Prose log with Wyatt
There wasn't a day that Wyatt wasn't baking and it was no different that day. He had been occupying himself in the bakery's kitchen preparing some cookies and doughnuts and setting them in the ovens to bake, humming various tunes as he went along. The festival was a lot of fun and he was glad that they were able to hold one.
Finding the door open, Geddoe let himself into the new bakery, able to tell with just a whiff that his search would not be in vain. "Working hard, or hardly working?" he called out.
"Geddoe!" Wyatt had immediately recognized the voice and called back at the visitor. "I hardly call this work that I enjoy work but I am working nonetheless. What's up?" He put another tray of cookies into the oven before turning towards the doorway.
Geddoe came into the doorway and leaned on the frame, folding his arms. "Not much. Just have a little free time and was out wandering, thought I'd say hello." He smiled vaguely. "And have a snack."
"Well, of course you can have a snack anytime." He went to a plate of peantu-butter chocolate chip cookies that had been out of the oven only fifteen or so minutes and carried them over to the mercenary captain. "Here, take as many as you want. And don't give me that crap about needing to cut back."
Geddoe chuckled and grabbed two right off the bat, pleased to find them still warm and moist. "I don't know who spoils me more, Sigurd or you," he teased, munching on one right away. "I'd retire here permanently if it wasn't so boring just hanging around."
Wyatt smirked. "Well, I'm sure that Sigurd has got me beat. All I do is bake desserts." He set the plate back down on the counter before getting back to the ovens. "But yeah, I can't see you settling around here anytime soon. You haven't gotten that adventurer out of you yet."
"I've never been like you," Geddoe mused, though with a smile in his voice as he ate his cookies. "I can't settle down, no matter how good I've got it. I'd rather take my good thing with me than stay here."
Wyatt chuckled at that and shook his head. "If I have ever settled down, it was definitely not forever. I had to leave Vinay del Zexay and eventually Karaya as well. Granted, it was because of the Rune and I no longer have it so ..." He stopped to ponder that thought a little more. "I suppose I could settle here now ..."
"What, you mean you haven't already?" Geddoe teased before popping the last bite of cookie into his mouth. "What do you call this?" He twirled a finger to indicate the bakery they were standing in.
"I call it something to pass the time. Anyone can work here if they want to. It doesn't have to be me or Watari." He raised a knowing brow. "Besides, if I felt like it, I could take off and leave at any time. I am not bound by any pressing obligations, after all."
"I suppose not," Geddoe shrugged. "What, want to join the Defense Force and work for me? We could run together like we used to." His gaze wandered briefly. "...well, Sigurd would be with us, but..."
Wyatt shook his head at that. "You offered before but I don't think I can stand working for Harmonia. At all. And I do like it here." He smiled at his old friend. "Besides, I am bound to die of old age now, sooner or later. I don't think you want an old, decrepit man on your team."
Some of Geddoe's cheer evaporated, thinking of that. "I forget, sometimes," he admitted. "I keep thinking it's just like old times, you and me, unchanging...but it's not." He peered curiously across at his old friend. "So, you're settling down. What's next...marrying yourself off again? Or..."
At the word 'marrying', Wyatt nearly choked and he turned to Geddoe sputtering, a pink tint creeping across his face. "Marriage? Where did you get an idea like that?" He swallowed nervously, wondering if somehow he knew.
Wyatt's reaction surprised Geddoe - there was no reason for him to blush, was there? "Uh...you teased me about it, regarding Sigurd?" he offered as an explanation. "Isn't that what 'settling down' really is? What's the matter, Wyatt?"
He blinked at Geddoe's explanation before laughing, still nervously. "Well, yeah, that's true. But 'settling down' can also mean just staying put too, can't it?" Wyatt reached for a cookie and began eating it, if only to prevent himself from fidgeting.
Geddoe knew Wyatt far too well to be snowed by his evasions. He could tell something was up, and stepped further into the kitchen. "Wyatt," he said in a scolding tone. "What did I say this time? What's up?"
