I don't do subtle...

[entry] Well, this is pretty cute

Sun, 21 Dec 2008 08:40:43 GMT

Your Cute Monster Says Your Inner Demon is Frailty

You are a simply happy person. You still view the world with a childlike innocence.

You have an easy going attitude, and you value harmony. You love freely and inspire others to love.

You are easily beaten down by life.

People think you're cute because you are optimistic. Your outlook on life is charming.

The Cute Monster Test

[New York] Time after time

Sun, 04 May 2008 20:05:58 GMT

One punch to the jaw. It was kind of ironic. A few days ago Alex had punched his brother. Bailing on his marriage, his brother, and his job - all on the same day? That had deserved a punch. A hell of a punch. He couldn't help but think he could have been a little less harsh as his own body hit the side of his couch.

Crawling away, he got to his feet and turned around, thoroughly pissed off. The television beyond repair and one of the walls had a hole in it. A once nice loft had become a war zone and he still didn't know what he had done.

"Why me," he asked, tilting his head - the man before him's fist transforming into a flame. "What the hell did I do?" He dove to the side, rolling behind the couch as the floor next to him caught fire.

"My sources tell me you've gotten close --" the other man said, taking a step forward. "Call it a present for him."

"For who," Alex asked, not moving.

"Allerdyce," the other man hissed as the couch flipped up over him. Alex rolled out of the way behind the bar and sat up against it, sending glasses flying at the other guy.

"What did he do to you that you're taking it out on me?" Evander had told Alex that he hadn't done things he was proud of -- but now wasn't the time. He wasn't pissed at Evander, no really. He was worried. After not hearing a sound, Alex high-tailed it away from the bar but found himself intercepted and flung into the stairs. His body slumped down a few steps, his forehead now bleeding.

He figured it was only fitting. Evander was late -- and he was getting his ass kicked. So much for a real first date.

[10Spot] (97) Ten things you cannot stand about your partener/bestfriend/sibling.

Thu, 01 May 2008 05:15:41 GMT

I'll just go with partner. It's the easiest. From here, right now.

01. He's impossible to read. No, really. His sister taught him how to block his mind.
02. He doesn't share what he's thinking.
03. He doubts us.
04. He needs me to reassure him and I just don't have any more energy.
05. He doesn't trust me.
06. He holds my brother accountable for his father.
07. He doesn't get that I could care less.
08. He can't see how hard this is.
09. He can't -- see what's right in front of him.
10. He doesn't love me -- or at least he hasn't told me he does.

[10Spot] (96) Ten people you're angry with and why.

Thu, 01 May 2008 05:11:01 GMT

01. Ford, for always seeing me as this afterthought that shouldn't exist.
02. Jadyn, for forgetting the hell I exist.
03. Isabel, for being so damn self centered.
04. Amp, for taking all of Ford's free time away.
05. & 06. My parents, they're dead - and that sucks.
07. Evander, for tugging my heart back and forth.
08. Evander, for doubting us - and not realizing how easy this isn't.
09. Evander, for even contemplating breaking up - if we're even together.
10. Myself -- I lost him. If he was ever there.

[10Spot] (94) Ten vices you have.

Thu, 01 May 2008 05:06:16 GMT

01. Evander.
02. Coffee.
03. Romantic comedies.
04. Fast food.
05. The internet.
06. Livejournal - can that be a vice??
07. Sex. ~~Not lately, though.~~
08. Hot men.
09. Insecurity.
10. Evander.

[open - entry] 20 is the loneliest number

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 06:13:31 GMT

Whatever, I'm 20 years old as well. Happy Birthday to me.

[QTM] April: Happily ever after?

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 22:52:11 GMT

Did they live happily ever after? They did not. No one ever does, in spite of what the stories may say. They had their good days, as you do, and they had their bad days, and you know about those. They had their victories, as you do, and they had their defeats, and you know about those, too. There were times when they felt ashamed of themselves, knowing they had not done their best, and there were times when they knew they had stood where their God had meant them to stand. All I'm trying to say is that they lived as well as they could. >> Stephen King (The Eye of the Dragon)

Two weeks and three days. Two weeks and four days. The morning of the fifth day Alex realized he had been counting. Opening his eyes, the first thing that came to his mind was two weeks and five days. Rolling over, five days stuck in his mind. The two weeks were important but the fact that he had started counting the days?

Rolling over he checked his iPhone. Three messages didn't mean a message from his -- from Evander. There was a message from Ford about him coming over for dinner in a few days. There was another message, one saved from before that he hadn't erased, Ford had called him from the hospital. It was almost laughable but a vigilante had come to Ford and Amp's apartment. The third message was from Jadyn wondering where Alex had been lately. She sent her love and told him to call her or she would kick his ass.

