#i just feel like he'd cut me a hush money check

[podcastwizard]

actually i didn't move to la to pursue a career in entertainment, i moved to la to increase my chances of getting hit by a car driven by a celebrity where i don't get injured to the point of hospitalization but the celebrity cuts me a big check in exchange for my silence. i've got my sights set on timothée chalamet but i'm flexible

[hotcocoandmarshmallows]

Whatever Happens

Chapter 6: Houses and homes

Word count: 987

Warnings: Mentioned/Implied past violence

Notes: Hotshot's gonna actually manage to worry himself into labor at this rate. Also this is so shoooorrrrttttt

___________

Kenny worked every day he could. Some money had to go to food, and things for when the baby came, but it wasn't enough and it wasn't piling up fast. And Hotshot quickly couldn't work. 

Pregnancy wasn't kind to him. The fact he was constantly stressed didn't help. His belly started showing early, though that wasn't hard because he was so skinny. 

Kenny, with help from Kath and Jack, tried to keep a constant source of food coming. But even with three combined incomes it wasn't enough.

One day, Hotshot was stressed again. He was pacing back and forth while Crutchie watched, worried. "Don't tell me you're going back. You're three months along! You shouldn't be working, the stress is going to hurt you and the baby!"

Hotshot finally sat. To put on his shoes. "I'm working. Deal with it. It's gonna make me feel better at the least! I'd be contributing food money so Kenny can focus on an apartment." He grabbed his cap and the sleeveless button up. It hid his belly well. He'd be fine. He'd get his papers, hop on a trolly across the bridge, and sell in his old spot. 

Before Crutchie could even get his crutch, Hotshot was out the door. He walked confidently to the trolly and hopped on the back, planning to ride all the way to Brooklyn. 

He jumped off at the bridge and walked across, ignoring the pain in his feet. Another thing that had been so far from kind. His feet were already swelling. But he couldn't afford to care. He walked to the distribution gate. It was late enough for the noon edition. He could get his papers and scram fast.

But there were already people there. And all three of their heads snapped to him when they caught his scent. Hotshot froze. They knew. They'd either heard months ago or smelled it now. They'd run him out.

Spot started to approach him. Hotshot started breathing harder, panic setting in. Instinctively, he wrapped his arms around his belly protectively. He wanted to say he would never think Spot would do something like that. But he'd seen what happened when Spot felt betrayed. He'd even been on the receiving end once before.

But this time, instead of a harsh yank to his hair, he was gently tapped on the shoulder. "Hotshot? It's just us." He said, impossibly gently for Spot fucking Conlon. 

Hotshot looked up a little, still guarding himself. Spot was nothing but sympathetic. 

Slowly, Hotshot stood up again. "You're not mad?" He asked quietly. 

Spot shook his head. "You scared the shit out of all of us. I gotta say though, I wasn't expecting…. This." He gestured vaguely to Hotshot's midriff. 

"It's not a bad thing!" Joey popped up. "Just surprising. We didn't think you was a-" She was cut off by Myron elbowing her.

Spot cleared his throat. "The point is, why the hell didn't you come back until now?" 

Hotshot looked at his feet. "I… I met a guy in Manhattan. My mate, Kenny. He's working for the mail now, but we can't put money to food and an apartment. So… I came back to find work for food money." He told the story in a hushed tone. He was still embarrassed that his secret was out. 

Those gathered exchanged a look before looking back at him. "We'll help." Spot said. "Not every day we get a pup in Brooklyn. We outta make sure it survives to see the place." 

And that sparked a brilliant idea in Hotshot. 

After selling far into the evening, he trekked across the bridge on very painful feet. He finally got home at sunset, to a frantic but waiting Kenny. 

Immediately he jumped up. "Where did you go, what happened?!" He checked Hotshot all over for injuries. He found nothing, but he was still terrified. "Hotshot, what happened?"

"I went out to get a job. And I have an idea." He crossed his arms. "What if we move to Brooklyn? It's cheaper." He points out. 

Kenny thought for a moment. "We should look… But my job is here. Unless they need a carrier in Brooklyn." He needed his job. It was what was keeping them afloat. 

Hotshot thought about it. He started started stressing. What if he lost his job? They'd have no money and nowhere to go! They couldn't afford to go to Brooklyn!

