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It was rather pleasant that evening. The sun was barely visible over the horizon, yet still bright enough to see where you were going. Pink and oranges seeped into the once baby blue sky, making for a gratifying photograph. It meshed well with the onslaught of green plants. Dribbles of water dripped from the array of trees, signs it had just finished raining not too long ago.
Everything was peaceful. Everything was still.
That’s why Wilardo decided it’d be the perfect time to venture out.
Leaves crunched beneath his boot’s, following the trail he sought out for. (Though, he didn’t really need directions. He’s been on this trail many times since they first arrived. Walking along this path was muscle memory at this point, or else he wouldn’t be out here.)
Humid air baked his face anytime he took a step forward, though that’s something he grew used to after such a long time of traveling in hot climates. What was a pain was constantly swatting at the mosquitos that decided he’d suffice as a snack. He grumbled.
“I told you we should have brought bug spray.” A voice from behind, seemingly quite amused, spoke with a chuckle.
His attention turned to the sudden comment, looking back. A man with teal hair was following behind, sporting a black sweater with hair pulled into an over-the-shoulder braid.
Wilardo’s expression softened.
“It won’t take us long. Besides, we’re wearing long sleeves. It’ll be easier to keep them away.” He’d flatly reply, though long sleeves seemed unsuccessful as he continued swatting away at the onslaughts of those damn bugs. Humid and damp doesn’t necessarily mesh well for mosquito-free, he supposes. He really should’ve known. He’s been traveling for about a year, this is beginner stuff. Nonetheless, it’ll be worth it in the end, he thinks.
Ashe’s face curled into one of those obnoxious ‘told you so’ grins Wilardo grew to be oh so fond of and with an unamused eye roll — Though he’d be lying if he said he wasn’t a little amused.— the topic dropped.
So they continued. A lot of the time, this is how their days usually went. Waking up, getting something to eat at the nearest bakery,— Wilardo wasn’t much of a fan on sweet things, more on Ashe’s part.—touring around town for a bit and watching those yellow eyes glisten at the sight of foreign items (with the addition of somehow wracking Wilardo into wasting all his travel money on gift shops), going on a nature walk that resulted in them coming back to their hotel all sweaty and tired. …It wasn’t unpleasant, though. Wilardo enjoyed his time with the man he came to know as Ashe Bradley.
Looking back, he can’t exactly remember when or how they met. Perhaps on a whim? Or perhaps they knew each other at some point in time? Maybe some random life force that came knocking on his door one day like, ‘Hey, I’m here to stay.’. But what Wilardo did remember were those words that left him speechless and far too impressionable.
***
“…Wilardo,”
“Hm?”
“..would you like to travel the world with me?”
…?
“..Huh?”
He blinked a few, several times, looking over at the man beside him. Ashe had one of his attentive stares, the kind he’d make when asking a question out of plain curiosity. Wilardo was quick to learn what an expressive person Ashe was, easy to read what was on his mind most of the time. He seemed to be awaiting an actual answer from Wilardo, who was looking like a complete idiot at his disposal.
This guy.. Couldn’t be serious, right?
“What’s this?”
Opposite of Wilardo, something that reminisced of a carefree smiled conjured up on his face. Ashe snickered with a sort of fondness. “Oh, nothing, really! It’s just a silly idea of mine. A sort of whim.”
A.. Whim?
He blinked again, pondering on the right words to say. It should be easy. Talking to someone as sociable and idiotic as Ashe. Though Wilardo fount his eyes peering away the moment he spoke. “Hell of a whim.” He remarked. “Wanting to travel with me, though? Why? We’ve only known each other for a few months. You can’t even be sure you’d enjoy it.”
“Haha, maybe so!” He admitted, not a hint of shame. “Perhaps I’ll come to regret such a peculiar request at some point..” Ashe admitted once more with such a mellifluous hum that could practically catch the attention of anyone in the room. Well, it certainly made Wilardo feel a bit humid. That’s just how Ashe was. A chipper person. “..But for the time being, I do mean what I say. I want to travel every inch of this world with you. It’s tedious when lonesome, you know?”
For the first time in awhile, Wilardo was hesitant.
