he freezes just before the hem of his shirt passes his belly button. "i know you're there."
he waits for a noise — a giggle, a gasp, or footsteps running away — some sort of confirmation that you are in fact waiting around the corner to attack him.
sakusa sighs. okay, maybe, just maybe he's a bit paranoid, but he can't help it. ever since you incidentally discovered that he's particularly ticklish in a spot on the left side of his lower back marked by a mole, he's been subjected to multiple surprise tickle attacks, and he's tired of it!
(not really. he likes your hands on him. but he'd appreciate it more if your hands were on him in other, more pleasant ways...)
he gives you a few more seconds to jump him. raises his shirt a little higher as if to tempt you. still, nothing. and even when he pokes his head out of the walk-in closet and looks both ways, you're not there.
it's mildly disappointing, but at least he's safe. still, as he pulls his shirt over his head, he can't shake the feeling that he's being watched.
a subtle rustling noise from the corner of the closet tells him he's right, but it's too late.
an embarrassingly loud, high-pitched noise leaves his chest the instant your fingers clutch his waist and in a flurry of movement, his shirt's off in addition to his balance until he's on the floor with you straddling his hips, hands on his chest, laughing your head off.
"are you okay!?" you ask, wiping away a tear from the corner of your eye.
"you!" he starts, failing to sound upset. so in one swift movement he sits up, throwing his arms around your waist to hold you tight as his fingers attack your sides.
"i'm sorry! i'm sorry!" you screech in between the uncontrollable giggles, squirming against his hold. "i'll stop! i won't do — omi — stop — no — STOP!"
he relents when you run out of breath, letting you slump into his chest. "that's a lie and you know it."
even as you're panting for air, you snicker. "i can't believe you fell —"
"hey," he warns, relishing the way you flinch when his hands twitch at your sides. "watch yourself."
you match his sly grin. "you could never."
"you're too big to hide in the closet."
"fine, but..." he rolls his eyes at the quip, but as he leans in to meet your gaze, his fingers travel up your back eliciting a tiny shiver.
"i can't keep my hands off of you too."