LA: the Nation's Homometer
Yeah, so this isn't the camping fic. Haha, I am the queen of dashed hopes :D
Title: LA: the Nation's Homometer
Author: Yours truly
Fandom: The Daily Show with hints from The Office
Pairing: Ed Helms/Rob Corddry
Rating: I suppose Arrrrrr
Warning: The beginning is kind of sad... ish. Like a raddish with a frown. Also, it's unbetaed.
A/N: So I wrote this for corbicula from yesterday's open thread at fakenews_fanfic because she (and holdmyjacket) requested a Rob/Ed strike!fic. You ask and I give because HOLY SHIT, THE STRIKE. IT KILLS ME DED. Seriously, I'm going crazy. So please direct any fic requests this way, though I have 4 research papers coming up soooo yes. That may complicate things.
Length: 2413
Feedback: Always welcome. Concrit as well.
Summary: Ed waxes nostalgic for cold days and old days before being reunited with a special someone.*
*Note: this summary was obviously written after watching Hallmark channel for too many hours on end.
LA: THE NATION'S HOMOMETER
Ed twirled the sign in his hand, the post landing a bit painfully on his palm with each rotation. Ed didn’t really care all that much about the discomfort, instead taking pleasure in the mere act of sitting for a spell; his legs ached from marching around in circles the whole morning and afternoon. He’d had a small respite earlier when some sympathetic producer of some other Hollywood-based show had given him a cup of luke-warm coffee, but he still had yet to eat anything of substance or, you know, pee.
He shifted a bit from where he sat perched on the curb, the cement digging into his ass. A grin blossomed across his face as he saw BJ do a hop-skip before kicking Paul in the butt, giggling as he ran off to hide behind Mindy. But the grin faded as familiar feeling washed over him, causing him to shut his eyes for a moment as he tried to fight the disturbing onslaught. Even though he resisted he soon gave in, deciding it was best just to let the emotion wash over him. He didn’t like it, this feeling. But when did he?
Sitting in on the strike, sitting out here in the warmth in November… it was such a startling contrast to where he would have been a few years ago that the sadness over leaving the East Coast felt sharper somehow. He’d seen the pictures of the New Yorkers, bundled and freezing, their mittened hands clutching at signs and hot coffee as his former friends and coworkers paraded the streets.
He missed it. He actually missed it. He missed that New York gumption, the bitterness, hell, even the fucking cold. LA was just… just so glib sometimes that even the strike felt shallow. Ed never would have guessed that he would miss New York. For fuck’s sake, he was a Southern boy! He shouldn’t be pining over the cold.
But it wasn’t just the cold, was it? Or the mentality back east. There was more there that he had left behind, that tugged at places in his heart that he had assumed were buried.
Working with Steve made things infinitely better, thank God. It was so good to have someone who he knew had the same pangs, the same longing for days now long gone. It was a relief to have him near enough by that they could exchange these unspoken sentiments with a look or a gesture. But for Steve it was different, wasn’t it? He’d had a family to take with him. He had friends out here. Ed… Ed had Steve. And himself. And Ed didn’t always think of himself as that great of company.
So he couldn’t really help it when he sat on the curb, wistfully thinking of what it would have been like if the strike had happened while he was still in New York. Of how everyone would have been, would have acted. He stared off with a smile as he contemplated it.
Lewis probably would have shown up griping about how cold it was and shocked many a passersby with his enthusiastic cursing, dropping the word “fuck” about as often as most people say “hello”. He would cut the harshness of his actions with his kindness though, most likely offering food and a hot coffee along with a joking comment to anyone in a close radius.
Jon would probably be fairly quiet, just staring at the crowd with that faraway look he would get when he was really concerned about something. This concern would most likely be about the little people of the show, the ones who could lose their jobs due to the strike, and his own inability to take care of everyone throughout the whole affair. Stephen would be the only one able to break him out of his funk, pointing out someone who looked like a black Jack Benny, causing Jon to roll his eyes before giggling into a fist.
