A/N: Sorry guys, this isn't beta'd. There shouldn't be too many mistakes, but if you do notice something, please let me know.

Ticklish

--

Zuko loved Jet. It was a fact as true and reliable as the sun rising in the morning and setting in the evening. But, he thought to himself as he again untangled his torso from the brown haired boy's grip, Jet could be the most annoying, intrusive, man he'd ever met. Once again, he was shocked out of slumber by a strayed hand griping one of his most sensitive areas. Well--not the most sensitive, but one of those places that when gripped, touched, or feathered took over all bodily function; extracting humiliating sounds and jerky movements in an instant. That area was located in different spots depending on the person. The small space between his waist and last three ribs was where Zuko was most vulnerable. He refused to use the word ticklish, because he wasn't. It was a sensitive region, period.

What was curious was as long as they'd been sharing a bed, only recently did he experience the misfortune of Jet's straying fingers. After wrapping his limbs around the pale boy, Jet was usually dead as a rock, only shifting when Zuko shifted. He sighed deeply through his nose as he smoothed his gray t-shirt to cover the exposed flesh, hoping to all that was holy that Jet's hands wouldn't find themselves under the cotton barrier again. As aggravating as it was to wake to such an unpleasant sensation, it would be impossibly embarrassing to wake Jet with the sharp yelps that sometimes escaped. What Jet would do with such information could possibly be detrimental to Zuko's health and general well being.

He rolled the slumbering boy on his stomach. With Zuko resting his head on Jet's back, there would be no possible way Jet could get him into a compromising position. He noted, as Jet's heartbeat lulled him back into sleep, that his breathing was slightly faster than it should have been.

--

Jet was being bad--very bad. But it felt so good. Once again, Zuko's consistent snoring had woken him from his light slumber. Well, his non slumber might have had something more to do with the caffeine rich soda he'd taken habit to drinking before bed, and less to do with Zuko's light breathing. He snuggled to Zuko's overly warm body, pressing his lips against the back of his neck. Zuko was a peaceful sleeper. Where Jet would grab onto the first thing him limbs encountered, Zuko would curl into himself. Jet snorted, disturbing the hair on the nape of Zuko's neck and mentally corrected himself. Zuko slept in a tight ball when he wasn't snuggled up against Jet, head resting on some random part of his body, usually cutting off the circulation of blood. Not that Jet could complain as he was usually dead to the world.

This brings us to his current predicament. Jet was restless, bored, and slightly jealous of his slumbering boyfriend's--well-- slumber. Eyebrows arched in anticipation and his lips gave a side smirk. His fingers crept from their light rest on Zuko's hip to the area under his night shirt that was the sole source of Jet's nighttime entertainment. Getting Zuko to wake from his tickle grip was a gamble. He had to get him at the right time. If he waited too late, Zuko would be too deep in his R.E.M. cycle to react; too early and it would be obvious to the other boy what he was up to. Smirking one last time, he griped the flesh tightly, digging the tips of his fingers into the taunt skin.

The reaction was immediate. His once inactive partner sprang to life, bouncing the mattress with his quick movement and getting tangled in the sheets, trying to free himself from the offending sensation. A sharp raspy high pitched yelp echoed off the bedroom walls, followed quickly by Zuko's whispered curses. It was spectacular. The wide crazed eyes, the un-Zuko-ly scream, his heavy breath…it was more than Jet expected but was definitely welcomed. So enthralled in Zuko's reaction, he almost forgot to feign sleep. He closed his eyes, and tried to temper his breathing. He dug his face into his pillow to try and hide the smile that threatened to split his face.

It was all undone when in his confusion; Zuko fell off the bed in a tangled mess, taking most of the sheets with him. Jet tried, his eyes teared in restraint, but he couldn't hold his laughs in. Rolling on his back, he let it out, bold and bellowing, his laughter easily overshadowed Zuko's whispered curses and bumping in the night.

Once he started, he could not stop. Not when Zuko's head crested the mattress from his position on the floor, realizing that Jet was awake. Nor when he stood, sheets binding one arm to his side in a complicated knot, one arm loose and pointing accusingly towards him. He laughed harder at the glare Zuko gave him as he finally, with minimal success, stepped out the sheets but still looking a disheveled mess himself. His stomach starting hurting as his muscles contracted around his glee, not quite hearing the accusations thrown his way. He picked up something about being a jerk…knew all along…should kick his ass. When Zuko realized that nothing he said had any effect on Jet, he stood arm crossed and slightly pouting until the other regained his sanity.

"When?"

Jet shrugged his shoulders and motioned Zuko to join him in bed. Zuko eyed him warily, looking vulnerable and a bit mean…if it were possible. Jet smirked while trying to catch his breath.

"Co-come on, Zu. I'm n-not going to, ha, hurt you." Jet managed to get out between giggles. He bit his bottom lip, trying to put up a serious front to Zuko. It didn't work. If anything, Zuko took a step back, nearly leaned against the wide window; the lights from outside shadowing half his face.

