in the stacks {chris}

[Ashley Jarred West]

august 20, 2013 - 09:00 PM

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=style, width: 500px; height: 600px; padding: 0px; background: #ffffff;,true][cs=1]	[atrb=width,200] For a first effort this, Feels kinda last ditch. I guess this just Got kinda drastic. Trust us you just fell off the bus, baby. I can't let this, I can't let this, I can't let this go. I can't let this, I can't let this go. Desperate measures. I can't let this, I can't let this go. When I got you right where I want you, I been pushing for this for so long. Kiss me, just once, for luck, These are desperate measures now. I can't let this, I can't let this go. Have a piece of American dream. Open up, and swallow, on your knees, and say "Thank you, I'd like some desperate measures, please". For a first effort this, Feels kinda last ditch. I guess this just Got kinda drastic. Trust us, you just fell off the bus, suckers. Yeah, well, payback is a mother fucker.
[atrb=width,300][cs=1]	[atrb=width,200] tagged: chris words: 0850 outfit: here notes: idek. hi?
[cs=2][atrb=width,500] "Yeah, I promise, not too late," A.J. told the librarian with a smile as he took the keys from her. He had promised to lock up and turn out all the lights after he was done if she let him stay past close. He had some papers he needed to work on for his own classes, and his apartment was not a good setting for him to attempt to work on school work. He got distracted too easily. Of course, knowing himself, it was highly likely that he was going to end up staying there until much later in the evening than the librarian would have preferred. What she did not know would not hurt her, though. A.J. went over to one of the tables by the book shelves that he would get the most use out of and took his notebook out of his backpack as well as his laptop. He got everything out and ready to make notes and do his research (blocking Wikipedia before he even started), and took a drink out of the soda bottle that he had with him. That was also his little secret, as he was sure the librarian would hit him with a book if she caught him with a soda in her library. However, he would need it. He would probably need a coffee break, and would definitely need to break for food. There was no way the paper was going to be an easy assignment. It was for one of his favorite classes, however; so, it would be fun. A.J. reluctantly put on his reading glasses before he actually went to go search for the books he made sure the library had earlier in the day. Once he got the right books, he went back to the table and turned on his media player on his laptop, turning it on shuffle and smiling at the song that played through the speakers. "And it's gonna be totally awesome," he sang along as he flipped through the books, still standing while shifting his weight from one foot to the other. He felt way too energized to try to be working on a paper, but he had a deadline that he needed to make. The paper needed to be in his teacher's inbox by the following day at five in the evening. However, with A.J.'s student teaching and internship, he would not have the time the following day to finish up the paper he had procrastinated too much on. A few hours, two sodas, and many songs later found A.J. finishing up the outline of his paper, written in an untidy scrawl that he could barely make out on his notebook paper between the crossed out ideas and random doodles. However, A.J. could make enough sense out of it, and that was all that really mattered. He was not exactly sure how late it was, but he knew by that time there would not really be anyone else there in the main building of the school. It was possible there were still some medical staff members watching after the nurse's station and isolation rooms; but, almost all the lights were out and the rooms quiet, except for the library. It was the only time of day that A.J. could get away with not being quiet in the library, when there was no one else around. He reached up and ran a hand through his hair a few times, practically making the strands stand on end just before he heard the doors to the library opening behind him. "Library's closed," A.J. called over his shoulder before taking a drink of his Coke Zero, pulling a slight face. It was not his favorite soda ever, but he had stolen it from Alaric, so it was free. You couldn't beat a free soda. Thinking it was just a student being a nosy little shit, he turned around to look at the door, picking up his notebook so he could finish writing his thought as he said, "Try six in the morning tomorrow, when it opens again." He smiled as he finally looked up, only to have the expression falter when a he found himself looking at a highly familiar face, even if he was older. A.J. would not easily forget Chris Evans. "Oh, uhm, hi..." He had been unaware that Chris was at St. Helena's. Of course, he had not heard from the other guy in quite a few years. So, A.J. was not sure exactly how to act. After a moment, he realized he was thinking too hard and he smiled once again, leaning back against the table behind him. "Long time, no see. I didn't know you worked here." Of course, it then hit him that there was a very big chance that the guy did not even really remember him. He was just the hyperactive little shit from down the street, after all; not that it had changed much since the Evans had moved away.

