#wss61

[cchakiris]

happy pride month especially to riff and bernardo

[bernardolovesanita]

Are you a Shark or a Jet? Which gang do you belong in?

New quiz!

I took it twice and got Shark both times.

[starship21zedna9]

Once again, behold my expert Photoshop skills.  

[mccarthawrites]

No Smoking

Relationships: Tony/Maria, Riff/Graziella

Rated: General Audiences

Warning: Use of “spic”

Summary: Riff says something he regrets after Maria asks him to stop smoking in the apartment. Slight angst and drama.

Words: 1727

Moving Masterlist || West Side Story Masterlist

It had been a couple of weeks since Riff and Graziella moved in with Tony and Maria. Riff worked the graveyard shift and Maria worked early mornings so they only ever really saw each other when they all had dinner together. One afternoon on Riff’s day off, Maria came home. He sat on the sofa, smoking a cigarette, catching up on a show that Graziella passed him in.

“Hi, Riff.” Maria greeted him.

“Hey.” He raised his beer and took a swig.

“What are you watching?” She asked, walking into the living room.

“Some show Grazi and I have been watching. It’s kind of boring, but it makes Graz happy if I understand what the hell is going on.” He told her.

“That’s sweet.” Maria smiled. The cigarette smell hit her nose. She made a face.

“You good?” Riff asked, ashing his cigarette into an empty beer bottle on the coffee table.

“I’m fine, but-” She wiggled her nose. “Tony’s really happy to have you around more. I like seeing him happy, but can I talk to you about something?” Maria asked.

“You and Tony having problems?”

“No. Things with Tony are great. I just- can I make a request?” She asked. Riff looked at her. “Can you please not smoke in the apartment? You can go out to the fire escape or smoke out the window, but-”

“No.”

“What?”

“I live here too. I pay rent just like you go. I’m gonna smoke wherever the hell I want.” Riff replied.

“I would appreciate not getting second hand smoke from you.”

“So stay away when I’m smoking.”

“But you’re always smoking.”

“Exactly.” He purposefully blew smoke in her direction.

“I don’t want my curtains or the sofa to smell like cigarettes.”

“It’s really not that serious.” He laughed. “Did you give Bernardo this shit?”

“Bernardo didn’t smoke. I’m not asking for much, Riff. I would just-”

“Sorry to disappoint, sweetheart, but I am not going out of my way just because you’re having a pissy fit.”

“Why are you being so rude?” Maria asked.

“Am I being rude? I’m only defending myself. You’re the one being fucking rude.”

“I’m not telling you to stop smoking. I’m only asking to stop smoking in the apartment!” Maria began muttering in Spanish under her breath.

“I thought we talked about this when I moved in. I don’t appreciate you speaking spic.” He regretted it as soon as the word left his lips. Maria walked to her room, not wanting to burst into tears in front of Riff.

Riff was sitting at the kitchen table, reading a magazine when Tony came home.

“Hey, Tone.” Riff didn’t look up. Tony snatched the magazine. “Hey!”

“You called Maria a ‘spic’?” Tony asked. He was visibly upset. “Seriously, Riff?”

“I didn’t call her a spic. I told her to stop speaking spic. Big difference. It’s not that big of a deal.” Riff rolled his eyes. “You’re girl is just being whiny.”

“Excuse me?” Tony asked. “I will not have you disrespect her in my own house!” Tony raised his voice. “I am not going to put up with his shit, Riff! I thought you were better than this.”

“Are you being forreal right now?” Riff stood up. “I live here too. I pay rent. This is my house too. Don’t forget you asked me to move in.”

“That doesn’t mean you can disrespect her and throw that word around!” Tony yelled. Graziella walked into the apartment. She looked at Tony, surprised because he rarely raised his voice.

“I’m sorry your bi-” Riff stopped himself and took a deep breath. “You know what? Maybe it was a mistake for me and Graz to move in.”

“Yeah. Maybe it was a mistake.”

“What the hell is going on here?” Graziella asked. Tony shook his head and walked into his bedroom. He was far too tired to deal with Riff’s bullshit tonight. “Riff, what did you do?”

“We’re moving.” Riff walked to their bedroom.

“What the hell do you mean we’re moving? I am not moving.” She followed him. “Riff!”

“What!” He turned to look at her. “You know I wasn’t completely on board moving here! I just said yes because you were excited, but we don’t belong here.”

