Part 1 Part 2

Context: He's always been a delinquent, but, more importantly, he was your delinquent. He gets in trouble, but you're always there to bail him out... even when you've got a mountain of your own problems to handle. You just needed him to be there for you that night but... he wasn't, and you attempted to overdose shortly after. You didn't even know if you were still alive, or just floating in nothingness with only a familiar voice to keep you anchored. That voice was your boyfriend. He managed to get to you in time and has sworn to be by your side in the aftermath. It's the aftermath... how are you feeling?

Setting: Your office/the city

Tags: [M4A][Established Relationship][Delinquent Boyfriend Speaker][Receptionist Speaker][Stressed Listener][Hospital][Confession][Comfort][Reverse Comfort][Sweet][The Future][Angst][Being Better][Love][CW: Post-Suicide Attempt Scenario/Subjects]

Usage: You may tweak or record this script. Gender flipping is OK! Please credit me if you use this script in any of your projects. If you would like to use this script for a paywalled recording please DM me first. Thank you :3

[R] = Denise, your receptionist

All unmarked text is your boy <3

[Scene opens at work]

[...]

[They’re all staring at you]

[SFX: Office ambiance/chatter]

[They all know]

[SFX: The Listener’s heartbeat steadily growing faster]

[You sit at your desk, just trying to work. Cards and bouquets line your desk. People have been kind. No one told them why you were in the hospital but… you know they know]

[R] “Hey, boss? Boss?”

[Pause?]

[R] “Oh, sorry! I didn’t mean to startle you. Your boyfriend is here to see you, is all.”

[Pause]

[Your receptionist smiles]

[R] “Of course! I hope you feel better!”

[SFX: The Listener standing and walking toward the lobby]

[As promised, he’s there and hugs you the second he sees you]

“Hey, sweetheart. How about a nice lunch together at the sushi place down the road?”

[Pause]

“Hey, it’s OK… if you’re not feeling that, we can do something else. Or nothing at all. It’s all good.”

[...]

“...Sweetie. It’s OK… C’mon, I’ll help. Hand me your phone.”

[You do, watching as he types out an email with his usual awkward texting skills]

“Need to step away from work, not feeling well. Will have my emails forwarded and out-of-office messages put on’. There, sent! Hey, Denise, can you keep an eye on things, pretty please? Box of donuts in it for you.”

[R] “Sure thing! Feel better, boss!”

[Pause]

[He puts an arm around you and leads you outside]

“It’s all OK, honey. No one knows and, even if they did, who cares? They don’t buy your popcorn. That’s my job, thank you. But, in all seriousness, this is me, checking in, OK?”

[...]

“OK. Let’s start walking home and if you want to talk, feel free to talk. If you see something you wanna do, we can talk about doing it. I’m just gonna hold your hand, alright?”

[Pause]

[SFX: Them walking about the city for a bit]

[You both meander aimlessly for a bit when he stops]

“Babe! Check it out!”

[He gestures to an old 50s diner]

[Pause?]

“This is the diner we came to the night we met, remember? We both ducked out of that dumb party, came here for burgers, and ended up talking all night. Man… One of the best nights of my life, you know?”

[Pause?]

“Well, yeah, because we met, obviously. But… before I met you, I never knew I could just open up like that and talk and… have someone listen to me. People came to me for my looks and attitude, but… I dunno. I could listen to you talk for forever…”

[...?]

[He perks a little]

“You wanna get some burgers? Yeah, we can manage that!”

[<3]

[SFX: A door chime and 50s diner ambiance]

“Man, this is the booth we sat at, too. Heh, look… Where I carved our initials. Still there, even years later… This diner is still here. Crazy, isn’t it? I never thought about how I’d feel if this place was gone, but… the moment I did, I’m honestly surprised at how distressing the idea was. You know?”

[Pause]

“Yeah. It is nice to come here again. See that it’s still standing and that our initials are still here. Even if some wise guy apparently thinks we’re both lame assholes. Heh, check out this comment! ‘I give it a year’! Ha! Been five, asshole, and counting!”

[Pause]

“Oops, sorry, indoor voice. Heh… It will be five years in two months, huh?”

[Pause]

“Yeah…”

[Pause?]

“Do I feel weird about it? You know… No. I don’t.”

[...?]

“I know I used to be freaked out by commitment. Trust me, I know.”

[He sighs and looks away, resting his hand on yours]

“Gimme your hand for a second, baby… There we go. Thank you. Listen, I-”.

[SFX: The waitress approaching]

“Oh, uh. Hi, how’s it going? Just the cheeseburger plate for me, thanks.”

[Pause]

[SFX: The waitress leaving]

“Damn. I know they’re good at creeping up on you when you have a mouth full of food, but now they can smell important conversations? Waitresses. Supernatural entities, I’m telling you. But, yeah, serious talk. Real talk. Phew, c’mon man…”

[Pause?]

[He takes a breath]

“...I love you. That’s where it begins, that’s where it ends, and almost losing you really put a lot of things into perspective for me. You had things running so smoothly, that I’d just let myself slip into a rut. Never felt like I was going anywhere, and then you needed me and I just… That’s not the man I want to be, be it boyfriend or just friend. You’ve always made me feel like I could talk to you about anything. You always assured me I wasn’t a burden, and I thought if I could at least punch Jake’s lights out for your honor, I’d be doing something… Anything, you know?”

[Pause]

“No. Baby, don’t let me off the hook. I should have been directing that energy into helping you. I’m not a smart man, and I think I’m starting to lose my abs, but I love you. I want to focus my energy on you, on us. It’s weird but… I guess I feel like I found my purpose again. You were there the whole time and I was too dumb to know it.”

[...]

“...I guess you could’ve talked to me, too, yeah. Hey, how’s about we chalk it up to both of us not wanting to worry the other, OK? All is forgiven from my standpoint.”

[...?]

[SFX: Plates being set down]

“Thanks! Oh man, this looks just as heart-stopping as it used to be. Sorry, what did you say, hon? The waitress drowned it out.”

[Pause?]

“Mad? Baby, no… I can’t even imagine trying to tell someone that you’re feeling like… you want to end it. I’m not mad. I worry, of course, but all I want from you right now is to just check in with me and tell me what you need. I want us to be together for the foreseeable future. I want you to feel safe and happier, even if that doesn’t mean being really happy.”

[...?]

[He blushes and scowls]

“Heyyy, I am not proposing! Not yet, anyway. OK?”

[...?]

“I do mean it. For all of the bad, this relationship has been so much better, and you are so much more than your decisions. I want you here, with me, for as long as we can keep each other. I’m not good at this, but you’re my everything, and there’s nowhere I’d rather be than here, with you.”

[...<3]

[You squeeze his hand and he gently squeezes back]

“Thank you.”

[Pause?]

“For what? For still being here with me.”

[You exchange smiles, as best one can over burgers]

“C’mon, let’s eat. I have a feeling these are going to be a lot better than we remember!"

[SFX: The diner ambiance fading out over silverware clinking]

[<3 The End <3]

Note: I could think of no better script for the day of love <3 I'm gonna release it the night before for those who might be feeling a little lonely. Whether Valentine's is important to you, or not, thank you for still being here.

~Esme~