Chapter Text
[ conspiracing ]
serangel
> Not at lunch today either?
> @thommyturner @fluidxon
GOtogo
> oooooOh
> are you 2 in a dateeeee :>
poisonhvy
> Still mad that you two only talked to Snowbird about it btw
> What happened to friendship !!!!!!!
has anyone seen thomas today? <
serangel
> I thought you two were together, but no
poisonhvy
> Nopee
GOtogo
> nah
snowflak
> haven't seen
NK
> nope
gotoga i thought that you had classes with him today <
GOtogo
> skipped lol
> my streamer was live and the teacher sucks in that class
poisonhvy
> Bruh
snowflak
> trouble in paradise??
something like that <
poisonhvy
> Omi pls dont divorce :(
> I cant be fatherless T_T
thommyturner
> depends
posionhvy: I cant be fatherless T_T |
since when did i adopt your ass <
GOtogo
> tf u mean depends
Running after Thomas proved to be unsuccessful, being nowhere in sight as the class bell rings. Flux had no choice but to go back to his classes, enduring another school day with a ton of things in his mind.
It's not as if Thomas is running away from him on purpose. Knowing him, he's being considerate of Flux, who would usually want space to process sudden events.
His habits are biting him in the ass yet again.
If the conspiracy doesn't know where he is either, then there is really just one person who can bring him out of running, Flux himself.
Ugh, talking.
Does he really have to?
But before he could open his chat with Thomas, a notification pings from his phone.
[ SAPARATA 🤍 ]
> Uhhh so am I going to get any explanation soon?
> You suddenly ran off 😭
Right. Him too.
He also needs to talk and explain what's really happening to Saps as well.
If he had the power to go back in time, he'll surely strangle his self for making these idiotic decisions, stacking them up, and leaving future him to deal with its consequences. But whatever, it's not like it all resulted badly, thinking back at the events last evening.
As Flux slumps over at his desk, in the middle of yet another chemistry class, a bright idea comes to mind.
…Why not hit two birds with one stone?
Minecraft has always been their common interest, bonding over building, exploring, and many more. It was Minecraft that made it possible for them to be friends in the first place.
Flux could almost recall that conversation, sophomore year, a bright warm afternoon, bored out of his mind, seeing a Minecraft pin at Saps' bag.
Flux, being a new transfer at the time, could not bring himself to start a conversation with his deskmate. He's not shy, it's just… not the thing he likes doing often.
But as if an angel sent from Ish, a voice coming from his other side, asks about it first.
"You play Minecraft?" Thomas asked, pointing at the pin, his smile is of surprise and curiosity.
"Oh, uh, yeah!" Saps nods eagerly, "You too?"
Thomas nods back, "Since I was seven or something."
Flux is stuck in the middle of the two conversing, which ultimately resulted in him being dragged in the conversation.
At one point, Saps asked, "Sorry for ignoring you there, haha, do you play?"
Flux opened his mouth, saying a short succinct reply, "Yea."
No time to reminiscence about the past, Flux shakes himself out of his nostalgia, focusing on his plan.
Flux opens their long-forgotten group chat, one that served its use for a personal Minecraft server just for the three of them that one summer after sophomore year.
[ minecrafters 🤎💜🤍 ]
later after class <
both of you <
hop on mc <
our server <
sapararara
> ???????
> The pic won't send hol on
> 🐘: address me
For the first time since Flux knew him, Thomas takes his time to reply, so slowly that even Saps got to the messages first.
Flux watches as his text bubble switches to typing, disappearing and reappearing once more.
[ minecrafters 🤎💜🤍 ]
the train
> sure ??????
> been a while since we played
sapararara
> 🐘: ADDRESS ME
But as always, Thomas would always answer him whenever, wherever.
"Flux, you're back early—"
Going past Cyn, immediately shutting his door, turning on his computer, Flux clicks the Minecraft icon, finding the old IP address in his server list.
And, there it is.
thomas n flux n saps server :3 !! 0/3
Still with that silly old name.
Logging on their old server, Flux is hit by old memories, still with the diamond gear he last used, the silly names in his weapons, their old buildings and creeper holes all around the world.
Flux finds himself in their old meeting hall, a building with three wooden stairs acting as chairs around a table, with signs of ideas to do around.
This looks….
Ugly. It's so ugly.
Who decided to use birch planks along with oak out of all things?
Flux decides this won't do, and gets to work.
It was when Flux was almost done decorating the place when Thomas logs on first.
[Thomas5200 joined the game]
<Fluixon> hi
<Fluixon> old meeting area
Flux sends his current location in chat, and it doesn't take long for Thomas to arrive.
