Don&#x27;t Touch Me

@embry-westhaven

Yeah, I hardly recognize anyone. And the people I do recognize all look so different. Time flies for everyone, it seems. And it's super cool that you're traveling and stuff, I've been in Washington this whole time.

[He falls into silence for a beat, thinking, then says:]

Do you wanna meet me by the lake tonight? 9? We can catch up like we used to. It'll be nice.

[If one were to summarise Radio and Embry's blossomed summer romance, it would have been 9pm by the lake. Their time and place. When the kids had gone to bed and all was still. They could just sit and talk with the gentle lapping of water and the sun setting over the truffula trees.]

[Radio can't help but smile just thinking back on those times. Still, he tried to squash down too much hope that this was Embry wanting to rekindle anything of the sort. After all, it had been years since they last spoke and they had both moved on with their lives since then. This was just a friendly catch-up. No romo.]

Yeah… I'd like that.

[Oh thank God. If Radio had said no, Embry would have quit on the spot. His sensitivity to rejection can hit him harder than a bus at rush hour. He exhales slowly and nods with a smile.]

Cool. I’ll-I’ll see you there.

[Stuttering? Idiot! Why is he so nervous? He’s been with tons of boys since he last saw this guy. Even dated a few of them. But his brief relationship with Radio was such a different experience, something so tender and warm that Embry hasn’t found anywhere else. He didn’t know how much he missed that feeling until just now.]

I, uh, I gotta run, but—I’ll be at the lake at 9.

#radio #rp

@embry-westhaven

[He looks great? Embry has been looking healthier these days, significantly more than when Radio last saw him. He rubs at his bicep, feeling over the new muscle, then raises his eyes with the ghost of a smile.]

Thanks. Uh, I'm good. Doing a lot better these days. Went to college, dropped out of college... Went to rehab, graduated rehab... Um—

[Oversharing is a fatal flaw of his. His attention flickers away for a hot second out of embarrassment.]

You're looking—Did you get taller? Your hair sure got long, too.

[College? Rehab? Embry sure had been doing a lot better! Radio hadn't been up to anything nearly as exciting and life-changing…]

[And then Embry is talking about him. With a light laugh, Radio subconsciously runs a hand through his hair.]

Well, I don't know about taller, but I'll admit I'm a bit overdue for a haircut. I've been doing some travelling of late, so I guess I've just… Let it grow. [He shrugs.] But, hey. I'm glad you're doing well. It really is good to see you again -- There's, uh, so many new names and faces around this year. At least I'll be able to remember one. Heh…

Yeah, I hardly recognize anyone. And the people I do recognize all look so different. Time flies for everyone, it seems. And it's super cool that you're traveling and stuff, I've been in Washington this whole time.

[He falls into silence for a beat, thinking, then says:]

Do you wanna meet me by the lake tonight? 9? We can catch up like we used to. It'll be nice.

#radio #rp

[As it wasn’t clear what purpose the false indigos he found might serve, Mort tears a few off with his middle and index fingers. On his chest were several wildflowers, which he kept from falling with his left arm. Being curious had led the boy to not add the non-scented flowers with the rest, so he held it up and observed it… as he did with every flower he found.] … [after giving these indigo-coloured flowers a look, he could just put them by his pillow, they don’t give off any sort of floral smell but it would look.. nice.]

[Keeping his hand on the flowers, he heard a voice calling out to him. That didn’t startle him until a second later.] … [He secretly had hoped that it was pointed towards another kid that was somehow nearby. Leaning a little more forward, and looking more interested in the flowers by his chest, Mort stays quiet for a moment. He thinks that they would come over anyway.]

[What, is this kid hard of hearing? Embry has a distinct voice, very scratchy from damaged vocal cords. Difficult to ignore. He sighs as he approaches, already dreading his obligations as a part of the staff. He’s not great with children.]

[He stops a few paces away and watches Mort pick through the flowers.]

Hey. What are you doing so far from camp? [A pause as he observes.] … Are you foraging for flowers?

[A slightly uncomfortable feeling begins to linger, his left fingers feeling the petals slowly as he crouches down to pick some more false indigos with his right.] ..yeah. [Mort had only heard the second question, so he replied with a small voice as he wrapped his fingers around the flower by its stem. There wasn’t an actual need to get more of these, but for the sake of seeming occupied he tears it and adds to the bunch.]