As Geddoe began walking further into the kitchen, he sighed and wished he hadn't been caught off guard. "It's nothing really. Nothing bad, at least. I hope. Everything is all right, I promise."
Geddoe came over to him and clapped a hand to his shoulder, leaning into him. "Nothing bad can mean a lot of things. Is there something you ought to be telling me?"
Wyatt sighed again and covered his face with a hand. "I probably deserve it, for all the times I've teased you. There's not much to tell, really, other than ... well, I'm still kind of confused myself. Caught up in some kind of whirlwind, so to speak ..."
Geddoe leaned in even more, keenly interested. He lowered his voice, even though there was no one else around to overhear. "Then, tell me whatever you can. You know I'll listen. It's what I'm around for."
Wyatt just raised an eyebrow and gave him a look. "I don't mean to make it sound so serious because it's not. Really." He took a deep breath, deciding it was best to just get it out already. "I'm kind of involved with someone right now. That's it." He chuckled a little after he blurted it out and shook his head in disbelief.
Geddoe's heavy eyebrow just about shot off his forehead. "Wait a minute...you? Where did this come from? I had no idea..." He laughed a bit. "You managed to find someone and I never noticed. Good one. Who is it?"
"I know, I know, it's very sudden." Wyatt sighed before coughing and mumbling into a fist. "Lo Hak." And in an instant, he had taken a couple of cookies from the plate and shoved them in his mouth, if only to prevent himself from blushing too badly.
Geddoe went still and silent for a moment, blinking. "Wait," he finally said in a low tone. "You...another man? Wyatt..." The shock of the moment was not wearing off very quickly. "I thought...you didn't..."
He sighed and covered his face with a hand again. "I know, I know. I don't ... Well, I didn't ..." Unable to articulate his feelings, he growled in frustration. "I told you I'm very confused right now."
"I can understand." Geddoe faced his old friend squarely, setting both hands heavily on his shoulders in an effort to keep him from shrinking away. "It's all right, Wyatt...I'm stunned, but...it's not a bad stun. You...if you need my advice or my ear, you have it. I've been in your shoes, you know."
He nodded and sighed again. "I know you understand and I'm glad you do. I was afraid you'd be quite surprised though. And that means everyone else ..." He shook his head, not finishing the thought. "I told him I'm not ready to commit to anything, especially since he asked right after ..." And he shut-up completely right there.
"What?" Geddoe pressed. "Right after what? Wyatt..." His eye widened again. "You haven't already...?"
Wyatt slapped his face again in exasperated shame and turned away. "I'm a real winner, aren't I? Goddess, what's wrong with me?"
"Oh, Wyatt..." Geddoe kept a hand on his shoulder, even though he had turned away from him. "I'm not blaming you, don't take it like that. You're free to do whatever you want, it's not like I haven't done the same thing before. Many times before," he added wryly. "I just don't want to see you get hurt."
He chuckled at that. "No, it's all right. I'm quite surprised with myself that things have spiraled they way they have. Like I said, it's like some kind of whirlwind. I've spun out of control in regards to this. One moment, I'm alert, the next everything is a complete haze."
Geddoe raised an eyebrow at that. "I take it you're not exactly thinking things through, and just going with your gut."
"Yeah, in so many words." He frowned. "You'd think I was an adolescent kid again."
"Gee, why does that sound familiar?" Geddoe whiffed a faint chuckle and drew his hand back. "That's the way it goes. But you still have to be careful. You're not the kind of man to just be so casual forever - I know you."
Wyatt sighed again and nodded. "Yeah, I'm going to want to settle down with one person. Although it's not as if I'm with more than one person." He glanced up at Geddoe, a questioning look on his face. "You think it would be a good idea for me to take some time to step away from the situation and think things through some more?"
