View source for Security Cling

{{trope}}
[[File:Hold Me.jpg|link=Gundam Seed Destiny|thumb|350px]]

Something is scary. Something is terrifying. Something makes one character desperately afraid.

What better response than to grab a hold of someone bigger and stronger than you to protect you?

The original version has a woman [[The Glomp|glomping]] a man in fright, and it's [[Truth in Television]]; why do you think guys want to take their girlfriends into [[Haunted House]]s? Heck, why do girls want to go through haunted houses with their boyfriends? They want to [[Invoked Trope|invoke this trope]]. Might be accompanied by the phrase "[[Hold Me]]". Also a way to [[Ship Tease]] and play up [[Will They or Won't They?]] (or at least can seem that way to fans with [[Shipping Goggles]]). Occasionally both characters are scared and cling to each other.

A common subversion is to have a larger, stronger character hold on to a weaker, smaller character (the man is scared and wants the girl to protect him). Or maybe it was [[Miles Gloriosus|the braggart who claimed to be brave who is actually the most terrified]]. May be a good way to get some [[Ho Yay]] in for characters of the same sex.

Another variant is a child hiding behind a teenager or adult and peeking around their leg fearfully/suspiciously. This is played more for [[Moe]] than [[Fan Service]], however.

When turned [[Up to Eleven]] this might even have the scared person leap into the other person's arms (usually catching them by surprise). Going in the other direction, a more restrained form of this might have the fearful person reach out and hold tightly onto the sleeve of their companion.

[[Cry Into Chest]] is a sister trope. Depending on the situation, can result in [[Instant Seiza]].

See also: [[Cat Scare]], [[Eek! A Mouse!]]. Compare [[Cower Power]].

{{examples}}
== Examples of clinging to another person's sleeve/arm ==

=== [[Anime]] and [[Manga]] ===
* [[Haruhi Suzumiya]] does this to Kyon when trapped in the sealed reality. Kyon lampshades it by suggesting that if she's really that scared she should just hold onto his arm. Haruhi's response? "[[Baka]]"
* Nagi does this several times in ''[[Hayate the Combat Butler]]'', mostly to Hayate. Hinagiku is another favorite target for this, sometimes even when Hayate is also present. Most often it's someone hiding behind one of them for protection but the clingy-ness is definitely there.
** Hinagiku even once did it to Hayate  {{spoiler|but she was just kidding and was messing with him due to her intense dislike of losing (triggered by getting scared earlier and getting saved by Hayate)}}. Hayate even makes a [[Call Back]] to this around 200 chapters later,  {{spoiler|though he claimed he was also kidding, it's a cover for it actually being a Security Cling but instead because ''he'' was scared and wanted to protect ''her'' from Tama}}.
* In the ''[[Blood+]]'' manga, Haji notes that it's something Saya has a habit of doing whenever she's nervous.
* ''[[Mega Man NT Warrior]]'': Yai and Chaud ride an elevator, and when the lights go out and the elevator stops, she grabs his arm. His comment? "[[Crowning Moment of Funny|You're cutting off the circulation to my hand.]]"
* [[Non-Action Guy|Gau]] from ''[[Nabari no Ou]]'' has a rather cute tendency to [[Ship Tease|cling onto]] [[Ho Yay|Raikou's arms]] when he's nervous.

=== [[Live Action TV]] ===
* During the final moments of ''[[Supernatural]]'' Season Four, Sam and Dean react to Lucifer's imminent appearance [http://ssuzuki.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/spn422_0178.jpg this way]{{Dead link}}. Especially a [[Crowning Moment of Heartwarming]] considering all of the crap their relationship has been going through; Sam is actually directly responsible for freeing Lucifer, and betrayed and abandoned Dean to do it. However, their first instinct when they're desperate and terrified is still to cling to one another.

=== [[Western Animation]] ===
* In ''[[Total Drama Island|Total Drama Action]]'' a reluctant  {{spoiler|Courtney}} is forced to cling onto Duncan while they're balancing on a very narrow column during one challenge.
* [[Double Subversion]] in ''[[The Simpsons]]'' Season 14 finale "Moe Baby Blues". In one scene after baby Maggie takes a liking to Moe, he feels his sleeve being tugged upon, thinking it's her, but it turns out to be a branch from a bare bush. Later it happens again, in reverse: he thinks his sleeve caught on the branch again, but it turns out to be Maggie.

=== [[Real Life]] ===
* Humor writer [[Dave Barry]] describes watching a horror movie that made him whimper and cling to the person next to him: horror writer [[Stephen King]], who in turn was whimpering and clinging to his wife.


