Young Chasers

by GopherGuts

Summary:

Bat was finally free. They had escaped their hometown and were now going to a university for the arts on the other side of the country. They at last had the fresh start they so desperately needed. Nothing could ruin this!

Except for when the most annoying human being on the face of the planet has the audacity to become THEIR roommate.

Bat is this close to slapping somebody.

Notes:

• For Broadwayamongstotherthings.

Chapter 1: New Levels, New Devils

Notes:

I thought it might be funny to write a fanfiction for a fanfiction, so here we are.

Tell me if I should keep writing this, I'll probably lose motivation otherwise.

Solver University was everything Bat had been looking for: A fresh start, new faces, and the potential to no longer be a social outcast. At their old school back in Copperton, Bat was the weirdo. They were angsty, rebellious, obsessed with music, and short, quite possibly the worst combination ever. But now, Bat had matured. They were still angsty, rebellious, now even more obsessed with music, and still short, but they were older.

As Bat lugged their heavy suitcase across the campus toward the dorms, they couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to happen. They tried to shake it off as just nerves, but it remained a nagging feeling in the back of their head. As they trudged on toward their assigned dormitory, they thought back to an argument they'd been having online. Supposedly there was this new 'prodigy actor,' and Bat had tweeted that he seemed like every other actor these days. This quickly spiraled out of control, with them now constantly getting into arguments over the stupidest stuff.

Bat's thoughts started shifting to their parents. When they had first told their parents that they applied to Solver University, they expected some kind of resistance. After all, it was on the other side of the country. But to their utter shock, they were ecstatic! Both of them were HUGE music nerds, and the fact that their child wanted to pursue a career in music seemed to be one of the best things to ever happen to them.

Bat was so zoned out that they didn't notice the person about to collide with them until it was too late. They ran into a woman looked to be about the same age as them with blonde hair and a... very pink color scheme. She looked like the stereotypical Popular Girl. They both went tumbling to the ground and Bat winced internally, expecting to get insulted or shamed, but instead the other person laughed a little before picking herself up and offering a hand to Bat.

"Sorry about that," she said as Bat took her hand and hauled themself up. "I wasn't looking where I was going. I'm Lizzy."

"Bat."

"Bat? Your name is Bat?" It was an obvious question, but Bat could tell that it rooted purely in curiosity, so they didn't take offense.

"It's... a stage name. I don't really like people knowing who I am," they explained and Lizzy nodded.

"I get it. Explains the facemask as well. I was about to ask because Covid was like, forever ago."

"Yeah."

 

Bat mentally scolded themself. 'C'mon Bat, this is a new school. You're going to need to actually initiate conversations with people if you don't want to be the weirdo again.'

 

"So, uh, what's your thing? I mean, this is a school for the arts, so, like, what's your art?"

"I'm a fashion designer! I've always loved fashion, even when I was a kid, so why not make a career out of it, y'know?"

Bat was somewhat taken aback by how similar that was to them. "Yeah, actually, it's kinda the same thing for me. I've always been obsessed with music, so I'm studying to be a musician. Hence the stage name."

"That makes sense. Oh, about the stage name, is it just Bat? Because, no offense, that seems a little bland."

"No, the whole thing is Bat With A Gun, but I'm not about to advertise myself having a gun at a school," they joked.

Lizzy laughed. "Yeah, probably for the best."

 

They both turned around when they heard someone call Lizzy's name. It was a tall guy, obviously a football player judging by the varsity jacket, jeans, and green sunglasses.

 

"Who's this guy?" Bat asked.

Lizzy sighed. "That's my brother, Thad. He plays football, so I have no idea how he even got into this school."

Thad skidded to a stop right in front of them. He looked like he was about to tell Lizzy something before he noticed Bat. "Oh, hey. I'm Thad."

"Bat."

"Bat? Your name is-"

"I'll explain it later," Lizzy said, cutting him off and sparing Bat from having to explain everything again. "What did you want to tell me?"

"Oh yeah, I got our schedules, and we're supposed to head to our dorms now." Thad handed her a sheet of paper.

'Shit!' Bat thought. 'I'm supposed to be there now too!'

"Yeah, I gotta head there too. Uh, see you around?" Bat was about to go before Lizzy grabbed them.

"Hold on a sec. Give me your phone."

