Archive of Our Own

Fang opened his eyes, only to bask in the sight of pure white surrounding his field of vision. He looked around and saw a bunch of rivers with a big bridge over it — it seemed like the rivers didn't have a beginning or end. 

He felt delirious, but why?

He couldn't remember what happened before he winded up here, all he knew was his name.

He tried to get up, shuffling from his position, when suddenly, a hand reached out to him. He looked up to see another person — tall, purple hair, and red eyes with a scar under the left one.

This left an unnerving feeling inside Fang, like he was experiencing deja vu.

Confused, he took his hands and helped himself up.

“Do I know you?” Fang asked the stranger. He was so sure he met him somewhere before but he couldn't figure out when and where.

The person only let out a gentle chuckle.

“Well, I guess this is a normal reaction. After all, the dead perceive the guides as their loved ones from the past life.” They replied to him, making Fang frown.

Ah, so he was dead. 

Was this some kind of purgatory then? Is this where he gets judged if he goes to heaven or hell? Something deep inside him tells him that the latter might be his destination.

“So, where am I exactly?” He decided to ask, even though he thinks it's quite obvious from the get-go.

The guide, as they referred themself, looked up and thought of a response. Was this place really that complicated that they had to think of an analogy so he can dumb it down to Fang? For all he knows, it’s really not that complex — it's just white space with water and a bridge in it.

“Let's just say, after you die, this is some sort of checkpoint to see if you're qualified to cross over.” The guide finally replies, shifting his gaze to Fang. “If you pass, you can cross over that bridge, and if you don't, then you're gonna have to swim on those rivers below.”

Fang’s mouth gaped in understanding. So, it was like a test — pass or fail. The question, however, is what was the criteria for passing? 

Do they judge his character or deeds? No, that won't help Fang’s case, he’d be at a total disadvantage. He couldn't even remember anything from his life before so he can't really defend himself here.

Not to mention, is passing this thing really a good thing? Who knows what's beyond that bridge that he needs to pass this test so bad.

“You're thinking too much about this…” The guide said, snapping Fang out of his train of thoughts. “You want to ask if you pass, right?”

Fang slowly nods.

“Nope, you don't!”

Fang's expression turns grim. So, he has to swim the rivers, then? Is that his eternal punishment of some sort?

Why? He wanted to ask. If he's doomed for forever suffering, he at least needs to know the reason for it.

“Because you have unfinished business in the mortal realm! Your soul is searching for someone out there!” The guide added, seeming like they read Fang’s mind (maybe they could). 

“And you need to jump back to one of those rivers to return your soul to the flow of time. You will be reincarnated over and over again until you solve that unfinished business…”

Oh, he gets it now. It's like that one theory that everything is happening all at once. He guesses the rivers represent every timeline to exist. So, he just needs to jump in one of them — wait, does he get to choose or does the guide choose for him?

How does he even find this person so he can “finish this unfinished business”? Who is this person to begin with?

Before he could even ask, the guide takes his hand and drags him to the nearest river.

“No time for idle chit chat, it's time to jump.” They say, trying to push Fang into the water.

“W-Wait! Hold on, I'm not ready yet!”

Those were Fang’s final words before he loses balance and falls into the water, his body being swayed by the stream.

—————

—————

“Hurry, Pang! We'll miss Shielda’s competition at this rate with your slow walking!” Nut shouted at Fang, dragging him around the school. 

He wanted to at least stop for a sec and have a breather, okay? It was 1 PM and he was feeling the heat all over his body.

This all started when the four of them; him, Nut, Sai, and Shielda, went to different high schools after finishing middle school — Nut and Fang being in the same school around their province while Sai and Shielda, being the twins that they are, stuck together and went in a school at the main city.

Promising to keep in touch with each other, they created a group chat and updated each other about events in their life. Nut became a member of their student council’s volunteer corps (which Fang was pretty sure he was only in so that he could have an excuse not to go to class), Sai ran for student council president and won, Shielda joined the baseball varsity, and Fang joined an after school music club.

And now, Sai and Shielda told them they're school will be having a school festival and Shielda will be competing in a beauty pageant. When asked why she joined during their occasional video calls, she grumbled and rolled her eyes.

“Because my idiot classmates think that unanimously voting me as the class candidate is funny.” She complained through the screen.

“Now, don't be like that, silly sister!” Sai teased, appearing beside her. “They just want you to loosen up, you know?”

So, the two boys decided to save up some money to afford their transportation and allowance to the city for 2 days. Sai offered that they could stay at their house when they arrived.

Back at the situation at hand, they did all of that only for them to get lost in the middle of the school. Fang's social anxiety was totally through the roof — he was so sure they were standing out right now as some kind of tourists. 

Man, big city schools were surely big, he'll give them that.

Finally, after a couple of hours of wandering around, Nut finally set aside his pride and took the initiative to text Sai. Fang would've done that earlier if not for Nut insisting they could navigate this school all by themselves.

Minutes later, Sai finally arrived (their hero, Fang thinks). If he hadn't arrived earlier, Fang would've gone crazy with Nut dragging them to every corner and telling him, “Yeah, I'm pretty sure this is the venue. Trust me!”

“I'll do the navigation next time…” Fang thought to himself as the three of them group-hugged, clearly missing each other since they haven't hung out since their semestral breaks.

Turns out, Shielda’s pageant doesn't start until an hour later and Nut rushed him over nothing. Fang is already praying on Nut’s downfall as they speak, glaring at Nut. The latter only laughed nervously and uttered “oops”.

Sai decided to tour them around the school before Fang could actually murder anyone and to kill some time before the pageant. 

Without running around in circles and trying to find the venue, the school actually looks lively today. Fang spotted a couple of booths, most of them were about food but some had carnival games, fortune-telling, horror, and wedding booths.

Nut insisted they go inside a horror booth, which Fang rolled his eyes to — he knows the guy, he can't even stand horror movies! 

Sai, the mischievous little rat he is, decided they should do that because he knows the content of this booth (Fang recalls that he briefly mentioned in their group chat that the approval of booths go through him), describing vividly to Nut about what was inside the booth to scare him off. He even blinked at Fang as a signal so that he could play along with him, pointing at Nut whose legs are already shaking. 

Fang sighed in annoyance. He would not be entertaining them, so he continued walking and the rest followed.

They stopped at one food booth and Sai treated him to a red carrot donut and a lemonade because he noticed that Fang had a long day with Nut, which made Fang tear up dramatically — he truly was the only friend Fang could rely on.

After a light snack, they continued walking around until they stopped at a gym with a hyped crowd and four people on stage, performing something.

“Oh, and there's a band playing here, too — their name is The Star Seekers — just a little friend group in the school who wanted to start a band. The vocalist-slash-bassist there at the center is very popular here!” Sai told them, pointing at the boy with an orange cap performing at the stage.

Fang followed the direction of his friend’s finger and saw the most gorgeous boy he had ever laid eyes on. He had brown hair peeking out of his cap, sparkling eyes that rival every galaxy in the universe, freckles decorating his nose and plump cheeks, and the most captivating smile ever. Even his voice sounds so sweet, like freshly harvested honey.

Fang was mesmerized, his eyes widened and mouth slightly open. How could someone like that be real?

As the pretty boy performed, Fang had this fluttering feeling in his stomach and chest, like he's been waiting to see the boy since he was born.

