Chapter Text
Original Prompt: A story from the view of someone who lives in koth_king.
Midnight.
Despite all its inhabitants sound asleep as they should be, the neon city was still very much alive. A lone man in a black hoodie, jeans, and scuffed sneakers set out for a little leisurely stroll. Late as it was, it was far from dark. Because at midnight, all the little lights and signs above the shops and in the corners flicked their switches.
And the dark was banished from the city of Kong King, illuminating the streets and concrete walls in bright colours.
The daytime maze of glass boxes and steel beams had completely transformed and those willing to stay up late were certainly rewarded for their patience. He knew the path well and his feet led the way; they carried him through alleyways and into the smaller streets distanced from the main city square and popular intersections. Not as many lights, not as many sounds, but each shop’s sign flourished with individuality. Names of restaurants, cafes, pharmacies, pawn shops, whatever it may be. They all had their own board, their own colour and logo, neon tubes stretched this way and that and hung over the door.
He slowed in his pace a little to read everything and take in the colours that danced across his eyes and on his face. He hummed along with the buzzing of the lights, like a little musical melody that had no need for lyrics.
The neat little buzzing was suddenly drowned out by chaotic, unpredictable gunfire. And it was right behind him.
Oh. Right.
His vibrant little city, reduced to nothing but the backdrop for a war that nobody cared about. Except for the mercenaries that ran past him in their primary colours; a faded red or blue. Nothing bright or catchy like the neon lights of the signs. And none of the mercenaries stopped to appreciate the carefully crafted beauty of the shops and stores surrounding them. Treating the street like a shortcut, an abandoned alleyway instead of an art gallery.
Ah well. He knew the drill by now. His walk had been nice while it lasted, but now it was time to go back home. Now was not a good time to get caught in the middle of any gunfire.
Let these grubby, intrusive, strange men fight for the things that didn’t matter in Kong King. Let them ignore the true beauty of a city at midnight. Sure, the carnage and damage they’d all leave behind once their stupid little fight was over would suck, but as long as the colours were still there for him tomorrow night.