Chapter Text
Gricko stares at his popcorn ceiling as the golden rays of sun slowly spread across his room. His alarm chimed angrily at him from his rickety bedside table.
Sighing, he sits up, slaps a hand over the off button, and drags himself out of his comfortable, warm bed.
His socked feet create small bursts of static along the carpet of his bedroom as he trudges to the living room to prepare breakfast.
Pancakes sounded like a great idea. It’s Saturday, he had a gig tonight, and pancakes are always a good idea.
He had about thirty minutes before Hootsie would wake up,so he got to work.
He wasn’t nearly as good a cook as Kremy, but he managed. He stirred the batter together and decided last minute to add chocolate chips, just for fun.
Gricko placed the last of the pancakes on the stack he had created just as the tell-tale sounds of his child awakening came from her room and then frantic footsteps out of her room.
Hootsie quickly enters the kitchen, hair just as messy as her father’s, wearing one of Gricko’s old ratty band tees that she refused to let him throw out.
-Did you make pancakes?-
Her hands whip through the air as she signs to him.
“Yes, I did. And- They have chocolate chips.”
Gricko states smugly as he places a warm plate of pancakes in front of his daughter, who is practically drooling.
She signs a ‘thank you’ as quickly as she can before tearing into the pancakes.
As Hootsie eats her breakfast with a concerning ferocity, Gricko pours them both glasses of orange juice. He sits across from Hootsie and eats his pancakes with normal ferocity.
Once he’s finished, he wipes the stray chocolate from his face and wipes Hootsie’s with his napkin.
-stop itttttt-
“Only when ya stop eating like a wild bear.”
-never-
She says with a mischievous smile.
Gricko grins and ruffles the blonde hair on her head.
“Ya know the drill tonight, the babysitter will come over at six thirty, and then ’m off to perform, okay?”
She rolls her head back dramatically and exhales loudly.
-Do I really need a babysitter? I think I’m old enough to be on my own.-
“I’ll be out too late to leave ya on your own. But, if ya get dressed real quick you can come with me to set up.”
Her eyes light up at the prospect, and any displeasure from having a babysitter disappears.
-Yes! I’ll be ready so quick!-
He smiles as his daughter scurries off to her room, glad that Hootsie takes such an interest in his music stuff. She had even asked for an electric keyboard for her upcoming birthday. He was excited but also sad to see his little girl growing up so quickly. It felt like just a few weeks ago she was taking her first steps, and now she’s already turning eleven.
He shook his head, trying to stay out of mushy dad mode, and threw on his clothes. Denim jacket, denim jeans, and a graphic tee. Hootsie said he wore too much denim, but he thought there was no such thing.
He exited his room to Hootsie sitting on the couch, vibrating from excitement. She was wearing her favorite yellow hoodie, ripped-up jeans, and even rattier skate shoes that she refused to let Gricko replace. She whips her head around as he enters the room.
-Dad, guitar.-
Gricko looks at both hands before nodding and turning on his heels.
“What would I do without ya, Hoots.”
Quickly grabbing his guitar case, they headed out and began to walk toward Creme de la Krem.
Kremy had owned the place for a few years and let Gricko and his gang play there occasionally. While he originally wanted it to be a classier joint, it ended up catering more to those in need of some Southern comfort and good booze.
Gricko only ever lets Hootsie come during the day when it acts as a restaurant more than a bar. At night when the booze starts being served, Hootsie is banned, just like every other underaged customer.
Hootsie was chattering on beside him, hands flapping and gesturing wildly. He missed some of it, having to watch where they were walking and avoid pedestrians, but he was very used to Hootsie’s constant stream of thoughts.
They rounded the corner and he spotted the sign for Creme de la Kreme, It was a curly script that Gricko could barely read but it was unmistakable.
“Ya wanna help Aunt Twig with her keys when we get in there?”
-Hell yes!-
“Hootsie! Watch your hands young lady.”
