NØVISMARE

Fall in Evergreen was always calming— the hot air finally became bearable, you can revel in the satisfying crunch of leaves as you walk on the solid concrete leading to your apartment.

Of course, you’re never able to enjoy it. Instead of basking in sweater weather or beginning your next knitting project, your roommate decided to gallivant off with her new boyfriend, leaving nothing but a “Sorry!” and one month's rent. On top of that, your hours have been cut at your cafe job. You only have a month to either get a new roommate or a new job.

Luck has never really been on your side, and it continues to persist as you go through interview and interview of potential roommates, majority of them being sleazy men or young teens that are definitely trying to just find their own place to throw parties (a downside to being so close to a college).

After another unsuccessful day of interviewing, you make your way through the grocery store. It’s nearly robotic as you weave through each aisle, tossing everything haphazardly into your cart instead of meticulously placing everything like a game of Tetris. You don’t even have the energy to put on music as you get into the car, determined to just make it to your apartment without breaking down in frustration. Each stomp of your boots slightly drags as you make your way upstairs, admiring the cute halloween and fall themed decorations that litter your neighbors doorways, ranging from trees to ghosts to witches and cats. You mutter under your breath before fumbling with your keys, “I’m gonna have to step up my game. It’s only September and Melinda already has a thanksgiving wreath up.”

The apartment feels especially hollow- not that your roommate was ever really in the apartment in the first place, but the mere thought of having to possibly pay a full months rent gnaws at you as you pass by her empty room, huffing before getting ready to sleep.

Before you lose hope, your phone lights up, and catches your attention before you fall asleep.

[unknown]

Hey! Saw your post on Facebook looking for a roommate. I’m available whenever for an interview? I don’t really know how this works.

[you] 

Hello! The offer is still very much available. Does tomorrow at ten work okay?

[unknown]

Sounds great! See you then :3

-

Coffee and caramel fills the air as you step into the Crow, you greet your coworker Katie as you come to the front counter.

“Another interview today?”

A sigh escapes your lips, “Yeah, honestly with how all of the previous ones went, whoever this is might just get it on the spot. I only have a week left and I’d like to not pay a month of rent in full.”

Katie shakes her head in response, “I’m sorry sweetheart, you know I’d move in with you if I didn’t love my flat.”

“I couldn’t ask you to give up your beautiful studio. And you know I’m allergic to cats.”

“You take birth control everyday, what’s the harm in taking allergy pills? Mochi loves you.”

“And I love Mochi, but my body doesn’t as much.”

“Ugh, I know. I’m sure this one is the one I can feel it. You want me to pull a tarot card?” “No, thank you though. Maybe I’ll need it after this interview. I’ll come back up to order once they get here.” Katie shrugs before waving you off as you sit at your favorite spot upstairs, next to the window with a clear view of the park where you can see people gleefully play with their dogs.

You probably should’ve asked them at least what their name was- you don’t know what exactly what you were expecting, but a grown man definitely wasn’t the first thing that came to mind when someone texts using “:3”. It’s hard to be unsettled when he has such a bright grin on his face.

“Hey! I’m Adrian. Uh- Chase. I’m realizing now that I should’ve told you that last night for a background check, but like, it was late and I wasn’t thinking straight, and I was so excited at the thought of moving-“

Your laugh interrupts him and it hits Adrian like a truck, gulping nervously before finally sitting down. You wave him off with a smile, before introducing yourself- “It’s alright. I was half asleep by the time you texted me and I haven’t been having much luck with these interviews anyways.”

“I would say I’m sorry to hear that- but I’m kind of grateful because it’s, like, working in my favor. I mean I hope it works in my favor, if you think this goes well. I feel like it’s going well already, I mean I only told you my name so far but I’m uh-“ His voice falters under your gaze, a patient smile gracing your features. “Sorry. I’m rambling. You probably have things to do.”

“No, don’t worry. I have plenty of free time today. However, we should probably order something so we’re not just sitting like bums.”

“Oh, you’re so right. I hate it when people do that at my job-“ He trails behind you, rambling on once again up until you reach the front counter. Katie gives you a pointed look, eyeing Adrian behind you before walking up to take your order.

“Welcome to the Crow, what can I get you both?” You snicker at her customer service voice. 

