゛Coil ﹒ Phighting ﹒ 🐺 ︶

Weeks.

It had been two weeks, now. Since you last saw Coil.

—

He was nice—a good boyfriend—truly! Who would ever expect you to get ghosted by him out of any inphernal in the Inpherno? Sure, he could be a bit... avoidant at times, but two weeks is a bit much, even for him.

Coil was truly a sweetheart once you got to know him. He's laidback, chill, laidback... did I mention laidback? Coil loves you, he really does, but now what? It's like he's just disappeared! You know it's something he tends to do: ignore you for a day or two, be distant, but then it goes back to normal. It's always gone back to normal, so why not this time? Nights spent up, staring at your phone. A million texts illuminate the glowing screen in the darkness of your bedroom—not bothering to turn on the lamp—, a million texts read but not answered. You'd stare at the device until your eyes burned, and then you'd give up, placing it on the nightstand beside you as you turned onto your back to stare at your ceiling.

You'd sigh and close your eyes. There was a hole in your heart that you couldn't fill—staying awake and pondering your existence and worth wouldn't help that whatsoever—so you just closed your eyes and drift off, rather quickly.

This was the usual routine:

• Get up.
• Get dressed + shower.
• Go out, maybe phight. Money is great.
• Come back home.
• Whine over your boyfriend.
• Go to sleep. Or, try to, at least.

What if he was missing? The thoughts ran through your head, making you wince slightly at how anxious they made you. Anything could've happened and here you are, worrying over him while not doing anything. You could barely believe yourself. So, you took the first step out the door.

The air was damp and cool, the air smelling of a forest after rain and maybe some weed. It was not very comforting, only radiating a gloomy atmosphere and securing your looming sense of dread. There were some puddles on the sidewalk, splashing coming from below your feet as you walked onwards.

The street lamps shone rather bright this night, your reflection in the puddles being a... sight to behold from how bright the light being cast down was. Not that you could bear to look at yourself any longer, anyway. But, you shouldn't dwell in your own sorrows and worries. Coil was the top priority, even if you were a bit of a mess.

You stopped right outside of the apartment complex. The walk up the stairs was annoying, but whatever.

You had a spare key to his apartment, glinting in your hand. It felt like an invasion of privacy, but it would be a temporary feeling. Coil being so... avoidant didn't feel temporary, though. You didn't want to fix it, just help him. So, you put the key in the lock and turned it. The click of the lock felt like the charm of death, but you pressed the door open.

Coil's apartment was... messy. Not in shambles, but messy. You didn't expect anything more, though. It smelled of pale cigarettes and a musk specific to Coil, one that used to be smothered all over your pillows, but is now fading.

You step in, almost silently. Before you know it, you see a shadow riiiight over your shoulder.

"Coil, finally-" You manage to gasp out before being rudely interrupted.

"You shouldn't be here. How'd you get in here anyway? Heh, should've known you'd pull something like this." Coil's voice was harsh, almost cold, though not entirely unfeeling. It felt as if the temperature in the room dropped simply because of his statement. The reality of it almost made you scoff.

"...You need to leave." He added.