Jason would probably be bellowing slogans he had made up himself, boisterously swinging his sign around and commanding anyone trying to make their way past him to “FIGHT THE MAN! BE THE CHANGE!” in some ridiculous voice that would terrify children. Sam would stand nearby, acting as if her husband was behaving completely reasonably and even joining in with him herself.
Steve would be with Stephen and Jon, taking Stephen’s pauses as chances to contribute to distracting their boss by arguing loudly that unicorns were real or that bird flu was the reason Stephen was impotent. These arguments would leave Jon wheezing in the cold, laughing as Steve would say something so fierce that it would prompt Stephen to collapse into fake hysterical tears.
And then… and then there would be Rob. Ed rolled his shoulders, tilting his head until his neck cracked as he thought. Rob. Rob would have been with Ed.
Ed sighed again, rubbing his eyes. Now was not the time to get like this. Now was not the time to think about New York. About the Daily Show. About Rob. About following Rob to LA. About losing track of Rob even after following him. It all seemed futile and a bit bleak and Ed was mad to have even brought it up in his own brain.
So what if he missed Rob? Missing your friends is normal. Perhaps pining after your friend isn’t… but Ed had never been much for normal. And neither had Rob. To be fair, their relationship had never been that normal at all, so why try to be normal now?
Ed inwardly groaned. He was thinking in circles again. He really didn’t like dwelling on the past but he just couldn’t help it sometimes. Especially on days like this when he was surrounded by new coworkers outside in November and the weather was warm. Had New York really gotten that much under his skin? Had he adjusted to the cold that much?
The cold was great for a lot of things. Like bundling up and hot totties. Or beer. Or for having a reason to lean more heavily against the friend you drank said hot totties or beer with. Maybe you’d get so cold and so drunk that snuggling up next to this friend would seem perfectly normal in that abnormal way; your lips against their neck seeming to make sense because it was just too cold to behave otherwise. Hands need warmth too, so they’d slide up a conveniently loosened shirt, brushing against a peaking nipple. Because, really, how else do you act in the cold?
Ed shook his head, shaking off the memories like they were droplets of water. Circles. Thinking in circles never gets you anywhere because all you get to are the places you were.
“Seat taken?” Ed jumped, his head snapping to the left. “Or are you needing the whole curb?”
Ed’s mouth worked silently for a moment, his words stuck somewhere in his throat and his stomach somewhere out his butt. “Rob?” he finally croaked. “What… what are you doing here?”
Rob grinned down at him, though he still looked unsure as to whether or not he was allowed to sit down. “Now, what do you mean by ‘what are you doing here’? Does that mean ‘why Rob, how nice to see you once again!’ or ‘fuck off, you stupid jerk’?”
Ed paused, looking pensive. “I’m more just wondering what you’re doing here.”
“I saw you on TV.”
Ed raised an eyebrow. “I’ve been on TV for years.”
Rob scuffed his foot and shrugged. “Yeah, well, not on the local news.”
There was another mildly awkward pause. “You’ve only ever watched me on the local news?”
“No.”
They both looked elsewhere for a moment. “I’ve been in town for over a year you know.”
“Yeah. I know.” There was no explanation, no apology, but Ed appreciated it. It seemed oddly in tune with the rest of their relationship. No hollow words would cheapen the honesty.
“So. You’re here.”
“Yeah.” Rob eyed Ed with a small smile. “So… can I sit down then?”
Ed smiled back. “Sure.” After Rob sat, Ed directed his attention to his sign again, his fingers flexing and relaxing on the poll. “I didn’t know if you were still in town.”
“I am.”
“Is your show still on?” Ed felt compelled to ask, though he already knew the answer.
“Nope. Fox canned it.” Rob didn’t sound remorseful at all… he actually almost sounded relieved.
