Ian Portberry

The boy who cried wolf, the boy who saw his mistakes, the boy who tried to make things right, the boy who finally changed. 23.

[elodie-walsh]

Her smile softened a bit as he grew serious, but his words made sense. Her own life had been far from easy since leaving, but reminders of home, memories, people, words of care had gotten her through. “Really? I…that’s nice to know, that I helped. No need to thank me, though. I was just being a friend or whatever. I like helping people, being there. But…you’re welcome.” Elodie said faintly, biting her lip in slight contemplation as she eyed him.

[reallyian-blog]

“Well there’s not a lot of people out there in the world so you deserve every appreciation you could get.” He said as a soft smile spread across his lips towards her. Elodie was far more special then the both of them let off. She knew him more than he ever thought she could and because of that  once he took in this moment he knew leaving would be 10 times harder.

[gdigriffin-blog]

Griffin shot the man a half-smile when he heard his words. He could understand them a little too well actually. If he didn’t feel as though he owed to many people around here then he would probably have been gone a long time ago. “Amends huh? So you screwed something up then? Well good luck with it, and good keeping this just a revisit, that’s what I said before I realized I’m going to be stuck here for a long time.”

[reallyian-blog]

Staying here-- it didn’t sound so bad, but he left here for a reason. Life here wasn’t good for him. Things changed and he needed closure, he needed a redemption, but just because he wanted that, didn’t mean he was ready to make Southport his rightful home once again, “Well thanks.. I just gotta keep my eyes on the prize and when I get there remind myself that its time to go.”

[shtbenji-deactivated20160623]

“Absolutely not. The whole town decided that now would be the best time to take a stroll down memory lane.”

[reallyian-blog]

“You must mean horrible lane were I was the bad guy for my whole high school career”

[lizziebtw-blog]

She raised her eyebrows, crossing her arms over her chest before biting her bottom lip. Not sure about her feelings for the place she grew up in anymore, she didn’t let a single word slip out. Too many thoughts turning around her mind and the brunette just brushed it off with a soft shake of her head so as to clear her mind. “That’s good for you, I suppose. Wish I was ready like you are, but unfortunately I’m not.”

[reallyian-blog]

His face softened at the tone she led on. He didn’t want to reach out too much--maybe it wasn’t as big as it felt, but he knew he just had to say something in attempts to make the journey feel a little bit better. No one was ready and if they were then they must have been crazy, “Well. Time heals all right? Maybe time is just working its way on you.”

[elodie-walsh]

“Adore me, huh? Relax Ian, just a coffee.” She said with a laugh, despite the way his words made her smile. “Saint Elodie, sounds about right. You and the others did all the rebelling. i stayed home and studied. Or skated.” It sometimes saddened her how much she missed by joining home schooling so soon, but she didn’t regret putting her career first. Only the things she missed because of it. El watched in amusement as he corrected himself, seemingly trying to remain he better person he claimed to be. “You were…vaguely attractive i’ll admit. And yes, could be. I…really?” His words caught her off guard, and she turned her face fully to face him, eyes widening a bit. “I just thought I was background noise to be honest. But if I made things ‘easier’ or whatever..glad to have helped.” Her confidence had grown tenfold since high school, but things like that still made her seem so very small and fragile again.

[reallyian-blog]

Ian eased up completely as he took in all her words, but the last of it all hit him the most. He stared at her, sudden serious stare as he nodded, “Yeah.. believe me, It wasn't just noise.. if anything it was the only thing lingering in the back of my mind when I left.. all the things you said. Gotta admit, I’m sure we all had bad days and sometimes you gotta thank the little things for getting you through.. so even though there’s just one more hill to go over.. thank you. I really... really appreciated it.”

[elodie-walsh]

The gentle way he asked her to join him caught her by surprise, the man in front of her clearly changed. Nodding with a soft smile, she fell into step beside him. “Fine, i’ll buy you coffee. But only because you look like you’re about to pass out.” At the mention of powers she snorted, but schooled her face. “Oh yes of course, he being your brother had nothing to do with it at all, right? Well..I hope you like it, then? Because it could be nice, having you around again.”

