Chapter Text
What was colour? What were shapes? What was it about the combination of those things that made something as bland as paper or a wall so beautiful? Phoenix did not have the answer, and he was sure he wasn’t gonna get it soon seeing as he was sitting in front of the dean’s office, probably about to get suspended or worse, from his dream art school because of a not-so-little fire incident.
As he waited he scrolled through his Instagram page. He followed a graffiti artist named “Night”, the name’s pretty fitting as he does all his work at night. Everyone in his class couldn’t stop talking about his graffiti skills. He normally drew stuff samurai related if not it would be scenery. nobody knew who he was but they knew his art. The murals he would make were breathtaking due to the emotions they had behind them.
Phoenix lived near one of his famous pieces, It was a mural of a samurai fighting a two-headed dragon, The samurai looked terribly injured but still determined to beat the creature in front of him. honestly, every time he walks past it he can’t help but admire the amount of care and time put into the art piece. Though what Night is doing is illegal since it counts as vandalism, No one really cares so most of his work is kept up.
He had posted a new piece under some bridge that Phoenix recognized. It was small but still perfect, As usual, it was samurai related, it was a head portrait of the same samurai from their other works. If there was anything Phoenix wanted to do more, it was to make something that brought as much emotion as Night’s work. “Phoenix, The dean will like to speak to you now.” the secretary pointed to the dean’s door while still clicking away at her computer paying no attention to him. When Phoenix got to the door he hesitated a bit, no way he was about to lose everything he worked for right?
He shook the thought off before walking into the room. “So I’m going to guess you already know why you’re here.” The dean, Mr.Stone, said. Phoenix nodded taking a seat at the empty chair in front of him. “I’m so sorry sir, The fire wasn’t on purpose. I wasn’t paying attention next thing I knew things got out of hand.” Phoenix couldn't make eye contact all he could do was fidget with his hands as he awaited the older man's answer. "Seeing as you've never been in trouble before, and all your teachers claim that you're a star student, you won't be expelled." With that Phoenix let out a breath he didn't know he was holding.
"But you will be suspended for 2 weeks and will have to pay $200 for the damage fee." Mr.Stone continued. Phoenix's heart dropped. He wasn't sure if it was because of the fee or the suspension. He was a university student so as you could guess he was low on cash, normally he'd use the $200 for his monthly grocery, guess he'll have to go hungry for a bit. Though it could have been an explosion, the suspension still sucked, his been feeling unmotivated in his art recently, nothing looked right or how he wanted it, and now that he was suspended he felt like it would be 10x worse. Phoenix nodded "Sorry again about the fire." Phoenix smiled awkwardly, taking his leave.
"How the hell did you manage to burn down your classroom? aren't you in art? what the hell are you doing with fire? I have so many questions." Even though Jett was in Environmental Sciences, the news of the art room spread like wildfire. When Jett asked Phoenix what had happened she wasn't expecting him to say that he caused it, which is what caused her reaction at the moment.
"Look, fam, I was trying to use a match to do some cool effect on my piece, but then Gekko asked me to check if his figure looked "odd". Next thing I know my canvas was burning. Now I gotta pay for it and I've been suspended." Phoenix's head fell onto the counter in front of him. They went to their local bar in an attempt to cheer Phoenix up. "For how long?" Jett poured a cup of Achahol for Phoenix before taking a sip from her cup. "2 weeks."
Phoenix grabbed the cup before him and tilted it a little before downing it. Jett knew that though 2 weeks wasn't crazy, it would make Phoenix art block way worse. "Damn, and those canvas and supplies cost like $150." Jett watches as Phoenix poured himself another cup."$200 actually." he sighed. "Hey, could we stop talking about it, talking about the fact I almost caused a school fire won't help me forget it." Jett could see on Phoenix's face how much this was bothering him so she respected his wishes.
"I don't know if you know, but while you were in the dean's office Night posted a new photo." Jett excitedly propped her phone up to Phoenix showing him the photo from earlier today. "Yeah, I saw it already. I don't know how they do it but everything they make is just flawless." Phoenix gazed at the image fondly while downing another drink. "Slow down with the drinking pretty boy, keep going on like that and you're going to be shit-faced by the morning." Jett laughed. "That's the goal," he said filling up his cup and bringing up the Jett's and clinging it together.
“Isn’t that Gekko?” Jett pointed to the door.
And Lo and behold Gekko, with his neon green hair, coming right towards them.”Phoenix, Jett! I wasn’t expecting to see you guys here, especially you Jett, Neon told me you had an exam coming up that you needed to study for.” Gekko took a seat near Jett, who had a slightly panicked look on her face. “It’s a study break I swear! Once I get back to my dorm it's back to the books. Still though could you not tell Neon I’m here, I don’t want her worrying about me.” She said letting out a nervous laugh near the end.
Gekko motioned zipping his lips together and throwing out the key, Jett nodded a simple thank you. “Speaking of Neon, where is she I haven’t seen her in a while,” Phoenix muttered. “She practicing for her track thingy. That's why I don’t want her worrying about me. As much as I love her, she’ll put anything before her happiness. It’s kinda worrying.” Jett frowned a little at the end.”That’s Neon for you.” Gekko sighed.
“Oh Phoenix, I just wanna say I’m sorry about what happened in class today. If I didn’t distract you the fire wouldn’t have happened.” Gekko had a guilty look on his face. “Don’t worry about it bruv. It’s not your fault trust. I got a free vacation home out of it so it’s kind of a win” he assured him. Jett was quick to question the last part. “Vacation home? You legit refuse to go home and stay out for as long as possible because, and I quote “Being home alone is boring.”
She sealed the deal with what she and Gekko, who is crying and laughing, would call a perfect impression of Phoenix, to which he heavily disagrees. “For your information, I was thinking of going to visit my moms. I haven't seen them in a while. We haven’t talked in a while, I’m sure they're gutted.” Phoenix didn’t mean to blow his moms off. School just took a lot of free time from him, and the free time he did have he was using to catch up with school work.
“Wait, did you even tell them you got suspended?” Phoenix stayed quiet and reached out for another sip from his cup. “Phoenix!” Both Gekko and Jett yelled. “Dude, how are you going to plan a vacation there and not tell them?” Gekko’s face was one of flabbergastion. “It’s like the start of fall, so it’s not like any holidays are near. They're definitely going to be suspicious.” Jett added. Before Phoenix could make up some bullshit to get him out of this, a mysterious voice interrupted. Phoenix had never been more thankful for anything.
“Yo Gekko, sorry I’m late, practice ran longer than usual.” The owner of this mysterious voice was tall but a bit shorter than Phoenix, they had dark hair with blue bangs that were combed up and out of his face that revealed his dark eyes. Phoenix didn’t know if it was the amount of alcohol he drank or the way the mysterious guy’s jacket fit perfectly around his body, but his face was red and hot. He was dressed kinda weirdly, for one he had two headphones one on his neck and the other covering his ears. He had a duffel bag that seemed custom made, actually now that Phoenix is taking a really good look, he notices a lot of his stuff is custom made, like his jacket and a weird mask that is sitting below his chin.
“Yoru! Don’t worry, I was catching up with my friends.” Gekko waved. “Yeah we’re trying to help Phoenix over here who managed to burn down his whole classroom-“ Jett began. “Hold up fam, I didn't burn down the whole classroom, only a portion.” He argued. “Ohh so you're the idiot who started the fire.” Yoru smirked. Phoenix was taken aback. Sure what he did was dumb, but he didn’t need to hear from some rando he met, no matter how hot they were. Before he could say anything Jett had already started.”Hey! Just because what he did was indeed dumb.” Phoenix quickly questioned his choice of friends at that moment. “But you can’t just call him an idiot.” Jett and Yoru exchanged a deadly glare that was thankfully cut short thanks to Gekko.
