#villa.task

                    it’s  only  after  he  rejects  the  call  amidst  a  pool  of  early  morning  light  that  he  returns  later  that  night  ,  sometime  during  the  witching  hour  ,  to  take  it  .  he  steps  outside  ,  knows  there’s  cameras  on  him  wherever  he  goes  ,  preferring  to  listen  to  the  not - so - distant  sound  of  the  waves  rising  and  falling  against  the  shore  as  opposed  to  the  sound  of  breathing  that  comes  from  his  sleeping  roommates  .

                    he  taps  the  all - too - familiar  number  into  the  phone  and  hesitantly  brings  it  to  his  ear  .  it  rings  ,  one  ,  twice  .  it  clicks  and  the  familiar  voice  ,  speaking  ,  much  to  baby’s  relief  ,  in  korean  ,  fills  his  ears  .  he  knows  the  conversation  with  be  translated  in  post - production  ,  but  there’s  something  comforting  about  not  having  to  focus  so  much  on  speaking  in  a  language  that  wasn’t  native  to  his  tongue  .  fluency  can  truly  only  do  so  much  for  someone  .

                    ❝  it’s  five  in  the  morning  ,  who  is  ---  ❞  the  voice  filters  through  ,  the  heaviness  of  sleep  draped  over  it  and  a  thin  layer  of  annoyance  coating  the  surface  .

                    ❝  jung  pd - nim  .  ❞  babylon  says  through  wincing  at  the  harsh  lilt  of  his  producer  and  ceo  .  ❝  it’s  babylon  .  i  didn’t  know  who  else  to  call  .  sorry  it’s  so  late  .  ❞

                    ❝  ah  .  it’s  alright  .  ❞  a  pause  ,  a  bit  of  a  tense  silence  pours  into  the  air  .  ❝  why  are  you  calling  ?  is  everything  all  right  ?  ❞

                    baby  breathes  out  a  stiff  ,  almost  feigned  laugh  .  ❝  i’m  all  right  .  i’m  okay  ,  i  just  . . .  ❞  he  trails  off  ,  a  tattooed  hand  comes  up  to  tug  on  his  earrings  .  ❝  we  got  a  phone  call  ,  is  all  .  how  are  things  there  ?  it’s  awards  season  ,  right  ?  ❞  the  question  is  more  rhetoric  than  anything  else  .  he  knows  it’s  awards  season  ,  of  course  he  knows  ,  he’s  been  doing  this  for  five  years  now  .  it’d  be  pathetic  for  him  not  to  know  .

                    a  laugh  spills  through  the  speakers  .  ❝  awards  season  ,  of  course  .  should  have  known  that  was  what's  on  your  mind  .  ❞  it  wasn’t  ,  hadn’t  been  until  just  thirty  seconds  ago  .  ❝  yeah  .  how’ve  they  gone  so  far  ?  the  shows  ?  ❞

                    ❝  well  .  they’ve  gone  really  well  .  ❞  the  producer  pauses  again  ,  and  baby  has  to  bite  back  a  sigh  of  annoyance  .  ❝  your  performances  were  really  well  received  ,  despite  being  pre - recorded  .  you  broke  twitter  the  other  day  and  you  weren’t  even  there  .  ❞

                    a  sense  of  relief  washes  over  babylon  ,  then  ,  a  smile  coming  to  his  lips  for  the  first  time  since  he’d  dialed  the  number  .  ❝  yeah  ?  good  .  i’m  glad  .  at  least  those  three  months  of  practise  and  countless  sleepless  nights  weren’t  for  nothing  .  ❞  it’s  his  turn  to  pause  ,  falling  into  a  fit  of  silence  before  asking  ,  ❝  and  the  awards  ?  like  ,  the  actual  awards  ?  how  have  those  gone  ?  ❞

                    ❝  right  .  i  suppose  i  should  have  started  with  that  .  ❞  and  babylon  wants  to  say  yes  ,  he  should  have  ,  but  figures  that  might  be  pushing  it  a  bit  .  ❝  well  ,  awards  didn’t  go  quite  as  we’d  expected  .  ❞

                    baby’s  heart  drops  ,  sinks  into  his  stomach  and  he  can’t  quite  swallow  down  the  disappointment  as  he  speaks  ,  ❝  right  .  right  ,  that’s  okay  .  figures  .  it’s  fine  ,  there’s  always  next  ---  ❞

                    ❝  it’s  too  bad  you  couldn’t  have  been  there  to  experience  how  it  feels  going  from  a  single - daesang  artist  to  a  quadruple - daesang  artist  .  ❞  he  drops  it  so  casually  ,  so  ,  so  casually  that  baby  almost  misses  it  .