== Examples of a simple glomp (they grab onto the person) ==

=== [[Anime]] and [[Manga]] ===
* Kirie from ''[[Girls Bravo]]'' often does this to Yukinari whenever she's afraid.
* One episode in ''[[Sailor Moon]]'' has Usagi going to an arcade with Mamoru, Ali, and Ann. (Ali and Ann are actually aliens, Ali has a crush on Usagi and Ann has a crush on Mamoru). Both Usagi and Ann cling to Mamoru, and when things get a little scary inside, Usagi freaks and is thrown out of the ride and into the arms of Ali, who was thankfully nearby.
* Jessie and James from ''[[Pokémon (anime)|Pokémon]]''. Fandom calls it the "Fear Hug". [[Ship Tease|Misty also does this with Ash and Tracey a few times.]]
* Also from ''[[Haruhi Suzumiya]]'', Mikuru did this to Kyon during the Mysterique Sign episode in response to seeing the giant cricket that was about to attack them.
** There's also a moment in ''Remote Island Syndrome'' where [[Les Yay|Mikuru clings to Yuki]] after hearing Haruhi speculate that the former will be a murder victim. [[Hide Your Lesbians|This was censored in the anime though.]]
* The [[Playboy Bunny|Siesta Sisters]] from ''[[Umineko no Naku Koro ni]]'' do this when they [[Oh Crap|realize that Battler's AntiMagic is]] [[Readings Are Off the Scale|Over Nine Thousand!]].
* In ''[[Ouran High School Host Club]]'' while the club is at Kyouya's (or Nekozawa's in the manga) private beach Tamaki and Haruhi had an argument. Things are quickly patched up after Haruhi first grabs the bottom of Tamaki's [[Caught the Heart on His Sleeve|shirt]] when he turns to leave the room after she hears a clap of [[Fear of Thunder|thunder]]. She then climbs into a nearby armoire, and Tamaki opens the doors trying to coax her out. [[Dramatic Thunder|Cue another loud crash of thunder]] to send Haruhi right into Tamaki's arms.
* To up the [[Ho Yay]] factor, America does this to Japan in episode 51 of ''[[Axis Powers Hetalia]]'' while watching a scary movie.
* During the exploration (and escape from) the ruins of the [[Hayate the Combat Butler|Sanzenin Mansion]] in the Golden Week arc, Hayate holds onto Nagi and Ayumu's hands, claiming they're 'frail girls', leading Hinagiku to thinking that Hayate likes frail girls. But [[Fridge Logic]] dictates that this is actually the opposite, Hayate himself is clinging to the girls because they're frail and important that he know that they're alright, and Hinagiku, who he knows is strong enough to take care of herself, doesn't need to be protected for him to know she's safe. Much [[Ship Tease]] leads and follows in the arc.
* ''[[Hanaukyo Maid Tai]] La Verite'' episode 7. After Konoe regains consciousness in an underground room, her terrified assistant Yashima Sanae runs into the room and performs a full body (arms ''and'' legs) frontal Glomp on her.
* In ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog The Movie]]'', Tails does a full-body glomp onto Sonic every time [[Fear of Thunder|lightning strikes]].
* ''[[Ranma ½]]'': Akane glomps onto Ranma when she becomes scared by ghosts in The Cursed Tunnel of Lost Love. This trope was also discussed earlier in the arc.
{{quote|'''Man:''' It's really scary in there, you know. Your girlfriend will squeeze you for dear life!
'''Ranma:''' Well, I don't want to be hugged by Akane. That's for sure!
'''Akane:''' Who would want to hug you, anyways?! }}
** In the manga, when Ranma and Akane are&nbsp;cornered into a wall by a tiger, she [http://www.anymanga.com/ranma/005/003/017/ grabs onto him]. He has [[Why Did It Have to Be Snakes?|a major fear of cats]], so he isn't doing too hot either.
** Played for laughs shortly after. The tiger Gosunkugi used to scare Ranma is in return scared of Ranma's Cat-Fu. The tiger's so terrified that it jumps into Kuno's arms, which makes Kuno think it's attracted to him, then clings to and hides behind him.
{{quote|'''Kuno:''' I'm sorry, but my heart belongs to another.
'''Random guy:''' I don't think it's asking you for a date! }}
** Invoked in the battle dogi arc. While Ranma tries to seduce Akane in a closet to prevent her from wearing a powerful suit, Genma and Soun attempt to help things along by throwing some snakes and frogs at Akane. It works, [[Moment Killer|until the suit itself interrupts]].
* In episode 15 of ''[[D.N.Angel]]'' Risa does the Security Cling to Riku. And in episode 18 Riku does it to Daisuke.

