Author's Note: *slides in to Wattpad* Heeeyyy. It's been a while since I posted something. Yeah, the stream thing didn't work out just forget about it. Sorry. But, I'm here with a new Sanders Sides tickle Story...somehow? I got the urge to finish the one I started a year and a half ago, so I thought I'd post it for everyone. I might be back to posting tickle fics but no promises. We will see! I still like Sanders Sides, just not that happy with Thomas and crew right now. I've also been on meds for like a year now and I've changed as a person so much! I don't quite like tickling like I used to. I don't need to write fics to fill that need anymore because I get tickled quite regularly now! But, they are still fun and Sanders Sides are the easiest characters to write for because I've studied their personalities so much! So without further ado, I hope you enjoy this fic!

"Nerve Sensitivity"

Ships: Platonic Logicality

AU: (Human and Alien)

Words: 3,659

Warnings: None

~~~~~

     The Infinite Library. A place in which all of the information of the universe was collected, sorted, and maintained. Countless histories from countless worlds existed there including information shared by different species whose footholds were spread out across the galaxies.

     Many went here to better understand a topic or to learn something new, but there were those who lived in the library, simply because knowledge was the sole thing their heart sought after.

     This was the case for one of the many librarians, Logan, who spent all of his days pouring through pages upon pages of books, looking for answers to questions he had. He kept to himself, only wishing to learn as much as he could within whatever lifespan he had. Logan was not a social being, nor did he have any reason to socialize outside of answering questions or checking out pieces of knowledge to those who wished to acquire them. He had yet to find a species that was completely reliant on social interactions when Earth and her dwellers became an addition to their ever expansive collection of data.

    Humans entered the infinite library and stunned all with their capacity to socialize and incomparable yearn for companionship. Many species quickly learned to embrace it. Others, like Logan, could very well do without it. They were a nuisance in the library, he quickly decided. Even if there were very knowledgeable humans who he could converse with on an intellectual level, it was not worth having juveniles play "Hide and Seek" with the teleporters every day.

     He did not engage in conversation with these humans save for a grunt of acknowledgement and a condescending glare if they tried to engage in small talk. To get an accurate read on whether or not a human was even worth an intellectual exchange, Logan would usually scrutinize the pieces of information they wished to borrow. When the book of "Nerve Sensitivity" first passed through his fingertips he paid it no mind. He knew about the subject and how human's sensitivity to touch could explain their exuberant need for companionship, but he'd never been interested in the subject himself.

     Well, he hadn't been interested, until he saw the same human male ask for the same book three times in a row, within a month! Now Logan would have expected this sort of behavior from a child, but this was coming from an adult around the age of 30. He stood there, holding the same book for now the fourth time and stroking the pages with his thumbs idly with the very same human standing before him wearing a slight nervous and guilty expression. Logan absolutely had to say something as this situation was just absurd to him.

     "Pardon me for intruding, but before I give this back to you, I would like you to know that I have an excellent memory and have seen you check out this exact book three times before this." The human's eyes widened and his gaze lowered to the ground. The shuffling of his feet only aided his guilty mannerisms. Or perhaps the better term would be bashful, Logan supposed as the book was still in good condition regardless of how many times he had rented it.

     The human seemed to be fumbling for words, yet Logan continued to spare him the embarrassment. "If you believe this is the only book on this subject, I can assure you there are others."

     "Well...um...I...I-I'm okay...thanks!" The human grinned, hoping to alleviate any form of suspicion Logan had. They both knew it wasn't working.

     Logan raised an eyebrow. "You mean to tell me that you are going to check this book out for a fourth time?" He questioned.

     He watched the human audibly gulp. "Y-yes."

     Logan looked around and was thankful to find no one was waiting behind this peculiar human in line. Thus, he had time to get some of his questions answered. "What is your name?"

     "Er-Patton. Patton Sanders." Patton spoke with a broken voice, fidgeting with whatever was in his hands.

     "Well, Mr. Sanders. I first want to ask what it is about this specific book that makes you want to read it four times in a row. It is not labeled as fiction nor is it considered a story. It is a textbook that gives in depth details about nerve sensitivity." He watched the human in front of him shiver slightly and fold his arms around his torso.