"Stop laughing" Zuko demanded, "It wasn't that funny." His bottom lip curiously pushed out beyond that of his upper.

"Stop pretending you're hurt…and pull in that bottom lip before I suck it off." Immediately Zuko's lip disappeared into his mouth, an exact opposite of the pout he previously sported. He huffed and puffed, but eventually succumbed to the charming smile and wink from the brown haired man. Falling into his arms, he promised Jet that he would find a way to get him back. Jet rolled his eyes as he pulled the remaining blanket over both their forms. There wasn't anything Zuko could do to him that wasn't done before.

"So, how did you know?" Zuko mumbled against his neck. Jet scoffed, his fingers gently pinching Zuko's butt as a reminder of who he was dealing with.

"I'm Jet…I just know these things."

--

Needless to say, Jet didn't just know those things. It was a couple of instances where he noticed Zuko's reaction to certain touches. The first hint was not longer than two weeks ago. They'd just gotten back from celebrating Christmas andNew Years with Zuko's Uncle Iroh. To Jet, that meant no sex for two weeks. So, naturally, the first thing they did when getting back to the apartment was burn off the holiday calories.

Zuko was splayed under him, pale skin glistening and glowing against the dark gray of the sheets and lights coming in from the window. His back arched, muscles stretching and retracting along his spin and shoulders as Jet moved against him. Jet bent over him, kissing the wet boney path and drawing wanton moans from his partner with the shift in angle.

Zuko's fingers clinched the sheets as he pushed against his lover rather hard, nearly knocking Jet off his knees on the edge of the bed. Trying to regain his grip he grabbed Zuko around his lower ribs. Jet remembered Zuko jerking to the side, away from his grip with a sharp grasp. He didn't think anything of it, but was stored in the back of his mind for the times when he was less occupied.

--

The next hint given to him came the very next day. Jet woke to an empty bed and the sound of slamming cabinet doors from the kitchen. He was ready to get up, but not quite ready to see what had Zuko so irritated as to make such loud noises. Obviously he was making a statement in a passive aggressive type of way, but Jet didn't want to take the bait. So instead, he made his way to the bathroom, taking care of personal business.

While emptying his bladder, he figured if his mouth was unusable he could buy time to figure how to smooth whatever he'd done to ruffle Zuko's feathers (because he just knew it was him, Smeller and Long hadn't gotten back from their break yet). He entered the kitchen, toothbrush and foamed paste lining his mouth to find Zuko hunched over the sink. Trying to look over his shoulder, he tapped Zuko's side, a physical indication to move over. Jet didn't know if Zuko hadn't known he was there, or was surprised with the contact but he jumped and nearly dropped the dish he was scrubbing so laboriously, catching a small grunt in his throat.

Again, Jet thought nothing of it. With one eyebrow raised he stood as Zuko complained about dishes this, and Smeller that, and something about leaving stuff to mold for so-and-so number of weeks. Jet really didn't catch all the details, instead brushing his teeth while admiring Zuko's Calvin Klein encased ass. Though, maybe he should have rethought spitting his paste residue in the freshly made dishwater. It wasn't worth Zuko's slap to the back of his head…

--

It wasn't until later in the week when Jet's late night soda treat came back to haunt him that he put one and one together. It was also when Jet first decided to experiment with his new found information on his unsuspecting loving boyfriend.

--

Jet woke the next day feeling fantastic. Zuko now knew that Jet knew about his sensitive area (because Zuko forbade him to call him ticklish). Admittedly, it took the fun out of secretly knowing, but it was equally rewarding to see Zuko jump every time Jet moved towards him too quickly. This morning he dropped his bowl of cereal in route to the table because he thought Jet was going to attack him. All he was going to do was give his skittish boyfriend a morning peck, seriously.

Minus the fear of movement, Zuko hadn't been too angry with him. Considering Zuko could both hold a grudge and had a very explosive temper, Jet didn't know whether to accept his graciousness, or keep his guard up. Zuko did threaten revenge. But this was Zuko. What could they have taught him at that rich preppy school that could be of any harm to Jet? Whatever Zuko threw at him, he could take it. He was, if anything, a product of the streets.

--

A week later found Jet and Zuko sharing the yellow deteriorating couch watching a marathon of SpongeBob cartoons. Jet rolled his eyes, throwing one leg across the lap of the other.

"Why are we watching this again? It's a rerun. We all know Plankton isn't getting the secret recipe to the Krabby Patty." Zuko just sighed, slouching a little more into the couch.

"I mean, it's so obvious what Plankton needs to do.", Jet continued, "He needs to get Sandy in on the action…use some of her sm--what?!" Zuko was staring at him, one brow raised above bright golden eyes, a slight smirk gracing his features.

"It is very disturbing that you are making plans for Plankton."

