I will kill you.”

Edwin’s craning his neck to look up at Charles from where he’s trapped face down on the couch, threatening tone wobbling dangerously as a smile fought against the stern line of Edwin’s lips.

This had started innocuously enough, Edwin had mentioned that he was stressed and Charles offered a solution from when he’d been alive.

“My mum used to do it when I was little and couldn’t fall asleep,” Charles had explained, a bit of red creeping up into his cheeks, “It always helped calm me down when I had lots of energy, so I’m thinking it might do the same for you, yeah?”

It had been offered so earnestly, a fond memory and a chance at relief, all in one.

So, of course, Edwin had complied when Charles had told him to lie down on the couch. Of course he hadn’t asked questions after Charles insisted on it being a surprise. Of course he had allowed Charles to settle himself over Edwin, welcomed it, even, and had subsequently ignored the fluttering of a no longer beating heart at the warmth of his friend.

The featherlight touch on his back had been a surprise, although not an unwelcome one. It was only after a few seconds that Edwin found himself tensing up rather than relaxing. It was only after Charles strayed too close to his side and he flinched away did both of them realized what was happening.

Which leads them back to, “Well, you don’t have a life anymore. Because you’re dead. And you can’t kill me. Because I’m also dead.”

Edwin buries his head back into the sofa, but he can still hear the shit-eating grin that’s surely found its home on Charles’ face.

“So,” Charles continues, “Why don’t you just sit back, relax, and let me work my magic.”

“Charles, I really don’t think that is necessar—ah!”

The deft fingers return to his back, this time with a mission in mind. They swirl across Edwin’s shoulder blades, eliciting breathy titters before skittering down his spine, prompting clearer, more high-pitched giggles.

It was only when Charles reached his lower back that Edwin put more than a half-hearted effort into his struggles.

“Wahahait! Not there! Charles plehehease!”

“I dunno, mate,” Charles said, although he did move, choosing to instead crawl his fingers up the back of Edwin’s ribs, “Seems like it’s doing its job, yeah?”

The question gave Edwin pause, and after a quick catalogue of his physical and mental faculties, he found that he was feeling much more relaxed. The constant push to be doing something has quieted, replaced by a gentle buzz that’s settled itself under his skin.

He just doesn’t have the room in his brain to worry about anything other than the little zaps of electricity thrumming through his veins.

It’s quite nice, actually.

Then, Charles starts making his way back down and all kind thoughts fly out of his brain and are replaced by, “No! Charles! I’m relaxed I prohohomise!”

Charles, in his infinite generosity, releases Edwin from his clutches.

“See? I can already tell that you’re feeling bet—oof.”

Edwin flipped himself over, tugging Charles down on top of him, and settled his chin atop the mess of curls, letting out a bone-deep sigh. He ensures to wind his arms loosely around Charles, so that he may escape if he wishes to do so, but instead, Charles presses his nose into Edwin’s neck in the way he is so fond of, and worms his arms between Edwin and the sofa in order to hold them tight.

In response, Edwin allows his own arms to tighten as the rest of whatever tension he still held seeps into the sofa.

“See? Look at how relaxed you are! Works every time.”

Edwin feels the words more than he hears them and he scoffs lightly, swiping a thumb across the nape of Charles’ neck just to hear the sharp intake of breath that follows.

“Yes Charles, I’ll be sure to remember then when I decide that you need to wind down, shall I?”

Instead of pushing things any further, Edwin begins playing with the short hairs on the back of Charles’ head and smiles fondly as Charles manages to sag into him even more.

A small grumble sounds from Edwin’s chest and he can’t help but laugh.

“I didn’t quite catch that. Would you mind repeating yourself while you’re not practically eating my jacket?”

“Ugh,” Charles turns his head as though it carries the weight of a thousand Suns and says, “I said, I’m proper winded down right now, so we don’t need to worry about all that now do we?”

As Charles settles back into whatever configuration he swears is comfortable, Edwin says, “I suppose you’re correct. It’s best we get some rest, we have a long eternity of solving cases ahead of us.”

“Yeah. Resting was my idea.”

“That makes sense, it is rather brills, as you would say.”

Edwin can feel Charles’ smile, and spares a moment to mourn the fact that he cannot see it before appreciating the fact that he had the privilege to draw it out at all.

“Yeah yeah. G’night Eds. Love you.”

“Yes Charles, I love you too.”

It’s alright, Edwin had the rest of forever to see that smile anyway.

[intheticklecloset]

3 AM (Bungo Stray Dogs)

Primary Universe

Summary: After a late night out, Chuuya helps Dazai back to his place to sleep. Unfortunately, Dazai has other ideas.

A/N: The initial idea for this fic was inspired by this AMV (there are SO many good BSD AMVs, btw!). I of course put a tickly spin on it because that's what I do. Enjoy!

