Categories > Books > Outsiders > A Ticklish Rumble
Ponyboy Curtis and Two-Bit Mathews lounged around on a lazy afternoon, their laughter filling the Curtis living room as they playfully jabbed at each other over who could win in an imaginary wrestling match. Ponyboy, the youngest and smallest in the gang, knew he didn’t have the bulk or strength to take on someone like Two-Bit, but he was quick and agile, and his competitive streak wouldn’t let him back down. Two-Bit, with his trademark mischievous grin and a glint of challenge in his eye, was more than happy to egg him on.
"Come on, Pony, you think you could take me down?" Two-Bit teased, giving Ponyboy a light shove.
Ponyboy scoffed, his face lit up with a daring smile. "In your dreams, Two-Bit. I’m faster than you!"
"Faster, maybe," Two-Bit said, cracking his knuckles. "But strength beats speed, little buddy. Let’s see what you got!"
Without another word, Ponyboy darted forward, trying to catch Two-Bit off guard. They grappled playfully, laughter escaping them both as they pushed, pulled, and maneuvered each other around the room. Ponyboy was quick, ducking and weaving to avoid Two-Bit’s attempts to grab him outright, but Two-Bit was relentless, matching Pony’s moves with experience and a sly grin.
After a few moments of back-and-forth shoving and dodging, Two-Bit finally managed to grab Ponyboy around the shoulders, tugging him down and using his weight to keep him pinned.
"Oh, no you don’t!" Ponyboy laughed, wriggling against Two-Bit’s grip. He managed to twist, but Two-Bit tightened his hold, keeping him down with practiced ease.
“Give up now, Ponyboy!” Two-Bit teased, still laughing.
“Not a chance!” Ponyboy shot back, still squirming.
Two-Bit only chuckled, leaning down slightly as he adjusted his grip. In a swift move, he wrestled Ponyboy onto his stomach and sat down on his lower back, effectively pinning him. Ponyboy let out an exaggerated groan, twisting his shoulders to see his friend grinning down at him.
Two-Bit leaned forward, securing his position, and then, with a mischievous glint, he reached his hands under Ponyboy’s chin and interlaced his fingers, pulling back just enough to keep Ponyboy in a solid, though playful, hold. Enough to keep him in place without actually hurting him.
Ponyboy strained against the hold, laughing even as he tried to resist. “I’m not giving up! You’re gonna have to try harder than that, Two-Bit!”
Two-Bit laughed, loosening his hold for a moment before adjusting his grip. “Oh, you’re a tough one, aren’t you? Alright, if you’re not gonna give in…”
He released Ponyboy’s chin, letting his head fall forward slightly. Ponyboy relaxed, thinking the worst was over, but then he felt Two-Bit shift his weight on his back. Two-Bit reached back, his hand searching until he found Ponyboy’s ankle, pulling it up and bending Pony’s knee so that his foot was within reach.
“Hey, what are you—” Ponyboy started, twisting to look over his shoulder.
“Oh, just taking things up a notch,” Two-Bit replied, a wicked grin spreading across his face. He held Ponyboy’s ankle firmly, lifting his socked foot closer. “You didn’t want to give up, so I figured a little extra persuasion might be in order!”
Before Ponyboy could protest, Two-Bit began running his fingers along the bottom of Ponyboy’s foot, tickling him through the thin fabric of his sock. Ponyboy’s reaction was immediate; he jerked and let out a startled laugh, his body twisting under Two-Bit’s hold.
“N-no, don’t!” Ponyboy gasped, barely able to contain his laughter. “Two-Bit, that’s not fair!”
“All’s fair in wrestling, Pony!” Two-Bit replied with a laugh, his fingers continuing their tickling assault on Ponyboy’s foot. He scratched lightly up and down Pony’s sole, wiggling his fingers over the soft, ticklish surface.
Ponyboy tried to kick out, but with Two-Bit holding his ankle firmly, he couldn’t do much more than squirm and laugh. The tickling was relentless, and Ponyboy’s laughter turned into gasping breaths as he struggled to get free.
“Come on, Pony, just say ‘uncle’!” Two-Bit coaxed, his fingers never stopping their tickling. “You know you want to!”
“N-never!” Ponyboy laughed, his voice strained but defiant.
Two-Bit shrugged. “Alright, if you say so.” He stopped tickling for just a moment, and Ponyboy let out a sigh of relief, thinking it was over. But then he felt Two-Bit’s fingers tugging at the edge of his sock.
Ponyboy’s eyes widened, and he twisted his head back as best he could. “Wait, no—Two-Bit, don’t!”
