Fandom: Impractical Jokers
Pairing: VulGatto (Joe Gatto/Sal Vulcano)
AU's/Tropes: Married life with a carryover from mute!joe AU
Summary: Helping never hurt, even when the person you're helping has done you wrong. That makes an even bigger impact. Joe Gatto has a heart bigger than the ocean.
Prompt: Word beginning with the letter H - HELP
~A Heart Of Pure Gold~
The man sits alone in the same spot, on the same street corner, in the same city. He's occupied this location for the long and grueling span of three whole days now. It's humbling being out on the streets - no family, no friends, no one in the world to even care if he up and died. And the truth of the matter is that he is the only one to blame for his current situation. Pushing people away, treating people like they're worthless, bullying people until they hate you, being a complete douchebag to everyone around you... Well, it comes with its own set of consequences - ones he isn't too fond of to be perfectly honest.
There isn't a part of him that misconceives his circumstances as anyone's fault but his own. He made this bed, and now he has to lie in it, relying solely on the kindness of strangers. God forbid someone he knows should walk by. They'd probably laugh at his misfortune and say he deserves it. And the worst part is - he does. His behavior throughout life has merited him this underprivileged position. Now he has to live with the repercussions of his previous lifestyle.
Kindness from strangers isn't all that hard to achieve, but what he never expects is someone from his past to walk in with generosity and show him mercy. But he'd recognize those piercing blue eyes anywhere...
It's a seemingly normal day for the newlyweds - out walking the pups, getting a breath of fresh (as is possible in New York City) air. They've only been home from their honeymoon in Byron Bay for a little over a week now and are just settling back into the ins and outs of their normal life together. Everything has been taken care of since arriving home. Life isn't that much different aside from calling each other 'husband' instead of 'boyfriend' or 'fiancé'. The thing that has made Sal more giddy than a child on Christmas morning was being able to sign the check for the electricity bill as 'Salvatore Gatto'. He just loves the sound of it, as does Joe, who states, 'It has a nice ring to it.' while smiling like an insane man. Yes, life is being good to them so far as a married couple.
For some reason, Gatto suggests they take an unusual route to get to the park they always go to. It's really not all that strange for him to suggest something of the sort, so Sal agrees without a second thought. They've gone this way before, but not very often, as it takes them down the sketchier side of town. Thus, it's not unfamiliar; simply more of a hassle to the overly-anxious of the two. If only either man could have guessed what they would come across on their journey...
Sal sees him first, and remembering his and Joe's pact to always help someone in need, he instantly starts reaching for his wallet. Apparently his husband has something completely different in mind, for he walks up and begins to talk to the man. "Hey, bud. Kind'a chilly today, huh?" But all he receives in reply is a small nod as the stranger stares up at him with a look of recognition clouding his face. Surely, he doesn't know him... He doesn't look familiar in the slightest, but Vulcano-Gatto is the one who generally has a sixth sense about these things, so he turns to glance at his husband. Nothing. There's nothing but a confused look on Sal's face as well. So, he tries again, "How'd ya end up out here, man?"
"Screwed up a lot in life."
It's a simple answer, but it holds behind it a world of meaning, and at the sound of the man's voice, Sal's fingers tighten their hold on his husband's hand. No wonder the guy was looking at them like they were crazy. He knows exactly who they both are, and in turn, Sal has figured out who he is. It's Jimmy motherfucking Parker - the guy who put Joe through so much hell back when he'd been but a small, mute boy in highschool. Even after Gatto had found his voice, Jimmy had still tortured him on an almost-daily basis. Clearly his husband hasn't recognized him. Otherwise, he wouldn't still be here talking to him.
"You don't remember me, do you?"
That question draws Vulcano-Gatto back to the present, green gaze sweeping over the dirtied, homeless man with an almost satisfied look. Karma really is a bitch. For all the times Parker had treated Joe like shit, he deserves every bit of what he's got now. Serves him right. But then again, maybe he's learned his lesson in how to treat other human beings with respect. That thought is almost laughable the more he thinks about it. There had never been a kind bone in Jimmy's body as long as he'd known him. What is there to make Sal think he's changed?
"Actually, I just realized it, bud." There it is. The recognition he'd been waiting on. He's preparing himself to turn on his heel and walk away, starting to pull on his husband's arm, when he notices Joe's free hand is outstretched toward Parker. Is he kidding? Let him be kidding. Even though Sal doesn't find one bit of it funny, it'd be better than him actually offering help to the person who tormented him back in their highschool days.
Even Jimmy looks surprised, possibly even more than Vulcano-Gatto is when Joe speaks again, "C'mon, Parker. Let's get a cup'a coffee or somethin'. You'll freeze out here like this."
Okay, he's not kidding. Great. Sal is going to have to sit through a conversation with this guy, while all the memories of how he'd mistreated Joe make him want to haul off and punch him in the face. Fantastic. It'll be a grand time, though not of reminiscing, for what good is there to remember? Jimmy had been an asshole, and maybe he's changed, but that doesn't mean Sal has to like him or even want to help him. Does it?
"Uh, can I talk to ya for a second, Joey...?" A fake smile shot in Jimmy's direction before he's tugging his husband off to the side. "Are you nuts?! That's Jimmy Parker! And you're gonna help him?! Have you gone completely mad?!" But Joe is laughing lightly at him while he raves on and on about the situation at hand.
"Honey, calm down. It's just a cup'a coffee.
It's not like I'm invitin' him into our ho--"
"Don't even think about it!!"
"Seriously, Sal. It's okay. What do I always say?"
Vulcano-Gatto rolls his eyes in exasperation, though he mumbles the words in sync with his husband,
"It's so much easier to do some good than to do some harm."
"Yeah, yeah... fine. A cup'a coffee and that's it." And he means it with every fiber of his being. Just the thought of having to sit in the same building with that guy makes him want to go into a blind rage, much like he used to do when he'd find out what the bastard had done to his Joey.
