Sillyyy

It was quiet in the living room. Too quiet, for it being Steve, Tony, and Bucky. Bucky was quiet, but that was normal. The other two, though, they were always arguing about something or another. Honestly, the way they argued, nobody was sure if they were friends or not.

"Bucky goes through the five stages of grief every time he's tickled." Steve says casually.

Bucky looks up from his book. He should leave. He should leave, now, before Steve decided to show Tony what he meant by that. He stood up, closing his book quietly.

"How do you mean?" Tony asked.

"I'll show you." Steve says, quite evilly for Captain America. Bucky immediately tried to run the other direction. Fortunately, being trained as a soldier - and then his years with HYDRA - had taught him to always search for an exit before a situation he'd need it.

Unfortunately, Steve was a super soldier, too.

"PUT ME DOWN!" Bucky demanded, shoving at Steve's shoulder. This was much different from when they were kids. Steve would probably crumple and die if he tried to pick Bucky up back then.

"Yes, yes, in a second." Steve brings Bucky back to the couch, dropping him down unceremoniously. Bucky's first thought was to scamper, but he was not quick enough before Steve sat on his upper legs. Their hands grappled, neither one wanting to give.

"Get off!"

"No, I gotta show Tony that you go through the five stages of grief when you're tickled!"

"I do not! Get off of me!"

"See, Tony? This is denial. The first stage."

"Oh, I see." Tony commented unhelpfully, unable to hide the amusement in his voice. Bucky sputtered, glancing over at Tony. Oh, that was how Steve was playing this.

Unfortunately, during his momentary distraction, Steve had gotten out of the grapple and immediately went to squeeze at his sides. Bucky's attention returned, and he grabbed at Steve's wrists, squeezing tight.

"NO! Steve!"

"Hm? What's up, Buck?"

"Stop this!"

"Stop what?"

"THIS!" Bucky wished he could do a grand gesture, pointing to all of his stupidity right now, but alas, holding onto the wrists was more important.

"What am I supposed to be stopping?" Steve teases.

"Rogers!" He growls, fighting back the giggles that were bubbling up in his chest. He is Bucky Barnes, for crying out loud! He was an assassin for 70 years! He does not giggle like a child! Steve shouldn't even feel comfortable tickling him, he's killed people!

That thought hits him. Steve is still, after all these years, after all the things he's done wrong, comfortable enough to tickle him. That meant something. It made him feel soft inside his chest.

"And now, he's moved on to anger. Stage 2." Steve explains to Tony.

"I see." The smaller man nods, watching carefully.

"I hate you." Bucky's tone was more like a threat, but Steve knew that he didn't actually hate him. It was Bucky, his best friend from before everything. Bucky could never hate Steve, not really.

"Mhm." Steve punished his words by instead digging his thumbs into his hips, doing those slow circles that drove him crazy.

"NOHO!" Bucky yelped, now holding on tight to the blondes wrists. "Steve! Steheheve, please!"

"Bargaining." Captain America smirks down at him. What an infuriating face.

Tony, across the room, just smiles and nods, watching the two get along so well. Or maybe Bucky would kill Steve after this. Guess he'll have to wait and see.

Bucky made a growling noise that was quickly covered up by helpless giggles. He just couldn't stop them from coming out. He tried to push Steve's hands away, squirming in place. He couldn't get very far, though, considering another super soldier just about as strong as him was sitting on his waist.

And then Steve moved his horrible fingers to his ribs.

"STEHEHEVE!" His squirming picked up tenfold, shoving and hitting at Steve's arms. He'd probably get bruises. Luckily, he heals pretty fast. "STOHOP, I'M GONNA DIE!"

"Oh, you're not gonna die. Stop being dramatic." Steve fondly rolls his eyes, then glances at Tony. "Depression stage."

Bucky hit the couch over and over again, getting a bit overwhelmed by the tickly sensations. Steve, having tickled him a million times before, recognized this. He moved to Bucky's sides, using much lighter tickles. His nails seemed to skim right over the fabric of Bucky's shirt. And Bucky's shirt did absolutely nothing to dull the sensation.

"Nohoho." Bucky's voice was definitely complaining.

"No? Do you want me to go back to your ribs, then? I could count them for you, make sure they're all there." Steve teased with that stupid, beautiful, comforting smirk plastered on his face.

"No!"

"I didn't think so. Just hold still, Buck. I've got you."

Bucky just giggled. That's all he could do, really. His hands held onto Steve's wrists, but they weren't doing much to help. His head tilted back, completely worn and unable to fight the tickly sensations anymore. He didn't even try to stop his laughter anymore.

"There you are." Steve coos. "Stage five, acceptance."

"Huh. He really did go through the five stages of grief." Tony says, watching the boys quietly from his seat. He was very curious. He had cataloged that Bucky seemed overprotective of his ribs. That must be his tickle spot. He wondered distantly what would happen if Tony ever tried to tickle him. More importantly, however, was that he wondered what Bucky would do in retaliation. Which he assumed would happen in the very near future to Steve.

"Yes, he does." Steve hums, taking his hands away from Bucky now. He is just smiling down at him fondly.

Bucky, meanwhile, was taking in deep breaths like he had been starved of air. Which he had been, thank you very much. That was such an experience. The adrenaline, the sparks of lightning up his spine, the stupid tingly sensation that he hated to admit, wasn't so bad, at least coming from Steve. He might gut someone else if they try.

"Steve." Bucky said in a low tone, carefully neutral. The usually happy Captain stiffened at the tone.

"I think I'm gonna go... fold the dishes." Steve quickly got off of Bucky and left the room.