-Chapter23-

-1x4's POV-

John Doe: Are you alright?.. You seem zoned out.

1x4: Yes. I am fine.

They said, trying their best to sound confident, and 1x4 thought that they did a decent job at it.

The walk around the lobby with John Doe was nice, it was a break from everything, away from most of the others.

1x4 could have sworn that they were blushing a little bit. They just could not prove it - unless they ask John Doe if they were, but no way they would actually do that.

Oh well... It did not matter right now. What mattered right now was...

They were a bit embarrassed to think about this, even if nobody exept themself could hear it.

... What mattered right now was just... Spending time with John Doe... Yeah.

Their "friend" John Doe... Yup.

1x4 had never thought about the concept of loving somebody at all in their entire life - oh wait they had thought of it before.

However they were not in Forsaken when they thought of falling in love, instead they were... Free.

Free and thinking about how miserable their life had been and how worse it would go from there.

1x4 was right about life getting worse, they were completely sure about that.

John Doe: Are you okay?

1x4: As I said before, I am fine. No need to worry about me.

John Doe: ... Alright.

It was... Kind of sweet of John Doe to ask if they were okay now that 1x4 was thinking about it.

Gosh that sounded corny! What happened to the badass 1x4 they once were?

What happened for them to end up like this?!

1x4 sighed, and John Doe seemed to have taken notice.

John Doe: Are.. You sure you are alright?

1x4 took a few moments to think about how to answer.

If they said yes again, then John Doe would most likely ask them again if they were okay, but if they said no, then John Doe would not ask them anymore.

However - 1x4 might have to tell him what was going on with them.

Wait - John Doe usually never pushed for information, so 1x4 could tell John Doe that it did not concern him; and he would leave them alone.

Good plan, 1x4 reassured themself.

1x4: You... Could say so.

John Doe: What's the matter?

1x4: A lot.

...

John Doe: Are you willing to.. Tell me?

1x4 shook their head as the two passed 1x4's own cabin, it being darker than the other cabins.

1x4: No.

More quietly they added:

1x4: Not yet at least.

John Doe: Hm.. Remember you can tell me anytime.

1x4: Yup. I know, John.

They wished that they were confident enough to say that if John Doe ever needed help for anything, that 1x4 would help - but the words never came out unfortunately.

There was always next time they guessed.

1x4 was very thankful for John Doe offering it, but they just could not say to him how much they were actually thankful for, no matter what.

These feelings... 1x4 was growing used to them, and they could tell. However they could not stop blushing from what John Doe offered...

1x4 was looking away from John Doe, embarrassed.

John Doe maybe noticed... However they would never know until the next chapter came out.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMngZHh4CT8