Tej called and said he has a big race tonight and invited me to join him. So that's where my sister and I were going.
As I pulled up to Tej's garage, I noticed him talking with Suki. Suki and Tej were my first genuine friends I'd ever had; when I initially moved to America, I was badly teased because of my Trini accent. I introduced them to my siblings, and we've been inseparable since.
I turned off my engine and exited, gazing over to see my sister, Tirana, exiting hers.
"Hey, boo! How are you doing?" Suki asked as she hugged me. Tirana dapped up Tej and then walked over to hug Suki as I hugged Tej.
"Shia, lil sis, how you doing, baby?" He asked, swinging me from side to side.
"I'm good, boo, what's this? I'm hearing that you got a surprise for the racers tonight." I asked, my gaze suspiciously fixed on him.
"That's for me to know and you to, dot dot dot. You racing for me, tonigh?" He asked, cheesing at me.
I shook my head and laughed. "Nah, I just came to chill. I got work tomorrow." I said, drinking my beer.
He rolled his eyes and glanced at Ty, saying, "What about you, big sis? You gon race for me?" He asked her.
She sipped her beer and shook her head, saying, "Hell nah, I don't want to take your money tonight." She said, cackling.
Tej waved us off and proceeded to the other racers.
"crush it,BABY!" I hugged Suki and told her to go ahead so they could get started.
We sat on the hoods of our cars, watching Tej interact with the racers; he seemed upset.
"Aye! Listen up! Of course, some sorry Mfs called out tonight's race, so I had to call someone, but I still need another racer, so y'all better start calling!" Tej yelled while crossing his arms. Tej's money isn't something he plays with.
"Aye! Why don't you fill in, Shia?" Suki said.
I gave her a look, then at Tej, who was pleading with his arms outstretched.
I signed, grinned, and then nodded, telling Tej I'd do it.
"Aye! My number one racer, Shia, is going to race tonight, y'all. And she's taking y'all money, fo sho." Tej yelled, raising my arm, making me playfully shove him.
After getting back into my car and following everyone else, I got out and strolled beside Suki.
I turned around when I heard a commotion of cheering and clapping. A man driving a Skyline got out and stared at me.
As we both stared at each other, I thought, 'Damn, he was fine.'
"Fuck!" Suki signed while plainly showing her defeat.
I asked, "What's wrong?"
"Brian, that boy over there. When I say he's good, Shia, I mean it like he might be your only competition. You know I'm good, yet I'll never be able to beat you. Brian is an absolute natural."
'Oh, he's famous over here, then? How come I've never heard of him?'
"Sup, Suki?" he asked as he glanced between me and Suki.
I didn't find many white boys appealing, but he was unquestionably the best-looking. His eyes were a deep ocean blue; he was the definition of a pretty white boy.
He approached Tej, dapped him up, and they began talking.
"Why don't we kick it a nickel?" he asked as he turned to face Suki once more.
"AY! AY! Nobody said anything about raising the stakes." Julius yelled. This dude has an issue with everything, which makes me roll my eyes.
"Well, in that case, why don't you ask these nice people to move back so you can go home?" Brian said, walking over.
I laughed a little and stared at a furious Julius.
As the crowd began to cheer, Brian's excitement increased. "OK! OK! OK!" They stopped talking when he yelled.
"OK, Julius, are you going to come on or what?" I asked. Nothing against Tej, but I ain't trying to be out all night.
"Aye! Puta, listen, this is not your discussion." He screamed.
I pursed my lips and peered around me to see who the hell he was talking to.
"HEY! WATCH YO MOUTH, BITCH!" Tirana shouted as she got off her car.
I turned back to Julius, glaring, and pointed at him. "Mi dun tell yuh bout dat bitch word kip IT UP an MI A SHOW YUH ONE!" I yelled at him.
He sighed, "OK, 38 large," and gave Tej the cash.
I inhaled deeply as we all lined up and grinned.
"Let's do this, bitches."
-Time Skip-
As the audience applauded for me, I stepped out of the car and grinned. I then turned to face Brian and grinned at him. He was a badass driver; I had to concede that.
