#The Impact of Programming on Culture

[inomc]

The process of writing instructions for a computer to follow is called programming. Although it is one of the most rewarding fields, it is also one of the most complex and difficult.

[kn-1013]

i know i've been on my anti-modern AU propaganda lately and it's just because i've been delving deeper into the sally face ao3 tags and i just keep finding them over and over. it's frustrating because there are a lot of really interesting concepts out there that would fit really well and make for a genuinely really interesting story in the 90s, but they get thrown off because the author doesn't know enough about the 90s to write for that time period, so they make it into a modern au instead. there's nothing inherently wrong with that, and i think there's room for modern aus to be done well here, i even have my own half-serious modern au, but i do think you often lose part of what makes sally face special when you turn the story into any other kind of contemporary love story/horror story/etc where all the characters just have ~iphones~ and use ~snapchat~ and all these things.

like, the 90s was not some kind of alien planet, and a vast number of the problems that you're solving with smartphones can be worked around very easily with just a bit of research or thought. long distance walkie-talkies, pagers, and PDAs were all (though sometimes expensive) perfectly capable contemporary technologies for talking to people when you are not physically with them. in fact, a lot of the abbreviations and slang we use over text right now was developed by young people in the 90s using pagers to talk to their friends. PDAs were a bit more out there in the 90s than they were in the aughts, but it's still completely plausible for henry in particular to have one, considering he already owns a home computer, which was not at all ubiquitous in the 90s. considering the apparent financial limitations that he and sal live under (it's never stated explicitly, but i mean, they live at addison's, they can't be in a great financial situation) and how insanely expensive computers were back then, it's more than likely that henry's job requires a home computer of some sort, meaning that a PDA would probably be incredibly useful to him if he were away from it, because there's no way in hell he's getting himself a luggable or another kind of early laptop to bring with him, that would've been too expensive.

and that's ignoring the fact that so many situations where two characters are apart form each other but need to communicate could just be fixed by rewriting the plot so that they can meet in person. i know that's not what people wanna hear because rewriting sucks, but you can find a lot of reasons for characters to meet each other randomly or to have reasons to meet up later if you give it a bit of problem-solving. part of what makes the pre-smartphone era interesting to write for and so optimized for horror, and probably a big reason that gabry chose this time period for the story in the first place, is the level of disconnection between each character in the story BECAUSE they don't have things like smartphones. having to work around this technological limitation is part of the fun, because you get a very enjoyable push and pull of closeness vs. disconnection between each character.

this is great for alienating ash, the only one who doesn't live in the apartments (except for neil), and causing her internal conflict about her relationships with the rest of her friends, especially as the story progresses and they start discovering more shit about the cult, and her instincts are to call the cops because she's a lot more normal than her friends are. or, it's good for alienating travis, who also doesn't live there and is far more isolated than everyone else (more on that next), or for creating an unhealthy and codependent relationship between sal and larry, who, with the walkies, are the only two in the friend group who DO have semi-instant access to each other all the time--all of which are plot points i put into my writing.

and if that's not enough, think about the implications for travis's character in particular. his father is a preacher, and a huge talking point of christian extremists in the 90s was that things like television were evil and demonic in some way. they campaigned against these things heavily. with the kind of person that we know kenneth phelps to be and the way many technologies we take for granted today, including TVs, were still being adopted by older generations, it's not out of the question at all that travis doesn't own something like a TV or a VCR, putting him even more out of the loop with what other people his age are doing than he already would be, having approximately 0 friends. he doesn't know what DND is, and he doesn't know how to look it up because he's not familiar with computers or the internet, he just knows his dad thinks it's demonic, so he steers clear of it.

the intention of cult leaders like kenneth is to keep their victims as isolated as possible, and not owning a TV, VCR, home computer, etc, is a great way to keep travis and his sisters isolated and disconnected from their peers, and therefore more connected to the cult, and it's a lot easier to justify not owning these things in the 90s, where the story already takes place, than it is if you're writing a modern au. a modern au for this situation would require all kinds of technological workarounds to make sure that travis owned a phone but couldn't do anything his father didn't want him doing on it. he's the kind of father who would go through and monitor his kid's texts, he wouldn't just let travis have snapchat or whatever, but i digress.