Sighing, he exited to the menu screen and set his phone back down on the night table. He sat up, rubbing his eyes and getting comfortable against his head board. The bandages were gone - he was in tip top shape, really. But he and Ford hadn't returned to work in over a week. Life just got...busy. Except it hadn't. Alex's life had become waiting by the phone, waiting by the computer, waiting by - just waiting.

Alex hated to wait.

He hated the waiting game and over the last two weeks and five days he had gotten irrationally angry. Maybe not irrationally. Maybe not even angry. He wasn't happy, that was for sure. The last time Evander had talked to him -- he told Alex he was going to talk to his father. Since then? Not a word. Not a message. Not a phone call. Not an IM. Not even a comment. And definitely not a visit.

Where had he been? Waiting. His happily ever after which hadn't been so happy in the first place was quickly dissolving into never happily ever after. But he had done what he was asked. He had kept a low profile. He had talked to hardly anybody and he hadn't mentioned being attached.

Hell, who knew if he was still fucking attached. Yeah, angry. It was anger. Snatching up his phone again he found himself dialing Evander's number. The clock flashed 4:00 as he heard Evander's ringback. Before even a second went by he canceled the call, sinking down. The iPhone went flying, stopped in mid-air before it hit the wall. He just needed to throw something. Needed to do something.

If it was over he could take it. He was a big boy. But if it was over he needed to be told. This whole cold war affair was getting old and now his electronics were taking a toll -- and when that happened it was bad. Rolling onto his side he waved his hand, setting the phone on a shelf nearby before burying his head in the pillow.

Fairy tales were a crock. Happily ever after happened in maybe 1% of cases. He could only be so laid back. He could only wait for so long. He could only...wait.

>> smwhereinmiddle and outnumbered_one used with permission.

[open - meme] Celestial Choir

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 17:00:39 GMT

Find your Celestial Choir

[Lucky13] Thirteen things about Alex McKenie.

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 17:15:18 GMT

01. I'm Ford McKenie's twin brother.
02. He likes to think I don't exist.
03. I kind of didn't use to exist but don't ask about that, I exist now.
04. I am also from Plymouth. Hated it there, most boring place - don't go there.
05. I live in New York now.
06. I like men, a lot, and I'm not ashamed of it.
07. I'm sort of attached - depends who you ask.
08. I'm a whiz with computers.
09. I love crossword puzzles.
10. I'm the smarter brother.
11. You either love me or hate me.
12. I'm opinionated.
13. I'm also very sarcastic.

[10Spot] (91) Ten addictions you've had in your lifetime.

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 17:03:38 GMT

01. Crossword puzzles. I don't stop until I finish them.
02. Got to steal Ford's answer. Coffee, though, that's because of Ford.
03. The computer in general, working with it, pulling one apart.
04. Hacking. It's a thrill, it seriously is.
05. Sex...it's fun. And it feels good.
06. Livejournal - it's become an addiction.
07. My phone, I don't go anywhere without it on my person.
08. People - in general. I get attached.
09. Sleep. I love sleep. There should be more hours in the day for sleep.
10. Sarcasm.

[10Spot] (89) Ten ways you procrastinate in everyday life.

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 16:56:28 GMT

01. Like everyone else I hit the snooze button.
02. Unlike everyone else I tend to telekinetically fling it across the room.
03. Do the New York Times crossword.
04. Do the Washington Post crossword.
05. Watch the coffee pot.
06. Go on Livejournal.
07. Fill out those quizzes and memes.
08. Pop in a DVD.
09. Call and make plans with friends.
10. Pretend whatever I need to do doesn't exist.

[open - meme] Color of a My Brain

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 23:39:55 GMT

Your Mind is Yellow

Of all the mind types, yours is the most intellectual.

You crave mental stimulation, and your thoughts tend to very complex.

Your thoughts tend to be innovative and cutting edge, though many people don't understand them.

You tend to spend a lot of time thinking about science, architecture, and communication.

What Color Is Your Mind?

[Six Words] I'm His

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 04:27:12 GMT

I'm with who's meant for me.

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 20:19:30 GMT

E is my new favorite letter.

[Six Words] Clothes? Who needs 'em?

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 04:18:39 GMT

No clothes on in my bed!

[open - meme] My Life Through Song(s)

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 04:14:07 GMT

How this works: Pick a band/musician and answer the questions with song titles by the band/musician you chose.

