I think watching some random actor's entire filmography just because you fancy them is actually so important. It teaches you that even the most successful artists start somewhere. That they experience ups and downs and career ruts and often have to do very weird projects at some point just because their rent is due. And maybe you discover that you don't even like that guy all that much lol
AN: I know I know. I have neglected stories. Shhhh. Just enjoy this new one...
"You want me to what?" I asked, leaning against the door to the art studio I worked at. Nick smiled nervously at me. Finnick rolled his eyes.
"Pretend to be my partner?" Nick asked, rocking on his heels. I crossed my arms and stared at him. "This con needs two people." I glanced at Finnick who stared at Nick indigently and wearing a onesie.
"And Finnick is chopped liver?" I finally voiced what Nick was failing to grasp. Nick waved us off, making Finnick roll his eyes again.
"No! No. He's the baby." Nick explained. Finnick gave me an exasperated look. I snickered.
"I'm sorry what?" I asked. Nick nodded.
"He's the baby. I'm the parent. You'd be the other parent. Therefore my partner." He said, smile coming back. "Just for this popsicle thing. Come on please." He was pretty close to begging at this point and I had to hide my smile as I looked back into the art studio. "Look I know you went straight. But you still help out from time to time. I really need it today. Please?" I turned around and headed back into the art studio. Nick quickly followed me. "(Y/N), come on. Please. You wouldn't even need to do anything. This is totally for appearances. One big happy family. I promise you."
"You dumbass." I laughed, reaching behind the reception counter to grab my things. "I'm in. Give me a minute. Gotta freshen up to play the part." Nick sagged with relief.
"Thank you. I owe you." He said, backing out of the building. "Big time. I owe you." I shook my head with a smile as I headed towards the bathroom. "Hey Tony! Taking my lunch!" I called as I passed the manager's office.
"Yeah alright." I pushed into the bathroom and went right to the mirror. I ran a hand through my hair and breathed out a sigh.
"What the fuck are you doing (Y/N)?" I breathed out. "You went straight. You walked away from that life. What the fuck are you doing?" Gripping the sink, I hung my head. "Nick fucking Wilde. You are in deep." I looked up at my reflection. "He says jump and you ask how high. Dammit." Pushing off the sink, I splashed water on my face before trying to comb through my hair with my fingers. "As good as it is gonna get." I sighed. I grabbed my jacket on my way out and looped my arm with Nick's as soon as I saw him. "So popsicles?"
"Popsicles." He confirmed, putting his hand over mine. Finnick was sitting in a stroller and sucking on a pacifier. "Finnick and I have tried this before. It didn't work out well."
"Almost got the cops called is more like it." Finnick muttered. Nick shot a glare at him.
"Well maybe if that damn pacifier didn't smell like whiskey, it would have worked!" Nick shot back. I snorted a laugh as Nick moved behind the stroller. He started pushing it down the street as I leaned into him.
"Once you get what you need, I'm out." I reminded him. Nick nodded. "I go back to work. And you owe me. Big. Next big family event, you are pretending to be my partner." Nick groaned but nodded. Nick moved to open the door to an ice cream shop. I smiled softly at him, mask firmly in place as I pushed the stroller through the door. The man behind the counter gave us a dirty look as we walked up.
"I don't know what you're doing, skulking around during daylight hours but I don't want any trouble in here. So hit the road." He barked out. I shot Nick a look, confusion clear on my face. Nick looked at me, every inch in character. Finnick fussed a little in the stroller.
"I'm not looking for any trouble either sir. I simply want to buy one of your jumbo pops for my little boy." Nick said, motioning to Finnick. I pulled the cover of the stroller back a little as Finnick whimpered. Nick leaned down and scooped Finnick out, bouncing him as he walked over to the display case. "You want the red or the blue pal?" Nick asked. Finnick leaned towards the case, hands smacking the glass in front of the red one.
"Come on kid. Back up." The man said, waving a hand at Nick. I stepped up next to them. I stared down the man, hand on Finnick's back. "Listen buddy. There aren't any ice cream joints in your part of town?"
"Uh, no no. There are." Nick fumbled, looking at me. I noticed the police officer that stood in the corner, watching as a line formed behind us.
"Crap." I muttered. "Sir, the thing is our boy, the goofy little stinker, loves this one. He came here with his babysitter one day and we just can't seem to take him anywhere else." I shrugged as Finnick leaned into me, pouting. "Who the heck are we to say no to this little face?" I cupped Finnick's face, turning him slightly towards the man. I kept an eye on the cop as Nick tensed beside me.
"Look. The two of you probably can't read. And I know that kid can't." The man sighed. "But the sign says we reserve the right to refuse service to anyone." Nick looked at me and I frowned. "So beat it."
"You're holding up the line." An older woman behind us chimed in. I glanced back at her and reached for Nick's sleeve.
"Maybe we should..." I started. Finnick started to cry. Nick shared a look with me, panic starting to seep into his eyes.
"Hello." We both jumped as the cop joined the conversation. I grabbed Nick's arm, feeling how tense his muscles were. "Excuse me."