i know i'm just doing my petty bitching and people can do whatever they want however they want to, but i really do feel like there's a huge piece of the story that is lost in turning the sally face story as it is into some kind of modern au, and it's pretty unfortunate to me that people seem to think that the 90s was such a primitive alien world of incomprehensible technology that they don't want to write for that time period at all. it's really not as terrifying as it seems, genuinely. a surface level understanding of the era's technologies would be straightforward enough for anyone who wasn't there to write something perfectly coherent, if lacking in specific cultural/technological details that nobody but me cares about because i have autism.

if you're a sally face fan reading this and you struggle with writing for the american 90s because you weren't there, go look up pagers (also called beepers) and PDAs (which are basically early pocket computers) and how they work. ask older family members if or how they used them. go look at the different kinds of home computers of the era from companies like packard-bell and IBM. learn what a pentium III is/was, or what it means to be X86 compatible. look at the history of the CD-ROM, and how when it was invented, it could contain so much data that consumers had absolutely no idea what to do with them until people started putting video games on them. go watch cathode ray dude, LGR or techmoan on youtube.

go learn things about this era, it's good for you and you will have a lot of fun, even if you're not like me, i promise, and your fanfiction will be better for it. please learn about this era. take my hand. we can go to beautiful places together.

[travelwithpourpose]

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[bondedbyus]

Hearts Across Borders: The Human Side of U.S. Relations

In the realm of international diplomacy, political talks and trade agreements often make the headlines. Yet, the human side of these relations—the bonds formed between people from different walks of life—often goes unnoticed. However, it is these emotional and cultural connections that shape lasting friendships, smooth over tense moments, and foster global unity. Through programs of cultural diplomacy and people-to-people exchanges, the United States has continuously built bridges with nations across the world. This aspect of diplomacy might not always dominate the news cycle, but it is foundational to fostering understanding and trust between cultures.

In this article, we explore the power of cultural diplomacy, the people-to-people bonds that are at the heart of U.S. relations, and how these connections go beyond mere politics, making a profound impact on the lives of individuals globally.

The Power of Cultural Diplomacy

Cultural diplomacy plays a vital role in shaping the global image of any nation. For the United States, this form of diplomacy is instrumental in overcoming differences and fostering mutual respect. Through shared values, cultural exchanges, and educational programs, the U.S. has successfully used its “soft power” to connect with people worldwide.

While political or military diplomacy can often seem distant and cold, cultural diplomacy is warm and personal. It involves real human connections—whether through art, music, education, or everyday cultural exchanges. By building relationships based on respect and mutual understanding, cultural diplomacy fosters a global community that values diversity.

Building Global Relationships Through Culture

One of the most significant ways the U.S. engages in cultural diplomacy is through exchange programs like Fulbright, Peace Corps, and International Visitor Leadership Programs (IVLP). These programs enable individuals to travel abroad, study different cultures, and share American values while gaining a deeper understanding of others' ways of life.

Through these programs, young students, scholars, and professionals participate in hands-on experiences that transcend traditional diplomatic channels. They come back not only with knowledge but with stories of human connection that cannot be measured by treaties or trade agreements. These exchanges, however, do more than shape individual perspectives—they build lasting bridges between nations.

Stories That Shape Perceptions

When it comes to people-to-people diplomacy, it’s the personal stories that leave the greatest impact. These exchanges often go beyond the formalities of politics and immerse participants in real-world experiences. They witness firsthand the richness of different cultures, the kindness of foreign nationals, and the commonalities shared across borders.

One such example is the Fulbright Program, which has enabled American scholars to teach and study abroad since 1946. Over the years, thousands of students have participated in this program, and many have formed lifelong friendships with their international counterparts. These individuals, in turn, have returned home with a deep sense of empathy for other cultures and a commitment to spreading peace.

Similarly, the Peace Corps offers volunteers the opportunity to live and work in developing countries. It has fostered enduring bonds between American volunteers and local communities, many of whom have formed long-term relationships that transcend borders. These personal connections serve as a reminder that the people of the world, no matter their nationality, share the same basic desires for love, prosperity, and peace.

