The Neighbor Next Door

Here's to a better year

Christmas was... Well, the nicest it had been since childhood for MePhone, though he couldn't help how distant and disconnected he felt the entire day. He had even received two gifts-- One from OJ, and one from the two kids, which he really did appreciate, but... He just wasn't in it too much today. He tried his best to mask at least though. Mostly for the kids sake. Stay as into it as possible, before ending up retreating up to the guest room before dinner. He just... Couldn't help it. After going out on Wednesday, he had just been feeling rough. That was the best he could put it, really. Thursday had only been worse, and well... All of this was just weighing heavily on him. Ever since waking up after coming back home, and his brain realizing what happened, all he felt like was a burden. He felt like he was imposing on his boyfriend's life right now with how much of a shell he was. How useless he felt. He just wanted to be okay again. To feel normal, but he only felt like he was getting worse these past few days. He had waken both himself, and OJ up late last night crying over another stupid nightmare, and he...

He just didn't know what to do anymore. He wanted to believe OJ just being there was helping, because being around everyone did at least do something, but it just wasn't enough. He and OJ had agreed to just try to act like everything was fine for a few days, just to see how that played out, but it wasn't working. It wasn't helping, and MePhone was just too scared to say anything about it. He was already burden enough, and he refused to ruin the holiday season for someone who actually celebrated. That, and he was going away for a few days to see his mom after tomorrow, which MePhone had been offered to join, but he just couldn't. He knew he couldn't be mentally there enough to make a good impression, or even act normal around anyone else.

He was just stuck in a pit again, and he was scared, and despite the constant comfort and reassurance from OJ, he was the loneliest he's felt in so long. All because he just couldn't move on from something that was long over by now. Not even an issue. 5 likely wouldn't ever bother him again, but the fear for that was still present, too. It was all just... Awful. It sucked.

Though Christmas hadn't been as good of a distraction as he had hoped, he did get a call from his brother during the time OJ and his kids were having dinner.

"Hello?" MePhone answered, setting the phone down on the dresser, keeping it on speaker so he wouldn't have to hold it up.

"Hey. Hope you're having a good christmas," 3gs replied, his tone a lot less cold than the last call the two shared.

"... Yeah. You too. Uhm... Did you do anything fun today?" MePhone decided it would be best to keep the conversation light.

"Oh, well Knife and I went over to a friends apartment for lunch. The typical other christmas activities, too."

"That's nice,"

"Have you been up to anything?"

"Oh, well... OJ's downstairs making dinner. Uhm... Gift giving was in the morning and I helped out with making breakfast, but uh... I dunno." MePhone just trailed off, not really knowing what to say. He was just glad his brother didn't sound so cold towards him today.

"Are you doing okay?" 3gs's tone softened a bit.

"I just... I've been out of it today. That's all. Things have just been hard."

"... If you want, I could try to find some time in January to come visit for a while if you want,"

"I... I don't know. I'd like that, but... I haven't really been back to the house yet. Uhm... Not for long. OJ and I went over to gather some of my things a few days ago, but... Even then it was rough. It would be nice to have you around and all, but..."
"I get it. Hey, well... We're getting the house in February. Maybe you could visit us then. How does that sound?"