     "I just...I like its explanations. It has good details." Patton found a bit of strength to look up at him, but Logan could quickly recognize a form of emotional pain in his eyes and he knew there was something else at play. Logan himself felt emotion although not to the extent humans did, but he knew turmoil when he saw it. There was something about Patton he could not place or understand. A dark cloud suddenly hung over Logan's head like an unanswered question. "I like how it words things. Can I just have it one more time? I'm not gonna bother you with it again. Just, please one more time?"

     Patton sounded desperate, which was an emotion Logan had not heard in a human's voice regarding a book before. It irked the librarian to give it to him without another word, watching as he quickly ran out of the library back whence he came. This exchange rang fresh in Logan's mind as he continued with his position, although any of his attempts at learning new things were tainted with a fleeting thought of "Nerve sensitivity".

     Logan finally decided enough was enough and retreated to the heart of the library to find the copy that was not open to the public. Once he made sure it was the exact version of the book the library had loaned to Patton, he began to read. Whatever Logan was expecting to find in the book, it certainly wasn't that. Many things including Patton's peculiar mannerisms began to make sense to him. Not only that, but it enlightened him about a peculiar playful pastime some humans partook in that yielded positive results.

     He was expecting Patton to take his time with the book as it was supposedly his last, but he returned quickly so he could leave the book and vanish when the librarian called out to him.

     "Patton Sanders!" He whipped around and turned to the librarian who had beckoned him closer. Patton's lips trembled into a nervous frown and he trudged back up to the front desk reluctantly.

     Logan flipped the pages carefully with his fingertips watching Patton's gaze follow each gentle stroke that leafed through them. "It is true a book can contain all the knowledge of a single subject, but it lacks experience which is what the reader needs to truly understand the subject." Logan heard Patton audibly gulp as if he was expecting the worst possible outcome of this situation. "For a very long time, knowledge was more important than experience to me, but due to your repetitive fascination with this book, it led me to search out experience."

     Logan remembered the details of the book and offered Patton a reassuring smile, breathing a sigh of relief when his trembling seemed to diminish. "From what I understand after reading a copy of this book myself, you are having an experience called a 'lee mood' whenever you read or hear certain words, is that correct?"

     Patton squealed loudly and collapsed to the floor, covering his face with his hands. "Y-yeah." He uttered quietly, curling in on himself.

     Logan was thankful nobody else was around, because the embarrassment Patton was feeling due to the lee mood might have been amplified if more pairs of eyes had been watching. The librarian stepped out from behind his desk and helped the shaking Patton up from the floor. "I apologize," He began. "I was not aware lee moods were long lasting. I merely wished to understand more about this area of expertise."

     Once he composed himself, Patton stared at the taller humanoid with wide eyes. "You...you want to know about t-...um I mean that?"

     "Yes. You may call it t-words if it is easier for you to say." Patton became flustered all over again. Logan grumbled in response. "Or maybe not. Well regardless, I do not wish to distress you anymore as the book says not to, so might I suggest a different place in the library than out in the open?"

     Patton, although still rather speechless, nodded quickly and Logan guided him through the maze of bookshelves to one of the few rooms hardly anyone used. As they traveled, Patton slowly regained his voice again and began to babble about the contents of the book to Logan. While he expanded on certain topics the book touched on, Logan listened intently. He was surprised that this human seemed to be so knowledgeable about this one subject. He needed to ask why.

     "Why do you know so much about tickling, Patton?" Logan asked out of the blue as they walked.

     "Oh. I've loved it as a subject since I was a toddler." Logan could hear the small nervous waver in Patton's voice still, but he could tell he was warming up to him. "I just wanted to know why I loved it so much, so I searched for answers from so many sources, but no one could give me any really good ones. So, I had to come to my own conclusions about why I liked it. When we finally got up into the stars, I thought there might be so much more information about it, but as it turns out, there's still hardly anything. That book is really the only thing I found up here in your library that's solely about...the thing."

     Logan refrained from commenting about Patton's adorable inability to speak the terminology for the subject matter. "So you have never been able to find the answer you've been searching for?"

     Patton shook his head sadly. "Never. There were several times I thought I had something, but then lost hope right afterwards. It just feels like a web of dead ends."

     Logan gripped the book in his left hand tightly. Not finding an answer to a question he so desperately wanted resolved would leave him in ruins. Never before had Logan been able to relate to a human, but this made him empathize with the lonely human to the side of him. "I see..."