"Whatever, you're the one that wanted to watch it. I'm just saying-"Zuko waved him off. Jet frowned. Apparently Zuko found Patrick more important than what he had to say. He almost gave into the urge to grab onto Zuko's unguarded side. He sighed, and instead lay back on the couch and continued to watch the pink starfish drool on himself.

An undignified yelp escaped his being as a totally unexpected fingernail slid along the length of the bottom of Jet's bare foot. Twisting his body, he found that the couch was too small for the action and fell to the floor with another yell, his foot still in the grip of Zuko. On his hands and knees, he tried to kick his foot out of its grasp, but Zuko's grip was too strong. All he could do was twist, looking to his attacker.

Zuko. Those amber eyes he loved so much had turned from light and innocent to dark and vengeful. That cute little smirk was now a sneer, and Jet was almost certain he heard a small growl.

"Zuko, this isn't--Ah!" Jet tried to warn his partner, but the sensation of another nail running down his foot cut him off.

"Payback is a bitch, Jet." Zuko taunted as he tickled his foot again and again, Jet alternating between yelling and laughing. Zuko's own laughter caused him to weaken his grip on Jet's foot, and he was finally able to get away by using his other foot as leverage. While Zuko laughed on the couch, grabbing his stomach and nearly falling himself, Jet crawled to the opposite side of the room, resting his back against the wall, next to the TV. He crossed his arms against his chest as he watched his lover enjoy his discomfort.

He frowned, torn between loving Zuko's unrestrained amusement and hating that the prep had, in fact, gotten him. He settled on hate for the moment, but how? How had Zuko known his deepest darkest secret of secrets? There were only two other people who knew of his particularly sensitive feet. Hearing front door open, he settled his glare on one of those said persons.

Longshot entered the apartment, black beanie hat and heavy coat still covered in the melting January snow. Not noticing Jet's intense stare, he made a beeline to the kitchen, depositing his grocery filled canvas bags on the counter. Not one to be ignored, Jet followed the other into the gallery kitchen, blocking Long's exit. Jet pointed accusingly at him.

"You told him, didn't you?" Long raised an eyebrow.

"Don't give me that look, you told him about my feet!" Jet exclaimed, re-crossing his arms. Longshot's cheeks gained a rosy color as he shrugged a little refusing to look Jet in the eyes.

"I know he asked you, but why did you tell him?!" This time Long's brows rose past his damp bangs.

"What do you mean, 'he can be pretty persuasive'?" By this time, Long was chewing on his bottom lip.

"He bribed you? Well, what did you get? What was worth my pride?" Smiling a toothy smile, the other boy rubbed the back of his neck.

"Candy?! Candy…as in there is a vending machine down the hallway that you can get yourself, candy? My dignity was worth candy." Zuko approached Jet from the back, hooking one thumb in the elastic band of Jet's Power Rangers boxers, the other hand wrapping around his chest.

"Stop being so dramatic," he chided Jet after kissing a spot behind his ear. "You know he has a sweet tooth." Jet rolled his eyes, well aware of Long's addiction to sugar. It was something the silent man had developed while he, Jet and Smeller were in the orphanage. Where Jet would write Santa for wooden swords and plastic gun, Long just wanted a bag of chocolate. He was just surprised that Zuko would use it as leverage. Turning in his embrace, he captured Zuko's lips with his own.

His sneaky snake boyfriend had put his education to good use. He bribed and persuaded one of Jet's best friends to give him the advantage over him, clearly a politician at heart. He couldn't hold onto his ire as he stared into Zuko's orbs, light with laughter, even if it was at his own expense. As he gained entrance to Zuko's mouth, he was hit in the back of the head with a grape.

"Yeah, yeah, I know. No making out in the kitchen." Long was such a prude. He followed Zuko to the yellow couch. This time laying his head on the lap, his feet far from Zuko's reach.

He wasn't giving up. He just had to work harder to one up Zuko. Uncle Iroh would definitely know and willingly give some embarrassing dirt on Zuko. All it'd take is one phone call and a promise of authentic organic tea leaves. Jet bit his lip to keep the smirk off his face, knowing it would give his sinister plans away.

He could call Mai. Her number was saved in his phone after she somehow got his number. Though, after thinking over their conversation, he decided not to call Zuko's closest overprotective friend. He frowned. She had out right threatened his life if he hurt Zuko! Something about sharp objects in sensitive areas and not being able to find a body (he really needed to start paying attention when people spoke); but it was her casual monotone voice that scared him the most. He boldly claimed that she was jealous because she couldn't share his sexy body with Zuko. True, he feared for his well being through the whole minute she was silent, but it had been well worth the small smile he heard through the lines as she continued to warn his possible indiscretions.

Felling Zuko's fingers run through his hair, he figured he would call the uncle first before risking calling the girl. But for now, he'd enjoy SpongeBob while trying to shake the tingle out his foot.