Has Fang seen him before? Maybe in movies or TV ads? Maybe they walked past each other on the street. He couldn't tell at all. A sense of familiarity suddenly awakened in him.

Then, the boy spotted him and waved, making Fang blush — okay, maybe he didn't wave at him, maybe it was someone in front of him or something, but he doesn't care! It still made him feel like he was going to explode!

He only replied with a small wave, smiling shyly. He could actually die on the spot right now.

“Ah shoot, 15 minutes until Shielda’s pageant. We need to secure front row seats and fast.” Sai muttered, checking his wrist for the time. “Hey, guys. Pang, Nut, let's go!” 

Sai and Nut slowly walked away, but Fang stood there unmovingly. His eyes fixated on only one boy, the rest was a blur to him.

“Pang…?” Nut called out, noticing that the aforementioned boy wasn't following them. “Pang!”

This snapped Fang out of his reverie. Right, Shielda’s pageant, how could he forget?

“Coming!” He shouted, running towards his two friends.

Too bad, today is the last day he gets to stay in the city — he'll have to go home after the pageant, he promised his parents he'll do so. Besides, his focus right now is spending time with his friends.

Not some handsome boy that he'll probably forget after a day.

—————

After many cycles, Fang finally reincarnated in a timeline where he remembered everything — how his life was and how his death came to be.

He remembered the starry night sky seeming like it's reachable — it actually was, because he was manning a ship that traversed in space. He remembered wearing something on his wrist that made him powerful, summoning different kinds of critters with it. 

He remembered saving spheres that could talk and grant powers, he did it with a team; a girl in a pink hijab that can float and packs a mean punch, a boy in a green jacket that can change anything into food, a girl cladded in yellow and blue whose speed rivaled light itself, and a boy in an orange cap whose power is to split himself up to seven and use different kinds of power.

He remembered that day, when the station got attacked. The boy in orange, Boboiboy was his name, insisted they go save the station. He refused, not wanting to put him in danger but in the guise of following official orders. But Boboiboy did go after anyway, and he followed him too, because everywhere the orange boy goes, he's right there beside him.

He remembered the battle they fought. An alien; tall, with skin that was as blue as the sky, who has the same powers as Boboiboy, invaded the station. Boboiboy tried to fight him but his powers were taken away from him by the same alien. He was overpowered and got killed. Soon after, he and the rest of his friends followed.

Eventually, these memories become nightmares, forcing him to wake up in cold sweat and instinctively rub his wrist, like something was supposed to be there. These nightmares made him insightful at such a young age, cherishing people around him more and becoming more closed-off to others.

This gave him the title of “Ice Prince” as said by those around him.

Well, he was quite literally a prince. In this timeline, he was born into a royal family. Kaizo was still his older brother but here, he was the king of this kingdom, his parents were still dead but this time it was because of an illness, and he was the youngest.

He tried his best to connect more with Kaizo, trying to salvage whatever his relationship with the elder was from his past life. It did work, they were closer than ever before — even closer after their parents’ death. Kaizo may have to spend time away from home often since he needed to take care of their parents' leftovers, he still took time to spend it with Fang whenever he had the chance to go home.

But, good times never last that long. One day, a messenger was sent to their castle, reading to him a letter that he dreaded to hear.

Kaizo died during a trip back home, his ship was caught by the waves and sunk. Since he had no spouse nor offspring, Fang shall take his place and become king.

After hearing the message, the whole castle set up a search for Fang’s spouse, since it's safer to have a backup plan in case the same fate happens to him — this meant his coronation as king will be moved right after the wedding. They then searched for maidens in the townsfolk and presented them to him, but none suited his tastes.

Probably because his taste was a boy cladded in orange that has been haunting his past and present. He longed for that brunette hair with a white streak and freckles that decorated the face like stars scattered in the night sky.

It seemed like a miracle had happened when a peasant family approached his castle and decided to sell off their first-born son to him. His name and face was the same as the orange boy in his past, just like the boy he had always longed for. He couldn't mistake those brown doe eyes from the ones he sees in his dreams.

“Please buy him, Your Highness.” The father said. “You can make him your personal guard, your cleaner, messenger — anything, just please!”

Fang could not hide his displeasure. His father was insolent as always. In the past life, he abandons his son, and now in the present, he sells him?! He’ll have the guards kick him out the borders of this kingdom in secret later — if he wasn't feeling nice, he would've had him executed. Boboiboy does not deserve such treatment.

“Fine, I will buy him.” Fang declares to his advisor who was once his brother’s. “As my spouse. Please see through the necessary preparation for our wedding. We shall let it happen in the next spring of this kingdom.”

This shocked everyone in the room, including the son. They must think he's a lunatic for this decision but he will be king soon, he will be the law.

“B-But, Your Highness, I don't mean to undermine your judgement but that person is a male—”

“Have you gone deaf? I said to prepare what needs to be prepared.” Fang coldly cuts him off, sparing him a glare that could make the whole kingdom shiver. “I am fully aware of the gender of the person I am willing to marry. You are only to speak when I ask for your insight. Did I ask for it just now?”

The advisor stayed silent, afraid whatever comes out of his mouth next. The prince only sharpened his glare at him.

“Answer me.” Fang said in a stern tone. “Did I ask for your insight just now?”

“N-No, Your Highness.”

“Then, do what you need to do.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

As the advisor scurried away from the scene, Fang redirected his gaze to Boboiboy, his eyes softening at the mere sight of him.

“My sincerest apologies that you had to witness that just now.” The prince uttered, looking directly into the two peasants’ faces and smiling gently. “Do not worry, sir. Your son will be in good hands for the rest of his life…”

The next day, Boboiboy finally settles in the castle, albeit uncomfortable with Fang and the staff, but they have a whole year ahead of them, and Boboiboy will be living happily with him anytime soon.

The prince guesses Boboiboy was intimidated by his position and the way he acted the other day, so he tried his best to interact with him, trying to show him his best intentions. But, even the peasant thinks that it was all for show.

So, Fang decided to give him space. He needs to settle down the castle all on his own before the prince can finally approach him. Besides, he's also quite busy, needing to tend to political affairs in his kingdom for the next few months.

Just as expected, in less than 3 months, Boboiboy finally managed to befriend the whole staff. Even going through lengths to help them cook and clean. The staff were sheepish at first, saying that he need not involve himself in such trivial labor as he is the prince’s fiancee.

Boboiboy only laughed and said, “It is not because I need to help, it is because I want to help. It makes my heart feel lighter knowing that I helped ease a person's work and made their day just by simply carrying stuff for them.”

Fang smiled when he heard this, his cheeks slowly fading into a pink hue. Of course, Boboiboy wants to help. It's in his nature to be kind — even in their past lives, it had never done him wrong. Well, most of the time, anyway.

The prince tried to approach him once again but still, the peasant had his reservations. Awkward conversations were held, with Boboiboy cutting them short with a response that will always leave Fang speechless.

Even the staff noticed this tension, and tried to help ease this by putting a good word for their prince. But even then, Boboiboy will either ignore it or change the topic — like he was avoiding his inevitable wedding.

It felt like there was no going through Boboiboy.

Until one night, when Fang couldn't sleep, he walked around the castle to at least make his body tired enough for bed. As he wandered around, he stumbled upon the castle garden and saw Boboiboy laying on the grass, his hand reaching out to the sky.

