Comments | der_umgekehrte: 15 - I'll be home for Christmas...

der_umgekehrte

15 - I'll be home for Christmas...

Dec 16, 2011 19:59

I'm back, and so are our boys who were stationed in Iraq. I'd like everyone to keep all the troops in the armed forces who are still in Afghanistan in your prayers this season.

[Filtered to phone call to town paper]You guys doing a big Christmas issue again? Or 'holiday' or 'solstice' or whatever that snobby liberal in the top office calls it ( Read more... )

breach: a very special barge christmas, alt:bruce stildyne

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[On the Phone] I'M NOT BOTHERING WITH ICONS impure_tale December 18 2011, 04:39:07 UTC

[It's a slow day; Nathan Desaid is the only one in the office right now, because he's not taking lunch.]

That's right.

[On the Phone] FOR ONCE I AM SO IT EVENS OUT :D stildyne December 18 2011, 04:41:31 UTC

[Oh no it's you ): Bruce sighs and forges on.]

I have a notice I'd like to run. If I bring it by the office today will it be in in time for Sunday's paper?

[On the Phone] impure_tale December 18 2011, 04:43:00 UTC

Provided Homeland Security wouldn't like to probe it first, I have no qualms.

[On the Phone -> Spam] stildyne December 18 2011, 04:48:47 UTC

[Bruce is in the office fifteen minutes later. Without comment, but with a noticeable stiffening of his spine, he slaps a tiny piece of printer paper on the desk.

He wrote it himself. In third person. It was a deeply awkward experience and his complete refusal to have someone copy-edit it shows.]
Bruce Stildyne is a seasonal resident in [HAPPY TOWN], a native of [TOUGH CITY]. In an unhappy home life with college seemingly out of reach, he had already decided that the military was his best chance at a better life. He enlisted in the navy at the age of eighteen ( ... )

[Spam] impure_tale December 18 2011, 04:54:14 UTC

[Desaid reads it over and makes a few odd marks on the paper, glancing at Bruce over his glasses.]

Well, this explains a good deal.

[Spam] stildyne December 18 2011, 04:56:03 UTC

[Don't get irritated. Don't start a fight. It's Christmas.]

What does it explain, Desaid? If it's 'self loathing politics' then back off. You know my politics are based on finance not intolerant social views.

[...try harder not to start a fight, Bruce]

[Spam] impure_tale December 18 2011, 05:04:52 UTC

Whatever you say, sir. [A few more notes on the writeup] This is your own writing?

[Spam] stildyne December 18 2011, 05:08:20 UTC

Dammit, I knew you were going to do this. Claim you've retroactively won every argument we ever had because being gay invalidates my opinions.

[He looks genuinely hurt--but he's been waiting for the shoe to drop for a while. The reactions from his co-workers were good, even if not all of his friends were exactly happy, nobody'd completely thrown him over. He's not sure what reception he'll get here in this community. He's not ... a homemaker. He's not traditional.]

Yes it's my writing.

[He looks defiant.]

[Spam] impure_tale December 18 2011, 05:25:45 UTC

[He looks genuinely confused as to how he could come to that conclusion.] ...Do you listen to yourself talk, I wonder?

[Spam] stildyne December 18 2011, 05:27:59 UTC

[He composes himself. He sounds like a lunatic, he realizes.]

This doesn't change anything about me. I'm afraid everyone assumes it does. I'm sorry.

What did you mean, Desaid?

[Spam] impure_tale December 18 2011, 05:46:26 UTC

Intuition. Don't feel troubled. I just feel it mildly pretentious to congratulate a person for something such as this. I'm happy for you.

[Spam] stildyne December 18 2011, 05:49:28 UTC

I'm not looking for congratulations. Just not to have to keep it under wraps any more.

[He grits his teeth. This part is harder than coming out to his staff back at the gym. But that was supposed to be awkward. This is supposed to be common-place and easy, but he has no experience with it.]

I was wondering if the next time we argue about next year's presidential canditates, maybe over coffee.

Re: [Spam] impure_tale December 18 2011, 05:51:16 UTC

[He raises an eyebrow]

I would be happy to. Welcome back.

[Spam] stildyne December 18 2011, 05:54:50 UTC

[Not exactly a stirring reassurance that the other man's noticed the edge to their relationship-- or was that was 'intuition' had been about? But enough for Bruce to lean over the desk. This would be much less intrusive if there was some convenient miseltoe. Oh, well. He presses a kiss to the editor's cheek.

Stupid argumentative intriguing newspaper types. ]

Yeah. Happy holidays.

[Spam] impure_tale December 18 2011, 06:03:52 UTC

[Nathan eyes him, surprised, even flattered.]

To you as well, Bruce.

[Spam] stildyne December 18 2011, 06:07:45 UTC

[He chuckles a little at the surprise, rueful.]

What, did you think I was inviting you out for friendly coffee? We never manage friendly. I was hoping we could try this instead.

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