r.e.m

find someone like you.

"Somethin' 'bout the way that you talk to me
Even when you're not around, I feel you boy
Tangled in your love and your energy
Perhaps it was the way that you smiled
I see you boy, oh I need you boy."

Date: November 12th
Time: 12:01 PM
Location: Blaze's Apartment

The moment I woke up, I felt that heavy, sinking feeling in my chest, like something had shifted in the night. The bed felt too empty, too cold, the silence stretching out longer than it should have. There was no steady breathing beside me, or no warm arm draped over my waist. Only the stillness and the dull ache of absence crashing in on me.

Gage lay curled at my feet, his small body rising and falling in deep, even breaths, but it wasn't enough. My fingers reached out, searching, grazing over the spot where Blaze should've been, and the second I touched nothing but cold sheets, my stomach clenched.

I sat up slowly, pressing my palm against my sternum, trying to steady the uneven rhythm of my heart. It was stuttering, tripping over itself, moving in a pattern that felt too close to panic. My mind was already spinning, piecing together stupid reasons, all of them worse than the last.

He got tired of this.
He realized you're too much.
He woke up and saw you for what you are: damaged.

I clenched my jaw, shaking my head against the thoughts clawing their way in. They weren't real. I knew that but knowing didn't stop the feeling. It didn't stop the way my body reacted on instinct, that deep-rooted fear that's been instilled in me. It didn't matter that Blaze wasn't the type to just disappear on me. It didn't matter that we had been cuddling just hours ago. The damage was already done; my brain had already latched onto the worst, and now I had to fight to pull myself back.

Exhaling slowly, I swung my legs over the edge of the bed, my bare feet meeting the cool floor. The contrast sent a slight shiver up my spine, grounding me just enough to move. Gage lifted his head, ears twitching, his dark eyes locking onto me like he could feel the change in my energy. He didn't whine or move, he just sat there waiting, like he knew I needed a second.

I reached down, scratching behind his ear, letting my fingers linger in his fur for a moment longer than necessary. "I'm good," I murmured, more for myself than him.

Gage blinked, unconvinced, but I pushed forward, moving toward the door, my body pulling me toward Blaze like it always did. I just needed to see him, needed proof that he was still here and I wasn't dreaming.

The sound of a video game carried from the living room, a familiar mix of button mashing and shit talking filling the space. "Man, I swear you be cheating," Rabbit's voice rang out, laced with frustration.

Blaze chuckled, deep and effortless. "Ain't my fault you ass, nigga."

I stopped in the doorway, my eyes settling on them. Blaze was sprawled across the couch, his hands gripping a controller, looking as relaxed as ever. Rabbit sat next to him, hoodie slipping off his shoulder, his whole body tense like he was ready to throw the controller at the screen.