D_Ho_

Sethos had come to a very important conclusion: His new roommate was weird. Not dangerous weird - he’d met plenty of people in Sumeru who qualified for that - but the quieter kind. The kind that sat on the edge of the room, watched everything, and acted like the world had personally offended him just by existing.

Sethos lay on his bed, one arm tucked behind his head as he stared lazily up at the ceiling, letting his thoughts wander. Day three of sharing a room at the Akademiya, he mused. Name: Wanderer. Or… Hat Guy, apparently. Personality: Grumpy Cat. He snorted softly to himself.

It wasn’t like he hadn’t tried. “Hey, want to grab lunch?” had been met with a flat “No”. “Want to come study with me?” had gotten him a blank stare and a “I don’t waste time”. Even casual conversation had been… difficult.

Wanderer was quiet, sharp, and distant. Always perched somewhere slightly offside - at the back corner of the auditorium or the windowsill in their room - like he didn’t quite belong on the same level as everyone else. Like a cat, Sethos thought again, amused. An unapproachable one. Still… Sethos turned his head slightly, glancing across the room.

Wanderer was sitting on his desk, one leg loosely crossed over the other, a letter held in his hand. His hat rested nearby, abandoned for once, and his expression - usually so cool and composed - looked… different. Softer. There was the faintest curve to his lips. Sethos blinked.

…Wait. What?! He pushed himself up onto his elbows, eyes narrowing. “A smile?” he whispered to himself. That was new. That was very new. Curiosity sparked inside him immediately. Okay, Sethos thought, grinning to himself, what could possibly make Mr. Grumpy Cat smile like that?

He rolled off the bed in one smooth motion, padding quietly across the room. Wanderer didn’t notice at first. He was too focused on the letter, eyes scanning over the page with that same faint, almost absent smile. Sethos leaned in just enough to peek over his shoulder.

“…make friends…” “…friendly…” “…stubborn…”

That was all he managed to catch before, the dark-haired finally noticed him. “Get lost,” he snarled, sounding as if been caught red-handed. Sethos didn’t even flinch. Instead, his grin widened. “Aww, Hat Guy,” he said lightly, leaning closer, “what’s that? Someone writing you love letters?” he teased, trying to get a better look at it.

Wanderer’s expression snapped back to its usual sharp edge, and he folded his arms quickly, hiding the paper. “Mind your own business.” “Oh, come on,” Sethos laughed, “I just saw you smiling. That’s a historic event, I deserve context.” “You deserve to leave,” the dark-haired replied annoyed. “Not happening when you finally show a hint of emotion there~”

Wanderer turned his head slightly, eyes narrowing. “You’re annoying.” “And you’re hiding something,” Sethos shot back, clearly pleased with himself, resisting the urge to poke his nose, and settled to wiggle a hand over the back of his neck instead. The light touch caused his him to flinch, but he kept quiet.

There was a beat of silence, before the brunette smirked, a sudden thought coming to his mind. It might be childish- embarrassing even, if it wouldn't work, but if it did, he might finally be able to get closer to him. There was nothing to, lose anyways, right? The slight reaction he just got gave him the confidence to proceed.

“Alright,” he said, flexing his fingers slightly, “if you won’t show me…” Wanderer raised a brow “…I’ll just have to make you.” Before Wanderer could react, Sethos darted forward and jabbed his fingers straight into his sides. It was a gamble, a complete, reckless guess… and it paid off instantly.

Wanderer squeaked. It was soft, completely unguarded and absolutely priceless. His entire body jolted in surprise, his arms snapping tighter against his sides to protect them, causing the grip on the letter to loose in the process. “WhaH-?!” he sputtered, breath hitching as Sethos’ fingers scribbled lightly along his ribs. Sethos’ eyes lit up. “No way!~”

“StoHop that!” Wanderer snapped, trying to suppress the giggles that wanted to get out, but the command broke halfway into a startled laugh, as he was not able to hold them back. “Oh, you’re ticklish,” Sethos grinned, doubling down immediately, visibly relieved that his intuition was right. He had learned something new about him.

Wanderer tried to twist away, but with his arms pinned close to protect the letter, he had no defense. Sethos took full advantage of that, wiggling his fingers teasingly over the exposed sides. “H-HeHey, gehet your hahAnds out of theEhre!” Wanderer hissed, laughter slipping through despite his best efforts.

“That’s so unfair,” Sethos teased, “you act all cool, and this is what happens?” “ShuHut…uHup!” the navy-blue-haired cursed, but his composure was already cracking. His shoulders trembled and another soft, breathless laugh escaped him as Sethos squeezed lightly at his ribs, making sure to target the sensitive areas in-between.