“I guess that’s what happens when you sign on with Murdoch.” Ed winced when he realized how accusatory the statement sounded. “I mean, they drop anything that doesn’t suck.”
Rob grinned and looked down. “Except for Family Guy.”
Ed chuckled. “Except for Family Guy. But, to be fair, they did cancel it before.”
“Yeah, and then a legion of fans bought DVD’s and signed petitions to bring it back.”
“Think you could mobilize that many people?”
Rob laughed, his face opening up like a cloud passing from where it had blocked the sun. “No fucking way.”
“Come on, you’ve still got fans loyal to you from the Daily Show days.”
Rob shook his head, his smile turning wistful. “Yeah, but they’re all half hoping I fail so I’ll go back.”
Ed looked to the sky, wishing once again it was cold out so he could have a reason to want to move closer to the man beside him. “Once they like us, it’s pretty hard for them to let go isn’t it?”
“Yeah, man. You’re lucky you’re with Steve. I think they like it better when we all still stay together.”
Ed gave him a sideways glance. “Maybe… maybe when we come back, I could get you written into the show. Or something. You know, if you want.”
Rob licked his lips before returning the look. “Work with you again? Yeah. That would be nice.” The two just sat for a moment, drinking in the companionable silence and letting the light warm air tickle their faces. Rob, seemingly struck by some sort of conviction, got to his feet. “Can… can we go get something to eat? Or something? I mean, is it cool if you break ranks for a second?”
Ed struggled to his feet, allowing Rob to help him and wincing as both his knees cracked in protestation at the prolonged squat Ed had kept them in. It served to remind him that he wasn’t as young as he used to be. He decided this was okay though as Rob sent him another smile.
“Yeah, sure,” Ed said with a shrug, walking towards the group to hand off his sign to a writer. “I’ve been out here all day and I haven’t really had anything to eat.” He waved to BJ and the others, calling, “Guys, I’m going to go get a bite with a friend of mine. Want anything?”
He ignored the significant look BJ exchanged with Paul before calling back, “No, man, go on ahead.” He then raised his eyebrows. “Have a good time!” With a wink, BJ turned back to the group.
“Ready?” Rob looked anxious, nervous, almost jumping out his skin to get going.
Ed just grinned. “Yep.”
~~~~~~~~
About 30 minutes later, Ed supposed he was grateful for the fact that Rob had been kind enough to let him pee before pushing his way into the small one-person bathroom inside the deli they had chosen. He really had been needing to go all day and it was nice to not have the distraction of his bladder as Rob moved against his back, arms hugging his chest as he rutted against Ed. Ed craned his head back, nibbling at Rob’s neck as it was exposed under his unbuttoned shirt before kissing him on the mouth.
“Fuck,” Rob mumbled against him, reaching around to undo Ed’s fly. “Sorry I couldn’t, shit, wait until we’d eaten…”
“I don’t care,” Ed replied with hitched breath, grunting as Rob touched him through his boxers. “This is… this is awesome…”
Rob snorted in laughter before groaning as Ed turned around to grasp his erection. Head falling to Ed’s shoulder, Rob whispered, “God, I missed you.”
Ed placed a kiss on his temple, settling his fist into a steady rhythm. “I’ve missed you too.”
Rob grinned. “Then get down on your knees and prove it.”
Both burst out into laughter though neither seemed eager to actually get to their knees, instead opting to stay standing with their heads leaned against each other, breathing each other’s breath and kissing occasionally. It wasn’t exactly dignified or hygienic but it was wonderful and Ed felt himself edging to the precipice sooner than he would have liked. Rob however was the first to come as he let out a guttural keening noise, his nose pressed to Ed’s neck and his teeth rasping against his collar bone. Ed followed not too long after, his body shaking as he released onto Rob, hands trembling as they grasped the other man’s shoulders.
Both dressed silently, their backs half-turned towards each other though every time their eyes met a jolt and a smile passed between them. Once he was fully tucked in, Ed turned to look Rob in the face.
