Heart of Glass (A Minecraft EndermanXReader)

Chapter 9: Healer's Hands

Elan felt he was settling in nicely. Well. As nicely as he could.

The villagers were kind. Oddly accepting.  It didn't erase the standing feeling that he didn't belong.

Maybe it was knowing that he was only there for people to take care of him until he died. Maybe it was how all of the villagers had a job, while he was bumming off the priest. Maybe it was how different he looked.

It didn't really matter what the cause was, he still felt out of place.

"Hi, Mr. Elan!" One of the kids yelled.

Elan flinched away from the noise but waved anyway. He was terrified that one of these kids was going to startle him on the wrong day.

He really wouldn't belong if he killed one of the villager children.

"Hello, Elan!" Warrick waved.

Elan had noticed that most of the villagers with children were older, probably in their fifties or so. Warrick was even young among the parents, only in his forties. There were young couples, but most didn't have kids, and if they did, they were adopted. Meanwhile, the End had been filled with 17-year-old parents with two or three kids already. It was odd.

He waved back at Warrick. "Good morning."

"You look thoughtful today." Warrick hummed.

"I usually am." Elan chuckled. "My mate...well. I had to do all the thinking for both of us."

Warrick smiled. "You should tell more stories of him. It makes you look lighter."

Elan rubbed at his sternum. "I'm not sure my heart could take it, Warrick. If I talk too much, I think I'll start mourning again."

Warrick nodded solemnly. "That is understandable. I often feel the same about my wife. But you know, you may find it hurts less when you don't keep their memory to yourself."

"I'll think about it."

"I'm sure you will." Warrick chuckled. "Don't think too hard. You'll give your forehead wrinkles."

That made Elan laugh. "Like yours?"

"Exactly like mine." Warrick winked.

Elan smiled softly. "Well, I already look thirty when I'm only 23. I'm sure no one will notice a few extra wrinkles."

Warrick nodded again. "Oh, yes, Eli-Enore and (y/n) should be coming again today. I know my asin can be...overwhelming."

"Asin?"

Warrick sighed. "Oh, what's a good way to explain..."

"A child who isn't your biological child, yes?"

Warrick raised his eyebrows.

Elan snorted. "Unlike some people, I do speak Enderian. Which I've learned sounds quite similar to your language. Asine. That's our word."

"Clever." Warrick hummed again. "Well, I have to get to work. Take care."

"Thank you, Warrick." Elan bowed slightly before continuing on his own way.

He'd built a bit of a routine in the past few days. Before the sun came up, he'd go out for a walk, get his exercise in without straining his heart, and then come back just as the village was starting to wake up for the day.

He really hardly left the church except for that, or to visit Warrick and the library. Percy had told him he should go out more, but frankly, he didn't fancy how busy the village got during the day.