#might as well try to reach the trailer park boys side of tumblr

[thelovers-thedreamers-and-me]

has anyone ever told you you look like gnc ricky trailerparkboys

i don't see it

[cinn-rawr]

DollFace. SP.

A/N: My first Sweet Pea fic. This is just the beginning and the general set up of the OC. Sorry if its boring. This is also the first fic I’ve ever posted to Tumblr…so please be kind and let me know if you want to read more! 

p.s. italics are internal dialog or text msgs. 

WARNINGS: cussing, lots of it. other than that...nothing?

Word Count: 2,888

¤

The fog had started rolling in already at 10pm, the perfect setting for a murder. Well if this wasn't Riverdale anyway.

Neon lights called me closer and closer to Pop's, the only place I wanted to be while the rest of my friends were at the back-to-school semi-formal.

All but one.

As the bell jingled over my head, I beamed at Pop and quickly bounced over to the counter to place my order. Out of the corner of my eye I spotted the familiar beanie, making my way to his table.

I fell into the booth, slapping my book down trying to elicit some reaction from the boy in front of me.

"How? Every single time, you know its me. How?!" My hands slapped the table in defeat. Slumping back I waited not so patiently for an explanation.

"You aren't exactly the most quiet person. Besides, you're the only girl I know who orders two burgers with fries - having every intention of eating it all yourself." Eyes finally met mine over the laptop screen, smirk in full view.

I rolled my eyes, "And I'd actually get to eat all of it too if you didn't steal the other burger." I huffed but my pouting was interrupted by the waitress bringing food to the table.

Two milkshakes, two burgers, and a large fry for us to split. Jughead's eyes lit up and his computer was all but thrown away from him.

I giggled and shook my head at him before being lost in my own burger. This had become a bit of a tradition for us over the summer.

With Archie working for his dad, and skipping out on the road trip Jug was more of a loner than usual.

Then Betty being overly involved in her internship, I had a new appreciation for lone wolves.

Don't get me wrong, I was super excited for Betty to get her internship. But there is only so much one can hear about the same 'amazing and life changing' experience before you just zone out.

I just didn't have the energy to feign excitement anymore.

After the food was gone, we settled in for the rest of our routine. Jughead typed while I consumed another book.

"What genre tonight?"

The mumbled sentence made me glance at Jughead before looking back to the book, "Dystopian. Zombie apocalypse."

The only response I received was a smirk and a head shake.

Right when the heroine was about to have her face eaten by a gruesome zombie, the bell over the door jingled again.

Instantly the relaxed mood at our table shifted, Jug's entire body tensed and for once his eyes stayed off the computer screen.

Must be Archie then.

Taking that as my cue, I put my book mark in and closed the book. I nudged Jughead with my foot and nodded a goodbye to him once his eyes met mine.

I gave Archie a brief smile and went to the counter to pay for tonight's meal. After blowing a kiss to Pop I glanced at the clock over his shoulder and realized I had spent two hours with Jug.

Wanting to smack myself I ran to the corner mart, quickly bought some non-perishable food and a few snacks. I made sure to grab a big bottle of flavored water for myself and quickly made my way out of the store.

The kid behind the counter was probably cussing me out for coming in after closing, but I only made him wait an extra five minutes. A girls gotta do what a girls gotta do.

I held one bag in each hand, knowing that even double bagged they probably weren't going to last the walk to the trailer park.

Fog had settled thickly through the small town, though I'm not sure why I was surprised.

The hair on the back of my neck stood up like someone was watching me.

"Don't glance over your shoulder. Don't glance over your shoulder. You are just paranoid Celeste. This is not a horror movie, this is Riverdale."

"I think you're on the wrong side of the tracks there Dollface." A husky voice called from right behind me.

"Fuck!" Both bags met the ground with a thud and liquid fear coursed through my body, my hands balled into fists and I  spun around to face the voice.

A boy just about my age stood a few feet behind me, smirk twisting his lips in an appealing way. Well, if he hadn't just scared the piss out of me anyway.

"On this side of the tracks it is a horror movie, Dollface."

I scoffed and raised my middle finger up to him. "I don't care what horror movie you just rolled out of, I need to get all of this to FP's trailer before he gets home and now I have absolutely no chance of that happening."

I paused to look at the busted bags and looked up at the sky, in that moment Riverdale had finally defeated me.

"How do you know FP?"

His voice was closer now, I flicked my eyes over to him finally realizing just how tall he is since I could see him without moving my head. That, and he was a lot closer than I expected.

