Chapter Text
Joss wasn't the most organized guy; he was all over the place. Plus, his life in Chicago was truly a mess. So, he decided to pull off his most powerful move of all time: move to another city. He packed up his life and headed to New York City—the Big Apple of the States. It was perfect. He could meet new people, find new opportunities, and maybe even get his life back on track.
It was also perfect timing, because his lease was about to end. After two years, it was finally time to say goodbye to the apartment he'd lived in. Adios! Zaijian! And all the other ways to say goodbye. He was beyond ecstatic. He started tearing down the posters from the walls, removing his renter-friendly modifications, taking his clothes off the racks, and disassembling all his furniture.
He packed the things he felt he’d need for New York, selling off everything else online. He met a lot of weird people in the process—Karens, drama-filled encounters, and the unbearable ones. But hey, at least he made some money from it. The problem, though, was that New York was notorious for its high rent prices, and Joss didn’t have the luxury of spending too much.
His life was already in pieces, and he didn’t need to shatter it any further. He pulled out his phone, sat against the now-empty walls of his apartment, and looked at the space that had been his home for nearly two years. He exhaled a deep breath, then started scrolling through roommate ads.
He scrolled from the early hours of the morning, with birds chirping outside his window, until the darkness of the night enveloped the empty room. The only light came from his phone. He took his time; he knew it would be a while before he found a suitable job, so he needed someone tolerable as a roommate.
That’s when he came across an ad. He read through it carefully. It seemed promising—no red flags, no scam vibes. The guy who posted it didn’t seem bad either. So, Joss sent a message, hoping something good would come out of it.
Before he could call it a day, his phone buzzed in his hand. Joss looked at his lock screen and saw it was a reply from the guy he’d just messaged. This guy must be desperate if he replied so fast. But honestly, Joss was desperate too.
"Hey Joss! That’s awesome. I’m actually looking to fill the spot ASAP! Tell me a little more about yourself—what’s your vibe? I’m all about keeping things chill, but clean and respectful is definitely key."
Joss read it. And then read it again. And again. This guy seemed laid-back and organized, and Joss could totally see himself getting along with him.
"Sounds like a good match! I’m laid-back myself. I’m a bit of a night owl, so I might be up late sometimes, but I swear I’m pretty respectful about noise."
They chatted for a while, and Joss couldn’t stop smiling. It seemed like he’d found the one—the perfect person to be roommates with. He turned off his phone and laid back on his makeshift bed, feeling ready for whatever came next. He closed his eyes for the last time in Chicago, ready to start his new chapter in New York.
Joss had just landed after his train ride. Oh my word, the exhaustion was insane. He felt like he could faint right there, especially since he hadn’t caught a wink of sleep. He’d been stuck in the middle seat, wedged between an elderly lady who snored loudly and a woman with a baby that wouldn’t stop crying. But nothing was going to stop the all-mighty Joss Wayar. He had finally stepped foot in New York City. The adrenaline alone was enough to defeat his tiredness.
He grabbed his bags, pulled out the address, hopped into a taxi, and made his way to the apartment building.
The drive there was quiet. Joss felt like he could fall asleep at any moment, but at the same time, he was way too energized. It was like he’d drunk 48 cups of coffee. The conflicting feelings gave him a massive headache, but he powered through it, knowing that all he had to do was get to his soon-to-be bed.
The taxi finally pulled up to his destination. He got out, stretched his arms high into the sky, grabbed his luggage, and thanked the driver. But before he could even finish his sentence, the guy was already driving off. Woah, what a rude guy...
But Joss didn’t care. He was finally here. New York City. This was his new home. He stood on the edge of the sidewalk, looked up at the towering building in front of him, and squinted against the harsh sunlight. The city was loud. Cars honked, people chattered as they walked by, and the hum of bustling businesses filled the air.
It was everything he’d read about online and seen in the movies, but for some reason, he felt... out of place. The city felt too big, too overwhelming. The noise was too much.
