#its just one side being kinda unhappy with what my bestie did and i do see where theyre coming from but i know how she meant it cause

[1hyunjae]

Just had to have the weirdest talk ever with my friend YIKES

[damndaehyung]

Daniel Choi Vs Timezones

Valentines Day

Included: Daniel, Tyler, Maude Mentioned : Tara,Mark, Emily, Minah and Sungjae

“Am i still dreaming?” Tyler asked, significantly more awake than Daniel had last him. “Because I swear I had this really wonderful dream last night that my boyfriend showed up at my house 3 in the morning and now it looks like he is making me breakfast - are they supposed to be heart-shaped?” he asked, wrapping an arm around Daniel’s waist and resting his chin on his shoulder. “Adorable, but you know during the season I try to keep it healthy and no offence. The small feast you somehow managed to cook is enough for my entire team,” he laughed, the movement of his laughter lead to his hair tickling Daniel.

“Firstly you dream about me? That is so cute,” Daniel said unwrapping himself from Tyler’s grasp and turning to look at him. “And two surely you can make an expectation for today?” Daniel said with a grin, reaching into his pocket and pulling out one of those cheesy cliched happy valentines balloons. “Happy Valentine’s day,” he said, handing it to Tyler.

Tyler looked at the balloon with his brows furrowed. “Look i know its kinda lame but -”

“Daniel today is the 13th,” Tyler said cutting him off, this time Daniel’s brows furrowed. No yesterday was the 13th he specifically took that flight so he could be back in time for Valentine’s day. “Babe you do remember that time zones are a thing -” Tyler said. Timezones… stupid fucking timezones….. They ruin everything.

“No, I was just trying to get back in time and now I’ve ruined everything,” Daniel pouted, as poetically the pancakes he painstakingly made started to burn. “Including breakfast,” he huffed, turning back to the now burned pancakes and moving them off the stovetop.

“Babe you’ve ruined nothing,” Tyler frowned. “Come on how about we have breakfast and you can explain to me what is happening?” Daniel nodded, glaring once more at his heart-shaped shards before sitting at the kitchen bench.

“So,” Tyler said as he poured himself a cup of coffee.

“Well,” Daniel sighed stabbing a strawberry. “I had this grand plan of surprising you on Valentine’s day but Australia with it’s stupid backwards, no forward, timezones ruined it all,” Daniel huffed. “Now i am here on the 13th, Galentine’s day for women, when is the male equivalent of this day is it the same? At least then I could have claimed i did it for our Broentine? Palentine? Day,” he ranted as Tyler snorted, shaking his head. “Anyway sorry i ruined it all,” he sighed.

“I am going to ignore Broentine because really Daniel? You are better than that,” Tyler laughed. “But you’ve ruined nothing, I am very much happily surprised, a little shocked that managed to keep it a secret from me and i might have to make a few calls soon to change a few orders -” Tyler said, nose scrunching. “But as if i am going to be disappointed about you here a day earlier and to be honest you shouldn’t be either, in fact, you should be happy because you get to spend more time with me,” he pointed out, Daniel nodded in agreement because in his opinion more Tyler was always better. “Though not gonna lie, I never pegged you as a Valentine’s day type given you aversion to literally every other holiday,” Tyler teased.

“It’s not a holiday, a hallmark trademark,” Daniel pointed out. “ And i am not, well not usually, but you know,” he said vaguely, looking down as his face heated up. Tyler coughed making a go on gesture. “Okay well this is super embarrassing for me so if you ever bring this up again i will invite Mark over for Broentine’s day,” Daniel said ignoring Tyler’s protests over that not being a real day. “Anyway as i was saying -'' he continued. “This is kinda the first time i had a boyfriend during Valentine’s,” Daniel frowned. “Not that i haven’t had offers of course but i was never really interested in the whole thing like who needs a specific day to act like you are actually in love if you are supposedly in love why wait for one day you know?” he ranted.

“I agree,” Tyler said.

“Right but i guess i got swept in all the hype because i wanted to make today - well tomorrow,” Daniel scoffed. “Special, lame huh?” he mumbled.

“Not lame,” Tyler said with a grin. “And if i say it’s not lame than it’s not lame - plus you know I’ve got plans as well as I said earlier I have to change the delivery address but I went all out,” he said before pausing. “Well not all out because of the whole secret relationship but just know next Valentine’s Day I’ll really go all out.” Tyler jokingly threatened. “So by default, you’d be saying I am lame and we both know that isn’t true,” he said tossing a grape at Daniel.

“When you are right you are right,” Daniel nodded, picking up the aforementioned grape and chewing on it.

