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The heater was broken. The cool air filtering in through the doors at every station led the wagon to feel freezing cold inside. The board staff lend out blankets to the passengers. Barely anyone was boarding the train at this hour, the hands on the clock inching towards the top. Midnight.
Skeppy wrapped the soft blanket more tightly around himself, his second jacket already on. A constant shiver running through his body, teeth chattering. He almost regretted leaving the retreat early. Almost. But overall, he will be much happier once he gets to the airport and can finally return home to never-snowing Clearwater, Florida.
Plus, going home ment going away from her, which can only be considered a win. Fuck that bitch.
He wish he never came. Never even spent the money. It's not cheap to rent one of those cabins, you know? But noooo she had to insist and poor, naive Skeppy just had to give in. Can he ever say no to her? Apparently not. He didn't even tell her why he left early, came up with some lie. Now she'll enjoy her time off fully, without him. Like she planned to probably, anyway.
Why did he keep trying?
Why can't he just accept that she doesn't love him? Why does he want her in his life so much? He felt pathetic.
The train reached the next station, another daft of cold air rushing in. A snowstorm had started up outside. Skeppy wished they could just keep the doors closed, no one was exiting anyways.
To his surprise, instead of someone exiting the wagon, someone entered. A man, probably a couple years older than him. Dressed weather appropriate, in heavy boots, rain pants, a thick coat with a scarf and a knitted beanie with a pompom on top. It looked hand made. He was covered in snow, carrying a hiking bag that appeared to be half empty. Might be a hiker who got caught in the storm, lucky to catch the train.
As the train started moving again, the man pulled of his beanie and scarf, shaking the snow off as well as he could before entering the seating area. The removed items gave view to shoulder length hair, in a nice chestnut brown, and eyes still shielded by fogged up glasses.
Now, Skeppy knew he was starring. But his phone died hours ago and he didn't want to waste more time in the cabin with that fucking she-wolf of a person just to wait for it to charge. And that man was the most interesting thing to enter his line of sight since he boarded the train himself. Again, there weren't a lot of passengers traveling at that time.
The man that caught his eye finally entered the seating area, his scarf and hat stuffed into his bag, glasses cleared up. On second look, Skeppy noticed the man's beard, definitely in need of shaping. Not that Skeppy knew much about taking care of a beard, he could never grow one himself, facial hair just not wanting to spawn. So many jokes about him never entering puberty. As if he had any control over it. His voice didn't help, always a bit higher pitched. "Squeaky" as his friends described. Fuck, he might need better friends.
As the newcomer stalked down the aisle, their eyes met. Now, Skeppy was never one to look away, embarrassed, just because he was caught staring. It was like an admission of guilt, that the tween could never agree with. Although, gazing at the pale green eyes of that stranger, he felt his cheeks heat up. His eyes stung.
That man, a complete stranger, held such a warmth in his eyes, that Skeppy rarely ever saw.
He stopped, heavy steps halting a few feet from where Skeppy was sitting. The man tilted his head, a soft smile dancing over his lips. His voice came unexpected, a slight rasp to it from lack of use, but just like his own more high pitched and so incredibly charming.
"Is it okay if I sit here?"
Skeppys eyes followed to where the man was pointing, spotting the empty seat across the table from him. He glanced back up at the man, answering after a stunned moment of silence.
"I- uh- yeah, sure..." he muttered, feeling his voice break. He gazed down at his lap, hearing the man respond with a sincere thanks and shuffling to sit down, bagpack placed in the seat beside him. As the man got comfortable, their feet bumping together for a second, Skeppy jolting back in surprise. His company apologized immediately. Skeppy ment to cut him off.
"Ah! Sorry, sorry- didn't mean to-"
"No, no it's- fuck- it's fine-"
"Language!"
Skeppy looked up, shocked, confusion running through him. "did that guy just language me?" judging by the rapidly spreading blush other the older's cheeks, that seems to have been the case. Nonetheless, he felt a smile creep up on his lips. A teasing grin.
"Did you just language me?"
The guy's face scrunched up, nose crinkling in a weirdly endearing way. "It's.. a force of habit, I'm sorry. But you really shouldn't swear." He pouted, Skeppy giggled.
