|| just saw some random dude at the gas station (empty gas station. No cars) just walking around and laughing in joker makeup... Should I be concerned?

|| Dysphoria is so weird sometimes. Like I'm trying to buy myself dishes and my dysphoria is like: IT'S TOO FEMININE.

But it's a plate???? What do you mean it's too feminine—

-- anything quite like it. We're probably from very different timelines."

Joel shrugged. "Rules are made to be broken," he said casually, licking some of the jalapeno favoring from his ring finger.

His eyes flicked towards the little bot that apparently had a mind of its own. "Is your gear all from your era?" Joel asked curiously. "I don't know if I've seen --

|| It's been a really hard, really shitty year... but I think things are finally starting to look up for me.~

Joel didn't show it, but he was actually kind of touched that Raz was being open-minded with him. Joel knew him enough that it was a sign that he trusted him.

"I'm from the year 2046," Joel told him, his tone unwavering.

Joel had thought he was, but for a moment, Joel had thought he saw something else in his eyes. Something that excited him. "Don't worry," he said as his lips curved up at the corner. "I won't make that mistake with you again."

When Raz had mentioned that Joel should be ready for people to walk away, there was another momentary shift in his eyes. Another nerve struck. Still, Joel hid his discomfort with the same easy smile.

Joel looked a little taken aback by Raz's implication that he wasn't fragile. Not that --

|| Sorry for my lack of activity. Been super busy recently. (I'm moving!!)

you showed me a song, and i haven't stopped listening to it.

-- variety of food available, filling every cabinet, arranged on the counter tops. Some of the food was labeled with people's names.

Joel plucked a bag of jalapeno chips from the counter with a sticky note that said 'Wally's, do not touch'... and promptly opened it and helped himself.

Joel snorted, re-starting his stride as he led the woman down the halls that were as familiar to Joel as the back of his hand.

"Well, it really depends on what sort of teenagers. Atlanteans might be more partial to seaweed snacks."

They entered the kitchen. As promised, there was a --

Joel folded his hands in his lap. His eyes were on Raz, steady. The dark brown in them was brought out by his even darker lashes.

"... It actually wasn't a joke," Joel told him. "I'm actually from the future."

-- really means that much to you, I won’t drag you places you don’t want to go to." His lips twitched, looking a little amused.

Joel looked thoughtful again. "Okay. I think I've got it now... I will continue to challenge people, though. Because I want people to challenge me." Joel leaned back in his seat, plucking his glass off the bar and taking a sip, then keeping it in his hand instead of putting it back. "But if it --

you cannot make everyone think and feel as deeply as you do. this is your tragedy， because you understand them but they do not understand you.

|| Thank you love.~

|| me just trying to LIVE PEACEFULLY. And then life be like: 💁

|| I am now convinced I'm someone's OC, because I keep getting more and more trauma and crazy drama thrown my way. 😵‍💫 IT NEVER ENDS

|| she just wants frands

And I've been hurting myself to keep you from leaving

You’ll be your own demise if you keep this up, it isn’t healthy

show me the most damaged parts of your soul and i’ll show you how they still shine like gold

... You didn't have anything to do with this, did you?

... I seem to have misplaced my shirt.

|| I know I owe replies here. Having some mental and physical health issues and it's been slowing me down.

Thank you for your patience. 🙏

Also rude. Maybe they deserve each other.

Oh, absolutely not. It's possibly the worst singing you've ever heard.

Well that's rude.

Joel's lips curled up at the corner. "It's a tower full of teenagers. What do you think?"

He stood up, sliding his hands into the pockets of his jacket and starting towards the door. "Let's go." He paused, looking towards her over his shoulder. "Unless you need me to carry you to the kitchen."

... Probably 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥—