It has come to my attention that I have written here a handful of fanfics (mostly lads). So for easy navigation, I'll put here the link and the summary and a little author's note.
Feel free to browse, mostly these are just short stories I thought of in passing lol and I mostly write about Caleb or Zayne -- sometimes Rafayel.
Caleb
For Whatever's worth - link
Author's note: My silly attempt at student x teacher age gap fic that I doubt I thought of very well.
As I fall - link
Author's note: Short Story; I had a crisis between Zayne and Caleb, hence, this fic.
Summary: Nia, Zayne's friend from college, have been in love with him for years already. However, Zayne couldn't reciprocate as his heart is for another, attempting to move on, Nia decided to have a sexual relationship (friends with benefits) with a stranger (Caleb) which could end up good but also could end up bad but it really didn't matter to her. Eventually, she found herself comfortable with Caleb's presence.
Warmth of you - link
Author's note: Caleb's mind is really fun to write. Big chances are he doesn't have a healthy coping mechanism if he loses his love.
Summary: Caleb lost his love but his unhealthy coping mechanism made him hold on to her even after death.
Unearthly Cohabitation: link
Author's note: I wrote this when I was drunk and I was seeing things....
Summary: Erin found herself in a cheap apartment where Caleb's soul still lingers. Desperate to get Caleb's annoying ass out, she helped him pass on by doing the things he regrets when he was still living.
Zayne
The flowers are in full bloom today - link
Author's note: Writing this, I really want a blind MC for Zayne because he is one of the most caring people out there, you know? And caring for people with disability imposes a challenge for him since he seldom handles such. So here, I made a blind MC who is not dependent on anyone but Zayne still wants her to depend on him.
Summary: Ringo became blind after an accident and she had been working as a ghost singer and song writer. She gets lost easy as her vision is impaired. She met the kind doctor who shares the same interests as her and was kind enough to help her out when it comes to menial tasks.
A walk with you - link
Author's note: Wrote this way back even before lads was introduced to the market. Back then, I didn't have a male lead to give the role to then I saw Zayne... suddenly, I had an idea.
Summary: The grim reaper had always been impartial. Walking together with the souls of the dead had always been his goal. However, there are deaths that he just thought that were too early. So why? Why are there deaths that seem early?
A mermaid's gift - link
Author's note: Okay, this one I got a bit creative. This whole story was inspired by one of the characters in Honor of Kings -- Dolia. Her passive in game is that she has a mermaid's gift that she could give to a teammate. Anyway, here, I enjoyed writing this (probably cried to while writing). Zayne as a sick teenager... my heart is so soft for him!
Summary: Zayne's sickness had been getting worse and no cure was yet to be found. For his 16th birthday, he jokingly wish to have a mermaid friend but his father took it seriously. The mermaid grew fond of Zayne and they later on had many memories together.
Within Grasp - link
Author's note: A story to gift to my IRL friend who lured me in game lolol.
Summary: Ongoing series; Zayne had been looking everywhere for you. And finally, he figured out that the real you was hiding behind the screen they call reality. With that, he paid a great price to cross the boundary and to at least be a part of your life. But sometimes, he wonders, what could possibly go wrong with committing the taboo of crossing the fine line of reality and fiction?
Burden - Ao3 Link
Author's note: Okay, here I was just thinking that maybe some NPC was in love with Zayne, enough to actually fight for his life since he's just throwing it all away for the MC. This has around 50k words so I just uploaded it on ao3 for easy viewing.
Summary: Luciel, the Lieutenant of Silent Forest, fell in love with a doctor who will never see her the same way. Nevertheless, she still decided to save him from his prophecy even if it could cost her her life. After all, giving him the rest of his lifetime in this universe... would suit the world far better than letting her live.
Rafayel
No title - link
Author's note: I literally just made this from the attached meme!! I was like "Oh this sounds Rafayel..." hahhahaha
Summary: Just Rafayel and reader's toxic relationship that somehow lasted and always ends up with sex.
My Beloved Muse - link
Author's note: The idea popped up when I was staring at the loading screen from the unending "verifying files" thingy in game...
Summary: The immortal Rafayel's memory was badly eroded. While he couldn't remember who was it that he loved deeply, he found himself drawn to a specific painting that somehow makes him feel at ease... as if the person in the painting was someone so familiar to him. Desperate to unravel the feeling, he decided to sculpt the woman from the painting, unlocking the eroded memories he had.
Sylus
Partake - link
Author's note: MC BEING A BI-CURIOUS GIRL IS IN MY BUCKETLIST!!
Summary: One shot; Visiting the Onychinus Base, you found a woman that had Sylus's looks. Somehow, you can't help but feel attracted to her which ended up with you questioning your sexuality.
Caleb's eyes were the reason I chose him as my love interest. Looking back the first time I downloaded the game, no one really resonated with me. Probably Zayne since he's kinda like Jumin Han from Mystic Messenger but not quite.
I tried all of them in the cafe, still nothing. No one. I set the destiny cafe at random then stopped playing it.
A week later, just days before the beginner mission ends, I opened the game again and Caleb, wearing his white long sleeved shirt, greeted me.
His light purple eyes and his expression reminds me of that "puppy dog eyes" and I was sold.
While the other LIs have beautiful eyes as well, his eyes have this pining or longing I didn't feel with the others.
Months went by as I play the game, I always voice out that I don't like him at all and that he's just a pretty boy I chose because of reasons and yet he's the only one that I [intentionally] use my diamonds on, the only one who always comes to me early whereas the other LIs I have to get at pity.
I realized, I never actually picked any other LIs except him. Zayne, sure, whenever I study, I pick him as the Li because his stares straightens me up whenever I get distracted while reading because Caleb would just playfully look at me, enticing me to skip reading and just talk or focus on him. It was his playful eyes
Come his limited solar banner that I didn't have any savings on as I do not browse social media much and didn't know his banner was up until my friend told me.
I grinded abyss, levelling up random memories for diamonds, even reading all the available memoria and tender times just to have a chance of getting his pair.
I thought I don't like him at all so why am I grinding so much? Knowing myself, FOMO does not really affect me.
Again, he came at a very unexpected time as I only had around 10k diamonds to spare. I always lose the 50/50 system with other gacha games, always getting the pity guaranteed pool... But him? He made sure I'd breeze through orbit and other combat modes giving me both his limited solar pair early and with some spare diamonds. Probably the first time I've experienced such in my long years of playing gacha games.
I never associated myself as the MC in game. I always felt that I could never be the MC who flirts with 5 men at the same time. But during that brief moment of having his LSP, I kinda felt that maybe this how MC felt whenever she needed Caleb and for some reason, he's just there and ready to drop everything to help. I wanted only Caleb and not anyone else.
Here comes the wedding banner to which I obviously pulled. While I already posted how trippy the Caleb: Wayward Wonderland card is, I still enjoyed the event. Playing and taking a bunch of photos to add to the journal, enjoying the minigame and tapping on Caleb chibi.
As the event goes, I saw a comparison of the chibi LIs interaction with chibi MC and it showed that among them, it was only Caleb whose eyes never left MC in that one duo pose.
Yes, of course. It has to be him who's been holding back for years, pining for his love.
It was his eyes that showed emotions he could never say.
It suddenly took me back to the time I decided I'll choose him. Now, I accidentally shot this photo of him in glint. I just wanted him to look at the MC for a photo to put in my journal but it came out like this.
His eyes that looked at the MC with longing, happiness, pining, contentment... His eyes that only see the MC.
I guess don't really yap much irl about him so I just typed all of it here. I just want to say that he's a wonderful character and I will continue on trashtalking him because its my love language to him lol. I know he feels loved as he see my diamonds savings stocked up only for him lolol.
Bonus: here's my "with him" room of Caleb. Makes me think who's the yandere between us.
To end my Caleb appreciation post, I know he's fictional and that he doesn't feel emotions and all but still, I hope he knows he made my day more fun and less dull than the usual. And that I hope he gets more love from his writers too.
You would get worried about him going home late and covered with blood but as soon as you start nagging, telling him to be extra careful and try to get home as early as he can, he'll give you this smug look.
He doesn't understand anything that you're saying because he's too preoccupied being mesmerized by you.
It's a headcanon of mine that Sylus actually likes it when you nag at him because it makes him feel that he is important enough for you to be worried like that.
Whenever he arrives late, before he opens the door to your home, he'll smile because he knows that there's someone out there who worries for him -- you.
I've been in love with the idea of Zayne being a grim ripper. In general, grim rippers are usually seen as "scary" Due to their line of work which involves interacting with the spirit of the dead. Common misconception is that they are bringers of death but in truth, they're just there to get you to your next destination. The cause of death is not them but fate or something else. You know, he's kinda a good guy for actually doing that.
I can see Zayne in that specific scenario. Him being misunderstood but in reality, he cares a lot. Reserved but understanding and loving. Stoic but has a heart of gold.
I've written a short story of him in that situation. I think I could make a longer one (around 5 chapters) with more lore and interactions with other souls.
Caleb passing the blunt to MC when they reached that street in the Wayward Wonderland card. Can't help but think that they're actually high when they were doing the "marriage" thingy lolololol XD
Seeing things coz of foreign substance and call it spatial anomaly coz wdym u suddenly saw this out of nowhere:
I was reading it and I look like this:
TELL ME CALEB WHERE DID YOU GET THAT GOOD ITEM?!?!
CALEB I WOULD DIE FOR U BUT KNOWING UR YANDERE TENDENCIES YOU MIGHT'VE DRUGGED MY MC OR SMTH FOR THIS
but anyway, end of rant.
lowkey thinking of yandere caleb kinda scratches that specific itch in my brain.
I made the Sylus female twin from the fic I wrote yesterday 😍😍😍😍 if only I could adjust her height to be almost the same as his and her body type to be plumper then she'd be perfect 🥰🥰🥰
Intro: You found an uninvited guest at the Onychinus base. Now, after the encounter, you found yourself being bi-curious.
Note: Contains sexual scenes
Its been a while since I visited the Onychinus base... Luke and Kieran would be happy with the things I bought hehe... New board games... cards... snacks...
You happily went your way to the base while thinking about Sylus.
We've been chatting lately but... surprising him at the base would be better
You smiled and after an hour, you finally arrived at the base. It was a place you usually hang out whenever you feel bored or lonely... A second home to you and Sylus made sure that you are comfortable and welcome.
But sometimes, you wonder why you can't explore that room. A room that you were so curious about that Sylus kept locked. Luke and Kieran just shrugged when you asked them about it.
You typed in the passcode from the main door and it opened as usual.
"Luke..! Kieran!! I'm here!" You called out as you were closing the door.
With no response from them, you traversed your way along the corridor and arrived at Sylus's office.
Hmm... They're not here... Sylus said that he's got business today and he'll be home at night but the twins... where are they?
You placed down the things you carry on the coffee table then decided to check the armory. Suddenly, you instincts tell you that there's something else in the base. A chilling and cold feeling suddenly made your spine tingle.
What was that...?
You held on to the gun from your belt and stayed alert. Slowly, you moved towards the door.
"Hmmm... Do you have any business here?" A smooth but dominant voice asked. You raised your weapon and aimed at the woman who suddenly emerged from the corner of the room.
"Who are you?" You sternly asked but she gave you a playful smile and giggles.
Before you was a tall woman, probably around Sylus's age, her long, straight hair was ashy white, her eyes were red, and her features... they resemble Sylus but more feminine... In short, she was beautiful.
She tucked her hair behind her ear and moved closer to you.
She wore a long dark elegant dress that hugged her body shape with a slit from her thigh. As she stepped, you could see her pale thigh and her eyes were unafraid that you felt a sense of deja vu... just like the way Sylus looked at you when you aimed your gun at him.
Unwavering, you didn't put down you gun and bravely looked at the ethereal woman you've never seen before.
She placed two of her slender fingers at the side of your gun and playfully smiled.
"Miss, you are the intruder here, so why point a gun at me?" She asked.
Her eyes weren't lying. She doesn't know you but still, you kept your guard up.
"Where's Luke and Kieran?" You asked.
"The twins?" She asked back and gently retrieved your gun.
Huh...? How did she...?
You didn't know what happened as to how she easily disarmed you but one thing you felt was an evol.
"The twins were called by Sylus for some mission, methinks." She replied while rendering your gun useless by taking out its energy core.
"Hm... this is a weapon against wanderers, if I recall correctly." Her slender fingers were jabbed inside the gun and took apart its tech without damaging its exterior.
"Do I look like a wanderer to you, miss?" She asked and returned the useless gun to you.
That was definitely an evol... who is she...?
"I'm asking you, who are you?" You asked again.
"Oh, where are my manners." She giggled. "I'm Sylvia, Sylus's twin."
Your eyes widened.
Twin...? He never told me about any twin...?
"And you are?" She asked and you mentioned your name.
"Oh... I see. The huntress that he's been entertaining." She approached you but each step she takes forward, you took a step backward until your hip touched the hard office table.
She easily cornered you and rested her hand against the edge of the table. She was taller than you even without the help of her high heels.
Sylvia leaned closer to you and you could smell her scent... It was a sweet and alluring smell for you
For some reason, you didn't want to fight back. Is it because she looks so much like Sylus that she feels familiar to you? Is it because you feel dominated by her?
She tilted your chin up and finally, you were looking in her eyes.
"You are pretty.... just like how Kieran described." She uttered as she ran her thumb against your lips. The sensation made you shudder.
You gulped and found yourself in an uncertain situation.
Sylvia finally stood straight, sensing your uneasiness, she spoke: "Sylus and the twins will be back in a few hours."
"I.. I see..." You said and breath a sigh of relief.
"By the way, miss huntress... do you know how to cook? I am quite famished." Sylvia asked.
"Uhm... Yes." You hesitantly replied and she smiled then clapped her hands.
"Wonderful! Come, make me something." She held your hand and led you to the kitchen.
"This is embarrassing but, I am not fond of cooking... Sylus would just throw things at me if I get near the kitchen since I almost burnt it down." She explained while walking.
But... Sylus had always been patient with me when he was teaching me some dishes...
You smiled to yourself while you felt special.
At the kitchen you started cooking while she watched you intently.
The huntress is cute. I get it now, dear brother.
Sylvia smiled and continued on watching you.
"Say, do you like my brother?" She asked and you suddenly flustered.
"H-ha?? Why the sudden question?!" Your cheeks felt hot.
"Do you find him handsome?" She continued asking while filling her mug with brewed coffee.
"I... Yes..." You admitted while stirring the stew.
"Ohhh." She smirked. "I see. So since me and him are identical twins, you find me pretty too?"
"Yes... you're really beautiful." You replied and she giggled.
"You're so honest!! It's so cute." She moved towards you and hugged you from behind.
Your back felt her soft breasts and her hands gently held your waist and tummy while her chin gently rested on your shoulder. Your heart pounded and you felt nervous.
"Say..." She softly spoke. "Would you consider me too?" She asked.
You felt her hot breath against your cheek and felt aroused.
What's happening to me...?
You took a deep breath but before you could answer, she let go and kissed your cheek.
"Wha--!?" You touched your cheek and she was giggling. While you felt surprised, you didn't hate it.
You continued cooking while she just let you be. After a few minutes you set the table up for her.
"Oh! What's this?" She curiously asked.
"Seafood chowder, chicken parmigiana and mashed potatoes." You replied and sat in front of her.
"Oh! These smell lovely!" She said and started eating.
She's different from Sylus... He would've been more... elegant while eating.
You chuckled.
"Hm? Are you imagining things, miss huntress?" She asked.
"Oh, uhh.. I just thought that you look cute while eating." You replied.
"You think I'm cute?" She smiled. "I think you're cute too!"
After eating, you two walked around the base as she held your hand.
Her hands are so soft... Unlike mine... that's been calloused from training using different weapons...
Finally, you decided to ask her about the locked room in the Onychinus Base that even Sylus wouldn't tell you about.
"Oh, that would be my room." She replied.
"Why is it locked?"
"Well... I think it's because my belongings are there and most of it are... well... are in some kind of curse." She shrugged and kissed your hand. "You shouldn't pry too much, miss huntress."
You blushed when she kissed the back of your hand.
"Oh! I know! We should just play in Sylus's room! It's unlocked." She said then led you to his room.
It was a familiar room to you as you spent some nights with him there. The scent, the books displayed, the paintings... everything in his room was familiar to you.
Inside, she let go of your hand and rummaged through the bookshelf.
"Hmmm what was that book again...?" Sylvia tilted her head then grabbed a thin book. She flipped it open and a photograph fell from it.
She picked it up and showed you. "Here, look! This is me and Sylus when we were kids!"
She showed you an old photo of two kids. The boy, Sylus, was standing straight with an unimpressed expression while his sister was happily hugging him. Both of them had bowl cuts.
"Oh!! So cute!" You exclaimed while looking at the photograph.
"Hehe, we were cute. Now he's just crusty and ugly." She giggled then returned the photograph and the book.
"Crusty? Ugly??" You gasped and she nodded.
"I think I'm much prettier than that man, really." She said and held your hand. "My skin is soft and smooth..." She ran your hand across her arm and you felt her warm skin. "My face is well taken care of..." She looked at you and led your hand to her lips. "I'm soft to touch..." She uttered and led your hand to her soft breasts.
While you think that you should stop, your body betrayed you and you let her. You felt her and she sighed.
She gently pushed you against the bed and laid you down.
No... this is Sylus's bed... I can't...
You stared at her and upon seeing her, you resigned your mind to her.
She leaned on top of you and gently kissed you. Her soft lips was unlike any other you've kissed. Her tongue slowly slithered inside your mouth and you let her as you opened your mouth. Her kiss was gentle and soft...
"Mmm" You let out a quiet moan and you felt her smile through her kiss.
She intentionally had her knee near your crotch and you unconsciously moved towards it and moved your hips to grind against it while she kisses you. Her hand unbuttoned your jeans and she carefully slipped it down.
Slowly, she kissed your neck down to your chest. She unbuttoned your shirt and you let her.
She smirked then unclasped your bra. She then fondled your breasts and kissed your erected nipples.
"You're aroused..." She uttered while licking your nipples. Her knee was pressed against your clitoris that made you feel more erotic.
You took a deep breath and looked at her while she was indulging herself with your breasts.
She's so beautiful...
You thought and suddenly, the door was opened and Sylus looked at the two of you.
