Tess O-Meter -- Green.
You can read these in any order, but they are best when read in the order of writing, which is Broadway Lust Story, Broadway Love Story, Broadway Luck Story, Broadway Beginnings, and Broadway Bust.
-X
Sunday morning, Ty paused at the mirror to examine the cut on his head. Thankfully the tape had survived a proper shower and hair wash and the cut had not re-opened. No way could he have gone another twenty-four hours without grooming.
The bruise though was really starting to bloom. An example of modern art in greens, greys and yellows, thanks to his boyfriend attracting the attention of crazy stalker land-lady. Oh and some purple. Nice. Real nice.
From one angle it looked like a butterfly, from another it could almost be Lebron James slamming in a dunk.
Tony had told him that it made him look dangerous and rugged and Ty had quipped back that people would think Tony had done it. Swiftly having to reassure Tony when he looked horrified and had become upset.
"Sorry," Ty had murmured as he kissed Tony's nose, forehead, cheeks, and finally mouth. "I was kidding. Bad joke. No one would ever think that."
Ty's next joke that obviously Ty, being bigger and stronger could defend himself from Tony any day, had resulted in a major tickle fight during which they had both nearly laughed up a lung.
Ty had won though, because he knew Tony had many more sensitive places, and Ty wasn't scared to get down and dirty. Hello -- tickly balls much!
Distracted and chuckling at the memory of Tony squirming under him and pleading for mercy, Ty left the room and walked slap into a chest.
As strong arms gripped and pulled him in, Ty realized in a moment it wasn't Tony, not carved enough. And although the body was firm and fit, it wasn't tall enough to be Frank.
He blinked and focused, seeing Tony stood in the centre of the room, smiling at him with his arm slung around his Mom's shoulder and both her arms tight around his waist.
Ah, so it must be Tony's dad who had him in a bear hug.
He squeezed back and was released. Tony's dad, Dan, moving to cup his face and study him closely. His eyes were intense and serious, and Ty felt, as he always did, a little shock at seeing Tony's eyes in the older man's face.
A warmth spread in his chest at the obvious concern in the familiar hazel and he smiled, rubbing Dan's arm, "Hey Dan, I'm okay. Don't look so worried."
Dan nodded, almost satisfied, "Yea? You gave us a scare kid."
"I promise. I've barely even got a headache," Ty reassured him. Startling slightly as Frank appeared as if by magic by his side, like the world's most glamorous fairy godmother. Glass of water and painkillers at the ready.
"Did I hear headache?" he flashed a grin at Ty. The one that said, 'don't test me.'
Ty didn't even bother arguing. He just sighed and took the painkillers.
Nodding with satisfaction Frank took the glass back into the kitchen, talking over his shoulder, "We were just talking about you going down to Florida with Dan and Gabriella to see your grandparents."
"What?" Ty asked, confused.
"Gabi and I are going on a cruise," Dan explained. "And we're staying with your grandparents for a couple of nights before we sail."
"Really?" Ty was delighted. "I didn't know you guys were in touch."
"Well really," Tony's Mom laughed. "How can we gossip about the two of you if we're not in touch?"
"Your grandma is worried about you," Dan said. "She was all for coming up here, but we said we would check on you."
"You should go see her," Frank said. "You'll have this sweet couple to keep an eye on you." He gave Tony's mom a kiss on the cheek and completely missed Ty's shoulders tensing and the rebellious look on his face.
Cal, Tony, and Dan didn't miss it though, and rolled their eyes at each other.
"More to the point," Dan said, before Ty could start arguing. "We can make use of a big strapping lad like you to help us out, and you know, I don't like flying that much. It would be a help to us."
Amusement overrode Ty's annoyance, and he gave Tony's dad a dry look, "Are you playing me, Sir?"
Dan tipped his head to one side and smiled, "Is it working?"
Ty grinned and raised his hands in defeat.
"Just a couple of nights, Ty," Frank said kissing his cheek. "Reassure your grandma."
"Okay," Ty agreed.
Frank flashed him a triumphant smile and then turned to give Tony's dad the same kiss, "Bye, Handsome Dad, I'll see you later."
Dan just laughed and patted his back.
Gabriella got a big hug and then Frank kissed Tony, "Bye, Handsome."
"See you later, Frank. Bye Cal."
Cal merely waved at them all and followed Frank out of the door.
Ty eyed Dan a little warily, "Er, Frank is really affectionate with everyone. I hope he didn't make you uncomfortable."
"Are you kidding?" Dan grinned. "Best nickname ever!"