Cultural Immersion Through Shared Experiences

In a more intimate setting, hosting international students or participating in global exchange programs also provides people with a chance to connect on a personal level. These connections often lead to deep friendships that last well beyond the program’s conclusion. Imagine sitting down with a friend from abroad, sharing a meal, and discussing the similarities and differences in your cultures. Perhaps you bond over a shared love for food, art, or even the exchange of a cherished item—something as simple as a beautifully crafted brass wine cup used for a celebratory toast, which can serve as a symbol of cultural appreciation and personal connection.

These shared experiences help break down stereotypes and build trust. They remind us that, at the core of all of us, we are united by our humanity. A simple act of kindness—such as sharing a meal, exchanging a gift, or offering a warm welcome—can have a profound impact on shaping a positive perception of one another.

U.S. Government Initiatives That Build Bridges

While individual stories are at the heart of people-to-people diplomacy, many initiatives have been established by the U.S. government to support and facilitate these connections. These programs are crucial to U.S. foreign relations and diplomacy, and they work by fostering mutual understanding and collaboration on a global scale.

One of the most well-known programs is the Fulbright Program, which funds international exchanges for students, scholars, and professionals. Participants spend time abroad, either teaching or studying, while also immersing themselves in the local culture. This program has played a pivotal role in breaking down barriers between the U.S. and other countries while empowering individuals to become global ambassadors of peace and understanding.

Another important initiative is the Peace Corps, where volunteers serve in various regions around the world, assisting communities with education, healthcare, agriculture, and community development. Volunteers live and work alongside local populations, learning about different cultures while helping to improve the quality of life for those in need. The Peace Corps is a prime example of how cultural diplomacy goes beyond government negotiations to create real, lasting change.

Additionally, the Sister Cities Program pairs U.S. cities with international cities to promote cultural exchange and mutual understanding. This initiative has led to hundreds of partnerships that have enriched the lives of both American and international citizens.

How These Bonds Influence Foreign Policy

The emotional and cultural connections formed through people-to-people diplomacy directly impact U.S. foreign policy. When people from different cultures have positive experiences with Americans—whether through educational exchanges or humanitarian efforts—it humanizes international relations. This, in turn, fosters goodwill and strengthens the diplomatic relationship between nations.

For example, when an American student forms a friendship with a scholar from China, that relationship helps soften the political discourse between the two nations. Over time, these bonds create a network of individuals who view one another not through the lens of politics, but through shared experiences and mutual respect. This emotional connection can lead to greater cooperation on economic, environmental, and security issues in the future.

In many cases, people-to-people diplomacy helps reduce tensions between countries that might otherwise be at odds. Through understanding and friendship, nations can work together to address global challenges, such as climate change, poverty, and international security. It is through these lasting human connections that diplomacy evolves from cold, impersonal negotiations to warm, cooperative partnerships.

Challenges and Opportunities Ahead

While the benefits of people-to-people diplomacy are clear, there are challenges to maintaining and expanding these programs. Political shifts, changes in government priorities, and funding cuts can threaten the future of such initiatives. Additionally, visa restrictions and cultural misunderstandings can limit the number of exchanges and the depth of engagement.

However, there are also opportunities for growth. In an increasingly digital world, virtual exchange programs can bring together people from different cultures, fostering connections that transcend geographic barriers. Social media platforms, online education, and virtual collaborations can enable people from around the world to share ideas, experiences, and perspectives without ever leaving their homes.

There is also an increasing awareness of the value of diversity and inclusion. As the world becomes more interconnected, there is a growing recognition that building cross-cultural relationships is essential for global peace and progress.

The Future of Human Connection in Diplomacy

The future of diplomacy lies in the continued investment in people-to-people bonds. By fostering deeper connections and understanding between citizens of different nations, we can create a world where empathy and cooperation replace division and conflict.

As individuals, we can contribute to this vision by participating in cultural exchanges, supporting programs like the Peace Corps, and welcoming international visitors into our communities. We can also foster cultural appreciation by collecting unique and meaningful items from different cultures—perhaps a symbol of a shared bond, such as a beautifully crafted brass wine cup.

This small but significant object could be more than just a gift or memento; it could be a symbol of the friendship and respect fostered through cross-cultural exchanges. A brass wine cup, passed from hand to hand, shared over a meal, or used to toast an important occasion, serves as a reminder of the power of human connection and the enduring bonds that transcend borders.

