Work Text:
Opening scene is a figure sitting in the corner of their room next to a window. It’s nighttime. Crickets are chirping, wind is slowing breezing by.
The figure isn’t crying, they seem to have forgotten how. Instead they’re staring out the window, thinking of all the possibilities of the night's end. Their stature is calm, well with their expression. They look at peace. They are far from it.
The scene fades and pops back with a ding. A text notification. We can see the figures' eyes now. They glance at their phone, pondering people who would be contacting them at this hour. Their mind comes up a blank slate. A second of contemplation and they pick up their phone, turning it on.
One notification sits below the time.
*Ay, mate. You up?*
{Sent, 3:03 A.M. Today.}
The figure let out a breath, blinking rapidly for a few seconds. Of course they’re awake, they always are at this hour to talk with their friend. A habit.
They decide to respond before they can start thinking again.
*Yeah, I’m awake.*
{Sent, 3:05 A.M. Today}
They wait for a response, their brain kicks up again. They wonder if they deserve to talk to their friend. If they deserve to eat. To sleep.
Ding.
*You alright?*
{Sent, 3:06 A.M. Today.}
They blink.
*Yeah, I’m fine. Just thinking.*
{Sent, 3:06 A.M. Today.}
The figure breathes deeply, struggling. They shouldn’t burden their friend with this. They don’t deserve their friend. But they know it would hurt them if they left. They just don’t know why. They go along with it anyway. It’s all they have.
Ding.
*Just so you know, I’m free to talk whenever. You can always talk to me. Or just, talk to me. I love you, mate. And get some sleep, I know you haven’t gotten any.*
{Sent, 3:07 A.M. Today.}
A tear escaped the figure's eye, but none follow. Not a lot of thoughts went through their head. Not any they consciously acknowledged.
*Thank You. I might take up that offer sometime after I’m dead. But I love you too, seriously. I’m just not ready yet. Also sleep is delusion. I’ll talk to you in an hour?*
{Sent, 3:08 A.M. Today.}
*Make it three, any less and I’ll come over there and make you.*
{Sent, 3:08 A.M. Today.}
{Read, 3:09 A.M. Today.}
[Some people make it worth it]