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The rain continued to slam hard against the wet-stained window which overlooked the empty desert, the streets of the Outer Ring dark and empty from everyone taking shelter in their homes and shops.
It was already very late into the evening, only the sound of a whirring fan and the rain accompanying him.
Wise stared out absentmindedly, the ache in his heart still prevalent despite the couple of hours that had already passed.
He was seated by the window with his leg propped up for the past hour, laptop laid untouched on the bed Kasa had prepared for whenever he came by for work and other purposes. His mind was still stuck on what happened earlier, wondering if it was possible to even get past it at this point.
For the umpteenth time, Wise sighed as he recalled everything.
It had been a couple of weeks since he and Lighter had seen each other, both busy with their respective work and could only spare the few minutes they each had in video calls just to briefly check up on the other. It was the inevitability of their jobs, so neither could complain despite how much they missed each other.
Commission work had piled up that needed to be handled, even Belle assisting him in going through each one with her handling anything that required her to run around New Eridu while Wise handled the rest of the proxy work.
As for Lighter, with Caesar having become the Overlord, it came with newer and bigger responsibilities with the big shoes she had to fill. Not only them, the rest of the Sons of Calydon were all busy running ragged trying to manage overseeing the rest of the gangs.
Still, they made it work the best they could, which was why they made plans to meet up when the golden opportunity of having the same day off appeared.
Belle had urged him to go and have fun, letting her brother know she can handle a day managing the store.
Wise was sure she could see he was desperate to see his boyfriend again, thanking her immensely and letting her know he’ll make it up to her.
“Just take me on a shopping spree next time, big bro~” Was all she said with a grin and a thumbs up.
He was lucky to have such an amazing little sister, hugging her tightly before he left for the Outer Ring.
On his way to the vast desert, there were clouds forming up in the sky, musing to himself that hopefully it won’t rain when he had to head back to New Eridu later.
When he arrived, the first thing he did was head to Cheesetopia.
Though he was on break, he would like to check up on some stuff while he was there anyway. With the diner now in a more stable position, they could afford to hire a staff member to run the counter when he and Kasa weren’t available due to other business.
After greeting the young girl they hired and checking that everything was still in order, he settled himself in one of the available seats with a drink and waited for Lighter after sending him a message of his arrival.
About thirty minutes when Wise hadn’t heard from the man, checking his phone to see the message hadn’t even been read. Shrugging, he sent another message before placing his phone down.
Occasionally he’d wave and greet the familiar faces passing by, now a regular face in these parts due to being acquainted with the Sons of Calydon.
It still didn’t alleviate the worries in his heart, however.
With each passing minute of no response, Wise wondered if everything was alright with Lighter. None of his messages had been read and when he tried to call, it would ring for the longest time until the voicemail message started. It worried him a lot, especially since Lighter hadn’t mentioned about doing anything else other than their own plans to spend the day together.
By the time he realized Lighter wasn’t coming and he may possibly have been stood up, almost four hours had passed.
The sky had grown darker than before, rain lightly falling down into the parched sand roads. Many had started to run inside their homes and take cover under the nearest shelters, trying to not get caught under the incoming drizzle. Wise himself wasn’t sure if he could drive back home in this current weather, thinking to hit up Kasa since she usually had a place ready for whenever he and his sister came by.
When he got up and bid adieu to the girl at the counter, right as he was leaving, did he finally ran into the man of the hour.
“Wise?” Lighter asked, confused with a shock on his face, “What are you doing here?”
That set off Wise, equally confused but now irritated.
“What do you mean what am I doing here?”
His tone caught the taller man off guard, eyes widened behind his sunglasses. Before he could say anything, Wise had already cut him off.
“Did you forget what day it was today, Lorenz ? I should be asking where you’ve been this whole time!” Wise raised his voice, glaring at his supposed boyfriend heatedly, “I waited here for four. Fucking. Hours. ”
Lighter was left stunned, confusion etched into his face and looking like he was wracking his brain for answers. The silence was palpable, only the sound of rain hitting the ground heard like a pin dropping. It was only then did Caesar and Piper show up, catching up behind him only to see the proxy.
They were about to greet him happily when they noticed the look he had on his face, looking back and forth between their champion and the proxy.
“Hey, what’s goin’ on here?” Asked Caesar, a hand on Lighter’s shoulder.
Wise could only sigh, though his increasing irritation was apparent to everyone. Though there weren’t many customers at the diner, everyone could feel the tense atmosphere that was stewing, particularly with Wise who looked ready to explode at any moment.
Caesar and Piper stared down at their champion, wondering what he’d done to anger the proxy.
After a beat, Lighter finally spoke up, awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck since he couldn’t remember anything that was happening today.
