Writer's note: A little idea that came to me last night while lying in bed!
"Great job everybody!" Felix said, following a normal day after the All Clear resounded and the Nicelanders cleaned up the front stoop of the apartment building.
"You were really moving today, Felix" Ralph commented, tossing several bricks into a pile for the clearing equipment machine to take away.
Felix rested hands on his hips, proudly. "Thanks, brother and you were a tough one to beat!"
Ralph smiled at him, but his expression changed to concern. "Hey Felix, what's that purple spot on your neck?"
Felix unconsciously touched his neck, dawning alighting his face. "It's nothing, really."
"Did I hurt you?" Ralph asked, his voice escalating.
Felix waved off the matter, casually. "No, you didn't do anything, Ralph."
"You hurt Felix?" Gene bellowed, which received a collective gasp from the other Nicelanders. He skidded up to the handyman to examine his neck.
"Really, fellahs," Felix tried his best to uplift his collar to completely cover the spot in question. He'd tried his darnest to keep it hidden all day, but from all the activity from gameplay, his shirt must have shifted. "It's nothing you need to worry about."
Gene wasn't buying any of it. He turned down Felix's collar, gasping at the large, purple spot at the base of his neck that was partly covered by Felix's undershirt. Gene whipped around, wagging an accusing finger at Ralph. "You're still a bad guy!"
Poor Ralph stood there, giant palms held out in front of him in defense. "I'm sorry! I didn't even know it happened!"
"Enough!" Felix yelled, stepping between Gene and the wrecker. The scene was escalating quickly and to save Ralph from undeserved scrutiny, he would have to come clean with the truth and live with the embarrassment.
He pulled down his collar, revealing the bright purple spot in all it's glory. "It's not a bruise...well, not a bruise that hurts." His cheeks glowed red recalling the night before when Tammy's lovely mouth sucked and nipped at his skin as he straddled her lap. He shook himself from the wonderful memory, his audience staring intently at him. "It's a love bite."
Gene's mustache twitched. "A what?"
Felix's entire face burned at the admission. Never in his life did he think he'd have to explain a hicky to his neighbors. "Ms. Calhoun left this love bite as we were having private time."
It was as if all the Nicelanders understood at the same time and they all let out a collective "oh".
"See!" Felix plastered on the biggest, fake smile. "Nothing to worry about!"
The crowd dispersed, a strange tension hanging in the air - leaving only Ralph to scratch his neck awkwardly. "Wow. Okay. Didn't expect that." He lumbered up to Felix. "Thanks for saving my rump, buddy, even if you did have to admit somethings so personal."
Felix gave the wrecker a small smile, still embarrassed but happy to have saved Ralph from any more drama. "No problem, Ralph."
"And ah..." Ralph pointed two fingers at him, trying but failing to act like the proud buddy. "Congrats on the...love biting with Calhoun." He walked away, wincing. "Ey-yi-yi." There wasn't enough root beer at Tapper's to erase this.