Chapter Text
Wemmbu pulled back to look up at Flame, gauging his expression for any signs of a lie. If Flame is trying to lighten the mood, he’s doing a really bad job at it. Seriously, now is not the time for such a badly timed joke. However, he found nothing out of the ordinary except a small unfamiliar smile gracing his face. Woah. He should really smile more instead of bring a bitch most of the time.
Being the ever helpful and considerate person that Flame is, he removed his blindfold to help Wemmbu read his emotions better, iris narrowing into thin slits. Eugh, the world has always been too saturated for him.
Flame began to explain himself, unconsciously gliding his hands through Wemmbu’s soft hair, “I betrayed Cindercrest recently if you haven’t noticed already, to team up with Parrot and Theo with Lomedy. It was about time I did anyways.”
“Parrot and Theo explained their situation shortly after Highwater City was conquered, adamant on how you had betrayed them. Betrayed their trust. Making yourself an enemy to Parrot’s kingdom. I tried to plead your case, giving them a run down to your rabbithole, allowing them to see from my perspective on why you did what you did,” Flame mused, resting his chin on Wemmbu’s head.
A small wheeze came out of Flame, “I guess that was enough of a push for them to start investigating your situation. Egg really outdid himself. 16 Ender pearl stasis chambers?”
Wemmbu groaned.
“Anyways, while Arachnid was talking it out with Saps in the random coordinate they both decided on, I gave the queue for parrot to infiltrate the Caves, snooping around looking for Egg. In the process of doing so, found out the entire place was rigged with TNT,” Flame twirled a lock of Wemmbu’s hair with his index finger absentmindedly.
Flame can’t help but notice Wemmbu’s lavender scent was fading, it was quite mild compared to the overpowering smell of gunpowder and dust, having snuck their way into his hair.
“One thing led to another, after spotting Jaden, a familiar face, teams were formed, one conducting an evacuation whereas the other worked on trying to quickly find Egg’s 16 stasis chambers with a time constraint. That was why Arachnid and Yungy left you alone to represent them whilst they hurried back to the caves. Seemed like one of the royalties snitched.”
Wemmbu nod his head, buried into the crook of Flame’s neck again, before murmuring, “Is Egg alright..?”
“Up and jumping bro, we wanted to inform you but we couldn’t find you anywhere until you blew Capital City into smithereens,” Flame squinted his eyes.
Fuck.
He messed up again.
He just keeps blowing things out of proportion everytime.
Would they even let him see Egg after all that he has done?
Wemmbu’s hand began trembling, breath hitching before beginning to quicken up as his mind began reeling from one scenario to another.
“Woah, woah easy there bro. It’s okay. I’m here. Don’t cry,” Flame panicked, stroking Wemmbu’s head.
Wemmbu only shook his head and wailed.
Just what had his rival endured?
Flame sighed, whispering sweet nothings in an attempt to calm him down, “Shhh.. it’s okay, I’ve got you.”
Eventually, after a while, Wemmbu went limp in his arms. Seemed like crying took out what energy he had left in his small body.
Flame glanced at his rival’s face. He looked.. peaceful. For once. However, it was hard to ignore how gaunt his cheeks were, as well as the prominent circles under his eyes, having darkened significantly ever since the Law. Almost as if Wemmbu had been fighting a neverending battle all by himself, unable to feel safe enough to let his guards down for a simple necessity such as sleeping. Not to mention, his weight was negligible in Flame’s lap. Had Mane not taught him the importance of a balanced diet?
Flame mindlessly thought to himself that he would take him under his wings and nurture his health back. Call it his tiger instincts and all. He did owe Wemmbu afterall. They were the strongest players in the Unstable SMP, this alliance would undoubtedly remove some targets off their back as long as they stick together. A symbiotic relationship if you will.
Flame nodded. His mind made up, standing up. He adjusted his hands, one holding the back of Wemmbu’s knees the other supporting his back in a bridal style, before leaping down one beam to another.
He wouldn’t want anyone to see him if he were in Wemmbu’s shoes so he snuck away in the direction of his den and began trudging there. Lomedy would be at his base waiting, having already tended to Egg’s wounds from the sudden burst of explosion as Arachnid attempted to blow his civilization.
Looking down at the man in his arms, he noted down every visible wounds, burnt marks along his arm, shredding his dress shirt in some parts from tanking TNT explosions from Theo, his back oozing blood from taking a hit from Shoebilly, minor cuts and bruises from random chungies that managed to knick his skin, and arrow wounds, forming deep indents along his arms, chest and legs, mostly caused by Flame himself. His ears flattened down in guilt. In his defense he wanted to grab the bird’s attention but said bird kept staying airborne.
He needs to get back to his den quickly.
Everything else can wait.
It’ll be okay.
Slowly but surely.
One step at a time.