#wanderer gi

“wanderer! didn’t think you’d make it!—oh sorry.” wanderer slowly opened his eyes to look at the blonde haired girl and smiled. she was holding a red cup—probably a light drink. “it’s alright, lumine. where’s your brother?” he asked. he spent a good 15 minutes trying to find the birthday boy because what guest arrives at a birthday party and not even greet the celebrant?

“oh! aether’s busy with childe in the yard out back. want me to take you there? they’re grilling some burgers, i think!” she sipped on her cup one last time and set it down the coffee table in front of the couch. wanderer wanted to say his best wishes to his friend, but figured he should rest for a while considering the party hasn’t even officially started yet. “i think i’ll stay here for a bit.” lumine didn’t mind. of course, she always wanted what’s best for her friends, and wanderer needed a good rest considering how fucked up his schedule was in their final year in college. but lumine also wanted him to know that, “before i forget, (name) is coming…” lumine’s words came out slowly, gauging her friend’s reaction. surely, her purple haired friend already moved on, right? she was so wrong.

wanderer kept his eyes shut, his hand supporting the weight of his head as he leaned against the couch. staying calm to show that it didn’t bothered him, but his heart was racing like it signed up for a marathon. suddenly, his eyes didn’t hurt anymore and his head wasn’t throbbing with pain. he needed a drink.

lumine had gone off to greet the other guests by the time wanderer wanted to live up to his name and wander around the corners of the bathroom to calm himself down. it was embarrassing. it’s been 3 whole years (and maybe counting) since the two of you broke the relationship off. the break up wasn’t anything extreme—at least to him.

the both of you were two different puzzle pieces trying to fit together—not to mention the fact that wanderer was different (personality-wise) at the time. he had changed for the better after the breakup—this, his friends knew and they were proud of what he decided to become. but they also knew that he’s still hung up on you. an assumption he was going to prove wrong.

wanderer sighed, heart still beating fast. he was about to stand up from his seat, but was completely stunned when he heard someone shout, “(name) is here!”

he let out a quiet, “fuck.” which unfortunately for him, his least favorite friend had chosen that exact moment to materialize at his side. and, judging by the grin already spreading across his face, he’d heard every word. “isn’t that your ex?”

wanderer rolled his eyes, “wow, heizou. thanks for the reminder.” he said sarcastically. this only made his friend chuckle. “AYO!” oh please, not this guy.. “(NAME)! IS THAT YOU?” the ginger haired guy shouted, his voice coming from his other side. his voice was even more loud than the music from all the speakers combined. “obviously, it’s them.” he whispered. wanderer mentally palmed his face. at this point, he just wanted to lock himself inside the bathroom as originally planned.

unlike him, you looked toward the voice. realization hit a second too late—your eyes had already found his, locking onto the one person you least wanted to see. you both stared into each other’s eyes, far too long than you both wanted. you smiled a small smile, then looked at the ginger who’s trying to catch your attention. it wouldn’t hurt to be civil, no? you were friends before you started dating.

you excused yourself from the conversation you were having with lumine, she let you know that her brother was taking a quick shower because he smelled like smoke from all the grilling outside. you marched towards childe. he’s wearing a dark green apron with kiss the cook written on it in bold lettering. “sorry, i don’t think i want to kiss the cook, actually.” you teased as you approached him, “THAT’S HOW YOU TREAT ME AFTER NOT SEEING EACH OTHER FOR 3 YEARS??” you laughed at him pouting. you’re glad they still welcome you after going no contact with everyone.

“we missed you! i can’t hug you right now, though,” he pointed at the tray he was holding with one hand— burger sliders. looks yummy, you thought.

“but i think this guy over here can.” his eyes flicked towards wanderer, his eyebrows bouncing up and down in a knowing gesture.

you glanced and found wanderer seated on the couch with heizou nudging him to look at your way. though his expression remained unreadable, he seemed far too invested in the conversation you were having with childe. his grip on the sofa tightened, fingers digging into the fabric as if it had somehow offended him.

you noticed how tense he was, and despite the breakup that devastated you— forcing yourself to move universities away from him— you knew coming to the party will somehow require you to mingle and talk with everyone, including him. so instead of glaring at childe, you smiled, “it’s alright.” he shrugged and made his way back to the yard to set the dining table for everyone.

left alone by your friend, you decided to entertain yourself a bit by making your way to the kitchen for a drink. you headed to the wet bar tucked into the corner of the kitchen, where crystal glasses hung beneath the cabinets and bottles gleamed under the flashing lights. you started making yourself a light drink with the apple juice sitting on top of the counter.

you had been there at aether and lumine’s house before. you’d consider it your second home. lumine taught you everything about how to make alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. it was her forte. aether always made sure you were caught up with every video game he was playing ever since you became his go-to duo on in-game matches. you couldn’t help but feel guilty for leaving everyone behind, but for your sanity and his, you had no other choice.

“excuse me?” the familiar voice snapped you out of your thoughts. you blinked and looked to your side. “huh?” since when was he there? judging by the look on his face, he’d noticed your confusion immediately. one corner of his mouth twitched upward, as though he found it deeply entertaining that you’d been so lost in thought you hadn’t seen him sit down.

for a while he only looked at you. then looked behind you where the wine glasses were placed. you immediately got what he was saying and made way for him to reach the wine glasses. he took two.

for a few seconds, he said nothing, only holding your gaze. then his eyes flicked behind you, landing on the row of wine glasses. realization dawned on you almost instantly. You moved aside, and he stepped forward as he reached past you, close enough for you to catch a hint of his cologne, he picked up two wine glasses.

you’d be lying if you said you weren’t nervous around him, because you totally were. he poured straight up vodka into his glass, then the other. “you came back in town?” he suddenly asked, almost making you choke on your own saliva. you had prepared for this moment where you actually have to make small talk with him—even practiced in front of the mirror.

“no. just visiting,” you said. the answer leaving your mouth faster than you intended. his expression shifted ever so slightly. had his shoulders fallen? had the light in his eyes dimmed? whatever it was, it looked suspiciously like disappointment before he quickly masked it. “you can continue with your drink. sorry, just had to get these glasses.” he said when you weren’t moving in your place.

“oh. yeah, okay.” you returned your attention to what you were making, trying to focus on the task at hand. beside you, he did the same. silence settled between the two of you, filling the room as you worked side by side.

the silence between you was deafening. you almost want to just run out the kitchen and go with lumine or childe or aether—just anywhere else but there.

to your surprise, he spoke first.

“sorry about childe earlier.”

a light laugh escaped your lips, wanderer couldn’t help but to look and admire the face he once loved (and probably still does). “it’s fine. you know how he gets sometimes. don’t worry about it.”

he was about to say something but nodded instead. none of you talked again. it was beyond awkward for someone who used to make out with each other basically every time you were together. before it gets even more awkward, he decided to address the elephant in the room.

“can we.. act like we’re friends again? i figured it’ll be less awkward for everyone.” you both knew it was an impossible thing to do. to some it was only 3 years, but to the both of you? it was all you knew. lifetime, perhaps, as he would call it. still, he wanted to keep things light between you and him.

if only he could see the imaginary daggers that went through your heart the moment he said it. boy, oh boy.. someone help them (literally). of course, you didn’t want to sound like you haven’t moved on from him.

“sure. i’d like that.” no you didn’t.

“great!” he said, as he grabbed two of the glasses.

your stomach sank the moment you saw him extend the second glass to a purple-haired girl—the same girl you’d been jealous of since the very beginning of your relationship. mona megistus.

“hope you’ll enjoy the party.”

oh, you’ll definitely enjoy it.

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