TEMPLATE BY ROYALSTANDARD OF ETS AND CAUTION

[Christopher Matthew Evans]

Chris sat in a chair at his desk in the nurses station. It had been a long day for him. He'd gotten up early, worked for most of the day, taken a few hours of a break to rest and have dinner, then came back. They were short staffed in the medical department, and Chris wanted to give Salizar a break when he could. In the short time that he had known him, Chris thought his co-worker worked to hard. He'd spent the last half an hour hunched over his desk trying to work on a lessen plan for the health class he was teaching in a few days. It was something he was a bit worried and nervous about, if he was honest. Sighing, he ran a hand over his face, the stubble on his face bushing against his palm reminded him he had not shaved in a few days. Glancing at the clock, he saw it was about 9:00PM. Well, that explained why he was so tired at least. Reaching forward, he grabbed his coffee cup, only to bring it to his lips, and find that it was empty. Great.

He got out of his chair, stretching his stiff body as he stood; then took the cup and headed out to the teachers lounge. Hopefully, there would be some coffee left in the pot, if not, he would make some. The swishing of his scrub pants seemed very loud to his ears in the deserted and quiet hallway. It was kind of creepy. But, he did not have time to think about that for very long until he heard music. Loud music. Coming from the library, which he knew should be closed at this hour. Frowning, he picked up his pace slightly, and opened the door, quickly stepped inside. The door clicked automatically closed behind him, but he hardly even registered it. His attention was on the scene in front of him. On the person in front of him. Shock was evident on his face, and he almost dropped the coffee cup he held.

That voice sounded so familiar. For a second he thought he must just be over tired and imagining things, but then the younger man turned around, and Chris realized he was not being deceived.”Ashley, he said the word coming out in a whisper. It had been so long, but just the sight of him had caused so many memories to come flooding back. So many feelings. ”Hi,” he managed to finally get out, trying to compose himself. Just because he was attracted to Ashley after all this time, did not mean A.J. Had the same feelings. Hell, Chris hadn't even admitted to anyone he even liked men.”I just started” he replied unable to take his eyes off A.J. He took a few steps closer. He wanted to hug the other man, but did not know how that would be received. He hadn't held up his end of being a good friend when they were younger, and wouldn't blame A.J. If he was angry at him. ”How have you been?” he asked.

