Chapter Text
The Wanderer was his best friend.
In the short time between their very first meeting and Durin’s human form coming to be, Wanderer taught him many valuable, priceless things.
Albeit, these things only pertained to Wanderer himself- and none of them were really taught so much as observed…
But nevertheless, Durin cherished them so. They helped him understand his eccentric friend, and in a way, aided him in the very basic concepts of human interactions.
So he picked up on Wanderer’s manners, took note of his caring words and sharp tones. Learned of the faces he made when he was mad, of the neat way his arms would cross over his chest whenever something soured his mood…
Everything he knew of Wanderer, it came from Durin’s own quiet studies. Nothing more, nothing less.
Though, it wasn’t for lack of trying- because no matter how much he probed and prodded, Wanderer told him nothing of his past and hardly anything of his present. All he was ever able to squeeze out of his best friend was his status as a student. Recently enrolled, hand picked for Vahumana by the Dendro Archon herself.
And before he could even ask further, he was met with a stern that’s enough.
Naturally, it was not enough for Durin.
Now in his human form, Durin could have easily poked his nose where it didn’t belong. He hadn’t met them yet, but Wanderer mentioned a group of noisy individuals who bothered him for a drink every now and then…
But in the end, it was Wanderer’s wish to leave the topic be. If his past and present were truly something he didn't want Durin to poke his nose into, then Durin would respect that decision. Even if the curiosity was always there, just at the back of his mind.
Until one day, he stumbled upon something rather… strange.
Strange enough to pique his curiosity once more.
It was later in the evening, during one of the more mundane days. They’d spent the better part of the afternoon in the House of Daena, pouring themselves over textbooks and literature- well, trying to, in Durin’s case.
But, the second Wanderer started gathering their things and calling it a day, Durin practically pounced on the invitation Miss Nilou had set forth so many days ago. He laid it out, nice and to the point.
This time, with just the right insistence, Wanderer joined him for a trip to the Grand Bazaar.
Durin was ecstatic. He’d met Fairy Nilou- er, Miss Nilou- a number of times during his stay in Sumeru City, and every single time, she extended a warm invitation for both himself and Wanderer to enjoy one of her many performances.
He’d been unsuccessful in persuading Wanderer thus far, but now…
“This place is noisy.” Wanderer grumbled behind him, surely with a frown on his lips.
“Surely you knew that beforehand.” Durin smiled, pulling Wanderer through the throng of people. “You live here!”
Durin heard a huff from behind, but soon enough, he found them a nice spot near the front of the stage. A clear view, some nice wiggle room-
Perfect.
Together, side by side, Durin and Wanderer watched as Miss Nilou eventually took to the stage and flourished beneath the overhead lights.
It wasn’t Durin’s first time attending one of her shows, but Miss Nilou never failed to leave him mesmerized. Simply watching the way her limbs moved with grace, the way her clothes flowed beautifully around her in swift movements- even the music enchanted him, the vibrations of it nestling deep in his bones.
How long they’d stood there, frozen in the moment, Durin hardly knew. All he did know was that, when he took one quick peek at Wanderer as the musicians transitioned to another song, he found him looking not to the stage, but elsewhere…
Quite intently, too.
Durin stared at him for a beat, and when everyone around but them burst into hoots and applause, he knew Wanderer’s attention had been caught by something other than the performance.
Durin tried to look for himself, but nothing in particular stood out from that direction. It was simply masses of people shuffling about, going through the motions of their evening. Browsing fresh fruits, haggling on rugs and trinkets…
More applause. Another distinct switch in tune.
Still, Wanderer looked somewhere beyond the moment.
And just when Durin was about to ask what, other than the performance, caught his eye so intently, Wanderer tilted just a smidge towards him and said-
“I’ll be right back.”
Durin blinked, and before he knew it, Wanderer was gone.
Ah.
He would have loved to stay and see the following art of Miss Nilou’s performance, but Wanderer’s departure left quite a few questions in Durin’s head. Questions he… couldn’t shelf so easily this time.
Stepping away from the mesmerized audience, Durin took a look around the Grand Bazaar. Again, there was nothing out of the ordinary- but this time, he kept his eyes peeled for a distinct, intricate hat…
Only to find nothing. Not even a trace of his friend.
Archons. Wanderer was fast when he wanted to be.
Still, Durin stepped around the traffic. He knew the general direction in which Wanderer had been staring at, so he followed in its wake. Scanning his head this way and that, peeling his eyes for anything of note…
And before Durin knew it, he was stepping outside the stuffy interior of the marketplace, the sounds of his own boots now reaching his ears–
Only to quickly backtrack, having caught the adornings of Wanderer’s hat from the corner of his eyes.
Durin wasn’t sure why he hid, but the instinct served him well. Because in the following moment, just as he peered over the edge of the wall once more, Durin found a sight he definitely should not be eavesdropping on.
There, over by the hedges and potted roses, he saw… a man. Someone mysterious, someone he’d never laid eyes on before- someone positively towering over Wanderer.
A foreigner to Sumeru, if his clothes were anything to go by. Complete with a gray ensemble and unruly, auburn locks…
And while it was a little hard to tell, considering the man’s back was towards Durin- he was pretty sure this stranger was moving closer still. Stepping forward, leaning into Wanderer’s unmoving body-
Durin frowned, watching the way this stranger zeroed in. Leaning over his best friend, caging him between his mysterious self and the wall behind Wanderer.
And just when Durin was about ready to pounce from his hiding spot, the stranger moved. Not away, but shifted enough to give him the tiniest peek at Wanderer’s face.
Oh.
Past this stranger’s shoulder, Durin could just about see something his eyes had never seen before. Wanderer- he wasn’t glaring, nor pouting- but he was looking up, craning his neck in a vulnerable way he would never do to another. Eyes soft, softer than he’d ever seen on the elusive, usually stoic Wanderer.
It was odd, and Durin wondered for a moment if his eyes deceived him- but then, the stranger reached another hand out. This time somewhere lower, fingers brushing the hair out of Wanderer’s eyes before the sight disappeared from his view once more.
The last thing he noted was Wanderer's smile. Small and nearly unperceivable, but there nevertheless.
Ah. Durin understood, now. Wanderer wasn’t in trouble, nor was he looking for a way out of his current predicament…
He was simply enveloped closely with this man, oblivious to the bustle of Sumeru’s lively nightscape.
Durin still had his questions, but it would surely be rude to intrude. After all, Wanderer told him he’d return to the Grand Bazaar soon enough…
And now, with the tall figure completely obscuring Wanderer from his eyes, Durin decided it was time to head back. For both his and Wanderer’s sake.
Because even if he asked, Durin was absolutely positive Wanderer would tell him nothing of what had just transpired. Especially if he was caught snooping around…
So Durin forced himself to tear his eyes away, the sway of a deep-red scarf lingering in recesses of his mind.