Work Text:
“Hey, can you pass me that wrench?” Peter gestures past you to the wrench on your other side laying in one of the ledges against the wall. He could have gotten it himself, but it was within your arm’s reach and the space the two of you were working in was a long but narrow bit of hall. Easier just to ask you to grab it for him. Also laziness. Ok, maybe mostly laziness.
You hum an affirmative and pass the wrench to him, barely bothering to look up from the wires you were re-connecting in the breaker box.
It was just standard upkeep and repairs that morning on the Quadrant Ship. Some wiring was getting old, so you had run new wiring while Peter was busy tinkering with an old control box.
Peter finished his task before you, and started packing up whatever tools you weren’t using. ‘Started’ being the key word, seeing as he soon realized most of the tools were with him on his part of the hallway, but the toolbox was on your other side.
He almost asked you to grab it for him, but then he saw you had your hands busy screwing closed the last couple cable clamps and thought he’d just squeeze past you to grab the box himself instead. Sure, he could have just waited for you to finish up, but waiting was boring.
“I’m just gonna scootch on past you…” Peter said as he moved behind you, his hands gently catching your lower ribs to keep you both steady as he passed behind you in the narrow hall.
To his surprise you squirmed at his touch, uttering a short grunt as your arms instinctively clamped down to your sides. His eyes widened, not expecting the reaction, and then he smirked. “Oh, is someone ticklish?” Now on the other side of you he saw you give him the briefest glare and eye roll in response before returning to your task. He could swear he saw you cheeks become just a bit redder in hue as well. He picked up the toolbox and cheekily announced, “Well, I better get back over there…”
You shot an arm out to catch against his chest just as he started to move. “You can be patient. I’m almost done here.”
Peter grinned. “Alright then.” He set the toolbox back down and crossed his arms, smirking as you returned to your task. Clearly you thought this was a way to avoid him tickling you again, but you clearly you underestimated his ability to be a complete child.
Sure, he’d wait. No problem. But that wasn’t going to save you. Quite the opposite, in fact. You had neglected to notice one thing.
The two of you had been working at the end of the hall. Since he had moved past you, and you hadn’t let him return, he was now standing between you and the only way out of that space.
He let you finish your task. He would have been a brat and started poking you as you worked, but he knew better than to do that when what you were working with was electrical. Fun tends to stop after electrocution, after all.
After you closed the panel you finally turn to him, but before you speak you notice his mischievous smirk. Your eyes widen in realization that you were more or less backed in a corner, and then narrow when he takes a step towards you. “Oh no you- Don’t you dare, Quill!”
“Oh, yes… I dare.” Peter grins wickedly, reaching for you.
You let out a little squeak, backing up a few steps with your hands up in defense, only to hit the wall. You never really stood a chance.
Within seconds Peter had you doubled over with bright laughter as he scritched his fingers over your ribs, sides and belly.
You manage out a “Peter Quill! I’m gonna kill you!” through your laughter, which he of course ignores.
Instead, he just laughs with you, throwing out little teases like, “What’s so funny?” and “Where’s the joke? Why you laughing so much?”
You don’t answer, too busy drowning in your own laughter and trying to twist away from his tickling fingers, to no avail. He only followed you no matter which way you twisted or turned.
“Peter! Wait! Please!” You try grabbing his wrists but it doesn’t accomplish anything. He just teases you more as you wriggle in his grasp.
“Wait for what? Ya gotta be more specific.” He clicked his tongue as if lightly scolding you.
“Please! It tickles! Oh my God!” You practically squeal the words.
“Ohhh!” Peter says in mock-realization, “It tickles- Well you should have said something!”
“You’re such a dick!” you whine, still fighting his tickling hands.
“Well that was just rude. Maybe I need to teach you a lesson!” Peter laughed and darted his hands up under your arms.
You screeched and nearly fell to the floor. “OK! I- I-” you were momentarily cut off by your own laughter. It tickled so bad you were afraid you actually might not be able to plead for mercy. Eventually you managed, “I give- I give up! Cut- AHA! Cut it out! AHAHA! Please! Oh my god!”
With a chuckle Peter finally stopped. He grinned as he watched your giggly form trying to catch your breath.
“Oho- oh my gohosh! What was that for!?” You scolded, lightly smacking him in the arm.
Peter shrugged. “Eh. No reason.”
You roll your eyes and he turns to grab the toolbox. An evil grin crosses over your face as his back is turned. You dart your hands out to his sides and begin rapidly pinching.
With a startled laugh he jolts and turns back to you. “Really?!” he asks with an incredulous grin. “Really?!” He starts to back you back into the corner.
“You started it!” You were now nervously giggling and rethinking your choices. Perhaps your revenge was a bit hasty. You should have waited until after you were no longer trapped behind Peter in this hall.
Your laughter quickly began to ring out again due to this oversight. You’d have to be more careful with your revenge next time.