Summary: Tish and Priestly have been happily married for nearly a year, but an accident threatens to tear them apart before they can reach their first anniversary. A Priestly/Tish story, also featuring Jen, Piper and Trucker. Takes place about a year and a half after the film ends. (Rated for some swearing, innuendo and some graphic descriptions of injuries, including the emotional effects.)
Warnings: Some swearing, innuendo and description of injuries and surgical procedures, including the emotional effects. Extensive author's notes (just in this chapter!)
Disclaimer: Writing belongs to me. Everything else belongs to the writers/producers/makers of Ten Inch Hero. Buddy Holly belongs to himself and his estate. Also, I am not a part of the medical profession so apologies for any inaccuracies regarding diagnoses/procedures etc. For entertainment purposes only.
AN: Out of the blue TIH jumped out on me and took over my mind, begging me to write something. Despite some of the scenes being a little too explicit for my liking, I really love the heart and soul of the film. I think the message it conveys is beautiful and is a message a lot of us really need to hear. I was so happy when Priestly and Tish got together at the end; I was desperate to find out more about all the characters and their lives together. So, this is my idea about where Priestly and Tish went from there.
AN2: The story is completely finished, with eleven chapters in total. I will update every day/every other day, real life permitting.
Hope you enjoy. Reviews are very much appreciated. :)
Now and Forever
By Lanthiriel25
Chapter 1
"Tish!?"
Body halfway inside the floor-level kitchen cupboard, searching for the frying pan which Priestly swore he owned but Tish had never actually managed to lay her hands on, Tish narrowly avoided smacking her head on the top of the cupboard as Priestly's voice made her jump in surprise.
"Yeah?" she called back, extracting herself from the cupboard so she was kneeling on the kitchen floor, still sans frying pan. After being married almost a year she'd thought if such a frying pan existed that it would have materialised by now. She'd suggested buying a new one on numerous occasions but Priestly was adamant he had one somewhere and he didn't want to commit 'frying pan adultery'. Mentally shaking her head at Priestly's bizarre and yet strangely loveable logic, she blew a strand of hair from her face before deftly tucking it up into the untidy bun she'd pulled her hair up into before she'd begun planning breakfast.
"You seen my 'moron' t-shirt?" Priestly's voice echoed down the small hallway from the bedroom.
"In the washbasket!" Tish replied loudly.
"What? Why?" Priestly's head appeared around the door from the small hallway, a sullen pout painting his face.
Tish sighed as she got to her feet, trying to hide her smile at her husband's almost forlorn expression.
"Because," she explained slowly, as if talking to a small child, "if you wear it any more times it'll be able to stand up on its own. Just let me wash it and you can have it back in a few hours."
"But I've got work now! Trucker needs me to help with the deliveries this morning."
"Priestly worrying about being on time for work?! Wonders will never cease!" Tish smirked as she ducked, narrowly avoiding being hit in the face by the flying tea towel which Priestly had thrown at her in retaliation for her comment.
As Tish was distracted, retrieving the stripy towel from behind the kettle, Priestly dashed to the wash-basket and began rummaging through the contents in search of his favourite t-shirt.
"Aha!" he exclaimed, holding the precious garment up in triumph.
"Priestly!" Tish cried in annoyance reaching out to swipe it from his grip.
It was no use though as Priestly simply held the shirt high above his head, out of her reach. Cunning was one of Tish's fortes however and she saw her opportunity in Priestly lifted arms. Taking the easy access to her husband's mid-section she launched herself at him, tickling his ribs and sides mercilessly in an effort to get him to lower his arms so she could grab the top from him.
Priestly struggled, laughing uncontrollably against Tish's onslaught, regretting the time he'd told her how ticklish he was. He broke out of her grip and darted across the open plan room to the sofa, playfully brandishing the t-shirt, taunting Tish by just pulling it out of her reach at the last minute as she attempted to wrestle it from him. Priestly could see Tish's expression getting darker and darker, clearly frustrated with him, and he wondered if he'd pushed her too far this time, it was still early morning after all.
Priestly's hesitation allowed Tish to get a good grip on the material but not enough to pull it from his hands. The resulting brutal tug of war only ended when Priestly bent down and effortlessly threw Tish over his shoulder fire-man style, causing her to shriek in alarm.
"Priestly, let me go, you giant, mohawked freak! Put me down!"
