Context: Months and months ago, you got diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, or EDS. It became clear that a lot of your hobbies and lifestyle would need to change. You didn't really know how to tell your old friends this, and they gradually grew distant. Theo, per usual, kept on your ass, and you honestly can't tell if he just misses your or hates you. After an accident at a game, you realized that he might be in the same boat as you. That he might need help. Even if he is a colossal jerk.

Setting: The city rec. hall

Tags: [MM4A][Enemies to ?][EDS Counselor Speaker][EDS Bully Speaker][EDS Supportive Listener][Support Group][Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome][Making Up][Reverse Comfort][Apology][Breakdown][Himbo][Mild Angst][Flirting?][Cuddles][CW: Medical Side Effects]

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***

[C] = Todd, the EDS counselor

[B] = Theo, your ex-friend-turned-bully, also suffering from EDS

***

[Scene opens in a largely empty room]

[SFX: Metal chairs being set up]

[You help get the meeting room set up, per usual, and smile as the counselor comes over]

[C] “A hello to one of my favorite volunteers! How’s your month been thus far?”

[Pause]

[C, concerned] “Oh dear… A schoolmate of yours got hurt and you told his Coach that he might have EDS because of how flexible his arm joint looked? Well, it’s a good thing you said something. Even if it’s not the case, spotting EDS for someone that doesn’t know what to look for can be quite hard. I’m sure he was grateful.”

[Pause]

[C] “Oh… Well, there is something to be said about looking out for people, even those you would consider a friend-turned-bully. He might not appreciate it now, but he could in due time. I was wondering why you’d missed the last two months. Looking out for your ex-friend?”

[...]

[C] “Ah, yes. So he was diagnosed, per the grape vine. Well, he’s always welcome to join our support group, provided you were comfortable?”

[Pause]

[C] “Invited him a few times already? Hmhm, well, no one can accuse you of not trying, my friend. C’mon, let’s get ready for the meeting. I’m sure folks will be happy to see you again.”

[SFX: Chairs being moved into place, people sitting and chatting]

[Once people have taken their seats, the counselor stands and addresses everyone:]

[C] “Hi everyone! My name is Todd, and I run this support group for those that suffer with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, or EDS. I’m sure I don’t need to explain too deeply for our regulars, but EDS can cause overly flexible joints among other issues with connective tissues. We are here to support one another, to build each other up, and-”.

[SFX: The room’s door creaking open]

[B] “U-Um, ‘scuse me, is this the support group for EDS?”

[C] “It is! Please, come in and have a seat, young man. We were just geting started.”

[...]

[The boy grumbles and walks inside. He sees you and you see his go wide with fear]

[C] “...Young man? If you’d like to have a seat, we can get started. Don’t worry, you’re in good company. Why not sit next to one of our longest volunteers, hm?”

[The counselor gestures to you]

[B] “I-I… um…”

[He pauses as you pat next to you]

[B] “...Alright.”

[SFX: The Speaker awkwardly sitting]

[C] “Great! Let’s go ahead and have everyone introduce themselves since we have a new face in the crowd.”

[Everyone does, until it stops at your bully]

[B] “I-I, um… Hi. My name’s Theo, and, u-um… I just got my EDS diagnosis a month or two ago.”

[SFX: Murmurs of positive affirmation]

[C] “That confirmation can be both very liberating and quite upsetting. What’s been your experience thus far, if you’ll enlighten us?”

[Theo sighs, pausing as you offer your hand]

[B] “...Thanks for… for offering your hand, Dork. Er, I mean… Whatever, I know this is my reckoning. I-I dunno, I knew something was wrong for years and years but I just figured it was a bunch of little things, no big deal. I played sports, of course I’m gonna bruise easy, of course my joints are gonna hurt a lot! But then it kept getting worse and now I’m pretty much banned from doing the one thing I’m good at it, and now I’m here, telling a bunch of strangers about it like my problems are even valid in the long run…”

[Pause]

[C] “They’re right, Theo. It’s not a competition to see who’s suffering is greater. This is about supporting one another through navigating a challenging condition. If we focus on our suffering, then we’re blinded to the success we get out of it.”

[Pause]

[B] “Huh… Sounds like something coach would’ve said…”

[Pause]

[C] “Your friend there raises a good point! Even if high-impact or contact sports are off the table, you can still exercise via pilates, yoga, even cycling! I’m sure some of our members here can help you get started with some friendly, low-impact yoga.”