“I am glad you agree,” Tyler grinned. “Because babe as much i love you, you need to shower,” he smirked. Daniel gasped in offence. “You know I’m right,” Tyler shrugged. “You were on a plane all day yesterday,” he pointed out as Daniel frowned, unhappy that now it was pointed out he couldn’t ignore it and was once again reminded how much he hated timezones.

“You aren’t and now that i think about have you ever been right?” Daniel said, stroking his chin. “But I will shower because i love you,” he said nodding as Tyler laughed. “You can go get me some clothes to wear because i don’t have anything but what i am currently wearing and as good as i look naked i probably should put some clothes on,” he shrugged said standing up and ruffling Tyler’s hair as he walked past.

“You just said i am right all the time and you have a whole suitcase over there,” he said nodding to Daniel’s ‘luggage’. “I think someone just wants to wear my clothes,” he said, raising an eyebrow.

“Not exactly… my suitcase is full of gifts for Valentine’s day,” Daniel paused his cheeks heating up . “Like i said i got caught up in it so i might have gone overboard,” Daniel muttered. “If you tease me i swear,” he said.

“Baby last time i checked you like it when i tease you,” Tyler smirked, “And i feel honoured that in a rush to get back and spoil me you forget to pack clothes, it’s adorable - really- “ he said as Daniel opened his mouth to argue about teasing him. “But no can do about the clothes, I am going to be a little busy while you are having your shower,” he said.

“Doing what exactly?” Daniel asked, raising an eyebrow as Tyler stood up as well closing in on him.

“You,” he grinned. “I mean showering totally showering as well,” he laughed. “If that is okay with you?” he said pausing. “Because you did spend 24 hours on a plane and maybe you’d want -” he started to speak but was cut off by Daniel’s lips.

“More than okay,” he said, peppering Tyler with kisses. “We should go right now,” he said, pulling Tyler forward as the headed away from the kitchen.

----

“Did you just take a photo of me?” Daniel asked, raising an eyebrow as he pulled on his shoes. “I mean i know i am killing this Ty Core look but really?”

“Ty Core?” Tyler snorted. “You need to stop talking to Penny. She is a bad influence on you,” he said leaning down and kissing his forehead. “And yes i was taking a picture off you because i wanted to show off my model bestie wearing my clothes,” he said.

“I see,” he nodded. “Did you get my good side?” he asked, doing an exaggerated pose that no real model would do.

“Both sides are good so it was pretty easy for me,” Tyler said, Daniel beamed up at him as he was weak for compliments. “So do we have any plans since you’ve raided my wardrobe or are we just staying in,” Tyler asked, wiggling his eyebrows. “We could always Netflix and chill?”

For a brief second Daniel considered this, there was nothing he enjoyed more than been on top of, underneath and everything in between when it came to Tyler but flashbacks of those muggle Harry Potter movies flickered in his mind, making what should have been a flirty comment back became “Dumbledore was the worst,” Tyler at tried to hide his laughter but failed when he began to chuckle.

“There are other options, you know more movies exist -”

“No, I don’t trust it” Daniel said, shaking his head. “But now that you bought it up, how about we go to Hogsmeade?”

“Hogsmeade?” Tyler repeated confused. “What? Why?”

“Well isn’t that where all Hogwarts students go for their dates?” Daniel asked. “We never got to do that because we were -” he trailed pulling a face. “Busy,” he said as he nose crinkled at the thought.

“You mean Madame Puddifoot’s Tea Shop?” Tyler asked as a disgusted look made its way onto his face. “No Daniel, that place is hideous. It is something we can totally skip out on,” he said seriously.

“Hmmm I feel there is a story here that I very much want to hear one day,” Daniel said an eyebrow raised. “But I meant Hogsmeade but noted about the tea shop,” he said with a laugh. “We could always just go out as friends, celebrate broentine day today and Valentine’s Day as lovers tomorrow - you know the whole best of both worlds thing,” he said. “Except we are really together so not only do we get the best of both worlds we also get to secretly mock the lonely people by dating,” he continued.

“Didn’t you go to Hogsmeade when we went to Hogwarts, I could have sworn we went to the three broomsticks together,” he said, raising an eyebrow. “Look I am not saying no I am just confused as to why you want to go there?”

“Yeah maybe,” Daniel shrugged, he went to a lot of places with Tyler most of the time though Daniel would be distracted with other things. “Look I want to go to the screaming shack,” he said.

“Shrieking shack?”

