Lethean (William Afton X Reader)

彡[ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ 51: ᴀʟᴛᴇʀ]彡

+++++ (Y/N's POV) +++++

I was waiting by the cafe near the apartment complex, sipping hot chocolate and eating a classic tiramisu that wasn't totally expensive. While I read one of the fashion magazines, I looked at the pearl analog clock on the wall, 8:20 PM it says. Earlier when I ordered, the employees quickly tidied themselves and spoke rather vivaciously. They even asked me if I wanted to throw in another dessert in my order, so I said yes. My order became their priority as they nearly ignored the three other customers' orders just to serve mine. As luck would have it, the cashier also gave me a discount.

When the minute hand moved to 6, the glass door opened. Seeing the familiar individual, I waved my hand with a smile and they dropped onto the seat in front of me, exhausted, "Hey Jerbear, I got you an extra tiramisu," I welcomed.

"Jesus fucking Christ (Y/N), why didn't you tell me you'd get discharged today? Didn't you say it's next week?" he started with a question, yet took the fragile plate in front of him and cut a small piece to eat, also saying thanks in the end.

"They said it was next week but thanks to a certain aspect, it got moved early," I replied as I passed the other hot chocolate I also ordered earlier. Since it was just the two of us, I spoke in my normal tone and accent.

"I almost didn't recognize you. Talk about a full makeover," Jeremy leaned back, hugging a pillow on his chest. "But in all honesty, you nailed the acting and accent. Where'd you learn it?"

"It's actually how my mom used to talk," I smiled. "Sounds like those classic tv shows, right?"

"Yeah, it's incredible," he complimented. "You're the talk of the pizzeria, and Ness raved about how you're so elegant and daunting at the same time like royalty."

"That's too much..." I twitched.

"Don't be shy now, take the credit (Y/N)," the man chuckled, "That means your whole other personality is on point. Sure this new you remind them of your original self, but you can't exactly avoid that."

Jeremy slumped further into the chair, entwining his fingers while his thumbs were pressed against each other in anxiety, "I-... I want to ask you something."

"What is it?"

"Do we really have to pretend to be together? Because if yes, then I might actually fall for you... or something like that," he tried to say that with full confidence but the recurring color of his face betrayed him. I blinked once before inwardly chuckling, crossing my legs too, "Now why would you fall for me? I'm not your type."

"You kind of are though...." Jeremy whispered, now a blushing mess behind the hands that covered his face. "Actually, don't answer that. Can we move on from this topic please?"

"Sure sure," I raised my eyebrows with a shrug, going back to my drink, "To answer your question to feed your curiosity; Yes, we have to pretend. You saw how Clara badly reacted, and it'd be a lot worse if I did come back as "me" that's for sure."

"That's true," the man pondered for a bit. "The downside of this is you can't talk to the others just like you used to..."

"I know, but I'm not gonna let that bother me. It's just for a few days," I shrugged. "This is all part of the plan, don't worry about me."

"I think I'm still gonna worry," he spoke, much more melancholic this time. "Look, I know you're not... fine. From the way I see it, you're burdened with something, and now, this whole charade is another burden for you to take."

"Whatever it is, you can tell me (Y/N)."

Knowing someone was willing to listen tugged my heartstrings. The thing he said about taking another burden was true, but I'm not doing this for myself, I'm doing this for them. However, there have been heavier in the past which I cannot easily open up to somebody, and I can't risk that. A month of knowing each other isn't enough. My overthinking will certainly get the best of me, with step one being staying away.