=== [[Fan Works]] ===
* ''[[ToyHammer]]'' has Sanctioned Psyker Ishabeth hug and cling to Commissar Tomas after he performs a fatal [[Click. "Hello."]] to her evil counterpart.
* Happens to Kyon three times at once in ''[[Kyon: Big Damn Hero]]'', with Haruhi taking Mikuru to see ''[[Saw]]'' specifically to invoke this trope. Mikuru ended up in Kyon's lap, with Haruhi and Miyoko clinging to either arm.
* In the very beginning of ''[[With Strings Attached]]'', when John and Paul see the second moon and realize they're not just kidnapped but kidnapped onto another planet, they grab onto each other, “the only familiar things left in the universe,” and start to scream. After they calm down, John detaches from Paul because he's clawing the crap out of Paul's arm.

=== [[Film]] ===
* ''[[Blazing Saddles]]''. Taggart does a "single glomp" version on Hedley Lamaar when he's frightened by a scaffold trap door releasing outside.

=== [[Live Action TV]] ===
* Sam fright glomps [[iCarly|Carly]] during the [[Halloween Episode]]. Leads to [[Getting Crap Past the Radar|Getting Some]] [[Les Yay]] [[Getting Crap Past the Radar|Under The Radar]].
** In "iMove Out", Carly grabs onto the back of Freddie and pulls him toward her when a loud noise is heard in Freddie's apartment. And again in ''iBelieve in Bigfoot'', Carly backs off and holds close onto Freddie's arm when the gang encounters the alleged "Big Foot".
* In ''[[Happy Days]]'', Richie, Ralph and Potsie are talking to a scientist who tells them a tornado is about to hit the lab they are in. Ralph goes into full panic and screams, "Everyone, grab something heavy!" and instantly glomps on to the heavyset scientist who notes that the boy has one really strong grip.
* In ''[[Doctor Who]]'', Jamie [[Mc Crimmon]] and the Second Doctor do this [[No Sense of Personal Space|a lot]]. Occasionally Victoria or Zoe will get in on the act, too.
** The Eleventh Doctor and Amy have a variation. Because Amy's story is one traumatic [[Break the Cutie]] moment after another, the Doctor develops a habit of clinging tightly to her and rubbing her back while delivering each new piece of bad news. Asking permission from her husband Rory every time, of course.
* Mert and Tommy on ''[[Big Wolf on Campus]]''. [[Ho Yay|So very much.]]
* ''[[Dick and Dom]]'' are always prone to this ([[Played for Laughs]]) when threatened by mild peril, or [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrseElMd_K0&t=3m36s gunge]. And it is [[Ho Yay|adorable]].

=== [[Video Games]] ===
* [[Ace Attorney|Phoenix Wright]] [[Ho Yay|and]] [[Fan-Preferred Couple|Miles Edgeworth]] do a double security cling during She-Hulk's ending in ''[[Marvel vs. Capcom 3]]'', when Jen whacks her gavel on the judge's bench a little too hard.
* In ''[[Final Fantasy VIII]]'' Rinoa does this three times to Squall. First, after being rescued from the Iguions, she grabs onto him and doesn't want to let go. Later, while on the Ragnarok, after the intense sequence of events that's just occurred, she takes advantage of the gravity being turned off to float down into Squall's lap and puts her arms around him, telling him that it makes her feel safe. The third time is when she hugs him after he rescues her from the sorceress memorial.

=== [[Web Comics]] ===
* In ''Dangerously Chloe'' Naomi did cling to Teddy... when she expected [[Alien Abduction]]... [[Mistaken for Aliens|by Teddy]]. She ''was'' a little confused about this all, obviously.