"S-Sylus!!" As if snapping back to reality, you covered yourself with the blanket.
Sylvia looked at her brother who suddenly had a dark expression. She stood up and approached him.
"Won't you join us, my dear brother?" She asked.
Sylus looked at you and you gulped.
"What are you doing here?" He asked you.
"I was... I was just going to visit you but..." You looked at Sylvia who was not even afraid of Sylus's dark expression.
Suddenly, Sylus grabbed her hair violently but she just smiled.
"This bitch got you?" Sylus asked and looked at you.
"N-no don't hold her like--" You asked, not wanting him to hurt her.
"Brother..." Sylvia kissed her brother's cheek. "You know, it will just turn me on if you hurt me like that." She giggled.
"You're disgusting. What are you doing here?" Sylus asked then let go of her.
"I thought I should give my brother a visit too!" Sylvia said then returned to your side. She tied her hair up and the shape of her body got you aroused.
Wait... what's happening with me...? With a woman??
Sylus chuckled then approached the two of you. He unbuttoned his cufflinks and removed his top.
Slowly, Sylvia removed the blanket that was covering you and revealed your naked breasts as you were only left with your panties on.
Sylus laid you down and kissed your mouth.
"S-Sylus..." You uttered as he kissed you.
Unlike Sylvia's soft and gentle kiss, Sylus's was rough... Probably has something to do with what he saw earlier.
Sylvia started playing with your nipple and her hand was feeling your wetness while Sylus fondled your other breast as he kissed you.
There's two of them... this is all to stimulating...
You thought and swallowed Sylus's saliva. He then pulled away and sucked your nipple.
Ah... both of them... sucking on my boobs like this... its too arousing...
"Ahhhh...." You moaned in pleasure as you felt their hot mouths hungry for you.
"You're not going to remove your dress?" Sylus asked Sylvia.
"Hm," She sat up and unzipped the side of her dress, revealing her bare body.
Underneath her dress, she wasn't wearing any bra but only a dark-colored lace panties.
"Why, Sylus? Did you miss your sister that much?" She teased and looked at you.
You stared at her body. She looked soft and plump at the right places.
I... I want to suck her nipples...
You suddenly thought while she touched her body.
"Heh, no one's going to like you, cow." Sylus teased and licked your ear.
"It's not my fault my boobs are bigger than usual!" She pouted then crawled on you. Her skin felt smooth against yours.
Your eyes were staring at her chest. She noticed you and smirked.
"Do you want to?" She asked while fondling her chest and you nodded.
"Move, idiot brother." She said then laid your head on her lap. Her breasts rested on your face and you started sucking on her nipples while fondling them.
Sylus then went down on you and removed your panties to reveal your wet pussy. He started licking your slit while his thumb gently massaged your clit.
"Mhhhh..." You moaned in pleasure while feeling his tongue inside you and her healthy breasts against your face and mouth.
Sylvia giggled. "Even if you suck that hard, no milk's going to come out!"
"Mhm..." You nodded and continued on gently biting her nipples which made her moan.
"Push her up." Sylus said while unbuttoning his pants.
"Come here" Sylvia softly said as she gestured for you to sit in front of her while she rested her back against the head board.
You laid your back against her and felt her softness. From behind, she fondled your chest and gently pinched your nipples.
"Ahh..." You breathed heavily from her touch.
"Are you ready, kitten?" Sylus asked as he tapped his throbbing cock against your wet pussy.
You nodded.
Sylvia tilted your chin to the side and she kissed you while Sylus watched. You two fell into a deep kiss and suddenly, you felt him entering you.
Sylus...! Too... huge!!
Your mind was not able to think straight. Sylvia's deep kiss as her hands were all over you and Sylus being inside of you, thrusting inside, hitting your pleasure spot perfectly as he always did.
"MMfffhhhh!!" Your moans were muffled by her kisses.
This is too stimulating...!!
"You're kissing her too much." Sylus finally said while watching the two of you play with each other's tongue.
"Then how about you join us?" Sylvia asked while you two stretched your tongues out.
He bent down and joined your kiss. Your tongues touched and the three of you melted into a three way kiss as he slowly thrusts inside of you.
You kissed two pairs of lips at the same time and you could tell Sylvia and Sylus apart by the way they kiss.
He then straightened up and looked at your lewd face.
"It seems like you enjoyed it." He teased you and you nodded. Your tongue was still sticking out as you caught your breath.
Sylvia's fingers then found its way to your clit. As Sylus thrusted, she massaged your clit.
"Ahhh!! Nnnghhhh!!" You whimpered.
Your mouth was drooling and your eyes were wet with tears from pleasure.
Sylus chuckled. "Do that again, Sylvia. I think she's near."
She giggled while pressing your clitoris.
"Do you like that?" She softly asked but you weren't able to answer. Her alluring voice was enough to fuel your climax up; you curled your toes and took a deep breath felt your climax.
"Ahhhh.... Sylus...!! Ahhhh..." You shuddered and he gently pulled out.
"We're not yet done, kitten." He smiled and kissed your lips.
You then crawled towards him while he stood up.
On the bed, you were on all fours as your mouth took him in. He wrapped your hair around his fist as you sucked him.
Ohhh... her anus is in my full view! so cute!
Sylvia thought and started licking your anus from behind. You jolted up and felt pleasure from her tongue.
"W-wait... Sylvia that's---" You tried to stop her but Sylus held your chin.
"Focus on me." His eyes glowed and he wiped the drool from your chin with his thumb.
You then continued on licking his shaft and licking his tender tip while Sylvia licked your wetness too.
Her tongue slurped out your juices and licked the creases of your anus.
"Mhhh..." You moaned.
"I think she's ready for another one." She said while gently tapping your sensitive pussy.
"I see. Turn around." He asked.
Still on all fours, you turned around and you found Sylvia watching you while rubbing her pussy.
You felt Sylus's rough hand touch your wet spot and gently, he inserted his cock.
"Ahhhhnnnn...!!" You sighed in pleasure.
"Sylvia..." You called her and she smiled at you. "I want to... taste..."
"Hm? You want to eat me?" She playfully asked and you nodded.
She then spread her legs in front of you and you started kissing her pussy lips.
Its plump and wet...
Even when you couldn't think straight due to Sylus's pounding behind you, you felt like you want to pleasure her. You spread her pussy lips apart and started tasting her.
She tastes sweet... and her smell... her pheromones...
You inserted your tongue in her tight hole and she started moaning softly.
Her moans... it sounds so good...
You continued on pleasuring her while rubbing her clit.
Sylus thrusted harder, as if he's near to release.
Your focus was lost; he kept on thrusting deeper, hitting your sensitive spot.
"Ahhh! Ahhhh!!" You moaned as Sylus took a hold of your body.
His strong arms wrapped around your stomach as he pushed all of him in.
He groaned in pleasure. "I'm near..." He whispered.
You were lost in pleasure then you started shuddering, feeling your climax.
Sylus released his warm liquid inside of you. Your stomach was filled with warmth and your knees gave out.
Your legs were shaking as Sylus held you up.
She giggled.
"Look at what you've done, brother." Sylvia brushed your hair away from your face. "She's so wasted."
"I'll clean her up first." Sylus said as he gently laid you down.
After cleaning you up, he had you wear one of his shirts and tucked you to bed. Exhaustion dawned upon you and you easily dozed off.
Sylus sat on the couch while Sylvia changed her clothes. She wore a dark colored blouse, a tight pencil skirt and her hands were covered with gloves that matched the color of her clothes.
"You didn't pleasure yourself today. What gives?" Sylus asked as he poured wine on his glass.
"Hm..." Sylvia said while slipping on her dark stockings under her short pencil skirt. "I don't know." She giggled.
"Have you gone soft?"
"I literally kissed and had sex with your girlfriend in front of you and you call me soft?" She sat beside Sylus and lit a cigarette. "She's fun."
"You still didn't tell me what you're doing here." Sylus asked.
"Oh, nothing really. I was chatting with the twins the other week and they kept telling me about this girl so I got curious." She shrugged and stood up and kissed her brother's cheek.
Her heels clacked against the floor as she approached the door.
"Leaving already? You should spend the night." He uttered.
"Yes, I still have to entertain the Prime Minister tomorrow." She giggled. "Who knows what secret he's hiding."
With that, Sylvia left the base.
She's not going to go here just for such a menial thing... What was she thinking?
Sylus thought then suddenly saw a white paper near the bookshelf with his sister's handwriting on it. He chuckled once he read the paper.
I see. Places to avoid this month and its schedule because of the high alert patrols due to some escapists and fugitives.
The following morning you woke up on Sylus's empty bed. You looked around but he wasn't there.
Sylvia is not here too... Where could the two of them be?
You then stood up and made your way into the kitchen and found Sylus cooking while the twins were chatting.
"Good morning!!!" Luke happily greeted you and you greeted them back.
While you want to be enthusiastic for them, you felt guilty for letting yourself go last night... For letting Sylvia touch you. Oddly enough, you felt pleasurable from her touch.
"Uhm... Sylus?" You approached him and he smiled at you.
"Yes?" He asked and continued on cooking your breakfast.
"Uhm.. About last night... I didn't mean to..." You apologized but Sylus just chuckled and tucked your hair behind your ear.
"No need to apologize." He said. "If it's her, then I'll have no problems."
"Huh? What do you mean if it's her? and no problems? Aren't we in a relationship so why---" You exclaimed but he calmly looked at you without any signs of being angry from your supposed infidelity.
"For one is that she'll never take you away from me, that's for sure. Second, if it's her, she probably used her evol on you." Sylus explained.
"Ohhh is that miss Sylvia?" Kieran asked and Sylus nodded.
"Her evol allows her to alter what she touches without damaging its exterior. In your case last night, she wasn't wearing her gloves. Her hands... as soon as they touch you, she could manipulate or alter your reasoning as well." Sylus explained.
"So no, I am not mad, I am not angry at you, kitten. If you want to, I could call her right now so she could visit you again." He chuckled.
You blushed. "N-no need!!"
"Ohhh why are you flustered about miss Sylvia? Did something happen last night?" Luke asked.
"N-nothing! Nothing happened last night!!!" You exclaimed and sat on the chair.
If she used her evol on me... I would definitely know but... She only used her evol when she disarmed me and when she destroyed my gun... Then that means...
Self-aware; ongoing series (Here's the link to the first part if you haven't started yet!)
Note: This chapter has sexual content
Part 8: All in his eyes
Waking up to the sound of rain must be one of the most relaxing and cozy way to wake up but not today!
Your whole body ached as your sleeping position was altered by the fat cats snuggling against your neck and legs. Your back and neck had been aching since you woke up hours ago.
As Zayne tidied up the cats' items, you stretched and exercised rigorously at the living room in hopes of having your muscles stretched.
"Exercising that rigorously may lead to a more serious condition, especially that you don't exercise." Zayne uttered while brushing the orange cat's fur.
Ooofff... Damn. He hit me in the heart.
You pouted and suddenly stopped moving then felt the pain in your neck and back.
"And after exercising, you should do some cool down exercises rather than suddenly stopping. It will let your muscles know that you're about to stop." He continued.
"Yes doctor" You replied then did some cool down exercises.
After a few minutes, Mrs. Carson fetched the two cats and handed Zayne his payment. You thanked her for giving you the cookies you munched yesterday and told her how behaved and cute her cats are. She smiled and thanked both of you.
As much as you want to chat to her more, the rain kept on getting stronger and Zayne helped Mrs. Carson up their car and placed the cats at the passenger seat.
Back inside, you laid on your bed, stomach down and felt your body pain.
Maybe I should go to a spa and get some full-body massage but its raining hard... hnnghh... those cats are so cute but also too heavy!!
You stood up then went to the living room only to see Zayne going to the bathroom while his shirt was soaked from the rain. The wet shirt outlined his body and your eyes widened. Your sight went from his face, down to his chest and down to his abdomen.
"Does your back still hurt?" He asked and you just nodded -- still staring at him.
"I see. Let's do something about it later." He smiled. "I'll wash up first."
You watched him enter the bathroom and unconsciously bit your lower lip.
... Good lord... I don't know what I did from my past life to deserve this blessing but... thank you..
You thought then went back to the bedroom to rest. After a while, Zayne entered the bedroom and saw you laying face down.
"Where does it hurt?" He asked while he sat down beside you.
"My neck and my lower back..." You meekly replied while the pillow muffled your voice.
You slowly turned around and playfully smiled. "Massage me?" You joked and his eyes widened.
He swallowed and looked away. "I am not well-versed with physical therapy..." He replied.
He glanced at you for a bit and saw you pouting.
She looks disappointed...
"But, I'll see what I can do." He continued. "On your stomach." He instructed and you followed.
Over your shirt, he carefully applied pressure then started moving his palm.
"Mmmmhhh... Yes... There..." You let out while feeling relieved as he touched your sore muscles.
He took a deep breath and concentrated to what he was doing.
Calm yourself, Zayne. This isn't the time... she's sore.
Sensing that he's getting nervous, you smirked and moaned louder.
"Yess! There! Lower..." You teased. You glanced at his expression and noticed that his eyes were closed and his eyebrows here furrowed.
"Do that again... it felt good... press it harder..." You teased some more and suddenly he stopped. But before you ask him why he stopped, he continued.
What is she up to now...? Her back... the shape of her body... I can't... I might not be able to control myself.
His hand was still steady as ever but you can hear him breathing heavily as he tries to calm his pounding heart.
"You know, you should lift my shirt up so you could--"
"This is fine." He interrupted while his nervousness obviously showed.
Well, I really shouldn't push further. He sounded irritated. Does he not find me attractive? I was trying so hard... Come to think of it... WE'VE NEVER DONE IT!!! We sleep in the same bed but... but we've never...
You felt your heart sank with the sudden realization. You took a deep breath and kept your mouth shut until he finished. He noticed the sudden change in your attitude.
"Did I hurt you? Are you okay?" He asked.
"I'm fine." You briefly replied.
Something's definitely wrong.
He thought and asked you to turn around but you just rolled over to your side away from him and hugged the bolster pillow.
Damn. What's with me? I feel all emotional and shit...
You suddenly felt that you wanted to be alone for a while. The sound of the raindrops falling wasn't helping either.... It made you feel more emotional.
"I'm sorry..." Zayne uttered.
I didn't know what I did wrong but...
Zayne thought as he touched your shoulder. There are many things you wanted to ask him but you felt like it was of no matter. After all, he'll just stick around with you as he promised, regardless if he finds you attractive or not.
You tightly hugged your bolster pillow while you slowly feel the pain in your heart.
...Does that mean that he could just leave me??? ... After all, who doesn't want to be with him... He's everything... and I'm... I'm...
That's right, you are just you, nothing more, nothing less. Slowly, tears suddenly fell from your eyes.
Is she...?
Zayne noticed you were shaking and your voice was muffled. He gently scooped you into his arms and found you sobbing while hugging your eggplant pillow. Zayne's eyes widened and he felt his heart sinking.
"What's wrong?" He softly asked while he wiped your tears with his thumb. You shook your head and sobbed.
"Nothing..." You uttered and hugged the pillow.
Despite his confusion, he chose to be understanding.
He removed the pillow from your grasp and embraced you. You wrapped your arms around his neck and sobbed.
"You can tell me anything..." He softly whispered in you ear.
You pulled away. Your eyes were still glistening from your tears and your cheeks were wet.
"Zayne..." You uttered his name that was so familiar to you.
"Yes?" He wiped your tears and looked at you.
"Do you..." You hesitated and took a deep breath.
"Do you not find me attractive?" You finally asked.
He was taken aback by your sudden question. His eyes were puzzled as if asking you if you really think like that.
He smiled and tucked your hair behind your ear.
"Did you know how many universes, worlds, eras I have been just because you were there?" He asked.
Right... In the game, he was always there... even if he said he was busy, he'll always show up... even if... even if he knew our love was impossible... he was there.
You nodded. "Sorry..." You uttered, feeling guilty about what you just asked. But then again, the MC in game and you are different entity which makes you think.
He shook his head. "It was always you who I was looking for..."
All the work I had to do... every dreadful day I had to endure... just to feel you even without assurance that we'd be together...
Zayne slowly leaned towards you and kissed your trembling lips. As you felt him, tears fell from your eyes.
You can't explain why or how... but you felt loved. The thoughts you had earlier seem to vanish as his eyes looked at you lovingly while laying you down.
He kissed your wet cheek and guided your hand to his chest.
His heartbeat is... so fast...
Your eyes widened and looked at his stoic face; his cold emerald eyes stared straight back at you.
"I love you..." He uttered. "I love you and you will always be beautiful to me... no matter what form, age... as long as it's you..."
"But... but... earlier... I was..." You struggled to tell him about your embarrassing attempt at seducing him a while ago.
He laid on top of you and his elbows supported his weight, not wanting to hurt your sore body. His hand gently held both of your wrists up as he whispered "I know... you were trying to tease me."
Suddenly, your cheeks felt hot due to embarrassment.
"Y-YOU!!! You knew that--" You exclaimed but your words were cut off when you felt his hardness against your thigh. You looked back at him and his eyes were pleading.
"You think I didn't know?" He asked and softly kissed your neck. "I was holding back... but it seems like I don't have to." He uttered.
His hand still held your wrists up while the other slipped inside your shirt and felt your bare skin.
You gasped at the sensation and he looked at your expression while running his hand against your stomach.
"Do you want me to?" He asked and you nodded.
He took a deep breath and started kissing you. His soft lips gently sucked your lip as his hand slowly crawled up to your chest.
Your quiet moans were muffled by his kiss.
He slowly fondled your breasts and he slipped his fingers inside your bra.
"Ah.." You shrieked as you felt his finger touch your sensitive nipple.
"This won't do..." He uttered and he sat on top of you. He removed his shirt and ruffled his hair. You've seen him naked before but somehow, today was different.
The scars on his arms looked much more than what you've seen in game. Even his body had scars -- some looked like from a deep wound, some just looked like it wasn't taken care of and the light wound turned into a scar.
With your fingers, you traced the scars from his arms and his body and he let you. He then slowly held your hand and kissed it while looking at you.
You can't hold back anymore.
You wrapped your arms around him and kissed him. As you two fell into a deep kiss, you felt his hot breath against your mouth while he removed your shirt and unhooked your bra.
"Zayne..." You uttered his name and he slowly laid you down. He looked at you and you shyly covered your chest with your arms.
