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1.
It was a normal day in Sumeru City. The sun shone brightly, casting a warm glow over the bustling streets. Wanderer found himself on his way to Akademiya to deliver some documents to Nahida. She often tasked him with errands, but he didn’t mind; it beats feeling useless. Deep down, he knew Nahida didn’t see him as a burden—she had taken him in when others wouldn’t.
Overall, it seemed like a good day, even by Wanderer’s standards.
Until... a bee buzzed into his path, disrupting his peace.
“Tsk,” Wanderer muttered, abruptly turning left down a hallway in Akademiya.
And then turned left again. And again.
At this point, he realized he was going in circles, but someone seemed relentless in following him.
“Urgh,” Wanderer huffed in irritation, sharply turning around. “I know you’re following me.”
He scanned the area, his eyes landing on a cluster of bushes that suddenly rustled. A figure emerged.
“Hehe, so you noticed,” Sethos bashfully replied, emerging from the bush.
“Of course, I noticed. Do you think I’m deaf or something? Anyone with ears could hear you a mile away.”
“Hey, nobody else saw me,” Sethos protested.
Wanderer furrowed his brow, finding it hard to believe this particular individual was the appointed leader of the resurfaced Temple of Silence. Nahida had vouched for his capabilities, but his current attitude didn’t inspire confidence.
“Have you not taken into consideration that possibly people simply couldn’t be bothered with your antics, that they did the smartest thing and ignore you” Wanderer retorted
“Hey now, are you insinuating that your intelligence isn’t up to par with the others? I know you’ve only been here in Sumeru for a while, so I understand. I’ve also only been here for a while, but everyone’s nice so far, so they definitely don’t think of such a thing!!” Sethos grinned mischievously. This bastard.
Wanderer elected not to respond, starting to walk—almost sprint—away. “I’m not in the mood.”
“Hey, wait up! Where are you going?” Sethos called after him, prompting Wanderer to increase his pace, practically flying away.
Finally, away from the nuisance, Wanderer resumed his errands.
2.
Sitting at a table in Puspa Cafe, Wanderer sipped his favorite tea, despite others finding its bitterness off-putting. To him, it was a delicacy that helped him relax.
“I guess Nahida was right. A vacation wouldn’t be so bad once in a while,” Wanderer mused, closing his eyes and humming contentedly.
Unfortunately, good things never seemed to last.
The chair across from him scraped as someone sat down, interrupting his moment of peace. Opening his eyes, Wanderer found himself face to face with light green eyes and a smile that continued to tilt upwards—Sethos, at the same time he felt his lips slowly turning into a frown.
“You,” Wanderer sighed, his irritation evident.
“Me,” Sethos replied cheerfully.
“What are you doing here? Are you following me again?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I just came for a drink and saw you with that big hat of yours. Seriously, you’re quite the sight with that unique hat. No wonder they call you ‘Hat Guy’ and—”
“Oh, for Archons’ sake,” Wanderer muttered under his breath, tempted to pour his tea over Sethos. He couldn’t understand why this man kept fixating on his hat. Was Sethos really following him because of it?
For the first time, Wanderer regretted wearing his distinctive hat. If only he hadn’t worn it, maybe he could have avoided this situation.
“...Like, I’ve never seen such a design. Where did you get it made? Is it light because you don’t seem to be struggling with the weight—”
Wanderer felt himself dissociating as Sethos continued his barrage of questions, completely oblivious to Wanderer’s lack of responses.
“The hat is cute, but I think you’d look great showing your face more. It’s really beautiful, and I never would have realized it if I hadn’t stared at you for more than a minute. Oh, not that I stare at you a lot, but I do see you sometimes at Treasures Street—”
Wanderer decided to blatantly ignore Sethos’s existence. Was this guy inadvertently admitting he had been following him?
Wait. What did Sethos just say?
“What did you just call me?”
“Uh, Hat Guy?”
“You called me cute.”
“Um, no, I said your hat is cute and that you’re beautiful.”
“...”
“...”
“So, I gotta go. Cyno is waiting for me. Haha, okay, BYE HAT GUY!”
Before Wanderer could respond, Sethos sprang up from his seat, almost knocking over the chair. In one motion, he brushed off his clothes, straightened up, and offered a quick, playful salute.
