.•What Once Was•. (vixreader)

Bubbling Fountain.

.•1 year and several months later•.

With time, Vi and yours' friendship grew like a strong tree. First, it started off as a tiny seedling with a whole lot of hope and courage to willingly want to turn into something strong. And somehow, someway, it bloomed into something so beautiful. Pretty soon had you found yourself surprised at the feelings that began to blossom in your chest, like little flowers opening up with thrill when you'd catch the pink haired girl's sight.

How you'd internally squirm when she'd laugh.
How you felt like you would melt under her gaze, when her pretty blue eyes stayed on you for more than a second.
How you'd always catch yourself staring at her with such admiration, that you wouldn't even realize.
She was unreal. Too perfect for this world, you thought.
Sooner or later the feelings were reciprocated, unbeknownst to the both of you.
But everyone else knew, of course. You two were just too blindsided to see.

Vander would smirk when the two of you would spend the day talking away, the both of you in your own little word afar from everyone else.
Powder would giggle when the both of you'd get so competitive with each other in the arcade's games, that you were too silly to even realize how in love the both of you looked.
Mylo and Claggor would sneak knowing glances to each other when the two of you teased the other, a small pink blush always forming on Vi's face.
It was like everyone in the entire Lanes knew.
Everyone except for you, your damn oblivious self.
And her, of course, cause she was just as blind.

•. •. •.

Today you had barely managed to sneak out past Silco; but fortunately, he had no suspicion whatsoever of your actions. And even though you wouldn't mind him being concerned over you missing, since thats what normal 'caretakers' would've felt, you were still a tad bit relieved that he could care less. Either way, you knew he wasn't a normal 'caretaker'.
But still, it made you wonder, just how on earth did he not ever learn about your absence for over a year and so months? Not once did he ever question you about it, nor did he ever show signs of suspicion.
Did he just... not care? At all?
Regardless, Silco not giving a shit about you was the least of your worries. The top priority of today was to head on over to The Last Drop with the gang, and spend the rest of your day there.

And in a quickie, you arrived to the place that felt the most like home. The familiar scent of oakwood and whiskey lingered through the air upon your entry, making you sigh in contentment.
Though, upon your direction to head off to where Vi was, you were quick to be greeted by a rather sneaky-looking Vander.
"Ah, Y/n! So glad you're here."
You smiled, walking up to him, seemingly detracted from your original path.
"So glad to see you here, Vander. What's up?"
He was busy putting the things from the bar in order, —polishing off the glasses before hanging them up—still keeping conversation nonetheless.

"Well, you see, today I have to run a few errands with the boys and Pow-pow. I just ask that you accompany Vi today in taking over the bar, y'know, to keep order, meanwhile I take care of what I need'a do."
He stated whilst closing up a bottle of liquor, not meeting you in the eyes.
You were rather suspicious of the sudden notice, but you were still glad to help out anyway.
"Of course! Is that all?"
"Yup!" He stated as he emerged from behind the counter, wiping his hands on his pants.
With that, he took off downstairs and re-emerged with Powder, Claggor, and Mylo. Vi trailed along with a rather lost look, but it seemed to melt away when her eyes met yours.
You smiled bright, cheeks growing slightly warm.

"Y/n!"
Powder came up to you as eager as always, and was quick to wrap her arms around you in an enthusiastic manner. You picked her up, chuckling as you spun her around with ease. The girl only tightened her arms around you, giggling enthusiastically.
"Hey Pow-pow! Y'know, I come here everyday, and you always seem to greet me like I haven't seen you in years."
"That's not true. You weren't here for a whole week once!"
She mumbled, looking at you with puppy-dog eyes whilst you set her down. You sighed, ruffling her pretty blue hair. "My apologies."