Cutting Edge 18.09
Title: Cutting Edge
Fandom: RPS
Story: Highway: Tourist Stop 18.09
Characters: Alan Davies and Robert Sean Leonard
Authors: michelleann68 + evila_elf = evila_ann
Prompt: 03 Joke (Comedy/Humor)
Word Count: 2137
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Traci gets her way.
Authors’ Notes: Feel free to friend us if you want to read a day ahead of the communities.
Click here for the timeline if you need to get caught up or relive the good old times.
Previous story:
No Where Else I’d Rather Be
"What about ice skating?" Traci asked Alan who had his nose buried in a city guide for the past half hour, trying to find something interesting to do.
Robert groaned from his armchair and Alan threw a pillow Traci’s direction.
"We used to skate all the time growing up." Traci said, voice close to a beg.
Robert laughed at the pleading look on Traci’s face. "This is the look she uses on you all the time, right?" he asked Alan.
"Yep." Alan punctuated by turning the page of his book.
"Loads of fun," Traci said, hopefully.
Alan gave a heavy dramatic sigh. "If I fall, you are going to be picking me up off the ice."
"Robert?"
"Nope."
"Robert..."
He turned another page. "Go. Have fun. Talk about me." He looked up from the pages to wink at Traci.
"But you don't have to be gone for us to talk about you," Alan said.
"Oh, not you, too," he groaned, finally lowering his book to glance at the siblings. They were standing next to each other, now both giving him the same pleading look, their bottom lips slightly jutting out. "I haven't skated since I was 8, and I remember that I wasn't very good."
Traci tsked. "Then you can come along and watch the two of us make arses out of ourselves."
"Let's see. Cold and a hazard of being off my feet more than on, or warm with a good book and Christmas candy? Tough decision." Robert smiled and looked back down at his book, leaning back and crossed his legs.
Traci placed her finger on her chin in thought. She winked at Alan before leaning down next to Robert and making her face into an exaggeration of the pout she and Alan had used earlier, and waited for Robert to look over at her.
Robert ignored Traci for all of three seconds before he lowered his book. He rolled his eyes and laughed. "Like brother, like sister. Fine. You two win. But someone," he looked pointedly at Alan, "will owe me a massage tonight for all the sore muscles I am going to get."
Alan grinned wolfishly in reply.
Traci stood up and held her hand out to Robert, helping him up from the chair. "This is why I brought ear plugs." She laughed and dodged a light kick from Alan.
"We know you don't really use them," Alan laughed over his shoulder as he walked to the coat closet to fetch their jackets.
Robert blushed as he remembered their enthusiastic night. He rubbed a few of the small nips on his neck as he walked over. "I think I need a scarf, too," he mumbled.
Alan pulled out a soft blue and green scarf and looped it around Robert's neck, pulling him closer by the ends so he could plant a kiss on his lips.
Robert tried to deepen the kiss, hoping to drive him to distraction--and the bedroom--but Alan pulled away and dug their jackets and hats from the closet. "Ready for complete embarrassment?" he asked Traci once hats were on and jackets were zipped and buttoned.
She playfully swung at him, knocking off his hat and mussing his curls.
Laughing, they filed out the door.
"It’s freezing," Traci gasped as they walked outside and a gust of wind hit them as they stepped to the sidewalk.
"New York in December--it makes you feel alive." Robert took a big inhale and he felt Alan's fingers rub gently against the back of his hand before withdrawing. Robert missed the heat, but knew they had to keep to themselves. He pulled his hat down a little more and they all started off.
The Rockefeller outdoor skating rink was only about 10 blocks away, so they didn't hail a cab. Traci walked in between the two men, arms looped in theirs.
When they got there, the Christmas lights were still up, decorating the trees surrounding the frozen water. Alan paid and they picked up some skates, taking themselves over to a bench to put them on
"I thought I was just going to watch?" Robert tied up the laces and frowned.
"You can watch from the ice." Alan scooted closer to his boyfriend, making room for Traci to sit, giving him an excuse to press against the other man.
Robert let his hand rub up against Alan's calf as he bent over trying to wedge his foot into the cold skate.
"No more protesting?" Traci asked as she laced up her skates, oblivious to the game going on next to her. Oblivious until she looked over, wondering why she got no answer. "Hey, public place. Behave, you lot."