OUTFIT

[Ashley Jarred West]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=style, width: 500px; height: 600px; padding: 0px; background: #ffffff;,true][cs=1]	[atrb=width,200] For a first effort this, Feels kinda last ditch. I guess this just Got kinda drastic. Trust us you just fell off the bus, baby. I can't let this, I can't let this, I can't let this go. I can't let this, I can't let this go. Desperate measures. I can't let this, I can't let this go. When I got you right where I want you, I been pushing for this for so long. Kiss me, just once, for luck, These are desperate measures now. I can't let this, I can't let this go. Have a piece of American dream. Open up, and swallow, on your knees, and say "Thank you, I'd like some desperate measures, please". For a first effort this, Feels kinda last ditch. I guess this just Got kinda drastic. Trust us, you just fell off the bus, suckers. Yeah, well, payback is a mother fucker.
[atrb=width,300][cs=1]	[atrb=width,200] tagged: chris words: 0850 outfit: here notes: idek. hi?
[cs=2][atrb=width,500] A.J. smiled as Chris admitted he had just started to work there. "Yeah? Me too. Well, sort of. I don't get paid or anything. Internship and student teaching," he said with a shrug, smiling as he idly ran a hand through his hair, glancing over at his school work before looking to Chris once again. He smiled when the other man asked him how he had been, biting back the want to reply that Chris would know that if he had answered his phone calls or emails. However, that was not a nice thing to say, and A.J. never said things like that, even if it was what he had thought. He was sure that Chris had been glad for the excuse to deal with the hyperactive kid down the street after he had left. "Good; great, even. Graduated at the top of my class, got a full ride to the university in Seattle. I'm basically being paid to intern and student teach thanks to grants and all that jazz." He'd made some good friends, made some bad ones. Lost touch with people, and kept in contact with others. He had thought he had fallen in love once; but, that ended in a disaster, and A.J. had not really done relationships since. He didn't really hook up with people, either (though there had been a time or two when he had been drunk). So, his focus had been mostly on school; and, his artwork. He'd even had something hung in the gallery back home, though that was no major feat. It had made his dad proud, though. "Dad's going for sheriff back home. Second year running, now." A.J. smiled once again as he pressed his reading glasses up on his face more so that they were sitting right. "What about you? How was... wherever you went?" A.J. was rather impressed at his ability to not let any of his negative feelings register in his voice. Sometimes, it would give him away when his smile was not enough. That day, however, A.J. seemed nothing less than the cheery, smiling young man that everyone knew and some loved. Others just found him annoying, but that was something he was used to. "And for the record, 'm not the same spazzy nerd who plays Playstation too much anymore," A.J. stated as he stood up straight from where he had been leaning against the table. "I've moved on to XBox." He nodded seriously, though there was a smile tugging up on his lips. "You won't have to humor me anymore. I've imaginary friends online to do that." A.J.'s tone of voice was one of joking and light-heartedness, though they were more true thoughts than anything. He had not deluded himself enough to think that Chris had been doing anything more than placating him before when A.J. would be annoying and always there. A.J. had had an instant crush on Chris all those years ago; something that never really happened to him. It took a lot for him to be really attracted to someone. It had always been different with Chris. He had maybe thought they were friends before Chris and his sister had left town. That day, A.J. was not sure where they stood at all. Were they still friends? And if so, then why had Chris never tried to get back to him? And why was Chris still so stupidly attractive? It nearly hurt to look at him; but not looking at him meant not being able to see him, and well, A.J. liked being able to see him. Chris was nice to look at, always had been. The few years between had definitely not been enough to change that. Stupid, pretty boys and their stupid prettiness. A.J. would be better off without them. But, A.J. did not really want Chris to go anywhere, so that was that.

TEMPLATE BY ROYALSTANDARD OF ETS AND CAUTION

[Christopher Matthew Evans]

Chris nodded his head as A.J. spoke, proud of him that he was not only interning but also student teaching. It had to be a lot of work, but then again, if anyone could do it and well, it would be Ashley. Part of him felt bad. Felt like he should have known. It was his fault they had not kept in touch over the years. It was hard though, keeping in touch with people who knew him before the accident. Before his life as he knew it had been shattered. No one understood, what he had felt, what he had gone through. How at seventeen was he supposed to explain to friends what it was like, watching his mother and father die in front of him. The sleepless nights, the panic attacks while riding in cars, (which he still struggled with to this day). He was twenty-five now, and it still wasn't something he liked to talk about, with anyone, including his sister. He gave Ashley a small smile, listening to the younger man talk about his father, someone Chris always liked. ”Tell him I say hi when you talk to him next,” he said sincerely. Walking over as A.J. spoke, he set down his coffee cup on a nearby table, and then lifted himself up so he was sitting on it, as he replied, “I'm doing good. I went to community college, and became a registered nurse.” Chris gestured to the scrubs he was currently wearing, careful to keep his voice even, and friendly, not showing Ashley how he really felt. ”I..or we, moved in with our Aunt and Uncle. It was fine,” he said shrugging his shoulders, figuring A.J. would know he was talking about his sister. Deep down he knew he should say more, explain more; that A.J. deserved an explanation for what Chris had done, how he had treated Ashley. But the words would not come.

