Maddy looked down at his phone. Dee had sent him a couple of texts, which he did his best to reply without making it obvious he was drunk.

Dee Dee🩰: omg don’t tell me your drunk right now.

Maddy: No.

Maddy: And it’s you’re.

Maddy: Could a drunk person don thst?

Maddy: I thinkb noy.

Dee Dee🩰: Omg you’re a mess. Sober up! We can’t have you hungover before tomorrow night. You’ll bring the mood down.

Maddy: Bite me.

Maddy: love you.

Dee Dee🩰: luv ya babes. Glad you’re having fun. You deserve it.

“Wah!” He shouted as he turned his screen off and found a pair of glowing blue eyes staring at him.

“Keep your voice down.” Taiyo said, narrowing his gaze.

“Sorry, you just popped out of nowhere,” He said, opening the fridge to let some light into the room.

“This is my house,” Taiyo replied. “I’m pretty sure you’re the one who popped out of nowhere. Sit down. I’ll get you some water.”

Maddy gave a slow nod, his head felt like it was filled with rocks. He walked over to the kitchen chair and slumped into it. “Hey, can I ask you a question?”

“If you whisper,” Taiyo responded. He poured a glass of water for himself and Maddy.

“Sorry,” He lowered his voice. “But how do you do that thing with your eyes? You know, the glowing thing.” He leaned in closer and narrowed his gaze. "And there are some weird floaty things inside too.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

Taiyo shrugged and walked over to Maddy. “Just something I was born with, I guess.”

“Fine, keep your secrets!” He said with a huff and swayed his body back.

“Drink,” Taiyo pushed the glass in his hands towards him and waited for him to gulp before talking. “My turn. Why are you here?”

Maddy took two extra large chugs of water. He let out a heavy breath and said, “I can’t stay at my place. My friend, Dee thought coming here would be a good idea… To be honest I think- I think…” He lowered his voice, his head bobbing as he tried to focus on Taiyo’s blue eyes. “I think I’m in danger.”

Taiyo searched his face as if there was something on it. “From what?”

“Beats me!” He laughed and was immediately hushed by Taiyo. “But if I try to talk about it, I think I might throw up all over your floor.”

Taiyo quirked his head. He asked Maddy a second question, but the words came out muffled and muted.

He laughed, “Dude, I literally can’t hear you. It’s this damn-” His lips felt tacky and he could open his mouth. He sobered and curled his hand tightly around the glass as the glow of the TV reflected against it.

After a beat, he was able to part his lips again. His shoulders dropped as he said, “You have no idea how frustrating my life is.”

Taiyo was slow to respond as if he was trying to figure out the right words to say. He shifted in his seat and finally said, “When I get frustrated, I paint. A lot. Maybe, invest in a hobby?”

“I don’t really have any. When I’m not at school, I’m at work, or with Dee.” He looked up at Taiyo with sincerity. “Do you think I could try painting with you sometime?”

His eyes flashed with surprise. If it wasn’t so dark in the kitchen, Maddy might have been able to catch him blushing. He said assertively. “Drink.”

He obliged and swallowed too much water, causing the corners of his mouth to leak.

“You’d have to bring your own shit. I wouldn’t want you ruining my good brushes.”

Maddy’s eyes went wide at the prospect of actually getting to paint.

Taiyo added quickly, “Either way, you’re not gonna find yourself now, so maybe you should get some sleep and figure it out in the morning.” Taiyo looked over at the couch “I’ll get Bill off your bed.”

He gave a sluggish nod and watched Taiyo walk over to the couch, lift a groggy Bill up, and wrap his arm around his neck.

“Good night, Maddy,” Bill mumbled, his free hand wiping his eyes.

“Good night Bill,” He said with a smile. “Thanks again.”

“Any time,” He yawned.

“And thank you, too, Taiyo,” He said walking over to the couch as the other two headed for the stairs. “Maybe taking up a hobby will make me feel better about watching a man die.”

Taiyo stopped in his tracks. “What?”

Maddy was already face down on the couch, too invested in letting the world around him go dark to explain himself.