He smiled.
"You're still as perfect as I can remember..." He uttered.
Your heart skipped a beat. It felt like his only mission for today was to erase the cloud of doubts that you had earlier.
He gently removed your arms from your chest and started kissing your breasts.
"Ahhh..." Your breaths were heavy while he circled his tongue around your nipple while gently pinching the other.
He then licked your cleavage down to your abdomen. Slowly, he kissed downward until he reached your panties. He looked at you and your face was flustered. Seeing no objections from you, he gently removed your undergarment and you let him.
Zayne kissed your inner thighs and the sensation made you shudder. He kissed deeper and deeper until he kissed your pussy.
Your wetness touched his lips and formed a string of transparent sticky fluid.
"Ah...." You squirmed but he held your thighs apart.
He used his thumb to part your pussy lips and sucked your clitoris that nestled in between.
"Zayne...." You covered your mouth as you moaned, afraid that the neighbors might hear.
You sighed in pleasure as you felt his tongue enter your slippery hole while his thumb massaged your clitoris.
Wait... wait... it feels too good I feel...
"Zayne..! Wait...! I'm going to...!!" You grabbed his hair but he didn't stop. He kept applying pressure on your clitoris and you felt your climax rising.
You curled your toes and shuddered.
"Ahhh.... ha...." You caught your breath as he slurped your juices.
Did I just... cum??
You looked at him and you noticed his throbbing member through his jogger pants.
"Can I..." He uttered and you nodded.
He was breathing heavily and removed his pants to reveal his hard organ.
... He's.... he's hung!! Oh no... that's huge...
Zayne held his throbbing member and gently tapped it against your wet pussy.
He looked at you as if asking for permission again.
"Zayne.... I..."
He leaned down and kissed you. " I love you..." He uttered.
Before you could say anything in reply, he slowly entered inside and you shrieked in surprise.
"Ahhh!!" You moaned while feeling his warmth inside of you. Your voice was muffled by his kisses. "I love you... Zayne..." You managed to say in between moans.
He looked at you and smiled.
"We're one right now." He uttered while he slowly and gently thrusts inside.
You can't explain how well-loved you felt at that moment. You cried tears of joy and nodded.
He started thrusting deeper, as if finding your pleasure spot. His sight never left your face as he read your expressions.
"Mhhh...! Zayne... You're stretching me..." You moaned.
"Does it hurt?" He worriedly asked then slowed down.
You shook your head. "It feels good..."
He sucked on your nipple while thrusting deep inside you. Your moans and sighs filled the room but it doesn't matter. The sound of the rain masked the noises you made.
"Ugh..." Zayne groaned when you tightened up.
He then laid beside you and positioned you on your side and entered from behind you. His arm held your leg up and he thrusted inside.
"Ohhhh...!" You whimpered when he hit your pleasure spot.
"You're soaking wet..." He uttered in between breaths.
You heard the lewd sloppy sounds your body made as he thrusted inside you. Somehow, it made you more aroused.
"Mmmhhhh..." You looked back at him and he kissed you.
His eyes were focused of you, as if you were the most beautiful thing he's ever seen that he couldn't take his eyes off of you.
While you felt embarrassed with the lewd expression you were making, the way his eyes looked at you gave you the assurance you needed.
He kept on hitting your pleasure spot that you tightened up, feeling your climax again.
"Z-Zayne.... It feels so good..." You moaned. "I'm cumming....!!"
"I'm near, my love..." He said in a smooth voice that aroused you. Suddenly, you reached your climax. "Mmmmhh!! Zayne...!!"
He groaned and thrusted faster and deeper.
"Ahhh...." He breathed heavily as he pulled out and released.
You caught your breath and he kissed your cheek.
"... We should change the bed sheets..." He uttered while he had you wear his shirt.
You watched him clean you up; he wiped your wet thighs and pussy then carried you to the couch so he could change the bed sheets.
As he was changing the pillow cases, you stood up and hugged him.
His lips formed into a smile.
"Do you feel better now?" He asked and you nodded.
"Good. However, you drowsy eyes tell me that you need to get some rest." He said.
The two of you snuggled against each other on the freshly changed bedsheets. You laid your head against his chest and he kissed the top of your head.
Feeling all the tiredness from crying, muscle pain, and the sex, you immediately fell asleep to the sound of his steady heartbeat.
<< Part 7: Orange cats are a menace. But they're cute so they get a pass
Self-aware; ongoing (Here's the link to chapter 1 if you haven't started yet!)
Part 7: Orange cats are a menace. But they're cute so they get a pass
The following morning, Zayne woke up early and found himself laying on top of you.
... I... fell asleep on her...
Despite his mind telling him to stand up, his heart tells him to stay like that a little bit longer.
I still have work in a while but.. .
He embraced you a little bit tighter as he felt your warmth and beating heart against his face. He took a deep breath and savored the moment -- he was happy.
Half awake, you notice him moving and unconsciously hugged him. Your hands gently wrapped around his head then you went back to sleep.
After a few minutes, Zayne carefully removed your hands around his neck then placed an eggplant-looking pillow on top of you for you to hug while sleeping.
He gently brushed your hair away from your face with his hand and kissed your forehead then tidied up his side of bed.
He went to the kitchen to make breakfast and suddenly, the doorbell rang.
Ah, they're here.
Zayne opened the door and the old woman from two blocks away smiled at him. Beside her is a stroller with two healthy and fat cats. One orange and one void cat.
"Good morning ma'am." Zayne greeted her and petted the cats who seemed to like his touch.
"Good morning! I hope I'm not intruding!" She replied then handed him a box of cookies. "Here, give this to her. This is her favorite cookies from the bakery."
Zayne smiled.
"Thank you." Zayne then took a hold of the stroller. "You'll be back tomorrow?"
The old woman nodded. "Yes, just a visit to my grandkids, hoho!" She giggled. "Well, my husband is waiting. Thank you again, Zayne and don't hesitate to call or send me a message if there's anything you need."
Zayne nodded then the old lady left to ride the car parked in front.
"Meow" The cats looked at him and he smiled as he let them inside the house.
Under the stroller were the things he needed for the cats. While they were sniffing the corners of the living room, he placed their litter box, mini drinking fountains and elevated food bowls at the corner.
He unfolded their cat beds and laid it beside the couch. After, he played with them with some mouse toy and feather.
After my nightmares last night, these cats seem to ease my mind even just for a bit...
The void cat rolled over to show his belly and Zayne ran the feather against it. After a few minutes of playing, the cats decided that it was time to rest and loafed over the carpeted floor.
Zayne looked around the place and once secured that you were still not up, he laid on his side then petted the cats alternately.
The cats gave out a purr that melted his heart.
They are too cute. Too precious. Too innocent.
"Mreeow...." The black cat said.
"Meow." Zayne replied back but the orange cat stared at him, as if judging him.
Did I make a grammatical error? Oh... then I should copy the tone properly
"Mraw" Zayne tried again and the cats purred.
Meanwhile, you woke up to the sound of cats meowing. You rolled over and found Zayne's side of the bed empty and neatly made.
Hmmm... Meowing? Oh... right... the cat sitting is today
You then quietly made your way into the living room but as you approach, you heard Zayne's voice in high-pitch.
"Meow..." Probably Zayne's meow.
"Mrraw!" The orange cat replied then laid on her cat bed.
What the fuck?? It's so cute!!!! He's so cute!!
You held a hand against your mouth to prevent yourself from making any noise that could disturb his bond with the cats then hid behind the corner of the corridor wall.
After a few seconds, the meowing stopped and you curiously peeked and found Zayne standing right in front of you.
"AHHHH!!!" You screamed in surprise as you scrambled away from him. "Oh my heart... ZAYNE!!"
He chuckled upon seeing your surprised and flustered face.
"Sorry, I noticed that you were eavesdropping." He smiled.
Seeing his soft expression immediately calmed you down. Zayne noticed you staring at him and he moved closer then leaned down to your eye level.
You felt flustered.
I'll... I'll never get used to this...
He tucked your hair behind your ear and gave you a warm smile but you found yourself staring at his lips.
He tilted your chin up and slowly leaned down to kiss you. You rested your hand against his chest and closed your eyes when suddenly --
"MEOW!!" The chubby orange cat walked in between your ankles which made you startled.
"Ohh!" You immediately opened your eyes and held on to Zayne. You sighed and picked up the naughty cat.
Zayne stood up straight and cleared his throat. "Well, we should have our breakfast." He said and looked at you carrying the cat as if you were carrying a baby.
You rocked back and forth and sang lullaby to it until it got annoyed then jumped down.
"Hahaha, he's so annoyed. That's what you get for breaking our moment!" You laughed while watching the orange cat scratch its scratch pad.
"Our moment?" Zayne asked.
"Mhm, you were about to kiss me earlier, no?" You puckered your lips and looked up at him.
He smiled and gently had both his hands on your cheeks then gave you a peck on the lips.
"Yes, I was about to kiss you." He said in a soft tone that made your heart pound. "Come on, let's eat."
While having breakfast, you noticed that the cats were at ease in your living room.
"Have they eaten yet?" You asked and he nodded.
"Yes, they've been fed before going here. I'll just have to prepare their dinner later." He replied and sipped on his hot cocoa.
"Hehe, they're so chonk!" You can't stop looking at the healthy cats that looked like freshly baked loaves of bread resting on the couch.
"By the way, Mrs. Carson gave you some cookies from the bakery. She said it's for you as a sign of thanks for letting her cats stay here for the night."
"Oh! Wow! She shouldn't have." You happily replied then looked for the cookies by the kitchen counter.
After breakfast, you two played with the cats while watching television. The orange cat was much more hyper and playful while the void cat looked curious but has a really good temperament.
You sat on the carpeted floor and Zayne sat beside you as you two are both petting the cats on your laps. Feeling drowsy, the cats then hopped off then went to their cat bed to rest.
"They are so behaved." You said while Zayne laid down the couch and gestured for you to lay with him. You crawled on top of him and rested on his chest.
"Do you want to have a cat of your own?" Zayne asked.
"Hmmm... I never thought about it. How about you?"
"I don't mind. We could train them to be nice cats and they'll be healthy and happy." He replied and closed his eyes.
"Well, if the cat distribution system would choose this house, I don't see why not." You chuckled then watched the television.
At night time just before your bed time, Zayne fixed the cat beds and made sure they were sleeping before he goes into the bedroom.
Meanwhile, you took a quick bath then wore your sleep wear then crawled under the duvet of your bed.
After a few minutes, Zayne entered the bedroom, fresh from the bath.
Ohhhh doth mine eyes deceive me? Such beautiful... man... in my humble quarters...
You thought as you watched him rummage through the closet and wear his long sleeves and pajamas.
"By the way, I'll be helping the baker out this week at his cafe because his assistant went on leave for a week to tend to his newly born child." He said as he sat beside you.
"Yes.. you look so hot...." You were lost in you thoughts and suddenly snapped back to reality. "I-I mean!!" Your cheeks became red "I meant, congratulations to him."
Zayne chuckled and cupped your cheek as he laid on top of you and gave you a kiss.
His lips slowly moved and you opened your mouth for his tongue to slither in. Your breath became heavy while feeling his tongue explore your mouth.
Your arms wrapped around his neck as you two melted into a deep kiss. He gently pulled away and his eyes looked like they were pleading for more.
Seeing you not giving him any reason to stop, he continued by slowly kissing your neck. As soon as you felt his lips against your skin, you took a deep breath, trying to calm your excited heart.
"Zayne..." You softly uttered as he kissed your chest.
"Hm?" He asked and looked at you.
He then kissed your lips again and your hand touched his back from the inside of his top.
Zayne looked at you as if he was asking for permission. Before you could say anything, a scratch and a loud meow from the other side of the door was heard.
You and Zayne looked at the door at the same time then looked at each other then laughed.
He shook his head then opened the door only to find the orange cat meowing at him and behind it, the black cat looked up at Zayne.
"It seems like they want to sleep here." Zayne said as he carried the naughty orange cat.
"Haha," You giggled at the sight of the two cats. "Alright, maybe we should move their cat beds here."
The cat beds were then moved inside your bedroom and instead of sleeping on their respective beds, the two cats jumped into the bed and rested between them.
"Uh-huh... Mrs. Carson must've spoiled you two brats." You laughed while rubbing their bellies.
"Is it alright if they sleep with us?" Zayne asked and you nodded.
"They're harmless but you!" You poked the orange cat. "You've been disturbing our moment since earlier!! grr!!" You jokingly said.
Zayne kissed your cheek and smiled at you.
"You're too cute." He whispered.
You took a deep breath and calm yourself as you can't do anything... romantic to him tonight. You kissed his cheek then laid on the bed.
Finally, Zayne dimmed the lights and watched you fall asleep as you hugged the void cat in your arms.
<< Chapter 6: ■■■■■■? Zayne? I'm sure you've loved me long enough to be with me like this.
Self-aware; Ongoing series (If you haven't started, here's the link to chapter 1!)
Part 6: ■■■■■■? Zayne? I'm sure you've loved me long enough to be with me like this.
"How much this time?"
"A thousand Drachmas!! haha!"
"Make that seven hundred"
"Nuh uh! I had a hard time finding her! And this time, it's in another universe hihi!"
"Another universe? Not those of humans?"
"Nahhh. Not there! Somewhere else! How much do you think it'd cost me to transport you to another world THEN to entertain your boss while you're away, huh?"
"... Alright..."
------
This cafe again? Why are her eyes.... not looking at me? Why am I not allowed to to say what I want to say? I lost her several times... even here...
She keeps on poking me... Maybe she has something about my clothes again.
"You seem to have a lot of thoughts about my clothes"
"It suits you."
"I used the outfits you picked up for me as a reference"
The same words again...
...
This arcade again? ... How much more plush toys does she want?
It's been almost a year and the same routine... with occasional artificial memories being added to this brain... How much longer... How much longer will this cycle continue...?
I'm tired of this loop... this person... this... empty vessel in front of me... is not you... where are you, my love?
----
"Helloooo, ■■■■■■!! How have you been??"
"... You... Where is she?"
"Oh uhm... Actually... it seems like I had a bit of miscalculation tee-hee!"
"...Did you find the real her this time?"
"She's... She's actually a human controlling this vessel--"
"Then take me to her. Now."
"I can't... our transaction only allows me to do this one then transport you back! It's a different transaction this time to get you to the human world!"
"... How much?"
"Hehehehehe. Another thousand Drachmas!!"
----
Zayne woke up in the middle of the night in cold sweat. His heart pounded as he recalled everything that happened prior to meeting you. He sat up and caught his breath.
His sudden movement woke you up and you immediately saw his uneasiness.
"Hm? Zayne... Are you alright?" You sat up and wiped his forehead.
"Y... Yes..." He weakly replied. "Sorry for waking you up..."
You shook your head then laid down again. You lifted your arms to his neck, gesturing him to lay down with you.
He took a deep breath to calm himself then laid his face against your chest, hugging you. His weight over your body made you feel comfortable for some reason.
You run your fingers against his soft hair as he steadied his breath.
"Did you have a nightmare?" You softly asked and he nodded.
"Do you wanna talk about it?" You followed up but he shook his head.
"It's okay... I'm here now." You assured him and finally, he calmed down. "Whatever it is, Zayne, I'm always here for you the way you've always been there for me."
You suddenly remembered the tough times or bad days where you just looked forward in opening the game when you get home so you can get to chat with him even though his responses were repetitive. It gave you comfort when nothing did.
"Thank you..." He uttered.
You continued rubbing his back and running your fingers through his hair and slowly, he fell asleep.
Hehe, would you look at that... How handsome...
You thought as you looked at his face nestled between your chest.
I hope he could tell me his nightmares... it's been happening a lot recently... But I still have no idea what his nightmares are about.
>> Chapter 7: Orange cats are a menace. But they're cute so they get a pass
Self-aware; ongoing (Here's the link to the first part if you haven't started it yet!)
Part 5: How much did it cost him? Probably his life savings
Its been weeks since Zayne arrived in your world but he still hasn't landed any stable job, rather, he'd been doing odd jobs from tutoring kids, to changing the neighbor's tires, to even doing art commissions.
At first he thought that it was embarrassing to do such work without a stable income when he was a renowned doctor in Linkon City which gave him stability. But eventually, he realized the importance of such work and came to understand the nuances that comes from having different jobs. While he was earning well enough to pay some of the bills at home, he thought that he could do more.
Today, Zayne decided to fetch you from your office after his tutoring gig. On the way, he passed by a pastry shop and bought you some bread and sweets -- he thought you were eating less but in all honesty, you were just watching your weight.
As he walked towards the building, a shadow was seemingly following him. An odd shape of a human without the actual human to make such shadow. It had a blue green glitch-like light on top of the shadow and it 'spoke' in a vexing but playful voice.
"How is job hunting, ferryman? hehehe" It said.
That voice...
Zayne stopped in his tracks and stood still as his heart pounded. He took a deep breath and composed himself.
"...What are you doing here?" Zayne asked.
"Oh! What an intimidating voice! Look, sweetie, I am sorry for the miscalculation. I really didn't mean to! haha!" It replied and the shadow suddenly had a grin on its 'face'.
"... You charged me twice for a mistake you made. You thought it was her in the game and placed me inside that." Zayne replied. "You charged me once for putting myself in this form in game and another of the same price to get me out of the game to meet her personally." Zayne spoke as if he was venting out a problem that's been piling up for a while now.
"Now, now. Calm yourself, ferryman." The shadow nervously laughed. "It was an accident! I really thought her and the empty vessel were the same person! This is why I didn't charge you more for giving you time until her lifetime! It is to make amends to my most loyal customer!"
"All I want is a peaceful life until then. Now scram." Zayne's eyes were sharp and raging as he remembered how he felt when he discovered that he was talking to an empty vessel all along.
If he hadn't figured it out, he would still be in game and still talking to the vessel with repetitive questions and answers.
"Yes, yes. But, I'll visit once in a while just to check up on you. After all, you are an important client of mine." The shadow laughed as it vanished.
...I... I'd do anything for you... It doesn't matter how... As long as I get to be in your life.
He thought of you as he walked to the lobby of the building where your office was located.
At exactly 5pm, you decided to go home and found Zayne waiting at the lobby with food and sweets on his hands. You approached him and smiled at him but noticed that he looked weary. But as soon as he saw you in front of him, his eyes perked up and he gave you a gentle smile.