But it was too late. Two-Bit pulled the sock off, exposing Ponyboy’s bare foot. He gave Ponyboy’s ankle a light squeeze, grinning down at him. “You should’ve given up while you had the chance, Ponyboy.”
With that, Two-Bit resumed his tickling, his fingers now exploring every inch of Ponyboy’s bare foot. The sensation was even more intense without the sock, and Ponyboy immediately dissolved into helpless laughter, his voice filling the room.
“AHAHAHA! NO! TWO-BIT! STAHAHAHAHAP!” Ponyboy yelled, trying to twist away, but with Two-Bit sitting firmly on his back and holding his ankle, he couldn’t escape.
“Oh, come on now, Pony,” Two-Bit teased, his fingers dancing over Ponyboy’s heel, arch, and toes. “Just say ‘uncle’ and I’ll stop. Just one little word!”
Ponyboy tried to hold out, but the relentless tickling was breaking down his defenses. He was gasping for breath, his laughter coming in uncontrollable waves as Two-Bit’s fingers continued their playful torment.
“Please! I-I… AHAHAHA! I can’t… I can’t take it!” Ponyboy managed to gasp, his voice barely above a squeak.
Two-Bit chuckled, slowing his tickling just enough to give Ponyboy a moment to catch his breath, but not enough to let him relax. “All you gotta do is say it, Pony. Just say ‘uncle.’”
Ponyboy bit his lip, still defiant even as he struggled to breathe. “N-not gonna…give up!” he said, though his voice wavered with laughter.
Two-Bit just shook his head, grinning. “Alright, have it your way.” With that, Two-Bit pulled off the other sock and began tickling both of Ponyboy's feet.
Two-Bit smirked as he shifted his position slightly, reaching down to grab Ponyboy’s other ankle. Ponyboy, still wriggling beneath him, tried to kick out of Two-Bit’s grip, but it was no use. Two-Bit’s hold was firm, and before Ponyboy could even think to protest, his other sock was swiftly pulled off, leaving both his feet completely bare.
“Oh, now you’re in trouble,” Two-Bit teased, his grin widening as he wiggled his fingers above Ponyboy’s soles, the threat of what was to come making Ponyboy tense up.
“No—Two-Bit, don’t!” Ponyboy pleaded, his voice laced with both laughter and panic. “I can’t take it!”
“You can’t take it?” Two-Bit echoed mockingly, raising an eyebrow. “Well, you should’ve thought about that before refusing to give up!” He immediately set to work, his fingers darting between both of Ponyboy’s feet, tickling with precision and speed.
Ponyboy erupted into helpless laughter, his head thrown back as the sensation overwhelmed him. “AHAHAHA! NOHOHO! TWO-BIT! STOP! I CAHAHAHAN’T!” His voice was nearly drowned out by the sheer volume of his laughter, his body twisting and squirming in a desperate attempt to escape the relentless tickling.
Two-Bit, however, was having the time of his life. “What’s the matter, Pony? Can’t handle a little tickling?” he teased, his fingers dancing over Ponyboy’s arches and dragging along the sensitive skin beneath his toes. He alternated between light, feathery strokes and quick, focused scribbles, keeping Ponyboy guessing and ensuring he had no chance to adjust.
Ponyboy kicked and thrashed as much as Two-Bit’s grip allowed, his laughter becoming almost silent as he gasped for air. His face was red, his eyes streaming with tears from the sheer intensity of the tickling. “PLEHEHEHEASE! HAHAHA! TWO-BIT! STAHAHAP!”
“Not until you say ‘uncle,’” Two-Bit replied, his tone playful but firm. He used one hand to wiggle his fingers along the tops of Ponyboy’s feet, while the other scratched at the delicate area just below the toes. “Come on, Ponyboy, just admit defeat already. I’ll stop the second you do.”
“I—HAHAHAHA—NEVER!” Ponyboy managed to choke out, though his resolve was clearly waning.
Two-Bit shook his head, chuckling as he redoubled his efforts. “You are one stubborn kid, you know that? But don’t worry, I’ve got all day.”
For what felt like an eternity to Ponyboy, Two-Bit continued his merciless tickling, exploring every ticklish spot on Ponyboy’s feet with glee. He teased the soft pads of his toes, scribbled along the balls of his feet, and dragged his nails down the length of his arches, eliciting fresh waves of uncontrollable laughter every time.
Ponyboy’s strength was nearly gone, his struggles weakening as the tickling sapped all his energy. He knew he couldn’t hold out much longer—Two-Bit was just too relentless, and every nerve in his feet felt like it was on fire.
Finally, with a gasp and a shaky voice, Ponyboy cried out, “OKAY! UNCLE! UNCLE!”