                    ❝  . . .  what  ?  ❞  is  all  he  can  manage  for  a  minute  before  he  breaks  out  in  a  smile  ,  real  and  genuine  ,  a  smile  that  reaches  his  eyes  and  has  him  bouncing  on  his  feel  .  ❝  w -- what  ?  what  ,  oh  my  god  ---  ❞

                    ❝  yeah  .  yeah  ,  artist  of  the  year  twice  ,  album  of  the  year  once  .  so  far  .  ❞  the  words  that  filter  through  the  speaker  are  like  honey  ,  like  gold  ,  and  babylon  can  hardly  believe  them  .  he’d  won  song  of  the  year  last  year  and  that  alone  had  put  him  over  the  moon  ,  but  this  ?  artist  of  the  year  ?  twice  ,  plus  album  of  the  year  ?  it  feels  surreal  ,  like  mr  jung  will  tell  him  that  he’s  joking  at  any  moment  now  .

                    ❝  that’s  . . .  that’s  insane  ,  that’s  amazing  .  i  can’t  ---  i’m  having  a  hard  time  believing  it  ,  i  wish  i’d  been  there  to  ---  thank  them  ?  to  show  my  appreciation  ,  i  ---  ❞  he’s  rambling  ,  he  knows  .  it’s  just  so  mind  baffling  to  him  .  rags  to  riches  ,  he’s  been  called  ,  and  for  the  first  time  in  five  years  ,  since  he’d  first  debuted  ,  he  feels  like  it’s  true  ,  like  he’s  really  achieved  something  ,  like  his  dreams  are  finally  ,  really  coming  true  .

                    ❝  it’s  okay  ,  it’s  okay  .  there’s  no  ill - will  being  held  against  you  because  of  your  lack  of  presence  .  in  fact  ,  the  show  seems  to  be  helping  your  image  quite  a  bit  .  ❞  mr.  jung  assures  ,  and  he  sounds  satisfied  ,  and  baby  thinks  that  he  might  be  ,  too  .  ❝  as  soon  as  you  get  back  ,  which  i  think  is  in  a  few  weeks  ,  right  ?  we’ll  finish  up  the  work  for  your  comeback  .  we’re  still  going  with  . . .  the  narcissus  concept  ,  right  ?  so  ,  we’ll  get  the  music  video  recorded  and  finalised  while  you’re  here  .  you  can  attend  the  last  award  show  of  the  year  ---  it’s  on  the  twenty - ninth  .  and  your  comeback  will  be  early  january  ?  ❞  before  baby  can  speak  again  ,  mr.  jung  tacks  another  question  onto  the  end  ,  ❝  and  how  have  you  been  ?  we’ve  been  watching  the  show  ,  but  i  know  the  cameras  only  tell  so  much  .  how  is  everything  ?  ❞

                    baby  pauses  ,  a  silence  spilling  through  the  speakers  and  he  touches  the  top  of  his  ears  in  a  brief  fit  of  anxiety  .  ❝  hey  ,  um  ,  yeah  ,  this  call  is  only  supposed  to  be  five  minutes  ,  so  i  --  i  have  to  go  ,  but  . . .  make  sure  the  fans  know  how  thankful  i  am  ,  yeah  ?  please  .  i’ll  see  you  in  a  few  weeks  .  bye  .  ❞

“you’re through to robert kersey, that’s kersey like the lovely island of jersey! how are you doing this rainy day?” it might have been the fact he was using one of the studio’s phones, but dakota had never been so happy to hear his father’s... unusual way of greeting others on the phone. 

“dad!” dakota’s face positively lights up at the sound of the older man’s voice. although, as his dad fumbles with his phone momentarily after a mumbled ‘hold on, i’ll put you on speaker’ there’s a commotion on the recipient's end of the line. 