Joss adjusted the backpack against his back, keeping his luggage close. His knuckles turned white from the tight grip. In his other hand, he held his phone, looking at the address one last time. He still couldn’t believe he was actually standing outside the place he’d be calling home for the next few months—hopefully.
He checked to make sure he had everything. Backpack, check. Luggage, check. Phone, check. He had everything—but still felt unprepared and nervous. What if the guy he was rooming with wasn’t as he seemed online? But come on, Joss... It’s too late for that. You’re already here, standing outside the damn tall building.
He sighed, bringing himself to stand in front of the doors. He looked down at his feet, took a deep breath, and muttered under his breath, “Here goes nothing, Joss. You can do this.”
_Joss, you need to lock in._
With that thought, he held his breath and stepped through the glass double doors.
Inside, it was calm, tranquil—peaceful. The lobby was sleek and modern, a stark contrast to the chaos outside. It felt like a different world here. He finally felt at peace, as if he belonged. Not like the madness that was the street. _But come on, Joss. You expected New York to be like this. Don’t think like this, man._
He dragged his luggage across the carpeted floor toward the elevator, pressing the button and tapping his foot nervously as he waited. The thing was, yeah, he had agreed to room with the guy, but this was still a stranger. He’d only met him online! This was their first time meeting face-to-face.
Gawin had seemed cool and chill through their messages, but still... This was a whole new place, a whole new person he was letting into his life. This was a lot for Joss to process. But before he could continue overthinking, the elevator arrived with a soft ding. He stepped in and pressed the button for the third floor.
Joss’s thoughts were disrupted again by the calm, soft music playing in the background. _Thank goodness._ He leaned back against the wall, trying to focus on the peaceful ambiance, but suddenly, the elevator came to a halt, and the soft ding echoed again. The sleek, metal doors slid open.
Joss stepped out and glanced down the long hallway. It was eerily quiet, with only the faint squeal of his luggage wheels and the soft sound of his white sneakers rubbing against the marble floor. He made his way toward apartment 307. The guy he’d been talking to for what? Two hours? Was on the other side of this door.
Joss took a deep breath, released the handle of his luggage, and shakily raised his hand to knock. He paused, then knocked once, his nerves running high as he waited.
Should he knock again? What felt like mere seconds to Joss stretched into what felt like hours. No one was answering the door. Maybe he should knock again. Joss released his luggage and raised his fist to the door, but before he could try again, the door swung open.
Standing behind the white wooden door was a guy with a soft smile. He had short brown hair, hazel eyes, and was dressed casually. He gave off such chill, warm vibes—exactly like his messages had to Joss. The guy seemed genuinely excited to see him, like a golden retriever welcoming its owner home.
"Hey! You finally arrived, Joss!" Gawin beamed, his smile widening but still maintaining that warm, welcoming vibe. He stepped aside, opening the door wider to reveal more of himself. He wore a loose white shirt, mom jeans, and slippers. "Welcome to New York, by the way!"
Joss snapped out of his trance and returned Gawin’s smile, though his own smile was a little forced. _But hey, I'm trying to be polite, it’s not that bad!_ he thought. He shook his head, sighed, and gave a more genuine smile this time. It helped ease his nerves. "Yeah, I finally made it!"
Joss stepped into the apartment, his eyes scanning the space more closely now. The place wasn’t enormous, but it felt cozy, with the obvious stamp of someone who loved their home. It had character, and despite a few messy corners, the cleanliness gave Joss comfort. It was nice to see Gawin wasn’t a perfectionist like some other people he’d met. "Nice place you’ve got here!"
Gawin smiled proudly at the compliment. He’d put a lot of work into making the place feel like home. After closing the door, he turned back to Joss. "Thanks! Obviously, it’s nice. It’s my place. Want a tour, or do you just want to settle in slowly?"