Tej offered me ten bands, but I shook my head and spoke in his ear instead. I gave Tej and Suki a hug, then turned to face Brian as he approached us before heading back to my car.
We pulled off the lot and blew our horns, speeding down the street.
There were many times when Trini believed she could trust you with her secret. One afternoon during a picnic in the park, when your relationship hit the third month mark, but you had been dating for a little over eight months and her guilt grew with each day that her secret identity as the Yellow Ranger remained hidden from you.
She knew she could trust you to keep her secret, and the identity of the team a secret, but her biggest fear was how you would react. For the entirety of your relationship, she had lied about where she went every time her watch beeped and the only reason you hadn't figured it out yet was because the others always corroborated with her stories.
When you approached her locker that morning she knew then it was time to tell you the truth. She just hoped her lies wouldn't be the end of your relationship. You agreed to meet at Ernie's later but when you were late, Trini knew something was wrong, but she tried not to worry and waited. After twenty minutes she went to use Ernie's telephone to call your house, wanting to believe you had forgotten - something you had never done before - but when her watch beeped Trini predicated what Zordon would tell them.
She stared at the viewing globe as Zordon explained Rita's plans, fiddling with the necklace around her neck that you had gotten her two months ago for your anniversary, saving money from your job for weeks to buy it for her. Her eyes took in the scene. You were forced to sit on a metal chair, putty patrollers tying your hands behind the metal chair, while Goldar barked orders at the foot soldiers.
"Rita captured Y/N knowing how much he means to you. Her goal is to weaken you, and destroy the Power Rangers."
Trini's lips parted when she saw your expression as putty patrollers surrounded you before the viewing globe grew misty. "Oh no,"
"Don't worry, Trini, we'll get him back." Billy assured her, placing a hand on her back.
"Yeah, the three of us," Jason gestured to Billy and Zack, "will distract Goldar while you and Kimberly defeat the putties and get Y/N out of there."
Her eyes darted around the hillside, the gravel crunching beneath her feet as they headed further up the hill. A few miles later they found the cave and morphed before rushing inside.
After nearly an hour in the company of Goldar and the putties, your fears had dwindled as you tried to twist the rope off your wrists. Goldar listed all the things he would do once the Rangers were defeated, unaware that the team had arrived.
The Red Ranger struck first, then the Black Ranger, followed swiftly by Blue, and the three led Goldar further into the cave, and away from you. You looked at a putty that fell to the ground, seeing a blur of Pink briefly before the Yellow Ranger appeared and the two fought off the putties before the Pink Ranger untied your ankles. You looked over your shoulder to find the Yellow Ranger untying your hands and stood up once you were free, rubbing your wrists which were raw from your attempts to break free.
"Thanks." You looked between the two.
"Are you okay? Are you hurt?"
"Apart from my pride? No." Your words cause Trini to smile behind her helmet. You noticed Goldar running towards you, the three Rangers scrambling to their feet to follow him, but he reached you first and you ducked down when he swung his sword, looking at the Pink and Yellow Rangers when they pulled you towards the light streaming into the cave.
"Go, run!"
More putties arrived when you got outside and you counted at least fourteen of them. "Oh no!" The Pink Ranger groaned.
You pulled the two Rangers aside when Goldar rushed towards where you were standing, and he struck down several putties, growling as he turned to you. With no other option, the three of you headed inside the cave, and the two Rangers stepped in front of you.
"Stay behind us." The Yellow Ranger said. "When it's clear, get out of here."
You watched the two face off against Goldar, joined by the other Rangers who divided their attention between the putties who were easily defeated. But Goldar was stronger and more skilled. Sparks flew from the Black Ranger's suit as he was struck with the sword and the Pink Ranger was pushed against the wall, falling to the ground. The Blue Ranger landed next to the Black Ranger moments later, all groaning in pain.
You heard a cry come from the Yellow and Red Ranger as they were struck down and rolled a few feet across from you. Their suits disappeared and your eyes widened when you saw Trini groaning in pain.
"Trini? Trini!" You raced forward, sliding next to her, "Trini? Trini?"