Alan stood up, teetering a little and gripping the handrail. He took a few beats to gain his balance before turning to look at his companions. "Ain't nothing to it, come on." One shaky foot in front of the other, he made his way to the ice, ignoring everything else, and trying to stay upright.
Traci stood too, preparing to follow her brother. She turned to Robert, who was still sitting, and held out her hand. "Come on. Up with you."
Robert let Traci pull him vertical, shivering a little from the cold. He cautiously walked next to Traci, trying to resist clinging to her, and they joined Alan at the step off to the ice.
"Wish me luck," Alan said, stepping onto the ice and holding on to the divider as he made sure he still had his footing under control, shuffling his feet back and forth experimentally. "Just like riding a bike I guess."
"What if you were never good on the bike to begin with?" Robert mumbled as Alan pushed away from them, face such a mask of concentration that Robert had to smile.
Traci turned to Robert. "Take all the time here you need. I'm going to go get me skating legs, and make sure me brother doesn't snap his neck, then I'll be back for you."
Robert nodded and Traci kissed his cheek. Robert watched her glide away after Alan. He signed and stepped onto the ice, not taking his hand away from the dividing wall. He was watching his feet carefully, not sure if he should really trust them to keep him upright, but the managed to finally look up, scanning the thin crowd of other skaters for his duo. Surprisingly, when he spotted them, Alan was on his ass on the ice, Traci over him, laughing. Alan almost went down again as he was helped to his feet. Then they started to make their way back over to Robert.
"Ready to hit the ice?" Alan asked, stopping a little awkwardly next to Robert.
"Not in the way you mean. Plus I was bonding with the wall here." He tried to relax his white-knuckled grip.
Traci skated up next to them, grinning, and reached out a hand to each one. "Take me hand, come on." Alan gripped her hand tightly and, after a few attempts to get Robert to take a hold, she felt his death grip on her other hand. She pushed hard, sending the them all out into the main part of the small rink. Her smile was huge and she felt warm despite the cold. "This is wonderful. And relax, will you two?"
Robert wanted to roll his eyes, but he thought the shifting of his eyeballs might tilt him off balance. His right foot started to turn in while his left foot continued to point forward and his grip on Traci's hand grew more and more vice-like.
Alan fared better as he had finally started to get his skating legs and his confidence back. He was slowing picking up one foot and pushing off, helping Traci gain some momentum. He smiled into the cold breeze, feeling his lips dry out from the chill, but not minding. Then he felt Traci suddenly wiggle her hand free and skate off without warning. The next thing Alan recalled was Robert's flailing hand landing in his and pulling them both down to the cold ice. Alan got the giggles and lay on the ice laughing, Robert's hand still resting in his. He gave it a quick squeeze and looked around for his devilish sister. She rounded the far corner and was headed back towards them. Alan looked down at Robert, who looked like he clearly had had enough cold for the day. Alan fought the urge to straighten his glasses for him and kiss the frown off his face. He leaned forward and whispered quickly, "I'll warm you up tonight."
"Alright you two," Traci's voice was light and happy. "No getting frisky on the ice," she added in a lowered tone, crouching down next to them.
Robert looked up, his eyes pleading for help, glasses slightly tilted to one side. "Last thing on my mind right now."
"I am freezing me bullocks off! A little help, sis?"
"Oh, get your own self up," Traci sassed back as she held out a hand to help Robert up.
Alan grumbled something about annoying sisters as he pulled himself to his feet.
"I think I have had enough fun for now," Robert said, finally pushing his glasses back up the bridge of his nose. He felt Traci's grip on his waist as she moved him over towards the safety of the edge. Robert thanked her as he walked off the ice, giving a sigh of relief to be back on normal ground. "You go on," he said, when Traci started to follow him. "I want to watch." He retrieved his shoes in exchange for the skates that seemed to mock him as he handed them over.
Robert sat and looked out at the ice. It took him a few minutes to find his companions. He heard the laughter first, then saw Alan take a nasty spill as Traci whizzed by. He winced and resisted the urge to go sliding out there to make sure Alan was okay. Traci stopped, turned around, and helped Alan to his feet, then sped off, Alan following swiftly behind her. They took turns chasing each other around the rink, always watching out for the kids that seemed to be underfoot. Robert smiled, the scene warming him.
