Chapter Text
“For me?” Wise asked, dumbstruck as Orchidea handed him a bouquet of purple lilacs on the way out, the light dew on the petals glistening in the sunset’s rays as they both closed up for the day. Wise had been helping her out on one of his free days, as he found it relaxing and enjoyed making floral arrangements.
“Of course! Why else would I be handing it to you?” Orchidea chuckled, finding his wide eyes and dropped jaw quite amusing.
“Thank you, but you really didn’t need to–” Wise started before she interrupted to clear up the misunderstanding.
“Oh, they’re not from me, darling. Although I probably would’ve given you some flowers had someone not beat me to it. I think you deserve them.” Orchidea smirked, hiding the smile behind her hand. Wise’s eyes had only grown wider at the revelation.
“Can I ask w–who gave them to me?” Wise asked, bashful. He really wasn’t expecting such a nice arrangement out of the blue. It had to have been pretty pricey for the quality he received. He knew as much. The bouquet had been personally tended to by him throughout the day, after all. The leaves were vibrant, and each of the little flowers had been blooming quite well.
Orchidea pondered the question before snickering to herself and coming to an answer. “I think it’s more fun if I don’t tell you right away, no? Besides, I’m sure you already have an inkling~” Orchidea teased. “And anyway, I really must be going. I have my own flowers at home to tend to. I hope you take care of yours just as well. Make sure they stay healthy, okay? I’ll be seeing you, Wise~.”
They waved goodbye to each other as Orchidea turned towards the parking lot, leaving Wise still rooted in place outside the flower shop. He glanced down at the lilacs, considering who could have sent them and only really coming to one likely answer. He was the only friend who stopped by today. Only he could have done this, Wise thought.
The short drive home from Lumina Square felt hazy, the lilacs sitting on the passenger’s seat and taking up all of Wise’s thoughts. It was pretty difficult to accept being gifted flowers – he barely even knew what to do with the arrangements Orchidea sent with the occasional commission – but from someone like Lighter? If he wasn’t overthinking already, his mind was in overdrive now.
He pulled into the parking lot behind Random Play, grabbing the flowers with as much care as when he placed them down on the seat. The sun had already set, its soft light replaced by the dim, artificial lamps lighting the lot. When Wise looked down at the bouquet, though, it seemed as colorful as when he left the flower shop. He thought they’d quite brighten up his room. A soft smile graced his face as he grabbed his bag and made his way through the back door.
“Welcome home, Master.” Fairy greeted as the door closed behind Wise. 18 waved to him from behind the counter, the store having just closed for the day. He could hear a commotion coming from the back room, likely Belle messing with the stock again.
“Wise? You’re home already?” Belle called from the other room, voice muffled. He crossed the lobby, peeking in to greet his sister. He found her at the workbench, going over the day's sales and labeling the new stock, while Inky chased Eous in circles. Huh, guess that’s what the ruckus was.
Wise leaned on the corner of the sofa, watching his little sister try to focus while the little ones kept playing. She had been facing away from him, unable to notice that he had even walked in until both Inky and Eous stopped running around to curl up near Wise’s legs.
“Hey, Wise! How was–” Belle said as she swiveled around in the desk chair, words and eyes stopping as she made eye contact with Wise – more importantly, what was in his hands. “...work. What’s that?” Belle asked, raising her eyebrow and nodding towards the bouquet.
Completely forgetting about it, Wise followed her gaze down to the flowers. “Oh, these. They’re… from Orchidea,” Wise stated plainly. He wasn’t lying per se – she was the one who handed him the flowers – but they weren’t from her. Belle, ever perceptive, could tell there was more to Wise’s words than he let on.
“Why?” She asked, turning fully to face Wise.
“Uh, for a… job well done?” Wise lied (terribly). He wasn’t even sure why he felt the need to. There was nothing wrong with being gifted flowers from someone, even if it’s commonly associated with romance. But whether they were from Lighter or not, they couldn’t mean anything more than that. Even if they were, Wise wasn’t the romantic type. Which brings him back to the question of why am I lying?
“...uh-huh. Well, alright then. I think there should be a spare vase for them somewhere around here. Either in one of the lockers or the boxes upstairs. And try not to let them die like Orchidea’s last batch.” Belle said, giving Wise one last skeptical glance before dropping the subject and swiveling back around to finish up the stock. Wise scoffed at the remark, grateful for the subject change, but it didn’t stop a bead of sweat from dropping from his forehead under his sister’s scrutiny. He clutched the flowers a little tighter as he began to search through the lockers for a vase, finding a small one that he figured would just about fit them.
Wise kneeled to pet Inky before he turned to the door, vase in hand. Before he headed upstairs, he gave Belle one last glance. “Good night, Belle. You too, Fairy.” Belle waved at him in acknowledgment, with her back turned, returning the sentiment. “Oh, and those old bouquets were a group effort. And I’ve gotten much better with flowers, thank you very much.” Wise huffed out in a last laugh, exiting the room and barely missing the eraser Belle threw in retaliation.
When he got to his room, he placed the vase on the corner of the shelf, next to his bike. He thought it’d add a nice pop of color, and it’d be nice to look at every time he entered. It was a rustic metal pot that Orchidea had gifted them after Wise’s temporary management, and it contrasted well with the flowers and the other furniture. He didn’t have much else in his room other than the bamboo by his bed – it might be nice to get some more greenery in here, he thought – so it fit in quite well. In the back of his mind, it also reminded him of a dear friend he owed a visit to.
The next time Wise would see Lighter wouldn’t be for another few weeks; the two were busy with their own lives and didn’t really have any reason to schedule a meetup before that. That’s what Wise thought, anyway. He knew Lighter always had a lot on his plate as the champion of the Sons of Calydon, and Wise was always busy with proxy work. Outside of the commissions… they didn’t meet up much. The Outer Ring was too far from Sixth Street, hours' worth of travel that Wise didn’t think was necessary for two friends who weren’t that close. Although… now that he thinks about it, he does always look forward to his Outer Ring commissions. Every time he got to go past city limits, it felt like an adventure, especially with the motorcycle rides he’d take with Lighter while the girls hung out. It was… a nice change of pace. He felt different when he was with Lighter, happier maybe, more free-spirited than he usually allowed himself to be.
Maybe that’s just the desert heat talking. He was thinking too hard about it. He barely knew the man outside of the action, outside of the boisterous laughter at Burnice’s afterparties, or out of the late-night conversations and the moments where they’d enjoy each other's company in the silence–
“...se! Wise!” Belle snapped, having noticed his daydream-like state. Wise blinked himself back awake, not even noticing they’d already pulled into the area of Blazewood. He offered an apologetic glance towards Belle as he drove up to Cheesetopia and parked, Belle only returning a disapproving head shake.
“Sorry, Belle. You know how road trips get me, highway hypnosis and all.” He laughed awkwardly as Belle continued to scold him about road safety and attentiveness in the more dangerous parts of New Eridu.
“You’re lucky there weren’t any gangs trying to rob us. What if there was a pothole! I deserve some sort of emotional compensation for this, you know. Driving so carelessly with a terrified little sister in the passenger’s seat. Hmph, you should be ashamed.” Belle exaggerated, probably to drive the point home, but more likely trying to get Wise to offer to treat her to noodles later if he had to guess. Her fake sobs weren’t fooling him this time.