A Symbol of Connection: The Brass Wine Cup

If you're looking for a way to commemorate the bonds formed through cultural diplomacy, consider the Medieval Goblet Czars Vintage Chalice Brass Wine Cup. A beautifully crafted piece, this brass wine cup reflects the artistry and cultural significance that transcends time and borders. Whether used in ceremonial toasts or as a cherished keepsake, it embodies the spirit of cultural exchange and the lasting relationships that make global diplomacy meaningful.

By incorporating such timeless items into our lives, we not only celebrate these connections but also strengthen the emotional bonds that make our world a more unified place.

By embracing the human side of U.S. relations, we recognize that the true power of diplomacy lies not in policies or treaties, but in the hearts of individuals working together across borders. The connections we make today will shape the future of global cooperation, one bond at a time.

[quarecresourcespvtltd]

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[unsolicited-opinions]

Please reblog this post? North American Jewish media hasn't started talking about this issue.

The Trump administration is using both Israel and US Jews as a political wedge. Today's examples are about how he's using US Jews.

Y'know how Trump/Hegseth's Department of Defense canceled "identity" (heritage) months?

Going forward, DoD Components and Military Departments will not use official resources, to include man-hours, to host celebrations or events related to cultural awareness months, including National African American/Black History Month, Women's History Month, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, National Hispanic Heritage Month, National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and National American Indian Heritage Month.

Ask yourself why Jewish American Heritage Month was not similarly canceled.

I checked, and the US armed services generally do observe Jewish American Heritage Month. Here's the article from the US Army on that topic from May of 2024.

At the same time the Trump/Hegseth's DOD is delegitimizing all these heritage months, they're leaving Jewish America Heritage month alone. So...why was Jewish American Heritage Month left out of this list?

How do you think this will impact the way Jewish US military service members are viewed by their colleagues whose heritage has been erased as a part of the US military?

Trump is trying to kill all DEI programs, attack LGBTQ+ folks, and end meaningful education about the history of race in the US at the same time he's trying to aggressively punish antisemitism in post-secondary education institutions.

What effect do you think this will have on the perception of what Jews believe about other marginalized groups? What conclusions might members of these groups draw about the political alignment of Jews, regardless of the fact that at least 70% of Jewish voters voted against Trump?

US Jews are being used as a political wedge.

If we're going to mitigate the inevitable backlash against US Jews, we need to:

- Start grasping the danger of what Trump is doing by using US Jews as a political wedge

- Start denouncing it loudly, not just among ourselves, but with US gentiles who will listen.

- Loudly opposing every undemocratic/unconstitutional thing Trump does, especially when he's abusing his power to attack those who attack us.

Abuse of power, even leveraged against those we don't like, endangers us.

Please reblog this. Please write to the liberal Jewish newsrooms you value.

[darkmatilda]

𝐬𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐬 | 𝐬.𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐝

𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: spencer knew the statistics about long-distance relationships—you knew he did, after all, he’d mindlessly mentioned them to you so many times, never realizing that every time he did, it felt like twisting the knife. but despite the initial struggles and the first tough month apart, it started to seem like they really didn’t apply to the two of you.

𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬/𝐭𝐰: glasses reid x bau!female reader, long distance relationship&timezones, reader struggling with loneliness and sense of gloom, reader attending interpol training in another country (in netherlands tho it doesnt have much impact on the plot), queen elle being their relationship therapist for a whole one scene straight <33

𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬: 3.8k

𝐚/𝐧: requested by @mggslover but i'd write it anyway cause i missed my og beloved cutest couple xx

Click.

The light switch gave a soft snap, and light spilled through your apartment, letting you hang up your coat and bag. Odd—it didn’t feel at all like the weight of either had been lifted from your body.

Click.

Even such a small sound felt loud in the silence of your apartment. Always silent. When you tried to cover it up with TV or music, the place seemed to push those sounds away. To reject them, to refuse to let them seep into the walls and thin out the loneliness that clung to them.

You turned the light back off—you were heading straight to the bedroom anyway, not even stopping by the bathroom. But then something came to mind, something that made you freeze for a second.

Click.

You knew your boyfriend would freak out if he even imagined you crawling into the bed you shared without at least washing your hands after a full day out—at work, in that bacteria trap known as public transport. Okay, maybe freak out was a bit of an exaggeration. It’s not like he’d kick you out of bed or crash on the couch. You knew, though, that he wouldn’t feel comfortable with it. And that knowledge alone was enough to make you slip under the covers only after changing into clean clothes.