“Yoru you have your duffle bag! Does that by any chance mean you're working on a new project today?” Yoru tore his eyes from Jett and focused them on Gekko. “Yeah, this one’s gonna be small though I think the cops are on my ass.” Phoenix and Jett must have had the same thought when they made eye contact with each other Cops!? What the fuck type of crime are the two men in front of them doing? “What kinda project is it?” Jett laughed nervously. “Yoru over here is quite an artist.” Gekko bragged while Yoru just rolled his eyes. “It's no big deal really, I just paint whatever I feel.”
Jett started planning something and Phoenix could tell, he was about to shut down what she was thinking, but it was too late. “Phoenix has been having an art block lately, maybe you could help him out!” Both Yoru and Phoenix had the same thought “Huh!?” “Jett’s right actually, you’ve been complaining about no one being able to admire your hidden art.” Gekko reminded Yoru. “It’s a win-win for everyone.” “Look, I'm not trying to babysit someone.” Yoru Protested, praying that this was an elaborate joke. “And I’m not trying to be babysat.” Phoenix was praying for the same. “Well then, don’t think about it like babysitting, you two are full-grown men, you’ll figure something out.” Jett said packing up her stuff and paying for the bill on the table.
“I’m going to dash, Neon will be going back to our dorm any time now. If I’m not there studying by the time she’s back. She’s going to Mom talk to me.” A shiver went down everyone's spine. Neon’s mom talk was not something any of them ever wanted to experience. “Phoenix I’m taking your car, Gek’ you need a ride?” “Wait what-“ Phoenix tried to protest. “Yes, please! I hate Ubering, so much money lost forever.” Gekko wiped a faked tear before leaving behind Jett. “So?” Phoenix turned his attention to Yoru, who was still looking at the door where their friends had abandoned them in disbelief. “Whatever.” Yoru sighed. “What’s the worst that can happen?”
Yoru and Phoenix walked through the parking lot in awkward silence. There were strange glances once in a while but other than that to two never interacted until they made it to Yoru's motorcycle. “Woah woah woah, I’m not hopping on that.” Yoru just chose to ignore Phoenix's protest and grabbed the extra helmet he had in his bag while putting away his headphones. It was a basic black helmet, very unlike his custom blue helmet that hung on his motorcycle handle. “Here, make sure you wear it properly. I’m not in the mood to see brains on the road today.” Phoenix's eyebrow quirked at that. “What do you mean by mood? When is there ever a mood to see someone's brains on the road?” Phoenix put on the helmet and made sure it was put on properly. Yoru was already sitting on the motorcycle and was tapping impatiently on the handle. “When a certain fire-starting idiot doesn’t know how to shut up and hop on the damn bike.” Yoru sent a harsh glare toward Phoenix.
Pushing aside the feeling of fear he had from watching “Top 10 craziest Motorcycle crashes” on youtube, Phoenix got onto the bike. He then realized he had no idea where to keep his hands, Yoru probably sensed that and grabbed his hands and pulled his arms around his waist. “Hold on tight, on a serious note Gekko, Neon and that crazy friend of yours will kill me if you died.” Yoru kickstarted his Motorcycle. Phoenix quickly defended his friend “She not crazy!-” but then remembered all the crazy shit she did do in their 3 years of friendship. “Okay she is, but in a nice crazy defensive way.” Yoru scoffed as pulled out of the parking lot. This was going to be a long night.
Phoenix was on the verge of throwing up when the first bike sped up, but soon he got used to it, and the feeling of wind on his skin was refreshing and even calming. City Lights flew past them, and the sounds of cars, people and the wind filled his ears. Phoenix hasn’t felt at peace like this in a while. He was always worrying about the next art project he has to do, or if the one he had right now was good enough to turn in. Sometimes he’d wonder if one day he just wouldn’t be able to make anything, not because he’d lost the skill but instead because he lost his will.
