#urdamage

               donnie can’t remember the last time he had such a nice night, though sadly he’s able to be confident in knowing that it’s now nearing the one year mark since the last time he was able to enjoy himself as much as he has tonight. everything has been so different since that very first attack that took place here in shrike heights, and donnie has been one of the unlucky residents who have been very closely and personally affected since the start, with his friend and coworker otis being killed in the first attack, and then his best man bo almost meeting the same fate in the next that took place so soon after. every resident of the small town has been negatively impacted by the attacks, but for donnie it’s always felt scarily close and extremely intense. since then, things have only gotten harder, more painful, much scarier and overall worse in every way imaginable. but not tonight, no, tonight has been good. 

               he sits on one of the two couches in his living room and he laughs at something finn is joking about from his seated position so close next to him that he’s practically in his lap already. he looks to the couch opposite him and his partner and his eyes that sparkle with amusement scan over both ian’s and bo’s figures. he’s so lucky to have them both here, so lucky that they’ve both survived the nasty ordeals they’ve been forced to suffer through, and though he doesn’t try at all to kill the happy buzz that they’ve been sitting in all night by speaking up and voicing these thoughts, he feels so lucky that he’s been able to be present for a night with bo and ian - and finn too of course - that’s just nice, and so like old times. it’s no secret amongst the group that donnie has a side of him that’s quieter, broodier, more troubled and fond of overthinking; but this night it too special for him to ruin by taking away from the likeness of old times by thinking exclusively of the hard times that have surrounded tonight.

               kit never saw valentine coming. not once did he ever think that the cute boy he saw in perkin’s every week would become such a close, intimate friend, but the surprise connection that has developed so naturally and so beautifully means everything to kit now. they’re taking things slow, following what feels the most right, but kit’s feelings for the other man haven’t gotten the memo, apparently. his feelings are stronger than any previously experienced, enough to flood each and every one of kit’s senses every second valentine even crosses his mind. they’re intense, but the intensity takes away a lot of the harder feelings kit has dealt with since his attack; every thought of valentine is like a much needed breath of fresh air. 

               they haven’t spoken about their relationship too openly, they haven’t clarified what anything means despite how much time they spend together, despite how often they curl up together most nights in bed, despite the fact that their relationship has clearly developed into something more than just friends. kit is sure that friends don’t kiss each other like he and valentine have made a habit of doing. truthfully, kit’s quite scared to have the conversation, though he knows it needs to happen. he’s afraid that valentine will think his actions and their closeness are only because he’s desperate for comfort after the trauma, but kit knows it’s more than that. he can’t quite place how he knows - not having much experience with love - but he’s sure what he feels for valentine is more real and more pure than anything he’s ever felt before. he’s scared, but he’s confident about how he feels.

               donnie knows that this isn’t going to be an easy interaction, he knows that today will be vastly different from the countless other times he’s spent with bo. in a lot of ways, bo has always reminded him of finn; he feels very different about the two of them - obviously - but still, finn and bo have both always had the impressive ability to brighten up any day and to make fun out of nothing at all. out of everyone donnie has ever known in his life, he would always trust finn or bo (usually both at once, if not just finn on his own) to help distract him through any tough time he faces, but donnie knows that this isn’t one of those times. the severity of this situation has well exceeded being able to solve it by sharing a few laughs. it’s unfortunate, but donnie has come into this situation fully aware of exactly what he’s dealing with. 

               he was nervous dropping finn off to be with ian, even despite knowing that finn is more than capable with handling someone in such a bad state. finn has had to nurse donnie out of dark times more than either of them would care to admit, but just because finn is capable, that doesn’t mean that donnie feels happy about giving him what was arguably the harder job. happy isn’t a feeling donnie would be quick to describe himself feeling amongst the chaotic torture the killers have provided them with. his nerves about their other halves had to be quickly pushed to the back of his mind as bo climbed into the passenger seat previously occupied by his fiance. he was already worried for bo, but now that he sees the state the man is in his nerves and anxieties grow. donnie is thankful that he’s always been able to mask his true feelings with issue.

kit has gotten used to valentine visiting him every day since he was present for the latest attack at shrike mall. most mornings valentine is knocking on his door and acting as a wake up call for kit who sleeps in as long as he can after battling torturous nightmares all night. this morning is the first morning since the first day valentine came to visit that kit wakes on his own accord. without even getting out of bed he reaches over to the telephone and he calls the man who’s number his memory is still so familiar with even while so sleepy. as he speaks his voice is deep and quiet with sleep, and his eyes stay shut the entire time.

Jesse took his breaks very seriously. He wanted to get every second to have an actual break even if it meant hauling ass through the mall to make it to the food court so he had more time to sit down and enjoy his McDonald’s. Thankfully, standing in line usually gave him enough time to catch his breath. He’d never complain about it out loud to anyone though. Jesse wasn’t stupid enough to walk into some lecture about how that’s what he deserved for smoking.

Usually he sat and ate his lunch alone in peace. Just him and the stupid walkman that he’d spent way too much money on. His eyes scanned the food court for an empty table for a second before someone caught his attention. “sick,” he whispered to himself as a huge grin spread across his face.

“Yo,” he announced himself as he pulled one of the empty chairs at the table out and plopped himself down in it without asking. He was already busy pulling his food out of the bag when he spoke again. “Is everyone’s favorite mall cop on a break? I never thought I’d see the day!” Jesse feigned shock as he started with his french fries. “Can i interest you in a fry, mall cop? Before I eat them all? Or a nugget? Better choose quick if you want one they’re gonna go fast.”