[It’s hard not to giggle, even a little, as his face flushes. He sounds both amused and defeated as he mutters:]

[B] “...OK… Sure, why not…”

[C] “Great! Alright, now that we’ve all been introduced, let’s talk about some personal victories for this month thus far. Samuel, how’s about you get us started. Someone just started going back to school, if I’ve heard correctly!”

[Pause]

[Theo sits, holding your hand and listening throughout. You squeeze his hand on occasion and he squeezes back. Very, very gently]

[Time progresses to an hour later]

[SFX: Metal folding chairs being put up]

[C] “Well, I got a lot out of that meeting, and I hope you all did as well! We’ll be meeting again, same time, next month. I hope you’ll think about joining us again, Mr. Theo?”

[Pause]

[B] “Yeah, I… I mean, this one doesn’t seem to want to let go of my hand, so I doubt I have a choice.”

[You both exchange sardonic smiles]

[C] “It’s always so inspiring to see good friends supporting each other.”

[He waves you both off with his normal chipper energy, and you head out into the night]

[SFX: Sneakers on sidewalk]

[B] “...See, this is what I’m saying. You’re always out here, being better than everyone else at being a decent human being. Tch. Tryhard.”

[Pause]

[B, with a snort] “Yeah, I guess I’d best get to trying harder myself… This shit… is hard.”

[Pause]

[B] “I know it’s not the end of the world, not by a long shot, it’s just a big change. And, I dunno if you know this about Jocks, but we handle change about as well as dogs handle being in a crate for five minutes.”

[Pause?]

[B, with a grumble] “...Yes, I’m really considering yoga. What of it?”

[Pause]

[He laughs, a bit obnoxious]

[B] “You best not mock me when you see my butt in yoga pants. That is a power you’re not prepared to deal with, my tryhard friend. What, you think we lift all those weights, do all those runs and eat what we eat to be good at sports? Pfft!”

[He leans down to you, a touch conspiratorial]

[B, whispering] “It’s totally to get the Grade A cake. And, spoiler alert, that cake ain’t getting crushed by yoga pants any time soon.”

[Pause!]

[He cackles]

[B] “Oh, I am pretty sure any cake you bring is gonna be sheetcake compared to this wedding cake, Tryhard!”

[...?]

[His laugh turns a little teary]

[B] “No, I have no idea what the fuck I mean, either… Hehe, wow… Was waiting for the shoe to drop, you know? Like how when you stub your toe, you instinctively tense up because you know the pain is coming? Yeah, my version is apparently butt jokes. Or cake jokes. Point is, I have no idea what I am talking about but WHOO these emotions!”

[Pause]

[You guide him over to a bench to sit]

[B] “And here we go… Pure heart here sitting me down, r-rubbing my back… Damnit, why does this feel like everything is OVER for me?! I hate… I hate how helpless I feel… You already run circles around me in so many ways, and now I can’t even be ‘sports guy, guy of sports!’.”

[Pause]

[B] “...I guess you do live with it… You do your best and forgive yourself when you feel like you’ve failed somehow… Mmh. I… I really am sorry I’ve been such a massive asshole. One moment, we were buddies, in the same circles, and then, suddenly, you’ve pulled from all activities, you’re avoiding your friends, avoiding me… I’d like to think that, if you’d told me, I’d have understood, but… well, I can barely understand it now.”

[Pause]

[He smiles, a bit sad]

[B] “Heh… Yeah, it’s been nice hanging out with you again, too. Listen, um… Do you think maybe we could keep hanging out for a bit longer?”

[Pause]

[B, grumbling] “Fine… Yes, I liked that old photo of you to get your attention like a bratty child. Now, can we go get some grub or not? Fucking tryhard.”

[Pause <3]

[B] “Yeah, yeah, love you, too…”

[He pauses before he puts a gentle arm around you and draws you into his side]

[B] “... I really missed you.”

[Pause]

[B] “Heh… Glad you missed me, too. C’mon. Let’s grab dinner and catch up. I have so many Cindy stories to tell you.”

[Pause!]

[B] “Oh no, we’re well past the ‘Chris Era’. No, now we’re on to the ‘Jeremy Saga’ and, my friend, it is getting GOOD.”

[The two of you head off into the night, no doubt to speak more of cake]

[The End]