Reverie [The Distortionist x reader]

Chapter 1

(Art by camm-6 on Tumblr)

The truth projected through a lense

With nothing proving otherwise

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The bitter taste of coffee washes over your taste buds. You blink, the caffeine numbing your underlying tiredness slightly more. You set the mug down on your desk with a little clink and continue writing on your typewriter, moving your hands with newly-found vigor. Inspiration gently kisses your thoughts, manifesting itself in the inked words.

A celebrity, commonly known as the Candle Queen, had just gone to England for a week to perform in the royal court. The plays she'd done had gone so well that it was article-worthy. And since articles don't just pop up out of nowhere, you are one of the journalists that were writing about it.

You are glad you accepted to write this article when you did, even though celebrity gossip isn't your specialty. Very recently, a murder in broad daylight had occurred, and you don't know much else. You'd never written anything about crimes, and jumping directly into the "murder" category would have been disastrous for the paper's reputation and your career.

The article went to Henry Elsner, who was both your co-worker and friend. He had written about crimes before, so it wouldn't be a problem for him. Still... You hadn't spoken to him in a couple of days. Perhaps you two needed to catch up sometime.

The creak of an opening door distracts you from your work and your offhand thoughts. Henry peers through the crack in the door, his dull greenish-gray eyes even more drained of life than normal.

Without waiting for your signal, he enters. Knocking was just a bare formality that is only there because you are working. Otherwise, he wouldn't hesitate to just enter. He comes to talk to you pretty much every day anyway, he just didn't come yesterday.

"I should be working right now, but..." he trails off. "[Y/N], I really apologize for interrupting you..."

"What is it, Henry?" you catch on quickly that something is wrong.

He fidgets, looking anywhere that isn't you. "The victim of this murder was..." You don't hear the last part, he spoke it so low.

"Please, do tell," You get out of your chair and approach him.

"[Y/N], I can't write the murder article." It was normal for him to look a bit down, but right now it looks like he'd burst into tears at any provocation. "The victim was Nancy."

You don't have to ask if he was kidding, because he'd never joke about this. Your hands go over your mouth in shock. Nancy was Henry's wife. While you and the other woman weren't as close as you and her husband, you still considered her a friend. To hear she was the victim of the murder...

Henry refrains from looking at you, which was wise. If he did, his grief would be too overwhelming. "What should I do...?" he murmurs.

You pull him into a hug to comfort him, ignoring societal rules about touch. "Let's switch articles, Henry." The words tumble out of your mouth. While you weren't usually that adventurous, this was a needed risk. He'd never manage to write an article about the murder of his own wife, nor would you ever subject him to that.

"You... Um, really?" He unwraps your arms from himself.

"Of course. You're my friend, and I want to help in any way I can." You gather your progress on the Candle Queen. "Here, take my work."

"Thank you, [Y/N]. I mean it." Henry smiles awkwardly and takes your papers. "I'm glad I can count on you. I just... need some time." He trudges out of your office, scuffing the wooden floor.

You should probably warn your boss about the switch. This boss, also the owner of the newspaper, was very open to ideas such as switching, but she wants to be verbally informed about it all. Finding out basic information about the murder is also needed.

You head off to confront this terrifying leap. You decide to think of it as an adventure.