Toxic Romantics

Chapter 1

Jonathan shifted in his seat, his elbow resting on the tabletop as he pushed his hand to cover his eyes, shifting up until it rested on his forehead. His eyes were fixed on the coffee cup in front of him, watching the steam rise from the top as his mind played over and over again the memories he so desperately wanted to leave behind.

"I love you...Edward.."

"I don't want anyone else, I want you."

"Why don't you love me?"

He would not cry, he refused to allow himself that embarrassment. As desperately as he was, his eyes started to burn. Unable to hold in his pain, the tears fell like a rainstorm, crashing against the table. He gritted his teeth, now less sad; but angry.

How dare he be rejected, how dare Edward not see that Jon was his perfect match. His soulmate. They were right for each other, he was the only person Jonathan ever let close, and now he was gone. Chasing after someone else who would never love him the same way Jon did.

He balled up his fists in his hair, still fighting back the tears. It wasn't until there was a crash of a breaking glass did he look up. His eyes met that of another man, or a boy, by Jon's standards. Their gaze only met for a second before Jon looked away, embarrassed someone had seen his tear stained face. He was sure the other would just walk away. Instead, he heard the seat in front of him move out.

He looked up at the stranger, confused and slightly annoyed by the intrusion.

"What are you-"

"You're Jonathan Crane, right? You go to Gotham University?"

Jon raised a brow, had they met before? No, surely he would remember meeting such a peculiar person. His shaggy brown hair and sweet yet mesmerizing eyes were very distinctive, Jon wouldn't forget something like that.

"I...yes. I do. What business of it is yours? And just who are you?"

"Ah, how rude of me. My name is Jervis Tetch. I go to Gotham University as well, although, I believe you are further in your studies than I am.." The other explained, giving a sickly sweet smile that made Jon cringe. This guy was almost offensively adorable, and he disliked that.

"I'm studying literature and art, and it's going very well, but you see the thing is that..aside from those two subjects, I'm rather poor at my studies. I lack a lot."

Jon did his best to act as though he had stopped paying attention, rolling his eyes and crossing his arms, "And what does that have to do with me?" He asked coldly.

"I want you to tutor me." He asked, Jervis, giving another smile.

The nerve of this kid, Jon scoffing and giving a smirk, "You're joking, right? No. I don't have time to be wasted like that, find someone else."

"I don't want someone else. I want you."

Jon's eyes widened for a moment, a flash of memory slipping back in his mind. But he closed his eyes and let out a sigh.

"I told you no." He uncrossed his legs and stood up, grabbing his bag and putting it over his shoulder.

"You want help? Go find someone in the library. I'm too busy to be playing teacher with you." And with that he turned on his heels, starting to make his way out of the cafe and head back down the street.

He wish he hadn't had to leave, it was really was a night where he didn't want to be home, but he had nowhere to go. Perhaps a stop at a bookshop would allow him to stall for time, it was the only other place he could go.

---

He arrived home late in the night, carrying a heavy bag of books as he walked up the stairs. Oh how he wished he hadn't overdone it, but when he was as depressed as he was, his bank account had to pay the price.

He turned the corner to head for his apartment, eyes fixed on his phone.

[NEW MESSAGE FROM EDWARD]: Let's meet up again soon.

[NEW MESSAGE FROM EDWARD]: I met someone.

[NEW MESSAGE FROM EDWARD]: I want to tell you all about him.

He felt a knot in his stomach sink further down, his feet feeling like cement as he walked slowly. Then his foot hit something in his way, Jon looking up to see a sleeping body resting up against his door.

It was that Jervis kid, the same one from the coffee shop that past afternoon. If he hadn't been so careful with his bag, he would have surely dropped his books in his shock.

He gave the other's foot a hefty kick, jolting Jervis awake finally.

"What are you doing here?" Jon asked with bitter annoyance, "How did you find out where I lived? Have you been stalking me? Should I have to call the police?"

"No need for that Jonathan. As for why; I've come to ask you to tutor me again." He said plainly, standing up and starting to brush himself off, "Please, consider it. I'll pay if I have to, although I haven't much money, I can pick up another job if I must. So please, won't you help me?"

"I told you to find someone else, didn't I?" Jon pushed the other out of the way, starting to unlock his door, "You'd have much better luck learning from someone who actually wants to help you." He finished, pushing his door open and attempting to close the door, but Jervis blocked it from closing and persisted.

"I told you I want it to be you, it can't be anyone else." He argued, pushing against the closing door, "Please, I want you."

"I said no!" Jon snapped, finally shoving the door closed and locking the deadbolt. He sighed heavily, leaning against the door and covering his eyes with a hand.

Although his relief was short-lived, as the sound came from the other side of the door. His eyes widened and he patted his pockets frantically before throwing the door open to see that Jervis was gone, as was his key that he left in the door.

Great, not only was this the worst day of his life but now his key was stolen by a crazy person. How could things get any worse after this?

"I'll have to replace the fucking lock now." He grumbled, slamming the door shut and groaning. He didn't even have the energy to deal with anything else for the day, deciding now was a good of a time as ever to just go to bed. Maybe then he'll be able to relax.