Geddoe leaned on the nearest counter-top. "I don't know about stepping away...there's no reason to deprive yourself of a good thing when you've got it. But be careful with it. I don't know Lo Hak very well at all, I only know he was on the same crew with Sigurd once, so it's not like I can say if he'll be good for you or not." He tilted his head slightly. "But everybody does need somebody, once in a while."
He nodded in agreement. "That's the thing. It has been so long since I've been with anyone. I left Anna more than 20 years ago and haven't been close to anyone since. I didn't really care about it for the most part. Every now and then I'd feel the sting of loneliness but otherwise, I didn't mind in the least. But now ... and here ..." Wyatt sighed again. "I find it more difficult as time goes on to remain so indifferent."
Geddoe lowered his head briefly to hide the chuckle that had welled up out of him. "Yes...I know exactly what you mean," he murmured, sobering up and merely smiling. "There's no reason to get in over your head. If you like him, you like him. Don't make more out of it than it is. You don't have to think about forever...just right now." The smile slid off his face. "Have you told him about...your past? About Anna? Or Chris?"
Wyatt smiled back, thinking that was probably what he needed to hear. He didn't need to worry about things that may or may not pass, but just the present moment. He nodded affirmatively in response to Geddoe's question. "Yeah, he knows that I was married before and that Chris is my daughter. He actually thought that he had no chance with me because of it."
"I would have thought the same thing," Geddoe chuckled. "In fact...I did think it, for a few years. Well, that's good," he sighed. "It's always better to know what you're getting into. And I guess you don't have the Rune anymore, so it's sort of moot..."
"Hm?" Wyatt raised an eyebrow in surprise before smirking. "Well, I guess it's pointless to ask why you never said a thing. The only thing I haven't told him, however, is how old I am exactly. I keep mentioning that I'm an old man but he thinks I'm kidding around."
Geddoe shrugged a little. "You can ask," he suggested slyly before addressing the other comment. "I don't see why you need to hide that from him. It's part of who you are. Your past shaped you, Wyatt, as everyone's does. The fact that you were Fire Bringer and carried True Water is as much a part of you as the color of your eyes."
"That's true, although I wasn't trying to hide it from him on purpose. I had been thinking about talking to him more about it in detail at some point." He coughed into his fist again. "When we actually are sitting around and talking. But anyways," An amused brow went up. "If I can ask, then why is it that you didn't say anything back then?"
Geddoe looked away as if searching his memory for something. "A lot of reasons," he finally answered. "I thought you wouldn't be interested, then after you had a wife I was pretty sure...and I was too full of my own bullshit at that point anyway. Besides..." He looked back to Wyatt and smiled warmly. "I love you like a brother. I couldn't ruin that."
"Ah ..." Wyatt's usual grin spread across his face. "Well, true. I couldn't think to be with anyone other than Anna then." He laughed then and threw his arm around Geddoe's neck, and dragging him down a little. "And you're the best brother I've ever had. Well, the only one, but that's not important."
"Same here," Geddoe chuckled gruffly, patting Wyatt's chest heartily. "But that's not going to stop me from wondering if things would have been different if our respective islanders had never come along..."
"Hm, I didn't think about that, but then again, I haven't been doing too much of that lately." He smirked. "I completely forgot that they're both from the same war. What a coincidence!"
"Well, I suppose I know who to go to for the lowdown on Lo Hak," Geddoe smirked back.
Wyatt raised an eyebrow at that but merely grinned. "Well, that just means I need to ask Lo Hak about Sigurd."
Geddoe tipped back his head and laughed. "Go right ahead, the man's squeaky-clean. Well, as clean as a pirate can be," he added knowingly. A moment's pause, and he shook his head with another short chuckle. "I never thought I'd be having this conversation. But I'm happy for you, Wyatt. I want you to be happy, no matter what it takes."
"Well, neither did I but surprises never cease in a person's lifetime." He subdued his grin a bit, simply smiling back at Geddoe. "Thanks, pal. It means a lot to me. And to have you clear my head a bit too."
