#gally one

[puffins-studio]

Gallifrey One!

I was just going to do a post about me giving my dolls to the different actors who were there but the whole experience at Gally was just something in it own. Warning I can and will ramble so this is long

I think this kinda set up my weekend. But one of the first things I got to do at Gally was meet Katiegangel. It just special as she is the first well know person online I meet and the first person I have meet in person who I’ve mailed a doll too. I did that thing were you see someone you recognized online and I didn’t know if I should go up to them or not. I just got there after like like a 7 hours in the car I had literally just gotten my tag and walked into the met room. And it was funny as, as I was waiting these two people came by like ‘ribbon?’ And I was just shaking ’yes!’ And they give me a Jo themed ribbon(I love Jo, I feel if I was in doctor who I would be a bit like her and I have a special place for 3 as he remind of my grandpa) but I was just like ‘I love Jo’ as I had nothing else in my brain.

But when I went up to Katie I very much not knowing what I should say was just ‘am the one who made the dolls’ and with the mask and the noise I had to say it two times but I think just the little noise she made at realization and the and crushing hug she give. it made everything feel like it will all go okay. the hugs were just very sweet and just us both trying to compliment each others works

And I had to get a picture

I also got to met my friend @picnokinesis! and for a moment I was reunited with my master doll ahah

I had a blast with them and their friends! when I wasn't running around the con and I was hanging with them, and I actually felt apart of a group of friends for once! there were all amazing and I hope I can see them all in person again! we even had a proper fam goodbye hug and I will remember that

Frazer Hines / Jamie McCrimmon

He was the first one I did the pictures with and the first one I give the dolls too. I kinda made it that why as he was the reason why I decide to go to a con(it also went how you expected and his dolls were the last ones I finished). I went into the pictures and he was like “oh did you make this?” and I was just “yes!” He thought it was lovely. And when I give them to, he immediately showed his handler and was looking at the details and when I asked to take a picture of him with the dolls he asked if I wanted to be in the photo too and he popped up and rushed to came to the other side of the table.

Also just them being held up by a box of Girl Scout cookies, is just really funny (and now I also must share the idea of if the dolls your alive, imagine mini Jamie and 2nd doctor just siting on the table both trying to eat a normal size cookies as people walked by. )

Bonnie Langford / Mal Bush

I took a picture with Bonnie and the dolls and she said the doll was perfect with the right colors. And she called me sweetheart. When I went to give her the doll I was chatting with her handle a little bit as Bonnie was in the middle of story and the handler noticed the doll I was holding and silently asked if I was giving it to Bonnie and I nodded and then I talked about how I made my river book, my coat, and scarf and she thought it was cool. I said I was thinking of set and costumes design and she was like “it all make sense now” And when I mentioned that I crocheted my scarf, the handler was like yeah! And held up her crochet she bought and said I did mine really well (lol I had some practice crocheting a tiny 4 and 13 scarf) and she was also amazed I got the puffy sleeves. But even Bonnie was like you should sell them,

Katy Manning / Jo Grant

Katy Mannibg! Jo!! So Jo is one of my favorites! I love her to death. And when I went to take a picture before I could even say anything, it was just HUG like an octopus

When I want to get her signature/ give the dolls, without even doing anything she leaned across the table and give me another hug. And when I handed her my river book she did a little doodle in my book as she felt like it and then she grab the grey pan and was like ‘oh now she gray’ to give Jo/herself greyed hair. and when I give her the dolls an she thought they were so nice, she said I was very clever for making them and got up and to come around to give me a big hug. I was just really happy to see her. I was very happy I got to tell her she does some of my favorite audios and I love all version of Jo as she said talking about how some people like the old Jo and some like the new Jo. she was just sweet and keep talking, she even mentioned how her grandkids would look at a Jo doll and say she their grandma. it was just so love to have meet her. and there's also just something about Katy calling you darling that make you feel special.

Colin Baker / 6th doctor

Colin was like “bye little me” when I was leaving the photo and I thought that was great (I got scared for a bit as I sat on a panel and was remind he have said he didn’t like the 6th doctor’s coat before) but he seem very excited, when I give him the doll he was like “it just like me, he has the perfect facial expression” And then he give me a ribbon! (it was one of his quote from the show, but I left it in my pocket it in the coat I left in the car and I been stuck on campus since the con so I can't go get and write what it says right now)

Sophie Aldred / Ace Mcshane

I was dying, when I was going down the elevator in the morning, the doors opened on one floor and it was Sophie!! And she came into my elevator. My mom was there with me and I knew she was confused as someone in the elevator was just like ‘yes of course we have room for you!’ and my mom could tell she was important by just the name tags so I leaned over and whisper she is ace. And in the car my mom said I looked like I was going to cry in that moment (it also was funny as my mom knows am asexual and I always say ace when talking about it, so when I was like ace this and ace that at the con she was confused for a bit.)

But I think she love the doll, it had all the embroidery on it. And she immediately showed her handler. and I think she was one of the ones who had the doll on display. She also liked she could pick any page in the river book I made, as she closed her eyes and opened it to a random page and I thought that was sweet.

Ace is one of my favorites and if you like her you should read Sophies's books she wrote for Ace. in her talk Sophie said she wrote the origin story one all on her own (and if you have read it, you know a little special thing she did in it that makes that she wrote it very sweet) and she said she originally wanted to have he master be the villein in that story, and I was there like !!! my brain started running with ideas of the mater with the doctor she wrote in the story (am like it would be funny if it was Ainley!master or any other master). the scripted with her was so fun! she hid behind a curtain at one point. and did lines for the 7th doctor. at the end there were also singing as the script was of the story Ghost Light. I felt very proud as I was probably the young person of the 20 who were there and I was able to raise my hand when they asked if we all seen that episode.

Jodie Whittaker / 13th doctor

When I did a picture with her I brought my master doll too as I had to (I also had him photobomb the 13 going picture and I've wondered if anyone have spotted him in the photo yet, as some spotted him when we were doing the last picture at the 13 meet up)

Am pretty sure she said they were nice when I want up there, my brain was and is all fuzzy, but a few said that. The lines for her autoghic were really line and really fast so I felt wried if I held it up since they had a box for gifts but I wanted to see her reaction. But she called my dolls brilliant 💕and she was happy to see I did Anna too from adult life skills. I was all shaky because of my anxiety. but just her calling them brilliant is everything.

Wendy Padbury / Zoe Heriot

For Wendy am sorry but she was one my brain was mush for as I was starting to get drain I had just give Jodie dolls so I was all jelly and can't really remember everything she said. But am pretty sure she liked them. I have picture of her looking a bit shock when she saw them, so that makes me happy. I think she liked the 2nd doctor one too.

For the dolls I was trying to make he character in doctor who and I made their doctor for the old companions who the doctor has passed, I though of it as I especially wanted to do that for Frazer as he voiced 2 in some audios and Katy as she just did a little story about always remembering her doctor. And I had to give Wendy a 2 as I wanted to and am a twin so I had to make it fair. I made two of Jodie as I kinda wanted to make more then one but I didn't want to play favorites with the fam.

Janet Fielding / Tegan Jovanka

My anxiety was kicking my butt at the time as the weekend was starting to get to me. For Janet she liked it and then I think she thought it was nice/ funny as I was in the 13 script read and I got to go up and read lines for Tegan and I totally forget I had a little Tegan in my pocket I was so excited to be up there. but I had to told her the little Tegan was my good luck chem. no picture of her with the dolls as I didn't want to hold up the line even more. and again I don't have the photo I took with her on my phone and can't take a picture of it right now.

It was really funny as when they were trying to pick someone for the script read. A guy yelled out he was Australian to get the part but they said no they wanted someone with a bad Australian accent and so I took my chance and randomly yelled out “people thick am Australian” As I have lost count of the number of people who have asked because of my screech impairment and the fact I can talk fast, if am Australian(I keep track of all the places people think am from as I find it fun). And then Jodie picked me! and this was a funny picture is from of just me being over excited, all the others are of me grinning like an idiot. I didn't think she actually picked me for a moment and I thought it was someone behind me, but I ran up and forgot my script and then I had to run back to get it.

there also this (https://twitter.com/trulyafiasco/status/1627374277946384384) just happy jumps as the Master! it also funny that am dressed like 13 as like yes the one dressed as 13 is reacting just like how the actually actor is. And I don't know if you can see, it might just be because I know he is there, and this isn't the best picture for it. but I have a mini O doll on my tag. and if anyone have a video of Jodie doing the master's lines can you send it me please!, I couldn't enjoy it as I was there shaking. Also just how people stater to give her a hug at the end, I was just like oh yes me too. and just how when we were getting off the stage the host like 'were my hug?' and I joined Katie in teasing him. that was me in my truly in my happy silly mood.

When I was in the last line before I had to leave Gally. I was talking with someone and they mention how they saw the actors had the dolls on display and they had asked where they gotten them and they all just said someone came and give them the dolls. after hearing that I just felt a bit proud from. Over they had them on display and people were asking about them. it also made me happy I was able to get all the main ones, as at one point I thought I missed Janet and I was like noooo. And when I got to Gally and I given the first doll, I had the thought of "what if the actors talked among themselves and mentioned the dolls popping up" as I told Bonnie I just give one to Colin and I bet Frazer showed people.