Two-Bit immediately stopped, releasing Ponyboy’s ankles and letting his feet drop to the floor. He sat back with a triumphant grin, watching as Ponyboy lay sprawled out on the carpet, panting heavily and wiping tears of laughter from his eyes.
“See? That wasn’t so hard, was it?” Two-Bit teased, ruffling Ponyboy’s hair affectionately.
Ponyboy groaned as he rolled onto his back, his chest still rising and falling as he tried to recover from the tickling ordeal. Two-Bit, still perched comfortably on top of him, grinned down with that trademark mischievous sparkle in his eyes. Ponyboy glared weakly up at him, though the hint of a smile betrayed his frustration.
“You know,” Two-Bit said, leaning forward slightly and running his fingers through Ponyboy’s tousled hair. “I think you might hold the record for the longest losing streak ever. You’re like the Cleveland Browns of wrestling.”
Ponyboy scoffed, though his lips twitched as he tried not to laugh. “Oh, come on, Two-Bit. That’s low, even for you.”
Two-Bit chuckled, gently ruffling Ponyboy’s hair in an exaggerated, teasing motion. “What? I’m just stating facts, little buddy. I mean, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve had to make you holler ‘uncle.’ You’re consistent, though. I’ll give you that.”
“Consistently cheated out of a win, you mean,” Ponyboy shot back, rolling his eyes but unable to hide the grin spreading across his face.
Two-Bit smirked, sitting up straighter but keeping one hand lazily combing through Pony’s hair. “Excuses, excuses. Face it, Pony, you’re just not cut out to be a champ. But hey, at least you’ve got great hair. Gotta focus on your strengths, right?”
Ponyboy groaned dramatically, covering his face with his hands. “Please stop. You’re gonna give me a complex.”
“Nah, you’ll be fine.” Two-Bit grinned, pulling one of Pony’s hands away from his face and giving him a mock serious look. “But I gotta say, you could’ve at least put up a better fight. People are gonna start thinking you actually enjoy losing.”
That earned him a shove from Ponyboy, who managed to sit up slightly despite Two-Bit still sitting on his stomach. “You’re impossible, you know that?”
“And you’re predictable,” Two-Bit retorted with a smirk, brushing his fingers over Pony’s hair one last time before finally climbing off of him. “But hey, you keep things interesting. Gotta keep my skills sharp, after all.”
"One of these days, you're gonna be eating those words," Ponyboy vowed. The playful banter continued as they stood up, dusting themselves off. Despite the teasing, the camaraderie between them was unshakable, and both knew that moments like these were what made their bond as strong as it was.
"Come on, Pony, you think you could take me down?" Two-Bit teased, giving Ponyboy a light shove.
Ponyboy scoffed, his face lit up with a daring smile. "In your dreams, Two-Bit. I’m faster than you!"
"Faster, maybe," Two-Bit said, cracking his knuckles. "But strength beats speed, little buddy. Let’s see what you got!"
Without another word, Ponyboy darted forward, trying to catch Two-Bit off guard. They grappled playfully, laughter escaping them both as they pushed, pulled, and maneuvered each other around the room. Ponyboy was quick, ducking and weaving to avoid Two-Bit’s attempts to grab him outright, but Two-Bit was relentless, matching Pony’s moves with experience and a sly grin.
After a few moments of back-and-forth shoving and dodging, Two-Bit finally managed to grab Ponyboy around the shoulders, tugging him down and using his weight to keep him pinned.
"Oh, no you don’t!" Ponyboy laughed, wriggling against Two-Bit’s grip. He managed to twist, but Two-Bit tightened his hold, keeping him down with practiced ease.
“Give up now, Ponyboy!” Two-Bit teased, still laughing.
“Not a chance!” Ponyboy shot back, still squirming.
Two-Bit only chuckled, leaning down slightly as he adjusted his grip. In a swift move, he wrestled Ponyboy onto his stomach and sat down on his lower back, effectively pinning him. Ponyboy let out an exaggerated groan, twisting his shoulders to see his friend grinning down at him.
Two-Bit leaned forward, securing his position, and then, with a mischievous glint, he reached his hands under Ponyboy’s chin and interlaced his fingers, pulling back just enough to keep Ponyboy in a solid, though playful, hold. Enough to keep him in place without actually hurting him.
Ponyboy strained against the hold, laughing even as he tried to resist. “I’m not giving up! You’re gonna have to try harder than that, Two-Bit!”
