Kofi

The smell of freshly brewed coffee filled the room as he walked in. The small ring of the bell echoed for just a second as the door to the café that Chase just insisted on him to go to opended. It was quite nice for a small place. Henrik sighed and adjusted his glasses.

Pulling out his phone Henrik pulled up his messages, trying to find the text that Chase was supposed to send him after asking him to pick up coffee for their study session freshman year of college. He found the message and rose an eyebrow at how much sweet stuff he adds to his coffee.

"Hello sir, welcome to our café! Is there anything I can get for you?" the barista smiled at Henrik, who was snapped out of his rapid fire thoughts.

"Oh, heh, sorry uhm..I'll get a large iced coffee with caramel and whipped cream and then a large black coffee to go please" Henrik smiled sheepishly and nervously chuckled.

"Oh! Alright, coming right up!"

Henrik sighed and put his phone back into his pocket. He wasn't the best at these kinds of things, especially when it came to getting things for Chase. Sometimes he wonders how Chase handles this many sweets without getting a cavity or a stomachache or something. He looked back at the barista as she prepared the drinks.

He thought she looked beautiful, unlike anything he's ever seen. Her curly black hair and her smooth darker skin tone made him weak at the knees.

Funny enough, Henrik didn't even realize he was staring until the barista snapped him out of his trance like state, "Sir, your order is ready."

Henrik smiled and thanked her, paying for the two drinks and leaving with the receipt.

He walked back to the apartment he and Chase shared, silently kicking himself in the face for never catching this woman's name. Everything about her was stunning to him, her hair, her voice, her eyes.. Stunningly enough she had beautiful emerald eyes.

Henrik walked into the apartment and called out to Chase, setting the drinks on the small coffee table they had in their living room. However his face immediately heated up after he checked the back of the receipt the barista gave him.

Text me♡ 020-743-6264

~ Joline

Chase Brody Pronouns: He/Him/They/Them Gender: Demiboy Sexuality: Bisexual

Henrik Von Schneeplestein Pronouns: He/Him/She/Her Gender: Bigender Sexuality: Pansexual

Jacques Torez Pronouns: He/Him/They/Them/It/Its Gender: Agender Sexuality: Aromantic Gay

Jackieboy-Man Pronouns: He/Him Gender: Trans Male Sexuality: Gay

Marvin the Magnificent Pronouns: Mirror Pronouns Gender: Genderfluid Sexuality: Pansexual

Anti Pronouns: He/Him/It/Its Gender: Agender Sexuality: AroAce

Jameson Jackson Pronouns: He/Him Gender: Male Sexuality: Bisexual

Robbie the Zombie Pronouns: It/Its Gender: Agender Sexuality: AroAce

Shawn Flynn Pronouns: He/Him/They/Them/She/Her Gender: Demigender Sexuality: Gay

Angus Irwin Pronouns: He/Him Gender: Male Sexuality: Bisexual

Marcus Brickley Pronouns: He/Him/They/Them Gender: Demiboy Sexuality: Bi-curious

Nikolai Yozhikov Pronouns: He/Him/It/Its Gender: Non-Binary Sexuality: Unlabled

BSE Pronouns: He/Him/It/Its Gender: Unknown Sexuality: Unlabled

The clock struck three AM on a Sunday morning, he could already hear the birds chirping away with their aggravating song. It was almost as comparable to the overbearing sound of nails scraping on chalkboards. Running on barely even a few hours of sleep, two, maybe even three pots of coffee and more than enough anxiety to send a man to the nut house, Henrik trudged outside the household for a smoke. He moved silently through the halls, his feet barely auditing a creak as he made his way to the door. The tired German sat on the first step leading to the doorway, and breathed a heavy sigh as he reached into his pocket. He knew he shouldn't be smoking, his asthma couldn't take it, but his body was full of so much anxiety..he was literally shaking like a leaf; a leaf struggling to remove itself from a twig during the harsh blows of wind. Seconds felt like hours, minutes like days, hours like years. Everything moved slow, he felt like time just kept moving on, with or without him.

Taking a drag from the cigarette in the young doctors mouth, he felt the anxieties and stresses from his past few nights begin to slowly but surely fade. As he continued to smoke through the cigarette, he failed to notice a certain young magician had found him sitting outside by himself at such an unfathomable hour.

