Note: I rewatched the HSM movies this week and have been casually dipping into the fandom; right now I'm into Troy/Ryan, and was gripped by the sudden and insatiable urge to give this drabble challenge a try.
1. Pick a character/ship/fandom
2. Put your music on shuffle
3. Write a drabble inspired by each song that plays, while it is playing. Start when the song starts and stop writing when it ends.
4. Do ten and post them
These drabbles are super short, and I really did write the first idea that came to mind, so they might be unoriginal or a bit abstract in places. I did cheat occasionally, going overtime to finish off, and I went over everything to edit typos, but in general I stuck to the time limit while writing it out. You could try listening to each song to search for the vibe I got if you wanted! All Tryan/Troyan-themed, not always romantic, and with some other characters.
REDUNDANT - GREEN DAY
Whatever changes happen when in high school, it still feels the same. New friendships formed; developed relationships; destroyed relationships, and you're still the person that everyone sees you as. Sports star; drama darling; a bit of both. One half of a power couple, whether familial or romantic.
It takes a lot to break out of the way you've been conditioned to think; and often when you do, people don't notice. As long as you seem to return to something like before, it gets forgotten; edited out. Like bad TV character continuity.
GENETIC ENGINEERING - X-RAY SPEX
So it had been a surprise for everyone seeing Ryan in those gold hotpants, but it had been especially breath-punching for the few who had never seen Rocky Horror before, and had entered the theatre with no knowledge of the title character's state of undress.
THE GREATEST - CAT POWER
Juilliard was notoriously exhausting. If a student wanted to succeed; they had to run themselves ragged. If they didn't, they simply didn't want it enough. That's what everyone said.
Even if they didn't sleep for two nights running before a performance; stopped eating properly; consumed too much caffeine; collapsed on the bathroom floor, a Juilliard student would continue; their wrung-out sponge of a brain powered by sheer belief and ambition.
Until they couldn't anymore. Until a passing visit from a school friend became a rescue; a lifeline there for the taking, if only they would grab it.
NEW ROSE - THE DAMNED
"Ugh! What makes her think she can just come here to my school and- and- take him!? He was this close to falling for me before Little Miss Brainbox transferred and turned him Gabriella gaga."
Ryan watched the new couple move away down the corridor hand-in-hand, thankfully too lost in each other to hear this exchange. "I don't know, Shar, I think they're sweet together." He didn't bother correcting her delusion of Troy's fondness for her; Troy would be more likely to fall for Ryan before he fell for Sharpay. Not that Ryan had imagined such things. Whilst staring out the window in algebra yesterday. At all.
"I've been working my butt off for that boy! Just because she's all new and mysterious and- and- floral! ... What makes her more special?"
Ryan smiled sadly at the left off "than me". "I think you just answered your own question."
SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE - ROBERT PALMER
Dance was certainly a language all it's own. Sometimes saying things... that could not be unsaid, however much someone may want to shake off a new, very different perception of an aquaintance. One that had come about after seeing them own a stage with such blazing confidence, centre of attention and solo for once.
Ryan really was headed for success and appreciation, anyone could see that. Troy only hoped the same could not be said for how his face must have looked during a repeat viewing of the senior musical.
He'd been thinking of hot pink high-kicks all week.
SATURDAY NIGHT'S ALRIGHT - NICKLEBACK FT. KID ROCK
"So?" Troy panted, rubbing his t-shirt to catch the sweat underneath. "What do you think? I mean I told the rest of my group I'd give it a go but I'm no choreographer..." His audience-of-one seemed to be a bit overwhelmed. His eyes were very bright. "I was just making it up as I went, with everyone else it'd need structure... Um, Ryan?"
"I think I'll need to see it again. But see if you can do something with that this time." He pointed out a leather jacket draped over a chair.
Troy was absolutely a natural. And when he went for it, he really went for it.
LITTLE GHOST - THE WHITE STRIPES
"wooOOOOoooOOo! Nice costume, Ryan." Chad made appropriately spooky finger gestures into his face as they passed his spot near the punch. He got a lighthearted eyeroll in return.
Troy almost tripped as they moved away, concentrating over his shoulder. Chad raised a quizzical eyebrow.
"What? Don't you think Ryan looks kinda ...cute?"
"Dude."
HARD TO HANDLE - OTIS READING
Ryan was short of breath, flushed, and fast becoming uncomfortable in his clothes. And he wasnt the only one. Opening his eyes enough to see the man he currently had pressed against his apartment wall like soft taffy, the sight of slick pink lips and ravaged hair made him lean in again with a gasp.
"Oh my god," moaned Troy the next chance he got.
Attending that night's reunion had been a really good idea.
WHERE DID OUR LOVE GO - THE SUPREMES
These dance practises were torture. There was nothing like the soft relief Troy felt whenever Ryan danced him through a new step. His life was all stress right now, and Ryan was like a balm and sunlight all at once.
Until he stepped away with a casual "Great! That's it!" and let Troy's actual partner step into place.
FEMALE OF THE SPECIES - SPACE
He ran into someone in his haste to escape that Hawaiian-themed hell. "Whoa! Oh sorry man, but I reeaally need to get out of here."
"Yeah. Go ahead. Escape while you can." Ryan was still grumpy.
Troy did feel a bit sorry for the guy. "That crown suits you way better than me by the way!" he called back over his shoulder.
Note: This was fun :) I'd love any feedback or thoughts you can share. Also if you want something clarifying I'd be happy to do so.
Edit: A month later and I suddenly have a flash of realisation I've been calling a Supremes song by the wrong title. Just because they say 'baby' a lot...
