The City (Merome AU)

13

~*Mitch*~

He is willing to give up everything for you, Mitch. Even his perfect life in this city. Why? What makes me so special?I'm sure my face is bright red as I look at him. It feels like this man has me wrapped around his finger, and that probably is the case. Why am I a sucker for guys like him?

"J-Jerome. D-did you know?" I ask, my gaze not leaving his.

"Know what?"

"That I'm? Never mind." I take a deep breath. "So you want to know everything?"

"Yes. I do." His free hand reaches down and intertwines his fingers with mine.

"Alright." Taking another deep breath, I tell him. I tell him about my father, my travels, every time someone tried to kill me, how many people I had to harm to save myself. Everything spills out. My the time I'm about to tell him my name, there are tears running down my cheeks. I can't believe I'm crying in front of him...

"Benja." He wraps his arms around me, holding me in a tight embrace. I hide my face in his shoulder, tears still fighting to break free. One of his hands rubbed circles in my back, the other played with my hair.

"Mitch." My voice sounds quieter than a whisper. The name felt foreign coming from my mouth.

"Hmm?"

"My real name. It's Mitch." I say it a bit louder. My hands grip the fabric of his shirt, worried that he will react badly. Please don't think my name is as stupid as I do...

"Mitch." It sounded beautiful coming out of his mouth. Honestly, I forgot what my name sounded like coming from another mouth. "It suits you much better than Benja."

"Really?" I look up at him, my face heating up again.

"Of course." His eyes shine with emotions I've never seen before.

"I've never told anyone any of this," I murmur softly.

"How does it feel?"

"I don't know." I look down and trace patterns on his shirt with my fingers. How do I explain what I've never felt before? His fingers touch the bottom of my chin and gently forces me to look him in the eyes.

"Thank you for telling me," He says with a small smile.

"N-no. Don't thank me."

"Alright." He looks away for a moment before looking back at me. "Say, have you ever kissed someone before?" My face heats up, yet again. What kind of question is that?

"N-no?" Jerome smiles at me.

"Good." Before I could react, Jerome closed the distance between us. His lips against mine. Jerome is kissing me.

Wait... Jerome is kissing me?!

~*Frags*~

I look away from the two and rub my temples. Of the few things I caught Benja say, I already knew. All I wanted was his name! Not to see them kiss...

But it was cute though... Ugh Preston stop!

I shake my head before walking away from the area, giving them their peace. The more people in that area, the less likely they will be safe from public eye. I might be a wastelander, but I respect people's boundaries. Unlike some people I know. Hands in my pockets, I weave through the crowd of people. I'm like Benja; nobody actually notices that I'm a wastelander. They think I'm a normal city guy. Sometimes I wish I was...

"Frags." I turn to see Woofless walking over to me. "Did you find out anything about Benja?"

"Not much, but I did find something that could make him give us the information himself."

"Oh? Do say." Woofless looks at me with a devious grin.

"It's the City boy. His name is Jerome." Woofless nods, his smile growing.

"I thought they were hiding something." He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, smile disappearing. "That was all I needed to know Frags. Thank you."

"No problem Woof. Now, about that a payment?" Woofless sighs before tossing me a small bag.

"Don't spend it all in one sitting. It will last you longer then." I smile and look into the bag, eying the many golden coins inside.

"Yeah, yeah. Not the first time someone's told me that." I slide the bag into a pocket before holding my hand out toward Woofless. "Nice doing business with you, Mr. Scares-a-lot." Woofless shakes my hand before turning and walking away. His hands in his pockets. He's so dramatic. Can't he relax for once in his life?