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Praiseworthy remark is not an uncommon thing for Boboiboy to hear.
He has heard of comments such as "Boboiboy a great leader", "It must be hard carrying the responsibility as an earth superhero behind his back", and "His sense of justice is admirable" countless times, and while it's definitely flattering, those words of admiration never make Boboiboy feel particularly proud.
His job to protect power spheres and maintain the peace are — responsibilities. He never chose to become a superhero, the most vigorous and famous one that is. He just... happens to been bestowed upon the most mighty power Ochobot had stored inside, and he joined TAPOPS mostly due to Koko Ci's force.
Well, Boboiboy is more than happy to protect and help out others, so... it's not that huge of a deal.
But, all of those compliments just hits different when it comes out of a certain raven-haired boy's mouth.
"Well done, Ensign."
Gods.
The Cadet buried his face beneath a pillow, trying to suffocate himself enough to stop thinking provocatively of his dearest friend.
"Well done,"
"Well done,"
"Well done..."
Stop it, Boboiboy. Go to sleep.
Few minutes — or few hours passed by, and he did not, in fact, fall asleep.
A heavy sigh can be heard when he rolled to the side of their shared bed. There is a lamp sitting on top of their desk, casting enough light that he can read the time on the digital alarm clock without having to squint. It marks a huge "5.20" in front of the boy's dumbfounded face.
Okay, chill. Just breathe like normal, go back to your bed, close your eyes, and you'd be full of energy tomorrow — is what Boboiboy said mentally, and he flopped back onto the mattress, trying to do exactly that.
The motion seemed to wake the yellow sphere resting on the vault charger of their room, his light blue artificial eyes fluttering open and its robotic voice raspy. "Boboiboy...?"
"Ah, Ochobot! Did I wake you up?"
"Mmm... Not really, I have charged myself enough to open a teleportal gate for tomorrow's mission." It fluttered closer to Boboiboy, inspecting and caressing his cheek with its palm while giving a look that screams a mix of hurt and concern. "Did you stay awake all night? Those eyebags aren't going to disappear anytime soon."
Boboiboy winced away from the mechanical hand. There is no way he's going to tell Ochobot that he fantasized about someone none other than Fang, the one he accused of stealing and hurting the yellow power sphere years ago, so hard that he forgot to rest.
"I'm gonna go to sleep sooner or later, don't worry." He muttered, trying to sound as genuine as possible.
Ochobot just frowned. "Don't pressure yourself, okay? I'll wake you up when it's time to meet the Commander, just get some rest for now."
There it is. The motherly behavior Ochobot carries around through its presence alone, mostly from spending his time on earth with Tok Aba. It was moments like this that makes him see Ochobot as a parental figure, even more than his own parents sometimes. "I promise."
The power sphere gave Boboiboy one last worried look before pressing some buttons on the door and exited, leaving him and a snoring Gopal alone. Sleep, yes, he definitely needs one right now.
He took a deep breath and let the darkness envelop his vision, with the motivation to stop thinking about that dumb Lance Corporal's face. The fact that his cheeks steamed warm again betrayed his own will in mere seconds.
... Besides, it's nor his fault for being giddily over Fang's words. That guy had never openly complimented anyone before, let alone Boboiboy whom he proclaimed as a rival. He either stand and listen quietly in the corner, brag about his popularity, or say things like "I'm not losing to someone like Boboiboy!!" Which Boboiboy himself had long accepted to be a part of Fang as a person.
But, this time is different. Fang straight up said "Well done" even though Boboiboy only pointed out an empty space for their spaceship to land on, dammit. Why? And specifically, how did he just... so effortlessly...
...No. Maybe it just feels pleasant, to hear something nice about himself coming from someone who's so bitter all the time.
Yeah, that's probably why.
-
Another day, another mission from higher-ranked members of TAPOPS. Koko Ci had commanded the gang to rescue a power sphere on a tropical planet, much like Planet Gurunda but with more soaring temperature, maybe a little too hot for average humans. But frankly, the gang managed to complete the mission without any major injury.
"Ah— We did it, everyone!" Yaya beamed cheerfully, a trembling magma-looking power sphere save and sound in her embrace.
