Chapter Thirteen #2
“We can’t start with the waterworks already,” I say, nudging Rin’s side. “We always cry but I didn’t think we’d start already!”
“Okay, okay. No crying yet! Let’s jump into our first activity.”
Just like that, I’m washed away in the excitement of the day.
When I have a moment to check on chat, it’s wild to see just how many people are here, watching.
I see the regulars that make me smile like BedheadRooster and WhoCares.
Calloway is in chat, typing from a laptop set up in the kitchen.
He doesn’t want to be on camera so he’s careful to stay out of the shots.
I also see IwaZilla’s name a lot. TwinkleKawa is busy trying to win a bunch of the auction items. Gayle’s mods are in chat, cheering us on and helping direct people to the donation links.
It’s so lovely to see everyone come together like this.
The mods take over the stream while we make our way to the stadium for our volleyball match against the Nanio Ninjas.
Azaad, Wizard, and the Ninja’s official commentator, Lore, are going to be talking to chat, commentating the match.
I can’t wait to watch the vod later to hear what they talked about.
The game goes as expected. Maki plays on our team along with Pally, who’s one of Rin’s mods who was able to join us for the game. The Ninjas, despite having various obstacles brought on by donations, kick our asses. It’s almost comical how terrible we are. Almost.
What is comical is watching Kei get wrapped up in the net at one point. Daniel, the Ninja’s captain, has to help untangle him while Sullivan looks like he’s about to collapse from how much he’s laughing.
With bruised egos, we make our way back to our home. We play games, encourage donations, and continue on. At 2am, I’m ready for a break. Thankfully, Azaad planned for this.
The mods all jump into a battle royale game together, winner getting a date with Kei. I go into my room and lie down. A moment later, Gayle joins me, spooning up behind me.
“You doing okay?”
I hum, pulling his arm around my middle. “Yeah. Just need a little breather.”
“You’re all so good at this,” he praises, making my insides turn warm. “It’s amazing that I even get to be a part of it.”
“Thank you for being here.”
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be. I love you, Rodney. I couldn’t be more proud of you and the work that you guys are doing.”
We lie together, catching a few moments of peace while the mods play. We wake up to the sound of cheering from the living room and untangle ourselves to go see what’s going on.
“We just hit 700 thousand dollars,” Kei says with excitement. “We’ve blasted through every fucking goal we’ve made. You guys are legends, holy shit!”
Gayle and I stand behind the couch, looking at the stream. The number is so huge, bigger than we hoped we would get. Somehow, chat always blows our expectations out of the water.
“Is it okay to cry now?”
I nod my head. “Yeah, it’s crying time,” I say, already feeling myself tearing up.
It’s not until later that we learn that Sookie was the winner of the mod battle royale, securing himself an online date with Kei. For the first time, I see Kei blush about the whole thing and I plan on teasing the hell out of him later.
Somehow, we get through the entire twenty-four hours. All of us pile onto the couch together once we’ve cut off the stream. We all stare, unable to articulate how we’re feeling.
“Fuck,” Kei says, all of us nodding in agreement. “Holy shit.”
“Well said,” Azaad says with a chuckle, lying on the floor next to Wizard.
“I think I need to sleep for a week,” I murmur, tilting my head back against the couch but knowing the adrenaline won’t allow me to sleep, not yet.
“We raised almost a million dollars,” Rin says softly, like he can’t believe it. “Holy fucking shit.”
“That’s gonna help so many people.”
“We can’t start crying again, you guys,” Gayle says but there’s a sniffle in his voice.
“This is gonna be really cheesy but I have to say it,” Kei says, sitting up and looking around the room.
We’re all here, gathered together. Azaad, Wizard, Pally, Calloway, Maki, Gayle, Suga, who came over after the volleyball match and brought us food.
“I fucking love you guys. I’m glad I know you all. ”
Rin wraps an arm around Kei’s shoulders, giving him a little shake. “We love you too, you grumpy bastard.”
There’s a chorus of agreement throughout the room. I carefully nudge Gayle off my lap and stand up, stretching my arms over my head with a groan.
“Food and then giant nesting pile?”
Rin grins. “Hell yes! The perfect way to end the event.”
After ordering some pizza and practically inhaling it, we get to work constructing the biggest nest ever in our living room, making sure there’s room for all of us. We all snuggle together, everyone slowly passing the fuck out as the long day hits us.
I wrap my hand around Gayle’s waist, kissing the back of his neck.
Calloway pats my hand before he’s drifting off to sleep as well.
I’m so happy I feel like I might start crying again.
I’ll have to drink so much water tomorrow with how dehydrated all these tears are going to leave me but that’s okay, some things are worth crying over.
Today went so well but I can’t help but think about how it wouldn’t have been the same without Gayle and Calloway being here. They’ve slotted themselves into my life so perfectly. I didn’t even know they were missing until they were here.
I love Gayle, but I also love Calloway. He might never feel like ‘my son’, but he’s family and that’s all that matters. We’re a unit and I’ll do everything in my power to make sure they stay happy and cared for.
I’m just so happy. I’m happy to know Gayle. I’m happy I never learned how to properly mute my mic. I’m happy we took a chance on each other. I let out a little sigh, tucking myself even tighter against Gayle’s back.
What better way to finish this fundraiser based on community than by nesting with my community. We get some well earned sleep, tucked together, warm and safe.