"Not that it's any of your business, Freddy Krueger, but I know his son. I also know that FP doesn't exactly go grocery shopping." I waved my hand at the bags in a condescending way.

The smirk had yet to leave his face and when I finally straightened up I came face to face with the Serpent on his leather jacket.

Of-fucking-course.

"Sweet Pea."

I put my hands on my hips, enacting a false bravado, "That better not be another pet name Jason."

This time he actually laughed. If I thought he was attractive before, now with a grin covering his face he was absolutely beautiful. Heart stopping, butterflies in the stomach, daydream worthy gorgeous.

Without noticing a smile had made its way onto my face and a little giggle escaped my throat.

What the fuck, I don't fucking giggle.

"That's my name, Dollface." He knelt down and started picking up the groceries. Well just gathering them together and grabbing anything that had rolled away.

I was completely confused. As a northsider I fully anticipated a few threats about staying on my side of town. Not that I actually thought the northsiders were better than southsiders...but if you hear something enough you start to believe it.

Damn Alice Cooper and her brainwashing, and damn me for letting it work.

"Wait here and I'll be right back." His grin made me nod my head without questioning him.

As he disappeared into the fog I fumbled for the phone in my pocket.

To: Mom Hey, a problem getting the bags to FP. At the trailer now, will be home soon.

From: Mom That's fine sweetheart. Have a ride home?

To: Mom Yes, friend from school is helping me out. I'll lock up when I get home.

From: Mom Be safe darling.

By the time that conversation was finished a matte black pick up had pulled up beside me.

Sweet Pea got out with a few extra grocery bags balled up in his hands. Without words he handed me the bags one by one I shook them out to open them and he filled the bags as I held them.

He loaded them into the back of the truck and opened the passenger door, giving me an expectant look. I just raised one eyebrow in question, expecting some form of communication before I just hopped in his truck.

"I'll take you to FP's. You might want to hurry though, he's going to be leaving the Whyte Wyrm soon." His tone of voice was a challenge in itself, one I found myself answering.

I walked towards him and the truck before stopping right before him and making eye contact, "Celeste. Celeste Daniels. Not Dollface."

Another smile split his face and before I could fall under its spell, I hopped into the truck. I watched him walk around the truck like a hungry predator, tracking his movements and trying to anticipate what he would do next.

"And, if you're giving me a ride to FP's you might as well take me home afterwards." I casually informed him making him pause in starting the truck.

This time he scoffed and shook his head at me. I seem to be getting that reaction a lot tonight.

The drive was silent, but by the time we reached the trailer I couldn't take the silence anymore. It's one thing with Jughead, but something completely different with someone I don't actually know.

"At the risk of sound like a complete idiot, other than the obvious reasons, how do you know FP?"

The question just popped out while we were putting away the canned goods and snacks. I avoided eye contact and grabbed a cold water bottle out of the fridge and set it on the counter. Following that I searched the cabinet above the sink for the pain killers. Standing on my tip toes I could feel the bottle just out of my reach.

"Dammit!" I was still trying desperately to reach the bottle when I felt a hand on my waist making my body turn to stone. I stopped breathing and physically couldn't move. Heat soaked in through my shirt as a tan hand reached past mine to grab the medicine bottle.

His warm breath caressed my ear as he set the bottle beside the water on the counter, "Just the obvious reasons."

We stood there together for a few seconds until he moved away and my body turned into jelly, long gone was the stone and my limbs felt like they lacked bones. Once I finally pulled myself together, I walked passed Sweet Pea to the fridge again and grabbed a beer. I twisted the top off and took a large drink, letting out a heavy sigh in relaxation before I turned back to him.

I gave a little shrug, "He won't need it by the time he gets home."

He gave a little nod to acknowledge what I said but didn't seem in a talkative mood.

I had gotten through half the bottle before he opened his mouth again, "So if you don't want FP to know, why do you do it?"

I gave him the simple answer, "Because of his son, Jughead."

This didn't seem to be the answer he was looking for, he actually seemed disappointed for a moment before he was back to his stoic face.

In a moment of utter weakness, I chugged the rest of the beer and placed the bottle on the bar with the rest of them. I guess I just wanted to put that smile back on his face, the one that made me weak in the knees.

"This summer, well my best friend Betty had an internship." He scoffed, interrupting me. "I know, typical 'northsider' overachieving. I know. But it happened. Then Archie, Jughead's best friend, kind of ditched him. So Jughead and I hung out for most of the summer and he became my best friend." I shrugged and leaned back on the counter again, looking up into his eyes.