Geddoe shrugged again. "I may not have much experience, but I have enough. At least it's in the right area. My shoulder is always yours to lean on, if you need. Just..." He remembered something important he needed to tell Wyatt anyway - better late than never. "Sigurd and I are going to leave on our Grasslands trip later this week, so you'll have to wait until I get back to beg me for advice."
"Ah, that's right. You did tell me you guys planned to head out for a bit." He smirked again. "That's fine. You two have fun and I'll try to survive in the meantime."
"I mean it, though." He set his hand roughly on Wyatt's shoulder again. "You were there for me, I can do the same. Just don't take yourself too seriously." The corner of his mouth turned up in a smirk. "Like me."
Wyatt laughed at that. "Could you imagine that?" He paused a moment before shaking his head. "I certainly can't. No worries, I don't think that'll be happening anytime soon. But thanks. I know that no matter what, you'll have my back just as I have yours."
"Absolutely." Geddoe straightened up and ribbed him lightly. "Don't fret too much, it'll be fine. I remember what it's like, finding yourself switching sides for the first time. The confusion goes away after a bit."
Wyatt's eyebrows rose in surprise and he paused to think a bit more before smirking. "Switching sides?" He had to laugh at that. "You make it sound like some kind of sport."
"Do you really want me to be more straightforward about it?" Geddoe asked wryly with a raised eyebrow.
Now he just look both surprised and amused. "What do you mean you can be more straightforward? How can you be more straightforward that that?"
"Don't ask," Geddoe replied with a wave of his hand. "So, you like him?"
"Heh." He rubbed the back of his head, almost bashfully. "I like how cheerful and friendly he is and how much he makes me laugh. He's good company and well," Wyatt smirked before adding, "He gives great massages."
Geddoe nodded slightly. "That must be nice. Hm. Sounds like he's a decent guy. What pushed it over the edge? The massages?"
Wyatt paused a moment to consider that and shook his head slightly. "As hard as it may be to believe, I think it might have been the small touches that did it. Sure, the massages did play a part, but every time he touched my hand or his leg brushed against mine or whatever, it kind of jolted me. When he held my hand in the baths, refusing to let it go, that's what did it."
A warm look crossed Geddoe's face. "Yeah, that'll do it," he mused, almost reminiscing about something of his own. "In that case, you have my blessing. See where it takes you. You deserve it."
He smiled back and nodded. "Thanks, pal. We'll see what happens. It's still new yet."
"Of course. But enjoy it, while you have it." He reached across to the plate of cookies and snatched up a couple more for the road. "I'd better get my fill of these before I have to pay for them," he teased.
"Heh, I will. And you better. You won't have a personal baker while you're out there traveling." Wyatt smirked. "There are plenty still, so take as many as you or Sigurd might like."
"Sigurd isn't huge on sweets, so I'll just take a couple for myself." Geddoe balanced them in one hand while he set the other on Wyatt's shoulder. There wasn't anything more he needed to say, he'd said it all, so he left it at that warm gesture before withdrawing. "We'll be away about a week or so. I'll make sure to give Sana your regards."
Wyatt shook his head with a tsk, disapproving of Sigurd's indifference to sweets. "That's a real shame. I'll never understand but what can be done." He then nodded with a smile and lightly clapped Geddoe on his back. "Thanks. You two enjoy yourselves. And take care." With a grin, he added, "And don't do anything I would do."
Geddoe wagged a finger at him as he headed for the door. "Behave, or I won't tell you any stories of our exploits when we get back."
He laughed again. "I'm kidding. Besides, old man, you're old enough to be my father, perhaps, but I'm not a kid, you know."
Being reminded of their actual age difference made Geddoe narrow his eye in an unamused stare. "Don't put that image into my head," he warned. "Fine, then. We'll swap tales when I'm back, how's that?"
Wyatt laughed heartily, completely amused by his unamusement. "I take it back, then. And yes, we'll exchange stories whem you return. I'm sure there will be plenty by then."