Gally was just a very nice place. like we all know we are weird so why not we all be happy about it. like the first day I walked into a elevator with strangers and one was "good morning" and so we all said good morning back. Just how everyone gushed about each others costumes and props, feel to nice. and the ribbons were so nice I was worried about not having any to trade as this was my first time but some people just started handing them out. towards the end I was in another elevator and one person pulled some ribbons out and then another person did the same and then we all started trying to pass them all around before the doors close.

I think it great that the people who were in the classics still want to be apart of doctor who and come to these cons. as like think of all the people who just got into the classics, they wouldn't get to experience it. haha and you can tell my brain is stuck on classic, as I did a little quiz when I was there and one of the questions was list 5 male companion and I was just “Adric!” as you have to yell his name, and then my partner listed all the guys from new who.

I think if I go next year am definitely going to get ribbons and with my dolls I want to do more funny pictures with other people in costumes like I want to find someone dressed as the master and take a picture with a mini dolls or bring my tiny Dalek. I did get this picture and it a bit funny to me. also the idea that I was like "oh can I get a picture... with my dolls?"

if I seem shy, just know I can be like this and I will talk your ear off if you let me.

For Gallifrey I made a 13 scarf, a 13 coat, I re bounded my river book, and made 12 big dolls and 3 mini dolls. and with classes I did a lot of it last minute/during winter break, I even leaned how to cable stitch for a little hat. I will post all the new ones soon, I just need to type up posts. I also have more pictures from Gally I just had to limit myself

#I just felt so loved there #and like I was a real artist as people liked everything I made and wanted pictures too #then I had to go back to college to a art professor who like nothing I do and had me ink and print what is equal to 111 prints just to see #jamie mccrimmon #frazer hines #bonnie langford #mel bush #katy manning #jo grant #colin baker #sixth doctor #sophie aldred #ace mcshane #jodie whittaker #thriteenth doctor #wendy padbury #zoe heriot #janet fielding #tegan jovanka #gally one #gallifrey one #gally 2023 #gallifrey one 2023 #my dolls

[kazmyass]

hey! i just came over from tiktok, could you possibly do a gally x reader where he tries to act tough around all of the guys but (y/n) starts teasing about how sweet he actually is and he has to try and defend himself but gets all flustered over it, but can’t get mad at (y/n) cause he’s got that fat crush on her? (fem pronouns possibly please?)

Not So Tough

Pairing: Gally x fem!reader

Description: Gally has a hard exterior, but secretly melts when y/n is around.

Warnings: smooching, glade slang, idk just a lot of fluff, gally being a bit of a jerk

Words: 651

Prompt: Grumpy x Sunshine Trope

A/N: It lowkey ends kinda abruptly but OH WELL HERE YA GO

“Gally, would you please stop yelling at the rest of the builders and actually start building?” Newt called from the gardens.

“No can do, I gotta make sure everyone stays in line, that’s why you put me in charge of the builders, remember?” Gally called back, yelping soon after when one of the newer gladers dropped a piece of wood on his head. “You shank! Look what you’ve done! Dropping klunk all over the place, you should be sent to the slammer!”

“Gally, is that really any way to talk to the new guy?” Y/n jogged up to Gally from the med-jack hut where she was just supervising Clint and Jeff. Y/n was somewhat of a floater when it came to jobs. When they were testing what jobs she was good at, she was nearly good at every single one. Well, except for the slicers. Poor Winston nearly scared the girl half to death when he first came out with a machete.

“I uh- Well he dripped- I mean dropped that shucking piece of wood on me an-” Gally stammered.

“Gally, c’mon give the guy a break, he’s only been here a week,” Y/n said with a soft smile.

“Look, I’m just trying to do my job, gotta make sure everything gets done, right?” Gally said, seeming to regain his composure.

“And it will get done, you can just be a little nicer about it through,” Y/n said, placing a hand on Gally’s arm and running her fingers down his bicep.

Gally blushed. Y/n was playing him like a fiddle and she knew damn well what she was doing.

“I’ll see you at supper?” Y/n said.

“You know you’re the only one that calls it that, right? It’s dinner,” Gally snorted.

“Oh shut it, you know you love me,” Y/n said before turning over her shoulder and walking away, not before giving Gally one last smile. Gally stood there for a moment, not sure what to do with himself.

“Oi, Gally, what were you saying about making sure things get done?” Newt called, snickering to Alby.

“Oh slim it,” Gally growled. “No- you can’t hammer that in, there’s not a screw to hold it together!” He turned his attention to the Greenie.

___

“Hey big guy, not interested in tackling anyone to the ground tonight?” Y/n’s voice came from above Gally.

“No, not tonight, gonna try to go to sleep early,” Gally said, getting up and trying his best to avoid y/n. But before he could leave, y/n grabbed his wrist.

“Wait- did today really bother you?” She asked, furrowing her brow.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Gally broke away from her grip and tried to escape again, but she was too quick for him. She grabbed his arm again.

“You know what I’m talking about. I didn’t think it would bother you, I thought you would actually like it, y’know considering I was flirting with you.” Gally’s eyes nearly bulged out of his head.

“Oh my god,” Y/n laughed. “Wasn’t it obvious?”

“Kinda hard to pay attention to that when things need to get done,” Gally cleared his throat, trying his hardest to hide the smile that was forming on his face.

“Oh don’t act like you weren’t blushing the whole time you- oh my god you’re even blushing right now!” She laughed.

“Shh, no I’m not,” Gally smiled back at her, the blush returning to his cheeks.

“You are! Gally’s blushing! Gally’s blu-” Y/n called when she was cut off.

Gally’s lips crashed into hers as his hand moved to her cheeks. Y/n closed her eyes and sunk into the kiss, bringing her arms around his neck. When Gally pulled away first, y/n smiled.

“What was that for?” She breathed.

“To shut you up,” Gally smiled. He looked to her lips and back to her eyes. “And also because I’ve wanted to do that for a while.”

#gally imagine #gally one shot #gally maze runner #gally fluff #tmr gally #gally x y/n #gally #gally x reader #mazerunner #will poulter #fanfic #fiction #romance #writing #wattpad #gally tmr x reader #gally tmr #tmr smut #gally smut #will poulter smut

[rockhousejai]

Public domain Willy and Gally

Alt.

#my art #art #drawing #digital art #mickey mouse #jai art #disney #minnie and mickey #minnie mouse #AAAAAA #I wanna try and design them #colors were kinda hard to pick for the b&w one #but yeah I did it #Minnie name is Gally in here because why not lol #Willy and Gally #steamboat willie #Willy Rodent #Gally Rodent

[reecypontiff]

A new friend's Eighth Doctor deep cut Caerdroia cosplay at Gallifrey One 2024

#doctor who #eighth doctor #caerdroia #big finish #gally 1 #Gallifrey One

[slut4fictionalmen33]

Drowned In Affection (gally)

Summary: looking for a way to get into WCKD you come across a familiar face

Warnings: FLUFF, language, violence (i think that’s it)

Word count: 0.8k

You and Thomas were falling behind the rest of the group. Running away from dust clouds and gun shots from the giant cannons at the top of WCKD’s walls.

Suddenly Thomas had disappeared but before you could run off somewhere else a hand grabbed you and pulled you into the corridor.

“Thanks.”

“No problem.” Thomas said gesturing for you to run in front of him to eliminate risk.

You ran in front of him ducking under the clothes lines and broken down walls until you reached the end of the corridor to see your group being shoved into vans.

You were grabbed soon after Thomas by a tall man.

“No! No!” You screamed. But he just threw you over his shoulder like you weighed nothing.

He placed you down in the back of the truck and climbed in behind you. You were the only one from your group in the vehicle and the men in the masks were not making this any easier for you.

The truck stopped abruptly sending you across the truck. One of the men let out a gasp.

“Y/n you need to be careful.” You backed up against the doors. One, how did he know your name? And two what was going on.

“Who the hell are you? How do you know my name?” You backed up again until your back was touching the doors. Until the doors opened and your back made a smack noise on the ground knocking the wind out of you.

“Oh shit.” The man who said your name uttered. “I told you to be careful.” He reached for your hand. But instead you pulled away and backed up.

You were taken out of your trance when Jorge burst through the back of one of the vans jumping on one of the men punching him repeatedly in the face.

“Where the hell is she? Where is she?” He yelled.

“I’m right here. I’m right here.” Brenda stopped him.

They hugged when one of the men interrupted. “Calm down, we're all on the same side.”

“All on the same side?” Thomas scoffed. “Who the hell are you?” He questioned.

There was a pause before the man removed his mask revealing a beautiful face. Gally.

“Hey greenie.” He said simply dropping his mask when Thomas punched and tackled him to the floor similarly to how Gally did to his victims back in the maze.

“Woah Tommy stop!” Newt ran over. “He saved us.”

