marcusyoung

[marcusyoung]

CHAD MICHAEL MURRAY photographed by Justin Jun Lee for the LA Times, 2024

[marcusyoung]

He leaned back slightly, considering her words. “Hey, nothing wrong with being a bit of a hermit. Solitude can be good... Gives you time to think, breathe.” He paused, perhaps this was what he himself needed. A little more time to consider the possiblities of all life could give him. “But I get the appeal of early mornings. There’s something about watching the world wake up before anyone else does. Feels like stolen time.”

Marcus swirled the ice in his glass, watching as the whiskey in it shifted with the movement. “Whiskey on the rocks,” he answered, lifting the drink slightly before taking a slow sip. “Simple, classic, does the job.” He smiled softly, shaking his head. “I’m not into all those fancy drinks. Too many years of grabbing whatever was available while working in the field. You learn to appreciate the basics.”

@addisonxoconnell

"Oh wow. That certainly made it even more obvious of my hermit lifestyle, huh?" Addison knew things weren't necessarily bad in her ways of basically locking herself up at night, but this very clearly proved she needed to get out more. The past few attempts were merely just attempts, since she didn't bother to stay out past nine. "I can see that. I think that might be why I like early mornings sometimes. It's nice to be awake when even mother nature hasn't woken up yet." Recently those times have been few, but she hoped at some point she'd make it back to her little sunrise yoga sessions.

"The cards will always play out in the end." She knew of her brother's struggles with always having a spotlight shining on him and that didn't even include the added stress of her and Eden living at home. "I don't mean to make this all too heavy on you. So, maybe we should get back to fun? Like... What is your favorite drink, then?" @marcusyoung

[marcusyoung]

Marcus leaned back, watching Adile struggle with the game, though she didn’t seem to mind in the slightest. “I mean, yeah, timing’s kind of the whole deal. You gotta know when to move, when to stop, when to...” He winced as her character met its pixelated demise. “Yeah. Like that.”

He smirked, arms crossed. “Not every game’s about zoning out. Some are about pure chaos, which I feel like you’d be good at. But if you don’t think it’s fun, then hey, not everything has to be.”

At her mention of Dippin’ Dots, he let out a low chuckle. “Now that’s a throwback. I haven’t had those in years. You’re telling me your feet dragged you all the way here, past every other possible place, and they didn’t lead you to ice cream instead?”

@adiletopal

"I thought they kind of needed you to be on time or whatever. That's kind of the point. Timing and everything. I'd know nothing about timing." She truly had zero time management. "Well, then maybe I'm not very good at this game in particular. Or well... I think I'm just bad at all of them." Games were not her passion or something she was even a tiny bit decent at. She didn't care. Adile still had fun in life without them. "I have never been good at zoning out. I am good at fun. I do not think that video games are fun for me though." She shrugged and looked around the room.

"Um, well this is where my feet took me and my feet always know the best place for me to go, so I think yes?" Adile rarely questioned herself. "Um, I don't know what better-tasting dots would be. Unless you're talking about Dippin' Dots. Those are so good."

[marcusyoung]

Marcus studied April in return, his usual guarded nature softening slightly at her words. He wasn’t used to people giving him that kind of patience, no rush, no pressure. It was always deadlines, expectations, and the relentless pace of chasing a story, even when the story was his own life.

He exhaled, a quiet acknowledgment, before glancing down at his drink. “Timing’s a funny thing,” he murmured, half to himself. “Sometimes you wait for the right moment, and sometimes you realize you’ve been waiting too long.”

His lips curved into something that wasn’t quite a smile, but wasn’t nothing either. “I appreciate that, though. The lack of judgment.” He finally met her gaze again, a bit more present this time. “And the offer for chaos, I'll keep that in mind.”

