Chapter Text
“Flux?” His voice rang out- the body underneath him tensing. Was this real? Was he dreaming? Ish, that would be cruel if it was. To rip away something he had been pleading for so harshly.
The tension from below him softened, as if relieved. “…Saps?”, his voice was the exact same as he had remembered. Then it truly hit him all at once- the exhaustion, grief and recent giddiness.
Flux spoke again, “are you- can you get off of me already?” He sounded slightly impatient but overall confused. Well, thinking about it now, it made sense why he was confused. He was just casually walking around before he got tackled by an unknown person that is revealed to be an emotional Saparata.
“Saps, get off. Do you know how heavy you are?”, Flux sounded kind of pissed this time. “Wuh- uh, yeah”, Saparata responded rather dumbly while peeling himself off of the other. He watched stupidly like he was in a trance as the other brushed off the dirt that had gotten on his clothes during the tumble.
He looked…perfect. Just like how Saps remembered him to be. Before the war, before the betrayal, before everything.
As Fluixon began to get up, Saparata hurriedly reached out and grabbed the other’s soft hands. It was cold, just like Flux always said it was. He gently lifted Flux’s hands towards his cheek, caressing it with his thumbs. “Are you real?” Saparata whispered, afraid that one loud sound would wake him up from this dream and he would repeat the same boring cycle in the morning.
“Of course I’m real. What’s up with you?” Fluixon’s eyebrows furrowed as he stared straight into Saps eyes, as if trying to decipher what was going inside of his mind like a puzzle.
He was right there- there was no way this couldn’t be real. Could it?
Saparata glanced over to the direction of his house then looked back at Fluixon. It was late, sunlight ever so slightly peeking through the trees. Time really does fly by.
He slowly lifted himself from the ground- Fluixon following the same motion, albeit more gracefully. “We should head back”, Saparata said, still grasping Flux’s hands. Intertwining them against his own like he had dreamt of. He made his way clumsily towards the direction of his home, pulling the dark haired male along with him. All he could think about now was to get to the safety of his home.
If this turned out to all be fake, then he would simply wake up alone once more. But…if this really was real, well, either way they had to go to his house no matter what. He couldn’t risk the possibility of someone else spotting Flux. Multiple outcomes of what could happen if Fluixon was to be discovered swirled around Saparata’s brain.
They had to quickly get to his house no matter what.
“Saps”, Fluixon murmured, picking up the strange atmosphere around Saparata. Still, Saparata ignored him completely in favour of speed walking to his house.
“Saps!”
They continued walking.
“Saparata!”
This time Saps finally turned back, looking at the other. He couldn’t remember a time where Flux had referred to him as ‘Saparata’. Even amidst the raging war, he had still called him ‘Saps’, as if they were still friends despite everything.
He gripped his hands around Fluixon’s even tighter as the other attempted to wrench his hands free. “What is it? Spit it out.”, Saparata sighed tone sharp, maintaining eye contact with Flux. All he wanted to do right now was collapse on his soft mattress (preferably with the person he was holding hands with rather intimately).
Fluixon looked rather shocked, though it was likely because it wasn’t very often that Saps would snap at him like that. Saparata wasn’t the type of person to lose his temper easily, especially at Flux of all people. “Where are you taking me?” Fluixon asked, his voice slightly wary.
Saparata took a moment to look at Flux before turning around and walking once more. “Think, where else could I possibly be taking you.” He responded unimpressed. Saparata was met with a moment silence before Fluixon replied, “my home…?”.
Now this made Saparata’s mind go blank, like someone had pressed pause on all thoughts. Logically it made sense that Flux would have a bunker or home if he had survived all this time by himself- but something about the way he had said it felt…off. He had said it in such a way where it felt as though he himself was confused as to why Saparata didn’t know this, as though it was common knowledge.
Though his mind had temporarily stopped, his steps never faltered. Saparata’s house was in close view and it wouldn’t take much longer to reach it. Though his mind was swimming with questions, right now wasn’t the time to ask them. He wasn’t in the best state physically and mentally to be prepared for any more inquiries.
Before Fluixon could even open his mouth, he was pushed inside Saps home. Frankly, it wasn’t like Saparata couldn’t be more gentle but Flux was becoming such a bother. It was as if he wanted to be caught or something. What a fucking chud.
