Chapter Text
The bus ride to the airport was relatively smooth, mainly since Jogg D was driving. Cool P and MJ were up to their usual antics, bickering loudly about something; with Kevin backing MJ up. M.O.G was catching up on his sleep, head resting comfortably on Boo’s shoulder while he listened to an audiobook. Only Memphis seemed to be the only one doing nothing, spacing out as he peered through the window.
Back home, KC had barely slept a wink. He tossed and turned in his bed, forcibly squeezing his eyes shut in an attempt to try and fall asleep anyways. What was going on with Memphis? Sure, he knew that Memphis kept to himself more, rarely ever voicing out problems as soon as he had them. But he had never been this withdrawn, ignoring him outright. KC felt his stomach churn with anxiety, heart beating at an uncomfortably fast pace. Horrible, horrible thoughts raced through his mind, of Memphis talking to someone else, of him suffering alone, of him telling KC he wanted to-
No.
Memphis isn’t that kind of person, isn’t he? KC’s eyes opened slowly as a sigh left his body heavily. He had faith that Memphis would eventually talk to him about whatever he has going on, but he just needed some space now. But if he wouldn’t even talk to KC about it, then he must have told no one. KC’s heart twisted painfully at the thought of Memphis suffering alone. He wanted to be there for him, no matter what he was going through.
KC grabbed his phone, sloppily unlocking it to check the time. 6:39 am. Sighing, he threw the covers off and decided to go downstairs, knowing he wouldn’t be able to sleep anyways. He stumbled into the kitchen, haphazardly throwing the cabinets and fridge open, but not grabbing at anything, mind too much of a mess to be able to pick something to eat.
A pair of eyes watched him from the kitchen table, sighing before standing up and making his way over to KC. A hand reached out from behind him, grabbing the eggs from the fridge that he had been crouching in front of for a minute now. KC turned around to see Li’l Blaze getting a pan out on the stove. KC simply watched him, unsure what to say. Blaze wore a loose black muscle shirt, crumpled from just waking up. He didn’t have his usual shades on, and he was still visibly sleepy.
“What’s got you up so early?” Blaze started cracking eggs into the pan.
KC was now leaning against the kitchen counter tiredly. KC looked at him, opening his mouth before looking away, unsure what to say, where to even begin.
“For the record, I don’t know what’s going on with Memphis either.” Blaze rummaged in the drawer for a spatula.
KC looked back at him, wondering if he knew that they were together, which wouldn’t have surprised him anyways, he knew Blaze would be cool about it.
“Um, h-he’s just been a little… out of it.” KC swallows, hands gripping the counter he was leaning on. He rubs his dry eyes. “I just had never seen him like that. I guess I’m just worried cause we’re pretty close and all so…”
KC tried his best to keep things vague, despite Blaze potentially already knowing of him and Memphis. Blaze merely hummed in acknowledgement. “Switch the boiler on and help me get the coffee.”
KC fumbled with the hot water boiler, groping through the cabinets for the box of coffee. “Did you talk to him about it?” Came Blaze’s voice through the clangs and sizzles of the pan. KC paused for a moment, quiet.
“No. He wouldn’t talk about it. He wouldn’t even come out of his room. I barely saw him this past week, even if we live in the same house.” He pulled the box of coffee out slowly, taking two packs out.
“I just- I just wish I knew what was going on. I don’t- I can’t even begin to imagine what he’s worried about.” KC stared down at the kitchen counter with furrowed eyebrows at the two packets of coffee.
“He’s just never been like this before. He’d always tell me. I’d always be the first to know.” Blaze switched the gas off, before turning to get plates.
“If he’s not telling me, then no one else probably knows…” KC bit his lip, trying his best to stifle the cry of frustration that caught in his throat. Blaze patted his shoulder, prompting him to follow him out.
Blaze set the plates of eggs down on the table and poured hot water into the mugs he got out. KC merely watched him quietly, barely even registering when Blaze had already started eating, the clinks of utensils drowned out by his thoughts. As he picked up a fork, he quietly murmured.