Band/Musician: Across the Universe Soundtrack

Who are you?
Revolution

Are you male or female?
Hey Jude

How do you live your life?
With A Little Help From My Friends

How do you see yourself?
Something

How do others see you?
Helter Skelter

How are you feeling?
Oh! Darling

How do you love?
Let It Be

Who do you love?
Blackbird

Where do you wish you were
Across the Universe

What is your advice?
Come Together

[ooc - meme] 1 - 100

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 20:59:51 GMT

1) Go here to generate 10 random numbers between 1 and 100. Generate a different set of numbers for each character you pick. DO THIS FIRST.

2) Then I will answer the corresponding questions from here.

[locked - meme] My relationship - for Evander...

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 05:36:22 GMT

1. Who eats more?
Evander does. He likes his meat.

2. Who said "I love you" first?
We uh, haven't said that ~~yet.~~

3. How long have you been together?
Two days? I don't know if he counts last week when he spent time in my bed, you know, watching over me.

4. Who sings better?
I haven't heard him sing - and I don't sing.

5. Who's older?
Evander. I'm 19, he's 22.

6. Who's smarter?
I think I am...

7. Whose temper is worse?
His probably has the potential to be.

8. Who does the laundry?
We do our own laundry.

9. Who does the dishes?
He did the dishes the other night. He's sweet like that.

10. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed?
Uh, I think I'm a left side, but I don't know. We slept in my bed once...I was...on the right, actually.

11. Who snores?
He doesn't.

12. Whose hair is longer?
Mine's pretty short but he's buzzed so ... mine.

13. Who's better with the computer?
Hell yeah, me. Sorry, man. But - so me.

14. Do you have pets?
My brother and his husband, wtf, have their pets.

15. Who pays the bills?
I don't have bills.

16. Who cooks dinner?
Can he cook? Can you cook?

17. Who drives when you are together?
I'll tell you when we drive somewhere.

18. Who pays when you go out to dinner?
I paid the one time.

19. Who is the most stubborn?
We're both pretty stubborn!

20. Who is the first one to admit when they're wrong?
Me.
21. Whose parents do you see more?
Mine are kind of - well, either dead or nonexistant so his.

22. Who named your kids?
We really don't have kids.

23. Who kissed who first?
I kissed him first. And then he asked me to kiss him for real. That second kiss was fucking breathtaking.

24. Who asked who out?
Well, I asked him out - twice, actually.

25. Who dusts the house?
I...nobody? You're supposed to dust?

26. Who's more sensitive?
I am.

27. Who cleans the bathroom?
Probably my brother.

28. Who has more friends?
No idea.

29. Who has more siblings?
Him.

30. Who wears the pants in the relationship?
Him.

31. Who’s more sexy?
He is, the lug.

32. Who sleeps naked?
I don't, usually, actually. Does he? I mean, when we slept in the same bed we were clothed ~~but close.~~

33. Who has the craziest ex?
I don't have exes so...

34. Who has more money?
By familial reasons I guess I do.

35. Who has more tattoos?
I don't have any so -- I don't think he does...haven't really had the body exploration yet. ~~In due time.~~

36. Who eats more sweets?
Yeah...I do.

37. Who is closer to their family?
Him. Me and Ford are...yeah, he is.

38. Who has the older car?
I don't have a car.

39. Who has bigger dreams?
I don't know.

40. Who cries more?
I don't really cry.

[locked - role play] Trying to make sense - with Evander

Sun, 23 Mar 2008 19:14:58 GMT

We'll both find solid ground.

[locked - conversation] for Evander

Sat, 22 Mar 2008 01:59:08 GMT

Your mother is talking to me. Your mother. I'm freaking out here because I'm trying to be like the good friend who knows you and thinks you're awesome and - YOUR MOTHER!

[locked - role play] Not giving in - for Johnny Storm

Sat, 22 Mar 2008 01:42:29 GMT

Alex was most surprised by the fact that he was on his way over. His brother was in Atlantic City while his current love interest was catching up on sleep at his sister's apartment and Alex was what, waiting for another guy to come over? One who was passive-aggressively aggressive if that made any sense and one who was definitely interested.

He just hadn't told Johnny about his ribs. Or the fact that he had his apartment all to himself. And he wasn't going to ask how Johnny was supposed to find him. He was just nervous. And exhilarated. One the one hand it seemed like he was being fought for - on the other it seemed like he had to do the fighting. Either way, he was flattered and Johnny was something else.

Alex folded the blanked that he and Evander had used to watch the musicals that thankfully Evander had taken home before fluffing the pillows. He never fluffed the pillows. Like, ever. And here he was fluffing pillows.

Cocky.

He had always thought he was the cocky one. The cocky, promiscuous one and here he was being shown an even more cocky even more promiscuous guy who seemed to be playing games with him.

Possibly.

