Chapter Text
“Go out with me”
“Hell no” Floyd answered coldly
“Come on cupcakes, you know I won’t stop until you say yes” Ablaze pleaded while increasing his pace to match Floyd’s.
“Yeah, and you don’t know how close I am to filing a restraining order on your ass”
“The fuck is a restraining order?”
That response actually had Floyd petrified on the spot. Is he serious?? He legitimately couldn’t tell if Ablaze was that dumb or just saying that to mess with him. In truth, Floyd wouldn’t actually do anything that drastic. The worst Ablaze has ever done was call him pet names, following him around campus, and repeating the process……….. for two entire months. At first Floyd hoped that he was just joking when he said that he’d ask him out everyday until he said yes, but then he actually started doing it for a full week, and then another, and then 2 more………. Now this has to be around the 50th time he’s done it.
“-elloooo???? Earth to Floyd??”
The moment his consciousness returned was the moment he almost went into cardiac arrest. Floyd jumped at the sight of Ablaze waving his paws in front of him. It was startling how his eyes looked as if it were staring into his soul, and even more surprising was the fact that their faces were only inches away from each other . “You Creep!! Get the away from me!”
A tiny grunt escaped from Ablaze’s lips as Floyd pushed him away. Though he still crouched down to help him pick up the things he dropped. “I’m sorry for scaring you, are you alright sweetheart?”
“I’m fine, Do. Not. Call. Me. That”
“Geez, no need to get ang-…..ry” Ablaze sat looking like his whole world turned upside down. On the floor layed a tiny little Heart shaped charm causing him to undergo a deep inner monologue. ‘Is that Floyd’s??’ His fears were confirmed when Floyd swiftly picked the charm up and stuffed it in his bag. Did somebody give that to him???? WHO??????
He snapped back into reality right when he noticed that Floyd was no longer with him. “WAIT!!! FLOYD!!”
“You’ve already asked today’s question haven’t you? Just leave me alone Ablaze, my answer won’t change” Floyd huffed
“And why won’t your answer change?” There was a hint of desperation in his voice that he failed to hide, but he had to know more, especially after seeing that charm. Thankfully Floyd hadn't caught on to him. Though he looked seriously annoyed………..
“You are the most violent and brute guy I’ve ever met. I mean have you seen yourself???”
“Hey, I ain’t that crazy” He crossed his arms
“Ablaze, I don’t know how you could defend yourself from this but you LITERALLY BEAT MY BROTHER UP” Floyd seemed to be increasingly getting more and more irritated as their conversation went on.
“I told you I was sorry!! For all I know that guy was picking on you! I didn’t know you were brothers”
“Well he wasn’t!! Clay was just teasing me and your stalking ass decided to corner him in the bathroom!!!” his voice started to get louder. “Do you know how lucky you are that I managed to convince him not to sue you????? Who knows what would’ve happened to you if he actually did?????”
“I’m not stalking you, I just happened to spot you two, and I’m sorry again for punching your brother.”
“You say you’re sorry but still have the audacity to keep talking to me as if nothing happened. God Ablaze, just- Just stop talking to me PLEASE, I will never date you. You’ve already done enough and now you’re gonna make me late” Floyd said his last words before running away. Ablaze didn’t even try to go after him anymore, not this time.
He was already used to Floyd rejecting him considering it happened almost everyday, but never has he said anything that harsh before. It was painful, as much as he wanted to pretend like he was all good, it was extremely painful. ‘I will never date you. I will never date you. I will never date you’ the words swirled and echoed inside his head as he stood their blankly.
If only he knew how red and flustered Floyd was that entire time. Floyd would rather eat shit and die than let Ablaze know that he actually found him cute. He knew that he needed to get away from him as soon as possible when he felt his face heat up at how close they were earlier. Those words were born out of his desperation to leave.
Unfortunately , Ablaze was far too distracted by other things to notice that.
“Oohh……. yeah, that’s rough buddy” Boom gave his friend a light pat on the shoulder.
“I want to talk to him, I really want to but he sounded like he never wants to see me again ”
“I mean, I wouldn’t blame the guy? You almost sent Clay to the hospital”
“who?”
“Floyd’s Brother???? What do you mean who????”
“Hey, enough questions. I’m the one moping here remember?”
“Right, continue” Boom sighed. This sort of thing coming from Ablaze was rare, so rare that he thought he was joking at first. Ablaze was in fact not joking when he asked him to talk. Did Boom find it hilarious and pathetic that his best friend was head over heels in love with Floyd? Yes he definitely does. But right now Ablaze seriously looked as if his life was ruined, so maybe he could save the teasing for another day.
“ I also might’ve scared him into dropping his things earlier”
“Wow you really know how to screw shit up huh?”Boom chuckled
“Let me fucking finish, I didn’t ask for your comments”
“Fine”
“Anyways, I saw his little heart charm when he dropped his bag. Now I know this sounds really stupid and paranoid but I’m a little worried that Floyd already had somebody else this entire time” Ablaze tapped his foot nervously “What do you think Boom?” He turned his head to face his friend, only to find him choking and gasping for air. “Boom????” He was so deep in thought that he didn’t even notice anything till he actually looked at him.
“BOOM!!!” Without much thought (not that Ablaze really thinks anything through) he stood up in a panic and punched Boom directly at his gut causing the piece of candy that was lodged in his throat to get spewed out.
“What the fucks gotten into you?? Are you okay?”
