Even though, outwardly, Waver's face was full of boredom and despair as he watched Rider zigzag across the street like an overly-excited, oversized puppy wanting to explore every interesting thing he saw (which was everything), inwardly, Waver's "expression" was entirely different. He was watching Rider, after all, that had to count for something. And he wasn't doing it just to keep an eye on the wild man. It was because Waver couldn't take his eyes off of him. It was something he'd never confess to, never ever ever ever, but he didn't miss a single thing Rider did…

Rider's eyes are wild like the jungle and when he smiles it's like a radio lighting up the room with a favorite song everyone knows. He whispered things into every shop window they passed, speaking in a language that nobody knew, but his overjoyed tone made the gist of it clear. But, for one second, Waver's eyes were distracted, taken off of Rider. There were pretty girls on every corner of this street, they were in one of the busiest shopping centers of Fuyuki, after all, and all of them were watching Rider as well.

Some of them had slack jaws, others practically had heart eyes, and a few looked close to swooning while others were trying to get a closer look. Some of them were staring up in amazement at his massive height, others were ogling his enormous muscles, and some seemed attracted to the childlike wonder in his eyes and smile, and it made them smile, too. Waver was the only one frowning. Maybe that wasn't new, but he was frowning harder than normal, both at Rider and all the pretty girls.

As he came closer to a few of them while crossing the street, he heard them whisper, "Does he know?" still looking Rider up and down, even turning around to get a few extra peeks at him. Even though it made Waver growl in annoyance, for once, he couldn't help but agree with them. As he looked after Rider, still trapezing around the city in delight and awe, Waver could only shake his head and think, Will you ever know?

And finally, out came the thoughts he knew he would never ever ever ever say ever! You're wonderful, every single piece, love. And don't you know, you're really going to be someone? Maybe Waver made his exasperation with Rider all too clear on practically a minutely basis, but he couldn't deny that Rider was still a rather impressive and formidable servant to have. It wasn't just the giant stature or equally giant muscles either. He was the legendary Conqueror-King, Alexander the Great! He had eons of wisdom and experience in combat, as well as a reputation so fearsome that it stood the test of times, as he was one of the older Heroic Spirits in the Grail War and yet people across the world still knew his name.

And that was Waver's next thought. Ask anyone, they know you were, and still could be, Someone. And then came the thing Waver was too afraid to admit, even to himself. As fantastic as it was to have such an epic warrior and universally-renowned king as his servant, in some ways, that made it even worse. Rider was so out of his league, in every way possible! That was why all the girls were ogling him while they didn't even seem to see the shrimpy boy trailing in his shadow. Waver was nothing, and no one. Rider was everything.

But it wasn't just the "outside threat" from other lovesick, lovestruck admirers on the street. Why would Rider want anything to do with a boring weakling of a boy who had, thus far, accomplished nothing when Rider, by contrast, had accomplished some of the greatest feats in history, conquering a large part of the then-known world?

He had so many bigger and better things to do and move onto, and Waver was certain he was never in the picture. He was nothing but a "grail" in his own right, a vessel for Rider's spirit so Rider could claim the actual Holy Grail and then move on. He had no use for someone as useless, pathetic, and pitiful as Waver, at least not in the long-term, Waver was sure of it.

And that was where his most secret thought, the deepest desire he couldn't even admit to himself, came into play: And when you find everything you looked for, I hope your life leads you back to my door. Of course, it was utterly preposterous and absolutely ludicrous. Not only did servants not hang around after the Grail War was over, but again, why would Rider even want to? Surely he was looking to jump ship as soon as he could, right? But even so, as much as the thought broke Waver's heart and left him feeling utterly defeated, he still couldn't help but hope and wish, for Rider's sake, that no matter what happened in the end, he would stay just as wonderful as he ever was.

ooo

Little did Waver know, though, that as far as Rider was concerned, all of his future plans did have Waver in the picture. The hulking figure finally slowed down long enough to let the smaller, scrawnier boy catch up. They were right outside a teashop.

"Shall we go in and grab a bite to eat?" Rider asked, grinning from ear to ear.

"Ugh, I guess," Waver slouched his way over to the door.

"Excellent!" Rider gave an excited bellow of laughter. Ah, that was the good old Waver he knew and loved! Even though the boy would skulk and sulk the whole time, he agreed to have lunch with Rider anyway. That was a victory as far as the King of Conquerors was concerned. Ah, Waver, my boy, you always know how to be the highlight of my day.

