Chapter Text
“We have a new squad member, I repeat a new squad member joining us today!”. The voice yelled out, as the group waited to find out who it could possibly be. The voice continued. “Introducing Corpse!!”. The words snapping me back to reality as I looked at the screen and brought my character Infront of the others…the name wasn’t mine but I had to play along..
The voices that I barely heard had become clearer, my mind realizing just how out of place I was. Letting myself distance as this pink haired man spoke to the viewers.. in a bitter and raspy tone.
It felt weird having been added onto this squad in only a few days. The recording felt too slow for my own liking….but the people were nice and competitive. I think that’s why I kept recording with them, they understood my jokes and boundaries…that made them want to enter my introverted circle even more.
The feeling wasn’t exactly mutual. To me our connection was made on the work that we recorded for the channel. But this bitter voice always seemed to amaze me with his jokes, even if they were mean towards me. I had just realized how much I never seemed to notice how stupid it sounded.
It came to me as a very strange thing. The game had been fun and all, but I never seemed to keep my gaze off the glitches that appeared on both sides of the map…why would my game suddenly be glitching out of nowhere even if it had been fine just a few minutes ago? My thought had soon been cut off as loud ringing filled my headphones. My hands rushing to take them off immediately.
I had instinctively covered my ears as the ringing got even louder. The sound of my name being called was heard…but in return, It had been distorted and messed up wording. A particular voice had spoke out the most as it formed words that sounded almost so familiar. The pain of the ringing had not yet left as I tried everything to keep it from continuing.
My screen flashing error. It felt to made up in my head. My eyes following the message as it showed the ever more pink haired man on the screen. His face distorted with a giant grin that spread from ear to ear. That face had been blurred out before I could even look at the features. The ringing had gotten even worse, my hands reaching to turn it off.
The feeling of my hands had become completely numb, as I reached to it turn off before I gazed at the now laughing pink haired bastard.
He had controlled my mind, my thoughts, my feelings. I needed this to end…now. His words had started to make sense now. “You’re nothing but a puppet.” he repeated over and over. I needed to forget about him. I had to forget about him.
Suddenly, he jumped forward. It had caused me to wake up back to reality. My body sitting up, my breathing unsteady and fast, my hands shaking. It was all a dream..though to me it felt like something out of a horror movie…
My eyes hysterically darting the room with specks of light immediately catching my attention.
It was morning.
My gaze had stared at my slightly open window. My breathing steadying as I process exactly what had happened to me. Before I could even begin to remember, I was hit with a shock of pain.
My hands softly reaching up to grab my forehead, closing my eye to try and forget of the pain as my other hand softly closed and opened into a fist. I felt like I wasn’t even in control of my own body like I was a floating away from my own state of mind.
The soft touch had comforted me in a way nothing could ever fill the empty hole that was left behind. My hand slowly tracing over my bandaged eye, hovering almost to not fully ruin its recovery from my own curiosity.
My mind remembering that night like it was just yesterday.
How I reacted on impulse from Sora’s constant insults that he so easily made with no remorse on feelings, causing myself to be beaten the fuck out of.
His angered face being the last thing I’d see before I passed out from the pain.
My head turning to the full body mirror displaced in the middle of my room. Hands placed on my lap, shoulders hunched to get a closer look.
I saw my face.
My distorted and bruised face.
I hadn’t realized just how bad he got me until now…He really hated my guts that much…huh?
Though again…seeing him lose control over his cocky attitude was enjoyable…maybe pushing his buttons a little wouldn’t hurt.
The soft knock of the door had snapped me out of my thoughts. I tried to speak but it came out in a whispered tone.
My right hand coming up to touch my throat like it was the most painful part of all of this. My face never changed…instead I felt more relaxed than disgusted from scars.
Just as I slowly examined my vocals, I heard a small squeaky voice that sounded surprised. My gaze glanced at the door with confusion.
Charlie stood with a tray of black coffee, freshly made pancakes. Her face spoke more than words. It seemed to cause her to freeze seeing me awake.