Confused, Bat took out their phone and gave it to her. A few seconds later she handed it back.

"There," Lizzy said. "Now you have my phone number. Text me your schedule one you have a chance, I wanna know if we have any of the same classes."

Bat gave a thumbs up. "Will do," they said before picking up their suitcase again and hurrying toward the dorms. Once they got inside the dorm building, they checked their phone. Their room number was 404, and their roommate was someone named Noah. There wasn't a last name listed, which was kind of weird, but Bat decided to ignore it. Surely it couldn't possibly be that important, right? As they rode the elevator to the 4th floor, the nagging feeling from before returned, this time stronger. They again tried to ignore it.

Bat finally stood outside their room door. This was it. They had to make a good impression. It would be fine, what are the chances of it being someone they hate? Practically impossible. They took a breath and opened the door, stepping into their new life. But as it turns out, the universe hates Bat, because standing there, in THEIR dorm, was their roommate.

 

"You're fucking kidding me."

 

Bat's roommate was Noah Elliot.

Notes:

Comments, Questions, and Criticism are appreciated and encouraged, because I know this doesn't do justice to the masterpiece that is Same Person, Different Relationship by Broadwayamongstotherthings

Chapter 2: Noah, get the fuck out of my room!

Summary:

Bat's day gets worse

Holy shit.

Bat With A Gun was Noah's roommate.

He's really not sure how to feel about this. On the one hand, Noah has had a crush on Bat ever since he discovered their music two years ago. He was one of their first real fans, and likes to think he's their biggest one too.

But on the other hand, they also hate each other. Or at least, they hate him.

He takes a deep breath. 'C'mon Noah, rational thinking. We've practiced this.'

Okay, but is this really Bat? Just because this person has the same purple and black color scheme, including purple hair, a black sweatshirt with a purple bat on it, and black jeans, doesn't mean they're Bat With A Gun. And surely this being the same outfit that Bat With A Gun is most often seen wearing is just a coincidence, right?

'What happened to rational thinking?'

"Uh, hey," he tried. "Nice to meet y-"

"Cut the shit, jackass," they rudely interrupted him. "What the fuck are you doing here?"

Noah chuckled nervously. "I go here."

"Since when?"

"Since I got accepted."

The stranger whom he refuses to believe is Bat (they could simply be an avid fan that dresses like them and hates Noah for some reason) roughly pushed past him and into the dorm. Their new shared living space consisted of two twin beds, a desk, a couch, and a TV. the stranger promptly walked over to the bed nearest the desk (which had Noah's stuff on it), threw his stuff on the ground, and set their stuff on the bed instead. Noah swallowed and decided he would try to diffuse the situation He walked over to his new roommate and held out his hand.

"I feel like we've gotten off on the wrong foot," Noah started. "I'm Noah, what's your name?"

They looked at him like he was fucking stupid.

"Are you fucking stupid?"

"Uhh..."

Noah is starting to think they might actually be Bat With A Gun.

“Oh my god. Are you fucking serious? Fine, I’ll play along. I. Am. Bat. With. A. Gun.”

'Shit. Alright, now just don’t say something stupid. Again.'

“Are you sure?”

'Goddammit.'

"Am I sure?' Yeah, I'm pretty fucking sure I know who I am."

"Alright, just making sure."

They roll their eyes and turn away from him and instead focus on unpacking. Noah realizes he should probably do the same. He sighs and picks his stuff up from the floor and turns to his new bed.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

lizzy, i think

12:32 p.m.

Bat: hey

Bat: this is bat btw

Bat: i literally have the worst roommate ever

lizzy, i think: Surely it's not THAT bad

Bat: it is

Bat: he's noah elliot

lizzy, i think: The actor?

Bat: yeah

Bat: he's being an asshole to me online

lizzy, i think: Oh

lizzy, i think: Well, if he does anything to you, make sure you beat his ass

Bat: lol, i will

Notes:

I totally wasn't putting this off because I'm lazy, shut up.

This chapter is dedicated to The Decemberists. Why? Because they're awesome.

In case you couldn’t tell, I love music.

Had to sprinkle in a little bit of Noah in denial.

Anyway, I need a new title for this fic. Feel free to leave your suggestions in the comments below. And as always, remember to hit that kudos button. It’s free, and it helps out a ton!