Warnings: One of these drabbles has shota undertones and another has mechanical!fem!America. Tchyeah...
1. Oh Oh I Love Her So - The Ramones
It's not a complete tragedy to one Ivan Braginsky that the ice dispenser is no longer providing it's namesake, but it is somewhat of an annoyance since it's not too much to ask for a bit of ice for his drink. Apparently though, he's not even allowed that much, and with some form of resolution, he prepares to walk back to the front counter in order to alert the employees that their machine is no longer working.
"It does that all the time," a voice next to him says. "Here."
He turns his head to see a young blonde shorter than himself set his own drink down next to the machine and fish out another straw amongst the many provided. He quickly steps out of the other's way, watching as the stranger presses down on the lever that opens the ice compartment and jam the straw repeatedly into it's opening. Within moments, crushed bits of ice cubes come falling out and spilling onto his hand.
"It does that all the time," he explains. "Such a pain, but I'll doubt they'll ever fix it."
"You sound like you deal with this a lot," Ivan comments.
"A lot more than I would like to," the blonde laughs and takes his drink up once more. "I'm more of a McDonald's guy, but there are some days where I have to settle here."
"And why's that?"
The stranger waits for him to fill his cup before pointing out through the front window and across the street towards the other restaurant.
"See that angry looking guy with the humungo eyebrows by the door?" he asks. "Yeah, well that'd be my brother, stalking out my hide away. Have no idea what I did this time, but I don't really feel like dealing with it today."
"He does look rather upset."
"Upset is putting it mildly, I'm pretty sure as soon as I walk out, he's gonna see me, and he's gonna explode."
"How long have you been waiting here?"
"Hm… Two, two and half hours, give or take."
"You can't seriously just be waiting for him to leave."
The blonde only laughs. "I've done it before."
"Well, good luck to you with that," Ivan tells him, meaning to end the conversation and make his way back to his meal.
The blonde hums his thanks while taking another drink for his cola. Ivan takes a few steps away from the small area, but pauses and looks back at the other male who is still very much preoccupied with keeping his eyes trained to the other side of the street.
"Say," he calls out. "If you want, you can join me at my table. I don't think there would be anything in your way to keep an eye out and you'll probably be a lot more comfortable sitting."
The blonde quickly swivels his head in Ivan's direction, his bright blue eyes are wide behind his glasses as he hurriedly comes to the conclusion that the other is completely serious.
"Okay!" he smiles and quickly makes to follow after him. "My name Alfred, by the way."
2. Tainted Love - Soft Cell
Alfred still loves him, he truly does, but somewhere along the line in the course of their relationship the once warmth filled affection they shared for another turned to a cold sort of pathetic back and forth of possession and jealousy that neither one can hardly overlook.
Love or not though, Alfred knows a lost cause when he sees one, he knows that there's no way they can continue as they do now. He needs to get away, they need to separate.
But when Ivan looks at him with those violet eyes, pleading for him to not leave him alone again as he had been for so many many years before, he feels his resolve crumble. He allows himself to fall back into this broken affair and continues a useless cycle that, in all honesty, neither one of them are too content in ridding themselves of.
3. Roxanne - The Police
Ivan's seen him before in his getup — thin straps and a short skirt, sheer stocking, stiletto heels, and gaudy jewelry — many times in the course of what had been their courtship, though many would consider it more as the equivalent of a working girl taking a certain shine to a familiar John.
And though their relationship had begun with Ivan knowing what line of work Alfred took part in, he couldn't help feel a twist in the pit of his gut when he sees the blonde leave for his shift, dressed to the nines, and knows that in a few short hours, his body will be pressed against another man's in the cramped space of a car or the soiled sheets of a shady motel.
He watches from the sidelines, sitting on the edge of their bed while the blonde spruces himself in front of the dresser mirror before turning to him for a goodbye kiss. He pulls away immediately afterwards, straightening himself and means to leave, but Ivan catches his arm before he's able to leave his side, causing Alfred to look back to him, a questioning expression splayed across his face.
"Please don't go," the other pleads.
Alfred's expression softens, he lowers himself back to the other and embraces him, kisses him. He distracts Ivan enough to loosen his grip and quickly pulls away. In a few short strides, he's left their bedroom and in the silence of it all, Ivan hears the front door of their shared apartment open and close, and then nothing.
