Number One (a UA fanfic)

VIII

"Hey, Lu."

Luther greeted them as he sat down the dining table, as usual, rubbing the sleep of his eyes. Somehow last night he was on the bed when he had fallen asleep on the floor after crying his eyes out. He also unpacked his bags, he doesn't remember ever planning to leave last night.

What happened?

"Luther, what do you say if we have scrambled eggs and bacon for breakfast?"

It's been a month since Luther ran away yet Luther doubts his former decision to be a runner. The nearest gym is quite far and he likes the security Eden can give. 35% isn't so bad at all, Eden is so patient in teaching him how to live normally. Shouldn't he be grateful to get a roommate as patient as them? Why did he want to leave?

"That'll be great, you're a good cook anyway." Luther shrugs, sipping on his black coffee. Reginald didn't like coffee and didn't have any in the Academy, it's when he moved out he had so many of his firsts.

"Sure thing, Bromeo." Luther furrowed his brows. Bromeo?

"Bromeo?"

"You know Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet?" Eden asked.

"Oh, yeah. It's about two young teenagers from two different families who hated each other but the two teenagers fell in love and tried to run away together, right?" Luther nods, putting down his coffee mug. Eden nods.

"You're like my Romeo, but my bro." Eden serves one of the plates to the table in front of Luther before taking a seat in front of him. "Hence Bromeo, from the word 'bro' and 'Romeo'."

"Ahh, I see." Luther nods, taking a spoon and spooning some of the scrambled eggs in his mouth. "This is so good. Well, anything you cook ends up good."

"Thank you." Eden looks down before back up again, grabbing the ketchup nearby and adding some to their plate before eating.

Luther stole a glance at Eden, furrowing his brows as he sees how... weird... Eden looks. Even with how dark Eden's skin is Luther can see how there are hints of red on their caramel skin and they can't seem to sit properly. The eyes aren't focused, all in all, they're a mess. What's wrong?

"Eden, what's going on?" Luther asked the moment he finished his bacon, having to finish the remaining scrambled eggs. "You seem... rather off... Are you sick? Your face is red, we should get you medicine. Are you running a fever?"

"Nothing, nothing," Eden assured him before looking down. "Actually, there is something I'd like to ask you."

"What is it?"

"What happened to you yesterday?" Eden asked, looking up to see him. "It's not every day you see someone on the floor of their room with tear stains down their face. Be honest, do you regret living with me?"

"No I don't, I don't regret living with you at all," Luther denied. "It's complicated, but I'm not thinking about running away from you."

"I see, I see." Eden took a sip out of their water. "I went back at four AM and checked on you a bit, I was shocked when I see you asleep on the floor with the suitcase half-filled and tear stains all over your face."

"I thought about it, not gonna lie." Luther bit his bottom lip as he confessed. "I thought my dad missed me, I was the most loyal one between us members and the one with the best leadership skill if I say so myself."

"What stopped you?"

"I can't do everything on my own," Luther continued. "I can't save the world on my own. None of my siblings stayed, so why do I have to? Why do I have to stay loyal to my dad when he wouldn't even call me by my name? Why would I have to stay loyal to him when he wouldn't even name us?"

"Fair point."

"Then I thought about you," Luther moved on to the second point. "You wouldn't be happy at all if I leave you and frankly I am happy to be here. It's nowhere as grand as the Academy was but you gave me what I always wanted, recognition. Sure, you know Number One, but you also know Luther, something my dad doesn't bother to do."

"You'll always be Luther to me." Eden held Luther's hand and smiled, which he smiled back. "The cute dumbarse who don't even know how to fistbump."

"Hey, you don't know how to fight!" Luther laughed. "We have our own strengths and weaknesses."

"I guess." Eden pulled apart as they took a swig off their drink.

"What about you, E?" Luther asked. Eden hummed as they looked up their glass to face him. "What happened to you yesterday?"

"I had a meeting."

"And you being jittery right now is a result from it?" Luther questioned further. Just then Luther sees Eden's cheeks turn reddish, their legs still jumpy.

"You could say," Eden squeaked. "I had a one-night stand."

"Oh?" Luther raised his brow, somehow feeling a bit gutted with the confession. "With who?"

"Some skinny brunet, you don't need to know the details." Eden waved off. Luther chuckled as he stood up and grabbed Eden's plate with his before walking to the sink.

"No need to be so shy with me, E." Luther turned on the tap. "I may not know much but I'm not clueless."

"It's fine, you don't want to hear the details." Luther laughed as he dried the plates, placing them on the rack.

"Who's the brunet? Do I know him?"

"Number Four," Eden whispered, but Luther heard. Luther sighed loudly as he hit his head to the counter.

"My brother?"

"It's just one night, I swear!" Eden had their hands up in an 'I surrender!' manner. "He's so sweet with the charming smile-"

"I don't want to hear you thirsting over my brother!" Luther hissed. Eden laughed at their friend's behaviour.

"Come on, we better open up the store now."