Post by rickyy on Dec 27, 2023 22:42:39 GMT -5
’I’m def a lowkey kinda person. Yeah, I have my fun with life but I ain't really out here broadcastin it like that. I'm not the most active guy on social networks. I ain't screamin at the tops of my lungs to get all eyes on me. That's just never been me. But that's never stopped me from bustin my ass each and every day for this. Gettin into things someone like me never shoulda been a part of. And not just gettin into them but exceedin expectations every damn time, win, lose, or draw. And that's exactly what Ima do in the Tribulations.’[/i]
Ricky laid flat on top of that bed, arms and legs sprawled out like a starfish almost. Those half closed and bloodshot eyes made it perfectly clear that he was elevated out of his mind. Nothing really out of the ordinary there. His eyes were locked onto that ceiling above him, not even for any purpose other than he was stuck exactly where he was.
But for now? It's Christmas, ahh! Fuckin Frosty and Rudolph and even The Grinch! But most importantly? Parents. Usually, me and Bobby would go back home and spend Christmas with mom and dad but for sooome reason, I got tricked into havin it here. Not that I mind or anythin but it def is alooootta pressure. Anyway tho, me, Willa, and Ash spent most of the morning getting things ready, least till Bobby and Alessa got here and took over gettin everything ready with Cat helpin’em so we could go get ready.’[/i]
Having already gotten dressed, Ricky turned his head to the side, a soft smile breaking out across his face as he watched Willa seated at that brightly lit vanity, applying the last few touches to her makeup. A sigh of content rolled free from behind Ricky's lips. Usually in times like these, he could get lost watching her but that's usually. This time was different.
Ricky just started to get lost in the sight when it happened. Ashlynn Cassidy ran into the room, leaping into the air and crashed down onto the unsuspecting Ricky. Despite the sudden attack, the both of them laughed out, rolling around on the bed. Finished with her makeup, Willa turned around, watching the two of them, laughing out at their antics.
‘Alright kids, she'll be here any minute.’
Willa got up from her chair as Ricky and Ashlynn dramatically whined out in unison. Ashlynn was the first one off of that bed as Willa walked up to her. She brushed a few strands of blonde hair behind her ear, nodding her head in approval as she lightly bites her own lower lip.
‘You look gorgeous.’
Ashlynn beamed at the compliment as the two shared a brief kiss while Ricky got up, smoothing his clothes out. Ashlynn made her way back out of the room, Willa turning her attention to Ricky as she walked up to him. She looked him up and down, giving the same bite of her lower lip she did for Ashlynn.
‘And you..you look..nervous. Are you okay? I know today's going to be hard for you.’
Ricky couldn't help but to laugh softly, shaking his head as Willa tilted her head inquisitively.
‘Nah, I think I'm okay. I'm just hopin everythin’s gonna go good, y’know? What do you think? Should we change anythin or do somethin more or..’
Without answering his questions, she interrupted his almost ranting. Willa threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly as he did the same. The two stayed there like that, for a moment, before parting.
‘She’s gonna love everything, really. You have nothing to be nervous about.’
‘I just want everythin to be perfect, y’know?’
‘And everything is perfect. We worked so hard on everything, she's going to love it.’
‘Yeahh? You really think so?’
‘I know so. Now come on, she should be here any second.’
Ricky nodded his head firmly as Willa took his hand, squeezing it reassuringly. And she was right. The whole dinner couldn't have gone better. The food was great, the atmosphere, the vibe, all of it was just perfect. Everyone had a good time being with one another and when dinner was done, Ricky’s and Bobby's mom was in the kitchen, cleaning things up with Ashlynn and Willa while Ricky stood outside, watching on as his father lit up his cigar, as he usually would after a big family dinner like this.
There was a bit of a silence at first but it was short lived as his father spoke up.
’Something on your mind?’
Honestly, Ricky had drifted off a bit while his dad was lighting up his cigar so his question caught him a bit off guard.
‘Yeahh, just got this match comin up and it's kinda reallyy fuckin big..’
’Oh, right. Stipulations.’
Ricky laughed out, shaking his head slowly.
‘Tribulations.’
‘Tribulations! That's right. It's a big match.’
‘It is. I'm pretty fuckin nervous bout it honestly.’