Just as he was about to call her out, a voice called out to them from around the corner.
“Well, if it isn’t my favorite managers,” Lighter said, sauntering up to them with a wide grin on his face. He looked happy to see them. Wise guessed he probably looked much the same, if the way his heart picked up when they locked eyes was anything to go by. “How are you two? The drive here wasn’t too bad, I hope?”
Belle opened her mouth to rant to Lighter all over again, but Wise beat her to it. “The drive was just fine. Belle’s just being overdramatic and trying to get free food out of me.” He chuckled, barely looking in her direction but feeling the holes she was glaring into him nonetheless. He knew he’d pay for it later, but seeing Lighter laugh along with him made it worth it.
“You two–! Hmph, see how funny it is when I grab the other 4 and make them side with me. It’s nice to see you, though, Lighter. Wise has been looking forward to this ever since Caesar called.” She snickered, enjoying the way Wise’s eyes widened in shock and the blush forming on his face. Belle took that as victory enough and bid farewell to the pair, Lighter waving her off as Wise wallowed in his embarrassment. He hoped Lighter didn’t notice.
“So, excited to be here, huh? I think it’s cool that you can follow us into the Hollow. I’ve been meaning to show you my moves in person. It’s been too long, Wise.” Lighter teased, nudging his shoulder as he moved to sit next to Wise on the hood of their car. Wise smiled fondly, leaning on the hood next to him. “How’s my favorite proxy been?” Lighter grinned.
Wise was still coming down from the embarrassment, but he was glad Lighter was who he was – he was just so… easy to talk to, casual at all the right times. Wise hoped Lighter didn’t take Belle’s words the wrong way. Or… was Wise the only one reading it wrong? This was going to be their first in-person hollow with Calydon – that’s what he should be excited for, so why did Wise think about…
He looked at Lighter and found the man already staring – admiring? – him. “I’ve been good. It’s nice to be back in Blazewood after spending so much time at Waifei Peninsula. I feel more comfortable here, I think. I don’t know if it’s because it’s quieter or if…” He snuck a glance at Lighter. “... never mind. I think it’s just because I’ve known Blazewood longer. You’ll show me around the Hollow, too, right?” Wise bumped his shoulder against Lighter’s arm, and he thought he caught a glimpse of Lighter’s ears turning red, but it was probably the heat.
Lighter cleared his throat, laughing it off. “Yeah, yeah. I’m pretty sure you’re still the expert in the hollows, though, and there’s not much in there that doesn’t look the same as the rest of the Outer Ring. But hey, anything for you, Wise. If you wanna drive around the hollows, I’ll be glad to take you.” Lighter’s pinkie twitched, magnetizing itself towards Wise’s own but holding itself back. Wise didn’t notice – couldn’t – not when his brain was still catching up with the implication of Lighter’s words.
Anything for you, Wise.
“Hey, Lighter, I have a question,” Wise had to ask; he had to confirm his suspicions about Lighter gifting him the lilacs. He secretly hoped he was right, but he’d rather be wrong and not deal with what came after if it was Lighter. The rational part of his brain said it wouldn’t matter, but recently, thinking about Lighter never made it to rationality. He didn’t know what it was. “About when you stopped by the flower shop–”
“Yo, Wise! Ready to get this show on the road?” Caesar’s booming voice rang from down the road, followed by a bunch of greetings from the rest of the Calydon girls. He’d have to ask Lighter later, he supposed, although he didn’t realize how tense he was until the girls came around and distracted them both from the conversation. Was he that afraid to ask?
“Ready as I’ll ever be. A little nervous, actually. I’ve never dealt with miasma without the help of the temple. I’m surprised it’s popped up in your neck of the woods.” Wise stood up from where he was leaning on the car, too afraid to look at Lighter with how his thoughts were running wild, and instead focused on the commission ahead.
“Right, should be pretty routine if your initial observations of the miasma haven’t changed much. Simple in and out commission for you and Lighter. Me ‘n the girls will be on standby if the situation gets any worse.” She walked up and slapped Wise on the back in encouragement, forgetting her own strength and almost toppling him over. If it were any time before his training, he probably would’ve eaten dirt.
Lighter snuck up behind him and put his arms around Wise’s shoulder, anchoring him in place. Wise was pretty sure the man could feel when he tensed up, but he hoped he didn’t catch how Wise immediately relaxed into his arm. If he did, he had a damn good poker face.
“Don’t cha worry, Wise. I won’t let anything happen to you, alright?” Lighter ruffled his hair with his free hand, Wise’s eyes scrunching up in faux annoyance. If anything, Wise’s bright eyes and his soft huff of laughter that followed meant he enjoyed the contact. It was strange how natural it felt.
Wise ran through the details of the payment with Caesar, refusing to let her negotiate the payment higher than what they deserved (Caesar would force Belle to pocket the difference between Wise’s highest and her lowest, hoping he wouldn’t notice). He and Lighter set off not long after, the taller man guiding Wise to his bike with his arm still around his shoulder. It felt… comfortable? No, that wasn’t the word. He’d figure it out later, Wise thought.
The drive to the hollow wasn’t too far, but it was still long enough that they could have time to themselves to have an uninterrupted conversation. Wise had been hugging Lighter’s waist tight so that he wouldn’t fly off, even if he noticed that Lighter always rode slower with Wise in the backseat compared to his usual speed.
“I never did get to ask how you’ve been, Lighter.” Wise lifted his head from where it was stuck to Lighter’s jacket, resting his chin on Lighter’s shoulder as he awaited his response. Lighter’s back was always so warm; it was nice whenever he got to ride on his bike and hold onto him like this. Was that weird? It should be, right? It didn’t feel weird with Lighter, Wise thought.
“Been about the same. Same old business with the local gangs and the unusual errand from the girls. No new scars for you to fuss over, though. Proud of me? Takin’ better care of myself just for ya, Wise.” Lighter grinned, smiling at him in the reflection of the side view mirror. Wise smiled back, actually happy to see that Lighter wasn’t bandaged, that he was more careful at Wise’s request. It was a strange sort of pride to see that Lighter was actively listening to him and taking his advice.
“I am. Actually noticed when we first got here, even if I didn’t say anything.” Wise chuckled.
“What if I was hiding it from you?” Lighter joked.
Wise tilted his head towards Lighter, raising an eyebrow with a smile. “You wouldn’t do that. You basically run over to me every time I visit the Outer Ring to tell me all about your latest battle scars. You know, I think you like it when I fuss over you.” He teased.
“Maybe I do. What would you do if I said I had a new one now?” Lighter said.
“Hmm. I think I’d make you pull over this motorcycle right now and show me.” Wise teased.
Lighter laughed at that. “Well then, Doctor Wise, I’ll have to come to you next time I get a boo-boo so you can make it all better, shouldn’t I?” He joked childishly.
Wise… didn’t know how to respond to that. It was just a light-hearted joke, right? So why did it feel so much more… intimate? He must’ve been doing a terrible job at hiding his thoughts, though, because Lighter’s smile turned into an awkward frown as he realized the joke didn’t land the way he wanted it to.
