MLQC Oneshots

Care for a friend (Shaw)

wow hello this book got 10k reads wow thats a lot of reads, people actually reading my book is a wild concept to me, but im very greatful nonetheless, thanks a bunch

soulmate!au, and also some swearing i think 

another a/n at the bottom, i dont really wanna spoil anything up here lol

thanks again! all my love (and also good luck on the halloween banner gacha is a pain sometimes)

-

Shaw knew he had a soulmate. Unfortunately.

He knew by the scars that would appear suddenly on his arms. Ones unfamiliar and unwelcomed. It was a good thing that he dressed as he did, in layered outfits and leather jackets, no one ever noticed. But even if they did saw, he knew, no one ever cared enough to ask.

Shaw lived his life alone. He had bandmates, and the few people in his classes to talk to, sure. But none enough for him to ever consider them 'friends.'

That was the truth for a long while. Until,

'Shaw!' standing outside their usual meeting place, a bar on the outskirts of Loveland, he waved at him from a distance. Shaw rolled his eyes.

She was cute. Too cute. Too kind, too caring for someone as aggravating as he was. But, maybe that was that. 'Opposites attract' or so they say.

Oh god, what was he thinking.

'Shaw?' Finally coming back to the present, Shaw realizes he is standing before her now. Her deep brown eyes stare back at him with curiosity. 'Are you alright?'

'Fine.' he shoves a hand in his pocket, as he throws the plastic bag over his shoulder. 'Are you coming or what?'

'Right, of course.'

What started as a 'punishment date' became something more. Where they would spend time together for 'convenience' or excusing it as not having anything else to do that day. Shaw wouldn't call these sessions of theirs dates, per se. But, it would be lying to say he didn't look forward to hanging out with her, even if he'd never admit it.

'I can only guess where we're going.' she says, walking at his side.

'Oh yeah?' he comments back. 'Well, it wasn't like I was hiding it or anything. Hey, hold on-'

He grabbed her hand. Just as she was about to walk into the street, with the light turned red, a car speeds through the intersection.

'God damn, speeding in the middle of the day.' his hand doesn't leave hers, as he looks in her direction.

'I'm fine.' he doesn't know if she's saying that to him or herself. She stares forward, her eyes wide. 'Thank you for stopping me.'

'It's nothing.' he says. Instead of letting go, her hand squeezes his. Shaw hesitates, but as quickly as they paused, they continued forward. Hand in hand, they cross the street.

It was only when they reached the allway a few blocks away did she let go. The spot between buildings was familiar to them both. She sits back against the wall opposite the one covered in art, looking at interest at what decorated the wall today.

'Someone tried to paint over it.' Shaw moves to the opposite wall. 'They did a pretty shitty job of it.' he comments.

'I'm sure you'll do something better!'

Shaw scoffs. 'Flatterer.'

'Would you rather I say 'no, you'll make it worse then it is?'' With a small glance, he could see the small smile that dressed her lips.

'Fine, then. Flatter me all you want.' he takes out a can from his bag and starts to shake. 'Do whatever you want.'

Shaw reaches for another can, but misses. Instead, he finds he cuts himself on a stray piece of glass.

He swears harshly, prompting her to look up at him from across the way.

'What? Did something happen?'

'Nothing. It's- god, I'm stupid.'

The glass cut through the plastic bag, leaving a bright red scar against his palm. He doesn't notice until she's leaning over his shoulder, but she had hurried to his side to observe herself.

'You cut your hand!'

'I'll be fine.'

'I know that. But, at least let me help you bandage it.'

'You would do that?' he laughs.

'Of course! I'm not so unprepared, you know.'

It feels childish as they sit crossed-legged beside one another, but Shaw withholds his complaints. He watches as she rummages through her bag.

'You say that like you expected me to cut myself.'

'It's only inevitable, isn't it? When we hang out in this dangerous alleyway, of all places.'

Shaw laughs. 'It being 'dangerous' is the least of your problems.'

She works carefully. Shaw has never really stopped long enough to notice how meticulous she truly was. He can't help but stare.

Up her gentle hands, to the loose wool cardigan she wore over her work shirt.

Could she? No. Shaw refused to think about that; he didn't care about soulmates, he's never cared. Everytime he looked at the scars that covered his arms, he told himself he didn't care.

And it being her, no less? Was he some kind of idiot-

Wordlessly, Shaw takes her arm with his free hand, and pulls up her sleeve.

Neither reacts at first, as MC sits with surprise and Shaw takes in the sight held before him. She had scars alright. Messy scars, climbing up and down her arm.

'Shaw.' she says breathlessly. His head tilts up and their eyes meet.

He never thought he would ever settle down with someone, but he can't help but play with the thought. If it was with her, someone so accepting and patient, he could almost see something nice.

Almost.

As they stare in silence, Shaw finds himself studying her face. Making it more clear and obvious when a new scar appears out of the blue. On her upper cheek, barely missing her eye. A new scar, but in the wrong place.

He's never felt so stupid.

Shaw swears without realizing. Her hand falls from his, as Shaw shoves himself back. He sees her touch her own cheek, her face shifts with realization.

'Shaw,' he gets to his feet, ignoring his things, ignoring her above all. 'Shaw, wait!'

What is there left to say. Why does he feel like this? Why does he care? I mean, Shaw is the person who doesn't care about anything.

But, he leaves anyway.

-

She knows there was something with him. Something different. Shaw may be a pain to deal with, arrogant at times with his teasing words and unpredictable ways, but that's what she loved about him.

She cursed fate for tying her to someone else.

Who's to blame in this situation? Nothing was stopping her from running after him, to try and explain her complicated feelings. But, she doesn't move.

Collecting her things, including the bags and cans that he'd left, and stood at the always exit.

She figures it's better to go home. After all, she had this whole new scar to cover up.

-

open ended, you can only imagine what may happen next

with my next burst of motivation, hopefully i can find the will to continue this because i really enjoyed it