Chapter Text
Ricky
"Yeah, Ricky, it'll be fun!"
Teddy slings an arm around my shoulder as I close up my rink for the night, following me around as I do inventory.
"Breaking into the old gym? I dunno man. Even if it's for a high school reunion.." I pursed my lips, settling down on a locker bench.
"Oh, don't worry yourself so much. You don't need to worry about any of that ethical what-nots about what's right and wrong! Come on, you still kept in touch with our resident artist, right? Invite 'em too!" He grins, wiggling his eyebrows as he most definitely saw the pink dusting my cheeks.
You.
I'm still a little surprised at the fact you decided to stay in town. I kinda thought you'd move out the second you made it big. I always liked that about you. So humble.
"Um, I guess.." I looked at Max for a moment, a faint smile curling on my lips.
"Y'know what? Yeah! sure!" I chuckle, fist-bumping him on his way out.
"Oh, and, Ricky?" Teddy paused on his way out.
"Yeah man?" I tilt my head, putting away the skates I switched out for my plain-old sneakers.
He just shot me a grin, tilting his head.
"Be sure to bring some records. And as much pairs of skates as you can."
And with that, he left.
You
"They're sooo adorable!!" Peggy coos, playing with twin dogs while feeding them.
"Aren't they?" You tilt your head, chuckling.
"Yeess!!" She squeals, before she caught sight of the clock.
"Oh, crap!" Her eyes widened, immediately straightening up and gently setting the pups down.
"I hate to leave these cuties alone, but I gotta run! If I'm late, I just know Brad's gonna eat all the damn Truffles!" She sighs as she pushed the door open. The door jingling prompted the barking of dogs.
"I'll see you Next Year!" She waves, and you waved right back.
Your heart skipped a beat moments after, as you could've sworn you heard Peggy on her way out, saying, "Hi Ricky! Hi Maxy!!"
More excited for the dog, I see. You thought to yourself in amusement.
Butterflies went rampant in your stomach, but you still tried to collect all your attention to the dogs.
Too late. The two dogs Peg left were already barking with excitement.
As you scooped food into their food bowl and replenished the water in their water bowl, you heard the door jingle again, The dogs already running to each other.
"Hey Ricky.." You managed out, watching the twins and his rescue play-wrestle with each other, "Looks like they missed each other."
"Yeah? Well—ah, I could say the same for us." He stammered out, his face that usual red you were getting used to.
God, he was so cute.
"I-In which that I missed you too. I-I mean, it's been—a while since I've come to visit this place. Busy with the rink, and all that.." His eyes drifted.
You smiled, placing a hand on your hip, "You're all good. Maybe next time, I'll bring them to your joint and you can teach 'em all to skate like Maxy."
He laughed out loud, leaning against a wall separating the dogs from the birds.
"Maxy took me months!! Gosh, even now he still sometimes falls." His gaze drifted back to you, his eyes carrying—something not even your mediums could quite place.
"But ah—I didn't just come here to check on these pups and cats and—other animals. I actually came to talk to you.."
Ricky
Sweet Lord, my palms were sweaty.
"Um—there's a reunion happening tonight—at Gallows Creek high, and um—I was hoping you could..come with me? I mean—! To reconnect with our fellow classmates and all…but like—also have me as..a date?"
Oh god, I said it!
Your eyes popped out slightly, and I swear I can see a hint of red tinting that goddamn adorable face.
"Oh, Ricky…" You paused, and I can already see the little sparks in your eyes, "I love you–love too!—I'd love to." You nod.
Wait, did you just—
"Could I bring my camera?I feel like we could take a ton of good pictures."
You snapped me out of my thoughts, and I nod, thinking it'll probably be fine.
"Yeah, yeah! What're you thinking, Polaroid? Film? Probably Polaroid so you can have them instantly?"
You
Your heart swelled as he remembered the two cameras. It was silly, but gosh, the fact he remembered…
"Yeah, Polaroid!" You nod, your heart swelling.
"Awesome!! So—ah…I guess I'll pick you up?"
"You know it." You grin, remembering how the two of you used to drive each other to the animal shelter back in high school. Though he picked you up more frequently, since you preferred walking.
Ricky
My heart's hammering in my chest as I pull up to the familiar sight of your home. It's nice, knowing that after your parents retired, they left the home in your hands.
