Don't Believe Everything You See | Mirage x Crypto FanFiction | Apex Legends

chapter 3 - comfort

it took me a while to wrap my head around what happened in the cafeteria. mirage has never been like that with me, i don't even think he made fun of me once. it's just such a shift, i'm struggling to process it.

i want to go talk to him more, figure out what's going on with him, but we've never actually had a proper conversation until yesterday. guess i'll stick to keeping my eye out for him. hell, why am i even so interested? he's nothing but self-obsessed and a prick.. but i swear there's more to the picture, i can't be crazy.

shaking my head to clear my thoughts, i head to my bathroom to splash some water on my face. gazing deep into the mirror at myself, i pull a face then roll my eyes and leave.

mirage was most likely going to be in the training facility, so i slipped my feet into my combat boots and made my way out of my room.

•••

heading inside, it didn't take me long to spot him. he seemed to be making a fool out of himself in front of wraith and lifeline as usual. rolling my eyes, i took a seat on a bench that was pretty far away from him, pulling out my drone from it's pouch on my back to mess around with it whilst i observed him. i didn't wanna draw too much attention to myself, i was just hoping to see if he was still acting any different.

"oh hello there!" a cheery light voice spoke to my right as i felt a thump on the bench. it was wattson. lovely girl, haven't spoken much, but she seemed really sweet.

"hey." i gave her a small wave using my drone and she smiled.

"what are you doing sitting alone? why not join the others?" she asked with her finger pressed to her chin in wonder.

"oh you know, just wanted some privacy that's all." i explained trying to be as vague as possible.

"oh well i'm sorry to bother, it's just mirage was speaking to me last night.. about you." she revealed and i swear i felt my heart drop to my stomach, that blush pricking at my cheeks once again. why does he do that to me? so irritating.

"a-about me? well, what did he say?" i asked, my voice getting a little higher with a slight desperation to know the answer.

"well, he just told me how you seemed to open up to him more and it made him happy. he's going through some tough stuff at the moment, but he really appreciated it." she explained with a warm tone, clearly happy for her friend.

i knew something was different. i should trust my gut more often. poor guy, i can't help but ponder what might be going on with him.

"i see. well i'm glad i could help, although it was kind of a surprise.. i'm used to him being a dick to me." i replied with honesty, a small chuckle afterwards.

"well, i'm sure he won't be a d-word much anymore!" she giggled with her hand on her mouth. "look i have to go, but i advise you to talk to him some more. i know a couple more things about him.. and how he feels about you, crypto.." she explained with a wink then got up from the bench and made her way out.

what is she talking about? how he feels about me? i thought he disliked me? i felt such confusion that it was starting to give me a headache. i turned on my drone, trying to distract myself. that was until, i peeked at him and our eyes locked once more. he really was watching me too. shit. he snapped his head away, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly as he gave an exaggerated laugh at lifeline who just gawked at him in confusion.

i let out a snicker from his idiocy, hiding in my hoodie to conceal my amusement. before i knew it, those big boots were walking towards me once again and oh boy my heart was pounding. why does he do this to me?

"h-hey hey, crypto! how's it hanging?" he greeted with a shaky voice, arms crossed to play it cool. i cringed mentally at him but he also gave me butterflies. a great combination.

"i'm good, and you?" my voice was low and chilled, why am i so goddamn boring?

"mind if i take a seat?" he asked pressing his fingertips together, must have been from nerves. i nodded and patted the spot beside me to which he gave me a smile then proceeded to plop himself down.

"so uh.. about yesterday. i wanted to thank you." he said with slight hesitation but a warm smile tugging at his lips.

"thank me for what? all i did was talk to you?" i asked with curiosity.

"well, talking to me helped. you see, i haven't talked about this with many people, but my mother.." he took a deep deep breath, staring at his feet with tears welling in his eyes. i suddenly felt awful and just wanted to comfort him, "we found out she has dementia and she's losing her memory slowly. she called yesterday but very obviously forgot what my name was.. it just hit me i-" before he could go on and work himself up anymore i swiftly pulled him into a hug. i don't know what came over me, but i hated to watch him struggle like that.

his face pressed into my shoulder, tears soaking my hoodie as he sobbed softly. i frowned, rubbing small circles on his back. i'm not usually the caring and affectionate type, but for him i didn't even care, he needed comforting.

"sh-shit." he whispered as he pulled away rubbing at his red and puffy eyes. "i soaked your top, i-i can get you a new one.." he offered as he stared at the patch with a sniffle.

"no no, don't worry it'll dry out." i assured. "i just hope you feel a little better now."

he nodded with a weak smile, rubbing my arm followed by a small tap.

"c-could you cuh-cuh-come to my room tonight? i think you know where it is, but in case not, it's number 201." there was a hint of desperation in his voice and i knew i couldn't say no to him.

"i'll be there. now go get some rest."