Kenny guided him to the couch and held him, trying to calm him down. Everything seemed terrible and off kilter. Hotshot cried himself to sleep, the exhaustion of the day catching up to him.

Kenny held him in his arms, planning to ask if there was an opening in Brooklyn. It was cheaper on the other side of the river. He had no other choices soon. Here he'd never have enough by the time the baby came.

He'd have to ask in the morning.

The next morning, true to his word, Kenny set out to ask about any openings in Brooklyn. He strode out to work, planning to ask before in case he could cover a shift there. 

His manager, a stern older Italian, looked him up and down. "You want to transfer to Brooklyn?" He asked for the third time.

Kenny nodded. "Yes sir." He was nervous, and despite his best efforts it was written on his face. 

The man stood up. "I know. I think my Brooklyn counterpart would appreciate it." He scribbled a note and gave it to him. "Give this to him. I'll just find another newsboy to replace you." He patted Kenny's shoulder. "Good luck kid."

Kenny had never run faster in his life. He arrived in the post office, note in hand, heaving breaths. 

The manager took the note and looked at him. 

"You're hired. Trojan! Show him the ropes!"

Kenny had never been more relieved in his life. They could do it. They really could.

___________

Tag list:

@tellthosewithpowersafeintower

@scalylittlefriends

@pineappapizza

@awkwardstranger98

@brooklynbadbois

@pay-back-with-some-payback

[punkscowardschampions]