He came over to lean beside me, just far enough away so we didn't touch. But it seemed like it was his way of telling me to continue. So I did, I explained that when I found out how much FP was drinking and when I noticed he started to lose weight I decided I'd start dropping food off to him.

"He caught me the first few times, said he didn't need charity. But its not charity, Jughead is like my brother so in some weird way I consider FP family. In my family we always take care of each other." I rambled on and by the time I finished and realized how much I told a complete stranger, a deep blush settled on my cheeks.

I felt a rumble through the counter and turned my head to see Sweet Pea chuckling, a large smile covering his face. I felt a smile stretch my lips and I considered his smile a huge accomplishment.

My phone buzzed in my back pocket making me jump and laughter escape Sweet Pea. I gave him a sharp smack to the chest as punishment for laughing at me and to hide my embarrassment.

I pulled the phone out of my pocket to see two texts.

From: Mom Are you sure you don't need a ride?

From: Juggie Where are you?

The time was almost 2am. I shot a quick text to Jug saying I was on my way home. But when I looked over at Sweet Pea he already had his keys in his hand.

"Lets go." He started walking for the door and I kind of panicked and didn't want to leave.

So I did the first thing I could think of and grabbed his hand, "Wait! Are you actually taking me home? Because I can walk, o-or get someone else to come get me."

He just held onto my hand tighter and pulled me out of the trailer.

After I was settled in and Sweet Pea had shut the door, I quickly sent my mom a text.

To: Mom On my way now. Details tomorrow?

From: Mom Promise?

To: Mom Promise.

"That your boyfriend?" Sweet Pea asked as the truck sped down the road. It was sad that you could tell instantly when you had crossed from the south-side to the north-side of the town. The surroundings definitely gave it away, it’s like the town was trying to let the south-side fade away.

"Pfft, no. That was my mom, I don't have a boyfriend. I guess like you, everyone thinks I'm dating Jug or something." I mumbled the last part and flipped through a few radio stations before figuring out that there is nothing good on the radio at 2am.

"I was just curious. No need to bite my head off." he shot back but the look on his face let me know he was joking, so I gave him a good hit on his arm this time.

"No hitting the driver! You could have killed us!"

I lightly tapped his shoulder like he was a good puppy, "If you have such little confidence in your driving skills, you probably shouldn't be driving."

He grabbed my hand and held it down on the seat between us, "Or you could just stop hitting me."

The warmth from his hand helped to keep mine warm, I didn't pull my hand away but internally I was FREAKING out. Is he holding my hand? Does he know that he's holding my hand? Why am I all tingly? I am NOT a virgin and this silly boy with his silly name and his stupid smile are making me act like I'm a fucking bashful virgin. I need to get out.

So I was nervous, sue me. In between giving him directions, I was rambling.

"So I guess I'll have to bag my own stuff the next time I shop for FP, left here. Well I'll just have to make sure that I don't go in after they close, maybe then the cashier won't be so pissed at me. Next right."

When we finally made it to the house, all the lights were off but the porch light.

"Do you always talk this much, or is this special for me?" His smirk was back, obviously he could tell I was nervous. Asshole.

"Yes, I talk this much. Often. All the time. No. Not usually." The last was mumbled quietly and I refused to make eye contact with him.

When I peaked up at him he had that gorgeous smile on his face again and I couldn't help but to grin back.

Sweet Pea snatched my phone and started typing away while I sat quietly in shock. When he handed it back, it was open to a new contact page with all his information typed it.

But he gave me the option of saving it or not. That was surprisingly sweet.

I bit my bottom lip while I hit the back button on his name. Hit one letter and save. Sweets.

"Call me the next time you get stuff for FP and I'll drive you." His tone changed completely and was almost shy, it made my heart melt.  

Here I was in a car with a boy that someone like Alice Cooper would tell me is trash and not to be trusted, but for me he was like my knight in shining armor. At least for this night anyway.

I nodded and gave his hand a squeeze before opening the door, before he could try doing it for me.

"I'll think about it. See you later Sweets." I gave him a quick wink and shot out of the truck like my ass was on fire.

I fought with myself the entire way up the walk way, just don't turn around. I made it half way. Up the stairs, with my hand on the door knob I turned to wave as the truck quietly pulled away from the curb. 

While faintly I heard “Soon Dollface!”

[ellana-ravenwood]

“Are we not gonna talk about the elephant in the room ?” - Batmom x Damian Wayne

A story I worked a lot on (my “main” Batmom origin story) got erased for NO reason from Tumblr, and I got so frustrated I decided to write some fluff. It’s shit fluff, but I needed it. So here, Batmom and Damian stealing elephants and shit, hope you’ll like it : 

You can find my masterlist here : @ella-ravenwood-archives

_______________________________________________

************

-So...Let me get this straight. You stole the entire circus’ zoo, because you thought the animals were being mistreated ? 