“... Did we… make any plans for today? I don’t actually remember.”
As if stepping on a landmine, Lighter surely regretted it immediately when he saw the look on Wise’s face.
“Wait, Wise—” He was cut off immediately, hand slapped away when he tried to approach the other.
“ Don’t touch me! ” Wise had exploded, exhaustion and anger written all over his face. Now he was usually a calm and collected individual, maybe a bit cold to strangers but friendly enough once someone gets to know him, so it came to an immense shock when he had raised his voice for once, “Are you kidding me right now, Lorenz?! Please tell me you’re actually joking!”
The word vomit didn’t stop, his frustrations reaching its peak.
“Of course we had plans today, why else would I be here waiting like an idiot if it wasn’t to see you?!” His hands curled into tight fists, nails threatening to cut the skin of his palm open, “I left you so many calls and messages, asking where the hell you are and when were you going to come by!”
Lighter winced at the anger in his tone, realizing he had messed up horribly and had forgotten something real important. Tears pricked at the corner of Wise’s eyes, feeling like the day was wasted now since it had grown so dark and he barely got to see the one person he’d been looking forward to.
Piper had approached him to carefully touch his back, trying her best to soothe him and thankfully he hadn’t pushed her away, most of his ire directed at Lighter instead.
When the Lighter checked his phone, the screen was flooded with text messages and missed calls, all varying degrees of worry. Once he opened the chat between them did he finally remember, face turning pale as he realized the depths of his own forgetfulness.
“Wise, baby, I am so sorry. I mean it, ‘kay?” He quickly apologized, reaching to hold him tightly by his forearms though Wise shook his head, absolutely disappointed with everything at the moment, “It completely slipped my mind, I don’t have any shitty excuse for this but I’m here now, ‘kay? I’m sorry to have left you alone here.”
Despite his pleas and apologies, Wise wasn’t buying it one bit and tore an arm away to wipe some of his tears away with his sleeve, sniffling as each fell down his face.
“I-I’m… so done with you right now, Lorenz.” His words were quiet, fuming, “I’m so done with you.”
Wise was hurting, badly.
The embarrassment of having exploded in the middle of the diner and the shame of being stood up because his boyfriend — if he was still one — had forgotten it entirely catching up to him, leaving him utterly exhausted. His eyes barely wanted to see the other man, looking away as Piper gently ushered him somewhere else.
Lighter tried to reach out but was stopped by Caesar, hand firm on his shoulder and shaking her head.
Wise hadn’t turned back to look at him even once when he left.
This was where he was now, sitting at the temporary house while he watched the rain fall down.
Piper had been kind to give him some space after helping Kasa set up the house and bringing the Random Play car nearby, giving him back his keys before leaving him be with a comforting pat on his head. Wise was grateful to her for being mature about it, not pushing him into talking about anything and giving him quiet support instead.
Still, nothing could soothe the ache present in his chest. While his anger from earlier had subsided, it still left him frustrated and stressed.
Lighter had not contacted him afterwards, his phone silent save for a message from Belle asking how he was doing. He figured either Caesar or Piper must have said something to her, though she also didn’t push it when he only responded briefly with a quick I’m fine before tossing his phone aside.
It wasn’t like him to explode like that, never one to let his emotions get the better of him. Wise had always prided himself in keeping his emotions in check, having had a younger sister who was a lot more boisterous and needed guidance since they had no one else but each other to rely on.
Maybe it was because it was Lighter, someone he had trusted deeply and that he could afford to be a little bit more childish compared to playing the big brother role around most others.
Wise rubbed his eyes, red and puffy from crying so much earlier. He did feel a little hungry since he hadn’t eaten yet since the plan was that they were going to grab a bite first before doing anything else, though obviously that wasn’t the case anymore.
Sighing, he finally tore his gaze away from the window and rested his head against the cool glass.
He didn’t have it in his heart to work on anything else nor could he sleep it off either, his insomnia deciding this was the best time to rear its head around. Now he was stuck with only his thoughts to accompany him.
Glancing at the clock on the wall, there was still time to grab something to eat somewhere, shops in the Outer Ring often open late into the night since truck drivers would arrive during these times to stock up on supplies and rest.
Even though it was raining hard outside, thunder rumbling in the distance, Wise figured he could spare going into the rain to grab a bite somewhere.
Anything to stave off the boredom he was feeling.
His thoughts were interrupted when he heard a knock on the door, not expecting anyone to come by and bother him after everything that happened. He figured it might have been Piper, at least until he heard a familiar low rumbling voice instead.
“Hey, uhh… Wise? It’s me.” Called Lighter softly, followed by another knock.