Joss paused for a moment. He liked the idea of exploring the new place himself, but seeing that Gawin was being such a good host made him want to say yes. He cracked a smile, feeling his shoulders relax. He didn’t have to force himself to say anything now. "Don’t worry about it. I’m good. Just excuse me if I’m a little clumsy for the first few days—I'll probably make a few mistakes looking for stuff."
Gawin laughed, a relaxed, easy sound that echoed through the apartment. He wiped his eyes and swatted at them as though pretending to tear up. "No worries, bro! I got you. Plus, if you need anything, my room is right there."
Gawin lazily pointed down the hallway, and Joss followed the direction of his finger. At the end was a white wooden door, covered in a hodgepodge of posters. Joss squinted, reading a few of the names: Mac Miller, The Beatles, The 1975, Vampire Weekend, and more.
Joss then turned his attention back to Gawin, who had plopped down on the leather couch. Joss set his backpack next to the couch and sank into the cushions beside him. He couldn’t help but feel that this was the road to something beautiful. A new city, a new roommate, a new chapter in his life. Here, he could finally leave behind the regrets and mistakes he had made back in Chicago.
He stretched his legs, filling the space in front of him, as he stared down at the coffee table, which was covered in magazines and scattered pencils. It had been a tiring day full of noise and chaos, but now that he was sitting here in his new home, he felt at peace. The soft light from the sun cast a gentle glow against the walls, and the hum of the bustling city felt distant, almost as if it didn’t exist.
Gawin was sitting at the other end of the couch. He was lounging lazily as well, legs crossed, his body molded comfortably into the cushions. After a brief silence, Gawin decided to break the comfortable air and softly asked, "Good day, at least?"
"Yeah, it’s been good so far. A bit chaotic, though. Oh, my train ride was brutal on me!"
"Yeah, I hear you. Long rides are the absolute worst. They’re total energy killers!"
"Not just that!" Joss sat up, animated. "I was stuck between an elderly lady with the loudest snoring on earth and a baby who wouldn’t stop crying!"
"Oof!" Gawin giggled. "But hey, at least you’re in New York now. No more old lady snoring or crying babies!"
"Yeah, you're not wrong." Joss folded his arms, smiling lightly. "But the city is quite... intense, I won’t lie. But in a good way, I promise!"
"No worries! You'll get used to it, trust. All the chaos outside just becomes background noise the longer you live here. Plus, the subway, the honking, the chatter, the crowd—it's all part of the New York package, you know?"
"Yeah, yeah," Joss teased, "Says the one who’s been living here waaaaaaay longer than me!" He stretched the sentence out a bit but felt much more at ease now that the conversation had shifted to a lighter topic. "I just need to get the hang of it here first. Knowing myself, I'll definitely get lost around these parts."
Gawin laughed at Joss’s comment. "You definitely will! But that's the fun of it! It’s all part of the experience. I swear, it’s not so bad once you get the whole thing figured out."
"Seriously, thanks. It truly means a lot to me." Joss exhaled slowly, feeling a bit lighter. "I thought I’d be okay, but I feel like I might panic under all the pressure of being in a new place. I guess I didn’t really know what to expect, but not gonna lie, this city’s a bit much."
"You're not wrong," Gawin said, nodding understandingly. "But it’s also home. You'll soon feel that, too. You’re in the right place on your journey."
Their chat soon came to an end after endless yapping, as the sun finally dipped below the horizon. Joss got off the couch, gave Gawin a small wave, and headed to his new bedroom. The room was smaller than his old one back in Chicago, but the city felt much larger. Despite Gawin's warm welcome, the place still didn't feel like home. It was his first day here, and soon, his first night.
He set his backpack on the floor, the one he had grabbed from beside the couch, and walked over to the window. He stared out with a hopeful look, taking in the city below—shrouded in darkness but illuminated by the glow of artificial lights. There was the occasional honk, the usual chatter, and the shuffling of feet. It was overwhelming, yet, at the same time, it was refreshing.
