Chapter Text
Jude didn’t go to work.
“Jude, I’m sorry baby.”
He didn’t shower or eat.
“You know this didn’t mean anything.”
He just laid on his bed floating somewhere between heartbroken and completely numb.
“It was nothing but a physical release…like masturbating really.”
Thinking you finally found someone who could love you for everything you are only to have them cheat on you again and again is hard.
“Come on, you’ve forgiven me before, what’s so different about now?”
The first time Lucas had cheated on him he begged on his knees for Jude to give him a second chance, and since they had been together for almost 3 years Jude could’t help but yield. Time and time again he forgave Lucas’s selfishness and inconsideration until he couldn’t do it anymore and ended things.
“I deserve better than this. It's over.”
Breaking up with him was hard but what ended up being the hardest for Jude was staying in the apartment they had shared together. He kept seeing shadows of their memories together play out in front of him like old movies in every room he was in. He felt heavy with the weight of their place. Everything seemed to call out 'Lucas' to Jude and in the end he didn’t feel like it was his home anymore, but rather a mausoleum for their relationship. So, after two months Jude did the only thing he could think to do. He moved.
Moving was a son of a bitch and Jude resented every minute of it making him wonder if he had been too hasty in his decision. Maybe this was punishment, it felt like punishment. It took him four days to get everything put away in his new place, and that was with the help of a moving company.
He adopted a cat to help him feel a little less lonely. He thought if he had to take care of something else it might prompt him to take care of himself a little more as well. Cheshire looked like the cat he had when he was younger so he was instantly drawn to him upon first glance. It felt like fate, however Cheshire didn’t seem to feel the same and was constantly trying to escape the apartment.
Jude went and introduced himself to his new neighbors and saw one of them walking up the sidewalk passed the rose bushes and fountain. Jude noticed how beautiful the man was right away, as I’m sure everyone who had ever seen him had as well. He was muscular and slender, his blonde hair was swept back and his blue eyes seemed seductive by nature rather than effort.
Jude approached him and introduced himself, talking away. The man finally took out his earbud, that couldn’t be seen easily, and gave a cold “huh?” to Jude who simply introduced himself this time.
“Oh, well I’m Zero,” he said raising one eyebrow looking at Cheshire being held in Jude’s arms.
“Is he yours?” Zero inquired with a half interested tone.
“Oh Cheshire? Yeah he’s mine.” Jude said as he beamed with love at the cat in his arms.
“I’ve seen him wandering around for the past couple of days and I have to say…he seems pretty desperate to get away from you. You should keep a better eye on him before it gets bothersome.” Zero scoffed and walked passed Jude up to the apartment right next door to his.
Jude looked down at the cat and held him close. “It’s so sad that we already hate our neighbor isn’t it Chesh. You could never bother anyone don't listen to him,” Jude said to Cheshire as he made his way back into his own apartment to finish settling in.