“Same difference,” he said waving a hand dismissively. “Look, if madame pudding's teapot is for dates then the screaming shack is clearly for hooking up,” he pointed out with a grin. “None of my Hogwarts hookups ever took me there, it was always the broom closet or the prefect’s bathroom or that weird room on the seventh floor,” he said scrunching his nose up.

“Firstly what Hogwarts hookups? When did that happen? Why did I not know and who was it?” Tyler asked with eyes narrowed. “And the shrieking shack wasn’t a hookup spot, you saw it in the movie people thought it was haunted because of potters-“

“Furry godfather and his werewolf boyfriend yeah I remember,” Daniel filled in. “Which is why the shack was shrieking, they were totally fucking,” he pointed out as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Tyler stared at him for a second mouth ajar before breaking out into a fit of laughter. “Okay let’s go then,” he said with a grin. “But after we have to go to Diagon alley, I need to check something at gringotts,” he added.

“Oh I got you showing me your bank accounts after one shower succ I knew I was good but wow,” Daniel teased with a wink.

“You wish,” Tyler said with an eye roll. “And please that is not the first time that has happened,” he smirked.

“Yeah yeah,” Daniel said dismissively as he stood up. “Let’s go and maybe if you are good you can make my shack scream,” he laughed.

“I don’t think that metaphor works,” Tyler chuckled.

“What was that invite mark and Tara on a double date at the tea house?” Daniel said with a boxy grin gigging as he saw Tyler’s eyes narrowing before racing down the stairs before he could catch him.

%%#%

“Well this is disappointing,” Daniel frowned as he looked around the shack. “I expected a place full of sin and all I got was a place full of dust bunnies,” he said kicking a broken chair. “Well I am not going to have sex with you here, we might catch something and not in the way you’d expect,”

“We were going to -“ Tyler laughed. “You what never mind, I am sorry this place is such a disappointment. How about head to Diagon Alley, we get a drink and then I will take you on a real date,” he offered. “You can even sex me up all you want.”

“I suppose I could use a drink,” Daniel said. “But I’m paying since I dragged you all the way here for nothing,” he added.

“Is it really for nothing? I am spending time with the person I love in a…. Shack.” Tyler said nose wrinkling in disgust.

“Tyler Lee shacks up in a shack now there is a headline I never thought I’d see,” Daniel teased, linking their hands and dragging Tyler towards the exit.

“The crazy things you do for love,” Tyler said with a laugh.

“Love or not let’s get you that drink you mentioned,” Daniel laughed as they apparitied to Diagon Alley. Daniel looked around the cobblestone street, the bright colours and busting life a stark contrast to the dusty disappointment of the Shrieking Shack.

“Yes and while we are having this drink you can tell me about these Hogwarts hookups that you conveniently kept secret all these years,” Tyler said huffed from beside him stepping forward. Daniel glanced ahead sussing out if Tyler was genuinely upset or just teasing, despite the way he had said it lightly there was a flicker of hurt in his eyes.

“I didn’t keep it a secret, at least purposely,” Daniel sighed as he jogged to catch up with Tyler. “I never really bought it up because it wasn’t important you know? They were just hookups, some of them I can't even remember names off which is kinda horrible of me,” he frowned. “It was never serious, I think half of them just wanted to experiment and I wanted to get off,” he frowned. “I was kinda a whore,” Daniel said with a shrug, playing it off as a joke.

“No you weren’t, don’t talk about yourself like that,” Tyler said seriously stopping mid-step. Daniel hummed, his automatic response would have been to play it off making a crude comment about he could be for Tyler but the way Tyler look genuinely upset with him for saying that stopped any words from leaving his mouth. “I wasn’t judging you, you know that right, I was just- surprised, not that these boys would want to hook up with you, I mean your gorgeous but i just thought as your best friend i would have known,” he said.

“Let’s get to The Leaky Cauldron, yeah, i think a drink is needed for this conversation,” Daniel said, remembering that they were indeed in fact on a busy street surrounded by people who would eventually realize that Tyler Lee was among them. Tyler brows furrowed a frown making its way onto his handsome features, Daniel had to ball his fist from reaching out and caressing Ty’s face. “You know away from prying eyes and especially ears,” Daniel said pointedly as recognition flashed across Tyler’s face.

They walked into the leaky cauldron, Daniel had only been to this particular pub once in his life, the summer before he started at Hogwarts. It was safe to say this shabby little pub had not been touched by time, but one good thing was the number of dark closed off corners it had, perfect for a conversation that didn’t want to be heard. Daniel watched as the pub’s patrons slowly realized just who had walked in, now Daniel was not a modest person, he was pretty famous but it was nothing compared to the fanfare Tyler caused. Soon they were swarmed as people all ran to get a piece of Tyler.

