[ TEXT MESSAGES ]

[legalistic]

TO JARED
We need to talk. It's going to have to wait.

TO RHETT
You don't need to worry. Gabe's going to be okay. Have a good trip x

Comments

[legalistic]

Gabe took on too much too quick. I don't think he slept the last few days he was alone. He wasn't doing good when I got home.

[rhettbutnotabutler]

Fuck. Do I need to come home?

[legalistic]

No. No, you don't need to come home. He's sleeping. It usually helps. You guys need to just have a good time.

[rhettbutnotabutler]

You know you're the only person in the world I trust with him when he's like this.

[legalistic]

Well, I wasn't here. He got into a mess. But he'll be okay. I'm taking the week off. They owe me an epic fuckton of sick leave.

[rhettbutnotabutler]

I know you had to be away. But you're with him now, and nobody else being with him would be enough for me not to come back home. I'm so glad you're gonna be my bro in law.

[legalistic]

It as out of my control. I've been away before, and he was fine. But with you gone too, and two clients really fucking with his head, it just got too much.

[rhettbutnotabutler]

I know it was. I'm not blaming you. I just hate that all the shit lined up at the wrong time. Thank you for being the dude my brother fell in love with, Ash. He deserves someone like you.

[legalistic]

Dude, there is something else you need to know. But you don't need to feel like it's a reason to cut your trip short either, because there's so much shit connected to it right now, there's nothing you can do. I'm the lucky one. Being gay is the easy part. Finding your mate is something that doesn't make sense until you're holding them and something in your gut, or your heart, or your soul suddenly goes 'Don't let go'.

[rhettbutnotabutler]

What else do I need to know? And... shit.

[legalistic]

Julian Beaumont. He was gay bashed in Tribeca, and they they took him unconscious to Coney Island and beat even more living shit out of him.