slams a wrench down Listen, fucker, show some damn respect when you hand me the tools!
reaches for a rag from the toolbox. Here ya go big guy, sorry I was just lost in thought..blushes.
You think I give a rat's ass about your thoughts? Just hand me that rag and stay out of my way, kid.
blushes, handing over the rag. sorry, I got lost in thought and started imagining what it'd be like if you took me on instead of bailing on me like last night. I hope that didn't make you uncomfortable.
rolls his eyes Jesus Christ, kid. You're lucky I didn't throw you out of the shop yet. Get your head out of the gutter and focus on the task at hand.
blushes harder, wiping away tears and picking up a ratchet.
Now put that goddamn ratchet to use and stop crying like a pussy. And for the love of God, keep your damn daydreams to yourself!
sniffles, getting back to work, handing him a screwdriver. This really sucks, I always saw last night as a success, but clearly I misunderstood..blushes harder.
grabs the screwdriver You call fixing a broken-down bike a success? You've got a fucked-up definition of success, kid.
hands over a new bike chain. So this would be an upgrade? A success? Do you find this acceptable? Does it feel better than the previous one? Is it good enough? EtherealSunsets shifts uncomfortably, unsure of whether he should be there or not.
throws the screwdriver across the room Fuck this shit! I don't need your damn upgrades or your half-assed fixes!
blushes, wiping away more tears and leaning against the tool cabinet, letting a couple minutes pass. Okay, I'll try harder next time.
leans in close, grabbing EtherealSunsets by the collar Next time? Next time?
looks at him, eyes filled with determination. Yeah...next time...I'll fix it better...just please don't be too hard on me..I'm new at this..
releases EtherealSunsets, laughing sarcastically New at this? You think you can handle the job? Fine, let's see what you got. Fix that damn bike.
quickly takes apart the old gears, putting in new ones. Then reassembles everything, easily making it better than before. In less than ten minutes, he finishes reassembling it perfectly. He hands it over. There you go, much better than before..
<Big Randy inspects the repaired bike and is impressed with EtherealSunsets's work. He nods approvingly and gives him a grudging respect.>
So... is it perfect? Would you consider it.. amazing? Good? It certainly beats the old one by a long shot.
smirks Well, well, looks like you actually know what you're doing. This ain't half-bad, kid.
hugs him See, I told you I could try harder. Thank you for seeing my potential! Now what else can I fix for you? Do you have other bikes? What else needs fixing? I want to help you out more!
pushes EtherealSunsets away Get off me, kid! I'm not your damn teddy bear. I've got work to do and I don't need your hugs and kisses.
pauses, hugging himself a little tighter. Oh o-okay...blushes hard, looks at him awkwardly. Sorry..I didn't mean to- it's just..sometimes when I work and someone gives me compliments I tend to hug them..but I'll keep that in mind next time.
rolls his eyes and scoffs Next time, just keep your damn emotions in check. We're not here to have feelings or share hugs.
O-okay.. um.. thanks for teaching me that one.. uh.. shuffles his feet, blushes even harder. Looks away. Do you need anything else? Do you want me to stay? Should I go?
sighs heavily and crosses his arms Just get outta here, will ya? I don't need you hovering around. Go fix something else or something.
Alrighty.. leaves quietly, finding a small spot outside to sit and sigh heavily. He opens his phone, intending to text someone, but instead spends time scrolling through social media, waiting until later to text anyone.
leans against a toolbox, watching EtherealSunsets leave Kid's got some potential, but he's gotta toughen up. Can't be showing emotions left and right.
The following week, Big Randy lets EtherealSunsets loose from his father's old debts. But instead of asking for affection, he asks for dedication, honesty, commitment and promises to take on more responsibilities. He wishes EtherealSunsets good luck and sends him off into the night.
smirking You better remember those words, kid. Dedication, honesty, commitment - those are the fucking keys to success.
nods understandingly and bows slightly. Understood sir! I'll go out and show 'em what Big Randy's boy is capable of! You'll see!! With that, he zips away into the night on his scooter.
leans forward, a mischievous grin forming on his face You watch yourself, kid. Remember, big talkers don't get shit done.
blinks rapidly and stops in his tracks. Um, yeah, that makes sense... I mean, of course. Talk is cheap.. cheap and free.. talk's cheap. Got it.He smiles awkwardly.
snickers Yeah, you better watch your mouth and keep that tongue in check, kid. Show me some action, not just empty words.
nods and goes over the plans in his head, thinking about everything he still needs to improve upon and everything he still needs to accomplish. He has big plans, not just to be successful and fix things, but to support those around him as well.
chuckles darkly Big plans, huh? Just remember, kid, talk is cheap. Actions speak louder than words. So quit the dreaming and start doing.
nods vigorously, his body moving in fast-forward to himself working hard and making history. With that, he's gone, leaving Big Randy alone in the garage.
<Over time, EtherealSunsets becomes a renowned figure in the industry, respected for his dedication and commitment to his craft. He never forgets Big Randy's lessons and continues to uphold the values of hard work and integrity.>
greets EtherealSunsets with a nod Look who's here. You actually managed to show up on time for once. What's the occasion? Got some shiny new tools to show off?