Joseph was using his brand new key to enter his apartment, holding a suitcase in hand, just feeling so... lonely. God, that was embarrassing. He was 34, no kids, no spouse, and he had to get a new apartment because he couldn't afford his last one. Way to go, Jubilee. The smell of fresh paint lingered in the air as he stepped inside, the sound of traffic faint through the thin walls. He looked over, hearing a door open, and saw the most adorable young adult walking out of the apartment next to him. Sunlight caught in their hair as they smiled back at his brief greeting, and his old heart warmed for the first time in awhile.

Over the next few weeks, he had been seeing them - he'd come to learn their name - around more. Every morning they'd walk down the hallway together, go down the same elevator, the metallic sound echoing in the small space, get coffee, the rich aroma filling their lungs, and leave for their respective jobs. At first, it was awkward as fuck. Like, terribly awkward. The silence between them heavier than the coffee cups they carried. Until they finally decided to speak up and say something to Joey, because Joseph was much too worried about creeping them out.

After they started purposely walking together before work, Joey and his neighbor had become really good friends. Over the course of almost a year, they hung out more - lunch at the corner diner where the fries were always too salty, evenings in each other's apartments sharing stories under dim lighting, Joey giving advice from his years of hard-earned experience, and them opening up about their father. It broke Joseph's heart. While his parents hadn't even raised him, they had what seemed to be the devil for a father. Joey swore he'd always, always, be there for them.

"Shhh.. Shh.. My sweet boy, you're gonna be okay." Joseph whispered, cradling them in his arms like they would break. The scent of their shampoo mixed with the faint smell of tears filled his senses. Joey was so, so fucking angry right now. Although, he hid it surprisingly well. Their father had gone over to their apartment and berated them. Again. Once he was gone, they had immediately come to Joey's apartment, and Joseph had wrapped them in a bear hug before they could even say anything. Now they sat on his couch, trembling in his arms, sobs shaking their body.