ikigai | wanderer x reader

3: your new life

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you looked up at the door as you heard it open. You had only been at the table for 5 minutes and 46 seconds this time, and yes, you had counted the seconds to help pass the time without thinking too much.

Nahida paused and seemed a little surprised that you were waiting on top of the table. You waved at her with what you hoped was a happy looking smile, and she waved back.

She walked over to you and your table, and looked up at you.

"Hello y/n! How are your new clothes? Do they fit?" She asked, placing a hand over her heart.

"Yeah! They do, and they're super comfy. Thanks again, Nahida." You said smiling at her. You didn't think that you'd ever be able to express the gratitude you had for nahida, she had been so kind and welcoming even though you were a total stranger to her.

"Hehe, it's no problem. How's your head? Do you think you need a doctor?" Nahida asked, holding a hand out.

You shook your head rapidly, praying that she didn't insist you had to go get checked out.
"No, I'm fine now! Really, no need to worry!"

Maybe the way you had delivered that seemed a bit defensive.

"Alrighty then.. if you say so. How are your memories? Can you remember anything?"

"Ah.. no, I'm afraid not. Sorry.." you said, scratching the back of your head.

"There's no need to apologize! It's not your fault, it's just the way things are."

You, not being sure what to say to that, shifted your position on the table to be more comfortable.

"On a different note..." Nahida looked at you, and then she looked at the table.
"Why are you sitting on the table?"

You grinned and patted the table.

"I like this table. It's a nice table, very well made." That sounded more serious than you had wanted it too. "It's... good for sitting on"
Someone kill me now.

"Oh?" Nahida giggled, and you relaxed, glad that she found it funny. "I'll take your word for it then."

You smiled, and then a slightly awkward silence fell over the air, as you weren't sure of what else to say. Nahida opened her mouth as if she was going to ask something, but fortunately, you were saved from interrogation from the dendro archon by wanderer.

"Lesser lord kusanali, I finished running your... errands." He said from the entrance, his distaste at being used as an errand boy evident. He walked over to where you and nahida were, and dropped a few paper bags filled with what seemed to be groceries on the table you were sitting on.

"Now, if you don't mind, I'll be leaving now." He said, turning to face Nahida.

"Hold your horses, wanderer, I have some more things for you to do." Nahida said, placing her hands on her hips

He sighed, and crossed his arms.
"...alright, what is it?"

"Could you take y/n up to go and grab some more clothes and any other things she might want? She's going to be lodging here for a while till she feels better, and I want her to be as comfortable as she can be."

You blinked, wondering when you had consented to that.

"Nonononono! I'm fine, I'll be fine— I don't need to mooch off of you any longer! thank you so much for the offer though!!" You protested, crossing your hands in a 'x'.

"Huh? But... I thought you said that you still couldn't remember anything?" Nahida tilted her head at you, confusion evident in her eyes.

"I'll figure something out, don't worry!" You said with a dismissive wave.

"Tch. And you'll be willingly homeless for however long it takes you to 'figure things out?'" wanderer said, narrowing his eyes at you.

You made eye contact with him for about two seconds before deciding that eye contact was a horrid thing and you'd never do it ever again. The floor was much easier to look at. The floor was much less judgmental too. The floor also wouldn't give you a nosebleed if you looked at it for too long.

"wanderer is right... you need some place to stay, and I'm more than happy to help. It's no big deal, you shouldn't worry about it!" Nahida said, looking at you with an earnest smile.

"awwe.." you said under your breath, taking a moment to appreciate the wonderful archon that Nahida was.
"...as long as I'm not being a burden, I guess..."

"great! So, wanderer will take you to go and grab the basic things, and I'll set up your room!" You felt a small knot of guilt in your stomach at the thought of nahida setting up your room without you helping, but she seemed excited to help, so you guessed you wouldn't have to worry that much.

"okay... thank you so much nahida. I really appreciate all this." You said, placing a hand over your heart.

Nahida smiled at you.
"you're welcome, Y/n."

"..." wanderer seemed like he was going to say something, before biting his tongue and turning around to head out the exit. He paused and looked back at you.

"Well? Are you coming?"

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word count: 876