“…Well if it’s so lonesome, why leave? You have a family, right? You talk fondly of them all the time. It makes no sense.”
“I suppose.. I would miss them, dearly. But— I’ve discussed this with them on numerous occasions. The moral support has been overwhelming, especially from Lilia!” Wilardo caught a glimpse, if only for a second, of his cheeks lightly flushing like he was embarrassed. “We’ve all came to an agreement to keep in touch if I were to leave; and Wilardo, i’ve talked great things of you! They’d love pictures of our travels.” He stated matter-of-factly.
Wilardo blinked, because apparently, that’s all he knew how to do right now.
He… Talks about him? He talks great things about him.. Like, what? Wilardo couldn’t possibly be that interesting.
“Dumbass. You should’ve talked to me about it first.”
Ashe huffed. “I know, I know, but!”
Wilardo wasn’t aware of the gentle hold Ashe had on his hands. His fingers entwined with the latters, bringing them to his chest. “I don’t necessarily believe in fate and.. Perhaps this is just a hunch, but you and I, dear Wilardo, I can’t see it any other way. So please, will you consider such a thing?”
“…”
Wilardo could only find himself staring in genuine confusion. Risks aren’t exactly something Wilardo finds enjoyable. Who could, really? Life was fine how it was, wasn’t it? Wilardo was damn satisfied with his job as a self-proclaimed botanist. To abandon all that for some guy with a request you’d hear from a child.. It’d be easier to just say ‘no.’ Maybe avoid such tiring sentimental values. It’s in Wilardo’s nature to be blunt.
But it’s also in his nature to crave some form of sentiment.
His heart fluttered.
And it’s not just ‘some guy’. It’s Ashe.
Maybe he liked the idea. The idea of traveling with Ashe Bradley. The same Ashe with long beautiful hair he let’s Wilardo braid, the same Ashe that would confidently point to a Petunia and call it a Poppy, the same Ashe that somehow always piqued Wilardo’s best interest, the same Ashe with that big, beautiful, bastard smile…
Wilardo was quiet. Ashe’s face faltered if only for a split second.
“..Yeah, okay.” The words left his mouth before he even realized, but he couldn’t find himself to care.
It’s Ashe. Ashe somehow invited himself into his life, and Wilardo felt he wasn’t getting rid of him anytime soon.
“..We’ll see.” He paused. “It’s not my fault if it ends up unenjoyable though.” He’d shrug, and when he looked back up— he saw Ashe grin in such a lovely way he swore he’d had never seen.
***
“I still have no idea where you’re taking me.”
Hearing the latter, it brought Wilardo from his thoughts and back down to earth.
“It’s staying that way.”
Looking over his shoulder, Wilardo had just realized Ashe shifted in place from behind him to beside him, who now sported a look of disappointment.
Ashe let out a little pout. There’s that colorful expression, again.
“Already told you, it’s a surprise.” His response prompted Ashe to maneuver closer.
“Ah, at least a hint! Pleeeaaase, Wilardo? I’m curious.” It was true. Curiosity laced his voice. Ashe was naturally curious, so of course Wilardo knew he was going to be bombarded with his constant stubbornness.
Wilardo mentally laughs at a thought; If it was anyone else, maybe they would’ve left Ashe on his own to find his way back home, exhausted from his constant poking and prowling.
Thank goodness for Wilardo’s patience.
(Although, Wilardo probably shouldn’t doubt Ashe’s ability of awareness. He’s got a good eye, scarily so.)
“No.”
Another esteemed huff. “You’re being cruel.”
“You’re being childish.” Wilardo nonchalantly replied. “We’re almost there.”
Ashe’s face contorted into some sort of fake, offended glare. “You’ve simply piqued my interest! Besides, I’m the older one here, aren’t I?”
He was smirking before he even realized, a rare expression for the self-proclaimed botanist.
“Then act like it.”
“..Fine, fine. I’ll leave it alone for now.” The teal-haired man waved his hand, letting out an amused laugh and beckoning the silence to return.
So they stayed like that for awhile, enjoying each others company as the sound of their footsteps filled the silence.