-We didn’t “thought” the animals were mistreated Bruce, they were. 

Bruce Wayne was rarely surprised in his life, being prepared for anything and all that crap...but right now, in front of his wife and son, and a garden full of a lot of different animals, he had to admit...he was a little bit stunned. 

Was that an elephant ? Oh yes, it was totally an elephant. An elephant who was caressing his wife with its trunk. Of course. Why not ?

Like he was actually hugging you with it, and you were totally ignoring it and were focused on telling something to him, even as the damn pachyderm was licking the back of your head. Was this real life ? 

Bruce, focused on the elephant hugging you with its trunk, and licking your head, didn’t listen to a word you were saying, and you noticed. With a smile you turned around and asked “Tiny” (of course the damn gigantic elephant would be call “Tiny”) to please leave you for a little while. The king of Africa didn’t argue, and went to play with your son and...Bruce was loosing it a bit. 

The Hell was going on ? With a voice that was way higher than his usual voice, he asks you, crossing his arms, trying to keep a little bit of dignity : 

-Ho...ho...How exactly did you achieve -he gestures to the bunch of animals in his garden- all that ? 

You smile, and approach him. You take his hands and sits him on a deck chair, brushing a few fingers lovingly on his cheek.

-Well, you see my Broosh, it all started when...

************

It all started when you saw a poster, taped clumsily on a wall in Gotham Central. It read : “The World’s greatest Circus” and had a picture of acrobats and multiple different animals on it. 

And the one that got your attention, was the elephant. 

He just seemed so sad, being forced on a giant bouncing ball to walk on...You were with Damian, having just picked him up from school when you saw it, and as he noticed the sorrow on your face he got worried : 

-Are you alright mother ? 

You smiled weakly at him and gestured to the circus’ poster. 

-Yes. It’s just...It makes me sad to see such wonderful creatures being used like that you know ? 

You could see the concentration on your son’s face, as he was staring at the poster...There was always a strong connection, between you and Damian. 

Even at the beginning, when he was trying to deny it, to push you away and refuse any motherly action from you toward him...There was something.

And one day, he just wasn’t able to resist that something anymore. 

Yes, there was a strong connection between the two of you since you first met, and you always seemed to understand each other without explaining much what you actually felt. And so, Damian knew what to do. 

-Let’s go free it. 

-Uh ? 

-Let’s go free it mom, bring him home ! 

-Damian, I’m not sure he’ll be much happy in Wayne Manor’s...

-No, I mean, home home. Africa ! 

It only took a few seconds of reflexion, and you were sold. 

************

You knew you shouldn’t do it. You knew that probably, Bruce would disapprove. And you knew it was crazy but...If you didn’t do it, you’d feel guilty the rest of your life, knowing you could have done something and didn’t. 

That same night, you entered into action. You lied to Bruce, which you didn’t like much, but you knew he’d be the “responsible adult” and try to talk the two of you out of your plan...and you weren’t about to let him. And so you said you’d have a mother/son night, and left without lifting any suspicions. 

Damian was wearing his Robin costume, and you were wearing all black, a white mask on. You had figured out your plan in advance of course, and you arrived in a giant semi-truck you parked a bit up the road from where the Circus was. You then sneaked your way to where the animals were living and...a quick look between you and Damian and you understood each other once more. 

Yes. You couldn’t save just the elephant. The two white tigers seemed so depressed in their cage, the lion seemed malnourished, the llamas were in a bad shape, the horses had scars...Yes. You had to save them all. And you hoped to god you’d have enough place in the truck...

The only tricky thing about all that, were the felines. Even though they were sad to be imprisoned, they might not understand you were there to save them, and you had to figure something out...

You started with the elephant, pretty sure that if you were able to get an elephant from there to the truck, you’d get all the other animals easily.

As you approached the cage, the pachyderm raised eyes that were so full of sadness that your heart broke. But there was also curiosity in his orbs, and it was yet another proof that this animal was one of the smartest ever. 

You didn’t know where it was coming from, but it seemed like you knew exactly how to make him understand what you were about to do. You showed the lock of his cage, and the pick you had in your hand, and the elephant (apparently called “Tiny”), got up on his feet. 