Wise was surprised, getting up from his seat to carefully approach the door.
“I… know I fucked up. I really did.” The champion started off, the nervousness in his voice apparent, “I won’t bother ya for long, I just… remembered you said you’d been waitin’ for long and the girl at the counter said ya haven’t eaten yet.”
The sound of heavy boots shuffling could be heard and some rustling, followed by a low sigh.
“I’m sorry.” Lighter apologized sincerely, “Probably the last person ya want to see right now, Piper and Caesar gave me a good talkin’ to about keeping my promises, to write down important plans so I wouldn’t forget anythin’.”
There was a slight weight on the door, likely from Lighter leaning on it. Wise stepped closer till he was pressed close to the door on the other side, listening closely.
“Ain’t gonna talk your ears off, just wanted to come by to apologize again and leave you some food.” Said Lighter as he shifted around, “If it’s okay, I’d… like to spend some time with ya tomorrow. Just you and me. I asked your sister after she chewed my ears off for a solid hour straight in a call.”
That did get a small quiet chuckle from Wise.
“But as long as I promised to help your store out for the next couple of days, she said you can take some more time off.”
It was a sincere effort to make up for his major faux pas, one that left Wise’s heart twisting in his chest. Despite what had happened, what he wanted the most was to see Lighter again. That’s why he so desperately came here the moment he could find some respite from the monotony of work, to spend the measly hours they had together.
The weight off the door was lifted, hearing faint mumbles before Lighter said a quick bye and sounds of footsteps going down the stairs.
Wise, not wanting for him to leave, opened the door so suddenly.
This stopped Lighter in his track, turning back to see Wise peeking out from the entrance before picking up the big paper bag of food off the ground.
“Wise…” He muttered, eyes wide.
The smell of the food was tantalizing, the paper bag warm to the touch. After his brief surprise, Lighter cautiously walked back up the steps to stand in front of Wise.
It was silent between them, both unsure of what to say. When Wise finally decided to look him in the face, he could only see the tired expression on the champion. The usual cocky look was nowhere to be seen, replaced with one of uncertainty instead.
What was more noticeable was the slight bruise on his cheek, leaving Wise to reach out and lightly touch it with the tips of his fingers.
Lighter, soft and careful, held his hand to place it carefully on his wounded bruise.
“Caesar gave me a punch to clear my head, said I needed a good knockin’ to make sure I got her point across how hurt you must have been.”
Wise was left a tad speechless, for the Overlord to go that far just for him.
“... does it hurt?”
Lighter shook his head, “Not really, not as much as you must’a been waitin’ for me.”
With his sunglasses drooped down his nose, Wise could see into his eyes how apologetic he was about this whole ordeal. It was a mistake on his part, one he was desperately trying to fix with how miserable he looked.
When the wind blew hard around them, rain still pouring down, Lighter reached over to hold his cheeks with those warm gloved hands.
“You should head inside, sweetheart. Don’t need ya gettin’ sick over here now.” He leaned in to kiss his forehead, thumb running across his cheek smoothly, “I’ll see ya tomorrow, hopefully.”
Just when Lighter was about to leave, Wise reached out to hold him by his jacket, tugging at it carefully.
“... You bought too much food, Lighter.” Wise started, cheeks pink, “I can’t finish this by myself.”
He stepped closer, head resting on his firm chest.
For a moment, Wise could feel the other stiffen, as if unsure of how to proceed. He did figure it out eventually, his arms wrapped around the other in a warm embrace.
“Sorry, it’s a habit of mine.” There was a nuzzle to the top of his head.
Wise hummed, holding the paper bag close to him and the other gripping the other’s jacket.
“Then come eat with me.” He urged with another tug.
He could hear the small airy laugh from Lighter, both pulling away enough only to lean in for a kiss. It was quick and chaste, but it meant the world to them, healing his wounded heart after what had transpired.
Wise pulled him inside after their little kiss, with Lighter taking his jacket off to settle down so they could eat their late supper together.
Lighter held him close the entire time as they played around with their food whilst eating, laughing and leaving him kisses. Sometimes he’d kiss the corners of his eyes, touching the red puffiness on top of his already existing dark eyebags.
“My heart, my life.”
He would say with a kiss to his palm, meaning every word of it.
They would likely have more fights like this in the future, their relationship something that was already an uncertain existence considering both of their lines of work, but every moment they could spend together was worth it.
Wise held his cheeks, kissing him again.
The rain would continue to fall heavily outside, hitting the pavement hard and mixing with the sand but inside this little house, they were safe and warm, at least for another day.
That night, they cuddled up with each other in bed, the sound of the rain soothing them to sleep.