Neo's POV
The Alleyway, Streets of Vale We kept talking, and talking, and it was just so nice. Soon, a few hours had passed, and I was already feeling pretty calm. Tired, but calm. I could tell (Reader) felt the same at the moment. His little yawns were just so cute.
(Reader): Wanna know why I was out that night?
Right now we were discussing the night we met. All I knew of his story so far, was that he was a Beacon student returning from a mission, and something bad happened.
(Reader): I got back from the mission early, and figured "why not visit my girlfriend-"
*Sigh* Of course. He isn't single. I should've expected this.
(Reader): "-Blake?" Well, after I got to her dorm, I found her cheating.
My Notepad: With whom? Would I know them?
(Reader): *Sigh* Don't think you would. In case you do though, his name's Sun Wukong.
...his name's...Sun...Wukong...
...Sun...Wukong...
...Sun...
…Sunny…
I instinctively jumped back a few inches. It was honestly a bit embarrassing. My ex cheated with his ex. It all makes sense. He'd been pretty distant since a week or so before (Reader) suspected them getting together, and he had a sudden obsession with cats. Plus, he was staying at Beacon.
My Notepad: (Reader)? I have something you might want to know about this Sun guy? He's my ex.
As I watched his eyes glance over it, they paused at the last part. Then widened. And then something I thought I'd have done earlier tonight happened. If he had read the rest of that long note from before. He began to break into tears. Oh, why did I have to go and bring up Black Ca- Blake?
And me, because I don't want my fellow victim of cheating to see me as rude, I did what made the most sense to me at the moment. I hugged him. This is actually the opposite of a cliché...I'm impressed, author.
< Nope! No more breaking the fourth wall! >
And I swear to God. He started full-on sobbing. What do I do, what do I do? Maybe me and Sun had a moment like this? No, all of those were the cliché position with me sobbing over his shoulder. And he didn't do anything other than hugs and high-five. Maybe...
FLASHBACK
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Hmm...maybe...oh right! My first-friend Star! Maybe...when she broke her leg! Yep. This is it.
8 yr. old Me: Hey, Star, you 'kay? What's the red puddle you're lyin' in?
Star: I'm- *gasp* I'm fine.
8 yr. old Me: No, you're crying, silly.
Star: *giggle* Yeah...yeah I am... *sniff*
8 yr. old Me: Want a hug?
Star: Y-yeah.
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Okay...so all I know what to do is hug the person...I saw something like this in a movie, but we're in opposite positions. Aren't I supposed to like...draw circles on his back? Maybe that only works for girls? Then...do I pat his back? Isn't that what you do for children? Run hands through his hair?...Okay, no. In this sort of position, that's for kissing.
Thankfully hugs are helpful alone; either that or he's running out of tears. And, because my luck would have it today, his crying gets a second wind.
Let's see...what options did I even have? Maybe I'll just try the first two? Wish I could talk and "there there" him. I pulled him closer, so I could reach around his shoulders. How does this work?! He has thin shoulders and I can hardly reach around his torso?!
I began to pat his back with my left hand, and traced circles, and squiggly lines, and the sort, on his back. I mean, it was making me even more drowsy, so I at least expected it to work for him...
____________________________________________Time_Skip____________________________________________
A drop of water hitting my head woke me up. I must've lost track of time- I didn't even remember falling asleep. I sat up, and noticed the sky was dark- it must've been pretty early in the morning. It was also a very stormy night- but no thunder...odd. (Reader) was still asleep, and I noticed he was lying across the bench we sat on, rather than sitting cross-legged facing forwards as I did.
Now that tears weren't flowing down his face, I could see the moonlight reflecting off his skin. But then (Reader) started shuffling restlessly.
Oh, come, on, really?! What do I do???
Not knowing any better, I tried my best to gently lift his head, shuffle around, cross my legs, and place his head in my lap. In fact I'm amazed he didn't wake up; it was a lot of noise. In another desperate attempt to calm him, I ran my hands through his hair.
After he finally calmed, I noticed my Scroll sticking out of his pocket. That little thief... I silently growl. When I opened it up, I saw a reminder board open up.
"Hi! Sorry, I couldn't help but notice you dropped your Scroll! Don't worry, I only went through this once.
And stay away from my (Nickname). I know how to find you, shortstuff."
- D. S.
Who wrote this? Ah, it's probably some prank of Mercury's. Or...Cinder...Crud! I didn't report in! And it's too late to get back to base! I almost feel bad. Key word: almost. Eh, it's about time I start pushing back. Cinder needs to know what it's like to worry for someone.
Getting a bit bored, I decided to go read a story I recently found online. It was about an anime series, I just can't remember what it was called at the moment- I was just getting into it. I quickly logged into my account- Devious_IceCream. Don't judge; I made it up a while ago. I saw my favourite author, StubsTheNumel, had just produced a new story.
< Just gonna point it out here, that username is reference to NubstheCaterpie. >
After finishing the fourth chapter of his new story, I felt (Reader) rustling around. I looked around, and saw the sunrise beginning through the corner of my left eye.
Well, this is getting a bit too romantic for...my tastes...right...now...woah. Honestly, this sunrise was better than staring at the sunset. Quickly shaking (Reader) awake, I pointed at the sunrise the moment he opened up those gorgeous eyes of his. Okay, that's going a bit far...there's a dull spot in his eyes...wait. There are six dull spots...but why does it look like they're in order?
(Reader): Oh, hey Neo...*blushes*...what exactly happened last night? I'm a bit confused why I'm lying in your lap on a bench.
My Notepad: Look to your right, dummy.
When he did look over, the dull spots didn't fade...they just got...duller.
(Reader): I uh, I have a question for you. Have you ever just, like- I don't know...lost faith in a cause?
My Notepad: A cause..?
(Reader): Well, *sigh* my life hasn't exactly been the greatest playing hero. I think...I'm considering turning to playing the bad guy for once in my life.