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Alec can’t believe that his favorite show is cancelled. Gone, just like that, with one decision from someone who decided the cost of production wasn’t worth the impact it had on the fans, nevermind the fact that it is easily the most popular show on the network. It’s bullshit, and as much as he tries to be mad over the whole thing he can’t seem to get past sad first. It hurts. It hurts because he saw himself in so much of that show; in the stories being told, the characters telling them, the words they said and the way they laughed and loved and hoped…. it feels like the death of a friend more than the end of a television show.
He goes to bed upset, and sleep comes uneasily that night, uneven and restless. His mind won’t stop, the sadness refuses to lift. And it isn’t until he turns on the computer early the next morning, the scent of freshly brewing coffee floating to mix with the aroma of french toast from the plate beside him, that he sees it: there’s a movement . Tumblr, Twitter, Facebook… it’s everywhere, on every platform, aimed at every company. It’s amazing.
Alec reads for a while, sifting back through the hours of attention the fans generated as he slept, before deciding to do his part as well. His french toast sits forgotten, coffee cold. A tweet here and a tag there turns into sitting in front of his computer for two hours that feel more like 2 minutes, ending with a suggested message to the Customer Support Chat to make sure they are aware that this fandom, his fandom , was nothing to ignore.
Support: You are chatting with Magnus B.
Magnus: Hello! What may I assist you with today?
Alec: Hi! I was just writing to say that it sucks you guys cancelled The Hunt, and if there is absolutely any chance of reconsidering, well, that would be great!
Alec: I really like that show. No, I love it. It means so much to me and honestly, not to be dramatic, but I’m a little heartbroken that it’s going to be over so soon.
Magnus: I’m sorry to hear that. I don’t have any information on it being picked back up, but I’ll definitely pass along the sentiment.
Alec: Thanks!
Magnus: Anything else I can help you with?
Alec: Uh, no, I guess that’s it. Thanks again.
This chat has ended.
Alec’s surprised to find his heart beating faster than usual - why do conversations with strangers have to be so anxiety-inducing? - but he did it. And he feels better knowing he tried, if nothing else.
As the day continues the stories do, too. People talking about how much the characters mean to them, how they helped them through tough times, or in learning to accept themselves, or about how much inspiration they found there for works of fanart and writing. The hashtags and e-mails and chats continue. Shared screencaps online show people holding entire conversations in them, sharing personal stories, getting real reactions from the people on the other end. Once isn’t enough, Alec decides. Another message couldn't hurt. It's midnight now, but there's a 4 minute wait this time, and Alec smiles knowing what the other people in line before him are there for, too.
Support: You are chatting with Magnus B.
Magnus: Hello, is this about The Hunt?
Alec: ...you’re getting a lot of this aren’t you?
Magnus: You don’t even know the half of it.
Alec: Sorry.
Magnus: No, don’t be sorry! I didn’t mean for it to come off that way. It’s the job, after all. Please, let me know what’s on your mind about it!
Alec: Probably a lot of the same. This show just means so much to so many of my friends and me.
Magnus: So I’ve heard! If the representation is half as good as everyone keeps telling me today, I’m actually a little upset I didn’t watch it myself.
Alec: It’s probably twice as good as people are letting on. Honestly.
Magnus: Well, if they don’t put us on overtime for all of this, maybe I’ll watch some later.
Alec: Hah. Thanks for listening again. Good luck.
Magnus: I’ll need it.
This chat has ended.
He takes a bit of a break to clean up the apartment and eat a little food before contacting support one last time before bed, though Ragnor F. is a lot less amiable to talk to than the first guy was. He doesn’t think about it again until the next morning when he opened up the chat again at 6:30 am to find a 6 minute wait this time.
Support: You are Chatting with Magnus B.
Magnus: I can’t wait to talk with you about The Hunt. Sorry if that isn’t what you’re here for, I’m playing the odds today.
Alec: ...I think we spoke yesterday.
Magnus: It’s entirely possible, Alec. But with this sort of volume you’ll have to forgive me for not remembering specific interactions.
Alec: Oh, yeah, of course not.
Alec: Well, you’re right. That is why I’m here.
Magnus: You know, the lot of you were so convincing yesterday a bunch of us went back to my place after our shift and watched a few episodes?
Alec: What did you think?
Magnus: I wasn’t so sure at first, but it was just starting to pick up a bit when we had to call it a night. I almost didn’t want to stop watching, but I knew I’d need my energy to keep up with all the messages today. Just try not to spoil too much for me, I’m only three and a half episodes in but I’m going to watch more later.
Alec: Oh my god that’s amazing. I’m glad you like it!
Magnus: I’m not sure I want to get too invested in something I know is cancelled, though.
Alec: I mean, hopefully it isn’t! Any word on that yet?
Magnus: Sorry, nothing official from the higher ups. Just that they see your interest and note your concerns. Touching, right?
Alec: Totally. Well, thanks anyway.
This chat has ended.
He has work, a welcome distraction, and then another polite but short conversation with a Catarina L. with the same lack of any new updates during his lunch break at work, but falls asleep early back home. When he jolts awake at 3 am and can’t fall back asleep he decides to give Support another chat, since it couldn’t hurt, and it isn’t like he’s doing anything else at 3 am anyway.
Support: You are Chatting with Magnus B.
Magnus: How long is the wait to talk right now?
Alec: Only 5 minutes. Also you again? Are you the only person that works here?
Magnus: The graveyard shift is a lot less staffed than the others, but you guys are certainly keeping us on our toes. I haven’t actively spoken to this many people between 1 and 6 am since I started here… Maybe even the entirety of all my shifts combined.
Alec: Well, at least you’re more fun to talk to than some of the others.
Magnus: Oh dear, have you been sent to Ragnor’s chat? Honestly, I keep telling him he needs to find a new job but the higher-ups appreciate his ‘efficiency’.
Alec: I want you to know I literally laughed out loud just now.
Magnus: I’m honored.
Alec: Did you get to watch any more episodes?
Magnus: YES. I’m halfway through the first season now and if I wasn’t sold before I certainly am now. I figured it had to get better, and it IS. Come back tomorrow night and I’ll likely be through the whole season at this rate.
Alec: Well, if I’m going to do this all day to get the show picked back up I can at least make sure to recruit a new Hunter out of it.
Magnus: Hunter?
Alec: Fandom term, for someone who likes the show.
Magnus: Makes sense. I like it.
Alec: Guess I’ll talk to you tomorrow, then.
Magnus: It’s a date.
This chat has ended.
It’s a date? Alec brushes off the words, though there’s a small smile playing on his lips at the idea of Magnus, whoever he was, wherever he was, waiting for his name to pop back up in that chat box the next night. Don’t be silly, he chastises himself. He didn’t mean anything by it. He has to be nice to everyone, it’s his job. Of course it is. Though something about it feels… more than that, somehow? Which is ridiculous, though it doesn’t stop him from blushing at the realization that he’s actually looking forward to tomorrow night.