Sal tries. He is really, sincerely trying when he turns back toward Jimmy with a much-brighter-than-necessary smile. "Well, let's go get that coffee..." 'And get this over with...' He's already starting to feel the need to run away, and it has nothing to do with being afraid of the other man. It all comes back to that cold, bitter anger he holds in his heart toward him. It's about him being afraid of what he himself might do should the situation call for it. He swears to God if Jimmy brings it up, things might not turn out the way he assumes his husband hopes they will...
The conversation starts out slow, Parker sipping on a hot cup - black, no sugar, no cream - kind of like his soul. 'All right. Stop it, Sal. Give the guy a chance.' Joe has also ordered him a bagel to go with it. No sense in letting the man starve, he guesses. It doesn't take long for Jimmy to start divulging information, much to Sal's chagrin. He doesn't want to feel bad for him. He doesn't want to care about his situation. And yet, as Jimmy continues, Sal finds himself feeling more and more sorry for the guy than he'd ever care to admit.
"...they arrested me on the spot, even though there was
no proof that I'd done anything wrong. The reality is that
I didn't. I didn't do anything at all to deserve it. The other
guy was wrong. That's the bottom line. Lost my wife and
my son while spending six years in prison. I thought we'd
be all right, but the last letter I got from her asked me to
never contact them again. She didn't want her little boy
growing up with a criminal for a father. Last I heard, she's
remarried with another kid now. I haven't seen or heard
from her or my boy in over four years."
Well, if that doesn't beat everything Sal's ever heard... And he said he wasn't going to even listen because he didn't care to know. Now all he can think is how awful it must be to lose everything unfairly the way Jimmy had. God, he'd hate to be in his shoes... But still, what can he do about it? It's not as if he can bring his wife and son back, or rewind time and tell the judicial system that they'd fucked up. He can't change what has happened to Jimmy, but it ultimately makes him sad to hear of his trials. And then the guy starts to speak again, and Vulcano-Gatto stares wide-eyed and almost incredulously as he does so.
"I-I think... No, I know I owe you both a HUGE apology. I
know it'll never be enough to take back what I did back in
highschool. I know you probably can't forgive me for what
I did, but I still want to say how truly sorry I am for the way
I treated you, Joe. And Sal, you too. It wasn’t the same, but
I put you through hell too. I'm just really sorry for it all..."
Gatto is the first to reach across the table and place a hand to Parker's arm. Of course he is. Sal can't do it. He's too flabbergasted by the heartfelt apology they've just received.
"I forgive ya, buddy. ‘s all in the past."
That's when Sal turns to regard his husband with a glassy stare, refusing to let the tears that have pooled in his eyes escape. He stares long and hard for several silent moments, taking in the beautiful sight of his husband's heart of pure gold, right there on display for all to see. And in that moment, it's like falling in love all over again. Such magnificent beauty, such kindness and compassion - they're not easy to find in this world, and he's somehow been graced with it through the heart and soul of his husband.
Finally, through a broken voice, "Y-yeah... Me too, man. I forgive you." Sal turns to see a look of sheer wonder burning brightly in chocolate-brown eyes as Jimmy gasps, "R-really...?" Both men nod their heads as Jimmy himself gets swept away with emotions at the gesture.
Parker guesses he was wrong, because kindness from strangers might be fairly easy to achieve, but generosity and mercy from people he knows isn't as hard as he thought it would be. He thinks himself even more wrong when Sal and Joe set him up in a hotel for the night, instead of leaving him out on the streets, and with the firm promise to go job hunting with him tomorrow. What an about-face from how the day had begun...
Lying in bed, later that evening, Sal is still wonderstruck by his partner's compassionate ways. Snuggling in the slightest bit closer, he props his chin up on the hand that rests on Joe's chest, allowing himself the luxury of getting lost in pools of blue for several seconds before eventually speaking his mind. "Don't ever let anyone tell you you're not a supreme human bein'. You're amazin', Joey, and you proved it once again today." Lips land gently over his heart, brushing lightly against the bare skin. "A heart'a pure gold..."
Fandom: Impractical Jokers
Pairing: VulGatto (Joe Gatto/Sal Vulcano)
AU's/Tropes: Mute!Joe and Sal in highschool
Summary: People are assholes, but if you find the one person that makes things all better, you've got it made.
Prompt: Word beginning with the letter G - GAY
~They'll Get Their’s~
Vulcano is woken from a dead sleep by the incessant blaring of his phone's ringtone piercing through the darkness of his bedroom. The screen is lit up, caller ID showing a familiar name in big, bold letters:
'Mrs. Gatto'
Shit.
Immediately, a thousand thoughts run through his head - worry, fear, and anxiety hit him in the chest like a ton of bricks. It's not really all that late, but still... Why is Joe's mom calling him right now? Surely Joe is okay? He guesses there's only one way to find out...
"Hello." The weak young man sounds miles more alert than he feels, body wracked with fever, chills, and aches.
"I'm sorry to bother you, Salvatore. I know it's late and
you've been ill. I just-- Joey came home today, and--
well... He's been crying all afternoon. He won't get up.
He won't eat. He's curled up in bed holding a picture of
the two of you. I think something may have happened
at school today... I just-- I don't know what else to do...
I thought maybe you could talk to him...?"
The woman's speech is rushed, almost frantic, and it only serves to further the concern for his best friend. He doesn't even think twice about it. Hell, he could be on his fucking death bed and Joe Gatto would come first. Always has, always will. No contest. Before he even realizes it, Sal is leaping from the bed, rummaging through clothes to find something decent to wear out, and speaking into the phone - "I'll be there in ten."
The boy hangs the phone up, tossing it carelessly onto his disheveled bedding without a second thought, as he pulls jeans up to his waist, buttoning and zipping them quickly. Fuck a belt. Joe needs him. A t-shirt is thrown over his shoulders in haste, phone retrieved and shoved into his pocket, and he's down the stairs in record time. Quickly waving to his own mother, who is seated on the living room couch, he calls out in a hoarse voice - "It's Joey. He needs me." - which leaves poor Mrs. Vulcano dumbfounded where she sits. He doesn't pay it any mind, though, knows he can explain better after he's found out exactly what's going on with his best friend.