I wipe the sweat off of my brow, practically bouncing in my seat as I honk to signal my arrival.
You walk out, a plastic bag hanging on your wrist and your camera in your hands.
I chuckle, noting the baggage you're carrying as I roll the windows down.
"What's all this?"
"Polaroid film," You gestured to the bag on your left.
"Sweet." I unlock my car door, letting you ride in the passenger's, "Shall we ride?"
"We shall." You grin, and I start the car up.
Despite the ride only being about 6 or 7 minutes from Gallows High, it gave me a lot of time to think.
I just can't help but think about the fact I'm supposed to be—this guy who can't keep his mouth shut. Teddy even called me out on it. Which is probably why I'm never usually in on surprises.
But even so, the one secret I've somehow managed to keep was from you, of all people. You make my head spin. Not in the way that I'd usually feel after having one too many Chalupacabras, but—the way I feel whenever I'm on the rink. Where it feels like I'm floating. Like the disco ball is a moon I could touch, and its many reflections are the stars I dance with.
I'd like to be one of those reflections. Dancing, with you. Nowhere to go.
Or maybe I'm the disco ball, and you're the light reflecting off of me. The reason why I'm so—fun, and happy-go-lucky.
I can't really figure out if it was because our crowds were so—different, or something else, but I never really got the courage to ask you out.
But seeing you still at the Animal shelter where we first met—where we could only meet..
It stirred something inside me.
I—honestly never thought that we still harbored the connection I felt with you all those years ago.
I liked you.
A lot.
I still do.
And I still punch myself mentally for not being brave enough for even giving us a shot at the teenage dream.
You
For a car ride so brief, you never thought it'd give you so much time to think. But the silence was quite comfortable, in spite of the tension.
You admired Ricky from afar, but you never thought you'd get so close to him, until he volunteered at the animal shelter for community service hours. You volunteered there out of your own volition, wanting to care for animals before they got their happy home.
Ricky ended up being one of the happy homes, taking Max in. And he still cared for all the other animals there too.
It was then you realized you started to develop a growing crush on him. Not like it stopped.
And it hurt—a little. Just knowing that he was probably just being nice. But that's what you liked about him. He was kind—despite the crowd he hung out with. Not like you had anything against them, but they didn't really give off the same vibes as him. Especially Teddy.
But, its been a while. Teddy's probably a changed man.
You figured a little harmless fun didn't hurt.
But—God, even if he did turn you down, you could at least be friends. You think.
Ricky parked the car, and was a gentleman to help you out.
"Thanks," You nodded.
Ricky
When we rolled up to Gallows Creek High, I still can't fathom how—different it looked. I mean—the place has definitely upgraded from when you and I went.
Teddy, along with the rest of the gang was already there. George and Marie were already chatting with Jason, and—it's like we're those dumb teens again.
Felt nice.
Teddy motioned for all the guests to shush, using a skeleton key he got from who knows where, and snuck us into the high school.
Since the campus had been updated, it took us a while to finally get to the gym.
And so, the party started without a hitch. I helped Chuck set up the record player, and we kicked off the night with a classic. Smooth, by The Word.
In the corner of my eye as I caught up with him, I could see you already chatting it up with Marie. George had a hand around her waist, and I can't help but chuckle.
I guess if we did become a couple in high school, we would've been outshined by those two lovebirds.
But that doesn't mean I didn't want to be with you.
You
Marie approached you, vaguely remembering you from her time in theater.
"Hey, I remember you! You were the one with all that great illustrations you did in promoting the play I did with George here!" She wrapped her arms around one of his, leaning on it.
You nodded, tapping the top of your Polaroid without taking pictures of anything.
"Yeah, the play was pretty sick. The concept of it revolving around Humpty Dumpty threw me off a bit though." You chuckled, tilting your head, "But—your guys' performance was pretty sick. That ending…gosh." You sighed.
Marie nodded, sharing a look with George, as if they knew something. Then, George spoke up, "But enough about the old days, let's talk about the now! How's life treating you?"
"Oh, well.. I've actually started working part-time at the animal shelter, and—well, I'm working on getting a permit from Teddy to paint a few murals around town. I've actually done a few already."
George's eyes sparked at the mention of murals, "Wait, are you the one who did the mural on the side of Ponty's Pizza?"
