(A/N): Hey yall! I know...it's been a while since I posted anything, but I hope yall enjoy this. Also, read this while listening to Golden Hour by JVKE.

"Attention, the dropship will be arriving at King's Canyon in fifteen minutes. Please head to the jumping platforms with your teammates." The announcer said on the intercom. I was in my quarters, staring down at the floor.

"Houndy…what's on your mind, mate?" I muttered to myself. "Why are ya holding back and…and why can't ya tell me?"

"…Are you ready?" I heard someone say in my doorway. I glanced up and locked eyes with Loba. She knew what I was feeling because she was going through the same emotions for another gal. "Or…is there something on your mind?"

I scoffed and straighten up my back due to leaning forward. I slid my hand through my hair and finally stood up.

"Nothin'. Nothin' at all." I answered as I stepped towards Loba to leave. I saw the smirk on her lips; she knew. That's why she didn't move away from the doorway.

"What did they say?" Loba asked, making me clench my teeth. I looked away from her for a brief moment and noticed Bloodhound looking in our direction. We couldn't pull our eye contact away from one another. My heart ached at how far they were from being mine, but I told them I can wait.

…Though, is that how I feel? Should I risk it by asking them what's keeping them from being mine? We've nearly learned everything about one another and yet there's somethin' you're still keeping from me. Something that's tugging at that beautiful heart of yours…

"I see…they didn't reject you." I heard Loba say, pulling me out of my gaze and realizing Bloodhound had stepped away. I looked back down at her. "…They aren't ready."

I heard the broken heart in Loba's words, reminding herself of Anita. We were both sailing the same painful boat. We had someone here tugging at our emotions and we could do nothing about it, but wait.

"Loba, I don't want to talk about this right now," I say, getting frustrated. "Move out the way."

"Of course…" Loba responded and stepped aside to allow me to leave.

I couldn't be in the same room with her or Bloodhound. I was becoming angry that these feelings were eatin' at me. I know I can wait for them, but why now was I feeling impatient? This was never me.

"Damn, what's wrong with ya, Wally?" I muttered to myself, rubbing at my forehead due to the strain on it. "Maybe a drink will do betta' than a game today…"

"…Walter? Are you alright? Did Loba say something inappropriate?" I heard another voice that wasn't Loba. I looked over my shoulder and nearly jumped out of my skin seeing Houndy. I felt my face burning and I could feel the stutters attempting to escape from my lips.

"Houndy! Oh, nah. We were just discussing our plans for the match today! Turns out she ain't on my team and wanted to pick with the ol' brain. Get in my head, yknow?" I lied with a fake laugh, but surprisingly Houndy didn't catch it.

Houndy chuckled and my heart skipped a beat.

"Be careful with your plans, Walter. I wish you at least make it to the top five for your earnings." Bloodhound responded, making me grin.

"Oh, does someone think they'll be number one today?" I asked, unconsciously stepping a little close.

Bloodhound continues to chuckle.

"If it is my day of victory." They answered.

Then, we were both staring at one another in silence for a moment before realizing it and quickly taking two steps back.

"So-uh…good luck with your match." I stuttered, looking down at the ground as Houndy turned their head.

"Yes and you as well…" Houndy responded before quickly stepping away. I looked up to watch them leave, feeling the ache in my chest again. I wanted to run for them, and pull them back into my arms, but their request for me to wait was taking hold of me.

I sigh and walked towards the jumping platforms, finding my teammates: Revenant and Maggie. They both gave me a strong glare before looking somewhere else. I looked at Loba, noticing her eyes glancing at Anita while she spoke with Kairi. The pup saw those eyes lingering as well. I clenched my fists.

"Look at ya. Losin' your mind over someone who's holdin' back." I heard Maggie say and glanced at her.

"That's none of ya business, Mags." I snapped back.

"Oh, it's not, but seeing ya drooling over them is hilarious. Can't ya tell that they are into ya, but something is still eating at their heart?"

I hesitated, thinking of what could hold Houndy back. I thought of every moment, every drink, but I couldn't think of anything that I said that would hurt their heart. Then, I remembered:

"You've always had me back. Why?"

"You remind me of an old companion."

"A noble gent with a heart of gold?"

"...Not precisely, no."

Suddenly, I felt a burst of desire.

They…they think…

"Attention, the Games are about to begin." Said the announcer.

No.

I looked over my shoulder at Houndy.

Whoever this person was, I'm not gonna be like them.

I started to run just as the jumping platforms were opening.

"Houndy!" I called out just as they jumped. When I looked outside, I saw them skydiving and looking up at me. Their gaze kept pulling me back, stopping me from going for them.

I need to wait. That's what they said. I need to listen because I could lose them if –

Suddenly, I felt someone push me off the platform. I started to skydive, turning around to see who pushed me off and making eye contact with Loba. I saw the small smirk on her lips before mouthing some words I believe were Portuguese:

Diga-lhes para mim. (Tell them for me.)

I didn't understand her, but it gave me the confidence to turn around and dive for Bloodhound. I will wait for them, but I need to tell them how I feel. I want them to know that I won't be whoever they had before in their hearts. If it takes years to finally have this diamond of a warrior in my arms, I can wait.

I saw Bloodhound staring up at me as we dived and I hurried for them and finally caught them in my arms.

"W-Walter?!" Houndy called out to me. "What are you doing?"

"…I…I can wait, Houndy, but…don't give up on me! Give me a chance! Whoever broke ya heart of gold, whoever ya loved is holdin' ya back, don't let them allow ya to lose me! Don't give up! Don't push me too far, alright?! Come back for me when ya can!" I shouted through the gusts of wind passing our ears before I kissed their mask and finally released Bloodhound.

The hunter reached out for me but missed. I watched them fall with a smirk on my lips. Houndy watched me for a moment before turning around and chasing after their teammates. If I can't say be with me…I can say don't forget me because I'll wait. I'll wait every day, every month, every year until you're in my arms.

"You'd think I'd get timing…with the bombs and all. Though, I don't mind waiting, Houndy." I muttered to myself through the gust of wind.

(A/N): Comment & Review! Thanks!