Upon arrival on Joe's doorstep, Sal knocks, dancing impatiently until finally Mrs. Gatto answers the door with an apologetic smile. "Oh my, sweetie, you didn't have to come all the way over here..." She reaches, in true maternal fashion, to feel at his forehead for fever. "You're burning up, honey. Come on inside." The worried mother steps aside to allow the shivering boy access to the entryway of the Gatto household. She continues trying to coddle him, stumbling over apologies and pulling him in for a caring hug.
With as much respect for her as is possible, the young boy pulls away, pushing lightly on the overly-protective woman's arms. "It's fine, Mrs. G. I'm just gonna go check on Joey..." And with that, he turns, taking the steps two at a time, as familiar with the layout of Joe's house as he is with his own. Lightly, he raps on his friend's door, knowing full-well the other won't answer. Vocalization is out of the question, and if Mrs. Gatto's call is any indication, Joe definitely will not be getting out of bed to open the door. He’ll probably assume it's his mother coming back to check on him for the umpteenth time.
When Sal opens the door, the sight he sees breaks his heart completely in two. His best friend is curled up in a tiny ball on the bed, arms clutching a picture frame which holds the photo of their first day of highschool, entire body quietly shaking with obvious sobs of despair. Slowly, Vulcano crosses the room and softly seats himself on the edge of the bed. A tender hand reaches out, lightly coming in contact with the other's shoulder. "Hey, baby..."
The speed at which Gatto practically leaps up from his lying position and into his arms startles him, nearly knocking him over in the process. But he doesn't mind. As a matter of fact, feeling the other boy in his arms, despite the wretched condition he's in, instantly eases his mind.
Gently, he shushes him, even though no sounds are being emitted, Sal can tell they would be full-on wails of anguish if they were. "Heyyy..." He smooths over the boy's messy hair. "It's okay. I’m here. Sally's here now, baby." Vulcano adjusts their positions on the bed to where he's holding Joe practically like a mother holds a child, cradled lovingly in tender arms against his chest. A few seconds pass before he is finally able to force Joe's face upward to see the forming bruise over his left cheekbone. Now he's livid.
"What the fuck happened?!" The anger boils over, though he tries to bite it back, knowing Joe doesn't like to see him in a rage, even if it is on his behalf. Quickly, the weeping boy sits, shaking his head as if it's nothing major, but the look etched into his best friend's features says he wouldn't agree. "Tell me who did this, Joey." It's not a question. It's an order. And no matter how gentle it's deliverance may have been, Gatto knows Sal means business.
Hands move swiftly, shaking as they sign out an explanation, hoping to God his friend catches it all in his haste.
'They called me gay. Told me I was a faggot and that I was a
worthless piece of shit. Then they started talking about you,
and I pushed him. I was defending you, but he punched me.
I'm sorry, Sally. I'm really sorry--'
Vulcano stops him with a firm shake of his head and the placement of his own hands over the other boy's, which still tremble helplessly. "Shhh... It's okay, sweetheart." Movements are gentle once again as he places a hand to one side of Joe's head and draws him back in close. "It's okay."
But it's not okay. It's not okay at all. He's raging inside like a wildfire burning out of control, mind going ninety to nothing, conjuring up ways to make whoever had done this to his Joey pay the price for messing with him. In the pit of his abdomen, a knot of fury forms like nothing he's ever felt before. Who? Who thought it a good idea to lay hands on what is HIS? He has to know. "Who is 'they'? 'He'? Who did this?"
However, Gatto is sobbing again, tears silently streaming down his flushed cheeks as he curls further into his body, making himself as small as humanly possible. Of course he can't verbally answer, and he's in no condition at this point to sign it out for him. The poor boy is obviously in pain, both physical and emotional in nature... More than likely mentally as well. Seeing the one he cares about most in the world in such agony tears at Sal, tugs at his heart strings until they snap and fly apart with such force it steals his breath away.
A tiny, rasped name is all it takes to confirm what he'd already known to be true. "Jimmy?"
The boy nestled in his arms nods furiously through a sniffle, while wiping pitifully at his eyes. Of course it was Jimmy. Jimmy-motherfucking-Parker. Every goddamn time he's away from school - hell, even sometimes while he's there - the bully has always made it his life's ambition to make Joe miserable. Fuck him, and his mindless group of followers too!
Hands cradle his disconsolate friend closely, one sweeping lovingly through ruffled hair as he once again shushes him gently, "It's okay now, baby. I'm sorry I wasn't there for ya today, but I’m here now, and I'll be there tomorrow come hell or high water. I promise ya that much." Softly, so as not to aggravate the tender flesh, Sal leans down and let's his lips brush lightly over the area just below Gatto's left eye before bringing them more firmly to rest on his forehead.
Against the warm and flushed skin of his best friend's face, Sal murmurs softly, "I don't want y'to worry about those assholes, Joey. I guarantee ya-- they'll get their’s..."
Joe is left to stare and nod with wide, innocent eyes that never question. The boy has more faith in Sal than he's ever had in anything his whole life. He may not always be there to protect him from the harm, but he always makes up for it in the end. He might be hurting, might be close to giving up, but Salvatore Vulcano makes it all better.
Fandom: Impractical Jokers
Pairing: VulGatto (Joe Gatto/Sal Vulcano)
AU's/Tropes: Separation post highschool; the time when Sal/Joe were apart
Summary: How can a person be whole, when the other half of them is missing?
Prompt: Word beginning with the letter E - EMPTY
~Heart Vacancy~
It's been a year. An entire year - to the date. And still the pain is as fresh as if the heartbreak had happened only yesterday. It's akin to an open wound - raw and sensitive, bleeding and tender to touch. He'll never, ever hold leaving over Joe's head. Departure was essential for Gatto to learn how to function without the over-protection of Sal there to fall back on. And it was also a fairly decent teaching tool for Vulcano, though to hear him tell it, the only thing it's taught him is:
'...how to be fuckin' miserable...'
He'd expected the first few weeks would be the hardest. Of course they would. Adjusting to life without his best friend and love by his side - or at least within walking distance - every day was the closest thing he could ever think to compare hell to. The nights were long and rough, filled with endless tossing and turning. Ever so often, when he finally would fall into restless sleep, legs spasming with how exhausted he was, arms would reach out blindly in the dark only to find an empty space where Joe was supposed to be. That was the hardest part.
