Liability [Simon Ghost Riley]

harmless prank

The late afternoon sunlight streamed through the kitchen window as Phoebe sat perched on a barstool, her phone in hand, giggling uncontrollably at a TikTok video. Simon stood by the counter, meticulously seasoning steaks for dinner, shaking his head at her.

"You're always on that bloody app," he grumbled. "I don't get what's so funny about any of it."

Phoebe grinned, looking up from her phone. "Because you're ancient, Simon. Social media's a mystery to dinosaurs like you."

Simon glanced at her, one eyebrow raised. "Keep it up, lass. I'll show you ancient."

She stuck her tongue out at him as he picked up the tray of steaks and headed outside to the grill. Left to her own devices, Phoebe swiped through her TikTok feed until she stumbled upon a prank video. She snorted, covering her mouth to stifle her laugh, and rewatched it twice.

When Simon came back inside, rinsing his hands at the sink, she couldn't help the mischievous grin spreading across her face.

"What's that look for?" he asked, narrowing his eyes at her.

"Nothing," she said sweetly, hopping off the barstool. "I was just thinking...do you wanna play a game?"

He dried his hands and leaned against the counter, smirking. "What kind of game?"

"Simon Says," she replied innocently, her tone syrupy sweet.

Simon snorted, remembering her antics from his birthday. "This again? Fine. But only because it's my game."

Phoebe clasped her hands together in mock excitement. "Alright! Simon says spin around three times."

He rolled his eyes but humored her, spinning slowly while muttering under his breath, "This better not be some TikTok nonsense."

"Simon says touch your toes," Phoebe commanded, her voice barely containing her glee.

Simon gave her a deadpan stare. "Are you serious?"

"Dead serious!"

With a grumble, he bent over and touched his toes. "This is ridiculous," he mumbled.

"Okay, now spell R-U-N three times fast," she said, trying to keep a straight face.

"R U N,-" Simon said (are you in), still bent over, then froze mid-sentence, his eyes widening as he realized what he'd just said. He straightened up slowly, staring at her in disbelief.

"Did you just—?"

Phoebe burst into hysterical laughter, doubling over as tears streamed down her face. She was wheezing so hard she could barely breathe. Simon's unimpressed glare only made it worse.

"You're unbelievable," he muttered, shaking his head as he walked toward her.

Still laughing, she holding her hands up to block him, but he lifted her off the barstool and slung her over his shoulder like a sack of flour.

"Oww!" she squealed, kicking her feet as her laughter turned into shrieks.

He gave her a light smack on her rear. "That's enough cackling," he said, his tone stern but his lips twitching.

Phoebe was laughing so hard she couldn't stop, even as he pinned her to the couch. She was red-faced, tears streaming, and gasping for air. "I can't! I can't breathe!" she choked out between wheezes.

Simon leaned back slightly, watching her with an amused shake of his head. "You're gonna laugh yourself to death, you know that?"

His own laughter finally broke through, and soon he was clutching his stomach as he joined in.

Phoebe rolled onto the floor accidentally, still laughing uncontrollably. Simon cursed and covered his mouth, his deep chuckles filling the room as he watched her flailing on the floor.

"I'm gonna die," she managed to gasp. "I can't breathe—"

Simon leaned down, rubbing her head affectionately. "You're an idiot," he said with a laugh, shaking his head.

After a few moments, Phoebe finally calmed down, lying flat on her back on the floor. "I haven't laughed that hard in forever," she said, still catching her breath.

Simon stood and grabbed her hand, pulling her to her feet. "Well, I hope it was worth it, because you're never pranking me again."

"Oh, come on. Admit it, I got you good."

He rolled his eyes but couldn't hide the faint smile tugging at his lips. As he turned to head back outside to the grill, he paused and glanced over his shoulder.

"And for the record," he said casually, "when I have you bent over like that, we both know you'd never have to ask that question."

Phoebe's face turned crimson as he walked out, leaving her sputtering in indignation and laughter all over again.