#( yeah they were swagged out during their first raids )

[heraeyed]

when ur first super-outfit is cuntier than most first tries-

[dont-doubt-dopple]

How You Fell In Love With Me - Chapter 2

A/N: Anyways, thank you guys for the support on the last chapter. It means a lot and I can’t wait for you guys to see what I have in store for this. And don’t forget to leave comments. I love reading all of them and they just make my day. I also like to know how people think of the format, because I feel it will get boring if I keep the same style for each chapter. ~•~

Chapter 2: Thank You?

“Mike, you are working yourself up.” Dracula warned as the two of them lay on Drac’s bed. Mike’s head was on the pillows and Swag’s lay on the other end so that they were by each other’s feet. Their hands just barely able to interlace each other, for which Mike was grateful for. He needed the interaction. “It’s not nothing.” He argued. “It’s a big deal to Bryce and I don’t know where to go from here.” “I didn’t say it was nothing. I understand it’s a big deal. Can’t you just … tell Bryce? He understand it was a mistake.” “Yeah, but you didn’t see their reactions, Swag. They enjoyed Bryce’s writing. They wanted more. And I want to give them more. The second chapter is ready to go, but I also need to tell Bryce about it but he’s just so insecure about his writing that if I tell him then he’s not going to give me access to the chapters and let everyone else see how good of a writer he is and … and …”

