because if that little kid likes me how bad can I be

-

“thanks again” he really needed to thin about his actions before he did them, that way tables would avoid being broken all the time “oh i’ll probably break another table, it happens a lot…way more than i’d like to admit”

“It’s what we are for,” Ralph said with a smile. “Well if that happens again we will always be at your service.” He wondered if Felix would have been proud of him with how he managed the clients. At least he didn’t break anything. Yet. “I’ll let you know when your table is ready, it shouldn’t take too long, maybe a day or two depending on how many commissions we’ll get today.”

-

“Aw, thanks for saying so. It’s definitely been a lot of hard work, but I think it’s been worth it.” As much as Felix may have had some reservations about Ralph’s work at the store, he really appreciated how he was always in his corner if he needed somebody. His eyebrows inched up slightly farther with each popcorn flavor Ralph listed off. “Well I definitely want to try out Tutti Fruti, ‘cause that sounds wild. Other than that, grab whichever one’s your favorite.”

“Sounds like a plan.” He grabbed the DVD from the pile and handed it off to Ralph before settling down on the couch with the schedule book. Somehow managing to tune out Jack Black on the screen, he got to work filling in the holes that were left after Sven and Kristoff’s sudden departure a few days prior. He was trying to be optimistic, but unless he wanted to burden everyone else with overtime, he was probably going to have to take a good majority of them himself. Another fun 60-hour week. He pursed his lips and fiddled with the pencil before making some notes.

tw death

Nick raised a brow as the man spoke, too caring? The guy was crushing hard from the sounds of it if he couldn’t even name one flaw. Rubbing the back of his neck he winced again in sympathy. “I mean you just punched a tree hard enough to break your hand, could always take him in a fight. Don’t need cops for that,” Nick was long past ever trusting cops to do anything. As the cab pulled up to the hospital he paid before Ralph had a chance feeling sorry for the guy. “You need company in there?” he asked motioning towards the ER. 

But that was the thing wasn’t it. Ralph wasn’t the type to punch anyone, he hates fights and confrontation. HIs selfworth was rather low and if he were to fight it would be out of protection of someone else. If anything he wanted to be a hero, not a villain. “I know but I’m against violence, well trees being a minor exception though I don’t think I’ll try this a second time.” Ralph too knew how the police could fail someone. Everytime he ran away after his dad hit him, cops were called and he was dropped back home. They didn’t even question the bruises.

He looked at the hospital and then back at Nick. “I mean if you don’t mind?”

oh he’s got a broken arm, it’s in a cast and tigers immediate thought was that something cool must’ve happened. “thanks man, that would be a great help. it’s a clean break and I don’t think it’ll be impossible to fix, but then again i’m not a handyman so i don’t know shit.” he shrugged with a laugh “sure that sounds good, thanks” 

Ralph couldn’t help but smile. “No issue, it’s my job after all.” It’s what he loved doing even though he still had lots to learn. “I’m thinking the same thing at first glace, too bad my dominant hand is broken, I would have had lots of fun working on this.” 

“Ah yes, Casa de Ralph. It’s been a minute, huh? Work’s been crazy.” Felix really had been wanting to hang out with Ralph more; he just wished it was under better circumstances this evening. “Oh yeah, popcorn and beers are perfect movie snacks.” He set the beers and his bag down on the coffee table and opened his bag to rifle through it. “Alright, for comedy… I brought Click, School of Rock, and The Mask. Any of those sound good?” He set the DVDs on the table as he listed the titles.

Felix brought out the binder and pens he’d brought as Ralph made the comment about work. “You know me too well,” he chuckled. “Thanks for the offer, but scheduling is more of a one-person job. It’s hard enough to keep it straight in my own head, much less have two people’s heads involved.” He’d already seen all of the movies he brought, anyway, and none of them were ones that required a whole lot of brainpower or paying attention.