The tray placed on the desk aside the mirror, before she glanced at me with curiosity and sadness.
I had felt her curiosity as I softly spoke quietly even if it was met with deaf ears.
“Hey, nothing important happened while I was out…right??” My tone soft and tired..
Before anything, Charlie rushed to hug me with teary eyes as she sobs out an apology for something she had never did. I felt her warmth and affection as she apologized. Wrapping my arms around her gently despite my body aching.
“IM SO SORRY LEVI, I SHOULD’VE STOPPED HIM FROM INSULTING YOU. IM SO SORRY PLEASE FORGIVE ME”. She exclaimed, pulling away to meet my eyes softly. Letting out a little laugh at her saddened expression.
“WHY ARE YOU LAUGHING LELE..YOU GOT HURT BECAUSE OF ME..” Charlie had shook me with frustration at my lack of comfort as she sobs into my shoulder again. My hands patting her back softly.
Her grip tightening with impress amount of strength. Slowly letting a small gasp as I laughs through the small pain of my body being crushed from her hug.
We stayed hugging for a few minutes, soon wanting to stop her before I died from suffocation.
“Charlie…please let me go…you’re crushing me.” My word softly whispered, patting her back for her to know. Her hands instinctively letting go as she realized.
“Omg I’m sorry..are you okay?”
She asked as she looked at my wounds thoughtfully.
“Yeah yeah I’m fine don’t worry.”
I responded rather quickly as I softly breathed in fresh air to keep myself steady. My gaze following to see her cheerful expression.
Charlie saw how I stretched slowly as she scanned the room to see the disaster of clothes and old left out food around it.
Immediately getting an idea before I could even finish my last stretch. I stood up from bed, gaze following Charlie as she walked around my room.
“You need to clean your room..”
She said with cheerful and gentle eyes.
“But-..”
She placed a finger on my lips as she shushed me completely. Her face ready to go all out. “Oh no mister, you may use the excuse of being hurt but you could at least help clean your own room just a little bit.”
Charlie pulled me along as she handed me the black coffee with a smile.
“Get yourself energized for our big adventure Lele. Because we are going on a tour of your room!!” She excited said as she pointed at the roof. I stood aside sipping the black coffee with glee in my eyes, seeing how she scrambled across the room.
It felt like hell waking up after passing out and getting right back to cleaning my room. But at least it’ll help me get some energy back even if it’s through chores.
Sipping on my coffee one last time before placing it down and walking over to my bed. Holding onto the corner and throwing it off….getting stuck in the process. CharChar always seemed to focus on how clean my stuff were rather than her own..
That’s what I always loved about her but….she seemed to always remind me of them. Like she was a complete copy of both Sora and Z-… Wait what was his name?
-
Charlie waved goodbye to Levi, her smile genuine as she held onto the doorknob.
She stood outside. Thinking.
Whatever it was that happened between the both of them seemed to built an uneasy feeling in her stomach. Like someone was stabbing at it with a dull knife.
Now that Alex wasn’t there to fill the void of their mere hatred. It felt like everything relied on her to fix the mistakes that now stained the squad’s relationship.
Immediately snapping out of her imagination, her footsteps heavy as she walked towards the kitchen.
Her gaze landing on the rest of her friends that did whatever. Her lips shifting to a soft smile as she looked over at everyone.
Candi sat on the couch with a granola bar, Jaxx, Light and Ika each making their own ramen off of a TikTok recipe. While Sora sat at the dining table.. his right hand holding cold peas that hovered over his black eye and his phone placed neatly infront of him.
Charlie’s eyes drifted off to see how Luca barely walked in with a movie in his hand. Glancing towards Charlie as he takes her by the hand towards the couch.
She held his hand as she walked right behind, her thoughts going back to Sora. Her feelings building up all over again as she felt… resentment and fear at what he was capable of doing to himself or to others. Charlie softly made a fist with her right hand as she thinks more on it before looking away with no other choice.
Little did she know, Sora would feel her stare….Turning his attention to the now turned Charlie, seeing how she interacted with the two over some movie he never even heard about.
