𝐢𝐭'𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮💌🍓✧˚ · .

Part 5✧˚ · .

"If you didn't want to spend time volunteering then you would've noticed that we were walking in the direction of the volunteer area! Wanderer if I am being honest, you need to learn how to express yourself and not care about what other people think or how it'll make you look weak. Just enjoy life the way it is and take opportunities! Now come on!"

She grabbed his hand and pulled him in the direction of the volunteer area in almost a sprint that completely took Wanderer off guard as he held onto his hat from flying away because of the fast pace they were at.

As they were running they were laughing (Well, only y/n was but in spirit, Wanderer was too). With the cool breeze on their faces and the warmth of their hands clasped together, Wanderer took hold of all of his senses and pondered for a moment on the comment she made.

Was he really worried about looking weak? Never! Of course, he cared about his image greatly, but only in a way of not being embarrassed or drawn attention to. That's all he cared about. . . right? Or is that what he wanted himself to think? And he was enjoying life being in his bubble and sticking to himself. . . . right?

Suddenly they came to a stop and they noticed the hardworking kids and Collei in front of them working on the beautiful garden for all of the people living in the town of Sumeru to enjoy.

As the kids looked up to figure out what the noise of running feet abruptly coming to a stop was, they noticed Wanderer and they had huge smiles on their faces.

"Wanderer! Wanderer! You're back you're back! Are you going to help us plant more flowers today?" 

A young girl with long dark hair looked up at Wanderer and lightly tugged at his shorts to get his attention which she immediately got when he looked down at her in surprise.

"Yeah! Please Wanderer please work with us again!" 

This time it was a young boy coming up to Wanderer with a similar request.

Wanderer looked extremely surprised with a bit of confusion behind his expression. He looked at y/n for what to do which was a big mistake because of course in his eyes, she only made things into more 'work' for him.

"Yes of course he is! He would love to help out today. We were just talking about how much he enjoyed doing this last time, isn't that right Wanderer?" 

She crossed her arms and looked at him expectantly stopping herself from laughing at his expression.

Wanderer swallowed hard and thought about what options he had to get out of this situation but realized there were none. She put him in a very difficult situation that not even his terrifyingly cold heart could get out of.

He cleared his throat and closed his eyes in frustration calming himself before speaking,

 "I. . .I suppose I could help out. . . . but only for a little! I have a very busy schedule."

Y/n giggled at his response and the kids cheered in excitement while Wanderer gave y/n a sharp glare. Y/n picked up the gardening tools and handed him the supplies.

"Well if you have such a busy schedule you might want to get started!"

She said, and he took the heavy supplies with a scowl all over his face.

"Whatever. . ."

he grumbled and walked off to a space where there was fresh soil and room from the so-called "sticky" children.

Y/n found everything he was doing so funny. He didn't have to act like he didn't enjoy this! It was so intriguing to her how much he didn't want to admit that spending time with others is nice sometimes.

She sat down next to him and handed him a pair of gloves so that he could begin working.

She saw his red face and small pout and found his expression adorable.

"Aww! Look at you all angry." She pinched his cheeks together making him pout more and frown as she laughed, "You look so cute!"

His heart skipped a beat as he heard the words leave her mouth. Him!? CUTE!? He had never been called such a thing and wouldn't have been surprised if he was never called cute even as a little kid.

His face was now red not only from being angry but flustered from the proximity they were in as y/n never failed to forget what boundaries were, specifically what his boundaries were.

She slowly let go of his face and ruffled his hair as he looked at her with annoyance. He couldn't even pretend that he was surprised by her action already getting used to her and as he started to place a flower in the soil he was contemplating if getting to know her was a good thing or not. 

She watched him for a moment and then put on her own set of gloves so that she could begin working as well. 

"Wanderer?"

She said and waited for him to acknowledge her but he ignored her and she called out his name again.

"Wanderer. . . ?"

He looked up at her with a frown.

"What?"

She winced a little at his harsh tone but here she was not surprised at all by his rude response. She was getting used to him as well.

"Are you really that mad at me? I'm sorry if I made you angry. . .  the kids enjoy spending time with you and I didn't want to let them down! I mean. . ." She whispered this last part, "I enjoy spending time with you as well. . . ."

His heart was beating and he was sure he would be able to hear it but he shook the thought out of his head and convinced himself that his heart was beating because he was angry.

He sighed and began to talk, "It's not that big a deal, I was surprised is all. . .  I guess. But still! I much rather be at home than doing this."

She looked at him with a soft gaze and then a warm smile formed on her lips and she chuckled lightly.

"Okay. . . that's good to know. . . . but can I make it up to you? Can I treat you to dinner?"

He paused his gardening and he looked up at her. Was she being serious? She wasn't, there was no way.

"Are you joking?" He said with a scoff.

"I'm not! I just feel like I have been dragging you into all of these things I want to do and I haven't been asking you what you wanted to do," she paused for a moment, "If you don't want to go to dinner that's also fine! That might just be me suggesting something I want to do-"

She was cut off as he brought a hand up for her to stop talking and she raised her eyebrows a bit caught off guard.

"No, it's fine, dinner is fine. You are treating me so I guess I won't decline."

Her eyes widened and she gave him a big grin.

"Yay!! This is going to be so fun I knew you wouldn't decline!" She in fact had no idea that he would accept her offer at all but she was very happy that he did anyway.

She pulled him into a hug and he blushed a small blush, but it was still noticeable if she looked up from the embrace. He did not hug her back as he felt a bit awkward in this situation because he was not used to receiving hugs at all. 

One of the children working on planting a lily looked up and saw their embrace and she gasped dramatically.

"Oh my gosh look! Wanderer and y/n are boyfriend and girlfriend!" She yelled this quite loud and the other children looked and started to giggle and point.

Wanderer's face formed a bright shade of red as y/n let go and looked at him with a small blush as well.

"W. . We are not. . .!" She coughed and looked at his face but then quickly looked away. "I. . . I have to b. . bring more of the plants over here. . . . if you will excuse me for a moment."

She got up to bring the other plants and Wanderer watched as she walked away still blushing.

He brought a hand up to his face to hide and cool down his blush afraid that the others would notice but y/n already saw and now her heart was beating extremely loud in her ears.