Two-Bit laughed, loosening his hold for a moment before adjusting his grip. “Oh, you’re a tough one, aren’t you? Alright, if you’re not gonna give in…”
He released Ponyboy’s chin, letting his head fall forward slightly. Ponyboy relaxed, thinking the worst was over, but then he felt Two-Bit shift his weight on his back. Two-Bit reached back, his hand searching until he found Ponyboy’s ankle, pulling it up and bending Pony’s knee so that his foot was within reach.
“Hey, what are you—” Ponyboy started, twisting to look over his shoulder.
“Oh, just taking things up a notch,” Two-Bit replied, a wicked grin spreading across his face. He held Ponyboy’s ankle firmly, lifting his socked foot closer. “You didn’t want to give up, so I figured a little extra persuasion might be in order!”
Before Ponyboy could protest, Two-Bit began running his fingers along the bottom of Ponyboy’s foot, tickling him through the thin fabric of his sock. Ponyboy’s reaction was immediate; he jerked and let out a startled laugh, his body twisting under Two-Bit’s hold.
“N-no, don’t!” Ponyboy gasped, barely able to contain his laughter. “Two-Bit, that’s not fair!”
“All’s fair in wrestling, Pony!” Two-Bit replied with a laugh, his fingers continuing their tickling assault on Ponyboy’s foot. He scratched lightly up and down Pony’s sole, wiggling his fingers over the soft, ticklish surface.
Ponyboy tried to kick out, but with Two-Bit holding his ankle firmly, he couldn’t do much more than squirm and laugh. The tickling was relentless, and Ponyboy’s laughter turned into gasping breaths as he struggled to get free.
“Come on, Pony, just say ‘uncle’!” Two-Bit coaxed, his fingers never stopping their tickling. “You know you want to!”
“N-never!” Ponyboy laughed, his voice strained but defiant.
Two-Bit shrugged. “Alright, if you say so.” He stopped tickling for just a moment, and Ponyboy let out a sigh of relief, thinking it was over. But then he felt Two-Bit’s fingers tugging at the edge of his sock.
Ponyboy’s eyes widened, and he twisted his head back as best he could. “Wait, no—Two-Bit, don’t!”
But it was too late. Two-Bit pulled the sock off, exposing Ponyboy’s bare foot. He gave Ponyboy’s ankle a light squeeze, grinning down at him. “You should’ve given up while you had the chance, Ponyboy.”
With that, Two-Bit resumed his tickling, his fingers now exploring every inch of Ponyboy’s bare foot. The sensation was even more intense without the sock, and Ponyboy immediately dissolved into helpless laughter, his voice filling the room.
“AHAHAHA! NO! TWO-BIT! STAHAHAHAHAP!” Ponyboy yelled, trying to twist away, but with Two-Bit sitting firmly on his back and holding his ankle, he couldn’t escape.
“Oh, come on now, Pony,” Two-Bit teased, his fingers dancing over Ponyboy’s heel, arch, and toes. “Just say ‘uncle’ and I’ll stop. Just one little word!”
Ponyboy tried to hold out, but the relentless tickling was breaking down his defenses. He was gasping for breath, his laughter coming in uncontrollable waves as Two-Bit’s fingers continued their playful torment.
“Please! I-I… AHAHAHA! I can’t… I can’t take it!” Ponyboy managed to gasp, his voice barely above a squeak.
Two-Bit chuckled, slowing his tickling just enough to give Ponyboy a moment to catch his breath, but not enough to let him relax. “All you gotta do is say it, Pony. Just say ‘uncle.’”
Ponyboy bit his lip, still defiant even as he struggled to breathe. “N-not gonna…give up!” he said, though his voice wavered with laughter.
Two-Bit just shook his head, grinning. “Alright, have it your way.” With that, Two-Bit pulled off the other sock and began tickling both of Ponyboy's feet.
Two-Bit smirked as he shifted his position slightly, reaching down to grab Ponyboy’s other ankle. Ponyboy, still wriggling beneath him, tried to kick out of Two-Bit’s grip, but it was no use. Two-Bit’s hold was firm, and before Ponyboy could even think to protest, his other sock was swiftly pulled off, leaving both his feet completely bare.
“Oh, now you’re in trouble,” Two-Bit teased, his grin widening as he wiggled his fingers above Ponyboy’s soles, the threat of what was to come making Ponyboy tense up.
“No—Two-Bit, don’t!” Ponyboy pleaded, his voice laced with both laughter and panic. “I can’t take it!”
“You can’t take it?” Two-Bit echoed mockingly, raising an eyebrow. “Well, you should’ve thought about that before refusing to give up!” He immediately set to work, his fingers darting between both of Ponyboy’s feet, tickling with precision and speed.