<Thomas5200> youve improved the place
<Thomas5200> its nice :)
Instead of oak and birch, Flux decided to use spruce, andesite, and stone bricks around the place, decorated with leaves as greenery.
Flux prides himself in being a great builder, so this simple build is nothing compared to his previous ones. Nowadays, he hasn't had the time to be building peacefully, more so focusing on the speed-running aspect of Minecraft instead.
[Saparata joined the game]
<Fluixon> old meeting area
It doesn't take long for Saps to arrive as well.
<Saparata> This is fireee
Flux takes his seat, crouching over one of the now andesite 'chair' on the floor. The two follows, sitting on their respective seats.
<Fluixon> uh okay
This is it.
Flux just needs to find the right words to say.
Flux tries to steady his hands. All he has to remember is that, this is Minecraft. That repulsive instinct of him to run is less likely to happen in a space he created himself.
He's in control. He has planned this.
<Fluixon> thomas you first
<Fluixon> so
<Fluixon> i already knew about the club okay?
<Fluixon> you were too informed so i figured it out quickly
Flux thinks back to the news he would suddenly get about the club, the status of the factions within it, whether or not they're fighting over a topic, all told by Thomas in their casual lunch table.
<Fluixon> pretty sure the others knew too in some way
<Fluixon> and its not like i hated the club entirely
<Fluixon> esp at the start
<Fluixon> they feed my ego
However, Flux needs to make one thing clear.
<Fluixon> but yea youre right
<Fluixon> at one point it just got weird
<Fluixon> some of them i mean
<Fluixon> if youre looking for forgiveness
The words come easy to him.
<Fluixon> yeah i forgive you
<Thomas5200> still im sorry
<Thomas5200> at the end of the day its still something i created
<Thomas5200> ive caused more harm than good
<Thomas5200> all because i liked you a little too much
…
<Thomas5200> Flux ??? hello are you there ?
<Fluixon> yeah imdtjll here
<Fluixon> all good
<Fluixon> :)
<Thomas5200> :)
<Saparata> …Wait I thought we were here for the fake bf thing
Saps finally speaks up, for the first time in a while. His character crouches once, then twice.
<Thomas5200> you know about it ???
<Saparata> OH MY ISH
<Saparata> THOMAS DOESNT KNOW???
<Fluixon> i thought he knew
<Thomas5200> knew about what ? i got really busy with suing people from the club yesterday
<Fluixon> and you didnt hear any new rumors?
<Thomas5200> surprisingly no
<Fluixon> so uh
<Fluixon> how to say this
<Fluixon> fake bf meet my other fake bf
<Thomas5200> ??????
Saps' character hits Flux's with his bare fists, dealing no damage because of his armor.
<Saparata> FLUX WHY ARE YIU DOING THIS OVER MINECRAFT
<Saparata> NOT EVEN VC????
<Fluixon> my mic is broken rn
His sister cannot hear about this or this will be the end of him.
<Saparata> Sure I buy that
<Saparata> Slash sarc btw
<Saparata> ISTI WE WERE JUST GAMING A WEEK AGO AND IT WAS FINE
<Saparata> Haha gaymers
Flux hits Saps once.
<Saparata> Ow that hurt :(
<Thomas5200> this is unexpected
Saps crouches, spinning in circles.
<Saparata> I thought I was just uninformed that I got two fake bfs in one package
<Fluixon> howd u even get that conclusion???
Saps runs around, hopping over furniture.
<Saparata> Well last time
<Saparata> When we went to the aquarium
<Saparata> I asked thom if he was single
<Fluixon> HUH
<Saparata> And he said yea
<Fluixon> HUH
<Fluixon> THEN WHAT
<Fluixon> ??????
<Saparata> Then nothing
<Saparata> I fumbled huzz </3
<Fluixon> omfi ur actually a loser
<Saparata> Ur in love w this loser btw
<Fluixon> HELL NO
Flux punches Saps twice, a bit tempted to bring out his sword.
<Saparata> Hearts don't lie bbg
<Saparata> Listen to it's call
<Fluixon> its telling me to punch you in the face
<Saparata> Meanie :(
<Thomas5200> oh that makes so much sense now
<Thomas5200> was that why you were suddenly yapping about the blob fish
<Fluixon> the dumb looking one????