“You like the stars, too?” The prince asked, startling Boboiboy.

The latter retracted his hand and sat up out of surprise. He then turned to Fang’s direction but averted his gaze and gave him a dirty look after finding out whose voice was that from.

“No,” Boboiboy said reluctantly. “I'm just here because… I felt like I've been up there once…”

Fang sat on the very patch of grass he was standing in, resting almost three meters away from Boboiboy to give him the space he deserves.

“I know that feeling too well…” The prince mumbled to himself, his gaze focused on the stars above him.

Then silence. 

Both were just stargazing and neither of them spoke up and talked about a random topic. Fang thinks it's because Boboiboy still despises the idea of being sold off. Or maybe it's because he doesn't want to be his spouse? 

He's lost. He was always good with reading other people and yet, when it comes to Boboiboy, he cannot discern what's the latter’s emotion and what goes on in his mind.

“There's something I've been meaning to ask you, if I may, Your Highness.” Boboiboy decided to break the ice. “Why did you choose me as your future spouse? You could've chosen other maidens here…”

Fang turned his head to the other’s direction, staring as the other's eyes casted on the grassy ground while he hugged his knees. His gaze softened at the sight, reminding him of the moments they shared in his past life.

“If I tell you that I met you in another lifetime, would you believe me?” The prince asked, which earned a light chuckle from the peasant.

“Pfft, this so-called flattery of yours again, Your Highness?”

So, he does not.

“No, I’m—” Fang tried to defend his question but immediately took it back. Maybe this Boboiboy hasn't yet recalled his past life, he shouldn't be hasty.

“I just— I wanted you to have a comfortable life. Being sold off like that, by your own father, because you have no choice… You must've felt betrayed…”

Boboiboy raised his head from resting it on his knees and looked at Fang with surprise. The prince doesn't know if it was a trick of the light but he swears he can slightly see the peasant’s cheek fade into a pinkish hue.

“You’d do that, for a stranger like me…?” He asked.

You're not a stranger to me, though. I've known you all my life, Boboiboy.

Fang didn't know how to respond so he only stayed silent and nodded. How he wanted everything to go back to what it used to be — be close to him like how close they were, travel everywhere like how they would go through every corner of the galaxy. But he can't force that to the other, not when he doesn't have any recollection of what they were before any of his.

What were they, anyway? Rivals? Friends? Even with the memories, Fang couldn't place a name on their relationship.

Boboiboy’s shocked face slowly turned into a gentle smile, raising his right hand and giving him a thumbs up.

“Hah, you’d be a great king…”

“Hehe, awesome!” A voice in the back of Fang’s mind echoed.

The prince sighed in content. This was okay. Even if this Boboiboy can't remember meeting him before, it was fine. He was still the same Boboiboy — the difference is in the memories.

And ever since that encounter, they began interacting in a more friendly way, and the prince’s attempts of conversation were welcomed warmly. No more of the formalities, they referred to each other only as Fang and Boboiboy.

They shared favorites, secrets, and everything in between. Some days, if they were lucky, he gets to taste Boboiboy's cooking and Boboiboy gets to pet Fang’s cat. There are times that the prince will catch the peasant writing something every now and then, but it was said to be personal journals and he decided not to pry on something like that.

Fang is okay with this. Boboiboy didn't need to love him like he does — as long as the latter's smile never disappears.

Then, the wedding came to be. The ceremony has not even started and Fang already heard distant murmurs from his own people. Some are congratulations and praises, but most are insults and curses. They probably didn't like the idea of their king marrying another man.

Fang rolled his eyes internally, but kept composure outside throughout the whole ceremony. He then sent a cold glare on those gossiping nobodies — that will shut them up. 

What's not to like about the whole ordeal? This kingdom will be led by two talented men. If anything, they should be rejoicing.

“Is this really okay?” Boboiboy, his now husband, whispered beside him, glancing around the audience.

The prince only smiled.

“Don't worry, I wouldn't be a legitimate king now if I let some… people get to me now, won't I?”

Three days later was the coronation. A ceremony with the people as audience was held once again and both him and Boboiboy are now crowned as kings. Together, they will rule the kingdom and guide the people in it to a bright future.

After the ceremony, they headed in their respective rooms (Boboiboy asked if they were to share a room after the marriage but Fang insisted they have separate rooms since he didn't want his husband to be uncomfortable) and changed into nightly clothes, finally being able to rest after a tedious week.

Fang was about to lay down his mattress when suddenly, a knock on his bedroom door was heard.

“Fang, it's me, Boboiboy!” A muffled voice shouted from the other side of the door.

The king immediately got up and unlocked the door, opening it to reveal Boboiboy in his night gown with a bottle of wine and two glasses in his hands.

“Congratulations on your coronation!” Boboiboy greeted, shoving the wine bottle and glasses on his face.

Fang chuckled and gently pushed the things away from his face.

“You mean our coronation…” He replied, which earned a shrug from Boboiboy.

Fang was a bit weirded out about this — didn't they just have a celebratory banquet earlier? Did Boboiboy not get enough of the celebration earlier?

“I know we already had a banquet and all that jazz, but wouldn't it be nice to celebrate — just the two of us?” Boboiboy proposed, seeming like he read Fang's mind.

Ah, so that was it. 

It was fine, he wouldn't even dream of passing out in this opportunity.

He then let Boboiboy in his quarters and they both settled down, helping put the wine and glasses on the bedside table. He then did the honors of pouring the wine on the two glasses and handed Fang his glass.

“Cheers, to the new kings…” Boboiboy said, bumping his glass with Fang’s, earning a clink sound from it.

Fang sipped on his wine slowly until the whole glass was empty. While Boboiboy was telling a story about a duke he met during the banquet. Hah, him and Boboiboy, they've come so far — from the hostile first meeting to the now shared friendship (that Fang secretly hoped was more) that they have.

His train of thoughts was interrupted when he felt his throat become a little dry from the wine. He then coughed away the dryness but was met with a splatter of blood on his hands.

What… was going on?

“Oh, Your Majesty, let me correct my statement earlier…” Boboiboy suddenly uttered, gone was the cheery and gentle voice. It was only replaced with coldness and a hint of malice.

Fang looked up from the sight of his hands, only to see Boboiboy with a stare that looked like he was a mere bug underneath him.

“Cheers, to the new king.” 

As soon as Boboiboy said those words, Fang started coughing uncontrollably, blood spurting out his mouth.

Poison.

He was poisoned, and he didn't even notice. To think that he was trained to identify if there was poison in his food or beverage since he was a kid. Who would do such a thing to him? Is it one of the staff? No, the staff are like his family and he already weeded out the traitors after Kaizo’s death.

Is it Boboiboy?

No, it can't be.

Boboiboy would never do that.

“Urk— W-What is the m-meaning of this?” He said in between his coughing fit.

Boboiboy took Fang's wine glass from the table and smashed it into pieces. The walls in his room were thick, that means no one could hear this struggle.

“It means that I'm a spy from a neighboring kingdom. We have been planning this takeover for years now, Your Majesty.” 

Still coughing out blood, Fang became dizzy and collapsed on the bed, vision becoming hazy.