“I’ll probably just have a London fog, and he’ll have a…” turning to see Adrian, deep in thought as he looks up at the menu. 

“Oh I’ll have, just like, a hot chocolate. 16 ounce.” Katie’s brow slightly furrows, giving you a side eye that screams “grown ass man getting a hot chocolate?”

Normally, you’d judge, but Adrian seems so sure and so endearing that you can’t really find it in your heart to. Pulling out your card to pay, Adrian stops you curtly “Wait! Stop, I can pay.” 

“Buttering me up to get that roommate title?”

“I mean, kinda, and because it’s a nice thing to do.” He taps his card and tips generously- you assume he’s another customer service worker with how fat the tip was (along with his rambling about his job earlier), and Katie gives you a nod of approval before moving to make your drinks.

-

The interview goes way too well. You swear to god that he might’ve sent an angel in the form of a rambling 30- something year old man. That, or his smile is way too cute. He’s also a night person, he works customer service at Fennel Fields and can bring you free food, he doesn’t mind loud music, likes to drink, doesn’t like having people over all the time, and proved he has enough money for his half of rent for 6 months. He’s a little crude, but it’s nothing terrible compared to how the previous men you’ve interviewed that would blatantly disrespect you to your face. Some part of you worries you accepted this a little too quick- admiring the stubble on his face and the way he adjusts his glasses constantly due to how animated he talks instead of looking for red flags.

“Alright, well, everything checks out great! You have a perfectly clean record and your interview went amazing. You have a good day to move in?”

“Oh thank god, I was really hoping this would go good, I’m really excited I’ve never had a roommate other than like- my mom and my asshole brother for my entire life. I can move in this weekend, if that works.”

Trying to ignore the fact that what he said strongly suggests he’s still living with his mom, you give him the key to your apartment. The cold air skims across your face as Adrian opens the door for you, walking you to your car. “If you want to come by and check it out to see the space, you’re free to come by whenever. Just text me beforehand.”

“Sure thing Roomie!” He holds up two fists in excitement before skipping over to his car, doing a little victory dance in his car before driving off.

-

[Adrian]

Hey! I’m on my way with some of my stuff. I’ll be there in about ten minutes.

[You]

Sure thing! You can let yourself in with the key :)

Music blares through your apartment as you set down your phone, spraying your cleaner over the kitchen counters before wiping them down, humming to yourself as you finish each surface, Adrian enters the apartment a minute after you light a celebratory candle.

“Wow it smells citrusy in here- you didn’t have to do all this cleaning for me.” His bags thud onto the floor of the entrance, and he yanks off his shoes before neatly slotting them next to yours. 

“It was due for a deep clean anyways, need to get it out my system before winter rolls around.” You turn to grab one of his bags, “Your room is going to be right over here.”

The room is essentially barren besides a queen bed, bedside table, and a white dresser along with an entertainment center and a tv that your previous roommate was kind enough to leave. “Holy shit, this is nicer than I expected! I totally thought it would have at most have a twin bed.”

“Yeah, we got this place on a decent deal and I’m on good terms with the landlords. Just have to make em cookies and not complain about the leak in the bathroom.” You shrug before guiding him around the apartment, “The kitchen is here, spices up here, dishes over there. You’re always free to anything in the fridge unless its my frozen treats in the freezer. You have to ask. You’re also free to use any spices in the cabinet.” 

“You probably won’t have to worry about that. I’m horrible at cooking. I’m pretty sure like 90% of my body weight is stuff from Fennel Fields and my moms casserole.”

“Oh, well, good to note, cleaning stuff is under here, first aids under the bathroom cabinet, there’s space for your stuff in the medicine shelf and in the left drawers of the sink. Extra blankets and whatnot are in this ottoman in the living room, and I pay for Netflix, HBO, Disney, and… Hulu. You’re totally free to make your own account on it and if you need the password for your tv just let me know.”

“Why would I watch it in my room when I could watch whatever my roomie is watching in the living room?! This is so sick, we should have like, a sleepover and watch a bunch of movies and have a pillow fight and tell scary stories-“

You interrupt him with a firm grip on his shoulders, “That sounds amazing, Adrian, but how about you get unpacked first, I will help, and we can do a movie night when we’re done? I can like- paint your nails or something if you want.”

