It had been going on for a few weeks already. Days had turned into weeks, now, it’s about to be weeks turning into months. Probably year soon. Asra and Julian have been arguing, giving each other silent treatment, giving each other either verbal or physical abuse. After each episode, each guy will go sleep it off on the couch or their own separate bedroom. Sometimes, actually no, most of the time, Julian will burden Asra by backstabbing him with hurtful comments about his so-called stupid attitude to other people and he would show people the bruises Asra gave him and claim he was “being abused” even though he knew Asra’s wounds were way deeper than his. Well, since Julian was and is a doctor, many people sided with him and believed him therefore many people would stay away from Asra. Some even thought that he, Asra had been supposedly possessed by the Devil. Sometimes, out of revenge, Asra would spread rumours about Julian to other people saying that Julian was actually causing The Plague and that he often “abuses” him with hurtful comments. The people of Vesuvia were used to rumours and gossips and would literally believe anything that was untrue even when common sense keeps telling them that it’s not true in front of their face. The breakup soon happened one morning when Julian came home from The Palace looking grim...
At the magic shop…
SLAM! The door of the shop shut with a tremendous bang and Julian’s voice rang out clearly through the shop, “Asra Alnazar! Who are you to say that I’m causing The Plague you wretched fox!?” Asra’s calm footsteps were heard slowly descending the steps and he soon appeared all dressed up in travelling gear. His usual black hat with the colourful feather, the satchel, his scarf, his vest and travelling coat. “What is it? Ju-lian?” Asra asked him coldly, eyes narrowing beneath the hat. “Oh, you heard me and don’t tell me you’re leaving just to avoid me.” Julian said sarcastically. Asra sighed and took off his hat to stare at Julian coldly. “I did. What about your share of the rumours? Me? Being possessed? Impossible. “he said quietly but fiercely. Julian looked down at him and folded his arms. Julian sneered, “What about the bruises you gave me? How about all the backstabbing? Huh?” Asra started laughing coldly. “OH, really? Me “abusing” you? YOU were the one who did most of the backstabbing. The rumours. The fake lies. It was all YOU. And here I am with cuts on myself out of anxiety, depression, and stress! Because of YOU ILYA!” Asra shouted, his voice cracking out of emotion. He started to cry quietly in front of Julian. Julian shifted his feet and looked down guiltily. “Did you ever think about how I felt? What I felt when you went around spreading nonsense around? Did you ever bother to think that I have no one to turn to? DID YOU?!” Asra sobbed in front of him uncontrollably. “A-Asra. I-I…” Julian stuttered before tearing up. He held his head and ran his hands through his hair, trying to process whatever Asra said. A few tears escaped his eyes as he can’t bear to see him in pain. TOO much pain.
Suddenly, the worst thing came when Julian tried to put an arm around Asra to comfort him but he pushed it away. “Julian. Ilya. I can’t anymore. This has to stop. It’s wrong. I’m tired. You’re tired. This is not gonna work out.” Asra sniffed turning away. “Y-you’re not?” Julian stammered. “Yes. Yes, I am. I’m… I’m breaking up this relationship… With you. I’ll give us time to calm down for a few months. That’s why I’m leaving.” Asra sighed. “B-but. N-no. This…Can’t be! You can’t leave me! Please!” Julian cried out in distress. “No. This is bad. For both of us. We. Have. To. STOP. Right here. This minute. This hour. Today.” Asra said firmly. “Asra! I assure you we can work it out! We can-“
“NO. This ends. Find someone new. I’ll find someone new. Soon. We will continue this once I come back. Goodbye, Ilya.” Asra said sadly. He covered his face with the scarf and wore his hat again and left the shop and Julian standing there. “No! Wait! ASRA!!” Julian called out and ran to the door. But the man was gone… For now… Julian stood there in confusement, shock and sadness. He couldn’t bear to think about how much PAIN Asra was feeling right now. Julian sighed and closed the door of the shop and hung up the ‘CLOSED’ sign.
That Night…
It was pouring with rain. HEAVY rain. A man in a black leather coat stood in an alleyway beside a tavern. His reddish auburn hair was the only sign that he stood there. Shrouded in the dark. The man was crying, his slightly messy hair covering half his face. His head was in his hands that were clad in black button-up leather gloves. After a while, the man lifted his head and let out a long, frustrated cry. That man is Julian Devorak, aka Doctor 069.
*Sniffs* “A-Asra… W-why?” he sniffed. He slid down the wall and buried his head into his knees for protection. He lifted up his head to look at the moon and sniffed again. Julian was outside the Rowdy Raven tavern. He decided to let out everything that was on his on his mind before going in for a drink. He let out a shaky sigh before getting up and going inside the Rowdy Raven. There were a few regular customers but not many. The tavern is still in its noisy and cheerful state even though it was raining heavily outside. As he made his way to the bar, the bartender lifted up his head and asked him, “Usual?” Julian shook his head and sighed, “Give me a mugful of your hardest liquor. Please.” “You sure? You don’t look like you’re up for it.” The bartender said looking concerned. “Just give me the damn thing.” Julian growled. “Alright. If ya say so.” He shrugged. Julian watched him as he poured the strong smelling alcoholic liquid into a mug. “Here. Help yourself mate.” The bartender said pushing the mug towards Julian. Julian took the mug and started chugging down the liquor. “Woah. Calm down mate. Don’t do that to yourself.” The bartender said, his eyes widening.
Julian drained the last bit of alcohol and set down the mug with a slight ‘thump’. “It’s no use.” Julian whispered as he threw a few gold coins on the counter. As he staggered away from the tavern, a man with violet eyes watched him from the shadows together with a rugged looking giant with bright green eyes. The two of them soon disappeared into the shadows after seeing that the ‘doctor’ was alright; even though they knew the truth that he was not. He was not taking this well…
CLIFFHANGER! Sequel in progress!
