Justin x Oliver Oneshots

𝙻𝚘𝚟𝚎

Song Requested by @svsnxbs. 

I know this song is more about the worthlessness and pain in a relationship but I wanted to flip the narrative. Enjoy  & let me know if you want a part 2.<3

Third Person's P.O.V.

Justin had always been good at faking a smile. It was second nature by now—laugh when they laugh, nod when they nod, act like everything was fine. But lately, the mask had started to slip. He could feel it cracking, piece by piece, under the weight of the way they spoke to him, the way they brushed him off, the way they made him question everything about himself.

Still, he kept going back.

There was something intoxicating about belonging, even if that belonging came at a cost. Every time he left them, he felt hollow, drained. Yet, the next time his phone buzzed with an invite, he found himself answering anyway.

It wasn't even fun anymore. The nights blurred together—drinks, mindless chatter, jokes at his expense. And still, Justin laughed along, because what else was he supposed to do? It was easier to be the joke than to feel invisible.

He wouldn't tell the rest of NSB, in fear that they would scold him or tell off his friends. He also felt that he was less of a burden if he spent half his time with one group, and half his time with the other. As much as he loved NSB, he felt the need to be friends with others outside of the pressures that it brought. The only time he truly felt at peace, was on the lazy weekends, where no one needed him. As lonely as it was, he could sit with himself, no worries or expectations from others.

Tonight, with his other friends, the music was too loud, the laughter too sharp, cutting through him like tiny blades. The conversation had turned to something ugly, something about him, and the more they talked, the more Justin felt himself shrinking.

"You don't really think he fits in here, do you?" someone chuckled.

"Nah, but hey—he tries."

Justin smiled like it didn't hurt. Like the comment didn't twist deep into his ribs.

At some point, someone shoved a drink into his hand, and he took it without thinking, sipping it even though his stomach already felt like it was sinking into itself.

It was late when he finally left, unsteady, drained, his mind racing faster with every step he took as he walked through the quiet streets. He didn't want to go back to his house, where the quiet could consume him. The others were at Darrens house, helping Ryan and Regie unpack because they were moving in with him. The only person who would be home was Oli.

He didn't even realize he was heading toward Oliver's place until he was standing at the door, his breath uneven, his heart thrumming louder than it should.

The door opened shortly after Justin knocked. Oli blinked in surprise. "Justin?"

Justin tried for a steady breath, but all it did was make his chest ache more. "I—I don't know what's wrong with me," he whispered.

Oli frowned, ushering him inside. The warmth of the house was like stepping out of a storm, but the turmoil inside Justin was harder to shake. "There's nothing wrong with you."

They were sitting on the couch now, side by side. Justin faced forward but Oliver was fully turned towards him.

"What happened?" Oliver asked. 

Justin let out a shaky breath, running his hands through his hair as he stared at the floor. "I don't know, Oli. It's like, I always screw things up. Or maybe I was just meant to be that guy they laugh at. I can't even tell anymore."

Oliver frowned, leaning forward. "What are you talking about? You don't screw things up."

"Then why do I keep going back? Why do I let them treat me like I'm some... charity case? Like I should just be grateful they let me stick around." His voice cracked, frustration bubbling up in his throat. "I must be pathetic, right? Because normal people, they don't do this. They don't let themselves be played over and over again."

"Woah, woah. Slow down." Oliver grabbed Justin's hand, holding it tightly. "First off, you are one of the most amazing people I have ever met and anyone who makes you feel otherwise can fall off the face of the earth. Second, who in the hell has any right to make you feel this way?"

"My other friends." Justin has tears welling in his eyes. "I didn't want to tell you or the others, I didn't feel like I could. That's even more pathetic."

Oliver's brows knitted together. "Justin, stop. You're not pathetic."

"Then what am I?" Justin snapped, his voice sharper than he meant it to be. He squeezed his eyes shut, shaking his head. "I just... sometimes I feel like there's something wrong with me. Like there's something broken in me that makes me keep chasing people who don't care."

"There's nothing wrong with you, J. You just want to feel like you belong. That's not broken, that's human."

Justin swallowed hard, his throat tight. "Then why does it hurt so much?"

 Oliver's grip tightened on Justin's hand just slightly.

"Because you're realizing you deserve better."