“celia — please. for crying out loud!” dakota cringe’s a little at the sound of his father’s exasperated tone, the yells of his mother audible in the background. “i’m... god, celia. your mum is swearing again. sorry dakota.” his brow furrows, and he can’t help but utter “again?”, mildly concerned that this has become a common theme in the kersey household in his absence. his father only sighs in response. “she wants to know if any of those producer... select word... have received her strongly worded letter to the network for putting you through hell for the past few weeks. as they’re not... select words... answering her...” another short sigh leaves the elder kersey’s mouth. “many calls. yes, are you okay now, love? fit to actually talk to our son, hmm?” 

dakota sucks his bottom lip into his mouth as he patiently awaits the man to continue, worried that his parents' quarrel - although fairly normal - was eating into their discussion time. “sorry, kody, you know how she gets when she sees you cry.” oh, he did. all too well. hell hath no fury.

“how are things there? everything okay?” dakota asks curiously, the questions he’s wanted to know for weeks finally having a chance to be answered. 

“oh, it’s getting very exciting in the cul-de-sac right now! you know, the marshalls’ have a new cat. a lovely little maine coon named st-” 

“dad.” although dakota was usually the first to listen to his father’s rambling about his neighbourhood cat watching, dakota knows now is not the time. not when there are more pressing concerns on his mind and when he wants to know how his family are. “how’s robin?” 

“ah right, sorry, kody, i got a bit carried away! robin’s fine. she’s getting a real kick out of those stories you’re telling about her. although your mum is afraid she’s looking like she had no control over either of you growing up... but then again, you were always thick as thieves. there was little either of us could do on that front.” as the elder kersey speaks, dakota can practically hear the sound of his father’s smile in the tone of his voice, and he finds himself bubbling over in excitement just to be able to picture it. to have just a taste of what it’s like to be back in torquay. “how about you, kody? we know... not everything has been easy over the past week there.” 

“oh, i’m fine.” dakota smiles and he can hear the sound of his father’s sigh, loud, and more importantly, disapproving. 

“you’ve been telling me that one since you were a kid, dakota. not long before you’d break into tears, mmm? come on. what’s bothering you?” his father’s voice is gentle, reminding him of all the times when he’d go to the man as a child just so he could be hugged when it all felt too much. 

“no... you’re right. it’s all... it’s all a lot, i guess and i just... i didn’t think it would be this hard, dad. i feel like... like i’m surfing but... instead of actually catching the wave i’m just... getting swept up in it all the damn time and wiping out, and it sucks... and honestly? i don’t even know if there’s anything i can do to fix it because as soon as i’m up again... i’m straight... back down only it just gets... worse,” dakota admits softly, and there’s a softer sound of commotion this time before a distinctly feminine voice begins to speak, “hi dakota, it’s mum.” at first he winces a little, too used to the very blunt words of the accident and emergency doctor to have ever really saught comfort from her growing up. his dad had always been the person he turned to when he had a problem; soft and sweet and always there with a cup of tea when things inevitably went wrong. “sweetie, i’m going to keep this brief because i know your father was talking your ear off and we’re probably a bit short on time.” there’s a mild chattering again in the background, but it’s quickly shushed by the woman. “first off, we love you. everyone at home is rooting for you and we admire your strength in having got this far. second off. those producers... the things i would do if i laid hands on them, my god.” there’s a loud sigh that emits from his mother’s mouth as he can sense she’s trying to regain her composure. “life isn’t a fairytale, dakota.” yes, he’s very much remembering why his mother is not the person to go to for a pep talk. “it’s cruel and it’s harsh and it throws you, and you know my opinion on reality tv, let alone love island. that show is it’s own heightened cesspit of cruelty.” and boy had she let him know it before he’d even gone on it. “but you know i support you in all of your endeavours, regardless and i can see you’re developing some close friendships there... but while we’re on that. about chase. your father can tell you, i didn’t like that man AT ALL when i first saw him. i’d written him off within about five minutes as a bit of a lad, tacky, tactless...” dakota winces. the last thing he needs after the amount of paranoia that he’s been experiencing over the past week is to hear how much his mother disapproves of his primary choice of partner since being in the villa. “i was vaguely reminded of when i went to see this b-movie with your father when we were first dating, and there was this... detestable american character. woeful, woeful man...” he’s about to interject, but this mother’s voice continues, “regardless, i’m rarely surprised. but chase has... surprised me. yes, he’s charmed you... and some of those pick-up lines are horribly cliche.... but as your mother, it’s the things he says when you’re NOT in the room that count to me. and the way he speaks about you? that’s when i knew. i’ve met bountiful liars in my time... and as hard as it was for me to admit, i think you’ve genuinely found something real there. i know i give you a lot of flack for it, but trust your gut. you have your work cut out for you giving the nature of how you’ve met, but the best relationships have challenges... and if the person is worth it? they pay off.” he can see the producers indicating to him that his time is running up and although he hasn’t managed to get much of a word in edgewise somehow his mother’s words have provided him more clarity than he’s had so far this week. 

