It was another regular day at the Citadel. Rick is walking down the street to the dance studio to practice for a few hours. The streets are the usual type of busy. Ricks of all types walking or driving going on with their daily lives. For him it was just a simple stroll. When he gets there, he looks at the door a sign that puts his day on hold
Classes C͟a͟n͟c͟e͟l͟l͟e͟d͟ today due to alien break in
We are sorry for the inconvenience
Now red with irritation, Rick now is left wondering what to do. He had to find some way to practice. It’s possible he can do some warm ups at home...
He sighs as he might as well be on his way back home.
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Morty was walking in fast paces to his fourth ballet class. He enjoyed dancing very much and felt a sense of freedom when he would put on his shoes and dance to his heart’s content. But, he was still afraid of what people might say. Usually he would go to the studio early in his regular clothes so he could have enough time to change into his leotard and ballet shoes. However, he was running a little late today and he had no choice but to walk down the street in his dancing gear. It was like any other stroll to the studio for him; until...
“Hehe. Don’t prance too hard, prissy pants.” gawked a Morty.
Morty winced a little at that, but shrugged it off. He’s just another Morty. He’s a kid. Kids can be jerks, he tried to tell himself. Just keep looking forward, it’s just a few more blocks...
“Nice tights,Twinkle Toes!” Heckled a Rick.
That stung a little more. He expected Ricks to be more open-minded, but I guess not every Rick is so accepting.
You can do this, Morty. You’re almost there....
Out of nowhere, Two Ricks came out in front of him and blocked his way. Morty stopped as he saw the two menacing looking men towering over him. Their sneers hit him to his core.
“Hehe look at this little fairy! On your way to ballet class?” one said mockingly. All Morty could do is take little steps back, hands to his chest.
“You look so dumb in the getup, little bitch. Gonna wear a little tutu and tiara?” the other snickered as his counterpart snickered at his cruel joke. They were far from done.
“Man, I feel bad for the poor Rick that got stuck with you! Ricks want a science partner and this one got a prissy dancer. What a shit deal he got!”
Morty was frozen as tears started welling in his eyes. His throat tightened at how powerless he felt.
“Awwww Is the little ballerina gonna cwy??” The two Ricks snickered at the boy who was now crying at their cruel words.
“Haha! Wuss!”
“Sissy!”
Every mean word was a punch to Morty’s heart. Tears slid down his face as they continue taunting him. Throughout their merciless laughing, he felt so small; so weak.
Meanwhile, they were unaware of the Rick that was behind them. Their laughs and insults seized they both felt a heavy clunk to their heads. Morty screamed in fear as the two men fell over only for another Rick to come in full view. He was so freaked out, he was expecting to be attacked next.
“You okay, kid?” the Rick finally spoke. Morty’s damp eyes looked up in confusion looking at this Rick who wore a soft expression on his face, much different than the Ricks who were now unconscious.
He looked down at them only to realize that the Rick he was speaking to was wearing a pair of black ballet slippers. He gasped as he looked up at him again.
“I-I-I heard what those pricks were saying. Pretty fucking low to pick on a kid, wouldn’t you agree?”
“Y-y-yeah..” he answered meekly.
Rick sighs. He sees the kid is clearly shook up at this whole experience. Looking at the young boy in leotard wiping his eyes, made him think back to when he was young. When he himself had been called every unoriginal name in the book. At his age now, he could give a shit what people think. But hearing a child being mocked for it....was unacceptable.
“Listen, kid,” he starts as he kneels down to get to the boy’s level. “There are a looot of assholes in the world who are so miserable, they’ll stoop low to bring down anyone else down with them...”
Morty looks down at his feet, clad with his dance slippers, looking ashamed. Rick noticed the kid’s solemn look immediately.
“But don’t let these worthless fucks stop you from doing what you love.” His face was stern.
“You like to dance?”
“Yes..” Morty answered quietly, twiddling his fingers.
“It makes you happy?”
“Y-yeah...bu-”
“So you keep on dancing. And don’t let sheep tell you what you should be.”
For the first time that day, Morty let out a little smile. He couldn’t believe there was a Rick who had the same passion he had. It made him feel like he wasn’t such a freak after all.
“Th-thank you, Rick...I will.” he promised. The older man smiled at that answer.
“Good.” He then stood back up. “The studio is actually closed today so, we could find another way to practice. I can even help you with some techniques if you’d like.” he offered.
Morty’s face lit up. “Oh s-sure! Th-That sounds great!” he beamed.
“C’mon, we can practice at the gym downtown.” He led the way. Stepping over the two passed out Ricks, they introduced each other formally and told the other about themselves on the way.
Morty didn’t feel alone anymore. He found a Rick he could really relate to. It gave them hope that he could fulfill his dreams.
And Rick would be damned if he didn’t help him get there.