‘It’s cause Shazzah’s in it, isn't it?’
Ricky's confusion was blatant after his dad's comment.
‘..what?’
‘That woman is built different. Oohh, lemme tell you. If she was twenty years older, she could've been your mom.’
‘Dad, what the fuck?’
He laughed out, taking another couple puffs off that cigar. Closing the distance between the two, he slapped his hand on Ricky's shoulder, looking at him with a nod.
‘Just avoid her, you'll do better that way.’
‘Oh my godd, you better not let mom hear you say that.’
’Don't worry, she can't.’
The two shared a hearty laugh as they made their way off to the side, sharing a decorative bench. There was another pause and as he did before, Ricky’s dad spoke up to break it.
‘All jokes aside, I know I haven't said it nearly enough but..I’m proud of you, Ricardo.’
‘Dad..’
‘Just listen..’
Not saying another word, Ricky turned around to face his father as the older man continued on.
‘Seeing how you've fought for what you want and what you believe in, no matter what anybody else said or how they felt about it. The fact that you're out there, openly doing the right thing and keeping a positive attitude about it even though there's so much negativity there. I look at the man you've grown into and I'm proud to call you my son.’
Ricky looked at him, just hearing those words had him all misty eyed and everything. The overwhelming feeling of pride coursed through him as he threw his arms around his dad.
‘I know it's not easy for you, especially these last couple months but the fact that you're successfully doing it has been so great to see.’
Ricky was clearly having trouble saying something, overtaken by the feeling of the whole thing. Finally, he managed to voice two simple words.
‘Thank you.’
Returning that smile, he firmly slapped his hand against Ricky's back. Suddenly, the sound of approaching footsteps behind him caught Ricky's attention. He stood up from that bench, seeing his mother walking up to where he was. A smile laced with concern showed on her face. She wrapped her arms around him, giving him a tight hug.
’Ricky, what are you doing out here by yourself? Come back in, it's too cold out here.’
’I’m okay, ma. I'm just gettin some air and I'll be back in, no worries.’
The older woman nodded her head as she took a step back, looking at Ricky up and down, a proud smile on her face.
’Look at you. I'm so happy to see the life you've built for yourself. Not just you but Ashlynn and Willa too. Your father would have loved to see this.’
’I know.’
Even with just those two words, Ricky’s voice cracked. Despite that, he smiled with enough reassurance that his mother kissed him on the cheek and made her way back inside. Ricky took in a deep, albeit shaky, breath before sighing out, a couple tears trickling down his cheeks. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. Pulling up the video recorder, Ricky set it into position and started filming himself, sitting on the edge of that bench, a soft smile across his face.
’It was at like..the beginnin of October when I got the call. Dad passed away in his sleep. Him and ma went to sleep like usual and just like..he didn't wake up. It was the absolute fuckin worst. Like..someone had punched through my chest and snatched my heart right outta it. No kinda words can ever describe how I felt. I didn't wanna eat. I didn't wanna sleep. I didn't wanna wrestle.
But I was lucky. I had people there, keepin me up. Remindin me that I hadda keep goin. So..I did. As shut off as I've been from everyone..I kept goin. I kept the news of my father's passin to myself. Only lettin Ash and Willa know. I didn't want sympathy, condolences, attention, didn't want nothin like that. For the most part..I just wanted to be left alone.
The only reason I'm puttin it out there now is..I gotta acknowledge it. I gotta get it out there and I gotta do what I've been doin for the last couple months. I gotta keep goin. But I gotta be better with it. My focus clearlyy hasn't been where it shoulda been all this time. I've been puttin my head into this just the same as I always have but my heart just hasn't been in it.
But that's gotta change. If I go into that Fight Pit without bein completely and totally in it..I’m gonna get ate alive and I'll be damned if Ima go down like that. So, I want all of you, Joe, Parker, LCP, Shazzah, Penelope, Cross, and Alexander, everyone to understand me when I say this. Whether I win or not, I'm comin with every ounce of fight I got in my heart..my body..and my soul.
I'm not sayin Ima win..but what I am sayin? Notta single one of you are ever gonna be able to forget who I am or what I accomplished in the Fight Pit after this match. Win, lose, or draw..Ima make my point. Ima get my shit together and I'm gonna take the world by storm. I'm gonna end Twenty Twenty-Three on one hell of a note. Let's..fuckin..go.’
