Chapter Text
“Wemmbu, you’re a lost cause,” Egg said, monotone with traces of annoyance. anger?
. . .
Wemmbu’s eyes flung open as his breath was frantic, chest heavy, brain fogged, and dizzy. Too hazy to comprehend anything happening. His heart was beating so hard that everyone in the building could hear it. His palms were so sweaty that there could be a whole pond forming on his pants as he continuously wiped them, again and again. He looked around the room. Flame, who was supposed to be beside him, had disappeared. His breathing became more jagged than it could ever be, acting as if it were a mountain, up and down; from the sky to the depths of the world.
Flame, Flame, Flame. His name kept repeating in Wemmbu's head, spinning round and round on a carousel. His knees raised towards his chest as he wrapped his arms around his legs, rocking back and forth. His stomach was twisted in ways he couldn’t comprehend, and his mind began picturing scenarios. What if Flame just left him here? What if he just wanted a one-time stand? What if he does this? What if he does that? What if he doesn’t like me back? All these what-ifs flooded Wemmbu’s mind; the more hypotheticals appeared, the harder it was to brush away.
His mind floated from thought to thought; his panicking had quieted down as more cheerful thoughts approached. He thought of what he was going to eat for his next meal, how to get home, or what he was going to tell his roommate. The anxiety started to creep back; every worry added fuel to the fire. Wemmbu didn’t even know where he was, let alone how to get back home.
Theo Parrot's best friend chimes over the intercom, “Attention all customers, the bar will now be closing in about 10 minutes. Please make your way towards the entrance door.” Great, just great. The only form of shelter he had was going to be gone in 10 minutes. He put on his jacket, grabbed his wallet and phone as he slowly made his way towards the door, shuffling across the floor. As the door crept open, Wemmbu saw a dark hallway, rooms lining the wall in front, and a few paintings between every door. The closer to the main area, the more screaming could be heard. He poked his head around the wall as he overheard the conversation.
“I demand to speak with the manager! He had sexually harassed me!”
“Ma’am, let’s calm down. Do you know what the person looked like?”
“He was wearing... a skirt! It was…Pink! I gave you all the information you need! Now go find him, or I’m getting the manager!”
A wave of worry ran through Wemmbu’s mind. What if they knew it was him? What if they call the cops? His breathing quickened as his palms started to sweat again. They definitely knew he was here by how loudly his heart was beating. He has to get out of here, or they could catch him, but what could he do? What could he do? Fuck it. Wemmbu plan was to just bolt out the doors, hoping nobody would notice. “3, 2, 1.” He murmured before running across the dance floor, to the refresher table, and to the exit door. He was right there, just a couple more steps…
Bang!
W-what? What just happened? His head felt like he was being compressed, all his brain cells, if he had any, mushed up into one thin cookie. Though he could use a cookie right now… “That’s him! See, he’s wearing a skirt! Get him!” the woman screamed across the room. Wemmbu’s head twisted around to see a group of people staring at him, 2 guards stomping over. Shit, maybe he should leave.
He scrambled to his feet with a loud bang that crackled against the wall. The door swung open. The fresh wind rushed into the stuffy building. Where was he going? He didn’t even know; he just turned left and ran right off. He saw a park in the distance, so he decided to stop by. Walking through the entrance, he admired the view of the sunrise, the petals carefully falling into their designated place. Dandelions, daisies, and sunflowers were scattered around the grass. All intertwined together, creating this sophisticated scene of flowers.
The smell of lavender lingered around as he went deeper and deeper. Fresh doses every couple of meters. All the yellow and white flowers turned into pink and red, from a summer afternoon to a spring morning. Each and every flower had its job in the gradient of plants. All except one, it was red, matching the others, but its centre was orange. A saturated orange. Enough to be noticed, too little to be admired. A bold yellow was sprinkled around the base of the flower with a black stem that surprisingly hasn’t given out.
Wemmbu decided he would want to give it to a certain someone; it matched his whole vibe and all. Plucking it off the ground, he continued walking forward, further into the park. He didn’t address the trees before, but it seemed as if they were about to grow into magnificent green leaves that could act as wings. There were little tiny bulbs on a few branches; a couple had sprouted into leaves. It was beautiful to look at; maybe he and Flame could watch the sunset here, if he ever returned. Sitting at a nearby bench, he stared out into the horizon. He couldn’t help but wonder what would happen if he never ran, if he was a second too late to escape. He did say sorry anyway. She did seem familiar, though.