Wise wouldn’t let him think he’d said anything wrong, though, so he had to say something before Lighter had the opportunity to take his words back. It was actually kind of sweet, what he said, in Lighter’s own cute way. Wait, focus, Wise!
“Did you give me those purple lilacs on the day you came in?” Wise blurted out.
He’d meant to ask the question at some point, but he just didn’t expect to blurt it out during the awkward silence. Wise pointedly avoided looking at Lighter, afraid of what his face would look like or how strange a question it must’ve been. All he could do now was wait for an answer. Although I think jumping off a moving motorcycle would be less painful, Wise thought.
“Yeah. That was me.” Lighter said after what felt like forever. It was so matter-of-fact that it caught Wise off guard, like it was so simple and hadn’t had Wise overthinking since the day he received them. Wise still couldn’t bring himself to look at Lighter, though, and it was a small mercy on both of their parts. Neither would’ve been able to handle making the ride even more awkward.
But… Wise had to know. “Why?” he asked, softer than he meant to.
“Would you believe me if I said I jus’ felt like it? Figured I was already there, and I remember you sayin’ you liked pretty flowers. Thought it’d be a nice surprise for you, seeing as it’s been a while since we spent Settlement Days together.” Lighter said simply. Wise couldn’t tell what the man was feeling based on voice alone, and he didn’t think it’d help to look at him either. Those sunglasses of his always held so many secrets. He opted instead to admire the scenery, finding peace in it as he searched for a response.
There were so many more questions Wise had, so many more thoughts swirling around in his head because of the man he was holding on to. He wanted to know if Lighter was hiding more than he let on, if there was a deeper meaning, if this was a one-time thing, or if it set a precedent for more between them, how he felt–
Wise didn’t understand any of it.
“Well, you were right – they are very pretty. They add a nice touch to my room, I think. Thank you, Lighter.” Wise said softly, trying and failing to clear his mind. He gave a slight squeeze around Lighter’s stomach, hoping it conveyed the notion of a hug across, even if he’d already been clinging onto him for the better half of an hour.
“Ahem. No problem, Wise. Glad you like ‘em.” Lighter said, sounding a little embarrassed. He didn’t say much after that, clearly hesitant and in his own head about how to respond. Wise didn’t notice; his own overthinking made up for the silence.
“Hey, Wise?” Lighter asked with a sudden, serious tone in his voice.
“Yeah?”
“We’re almost there. And…” He started, his face stone-cold with a hint of… grief, Wise thought.
“I need you to promise me that you’ll keep yourself safe. It’s not that I think you can’t handle yourself – hell, I think you’re more than capable even if you are a little scrawny,” Lighter chuckled, “...it’s just, I don’t think I could stand seeing you hurt. I don’t think Belle would forgive me, either. If anything dangerous happens, let me handle it. Promise me that, and then you can fuss over me all you want if I happen to get hurt, alright?” Lighter glanced back towards Wise, his expression sincere and a little… hurt, Wise noticed. He’d known about Lighter’s past – at least, the bare minimum of it – but he knew this meant more to him than he showed, more than just keeping Wise safe.
“Yeah. Yeah, of course, Lighter. I won’t leave your sight, promise. It’s probably more likely that I’ll hurt myself by tripping on a weed than from an ethereal while the mighty Red Scarf is around.” Wise giggled, sending a reassuring smile Lighter’s way that conveyed all of the trust Wise had in him. It was nice, knowing he had someone to rely on other than himself and Belle. He had other people to lean on, of course, Void Hunters amongst the ranks. But with Lighter… it felt more personal, no, intimate. Lighter protected his people with his whole being; he’d fight to the death for the people he considered family, even more than he’d fight for himself. It felt like Wise was included in that, too.
Wise gave him a reassuring squeeze as he was hugging Lighter’s waist, pressing himself tightly against the man. He wanted Lighter to know that he’d be by his side the whole time, that he wouldn’t let himself get in trouble lest Lighter blame himself for it. He felt warm hugging Lighter like this, Wise thought. He pressed his cheek against Lighter’s back and let his eyes close as he reveled in the warmth.
The commission was going according to plan, though the miasma found itself a little deeper than they had originally anticipated. Lighter and Wise used the extra time to talk about anything on their minds – small stories from their adventures away from each other, small and familiar quips that Wise found easy to make with the man, and sometimes just comfortable silence. It wasn’t until they got closer to the source that Wise felt a subtle difference that could just be the butterflies in his stomach talking, but this felt more… dreadful. Lighter must’ve noticed it immediately, in the way Wise slowed down and his bright smile faltered, just slightly.
“Wise? Somethin’ wrong?” Lighter asked, hints of worry in his voice. He slowed down to match Wise’s pace and scanned the area, his senses on high alert. Wise couldn’t see them, but he found comfort in Lighter’s guard dog-like behavior. Cute.
He shook the thought away, along with the original dread. “It’s nothing, Lighter. Probably just the Ether or the motion sickness catching up to me. Thanks for looking out for me, though.” Wise offered a sincere smile.
“Jus’ doin’ my job, proxy.” Lighter shot back a cocky smirk, lighting up at the acknowledgment from the man.
“Don’t go getting a big head about it. Just glad to have you around to watch my back, is all.” Wise said, turning his head to glance at Lighter. “But… it was a little funny to see you on high alert for nothing. You’re awfully protective, aren’t you? Thought you’d be a little more nonchalant, being the champion of the Outer Ring and all...” Wise giggled.
Lighter’s smirk faltered at that, caught off guard at Wise’s quip. He looked embarrassed, Wise thought, and it was always a silent victory whenever he was able to break Lighter’s tough guy act.
“Hey, I’ve never dealt with this miasma stuff, alright? Can ya blame a guy for being a little cautious in new territory? ‘M sure you can tell me all about it though, seein’ as you’re the brains of the operation, aren’t ya?” Lighter quickly recovered, the smugness sneaking its way back onto his face. He was a master at throwing back what Wise gave him sometimes, which he supposes is a symptom of how much time they spent together while the girls grouped up on their trips to the Outer Ring.
“You’re such a flatterer, you know that? But don’t worry about it, this miasma shouldn’t be much different than what you’re used to. It’s the stuff in the Lemnian hollow where it gets weird, all… mind manipulation and illusions and clones and stuff. This one is fairly new, so I doubt it’ll be able to do much damage.” Wise gave Lighter a reassuring smile, even if his words didn’t bring the man much comfort. All it did, in fact, was make Lighter infinitely more curious.
“Sorry, did you just say clones? Gee, Wise, remind me to cancel my visit to Waifei Peninsula. Some creepy stuff goin’ on there, huh?” Lighter joked.
“Oh, please. If I can survive, I’m sure you’ll be just fine. You’re a big, strong man. My friend Manato would give you a run for your money, I’m sure. I’d bet on you, though, don’t worry.” Wise winked.
“Who’s the flatterer now?” Lighter smirked, turning his head slightly towards Wise and sending him a cocky glance.
“Watch it, Lighter. Now that I’m thinking about it, maybe Manato’s build would give him an advantage…” Wise tilted his head, faking the consideration just to get a reaction out of Lighter. He was always easy to rile up.
