start a fire, watch it burn

douse

John Doe is dangerous. He is a red supergiant, a star brimming with hate and violence, one step shy from becoming a black hole that will devour New Bostin whole. You do not mind it, in fact, you revel in the danger he poses. You know danger like you know bloodshed, intimately and dearly— it is not something you shy away from.

Danger is familiar. Danger is normalcy, and John is danger wrapped in a pretty package.

"Let's go grab something to eat after school!" You cheerfully suggest, clapping your hands together. John raises an eyebrow, wondering how on earth are you still so energetic after a day at school. He supposes it's because you're new, because you do not have eyes fixed on your back, watching your every move.

"Are you always this happy?" He asks. You laugh then grin, poking his cheek.

"Of course, who wouldn't be happy about getting some food?" You tilt your head to the side, the gentle breeze sweeping a curtain of your hair over your face. Huffing, you tuck the loose strands behind your ears, looking back at John with a wide grin. "So you're going with me right?"

He is silent for a moment before he sighs, "Sure." He replies, sounding suspiciously defeated.

"Great! See you after class!" You leave him in the dust before he could get a word in. The wind carries your laughter, echoing like bell chimes as you disappear down the flight of stairs.

××

Disappointment washes over you when you spot John with two other people during lunch. You approach him anyways, enthusiastically greeting him.

"John! Hey!" He perks up, turning towards your direction. John gives you a lazy wave as you join him and his companions, the ever cheerful demeanour intact. "Wow, you have friends. I thought your grumpy face scared everyone off."

He elbows your side hard,  causing you to grin in return, the pain tolerable compared to some of your other injuries. You opt to ignore him, turning your attention to the other two.

"I'm [Y/N], and you guys are?"

"I'm Claire, and this is Adrion." Claire's braided hair reminds you of green apples, pleasing to eye in terms of colour but unwanted. You'll pluck her out of the equation, her and that soft spoken boy beside her who offers you a small smile.

"Nice to meet you, I hope you guys don't mind me hanging around." You'll

××

'You have a disposal job today, be sure to get home early.'

And just like that, your plans for the afternoon with John comes to an abrupt pause. Wrinkling your nose, you sigh to yourself, an order is an order. Disobedience is not an option.

Smoothing out the apprehension in your features, you turn to John, an apology on your tongue.

××

You arrive home to see Nathaniel towering over a limp body strapped to a metal chair. Quietly, you make your way to your room before changing into medical scrubs and grabbing a pair of thick gloves from the drawer of your nightstand. Making your way back down, you inhale deeply, talking yourself into a state of calm and detachment.

Traitors are scum undeserving to be treated as human. He is worthless, useless, no longer is he an asset to Nathaniel's plan. Obsolete, you tell yourself.

You will not be like him. You refuse to be.

The empty sockets of where his eyes should be stares at you as you work; you pretend it does not bother you.