A.J. words made Chris smile more. Chris himself had never gotten over his love of video games. Some of A.J's words bothered Chris though. He never thought Ashley was a nerd or a spazz. Did A.J. talk more than he did? Sure, but Chris figured that really was not a hard thing to do. Yet, he could not find a way to voice to the younger man how he really felt about him. What he really felt for him. It would mean admitting not only to A.J. that he liked men, but also truly admitting it to himself. Something he was not sure he was ready for right this second. ”No, Ashley, we should have a tournament sometime, I love Xbox.” he admitted, though felt awkward as soon as the words left his mouth. Felt guilty. With the way he had treated A.J. Chris would not blame him for not wanting to hang out. Not able to get himself to admit to Ashley that playing video games with him was one thing Chris still remembered fondly after all these years. What do you play?” he asked, trying to think of something to say, and wondering how much Ashley's video game preferences had changed since they had been kids. Chris was partial to sports, which was probably obvious.

[Ashley Jarred West]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=style, width: 500px; height: 600px; padding: 0px; background: #ffffff;,true][cs=1]	[atrb=width,200] For a first effort this, Feels kinda last ditch. I guess this just Got kinda drastic. Trust us you just fell off the bus, baby. I can't let this, I can't let this, I can't let this go. I can't let this, I can't let this go. Desperate measures. I can't let this, I can't let this go. When I got you right where I want you, I been pushing for this for so long. Kiss me, just once, for luck, These are desperate measures now. I can't let this, I can't let this go. Have a piece of American dream. Open up, and swallow, on your knees, and say "Thank you, I'd like some desperate measures, please". For a first effort this, Feels kinda last ditch. I guess this just Got kinda drastic. Trust us, you just fell off the bus, suckers. Yeah, well, payback is a mother fucker.
[atrb=width,300][cs=1]	[atrb=width,200] tagged: chris words: 0701 outfit: here notes: idek. hi?
[cs=2][atrb=width,500] "Yeah, alright," A.J. replied with a nod, making a mental note about talking to his dad. He turned to close his finished outline and the books he had open spread out on the table, stacking them mostly to have something to do with his hands. He was always moving, and it often got worse when he was not sure what to do in a situation. It was a lot worse when he was a teenager, though. "You should give him a call, sometime. He'd love to hear from you guys. He, uh... he worried, y'know?" A.J.'s dad had been just as worried about the Evans siblings, if not more so, than A.J. had been himself. The man had only been a deputy at their local police station at the time, but still; it had hit him hard what happened to those (at the time) teens. He did not know what he would have done if he lost A.J. like their family had been lost, something the college student had heard many times whenever the Evans got mentioned offhandedly. "Helping people. Definitely the kind of work I always thought you'd get in to," A.J. replied with a smile. It was true enough, though. He had always figured that Chris would get into a job like that. It had surprised many when A.J. had gone the college and teacher route instead of getting into law enforcement like his dad because he had always talked about helping people. He was still doing that, though; just in a different way. "I..or we, moved in with our Aunt and Uncle. It was fine." Ashley nodded a little, gathering the books he did not use into a neater pile on the table so that he could easier put them back later. He had almost expected more of an answer than that; but, at the same time, it had been exactly what he expected. He wasn't being exactly forthcoming with everything that had happened in his life, either; and, he doubted it was anywhere near as emotional as what Chris and his sister had gone through. He wished that Chris would say more, though, but he was not going to try to make the guy talk or anything. A.J. ran a hand through his hair, smiling over at Chris before saying, "Well, at least it wasn't horrible. That's a good thing." A.J. took the unused books to the bookshelf they belonged to, which was right there next to the table. He laughed softly at the mention of the two of them having a tournament. He would like that a lot, but at the same time, a part of him just wanted to decline and focus on anything else. "Oh, I play a little bit of everything; just whatever catches my interest. That much hasn't changed," A.J. answered with a laugh and a shake of his head. It was true, though. He played a wide variety of games from racing to sports to first person shooter to fantasy. It all had a home with A.J. game collection. "We could do that, though. A tournament, I mean. I could be fun. Bet I could still kick your ass at Mario Kart." Ashley smirked a little as he finished putting up the books and crossed his arms over his chest, tapping his fingers absently as he still found the need to move. He was out of things to put away, though, as the other books he still needed for citations. He busied himself with straightening up the shelves a little, then; because he could not have nothing to do, and he could not focus on doing his paper with someone around. "That will always be my game, no matter what version.