“I meant what I said, you know.” Rob cocked his head and Ed continued. “I did miss you.”
With a bashful grin, Rob straightened out his shirtsleeves before nodding. “I meant it too.”
“So what,” Ed said as he swung the door open to the rest of the deli, ignoring the suspicious glare being sent his way by one of the busboys, “do I have to get myself on the local news to get any attention from you from now on?”
Rob threw his head back and laughed. “No, no, I think you’ve got my attention pretty well at this point.” He glanced around the restaurant and shrugged. “Hell, we’re in LA. Why not gay it up?”
Ed wondered how exactly New York hadn’t been gay enough, but really it didn’t matter. So he just shook his head with a smile and, as Rob sat on the same side of the booth as him which earned an amused look from their waitress, decided that maybe he’d be okay without the cold after all. Or New York. Because, really, New York had only been New York because of Rob. So if Rob was with him… New York would be too; all the time, everywhere. Besides, California had such nicer weather.
Rob threw an arm around Ed’s shoulders and Ed grinned from ear to ear. So California had something else going for it besides the weather: the gayness.
One could never forget the gayness.
THE END.
Endnote: I'm not really sure why this turned out so melancholy. And it's weird writing Rob/Ed as adults. And that makes me feel pervy. Hrm. Anyway, the people from the Office that I talked about were BJ Novak (aka Ryan), Paul Lieberstein (aka Toby), and Mindy Kaling (aka Kelly). Just in case you didn't know.
Disclaimer: Any similarity between the fictional version of the person portrayed here and the actual persons is purely coincidental. This is a work of fiction. This is not an attempt to defame the character of said person on the basis of libel, as the work is FICTIONAL (and NOT an intently false statement created with the express purpose of misleading others about the actual character of said person).
Any mention of 'The Daily Show', 'The Colbert Report', 'Viacom', any associated entities, or any copyrighted material pertaining therein is reasonably protected by the Fair Use Rule of the United States Copyright Act of 1976 and is not intended to infringe upon any copyrighted material.
Title: LA: the Nation's Homometer
Author: Yours truly
Fandom: The Daily Show with hints from The Office
Pairing: Ed Helms/Rob Corddry
Rating: I suppose Arrrrrr
Warning: The beginning is kind of sad... ish. Like a raddish with a frown. Also, it's unbetaed.
A/N: So I wrote this for corbicula from yesterday's open thread at fakenews_fanfic because she (and holdmyjacket) requested a Rob/Ed strike!fic. You ask and I give because HOLY SHIT, THE STRIKE. IT KILLS ME DED. Seriously, I'm going crazy. So please direct any fic requests this way, though I have 4 research papers coming up soooo yes. That may complicate things.
Length: 2413
Feedback: Always welcome. Concrit as well.
Summary: Ed waxes nostalgic for cold days and old days before being reunited with a special someone.*
*Note: this summary was obviously written after watching Hallmark channel for too many hours on end.
LA: THE NATION'S HOMOMETER
Ed twirled the sign in his hand, the post landing a bit painfully on his palm with each rotation. Ed didn’t really care all that much about the discomfort, instead taking pleasure in the mere act of sitting for a spell; his legs ached from marching around in circles the whole morning and afternoon. He’d had a small respite earlier when some sympathetic producer of some other Hollywood-based show had given him a cup of luke-warm coffee, but he still had yet to eat anything of substance or, you know, pee.
He shifted a bit from where he sat perched on the curb, the cement digging into his ass. A grin blossomed across his face as he saw BJ do a hop-skip before kicking Paul in the butt, giggling as he ran off to hide behind Mindy. But the grin faded as familiar feeling washed over him, causing him to shut his eyes for a moment as he tried to fight the disturbing onslaught. Even though he resisted he soon gave in, deciding it was best just to let the emotion wash over him. He didn’t like it, this feeling. But when did he?
