Chapter Text
In the middle of the night, Parrot suddenly woke from his restless dream. His eyes flew open as he bolted upright in bed, gasping for air. Every muscle in his body remained tense, unable to relax—He could still feel the suffocating grip of Wifies's control back in Paragon, interwoven with memories of their first meeting, of exploring together in happiness built through every moment they spent side by side...
Exhausted, Parrot buried his face in his palms and let out a low groan, trying to make sense of his conflicting emotions. Was he afraid and haunted, or was he still clinging to that figure's shadow? One thing he knew for certain...
He had never hated Wifies.
Not even when Wifies had been extreme enough to lock him in a cage, stripping away the freedom he craved, with that cold, calculating, cunning demeanor. In Parrot's eyes, he was still the same Wifies—Calm, intelligent, reliable. A companion who always supported him, someone who made his heart flutter every time he turned toward him...
Someone Parrot himself had ended with his own hands, closing the chapter between them forever.
Parrot lifted his head and looked toward the bed beside him, searching for a sleeping figure—Only to find it empty. Where was Wine? Puzzled, he slowly got out of bed and walked over, no sign of anything unusual. He decided to search around the house, but found nothing. Finally, he climbed up to the rooftop and saw Wine sitting there.
Beside him was a glass of red wine, and between his fingers, a lit cigarette released streams of gray smoke into the air. Parrot blinked curiously, then walked over to Wine.
Hearing the footsteps, Wine turned back, saw it was Parrot, and quickly stubbed out the cigarette, hiding it awkwardly with an embarrassed smile...
Wine: "Parrot?- you're awake? What's wrong... Are you okay?" Parrot shook his head and sat beside him, a little puzzled.
Parrot: "I should be asking you that. What are you doing up here?... And why did you hide that cigarette? I saw everything."
Wine hesitated at first, tried to deny it, but under Parrot's gaze, he finally admitted: "You told me you don't like cigarettes, so at night, I usually come up here to light one and watch the moon... But hey, at least my lifestyle looks healthier now, right?"
Parrot: "Wine... As long as you know how to control yourself, there's no need for that. I said I don't like it, but I don't have the right to stop you. You understand, right?" Wine paused, lowering his gaze to look at the face of the person beside him, half-lit by moonlight, and slowly nodded.
"What about you? Why are you up here..." Wine asked as he poured a full glass of wine and slid it toward Parrot. Parrot was quiet for a moment before answering: "Just a damn nightmare. And when I didn't see you, as a friend, I came looking for you. Simple as that."
Wine: "Thinking about Wifies again, huh?" Hmph- clones really did understand each other. He caught on so quickly it was almost scary, but now Parrot didn't really want to admit it... Seeing his hesitation, Wine chuckled knowingly.
"Hey Parrot, does my presence make things worse for you...?" The question caught Parrot off guard, and he felt a twinge of avoidance...
Wine: "You don't have to answer. I understand... I really want to see the sea. Do you want to come with me?"
Parrot: "Huh? Oh- sure."
They were now walking along the coastline as the sun slowly set. Wine gazed out at the open sea, a longing desire to explore stirring within him again...
Wine: "One day, let's go search for the Leviathan, Parrot" Hearing this, Parrot tilted his head and asked back.
Parrot: "Leviathan? Is it even real? But how do we find it?"
"It really does exist. As for finding it... Just believe in me."
Parrot nodded in agreement, then hesitated before speaking: "Do you want to practice archery and brewing potions with me...?"
Wine: "Huh- Um.. Parrot, you know I'm terrible at archery, and brewing potions is-" Parrot launched into a long explanation about how learning archery would give him both close and long-range advantages, making him stronger, and how brewing potions would support combat. Reluctantly, Wine eventually agreed.
So from morning till afternoon the next day, Wine practiced archery with Parrot. His hair was damp with sweat, his arm pulling the bowstring taut, while Parrot stood beside him patiently guiding him. Wine released the arrow shot through the air and landed straight into the ground... This was the eighth time, and not a single one had hit the target.
Parrot: "It's okay, you'll get it. Don't lose heart..."
Wine sighed in frustration and looked at Parrot: "This is harder than I thought. How do you hit the bullseye so easily?"
Parrot fell silent, thinking back to when Wifies had taught him archery. He always lost to Wifies back then, but Wifies had been so patient—Even using himself as target practice. Parrot shared that experience with Wine.
Wine seemed surprised to hear more about Wifies, a hint of admiration in his voice: "I really would like to meet him someday, Parrot... Wifies seems perfect in your eyes, doesn't he?"
When Parrot didn't answer, Wine fell silent for a moment, then let out a dry laugh: "Are you turning me into Wifies?" Parrot froze, then quickly shook his head and stammered an explanation. Seeing him getting flustered, Wine said he was just joking...
Over the past half month, Wine had trained diligently with Parrot from zero, finally hitting the bullseye for the first time. Now they were competing against each other. Just as Parrot drew his bow, an arrow shot past him. A pop sound—His totem activated, scattering green particles everywhere.
Parrot excitedly ran over to Wine, who was still processing what happened. Hearing Parrot's enthusiastic voice, Wine blinked and realized he'd actually succeeded...