“That it has, but it’s a good thing. It just shows off how hard you have been working in keeping the business going.” He would comment how proud he actually was on Felix but seeing the recent events it probably would make things just too awkward. “I got a bunch of flavors, Classic caramel, classic cheeze, crazycorn mix, jalapeño cheese, buttery toffee, vanilla and tutti fruti.” He tried out some of these before. “Oh School of Rock is one of my favorites. Haven’t seen click yet so maybe we can watch both, unless you are in a hurry.”

“Yeah well, we’ve been friends for a while.” That and he simply noticed things about Felix. He nodded, he didn’t take it to heart. After all the last thing he’d want is to create even more trouble for Felix. Confessing was enough. “Alright I’ll put the dvd in and let you work in silence, if the tv is too loud don’t mind telling me.”

“Anger management! That’s great, here’s hoping it goes well.” Hopefully it would mean less broken limbs in the future, and overall a happier Ralph. “I’ll finish up here and be at your place later, alright? Bye!” Felix hung up the phone and sighed, standing in the middle of his kitchen for a moment before continuing to put his groceries away, with more urgency this time.

—

Felix rang the doorbell to Ralph’s place about half an hour later. A bag was slung over his shoulder, and he had a six pack in his other hand, gripping the handle tight. The line between normalcy and mindfulness was a precarious one at the moment, and he was nervous that he would either go too far or pull back too much. He quickly put on a smile as the door opened.

“Hey! I wasn’t sure what kind of mood you’re in so I brought a few things. Some beers, if you’re so inclined,” he said, raising the six pack for emphasis, bottles clinking as he did so. “And some movies - I picked the top three in my collection each for action or comedy.” He’d considered grabbing some romcoms, too, but quickly thought better of it. “We don’t have to do any of that, though, if you don’t want to. Just wanted to provide some options.” His scheduling book was also in the bag, and he could work on that if Ralph just wanted someone quietly near him for the evening.

Ralph hoped for the same. He didn’t want the world to be a scary place anymore. He didn’t want to get angry when things went out of his control. he didn’t like the anger, it scared him even more. “Here’s to hoping.” It was strange that even though Felix had gotten him so angry to the point of breaking his arm and hand, he was also the same person that got Felix the calmest. “Take your time, I’m not going anywhere.” Which wasn’t exactly true, he made a quick stop to get some snacks. Luckily he lives near the grocery store, took him about ten minutes to get home.

__

Ralph struggled with the same issue, a part of him wondered if asking such a thing of Felix wasn’t overstepping any boundaries, the confession wasn’t too long ago after all. Yet, they were friends. And Ralph needed Felix right now. Especially now they found out what his mother was dealing with. It was the worst news he had ever gotten, and it surpassed the rejection by a mile. 

“Yeah, I could use a drink,” Ralph said with a soft smile, he wasn’t really in a great mood. He urged Felix to come in. “You know the place, nothing changed except a few more blankets scattered around.” He’d been sleeping on the couch the last couple of days to stop rolling himself on his arm.

“Comedy would be good, I’m in the need of a good laugh. Luckily I got us some popcorn, thought we could make use of some snacks.” He said before heading to the living room. “Need some help with work, I know you are a workaholic so I can’t picture you not bringing any. The faster you are finished the more we can focus on the movie anyway.”

I have a birthmark in the shape of a heart on my chest

❤️- For a secret crush

Well, I guess I can say it since I have already been rejected. But I liked @icanfelixfixit for over a decade now.

☢️- For a controversy or scandal they have been able to keep mostly under wraps

I have had a lot of trouble for being gay.

🍏- For something they secretly wish didn’t exist

🌟- For a secret wish or desire of theirs

To have someone love me

❤️- For a secret crush

...I’m not sure if it’s a good idea to say.

💃- For a talent that they like to keep hidden from others

He’s actually good with storytelling and poetry

🐇- For a secret item they keep (stuffed animal, comfort object, etc)

Ralph has wooden figures he carved himself

📒- For a secret journal/diary they keep

I’ve been told That if you repeat a word over and over it loses its meaning I have stayed up Countless nights repeating your name

Felix stared at the wood grain on his kitchen cabinets as he processed everything Ralph was telling him. That was three distinct bad events, on top of what had happened at the festival; he felt a pool of guilt settle in the bottom of his stomach. What was he going to do about that part, though, tell Ralph he’d changed his mind? He wasn’t going to pretend to be romantically interested in his best friend because he was having a bad time. That wouldn’t fix anything.