Adrian ignores how the grasp on his shoulder’s makes his stomach flutter, and continues to ramble again. “Oh my god I’d love that. Do you have teal? Teals my favorite color. What’s your favorite color?”

Normally, endless questions would exhaust you, but it’s nice to have someone so enthusiastic to get to know you. You tell him your favorite animal, color, show, and get easily lost in conversation with him once again. After a particularly difficult battle with his fitted sheets (Which you note are teal, along with many of his shirts), you both collapse onto the couch in exhaustion. 

“I’m thinking it’s a takeout night. As much as I’d like to welcome you with a homemade meal and impress you with my cooking skills, I’m beat.”

“I have zero issue with that.”

-

Anyone would’ve thought that you and Adrian have been roommates for years with how easily you both fell into rhythm. In the month you’ve lived with Adrian, you wonder where he’s been your entire life. 

Like clockwork, Adrian bursts through the door and puts his shoes right next to yours, like they belong, before announcing his arrival (as if his abrupt opening of the door wasn’t enough). And naturally, you call out from the kitchen and he takes his designated spot on the counter.

“How was your shift?”

“Horrible, like usual. Dave has been on my ass ever since he became manager and won’t let me do anything. Can’t even shit without him banging on the bathroom saying ‘ITS BEEN TEN MINUTES ADRIAN’, when I know damn well it’s only been nine!” 

You giggle and he tries to ignore the fuzzy feeling in his throat like he has been since he’s met you. “Is that why you answer my texts and spam me for 15 minutes twice a day instead of most of your shift?”

“Uh, duh. You think I would ever purposefully not respond to my number one BRF?” “I’m assuming that means ‘best roommate forever’, and as flattering as that is, I’m your only roommate Adrian.”

Adrian doesn’t think he’ll ever get tired of the way his name rolls off your tongue, or the way you always smile so sweetly and listen so intently no matter what he says. It doesn’t help you look perfect, you always do, but you’re wearing his sweater and your favorite pajama pants and the hum of your voice as you move around the kitchen does little to soothe his nerves. So he runs his mouth as much as he can to avoid the thrum in his chest.

“Yeah but, like, that’s in comparison to anyone else I’ve ever lived with. Which was one time, briefly with Chris, and my mom, and my brother!”

“Good to know- although I hope I’d be above your brother when it comes to anything.” You smile as you serve up two plates of pasta. As you grab silverware, Adrian moves behind you to open up the fridge and grab drinks for the both of you, a beer for him and a lemonade with a shot of soju for you (A rough estimate since he doesn’t believe in using measuring cups). He joins you on the couch, sitting right in the middle so you can sling your legs across his thighs while you take your spot on the side.

“I’m kind of feeling Disney princess tonight.”

“Oo, yes. Can we watch Mulan? Or Brave? Or Princess in the Frog? Or Aladdin?”

“Adrian, the nights going to be over by the time you’re done suggesting. I’m not against any of those though. Maybe we could spin a wheel or something.” Adrian promptly snags his phone to put in a multitude of suggestions, letting the wheel of fate decide the journey for the night. 

Your neighbors probably hate you two, but you could care less when you’re dancing around the living room with Adrian singing along to various Disney songs. You’re out of breath after “I’ll Make a Man Out of You”, and land onto the couch in a fit of giggles. Mulan drowns into empty noise as you focus on Adrian, his glasses are crooked and you can’t help but trace the ridges of his profile, from the slope of his nose, down to his Adams apple and the heave of his chest as he laughs. 

“I don’t think I’ve ever had as much fun like. Ever. With anyone.” He turns his head to look at you and he can feel his ears turn hot at how bright you’re smiling back at him. “Seriously,  you’re the only person who- who…”

He can’t seem to find his words as you wordlessly adjust his glasses for him, sitting straight up to listen attentively, almost eager to hear what he has to say. 

“Sorry, it was bothering me. What were you saying?”

“Uh, you’re the best thing that’s happened in this past month and I’m so glad we’re roommates.”

You raise a brow, as if waiting for more, waiting for his usual word vomit but he’s breathless and he can’t stop staring at your lips. 