Contact was maintained for a couple of months, but even that dwindled down into nothing before too long. Seemingly the only thing that hadn't disappeared were the deeply-rooted seeds of love that had scarcely begun to sprout when the young men had decided to go their separate ways. Sal kept waiting for it, tried desperately to keep his mind occupied, to fill his time with new things that couldn't easily be related to Joe. He thought perhaps if he kept his mind busy, it would forget about Gatto, would allow him to move on. What he wouldn't have given on several occasions to unearth those seeds planted so long ago. He would have loved nothing more at times than to rip them up by their roots and toss them into a garbage disposal. Yet, time after time, he found himself giving in to the unyielding thoughts and feelings, fertilizing them and cultivating their growth. He would get lost in the 'what if's', grant himself admittance to the land of 'if only', which in turn would eradicate any former progress he might have possibly made.
It gradually became a downward spiral into impractical efforts, namely alcohol, simply to forget. If only he could forget, maybe he could let go and finally move on with his life instead of being hopelessly hung up on Joe Gatto...
« Halfway around the world »
This day is not lost on him. He's been psyching himself up to deal with it for weeks now. How one day have such an effect on a human being's life, he'll never understand. But this day just does. A whole year has gone by; several months now without an email, a phone call, a text... And it hurts. Dear God, it aches. The weight of this day's meaning settles heavily over his chest, has his brain in a frazzled state, queasiness churning like butter in the pit of his stomach. He loathes this day, and it's only the first anniversary of his departure.
The bright city lights of Los Angeles are beautiful, especially at night, but they come nowhere near rivaling the matchless beauty of a genuine Salvatore Vulcano smile. The green of the dollar bills he makes at his dull, unfulfilling job is nice, but no shade of emerald could ever compare to the viridescent glow of Sal's eyes, especially when framed by those sweet black, plastic glasses he always adored so much. Hollywood holds a mass of attractive people, none of which draw his attention due to the fact that he still has a vivid image in his head of all the aforementioned features he so loved, in addition to those thick, dark curls that flawlessly adorned Sal's head. The glitz and the glamour is great, but nothing will ever satisfy him the way Vulcano does. *DID* - There's no denying it... Joe Gatto is more than a little hung up himself.
He'd always heard that time would heal. 'Just give it time.', people said to him. And he did. He gave it all the fucking time in the world, but still he wakes every morning with suffering as new and as painful as the day he left. Time never once did anything to alleviate the burden of sorrow. To this very day, he wakes in the middle of the night sometimes, expecting Sal to be standing in the doorway watching him sleep like so many times before. Why had he though it a good idea to leave? He hadn't necessarily wanted to; it just seemed like the thing to do at the time. Sure, Sal had been upset. He'd cried. That much ripped his heart into shreds where he stood on that day. It was the first time he'd ever seen the other boy shed a single tear. Vulcano had always been the stronger one of the two throughout their childhoods together. It's not as if he begged him to stay... but shouldn't the fact that he sincerely wept have been enough to stop him?
No matter where he is, what time of the day it is, or what he's doing, Salvatore Vulcano is forever at the forefront of his mind. There never has been, nor will there ever be another like him. That knowledge makes Joe wonder if he'll ever be happy again...
*That Night*
On two opposite ends of the country, two men both hold a glass in their hands under a bright and full moon. Both sit under the same stars, but both swear there are too many miles between them for it to matter. Both are reminiscing about times past - laughing and playing on the playground at school, passing notes in class unbeknownst to the teachers, fighting for one another any time someone else spoke ill of the other, bullies being warded off, countless eye rolls and snickers at their expense (for being 'so gay') being ignored, dancing the night away at prom, their first kiss, losing their virginity to one another - scenes play like a movie in both men's heads. Yet, both remain too stubborn to pick up the phone and call, each swearing on their lives that the other has long-since moved on.
If only either of them knew the truth...
Simultaneously, at exactly 11:27pm, on two opposite ends of the country, the two men sigh heavily and down the last of their drinks - Joe his lemonade, and Sal his whiskey - both left feeling just as empty as the glasses in their hands.
Fandom: Impractical Jokers
Pairing: VulGatto (Joe Gatto/Sal Vulcano)
AU’s/Tropes: Serial Killers AU
Summary: Joseph/Salvatore leave their mark on the cities they visit while on the run from the law
Prompt: Word beginning with the letter C - CRIME
~Scorpion and The Twins~
The shiny, metal blade of the knife sweeps across the expanse of his neck, warm blood of the last victim smearing over the sensitive flesh and causing a small whimper to escape the confines of Salvatore’s throat. Pastel yellow wallpaper with tiny pink roses on it covers the four walls of the hotel room, though it’s now covered in bright-red blood splatter. The coolness of the steel is such a sharp contrast to the fire he feels prickling at his skin. It has his blood boiling inside his veins, pumping through his circulatory system at a speed that could easily be deemed unhealthy by any medical professional. He’s terrified, as he always is. What’s next for him? For them? His head is swimming in a haze of desperation, but for what exactly… he isn’t quite sure.
This is always the part that sweeps him away into a somewhat sinister madness, spiraling downward until he feels he’s lost control completely. That’s what he desires, what his whole being craves - to lose control and turn over the reins entirely to Joseph. The scent of his partner in crime, his LOVER, mixed with the sweet, somewhat metallic aroma of fresh blood has him falling limp beneath the weight of Gatto’s body. Groins press together tightly as blissful waves of heat overtake the pair of them. It’s always like this after an accomplishment - as if an un-containable wildfire has been set loose over both of them, bodies intertwining with such consuming passion, it always leaves the couple panting heavily for oxygen afterward.