“Here we are,” Yoru said parking in front of some alleyway. “Already?” Phoenix was kinda sad the joyride was over, especially when he just started enjoying it. “Yeah only took us 10 minutes.” Yoru grabbed his duffle bag and walked into the alley, Phoenix followed. On the way were paintings, big and small, and weirdly enough a lot of them were samurai themed. Phoenix was able to recognize the art style, of course, he was he been the person’s biggest fan since their first post.
“Holy shit! Did Night draw this?” Phoenix was about to touch the painting to make sure it was real but was stopped by Yoru grabbing onto his wrist. “Yes he did, also don’t touch that. The paint is still wet, feel free to touch and admire it all you want once it dries. But for now, hands off.” Yoru smirked letting go of Phoenix and continuing his walk down.
“Wait, He? You know Night?” Phoenix gasped at the realization. “I guess you could say that.” Yoru shrugged as he looked for a free wall. “Holy shit! Wait can you introduce him to me? Oh, that would be so cool, I would brag to Jett so much, she’ll never hear the end of it. Wait why would Night ever be friends with an asshole like you?” They finally stopped at a wall that had decent space. Yoru put his bag down and began to unpack. “Number one: rude, number two: I don’t choose friends just because they're an asshole or a nice person, besides, the nicer people tend to be the fakest. I’d rather be friends with people who aren't afraid to call me a bitch to my than to be friends with people who say it behind my back.” Phoenix thought about what Yoru had said, what he said made sense, and having friends who tell it to your face is better than friends who say it behind your back- Phoenix thought again about what he said, Yoru used “I”, I as in I am Night.
“No way.” Phoenix was frozen as Yoru pulled up his mask to his nose and grabbed a black spray can. “You’re Night?” Phoenix barely spoke out. “The one of many, I honestly don’t know how I got the username, it’s so common I thought someone would have had it.” He grabbed a bandana he found in his bag and threw it and Phoenix. “Here for the fumes. I have no idea where it has been, so wear it if you dare.” He said doing a Ghost voice near the end.”No way.” Phoenix continued. “Never meet your hero they say. They were probably right.” Yoru then pulled out both of his Headphones. “Holy fuck, They were very right. Wow. fam I’ve been a fan of your work since day one by the way.” Phoenix was level 100 fangirling at the moment.”All your work is just breathtaking, the emotion they have in them is insane.” Yoru was left stunned “Thank you? I never really prepared for running into a fan due to the whole secret identity thing, so excuse me if I have no idea what to say.” Yoru was someone who never expects compliments, so for these many to come at a time, It kinda overstimulating.
“How do you do it?” Phoenix asked and received a very confused look from the other man.”Do what?” Phoenix took a breath in, he was finally able to ask the question he wanted to ask through the screen. “How do you add emotion to your work?” Yoru went blank, then he thought deeply. “Music.” silence fell between them, Phoenix was confused, Yoru had to be joking right? Nope, his face was unchanging as stone. “Music?” Phoenix repeated. “Yeah, it works as a catalyst for your emotions. Some songs make you feel, anger, sadness, joy and all that, some could even cause fear. A lot of my works come from anger though or just frustration.” Phoenix was surprised to hear that, sure a lot of Night or now Yoru’s? Work had a calming effect. So for it to be made from anger was a huge surprise. “A popular one I have is near some Starbucks.”
Phoenix immediately knew the one he was talking about as he walked past that one every day. “I like to do a calm before the storm type thing with my stuff which is why there was no action, instead it was the scene right before the final battle.” That explains the calming feeling, Phoenix thought. “So who won? The two-headed dragon or the samurai?” Yoru fell silent before answering. “I don’t know actually.” silence filled the air and for the first time it wasn’t awkward or mixed with tension, it was peaceful.
“Here these headphones are noise cancelling so you can focus on your music and art without any distractions.” Yoru Handed Phoenix the white pair of headphones. Phoenix accepted it mouthing a little thank you. “Wait what about you?” Yoru was a bit surprised about the question for an unknown reason.