“You're really funny, Your Majesty!” Boboiboy exclaimed. “I really thought it was so hard to infiltrate your system but in reality, you're such an idiot! I mean, your spouse? Good heavens, General Retak’ka will surely have a field day after he hears of this…”

Hearing the name triggered something in Fang, resurfacing memories of his and Boboiboy's death. He clearly remembers the state Boboiboy was in when his powers were taken away by Retak'ka.

Boboiboy working with Retak'ka?

No.

This must be a bad dream.

Boboiboy would never collude with a person so vile, right?

He tried to say something, tried to contradict all of the sentences Boboiboy made, but it all just came out as a series of wheezes and coughs. He couldn't even move his arms anymore. He must be paralyzed now. Boboiboy only stared at him with emotionless eyes — something he'd never thought he'd see from the latter.

“Your Majesty is still resisting, huh? You have to know when to give up… Resistance is futile in this situation, you know?”

Boboiboy walks a little closer, and Fang hopes he wakes him from this horrible nightmare, but the other only crouched and cupped his face, forcing the dying king to stare at those cold emotionless eyes.

“But, fine. Since you're dying anyway, I'll let you in on a little secret.” The traitor uttered, forcing Fang's lips to close so that he could choke on his own blood.

“Ever since that imbecile Kaizo went back on his word and didn't cooperate with our kingdom, we sunk his ship. We just made it look like the waves did it. If anyone is the traitor here, it's him.

And now, to infiltrate the system, I had to pretend to be something I'm not. That wasn't even my real father you saw, that was just another soldier. I was aiming to be your personal bodyguard at first, but your lunatic brain insisted on turning a stranger into your spouse, so that was easy. 

Then, I have to gain everyone's trust here so that I won't be suspected. Eugh, it's one thing to pretend to be a peasant, but to interact and befriend them? That made me hurl for days, I had to hold it in!

Now, since you decided I should also be king, I poisoned you so that this position is only mine and mine alone. No one knows I entered your quarters just now so that means whoever you interacted with during the banquet will be casted as guilty — that's my speciality, you know? Shifting the blame on others.

Then, I'll slowly but surely crumble away all this place’s defences without everyone noticing until eventually, my nation rules this sloppy piece of land you call a kingdom.

Pathetic. You had a year to stop me and you did nothing. What a pathetic king, or should I say prince? In the end, you only got the crown temporarily so technically, you’ll die a prince. Poor Prince Fang, coughing up blood and paralyzed, couldn't stop little old me from destroying everything he built.”

After the whole speech, Boboiboy shoved away Fang's face and stood up, walking towards the door. Fang could only helplessly stare, his body finding it hard to move.

Liar. 

You would never do that.

I'm gonna wake up soon, and then when I wake up, you'll be next to me, smiling.

And then, we'll live happily for the rest of our lives.

Or maybe not…

Maybe, I was too blinded by our memories in the past life.

That I never tried to get to know your new self in this life.

Yeah, maybe you aren't kind. Maybe in this life, you were raised by a conniving and malicious person, that's maybe why you're like this right now.

So, was it all lies, then?

You mean to tell me never meant those words of encouragement? Was that just part of the script to your plan?

Before Boboiboy could open the door, he turned his head and stared at Fang's pathetic state. His eyes still hold the same coldness, but this time, Fang could see there was a bit of remorse.

“I did mean it before, though. When I said you’d be a great king.” He uttered, this time with a gentle voice. “Just not in this life, Fang. I have a mission, you see. Just pray to the gods above that you'd be a monarch again…”

Boboiboy opened the door and stepped out of the room, this time not looking back.

“If we met under different circumstances, we could've been friends or more, you know. I truly did appreciate the warmth you gave me...”

As Boboiboy softly closed the door, Fang's vision slowly darkened.

So, that was it. He's gonna go back to that damned white space. He's gonna reincarnate again into someone else.

But, it was fine.

He can die happy, knowing that even if this Boboiboy was evil, those eyes can still be kind.

—————

—————

“Get up, boy.” A voice said to Boboiboy, which the latter reluctantly did with a grunt.

He was back here again, in this white place with rivers. Instead last time, his guide was an old man wearing a blue button-up shirt. Where did he go?

His guide now was a man with white streak on his hair just like him and slight facial hair. He couldn't remember who he resembled, just like before. 

“Why am I back here again? I thought for sure I found that person last time…” Boboiboy asked in annoyance. He was tired of seeing white over and over again.

And every single time he ends up here, he does not get a single knowledge about who he's supposed to find — which, to him, is ridiculous and very frustrating. They demand him to find this someone before his soul can rest peacefully but they don't even give him at least a description of what they looked like.

What? Will his soul just know when he'll find them? How could he even know that the one he's with in the next life is the one?!

“If I don't end up back here when I die again, that's how. ” Boboiboy thought, crossing his arms in agitation.

The guide did not answer his question (or questions), only staring down at Boboiboy with a face the latter cannot discern. Minutes later, they decided to help him by pushing him to the river.

“Woah, hey! You can't just— I'm asking you— Urk!” He let out as he resisted the guide’s push.

“I would love to tell you, my boy — if I know anything that is.” The guide’s coy voice replied, stopping themselves from pushing Boboiboy any further to explain the situation clearly. “Our job as guides is to direct souls to where they go. The details? Heh, it's up to those up there to decide if they'll give it to you or not…”

Something in Boboiboy tells him that this interaction was very familiar, like he experienced something like this with the image that the guide took form.

Hearing the answer also made him stop and look up. So, there is more than just one entity that decides what his fate is in the next life, huh?

“Those above…” Boboiboy thought to himself as he stared at the white space above.

On the other hand, the guide took this opportunity and pushed the boy to the river, catching him off guard. 

“Now go, be independent!” They squealed.

Before Boboiboy could even recover, he can already feel himself slip away and doze off, floating towards the next life he'll live in.

—————

—————

“I have training today at 5 PM, and then I need to propose an exercise program for legs that's due tomorrow. I also need to do that essay for my general elective… hm, what else…” Boboiboy mumbled to himself as he wrote all of it down, sitting in the classroom and waiting for his professor to arrive for Comparative Anatomy.

He was still kind of confused as to why he needed to take Comparative Anatomy, though. The university is really weird for that, he must admit.

Firstly, he's a sports science major — it's just something he took so that it fits his schedule as a varsity football player. Secondly, he already took Anatomy and Physiology of the Human Body last semester. He doesn't see the relevance of comparing a fish’s anatomy to a human to football.

He can't fail this class either because it's one of his majors. Sigh, looks like he needs to work his butt off again.

He looked around the classroom — he was 15 minutes early so there's a few students already seated. He recognized some of his batchmates and some from other majors. If he remembers correctly, they share this class with biology majors, so he'll be expecting those kinds of people will actually pay attention.

Maybe he should befriend a biology major so that they could tutor him about stuff like this. Man, he already knows this is the subject this semester that will make him want to end it all.

The gods must have heard Boboiboy’s pleas when he felt a noisy shuffle beside him. He turned around to see a guy in a pink hoodie and simple pants with the fluffiest purple hair and shiny red eyes hidden behind glasses with a thin red frame.

Boboiboy swears he’d seen this guy before, he just couldn't place where.

“Hi, this is Professor Tarung’s class, right? Sorry, I just shifted majors so I'm still adjusting to my new schedule…” The hoodie guy asked, settling down beside Boboiboy.

