My apologies for the length of time this is taking. And for how short this chapter is. I will be posting more and longer soon. As always, please let me know of any errors and please comment to give feedback. Thanking you!
Sollux was never quite sure when it had happened. For all intents and purposes he had hated Eridan Ampora with every iota of his being. The way he'd shown him his luxurious apartment with that smug look on his face. Sollux loathed it, detested it. He'd envied it, which was partially why he loathed him so much. But then, Ampora had insisted upon joining him in cycling to work and had then gone as far to began talking to him during work. Sly glances over the tops of cubicles and small talks over the photocopier. Sollux had found himself increasingly working more under Eridan and had eventually begun working directly under him.
He'd loathed all of it. And yet… And yet, there was a part of him that had lit up upon learning of his new job and set the alarm an hour early in order to properly get ready for work sleeping an hour earlier to make sure the bags under his eyes weren't too prominent.
And there was the fact he was sitting here now, staring down in to the murky depths of his espresso.
"Your breaking up with me?" Feferi squeaked, the distress audible in her voice. Sollux dipped his head in shame, trying not to snort slightly at the cliché.
"Well… Yes, basically." His lips caused him to spray his spittle lightly. Embarrassed, he looked up to check she hadn't noticed, but immediately regretted it. Her cheeks were flushed a pale shade of pink and her eyes were watery, on the verge of tears.
The silence hung awkwardly, and Sollux took a sip of his coffee to ease the tension.
'Over priced and repulsive' He thought 'Chain brands are never good quality.'
"You know what, it's ok." Sollux's head shot up in alarm at the sudden softness in her voice.
"It is?" He asked, surprised.
"Yes." Smiling, Feferi took a sip of her drink, placing it back on the hard wooden table with a soft clunk. She'd composed herself now; she didn't look upset anymore, but slightly happy. "I had felt things weren't right for a long time. I'm glad I have clearance, I guess." She stood, removing her long parka from the back of her chair and shrugging it on. "I'll see you round, yes? No reason we can't be friends."
The smile broke Sollux's heart, he leaned forward, head in hands breathing heavily, staring at his own reflection in the murky brown liquid.
It wasn't until he was nearly home he began crying; at first slowly, a single tear running down his cheek, icy in the bitter winter cold. And then rapidly and more rapidly, until he was sobbing, his hands barely able to wipe away his tears fast enough.
"Hey, Sol!" 'Not now…' Sollux moaned internally. He opened his mouth to reply, but fell short as all that came out was a chocked sob.
Eridan had run up toward him, a grin on his face, but upon seeing Sollux's face, froze, to be replaced a second later with a look of concern.
"Hey Sol, you ain't lookin' too good there. Mind tellin' me what happened?"
Shaking his head aggressively Sollux bit his lip attempting to contain his crying, he chocked back a sob and managed to clear out
"I'd rather be alone."
"You sure? Because I think what you really need is a talk, n' we got plenty of time for talkin' if I'm not mistaken?"
He hesitated for a moment, thinking it through.
"C'mon" Eridan coaxed, placing his hands on each of Solux's shoulders pushing lightly. "It'll be nice!"
"Ok" Sollux murmured unwittingly, allowing himself to be pushed by the taller, more muscular male.
