College Is Like A Chronic Migraine [Murder Drones Human College AU]

The Storm Before The Calm

As N sat in the library, pencil in hand, his fingers danced across the paper, bringing his thoughts to life in shades of graphite. Uzi, immersed in her search for an elusive book, stole a glance at him, curiosity piqued by the rhythmic strokes of his hand. With a soft smile, she interrupted his artistic reverie.

"Hey, N, what are you drawing over there?" she asked, leaning over to get a better look.

N's hand paused mid-sketch, and he hesitated for a moment before turning the pad towards her. On the paper, a portrait of Uzi took shape, each stroke capturing her essence with surprising precision. Uzi's eyes widened in amazement as she took in the intricate details.

"Wow, N, this is incredible! You're really talented," she exclaimed, genuine admiration evident in her voice.

A faint blush tinged N's cheeks as he accepts the compliment, a flicker of uncertainty shadowing his expression. For him, praise had always been a rarity, an unfamiliar melody in the symphony of his life. He brushed off her words with a self-deprecating laugh, his gaze drifting to the window.

"Thanks, but it's nothing special."

Uzi furrowed her brow, sensing his discomfort. She set the sketchbook down and turned to face him fully.

"N, you need to learn how to accept praise," she said gently. "This is incredible, and you should be proud of it."

N shifted uncomfortably, his fingers tracing the edge of the table as he struggled to find the right words. Finally, he spoke, his voice quiet with emotion.

"I used to draw with my sister," he admitted, his gaze fixed on the tabletop. "The night I left home, I gave her the best sketch I ever did. I wanted her to have something special, you know? But I felt like I didn't have much to offer."

Uzi reached out and placed a comforting hand on his arm, her expression soft with understanding.

"N, you have so much to offer," she assured him. "And I know leaving your sister was hard, but I'm sure you had your reasons. You thought you were doing what was best for her, didn't you?"

N's eyes met hers for a moment, filled with uncertainty and guilt, but then he tore them away.

"But now I'm not so sure," he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. "Maybe I should have stayed, maybe I should have been there for her."

Uzi squeezed his arm gently, offering him a reassuring smile.

"You can't change the past, N," she said softly. "But you can be there for her now. And for me. You're not alone anymore."

N's gaze softened as he took in her words, a flicker of hope stirring in his heart. With Uzi by his side, maybe he can learn to forgive himself.

* * *

As V, J, and Lizzy stepped into the library, memories of N flooded V's mind. She remembered how he used to spend hours in the one at the manor, seeking solace from the constant noise of their home. She shared this with J, who responded with a dismissive scoff.

"Really? That's where he kept going?" J asked incredulously.

V nodded, her gaze distant as she recalled N's quiet determination to find peace amidst the chaos.

"Yeah. He told me he didn't like how noisy the rest of the manor was," V explained. "Something about how it wasn't the volume as much as it was how constant the noise was."

As they made their way through the library, V's heart clenched with the hope of finding her brother. She knew she let him down before, but she's determined to make things right now.