Sitting in on the strike, sitting out here in the warmth in November… it was such a startling contrast to where he would have been a few years ago that the sadness over leaving the East Coast felt sharper somehow. He’d seen the pictures of the New Yorkers, bundled and freezing, their mittened hands clutching at signs and hot coffee as his former friends and coworkers paraded the streets.
He missed it. He actually missed it. He missed that New York gumption, the bitterness, hell, even the fucking cold. LA was just… just so glib sometimes that even the strike felt shallow. Ed never would have guessed that he would miss New York. For fuck’s sake, he was a Southern boy! He shouldn’t be pining over the cold.
But it wasn’t just the cold, was it? Or the mentality back east. There was more there that he had left behind, that tugged at places in his heart that he had assumed were buried.
Working with Steve made things infinitely better, thank God. It was so good to have someone who he knew had the same pangs, the same longing for days now long gone. It was a relief to have him near enough by that they could exchange these unspoken sentiments with a look or a gesture. But for Steve it was different, wasn’t it? He’d had a family to take with him. He had friends out here. Ed… Ed had Steve. And himself. And Ed didn’t always think of himself as that great of company.
So he couldn’t really help it when he sat on the curb, wistfully thinking of what it would have been like if the strike had happened while he was still in New York. Of how everyone would have been, would have acted. He stared off with a smile as he contemplated it.
Lewis probably would have shown up griping about how cold it was and shocked many a passersby with his enthusiastic cursing, dropping the word “fuck” about as often as most people say “hello”. He would cut the harshness of his actions with his kindness though, most likely offering food and a hot coffee along with a joking comment to anyone in a close radius.
Jon would probably be fairly quiet, just staring at the crowd with that faraway look he would get when he was really concerned about something. This concern would most likely be about the little people of the show, the ones who could lose their jobs due to the strike, and his own inability to take care of everyone throughout the whole affair. Stephen would be the only one able to break him out of his funk, pointing out someone who looked like a black Jack Benny, causing Jon to roll his eyes before giggling into a fist.
Jason would probably be bellowing slogans he had made up himself, boisterously swinging his sign around and commanding anyone trying to make their way past him to “FIGHT THE MAN! BE THE CHANGE!” in some ridiculous voice that would terrify children. Sam would stand nearby, acting as if her husband was behaving completely reasonably and even joining in with him herself.
Steve would be with Stephen and Jon, taking Stephen’s pauses as chances to contribute to distracting their boss by arguing loudly that unicorns were real or that bird flu was the reason Stephen was impotent. These arguments would leave Jon wheezing in the cold, laughing as Steve would say something so fierce that it would prompt Stephen to collapse into fake hysterical tears.
And then… and then there would be Rob. Ed rolled his shoulders, tilting his head until his neck cracked as he thought. Rob. Rob would have been with Ed.
Ed sighed again, rubbing his eyes. Now was not the time to get like this. Now was not the time to think about New York. About the Daily Show. About Rob. About following Rob to LA. About losing track of Rob even after following him. It all seemed futile and a bit bleak and Ed was mad to have even brought it up in his own brain.
So what if he missed Rob? Missing your friends is normal. Perhaps pining after your friend isn’t… but Ed had never been much for normal. And neither had Rob. To be fair, their relationship had never been that normal at all, so why try to be normal now?
Ed inwardly groaned. He was thinking in circles again. He really didn’t like dwelling on the past but he just couldn’t help it sometimes. Especially on days like this when he was surrounded by new coworkers outside in November and the weather was warm. Had New York really gotten that much under his skin? Had he adjusted to the cold that much?
The cold was great for a lot of things. Like bundling up and hot totties. Or beer. Or for having a reason to lean more heavily against the friend you drank said hot totties or beer with. Maybe you’d get so cold and so drunk that snuggling up next to this friend would seem perfectly normal in that abnormal way; your lips against their neck seeming to make sense because it was just too cold to behave otherwise. Hands need warmth too, so they’d slide up a conveniently loosened shirt, brushing against a peaking nipple. Because, really, how else do you act in the cold?