[This is so awkward. Embry doesn’t often interact with teenagers and has no idea how to approach them. He rubs at his neck and grimaces, wracking his brain for what to say.]

Uh… [He remembers the cool rocks and animal teeth in his pockets and decides it’s a good icebreaker. After all, he, too, was foraging.]

Me too. What are you looking for? I know a little bit about plants. Well, more about mushrooms.

[Facing down a little more, he narrows his eyes slightly. Now feeling a little curious about the next near him.] …. [He takes a moment to stand up, adjusting his hold on the wild arrangements in his arms a bit, but not even turning to the fellow speaking to him.]

….I- [now, how should he word this? Maybe a little formal?] ..I’m just gathering some flowers to bring back. …That’s all. I’ve found what I need already so.. [He speaks with a slightly nervous tone. hunched a little and looking down at the flowers like he did before.]

[Embry frowns. Did he come off too aggressive? That's a recurring issue for him, and he's terrible at damage control.]

Hey, uh, you're not in trouble or anything. You don't have to be so, uh... Like, you didn't do anything wrong. [He scratches his scalp.] ... If you're done out here, can I escort you back to camp or something? It's dangerous to be out here alone.

#rp #mort

[As it wasn’t clear what purpose the false indigos he found might serve, Mort tears a few off with his middle and index fingers. On his chest were several wildflowers, which he kept from falling with his left arm. Being curious had led the boy to not add the non-scented flowers with the rest, so he held it up and observed it… as he did with every flower he found.] … [after giving these indigo-coloured flowers a look, he could just put them by his pillow, they don’t give off any sort of floral smell but it would look.. nice.]

[Keeping his hand on the flowers, he heard a voice calling out to him. That didn’t startle him until a second later.] … [He secretly had hoped that it was pointed towards another kid that was somehow nearby. Leaning a little more forward, and looking more interested in the flowers by his chest, Mort stays quiet for a moment. He thinks that they would come over anyway.]

[What, is this kid hard of hearing? Embry has a distinct voice, very scratchy from damaged vocal cords. Difficult to ignore. He sighs as he approaches, already dreading his obligations as a part of the staff. He’s not great with children.]

[He stops a few paces away and watches Mort pick through the flowers.]

Hey. What are you doing so far from camp? [A pause as he observes.] … Are you foraging for flowers?

[A slightly uncomfortable feeling begins to linger, his left fingers feeling the petals slowly as he crouches down to pick some more false indigos with his right.] ..yeah. [Mort had only heard the second question, so he replied with a small voice as he wrapped his fingers around the flower by its stem. There wasn’t an actual need to get more of these, but for the sake of seeming occupied he tears it and adds to the bunch.]

[This is so awkward. Embry doesn't often interact with teenagers and has no idea how to approach them. He rubs at his neck and grimaces, wracking his brain for what to say.]

Uh... [He remembers the cool rocks and animal teeth in his pockets and decides it's a good icebreaker. After all, he, too, was foraging.]

Me too. What are you looking for? I know a little bit about plants. Well, more about mushrooms.

[As it wasn’t clear what purpose the false indigos he found might serve, Mort tears a few off with his middle and index fingers. On his chest were several wildflowers, which he kept from falling with his left arm. Being curious had led the boy to not add the non-scented flowers with the rest, so he held it up and observed it… as he did with every flower he found.] … [after giving these indigo-coloured flowers a look, he could just put them by his pillow, they don’t give off any sort of floral smell but it would look.. nice.]

[Keeping his hand on the flowers, he heard a voice calling out to him. That didn’t startle him until a second later.] … [He secretly had hoped that it was pointed towards another kid that was somehow nearby. Leaning a little more forward, and looking more interested in the flowers by his chest, Mort stays quiet for a moment. He thinks that they would come over anyway.]

[What, is this kid hard of hearing? Embry has a distinct voice, very scratchy from damaged vocal cords. Difficult to ignore. He sighs as he approaches, already dreading his obligations as a part of the staff. He's not great with children.]

[He stops a few paces away and watches Mort pick through the flowers.]

