Tickletober

Chase

The sun had just begun to set, casting a warm, golden glow through the windows of the small house Dabi and Hawks now shared. It was a rare quiet evening for them, free from the chaos and responsibilities that usually filled their days. Dabi leaned casually against the kitchen counter, watching as Hawks fluttered about the room with effortless grace.

But tonight, Dabi had other plans.

Hawks had been cheeky earlier, playfully teasing Dabi about something trivial—nothing that would warrant payback, but Dabi was never one to let a fun opportunity slip. The idea had struck him the moment Hawks' back turned; his wings stretched lazily behind him as he reached for something on a high shelf.

Dabi smirked, taking a slow step toward him, his voice low and almost playful. "You know, birdie, I've been thinking..."

Hawks turned his head, his golden eyes flashing with curiosity. "About what?" he asked, his tone light and innocent.

Dabi stepped closer, reaching out to run a single finger down the length of Hawks' spine, right between his wings. The reaction was immediate—Hawks jolted, his wings twitching at the ticklish sensation.

Dabi grinned. "That spot between your wings... it's just *so* sensitive, isn't it?"

Hawks' cheeks flushed, and his wings instinctively folded in, protecting the vulnerable area. He laughed it off, but Dabi could see the tension in his shoulders, the way he subtly shifted away from him.

"Oh no you don't," Dabi teased, his voice a dark purr. "You're not getting away that easily."

Before Hawks could react, Dabi lunged, his fingers aiming right for that soft, sensitive spot on his back. But Hawks was fast—faster than Dabi had anticipated. With a flutter of wings and a rush of air, Hawks darted across the room, his laughter filling the space.

"Dabi, come on, don't!" Hawks called out, trying to sound composed, but there was a slight edge of nervousness in his voice.

Dabi straightened, his grin widening. "Oh, I'm coming for you, Keigo," he said, his tone dripping with amusement as he began to follow Hawks at a leisurely pace. He wasn't in a rush—no, he wanted to savour this.

Hawks, now perched on the arm of the couch, watched him warily, his wings half-raised in preparation to fly off again if Dabi got too close.

"You know what I'm going to do, right?" Dabi asked, his voice a low drawl. He took his time walking around the couch, slowly closing the distance between them. "I'm going to pin you down, trap those pretty wings of yours so you can't get away... And then, I'm going to tickle you so bad you'll be begging for mercy."

Hawks swallowed hard, a shiver running down his spine at Dabi's words. He shifted his weight, ready to take off again, but Dabi was in no hurry to end this chase. He was enjoying the way Hawks squirmed, the way his breath hitched in anticipation.

"I'll start right here," Dabi continued, trailing his fingers in the air, as if imagining the touch. "Right between your wings... you know that spot that makes you melt, that makes you all soft and squirmy under my fingers."

Hawks' face was burning now, the vivid blush spreading from his cheeks down his neck. His wings twitched, half-open as if ready to take flight again, but he stayed perched, listening, caught in the web of Dabi's teasing.

"Can you feel it already?" Dabi asked, his voice soft but wicked. "Just the thought of it... you want it, don't you?"

Hawks inhaled sharply, biting his lip to keep from giving Dabi the satisfaction of a response, but Dabi knew. He always knew.

"You'll laugh," Dabi went on, inching closer, "and squirm, trying to get away, but it won't work. You'll be trapped, and I'll just keep tickling you, right... here." He pointed lazily to Hawks' back, and Hawks' wings quivered in response.

It was driving him crazy—the anticipation, the teasing. Hawks knew Dabi could be relentless when he wanted to be, and right now, Dabi was enjoying dragging this out far more than usual.

Hawks' heartbeat quickened as Dabi stepped closer, his footsteps deliberately slow, like a predator toying with its prey. "Maybe I'll even take my time," Dabi mused. "Just run my fingers over your back... light little touches at first, just enough to make you squirm, to make you laugh... but not enough to satisfy that itch. Not until you're desperate for it."

"Dabi," Hawks' voice came out in a whisper, barely managing to say his name. He was torn between wanting to escape and wanting to give in. The thought of being caught, of being at Dabi's mercy like that... it made his stomach flip in the best possible way.

"You can run," Dabi said, his eyes glinting with amusement. "But I'm going to catch you, birdie. You know I always do."

And just like that, Hawks' resolve crumbled. With a soft, breathy laugh, he launched himself from the couch, wings flaring as he took off down the hallway, the sound of his heartbeat loud in his ears. But he wasn't going as fast as he could have. He didn't really want to get away.

Dabi followed, his pace still slow, still deliberate. "You're only making this worse for yourself," he called after him, his voice carrying easily through the house. "The longer you run, the worse it'll be when I finally get my hands on you."

Hawks' laughter echoed down the hall, breathless and nervous, but there was no real fear in it. It was a game—a game where they both knew the outcome.

Dabi reached the bedroom, where Hawks had half-heartedly tried to barricade himself behind the bed. Dabi stopped in the doorway, leaning against the frame, his eyes gleaming with victory.

"So, what's it going to be?" Dabi asked, his voice soft, taunting. "Are you going to let me catch you? Or do you want to drag this out even longer?"

Hawks was breathing hard, his wings drooping slightly as he leaned against the bedpost. He looked up at Dabi, his blush still burning brightly, and finally, after what felt like an eternity of teasing and anticipation, he gave in. He couldn't take the phantom tickles anymore. The way Dabi was describing to him how it would feel and what he would do. It was killing Hawks.

He lowered his wings in surrender, his voice barely above a whisper. "Alright... you win."

Dabi's grin was downright predatory as he approached. "I always do," he murmured, his fingers already reaching out, brushing lightly against the sensitive feathers at the base of Hawks' wings.

And as soon as Dabi's fingers touched him, Hawks dissolved into helpless laughter, the tension of the chase finally breaking as Dabi tickled him with ruthless precision.

"I warned you," Dabi teased, his fingers dancing over Hawks' back, "now you're going to pay for running."

And Hawks, even through the laughter and the squirming, didn't mind one bit.