“You wound me, Wise. I can’t believe my best friend has no faith in my fighting skills.” Lighter clutched his hand over his heart and pulled the deepest frown he could onto his face, turning away from Wise in exaggeration.
Wise could only laugh at the display. “Don’t be like that, Lighter. Look, here’s your chance to prove me wrong, okay? Show me that you’re somethin’ worth betting on.”
Wise noticed a group of ethereals in the clearing ahead of them – not too agitated or strong, but definitely in the way – and Wise secretly was hoping there’d be a way for him to see Lighter in action like he’d been bragging about the whole way here. It was mesmerizing to watch him fight, even from Eous’ point of view. It’d probably be even more admirable in person.
Lighter’s frown turned into a smirk as he looked between the ethereals and Wise. “No problem, my prince. Find a nice place to see your knight in shining armor in action, won’t ya?”
Lighter sauntered over to the arena as Wise found a ledge on a nearby cliff that gave him a clear view. He sat down and got comfortable before he gave Lighter the okay – a little shimmy before he held two thumbs up – and leaned back to enjoy the show with an excited smile.
Lighter all but sprang into action when he received the signal. He looked determined to show off to Wise – sprinting at the ethereals and swiftly dancing around the projectiles that they hurled at him. He delivered hard punches to the cores of the runts before ducking under the hard punches of the elites, all while sneaking glances at Wise to make sure he was watching. He was, obviously – how could he not? Lighter was hypnotizing to look at on the battlefield, effortlessly drawing attention just from his presence.
The more they made eye contact, the more Wise’s chest tightened. It was unfair how easily Lighter was able to do that to him. He hated how feeble he felt in the man's presence. He hated what it meant even more. He’d watched enough romance films to know the signs of liking someone. The way he was always thinking about Lighter and how he cherished his moments with the other man more than anyone else – save for Belle – felt like more than just friendship. He wasn’t… prepared for that, though. This was wildly unfamiliar territory for him, and he’d rather not deal with it at all than have to face it head-on. Especially since it’d be something Belle would pester him about, something where he’d need to have so many conversations he didn’t want to have. He hoped it was just the desert heat or the hollow messing with his head and that it would pass in a couple of days. Best to just play it safe for now, though, Wise.
Soon enough, the fight was over. Lighter handled the relatively weak ethereals with ease and made no effort to hide how cocky he was about it as he strolled up to the ledge where Wise was perched.
“Enjoy the show, Wise?” Lighter smirked, resting his elbow on the ledge next to Wise and turning towards the man. Wise just dangled his legs and laughed at Lighter’s ego. He came to realize how much he liked Lighter’s appetite for showing off in front of him. Knowing what he knows now, though, it did bring a slight flush to his face.
“It wasn’t anything special. But I will say, it’s ten times more enjoyable than watching it from two feet off the ground through a camera. Much more detail with the real thing.” Wise looked down as he said it, unable to hide his smile as he admitted it to Lighter.
After a couple of seconds of awkward silence, Wise cleared his throat and hopped down to the ground in front of him. Lighter instinctively held out a hand to help him down, but was a second too late. “We should… get back to what we came here for. The miasma shouldn’t be too far now, and I think you already attracted and took care of every ethereal in the area, so…”
“Right. Yeah, the miasma. Kind of, uh, forgot about that. After you, then.” Lighter said after an awkward chuckle, gesturing for Wise to lead the way.
An awkward silence followed them, lingering in the aftermath of the fight. Wise was still too preoccupied with his feelings, while Lighter focused on the road ahead of them, though Wise wasn’t sure if he was simply scanning for potential threats or if Lighter was in his own head again, unsure how to break the silence. Wise wished he knew, but between him and Belle, he was always the weakest in awkward situations.
He was snapped out of the trance when Lighter nudged him in the shoulder. His head immediately snapped up, his senses on high alert, only to find that Lighter had stopped and turned to face him. Another one of his signature smirks decorated his face, the same one that had captured Wise’s attention not even 10 minutes ago. He could only wonder what the man was up to now.
“Whatcha got there, Lighter? Didn’t take out another group of ethereals while I was distracted, did you?” Wise leaned forward, attempting to get a glance at what Lighter was holding behind him, though the sheer build of the man before him obstructed most of the view without effort. Not that I’m complaining, Wise thought silently, admiring the way Lighter’s jacket stretched around his shoulders and his shirt tightened around his waist–
Lighter presented a flower in front of Wise, breaking him out of his daydreams. He observed the solitary blossom in front of him – the shimmering pink petals and the glowing purple stamens creating a hypnotizing swirl of color in his eyes. Lighter looked just as hypnotized as Wise did, though it wasn’t the flower he was admiring, not that Wise had noticed.
“Thought you might like it. Been in these hollows a long time and I ain’t ever seen anythin’ like it. But, uh, you’ve probably seen a hundred more like it. Gah, I really didn’t think this through–” Lighter rushed to explain, his hands scrambling to find something to do to hide his nervousness.
“It’s nice, Lighter. It’s… really, I’ve never seen anything like it either. Back at the Lemnian hollow, there are lots of mutated-looking plants, but a flower like this is… it’s…” It’s making me feel things that I don’t know what to do with.
“... ethereal.” Lighter stated plainly.
“Yeah, it’s–”
“Wise, ethereal!”
Wise was pushed to the side, hitting the ground as Lighter blocked a blow from an ethereal that had snuck up behind them. Sparks flew from the impact, and sand kicked up underneath Lighter as he was pushed back, his stance attempting to find purchase on the uneven ground beneath him. A Thracian dripping in miasma grinded its spear against Lighter’s gauntlets, stuck in between the cross of his arms.
Lighter kept stealing glances over at Wise, trying to ensure he was okay at the risk of losing focus on the threat in front of him. It was stupid, he knew, but apparently, Wise’s safety was more important than his own. As it stood, though, Wise couldn’t do anything to fight against a threat this large, hoping only that he could get out and find help before Lighter got too in over his head.
Wise knew that Lighter could take this thing on alone, but he wasn’t going to take any chances. Not with him. Not before he can figure out his feelings.
“Lighter, I’m gonna try to contact the girls, just– stay safe!” Wise called out, trying to get Lighter’s attention.
“Wise, wait–! I’ve got it– grh–” Lighter turned his head towards the other boy, though it cost him a couple of inches of ground as the Thracian took advantage of the distraction. The lines of his face creased as he resigned himself to focusing his full attention on the ethereal, not sparing even a second to check on Wise despite just how much he wanted to. “Just– be quick and stay safe!”
“I will, Lighter. Promise.” Wise turned tail and ran as fast as he could, determined not to let Lighter suffer. The Carrot data told him an exit fissure should be somewhere around here, just up the road, past the abandoned gas station, and…
…past the giant garden?
Wise skid to a halt, lest he be entangled by the sprawling vines covering the ground. Greenery covered the scene before him, completely overpowering the usual orange dust of the Outer Ring. There had been a colossal array of flora surrounding the area, not unlike the vegetation in the Lemnian hollow. This, though, seemed ten times larger, and if he hadn’t known better, looked like it’d rooted itself in this spot for years. He wondered, then, how such a relatively recent problem had grown to this scale, or how he hadn’t felt the suffocating miasma from a mile away.