“Have you… seen him talk to anyone these few days?” Blaze looked up from his plate, thinking for a moment before swallowing his mouthful of eggs.
“Just the ones who went to perform I guess. I did see them practicing in the studio these past few days.” Blaze places his cutlery down on his plate and grabs a tissue nearby. His eyes flicker to KC’s face, noting how his face is downturned, how it is wrinkled with pain. He is silent for a moment, before he leans back in his chair.
“Talk to him.” KC looks up from his plate, surprised. “Talk to him.” Blaze repeats again, picking his mug up. “You’ll never know unless you talk to him- really sit down and talk about it.”
“But he won’t talk. I’ve tried. I’ve asked Boo, even he knows nothing.” KC put his cutlery down, voice raising a pitch. “Not even Boo, Blaze.” His voice cracked towards the end, breaking off.
Blaze was silent he sipped from his mug, processing what KC just said. Finally, he placed his mug down gently. “Look, I can’t say I know for sure what’s going on. But you two gotta find some way to talk it out. There might be either way more or way less than what we initially imagined to be going on.”
KC’s gaze remained on his plate of barely eaten eggs as Blaze continued. “Whatever it is, I know you two will be okay.” KC looked up at Blaze, tired, ringed eyes having a glimmer of hope in them.
“You both have enough common sense to not let a misunderstanding ruin everything, right?” Blaze gazed at KC, who nodded firmly. He patted KC’s shoulder before picking his plate and standing up. “It’ll be alright man, don’t worry too much about it.”
KC thanked him quietly before Blaze left, finishing up the rest of his breakfast.
The performing unit eventually arrived in Japan, where they would be performing in. Alive, another musical group that they were close with had offered to let them stay over at their place, which the group gratefully accepted.
“Who’s pickin’ us up again?” MJ yawned as the group walked towards the International Arrivals Door.
“Kick is.” Boo replied, texting said person of their arrival.
Cool P yawned, his bucket hat slightly askew from sleeping on the plane. “Can we get something to eat first?” The twins Swingy and Kevin nodded in agreement.
“We should totally try out this Teppanyaki place out, they’ve got really good reviews online!” M.O.G chimed in, holding his phone out.
“Hey, I wanna see.” Kevin squeezed closer, and the others followed suit.
Boo continued to text Kick to inform him of where they were waiting. Silently, he raised his gaze slightly, to look at where Memphis stood at the side. He didn’t join in the others, instead staring blankly off into the distance. Various travelers whizzed by, the sounds of wheels against the floor accompanied by hurried footsteps all around them. He breathed out his nose before Kick replied, saying that he’d arrive soon.
“I’m heading to the bathroom.” Memphis mumbled, before slipping off, not even waiting for Boo to reply.
Boo barely got to acknowledge him before he left. He watched Memphis’ figure disappear behind the sliding glass doors that led to the airport. Memphis washed his hands in the bathroom, cupping his hands to fill with water before splashing it onto his face. He looked at his reflection in the mirror, water droplets running down his pale face. Grey coloured under his tired eyes, and the pallor of his face made him just look ghastly.
Memphis sighed, before grabbing the paper towel next to him to dry his face off and tossing it into the trash. He started to make his way back to the entrance, when a flash of dark blue caught his eye. He whipped his head around immediately, spotting a familiar shirt he had seen on KC, only to calm down as soon as he saw the unfamiliar haircut and hair colour that belonged to the owner of the shirt. That was a shirt he had bought for KC, a trendy top he had been eyeing for a while. Memphis felt tears come to his eyes again, the thought of KC coming to him once more.
He missed him terribly. He wanted to see him again and talk to him. He missed the feeling of KC’s fingers in his hair, how his back was warm against his front. He missed how his fingers would slide perfectly in between the spaces of his own hand, like their hands were made for each other.
He blinked harshly, willing his tears to go away as he took large strides to the entrance. Boo was still texting on his phone, and MJ was laughing about something with M.O.G on his phone. The twins merely chattered as Cool P smoked next to them, watching the people around. Memphis quietly retook the spot where he had been waiting earlier.
A short while later, a large bus stopped in front of them, a man with a blue hat hurriedly getting down to come greet them.