His hands balling into fists as he does a small “tch” at the mere thought of caring what she or anyone thought of him. He gave that bastard what he deserved for messing up his ego.
He noticed how the atmosphere seemed to have changed after the “fight”, having gotten quiet and uncomfortable for even him to bare.
He wanted to add in jokes, for them to have an interesting conversation over something stupid…but it seemed that even if he went back to normal…they wouldn’t even try to look at him the same.
Why did it need to suddenly change? Why did one simple mistake lead to me becoming the villain when He started it? I wished you were here Alex.
You knew how to handle these types of situations better than the rest of us. But of course… you had to take off to achieve something so big that we couldn’t tag along.
You would’ve known how to stop Jaxx and Candi from scolding me, you would’ve listened to my side. And…maybe be on it instead of that jerks lame excuse of self defense.
Well it’s late now, they won’t even look at me without feeling disgusted or threatened by my own strength.
His gaze landing on his phone, frustration filling his thoughts as he balled his fists more tightly. Practically ripping the nice material that covered the table.
He felt he needed to be heard not neglected for what he had thought was right…but everyone saw the hero as the savior rather than the monster after all.
Deep in thought had caused Sora to fully forget his surroundings as he gets a soft tap on his shoulder. Making him turn his side to the side…seeing Ika with a plate of freshly made ramen with two uncut eggs beside to create a soft aesthetic.
Sora glanced up to see her soft smile that he saw did not her eyes…seeing how she seemed concerned at his odd behavior.
“h-hi! Uhm..I wanted to give you…food! I hope you really enjoy. I had seen you haven’t eaten at all so please!.” Ika had softly let her hand reach out more as she looks down out of pure embarrassment of her mixed up words.
His gaze had softened as he looked around to see that it was only the two of them around. Seeing how Ika was able to speak to him even after the “bad” he’d done.
His frown shifting into a small smile as he reached out to grab the bowl with gentleness. His eyes squinting at the kind gesture. Looking up to thank her.
“Thank you. You really didn’t have to-“
“You really are a villain.”
He froze as he looked at Ika with shock as he saw how her face was fully masked with a sadistic smile. His face frowning immediately.
“Thi-…This isn’t funny. Cut it out..” Sora had said as he tried to grab the bowl but realized the tight hold that Ika had. Seeing how her face leaned in close, the smile still flashed from ear to ear.
“This was ur fault. If you weren’t such a bad guy. Maybe people would like you more. Face it, everyone here would rather see YOU die than their beloved Levi.” She spoke as every word seemed to cut into Sora’s ego as he starts to get pissed off. His hands gripping the bowl, looking straight at the floor.
“You got what you wanted right? It would be rather funny to see you lose yourself because of your issues? Isn’t it funny that you inflict pain than comfort hm? start taking those pills so we can all just-“
“shut up. Shut Up. SHUT UP!!” Sora had pushed the bowl away hard as he stood up from his chair and balled his fist up. Looking back at how Ika was pushed back.
The bowl soon shattering on the floor. Glass getting everywhere as everything slowly comes back to Sora.
Sora gazes at the shattered bowl at the ground before he realizes what he did. His eyes snapping towards the now shaking Ika.
She held her hands on her chest as she softly backs away. Her eyes immediately screaming fear and panic at the situation. Looking away on instinct.
He had calmed down as his gaze turns to worry and sadness at what his actions caused someone else to feel. He stepped forward a bit.
“I-..I’m so-…”* No matter what he said, it always sounded broken. Like it was making him avoid actually apologizing for being a jerk.
Before he could utter a word, He heard footsteps approach before he could even speak.
“Hey Ika! You should come the movie is about to-. Jaxx had spoke as he freezes at the sight before him. Ika shaking while Sora stands there with his balled fists. Then Jaxx glances at the shattered bowl. His face immediately turning serious as he approaches Ika.
Softly standing in-front her with no hesitation. Staring down at Sora with confusion and concern.
The blue haired man had looked at the person he saw now as a boyfriend turn his back without hearing his side once more. Seeing how he stood there with no reason to be mad at him..
