Key Story (2) - Chapter 15
The next morning, the sun was barely visible behind the heavy clouds that painted the city in muted shades of gray. Raze walked through the quiet streets, the cool air biting at his skin. His mind was still reeling from the previous night with Solace, replaying every word, every subtle touch. He hadn't slept, not really. His thoughts had kept him awake, spiraling in ways he couldn't fully explain.
The streets were nearly empty at this hour, a stark contrast to the quiet intensity of the night before. Raze's footsteps echoed off the pavement, the rhythmic sound grounding him as he made his way toward the busier part of town. He'd left Solace's hideout with a mix of emotions swirling in his chest—trust, confusion, maybe even a little regret. But what lingered most was the weight of her presence, the way she had made him feel exposed yet somehow comforted at the same time.
He reached into his jacket pocket, feeling the lighter he'd given her. A small, empty promise, he had thought. Yet it felt like he had given her more than just an object—it was a piece of his past, a piece of his vulnerability.
Raze paused in front of a café, considering going in for something to clear his head. But before he could make up his mind, a familiar voice cut through the air.
"Raze?"
He turned slowly, his gaze meeting Raxian's. The younger man stood just a few feet away, his expression a mixture of surprise and concern. Raxian wasn't alone—his usual group of friends lingered behind him, chatting casually, but Raxian had stepped away from them, his attention fully on Raze.
For a moment, Raze said nothing, taking in the sight of his friend. He hadn't seen Raxian in a while, not since everything had shifted their lives. And now, standing there in the pale morning light, Raxian looked... different. Older, maybe, or just more tired.
Raxian narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze shifting over Raze's appearance. "What the hell happened to you? You look like you've been up all night."
Raze smirked, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Something like that."
Raxian took a step closer, studying him more closely. He could see the weariness etched into Raze's features—the dark circles under his eyes, the way his shoulders seemed to carry more weight than usual. There was something else too, something unspoken between them that Raxian couldn't quite place.
"Seriously, man. You good?" Raxian asked, his tone softer now, more genuine.
Raze shrugged, leaning back against the café wall. "Yeah, just... long night. Got caught up in some stuff."
The vague answer didn't sit well with Raxian. He had known Raze long enough to sense when something was off, and this wasn't just about a lack of sleep. There was a shift in Raze's demeanor—something more than just the aftermath of a rough night. It was like Raze was carrying something heavier than usual, something that didn't have an easy explanation.
Raxian crossed his arms, his gaze never leaving Raze's face. "What kind of stuff?"
Raze hesitated, his hand instinctively reaching for the pocket where his lighter had been the night before. He caught himself and dropped his hand to his side, avoiding Raxian's eyes for a moment. "Nothing I can't handle," he said, his voice low but firm.
But Raxian wasn't convinced. He stepped closer, lowering his voice so the others wouldn't overhear. "You're not fooling anyone, Raze. You've been off lately. Is this about Solace?"
At the mention of her name, Raze's expression tightened, just for a second, but it was enough for Raxian to notice. His suspicion was confirmed—whatever had happened with Solace had affected Raze in ways he hadn't expected. But instead of prying, Raxian took a different approach.
"You don't have to go through whatever this is on your own," Raxian said, his tone unusually soft for someone who usually held things at arm's length.
Raze looked at him for a long moment, his usual mask slipping just a little. "I'm not... on my own," he muttered, but the words felt hollow even to him.
For the first time, Raxian could see something he hadn't noticed before—Raze wasn't just the easygoing guy who always had his back. There was more to him, layers of complexity that Raxian had never fully understood. And now, for the first time, he saw Raze not just as his supportive friend, but as someone who had his own battles, his own secrets, his own pain.
They stood there in the quiet of the morning, the tension between them thick with unspoken words. Raxian didn't push any further, sensing that Raze wasn't ready to open up. But the realization lingered in his mind, making him question how well he really knew Raze after all these years.
Finally, Raxian let out a breath, breaking the silence. "Look, if you need anything... you know where to find me."
