Chapter Text
You didn't really know when it all started.
"It" being your feelings.
Feelings for a certain fashion designer who wears orange goggles with long blonde hair that flowed down his back.
You've never felt this way for anyone, and it felt hella cringy.
It was annoying. Annoying when your heart aches without him, annoying when you have your time cut short when a mission is suddenly pushed onto you, annoying when you wouldn't know what to do with yourself if he left.
But, you never complained, not once.
-----
"So, I was thinking of a new design for my collection!" August was rambling on about his ideas for his fashion line, Collosso. "Maybe a coat that has short sleeves!"
You loved listening to his endless yapping, it was one of your favorite things about him.
"But, isn't a coat used for cold weather? Wouldn't short sleeves defeat the entire purpose of keeping you warm?"
"You're right.. Maybe I could layer it.." He began thinking to himself again.
The temperature was starting to drop, meaning it was time for winter uniforms.
August had been working extremely hard to perfect the designs, making them look aesthetically pleasing while keeping practicality.
He began scribbling a design in his sketchbook before presenting it to you, "I can sew in long sleeves, that way it looks cool but keeps you warm!" He smiled wide before ripping out the page and sticking it to the wall with a thumbtack.
"Do you like the design?" He asked, smirking, waiting for your validation.
"I think it looks good." You said, even though anything August made you loved. "It's different, but it works."
"Maybe I should have you be a quality checker for me!" He giggled.
You huffed and smiled before glancing at the clock on the wall.
6:07 PM
"Say, it's going to be time for dinner in a little bit, do you wanna grab that before the rush starts?"
"I'm down!" August scooted out and stood up from his chair, reaching out his hand towards you.
You didn't hesitate before grabbing it, he pulled you up from your seat next to his at his work table.
He led you into the hall, your hand in his. He interlaced your guys' fingers
Holding hands with him was as natural as breathing, they’re always warm.
Walking into the dining hall, only a couple of people were present.
“Nice, my bet paid off!” You and August both giggled.
You both sat down at a table after getting your food, August was right beside you.
“Y’know, I like this.” You began, “Hanging out with you. It’s fun.”
He swallowed his bite before speaking, “I think so too! You’re awesome and alot of fun to talk to and you are surprisingly helpful! Well, it's no surprise given that you like fashion as much as I do!” He gestured towards Battle Jacket.
You blushed slightly at the implication, training your eyes down to your meal to hide your face. You could feel August's gaze on you.
You both finished eating and dropped your dishes off, walking out into the hall hand in hand again, just in time as people were starting to file in.
You both made your way down the hall away from the traffic, to a more secluded part.
“So, this is goodnight?” You asked, not really wanting it to be.
August's gaze fell for a fleeting moment before it brightened again, “I guess it is.” Without even thinking he pulled you into a hug.
Ah.
This warmth.
You closed your eyes, letting it swallow you whole.
He wrapped his arms around you tightly, not letting go.
I’ve never noticed, he smells nice.
You both stood there for a few more seconds, before finally letting go. You immediately missed his warmth.
“Well, goodnight! I’ll see you in the morning!” He started walking backwards, a goofy smile on his face as he waved over and over.
“Be careful, August! You can fall!” Your tone was concerned, laced with playfulness.
“I promise I won’t!” He waved one last time before turning back and jogging down the hall.
You let out a sigh as you started in the opposite direction.
This was the hardest part. Parting ways with one another.
It never got any easier.
-----
You stepped inside your room, kicking the door shut behind you.
The familiarity of your room greeted you kindly. The same as it has many times. But, something felt off.
You untied the laces of your boots before tugging them off then gently laying Battle Jacket on the back of your desk chair.
You changed into sleep clothes, a plain t-shirt with some shorts.
You laid in bed, not bothering to wrap yourself in the warm sheets.
You don’t know how long you lied there, staring up at the ceiling.
Times like these helped you regulate your emotions and recount all that had happened today.
But.. right now. You felt unbearably lonely.
You don’t know if it was the dark ceiling staring back at you, or maybe it was the small amount of moonlight that had managed to filter through the curtains above your bed.
Not being able to handle it anymore, you moved to your side, beginning to stare at the wall instead.
Then, everything came flooding back to you at once.
This feeling..
I know it quite well.. Too well.
Emptiness.
Against your will, the memories of loneliness and solitude you experienced before joining the Cleaners appeared in your mind.
You rarely felt lonely anymore, but sometimes there were cracks.
