in which, duke is selfish over Roberto.
based on the song, selfish by PNB Rock (rip philly legend 🕊️).
note: this takes place in 2019, but has the characters of 2019 fanum and 2023 duke. age difference as fanum is 21 while duke is 23.
thank you for reading and enjoy 💕!
—THE BRONX, 2019.
the summer of 2019 was here. summer actually came quick into the city like it had something to prove—air was being fresh, thick with the heat. but with that of course came with the vibes, music and the hookah that fanum always loved.
fanum preferred summer over spring. he was allergic to the pollen that came off tree and he hated as he always had the runny nose, sneezing and coughing when he had the chance. so when summer came around, he always tried to come out the house the best that he could.
but this time was different.
fanum hadn't came out since it was the announced spring was here. he was still on his breakup with Angie.
Angie. her name to fanum still stuck in the corners of his brain. they were together for a year and a half, getting together while she was in the 2nd year of college while fanum already been dropped out but picked up a job and the camera as he wanted to make content on YouTube. it was young love that felt older and smooth to them.
but it was burdened by expectations neither of them could carry. it started all well, wearing matching fits and late-night face FaceTime calls when she had the chance to do the, but the cracks showed fast.
she wanted more time, but he wanted more space.
she wanted future talk when he was still trying to figure out his life. he wasn't ready for that talk, especially when he wanted to have kids.
then she got into her second semester of college and their schedule stopped lining up, their calls turned arguments into seconds, and every time she asked for fanum to come over and go over to her dorm but fanum said he was too tired to come over, Angie only heard: i don't care.
the breaking point between them was stupid—it was an argument about a post that she made on her story that he commented on too quickly, too aggressive on his part. she said he didn't trust her. he said she didn't listen. words were flowing out like they been needing to say this for awhile.
then, it was silence.
a week passed. then two.
neither reached out.
when she finally did, it was just to say goodbye. she expressed how she needed to find her peace, not wanting to be someone's second priority again. she explained how he always stopped putting her first, always worrying how he was gonna stay afloat.
but fanum...fanum understood and he didn't stopped her. he couldn't.
he was fighting real personal demons that she didn't needed to be around.
and that's what burned the most to him. he could've talked it out with her, but he didn't.
the ringing of his phone pulled him out his thoughts, eyes wondering to the phone on his dresser.
it was kai, knowing he want him to come out.
he picked his head while reaching over for his phone, accepting the call as he pressed it against his ear.
"hello?" he said with his voice cracking.
"yo, i'm at your door." kai said, making fanum groan.
"why the fuck you here bro?" he said, getting up with irritation in his skin and bones.
