Chapter Text
Thunder rang out, making Fire Spirit jump and start looking for the nearest cover, safe from any potential rain. His search led him to the forest of the Millennial tree, hesitant to approach; he looked around again, hoping for another place to wait out the rain. Unfortunately his quick search yielded little results, his only hope for cover was the forest.
Fire Spirit was slowly making his way through, trying his best not to accidentally burn anything. A few minutes pass with no sign of usable cover when another flash of lightning lighting up the horizon. A second later rain starts falling.
Running deeper into the forest, Fire Spirit spots Wind Archer and almost instinctively calls out to him.
“WINDY” Fire Spirit screamed as he bolted towards the archer,
“Wha-” before Wind Archer could get even a word out shoved himself into him and pulled on Wind Archer's scarf for any kind of protection, knocking an impromptu leaf umbrella out of his hands. “What are you doing!?” he asked.
“Please you gotta take me to some kind of cover, I’m dying out here!” he responded while trying to make himself as small as possible.
With a reluctant sigh the archer said, “Follow me.'' He picked up the large leaf and started walking. Fire Spirit scrambled to stay under his natural umbrella, while floating just behind Wind Archer.
After a short walk, the two arrived at a house built into a large tree. The outside wasn't much to look at, a simple welcome mat, a light that wasn't on and a simple wooden door with a small round window and an equally simple knob. After a moment of feeling around his pockets Wind Archer remembered that he doesn't keep his door locked and opened it. Immediately Fire Spirit darted through and shook like a dog trying to get as much water off him as possible.
"Welcome.." the archer said, annoyed that Fire Spirit got everything damp,
"Ha, thanks for the save there Windy." the spirit said, turning to him. “I owe you one.”
“You owe me several.” Wind Archer said as he walked past Fire Spirit down a hallway and out of sight. He took this time to have a proper look around. It looked like a typical home, a television on a small TV cabinet, a couch a few meters from it with a throw pillow and a blanket. The kitchen wasn't that special either, white tiles around the sink and a wood countertop that connects to a bar. The walls are decorated with pictures of cookies that Fire Spirit doesn't know and paintings. Shelves contain books covered in dust and more pictures. The thing that surprised him the most was Wind Archer’s record collection. Fire Spirit didn’t take him as the kind to be into recorded music. He cautiously reached for one he thought he may recognize.
‘What the-’ He thought to himself. ‘This is an original copy of Rockstar’s debut album’
"Fire Spirit." Wind Archer bluntly said, causing him to snap out of his confusion induced thinking and almost drop the record.
"W-What?"
"Here." Wind Archer handed Fire Spirit a towel, he noted the lack of scarf and quiver.
"oh, thank you."
“Also put that down, even soaking wet I don’t exactly trust you not to burn things.” Wind Archer said removing the album from Fire Spirits hand, luckily he wasn’t hot enough to do any damage to either the record or the sleeve.
“I didn't take you as a fan.” Fire Spirit said starting the process of drying himself.
“I am.” he responded, looking wistfully at his small collection.
After a small silence Fire Spirit said, “So, you don’t keep your door locked?”
“Why would I need to?”
“So people can’t steal your stuff!”
“You are one of three people who know this house exists and it’s in the middle of the woods. I think I’m fine when it comes to security.”
“You never know, what if in the middle of the night I sneak out with that original print of Rockstar’s album?” he said cheekily.
“I would have a reason to kill you and I would actually try.” His bluntness surprised Fire Spirit, causing an uncomfortable silence to grow. Eventually Wind Archer broke it with.
“I didn’t take you as a fan either.”
“I haven't heard much of his early work.” Fire Spirit said, pulling the towel from his head.
“Do,” Wind Archer paused, rubbing his hand over his mouth. “Do you want to listen to some?”
Fire Spirit was surprised, but eager. “Yeah! Uh, yes I would like to.” perhaps coming off as a bit too eager, but Wind Archer doesn't notice, he’s too in his own mind trying to think of how to advance this small shared interest into some kind of relationship.
Wind Archer carefully pulls the record out of its sleeve. He puts the album on the player and slowly lowers the needle. The first few notes of the opening song faintly play on the speakers to either side of Wind Archer’s small record shelf. He increases the volume slightly, and moves to sit down on the small couch; with Fire Spirit slouching on the adjacent side.
There the two sat, enjoying the music and each other's company.