“Oi you lot none of that,” The landlord called out, pushing through the crowd. “Give him some space, you vultures,” he said. “You two come through the private parlour,” he said to Tyler and Daniel. “Let them through, i swear anyone who hassles him is getting kicked out.” he threatened, sending withering glares towards the crowd.

“Here you go,” he said, leading them into a room behind the bar, it was a little small but it was clear it had a renovation the rest of the pub had not. The walls were clean painted a lovely shade of light blue, luxurious lounge chairs were pushed against the wall, has a small table was placed in front of them. “I am sorry about them,” the landlord said scratching the back of his neck, genuinely seeming embarrassed. Daniel couldn’t help but narrow his eyes at him despite that, he was sure there was some kinda catch he’d probably want Tyler to date his sister now or something like that. “We don’t get too many famous people here these days but its no excuse, what can I get you two? Don't worry it’s on the house,” he said, Daniel waited for the catch but it didn’t come.

“Could i get two malt whiskeys,” Tyler said to him as the landlord nodded backing out of the room. “Daniel I’m so so-”

“Don’t even finish that sentence,” Daniel said, placing a finger on his lips. “You deserve the fanfare, maybe not that craziness but i get it if Tyler Lee walked into my local I would want a picture of him as well - plus you’re the boat,” Daniel shrugged.

“Boat? Do you mean goat?” Tyler moving his head back, raising an eyebrow at Daniel.

“Best Of All Time? Why would I compare you to a farm animal?” Daniel frowned. “Wait, are you trying to be self-deprecating? Usually, when people do that you can see why they would say it but with your pretty face, it just doesn’t work” Daniel pointed out.

“No, i mean your version works but the term is the G.O.A.T, the greatest of all time,” Tyler laughed. “Again no more Penny for you Mister,” he said flicking his nose. “I swear you are such a fan sometimes,” Tyler grinned.

“Number one fan, thank you very much,” Daniel huffed playfully.

“The bestest,” Tyler said leaning and pecking Daniel’s lips, pulling away as the landlord walked back in with a tray of drinks and two menus. “Just in case you get hungry,” he said before leaving the room. The two of them blinked before laughing. “I think we are alone now,” Tyler said as he took on a sit on the couch tapping it gesturing for Daniel to come sit beside him. “So about that other thing -” he said.

“I never told you because i didn’t want to waste your time talking about people that didn’t matter,” Daniel said, grabbing his glass of whiskey and taking a gulp as he sat down. “It wasn’t anything but that, none of those guys were important, the only people that mattered to me were you, Emily and … you know,” Danel said. Even now he was reluctant to mention Sungjae’s name. He was over him he knew that for sure and he hoped Tyler knew it but he didn’t want to upset Tyler even more by bringing up his crush on Sungjae.

“Well, you should have told me,” Tyler huffed, “ I could have found some better guys for you,” Tyler said. Daniel smiled, placing the glass back on the table before cuddling up to Tyler. Truthfully a part of him wanted to laugh at the idea, he knew the majority of Tyler’s friends and none of them were his type.

“I could have and should have told you I agree but you my little over-achiever would have struggled to find the right guy and it would have driven you crazy,” Daniel laughed. “Who would have guessed all you would’ve had to do is look in the mirror,” Daniel grinned.

“Well everyone should have because I am a catch but let’s face not even you would have known plus me as just a hookup? As if,” he scoffed.

“You’re right you would have ruined me for other guys,” Daniel said seriously. “Like you have now,” he added with a wink.

“Hell yeah, I have,” Tyler boasted. “And as I should you since I am your boyfriend, best friend and in general the love of your life,” he said.

“You’re adorable,” Daniel said smiling at Tyler fondly. “But now we have discussed my Hogwarts dating experience we need to talk about yours, what’s with the tea place?” Daniel asked raising an eyebrow.

“Do we have to?” Tyler all but whined. “Maybe i just don’t like it because it’s tacky, have you ever considered that?” Tyler said with a pout.

“Normally I’d say yes but considering how you had no problems going to an abandoned old shack for me but the possibility of that tea shop you were like no not happening, something happened in that shop, something bad, something you need to share with me,” he said patting Tyler’s thighs. “Come on, you know I’d never judge you,” he said in mock seriousness.

“I already know you are going to laugh,” Tyler said with an eye roll. “But first please know when i say tacky i mean tacky, everything was covered in frills and bows,” he shuddered. “Gaudy tables and chairs, so much lace.” he continued.