“He killed Chuck.” Thomas gritted out his fist still cocked in the air.

“Yeah but I also remember he was stung and half out of his mind.” Newt added.

Thomas slowly got off of him and Gally stood up leaving you and Gally standing face to face.

“Gally?” You questioned making sure he was in fact real. “Is it really you?”

“Yes sweetheart.” He opened his arms. You ran over to him jumping in his arms wrapping your arms around his neck, his caressing you lower back.

“But how?” You murmured into his neck.

Newt must’ve heard you because he had read your mind. “Yeah we watched you die.” Gally slowly let you down.

“No you left me to die.” Gally confronted Newt. “And if we hadn’t found you when we did you’d be dead too. What are you doing here anyway?” He questioned as you clung to his arm.

“Minho.” Newt stated simply. “WCKDS got him.”

“Well I can help with that.”

~

After your short talk with Lawrence you came to the conclusion that two people would get into the city with Gally which was unfortunately not you.

“Gally please be careful I can’t lose you again.” You pleaded tears threatening to fall.

“I promise. I love you so much.” He hugged you.

“I love you too baby.” You replied, allowing him to climb down the ladder leading the boys into the sewer.

After a while you started getting worried. That was until the sewer drain opened with a pop and the three that went in came back out.

When Gally stood back up you exchanged another hug and kiss before going off to a real bed for the first time in a long time.

“This is my room.” He led you to a single bed room, bed made and room tidy.

“Is this where you’ve been the whole time?” You questioned.

“Pretty much. They fixed me up and I've been here ever since. Works out.”

“I missed you.” You hugged him again.

“Trust me, me too. Don’t tell anyone but I cuddle with my pillow every night pretending it’s you.” He whispered the last part and let out a laugh.

You laughed too. “Well tonight I'm real.” You got into the bed. “And I’ve been losing sleep without you.” You smiled waiting for him to climb into the bed.

You both fell asleep in each other's arms and practically drowned each other in affection. But you were fine with drowning as long as it was with Gally.

#gally maze runner #gally #gally imagine #gally one shot #gally fluff #gally x y/n #tmr gally #gally x reader #mazerunner #will poulter

[nomoreusername]

Good Liar

I groaned as I carried the planks of wood across the Glade. I'd been lugging them along all day. I'm pretty sure my back's permanently bruised from the amount of times I'd slammed them over my shoulder.

"Not like that you shank!"Gally yelled at one of his Builders. I rolled my eyes at his usual attitude. It's pretty entertaining to see them all flustered. If you really knew him he wasn't even close to being intimidating.

"Do you need a hand?"Gally offered as I added another plank to the pile.

"I don't know Gally. You look pretty busy yelling at that poor guy over there,"I replied, with mock sincerity.

"You're hilarious. Do you want some help or not?"He asked again.

"I have a few more over there. It'd be great if you'd just help with the rest."

"Maybe I should be Gally's girlfriend. Then, he'd do more than yell at me,"The guy from earlier mumbled.

"Excuse me?"Gally asked, turning around.

"I just meant you're so nice to your girlfriend. I didn't mean anything by it,"He shrugged.

"That's the greatest I've heard all day,"I said, holding back a laugh.

"Did I say something wrong?"He asked, confused. "Not at all. I've been looking for a new joke,"I responded, pretending to wipe a tear from my eye. "So you're not a couple?"He asked.

By now I couldn't hold back my laughter. Gally was not amused which only made it better. I don't know what I did to deserve this, but it's probably the best part of my day.

"Not a couple,"Gally grumbled. He had actually gone red in the face. It made me unreasonably happy to see Gally close to being speechless.

"It's really not that funny,"He mumbled.

"It absolutely is that funny,"I disagreed.

"You're such a shuckface."

"I should probably go back to work,"The guy muttered.

"Oh definitely. Gally probably wants to rip your head off,"I warned.

"Are you done?"Gally huffed.

"If I have to be. Just help me with these planks."

"No. You're being a shank,"He scoffed, before leaving.

"Good call. I'll see you at dinner loverboy,"I yelled.

That was so ridiculous. Us? A couple? What a bad match. I'm only thinking about it because it's funny. I'm definitely not covering up my hidden feelings.

I'm also a great liar so I guess we'll never know.

#tmr gally #one shot #the maze runner #gally x y/n #gally x reader

[arcadian-litterateur]

sick of kissing you in my head (when can it be real instead?) | modern au!gally x fem!reader

masterlist

summary: your boyfriend, gally, is across the country, and despite the struggles a long distance relationship can bring, your love is strong enough to carry you through the long distance season of your relationship. but spending your birthday without him is different than spending normal days separated, and you know deep down that nothing will make you happy on your birthday when he’s all you need.

word count: 8k holy—i really didn’t even realize how long this was till i checked the wc omg

warnings: emotional meltdown, mention of anxiety and anxiety meds, brief mention of panic attacks

a/n: hey guys! i love love love the song this is based off of: all i need (the distance song) by avery lynch. it's such a good song. this was supposed to just be fluff about visiting your bf gally, and then it turned into a whole thing lol. so yeah, i hope you guys enjoy this long ass one shot. i really really enjoyed writing it.

“𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘧 𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘵𝘺 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘺 𝘧𝘢𝘷𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘦. 𝘪𝘧 𝘪 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭�� 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭, 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪’𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥. 𝘣𝘢𝘣𝘺, 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘪 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥.”

𝗥𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥 onto my side, legs brushing against my sheets, I smile at the FaceTime call on my phone, but it's bittersweet. On the other end of the video call sits my boyfriend, the soft smile on his face mirroring my own. From where he sits, I can see the San Francisco skyline out his hotel window, highlighted by the rising sun.

“I miss you,” I mumble, studying the lines and contours of his face and wondering if they've changed since the last time I saw him in person. If I've missed any change; any detail while we've been separated. If anything has changed or tipped the balance since we've been apart. 

I'm not insecure in my relationship with Gally, but be long distance for enough time and everyone gets in their head about it. Catches themselves wondering; doubting.

“I miss you more every time we have to part,” I add, watching the bitter take over the sweet in my boyfriend's eyes for a few seconds before he replies.

“I know, baby, I know.” His gaze wanders into the space between the atoms, his mind leaping forward into the future as he assures both me and himself, “Once my contract with WCKD Enterprises is up, I'll be able to move back to Denver. We'll be back in the same city.”

My smile is tired, only half there, and Gally knows it. It's been months since I've held him in my arms. This long distance routine is wearing us both out. We're both running out of steam—not for each other; not for our relationship, but for the complexity that being long distance has brought to our relationship. Conflicting schedules, spotty internet, the deprivation of physical contact with the person we crave it from the most…it's all beginning to pile up, and we both know it.

In an attempt to change the subject, I ask, “When is your flight back to Chicago again?” I already know, but I'm not sure what else to say, and besides, it's always good to check.

“Your birthday,” comes the cheeky reply, my eyes rolling of their own accord as I secretly admire the handsome grin on my boyfriend's face. But all too soon, his grin fades.

“I'm sorry I can't be there for your birthday,” he says gently. I wave him off, assuring him that I'll be just fine.

“Bren, Tes, and Sony are planning something. Won't tell me what, though.” I sigh before admitting, “It won't be the same without you. But your work's important.” Gally smiles gratefully, but there's cracks in the smile, and my stomach sinks. Guilt over my last comment settles in my digestive tract. “Sorry,” I mumble.

“No, no, don't apologize,’’ Gally says quickly. “You're allowed to be sad that I can't be there.” His amiable grin morphs into a scowl, “Tried to get Janson to give me the time off, I really did. But that rat wouldn't do it.” I give Gally what I hope is a reassuring smile.

“It's okay, babe.” We fall into silence, not necessarily comfortable, but not bad either, before Gally interjects,

“It'll be nice to be in my own apartment, though. I'm getting sick of all these Californian hotels. I'll be glad to be home, smog and noisy L-trains galore.” I chuckle, knowing that Gally loves Chicago because of its quirks, not in spite of them.

Still, Denver has always been home to me. But Gally and I've decided to cross that bridge when we get to it. We've got enough to think about as it is.

I'm trying to come up with another conversation topic, since I don't have work until later today, but unfortunately, Gally isn't so lucky. It’s the perks of working from home as a crisis hotline counselor, I guess. The hours aren’t as demanding, since the work itself is.

“Shoot, I have to go,” he hisses. “I'm sorry, princess. I'll call you tonight?” I nod, forcing myself to look forward to tonight's call, rather than be sad that this one is ending. “Alright, good that,” Gally grins. “I love you, babe!”

“I love you, Gal,” I smile and wave goodbye. The half-baked grin melts right off my face once he's hung up. Gosh, I miss him so much. 

There's only so much comfort a video call can give.

Teresa calls me soon after Gally hangs up, blabbering on and on about a date she'd had with some guy named Ben, but I can't focus on her stories like I normally would. Usually, I'm all in to hear my friend's tales, but my mind is still fixated on the miles separating Gally and I. Something in me wonders how much longer we'll be able to go without holding each other. How much longer we can stand to be separated.