He wasn’t able to stop his tail to move from one side to the other, and you hoped it meant the same thing than with dogs, that he was happy. You got a bit worried when Damian climbed the bars to reach for the elephant but...When Tiny leaned in his touch softly, so as to not crush your son’s arm, then you knew that you were dealing with an extremely sensitive animal. 

In his eyes, you saw recognition. You saw gratefulness. You saw hope. 

You almost got caught, as an employer from the circus was patrolling slowly through their “zoo”, and you had to hold on your son, hiding under the Elephant’s trailer, so that he wouldn’t jump on the man who was being mean to the monkeys...Asshole. 

As quietly as you could, you got back on your feet, helping your boy to do the same and went back to work on the lock, as Damian was soothingly scratching Tiny’s head. 

-I’m almost there. 

You whispered, and your son nodded...You could have sworn that the elephant did too. And it didn’t really surprise you at all. 

Finally, the lock was open and...That’s when the tricky part was starting. You hoped to got Tiny wasn’t going to go on a wild rampage all of a sudden...

But no. The elephant knew what you were doing. And he knew that if he lost his mind, and though he would have loved to destroy the circus, he knew that they would catch him again afterward, and he’d be back in that awful cage. 

You didn’t think an elephant could be quiet, could be light on his feet and yet...And yet Tiny didn’t make a sound as he got down from his cage, and without questioning anything further, he followed you and your son. 

You couldn’t help but notice the other animals taking a sudden interest in what you were doing, a particular spark in their eyes. None of them made a sound, which meant something right ?

As you turned around to see if the elephant was following you, you could visibly see tears in his eyes and...it broke your heart even more, to know that those were tears of relief. Oh you were so glad you and Damian decided to do this. And as your son shoved his hand in yours and squeezed it, you knew he was getting pretty emotional too. 

Fortunately, you didn’t meet any other circus’ employee and the way to the semi-truck was discreet. For real, no one seemed surprise in the least that Robin and someone all dressed in black were apparently stealing an elephant, and the few Gotham’s inhabitants you met just looked at you guys go, took some pictures, and went on their way. Nothing was really surprising anymore, in Gotham City...

You went back, and pondered which animals you should get next. You had to work fast, worried the guy on patrol would come back. And surely, he would notice missing animals...

You decided to go with the llamas and horses, and they followed without a sound, but the noise their hoof made on the ground. It was a miracle, really, that you didn’t attract anyone from the circus...But their trailers was a bit further (to avoid the smell of their mistreated animals probably). 

Ok, over half the truck was filled already and...Tiny tried to shrunk himself in the back of the truck. Elephants. You loved elephants. 

************

You went back to get all the “easy” animals, and none of them uttered a noise, as if they all understood what was going on. But here, you were faced with a dilemma, you still had the monkeys and the tigers and...Oh well actually they weren’t monkeys but apes. Chimps to be precise. And with them, you felt you weren’t gonna have any trouble, as they were patiently waiting in front of their cage’s door. 

But the tigers ? Well, they were dangerous animals. 

You decided to help the chimps out, and you’d figure something for the tigers later. But as you got the apes out of their cage, they went to the Tigers’ cage and pointed at the lock. 

-I know guys, I know. We’ll get them out it’s just...

Damian’s words got cut off by one of the apes...signing ? Was he signing ? Like deaf or mute people ? Yes. He totally was. He was saying “friend” and “help” and you weren’t sure you were getting it. 

One of the chimp roll his eyes, as if he was exasperated you weren’t getting them and...oh. It hit you and Damian both at the same time. 

They wanted to help. With the tigers. And though you felt like you had lost your mind, listening to monkeys as you opened the cage of tigers and a lion...well, you did it anyway. 

You and Damian held your breath as the tigers and the lion lazily walked out of their cage and...Oh. Oh ! The chimps. They were...Showing them the way ? They barely looked at you as they walked right past you and went to the semi-truck. 

Oh ok. “Friend” “help”. They were indeed helping their new friends, you, saving their old friends, the tigers and the lion. And it was rather impressive. You already strongly believed in animals having a soul, but from now on, you would fight anyone who would say otherwise. 

Animals clearly had a soul, and a heart. 

And you were glad you decided to go vegetarian at the same time Damian did (you did it at first to support him, but now ? Now it was definitely for the animals). 

You and your son, his hand tight in yours, just stared at the chimps guiding the tigers and lion, and didn’t notice the circus employee coming back...

-Hey ! What are you doing you two !?

It didn’t take you much though, to regain your senses, and to run after the chimps and felines. The circus employee started yelling, and more people were arriving. Ultimately, you knew that you and Damian could take them on but...Well, you couldn’t risk the police intervention or something, and so you ran to the truck. 

