Blanket disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. I do not claim any rights to Harvest Moon Animal Parade or any characters associated with the game. No money was made from this fan fiction.
Author note: My thanks to Andi for taking the time to beta. I appreciate your help.
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Pressing his lips together, Wizard concentrated on threading the long silver beads he'd created onto the wire hoop he was using for his latest talisman. Reaching for one of the small crystal pieces, he threaded it on as well. Holding it up, he eyed his work- he was at the center now. Picking the largest crystal piece, he fixed it to the absolute center before repeating the pattern on the other side of it.
It had been a few days since he'd seen Hikari. His own fault really; he'd locked her out of his home ever since that day Luke had come by. He'd even 'spied' on them during their date and checked her thoughts towards the young carpenter. She liked Luke. She seen him as fun loving, outgoing, easy to talk to, and very kind-hearted.
Probably his complete opposite. He'd never wanted to hate anyone more than he wanted to hate Luke right now. But he'd looked into his heart and he was kind-hearted, fun loving, outgoing, and he could carry on a conversation with anyone . . . even Wizard himself.
Luke cared about Hikari a great deal; she meant a lot to him. They had a lot in common. Hikari had revealed to him that she had no family- she was alone in the world. And Luke, he understood what it was like to loose a parent; his own mother had died when he was just a small child.
This wasn't anything he didn't already know about Hikari. But he couldn't understand what that meant, not like Luke could. He wasn't human. He didn't have any parents; not that he knew of. All he did know was that he hadn't been born like a human. One day he was just there with his Master. All Master had ever said was the wind had played a part in his creation. The only being in his life he could compare to a parent would be his Master, and he was still alive- just not with him. What did he know about the pain of growing up without a parent?
Luke was a normal human. Hikari could live a normal human life with Luke, and he'd make her happy. Luke's heart was so full of love. Wizard knew it to be true. He'd seen it.
He could admit to himself that he was jealous. While Luke understood what love was so easily. Wizard struggled to make heads or tails out of what he felt. Luke always seemed to know what to say in his own clumsy way, he even called Hikari pet names like 'sunshine'. And he made her laugh and forget about all the things the magical beings of this land wanted from her. Luke would shower her with love if given the chance.
What did he have to offer? He still didn't understand what he felt. Even if he was able to love her and live a human life with her, did that include what a normal human man could give her? Marriage, children, growing old together? He wasn't completely sure about the first two, but he knew for certain he couldn't give her the last one. Was that fair to her?
His door was rattling again, she'd waited till late in the evening this time. He finished the last piece of his talisman just as he heard her yell at him through the door.
"If you are okay at least come let me know!"
Putting the new talisman down he moved towards the door. If she was concerned with his well being he could at least let her know he was not ill. She was pounding on it again. Sliding the bolt to the side, he cracked the door open just as she knocked again. He blinked when her fist connected with his chest.
"Why have you been keeping your door locked? Hikari has been really worried about you." He didn't expect Finn to be the one to chew him out, then again the little sprite did take his duties to Hikari very seriously.
"I don't want to be disturbed." Perhaps that had been a little too rude. She was biting her lip like she use to do all the time. Looking away, he really didn't know what to say to her. Luke wouldn't have this problem would he? Something tightened in his chest, and he let his mouth run free. "Why don't you go see Luke. I'm sure the two of you can find all sorts of things you have in common."
She stepped back from him. "Luke? What does he have to do with you shutting me out?"
Starting to press the door shut he replied. "I know what has been going on between you and Luke."
Stomping her foot she growled at him. "What do you mean by that? Luke and I are just friends."
Shutting the door, he answered just before he disappeared completely behind it. "Not in his heart you aren't."