“He’s so cute!” Boboiboy thought as he stared at the guy. Maybe Comparative Anatomy might not be so horrible…

Before he could drive himself to a series of crazy daydreams involving the guy beside him, he snapped himself and finally replied.

“A-Ah, yes! This is his class… Wuh- What is your, uh, new major right now?” 

Wow, that was so calm of you, Oboi. Totally not obvious that you're into him.

“Oh, sorry! I should've introduced myself before intruding…” Hoodie Guy said. “I’m Fang, an animal biology major. Previously from info tech.”

The mention of Hoodie Guy’s— err, Fang’s major only made Boboiboy spiral into his imagination. Fang holding some cute animal and staring at it fondly. Fang showing him a pic of some animal Boboiboy doesn’t know the name of and Fang rambling about it.

Punching himself internally, he adjusts himself and thinks of a response so that he can actually have a decent conversation with Fang.

“Well, I’m Boboiboy, a sports science major. It’s nice to meet a shiftee like you!” He replied excitedly — almost too excited. Why is he like this right now, anyway? Just a mere guy already got him stumbling on his own words.

“Woah, we don’t even have the same majors and yet I’m here taking up your personal space…” Fang shyly uttered, shuffling his seat just a bit away from the other.

Before he could get even further away from Boboiboy, the latter quickly stopped his chair from moving by grabbing one of its legs. The biology student only looked at the guy in front of him in confusion, making the sports science student reply with a crooked smile and rose-tinted cheeks.

Awkward…

“W-What I mean is, I don't really mind. You can stay…” Boboiboy uttered, finally letting go of the leg and looking up at Fang. In the back of his mind, he cringed internally — he might've embarrassed himself in front of his new crush friend.

But it was worth it anyway, he got to see Fang laugh wholeheartedly.

“Okay, I'll stay…” The latter said as he moved his chair back to where it originally was — beside Boboiboy.

They go through the first class for Comparative Anatomy with smiles on their faces.

Time went by, things went smoothly for the two; Fang becomes Boboiboy’s study buddy at Comparative Anatomy and tutors him on lessons he has a hard time understanding on, and Boboiboy introduces Fang to more friends and they eventually formed a little clique with people from different majors.

Fang became more comfortable with the rest of the class and his once shy demeanor vanished, ultimately replaced by a teasing and competitive attitude that Boboiboy never knew he had in him. 

Boboiboy will also retort his competitiveness — he’s a varsity player, of course he has a competitive side! 

But alas, other than the sport he's playing, Fang was better than him in everything else; Comparative Anatomy, video games, music — you name it.

They still sit besides each other — either laughing to themselves because one of them brought up something funny or discussing the lesson with each other.

Boboiboy also discovers new things about Fang everyday. 

Boboiboy knows how Fang has a brother and he only took info tech in his first year because his brother wanted him to. 

Boboiboy knows that Fang’s love for animal biology comes from his love of penguins, and is planning to make a thesis paper about them if possible. 

Boboiboy knew that Fang knows how to play instruments like guitars and piano, and he took vocal lessons when he was a kid. 

Boboiboy knew that whenever Fang got nervous, he would rub his star necklace that was hidden under his hoodie as a way to comfort himself.

Boboiboy knew that Fang's favorite snack is carrot-flavored ones, specifically the donut form.

He convinces himself that this is all he wants and he's content with it. Being close to Fang was enough.

But something inside him wants more. He wants to hold Fang close, take him out on cute dates, or kiss him even.

So without thinking, he blurted out these thoughts during one of their study sessions in the library.

“Will you go out with me?”

Not the atmosphere Boboiboy was going for — because he already planned how it would go. It was supposed to be at a bird sanctuary, because Fang also takes Conservation Biology, and while Fang looks at the penguin exhibit, he'd pop the question.

But of course, the only dumbass that could ruin that intricate plan, was himself.

Fang might've thought it was just a joke so he only gave a low giggle, as to not break the library policy.

“If you get a higher score than me in Compa-Ana finals, I just might…” He replied in a teasing tone.

Boboiboy took that challenge and turned it into his motivation. He studies every time he can — right after football practice, during lunch breaks, before he sleeps, just after he wakes up, when he commutes.

“It's not that serious, dude.” One of his teammates said when they saw him take out a textbook as soon as practice was over. “It's just Comparative Anatomy… We should focus on our skills rather than studies right now, since you know, we have a match next month.”

“Don't disturb him!” Another teammate reprimanded. “Maybe he's like this because he's trying to impress a chick from biology…”

Boboiboy didn't confirm nor deny, he only focused on studying what was in front of him.

Then, the dreaded day came. It was time for finals. He sat at the very front of the classroom while Fang sat beside him.

Right before the test started, the biology student tapped on his shoulder to get his attention. This made him turn around, only to be blinded by the latter’s smile.

“Good luck, Boboiboy!” Fang wished, shooting him a genuine smile.

And that's only what Boboiboy needed to take the exam with confidence. 

Three hours had passed and his finals for Comparative Anatomy officially ended. He still has other finals to take care of but he can study for them later.

He then tried to look for Fang everywhere, hoping to discuss the answers with him, but it seems the latter went home first. 

Boboiboy understands — biology students’ schedules are heavier than his. He vaguely remembers Fang ranting to him about the final exams for their Plant Physiology and how their professor likes to put situational questions in quizzes. 

“You know I suck at analysis and do better at memorization!” Fang says mid-rant, but Boboiboy thinks otherwise. Fang is always amazing at doing things as long as he puts his mind into it.

But after finals week, he's heard nothing from Fang, just radio silence. He really wanted to ask about his score (and ask him out). So, to get more information, he tried approaching one of the latter's batchmates from animal biology — a girl in a green hijab with a resting bitch face that makes her unapproachable most of the time.

“Oh, Fang? He didn't tell you? That's weird…” The girl asked in confusion. “He transferred to another university, said that his brother caught him shifting courses without his permission so he's back to majoring in info tech in another school. Damn, and he was one of the best students, too. I was so sure he'd get, like, summa cum laude when we graduate.”

Oh.

And Boboiboy didn't even get to show Fang how awesome he did on his Comparative Anatomy finals.

Thanking the girl and bidding goodbye to her, he ran as fast as he could — he didn't know or care where he was headed, he just wanted to be alone. 

His foot led him to the school rooftop with a tired and melancholic look, tearing apart his test paper in pieces the moment he got there and letting it blow away from the wind. He didn't care if they needed to return the test papers, not like it mattered anymore anyway.

All that hardwork, for nothing.

Somewhere where the wind blows, one of the pieces flew, revealing a 95% marked in red ink. It landed on top of someone's head, purple hair fraying everywhere.

The person felt the piece stuck on his head and grabbed it with his left hand, tossing it somewhere without a care.

On his right was a piece of paper, with a 94% marked on red ink.

—————

“Spending your break texting your boyfriend, again? You're not even gonna eat first, Ying?” Boboiboy teased his co-worker, Ying; a short girl with jet black hair tied in low pigtails and glasses that helps with her astigmatism.

Boboiboy reincarnated to another life where he remembers everything — the space voyage, the powers, the friends he made, the enemies he faced…

Fang.

His death.

Being a barista at a local coffee shop in this life was the break he deserved, not to mention he has a natural talent for mixing beverages (cue his memories of his past life, helping out his Tok Aba in the shop).