Thankfully for Saps, Flux remained quiet. Not even a single sound of complaint escaping his mouth. He was smart like that. That was one of the numerous reasons why Saparata liked him so much. Right now more than ever, he himself didn’t know how much more questioning his mind could handle.
Without a second thought, Saparata pulled Fluixon against his chest before falling straight into bed. Fluixon yelped as they fell, sounding like something between surprise and dissatisfaction. They laid there in silence while as Saps chose to listen to their heartbeats. This was awfully familiar, their heartbeats gradually following each other’s rhythm. However at this moment, Saparata didn’t have to worry about it ending with only one.
The adrenaline from earlier on passed and exhaustion seeped into his bones once more. It seemed like Flux wanted to say something but decided to keep it to himself instead. ‘Whatever, it probably wouldn’t matter anyway’, Saps thought as he held onto the other tighter.
Finally after so long, sleep had decided to finally come to Saparata. Drifting off to a dreamless but relaxing sleep thanks to the person who lay next to him stiffly, unsure of what to do.
This was the first time in a while that Saparata had actually felt well rested. He hadn’t even slept for very long but. Truly what a strange dream he had. It made him feel melancholy, it felt so real. He swore he could feel the crisp breeze fully waking his fatigued body, the soft dirt underneath his foot and him. How could he forget about that?
But something was amiss. His bed was warm for once and…there was somebody else on his bed. Saparata lifted the sheet slowly, he didn’t want to even think of the prospect that he had brought another person to his home while he was completely out of it. Even with this rapid unease growing, a small part of him couldn’t help but hope. Hope that his ‘dream’ was actually reality and he’s not going insane.
Steeling himself, he ripped the sheet off fully revealing the person he had slept next to.
And there he was, just like he had remembered him. The same stupid face he had fallen for all those years ago. Ish, if only he hadn’t met him…no, still those days were the happiest he ever was. Remarkably his face was smooth- unmarked from the cruelties of war. His posture as clear sign of his relaxed state. Saparata had to mentally remind himself to not reach out and touch him. It didn’t feel real-
.
.
.
Wait.
.
.
Rewind that first thought back.
.
He scanned him intently, far more than he had last night when he was barely functioning. At the time Saparata was too focused on the mere idea that Fluixon could really be alive. Head filled to the brim with endless possibilities and the unprecedented fear of losing him again.
Now that everything was quiet and Saparata could finally gather his thoughts. He started to think- for real this time. None of this made any logical sense. He knew for a fact that Fluixon had died. Hell, he was literally the cause for it. Even if he had survived that somehow- which is near impossible, how would he have gotten back to Pandora without being caught? Even with all the stunts Fluixon pulled off in the past, this was the one thing Saparata just couldn’t imagine him achieving successfully.
Let’s just say, he somehow gets away with this- how did he manage to get rid of all his injuries? However, if this was the case what did this mean? If this wasn’t Flux, then who or what was lying down next to him.
A cold shiver ran through Saparata’s entire body. The original hope he had was squashed, dread quickly taking its place.
Just hours before he was silently rejoicing, sure that there was no way the person standing before him wasn’t Fluixon. Now, all he could do now was wait for the moment the other woke up.
Fortunately or he supposed unfortunately, it didn’t take much longer for the other to awake. Flux always was a light sleeper. There were many occasions where Saparata swore he had been the only one awake before being rudely surprised by Fluixon each time. Ish what was he thinking? This wasn’t his Flux.
As the others eyelids fluttered open, Saparata couldn’t help but suck in a sharp breath. In his mind he knew this just simply couldn’t be Fluixon, but his heart screamed that it had to be him. The strange being wearing his friend’s face observed Saparata, scrutinising every expression he let slip.
How embarrassing, he was probably gawking at him like a loser. He really needed to remind himself that there was no way this was his Flux.
The Flux he knew would never look at him like this. Or maybe he did? Though he didn’t want to admit it, he was losing memories of him. Sometimes when he would allow his mind to reminisce the past, he would forget all the small expression he used to make. The one thing that refused to abandon him however was his gorgeous purple eyes.
Those same purple eyes was still staring Saparata down. “So,” the other began, “what was all that last night?” A beat passed- and then another. Honestly, Saparata wasn’t sure what he should do. On one hand, he could tell this fake Flux everything or, he could pretend for just a little while longer that this was the Flux he knew.
Flux’s scanning soon shifted into a glare. It had been over a minute and still Saparata had yet to answer his question. It had seemed that for a moment Fluixon looked worried, worried that Saparata was like this. That quickly converted into a look that screamed that he might just slap him.