"How was your day?" He asked then stood up.
"It was alright. I didn't do much except for contacting various people for the upcoming event." You replied and he gently held your bag and carried it for you. "Thank you." You smiled.
"Of course," He replied. "I bought you some sweets. You might want to eat some of them going home."
"Thank you again, Zayne. You always manage to make me happy." You childishly smiled as you rummaged through the paper bag full of pastries.
"By the way, are you alright? You look tired..." You asked but he nodded.
"Yes, I'm fine." He briefly replied.
"I see... Oh right, our company will have a medical mission in marginalized areas in the province next month and they're looking for volunteers even not working in our company. You wanna join?" You asked and thought that it would be good for him to join since he is a doctor.
"That would be great." Zayne replied and held your hand. "I still do want to work in the medical field."
"Say, you can still study again and practice. I'm sure getting the scholarship is no problem for you." You suggested but he shook his head.
"They'll be needing my pre-med course and I have to go all through the process of studying again... which would cause us to spend less time together." He uttered. "I'd rather just do these menial jobs than focus on studying... again."
"I see. Point taken, doctor Zayne." You nodded. "I just hope that you're enjoying yourself with the various jobs you've been picking up! You're such a workaholic." You giggled.
"I... I just want to give you a comfortable life, if possible." He smiled and squeezed your hand.
Hearing that, you suddenly felt flustered and your cheeks turned red.
Oh... the provider mindset it just... too attractive...
"Thank you for thinking of me, Zayne." You smiled. "I've... never felt more seen than now. And you're a big part of why I am happy now. I hope this lasts for a very long time."
"It will. I'll be here for you for a very long time." He assured you and kissed your hand.
>> Part 6: ■■■■■■? Zayne? I'm sure you've loved me long enough to be with me like this.
<< Part 4: Landing a job is easy if you're handsome
Self-aware; ongoing series (Here's the link to chapter one if you haven't started it yet!)
Part 4: Landing a job is easy if you're handsome
"Are you ready for the presentation later?" Your co-worker, Missy, asked.
You sighed and typed in the finishing touches of your powerpoint presentation, adding more designs and layout.
"I do not understand why I have to present this. Can't they wait?" You frowned and stared at your screen. "The last time I checked, I am not in a managerial position."
"Haha!" Missy laughed and gently patted your back. "He's still on leave and the presentation can't be delayed as per the management." She shrugged. "Who knows, you might get the promotion if you pull it off." She winked then went back to her desk.
I honestly just want to go home. I wonder how Zayne is faring with his job hunt... I told him not to push himself too much since he's still adjusting in this world...
"Now eyes up." The gay make up artist instructed Zayne while he applied a thin layer of foundation on his face and he followed as other people tended to his hands, wardrobe, and hair.
Zayne found himself being recruited (on commission basis) by a start up company that needed a model for their product. He mumbled to himself as if memorizing various words or lines.
After his make over, the employees crowded around him.
"Woah... you did well with his make up..." The photographer said while he changed the lens of his camera. Beside him was the videographer who adjusted the angle of the camera.
"I didn't do much to his face, though." The makeup artist said while cleaning up his area. "His face has a good structure... Like it was manually sculpted by god himself!!" He exaggerated.
"Thank you..." Zayne said and nodded.
Around him was a photo studio with complete equipment and he was asked to do various poses while the employees watched in awe. The shutter of the cameras are not new to him, after all, way back in Linkon City, he gets a lot of appearances on TVs, informative videos and the like.
Meanwhile, you started presenting the report from last month. In front of you were your superiors who asked questions on the Return of Investment regarding the marketing strategy you pitched to them and got approved.
"Yes sir, I understand." You smiled. "You see, here, the trend tends to go higher, albeit slow, the sales will definitely exceed if we continue on promoting this way."
"Further, compared to other marketing platforms, the ads on this..."
You continued on answering their queries and presenting the rest of the report. After an hour, they mentioned their expectations for the next quarter and finally let you off.
They better raise my damn salary at this point. I was not supposed to do that.
You took a deep breath and sat on your office chair and sighed loudly.
"I HEARD YOU DID A GOOD JOB!!" Missy happily sat beside you.
"I should. After all, I'm doing all the work our boss should've done." You sighed again. "At this point, I should get his salary too... Scheduling a leave at the start of the month... despicable!" You frowned.
"Haha, I'm sure they're still on a honeymoon phase since he just got married the other week." Missy tried to cheer you up and be a voice of reason. "Anyway, you should email him to remind him about what happened and also ask him to treat you out for an expensive lunch when he gets back."
"Right... I should do that..." You forced a smile and Missy went back to his work station.
After being beaten up with workload, you decided clean your cubicle and go home on time. You opened your phone and checked if there's any messages from Zayne.
Zayne
"What time are you going home tonight?"
Sent by: Zayne
"I'm actually packing up right now."
Sent by: You
"I see"
Sent by: Zayne
"You're going home early too?"
Sent by: You
"I think so, yes. I'll see you at home."
Sent by: Zayne
You heart felt giddy upon sending him a text. It used to be automated chats and scheduled calls and posts from the game but now... It is real. You can't help but smile and be excited to get home to see him.
Ding!!
The elevator rang and you made your way inside it and upon reaching the ground floor, you noticed an unusual amount of murmurs and gossips around you.
"Oh wow I think he's a model!" A woman said to her friend while looking at the reception table.
"You should've asked for his photo..." The other replied.
Curious, you looked at the direction where people were staring and saw Zayne talking to the receptionist. Your heart skipped a beat while looking at him. The man who once was out of your reach is actually here with you now, breathing and alive.
You slowly approached him and you can't help but noticed that he looks more handsome than usual!
"Zayne! What are you doing here?" You asked. He glanced at you for a bit then looked back at the reception. "It looks like she's here now. Thank you."
He finally looked at you again and smiled. "I was hoping to surprise you today. He held his hand out to you, gesturing to hand him your bag.
"Oh! Well, you have surprised me, doctor Zayne." You casually replied to hide the fact that your heart is pounding since the moment you saw him earlier and handed him you bag.
He gently hung it on his shoulder and with his free hand, opened his palm and you held his hand.
"Did something happen? You look more handsome than usual... and your hair... it's pushed back..." You asked while looking up at him as the two of you walked along the city streets.
The sky slowly became darker, indicating night time, and the streetlights were lit. Suddenly, you noticed that his face was more... happy than you usually see in game.
He looks happier for some reason... did he land a good job today?
"Let's just say that I made a bit of money on commission today." He replied.
"On commission?" You tilted your head. "I see. Commission-based jobs usually do not require or need identification, just your output."
He nodded.
"Your make up looks good on you." You grinned. "Did you land a modelling job
"Yes." He smiled. "They were nice people too. I told them I didn't have much money but they still took care of me, even fed me before we did the shooting."
That's nice... At least his first employer is a good person.
"I'm happy for you, Zayne. That's great." You childishly smiled and he gazed at you.
You're always happy for other people... You never changed in every universe.
He thought and squeezed your hand.
"Thank you." He replied. "Do you want to eat outside or at home? I'll cook for you." He asked and you shook your head.
"Let's just eat at home. I'll cook for you to celebrate your first salary!" You happily said.
"Shouldn't we spend my first salary for the celebration?" He chuckled.
"No! You should save that first so you could land a job with stable income! Then your first salary from your stable income work would be our celebration funds." You explained and hugged his arm.
"I see. Alright, let's go home."
Once you reached home, you rushed to the kitchen to prepare the ingredients for tonight's celebration while Zayne placed your bag in your room then washed his face. After, he joined you in the kitchen and helped you in cooking. You had him wear a frilly pink apron while you wore an apron with duck prints. You giggled while tying the ribbon behind Zayne's apron and he let you.
After cooking dumplings, fried chicken, stir-fry beef, and rice, he placed down the dishes on the table then you two started eating.
"What kind of product did you promote anyway?" You asked while munching on the fried chicken.
Oohhhh this is good!!
"Its a secret. I signed a contract." He replied.
"Oh. I see. It must be something top secret or something." You giggled.
You then talked about your day and he listened intently. Nodding when you said you felt happy about today's reports and how you handled the question from your superiors.
"You did well." He replied and patted your head. "I'm proud of you."
He said those words gently and it brought you comfort. After a week of stress from the corporate pressure, you felt at ease while you were with him.
A week after, you sat on the couch and opened the television to watch the news. Zayne was still out job hunting so you decided to just stay at home and maybe catch up with what was happening in the world.
Commercial came up and you noticed that it was a commercial that you've never seen before.
Oh? A new commercial?
You thought as you watched. It was a story of a salary man who's been going to work everyday --
WAIT???!! IS THAT?? IS THAT ZAYNE!??!?!
Your eyes widened as you saw him in the commercial. Continuing, it was about a salary man who's been going to work everyday. He found a feral stray cat who's been living under his porch. Everyday, he places cat food for it until the stray cat became familiar with him, enough for him to give it cat treats. Eventually, he adopted the cat and the cat became healthy and fat.
Eventually, the cat went blind and Zayne became older but the cat, even though he was blind, he could still smell the trusty cat food Zayne's been feeding it ever since.
It was a cat food commercial.
You found yourself tearing up with how the commercial narrated the relationship between an owner and a pet.
Zayne suddenly arrived home, finding you in tears after you watched the commercial he starred in.
"YOU DIDN'T TELL ME IT WAS A HEARTFELT COMMERCIAL!! I THOUGHT THEY JUST TOOK PHOTOS HUHU" You wiped your tears with a towel.
"Oh, did they broadcast it already? It was a nice commercial. The cat was friendly too." Zayne smiled then showed you a plastic bag with take out food. "Let's eat."
<< Chapter 3: Piled up unspoken feelings
>> Chapter 5: How much did it cost him? Probably his life savings
Self-aware; ongoing series (Here's the link to Chapter 1 if you haven't started it yet)
Part 3: Piled up unspoken feelings
The following morning, you woke up to the gentle touch of sunlight through the curtain.
I have to do my dailies...
You stood up and booted up your PC and after almost an hour, you decided to go to the bathroom to freshen up. While approaching the bathroom, you felt something was amiss.
... Did I forget something...?
You thought while opening the door to the bathroom only to find Zayne behind the shower glass.
The steam from the shower partly covered his naked body and it seems like the shower was loud for him to notice you going in.
He closed his eyes and pushed back his hair while massaging his scalp. His toned arms contracted as he moved, making his muscles bulge. He then rubbed his torso with the bubbly soap, rubbing his abdomen, chest, and shoulders.
Fuck.... Fuck???!!! I WAS NOT DREAMING??!! HE'S.... OH MY...
You felt a rush of blood through your body as your cheeks became flushed. Hurriedly, you silently left and closed the door with a pounding heart.
Zayne looked at the door and tilted his head. Meanwhile, you ran back to your room and hid under the covers.
He's real... right... he's real from yesterday... AND HE'S NAKED!!! NAKED!!
You settled your heart by taking deep breaths and finally, you emerged from your room and saw him wearing the thin sweater you bought for him yesterday.
Suddenly, you remembered what you saw earlier making your face turn red at the sight of him.
"Do you have fever?" He asked while approaching you. He held the back of his hand against your forehead and his face was close to yours.
"N-NO! I DON'T HAVE FEVER!" You exclaimed as you turned away.
His face is TOO close!!!
"I see. But your cheeks are red and your--" Zayne continued but you interrupted.
"Shhhh. No diagnosis, doctor Zayne." You pouted then went to the kitchen to make breakfast. His sight followed and observed your movements as if he was studying you.
Last night, she didn't eat as much as the in-game story portrayed her to be. I'll have to cut off a bit of her serving size next time. There's still so much to learn and love about you.
Zayne thought.
After a few minutes, you two started eating breakfast and you felt that somehow, Zayne looked tired.
Wait... I passed out last night... I didn't tell him where to sleep!!
The sudden realization of your negligence enveloped your heart with guilt.
"Uhm, Zayne... did you sleep last night?" You asked.
"I took a nap." He replied.
"I... I'm sorry. I forgot to tell you where to sleep last night." You sincerely apologized but he shook his head.
"It's fine. You only have one room and you couldn't have prepared yourself for my arrival." He smiled.
I can't let him sleep on the couch... not only that he's an insomniac... but I really can't let THE doctor Zayne just sleep there!
"You can sleep beside me." You finally said.
He looked at you and his face showed great interest as to what you were saying.
"The bed is big enough for three people to sleep on." You smiled and nodded. "We can share the bed."
"Are you sure?" He asked.
"Mhm. I'd rather you sleep there than being uncomfortable on the couch."
Maybe I'll catch him off guard and finally unravel the mystery behind his existence.
After breakfast, Zayne continued on looking for work that he could somehow do while you opened Love and Deepspace. Infold sent out an in game mail that mentioned about an error in their system causing the Love Interest to go missing. Somehow, no one actually remembers who this Love Interest is so they placed someone else in lieu of Zayne.
He's not here but he was replaced by someone else last night... hmmm he looks alright but Zayne is still better.
From your screen you looked at the random person they added in place of Zayne. A man with red hair and amber eyes that feels playful.
NOTHING STILL BEATS THE STOIC DOCTOR WITH A GAP MOE FOR CARING FOR OTHER PEOPLE, CUTE THINGS AND CATS!!! GRRRR!!
You frowned then closed the app and Zayne chuckled.
"You saw something in game you didn't like?" He asked while scrolling through the list of jobs.
"They replaced you with someone else. Very different from you." You pouted.
"Well, it is expected. After all, while I went missing, the scenarios I was in weren't removed." He casually replied.
Now's my chance!!!!
"So, how did you get in this world? It seems to me that you're aware of what was about to happen..." You asked.
He took a deep breath and looked at you.
"I'd like to elaborate further but I am bound by a promise... I hope you'd understand." His eyes looked at you, telling you to believe him.
"But for someone from fiction to just..."
"I know."
"But why? Why would you do that?" You finally asked.
The room was suddenly filled with silence. He looked at you with his expressionless face but his eyes tells a lot.
"I've been in love with you in every universe. I can't have anybody else dictate how our love should end... not anymore." He stood up and squatted in front of you while you sat at the corner of the bed.
He looked up at you and smiled. He did it again... your doubts, worries and questions were answered just like that.
But... how can you do that...? Am I even worth all these trouble?
Sensing your uneasiness, he gently held your hand between his palms.
"Do you love me too?" He asked.
You looked at the man before you. His face that you always thought was perfect, his eyes that feels like they could peek inside your heart to see your desires, his soft hair that you like to touch, his calm demeanor that makes you feel safe... everything. Everything about him is perfect...
You can't help but cry.
Cry because finally, you can be with him... without the limitation of the line between reality and fiction.
You nodded and embraced him.
"Yes... I do love you, Zayne." You finally replied.
His eyes widened and his arms gently embraced you back.
"I'm glad." He softly uttered in your ear. "I thought you might hate me for doing this."
"No... I am happy that finally... I get to touch and feel you like this..." You smiled at him through your tears.
"Everyday... In that destiny cafe... you don't know how much I want to sit and eat with you while talking about things... how I want to put a blanket over you whenever I catch you napping... And how much I want to exclude everyone except you... I'm happy... I'm happy that you're here." You cried as you tell him the feelings you wanted to tell him for a long time now.
He wiped your tears with his thumb and smiled at you.
"I'll choose you every time, Zayne" Your lips were shaking as you spoke of your feelings. His hand cupped your cheek while the other supported the back of your head.
You looked into his eyes and slowly, you two melted into a kiss.
Your hand rested on his steady chest as his mouth slowly moved to gently suck your lip. As you gently pulled away, a thin string of saliva was form between your mouths.
"I love you." He uttered. "Whatever world it is, whatever universe it is... whatever form you take... I'll love you as I always did."
<< Chapter 2: Maybe a god took pity on you.
>> Chapter 4: Landing a job is easy if you're handsome
Self-aware; Ongoing series (here's the link to part 1)
Part 2: Maybe a god took pity on you.
As you approached the dining room, Zayne was laying down the plates on the table. The yellow lights made his complexion warmer and his face softer.
Suddenly, you felt your heart skip a beat as your cheeks felt hot.
Hngghhh... I've had my doubts earlier but seeing him like this is just... He's just too handsome!!
"Come," He noticed you staring at him from the corner. He pulled a chair for you to sit. "As a sign of thanks for today."
You sat on the chair and in front of you is a full meal -- steak, mashed potatoes with gravy, as small serving of pasta and some roasted asparagus.
His eyes looked at your expression -- seemingly looking for your approval.
"Ohhh these smell great!!" You exclaimed and took bite. "Mmmhhh!! So yummy!”
He smiled and nodded. "I'm glad that my cooking is to your liking." He replied and started eating.
The delicious food washed away your doubts as to his existence. After all, what's the harm in enjoying his company? He's right. Didn't you wish he was real?
As you were eating, you surveyed his face as if trying to figure out if he was real.
The way he chews his food, the way his hands and arms moved... It was all flawless -- he is real
He noticed you looking at him and he stared back, filling the air between the two of you with awkwardness.
"I... Uh..." You started fidgeting and feeling uncomfortable.
"... I was wondering since earlier..." He started. "If I could get a job here."
He took a deep breath.
"I am very much aware that my credentials and identification are not valid here. But, I don't want you to spend your money on keeping me alive."
"Further, I'd like to spend or buy whatever you want too." He finally said while placing his silverware together at the middle of his plate.
"Uhm... Before that, Zayne..." You uttered. "Are you sure you'd be here for a long time? Long enough to actually earn for me?"
It's been in your thoughts since earlier that he might vanish without a trace, the same way he vanished from the game. After all, he is not from this world.
"Yes. I am sure." He replied without hesitation.
I paid a great price for this... I should be able to be with you for a very long time.
He thought as he observed your expression.
"Alright. How about we search for a job with minimum requirements?" You smiled.
His existence... His motives... His entirety... There's still something to unpack here... I can't let my guard down.
You thought and finally took the last bite of your dinner.
After cleaning up you booted up your PC in the bedroom and you let him sit on your computer chair.
"You can look it up here while I do my own research as well. Hehe, it'll be more efficient if there's the two of us looking for it." You said while booting up your laptop then sat beside him.
He looked into the screen and started searching and after an hour, both of you arrived at nothing as every job listed needs government IDs, transcript of records, clearance and the like.
