Chain Food Festival!

Femboy Hooters - Rhink

The two men both were browsing their phones after their afternoon meeting. Sitting on opposite sides of a smaller round table in comfortable leather couches. Link had his slim legs crossed. It always fascinated Rhett how the man could sit comfortably like that. Link always sat in weird positions, it almost had a femininity to it.

Rhett like to browse reddit and twitter, oftentimes stumbling upon memes and occassionly some more inappropriate fandom related things. He likes researching and digging deeper into things, so naturally he had read a fanfic or two. Or three.. actually, he had read so many at this point he could no longer count them. But he didn't really talk about this much. It was mostly for the jokes.

There was something about that portion of fans of theirs however, the ones who shipped them, that made him feel comfortable in coming to terms with his will to explore sexually. It was like he could do it without the effort - and most importantly, in silence.

The bearded man had stumbled upon memes of Hooters before. He wasn't by any means involved in the fad culture of the internet but he just couldn't help but get weirdly attached to this concept of male maids at a Hooters restaurant. Alot of the art was of incredibly feminine boys in the classic Hooters outfit. Ofcourse alot of them were of furries, he didn't quite understand them. But the art was oddly hot regardless.

As he once again scrolled by one of these 'Femboy Hooters' memes, he locked his phone and looked up at Link.

"Do you remember the Hooters restaurant incident the summer of 98?" He asked with a light giggle.

Link chuckled back. "What? Yeah? How on earth did you just come to think of that all of a sudden?"

"It was so bad man."

"I'd appreciate if we didn't bring this up at all. Let's just remove these memories."

"It was never my thing anyways."

Rhett knew Link always got off going to a Hooters restaurant, but they didn't do it once more since that time. They both got thrown out. Rhett however was never into it even if he really tried to. Link was visually uncomfortable bringing this topic up. "I grew up, I'm ashamed and I wished that day in particular did not exist. I get it's fun and silly to talk about man, but please drop this." Link swallowed.

The tone and tension shifted in a second. "Did you see about-"

"Yeah, yeah." Link interrupted him. He knew exactly what he was aiming at. The newly opened gay Hooters restaurant.

"Internet is crazy man. People made a GoFundMe for this."

"Whatever man. Just drop this."

Rhett knew Link always became uncomfortable about male sexuality in general. He decided to drop the subject.

"See you on monday then." Link waved goodbye with the carkeys in his hand.

"Take care." Rhett replied before entering his own car. He took a moment to check his phone again. He looked over his shoulder and around him as if someone could potentially be spying on him. Jessie and the kids were going on a trip this weekend and he wasn't following. This was a perfect time for him to relax.

He tapped on his phone, putting something into google and opened up maps. He placed the phone on the holder infront of him and drove off. He passed by the Femboy Hooters restaurant and inspected it from a distance for a couple of minutes before actually making his way home.

At the McLaughlins it was quiet and empty. Not even Barbara was home with him. He enjoyed the silence sometimes, it helped him with regaining energy. For now his thoughts were consumed with fantasies about the Femboy Hooters restaurant. He tried to gain courage enough to actually have a night out for himself. The bearded man was resting on top of the sheets in the king sized bed. He could hear the clock ticking as he just stared into the ceiling. Rhett knew that if he were going to the Hooters restaurant he needed to do so discretely. If even one person recognises him, that meant the whole internet would soon do the same. To be fair he had no idea what impact that could have on his career, but he decided not to dwell on that.

It was close to 7pm and Rhett just came out of the shower, drying his dark blonde locks. He trimmed his beard, brushed his teeth and dressed up. He was ready to leave, putting on a brown leather jacket.

After about a 40 minute drive he parked the car outside of the wooden building on the lot. A big orange neon sign graced the front of the building. He exited the car and hunched insecurely as he approached the entrance. He stopped at the door and took a deep breath before actually opening and going inside. It was almost fully seated, he found a table that was a bit aside and sat down by it.

His heart was pounding. He took a moment and checked his surroundings. Attractive men in the same Hooters outfits that he could remember. Many of them looked very feminine. The shorts were tight and short and they all wore white crop tops. Surprisingly there seemed to be men and boys of various ages. Some seemed to be 18, and some over 40. He could already notice that there were more diversity in this restaurant than in any original Hooters.

The tense man was still hunched at the table. Sure Rhett was excited but he was also incredibly insecure. Something that one maid must have noticed as he approached Rhett's table.

"Welcome to Femboy Hooters, sir. I'm maid Jaden. First visit?" The curvy, extroverted boy smiled sweetly at him.

Rhett just nodded slightly and couldn't for the life of him keep eye contact with the maid.

"Don't worry, honey. You'll soften up after you've tried our special wings." The boy winked at Rhett.

Rhett looked up at the very pretty boy briefly before flinching his eyes immediately as if he was doing something illegal. It was a pale man with long, straight, ginger hair and thick lashes. "I-I'll take one of those, then." He replied.

"Sure thing! Drink?" The boy was posing while writing in his notes.

"Uhh.. I'll just take a sparkled water."

"Anything else?"

"I'm good."

"Great! Just 15 minutes, honey." The boy bowed quickly and smiled warmly at Rhett before leaving.

Rhett exhaled and rubbed his face. After what felt like several hours, a different maid approached him. It took a little while before he could actually look at the man's face, but he could already see this person was both taller and tanner than Jaden.

"Good evening, sir. I'm maid Charlie." The man introduced himself while placing the food on the table. "Sorry, I had to stick in for Jaden, sir. I'll be serving you for the rest of the evening." He chuckled and smiled.

Rhett furrowed his brows and his eyes twitched as he heard the voice. He grabbed the menu infront of him in an attempt to hide behind it. "Mhm." He mumbled.

"Enjoy your food sir! How's your experience with us so far?" The maid rested on one leg and leaned a bit to the side.

Rhett did not answer. He was sweating cold.

"... wait.. Rhett..?" The maid, who turned out to be Link, broke his femboy character as he saw his best friend.

Rhett stared into the menu, then looked up at Link in disbelief.

"What on earth are you-? You work here?!"

Links face flushed red. "You visit here?!"

The two men just stared into eachothers eyes before Link was abruptly pulled away, being needed in the kitchen. He looked back at Rhett a couple times before disappearing. Rhett's cheeks felt hot. He eyed the food that was just served to him, but he couldn't bring himself to eat it. His apetite was completely lost at this point.

He rose, placing a hundred dollar bill on the tray before walking out of the restaurant and made his way back to his car. He grabbed the wheel and stared down on his lap. After a couple of minutes he drove off.

The tension in the studio on monday morning will be different.

A Cut Above - Part 2/3

If you missed it you can read the first part here.

This part is from Link’s perspective.

---

Link already had his hand on the door handle when Daniel yelled after him. 

“Wait!”

Link cursed in his mind. He’d almost managed to escape this time. Daniel jogged from the backroom to him. Link could see him shift into his puppy dog mode. His deep brown eyes widened and his features softened and damn if he didn’t look cute as a button. Sometimes Link wondered if he purposefully tried to use Link’s gayness to his advantage.

“Linkipoo…”

Link sighed. “What is it?”

“I still have one customer but I really really really need to get going. Amanda got into an earlier train and… You know how it is with long distance relationships?”

“I don’t really,” Link mumbled as Daniel continued, ”Could you take him? Please?”

“Daniel… It’s almost six p.m. I came at eight this morning. I’m beat. I want to go home,” Link said resolute to refuse this time. He’d done a few too many favors for his business partner.

“I know. I’m so sorry. He was supposed to come yesterday but he had to reschedule. And this was the only time I could give him. He’s a really nice customer. Quiet. I know you like the quiet ones!  And it’s just a basic wash and cut. I would be eternally grateful…!” Daniel coaxed him, batting his eyelashes and pouting his lips. Link could feel his resolve melting away. Just a quick cut; that wouldn’t take more than half an hour. His hand fell from the door handle and Daniel’s eyes sparkled with victory.

“Fine. But just this once. And you better make this up for me!” Link said sternly. Daniel’s small body crashed against him and his arms wrapped around Link’s shoulders. Link felt ashamed of how much he enjoyed the hug. It had been a long time since he’d been touched intimately so even an innocent embrace like this felt ridiculously gratifying. Daniel let go and to make matters worse for Link, kissed him on the cheek making his face burn. Get yourself together, man. You’re too easily manipulated.

“He’ll be here any minute. I think his name was Rhett. Tall fellow. Like really tall, taller than you!” Daniel hollered from the backroom with a giggle as he gathered his things. Soon he rushed past Link throwing him air kisses as he went. Link waved at him, already a bit annoyed he’d once again succumbed to Daniel’s wiles.

Link set up his work station and checked himself in the mirror. He looked somewhat presentable but the long day was painted on his face; he looked worn. The scars from his recent stumble down the stairs were fading but he still looked like he’d had gotten into a fight with a cheese grater. Link touched his cheek lightly and sighed. It was vain to worry about the scars but he still did. Apparently, they should disappear almost entirely. He was skeptical.

The long day was making his legs ache. He sat on his chair and took out his phone. It was already over six; the guy was late. Go figure. Link had downloaded a dating app the previous night. His friends had been pestering him about it for months and he’d finally caved. He opened it now and absentmindedly browsed the potentials. He knew he needed to put himself out there if he wanted to find someone but it was hard. He was already in his forties. He didn’t feel like dating around. He just wanted someone to settle down with. But it wasn’t like the One would just walk in the door and say ‘Hey, here I am. Sorry I’m late’.

