𝘛𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘪 𝘹 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘖𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘴

RIVALS - [F!Y/N]

A/N - Thanks to OliviaIsAWeeb for requesting this chapter sorry about the long ass wait lmao

My writing might be absolute ass again bc i haven't written anything. (I honestly need a schedule 😭)
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[F!Y/N POV]

This was the first time I've been back in Ghandharva Ville in around a month, Me and my master had been spending our time within the Sumeru desert teaching me how to use my vision in a more open area—also a less susceptible to lighting trees on fire area, but we don't talk about that.—around a 3 weeks into our journey we had been ambushed by Treasure Hoarders. (whatever those guys in the desert are called lol) He told me to run and that he would catch up to me, despite my better judgment to ignore his order I could tell this wasn't a test and he was being one hundred percent serious.

I had made it to safety and waited inside a small village for his safe return, I had waited outside in the cold and scorching hot for up to a week without word of him, coming to the worst case conclusion—that he was dead. It was a horrid cluster fuck of feelings that I had felt that day no clear emotion that I could feel outright, sadness anger and disgust were distinctly in that mixture.

The walk back to the forests was a long and painful journey back, Sumeru City was my next destination. It would be terrible having to be stuck around Tighnari, he hated me. He and I had been rivals since we were young, our masters had also hated each other but at least had mutual respect for the other, Us on the other hand? just got under each others skin. His snarky remarks always pissed me off, though I guess I had a part to play in that it was fun ticking him off.

I had passed a multitude of forest rangers on my way who had all regarded me kindly I had met a girl named Collei she stood out among the other forest rangers most likely because she had a vision and the others didn't.

"Hi, could I possibly stay in Ghandharva for the next few days? Im going to be making my way over to the City soon." I smiled at Collei, a smile that she returned.

"Hm I'll have to speak with Master Tighnari about this but I'm sure it will be fine!"

He's taken someone in? Hm she seems much nicer than him

I walked alongside Collei, following her pace closely until we stand in front of a generally small living space.

"Master Tighnari? I have some one who wishes to speak to you."

"Thank you, Collei" his voice sounded much kinder towards her than it was to me. is this how he normally is with people? Are we just assholes to each other? Yes, Yes we are.

I stepped inside, my feet creaking on the wood floorboards.

"[Name]" Tighnari stated flatly recognition laced within his tone, looking away from his work to face me.

"Hm! I was correct." He eyed me up and down before meeting my already annoyed gaze, I had no time for this I am in absolutely no mood to deal with this, I just wanted shelter.

"I heard what happened y'know..the Akademiya came by to tell me of your Masters passing..I am sorry to hear that."

"You don't need to apologize" Other than those few words I stayed silent hoping he would continue conversation.

"If you're here to ask for shelter you can stay with me for the time being."

"Thank you.." staring at the wall away from him, wanting to avoid to conversation that we both collectively knew was inevitable.

"If you want to speak about it you can, take your time" Tighnari's voice softened

"I have put our rivalry behind us, I hope you have done the same. I wish for us to move on from being foolish children, so stay here or if you'd so wish, by my side until you are ready to go."

He waved his hands in the direction of his bed, I took his offer and sat down. He slowly got me to open up about my feelings about my master's unfortunate —and untimely— death. He was good with his words that way, even when we were kids.

"And..And All I did was just sit there stupidly in the blazing sun waiting for him to come back..I could have done something and I ran away like an idiot!" My emotions unfolded before I was able to catch them and hide them from the fox boy in front of me. I didn't cry but I feel this pit in my heart, one that crying would normally fix, but I learned that crying sometimes was stupid. Master had always taught me that one day he would pass and I would have to carry on with out him, he told me that I shouldn't grieve because it was inevitable. Grieving is inevitable too.

Tighnari gripped my hands that were desperately digging into my skin

"Stop that, you're going to hurt yourself. You don't need to hide your emotions, not anymore. I'm here." His voice was smooth and comforting, and well as soft and firm.  As much as I may have hated him for our rivalry he showed me a sweeter side to himself, a side that I wish I knew before when we were young kids.

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A/N - AHHHHHH i have literally no excuse for why these requests are taking so long sorry for everyone that has to wait!

Also sorry to the requester if this isn't exactly what you'd hoped, I've never exactly written stories about the main two being rivals/ enemies to lovers lmao so I hope its okay!

Anyway I'm signing off now I hope to get the other chapters out soon! I've got a few lined up but I haven't written anything of substance yet lol.

- 1007 words -