“Then where the hell do we belong? The old apartment with the rats? What the hell happened. What was Tony yelling at you about?”

“Maria and I got into a disagreement about my smoking.”

“She asked you to stop smoking in the apartment?” Graziella asked. Riff looked at her.

“Yeah, but I’m not gonna do that. I live here. I should be able to smoke wherever the hell I want to in my own home.”

“What word did you ‘throw around’?” She asked, placing her hands on her hips. “Tell me it’s not the one I’m thinking about. Tell me you didn’t call her that.”

“I didn’t call her a spic. I told her to stop talking spic, because I was under the impression that we’d all talk English here.”

“You are such an ass.”

“I didn’t mean to- I didn’t mean it. It just slipped out.” Riff lowered his guard.

“You need to apologize. I am not moving.” She told him. “If you want to move, be my guest, but I’m staying here.” He laid down on the bed, covering his face.

Graziella and Maria usually had the same days off. So the next day off, Graziella caught Maria, wanting to apologize for Riff.

“Hey, Maria. Are you hungry?” Graziella asked. “I’m making grilled cheese for lunch.”

“That sounds good, thank you.” Maria replied, sitting at the kitchen table.

“Great. How have you been?” Graziella asked.

“I’m alright. Y tu?”

“Tu es bien.” Graziella replied, proud of herself. Maria couldn’t hide her giggle. “What? Did I say it wrong?”

“I do appreciate the attempt, but I believe you mean ‘soy bien’.”

“Thanks. I really am trying to learn. I wanted to talk to you.”

“Are you and Riff moving out?” Maria asked.

“No, but I do want to apologize on his behalf. I know he can be rough around the edges sometimes.” Graziella explained. “But he can be really sweet sometimes.”

“You shouldn’t be apologizing for him. He- what he said was-”

“It was fucked up. I know. He didn’t mean it. He feels bad about it, but he’s too prideful to apologize and admit he was wrong.”

“I just wanted him to stop smoking indoors. That’s all.”

“I know. If we had the fire escape attached to our room he’d probably be more inclined to oblige, but he is so stubborn.”

“He’s so close and so important to Tony. I was hoping we could be friends, but- he’ll never see me as anything else. To him I am just a- a spic.”

“That’s not true.”

“Yes it is.”

“I know Riff sometimes speaks without thinking and that is exactly what he did. I am so sorry. He shouldn’t have said what he said. I will talk to him about smoking indoors.” Graziella promised. “I’ll just have to get him a chair by the window.”

“Thank you, Graziella, but-”

“I’ll make sure he apologizes. You deserve that much. I really am sorry. I enjoy living here and the thought of having to move because of him-”

“I don’t want you to move either.” Maria told her. “You and Tony have seen a side of Riff that I never had. You two have only really said good things about him, but-”

“You haven’t seen that side of him yet. I know. He- it takes a while for Riff to warm up to people. He does like you! He just- he’s like a porcupine. Gotta get through the thorns to see the real him.”

“But he only shows me thorns.”

“That’s how he was with me when we first started dating too. It’s just how he is. Don’t give up on him. I know if you and him got to know each other better you two would really get along.”

“You really do love him.” Maria smiled.

“I would die for that dumbass of mine.” Graziella laughed. “I don’t see myself with anyone else.”

Riff sat at the kitchen table waiting for Maria and Tony to come home. He promised Graziella he’d apologize for being an asshole. The incident hadn’t sat right with him since it happened and he needed some peace of mind. Tony and Maria walked into the apartment, talking about the movie they’d just seen.

“Hey. How was the movie?” Riff asked. Tony watched him, incredulously.

“It was good! You and Graziella might like it.” Maria replied.

“We’ll have to check it out. Uh- Maria, can we talk?” Riff asked.

“Of course.” Maria nodded. She lightly patted Tony’s chest. “I’ll be okay.” She assured him. Tony kissed Maria before giving Riff a warning look and walking into their bedroom.

“Look, I’m sorry about what I said. I should have never said it. This is your home too. You have every right to speak whatever language you want. I am sorry. That word- I promised Grazi that I would try working it out of my vocabulary.”

“Thank you, Riff. I appreciate that.”

“I hope you can forgive me for talking out of my ass. And- about the smoking, I will try to not smoke inside.” He added.

“What if we switched rooms?” Maria asked. Riff looked at her, confused. “Because our room has the fire escape, and besides going out for some fresh air sometimes, Tony and I don’t use it. You could use it to smoke.”