Word Count: 973

~~~

Nothing good ever happened after 3 A.M.

Chuuya grunted as he and Dazai stumbled through his front door, no thanks to the detective, who was so drunk he could barely stand upright. “Lightweight,” he muttered, tossing his keys into the bowl by the door and kicking it shut behind them. He fumbled for the light switch.

“Oww, Chuuya,” Dazai whined, nearly toppling over as he tried to shield his eyes from the soft yellow glow.

“Stop being a baby. I’m putting you to bed.”

“Ooh, I must have been a good boy this year~”

“Shut up! Not like that, you idiot. Come on.” Chuuya angled them so they were headed toward his bedroom.

“Chuuya’s dragging me to bed,” Dazai sang drunkenly, giggling a little as he stumbled across the carpet, over the threshold, and toward the surprisingly simple twin bed that Chuuya rarely had time to actually enjoy thanks to his work.

The redhead wrestled Dazai around so he was sitting on the mattress, swaying a little. “You forgot to take your shoes off, moron.” He leaned down to do it for him, but the next thing he knew arms were wrapped around him and he was being yanked off his feet, lying staring up at the ceiling with Dazai’s body beneath him. “Asshole! Let me go; you’re so drunk I don’t know how you aren’t dead already.”

“Chuuya’s grumpy,” Dazai hummed, snuggling his face into the redhead’s neck and hugging him closer, digging his fingertips into his partner’s ribs. “Grumpy, grumpy Chuuya~”

The redhead froze, eyes flying wide open. The touch was gentle, but it didn’t matter; Chuuya was ticklish enough that even that much was enough to do the job. He squeaked, biting his lip hard to keep from giggling like a little girl, thrashing in his drunken boyfriend’s grip. “I-Idiot! Don’t touch me! Let me go!”

Dazai giggled for the both of them, switching from digging to random poking, like he was drumming his fingers on a tabletop out of boredom. Chuuya hated that it tickled so bad.

“Dazai!” he cried, trying and failing to get away. He managed to fall off of the detective’s body onto the mattress, but as soon as he had a momentary glimpse of freedom Dazai was on him, rolling over so he was pinning him awkwardly to the bed, fingers poking and pinching along his ribs. Chuuya snorted. “Shihihit! Dazahahahai! Quit it!”

“Grumpy, grumpy Chuuya needs to learn to smile more,” Dazai slurred.

“Asshohohohole! I’ll kihihihill you! Let me go!”

“No can do, Chuuuuya~”

Chuuya would deny the scream that left his lips until the day he died once his infuriating partner found the spot at the top of his ribs that drove him up the wall, forcing loud, desperate cackles out of him whether he liked it or not. “AHAHAHA!! DAZAHAHAHAI!!”

Dazai giggled again, fingers flying across his ribs, up and down like he was playing a xylophone. “Tickle, tickle, little chibi~”

“Dazai!” Chuuya wheezed, fisting the comforter on his bed into one hand while frantically trying to punch any part of his boyfriend that he could with the other. “Stahahahahap it! I dohohohohon’t like being tihihihihickled!”

For a brief moment, everything stopped. Chuuya gasped for breath while he could, trying to shove Dazai away, hoping his strength would be greater since he wasn’t the one who was drunk enough to pass out at any moment.

“You don’t?” Dazai asked, sounding genuinely surprised, standing up of his own free will and toppling sideways onto the bed so he was looking the redhead in the eye – kind of.

Chuuya flushed at the question. “No.”

The detective observed him for a moment, eyes bleary yet trained hard on his partner. He hummed after a while, flopping onto his back with a sigh. “Then why do you look so disappointed that I stopped?”

“Idiot,” Chuuya grumbled, jumping onto his waist and digging into his hips, smirking at the too-loud squeal of delight Dazai let free. “You’re the one who’s disappointed I wasn’t tickling you back until just now.”

“Ehehehehehehe!” Dazai laughed with such childlike glee that it made Chuuya blush for the both of them, though he kept tickling anyway, fingers flying from his hips to his belly to his neck and even into his underarms, which made the detective shriek so loudly the redhead had to stop lest they wake up the neighbors.

“Okay, dumbass. Take your shoes off and go to sleep, all right? It’s almost four in the morning—”

Dazai grabbed his waist and rolled them over so he was on top again so fast Chuuya got whiplash, but he didn’t have time to worry about that since his ribs were being played like a piano again, this time without the benefit of being able to hide his face or muffle his sounds at all, staring up into Dazai’s eager grin as he was.

“Ahahahahaha! Whahahahahat did I just tehehehehell you, you bahahahastard?! I dohohohon’t lihihihihike it! Lemme gohohohohoho!”

“That’s what you said,” Dazai agreed, flopping down so his entire body weight was pinning Chuuya in place, his chin nestled into his boyfriend’s neck so his ear was as close to Chuuya’s laughing mouth as possible, fingers still digging with an expertise that was absolutely unfair for a drunk person. “But I think you were lying.”

Chuuya raged and fought as much as he could, but it soon became apparent that he wasn’t going anywhere until Dazai was either satisfied or passed out from his alcohol intake, and so – laughing up a storm and letting out embarrassing squeals and snorts – the redhead let himself go limp and accept his ticklish fate, color staining his cheeks as he submitted to the playful torture.

It wasn’t like Dazai would remember any of this in the morning, anyway.

He never remembered anything after 3 A.M.