"Sorry"
He resituated himself, pulling the blanket over his shoulders once more as it had fallen down a bit. He had almost forgotten about the cold. The stranger being a nice distraction from his situation. Speaking of him, he stretched his arms over his head, a big yawn leaving his lungs. As his hands came back down, he lifted his glasses to rub against his eyes, tiredness kicking in. His eyes, skeppy realized, that where remarkably red and puffy. Had he been crying?
What might have happened, to this wonderful stranger? That led him to be out in such terrible weather, with a half packed bag, yet dressed in protective gear? What made him take this very train? To leave the faint and quiet towns on it's route behind? Why at this hour? Would he relate? To what Skeppy had experienced? What made him sit down, across from this lost soul, in an otherwise empty cart?
How can it happen that someone with such a warm smile has to cry for hours?
"My name is Skeppy." He stated, carefully. Voice easy, to not disturb the quaint atmosphere that has settled around them. Giving the chance for conversing, but not forcing a response. The green eyes met his once more.
"I'm Bad. Badboyhalo." The name sounded nice, said in his voice. With such an open and honest smile. Skeppy smiled back.
"Badboy, huh?" The other chuckled, Skeppy liked that.
"Yeah, most say it's not very fitting..." he scratched his cheek, probably a nervous habit.
Skeppy hummed in agreement. "Well, my full name is Skeptical.. I'm not quite sure how well that fits me, either."
"I would say that proofs it does." They both gave a chuckle at that.
Badboyhalo. Finally a name to that beautiful stranger. It just made him more curious to be honest. While mulling over the next best question, Bad was the one to continue their conversation.
"Sooo, are you here on vacation?"
Taken out of his thoughts, it took him a second to answer. "Oh, eh, yeah, I was here with my" a sigh "mother, she had been wanting to visit this place for a while now. Big fan of the whole... cozy cabin aestethic, y'know?"
"Oh!" Bad laughed, voice cheery "you must have been staying at one of the Stollenbach Cabins then, right? Ahh I knew you weren't from around here." He seemed genuinely proud of himself to have guessed that.
"What gave it away?" The younger responded sarcastically, although the other didn't seem to catch that.
"Your clothes! If not a tourist, you'd had to be a real muffinhead to go out in this weather with barely a rain jacket. And your shivering like a twig!" Skeppy hid his rapidly flushing face behind a sweater paw, slowly sliding down in his seat until their knees where touching, but neither moved away.
"Well, this is the warmest thing I have. I'm not used to cold climates..." he mumbled in defense, arms crossing over his chest. He watched the others proud grin, unable to look away from the pretty face. Then suddenly, a look of realization.
"Oh, may I ask, where is your mother? You didn't leave her at the cabin alone, right?"
Skeppy shook his head. "No, no, she still has her butler with her."
Bad nodded in understanding for a second before questioning "wait, a butler?"
Skeppy just shrugged. "Those cabins aren't exactly cheap, you know?" That didn't seem to clear up Bad's confusion, but he let it drop. Rich people world.
"Then, why are you leaving?"
Skeppy took a deep breath, dreading that question. He had asked it himself for hours at this point. He knew the answer. It wasn't satisfactory. His mother would shame him for it if she knew. But his mother didn't, and this complete stranger wouldn't have to either.
"My Boss called last minute. Some problems with a huge client who I usually take care of, can't risk to lose 'em. So I was called in, promised a huge bonus and guaranteed pto for Christmas. I quite like that client, so I'm going." He knew he sounded cold and distant, explaining that. Not at all like someone who was sad to leave early from time that should be spent with his dear mother. He knew. He didn't care. Bad realized.
"Oh... that's... understandable, I guess."
It was awkward.
Clearing his throat, Skeppy laid his hands down on the table, fidgeting with his fingers. "So where are you going? It's pretty late..." a glance at the clock. 15 minutes after midnight. Bad looked even more uncomfortable at that. Seems like they're both travelling for some tense reasons.
In difference to Skeppy, though, the man answered in honesty. "A friend of mine is going through a tough time so I'm flying out to support them. It'll be weird, being so far from home, but I'd feel bad not doing anything."
All Skeppy could do was nod, unsure how to continue from there. Late November night. Snowstorm blowing. Train another hour away from it's destination. 4 more hours until his flight home. A beautiful stranger in front of him.