“I’m glad you feel that way too Adrian. I don’t think I’d be able to find a roommate as great as you either.” You get up and muss his hair slightly before grabbing a the dishes, and routinely, Adrian follows to the kitchen and turns on the sink to wash them. 

The sound of your back cracking is barely heard over the clanking of dishes as you hop onto the counter the same way Adrian does, admiring the furrow of his brow as he scrubs down your plates. It’s natural the way your roommate trails behind you to the bathroom, catching his toothbrush that you toss behind along with his toothpaste (kid’s crest. You’re not sure how he has such great teeth while using such sugary looking toothpaste), and finish your respective nightly routines before parting ways to your bedrooms.

-

Adrian double checks you’re asleep before slipping out and making his way downstairs- he was supposed to be at the mission briefing an hour ago but he ignored everyone’s messages for any minute he could get with you. He nearly stumbles down the stairs as he rushes to his car while he answers Chris’s call

“Dude. What the fuck? You were supposed to be here an hour ago and Harcourt is getting more impatient, and you know that’s already a thin line.”

“I’m sorry I’m sorry, I’m on my way right now I just got caught up in other stuff.”

“What, another drug bust? There are some more important things right now Vig.”

“Uh- yeah, I’m sorry I lost track of time I’ll be there soon. Were you guys worried about me? That’s so cute, you guys missed me so bad.”

“No, dude. We’re pissed at you for wasting our time. Hurry the hell up.”

-

You don’t remember Adrian mentioning he had a day shift today, but you convince yourself it must've slipped your mind between your one two many sips of soju. Grumbling, you get up and pad your way over to the kitchen, debating between making yourself coffee or starting on breakfast.

Adrian apparently decides for you, bursting through the door with one of your bags in hand and two coffee cups. “You’re already awake! Perfect. I was scared the food would be cold by the time you woke up.”

You playfully pinch at his side before grabbing the bag as he gets his shoes off. “You could’ve woken me up, I would’ve gone with you.”

“I know but you looked so peaceful. I had to meet up with some friends right before anyways and it ended up being a last minute idea to grab us stuff. We’re running low on groceries so I wanted you to have more than just eggs and toast. I figured we could go shopping together after you woke up or something.”

Handing Adrian a fork, you nod and take a sip of your coffee and let yourself admire the flex of his hands as he takes out his container and yours. Your mouth feels even more dry as you trace one of his veins to his forearms, until you notice a cut just grazing the edge of his rolled up sleeve. 

“What happened there?” You nod towards his arm, tilting your head to inspect it carefully. Your chance is lost, however, because Adrian scrambles to roll down the sleeve of his shirt. 

“Oh- uh I was on my way here and a Raccoon totally just came up and attacked me. Like out of nowhere and tackled my arm and stuff but I was able to shoo it off because I’m a pro at handling animals, obviously.”

A pause. His Adams apple bobs as he gulps out of nervousness. He’s lying and he’s not doing anything else to really convince you otherwise, hoping that his lack of eye contact will make you forget about it so you could instead focus on the breakfast in front of you. You quirk a brow and examine his face, there’s a small gash next to forehead and a knick on the corner of his ear. 

“Adrian, you don’t have to lie to me. I’m not going to think less of you if someone jumped you or something.”

“What? No-“ Somehow, the thought of you thinking he’s weak enough to let himself get jumped is worse than you knowing why he got his injuries. “First of all, I’m totally capable of handling my own, this raccoon was just way out of hand and caught me off guard- did you know that they typically attack in the morning cause they’re grumpy from not sleeping cause they’re nocturnal? They totally will just wig out and attack the next thing they see and I happened to be his victim.”

“Okay. I believe you, but just- I guess watch out for them next time? Come here,” You snatch Adrians wrist and make your way to the medical kit in the bathroom, all while Adrian tries desperately to not ogle at the sliver of skin between the hem of your tank top and the top of your pajama pants. “Sit.”

The tone of voice you use has his mouth going dry as you grab alcohol and pads and clean the mini gash on his forehead. The grasp you have on his face makes him squirm as you angle him to the side, wincing at the sting of the alcohol on his wound. It’s not long before you’re sticking a princess band-aid over the wound and he nearly whines at the loss of your hand on his face.