Bloodied hands come up to meet the sides of Salvatore’s face in a flurry of movements, effectively holding his head in place while Joseph’s lips savagely attack his own. A fierce growl passes from his mouth into the other’s as lips part to allow Gatto’s tongue to slip inside. The kiss is frantic, desperate, satisfying, almost as if they could never get enough of the taste of one another. Maybe they can’t. Maybe that’s the beauty of their partnership - the encompassing desire for each other every single day, whether they meet with success or not. One would think after the adrenaline rush of taking a life, the two killers would need some downtime, a sort of breather, if you will. But it’s never been that way for Salvatore and Joseph; it’s always been the opposite. Once they feel they’ve reached the tip-top of the mountain, the adrenaline re-surges into unadulterated seduction, fantasies being played out before they’re very eyes and carrying them even higher than before.
Cold, hard stares from lifeless corpses used to freak Vulcano out. The first time it had happened, he’d screamed so loudly, Joseph had sworn he’d woke the entire neighborhood, causing them to cut their time in Portland, Oregon short. He’s long-since gotten used to the feeling of being watched while being intimate with his partner. They’re dead. It’s not as if they can actually see anything, or hear anything for that matter. Gatto hadn’t been too upset about the incident. Hell, they’d increased their body count by three while they were there. It wasn’t bad for a second mission as far as either of them were concerned.
Their last victim had been a man in his forties, known for the rape and beating of a twelve-year-old girl, now a registered sex-offender, and walking the streets as if he’d never done a thing wrong. Does that seem fair? Of course it doesn’t. It’s not fair to that little girl. It’s not fair to her family. It’s not fair to the next little girl that will catch his eye. The justice system is so fucked up. Hence the reasoning behind what Joseph and Salvatore do - enforce justification and right the wrongs the judicial branch of the government has let go. It’s their goal in life - to protect the innocent and condemn the guilty, and they’re quite proud of their accomplishments thus far, having just over thirty murders under their belts to show for it. They’re practically famous for their work too, the media calling them serial killers for awhile before they’d developed code names to go by. The detectives and news reporters had caught on to their patterns fairly quickly, and now they’re murders are known as ‘Crimes of Fair Play’ around the nation.
This time it’s different, though. This time it’s personal. Back in their hometown of Staten Island, New York, the couple had rented out a motel room and followed their target around for weeks, learning her routines by heart. This one is special. She’s the only one they’ve come here for. See, a long time ago, a young college boy didn’t get the justice he felt he deserved after months of horrific domestic abuse, both physical and sexual in nature. That’s not to mention the psychological affect it had on him, plus the false accusations of rape he’d had to deal with. His closest friend had done his best to help him, had eventually gotten him out of the dire situation he was in - practically saved him from staying with “THAT BITCH”, sighing heavily in relief along with him when the rape charges were dropped due to a lack of solid evidence. That young college boy was none other than Joseph Gatto.
Amy’s stiff and lifeless body lies several feet away on the opposite bed as the sensual exchange between the lovers intensifies, her eyes glazed over with the cold, hard glare of death. The knowledge of “THAT BITCH” being dead in the same room as them only turns Salvatore on more, hands coming to life and gliding skillfully over the curve of his partner’s rear, squeezing the voluptuous flesh and pressing Gatto further into his aching groin. The feeling of friction, even between two layers of denim has a sharp gasp of delight ringing out into the confines of the room, deep-rooted pleasure resonating in Vulcano’s mind as nothing short of spectacular. Something about knowing “THAT BITCH” has finally gotten what she deserved has him more aroused than any of their previous tasks have.
Joseph has always been the mastermind who plans everything out, even down to the tiniest of details. That impressive brain of his has formulated so many devious plots; sometimes all Salvatore can do is stare in jaw-dropping awe, stunned into silence yet again by his partner’s artful scheming. The thing even more amazing than those facts is that it never fails to work perfectly. Not once has their been a hiccup in the intellect’s system. The blueprints, methods, and procedures have always been just the right concoction for success.
On the other hand, Salvatore, from the beginning of their partnership, has been in charge of executing Gatto’s said plans. The supplies needed, the booking of a motel room to carry out their goals, the abductions of their victims, the knife that delicately carves through meaty flesh with exemplary skill each and every time… Hell, even down to the note they leave in each motel room afterward - it’s all a part of Salvatore’s job in their business. If it weren’t for the teamwork they share, neither of them would have made it this far doing what they do. Both positions play an equal functioning role in the operations they perform, and neither could do without the other.
The only thing that stops the furtherance of the quickly-advancing sexual encounter between the two is the sound of the television playing lightly in the background. Their code names are mentioned, causing Salvatore to hurriedly wrench his hand from the waistband of Gatto’s jeans - where he was seconds away from undoing the pants’ button - to snatch the remote from the nearby bedside table and turn the volume up to hear the report more clearly.
’…the young man’s body has been identified as belonging to
twenty-nine-year-old Emmanuel Alvarez and was found in a
motel room just outside of Newark, New Jersey. Officials have
confirmed the homicide to be the work of the aforementioned
serial killers. It has been deemed yet another Crime of Fair Play.
In 2009, Alvarez was convicted of sexual molestation in the case
of his nine-year-old daughter and spent five years behind bars,
released in September of last year on parole for good behavior.
Because of the time frame police are working with, it is believed
the two suspects may still be in the general vicinity where the
murder took place. If you or anyone you know has any possible
information regarding the whereabouts of the suspects, of if you
think you may have possible leads in this case or in any of the
[revious murders, please call your local police immediately.’
A knowing look is shared between the pair before Gatto rolls off Salvatore’s body with a heavy sigh. Vulcano reaches into the drawer of the nightstand, pulling out the complimentary notepad and pen. A glance is cast in his partner’s direction, proud smile flawlessly illuminating the green of his eyes. “Time to move on, baby.” He offers with a playful tap of the pen to Joseph’s nose. “We can catch up on the kissin’ later tonight.”
The gesture draws a pleased chuckle from Joseph as he nods his agreement with Vulcano’s statement. A swift kiss is planted on his lover’s temple when he rises from the bed to a standing position beside it. “Do your thing, angel. I’ll load up the car.” And with that he begins the small task of doing what little cleaning they perform after the completion of a mission, smiling proudly as his partner finishes up and joins him at the door.