Walking back up to that phone, Ricky ended the recording before shoving his phone back into his pocket. He looked to where he earlier imagined his father to be, that strong smile plastered to his face. Nodding a single time, Ricky turned away and made his way back inside.
Ricky laid flat on top of that bed, arms and legs sprawled out like a starfish almost. Those half closed and bloodshot eyes made it perfectly clear that he was elevated out of his mind. Nothing really out of the ordinary there. His eyes were locked onto that ceiling above him, not even for any purpose other than he was stuck exactly where he was.
But for now? It's Christmas, ahh! Fuckin Frosty and Rudolph and even The Grinch! But most importantly? Parents. Usually, me and Bobby would go back home and spend Christmas with mom and dad but for sooome reason, I got tricked into havin it here. Not that I mind or anythin but it def is alooootta pressure. Anyway tho, me, Willa, and Ash spent most of the morning getting things ready, least till Bobby and Alessa got here and took over gettin everything ready with Cat helpin’em so we could go get ready.’[/i]
Having already gotten dressed, Ricky turned his head to the side, a soft smile breaking out across his face as he watched Willa seated at that brightly lit vanity, applying the last few touches to her makeup. A sigh of content rolled free from behind Ricky's lips. Usually in times like these, he could get lost watching her but that's usually. This time was different.
Ricky just started to get lost in the sight when it happened. Ashlynn Cassidy ran into the room, leaping into the air and crashed down onto the unsuspecting Ricky. Despite the sudden attack, the both of them laughed out, rolling around on the bed. Finished with her makeup, Willa turned around, watching the two of them, laughing out at their antics.
‘Alright kids, she'll be here any minute.’
Willa got up from her chair as Ricky and Ashlynn dramatically whined out in unison. Ashlynn was the first one off of that bed as Willa walked up to her. She brushed a few strands of blonde hair behind her ear, nodding her head in approval as she lightly bites her own lower lip.
‘You look gorgeous.’
Ashlynn beamed at the compliment as the two shared a brief kiss while Ricky got up, smoothing his clothes out. Ashlynn made her way back out of the room, Willa turning her attention to Ricky as she walked up to him. She looked him up and down, giving the same bite of her lower lip she did for Ashlynn.
‘And you..you look..nervous. Are you okay? I know today's going to be hard for you.’
Ricky couldn't help but to laugh softly, shaking his head as Willa tilted her head inquisitively.
‘Nah, I think I'm okay. I'm just hopin everythin’s gonna go good, y’know? What do you think? Should we change anythin or do somethin more or..’
Without answering his questions, she interrupted his almost ranting. Willa threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly as he did the same. The two stayed there like that, for a moment, before parting.
‘She’s gonna love everything, really. You have nothing to be nervous about.’
‘I just want everythin to be perfect, y’know?’
‘And everything is perfect. We worked so hard on everything, she's going to love it.’
‘Yeahh? You really think so?’
‘I know so. Now come on, she should be here any second.’
Ricky nodded his head firmly as Willa took his hand, squeezing it reassuringly. And she was right. The whole dinner couldn't have gone better. The food was great, the atmosphere, the vibe, all of it was just perfect. Everyone had a good time being with one another and when dinner was done, Ricky’s and Bobby's mom was in the kitchen, cleaning things up with Ashlynn and Willa while Ricky stood outside, watching on as his father lit up his cigar, as he usually would after a big family dinner like this.
There was a bit of a silence at first but it was short lived as his father spoke up.
’Something on your mind?’
Honestly, Ricky had drifted off a bit while his dad was lighting up his cigar so his question caught him a bit off guard.
‘Yeahh, just got this match comin up and it's kinda reallyy fuckin big..’
’Oh, right. Stipulations.’
Ricky laughed out, shaking his head slowly.
‘Tribulations.’
‘Tribulations! That's right. It's a big match.’
‘It is. I'm pretty fuckin nervous bout it honestly.’
‘It’s cause Shazzah’s in it, isn't it?’
Ricky's confusion was blatant after his dad's comment.
‘..what?’
‘That woman is built different. Oohh, lemme tell you. If she was twenty years older, she could've been your mom.’
‘Dad, what the fuck?’