[/color]" He owned a Wii as well as the XBox, and typically just used it for the simple reason of wanting to play Mario Kart. He and a friend from home would connect via the internet and play once a week. It was fun. "So, what d'you think of Summersville so far? Kinda reminds me of home, small town and all."

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TEMPLATE BY ROYALSTANDARD OF ETS AND CAUTION

[/center]

[Christopher Matthew Evans]

Chris watched A.J. move around some of the books and papers he had on one of the tables. A slight smile pulled at the corners of his mouth. That was such an Ashley thing to do, to always be moving, It was one thing Chris remembered from when they'd been kids, Ashley'd always had a lot of energy. At the mention of A.J.'s father, Chris nodded not really sure if he'd give him a call or not. He'd been like a second father to Chris before the accident, but so much time had passed. What would he say? It was the same reason he hadn't made contact with Ashley. Once time went on, and the initial pain wore off, it was strange re-initiating contact. To be perfectly honest, he did not know for sure had he not found himself at St. Helena's, if he would have made contact with Ashley. Part of him said yes. Part of him said no. ”Really?” he could not help but question. A.J. Seemed so sure, yet it had taken Chris a while to figure it out for himself.

He nodded. It had not been horrible, not really. He'd had an Aunt and Uncle that had loved and supported him, his sister as well. He knew things had been so much better than they might have been if he'd had to go in to foster care because of the fact he'd still been a minor at the time. But, no matter how nice they were, how much they were all there for him; it did not stop the pain of losing his parents. Time had done that, but he wasn't sure if he was fully over it. If something like that anyone ever got fully over. Or did they just learn to move on, and learn to deal with the pain. Chris picked up his coffee cup, and held it in his hands, as he listened to A.J. talk about video games. ”You could try to kick my ass,” Chris teased lightly. Try and fail, he thought, smirking.

”Yeah, you could definitely say that,” he replied glancing down at the cup in his hands before looking back up at Ashley. “Everyone's been really nice so far and work is a lot more laid back here than the E.R. I worked in before this,” he said and then frowned slightly as it dawned on him. He was supposed to be working.”Shit!” he said as he glanced at his watch and saw how long he'd been gone from the nurses station. A lot longer than he was supposed to be. Chris hopped down from the table and turned toward A.J saying, I'm working right now....or supposed to be. I had just been going to get some more coffee from the teacher's lounge. I need to get back...umm...to the nurse's station. But you could join me... we could hang out...if you want?” That had come out so awkwardly, and he was sure he had sounded so stupid, why he'd gotten tongue tied around Ashley, he didn't know.