Buster & Rio

Buster: I saw Buster: Where are you going? Rio: Not decided Buster: How much do you have in your account? Rio: Loads Rio: Great stream, like Rio: despite some vocal haters Buster: Yeah Buster: Get as far as you can then Buster: Fuck him Rio: I won't, that's the problem Buster: Like that's his only problem Rio: No need to tell me Rio: don't recommend you engage with him but Buster: What do you want me to do? Rio: Nothing Rio: Not forgotten how you feel about it, like Rio: not expecting sympathy Buster: Don't be like that Rio: Why not Buster: 'Cause I ain't him Buster: Don't treat me like I am Rio: Sorry Rio: idk what to do Buster: Come here Rio: I can't Buster: Why not? Rio: Plenty of reasons Rio: For one you don't wanna see me Buster: Don't be stupid Rio: Try and tell me otherwise Buster: Rio Buster: I want to see you Rio: Maybe I'll just fake out and stay Rio: how sad would that be Rio: unforgivable or? Buster: 'Course not Buster: You can do whatever you want Rio: Can I? Rio: 'cos Ryan don't reckon so Buster: What does that cunt know about anything? Rio: Enough to drag my name through the dirt Rio: that's for sure Buster: Enough that he has to try Buster: He knows he fucked up when he lost you but that's all he has a clue about Buster: And he was punching above his weight since day 1, he's also gotta be aware of that Rio: Nah Rio: he just hates me Rio: not wrong with what he's saying but Buster: Shut up Buster: That's bullshit Buster: He's got no right to hate you Rio: Maybe not but Rio: I get it Rio: nothing he says is untrue Rio: just wish he didn't care Buster: Fuck that Buster: I bet most of what he says is utter bullshit Rio: Nah Rio: hand him the ammo, don't I Buster: It's not your fault he's fucked in the head, babe Buster: Don't talk shit Rio: Just 'cause he's obsessed don't mean he ain't got a point Rio: whether I like it or not Rio: probably why it makes me so mad Rio: my easy money called into question Buster: Stop it Buster: You could leaving a nun life and he'd still wanna find ways to make you feel bad Buster: Fuck's sake Rio: Maybe Rio: unlikely to find that out any time soon Buster: Good Buster: Don't change for him Buster: He's worth shit, yeah? Rio: Yeah Rio: Still dictating shit regardless Rio: laughing with it Rio: why did I rise to it Buster: 'Cause you've had enough Buster: It's been going on so long Rio: How awful that I wish he'd just get a new girlfriend already Rio: why would I want that for anyone Buster: 'Cause you want rid Buster: I don't blame you Rio: Promise? Buster: I swear Buster: Don't blame yourself either Rio: Hard not to Rio: I did it Rio: so stupid Buster: You're not stupid Rio: Yes I am Rio: What was the point Buster: Shut up Buster: You're smarter than him Buster: And me Buster: We both know it's my fault you fucked Curtis Buster: I would've made it up to you if Indie didn't have other ideas, like Rio: Oh yeah 😂 high school dropout with one shit job and one dubious one Rio: genius, like Buster: You're not funny, doesn't mean you aren't smart Buster: So stop Rio: I don't want to Rio: can't Rio: idk Buster: What do you want? Buster: Seriously Rio: Am I meant to know? Rio: I don't Rio: I'm not like you, clever, whatever you want to call it Rio: I have no clue what I'm doing or why Buster: I don't buy it Buster: I know you've got goals Buster: You're as motivated as I am Rio: Why are you being nice Rio: not letting me mope Buster: 'Cause he keeps hurting you Buster: And like I said, I ain't him Buster: That and you won't let me kill him Rio: Can't be the egomaniac that tries to fight their own case Rio: never ends well, babe Buster: Don't underestimate me, babe Rio: 😂 Rio: just trying to give you a little dose of reality Buster: Bit late, don't you reckon Rio: I'm a tryer Buster: Yeah? Rio: You know it Buster: Don't give up then Rio: don't worry, at an airport, not the traintracks or bridge Buster: Hilarious Buster: Decided where you're going yet or what Rio: I'll check where's cheapest and where's going the minute I decide I wanna Rio: doesn't matter really Buster: 'Course it matters Buster: Going to a shithole isn't gonna cheer you up Rio: I mean Rio: I won't go to... Rio: Yugoslavia? idk Rio: somewhere sunny'll cut it Buster: 😂 Rio: just trying to hype your postcode Rio: i 👀 you Buster: I reckon its got itself covered Buster: And I ain't gotta hype me Rio: You have put those hours in by now, yeah 😜 Buster: Just you wait, babe Buster: Barely started with you Rio: I know Rio: Can't even blame all those false starts on how hot I am Buster: Welcome back Rio: 😏 Rio: Wishing you could be holding that sign at Heathrow, babe Buster: Obviously Buster: Really missing you, like Rio: Really feel it Buster: Good Rio: Well Rio: looks like I'm off to Spain Buster: I'll see you around then Rio: yeah? Rio: cool Buster: How long are you gonna be gone? Rio: just a few days Rio: can't leave indie Buster: I can check in Buster: She'd love it Rio: hmm Buster: You know she would Rio: yeah Rio: but i don't Rio: thank you very much Buster: What do you think is gonna happen? Buster: she's a kid Rio: an insatiable kid Rio: with no boundaries Buster: She ain't got any maybe but I do Rio: Some, like Rio: don't get carried away Buster: Fuck off Rio: What? Rio: Just saying Rio: too late to put some back in place Buster: Am I meant to care? Rio: Probably Rio: you still haven't realised? Buster: What? Rio: I'm going to fuck you up Buster: You wish, babe Rio: I seriously don't Rio: but I will if you let me Buster: The only