Inspired by the song Fantastic by Arcane

Music blares from the gym, far too loud for this hour. Soap dances, half-ironically, half-seriously, among the exercise equipment while you work out on the punching bag. "C'mon, lighten up!" he calls out. You glance at him, your voice deep and dry. "You're embarrassing."

He just laughs, comes closer, briefly pulling you by the wrist into his exaggerated dance. You suddenly raise your voice, mimicking a dramatic commentator. He bursts out laughing. "That's terrifying." "That's talent" you reply, then drop back into your natural timbre.

With Soap, everything feels louder. More vibrant. Like you're refusing to be swallowed by the darkness. "We're still standing" he says, grinning. "That's gotta count for something." And he's right. Sometimes, just surviving is fantastic enough.