=== [[Western Animation]] ===
* ''[[Fairly Oddparents]]'' - [[Sadist Teacher|Crocker]] spazglomped [[Genie in a Bottle|Norm the Genie]]. Norm did not like it at all.
* A ''[[Teen Titans (animation)|Teen Titans]]'' episode has this with Raven and Starfire, complete with freakout-screams. Given how powerful they both are, it's hilarious.
* Just before boarding the Lowardian ship in the ''[[Kim Possible]]'' [[Grand Finale]], Shego warns Ron to "Hold on!". He latches onto her, and she snaps "Not to me!"
* Mrs. Bighead does this to Rocko in the ''[[Rocko's Modern Life]]'' episode "Cabin Fever" when Heffer tells them a scary story.
* In the movie ''[[9|Nine]]'', 5 and 9 cling to each other while hiding from the [[Big Bad|Fabrication Machine.]]
* ''[[Total Drama]]'' has a few moments like this:
** When their bus falls off a cliff in the TDA special [[Foe Yay|Justin can be seen hugging Noah]]. Same goes for [[Official Couple|Tyler and Lindsay]] and [[Make-Out Kids|Geoff and Bridgette]].
** While the cast fall from the plane in the Japan episode Harold and Tyler can be seen semi-hugging during the song.
** In ''"I See London..."'', Sierra grabs onto Cody when the Ripper attacks them, funnily, he appears more horrified about Sierra than the actual Ripper.
* Nancy and Mimi are quite prone to this on ''[[The Amazing Chan and The Chan Clan]]''. Stanley also does this a few times to Henry (who, strangely enough, doesn't seem to take issue with it despite having limited patience with his brother).
* Probably the most memorable scene of [[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (film)|TMNT]] that [[Out of Focus|Mikey and Don]] were a part of - which isn't saying much, since it was part of a trailer. If memory serves, each grabbed onto the other.
* In the ending of one of the many chases that Pepe Le Pew conducts on Penelope they both fall off of a cliff and in response Pepe draws a parachute that saves both of them. On their way down Penelope is holding onto Pepe for dear life, while Pepe is viewing this as a matter of affection rather than necessity. Still a cute exchange regardless.
* In one episode of ''[[Monster Buster Club]]'', Danny and Cathy hold onto each other when they think they are about to be turned into statues.
* ''[[SpongeBob SquarePants]]'': From "Graveyard Shift" Squidward and [[SpongeBob]] [[Ho Yay|hug each other]] because they're terrified of the Hash Slinging Slasher.
* ''[[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic|My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic]]'' does this a few times, especially in "[[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic/Recap/S1/E08 Look Before You Sleep|Look Before You Sleep]]". In this case, it's Rarity and Applejack, who have been on each others' nerves through the whole episode, clinging to each other in moments of weakness.


== Examples of leaping into another person's arms ==

=== [[Anime]] and [[Manga]] ===
* ''[[Hanaukyo Maid Tai]]'' ''La Verite''. Yashima Sanae jumps into Konoe Tsurugi's arms in the opening titles.

=== [[Film]] ===
* Pretty much played straight in ''[[Raiders of the Lost Ark]]'' with Marion jumping into Indy's arms (and then climbing onto his shoulders) when they realize they are standing in a snake pit.
* Is a [[Running Gag]] at the beginning of ''[[The Gods Must Be Crazy]] 2'' as beautiful hotshot lawyer is spooked by savannah critters while in the company of a strong researcher. Also, she's wearing a long skirt, which makes it even funnier in practice.
* An extreme version in ''[[Toy Story (franchise)|Toy Story]]''. When Woody and Buzz are facing the mutilated toys in Sid's room, Woody climbs on top of Buzz's head.
* ''The Man Called Flintstone''. When Barney confronts the Green Goose, the villain's [[Right-Hand Attack Dog]] Ferocious snarls at him, causing him to jump into Fred's arms.

=== [[Live Action TV]] ===
* In an episode of ''[[Boy Meets World]]'', the one with the serial killer that turns out to be [[All Just a Dream]], Eric jumps into Jack's arms like this.
* Happens on a regular basis on ''[[Gilligan's Island]]'', with Gilligan jumping into the Skipper's arms.
* In ''[[The Suite Life of Zack and Cody]]'', Cody gets frightened in a supposedly haunted room and leaps into Maddie's arms. Maddie promptly drops him. When he tries it again with London later, she doesn't even try to catch him.
* In one of the Jack Hanna interviews on ''[[The Tonight Show]] with Johnny Carson'', a particularly vicious animal scared Johnny so bad he leapt into Ed's arms...
* Chandler jumps into Joey's arms in the ''[[Friends]]'' episode ''The One After The Superbowl''.
* In the British version of ''[[Splatalot]]'', [[Dick and Dom]] purport to be frightened of two of the Attackers in one episode; Dom leaps into Dick's arms. Dick leaps into Dom's a few minutes later. Then they [[Slapstick|both try to leap into each other's arms at the same time]].

=== [[Tabletop Games]] ===
* The 1st Edition ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'' Dungeon Master's Guide has a picture of a fighter jumping into a wizard's arms after encountering a [[Mooks Ate My Equipment|rust monster]]. [http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/designdev_rustdmg.jpg Here's the pic.]