<Saparata> HEY ITS NOT DUMB
<Saparata> It's lowk my spirit animal ok
<Saparata> DOES NOT LOOK LIKE ME THOYGH
<Saparata> Actually
<Saparata> Now that I think about it you guys could just be dating fr
<Saparata> And I'm js the side piece
Saps hangs his head low, as if expressing sadness. It looks unserious paired with his Minecraft skin, a white blob with only diamond boots to his name.
<Fluixon> so NOW you realize?????
<Saparata> SORRY I WAS TOO EXCITED OK
<Saparata> Double huzz in one gotta rizz them up later
<Fluixon> YOU are NOT rizzing any huzz
<Saparata> Says you
<Saparata> You were so red during our date haha :P
<Fluixon> NO I WAS NOT
Flux punches Saps once again.
<Thomas5200> you guys went on a date ?
<Fluixon> FAKE date
Flux punches Saps twice.
<Saparata> We can make it real next time ;))))
Flux stops punching.
<Fluixon> jsuf so you knwo im actualky thowjng up irl
<Saparata> Sure you are
<Saparata> Wait back to the topic
<Saparata> So are you guys really dating or no
<Fluixon> no
<Saparata> Oh good I was right
<Saparata> The timing was just too perfect
<Saparata> …Omi this couldve goen much worse
Thomas' character looks at Saps and then at Flux.
<Thomas5200> im still so confused
<Fluixon> yeah this is my limit
<Fluixon> good luck explaining
<Fluixon> bye
[Fluixon left the game]
<Saparata> HELLO????
[ minecrafters 🤎💜🤍 ]
sapararara
> FLUX
> FLUX
> FLUX
> FLUX BABY
> Why'd you leave us 🥺🥺🥺🥺
did you tell thomas? <
sapararara
> Ok wow sure ignore me ☹️
the train
> i got the gist :)
good <
sapararara
> Can we stop with the fake dating thing now
why <
i still have stalkers btw <
i need to convince them i have a bf <
so they leave me alone <
so i need like <
sapararara
> So we can be real bfs instead!!!! 😍
> PLS PLS PKS
… <
no <
sapararara
> Honey sugar bun cupcake
> Moonpie muffin gorgeous snookums
> Begging on my knees rn
> PLEASEEEEE 😭😭😭😭😭
> Thomas already said yes to me 🥺
> #notfumblingthistime
ugh <
finw <
stip the pet names <
theyre horendosu <
sapararara
> Awww are you flustered???
no ew <
sapararara
> I love you 😍😍😍😍😍😍
> Both of you 😘😘😘😘😘
sure <
the train
> love you too Saps :))) 🤎
sapararara
> JANDNWKDNNDNEDBDB
> Can someone do CPR on me
> I think Im dying
wherws mine <
the train
> love you too Flux :)))
> dont get jealous ok ?
> 🤎
> ill gladly do cpr if you need it Saps ;)
sapararara
> ON SECODN THOYGT.
> Ill die eher wya
> WJDHKDJDBDBEJDBFBJE
lol <
the train
> see you guys at school tom ;))
sapararara
> QJSHDHJWDJSJDBDBRHHE
the train
> we are still talking about this though
> no minecraft this time
do we have to? <
sapararara
> AJDNKWIDNWMDBFBREJDH
the train
> yes Flux we have to
:/ <
sapararara
> WOKDMWKDKEJDNENNND
Cyn knocks at his door thrice.
"What's got you giggling over there?" She yells, "Let me in on the news!"
Just like the past two days, Thomas and Flux meets at the school entrance once more. But unlike those days, something else is different now.
They're dating.
Real boyfriends.
"Hi," Thomas smiles softly, his eyes crinkling in delight.
"Hi," Flux says back, feeling a little shy.
Thomas' warm amber eyes reminds him of honey, its glaze shimmering in the morning light.
…Was it this captivating before?
So pretty. Flux's mind is running out of words to say, too busy watching the shades of brown and orange, mixed into perfection.
They stare deeply, lost in each other's eyes for quite a long time before one of them snaps out of their shared daydream.
"Um," Thomas coughs, "maybe we should get going."
Flux gulps, throat dry, "Yeah, we should."
"We have the same first class, right?" Thomas asks, switching the topic as they walk, "Physics?"
"Seems like it," Flux says, looking straight ahead.
"We can just share your book, we're deskmates, anyway."
"Too lazy to go to your locker?"
"Yup."
Flux doesn't know when it started, but at one point, they started holding each other's hands as if it is second nature.
[ 🤍 SAPS 🤍 ]
Today, 6:50am
where are you <
Today, 7:17am
> I'M SO SORRY I WOKE UP LATE
> Baby pls don't be mad at me later 😢
dont call me that <
> 😢😢😢😢😢😢
we are at your locker btw <
> 🫡
"Saps woke up just now." Flux rolls his eyes, showing the messages with one hand, a pile of books in the other. It's time to finally return Saps' biology book after all these days.
