New Neighbor, New Crush

A/N: Omeglestuck cosplay is so much fun! I wish I could have met more of you guys though; I only met one person from here and then someone from tumblr. But whatever, maybe next time :3

Trigger warning: derogatory terms (Even though a small part of me dies every time I use them), bullying

Chapter 8

A freshman boy walked through the hallways of a brand new school. He was so excited to finally be starting high school and make lots of cool friends that liked the same stuff he liked. He walked happily through the hallways when he bumped into a tall form and fell backwards.

"Who the hell is this runt? Damn freshman, maybe we need to teach you your place."

The boy scrambled backwards in an attempt to get away, but was grabbed by the collar and hoisted up, getting slammed into the lockers.

"Look his ears are pierced! Must be some kind of fag!" (A/N: stereotype that pierced ears on guys means they are gay)

"All the more reason to beat him up." One said, a malicious grin spreading across his face.

The person holding him raised a fist, gearing back, getting ready for a punch, and then-

John sat up quickly, breathing heavily and feeling sweat drip down the side of his face. He sat wide eyed, staring at his hands as they clutched the blanket that was covering him.

A hand settled lightly on his shoulder, making him flinch away and whip around to see who it was.

Bro sat there, hands up in front of him, "John, calm down, it's just me."

John relaxed a little, taking a deep breath before falling back to lay down, one arm resting on his stomach and one hand running once through his hair.

"You ok?" Bro asked, in a gentle voice.

John let out a sigh, "Yeah, it was just a dream."

"Looked more like a nightmare to me," Bro stated.

John rolled over, facing the back of the couch, not saying anything. Bro stared at his back and sighed, getting up and walking to the kitchen. John heard him walk away and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath.

He felt something cold press against the back of his neck and he yelped. Bro chuckled as John sat up, holding a hand at the back of his neck and turning to face him with an angry look on his face.

Bro held one of those single serving ice cream things to John, sitting next to him on the couch with his own. John took it with a smile. He hadn't had ice cream for a really long time. He was about to take a spoonful when his phone rang AGAIN.

John glared at his phone on the table and picked it up. He let out a groan and answered.

"Karkat this better be pretty fucking important, you are denying me my ice cream!"

"Nice to hear from you too, you ass," Karkat retorted, "I was just calling to see how the move went."

"It went without a hitch, surprisingly. I figured I would have one of my precious cosplay boxes missing and then have to throw a fit and sulk in a corner," John said with a laugh.

"Dude that would be painful to even think about!"

"No duh, especially if they were all hand made."

"Argh don't make me think about that! Anyways, just thought I would call to see how everything went, I'll call you later man!" Karkat said before hanging up.

John set his phone back onto the table and went back to eating his ice cream. Before he could take a bite, Bro asked, "So you cosplay?"

"Yeah I do," John replied quickly, taking a spoonful of his ice cream, smiling as it melted in his mouth.

"Can I see?"

John turned to see Bro looking at him hopefully. He sighed, "Alright follow me."

He stood up and stretched, "It feels like I haven't been up in ages!"

"Well you have been asleep for a while," Bro pointed out.

John rolled his eyes and motioned for Bro to follow him. He led him to his room and opened the closet, revealing a ton of different cosplay with the wigs and accessories!

Bro's jaw dropped as he looked at all of them. He even has a freaking SNK cosplay WITH the 3d maneuver gear! Bro thought.

"Dude, how long have you been cosplaying?" he asked his voice full of wonder.

John had to think for a moment, "Since seventh grade I think."

"Wow I'm impressed, your parents really let you do all of this?"

"My dad didn't care what I did," he stated flatly, turning to leave out of the room.

Bro looked over at John. He just wanted to hug the kid until he stopped feeling so bad. No matter how many times John had smiled since Bro had found out about him, it just seemed fake, like he was still hiding behind a wall. But Bro was absolutely determined to break through it and see the real John smile and laugh and enjoy life without having to worry about being hurt again.

He followed John out of the room and back to the living room, sitting on the couch again in an awkward silence.

"John?"

"Hmm?"

"Why did you start… you know, cutting?"

John was silent for a long time, as if contemplating whether or not he should tell his story. It was a long story, and he was afraid that if he told anyone it would just push them away.

"I might tell you one day," he said, placing a hand on his own wrist.

Bro watched as John placed a hand on his wrist. Now probably wasn't the best time to ask in light of recent events, but it had been bothering him since he had found out.

He placed his hand lightly on to John's and smiled in understanding when John looked at him. John smiled back, only this time it was genuine.

Bro was doing it. He was breaking down the wall, little by little.

A/N: I CAN'T STOP WATCHING SNK! I NEED HELP DX ALL THESE FUCKING PLOT TWISTS AND CHARACTER DEATHS ARE KILLING ME!

Heads up: I won't be writing a chapter this Friday since I have a meet up AND a party to go to so I'll be pretty wiped out by the time I get home. But to make it up to you guys, I'll write TWO chapters for each story on Saturday, so don't be mad at me for not writing on Friday ;A;