When we first started dating, I could have gone months, as long as we were still interacting. But as my love for Gally increased, the length of time I could stand to be without him decreased. 

I'm fully, unashamedly in love with Gally now, and part of me wonders what I would do to be living in the same place as him. To be in his arms for good. The easy answer—the most raw answer—is anything. I'd do anything for him.

“(Y/N)?” Teresa's voice brings me out of my thoughts, her suspicious tone confirming that she's noticed my lack of focus today. “You weren't listening, were you?” To an outsider, her tone might sound harsh; reproachful, even, but I know her too well. She's not mad. Just annoyed she'll have to repeat her story if she wants me to hear it.

“I'm sorry,” I mumble, and it's sincere. I am sorry that I lost focus. But I don't apologize for pining after my faraway boyfriend. There's no reason to, for one, and two, I won't ever apologize for thinking of him. For missing him. 

Teresa is grinning at my distracted tone, I can tell. Even through the phone, I can tell. “You're good. Dreaming about your bae, aren't you?” 

I don't hesitate to admit, “Yes. I miss him more than I thought was even possible.” I hear Teresa's hum from the other end of the phone.

“You need to see him,” she declares. I scoff.

“Believe me, I know, and we're trying to figure out when he can next visit, but we're both just so busy.” Teresa clucks her tongue, the sound distorting oddly through the phone speaker. I imagine it running across the telephone poles, through the wires, twisting and bending and knotting out of shape as it flies all the way to me.

“I didn't mean like that, (Y/N). You need to go see him.” I chuckle, I wish I could.

“He's busy, Tes. Besides, he isn't even in Chicago right now,” I reason. This doesn't deter her.

“Well, when will he next be in Chicago?”

“His flight's on my birthday.” 

“That's perfect!” Teresa squeals. 

“How is that perfect?” I huff.

“You can fly out and spend your birthday with him! Surprise him!” 

I actually laugh at this. “Um, no, I can't. I don't have the kind of money to just throw down for plane tickets. Besides, weren't you, Brenda, and Sonya planning something?” 

“Well, yeah, but we could always change plans if we needed to,” Teresa says as if it's the most obvious thing in the world. On any other day, I would entertain this kind of silly daydreaming, but today, I already felt lonely enough.

“Sorry, Tes. Those spontaneous decisions are not my cup of tea,” I sigh, and I think she can tell I'm shutting the conversation down. She lets it go, and I thank her silently, forcing the ache in my heart left by Gally's absence to venture to the back of my mind. If I waste the day away, it'll be evening again, and then he'll call, just like he said. 

And so despite the fact that I know wasting the days away is bad for me, I do it anyway. Just today, I tell myself. Just today.

Of course, I know I'll do it again tomorrow, and the next day, and all the hours in between my calls with Gally. It's ridiculous, how they all say having space helps one think clearer, when having space just distracts me by making me miss him that much more.

When he's gone, I'm reminded that much more that he's all I need.

_______________________________

𝗜𝗧’𝗦 𝗦𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗡 p.m. by the time Gally calls, his eyes lighting up when he sees me despite the exhausted, burnt out look on his face. I'm equally as ecstatic as he is to revel in the gaze of my lover, both of us simply brushing every inch of each other's faces with our eyes, memorizing each other for the millionth time. It won't be the last time, either. I could never get tired of scanning my gaze across his skin, memorizing every inch of his beautiful face. 

In our current situation, it's the closest I can get to kissing every inch of his beautiful face.

Gally is the first to break the silence, and I'm okay with it. He's the one who's had a long day. He knows what he needs to talk or not talk about. I just love hearing his voice. 

“How was your day, baby?” he asks, a tired sort of happiness seeping into his voice. Like I'm giving him some kind of rest just by smiling at him.

“It was good. Uneventful.” I shrug, knowing that I'd barely moved from the chair I occupied now. “The real question is, how was your day, my love?” 

Gally grins at the pet name. He always does. It's the same reaction that I have whenever he uses terms of endearment on me. It's our own personal love language of sorts. How many different ways can I call you mine?

“My day was okay,” Gally says quietly, sighing when he sees the look on my face. The one that tells him to lay it on me; rant if it'll make him sleep better tonight. “Well, it was…mediocre,” he amends, running a hand through his short hair. “Tim was being an ass. As always.” I nod sympathetically, understanding the deep hatred he harbors for his coworker.

Why Gally doesn't like Tim, I'm not exactly sure, but I know it has something to do with taking credit for a project that Gally did all the work on. It resulted in a harsh lecture from their boss for Gally, who was presumed to have slacked off, and a promotion for Tim. 

Anyone who knows Gally knows that he would never slack off. He takes duty and work seriously; more seriously than anyone else I've met, in fact. I know my boy. He wouldn't hurt his company's productivity, even if his boss is an asshole like Janson.

“I'm sorry Tim was giving you trouble, baby,” I croon, watching the aches and tension of the day seeping out of his stiff shoulders at the sound of my voice. His smile weaves its way back onto his face. It's a soft, vulnerable smile, the one that makes me want to take him in my arms and just hold him like the precious treasure he is.

“I wish I could hug you,” Gally groans, rubbing his chin with his fingers before trying to regain his composure. “Sorry…I don't mean to bring everything up again. I just…I just miss you.” My comforting smile wobbles, knowing that those same thoughts are eating away at me inside, but I bring the happy thoughts back to the surface and my grin rights itself.

“Soon, love, soon,” I murmur, knowing I can't truly promise anything with how busy our lives have become. But soon doesn't have a time slot or expiration date. I can promise soon and define it later. All I know is that it brings a smile to my boy's face, and that's what I need right now. 

We spend the rest of the night talking, lifted by the promise of Soon, love, soon, knowing that it could very well mean a long, long time. 

_______________________________

𝗦𝗨𝗡𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗠𝗦 in my bedroom window, blinding me when my eyes flicker open. But once I blink away the black spots in my vision, I see that the sunlight isn't the only reason I was pulled from the comforting arms of sleep. 

Brenda, Teresa, and Sonya are standing at my bedside, my sheets in a bunched up ball in Sonya's hands. I groan, trying to roll away, but Bren, ever the fearless one, grabs my shoulder and pulls me back to face them.

“Get up, (Y/N). No spending the day moping,” she orders. I heave out an exaggerated sigh, making my body intentionally limp as Brenda and Teresa each grab one of my arms, pulling me upright until I have to support my own weight. 

“Sometimes I really regret giving you guys my apartment passcode,” I comment, leading Sonya to pinch my arm. I yelp, rubbing the red mark as I get manhandled out of my pajamas and into a new outfit by my best friends. “What—what are you crazies doing?” I splutter, quickly taking the pair of jeans from Teresa's hands before she can try to shove them on my legs, opting to put them on myself. 

“We aren't letting you mope around until Gally visits. Who knows how long that would be? It's not healthy,” Sonya explains, linking an arm through mine as the three girls drag me to the bathroom. Brenda shoves my toothpaste-loaded toothbrush into my hand as Tes starts pulling my hair brush through my hair.

“Ow,” I complain around a mouthful of toothpaste suds, pulling away from Teresa's assault on my tender scalp momentarily to spit. She and Sonya make quick work of my slightly frizzy hair, tag teaming it to create a fun yet elegant braid. 

“Beautiful,” Sonya sighs, leaning back to admire her handiwork. Brenda, on the other hand, seems to have some kind of mental checklist, full of all the tasks she must see me complete.

“Breakfast is next,” she commands, and I find myself being pulled into my kitchen, watching helplessly as my friends dive into making us a scrumptious, sugary feast.

I have to admit, the fluffy blueberry pancakes filling my stomach certainly make venturing out into the world much easier than I expected. I only feel the need to text Gally three times before leaving my apartment with my friends, rather than the usual five to ten. Whether these texts are to let him know I'm fine or to make sure he's fine, I've never been able to figure out. Maybe they're both. Either way, it's a good thing Brenda shoved my meds into my hand before breakfast. 

When I'm here alone, I don't take them. Sometimes I skip them on purpose, sometimes I just forget. But either way, I don't take my anxiety meds unless Brenda is there to shove them down my throat. Thinking about it, I'm grateful she's here to force me to take them today. With all of these mixed up feelings about being separated from Gally for so long, having more control over my anxiety will be good.

A day shopping with my best friends is a good distraction from the painful loneliness I've been feeling without Gally. It's not exactly a cure, but it's close. My friends know this; know their own limitations, and so they do the best they can.

And I'm so grateful that they've put in the time. Put in the effort. All for me.

“Thank you,” I whisper to them as we sit in our favorite coffee shop, sipping oat milk lattes. 

“Of course,” Brenda immediately responds.

“We love you,” Sonya adds.

“We know we aren't your boy,” Teresa chimes in, “but we're your best friends, and that means we stick by you. No matter what.” She leans over to rub my arm. “When you're down, I'm down. We wanted to help pick you back up.”

