Chapter Text
2:43 AM
You recheck your backpack again for what it felt like the hundredth time. Clothes, some hygiene products, a power bank, a pencil case, a sketchbook, a wallet... and your phone.
I look at our chats, a series of conversations, addresses, suggestive comments, and of course..
"Im sorry i didnt mean anything i said."
"I know, I forgive you."
It wasn't your fault. He was just so... kind and sweet. It didn't matter how many red flags it raised or how many times you called him out for it, it just felt too... nice. You forgot how many times the right part of your stupid little teenage boy mind reminds you how this is so wrong because it feels so good to have someone care like he does, no matter how much you self-destruct or hate him, he's always there even when other people weren't.
You know this, know he doesn't care about you like you're starting to care about him but at this point, it feels too good to care.
You take another glance at the clock.
2:48 AM
Your parents aren't home anyway and you doubt your sibling would come to find you so you decide it's enough time, climbing out of your window and using the same escape route as you sneak out again. You jog towards the bus stop and wait patiently, looking at your phone as you chat with him.
"Where are you?"
"Bus stop."
"All right, stay safe for me, okay?"
You cringe and don't reply as you hear the bus squeak at a stop, doors opening just as squeakily as you get in. The bus driver gives you a nod as you take a seat, eyeing you just as always and driving. It's only you on the bus, which you're grateful for. God forbid someone asks where you're parents are and why you look like you're running away.
The bus squeaks at a stop again, only needing a few minutes before you step out to your destination, making sure to pay the driver extra as he nods in gratitude. He already knows where to drop you after this happened a few times, and he's always quiet about it. Thank heavens for that.
By the time you step off, he's already there, on his front porch while nursing a cigarette. Finally, the big, lonely, active military man you've been meeting these past few months when he's on leave. You shiver as you run towards the house, the only house in this area honestly. Did you shiver from the cold? Excitement? Fear? Even you don't know.
You almost trip towards the stairs and hug the man tightly, breathing in the comfortable smell of his cologne, cigarette smoke, and the natural smell that you love so much.
"There's my good boy..."
You hated him. Stop hugging him already, it's disgusting, he's disgusting.
A hand placed on your back, it's big and comforting. It's too big, for you at least. He's always been on the bigger side of things, you'd know.
"It's getting cold, let's go inside, yeah? Don't want you getting sick..."
You loved how caring he was, no, how caring he is. Your heart is racing, and your mind might even be faster as you both head inside, feeling the familiar creak of the wooden floor, his footsteps mainly causing them relative to yours. It's comical in a way, how delicate you are compared to him in every way.
After all that thinking you almost don't notice how you're at his bedroom door, your heart dropping as you step in. It's the same, it's always the same, you figured if he doesn't have time to redecorate at all.
He sits on the bed. You stand in front of him. Like an idiot.
"Well?.."
He opens his arms, a balaclava covering his face like always. It's familiar, grounding even. You drop your bag and hug him tightly on the bed, both of you toppling over as he chuckles and wraps his arms around you too.
"I missed you, luv..."
You missed him too. How fucked up is that?