They’re in the car and off to the next conquest in a matter of moments, and true to form, a note is left beside the corpse that remains in the motel room to be found. Childish scribbling lines the paper in tiny letters:
If the family asks, Amy didn’t suffer. She actually took it quite well.
However, if the boy she abused and molested asks, we put
her through hell before taking her life away from her.
Fandom: Impractical Jokers
Pairing: VulGatto (Joe Gatto/Sal Vulcano)
AU’s/Tropes: Highschool AU (summer between junior and senior years)
Summary: An excursion for the boyfriends turns into something much more terrifying than they could have ever imagined.
Prompt: Word beginning with the letter B - BACKPACKING
~A Night Best Forgotten~
It had seemed like such a good idea at the time - a sort of ‘last hoorah’ before their senior year began, their first trip together, albeit with a bit of reluctance on their parents’ parts, though hey had eventually given in to the two boys’ relentless pleas. There was no doubt in either of their minds - this would be a getaway like no other.
…if only the two teens knew exactly how true that last statement would turn out to be…
Backpacking is more common than a lot of people know. There are miles upon miles of trails all over the United States and of all different kinds to be completely truthful. For this first venture, Sal and Joe had chosen an easy route - one that was fairly close to home, extremely hard to get lost on, and wouldn’t leave them wishing for a new pair of legs each by the end of it. Who could have predicted that not even halfway through it, they would be wishing for far more than that?
The storm had popped up seemingly out of nowhere. One minute it was nothing but blue skies as far as the eye could see. Seconds later a torrential downpour came suddenly, spilling from the clouds and beating the earth below, including the two boys in its merciless attack. Huge drops of rain which instantly soaked the boys through their layers of clothing. Fierce bolts of lightning that lit up the darkened sky with an eerie glow. Roaring claps of thunder which seemed to shake the very ground they stood on. Forceful gusts of wind that threatened to sweep them off their feet. And it seemed to NEVER want to end, leaving the pair of them shivering and huddled close to each other under what little protection a tree provided.
Several moments pass after the skies have cleared a bit - rain ceasing, thunder and lightning appearing and sounding miles away, and wind dying down to a minimal breeze - before Sal is finally the first of the pair to move. Arms release their tight grip on his boyfriend as he gradually stands up straight, back stretching and evidently strained from being hunched over for so long. It’s always been his aim, his top priority, to keep Gatto safe, so of course he’d covered what he could of Joe’s body with his own while the skies let loose their fury. Now that it’s over, he’s ready to get moving again. Hopefully walking will provide them a little warmth and aid in drying them off quickly.
Mud coats both the boys’ shoes as they continue along their journey, neither of them paying much attention to the darkness that seems to be closing in around them until eventually, Joe recognizes it’s pitch black. Stopping his boyfriend, he reaches into his backpack and pulls out a flashlight, switching it on and taking in their surroundings with wide, curious eyes. “We should'a set up camp earlier, man. It’s too dark to do anythin’ now…” It’s clear the teen is a little nervous about the night ahead, seeing no way in sight for them to set up a tent with only the light of a small flashlight to guide their hands.
He’s still sweeping across the area with the flashlight, eyes darting about as if expecting someone or someTHING to attack at any second. Sal doesn’t appear quite as scared as he is, but that’s not uncommon, and at first he thinks nothing of it. The other has always been much braver than he as far as he’s concerned, and thank heaven for it… especially in their current situation. One of them will definitely have to keep a level head in order to figure out a solution to the dilemma at hand.
"Relax, babe, we’ll figure somethin’ out. May have to sleep under a tree or somethin’, but it’ll be–“ He’s cut of by Joe forcefully grabbing his arm and shaking him. ”–what the hell is–“ But the words die out on his tongue as the implications of the tiny whisper from his partner sends an icy shiver straight down his spine:
"Sal… Where’s the trail…?”
Vulcano snatches the flashlight from Joe’s hand without a thought, watching the bright beam hit the ground around them. True to his boyfriend’s words, the trail is nowhere to be found. “Fuck…” He mutters, a hand coming to run through wet curls in frustration. “Fuck, fuck, fuuuuuck… What the hell do we do now…?” A quick glance around the darkened area is only further confirmation for the teen already beginning to feel panic rising in his chest. They’re lost. Gatto beats him to an outward expression of fear, though.
"Sally!!“ The boy cries in obvious distress, hands reaching out to grasp at his boyfriend’s clothing, eyes filled with terror that has him gasping for a full breath of air. "What do we do?! I don’t like this, Sal!! I wanna go home!!” He’s shaking, clinging to Sal as if he’s the very thing keeping him alive in that moment. Tears he doesn’t even realize are falling stream down his cheeks as he lets loose a loud cry of panic while pressing his body in closer to his boyfriend’s.
"Heyyy…“ Sal pulls him away, holding him at arm’s length, eyes not very clear in the surrounding darkness, but stained with a firm look nonetheless. "Look at me, baby.” Several seconds pass before Joe’s gaze sweeps upward, lower lip trembling with how scared he feels. “We’re gonna be fine, okay? But I need y'to stay calm for me, yeah? We’re gonna figure this out. I promise.” The look of terror that lines his partner’s features has Vulcano himself longing to be back in the safety of their own homes, for he too is frightened of what could possibly be lurking out in these woods. It’s an unfamiliar area - one that could house any number of dangers, but he refuses to give way to the panic that he feels, the all-out dread that has formed into a tight knit in the pit of his stomach. No. He has to keep it together for Joe. He just has to stay calm, and things will be just fine.
Things are not fine. They’re far from it to be exact. The storm picks back up, seeming to have only calmed for a few moments to gather a second wind. It goes on for what feels like hours, leaving the two boys stranded under the shelter of a tree once again. This time, the pair has taken to sitting underneath a large oak whose branches sway and crack under the pressure of the wind. At one point, Sal is sure the tree is going to lay completely over, but it never happens. Joe is nearly hysterical at this point, crying and yelling out that he wants to go home, doesn’t want to be out in the woods any longer.