He was hired here only three years ago when the coffee shop first opened, making him the oldest worker. He didn't really have that much going on with his life, graduating with a degree he couldn't care less about getting. Besides, the familiarity of being in a coffee shop was nice.

Following in his footsteps a year later was Ying, a cashier that studied in a university nearby. She graduated after taking electrical engineering as a major and wanted a year for a break before jumping into board exams.

“I'm sick of seeing differentials or whatnot.” She complained while they were on a break when Ying was still new. “That's why I'm here, to live a mundane life first before jumping in and finally doing something with my degree. It's like, getting a gap year!”

Now, Ying is studying for board exams while being a cashier. He truly commends her for pursuing her dreams while having a decent social life.

“Shut up, I already ate, if that's what you're asking!” Ying retorted back, blushing while clutching her phone close to her chest. She glared at Boboiboy who leaned on the counter with a teasing smirk on his face.

It was a slow day and there were no customers around so the workers decided to relax a little. They deserved this much anyway — finals week just ended, also known as the busiest week of the month since university students like to hang out in their coffee shop.

“You know, we never saw this boyfriend of yours before, you didn't even show us his dating app profile,” another co-worker of the two; Gopal, the waiter, uttered as he cleaned the table close to the shop’s counter. “Who knows, he might be fake…”

And then, there was Gopal, a newly-hired employee who thought he could score free food if he worked in their coffee shop. The best they could offer him was a 10% discount on all foods and beverages.

“He’s 100% real so don't stick your nosy butt in my business or else I won't give you a free cake!” Ying yelled, defending the existence of her ‘boyfriend’.

Gopal kind of has a point. Ying and her boyfriend first met at this dating app she was using and started meeting up two weeks after they talked. After that, they started meeting up regularly, Ying clocking out earlier than usual because of it and Gopal having to cover for her shift. Boboiboy could say they instantly clicked.

They then started dating a month ago after the both of them agreed to take it slow. All that yet Boboiboy and Gopal have never seen him enter the coffee shop.

They were sad and left out, okay! They helped Ying set up her account in the dating app — Gopal was the photographer for most of her pictures in her profile and he has never been prouder about his work — and they gave her advice on how to proceed with the relationship. Not to mention, they've been co-workers for years. 

Boboiboy could even say they're super close, distinctly remembering how Ying’s parents invited him to celebrate Chinese New Year with their family.

They need to see the face of the man who caught their friend’s heart, at least!

“Now guys, let's not pry on Ying’s love life guys!” Their manager, Yaya, whose age is the same as theirs, reprimanded as she suddenly appeared at the shop’s counter. 

Ying beamed and blew them a raspberry, uttering the phrase, “Manager's on my side!”

Huh, it seems she stopped being cooped up by herself inside her office and also has free time.

“But, seriously, when are we gonna see the mystery man, Ying?” Yaya asked, sitting beside her so that she can try to get a peak of her messages with this boyfriend of hers.

Ying saw this attempt and pressed her phone against her chest even harder, trying her best to keep their messages hidden. Sometimes, Boboiboy forgets Ying is just a shy lady and not an awkward teenager because of how she acts when her boyfriend is mentioned.

The three kept teasing Ying; Gopal joking that Ying’s boyfriend might be an AI, Yaya trying to sneakily read just a bit of message on her phone, and Boboiboy wanting to see the mystery man, when all of a sudden, Ying’s phone dinged, indicating a new message. 

Ying looked at her phone discreetly so that Yaya, who is still beside her snooping, won't get a chance to read a single letter from their conversation with her boyfriend. 

Ying jumped out suddenly, startling the three workers, her eyes sparkling and her smile blinding as she hopped out of joy.

“I guess it's your lucky day,” Ying said slyly. “Because my boyfriend said he'll visit this place after his class…”

This erupted a cheer from the three of them. Finally, they'll meet another one of the people who makes Ying happy!

Boboiboy and Gopal were betting what would Ying’s boyfriend look like — Gopal saying he must be like one of those k-drama bad boys who were cold outside but a softie inside while Boboiboy insisted there was no way Ying could fall for someone like that when she couldn't even stand a mean customer insulting the workers.

“Okay, let's make this place sparkling for when Ying’s boyfriend comes to our shop.” Yaya teased, stopping Boboiboy and Gopal’s banter. “We don't wanna embarrass ourselves in front of him…”

This earned a jab from Ying, her cheeks slightly red, which earned a chuckle from Yaya. Boboiboy can tell she's happy that her friends care about getting to know people who are close to her.

And so, they did as their manager instructed — Boboiboy helped mop the floors as Gopal continued wiping the tables.

Ying tried to help but was reprimanded by Yaya and said she should “doll up for her boyfriend” instead, which made her cheeks fade into a pink hue out of sheepishness. In the end, Yaya let her in the manager's office so that she could do her makeup properly as the Boboiboy relaxed behind the counter after a long hour of cleaning and Gopal excused himself to the comfort room.

Boboiboy was really happy for her, to be honest. She met someone who will share her joys, sorrows, experiences — someone she loves. But, a deep sensation of jealousy was brewing inside Boboiboy. How he wished he has someone like that, too.

Someone like Fang.

As if on cue, the door chime of their coffee shop rang, indicating there was a customer coming in. This made Boboiboy stand up and fix his posture — he can't let his customers get the wrong meaning and think he was messing around!

“H-Hello, welcome to Starburst Cafe! How may I help you—”

Before Boboiboy could even finish his typical sentence he greets the customers with, he took a good look at the person in front of him.

Red eyes hidden behind glasses. Purple hair. And a bouquet of flowers on his right hand.

He was sure of it. There was no mistaking him.

Fang.

Boboiboy stood there unmoving as his eyes widened. No, it can't be. What was he doing here? Why does he have a bouquet of flowers?

Was there a chance that in this lifetime, he remembers Boboiboy?

What are the odds…

“Uh, hey…” Fang greeted awkwardly, avoiding eye contact as his cheeks were visibly turning red. “Is Ying here?”

Oh.

Oh.

What are the odds, indeed.

“Y-You must be the boyfriend Ying mentioned! Oh, man, I've heard so much about you!” Boboiboy exclaimed, his voice cracking. He can see how Fang’s eyes softened at the mention of his co-worker's name.

Ying was truly loved.

Boboiboy turned around, his back facing Fang. He can't let him see the tears. He can't know he was yearning for him all his life. He can't face the only person he'll only love in every life.

“L-Let me just call Ying and then prepare some coffee for you and carrot cake — it's on the house…” He said, trying his best not to stay there and move his feet to the kitchen.

“No, you don't have to, I can pay…” Fang trailed off, his eyes widening after realizing something later on. “Wait, how did you—”

Boboiboy stopped his steps and turned his head, smiling at Fang — but not before wiping away the tears that threatened to fall down from his eyes.

“It's okay, Fang. You don't have to pay, it's my pleasure…”

—————

—————

Fang woke up to the white place again.

“Not this shit again!” He shouted in anger.

He stood up very quickly and started trying to destroy everything — kicking and stomping whatever he saw. He didn't care if there was nothing in this white void except for those damn rivers.

He just wants this to end. He is sick of the white. White reminded him that he failed, over and over again. White reminded him that something inside him is missing. He doesn't like that one bit.