At the center of it all was a flower, adorned with white petals taller than Wise, pulsating and oozing miasma into a pool just below, nourishing the smaller plants and vines. The forgotten flower in his hand reacted in kind to the ecosystem before him, pulling him like a magnet towards the heart of the oasis. What was I doing again…? Abandoning his previous mission, Wise marched towards the center, where the flower was calling to him, singing to him, in a voice that sounded much huskier and gruff than he expected of such a graceful being.
“Hey there, handsome,” came a sultry voice from behind him. Wise twisted his head at lightning speed, recognizing the voice near instantly.
“Lighter! Are you okay? You’re not hurt, are you? Not hiding any injuries from me? You promised you’d let me check you over if anything happened.” Wise worried, but the relief at seeing him safe overpowered any lingering worry.
Wise didn’t quite know when Lighter had gotten here, didn’t think he’d take down the Thracian this quickly. Then again, well, it was Lighter. Wise smiled; Lighter always found new ways to surprise him. He didn’t look too injured, nor had he looked like the Thracian put up much of a fight. Wise checked him thrice over just to be sure.
Lighter oozed confidence as he strode over to where Wise was standing, never once breaking eye contact. “Relax, proxy. You know I’d never let myself go that easy. I’m right here, better than ever, see?” Lighter spun around, even stripping himself of his jacket and throwing it across his shoulder, to let Wise give him a once-over.
Wise couldn’t quite hide his redness, given how… seductive the move had been. Lighter had to have known what he was doing, right?
“Checkin’ me out, baby? I’m all good, see? No need to keep ogling me with those gorgeous eyes of yours.” Lighter stepped up, leaving hardly an inch of space between their bodies as he stood over Wise. Wise could tell Lighter was staring– no, glaring at him through his sunglasses. It felt more intense than it usually did, more piercing, more like he was dissecting him.
Lighter snaked a hand up to Wise’s cheek, caressing his face as he began to close the distance between them, his thumb rubbing against the corner of Wise’s lips, but it felt… cold. It lacked Lighter’s signature heat, his usual tenderness, his usual shyness that he only showed when it was just the two of them. This isn’t right, this isn’t… this…
This isn’t Lighter.
Sensing the realization, Not-Lighter wrapped its arm around Wise, limbs elongating and wrapping around him like a constrictor. Wise squeezed his eyes shut in time with the suffocating limbs, his body and face tensing up in pain. He felt his body being lifted off the ground, the constricting limbs being supported by new ones that wrapped around his feet and his hands. As he opened his eyes, he realized that Not-Lighter had been a mirage, a side effect of the miasma, and all that had been left in its wake had been a mess of vines sprouting from the flower that Wise’d been holding in his hand.
He looked down, then, and noticed he’d been suspended in mid-air, directly above the flower in the center of the oasis, which from here looked like it’d been famished and about ready to swallow him whole. There wasn’t much he could do but accept his fate. Although he supposed it wouldn’t hurt to try.
Wise used the muscle he’d built from training (which was actually more than Belle would insist, by the way!) and managed to wriggle a hand free, which… he wasn’t quite sure what to do with. He began grabbing at the vines around him, attempting to pull them apart to at least allow for some breathing room, but it only agitated the vines and made them squeeze tighter. A strangled wheeze escaped Wise at the sudden sensation, but he wasn’t – he couldn’t – give up yet. He didn’t want to be another damsel in distress for Lighter to save, and he certainly didn’t want to end up dead. He only knows what that would do to the people close to him.
Eous would miss him dearly. Inky would, too. They always loved to curl up around Wise, annoying him when he was busy – though it never, never bothered him. Never seeing their adorable little faces again would be one of his biggest regrets.
Belle… he didn’t want to think about what would happen to Belle. He couldn’t imagine his happy-go-lucky sister in such a serious situation; the joy sucked out of her at the loss of the only person she could ever rely on. He’d thought about it before – more often than he should’ve, he realized – during his regular insomnia-induced nights. And it always hurt to imagine, more so because he knew this line of work would get one of them killed one day, and, well, Wise supposed that day was today.
Lighter, though… Lighter would never forgive himself. Wise hated that he broke their promise, hated that the one time he told Lighter he was strong enough to go into a hollow with him, he went and got himself killed. And Wise knew what kind of person Lighter was, having known about the experience he’d already had with losing loved ones. It happened quietly during one of their late-night excursions. Both of them were particularly vulnerable that night, opening up to each other about their pasts, truly getting to understand one another. If Wise could pinpoint the exact moment he considered Lighter one of his favorite people in the world, he’d probably chalk it up to that night.
Which is why he knew this would destroy him. He couldn’t be the reason Lighter went through something like that again. He had always blamed himself for the death of his old friends, even though they both knew it wasn’t entirely his fault. And this… He’d blame himself for letting Wise run off, for deciding to trust Wise’s ability to protect himself. He’d blame himself for even letting Wise set even one foot into the hollow.
But then, what could he do? He was helpless – his attempts to free himself only made it worse, and with no one around to help him…
No. Even if anyone had been around, he was dangling over this plant that would do who knows what to him, ready to drop him at any second, leaving Wise wondering why it hadn’t already done so. He just… hoped it’d happen quietly. Hoped Lighter wouldn’t be around to watch it happen.
I’m sorry, Lighter. I wish I were stronger for you.
Wise closed his eyes. Faintly, he could hear the distressed yells of a man. He supposed it could only be Lighter, but he didn’t get to hear much else before he felt the vines loosen, sending him into a free fall as the flower’s petals folded around him.
“...ter, he’ll be fine, the doctors said…”
“...dn’t see what I saw! They have to do another test…”
“Lighter … overreacting …”
“I’M NOT OVERREACTING!”
Wise stirred awake at the commotion, the distinct sounds of a heart rate monitor in the background grounding him in the midst of what seemed to be an argument. He shuffled in the bed he was in, eyes slowly blinking awake but sensitive to the bright white of the hospital. He’d heard heavy footsteps marching towards him before he could fully open his eyes, though, and ultimately it was the tightest hug he’d ever received that shocked him awake.
And when Wise meant the tightest, he meant the tightest. He almost couldn’t breathe – no, he couldn’t breathe. It felt like his lungs had shrunk to half their size, which had Wise wheezing and clawing for air to flow through his diaphragm again. He tried to push the body off of him, but god, they were heavy. Strong, too, almost like–
…like the vines. Which… no, couldn’t be right. He was in a hospital, which had to have meant he’d made it out, but then… why did he have no wounds? Was it real or just a hallucination from the miasma…? Was this a hallucination?
The person loosened their grip immediately once they noticed Wise’s discomfort, but they still silently held on as closely as they could.
Wise took a deep breath, finally able to make use of his lungs again.“Is this… real?” Wise asked, his voice weaker and hoarser than he expected it to sound. He hoped it was just a side effect from recently waking up and not a sign of something more serious.
“Yeah… yeah, it’s real,” mumbled the man who was currently wrapped around him, who Wise could only recognize as Lighter. He felt stupid for not realizing it sooner – the warmth and the odd smell of smoke and leather with just a touch of cologne that was so uniquely Lighter.