Rider would conquer Waver's heart one day, he was sure of it (although, of course, not by force like he'd conquered all of those kingdoms of old). No, when it came to bonding with troops, even the most lone-wolf of the pack, it always took time, patience, and understanding. What better way to facilitate that than by bonding over good food, good drink, and good company?

Rider spent the entire meal taking pictures in his mind to save them for a future day. Unlike what Waver thought, not only was he front and center of Rider's pictures and plans, but Rider's plans involved keeping the memory of Waver with him even after their time as servant and master was up, whether it ended in victory or defeat.

Rider gave another bellowing laugh. Waver had just, in his usual irritation, asked how much longer they were going to waste stuffing their faces. For a clever schoolboy such as him, he certainly could be very daft at times. Even the smallest of children and the least-educated of soldiers knew that food was fuel, and healthy food was what helped support positive mental health. Even if it wasn't as simple as eating a healthy meal to cure one's depression or anxiety, healthy food would still probably help Waver's mental health in some capacity. He just had to eat it!

But Rider found it hard to make a conversation when Waver was taking his breath away. Even after he stopped laughing, though, he unintentionally wound up returning the favor only a second later. In a moment of joviality, he clapped Waver on the back in a chummy fashion. That knocked the wind clean out of Waver's lanky frame and, suddenly, he was the one with his breath taken away.

"Are you trying to kill me?!" Waver snapped, having also almost choked on some of his food.

"Oh, sorry, boy!" Rider roared. He looked seconds away from patting Waver on the back again, but the terrified expression on Waver's face reminded him that slapping him on the back was what got them into that situation in the first place.

While Waver gave a few more coughs to clear his windpipe, Rider gave him a sympathetic smile. There was still so much left he wanted to say to the boy, but he knew in his heart that they were words Waver was not ready to hear yet.

I should say, hey, by the way, you're beautiful, every little piece love. And don't you know, you're really going to be someone? Ask anyone!

Although Rider knew Waver was deeply insecure (hence why he wasn't ready to hear these words yet), he actually did have more support than he realized. And Rider didn't just mean himself. Although Waver had the type of mindset that convinced him everyone hated him, in reality, Rider knew that Waver's…grandparents certainly seemed to think the world of him.

And Waver was such an introvert that aside from the few vocal bullies and teachers that he did know, Rider found it a little difficult to believe that every single little last person that Waver knew secretly was rooting against him. Waver didn't even know that many people to begin with! More than likely, he just couldn't see the bigger picture.

He'd reduced the whole world down to only the people he knew well, but the problem was twofold. One, as aforementioned, he didn't even know many people to begin with. If he broadened his horizons, he probably would realize that the world was not out to get him. Secondly, it was just unfortunate that the people he did know (or at least, the ones he committed to memory the most) were also the most vocal and hateful. They made it easy for him to assume that everyone hated him when, in reality, it was only those bullies.

That of course, in turn, put him on guard for the rest of the world. Even people who met him kindly (Rider and others) were met with hostility in return because Waver's mind had become so warped that he assumed everyone secretly hated him.

Rider used to know soldiers exactly like him, so that was why he was never put off by any of Waver's sass. Maybe Waver thought everything was a big deal, but being alive since the B.C.s gave Rider a unique perspective on things. That was why he didn't take things as quickly, seriously, or personally, as Waver. But none of this was through any fault of the boy's own.

He just needed someone to be patient with him and show him that the world was not as bad as it seemed. Once that perspective change happened, Rider would get see the truly beautiful side of Waver. He knew it was in there, he just needed to coax it out. But Rider, although impulsive and boisterous, could be patient. You didn't become the King of Conquerors by being reckless and thoughtless. Bold and brave, yes, but not so stupid that you ran into battle without planning first.

I can sense it in you, boy, that you're really going to be someone someday. And when you find everything you looked for, I hope your life and legacy lead you back to me. Oh, but if it didn't, Rider still hoped Waver would find his inner beauty and then stay beautiful for all the rest of his life. Life, for a mortal, was too short to waste on focusing on only the bad things in life. Didn't Waver deserve to focus on the happy things?

Well, it was something he would have to actively strive for. Happiness didn't come on a silver platter, it was hard-fought golden trophy won by a silver sword, but that was what made it all the sweeter when it was finally found. Even if it shouldn't have been Waver's burden to bear, figuring out how to find happiness, that was the lot life handed to him. Now all he could do was react.

