Chapter Text
Ver takes another sad look at his most recent check, dread washing over him. Once again, less than $850 for 2 weeks of working. The boss’ inability to give Ver any shifts seems to have finally taken a toll on the man's bank account. And it doesn't make it any better that college work causes him to stay home from work some nights.
Ver sighs in defeat as he walks through the corridor leading to his friend Doppio’s apartment, dragging his feet across the carpeted ground.
I can start taking up shifts at the library? He thinks to himself. No, by the time my classes end the library would already be close to closing. If it really came down to it he could switch around his schedule… or switch his major?
No. he was determined to finish this last year. Then he can go off and get a job somewhere and finally make enough money to comfortably get by. Besides, what would he switch it to? A communications major?
Less socially acceptable than a computer science major…
He makes his last turn at Doppio’s door, sighing his sorrows away for the time being. Doppio asked him to go out to eat days ago, and he wasn't going to switch plans - again - or bum his friend out with his financial situation.
Yeah! Everything is going to be fine.
Ver knocks on the door 3 times.
A-okay.
He shuffles in his spot.
Just peachy…
A tear slowly sheds down Ver’s cheek.
“Ver!” The door abruptly opens with a loud greeting from the man, causing Ver to stumble backwards. “How are you doing today, kaichou-”
Doppio finally takes a good look at the man in front of him. Analyzing the very clear distraught - and now frazzled - expression shown across his face and his eyes and cheeks somehow flushed red even with the short amount of time he had been crying.
Ver quickly wipes the tear track from his cheek, trying to put a smile back on his face.
“Hi, Doppi!” He exclaims in a happy tone, yet his voice still shakes a bit.
Doppio seemingly connects the dots with how the smile on his face falls all at once, a frown replacing his usually happy grin. Ver’s heart shatters at the realization that he had just upset his friend.
“Ver?”
Suddenly Ver is being ushered into the room with a hand against his lower back. The flush across his cheeks deepens slightly.
Ver follows the man's lead until he reaches the couch in the living room, taking a seat as instructed by Doppio. Doppio chooses to stay standing, looming over Ver with his arms crossed and a confused yet pained expression stained across his face.
Ver shrinks in on himself all the more.
A sigh leaves Doppio’s mouth. “Can you tell me what's going on?”
“Really Doppi, I’m fine-”
“Ver.” The authoritative tone stops Ver in his tracks, shutting him up completely. “I know somethings going on. You don't just show up to a man's house crying for fun! Hell, you rarely cry in front of people to begin with! I swear if it was another one of Kyo’s mean jokes again ill snap that little shit in half-”
“Doppi!” Ver snaps him out of his monologue. “Look, I'm fine, okay? Can we just go eat?”
Ver makes a move to get up but Doppio pushes him back down by the shoulders, hands lingering as he invades Ver’s personal space to continue his rant.
“You came to my room crying! I'm not just going to let you get by as if nothing happened. That's not what friends are for.”
“Okay, fine!” Ver snaps, pushing Doppio away.
He lays his head in his hands as he continues. “I don't have enough money to get by this month so I'm just stressed about that.”
Doppio stays silent.
“And my lease is up in the next 2 weeks so I won't even have a place to stay. And my job isn't giving me enough hours to afford food. I’m behind on schoolwork because of all the hours I'm taking up at the cafe. What else do you want to know, Doppi?”
By now the tears have already started back up again, streaming down the boy's face as he yelled his problems to his best friend. The magenta haired man looks away as his friend crumbles down in front of him, clearly feeling very vulnerable at the moment.
The silence is deafening as doppio thinks of what to say. His arms stayed crossed and his eyebrows turned down in thought.
Ver was not prepared for what doppio said next.
“You know I have an extra room, right?”
Ver didn't even think about that. And it was true, Doppio’s friend Vanta had just recently moved out to go live with his boyfriends, so there was a perfectly good room open with a bed, dresser and shelves that Vanta had left behind.
But what if it's too much of a burden on doppio? Ver hasn't lived with other people since his parents, so what if he does something wrong? He has no knowledge of how to be a good roommate - and he can be kind of messy - what if he proves to be too much for doppio to handle? I mean, he has already gotten a noise complaint at his current apartment during one of his Valorant games, what if he wakes up doppio or gets him a noise complaint too? He would never be able to live that down if he did. But then again, doppio is also an avid gamer. But he does tend to play more story based games so maybe-
“Ver, you're overthinking is hurting my head.” doppio successfully interrupts Vers' rampaging train of thought.
Vers cheeks tint red again. “I’m sorry, this is all just stressing me out.”
“I can tell.” Doppio has a reassuring tone as he takes a seat on Ver’s left, rubbing his back softly as he waits for his friend to calm down.
Vers head is still in his hands when he speaks up, his voice slightly muffled by his palms. “Are you sure?”
Suddenly there's an arm being thrown around Ver, pulling him into a strong side hug.
“Of course I'm sure, Ver!” He exclaims loudly. “We're best buds! I'd love to have you as my roommate.”
Maybe it's not that bad of an idea.
“...Okay.” Ver agrees hesitantly.
“Alright then!” doppio exclaims happily, clapping his hands together. “How about some lunch?”