“Mike, baby. Breathe.” Dracula stressed, squeezing Mike’s hand tighter. “Listen to me. Inhale for 4 seconds, hold your breathe for 7 seconds, exhale for 8 seconds.” Mike listened, and followed what Swag suggested. Breathe in for 4, hold for 7, breathe out for 8. “That’s not going to help.”  One of them said, as my breathing became shallower. “You never tell someone having a panic attack to calm down!” “Well I don’t know these things, Del!” One of the others screamed back, and I let go of the wall to cover both of my ears. Tears were streaming down my face and I could barely identify the speakers as the colors had fully taken over my vision. I collapsed onto the concrete, as my legs felt too weak to support me at this stage. I squeezed my eyes shut, hoping the pain might dissipate. “Hey.” I heard the third guy speak. His voice was softer than the other two arguing, but it was much closer. “My name is Ohm. It’s not my real name, but everyone calls me that.” He stopped, but I couldn’t see what he did as I refused to open my eyes. “Can you tell me your name at least?” “Bryce.” I squeaked out, sounding more like a pubescent teen than a 24 year old. “Can I help you, Bryce?” He asked as I moved my hands away from my ears and gripped my chest. I always hated the heart palpitations of it. Regardless, I managed to shake my head. “Are you sure?” He sounded really concerned for some reason, despite pointing a gun at me seconds earlier. Well, one of them anyways. “I said I’m fine.” Mike insisted as continued to punch the bag in front of him. Ryan glanced at Luke, who was looking at Mike’s bloodied hands with concern. Despite the blood, Mike continued to pound at the leather bag with an anger he very rarely showcased. “Mike.” Ryan spoke carefully. “What’s wrong? You’re not okay.” “You can talk to us.” Luke added. “We’re here.” “I fucked up, that’s all.” Mike stated, finally walking away from the bag to face the two. “My problems are none of your concern.” “They are if you are going to fucking hurt yourself over them.” Luke argued, leading Mike by the shoulders toward the med kit. The three of the were silent as Luke patched up Mike, while Ryan simply watched from the sidelines. “Promise me you won’t tell Bryce if I do?” Mike broke the silence as Luke finished up. The statement was odd, and it took a Ryan back. Luke didn’t respond and Ryan didn’t expect him to. He was probably already cursing the person who caused Mike to hurt himself in this was. “Promise.” Ryan answered for the both of them. “I …” Mike felt himself choke on his own words. “That piece you were reading in the library the other day was Bryce’s. But he’s really insecure about his writing …” “And you weren’t able to get the first chapter back after you left it in the library.” Ryan finished. Mike nodded, and Ryan mentally cursed himself for not realizing it sooner. Bryce had mentioned sometimes that he wrote in his free time, but almost always got the subject dropped soon after. Ryan took another look at Luke, who looked like he needed a round on the punching bag. Mike was practically in full blown hysterics. “I want to tell Bryce about it, but he probably doesn’t want you to read it anymore and you guys reacted to it so positively before and what now?” Mike repeated, using almost the same words he used when he told Swag. He looked defeated to Ryan. “Mike.” Ryan said, making sure he and Mike had eye contact. “I promise I won’t tell Bryce.” Mike’s eyes lit up and smiled. “Thanks Ryan. You too Luke.” Mike added, and Luke stopped zoning out at the mention of his name. “The next chapter is in my bag if you want to read it.” Mike stood up, and began to head out of the gym. “Wait, Mike!” Luke called out after him. Mike turned, his hand on the door ready to leave. “Do you … I don’t know, need your bag?” “All my classes are done for the day. I’ll just ask Gorilla or Swag to pick it up when they come back later.” And with that, Mike left. “You okay?” Ryan asked, seeing the pained look on Luke’s face and felt sorry for him. He’d fallen in love with a man who was ‘taken’. He used the term lightly. Nobody but Mike, Mark, and Bryce have ever met this Swag Dracula and almost everyone thought it was a fraud that only the three of them were in on. Either way, Luke was head over heels for someone who would never love him back. “I’m good.” Mini replied, turning his chair around to face me. The hairstyle was different from the last time I saw, exposing more of his forehead. The glasses and nerdy personality were still there though. “So this is where you ended up after you were back on your feet?” I asked, taking in all the monitors and high tech equipment. He laughed as I took it all in. It was nice to hear Mini’s voice again after all those years. “Not at first. You know how I left you guys after getting that job to finally buy an apartment?” I nodded. “Most of that money came from hacking that I picked up during the repetitive hours on the job. Started leaking money out of bigger accounts that would miss them. Just enough to get by day to day. One of the guys, Basically, you’ll meet him later, who I was working with recognized my name and offered me to join this family of his. And well, the rest is history I guess.” “You really seem to enjoy it here, don’t you?” “Yeah. These guys are practically a family to me. How are the other guys doing?” I knew he was referring to Panda, Smitty, and Kryoz. The four of them were very close before he left and I think it was even Mini who found the CAH deck. “Kryoz was … um … I don’t know how to say this …” I stammered, but Mini nodded solemnly. Me and him were one of the firsts when the raids started, and we excepted the truth very on that we couldn’t save everyone. I have practically become desensitized to losing people at this point. “But before?” Mini asked hesitantly, and just thinking about it made me perk up a little. “Still playing with the CAH deck you found.” I replied and a smile made its way onto Mini’s face. I smiled too, as it was practically habit at this point. “Smitty also complains a lot that without your loud laugh there is nothing to counteract Anthony’s fake one.” He laughed. I didn’t realize I missed it until I heard the wheezing of it myself. “Seems you and Mini really hit it off.” I turned to see Delirious standing in the door, still wearing the Jason Voorhees mask. He still wore the same clothes from the deal, which contrasted from the business suit and yellow flip flops of Mini. “We have a history, Del.” Mini answered for me. “Of course we’d get along.” “That’s good. C'mon Bryce.” He ushered me his wave. I threw Mini one last wave before starting to follow Delirious. As soon I got to him he threw his arm around me and ushered me one way. “The others guys should be home soon, but until then let’s show you where your room is going to be?” “I have my own room?” I exclaimed. “Isn’t this a little sudden for someone you just picked up off the street?” “Relax.” Delirious said, trying to push down shoulders that I didn’t realize had begun to tense. “Vanoss has a reason you’re here. It’s not like we didn’t at least have some objective when taking you.” Delirious open a door on my right to a room with amenities I never thought I’d see again. There was a queen bed next to the door, and a side door on the far wall that was either a closet or bathroom, I couldn’t tell. A desk sat opposite the bed, with a brand new laptop and cellphone on top of it. Not the cheap flip phones either, a good smartphone. “This is … amazing.” I gawked at a room that really wasn’t anything more than basic. Delirious chuckled a little, before putting his hand on my shoulder again. “Welcome to the family, Bryce.”