Here's another one I saw requested a lot. I did my best with this one, hope you all like it! :)
~11th crack pairing: Pops and Skips~
The sun was about to go down. Skips just got finished working on one of the park's golf carts, wiping sweat off his face. He started heading for his room.
I'm gonna sleep good tonight, that's for sure-
"Skips?"
Skips turned around. "Hey Benson."
"I hate to ask, but I gotta ask a big favor of you."
Skips wiped some more sweat off his brow. "Sure, what is it?"
"Well, Thanksgiving's coming up in a few weeks. For some strange reason, Mr. Maellard wants Pops to be there way early."
"Hmm." Skips nodded with no emotion. "Which one of the 8 homes is he staying at for the holidays?"
Benson crossed his arms, showing his sheer hatred for the crappy big-head owner.
"The one that's 150 miles from here. The one with the three pools and in-home 'special' services."
Skips shared the same hatred for him, but it never showed in cliche ways. The old lollipop man constantly threw his money around. "Ah. Perfect.."
"But look, I have tons of papers to fill out before we hit our quota. I need you to drive him up to that home before noon tomorrow, Maellard's orders."
Skips scratched his head. "What about-"
"Don't worry, I'll have Muscle Man cover you while you're gone." Benson pulled out his wallet and handed some bills to Skips. "Here's money for gas, food, anything you need. You know what to keep Pops away from, right?"
"Sugar and anything shiny, gotcha."
"Okay, thank you Skips. It takes about 2 or 3 hours to get there, don't be late." Skips nodded, understanding fully.
Skips was on the road with Pops at about 8:30 the next morning. Skips took his chances and let Pops sit in the passenger seat. One thing's for sure, he felt better than he usually did most mornings.
All that work knocked me right out. Otherwise I'd be falling asleep at the wheel.
"You don't gotta use the bathroom, right Pops?" Skips asked.
"Oh no no, of course! I went right before we left."
"Okay, good."
The car was silent after that. Pops twiddled his thumbs a bit. He really enjoyed chatting with Skips when the time was right.
The gentleman just loves solitary peace most of the time, unfortunately.
"So Skips, what are you going to be doing for the Thanksgiving coming up?"
Skips shrugged. "Eh, probably nothing."
Pops gasped. "But Skips, the Thanksgiving is about spending time with family! You don't want to be alone do you?"
"I've been alone in the past. I'll be fine."
Pops did nothing but frown. "No Skips, you shall not be alone this Thanksgiving. Atleast have a turkey dinner with your coworkers, they're like family!"
"Nah, everyones' got plans."
"Oh my," Pops sulked. "Even Benson?" Pops knew that Skips and Benson were close friends.
"Yeah. I think he's visiting his parents." Skips ended it at that.
Pops was a sad panda now. Oh poo. I don't want Skips to be alone! Hmm. OH! Unless..
"Skips! Spend Thanksgiving with me and my family!"
"I can't, Pops."
"Now why not?"
"It's a time for family, Pops. I ain't your family."
Pops sighed. It wasn't a normal sigh though, it was one of those depressing sighs. Skips noticed.
Crap..
"Pops, I didn't mean it like that, okay? I don't wanna interfere with you guys. Plus, your father isn't even that fond of me."
"He favors you more than anyone there, Skips." Pops smiled. "He believes you're hard-working and quite strong for a fellow."
Skips slightly smiled. "That's nice of him."
"So, you'll come stay with us, yes?"
Skips hesitated. "I'll think about it."
They continued to drive. They were about to come up on a rest stop on the highway, so Skips turned into it and decided they'd go get a bite to eat.
It looked like any highway rest stop, with a little food court, convenient stores, even brochures for theme parks that were like hundreds of miles away.
After Skips took some food to a nearby booth, Pops came over, giggling and holding a brochure.
"Skips, we should go here during the Thanksgiving week! It has so many splendid things to do!"