"Yeah, actually. Ponty gave me ah—free pizza for life, in return." You chuckled, "Really convenient when a party comes up at the job."
"Well, it's nice to see you're thriving, even in a town like Gallows Creek." Marie smiled, whisking you to a table that had been set up while you two were talking.
In that time, she talked about her son, Henry, and what a great kid he was. Even hosting little combat training sessions by the reservoir's bay. Although he's usually teaching this guy called Murphy, a self-proclaimed gator wrestler.
You might have seen him? While you were painting the Ponty mural, a tiny kid, presumably his, 'oohed' and 'ahh'd' at the progress. He suggested adding an alligator to 'heighten' the appeal of the painting, before going inside the restaurant.
You did. Two gators, a father and son, curled up together.
Maybe Ricky would like a few paintings around his rink, you thought.
But, you were snapped out of your thoughts as Marie looked over at you, "Hey, you could spruce up Ricky's place with that talent, y'know?"
Ah! She was thinking the same thing as me!
"Oh, gosh—I dunno.." your eyes drifted, pursing your lips.
"Oh, come on, nobody loved your pieces more than him." George spoke up while he was stuffing garlic bread in his face.
A blush spread across your cheeks, your eyes wide.
He—loved your pieces?
Your mouth was still left agape, even as you reached for a plate and cup for food, "You're kidding."
"Nope. Really." Marie nodded.
"Well, you came with him, didn't you? I think it's about time me and Bean return you." They chuckled, escorting you to your date.
Date.
Even that word was enough to make you fold like a poker table.
"Hey, Ricky!" the couple waved him over, and he gave George what you and Marie could only assume was a secret handshake.
Ricky
"My man!" George chuckled, ruffling my hair.
"Awh, my brother from another mother!!" I returned the sentiment.
I looked over at where you and Marie were standing, just watching us idiots treat each other like the good ol' days.
I gave Marie a firm handshake, my palms sweaty, "Marie! Hey, how's little Henry doing?"
"He's absolutely blooming. And not-so-little anymore. The kid's almost old enough to drink, if you could believe that."
I looked over at you, and you looked a little panicky, your head swivelling around the gym.
"Hey, what's up?"
Your hands got all fidgety with the corners of your plate, a grimace already forming on your lips.
"I-it's my polaroid… It's missing!!"
My eyes widened, eyes drifting around the room.
No sign of it. Yet?
But any hope of looking for it was put on pause, since Teddy stood on top of the bleachers, already making some soap-box speech about the old days, and how far time has gone, and all that typical stuff.
Yeah, he was made to be a politician.
"And now," Teddy declared, finally stepping down the stairs, "As per our teenage kicking years, We shall play a game of 'Spin the Bottle', in which the bottle decides who will be locked in the old gym closet, for an allocated seven minutes." He smirks.
"C'mon." You take my hand, dragging us to Teddy.
"Hey, Teddy, look—have you seen a camera?" You asked, and I can feel both our palms.
Yours are just as sweaty as mine.
Gosh—it feels so nice—like sand before you get off of the beach.
Teddy just shook his head, "I'm afraid not. Sorry."
You sighed, squeezing my hand tighter.
At this point, I'm just silently begging for my dick not to get hard, by putting my hand on your shoulder as an attempt to comfort you. God, you were so cute.
"I-it'll turn up. And if it doesn't, I'll buy you a new one." I offered an awkward smile, gently tugging your hand as I motioned to the game already starting up, thanks to Chuck and Jason, who had a contest with who could chug Cola from the bottle faster. (Chuck won.)
We all huddled close to the bottle, Marie already whisking you away to sit with you—something about girl code?
But Teddy, with the help of Marie, coerced you into spinning first.
You gave the bottle one heck of a spin, and—almost immediately, it landed on me.
The chances of that are—wow.
Marie shot me a wink, the group already ushering us into the old gym closet, which—surprisingly didn't smell as rank as when we went to school.
They're cleaning the stuff before summer. Nice.
The two of us sat in the dark, awkward for a while.
"So, you liked my art?" You looked up at me, that same soft look in your eyes that would make me give up everything.
"Marie told you?" The dim light was almost enough to hide the heat growing on my face, and—the rest of my body.
"Yeah.." You sighed, pursing your lips.