4. Sic Transit Gloria - Brand New
In the confines of a dark room, Ivan slowly begins to panic under the tender caresses of his boyfriend. He feels his heart begin to pound against his chest frantically at the feel of lips against his exposed neck, beating so intensely that he's sure it'll fall out if he doesn't say something, anything.
He opens his mouth wanting to signal his reluctance to continue as he feels Alfred begin to unbutton the front of his shirt, but words fail him and his only capability is letting out a low groan that the blonde takes as a sign to continue.
Ivan grips at the sheets when the other teen smirks at him through the darkness and presses their hips together. He inhales sharply, silently cursing his body for reacting so shamelessly and breathes in the scent of the other that's he come to adore but can now only choke at the overabundance of it filling his senses.
He feels Alfred lean back down to make a trail of kisses starting from his chest and trails down further, making him feel nauseous as he realizes what's coming next. He wants to speak up, wants to tell the other how unsure he is of these actions, voice his reluctance to go any further.
He bites down on his lip and says not a word.
5. The Doctor's Wife - The Clockwork Quartet
Alfred Jones had once been a credit to his profession, but that is no longer the case.
After his partner of many years had been diagnosed with an unknown malady, one that has slowly begun to eat away at his very being at a steady rate, he's tossed aside his practice in favor of standing constantly by his love's side to better understand the disease, dedicated to finding a cure and restoring his health.
Cracked, they all say, for forever type type typing away at his desk covered in spilled medical texts and numerous mechanical devices that have been fashioned to keep home within a human's body to be replaced for each organ after another that has rotted away and no longer in working order.
A monster, some may say, for tearing apart a dying body to be filled with gadgets and gears not intended to support life in the manner which he seeks.
A heretic, some few curse, for prolonging what the All Mighty had deemed inevitable for his own selfish glorification.
And none regard him as a sad soul whom could not bear to see his love fade away.
6. Alones - Aqua Timez
"Did you ever consider jumping instead?"
"Did you?"
"No… but I don't think it would have suited me as much as you."
"Jumping would've suited me?"
"I think so. You remind me of something wanting to be free, of something that would love the chance to fly."
"Hm… Sometimes I think I'd like to be able to fly."
"There you go. So… did you?"
Alfred takes the question into serious consideration before honestly answering, "I had. But I thought that if I did jump, I'd probably ruin my face and then there'd be no open casket or anything. That wouldn't be any good, no one would be able to see this gorgeous mug for the last time."
Ivan can't help but laugh at the absurdity of his reply. "Do you mean to tell me that you are just that vain? I never thought that was a possible trait in people like us."
"You're gonna tell me you never stared at yourself in the mirror and said, 'Hey, good looking?'"
Ivan laughs again, but shakes his head all the same. "I've stared at myself in the mirror, but I've never said anything like that to myself."
Alfred shifts closer to him, pressing his shoulder against the other's and feels the warmth radiating off his skin even through their school uniforms. He quickly laces his fingers with Ivan's and rests his head on top of his shoulder, able to inhale the clean scent of that pink scarf he keeps secured around his neck.
"You really should," he tells him. "It kinda helps to tell yourself the truth."
Ivan tints pink at his subtle compliment and buries his face into his scarf. He grips Alfred's hand tighter as a show of thanks.
7. I Want the One I Can't Have - The Smiths
An accidental brush of their hands stirs an unexpected anxiety attack.
"Dude!" Alfred cries out. "Ivan, I told you, friends only!"
Ivan gives him an exasperated look as he takes the time to explain, "I was not meaning to grab your hand, Alfred, I already understand you not wanting anything more."
"As long as you remember," the other mutters while looking at the offending appendage with uncertainty before walking ahead.
Ivan looks after him, sighing into his scarf with a bit of resignation before following behind. He certainly cannot wait for Alfred to snap out of his denial.
8. Slide - Dresden Dolls
One late April day, while the sun still shone high, a yellow haired boy sits on top of a slide. He had ran away from home, though not very far as the park he's kept to is only a few short blocks away, after a bitter spat with his older brother over something his twin alleged him of doing.
(Which he actually did do, but that is hardly the point.)
