Daily Life

Flynn hadn’t always come off as social as he’d been. It’d taken years before he was able to even be remotely okay with being social. He did have Autism after all. For him, social situations didn’t interest him. He’d often be seen sitting in a corner writing or drawing. The only two things he had a knack for. Life for him hadn’t always been an easy one. He never really understood the world around him. He didn’t understand how to navigate the world around him. His sister, Addie, helped him through social situations. Her death left him unable to understand, much less navigate, the world around him. Everyone had seen the difference. His daily life, for the most part, was still a routine one. One with the same places with the same people. 

Her death loomed over him. She’d passed from a rare genetic disorder. One he knew he lived with as well despite the fact he wasn’t officially diagnosed. He didn’t need one to know he likely had it though. He knew he likely did. He never identified as such; but, he was AFAB after all so it made sense he likely would. He’d vowed to never have kids to prevent it from being passed along. He didn’t see himself as raising children anyway. He wasn’t one that was capable of doing so. He knew one thing. His life stopped the day hers had. 
The decision to move came from the fact his dad hadn’t caught onto the fact it was wrong to say some of the things he would say. He never seemed to get the hints that some of his comments were wrong on a variety of levels. Flynn had even spoken up saying it at times with his dad not having anything to say in response. Flynn knew it was time to start packing at that point. He’d either sold or given away most of his things by that point. He’d put everything he wanted to keep in his sister's room while getting rid of everything else. He knew it was a matter of time before he went off on his dad. His dad continued making comments as if Flynn hadn’t tried putting him in his place. 
Speaking out had become something Flynn had become more confident doing. He’d seen how impactful it was when he did. People would often listen when he spoke. They knew he had something to say that needed to be listened to. He’d put others in his shoes. He’d made points people didn’t think about. He’d say things people didn’t like. He didn’t care. He was going to speak out regardless. He was going to keep sharing his story on top of that. 
It had finally happened. The fight with dad had finally happened. His dad had made a derogatory comment toward a friend. Flynn proceeded to go off on him how he had no right to use the slur much less make the comment. That it wasn’t a lifestyle. It is part of who he is. Something that doesn’t even affect his life. That his mom and sister both would be ashamed of him for making such a comment. 
He’d chosen to be homeless rather than staying with his dad. He’d told his dad he’d rather be homeless in his future city rather than continue living with someone who would make comments like he had. Flynn shamed his dad for not loving him for who he is while his mom had made it known that she loved him for who he is. That his sister was calling him her brother in her last months of life. That she was proud of him for being who he was rather than someone who was miserable as a Gender he never identified as. 
The severe trust issues he had only worsened after he left. He simply didn’t have the energy to trust anyone anymore. Everyone he ever met let their actions speak for them. He’d begun letting his actions speak for him. His move to Miami Beach had been the best decision he’d made. He’d found a place along with a job in the short time since he left. The first few weeks there were spent in a hotel room until he could move into his apartment. The hotel staff thought it brave that he’d stood up for himself and left the way he did. 
Most of the people that knew him in his present day life never knew her. They’d only heard stories about her. Memories shared by him on a day when he really missed on. On a day where he wasn’t so sure he’d be able to function much less be in a large social setting. He’d never been good in those situations. She’d been the one that helped. He began relying on things she’d done and said. Things their mother had instilled within him prior to her passing. He’d found a routine that helped him. Both would talk to him throughout the day encouraging him to get out of his comfort zone. He’d push himself out of it on rare occasions as well. Every day was the same as before. One that became far too predictable. Everyone knew he was a creature of habit. 
The few friends he had knew his routine. Down to the minute the majority of the time. A break in that routine meant something was wrong. A break in that routine meant harm had befallen him at some point. Despite any precautions that had been in place. A pattern so predictable anyone along his route would likely remember him to some extent. The few times he went out of order weren’t very often. It was a rare occasion for that to happen. Days like today are one of those days. Days like today are still being classified as part of a routine. 
Everyone that knew him knew he’d begun deviating from his routines. They knew how hard and overwhelming it was for him at times. They also knew he could handle it. They’d known why he was deviating from his routine. He took different bus routes. He went to different places. He went on adventures a little more. He explored the city that had taken him in after he left everything behind for a better and happier life. They’d realized it was part of him wanting to explore the city that had been so kind to him when he needed it most. 
He knew he had more than enough time to sit in the coffee shop to write. Even though he’d already known what he was going to say. It was the same speech he always had. He wanted something more this time. He’d no idea why though. He knew he was going to make the best of the short time he had to write it a little differently. His thoughts swirled around, bouncing off the walls hoping to land on the page. He’d been deep within revisions of it when he’d realized it was time to grab his Tea and go. 
Even on Presentation days he had a routine. Of some kind. One he’d developed over time. Over the now countless experiences of speaking in front of people. It wasn’t something he was comfortable with despite the countless times he’d done it. Presentation days were clearly different compared to any average day he’d have. It was obvious for anyone that knew him. He’d spend his time working on something new for his speech before going from the Coffee Shop to the Presentation. Green Tea in hand. His Green Tea consumption was known by anyone who knew him. It became one of the few drinks he’d have. 

