Summary: Virgil stops by with your favorite food and a gift after knowing you have been frustrated lately – instead, he finds you on the verge of a sensory overload and ready to water gun the upstairs tenants. Lucky him that he picked up the gift today after hearing you agitated by the issue previously.

Notes: Inspired more heavily by the Static Shock 2000s TV show - because I have been re-watching that a lot lately. But if you are here from YJ there is nothing that should make too much of a difference!

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On any other day, walking through the front door of your apartment and announcing as loud as he could that he had picked up your favorite food from Burger Fool would have gotten him tackled in only a few seconds flat. Instead, the apartment was silent. No footsteps fast approaching in an attempt to snatch the bag from his hands, and no calling from any other room to give you just a minute to get decent. It was unnerving, and Virgil was all the more on edge because of it – maybe asking Richie to come with him would have been a better idea, but he had been looking forward to some time alone with you, considering how scarce it had been as of late.

Careful not to draw too much attention, Virgil slipped into the kitchen and set the food bag down, along with the gift he had brought for you, on the small table, taking off his jacket and draping it over the back of the chair before moving on further into the apartment. "Y/n?" No response once again. Frowning, he turned his attention to the bedroom doorway. Not many places to check, and at the least he knew you were home.

Poking his head inside, it took no time to recognize the large bump hidden under the covers. Before he could say anything however, the thundering sound of people rushing down the breezeway stairwell descended, shaking the small apartment as they did so. A groan and string of curses startled Virgil back, only to see a head pop out of the comforters, a grimace on display.

"I guess they're still annoying, huh?"

As if you had only just realized he was there, your eyes finally snapped in his direction. "They did this same thing every few minutes until 4-fucking-30 this morning. It's been almost every night. And even the nights they don't have all their friends over they still stomp around enough to shake the apartment. I have a water gun locked and loaded – if they do it past midnight tonight then I'm starting a hit list and soaking them."

He hummed before walking over and taking a seat on the edge of the bed, finally getting a good look at you. Your eyes were bloodshot, and you looked far more agitated than he had seen in a while. "They've been doing it that often?"

"It's the sound," you huff, eyes closing for a moment as you collapse against him. "The sound is what I hate so much."

"It's too much for you?"

"Like sensory hell – and I know they're just living their life, but shaking my whole damn apartment? I was so close to sleep last night and then it was like a herd of bison found this place."

"I can always go talk to them for you," he offered. Though it was not the first time, and Virgil knew you would likely turn it down once again.

"No, I just need to get over it."

Virgil had to hold his tongue at that comment. You were allowed to be upset, and you certainly could not change that the new tenants' habits were grating against your senses. You just needed the chance to get away from it for a little while. "Lucky for you, I got something that might help." he had to pry you off so he could stand, watching you curl back under your blankets before he left the room to find your gift and the food. "It should also stop you from ending up with a water fight body count tonight."

As quickly as he could, Virgil made his way back to your room, moving the blankets aside until you finally decided to rejoin the outside world with him. "Here, open this."

You eyed the gift, but the food caught your attention first and your stomach made itself known. Looking sheepish, you turn to him once again. "Can we eat first? Before the food goes cold."

"Tell you what – I really want you to open this gift before anyone comes back, and as soon as you do that we can eat."

You think it over for a moment before sitting up properly and pulling the wrapped gift into your lap. "It's not my birthday or anything – you didn't have to get me something."

"I also didn't need to bring you Burger Fool," he quipped, watching as you unwrapped the gift.

"This is -" you stop, staring at the box in your hands.

"I know you said you didn't want to get a pair; just in case they didn't work out for you. So, I got you some. Maybe you can at least use them when you have the day off."

You look up at him with a grin, pulling him into a tight hug. "Thank you, Virgil."

"Always here to help – plus, if you'd like, you could also come stay the night at my place and get away from here. 'Least for the night."

He could see you thinking about it, tapping at the box still tucked protectively in your lap. But it is the sound of the upstairs residents and their friends, crashing back up the stairs and shaking your apartment once again that has you agreeing without a second thought.

"Even one night away from them would be great – I swear, they have to be bowling or playing basketball up there."

"Well, we can make it a movie binge or we can just enjoy the night."

"Let me throw something different on and we can head over now, if you'd like."

"Fine with me."

"Great, I can just try these headphones on when I get back tomorrow night. I get the next two days off." You stand, stopping in thought for a moment before looking back at him. "Uh, Virg, could you turn around for a minute?"

Virgil looks up, embarrassed, before turning and looking at his phone. He can hear the snicker in your voice but ultimately ignores it and the shuffling of clothes as you shimmy into a softer pair of sweatpants.

"Okay, you can turn back around now."

When he does, you're tossing a change of clothes for the next day into the first bag you see, knowing you already have a few things at his place anyways for hygiene – and Virgil is sure his closet will be short one more shirt by the time you leave tomorrow. Not that he minds. "Are you ready to go?"

"As long as I get to eat my food in the car."

"As if I could ever stop you," he chimed.

His heart stutters for a moment when you flash him a bright smile, leaning back on the heels of your feet and falling against his chest. Eyes on him, lips turned up in the dopiest look he has seen from you in days. "Can we cuddle when we get there?"

"Of course, what kind of friend would I be if I said no?" He has to catch himself from rolling his eyes, though he cannot be sure he does so in time. Annoyed, he thinks, did he just friendzone himself? With the exact person he had meant to ask out today? Maybe he should have done a run through with Richie. But when he looks back down, he could almost swear he catches a look leaving your face – somewhere between exasperated and fond at the same time. Instead, he stumbles forward when you grab his hand, keeping him close to you as you make your way outside. He hopes, for a moment, that you keep holding his hand even once you're in the car.

Lucky for him, that is exactly what you plan to do.