Gopal and the girls cheered in the back as they secured the said sphere like it was a prize money, while Fang had walked away from the others to launch up his spaceship.
Boboiboy, however, was sweltering from the heat. All of them did, but it didn't leave them as exhausted as the orange-capped boy. Gopal seemed to notice this, so he picked up a random rock off the path, the entirety of its surface flashing a faint light as it transforms into a bottle of fresh, freezing water.
"You okay, Boboiboy?" The chubby boy asked, offering the cold product to Boboiboy who had been staring at the ground for a good minute.
"Oi! You can do that the whole time!? You should've changed those rocks to bottled water earlier!" Ying slapped Gopal's arm playfully and screeched in her usual high-pitched tone.
Gopal flinched at the impact. "Eh, well... none of you asked, so—"
From that point onwards, Boboiboy didn't pay attention to the voice of his surroundings anymore. It all felt like a blur, the sounds melting together into an unrecognizable mush in his head.
He tried reach out for the bottle, but the sudden movement damped his head to the sea of dizziness. He trailed off and shut his eyes, feeling his legs gave out...
...Next thing he knew, he was laying on the ground.
-
Boboiboy squint an eye open, and his whole body was aching, like he’d been hit with something very hard and then ran over by a truck.
Groaning, he shifted under the covers and attempted to move. It didn’t work, he felt that the movement was causing even more discomfort than what he was already in. The only thing he managed to do was to stare at the wall above him, trying to recall the incident like a broken record.
The place isn't exactly familiar, but it isn't foreign either. It's certainly livelier than the dorm he shared with Gopal, with some posters of an extremely edgy-looking band scattered across the walls. On the other hand, the furnitures around the room looks brand new, like it hadn't been touched by a single person before.
What happened? Boboiboy wondered, blinking blearily into the obscure light of the room. His brain was still a bit fuzzy, and the memories were slow to surface.
All he remembered that he was on a mission, and that Gopal offered him a bottle of water, and— he couldn't make out anything from his memory after that.
When he could feel his sense slowly coming back, something cold melts from on top of his forehead and rolls down to his face, a towel with half-melted ice pack. Someone must have took care of him while he was unconscious, so this is probably a closeted room in TAPOPS headquarters that he had yet to know about.
Upon noticing that the iconic orange cap he usually wore was gone, he tried looking for it and getting up by using one arm as a prop. But not before his thoughts got slammed by the absolute worst headache like a sledgehammer, combined with an aching bruise running along his sore limbs. Wow, what a great combination.
The boy was about to succumb back to sleep when the mechanical locks on the door opened one by one, revealing a raven-haired boy he's way too familiar with.
Fang.
Fang.
I miss you so much, he tried to say, but it didn't come out.
He noticed Boboiboy's presence and blinked. "Oh, you're awake already?"
"You..." He stammered, his voice unexpectedly hoarse. "What are you doing here?"
The said boy raised his eyebrow at the question. " 'What am I doing here?' If anything, you're the one occupying a place in my bedroom."
"Huh?"
"This is my spaceship, idiot. You caught a rather high fever, probably from overworking or lack of sleep. That's what Yaya said."
Boboiboy let out a long and dragged-out "Ooh", his cheeks heating up again at the sight of Fang bringing a bowl with packs of ice, towel, and cold compresses with him.
There's so many things that he needs to ask, though. "What about Gopal, Yaya and Ying? Where... Where are they?"
"Calm down, Cadet." Fang grunted while pinching the bridge of his nose. "You see, it's midnight already, so the others had gone back to TAPOPS station. Well, it's kinda crazy if someone didn't die out of exhaustion after a mission like that. And you," He pointed a finger at Boboiboy, "You need to rest, too. How tired are you to the point of passing out right after completing a mission, huh?"
Ochobot also said the same thing, Boboiboy noted in his mind. He decided to not respond to his question, considering that the reason of his exhaustion involves the boy standing in front of him. "But, why are you taking care of me alone in your spaceship? You're also really tired, right? You could've just... I don't know, call Tok Aba, or take me to TAPOPS station and ask other members to check up on me."