“Really Flynn?”
“What?”
“You can get something different”
“I know. Like my Green Tea though”
“I know that. Presentation day?”
“Yeah, on my way there actually. Tea, bus, presentation”
“I know, I know.  It’ll be here any minute, I know”

Flynn had seen the bus coming before he’d even walked out the door. He knew he’d probably miss the bus and be late getting to the Auditorium. Reid (the bus driver) had seen Flynn walking out of the Coffee Shop without Flynn realizing he had. Reid knew what kind of day it was because of the time. He also knew it was his bus Flynn needed to catch knowing what would happen if he missed it. He was a little early to that stop anyway. 
Reid had been one of the few drivers that understood Flynn. He’d befriended Flynn during a time when he was homeless, prior to his transition, when people had already misunderstood him. Reid had seen Flynn become the man he’d always known himself to be. Reid had seen him go through things nobody should ever have to go through. 
The majority of people in Flynn’s life had basically disowned him after he began transitioning. It had been a time in his life where he struggled with everything else on top of being homeless. His dad had basically kicked him out after commenting about a social media post about being Trans where the two fought leaving Flynn homeless at the end of it. He’d packed his stuff that night and left the next day. The last thing he ever told his dad was how ashamed Addie as well as his mom would be of him for not loving him for who he is. 

“Really good thing I waited”
“Yeah, very”
“Presentation today?”
“Yeah”
“On the way there now?”
“Yeah”
“Everything Presentation?”
“Yeah”
“New material I see”
“Always. This one for judgmental ones. New things to say knowing there’s hostile people that would rather me not be who I am”

Flynn had never really been one to talk much. Reid knew that. He knew Flynn was constantly thinking about what he’d say the entire way there. He kept talking to him though. He kept making sure Flynn wasn’t too overwhelmed by nearly missing the bus. It was moments like this he knew how overwhelmed Flynn was feeling. To talk to him instead of letting those thoughts overtake his mind. Flynn didn’t have to say anything for Reid to know how much it was appreciated. Reid had paid attention to the stops. He knew Flynn had just missed one of the stops to get off at. He knew he’d have to yell out to Flynn to get off at the next one. 
Mike had gotten on the bus to get Flynn off the bus knowing he’d not get off if he wasn’t paying attention. He also knew Reid was about to if he hadn’t already. He’d been at the previous stop waiting for Flynn only to see it go right by. With Flynn still on it. Reid and Mike looked after Flynn far more than anyone ever realized or began to understand. 

“Deep in thought again I see”
“Yeah, lot of things swirling around”
“Hopefully about what you’re about to do”
“Yeah, mostly. I’ve a few things I’m going to share they’re not ready for”
“I figured. You ready for this?”
“Never. Someone has to do this stuff though”


