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Tighnari should’ve known something was up the moment that Alhaitham, of all people, wrapped him up in a hug. Usually, the forest ranger is more perceptive towards his partners’ shenanigans, but being left exhausted from a long day of work made him forget what awaited him back home.
Before he knew it, the taller male brought him over to the couch where his other two problematic- I mean, loving partners awaited him. He was carefully maneuvered to lay down across their laps, his legs draped over the architect, his torso on the scribe, and his head had a perfect view of the general mahamatra’s teasing smirk.
“Hope you didn’t forget your birthday present~”
“Please, this hardly counts as ohoHONE! WAh! You guHUHUYS!” Before the fox could continue complaining, three pairs of hands descended all over him. Kaveh’s hands squeezed delicately over his kneecaps. Alhaitham, always the logical one, would poke and prod at the forest ranger’s torso in such a calculated way that made the fennec want to crawl out of his skin. While Cyno went straight for the kill, stroking and caressing Tighnari’s ears.
All the different sensations across his body was enough to send him into hysterics, unable to get used to the contrasting touches. His legs would flail around, torso squirming like a worm and his ears would flicker, trying desperately to avoid the offending touches. Not like the others would let him wiggle away, and maybe he didn’t REALLY want to get away.
“Hah! See this? I always know how to rile him up. Isn’t that right, Nari?~” Cyno said proudly, the endearing nickname dripping in mock sweetness. He scratched at the base of the fox’s ears, causing the laughter to grow squeakier.
This earned a playful scoff from the blonde “Oh please, that’s nothing”
Tighnari felt his heart drop in his chest when his boots were carefully removed. “Waitwaitwait! Kaveh, don’t- DOHOHON’T!” the forest ranger shrieked, almost nailing the architect in the face when the latter started scratching and squeezing at the pink paw pads along the bottoms of his feet.
“Woah-! Your reflexes are as sharp as always, though I’ll still punish you for almost kicking me~” Kaveh held down Tighnari’s ankles more firmly, scribbling wherever his fingers would reach.
“Pfft, two can play at that game” the general shot back, turning this whole ordeal into a competition all of a sudden. Classic Cyno.
The dark haired male was too busy focusing on Kaveh’s fingers to notice the general grabbing one of his hands and holding it down. Once his glove was removed and he felt the cool air hit his bare skin did he look over to Cyno, eyes widening in dread, knowing what the other was planning.
“Cyno, I swehear- Ihi’ll suffocate you ihin your sleHEHEEP! NAHAHA!” The forest ranger tried yanking his hand free, but it was no use. The white haired male traced all over the pads in his fingers and palm, so gentle yet unbearably ticklish for the fox.
Tighnari squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head, anything to try to distract himself from the ticklish sensations along his hand and feet, but the two goobers were too relentless.
Most of the bickering between Cyno and Kaveh had been drowned out by the fox’s laughter, that didn’t mean it annoyed Alhaitham any less. Knowing them, they’d keep this going ‘till archon knows how long…
Suddenly, the architect and the general got distracted by the sounds of… purrs? Their ‘lil competition came to a halt, both of them stopping their tickling to look at Alhaitham, who was currently giving Tighnari some tummy rubs.
“Huh… who would’ve thought that you of all people knew how to get the best reactions from him” Kaveh commented in mock jest, earning an eye roll from the scribe.
Tighnari’s giggling high calmed down, the petting making him grow drowsy. His chest rumbled as his purrs grew louder when Cyno joined in, rubbing at his ears. The nail in the coffin was when Kaveh gently massaged the paw pads on his feet, sending Tighnari into bliss. His eyes slowly fluttered shut until all that could be heard were his soft snores and purrs.
Kaveh had to hold himself back from squealing at the sight, whereas Alhaitham, he umm… at least looked satisfied with this new turn of events. More peaceful than the previous bickering, that’s for sure.
Cyno leaned down, placing a gentle kiss on the fennec’s forehead before whispering a sweet ‘Happy birthday’ against his partner’s ear. A warm smile graced the sleeping male’s face, curling up in his boyfriends’ laps like a true fox. What a perfect way to end such a special day.