Chelsea Chelsea slowly opened his eyes, grogginess clinging to his mind. The soft morning light streaming through the window highlighted the gentle contours of Arc's living room. He sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes, and that's when he saw him.Arc stood by the kitchen counter, sipping his coffee, his gaze lost in the window's vista. The morning light danced across his features, accentuating the stark asymmetry of his face. The right side, with its sunken eye and twisted contours, seemed to pull his entire visage into a perpetual scowl.Yet, as Chelsea's gaze lingered, the sun's rays caught the dark strands of Arc's wispy hair, casting a warm glow that softened the jarring lines. His tall, broad, lanky frame appeared almost majestic, like a weathered statue reclaimed by nature. The contrast between Arc's rough, imperfect exterior and the gentle morning light was captivating. Chelsea's heart skipped a beat as memories of last night flooded back
ArcArc didn't understand, but his irritation simmered, threatening to boil over and unleash hell on anyone in his path. As he bent to muck out the pigpen, a gruff voice growled from behind him."Something wrong with you, boy?"Arc didn't need to turn; the tone was unmistakably Bill's."Fine," Arc replied, his curt response a warning.A grunt sounded, followed by the unmistakable sound of Bill spitting. "You don't look it.""I'm doing my job, aren't I?" Arc retorted."Well, you're doing it with an attitude," Bill snapped. "You'll scare my sweet piggies away with that long face of yours."Arc clenched his jaw, choosing silence."Don't care how you're feeling, boy," Bill continued. "As long as you get your work done. No work, no pay."Bill's crunching footsteps faded into the distance, leaving Arc with the unspoken threat.Hours later, Arc discovered he'd be working overtime. One of the other workers had fallen ill with severe diarrhea. The ext
ChelseaChelsea seethed, resisting the urge to visit Arc. Hurt and anger warred within him, but anger dominated.He thought gaining 20,000+ new followers after posting the picture with Penelope would lift his spirits. His total now stood at 55,000+, but the milestone felt hollow. He craved the rush of his previous millions-strong following. Nothing seemed to work: Chelsea's frustration simmered. Why couldn't he regain his online momentum? "You've been too busy with distractions to focus on reclaiming your old life," his subconscious taunted. Why did Arc's approval mean more to him than thousands of adoring fans?But Chelsea hesitated. Did he truly want his old life back? He'd built his identity around being Chelsea Waters: the gay influencer son of a wealthy actor and modeling mom, the "fucked-up twink hottie" with daddy issues.Who was he without that persona? Chelsea's thoughts swirled with uncertainty. Had he ever known himself outside of his curate
Arc Thursday was not looking to be a good day for him. His leg was a throbbing mess and even though the weather was warm, his skin was beginning to feel irritable. And he still wasn't able to take his mind off Chelsea. How was he even sure the thing he was feeling for Chelsea was love? The fairytales his momma used to read to him offered no clarity. Nightly, he scoured those worn pages, seeking answers, before collapsing from exhaustion. To make matters worse, his workmate's diarrhea persisted, and the pigs' sty had become a messier nightmare. Arc gazed out at the sprawling pig farm, Bill's pride and joy. the numerous sties, tucked away in every corner, seemed to stretch on forever. his task was daunting: cleaning each one to Bill's meticulous standards. viruses and diseases lurked around every corner, or so Bill's wikipedia research claimed. Arc's workdays blurred together: 7 am starts, 9 pm finishes. little extra pay, but he could
Chelsea"You now have a million freaking followers Chelsea! That is crazy. It took a week for you to hit a million followers when you'd first created your I*******m account. And the tweets on Twitter about you and Archer are crazy." Lily's voice sounded in his ear. "Have you seen the comments? They are buzzing and raving. Larry Barry and Kevin can take that for a comeback! I'm back baby." Chelsea squealed, reveling in his triumph of a rebound. "Was I brilliant or was I brilliant?" Lily asked. Chelsea knew the question was rhetorical. "You're the total best Lily. I don't know what I'd do without you." Chelsea replied sweetly. "How about you start with adding a sizable bonus to my earnings, huh?" Lily said, suggestively. "As sizable as your wife's ass." Chelsea teased. "You leave my wife's booty alone. It's all mine." Lily laughed. Chelsea rolled his eyes. "I'm not interested in your wife's anything, nor will I ever be." "Just don't forget the bonus." Lily reminded. "Yeah I won
ArcArc's hands shook as he devoured his food, desperate to distract himself from Penelope's piercing gaze. Did she sense the turmoil brewing within him? Could she hear his heart racing like a wild animal, driven by the sweet strawberry scent wafting from Chelsea's direction? Could she also feel the fear and excitement that filled him all at once? Penelope's knowing smile seemed to hold a secret, as if she saw the vulnerability Arc desperately concealed.The kitchen, once a cold space, now radiated warmth and connection.Chelsea's innocent question, "How was work today?" hung in the air. Arc nodded curtly, avoiding eye contact, haunted by the memory of Chelsea's kiss on his cheek. The gentle stretch of Chelsea's arms, the warmth in his eyes, had made Arc feel seen, welcomed home.The flutter in his chest intensified as Chelsea's hand brushed against his.Fear and excitement wrestled within him, threatening to expose his deepest emotions. Chelsea's gesture, stretching up to reach Arc'
