Chapter Text
“…I really don’t live up to my title, do I…? No matter what I do… I’m still a joke compared to the other guardians…”
He fidgeted with the blade in his hand. Fresh blood dripped from it. He looked down at his butchered wrists.
“How… embarrassing. I can see why I’m a joke. This is how I react when a single thing goes wrong…? I’m this immature…?”
He shoved the blade in his pocket and stood up. He paced around his room. It was dark and hot, just the way he liked it. Though, some company would be nice… someone to interact with.
“…Everyone else has people that care deeply about them. I’m just… someone to be brushed aside. I can’t blame anyone though— I can’t name a single significant thing I have done.”
…
“No matter what I do… I don’t… It’s never going to have a major, positive affect in this world…”
…
“…Nobody looks up to me, nobody thinks of me, nobody gives a crap…”
…
“…What am I doing here?”
…
A surprise visit wouldn’t hurt. Wind Archer was forced to take time off today by Millennial Tree. In fact, he has to take at least a week off. He was against this idea, but the elder tree insisted he takes it easy. So reluctantly, he gave in.
First, he took a nap, a really long one. That’s about it. He would’ve eaten but…he’ll do that another day. His stomach feels like it is consuming itself, but it’s not that bad. Plus, he already decided that he would rather spend his free time visiting his friends and loved one. He spent time playing with the cookiemals, he visited the cookies in the Dessert Paradise, he checked in with the other guardians… Once he finished with that, he saved the best for last… Visiting one of his favorite people, which is something he would never admit.
Soon enough, Wind Archer made it to the cave where his companion resides. He arrived at evening. He felt the warmth of the lava and slight sparks of fire against his skin. For someone who usually feels so cold, this temperature feels comfortable… Makes him feel less sick, he feels healthier and rested. Wind Archer feels…better than usual.
“Fire Spirit, are you in here?” He said calmly, trying to conceal his excitement. He can’t expose his vulnerability, but oh, his heart longs for his warm embrace…
Fire Spirit jumped. “Shit. Why is he here…? Now is not the time!” He thought as he looked down at his bleeding wrists.
“Uhhh— one sec—! Wasn’t expecting company, eheheheh…”
He fumbled around looking for some bandages… Quickly, he spotted it in a drawer and slapped it on. Secretly, he is thankful someone came to visit him unprompted… He feels special at this moment. He quietly hid his blade in the same drawer, shoving it between some other objects. Concealed enough, yeah? Hopefully Wind Archer doesn’t catch on— he’s a very observant guy.
He opened the door and stepped out his room. “Windy! Well ain’t it great to see you!” He exclaimed, trying to act like no weird shit just went down.
Wind Archer stepped closer, tempted to reach out for a hug, yet held back. Fire Spirit noticed, but didn’t comment on it. A hug would be nice, though… To be held like a treasure felt like something straight from a dream. It is an unrealistic longing.
“I’m so happy to… I mean, it’s good to see you again. I am on break for this week, so I thought a visit wouldn’t hurt… and I apologize for coming unannounced, I… forgot to tell you,” Wind Archer said, oddly nervous. His heart raced as he felt the taller man look him over.
“It’s no problem— if I were you, I’d be excited to see me too,” he said, egotistical as usual. Wind Archer rolled his eyes, yet there was no ill intent. Over the years they have spent together, Wind Archer has grown used to remarks like this. Though, they felt hollow and untruthful. He knows Fire Spirit is not as confident as he may appear…
“Yeah yeah…” The archer replied, “Hey, what happened to your wrist? There’s a bandage… A poorly applied one, it’s about to fall off-“
As Wind Archer was about to reach for his wrist, Fire Spirit yanked away. Concerned, the wind guardian moved his hand back to his side.
“…I apologize, I should’ve asked first…” he said, “but you should think about fixing that up, you don’t want your injury to get infected…”
Fire Spirit blushed, slightly embarrassed. He could feel his heart rate go up. One wrong move, and his vulnerability is exposed. One wrong move, and he’ll be looked down on even more… He can’t lose his friend. Not this one…
“Yeah, yeah got that… It’s just a lil scrape, nothing much haha… Don’t even worry about it.”
Wind Archer nodded, yet he didn’t fully believe the fire guardian. The way he said it… the look in his eyes, the slight shake of his wrist, how stiff he is… Something is off about him today, and Wind Archer doesn’t want to be a bystander.
“…Let me fix your bandage, please. It is putting me on edge,” he offered.
“It’s fine, it’s fine. I’ll fix it later, okay?” Fire Spirit replied.
Wind Archer shook his head and reached for his wrist once more, “Why so on edge today…? Fire Spirit, let me see…”
Fire Spirit yanked his wrist away quickly. Unfortunately for him, the bandage fell off, and revealed his little accident to the world. He gasped, and quickly covered it with his hand. However, Wind Archer already saw, and an unsettled look crossed his face.
“…Fire Spirit.”