Daniel hummed sympathetically handing him his glass, “My poor baby,” he said caressing his face. Tyler nodded dramatically tapping a large gulp of whiskey. “Continue when you are ready,” Daniel said shifting so he could lay, his legs over Tyler’s laps effectively locking him in place.

“Well, in my third year this girl, i am not going to give names because we both know you are the jealous type,” Tyler said with a grin. Daniel’s brows furrowed protesting that he was not. “Don’t even deny it, love, you totally get jealous when i spend time with Maude,” he smirked as Daniel pulled a face, he was not jealous of Maude Olivier, he just didn’t like how obviously in love with his boyfriend she was. “Anyway this girl was a grade above me, super popular and pretty enough so when she asked me to go to Hogsmeade with her my friends at the time pushed for it, I was already the youngest quidditch Captain could you imagine if i was dating a pretty fourth year, so i said yes, it was no big deal, i figured we’d just go to Honeydukes, Zunko’s and maybe the quidditch shop,” he said with a frown. “But i was naive, “ frowned.

“What did she do to you?” Daniel asked eyes narrowed, murderous thoughts running through his mind, he could always find out this girl’s name on his own.

“No nothing like that it was just a terrible date, Madame Puddifoots was packed full of other couples we were pretty much stacked on top of each other, the decorations - there were golden cherubs, i love gold but that was just awful, the tea was terrible, and it was just so awkward,” he said with a shake of his head. “And then the girl asks me if i think she is the prettiest girl in the school and like she was pretty but the prettiest girl in the school? No way, so i thought i was doing the right thing and -”

“You didn’t?” Daniel laughed as Tyler nodded causing Daniel to break out into a fit of laughter.

“Anyway she bursts into tears and everyone looks at us, like imagine crying over that i didn’t say she was ugly -” Tyler scoffed.

“13 year old you had zero game and was not here for nonsense, i respect that,” Daniel said trying to control his laughter as Tyler glared. “Anyway, honestly that girl didn’t deserve you,” Tyler nodded in agreement, scoffing about how you could say that again. “I am sorry that you had to relive that trauma,” Daniel said sitting up pressing a kiss to Tyler’s cheek. “It gets better,’” he said trailing kisses down Tyler’s jawline.

“I thought we were meant to be having a bro day,” Tyler groaned, pushing Daniel down, climbing on top of him and kissing him.

“We are,” Daniel said breathlessly as Tyler pulled away. “I mean it’s not to bro-ee considering I’ve talked about fucking in a shack,” he shrugged pulling Tyler back down. He can’t just kiss him like that and stop. No, he needed more, much more. Luckily for Daniel, Tyler got the message very quickly.

He didn’t know how long they were making out but sadly they were interrupted by Tyler’s phone ringing, Daniel groaned his hair messier, lips were swollen, shirt askew and pants significantly tighter. “Ignore it,” he said, leaning up to kiss Tyler pecked his lips before pulling away laughing. Daniel pouted as Tyler held his phone to his ear with one hand while buttoning up his shirt with the other. Daniel scoffed sitting up pressing his ear against Tyler’’s trying to hear who was on the other end. Tyler raised an eyebrow as he stood up walking to the other side of the room, causing the pout on Daniel’s face to turn into a full-blown frown.

“Mhm thanks,” He heard Tyler say. “Okay I actually really need to go to Gringotts now,” he said coming back over to Daniel and sitting back down next to him. “Just have to pick something up,” he said,

“Do you want me to come with you? Or - “ He asked, raising an eyebrow as Tyler smiled sheepishly. “Fine,” Daniel rolled his eyes. “I’ll just go get Em’s Valentine’s day gift, do you want me to get something for Tara?” he offered. “Wait do you buy each other presents? And if so, do you have a price limit?”

“I already got her something and yes, all because my gifts were better than Mark’s,” Tyler huffed.

“Didn’t he write her a song -” Daniel began to say as Tyler glared at him. “But how dare he not spend money on your little sister? He is beyond lucky to have her as a fin-” he started but trailed off as Tyler’s glare only intensified. The F word has a different meaning when it comes to Tyler, fiancee had been on the do not say list since his sister got engaged. “Anyway -” he trailed off trying to change the subject, Tyler snorted clearly amused by his attempt. “How about we get going?”

“Yes we should,” Tyler said. “How about we meet at Fortescue’s Icecream Parlour?” Tyler offered.

“Sure,” Daniel said. “This time i am definitely paying, no matter what your fan club tries,” he said with a laugh.

-------

“So did you get what you needed?’ Daniel asked as Tyler sat down across from him, raising an eyebrow as he spotted his bowl of ice cream.“It’s your favourite and I’ve already paid so you can’t say no,” he added.