ChelseaChelsea retreated to his room, seeking solitude as he struggled to process his emotions. The memory of Arc's peaceful snores on the couch and Penelope's warm smile at the door lingered in his mind. He wasn't ready to face Arc again, unsure of how to navigate his conflicting feelings. The thought of Lily's lectures, Patricia's sympathetic listening, or his mom's persistent cruise invitations only made him want to hide further. Chelsea's phone buzzed with a text from Sarge, a reminder of their Saturday plans. Anticipation mixed with apprehension, as Chelsea hadn't had a thrilling experience in a while. But a lingering fear whispered doubts, making him uneasy. His thumbs hovered over the screen before typing out a simple 'yeah'. He hesitated, wondering if he should express his reservations or enthusiasm, but settled for neutrality. Sarge's response came quickly: 'Okey dokey! See you at 7pm at Rick's Riot.' Chelsea's stomach fluttered at the plans, his mind racing with possibil
ArcThe garish neon lights of Rick's Riot towered above, casting an eerie glow over the darkened street. The bar's name pulsed like a warning signal, sending a shiver down Arc's spine and stirring a primal unease that made his instincts scream warning. Arc's hand hovered over the door handle, hesitation warring with curiosity. Rick's Riot, Thorne Town's beloved gay bar, beckoned with its vibrant neon lights. He hesitated outside Rick's Riot, his heart racing with uncertainty. He'd never set foot in a place like this before. The vibrant bar seemed to pulsate with a life of its own, intimidating him.But Chelsea waited inside, and Arc's desire to see him outweighed his apprehension.He took a deep breath and stepped into the unknown, and was suddenly enveloped by the lively atmosphere. The air pulsed with indie beats, and the scent of craft beer mingled with the hum of conversation and laughter.As he scanned the crowd, Arc's insecurities resurfaced.
Chelsea Five years had passed in the blink of an eye. His relationship with Arc had been a journey, filled with ups and downs. At first, there were Arc's doubts, which lingered despite Chelsea's best efforts to reassure him. Then, Penelope had left for college after , leaving Arc heartbroken. Chelsea remembered the day vividly - Arc's brave face at the airport, followed by tears and stories of their childhood in Chelsea's arms that night.As time went on, Chelsea encouraged Arc to pursue his passions. Arc had always dreamed of being a writer, having penned children's stories in his youth. But those stories had been burned, a painful reminder of his mother's departure. Chelsea's presence in his life had slowly begun to heal those old wounds, and Arc was finally starting to rediscover his love for writing.Arc's dream of pursuing an online English course had been within reach, but the tuition fees had seemed insurmountable. That was when the town had rallied aroun
Arc Arc's grip on Chelsea's hand tightened as they drove down the winding road, the destination unknown to him. Curiosity swirled in his chest, but it was overpowered by a creeping sense of fear. What if this was all just a dream? What if he'd wake up to find Chelsea gone, and he was still trapped in that cold, dark place? The memory of the stone slab and the menacing woman's face lingered, making his heart racing. Fear of being truly alone threatened to overwhelm him. So he held on to Chelsea's hand, his fingers intertwining with Chelsea's as the other hand steadied the wheel. Arc snuck a glance at Chelsea, finding him intently focused on the road ahead, his bottom lip caught between his teeth. There was a sense of determination etched on his face, as if he was on a mission. Arc's curiosity piqued, wondering what could be so important that Chelsea felt compelled to show him. A nagging doubt crept in - could this be some kind of cruel prank, designed to mock him? It was po
ChelseaChelsea stood at the door, his lip caught between his teeth as he hesitated over the plan he and the others had devised. The memory of the pain he'd caused Arc still lingered, and he'd long since accepted the weight of his mistakes. Yet, despite Arc's skeptical gaze and blunt refusal, Chelsea had glimpsed something else - a flicker of hope that had ignited a spark within him.He stared at the aloe vera plant, seeking answers, but its spiky exterior simply faced the open air, unmoving and unresponsive. The fact that it was still very much alive only seemed to mock him, a reminder that even the most resilient things couldn't provide the solace he sought.As dusk approached, the sun cast a warm, golden glow. The others had pressured him to put their plan into action the day Arc left the hospital, but Chelsea had insisted on giving him time to rest. However, he couldn't deny the truth: he'd been afraid to face Arc, to feel the weight of his disappointment, to see the d