[Ashley Jarred West]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=style, width: 500px; height: 600px; padding: 0px; background: #ffffff;,true][cs=1]	[atrb=width,200] For a first effort this, Feels kinda last ditch. I guess this just Got kinda drastic. Trust us you just fell off the bus, baby. I can't let this, I can't let this, I can't let this go. I can't let this, I can't let this go. Desperate measures. I can't let this, I can't let this go. When I got you right where I want you, I been pushing for this for so long. Kiss me, just once, for luck, These are desperate measures now. I can't let this, I can't let this go. Have a piece of American dream. Open up, and swallow, on your knees, and say "Thank you, I'd like some desperate measures, please". For a first effort this, Feels kinda last ditch. I guess this just Got kinda drastic. Trust us, you just fell off the bus, suckers. Yeah, well, payback is a mother fucker.
[atrb=width,300][cs=1]	[atrb=width,200] tagged: chris words: 0737 outfit: here notes: idek. hi?
[cs=2][atrb=width,500] A.J. was rather glad that he and Chris did not know each other as well anymore for one reason. It seemed that the other man did not realize that the level of his fidgeting that evening was due to internal stress and confused, negative emotions. A.J. was never good at handling those, and he did not like to talk about them. He was more for ignoring the problem until it went away. That was his coping method. It might not have been the healthiest thing ever, but that was not one of his top priorities. He was more worried about being able to help other people. His dad was not like that, and sometimes A.J. wondered if his mother was. Then again, she had abandoned them when he was a baby so it was highly likely that answer was 'yes'. A.J. could never do something like that, though. If he had a kid, he would be there for the kid because he knew how much it sucked to be abandoned like that. It just fueled into the abandonment issues he denied that he had. "Yeah," replied A.J. with a soft laugh and a smile, nodding as he reached up to run a hand through his hair, mussing it up a bit more. "I mean, you always seemed to help people before, even if it was unintentional. Dad always thought you and your sister were likely to get into medicine or police work." He shrugged a little with another smile. A.J. scoffed as Chris told him that he could try to win and he lightly hit Chris' shoulder as he passed to shut his laptop and gather his notebooks and pencils. "There's no try, I can totally do it. I've gotten better than you remember." Of course, not that Ashley would admit it, part of the problem with playing with Chris was that he was often distracted by the other boy; but, that was in the past and not something that would be an issue then. A.J. didn't think, anyway. He laughed softly with a smile at the slightly awkward way Chris had asked him to go with and nodded. "Yeah, sure, just lemme leave a note for the librarian that I'm jacking a few of the books." A.J. smiled at Chris once again before scribbling out a note to leave on her desk, and then he put all of his things back into the backpack he had brought. "C'mon, let's go." A.J. smiled as they headed for the door, and waited for Chris to exit the room before he turned out the lights, shut and locked the door behind him with the key he was given. A.J. still had to actually write the paper that was due, but he had until the next day to do it; and, he had a feeling he was not going to be sleeping much, if at all, that night. He tapped his finger on his leg as they walked, wishing he had a pen to click or something, and he said, "Y'know, 've never actually been to the medical part of the building yet. I generally stick to the library or classrooms, or a couple offices." A.J. did not get an office himself, since he was just an intern and student teacher; but, he had made friends with a couple of the actual teachers and spent time in their offices talking with them. "Have you met Ric or Eli yet? They're pretty hilarious. And Mi-- Nykki is awesome, too." A.J. stopped himself from calling his mentor "Miss Perretta" or "Miss Nykhole" as he was inclined to because of what he had been taught of respect of one's superiors and all that. She was really nice, though, and A.J. was glad to be working with her. A.J. did not know many of the other staff members, yet; but, he got to babysit for Elijah every once in a while and that was always cool. Evangeline was a little sweetheart that had everyone eating out of the palm of her hand in no time. Sometimes it made him wish that he'd had a younger sibling growing up, but that was never in the cards for his family, no matter how much he might wish his dad would move on.

TEMPLATE BY ROYALSTANDARD OF ETS AND CAUTION

[Christopher Matthew Evans]

”Yeah, okay,” he said with slight amusement in his voice as he smiled at A.J. Oh, he'd get Ashley for the slight punch, that he was sure of, just not right this second He wanted to be stealth about it, get him when he was not expecting it. But, they hadn't talked in so long, hadn't bantered, maybe A.J. wouldn't be expecting it at all. They were not teenagers anymore. He rolled his eyes when A.J. was bus writing the note for the librarian. It hadn't come out like he'd thought, but it wasn't that funny. He followed A.J. out the door. Unfortunately, now he'd have to do without the coffee he had intended to get. He'd already been gone from the nurses station probably far longer than he should have been. Chris could only hope no one had come looking for him, or needing medical attention. Walking next to Ashley, he raised a hand smacking the younger man lightly on the back of his head, then Chris' hand dropped to his side. His eyebrows rose as he looked at A.J. as if to say, you know what that was for. A slight smirk appeared on his lips as he did so. Man, he had missed the fun banter they had had. After A.J. spoke Chris replied, ”No, I haven't met them. I know Salizar Snighrig, the doctor I work with, and a few of the patients I see on a more regular basis, but I haven't really haven't met a lot of the other staff. I usually just stick to the medical wing.” His lips twitched in a small smirk before he continued, ”Speaking of the medical wing, if say a student comes in all bloody from something, you're not going to faint at the sight of blood are you?” So, he was somewhat teasing A.J, and somewhat serious. Being in the medical wing he did have to expect blood as a possibility, usually very likely, when someone came in needing his help. Chris didn't want to suddenly find himself with two patients, because Ashley had fallen to the floor. Though, if it happened, after he'd made sure A.J. was okay it would be really funny.

