Post by newwwwusername on Jan 19, 2023 9:04:44 GMT
Warnings : Mentions of Ocean's infantilizing of Ricky, very mild internalized ableism
Chronology : Post-canon AU where the kids all survive the Cyclone accident
Headcanons : Ricky uses an AAC device, Mischa has ADHD, Alive!Ocean is the choir director after Father Marcus dies
Ricky was usually the first person to show up to rehearsal- Because it took him a little longer to get around than everyone else, he would leave his class a little early to make sure he was there in time.
However, because he left so early, he still usually made it there with a good five to ten minutes to spare, even considering his disability.
This was usually fine since he could use that time to mentally prepare for Ocean's temper (she was the chorus director since Father Marcus had passed) and to learn the music (even though he couldn't use his voice, he still liked to learn the music in case he ever had a note for anyone). On this particular day, however, that extra time turned out to be a curse.
He had been having a hard day with his pain and his legs had been even weaker than usual, making getting around even more of a chore. His parents had recently ordered him a wheelchair to assist with his worsening state but it hadn't arrived yet, so he still had to rely on the crutches.
Getting to the chorus room proved to just be too much, especially when he had to push the doors with his side.
As soon as he pushed the door to the room open he fell forward, tumbling down the small ramp and winding up sprawled out on the ground next to the piano, the crutches cutting into his arms slightly. He quickly unhooked his arms from the mobility aids to prevent hurting himself further and just lied there, trying not to cry.
Knowing his luck, he was sure Ocean would walk in any second, panic, and then drown him in pity after she helped him get to his seat. He knew she meant well, but he hated how much she pitied him and he was also kind of embarrassed. Sure, it wasn't really his fault, but it was still humiliating, having a body that could so quickly give out on him like that.
Sure enough, he heard the door click open a moment later and the sound of footsteps quickly moving his way. However, to his surprise (and relief), the voice that came from the figure was not the shrill mezzo.
"Ricky, you did, uh, tumble?" a heavily accented voice asked. Normally, Ricky would've used his device to respond but that was in his backpack, and he couldn't find the energy to reach out for it, so he just nodded. "Can help you up?" Mischa asked, getting another nod in response.
He carefully reached down and lifted Ricky in his arms, bridal style, then walked him over to his usual seat and gingerly sat him down. "Better" he nodded to himself before walking back over to grab Ricky's crutches and backpack. He set the crutches against the wall and brought the backpack to his friend. "Do you want device?" he asked, getting a nod, so he pulled out Ricky's tablet, opened up his text-to-speech app, and handed it to the shorter man.
'Thank you' the voice on the app buzzed after a short moment of typing. Mischa waved a dismissive hand.
"I am friend of yours, yes?" the Ukrainian asked, getting yet another nod. "Would have been shit of me if just left you there after tumble"
'I still appreciate it'
"Well then, you are welcome" Mischa smiled, sitting next to his friend. "Don't need to talk about it, but are you okay?" he asked, though there was no hint of pity in his voice. Only concern for his friend. "Tumble looked bad"
'My legs kind of hurt but they've been hurting all day so I'm not too worried' Ricky explained. 'It just winded me for a second' he continued. 'I'm just glad you found me and not Ocean'
Mischa hummed, patted Ricky on the shoulder, and then suddenly broke off into a rant about a new horror movie he'd just seen, getting a smile from the tenor.
Mischa was a good friend, and Ricky was glad to have him.
Chronology : Post-canon AU where the kids all survive the Cyclone accident
Headcanons : Ricky uses an AAC device, Mischa has ADHD, Alive!Ocean is the choir director after Father Marcus dies
Ricky was usually the first person to show up to rehearsal- Because it took him a little longer to get around than everyone else, he would leave his class a little early to make sure he was there in time.
However, because he left so early, he still usually made it there with a good five to ten minutes to spare, even considering his disability.
This was usually fine since he could use that time to mentally prepare for Ocean's temper (she was the chorus director since Father Marcus had passed) and to learn the music (even though he couldn't use his voice, he still liked to learn the music in case he ever had a note for anyone). On this particular day, however, that extra time turned out to be a curse.
He had been having a hard day with his pain and his legs had been even weaker than usual, making getting around even more of a chore. His parents had recently ordered him a wheelchair to assist with his worsening state but it hadn't arrived yet, so he still had to rely on the crutches.
Getting to the chorus room proved to just be too much, especially when he had to push the doors with his side.
As soon as he pushed the door to the room open he fell forward, tumbling down the small ramp and winding up sprawled out on the ground next to the piano, the crutches cutting into his arms slightly. He quickly unhooked his arms from the mobility aids to prevent hurting himself further and just lied there, trying not to cry.
Knowing his luck, he was sure Ocean would walk in any second, panic, and then drown him in pity after she helped him get to his seat. He knew she meant well, but he hated how much she pitied him and he was also kind of embarrassed. Sure, it wasn't really his fault, but it was still humiliating, having a body that could so quickly give out on him like that.
Sure enough, he heard the door click open a moment later and the sound of footsteps quickly moving his way. However, to his surprise (and relief), the voice that came from the figure was not the shrill mezzo.
"Ricky, you did, uh, tumble?" a heavily accented voice asked. Normally, Ricky would've used his device to respond but that was in his backpack, and he couldn't find the energy to reach out for it, so he just nodded. "Can help you up?" Mischa asked, getting another nod in response.
He carefully reached down and lifted Ricky in his arms, bridal style, then walked him over to his usual seat and gingerly sat him down. "Better" he nodded to himself before walking back over to grab Ricky's crutches and backpack. He set the crutches against the wall and brought the backpack to his friend. "Do you want device?" he asked, getting a nod, so he pulled out Ricky's tablet, opened up his text-to-speech app, and handed it to the shorter man.
'Thank you' the voice on the app buzzed after a short moment of typing. Mischa waved a dismissive hand.
"I am friend of yours, yes?" the Ukrainian asked, getting yet another nod. "Would have been shit of me if just left you there after tumble"
'I still appreciate it'
"Well then, you are welcome" Mischa smiled, sitting next to his friend. "Don't need to talk about it, but are you okay?" he asked, though there was no hint of pity in his voice. Only concern for his friend. "Tumble looked bad"
'My legs kind of hurt but they've been hurting all day so I'm not too worried' Ricky explained. 'It just winded me for a second' he continued. 'I'm just glad you found me and not Ocean'
Mischa hummed, patted Ricky on the shoulder, and then suddenly broke off into a rant about a new horror movie he'd just seen, getting a smile from the tenor.
Mischa was a good friend, and Ricky was glad to have him.