ArcArc stepped out of the hospital, and the cool air hit him like a slap in the face. He felt a rush of emotions: relief from escaping the hospital's sterile smell and the suffocating white walls, annoyance at the doctor's presumptions and Chelsea's sudden reappearance.But Chelsea... Arc's mind snagged on the thought of him. He didn't know what he felt about Chelsea. Maybe he knew, but he didn't want to acknowledge the spark of happiness that had flared to life when he saw Chelsea standing in his hospital room. Arc tried to squelch it down, to bury it beneath a layer of anger and hurt.He didn't trust Chelsea. He didn't know why Chelsea was really back, and he wasn't going to let his guard down again. But despite his best efforts, memories came flooding back: the pain, the heartache, the longing. Arc's chest constricted, and his left leg wobbled beneath him. He stumbled, catching himself on a nearby car.As he leaned against the cool metal, Arc felt a wave of fear w
ChelseaArc drifted in and out of consciousness, his mind foggy and his body weak. Chelsea sat beside him, holding his hand and whispering words of encouragement. The doctor came in regularly, checking Arc's vitals and reassuring Chelsea that he was on the mend."He's doing well, considering," the doctor said, smiling kindly at Chelsea. "The fever's broken, and his infection is responding to the antibiotics. He just needs rest and time to recover."Chelsea nodded, feeling a wave of relief wash over him. He glanced at Arc, who was stirring again, his eyes fluttering open.The doctor smiled. "He's going to be okay. And I think having you here is helping him. When he's deep in sleep, he always reaches for you. It's quite remarkable."Chelsea's heart swelled with emotion. He was grateful to be able to be there for Arc, to provide comfort and support during this difficult time.Just then, a commotion erupted outside the hospital room. The band of grandmothers and book club membe
ChelseaChelsea's gaze lingered on Arc's fragile form, stretched out on the hospital bed like a broken doll. The steady beep of the machine was a harsh reminder that Arc's life hung in the balance. Chelsea's mind reeled with regret and self-recrimination. Why had he left him? Why had he abandoned him when he needed them most? The weight of his mistake threatened to crush them.As he stood there, frozen in anguish, the door burst open and Penelope stormed in. Her hazel-brown eyes blazed with fury, and her brown hair was disheveled, as if she'd rushed out of the house without bothering to brush it. Her glasses were knocked askew, sitting crookedly on her nose, and her rumpled clothes suggested she'd thrown them on in a hurry. Beside her, a girl with a worried expression tried to calm her down, placing a restraining hand on Penelope's arm.But Penelope shook her off, her eyes fixed on Chelsea. "What are you doing here?" she demanded, her voice like a whip.Chelsea opened his mouth to spea
ArcLoneliness shrouded Arc like a damp chill, seeping into his bones and echoing through the empty spaces of his room. He felt like a ghost, invisible and unwanted, a faint outline of a person slowly fading away. In the darkness, his thoughts unraveled, tangled threads of rejection and abandonment that seemed to tighten around his heart. His chest heaved with shallow breaths, his skin slick with sweat, as the weight of Chelsea's departure, and his sister's absence crushed him beneath its unyielding heaviness. His eyes, sunken and haunted, stared blankly at the ceiling as the shadows conjured echoes of his momma, her whispered absence a painful reminder of abandonment and rejection. His momma's presence, a whispered promise of love and comfort, hovered at the edge of his consciousness, a bittersweet reminder of all he had never known. Arc's gaze drifted upward, and his momma's face hovered above him, her wild auburn hair a tangled halo, her brown eyes almost hazel in the dim light.
ChelseaChelsea's response was immediate and icy. "Don't talk to me."He tried to walk away, but Kevin grabbed his arm, holding him in place. Chelsea shot him a glare, his eyes narrowing in warning. Kevin raised his hand in a non-threatening gesture, his expression conciliatory. "I just wanna talk."Chelsea's phone buzzed in his pocket, and he pulled it out to see a message from Lily: "Need some help?" He glanced over at her, then typed back, "No. I'll handle it."Chelsea put his phone away and folded his arms, his eyes never leaving Kevin's face. "Who are you texting?" Kevin asked, his tone light and curious.Chelsea's response was sharp and cutting. "Someone who doesn't have to resort to manipulating others to feel relevant." Kevin's grin faltered, and for a moment, Chelsea saw a flicker of annoyance in his eyes."Ouch, I guess I deserve that for dumping you the way I did," Kevin said, his voice laced with a hint of remorse. Chelsea felt a surge of anger and frustrati
ChelseaThe sun had set over the city, casting a warm orange glow over the crowded streets. The air was electric with excitement as celebrities, influencers, and industry insiders gathered for the highly anticipated MMAs – the Majesty Movie Awards.Chelsea stepped out of the limousine and onto the red carpet, his eyes scanning the sea of flashing cameras and screaming fans. The sound of paparazzi shouting his name and the constant click-click-click of cameras was almost deafening.Lily, who had helped him get ready for the event, gave him a final once-over before nudging him forward. "Go, Chelsea. Get them."Chelsea took a deep breath, pasted on a dazzling smile, and began his walk down the red carpet. The crowd erupted into cheers and applause as he posed for photos, waving to his fans and chatting with the occasional reporter.To his left, a giant LED screen displayed the MMA logo – a stylized, cursive "M" made up of tiny, shimmering stars. The screen flickered and changed, sh