Instead of following through with those possibly violent thoughts, Fluixon chose to ask another question in hopes that Saparata would be more willing to answer a different question. “Where are Thomas and the others?”
“Huh?”, Saparata responded absentmindedly and a little confused. Though it seemed Saparata wasn’t the only one confused. Fluixon was looking at him as if he had grown a second head. “…did you hit your head or something? I asked where Thomas and the others are at.” This Fluixon looked faintly concerned.
He actually seemed truthful. Looking completely unsure for once as where his friends (though he would never admit they were his friends, always calling them his ‘goons’) may have disappeared off to.
Saparata began thinking about everything in the past few hours over again. Replaying everything over and over again like a broken record.
So, this ‘Fluixon’ had seemed rather unaware of the current situation- which was nearly impossible for someone like Fluixon who always wanted to be on top of everything. Furthermore, he never once treated him different. Given their history and everything that had gone down at the colosseum, it wasn’t that far fetched that Fluixon would have behaved distant or even hostile to Saps. But even so, he hadn’t.
And really with more thinking, Saparata’s original idea made no sense. A creature or something being able to change and transform themselves into the faces of those you care for. How stupid, lack of sleep really does not help with gathering thoughts at all.
But if he wasn’t an eldritch being and he wasn’t the Fluixon he fought in the colosseum, what is he? Well, this was a really a half-assed test, but wasn’t like Saparata could think of something better.
Gathering his barely remaining courage Saparata finally spoke. “Hey Flux…so, can you tell me something only you would know about me?” Saparata questioned the other, attempting to read the other’s face. “What are you playing at here Saps.” Fluixon replied smoothly, completely unimpressed. “Oh you know…just to, uhh confirm something?” The more he talked, the more he was sure Fluixon could see through his scheme.
The other studied him for a few seconds before sighing, “there was that one time you fell so spectacularly you had somehow broken your arm and you begged me to stay by your side because-“, Saparata hurriedly cut him off, “WOAH OK THAT’S ENOUGH.”
He was almost certain his face growing red given the way he could feel heat rising to cheeks.
He had basically made a fool of himself twice now but now, he was absolutely 100% certain this was Fluixon. There was zero chance anybody else could know that information. Besides, the only other person who knew it was 6 feet under anyways.
Oh my god
Oh my god
It just hit him. What if this Flux was from the past. Everything Saparata questioned before would make sense if this was the case. Flux didn’t know because it hadn’t happened yet. That was why he was so confused. Though he could attempt to deny it, he could feel that earlier surge of hope rising within.
Quickly peeking at the other, Saparata took in the expression Fluixon directed at him. Concern was written all over his face. Flux opened his mouth, “Saps-“, Saparata cut him off again. “You wanted to know where the others are at right?” Fluixon watched him unsure, “yes.” “Well they said they were busy and wanted you to relax a bit so they brought you to me.” Saps was really hoping Flux would buy this act.
In the past, Flux would always able to see past his facade but that was the past. He was no longer the old Saparata this Flux knew. This Saparata had long since experienced numerous new things and grown from it.
Thankfully enough, Fluixon didn’t seem like he caught on- or at least chose not to show that he knew.
Maybe it was a little wrong to lie to him like that but after all he had gone through, couldn’t he be a little selfish? If he had told him the truth it wasn’t like he would have believed him anyways. So really, he was doing him a favour.
The only real problem now was Cass. Thanks to her, Saparata hadn’t completely drowned in his own misery. But with this current situation? He wasn’t so sure what she would do if she saw Flux, very much alive and breathing.
The saving grace from this was that Cass normally visited once every 2 weeks, sometimes twice if she could fit it. That meant that he still had roughly a good 12-13 days alone with Flux.
Overthinking was really hurting his brain. He truly didn’t get enough rest even though he had felt refreshed compared to the last few weeks.
“Flux” Saparata spoke earnestly, “what is it Saps?” Flux coolly replied. “I’m still tired.” Fluixon blinked, confused as to why Saparata was telling him this. “And why would that matter to me?” He had to take a moment to think about it. Truthfully there was no real purpose as to why he told him. He really just wanted him near.
Saparata laid back on his bed, cuddling up to Flux like they had when they were children.
Fluixon was saying something but Saparata blocked it out, using it more as background noise as he lost consciousness once more.