It was a lazy afternoon at Riley’s house, and she and Val were sprawled across her bed, laughing about the Firehawks’ last practice.
“You totally whiffed that shot, Riley,” Val teased, nudging her shoulder.
“Did not!” Riley shot back, grinning.
“Oh yeah?” Val smirked. “You always get so jumpy when you’re nervous. It’s like you—wait a second.”
Her eyes narrowed with realization. She remembered how Riley practically leapt when a teammate accidentally brushed against her during practice. A slow, mischievous grin spread across Val’s face.
She wiggled her fingers and lightly trailed them over Riley’s side.
Riley’s breath hitched. “V-Val—don’t!”
Val pounced, digging her fingers into Riley’s ribs.
“NOHOHO!” Riley squealed, collapsing into helpless laughter as she squirmed beneath Val’s relentless fingers. “V-Val! Stohohop!”
Val cackled. “Ohhh, this is golden. You’re so done for, Riley!” She skittered her fingers up and down Riley’s sides, sneaking under her arms, making her shriek and thrash.
Just then, the door swung open.
“Hey, Riley! We were thinking about—”
It was Grace, along with two of their Firehawks teammates. They froze in the doorway, taking in the scene—Riley a giggling mess, Val looming over her like a villain.
Grace smirked. “Ohhh, this is interesting.”
Riley gasped for breath. “G-Guys—help!”
The Firehawks exchanged wicked glances.
“You know,” one of them mused, cracking her knuckles, “Riley is our captain. And it’d be so wrong to let this slide.”
Val’s smirk faltered. “Uh—w-wait a second—”
Three sets of hands grabbed her, shoving her down onto the bed.
“HEY—NOHO!” Val yelped as Grace and another teammate pinned her arms above her head, while the third sat on her legs, making sure she couldn’t escape. “Guys, c’mon, l-let’s talk about this—”
Riley finally caught her breath and sat up, a slow, evil grin creeping across her face. She leaned in just a little closer, her face hovering over Val’s, their noses almost brushing.
“Ohhh, no way. You started this, Val.”
Val gulped, suddenly all too aware of how close Riley was. “Riley, buddy, pal—l-let’s be reasonable—”
Riley wiggled her fingers teasingly above Val’s stomach. “What’s wrong? Jumpy?”
Riley struck, wiggling her fingers into Val’s ribs.
“GAHAHA! NOHOHO!” Val screamed, thrashing wildly, but the Firehawks held her tight.
“Awww, she’s so ticklish!” Grace teased, digging into Val’s side, making her jolt.
“Y-you traihihitors!” Val shrieked, bucking against them, but she was totally trapped.
Riley grinned. “Payback time!” She spidered her fingers under Val’s arms, making her howl with laughter.
“NOHO! STAHAHAP! IHIHI GIVE!” Val begged, her face turning red as she thrashed against the hold.
Riley leaned down, her voice softer now, almost teasing. “Hmm. Do we really believe her, guys?”
Grace pretended to think. “I dunno. She didn’t stop when you begged, Riley.”
“You’re right,” Riley murmured, grinning as she scratched at Val’s stomach, making her dissolve into breathless cackles.
“NOHOHO MORE! I MEAN IT!” Val howled.
Riley finally stopped…for a moment.
Val gasped for air, blinking up at her. For a split second, the room felt different—like it was just the two of them.
“O-okay… Y-you got me… We’re good now, right?” Val mumbled, her voice a little breathless.
Riley tilted her head, her fingers still resting on Val’s side. “Ehh. I don’t think so.”
Val barely had time to react before Riley struck again, her fingers skittering up her ribs, making her squeal.
“WHAT—NOHOHOHO!” Val screeched, twisting helplessly.
“Yeah, no,” Riley teased, biting her lip as she watched Val squirm. “I’m not done yet.”
Val was done for. And the Firehawks? They just sat back and enjoyed the show.
