LOVE LIKE A PIPEBOMB
A Toji x Zoey Fanfiction

In the quiet corners of São Paulo, Toji Suzuhara found solace in the glow of his computer screen. His world was a tapestry of pixels and code, a sanctuary where he could escape the noise of the bustling city and the weight of his own introversion. Toji-tan was a dreamer, a young man lost in the labyrinth of his own mind, where the lines between reality and fiction blurred. His obsession with Evangelion and Serial Experiments Lain consumed him, offering a refuge from the societal detachment that gnawed at his soul.
Toji-tan's days were filled with the hum of online forums, where he could be anyone he wanted to be. Behind the anonymity of his screen name, he was fearless, eloquent, and passionate. But in the real world, he was a shadow, a ghost drifting through the crowded streets, unseen and unheard. His heart ached for connection, for someone who understood the depths of his loneliness and the beauty of his dreams.
And then, one day, he found her.
Tiffany Skylar Johnson, known to the world as Zoey, was a kindred spirit, a lost soul adrift in the digital sea. She lived in a small town in Florida, her life a chaotic whirlwind of uncertainty and pain. Her house was a literal dumpster, a reflection of her inner turmoil. Unemployed and without a GED, she struggled with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and autism, her mind a battleground of conflicting emotions and thoughts. She was trapped in a perpetual state of adolescence, her Peter Pan syndrome keeping her from embracing the rigors and joys of adulthood.
But in the forums, she was free. She was Zoey, the girl who loved Lain, Hanako-chan, and the absurdity of Skibidi Toilet. She was a beacon of light in the darkness, a voice that echoed Toji-tan's own longing for connection. Their bond was instantaneous, a spark that ignited a flame of friendship and understanding.
As the days turned into weeks, and the weeks into months, Toji-tan and Zoey's bond deepened. They shared their dreams, their fears, and their hopes. They laughed together, cried together, and slowly, they fell in love. Toji-tan found himself drawn to Zoey's strength, her resilience in the face of her struggles. He saw in her a reflection of his own pain, and he vowed to help her find her way.
Toji-tan became Zoey's rock, her guiding light in the darkness. He encouraged her to seek help for her mental illnesses, to embrace the challenges of adulthood, and to find the beauty in the world around her. He celebrated her victories, no matter how small, and held her hand through her darkest moments. And in return, Zoey motivated Toji-tan to be more proactive, to overcome his social anxiety, and to step out of the shadows of his own mind.
Their love was a slow burn, a flame that grew brighter with each passing day. It was a love born of understanding, of shared pain and shared dreams. It was a love that transcended the boundaries of their screens, a love that promised a future filled with hope and possibility.
And so, Toji-tan made a decision. He would save up enough money to fly to Florida, to meet the girl who had stolen his heart. He counted the days, the hours, the minutes, his heart pounding with anticipation and fear. And when the day finally arrived, he stepped out of his comfort zone, his heart in his throat, and made his way to the airport.
But as he stood at the gate, his phone buzzed with a message from Zoey. She was too nervous to leave the house, she said. She wanted him to meet her at her home instead. Disappointment washed over him, but he understood. He knew the weight of her fears, the chains that bound her to her past. And so, he hailed an Uber, his heart heavy with longing and uncertainty.
As he slid into the back seat, he gave the driver the address, his voice barely above a whisper. And as the car pulled away from the curb, he looked up, his eyes meeting the driver's in the rearview mirror. And there she was. Zoey. His Zoey. Her eyes sparkled with mischief and love, and he knew. She had found work as an Uber driver, and she had decided to surprise him, to meet him halfway on this journey of love and redemption.
In that moment, Toji-tan knew that their love was real, that it was strong enough to conquer the demons of their past and the fears of their future. He knew that together, they could face the world, hand in hand, hearts entwined. And as the car sped through the streets of Florida, he reached out, his fingers brushing against hers, and he knew. He was home.