Page 1

1

TEXT CHAT

THE REASON - HOOBASTANK

PAST

Conor: When did you know that you were good at coding?

Star: When I was a teenager.

Conor: What happened?

Star: Managed to change the password on the alarm system that protected the family house.

Conor: Why? To cause trouble?

Star: Nah. I was pretty well-behaved back then.

Conor: At least you recognize that you’re not well-behaved now. Lol.

Star: :P

Star: Oh, I can recognize it and admit to choosing to veer from the path of righteousness…

Conor: Meaning that you were on a righteous path at one point?

Star: For sure. You don’t enlist for shits and giggles. Surely Eoghan taught you that much.

Conor: I figured he wanted out of the Irish Mob lol and Uncle Sam wasn’t as big of a pain in the ass as Da is.

Star: It amazes me how you all let him get away with the stunts he pulls.

Conor: He’s our da. Don’t have to like him to know he wants what’s best for us.

Star: You genuinely believe that?

Conor: Most of the time.

Star: And all you alphabet brothers feel the same?

Conor: The what now?

Star: Alphabet brothers. Ya know, seeing as your ma was so lacking in creative insight into her kids’ names she put them in alphabetical order.

Conor: Hey, at least we don’t have biblical names. I’ll take Conor over a saint’s name.

Star: Odd priority, but fine lol.

Star: Do you love him?

Conor: Who? Da?

Star: Yeah.

Conor: I guess. It’s not an easy love though.

Star: Meaning?

Conor: Meaning that it’s a habit. We do as we’re told. We go to church. We eat Sunday dinner at the compound.

Conor: It’s like getting up and showering. You do it because you’re supposed to.

Star: I rarely do what I’m supposed to.

Conor: Please tell me you at least shower?

Star: I prefer baths.

Conor: Good to know lol. Personal hygiene isn’t an issue.

Star: Like it matters through a computer screen.

Conor: I don’t consign you to a computer screen.

Star: Meaning?

Conor: You sure you want to go there?

Star: Go where?

Conor: You playing coy?

Star: No, lol. What are you talking about?

Conor: I’m saying that I don’t just think of you when I talk to you.

Star: Hmm.

Conor: Hmm? What’s that supposed to mean?

Star: It means, ‘Hmm.’

Star: It means I’m not sure if that’s sweet or unnecessary and it means that I’m not sure if I should tell you that I think of you outside of when we’re talking too.

Conor: Hate to break it to you but you just told me.

Star: I’m aware.

Conor: So…

Conor: We both think of each other, then?

Star: Yes.

Conor: So…

Conor: Do you understand why your bathing might be of interest to me?

Star: I’d imagine because you think of me soapy and wet lol?

Conor: Well, yes. And doing other things.

Star: Huh. Are we talking about acts that would make you want to jack off? Or are we talking about how I’d break someone’s code?

Conor: Both. I think you know that either of those would be an attractive mental image for someone like me.

Star: Interesting.

Conor: Interesting good? Or interesting bad?

Star: I can feel your nerves from Hell’s Kitchen.

Conor: That’s probably because I AM nervous.

Star: Why?

Conor: Because I’m not sure if you would want me to think of you in that way.

Star: Hmm.

Conor: Jesus, are we back to that?

Star: I don’t suppose you’d think of every hacker you’ve come across in the bath.

Conor: No, lol.

Star: Is it because anyone with tits would do?

Conor: No.

Star: Why then?

Conor: Because you’re you.

Star: Okay.

Conor: Okay?

Star: Yes. You can think of me in the bathtub.

Conor: You know what that leads to, don’t you?

Star: Yes. I already said the dirty words 'jack off.' I’m not a nun, Conor.

Conor: You only act like one.

Star: Sex has always been a weapon for me.

Conor: That’s very candid of you.

Star: I’m a very candid person.

Conor: I’m aware of that. This is just more candid than usual.

Star: We’re talking about you jacking off, Conor. I’m not sure you could handle more candor. I already feel like you’re squirming and I don’t know why.

Star: You’re a handsome man. You’re experienced. For God’s sake, you’re one of the city’s most eligible bachelors. So why are you nervous talking to me about this?

Conor: Because I don’t want to push you too far. If I did, I feel like I wouldn't know until I never heard from you again and you were in Siberia or something.

Star: You haven’t pushed me too far.

Conor: Good.

*Ten minutes later*

Star: Do you have hang-ups?

Conor: From my past?

Star: Yes.

Conor: We’re talking sex, right?

Star: Yes.

Conor: I’m particular.

Star: In what way?

Conor: I dislike hand jobs.

Star: Seriously?

Conor: Seriously.

Star: That’s… limiting.

Conor: It is what it is.

Star: Anything else?

Conor: Anal play is out. I don’t like hands in my hair either.

Star: Makes sense.

Conor: I’ve never told anyone that.

Star: You trying to tell me I’m special?

Conor: I think we both know you are.

Star: Maybe.

Conor: Do you have hang-ups?

Star: From being a sex slave?

Conor: Yes.

Star: Are you sure you want to know?

Conor: Wouldn’t have asked.

Star: I’m aggressive by nature and I wasn’t lying about sex being a weapon. That trait doubled down during that period of my life. That I don’t associate sex with pleasure is probably a hang-up.

Conor: Do you ever want to meet me?

Star: A part of me does.

Conor: Just a part?

Star: Another part of me knows that I’ll push you away at some point and you won’t come back.

Conor: You don’t know that.

Star: I do.

Star: No one sticks around me. I’m toxic.

Conor: Savannah loves you. She left, but she came back.

Star: Savannah’s different. Katina is too.

Conor: Why?

Star: I got to them when they were young lol. They’re used to me being toxic. At some point, I’ll alienate her again. Katina too. I think they’ll come back. But I never know for certain.

Star: Savannah wouldn’t have made up with me if I hadn’t shared what went down with the Sparrows.

Conor: Don’t we always have to justify why we do the things that we do if it hurts other people?

Star: Is that how love is supposed to work?

Conor: I don’t think love is ‘supposed’ to be easy.

Star: If it’s a struggle, then what’s the point?

Conor: Two years ago, I’d have agreed with you.

Star: What changed?

Conor: I met you.