Chapter Text
If you could have any job in the world without worrying about dumb capitalism or rent at the end of each month, what would it be? Well, for Uzi Doorman, she would answer with–
“Why is it so fricken’ cold?” She asked herself, bending her fingers slowly. The cool breeze freezes her joints. Breaths coming out in thin white clouds.
Shoving skinny hands into her dark padded pockets, Uzi stomped on the soft snow. Her thoughts were directed towards her warm apartment, a hot shower, and eating some Chinese takeout.
A little carried away, but back to the intro, Uzi dreamed about being an artist. She posted frequently on social media, makeup art, paintings, or cringe OCs. Art was her dream, but it was something that would be hard to achieve. Becoming an artist FULL-TIME meant taking a leap of faith; something she was not ready for.
With her little 9-to-5, she was able to afford moving out of her dad’s house, one achievement that struck importance. She was turning 20! A girl wants some personal space for any potential boys…oh, who was she kidding?
Anyways…yes, moving out, and deciding to do college online, so that she can make sense of herself. Although art was kind of her thing, money spoke to her every night before bed. How is she going to survive all on her own? Passion and motivation kept her going, but it was soon long before the brakes would be pressed.
Spotting large metal bars protecting the two-story building behind them, Uzi pulls out keys from her jacket pocket. They jinggled as she pushed them into the keyhole, a sudden twist made it groan, slowly opening.
In a rush, she swiftly closes said gate, marching away towards the steps. Uzi lived on the second floor, while her “neighbour” Thad, lived right below her. Endless stories could be told about her ruined sleep schedule—bass shaking the walls at 2 a.m., strangers screaming on the stairs, and sounds she never wanted to identify.
Reaching the top of the steps, she sighed with happiness, switching the keys to open her apartment door. Turning the golden knob, you will be greeted with dark colored furniture and purple LED lights.
Pulling off chunky boots and throwing her clothing into the nearby couch, she immediately walked down the small hall towards the bathroom. Turning on bright white lights and opening the faucet, she closed the black shower curtains, not stepping in just yet. She wanted to wait for this water to turn into a hot spring.
Removing her iconic black beanie revealed plum dyed hair, she smoothed her hands in it and across her tan skin.
“God, I look like shit.” And with that, stepped in.
The water was only lukewarm when Uzi stepped inside. Did it help with the stress? Yes, but she would be lying if it helped with potential frostbite. Using her bodywash to lather herself with soap, and dashing shampoo to her scalp, this was a bath that she couldn't fully enjoy. The water could always be a bit hotter, especially with all that snow outside; a reminder to the landlord.
When getting out, she crept open the window–which didn't help the situation, but the blunt that was waiting for her certainly will! Drying with her towel around her body, she lit said spliff–her mind now pleasantly fuzzy.
Changing into fluffy Batman PJ pants and an Oversized hoodie. She reheated noodles from last night's endeavor and slurped them up like there was no tomorrow.
Reality felt calmer, less intense. Her worries were now buried until it was time to work again.
Tying up the trash, she blew more smoke into the air. “Kill two birds with one stone.”
Slipping on her Crocs and locking the door behind her, the night air bit immediately. The breeze found its way onto her skin as she reached the back of the apartment—the parking lot. She didn't own a car, so the only vehicle filling the spots was Thad’s old sports car, and of course, the garbage bin.
“You know,” a soft voice said mildly, “there are other ways to destress.”
Uzi froze.
Then slowly, she turned.
He looked innocent, hands tucked into his long trench coat, the top loosely unbuttoned, showing a sharp collarbone, smiling as if this was Bikini Bottom and not a freezing parking lot.
“Do you always sneak up on people throwing out the trash?” she asked, exhaling smoke, “or am I just lucky?”
“Oh this?” He pointed between them. “It seems like at this time around, people are the most honest.”
She fanned the smoke out of her face, squinting at him, loafers, no socks, no gloves, no visible breath.
“It's like…thirty degrees.”
“Yeah!” He smiled brightly, “Isn't it great?”
What the…?
“Do you live here?” She asks while throwing the trash in the bin behind her.
“Sort of?”
“That's not an answer.”
“It's a work in progress, much like my life,”
She snorted before she could stop herself.
“You're weird.” She said.
His grin widened–if that was even possible. “Your hair is purple.”
Touché.
There was a pause–it wasnt awkward, just quiet.
She looked down at his feet, snow covering up his black loafers.
“I'm N.” he said, fixing his pilot hat and offering his hand like this was an office.
She hesitated, then shook it.
His hand was cold.
“Uzi,” she replied, “And if you murder me, I haunt aggressively.”
“Good to know.”