“I did and okay, i’ll just pay for our date later,” Tyler grinned. “So did you get your cousin a gift?” he asked. “What do you even buy a huff n puff?” he asked nose turned up.

“A Tyler Lee voodoo doll,” Daniel deadpanned as Tyler frowned. “I am kidding, i just got her some chocolates and a new quill set,” Daniel said, nose scrunching up. “She won’t let me buy more since she mostly gives her friends and family homemade things,” he pouted. “But instead i bought my friends gifts, including you, happy broentine day,” he said pulling out a Tyler Lee figuring. “And here is me with heart eyes and my number one fan jersey,” he said pulling out his custom made doll.

“Seriously,” Tyler laughed. “Strange but cute,” he said with a grin.

“It’s realistic thank you very much, you exist. I have heart eyes, it’s the natural order,” Daniel said as Tyler grinned at the praise.

“I see well in that case you should keep this one,” he said, pushing his figuring towards Daniel. “And i should keep this handsome fella,” he grinned, grabbing the Daniel-esque figure.

“You monster! how dare you try to separate them?” Daniel gasped dramatically causing Tyler to chuckle.

“Uhm excuse me,” A woman said, “I am really sorry about this but would you mind if my son said hello,” she said gesturing to the small human hiding behind her leg, peaking out to look at Tyler with awe. “It’s his birthday and you are his hero,” she continued. Daniel looked down to see a bag full of presents in the woman’s hand proving her claim to be true.

Tyler over at Daniel questioning if it was okay, Daniel nodded for him to go ahead. “What’s his name?”

“Artem,” the woman said, trying to get her son to stop hiding, “Sorry he is a little shy,” she said. Tyler shook his head, got out of his chair and kneeling so he could spot Artem.

“Hello Artem,” Tyler said softly as the boy slowly moved to the front. “I heard it was your birthday today,” he said as the little boy turned red nodding furiously. “Happy Birthday,” he said with a smile. “How old are you now?”

“Four,” Artem said with a toothy grin. “I am a big boy now,” he said, getting braver as time went on.

“Four,” Tyler gasped. “Wow that is so cool,” he said. “Have you had a good birthday?” he asked.

“Mhm, I got to have ice cream with my friends and mummy said she is going to go to the quidditch shop to look at the new broomsticks,” he said. “I might be a junior broom,” he said excitedly looking at his mother who smiled fondly.

“Wow that sounds so fun, my friend bought me ice cream,” he said nodding to Daniel who waved awkwardly as Artem stared at him. “And your first broom?” Tyler asked. “That is so exciting, you are very lucky.” Artem nodded happily.

“I am gonna practice so i can be as good as you,” he said looking at Tyler as if he had put the stars in the sky.

“As good as me?” Tyler asked, stroking his chin. “Hmm I think if you practice really hard you might be even better,” he whispered as Artem's mouth hung open. “How about we take a quick photo, yeah?” he asked Artem who let out a squeal of excitement. The mum pulled out her phone quickly, taking the shot of her beaming son and Tyler who had a well-practised media smile on his face.

“Thank you so much,” The mother said as Artem excitedly stared at her phone, not fully believing he had just met his idol. “I am sorry about the disruption,” she said bowing pushing Artem along who was waving excitedly at Tyler.

“Sorry about that,” Tyler said sitting back down. Daniel shook his head, there was no need for him to apologize.

“It was cute, you made his entire day and they were a lot more polite about it,” Daniel said. “You are really good with children,” he said, Tyler grinned. “Anyway about our -”

“Tyler!” Daniel heard an all too familiar voice screech out. He looked across the street to see Maude Olivier making her way over to them. Daniel looked at Tyler who just shrugged, shaking his head letting Daniel know he had no hand in this. “I thought it was you,” she said as she came to their table. Daniel rolled his eyes, she was probably stalking him looking for any updates on his whereabouts. “Daniel,” she said looking at Daniel with a sneer before turning around pulling a chair from a nearby table. “I haven’t seen you in forever,” she said, leaning forward, blocking Daniel.

“I’ve been busy but i am pretty sure you came to my match the other week,” he said.

“But we haven’t hung out in like forever,” she pouted making Daniel want to throw what was left of his icecream at her stupid head. “How are you holding up,” she said, reaching out to rub Tyler’s arm.

“Fine,” Tyler said, pulling his arm away, shifting away so she couldn’t touch him. “Why wouldn’t I be?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

“You know since Valentine’s day is tomorrow and Minah is rubbing her loser husband in your face like marrying Sungjae Lee is something to be proud of,” she said as Daniel glowered, bringing up the M word and insulting Sungjae, while Daniel was completely over him, he was going to let someone like Maude drag him, especially when he was miles above her.