It didn't take too long for them to reach the nurses station, and when they did Chris' eyes glanced around. No one seemed to be waiting, and nothing seemed out of place, which was a relief. He went around to the other side of the desk, set down the cup he'd been carrying, and grabbed a chair for A.J. Sitting down in his chair, he straightened up the pile of papers he'd been working on. This felt good, right. Talking with A.J., joking around with him like Chris would have when they'd been younger. It was a side not everyone got to see of Chris. He certainly was not sarcastic with his patients, he was professional. Chris tapped his fingers lightly on the desk. He was at a loss for words. Not that he was ever the most talkative person, but here, with A.J. there were so many things he did not want to talk about.

[Ashley Jarred West]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=style, width: 500px; height: 600px; padding: 0px; background: #ffffff;,true][cs=1]	[atrb=width,200] For a first effort this, Feels kinda last ditch. I guess this just Got kinda drastic. Trust us you just fell off the bus, baby. I can't let this, I can't let this, I can't let this go. I can't let this, I can't let this go. Desperate measures. I can't let this, I can't let this go. When I got you right where I want you, I been pushing for this for so long. Kiss me, just once, for luck, These are desperate measures now. I can't let this, I can't let this go. Have a piece of American dream. Open up, and swallow, on your knees, and say "Thank you, I'd like some desperate measures, please". For a first effort this, Feels kinda last ditch. I guess this just Got kinda drastic. Trust us, you just fell off the bus, suckers. Yeah, well, payback is a mother fucker.
[atrb=width,300][cs=1]	[atrb=width,200] tagged: chris words: 0931 outfit: here notes: idek. hi?
[cs=2][atrb=width,500] When Chris knocked him upside the head, A.J. did a small flail and he almost asked what that was for, but stopped as he narrowed his eyes a little in response. "Jerk," he replied with an easiness and fondness that had not been uncommon when he used the same term of endearment throughout the years that they had known one another. It felt weird, though. Well, it felt weird saying it, almost as though the word was heavy on his tongue or something. A smile pulled on his lips, though, as he watched his feet a bit more than the path in front of them, making sure that he was not going to trip over anything (his own two feet included). There were a lot of things that Ashley wanted to talk about, and none of them involved their co-workers. However, that was a good, safe, neutral territory; and, A.J. was rather fond of those and the avoiding the issues process it included. His dad and his best friend (who he suddenly yearned for and had not seen since he had moved out of their shared apartment to come to Summersville) were two of the people who knew when he was doing that, talking around something that was bothering him. They were also quite fond of physically grabbing his wrists to make him stop fidgeting and talk to them whenever things go to that point. The assholes. "Oh? I'm surprised you've not met Nykki or Ric, then," A.J. replied with a soft laugh, reaching up to run a hand through his hair while looking over at Chris. "Nyk's the lab technitian on top of the whole teaching and counseling thing. And I'm pretty sure Ric has a thing with Salizar. Though, maybe that was just Nykki talking about wanting to get them together. I can't keep up." He had never been big on keeping up with other peoples' personal lives. Unless it was his best friend. He knew every single one of her dates, failed experiments, and everything. There were no secrets between them (which sometimes caused A.J. permanent damaged because he did not need details on her monthly issue, okay?). "Huh?" A.J. questioned at Chris' inquiry, realizing he had not fully heard what the other man had said. When it clicked, Ashley laughed and shook his head with a grin. "Nah, I'm a big boy. I can handle things like that." When A.J. was younger, blood would have made him a bit more squeemish, but he had spent too much time in a hospital over the previous few years to let it bother him too much. Between visiting some kids stuck in the terminal ward, and his dad's heart attack about a year ago (which A.J. almost wanted to toss into Chris' face about him not knowing), he'd grown immune to the negativity that hospitals brought. Okay, no; he still hated hospitals, but the blood was a non-issue. Ashley took the seat that Chris had pulled aside for him, placing his bag on the floor carefully so that he did not damage his laptop (which had been free; yay, scholarships). He bit his lower lip to stop himself from going on about the things at the forefront of his mind, things he was not ready to bring up, bouncing his knees while idly toying with something on the desk. "So, s'your sister here, too? Or is it just you?" He was not sure he could handle seeing the both of them without just snapping. It would not be pretty and he actually wanted to avoid that much like he was doing the fact that he wanted nothing more than to punch Chris in the face at least once. "Y'know, we never did get back at you for destroying our masterful prank that one time. Jerk." He had been known for pulling a lot of pranks with Chris' sister, but their best one (in A.J.'s opinion) had never been put to action because Chris figured it out and ratted on them. They had groaned and complained and A.J. had denied sharing his cookies for an entire couple of days (he could not hold out that long), which was a big deal because his cookies were awesome. After a moment of toying with whatever it was that he had grabbed off the desk, he had not cared enough to really look, he set it back down and flashed a grin at Chris. "Hey, I think I'mma go grab us each a coffee because caffeine sounds amazing right now." Not that A.J. needed a greater stimulus, but it would give him something else to do with his hands temporarily. "What do you take in yours?" A.J. bounced his knee idly as he waited for Chris to answer, and once the other man did, he smiled and stood up. "Great. Back in a flash." A.J. smiled once again before he left the room as quickly as he could without actually appearing to be rushing. It (hopefully) just looked like he was full of energy like usual. A.J. let out a heavy breath once he was alone, though, and wondered how long it would take him to finally crack and just tell Chris what was bothering him. If Chris was anyone else, A.J. would not worry about spilling; but, Christopher had always been, and was likely to always be, someone more important than most of his friends.