"Henrik..? What are you doing up at this hour darling? Why aren't you in bed..?" The magician yawned, as if the sudden disappearance of his boyfriend was enough to wake him.

Henrik practically jumped upon hearing the sound of his boyfriends voice so abruptly that the cigarette that was once in his hand dropped to the concrete step he sat on. "Marvin, I didn't think you'd be awake so soon...Ah, uhm..." He began to fumble through words to form some sort of excuse, but the only thing he could muster were noises until he finally spoke up once more, "I..couldn't sleep. And I needed some fresh air, and a smoke to cool my nerves." His voice automatically gave it away to Marvin, his boyfriend hadn't been sleeping recently, and he was determined to fix it no matter what.

"Would you like to talk about it darling?" The magician closed the screen door and seated himself next to the tired German.

"J-Ja.." Henrik sighed heavily, his shoulders slumping over as he hung his head. "That..would make me feel a lot better.."

"Begin whenever you feel comfortable to do so." Marvin gave Henrik a soft, patient smile and made direct eye contact with the doctor. Henrik took a deep breath and looked down at the steps and his hands. He began by rolling his sleeve up to reveal some irritated scratch marks, some having left blood behind, thus scarring. Marvin's eyes widened as he thought of this situation already.

"I-I...I had an anxiety attack earlier, in the bathroom. I couldn't stop shaking.." Henrik couldn't bring himself to look Marvin in the eyes while speaking, his voice cracked and strained itself as he tried so hard not to break down in front of Marvin. "I couldn't breathe, and I didn't want to wake you up so all I could do was sit there scratching at my arms until it was over."

"Oh darling.."

"I couldn't go to sleep after that..I-I didn't want to worry you...and I-I.." Henrik's voice broke and he stopped talking, letting out a quiet short whimper as his eyes burned with tears, brimming the surface and threatening a flood.

"Shh.." Marvin was quick to react, swooping Henrik up onto his lap as he held his partner close to him. He gently rests his head onto his chest as he began to speak slowly, and softly in a reassuring manner. "Don't worry sweetheart...don't get so worked up, I'm not mad..I'm concerned...you're exhausting yourself aren't you..?"

"I'm sorry..I just..I couldn't stop thinking about what happened to everyone else...Chase, Sean, Jackie, Jameson..even Anti I can't stop worrying about...What if they got hurt..what if we'll never see anyone again..? W-What...what if.."

"Let me stop you there sweetie. We'll see them again, I can assure you they are fine...pinky swear...but for now, you need to get some sleep, and this time mister, I won't take no for an answer." Marvin stood, holding Henrik in his arms bridal style back inside and used his magic to shut and lock the door. Turning off all the lights Marvin went right to bed with Henrik. "And you are staying home from work tomorrow..you need a break."

Editors note!

The phone ran in the background as Henrik walked out of the kitchen to answer it. Calm music played in the background as he answered it, taking a deep breath before he spoke to whoever was on the other end of the call. "Hallo? How may I help you today?"

"Hey Henrik! I was wondering if I could ask something, if that's alright?" It was Chase, Henrik's best friend and at this point and time someone Henrik started to have intense feelings for. Henrik could feel his face heat up and his cheeks turn red. If it meant he could spend time with someone he was interested in then why not?

"J-Ja!" Henrik smiled to himself, but internally swore at his foolish stuttering and stammering over the phone. "Vhat did you need to ask me?" He could feel his heart beat faster in his chest as he listened and waited.

"I was wondering if we could go out for some coffee or lunch today if you aren't busy?" Chase spoke very calmly, creating butterflies in the doctor's stomach. "But if you are busy we don't have to go."

"N-No!" Henrik squeaked out, embarrassing himself and sighed before he spoke again. "I'm not busy at all, ve can go out for lunch today, on me!"

Chase chuckled on the other end of the call. "You're funny doc, you don't have to be so nervous around me." He said trying to be reassuring, but he didn't realize how much the German wanted so badly to have him stay in his life. "But yeah! We can go for lunch! I'll see you then Hen!" Chase said excitedly before hanging up, leaving a lovesick doctor.