Joss sat on the empty bed, letting out a sigh. He ran his hand through his messy, fluffy hair and then fell onto his back, staring at the empty ceiling. He wanted to get some shuteye, but a million thoughts were racing through his mind at full speed.
He pulled his phone from his pocket and gave it a quick scroll through social media, thinking about his friends back in Chicago. His mind then turned to Luke. He quickly typed out a message, letting him know he had arrived safely and that the ride here had gone fine. But then, a thought struck him: _What if this all ends up being a mistake? What if I regret this in the next few weeks?_
The possibilities hung in the air, unspoken. Joss knew he was overthinking, being foolish even, but moving to a new place always came with its doubts. It was normal. He sighed deeply, tossed his phone next to him onto the soft mattress, and closed his eyes. He listened to the sounds of the new city outside his window. Footsteps heading to their destinations, people laughing together, cars driving by.
It was so different from Chicago. It was quiet there—barely any sounds at night. But oddly enough, Joss found that the loudness was quite comforting. The chaos, the noise, the unknown. Maybe it wasn’t so bad after all.
Joss woke up quite early the next day. He knew his body wouldn't feel comfortable sleeping in an unfamiliar place. So, he decided to walk around the block to wake himself up, not forgetting to grab a cup of coffee on the way. Gawin had recommended a few breakfast spots, but Joss thought he'd save them for later—maybe after he got to know the city a little better. The city was bustling with people, and the clashing aromas from nearby cafes and food carts somehow gave Joss a sense of ease.
After his walk, he returned to the apartment with his coffee in hand. He stepped inside and gently closed the door behind him, but then the smell of cooking filled his nose. No point in closing the door softly—Gawin was already awake.
Joss walked into the kitchen and saw Gawin busy at the stove, working away at a pan. A plate with eggs, bacon, and toast sat on the counter. Gawin hadn’t noticed Joss’s presence as he hummed a happy tune while cooking. It was clear that this was a routine Gawin had done a thousand times, moving effortlessly around the kitchen.
"Oh, morning Joss! Want some?" Gawin turned around, finally noticing him. "I make a mean scrambled egg, buddy!"
Joss, still feeling a bit sluggish from his 18-hour flight, managed a small smile. "Sure, it smells pretty good. I'll give your cooking a try."
Gawin poured the scrambled eggs into the pan, moving his spatula around as the two fell into an easy conversation. They chatted about the weather, which eventually led them to talk about their music tastes. As Gawin cooked, he put on his favorite playlist, and the sound of chill music filled the space, blending with the smell of breakfast.
"This band makes some amazing music. Legit to perfection!" Joss couldn’t help but smile a bit. He recognized the song playing.
"Literally! I’ve got a whole vinyl collection of theirs. I should show you sometime—remind me when we’re both free!"
"Vinyl?" Joss raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Really? You seem like you’d be all about record players."
"Yes, vinyl!" Gawin grinned. "But it's more for the aesthetic than anything else."
This was what Joss liked most about Gawin. The guy was so easy to talk to, and everything seemed so effortless for him, like he'd always lived this laid-back life. Gawin was the embodiment of chill. He maneuvered through life without overthinking or stressing about anything. Joss couldn’t help but feel a little jealous.
"Anyway," Gawin continued, "breakfast is served by yours truly!" He placed the plate of scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast in front of Joss with a massive smile. "Bon appétit! I better hear no complaints!"
"No complaints from me!" Joss replied, laughing. "I mean, as long as it doesn’t taste like cardboard, we're good."
"Cardboard?!" Gawin dramatically feigned offense, lightly smacking Joss. "How dare you insult my food like that?"
The two sat down at the small kitchen table, allowing the conversation to flow smoothly between them. They shared stories, memories, and experiences as they ate. Nothing too deep, but a sense of comfort began to grow. Maybe living in New York wouldn’t be so bad after all.