“Damn it Ablaze that hurt” Boom responded between coughs, “No Sherlock, I’m not okay”
“Well that’s on you cause what kind of idiot almost dies from choking ”
“you asshole, that WAS NOT ON ME, you’re the one that made me choke!!”
Ablaze’s face scrunched up in confusion, “What do you mean?”
Boom hadn't realize what he said until it was too late.
“Boom. What do you mean?” Ablaze repeated
“It’s nothing, forget I said anything”
“Yeah no, you know something don’t you?”
….….
“Boom”
“Okay, I know something”
“What is it?”
Boom gulped. “This might sound a little crazy, but remember what you said earlier?”
“That you’re an idiot for almost dying to a piece of candy?”
“N-No!! Dumbass not that! The thing with Floyd!!”
“Oh, what about it?”
“Okay so I’m not so sure but I think I have seen Floyd hanging out with another guy”
“WHAT??!” Ablaze exclaimed “Who??”
“Ablaze, I told you I’m not entirely sure so we can’t just assume yet”
“Yeah yeah”
Boom did not like that answer. He knew it wasn’t a good idea to bring this up and he knew that Ablaze probably won’t leave this alone even if he tried his best to stop him.
“So do you happen to know who he is?” Ablaze asked again.
“No but it’s this Black haired kid who always hangs out with Floyd. I see them together from time to time but I’m not sure if he even goes to this school.”
“Is that so? Thanks a lot Boom, I owe you one”
“haha, right, just don’t do anything stupid” Boom forced a laugh. People can’t really repay favors when their in jail could they?
It’s been 3 days. Three whole days since they last talked to each other. Ablaze missed hearing his sweet sweet voice and that oh so pretty face. Three days isn’t even that long, but without Floyd it was excruciatingly difficult. There hasn’t been an hour where Ablaze didn’t think about him and it was driving him nuts, but if he did try and talk to Floyd again, the guy would probably hate him even more. Thus making him completely stuck on what to do next. Should he try and talk to him and risk getting a restraining order? (He only figured out what that meant after looking it up on google) or should he just leave Floyd be and continue to live his life in suffering?
Both options suck, they suck badly. So why choose when your friend created another option for you? Stalk Find the guy who was hanging out with Floyd.
Yes, that is what he’s been doing for the past few days while not talking to Floyd.
“Hey you, stop right there” Ablaze called out. Finding the guy wasn’t that difficult because as Boom said, he was usually with Floyd. However he obviously can’t just approach him while he was with Floyd. So Ablaze patiently waited for the perfect opportunity. That “perfect” opportunity was now. In the middle of the night, in a place where nobody else was around.
“Huh?” the man snapped his head backwards. “Oh great a thug! How lovely! I should’ve known not to walk alone at this hour” he sighed.
Thug? Ablaze raises a brow.
“So what, you looking for my money or something? If so then I’m glad to try and help you find it”
“Wha- No! I’m not trying to mug you, the fuck?? I’m here to ask if you know Floyd”
“Oh? For what exactly?” The man glared at him “What makes you think I’m gonna tell a creepy stranger shit?”
“You’re pissing me off boy, I’m not even asking for anything personal so just cooperate and I’ll let you go with all your bones intact”
The guy simply smirked at his response. Ablaze sounded so confident with his threats being a gangster and all, little did he know about the numerous tazers and sharp sticks awaiting him if he actually decided to attack.
But no, Branch decided to play along for just a little while longer. He wanted to see what this weirdo was up to before anything else, maybe then he can figure out just what he wants with Floyd.
“Alright, get on with it then.”
“Are you and Floyd dating?”
Simple minded Ablaze was not the type to go in circles if that still wasn’t obvious by now. He keeps things simple and always cuts to the chase and typically there’s nothing wrong with that right? SO WHY IS THIS DUDE GAGGING AS IF HE WITNESSED THE MOST ABOMINABLE AND DISGUSTING THING KNOWN TO TROLL???? WHAT WAS WRONG WITH WHAT HE SAID?????
“What the hell is wrong with you??!??” Ablaze almost shouted
“NO!! What the hell is wrong with YOU!!!???” Branch looks at him disgusted “FLOYD IS MY FUCKING BROTHER”
….……….
WHAT????? Ablaze screams internally. ‘DAMN IT BOOM I”M GOING TO KILL YOUU AAAAAAAA SHIITT’ He wanted to go dig a hole and hide in it for the rest of eternity, maybe then he could be saved from the embarrassment ‘Stupid Boom!!! FUCK ‘
This whole interaction was probably gonna haunt both Branch and Ablaze’s dreams forever.
“Who even are you????” Branch questioned after almost vomiting his organs out.
“The name’s Ablaze” He still wanted to turn into a rock
Branch’s eyes widened. “YOU???”
“Me?” He asks full of curiosity, embarrassment now forgotten. Having the memory of a goldfish comes with its perks.
“YOU’RE ABLAZE??”
“Yes, did I not say that already? What’s with the reaction?”
Branch groaned which only served to make Ablaze even more confused, and irritated at that.
“What?! What is it??”
“So are you guys dating now?” Branch sighed
….….
“Are you trying to mock me or something?” Ablaze Cracked his knuckles “If so then might as well brace yourself”
Exhausting was one way Branch could describe his conversation with Ablaze. If his older brother didn’t like him so much then things would've had a way darker turn.
“How could I be making fun of you when Floyd LITERALLY would not shut the fuck up about you”