Raze nodded, offering a half-smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Yeah, I know."
Raxian clapped him on the shoulder, a gesture of silent support, before stepping back to rejoin his friends. As Raze watched him walk away, he felt a strange mix of relief and unease. He had always been the one supporting Raxian, but now, things felt different. There was a shift in the air, like the roles were starting to reverse, and Raze wasn't sure how he felt about that.
As the morning stretched on, Raze lingered outside the café, the weight of the night and his conversation with Raxian settling over him like a heavy fog. He hadn't expected things to change so quickly, but here he was, standing on the edge of something new—something he wasn't sure he was ready for.
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Raze slipped into his apartment, the coolness of the outside air lingering on his skin even as the warmth of his space wrapped around him. He stood in the entryway for a moment, surveying the familiar surroundings. The place was still and tidy, the artwork hanging on the walls a quiet reminder of his life outside of the chaos that seemed to follow him. It was a relief, the quiet, but it also felt emptier than usual.
Raze tossed his keys onto the counter, his jacket following soon after, and made his way to the kitchen. His mind still lingered on the night before, on Solace and the strange pull she had over him. He wasn't used to this—a connection that felt deeper, more fragile than anything else in his life. His thoughts were a tangled mess, but he couldn't shake the way she had looked at him, as if seeing through every layer of his defenses.
He opened the fridge, pulling out the carton of eggs and setting them on the counter. The sizzle of the pan filled the space, a comforting sound amidst the silence. Raze chopped up a leftover tomato and stared at the small knife in his hand, his thoughts drifting to Raxian.
The kid had sent him a message last night, something simple but heartfelt. Raze hadn't responded yet, unsure of what to say. He wasn't one for sentimentality, but something about the message had stuck with him. Maybe it was because Raxian, despite his own struggles, always managed to reach out, even when Raze least expected it.
With breakfast ready, Raze settled at the small dining table, his mind still running over the events of the past few hours. He ate slowly, staring out the window as the city stirred to life around him. The skyline was painted in hues of gray, the kind of morning that made you want to stay in bed all day. But Raze couldn't escape his thoughts, not this time.
His phone buzzed on the table, and for a moment, he considered ignoring it. But curiosity got the best of him. It was Raxian again, checking in.
"You good? Haven't heard from you since this morning."
Raze stared at the message, the warmth of the food in front of him doing little to soften the heaviness in his chest. He wanted to respond, to say something real, but the words didn't come easily. Instead, he typed a quick response.
"Yeah, I'm good. Just a long night."
He hit send before he could second-guess it, then leaned against the counter, his thoughts circling back to Raxian. The kid had so much going on, between school, league, basketball, his guitar practice, and everything else life threw at him. While trying to balance out his social life. It wasn't that Raxian didn't care—Raze knew he did—but their dynamic had always been this way. Raxian had needed someone to lean on, and Raze had slipped into that role effortlessly. It gave him purpose, a sense of responsibility, of being the older brother that Raxian could count on.
But sometimes, late at night, when the weight of his own thoughts pressed heavy on his chest, Raze wondered what it would feel like to have someone who asked if he was okay. Really okay.
He shook the thought away, feeling the familiar sting of his own reluctance. This was how things were supposed to be—Raxian was still a kid in some ways, figuring things out. Raze didn't need to burden him with his own stuff. That's not how it worked.
Still, there were moments, like now, when the quiet of his apartment felt just a little too loud, the walls pressing in with all the things he kept bottled up inside. He was good at hiding it, at playing the role of the laid-back older brother who had it all figured out. But Solace had seen through that, hadn't she? Just like how she'd seen the cracks beneath the surface last night.
He ran a hand through his hair, staring at the CD case on the table. It was easier to keep things simple, to not let people in too deep. Even with Raxian. Maybe especially with Raxian.
The knock on the door pulled him from his thoughts. Raze hesitated, a strange sense of déjà vu washing over him. His hand hovered over the handle for a second longer than it should have before he pulled the door open.
