Sorry for the long wait guys, and what's worse is this chapter is kinda short, I'm sorry D:
Rod was back to his usual cheery self the next day. Or, at least, he pretended to be. He had almost everyone fooled too, since word had got around of his rejection, everyone expected him to mope around like Soseki, Sanjay, and even Allen did. But nope, Rod whistled as he walked his usual walk down the Riverside path just outside the village.
Of course, Neil knew there was something off.
Rod was behaving very differently.
The way he held himself was a little too high, he whistled a little too loud, he moved a little too quickly.
Neil shook his head slightly, causing his blond locks to sweep over his red eyes as he rumbled through his carriage, setting up shop next to Rod's.
Rod hummed his usual tune as he brushed his pets with a forced happy smile that was close, but not close enough.
"Still upset?" Neil asked causally, setting up his chair behind the counter and sitting down, leaning back so he rocked on the back legs.
Rod stopped humming and smiled awkwardly at him. "That obvious? I thought I was doing a good job…"
Neil shrugged.
"No one else noticed." Rod continued, rubbing the back of his neck and smiling. "I guess you just know me better."
The blonde couldn't help the blush that over powered his face, so he jerked his head in the other direction, trying to hide it.
"That's a good thing though." Rod added, grinning for real as he sat himself behind his own little counter.
Please stop talking…
"I like having a friend like you."
Neil blushed harder as he shut his eyes, a small frown on his lips, his eyebrows furrowed slightly.
"It's nice having someone I can talk to."
Shut up…
"I like you, Neil." Rod chuckled.
He was dying of embarrassment.
"You're probably my closest friend."
Even when I don't respond, he goes on and on…
"Thank you for that."
Neil let out a small sigh. "No problem…"
Rod grinned, completely clueless of Neil's inner torment.
No matter what Rod said, it always had Neil on edge.
Neil had no idea why, and it bothered the hell out of him.
As noon approached with no customers for either of them, Rod sighed.
"No luck today."
Neil nodded.
Rod rocked back and forth in his chair, unable to keep still for so long.
"Oh, hey! I packed some lunch today, you want some?"
Neil's stomach growled lightly and he nodded. "Sure."
Rod looked around his stand before chuckling lightly. "I left it at home, be right back!"
"Alright."
"Watch my animals for me!" Rod called as over his shoulder as his red chucks squeaked against the paved Plaza.
Your home is ten minutes away on foot, what could possibly happen in that time?
"Hi."
Neil jerked his head up to meet the sea blue eyes of the fair-haired farmer.
Shit.