TEMPLATE BY ROYALSTANDARD OF ETS AND CAUTION

[Christopher Matthew Evans]

A smile crept onto his lips when Ashley responded to his head slap. Some things never changed. ”Oh,” said Chris as he tried to wrap his mind around he fact that someone could actually manage to be a teacher, counselor, and a lab technician. That took a lot of time, and a lot of work. Just, wow. As for Salizar, the man was his boss for all intent and purposes. What he did or did not do on his personal time, was just that, his personal time and Chris was not going to stick his nose in it. If Salizar shared something with him, fine. But, Chris was not going to go asking the man personal details like that, it was none of his business. And Chris had never been a fan of gossip, tending to just ignore it.

While they sat at the desk, Chris really noticed A.J's fidgeting. It had been years since they had seen each other, but this seemed more than just A.J.'s usual hyperactivity that Chris remembered. More than just his ADHD. Maybe nerves or stress? Not that Chris was in any position to call him out on it. He was nervous and stressed himself. Was he happy to see A.J. after all these years? Yes, absolutely. But, their was also the guilt he kept hidden inside. There were things he needed to tell Ashley, that Ashley deserved to know, but he couldn't bring himself to say them to the younger man. How would he ever start that conversation, he wasn't sure. It wasn't something that just easily rolled off the tongue. So, he stayed quiet, reaching onto the desk, and grabbing a pen to click. Because that was so much better than talking.

He looked from his hand that was holding the pen, to A.J, realizing he'd been asked a question. ”She's here, in Summersville, working at the school too. We're actually sharing an apartment together. She'll be happy to know you're here,” he said after clearing his throat. He'd have to tell her he saw A.J. when he got home, though he dreaded the questions that he knew would follow. Chances are she'd be nosy, and want to know the details of their conversation. Only to be followed by comments about Chris needing to open up to A,J. And tell him why he did not stay in contact. ”I forgot all about that,” he said remembering that prank, or rather their attempt to do that prank. A.J. And his sister had gotten in to a lot of shenanigans when they'd all been younger. It wasn't his fault Chris had been the only mature one of the group. Still, for all the shit they caused, he still cared a lot for them both. He and his sister had gotten even closer after their parents' death. Chris didn't know where he would be without her. ”Yeah, coffee sounds amazing,” he said before continuing, ”Black is fine. Thanks.” When A.J. had left Chris stared at the work he'd been trying to get done earlier. He resumed clicking the pen while he waited, having a feeling he wouldn't be able to concentrate well the rest of the night. Not with Ashley around.