@aprilxrose

April studied Marcus carefully, the lighthearted energy she usually exuded flickering out for a brief moment as she sensed the shift in his tone. She leaned back in her seat, not pressing him, but her gaze softening with understanding. "Hey, I get it," she said quietly, her voice much gentler now. "There’s no rush, no pressure. Sometimes the right timing is the thing that gets us moving, not just the chaos around us."

She took a sip of her drink, giving him the space he needed, her eyes lingering thoughtfully on him. “We all have our stuff to figure out,” she added, offering a slight smile to let him know there was no judgment, just acceptance. “You don’t have to dive into anything you're not ready for. Besides, it’s not like life’s going anywhere. The right moment will come when you’re ready to meet it."

Her voice lightened again, though the playful edge was replaced with something more grounded. "But hey, if you change your mind, I’m always up for chaos. Just know where to find me when you’re ready to make the next move." She winked, the softness still lingering in her expression, but there was a quiet understanding there, too.

[marcusyoung]

Marcus arched a brow at Selin’s words, but if the jab about his career choices landed, he didn’t show it. He’d heard worse—hell, he’d thought worse about himself in his lowest moments. Instead, he let out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head.

“Mediocre version? Depends on who you ask,” he said, lifting his glass slightly before taking a slow sip. “I wanted to uncover the truth, and I still do. Just happens that these days, I don’t have to get shot at to do it.” His tone was even, but there was a weight behind it, a hint at the kind of things he’d seen that made paying bills seem like the least of his concerns. "Don't worry about the money though, I never do so what does that tell you?" He asked, pouring her another drink and sliding it over to her. "Happy to assist in whatever way necessary."

@selindogn

Selin wondered if the same could be said about her and the answer was immediately one she hated— yes. A strong yes. Especially days after her split with Bora, all she wanted to do was fake it to her friends and coworkers so she wouldn't have to answer all the questions or deal with the pity. "So you couldn't make it into journalism and now you're living through the mediocre version of what you wanted to do? That's a little sad, isn't it?" Perhaps she had it wrong, she was making an assumption based on what she'd seen— but that was always Selin.

"Well, it'll be a regret if you're unable to pay you bills and your bank account is in the minus. Unless you have that much money?" Now she was more curious about him if that was the case, not because she was interested in his money, but his intention behind his actions. "I'll take another drink, I'm not sure about getting fucked up but we'll see where the night brings." / @marcusyoung

[marcusyoung]

"I wish" Marcus complained lightly as he walked into the office. He was carrying a take out bag and two cups of hot black coffee. "However, I did bring lunch and I thought you might need a break from the day to day grind."

@castellcnos

open: @aurorabaystarter location: aurora bay times hq

"You better be here to give my journalists the next massive story that's going to sell a bunch of papers, or give me some exclusive photographs of the town superhero. If not, your parked ass better get movin'."

[marcusyoung]

Marcus exhaled through his nose, shaking his head as he leaned down to grab his ball, his lucky one, not that it had ever lived up to its name. “Happy to be of service,” he muttered, stepping up to the lane.

He lined up his shot, focused, determined... and promptly sent the ball skidding straight into the gutter. Again.

There was a beat of silence before he turned back to Bora with a deadpan expression. “Alright, maybe I’m doing it on purpose. Keeps you humble.”

He gestured for Bora to take his turn, sighing as he sat down. “And every damn day,” he added, finally answering the question. “Some of us are just consistent like that.”

@borawinters

"And every day?"

Bo has yet to see a showing of any sort of ability from the other man and his exasperation at that was clear. Unless he was a jinx of sorts who messed up Marcus' game by presence alone, he thinks this may not be the sport for him.

When his own suggestion comes bounding back at him like every ball Marcus launched towards the gutter, he scoffs.

"I'm playing an excellent game. You make me look like a pro."

@marcusyoung

[marcusyoung]

Marcus held her gaze, letting her words settle in, feeling the weight of them in his chest. He hadn't expected certainty, hell, he wasn't sure he'd even wanted it. But this? This quiet willingness, this understanding between them? It was more than he’d let himself hope for.