=== [[Web Comics]] ===
* Happens in [http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Vol_436.php Wildy's fic] in ''[[Dan and Mab's Furry Adventures|DMFA]]''.
* Happens when [https://web.archive.org/web/20110802052839/http://tf2.skyscrapersoup.com/?p=42 the red spy sneaks up on spy and scout] in ''[[Cuanta Vida]]''.
* ''[[Sequential Art (webcomic)|Sequential Art]]'' has "''[http://www.collectedcurios.com/sequentialart.php?s=12 Badoom 3]''. Supposedly the most frightening game ever made".
* In ''[[Eerie Cuties]]'', when Melissa and her little coven [http://www.eeriecuties.com/strips-ec/magick_chicks_-_holiday_special_-_2_of_2 "got volunteered"] with [[Evil Laugh]] for transfer to [[Magick Chicks|another school]], Jacqui jumps on the Melissa's hands, hugs her and closes eyes.
* In ''[[Freefall]]'', a [http://freefall.purrsia.com/ff1500/fc01479.htm crocodile].

=== [[Western Animation]] ===
* [[Scooby-Doo (animation)|Scooby Doo]] leaping into Shaggy's arms is probably the [[Trope Codifier]].
** One episode features a double-decker version. Expanding on the classic version whereby Scooby jumps into Shaggy's arms, Shaggy was in turn so terrified that he (along with his cargo) jumped into ''Fred'' 's arms.
*** There's a similar gag in another episode, but with Shaggy leaping into ''Velma'''s arms. That she can run from the monster of the week with both of them in her arms is certainly impressive.
** During a ''[[Johnny Bravo]]'' episode where he [[Crossover|meets]] the [[Scooby Doo]] gang, Daphne jumps into Fred's arms, he then winks in approval to the screen. Then Velma and Shaggy end up in his arms too and they crash.
** In the "Where Are You" episode "Spooky Space Kook", Scooby jumps into Shaggy's arms after a chicken mistakes his tail for a worm and bites it.
* Cartoons - elephants leaping into the arms of either another animal or a human at the sight of a mouse was a standby.
** Have them there for a bit, then realize the laws of physics still apply, and then splat.
* Twice in the episode linked from the ''[[Kidd Video]]'' page quote.
* Helga did this to Arnold in ''[[Hey Arnold!]]'' in the episode "Wheezin Ed". Sid did it to Rhonda as well for a bit of temporary [[Ship Tease]].
* ''[[Jonny Quest]]'' episode "Terror Island". After being frightened by an exploding firecracker, Bandit jumps into Jonny's arms.
* ''[[Total Drama Island|Total Drama World Tour]]'' has [[Butt Monkey|Cody]] clinging desperately onto [[Big Guy|Owen]]'s shoulders [[Everything's Worse with Bears|as an angry polar bear comes towards them.]]
** Geoff also leaps into Bridgette's arms in one of the Aftermaths after an anvil nearly hits him.
** Justin leaps into Courtney's arms after an alarm goes off in "Dial M for Merger".
* Happens more than once in ''[[Yellow Submarine]]'' during Blue Meanie attacks.
* Happens [[Ho Yay|often]] between Jimmy and Beezy on ''[[Jimmy Two-Shoes]]''.
* ''[[Superfriends]]'' (1973–74) episodes.
** "The Planet Splitter". When Wendy, Marvin and Wonder Dog are surprised by Doctor LeBon's assistant aboard the space ship, Wonder Dog jumps into Marvin's arms.
** "The Baffles Puzzle". When one of the bad guys slams a door and traps Wendy, Marvin and Wonder Dog in a room, Wonder Dog jumps into Marvin's arms again.
** "The Power Pirate". When Wendy, Marvin and Wonder Dog are trapped in a dark room and a door suddenly opens, Wonder Dog jumps into Marvin's arms yet again.
* The [[Cartoon Network]] Groovies episode "Jabberjaw". When Jabberjaw is frightened by a giant robot he jumps into Clamhead's arms.
* Bobcat Socrates does this to Zach in ''[[Adventures from the Book of Virtues]]'' in the episode "Perseverance".
* A startled Booster leaps onto Buzz's shoulders in one episode of ''[[Buzz Lightyear of Star Command]]''. Buzz's completely deadpan "Can I ''help'' you" makes it a [[Crowning Moment of Funny]].
* Starfire jumped into Robin's arms when frightened by Beast Boy's enthusiasm in ''[[Teen Titans (animation)|Teen Titans]]''.
* Happens twice during a play of how equestria was created in ''[[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic|My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic]]''. Rainbow Dash even [[Lampshade Hanging|comments on this]].

{{reflist}}
[[Category:Character Reaction Index]]
[[Category:Comedy Tropes]]
[[Category:Hug Tropes]]
[[Category:Hand Tropes]]
[[Category:Horror Tropes]]
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]