[reallyian-blog]

“Well this is where I proclaim I adore you ‘cause Coffee sounds like the perfect one right about now and you’re a saint for conjoining that relationship.” Laughs led his steps as he kept his orbs matched with hers, “He’s my step br--” He had to stop. No more labeling what he couldn’t adjust to.. returning was about adjusting, changing his corrupted mindset of his past. “The simple fact that he’s my brother is why he’s getting all the ladies. I mean you have to admit, I was a stud in high school.. had to teach him the tricks.. telepathically” Her words lead him to soften his look as his smile became way to wide, “It could be nice, huh? Well.. after this conversation I could get use to being around again.. you.. you know you’ve always made things easier to get use to and that’s always been a big problem of mine.”

[elodie-walsh]

She laughed, the sound light in the air as she let it tumble past her lips. “I would have payed money to see you in sunrise salutations. I always hated it to be honest. Not enough movement.” El admitted with a shrug. “Yeah, plus he and Sophie have some weird on/off flirt thing I’m trying to figure out. It’s amusing to say the least. Right? You just missed the storm. We got a free vacation which was nice, but it’s better to be back in my own bed in my opinion.”

[reallyian-blog]

“Well you could pay me now” Laughing as he stretched his hand out to her. “Or you could just buy me a coffee cause believe it or not, I’m bloody tired.” He lessened the distance between them seeing as it looked more formal than anything. “Walk with me?” Ian asked softly as he quirked his smile down at her and took a lingering step after another, “I always knew there was something.. but..my lips are sealed. Can’t help that I have these all-knowing powers. seriously? I guess I can’t say much. Haven’t been home yet.”

[elodie-walsh]

She laughed, nodding as she glanced him over. “You’re right about that. You seem much more…zen. Did you find yoga or something? And well..you weren’t that bad. Not to me at least. But it’s a nice change, either way.” El told him as she shifted her bag on her shoulder. “I ran into Xav in New York actually. Funny how everyone from high school decided to visit all at once. Well, move back in my case.”

[reallyian-blog]

“Well haven’t you heard? Only the hottest people in LA get into yoga, so of course I had to make myself prevalent” He teased once more, laughing some before nipping his tooth to his bottom lip. “Yeah.. well Xav was probably destined to be the most tender one to run into anyways so that’s just your luck.” His smile resurfaced as he continued to speak, “It’s weird if you ask me.. like some Godly reunion that we were all subconsciously got invited to.”

[elodie-walsh]

She eyed him with nothing but pure curiosity. She hadn’t expected to see him of all people back in town, assuming he’d ran when he could and never looked back. But people changed, half the town were no longer like they used to be. Elodie smiled despite the wonder, nodding softly. “Yeah, you too Ian…i’m surprised to see you, to be honest. But the nice kind of surprise. You’ve been okay?”

[reallyian-blog]

“Everyone’s surprised to me.” He decided to joke as he so often did, before bringing his tone to a more serious one. “I’ve been good.. I mean life’s been better, but I think it’s safe to say that i’m in a way better place. I mean look at me. I’m finally civilized. Someone had to calm me down.” He laughed loudly, “The old me would have junk thrown all around me just to prove the jerk is back”

[elodie-walsh]

Elodie wrapped her sweater tighter around her frame, anxious to just get back home and out of sight. A  voice stopped her though, and she turned. “I-ian?” El asked softly, confused by the sight before her. “You’re here…”

[reallyian-blog]

Memory central. He wasn’t ready for it, but he had to be. When he heard the voice and matched the face of Elodie, his body froze. Maybe he should just turn back-- maybe he shouldn’t have even thought of his wild idea to reclaim a better name. Things may have happened where he was inhabiting the land, but why on earth did he think that coming to Southport would somehow end the transitional phase of his chapter. Ian gulped as a precious and gentle smile escalated its way to his lips, “Wow.. Elodie. L-Look at you. It’s great to see you and What can I say.. I’m here.. I’m back”

[jaceyrxe-deactivated20160423]

She waved slightly, feeling a bit awkward now. She could barely tell that he was a bit nervous or uncomfortable. She shifted her weight and tightened her grip on the leashes she was holding. “It’s nice to see you too. How have you been? Better I hope.”