The smile on my face is genuine for the first time in a long time, knowing that my friends love me enough to support me despite having the knowledge that they can't give me everything I need. They give what they can, and accept me when it doesn't fix everything.

I haven't always had friends this good, and I look up at the sky, thanking the heavens that I've been blessed with such good friends now.

_______________________________

𝗧𝗪𝗢 𝗗𝗔𝗬𝗦 before my birthday, I can’t get Teresa’s half-joking, hare-brained idea out of my head. Realistically, I know that the likelihood that I could find a flight on my birthday to Chicago that isn’t full (or way too expensive) is slim. Realistically, I know that I don’t have the money for plane tickets right now. Realistically, I know that flying halfway across the country on a whim to see my boyfriend is ridiculous. 

But when Gally sends me his flight information, knowing I like to watch his progress and get confirmation when he lands safely, I find myself checking flights from Denver to Chicago, telling myself it’s just out of curiosity. Because what if there is a flight to Denver from Chicago on my birthday? What if there is a possibility that I could see Gally on my birthday? What if there is a chance that I could have this gift; the only one I truly want?

If there’s even a chance to see Gally on my birthday, I want to know. 

Gally’s flight information is pulled up on my phone, which is next to me on my desk as I scroll through flights on my laptop. My right thumbnail is between my teeth, bitten down to the quick and then some. It seems that flying is a popular travel option right now, as flights are filled even into places like Dawson County, Montana. Every flight I find from Denver to Chicago is either full or too expensive for someone just out of college, like me. The cheapest is $374, and I know rationally that blowing through that much money would be devastating for my finances. 

I swear under my breath, angry at myself for even getting my hopes up. It was a stupid idea to check the flights, and I find myself wishing I could go back in time to stop myself from looking. The disappointment grows even larger knowing that there would be a way to get to him if I wasn’t a broke post-college student making minimum wage in the Mile-High City. Then the disappointment and anger melt away, leaving me with a heart wrenching sadness that feels so empty and yet so all-consuming that I can’t help but break down into tears.

I don’t want to let myself cry about a silly daydream that was unlikely to happen anyway, but I’d let myself entertain the thought of seeing Gally soon; of holding him close and kissing him until we couldn’t breathe, and now everything else seemed pale in comparison. It wasn’t that my life had no purpose outside of him—I’d made it very clear when we started dating that the two of us needed to make sure we had lives outside of our relationship, too. But Gally had become a part of me; my favorite part of me, in fact. I was perfectly happy with the life I had, but Gally made it even sweeter. And knowing that sweetness was mine but was inaccessible made the absence of it even more palpable. Even more unbearable.

Crumpled into a heap on my floor with tears slowly leaking from my eyes is how Teresa finds me when she opens my door fifteen minutes later. “Hey, girl—” she calls before seeing me, rushing to my side with a worried, “Oh, my gosh, what’s wrong, (Y/N)?” I just shake my head, the waterworks turning back up to full blast.

“I miss him so much,” I sob as she gathers me in her arms, unable to care that I sound pathetic. 

“Oh, I know, darling, I know,” Teresa coos, rocking back and forth with my shaking body, whispering comforting words into my ears just like she always does when I get so worked up. My chest heaves as I try to catch my breath, hand flying up to wipe the snot from my nose, but of course, the minute it’s gone, more replaces it. I’m past the point of an easy calm-down, instead finding myself close to the edge of hyperventilating. Thankfully, Teresa isn’t a stranger to my emotional meltdowns, and she isn’t afraid of them, either. Instead, she’s the kind of friend who will take my hand and guide me through it.

“Did you take your meds this morning?” she asks cautiously, to which I shake my head in embarrassment. Tears are still pooling in the corners of my eyes as I manage to get out,

“I’m sorry.” 

Teresa just shushes me calmly. “Don’t apologize. It’s in the past now. I just wanted to know.” I nod shakily, the soothing pressure of her hand rubbing my arm helping me steady my breaths slightly. “What set you off?” she queries, squeezing me a bit tighter when the tears speed up again.

“I—I decided to check the flights for my birthday,” I answer, sniffling as my best friend strokes my hair lovingly. “It was stupid, because it just made me upset. They’re all too expensive, and I knew they would be, and it just made me miss him so much more.” Admitting it out loud makes me feel even dumber, the guilt creeping into my stomach. “I did this to myself,” I mumble. Subconsciously, my nails find their way to my arms, digging into the delicate skin and leaving pink crescents behind. Teresa pulls my hands away from my arms quickly.

“Stop blaming yourself. You did nothing wrong. I would’ve done the same, (Y/N).” I know she’s trying to comfort me, but I just squeeze my eyes shut.

“Yeah, and it wouldn’t have caused you to end up on the floor like a pathetic child.”

“(Y/N)! Stop!” Teresa scolds me. “Stop with the negative self-talk.” I try to protest, but she fixes me with that no-nonsense look that can get anyone to agree to anything, and I find myself nodding meekly. “None of this is your fault. You’re in a difficult situation, being separated from your boyfriend, and your heart isn’t sure how to handle it. That’s okay. You don’t have to know how to handle it perfectly yet.” I sigh, leaning into my best friend’s shoulder, feeling slightly calmer now. She always knows the right words to say when I’m in too deep to think straight. 

Teresa coaxes me into the kitchen to drink hot chocolate once my breathing has steadied somewhat. She’s looking at me with an odd look that I can’t quite place, as if she’s…proud of me?

“Why are you looking at me like that?” I ask warily over the top of my steaming mug. My best friend grins, staring at me for a couple more seconds before replying,

“You’re just, like, the strongest person I know.” My face turns what I assume is beet red at the compliment, not expecting such high praise from the woman who just held me in her arms as I sobbed like a baby. But then again, Teresa is special. She doesn’t judge based on outward appearances or impressions. She can see right into the heart of people, as if she can sense their goodness; their potential, and then she nudges them down that path. Helping them choose the sunshine. The good side. The light.

Knowing her compliment is slightly overwhelming, Teresa shrugs and changes the subject so fast I think I get whiplash. “You should call Gally,” she suggests. “Tell him that you were missing him and ask him for some love.” I cringe, turning away from her.

“I don’t want to make him feel bad that he isn’t here. I think I’ve already done that too much this week.” 

Teresa scoffs, “That’s nonsense. He’ll be happy that you reached out to him after your meltdown. He’ll be touched that you wanted to let him know how you’re doing. He’ll feel honored that you’re willing to be vulnerable with him.” I know deep down that she’s right; that the only thing he’d do is make me feel better. Never after calling Gally do I feel worse. I know I’m just scared to hurt him, but he always assures me that I don’t need to harbor that fear. I don’t need to hold onto that anxious voice in my head that whispers, You don’t deserve him.

I can even imagine him next to me if I try hard enough, murmuring, “You’re perfect, baby,” when I grow insecure. Whispering, “I’m so lucky to have you” in my ear when I doubt myself.

“Okay,” I agree, letting Teresa take my phone and FaceTime him. Despite the fact that it’s the middle of the work day, Gally picks up on the first ring, a concerned look decorating his handsome face.

“Teresa? Wha—” 

“She’s fine!” Teresa rushes to assure him, motioning for me to join her on the couch. I pop my head into the frame, wincing as I see how swollen and puffy my face is. Gally’s forehead immediately creases upon seeing me, obviously still worried when he sees the tear stains on my cheeks.

“Babe, are you okay?” he asks. Teresa silently asks if I want to take the phone, but I shake my head. My hands are still slightly shaky, and holding the phone is an added stressor. Teresa understands and angles the phone towards me.

“Yeah, I’m okay, don’t worry,” I whisper, my boyfriend’s shoulders relaxing only slightly. “I just had a bit of a meltdown. Teresa found me and helped me calm down.” Gally’s eyebrows soften, his mouth tilting down in a sympathetic frown.

“Oh, baby, I’m sorry,” he murmurs. “What happened?”

“I just miss you,” I mumble sheepishly after a second’s pause. It seems kind of silly once I admit it out loud, and I start to duck my face away when Gally gets my attention.

“Hey, (Y/N), (Y/N),” he says, waiting until I’ve turned back to him before continuing, “You don’t need to feel embarrassed. I miss you, too, okay? I miss you so much. You don’t need to feel ashamed for struggling.” He waits for me to respond, and I nod slightly. Truth be told, just hearing his voice has made me feel better; stronger. There’s something about his comforting, strong tone that soothes me. Just his voice can make me truly believe in myself. I swear, this man could make me believe anything as long as he says it aloud. 

“Thank you for picking up,” I smile, finding my mood lightening as a grin finds its way back onto his face. “Seeing you helped.” Gally blushes slightly, rubbing a hand along his chin.

“I’m glad I could help, baby.” Offscreen, someone gruffly commands him to get back to work, and he mutters an apology before turning back to the screen. “I’m sorry, but I have to go. But call me if you need anything, okay?” I nod, trailing my eyes over his freckles one more time as he thanks Teresa for taking care of me and then hangs up.

“It helped?” she asks, as if double-checking to make sure I truly am feeling better.

