Here’s a section of chapter 2 of a fanfic called Puzzle Pieces which I changed for the final version that I posted on ao3. But I kept this for myself. Here is an interaction between Echo and Crosshair which includes pestering and teasing tickles.
Echo sighed. He worried that his metal prosthetics would prevent him from comforting his brother properly, but Crosshair seemed to have no issue with the way their legs were tangled together. Crosshair kept fiddling with the end of Echo’s scomp, focused on the random patterns he was tracing. The Batch were always tactile, having no issue with touching. None of them ever seemed to avoid providing Echo with the same affection, yet Echo still felt uncomfortable in his own skin and worried others felt the same. But seeing how Crosshair calmed down in his arms, unbothered by all the mechanics, that brought him more affirmation and confidence about his prosthetics than anything he had previously experienced. Echo honestly had not expected to come away from this feeling better about himself. He appreciated the reassurance that his brother seemed unaware he was providing. Echo wanted to make sure Crosshair knew he could come to him for the same.
“If you ever feel… down, or just want attention, or someone to be with, you can come to me. I know it can be hard to ask for these things, but get my attention if I don’t notice you need something, yeah? Please cause trouble if necessary, hopefully it shouldn’t come to that, but who knows, it could be fun.”
“Well let’s say a little tooka told me tha-.”
“Lula needs to stop being such a gossip.”
Echo laughed at that. “Yea, well let’s say that a little tooka told me that you might not mind getting into trouble the same way Tech does. Now forgive me if the tooka is wrong, you know how the gossip chain is.”
“Like Tech? How does Tech get into trouble?”
“Wires,” Echo bluntly responded. Crosshair tilted his head back, thinking for a moment before his eyes widened slightly, cheeks flushing.
“Sorry if that was too strong or too sudden of an accusation, but I was thinking it could be a way for you to receive positive attention? It could be fun?”
“I understand if I crossed a line-”
“You sound like a therapist.”
“Positive attention,” Crosshair chuckled. “That’s therapy talk… Are you sure it isn’t you who wants to start trouble?” Echo floundered at that for a moment before catching on. Crosshair was joking. Crosshair was actually trying to start banter with him.
“Me? Cause trouble? Now where would you get an idea like that?”
“Your desire to receive positive attention.”
“I already get enough of that, can’t you see the line of admirers I have at my beck and call? I’ve got all the attention I need.” Crosshair scoffed at that.
“Oh yeah, what did you gain your admirers with? Your charm?”
“My good looks of course,” Echo replied, flipping his invisible locks of hair back with his scomp link.
“Oh yes those, how could I fail to notice. Seduced them with your oh so desirable physique?” Crosshair accentuated his point by poking Echo in the stomach.
“I can tell, yes, this is definitely what got you all those admirers.” Crosshair began poking him more rapidly, even getting his ribs and sides a couple of times.
“Now wa-wait just a m-moment,” Echo stuttered, suppressing a smile.
“What? Can’t handle the positive attention?” Crosshair smirked, clearly satisfied that he was bothering Echo. Echo decided it was time to turn the tables and dug his hand into Crosshair’s side, the effect immediate.
“WAITwaitwaitwaitwaitwait.” Crosshair kicked his legs and turned himself to face Echo, burying his face back into his shoulder, a poor attempt at escaping.
“No no no, don’t start what you can’t finish,” Echo teased, moving his hand to scratch at his waist. Crosshair couldn’t contain his giggles as he grabbed at Echo’s wrist, but didn’t pull his hand away. Interesting, maybe I should get more information from this tooka rumor chain. Echo began moving his hand towards Crosshair’s back. He had seen many clones roughhouse with each other over his years as a GAR soldier, and he took notice of something that always took down each one. Crosshair caught on quickly, doubling his squirming and his giggles.
“What,” Echo couldn’t help but continue to tease, “can’t handle the positive attention?” His hand stilled at the small of Crosshair’s back as his brother was quickly shaking his head against his shoulder. Echo could hear what Wrecker had said to him earlier about taking things slow in the back of his head. Fearing he might overwhelm Crosshair, he pulled his hand away, moving it to run his fingers through Cross’s hair. His brother’s giggles slowed down as he relaxed back into Echo’s hold, wrapping his arms around his middle once again.
“Okay?” Echo prompted, still a bit worried.
“Hmm… I guess some trouble can be fun,” came Cross’s reply after a couple of deep breaths. Echo smirked. He knew he should take things slow, just as Wrecker suggested, but could he really call himself a big brother if he didn’t take this opportunity to tease Crosshair?
“So… was the tooka rumor chain right? Do you enjoy being tickled?”
“Oh kriff, why did you have to actually say it?”
“Echo,” Crosshair whined, hiding the sides of his face with his arms, keeping it buried in Echo’s shoulder. Well, he wasn’t trying to escape.
“Do you have a favorite spot? Oh! What about a favorite way to be ti-?”
“Absolutely not! It’s official: I hate you.” Despite his words, Crosshair didn’t budge from his arms. Laughing, Echo squeezed Crosshair tight, deciding he had enough teasing for today.