That was all the opening Sethos needed. With a quick movement, he snatched the letter from Wanderer’s loosened grip. “Got it!~” he cheered, holding it up in the air like a trophy. Wanderer froze for a moment. Then his eyes sharpened. “…Give that back.”

Sethos jumped back, waving the letter triumphantly back and forth, while paying attention not to crumple it by accident, knowing how much it seemed to mean to the other. “Make me~” he challenged. That was a mistake. A very big mistake he realized way too late. A rush of wind surged through the room.

Before Sethos could even react, Wanderer used his anemo power to propel himself forward- fast… very fast, catching up to him in an instant. “Whoa-!” The world tilted as he slammed into him, tackling them both onto the bed in a tangle of limbs. “Oof!”

The impact knocked the breath from Sethos’ lungs, and the letter fluttered from his grasp, drifting uselessly to the floor. For a second, everything stilled. Sethos blinked up. Wanderer was above him, straddling his hips, his dark hair slightly disheveled, his blue eyes sharp- and just faintly flushed. “…You’re fast,” Sethos breathed.

Wanderer smirked. “If you wanted to ‘bond’ so badly,” he said coolly, “I suppose I can humor you.” Sethos barely had time to process that, before the other’s fingers dug into his sides, kneading into them with such a surprised and unexpected gentleness that it broke him instantly. He burst into loud, belly laughter. “HAAHAHAH H-HEY-! NOHOHOHO!”

He couldn’t believe that he was seriously tickled by the other and why was he so good at it? His touch was quick and precise, fingers dancing over Sethos’ ribs and slipping under the edge of his shirt to trace along his stomach, as if had to done it countless times already.

The brunette's interest and wish to get closer to him was triggered even more by that, but right now, he had to get out of this situation, and fast. Sethos squirmed beneath him, laughter spilling out freely. “OhoHohokay- Okay I- Pfft I diHihidn’t mean this kind of bonding!”

“Too late for that~” Wanderer teased, not even realizing what expression was shown on his face. His lips curled into a small, amused smile - different from his usual sharp smirk. Softer. More genuine. And Sethos noticed. “You’re- hahaHa smiling again!” he managed between giggles. Wanderer’s expression faltered for a split second. “Shut up.”

“That’s so uHunfair!” Sethos laughed, twisting under him. “I’ve neHehver seHehen you like this!” “Then stop looking.” “CaHahn’t! AhAHAHHhah!” Sethos gasped as fingers skittered up his sides, dangerously close to his underarms. “Oh no- n-n-noHo doHohn’t… noHohot theEhre!” he laughed, tears of mirth already forming in his eyes.

He was giving him a pleaded look- well, he tried to, considering he looked like a complete mess right now. Wanderer did it anyways, and his fingers found their way into his bare armpits, wiggling into his hollows with gusto.

Sethos yelped, high-pitched laughter spiking as he tried to curl inward, only to be held in place by Wanderer’s weight. “AHhAHahah iHit t-tiHickles!” “Sensitive?” Wanderer asked, almost teasingly. “YoHou’re eHEhvil!” Sethos replied. “And you started it.”

Sethos grinned despite himself, breathless and flushed. “…Worth it~ I like tickling and I’ve never seen you so happy- well, anything besides that kind of face, so totally worth it~” Sethos said, trying to mimic Wanderer’s serious face which got him a chuckle from the other. Wanderer huffed, but the smile lingered.

That was Sethos’ chance. With a quick twist, he shifted his weight and grabbed Wanderer’s sides in return. The other froze. “Oh?~” Sethos panted, still laughing. “You didn’t think I’d fight back?” Wanderer’s eyes widened - just a fraction, but before he could even have a chance to react, Sethos had already squeezed a now well-known weak spot of his.

His composure shattered. A startled laugh broke free, as his shoulders jumped, fingers faltering against Sethos’ sides. “S-SeHehthos! StoHop iHit!” Sethos didn’t stop. “Oh, this is good,” he grinned, digging into his sides more firmly now.

Wanderer tried to push himself up, but Sethos used the momentum to roll them over, reversing their positions in one swift movement. Now he was on top and Wanderer was pinned beneath him. For a second, they both froze again. Wanderer’s face was flushed, his usual sharp expression replaced by something softer, more flustered.

“SeHethos,” he said, his voice tight, “g-get off-” “Nope.” Sethos grinned down at him. “You said it yourself,” he teased, “let’s “bond”~” The navy-blue-haired’s eyes narrowed. “ThaHaht’s- argh noOH- ahAHAHAhahaH!” “That’s the way buddy~” The brunette’s fingers wiggled teasingly over his sides, absorbing each and every reaction from the other.

The other sucked in a breath and Sethos struck, sneaking in something teasing pokes on his stomach as well. Wanderer laughed, his giggles sounding almost childlike. It was softer than Sethos’, more restrained, but no less genuine.