Mike knew Flynn for a few years. The closest person to him actually. Mike met him through Reid after seeing how much Flynn was struggling. He’d reached out hoping Mike would be able to help Flynn. He’d gone above and beyond making sure Flynn was okay. He’d let Flynn see how much he could be trusted. Flynn hadn’t had much luck in being able to trust people. His heart had been broken a few too many times. It was Mike that let Flynn know just how much he cared about him and wanted him to be safe. For once, in a long time, Flynn listened to his instincts. To trust Mike even though he didn’t want to. 
He knew how hard it was for Flynn to use his voice. To stand in front of complete strangers and share his story. He also saw how far he’d come since he’d started working on it. Mike had been the one Reid went to after his first encounter with Flynn. Mike was the one that helped Flynn through some of his worst moments. He’d lent a hand to someone who wasn’t so sure it was possible to trust anyone until he showed there were people he could trust. 
The presentation hadn’t been what Flynn thought it’d be. It was far more hostile than he was used to. Mike had warned him prior to the presentation. Mike knew Flynn came prepared. Far more than he thought. He’d put himself back home where he wasn’t loved when he spoke. He spoke from a fearless Advocates perspective that came from an environment where he’d never been loved for who he is. He spoke from a far different perspective than most were used to. 
People asked him things he wasn’t sure how to answer. His answers were that of someone who put themselves in that person's shoes. He answered in ways that left everyone questioning their outlook on life. He left people who no longer judged someone before getting to know them. He made a point of leaving people walking through his shoes for a minute. 

“I just don’t understand why you’d choose to do this to yourself”
“I didn’t choose to do anything other than become who I am. I always knew who I was growing up. I’m not a Scientist, I did do some research though. Things happen while in the womb where, like with me, the baby is born as one gender while knowing they are the opposite gender. An incomplete Testosterone wash”
“You can do all the alleged research you want to kid, you still chose to do this stuff to yourself”
“Sir, I-“
“I’m going to stop HIM right there and take over. I’m asking you to leave. You do not have a right to speak to my friend like that, much less invalidate him. It’s one thing to make the comments you have. It’s another thing to continually invalidate him and make those comments”
“You can’t remove me I-“
“Yes I very well can and am having you removed. You’ve no right to speak to him like that” 

Overwhelmed was an understatement in that moment. There were quite a few thoughts swirling within his head. He knew Mike was helping far more than he needed to. He didn’t mind. It was a moment he couldn’t get through on his own. That Mike was going to share why he did what he’d done in removing the man. Things like that were an unfortunate common occurrence. That it was something every Trans person experienced. He’d been learning how to handle the same situation again by watching Mike. He knew that Mike and people like Mike wouldn’t always be around to help. 
Standing tall had been something he’d learned to do over time. He’d let his posture speak for him. He let his actions speak for him, as usual, since he was a little too overwhelmed to speak. Mike had noticed that and continued talking for the next ten minutes while Flynn gathered himself. He chimed in a few times sharing some of his thoughts on what Mike had just said. That he was learning from what was going on. Mike let him take over after the last comment. He’d seen how much Flynn wanted to share more of his experiences in similar situations. 
Mike was happy with the way Flynn had dealt with this attendee. He also knew Flynn wasn’t equipped with how to handle a situation like this. Mike knew he’d been through it a few times before. Alone. He wasn’t going to let him go through it alone this time. He also wanted to show there was no place for someone like him there for the rest of the time. He clearly was there to be a hindrance rather than learn. 
He then shared how unfortunately common it was for things like that to happen. How it was an unfortunate thing encountered by many Trans people. That people would rather judge others before getting to know them. He’d also shared just how many Trans individuals were somewhere on the Autism spectrum or had some kind of Mental Health issue. That none of it meant they were less than. They simply had a different perspective and outlook on life. 
He let Flynn take the stage once again only when he was sure Flynn wasn’t overwhelmed by what he’d just experienced. It was Flynn that went on a rant of sorts of just how normal it was for him to encounter people like him. It was a common occurrence. Flynn shared more of his home life. He also shared more about the area he’d grown up in. He’d, in his own way, responded to the heckler long after he’d been escorted from the building. In true fashion, he showed why he was the right Speaker for the day. He let his heart speak rather than his mind. A moment where everyone saw him for the person he knew himself to be. 

“I’m really proud of you”
“For what?”
“For how you spoke today. You left those people unwilling to judge someone before getting to know them. I made sure you were Speaker today for a reason. You’re the one who needed to speak today. I knew there’d be someone like him. I also knew you could handle it”
“Yeah, I figured that. I didn’t feel ready for it. Learning from it though”
“Yeah, I figured. We’re going to the Coffee Shop to meet up with some of them as well as Maggie and Sam”
“Okay. Not so sure of me doing that but okay. I’m in. More time to help people”
 