Well, your boyfriend wasn’t there.

Still, you made yourself go through that small ritual—one that, in its silly little way, let you pretend things were different.

It had only been a month since you moved to a different country, a whole different continent, for a training program offered by Interpol. A program that was, honestly, a great opportunity to gain new knowledge and skills. One you’d come to…genuinely enjoy. More than that—it gave you more fulfillment than your time with the BAU ever had. Before it started, you hadn’t even realized a job could bring that kind of satisfaction.

You were thriving. But that didn’t mean you felt okay.

Every time you came back to the apartment, the motivation you’d had during the day seemed to vanish. You’d remember you were in a foreign country, that everyone you loved was an ocean away, and when you stripped it all down—you were completely, fucking alone.

So every day, you came back to your four walls, reached for your phone—the one thing that helped you feel a little better, though only for a moment. Once the call ended, everything came rushing back.

You knew things would’ve been different if you’d tried to engage more—make new friends, go out, do something. By isolating yourself like that, you were missing the chance to truly experience the culture, and only making your state of mind worse.

But it was the same as with every other vicious cycle. Hard to break, even when you know it’s leading nowhere. Or somewhere—but nowhere good.

Finally, in your bedroom, you let yourself sink into the mattress for a brief moment—as if testing whether it could still offer the same comfort it once did. Back when you used to wait for this exact moment after long, exhausting days at work: that soft collapse into the sheets, the burying of your face in the pillow, letting your body relax and your eyes close.

It hadn’t felt that way since you left.

Lately, you’d even fallen asleep in a stiff armchair and barely noticed the difference. The only thing that still brought you comfort—the one thing you actually looked forward to—was reaching for your phone.

You did just that. But before starting the call, you turned on the front camera, studying your expression closely. Trying to brighten your eyes a little, lift the corners of your mouth just enough. With a seven-hour time difference, you didn’t get many chances during the day to really talk. So you didn’t want to ruin this one with your gloom. 

When you were sure you’d managed it, you curled up on your side in bed and began the phone call. Spencer picked up almost immediately, used to your special time—just the two of you. His face stretched across the screen, your cheek pressed into the pillow, the whole thing reflected in the lenses of his glasses.

“Hello, Handsome,” you greeted, laughing almost immediately at his reaction.

Though he had gotten used to the pretty boy nickname, handsome still made him blush just a little. You knew it was only a matter of time before he grew accustomed to it, and then you'd have to find something new. But for now, you decided not to worry about that.

Spencer was silent, patiently waiting for you to stop laughing, but there was nothing hurried in his gaze. On the contrary, he seemed to be listening intently to the sound, his head slightly tilted.

"Every day, the same," he sighed.

"That’s because you look handsome every day. I’m just stating a constant, unchanging fact. If I were hosting the news, I’d start with, Ladies and gentlemen, Spencer Reid looks incredible today, as always. Now, let’s move on to today’s events…"

Often, due to exhaustion, nothing you said made sense, but it never seemed to bother him.

"But when I tried to state a fact the other day and told you that you looked beautiful, you scoffed at me," he complained.

"That was after I came out of the shower, silly. I looked like a wet rat. There’s no universe where that could be a fact and not, I don’t know, something you said because you kind of like me," you replied.

Spencer’s eyebrows shot up.

"Kind of like you?"

"Slightly"

"So, according to your logic, I deeply hate everyone else around me?"

You shrugged lightly.

"Can’t read your mind, Spence."

For a moment, he was silent, and to your surprise, a genuinely worried, or at least thoughtful, expression appeared on his face.

"I hate that you think that," he confessed after a while, pressing his lips together for a moment before adding, "I mean, does that mean I’m telling you that you look beautiful just because you're my girlfriend, like it's some sort of obligation? In the universe I live in, I’d think you’re beautiful even if you were a wet rat."

Spencer Reid, the expert at giving compliments. After a moment, even he realized what he had just said and squeezed his eyes shut.

"Can…can we pretend I didn’t say that? I just called you beautiful, not mentioning anything about rats."