It slipped out in breathless bursts as Sethos’ fingers traced over his stomach, his ribs and the sensitive spots in-between, and up under his arms. “AHaHAHAHAH s-stoHohOHop!” “Not a chance.” Wanderer twisted, trying to escape, but Sethos held him easily, laughing along with him now. “You’re even more ticklish than me,” he teased. “Am noHohot!”

“You totally are and it’s adorable.” Wanderer huffed- and then laughed again when Sethos squeezed his sides. The room filled with overlapping laughter, warm and bright and completely at odds with the quiet distance that had existed between them just minutes ago. Neither of them noticed how close they were anymore, or how natural it felt.

Eventually, their movements slowed, laughter fading into soft, breathless giggles. Sethos collapsed beside Wanderer, still grinning. “…Okay,” he admitted, “that was fun.” Wanderer turned his head slightly, avoiding his gaze. “…As if...” “But you laughed.”

“…That means nothing,” Wanderer mumbled, but the undertone in his voice made it quite obvious that he had enjoyed it too - whether it was just as much as for him, well, he now had enough time to find it out.

Sethos chuckled. His eyes drifted to the floor. To the letter. It lay there, slightly crumpled from the fall, the writing - a bit crooked as if written by a child - still visible from where it had landed. His gaze caught on a line.

Did you already make friends at the Akademiya?

He blinked. His smile softened. He read a little more.

I know you can be stubborn sometimes, but I also know that you’re actually a kind person deep down. If you give it time, I’m sure the people around you will see it too.

Sethos’ eyes flickered back to Wanderer, then back to the letter.

You’ll probably pretend not to care, but I think you’ll make a lot of friends before you even realize it, Hat Guy.

There was a small pause. And then, at the bottom-

-Durin P.S. I miss you. Come visit again soon.

Sethos smiled quietly to himself. “…Hey,” he said after a moment. Wanderer stiffened slightly. “What.” Sethos didn’t tease him this time. “…You’re doing fine, you know.” Wanderer frowned faintly. “What are you talking about.”

Sethos just shrugged, still smiling. “Nothing.” Wanderer narrowed his eyes but didn’t press. And for once, the silence between them wasn’t uncomfortable.

...

Bonus

A few days later, Wanderer sat alone at the desk. The same place where Sethos had first caught him smiling. This time however, there was no one peeking over his shoulder, no sudden attacks, or no annoying voice calling him “Hat Guy” every five minutes. Just silence and a blank sheet of paper. Wanderer stared at it. “…Tch.”

He picked up the pen. Paused. Put it back down. “…Ridiculous,” he mumbled to himself. And yet, after a moment, he picked it up again. The scratching of ink on paper was soft, almost hesitant at first.

Durin, Your timing is as inconvenient as ever. The Akademiya is just as insufferable as you’d expect. Full of scholars who talk too much and think too highly of themselves.

There was a pause. Wanderer tapped the pen lightly against the paper, his eyes narrowing slightly as if debating whether to continue.

…However. It seems I’ve acquired a roommate.

Another pause. His expression shifted- just barely.

He is loud. Persistent. Annoying beyond reason. He lacks any sense of personal space and has a habit of inserting himself into matters that do not concern him.

The navy-blue-haired exhaled quietly through his nose.

He also laughs too much.

The pen stilled again. For a moment, it looked like he might stop there, but instead, he added:

…He is not entirely unbearable.

A faint flicker of something - something softer - crossed his expression and he caught himself smiling, despite himself. He shook his head.

He has a tendency to act before thinking, which is troublesome. However…

Wanderer hesitated, then he slowly continued to write:

…I suppose I understand what you meant.

Another small pause.

About “making friends”.

The word looked almost out of place on the page. He stared at it for a second longer than necessary, then scoffed under his breath.

Don’t misunderstand. I am not confirming anything. But…

The pen hovered- then moved again.

He hasn’t left yet.

That was the closest he was willing to get. For now at least. Wanderer leaned back slightly, glancing at what he had written, as if checking for errors - not in grammar, but in something far more intangible. After a moment, he continued:

As for your other point- I will visit when I have the time.

A brief pause. Then, almost as an afterthought:

…Don’t get used to it.

The pen lifted. Wanderer stared at the letter, expression unreadable. Then, with a quiet huff, he added one final line at the bottom.

-Hat Guy

A moment later, the door creaked open. “Hey, Hat Guy- Oh!” Sethos leaned into the room, blinking in surprise. “You’re writing a letter? That’s rare.” Wanderer’s hand moved instantly, flipping the paper over. “Get out.” Sethos grinned. “No way. Who’s it for?” “None of your business.” Sethos stepped further inside anyway, clearly undeterred.