Pairing: Cronus/Dirk, some Cronus/Meenah
Rating: Teen and up
Chapter wordcount: <3k
Total wordcount: 4.6k (so far)
General tags: Fiftiesstuck, Period-typical attitudes, Cronus “Asshole” Ampora, Closeted characters, Humanstuck, Third person POV
Chapter tags: Minor character bingo, Flashback galore
CHAPTER EXCERPT:
“You’re reading too much into what I’m saying, Cronus.” Dirk doesn’t look up from his soon-to-be radio. “I said Meenah was cool, which she is. Anyway, you should be more worried about whether you like her or not than what I think.”
Cronus hesitates for just a moment too long before replying. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, boss.” Dirk looks up, pointedly raising an eyebrow over his shades. Cronus avoids the flare in the dark lenses, looking up at the ceiling instead. James Dean’s smoldering eyes looks back down on him. It strikes Cronus as an odd place to hang a poster. “She’s a babe, and you can’t deny we make one hell of a couple.”
“Depends on how you define hell. And couple.”
Thank you to @rumblespheres for beta-ing this chapter!
Chapter: 2/?
Rating: Teen
WC: 900
Content warnings: None
Summary: A fic about being Cronus Ampora in the late fifties and the consequences thereof.
A/N: In which we meet pretentious teddy boy Eridan and Cronus proves his qualifications for being the test subject of anyone interested in Freud.
Chapter 1 | Chapter 2
He finds his lips against Dirks perfect skin, the place where his hips cave in to be more precise. It is an odd feeling, but enjoyable. If it wasn't for the fact that even when his fingers inch to tug at the loops of Dirks jeans the boy remains cold and rigid, a bit like marble. Always cold and rigid, controlled.
Cronus stands up instead, their faces perfectly aligned because thanks to some miraculous feat of the stars they are the exact same length down to millimetres. But their eyes don't meet, thanks to those stupid shades. Thinking of it he has never really seen Dirks eyes.
"C'mon chief, let me see you, just this once..." he murmurs, reaching his hands up to the glasses. Dirk quirks an eyebrow.
"Are you sure about that, Cronus?"
The stable tone in Dirks voice makes him hesitate, but then he swallows and nods. "Yeah." His hands carefully unhook the eyewear from Dirks ears, a feeling of falling emerging in the pit of his stomach. As if the action proved a point of no return.
Behind the shades are nothing. A undescribable void of nothingness and Dirk slowly shakes his head, "You really don't know what's best for you Cronus, do you?" and their lips meet but yet they don't because Cronus is screaming, being swallowed by the void and in a sense falling because that was, indeed, the point of no return and Dirks lips consume him, a kiss of death which reminds him of some sort of soul sucking demon but yet, so intensely passionate and tenderly embracing the scream.
And then he falls out of bed.
---
It's early morning, Cronus figures as he tries to orientate himself. The sun is just rising.
He is sweating, and going back to bed doesn't seem like a good option right now, so instead he heads downwards to get something to eat. He is stopped in the hallway when the door clicks. It is a sort of panic response, probably thanks to his nerves being on end and it takes him all until he sees Eridan standing there until he realizes this would be the worst time to break and enter anyway.
Eridan looks him up and down with his seemingly permanent scowl (Cronus has a distinct feeling he is harshly judging his seahorse print capeblanket, anchor boxers and tubesocks combo) and Cronus stares right back at him, frozen for a few seconds before they in unison utter a "what are you doing up".
"Weird dreams, you?" Ampora junior the younger takes off his pretentious coat (Ampora junior the younger has an obsession with the British Teddy Boys. Much to the annoyance of Ampora junior the older he takes every given instance to point out how in every town that "actually is somethin'" the Greasers are practically dead and that in London anyone looking like Cronus would be laughed at whereas he, Eridan, is up with the latest London fashion trends thanks to his English penpal Karkat. Cronus does however doubt whether Stanhope actually is a district in the outskirts of London. Not to mention the scribbly handwriting he has seen on the letters which looks nothing like that of a supposed high class Londoneer. But what does he know) and says something about a certain Feferi.
Cronus raise an eyebrow and is payed back with a pointed look. "The Midnight Movvie Marathon down at Flare, you nosebleed." His second eyebrow raises and he nods towards the rising sun. Eridan scowls and heads out to the kitchen. "Unlike you I'm a gentleman, Cro. Made her company home an' got invited for a cup of tea 's all."
Eridan pours himself a glass of milk before Cronus snags the bottle. "And?"
