New Neighbor, New Crush

A/N: ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I wish I hadn't taken 3 honors classes this year. I'm just lucky I don't have a lot of homework so I can get this chapter done! And I have another BroJohn in my head….. I think it goes without saying that it is now my otp….

Chapter 20

Dirk lazed on the couch, staring at the ceiling. This was probably the most boring day ever since he had first met John.

Yesterday, Kanaya had stolen John away to take measurements and get ideas for what kind of styles to make the clothes in. Gamzee dragged Karkat out to adventure around the city. Actually those two were still gone, although Dirk didn't really worry too much about them. Jane was off doing some shopping of her own.

Now today, John was at work and everyone else was off doing their own thing, leaving Dirk to wallow in boredom, eventually passing out on the couch.

Switching perspectives, John was currently at work. He was busy stocking the shelves and the like. It still hadn't been that long since he had gotten out of the hospital and he was still taking it easy, but he was getting restless just sitting at the register.

So, going against his better judgment, took over stocking for Sollux who was at the register.

Probably not his best idea. He was already getting short of breath and a little light headed, but he wasn't going to let that keep him from working.

The only thing he had to do really was not tell Jade. She knew about everything and had practically forbid him from doing anything too strenuous. She even gave him a stool to sit on at the register.

"Hey John are you alright? You don't look so good," Sollux said, coming up from behind him and tapping him lightly on the shoulder.

John nodded with a weak smile, "Yeah I'm alright."

Sollux crossed his arms skeptically, "I think I should do the rest of the stocking."

"No, dude I'm fine. I can do this by myself," John stated, a bit defensively.

"Yes I'm sure you can, but right now you look like you're about to pass out," Sollux retorted, gently taking the box John was holding, "When you feel better, you can help okay?"

John sighed in discontent, but complied. He moved back to the register and sat down. He didn't realize how tired he had been, but once he sat down he felt a wave of exhaustion wash over him.

And of course, Jade had to come out at that moment when he probably looked like someone who hadn't slept in days and was sick, which was partially the case seeing as he was kind of sick.

She stopped as soon as she saw him and frowned, walking over to him, "John."

"Yes Jade?"

"Were you doing anything too… Strenuous?"

He could tell there was no getting out of this one, so might as well go down with some sass, "Why whatever do you mean?"

"Don't play coy with me, young man!" She snapped.

"Jade, we're the same age."

"Shush. John you know you're not supposed to push yourself for the next couple of weeks," she scolded, voice laden with concern.

"I know but I just feel so restless sitting here," John huffed.

Jade looked at him sympathetically, "I know, but you can't push yourself. You know Bro would probably get really worried and upset if you fainted while working."

He sighed, "Most likely."

"Well," she looked at the clock, "Your shift is pretty much over, why don't you go home and get a bit of rest."

John could tell by the way she had said it that it was more of a demand than anything else. He let out a sigh and nodded, "I guess that's a good idea."

Jade smiled, hugging him before letting him go to the back to get his stuff. He was outside at his car after a few minutes, hoping in and heading home.

John got back to the apartment complex by the time his shift would have ended if he had kept working. He made his way up the stair well to his apartment. He pulled his keys out and opened the door, freezing at the sight he saw.

Fabric everywhere, as well as finished clothes. All of it was just scattered everywhere in his apartment. The living room, bathroom, bedroom, even the kitchen had been taken over with clothes and fabrics!

Oh he knew what was coming. He knew he had to abscond as quickly as possible but he was still shocked by the sight.

Kanaya walked out from the kitchen and smiled, "Hello John. Are you ready to try on your new clothes?"

Before he could answer, Kanaya grabbed his arm and pulled him inside. He winced slightly; arms still not fully healed yet, and tried pulling away, "K-Kanaya! I'm not in the mood for trying clothes on right now!"

"Nonsense! Everyone loves trying clothes on," she said, her grip tightening slightly.

Before he knew it, she was trying to pull of his clothes, seeing as he wasn't cooperating. This was probably the one thing about Kanaya that he hated.

Luckily for him, Dirk had heard the squabble from next door and came over to see what the fuss was about. At the sight of John half unclothed, he stopped, eyes raking over his exposed skin.

Oh! But it wasn't for the reason you're probably thinking. It was because there were lily white scars dotting his body. It was obvious they were old and weren't self-inflicted.

John saw him starring and looked away, shrugging his shirt back over his shoulders and breaking free of Kanaya's grip and making his way to his room, shutting the door and flopping face down on his bed.

He heard the door open. He knew who it was. He didn't need to look to see who had just come in. He felt the bed dip as Dirk sat down next to him and placed a hand gently on his back.

"John," he whispered.

John turned his head to look up at him, "Hmm?"

"I think it's time you told me about your past."

A/N: Ok I think it's really obvious now that I like putting John in bad situations where he needs help/comfort from friends/significant other… So I apologize now for all the times I have/will destroy your feels with what I have happen to my bb T~T