The bell above the door jingled and Link lifted his head from the phone. His jaw almost dropped on the floor.

“Hey. Sorry I’m late,” a deep voice said from the door.

Link’s stomach flipped and he scrambled up from the chair. The man shrugged out of his jacket and hung it on the coat rack. He turned to look at Link. His hair was a mess of blonde curls and he had a bushy beard that matched it. His eyes were weary but soft. He looked tired and strangely energized at the same time. Link recognized him instantly. Doctor McLaughlin. How many times had Link said that name to himself after their brief encounter three weeks ago? Hundreds? Thousands? He looked more handsome than Link remembered. A simmering heat coiled into Link’s stomach and he swallowed.

Link stared at him wide eyed, opening and closing his mouth. No words came out. The doctor, Rhett, stepped forward.

“I had an appointment with Daniel?” he said questioningly. Finally, Link found his voice again.

“Yes, I’m sorry but Daniel had to leave unexpectedly. I promised I’d take you.” As soon as the words left his lips, he heard the double meaning and blushed fiercely. There was a small smile tugging at the corner of Rhett’s lips. He nodded and said with a serious tone of voice.

“I’d love for you to take me.”

Link’s voice was lost again, as was his mind. He just stood there, staring at the man smiling at him, feeling very acutely the sudden hardness in his pants, hoping against hope that it was unnoticeable.

“So…” Rhett said and motioned towards the chairs. “Which one do you want me to…?”

Link pointed at his chair.

“Excuse me a second, I’ll be right back,” he mumbled and without waiting for an answer fled to the backroom. He took hold of the edge of the little table they had for lunch and such. His head dropped between his arms and he breathed deeply. He could do this. It’s just a customer. He’d been doing this for years, decades even. He was a professional. It was just a head of hair. Not at all the man he’d been dreaming about the last three weeks. Not the man whose name he’d been moaning at the dark hours of the night as he’d fucked into his own fist.

“Fucking Daniel. Never doing you a favor ever again,” Link muttered and straightened out. He shook his body to release the tension and plastered a service smile on his face.

 “Sorry about that. Just had to check on something,” Link said as he returned to the main room of their little barbershop. Rhett just smiled at him through the mirror. He was wearing a green button-down that perfectly matched his eyes. The bright lights of the mirror had a tendency to make everyone look a bit pale and lifeless but he just looked ravishing.

Link’s fingers lightly touched Rhett’s chin to lift it. He ignored the feel of his warm skin and slipped on the protective cape. He smiled politely at Rhett through the mirror as he hovered his hand above his head, like he always did before touching the customer’s hair. It was almost like a little warning ‘watch out, I’m going to touch you now and it’s going to be quite intimate but necessary’.

Link steeled himself mentally and reached down. As his fingers carded through the curls the doctor’s eyes fluttered closed and he bit his lip. Link’s heart skipped a beat and then raced on with the enthusiasm of a kid running out of school at the start of the summer. Was that enjoyment or awkwardness on the handsome doctor’s face? Link quickly turned his gaze back on Rhett’s hair, turning it over in his fingers and feeling the texture.

“What did you have in mind?” he asked, feeling a bit better as he examined his new canvas. This was familiar. This he knew.

“Oh just to shorten it a bit. Nothing special,” Rhett said. His eyes were open again and Link wondered if he’d imagined it all.

“Sure. Could you actually move to the washing area? I can feel there’s some product in your hair and I’d like to wash it out before starting.”

“Of course.”

They moved to the sink and Link set it up to a correct height.

“Tell me if the water is too hot,” he murmured automatically as he started to wash Rhett’s hair. His fingers worked gently but efficiently. Rhett’s eyes were closed again, but that was normal. No one liked to stare at the ceiling during a wash. But on the off-chance that he was actually enjoying the touching, Link committed to making this the most pleasurable hair appointment he had ever experienced.

Link always gave the customers a short head massage while washing their hair. It was part of a good service in his mind; a little pampering that cost him only a bit of his time and seemed to make his customers happy. He’d actually taken a course and knew how to do it properly. But usually it was just a few minutes while shampooing. Now he took his time and as his fingers worked on Rhett’s scalp he could feel the man’s body relaxing under his touch.

“Do you think Daniel would mind a lot if I jumped ship?” Rhett muttered.

“What do you mean?”

“Never been this relaxed during a wash. I’m pretty sure I could fall asleep here,” Rhett answered voice soft.

“You wouldn’t be the first one,” Link said with a little laugh, thankful for Rhett’s closed eyes. The blushing was getting ridiculous.

“Really?”

“Yeah, it’s not uncommon. It’s relaxing. I get it. I like getting my hair washed too.”

Rhett hummed in reply and Link’s fingers moved to rub his temples. An audible moan slipped from Rhett’s lips and Link had to fight hard not to moan with him. The sound made his thighs tremble and his dick twitch. His mind instantly conjured up an image of Rhett making that sound while Link kneeled in front of him and… Link shook his head and tried to concentrate on the movements of his fingers.

Eventually Rhett’s hair was clean and Link asked him to move back to his chair. His hair was quickly dried and Link started to work on the cut. Rhett followed his hands working on him from the mirror.

“So, how’s the leg?” he suddenly asked and Link almost cut way more than he was supposed to. He breathed a silent sigh of relief that he managed to stop himself in time.

“It’s better, thanks. Itches a bit. I – I didn’t think you’d remember me,” Link said. He hadn’t seen any recognition on Rhett’s face when he’d stepped in and he must see dozens of patients daily; it would have been foolish to think that Link would stand out.

“I couldn’t forget you if I tried.” Rhett’s voice was barely a whisper. It took a moment for the sentence to sink into Link’s head. His hands stilled. All of a sudden his lips felt dry and he had to lick them to be able to speak. His stomach was aching sweetly. Rhett couldn’t mean what Link hoped he was meaning…

“Yeah, I knew you were lying when you said you see the fainting thing all the time,” Link said forcing a tight laugh. That’s what it had to be. The idea of Rhett actually finding him unforgettable for any other reason was ridiculous. Rhett turned and looked at Link with a tilted head and a small smile. God, those eyes. Link was going to sink into them again and say something stupid.

“It wasn’t the fainting. It was your smile,” Rhett said.

Link felt dizzy. Rhett was so close. His smile took Link’s breath away and he wanted to bend down and taste it. Rhett moved towards him like he’d read Link’s thought and Link panicked. He jumped back and the scissors slipped from his hands. They dropped between the back of the chair and the height adjustment pedal. Link’s hand automatically reached for then and he yelped as the blade cut deep into his finger.

They both looked wide eyed as Link pulled his hand up and watched how a fat droplet of blood seeped out of the cut and rolled down Link’s finger. Link immediately felt queasy. Oh, no! On the edge of his vision Rhett was scrambling up from the chair. Link tried to get a hold of the chair but his hands didn’t move like he wanted them to and he missed. The world tilted. Oh, for fucks sake, was the last thing running through his mind before everything went dark.

He came to slowly. He was on the floor. That was certain; he could feel the cool tile against his bare calves. But his head and upper torso were supported by something. No. Someone. Link’s eyes fluttered open. Rhett’s worried face was hovering over him. When Link’s eyes opened a relieved smile spread across his face.

“Welcome back,” Rhett whispered as he tenderly brushed Link’s hair off of his forehead, continuing the movement until he was caressing Link’s cheek. Link’s head laid on his lap and his fingers were closing in on Link’s slightly parted lips. It was all too much for the touch starved body of Link. His skin was buzzing and despite his horizontal position he felt faint.

“Wha – ?” Link mumbled trying to get his bearings.

“We really need to stop meeting like this,” Rhett said with a cute little smirk. “If I believed in corny pick-up lines I’d say that when I wished for you to fall for me, this was not what I meant.”

Link’s heart leapt into a gallop. His mind was a jumble of thoughts and all he could get out was.

“You can call me Link.”

“Okay. Link. I’m Rhett.” 

“Rhett. Nice to meet you. Again.”

“You too.”

They stared at each other for a moment and the butterflies that had taken permanent residence in Link’s stomach went wild. Rhett’s fingers kept lightly brushing Link’s jawline. Link wanted to climb up his body and wrap around him.

“Let’s get you on that chair and patch up that finger. I do enjoy having you in my arms but I’d rather you fall into them voluntarily. So, close your eyes, just in case,” Rhett said and nudged Link to get up. Link almost sighed out loud. He didn’t want to leave the warmth of Rhett’s body but he did as he was told and closed his eyes. Strong arms pulled him up and guided him to his own chair.

“First aid kit?” Rhett asked.

“Cabinet under the counter,” Link answered without opening his eyes. He heard Rhett walking behind the counter and rummaging through miscellaneous things in the cabinet. Soon he was back and took Link’s hand gently on his own. The cut was cleaned and bandaged in no time.

“You can open your eyes now.”

Link blinked. He felt blinded by the lights. Or it could have been the luminous smile given him by Rhett who was knelt on the floor in front of him. Link’s heart skipped a beat when Rhett looked up at him; his gaze intense and soft all at once.  Link swallowed as Rhett took Link’s hand back on his own and gently kissed the bandaged finger. Shivers ran up Link’s arm and down his back. Rhett could surely see the goose bumps his touch had created.  

