A World Without You. (Human AU Connor x Markus)

Chapter 4

Connor didn't know what he was doing.

Maybe one could call it 'Sobbing in your car whilst blasting lonely classics' but... Well, now that he thought about it, that's precisely what he was doing. He was sad. Not exactly 'depressed', or 'Grieving', but just... Sad. He felt unmotivated, emotional, like crawling into a deep hole and dying there. Why was he so damn emotional, you may ask... Well, he went ahead and bought tickets, got an outfit, did everything he could to prepare for his meeting with the mysterious man whom blessed his dreams, and it turns out, the damn artist is anonymous!

So here he sat, a glass of cheap wine in his hand as he sobbed in front of his friend's house. God knows when he'd actually find the courage to knock on the door and ask for some advice, but there was no turning back now.
The brunette let out half-sobs as 'All By Myself' played, the last few lyrics falling from his mouth in a mangled mess. He let out a few more quiet cries, trying to calm himself before confronting his friend. He knew it was hopeless, of course, the little makeup he had couldn't hide his red and puffy eyes, which practically said 'I've been crying for a few hours now, console me.'

He finally left his car, sniffling as he looked down at his unusual attire. Said unusual attire consisted of some old jacket and a pair of sweatpants, not the most extravagant outfit he had worn. The brunette shook his head, trying to clear homself up a little more before knocking. After all, he didn't want to scare his friend too much, showing up in worn clothing and puffy eyes. He let out a long sigh, in preparation of what he was about to do. Then, he knocked, hearing a deep, gravelly voice in response. "Who is it?" The older man called out from the other side, sounding as grumpy as usual. "It's C-Connor." The other replied, internally cursing himself for stuttering. His friend was going to be worried, then things would escalate, then it was all downhill from there. That's the one reason he hadn't approached this particular friend before, in fear of such an incident.

The man quickly opened the door, only to be met with a badly clothed post-panic-attack Connor. "Connor, what happened? Get in here, it's cold outside, you're probably freezing..." He mumbled, pulling the smaller inside the house without hesitation.

"Hank? I need to talk to you..."

~~~

Markus didn't know what he was doing.

It was eleven PM, and he lay in bed, that particular day's events replaying in the back of his mind, an endless loop fueled only by Markus's knowledge of his own mistakes, things he knew he could have improved, stopped from happening, times he could have done better.
His biggest mistake was not making more of a public appearance that day.
He remembered seeing a glimspe of his dream lover's face among the crowd, several times, actually. He'd see the dark oak locks in the sea of people, or notice those hazel eyes he got lost in more times than he could count. He'd notice that one familiar face, and he wpuld search and search for that same familiar face afterwards... But alas, to no avail, that face was a mere illusion, his mind trying to create the dream boy he loved so much in the real world.

His gaze shifted, in some attempt to focus on something else, anything else. Anything but those few freckles he'd see on his lover's shoulders and knees, anything but the rosy cheeks that plagued his dreams, anything but the brunette's beautiful lips and how they felt against his own...

Anything but Connor.

Markus let out a long sigh, rubbing his eyes with a tired and grumpy frown. He should just sleep, so he could maybe see that beautiful, perfect, god of a man in his dreams... He didn't deserve that man, didn't deserve that kind and caring personality that managed to stay tactical and analytical when it had to be, didn't deserve those beautiful eyes a d the perfect structure, the perfect everything... Markus didn't deserve him at all. What had he done? What incredible act of kindness had he committed to be worthy of such a beautiful lover, such a beautiful partner that loved him back with all of his heart?

Markus's hands itched to grab his phone, dying to make a call and hear that familiar, soothing voice that had first inspired him to paint. He reached across the bed, taking it off it's charger and scrolling through his contacts in search of the name. He felt a smile tug at lips as he mouthed the familiar name, not hesitating to tap the 'call' button and listen as the phone rang. Finally, the other picked up, voice as calm and smooth as it usually was.

"Markus? It's nearly midnight, what's wrong?"
Carl Manfred questioned, confusion and worry laced in his voice as he patiently awaited the other's response.

"Dad? I need someone to talk to."

~~~

I'm soRRy fOR ThE LoNg waiT DeaR fRIENds
I wrote this all in one sitting and it's currently 4:28 AM please spare me.
Sorry for the shorter chapter, this was only 855 words smh.