"Because I accidentally volunteered to." The Lance Corporal whispered under a breath, almost faint enough for Boboiboy to not notice. "Aish, no. Like I said, it's midnight. None of these TAPOPS members are awake right now, except for maybe Koko Ci. I'm simply taking care of you here because there is no other choices."
"But..."
"Shush. Now, either go back to sleep and get some rest, or take a quick bath in the south room. Your choice." He cuts off by flopping the cold compresses all over Boboiboy's face.
Boboiboy almost chocked on the action. "Hey, your own best friend is feeling unwell and this is how you treat them!? At least help me wash myself or something, I—"
Fang flicked a finger right in the middle of Boboiboy's forehead, releasing a grunt from the boy. "Being sick does not mean you couldn't bathe on your own, dumbass. Go, or would you rather have me strip your clothes off right now so you don't have to do it?" His lips curved into a mischievous grin.
"Wait, no! Argh— fine, I'll do it myself!" Boboiboy snatched the towel from Fang's grip, utterly defeated. "Can you... Cook something for me, at least? Like a porridge?"
Fang considered the request. "I will."
-
The change of clothes Boboiboy got was. Fang's, unsurprisingly. It was tad a bit bigger than him, leaving the long sleeve dangle around with a plain black and dark purple color scheme, which just confirms further that this was indeed the boy's possession.
It's important to remember that Fang could not cook, at all. Boboiboy was sitting down on a closed toilet seat after a shower, that is until he whiffed a smell of something burnt from outside the bathroom. His friend almost put the kitchen and his whole spaceship on fire. They ended up ordering one from galactic meal delivery after that.
Fang had also handed him his orange dino hat back, while ruthlessly mocking the owner for dropping it during their mission on the tropical planet (which he never remembered the name of), with a full-on ramble about how much of a reckless idiot he is, as a bonus.
And now, they're sitting in the middle of a supposed dining room, the raven-haired boy ready to investigate — or rather — interrogate Boboiboy's behavior. Through a question and answer session.
"So," Fang started, "What made you so exhausted these past few days? Don't get me wrong, I genuinely don't care. But as a Lance Corporal, I need to find a solution for a Cadet like you to stay effective during our missions. At least, that's what I think."
Boboiboy feed himself a spoonful of porridge, "Uh... I stayed up late yesterday, that's all."
"And what makes you pull up an all-nighter, exactly? Did you spend the night studying? Preparing for another mission? Or anything else?" Fang crossed his arms, questioning the honesty of his words.
He gulped. "About tha— uhm..."
"Hmm?"
Boboiboy stared at the now-empty bowl resting on top of his hands. Should he tell Fang the truth, that he fantasized of raunchy scenarios involving the two of them? It would probably gross him out, and their relationship might not be the same after this, but it will at the least lift off some weights from Boboiboy's chest.
But should he take the risk?
"I..."
Maybe.
"Fang..."
Maybe he should.
"... I was thinking about you."
The Lance Corporal's eyes snapped open. "Oh?"
"That day, when you praised me on our way to Planet Dargha'ya. You said that I was good, that I have done well. And you called me your Ensign." His voice trailed off, like he was about to cry. "I just... I couldn't stop thinking about it, about us. It makes me wonder if you would have done it again, if I behave well enough for you."
Boboiboy is determined to be as honest as possible with him. It's true, he had always wanted to hear Fang say nice things about him.
At first, little approvals such as "You did great today" would do. But teenagers around his age could only indure so much, and the fantasy quickly evolves into yearning for Fang's eyes on him, Fang's touch, Fang's sweet words of affirmation.
Truthfully — Boboiboy had always imagined what would happen if Fang ever called him a "good boy" one day. A thought of himself passing out on the spot definitely crossed his mind, but realistically, he'd giggle like a hopeless highschool girl, and he'd definitely daydream about it for hours and hours, until he could no longer focus on anything but Fang's existence.
"I guess, I just... Want to hear compliments specifically from you. I'm sorry, this is so dumb." He blabbered, looking down to the ground and flushed all the way to the tip of his ear.