“mum... i’ve gotta go.” he says, eyeing the producer who is now indicating at him a bit more wildly, to which he only waves him off. 

“of course they’re cutting me off before i can chew their ears off, i see.” his mother replies curtly, and he can’t help but roll his eyes. 

“i love you both.” 

how do you feel about your couple? why did you pick the person you picked?

licking his lips, bash nodded. this was an obvious question. “i’m feeling pretty good about me & jenn,” he said. “i mean, this whole environment is very intense & it’s only been a week so it’s hard to tell if she’s you know...the one. but we’ve been getting along well so far.” thinking back to the coupling night, bash remembered being relieved that he & jennifer had been paired up together, because even though they had just met, he had more of a foundation with her than with anyone else on the island. “i think we picked each other because we had positive previous interactions. we also work in similar industries so i feel like that might’ve played a bit of a role in it? it didn’t really for me, because things like status & occupation aren’t my top priority but it could’ve still given us more common ground.”

were you nervous during the coupling ceremony, or did you feel at ease? 

“i think i was pretty much at ease.” bash wasn’t much of a nervous person when it came to those kinds of things. his nervousness came into play when it came to other people more than it did himself. “the only thing i was little bit nervous about was if i was coupled up with someone & we didn’t get along at all. but that didn’t happen.”

is there anyone in the villa that you’re not vibing with? why?

bash pursed his lips before answering, “i guess...uh saint? he was just really weird to me when i asked him if he wanted cookie batter. like i’m sure he’s nice & all, but it did give me kind of a weird vibe. because i mean...who doesn’t like cookie batter?”

when was your last relationship? why or how did it end? 

bash hadn’t really talked about his personal life yet, which was something he was sort of hoping to avoid. when it came to his fans, they could be incredibly supportive but some of them didn’t understand boundaries & became invasive. he decided to keep it as vague as possible so that people couldn’t speculate who he was talking about. “my last relationship ended about a year ago. we were together for around six months,” he started. “the reason it ended was mostly because of scheduling. we were both too busy to keep up a relationship. it happens a lot.”

describe your ideal date

bash rubbed his hands together & then gave the camera a little wink before bursting out laughing. “sorry, i’m just being goofy,” he said, putting his fist under his chin & flashing a wide grin. “i guess my ideal date would be a home-cooked meal & maybe a movie. it would have to be a movie that means something, that we can talk about afterwards. those kinds of movies are the best kinds of movies. like...i would love a date where we just binge watched coming of age films like lady bird, eighth grade, & moonlight. you know, the kind of movies that make you think & feel.”

have any of the new islanders caught your eye? and if you’re new, who’s attention were you hoping to catch?

“i guess the only thing that’s caught my attention about any newcomers is that basher & i practically have the same name & nickname. plus, we’re both actors. but other than that, i’ve been mostly focused on trying to get to know everyone & become accustomed to the environment of the villa.”

are your parents watching the show? what do you think they’re saying about you?

have any of the new islanders caught your eye? and if you’re new, who’s attention were you hoping to catch?

“ah, i see what you’re doing here!” minkyu’s response, though accusatory, is bright and he pairs it with a laugh. “you’re trying to get me in trouble. i don’t mean to disappoint your drama-fishing antics, but my answer is no. i mean, there are a few that i know actually but none can catch my eye because my eye is not able to be catched.” caught is the word he’s looking for but no one corrects him. “i’m satisfied in my current ‘coupling’ so what need have i of looking, you know?” very briefly, his mind drifts back to his dalliance with henry or even his past closeness with travis. both of them would make for interesting pairings to explore but he’s currently still happily floating on cloud nine. what need is there to come down?

are your parents watching the show? what do you think they’re saying about you?

though it’d be a stretch to say his expression goes serious, there’s a twinkle lost from his eyes. “no, i don’t imagine they are.” he shrugs like it’s no big deal, like their severe apathy when it came to him didn’t send shards of glass pin-pricking around his heart every time he thought about it too long. worried that he might look like an ungrateful child or one who doesn’t love his parents (though, does he? he isn’t always sure), he feigns a smile. “i don’t actually know that we get the show, in korea. regardless, they don’t know english and aren’t the biggest fans of subtitles. sorry mom and dad!” the last sentence is in a formal korean and joined by a respectful half bow.

if the coupling ceremony was right now, who would you choose? is there anything about that person that would change your mind?