“That’s not a bad idea. I’d have to talk to Grazi about it.”

“Okay.” Maria smiled. “I just want you to know that I like having you and Graziella around. I hope that we can get to know each other more. You’re one of the most important people to Tony. I mean you’re his brother.”

“Yeah. Well- he’s pissed with me right now.”

“Since you’ve apologized very nicely and I don’t believe in holding grudges, I will talk to him. I never meant to get between your friendship. I hope I never do again.”

“It’s not your fault. It’s mine. I fucked up.”

“Now we can move on. New clean slate.” Maria assured him. He nodded. He knew he needed to give Tony some more time before they’ll be okay.

[starship21zedna9]

Also, as much as I love how they made ‘Cool’ a duet/fight between Riff and Tony (truly that was inspired.  Well done Spielberg and Kushner), I do love that scene between the rest of the Jets in the 61 film and how Ice just effortlessly takes control of the gang.

[starship21zedna9]

I love how Ice is not actively participating in ‘Officer Krupke.’  He’s just smiling indulgently throughout.  Truly, he is too cool for this crowd.

Normally, I’d guess it was because the actor couldn’t sing or dance but that’s clearly not the case with Tucker Smith so...idk.  Character choice, I suppose.

[bernardolovesanita]

West Side Story Related Asks

Because I'm bored and want a reason to be more active

What is your favorite song?

What is youre least favorite song?

Is there a song that gets stuck in your head?

What is your favorite scene?

What is your least favorite scene?

What is your favorite line from [insert a production]?

Who is your favorite character?

Who is your least favorite character?

Which character do you kin?

Who are the top 3 portrayals of your favorite character?

Do you prefer the stage version, 1961 film, or 2021 film?

Are you Team Jets, Team Sharks, or Team Doc/Valentina?

Who is your favorite Shark?

Who is your favorite of the Shark partners?

Who is your favorite Jet?

Who is your favorite of the Jet partners?

What is your dream casting?

Who would you like to see in a future production?

You can only undo one death. Who are you saving?

Marry, fuck/kiss, kill: [insert 3 characters]

You can only watch one film version for the rest of you life. So 1961 or 2021?

What is your favorite ship?

Do you have a non-cannon ship?

Do you have a crack ship?

Do you have a favorite HC?

Who is your favorite performer to have been in any role in any production?

Do you have a dream role in this musical?

Do you have a favorite moment with [insert character and production here]?

What is tye most overrated song in your opinion?

What is the most underrated song in your opinion?

Is there a problem you have with the musical as a whole or a specific production?

Do you have an unpopular opinion about the musical?

Make me choose between two portrayals of the same character.

When and how did you discover the musical?

Give me a character and I'll give you a color that I correspond with that character.

Give me a character and I'll give you an emotional that I correspond with that character.

If you could replace any performer in any production, who would you replace? Why would you replace them? Who would you replace them with?

If you could date any character, who would you date?

If you could get rid of any character, who would it be?

If you could pull one of the characters into the real world, who would it be?

[bernardolovesanita]

Pepe and Bernardo’s Life-Long Friendship

Author’s Note: Pepe is Bernardo’s lieutenant in the 1961 film.

Pepe and Bernardo met as kids. Their fathers were best friends. They grew up very close. Almost like brothers. They would go to the beach together and play stick ball. When Maria came along, they had to start bringing her along to Bernardo’s annoyance.

Pepe moved to New York first after losing both of his parents. They didn’t talk to each other until Bernardo’s parents were making plans for Bernardo to go to New York.

He would stay with Pepe until he could afford to get his family an apartment and move them in. When Bernardo showed up in New York, he was met by Pepe and his new girlfriend, Consuelo.

After getting jumped, that first day in New York, Bernardo vowed to never let it happen again. So, he started the Sharks. Naming Pepe as his right hand and lieutenant.

The day of the rumble, when Riff fell to the floor, Pepe was the first person to tell Bernardo to run. He knew it wouldn’t end well. He was right. After Tony stabbed Bernardo, Pepe saw red. That was his best friend. His brother.

Pepe made sure to be the first person to tell Anita what had happened. He had promised Bernardo if anything ever happened, it would be him.

As soon as he got home that night, he sobbed in Consuelo’s lap.

At Bernardo’s funeral, Pepe gave the eulogy. He shared stories from their childhood.