How do you measure a last year on earth?

[im_just_someguy]

In honour of World AIDS Day, Mark has set up his projector and is showing, all day long, a movie he'd made a few years back about the AIDS epidemic in New York City. It wasn't widely well recieved, generally panned for being 'too honest'. Most critics said no one wanted to watch people dying onscreen

Comments

[relyonintellect]

Gordon doesn't mean to come by, but it's funny how these things work out. He is keenly aware of the day, and has managed to find a shirt of red argyle to wear (hey, it's something, right?). He stops when he sees the chairs, then he looks at Mark, then at the screen. He doesn't sit down as he watches, strangely fixated on the movie, and finally when he can't bring himself to watch more, he goes over to the tables. In a move surprising to even himself, he's the first one to sign up for a new Life Support.

[im_just_someguy]

Mark was wearing a red longsleeved shirt instead of his usual sweater. He gave Gordon a small smile and nodded. He doesn't say anything, can't think of anything that really needs to be said. He just wishes he could show Gordon that they're there for him, and hopes that the new Life Support will help that.

[relyonintellect]

"All you're missing are the red ribbons," he says with a wry smile. The silence was discomforting. After all, it's a day to celebrate the living as much as it's to celebrate those who've passed on. It shouldn't be so ... Somber.

[im_just_someguy]

"Knew there was something I left out. How're you feeling?" Mark nods to the seat next to him, offering it, if Gordon wants.

[relyonintellect]

"I'm ... All right." It's a honest answer. He sits next to Mark. "It's pretty cool of you to do this."

[im_just_someguy]

"I couldn't not. So many of my friends -- it's a personal issue for me. That's why I made this movie."

[relyonintellect]

"Well, er." Gordon falters for a moment. Even after all this time, he still isn't quite sure where he stands when it comes to living with this disease. "Thanks. It -- I don't know about the others, but it means a lot. To me." He shrugs and smiles a bit.

[im_just_someguy]

"As long as it means something to someone, that's what counts." Mark half returns the smile, though there's not as much conviction behind the words as he'd like. He wants to change the world, but... he still needs to work out that changing it one person at a time can be just as big of a change.

[relyonintellect]

"Yeah ..." He falls silent again. "You know it -- I'm glad I got adopted into your circle of friends. You're a good guy."

[im_just_someguy]

Mark hesitated only a moment before giving Gordon a hug. "We're happy to have you. You are, too."

[relyonintellect]

Gordon laughs lightly and hugs back.

"Thanks. I try."

[kissestospare]

Here's Collins with a surprise bearhug for Gordon. --No, he doesn't need a reason, he's Collins. And yes, he is definitely in a red shirt. "Hey."

[relyonintellect]

For a moment, Gordon fears he's going to have cracked ribs. But he smiles, and returns the hug.

"Hey Collins."

[kissestospare]

"How you doin', Gordon?" He wanders over to the tables and scrawls his name on the Life Support sheet, and then turns his attention to the movie.

[relyonintellect]

"I can't really complain, I guess. You?"

[kissestospare]

Collins is still watching the movie intently, but glances back at Gordon when he replies. "I'm pretty good. Thinkin' about people today. Not that I don't anyway, but --" He shrugs and looks back at the screen -- and oh, look, that would be a clip of his old fiance.