“I’ll be okay, though these headphones aren't noise cancelling they are better for hearing the polices, they’ve been on my ass lately for no reason. That's why the paintings and shit have gotten smaller.” Oh, that’s what he and Gekko were talking about. “Everything you need should be in this bag, there are a lot of spray cans and I’m pretty sure there’s a pack of matches so try not to start another fire.” even though Yoru was wearing a mask Phoenix could sense the smirk on the other man face. “Haha very funny.” Phoenix rolled his eye putting on the bandana Yoru gave him. He turned on some music from his Spotify playlist and waited for inspiration.
Nothing was coming, the music just felt like music, he felt nothing, he looked over to Yoru. He used the black paint spray for a nice background and is seemly waiting for it to dry a little while he sets up with white paint. Phoenix let out a sigh, why couldn’t he do that? Feel music so easily that it brings out the best in your art. It is so easy so Why can’t he do it? If a guy like Yoru can do it he sure most definitely should be able to. So why can’t he? With that question pounding in his mind, the song on his phone finished and continued to the next, “Uk allstars” His first thought was how did this get in his playlist? The next was how the song fit his current mood, being honest with himself, he admits that the feeling his feeling is jealous. Phoenix wants to shine brighter than Yoru- correction he Will Shine brighter than Yoru.”
He grabbed the orange and red paint along with the yellow. what else in this world could shine brighter than him himself, more specifically his name? Absolutely nothing. Phoenix started with the outline, then the body, wings, and details, he started going out of order and just did whatever felt right, he drew a ring of fire behind the Phoenix, and gave it bright white eye’s that shined. He took a break and looked at it from afar, it looked finished, like done even to Phoenix’s high standers, he felt satisfied with his art for the first time in a while. He was going to add a bit more but He felt someone rapidly taping him.
“Yoru it worked look how wicked this shit looks!” Phoenix pulled down the headphones to rest at his neck.”That’s cool and all, but I hear sirens and it seems like they are getting closer, and I’m pretty sure they are coming for us because I saw some weird old lady giving a huge side eye as she pulled out her phone, which can I just ask why it’s hard for people to mind their own business.” Phoenix was Still very confused bout the situation, and Yoru could tell. “Sorry I tend to ramble sometimes, basically what I’m saying is that we gotta go.” The two quickly packed everything but to how it was before they came. And hopped onto the motorcycle.
There it was again the peaceful bliss of riding past the city, the sounds are back, accompanied by the new sign of sirens far in the back. “Thanks for not leaving me back there.” Phoenix Said trying to make some sort of conversation. “Yeah, no problem. If I did I’m pretty sure I would have ended up being killed by your crazy friend.” Phoenix laughed before replying. “Once again she’s crazy in a nice defensive way.”Yoru slowed down “I just remembered to ask, Where am I supposed to drop you off?” From his voice, Phoenix could tell Yoru was a little panicked “You remember your mural near Starbucks?”
“This place right? Please tell me it is, I swear I might just leave you here if I have to drive to the other side of the city, gas is expensive and seeing as you have a $200 fine, I’m going to guess you don’t have gas money.” Phoenix could tell Yoru was joking at this point, No matter how much of an asshole he was on the outside he wasn’t one to leave you stranded.” Yeah, don’t worry this is the right place. How’d you know about the fine?” Phoenix was off the bike handing Yoru his helmet back.
“News spreads quickly around campus.” He scoffed “Lucky for you, your name wasn’t leaked. Being known as the kid who almost burnt down an entire university, is not something you’d wanna be known for.” Yoru laughed. Yoru laughed? “That’s the first I’ve heard you laugh all night, not like a scoff or some.” Phoenix pointed out. “Don’t get used to it. Next time we meet it will be as if am a statute.” Yoru let out a soft smile. “So there will be a next time?” Phoenix asked with a smile, Yoru Simply shrugged before starting his Motroclye and driving away.
When Phoenix got home it was as empty as it was when he left, there were some forgotten paintings all over, and pizza from last night still on the counter. He walked into his room a grabbed the first pair of boxers he saw with a simple T-shirt. When he entered the bathroom he saw it, in the mirror on his neck were Yoru’s headphones. “Oh shit.”