“Yeah,” I grin sheepishly. “You know what you’re talking about.” With a roll of my eyes, I joke, “You should be a counselor for a living. At this rate, you’re better than me at my own job!” Teresa just laughs.

“Well, now that you’ve cracked a joke, I know you’re feeling better.” She pulls me into a hug, and I gladly return it, silently wondering how I got blessed with such an amazing best friend.

“Hey, I’m here for you,” she reminds me one more time as she leaves, her meticulous check-ins a promise for the next few days.

“I know,” I assure her. “I promise I’ll call if I need to.”

“Good,” she says, smiling as she waves. “I love you, babes!” 

“I love you, too, Tes!” Feeling a bit lighter, I wave back as I close my front door.

_______________________________

“𝗜 𝗖𝗔𝗡’𝗧—I can’t take this,” I stutter the next day, wide-eyed at the wad of cash Teresa is currently shoving into my hands. Brenda and Sonya are flanking her on either side with looks that imply they’re attempting to telepathically convince me to take the money. 

“Yes, you can,” Teresa sighs exasperatedly. “Like I already told you, it’s the money we were going to spend on your celebration pooled together. But we all know you’d rather spend your birthday with Gally, and we want you to be able to, so we’re giving you the money for that plane ticket you couldn’t afford. It would be a waste to throw you a party you don’t want to be at. Helping you see your boyfriend is a much better use of that money. We all agreed.” Brenda and Sonya both nod, Teresa shoving the cash even further into my palms. I take it shakily, counting silently as I gape at them. “But—but this is nine hundred bucks! I can’t—I can’t take this, I’m sorry!” 

“Don’t be sorry!” Brenda sighs. “Just take the money! It’s our birthday present for you!” I look back and forth between my three best friends, realizing that there is no way they’re letting me reject the money. But it feels so weird having this many fifties weighing heavily in my grasp. 

“Please take it,” Sonya says softly, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder. “We want you to be able to go see Gally. We want you to enjoy this birthday. You’ll be giving a gift to us by making this impulsive choice to do what makes you happy.” My resistance gets melted away by her words, knowing that this was their tactic all along. Get (Y/N) all toughened up to the ‘just take it’ ruse and then let Sonya slip under her defenses when she least expects it. But I’m not annoyed by it. Instead, I let Teresa close my fist over the cash.

Immediately, the three start cheering, but before I can even blink, they’ve moved on from celebrating and are pushing me towards my laptop where, just as I’m sure Teresa suspected, the flights from Denver to Chicago are still pulled up. Teresa obviously asked Gally to share his flight information with her, because she seems to have it memorized as she scans the flights. 

“Alright, here’s the best one,” she announces after a few minutes of looking. “United, nonstop, leaving at 9:30 a.m. MT and arriving at 12:56 p.m. CT. It’s in the same terminal as Gally’s flight, and he lands at 2:23 p.m. CT, so that gives you a little over an hour to get to his gate and wait for him. Sounds good?” I nod wordlessly, still slightly in shock over the way my best friends have handled this so nonchalantly, as if their friend flying across the country on a day’s notice is just a normal part of their lives. 

Sonya pulls me towards my room as Brenda takes the stack of cash back from me, mumbling that Teresa insisted they have it for show but was just planning on Venmoing the cash to me. I laugh at our friend’s antics before following an impatient Sonya, who grabs my suitcase from my closet and starts making a list of what I should pack.

“We’re not buying you a return flight,” she explains, “because we didn’t know how long you’d want to stay, and we figured you didn’t know either. Just bring your work stuff and you can work from Gally’s apartment, and use the rest of the money to buy a return ticket when you decide to come back.” I shake my head in awe at the schemes of my friends, who have obviously thought of every single anxiety I could have because of this plan and have set out to refute them. 

With Sonya helping me pack, a task that would usually take me at least three hours, two cups of coffee, and a panic attack is done in under one hour, no coffee or panic attacks in sight. While I wouldn’t have minded the coffee, the no panic attack part is nice, and I decide I can live without those two cups of coffee if it means my peace of mind is intact. 

And the next morning when Teresa drops me off at the airport, my medicine taken and an ample breakfast eaten, the nervous butterflies in my stomach don’t feel scary. In fact, they feel almost…exciting. And I feel crazy for doing this; for flying halfway across the country to surprise my boyfriend so I can kiss him on my birthday, but I also feel so alive.

And today, the idea of living doesn’t seem as scary anymore.

_______________________________

𝗔𝗦 𝗜 wait at my gate and sip my Starbucks latte, I answer the countless birthday texts I have already received, smiling at the overflow of love from people I talk to everyday and people I barely even know. It’s funny, knowing that there are people out there who remember my birthday but don’t talk to me otherwise. Some might feel disheartened at the idea, but I just giggle quietly to myself, wondering if I’m going crazy for feeling so lighthearted. 

Maybe it’s the adrenaline, I think to myself. The adrenaline from doing something so stupid and yet so exciting. Shrugging to myself, I take another large gulp of coffee, finally getting to the text from Gally. I saved it for last, knowing it would be the best one. And sure enough, as I read the message, I feel happy tears pricking my eyes. As always, he’s sweet; sappy, even, but his message also holds the serious intensity that he always has around him. It’s like an aura, telling those around him that he does everything fully and completely, never giving only half of his effort. That intensity is probably why I love reading texts from him over and over. Even if it’s a simple good morning, his texts always seem to scream I love you from between the lines.

I text Gally back, thanking him for the love he’s sent zipping along telephone lines, across the country and all the way to me. I suck the last dregs of liquid from my Starbucks cup, finally accepting that the beverage is gone as the gate attendant calls for Boarding Group 1. I find myself bouncing from foot to foot, realizing once again that I’m really doing this. I can’t bring myself to sit down as I wait for my group to be called, instead standing by the gate’s charging station, fidgeting like I’m about to run the 100 meter dash. By the time I’m boarding, I’m breathing heavily like I just sprinted up Pikes Peak. Whether from nerves or excitement, I can’t really tell, but it’s enough that the flight attendant touches my arm as she checks the cabin. 

“Ma’am, are you okay?” I look up in surprise before giving her a quick grin. 

“Yeah, I’m fine. Just nervous.” 

She smiles empathetically. “Is it your first time flying?”

“No. I’m flying out to surprise my boyfriend, and I guess I’m just hoping it all works out like I planned,” I explain. 

At this, I receive an even bigger grin from the flight attendant, who thinks that is just—“the most adorable thing ever!” I nod along, unsure whether I’m actually smiling or just masking my anxiety. Either one is a plausible explanation, and I’m pumped so full of adrenaline that all of my emotions currently feel interchangeable. 

I spend the entirety of take-off nervously fiddling with the little screen in front of me, trying to distract myself. Once we’re at a constant altitude, the flight attendants offer drinks, and I ask for a ginger ale, my go-to drink on airplanes. It calms me down, the comforting security of it helping me stay rational. Unfortunately, the ginger ale combined with my anxious thoughts cause my bladder to reach its limit quite quickly. 

I hate the little bathrooms on airplanes. So loud, so claustrophobic, so turbulent. It’s like trying to pee while in the middle of an earthquake. But my bladder isn’t playing games today, and the last thing I want to do is ignore it and then pee myself. The intrusive thoughts fight to take over as I rush through the motions, washing my hands as quickly as possible, but I stave them off and make it back to my seat in one piece.

The remaining hour until landing is the longest hour of my life.

When we finally touch down and taxi to our gate, all of the tension that has built up inside me feels ready to explode, but I hold it in, knowing that I can let it all out once I see Gally. It’s barely even occurred to me that I’m a year older now—that it’s my birthday—because all I can think about is getting to hold my boy. 

I almost trip getting off the plane, too busy checking his flight’s progress and landing gate. His flight is still an hour and thirty minutes out, giving me more than enough time to go to the bathroom, get some food, and wait for him. I pull my suitcase behind me, so glad I decided to take everything in my carry-on, as I’m now realizing that baggage claim is outside the secure area of the airport. I break free from the flow of traffic heading in that direction, redirecting towards the bathroom.

One bathroom trip, makeup refresher, and food court scavenger hunt later, I’m standing against a column at Gally’s gate, drinking my second Starbucks latte of the day. Normally, I wouldn’t let myself indulge like this, but it’s my birthday, so I feel justified. I even treat myself to a slice of sweet bread, too. I’m too anxious to eat a full lunch. Besides, I’m sure Gally will be happy to get lunch on our way back to his apartment. He’s always willing to eat, no matter the time of day.

I’m trying my best not to look suspicious. There’s a flight leaving from this gate after Gally’s flight arrives, so I blend in, but my leg is bouncing nervously and my hands are shaking slightly. I’m a naturally energetic person, but the fidgeting increases exponentially when I’m either excited or nervous. Right now, I’m both.

Thankfully, no one seems to notice me or think I’m behaving weirdly. I’m simply overthinking, like I often do. At least it passes the time. I only have thirty minutes left to wait.