He then quickly darted towards the exit, slipping through the crowd. The bell above the door jingled as he went outside, disappearing into the bustling streets of Sumeru City, leaving Wanderer staring in stunned silence.
With a resigned sigh, Wanderer decided to go back to drinking his tea.
3.
At this point in time, Wanderer is, well, a bit concerned about how to express this without being rude…
This infuriatingly annoying—yet very determined —follower has Wanderer at his wit’s end. He truly cannot comprehend the vested interest this person has in him. Why, oh why, does this individual want to annoy him so badly? What has he done so wrong to deserve such punishment?
“Soo, are you listening? Hellooooo~” Sethos said in a sing-song tone. Wanderer is currently with Sethos (not voluntarily) investigating a recent report about disruptions in the desert.
He was on his way to the location when Sethos ambushed him, and despite Wanderer’s unconcealed disdain, Sethos wouldn’t take the hint to leave.
“I would appreciate it if you stopped interrupting my search,” Wanderer said with annoyance.
Sethos, hearing the tone in his voice, simply smiled and said, “Oh, come on! Weren’t you investigating something in the desert? I’m not going to brag or anything, but I know a lot of information that could benefit you a lot.”
Wanderer’s eye twitched at his proposition. If he could, he would ditch this guy without a second thought, but on the other hand, it would only cause Nahida problems if the situation here wasn’t resolved, possibly making her worry. And Wanderer hates to admit it, but he has some fondness for her.
He sighed and nodded, not wanting to verbally show his agreement. Seeing this, Sethos smiled, stretching his mouth so wide that Wanderer wondered if it was even possible.
In the end, Wanderer could only resign himself to his situation. Forget it; this guy is a bit useful once in a while.
4.
Call Wanderer paranoid, but he thinks it's warranted, given his unspoken history and the fact that, for the past five months, he has suddenly had a persistent stalker.
Sethos is relatively harmless, but that’s what makes Wanderer more vigilant. There is no way someone would approach him for a stupid reason like, “You have a big hat.” That’s just plain ridiculous.
So at this moment, Wanderer is sacrificing his dignity by having a staring contest with the bush right in front of him…
“WOULD YOU JUST SHOW YOURSELF, SETHOS?” Wanderer hissed in anger. When he felt a tap on his shoulder, he turned around and found himself face to face with a very amused Sethos. Realizing how foolish he had been, Wanderer could only stare, his ears turning red as his mouth opened and closed like he didn’t know whether to yell or be embarrassed.
Sethos, of course, was full of glee. “You CALLED ME BY MY NAME!!”
Wanderer fumbled a reply. “No, I didn’t.”
“Yes, you did! I heard you loud and clear!”
“YOUUU!” Wanderer huffed and then turned to walk away, which quickly turned into a sprint.
Sethos, being the very annoying person he is, followed him, lagging behind but still keeping up impressively well, even though he wasn’t using his vision. Wanderer shook his head. Wait, was he actually complimenting him? Ugh, this day is so horrid.
As he dashed through the desert, Wanderer could hear Sethos's footsteps behind him, a constant reminder of the relentless pursuit. Despite his irritation, he felt a strange mix of emotions—exasperation, curiosity, and something else he couldn’t quite place.
Wanderer abruptly stopped, spinning around to confront Sethos, who was finally catching up. “Why are you so determined to bother me?”
Sethos, panting slightly, grinned. “Because you’re interesting! You’re always so serious, and I want to see that pretty face of yours smile.”
“Pretty face?” Wanderer blinked, taken aback. “What kind of nonsense are you spouting?”
Sethos shrugged, still smiling. “Just stating facts! Besides, if I’m going to be your stalker, I might as well make it fun, right?”
Wanderer groaned, realizing that his attempts to shake Sethos off were futile. “Fine! But don’t expect me to entertain you!”
Sethos’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Oh, I’m counting on it!”
Wanderer took a deep breath, preparing to walk away, then turned back with a smirk. “Well, if you insist, then just you wait… see if you can continue stalking me!”
With that, he strode off, a part of him secretly enjoying the challenge. Maybe a little distraction wouldn’t be so bad after all, even if it came from a persistent stalker.