By the twitch of his eyebrow, anyone could see Geddoe was intrigued and amused by the idea. "I'll buy the drinks," he promised, waving a hand in the air as he passed through the door and onward to savor his cookies.
Finding the door open, Geddoe let himself into the new bakery, able to tell with just a whiff that his search would not be in vain. "Working hard, or hardly working?" he called out.
"Geddoe!" Wyatt had immediately recognized the voice and called back at the visitor. "I hardly call this work that I enjoy work but I am working nonetheless. What's up?" He put another tray of cookies into the oven before turning towards the doorway.
Geddoe came into the doorway and leaned on the frame, folding his arms. "Not much. Just have a little free time and was out wandering, thought I'd say hello." He smiled vaguely. "And have a snack."
"Well, of course you can have a snack anytime." He went to a plate of peantu-butter chocolate chip cookies that had been out of the oven only fifteen or so minutes and carried them over to the mercenary captain. "Here, take as many as you want. And don't give me that crap about needing to cut back."
Geddoe chuckled and grabbed two right off the bat, pleased to find them still warm and moist. "I don't know who spoils me more, Sigurd or you," he teased, munching on one right away. "I'd retire here permanently if it wasn't so boring just hanging around."
Wyatt smirked. "Well, I'm sure that Sigurd has got me beat. All I do is bake desserts." He set the plate back down on the counter before getting back to the ovens. "But yeah, I can't see you settling around here anytime soon. You haven't gotten that adventurer out of you yet."
"I've never been like you," Geddoe mused, though with a smile in his voice as he ate his cookies. "I can't settle down, no matter how good I've got it. I'd rather take my good thing with me than stay here."
Wyatt chuckled at that and shook his head. "If I have ever settled down, it was definitely not forever. I had to leave Vinay del Zexay and eventually Karaya as well. Granted, it was because of the Rune and I no longer have it so ..." He stopped to ponder that thought a little more. "I suppose I could settle here now ..."
"What, you mean you haven't already?" Geddoe teased before popping the last bite of cookie into his mouth. "What do you call this?" He twirled a finger to indicate the bakery they were standing in.
"I call it something to pass the time. Anyone can work here if they want to. It doesn't have to be me or Watari." He raised a knowing brow. "Besides, if I felt like it, I could take off and leave at any time. I am not bound by any pressing obligations, after all."
"I suppose not," Geddoe shrugged. "What, want to join the Defense Force and work for me? We could run together like we used to." His gaze wandered briefly. "...well, Sigurd would be with us, but..."
Wyatt shook his head at that. "You offered before but I don't think I can stand working for Harmonia. At all. And I do like it here." He smiled at his old friend. "Besides, I am bound to die of old age now, sooner or later. I don't think you want an old, decrepit man on your team."
Some of Geddoe's cheer evaporated, thinking of that. "I forget, sometimes," he admitted. "I keep thinking it's just like old times, you and me, unchanging...but it's not." He peered curiously across at his old friend. "So, you're settling down. What's next...marrying yourself off again? Or..."
At the word 'marrying', Wyatt nearly choked and he turned to Geddoe sputtering, a pink tint creeping across his face. "Marriage? Where did you get an idea like that?" He swallowed nervously, wondering if somehow he knew.
Wyatt's reaction surprised Geddoe - there was no reason for him to blush, was there? "Uh...you teased me about it, regarding Sigurd?" he offered as an explanation. "Isn't that what 'settling down' really is? What's the matter, Wyatt?"
He blinked at Geddoe's explanation before laughing, still nervously. "Well, yeah, that's true. But 'settling down' can also mean just staying put too, can't it?" Wyatt reached for a cookie and began eating it, if only to prevent himself from fidgeting.
Geddoe knew Wyatt far too well to be snowed by his evasions. He could tell something was up, and stepped further into the kitchen. "Wyatt," he said in a scolding tone. "What did I say this time? What's up?"
As Geddoe began walking further into the kitchen, he sighed and wished he hadn't been caught off guard. "It's nothing really. Nothing bad, at least. I hope. Everything is all right, I promise."