Honestly, you kind of hated yourself for it. How you used to purposely ignore people and deny yourself human interaction simply because you didn’t feel like you needed it.
But it’s more like you didn’t feel anything at all.
At least I’m not like that anymore.
But deep down you knew that loneliness, the emptiness that used to fill your days was still present. Lying dormant, waiting until it could slip through the cracks.
You groaned as you turned to your other side.
You glanced over to the alarm clock on your nightstand,
1:34 AM
Great. Guess I won’t be sleeping.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. A mere 3 raps.
The door slowly opened, the light from the hallway leaking into the dark room.
A familiar figure stood in the doorway.
August.
He stood there with a soft smile on his face.
You propped yourself up on your elbows, legs sprawled out.
“Huh.?” You were caught off guard from the sudden but welcomed intrusion.
He stepped into the room, “I couldn’t sleep, and something told me you couldn’t either.” He sat criss-cross on the floor next to your bed, “Guess I was correct.” He smiled.
His voice was way quieter than it usually was, and he was in sleep clothes too.
“Uh.. yeah. My mind is kinda restless..” You finally admitted.
“Do you wanna take a ride with me?” August asked.
“Huh?” You questioned a second time.
“When I can’t really sleep, I usually go for a nightride. It helps take my mind off things.” His eyes met yours.
“Yeah, but.. With what? You can’t take one of the vehicles.”
“I have a motorcycle.” He smiled gently.
You knew a lot of things about August, this wasn’t one of them.
“You do?”
“Isn’t that what I just said?” He chuckled.
“I know, but this late?”
“That's the thing, it’s a completely different thing at night.” He slid his hand until it met yours.
“So, do you wanna ride with me?”
Your answer lingered on your tongue for a moment.
“Yes.”
“Great! Get dressed and come to my room when you’re ready.” He smiled before getting up from his spot on the floor.
He disappeared into the hallway as he closed the door behind him.
You sat there for a few moments before getting up.
You dressed yourself before pulling on Battle Jacket, lacing your boots up.
The door creaked open as the same light spilled into the room.
Now that I’ve thought about it, where are we going?
You soon found yourself at the door of August’s room, quickly knocking before letting yourself in.
He was sitting in his chair, awaiting your arrival.
“Ya ready to go?” He smirked before standing.
“Yea.. I’m kinda nervous, but I trust you.” You said.
“Don’t worry, I’m practically a professional at this point!” He giggled before grabbing your hand and leading you into the hall.
-----
August’s motorcycle was parked behind Cleaners HQ, not in the garage where the rest of the vehicles were.
“It’s easier this way,” August had stated, “Don’t have to worry about parking that much and it has easier access!” He grinned.
You were in the seat behind him, watching as he put his keys in and started the engine.
“Let’s go!” He concluded before twisting the throttle back as the motorcycle kicked into action. He sped down the road, heading towards the town.
Caught off guard, you wrapped your arms around his torso.
“It's okay, hold onto me if you need to.” He encouraged you, sensing your uneasiness.
Gathering your courage, you forced yourself to look somewhere else, rather than planting your face against his back.
You leaned your head back as you looked at the stars that shone brightly overhead in the dark night sky, their soft twinkling enticing you.
The cold blew against your face as August kept up a constant speed, the sound of the engine blending into the background as the city lights whizzed past, turning into a big blur.
Sensing your uneasiness, he spoke, “I know, it can be nerve wracking the first time. I promise it gets better as you keep going.” He reassured you some more.
August’s hair looked unreal as it flowed in the wind, flying so freely, just like a bird.
“Hey, I’ve got an idea!” August exclaimed, “I have this spot that has an amazing view.. The city looks so pretty from up there.”
“Oh, sure.” You responded, nerves still on edge.
The motorcycle slowed to a stop as he quickly parked in front of an alley.
“We’re here, but it takes some climbing.” He smiled at you.
“That’s fine.”
“So how was it?” You both made your way into the alley.
“Scary, but it felt good at the same time. It was really pretty, too.”
“I bet, the city looks completely different at night. It's amazing.”
Eventually, a ladder on the side of a building came into view.
“After you!”
“M’kay.”
You started climbing up the ladder, August followed closely behind. After a short amount of time you reached the roof of the building, August grabbed your hand and led you to the spot.
“Ta-da! We’re here!” He stuck his arm out as he gestured towards the view.
The view was nothing short of ethereal. The lights shone beautifully as they sparkled from below, the few people out right now looked like black specks from up here.
“Woah. August this is.. Wow.” You were awestruck.
Back before you joined the Cleaners, you hated the city at night.