What has he been missing? He knows it's a person, he knows it's his one way ticket to peace.

But where does he find that person?! Why does he never get to meet that person? Are they avoiding him? Perhaps, they didn't want to be with Fang?

“Are you done with your temper tantrum?” A voice asked, snapping Fang out of his blind rage.

He felt that the presence of the person was right in front of him so he looked up. 

This time the guide had a tall stature, red flowing hair, and red eyes just like him. The familiarity of his guides still baffle him every single time.

The guide reached out their hand to him and smiled. “Come, let's get you to another timeline…” They gently said.

Fang begrudgingly accepted her hand and they walked together towards the river, their hands interlocking. He only wore an angry glare on his face, clearly still frustrated.

It was nice, it wasn't like his other guides where they just toss him into a random river — this was calming. 

But he's still kind of angry. He's had enough of the white that he gets greeted with every time he dies.

“Pang, you don't need to be in a rush…” They uttered while walking. “I know you're tired and probably doubting yourself if you will ever cross that bridge but you have a kind soul — you will definitely pass. It is just not your time yet.”

Fang only stayed silent, really letting the words sink in. He breathed in and then out. His once angry look turned into a sad and hopeless one.

If it's not his time now, when will it be?

“We're here.” The guide announced, snapping him out of his train of thoughts. Huh, they arrived at the river.

Which timeline does this one take him to? That he doesn't know either.

The guide didn't push him or actively tried to drown him on the river, they sat down and waited — waited for Fang to get in and let the streams take his soul somewhere else.

They must be showing him that waiting is okay.

And they're probably right. He'll probably benefit from being patient.

So, he dipped his toes on the river, then finally fully submerged both his legs and body. 

Before he could submerge his head, he looked at his guide for one last time. They only smiled and waved goodbye.

With that, he finally submerged his head on the river, letting the strong currents actively pull him away from his guide and take him to somewhere new.

Damn it.

He didn't get to say thank you. 

—————

—————

Fang didn't like hospitals and his sickness.

He was stuck here since he was just a baby — only because Kaizo was too busy to work to take care of him. It was fine, he understands he needs to work to pay for his medication and his stay here.

But, the company would've been nice.

So, he seeks it from other people — he knows the staff and the newly enrolled residents, he knows most of the patients admitted here along with their guardians, and he knows where to find them all because every nook and cranny of this building was ingrained in his brain.

These days, however, the staff didn't want to be bothered, the patients needed to rest, and their guardians were always stressed.

So, the staff gave him a book about constellations and it enamored Fang. He read it — cover to cover and every sentence memorized. Every night, he checks the stars to see if the constellations in the books were there.

And then, it got boring. He loved the constellations but, it's hard not having someone to tell about it.

So, one day, a new patient arrived.

It was an old man, probably in his 60s. When he was rushed to the ER, he was wearing a blue collared shirt that was buttoned up to his neck and some gray slacks.

His diagnosis was tuberculosis. And he was assigned to a room next to his.

But what really caught his attention when he was admitted, was his visitors.

There was a man cladded in red, with a white streak on his black hair and a beard. He was also with a kid, who Fang assumes is his son. The kid was probably the same age as him, orange cap with brown locks peeking out of it, hazelnut eyes, and freckles that looked like stars on his cheeks.

Ever since that day, the kid always visits the patient every afternoon until visiting hours are over. He would tell him about what happened in school, the friends he made, the tests he failed — just like a normal kid would.

Fang could only afford to watch, jealous of the kid’s mundane life.

Until eventually, the kid saw him watch from the sidelines. He moved a foot forward, and then eventually walked towards Fang.

“Hi, I'm Boboiboy.” He introduced, offering a handshake. “What's yours?”

Fang only swatted his hand away and scoffed, walking away as he dragged his IV with him. How dare he make a mockery of his life by purposely approaching him?

But it didn't stop from there. Everytime Fang explores the hospital, Boboiboy always finds him and tries to befriend him.

When Fang’s in the main lobby, he's there. When he tries to chill in the garden, he's also there, too. Even when he's going back to his room, he always spots that irritating orange cap.

It annoyed Fang. What did Boboiboy see in him, anyway? His poor state? His terminal illness? How he always had to get blood transfusion every three weeks to survive, despite probably living up to 20 years old?

“What do you want from me, huh?!” Fang confronted Boboiboy one day. 

“I wanted to be friends with you…” The latter answered.

Fang's left eye twitched.

“Don't give me that… stupid sentence.” He replied, trying not to curse. “For all I know, you're doing this out of pity — I don't need your pity.”

Boboiboy’s blinding smile turned into a frown.

“I really just want to be your friend…” He tried to reason again, pursing his lips. “You looked so cool, carrying around that book about constellations and I thought, someone finally knows about the things that I like. All the kids in class are into other things…”

Oh.

Fang misjudged him.

He might've been annoying but the company would be nice.

Then, their friendship clicked.

Everytime Boboiboy comes to the hospital, they share what constellation they see at night in the garden. They also shared favorite food, favorite colors, secrets — everything.

It was nice, having someone to talk to, finally.

One day, in the garden, while they're laying on the green grass underneath the showers of stars — Boboiboy’s cap, revealing his deep brown hair with a white streak, and Fang’s book discarded to the ground — Boboiboy asked him a question.

“Hey, Fang, what do you want to be when you grow up? It's for an assignment.”

When he grows up? More like if he grows up.

He never put much thought on it, since at a very young age, he was already told about the harsh truth of his life.

You have severe alpha-thalassemia major — which means your blood doesn't properly produce hemoglobin. You'd probably live until 20 or 30, Fang.

“It's not important.” He answered. “I'll die soon anyway.”

Boboiboy looked at him confused.

“But what if you get to live longer than that? What do you want to do?”

Fang's eyes widened. It's not possible, he knows that. But, if he let himself dream…

“I want to be an aerospace engineer! I wanna build rockets that can take people to the sky!” Boboiboy cheered.

If there was a chance he could live…

“I’d be an astronaut. I wanna see the stars up close.” 

And flaunt your rockets in space. In a way, you'll get to see the stars, too.

They both sat in a comfortable silence after that.

Even if Fang’s dreams clearly won't come true, it was nice to dream. He turned his head slightly and stared at Boboiboy. He believes Boboiboy can reach those dreams — he has a lifetime to do so.

Fang smiled at the mere thought of an older version of Boboiboy launching his very own rocket.

At least, one of them can reach those dreams.

Or that's what Fang initially believed.

One day, when Fang was bored and roamed around the hospital, the ER in the hospital was in shambles — nurses and responders were pushing patients everywhere, every room was filled with patients with wounds ranging from simple cuts to severe bleeding, and guardians were weeping in the waiting corner.

But what caught his attention was a hospital bed that just entered the room being pushed around by the nurses, and on top of it was a boy, with a familiar brown hair and a white streak. Instead, the white streak was stained with red, and the side of his face covered with blood.

Am I that dizzy or is that Boboiboy…?

Above the boy’s slumbering body was a nurse, trying to keep a calm expression as they pushed something on his chest. The boy was then rushed to another room and the nurses closed the curtains before Fang could ascertain what was going on.

Were they doing CPR? What happened…?

He tried to get closer and open the curtain but one of the nurses pulled him away from the scene. 