Tish flailed in his arms, hitting every part of him that she could reach. Priestly laughed at her useless struggling before taking pity on her and gently placing her back on her feet. Tish scowled and not-so-gently slugged her husband in the arm, causing him to wince and rub the spot with his other hand. She might be small but she packed one heck of a punch.
"Serves you right!" Tish taunted.
Priestly pulled a face in return, causing Tish's disapproving frown to slip, a smile twitching at her lips. Desperately trying to maintain the façade of annoyance she turned her back, picking up the clothes which had spilled out from the basket after Priestly's digging, fully breaking into a grin now that she knew Priestly couldn't see her face.
"Anyway, where's my breakfast?" Priestly groused. "You promised me the best breakfast I'd ever tasted."
Tish grimaced. She had indeed promised such a thing, but only because they'd been fighting over the remote the night before; Tish had managed to win that argument by appealing to Priestly's stomach. She could watch her 'girly crap', as Priestly so eloquently called it, despite the fact that he secretly quite enjoyed some of Tish's shows, if she promised to make him a decent breakfast in the morning.
Tish turned and smirked at him, mischief in her eyes, as she mock-bowed and saluted. "Coming right up, sir."
After returning the irreverent salute Priestly disappeared back into the bedroom to change from his boxers and sleep shirt into his jeans and favourite t-shirt. He'd already put on his eye-liner and piercings and had coloured and styled his hair; today he'd decided on a single green and blue 'hawk to match the shirt he'd planned on wearing.
Glancing in the mirror once he'd finished dressing he couldn't help but smile to himself at how lucky he was that he was with Tish. After they'd dated a couple of times Tish had made it clear to him that she liked him, who he was on the inside, and however he wanted to dress was entirely up to him and more than ok with her; she would love him with or without his 'hawk, she just wanted him to be happy. The next day he had shown up at the grill with his hair coloured and spiked, unfortunately still too short to gel into a proper 'hawk just yet, fingernails freshly painted and wearing his cropped trousers and boots with a sloganed t-shirt. He'd shifted uncomfortably in the doorway, not used to feeling unsecure or unsure of his fashion choices; he'd desperately wanted this thing with Tish to go the distance but he had also missed being 'Priestly'. His worries that Tish hadn't really meant what she'd said had evaporated as she'd come out from the back of the shop, clipboard in hand, busy with the stock-taking. When she had seen him her face had broken into a wide grin and she'd practically skipped over and pulled him in for long, but chaste, kiss, arms crossed around the back of his neck. Once she'd pulled away, she'd run her hand up to the red spikes with a smile.
"Hi."
Priestly had beamed down at his girlfriend, basking in the love and acceptance he saw in her eyes, all traces of worry vanishing in an instant.
"Hi yourself," he'd replied, breathless at having Tish pressed so close to him. Their relationship had still felt new and they had both decided to take things slow. With a small smile Tish had backed off, retrieving her clipboard from the counter and had disappeared with a suggestive wink out the back once more. Priestly had stood frozen, momentarily stunned, before Piper had cuffed him round the back of head with his rolled up apron with a knowing smirk. Shaking his head Priestly had snapped himself out of it and gotten to work.
"Food's up!"
Tish's call from the kitchen pulled Priestly from his happy memories and he made his way into the kitchen, scooping Tish into his arms and giving her a squeeze, leaning back slightly so she was lifted clean off the floor. Tish giggled as he planted a loud kiss on her cheek before he put her down.
"What was that for?"
Tish was confused but smiling at Priestly's show of affection. He was an affectionate guy and a gentleman, always treating Tish like she was his whole world, but Tish wondered what had suddenly brought on this particular demonstration of his care for her.
Priestly simply grinned, tucking a piece of her hair behind her ear, brushing down the side of her face as he did so, nothing but love and kindness in his gaze and touch. Tish was still in her pyjamas, which consisted of an old, baggy t-shirt of Priestly's and some thin joggers; she didn't feel pretty or even particularly put together right then. She hadn't even showered yet; her hair was a mess and she was sure that she still had pillow creases and sleep dusting across her cheek, so she marvelled that Priestly still looked at her like she was the most gorgeous thing he'd ever seen.