5.
At this point, Sethos and Wanderer were in the middle of their cat-and-mouse game. While he hated the metaphor since it insinuated that Wanderer was the mouse when he was not, it described their situation very well. Sethos’s antics were relentless, and no matter how many times Wanderer attempted to shake him off, he always seemed to come back, like a persistent dog.
Today was no different. Wanderer had planned a day of solitude at the Avidya Forest. He hoped it would provide him a moment of peace to gather his thoughts. However, as he settled with a book and a steaming cup of tea, he felt a familiar sensation creeping up his spine—someone was watching him.
He glanced over his shoulder, only to find Sethos perched on a rock not too far away, a playful grin on his face. “Fancy seeing you here, Hat Guy!”
“Are you serious?” Wanderer groaned, rubbing his temples. “Can’t you just let me have one moment of peace?”
Sethos shrugged, unfazed by Wanderer’s irritation. “But where’s the fun in that? I thought you’d enjoy my company! I mean, it’s not every day I get to hang out by a beautiful lake with such a mysterious individual.”
Wanderer narrowed his eyes. “Mysterious? I’m not mysterious; I’m just trying to enjoy some solitude. I don’t need a personal cheerleader.”
“Too bad! I’m here to cheer you on!” Sethos said, hopping off the rock and plopping down beside him. “Plus, I brought snacks!”
Wanderer couldn’t help but glance at the assortment of treats Sethos had laid out, his curiosity piqued despite himself. “What even is all of this?”
“Just a little picnic to make the day more enjoyable!” Sethos exclaimed, beaming as he offered a piece of dried fruit. “You should try it. It’s really good!”
Wanderer hesitated with a resigned sigh, he accepted a piece, chewing thoughtfully. “Not bad,” he admitted, surprised.
“See? You’re starting to like it!” Sethos declared, his grin widening.
Wanderer shook his head, trying to maintain his facade of irritation. “Don’t get used to this. I’m not always going to be your source of entertainment.”
“Who said anything about entertainment? I’m just here to be your friend!” Sethos replied, leaning back and gazing at the clouds. “And you might as well accept it. We both know you’d miss me if I was gone.”
Wanderer’s heart skipped a beat at the unexpected admission. “I would not,” he protested weakly, though he could feel the truth slipping out of his grasp.
“Liar!” Sethos laughed, nudging Wanderer playfully. “It’s okay. I wouldn’t want to lose my favorite stalker either.” Wanderer simply rolled his eyes at his response.
The sun began to set and Wanderer found himself lost in thought, contemplating their weird bond. It was strange how this annoying, persistent man had become a staple in his life, whether he wanted it or not.
“Maybe you’re not so bad,” Wanderer finally conceded, crossing his arms. “But you should know I’m not easy to deal with.”
“Challenge accepted!” Sethos replied, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “I thrive on challenges, especially when it comes to someone like you!”
Wanderer couldn’t help but chuckle at Sethos’s enthusiasm. “You really are infuriating.”
“Just admit you enjoy having me around!” Sethos teased, leaning closer with a teasing glint in his eye.
Wanderer glanced away, trying to hide the smile creeping onto his lips. “You’re impossible.”
As night began to fall, the stars twinkled above them. Wanderer found himself sharing stories with Sethos, he couldn’t deny the warmth blooming in his chest as Sethos recounted one of his misadventures. There was something undeniably comforting about their connection, something that pulled him in despite his initial resistance.
Wanderer turned to Sethos, feeling a sense of vulnerability he hadn’t anticipated. “You know, I might actually like your company,” he admitted, his voice softer than he intended.
Sethos’s eyes widened in surprise before he broke into a wide grin. “Finally! I knew you’d come around!”
Wanderer rolled his eyes, but the smile remained. “Don’t get too cocky. I still reserve the right to be annoyed with you from time to time.”
“Deal! I’ll take what I can get,” Sethos said, a triumphant look on his face.
As they sat side by side, the stars twinkling above them, Wanderer realized that maybe, just maybe, this game of cat and mouse wasn’t so bad after all.
And as for being the mouse? Well, he was starting to think it wasn’t such a terrible role to play, especially when it meant spending time with someone as infuriatingly charming as Sethos.