And Lighter just… held him. Didn’t say anything after that, didn’t even move except to squeeze Wise just to make sure he was still there. Still breathing. And he was, of course, if not for some miracle that had saved him from the brink of death, assuming he had nearly been dropped to his demise.
“Ahem,” came a voice from behind Lighter – Belle, Wise identified, hard not to know the voice of the sister that’s been nagging him his whole life – that sounded slightly impatient in her usual, cheeky demeanor. “Can I have a turn with my own brother now, Lighter?”
Wise easily picked up that there was no bark behind her bite. In fact, he figured he heard a bit of teasing and.. fondness in her tone, and he hoped she wasn’t thinking what he thought she was thinking. Belle was way more of a romantic than Wise had ever been, more than he could ever be, actually.
“Right, sorry. Family should’ve gone first.” Lighter cleared his throat as he retreated, sounding sheepish as he tried to laugh it off. Wise missed the warmth almost immediately, but the smile on his face from just… watching Lighter look like a kicked puppy made up for it.
With Lighter out of the way, though, Wise could finally see where he was and take in his surroundings. He’d been in a hospital room, that much was obvious. One he recognized, too, just a few minutes away from Lumina Square, which… must have meant whatever happened to him was serious enough to warrant a trip to the biggest medical center in New Eridu. He knew there was a perfectly good clinic in the middle of Blazewood – he frequented it just as much as any of the Sons of Calydon did, if only to dote on Lighter after every commission. People didn’t come to the New Eridu Medical Center unless they lived in the area or were in serious condition.
Explains the flowers, he supposed. Plenty of bouquets that he presumed came from the people he’s met along the way. He’d seen some signed by name, like a large bouquet with a signed photo of the Sixth Street vendors (including a paw from Howl, aww!). There was one from Orchidea, clearly, with all the most extravagant and expensive flowers you could find this side of New Eridu. If he had to guess, the more exotic flowers seemed to come from Waifei Peninsula, and he wondered if it was from Suibian Temple or Spook Shack. He hoped it was from both, or that there was another bouquet that held the other’s name. And of course, it was hard to miss the number of bouquets that didn’t seem to have cards attached – likely from the more… eccentric friends he had that would raise more than a few eyebrows if anyone noticed.
And the flowers were nice and all, but… considering the circumstances that got him here, he’d rather avoid looking at too many of them for the time being.
He shifted his attention to Belle, who had swapped places with Lighter and sat on the edge of his hospital bed. He couldn’t help but notice how hard she was trying to stay positive. She had a smile on her face, obviously happy that he woke up, but she just looked so tired. Wise knew she was hard to stress, always being the optimist to his pessimist, so seeing her like this… it only hurt knowing he was the one who caused it.
God, imagine Lighter–
Nope, not the time to focus on your crush – is that what he is? – when your sister is right in front of you and has been worried out of her mind. He’ll focus on Lighter’s feelings later.
Belle didn’t say anything at first, just stared at Wise before she grabbed onto his hand and squeezed. It didn’t take long for her dam to burst, though, and all of a sudden, tears were streaming down her face, and she leaned her head on his shoulder and hugged him. It wasn’t as physically tight as Lighter’s had been, but this one tugged more at his heart than it did his lungs. He couldn’t bear seeing her break down – he was glad it didn’t happen often – because it always caused a chain reaction. He wrapped his arms around Belle and cried with her, letting his emotions finally catch up with him. He was alive. He hadn’t even had time to think of all the things he’d regret, or the people that he’d miss, but none of it mattered because he was here and he was alive.
They held each other silently until their tears dried. They didn’t say anything during the embrace, but they didn’t need to. Twin telepathy, or something like that…
He heard the door to his hospital room swing open, bringing both siblings’ attention to the doctor who had just walked in. Finally, Wise sighed in relief. I can get some sort of explanation as to how I’m here.
“Ah, Mr. Arna. I see you’re finally awake,” He smiled, glancing down at the clipboard detailing Wise’s condition. Good news, then, Wise hoped. Unless he was about to sandwich some bad news in between it. The doctor nodded to Belle, who moved to the chairs in the corner along with Lighter in response. Wise tensed himself as the doctor prepared to speak, hoping for the best but preparing for the worst.
“I’m Dr. Winslet. I’ve been overseeing your treatment and recovery. It’s nice to finally meet you, Wise. You have a great deal of loved ones who have been wishing for your speedy return. These two, especially,” He gestured to Lighter and Belle sitting in the corner, a smile forming on Belle’s face and a fluster on Lighter’s. “They haven’t dared to leave the hospital since your arrival three days ago.”
“Three days?!” Wise sputtered out in shock, unaware he’d been comatose for nearly half a week. It’d been so much worse than he thought.
“Ah, my apologies. Didn’t mean to frighten you. How much do you remember, exactly?” Dr. Winslet said calmly, trying hopefully to fill in the gaps in Wise’s memories. He grabbed a rolling chair from nearby, pulling it up to Wise’s bedside and analyzing his notes recounting Wise’s condition.
Wise sat up, adjusting his gown as he racked his brain to fill in the gaps in his memory, with little success. “Um, I remember leaving Lighter to go get help, then stumbling across this giant flower garden, and there being this… thick miasma. I knew something was wrong, but it was just luring me in and I- I wasn’t strong enough to fight its pull.”
Dr. Winslet writes as Wise speaks, though Wise isn’t exactly sure what he gleams from this conversation. “Right, and the miasma… did it manifest through hallucinations or did it perhaps take a physical form?”
Well, that Wise definitely remembered. He glanced at Lighter out of the corner of his eye, unable to forget how uncanny the miasma’s resemblance to him had been, how… convincing it’d been. But that doppelganger hadn’t been like Lighter at all, had it? It’d just been Wise’s fantasy – which, eugh, Wise had to find a better word that didn’t make him sound like a creep – of Lighter, at least subconsciously, Wise hoped. Seductive Lighter wasn’t something he was ready to think about.
He would rather die than admit any of that to anyone, much less to a medical professional with the subject of the conversation right in the room.
“I just, uh, saw someone I thought I recognized. Turned out to be a trick, though, and then I got stuck in the vines.” Wise lied, hoping he sounded convincing. He’d persuade the doctor and Lighter, Belle… not so much. Oh well, he’d just have to hope she wouldn’t say anything later. Besides, he wasn’t completely lying.
Dr. Winslet hums in acknowledgement. “I’m told here by Mr. Lorenz that, when he found you, you were dangling above the flower shortly before you were dropped inside it. Is that when you blacked out, or do you remember anything before or after that?”
“Yeah, that’s when I passed out. The last thing I remember was… was hearing someone – Lighter – yelling, and then I dropped. It was suffocating me pretty hard once I was in its grasp, and– and at that point I’d had… I’d had no way out.” Wise scrunched up the gown in his lap, trying not to feel so guilty about the whole thing.
Wise took a deep breath, trying to recenter himself and avoid dampening the mood even further. He didn’t want the tension to suffocate him, either.
“A-anyway. That’s all I remember. I don’t know what happened from then ‘til now. Sorry if it wasn’t much help.” Wise plastered a smile back onto his face – at least as much of one as he could muster – and turned back to Dr. Winslet, deliberately avoiding the looks Lighter and Belle might have on their faces.