"Maybe I might be able to finally tell him at lunch today..Marvin says I need to be open or I may nevah have zhis chance again.." Henrik sighed softly to himself as he put the phone in his pocket and went on with what he was doing beforehand, helping Jackie finally clean his laundry.

"Uhm..thanks Henrik..again for your help. I really appreciate it." Jackie says, as he fiddled with the cast on his arm which prohibited what he could do around the house. "I can't even thank you enough for letting me stay here since I got kicked out of my apartment."

"Oh it's no issue at all Jackie!" Henrik smiled and looked over at the hero next to him. " You needed a place to stay, and who vould I be as a friend to say nein to you?" He gently pats Jackie on the back and started the washer for him.

~Timeskip~(I'm sorry)

As Henrik got ready for the mini lunch date with Chase, wait, would it be considered a 'date'? Henrik pulled his phone out and proceeded to text Chase to let him know when he'd be there. 'Hey Chase, I'm ready whenever you are, so I'll be there in around five minutes!'

Henrik got his shoes tied and walked out, locking the door behind him. Once he got to the area the two decided to meet up he noticed Chase talking to Marvin. He didn't want to pry so he waited patiently till the two were done speaking before he spoke to Chase. They didn't seem to notice Henrik being there as Marvin decided to ask a big question.

"So Chase, you interested in anybody?" Marvin said while taking a sip of an iced coffee he had in his hands. He glanced at Chase and smiled. Henrik couldn't help but start to listen to their conversation and find out if Chase did have a love interest.

"I guess so, but I don't think they feel the same way about me Marv. Kinda scared to tell them." Chase responded sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head.

"Whoo~? Who is it?" Marvin giggled. "Male? Female? Any other gender?"

"It's uhm..actually a girl I met at the skatepark a few months ago." Chase smiled.

Henrik felt like his heart had been shattered in to a hundred tiny pieces hearing those words. He didn't say a word and walked back to his car where he began to break down sobbing heavily. He started the engine back up and left, leaving the area but had no courage to text Chase and cancel the plans. He didn't want Chase to think he was eavesdropping on his conversation. But he also didn't want to make Chase feel like he wasted his time so he decided to text Chase at the last red light he got to.

'Chase, I apologize but something came up, I won't be able to come. I really am sorry.'

When Henrik sent the message he waited impatiently for at least Chase to see the message or respond in any way. He turned his phone off after five minutes only to feel the buzz of a notification. Quickly looking at the message he felt his heart ache more.

'Oh, that's fine. Someone from the skatepark came by and asked if I wanted to go skating with them! It's funy cause I actually feel like she gets me more than anyone. If you want to reschedule for sometime this week let me know Hen!'

It was a normal day for Edward at work. Everything seemed to be going smoothly, no accidents or stupid people. Just the occasional yelling at his nurse but that was normal in his case. That was until Henrik came in that day. 

Usually there was no problem between the two, but for some reason he had been avoiding him ever since he came in. Refused to talk to him and wouldn’t even be in the same room as his fellow doctor. This worried him greatly since Henrik never acted this way. 

For the entire day Edward was only asking his co-workers on Henrik, to try and get some insight on why his partner was acting such way. 

One of his coworkers came forward saying Henrik had been limping a lot when he thought nobody was looking and that he looked pained whenever he was trying to walk normally. That only seemed to worry him more as he went to Henrik’s office door and knocked. 

“Ja?” “Henrik, let me in.” 

Henrik sighed from inside the office. “Edward, no. Just stop asking already” Edward mumbled a little, knowing he’d regret this later but he needed to find out what was going on. He gripped the doorknob, since Henrik’s lock was broken anyway. “I’m coming in” He sighed and came in. 

Before Henrik could say a word Edward stopped him. “What’s going on Henrik? It’s not nothing either. You’ve been avoiding me all day and now I’m being told you’re limping” 

Henrik looked away from him, as if he felt guilty for something. “Fine. I got hurt okay, it isn’t important anyway” “Then get up if it isn’t”

With that, Henrik did stand, only to nearly double over when the sharp pain shot through his injured leg. Edward picked him up and carried him to a room before checking his leg, much to Henrik’s refusal. “Is..Is this broken?” He asked. The ashamed look on the Germans face told him all he needed to know. “Why didn’t you tell me?” He questioned, still concerned and now worried that his partner was afraid to tell him anything.