Traci gained speed around the corner and sailed against the wall close to Robert. She was breathing hard and her eyes shinning as she looked up at Robert. "Ha, I won!"
Robert shook his head. "What did you win?"
Alan was next to hit the wall and then walked past her up to the spongy platform. "I have to cook dinner tonight," he grumbled.
Traci sat next to Robert and giggled. "Luckily he is a good cook. What's the plan, brother?"
Alan pulled the hat off his head, running his hand through his curls, fluffing them up as he thought. "I will think of something, maybe soup."
Robert turned to look at Alan. He reached out instinctively to pat down the mass of curls, but Alan ducked the attention.
Alan took the skates from Traci and went to retrieve their shoes.
Traci reached out and grabbed Robert's hand, laying her head on his shoulder. "I think he let me win. He loves to cook and knows I love to win."
"Sibling thing?"
She burst out laughing. "Yes, exactly. Robert, it is so nice to be here with the two of you. I love it here and it is more special to spend it with two of me favorite people." She leaned over and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Hey, he's already taken." Alan handed Traci her shoes and sat tenderly next to Robert, his butt protesting from his many falls. He smiled shyly when he felt Robert press his leg closer to his. Traci rolled her eyes and started putting on her shoes.
"What do you want to do next?" Robert asked, enjoying being in the middle of this Davies sandwich.
"I think grocery store. Need a few things for dinner. And then home to watch telly?" Alan suggested, just wanting any excuse to snuggle up to Robert on the couch.
Tracy rolled her eyes again and stood up. "Let's hurry to the shops, then home. I think a bath is calling to me. It's freezing!"
Robert stood and offered a hand to Alan. Alan reached for it quickly and let Robert help him up.
The three of them walked out of the skating rink, shoulder to shoulder, Traci in the middle. She hooked her arms with Robert and Alan, pulling them closer and the two men shared a smile overtop her head. It had been a fun little outing, but they were looking forward to getting the shopping done and to head home to the cozy apartment.
18.10 Cocoa and Conversations
Fandom: RPS
Story: Highway: Tourist Stop 18.09
Characters: Alan Davies and Robert Sean Leonard
Authors: michelleann68 + evila_elf = evila_ann
Prompt: 03 Joke (Comedy/Humor)
Word Count: 2137
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Traci gets her way.
Authors’ Notes: Feel free to friend us if you want to read a day ahead of the communities.
Click here for the timeline if you need to get caught up or relive the good old times.
Previous story:
No Where Else I’d Rather Be
"What about ice skating?" Traci asked Alan who had his nose buried in a city guide for the past half hour, trying to find something interesting to do.
Robert groaned from his armchair and Alan threw a pillow Traci’s direction.
"We used to skate all the time growing up." Traci said, voice close to a beg.
Robert laughed at the pleading look on Traci’s face. "This is the look she uses on you all the time, right?" he asked Alan.
"Yep." Alan punctuated by turning the page of his book.
"Loads of fun," Traci said, hopefully.
Alan gave a heavy dramatic sigh. "If I fall, you are going to be picking me up off the ice."
"Robert?"
"Nope."
"Robert..."
He turned another page. "Go. Have fun. Talk about me." He looked up from the pages to wink at Traci.
"But you don't have to be gone for us to talk about you," Alan said.
"Oh, not you, too," he groaned, finally lowering his book to glance at the siblings. They were standing next to each other, now both giving him the same pleading look, their bottom lips slightly jutting out. "I haven't skated since I was 8, and I remember that I wasn't very good."
Traci tsked. "Then you can come along and watch the two of us make arses out of ourselves."
"Let's see. Cold and a hazard of being off my feet more than on, or warm with a good book and Christmas candy? Tough decision." Robert smiled and looked back down at his book, leaning back and crossed his legs.
Traci placed her finger on her chin in thought. She winked at Alan before leaning down next to Robert and making her face into an exaggeration of the pout she and Alan had used earlier, and waited for Robert to look over at her.
Robert ignored Traci for all of three seconds before he lowered his book. He rolled his eyes and laughed. "Like brother, like sister. Fine. You two win. But someone," he looked pointedly at Alan, "will owe me a massage tonight for all the sore muscles I am going to get."