“It’s an old trick but I think it still works,” Rhett said, a smile tugging at his lips, as he settled Link’s hand back on his leg. “How do you feel? Does it hurt anywhere else?”

Link bit his lip and gathered all of his courage. His hand rose, trembling, and pointed at his lips.

“Here.”

Rhett’s eyes shimmered as he supported himself by the armrests of the chair and leaned in to give Link the lightest of kisses. Their lips barely touched and Link almost groaned when Rhett backed up slowly.

“Better?” Rhett asked voice raspy and sweet. Link shook his head. A small smile lingered on Rhett’s lips as he leaned back to kiss Link once more. Their lips met properly now. Mouths open, tongues brushing together, Link’s hands balling up into fists on Rhett’s shirt. Wet and hot and perfect. The kiss lasted an eternity and it still wasn’t enough for Link.

They parted with a soft sigh. Rhett stepped around the chair and fished the scissor from their hiding place.  

“I’m not sure if I should even ask you to finish my hair cut. I think it might be tempting fate.”

“No, I’ll do it! Can’t leave you like this,” Link said with a blush. Rhett offered him his hand and Link took it. He was pulled up from the chair and ended up flush against Rhett’s lean body. Link’s face tilted up and he swallowed - again. All he seemed to be doing tonight was swallowing and blushing. But he’d gladly continue doing them all night long if that was something Rhett would allow.

“Okay. But only if you promise to be careful,” Rhett said with his sternest doctor voice.

“I promise,” Link said solemnly.

“Good, because I’m really hoping to take you home with me and I’d rather take you in one piece.”

teeny tiny au where link does indeed go to film school and rhett takes business instead so that they could be a team, but then link is a shit lmao i love hurting. thanks to the beautiful @mythicallyrhink for the handholding. i’m truly scared of this one so gimme your thots lmao

-

Oh the dawn won’t stop weighing a tonne I’ve done some things that I shouldn’t have done But I haven’t stopped loving you once 

.

After a short, but hard time of tears, screams of anger and frustration, sadness and fake laughter to fill the room, they decided, collectively, that Link would, in the end, go to film school, and Rhett would take business. “We’re gon’ be a team if I have to kill someone, Link,” Rhett had said, and Link had laughed, and replied with blood oath, as they did when things got rough.

Coming of age was difficult enough all on its own, hormones doing the Devil’s work on his body – and doing enough of it to send Link into overdrive sometimes. Link shied away from thoughts of Rhett’s body when they were down by the river; craved the nights where he’d fall asleep with his head pillowed on Rhett’s extended arm; tried to stop relating Rhett to the stars in the sky.

College brought them closer – literally, they were living together. Link felt as if he was supposed to learn something new about Rhett, what with actually living with him, but he ended up only learning about himself: he would mold to be whatever fitted best with Rhett. It was that way about dishes, socks left everywhere around the apartment, Rhett writing his papers at the last minute and Link having to annoy him about it.

It was Rhett giving him a shy, quiet peck on the lips, and Link having to do a double take, because that wasn’t on the script. Link could feel Rhett’s breath in his own lungs, they way Rhett’s breaths stuttered, waiting for Link to decide what the future of this was going to be. Having just learned something about himself, Link took the plunge, arms around Rhett like he could stop his best friend from shaking, lips seeking Rhett’s like he hadn’t allowed himself to think about for so long.

They never talked about it. They never settled an agreement, it was just what it was: behind closed doors, in the darkest hours, in hidden spots. It felt so natural, so good, real, but it was wrong, wasn’t it? Isn’t that what Link heard his whole life? It was a sin, and Link, a God-fearing kid, found himself sinning in the dark, all thoughts abandoned for those nights where laying with Rhett, listening to his breaths, was all Link wanted, and he was gonna get it.

Link was very funny (is very funny), and he had all the improv groups and drama clubs to show for it. Film school was fun, and he liked the technical part of it, but he was made for comedy. From the gangly, skinny, long body that made for great punchlines out of himself, to the dumb southern hick vibes; from the genius mind that could come up with jokes on the spot, to making and then laughing at anything resembling a fart or a dick. Link was funny, and so was Rhett. No one ever asked, and so Link never told, but most of his improv practices was rehashing Rhett’s jokes. (Rhett knew. They were a team – they are a team.)

And then, one day, Link met a girl. He met a girl because he was funny, and she was funny, too, and that was the pattern of Link’s affections: funny. Link wanted to think it didn’t mean anything, but he knew on that first night, in that deep, undeniable way, that she was gonna change everything.

She did, but she didn’t mean to.

Link just… couldn’t. He couldn’t, in his right mind, keep going like that. He never retreated from Rhett, he just introduced them. And Rhett, gorgeous, smart, sharp Rhett knew. Took the interaction for what it meant: Link’s kindest way of telling him we’re through.

They never talked about it, but Link never stopped loving Rhett.

When they graduated from college, Rhett said, “we should move. Hollywood is gon’ do you wonders,” and Link said, mirth in his voice, “it’s gon’ do us wonders,” and Rhett smiled down at him just by virtue of being taller – any bystander would tell you that Rhett meant, in fact, to be smiling up at Link, because he was always looking at Link like Link hung the moon. Link knew it, too.

They couldn’t just move, though. Link got married, and didn’t dare ask Rhett to be his best mean; it felt like casual cruelty, and he wouldn’t. Rhett got married after that, and didn’t ask Link either, but made sure Link knew he was just returning the favor, except – except Rhett didn’t take his kindness at all, except Rhett thought Link’s kindness was its own kind of cruelty, and he made sure Link knew.

There were rocky times between the conversation and the wedding, but wedding day, when it was just the two of them, Rhett looked at him, and said “I still love you,” and Link, this time, recognized it for what it was: a chance for them. Rhett wasn’t offering to walk out on his own wedding; he loved her too much for that. But Rhett was offering them another chance, and Link knew. He could have said any variation of words: me too, I love you, let’s fix this. Instead he said I know, and Rhett nodded, and again, understood it for what it was: I love you, but we ain’t doing this.

They move to California. It was, simultaneously, the easiest and the hardest thing Link did in his life. The easiest, because Link shot to stardom in the blink of an eye, already having a well stablished base back home, and the hardest, because the larger he got, the farthest he got from Rhett.

Not literally, either. It would have been easier if he were literally away from Rhett, but he wasn’t. Rhett was right there, literally his manager, from the start. That was the reason why Rhett took business in school: he always said, “you’re gon’ be a star, and I’ll be there.” So, not literally. Rhett was always right there, his manager, with an assistant, an agent; Link’s right-hand man. But Link could feel it happening. Link could see in the contrast between Rhett’s booming laughter and his dry eyes, his loud voice and the emptiness in his tone.

Rhett was living in a house just down the street from Link, with his wife and his children, and Link was living in a house down the street from Rhett, with his wife and his children, and they both had dogs, and they were best friends. The best of friends.

Best friends. Blood oath brothers. Two halves of a whole. Except for the bit where Link killed a little bit of Rhett every day. Except for the bit where he made sure he had to add a like a brother, every time he wanted to say he loved Rhett. Except for the part where he would only ever touch Rhett if a camera was present, to make sure nothing could be deconstructed. Except for how he never forgot how Rhett’s lips tasted, or how Rhett’s skin smelled, or how Rhett’s heartbeat skipped a bit when Link was laying with his head on Rhett’s chest and ran his nails up Rhett’s belly, and to try and purge those memories, he pushed Rhett away when Rhett needed his best friend.

Link was (is) a comedy genius, Rhett by his side every step of the way – more often than not, guiding his steps. Link won awards, starred in movies, was the face of campaigns. Funny to die for, and handsome to boot.

Link was a powerhouse, and Rhett was the driving force. Not everyone knew that, but Link did. Rhett did, too. Rhett ran an empire called Mythical, with Link Neal center-front, with creations far and wide away from only Link, but, truly: an empire. Link’s name attached to it, but Rhett’s work behind it.

They worked hard, and worked well, and worked together. And Rhett still loved Link, so deeply, like it had never started so that it could have never ended, but he also resented Link, and Link could see that in the lines around his eyes. Link didn’t take offense; he allowed Rhett his resentment.

Link still loved Rhett, he never stopped.

But being a comedy genius and a good man didn’t come for free. And when they parted ways in the late afternoon, each going for their own car even though they lived down the street from each other, Link couldn’t help thinking of what could have been.

Territorial, chapter 24

Word Count: 2011 Rating: This chapter: PG. Overall story rating: explicit Warnings: None Summary: After finally realizing their shared love for one another, all internetainers Rhett and Link had to do was live happily ever after. Unfortunately, as it turns out, that’s a lot harder to do in a world of werewolves. Notes: Takes place 1 year after Animalistic began. Still no wives; Rhett and Link are in an established relationship. This is a sequel to that fic. You don’t have to read that first, but it is highly recommended.

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First Chapter Previous Chapter

It’s amazing what you notice more when you’re trying not to think about anything. The ticking of a clock you never realized made noise. The scritching of pencil on paper by the far-sighted receptionist at an annoyingly irregular intervals. How the good snacks were always sold out in the vending machine. The way the coins clicked and clattered down through the machine before crashing to the coin box inside. The soft whirr as the snack was pushed forward by a rotating metal spiral and, finally, the soft smack of the bag as it landed in the tray ready to be picked up.