It could be so nice.
Bad shuddered, his face scrunching together, like in disgust. Skeppy, surprised, threw him a questioning look. "Are you cold?" He was about to lift his blanket, unknowingly risking his own sacrifice, it was really, really cold on that train. Bad waved his hands in front of him.
"Oh no, no! I was just thinking about the flight and I'm just- deathly afraid of planes..." he explained, shyly. Skeppy lifted a brow, resituating the blanket around him.
"Afraid of planes? You mean flying in one? Or are you scared they're gonna hunt you down?"
"I mean flying in general... just think about all the turbulence and unpredictable things that can happen on a flight and- wait, what do you mean 'hunt me down'"?
Skeppy sat up, excited to elaborate "Yeah! Imagine they were like sharks and could smell your fear or whatever, and wherever you go you have to fear that a plane just comes down from the sky to kill you."
Bad looked perplexed, then horrified. "That's a terrible idea!" He shrilled, Skeppy started laughing, slapping the table. "Why would you say that??? That's- no, no, I don't like any of that..."
"But just imagine!"
"I don't want to imagine that!"
Skeppy was still giggling like a mad man, although to Bad his joy was contagious and he found himself smiling beside the horrid pictures the younger had put into his head. "You're such a muffinhead." He mumbled, crossing his arms over his chest, looking out the window. Skeppy burst out laughing once more.
"WhAT did you just call me???" A visible blush spread over the others cheeks, wincing at the fact Skeppy had heard him.
"A muffinhead! I called you a muffinhead, ok? It's cause you are one!"
"But what does that even meeeeaaannn." The younger whined. Then he realized. "Wait, is that like, your version of swearing? Like, what, are you calling me an asshole?" He was still giggling, watching his company implode.
"LANGUAGE! You can't just say that! That's not what it means at all!"
"But what does it thennnn."
"It means you're a muffinhead! Point blank!" Skeppy started pouting and whining like a kicked puppy, hiding his face behind his hands. If only to cover his way too obvious smile. His fake crying charade seemed to get the job done though, as Bad immediately tried to comfort him. "Noo, don't cry! I'm sorry, you're not a muffinhead, ok? Please calm down-"
Skeppy couldn't help himself, a few giggles slipping out during his wailing. Cause what even? What was up with this guy? Why was he apologizing?? He send him a mirthfull glance between his fingers, before lowering them down so only his mouth is still covered. Looking at Bad's genuine worry, he rolled his eyes. "Dude, I'm just kiddin'."
The older man's eyes widened, a small 'oh' leaving his lips. Skeppy cracked up once more. "Dude, you're so easy to mess with." He leaned back, his hands falling down on the table. "I don't think there's anybody who would feel insulted by that."
"Well," Bad grumbled back, "that is the intend."
Suddenly, Skeppy had a brilliant idea. He looks up, titling his head in confusion, then glanced back at his company. "Hey, does it say 'gullible' in the ceiling?" He pointed a finger upwards, Bad following immediately and leaning his head back to scan the ceiling. He took a moment, while Skeppy was slowly loosing his mind because that guy was actually searching for it.
"I don't think it says 'gul-'" he trailed off, looking at Skeppy, then back at the ceiling. Skeppy smirked. "HEY!" He complained, slamming a fist down. "I'M not gulliBle!!!" The troll only laughed harder at the voice crack. "You're- You're mean, you jerk! That's it. I'm not talking to you anymore."
Hearing that, Skeppy panicked for a second, choking on his own spit, desperately trying to catch his breath. He didn't want Bad to leave! They still had like an hour left! But to his surprise, Bad wasn't grabbing his backpack to stand up and switch seats. He stayed seated. All that changed was his arms crossed tightly over his chest, turned towards the window with a pouted cheek, firmly avoiding his line of sight. Skeppy watched him in silence for moment.
"Wait, really? You won't talk to me?" He inquired. Bad gave a solemn nod.
"Yes." He hissed.
"At all? Not one word?"
"Yes, that's what you deserve for being a meanie."
Skeppy swallowed down a laugh.
"Aww, really? But I like talking to you."
Bad's face flushed once more, but he didn't react otherwhise.
"Bad~"
Skeppy could play this game all day.
