warning: abuse, random characters that aren't in the actual story
//
Erwin's POV
I yawn, sitting on the bed in my apartment. It's oddly quiet, my girlfriend having left me and all. I had a beer in my hand, something I hadn't touched in years. She was the love of my life, our large height difference didn't even matter to me.
Her dark, black hair that she had recently cut short. Her perfect skin and muscles, our work-out dates were some of the best times we had together. Her plump lips and sharp eyes, that beautiful button nose.
She left me for God knows why, and she gave me a vague explanation. I always knew it would come, she was more of an independent woman. I stupidly fell in love. I sighed, taking a quick swig.
( I just wanna clarify, his ex girlfriend is NOT Mikasa. )
Just as I took another drink of the burning liquor, I heard a loud crash in the apartment above mine. I jumped a little and stayed still, waiting to hear something again. Nothing. I recoil back, assuming it was just the alcohol making me paranoid. I almost turn on the TV when I hear a faint noise through the vent. It sounds like yelling.
"I ---t f-uc---- be-iev- y--!" I can't make out the voice very well, but it concerns me. I sigh, my mind wandering to possibilities. I could stay down here and go to bed, or I could go check and see what's wrong, possibly preventing someone's death.
I blow my lips in frustration and stand, setting my bottle down on a coaster. I open my apartment door and walk outside into the cold air. The way my apartment is set up is sorta weird, but beneficial in this situation.
I walk down to the end of the side walk and curve, standing in front of the door that leads to the apartment that sits above mine. I knock 3 times and wait. I start to feel self-conscious, what if I'm bothering them? What if I'm blowing this situation out of proportion? What if--
"Hello?" A small man says. His voice is scratchy, and he looks exhausted. His sweater is hooked up to his chin. I look him up and down, he's gorgeous. I've never seen such a man in my life. I take one quick glance at his hair and facial features. It occurs to me as I stare, I definitely have a type. I realize he's staring at me confused and I blush, scratching my neck.
"I uh..I'm sorry. I heard a loud noise and screaming, I just wanted to make sure you were okay." He looked up at me and gave a warm smile, but I could tell it was forced.
"I think your ears are playing tricks on you."
I chuckle a little, he's probably right. "I'm sorry. Wouldn't want anyone to hurt a handsome man like you, is all." I say to lighten the tension. He blushes and laughs a little, a genuine laugh.
"Thanks for caring sir, that's nice of you. But I have to go back in." I hear someone yell at the top of the stairs behind him and he looks back. His face has turned stone cold again but his eyes tell a different story.
"Wish I could tell you 'bout the noise, but I didn't hear a thing. It must've been the wind." He says, shutting the door and locking it.
Must've been the wind. I say to myself, trudging back to my apartment. I take one last look at his apartment with solemnity.
*1 week later*
I can't stop thinking about the man, I wish I'd asked his name. Or his number. I want to know what's really going on, and if he's safe or not, but I don't fancy getting yelled at to mind my own business.
I'm laying on my bed currently, staring at the vent. I can hear everything going on upstairs, but recently I haven't really heard much. Occasionally I'd hear a loud thud, but that doesn't really prove anything. There's never any yelling anymore. I can't shake the feeling that he was lying, but it's not proper to call the cops without proof.
And then I heard it.
It was him, and he was crying. It was soft, I couldn't hear it without straining my ears. I stand on my bed and get my ear closer to the vent, confirming that he's crying. I hear a slight thud, as if he had hit something out of anger. And then he speaks.
"I hate him. I fucking hate him. Why can't he just fucking drop dead." He curses while muttering. And that was all I needed.
I threw on my jacket and my shoes, grabbing a switchblade. Just in case. I sighed and opened the door, the coldness prickling at my skin. I shut the door to my house and speed walk to their apartment door. I stop in front of it, the dark green a contrast to the brick walls. I inhale and exhale, my breath coming out and forming before my eyes. I can already feel my face turning red and I regret not bringing more protection.
The door swings open before I even knock, and the man is there again. But his eyes aren't red. He doesn't look like he was crying, at all. He's still wearing a high-neck sweater, but that could mean he's just cold.
"Hello, again." He speaks steadily, his voice doesn't quaver at all.
"Do..do you live with someone else?" I ask, popping my thumbs. He nods his head.
"I live with my boyfriend." I catch a glimpse of him putting air quotes around boyfriend, I could tell he didn't really want me to see that though.
"Just him? No one else?" I run my hands through my hair. He nods again.
"Oh, well. I heard crying, but you look fine.." He licks his lips, my eyes dart to his tongue involuntarily.
"You're hearing things again. You drink alot? It's probably messing with your brain." He teases. I can feel the awkward tension lifted from my shoulders and I smile down at him.
"Thanks for caring sir, that's nice of you. But, I have to go back in." He repeats the same words as last time, as if he's a robot. Or as if he's practiced what to say if someone asked him about noise.
"Wish-"
"You could tell me about the noise, but you didn't hear a thing?" I finish his sentence. His eyes widen, but his shock dissapears quickly. He nods sheepishly.
"Must have been the wind." He starts to close the door but my hand shoots out and stops it. He looks taken aback, but he re-opens the door. He swallows before speaking.
"Yes?"
"You know, you can tell me. I can help you. Please, just let me help." I say in a whisper.
"I don't know what you're talking about." His tone hardens, but I know he doesn't mean to be malicious. I look at him and his eyes soften. I smile and speak.
"Promise I'm not playing tricks on you. You're always welcome to come in." I try to stop myself, as he looks like he's about to cry. But I just can't.
"You can stay there for an hour or two if you ever need a friend." His lip trembles.
"We can talk about the noise--when you're ready. But, til then. We'll say it must have been the wind." I place my hand on his shoulder and he wipes an oncoming tear, looking back up at the stairs cautiously. He looks me in my eye again.
"We'll say it must have been the wind."
//
Must have been the wind - Alec Benjamin
part 2? 🤔