I run back to Starbucks and buy another latte. It’s gone within ten minutes, my anxious energy prompting me to gulp it down like I’m dying of thirst. Then I’m running to the bathroom again, bladder shouting angrily at me for the caffeine abuse I’ve been subjecting it to. It’s unpleasant, but it kills more time. 

Ten minutes to go. I’m staring at my phone, Gally’s flight details pulled up, reloading the page over and over in hopes that magically, they’ll teleport and be here instantly. With anyone else, I wouldn’t be this obsessive; impatient, but it’s Gally. I could obsess over Gally for days on end with all the love overflowing from my heart. So I pass three minutes refreshing the page persistently, watching the minutes countdown.

I let out a quiet, barely there gasp when my phone screen tells me he’s landed. I can barely contain my excitement, nervous energy causing me to wiggle my hips like a rhythmically challenged dancer. His plane is on the ground, taxiing over, right to where I’m waiting. He’s going to walk through that gate, and I’m going to see his beautiful face, and I’m going to run and jump into my boyfriend’s arms.

All of a sudden, doubt crashes into me like a fucking tidal wave. What if he doesn’t want to see me? What if this is weird, and he’s going to be all awkward about it? What if this was one huge fuck-up? I can feel myself starting to spiral, starting to lose touch with the confidence I’ve been channeling all day. The panic has started to grow, and it surges through my veins, reaching to the tip-top of the cliff that is followed by a plunge off the deep end. Thankfully, though, with only a few minutes to spare before my boyfriend gets off his plane, a little girl in a princess dress bumps into me, hard, causing my knees to buckle and my head to snap out of the spiral it’s in. 

I catch myself against the trusty column I’m leaning against, looking down to find a young girl, maybe six, wearing an Elena of Avalor dress-up costume with a stuffed animal that looks like some kind of leopard with bird wings. 

“Amity!” her mother scolds her, ordering her to apologize for bumping into me. Amity looks up at me with big, brown doe eyes and a huge, genuine grin.

“I’m sorry, Ma’am,” she chirps. I smile back, making eye contact with her mom, before crouching down to her level and holding out a hand to shake.

“I forgive you. I’m (Y/N). Want to know something?” Amity shakes my hand, grinning widely, before looking at her mom as if to make sure it’s okay to talk to me. Her mom gives a gentle nod, a kindness in her eyes as they meet mine. “Well, Amity, you actually helped me just now. I was feeling super duper nervous and it was making me get shaky and worried. But then you bumped into me, and I saw your smile, and it made me feel a lot better!” 

I can tell Amity’s mother is touched, and I make sure to assure her that I’m doing better. That Amity’s little scuffle with my legs was truly helpful. And then Amity and her mom are on their way, Amity’s tight hug and whisper of “You look like a princess” giving me the last boost of confidence I need.

Right as I finish waving goodbye to the adorable little girl, I hear the sounds of passengers starting to come down the jetway. I suck in a sharp breath, making sure my small suitcase and jacket are safe by the column before stepping closer to the junction between gate and jetway, watching passengers closely as they start to trickle into the airport. 

It’s no surprise that I can pick Gally out of the crowd immediately after he walks out of the jetway, his head easily peeking over every other passenger. He doesn’t see me at first, focused on trying not to trample the small toddler whose family is trying desperately to get him to behave as they walk in front of my boyfriend.

I wait until he’s right there, just the toddler’s family in front of him, to call his name. “Gally!” His head snaps up, eyes scanning the surrounding area before settling on me, his jaw going slack, falling open in surprise as the toddler’s family quickly moves out of the way. 

It’s like we’re living in slow motion, the way I watch Gally’s backpack slide out of his hand and hit the floor with a thump, his look of shock morphing into a state of joyous disbelief, as if he’s not sure he’s truly seeing me. He looks frozen in this state, unable to move towards me, but I don’t care. I’m already running up to him, happy tears gathering in my eyes as I jump into Gally’s arms, my head burying itself in his neck before I lean up to kiss him with all the pent-up love, tension, and nerves that have been coursing through my body all day.

His lips are warm just like they always are, soft and full and inviting as we kiss passionately; shamelessly, right in front of everyone waiting to board their flight. I can’t bring myself to care, anxiety nowhere to be found now that I’m here. In his arms. Held tightly, kept safe, flooded with warmth, just like I’m supposed to be. 

He pulls away first, still in shock as he scans my face, as if expecting to find some imperfection that reveals me as a doppelganger. “Baby—” he chokes out, tears brimming at the corners of his eyes, my own tears rolling down my cheeks. “Baby, you’re here.” He lets out a giddy, confused laugh, cupping my cheek with his hand as he wipes the remnant saltwater away with his thumb. 

“You’re—you’re here. In Chicago,” he repeats, putting my feet back on the floor so I can stand there with my arms around his neck, his other hand coming up to cup my other cheek. “You’re—it’s your birthday!” he says, and I can’t tell if it’s another reason he’s confused I’m here, or if it’s just an observation. Well, probably both, so I just giggle.

“Yes, Gally, it’s my birthday.” 

“But—did you—when did you get here?” he asked, bewildered, a lovestruck, excited smile lighting up his whole face. I run my hands through his hair, admiring his gentleness as he cradles my face in his palms.

“An hour and a half ago, I think. I’m not sure the exact timing,” I shrug. He gasps.

“You flew on your birthday?” I give him an odd look. 

“Yes…why? Is that illegal or something?” Gally chuckles through the joy-filled tears still drifting down his face every once in a while.

“No, baby. I just thought—most people wouldn’t be willing to fly or even be at an airport on their birthdays. Don’t you have cool stuff to do? Fun people to see?” I shake my head, pulling him as close as I can, our lips hovering inches apart. 

“You’re the only person I wanted to see. This is my birthday present.”

Gally’s eyes water even more as he presses his forehead to mine, running his hands through my hair. “Baby, I—” He pulls away to wipe a tear from his eye and then leans back down, pressing a gentle peck to my forehead, “I love you so much.” 

“I love you even more, Gally,” I whisper back, staring into his teary eyes with my watery own. He chuckles, shaking his head.

“Not possible.”

“It is, too,” I giggle, still whispering as I press a kiss to his lips, “and I’m the birthday girl, so you have to let me win the arguments today.” 

“Oh, that’s how that works,” Gally laughed, tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear. “Well, I suppose I can let you win this one, since you did fly all the way to Chicago on your birthday.”

“Oh, but that was selfish,” I smiled. “I wanted to see you. I needed to see you. It was purely selfish.” Gally just hugged me tighter, pressing kisses to the top of my hair as he admitted quietly,

“Well, I needed to see you, too. I needed to have you in my arms.” I relax into the warmth of my boyfriend’s chest, the material of his hoodie tickling my nose. I endure it because it smells like him, and that makes it the most calming aroma in the world. 

“Being in your arms is all I need. You are all I need,” I whisper. 

I kiss him again, a loving, sweet kiss, reveling in the presence and taste of my boyfriend, a sense of peace and safety wrapping its warm arms around me. 

Nothing else matters in this moment. Not my job, or my life in Denver, or my birthday. All that matters is that I am here, in my boyfriend’s arms. In Gally’s arms.

Right where I’m supposed to be.

the end

#fanfiction #one shot #fluff #the maze runner #gally #gally tmr #tmr gally #the maze runner gally #gally the maze runner #gally one shot #gally imagine #gally fluff #gally maze runner #gally x reader #modern au!gally #fem!reader #gally x y/n #gally x you #avery lynch #all i need (the distance song) #tmr one shot #tmr imagine #tmr fluff

[picnokinesis]

Seen a lot of discourse going around about these two at the moment, so I thought I’d draw them and throw some positivity into the void because I love them both so much! They’re absolutely wonderful characters, and also you cannot tell me that  Rose “what’s your name, your pronouns and are you in a union” Tyler and Dan “I don’t need anything so long as other people around me are alright” Lewis wouldn’t be the best of friends, like just imagine it. They’re running through space and time to stand up to injustice and also offer you some soup (and maybe a bad pun or two), and they’ll make sure each other are okay whilst they’re at it. I love them.

#taka draws #rose tyler #dan lewis #doctor who #dw fanart #i would like to take this moment to formally apologise for the dan lewis fans in the venom fandom #i'm so sorry your tag has been flooded with dw discourse RIP SKSKS #anyway listen #real talk - i was at gally one last weekend #and it was SO lovely and full of such joy for the show #and then you come back online and it's just like. so much hatred? for this thing we love? #so i'm like man idk #are we not here to celebrate the characters we love? #i think we should be #anyway my take is be kind #right time to buckle down and close the discourse hatches skksk

[tmrsunset]

the maze barbie 

#the maze runner #tmr #tmr thomas #tmr chuck #tmr newt #tmr alby #tmr minho #tmr frypan #tmr teresa #tmr gally #the quotes are from the barbie website because i'm too tired to think of my own but i might do that too one of these days #anyway how are yall loving this trend because i'm obsessed #if you couldn't tell

[scisac]

the maze runner 2014

↳ the bonfire scene + newtmas

#starting this account off strong with tmr bonfire scene #its one of my favs #bcs ofc newtmas #but also its just so pretty #like look at it !! #tmr #tmredit #the maze runner #maze runner #newt #newtmas #newtmasedit #thomas #thomas tmr #gally #tmr gally #mazerunneredit #gifset #gif #my gifs

[cauqhtz]

Gally x fem oc (smut)

Summary: Gally and Tiny fuck in the glade somewhere in the open, with a huge risk of being caught. Also, it's dark out.

