Wish You Were Here

Past and Present

I have to hold Floyd back as he's practically falling over the bridge suspended above the Puffalo enclosure trying to get closer to them. His face was filled with admiration while he watched the things just eat grass.

"Remind me why you like these things so much?" He stood straight up and looked me dead in the eye. Floyd placed both hands on my shoulders making my body slightly heat up at the touch.

"Because they are adorable." I snorted and covered my mouth. Floyd tilt his head and slightly pursed his lips at my reaction.

"Is that it? Seriously? They're just adorable?" He leaned against the railing and went back to watching the Puffalo, so I copied his action. His eyes glanced in my direction for a brief second and he smirked before spitting out a comment that made me feel weak.

"Like you." I feel like I'm retracting into my own body. I want to hide myself forever from everyone and never come back out from how embarrassing yet adorable that was. I threw my face into my palms and heard Floyd snicker at my redness. As much as I've always wanted this to happen, I have to shut it down.

"Look, Floyd. You have to realize that 'us' is something that would take a while to happen. I mean, you hurt me and I know you're not gonna do it again, but we don't know each other anymore. I like you, I really do, I just barely know you." He let out a sigh of defeat and flashed a soft smile in my direction with a sense of tenderness behind it.

I can definitely tell he knew where I was coming from because it's true. I've changed so much over the last 15 years, so who knows if he'd even like me after getting to know me again. His only impression of who I am is based on my past self.

"No, I get it... and I'm willing to wait forever if it means you might be by my side one day." Relief washed over me upon hearing his reaction to me practically turning down his confession. I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel the same way about him but I needed to take things slow. We just reconnected yesterday for god's sake, I can't start dating him after a day.

I wrapped my arms around him in a caring embrace and shut my eyes. Knowing Floyd would wait for me to be ready for something like this made me realize how important he still is to me. His arms wrapped around my waist as well and we shared a heartfelt moment together where we stood.

"And I'm willing to try and get there." We pushed off of each other and a warm indigo hand caressed the side of my face which I leaned my head into. Gorgeous amaranthine eyes burned into my irises but our moment was broken by an energetic voice shouting out both of our names.

"Floyd! Veneer! I've been looking all over for you! You guys are late!" Poppy was waving her hands at both of us and then soon switched them to the area around her mouth to project her voice more as she continued yelling. I turned my head around to look at the post clock on the bridge and noticed the clock was showing 6:30 PM.

"Crap! I lost track of time. Your concert is at 8, so we have to leave for Vacay, like, now." Our hands interlocked as I pulled Floyd in the direction of where Poppy was shouting from. While we were speed walking over to her, Floyd had fully processed what I said.

"Concert?" Fuck, that was meant to be a surprise. Branch is going to kill me for this one.

"Yeah, your brothers wanted to host a BroZone reunion concert for you on Vacay Island but I kind of just ruined the surprise. Please act shocked or it's my ass on the line." Floyd snorted and we finally got to where Poppy was standing.

"Ooo~ someone's holding hands~" Poppy had a smug grin spread across her face from ear to ear and was openly teasing the two of us but I waved my free hand with an awkward smile and leaned in to whisper the explanation in her ear.