Deep Breaths (Garcello x Reader) [Slow Updates]

Part 24 - Flames

You can't fall asleep, but that's nothing new. It's just something you've become accustomed to, no matter how technically unhealthy it is. You're too tired to worry.

So here you are, scrolling mindlessly through your phone in the dead of night. Just another routine it seems, and one you don't think you'll be changing anytime soon. You're pretty fine with that.

You just wish you weren't so bored.

A sigh escapes your mouth and you feel a joint in your spine pop. Maybe it's time to actually try to sleep. You've basically run out of stuff to scroll through on your phone, anyhow. Clearly, being awake is just as boring as being unconscious.

You can't help but grumble a tad as you press the side of your phone and watch the screen go dim. You're just about to leave it aside when--

--a notification lights up the screen.

You pause.

...At this hour? Apparently, your friends don't have much better schedules than you... or maybe it's a spam text. Ah, well, any reason to stay awake a little more, you suppose.

You swipe down to check the notification and feel the very moment your heart drops.

Gar: hey

Gar: are u awake?

You sit up in bed and brush back your hair. The way your heartbeat hastens isn't at all lost on you, and neither is the oddness of Garcello actually texting you at this hour. If this kind of thing was regular, you'd probably be giddy at the concept of your... well, Garcello texting you like this.

The thing is, even though you've always known him to be a night owl (or at least someone with an equally screwed-up sleep schedule), you don't recall any time he's actively contacted you so late into the night.

Biting your tongue a bit, you muster up the strength to respond. It's not like you'll be sleeping soundly knowing you left Garcello's text message unanswered. If he's risking interrupting your beauty sleep (or lack thereof), it's likely something serious.

You: yeah, what's up? Are you alr?

Even with how familiar you are with Garcello, you can't stop the slight edge of worry at sounding too casual or serious in texts. You just hope he'll overlook or ignore that for now.

Gar is typing...

Gar: honestly no

Gar: sorry if that's a little bleak to say but uh

Gar: if u can could u maybe

Gar: meet up with me rn? ik it's late so you don't have to but

Gar is typing...

The dots roll across the edge of the screen, then they stop. The silence in your apartment and lack of continuation in his text puts you on edge.

You: it's ok I'm not busy

You: I'll be there soon

You: do you need me to bring anything specific? Like a drink or a jacket or?

Gar: it's cold out so bring a jacket for urself

Gar: otherwise i don't think so

You: alright

You: alleyway, right?

Gar: yea