Alan grinned wolfishly in reply.
Traci stood up and held her hand out to Robert, helping him up from the chair. "This is why I brought ear plugs." She laughed and dodged a light kick from Alan.
"We know you don't really use them," Alan laughed over his shoulder as he walked to the coat closet to fetch their jackets.
Robert blushed as he remembered their enthusiastic night. He rubbed a few of the small nips on his neck as he walked over. "I think I need a scarf, too," he mumbled.
Alan pulled out a soft blue and green scarf and looped it around Robert's neck, pulling him closer by the ends so he could plant a kiss on his lips.
Robert tried to deepen the kiss, hoping to drive him to distraction--and the bedroom--but Alan pulled away and dug their jackets and hats from the closet. "Ready for complete embarrassment?" he asked Traci once hats were on and jackets were zipped and buttoned.
She playfully swung at him, knocking off his hat and mussing his curls.
Laughing, they filed out the door.
"It’s freezing," Traci gasped as they walked outside and a gust of wind hit them as they stepped to the sidewalk.
"New York in December--it makes you feel alive." Robert took a big inhale and he felt Alan's fingers rub gently against the back of his hand before withdrawing. Robert missed the heat, but knew they had to keep to themselves. He pulled his hat down a little more and they all started off.
The Rockefeller outdoor skating rink was only about 10 blocks away, so they didn't hail a cab. Traci walked in between the two men, arms looped in theirs.
When they got there, the Christmas lights were still up, decorating the trees surrounding the frozen water. Alan paid and they picked up some skates, taking themselves over to a bench to put them on
"I thought I was just going to watch?" Robert tied up the laces and frowned.
"You can watch from the ice." Alan scooted closer to his boyfriend, making room for Traci to sit, giving him an excuse to press against the other man.
Robert let his hand rub up against Alan's calf as he bent over trying to wedge his foot into the cold skate.
"No more protesting?" Traci asked as she laced up her skates, oblivious to the game going on next to her. Oblivious until she looked over, wondering why she got no answer. "Hey, public place. Behave, you lot."
Alan stood up, teetering a little and gripping the handrail. He took a few beats to gain his balance before turning to look at his companions. "Ain't nothing to it, come on." One shaky foot in front of the other, he made his way to the ice, ignoring everything else, and trying to stay upright.
Traci stood too, preparing to follow her brother. She turned to Robert, who was still sitting, and held out her hand. "Come on. Up with you."
Robert let Traci pull him vertical, shivering a little from the cold. He cautiously walked next to Traci, trying to resist clinging to her, and they joined Alan at the step off to the ice.
"Wish me luck," Alan said, stepping onto the ice and holding on to the divider as he made sure he still had his footing under control, shuffling his feet back and forth experimentally. "Just like riding a bike I guess."
"What if you were never good on the bike to begin with?" Robert mumbled as Alan pushed away from them, face such a mask of concentration that Robert had to smile.
Traci turned to Robert. "Take all the time here you need. I'm going to go get me skating legs, and make sure me brother doesn't snap his neck, then I'll be back for you."
Robert nodded and Traci kissed his cheek. Robert watched her glide away after Alan. He signed and stepped onto the ice, not taking his hand away from the dividing wall. He was watching his feet carefully, not sure if he should really trust them to keep him upright, but the managed to finally look up, scanning the thin crowd of other skaters for his duo. Surprisingly, when he spotted them, Alan was on his ass on the ice, Traci over him, laughing. Alan almost went down again as he was helped to his feet. Then they started to make their way back over to Robert.
"Ready to hit the ice?" Alan asked, stopping a little awkwardly next to Robert.
"Not in the way you mean. Plus I was bonding with the wall here." He tried to relax his white-knuckled grip.
Traci skated up next to them, grinning, and reached out a hand to each one. "Take me hand, come on." Alan gripped her hand tightly and, after a few attempts to get Robert to take a hold, she felt his death grip on her other hand. She pushed hard, sending the them all out into the main part of the small rink. Her smile was huge and she felt warm despite the cold. "This is wonderful. And relax, will you two?"