Parrot: "Congratulations, Wif-Wine!! That was so impressive! Your aim was perfect!" Wine's tail wagged faster at the praise, and he buried himself in Parrot's arms, giggling. Parrot was a little surprised, normally he'd have pushed him awaybut now he just wrapped his arms around Wine and enclosed them both with his wings.
Wine: "Your wing is healed now, right? That means you can fly again!"
Parrot looked into those captivating amethyst eyes, narrowed in a smile directed at him as if those eyes held only his reflection...
Parrot lowered his gaze, thinking of something, but still smiled back: "Sounds great... It's getting late. Let's go home, shall we?"
Wine: "Oh alright, let's go."
Wine stared at the brewing stands lined with water bottles, curious, while Parrot rummaged through a chest...
Parrot took out a nether wart and a glistening melon slice, placing both items into Wine's palm: "This should be easy for you brew a healing potion! You already understand the basic principles, so it shouldn't be too hard..."
At first, Wine was enthusiastic, but after being bombarded with formulas, his focus waned. He yawned repeatedly and tried to slack off, but Parrot caught him every time. He even tried to act cute, but it had no effect on Parrot.
Wine: "Parrotttt when can we take a break? I'm so bored of brewing another potion..." Parrot sighed, hearing the weary sigh beside him, and gave in. Wine wanted to go for a walk, so Parrot agreed.
Parrot walked along the path, watching Wine's cheerful figure running ahead to enjoy the cool breeze, until they stopped under a large tree. They sat side by side, leaning against the trunk, gazing up at the tiny constellations scattered across the night sky.
Wine: "Parrot... I've really enjoyed spending these past days with you."
Parrot tilted his head and smiled gently: "Even when I hid your wine bottles?"
Wine chuckled and nodded: "Yeah even then, I'm still happy when I'm with you!" They looked at each other for a long moment before Wine leaned closer, gently lifting Parrot's face, then hesitated...
Wine swallowed hard and spoke: "You know... Do you want this...?" After receiving Parrot's confirming nod, Wine pressed his lips against Parrot's, threading his fingers through his green hair to pull him closer—Parrot awkwardly placed his hands on Wine's shoulders. Wine slowly lowered Parrot onto the soft grass beneath them.
Wine murmured, still savoring the sight of the blushing face beneath him: "I love you, Parrot." Parrot gazed dreamily at him, slowly reaching up to touch his cheek. Wine leaned down, and Parrot closed his eyes, letting the words slip out.
Parrot: "I love you too, Wifies..."
After a few moments of silence, no kiss returned—Parrot grew confused... He noticed Wine's strange expression. Wine sat up and moved away from him. Parrot grew more puzzled and tried to move closer, but was gently pushed back.
Parrot: "What's wrong? Why are you pulling away all of a sudden..." Unable to help it, a hint of frustration crept into his voice.
"Parrot... Don't you realize who you just called me? I'm not Wifies..." Wine bit out the words, lowering his gaze in disappointment.
Parrot realized his slip and stammered an explanation, but Wine only gave a faint, bitter smile, stood up, and walked away. Parrot quickly stood and grabbed his wrist, trying to make him stay...
Parrot: "Wine! I just misspoke- I really don't see you as Wifies or anyone else! Please believe me..." Wine remained silent, neither pushing him away nor responding... Just stood there quietly. Parrot wrapped his arms around him from behind, leaning against him.
Parrot: "I'm sorry... Please don't be silent like this..."
Wine let out a weary sigh, his voice hoarse as if he'd finally realized something: "So all those times before, were you just making me more like him?" Wine heard Parrot try to say something, but it died in silence. He wanted to deny it, but he didn't know what to say...
Wine found it bitterly ironic. He turned around to face Parrot again: "Parrot, I know what you've been through, how hard it's been for you to move on but that's no reason to treat me as a replacement for him!"
"Parrot... The reason I don't want anyone calling me that old name is because I want to be recognized as myself! AS WINE, NOT WIFIES!" Parrot looked up and saw Wine's expression growing colder. He bit his lip and lowered his head in guilt, he knew he was in the wrong... Maybe he had no right to speak.
Wine: "...I don't think we should see each other anymore, Parrot- especially while you're still hung up on him."
Parrot froze, then looked up: "What do you mean...? Wine, are you leaving the server?" Seeing him silent, Parrot desperately grabbed the sleeve of Wine's jacket, trying to hold on tears welled up in his eyes, blurring his vision.
Wine frowned slightly, ready to leave for good but still couldn't bear it, he wiped the tears from the corner of Parrot's eye...
Wine: "Don't overthink it. I just feel like a jerk when you cry..."
Parrot was silent for a few seconds before quietly asking: "Wine, what are we to each other now...?" His wings drooped, as if the question had drained the last of his energy.
Wine answered bluntly: "Not lovers, not friends...Just strangers, nothing more."
Parrot: "Alright... I know this is weird, but can we hug one last time?" Wine raised an eyebrow skeptically.
Wine: "...Just this once." He opened his arms. Parrot stepped closer, then buried himself in Wine's embrace, soaking in the familiar warmth and scent, pressing his face deeper into him. Wine said nothing, didn't return the hug—Just stood still, letting Parrot do what he would.
Parrot was wrong... He had never truly moved on from Wifies's shadow.
1tz m3_Wine left the game.