way you can hurt me is the way I like Buster: Don't worry about it Rio: Okay Rio: you better be right Rio: i tried to stop this, let the record show Buster: I'm always right, babe Buster: And I'm sick of being stopped Rio: Same Rio: I wish it had been you Rio: sorry if you don;t wanna hear it Buster: It's alright Buster: I know Rio: what a mess Buster: I wish I could make you forget everybody else Rio: you could Rio: don't pick now to be humble Buster: Seriously though Buster: I hate that your exes get to treat you how they do Rio: Know how to pick 'em, right Buster: Yeah Rio: Tragic Buster: I ain't one to talk Rio: Yeah Rio: Right pair Rio: Commiserate with me Buster: I'll take a drink Rio: Sláinte baby Buster: Cheers Rio: what are you doing Buster: An assignment Buster: Technically Rio: Oop, my bad Buster: Yeah 'cause I'd rather study Rio: Should Rio: be a good boy Buster: Fuck should Rio: honestly Rio: tut tut Rio: what am i gonna do with you Buster: Everything Buster: And anything you want Rio: promises, promises Buster: What else do you want me to give you? Rio: just all of you Buster: I'll get myself to the airport then, shall I Rio: don't be moody Rio: everyone's in a mood with me Rio: i'm trying to be good Buster: I ain't Buster: I just want to actually be able to come with Rio: I know Rio: time alone will probably be good for me though, you who came for me on that, right? Rio: but i'll be thinking about you Rio: a lot Buster: I know Buster: You need to go Rio: Next time Rio: I'll come to you Rio: not because I'm running from someone else, yeah Buster: Yeah Rio: Am I being weird Rio: I'm airport drunk Buster: I like it Buster: Just make sure they let you on the plane, babe Rio: oi Rio: i'm a calm composed lady Rio: and there's a hen party on my flight who are gonna need all the handling so Buster: 😂 Buster: slip the hot ones my number, like Rio: no. Rio: you can't do any handling from there anyway hush Buster: Like I said, don't underestimate me, babe Rio: always want me to do your work for you Rio: your type ain't mine, trust Buster: We've already established your type ain't worth nobody's time Rio: fuck off Rio: girls are different Buster: You've got a type of girl too then? Rio: duh Rio: i celebrate all things woman, that's my whole job Buster: where's those exes, like? Rio: 😂 Rio: suddenly interested Buster: No shit Rio: typical bloke 😏 Buster: Not yours thank fuck Buster: So glad to be a different class Rio: you want me to feel offended? Rio: thought he weren't my fault Buster: I'm not shading you just the lads you've been with Buster: 'Cause he's the worst, yeah, but he ain't the only twat, is he Rio: what you gonna do about it, boy? Rio: you wanna matchmake for me? get me a 💎 Buster: I'm gonna give you better Buster: Then you won't wanna go back to all that bullshit Buster: All you gotta do is keep up Rio: Yeah? Rio: Never had a problem with that Rio: just don't keep me running circles 'round you forever Buster: You must be drunk if you're dropping the f bomb Rio: ha no Rio: just feels like forever Buster: One thing I can't argue with you about Rio: too right Rio: so shh Buster: I'm not in the library I'll be as loud as I want, cheers Rio: say something worthwhile then please Buster: Take lots of pics for me while you're away, yeah? Rio: Of course Rio: tan progress, naturally Rio: or if you're in the market for some nice bikinis Rio: got you, babe Buster: Standard Rio: will you call me Rio: i'm already lonely Buster: Now? Rio: No, you're working hard Rio: or meant to be Rio: but when i'm there and you've finished Buster: Yeah Rio: Don't have to Buster: I know I don't Rio: 😔 Rio: want me again Rio: i'll make it up to you Buster: I haven't stopped Buster: You know I can't Rio: but don't want to stop Buster: I want you Buster: That's all Rio: i'm going to make it so worth it i swear Rio: i know its been too long Buster: I've wanted you for years, babe Buster: I can handle waiting Rio: I can't Rio: I'm so mad at the world Rio: leave us alone for 15 minute god Buster: You sure you don't want me to call you now? Rio: 😈 Rio: Not my ideal mile-high fantasy with you obviously but Rio: I need it Buster: Maybe not but I've still thought about it Buster: Been thinking about it since you said you were at the airport Rio: You're really gonna need me to check that essay for typos then, babe Rio: I'm not going to the bathroom, so you do the telling and I'll be trying my best to stay quiet, yeah? Buster: Having you on my desk is a fantasy for another day Buster: Until then, yeah Buster: cum for me quietly that'll be a new one Rio: Sadly Rio: Fuck me 😍🤤 Rio: I love a challenge, yeah Buster: I love that either way I win Rio: I see no real downside Rio: you're going to make me cum either way Rio: whether i get forcibly removed from the plane is another thing but come on guys, be cool Buster: Well, if you are you know who to call Buster: Least I can do, like Rio: reckon they'd just fly through to spain, like Rio: no point coming back Rio: me sat there in cuffs Rio: getting too kinky Buster: 😂 Buster: I don't reckon there'll be many complaints Buster: They'll appreciate it if anything Rio: in flight entertainment Rio: not a male stripper, soz girls but you know you love it Buster: Put me there on the facetime if they get mad about it Rio: 😂 Rio: let you steal my thunder this once 'cos at least i'll get to see too Buster: you're all welcome, like Rio: save the best for just me though Buster: I will if you do Rio: Promise Buster: Okay Buster: I'm calling