The statement had left Fang speechless, trying to process the information he just acquired. The boy suddenly coughed, "Well, I never expected that coming from you."
"Ugh... Yeah, it's weird, sorry."
"There's no need to apologize."
Silence.
"Boboiboy," Fang's gloved hand reached out to his bare ones, and it makes Boboiboy's heart jump out of his chest. "Do you like it when I praise you?"
Yes. He needs it more than anything in his life. "...Probably?"
A hand reached out to his hair and gently strokes it for comfort, while the orange cap falls onto the ground with a thud. "Well, if it makes you sleep peacefully at night, I'll do it."
Boboiboy was sure the effect will be the exact opposite of that. He wouldn't be able to sleep again, too busy thinking about the Lance Corporal towering over and making a mess out of him. But for now, he just wants to enjoy all the praises.
"You're so adorable, thinking of me like that."
Inhale,
"But if I'm going to be honest with you, I think about you that way a lot, too."
Exhale,
"...You do?" He could feel the boy lean closer to him, the close distance making it difficult to breathe properly.
Inhale,
"Yes," Fang paused, "I don't think you understand how much your presence affects all of us. How it affects me."
em>Boboiboy had no idea what that means. "Could you please elaborate?"
Exhale,
"Well... When the mood is tense, you can change it to the better by just being there. I guess it's just your natural vibe that's so positive."
Inhale,
"When you smile or laugh, it brings joy and happiness to people around you, even those that aren't aware of it."
"But," He brushed a finger against the orange-capped boy's lips, "I have seen the way you look at me. Your pupils looks like it's gonna shift into the shape of a heart, believe it or not."
"Ah." Boboiboy cuts off, almost forgetting to exhale the breath he'd been holding inside. "Sorry, It's... that obvious, huh?"
The furrowed brow he held up ever since the conversation started suddenly softened. "Stop apologizing for everything."
"S–Sorry."
Boboiboy didn't understand how Fang could give off this fond and kind feeling while still glaring at him, arm crossed over his chest and all. And he could feel the room getting hotter from the tension alone.
"My point is, being in your company makes me feel comfortable. And I just, care a lot about you. It's hard to explain." Fang almost forgot that he was supposed to give compliments, not to burden Boboiboy with his own feelings. "Oh, I need to mention how easy it is for your face to lit up when something remotely convenient happens, and... it's very cute, alright."
These praises... Are not enough, Boboiboy concludes. He wants Fang to be dominant while still be nice to him, to make a good use of his "Lance Corporal" title and Boboiboy's own "Cadet" title.
"Fang."
The boy's attention was drawn.
"Can you call me a good boy?"
Clink.
The electric door connecting the room they were in with the outer space suddenly unlocked itself, revealing Gopal, Yaya and Ying, standing right in front of the door and sweating.
"Wait, this thing is automatic!?" Gopal whispered to the others.
Ying answered him with a groan. "Haish, I already told you to not touch anything!"
"Ah..." The last person in the group, Yaya, gazed at the two boys with a knowing look on her face. "Sorry for interrupting. I already told Ying and Gopal to not eavesdrop on other people, but they won't listen no matter how much I tried to warn them."
"None of us will tell anyone in TAPOPS about your relationship, pinky promise! We're just, uh, curious about the development going on between you guys!" Gopal continued.
"We're here to bring food, actually." Ying exclaimed with a grin, showing a huge pack of basin wrapped in a white plastic. "Look, chicken curry! It's protein and fibre will get your fever down!"
Knowing and being around his friend for years, Boboiboy could feel it when Fang's patience is ticking down like a time bomb. His eyes drifted up as the raven-haired boy let go of him, the thick aura of murderous intent spreading across the room.
"You three," he breathes, "Get out."
-
He lets the utensil slowly slid out of his mouth, munching on the roasted chicken like his life depended on it.
Oh my God. Why did I say that.
The others had been intimidated enough to leave the spaceship, and Fang is outside to get some fresh air, or rather, to cool his head off. Boboiboy found out recently that they were on earth the whole time, though Fang fully intended to take care of Boboiboy inside of his ship, for whatever reason.