Besides, Rider smiled to himself, That's why I want to find Okeanos. Nothing safe is worth the drive, so the crowning jewel for me would be to do the unthinkable, the impossible: to find the final thing I'm looking for at the world's edge.

ooo

But things didn't always go according to plan. Rider eventually found himself facing off against Archer, but Archer was in better shape than he was. While Rider had been out in the field, getting his hands dirty, Archer lurked in the shadows until his opponents picked each other off one by one. Only in the final few did he ever emerge. Rider was also torn. Was this cowardice, or cleverness?

There was no more time for debating the morality of the ways in which a king chose to do battle, however. Now, the time was nigh to do battle. Rider certainly wasn't counting himself out just yet, it really could go either way, but obviously, loss always had to be considered. That wasn't cynicism, it was pragmaticism. As he'd noted before, one didn't become the King of Conquerors without considering every angle first.

That was how and why he'd come to see Waver as a diamond in the rough. He was teeming with hidden potential and cunning. And on the flip side, Rider didn't shy away from anything, including uncomfortable truths where he came out as the loser rather than the winner. He'd already made peace with himself. Even if he still wasn't able to find Okeanos this time around, he would stay beautiful. But Waver…?

In that moment, all Waver could think was, If you and I are a story that never gets told, then I should be—no, I want to be—your retainer, so that way, at least you'll know…He also wanted Rider to win, of course he did, but it would be a lie to say Archer wasn't intimidating.

And at the same time, Rider was thinking, If what you are is a daydream, a slice of normal life, I'll never get to hold, then I need to say all of this now, so at least you'll know…

And that's when their thoughts converged, You're beautiful, every little piece love, and don't you know, you're really going to be someone? Ask anyone. Rider ruffled Waver's hair. If this was to be his last few moments on Earth, he wanted to make the best of them. Yes, that meant he was going to battle Archer to the best of his ability, and their battle would be legendary, but he also wanted to spend those last moments with Waver, making sure the boy knew two things. One, he needed to know how much Rider had enjoyed their time together. Two, he needed to know…

"You're really going to be someone, Retainer. And when you find your Okeanos, I hope your life, your legend, leads you back to my palace door!"

Oh, but if it don't, will you promise me one thing, boy? Will you stay beautiful? Never give up, never lose hope and faith, never lose your smile.

ooo

Many years would pass, Rider passed away and Waver still searching for his Okeanos. For the most part, he thought he had it, taking up a teaching position at the very same school that used to hate him, even stealing the title of Lord El-Melloi from his most detested enemy and replacing him as someone far superior. But unfortunately, what Rider had said, and what Waver had thought, all those years ago was true.

If you and I are a story that never gets told, if what you are is a daydream I'll never get to hold…

But at least Waver knew, and at least Rider had known as well. They made good use of their last few minutes together. Waver finally had his chance to express his appreciation to Rider, however messy it was. So wherever Rider was now, still searching for Okeanos or having a rematch with Archer, he knew how much he meant to Waver. And Waver himself still remembered Rider fondly as the first and only person to believe in him, the only one to like him for him, even when his reputation and mental health had never been worse.

He remembered Rider's endless support, and all of his kind, encouraging words. He wondered if Rider ever stopped and thought about him.

"I did it, Rider," Waver said to the sky. "I stayed beautiful…I think," he paused to give himself a dry smile. He still wasn't the most attractive or welcoming of faces, but he understood that Rider's final wish for him had been purely metaphorical. "And…I think I found everything I thought I wanted, but…I still haven't found Okeanos yet, so…I hope your life, your legacy, your love leads you back to my door. That's where my Okeanos is, exploring the shores with you. Oh, but if it won't, will you remember me?"

In all the years since last they saw each other, Waver followed the legend of Alexander the Great as intently as he could. It was the closest he would come to standing beside the gentle, jolly giant again. Books and screens were the only place Waver could see Rider now, but he had nothing left for the other man except well wishes. He hoped that no matter where Rider went next, Rider would never forget him, and…

Will you stay beautiful? Just as wonderful and wild as you always were? If fate is kind and we ever do get to meet again, I hope our next story ends differently. I'd like to find the real Okeanos someday, but of course, not without you. I just hope you know it's never too late to come back to my side. The stars in your sky, your constellation, don't shine as brightly as your eyes did the night that we first met, and if you're tired of being known for who you know, you know, you'll always know me…

AN: This is a gift to Penguinlover611, my best friend! Sorry it's kinda sad, but this was written in your honor! I hope you enjoy this and find the ending bittersweet rather than just bitter! LOL!