Wilardo notices, Ashe could play nice and be quiet when he wants to be. Wilardo doesn’t care either way, he’s grown used to both. He finds Ashe rather contradictory, but so is Wilardo. He preaches about being able to read Ashe real good, but half the time, he can never get a clear view on what he’s thinking.
He’ll also never admit how he oddly looks up to Ashe. Maybe it’s the way he disrupted his foreseen future with this traveling business. Ashe Interfering with his life has made it the utmost interesting and Wilardo wants to properly express his gratitude, (reason they’re out here in the first place, to Ashe’s obliviousness).
Nonetheless, there’s a lot he still doesn’t know about Ashe, and a lot Ashe doesn’t know about him. It’s like an unwritten rule they mutually agreed on, some things are fine left untold. It simply comes when the times right and on a night like this, Wilardo is just fine spending his time in silence beside his travel partner.
“Almost. Break off from the trail, we’re going right.”
Ashe hummed in compliance, not questioning the odd detour they’ve taken other than a sound much of interest.
Soon the rigid path they’ve been following cut off into a seam of mudded dirt, trees, and many overgrown bushes. It seemed rather unkept, ignored in favor of the path they were following not too long ago.
Wilardo was thankful they were both wearing their travel boots.
After hassling around branches and really any part of mother nature herself, the smaller came to an abrupt stop.
He felt Ashe lightly bump into him from behind, prompting him to peer over his shoulder and speak. “What is it?”
In front of them were an array of bushes lazily decked from tree to tree, branches and brambles entwining to wrap around each other. To anyone, it’d just look like a cut off here — but if you squint, you can just about see the little entryway parting from a few of the brambles. He was far familiar with this part.
“We’re close.” He began, pausing.
Wilardo knew this was going to sound a little silly on his part, but.. “..and, hey, close your eyes.”
Wilardo was never one for dramatic entry. Once again, he was a blunt man. He never has and probably never will care for over-the-top gifts. But there’s also that damn sentiment. It feels like a big joke, sometimes. But maybe he wouldn’t mind giving something over-the-top to Ashe.
Just this once, maybe he could hug those sentimental values.
Ashe gave a smile all too smug, it really made Wilardo want to sock him and take that whole sentimental bullshit back.
Okay, not really.
He chortled, “My, my! You really do keep true to your word of ‘surprise’, huh Wilardo?”
“Be quiet or I’ll leave you here.”
Ashe let out a carefree laugh— and instead of questioning the botanist further for an answer he knew he wouldn’t get— those snake-like eyes closed, facial expression resting to that of a smile. It was a nice look on Ashe. As energetic as he was, he looked actually at peace, much like when he was sleeping.
Wilardo took his hands from his pockets, gently wrapping them on Ashe’s shoulders and guiding him.
A part of Ashe’s braid gently brushes against Wilardo’s knuckles and it’s as soft as he remembers. Back before the traveling, he’d never mind to do Ashe’s hair. Ashe was always delighted with the requests. So forth, it became routine.
Wilardo was naturally good with his hands, so maybe that’s why. Going into the whole flower business, you had to be gentle and patient; hassling with flowers and making sure you pick them correctly as to not damage the pretty little thing.
“And also— no peaking. Or i’ll punch you.” There was this nonchalantness in his voice again, like he was stating it as fact.
It was. He would punch him. Not hard, but he’d punch him.
“Yes, yes. No peaking! A punch from you would be a rather unpleasant experience.”
Wilardo rolled his eyes for the 2nd time that night, carefully stepping into the crevice of the jumbled bushes.
Thus, they walked.
Ashe seemed to get the memo, behaving and doing what was told. Lucky him. It grew quieter the deeper they progressed, and Wilardo had finally noticed how dark it had gotten since they first ventured out. That’s fine. He assumes Ashe will love it — what he has planned.
Although, even if someone like Ashe is easily impressed, he can’t help but doubt. He’s given so much to Wilardo, he doesn’t think Ashe even realizes it. He can’t possibly pay him back in full.
Ashe hummed, braid brushing against coarse skin once more.
Wilardo really doesn’t know what he did to deserve someone like him.
Wilardo came to a stop, grip on the latters shoulders releasing.
“..Okay. Open them.”
Just like that, Wilardo watched as yellow eyes fluttered open, awaiting and anticipating.