Theo stared at the untouched bag of chips, not really hungry, for the longest time. He didn’t want them, it just felt like something you did when you were waiting for any word from the doctors. He never did like hospitals and knowing what his friend Max was going through just down the hall…

“Thinking of buying something else?” came a voice. Too tired to look as startled as he was, Theo turned to see Alistair leaning against the wall just at the corner. He looked a bit ragged, in both face and clothes but that wasn’t a surprise in and of itself. That’s mostly how he always looked, how Theo knew him to look. It was always a bit of a ruse, really. The man could look half-dead and still be able to take on a dozen men. Not very unusual for a werewolf in his prime.

“Wasn’t sure if I was going to see you here,” Theo noted, turning his gaze back to the machine in front of him. He let out a slow sigh before continuing. “Thanks for coming,” he added, quietly.

“How’s Max?” Alistair asked with a gruff tone but with genuine concern.

“Not dead,” was the curt response from the gut. Theo bit his lip, still not meeting his friend’s gaze. “Fever’s spikin’,” he continued. “Doctors are baffled; not sure he’ll pull through.” He chuckled slightly at that. Alistair looked impressed. He knew well enough what that fever really meant.

“Didn’t think you had it in you,” he commented, stepping closer. “Thought you’d put away your bite for good, after what happened.”

“Yeah, well… It was his choice.” Finally he looked up again to see Alistair’s scrutinizing gaze. “He wanted to live.”

“Most people do,” Alistair joked, humorlessly. There was a pause in the conversation then he shrugged. “Have you heard from Neal?” Another surprised expression crossed Theo’s face, mixed with an amused grin.

“Concerned for the newbies? Really?”

“Morbid curiosity,” the taller man corrected. With a shrug he added “Just ‘cause I don’t like ‘em doesn’t mean I wanted to see them killed.”

“You old softy,” Theo quipped. He glanced at the time. “I got a call not long ago, actually. He thinks he’s close to the Lowell’s place.” Now it was Alistair’s turn to look surprised.

“He’s more resourceful than I thought. Well, where is it?” Theo started to answer but a pair of nurses, dressed in full scrubs, turned the corner. The bartender moved nonchalantly to the other wall, offering them a friendly nod as they walked by. Once they were out of earshot, Theo spoke up, much quieter this time.

“You remember Grace?”

~ ~ ~

Link’s new acquaintance had been more than kind. After they called and talked to Theo, Grace gave Link a ride to find his car so he could get home in one piece. They didn’t talk much during the car ride to Twin Lakes, but Link didn’t feel much like talking. He mostly stared out of the window, wondering if every one of the few houses they passed by had Rhett inside. His new pureblood associate had said she didn’t know exactly where the Lowells house was, few did. Like everyone else all she could say was it was near Twin Lakes.

“The brothers don’t exactly invite people over for nice chats,” she explained. “It’s their own private property where no one can disturb them.”

“Does Devon know where it is?” Link inquired.

“He must. He insists on knowing almost everything. If someone in the pack has property, he knows about it. That way no one can hide if he needs to-” She stopped short, not really wanting to think about what Devon would ever have to do.

“Has Devon ever hurt people?”

“He does what needs to be done, nothing more,” Grace insisted. “But he’s not a cruel man. He’s lenient, forgiving. If you and Rhett ever decide that you need a pack-”

“We have a pack,” Link stated firmly. Grace let it go after that. She didn’t want to start a fight. Link sighed; he didn’t either. “Do you think the mutts will help?” he asked, changing the subject.

“They already want to find Seth’s hideout and take him out.” From the look on her face, Grace didn’t like to think about how the mutts would go about doing that. “Theo said he would talk to their leader. I’m sure it will just take some time to-

“Time?” Link’s voice cracked, slightly. “How much time?”

“I- I don’t know,” Grace admitted. “He didn’t say.” She hesitated before continuing. “Probably not until tomorrow night-” Link bit his tongue, keeping himself from saying a few choice words not appropriate for polite conversation, though his face said enough to stop his new friend in her tracks. It wasn’t Grace’s fault that the rescue of his best friend was taking forever. He just wished there was more he could do.

When they eventually reached Link’s car, and he could finally put his glasses back on, Link hoped the world would look more hopeful than he had for the past few hours. Grace told him not to worry, and he appreciated her concern, but it was no use. Worrying was what he planned on doing until he held Rhett in his arms again. It was all he could do not to cry.

~ ~ ~

By the time Link had gotten home it was well after noon. Now, as the minutes ticked by, he roamed around his home like a caged animal, waiting for any news from anyone; about the mutts, about Rhett, about anything that would break this agonizing silence.

He paced in the living room he and Rhett had shared for some time now. His fists were balled up and his jaw set tight. He wanted to grab something, anything, and throw it into the wall, but his last shreds of common sense held him back, just barely. Never before had he been so equally enraged at someone else and himself. To be so close to Rhett and yet unable to help him. He hated himself for his failure. If only he could just control his damned form when the moon rose those nights… he’d know exactly where Rhett was and he’d have been back safe and sound.

True he had gotten far closer than he dared hope, so close that he could practically smell those foul Lowells. He had to try again. He needed to try again, for Rhett’s sake. At least this time he had a better idea of where to start.

It had been a blessing, that of all the purebloods he could possibly run into, Link had met such a kind person as Grace. He still couldn’t believe that she didn’t turn him into the Seth and his brothers. Part of him wished she had, at least then he and Rhett would be together.

“Don’t be an idiot,” he chastised himself. It would do no good for both of them to be captured. Yet the idea continued to flood his mind. He had to know what they were doing to Rhett, his friend, his love. Were they hurting him? Torturing him? The imagery made him shudder. If anything ever happened to the man he loved… he couldn’t bare to think about it.

When the phone finally rang, Link nearly dropped it trying to answer. He stumbled to deliver a greeting, holding his breath as he listened for whatever news he was about to hear.

“Hey, Link,” came Theo’s voice, sullen and tired. Link did his best to be sensitive to what the bartender was going through, knowing they were both feeling the repercussions of what Seth did not long ago.

“Any luck?” he asked, wanting to cut to the chase. Theo cleared his throat before answer.

“I’ve been talking to Alistair. The man can be a total bastard but he hates the Lowells more than anyone else.” Link wasn’t so sure about that. “He wants to help, in so much that he probably wants to tear out Seth’s throat with his bare hands…” He wasn’t the only one. “But any plans we make are useless without knowing the exact location of the house. Seth and his brother’s have been combing the countryside, trying to find the mutts, and the mutts have been doing everything they can to keep their families hidden…”

“They don’t have any trackers themselves?” Link asked, trying to not be demanding. He couldn’t believe that no one had ever found the brothers’ secret house before now.

“Believe me, they’ve tried,” Theo explained. “It’s a big area to search and they don’t exactly want the brother’s to catch wind that anyone has gotten even this close to knowing where their secret house. They find out we know how close you’ve come to finding them, they’d pack up and move. They’ve done it before.”

“Okay, okay,” Link relented, unhappy to concede the point. “But what would they do if they knew exactly where the house was?” ‘Would they get Rhett out? Could they get Rhett out?’

“It’s a moot point, Link. I’m sorry, but unless they know the exact location-”

“I can find it,” Link declared, certain and unwavering. “I’ll find it and get him out myself if I have to.”

“Link,” Theo urged. “You can’t just-”

“Clearly I don’t have much of a choice, do I?” He was starting to lose his cool again and he took a deep breath before continuing. “Everything hinges on finding Rhett, the Lowells’ place, and… Well, apparently no one else can do it.”

“It’s not that we can’t. It’s dangerous, Link!” Link didn’t care anymore. He was sick of waiting for someone else to do what he believed needed to be done, of waiting for someone to save his best friend, of someone else to make things right. He was just sick of waiting.

“I can do this,” he assured him. ‘I can do this,’ he assured himself. There was no question in his mind that he had to at least try. Rhett’s very life could depend on it. Theo sighed.

“I can’t stop you, but I can’t help you either. I need to be here, for Max, for when he wakes up.” His voice cracked slightly for a moment but he cleared his throat again to continue. “If you’re sure you want to do this-”

“Sure has nothing to do with it.” He wasn’t sure about any of this, but Rhett was counting on him.

“If you’re sure,” Theo tried again. “Maybe you shouldn’t go alone.” Link scoffed.

“Who’s gonna come with me? Alistair? One of the mutts?” The list of people Link could even think about taking with him was incredibly short, and few of them were either willing or able.

“I know you don’t know Grace very well, but she’s kind soul and…” There was a short pause while Theo forced himself to speak more. He obviously didn’t want to continue but, Like link, he felt rather choiceless. “You can trust her, believe me. She was very kind to me and my brother when we were new in the pack.” It sounded like there was more of a story there that Theo just wasn’t ready to tell and Link wasn’t in the mood to press him for more. If Grace could help him he was willing to ask.

“Thanks,” Link sighed, trying to calm down. “For everything.”

“Good luck, man.” He meant it. “You’re gonna need it.”

Next Chapter More fics

Tagged by @dragonsfire Again, thanks for tagging me and I’m sorry it took so long.