Gabi laughing, moved forward and Ty found himself in another embrace. Despite being approximately half his size (he had no idea how she had brought forth three children, all of whom were pushing 6ft. He shuddered to think of it), she had the ability to enclose him in a hug that made him feel totally loved and protected.
She also was aware that her hugs made him overly emotional and he needed just an extra moment to compose himself. Gabriella Thomas was one of his favourite people and he was completely in love with her.
Over her shoulder he spotted Tony turned slightly away but still watching them. Tony was smiling but also rubbing the end of his nose really hard, which meant he was trying not to cry.
When Ty lowered her down from tippy toes, she reached up and pulled his head down. Touching her lips gently to his bruise. "Better?" she asked.
"Much," he managed, feeling a little choked up himself.
"I'm so glad you're both okay," she said in her gentle voice. "Are you up to coming out for lunch?"
"Sure, that sounds great."
"We'll drop your cases off on the way," Tony said, then looked at Ty. "Mom and Dad are going to stay at ours for a couple of nights. Apparently I have to stay here until you get back!"
"Frank being bossy?" Ty asked.
"Always. But it was Cal actually, he insisted."
"It's good," Dan said, "I'm glad you have someone to watch your back. Especially with the Thomas curse of attracting the ladies!" he teased Tony.
"Yea, yea!"
"Crazy ladies!" Ty agreed, playing along. Tony stuck his tongue out at him.
"If your head's okay, Ty. We've got some tickets for the garden tonight. A friend of mine passed them on, but it might get rowdy."
Ty hadn't been to Madison Square Gardens in ages. As a student he didn't have the money, and now he had the money (just about) he didn't have the time. But he knew about the game tonight and shot an evil grin at Tony's dad.
"Daniel. It would be my absolute pleasure to come and watch the Flyers get trounced!"
Dan stopped dead and turned to Ty a look of shock on his face.
"I'll bring tissues," Ty continued, rocking back on his heels with a grin. He knew that Dan was an avid supporter of the Philadelphia Flyers, but he had always supported the Rangers, with the knowledge that New York was his true home.
"Tony," Dan half whispered, his eyes still wide on Ty, his voice awed. "You didn't tell me your boyfriend knows hockey."
"That's because it's boring and I didn't want to listen to the two of you trash talking each other's teams," Tony informed him bluntly.
Dan narrowed his eyes at Ty, "What makes you so confident, we're getting good stats this season?"
"Yea, but we've got Haaning," Ty said simply.
Dan slow-walked over to him his chest puffed out, making Ty laugh. Then he slung an arm around Ty's shoulders. "I always wanted a son who appreciated hockey," he said, his voice wobbling with fake tears. "I might have to adopt you."
"Only if you admit that the Rangers rule," Ty said seriously and laughed again when Dan groaned and shoved him away.
"Betrayed," he cried out in horror. "Betrayed by my almost adopted son."
Gabi laughed and Tony just shook his head. "You can see where I get my acting talent," he joked.
They had a good day. Ty liked Tony's parents. Hell, truth be told he had fallen nearly as hard for them as he had for Tony. He didn't know Tony's two sisters very well, but they had welcomed him without reservations, and Dan just cracked him up.
He was touched that they had hustled to New York to check that he and Tony were okay and knew that they were just as concerned for him as they were for their son.
However, no matter how good the day had been. It didn't soften the blow of his beloved New York Rangers getting thoroughly whipped by their rivals on their home ice.
He sat in the seat, his head in his hands as Tony rubbed his back in sympathy and Dan bounced, clapped, and cheered in the seat next to him.
"What the hell just happened?" he asked the world in general.
"You're not having the best weekend are you, Babe?" Tony said gently.
"Fucking Bullies!"
He couldn't stay mad in the face of Dan's delight, and they rehashed the game over a slice.
"Lunch out and pizza," Tony complained. "I'm not going to fit in my costume come Tuesday."
-X
Ty was flagging by the time they got back to Frank and Cal's place.
Tony insisted on getting water, getting painkillers, plumping the pillows.
In the end Ty just took his wrist and held him still. "Tony, I'm okay."
Tony eyes flickered to the bruise and the dark circles under Ty's eyes. "You're exhausted."
Ty winced, but nodded. "Sure, I am. Maybe taking in a hockey match wasn't the best call, my head is reminding me it got clonked, but it distracted us both and sweetheart, no one here is going to cause us any harm," he said gently.
"I wish I could come to Florida with you," Tony admitted, looking a little lost.
"Three nights, and I'll be fine by the time I get back." He grinned, "Plus I've got Gabi and Dan to take care of me."
Tony smiled, "And they will. Then your granny will smother you in love." His mood lifting he turned a little. "You've got to work tomorrow?"