“I didn’t want you to worry for me, it’s not that important.” He mumbled, catching Edward off guard. “If you’re using a makeshift splint and can’t bandage it properly, I think it’s important..” Edward replied. 

The sounds of cuffs could be heard as Henrik’s hands were cuffed behind him, around a metal pole. He couldn’t see a thing, a blindfold, or something that seemed like such was covering his eyes. His throat felt dry, as he hadn’t had anything to drink for a couple days. He felt hands grab him and straighten him up while his ankles were tied together and also, to the pole. The glitchy laughter of his captor could be heard all around him but he couldn’t pinpoint exactly where he was.

Suddenly a shock was released onto his leg, making his bottom half slightly tense up as he yelped out in pain. He couldn’t move that leg and he started to struggle. Another shock was released onto his neck causing him to struggle, opening his mouth to scream but nothing came out of him. 

The blindfold was ripped off Henrik’s face, his glasses falling off as well as he struggled to make out the figure in front of him. The room was dark and gloomy, making it difficult to see whoever was there. Then there was a flicker of the electricity from a taser. The last of the color that was his face drained, he was pale. Anti’s glitching form illuminated when the electricity showed itself. That wicked grin was surely something to fear when you’re restrained and unprotected. He had endured the most part of Anti’s torment for weeks with no hope of an escape which made him all the more afraid. 

Anti gripped Henrik by the throat and pressed the taser onto his side and grinned as the german below him screamed out and squirmed as the volts of electricity coarsed through his body. Tears pricked at the corners of his eyes as he felt himself wanting to cry. The taser was finally moved away, tears now streaming down his face as he went limp for a second. His chest felt tight and he was heaving more and more. 

Again, the shocks happened onto his side once more. And yet again another scream of agony was released from Anti’s victim.

This kind of torment continued for hours on end, Henrik’s body slightly convulsing as he screamed and cried for help but to no avail. 

By the end of this, he was uncuffed and untied, his body collapsing from pure exhaustion due to this kind of treatment. He heaved, coughing, feeling sick to his stomach now as he struggled to stand. Anti mearily cackled and walked out of the room as Henrik began to reach and search for his glasses which were still not retrieved. But his body was in too much pain to move that far, so he eventually gave up and curled up on the cold cement floor he resided on.

The only noises that came from him were quiet sniffles and soft choked sobs as he felt like he’d just snap and wind up bashing his skull against the wall or the floor. As much as he wanted to, he swore to himself he wouldn’t let the others find him dead, he’d fight. If not for himself, for the others. For Joline and Emma.

Jackie opened up the window closest to his room. It was midnight and the door was locked, per usual, so the only way inside the house was through the bedroom windows which most were locked; well, all of them were locked, except his window which he never locked just in case stuff like this were to happen. He decided to do this, since he’d started to go out and be out later and later. Only coming home and falling asleep for four hours before he had to go out again.

Little did Jackie know that there was also another person was also in the same situation as he. Just as he got inside and closed the window, he heard someone enter the house. He quickly changed and walked downstairs to see Henrik walk in at the same time. 

“You just got here Hen?” Jackie asked, only getting a couple sleepy mumbles in return as Henrik just crashes on the couch. Jackie decided he’d just head up to bed before he gets even more exhausted.

Throughout the night Jackie found himself unable to rest at all. He was tossing and turning for almost two hours straight so just laid there, staring at the ceiling while waiting for the time to pass so he could go out and hopefully wear himself out more before the next night. Maybe then he could get some sleep. But, it didn’t seem to work out in his favor, the time seemed to go slower and slower as each hour came. Almost as if time was slowing to a stop.

He slowly sat up, rubbing his eyes softly and went downstairs to make some of Marvins tea. Marvin would make a certain kind of tea that could put even Henrik himself to sleep. Which itself was a challenge when Henrik was trying to be busy but easy for Marvin any time. While sitting atop a stool he used, he just stared at the stove, his eyelids starting to grow heavy as he waited. Jackie had been too tired, he didn’t even notice that he never turned the stove on. His eyelids kept growing heavier as he finally shut them, entering a blissful sleep.