“Ah, no need to apologize. It was plenty helpful.” Dr. Winslet placed his clipboard on a nearby cart and cleared his throat. “Now, before you ask any questions, it’s only fair that we fill you in on what happened. Is that okay with you?”
Wise nodded, bracing himself and grasping at whatever information he could get.
“Right. And just so you know, this is all from Mr. Lorenz’s account of events. After you passed out, you were indeed dropped into the flower and swallowed.” Dr. Winslet paused, looking to Wise to gauge his reaction. Wise seemed steeled, so he continued. “Strangely, though, it spat you right back out. Mr. Lorenz here evacuated both of you as soon as he could, and you were both brought straight back here. It doesn’t seem like you’ve experienced any negative side effects of the miasma, other than the three-day coma, and we’ve monitored you since then. Our tests show you have faint traces of corruption, but that should subside with proper care over the next week.”
Wise’s shoulders slumped in relief and, strangely, disappointment. That was… kind of underwhelming. He kind of expected some big, heroic recount from Lighter, where he leaped 50 feet off the ground to catch Wise as he fell or punched the flower open to save him. This works too, though – he wouldn’t want to win the triage battle and be in this hospital any longer than he needed to.
“Thanks, Dr. Winslet. It’s good to know there’s nothing seriously wrong. I assume I’m good to be discharged today, then?” Wise asked.
“Yup. I can order your discharge and prescribe your medicine as soon as we’re done here, and we can have you out within the next hour. Any questions or concerns?” Dr. Winslet stood, gathering Wise’s file.
“No, I should be fine. Thanks, doc.” Wise smiled.
“Alright. Well, I’ll leave my contact information here. Just let me know if you have any more concerns about your condition, and I’ll do my best to get back to you. I would like to check back with you in a month to ensure your corruption is completely gone. However, until then, you will need to be monitored 24/7. Sound good?”
“Wait, monitored? By a nurse?” Wise asked, surprised.
Dr. Winslet let out a small chuckle at that. “No, of course not. We’re barely staffed as is. Your sister and your friend here have already volunteered, anyhow. Mr. Lorenz especially so,” he joked.
Lighter cleared his throat, loudly, and Dr. Winslet just laughed even more.
Wise laughed a little too, but just to cover up the fondness he felt at the idea of Lighter wanting to watch over him while he was sick.
“Anyway, I’ll leave the three of you alone. I’ll be back soon to let you know when you’re free to go.” Dr. Winslet waved as he exited the room, closing the door behind him. There was a lingering silence that followed between the three of them, no one quite sure what to say. No better time than now to get things off my chest, then. He took a deep breath in, then–
“I’m sorry.”
For a second, Wise wondered if his voice had suddenly gotten deeper until he realized Lighter was apologizing too.
“No– what? You have nothing to be sorry for, Lighter. I’m the only one to blame for me being here, you’ve done nothing wrong–” Wise rushed to explain, wanting nothing more than for Lighter to feel like he owed him.
Didn’t work, though. Wise should’ve guessed he’d push back. Lighter stood from where he was sitting, making careful strides towards Wise’s bed like he’d break if he walked any faster.
Lighter cut off the end of his sentence, giving him a stern voice with just the slightest sad tone. “I’m going to stop you right there, Wise. I promised to protect you, no matter what. I shouldn’t have let it get to this point, shouldn’t– shouldn’t have forced you to take risks for me.” Wise wanted to butt in, to fight back against Lighter’s reasoning, but the look he gave Wise once he opened his mouth shut him up real quick. “I know it’s not really my fault, but it’s not yours either. And I can’t let myself go around thinking this was just an accident, because I could’ve prevented all of this. So please, for my own sanity, let me take care of ya, Wise.”
God, you make it so hard to ignore my feelings for you, Lighter. If not for the literal heart monitor hooked up to him, he would’ve sworn he skipped a beat. He hoped no one noticed how it went slightly faster, but whose heart wouldn’t race at a proclamation like that?
Lighter had made it to the edge of the hospital bed by the time he was done talking, silently asking for permission to sit. Wise patted the spot, granting his wish and craving his proximity. Belle had joined them, too, but she was content to stand behind Lighter and rest her elbows on his shoulders.
“Thanks, you two. I really, really don’t deserve such caring people in my life.” Wise said, before the two sent him a glare at his self-deprecation. “Sorry, sorry. What I meant to say was– thank you. For being here and for wanting to take care of me. I know I’d do the same in a heartbeat, but please don’t go out of your way just for me. I feel fine, really.”
Their glares turned into fond smiles. Well, at least Lighter’s did. Belle was on the verge of tears again. “Ugh, you’re making me emotional again, Wise.” She fanned her eyes, trying to suck the tears back in. “I’m glad you’re here, too. Everyone is glad you’re safe. Honestly, the flowers in this room are only about half of the total flowers we got from everyone. I had to convince Vivian not to send the other 14 bouquets she had lined up,” she chuckled. “We’re not the only ones who would go through thick and thin for you, Wise.”
Damn, now Wise was forming tears again. He opened his arms, inviting Lighter and Belle into a group hug, desperate for closeness, desperate to cling to the people he cherished the most.
…
They spent the rest of the time in the hospital room with more light-hearted topics, too emotionally exhausted to have any more heart-to-hearts. It didn’t take more than 30 minutes for Dr. Winslet to come back with Wise’s documents – mostly just medical jargon he couldn’t make out, his bill (which he found out was graciously covered by Victoria Housekeeping), his prescription, and steps for his recovery. He kind of tuned out some of the last part, especially the “getting enough rest” part. Not his fault; he couldn’t control his insomnia.
They waited in line to pick up his meds, Lighter and Belle both grabbing things off the shelves while they were there – Lighter getting some first-aid supplies for the Sons, while Belle picked up some vitamins and melatonin gummies for Wise (which he still didn’t need!).
The rest of the way home after that was a drowsy blur. Belle and Lighter sat in the front of the Random Play car while Wise napped in the back. They had left the hospital just before sunset, so it was already dark out by the time they pulled into the parking lot behind the store. Lighter shook Wise awake while Belle unlocked the door, but he was careful not to be too rough. Just a few taps on the knee was all it took to wake Wise up, given that he was a pretty light sleeper, but his hand lingered where it was until Wise was fully conscious.
“Morning, sunshine.” Lighter joked, smiling at Wise’s still blinking eyes. “Get up, you can sleep in your bed once we’re inside.”
“Mmm… not tired.” Wise slurred.
“You sure about that?” Lighter chuckled. “C’mon. I promised your doctor that you’d get your rest, so if I have to carry you to your bedroom, I will.”
That shocked Wise awake, his brain already forming a vivid image of it in his head. And while it was… pleasant, he would probably die of embarrassment. So instead, he cleared his throat, politely declined, and gathered his things from beside him as he opened the door. Lighter followed soon after, extending a hand to Wise and offering to help, what, walk him to the door?
“I’m good, Lighter, really. No need to trouble yourself with just helping me walk.” Wise said.
“C’mon. At least let me hold that.” Lighter gestured to the small bag of Wise’s meds he was holding, which he barely even registered as being there because it was so light, and Lighter really didn’t need to keep worrying himself over the smallest things.
