Chapter Text
It was a cool Tuesday evening when the new arrival appeared. Iced had got a new flatmate, and hadn’t told anyone. They should have warned someone, because no one was prepared in the slightest for what was about to hit them.
The first person to meet the new arrival was Harmony, an art student a few doors down. They’d been about to go out when they saw Iced go into their apartment, looking grumpy and carrying a suitcase. When Harmony got to the first floor moments later, they saw a tall, handsome man staring with a great amount of concentration at the buttons to the elevator, carrying a heavy looking cardboard box.
“Hello! Do you need some help? I can open the doors for you!” Harmony greeted him cheerfully.
The man looked them up and down. “Aw, who are you? And what is that cardigan? It’s very… woollen.”
Harmony blinked. “I’ll take that as a compliment. I’m Harmony, I live on the fourth floor. Are you moving in?”
The man told them, in a voice that was as rich and confident as a billionaire on a yacht, that his name was Tenebris, and he was Iced’s new flatmate.
“Oh! I didn’t know they were getting a flatmate! Well, it’s very nice to meet you. We’ll be neighbours!”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you too, Harmony. I expect Iced hasn’t exactly been spreading the word.”
“Oh, that’s strange,” Harmony said absently, distracted by the light flickering. “Anyway. Would you like me to open the elevator for you?”
“...Yes. You’re very… amusing.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever been called amusing before. Here you go.” Harmony pressed the button, and stepped back to let him in. “What do you have in that box?”
He smiled as he stepped in. “Just… essentials.”
The elevator doors shut. Harmony stood there a moment, shrugged, left, and proceeded to forget the whole thing.
The elevator was still.
Tenebris stood in there for nine minutes before he realised he needed to press one of the numbered buttons.