"Told you," Thomas moves his shoulder up to adjust to the weight of Flux's backpack along with his own slingbag, "He couldn't sleep last night. He was screaming in my dms all about it."
"Really?" Flux raises his eyebrow, curious, "Can I see?"
"Yeah, sure." Thomas brings his phone out of his pocket, a picture collage of Saps and Flux's time at the aquarium mishmashed together as his lockscreen shown briefly as he uses a pattern to unlock his phone.
[ MY LOVE 🤍 ]
> Thoams can you believeit
> Youre my boyfiefn now 🥺
> I love you so so mcug
yes saps tell me all about it tomorrow <
go to sleep its almost 2am 🤎 <
> Flux is aslepe now hwo can I tel him I loev him too ☹️☹️☹️
we will see each other tomorrow love <
ill go to bed now as well okay ? <
> Okay ☹️
sweet dreams :) 🤎<
> 🤍
"That's…" Surprisingly sweet. "…Wait, what do you have me saved as?" Flux asks instead.
"Oh you? My darling." Thomas casually says, "with a purple heart next to it."
Darling.
Darling.
Heat spreads through Flux's face, but he tries to fight it back this time, "I need to step up my game." He mutters.
After ten minutes or so, Saps arrives, running at full speed.
"Honeybun!" Saps yells, suddenly hugging him from behind, his arms wraps around Flux's waist in mere seconds.
"Wha— get off me!" Flux squirms, but makes no attempt to leave. "Stop with those embarrassing pet names, I'm literally begging you."
Saps ignores this as he lays his chin down on Flux's shoulder, his breath tickling his cheek, "Miss me?" His hair is still damp with all his morning rush.
Flux pushes his face away, "No."
"Why so cold?" Saps grumbles, "Wasn't I the best fake boyfriend to you?"
"Our date was horrible to the point I am not counting that as our first,"
Saps gasps, offended at the remark. Like he actually did well at all.
"I trust that you'll improve in the future." Flux continues, rolling his eyes, "Thomas, you have to hear all about it. It was a disaster."
"Mhm," Thomas nods, "probably right after you tell us what led you to date us both the same time."
"Right!" Saps pulls away, now looking at him for answers.
Ugh. He almost got away with it.
"It wasn't a logical decision at all." Flux explains, "I guess I…" He trails off, averting his gaze, "I was acting on instinct, because I couldn't bring myself to leave out any of you, despite the fake dating scheme being in a precarious position."
"Aww, Flux." Saps says, and when Flux looks back at him, he's smiling so wide, touched by his words, "Love you too."
Flux looks away once more, "Yeah," his voice turning more into a whisper, "love you too, I guess."
Saps' smile turns brighter at these words.
"Here," Thomas says, saving Flux from further embarrassment, handing Saps his books for the day.
It's only three books, so some must be online modules.
"…How'd you open my locker?" Saps looks at his books and then to Thomas, checking each title in the covers. It looks to be the right ones as Saps' confused reaction deepens.
Thomas glances subtly to the side, to Flux, then back to Saps. "That's a secret." He smiles.
"Oh," Saps melts in Thomas' gaze, "okay." He says breathless. He stops questioning everything.
Huh. Flux could get used to this.
Saps blinks, snapping out of his reverie, directing his attention back at poor Flux.
"Kiss good luck for class?" Saps says, one hand cheekily pointing to his cheek.
Flux could. As his boyfriend.
To lean in and maybe give a little peck—
Instead, Flux hits Saps with his biology book. It barely misses him, with Saps catching the book with a squawk.
"I'm keeping the sunglasses." Flux looks away, his face too warm for his liking.
Thomas chuckles at the sight, "You okay?" He asks Saps. "How about I'll give you a kiss first in the meantime? You said you'll give me one last night."
Saps backs away, the color red blossoming on his pale skin, blushing all over. Flux did only get to see the end of their conversation, so there must be a lot more that Saps had said.
"M'fine!" Saps shouts out loud, looking everywhere frantically, "Would you look at the time, haha," he says looking at his nonexistent watch, "gottagobye!"
Saps runs away, and Flux isn't so sure if he's headed in the right direction.
If those words could pull a reaction out Saps just like that, maybe Flux should start flirting back for a change. That would surely be a surprise to Saps.
Flux glances at Thomas, whose mouth is curving upwards in a mix of fondness and amusement. He's enjoying this way too much.