"Nope. I’m taking that compliment to the grave” 

He sighed softly. You began to feel your eyelids growing heavy, and you almost had to force them open wider. Had you been talking for only ten minutes? You hadn’t even asked about him, realizing that you had spent that precious time, which you didn’t get to share much, talking about whether or not you were beautiful—and now, you felt a bit silly.

"So, how was your day?"

His voice only deepened your sleepiness, but not because what he was saying was boring. It never was. The whole problem was that listening to him with your eyes half-closed allowed you to imagine that you were truly close to each other, faces inches apart, in the same bed, not just on the cold phone screen. He couldn’t see it, nor could he feel it, of course, but your thumb gently traced a path across his forehead, cheek, lips—lips moving as he spoke.

You didn’t even notice when you had switched off. Spencer, however, did.

“I’m sorry,” he suddenly said, pulling you out of your not-so-happy thoughts. “It’s late for you, you must be tired, and I’ve been rambling…” 

“No, it’s fine,” you quickly reassured him, waking up. “I mean, we’ve only been talking for…”

“There’s no specific amount of time we have to talk. If you’re tired…”

“I’m not,” you stubbornly repeated, though it came out a little harsher than intended. If you were upset, it was only at yourself, for not having the energy to carry on a proper conversation with your boyfriend.

"Okay," he replied with a sigh that seemed to give way. "Alright, if that's what you say."

For a moment, silence settled, and you expected him to ask you something, to check on you. Ask about what he'd been talking about, if you had really been listening. But he wasn’t like that. He didn’t need to test your honesty.

You both started talking a little lighter, lazy chatter that, strangely, caused some pressure in your stomach. There were probably so many things he wanted to tell you, but he had held them back so as not to overwhelm you at this hour. If you were together, it would have been different. He could have told you at any time of day, whispered it in your ear while you were drifting to sleep, because you would be lying down at the same time.

Phone conversations have a way of letting you sense when they’re coming to an end. For you two, it always came with a moment of silence and that one simple, repeating assurance.

 "I miss you," he said.

You stared at his face on the screen, feeling your throat close up. You couldn’t speak, not because you didn’t feel the same way. Of course, you did. It was just that feeling that stole your words; you were so tired of telling him how much you missed him.

"I miss you too," you replied after a long moment, softly, barely forcing your lips to move.

You might have felt bad, but you couldn’t imagine not answering him.

Before the conversation came to an end, Spencer looked at you for a moment longer, and you could see a faint, sad shadow in his eyes.

*

JJ laid her cards on the table, immediately raising both hands in a victory gesture.

Defeated, Morgan tossed his cards aside. Spencer, on the other hand, simply shook his head with a sigh, gathering all the cards to shuffle them for the next round. Although, he hadn’t decided yet if he even wanted to play. He’d lose anyway. He was too lost in his thoughts, worries, to focus.

“No offense, gentlemen, but beating you doesn’t give me any satisfaction,” JJ declared, pressing her back against the seat backrest on the jet. “None at all. Oh, at times like this, I really miss her. My only worthy opponent.”

At the sound of your name, Spencer almost let the cards slip from his hands. He had been thinking about you, and when it was spoken aloud, it caused that funny collision between reality and what was going on in his mind. And he had been thinking about you mostly because of your conversation the day before. During which, something had clearly been off, but he had no idea what. You seemed a bit down, but he didn’t know how to ask about it. At some point, he had rambled on too, which might have just seemed tiring to you.

"Elle, maybe you’ll join us?" JJ asked her teammate.

Spencer turned over his shoulder. Greenaway was sitting behind them, alone, with her laptop open, almost blocking her face.

"Hm?" She lifted her head, her brown eyes scanning their faces as she looked around thoughtfully. It took a moment for her to realize what the question was about. "Oh. No, sorry, but I'm busy with another game right now."

To prove her point, she turned her laptop around, showing them the chessboard on the screen.

"You're playing chess online?" Spencer asked, surprised.

He stood up from his seat to sit across from Elle. He hadn’t even known that was an option, but something about it immediately didn’t sit well with him. He couldn’t imagine playing chess without sitting across from his opponent, analyzing their expression and the subtle, carefully hidden but still somehow slipping reactions.

"You know, I’d play with you if you asked."

Elle didn’t glance at him, fully focused on her virtual chess game. To his surprise, however, a mysterious smile appeared on her lips.

"Who said I wanted to play with you?" she asked. "But seriously, maybe next time. Right now, I have another opponent. You know her, by the way."