Rules: You must answer these 92 statements and tag 20 people

THE LAST 1.Drink: Dr K 2.Phone call: A work friend who picked me up after my drunk ass could not get my car home the night before. 3.Text message: My boyfriend. 4.Song you listened to: Backhug-Snuper 5. Time you cried: Friday night when I got home super drunk and everyone was yelling at me for being annoying at 3am. 6.Dated someone twice: I have a crap memory. Some hs time. Idk. 7. Been Cheated on: Have not to my knowledge. 8.Kissed someone and regretted it: No idea. I’ve been dating the same guy for four years. My memory doesn’t last that long. 9.Lost someone special: My dog shortly before thanksgiving. 10.Been depressed: New Years was the worst.  11.Gotten drunk and thrown up: Friday......I was already drunk when we left work than my friends took me to another bar so in the 40 minutes before closing, had two shots and two drinks on top of already drunk. Not fun when I got home.

LIST 3 FAVORITE COLORS: 1. Orange 2. Green 3. Blue

IN THE LAST YEAR HAVE YOU… 15.Made new friends: Yes. 16.Fallen out of love: Nope. Unless you count me falling out of love with Randl/gmm. 17.Laughed until you cried: Yes. @nostrilmoth ate a tomato whole the other week and the juice squirted out of her mouth like a cherub fountain. I could not be calmed down. 18.Found out someone was talking about you: Don’t think so. 19.Met someone who changed you: I don’t think so?

20.Found out who your true friends are: Probably revealed who my true friends aren’t more so cuz I give so few fucks....

21.Kissed someone on your Facebook list: I’m friends with my bf?

GENERAL… 22.How many of your Facebook friends do you know in real life: Most, as far as I know. 23.Do you have any pets: A greyhound.

24.Do you want to change your name: I’ve settled into my name. Maybe my last name to get away from paternal last name. 25.What did you do for your last birthday: Haven’t the foggiest. 26.What time did you wake up: Noonish. 27.What were you doing at midnight last night: As in two hours ago? Watching Hit the Stage. 28.Name something you cannot wait for: [Side note: I’m so jealous that you’re going to the Monsta X concert. I can’t justify the money cuz I just bought tickets to see Rhett and Link when they tour] Uhm, Day6 June comeback. Obviously.

29.When was the last time you saw your mother: 7ish? 30.What is one thing you wish you could change about your life: Not always having to worry about money.

31.What are you listening to right now: Monsta X-....I Need You? Idk. The name is in Korean. Niga piryohae? [I don’t have korean keyboard on my computer or I’d type it not in crap romanization. 32.Have you ever talked to a person named Tom: My driving instructor. 33.Something that is getting on your nerves: BLACKPINK STILL HAVEN’T GIVEN DETAILS ABOUT SUPPOSED SPRING COMEBACK. SPRING IS ALMOST FUCKING OVER. WHERE IS MY FUCKING BLACKPINK. 34.Most visited website: Youtube, probably.  35.Elementary: Do I answer where I went? Shannon Johnson. 36, High School: Lakota East 37.College: The Ohio State University 38.Hair color: Naturally dark brown, currently with ombre into blonde that I need to cut and redye before it just looks like I have 2002 style tips. 39.Long or short hair: Medium. 40.Do you have a crush on someone: Usually do.

41.What do you like about yourself: My hair when I actually wash it.

42.Piercings: I’ve had my ears done a million times but I let them grow back so now I just stab through if I need them. 43.Blood type: How do people know the answer to this question? 44. Nickname: Magz. Didn’t I already answer this? 45.Relationship status: Been dating the same guy since September 2013. 46.Zodiac sign: Libra 47.Pronouns: She/her 48.Favorite tv show: Shadowhunters, which is about to come back!!!! 49.Tattoos: Nah.

50.Right or left hand: Right.

FIRST… 51.Surgery: Idk. Tonsils removed when I was like 3ish? 52.Piercing: I don’t know. 5ish. 54.Sport: I don’t do sports. 55.Vacation: Fuck if I know??? How would I know this?? 56.Pair of trainers: What the fuck!

MORE GENERAL… 57.Eating: leftover shrimp lomein 58.Drinking: Dr K, I definitely answered that one. 59.I’m about to: do another tag or watch hit the stage. 61.Waiting for: This tag to be over bc I’ve lost all hope of ever reaching the end. I feel like I’ve made no progress and will never see the light of day again [I’m joking. Thanks for tagging me.] 62.Want: to go on vacation. 63.Get married: I’m more iffy on this post college graduation than I was first semester of college. 64.Career: I have an English degree that I don’t know what to do with. So I’m a waitress at my in law’s sports bar.

WHICH IS BETTER… 65.Hugs or kisses: Hugs but depends on the person in particular **I’ll keep that answer cuz you right. 66.Lips or eyes: Eyes. 67.Shorter or taller: Taller. 68.Older or younger: Older, I guess. But I prefer people close to my age either way. 70.Nice arms or nice stomach: Oooh. Tummy. But arms are good too.

71.Sensitive or loud: Loud, so I can be annoying with them. 72.Hook up or relationship: Relationship.

73.Troublemaker or hesitant: Hesitant bc I am too anxious for troublemakers.

HAVE YOU EVER… 74.Kissed a stranger?: No. 75.Drank hard liquor? : Yes.  76.Lost glasses contact/lenses? : Sunglasses count? 77.Turned someone down?: Yes. 78.Sex on first date?: No. 79.Broken someone’s heart?: Idk. 80.Had your heart broken?: Yes. 81.Been arrested?: No. 82.Cried when someone died?: My dog.  83.Fallen for a friend?: Always.

DO YOU BELIEVE IN… 84.Yourself?: Sometimes. 85.Miracles?: Not really. 86.Love at first sight?: No. 87.Santa Claus?: No, but I believe in the magic of him. <3 Lol. Christmas is my fav time of year. 88.Kiss on the first date?: I’ve never had a date that wasn’t already a friendship before, so yes up to this point I guess? 89.Angels?: No.

OTHER…. 90.Current best friend’s name: Liz! <3 91.Eye color: Hazel. 92. Favourite movie: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

I don’t know why I thought the 2-3am hour was the best time to catch up on tags.

Survey #82

“there’s a child out on the battlefield, a pistol in each hand.”