Robert wanted to roll his eyes, but he thought the shifting of his eyeballs might tilt him off balance. His right foot started to turn in while his left foot continued to point forward and his grip on Traci's hand grew more and more vice-like.
Alan fared better as he had finally started to get his skating legs and his confidence back. He was slowing picking up one foot and pushing off, helping Traci gain some momentum. He smiled into the cold breeze, feeling his lips dry out from the chill, but not minding. Then he felt Traci suddenly wiggle her hand free and skate off without warning. The next thing Alan recalled was Robert's flailing hand landing in his and pulling them both down to the cold ice. Alan got the giggles and lay on the ice laughing, Robert's hand still resting in his. He gave it a quick squeeze and looked around for his devilish sister. She rounded the far corner and was headed back towards them. Alan looked down at Robert, who looked like he clearly had had enough cold for the day. Alan fought the urge to straighten his glasses for him and kiss the frown off his face. He leaned forward and whispered quickly, "I'll warm you up tonight."
"Alright you two," Traci's voice was light and happy. "No getting frisky on the ice," she added in a lowered tone, crouching down next to them.
Robert looked up, his eyes pleading for help, glasses slightly tilted to one side. "Last thing on my mind right now."
"I am freezing me bullocks off! A little help, sis?"
"Oh, get your own self up," Traci sassed back as she held out a hand to help Robert up.
Alan grumbled something about annoying sisters as he pulled himself to his feet.
"I think I have had enough fun for now," Robert said, finally pushing his glasses back up the bridge of his nose. He felt Traci's grip on his waist as she moved him over towards the safety of the edge. Robert thanked her as he walked off the ice, giving a sigh of relief to be back on normal ground. "You go on," he said, when Traci started to follow him. "I want to watch." He retrieved his shoes in exchange for the skates that seemed to mock him as he handed them over.
Robert sat and looked out at the ice. It took him a few minutes to find his companions. He heard the laughter first, then saw Alan take a nasty spill as Traci whizzed by. He winced and resisted the urge to go sliding out there to make sure Alan was okay. Traci stopped, turned around, and helped Alan to his feet, then sped off, Alan following swiftly behind her. They took turns chasing each other around the rink, always watching out for the kids that seemed to be underfoot. Robert smiled, the scene warming him.
Traci gained speed around the corner and sailed against the wall close to Robert. She was breathing hard and her eyes shinning as she looked up at Robert. "Ha, I won!"
Robert shook his head. "What did you win?"
Alan was next to hit the wall and then walked past her up to the spongy platform. "I have to cook dinner tonight," he grumbled.
Traci sat next to Robert and giggled. "Luckily he is a good cook. What's the plan, brother?"
Alan pulled the hat off his head, running his hand through his curls, fluffing them up as he thought. "I will think of something, maybe soup."
Robert turned to look at Alan. He reached out instinctively to pat down the mass of curls, but Alan ducked the attention.
Alan took the skates from Traci and went to retrieve their shoes.
Traci reached out and grabbed Robert's hand, laying her head on his shoulder. "I think he let me win. He loves to cook and knows I love to win."
"Sibling thing?"
She burst out laughing. "Yes, exactly. Robert, it is so nice to be here with the two of you. I love it here and it is more special to spend it with two of me favorite people." She leaned over and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Hey, he's already taken." Alan handed Traci her shoes and sat tenderly next to Robert, his butt protesting from his many falls. He smiled shyly when he felt Robert press his leg closer to his. Traci rolled her eyes and started putting on her shoes.
"What do you want to do next?" Robert asked, enjoying being in the middle of this Davies sandwich.
"I think grocery store. Need a few things for dinner. And then home to watch telly?" Alan suggested, just wanting any excuse to snuggle up to Robert on the couch.
Tracy rolled her eyes again and stood up. "Let's hurry to the shops, then home. I think a bath is calling to me. It's freezing!"
Robert stood and offered a hand to Alan. Alan reached for it quickly and let Robert help him up.
The three of them walked out of the skating rink, shoulder to shoulder, Traci in the middle. She hooked her arms with Robert and Alan, pulling them closer and the two men shared a smile overtop her head. It had been a fun little outing, but they were looking forward to getting the shopping done and to head home to the cozy apartment.
18.10 Cocoa and Conversations