Spencer blinked in confusion, utterly unaware of what she was talking about. He’d never played chess online, so he had no idea who any of her internet opponents could be.

"I thought your girl would be much better. Maybe you could help her improve. Or maybe you’re not doing that on purpose so she doesn’t beat you?"

“You’re playing with…”

Elle nodded before he could finish. His mouth parted for a brief moment, in surprise. Okay, now it made sense. It also made sense why the chess opening on the screen seemed to tickle his memory, feeling strangely familiar. 

For a while, Spencer just watched their game, imagining your lips pursed in concentration as you hesitated over what to do with your queen. But then he shook his head, pushing the vision away—it reminded him too much of how much he missed that sight. Missed your lips in general. Missed you.

A fleeting smile crossed his face when you beat Elle.

“Could I talk to you about something?” he asked once the game was over, lowering his voice slightly so the rest of the team wouldn’t hear.

It felt strange to bring this up even with her. He rarely reached out to anyone for relationship advice—both of you had always operated under the rule that there was no problem you couldn’t solve together, just the two of you. Then again, that rule hadn’t accounted for this many miles apart for this long.

Elle looked at him closely, immediately sensing something was up.

“Sure,” she said slowly. “What’s going on?”

Spencer took a deep breath.

“I’m a little worried about her,” he admitted. “And about our relationship, but mostly about her.”

“Why? Has she been acting strange?”

 “A bit? I mean, we’re still talking, things are generally okay, but she seems kind of down. More withdrawn, and sometimes…sometimes I get the feeling she’s forcing herself to talk to me because she thinks she has to. I don’t know, maybe something happened that she doesn’t want to tell me about. And I know I shouldn’t be asking, you don’t have to say anything if it feels wrong…but has she mentioned anything to you?”

His friend stayed completely still and silent for a moment too long. Reid felt a strange tightness coil in his stomach, making it hard to breathe. The longer the silence dragged on, the more convinced he became that his theory might actually be right. And if that part was true, then so was what he was about to say next.

“We both agreed to this,” he continued quietly. “I mean, to being long distance. Not like we had much of a choice, but…you know what I mean. We could’ve just…ended it.”

Just saying that felt wrong in his mouth, like a sour taste. He didn’t want to imagine a world in which they’d chosen to let go.

“And…I just keep wondering if maybe she regrets it. Maybe this is harder for her than it is for me—because she’s in a completely new place, and maybe she’d rather focus on her life and her work there, instead of forcing herself to keep talking to me…”

“Spencer,” Elle interrupted him gently.

She rarely used his first name, and hearing it now carried a quiet kind of tenderness. Her lips pressed together for a moment as if she were carefully choosing her words. Eventually, she sighed.

“Spencer…first of all, I have to tell you—I don’t think I know anything you don’t. Let’s start there. And second…” she exhaled slowly, “we both know her. So you know how much she tends to keep to herself. Especially when it comes to things that worry or upset her—she doesn’t want anyone else to carry the weight. And usually, you can tell by watching her…but now? You can’t. You only have phone calls. So yeah, I’m guessing a lot is slipping through the cracks. And maybe she doesn’t want to tell you everything, not because she doesn’t trust you, but because—okay, I’m guessing here—you two probably don’t have much time to talk. So when you do, she’d rather spend it enjoying that moment with you, instead of unloading all the heavy stuff. You get that, right?”

Spencer didn’t nod, didn’t say anything at first—but he understood. He understood perfectly; everything Elle had just described fit her so well it almost hurt. And yet, it still didn’t answer the one question that had been gnawing at him the most.

“But what should I do?”

“Well, I doubt this’ll shock you, but…talk to her,” she replied with a small, quiet snort. “Like, really talk to her. Let her know it’s okay to talk about the hard stuff too. But Reid…I can’t speak for her, obviously, but I really don’t think she wants to end things.”

He studied her face, trying to see if she truly meant it—or if she was only saying what she thought he needed to hear, just to keep him from walking around miserable all day while they were supposed to be focused on the case.

“You really think so?” he asked softly, a note of hope creeping into his voice.

“What I think,” she said, “is that you two are actually made for each other. And you can handle a lot more than just some time apart. Seriously, Reid. Just…make sure you talk it through. For real.”