“No, Ralph, you’re fine, it’s just… wow, yeah, rough week.” He tapped his fingers on the counter as he thought. “Do you want me to come over? I’ve gotta finish putting my groceries up but I’ll be free after that.” That wasn’t entirely a lie - he had some free time this evening, but he had been planning on using it to sort out some handyman scheduling, and/or just take some time to decompress. If Ralph needed help, though, that was the priority.

It was conflicting with all that happened, and it meant that he needed a break. But he also needed Felix to be his friend. Which made everything even more complicated. Honestly, his head was spinning with guilt at this point and he simply needed someone to tell him it would all be alright. He just needed Felix to be there for him, they had been friends for so long and none of his feelings would change that - at least not to him. He wasn’t expecting more out of it, maybe a slap to his back or a comforting hug. He didn’t want to be alone in this.

“I know.” A small laugh escaped his lips because honestly, it had been so bad. A deep sigh followed and he found himself pinching the bridge of his nose. “At the positive side, I’m going to anger management now, though that would help better than you know - a hobby.” Therapy, he wasn’t too foreign with it and perhaps it could help him properly respond to situations.  “And yeah it’ll help me out, feel free to bring work - I just don’t want to be alone right now that’s all.”

How often do they find themselves fighting others?

More often than should be necessary. (they ex-boyfriends though and he isn’t the one initiating it. That and his dad isn’t out the picture yet.)

Do they regret when they strike out? Find satisfaction in it?

Never all that is left is guilt

How quick are they to resort to violence?

Quicker than an average person, though he’s been trying hard to keep it internally 

Is there anything that makes them snap faster?

Thinking you can decide his feelings, thinking you know things better than he does in the way that you are placing yourself in his shoes without knowing what it's like to be in such a situation. Just being a piece of shit in general

Do they throw insults or fists first?

both at the same time

Have they killed before? How did it impact them?

never killed only beaten some people up

If they could kill or harm another, without repercussions, would they? Who would it be? To what extent?

I don’t think Ralph hurts because he wants to hurt, its similar like Adam, he does it out of fear.

Do they believe it’s okay to use violence to resolve problems?

No, but they do it anyway.

Is there a line they will not cross when it comes to violence/insults?

murder. Using personal issues against them

Do they try and justify their actions? How?

he doesn’t justify his actions at all.

Do they have rituals or other motions they go through to calm themselves following violence?

the count to then method or the senses exercise where you list things you hear, smell, see, touch, taste.

Do they have any sort of visceral reaction to violence?

generally, it makes him uncomfortable

Are there certain times, currently or in their past, when they are more prone to violence than usual?

His violence started when his father came back in the picture.

Are there certain places where they regularly find themselves in trouble?

mostly at work.

What’s the worst situation they’ve ended up in before, due to violence?

broken arm

Has anything good ever come to them from acting violently?

no

Do others tend to look down upon them for their actions? Whether benign or violent in nature?

I don’t know, maybe.

Was violence a big part of their childhood?

yes, a very big part. From a young age in childhood until his mid-teens, he was abused by his dad for being ‘different’ and gay.

Do they follow another’s teachings when it comes to their treatment of violence?

Broken | closed for Felix

Well, the conversation tension was back. Felix finished putting the milk in the fridge before moving across the room to sit in a chair. He knew a decent amount of the story about Ralph’s bio-dad; he had still been in Ralph’s life when Felix met him, and Ralph had told him some things past that as well. He spoke slowly as he chose his next words carefully. “I don’t think it would make you a bad person, but I also don’t think you should feel like you owe him anything. Everything that he did aside, parents are the ones who choose to have and raise the kids. If they feel like they should be owed something after the fact, then they shouldn’t have made that choice.” He paused. “But I get that things can be complicated, and I absolutely wouldn’t think less of you if you gave him money.”