And there stood Raxian, looking a little more disheveled than usual, a tired grin tugging at his lips. "You weren't answering your phone, man. Thought I'd check if you were alive."
Raze blinked, caught off guard. "Yeah, sorry. I was… just lost in thought."
Raxian stepped inside without hesitation, like it was the most natural thing in the world. He glanced around the apartment, his eyes lingering on the sketches lining the walls. "You really cleaned up the place. Looks good."
Raze chuckled, closing the door behind him. "Yeah, trying to stay on top of things. You want some coffee or something?"
"Nah, I'm good," Raxian said, plopping down on the couch. There was a moment of quiet between them before Raxian turned to face him, his expression softening. "You doing alright? You've been kinda quiet lately."
The question hit Raze harder than he expected. He opened his mouth to say something easy, to brush it off like he always did. But the words didn't come as quickly this time.
"I've been... thinking about some stuff," Raze admitted, his voice lower than usual.
Raxian tilted his head slightly, the way he always did when he was trying to read between the lines. "You can talk to me, you know. I mean, I know you've got my back and all, but I've got yours too."
Raze forced a smile, his heart giving a small, unsteady thud in his chest. "I know, kid. Don't worry about me."
But something in Raxian's eyes told him that wasn't going to fly this time. The kid wasn't going to let it go. Not this time.
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Raxian sat down across from Raze, the room feeling smaller than usual, like the weight of the conversation they were about to have was pushing the walls inward. Raze, leaning back against the couch, let out a long breath he hadn't realized he was holding. It wasn't like him to feel tense around Raxian—usually, he was the one helping the kid sort through his problems. But today, something was different.
"You good?" Raxian asked, his voice casual but carrying a note of concern. "You've been... quieter than usual."
Raze met his eyes, and for a moment, he considered brushing it off, like he always did. But Raxian had come all this way, just to check on him. That wasn't something he could ignore. The kid cared. And for the first time in a long time, Raze felt like maybe it was okay to admit he wasn't as strong as he always tried to be.
"I don't know, man," Raze started, his voice a little rough. He ran a hand through his blue-streaked hair, staring at the ceiling for a moment. "I guess I've just been... stuck lately."
Raxian didn't say anything, just nodded, letting Raze continue at his own pace. That's something Raze appreciated about him—he didn't push, didn't pry, just listened.
"I've always been the one looking out for other people, you know? Like... it's my job or something," Raze said, his voice quieter now. "I'm the guy who's there when you need him, no questions asked. But it's been harder lately. Feels like I've got nothing left to give."
Raxian shifted in his seat, his brow furrowed with concern, but he didn't interrupt. He could see that Raze wasn't done yet.
"There's... other stuff too," Raze continued, his gaze dropping to the floor. "Family stuff. You remember that relative I told you about? The one in the hospital?"
Raxian nodded. "Yeah... you mentioned them a while back."
Raze took a deep breath. "It's been rough, man. Watching someone you care about... fade away like that. It messes with you. I guess that's why I started smoking again," he admitted, a hint of guilt in his voice. "Not that I'm proud of it, but... it's one of the only things that keeps me grounded, you know?"
For the first time, Raze felt the weight of the confession settle between them. It wasn't the full story, but it was more than he'd ever shared before. And as the silence stretched on, he wondered if maybe he'd said too much. Vulnerability wasn't something he was used to, and now that the words were out, he couldn't take them back.
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Raxian stared at Raze for a moment, processing everything he'd just heard. It wasn't like Raze to let his guard down, and the fact that he was doing it now made Rax realize how much weight his friend had been carrying. He swallowed, feeling a strange mix of admiration and concern.
"I didn't know you were going through all that, Raze," Raxian said quietly, his voice lacking its usual confidence. "I mean... I knew something was up, but not like this." He glanced at Raze, trying to read his expression. Raze had always seemed so put together—like nothing could really shake him. But hearing this? It made Rax see him in a completely different light.