His fingers curled slightly against hers, grounding himself in the warmth of her touch. “Slow works for me,” he said, his voice steady but low, like he didn’t want to break whatever fragile thing they were rebuilding. “We’ve rushed before, and look where that got us.” A hint of something wry passed through his expression, but there was no bitterness in it, just the honesty of someone who had learned the hard way.

His thumb brushed against her hand before he finally exhaled, a small nod following. “Together, then.” The words weren’t grand, weren’t overpromising, but they meant everything. And for now, that was enough.

@haley-owens

Haley’s heart skipped a beat at the quiet intensity of Marcus's words. For a moment, everything else seemed to fade away—the noise, the rush, the world outside. It was just the two of them, and the weight of what he’d said hung in the air, palpable and real. She hadn’t expected it, but somehow, hearing him say it so plainly, so vulnerably, made everything feel like it was coming full circle. Her gaze softened, her fingers instinctively reaching out to brush against his, the warmth of the simple gesture grounding her as she let his question settle inside her.

The question hung there, not urgent, but full of meaning. Her lips parted, the words forming on the tip of her tongue. She hesitated, but only for a moment, because despite all the things that had happened between them, something deep inside her whispered that maybe this was the time to try again. To open up, just a little more. Her voice was steady, but the slight tremor in it betrayed the mix of emotions she felt. “Marcus…” She let the name linger, like a quiet promise. “I don’t know what the future holds, and I’m not going to pretend like I have all the answers. But… I think we owe it to ourselves to see if we can find our way back to what we had. Slowly. We don’t have to have it all figured out right now. But yeah… I’m willing to try again. Together.”

Her eyes met his, and the steady warmth in her gaze matched the depth of the words she’d just said. “We’ve been through a lot, but maybe that’s what makes us stronger now. If we’re both in it, I think we can figure it out. Whatever this is, we’ll figure it out together.” She gave his hand a gentle squeeze, a quiet promise without needing to say more.

[marcusyoung]

“There you go. Basketball is one thing, but when you want that ball to hit those pins you have to be straight and true.” Marcus nodded, kind of hoping that his little pep talk would be enough to properly explain.

Marcus leaned back in his seat as he watched Benj work his magic. He was actually pretty satisfied with the results, while not the best possible shot, the fact that Benj has listened and actually got results meant more to him. “Hell yeah brother, look at that shit, hit some pins.” He said, holding up his hand for a high-five.

@benj-hyun

“None of that basketball spin…” Ben muses softly to himself. He watches Marcus intently, though the skill needed doesn’t quite click. He thinks he gets it just enough to start. “Okay. None of that basketball spin.”

It’s said again, a bit louder, as an affirmation when he picks up his ball. When the pins reset, Benj lines himself up and as he does with most things, overthinks it. The ball hits the lane, rolls with a decent enough speed, but quickly veers right and only takes out the two end pins. “Well… at least it’s not a gutter?”

@marcusyoung

[marcusyoung]

Marcus felt the flicker of temptation rise, but he quickly pushed it down. His mind kept drifting back to Haley, the unfinished chapters of their story lingering just beneath the surface. April’s words were sharp, full of energy, and yet something inside him was still rooted to the past. He gave her a faint smile, but it lacked the spark it might have had before.

"I think you're right, life’s too short," Marcus said, his tone a little distant as he took a sip from his drink, carefully avoiding her gaze for a moment. "But I’m not looking to dive into chaos right now. I’ve got some things I need to sort out first, things that have been holding me back. So, for now, I think I’ll pass on the excitement."

He met her eyes for a brief second, his expression apologetic but firm. "Maybe another time, but not today."

@aprilxrose

April leaned in slightly, a playful glint in her eyes as she met Marcus’s gaze, her lips curling into a teasing smile. "Oh, I’m all about making it interesting," she said, her voice low and full of promise. "Life’s too short to sit in the shadows and wait for things to fix themselves. Sometimes you just have to lean into the chaos and see where it takes you."