Ed shook his head, shaking off the memories like they were droplets of water. Circles. Thinking in circles never gets you anywhere because all you get to are the places you were.
“Seat taken?” Ed jumped, his head snapping to the left. “Or are you needing the whole curb?”
Ed’s mouth worked silently for a moment, his words stuck somewhere in his throat and his stomach somewhere out his butt. “Rob?” he finally croaked. “What… what are you doing here?”
Rob grinned down at him, though he still looked unsure as to whether or not he was allowed to sit down. “Now, what do you mean by ‘what are you doing here’? Does that mean ‘why Rob, how nice to see you once again!’ or ‘fuck off, you stupid jerk’?”
Ed paused, looking pensive. “I’m more just wondering what you’re doing here.”
“I saw you on TV.”
Ed raised an eyebrow. “I’ve been on TV for years.”
Rob scuffed his foot and shrugged. “Yeah, well, not on the local news.”
There was another mildly awkward pause. “You’ve only ever watched me on the local news?”
“No.”
They both looked elsewhere for a moment. “I’ve been in town for over a year you know.”
“Yeah. I know.” There was no explanation, no apology, but Ed appreciated it. It seemed oddly in tune with the rest of their relationship. No hollow words would cheapen the honesty.
“So. You’re here.”
“Yeah.” Rob eyed Ed with a small smile. “So… can I sit down then?”
Ed smiled back. “Sure.” After Rob sat, Ed directed his attention to his sign again, his fingers flexing and relaxing on the poll. “I didn’t know if you were still in town.”
“I am.”
“Is your show still on?” Ed felt compelled to ask, though he already knew the answer.
“Nope. Fox canned it.” Rob didn’t sound remorseful at all… he actually almost sounded relieved.
“I guess that’s what happens when you sign on with Murdoch.” Ed winced when he realized how accusatory the statement sounded. “I mean, they drop anything that doesn’t suck.”
Rob grinned and looked down. “Except for Family Guy.”
Ed chuckled. “Except for Family Guy. But, to be fair, they did cancel it before.”
“Yeah, and then a legion of fans bought DVD’s and signed petitions to bring it back.”
“Think you could mobilize that many people?”
Rob laughed, his face opening up like a cloud passing from where it had blocked the sun. “No fucking way.”
“Come on, you’ve still got fans loyal to you from the Daily Show days.”
Rob shook his head, his smile turning wistful. “Yeah, but they’re all half hoping I fail so I’ll go back.”
Ed looked to the sky, wishing once again it was cold out so he could have a reason to want to move closer to the man beside him. “Once they like us, it’s pretty hard for them to let go isn’t it?”
“Yeah, man. You’re lucky you’re with Steve. I think they like it better when we all still stay together.”
Ed gave him a sideways glance. “Maybe… maybe when we come back, I could get you written into the show. Or something. You know, if you want.”
Rob licked his lips before returning the look. “Work with you again? Yeah. That would be nice.” The two just sat for a moment, drinking in the companionable silence and letting the light warm air tickle their faces. Rob, seemingly struck by some sort of conviction, got to his feet. “Can… can we go get something to eat? Or something? I mean, is it cool if you break ranks for a second?”
Ed struggled to his feet, allowing Rob to help him and wincing as both his knees cracked in protestation at the prolonged squat Ed had kept them in. It served to remind him that he wasn’t as young as he used to be. He decided this was okay though as Rob sent him another smile.
“Yeah, sure,” Ed said with a shrug, walking towards the group to hand off his sign to a writer. “I’ve been out here all day and I haven’t really had anything to eat.” He waved to BJ and the others, calling, “Guys, I’m going to go get a bite with a friend of mine. Want anything?”
He ignored the significant look BJ exchanged with Paul before calling back, “No, man, go on ahead.” He then raised his eyebrows. “Have a good time!” With a wink, BJ turned back to the group.