Geddoe came over to him and clapped a hand to his shoulder, leaning into him. "Nothing bad can mean a lot of things. Is there something you ought to be telling me?"
Wyatt sighed again and covered his face with a hand. "I probably deserve it, for all the times I've teased you. There's not much to tell, really, other than ... well, I'm still kind of confused myself. Caught up in some kind of whirlwind, so to speak ..."
Geddoe leaned in even more, keenly interested. He lowered his voice, even though there was no one else around to overhear. "Then, tell me whatever you can. You know I'll listen. It's what I'm around for."
Wyatt just raised an eyebrow and gave him a look. "I don't mean to make it sound so serious because it's not. Really." He took a deep breath, deciding it was best to just get it out already. "I'm kind of involved with someone right now. That's it." He chuckled a little after he blurted it out and shook his head in disbelief.
Geddoe's heavy eyebrow just about shot off his forehead. "Wait a minute...you? Where did this come from? I had no idea..." He laughed a bit. "You managed to find someone and I never noticed. Good one. Who is it?"
"I know, I know, it's very sudden." Wyatt sighed before coughing and mumbling into a fist. "Lo Hak." And in an instant, he had taken a couple of cookies from the plate and shoved them in his mouth, if only to prevent himself from blushing too badly.
Geddoe went still and silent for a moment, blinking. "Wait," he finally said in a low tone. "You...another man? Wyatt..." The shock of the moment was not wearing off very quickly. "I thought...you didn't..."
He sighed and covered his face with a hand again. "I know, I know. I don't ... Well, I didn't ..." Unable to articulate his feelings, he growled in frustration. "I told you I'm very confused right now."
"I can understand." Geddoe faced his old friend squarely, setting both hands heavily on his shoulders in an effort to keep him from shrinking away. "It's all right, Wyatt...I'm stunned, but...it's not a bad stun. You...if you need my advice or my ear, you have it. I've been in your shoes, you know."
He nodded and sighed again. "I know you understand and I'm glad you do. I was afraid you'd be quite surprised though. And that means everyone else ..." He shook his head, not finishing the thought. "I told him I'm not ready to commit to anything, especially since he asked right after ..." And he shut-up completely right there.
"What?" Geddoe pressed. "Right after what? Wyatt..." His eye widened again. "You haven't already...?"
Wyatt slapped his face again in exasperated shame and turned away. "I'm a real winner, aren't I? Goddess, what's wrong with me?"
"Oh, Wyatt..." Geddoe kept a hand on his shoulder, even though he had turned away from him. "I'm not blaming you, don't take it like that. You're free to do whatever you want, it's not like I haven't done the same thing before. Many times before," he added wryly. "I just don't want to see you get hurt."
He chuckled at that. "No, it's all right. I'm quite surprised with myself that things have spiraled they way they have. Like I said, it's like some kind of whirlwind. I've spun out of control in regards to this. One moment, I'm alert, the next everything is a complete haze."
Geddoe raised an eyebrow at that. "I take it you're not exactly thinking things through, and just going with your gut."
"Yeah, in so many words." He frowned. "You'd think I was an adolescent kid again."
"Gee, why does that sound familiar?" Geddoe whiffed a faint chuckle and drew his hand back. "That's the way it goes. But you still have to be careful. You're not the kind of man to just be so casual forever - I know you."
Wyatt sighed again and nodded. "Yeah, I'm going to want to settle down with one person. Although it's not as if I'm with more than one person." He glanced up at Geddoe, a questioning look on his face. "You think it would be a good idea for me to take some time to step away from the situation and think things through some more?"
Geddoe leaned on the nearest counter-top. "I don't know about stepping away...there's no reason to deprive yourself of a good thing when you've got it. But be careful with it. I don't know Lo Hak very well at all, I only know he was on the same crew with Sigurd once, so it's not like I can say if he'll be good for you or not." He tilted his head slightly. "But everybody does need somebody, once in a while."