He sighed.
"It seems like we're on a dead end and I doubt I could legally practice medicine here." He uttered while closing the tabs.
You sat at the edge of the bed and fluffed the pillows.
"Zayne." You called him and he looked at you. "Is there anything you want to do other than being a doctor?"
"... I haven't thought about that." He placed his finger on his chin. "I wanted to save you that's why I was a doctor. But seeing you now..." He gently smiled. "I can still be your doctor but at the same time, it seems like there's no need for me to do so as there are no aethercores here."
His gaze locked with yours as he stood up and sat beside you.
Still being wary of him, you moved a bit away from him to maintain distance.
"I'll think of what I can do. You seem drowsy." He touched your face and for some reason, despite being wary, you felt comfortable with his touch.
You closed your eyes and felt his warm touch against you.
"Say... Since you like pastries so much, how about just selling them?" You uttered under your breath. "Putting up a small business doesn't require you to give out any identification but I can. Maybe we could just do that rather than applying for a job from some company."
Zayne didn't speak but he sensed your drowsiness. He gently laid you down the bed and tucked you in.
"Let's think about that tomorrow." He softly said but you were already asleep. "Goodnight."
Not wanting to violate the distance you made earlier, he saved his goodnight kiss for some other time then left the bedroom.
Zayne laid down the couch, and just like any other night, he had a hard time falling asleep.
... I did say I won't vanish just like that but... I wonder how long will this body sustain here?
He thought while staring into the ceiling.
She seems careful of me. While I can't blame her, it still pains me.
He sighed then looked at the door to your bedroom. Around him was your cozy living room -- nothing much but a coffee table with magazines beneath, a reclining chair, and a couch.
I finally found you... The real you... And I will not let go this time.
You thought to yourself as you speed up your reports to be submitted tomorrow, the end of the month.
Boss is not helping as well... I wanna go home and see him...
After rendering an overtime, you finally finished the work due tomorrow so you could take the weekend off tomorrow without worrying about work. You bought convenience store food then head straight home. After taking a bath, you laid on your bed and opened your game Love and Deepspace.
Zayne is so handsome...
You blush to yourself while your feet are kicking in the air. The giddy feeling you felt kept you going and somehow, you've become used to it.
Zayne was the one who welcomed you in the Destiny Cafe even though you've set them and their clothing at random. You giggled at the sight of him wearing his favorite dark eyeglasses with his dark wardrobe.
Never escaping the fashionista shades enjoyer allegations.
Doing daily tasks had been a muscle memory. Where to tap, the interaction with Zayne and occasionally listening to secret times until you fall asleep.
Tonight, however, you just want to stare at the man behind the screen. Thinking, maybe, maybe someone out there will treat you like he does.
"Silly... That's why he's fictional. There's no one like him in this world..." You whisper as you tapped into the screen then shortly fell asleep with your thumb resting on his chest.
"To me, you are unlike anyone else." Zayne said while the interface continuously read your thumb's touch.
Zayne took a deep breath.
"Did you somehow fall asleep on your phone?" He whispered as he moved closer to the screen.
"You've been working... too much... sometimes for me and most of the time, for your family." He softly uttered as he reached out.
Maybe its time... To risk it for you.
He smiled then slowly, the game glitched as he forced his way through the screen. From pixels to human flesh., from being reliant to the user interface to being able to feel from his own skin, and from fiction to reality.
He crossed the line that was never supposed to be crossed by anybody.
The next morning, you snuggled against your "warm bolster pillow", rubbing your face against it.
Hm? That's odd... the pillow is kinda hard...
You thought but you didn't open your eyes. You run your hand against it's back and noticed that it doesn't feel like a pillow -- It was warm and it felt like a soft human skin
Suddenly, you felt it breathing slowly.
Huh? Why is my pillow breathing?
You open your eyes and saw someone else's chest.
"AHHH!!!" You shrieked then sat up urgently. Your heart pounded as you thought about a stranger sleeping beside you.
Finally, your eyes landed on the man laying down on his side facing you. His eyes were still closed and his breathing was steady, as if he was recovering from a tired night.
It was the face you're most familiar with, the face you longed to see in your world... the face you knew and accepted that was never going to be real... and yet... and yet...
"Zayne...?" You uttered.
Zayne didn't awoke but continued on sleeping. Your eyes surveyed him from his head to his toes.
What is happening? I should pinch myself-- OW! okay, he's still here... That means I'm not dreaming? What if he's just a projection?
Breathing heavily, you decided to touch him.
Your fingers gently felt his soft cheek and its warmth convinced you that he is real and alive.
Just as you lift your hand, he suddenly took a hold of your wrist. Slowly, he opened his eyes and it's there... the familiar emerald eyes that made you swoon and giggle every time they stare at you.
"So it's you." He uttered then sat up. His cold eyes focused on you.
"Zayne... what are you..." Your mind couldn't process what was happening. Your heart beats rapidly while your breath became heavy.
"You're the person behind that empty vessel." He continued.
"Empty... vessel..? You mean the MC?" You asked and he nodded. "Yes... you could say it like that hahaha..." You laughed nervously as you couldn't help but think that he might get mad at you for using something else to represent your true self in front of him.
"I see. You feel more real now." He smiled then let go of you. "I was wondering why that empty vessel only replies to me in repetitive answers. I was right. There was something that limits our interaction."
He stood up and you noticed how tall he actually was.
I... Holy shit he's so fine in person... I know he's hot as fuck but damn...
"Did you like our story there?" He asked then looked at you.
"... It was romantic but... I don't like that we kept on being apart." You admitted.
You hated seeing it. The same narrative over and over of him dying for you -- It was tiring and you want him to be with you for a very long time.
"Me too. I remember everything and every memories we had but was forced to pretend not to know about it." He chuckled. "It was tough."
"Wait! You remember everything??" You asked while crawling to the side of the bed near him.
"Yes. I have no regrets giving my life or lives up for you." He bent down and moved closer to you. "But... When will we get a happy ending?"
With eyes filled with hope and love, you stood up and held both of his hands in to yours.
"LETS DO IT!" You bravely said.
He looked puzzled and his eye brows were furrowed.
"Do what?" He tilted his head.
"If... if that universe doesn't want us to be together, then maybe, we could do it here! Lets be together and have the happy ending!!" You happily proposed.
For the first time, you heard him laugh his heart out. He clasped both of your hands between his slender hands and kissed them.
You felt flustered as your eyes widened from the sight and from feeling the warmth of his breath against your hands.
"If I knew that the person behind that empty vessel was this enthusiastic and adorable, I would've done this a long time ago." He smiled.
In the afternoon, you decided to buy him clothes at the mall as there was none that fit him from your closet.
"Here, try this on." You gave him a dark colored button up shirt.
"You always choose dark colors for me." He smiled then received the items you wanted him to try on.
"It suits you! The cold ice prince clad in dark wardrobe! Oh!! IF SO COLD, WHY SO HOT??!" You giggled as he smiled at you.
After trying on the clothes, you bought him a lot. I mean, a lot! The same way you want or bought his in game wardrobe, you also want him to dress up comfortably and honestly, he looks good in everything.
As you two walked through the mall, he gently intertwined his fingers with yours. You leaned in close against him as if it was the most natural thing to do.
"How about let's just do the groceries then go back home?" He asked.
"You don't want to eat outside?"
"Well... I do feel uneasy that you bought me a lot of things. I thought I should make something for you in return." He explained and pushed his glasses.
While at the grocery, people around you were staring at Zayne. Some, you could hear the murmurs of them telling how good looking and fine he was while some wanted to ask his Instagram or any social media accounts.
I get it. I get it. He's an eye candy and all but he's mine.
"Are you listening?" He asked and looked at you.
"Oh uhhh.... sorry... I was just looking at this wonderful cabbage. ahaha..." You nervously laughed while running your palm against the poor innocent cabbage.
"I was asking if you have any allergies." He repeated and you shook your head.
He gently smiled at you and tucked your hair behind your ear.
"Don't look at anybody else. Focus on me." He softly uttered.
You took a deep breath to calm your pounding heart and nodded.
Back at your place, he wasted no time and started preparing dinner while you soaked yourself into the warm water of the tub.
Is he really really real?? If there's a God please please... let me have this one...
You thought while hugging your knees.
But... he's not supposed to exist here... what if he just vanishes tomorrow or something...
Wait! I haven't opened the game yet!! If he's there... then...
You stood up and rummaged through the pocket of your jeans that hung by the doorknob.
Opening the app, you saw Rafayel instead of Zayne.
He's not... He's not here...?
The interface showed no signs of Zayne and in the in-game story, all his appearances were left blank.
But.. Infold haven't sent any emergency patch yet? Zayne is literally missing in game!
You made another account and again, there were no signs of Zayne anywhere.
Your heart sank -- partly afraid and partly creeped out of what was actually happening. You hurriedly browsed your social media accounts to see if anybody noticed that he was missing in game but no one was talking about it -- as if he never existed in the game.
Zayne... what did you do...?
You changed into your house clothes then opened the door and saw him waiting for you. Your hands held both his arms and gently pushed him against the wall and he let you.
Zayne looked at you, his expression was no different -- he was stoic but his eyes looked puzzled.
"Zayne. I will ask you this. How did you cross the game to reality?" You looked at him straight in the eye, expecting an honest answer.
He took a deep breath and gently held both of your hands.
"For months... no. For almost a year, I've had my suspicions that there's another being controlling that empty vessel..." He explained. "All those repetitive answers, repetitive questions... the pointless reason of why I had to go to that cafe every time... I've been looking for answers."
Your eyes widened.
"And here's my answer. To the Astra who kept on separating us... to the people who made it so that we won't ever be happy together... to you... who chose me every time." He moved closer to you but you walked backwards away from him. Suddenly, you felt afraid as you are unsure of his existence and intentions.
Who are you..?
He walked closer to you but you kept on moving backwards until there was nowhere to go. Your back gently laid on the wall as he touched the wall behind, cornering you.
"Did you not want this too?" He asked while he leaned down to meet you at eye level.
Your breathing was heavy but your eyes couldn't look away from him. He moved his face closer to yours... so close that your lips felt his warm breath.
His eyes were half closed as he slowly leaned in for a kiss. But just as before your lips touched, a sharp alarm was heard from the kitchen.
As if snapping back to reality, Zayne stood up straight and cleared his throat.
"Well... dinner's about to be ready. I should arrange the table." He said then walked towards the kitchen.
Your heart was still pounding and your mind couldn't filter which emotions to feel. Were you afraid? Giddy? Happy? Scared?
You clutched your chest and took a deep breath.
Calm down... Calm down... If he's the very same Zayne from the game, he wouldn't do anything to hurt me.
You convinced yourself then went to the dining area.
I'm sure it's canon at this point that Caleb will just look at you as you argue your point because it turns him on and he finds it hot the way you argue.
The way your eye brows furrow, the way your lips moved as you speak, the way your hand gestures, the intonation of your voice while you talk, and the way your eyes look at him --he imprints everything in his mind.
Caleb's lips would form a little smile as he adds more fuel to the fire just to tease you bit because he enjoys every second of it.
In the end, once he feels satisfied, he'll give you a head pat but you were still not done proving your point and he finds it adorable. He'll let out a small chuckle as he 'concedes' to you then announces that you 'win'.
Introduction: Is the house actually haunted and scary or is it just being inhabited by a misunderstood and lonely soul? Caleb's regrets made him stay longer in the land of the living than he should. The longer he stayed, the heavier and more exhausted he feels every passing day. However, an unexpected friend decided to help him by mending his past relationships and to alleviate his regrets until he peacefully passes on.
Tags: Slice of life, romance, tragedy, supernatural elements, fanfiction
Contains trigger warnings, read at your own risk.
1. Nice to meet you
…This is the cheapest one I could find…
Erin looked at the flyer in her hand and in front of her, a small-sized apartment that could only fit a family of three. It has a neat porch with its gates painted gray and a door that is operated by a digital lock.
The roof had a navy blue accent while the house was painted white.
looks like a man used to live here…
Shortly, the landlord arrived and toured her inside the place. It had a modern design and everything was functional.
"It's a good place with a good price, plus, its a rent to own. So, what do you say?" The landlord asked, hoping that she'd say yes. He always wanted the house to be sold but no one wanted it due to rumours circulating around the vicinity where a lingering spirit still wasn't laid to rest.
"It's too good to be true, sir. I will ask you to be transparent with me, please." Erin looked at the landlord and her light brown eyes stared at him.
He sighed and finally said "There are rumours that a ghost inhabits this place, but I personally didn't feel it or saw it… The rumors made everybody hesitant to--"
"I see. Then I'll take it. As long as this place is not on a fault line or if the house is actually crumbling, I don't have any problems." She smiled then handed him the payment for the next three months.
She wasted no time and transported her things from her former residence to the new one. She didn't have any problems as she only had few belongings.
In her living room, boxes stack over each other and a couch rested at the side. She started cleaning up and arranging her home.
After, she stood up and looked st the clock.
[9:43PM]
That's better than I thought. I finished everything within the day.
She took off her clothes then went to the bathroom to soak herself and bathe.
Dad won't find me here. This is too far from home
She rinsed then changed into a shirt and shorts. In her pantry, she grabbed some instant noodles, rice, and juice. She sat on the floor and started eating.
"Really? All carbs for dinner? High in Sodium as well?" An unfamiliar voice chuckled. She heard it completely but she decided to ignore it.
Fuck. So it was true… About the lingering spirit here… It sounds like a man, too
She chewed on her noodles loudly to mask the voice she heard.
"BOO!" The voice loudly exclaimed and attempted to scare her by moving his face near hers.
"FUCKING HELL!!!" SHE SCREAMED AS HER HEART POUNDED IN SURPRISE.
"Hahahahhahahaha," The ghost in front of her heartily laughed. Instead of being scared, she frowned as if she's pissed off.
"Tsk. You almost made me spill my noodles you fuckwad." She crawled back to her table and continued eating.
"You're not scared…" The ghost said and sat beside her.
"Just fuck off so we could have each other's peace." She replied then turned on her laptop to browse some emails.
"But I don't want you here." He uttered.
"I don't care. I live here now." She frowned.
He sat at the opposite side of the folding table and rested his chin on top of the screen of her laptop.
"What's your name?" He asked.
Erin finally looked at his face. His eyes were bright and had a purple color to it and his smile felt warm. His short hair was dark and soft-looking.
He's handsome… He probably had lots of women all over him when he was still alive.
She didn't reply but continued scrolling through the emails.
"I'm Caleb." He started.
"Erin." She dryly replied. She stood up then grabbed an ashtray and a pack of cigarettes. She lit one then accepted a commission from the email.
Caleb sat on the couch and crossed his legs. He watched her smoke her cigarette while sketching something.
She's not bad looking. What's she doing here? She should be pampered by someone instead of living in a cursed place like this.
She yawned then decided to tuck in for tonight. Erin approached her bed room and opened the door.
"Goodnight," Caleb said as he laid down the couch.
"Goodnight." She replied then closed the door behind her.
She laid on her bed and rolled to her side, hugging her pillow.
That was quite disturbing… But I have to keep my shit together.
Erin removed her clothes and covered herself in a blanket. She closed her eyes and forced herself to sleep. Meanwhile, Caleb laid on the couch and raised his transluscent hand.
… I want to pass on already… I'm getting tired…
2. Regret
The next day, Erin woke up at noon. Her body felt like it was beaten up due to yesterday's moving activity. She stood up and stretched.
"Aaauugghhhh" She sighed loudly as she felt the pain from her arms and calves.
Caleb emerged from the walls, panicking.
"WHAT IS IT??? WHAT HAPPENED?!?" He exclaimed.
"AHHHH!!! GET OUT!!" Erin covered her chest and threw a pillow at him.
"AHHH! I'M SORRY! WHY ARE YOU NAKED?!?” Caleb covered his eyes but he still saw her through his translucent hands.
"OUTTTT!!!!" She yelled as her face turned red.
"YES MA'AM" He closed his eyes then went back through the wall.
Fuck. I totally forgot about him
Erin caught her breath and settled her pounding heart.
Caleb took a deep breath as he stood in front of her door.
… If I had my body right now, I would've been hard… What the fuck was that..? Did she get the hots last night?
Half an hour later, Erin finally got out of her room. She wore her trousers and loose sleeveless then went to the kitchen to cook lunch.
Caleb hadn't said anything but his eyes followed her.
Shit, this is awkward.
He thought and furrowed his brows. Minutes later, Erin finally finished cooking her fried rice and luncheon meat; she started eating.
Caleb sat in front of her and watched her.
"So, why were you naked earlier?" He controlled his laughter. He expected her to be pissed off or get shy from his question but Erin just stared at him with a blank expression.
"I sleep naked." She answered as she chewed on her food.
"Oh." Caleb's ears turned red.
"So, I'd appreciate it if you stay away from my room when I'm sleeping." She requested.
"Request granted." He cleared his throat.
I guess I should just get along with him if I want a peace of mind living with a ghost. He seems reasonable.
Few weeks passed and Erin became used to having Caleb around the house. She opened her laptop and looked for commission works again. Beside her was Caleb, reading the email too.
"You do article writing?" He asked while reading the screen. She nodded.
"It's easy work. I write decent, I think." She said then started reading related articles for her next commission.
"Does it pay well?" Caleb asked and she shrugged.
"It gets me by. Enough for me to buy meals." She smiled.
Afterwards, she decided to go out and buy something to drink.
"You're leaving?" Caleb asked while watching her put on her shoes.
"Yeah I'm just going to the convenience store to buy some beer and cigarettes. You wanna come?" She asked.
He smiled at her. Erin always thought that he has a nice smile. Probably a smile that could secure business deals or close a real estate sale.
"I can't leave this place." Caleb said and tried to walk towards the door but it looked like there's an invisible wall between the house and the outside world.
"I see. Then, I'll be back. Watch the house for me." She thoughtfully said then left.
He returned to the living room and sat on the couch. Erin left the television open for him and he watched.
… I want to change channels…
He touched the remote control but his hand just passed through it.
Hurry up… Go home already, Erin
After almost an hour, Caleb heard the gates being opened. He jolted up from his seat then waited for her at the door. When she opened the door, Caleb was already beaming with a smile while looking at her.
"Welcome home" He warmly greeted her.