Thomas looks at him back, and for a moment, Flux thinks that he'll offer a kiss too.
But instead, Thomas says, "Shall we get to class?" He offers his hand out, like a gentleman.
A kiss, huh?
"Yeah, let's go." Flux takes Thomas' hand, a warm, calming presence. To think he was flustered over this simple action mere days ago.
Maybe some other time.
It's lunch break when they break the news to their friends.
"Oh, um, Flux? I thought you're only dating Thomas?" Rotation's mouth gapes at the sight.
"…I'm dating the both of them. It's a recent development." Flux chews and opens his mouth as Saps feeds him another spoonful of rice. Thomas bought a packed lunch today, and Flux and Saps are sharing it.
"Darling, the full truth." Thomas says, removing a grain from the side of Flux's mouth, then goes back to eating disgusting canteen food.
Darling.
Darling!
He needs to get used to that word.
"Um," Flux looks at Saps for help, but he's too busy cheesing over Thomas' pet name for Flux, "We got together yesterday."
"Yes-ter-day?" Gotoga spells out the word in a hushed tone, looking at Rotation, who returns a confused shrug. So Gotoga turns to NewKids, who is at lunch for this 'very important announcement', who also returns a look instead.
Awfully chummy for people who just started a relationship, huh?
"Wait, Flux, you told me you three were dating for longer." Snowbird drops his spoon, clattering at his metal plate.
"Is Snowbird your favorite or something?" Rotation remarks, "Why is he getting all the gossip and not me— us?"
"It was only under unfortunate circumstances, Snowbird thought I was cheating on Thomas with Saps." Flux opens his mouth again for Saps to feed him. Saps complies easily.
"And… were you?" Seraphim says, confused.
"No," Flux drinks a glass of water, "None of us were dating at the time."
"Huh? Then what— huh?" Snowbird pipes up, mind most likely running with a million questions.
Flux looks at Thomas, pleading for an out, but Thomas looks at him back as if to say he needs to tell the truth and face what he did on his own. Still, one of his hands holds Flux's to tell him that he's here in this moment.
"The truth is," Flux looks at Saps, who just nods in support, just like Thomas, holds his other hand, "the truth is…"
Flux takes a deep breath.
"It was all a scheme." Flux blinks and looks at their expressions. Confused, shocked, curious, but never once did they vocalized their thoughts out, letting him speak.
"To trick the fan club, I had to pretend I had a boyfriend." Flux continues, "Things occurred and I ended up with two fake dates, then Snowbird caught me in a date with Saps after seeing me with Thomas that morning, I reunited with my sister, and exactly as Thomas said in the group chat yesterday afternoon, he confessed to being the founder of the club, which, unsurprisingly, we all knew.
They all nod in agreement.
"That's pretty much it." Flux sighs, "I apologize for not telling you all sooner."
Thomas' grip on Flux's hand tightens in reassurance, as if telling him he did well.
He turns his gaze back to his friends, all looking at him with an understanding gaze, yet no words come. Still, Flux lets out a small smile, a heavy weight finally lifting off his shoulders.
It is Seraphim who breaks the silence first.
"…Has Jophiel heard any of this yet?" Seraphim asks, with a fork in her mouth, going back to eating her lunch like nothing has happened.
The others follow suit, their utensils clinking as they try to finish their food as fast as they can.
"Uh…" Saps tries to remember, "Honestly, I think I forgot to tell anyone else. Even when I was fake dating Flux." Saps scratches the back of his head.
"You're cooked bro."
"I know." Saps replies sadly.
Knock. Knock.
Knocking comes at Flux's front door at exactly 6am in the morning the next day.
"It's a Saturday morning, who is up knocking—"
Flux opens it, seeing not only Thomas, but also Saps on his doorstep. It's a good thing that Cyn is fast asleep right now, had to pass a required project at 2am in the morning, as he wouldn't hear the end of it.
"Oh, you should've told me you were…" Flux trails off.
Saps yawns beside Thomas, a time too early for him to be awake at, in his hands, a vase.
"Heard you needed a new vase?" Thomas says, smiling, gently taking the vase from Saps.
The vase is designed with a repeating pattern of purple hyacinths, a white sky and the brown dirt and greenery it resides in.
"…Yeah. I do." Flux lets out a small smile, looking at the old hyacinths on his table on a makeshift vase, an old glass jar, "Come in."
The new vase stands out in the middle of his living room, providing more color to the space, looking a bit tacky, but Flux likes it that way.
He can't wait to place more flowers to come.