     "The book I kept renting, yeah it had good explanations, but it was the closest piece of knowledge about a part of myself that I could ever find. It also got me into lee moods," Patton continued his explanation, giggling a bit as he mentioned its effect. "But...I also felt less alone whenever I read the words. It got to the point where I didn't care about the amount of times I rented it out, until I saw tall intimidating librarian who...also...looks like they'd be a good tickler."

     Logan allowed himself to grin a bit. "Is that so? After reading the book, I figured that might be why you were shaking so much."

     Patton whined and hid his face once again. "Stooooop."

     "What?" Logan asked rhetorically. "I am merely stating facts."

     "Teasy facts..." Patton muttered.

     "No matter how facts are portrayed they are still facts." Logan opened the door to the room he was leading Patton to and they stepped inside. The librarian took the seat opposite to Patton and pulled out some stationary to write on. He began to take notes of everything that Patton had said to him while the human nervously watched the pencil scratch across the paper.

     He shouldn't have expected Patton to keep that quiet. He was still a human after all. "Umm...why did you lead me here again?"

     "You, Patton Sanders, have told one of the librarians of the infinite library that you are unable to find an answer to a question. After verifying that the answer to your question does in fact not exist yet, it is then the librarian's job to research for the inquisitor. The inquisitor may partake in research if they so choose. Patton Sanders, do you so choose?"

     "Ummm...what?" Patton asked, completely lost.

     Logan sighed. "I am going to research the exact answer of why you enjoy tickling so much. You are more than welcome to aid me with previously acquired knowledge if you would like. An example is articles or references you may have gathered from earth's library. There is another more obvious way of collecting data, but that will be discussed in a few minutes."

     "You're...going to help me?" Patton asked in disbelief.

     "Yes." Logan nodded. "It is part of my contract here to answer any question someone may have for me and find the answer if it does not exist yet."

     Patton grinned widely. "Oh! Thank you! Thank you thank you thank you!" He jumped up from his seat and quickly lunged at Logan, wrapping his arms around him in a hug.

     Logan was aware of the human gesture as a form of greeting or declaration of friendship. Having never received one himself, he was unsure of what to do. Luckily for him, Patton let go and returned to his seat now brimming with the energy most humans were known to have.

     Logan rolled his eyes fondly. Had it been for any other reason he would have easily deflected the hug, but Patton's excitement for knowledge was something he could understand and relate too. Very few humans seemed to have that spark in their eyes when regarding a question that needed answering. Albeit a strange one, Logan could not deny the connection he felt form between himself and Patton because of it.

     "Patton. In order to better understand why someone might enjoy something, I would like to analyze your reaction during the process of nerve sensitivity." He noted the way Patton's cheeks flushed a deep red at his words.

     "You want to...t-word me?" Patton asked meekly, curling in on himself at the idea.

     "Only with your permission of course." Logan nodded. "Research always begins with the source material, and I believe in this case the source material is you."

     Patton squeaked and hid under his chair Logan blinked in confusion, but followed Patton by peering under the table at him. "Why are you hiding? Do you not enjoy it as you say you do?"

     Patton took a deep breath and climbed back into his chair to sit upright. "I do. It's just embarrassing. The anticipation makes me anxious sometimes and I just want to curl up and hide. It's a reflex. I suppose." Logan nodded and took a few more notes. "But um...you can...uh...t-word me Logan."

     Logan smiled. "Thank you for your cooperation, Patton. It will aid us both in answering your question. Whenever you are ready, let me know."

     "I'm...I'm ready now. I have nothing else on my schedule." Patton shrunk down in his seat peering up at Logan from behind the hands that were hiding his blush.

     "Very well." Logan set aside his stationery and arose from his seat to stand next to Patton. He frowned at his horrible posture and aimed his first poke into his ribs. Patton squeaked and very quickly sat up straight in his chair. "Ah. Much better. Many humans disregard the limits of their muscles and take positions that cause unnecessary strain on vital areas of their body." He poked again and Patton flapped his arms a bit before deciding to hold onto the table edge.

     "Eep!" He squeaked and shut his eyes, awaiting the coming onslaught.

      Logan's fingers wasted no time in gently plucking each rib with precise movements. "This is very satisfying." He commented as he took notice of all of Patton's sounds and squirms that were caused by a little rib-tickling.

     The finger then stroked down his side and the librarian watched with ernest as Patton fought the urge to lean his midriff away from his touch. He wiggled a finger along the area where the ribs met his back and Patton slowly allowed himself to giggle. Before now, Logan would have never described a human as cute, yet Patton seemed to be the one exception in this case.

