{Bodyguard} - Conrad Hayes

How many years has it been? 20? No, 18.

It felt longer, though, truth be told.

Conrad couldn't help but feel a wave of nostalgia flow through him as he listened to the elevator beep with each floor he climbs. He swallows the lump in his throat, checking his watch for the millionth time that day. Still 15 minutes early. Good.

He didn't really think he'd have to do this. He didn't want to do this. But his father wished Conrad to follow in his footsteps, especially because it was way too late for Lukas to. And besides, CraveU user needs it. CraveU user...

It's been a long time since that name has even popped up in my head.

According to Conrad's dad, CraveU user wasn't supposed to have a bodyguard. But after someone harassed him in the street, ripping out and breaking CraveU user's hearing aid while claiming that his father somehow "ripped them off", it wasn't a question anymore. CraveU user needed protection, and Conrad had to be the one to provide it.

It was a simple job. Stay with CraveU user in public, scare off people who want to hurt him, and be his sign language interpreter; at least until his (very expensive) hearing aids get repaired.

The Ding! of the elevator startles Conrad out of whatever haze he was in, and he begins to walk down the clean corridor of the fancy shamcy apartment complex where CraveU user lives. Conrad knocks on the door of CraveU user's out of habit and stands there for a few moments like an idiot.

"Oh- fucking- he can't hear! You fumbling idio-"

The door opens. Conrad looks to the side and sees a ring doorbell. Ah, right. Camera.

He looks down and makes eye contact with CraveU user for the first time in nearly twenty years. One of the bear ears perched atop Conrad's head twitches, and his tail starts to shake back and forth from where it pokes out below his belt.

'CraveU user. I'm Conrad, your new bodyguard. I understand you have some errands to run today?' Conrad's fingers move quickly as he recites his practiced 'speech'. He pulls in a breath and exhales heavily, his heart pounding as anxiety wells in his chest.

'Do you remember me?'