She paused, letting the tension linger between them for a moment before adding with a smirk, "But hey, if you're looking for a little excitement, I’m more than happy to provide it. Who knows? Maybe we’ll make this mess a little more... memorable." Her tone held a playful challenge, the kind that dared him to take the plunge.

[marcusyoung]

Marcus felt the weight of her words settle in his chest, a mixture of relief and longing washing over him. He hadn’t realized how much he’d been carrying alone until now, the simple comfort of her touch reminding him that he didn’t have to face everything by himself anymore. His gaze softened, and for the first time in a long while, he felt like the burden might be just a little bit lighter.

He swallowed, finding his voice a little more sure than before. "Haley," he began, his tone quiet but steady, "there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you. I know we’ve been through a lot, and I don’t know if it’s the right time, but… can we try again? I’m not asking for everything to be perfect, but… can we give this a shot? Can we figure it out, together, like we used to?"

His heart was pounding, but his eyes were steady as he looked at her, hoping, just hoping, that there was still a way forward.

Haley’s heart softened as she watched Marcus, the quiet pain in his eyes speaking volumes. She reached out, placing a gentle hand on his arm, her touch warm and steady. "You don’t have to carry everything by yourself, Marcus," she said softly, her voice unwavering. "I’m here for you, even when things get heavy. And you don’t have to pretend to have it all together. We all need a little help sometimes."

She gave a small, knowing smile as he mentioned the pie. "I swear, Aunt Holly’s pie should be a national treasure. It’s magic in dessert form. If it could fix everything, I’d be stocking up on it for sure."

Her expression softened when he spoke about the ring, her hand gently squeezing his arm. "You don’t have to let go of what’s important to you. But you don’t have to carry it alone, either." She took a slow breath, her voice low and thoughtful. "And if you’re ever wondering about the ‘we,’ you don’t have to stop yourself. Not here. Not with me." Her gaze held his, steady and reassuring. "It’s not a silly question. Whatever it is, we’ll figure it out. Together."

[marcusyoung]

Marcus chuckled lightly, shaking his head. "No, not a bartender," he said with a smirk. "Just someone who knows how to enjoy the night. I’m more the type to hang out and pay for drinks than mix ‘em myself." He leaned back in his seat, taking a casual sip of his drink. "The night’s always more my speed. It’s easier to unwind when the world slows down and everyone’s just... doing their thing."

When Addison mentioned the spotlight, Marcus’ expression softened slightly, his eyes narrowing a touch as he considered her words. "Experience, yeah. A lot of it," he said with a dry chuckle, his tone almost nostalgic. "Sometimes I wish it was easier, but... that’s how it goes, right?" He gave her a knowing look. "Fun's definitely a better option, though. It’s the only thing that keeps everything from feeling too heavy."

@addisonxoconnell

"No? Are you more of a night owl then?" Addison had a feeling the answer would be a yes. She didn't know of many bartenders that did get up early after working through the night. She didn't know any bartenders in general, but she could assume that working through the night meant sleeping in pretty late. "It would make sense if you're here all night." She added on, sipping at the water with the talk of spotlight.

"It definitely sounds like you have some experience in the spotlight with all of that good advice." She should have been taking down notes if her divorce were to ever make it to the papers. She didn't think it would, but if Brock wanted to make it a public affair, Addison wasn't so sure she could stop him. "I wish that could make it all easier. I can settle with fun, though." @marcusyoung

[marcusyoung]

Marcus let out a dry chuckle, shaking his head slightly as April’s words hit too close to home. "You’re right. Life’s got a way of throwing curveballs when you least expect it, and somehow, you find yourself in the middle of it, no matter how much you try to avoid it." He leaned back, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "The shadows? Yeah, they’ve been a comfortable place to hide, but hiding doesn’t fix anything. It’s just temporary. And you’re right, nothing lasts forever, especially the good distractions."