It was a hotspot for crime and other nasty things. It disgusted you.
Sadly, you weren’t able to do anything about it and your only choice was to turn a blind eye to it.
If someone was getting beat up in an alley, your best bet was to walk away and pretend you saw nothing, you didn’t want to end up like them.
But now, being here with August, they have a completely different meaning.
It’s so beautiful.
“C’mon, sit down!” August gently tugged on your hand to sit on the rooftop with him.
You did as he pleased, sinking down next to him.
“Pretty cool, right?”
“Yeah. How’d you find this place?”
“Oh, I like wandering a lot. I just kinda go wherever I want, and it led me here.”
He looked to the sky, the city lights and stars reflecting off the lens of his glasses.
“I usually come here when I can’t think of what I want to make or do next.” His gaze lowered, “Or when I need to take my mind off things.”
He slipped off his glasses, revealing an oddly solemn look in his eyes.
“I struggle with anxiety, and the city provides an escape outside of my work.”
“I understand that.” You looked down at the lights below, thinking.
August suddenly perked up, “Oh shit, I’m sorry. This is supposed to be a sit and chill type thing, not a spill-all-our-insecurites hang out.” He chuckled, but you could hear the sadness seep through his words.
“I don’t mind, really.” You moved your hand over his, squeezing gently, reminding him of your presence.
His whole body softened at the contact.
He looked over to you, “Y’know, you’ve changed the way I design clothes entirely.” He smirked a bit, “I don’t know if I can describe it too well, but your personality and style has helped me become a better designer. I guess you can say every piece I’ve created after meeting you is based on you in a way.”
You felt your cheeks warm slightly,
Well damn.
He looked over to you, a certain look in his eyes.
“Thank you.. For being you.”
“Psh, don’t thank me for nothing.” You looked away, gaze dying. “I’m simply being myself, no need to thank me.”
The doubts were creeping in through the cracks again, and you were trying your best to not let it affect you.
“I’m serious. Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For being you.”
You looked back at him this time, a soft look in his eye.
You hesitated, “What’s with that look.?”
“Has anyone told you how beautiful you are?”
The statement caught you completely by surprise.
“What?”
“Didn’t you hear me?” He grinned like an idiot.
“I did, but.. Why’d you say that?”
“Honestly I’ve thought that for a long time. Ever since I met you to be exact.” The same goofy grin was still plastered to his face.
“Stop avoiding the question.” You were growing impatient, annoyed at his antics.
“You pull off any outfit I put you into, and you look badass in all of them.”
“August, I’m serious. What’s up?”
“You still don’t know?”
“No, I don’t, but I’d like to know.”
His entire face softened as he made eye contact with you. His eyes were brighter than any light from the city below.
“Can I use my actions to speak?”
“Sure, whatever, but tell-”
You were suddenly cut off as you felt August’s lips meet yours.
You tensed up before your whole body went numb.
His lips were warm and soft, they felt perfect.
He snaked his arm around your waist, pulling you closer.
You melted into the touch.
He interlaced your fingers together.
You moved your lips against his, basking in the warmth.
There was no rush. There was no need to go anywhere.
It was just you two, the way you both preferred it.
After a few more moments, you two finally broke the kiss.
Your mouth was slightly open, catching your breath. You couldn’t see it, but you knew your face was red.
August was an entirely different sight.
The way his face was all red and flustered made your heart soften, and there was something awfully endearing about his wind-tousled hair.
After finally mustering up the courage, August looked back at you.
“You’re my greatest inspiration because you are you. And.. I love you.”
The way he looked was incredibly sweet, you’ve never seen him in this state before.
You looked forward to the city, as you laid your head on his shoulder.
He relaxed.
“Well, that’s good.” You said, looking up at him. You smiled softly, “Because I love you too.”
You pressed your lips to his, he reciprocated immediately.
This is going to become a new addiction for me..
Guess I’m not too pissed about it.
You both released from the kiss, settling your head onto his shoulder again. His arm wrapped tighter around you, holding you close.
The warmth.
It feels so good.
-----
You both stayed in that position for a while, just enjoying each other’s presence like you always did.
But this time, something had shifted.
The kiss that night had sparked something new between you.
Or maybe, it was always there.
You both rode back to HQ at around 5 AM.
“Cheers to sleeping through the day.” You said, head laying against August’s broad back.
“Hah, yeah. But it was totally worth it.” He answered, voice soft.
You yawned, feeling your eyes grow heavy.
“Yeah. It really was.” You said before finally dozing off.