Chapter Text
“I'm gonna propose to Brighteyes.”
When Matt agreed to take his lunch break with Shedletsky, he didn’t expect to hear that news. Shedletsky was so focused on devouring his fried chicken that Matt didn’t think anything of importance would leave his mouth.
He brought his tea to his lips, taking a long sip as he digested his friend’s words. “Is that so?”
Shedletsky and Brighteyes had been dating for years. Matt observed their relationship progressively unfold within their small friend group. They started off as a trio, then over time, those two started to enjoy each other’s company more than expected. Matt never thought much of it. He didn’t mind. He found it easier to stick to his fantasy novels and penmanship than worry about a relationship. He still enjoyed the company of his friends.
And now they were getting engaged. Good for them.
“When?” Matt returned his tea to the table, folding his hands.
“We’re going on a date later today…you think I got a shot?”
Matt sat up. “You’re telling me this the day of?” He scoffed and shook his head. “I must see the ring before I come to any conclusion.”
Shedletsky grinned and abandoned his chicken to dig into his pocket with those greasy fingers. Matt raised an eyebrow. “I hope you plan on cleaning that before your date.”
“Psh,” He pulled out the fancy little black box, extending it in front of him as if he were proposing to Matt himself. “It’s fine. Anyway, how’s it look?” He lifted the top, exposing the small, delicate jewelry to his friend. It was a shiny purple gem, what looked like an amethyst, with detailed silver embroideries holding it in place and snaking down the ring. Matt could easily imagine Brighteyes flashing it everywhere. Purple was undoubtedly her color.
“Purple. I can not say I'm surprised.”
“You think she’ll like it?”
“I am certain.”
Shedletsky smiled, satisfied, and tucked the case back into his pocket. “So, are you going to be my best man?”
Matt laughed, as there was only one clear answer to that question. “Of course I will.”
.•° ✿ °•.
The rest of Matt’s work day was uneventful. He found himself absent for most of it, his mind cloudy for reasons he couldn’t name.
He thought he would be more excited at the news of Shedletsky’s proposal, but ever since lunch, an odd feeling set in his stomach that he was sure wasn’t from the tea he drank.
Brighteyes and Shedletsky’s relationship was one he always wholeheartedly supported. The unanticipated emptiness was uncharacteristic for him. He had always been Shedletsky’s best man, so why should he feel any different about it now? He had egged on their relationship, helping Shedletsky through all of his awful flirting and promising Brighteyes that she looked perfect for whatever date she was going on.
It wasn’t a problem that they spent more time together these days. It wasn’t a problem that they were happier together. It didn’t matter that Shedletsky didn’t tell him about the proposal before that day.
It was absurd that he couldn’t be happy for his best friend.
He left work unsatisfied, lost in thought and staff in-hand. The sky was sunny, but he stared at the city pavement as he walked home. He searched for something to distract himself. A spilled cup of dark red liquid. A blue flower growing in the cracks of the sidewalk. Tire tracks from a bike. A purple wrapper crumbled up and tossed aside. A brown feather.
He groaned, and looked back up. He wished to bury himself in the Dusekkar, hide the unpleasantness of his sour mood and wilt away in the comfort of his home. The feeling would go away eventually. He just needed time to wind down.
That night, he lost himself in one of his fantasy books, hunched over his desk with the pages illuminated in lamp light and his round glasses at the tip of his nose. The Dusekkar sat abandoned at the edge of his desk, and Matt glanced at it. It was a gift from Shedletsky long ago, and one of his small comforts, both to wear and keep as some sort of trophy. But looking at it only brought him an aching loneliness that he wasn’t accustomed to.
Why was it that his closest friends felt so far away?
His phone buzzed on his desk, stealing his attention. The screen lit up, a message appearing at the top of his notifications.
John ♡
She said yes!!!!!!
Matt left it on delivered, shut off his lamp, and went to bed for the night.