so, i’m guessing you’re single?   not anymore, no. would you ever date someone because of money?   fuck that shit. your ex is sitting next to you, with their new partner, what do you do?   i'm going to be realistic.  first, i'd demand him and her both to fuck off.  don't move?  i'm fucking punching her teeth out. do you have a reason to smile right now?   i guess so, but i'm not. have you had sex today?   i never have. do you remember the last girl you texted?   my mom, yeah. are you stubborn?   oh you have no idea. has anyone called you perfect before?   yes, but they're wrong. where is the biggest scar on your body?   on my left shin.  i scratched the living shit out of it with my own nails because it was so itchy. have you ever been told you were amazing?   yes, and they're also wrong. would you date someone who was addicted to drugs?   HELL no. do you get irritated easily?   very, sadly. would you rather be a blonde or a brunette?   blonde, really.  easier to dye. have you ever had feelings for 2 people at the same time?   yes, i do right now. do you believe that leaving a significant other for someone else is ever a good idea?   i mean, it can be. if you found someone seemingly perfect for you, but it turned out they had a child… would you still give the relationship a chance?   not at this age.  literally the only situation in which i would do that is if it was jason. is it possible to ‘fall out of love’?   yeah. what happened last time you got drunk?   nothing, really.  i've never been smash-faced drunk.  the only time i've ever been drunk i was still pretty aware of what i was doing, which wasn't much. have you ever thrown up from drinking?   no, but i have thrown up from taking medicine like 15 minutes before drinking literally a sip of alcohol. do you find piercings attractive?   generally, yes. have you gone through a lot emotionally, or has life been easy thus far?   i've been through enough to take down a lot of people, honestly. ever got suspended from school?   no. what would you do with a $10 bill you found on the ground?   if there's no source of identification around, i'm going to keep it. are you ticklish?   yes, mainly on my feet. have you taken someones virginity?   no. would you be able to date someone who doesn’t make you laugh?   nope. who was the last person you danced with?   colleen.  can't decide if i miss her or not. do you tan in the nude?   i don't tan period. have you ever had the chicken pox?   i have not. have you ever been evicted?   yes. would you grow your own garden?   no.  i'd honestly be too lazy to take good care of it. do you know anyone who snores?   lots of people. when I say ‘foxy lady’ what comes to mind?   the jimi hendrix song. would you own a siamese cat?   sure, they're very cute. do you like deviled eggs?   NO. what is your favorite horror movie?   "blair witch project 2: book of shadows" have you ever seen a lunar eclipse?   yep. what is your favorite daft punk song?   i only know "technologic" what is your favorite type of museum?   ones with dinosaur fossils/skeletons. if you had children or do would you tell them the truth about santa claus?   eventually i'd tell them, but of course i'd raise them to believe in santa. what color are your slippers?   tan.  they're meerkats. ;3; which accents can you emulate pretty well?   i've been told i speak british so well that i sound native. are you more awkward talking to people in real life or online?   real life, absolutely.  i'm not half bad online. do you think you’ll ever manage to do everything you want to?   absolutely not. are you a good driver? if you can’t drive yet, do you think you’ll be good?   no.  i don't even have my license yet.  i go into total panic mode when i drive; i grip the wheel like i'm driving through the apocalypse.  i also have tremors, and also due to certain meds, idk if i can even get my license. what is/was your favorite thing about school?   seeing jason. have you ever been a complete fangirl/fanboy over anything?   @ rhett&link/gmm, markiplier, silent hill, meerkats... i need to chill lmao. have you ever been to a protest?   no. are you afraid of the dark?   no. what comes up on your recommended list on youtube?   gmm videos, markiplier videos, metal music... what’s the largest animal you’ve ever had as a pet?   we had this huge lab mix (pretty sure he was part great dane) that was technically my older sister's dog named harley for a while.  he was huge. what is something you like to have conversations about?   my fandoms bc i'm pathetic, deep, philosophical things, music... what is something unusual that annoys you?   walking in the out door and out the in. who is taller, you or your best friend?   i don't have a best friend anymore. which time zone do you live in?   eastern standard when was the first time you ever listened to your favorite music artist?   all seven?  well. ozzy osbourne: 6th grade, going through mom's cds metallica: ^ marilyn manson: ^ otep: i heard "ghostflowers" in a video and really like it, so looked up more of their music a day to remember: recommended videos, actually. cradle of filth: umm... iii feel like my first song by them was "tonight in flames," but i don't remember where i heard it. rammstein: i heard "waidmanns heil" on that one rock band game. have you ever dated someone with longer hair than yours?   i have not. what is/was your favorite stuffed animal growing up!   a moose named brownie what is your state or country’s minimum wage?   $7.25.  pathetic, i know. what is your favorite constellation and why?   don't have a favorite. if you could have any hair style you wanted, what would it look like?   don't fucking judge me, but i sincerely and honestly love the big, emo swoop.  my hair is just so thick so it's like impossible to get it to work with me. can you play any instruments?   i played the flute for yeeeaaars, but like, i don't even remember most notes. what is your favorite topic in history class?   the holocaust name one dream that ruined your day when you woke up.   my dad raped me. would you like to marry whoever you’re seeing right now?   i don't know yet, we haven't been together long at all.  i'm not making that decision yet. do you prefer candles or incense?   incense do you eat candy corn?   ew, no. have your parents ever thought you were gay? what happened?   no. are your parents more liberal or conservative?   conservative. when was the last time you saw your best friend?   a few weeks ago when she essentially told me to get my shit and go. how many jobs have you ever had? (including things like babysitting)   two. if you’ve seen both, did you prefer the disney version or the tim burton version of alice in wonderland?   burton's version is actually my all-time favorite movie. what do you see yourself doing in 10 years?   you want me to be honest?  an unsuccessful photographer, probably.  hopefully married by then, but who knows. what was your favorite 90's show?   pokemon, motherfuckers. what is your favorite fruit?   strawberries how do you feel about oral?   it's just... really gross to me. what do you wish you didn't know?   many, many things.  but mainly, that some people just do not cherish love. favorite kind of chips?   flamin' hot cheetos has anyone ever told you that they wanted to marry you?   hm.  odd.  he's not around anymore. has anyone ever told you that you have a cute nose?   lol wut how many kids do you want?   at this point in my life, i don't even know if i want any to begin with.  if i do though, two is preferable. does anyone call you babe?   tyler does.  i don't exactly like it, but i don't think we're really close enough yet for me to be brave enough to tell him so. where does most of your family live?   well.  mom's family is in new york, dad's is in ohio and michigan, and my very immediate family (parents + immediate sisters) lives here in nc. have your parents ever smoked pot?   idk. rent a movie or go to movies?   go to the movies! do you know anyone who works at mcdonald’s?   not personally. where do your cousins live?   new york and ohio. do you like the all-american rejects?   not particularly. have you ever finished a whole video game?   plenty, yeah. which one of your friends has great music taste?   hmm.  i mean, a good number of them do. how do you feel about death?   it's a very scary, mysterious thing. do you have any cats?   not currently. do you believe in the underworld?   well, i believe in hell. what is your favorite flower?   tiger lilies have you ever been betrayed?   i have been betrayed. where do you think we go when we die?   heaven or hell.  i used to believe in purgatory, but that's a catholic thing. when was the last time you went to a funeral?   yeeeaaars ago. are you scared of cancer?   i mean... who isn't?  i don't readily worry about it, even though it looks like it may run in my family.  we've seen thyroid, breast, and kidney cancers. how many phobias do you have?   i only have three that i consider to be, by definition, "phobias," those three being whale sharks, dolls, and pregnancy. how many bisexual friends do you have?   two that i can think of off the top of my head. do your parents wear glasses?  mom does to drive and read, and dad does to read. when was the last time you threw up?   only like a week back.  i think my latuda makes me nauseous. do you have mental issues?   oh, you know, only chronic depression, general anxiety, social anxiety, ptsd, borderline personality disorder, and potentially avoidant personality disorder.  fun times, right? are you good at chemistry?  NOOOOOO do you have online friends?  alex, shay, jax, lona, mini, sam, alyssa, sammy, others... safe to say i have more online than "real" friends. do you like your handwriting?  i do. are you nosy?  very. have you ever been called emo?  yeah.  gonna be totally honest here, i don't pay attention to what the stereotype is anymore, but i probably am one lol. do you have a big nose?   no. how long has it been since you kissed someone?  well over a year. if someone was to ask you if you were okay right now, are you?  for once, sure. the last person you held hands with go to your school?  he did, we're both no longer in school. what person of the opposite sex makes you laugh most?   link neal and mark fischbach<3 do you have any medication you have to take every day?  latuda, lamictal, propanalol, birth control for period cramps... did you reject or accept your last friend request?  reject.  we had no mutual friends.  the fuck did you find me and what do you want. do you like pretzels?  the soft ones.  hard ones are eh. if you have a girlfriend/boyfriend, how long have you been together?   like a week. do you look at older pictures and laugh?   no, i'm usually the one cringing. what was the first thing you ate today?   nothing yet but i currently hear bacon popping ahhhh~ have you ever tried lemon brownies?  no, sounds disgusting. have you ever been to hawaii?   no.  i have a cousin there though, actually. do you have a sister that steals your things?   no. what is your father’s middle name?  john do you think that you’re a good person?  i guess. are you on medication for anything?  bipolarity and anxiety.  i was on an anti-depressant, but apparently you're not supposed to do that if you have bipolarity. have you ever been a gymnast or a cheerleader?   ... i was a cheerleader when i was really little. are you irish?  yeah. do you know how to insert a tampon?   yeah are you ever afraid to be yourself?  only always. how many people have told you they were in love with you?   one or two. are you emotional?   too emotional. who is one person that you no longer hang out with? why did that association end?   colleen.  because essentially, she's a judgmental child in a 21-year-old body. who was the last person to endanger your life, whether it was accidentally or intentionally?   ummm.  idk. have you ever experienced an overly clinging boy-/girlfriend?   no. with which family member do you get along with the least? the best?   least, my grandma.  best, probably my dad. have you ever felt like someone abandoned you? if yes, explain?   i felt like my dad did for a few years, but jason absolutely did. what are some unfair stereotypes against women?   JUST SOME?!  well, above anything else, that we're less competent than men and are overall the weaker gender. how about against men?   that they're all insensitive pigs and that they must be logical at all times. who was the last person to make you feel like you mattered?   mom, i guess, for bringing me to debbie's so i wouldn't be home with nothing to do. do you prefer vertical or horizontal stripes?   horizontal. can you name all 50 american states?   probably not. have you ever ridden a motorcycle?   no. have you ever needed stitches?   on my chin, yeah. have you ever been in a submarine?   no. do you think barbie is a negative role model for young girls?   in some ways, sure.  unrealistic expectations can be set. have you ever been in a hot tub or sauna?   hot tub, yeah.  i will absolutely never go in a sauna. do you believe there used to be dragons?   nope. who’s your favorite god from ancient history?   i'm not entirely sure. who was your first kiss?   jason have you ever carved a pumpkin?   a badass one, i must say. did you ever have a treehouse as a kid?   no. have you ever appeared on youtube?   ohhhh god. could you ever have an affair with a married person?   noooo. have you ever planted a tree?   yes.  an apple tree, i think. can you count your number of serious relationships on one hand?   one, so yes how about number of sexual partners?   again, one, so yeah. what’s your middle name?   marie.  my catholic middle name is catherine tho and i still use it because that's part of my upbringing, history, and making of who i am. do you have any siblings?   two immediate sisters, ashley and nicole, three half-sisters named misty, mary kathryn (katie), and tiffany (whom i've never met), and a half-brother named robert (bobby). do you care if people hate you for no reason?   i honestly kinda do. are you one of those people who gets jealous of boys/girls your current bf/gf dated?   nah.  their relationships ended for a reason, so why be jealous? your last ex runs up to you, kisses you, & tells you they want you back. you?   this is the first occasion in my life where i can honestly say i think i'd slap him, roll my eyes, and walk away. is it easy to make you cry?   painfully easy. what color is your hair naturally?   i was born dirty blonde, but it turned brown with age. are you afraid of heights?   in some situations, yes. have you ever laughed so hard you cried?   i do that VERY easily.  like, i SOB. do you find piercings attractive?   in general, sure. do you find tattoos attractive?   again, generally. do you curse in front of your parents?   with dad, i'm totally open.  mom, i generally don't say "fuck." do you like eating mashed potatoes?   no, i hate mashed potatoes. have you ever been called a bad influence?   no. have you ever been to disney world?   i have. do you ever play games on the computer?   i currently can't, because my gaming laptop currently has a fried psu or graphics card.  i used to play repeats of both the "amnesia" games (particularly the sequel), i'd occasionally progress in "outlast," and i regularly played "world of warcraft," which was very important to me for like two years.  i guess conditions have kinda forced me to quit, but i still vaguely keep up with what's going on in the game. do you and your significant other have a special song? what is it?   no. what if you found the last person you kissed, in bed with the last person you texted?   ... well that's a mess because that's a gay scene i couldn't even begin to concoct the last person you held hands with - have you ever kissed them?   on the cheek.  honestly because i felt pressured to. is there anything you would like to say to your most recent ex?   no.  i have literally nothing more to say. if your friends are sexually active but you aren’t, does that bother you? have you ever felt pressured to have sex before you were ready, because your friends had done it?   it doesn't bother me, no.  and i never felt pressured because my friends had done it, but rather by my age, i guess.  it's a very weak thought and honestly does not come often, so it's not much of a nuisance, but sometimes it is weird- not embarrassing, mind you- to admit "oh yeah i'm 21 and still a virgin despite having been in a very serious relationship." name 7 things that make you happy, and explain how it might affect you if you had to give them up.   oh god, seven?  that's a lot.  um.  well, writing it one; giving it up would be... kinda devastating, because i do it so much on a daily basis.  photography is another, and that would really fucking suck to give it up because i want to make a career out of that.  watching my favorite youtubers is a ginormous one, and tbh i'd rather die than have to lose that hobby.  um, i like gaming obvs, but i could give it up because i obviously have due to my computer issue and the fact my consoles are broken.  i don't enjoy not being able to do it, but i mean, i've survived.  i like drawing when i actually have inspiration... but i could also give it up because again, i pretty much have because i judge my work excessively, and i got tired of it.  i like exploring the outdoors/interesting areas, but i barely ever have the chance to even do this, so i mean, there's nothing to give up.  i enjoy fishing, but it's another thing i haven't done in actual years, so. what is your mom’s and dad’s favorite tv show?   i'm not sure... but both my parents really love "the big bang theory" when you were younger and misbehaved, what did your parents threaten you with?   mom would threaten to count to one, lmao.  i always assumed zero meant i'd get spanked. who has the biggest ego you know?   jason's best friend dillon. how would you react if your last ex wanted to get back together?   ugh. do you and your family go on a vacation ever year?   no. who was your most romantic moment with?   jason who does your most embarrassing moment involve?   also jason. does your dad swear?   yeah. when you like someone, do you picture what your children will look like?   well that's remotely creepy lol, no. do you know how to tap dance?   i know how to clog, and i mean, it's the same thing, just different shoes. are you craving any food right now? if so, what?   yeah, i want pizza. ;-; what’s your favorite flavor of skittles?   RED when was the last time you used oil pastels?   high school if pot was finally legalized where you live, what would you do?   quite honestly be mad because people are fucking stupid.  as if cigarettes weren't enough of an issue. how bad are your hangovers?   i've never had one. do you think taco bell is nasty?   well i don't like mexican, so... have you ever taken a break from facebook or other social media? why?   i haven't. who knows about your tumblr account?   only online friends. where did you and your current interest go on your first date?   to the movies + a pizza place. who was your high school sweetheart? are you still in contact?   jason, and no. were you popular or invisible in high school?   totally invisible. have you ever experienced two people fighting over you (physically or mentally)? what happened?   juan and jason had "issues."  jason at least seemed to have very little issue with him, but juan absolutely loathed jason.  despite not really showing dislike towards him, there was one occasion where circumstances had it where both jason and juan were at my house, and the fucking tension was unreal.  jason and i had been dating for around a year now, so i mean i loved him, but i wasn't impressed with him bringing up certain things between he and juan (they weren't exactly fond of each other before me due to someone they had both had relations with); jason clearly meant these things to not be aggressive or anything, but rather to just be nostalgic, but y'know... just don't.  he was perfectly aware juan didn't like him; don't bait the dude.  nothing actually went wrong, but ugh, that was stressful and the distaste they had for each other was obvious. have you ever had an experience that was not in keeping with the sexual orientation you currently identify with?   no. did you go to preschool?   yeah. do you know your blood type?   a-, i'm pretty sure. could you be a teacher?   nope.  no way in hell could i handle like 20-30 kids. quick! chinese or mexican food?   chinese, but i don't like much of either. how many significant others have you had in your WHOLE life?   only one was truly "significant," but i'm been in a relationship with three others. do you hate your ex?   no, i don't. have you ever hurt yourself on purpose?   yeah. what’s your fast food restaurant of choice?   bojangle's.  ya'll outside nc don't know what you're missing, lol. what did you and your ex fight about most?   the fact he was 110% logic and had no consideration to his emotions. are you embarrassed by any of the songs in your itunes?   ... it's why i don't let anyone else use it lmao do you like to swim?   it's the one exercise i enjoy, really. have you ever gone on vacation with your boyfriend/girlfriend?   no.  really wanted jason to come with us to the beach one year when we had a dance competition, but he couldn't take off work that many days. how slowly or quickly would you say you eat?   i'm a very fast eater.  i mean i'm not messy, i just eat quickly. what outfit makes you feel the most attractive?   ... none? when you think about marriage, what thoughts come up?   not much, honestly.  kinda hard to think of much when you don't have a belief on whom you're gonna marry. other than yourself, who knows you the best?   it's still probably jason, honestly. do you know anyone who has autism/asperger’s syndrome?   i do know someone with asperger's has anyone of the same sex ever hit on you?   kinda indirectly. are you open to a same-sex relationship and why or why not?   no, because i'm heterosexual. do you think boys look good in skinny jeans?   sure. do you think it’s okay for boys to dress like girls and vice versa?   sure. what went wrong in your previous relationship?   he didn't believe in me. if you’re in one, is anything wrong with it now?   no. how would you react to being cheated on?   nothing in regards to being hurt surprises me anymore. is drinking and smoking a dating deal-breaker for you?   i absolutely will not date someone who smokes, and if you drink more than seldomly, i'm not putting up with you, either.

