Freak ~Juuzou x Reader AU~

Chapter 16: Contentment

Concrete, steel, and glass.

The apartment building stands tall, casting a shadow over the car as the setting sun dips behind it. The place where I have settled my life, finding safety and refuge. For the last three years, this has been home. This has been my haven. However, after everything that's happened, a looming cloud of darkness has taken shape over the complex.

Metaphorical, of course, but still, something I sense and feel.

"Thank you for joining me this evening and I hope – Y/N?" Clay says, a hint of concern tugging his tone. I turn, meeting his cool stare. "Are you alright?"

I blink, shaking myself from the doom and gloom. "Sorry. I was...I was just thinking."

He lifts a brow. "Yes, I could tell. Is there something in particular on your mind?"

There is, but do I want to tell him? Do I want to spill any more of myself?

I take a deep breath. "Don't worry about it."

He knits his brows. "Don't worry about it? Now, that wouldn't be very genuine of me if I were to do that. So, what is it? What has you so distant?"

"Really, I'll be fine."

"I don't buy that." He shifts, turning to face me directly. "What is it? Please, I want to help."

I know he does. I can tell he wants to. But I just don't know if I want to unload any of this on him. Not after already word vomiting once.

I shake my head. "It's okay."

I can feel him studying me. Then: "Is it your apartment?"

My breath catches in my throat.

"It is," he says confidently. "You mentioned earlier something about your apartment."

I ball my hands into fists. "Sorry."

"For what?"

For what? Heh. For so much. It's as if I'm dragging this man through all my personal baggage. Baggage I never planned on unloading onto anyone. Not anytime soon, but now, with everything that's happening...

"Y/N," Clay says softly, his fingers gingerly tilting my head so that I face him. "You needn't apologize for any of this. What you're going through, and experiencing is justified." His thumb gently caresses my cheek, his eyes full of tenderness. "That said...please allow me to help you in any way I can. Please."

A lump lays like a stone in my throat, though I do manage to swallow. "Okay."

***

"Clay, this may be...a tad too much," I say, making my way into my hotel room.

After the talk with Clay in his car, I confessed the fear and pain currently tied to my apartment, but that I didn't really know what to do. Up until recently, I was still hobbling around, so being in my own apartment to heal and rest was a good idea. However, though my injuries are healing, my mind is still damaged.

And after that confession, Clay suggested I get a hotel room. A hotel room that he offered to pay for while I still recouped. I tried to insist that I pay, or at the very least, pay part of the cost, but he declined, claiming this was his way of helping.

Part of me wanted to push against that, but to be honest, I'm tired. So very, very tired. Not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. Still, even I can admit this is a bit too much.

The room – well, suite – is massive. Far too large for just one person. If anything, it's as if it's an apartment in itself.

We walk into the suite, greeted by a calm and serene cream living space equipped with a sofa and loveseat, lush alabaster carpeting stretching throughout the suite. A stone fireplace and TV sit to the side of the space. Past the living area, there is a small kitchen area equipped with its own fridge, microwave, counter, sink, and stove – nothing oversized, though. Beyond that, I can see a hall that probably leads to the bathroom and bedroom area.

I turn to Clay. "This may be too much. All I really need is a basic room, really."

"Nonsense," he says. "There's no saying how long you'll be here, and I rather you be comfortable."

"I appreciate that, but I'm sure I'd still be comfortable in a basic room."

He just smiles warmly. "Y/N, don't worry about any of that." He looks at me for a while, his eyes – still gentle and soft – lingering on mine before he breathes, "I'll...let you get settled in. Please, don't hesitate to call or text if you need anything."

Chills.

"T-thank you. I...I will."

He flashes a final smile and leaves. A certain quietness falls over my...suite. A quietness that I have grown to feel uneasy in, but in the brightness of this new place that is untouched by my current circumstance, I find some sort of... Not peace, per se, but maybe some sense of...

Contentment.

**Bello lovelies!! So, no Juuzou, but now Y/N is in a new location. Honestly, I meant to do this sooner, but as we can tell, it did not go that way. Still, any hunches as to what will happen next? Feel free to take a gander! Update: So, I did go to work yesterday and luckily, did okay. My biggest thing was that I wanted to be around people the whole time. That'll probably be me today. But yeah, we're all doing okay. Now, to lighten things up, I'm working on an animation. A simple one, really, but my sister wants me to share it on TikTok after I'm done with it, though there's no saying how long it'll take. But yeah... Hope y'all are doin' good! Thank you so much for everything! Y'all are the bestest! Wuv yous!! <3**

-Noel Ross