The bandages around his torso itched but he was too lazy to grab his shirt. He changed from his red sweat pants to his blue ones and then - he stood there. He honestly couldn't tell if Johnny had been serious or not and it wasn't helping that his mind was racing and his heart was beating and that the doorbell had rang a few seconds ago.

Taking a breath, he crossed the apartment over to the door and answered it.

[locked - role play] Old fashioned musicals - for Evander

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 15:24:46 GMT

Alex hadn't slept. Not really. Insomnia had taken a stranglehold of him once again. So, when the doorbell rang at eleven Alex strode across the empty apartment, Amp and Ford had gone to Las Vegas on a whim, and let Evander in. He had brought Victor/Victoria and a few other old musicals he thought Alex might like.

Closing the door Alex moved back to the couch and sat down giving ample enough space to Evander. An houre later they weren't halfway through Victor/Victoria and Alex had slowly been inching his was towards Evander. He got up to get a glass of water and had sat back down closer. Then went to go to the bathroom - and sat closer. A few other glasses of water put him only centimeters away from Evander and he just looked over.

It was high school all over again -- if he had ever gone to high school, at least.

Alex looked down, Ashamed. "I know, I'm a dork." He looked back up at Evander and slumped down closer. "What I should have done is sat next to you in the first place," he said. "Which is what I'm doing now." Alex propped his feet up on the table and relaxed back.

"By the way? Julie Andrews? Vocal Goddess," he felt the need to say.

He was having a great time - as ridiculous as he was being.

[open - meme] Recipe for Alex McKenie and What kind of wine?

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 22:37:59 GMT

The Recipe For Alex McKenie

3 parts Fascination

2 parts Ambition

1 part Poise

Splash of Power

Finish off with an olive

What's the Recipe for Your Personality?

You Are Sauvignon Blanc

Engaging and energetic, you have a lot to offer the world - most of it they've never seen anywhere else!

You are the type of person who carves your own path in life... and you invite everyone else to come along.

The only thing predictable about you is that you could have anything up your sleeve.

You're all about sampling all of life's experiences. Both the savory and unsavory ones.

Deep down you are: Laid back and young at heart

Your partying style: Anything goes... seriously!

Your company is enjoyed best with: Smoked meats or spicy food

What Kind of Wine Are You?

[ooc - round-up] March

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 21:59:33 GMT

Days before being split from Ford Alex learned that Ford was moving toward integration. After having a sudden switch of feelings from Carver to Evander Alex hoped to convince their sister, Jadyn, that he wasn't just fixating on Evander.

Evander agreed to hang out once he arrived in New York to visit his sister.

Nervous, Alex suggested he and Jadyn unwind so the two went to a dance club where Alex's true feelings regarding Evander were revealed. He liked him a lot.

After a phone call Evander agreed to meet Alex at a diner where they proceeded to not date each other.

Monday, McKenie/Howlett Investigations opened with a flourish. Murphy confronted Alex and became a sort of mother figure to him as well. Evander arrived and after some awkward conversation the two went up to the roof where they shared a series of kisses and agreed to a real date.

During their first case, however, Alex fell off a ledge - and cracked his ribs. Later that night Evander stopped by to check on him. The next night Evander returned to listen to music. They got closer through their mutual love of musicals, romantic comedies, and kissing.

[locked - role play] I like some of those songs - for Evander

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 06:15:31 GMT

Alex thought about the perfect line. We've got to stop meeting like this. But with Evander it wasn't about perfect lines. It wasn't about witty banter and it wasn't about posturing. With everybody else it was about posturing but Evander could see through it. He wouldn't let Alex throw him off and he called him on it when Alex had tried - albeit not on purpose. Alex was a man of words and with Evander who was man of very little it was always interesting.

The younger man found himself racking his brain whenever Evander was around to say anything. To say the perfect thing. But he knew Evander didn't care. If he didn't like Alex then he wouldn't keep returning. Then he wouldn't kiss him on the roof of their offices at their opening. But he had done all those things.

And he was coming back to listen to music.

He looked forward to Evander's visits. Okay, this was only his second but he was already excited. He could move around now and his laptop was back on his desk where it belonged. He even changed, having on red sweat pants - no shirt, it was hot in his room. Or he wanted to not wear a shirt. Evander had taken action the night before - at the end of the night and a part of him was hoping for action a little -- earlier. Even a hello kiss, something.

When the doorbell rang he was in his room and he attempted to hurry to the door. Which didn't work. He paused at the couch, taking a break before Ford appeared at his doorway. He waved him off, though, and made it to the door, taking a second to open it.

"Hey," he said, weakly but looking better then the day before. He hoped the bandages weren't too jarring. Evander looked better then he had remembered. "Come in," he said, moving aside.