parker

🌪

“Babe…” the word comes out under his breath, his head instantly starting to shake. Ozzy is used to people floating in and out of his life like it was nothing, like he was nothing. His parents, most of his friends from the Southside, his ex. It makes him hold on tight to the people he has, it makes him want to lean across the table and pull Parker into his arms, to apologize for ever letting him think it was a possibility. He doesn’t and he won’t, not even when they’re in the privacy of his apartment. He’s never been good at doing reassuring shit like that, no matter how many Psychology classes he took. He wasn’t sure he’d ever be. Maslow would probably say it was because he wasn’t hugged enough as a child or something, Ozzy chalked it up being himself. “It’s not just summer fun to me.” I like the way you make me feel, I like who I am when I’m with you, I like how it feels like we’re the only two people in the world. “I like you,” it’s a start, “So if you’re trying to get rid of me, you’re gonna have to be the one to make that move.” 

🎸

Parker had literally never been called ‘babe’ before. He’d never been in an intimate enough relationship for pet names. It still made him flinch, even seeing the word form on Ozzy’s lips. You’re lucky, Pantone. You’re really fucking lucky. There was a guy in his life who liked him...point blank. He always felt like girls who dated him before liked the idea of him more than him as an actual person. Parker was boring. He was stiff. Easy to anger. He was...a boy scout. Ozzy liked him anyway. He smirked at Ozzy’s confirmation. “As if.” He said in response. “I’d be the dumbest guy in Cherry. I think Mac Walsh has got that one on lock.” He jeered, shuffling textbooks into his backpack. He stood up and made direct eye contact with Ozzy, gesturing the boy follow him out. It was a good idea to head to the library so late. Less people fluttering about campus. Once they checked out their books and were hit by the open air...Parker reached for Ozzy’s hand. He’d never felt comfortable initiating it before. “We should do something fun before school starts and we’re busy all the time.” He spoke. He paused. “I’ll have football. And you’ll have...whatever you do.” He teased. 

🌪

Parker Pantone was the last person Ozzy had ever seen himself falling head over heels for, and yet… there was no one else he could imagine spending all of his time with. He was happy living in the little bubble they’d created for themselves over the summer- flirty glances tossed over shoulders at work to be unpacked hours later in the safety of Ozzy’s apartment, closing the door on a Friday and not opening it again until Sunday night, tuning out the rest of the world in favor of each other’s company. It was the happiest he’d felt in a long time and he’d be lying if he said he wasn’t worried about how the school year would change things for them. He’s always been good at burying his emotions, so it’s no surprise that his expression stays the same even as his heart picks up speed. “Yeah, of course. What’s up?” 

🎸

Parker took a deep breath. He wasn’t really good at confrontation or at hard conversations. Really...he just didn’t want things to change. He didn’t want to be as unhappy as he was before he and Ozzy started hanging out. “Are you gonna like...ditch me once school starts?” He asked. Ozzy and Parker likely wouldn’t have crossed paths if it weren’t for their summer employment. They weren’t exactly running with the same crowd even more than Parker knew. “If this was just summer fun, that’s cool.’ He said with a dismissive shrug. “Just tell me so I don’t look like an idiot.” He spouted, attempting to protect himself with some last minute machismo. Why was he so scared all of a sudden? Ozzy didn’t ever give him a reason to doubt.

🍕

As soon as he’d found himself standing in front of Parker, he almost instantly regretted this decision. Parker had the build for something like football. He screamed sports guy in Cam’s head. Which had never been something he could have possibly equated himself with. Even in high school he’d been more of the duke it out for valedictorian kind of kid than the athletic type. He’d been on the debate team, and apart of the science and robotics club, not anything that involved running. But Parker’s excitement felt palpable and he knew it was a little too late anyways seeing as he’d already come all this way. “I mean considering the amount of dogs I’ve had to run from during pizza deliveries I’d say I can run pretty fast. Is being a receiver a good thing?” 