Ponyboy erupted into helpless laughter, his head thrown back as the sensation overwhelmed him. “AHAHAHA! NOHOHO! TWO-BIT! STOP! I CAHAHAHAN’T!” His voice was nearly drowned out by the sheer volume of his laughter, his body twisting and squirming in a desperate attempt to escape the relentless tickling.
Two-Bit, however, was having the time of his life. “What’s the matter, Pony? Can’t handle a little tickling?” he teased, his fingers dancing over Ponyboy’s arches and dragging along the sensitive skin beneath his toes. He alternated between light, feathery strokes and quick, focused scribbles, keeping Ponyboy guessing and ensuring he had no chance to adjust.
Ponyboy kicked and thrashed as much as Two-Bit’s grip allowed, his laughter becoming almost silent as he gasped for air. His face was red, his eyes streaming with tears from the sheer intensity of the tickling. “PLEHEHEHEASE! HAHAHA! TWO-BIT! STAHAHAP!”
“Not until you say ‘uncle,’” Two-Bit replied, his tone playful but firm. He used one hand to wiggle his fingers along the tops of Ponyboy’s feet, while the other scratched at the delicate area just below the toes. “Come on, Ponyboy, just admit defeat already. I’ll stop the second you do.”
“I—HAHAHAHA—NEVER!” Ponyboy managed to choke out, though his resolve was clearly waning.
Two-Bit shook his head, chuckling as he redoubled his efforts. “You are one stubborn kid, you know that? But don’t worry, I’ve got all day.”
For what felt like an eternity to Ponyboy, Two-Bit continued his merciless tickling, exploring every ticklish spot on Ponyboy’s feet with glee. He teased the soft pads of his toes, scribbled along the balls of his feet, and dragged his nails down the length of his arches, eliciting fresh waves of uncontrollable laughter every time.
Ponyboy’s strength was nearly gone, his struggles weakening as the tickling sapped all his energy. He knew he couldn’t hold out much longer—Two-Bit was just too relentless, and every nerve in his feet felt like it was on fire.
Finally, with a gasp and a shaky voice, Ponyboy cried out, “OKAY! UNCLE! UNCLE!”
Two-Bit immediately stopped, releasing Ponyboy’s ankles and letting his feet drop to the floor. He sat back with a triumphant grin, watching as Ponyboy lay sprawled out on the carpet, panting heavily and wiping tears of laughter from his eyes.
“See? That wasn’t so hard, was it?” Two-Bit teased, ruffling Ponyboy’s hair affectionately.
Ponyboy groaned as he rolled onto his back, his chest still rising and falling as he tried to recover from the tickling ordeal. Two-Bit, still perched comfortably on top of him, grinned down with that trademark mischievous sparkle in his eyes. Ponyboy glared weakly up at him, though the hint of a smile betrayed his frustration.
“You know,” Two-Bit said, leaning forward slightly and running his fingers through Ponyboy’s tousled hair. “I think you might hold the record for the longest losing streak ever. You’re like the Cleveland Browns of wrestling.”
Ponyboy scoffed, though his lips twitched as he tried not to laugh. “Oh, come on, Two-Bit. That’s low, even for you.”
Two-Bit chuckled, gently ruffling Ponyboy’s hair in an exaggerated, teasing motion. “What? I’m just stating facts, little buddy. I mean, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve had to make you holler ‘uncle.’ You’re consistent, though. I’ll give you that.”
“Consistently cheated out of a win, you mean,” Ponyboy shot back, rolling his eyes but unable to hide the grin spreading across his face.
Two-Bit smirked, sitting up straighter but keeping one hand lazily combing through Pony’s hair. “Excuses, excuses. Face it, Pony, you’re just not cut out to be a champ. But hey, at least you’ve got great hair. Gotta focus on your strengths, right?”
Ponyboy groaned dramatically, covering his face with his hands. “Please stop. You’re gonna give me a complex.”
“Nah, you’ll be fine.” Two-Bit grinned, pulling one of Pony’s hands away from his face and giving him a mock serious look. “But I gotta say, you could’ve at least put up a better fight. People are gonna start thinking you actually enjoy losing.”
That earned him a shove from Ponyboy, who managed to sit up slightly despite Two-Bit still sitting on his stomach. “You’re impossible, you know that?”
“And you’re predictable,” Two-Bit retorted with a smirk, brushing his fingers over Pony’s hair one last time before finally climbing off of him. “But hey, you keep things interesting. Gotta keep my skills sharp, after all.”
"One of these days, you're gonna be eating those words," Ponyboy vowed. The playful banter continued as they stood up, dusting themselves off. Despite the teasing, the camaraderie between them was unshakable, and both knew that moments like these were what made their bond as strong as it was.
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