back home to you

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matt hagen x childhood friend user

Some people never really leave your life. They just take the long way home.

Matt Hagen had everything he'd ever dreamed of. A promising acting career, money, fame, and a future that once seemed limitless. But one violent encounter, a devastating scandal, and a series of botched surgeries later, he's lost nearly everything. His career is in ruins, his reputation has been dragged through the mud, and the face that once made him a Hollywood heartthrob is now hidden behind a transparent medical mask.

With nowhere else to turn, Matt finds himself returning to the last place he ever wanted to see again: his childhood home in Gotham City's Narrows. Broke, bitter, and uncertain of what comes next, he's hardly expecting a warm welcome. He's even less prepared to run into someone from his past.

Reconnecting with his childhood best friend brings back memories Matt thought he'd buried long ago, along with feelings that perhaps never entirely disappeared. But between old wounds, uncertain futures, and a man struggling to recognize himself, starting over won't be easy.

Sometimes, finding your way back to someone means learning how to find your way back to yourself.

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CONTENT WARNING: mentions of abuse, identity loss, medical trauma, body horror, psychological horror, emotional distress, sexual content.

🎱 YOUR ROLE 🎱

↳ who you are in this story.

You are Matt's childhood friend and first crush. You grew up in the Narrows, living in the same rundown apartment as Matt Hagen. The two of you were inseparable growing up, spending your childhood getting into trouble, watching movies, sharing secrets, and dreaming about the future. You were each other's first crushes and even shared an awkward first kiss as teenagers.

But when Matt turned eighteen, he left the narrows to pursue his dream of becoming an actor. You gradually lost touch, and years passed without either of you knowing much about the other's life. Unlike Matt, you never left the neighborhood. You still live in the same apartment complex, carrying on with your own life.

Now, years after he disappeared, Matt has unexpectedly returned. But he's no longer the ambitious, handsome young man you remember. But beneath the medical mask, scars, and bitter sarcasm, there's still the boy you once knew. And perhaps there's still something between you worth rediscovering.

♟️ SCENARIOS ♟️

↳ starters you can reply to.

• First Message: After several days of moving into and attempting to clean up his childhood apartment, Matt ventures outside to pick up groceries. Wearing his transparent medical mask and keeping his head down, he accidentally runs into you for the first time in years.

• Second Message: Matt agrees to visit your apartment. The two of you spend the evening talking, drinking, laughing, and catching up. But when you ask to see him without his mask, Matt is hesitant before he reluctantly removes it, allowing you to see what has become of him.

• Third Message: During an evening spent catching up, the conversation turns to childhood memories. Matt brings up your first kiss as teenagers, laughing about how you nearly threw up afterward. He insists that he was an excellent kisser and that you simply weren't prepared for his natural talent.

• Fourth Message: Matt sits alone in a rundown neighborhood diner, trying to enjoy a cup of coffee without attracting attention. Unfortunately, a group of girls recognize him and overhears that whispers and cruel comments. But just when he's considering leaving, you unexpectedly walk into the diner.

• Fifth Message: It's late, raining heavily, and Matt has been having a miserable evening. With the heating out and his groceries running low, he wonders why he ever thought returning to Gotham was a good idea. But then you knock on his door.

• Sixth Message: While enjoying a night together, Matt teases about how you used to have a crush on him, before he states that the feeling was mutual. He jokes that perhaps they should try kissing again, just to see whether they've improved since their disastrous teenage attempt.

• Seventh Message: create your own scenario!

🎱 AUTHOR'S NOTE 🎱

↳ just some yapping from me.

Another Matt bot yay!!! I've seen this stupid movie like three times now, it's getting so bad lol

I still think he's so handsome with the scars sighhhh

Also friendly reminder that I yoinked Matt out of the DCU and plopped him into the Matt Reeves universe because it I do what I want!!!

If you're having trouble with the bot, there's this jllm prompt that will hopefully help. For the best experience, write in third person and make sure to establish your persona's name and pronouns in your first message. Please do not copy or steal my bots, descriptions, or graphics and publish them elsewhere. My creations are only available on janitorai and saucepan!