"You're disgusting. And fuckin' none of your business. Already told you that unlike you I'm a gentleman." Observing his brother Cronus empties the bottle. He can read him well enough by now, a blush that so obviously says "And I didn't get nearly as far as I wanted" that it's almost pityful.
Dirk pops back up in his mind, and for a few seconds he is probably just standing there with the bottle to his lips and staring at the blushing horizon because Eridan snaps his fingers in front of his eyes. "Hey, grease." Cronus shrug.
"What did you vwatch then? Any good? How did her boobs look?"
"Cronus, for fucks' sake."
"Hey, just askin'. Wanna know all about it I mean she's way curvier than Meenah."
"You're literally awwful, I'm going to bed." Eridan throws up his hands and heads upstairs, not even bothering with the half empty glass. Rolling his eyes Cronus follows him back out in the hallway.
The cigarettes are in the chest pocket of his jacket as always and stealing his fathers lighter he sneaks the door open. The early morning air is chill, with the light that only appears before the summer suns painfully slow rise. Throwing the black curls out of his face and rubbing the leftovers of uncalming sleep from his eyes he takes a slow drag and he must still be halfway asleep but he can't for the life of him remember the dream. It is a standard beautiful day but giving the sky a glance he notices a cloud. It is the first sign that the summer is coming to an end, a subtle hint of the fact that the first customary dry half of the break is soon gone.
He decides to get some clothes on and head over to Dirks garage, it's not like the guy ever sleeps anyway.
Chapter: 1/?
Rating: Teen
WC: 1.5K
Content warnings: None
Summary: Sometimes Cronus can't help but feel that they're a well oiled machine, all communication is just there for polite purposes. No wonder they had earned the respect to keep the gang alive and running.
A/N: The first chapter of my 50's stuck Crodirk (wait for it) fanfic. It is set in the late 50's in a unnamed american town. I have done my best to stay true to the decade and the characters, please contact me if you feel like either is wronged. I am not sure in which direction this fanfic is headed, but it is my first multichapter so be nice to me.
"Wow, I can't believe I'm actually here again." A car door slam shut.
"You haven't actually accomplished anything just yet, It's only July." A soft thud sounds when Cronus feet hits the dusty pavement of the schools parking lot. Not a drop of rain has found its way to the ground since mid June. "Also I would be really happy if you used the doors for their intended purpose. You can be as acrobatic as you like with that batthub on wheels you call a car but this jewel is mine."
"Your so called jewvel is orange. Do I really need to say more? And my baby is fine she just need a bit of polish, and no way in hell I'm doing that in this weather. Smoke?" He reaches the package over to Dirk who takes one and pulls out a lighter from his back pocket.
Sometimes Cronus can't help but feel that they're a well oiled machine, all communication is just there for polite purposes. No wonder they had earned the respect to keep the gang alive and running. He leans against the side of the car, slowly letting the sweet nicotine pass through his lips and observing the mercilessly bright and dusty school yard. "Pretty unbelievwable actually. My last year. God knows what I'll do after this"
"Prostitution?"
"Sod off strider."
"Hey, you'd do great I'm sure."
Cronus snorts and lightly box Dirks shoulder. "I don't know anyone else where I wouldn't be sure whether a statement like that was a compliment or an insult." He gets a smug hint of a smile in return from the blonde, and after a few minutes of silent smoking conversation resumes. Dirk is one of the few people Cronus Ampora seems to get along with; they both grew up in the right part of the city, wealthy and spoiled with attention and gifts but poor of love in favour of getting the right upbringing. Although he does envy Dirk whose father not only supports his rebellion but even encourages it. Dirk always laugh at that though, what's the fun in revolting against something or someone if they agree with you? He has said it before, the days when sex and rock music were scandalous are passing, the question is what the next big thing is.
The subjects discussed today are of easier nature; their old leader, new music and cars, of course. Per usual he find himself oddly relaxed, no need to check his hair every few minutes in Dirks company, no need to keep the walls of tough guy up. That is until Dirk nudges him with his elbow. "Hey Cro, it's your girlfriend."
The hot pink 62 Eldorado never fails to make an impression, and even in this weather it is shining. But then again, if you're a Peixes petty things such as drought doesn't affect you. Cronus quickly walk over to the side mirror and combs through his hair. When he looks up Roxy is already by Dirks side, carefully tending to the blond jellyroll.
He'll never understand why their relationship is just an act, he'd quite honestly do anything for a chick like Roxy Lalonde. Soft curves everywhere, hips lips and breasts. Big eyes with long lashes, carefully applied nail polish and bouncy blonde locks. Not to mention a soft person. But no he, Cronus Ampora, is courting Meenah.
