Short Story: The Trio of Friends

The sounds of clinking keys and the turning lock pull Aldrias out of his immersion in the brilliant, fantastical world of the book in his hands. He lifts his head with slight disorientation at the rude interruption, just in time to see the front door open and reveal the face of his friend, Thaniel. 

All at once, Aldrias snaps to attention. He remembers where he is and what he is here for. 

"Aldy? Heyyy bud! What's up?" Thaniel's eyes widen at the sight of his red-headed friend sitting on his couch.

"Good evening, Thaniel. I'm sorry, I hope you don't mind that I let myself in with your spare key while waiting for you to get home." 

"'Course not! Good to see you, buddy." Thaniel saunters over to Aldrias, giving him a hearty smack on the back as greeting. 

Aldrias frowns. Is that alcohol he smells on Thaniel? The scent is so thick and smothering that he wonders if Thaniel had jumped into a pool of beer. 

"Um... Are you drunk, Thaniel?" 

"Drunk?" Thaniel seems to consider it for a moment, then gives a cheeky grin. "Well, whaddya know. I think I am! Maybe just a little."

Aldrias's frown deepens in confusion. Admittedly, he hasn't had much experience dealing with drunk people, but from what he had read in books, shouldn't the drunk always deny their state? So is Thaniel not drunk after all? 

But he is acting quite off... And if he listens carefully, he can catch some slight slurring of words.

"How many drinks have you had? Don't you usually hold your liquor pretty well?" 

Thaniel shrugs. "Lost count." At Aldrias' disapproving look, Thaniel hastily explains. "Was my boss's birthday. And you know how birthday celebration parties at the tavern goes. Couldn't not drink when everyone else is."

"I guess... But I mean, you don't have to, you know. If you don't want to."

"No, no, Aldy, you don't get it. A guy's gotta do what a guy's gotta do for connections and a good reputation if he wants promotions. And that includes socializing and drinking for work events." Thaniel wags his finger at Aldrias, squinting his eyes. 

"Plus, this is good. I can try to forget for a little. Maybe." A fleeting dejected expression flashes across Thaniel's face, but it disappears as quickly as it appeared.

Right. That reminds Aldrias of what he was actually here for. Finding Thaniel in an unusual, drunken state had distracted Aldrias from his mission.

"Speaking of that," Aldrias clears his throat. "Um... I heard you broke up with Raenelle?"

"She told you already?" Thaniel seems surprised, but then he shakes his head with a small laugh. "Of course she did. Probably cursed up a storm about me too, didn't she?"

"Oh, she actually didn't. I... I, um, guessed myself." Aldrias remembers the panicked communication Sebastien had made with him earlier this morning, freaked out by his discovery of Raenelle sitting in the kitchen at two in the morning, stuffing her face with ice cream while tears run freely down her cheeks. 

Admittedly, he's never gone through the effects of heartbreak personally, but he's read enough about it to be able to tell. At least, unless the books have been lying to him. 

"I'm sorry, I know it's not really my place to ask, but... um, may I ask why? What happened? I-is it something that can be talked out, perhaps?" 

"Thanks for caring, bud, but not really. Don't think there's anything that can be done." Thaniel claps Aldrias on the shoulder again and yawns, his tone sounding as if he doesn't have a care in the world, but Aldrias knows him too well to miss the sadness hiding deep in his eyes.

"W-why? Do you... not love her anymore?" 

Thaniel slides his friend a side-glance. "Since when have you become the love guru, Aldy? What experience do you have under your belt, hmm? Does that relationship you had with Ellawynn even count when it's been more friendship and companionship than romantic love since the start?"

Aldrias gives an awkward cough, looking away briefly in embarrassment before bringing his gaze back to his friend. "I mean, you and Raenelle are both my best friends. I just wanted to know and see if I can help. I don't like seeing either of you in pain."

"So do you? Not love her anymore?" Aldrias presses again after a beat of silence. 

"No, it's not like that." Thaniel runs his hand through his hair roughly, ruffling up his already disheveled hair even more. "It's not that simple, okay, Aldy?" 

"Um... Then why did you end the relationship? You were the one who did, if I'm not wrong?"

"Fine. You'll hear it from her sooner or later anyway." Thaniel lets out a frustrated sigh, flopping on the couch next to Aldrias and putting his head in his hands. "Because I don't have the time or emotional capacity for this right now. And our visions for the future don't align. It's better off this way."