"I dunno, ask your dad. Here, I got you a chicken noodle soup." Skips sat down with his large hoagie.
Pops did nothing but gleefuly stare into his soup, watching the noodles float around as he giggled.
Skips rolled his eyes and smiled. No one's as happy as Pops, that's for sure.
Skips noticed that Pops didn't have a spoon for his soup and handed one to him. "Here's a spoon."
"Ooh!~" Pops took it and stuck it to his nose. "Look, I'm a walrus!" He giggled.
"C'mon, Pops, you gotta eat. We've still got a long ride." Skips still continued to smile genuinely.
"We'll make another stop on the long dirt road, yes?"
"Nah I gotta get you to the house by noon. Otherwise your father'll blow a fuse."
Pops took the spoon and played with his soup. "I wish my father was a bit more heart-ful, Skips."
Skips nodded, fully agreeing. "Me too, Pops. Me too."
Soon, they were on the road again. Pops, again, found it to be way too quiet.
"Skips, may I listen to some music?"
"Sure." Skips turned it on and it was some loud rock group. They were a Fist Pump knockoff band.
"Wow, I sure do hope their parents aren't at home!" Pops said, as if he was a little boy doing naughty things himself. He giggled once more, bobbing his head.
Skips just turned the music down a bit and cringed.
"Whatever happened to real music? I can't listen to the radio anymore without hearin' garbage like that."
"Aw now Skips," Pops scolded. "All music is real. If it wasn't real, why, it would only be in our wildest dreams~"
Skips simply sighs. Even in arguments he never gets me mad. I don't say that about everybody. Well, everybody but Pops.
"I just mean the quality of the music. People don't write any good lyrics anymore. All these bands today only seem to want one thing."
Pops perked up. "What is that?"
Uhh... He looked to his right to see a sign that said they were only 20 miles from the exit. "We're almost to the house. You excited?"
Pops sighed. "I'm afraid my excitement gland is not jumping for joy."
"Why? You don't like stayin' in huge houses with pools bigger than the average lake?"
"It isn't that, my good man. I've just...well, I've learned that I enjoy long rides with you, Skips." Pops shifted in his seat a bit, glancing at Skips. "Now I'll be staying with my father and...I can never talk to him like I can talk to you. He simply never listens."
Skips now started to feel that rare heartfelt emotion. He usually kept things strictly no-emotion, but this...this tugged his dusty heart strings quite a bit.
Maybe I shoulda kept talkin' about the bands.
"You can try. Maybe his old heart'll change for the holidays, you never know."
Pops didn't smile as he looked out the window, seeing nothing but trees and wildlife. "One can only hope he'll change this year."
Skips didn't know what to say after that. He kept quiet the rest of the ride.
Thank goodness they were already close.
When they got off the highway, it wasn't hard at all to find the house. It was like the skyscraper of this small town. Even the tiniest ant could identify it.
Skips went inside the open gate and stopped right in front of the house.
"Have a good Thanksgiving, Pops."
Pops smiled. "You too, Skips." He got out of the car. He started to sulk inside.
"Wait, Pops."
Pops turned around to see Skips opening his arms for a hug. Pops gleefully took the offer and gently hugged the bigger man.
"If I can, maybe I'll come up to see you on Turkey Day, okay?"
Pops gasped. "Oh my, you will? Oh thank you, Skips! I certainly hope you can! It'll make my day!"
"Yeah, I don't got no other plans, and...after this ride, I kinda favor other peoples' company...sometimes."
Pops smiled. "I'm glad to hear you changed your mind. I will ask my father if you can stay and I'll certainly let you know the details!"
Skips looked at his watch. "Its 2 to noon, you should head in."
"Oh yes, of course!" Pops waved. "Tata for now!" Pops giggled as he went inside.
Skips could still hear the giggles from outside. He smiled as he went back into the car and drove off.
As Skips drove on the highway, it was far more quiet without Pops around. As he thought about this, he felt that feeling in his hear again.
And the loneliness begins...