There was a pause as Raxian searched for the right words. He knew that anything too sentimental might make Raze uncomfortable, but he didn't want to brush off the seriousness of what Raze had just shared either.
"Look, man... you've always been the one to help me when things were rough," Raxian continued, his voice steady but sincere. "You were there when I didn't even know how to deal with my own stuff, and I never really stopped to think about what you were going through. I guess I just... took it for granted that you had it all together."
Raxian leaned forward slightly, his expression softening. "But you don't have to do it all alone, you know? It's okay to lean on someone else for a change."
There was no judgment in his voice, only understanding. Raxian knew what it felt like to keep everything bottled up, and he realized now that Raze had been doing the same thing for way too long. It was hard to see the guy who had always been his rock struggle with his own burdens, but it made Raxian want to step up in a way he hadn't before.
"I'm not saying I have all the answers or anything," Raxian admitted, a small, sheepish smile crossing his lips. "But... I'm here. Whatever you need. I owe you that much at least."
Raxian shifted slightly in his seat, feeling the weight of his words. It wasn't easy for him to be vulnerable either, but he wanted Raze to know that he was serious. For the first time, Rax felt like maybe he could give something back to the person who had always been there for him.
"You've got me, man. I'm not going anywhere," Raxian said, his voice firm. "So if you need to talk, or just... not talk, that's cool too. I'm not gonna push you."
Raze leaned back slightly, studying Raxian's face as he spoke. The kid had changed, there was no denying it. Gone was the hot-headed, impulsive gamer who'd dive headfirst into situations without a second thought. In his place stood someone more measured, more thoughtful, with the weight of experience—and maybe a bit of heartbreak—behind his words.
Raze had always seen flashes of potential in Rax, but it was different now. He wasn't just a talented kid with raw emotion bubbling under the surface. He was growing into someone who understood responsibility, who carried the weight of others on his shoulders, especially when it came to Sable.
Sable. Raze couldn't help but think of her now, wondering how she was holding up. He didn't know all the details, but he knew enough to realize she was going through a lot. And from what he could tell, Raxian had taken it upon himself to be her rock.
Raze admired that. It wasn't something he'd expected to see from Raxian, at least not so soon. The old Rax would've gotten frustrated, would've pushed too hard or pulled away when things got tough. But this Rax? He was steady. He was what Sable needed right now.
Raze glanced down, his fingers tapping lightly against his knee. He didn't want to intrude. Whatever was going on with Sable and Raxian was personal, and he respected that. Besides, he had his own stuff to deal with. But still, it was hard not to feel a pang of... something. Not jealousy, exactly. Just a reminder that, for once, Rax wasn't the one who needed him.
Maybe that's what growing up was—learning to step back when the time was right, letting people figure things out on their own.
Raze couldn't help the small, almost imperceptible smile that tugged at the corner of his lips. Raxian really was growing up. And even though a part of him missed the days when Rax needed his guidance more directly, he was proud. Proud that Raxian had found something—someone—worth fighting for, and proud that the kid was handling it with a maturity that he hadn't expected to see this soon.
As the conversation shifted back to more casual topics, Raze made a mental note to check on Sable when the time was right. But for now, he wouldn't push. Rax was doing what he needed to, and if Sable needed him, Raze knew Rax would be there.
Raze took a deep breath, the weight of his own thoughts settling. Maybe he didn't need to be the protector all the time. Maybe this was Rax's turn to be that for someone else.
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Raze was about to say something when Raxian's phone buzzed on the table. Without hesitation, Raxian glanced down, his expression softening as he unlocked the screen. Raze couldn't help but notice the way Rax's entire demeanor shifted—calmer, more focused. Raxian tapped a message, his thumb lingering over the screen before he muttered a quiet, "One sec."
Raze nodded, leaning back in his seat. He wasn't the type to pry, but when Raxian's lips pressed into a thin line, Raze caught a glimpse of the message on the screen—Sable's dad.
Raxian's eyes quickly scanned the text. Hey, Rax, I have to head out of town for work this weekend. Can you check on Sable while I'm gone? It'd mean a lot to me—and to her. Thanks, kid.