Hootsie looked away, chagrined.
-Sorry dad-
Gricko grins, ruffling her hair.
“Hey, ya get to say that once yer birthday passes.”
-Really?-
“Yes, ya just have ta wait.”
-Sick!-
Gricko opens the door for them both and is greeted by the warm scent of whiskey and various spices. Kremy’s bar was always very comforting and homey.
Gideon and Twig had gotten there before him, Twig already setting out the stand for her board and hooking up the electrics. Hootsie looked over at him with big, sparkling eyes and he nodded with a smile. Without further preamble, she ran over to Twig and started signing wildly.
Twig looked up from her work and grinned just as broadly as Hootsie and started talking just about as fast.
It was almost comical seeing the two stand next to her, even though Twig was at least twice Hootsie's age, she was a full head shorter than the tween. Twig was wearing her usual red beanie and her paint-stained overalls, her hair in twin braids with small bows at the ends.
However, Gideon was sidled against the bar chatting up Kremy like they hadn’t been dating for some months.
Gid was dressed in a white t-shirt and pants, the only thing that stood out about his outfit was the absurd number of bracelets he had on his arms. A few of them were even made by Hootsie.
Kremy was dressed in a white button-up and purple pin-stripe pants, its twin jacket most likely lying somewhere in his office. He had recently gotten his hair done, so his locs were fresh, and decked out in new gold jewelry.
“Hello fellas, how goes it?”
Gricko says as he hops up onto a bar stool.
“Howdy do Gricko, you ready for your gig tonight?”
“A’course I am. I can’t say the same for your boyfriend, he has yet to even take his drums out.”
Gideon makes a ‘pshhh’ sound and waves his hand to dismiss Gricko.
“Please, I am the least of y’all’s concerns. Torbek hasn't even shown up yet.”
Gricko scans the bar for a moment
“Huh, yeah. I thought he might be hidin' in the shadows or something. Have you seen im’ today Gid?”
“Naw, he had said something about some errands or what- not with Clementine though.”
“I see. Well, let's get goin' big guy, Twig would collapse if she had to set up your drums herself.”
“I dunno man, she’s scary sometimes.”
They exchange greetings with the two girls already setting up, Gideon stumbling through a greeting in ASL.
He had been trying to learn how to sign, instead of just understanding it. He was still clunky and got some of them wrong, but Hootsie really appreciated the effort.
-You’re getting better at that, Gideon.-
“Thanks, Hootsie.”
When Gricko had introduced all of his friends to his daughter, Hootsie was quick to come up with all of their ASL names. Gideon for example, was a combination of the signs for ‘G’ and ‘strong’. Twig’s was a combination of ‘T’ and ‘fireworks’. Kremy was ‘K’ and ‘Fancy’. Torbek was ‘T’ and ‘Bear’. She was very excited about each of them and proudly showed them off to her father.
Gricko was very proud of her and promptly started using the names she made up.
The gang had latched onto them immediately, even if they didn’t all understand ASL very well yet, they all made an effort to learn.
As they set up they chatted about their set, which songs they would play, and when.
While Gideon was in the middle of his setup, a large figure burst into the bar.
A mess of brown hair and long limbs, he was panting and wiping sweat from his face.
“Hey, guys. Sorry Torbek’s late. You would not believe the day Torbek had.
They all greet Torbek as he walks up, looking more disheveled than usual. He’s wearing a black and white striped tee and pants that were too short for him, but he was also sweaty.
“Torbek had to go get groceries, but the store was sooooo crowded. And then, when Torbek was coming home, someone was moving into the apartment right next to Torbek’s! I had to wait in the lobby with all of my groceries until they left. And then when Torbek was going to come over, the wheel of Torbek’s bike was dented! Someone must have hit it with their car.”
He trails off sullenly.
-Aw, Torbek that sucks.-
“Yeah. But Torbek could run over here with his bass, so it's not too bad.”