You held her to your chest as Goldar laughed, and she met your gaze as she clutched her stomach. "I'm sorry -"
You shook your head, "Don't be sorry." You placed a hand on her cheek, "I knew you were special from the moment I laid eyes on you. I just never realized how special you are."
She smiled softly, gasping when Goldar approached.
"How touching."
"Do you ever stop talking?" Zack spoke up from behind him and Jason jumped to his feet, helping Zack fend off Goldar. Kimberly and Billy moved around, making it harder for Goldar to fend off all four Rangers.
You pulled Trini to her feet and she smiled brightly before going to help the others, morphing as she ran to their aid. You kept to the side lines, watching the group you had become good friends with since you started dating Trini, and were in awe of their strength and dedication that sent Goldar fleeing back to Rita.
The group removed their suits, and your eyebrows raised as they walked towards you. "You're all Power Rangers?"
"The sweetest." You grinned as you performed a bro-shake with him before looking at Trini with concern. "Are you okay?"
The group moved away as she walked closer to you, smiling over at you both as they gave you privacy to talk.
She nodded, "Are you?"
"I found out my girlfriend is the Yellow Power Ranger." You sent her a bright smile before your expression changed as you spoke, eyebrows furrowing as you tried to find the words to describe how you felt. "I'm worried, but mainly I'm really proud of you."
"I wanted to tell you - I was planning on telling you soon -" She took your hands and you sent her a smile to ease the guilt she was feeling. You could always read her better than anyone. "I'm sorry for lying to you. If I had explained, then maybe Rita wouldn't have brought you here."
"I was Ranger bait." You deduced. "Instead they were sent running. Literally." You smiled, kissing her forehead, placing an arm around her as you headed out of the cave, the other Rangers falling into step behind you. "You look really great in yellow, have I ever told you that?"
Trini smiled, leaning into your chest, and nodding her head. "You may have mentioned it before."
You smiled as you placed a kiss on her head. From the moment you met Trini Kwan, you knew she would be important in your life. She was a special person, and that day you found out that she shared the burden of saving the Earth from Rita who had been wrecking havoc for months now. That day you realized the word 'special' was not enough to describe her. And proved that all her doubts weren't true as you supported her, and understood the importance of her identity remaining a secret, as you always did.
SU&D- This might get into spoiler territory, but I imagine Kim's not gonna take super well to Trini leaving for Angel Grove, right? Seeing what you said about her abandonment issues?
I'm gonna try and talk about this without spoiling anything, but feel free to come back for more thoughts after chapter 14!
mild spoilers for chapter 11
You are absolutely correct! Kim definitely has abandonment issues stemming from her mother dying (she thinks it's abandonment) and her father being pretty absent. And the nannies, who were her only sense of friends and family, always left eventually. And even though she wasn't in love with Ty, he abandoned her, too. So she has some issues with that. And add that on top of being so unsure of what she feels for Trini, but quite obviously being attached to her, yeah. Kim is gonna see it as abandonment, even after all they just went through, and she won't be happy. But will she explode again? Will she feel lost? I can't tell you yet ;)
Underneath everything, Kim is very insecure around people whose opinions and relationship matter to her. Most people, she could care less if they don't stick around. Not even most people, practically anyone. It's people that she let's in (Whether she admits to it or not) that she's fearful of leaving her. I could let you take three guesses who this covers, and you'd probably get them all.
It's so hard wanting to talk so much about Kim but not wanting to give spoilers, lol. She's so so complex in this world. More than she seems. If you can see that and start to pick her apart, I love you.
oh also!!! trini does not have a last name. just like maddox and jet. the og yellow ranger's name is trini kwan, but as that doesn't match trini's ethnicity in the reboot, most people change it, and most writers use "gomez" since that's her actress's (becky g) last name. i personally go w khan because of this post but honestly go loco
ooooooo okay ty !! i will keep this in mind when searching tags !!
I'm sorry things are hard right now! I'd suggest looking at your art (which is something I do for a bit of cheer) but that might not bring you the same joy it does me. What's your favourite Draco/Harry headcanon?