🎸

Parker’s mind went wild with possibilities. He’d never actually liked the people he played football with. Tolerated was probably a better rule. He played for his dad’s love of the sport. He would do everything in his power to make sure Cam was ready before regular games began.  “I mean...some of the guys we play against are about as vicious as dogs. I’d say that’s a good start.” He said, tone suddenly a little pragmatic. He pulled Cam in, throwing his arm around the boy’s shoulder and giving a solid pat. “A good receiver is a fucking godsend. Probably the position with the highest risk of injury...but still.” He said, trailing off a little bit. He didn’t like to imagine Cam all banged up. But he did like to imagine the two of them celebrating together after a big win. “You just made my day, Castle. This is gonna be our fucking year!” He chimed. Between Cam and Ozzy, Parker really felt like this was going to be the semester he truly started to feel alive. We all know something is going to go wrong...but let him have this brief fantasy okay. 

Parker did not expect to meet his best friend this summer. But here he was...shopping for textbooks with the boy he spent most of august wrapped around. It was hard not to treat Ozzy like a possession. He was his own person and he would probably be just as happy if he never met Parker in the first place. At least...that’s what ran through the Pantone’s head. He liked that about Ozzy. How smart he was. How independent he was. It made it easier to cope with the fact that Parker’s dad would rather shit bricks than have a conversation about his son possibly liking boys. Parker wasn’t even sure if he liked boys...maybe he just liked Ozzy. All of this ran through his head as he grabbed the biology textbook he needed and popped out of the aisle. Face to face with his favorite person once more. “I think I got everything I needed.” He said, plopping himself down at a table they’d been keeping their finds. He gestured for Ozzy to sit down with him. “Can I ask you a question?”

🌪

Parker’s presence brought an interesting mix of feelings for Ozzy. For one, the butterflies that had made a permanent home in his stomach ever since that first night at the motel bar were awakened by their proximity. However, they were being kept company by the nervousness that was flooding Ozzy’s body, amplified now that the two of them were speaking out in the open on his old stomping grounds. And then there was the guilt of the lies he’d told to Parker, hiding where he was really from and sealed off with a goodnight kiss that Ozzy would never forget. He wasn’t exactly sure where they stood now, but he knew it’d be nowhere if his secret was blown. 

“I think you’re severely overestimating how much I like being at town events.” Would Parker be opposed if he pulled them both away from the crowd? All the way back to his apartment in Proper and right into his arms? “What are you doing here, anyway? Didn’t think this was really your scene…” 

🍒

“Shit, my bad.” He huffed. He guessed things were pretty new. He didn’t know a ton about Ozzy. With how gung ho he was about the southside, he just figured he’d be excited for another event where everyone gets to mix it up. Parker smiled a little bit when Ozzy questioned his choice to show up to this event. “I was hoping to see you, neeeeerd.” He dragged on, shoving Ozzy gently. He shoved his hands into his pockets, knowing he wouldn’t be able to resist getting kinda touchy. He didn’t normally get this excited about...people. “Cheer the fuck up, man. This is what you wanted. Me. You. A perfect date backdrop. No mentions of southside crackbabies.” He teased. 

“Probably Harvey? I like myself the way I am. We're kinda similar. Plus, I get Hargrove money? Win-win."

parker+: volume one

ozzy’s ep

track one: somebody i know i’d miss

it started off pretty innocent i think. two boys who work at a motel and occasionally exchange banter. UNTIL the fateful day they decided to get drunk together after their shifts. a super powerful magical karmic energy passed between the two of them that night. dare i say....a little bit of mutual crushing began! parker doesn’t open up to people too often...but with ozzy it’s really easy and natural. there may be something cooking here...watch this space. 

track two: evil

but plot twist! the boys are from two different sides of the tracks!!! worser still...parker HATES the side of the tracks from which ozzy belongs. good thing he doesn’t know, right? wouldn’t that be scary and heartwrenching??? hahahaha? that’ll never happen though. right? RIGHT??? anyway i think what’s tragically beautiful about parker and ozzy is that...they’re kinda doomed. for a lot of reasons...but especially the whole cherry proper neighborhood watch x lowkey southsider boy thing. there is certainly a consequence to keeping each other around...even if they don’t see it just yet.

track three: smile from u

but let’s forget about all that foo foo lame romeo and juliet stuff! let’s talk about something more important! like the fact that parker has never had a relationship that wasn’t primarily about sex. he doesn’t really...crush. so this thing with ozzy is very new for him. but in a time where many people are villainizing his opinions and efforts to keep cherry safe...it’s nice to have a daily guranteed boost of serotonin from his boy ozzy. 

track four: archetype

"there’s a lot of boys in california...they don’t get along...like you and i.”. send tweet.