For a moment, Raxian didn't say anything. He just stared at the phone, as if weighing the responsibility of the words. Then, with a steady breath, he typed back a quick response. Yeah, of course. I'll stop by after school.
As Raxian put the phone down, Raze noticed the subtle shift in his expression—something more determined, more resolute. He wasn't the same kid Raze had known, not anymore. This was a man taking on real responsibility, caring for someone who needed him. And not just because he felt obligated, but because he wanted to.
Raze watched the exchange in silence, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. There it was again—that shift. That maturity. The Raxian he used to know would have been frustrated by this kind of responsibility, maybe even pushed back against it. But now? He accepted it without question.
He couldn't help but feel a swell of pride as he watched Rax type his reply. The kid wasn't just stepping up for Sable—he was becoming someone others could depend on. And not just in the way of a teammate or friend. This was deeper, more personal. Raxian had built a connection with Sable's dad, integrated himself into her life in a way that Raze hadn't fully realized until now.
Damn, Rax, Raze thought, his gaze lingering on the younger man. You're really growing up, aren't you?
He leaned back, folding his arms as he let the thought settle. There was a time when Raxian had needed Raze to guide him, to offer advice and support whenever things got tough. But now? Now it was Raxian who was stepping up for someone else, taking on a role that Raze hadn't expected him to fill so soon.
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The quiet between them stretched for a moment, but it wasn't uncomfortable. If anything, it felt right. Raxian had found his footing, and Raze, for once, didn't feel the need to step in and help. He was content to sit back, watch, and feel proud of the man Raxian was becoming.
Maybe this is what it feels like to watch someone you care about grow, Raze thought. It wasn't jealousy, it wasn't fear of being left behind—it was a deep, quiet pride. He had been there for Raxian when the kid needed him most. And now, Rax was taking what he had learned and applying it to his own life, in his own way.
"Everything good?" Raze asked casually, breaking the silence but keeping his tone light.
Raxian glanced up, offering a small nod. "Yeah, just... Sable's dad asking me to check on her. He's got a business trip this weekend."
Raze nodded, his smile growing. "You're really stepping up for her, huh?"
Raxian hesitated, then shrugged, trying to play it off like it wasn't a big deal. "Yeah, well... she needs someone, you know?"
Raze couldn't help but chuckle softly. "You've come a long way, kid."
Raxian shot him a curious look, but before he could ask what Raze meant, Raze gave him a light, approving nod. "Just... proud of you, that's all."
Raxian blinked, taken aback for a second before a faint smile touched his lips. He didn't say anything, but Raze could see the gratitude in his eyes.
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Raze watched as Raxian walked away, the click of the door echoing in his small apartment. The room fell into its usual quiet again, but Raze couldn't shake the thoughts circling his mind. He leaned against the counter, staring absently at the mess he'd left in the kitchen from breakfast.
His mind wandered back to that fateful evening, back to when AkarisLite—who he later learned was Sable—had first popped up on their radars. The memory brought a small smile to his face, though it was tinged with disbelief. If someone had told him back then that the snarky Fizz player who'd kicked Raxian's ass in-game would end up meaning so much to him and the rest of the group, he would've laughed it off.
That game had been nothing special—just another ranked match in a long line of them. Raxian had been eager, hyped up to climb the ranks and finally break out of the frustrating Emerald bracket, and naturally, he'd felt invincible. But then, that one game had knocked him down a few pegs, courtesy of an unknown smurf who played Fizz way too well.
Raze had egged him on, convincing him to add the player—if only to see Raxian vent his frustration directly. In hindsight, it had been a little cruel, but it was in the spirit of their rivalry. Neither of them could've predicted what would come from it. That seemingly insignificant match had led to a friendship... and later something more complicated, for Raxian.
Raze chuckled to himself, remembering how furious Raxian had been that night. But if it hadn't happened, if Raxian hadn't added AkarisLite, none of them would've gotten to know Sable the way they did now. She'd gone from being an anonymous player to someone who had completely shifted the dynamic of their group.