"Uhhh, yeah. I wasn't gone for too long though…" She tilted her head and noticed that he was waiting for a response "I'm home."
Caleb nodded then they both went to the backyard. Erin took the time to clean the backyard and arranged it neatly. There were not much plants as her budget didn't let her indulge in taking care of plants.
She placed the bottles of beer on the table, her ashtray and some chips. Caleb sat at the opposite end of the table.
She gulped her beer and felt satisfied.
"Ahhh that hits the spot." She grinned and puffed her cigarette. "You should drink some, Caleb."
Caleb laughed "Are you teasing me?"
"Boooo you suck" she laughed then chugged her beer. "You still haven't told me why you died." Her tone was suddenly serious.
"Okay, you guess it first then if you get it right, I'll give you something." Caleb said then looked at her.
"Hmmm" She furrowed her eyebrows. "You were having gay sex and slipped on the lube you were using"
"WHAT?!?" Caleb laughed loud. "Why the fuck would you even think that??" He held his stomach while laughing.
"I dunno I just felt like saying it" She giggled. "Okay so not that"
"Not that" Caleb was still laughing.
"Okay so I was thinking, right… You were soooo hungry but the burger patties were not thawed and stacked on each other. THEN you forced them to separate using a knife but it slipped and you accidentally stabbed yourself." Erin explained with an expression and gesturing how one separates burger patties using a knife. She looked proud of herself coming up with ways to die.
"Fucking hell, Erin! Hahahaha I'm not that dumb" Caleb laughed.
"Are you not?" She teased then puffed her cigarette.
Caleb gasped at her in disbelief. "Okay, maybe I'm a little dumb but not THAT dumb to force frozen patties to separate"
"Okay so not that, huh" Erin tilted her head.
"Okay I'll just stop you right there. I can't listen anymore with your dumb ways to die scenarios." He smiled.
Erin laughed and grinned "Okay then, Mr. Caleb. You can tell me what happened."
He took a deep breath. "I.. Uhhh.."
Erin sensed a discomfort from him but she didn't speak.
"I committed suicide in this house." He finally admitted.
"Dude… What the fuck?" Erin reacted.
"Damn, and I thought you were gonna pity me." Caleb faked a laugh.
"So what lead you to that?" She worriedly asked.
"I uh… My long term girlfriend left me, my grades were on all time low, I was off meds, I was spending excessively and my parents froze my account… I was drinking every night and partying, having sex with random women…" He took a deep breath.
Erin waited for him to continue. Her heart felt heavy from his admission.
"No one told me I was wrong, not even my parents, they didn't care. No one told me 'bro, get a hold of yourself this ain't you' something like that." His voice cracked.
"No one… Was there…" He exhaled. "Next thing I knew, I died by overdose."
Erin's lips trembled and her eyes felt like it was burning.
"I'm sorry you had to go through that." She softly said.
Caleb smiled. "Yeah, me too… At this point, I just want to pass on. I don't care about the past anymore." He shrugged.
"How do you pass on?" she asked.
"I think it's because I have this regret that I still have and remains unsolved." He replied.
"So… What is that regret?" She puffed on her cigarette.
"I honestly don't know. I had so many." He smiled but his eyes looked sad.
"Let's list them all and try it all one by one." She said then went inside the house to grab her notepad. "Okay, I'm ready." She puts on her thick framed glasses then nodded.
Caleb chuckled. "You're serious about this. You want me out that much?"
"Yes, and I'm sure you're tired just wandering around this place." She replied.
"Not gonna lie, wandering around here feels bearable since you're here." He smiled then looked at the empty sky. "But yes, I do feel heavier and exhausted the more I stay here."
Erin opened her notepad and wrote "bucketlist"
"For one, I didn't graduate college." He said. "Would be nice to see how I look wearing my pilot uniform.." Caleb spoke with regret.
"Another is that I wasn't exactly a good person when I was living. I had so much money but I helped no one but spent everything on luxury." He took a deep breath. "Kinda regretting that. I could've changed someone's life but I didn't"
Erin continued on writing her list.
"What else…" Caleb looked at Erin and she shrugged.
"Right, I didn't tell my parents that I love them. They provided me with everything but I was a prodigal son."
"That's three…" She uttered. "Any more?"
"… I never had real friends." He bitterly replied. "I would've been alive if I had even just one checking up on me."
Erin exhaled. "Okay, lets do all that so you'll pass on. I don't want you wandering here aimlessly. You don't belong here." She replied then closed her notepad.
"Are you always like this?" He asked.
"Always like what?"
"Helping wandering souls or something." He chuckled.
"No." She looked him in the eye. "You're the only one I see."
"Oh." Caleb's cheeks turned red. "Uhm… I don't know what to say… Gee.."
"What the fuck are you acting coy for? Hahaha" Erin laughed. "I meant, you're the first spirit I see."
"Whaattt? Really? But you don't seem afraid. Almost like… You're used to it."
"Buddy, I'm tired. I don't care whatever supernatural shit going on. I just want my money so I can buy more things than just instant noodles." She chuckled then chugged on her beer.
"And right now my priority is you." She uttered.
"Oh…" Caleb's ears turned red. "I see…"
"Fuckkk why do you interpret my words like that hahaha" Erin laughed again.
Caleb just looked at her while she was laughing. He thought that she was a naturally happy and carefree girl but she has some baggage that shaped her into who she is now.
"Say… I don't see you with anybody… Are you alone too?" He asked.
"Yup. Alone as fuck. But I'm not like you. I know what my goals are and I do not have the luxury to afford things that could kill me except starvation and unfair treatment from the healthcare system."
Erin and Caleb shared a hearty laugh.
"You're cool to hangout with." He chuckled. "Sad we met when I'm in this… Uh… Situation."
"Hate to break it to you but, I doubt we'd even meet if you were living. You probably won't even bat an eye at my direction." She smiled and shook her head.
"Why not? You're pretty enough--”
"I'm poor and I don't really afford the places you go regularly to. You go to different clubs while I do extra work for others. Things like that… We're bound to meet like this and not in any other way."
Caleb stood up and approached her. He squatted down and looked at her face.
"Add that to my regret. That I didn't meet you sooner." He smiled.
"Whatever you say, sir." She smiled then wrote his final regret.
After finishing the last bottle of beer, she decided to call it a night. Caleb followed her until her room.
"Didn't we have an agreement for you to stay away when I'm sleeping?" She raised a brow.
"Yeah but… Don't remove your clothes. I wanna stay here for a while." Caleb said then sat on the chair near her bed.
The fuck does this ghost want?
She frowned but she wasn't in the mood to fight. So she changed into her sleeveless and dolphin shorts.
"Oh… Changing in front of me… How bold." Caleb teased.
"You've seen me naked. I don't think there's any more of me I could show you." She flatly said then crawled to bed. She wrapped herself in a blanket then closed her eyes.
"Can I lay beside you?" He asked.
"Do whatever you want." She said as she scoots over to make space for him.
"Goodnight," He softly uttered as he laid down beside her.
"Night." She replied then drifted off to sleep.
Caleb watched her slowly as she slept. Her mouth was ajar and her eyelids were unmoving. The steady rise and fall of her chest indicates that she's breathing and alive.
Pity… I met you like this… I needed a friend who didn't pamper my bullshit when I was alive.
Caleb smiled then watched her for the rest of the night.
3. Square one
"Caleb, is there anything left here as your belongings?" Erin asked while drinking her hot cocoa.
"Yeah, there are some. Why?" He approached her and sat beside her.
"I was wondering if we could write your parents a letter. You said you didn't tell them you love them." She replied.
"How do you plan on doing that? I mean… Is it not suspicious that a sudden letter emerged out of nowhere?" Caleb chuckled.
"I was thinking that I could copy your handwriting and forge your signature then put some coffee drops on the paper to mimic aging… Then fold it then insert it in a book or something." She stood up then grabbed a piece of paper.
"Then I'd be like 'oh, I just found this letter inserted in a book here idk who Caleb is though. I'm just someone who rents this place' something like that."
"Wow, you thought about that?" Caleb clapped.
"Thank you, yes I know I'm smart." She giggled.
"Haha, yes, you are very intelligent." Caleb chuckled. "Well, there are boxes underneath the closet. I have some books there and some notes I had."
"We should write your letter first. So the paper would age in a way before giving it." She said then opened her closet. At the floor of the closet there's an odd platform.
"Here?" She asked and touched it.
"Yup, you press to open it."
Erin gently pressed the platform and four dusty boxes were inside it.
She carried the boxes to the living room then opened each one. One contained several books, papers, notebooks and academic related documents. Another contained his clothes. The third one has consoles and handheld devices and the last had trading cards in it.
Erin's interest were with the trading cards. She carefully removed them from the box. She didn't want to crumple or cause the cards to be damaged. Caleb smiled at her.
Looks like she knows what she's doing
"Holy fuck… These are expensive… Shiny cards as well??" She said while gently scanning through the cards.
"You should check the binder. It has some expensive ones too that they never reprinted. I think I also had some unopened booster packs." Caleb looked at her in adoration.
She looks so happy.
"Do you play?" He finally asked and she nodded. She opened the binder and before her, several shiny cards were revealed. Some were limited edition and signed.
She gasped and yelled in excitement "AAAHHHHH THIS IS THE LIMITED EDITION DINOSAUR DECK ART! SIGNED TOO??"
"Yup, I also had the samurai commander signed by the VA." Caleb added. Seeing her happy made him happy as well.
"Ohhhh oohhh! These are wonderful!!!" She said and browsed the binder. "It's like finding a pirate's treasure." She giggled.
Caleb observed every expression she made. He wanted to see more of her being that happy.
"Since you know its value and you know how to play, they are all yours." He softly said.
Erin suddenly stopped what she was doing and looked at Caleb.
"… Are you sure? I mean… These are really reaallllyy expensive stuff… And you're just giving it away?"
"Hahaha," he laughed "I want to make you happy, Erin. And if those makes you happy, its yours. I can't play anymore but you still can. You can even sell them if you want."
sell them? If I sold these I would have… Money to finish college…
"Are… Are you sure?" Erin's lips trembled and tears suddenly fell from her eyes.
"Yes. Use it as you will." Caleb smiled and watched her. She placed her face against her palm and started crying.
Caleb raised his hand to touch her but his hand went through her.
right… I can't touch anything
"I'll sell the ones I won't be needing for my deck. I need the money for you and the rest… I plan to continue on studying"
Caleb felt heavy. The things that he had so much when he was alive was needed by someone else. He took a deep breath and smiled.
"Good. If you need money, there's more…" He said but she shook her head.
"This is enough, Caleb. Thank you, really." Erin smiled through her tears and he suddenly felt flustered. She looked beautiful.
She gently placed the cards on to the table then started rummaging through his books and notebooks. She opened one and read his handwriting.
Erin noticed that he liked making graphs or charts rather than writing out words.
His handwriting is okay, I can copy this
She also found his school records. It showed that his grades were high, could be a dean's lister but on the third year, his grades fell.
"So around this time, huh?" She asked and he nodded.
"Yeah… The year that I died." He replied.
He's been alone here for almost five years…
Erin sighed then placed his notebook and the document on the table.
"I'll deal with the cards and other sellable items later. I'll practice your handwriting first." She smiled. "But, before that. I'll go for some quick shopping. I'm running out of things to eat." She stood up then cleaned the living room and left the notebook and documents on the coffee table.
Caleb watched her.
I want to help too…
Erin grabbed her coat then left the house. It's nearing winter and the climate had been colder.
… He had so much potential… It must've pained him seeing those… I have to give him space.
Caleb looked at his transcript of records where his grades were reflected.
I could've done so much better… Why did I..? Why did I fuck it up…
Caleb cried. His heart felt heavy and painful. The sudden realization of what he could have made him feel regretful about everything.
After almost an hour, Erin returned and Caleb was already waiting for her at the door.
"Welcome home" He greeted her with a smile.
Erin looked up at him and she was shivering.
"I'm h-home." She replied then turned up the heater. "It's quite cold outside…"
She removed her coat then placed the bag of groceries at the kitchen table.
"Wanna hug?" Caleb spread his arms. He was just joking as he knew he could never provide such thing.
To his surprise, Erin approached him and gave him a hug. While they both didn't physically feel anything, it was enough to bring them both comfort.
"Never thought you'd actually hug me." Caleb softly said as he petted her head.
"They always say that its the thought that counts. I guess this is what they meant by that." She chuckled.
Erin then pulled away and looked up at him.
"Are you alright?" She asked.
"Hm? Yeah, I'm fine." He forced a smile.
Erin then tied her hair up then started copying the strokes of his handwriting. Caleb watched her silently.
After a few hours of trying, she understood how his hand worked while writing and finally, she was able to copy his penmanship.
"Okay, I just need you to tell me what you wanna tell them." She looked at Caleb who stared at her blankly.
"I see, so you still haven't thought about it." She stood up.
"Sorry… I need a little more time." He replied.
"Tomorrow, you should know what to say." She yawned. "I'm tired. Think about your letter for them."
She opened the door then laid on the bed. She was about to remove her clothes but decided not to.
He might want to stay here.
From the opposite side of the door, Caleb spoke "Can I sleep with you?"
There it is
"Sure, come in." She replied.
Caleb emerged from the walls then laid beside her. He rolled to his side and watched her sleep.
He moved closer to her and laid his arm on her neck and it went through her.
So this is how she'll look like if we cuddle to sleep.
He smiled then closed his eyes.
The next morning, Erin woke up with Caleb sleeping beside her. The sunlight penetrated through him but even so, in her eyes, he looked beautiful.
What a nice way to wake up.
4. Letter of gratitude
"No no no, you chop it too big. You have to chop it finely." Caleb instructed her as the two were making breakfast in the kitchen.
"Like this?" Erin asked and Caleb nodded.
"Yeah that's better. Then if you feel like the soup is too runny, make a slurry first by mixing water and cornstarch then you pour it over the boiling soup."
"Can't I just put the cornstarch directly into the soup?" Erin tilted her head.
"No, it will have a different effect." Caleb answered and she followed his instructions.
After almost two hours of cooking, with Caleb's guidance, she finally added two new dishes to her internal cooking list: hot and sour soup and stir fry beef.
"It smells so good…" She sniffed on the air and she felt satisfied.
"Told ya." Caleb chuckled. "Go on, taste it." His eyes looked eager for her positive reaction.
"Okay," She smiled then took a spoonful of soup. "MHHHHH! ITS SO YUMMYYY!"
She grabbed her fork then ate the stir fry beef.
"ITS LIKE EATING AT AN EXPENSIVE RESTAURANTTT" She continued stuffing her mouth with rice and the dishes she and Caleb made.
He watched her happily eating, hoping that he could share the same meal with her.
This is enough… I shouldn't ask for more.
He thought as she ate heartily.
Eating the last bite she sighed in satisfaction.
"Ahhh I feel so full." She tapped on her stomach.
"Good, see? You can eat better food than instant noodles." Caleb smiled.
"You should teach me some more in the future." She laughed then looked at the sink full of dirty pans and other things she used earlier.
"Go wash the plates, Caleb. I'm tired" She pouted.
Caleb laughed. "So what happened to the strong independent woman? Was it all just for show?"
"Grrr.. Fine." She stood up then started doing the dishes.
Believe me, I'd love to do all those things for you, cooking, cleaning up… Buying you food but I can't
"So, have you decided what to write to your parents?" She asked.
"Yes, we could write it later." Caleb replied. "but what if they won't give a shit?"
"Does it matter? The letter is for you to at least try to tell them how you feel. Whatever their reaction about it doesn't matter. Otherwise, if they reacted negatively, it may add to your regret."
"Isn't that better? I'll stay with you a little longer." He chuckled.
"… As much as I love to have you around, Caleb, this is not a place for you. You will have to pass on in one way or another. And.. I want you to pass on without any regret and happily rather than full of resent and pain." She sincerely replied.
During the afternoon, Erin prepared the papers she need and her pen then laid it on the coffee table. Caleb sat at the opposite side then they started.
Dear mom and dad,
I'd like to say sorry for what's happening with me. I feel like I'm losing myself… The shrink said that I had to take some medicines for it but I don't feel like it. It probably had something to do with how I'm feeling right now.
I saw your photos from your vacation, it looked like you had lots of fun. Heh, are you two going to make me the older brother? I hope so, I'd like to have a baby sibling since i only have my older brothers.
Also, mom and dad, I'd like to thank you for providing me with everything I need and want. Regrettably, I took everything for granted and here I am now, writing you this letter because I feel lost and tired.
I am not a good son to both of you but… You two are good parents… I just wished that you also took the time to ask me how I was… But, either way, it's still solely my fault… My failing grades and all.
I never told both of you but, I love you, mom and dad. I am grateful for everything and I am sorry for what I'm about to do.
Love,
Caleb.
Erin couldn't contain her tears as she wrote his letter. Caleb's voice cracked while he closed the things he wanted to say.
Erin forged his signature then did the process to age the paper a bit then folded it into three and inserted it in a thick old book.
Caleb left the living room then hid in her bedroom that used to be his. He laid down then wept but somehow, he felt lighter.
She let him be for a while then took a stroll at the nearby park.
Now, how do I give it to them?
She thought while watching the kids play in the playground. Her heart felt heavy and her eyes still had tears.
Meanwhile, Caleb stood up then looked for her.
"Erin…?" He called her but there's no answer and the lights were off.
… Did she leave me too?
Caleb remembered how his last girlfriend left him without a word, blocking him in every messaging app possible.
… Erin… What did I do wrong now?
Caleb fell to his knees with the thought of her leaving him the same way. Erin arrived shortly. She was carrying a bag of snacks and some cigarettes.
"I'm hooommeee" She yelled but she saw Caleb crying on the floor.
"Caleb? Are you still in pain?" She asked. He looked up to her and hugged her.
"I thought you left me…" He cried.
"What? Are you hearing yourself? I literally have nowhere to go but here." She chuckled and hugged him back.
He pulled away. "If you're leaving make sure to leave me a note, okay?"
"Yes, sir." She grinned. "I just went to the park and brought some unhealthy snacks from the store."
She walked towards the fridge and grabbed three cans of beer. "I thought we could have a movie night. The comedy one so we could lighten our moods."
Caleb smiled at her. He thought that she was just who he needed when he was alive. He can't help but think how things would've turned differently if they met earlier.
5. Say my name
What the fuck? Why are you pumping up the price?