"Hey you're gonna have to wait your turn like everyone else meter maid." The man said. Nick and I looked at each other wide eyed at the way he was speaking to a cop.
"Actually, I'm an officer." She said, gesturing to her badge. "Just had a quick question. Are your customers aware their getting snot with their cookies and creme?" A couple people in the ice cream parlor froze. The man looked between them and the officer.
"What you talking about?" He asked. Nick and I tried to fight our smiles.
"Well, I don't want to cause you any trouble but I believe scooping ice cream with an ungloved hand is a case three health code violation." The man turned to look at the other worker who was currently picking his nose while he scooped ice cream. Nick turned his head into my shoulder to hide the smile growing on his face. His shoulders shook as he tried not to laugh. "Which is kind of a big deal. Of course I could let you off with a warning if you were to make sure everyone is wearing gloves and I don't know..." She turned to us and smiled. "Finish selling this nice family a...what was it?" She touched Nick's arm as he finally composed himself.
"A jumbo pop." I chimed in. "Please." The officer smiled at us.
"A jumbo pop." She finished. Finnick sniffled as he looked at the officer.
"$15." The man sighed. Nick nodded at the man.
"Thank you so much." He said, smiling. He turned towards the officer who was still standing at his side. "Thank you." Nick reached for his wallet and frowned. His face dropped as he patted his pockets, shooting me a look. I knew where he was going with this. "Oh no. Are you kidding me? I don't have my wallet. Honey, what about you?" I moved to the stroller to search through my purse, conveniently hiding both our wallets under the papers I kept in there.
"Crap. No dear. I don't. I think we left them on the end table again." I played along. Nick grimaced as he looked at Finnick.
"I'd lose my head if it weren't attached to my neck." He chuckled. "That's the truth. Oh boy." Nick leaned his head against Finnick's. I bit my lip, knowing Finnick would have something to say about that once this was over. "I'm sorry pal. Got to be about the worst birthday ever. Please don't me mad at me." Nick kissed Finnick on the forehead as I went about getting the stroller ready to go. "Thanks anyway." He said as he started walking past the officer. I followed him, pausing for a second.
"Thanks for the help. It means a lot." I murmured as I went to follow Nick who was holding the door open. Finnick was pointing at the case of jumbo pops, still playing up the con as Nick and I were rushing to get away from the cop. There was a dull thud as we turned back to the counter.
"Keep the change." She said, hand resting over a bill. The man sighed as he went to grab a jumbo pop. The officer brought it over, handing it to Nick as we left the store.
"Officer, can't thank you enough. So kind, really." Nick said. "Can I pay you back?" She waved her hand as Finnick reached out to her. She shook Finnick's hand.
"Oh no. My treat." She assured him. Nick looked back at me with wide eyes while she was preoccupied with Finnick. I shrugged and shook my head. "It just burns me up to see people with such backwards attitudes. I just want to say you're great parents and a real articulate fella." Nick smiled.
"Well that is high praise. It's rare that we find someone so non-patronizing isn't it sweetheart?" Nick said. I nodded.
"Clearly it isn't all officers, as they say." I added. The officer smiled at me.
"Officer?" Nick asked. The officer mock bowed.
"Hopps." She said. "Mr. and Mx..."
"Wilde. Nick and (Y/N) Wilde." He said. Officer Hopps nodded. She turned her attention back to Finnick. It was my turn to look at Nick with wide eyes. He shrugged and looked at me panicked.
"And you little guy, you can be anything you want when you grow up. No matter what anyone says." She said, handing Finnick a fake badge sticker. Finnick squirmed and Nick went to put him in the stroller.
"Thank you again for all your help Officer Hopps." I said. "But this little guy needs a nap soon." Nick nodded, waving as we walked away.
"Holy crap." He muttered as we turned the corner, stopping at the van Finnick had stashed there earlier. He put finnick down and leaned his back against the van. “I can’t believe we got away with that.”
“me neither.” I sighed, leaning next to him.
“if either of you kiss me or do that mushy family crap with me again, I’ll kill you.” Finnick muttered. “Fucking embarrassing.”
“embarrassing? How about me crapping my pants when that cop walked in?” I shot back. “And you!” I smacked nicks arm. He rubbed it and furrowed his eyebrows.
“ow. What the fuck was that for?” He muttered.
“telling her our real names?! What were you thinking?” I cried. Nick smiled.
“well you’re safe. It was my last name sweetheart.” Nick threw his arm over my shoulders and pulled me close. “Whatever. We’re never going to see her again. We’ll be alright.” Nick kissed my head and I felt my cheeks heat up. Finnick smirked as he loaded up the van. “Go back to work. I’ll bring you your cut tomorrow.”
“You better Nicholas.” I teased, hugging him quickly before ducking out from under his arm. I waved to the two of them as I headed back to work. The rest of the day was uneventful. It wasn’t until the next night that nick knocked on my door. “Finally. Took you long enough Wilde.” I teased as I opened the door. Nick handed me my money. I tilted my head at him and ushered him into my apartment. “What’s wrong? What happened?”
“I’ve made a huge mistake.” He breathed out as he sat down on my couch.