“You know what I am surprised by? ” Daniel commented, “That Minah hasn’t blocked you, I mean you’d think after you and your entire family make a name for yourself after copying her family's designs,” he said mockingly, he couldn’t stand Delacroix but he hated Maude so much more.

“Shouldn’t you be in Australia right now? Why are you even here?”

“Why am I here? You’ve gotta be kidding me,” Daniel snorted, this bitch invites herself to their table and dares to ask that. “And how dare you bring her up in front of him, what kind of friend are you-” he snapped. “Oh crap you got me saying her name now, Ty, babe, I am so sorry,” he said causing Tyler to laugh.

“It’s fine, I don’t care,” Tyler said waving a hand dismissively. “But maybe we should go back to mine, you know to make sure you can’t say any words,” he said suggestively, winking at Daniel. Daniel flushed wondering where exactly that had come from. “Already speechless? Wow, i haven’t done anything yet,” he smirked.

“What?” Maude said looking between Tyler and Daniel. Damn it, Daniel had momentarily forgotten about her presence.

“Why are you still here?” he muttered as he looked at Tyler panicked, telling their friends and Minah was one thing but Maude Olivier, a woman who in Daniel’s opinion has an attic dedicated to Tyler with like a piece of his hair that she smells before going to bed. Daniel opened his mouth to explain it was a joke, a weird nonsensical joke, yup a joke.

Tyler shrugged, “Any way we have to go,” he said to Maude. “I’ll text you to find a time when we can hang out,” he said standing up and grabbing Daniel’s hand and pulling him up.

“What -” Daniel said, eyes darting to Maude.

“We have some not speaking to do,” Tyler said, wrapping an arm around his shoulder not glancing back at Maude.

[neurdotically]

Phoenix

It kinda hit all at once, as I sat on my bed that night.  The news I had received earlier that Tuesday sank into my brain letter by letter, planting a very serious understanding within my mind.  In that moment, everything else in the room faded to the background.  The usual banging around of the other tenants muted themselves.  It was like I was the only person in that entire apartment building. More like everyone in the city of Tacoma vacated to the outskirts to give me some space.  It was just me and those words.  It was just me and the phrase: “You could have died.”

This phrase is not attached to something grandiose.  I was not almost hit by a bus, or eaten by a megalodon.  I did not almost lose my life defending my friends from a hoard of hell beasts or a pack of insatiable zombies.  I was not the virgin sacrifice to ensure that Mount Rainier remains dormant for another century or so.  (Although, what the hell?  If you’re in need, give me a ring.  I’m not guaranteeing the two of us will hit it off, but I think we could be fast and great friends.  I’ll buy you all some time to get outta dodge when things get bleak.)

If Death had had its way, I would have never known that I was on my out.  One moment I’m here, the next I’m not.  It would have been a magic trick that, I would hope, not many would applaud for at its completion.

I will say, even if that was the case, I would not have gone quietly.

You see, last year, I was admitted to the hospital for a routine appendicitis.  (Please see [Appendix Here] post.)  The fucker, we’ll call him Fester, had dilated itself to 11 cm, swelling to three times its normal size.  (Seeing as the surgeon pulled Fat Fester out through my belly button laparoscopically, the bestie, Bea, has made me an honorary woman…since I essentially gave birth. Thanks, Bea, I will, with all sincerity, carry this honor with me always.)

The medical report indicated the appendix had started to, well, fester and become necrotic, zombified, if you will.  Bacteria was able to slip through the dead tissue, making my blood septic.  Let the record show, one never wants to be described as “septic,” if for no other reason than that it makes one think of septic tanks. So, in that moment, if I had been conscious, I would have told you that I had never felt so shitty in my entire life. Why wasn’t I conscious?  It could have been for a variety of reasons. Reasons that you are able to be clued in on.  Read on, audience!

I’m not entirely clear on the timeline.  I actually lost consciousness shortly after I was admitted to the hospital.  My doctor posits I went into shock around that time.  I do remember laying in that hospital bed in that empty room, shaking violently the night before the operation; like every inch of me was freezing, yet I did not feel cold. From there, the dark part of my soul took over, my evil twin.  I became belligerent and combative and was promptly restrained.  Bea thought I became a sort of super villain, simply looking a person up and down and reducing them to a hysterical, sobbing mess with the utterance of a single, cutting, and acidic word.

If only…

If only I was that devious. If only my dark side was the real problem.  There’s a bit more to the story.

