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The colours red and pink are everywhere. The sweet scent of chocolate and roses is nearly suffocating. Wise wasn’t a big fan of this day. It was overwhelming. Not just outside of Random Play but they were also very busy inside. People were picking either basic romantic movies or lousy thrillers - all an attempt to woo someone on this normal day.
Wise had let Belle take the day off, knowing that someone was intending on taking her out on a date - but you didn’t hear that from him. All he wanted in this world was for his sister to be happy, so this was a minor sacrifice for him to make. He didn’t have plans anyway, so working the day away was better than nothing.
He will admit that he had received a few gifts from friends. Some flowers and chocolates, all of it is just friendly with no deeper emotions to it. Which was fine. Wise didn’t have time for romance. He was a Proxy. He had too much work to do, he couldn’t possibly put that second for some person, a random side character in the life of Phaethon.
… Didn’t mean he didn’t fantasise about it at times. Being whisked away from all of his responsibilities where, for a few hours, he can just be a normal everyday person. To have someone walk into the store - large, brilliant bouquet in hand - to wish him a happy Valentine’s Day. Someone who would hold him at night when his past haunts him, when his body trembles with terror and anxiety. Someone who wipes away his tears and brings a smile to his face.
A person who comes to his defense. A strong person, who’d be able to carry him with no issues when he gets too tired. Who wants to watch the movies Wise likes. Who lets him wear their leather jacket when the days are cold. Who'd let him hold them tightly as he sits on the back of their motorcycle…
It’s nice to imagine… But that is all it will ever be. Something he thinks about - wishes for when he can’t sleep at night. When the cold seems to seep into his bones.
—- —- —- —- —- —-
As he locked up after the last customer of the day, he let out a heavy sigh. He turned around, his back against the door and slid down to sit on the floor. He pulled his legs up to his chest, elbows resting on his knees. A hand was combing through his hair while the other arm was outstretched. How many happy and smiling couples had he seen today? How many I love you’s had he heard?
Belle had come in at one point, her date buying them some drinks and snacks at the convenience store before they went to their place. He’d put on his best attitude for her, reassuring her that he was fine and to go have her fun. She had shot him a concerned look, but had left after he kept waving her away and talking to customers. She didn’t need to worry about him, he was doing great.
His body felt heavy. His mind felt foggy. It had been a small while since he’d felt like this. The two of them had been so busy for months now. Always with something to do. Someone who needed help or a favor, commissions and jobs piling up even as they worked tirelessly. It had dulled this hopeless feeling, just a bit, for just a few moments. What now? Should he just sit here? Lay down in bed? Watch a few movies? What’s the po-
Knock, knock, knock.
Someone was outside the door. Couldn’t they read the sign? ”We’re closed.” He called out. The wrapping on the door had pulled him out of his thoughts, his body having shaken along with the wooden door. There was a pause, then the knocking sounded out again, louder and stronger. Damned Hollow, what was their problem?
“Wise?” A voice called out. A familiar one at that. It was deep, gravely and… and warm.
He gets up from the floor, brushing himself off and fixing his clothes. He then unlocks and opens the door. Before him stood a tall man clad in a red scarf and a spiked leather jacket. He was wearing sunglasses, even though the sun was in the process of setting. A smirk plastered on his lips, not a cocky one, but one that he wore instead of a friendly smile. “Lighter?” Wise hadn’t expected to see him. Not today. Not even this month. “What are you doing here?” He questioned, a friendly and genuine smile growing on his own face.
Wise could feel his heart rate speed up, it might even bruise the inside of his ribs. This man was his one exception, his guilty pleasure. The only one who made him feel like he could disconnect and be in the moment. Be Wise, separate from Proxy and Phaethon.
“I was just in the area, so I thought I would drop by and see my favorite manager.” His smile was blinding, his tone the same heavy but confident one he had become so used to. “Mind if I come in?” He asked and Wise stepped aside to allow him inside. Wise couldn’t help but stare as he entered, his tall and broad frame was one to be admired. When did it become so warm?
Was this a gift from the universe? Did it notice how exhausted he was? Was he being given a break? He should ask Lighter if he wanted to grab food and watch a movie. Lighter was always someone who became engrossed in the movies they watched, happy to share theories and thoughts on whatever they watched. He was comfortable to sit next to, he was so warm. Wise didn’t even need to be in contact with the man to feel his entire body become warm.
His whole world stops at one sound. Rustling. Specifically a thin paper rusting. Even though he knows immediately what it is, his eyes trail down to the man’s hand, which holds a large and colourful bouquet. Purple lilacs, baby’s breath, and many other beautiful and meaningful flowers.
