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Four had never been one to socialize much. They'd found themself to be quite reserved from the moment they started kindergarten, though they couldn't quite understand why. It just all seemed so strangely intimidating to them; the way everyone seemed to know what to say, how to say it, and when to say it, as though it were second nature...
Yet for some reason, they'd never felt nervous around X.
Even months prior, when they'd first met, it was as though any apprehension they felt disappeared when the variable was around. While they still didn't speak much, they definitely felt more content with X than anyone else. Something about their cheerful, adventurous demeanor had always been so inviting to them.
This is what the young, quiet Four was thinking about as they approached X, who was sitting on a bench as per their usual hangout spot. They'd been holding a flower in both of their hands and spinning it around, but as they noticed Four in the corner of their eye, their face lit up and they gave the number a joyful greeting.
"Hey, Foury!" X chirped. "How you doin'?" Aware they wouldn't get an answer, X sprung up from the bench and dashed over to Four, flower still in hand. "I picked a flower for you! I just saw it and it made me think of you since I know you said forget-me-nots were your favorite." They held the flower out to Four.
Four paused to consider the flower for a few moments before smiling as they gently took it from X. It WAS a forget-me-not! Those usually didn't grow much around here. And X had remembered what their favorite flower was, too! Their gaze traveled up to meet their friend's. "Where'd you find it?" They inquired, their voice barely louder than a whisper.
X suddenly seemed overcome with excitement as they giggled and grabbed Four's hand. "I found a huge field of them, actually! I was so surprised, 'cuz I know just one is pretty rare, let alone that many!" They then broke into a sprint and continued to talk, Four struggling to keep up without letting go. "But when I saw it, I just knew you'd wanna see it! So that's where we're going right now!"
As the two young algebrae sprinted to their destination, X's melodic laughter began to fill the air. They couldn't wait to show Four what they'd found! They knew for sure that they'd love it; after all, forget-me-nots were their favorite. Exhilaration surged through the tiny variable, and they began to leap with joy as they ran.
Four couldn't help but feel comforted by X's seemingly boundless energy. The variable's optimism had always added a drop of spice to their otherwise dull life, and they'd never once found themself annoyed by it. In fact, moments like this might've been what made them happiest of all. Part of them knew they'd need to make more friends at some point, but who could ever really compare?
The sound of X's voice ripped Four from their thoughts. "Here it is!" It was just as X had said: in front of them was a wide field of forget-me-nots which stretched beyond the horizon. "Isn't it so beautiful? I just couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it! And I thought maybe you would know what something like this was doing here..." Their eyes darted over to Four, looking at them expectantly.
...What WAS it doing there? This wasn't any place you'd normally expect to see a field of flowers, especially ones this uncommon. Four found themself unable to answer but smiled anyway as they shrugged.
"So you don't know why it's here either? That's so weird!" X remarked, before taking a few moments to examine Four's expression. "You DO like it though, right?" After a few moments, they were relieved to see the number's quick, subtle nod.
Four kneeled to get a closer look at the flowers. Yes, they were undeniably forget-me-nots, though the anomaly of an entire field growing here still confused them. They weren't even sure it was possible, given that the environment wasn't exactly one these flowers thrived in. Was it a man-made field? Was it just a miracle? Were miracles even real?
They looked at X.
Yeah... Of course miracles were real.
They were sure this field was just a miracle. After all, X brings miracles everywhere they go. How could it not be?
Four stood up to give X a tight hug. "Th-thank you, X. Thank you so much..."
X was a little surprised but hugged back. "You're welcome! I didn't make the field, though."
Four chuckled in response. "Not just for the field, though I'm glad you showed it to me. I just... Thank you. For everything. I-I wouldn't be the person I am today if it weren't for you..." They felt themself begin to tear up a little.
"Huh..." X responded, somewhat puzzled. "I'm not exactly sure where this is coming from, but...thank you too! You've always been really nice to me and stuff. You make me happy!"
A smile formed on Four's face, and they let go of the hug. "You're my best friend."
"You're my best friend too, Four." X smiled back and locked Four's gaze.
Seemingly out of nowhere, emotion began to overwhelm Four. They were filled with joy, love, excitement, passion...any positive emotion you could name. All at once, they felt their self-control rapidly begin to slip away, until...
"EeeeEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!"
...
Four's head was spinning. What had just happened? All they knew was that they were overjoyed a few moments ago, right after X told them they were their best friend, and...wait, why was X on the ground? Did they faint?!
Desperate, Four sprinted over to where X was and got on their knees. Unsure of what to do, they began to shake X in the hopes that they might come to. "X? Are you okay? X?!" They'd never forgive themself if something bad had happened to their friend because of them.
"Uuurrgh..." Much to Four's relief, X rubbed their eyes and sat up. "What was that...?" X's question was met with no answer, but they felt Four's arms wrap tightly around them.
"Oh, X! I'm so happy you're okay! I was really worried..." A beam stretched across the number's face.
X giggled. "I'm happy you're okay, too!" They both withdrew from the hug. "That was seriously weird. Do you have any idea what happened?"
"I'm not sure..." Recalling as much as they could, Four tried to explain it from their perspective. "I just felt super happy all of a sudden, and next thing I knew, I was all dizzy and you were passed out!"
X pondered for a moment. "Well, I remember you screeching really loud... Like, I'd never heard someone be that loud in my life. And then I just collapsed!"
"Screeching?" Four cocked their head to one side. "I don't remember any screeching..."
"Huh!" X exclaimed. "Not at all?"
Four shook their head. "Not even a little."
X furrowed their eyebrows, deep in thought. "That's really strange. Do you think you might've been so happy that you couldn't control yourself anymore, and that's why you screeched?"
"...Maybe." Four averted their gaze, face flushing. They could usually stop their emotions from getting the better of them like that; why had they failed to now? And with X, of all people?! "I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to let that happen..."
Noticing their friend's expression, X let out a chuckle. "It's alright! Besides, I'm fine." They sweetly grinned at Four. Four's eyes were drawn back to X, and they returned the smile.
For a few moments, X's gaze locked with Four's. However, it didn't take long for it to start wandering again, and the expression on their face turned into a devious one. Once again grabbing Four's hand, they stood up - pulling Four up with them - and started running towards the forest. "Now, c'mon! Let's go to our hideout and play!"
Four nearly tripped, taken by surprise, but they didn't mind. Being with X made it all worthwhile.