Shourtney AU - Loving So Hard (Mature)

#32 - The End of Defy Media

*Shayne*

We all stood there, shocked. Every Smosh member, every actor, actress, sound technician, cameraman, director, producer, editor, writer... everyone... stood aghast at the news Ian had just delivered atop the stage before all of us. Defy Media, Smosh's parent company for a little over four years, was shutting down. It was completely out of the blue. Our numbers were flying, the viewing figures soaring, the company morale high as ever... it didn't make sense.

Noah tried to reassure all of us, "We still have two months of Defy Media funding us. That means we still have two months to find a new home, find a new parent company, figure everything out. We're gonna be fine, guys. Smosh isn't ending. Defy Media is. We don't need them."

Whispers broke out in the crowd, but what broke my heart was the look Courtney gave me as our eyes locked. Behind her green gem-like eyes laid nothing but sadness and despair. Tears crawled down her blackened cheeks as her mascara melted away, and her lips were dampened by said tears. Pulling her into my embrace, I held her so closely, and I buried her face in my chest, allowing her to hide from this very scenario. Damien had done the same thing with Jessica, and Noah and Keith hugged one another.

"W-What's gonna happen to us?" Courtney sobbed.

"Shh, shh, we're gonna be alright babe. Noah just said so. Smosh isn't going anywhere, therefore, neither are we, ok?" I said softly.

I did my best to comfort her, but deep down I knew it wasn't enough, I myself was scared as shit. We could all be out of a job in two months, and two months from now was just after Christmas, the hardest financial point of the year.

"Can you buy back the company and re-claim ownership?" I asked.

Ian shook his head, "Unfortunately not. Defy Media set guidelines in our contract stating that if Smosh were ever to be sold, it couldn't be to an individual. And even if I could buy it back, I don't have that kind of money."

I refused to accept this, "We'll all contribute Ian. Smosh means the world to all of us!"

Everyone nodded in agreement, and Courtney looked up at me in awe. Ian stood there silently, unsure of what to say.

"Ian, without Smosh, I'd be nothing," I began.

Everyone stared at me, and I blushed, I hated speaking in front of so many people, but I had to voice my truest thoughts to keep Ian onside.

"Without Smosh, I wouldn't have a career. I'd still be some low-level actor struggling for money back in New York. Without Smosh, I wouldn't have felt like I was finally part of a wholesome family again, after so many years. Without Smosh, I wouldn't have met so many wonderful people..." I stuttered through the speech as I felt tears accumulating in my eyes, but I wouldn't let myself cry.

I continued, "Without Smosh, I wouldn't have reunited with the love of my life. The woman who I fell head over heels in love with back in high school. The woman whose heart I broke when I left for New York, and the woman who caused me to feel so desperately unhappy, simply by being away from me. The woman I crave, the woman I can't stay away from for more than five minutes, the woman I need. My Genius Girl."

I finally faced Courtney, and she was sobbing profusely. I stared deep into her eyes, shutting everyone else out, and when I was ready, I spoke as if it was just the two of us, completely alone.

"The woman who I plan to marry someday, and start a family with. The woman who I want to spend the rest of my life with. The woman who means more to me that meaning itself. The woman who is my everything."

When I finished, Courtney threw herself on me and kissed my lips more passionately than ever. Reality whirred back into motion around us as thunderous clapping and cheering could be heard, and when I pulled away from the kiss, Courtney did nothing but smile and cry all at the same time.

"I love you," I whispered.

Courtney broke down into yet more tears, "I know you do, and I love you too."

We kissed again, and Ian's voice could soon be heard, this time with more rigour and determination, "Alright! Smosh will live on! No matter what! Fuck Defy Media! We have each other! That's all that matters."

Courtney looked at me again as the cheers erupted once more, and black tears continued staining her cheeks, "That's all that matters," she whispered.

I grinned, "You're all that matters."