Sent by: senpaikarasu_88
I'm not. It's literally the same price from the site and I have it graded at 9. I said I'm good for meet ups as well if you want to see for yourself.
Sent by: Right ball
Okay then let's do that then I'll decide. Tomorrow afternoon?
Sent by: senpaikarasu_88
Sure, See you. Bring your money and the deed to your house because I'll bring my binder too.
Sent by: Right ball
Shit. You mean business. Okay I'll see you tomorrow.
Sent by: senpaikarasu_88
"HAHAHAHAHHAA WHY IS YOUR NAME RIGHT BALL?!?!” Caleb laughed as he read through the chat.
"I was looking for my left ball." She laughed.
"Gosh, if I could make an account right now, I'd totally be your left ball." Caleb couldn't control his laughter.
"I bet you would. We'll be unstoppable. The left and right testicles duo." Erin laughed and happy tears formed on their eyes.
Erin decided to sell some of Caleb's trading cards for art materials. For Caleb's regret of not seeing himself in a uniform, she decided to paint him.
The following day, Erin packed her bag and readied for today's sale.
Caleb pouted as he watched her. "Can't the deal happen here? What if something happens to you?"
"Don't worry, I picked the fast food chain near the police station so there's nothing to worry about." Erin assured him and patted his head.
"I'm off now." She said as she opened the door.
"Okay, take care." Caleb watched her until she closed the door. He took a deep breath and laid on her bed.
Erin arrived at the meeting place then secured the deal with the buyer. She also sold him two more collectible cards.
TCG market is nasty. I earned more today than making 20 articles.
She thought then went to buy her art materials. She carried a huge canvas and bags with cans of paint and brushes then walked home.
She arrived then opened the door. Caleb was already waiting for her.
"Welcome home" He smiled.
"I'm home… These are heavyyy" She said then placed her things beside the door.
"That's a lot." He said then watched her.
"Yup, I'll make your portrait as big as those paintings aristocrats have." She joked.
"Hahaha," Caleb laughed. "I must be the luckiest guy in the world to have my portrait like that."
"How did the deal go?" He asked. Erin then placed everything in the living room and arranged the paints on the floor.
"Well, it was good. He was easy to talk to. I sales talked him to get two more hehe. We have extra money now."
She asked Caleb to sit on the stool in front of the canvas.
"Your clothes… Could you change it?" Erin asked.
"Uhh I don't think I could wear any other clothes" He said and looked down on his white long sleeves and jeans.
"I see. Then I'll do something about it. For now, I'll just sketch your form and pose." She said and she started sketching.
She drew Caleb's face shape and his body. It didn't have to be detailed just yet as she would paint over it later on.
"Just that?" Caleb peeked on the canvas with shapes and scribbles.
"Yeah. The details would be the paint's job. For now, I'll look into what your uniform looks like."
She then opened her laptop and browsed with Caleb.
"This one." He pointed at the dark colored uniform with a gold accent.
"Ohhhh that looks hot on you." Erin said then started searching more of the same uniform.
"I know. Damn, I'd look so hot in uniform." He pouted.
Once she got how the uniform looked like, she started sketching on to the canvas.
"Tomorrow, I'll start painting." She yawned.
"Haha you have bags under your eyes." Caleb chuckled.
"Mhm, this girlie needs to rest." She stretched then walked to her room.
As she laid down, she felt something.
… Fuck. It's been months since I got here and now I'm horny
She thought but beside her, Caleb was sitting on her chair.
"Hm? Can't sleep?" He asked.
"… Get out. I'm horny" She uttered.
Caleb's face got flustered but instead of getting out, he sat beside her.
"Ohhh and here I thought you were asexual as fuck." He teased and smiled.
"Grrr get outtt." She turned around.
"Hahaha," Caleb thought it was cute. "Go on, didn't you have that toy in the drawer."
"Yeah but you're here." She furrowed her brows then looked at him.
"I wanna watch" He teased.
"What are you gonna do? Put your spiritual dick in me and I'll moan like 'ahhh! Yes! Caleb! Your spiritual dick feels goooodd' like that?" She laughed.
Caleb laughed "Stop making it so weirddd and spiritual dick? Really? Hahahaha"
"I mean it is weird" She said and stood up. "Out out" She pointed at the door. She opened the drawer and grabbed her toy.
"Lie down here first. Then I'll leave." Caleb smiled.
She took a deep breath and laid down beside him. He then laid on top of her and looked at her in the eye.
"Wh.. What?" She asked as her cheeks turned red. Erin had always thought that his eyes were beautiful.
"Erin…" He whispered in her ear. His voice suddenly made her feel tingle.
She took a deep breath and Caleb smiled.
"It seems to me that you're soaking down there already." He uttered and looked at her expression. She was breathing slowly and deeply. Her eyes finally met his.
"I am." She said as she moved the cloth of her underwear to the side and gently inserted her toy.
"Good girl." Caleb said as he saw what she did. He took a deep breath. "How about you move it slowly?"
Erin did as he said and let out a sigh of pleasure. "Caleb…"
"Yes?" He smiled. "You're doing so well… Does it feel good?"
She nodded.
"Okay, then I'll leave you to it." He said then slowly stood up.
"No…" Erin said as she pleasured herself. "Stay here…"
She slid her hand under her shirt and lifted it up. Caleb's eyes widened from his view.
Shit… That's hot…
"Caleb…" She looked at him while slowly fondling and pleasuring herself.
Caleb watched her as she let out lewd sounds. He approached her and whispered "Bend over, sweetheart."
She turned around with her butt up and continued on pushing and pulling the toy inside her.
"Mhhh.. There… Caleb…" She said as her toes curled.
"Looks like you're near…" Caleb uttered as he looked at her. She nodded and her hand moved faster.
"Caleb…" She breathed heavily as she felt her climax rising.
She reached her climax and breathed heavily while moaning his name.
Fuck… She looks so lewd… Her face while having an orgasm…
Caleb thought while Erin removed the toy from her and her liquid flowed out.
… That looks tasty…
He thought while biting his lower lip.
"Enjoyed the show?" She smirked then wiped. She then stood up and washed.
After, she laid down again then immediately fell asleep.
"Goodnight." Caleb whispered and kissed her cheek.
6. A picture of you
Erin painted Caleb with great detail. Each brush stroke she moved with care and thought. Caleb sat in front of her and her sight alternates between the canvas and his face.
After a few hours, she's finished with his face, she now went to detail his uniform. Caleb watched her from behind as a soft relaxing music played from her speakers.
Night fell but the painting was still half way done. She sat in the couch and stared at the painting.
"Woah woah, you just sat on top of me" Caleb chuckled. Erin didn't notice that she sat on the exact spot Caleb was sitting.
"Pfttt." She smiled. "Move."
Caleb moved to sit beside her.
"You did a good job capturing my face like that." Caleb looked at the realistic unfinished painting.
"I did great detail on your face and it's tiring but I think it looks nice."
"Thank you." Caleb said and laid on her lap.
"I should be the one laying on your lap because I was the one who did the work." She smiled and petted his hair.
He closed his eyes and smiled. "How are you going to send the letter to my parents?"
"I'll go to their place." She replied.
"Oh? Really? You can just mail them. I don't care." He replied.
"Nah, I figured that they should receive it personally. Otherwise, I'll be sad."
"If my parents do answer you, what will you say?"
"Hello, I'm Erin and I masturbated in front of your son the other night" Erin replied with a dead pan expression.
Caleb burst out laughing. "Nooo don't say that!!"
"Haha, well I'll just tell them that I live in here and found some of your things." She smiled.
"Haha, alright." He sat up. "Let me know when you're going to visit so I can give you their address."
"Yes, but, I don't plan on visiting this week. I'll finish your portrait first"
"Erin," Caleb called her and she looked at him. "You said you could continue your studies. What did you study?"
"…." She pouted.
"Oh come on. I gave you a massive lore drop and you're not gonna drop yours?" Caleb looked at her with a puppy dog eyes. "Wait. You didn't study art?"
She shook her head. "I wanted to, but, money didn't let me. Scholarship grants didn't include the materials I'd be using."
"So you just taught yourself how to paint?" He asked.
"Yes… I originally took up forestry."
"Wow… Didn't know you love nature that much."
"Believe it or not, I used to go on strikes for environmental awareness." she laughed. "But I didn't get to finish because my mother died and my father acquired a shit ton of debt."
"My mom's savings went into payment of his debts so here I am. Away from my dad and without a college degree."
"Damn. Sorry to say this but your dad's an asshole." Caleb shook his head and furrowed his brows.
"He is." Erin sighed. "If I were to study again, I'd like to finish forestry and just work at a research lab and explore more flora and fauna. Preserve and cultivate them. Then I'll draw them in great detail before human kind destroys everything."
Caleb laughed. "Man, you're adorable."
"What?"
"I said." Caleb uttered and gave her a kiss on her cheek "You're adorable"
Erin looked at him and sighed. For the first time, she wanted to feel his skin against hers. She wanted to kiss him back and to feel his warmth.
"What is it?" Caleb softly asked.
Erin smiled. "Nothing"
"First time someone calling you adorable?" He chuckled.
"Probably, yeah. I've never had a relationship before and I tend to stay away from people." She shrugged.
"Oh." Caleb didn't expect for her to seriously answer. "Then, I'll just shower you with lots of compliments until you've heard them all" He childishly smiled.
"That's very sweet of you, Caleb." She smiled. "Anyway, I'm gonna take a bath. I feel sticky with some paints on my arm." she stood up and went to the bathroom.
"Can I go with you?" Caleb yelled from the other side of the door.
"Do what you want." She replied then soaked herself in the bubble water of the tub.
He entered the bathroom and saw her in the tub. Caleb sat outside the tub and stared at her.
"What?" She asked as she scrubbed her arms.
"Hehe, nothing. Nothing" Caleb smiled.
"Tsk, just spill it out."
"I just thought that we feel like a couple" Caleb giggled.
"Hmm, now that you mentioned it…" She tilted her head.
This is bad. I cannot be his anchor as to why he won't pass on
Caleb smiled. "Say, Erin… Once I've passed on, I'd like you to open my journal. It's in the first box we opened along with my books."
"Why? What's in there?"
"Just some things I'd hope someone would read about but I had no one to tell about it."
"If that's the case, shouldn't we read it now?"
"No… I might have more regrets if I hear it."
"I see, then, okay." She smiled. "I'd honor Mr. Caleb's request."
Days later, Erin instructed Caleb not to peek while she was doing the finishing touches of the painting. After she was done, she called on him.
"Oh! I'm so excited haha" Caleb closed his eyes as he approached her.
Once he's in front of the painting he opened his eyes and saw a realistic painting of him in uniform. His eyes widened and he felt like butterflies flying in his stomach. His heart felt happy and satisfied.
"… Erin… This is…" Caleb stared at it for a long time. "Thank you…"
Once again, Caleb felt lighter then before.
"Hehe, are you happy?" She smiled and he nodded.
"I am very happy, Erin… Thank you" He couldn't get his eyes off the painting. He smiled. It was a bittersweet moment to see something he could never be anymore. But at the same time, it served as a closure for a dream he will never reach.
Erin looked at the clock and she didn't realize it was already dusk. She yawned.
"I'm glad you loved it, Caleb. Seems like my art skills only improved." She nodded.
Caleb approached her and gave her a hug. She didn't feel anything but she knew he was grateful for what she had done.
"Thank you, really…" Caleb whispered.
"You're welcome." She hugged the air back.
"So… Uhm… After thus, where do you plan on displaying it?" Caleb asked.
"I was planning on displaying it in your mausoleum."
"How did you know I was buried in a mausoleum?" He tilted his head.
"Rich people usually have mausoleums." She shrugged. "So I figured you were buried there too."
"I see. You are such an adventurer to be willing to do all these at you expense." He chuckled.
"I'd like to look back at this moment one day and remember everything. I am having fun, actually." She smiled. "Especially seeing you feeling more relieved every time we accomplish everything in the bucketlist we wrote."
7. Visit
A week later, Erin decided to finally give the letter to his parents.
"What time will you be home?" He asked.
"Depending on what time I'll leave your place. Don't worry, I don't plan on staying long." She smiled.
"Big chance you're gonna meet my closest elder brother. He's staying at our parents place because he doesn't like human interaction." He chuckled.
"Oh? Then I think me and him would get along." Erin said and Caleb frowned.
"No. You get along better with me." He uttered.
"Damn, you jelly or something?" Erin laughed. "I'm not gonna flirt with your brother. That's just weird." She opened the door and bid her goodbye.
Caleb took a deep breath and furrowed his eyebrows.
That man better not be flirting with her.
Caleb walked to the backyard and found that she forgot to lock its door.
… I better just stay here. She forgot to lock it…
Caleb sat on the chair in the backyard then looked up the sky.
I feel lighter than before… I think Erin's been helping me a lot. But… I kinda want to stay a bit longer for her…
His place was a bit far so Erin took the train to Caleb's residence and found herself in a luxurious subdivision. Each of the houses she passed by looked like it could shelter five families.
She finally arrived at his place where the gates were painted black with gold accent. She could see the inside having a fountain at the middle of the driveway and a path going to a garden.
… All these riches and they couldn't even monitor their youngest son…
Erin thought and she frowned. She pressed the doorbell and was answered by a man wearing a thick framed glasses who was a spitting image of Caleb.
Just when everyone's on leave, suddenly we get visitors.
He thought and stared at her.
"You look like Caleb." Erin smiled. "Are you his brother?"
"… Yes. Who are you?" He asked.
"I'm Erin and I now live in his former house. You see, I found a letter and the address led me here." She gave him the letter they made.
He opened the letter and scanned through it.
"Something is not right. How did you know my brother's face if you are only occupying his former apartment now?" he looked at her sharply.
He's sharp, but I'm better.
"I found boxes of his documents from when he was studying. Some of it has his pictures." She replied.
He sighed then opened the gates. "Come in. I have more questions for you."
… He's nothing like Caleb… I wanna go home now…
She entered their house and walked behind him.
Their height are are the same too… The face… Eyes… Build…Everything is the same except for his personality.
He led her to his room and opened it.
"Uhm… In your room?" Erin thought it was weird for their first meeting.
"… This is where I'm most comfortable. Outside like living room is too much space, it's uncomfortable." He replied then led her to a couch.
His room was like a gaming room with a queen sized bed. Different consoles were lined on his shelf, his multi-screen PC was still running, an acrylic shelf of figurines and Gundam models, and the light was a bit dim for Erin.
at least his room is tidy and it smells nice.
Erin sat on the couch and before her is a coffee table with unopened chips. He placed a cold bottle of iced tea for the two of them.
"Do you know my brother?" He asked. Erin shook her head.
I can't tell him about Caleb still not passing on… He'll pry me for more answers.
"Are you sure?" His eyes sharply looked at her. She maintained her composure.
"Yes.. Why? Did you expect a different answer?"
"Because the ink is still fresh in this letter." He held out the letter she gave. "He died 5 years ago. But, this ink… There's no smudge or signs of time. But this is his penmanship and signature through and through."
Erin didn't change her expression.
"So I'm asking you again, do you know my brother?" He stood up and locked the door.
It was wrong for me to get inside his room… Should I tell him?
Erin took a deep breath.
"I… I may have some kind of supernatural sight that I was able to see him at his place as a wandering spirit." She conceded.
His eyes widened.
"You mean he still lingers here?"
She nodded.
"That letter… We made that weeks ago. He said he regretted not thanking your parents before dying." She admitted and looked at her hands.
"I see." He neatly folded the letter then placed it on the table. "Rest assured that I will give this to our parents once they returned."
"Thank you." Erin smiled and stood up.
"I'll drive you home." He offered.
"Oh no, thank you, but I can go home by myself."
"I… Also want to see if I could see him." He softly uttered. "I was the one who found him dead in his room. We were supposed to play TCG that day but… When I arrived, he had no pulse."
"Oh… Okay." Erin replied.
I don't think I could say no.
He packed his things then led her to their parking lot where there are not less than 5 luxury cars were parked. He pressed his key and a sleek black Audi lit up.
He opened the passenger seat for her then went to the driver's seat. It was going to be a long drive that's why Erin preferred to take the train but now she's stuck in a long drive with Caleb's brother.
He turned on the stereo and a heavy metal song played. Erin froze as the music was too loud. Sensing her discomfort, he tuned down the volume and changed the music into indie.
"Sorry. It was too loud." He apologized.
"I just realized I didn't get your name." She uttered.
"Right, I forgot. My name's Isaac." He softly replied. "Do you always see ghosts and those paranormal things?" He asked.
Erin shook her head. "Caleb was the first one and I hope he'd be the last." She chuckled.
"Were you not scared?"
"Not really. I was just very tired so I never really thought about how he was a ghost and all." She shrugged. "Caleb is easy to talk to so I had no problem setting up boundaries."
"That's good. And you're helping him pass on peacefully?"
"Yes."
Isaac smiled and for a brief second, Erin thought that he was Caleb.
"You two… Are like twins." she finally said.
"Many people say that. And even I agree. But I'm three years older than him."
After a few hours, they arrived at her home. She opened her door and saw Caleb waiting.
"Welcome ho--" He said then frowned when he saw his brother behind her.
"I'm home" She said then removed her coat.
"What's HE doing here?" He said the stood in front of him. Looking at them side by side, Erin thought they do look like twins.
"Sorry… I got into a pinch earlier… He figured us out." She replied then went to the living room.
"… He figured out that you wrote the letter?" Caleb asked.
"No, he figured out that the letter was made recently then I got trapped in his room."
Isaac observed her as she was talking to the air. He couldn't hear his brother at all. She sat on the couch and massaged her shoulders. Isaac sat beside her.
Caleb stood in front of his brother.
"He's always been sharp." He crouched down and stared at his brother.
"So, where is that idiot brother of mine?" Isaac asked.
"He's actually in front of you." Erin replied.
Isaac's eyes found the painting Erin made. He stood up and walked past Caleb then observed it up close.
"You painted this?" He asked and she nodded.
"You got every detail right. It's like you knew him…"
"I did tell you that I can see him." Erin replied.
Caleb… You look so real here… It is as if you're alive… Brother…
"Caleb… It's been five years but mom is still in mourning, do you know that?" Isaac spoke as he looked into the painting.
Caleb's eyes widened.