"I'm sorry, I don't understand. What do you mean by that?" 

Thaniel lifts his head and peers at Aldrias with bloodshot eyes. "I'm so close to my next promotion, Aldy. If I take on a few more missions the next year or so and do well on them, the position will be mine. It's so close that I can feel it." 

"But that means I'll be gone for most of the time. She doesn't want that. Besides, I'm so busy I really can't squeeze out the time or energy to be in a relationship right now. Work, the constant socializing events after hours, my family —"

"...And where does Raenelle fit into your schedule?" 

Thaniel flinches at the piercing question, particularly harsh coming from his usually gentle friend. "I'm only human, Aldy. I have to choose my priorities. And this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Who knows when I'll get a chance like this again if I miss this one?" 

"Um... So... Let me try to understand. You broke up with her because you decided your career was more important than making time for her? And you told her that?"

Thaniel shifts uncomfortably in his seat, his next words coming out much more defensive than before. "...It's not like that. And I didn't use those words, no. I'm not heartless, geez. What kind of person do you take me for, Aldy?"

Aldrias stares at his friend. "I'm sorry, but I'm not quite sure anymore."

Thaniel raises his voice slightly. "It hurts me too, okay? 'Course I love her, but I'm letting her go for her sake. She needs more than I can give her, and she deserves a more present boyfriend than me. So this is for the best. Now can you stop grilling me like I'm a criminal? I'm your friend too, aren't I?"

"I consider both you and Raenelle my closest friends in this world, but... Thaniel, I've known her since we were children." Aldrias bites his lip, the crease in his forehead deepening. "And from what I can tell so far, you're the one who hurt her because you care more about furthering your career. I'm very sorry, but I'm finding it very hard to be sympathetic towards you right now. In fact, if you weren't my friend, I might give into the temptation to hit you right now."

Thaniel throws his arms up in the air, leaning back in the couch. "Fine. Whatever. Make me out to be the bad guy. I expected it. I don't care. But this is between me and her anyway. It's none of your business."

"I've always known you're ambitious, which is one of the best traits about you, Thaniel — but I guess also one of the worst." Aldrias gives his friend a sad look. "Is it really worth it, Thaniel? You won't regret this?"

"...I won't. And even if I do, it doesn't matter. I've made my choice." 

The two friends sit in silence for a long moment, side by side on the couch. Then Aldrias abruptly gets up onto his feet and grabs his bag. 

"Leaving already? I don't mind if you stay the night in the guest room. It's pretty late, no?" 

"No, I think I should head home. I'm going over to Raenelle's first thing tomorrow morning to check on her." 

At those words, Thaniel looks away, guilt flashing across his eyes. "Right. Take care of her, yeah?"

"I will. Don't worry about it. Focus on your work instead; it is what you chose after all."  

Aldrias' uncharacteristic firm, cold tone makes Thaniel flinch. "Aw, come on, bud. Can't you understand where I'm coming from at all?"

"Please, you don't need to explain to me anymore. You've taken her patience and love for granted for long enough. How many times have you cancelled on her last-minute for a date? When's the last time you set aside a proper evening for her?" Aldrias shakes his head, his eyes lit with anger for once in his life.  "You're right, Raenelle does deserve someone better, someone who'd put her first and not consider her an afterthought — no, worse; an active obstacle to his dreams. Good night, Thaniel. Good luck with your promotion."

"Come on! Aldy, wait, bro, can we talk about this? Look, what am I supposed to do? I'm only twenty-one! This is the best and most important period of my life for my career!" 

Aldrias decidedly ignores his friend's shouts as he walks out of the house, closing the door firmly behind him. Standing there on the street, he raises his head to look up at the night sky and lets out a sigh. 

How did things end up like this? He just wanted to see two of the most important people in his life happy... He suddenly regrets ever introducing them to each other.

Maybe he should have punched Thaniel after all. Not that he's quite sure how to throw a punch, but if Raenelle isn't going to do it, he should do it on her behalf. 

Hopefully, she's doing okay... Perhaps he should contact Sebastien tonight before bed just to check up on her state.

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I wrote this story this time, so please forgive any awkward phrasing as it's been quite a while since I've written non-visual novel style of script, honestly. I hope you guys enjoyed it anyway! 

Would you have preferred if Aldrias had actually punched Thaniel? I almost wrote it that way, but then took it out because it felt a bit too out of character for him... Haha. Let me know you guys' thoughts!

Thank you for the support! <3