#lee!anthony

Many people would bet their homes that Anthony and Kate were the healthiest and happiest couple in the ton, including his siblings, who have said that they haven't seen Anthony like that since before their father died. If they weren't the vicount and vicountess, they would never leave their bed. They were more than content to simply lay in each other's arms, out of those tight and heavy clothes, and just exist. Despite them both being sticklers for duty when they first met, getting Anthony out of bed in the morning was a battle. Whining about how he'd rather hide away from his responsibilities in bed with his wife.

"Anthony we need to get up eventually." Kate reminded for what felt like the 90th time. Their legs tangled together, his arm under her head, holding both hands, one on Kate's pillow, the other on Anthony's chest. Anthony made a disgruntled noise, scrunching up his nose and shaking his head.

"We don't actually, the house won't fall apart if we ignore our duties for one day. We can just tell people that we were attempting to make an heir as an excuse, no one will doubt or question that." Kate sighed, a soft smile on her lips that proved she wasn't actually upset. She turned her head to kiss Anthony's cheek, moving her kisses around the side of his face and down his neck.

"Kate..." He warned, knowing full well what she was doing, flinching when she hummed in acknowledgement against his neck.

"Stohohop." He whined softly, trying to shuffle away from her but she gently cupped his neck on the other side, adding little nips to that sensitive spot by his collarbone.

"Kahahate!" She hummed softly, sliding her hand down his chest, shaking her head.

"Nope, since you didn't want to get up, Kate is gone, you've got the tickle monster now~ However, the monster can't leave the bed so~" She crooned, her fingers curling around his ribs, making him arch up off the bed. Anthony had let go of her hands, trying to push her away from him, but the tickling mixed with him not being all the way awake had sapped all of his strength.

"KAHAHATE KAHAHATE! STOHOHOP! GEHEHET OHOHOFF!" He wailed, eventually wiggling himself so much he had fallen off their bed. Kate giggled in surprise, moving to the edge of the bed to see him.

"Are you alright?" He nodded slowly with a soft groan from hitting the hardwood floor, watching Kate practically jump up out of bed.

Anthony did feel slightly bad at how after getting married he barely spent quality time with his siblings, especially the older ones. He honestly couldn't tell you the last time he and Benedict had hung out just them after he and Kate got married. Now the two eldest Bridgerton children sat together in Benedict's bedroom, a couple of drinks in their system as they continued to chat.

"Are you still as ticklish as you were as a teen? Has Kate figured it out yet!? Can I tell her?!" Benedict drunkenly giggled, voice rising as he got increasingly more excited. Anthony's cheeks warmed with an embarrassed blush, shushing Benedict quietly with a wave of his hand.

"Hush Benedict! No, that's childish, no, because there's nothing for her to find out, and no, you may not." Anthony hissed, listing off his answers on his fingers, quickly downing the last of his drink before refilling his glass.

"Really, then why don't I believe you?" Benedict slurred, raising a disbelieving brow in his older brother's direction. Anthony shrugged, making a noise of discontent when Benedict plucked his glass from him mid drink, setting it on the table.

"Alright then, prove it." He challenged, watching Anthony swallow his whiskey slowly, confusion written all over his face.

"How exactly?" Anthony asked warily, shifting himself to be criss-cross on the floor they were sitting on, the marble being cooling on their alcohol heated skin.

"Well Brother! I'm so glad you asked! I dare you to place your hands upon the top of your head and keep them there until I finish... experimenting." Benedict said excitedly, clapping his hands together with a bright smile, watching Anthony turn bright red and gape like a fish.

"You're serious?" He asked hesitantly, swallowing hard when Benedict nodded once, big and firm. Anthony grumbled lowly, slowly raising his hands until they rested on his head, taking a deep breath, biting down on his cheek, refusing to look at his younger brother. Benedict scooched forward eagerly grinning like a kid on Christmas. The only way Benedict could tickle Anthony when they were younger without teaming up with someone was to dare him, Anthony never backed down from a challenge. Anthony swallowed a squeak when Benedict reached for him, squeezing his eyes shut when Benedict squeezed up his sides, pressing his lips together, squeezing his own hands and twitching from side to side.

"Oh you little liar~!" Benedict exclaimed, poking his brother's ribs so he'd flinch into the other finger.

"Ihihi- BEHEHEN!" Anthony yelps, curling forward when Benedict drilled his thumbs into his underarms. To his credit, his hands were still on top of his head.

"I can't believe you lied to me about this!" Benedict chuckled, grabbing the junction of hip and thigh, squeezing firmly as Anthony jack knifed, cackles flowing from his mouth as he tried to pry Benedict's hands off him.

"STOHOHOOHOP COHOHOHOME OHOHOHON! THAHAHAHAT'S NOHOHOHOHOHOT FAHAHAHAIR!"

"Oh this is great, Kate! Come he-" Benedict was cut off by Anthony's hand over his mouth, the force knocking them to the ground.

"Dohohon't... you say a thing..."