He nodded in agreement. "That's the thing. It has been so long since I've been with anyone. I left Anna more than 20 years ago and haven't been close to anyone since. I didn't really care about it for the most part. Every now and then I'd feel the sting of loneliness but otherwise, I didn't mind in the least. But now ... and here ..." Wyatt sighed again. "I find it more difficult as time goes on to remain so indifferent."
Geddoe lowered his head briefly to hide the chuckle that had welled up out of him. "Yes...I know exactly what you mean," he murmured, sobering up and merely smiling. "There's no reason to get in over your head. If you like him, you like him. Don't make more out of it than it is. You don't have to think about forever...just right now." The smile slid off his face. "Have you told him about...your past? About Anna? Or Chris?"
Wyatt smiled back, thinking that was probably what he needed to hear. He didn't need to worry about things that may or may not pass, but just the present moment. He nodded affirmatively in response to Geddoe's question. "Yeah, he knows that I was married before and that Chris is my daughter. He actually thought that he had no chance with me because of it."
"I would have thought the same thing," Geddoe chuckled. "In fact...I did think it, for a few years. Well, that's good," he sighed. "It's always better to know what you're getting into. And I guess you don't have the Rune anymore, so it's sort of moot..."
"Hm?" Wyatt raised an eyebrow in surprise before smirking. "Well, I guess it's pointless to ask why you never said a thing. The only thing I haven't told him, however, is how old I am exactly. I keep mentioning that I'm an old man but he thinks I'm kidding around."
Geddoe shrugged a little. "You can ask," he suggested slyly before addressing the other comment. "I don't see why you need to hide that from him. It's part of who you are. Your past shaped you, Wyatt, as everyone's does. The fact that you were Fire Bringer and carried True Water is as much a part of you as the color of your eyes."
"That's true, although I wasn't trying to hide it from him on purpose. I had been thinking about talking to him more about it in detail at some point." He coughed into his fist again. "When we actually are sitting around and talking. But anyways," An amused brow went up. "If I can ask, then why is it that you didn't say anything back then?"
Geddoe looked away as if searching his memory for something. "A lot of reasons," he finally answered. "I thought you wouldn't be interested, then after you had a wife I was pretty sure...and I was too full of my own bullshit at that point anyway. Besides..." He looked back to Wyatt and smiled warmly. "I love you like a brother. I couldn't ruin that."
"Ah ..." Wyatt's usual grin spread across his face. "Well, true. I couldn't think to be with anyone other than Anna then." He laughed then and threw his arm around Geddoe's neck, and dragging him down a little. "And you're the best brother I've ever had. Well, the only one, but that's not important."
"Same here," Geddoe chuckled gruffly, patting Wyatt's chest heartily. "But that's not going to stop me from wondering if things would have been different if our respective islanders had never come along..."
"Hm, I didn't think about that, but then again, I haven't been doing too much of that lately." He smirked. "I completely forgot that they're both from the same war. What a coincidence!"
"Well, I suppose I know who to go to for the lowdown on Lo Hak," Geddoe smirked back.
Wyatt raised an eyebrow at that but merely grinned. "Well, that just means I need to ask Lo Hak about Sigurd."
Geddoe tipped back his head and laughed. "Go right ahead, the man's squeaky-clean. Well, as clean as a pirate can be," he added knowingly. A moment's pause, and he shook his head with another short chuckle. "I never thought I'd be having this conversation. But I'm happy for you, Wyatt. I want you to be happy, no matter what it takes."
"Well, neither did I but surprises never cease in a person's lifetime." He subdued his grin a bit, simply smiling back at Geddoe. "Thanks, pal. It means a lot to me. And to have you clear my head a bit too."
Geddoe shrugged again. "I may not have much experience, but I have enough. At least it's in the right area. My shoulder is always yours to lean on, if you need. Just..." He remembered something important he needed to tell Wyatt anyway - better late than never. "Sigurd and I are going to leave on our Grasslands trip later this week, so you'll have to wait until I get back to beg me for advice."