“Torbek, we live in the same complex, you didn’t have ta run. Me n’ Hootsie made it just fine walking.”
“Oh yeah.”
A beat passes
“Whatever, it's in the past. Tune your bass and we’ll do vocal warmups, yeah?”
“Okay, Gricko.”
An hour flew by quickly as they prepared, the time for Hootsie to go back home growing nearer. She made a valiant effort to avoid her father’s gaze, trying to go unnoticed in hopes that she could stay. But Gricko could never forget about Hootsie.
“Alright, come on pumpkin. The babysitter will show up any minute.”
Hootsie’s head sinks and she looks up at Gricko with wide, shiny eyes.
-Do I have to go?-
“Yes, Hootsie. Nobody under twenty-one is allowed in tonight, and that includes you.”
Hootsie pouts even harder as they begin to walk out
“I promise, we’ll have a nice, age-appropriate party on your birthday. Kremy said we could have the whole bar to ourselves!”
She looks up once more, less sad.
-Promise?-
“I double, triple, ultra pinky promise.”
He holds out his pinky for good measure.
That coaxes a smile onto her face and she hooks their pinkies together.
-You’re really corny sometimes.-
Gricko clutches his chest and fiens hurt.
“Oh! You wound me. My own daughter…”
Hootsie smiles wider and rolls her eyes.
Gricko gave the babysitter all the information she would need and gave Hootsie the same dad safety talk he did every time before he left.
Once he was satisfied with his preparation, he gave the sitter his contacts and headed out for the night, kissing Hootsie on the forehead on his way out.
He could see the line of people forming outside the bar having their IDs checked before they could enter.
He walked around the side of the building where the large ‘EXIT’ sign was hanging above the back door. He knocks three times and stands there until someone opens the door.
The door creaks open and a red beanie sticks out, followed by large bespectacled eyes.
“Hey, Twig.”
“Oh! Hi Gricko!”
They walk together to where the rest of the band is seated in the back room. They call it the breakroom, but it was only ever meant for storage.
Gideon was absently twirling his drumsticks, Torbek was fine-tuning his bass, and it looked as if Twig had been crocheting off to the side.
Kremy stuck his head in for a moment.
“Good, your back. Yall are on in ten.”
They give various acknowledgments and ready themselves for the stage.
Gricko hears Kremy announce them from behind the door, some cheers and claps can be heard. He walks out and took his place on stage, guitar pick in hand and mic at the ready.
“Hello Agwe, it's a pleasure to be performing for you tonight. We are The Monstrosities!”
He punctuates his sentence with a strum of his guitar, and he sings.
“The world is a vampire
sent to drain
Secret destroyers
hold you up to the flames
And what do I get
for my pain?
Betrayed desires
and a piece of the game
Even though I know,
I suppose I'll show
All my cool and cold,
like ol' Job”
Gideon, Twig, and Torbek kick to life behind him. Gideon laying down a solid beat that has everyone in the bar tapping their foot. Twig tapping her keys to the beat, and Torbek plucking away at his bass.
Gricko strums his guitar rhythmically, building up to the chorus.
“Despite all my rage, I am still just a rat in a cage
Despite all my rage, I am still just a rat in a cage
Someone will say, "What is lost can never be saved"
Despite all my rage, I am still just a rat in a cage.”
They run through their set, reading the crowd and playing what needs to be played. By the time they're done, the crowd is cheering and complimenting them for their performance.
Gricko grins as he thanks their audience and steps off stage to put his guitar away so he can get a drink.
He walked up to the bar, chatting to patrons along the way, and sat across from Kremy, who was cleaning glasses.
“Can I get a Shirley Temple, Kremy?”
“Well sure ya can Gricko, but you’re gonna have ta get it from our new bartender over there.”
Gricko looks in the direction Kremy is pointing, eyes landing on a man on the other side of the bar.