     Soon the other digits entered the fray and cupped his entire side to squeeze a bit of the pudge that Patton had retained above his belt. Logan listened intently to the laughter that came out of Patton's mouth each time he curled his fingers inwards. His second hand began mirroring the same squeezing motions on the other side and Logan began to wonder if he was still tickling Patton purely for work purposes or if he was finding amusement in the situation as well.

     He was merely applying the same ministrations that the book had provided in order to determine the best results. Judging by Patton's reactions, they seemed to be working. His hands wandered inward and kneaded into Patton's belly. It was soft. And also warm. Unlike most other life forms Logan had encountered, humans had fleshy exteriors that also radiated heat. It was comforting, but Logan would most likely never be able to explain completely as he was not a species that required comfort to exist. Yet, there he was enjoying the heat radiating off of another being. And a human no less. He attempted not to think about his reputation and instead lost himself in Patton's exuberant laughter.

     He wiggled his fingers in the middle of Patton's tummy, identifying the umbilicus and tickling the sensitive skin underneath it.

     "Br-breaak! Break please! I need a break!" Patton yelled between laughs and all at once Logan ceased his onslaught. He slumped over on the table and exhaled in relief.

     "Are you alright?" Alarmed at Patton's state, Logan quickly brought over a water bottle. The human gave the librarian a thumb's up and accepted the refreshing drink which he chugged gratefully.

     "Yeah. It's just...it's been a while since I've been tickled like that. I'm out of practice." Patton replied through gulps. Water dribbled down his chin and into his lap. Although annoyed with the mess, Logan chose to ignore it for the time being. "I can probably count the amount of people who have tickled me in my life on one hand."

     "I see." Logan stroked his chin. "This perplexes me. Humans are social creatures and physical touch is a large portion of how humans communicate with each other. Surely there must have been more people willing." He could imagine it now. Humans holding tickle parties, friends and lovers engaging in countless tickle play fights. There should have been tens or hundreds of humans willing to tickle Patton in his life. It did not make sense to Logan.

     Patton frowned in response. "Maybe, but I can barely say the t-word! Let alone ask someone. I'd die on the spot! Figuratively. Plus," Patton sighed, laying his head on the desk, "I've never really been good with social stuff."

     Logan couldn't help but mirror his expression and thought back to the preconceived ideas on humans that he had held not so long ago. "I suppose that makes two of us." Patton perked up a bit, giving him a small nod as a moment of understanding was shared between them. "But regardless of how many people have provided you with tickling in the past, I am willing to provide you with it from now until you are satisfied with your answer." The librarian arose from his chair and proceeded to take out a few items from the surrounding bookshelves. Patton's expression reddened in excitement with each one that was set in front of him. A quill. A toothbrush. A cotton swab. And more.

     "O-okay." Patton scooted his chair inwards towards the desk as if the table edge might protect his sensitive abdomen. The human stumbled over his next few words. "But... what if the answer I...er-we get just leads to more questions?"

     Logan wandered up to Patton again and picked up the quill, twirling it in his hands. "Well then. I suppose that just means more tickles for you."

     Patton squeaked and curled up into a ball in his chair. Logan reached the feather down and started swiping it along his unprotected neck. "O-oh darn."

     Logan chuckled and poked it into places that Patton had left wide open. His armpit. Behind his ear. Around his ankles. "I see you have forgotten our earlier conversation about posture." Before Logan could remind him, Patton scrambled up to sit upright in his seat.

     "No! No noho. I haven't forgotten. See?"

     For the first time in his life, Logan laughed out loud at the antics of a human. "Haha! Well Patton. I believe we have one piece of information to begin our research. I would be a good tickler." With a giggle and a shriek, the librarian pounced on his research subject, gaining as much information as he could with each tickle he dished out. Never would he have seen himself doing this with another human, but it's because he hadn't understood another human like he had understood Patton. Was it just for research? Or was it also for companionship? Logan wasn't quite sure he had enough evidence to support either cause for his sudden connection with Patton. But, Logan was sure of one thing. For the first time in his life, the librarian could say that he had made a friend.

~~~~~

Author's Note: Thank you for reading! And for all of you who have commented, voted, and read through any of my stories over the last six years! I really appreciate you all! I may not tell you directly because life gets in the way of stuff but I promise I do. I love you all. Until Next time! Ceffy out!