She lets go slowly, walking the short distance to the front of the building. N follows beside her, matching her pace with hands in his pockets.
“You don't talk much, or is it the cannabis?” He smirks.
“I like listening.” She shrugs, surprisingly not taking the remark to heart, which means she was super high.
“And I love talking.”
“Precisely.”
For some reason, she didn’t want the quiet to end.
At the bottom of the stairs, she stopped. “This is me.”
He didn't move closer. He didn't follow; he simply gave a soft smile and waved away.
“Alright, sleep well Uzi.”
The way he said her name–She blinks, “You too N. Try not to freeze.”
He grinned wider, then stepped back.
Uzi turns, climbing back up the steps for the last time today. Halfway up, something told her to look back.
She glanced, and the spot was empty, no footsteps, no shadow. Just snow, and silence.
“I'm high as fuck.”
━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━
The second time was weird. At work, she constantly tried to distract her mind, told herself over and over that what happened last night was a one-time thing.
She told herself that she wasnt looking for him.
As night fell, Uzi watched the clock, making sure to leave the exact time as yesterday's shift. She packed her things and began her journey to her home.
Stomping through the snow like once before, the footprints on the ground began to fade as snow fell harder. As she reached the entrance of her apartment, she went directly behind it, scanning the lot.
Wall. Gate. Dumpster.
Nothing.
Annoyed at herself, she huffed and prepared to go back.
“Rough night?”
Her heart skipped a beat.
Leisurely turning around, N was sitting on top of Thad’s sports car. Legs crossed and arms folded so politely–like he'd been there the whole time. Same trench coat, same small smile.
“You're going to get pepper-sprayed one of these days.” She said, relief hitting her harder than she would never admit.
“Worth it.” He replied, “Seems like work was hard on you today.”
She scoffed. “You don't even know my schedule.”
He tilted his head, his hat moving with it. “I'm a good guesser.”
Uzi wanted to laugh, but bit it back, “Y’know, Thad would scream like a little girl if he saw you sitting on his car, either that or he wouldnt care at all.”
N hummed in amusement, “Thad? A friend?”
“Yea he lives below me.”
He nodded.
As Uzi turned to make way back to the front, N was right beside her, matching her pace once again. This…was nice.
“So,” she said, breaking the silence. “Do you just hang out all night, or am I missing something?”
“Depends.” He sighs, “Tonight I was waiting.”
Her stomach fluttered, traitorous.
“For me?” She said, trying to act nonchalant.
“And for the conversation,” He said. “It's nice having someone else to talk to…”
She shot a look at him. “Someone else? You have other friends?”
He shook his head, like it were something to disregard. Somewhere behind his eyes had closed. “I have friends…V and J. They are uhh intense.”
“Intense how?”
He smiled again, but this time it didn't reach his eyes. “V likes things fast, J loves rules–they both think I'm irresponsible.”
“Are you?” She asks steadily.
N pauses, looking up at the night sky like he was searching for an answer. “I honestly don't know anymore.”
Uzi studied him, his skin too pale and smooth, the way the cold never seemed to bother him, how her breath fogged between them, but his didn't. Sharp nose and jawline glistened in the snow, small but plump lips…
She noticed. “Do you ever get tired?” He cocks his head in question.
“Of everything?” Uzi finishes.
He considered the question longer than she expected. “No…” He answers gently. “I miss things, though.”
That felt heavier than it should.
With reading his demeanor, she couldn't identify if he was upset. She took his hand and held it like she was holding a baby. Soft, delicate, like he would crack under a minute. More silence stretched—but it was comfortable, warm in a weird way.
She should leave. Go upstairs and figure out what to eat.
But she didn't.
“You don't feel cold.” She splurted finally.
He glanced at her, amused. “Is that a complaint?”
“...No.”
The corner of his mouth lifted. “Good.”
A shout was heard, ringing in his ear. N was sure Uzi couldn't have heard it. His posture shifted—slowly pulling away from Uzi. His head turned, eyes sharp, but quickly relaxed.
“You okay?” She asked.
“Always.” He said, too quickly. With that, two steps were taken back. “I should go.”
“Already?”
“You'll sleep better if I leave first,” he said, teasing.
“You don't know that.”
“Oh, but I do! Goodnight Uzi.” He said in that same sweet tone. Snow barley crunching underneath his feet.
“Will you be here tomorrow?” She asked hurriedly, trying to hide the desperation.
His full smile returned–something shining. It was full, bright, and dangerous in the way that made her heart trip.
“If you expect me, I'll be here.”
Now up the steps, reaching for the door and looking back–he was gone. Uzi leaned against her door, heart thudding.
“... That's Hot.”
━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━