Ralph simply didn’t know what to do, because that wasn’t everything he had been dealing with lately. Aside from his father calling him up, there was an issue involving his mother as well. He decided it was better to come clean and tell him why everyone was getting on his nerves lately. “Mom’s sick-” The words tumbled out of his mouth though he couldn’t hide the choke. Honestly, everything was a mess. “Probably why he called me, she’s in the hospital and I suppose he has that much of a moral to leave her alone.” He leaned against his door and sighed. “Honestly this week has been pretty shitty-” He needed a friend that wouldn’t judge him right now. “I know I haven’t been on my best behavior due to it, but I’m trying to get through it but it’s hard. And although I’m not really one to ask such things...I could use a friend.” It was really hard. 

The thunder after the storm | Ralph’s starter

“I mean here’s hoping its not, but i’m also just trying to be realistic here,” Nick clarified. The guy had punched that tree awfully hard for it to just sound like a sprain or busted knuckles. “I mean yea kinda stupid, but more hot headed than anything.” At the mention of drugs he gave the guy a sympathetic look more than grateful he hand’t been hit with that shit. He’d already been dragged in for interviews enough without actually having that in his system. Then again maybe if he had been drugged he wouldn’t have been considered a suspect. Frowning he shrugged, “Least you did it right? It’s out in the open and all that. Guy has to have some flaws right?” he offered up unsure how to comfort his situation. “It’s the 21st century you could block your dad, sorry bout your mom though. That’s rough,” he said recalling his own experience and wincing. 

“Yeah, it’s better to stay positive at times,” Ralph said with a mutter. If he was honest with himself he’d been quite the pessimist lately, he had some weird luck with the drugs and it left him with his own confliction. At the same time, there was a fit of building anger that he couldn’t quite shake. Though he knew that it didn’t solve anything with the situations he’d been dealing with, and if anything the guy just wanted to have his friends near him to support him. Lately, he’d been feeling terribly left out and alone. “That’s true, somewhere deep down I always knew I’d be rejected when I’d confess.” He wondered about those flaws for a second. “I wouldn’t know, maybe his flaw is being too caring.” He said with a soft smile. “Anyways, it’s time to move on - I wasn’t even angry about him in the first place. It was more, my dad, for re-entering my life after all he put me through.” He would spare the details, wasn’t really anyone’s business though he was open enough to talk about it if anyone asked. He wasn’t that much of a closed book, perhaps he better should be. The issue with Ralph was once someone was willing to listen to him he could become a bit chatty, the realization was that not often people took the time to have a chat with him, so he came across as a silent guy with a bit of a temper. “My dad is capable of harassing if he doesn’t get his way, and I don’t feel any desire to call the cops on him again. Just giving him the money is easier.” He shrugged. The doctor hadn’t found the reason for her condition yet, but it was worrying. Especially because his mother was the only family he had left.

Yes and no| closed for Tiger

managing to gather his thoughts he shook his head “uh, no no, sorry. I uh need something to fix a table. a few of us were having a joke and i got overexcited and it broke it” he explained “i don’t know what would be the best thing to use to fix it. it’s not broken at any joints or anything, it’s a straight break down the middle of the table”

“I see.” Well, perhaps something wood glue could fix if it wasn’t too splintered. “I can’t work on it myself as you can see.” He pointed at his broken arm. “But luckily we have a very capable staff that knows their way with wonders - or well-lost cases that people think that can’t be saved.” He smiled. “We can have a look at it see if it’s fixable and call you in terms of repair costs?”

“Oh no you don’t do that, don’t beat yourself up, when people care about you.”

Ralph was left with a frown. People that cared for him. He tilted his head but then nodded, surly his mother cared for him. Felix did as a friend. She was right he wasn’t really unloved in this world even though he could easily forget that at times. The mind of a person had a unique way of thinking sometimes. 

“I suppose you are right about that.”