Another proof that that Tiny was the smartest ever, as the last chimp went in the truck, he went and closed the trunk of the semi-truck with...Well, with his trunk.

You jumped on the driver’s seat, and Damian on the passengers, and drove away, loosing the circus’ people as you navigated expertly through Gotham’s streets. You knew the place by heart, they didn’t, and though their cars were faster, they quickly lost you...and their animals. Hopefully forever. 

************

-...And that’s how we got all of them in here. 

Bruce couldn’t believe his hears. Really. REALLY ?! What the hell were you guys thinking ?! He was about to burst when...

He got a glimpse of the tigers playing together in the garden, like young kittens.

He saw the lion sleeping on his back in the middle of the pond, with monkeys sitting on his belly and that seemed to converse with each others. 

He saw the llamas and horses running around and...his gaze met Tiny’s. 

And the elephant’s eyes were so full of feelings, of hope and gratefulness that...he couldn’t yell at his wife and son. 

And he knew he had to help them finish the last part of their plan...With a sigh, he looked at you and said : 

-So...What’s next ? 

The kiss you gave him at that minute was worth all the trouble in the world. And when he pulled away from you and saw the elephant shielding your son’s eyes as so Damian couldn’t see you two kiss...Oh yes, he had to help that animal. 

************

The news of Robin and a mysterious new vigilante stealing the circus’ animals made head page on every media in Gotham. And Bruce had to be resourceful to not raise any suspicions. 

He generously paid foreigners that wouldn’t ask any questions to discreetly transports the animals to the airport, and then back to their home countries, in reserves where they would be safe...and free. 

Damian was beyond happy, and the hug he gave his father made it all worth it, just like your kisses. 

************

Twenty years later, Damian’s path would take him to Africa. 

He knew “his” elephant was in the country he was in, and wanted to see if “Tiny” was any different...As he arrived at the reserve, he was greeted by the most wonderful surprised. 

There were at least six elephants. One of the reserve caretaker said Tiny found a mate in the only other elephant they had, and made his own little family. 

When Damian approached, but not too close as the caretaker told him the elephant was back as a wild animal, his eyes met Tiny’s and...Yes. Yes he definitely recognized him. 

The wild animal rushed toward Damian and the caretaker, and your son stopped the caretaker from taking his tranquilizer shotgun...And he did right. 

Tiny lifted his savior with his trunk and licked his face a few time. They both had grown taller, and now, Damian was able  to reach further up and he stroked the elephant’s face. 

The caretaker seemed stunned, and said :

-He...He recognized you ! 

-Of course he did. Elephants are some of the smartest animals in the world, and don’t we say that they have the best memory ever ? 

Damian nuzzled Tiny’s giant face, and as the elephant put him down, met his “family”. This was definitely one of the best day he ever had. 

Oh, oh he wished you were still alive to see all this...

___________________

I love elephants...Anyway, hope you liked my shitty attempt at writing something to calm myself, at least, it worked, I’m not as frustrated anymore. Oh god it’s bad, I wrote about elephants man...from the point of view of an elephant...

[iwasnthere622]

Zack Taylor Designated Driver Squad

AO3 Link: Chapter 2

AO3 Link: Chapter 1

Tumblr Link: Chapter 1

CHAPTER 2: TUESDAY

Zack leaned back onto his hands, swinging his feet idly as he watched the red pickup truck make its way through the trailer park to his and his mom's place. The truck was something to behold, all right, all dented, scrapped, and twisted metal. Jason'd managed to fix it up mostly with junkyard parts, and Zack was still half-convinced it was held together mostly by bubblegum and the Red Ranger's faith that it'd drive.

The truck pulled to a slow stop but Zack didn't move, grinning a bit when Jason stuck his head out of his window to stare up at him.

"Morning, Bossman!" Zack called cheerfully, swinging his legs a bit faster.

Jason rolled his eyes. "C'mon."

Zack gave Jason a mock salute and launched himself off the top of the trailer, landing gracefully and walking to the passenger side to climb in.

Jason rolled the window back up -- it might be beat up as all hell, but the AC worked -- turning to look at Zack. "Someone's gonna see you one of these days," he said mildly, shifting into drive and starting to head to the school.

Zack shrugged, still grinning. "Ain't nothing they haven't see before - I've been jumping off my place for years. Quite worrying and lighten up, J!"

Jason snorted, because of course Zack has always jumped off his trailer. Of course. "Adrenaline junkie," he said, meaning for it to be accusing but tone coming out more fond than anything.