"I-I did. It was really cool. A-all your mediums..is that right..?" I paused, until you nodded, "It's beautiful. You're beautiful—I mean…" My throat catches air, looking down.
You
"Ricky.." You reached out, stepping close enough for him to know where you stand, while also making sure you left ample space to respect his space.
His gaze bore into yours, glistening with a vulnerability you've never seen before.
"Alright..let me start over…" He took a deep breath, placing his hands on your shoulder.
"I—I really, really like you, alright? I-I have, for a while." He sighed, his voice trembling with each word.
You paused, mulling over his words.
He felt—the same…
God, you figured since the guy couldn't really keep a secret, he'd have spilled his guts to you years ago.
If this weren't such a touching, romantic moment, you would have applauded him for how committed he was to keeping it secret.
Though the more you thought about it, he probably told his friends.
"How long?" You steadied your eyes on his.
A distinct shade of red popped on his face,
"W-what?"
"How long have you liked me?"
The red seemed to deepen at your question, and now he was biting his lower lip.
"Since…we first met—at the animal shelter. High school, basically." He sighs, scratching the back of his head.
You paused, raising an eyebrow, "What did you think I was talking about?"
Ricky didn't answer, just shifted uncomfortably as his eyes drifted down.
Oh.
You blinked. Once, twice.
"So…" Ricky began, taking your hands in his.
"Could I be yours?" He squeezed gently, as if praying that you'd accept.
Ricky
Your eyes softened, and you nodded, whispering a quiet yes.
I sighed in utter joy, my knees buckling as I wrap my arms around you.
"Oh, thank god.." I muttered, my chest aching even more when you wrapped your arms around mine.
My hands find your cheeks, cupping your cheeks gently. Your hands seem to do the same.
"Gosh…" I murmur, my thumb brushing against the bottom of your lips.
My heart's lodged in my throat, but I swallow it down the second I feel your hand on mine.
"Could..I kiss you?" I chuckle, my palms practically picking up warmth eliciting from your cheeks.
A beat, then—you leaned in, and my hands were practically shaking as you did it so spontaneously.
My brain's basically a mushy disco ball as our faces press together, sighing in utter delight.
"God, I've been waiting for this.." I mutter, playfully nipping at your bottom lip.
I have. But I rein myself in before I go any further. After all, we're still technically in a public space.
But God, I wish we were back at your place—or even my rink.
A bright flash of light accompanied by a shutter greets the both of us, cutting the kiss too short.
"Well, Hello!" The group caught us in the middle of—the thing, both of us frozen like deer in headlights.
And there, in Teddy's hand—
You
My Polaroid!
"Teddy!" you exclaim, stumbling forward to take it back.
He's got that shit-eating grin on his mouth, letting you take it back.
"Oh, and about that mural thing, I've already accepted. The papers should come back to you by, say…a day or two?" He grins, amused at your shock. You could tell he wasn't finished with what he had to say.
"The first mural you must paint, however, has to be on ol' Ricky's rink." He smirks.
Marie swipes the picture that prints out, running around the gym as she shakes the image.
"Hey! Give it back!!" You chased after her, both of you caught off-guard as Ricky's old instincts from back then came in clutch, swiping both you into his arms, and the picture from Marie before she could even breathe.
His hand comfortably rubbed on your arm, delivering a gentle squeeze of reassurance and—you could swear there was posession.
Hot.
"I totally understand wanting to secure yours and George's spot for—best damn couple in Gallows High, Class of '68 Marie, but you'd totally understand that we'll need to keep a token commemorating the day we started datin' together, right? Like how you kept the game tickets from when you met George." His smile is so damn charming.
Marie hums, nodding in amusement as George secured an arm around her waist.
"Alright, you two. And for the record, Marie and I already secured our legacy for that."
The footballers shot finger-guns at each other, and the festivities continued.
Marie had to excuse herself for a moment, before she dragged everyone outside to the football field.
There, she revealed a crate full of pyrotechnics. Sparklers, Firecrackers, and of course, Fireworks.
"Marie! Where the hell didja get all of these?!" Chuck's just in awe.
She simply offers a smirk, pressing her index finger to her lips, "Even a girl's gotta have her secrets."
As the fireworks went off, you met eyes with Ricky once more, and then your lips.
It would be the last time you would kiss that night, but far from the last kiss you'd receive from him.