But then, just as suddenly as it had began, it’s all clear again the same as before, an eerie calm sweeping over the wooded area once more. This time, though, neither boy moves for fear of it picking back up. Instead they remain under the limited protection of the tall oak tree. “Shh…” Sal whispers into the shell of his boyfriend’s ear, attempting to calm him down as he continues to panic. “It’s all right, Joey. We’re gonna be all right.”
"You boys lost?“
The unfamiliar voice draws both the teens’ attention upward, where a strange man stands only a few feet away. His features can’t be made out in the inky blackness before them, but the man’s outline is as clear as day. Joe immediately tenses in his partner’s tight grip, cries dwindling down into tiny, hushed whimpers of fear as Sal speaks up, "Y-yes sir… We, uhh… we were on the trail, and then the storm came up and we lost it. We’re not– we’re not sure how to get back on the trail.”
The stranger steps closer, into the stretch of darkness the boys’ eyes have adjusted to. He looks harmless enough. Might could do with a long, hot shower, but other than that, the man appears as normal as can be, even as he speaks again, “I can show you kids back to the trail if you’d like. Know my way around these parts. Mhm. Know ‘em like I know the back'a my hand.” There’s a brief pause as he glances around at the forestry. “Name’s Jeb. Case ya’s wonderin’.”
Okay, well his speech is a little… off, but that’s all right. If he can help them make it back to the trail, they can get to the car and head home. Forget backpacking this time around; they’re sufficiently scared of being out here in the middle of nowhere now. Sal rises first, reaching a hand out and helping Gatto to his feet, squeezing his hand tightly once he’s standing. It’s a gesture done for no other reason than to try and keep the other young man as calm as is humanly possible in spite of the strange man offering them assistance. “O-okay, mister… We’ll– uhh… we’ll follow you.”
At the acceptance of his offer, the stranger lets out a spine-tingling outburst of maniacal laughter that has both of the teenagers more nervous than either is willing to let on. He’s a hell of a character, but what position are they in to deny guidance? They’re as lost as lost can be. What choice do they have other than sitting it out until morning? And what if the storm comes back? No, it’s best to follow the man. Maybe he’s just weird and kooky. At least that’s what Sal tells himself to be able to remain calm.
When the man turns away from them and begins to lead them ahead, a look that says 'What the fuck?’ is shared between Sal and Joe. Neither boy questions it either, for both know exactly what the other is thinking without even saying a single word. This encounter has been nothing but BIZARRE from the second the guy had appeared, but the couple follows behind him nonetheless, hands clasped tightly together, feet prepared to turn and run in the opposite direction should things turn sour.
Nothing comes of it, though, and before long, the trail is beneath their feet, the young men sighing heavily with relief and looking ahead to thank the man profusely.
He’s gone.
Nowhere in sight.
He couldn’t have just disappeared into thin air. What the fuck is going on? This is too strange. It’s too spooky. Inexplicable. Turning around, Sal shines the beam of the flashlight behind him, sweeping over the area but eventually giving up when he finds nothing there. “C'mon, baby, let’s just–”
Vulcano would have continued, would have vocalized more words of comfort to his boyfriend when he hears it - the faint sound of maniacal laughter reverberating from deep in the woods. He senses the scream just before it happens and clamps his free hand tightly over Gatto’s mouth. “Don’t.” The teen whispers somewhat harshly. “Let’s get the fuck out'a here.”
They run as fast as their tired legs will carry them, breaths coming in ragged and uneven gasps, hearts feeling very much like they could leap from their throats at any given second in time, leaving the bitter taste of cold, gripping fear in both their mouths. By the time they’ve reached the car, they’re both out of breath, very nearly hyperventilating as they jump into their respective seats, Sal immediately locking all four doors and starting the ignition. Tires screech as the vehicle peels out of the parking area designated for backpackers and campers. All either of them wants is to be in the safety of their own homes.
Sal doesn’t even ask, doesn’t feel the need to, knows for a fact that his boyfriend won’t want to sleep alone tonight. He passes Joe’s street without a word of objection passing the other’s lips, which only confirms to him that he’s more than a little shaken up by the turn of events this evening.
The two unnerved teens are inside Vulcano’s house, backs pressed against the door after it’s shut behind them, panting heavily and making sure it’s securely locked before heading up the stairs. They’re caught at the top of the staircase by Sal’s dad, who questions what they’re doing back so early. The boy’s rush to explain about the storm and how they’d decided to come home early instead of camp out in the bad weather, completely leaving out the part about getting lost and their odd encounter with the creepy man who’d led them back to the trail. It’s over now. No need to unnecessarily worry his family with what had happened. They’re safe and sound now. That’s all that matters.
Two weeks later, the boys are piled up on Sal’s living room couch, ready for a movie marathon. Vulcano is mindlessly flipping through the channels while they try to decide what to watch first. He lands on a news channel just as Joe questions him about one of the films in his hand. Mouth is opened to answer, but he falls instantly silent when he sees the picture on the screen. A hand reaches over and grabs his boyfriend’s arm, free hand pointing toward the TV with a horrified stare on his face.
It’s him -the man who’d helped them in the woods that night - on television.
He immediately hits the mute button on the remote, swallowing the words the reporter speaks as if they’re molten lava that burns on the way down.
'Officials say the man, forty-two-year-old, Jebidiah Willis, escaped from
the local Staten Island Asylum for the Criminally Insane a little over two
weeks ago. Willis was wanted on two counts of murder in the first degree,
but was later declared not guilty by reason of insanity. He was committed
to the mental health facility by state officials in nineteen-ninety-four.
Willis has been proven to be a harmful threat to himself as well as others.
He was found wandering around the woods near the Parks and Wildlife
Center of Staten Island and is now in police custody. We’ll have more on
this story as it develops.’
The TV drones on in the background as both boys stare with wide-eyed horror at each other. Not a word is spoken between them, but what’s going on inside their minds is exactly the same.