"Bad~~"
He reached out a hand to gently poke at the others arm. Bad closed his eyes shut, reminding the younger man of a child who said they would keep their breath until they get their way. His red cheeks didn't help.
"Baadd~~~"
"What?" Bad swatted his hand away, stopping Skeppy's second attempt at poking him.
"Talk to me~~" Skeppy whined, leaning even more over the table between them, closing in on Bad.
"No!" The older flinched back.
"Why noooottt???"
"'Cause I don't to!" They were sort of play wrestling at that point, with Skeppy reaching to grab at Bad and the other pushing him away to the best of his abilities.
"But whyyyy???"
"Because you- ARGh 'Geppy, Stop!"
Skeppy fell down on the table face first in a laughing fit, letting his arms hang over the edge. Bad was giving off an annoyed, grumbled Humm, almost like he was growling. The younger weakly lifted his head, reached up and then placed his index finger on the others nose. "Boop."
That's what broke him. Bad started laughing himself, placing an elbow down next to the howling Skeppy, and laying his forehead into the palm of his hand, essentially face palming. "You're so silly" they said almost simultaneously, only causing them to burst out laughing stronger.
After a solid minute of just that, they had a small moment of clarity and calmness as a conductor approached them. She smiled at them both, informing them of their arrival at the final terminal in 10 minutes.
Skeppy, instinctively reached for his phone to check the time, only to find his pockets empty, then remembered he left it in his suitcase due it being dead. He gave a sigh, looking up to see Bad rumble through his backpack. He pulled out his own phone, a chunky thing with scratches on the back. An older model as far as Skeppy could tell. As the screen was presented to him, opened on a new contect, Skeppy noted the screen being surprisingly intact. No cracks.
"Any chance I could get your number?" The older asked shyly, pushing the device across the table. Skeppy blinked at it. Ah, right, he had momentarily forgotten that Bad was a stranger. That they met less than an hour ago. How had he forgotten?
How comes he feels like he's known this guy his entire life? Conversation came so natural, he usually wasn't like that with people he barely knows, so what happened?
Swallowing the thoughts down, he lifted the strangers phone, carefully typing in his number, saving his contact as 'Skeppy :P' and then giving it back with a nervous smile. Bad thanked him as he took it back, storing it in his coat pocket. Skeppy stood up, reaching for his luggage in the overhead department.
"I'd give you mine, but my phone's dead." He explained sheepish. Bad rose from his seat himself, grabbing at his backpack.
"Aw, it's ok! I'll just text you once... it's on again." They were smiling, awkwardly standing in the hallway. A glance out the window showed the slowing down scenery, signaling the slow arrival at the station. Skeppy folded the blanket up, laying it down on his seat needly while Bad rummaged through his backpack one last time, pulling out beanie and scarf. He put the hat on himself, holding the scarf out for the other to take.
"Here, I'm sure it's only gotten colder. The airport isn't exactly known for being well tempered, either."
Hesitantly, Skeppy took the cloth.
"I- are you sure? I would have to mail it back to you so I-"
Bad interrupted him. "I'm positive. You can keep it, really, I couldn't let you go out in this weather without at least some more protection. I can handle it."
They approached the exit doors, feeling the train slowly come to a stop beneath their feet. Bad smiled at him once more, with that warm and terribly lovable smile of his.
"Just view it as a souvenir."
Skeppy nodded dumbly, gently wrapping the scarf around his neck, feeling his cheeks heat up. The doors opened, the conductor awaiting them outside.
.
.
.
15 minutes after going through all of check-in and security, he finally arrived at his gate and found an outlet. He turns his phone on the second it shows 1%. Outside of seeing one missed call from his mother and a few texts from his roommate, confirming that he can come pick him from the airport, he also found a message from an unknown number.
It simply read "hi" with a smiley face, but Skeppy felt confident in knowing who it was. So he texted back.
"Hey!"
"Tahnks fro thescarf btw
this place s freezing."
A few minutes of anticipation later, he saw the three dots at the bottom of his screen, and soon after a new message appeared.
"You're welcome! :3"
"Did you find your gate? And when is your flight departing, maybe we can wait together for while OwO"
Skeppy, with a lazy smile dancing over his lips, swiftly changed the contacts name to 'Badboy' before answering.
.
.
.