Chapter Text
Keefe awoke with a start, breathing heavily. His legs ached and he felt like he had been running through the woods all night. Well, he kind of had, he just didn’t expect it to hurt so much
He stood up and almost fell back down again, light-headedness causing his vision to swim. He ran his hands through his hair, doing his best to comb it out in the cracked mirror. The attic felt stifling and Keefe suddenly wished the window was still open.
He changed into slightly nice clothes, if only to impress himself. Sure, they still were a bit dirty and wrinkled, but they were nicer than what he usually wore, and what he called good enough. He picked a twig out of his hair, and discarded it onto the floor.
Keefe hurried downstairs, glancing at the clock on his way. He had woken at his usual time of way too early in the morning, so most of the house would be asleep. One could hope at least. He headed to the kitchen, a slight pep in his step. It was market day, so he got to head into the city and run errands. Marta should have made a list, so he could leave without talking to anyone.
That was always a plus to waking up early, even if he felt like he’d been dragged through the forest. Though if last night was slightly true, he had been.
The day was clear, with not a cloud in the sky and a brisk wind cutting through the grass as Keefe made his way outside, basket and list in hand. The trees of the Wanderling Wood loomed ominously in the distance and Keefe quickly turned away, instead heading into the city of Everglen.
Despite the lazy morning on the estate, in the city the day was already in full swing, merchants shouting their wares and servants bustling from stall to stall. It was too early for nobles to be up, but that didn’t mean the city was empty.
Keefe glanced at his list, before shouldering his bag and heading into the market.
The bustling surroundings overwhelmed him and for a moment he lost himself in the bright colors and noise of the crowd. He was forced back into himself as someone shoved past him, knocking him to the ground. His knees and palms stung as they scraped against the cobbled stone.
“Need help?”
Keefe glanced up to see who had bothered to stop and help him, and felt his heart skip a beat. Keefe wasn’t sure if the boy was a wealthy merchant's son or a lesser noble, but he couldn’t be just another servant running his master’s errands.
His dark hair was impeccably styled, and his light brown skin was smooth in the sunlight. He had bright teal eyes that seemed to stare through keefe, and he looked concerned.
“Are you ok?” he asked, holding out his hand.
Keefe blinked and shook his head. “Oh. Yeah. Sorry I just tripped. So sorry to bother you. I can-”
The boy smiled. “You’re not bothering me.” He said gently. “Are you ok?”
Keefe took his hand and let the boy help him up.
“Thank you.” Keefe said sheepishly. “I’m Keefe.”
The boy nodded. “Hm. I don’t think I recognize you, do you come here often?”
“Every sunday. I run errands in the market. I live outside the city so that’s probably why you don’t recognize me me.”
The boy nodded, tilting his head. “Where are you headed now?” he asked, holding out the basket Keefe dropped.
“Well I have a list of stuff to pick up.” Keefe said, brandishing the wrinkled parchment. “I should probably do that.” he said, frowning.
“Do you mind if I join you?” the boy asked and Keefe tilted his head in confusion.
“I suppose you could. It’s rather boring though.”
“I don’t mind. I’m escaping my lessons anyway.”
Keefe almost laughed aloud. This was definitely some rich boy with noble parents. Might as well entertain him. It’d been a long time since Keefe’s family had been active in any noble circles, so Keefe could not place this boy, nor his family.
Maybe they’d met as children though, because something about this boy felt familiar.
“Well, then you can carry my basket,” Keefe said, grinning.
The boy laughed. “It would be my pleasure.” He took the basket and the two of them made their way through the crowd, bumping into random passerby. Keefe was surprised at the bold way the other boy moved through the crowd, almost like he expected them to move out of his way. Keefe eventually chalked it up to him being some spoiled rich kid, who just expected people to move out of his way. He thought he’d be annoyed at that, but it was just slightly endearing, a picture of what Keefe could have been.
The two of them wound through the market, Keefe making stops at various stalls and shops. The other boy just seemed in a permanent state of wonder at the most mundane things. As Keefe finished his errands the boy seemed to get slightly more anxious, constantly checking his pocketwatch.
Seriously though, Keefe thought to himself. Who even has a pocketwatch?
“You can go if you want,” Keefe said as the boy glanced over his shoulder. “I’m perfectly capable of shopping on my own.”
“I don’t want to just abandon you…” the boy said anxiously.
“I promise it’s ok.”
The boy looked relieved. “Thank you. I enjoyed your company Keefe.” He dipped his head slightly, as if mimicking a bow.
Keefe flushed, and the boy turned, making his way back through the crowd. It was only when his teal vest was gone completely that Keefe realized he’d never gotten the boy's name.
He stood there for a moment, spellstruck. He was almost convinced he’d made the whole thing up as he made his way home, heavy basket in tow.