He was quiet for a moment, a small, grateful smile playing on his lips.

“Thank you, Elle.”

“Don’t mention it. And if that’s all, then stop bothering me. It’s time for a rematch with your girlfriend…”

*

“You know, I didn’t suggest it to you earlier,” you began, pausing as you settled more comfortably on the couch with your laptop on your knees. This time, you could only see your boyfriend’s face in a tiny window in the corner of the screen—the rest was taken up by the chessboard. “Because I didn’t think you’d like it. Considering the fact that you’re… well, you’re…oh, no offense, but you’re kind of a huge technophobe sometimes.”

He opened his mouth to protest, then closed it again, thinking over your words. Then, with a small, defeated nod, he conceded.

“You’re not wrong. But I’m starting to come around. To technology, I mean,” he clarified with a soft sigh. “For you.”

“Ah, that terrible girlfriend of yours, forcing you to adapt to the modern world,” you muttered, shaking your head in mock disapproval.

“Ah, that terrible yet absolutely amazing girlfriend of mine who always has a sarcastic comment ready and just can’t resist teasing me,” he shot back in the same tone, matching your expression perfectly—except for the soft smile tugging at the corners of his lips. You mirrored it when you noticed the subtle movement of his throat as he swallowed. “Before we start the game…can we talk for a bit? Just…talk?”

You frowned slightly at the clear note of request in his voice. You both had the day off, finally a chance to spend more time together, to really enjoy each other's company—and had naturally decided on a game (or a few) of chess. You’d been feeling unusually good that day, and it seemed like he had too. You were expecting a cozy afternoon, just the two of you, which is why his gentle question made a small knot of worry form in your chest.

“Sure,” you said, dragging the word out just a little. “Nothing’s wrong…right?”

"I don't know," Spencer admitted, to your surprise. "Is it?"

You shook your head slightly, brows furrowed, not quite understanding him. He suddenly sighed, adjusting his glasses on his nose in a nervous gesture.

"Sorry, that came out wrong. What I really meant to say…" he hesitated, closing his eyes for a moment. "You know you can talk to me about anything. Anytime you need to."

You blinked at that, not quite an admission, but more of a reminder.

"Yeah, I know that," you admitted, swallowing. "I’ve never...never felt any differently. Not with you."

To your surprise, again, he didn’t seem entirely convinced.

"I have a different feeling," he confessed after a moment of silence. You completely forgot you were supposed to be playing chess, your eyes fixed entirely on his face on the screen. "Something’s going on, and you don’t want to tell me because you don’t like when people worry about you. But what worries me more is that I don’t know what’s troubling you. I don’t know if that makes sense, but that’s how it feels."

You suppressed a sigh, feeling, in a way, cornered.

"Nothing’s happening, Spencer. I just feel so lonely, that’s all. I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to falling asleep alone, but it’s not something you can really fix right now, so I didn’t see the point in telling you."

You felt his gaze resting on you, and you lowered your eyes to the keyboard of your laptop, struggling to respond.

"You see?" you began, forcing yourself to shrug indifferently. "It’s really nothing serious. I’m probably overreacting. It’s only been a month, and I’ll get used to it soon. I probably shouldn’t even be telling you about this..."

"But I’m glad you did," he interrupted. You finally allowed yourself to look up at his face, immediately meeting the warmth in his eyes. You involuntarily felt a bit teary, causing you to blink more often. "It’s not overreacting. You have every right to feel lonely, lost, being there on your own. I just wish you would talk to me about these things. Now that I know, I can...I don’t know...try to reach out to you more often." He trailed off, as if both of you had thought of the same thing. No number of phone calls could replace the real contact of being with someone, standing face to face, and the touch. "I’m sorry I’m not there."

Something tightened in your chest, though a soft laugh escaped your lips.

"Spencer, you can't apologize for something like this."

He nodded slightly.

"I know. But...I think I have an idea on what to do to make you feel at least a little better. Well, at least in this one regard."

That night, you lay down in bed with your phone next to you, listening to his gentle voice. It only seemed like a conversation for a brief moment, as sleepiness soon overtook you and you stopped responding. However, the phone call remained uninterrupted, and his words stayed with you as you drifted off to sleep. Because, as you had realized once, with your eyes closed, you were capable of believing in a lot of things.