Don't Fuck Your Friends | Afterword (And Thanks to Skeeter) · 2:22am Jul 23rd, 2020
Usually my afterwords are about the strangeness of the current story. This leads to the backstory of the story. Then I ramble about whatever the fuck and we call it a day. On this one, however, I would like to do something different.
I would like to thank the kindness of Skeeter the Lurker.
In 2018 I was doing my tour across the East Coast of the USA on my motorcycle. Some would be surprised to hear that part of my intent for this wish was to kill myself. Work and life had been depressing at the time and I bemoaned my life in Discord all the time. In thinking deeply about the wish to cease to be—I decided I should do a few things I always wanted to do.
Which was to get a motorcycle and drive across the States to finally meet all of my online friends.
And so this happened.
Skeeter was one of those kind people to receive a message from a near stranger and, without hesitation, book a time and a place for us to meet. We met at a Waffle House and talked about the golden days of the fandom. Even got a photo together here.
Then he was so kind as to invite me back to his place where we talked endlessly and I was introduced to his grandmother. She spoke of family members who had done the same as me and tales from their travels. We talked about MASH and it was one of those times you feel grateful to speak deeply with strangers.
Skeeter and I talked some more in his room, showing me all the parts of the fandom he'd collected, books and scrolls and naughty posters hidden behind those scrolls. He talked about the days where, being homeless, he tried to comment on every story and forum and blog he could—and to be kind to those he interacted with.
To support.
He provided my phone with countless music to help me endure the long stretches of road with. Long and dark nights forced to be drove through to reach the next destination on time. It was like being Starlord given a new mix for his Walkman. And Skeeter. You've got to send me those tracks again.
And recently when I'd been down in the dumps, needing something heavy to take me from the world, the fellow did a kindness on a joking blog and bought me Red Dead 2. It's one of my favourite games of all time. To him it was a purchase for a friend and maybe not much more.
But for me?
Playing Red Dead has been a way to escape the troubles happening around me, the absurd strife marking the site, and the onslaught of betrayals and bullshit from all around. Seeing Arthur Morgan sketch his settings and journal his thoughts had me doing the same. I drive to different cities at night now, long rides on my motorcycle, to explore and sketch all the places I once roamed.
I would have never allowed myself to go out and explore for its own sake. But going there to draw and journal, however, enables me the justification to become an adventurer once more. And that pass time has saved and improved me. It came from the game bought for me by a friend.
I won't go into what's happening on this site for it's too much of a whirl. But someone like Skeeter is what makes the fandom. Commenting and interacting and being kind wherever he can. It's what pumps blood into the system. It makes the overall place better.
This afterword doesn't have more of a point to it.
Only to thank someone for being kind so many times.
~ Yr. Pal, B ~
(PS. Yes. This is a story where Spike gets it but the reader still gets blue-balled. Consider it punishment for these last few days. Mahuahawaw!)
This was a very sweet read.
RE: your story title
Screw you I won't do what you tell me
Anecdotes like these remind us why it's such a good thing this fandom exists, and why it should carry on as long as possible: It helps countless people through bad times and enriches their lives. I'm glad you shared this.
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Aw this was sweet
Eat your sliders next time.
5319390
Anxiety of losing my bike says otherwise.
da faq bitch. u a blue name boy now?
It's stories like this, of people who can help in so many ways just by showing kindness and decency towards their fellow human beings, that makes me smile.
And a great addition and member of the fandom :)
I hope you're doing ok B, and give Skeeter a shoutout from me :D