Here’s what the fragments of the medical report and my doctor have helped me piece together. Since I went septic, my body’s temperature shot up to 106 ˚F.  As Biff, my dear friend who has experience in this department, shared, I moved into a realm where Death was very real.  Unbeknownst to me, your body can’t really handle being that hot for too long.  To complicate matters, my heart does this thing where it regurgitates blood.  Blood moving from the atrium to the ventricle and then from the ventricle to the lungs splashes back.  In a non-life-threatening scenario, my heart’s special kind of acid reflux is actually nothing to worry about.  I’m not sure why it does this.  Perhaps because I was born with a heart murmur?  But that closed up years ago.

Sorry.  Back to it.  I could have waved back to Death, if I wasn’t busy hallucinating from the fever and the bacteria that might have penetrated the blood brain barrier, making nurses cry whilst speaking in tongues, trying my hand at bondage, and tripping on the opiates the doctors had given me for the pain.  I never do things easily, and as you can see, I wasn’t going to go quietly.

“Take a number, Death,” I’m sure I said at some point, past whatever images were casting themselves on my eyeballs.  “Uh-huh. I get it, you have ‘dark” and ‘mysterious’ locked down…all cool in that shredded hooded cloak thingy.  Is that Hot Topic?  There’s no way those tatters weren’t deliberate.  Yeah—I see it.  Lord knows we can’t forget about that scythe you’re brandishing.  What are you compensating for?

“Tell you what, why don’t you pop on over to the terminal ward for a beat or two.  I’m not going anywhere.  I am literally tied up at the moment.”

When I came to, I was rather unhappy…is how I would describe it if I were a less cynical person.  In truth, I felt murky and fuzzy and cheated. I came back from a war that I almost lost, and, it seemed no one, including me, knew how close I had come to losing my footing from the edge of that proverbial cliff we all affectionately know as human existence.  

I wish I could tell you that I came back from this stronger and wiser.  I wish that I could tell you I came back with super powers or a spoiler regarding if and what is on the other side.  (Never gonna let that grudge go, by the way.  Something?  Anything for my troubles?  Mind Reading? The gift of foresight?  No?)  If anything, I think I came back more broken or turned around.  My mind, and maybe even my spirit, were mangled and badly banged up.  We won’t even get into what shape my physical state was.  I was fucked up, y’all.  Until I finally requested the medical report, I lived with this gap in my life, specifically August 31, 2016, the day I lay in a hospital bed nonresponsive and questionably all there, for about ten months.  

While some questions have had some light shed on them, others still whisper from the corners of the dark recesses of my mind.  

“What if…” one voice trails off.

“Why didn’t you die?” another wonders.

“Does this mean you’re meant to do something big?” a third queries.

“Is that cheesy?” the first voice questions the third.  “I mean, can we believe fate is actually a thing.  I know we used to…”

I’m still on the fence about fate.  I want to believe in that sort of magic and serendipity.  I’m truly trying.  I’ve decided to look for a silver lining.  (You all should be proud.  I don’t usually buy into this positivity stuff.)  Whether or not I ever left or came back, I am still here.  I was engulfed in a heat that could have evaporated the very soul from my meat shell, yet most, if not all of me, held firm.  Let’s say I was reborn that August 31st. Let’s say that was the day I became a Phoenix.

And just like a newborn, mythological creature or baby of the regular variety, I came back disoriented and confused.  I had to reorient myself in what the hell life is.  Should I continue to live it in the same way I always have?  Should I make some edits?  This potentially dying thing seems like a really big note to me.  I have, for these past few months, been collecting myself, spinning my wheels, clearing away my confusion, getting really angry at times, and, again, establishing who I am in this, often annoying, yet sometimes pretty okay existence.

Maybe I am still here because Life wants to show me something amazing.  Maybe I’m meant to do something awesome with this person you all know as Neurdotically.  (Ahem—publish a novel.  Cough. Cough.  Hack.  Wheeze. Excuse me.)  Maybe I’m here because I still have a role to play in the lives of others.  Perhaps it’s someone close to me.  Perhaps it’s someone who has yet to cross my path.  Maybe I still have a lesson or twenty to learn.

I don’t know.  All of this conjecture could just boil down to a simple, you were saved in time and that is that.  Nothing special.  Nothing to see here.  Just go exist somewhere in a corner…

I do intend to move forward and find out, or maybe I’ll just say, “Fuck it,” and live my life on my terms.

Just know this: When I do die, I’m coming for your job, Death.  (Eats slice of apple off of switchblade, and gives Death the hairy, twitchy, mad eyeball.)