“baby, still,” minkyu flushes. he knows word has spread about his level of smitten admiration for his current coupling. he also knows that given his own track record in relationships, it’s very likely babylon will tire of him before the next ceremony. still, he clings to what he’s got and, right now, his mind helpfully supplies a memory of babylon saying he was hesitant about the show but not about minkyu. that has to mean something. “if he didn’t want to be with me too, i guess? he’d have to tell me himself though because he’s done an awfully good job of making me feel very welcome!”

as the weeks progress, it’s harder to find love. if you found yourself single after the next ceremony, would you call it and go home or try to stick out until the end?

“i think that’s a cynical way of thinking about it,” minkyu blurts out before shooting the camera crew an apologetic smile. he didn’t meant to attack the question, after all. “are we really supposed to find love in a week? in two? as the weeks progress i think everyone gets closer to finding love! you get to know each other better, uncover mutual likes and dislikes. you have a better chance to feel out whether or not there’s chemistry -- something to explore. if i’m single next ceremony... okay, i’d be bummed, sure. maybe it didn’t work out with the guy i had the biggest crush on but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible for me to find love with anyone at all here!” he sounds like he’s reiterating his speech to krysta and giggles. “you can’t win if you don’t stick it out,” he answers finally with a sweet smile. “i’m afraid your stuck with me until the very end.

if you had to send two people home, who would you send packing?

Who on the island do you think is the most fit? What about them makes them attractive to you?

“ this question is never easy, everyone is always so objectively gorgeous. i guess i should say some new people to keep it interesting, you’re welcome. ummm....alaska? is that her name? very pretty girl. and i guess i’d say zaiden too, hot and also looks super cool. i’m looking forward to getting to know him. “

a slightly easier question, though not one they had to worry about jennifer hearing about hopefully.

Who do you think you probably won’t get on with? Why or why not?

" i think after last season, my aim is to try and be on good terms with everyone. for my energy’s sake. and just hope and pray i’m not about to see another line of exes walk through the door. i don’t think i have enough left for that to happen anyway! ”

What did you think of Season One? Did you agree with the winning couple that was announced? Why or why not?

“ i haven’t watched much of it back, i don’t really like to see myself on screen to be honest!  i was definitely relieved to see babylon and minkyu. i think they thoroughly deserved it and the other options weren’t exactly appealing to me anyway. maybe if jamie and i had got to pair up i’d have a different answer. “

they were beginning to settle into the interview now. their level of deceit perhaps raising by one point as they threw in a reference to jamie. they were far from disappointed to end up with jennifer, without it they would probably have never been able to rekindle things. but no-one else on the show could know that. not when angel had decided to return to continue to bolster their career. there were the contracts too, binding them in another year on the network. two birds.

Would you sleep with someone while on the show? What is your reasoning?

“ i think i’ve got to get kissing first, then we’ll see. i really gave a pg performance season one, coming for a pg-13 season two america, wait and see. ”

FOR RETURNING ISLANDERS: Why did you decide to return for Season Two? Are there things this season you hope to accomplish that you didn’t last season?

“ i left without love. but i didn’t think it was because of this place. my head was all over, i was more concerned with resolving past relationships...i just wanted to give myself a real shot. and it pretty much became the only question everyone on social media was asking. ”

have any of the new islanders caught your eye? and if you’re new, who’s attention were you hoping to catch?

“Seeing as I’ve only been here for a day, I suppose the latter is what applies to me. Being completely honest, a lot of people have caught my eye, partially because I know them from my past, and partially because they’re just... vibrant. They just shine. Um, I’d say the last bit applies mostly to Ingrid. The former is Kyu, Travis, and Krysta. Kyu I, uh, met once before, and we had a pretty strong connection, albeit fleeting. Travis is my best friend, but sometimes I don’t know how to navigate our relationship, and it feels more like romance than it does platonic. Krystal I’m pretty sure I was all but in love with when I was a teenager, which... yeah. There are definitely residual feelings there.”

are your parents watching the show? what do you think they’re saying about you?

“There’s no way my dad is watching this, and if he were, I would probably just get a disapproving head shake rather than actual words. It’s difficult for me to describe my relationship with him, and honestly I wouldn’t even want to, but just know that he doesn’t really approve of anything I do unless it’s school or work.”

if the coupling ceremony was right now, who would you choose? is there anything about that person that would change your mind?