“Ready?” Rob looked anxious, nervous, almost jumping out his skin to get going.
Ed just grinned. “Yep.”
~~~~~~~~
About 30 minutes later, Ed supposed he was grateful for the fact that Rob had been kind enough to let him pee before pushing his way into the small one-person bathroom inside the deli they had chosen. He really had been needing to go all day and it was nice to not have the distraction of his bladder as Rob moved against his back, arms hugging his chest as he rutted against Ed. Ed craned his head back, nibbling at Rob’s neck as it was exposed under his unbuttoned shirt before kissing him on the mouth.
“Fuck,” Rob mumbled against him, reaching around to undo Ed’s fly. “Sorry I couldn’t, shit, wait until we’d eaten…”
“I don’t care,” Ed replied with hitched breath, grunting as Rob touched him through his boxers. “This is… this is awesome…”
Rob snorted in laughter before groaning as Ed turned around to grasp his erection. Head falling to Ed’s shoulder, Rob whispered, “God, I missed you.”
Ed placed a kiss on his temple, settling his fist into a steady rhythm. “I’ve missed you too.”
Rob grinned. “Then get down on your knees and prove it.”
Both burst out into laughter though neither seemed eager to actually get to their knees, instead opting to stay standing with their heads leaned against each other, breathing each other’s breath and kissing occasionally. It wasn’t exactly dignified or hygienic but it was wonderful and Ed felt himself edging to the precipice sooner than he would have liked. Rob however was the first to come as he let out a guttural keening noise, his nose pressed to Ed’s neck and his teeth rasping against his collar bone. Ed followed not too long after, his body shaking as he released onto Rob, hands trembling as they grasped the other man’s shoulders.
Both dressed silently, their backs half-turned towards each other though every time their eyes met a jolt and a smile passed between them. Once he was fully tucked in, Ed turned to look Rob in the face.
“I meant what I said, you know.” Rob cocked his head and Ed continued. “I did miss you.”
With a bashful grin, Rob straightened out his shirtsleeves before nodding. “I meant it too.”
“So what,” Ed said as he swung the door open to the rest of the deli, ignoring the suspicious glare being sent his way by one of the busboys, “do I have to get myself on the local news to get any attention from you from now on?”
Rob threw his head back and laughed. “No, no, I think you’ve got my attention pretty well at this point.” He glanced around the restaurant and shrugged. “Hell, we’re in LA. Why not gay it up?”
Ed wondered how exactly New York hadn’t been gay enough, but really it didn’t matter. So he just shook his head with a smile and, as Rob sat on the same side of the booth as him which earned an amused look from their waitress, decided that maybe he’d be okay without the cold after all. Or New York. Because, really, New York had only been New York because of Rob. So if Rob was with him… New York would be too; all the time, everywhere. Besides, California had such nicer weather.
Rob threw an arm around Ed’s shoulders and Ed grinned from ear to ear. So California had something else going for it besides the weather: the gayness.
One could never forget the gayness.
THE END.
Endnote: I'm not really sure why this turned out so melancholy. And it's weird writing Rob/Ed as adults. And that makes me feel pervy. Hrm. Anyway, the people from the Office that I talked about were BJ Novak (aka Ryan), Paul Lieberstein (aka Toby), and Mindy Kaling (aka Kelly). Just in case you didn't know.
Disclaimer: Any similarity between the fictional version of the person portrayed here and the actual persons is purely coincidental. This is a work of fiction. This is not an attempt to defame the character of said person on the basis of libel, as the work is FICTIONAL (and NOT an intently false statement created with the express purpose of misleading others about the actual character of said person).
Any mention of 'The Daily Show', 'The Colbert Report', 'Viacom', any associated entities, or any copyrighted material pertaining therein is reasonably protected by the Fair Use Rule of the United States Copyright Act of 1976 and is not intended to infringe upon any copyrighted material.