He met her gaze with a mix of amusement and challenge, his voice taking on a lighter edge. "Unpredictability, huh? Maybe that’s what keeps things from getting too dull. Honestly, at this point, I don’t know if I’d even recognize a clean, neat life if I had it handed to me. But you’re right... if you’re stuck in the mess, might as well make it interesting." Marcus gave her a half-smile, his eyes sharpening with a hint of something more. "Could be a good way to keep things moving, even when it feels like everything’s out of control."

@aprilxrose

April’s lips curled into a sly grin, her eyes glinting with understanding. "Oh, you get it alright," she said, leaning forward slightly. "It’s like a game where you’re never sure of the rules, but somehow, you end up playing anyway. And the mess? It’s always waiting around the corner, like a surprise party you didn’t ask for but somehow end up stuck at." She chuckled, taking a sip of her drink before continuing. "It’s funny how we get caught in it, even when we think we’ve got a plan. Life’s like that."

She raised an eyebrow as Marcus mentioned the shadows, a teasing spark in her gaze. "Hiding in the shadows, huh? I can see that. Keeps you out of the crossfire, I guess. But then, there’s no fun in hiding forever, is there?" She smirked, her tone light yet challenging. "Unpredictability’s what keeps us on our toes. Who wants everything to be clean and neat? Boring’s for the people who don’t want to get their hands dirty." April leaned back, her grin widening. "But hey, if you’re gonna be caught in the mess, might as well make it interesting. Don’t you think?"

[marcusyoung]

Marcus felt a lump rise in his throat, her words wrapping around him with a comfort he hadn’t realized he needed. He let out a slow breath, the weight of her understanding settling over him. "Thanks, Haley," he murmured, his voice rough with gratitude. "I know I’ve always tried to carry everything by myself, but hearing you say that... it helps. It really does."

He gave a half-smile at her playful mention of Aunt Holly’s pie, the tension in his chest easing for a moment. "You’re right, though. That pie could probably fix anything if we just gave it enough of a chance." His gaze flickered back to the ring, the simple weight of it pulling at him in ways he hadn’t expected. "Yeah, it’s... it’s more than just a reminder. It’s a piece of something real, something that doesn’t feel so far away when I hold onto it." He met her eyes, the quiet strength in her gaze giving him something solid to lean on. "I don’t want to let go of that. But I don’t want to be alone with it either."

He sighed softly, looking up at her with a quiet hope in his heart. "Do you ever think... That we..." He stopped himself, shaking his head. "Silly question on my part."

@haley-owens

Haley’s heart softened at his words, the quiet sincerity of them pulling at something deep inside her. She gave him a gentle, understanding smile, her voice low but warm. “Marcus, you don’t have to feel strong all the time. It’s okay to let it out sometimes. You don’t have to carry everything on your own.” She squeezed his arm again, her touch grounding, her presence steady.

She laughed softly at the mention of Aunt Holly’s pie, her eyes lighting up with amusement. "I think that’s the kind of pie that could solve world problems if given the chance. Maybe not the big ones, but definitely the smaller, annoying ones." She nudged him playfully, trying to keep the mood light, though she could tell the weight of his thoughts still lingered.

When his eyes dropped to the ring, she followed his gaze, her expression softening with quiet understanding. "I didn’t need to ask," she murmured, her voice gentler now. "I can imagine the meaning behind it. Sometimes, we hold onto things like that... not just because they’re a reminder, but because they’re a piece of something we never want to lose." She gave him a small, reassuring smile, her eyes meeting his with a quiet strength. "But you’re not alone in this, Marcus. You never have to be."

[marcusyoung]

Marcus leaned back slightly, a faint chuckle escaping him at Cole's comment. "Part-time therapist? Nah," he said, his voice steady with a touch of humor. "I just know a thing or two about listening. Not that I always take my own advice," he added with a small shrug, glancing over at the shot Cole was toying with.