He wondered how different things might be if Raxian had let his pride get in the way and decided not to message her. It was strange how life worked that way—one decision, one heated moment, leading to connections they hadn't expected.
Now, Sable was more than just some player online—she had become a central figure in Raxian's life, someone he felt a deep responsibility for. Raze had watched from the sidelines as Raxian grew up, as he matured into someone who could take care of more than just himself. It was a change Raze couldn't help but admire, though it also left him feeling a little… redundant.
He'd spent so long being Raxian's support system, his big brother in a sense, that seeing Rax handle things on his own—especially with Sable—was both a relief and a reminder of how much had changed.
As he mulled over these thoughts, his phone buzzed again. Another message from Raxian.
"Hey, thanks for today. I'm heading over to Sable's later. Her dad's out of town and asked me to check on her."
Raze smirked, shaking his head. Rax had come such a long way, hadn't he? The kid wasn't just that hot-headed, stubborn gamer anymore. He was someone who took responsibility, someone who genuinely cared for others. Sable had probably played a bigger part in that transformation than she realized.
And that thought made Raze feel proud, even if it left him with a strange emptiness. Raxian was growing into his own, taking on new roles and relationships. And while Raze was happy for him, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was still... stuck. Stuck supporting, stuck observing.
Raze leaned back, thinking about how much the people around him had changed, and how maybe it was time for him to stop hiding behind the role of "the big brother" and start figuring out what came next for him.
As much as he liked being there for everyone else, Raxian had a new role now. Maybe it was time Raze found his own.
And it all started that evening
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Raxian walked with his hands tucked into his jacket pockets, the cool autumn breeze tousling his hair as he made his way down the familiar road to Sable's apartment. It had been one of those rare afternoons when he only had classes in the late morning, giving him the rest of the day to check on her.
The streets were quiet, with only the occasional car passing by, but his mind was far from still. Thoughts of the morning weighed heavily on him—specifically, the conversation he had with Raze.
For as long as he could remember, Raze had been his constant. His support. The big brother he never had but always needed. Raze was the one who'd listened to him rant about school, games, girls, everything. He had always been there. And in the back of his mind, Raxian knew he hadn't repaid him for that. Not in the way he should've.
Now, though, as he walked toward Sable's place, the thought stuck with him. Maybe this was the time—maybe now he could finally be there for Raze the way Raze had been there for him all these years. Even just a little bit.
He kicked a stray pebble as he walked, watching it bounce across the cracked pavement. Raxian wasn't used to thinking of Raze in such a vulnerable light. Raze had always been the solid one, the one who didn't let things show, the one who seemed to have it all together. But the morning's conversation had been different. There had been something beneath the surface—something unspoken but heavy.
The weight of Raze's struggles felt more apparent now, and it made Raxian want to do more. To help in whatever way he could. He knew he couldn't fix everything, but being there for his friend—even in the small ways—was something he hadn't done enough.
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As Raxian approached Sable's apartment building, he glanced up at the window where her light was often on. He couldn't help but wonder how she was holding up. He had been spending more time with her lately, checking in, making sure she was alright. But something inside him still felt off, like he wasn't doing enough.
And then there was the message from her dad earlier. The fact that her dad trusted him to check on her—it weighed on him. Not as a burden, but as a reminder of how much things had changed. This wasn't just about games anymore. It wasn't about winning or losing. This was real, and Sable needed him now, just like he needed Raze all those years ago.
Maybe that's why this feeling kept gnawing at him. He knew what it was like to be in the dark, to feel alone, and he didn't want Sable to go through that. And maybe—just maybe—he could give Raze that same peace of mind.
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As he reached the front of Sable's building, Raxian took a deep breath. Today, it wasn't about being the kid who always needed help. It was about being the person others could rely on. He was ready to knock on the door, and as he did, his thoughts of Raze lingered.
Maybe today was the start of something new—a chance to show that he had grown up, that he could give back in the ways he had been given.