i thought i told you that we won't stop.

dion watson learned how to fend for himself at a very young age. he was four years old the first time that he was homeless, one instance of many he would experience. he had been exposed to drugs, alcohol, and other various forms of debauchery throughout his early life, and found himself rescuing his mother and sister from a range of dangerous and toxic situations more times than he could count. it was evident to him from start that he would have to step up and be the 'man' of their house, when they had a house to speak of. he had his baby sister, andrea (drea) to worry about once he hit a certain age, and from that point forward he had made protecting her his number one goal. that was his life, getting them through whatever circumstances were thrown at them. one of those circumstances just so happened to be the father that they shared and the unsavory company that he kept. it was a time that still made dion's blood boil and stomach churn to remember, but he was proud of how he and his sister had overcome.
it had not been easy to leave it all behind, and dion still felt bits and pieces of his past clinging to him from time to time, especially in the face of developing new relationships and trusting other people. the old cherry hills church that he attended some sundays was a reminder of the sanctuary he had found there as a teen, when he had run from the near overdoses and the wailing sobs of detox. he had only been nineteen years old when he had made his own place in the world, renting a dingy two-bedroom apartment where he and drea lived together once he gained legal custody and they were able to sever ties with their parents. he had not been a superstar in high school, so he went through struggling to excel in community college while also supporting himself and his sister, and there were times he questioned whether or not they would truly make it. watching her grow had been so rewarding, and was the one thing that drove him to succeed in the face of their challenges. at the age of 27 he had finally graduated from the university of denver with his degree in communications.
28 years old now, he had been lucky enough to score a job right out of college, certain that his charm and charisma had helped him obtain the role of broadcast maintenance engineer for FOX31 news. his real dream was to become an on-screen anchor, but he imagined that would be a long way off. there was a certain thrill of working behind the camera as well, and he appreciated having his foot in the door more than anyone could probably understand. he still wasn't making huge money, but he had definitely upgraded his living conditions to a nicer apartment and was chipping away at his student loan debt. it had only been about eight months since he had started his new job, and only about three months since drea had moved out, so he was slowly adjusting to this more solitary, work-focused lifestyle.
it's not that dion hadn't had any relationships. there had been girls, here and there, who had made their way into his heart and his life. it was a tough world to live in, though, taking care of a young sibling, and most girls were not interested in such complicated and permanent baggage. he could appreciate that, but it only encouraged him to build more walls around himself and his heart, feeling as if the people he let in would eventually hurt him. the one girl he had allowed himself to fall in love with had not returned the sentiment, and it had ruined their friendship in the process. his closest childhood friend was logan, a kid that grew up around the block from his father, someone he continued to stay in touch with over the years and who seemed to be one of the few people who had been around to see all of his struggles and know how he had been shaped into the person that he was now.
one of dion's greatest attributes is his loyalty. even though he has not spoken with his father in years (for many, many good reasons), he still finds himself running back home every time his mom needs something, or whenever she promises, yet again, that she will get clean. he would do anything for his sister drea, and even the half-sister he only recently learned of, sistina. he carries a layer of bitterness below the surface, though, and he definitely wrestles with keeping that feeling at bay. he does not discuss his feelings or show vulnerability much, but when he does, it is genuine and only with those he absolutely trusts (which are very few). he is more likely to go to a pastor to confess and talk, than to his sister or a friend, as he feels like he is talking to god instead of putting his burden on another human being. he admittedly has an angry streak, but has never lashed out in violence, especially not with his family. in fact, his most-used weapon is his tongue, and he has been known to say some regretful things during an argument that he was unable to take back. overall, though, he is a good man, who came out of terrible circumstances with a good heart and a desire to succeed instead of giving in to typical temptations or tragedies.