He laughed out, taking another couple puffs off that cigar. Closing the distance between the two, he slapped his hand on Ricky's shoulder, looking at him with a nod.
‘Just avoid her, you'll do better that way.’
‘Oh my godd, you better not let mom hear you say that.’
’Don't worry, she can't.’
The two shared a hearty laugh as they made their way off to the side, sharing a decorative bench. There was another pause and as he did before, Ricky’s dad spoke up to break it.
‘All jokes aside, I know I haven't said it nearly enough but..I’m proud of you, Ricardo.’
‘Dad..’
‘Just listen..’
Not saying another word, Ricky turned around to face his father as the older man continued on.
‘Seeing how you've fought for what you want and what you believe in, no matter what anybody else said or how they felt about it. The fact that you're out there, openly doing the right thing and keeping a positive attitude about it even though there's so much negativity there. I look at the man you've grown into and I'm proud to call you my son.’
Ricky looked at him, just hearing those words had him all misty eyed and everything. The overwhelming feeling of pride coursed through him as he threw his arms around his dad.
‘I know it's not easy for you, especially these last couple months but the fact that you're successfully doing it has been so great to see.’
Ricky was clearly having trouble saying something, overtaken by the feeling of the whole thing. Finally, he managed to voice two simple words.
‘Thank you.’
Returning that smile, he firmly slapped his hand against Ricky's back. Suddenly, the sound of approaching footsteps behind him caught Ricky's attention. He stood up from that bench, seeing his mother walking up to where he was. A smile laced with concern showed on her face. She wrapped her arms around him, giving him a tight hug.
’Ricky, what are you doing out here by yourself? Come back in, it's too cold out here.’
’I’m okay, ma. I'm just gettin some air and I'll be back in, no worries.’
The older woman nodded her head as she took a step back, looking at Ricky up and down, a proud smile on her face.
’Look at you. I'm so happy to see the life you've built for yourself. Not just you but Ashlynn and Willa too. Your father would have loved to see this.’
’I know.’
Even with just those two words, Ricky’s voice cracked. Despite that, he smiled with enough reassurance that his mother kissed him on the cheek and made her way back inside. Ricky took in a deep, albeit shaky, breath before sighing out, a couple tears trickling down his cheeks. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. Pulling up the video recorder, Ricky set it into position and started filming himself, sitting on the edge of that bench, a soft smile across his face.
’It was at like..the beginnin of October when I got the call. Dad passed away in his sleep. Him and ma went to sleep like usual and just like..he didn't wake up. It was the absolute fuckin worst. Like..someone had punched through my chest and snatched my heart right outta it. No kinda words can ever describe how I felt. I didn't wanna eat. I didn't wanna sleep. I didn't wanna wrestle.
But I was lucky. I had people there, keepin me up. Remindin me that I hadda keep goin. So..I did. As shut off as I've been from everyone..I kept goin. I kept the news of my father's passin to myself. Only lettin Ash and Willa know. I didn't want sympathy, condolences, attention, didn't want nothin like that. For the most part..I just wanted to be left alone.
The only reason I'm puttin it out there now is..I gotta acknowledge it. I gotta get it out there and I gotta do what I've been doin for the last couple months. I gotta keep goin. But I gotta be better with it. My focus clearlyy hasn't been where it shoulda been all this time. I've been puttin my head into this just the same as I always have but my heart just hasn't been in it.
But that's gotta change. If I go into that Fight Pit without bein completely and totally in it..I’m gonna get ate alive and I'll be damned if Ima go down like that. So, I want all of you, Joe, Parker, LCP, Shazzah, Penelope, Cross, and Alexander, everyone to understand me when I say this. Whether I win or not, I'm comin with every ounce of fight I got in my heart..my body..and my soul.
I'm not sayin Ima win..but what I am sayin? Notta single one of you are ever gonna be able to forget who I am or what I accomplished in the Fight Pit after this match. Win, lose, or draw..Ima make my point. Ima get my shit together and I'm gonna take the world by storm. I'm gonna end Twenty Twenty-Three on one hell of a note. Let's..fuckin..go.’
Walking back up to that phone, Ricky ended the recording before shoving his phone back into his pocket. He looked to where he earlier imagined his father to be, that strong smile plastered to his face. Nodding a single time, Ricky turned away and made his way back inside.