Disclaimer : Dota 2 owned by Valve, still. I'm only borrowing their heroes for acting out my imagination ;)
A/N : I am soooo happy to see that people are still reading this story. Aight, hewego again.
Chapter 5 — Friendly Reminder
I may have to back up a few years to tell you all about Ymir.
He's a local here on Icewrack—like, a real, real locale. Just like most people on this side of the globe, he has one fine light silver-white-ish hair, beard, and is almost always wearing thick leather boots, thick fur jackets, and complete with thick Icewrack accents.
He's one of few people that I met on my first day of adolescent school year, and to be frank, he's been the kindest.
Growing up, I'm not much of a talker, or being friendly, or just being that kid who talks and makes friends easily. It's hard enough for me to socialize on my own, let alone by adding the factor that Icewrack people weren't exactly the welcoming type to outsiders. My school people here in Icewrack, especially, didn't really take me in with a kind welcome. Not at all.
Two of Icewrack folks who accepted me as I am were—and still are—Ymir and Mrs. Auroth.
It's kind of sweet and a little pathetic, knowing only two people in this town who are friends with me. Well, if you can consider an old lady librarian who asked me to work with her as a friend. Mrs. Auroth, she's more like a future boss for me.
As for Ymir, he's always been the kind of hero who stands by me against school bullies. He's like a big brother, protecting me and making sure I'm alright. That, until our senior year of high school—less than 7 years ago.
At that time, with no friends and not much of a choice, Ymir is clearly the one person asked me out on prom—yes, to be his date.
Ugh, can you imagine, dating your own brother? I know, he's not my real brother by any means, but he sure feels like one.
Ah, feels. Feelings. That's right. More than half a decade ago, after our first dance on prom night, Ymir confessed his feelings for me. Meanwhile I, who was only 17 (or was I 18?), didn't really know how to say 'no', and was afraid as hell to lose the only friend I have that acted as my shield, finally give in and let him have me that night, as a date, which later on escalated to us kissing. It was my first kiss. Our first kiss.
It felt wrong.
And after that, our first time, also felt wrong. More wrong than anything I did in my life.
Thus, the sparks between us—more like, just him—only lasts for a couple of months.
I've tried to end it. It was hard. But after some cold conversation, thick sugar-coating, and me trying to be as firm as I could, I finally got my old Ymir back. The one who acts like a brother.
But deep down, years later, between his attention and affection that are still somehow flowing towards me, I can sometimes sense that he still has those sparks somewhere.
Call it a man's first love, or whatever you will, but fortunately, I could never see him that way. The way I see Sven.
Oh crap! Sven!
"Rylai? Who's... this?" he asked with a brief pause between his sentences. I gulped.
"Uhmm, Sven, this is Ymir. He's my—uh… old friend."
Seeing no response either way from these men, I hastily opened my mouth again.
"And um, Ymir, this is Sven, he's my… guest." Right?
"Your guest? Did you—did he stay the night?" Ymir asks with a set of furrowed brows.
"That's, well, um—"
"That would be correct," answers Sven as he wraps his arm around my shoulder, protectively. I swear I can feel his voice grow deeper, bolder, and bitter with a sense of alert.
On the other hand, I can feel the tension building up as Ymir looks at me with disbelief in his eye.
Alright, I can't take it anymore. I need to end this whole tense-air fiesco, right here and now—before bad things happen.
"Look, Ymir, I'll see you later, okay?" I said with a single breath. Ymir answers with a silent judgement mixed in a doubtful stare, making me squeak another word that my brain doesn't really digest.
"I'll stop by your place this afternoon." Then I slam the door closed.
Few seconds passed, I finally realized that I'm not alone in this room—of course! Sven!
I turn my back only to find the man still throwing a look through the door, as if he can see behind the concrete wood that is now strongly hold my leaning back.
"Sven?" I ask, carefully.
"Hmh?" The man seems aware of my presence. His deep blue pearl of eye stops at my face. He smiles, but it doesn't feel sincere. What's with this man?
"Ummm…" I don't know what to say. "Are you okay?" Crap. What was that?
"Why wouldn't I be," he answers. But before I opened my lips for another word, he interrupted. "For real now, Rylai. Who is he? The man you just threw out?"
"Threw—what?! No, no, I didn't mean…" I sighed. "Okay, well, he's my friend. As I said, an old friend."
"That's not what I see. I can sense that he… cares about you. A lot. And it's… nevermind. Look, I gotta go. My plane took off at 8. I thank you for your hospitality, Rylai, I really do." Sven spoke as he threw his gaze out of me. He's not even looking at me!
"What? No! Sven, what are you saying? Are you really leaving?" My tone is full of disbelief. I really can't comprehend a word he said.
"Yes. Are you not allowing me to?" Sven answers.
"No, but… Sven, really? Is that it? You're just gonna leave like that?"
I can see his gaze grow darker as I plead. God, I'm not the kind of girl who begs a man to stay, more over a man that I just met the day before, but with Sven, it's just… doesn't make any sense if all of this has to end so abruptly.
"Rylai, listen." Sven softened his gaze, lowered his voice and took my face on the cup of his palms. His tone is filled with cautions, as if he's afraid of what he's about to say.
"I know you're despises being alone, of farewell and goodbyes, but… you'll be alright, Ry. You're not at all alone, I can see that now. Besides, you should always cherish people who care a lot about you. By all means, that man."
I breathe out a wimp, is he for real?
"So… you're saying you're not?" I asked.
Sven tilted his head, gesturing he didn't really get my words.
"You didn't care? At all?" My voice trembles. "You didn't care if we're never gonna meet or talk again—ever?! Geez, you make it sound so easy, like… carry on, Rylai! Move on, live your boring, monochromic life here. I don't want anything to do with you anymore. Is that it?"
"I never said that—"
"But you make it sound like that!" My voice raises a few notes. It's hard to believe what I just did—or say, or how I say it. I've never raised my voice when I talk to people before.
"Rylai…" Sven's desperate tone makes my heart shrink.
"I-I'm sorry, Sven. You're right. This does not make any sense." I shake my head as sanity slowly seeps back into my skull. I couldn't possibly hold a grown man as a hostage in my house, just because I feel... something. No.
"Alright, I'll let you go. But please let me see you off at the airport, okay?" Those words feels so heavy out of my mouth. I sighed as Sven slowly nodded.
This is the most heartbreaking agreement that I've ever agreed on.
This sucks.
.
A/N : Whoa. Some of y'all leave sum heartwarming reviews on my prevs chapter. I'M SO TOUCHED! ;-;
It burns my willingness to write this fanfic even more. I'm soooo excited! Hopefully the notification of this story updating will be an email (or, y know, just notif on ur phone) that lights up your day, just like your reviews do to mine. Adios, see y'all soon. .