Nobody's POV
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Rue was already laughing as the mics came on. “Okay, so before we start, Isla- care to explain your internet girlfriend situation this week?”
Isla groaned immediately. “No. We are not starting with that.”
Shebahn grinned. “Oh come on, we have to talk about the tweets! The TikToks! The choke comment-”
Isla glared at her. “No. Absolutely not.”
Rue was wheezing. “She’s fuming, look at her- oh, she’s blushing too-”
“I’m serious,” Isla cut in. “We’re changing the subject. You know what I do want to talk about?”
Both Rue and Shebahn blinked at her sudden switch.
“What on earth is going on in America?” Isla asked, tone completely flat but serious.
Shebahn frowned. “What is going on in America?”
Rue sighed dramatically. “Donald Trump is happening, that’s what.”
Isla rolled her eyes but stayed focused. “No, I mean the laws- all the ones targeting trans people, the talks about banning same-sex relationships in some states. Like, what century are we living in?”
Shebahn’s joking tone vanished. “Wait, they’re actually doing that?”
“Yeah,” Isla said, leaning forward slightly. “I saw a thread about it. They’re taking away healthcare for trans kids, banning them from sports, and now they’re coming for same-sex couples too. It’s insane. Like- we’re just people. We deserve to love whoever we love without the world deciding it’s a problem.”
Rue nodded, visibly frustrated. “It’s exhausting watching it happen over and over again.”
Isla hummed in agreement. “It’s why I hate staying quiet. Because this isn’t just their problem. It’s ours too. Because I’m gay, and I don’t want to live in a world that tells people like me they don’t belong.I never thought I'd be saying this but- I'm so glad I'm in the UK right now.”
The room went still for a moment.
Rue smiled softly. “You just dropped that so casually.”
Isla shrugged. “It’s not exactly a secret. You both already knew. Might as well let the rest of the world catch up.”
Shebahn reached out to pat her arm. “Good for you. And also, yeah- the whole thing’s disgusting. People just trying to exist and governments losing their minds over it.”
Rue nodded. “Exactly. It’s 2025. You’d think we’d be past this.”
“I know,” Isla said, exhaling. “We talk about loving the game and the fans and the community- but it’s moments like this that remind you how fragile acceptance still is.”
Shebahn gave a small huff. “I swear, if they actually pass any of that, I’m flying over there and causing a scene.”
Rue burst out laughing. “Of course you are.”
Isla smiled faintly. “Please do. The world needs more chaotic allies.”
Shebahn raised her mug in mock salute. “To being chaotic and caring.”
Rue grinned. “And to Isla, for just casually coming out mid-podcast. Iconic behaviour.”
Isla smirked. “I try my best.”
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Danny was STILL laughing when another wave of notifications hit Isla’s phone.
“Okay, okay-” he wheezed, wiping tears, “the fans are actually unhinged now. Look at THIS.”
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Halfway Line
FanfictionIsla Byrne has spent her whole life balancing on the halfway line, between Scotland, Ireland, and England; between family and independence, between who she is and who people expect her to be. As the youngest sister of Ruesha Littlejohn and Shebahn A...