"Pot, kettle," Zack grinned, pointing at them both, because they both knew Zack was crazy, but so was Jason -- so were all of the Rangers, really.

"Fair," Jason acknowledged, rolling his eyes when Zack whooped.

"Oooh, I can't wait to tell everyone that you actually conceded! Wait, are you feeling okay?" Zack said, faking concern and trying to feel Jason's forehead, only managing to brush his fingers over his skin before he was being smacked away.

"Knock it off!" Jason said, swatting at Zack's hands while also trying to drive. "If you wreck us, you're rebuilding the truck!"

Zack just laughed, continuing his assault. "What if you're sick, though, gotta make sure!"

"I'm fine, asshat, you wouldn't be able to tell just by touching me anyway. I said knock it off!" Jason said, shoving Zack back into his seat with more force than needed.

Zack stopped attacking him, but kept grinning all the same. "Man, everyone's gonna be so disappointed now."

"What?" Jason said, always feeling like he was 5 steps behind when he was hanging out with Zack, the Black Ranger jumping from topic to topic just to get a rise out of him.

"You couldn't even concede a point to me for one whole minute before fighting again," Zack said, more pride in his tone than there probably should be, but it was oh so much fun to wind up their fearless leader.

Jason deflated, suddenly remembering the conversation Kim had had with him. And Trini. And Billy... "Let's just forget it."

"Whatever you say, dude," Zack grinned.

They were silent for a few minutes, nearing the school when Jason asked, "Where's your notebook?"

"Dunno," Zack shrugged, unconcerned that the notebook had the homework he'd done with Kim yesterday and yet he didn't have it with him today.

"Zack..." Jason said, parking the truck.

"Jason..." Zack said, mimicking him.

Jason sighed, giving up. "C'mon, let's see if Kim has it."

Zack grinned, bounding out of the truck. If he got stares when sailing through the halls with one Ms. Kimberly Hart on his arm, then walking with Jason was 10 times worse. Everyone loved to glare at the fallen quarterback and anyone who showed an ounce of decency to Jason was branded a traitor just like him.

Zack, though, wore it like a badge of honor, walking tall and meeting the eyes of anyone who dared to look, smirking all the while. Jason shoved open the door to the school and held it for Zack to step through, allowing him to catch the end of whispered jeer that really, was not very school-appropriate, so Zack tripped the offender and cheerfully gave them the finger. He even allowed Jason to pull him away and down the hall, grinning at his mutters that he was a menace.

When they got closer to the girls' locker, Zack winked at Jason and sauntered over to Trini, slinging an arm over her shoulder. "Hey, Crazy Girl. Where's the bae?"

Trini elbowed him in the gut and shrugged off his arm. "Not here yet," she answered, nodding at Jason, who returned the gesture.

Zack was undeterred. "Guess I'll have to borrow one of her notebooks, then," he said, starting to reach into the locker only for Jason to yank him back just before Trini could close it on his hand.

"Ohhh, team leader's mad at you," Zack whispered, grinning at Trini and nodding at Jason's frown.

"No, I'm not - just, no fighting," Jason said, looking around, wishing Kim would get here already.

Trini rolled her eyes.

"You know, he almost agreed with me this morning?" Zack said, big grin on his face. "Being DD is softening him up to my charms!"

Jason let go. "I'm going to class," he said, abandoning them both and walking away while Zack cackled.

"See you for PE!" Zack called after him, but he was ignored.

"...Did I miss something?" Kim asked, walking up to Trini and Zack and watching Jason disappear down the hall.

"Just the usual antagonizing," Trini answered.

Kim shook her head, reaching into her bag and offering Zack his notebook, frowning when the warning bell went off. "We'll talk at lunch," she said, pointing a warning finger at Zack.

Zack laughed, saluting her in the same way he'd saluted Jason earlier, meandering to class.

--

Third period, Zack bounded into the gym and headed for the guy's locker room to change. After two weeks of Jason forcing a spare pair of his sweatpants he just happened to have onto him so that he could participate in gym (and therefore get credit for the class instead of adding to his detention pile for not bringing appropriate clothing), Zack got the hint that this whole DD program his friends were running also included making sure he actually participated in school while he was there.

So he had a pair of his own track pants stashed away, which he quickly changed into, stuffing his notebook and jacket into the locker in their place.

He headed back into the gym, only having to wait for a minute before Jason was standing next to him, changed and ready as well.

"Well, sports guy, what is it today?" Zack asked.

Jason shrugged. "I don't know why you think I know what we're going to do in PE every time."

"You're the sports player! This is your domain!" Zack protested.

