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Foggy couldn’t have asked for a better roommate.
Matt was blind, sure, and needed help with things like reading mail or telling the color of his suit, but none of that was anything the Great Foggy Nelson couldn't handle. Matt never asked for help, but Foggy took it upon himself, something that came naturally as the eldest sibling. After one particular occasion where Matt came back from an interview wearing a black blazer and green pants, Foggy made it his personal mission to never let his roommate embarrass himself again.
Foggy had heard horror stories about roommates, but Matt always picked up his clothes, took short showers, was never loud like some of their neighbors, and even helped Foggy with assignments.
Foggy couldn’t imagine having any issues with his roommate, well, aside from his uncanny sixth-sense when it came to pulling women.
That changed when it was time for the first round of exams, and Matt started tossing and turning. Foggy knew his roommate was an over-achiever, so he figured it was just pre-exam jitters. That was, until the man started screaming.
If Foggy wasn’t already awake from the frenzy of sheets ruffling, he was then. He rushed to the other bed, kneeling beside it, unsure what to do. He put a hand on Matt’s shoulder.
“Matt, hey Matt,” Foggy whispered frantically, gently jostling his friend.
It was definitely a nightmare, as Matt was sound asleep, though his face was ladened in sweat and his legs were spasming as if he were trying to run.
“Matt, wake up. It’s a dream.”
Finally, after what felt like an eternity of repeated reassurances and gentle shoves, Matt woke up with a gasp, shooting out of bed and nearly hitting Foggy in the process. He was breathing heavily as he tried to regain his bearings.
Foggy’s mind reeled as he thought of ways to help. “Hey, Matt. It’s me, Foggy, and we’re in our room. You must have had a nightmare.”
“I uh- yeah,” Matt heaved between breaths.
“Just focus on your breathing alright? I’ll do it with you.”
The sound of the two breathing in tandem filled the room. Matt’s breathing became more controlled, and he let out a sniffle.
“Thanks buddy, you-you can go back to sleep now,” Matt suggested as he tucked himself back in. Despite his words, his eyes still darted rapidly about the room.
“Hey, you’re not getting rid of me that easily.”
“Really, I’m fine. This happens… I should have warned you.”
“Do you want to talk about-”
“No.”
“Matt, it helps.”
“I’m good.”
His roommate was so stubborn. “I’m not leaving until you tell me what’s wrong.”
After a few moments, Matt let out a sigh. “You know that I grew up in an orphanage right?”
“No, I had no idea. You haven’t told me anything about your past! I’m sorry-”
“Don’t be. I don’t need pity.”
Right. He got enough of that from others due to his impairment, but Foggy always vowed to not be like them. He nodded, motioning for Matt to continue.
“My uh, my father was a boxer and…” Matt shook his head, unable to go on.
“Hey you don’t have to go on.”
“No, you were right, it will help.” Matt took a few moments to collect himself. “He won a match and I was waiting for him to get home.”
A moment of silence filled the room. Foggy had a feeling he knew where the story was going, but he hoped it wasn’t. His friend had already been through enough.
“I h-heard-” Matt let out a sob and Foggy brought him in closer.
“There, there was a gun and…”
“Jesus, Matt.”
“Yeah. My mom wasn’t around and he was all I had left.” He sunk into Foggy arms, hugging the man back as if it were a lifeline.
Unsure what to say, Foggy just held him there, hugging him as tears rolled down his face and dripped onto his pajamas. He held him while his shoulders shook and the sobs became hiccups.
They sat there for a while, Foggy fighting back his own tears at the trauma of his roommate.
“Man. I thought nearly being disowned for not wanting to be a butcher was bad.”
Matt chuckled, finally pulling away. “What?”
“I was supposed to inherit my family’s butcher shop, but I chose to be a lawyer instead.”
“I’m glad you did,” Matt smiled, wiping the tears away from his sightless eyes.
If he didn’t already look like a charming, wounded puppy, he definitely did now. No wonder all the ladies flocked to him.
“We should get some sleep,” Matt said, yawning.
“You sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah, thanks to you.”
“What do you want me to do if that happens again?”
“Exactly what you did.”
Foggy hummed in agreement, walking back towards his own bed.
“And no more secrets!”
“Agree.”
“Now go to bed, this finance exam isn’t going to pass itself.”
The silence was filled with sheets ruffling as the men got comfortable in their respective beds.
“Thank you, Foggy. Don’t tell anyone, okay?”
“I’ll keep your secret if you keep mine.” Both men laughed.
Foggy couldn’t have asked for a better roommate.