Warning: fem OC has a name, smut, risk of being caught, cussing, SMUT.

I wrote this because I couldn't get it out of my head, and I want to get back into writing. So I thought I'd start off with small one-shots to get some practice in. Don't forget to comment and leave your thoughts! I'd love to hear them all! I appreciate blunt honesty!

“We aren't- fuck supposed to be doing this, Tiny,” Gally pants, the girl in question shoving a hand over his mouth as a few gladers stumble by. “Someone could catch us.”

“Oh come on Handsome, we aren't breaking any rules,” Tiny breathes shakily, completely bottomed out while trying to recover from her last orgasm. “Besides, you should’ve thought about that 4 orgasms ago.”

Gally relaxes as the pleasure spreads throughout his body, “Did you spread this pallet all by yourself? How romantic.”

“Well, I was aiming for comfort, you know I’d do anything for you. Besides,” Tiny hums, cradling his head, her thumbs rubbing the apple of his cheeks as her boobs stick to his collarbone. “I think this might be my favorite position, I’ve got the best view.”

Tiny resumes the thrusts of her hips, slow, deep, and hard. Both legs burning from the low squat she was in. A sight that makes the boy feel as though he is losing his mind.

Gally couldn't remember how he got here. He swore to himself that the first time would be the last, but he’s a teenage boy with crazy hormones he didn't even know he had until Tiny. He should stop this. He should’ve stopped this a while ago. 

“Speed up, Tiny,” Gally breathes out. Dammit, that was the opposite of stopping this, but Gally couldn’t be bothered with any of that now. He couldn’t deny himself of the girl any longer.

“‘M sorry?” Tiny pants, lurching forward, a hand slamming into the ground as she stopped herself from cumming right then and there. Her knees hitting the ground as her legs started to tremor uncontrollably.

Gally’s hands slide up Tiny’s thighs, spreading her ass as he pecks her cheek, “Fuck me like you mean it.”

Tiny’s heart skips a beat, proceeding to do exactly what he told her to, “Yes sir.”

Gally's head falls back onto the pallet, his eyebrows furrowed deeply in concentration, losing himself to the sticky sounds they were making. “Shit, I think you’re trying to take my soul.”

“I want a lot more than that.” Tiny grins watching Gally’s jaw drop open, cumming dryly. “What was that?”

“I don’t have anything left to-” Tiny cuts Gally off with a hand around his throat and a grip on his balls.

“I know you, Gally. I know what you are. You’re a slut. A slut that jumps to please others, and I told you I wanted more than your soul, Handsome. So you’ll give me what I want, right? I’ll be more than pleased,” Tiny hums, shushing the boy as he starts to groan loudly, thick and hot ropes of his semen filling the girl up perfectly as she continues to massage his balls. Milking him of everything he had to give her.

“Relax, Gally. You’ll pass out if you keep panting like that,” Tiny says, lying down on his chest.

“See, that wasn't so hard, was it? Good boy.” Tiny praises, kissing his forehead.

“You’re a terrible person,” Gally chuckles, trying to catch his breath.

#gally x reader #smut #one shot #imagine #oneshot #fluff #noplot #the maze runner #gally maze runner #female character #writing #creative writing #wattpad

[go-catch-a-chickn]

Not to be angsty on main but what about a Rogue One au where Teresa is Thomas' older sister and a WCKD scientist who was forced to help create a super weapon, the Flare. She somehow hid the plans how to destroy it in one of their war prisoner Minho's neck tattoo.

The Rebels (Right Arm) find out about a possible way to destroy the Flare and those plans and they free Thomas, orphaned and WCKD prisoner, to get more information about Teresa etc.

They send their best agent Newt and the scientist's brother Thomas out to retrieve information from Teresa. Newt and Thomas instantly distrust each other but eventually work well together and they find out about Minho and Teresa's involuntary role in everything. They decide to save Minho and Teresa, but when their plan fails and Teresa dies, Newt and Thomas go rogue and risk everything to get Minho out from WCKD's headquarter. They successfully save him but then everything goes wrong.

(um yes basically all I want to do is write the will they won't they rebel captain enemies to friends to lovers if it weren't too late dynamic between Newt and Thomas and let the angst and pining peak in that elevator scene)

(and I need to see Ava Paige as Darth Vader so bad)

#Jorge as Saw Gerrera #Janson as Orson Krennic #Am i writing this #rogue one #the maze runner #tmr #star wars #newtmas #I'm gonna go hide now #Gally and Ben as Chirrut and Baze #Aris as Bodhi!!!!!!!

[galli-draws]

As someone who currently lives with both their partner and their younger sibling I can confirm that this is the dynamic.

(Trying to figure out a solid design for Hester, my wittewife OC)

Bonus:

#toh #the owl house #toh comic #toh fanart #toh season 2 #toh spoilers #caleb wittebane #caleb toh #philip wittebane #philip toh #wittebros #wittewife #wittespouse #hester clawthrone #toh oc #toh flapjack #it's important to give everyone their own category #so they can all be your number one #toh shitpost #galli's art

[reecypontiff]

EDA editor/author/Fitz Kreiner creator Steve Cole with the Eighth Doctor

Gallifrey One 2024

#doctor who #eighth doctor #EDAs #gally 1 #Gallifrey One #cosplay #doctor who cosplay #fitz kreiner

[slut4fictionalmen33]

Big Baby (gally)

Summary: Gally is a big baby around you

Warnings: fluff

Word count: 240

After work you and Gally always met up by the kitchen to eat dinner together and then go to bed. Tonight however Gally was nowhere to be found.

“Hey Newt have you seen Gally?” You asked the blonde who usually sat across from you and Gally.

“No love, sorry.”

“It’s ok, thank you.” You called. At this point you had looked everywhere only for him to turn up short.

The last spot you could think of was your shared hut. So you quickly walked over to the wooden structure to hear light snores from inside.

“Gally?” You walked through the door spotting his naked torso sprawled out on the bed. “Gally.” You sighed, sitting on the edge of the bed running your fingers through his hair.

“Hi baby.” He whispered. “I’ve missed you.”

You laughed a little at his dazed state. “Too tired for dinner?”

“Oh yeah, I'm sorry.” He sighed.

“It’s ok, I just didn’t know where you were. Do you mind making a little room for me?”

“Of course.” He rolled over lifting up the sheets. You kicked off your boots before climbing into his arms, resting your head on his chest.

“Can you play with my hair again?” He mumbled.

You slid your fingers through his hair again and started playing with the strands. “You’re a big baby when you’re tired.” You laughed.

But he didn’t respond, instead light snores sounded from beside you.

“Goodnight Gally.”

#gally imagine #gally one shot #gally maze runner #gally fluff #tmr gally #gally x y/n #gally #gally x reader #mazerunner #will poulter

[nomoreusername]

Care For You

Pairing:Gally x female reader

Summary:After Gally doubts how much you really care about him, you say something in your sleep that shows the truth.

Being in Right Arm was a lot of things, and easy was not one of them. It's worth it though. Besides, if I hadn't met them I wouldn't have met Y/N. She's great to be around. She's not a fan of emotion, is big on tough love, and at times painfully blunt, but I was the same way. We fit well together.

"Are you going to actually sleep tonight or are you going to wear yourself out some more?"She asked, from next to me. We were the only two out here on the balcony. We stayed here every night.

"I won't,"I said firmly.

"Mhm. If you say so,"She replied, in that tone. The tone that says 'I can tell you're lying.'

"You're not much better,"I reminded her.

"I never claimed I was. I just figured I would ask,"She shrugged. "Plus, it's not like I'm a great sleeper,"She added as an afterthought.

"Neither am I."

"And? Do you think that would stop me from asking? I worry about you more than I worry about myself."

I don't know how much I believe that. That's a pretty bold thing to claim. I know I felt that way, but I wasn't so sure she did.

"It's up to you. I'm going to try to get some sleep anyway,"She spoke up, walking inside. I just stayed there and looked at the night sky. It was the best way to clear my head. Clearing my head was my only shot at getting some rest.

♡ - - - ♡

After about an hour I decided to try and sleep. I quietly opened the door and passed by everyone's rooms. Mine was directly next to Y/N's. 

As I was by hers I couldn't help but wonder if she was actually getting some sleep. If she's not I may as well see if she needs anything.

"Gally,"She murmered in a tired voice as I opened the door. I was about to ask what was up when I realized her eyes were closed, and her breathing was steady. She was fast asleep.

I guess she wasn't kidding earlier. She truly does care about me. That means a lot because I care about her more than words could describe.

#gally tmr #the maze runner #one shot #gally #gally x reader #tmr #fluff #pure fluff #short one shot