Mike knew what Flynn meant. He didn’t have to say much. As usual. He admired Flynn for always being so open about his life despite his trust issues. He admired Flynn’s resilience far more. For learning from his experiences rather than shying away from life. For becoming the person he wanted to be despite what others said and sharing his story along the way. Even when he wasn’t sure how things would go. 
Flynn hadn’t been so sure of anything after his dad kicked him out. He’d not been surprised it happened the way it did either. He knew this kind of scenario may very well happen at some point. His dad reacted the way he knew he would. He went off on him far more for it. He’d called him out on more than just a few things. He’d shamed him for far more. He’d let his emotions run wild before storming off to pack and leave. He’d made a point to leave early enough that the previous night would be the last time his dad would ever see him. 
His trust issues stemmed from his dad. Everyone knew that. He’d been open about it. That he had a harder time trusting people because of his dads constant lies. Of other people unnecessarily  lying to him as well. It went back to his dad didn’t even bother telling him the actual story most of the time that’d led him to not being able to trust anything he’d say. It’d been one of the many things he’d shamed him for. He’d told him how ashamed his mom and sister would be of him doing so. That he didn’t see him the same for lying to him as much as he had. All of it being unnecessary. That all of his trust issues were directly related to him. His dad tried talking over him a few times. At which point Flynn would yell at him for it. That it was part of the reason he didn’t care about being kicked out. That he’d rather leave instead of live with him. That he never felt listened to. Ignored. Social Media seemed to be more important. 
Everyone knew Flynn had no shame in how he spoke to his dad that night. Everyone knew Flynn was dealing with more than he talked about. They knew how much he was struggling. None more than Mike knew how little Flynn slept. That his severe insomnia was often only dealt with by writing most of the night. Those were the nights he didn’t have his meds. Flynn didn’t care if he had his meds or not. He wanted to write the night away. He wanted to process everything that happened that day. He’d helped people understand people like him that day. At the presentation as well as at the Coffee Shop.

“I’m gonna go home Mike. It’s getting late and I want to go home”
“Wait a minute, I’m taking you home”
“Okay. I’m going home people. See everyone later”
“It was really nice meeting you”
“Same to you Max. We should get together at some point. Ya know, create some chaos and be ourselves” 
“Don’t you go planning anything now. He’s one of few words normally. I’m gonna get this Hooligan home before he ventures off to cause more chaos”
“Very funny Mikie. Like I’d wander off and do that”
“You surprise me every day so I wouldn’t put it past you”
“You’re welcome”

Mike saw a change in Flynn. He’d made friends. On his own. Entirely on his own. He let people in for once. He’d seen just how much trust Flynn put into strangers that helped him through the rest of the presentation. They reassured him when he was overwhelmed by the fact that the attendee invalidated him. He saw his friend open up to complete strangers who wanted to know about his past. He’d shared things about his past that astonished everyone else. They were surprised by his outlook on life despite the sordid past he had. Mike, along with the rest of the group, saw someone who looked at the days ahead with renewed faith that he could open up to people. He saw life finally getting better. He saw the struggles of his past as being in the past. A set of chains he was no longer bound to. He’d made peace with his past. Finally. 

“I’m really proud of you”
“For what?”
“For everything you showed me today”
“Okay……”
“You shared things you never told me before”
“Never came up-“
“I know, I know. Never came up in conversation. I’m still proud of you. You’re letting people in for once. You’re trusting people. You’re getting out of your comfort zone even if a little” 
“I’m going to get shoved out of it at some point. I might as well start doing it now”

Mike admired Flynns outlook on life. He knew just how overwhelmed Flynn was at the Coffee shop. It was the reason he wanted to go home after two hours. He’d been around people long enough. He was also tired enough to go to sleep. For once. Mike knew Flynn wasn’t too keen on doing things on the fly like going to the Coffee Shop after the presentation. He also knew Flynn would see it as an opportunity to show off his daily life a little more. 
Flynn knew Mike was staying the night. He didn’t need to ask. Mike didn’t need to say anything either. It was late by the time they’d gotten to his apartment. He’d talked about the man at the presentation. How he knew what he was going to say before Mike stopped him. He’d planned everything out in his head before the man had even finished his sentence. Mike had chimed in letting Flynn know he’d figured all that out. He’d interfered knowing what was going to happen had he kept talking. That he was still proud of him for going about the day like he had. That he’d still made a difference. Flynn laid down knowing the next day was another day to help others. He laid down knowing Mike was there next to them in case he wanted to talk more.