As Cole spoke, Marcus’ expression shifted, his eyes narrowing slightly, sensing the guarded tone. “Terms, huh?” he repeated, his gaze fixed on Cole now, weighing his words. "I’m not here for a scoop, at least not like that. I don’t need anything juicy for the paper. But if you're trying to make deals, I’m not the one to push. I’m just trying to make sense of things, same as you." He leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping. "But if it’s secrets you're worried about, you’ve got the wrong guy. I know when to keep things close to the chest."

@colexwalters

Cole leaned back slightly, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "Oh, so you're a part-time therapist too, huh? Guess you're hitting all the side gigs this season," he quipped, picking up the shot Marcus nudged his way but not drinking it just yet. He turned it slowly in his fingers, watching the liquid catch the light.

"Terms, huh?" he repeated, his tone half-amused, half-intrigued. "What kind of terms are we talking about? You want the scoop in exchange for...what? Another drink? Or are you angling for something juicier for that paper of yours?" Cole’s eyes narrowed slightly, curiosity and caution mingling. “Because I’m not the kind of guy who spills secrets unless I know exactly who’s drinking them up.” @marcusyoung

[marcusyoung]

“Someone’s always got some kind of show to perform.” He said, it had been true for the majority of his life, trying to find a way to deal with everyone who wanted to sell him a story that wasn’t going to be of any use all for the thought of getting a few bucks out of him, even if half their stories were fake. “Quite the opposite, I was a no nonsense kid, always wanted to be a police officer. Met my ex wife in the academy. Then I went into journalism, now I’m always chasing stories, and people always have some kind of show to put on when money is offered.”

“I have a lot of regrets, being a little generous and giving away alcohol is definitely not one of those regrets I’m going to live with in the morning. However, my bank account might feel it a little more than I do.” He nodded, tapping a finger on the bar. “The question is, do you want to talk about it… Or do you want another drink and to get fucked up along the way?”

@selindogn

"The show?" Selin didn't think it was that spectacular but who was she to ruin someone's day because she wasn't as easily impressed by that sort of thing. Her upbringing had been more conservative than most people so she preferred to keep her cards close to her chest. "You must have been one of those theatre children who just begged to have the attention on them."

At least that was her guess. "I won't complain since I'm gaining from your generosity but there's something to be said about a gamblers high and perhaps this being just a version of that. The alcohol, the attention of people— and then the light of morning bringing regrets with it when you remember the night before." It wasn't her job to mother him. "My husband let me go through with our marriage knowing it wasn't real." The only story she had. Outside of her own betrayal but she wouldn't share that one. / @marcusyoung

[marcusyoung]

Marcus raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile tugging at his lips. "Oh, I get it. Testing the waters, pushing boundaries, it's like we're all playing a game with no clear rules. And yeah, the mess? It can come out of nowhere, and suddenly, you’re stuck with it whether you want to be or not." He took a slow sip, the words ringing with a certain truth he'd learned the hard way.

He chuckled when she spoke about the stage, nodding slightly. "It’s like everyone’s got a role they’re not aware of. Some of us, yeah, we like to hang back in the shadows. But maybe that’s how we avoid getting caught in the mess." His gaze met hers with a glint of mischief. "And unpredictability? Definitely the thing that keeps it from getting too dull. Who needs boring anyway?"

@aprilxrose

April laughed, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Oh, I totally get that," she said, raising her own drink to meet his. "Testing the waters, pushing boundaries—it’s like a game. But yeah, I’m all for the thrill, just not the cleanup afterward." She leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a more conspiratorial tone. "I think we both know the messes can come faster than you expect, and sometimes, they just... stick."

Her gaze followed his for a moment, surveying the crowd before meeting his again. "I’ll give you that, though—this place does feel like a stage. Everyone’s got a part to play, whether they know it or not." She chuckled softly. "Some of us just get a little more comfortable in the background, and maybe that's for the best." She tilted her glass toward him with a smirk. "But hey, unpredictability does make things interesting. Keeps things from getting boring, right?"