Tish felt herself blush under his piercing gaze; even after being married for nearly a year she still felt overwhelmed and slightly terrified at the depth of devotion he showed her on daily basis, never quite believing she deserved it or how to deal with it. She did know however that her love for him was like nothing she'd ever felt before which also scared her senseless but thrilled her at the same time. Priestly was kind, generous, funny and thoughtful, and he cared about her so so much; he was everything she'd ever wanted in a husband and everything she'd thought she'd never be able to have. She did have him though and she counted her blessings every day that Priestly had taken the time to get to know her and liked what he'd found, instead of focusing simply on her prom-queen looks as so many often did. He was as much her friend as he'd always been, always taking great delight in teasing her and bantering with her, as well as being her husband. She often found herself fighting the urge to pinch herself to check that this really was her life now, that she had her very own fairy tale happily-ever-after.
Forcing herself to tear her gaze from his, banishing her embarrassingly mushy thoughts to the back of her brain, Tish twisted in Priestly's arms and retrieved the plate from behind her, holding it out to her husband.
"Ah, a breakfast of kings!" Priestly exclaimed sarcastically as he realised what her 'best breakfast ever' consisted of. His eyes twinkled in amusement at the plate of toast and jam as he glanced between her and the food.
Tish chose to ignore the tone and his expression. "Damn straight! Domestic goddesses kneel at my feet," she joked as Priestly took the plate from her. She turned to collect her own plate from the sideboard and sat down at the table next to where Priestly was perched. Tish rolled her eyes fondly as her husband tucked in enthusiastically, stuffing practically the whole slice of toast in his mouth at once, chewing loudly.
"Whatimesrshif?" Priestly asked through a mouthful of toast and jam.
Tish looked up from her food with an amused frown.
"And for those of us that only speak English?" she teased.
Priestly swallowed before trying again. "I said, what time's your shift?"
"Oh, half eleven, I think. Just in time for the lunchtime rush. Think I'm gonna get the washing done, go for a quick swim, and maybe get some groceries on the way back before heading to the grill. You need anything that's not on the list already?"
Mouthful of toast once more so his cheeks looked not unlike a hamster's Priestly just shook his head. Finishing off his mouthful, Priestly wiped his mouth with the back of his hand to catch any stray jam before licking his finger and picking up every stray crumb from his plate.
"You wanna take the truck down to the beach? I was gonna walk to the grill anyway," he asked, licking away the last crumb.
"Yeah, ok," Tish nodded with a smile. "That way I'll have to time to come back here for a shower before work. Good thinking, batman!"
"Not just a pretty face," Priestly winked.
Tish gave him an affectionate shove as he leant across and picked up her empty plate, stacking it on top of his before placing them on the sideboard.
Retrieving his jacket from where he'd thrown it across the back of the sofa, Priestly dug his hand in his pocket and pulled out the truck keys, tossing them across the room. Tish reached up with practised ease and deftly caught them with a smile. Patting himself down to make sure he had everything he needed, apartment keys, wallet, cell, Priestly made his way back across to the kitchen area.
Crowding into Tish's space he cupped his hand round the back of her head and pressed a lingering kiss to her forehead. Tish closed her eyes, lifting her hands to rest them gently on his arm and waist, revelling in the love and consideration he showed her every day.
Pulling back, he tweaked her nose with a grin, causing her to bat his hand away with a huff of feigned annoyance.
"Have a good swim. Try not to get eaten by sharks."
"I'll do my best," Tish replied, heart happy and light. "Can't make any promises though. Those sharks are crafty creatures."
"Well, if you hear the Jaws theme tune, run like hell…Or….you know…swim like hell," Priestly amended with a smile, pointing at her from where he was now standing at the front door, as if he was giving the sagest of advice.
"Swim like hell," Tish confirmed seriously. "Got it."
"I'll see you at the grill later then. Don't be late."
Tish gawped at her husband as he let himself out the apartment, the glimpse he'd caught of her expression causing him to chuckle to himself as he locked the door behind him. Tish just stood in the middle of the kitchen, staring at where Priestly had disappeared. She shook her head; the day Priestly could lecture her on punctuality would be the day hell froze over. It was funny though, she mused as she made her way into the bedroom, despite his terrible time-keeping at the grill he'd never once been late for any of their dates. The thought made her smile as she collected her things ready for her swim.
Chapter 2 of 11 coming soon! Reviews very much appreciated :)