It’s the sound of that spine-chilling, maniacal laughter echoing over and over and over…
Fandom: Impractical Jokers
Pairing: VulGatto (Joe Gatto/Sal Vulcano)
AU’s/Tropes: Married with Adopted Child (undecided name)
Summary: The Gatto’s take their little girl to the zoo for the first time
Prompt: Word beginning with the letter A - ANIMALS
~Lions, and Tigers, and Bears - OH MY!~
Planning a child’s birthday party can be a daunting task, to say the very least. Cake, balloons, party favors, gifts… Oh, and don’t forget the guests! Fifteen to twenty little ankle-biters running around the house is the equivalent of Sal’s worst nightmare, but alas, their daughter is turning three in a couple of days. This could very well be the first birthday she remembers when she’s older, so he and Joe have dedicated themselves to making it worth remembering for her.
The party itself isn’t until the weekend. Her birthday falls on Friday this year, and the party will be held at their home on Saturday, which means an amount of cleaning that would make even the greatest housekeeper break down and cry from Thursday on. Today, though? Today, being Wednesday, is set aside for giving their daughter an early birthday present - a trip to the local zoo. Of course, Sal had been a little hesitant at first, but Joe had talked him into with the obvious ‘They’re all in cages. They can’t get out.’ spiel, and he’d eventually relented, knowing it would provide their child with infinite joy, seeing as it will be her first visit.
Breakfast is consumed in no time, bags packed and ready to go, the little girl bouncing (much like Joe) from foot to foot with an exuberant grin on her tiny face. “We’re going to the zoo! We’re going to the zoo!” The exclamations come out sounding much more like a song than a statement, causing Joe to sweep her up in his arms, tickling at her pudgy belly. “That’s right, baby-girl! We’re goin’ to the zoo!” He begins singing the line along with her, causing his husband to roll his eyes in amusement.
"All right, children. Let’s go.“ Vulcano-Gatto tries to look exasperated with their relentless singing, but ultimately fails as a bout of hearty laughter escapes at how silly the pair are together.
Soon enough, but not before standing in a horribly long line to purchase tickets and get in, the pair lead their little girl through the gates, each holding one of her hands. She’s glancing around the vast space as if it’s the greatest thing she’s ever seen, eyes widening even further with awe as they take in the grand displays of various species. It’s clear she’s completely mesmerized by the zoo already.
They pass by each exhibit, stopping to ‘Ooohh’ and ‘Ahhh’ with admiration at the beautiful creatures housed in them before moving on to the next. Thus far, the little tot has walked everywhere they’ve went, often tugging Sal and Joe to go a little faster when she got excited about an upcoming display.
Enchantment paints itself on her adorable features as she takes in the meerkats, the different types of monkeys, the prairie dogs, the varying species’ of birds - the penguin display even having her laughing at their waddling movements. They see everything, going so far as to take her into the reptile building… at her request. Even those displays have her excited as she watches a huge python slithering about its cage in an apparent effort to find a comfortable position. Nothing could possibly tear her attention away, and both men take turns lifting her into the air to see the higher of the animals on display.
Eventually, the last stop on their way out of the zoo is the larger animals - elephants, tigers, bears, giraffes, and the like. For the most part, their daughter seems to enjoy those as much as any before. That is until one of the elephants decides it’s the perfect time to make its loud trumpeting call, which inevitably startles the tiny girl into Sal’s arms. "Hey, it’s all right, Peanut. Elephants make that sound all the time. That’s how they talk to each other.” The huge animal takes the statement as his cue to make the sound again, causing a small, bubbly giggle to leave the fearful girl. “See? He’s just talkin’ to his friends in there. That’s all.”
His daughter nods at the explanation, seemingly satisfied with it, before attempting to make the sound herself and causing both her fathers to laugh with obvious amusement. Joe speaks up this time, “Well, Sally, we came in with a little girl, but it looks like we’re takin’ an elephant home.” He tickles lightly at her belly again, causing her to squirm and writhe in Sal’s arms, giggling the whole time.
The last display they come upon before meeting the exit to the zoo is the lion exhibit. One of the larger, male lions sits near the viewing wall, snoozing away until they walk up to it. Movements are fast as the animal all but leaps to its feet letting out a loud roar and causing the little girl to bury her face in Sal’s chest (as he’s still holding her). “Hey, buddy…” Joe speaks to the animal, voice seeming to soothe more than hurt, “Sorry we interrupted your nap there. Just droppin’ in to say hi.” He waves like a child himself. At the sound of her other father talking to the creature, the scared girl continues to bury her head snugly under Sal’s chin, but turns her head slightly to regard the lion with wide-eyes. “See, baby? He can’t hurt ya. We just startled him a little.”
She nods, waving slightly at the large beast that’s beginning to lie down again. “He’s big…” The toddler whispers against her father’s chest, eyes starting to show the beginnings of tiredness, wide yawn further confirmation of the fact that she’s done for the day.
As they start to leave, Joe’s offer to take the sleepy girl is met with a grateful smile and nod from his husband. He’ll never mind carrying their daughter around, but he also won’t deny the slight ache in his arms from doing so.
"What was your favorite part, Pudge?“ Gatto questions as he slips her from Sal’s arms and into his. "I like the penguins and the birds and the monkeys and the bears, but my favorite was the elephants.”
"Really?“ Sal perks up, glancing her way with an incredulous look. "But y'were scared'a the elephants…"
"At first I was, but then I wasn’t.” The logic of an almost three-year-old causes a light chuckle to leave both men before she continues, “Daddy Joe always says to face my fears. That’s why I picked them as my favorite.”
A brow arches in his husband’s direction as Sal listens to the explanation their daughter gives, a thumbs up that she can’t see being held up for him to take in. “That’s good advice, P. Always face your fears, sweetheart.” He encourages while they continue their long trek back to the car.
The small group finally arrives at the vehicle, Joe tucking the little girl into her car-seat and buckling her in snugly while his husband gets in and starts the engine. He hops in several moments later, waiting for his husband to get situated before shifting the gear and starting to pull away.
“Bye, bye animals!"
The toddler speaks up from the backseat, gaze fixed on the zoo until it’s completely out of sight. Joe and Sal join hands over the gear shift as usual, proud smile adorning both their features as they look at one another, eyes communicating without saying a single word. They’ve successfully made their daughter’s third birthday one to remember, even before throwing a party.
