Chapter Text
Curtis
I live in Welleview, a blooming metropolitan dream. West Welleview is jam-packed with stuff to do and try, and tall buildings practically fight for space. Public transport is bustling. Offices of every flavor you can imagine line the streets. East Welleview is quieter, less chaotic. There’s more room to breathe and more nature to explore and things like that. Still. West Welleview is my stomping ground. But I don’t live here to be a little office drone.
I live here for the office buildings. Specifically, I live here to vault myself off of them.
A chill breeze whips across my face as I charge forward. It’s that fun time of day when everything is orange cause the sun is setting. Casually, I launch myself off of that one broadcast media building with the chill guys who always let me on their roof. The financial office I keep away from. Those guys suck. Today, I mostly train with Kong vaults and Kash vaults, since those are great for distance. I’m not filming right now, so I don’t need the same artistic flair or variety. My windbreaker keeps me warm as I go. Since it’s Fall, properly warm clothes are important. Colder muscles get hurt easier.
I make sure to stay focused and not jump right past the pub; I’m meeting the boys for drinks tonight, and they’d totally make fun of me if I made that mistake again. I chimney slide down and dash across the street, tugging my ponytail to tighten it and heading right on in.
Jared is already here, like always, and so is Nick. “Ayo! Third place ain’t bad at all!” I smirk, swinging myself into the chair next to Jared.
“Bro, go wash your hands already. We know you were monkeying around on the rooftops.” He shoves me on the shoulder with a smile.
“Hell yeah I was.” I set my jacket onto the chair to claim it and then head into the bathroom to wash up. When I make it back, Yo-Yo’s already here. Yeah, I know, it’s a stupid nickname, but Yonah is basically never without jacks or marbles or a yo-yo, stuff like that to mess around with. We order some snack foods for the table and a first round of drinks while waiting on Stephan and Ryan.
We shoot the breeze over nachos, soft pretzels, and some actual dinner— mostly burgers. I choke down some 100 proof whiskey, trying once again to convince myself that I actually like that garbage when all I really want is a Singapore Sling or a Dirty Shirley. The boys mostly talk about their jobs, like Ry-Guy’s new gig as a veterinary assistant or how stupid Jared’s callers are.
Stephan talks about a cute coworker, and how he wants to get her some coffee to see if the cup’ll glow. We all hype him up like we’re supposed to as his buddies, but I figure it probably won’t. He’s tried this song and dance before; random women he finds attractive probably aren’t his soulmate. I bet you his girl is gonna be his sister’s best friend. They’ve never given each other anything but he always has a lot of good to say about her when they see each other. Yo-Yo and Nick have already found their soulmates; Livvie and Paul are cool people, when they actually hang with us.
“Hey, I know we’re drinking, so now’s not a great time, but I got shrooms. Anyone up for taking some tomorrow? We could watch Spirited Away or something. I’d host, obviously,” Jared offers, voice low. The guys murmur their agreement, but I shake my head. Not like they were expecting me to respond any differently. I swore off anything illegal about a year and a half ago. But I do promise to drive everyone home afterward.
Almost by reflex, I check my phone and scroll down the text messages. It’s been three months since Deklan reached out. I shoot him another message, just in case he’s able to get back to me this time.
Hey dude. I’m gonna make some tuna salad tomorrow night. You want any?
“What’s with the grim face, Curtis? You get hurt out there or something?” Ryan asks.
“Nah, man. Just… viewership’s a little low this week.”
“Livvie and I’ll watch your new video enough to screw up the algorithm and help you out a bit,” Yo-Yo grins, spinning a plastic top on the table before it knocks into a plate.
“Thanks.” I return my attention to the food. The warm, juicy patty and melty cheese take the edge off the bitter taste clinging to my mouth. It’s really good, but it also feels heavy. “God, this is…” I think. “Omnable.” I set my hand on my stomach as if to demonstrate. “Like, it’s tasty, but…”
“Filling?” Nick tries.
“Yeah, that.”
“New one for the Curtis Dictionary,” Stephan points out.
“Got it.” Ry-Guy opens his phone to jot that me-ism down.
Eventually, we all tap out, and it’s time to go home. I stayed sober enough to know how to get there, so I head off. Ma calls in the middle of the walk. I answer in the standard ways.
Yeah, Ma, I’m doing okay.
The boys are good.
Are they staying out of trouble? Well, kinda. Work seems to be going well.
I ignore the caution in her tone. Work for me? Awesome as always.
Nope, still haven’t heard from Dek. Offered to bring him food, I’ll see if he takes me up on it.
Yeah, of course I’ll bring you some, too.
Love you, too.
I make it back to the apartment and head straight for the roof. I lay on my back and stare at the stars; it’s frankly a miracle I can see any, what with the… what’s it called? Light pollution? That.
How would I rank today? Five out of five stars. Duh. All of my days are five out of five stars. There’s never any doubt. My world is great.
I shake myself out so that I don’t fall asleep up here again.