All the same, he sits at the top of the slide and pouts at how stupid-mean-Arthur took the side of big-fat-no-so-much-lying-Matthew's side instead of his. He hardly pays heed to the feel of preying eyes watching his every move from some distance away. In fact, he hardly notices anything, only taking note of him not being alone by the sound of crunching leaves under heavy footfalls as they steadily approach him.
The cause of the disturbance, however, does little to unsettle him as he instantly recognizes Mr. Braginsky from just a few door down. The eight year-old calls out to the older man, unaware of the other's heart skipping a beat at the sight of his bright smile.
"Alfred," he greets when he's near enough to speak. "What are you doing out here all by yourself."
"I ran away from home," the little blonde replies. "Because Mattie's mean to me and Arthur's just stupid."
"Running away from home is a serious decision. Are you sure that is what you want?"
Alfred nods frantically. "I don't ever wanna go back."
"But you cannot stay out here," he's told. "A pretty boy like you could be taken away by someone even meaner than Matthew or Arthur."
"I'm not pretty," the boy pouts. "And I can take of myself. I'm a big boy, y'know."
A smile curves itself on to the elder's lips. "I'm sure you are, but in any case I would not feel right about letting you stay out here by yourself. Why not come home with me? I would not mind you staying until you are able to work out this whole running away business."
Alfred purses his lips in thought. "I dunno, you'd prolly just treat me like a little kid too."
"I would never. I promise."
"Cross your heart?"
"And hope to die," the man tells him while holding his hand out for him to take. "Do we have a deal."
Alfred only smiles while placing his smaller hand into the larger and nods his head again. Mr. Braginsky is kind enough to help him down the slide by keeping a firm grip on his hand and Alfred, so touched by his generosity, makes no qualms of him not letting it go even as he leads him back to his home.
9. Herr Drosselmeyer's Doll - Abney Park
Once upon a time, quite some time ago, a man by the name of Kirkland produced a miraculous doll of such magnificent beauty that he would be offered a generous sum for the allowance of having her perform on numerous stages.
Not having much to live on, and drink being considerably priced, he agreed to the offers and each night would wind her up tightly before setting her loose before the bright lights of a tavern or club, allowing her to spin about in provocative clothing to better flaunt her fine figure To rile them up all the more, he would narrate her dances, providing details of her creation and admitting to them that she was created to be the exact replica of a real woman, outside and inside, and that because of her synthetic nature, there would be no real shame in taking her to bed.
Of course there was no real intent of letting her be bought by any of the vagrants that came to see her perform, it was all in jest, something to keep the crowd from straying away, giving them something they could have but never will, not as long as he was her father.
The whole operation ran smoothly up to the point where a young Russian immigrant showed up on the scene, stumbling on the odd form of entertainment by pure chance and instantly became smitten with the doll with gold-spun hair and flawless skin and even the blue sapphires of eyes, despite the lack of emotion there.
Then came the night when love turned to obsession, and in a critical want of the doll he stalked her poor father carrying her home, waiting until the poor drunk had his fill of liquor and passed out fully clothed in the front parlor. He snuck in through the back widow, the one never kept shut, and lightly treaded through the home until he came across the object of his affection and lifted her into his arms and quickly stole her away.
For many years he lived happily with the mechanical doll, taking great care of the many cogs and screws that kept her alive, and wound her up night after night to watch her dance for him and only him.
10. The Killer Anna - The Medic Droid
It's neither of their faults.
Their personal lives play secondary to the politics they are tied to, the very same ones that are the practical foundation of their existence. It's out of their hands entirely and the only other factor to regret is the notion that they should have taken advantage of their once close relations when they had the opportunity.
Those days are gone though, and thinking of them causes more pain than anything else, so rather dwell on the past they stick to the roles they must now play against each other until maybe one day, they can start over again.
xxx
Disclaimer: This is done now, but we will try until the bitter end.
-So I went ahead and joined the masses that have done these. -shrugs- They're easy to write...
-Some of these would be a lot longer though if I hadn't stopped halfway through the song to make believe that I was giving a concert or something. -facepalm- The stupid things I do when I'm alone...
-Fun Fact: Number 6 is from the same world as another one-shot that I'm working on that'll be published in my Bullets series when I finally get back to fine tuning those to post already. Funnily enough, that's also the 6th track in that series. Lol, nothing is coincidence! =3