So basically there was this girl that was mentioned either on or in reference to GMM. I could find one post about her, no more no matter how hard I looked, and eventually I found out she had a brother that was really really close to Rhett. Almost like a brother or a son. (Wasn’t sure of his age.) But he killed someone (possibly his sister) and after that nobody in the fandom would speak of either of them. Well the trial hadn’t occurred yet, so I was somehow summoned to come. Not as a juror, but there was a line of people surrounding the inside border of a big empty room with mezzanine seating. I ended up standing right beside the door Rhett was about to come through, excited to finally be able to feel what it’s like being a 5’ fall person next to someone his height, and as he entered, the girl next to me asked him a question. I remember him walking in front of me to get to her and thinking “huh, I guess I’m taller than I thought I was” because I came up to his shoulder, but dream-me just attributed it to being in a dream. As he finished answering her question, he went to walk away and accidentally hit my face somehow. He turned back and apologized and essentially said “y'know what? As consolation, I want to show you something.” So he took me back through the door he had just entered from and led me through a super dark and uncomfortable corridor, a few others trailing behind me. I looked behind me to see them backing up to leave and when I looked back to Rhett, he was gone. So I walked through this corridor, looking into the rooms. Link was in one of them, looking relatively disheveled (and he had his old hairstyle I think???), and the others either had random people in them or were empty, dark, and rusty. Then I got to the next room, and there was a dead person sitting in a chair with their head tilted slightly back. I had a sorta flashback scene as though the room was giving me information, all pointing to Rhett being the actual killer. So I naturally freaked out, like why the hell would you show me this?! You’re supposed to win the trial!!! I don’t know what happened at the trial, but it skipped to afterwards and I was looking at a photo of people who were at the trial, and realized that although when face to face with him in real life I was sure it was Rhett, the man in the photo’s face looked nothing like him. Suddenly that explained the height difference. Then I woke up. And although it’s been probably over 12 hours since, every time I look at a picture of Rhett I feel so uncomfortable and wrong because the dream felt so real.

Adrift, chapter 9 (final)

Word Count: 2289 Rating: This chapter: PG; Overall story rating: Explicit Warnings: Kissing Summary: After almost drowning in the Cape Fear River as a young man, Rhett can’t seem to get over his fear of swimming. Link is a swim instructor who offers to help. Notes: AU. Rhett and Link have never met and are in their late 20s. Based on the events described in GMCL 24, but Rhett was there alone.

Chapter 1 Previous Chapter

“Are you doing okay?” Link asked, taking Rhett’s hand in his own. The taller man felt dorky in his board shorts, stripe tee and a orange life jacket. Still he felt a great deal better having it on, considering what he was planning to do.

It had been several years since the two of them had met, since Rhett had first seen Link teaching swimming classes at the gym. It seemed like ages ago. It seemed like yesterday. Rhett had managed so much in the past years, with Link by his side. He gave him the courage to face his fears and the strength to overcome them. Even better than helping Rhett with his nightmares, which he hadn’t had for months, Link lightened up his life, filling every day with sunshine, every night with passion. In so many ways Rhett’s life had been made better by having Link be part of it. For that he was eternally grateful.

“I’m fine,” he assured his boyfriend, squeezing his hand. “It's not my first dive. Just show me to the boat.” Boat didn’t quite do it justice. Turning a corner on the maze of docks, Link led Rhett to one of the many boats tied up at the marina. At twenty-five feet, it was a fairly impressive craft with neat letters painted on the back forming the words: ‘Sail On’. Rhett always appreciated the Lionel Richie reference.