Wise could tell he was really trying, though, and he was starting to feel bad for rejecting Lighter’s help even if it was unwarranted. “Okay,” Wise said, reluctantly, “Thanks, Lighter.” He stretched out his hand to give Lighter the bag, and Lighter all but beamed when Wise accepted his offer. Almost makes Wise want to accept more of Lighter’s help, but he really doesn’t want Lighter doing all of this just for him.
They made their way inside, and Wise was all but ambushed by Inky and Eous as they crowded his legs. He kneeled and hugged both of them, scratching between their ears and admitting that he missed them as much as they missed him. He beckoned Lighter to join him, which was met with a light chuckle and so much of his warmth as he settled on one knee next to Wise. Lighter smiled as the two rascals turned their attention to him, and Wise couldn’t help but smile and give Lighter some of his attention, too. He just watched Lighter play with the two – Eous had been more friendly, given he knew Lighter more than Inky did, but Inky couldn’t stop curling up around him and relishing in his heat.
Well, like owner, like pet.
After a couple of minutes of playing with Inky and Eous, well, watching Lighter play with Inky and Eous, Wise yawned and decided it was time for him to hit the hay. Lighter noticed, too, and they both stood up and headed to Wise’s room while Inky and Eous trailed behind.
Wise opened the door, already heading straight for his bed, which looked oh so comfortable, so he plopped onto the bed, took a seat, and…
Wise turned around. Lighter was still standing in the doorway, gawking at something. He followed his line of sight, and… oh. He was staring at the flowers he got for Wise, the ones that Wise so graciously planted in a nice vase and placed front and center right when you walk through the door. He could… lie? Say the flowers just looked like the ones that Lighter got him, but that would be even more awkward to explain. He could say he had no other place for them, but that would be a blatant lie. He could… ugh. This is so embarrassing.
“They were, uh, really nice. I thought they deserved a nice spot for themselves away from the rest of the clutter in my room. And, I guess, I never really get flowers, so I wanted a nice place to look at them.” Wise muttered, way too embarrassed to even be admitting this. He expected Lighter to laugh, but he kinda just… smiled.
“That’s really nice of you, Wise. Glad they brighten your room up.” Lighter said. He placed Wise’s medicine on the shelf, then looked like he was contemplating saying something. He seemed to have chosen silence, though, because he looked way more tight-lipped than he usually does.
Belle came home with dinner a minute later, and they all ate in Wise’s room despite his protests of, “I’m not bedridden, I can get up and go downstairs!” and “No, Lighter, I don’t need you to feed me my ramen!” which earned a chuckle out of everyone even if Lighter was only mostly joking. Wise wanted to put a movie on, too, but everyone was pretty tired from the events of the day, and they didn’t want to start a movie they couldn’t finish.
Belle left the room first, ready to take a shower and get ready for bed. She bid the boys good night and left, while Lighter was… grabbing Wise’s spare blankets and pillows. Which, duh, it’s getting late, and the Outer Ring is more than an hour away, of course, Lighter would sleep over. And while it’s not the first time they’ve ever done this – they’ve had sleepovers both here and at Lighter’s place – it’s the first time he views it in a different light, something more than a practicality or a necessity. There’s something… intimate about watching Lighter get ready for bed, now, and he knows it’s just his stupid heart talking, but it gets to his head too. So much so that it clouds his brain and makes him forget how to be a good host.
“Lighter, wait, I can take the couch–” Wise says.
“No. I’m not arguin’ with you about this. You’re the one who needs more rest, and this is your room. I can sleep fine on the couch, Wise.” Lighter argues immediately, likely already anticipating that Wise would have something to say.
“But, ugh–” Wise grumbled. The worst part is, Lighter was right, but “You make it so hard to be a good host and even harder to hate you for it.”
Lighter smirked. “I think being a good caregiver takes priority over being a good host, so it’s my word against yours.”
Caregiver. Wise didn’t think Lighter would take his role so seriously, and while he probably meant it as a joke, it still made Wise’s stomach flutter.
Again, though, he didn’t need a caregiver because he was fine. So as nice as the thought was, and while he wouldn’t mind entertaining the idea, he didn’t let himself dwell on it.
“I’ll let you get away with this tonight, but I feel fine. I don’t want to take up any more of your attention, especially when you’re so busy—“
“Not busy.” Lighter interjected.
“Okay, not busy now. But I know the Outer Ring is unpredictable, and you’re the champion of the Sons, you’re bound to be needed at some point.”
“More than the legendary proxy, Phaethon?” Lighter smirked, “Doubt it.”
Wise sighed, “Well, Phaethon is a pair, not just me, and—“
“And the Sons of Calydon is a group three times the size. Trust me, they can handle whatever they would need me for; they’ll understand if I ever have to take a couple of days off. Especially if it’s for you.” Lighter finished, clearly having a rebuttal to all of Wise’s arguments.
“Okay. You win. I’ll… I guess I’ll stop arguing over you just wanting to help.” Wise admitted reluctantly. “But! I don’t need you hovering over me like I’m in hospice when you can see I’m perfectly able to function. Promise me that you’ll go back to the Outer Ring and you won’t worry until — no — if something happens to me. Then I’ll let you care for me all you want.” He bargained.
“Hm… deal.” Lighter agreed. “But I’m tellin’ Belle. Don’t trust you to call if something happened. Well, no, sorry, I jus’ mean you’ll only call if it’s life-or-death and I need to be here way before it reaches that point.”
Wise chuckled, knowing he couldn’t deny that. “Fair. I’ll let you finish setting up the bed while I take a shower, then.” Wise got up, gathering his pajamas from the dresser and heading to the bathroom.
They didn’t talk about much else that night, just got ready for bed, and then it was lights out. Wise found himself watching Lighter before that, though, and the sleepover felt more domestic, somehow. He chalked it up to his brain fantasizing about living with Lighter, which are thoughts he probably shouldn’t have over his best friend slash coworker (sometimes), but it’s hard when Lighter has his own space for things in his room, now. His own locker for spare clothes, his designated spot on the couch, and now the purple lilacs.
‘Would you believe me if I said I jus’ felt like it? Figured I was already there, and I remember you sayin’ you liked pretty flowers.’
Ugh, feelings are so complicated. He needs to stop thinking about it before he has another insomnia episode, and so his heart stops tightening at just thinking of Lighter. Wait, no, those are his lungs, and he’s coughing now.
Luckily, it was just a small coughing fit. Nothing too bad that would make Lighter worry.
Unluckily, he realized he coughed something up: a singular white petal that shimmered in the moonlight of his otherwise dark room.
What. The. Hell?
He’d understand, maybe, coughing up a piece of seaweed or scallions from the ramen he ate earlier.
But a full, pristine, petal? It was… weird. Definitely cause for concern, but he didn’t want to cause any more trouble for anyone, especially when this could just be a one-off. Yeah, yeah – this is just a one-time thing. It must be residual from the hollow incident. Yeah, and it just… got stuck in his throat, and didn’t come up until 3 days later. Makes sense.
Makes enough sense for him to put his brain to rest for the night, at least. He’ll figure out something to do tomorrow. Whether that involves telling anyone else remains to be seen.