Junk in the Trunk

Too Crammed for Comfort

It has to have been at least over three hours since they climbed into the trunk of the junker car. Richard and Ezra had no idea how Jules and Poppy were holding up in the other car, but they themselves couldn't be crankier. The first hour wasn't too bad: some fidgeting and complaining here and there, but they managed to keep themselves entertained by telling each other stories from their youth. The second hour, the tension started to build. Their limbs were falling asleep from having little space to move, and it was starting to get hot. By the third hour, they were practically tangled in each other and kept shoving and kicking the other as they tried to get comfortable.

A foul stench met Ezra's nostrils and he held back a gag, pulling his shirt over his nose. He jammed his elbow into Richard's ribs, yes on purpose, and flopped over to glare at him. "Dude what the fuck, did you seriously just fart in here?" he scolded.

Richard wouldn't meet his eyes and he had a guilty look on his face. "I'm sorry I couldn't hold it in. I should've warned you."

"No, should've just held it in! We're in the trunk, there's not much fresh air in here and you just ruined it with your stink!" Ezra's voice was snappy and fed up. It was rare for him to be actually angry, but the circumstances in which they found themselves in were extenuating ones. Richard couldn't blame him though, his family's life was on the line, and he was pretty sure his mild claustrophobia was starting to get to him.

"Whatever man, the smell's already gone," he said. Ezra grumbled something he couldn't quite make out. Five minutes of silence passed, or maybe longer. Or maybe it was shorter, who the hell knows. "Is it just me or is it not as dark as it was, like, an hour ago?" he asked.

Ezra squinted. "Y'know, I think you're right. Our eyes must be adjusting."

Richard nodded. "Nice. Like a bat." Ezra looked at him quizzically. "Bats can't see in the dark. They have horrible eyesight," he deadpanned.

"Then how the hell can they fly around at night doing acrobatics and shit?" he asked, seemingly genuinely confused.

"Dude they use echolocation, they can't see anything," Ezra said, exasperated. Richard furrowed his brows in the dark.

"Echolocation? What even is that?" he feigned stupidity. He knew if he could get him to start trying to explain something, maybe he could distract him. It had nothing to do with the fact that he was incredibly bored and loved fucking with him. Ezra gave him an unamused look. "That's a made up word. You just made it up," he said, unable to keep his smile at bay.

"No it's not! I know you know what that means, quit playing dumb," he said, not in the mood for his shit. He turned back around, facing the trunk door. There was a tiny bit of sunlight from where the door shut, and you could feel a bit of airflow. Suddenly, Richard was leaning over him, shoving his face right in front of the small crack. Ezra shoved him off harshly. "Dude what the fuck?"

"I can feel a little bit of air, and I'm burning up in here. Just let me cool down," he said, sighing as he got a sliver of relief from the stuffy heat. The trailer carrying the cars hit a bump, and Richard used a hand to brace himself, gripping Ezra's hip slightly.

And Ezra screamed. Richard fell off of him, startled. Then he started laughing.

"Shut up."

"Whahahat the hell wahas that?"

"Shut up!" he admonished even more.

"What noise was that? I don't think I've ever heard you make that sound before!" Richard exclaimed. Even in the dark, he could see Ezra's flushed cheeks. "Wait man, are you-"

"No!"

His grin grew even wider. "You totally are!"

"Hey, I am not!" Ezra snapped defensively.

"How did you even know what I was gonna say then?" he arched a brow with a smirk. Ezra's mouth gaped open before closing, trying to come up with a smart retort.

"Because I know you," he justified.

"Okay, since you know me so well, why don't you tell me what I was gonna ask? Hm? Finish my sentence," he said, and it was so hard not to sound as cocky as he felt. But he was sure the sugary sweet innocence in his voice had the same effect.

Now Ezra's blush was even more noticeable. He stuttered out a small, high pitched croak, but no audible words followed.

"Oh my god... you can't even say the word!" Richard burst into bright laughter. Ezra glared at him, but couldn't bring himself to deny it. Knowing Richard, he'd make him say it. The hand was back on his hip, squeezing and this time it didn't let up. He burst into bubbly giggles, twisting and squirming his body in an attempt to escape.

"Richard wahahait aha second!" he just barely bit back a squeal. There wasn't much room to move around or escape, and with Richard's crushing weight on top of him he was sufficiently trapped.

"No way, I've been bored outta my mind and this is the first real entertainment we've had since climbing in this God forsaken trunk. You'll thank me later,"  he quipped, flashing him a dazzling smile. Ezra's eyes flew open and a choked scoff managed to slip out.

"Thank you?" he cried indignantly as he snatched Richard's wrists to keep his wicked fingers at bay. Richard's grin nearly split his face in two.

"You're welcome! See? I knew you'd come around!" he taunted, easily slipping out of his grasp. He dove straight for his ribs, scribbling over each bone as fast as lightning. Ezra threw his head back with a snort before frantic giggles began to pour out.

"Ihihi wahasn't actually thahanking you!" he griped. Richard gasped, tickling faster.

"Well that's just rude! You tell a man thank you and then you don't even mean it? Who does that?" he asked in a taunting tone. He wore a shit eating grin as his hands worked their way over his ribs and just started to worm underneath his clamped arms. Ezra snorted before loud cackles filled the crammed space of the trunk.

"Richahahard quit ihihit! Ihihi cahan't mohohove!" he protested, trying with all his might to squirm away, but there was nowhere for him to go. Richard wore a shit eating grin as he continue the ticklish assault.

"I don't see how that's my problem. In fact, it makes my job a lot easier," he teased casually. Ezra let out a giggly whine that was cut off by an embarrassing snort. Richard laughed along with him, reaching up to flutter under his chin. He shrieked and slammed his chin down to protect himself, but only succeeded in trapping his hand there. His laughter reached new heights when he tickled behind his ears. He shook his head back and forth in a desperate attempt to dislodge his fingers, but to no avail. He kept giggling and squealing, and it was getting too damn hot in this God forsaken trunk.

Richard knew when enough was enough and released him. Ezra panted and shot him a glare that was met with a cheeky, smug grin.

"You're the worst. How much longer do you think we have?" he asked, annoyance clear in his tone. Richard let out a low whistle.

"Not sure, could be a whole 'nother hour. Why?"

Now it was Ezra's turn to wear an evil grin. "Just seeing if I have enough time for revenge."