Hey. What are you doing so far from camp? [A pause as he observes.] ... Are you foraging for flowers?

#mort #rp

@counselorradio

Oh, y'know been here and there, but I'm well. Hah! You're-- great!

[Okay Radio, calm down. The guy's only just spoken to you again for the first time in years.]

[Clearing his throat, he tries again.]

I-I mean you look great. It's great to see you. Everything's great.

[Heck. No. That's not working. Still, he's grinning through the pain as he practically squeaks out:]

How are you?

[He looks great? Embry has been looking healthier these days, significantly more than when Radio last saw him. He rubs at his bicep, feeling over the new muscle, then raises his eyes with the ghost of a smile.]

Thanks. Uh, I'm good. Doing a lot better these days. Went to college, dropped out of college... Went to rehab, graduated rehab... Um—

[Oversharing is a fatal flaw of his. His attention flickers away for a hot second out of embarrassment.]

You're looking—Did you get taller? Your hair sure got long, too.

#radio #rp #closed

@embry-westhaven

[Embry, having stopped a few paces away to look around, hears his name through his music, and he freezes. That warm voice is unmistakable, it cuts through all else. It’s familiar, it’s nostalgic, it’s perfect—]

[He glances over his shoulder, and there’s Radio, tall and handsome as ever. Memories flood back: A summer together, meet-ups by the lake, kisses out of sight. Their summer romance was short-lived, a magnificent fling they shared that holds a special place in Embry’s heart. But it’s just that. A memory.]

[He removes his Airpods, looking starstruck. What does he say?]

Radio?

[Radio can't believe his eyes as he stand there, dumbfounded. Embry Westhaven. Weehawken 2016. That sweet summer romance...]

[The one thing that was missing from Radio's Weehawken, this year, had finally arrived.]

[Sliding his headphones off so they sat around his neck, a pleasantly surprised laugh escapes the taller man.]

Embry! [He gives a wave then swiftly jogs on over.] My goodness, I-I didn't think you would be here! Gosh... Look at you.

[Look at him, indeed. It wasn't hard to notice that the scrawny young man had beefed up in that tank top!]

[Why is his heart beating so fast? It’s just Radio. Just a guy he knew for one summer, years ago. They had one fling. But by God was it magical; he dreams about it to this day.]

[Radio’s voice breaks through his thoughts like a knife, and Embry blinks his doe eyes to escape his head.]

It’s a summer gig. Y’know… Needed a quick job and this was available. [He shyly averts his gaze, afraid to be caught staring. Radio is sooo handsome, and Embry is prone to blushing.] How—How are you? What’ve you been up to?

#radio #rp

[Private]

@counselorradio

[Embry watches his father’s car disappear in the trees, homeward bound, leaving him at the gates to Camp Weehawken.]

[Part of him wants to call his father and beg him to come back, but he’s only got one crappy bar on his phone out here in the boonies, and even if he could get through, his dad would just laugh and hang up. Looking after a bunch of kids isn’t Embry’s idea of a relaxing summer, but the idea of getting some fresh air and sailing the lake for a good few weeks does have a certain appeal to it. Dealing with kids is one con against a list of pros, so he’ll take it.]

[Map of the camp in one hand with his phone in the other, he meanders through the cabins, searching for his bunk. Eyes down, Airpods in, not paying attention to where he’s going. He passes various campers and counselors on his way, but keeps a low profile. It was a long car ride, this backpack is heavy, and he’s looking to rest.]

[It had been a rather successful morning by the lake, dare Radio think. No children had drowned and, as far as he could tell, the majority of them had had fun splashing about in the canoes. Usually, he'd be all for getting in on activities with his campers, but to say he was relieved about not having to do this activity was an understatement.]

[It was lunchtime now and therefore, technically, his break for the day. And so, with his headphones plugged into his pocket radio that was now tuned into one of 10 stations, Radio lets out a gentle sigh of relief, heading up to the mess hall.]

[Strolling on by, he passes what appears to be another staff member, someone he doesn't particularly pay attention to.]

[It takes him a good 15 seconds before his brain catches up with him and suddenly he stops in his tracks and slowly turns around to look back at the young man he'd just passed by.]

[Was that...?]

...Embry?