“Jaxx I-.. I’m really sorry! I didn’t why I did that. I just lost control and saw this blur and-.” He explained as he was the silenced by a a sharp tone that filled his ears.
“Not another word Sora. What would’ve happened if you really hurt someone? Don’t you ever think of your actions?” He sharply replied as Ika stood behind with concern and guilt at having Sora get yelled once more.
“But.” Sora said as he walked forward and tried to explain but again was cut off.
“No buts! What if you seriously hurt her Sora? All she did was try and help you out man. But you have such a strong ego that you can’t even listen can you?” Jaxx said
The words cut Sora deep as he stands shocked, his hands softly letting go as he looked down at the ground before looking back at Jaxx.
“Because you won’t even listen-… you know whatever.. I don’t care anymore. Go fuck yourself asshole.” Sora had said, turning his back and flipping him off. Having walked towards his room…shutting his door hard as the others watched and stared before they each went back to their routine.
Only Charlie continued to stare longer as she gets worried for what Sora could be doing. For her it would’ve been hell if she hadn’t had anyone to hang out with at-least a little.
His frustration getting the better of him as he threw his phone on bed before he slumped over his chair with no intention of moving anytime soon.
-
2 hours later.
Jaxx had walked towards Sora’s room as he looks over the door before he softly knocked.
“Sora?” He said before he turns the doorknob and lets himself in. Immediately seeing how dark it is as he scans the room to see exactly where he would be before seeing a big slump on the bed.
He walked over as he placed the ramen bowl on the desk as he turned his head to the slump that face the wall. His expression showing his concern and guilt.
“I’m sorry for yelling at you. I just didn’t want …I-… I should’ve let you tell me your side of what happened.” He paused before continuing. “But I instead decided to be a jerk and take more of Ika’s side then yours”
“I hope you can forgive me sorsor….If you are listening to this…you can be angry all you want with me. But don’t let my words make you feel guilty okay?” Jaxx had said as he turned his attention to the slump before walking towards the door again.
“Please eat the ramen…I know you barely ate anything. It’s the least you could do..”* The words hung in the air as Jaxx closed the door softly behind him.
The soft rustling of the blanket could be heard as Sora uncovers himself and sits up. His guilt rising as he grips the blanket tightly. He knows he shouldn’t forgive Jaxx so fast but it feels wrong to stay mad at someone for being protective of their friends.
His eyes drifting to the food that lay there warm as his irritation grows. Making him softly grumble and fall back on his bed. His hands coming up to grip at his face. God why was being so forgiving one of his weaknesses.
As he continued to go crazy, He couldn’t help but think about Levi. Jaxx reminded him so much of Levi even if they both had switched personalities. It was wrong to think like that especially since his boyfriend had just apologize…but something in him sparked that day…something he couldn’t quite understand.
—
Midnight : 3:17 am
The immediate darkness fills the room as Levi opens his eyes and sits up….his movements silent. As his hands come up to wipe his groggy eyes before looking around his room..looking for some water he swore he had.
Before his eyes drift to the trash can that had about 2-4 water bottles piling up, he muttered curses under his breath. Scooting himself to the edge of his bed, letting his legs dangle off. Sighing at the aching of his muscles before standing up with a soft hum and walking to his door.
Standing there for a few minutes, his head against the door before twisting the knob and opening the door. Peaking his head out and slowly creaking his door shut behind him.
His footsteps quiet, his gaze looking at the decorated doors that he never seemed to pay attention to before he came across one that peaked his interest.
Charlie’s door that screamed her interest of everything sparkly and cute. He looked over every detail before softly smiling to himself.
Standing there for what felt like forever before turning his back to his main priority.
Getting water.
Arriving at the kitchen felt like so long especially since he felt slower because of his injuries but whatever could he do?
He stood out in the doorframe as he looked at the lit lights with confusion. His eyes could barely open fully as his hair and bandages blocked most of his vision.
But he still took note of the lights as if he even cared much about it to be honest. He walked in as he tried to see who it was though he struggled as he held onto the counter.