Most importantly, he had asked Fang to call him those obscene, horrible, dirty nicknames. And he feels incredibly guilty for it.
But curiosity still got the best of him. Would Fang actually call him a good boy? Does he enjoys the power of calling people names? Or is it actually the opposite?
There were footsteps coming from outside the room, and sure enough, it was the boy he'd been going crazy over. Fang's visors were off to his right hand, the other hand stroking his own eyes in distress.
"Hey?" Boboiboy said, concerned that the up-and-down motion will threaten the boy's eyelids.
Fang didn't reply, but the look on his face when he put his visors back on is enough of a response.
"...Fang, have you calmed down yet?"
The boy in question sat down right beside Boboiboy and sighed, the sulky look shifting into an apologetic one. "I have. Sorry about that. I already told them to not interrupt next time."
"That's nice." Boboiboy sighed in relief, but immediately took another inhale for what he's about to say next. "Oh yeah, about my request."
"Yes... Your request." Fang rubbed the back of his neck in a circular motion.
"You don't have to... do it, if you don't want to." He was aware that it's extremely embarrassing to call someone those terms of endearment, let alone someone was supposed to hate him, but...
Fang looked at Boboiboy with determination, taking both his hands as his voice dropped into a whisper. "No, It's fine. Come closer."
"Wait. Before we start," He blinked once, there was barely even half a step distance between them, and it feels so weird in a good way to have someone being so close to you. "Do you really mean it? I need to know if you want to call me that because you like me, or... because I simply asked you to."
The Lance Corporal gave him this puzzled look, and he was really starting to wonder what Fang was thinking at the moment.
"You..." He breathed, "Are so dumb."
Before he knew it, the boy inched forward, pressing a tentative kiss onto his lips.
Oh.
It was a new, strange feeling for both of them. The kisses were rather slippery and messy, but when he reciprocated the touch, he could feel Fang's smile against his lips, and their fingers interlocked like both of them were always meant to be.
It just feels so, so right.
He gasped when Fang finally pulled away, catching his breath like he hadn't inhaled a supply for his lungs hours and days later.
"I mean it, Boboiboy." He whispered against his ear, Fang's gloved hands finding a way to hold him by the waist like a fragile thing. "I like you. A whole lot."
"So be a good boy and listen to my words, okay?"
His pulse shot up.
A low whine came out from the Cadet. "I will, please, Captain." Boboiboy didn't know where he slipped the title from, but none of them could even care at this point.
"And," Fang rasped, "You should focus on getting better. If I see you passing out during a mission again, I won't hesitate to kick your ass. Got it?"
He nodded vigorously. "Understood, Captain."
Fang wrapped his hand around Boboiboy's own, tight and warm. "Good."
-
"Are you guys together now?" Yaya asked, strring one cup of sugar into her hot chocolate with the tip of a teaspoon.
"Yes." Boboiboy's smile is threatening to spill off from his face. "At least, I think we are."
"Oh, Congratulations!" The girl in pink hijab smiled fondly, but her enthusiasm dampened a little when she heard the last part of his sentences. "...Boboiboy, you need to make sure that Fang is actually your partner now, alright? Nothing hurts more than a relationship with no status."
"It's okay, he said that he likes me." The boy replied, cheeks burning hot from embarrassment. "I knows him more than anyone else in this entire galaxy, and Fang is not the type of guy to betray his own words."
"I suppose so..." Yaya sips her drink carefully. "But still, that guy can be a total jerk sometimes, so it's better be safe than sorry."
"Couldn't really promise you on that." Boboiboy chuckled.
Yaya gave him the same warm smile from earlier. "Hey, you look a lot happier than you were a few days ago."
"Really?"
"Yeah!"
Boboiboy scratched the nape of his neck absentmindedly, "It's probably because I got more sleep than usual, gotta catch up with the missing pattern."
"You know what I think, Boboiboy?" She looked down at the now-empty cup. "I think it's Fang's influence. You never talk about anyone like that before."
Yaya leaned against the side of her chair. "You really do love him, huh?"
Boboiboy smiled sheepishly, the smile was so big that it was starting to hurt his cheeks. "I guess you could say that."