“Hello, hello! Long time no see.” He smiled cheerfully at everyone, excited to see them all. He then turned to Boo to give him a hug.
“ Boo, long time no see! Man, you look good! How have you been?” He rattled off in Japanese.
Boo returned the hug, smiling as well. " You’re one to talk, Kick. What’s the latest fashion trend now? ” Boo snickered, replying in fluent Japanese as well.
“Come, come. I will help you with the luggage. Just board first.” Kick smiled as he helped everyone lift their luggages onto the bus.
" How’s Alive been doing? Heard you’re all preparing for your next studio album. ” Boo asked from the passenger seat next to Kick.
" Yea! Alive’s been doing pretty good so far, Kanye released a solo album not too long ago, and Kaen has been working on a extended play. ” Kick responded as he drove. “ How ‘bout Wekiddy? I was so excited when I heard you guys were gonna perform here! ”
“ We’ve been doing alright, we’re currently preparing for a new studio album too, but we’ve only just begun. Boom’s been going crazy over it, you know how he is. ” Boo let out a deep rumble of laughter, as Kick laughed too, remembering the meticulous producer and how fussy he was with his work.
Behind them, everyone was quite excited to be in Japan once more, glued to the windows and excitedly taking in the sights. The bustling streets, the difference in fashion and the scenery that surrounded them was an interesting image.
Soon, they arrived at Alive’s house, a large house with elements of both modern and traditional Japanese architecture. Kick slid the door open, as everyone hurriedly took their shoes off to place neatly by the door.
“ Hey everyone! We’re home! ” Kick boomed, as the sound of footsteps gradually grew louder. Suddenly, a swarm of men surrounded the front door, chattering away in delight.
“Welcome back!”
“Wow, cool hat! Where did you buy?”
“Long time no see! How are you?”
“You look so different, cool!”
Alive crowded around the members of Wekiddy, excited to finally see them after such a long while. Kick ushered them to the table where some snacks and tea had been prepared, while the others helped to carry their bags to the rooms prepared for them. Everyone kneeled around the low table, knees tucked neatly beneath them as they sat criss-cross.
Kanye appeared from behind, serving cups of hot tea. “Help yourselves, we prepared all this for you.”
“ Thank you so much, really. Thank you for the food. ” Boo smiled gratefully, before helping himself to a cookie from the large plate in the middle.
“Hey, remember the first time you all sat at this table? I remember you all collapsing after just half an hour.” Cribasse chuckled deeply, as Wekiddy broke out into peals of laughter.
“Oh, shut up! We were all so numb, remember how Scooter was flat on the floor and just wheezing?” Cool P recounted gleefully through a mouthful of cookies.
Memphis sipped his tea silently, as everyone talked away gaily. The tatami mat was comfortable beneath him, and the atmosphere was pleasant. Even still, he couldn’t seem to feel any better, his mind still stuck on KC.
Night soon approached, and everyone was comfortably settled in their rooms. Memphis shared a room with Boo thankfully, while the twins paired up. M.O.G, MJ and Cool P split up the larger guest room. Boo was thankfully out, probably having a late night talk with Alive, Memphis knowing how close they are. Memphis sighed, sitting up in the futon. Yet another sleepless night.
Soon, it would be the one year anniversary of him and KC, but he wouldn’t be there to celebrate it. He just wanted things to be perfect, is that too much to ask? KC was probably so upset at him that maybe he’d want to-
No.
Memphis shook his head fiercely, terrified at the thought. He stood up, putting his slippers on and rushing out of the room. Perhaps a walk would help him calm his nerves. He travelled down the smooth wooden corridor, past the square rooms. Suddenly, the sight of an open ledge to sit on caught his eye, and he settled down comfortably, the moonlight illuminating him gently.
He looked at the empty spot next to him, fingers coming to brush against the smooth wood. He sighed, wondering what his boyfriend was doing now.
“Cannot sleep?” came a soft voice from behind him.
Memphis turned around to see a masked figure behind him.
“Hello, Tuctuc.” he greeted politely, as the figure sat down next to him. “And yea, I just, wanted some fresh air.”