TY! Looking at my old drawings just gives me a headache tbh but drawing New Content usually makes me feel better! And I’m glad to hear my work makes you happy!
I have this like, completely unfounded hc that they are both mixed latino, for no reason except: 1) the only person i know irl with the surname Black is Venezuelan/Trini 2) the only person I know irl w naturally occurring hair kinda like movie!narcissa is Mexican 3) my text to speech reader thinks Draco Malfoy is a Spanish word and sometimes switches to a Whole Different Guy just to read his name 4) idk anything canon re: the Potter’s background and therefore Can Do What I Want :-) including rampant projection all over the place
I like to think that Draco grew up speaking Spanish and would help Harry learn the language he was robbed of by his upbringing and help him translate family texts in his vault <3
I have yet to read the issue but man…what was the point of doing that to Journey? I get it in terms of like tying into the theme of death/grief but that’s not being executed well in the FIRST place so like. Why
I would have less of a problem with it just being like "it's all part of the theme of losing your loved ones!" if. It was clear that part of what kept Death Ranger's hold on the other Omegas was more than just them dying(?) and Spa'ark controlling their bodies - if Spa'ark was manipulating them through promises of healing their specific grief through their power to raise the dead; Yale would get back their family/former owner, Zack and Trini would get back Journey. So then being freed of Death Ranger meant accepting what would happen. idk
I don't have anon asks on, so I'm not gonna anon tell you this. Fair's fair.
Characters that you have the same energy as to me:
Dustin Henderson from Stranger Things. Maybe it's just the hair. No no, I think you've definitely got Dustin energy.
I definitely think you've got the potential to have Alfie Solomons energy if you get a little more age on you, a little more experience, you could totally run your own organization in a post-war semi-lawless society.
In the movie, Satisfaction, there's Mooch (played by Trini Alvarez), and you have some of her grumpy drummer energy, but I'd also say that if you were to take Leslie Hunter, Wendy Beemish, And Billy Hicks from St. Elmo's Fire and smash them together, you'd be the result of that smash.
You absolutely have Jimmy Price energy, though. From Hannibal.
My husband Mark’s mother used to tell him the story about how his great grandmother Trinidad (Trini) Verdin had been abducted and held captive by Geronimo and the Apaches when she was 12 years old in 1886. As the story goes, Trini went to help her aunt Petra Peck on their ranch because she was pregnant and had a small child to take care. One day while her husband Artemus Peck was out with another rancher rounding up cattle, Geronimo and a group of Apaches approached the ranch. Petra thought nothing of it as they had not had any issues with Apaches in the past. When she opened the door, the Apaches shot and killed her and killed her small child that she was holding. They ransacked the ranch and found Trini hiding under a bed. They were just about to kill her when Geronimo stepped in and stopped them. They abducted Trini, tying her to the back of Geronimo's son's horse and she was held by the Apaches for about two months until one day when a group of Mexican Militiamen rescued her. Mark had always assumed the story took place in Sonora, Mexico, when in reality it occurred in what is now Rio Rico, Arizona about 50 miles south of Tucson. Peck Canyon Road off of I-19 in Rio Rico is actually named after the ranch where this massacre and abduction took place. We've been told that there is a small memorial where the Peck Ranch once stood. As we were researching this, I came across a Barnes & Noble November release date for a novel based on Trini's captivity! Mark contacted the author, Michael Farmer, who had done extensive research on this story partly based on interviews that Trini did with the Mexican authorities two weeks after she was rescued, and he was kind enough to send Mark an advanced copy. How interesting that this story that Mark has heard since I was a kid has now been turned into a novel.
Meetings in the multiverse can often get very awkward (with a little Spider-man crossover) 😂
I think I'll call this one: The Trini-ty 😜
A drawing made by me!
Fun fact about this piece, this was one of the first drawing I commissioned almost a year ago. Since then I tried commissioning this concept from three different artists but every time they either ended up forgetting it, disappeared or had to drop it due to personal issues.
So in the end I've decided to make it myself. Hope you like it!