Jason rolled his eyes. "Ex-player," he corrected, and it only stung a little to say it.

Zack knocked into him. "Badmitten?" he suggested, always picking something outrageous cause then Jason would stop looking so pitiful.

Jason shoved him back, but he relaxed a bit. "No net."

"Volleyball?"

"No net, Z, pay attention!"

"...Tennis?"

Jason laughed, shaking his head. Before he could say anything, though, Coach blew his whistle. "All right, all right, line up! Holt! You and... Tracey, you're captains. Pick your teams, we're playing dodgeball today."

Zack bounced on the balls of his feet. Dodgeball! He knew this one!

"Behave," Jason muttered, crossing his arms.

Zack rolled his eyes, unsurprised that he and Jason were the last ones picked, grinning when they ended up on opposite teams.

As soon as Coach set all the balls out, Zack beelined for the best position dead center and ignored any attempts to shove him to the sidelines, bracing himself to run full throttle at the line.

Jason lined up off to the side, one eye on the ball in front of him and the other on Zack.

The whistle blew and both boys took off like a shot, grabbing their prizes and dancing back, Zack dodging an early throw, hanging on to his ball for now, weaving around his "teammates."

Jason got two people out, watching Zack just dance around. "You gonna throw that or what?" he teased.

"You wanna play?" Zack grinned, knocking a ball outta the air with his own, scooping it up and throwing the other at Jason, who easily dodged.

"You're going down, Taylor," Jason grinned.

"Ooh, last name, now I'm scared!" Zack teased back.

"Get a room!" someone called, disgusted. "Yeah," another student said, bumping hard enough into Jason that he had no choice but allow himself to stumble, "Shut up and play!"

Zack threw his ball and got the guy out who'd bumped Jason, shrugging when he got cursed at. "You said play... let's play!"

He stopped dancing around after that, but it just wasn't all that fun playing with these kids, the ones who didn't want to play already out because they just stood there and didn't even try, and the rest athletes of one form or another who were all douchebags, so he migrated back to mostly aiming for Jason, because at least that was fun.

"Look at the losers flirting," someone on the sidelines called out. "Bunch of faggots."

"Language," Coach said mildly, but otherwise did nothing, and Zack's gut clenched at seeing Jason's ears burn red in embarrassment.

"Hey, babe?" Zack said, looking straight at Jason, face set, eyes glinting with something maniacal.

Jason flushed a bit more, but he held Zack's gaze. "Yeah, babe?"

Zack grinned ear to ear, scooping up a ball and nearly crushing it in his grip. "Let's show these bigots a good time!"

Jason grinned back and then they were both moving fast, not as fast as they could but maybe adding just a bit more speed than was strictly normal, going after everyone else, regardless of team.

"Coach, that's not fair!" a kid complained, yelping when he got hit with "friendly" fire.

Coach watched a beat longer then shrugged. "So switch teams."

And that was how Jason Scott and Zack Taylor won a game of dodgeball of them versus 48 other students.

Zack slung his arm around Jason's shoulders when the last kid standing was pegged and out. "Great game, J."

Jason laughed. "Yeah. Yeah, you too. But for the record, we're not dating."

Zack laughed, shoving him to the side. "Obviously they can't handle our epic friendship, imagine if we were a power couple?"

"You're still a bunch of fags," one guy muttered.

Zack kicked a dodgeball up into the air and spun his body neatly to then kick it again, the ball smacking the kid in the head.

"Taylor!" Coach barked.

"Whoops," Zack said, completely unapologetic. "Thought he was still in play."

The bell rang and Jason grabbed Zack to drag him to the locker room before he could get into any more trouble.

--

"...and then Zack pulled off a high-kick that Alpha-5 would be proud of and kicked a ball into Ray's face," Jason finished, as everyone had demanded to know what the hell had happened in PE since basically the whole school was talking about it.

"So, you guys aren't dating?" Billy asked, glancing between them.

"Nah," Zack said. "Doesn't mean they could just say crap like that and get away with it, though."

Billy thought about that and nodded once, going back to his lunch.

"And you call me crazy?" Trini asked, shaking her head.

"Hey, I had to stick up for your people!" Zack protested, laughing when she punched him, but her saw her little smile, too.

"Well, at least they didn't fight this time," Kim said, ever the optimist.

"We don't fight all the time," Jason protested.

"Dude, don't even. We totally do," Zack grinned.

Jason opened his mouth to argue before he realized what Zack was doing and clenched his jaw shut instead, giving him a very unimpressed look.

"See? Definitely not dating," Zack said, taking a bite of his giant cookie.