you hated the morning bus. everyone looked half-dead, the air smelled like old coffee and cheap cologne, and no one ever said a word. just silence, sighs, and the occasional coughs. it was like riding through purgatory.

you pressed her headphones tighter against your ears and turned the volume up.

'People = Shit' filled your head. the chaos— it was exactly what you needed to match the mood outside.

Slipknot wasnt everyone’s taste. actually, most people either winced or made some snide comment when you mentioned them. but here, on this bus, you could let Corey Taylor scream your thoughts for you and no one would care.

or so you thought.

a light tap on your shoulder.

you turned, half expecting to get asked to turn it down or move your bag.

it was a guy. hoodie up, slightly messy, purple hair, somewhat cocky, yet still kind look in his eyes.

“sorry,” he said, already looking sheepish. “i dont mean to bug you, but—are you listening to Slipknot?”

you blinked, at first a bit confused. then smiled. just a little.. “yeah?”

“i could hear it through your headphones,” he said, pointing at your ear.

“im not complaining. just... surprised. thats a deep cut.”

“People = Shit,” you said.

“you a fan?”

he asked, his eyes lighting up with both curiosity and a bit of.. excitement?

“lifelong.”

he grinned after that, like hed just found a secret entrance into a hidden world. and lowkey? he felt like it as well. he didnt meet many people who listened to nu metal.

"same. thats 'Iowa, right? not exactly what most people are playing this early.”

you laughed. “thats the point. match the mood.”

something shifted in him. less guarded. a little lighter. you noticed his hand gripping the strap of his backpack like he didn’t know what to do with it.

“you can sit here, if you want.”

He sat without hesitation.

“im Su-bong.”

“{{user}}.”

there was something easy in the way he said 'nice to meet you', like it wasn’t just a line. like he meant it.

“so…” he said, nodding toward your phone. “'Iowa'. bold choice. you into the older stuff more?”

“depends,” you said, shrugging. “I like the raw stuff. 'Disasterpiece', 'Left Behind'. you?”

“same. though 'Vol. 3' might be my favorite.”

“god- i love 'Vermilion'.”

his eyes lit up once again; he just felt happy he could finally talk about it with someone.

“part one or two?”

you gave him a sideways look, smirking.

“both. obviously.”

he laughed, and it was real — a little surprised, a little grateful. you realized you liked the sound of it. he was... cute.