It had a pilothouse, so the pilot could be high and dry, and there was a full galley below deck. It was a bit short for Rhett, but he was used to it and besides he planned on sitting a lot. Hopping onto the edge of the boat, Link climbed aboard before holding out his hand to help his boyfriend. At first Rhett wanted to ignore the offered hand and use his long legs to get onto the boat with ease, but the smile on Link’s face was too much to brush off. He took the hand, trying not to blush, and let his boyfriend pull him onto the boat.

“Permission to come aboard, captain?” he joked.

“Permission granted, sir,” Link said with an exaggerated salute, and a cheerful grin. “Welcome aboard.” Pulling Rhett closer he stood on his tiptoes to give him a quick peck. “Did you ever think, before we met, you’d ever be able to step onto a boat floating on the ocean?”

“Definitely not.” He didn’t quite have his sea legs yet and he walked over to sit on the bench situated at the stern. “I’ve been doing a lot of things I never imagined, lately.” Link sat beside him and put his arm around his waist to pull him closer.

They sat there for sometime, not saying anything, just thinking about the past years, ago the past evening. How to brave great watery depths wasn’t the only thing Link had been teaching him. Holding Rhett close he placed a sweet kiss on the man’s lips, relishing in his taste, his smell. Rhett kissed him back with just as much vigor, just as much love, and for a time they both forgot why they had boarded their ship in the first place. Eventually Link broke away, with some effort, and got to his feet. It was time to go.

“Shall we then?” As he walked about the boat, untying the vessel from the dock, Rhett watched him very closely. The ocean breeze was blowing through his dark hair, the warm sun revealing the brown that normally looked black in dimmer lights. The muscles of his arms flexed as he worked on the thick ropes tying the boat to shore and he chewed his lip in concentration as his lover checked on numerous instruments.

As they set out on the open ocean, Link moved with untold grace and certainty; this was a man who had been boating for a long time, who knew his ship inside and out. This was a man who tamed the sea and didn't let the water tame him.

They cruised for a while, shooting the breeze. Rhett managed to stumble his way to Link’s side, sitting in the pilot seat while they talked. It wasn't so bad, being around so much water, as long as his love was in easy grabbing distance. Link did his best to keep their course smooth and it wasn't long before they reached their destination.

A hide-away beach, probably privately owned by someone neither of them knew, was a secret spot was far out of view of the public. Link slowed the boat to a stop before turning to Rhett.

“Is this what you wanted to show me?” Rhett wondered. It was a lovely spot, very isolated and serine. Link gave a noncommittal head tilt.

“Partially. Come on; let’s go for a swim.” It hadn’t been the first time Rhett had braved the waters of the great deep ocean, but he still could not help but feel a twinge of nervousness every time he found himself poised to venture in once again. As he opened the seat in the back of the boat, that doubled as storage, and began looking for their snorkels and flippers, he happened to glance over at Link taking off his shorts. Like Rhett, he had worn his speedos on under his other clothes and now he was bending over to reveal them. Bending over and pointing his perfectly round butt right towards Rhett.

“You’re doing that on purpose,” Rhett accused with a chuckle. Link didn’t answer but wiggled his adorable behind as he squirmed out of his shorts. Rhett shook his head as he removed his own non-swimming attire. “You’re going to pay for that.”

“I can’t wait,” Link giggled, slipping on his flippers. Grabbing up one of the sets of snorkeling goggles, he leaned backwards over the boat and flopped into the crystal clear waters with a lovely splash. Rhett wasn’t in a hurry to follow but he knew he would. He would follow that man anywhere.

It wasn’t long before the two of them were swimming effortlessly through the shallows. Since his first venture into the salty depths, Rhett had shown himself to be a very strong swimmer. Working out at the gym once a week helped quite a bit. Link had taken him places he never thought possible, places that made overcoming his fears worth it. Today they were in a simple cove, not a lot of coral or fish. These were Rhett’s favorites, actually. Little to hurt himself on, not far from surface to sandy floor, and a clear view as far as his eyes could see. Perfect.

He treasured moments like this. During these past few years he and Link had become very successful in their respective fields of engineering. More than making them enough money to purchase a sea-faring vessel, it kept them rather busy. Vacations were rare these days. These times when they were able to get away, be with just each other and no one else, these were the more precious. Not long ago Rhett had moved into Link’s place. They told each other it was for convenience, but they both knew it was more. Rhett wanted to spend every waking moment, every moment he wasn’t awake as well, with the man he loved.

Rhett took off his snorkel mask, floating on his back. He thought about their busy lives, as he had many times before. He had gotten everything he wanted, everything he thought he wanted, and more. He had a good job, a nice house, and a wonderful boyfriend. Yet he missed the days when he was living paycheck to paycheck because he had his music. He had time for his music. He missed playing the guitar. If only there was a way to be a musician instead of an engineer. What would his life be like then?

“Getting tired?” Link’s voice drifted through the air like a gentle breeze as he slowly floated by. He bumped his hand against Rhett’s and the taller man turned to smile at his love.

“Just thinking.” Looking back up at the sky, he look Link’s hand in his own. “Wondering what my life would be like if I went off and became a musician.”

“You are a musician. I’ve heard you play.”

“You know what I mean. Like, for a living. Instead of an engineer.”

“Would you be happier?” A fair question. One Rhett wasn’t sure he knew how to answer. He squeezed Link’s hand.

“I am happy,” he promised. “Did I sound like I wasn’t happy?” For a moment they were quiet, just floating there, holding hands like otters, watching the gentle clouds drift by, listening to the water slosh around them and the occasional seagull flying above.

“I wanted to make films,” Link confessed after the longest time. “I came to California to write comedy films, but it’s a tough industry. I had to fall back on my engineering major. It worked out okay, but I always regret not trying harder.”

“It’s not too late. You can still be a film writer.”

“And you can still be a musician,” Link countered. “Anyone can these days. There’s this online thing called YouTube...”

~

The two men swam for a bit longer before heading back to the boat. Rhett was the first one aboard, pulling himself up easily. He quickly turned to help Link up, but he was pushing himself backwards.

“I’m just gonna take one last dive,” he said, pulling his snorkeling mask back on. “Be right back.” With a wink he ducked down under the waves and disappeared. Rhett gave a very understanding smile, chuckling under a sigh as he took off his flippers. He knew Link would be along in his own time. Meanwhile he changed back into his dry clothes.

When Link returned he burst from the waters, grasping onto the side of the boat and splashing water all about. He tossed his goggles onto the deck and wiped the wet hair from his face

“You're like Poseidon,” Rhett noted once he got over his surprise. Link laughed as he pulled himself up.

“Look who's talking. Put a trident in your hand and you’d be a spitting image of the god of the ocean.” Sitting on the gunwale of the ship, he placed a small orange box on the seat next to him.

“What’s that?” Rhett didn’t wait for an answer before picking it up and turning it over. It said ‘ultrabox’ on the side, but little else. It looked almost brand new. “Did you find this down there?”

“I did.” Link looked rather suave but at the same time there was a hint of something else in his eyes. Rhett had seen it so rarely in his lover’s eyes he almost didn’t recognize it. After a moment he was sure; Link was nervous. “Why don’t you open it?” Cocking an eyebrow Rhett shrugged and looked to see how the strange box opened. He didn’t notice, as he found the latch, that Link had moved from his spot on the ledge. As he flipped open the lid, revealing a smaller box inside, he didn’t see how Link had bent down on one knee and was now kneeling before him.

“What’s this?” he asked, curious and confused. “What-?” Looking up he saw Link, his eyes far too blue to be real, his smile far too beautiful for anything less than an angel. “Link?” Rhett voice barely made it out to ask. “...Link?”

“Open it,” Link whispered, hopeful and scared. As Rhett’s eyes turned down to the second box, black and velvet, Link bit his lip. Time was slowing down to a near standstill and he could barely breathe. Rhett was holding his breath too as he picked up the black box. His fingers felt so weak as they lifted the lid revealing the band inside.

“Link.” A simple band, titanium inlaid with one large strip of Hawaiian Koa wood and a smaller one of pure turquoise. “It’s beautiful.” More than it’s gorgeous colors, and the thought that had gone into picking it out, what it symbolized was beautiful. “You found this?” He was highly doubtful.

“I did… It was right where I left it.” Taking Rhett’s shaking hand in his own Link took a deep breath. “Rhett… You’ve set my entire life on it’s head, from the day I saved your life to the day I saw you in that gym. You changed my life for the better- you make me better, every day, every moment. I don’t deserve you, but still here I am. Asking...” Tears formed in Rhett’s eyes and he could barely blink them away.

“You saved my life, Link,” he choked, remembering. “I don’t want to spend it with anyone else.”

“Does that mean you’ll-?”

“Yes!” Rhett shouted, nearly dropping the ring as he rushed to hug Link. “I’ll marry you.” Tears fell from both of their eyes now, the sweetest tears of joy. After a minute of hugging and crying and sputtering happy nonsense, Rhett pulled away. “What am I going to tell my parents?”

“I already told them.”

“You what?” Link rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed.

“They sort of found out by accident,” Link explained. “Last time I went back home with you. You’re brother caught me rummaging through your stuff, looking for a class ring.” He gestured to the ring still in Rhett’s hand. “I wanted to make sure I got the right size.” Flustered, Rhett slipped the ring onto his finger, staring at it like he still couldn’t believe his life.

“It’s perfect.” He kissed Link’s cheek. “Just like you. I love you so much.”

“I love you, too, Rhett,” Link replied, kissing back. “Always and forever.”

The End

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