To be quite honest he doesn't know why anymore. He has been flirting with her mericlessly since forever and even though she hates him they are widely recognized as being an item. Not to mention that even if they aren't exactly the couple who do romantic dinners or picnics they certainly do other things. And he can't lie to himself, she DOES things to him. Here he is, putting on his flirty smile and the slight swing in his legs. Here she is, newly applied lipstick. And there her nails dig into his shirt and she has to reapply it. Though it's not exactly healthy, this whatever it is. And frankly what he hates most is being so powerless when it comes to her.
"You really shouldn't be wearing black today Dirkles, it's hot as the sun out here. Why weren't you boys at the café or something instead?" Roxy sighs dramatically as she leans on the hood next to Dirk, a modestly floofy skirt weighed out by a blouse unbuttoned a bit too far down. "Let me guess, you were talking about 'the gang'."
Meenah smirks and cross her arms. "Don't be so hard on them Rolal, you know as well as I that without a leader boys can't do shit. And don't give me that look Strider, that's what happens when you make yourself dependent on mothers, girlfriends and wifes. I might not win in a fight of fists but at least I can do my own laundry."
"Oh shut up dolly, thats genetic. Pretty hands like yours weren't made fo ruff things like fighting." Cronus hands ghost over Meenahs waist and she turns towards him, quirking an eyebrow over the pink cat eyes and grabbing his shirt again. He tries to take the chance and leans in, but she shove him away. Of course she does, like a game of cat and mouse.
"Well if you had ever TRIED washing your own threads you'd known that it isn't exactly a spa. Sides you guys don't even do old school fist fights anyways. C'mon Rox, can we leave yet?"
Once Roxy has given Dirk a peck on the cheek Meenah demonstratively revvs the engine and they're gone. He sighs, rubbing at the nape of his neck and leans on the hood next to Dirk again.
"I might be hella good at cars and ace in math, but I don't think I'll ever understand the mechanics of your relationship with Meenah."
"Dude I just realized your shades are basically the same style as Meenahs, why are you wearing womens glasses?"
"Just now? And I'm not wearing womens glasses I'm wearing my glasses. Don't change the subject."
Cronus let out a groan, rubbing his temples slightly. "You are so infuriating. And you know the deal, it's basically the same as with your kitten, an Ampora and a Piexes what more could we wish for?" Dirks cigarette butt land on the ground and is crushed under the sole of a chuck taylor. It is clear he is waiting for Cronus to continue talking. Cronus shoots the blonde a glare and opens his mouth again. "Okay so it's not the same as the famous Ms. Roxy Strider item. You cold hearted bastard." An eyebrow is quirked in his direction, but other than that no reaction. "I guess we've just been a thing for so long, honestly we're about as much of a universal constant as you and Rox, just not as pretty. I couldn't break it with her even if I wanted."
"But do you want to?"
"Dirk seriously do you realize that we are having some sort of girly gossip thing here it is unmanly as hell."
"Don't care. Would you break up with Piexes, given the chance?"
"Yes. No. Probably not. I would regret it. If we are going to talk girls can't we talk about Roxy instead?"
The chrome lighter is reached over, giving the cigarette its power. "Why, it's not like she's up for grabs and you already know my relationship with her."
"Yes but I don't know why. Any man in this city would give an arm and a leg to be with that bombshell blonde and you have her and don't even touch her unless you have to. I don't get it."
"Don't talk about her like that, I touch her, I'm just not into her like that and wouldn't want to crush her heart by giving her the signals sleeping with her would." A shadow move over Dirks face, but goes unnoticed.
"But the dating thing doesn't? I mean, break her." Cronus cigarette is stolen from him by Dirk.
"I think she knows, she's just pretty...deep in her dreams. I don't think not being with her would make things easier. Also it keeps other chicks off my back."
Cronus furrows his eyebrows, looking him up and down, trying to deem what he really means. How much of that actually are honest words. Because to him, the situation is pretty much turned. There is a part of him that he doesn't really admit to that tells him that he is way more into Meenah that he likes to believe. That the way their childhood teasing turned into teenage flirting wasn't that bad after all even if it means that he knows he's just a tool. Giving her what she needs and wants without needing to risk the scolding words and rumours. He shoves the thought aside and takes back his cigarette. "I don't think I'll ever understand you, boss. What does that even mean?" Dirk gives him one of the rare smirks that stays more than a millisecond and stands up straight, turning back to the car.
"That is for me to know and for you to be driven mad by."