The reds, yellows and oranges caused by the sun rising reflected onto the pond of water. This was peaceful. No one around to distract, no loud cars, talking just him and nature. He would like to head home, but due to circumstances, he can’t. His phone is dead, and he doesn’t know where he is right now. He really has to leave here; this dreadful feeling started to creep up his back. He felt as if he was about to be taken at any second. The uneasiness sat heavily in his stomach as he made his way through the exit. Step by step, the feeling grew deeper. These horrible thoughts flooded his mind. What if Flame did this? What if Flame did that? He was too lost in thought to notice the cars rushing across the road.
He walked closer and closer, step by step. The wind was blowing his hair up, the birds were chirping at him. The morning shine hit him specifically. Every bit seemed like a coincidence, but it had all added up into a warning. Wemmbu was too lost in thought to realize it at the time. Cars have claimed millions, even billions of lives, and this was no different.
. . .
“Being carefree could cost your life one day, don’t risk it.” A sharp voice cut over Wemmbu. “You only have one life, live it like you’ll die tomorrow.”
. . .
Wemmbu snapped back into reality. He was seconds too late to realize he was standing in the middle of the street. His eyes went wide as he caught sight of cars driving straight at him with no intent to stop. His heart sank. Was he really going to die here? Stunned in fear, unable to move, it seemed as if this was his last moment. Just as the car was about to hit him, someone from across the street ran to push him aside. He landed, fortunately his bottom was only slightly injured.
His head turned to face the person who saved his life. “Flame?” Wemmbu whispered out. Flame’s worried expression painted over his face. He sat there staring deep into his eyes. He didn’t scream, didn’t yell, just was likely staring into Wemmbu’s soul at this point. The worried expression turned into something much darker as he seemed to be upset. But for what? “Flame? Are you okay?” Wemmbu questioned.
Flame’s brows furrowed, his hands turning into fists. “Wemmbu! What the fuck were you thinking, walking onto the streets like that?!” His screaming caught some people walking by, but he didn’t care about the people watching and questioning; he only cared about what the fuck was happening inside Wemmbu’s head. “Flame, calm down, I'm fine, so why make it such a big deal?” trying to de-escalate the situation. “You could’ve just died there, Wemmbu, you could’ve just died! And for what? What purpose did that serve?!” Flame replied, the last bit of worry turned to frustration, anger.
“Who would even care about me anyway? Egg is literally in Europe at a prestigious university, while I'm here at community college, barely getting above 60 percent!” Wemmbu exclaimed. “Either way, if I die, nobody will know; they will just think I disappeared. Like how rejoice did, I really wonder what happened to him. I hope he’s doing well. What? Why am I even telling you this!?” The wind blew around them, as if trying to create a moment. Leaves falling around, the lavender scent from the park carried over towards them.
“Wemmbu, I care, I cared about you since the day we met. I-i, bro, you’re one of the only people I can’t lose. I’ve already lost one, I-i can’t lose you too.” His eyes started to water, tears dripped down his face, but he continued. “I like-no love you, I just…didn’t know how to confess.” Flame said, murmuring the last line. He was full-on crying now. Tears spilled out of his eyes as he hugged Wemmbu. Clinging onto him, as if he would vanish into the abyss if he let go. “Don’t leave me, please… I only have you left…” Wemmbu wrapped his arms around the Flame. Tears started building up at the corners of his eyes. “I won’t ever leave you.” Flame looked up, staring deep into Wemmbu’s irises. “Promise?” Lifting his pinky. “Promise,” Wemmbu whispered while linking his fingers with Flame.
He lifted both of his hands to cup Flames cheeks. Thumb wiping the tears away. “I love you,” Wemmbu said. “I love you too.” Both of them leaned closer towards one another. Lips landing in a soft, sweet and deliciously tasty kiss. Wemmbu’s fingers clutched around the other person's neck. Flame's hands were steadily clasping Wemmbu's hips.
. . .
EXTRA?
“Isn’t this so nice?” Wemmbu asked, staring at the sunrise. Both of them were sitting on a bench in the park. The orange and yellow glow beaming on the horizon. The birds chirping, Wind rustling the leaves. How romantic of a first date. Hearing the peaceful sounds of Flame breathing while admiring the view made his heart flutter with a protectiveness he had never felt. Flame, leaning against his shoulder, responded. “Yeah. I wish we could do this more often.” Wemmbu turned back to face Flame. “I wish too.” Wemmbu wrapped his arm around Flame's side as his head leaned on the other's head.
“Wait, bro, why is your forehead bruised?” Flame turned to question Wemmbu. “Uhh, long story, I’ll tell you later, just enjoy the view first.”