Quiet for a moment, Henry weighs his words and ensures that he isn’t going to speak too hastily. “Krystal or Ingrid --- I also wouldn’t mind being coupled with Kyu, since I want to get to know him better. Um. No one else comes to mind,” Liar. Lies. His mind goes to Travis, and he tries not to let it linger, but it does a little. “and I’m not sure there’s anything about them that would change my mind.”

as the weeks progress, it’s harder to find love. if you found yourself single after the next ceremony, would you call it and go home or try to stick out until the end?

“I would stick it out. I’ve hardly been here for very long, and I’m still single as we speak, so... yeah. I don’t really believe in giving up on things before you offer them a fair chance, and this is no different. It’s unrealistic to believe you’re going to be coupled with your soulmate right away, but it’s entirely possible your soulmate will still be here even if you don’t.”

if you HAD to send two people home, who would you send packing?

why did you come on love island?

“for love.” laughter erupts soon after the answer leaves his lips, a quick shake of the head enough to bring him back before he clears his throat. “nah, honestly i’m just here to fuck around. there’s a lot of gorgeous people on the island i’d love a chance to ... get to know,” he finishes off with a wink towards the camera. “i’m just playing. who knows. maybe the island will surprise me.” of course he adds that in towards the end; the goal was to win, after all, and he can’t do that without enough votes.

what’s your type?

“my type?” brows furrow as his friends’ words ring through his head.

rome would fuck literally anything as long as it had genitals, i swear to god.

perhaps not too viewer friendly.

“i don’t really have one, i guess. i tend to go for anyone that seems like they don’t take themselves too seriously and like having a fun time. wouldn’t hurt if they were blonde either. i love blondes.”

who are you really trying to go for? based on looks and personality type only.

“i honestly don’t have anyone in mind.” finally, the first truly honest answer he had come up with. “no, i’m serious! i haven’t really watched the show besides one or two episodes and i can’t be bothered to remember that many names. i’m sure we’ll see when i get there.”

would you break up a solid couple to get what you want?

it had been years since they’d spoken to their parents. as long as they had been travelling in europe, they had only kept in touch with their sisters - thank god for facetime. so it was an easy choice when the chance for a call to outside the villa came.

the phone rung with anticipation as they waited for their oldest sister, diana, to answer. they would never let her live it down if she slept through their only chance to talk in weeks. just as they gave up hope, a sleepy voice came on the line.

“ hello? ” they answered croakily, the night owl to their early bird.

“ of course you’re just getting up, ” angel teased, smile spread wide on their face at just hearing her voice.

“ angel? angel! ” she exclaimed, immediately awake. “ wait, you didn’t get thrown out did you? because i’ve been telling all my friends to start watching and if you’re already off--”

“ no, no. they just let us have one call to the outside, ” they replied, voice speeding up as they began to be aware how short five minutes was.

“ aww and you chose me? you must really like me...that’s embarassing, ” came her reply, emblematic of their whole relationship. it made angel as happy as it made them sad. it was becoming harder and harder to be away from her the longer time went on. maybe they would take a route through las vegas when they left.

“ shuddup... how are you? ” they asked.

“ fine, fine. but enough about me, you’re the one of the tv show! and doing crap by the way. how did you go on a show to get back at your ex, get turned down by the girl she already got with and end up with no one as she dates your ex and your friend at the same time? ”

angel didn’t have much to say in response, until their face broke into laughter, taking a glance up at the camera to show their reaction.

“ ouch sis, when you put it that way. but hey, i’m still getting to know some people, and i’m still in australia while you’re stuck at home. ”

“ whatever makes you feel better. talking of home...when are you coming to visit me! ”

“ soon, i promise. maybe you should come to me, i don’t know if mom and dad want me over. ” 

it wasn’t that their parents hated who their son had become, but they didn’t understand it, and at a delicate moment in their self-acceptance they hadn’t felt strong enough to keep people like that around. so they left, and hadn’t been back since.

“ they’ve actually been watching the show. mom really liked your outfit to that party, she wants to borrow your boots actually. ”

every part of what their sister said shocked them. they had thought of asking but didn’t expect to want any of the expected answer.

diana broke through the pause, “ they’re downstairs, i can put them on if you want--”

“ no, it’s okay, i have to go soon anyway. but tell them i said hi, ” angel replied through a deep breath.

“ okay, it was really nice to hear from you, please come see me soon. ”

“ i will, as soon as i leave here. ”