+1
A week passed, and Wanderer found himself uncharacteristically uneasy. It wasn’t that he missed Sethos—at least, that’s what he kept telling himself—but the absence of his annoyingly cheerful companion felt oddly significant.
“What’s wrong with you?” he muttered to himself, shaking his head. “It’s just a week. You’re not worried about him.” Yet, with each passing day, the flicker of concern sparked within him.
Determined to shake off the feeling, he set out to find Sethos. “If he’s not following me, then I’ll find him,” he said, trying to sound more confident than he felt.
First, he stopped at the Akademiya, scanning the bustling halls filled with students. “Sethos!” he called out, but the laughter and chatter drowned out his voice. No luck.
Next, he ventured into Sumeru City. “Surely, he’s here somewhere,” he thought, wandering through the lively market. He glanced at the stalls, asking vendors, “Have you seen a guy with an irritatingly cheerful smile?”
One vendor chuckled. “Sounds like Sethos! I saw him a few days ago, but not since.”
Wanderer sighed, feeling the weight of worry press down on him. “Great, just great.” He hurried to Puspa Café, their usual spot, but it felt empty without Sethos’s laughter. “I’ll just have a quick tea,” he told himself, even as the silence gnawed at him.
After finishing his drink, he wandered through Gandharva Ville. “Sethos? Are you hiding in the flowers?” he called, half hoping for a response. But the only answer was the rustling leaves. “Where the heck are you?”
Feeling more anxious, he pressed on to Aaru Village. “Maybe he’s here,” he muttered, searching through the village. “Sethos!” he shouted, but again, only the sound of the wind answered him.
As dusk approached, despair began to settle in. Then, he remembered the Temple of Silence. He hurried toward the desert, his heart racing as he thought of the familiar place.
Finally, he reached the Temple of Silence, the grand structure silhouetted against the setting sun. “Sethos!” he called, his voice echoing in the stillness.
Just as he was about to give up, he spotted a figure on the temple steps, gazing thoughtfully at the horizon. Relief flooded through him. “Sethos!” he exclaimed, rushing forward.
Sethos turned, his face lighting up with a grin. “Wanderer! You found me!”
“What are you doing here?” Wanderer asked, trying to mask the worry in his voice. “You’ve been missing for days. I thought something happened to you!”
“Busy with temple duties, you know?” Sethos replied, shrugging casually. “But I missed you too!” He leaned back on the steps, looking pleased. “Didn’t think you’d come looking for me.”
Wanderer felt his cheeks heat up. “Well, I figured you’d gotten yourself into trouble or something. It’s not like you to just disappear.”
“Aw, you were worried!” Sethos teased, nudging him playfully. “That’s so sweet.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Wanderer shot back, though his heart raced. “I just thought it was odd that you weren’t around.”
Sethos’s smile softened, and he studied Wanderer’s face. “You like having me around, don’t you?”
Wanderer opened his mouth to retort but hesitated, then turned his gaze away. “I guess it’s better than being alone all the time.”
“See? We’re bonding already!” Sethos laughed, clearly enjoying the moment.
Wanderer sighed, shaking his head in mock annoyance. “Just don’t make a habit of disappearing again. I wouldn’t want to lose my personal stalker.”
“Oh, I promise I’ll always be around,” Sethos replied, leaning closer. “I like your company too, you know.”
Wanderer’s heart fluttered at the admission. “Yeah, well… I guess it’s nice to have you here.”
Sethos grinned widely. “Nice? Come on, it’s perfect! The sunset, the company…” He gestured dramatically at the beautiful sky. “You should say it’s magical, especially since I’m here!”
Wanderer rolled his eyes but couldn’t help but smile. “Alright, fine. It’s magical. Now, can we just enjoy the moment without you making it weird?”
“Making it weird is my specialty!” Sethos declared with a playful grin.
Wanderer chuckled, feeling the warmth of their “friendship” envelop him. “Just don’t make me regret saying I like having you around.”
“Too late for that! You’re already stuck with me!” Sethos beamed.
Wanderer felt a sense of peace settle over him. With Sethos by his side, he realized that perhaps the annoyance was just part of the charm. And maybe, just maybe, he could admit that he liked having Sethos around more than he ever expected.