“You are worried about something.” he noted, as he looked out at the cherry blossom tree that stood tall in the garden right across them.
Memphis swallowed, not sure how to respond. He wouldn’t be surprised if they all had noticed, knowing he didn’t do very well to hide it, but wondered if he should talk about it.
“I… you could say so. It’s just that…” Memphis began, before a notification on his phone flashed across the screen.
A calendar notification for the 16th of June popped up, as it had just turned midnight. Suddenly, Memphis couldn’t hold it back anymore, and promptly burst into tears.
Tuctuc was shocked as tears rolled down Memphis’ cheeks, the latter sniffling hard while he buried his tear stained face in his hands, curling in on himself.
“Oh, what is wrong? Come, it is alright.” Tuctuc sat closer and wrapped an arm round Memphis’ shoulder as he sobbed pitifully.
Memphis’ body shook as sobs wracked throughout his body, brushing his messy and slightly damp locks backwards as he came up for air. All the while, Tuctuc rubbed his back comfortingly. Memphis slowly breathed, his hands buzzing, as the spinning in his head eased up slightly.
“What has happened? Are you alright?” Tuctuc chimed in softly, all the while patting him on the back gently.
Memphis kept his eyes trained on the night sky, his voice croaking as he cracked his lips open. “Today… today was supposed to be the one year anniversary of me and my boyfriend.”
Tuctuc hummed in acknowledgement, patiently waiting for him to go on.
“We weren’t supposed to come down until a little later, but the dates got moved up. I-I had everything planned out already, so this threw everything off. I just wanted things to be perfect. I only- I just wanted to show him how much I care. But everything got messed up, and I don’t know what to do now.”
Memphis let out a shuddering breath, rubbing his eyes again as he sniffed hard. “He must be so disappointed.”
“I don't think that matters that much.” Tuctuc said, suddenly.
Memphis looked up at him with wide eyes. Tuctuc returned his gaze, before continuing. “It doesn’t matter whether or not it goes “perfectly.” I don’t think that a big grand celebration is what is important, at least. Of course, getting to celebrate on the exact date, and having the best gifts and doing it at a beautiful place is lovely…” The masked man trailed off as Memphis stared at him.
“But, isn’t the most important thing just being together? After all, that’s what anniversaries celebrate right? The amount of time you’ve been together.” Tuctuc finished earnestly.
Memphis looked at him in awe, turning his gaze to his feet. He let Tuctuc’s words marinate deeply, before letting a breath out.
“You’re right. I’d been so… caught up in making it “perfect” that I forgot the true meaning of it all, what an anniversary was really meant to be.” Memphis enjoyed the cool breeze that blew gently.
“Do… do you think he’ll forgive me..?” He fidgeted with his fingers, nervous again at the thought of KC’s disappointment and sadness.
Tuctuc was quiet for a moment, before he looked up at Memphis. “I think that your boyfriend’s unhappiness is… understandable. But, whether or not he is willing to let this go and be understanding is a show of his character. I can’t say much as I don’t know who it is, but I am sure that if you explain to him, he will surely understand. You both can always celebrate another day.”
Tuctuc reached out to gently pat Memphis on the shoulder.
“I think you put too much pressure on yourself to make things perfect. Sometimes, the harder you try to make something go a certain way, all the more it goes wrong. Certain things can’t be avoided. You had no control over the dates being changed.”
Memphis smiled weakly, the first smile he had since over a week ago. “You’re… right. I just wanted everything to be perfect, because that’s what he deserves. I love him so much, and I wanted him to know that. I just want him to see how much I care about him.” He confessed with a heavy voice, his heartstrings stretching painfully in his chest.
“Then, it won’t matter so much what you do to celebrate. It is evident that your love shines through all your actions. As long as you reach out to be with him, I’m sure your boyfriend will be able to see that.” Tuctuc reassures him firmly, as the corners of Memphis’ mouth turn up slightly.
“You think so..?” He mumbles with uncertainty. Tuctuc nods, and Memphis feels warm inside, a part of his load lifting off his shoulders as the two enjoy the night sky.