“Fang, shouldn't you be taking your folic acid today?” The nurse said, guiding him towards his room.

No.

I need to see Boboiboy.

As he got pulled away even farther, the sight of Boboiboy’s room was out of reach and his vision slowly darkened. The noises in the surroundings gradually deafening, only hearing a long beep that was certainly coming from where Boboiboy was put.

What did the nurse say again? Oh right, it was time for my meds…

Fang has heard that beep way too many times — did his friend flatline? 

No, maybe that was a trick in his mind…

Once he takes his medication, he'll feel better. Yeah, and then when he wakes up, Boboiboy and him would talk about the stars again.

“L-Let's see… the stars… together… Oboi…” The last words Fang uttered before slowly succumbing into the darkness of his illness.

—————

—————

There was a yellow orb following Boboiboy in the afterlife, which was so weird, because it was usually human-looking ones that he gets as a guide.

“Boboiboy, that's the way to the bridge. You're not supposed to go there!” The yellow orb said.

Ah yes, has he mentioned that he's actively breaking the rules right now?

He was done. He can't take this anymore.

“Can't I just skip the whole thing and just cross this?!” Boboiboy asked, a tired tone he never thought he'd use before being let out.

The yellow orb proceeded to tell him again about the rules — blablabla his soul isn't complete yet, blablabla he needs to find someone — and it just made him angrier.

Such simple tasks. Why can't Boboiboy complete it in time?

“Shut up, please…” Boboiboy begged, massaging his temples out of stress.

This made the yellow orb take a step back (or float) and form a frown on its makeshift face, to which made Boboiboy's stomach churn in guilt.

He knows that it's one of those things where he perceived the guides as loved ones, maybe his past life had seen this face before and didn't want to disappoint it further. Maybe he truly adored this yellow orb deep in his heart.

His past self was weird, befriending a floating orb.

So with a defeated sigh, he reached out his arm to orb. The yellow orb only responded with a face similar to confusion.

“Fine, take me to the next river…” Boboiboy reluctantly uttered, still reaching out to the orb.

It then beamed him a smile and took his hand with its metallic own, dragging him towards the next river as promised. Something in him also made him want to smile, like this fondness has happened before. The familiarity settles in his chest again.

Maybe being friends with a floating orb before wasn’t really that bad.

As they ran to the endless white surroundings, looking for another river to jump on, the yellow orb spoke.

“I have a feeling that this will be the last time you have to dive on rivers.” It started off, looking back at Boboiboy. “I bet this is the timeline where you meet your other half…”

Huh.

Other half.

It was never worded to him like that before.

It was always someone that he needed to find, someone who was always on the move — he linked it to something annoying, frustrating, and tiring that he didn’t realize…

He needs to find this person to complete his soul, to complete him.

Before Boboiboy could even realize, they had already arrived at their stop. The orb let go of his hand and signalled him to go to his next life.

Boboiboy took his sweet time, slowly dipping his feet on the water and then submerging his whole body. But before he finally goes away, he looks at the orb one last time.

“You’re probably right, maybe this is the last dive I’ll make.” He uttered.

Does he truly believe that? Or was he saying it to convince himself?  Who knows.

He just dipped his head on the water, curious about his next life.

And for the first time, Boboiboy felt happy to be swept away by the river’s current.

—————

—————

“Oboi, are you sure you didn’t forget anything? You know you can come back here and get it back…” A middle-aged man worriedly spoke to him through the phone.

“Ayah, I told you this before, I checked everything. Bapa helped me with it…” Boboiboy responded, the phone squeezed between his left ear and shoulder as he carried his bags.

It was his first time moving out for college, and both his dads were really anxious about it, rightfully so. They had a talk about it before he left — he'll pursue his education in a university that's a three-hour drive away from home and he'll come home on the weekends.

He gets it, but he's a grown man. He can take care of himself just fine. Hell, even his uncle can't let him go that easy, and he was supposed to be the cool one!

“I'm just worried, okay? Who will make you lunch—”

“Ayah, I can cook. Or just buy food.”

“What if you get lost?”

“I'll ask around for directions. Please, I'm not a kid, I can talk to strangers just fine…”

“Who will pick you up after class? Pian is all the way here and you didn't even want us to take you there…”

“Ayah, the distance from my university to my dorm is walking distance! I don't need Bapa’s car to follow me around, come on…” Boboiboy rebutts every statement his dad makes as he shuffles around the dormitory. 

Man, sometimes he regrets choosing a higher floor while carrying a ton of stuff. From a variety of plushies to two bags worth a year of clothes, he has to bring them all to his new house.

In the background, Boboiboy can hear some shuffling with his uncle’s muffles about how the house would be so boring without him and his dad scolding the said uncle, saying that he's on the phone with him right now.

Before chaos ensues, he can hear another set of shuffling and then a voice.

“Make sure to update us everyday, okay? Tell us if you already ate breakfast, if you're at a class, if you're back at your dorm…” His other dad spoke, and Boboiboy can already see the look on his face — his eyes all watery as he bites his lips that formed a frown, trying to hold back his tears like he did at his own wedding with his Ayah and at his high school graduation.

Lost in the endearing conversation, he hadn't even noticed he was already at the front door of his new dorm. They were oriented before checking in; they get a roommate that they have to share the room with, of course, for the rest of the school year. And it was up to them if they wanted to change roommates or stick with the current one.

Boboiboy hoped his roommate was nice so that he wouldn’t have to go through the process of changing roommates.

“I will, Bapa— Oh, can you put me on speaker? So that Ayah and Uncle can hear me, please?” He requested to which his dad complied. He heard some noises again, probably his other dad and his uncle finally settling down.

Boboiboy let out a small smile. He can't deny that he'll miss them.

“I'm already outside my dorm room so I'm gonna have to hang up, hehe… Bye, Ayah! Bye, Bapa! Bye, Uncle!”

“Call if you need help! Or if you have a girlfriend or boyfriend, hehe…” Boboiboy heard his uncle say sneakily on the other line.

He felt his cheeks slightly heat up. He wasn't here to fool around!

“Uncle Mimi, so embarrassing!” He teased back. “But, seriously, I really need to hang up…”

“Okay, bye! We love you, little superstar!”

“I love you, too! Bye!”

After the call ended, he set down his bags on the floor and put his phone in his pocket, staring at the door with a somewhat nervous look on his face. This is where it starts — new people to meet, new personalities to adjust to, and a new norm he has to get used to.

This is it, finally living his life independently.

He inhaled deeply and knocked on the door three times, receiving a “come in!” as a response.

Boboiboy gripped the door handle and swung the door open, revealing before him something he didn’t expect. A figure, sitting in the middle of the room on a spinning chair while doing something on their laptop.

“Fang…” He uttered as if he was holding his breath, as if the name alone was the only reason he can exhale.

Where did that come from? How did he do that? How did he know what to say?

The sense of familiarity. He can’t shake it.

Who is this person?

The aforementioned person, who is bound to be his roommate for the rest of the school year, looked up from whatever he was doing and smiled at him with a toothy grin, his eyes forming crescents.

“Boboiboy, I’ve been looking everywhere for you…”

Boboiboy couldn’t help but smile, too.

—————

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In every timeline, every universe, even if we don’t speak to each other, even if it was just a blink of a moment…

…Our eyes will always be the first ones to meet.