"Ah, that's right. You did tell me you guys planned to head out for a bit." He smirked again. "That's fine. You two have fun and I'll try to survive in the meantime."
"I mean it, though." He set his hand roughly on Wyatt's shoulder again. "You were there for me, I can do the same. Just don't take yourself too seriously." The corner of his mouth turned up in a smirk. "Like me."
Wyatt laughed at that. "Could you imagine that?" He paused a moment before shaking his head. "I certainly can't. No worries, I don't think that'll be happening anytime soon. But thanks. I know that no matter what, you'll have my back just as I have yours."
"Absolutely." Geddoe straightened up and ribbed him lightly. "Don't fret too much, it'll be fine. I remember what it's like, finding yourself switching sides for the first time. The confusion goes away after a bit."
Wyatt's eyebrows rose in surprise and he paused to think a bit more before smirking. "Switching sides?" He had to laugh at that. "You make it sound like some kind of sport."
"Do you really want me to be more straightforward about it?" Geddoe asked wryly with a raised eyebrow.
Now he just look both surprised and amused. "What do you mean you can be more straightforward? How can you be more straightforward that that?"
"Don't ask," Geddoe replied with a wave of his hand. "So, you like him?"
"Heh." He rubbed the back of his head, almost bashfully. "I like how cheerful and friendly he is and how much he makes me laugh. He's good company and well," Wyatt smirked before adding, "He gives great massages."
Geddoe nodded slightly. "That must be nice. Hm. Sounds like he's a decent guy. What pushed it over the edge? The massages?"
Wyatt paused a moment to consider that and shook his head slightly. "As hard as it may be to believe, I think it might have been the small touches that did it. Sure, the massages did play a part, but every time he touched my hand or his leg brushed against mine or whatever, it kind of jolted me. When he held my hand in the baths, refusing to let it go, that's what did it."
A warm look crossed Geddoe's face. "Yeah, that'll do it," he mused, almost reminiscing about something of his own. "In that case, you have my blessing. See where it takes you. You deserve it."
He smiled back and nodded. "Thanks, pal. We'll see what happens. It's still new yet."
"Of course. But enjoy it, while you have it." He reached across to the plate of cookies and snatched up a couple more for the road. "I'd better get my fill of these before I have to pay for them," he teased.
"Heh, I will. And you better. You won't have a personal baker while you're out there traveling." Wyatt smirked. "There are plenty still, so take as many as you or Sigurd might like."
"Sigurd isn't huge on sweets, so I'll just take a couple for myself." Geddoe balanced them in one hand while he set the other on Wyatt's shoulder. There wasn't anything more he needed to say, he'd said it all, so he left it at that warm gesture before withdrawing. "We'll be away about a week or so. I'll make sure to give Sana your regards."
Wyatt shook his head with a tsk, disapproving of Sigurd's indifference to sweets. "That's a real shame. I'll never understand but what can be done." He then nodded with a smile and lightly clapped Geddoe on his back. "Thanks. You two enjoy yourselves. And take care." With a grin, he added, "And don't do anything I would do."
Geddoe wagged a finger at him as he headed for the door. "Behave, or I won't tell you any stories of our exploits when we get back."
He laughed again. "I'm kidding. Besides, old man, you're old enough to be my father, perhaps, but I'm not a kid, you know."
Being reminded of their actual age difference made Geddoe narrow his eye in an unamused stare. "Don't put that image into my head," he warned. "Fine, then. We'll swap tales when I'm back, how's that?"
Wyatt laughed heartily, completely amused by his unamusement. "I take it back, then. And yes, we'll exchange stories whem you return. I'm sure there will be plenty by then."
By the twitch of his eyebrow, anyone could see Geddoe was intrigued and amused by the idea. "I'll buy the drinks," he promised, waving a hand in the air as he passed through the door and onward to savor his cookies.