Oh. Of course. How dumb could he be? He hadn’t come here for him. He had come to pick a movie for his date. He had been too busy during their opening hours, so he’s obviously using the fact that he knows one of the owners to his advantage. What a good man he is, doing his best for his date.
Wise’s gaze raises back up the man’s face. He was scanning the selection of movies, Wise could see it. The way his eyes moved from behind those shades, going up and down each row for the perfect pick. His eyes grow dull, his chest grows tight, deep ache settling in there as if making it its home. He puts on his usual customer service smile, one that doesn’t reach his eyes, no real emotion behind it. “How may I be of service?”
Lighter’s head snaps in his direction, nearly giving himself whiplash. Wise can see how the man’s brows furrow, his mouth opening and closing but he never speaks. Just wanting this all to be over, Wise walks over to one of the shelves and picks a movie. “This one is a fan favorite among our customers. We’ve rented out approximately 20 copies just today, so that should tell you how liked it is.” He walks over and hands Lighter the movie. “Since we’re friends, I’ll give you a discount, yeah?” He walks behind the register and types it into the system, looking down to hide the grief that was starting to break through his mask.
Lighter can only watch in disbelief as Wise’s whole attitude and persona has changed. What happened to the happy, smiling man who had first greeted him? Why would he suddenly treat him like he was just another person coming in to rent a movie? Was he busy? Did he have plans?
”Uhm… what?” He is finally able to utter. He joins Wise at the counter and places the movie down along with the flowers. “This isn’t what we would usually watch. This isn’t your style.” He takes off his shades, hooking them on his jacket. He watches the smaller man just stare down at the keyboard, as if wishing the world would just swallow him up. “ Mana-… Wise, could you look at me? Please?” He practically begged, reaching out to Wise, hand easily enveloping the thin man’s arm.
Slowly, Wise raises his gaze, Pine green eyes meeting those of emeralds. “What is going on, Wise? Has something happened?” How sweet and caring Lighter’s voice sounded, it gave Wise butterflies in his stomach and a knife in his heart. Why did he have to speak to him like that, like there was something deeper beneath the surface, when there clearly wasn’t.
When no response leaves the smaller man, the taller reaches back for the flowers, eyes never leaving the other. He sees as a kind of fear or anxiety wells up in those emerald eyes, eyebrows furrowing. This was all Lighter really needed to reassure himself that he hadn’t offended or done wrong, the manager simply had his walls up high. He hands them to Wise with a soft smile. “Happy Valentine’s Day.”
Wise doesn’t react at first, neither the words nor the action registering in his mind. He must have heard wrong, he was probably just so tired that his brain imagined it. When Lighter lets out a quiet chuckle, Wise finally snaps out of it. “Huh?” Is all he managed to squeeze out, eyes now flickering up and down between Lighter and the flowers.
“For me? What? But… Aren’t you bringing these for your date?” His hands slowly envelope the base of the bouquet, disbelief evident in his eyes. How could something this beautiful be for him? What could he possibly have done right for this to happen?
“Well, I was hoping you would be my date, manager. What do you say? Will you be my Valentine’s?” He asked with the familiar smirk, awaiting an answer.
…
…
“Am I too late? Do you already have plans for today?” Lighter’s usual strong confidence started wavering, had he fucked up by asking Wise the day of? He wanted to ask him earlier, but they had both been so busy, their schedules never aligning.
“No!” Wise accidentally yells. He clears his throat before continuing, “I don’t have any plans… I would love to spend Valentine’s with you.” Wise’s face had grown so bright red, he’d put a DevilBoo to shame. He raised the flowers up to his face, pretending to smell the flowers, but in reality he was trying to hide his flushed cheeks.
“Could you give me a moment, Wise?” Lighter asks, where after getting confirmation he walks outside the store. The second the door closes, various shouts of celebration can be heard, making Wise giggle. When Lighter walks back in, he is a bit disheveled but he plays it off cool. “Awesome. Should we go get some food, then watch a movie? One you’ll actually like?”
With a bright smile, Wise nods. “Let me just put these in a vase and I’ll be ready.” With an excited speed, the shorter man rushes upstairs. He finds a pretty glass vase in storage, one that he’d previously bought while out with Lighter. It was perfect. After he’d put the bouquet away, the vase placed by his bed, he ran downstairs where Lighter was waiting for him. They joined hands and excited the store, talking about what movie Wise wanted to watch once they returned.