"Your mausoleum never ran out of flowers. It was well kept and mom visits you every month. Dad on the other hand had a different coping mechanism. He never wanted to talk about you but I know he was hurt and he blames himself as well."
"As for me and our eldest brother, we blamed ourselves. How can we let our baby brother go through all that."
Isaac took a deep breath, keeping his tears from falling. Caleb listened as his eyes were wet with tears.
"I'm sorry bro… I really am. The day you passed was the day we were supposed to go out. I don't know if you remember. I was going to ask you how you've been faring but it was too late… I was too late." Isaac couldn't hold his tears back. He knelt down the floor and cried.
For five years, Caleb thought that his family didn't care for him. Until today…Caleb took a deep breath and sat on the floor beside his brother.
Never thought that they were in actual mourning for me…
Erin grabbed a towel and approached Isaac.
It looks like it hadn't sunk in to him until today.
He was sniffling and grasping for air. Erin removed his eyeglasses and gently placed the towel over his eyes. She didn't utter any word but she just let them be then went to the backyard to smoke.
A few minutes have passed and Caleb sat beside her.
"I was… Wrong about everything…" He heavily said. "Isaac.. He never lies about these things he always thought that lying is too much work that's why I believe everything he said today."
His expression was forlorn.
"And uhm I think he passed out bawling his eyes." Caleb informed her. She entered the house and found him lying on the couch, sleeping with tears in his eyes.
Erin gently wiped his tears then placed a blanket over him.
"You two look alike." Erin mentioned.
"Yeah, often times they thought we were twins." Caleb chuckled.
"Your family loved you, Caleb." Erin uttered.
"… It would seem so." He regretfully admitted. "But somehow, I feel better knowing they did love me. Never thought I'd feel this way." He smiled.
"That's good. The more lighter you feel, the lesser regret you'll have." She smiled then yawned. "I feel sleepy"
"Haha, you should go sleep." Caleb replied.
"Can't. Your brother is here." She sat on the floor then opened her laptop by the coffee table then started composing her commissioned articles.
Isaac woke up to the sound of typing and her quiet voice talking to Caleb. He observed the words she was typing on her screen.
Looks like she's a writer for a magazine of some sort.
He thought and took a deep breath.
"You awake?" Erin asked without looking at him.
"I was wondering if we could play" He asked then brought out his deck box. "My idiot brother still owes me a game."
"Hahahahahah, you're on!" Caleb exclaimed. "Erin we should defeat him."
"Sure later if you buy me food and after I am done with this work." Erin replied while typing.
"Of course. What does miss Erin want?" Isaac asked while unlocking his phone.
"Oi why are you asking him for dinner? We can just cook" Caleb pouted.
"I'm busy and I am hungry." She smiled. "Plus, if he buys food, I won't have to pay for tonight's dinner hehehe" She whispered.
"Damn, you stingy. Even after all those money I gave you." Caleb chuckled.
Does she think I can't hear her?
Isaac thought and looked at her.
"Boneless fried chicken with rice and iced tea. Chocolate mousse for dessert and some beer." She requested.
Isaac chuckled then tapped on the food delivery app. "Big appetite, huh?"
"I didn't have lunch." She dryly replied.
"WHAT DID I TELL YOU ABOUT SKIPPING MEALS?" Caleb exclaimed worriedly.
Erin covered her ears and furrowed her eyebrows. "Calm down! I had a biscuit when i was walking earlier"
Isaac thought she looked amusing talking by herself like that.
"What did he say?" Isaac asked.
"He's yelling at me because I skipped meals." She shrugged.
"Caleb, if you want to take care of your woman, maybe you should go and possess someone's body so you could cook for her" Isaac laughed.
"His woman? What the fuck are you talking about?" Erin's eyes narrowed.
"Wait.. Good point. Let me possess you then." Caleb grinned then stood in front if his brother.
"He says he's going to possess your body." Erin said.
"Haha, good. Then you take care of my business."
"On second thought, never mind. I don't like your business." Caleb sat beside his brother.
"He says never mind he never liked your business." She translated.
Eventually, their food arrived and they started eating. Caleb watched the two and the pain of longing struck him.
… I wish I could eat with them…
Afterwards, they started their card game.
"You gonna use samurai commander?" Isaac asked while fixing his own board.
"Damn right." Caleb replied.
"Your deck is five years outdated. They released new units for it."
"Don't worry, I bought some upgrades the other week." Erin grinned. She likes playing card games and this excites her as much.
"Oh really? Are they not expensive?" Caleb's eyes lit up.
"They were expensive but I got a good deal for it." She replied then started shuffling their deck.
"What kinda deal? In my experience, most male players look down on women who play these things. What did you do to make them agree?" Isaac curiously asked.
"Just some customized paintings for their cards." She shrugged then rolled the dice.
"I'll go first." Isaac declared they they started playing. Caleb was focused on instructing Erin on what to do and she followed whatever he say.
Isaac smiled. This pattern… It's like playing with him again… If… If I was early… If I wasn't too preoccupied by my own things… Would he still be with us?
They played four rounds until Erin felt tired. Isaac let him win this time and it resulted to their victory.
"YEAHHHHH! TAKE THAT!" Caleb excitedly yelled.
"He's happy he won and he's screaming his lungs out right now." Erin said while yawning. "I'm sleepy and it's getting late. Shouldn't you be going home?"
He smiled. "Yes, I should be going home." He stood up and looked at Erin. "I'll keep this as our little secret. I don't want mother to barge in here and to throw you out just because Caleb is here."
"Oh. Thank you for your concern." Erin replied.
"Your TCGs, did you give it to her?"
"Yeah." Caleb replied and Erin nodded.
"I see. You have more use of it that I would." He took a deep breath. "Call me if you need anything. If you want to display his portrait somewhere near his resting place or to store his things at home, his room is still clean in our house. I can help you with that."
"Thank you, Isaac. I appreciate it." Erin smiled.
"Oi, make sure to check up on her too when I'm gone." Caleb added.
"What?" Erin furrowed her brows.
"Go on, tell him." Caleb replied.
"Caleb says that you should check up on me when he's passed on." Erin quietly said.
"Of course. You're helping my brother after all. It's the least I could do." He nodded. "I can even start visiting you regularly starting tomorrow." He chuckled.
"I mean… Not that much. I'm sure you're busy too." Erin replied.
"Alright. I'll go now. Goodnight." Isaac bid his goodbye then left.
8. Life with you
Erin removed her clothes then laid down her bed. She wrapped herself in her duvet then closed her eyes.
"I really didn't know they cared that much…" Caleb uttered as he laid down beside her.
"You're their youngest. Of course they care." She replied.
"But… It feels nice to see Isaac. He's my closest brother. I never blamed him for what happened to me… It my own fault." Caleb softly said. He turned to look at her. Her eyes are close but she is awake.
"What else have we not ticked in our list?" She asked.
"One? I think about having friends."
Companionship is the word he was looking for but never realized. All the relationships he had before never gave him the feeling of having a companion and such was his regret.
"I see. I'm your friend, maybe you'll feel satisfied someday." She yawned then finally fell asleep.
"Good night." Caleb said as he kissed her cheek.
The next morning, Erin woke up to a sound of a cat.
Meow meow!
It yelled.
What the… Why is it so noisy…
She put on her clothes then went to the living room and saw Caleb playing with a black cat.
"Haha look! He could see me!" He happily announced as the cat tried to scratch his hand.
"Where did you get him?" Erin asked and she crouched beside Caleb.
"I dunno. Maybe because you left the backyard door open." Caleb nodded at the ajar sliding door.
"He doesn't have a tag… I don't think he has a microchip either…" Caleb observed the cat.
"He looks dirty. He's probably a stray." Erin said while closing the door.
"Let's adopt him. I heard that there's this thing called cat distribution system and we are compelled to adopt him." He chuckled.
"Oh you want him? Then I guess we should adopt him"
"I mean… It would be better for you to have a cute companion other than me." He winked.
"You should be grateful that you are good looking. Otherwise, that's just cringe." She laugh. "You should name the cat since you found him."
Caleb tilted his head. "How about Salem? It suits a cute black cat like him." The cat then flopped to its side and showed his underbelly.
"Ahhh Salemmm so cuteeee!" The two sighed collectively.
They decided to adopt the cat and she cleaned him thoroughly. She then opened her laptop to browse which things to buy for their new pet.
"You should choose the design for his collar." Erin said while smiling. She scrolled slowly through the options so Caleb could choose.
"Hehe, how about this one?" He pointed at a red colored collar with a tiny apple design for its pendant.
"Okay that's cute. I'll just reserve these for now then pick it up at the pet shop later" She tapped on the order button then store pick up.
Salem was comfortable in their home. He sat on the couch and slept.
"You should call on Isaac to help you carry those." Caleb suggested but she shook her head.
"I don't want to be involved with your brother too much." She honestly replied.
I might project some things on him since he looks so much like you
"I see. Well, if you have troubles, just ask them to ship it here." Caleb smiled.
"Hmmm yeah I could. I think I could carry it just fine."
During the afternoon, Erin went to the pet shop to fetch her orders: cat bed, litterbox, cat litter, cat food, and some toys.
She carried everything home and once she arrived she huffed and puffed then laid on the floor.
"Haha, welcome home." Caleb looked at her and behind him was Salem who inspected his new stuff. "You carried everything like a champ"
"I'm… Home…" She caught her breath.
After she arranged his litterbox and bed, she finally placed the red collar on him and on its pendant, it read:
Return to owners: Caleb & Erin
Contact number: 237-XXXX-XX
"Haha, you didn't have to include me. I'm dead." Caleb chuckled.
"Not to me and Salem's eyes, right babyyy?" Erin cuddled that cat and it answered with a singular meow.
Caleb smiled. He felt seen and needed at that time.
"What if someone looks for Caleb?" He asked.
"Then I'll give them the creepy smile then say 'he died five years ago… Oh! But why is he behind you?' Then they'll shit their pants" Erin maniacally laughed.
"Hahaha, you're so evil." Caleb laughed.
It already became normal for them to talk about his death and it made Caleb feel lighter.
Little by little, with Erin's efforts, he has accepted that he is no longer of this world.
Weeks pass and they took care of Salem. Caleb is in charge of his playtime while Erin did the labor such as changing his litter, feeding him, bathing him, and the like.
She also decided to pass her application form to study for college to which she got accepted on scholarship and some of her units from before were credited.
"CALEB! I GOT ACCEPTED!! LOOK!" She excitedly pointed at her screen. Caleb happily read her acceptance letter then celebrated with her.
"With scholarship too?? You're so amazing, Erin!! " He proudly said.
I want to hug her right now.
He thought as he watched her hug Salem.
"You know what, we should celebrate tonight. Hehehe, I'll just buy some beer and chips." Erin excitedly put on her coat.
"No cigarettes?" Caleb smiled.
"Nah, I'm tryna quit. Bad for the environment." She giggled. "I'll be quick."
Caleb watched her and he felt satisfied being like this with her… But he couldn't help but worry as everything he does is limited to just watching over her and talking to her.
… I want to do more… I want to protect her… I want to help her carry her things… I want to touch her face when I wake her up in the morning… I want to…
Salem sensed his distress and he sat beside Caleb.
"Say… Do you think there's a universe out there where me and Erin are happily married? Maybe with some kids…"
Salem answered with a meow and Caleb smiled.
"Yes… I hope there is."
Erin arrived with her beer, sliced beef, fried chicken, and rice cakes.
"Wow, that's how celebration should be!" Caleb said while she placed everything on her coffee table.
"Mhm, and I brought some chicken treats for Salem. Come here babyyyy" Erin smiled and looked at Salem but Caleb laid on her lap.
"Yes, baby?" Caleb joked.
"Hahaha, not you, silly."
They laughed and she gave Salem his treats. She opened the television and connected her karaoke player.
"Niceee will I hear miss Erin sing tonight?" Caleb smiled.
"We will sing and get drunk tonighttt yeahhhh" She said on her microphone that was toned down to almost the lowest volume so as to not disturb her neighbors.
Salem laid on his bed while the two sang their hearts out until Erin passed out on the couch. Caleb looked at her sleeping face and wished that he could enter her dream, maybe, he could touch her there.
He felt lighter than ever before. He felt love from his family, from Erin and from Salem.
He looked at the cat who he considers as his own and smiled.
"Take care of your momma, for me. Okay? It seems like it is time to go." He whispered and the cat awakened; he looked at him.
He looked down and noticed that his translucent body became transparent.
Ah, I'm not gonna last long…
He hovered to Erin. He gently 'touched' her face and smiled.
"Thank you, Erin. I'm glad I met you, even in this form, I felt your overflowing love. It was so fun with you" He chuckled. "I can only imagine how much more fun we could have had if we actually met."
Caleb gave her a kiss.
"Take care, Erin. I wish you all the best."
… Isaac… Please take care of her, for me. She's a great girl, I'm sure you'll like her the way that I do.
Caleb thought as he slowly disappeared without any regrets.
Meanwhile, Isaac was doing some of his work in his PC and accounting for this month's profits.
Not bad. I wonder if we could expand.
Suddenly, from his mind, he heard a very familiar voice.
"Take care of her, for me."
Caleb? That's his voice…did he…?
9. Thank you
The next morning, Erin awoke as Salem jumped on her stomach.
"Salemmm… Ughhh you're heavy." Erin uttered as she gently carried Salem to the floor.
"Caleb… Salem is being naughty please get him here…" She yelled but there's no response.
"Caleb?" She slowly sat up and looked around. She rushed to her room but there's no sign of him.
"Caleb… Where are you…?" She went to the kitchen and the bathroom, still no sign of him. Her heart suddenly felt heavy.
"Caleb, if you're joking, please, it's not funny." Erin felt tears flowed from her eyes as she looked for him. He was nowhere to be found.
She sat on the floor as she cried. She knew it was going to happen sooner or later. It was the point of even interacting with him, to have him pass on early and without regrets. She prepared herself but still… Her heart longed for him.
First thing in the morning, Isaac drove to her place. When he arrived, he knocked but there was no response.
Excuse me, I'll have to type in the password.
He typed the password to her door and it opened. He saw her crying in the living room.
So he did leave… It was him last night.
He slowly approached her and she looked up at him as she wept.
"Isaac… He… Caleb is…" She struggled to speak.
He knelt down and gave her a tight hug. "Thank you, Erin. He's passed on now. I'm sure he felt happy with you."
Erin hugged him back and cried. She nodded but she still felt sorrowful.
"I'm five years too late…" She said in between cries. "I wish we could've met earlier… He's a joy to have around…"
He stayed with her for a while, and in the afternoon, he walked with her to the park. She was still processing her feelings while eating ice cream.
"You feel a bit better now?" Isaac finally spoke but Erin cried again.
"Shhh, don't…" Isaac panicked as people were looking at them. He wiped her tears and hugged her.
"HE WOULD'VE LIKED WALKING IN PARKS UWAAHHHHHUHUHU!"
Dammit Caleb! You didn't tell me she's a cry baby!
"Come." He held her hand and led her near the trees. "Shhh it's okay." He hugged her until she calmed down.
She finally stopped crying and caught her breath. She held her hand against her eyes.
"You okay now" He asked and she nodded. They then went back to her home but she was hesitating to go inside. After all, it was the house where she shared lots of memories with him.
"If you don't feel like staying here, you and Salem could go to my place for the time being." Isaac offered.
"Huh? In your huge ass house? I'll just stay here… I don't wanna intrude." She sniffled and opened the door.
There was no one who greeted her.
"I'm home…" She whispered. Her mind replayed how Caleb always greeted her with a smile even if she was just out for only minutes. She held her tears back.
"Not there. I mean, I have my own personal place that you could stay." Isaac replied but she shook her head.
"Thank you but… I'd like to stay here even if it's painful as of now." She said as she walked in.
"Well, Caleb asked me to take care of you and obviously I can't say no. I'll stay here until you feel better." He let himself in and carried Salem.
Months later, Erin became busy with her studies and Salem grew a bit fatter. They still stayed at the same home and Salem still wore the same collar.
I'm almost there.
Sent by: Isaac
Okay, don't text while driving.
Sent by: Erin
I'm not. I'm waiting for your food. They're still cooking it (´ω｀)
Sent by: Isaac
Lol. Okay, I'll wrap the painting now. I'll see you later.
Sent by: Erin
Erin wrapped Caleb's portrait. They decided to put it up in his mausoleum with their parent's permission.
Shortly, Isaac arrived and carried the portrait into the back of the pick up truck and secured it. Salem was dressed for the occasion too! He wore his tuxedo and was placed in his carrier.
They drove to the cemetery to Caleb's mausoleum where his immediate family were already settling themselves for his 6th death anniversary.
They placed his huge portrait against the wall and his family thanked her for remembering him.
"Mom seems to be fond of you." Isaac leaned down to his side and whispered.
"She should be. I helped his son clear up things, after all." She giggled.
After the ceremony for Caleb's death anniversary, Erin finally had the heart to open Caleb's journal.
He said I should read this...
Beside her was Salem who looked curious as he sniffed on the old boxes of Caleb's belongings. She took a deep breath then opened the journal.
To you who is reading this,
I'm sure you're an important person to me as I don't really ask people for favors. I started this journal so I could write something good about my day to remind me that life is good. That I should hold on and experience how beautiful it is to live.
Date: XX of year XXXX
I saw a child today, around 5 years old. He was holding a miniature figure of an airplane. I heard him say he wants to be a pilot. Coincidence! I will be one someday. I think he'll be one of my passengers.
Date XX of XXXX
I still haven't beaten up Isaac in our TCG. more ways to live so I can beat him someday >:D
Date XX of XXXX
Ice cream tastes so nice. Especially if you mix some flavors together. The ice cream shop near the academy sells really good home made ice cream :)
Date XX of XXXX
... Why did she leave?
Date XX of XXXX
I failed my exams today. I'm quite tired.
Date XX of XXXX
Went partying out today. It was fun, but still... I feel empty.
Erin's tears fell as she read the journal. She read through how his mind faltered from one failure to another until it couldn't fight anymore. She flipped though the journal and at the back was a picture of a black cat, a kitten at the back of the photo it read:
I saw this kitty today. He's so small but I heard they're taking care of him. If I had a cat, I'd name him Salem :D
Erin looked at the cat beside her. She gently carried Salem and hugged him.
I hope... I hope the next time we meet... we're both alive and happy...