🔍

It wasn’t like Sully wasn’t expecting to be met with disdain from those who weren’t big fans of newbies, but he did find he needed to do his best to not grimace at the response he got. “Guess you’re right.” Brows raising in amusement, he looked around, fingers grasping a piece of cotton candy that he shoved into his mouth before he responded. “You really think there’s comparison to be made? I mean, it’s nice, but it doesn’t have a Country Bears Jamboree equivalent. Why don’t we have any singing, sentient cherries? Or an interactive play about the town’s history?” Now he was just being annoying and he knew it, but there was part of him that wanted to prod at the dislike he was sensing radiating off the guy in front of him. 

🏈

Parker’s glare deepened the more this guy spoke. But even so, Parker had to make an effort to be less of an asshole. Picking fights with strangers probably wasn’t the best routine to pick up. “That’s what your expensive ticket is paying for, bro. Think of it as an investment.” He teased. He gestured to an open space on the boardwalk. “In 15 years there will be fruit themed characters running around and like...a photogenic bench that says ‘donated by asshole tourist with a mullet’.” He suggested. He turned to face the guy, disposition slightly cheerier. “That would’ve came out less mean if I knew your name, sorry. I’m Parker. I grew up here.” He jutted our a fist, hoping Sully would bump it. 

tinmanoz: deal

tinmanoz: best i can do is a deck of cards

tinmanoz: but if you don't wanna come by we can hang some other time. no big.

park3rpanton3: wow i really suck at this being funny thing...

park3rpanton3: i would love to come over, dude. i was just joshin'.

tinmanoz: i'm like two years younger than you, old man

tinmanoz: of course you were. why did i even question it?

tinmanoz: anywaaaaaay, what do you say about hanging at my place later instead of the bar?

tinmanoz: my wallet is begging me to stop going there with your goody two shoes ass

park3rpanton3: okay i'll drop the kid thing if you never call me old man ever again

park3rpanton3: yeah i don't know, dude. sounds kinda boring.

🍓

Mia’s reflexes have always been pretty good. Call it all that spinach she puts in her smoothies (or simply keeping an eye out for Selener backstabbers!!) but she prides herself on the fact that she’s always ready. One step ahead… until suddenly she isn’t as some Michael Bay impersonator is trying to recreate the asteroid from Armageddon by spiralling a ball at her while she’s trying to read Bridget Jones’ Diary! She just about hears Parker’s warning over the reverie spun by Bridget developing her inner poise, managing to look up to catch sight of the ball hurtling towards her before letting out a slight squeal as she tries to duck. Yes, Mia’s reflexes are great… up until the ball makes contact with the brim of her visor and knocks it sheer off her head. “’A champ’?!” Bridget Jones gets thrown in the sand. “No I do not want to sign up for tryouts!” She huffs, hands reaching to her head to adjust the few out of place hairs before shooting a glare at the player who had thrown the ball. “Although I can see how you might be in desperate need of new players if he’s anything to go off.” 

🏈

Parker couldn’t help but grin. I mean...it was a pretty ridiculous scenario. Mia’s position didn’t help with things. The visor. The book. It was all just too good. He began to chuckle as she reacted. When she called out his teammate, it really sent him over the edge. “You have never been more right in your life. That guy is riding the bench all season for sure.” He emphasized. He bent down and scooped up the football. “But seriously...how can I make this up to you? I know for a fact that idiot won’t but I have a few more brain cells than him.” Parker explained. “I can spot you for the next volume in that...series?” He pondered, eyeing the title once more. “You know...if Bridget Jones gets another diary or whatever.” 

tinmanoz: what are you even talking about?? i'm fucking gorgeous

tinmanoz: oh

tinmanoz: my

tinmanoz: god

tinmanoz: are you actually a boy scout??????????

park3rpanton3: whatever helps you sleep at night, kid.

park3rpanton3: wait...you didn't know?

park3rpanton3: were you calling me boy scout as an insult?