[reallyian-blog]

“I’m good..?” He said more as a question than anything, finding himself quickly forcing the words out of his mouth to pose more confident. A clear of throat was his hope of masking the awkward reality of his thoughts of returning, even seeing her again. “I’m good-- I’m really good. Los Angeles was amazing, but I had to return. Things came up. How about you?? How’s how everything, Jacey??” There was true concern in his voice, he did care. Despite any way he was or they were. He always cared about the ones he knew. 

[fck-xavier]

He raised a brow at the tone of his younger ‘brother’s voice. Xav always considered them to be family, but knew Ian had his own views. He paused, but nodded. “Fair enough….good to see you too, man. Really.”

[reallyian-blog]

“So how are you? And how are things?” This-- this dynamic created by the bond of marriage was half of the reason why Ian left in the beginning. He wasn’t ready for a new family.. He wasn’t ready for the memory of his mother to be masked with another.. and most importantly through all of this He wasn’t mature enough to grasp the concepts of lucky he could be having a chance to have a family again. But he changed-- he proved to himself that he changed and he had to prove to everyone else that he did as well.. “I’m actually excited to see mom and dad again..”

[gdigriffin-blog]

Griffin wasn’t doing anything special at the bus station, he never did when he sat there. Just thought about leaving, wanting to give into his instinct run from things even if just a town and memories. He sat here because it was comforting knowing there was a way for him to just… get out of here. Funnily enough the man stepping of the bus, now next to him had the opposite idea. “You better be careful, it’s easy to jinx things here.”

[reallyian-blog]

Ian looked over at the voice and heard something that made him laugh a bit. He adjusted into a more comfortable position as he looked down at the man who seemed to contemplate the very thoughts that hovered Ian’s mind time and time again.. Southport and wat worth was returning in the first place. “believe me.. I know, but I owe it to a lot of people to make a mends in unfinished business.. Southport is just a revisiting ground”

[shtbenji-deactivated20160623]

Parker smiled, nodding his head at the man’s comment. “Seems like it. It’s like a big high school reunion, which is semi unfortunate.”

[reallyian-blog]

“Do you mean to say that I’m not the only one who resurfaced from the outside world.. Well talk about semi unfortunate” He retorted back. Old faces meant old memories. Of course he came back to reclaim new reputation, but Ian never truly understood the capacity of his desires and how madly they took a toll on his nerves.

[gdigwen-deactivated20150526]

She blushed a bit and walked. “Well, I just got back a few days ago and I’ve been so busy unpacking and then I got a dog, I keep forgetting to get a car. I do have friends though, I have an ex-boyfriend but I prefer not to speak about him.”  She replied with a slight laugh. “What about you? Any friends, girlfriends?”

[reallyian-blog]

“Let’s just say the last five years of not being here was solely meant to forget all of that” He joked a bit, bringing another chuckle up his throat. “But you know what. Maybe I should give you my number. Your personal dog food holder. It’d help you out...” Without hesitation he mumbled under his breath, “It should help my procrastination”

[lizziebtw-blog]

She doubted that the place had changed, had a feeling that nothing had changed, but everything had. It was not the place the girl had taken for granted anymore. As though they had all grown up in a different area. “Mhm, yes. I came book a few days ago, actually. It’s quite difficult to get used to everything.” The brunette muttered with a soft shrug.

[reallyian-blog]

He shined a light smile her way as he licked a trail at the bottom of his lip, nibbling his tooth against his tender skin. Alas, he wasn’t the only one who was new and still so very old to Southport. The confusion of excitement and bitterness rumbled in the pits of his stomach like a child getting on a rollercoaster. And yet, all Ian could do was take her word for it. “Well I think I’m ready for the adjustment.”

[wutclarence-blog]

“How philosophical of you. I wish you the best of luck, sometimes I think Southport might not be the best place to return to if you want to reinvent yourself but I suppose you may well prove me wrong.”

[reallyian-blog]

“Well that’s exactly the point. I don’t have to reinvent myself here.. I already did. I’m just here to show the ones I loved that I’m alright and I am different.. after I prove my point I’m leaving. Southport was never cut out for me.. maybe my family, but never me”