Work Text:
Lukas was an ordinary guy up until he created the group known as the “The ocelots” it consisted of him and his three long time friends: Maya, Gill, and Aiden. All young and who wanted change for their awful town
Most of their days were spent interviewing the townspeople, finding out what their needs were. Lukas kept track of them in his diary
They became known by the people who were interviewed. He didn’t learn the names of most but he surely remembered their faces. A girl in overalls for example. He heard something about her saying things were expensive a sentiment he shared
Maybe next time they run into each other they’ll talk. They could even become friends
Their popularity skyrocketed when Aiden convinced the group to join the building competition. Lukas prided himself in being a good builder, this was exciting for him. They won
At first, the bragging was friendly, harmless. Maya and Aiden joked about being “better” than others but they never said it to someone face to face, it was a joke after all. The years passed and while they didn’t win most of them, their popularity grew
Contrarily to them, a team of three people always lost. He felt bad but their will come eventually, he for sure will have a chat with them next time!
The constant losing caused them to be the joke of the whole town. Aiden eventually joined in too, then Maya, lastly Gill. Lukas? He stayed quiet.
What started as jokes amongst themselves turned into harassment and bullying. Like ocelots roaring at their prey. Who would've thought? The leader of the gang was merely an scared kitten. A coward
At first it their encounters were every other day, then two days a week, then every single day. The bullied group often spoke back, so much for next time
The arguing often turned into long yelling sessions. The ocelot was not a symbol of resistance and change anymore. It had become tainted by pride and judgement. One thing remained
Silence
“Wont you guys just leave them alone?” He spoke once. Only to be shushed by the rest
He tried to intervene, was it for the sake of the people his friends were abusing? That was a question he wouldn’t dare to answer, probably because he knew it wasn’t for them. It was selfish. He had long grown tired of the yelling
He had given up. It was easier to shut up and by admin he didn't want to argue if it meant it would turn into yelling. The daily loudness drained him, yet there were so many things that happened in his head when he heard them
He found himself flinching whenever Petra, another long time friend of his, came back from an adventure and yelled excitedly. His hands moving up to cover his ears became a habit.
He lost track of whatever it was he used his diary for. What was happening to him? Why did even the slightest change of tone pierced his ears? Why-
“Lukas?”
“Huh?”
“Are you okay dude?” Petra asked “You seem…off”
Lukas stared at her for a moment “What do you mean?”
“I don’t know, you seem exhausted. Have you been resting well?”
“I have. I’m just a bit tired today that’s all”
“No, you’ve been like this for a while now. Are you okay?”
“I-I am” he said firmly. She was right, he wasn’t okay, far from it. He was forgetting more stuff than usual, and its not like flinching was something he could hide. He prayed this didn’t turn into an argument
Petra hesitated but then sighed “Well…” she patted his shoulder “Sparing time is over. You coming?”
“I'll uh… stay for a while”
“Very well then. See you next week” she waved
“See ya” Lukas waved her goodbye. Soon it was only him in the field. Sparing is something only he and Petra did, a simple hobby between friends
The location was quite pretty, a secluded part of the forest. No one ever went there, maybe that’s why his friend chose it. He usually left with Petra but this time was different
He laid down in the grass looking up at the blue sky. The water flowed nicely, birds chipping were heard. The foliage creaking as the gentle breeze surrounded it
He closed his eyes, and for the first time in forever he didn’t feel drained, there weren’t any stubborn tears refusing to fall from his eyes, no one interrupting his sentences.
Who knows? Maybe he could have a cabin in a place like this in the future
The yelling and arguing will come back. Heck, he may even forget to write this down in his diary later but for now it was just him and the beautiful sounds of nature
Things aren’t so bad after all