Raising his left hand to slightly push his hair back as he noticed the cup of coffee ahead of him. Noticing the 3 open creamers that lay beside it. Feeling more confused at it before hearing the beep of the microwave.
Making Levi jump at the sound as he turns his attention to it before noticing a blue haired man that clicked the numbers. Softly making a small sound as it cooked what Levi could only imagine was a hot pocket.
Levi eyes immediately drifted to Sora as he continued to be distracted.
His mind filling with wanting to sneak up on Sora, raising his hands to be like claws as he tiptoed towards his prey. Before he could scare. Sora had turned around as he noticed Levi with arms raised with a dumb face. His eyes blinking annoyingly at the guy. Crossing his arms as his brow raises.
“What are you doing?” Sora spoke as he points at Levi’s raised hands.
Levi immediately stops as he looks away out of pure embarrassment. His face goes blank, thinking on ways to explain what he was doing.
Before he could say something, the small beep filled the silence as Sora turns back o the microwave. Taking out his hot pocket and walking around Levi.. to get his coffee that sat near the coffee machine. His eyes going back to see the blank Levi.
While, Levi blinks in completely disbelief as he then thinks on how Sora looked and sounded more annoyed than his usual playful manner as he finds it sort of intimidating.
“Well…tch it was…I don’t know what you’re talking about. I did nothing.”* Levi said as he gave him a slight serious look before he tilted his head as Sora sips his coffee calmly, bringing it down to his chest.
As his gaze slowly turns into a “be so serious” look. Letting his free hand pinch the bridge of his nose in annoyance. Thinking on why he was still talking to this guy. When he could he finish watching the last season of Gossip Girl with no interruption but no…
The black haired man immediately caught onto Sora’s frustration as he rubs the back of his neck with the discomfort of silence , not knowing what to do to keep the conversation from being awkward.
Glancing anywhere but the annoyed man infront him.
Sora eyes had drifted onto Levi as he noticed the bandage that covered his eye. Silently feeling guilty for what he did. If he could take back what he did then maybe the others wouldn’t look at him like such a monster, but hell he also felt satisfied to have laid a hand on the all mighty Levi.
The moment seemed to continue as they both stayed there in silence before Sora’s annoyance got the better of him. Wanting to break the silence rather than feed it more.
His eyes drifting to look at the coffee machine before getting an idea.
Putting his coffee down on the counter alongside his hot pocket before he turned to Levi with soft and guilty eyes as he spoke up.
“do you..want coffee or?”
Levi had looked back at Sora with gentle but slightly surprised eyes. Before he blinked a few times as he finally understood what he asked. Immediately standing up straight, clearing his throat, forgetting about his main priority.
“Oh yeah that sounds nice.”
Sora had looked at the coffee machine as he prepares it to dispense the warm drink before he pours it into a mug and slids it over to Levi.
Sora’s thoughts scrambling to wanting to apologize for what he did or just leaving it at that. Ignoring his own feelings of what could be done if he goes to far.
As he thought, Levi had kept his eyes on the man as he grabbed the coffee and sipped it. Leaning against the counter…feeling more comfortable around Sora.
The man infront of him seemed to curse under his breath as he gripped the counter and breathed in a sigh of slight discomfort.
Before turning his gaze towards Levi, his eyes showing guilt but his facial expression showing embarrassment. Making it difficult for Levi to understand what he truly felt.
What could he be thinking? Maybe already planning to cuss me out or something. But he seems tense almost..
His eyes immediately drifting to stare at the window with slight curiosity.
Sora had cleared his throat as he bit his bottom lip with frustration and not knowing how to apologize without sounding too mean or too nervous.
It feels too sudden. But he deserved to know that I’m sorry, right? Fuck. I don’t know…god I don’t know. Come on Sora, just say it. He won’t care enough to want to hear your reasoning just..Just. Fuck it.
Sora balled his hands into fists, not wanting to seem like such a bad guy…he would show me that he wasn’t….
“I’m sorry..”