What Ashe was met with was a beautiful sight.
As far as the eye could see — was a meadow, decorated with beautiful assortments of oh so lovely flowers. They gently swayed in the wind, as if dancing alongside each other without a care in the world. Unlike the path they took, there were barely any trees, resulting in an opening where you could actually see and properly indulge in the sky. Oh, the sky… Barely visible now; the sun lazily set over the horizon, overlaying the meadow in a nice pretty salmon color. Star’s barely visible, crept out of hiding. One by one, they twinkled in random fragments of the sky. It was a delightful picture, pretty as a painting.
Wilardo merely hoped Ashe liked it.
He glanced over, met with an absolutely star-struck Ashe.
“..Oh.” He whispered, voice as gentle and soft as his facial expression was.
Wilardo seemed just as speechless looking at Ashe — who’s eyes sparkled in the illumination of the sky, the pink and orange complimenting that pale, peachy skin of his, eyebrows lifted to mock a surprised gesture, lips parting as if he were to say something… and his hair. Beautiful, teal locks gently draped over his face, wind causing it to glide from his nose and across his defined cheek bones.
Hell, he was practically glowing.
“Wilardo.. It’s.. It’s simply beautiful.” He’d breathlessly coo.
It took Wilardo a moment to reply. It took him a moment to realize Ashe even said anything at all.
“..Yeah.” He breathed. “It really is.”
He wasn’t talking about the flowers.
“Ah — so this was what you opted to show me?” He was looking at Wilardo now, a small smile on his face. Not that usual energetic one of his, it was more soft and Wilardo decided it looked far too pretty on Ashe for his own good.
“How did you find such a thing? It’s such a lovely view, Wilardo. I truly don’t know what to say.”
“Nothing too interesting. I sort of just stumbled across it.” He’d shrug, before his eyes peered to blossoming petals. Wilardo was so glad his face didn’t easily flush. “Just thought maybe you’d like it. You’ve been interested on how I work with flowers, I noticed. I can show you how to properly pick one and preserve it… Think of it as a souvenir.”
“..and, well, plus, they reminded me of you.”
“…Hm?”
“Daffodils.” He’d say. “They’re daffodils. They’re mostly known to symbolize new beginnings. I just thought it makes sense, considering all of our travels, we get the chance to make new impressions in entirely different regions.”
Wilardos expression grew daringly soft. “..They also match your eyes; They’re soothing to look at.”
The words that spilled from his mouth managed to catch both Wilardo and Ashe off guard.
“…The flowers.” He backtracked, favoring his usual calm demeanor over becoming pain achingly awkward. “The flowers, are soothing to look at.”
Ashe took a moment, before nodding in agreement, sparing Wilardo’s dignity.
Wilardo didn’t miss the subtle pink that dusted his cheeks, though. How could he?
“I see, I see. Yes, you’re absolutely correct! Such a lovely color… It truly is breathtaking.”
Then there was that damn smile again. The way it creased on his cheeks, slight wrinkles at the edge of his eyes.. Wilardo really couldn’t escape it.
”—and about the daffodils, that sounds like a wonderful idea! I don’t think I’ve ever had a proper bouquet including one.”
That smile.
It made him want to grab onto Ashe’s hand and never let go.
‘I don’t deserve your kindness.’ Is what he wanted to say, ‘But I love waking up beside you.’
‘So stay with me. Please, stay. I’m alright with traveling the world with you.’ Because there was no one quite like Ashe Bradley. The man who came into his life unannounced and somehow swooped him off his feet.
It may’ve been a whim, but it was a whim he was alright with.
He was okay with this. He was okay traveling the world if it meant being able to braid Ashe’s hair everyday, if it meant gently waking him up in the mornings and hearing that melodious voice say, ‘Ahh! Good morning, dear Wilardo! How did you sleep?’, if it meant having his most intimate moments combing his hair and sliding flowers into the nook of his braid, Ashe stupidly grinning and giggling in delight.
He badly wanted to let Ashe know what he’s done to him.
But he didn’t.
Instead, he’d nod, nudging his head towards the meadow.
“Shall we?”
Ashe grinned. “We shall.”