LadyBugOut AU (Snippets)

Summary:
Ivan has a special meeting on the way home.

Chapter Text
As Ivan left the store, he turned and walked down the sidewalk, grocery bag in hand. Bags of tea honestly weren't that expensive and would last a long time for someone like Wayzz, so he didn't mind paying a little extra money whenever he went to get things for himself.

From his pocket, he could feel the tiniest weight from his kwami. Whenever they were out, Wayzz enjoyed using Ivan's earphones as tiny speakers in order to listen to music, so a soft melody could be heard from the pocket if one listened close enough.

Ivan always pretended like he couldn't hear it, naturally.

As he continued walking, he noted an old man walking in the opposite direction that he was, hands behind his back. He was rather short and his red flower button-up seemed silly, but the look in his eyes made Ivan feel as though he was someone who had been through a lot and came out even stronger than before.

He tried to pay the man no mind for the sake of politeness, but as soon as the man glanced up at him, Ivan couldn't help looking back.

The man immediately stopped, giving him a smile. "Hello."

"Uh..." Ivan stopped as well, greeting awkwardly, "hi."

The man took a deep breath through his nose. "Mm. That's quite the variety of tea you have there."

"Huh?" Ivan blinked. Was the scent of tea that strong? "Yeah, my--" He paused, needing a moment to think. "--my friend likes it."

He held the bag out to the man. He didn't know why--probably to help distract from further questions about this "friend" he had--but there was also just something about the man that he liked and trusted.

The man peeked inside the bag, using one hand to take out a single box of tea. He examined it, turning it in his hand like he expected to find something special.

Then, he stared up at Ivan was an expression Ivan could only describe as "grateful," though he didn't know why the man would look at him like that.

"You're a good friend," the man said. "I'm sure your friend is happy to have you."

"I-it's just tea," Ivan countered, a little embarrassed to be complimented out of the blue like that.

The old man chuckled, returning the tea to the back. "I don't think so. It's a gift from you to your friend, isn't it? That makes it mean more than just tea."

His other hand came out from behind his back, and Ivan noted the nicely-sized box held in it. It seemed old, but well taken care of.

Then, the box was held out to him, and the man spoke. "Here. For your friend."

Ivan reeled back, surprised. "Oh, uh--no, I--"

"It's quite alright," the man assured. "Please, take it. Think of it as my own gift to you, for your friend. Besides, I..."

The man breathed, and for a split second, Ivan saw him as truly vulnerable.

Hesitantly, the man continued, "I won't be needing it anymore..."

Ivan opened his mouth to say something, but thought better of it. Instead, he reached out steadily and took the box. "Thanks."

The man nodded, then gave Ivan one last smile before walking away. It was so confusing to Ivan--seeing a stranger look at him as if he were an old friend--but he chose not to question it.

Letting the grocery bag slip onto his wrist to leave his other hand free, Ivan carefully opened the box. Inside were multiple bags of tea, but with no brand name or anything to mark them.

Handmade, perhaps? Either way, the scent was strong.

Ivan looked around, ensuring that no one else could see him, then lightly patted the pocket of his pants where Wayzz was. It had been their "signal" that Wayzz could come out without concern.

The music inside the pocket stopped. Wayzz exited, floating up to Ivan's face with a smile. "Yes?"

"Some guy gave me more tea," Ivan explained simply. "Do you think you'd like this?"

He showed Wayzz the box, and the scent must've been strong for a kwami too, as Wayzz initially recoiled. After a pause, Wayzz stared quietly at the box, slowly floating closer and placing his paws on the edge of it. He peered inside, then touched one of the tea bags. He was so delicate, as if the slightest press of a paw would turn the bag to dust.

"Oh," Wayzz said softly. He grabbed one of the bags, then pulled it out. "Oh, this...this is my favorite."

His eyes shimmered as he hugged the bag to his chest, shutting his eyes and curling his body like he was ready to protect the bag with his life.

Ivan didn't understand--really, he didn't understand complex emotions in general--but he knew that Wayzz was having an emotional moment, so he didn't pry.

"Do you... wanna take it?" he asked, lifting the flap of his pocket.

Wayzz peeked up at Ivan, then nodded his head. He returned to the pocket and, after a few seconds, the music continued.

Ivan took great care to place the box safely inside the bag, trying to make sure it wouldn't be jostled by any sudden movements, then continued walking.

Idly, he thought that his miraculous was a gift as well, at least in its own way.