The first thing that caught Gricko's eye was his hair. A bright ginger orange with streaks of white throughout. It was pulled up and out of his face in a low ponytail, not dissimilar to Gricko’s hairstyle. Though the stranger's hair only reached his shoulders, while Gricko’s reached a ways down his back.
He noticed markings on his face as well, almost like stripes of lighter skin on his cheeks, and splotches around his eyes and mouth. Gricko could tell that the spots continued down to his collar even with the stranger's high turtle neck sweater.
“When didcha hire him?”
Gricko asks
“Couple days ago. I’m tired of makin' everyones drinks, figure I’d get a guy fit for the job.”
Gricko hums, still staring at the man.
“Well? Go ask him. It's his job after all.”
“Yeah, yeah. M’ going.”
He hops off the stool and makes his way to the other side of the bar. The orange-haired man is currently talking to a different patron, and Gricko waits by the bar until he’s noticed.
Eventually, he turns his head and notices Gricko at the bar. A brief flash of something crosses his face before he makes his way to Gricko.
“What can I get for you?”
“I’ll take a Shirley temple, thanks.”
“Virgin?”
“Hm? Oh, yes please.”
He nods and begins to work, deft hands moving and working like a well-oiled machine. He could see why Kremy hired the guy.
Gricko can see the man's face even more defined now, and even with the poor lighting of the bar, he can still see his striking yellow eyes.
Almost as quickly as he had ordered it, the drink was served in front of him. A pretty red ombre of cherry juice and sprite, topped with a skewered maraschino cherry. It was so much sugar, but he needed the energy after the performance.
“Thanks.”
He took a long sip of the syrupy sweet drink while looking around the bar, no other patrons were waiting for their drinks. Talking wouldn’t hurt.
“What made ya take the job?”
“I’m sorry?”
Gricko leans in closer, to be heard over the chatter and din of the bar.
“What made ya take the job?”
“Oh, uh, they were hiring?”
Gricko snorts
“Yes, I know. But why’d you wanna work here? There's at least three other bars on this street alone.”
“I know the owner, to an extent.”
“Really! How do ya know im?”
“We worked at the same restaurant for a time.”
Gricko hums, Kremy had told him about the other restaurant he worked at to earn enough money for his bar but he never mentioned any friends he made there.
“Me and Kremy and the band were gonna get some grub after closing time, would you wanna come with?”
The man begins to respond when Gricko’s phone rings in his pocket. The song ‘Thunder-struck’ by AC DC interrupts any thoughts he may have been forming. He feels his face flush in embarrassment as he winces sympathetically at the man and pulls out his phone.
He turns away from the bar and puts the phone up to his ear.
‘I quit.’
“What?”
‘I quit, I’m leaving. She started a fire and then locked herself in her room. Keep your money, I’m going home.’
Gricko sputtered on the other end of the line, trying to get more of an explanation but she hung up before he could.
He quickly slaps a ten on the bar, Kremy could give him the change later, and threw on his coat. He rushes past Kremy as he exits, with nothing but a rushed explanation.
“Emergency, babysitter. I’ll text later.”
He practically sprints down the street and up the stairs to his building. He fumbles with his keys before he throws open the door.
“Hootsie? Are you ok? Come here please.”
He walks farther in and faintly smells smoke and notices their charred toaster sitting on the counter. He ignores it in favor of knocking on Hootsie’s door.
He’s about to knock again when he hears footsteps approaching and a note slides from under the door.
He picks it up and it reads,
-Are you mad at me?-
Gricko sighs, a bit of stress melting away knowing that Hootsie is safe.
“I’m not mad sweetheart. Would you please come out?”
There's a pause before he hears the click of the door lock and it opens inward to reveal Hootsie in her PJs sporting a kicked puppy look.
“Oh, come here baby.”
Gricko holds his arms out and Hootsie immediately runs into them, gripping his sides tightly. He buries his nose in her unruly curls and holds her close.
After a period that feels too short, Hootsie pulls away and begins to explain what happened.