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“This is the place,” Lukey gestured towards the small covered area where he and Pangi once shared the night, right before he got cured. A rather fond memory and probably the only date he’d recognized that the two of them went on without external interference; there was just something vulnerable and special about that night he’d always have a place for in his heart.
He heaved their gear underneath the shelter before sitting down on one of the logs situated around the bonfire pit with a relieved sigh. They had chosen to walk on foot here- their excuse being that they might find more picturesque places to stay, but Lukey knew it was just an excuse so they had more time together.
After all, too many surprises happened in the realm.
Not too far away was Pangi, scoping out the outskirts of the clearing and placing torches here and there muttering about something as he did. Warmth flooded Lukey’s chest— it was nice to be taken care of once in a while.
Since this would be their third or so date together, he’d wanted it to be a little more relaxed compared to last couple excursions where they were supposed to be alone or not to be interrupted (this time he made sure they were).
“Pangi, this place is pretty safe already and it's got an awesome view of the stars at night. Help me set up camp so we don’t have to worry about it later.”
“It’s only safe because I made it safe! You didn’t even have a second ring of torches around; what happens if a creeper walks in while we’re having dinner?” He saw the younger man walking back from the brush with a handful of things in his arms, “Then you’re gonna be like- Pangi protect me!”
“What the fuck! I would not— I could protect myself…” Lukey’s personal ability of stirring the pot activated and asked in a soft voice, “but you would protect me right?”
Pangi rolled his eyes, dropping the apples he got from who knows where on the ground and looked at Lukey- his blonde hair was sticking out from under his helmet in an adorable fashion, “You wouldn’t even need to ask.”
“So then… there was no need for you to do all of that then was there?” From under the blonde fluff, his eyes caught the gaze from behind the sunglasses.
“Sorry for caring and not wanting you to die. I thought this was supposed to be a date ya know? The one YOU invited me to.” Pangi sat down next to him and heaved a slight sigh. His head lolled slightly back attracting Lukey’s attention, he spotted the freckles that dotted Pangi’s face and the crown of scales that framed it all (all of which were his favorite features he couldn’t help but admire every chance he got).
“Dinner is on me then and you can relax,” he started taking off the armour he’d worn coming over here. It was hot enough being in the jungle and nobody usually complains about the heat because the netherite was important in keeping them alive. Today though- he wanted to be more comfortable despite the location.
“What. Are. You. Doing?” It was a tone dripping with caution and hard inquiry.
“It’s our date. The one time where I don’t have to wear armor and you can’t get mad.”
“We’re in a jungle, Lukey…”
“That you’ve already scouted and mob-proofed! I trust you- why don’t you trust yourself?” There was no retort there, which he paused to, “because you should, I mean you’re a lifestealer right? You can always trust your instinct and skill. I do… I did, from the moment we met.”
More than you could possibly know, he thought.
“Plus- we’ve been here before and bar some issues setting up, we handled it pretty well. So, what would you like to eat? And don’t say lasagna; I didn’t bring any wheat.”
Lukey fiddled around with the campfire, failing to light it a couple of times to Pangi’s delight. When the fire did start, he danced around in victory, accepting an apple as a reward for his efforts. Fresh!
They both settled on a version of steak and mash after much arguing on what was acceptable as date food. To this Lukey still thinks sandwiches are absolutely fine if the situation accepts it! Pangi thought it was being cheap— which he was given a small bite of what the scientist was capable of making and quickly denied his earlier opinion.
For dessert, Lukey decided to make a pared down version of an apple crumble, something he had a feeling he knew how to make, probably something he made a lot in the past. It sounded delicious anyway and it could be cooked slowly over the bonfire while they ate.
Minutes turned into hours as they did this and that, the afternoon turned into evening. Unbeknownst to them, they slipped into a rhythm that was missing in the other two dates.
“Alright!” Pangi stood back, admiring his handy work. His hair now a mess, slightly drooping here and there from a combination of heat, dust, and sweat.
The small covering had now expanded in ways that were way too fancy to still be considered an overnight camping trip. The resting space was now lined with bamboo flooring and low walls that still exuded the tropical features of the jungle without losing the openness of the previous design. Although he couldn’t put his finger on it, Pangi felt today was bound to be important for the both of them. Why not spend it in comfort?
Over on Lukey’s end, the campfire area was slightly altered, allowing a lot of space to perfect a craft that couldn’t just be done over a simple campfire. He could’ve improved it further but the knife-wielding boy started going on and on about- “It’s going to ruin the atmosphere,” and- “This was supposed to be minimalist! Do you understand minimalism?”
After some coaxing, he managed to get away unscathed; leaving Lukey with a soft smile that was still plastered to his face as he ruthlessly chopped up the best apples from the ones picked earlier. Was he afraid- absolutely not! Don't mind the goosebumps on his arms.
“Lukey, look- Casa la Pangkey!”
Lukey turned around, wiping the sweat he’d worked up from the cooking with his sleeve, only to see a blinding light.
CACHA!
He saw stars for a moment before they faded, revealing Pangi standing on another part of the clearing holding an old polaroid camera from who knows where. He saw him take out the film and waited a bit before walking over.
“You look nice!” Pangi handed over the polaroid with a smile, “Here. I figured we should be recording the memories, ya know? I mean this time we’re alone and it’d be nice to remember this little spot for the future just in case…”
The sudden shift in his tone indicated something they were both worried about, but Lukey took the picture without saying anything.
There he stood on one side of “Casa la Pangkey” ( what a stupid name ) just as he turned, a smile on his face. One that didn’t seem to hold the burdens of saving the world or that was faked by circumstance, it was… genuine. He was enjoying life as one should, with someone that made him happy. Nothing else in that moment mattered.
“Hey,” He felt the warmth of another body sidle up just behind him, not too close, but not too far either. “You’re crying. I didn’t mean to bring up bad-”
“It’s nothing! Everything is great, actually— more than great.” Lukey laughed, quickly wiping his tears away. “We should take more pictures, yeah?”
“Anything you want.”
They stood there, admiring the photo, unmoving. Just enjoying each other’s closeness.
Unfortunately, cooking food does not give a damn about the blissful moments people share. A burning smell soon wafted over from the furnace.
“Shit!” Lukey dashed back to the nominal kitchen area, carefully stuffing the photo into his shirt pocket. Pangi, being the useless help he is, only laughed at the ill-timing.
“This is your food too! You know what, you’re getting the burnt parts!”
Pangi walked over, still giggling, to offer his help.
“Wait nooooooo- I’m your date! I’m obligated to get the better part!”
They watched the sun set below the horizon in silence between the occasional bite of food. Before them, lie a bottle of wine that Lukey had procured somehow, and glasses that were partially filled. They were sitting cross-legged beside each other, just waiting for the apple crumble to finish cooking, as they finished the last bits of the main course. A new cornflower now adorned Lukey’s thorn headset, placed near his ear.
“That was delicious, I have to keep saying it!” Pangi spoke between the last bites of his steak, “I didn’t even know you could use cornflowers in that way. Another reason to enjoy them I guess.”
Lukey watched him eat from the side, his mouth slightly bulging like the hamster he was often called. It was quite cute. “Well, anything is possible in the hands of a scientist.”
Pangi stopped mid-chew, raising an eyebrow at him and asked suggestively, “Anything?”
“Stop it, you freak! You know that’s not what I meant.”
“I’m just saying, what else do you know how to do? Do you test recipes in the lab too?”
“No. That’s highly unsanitary and I would have to literally resterilize the laboratory everytime, something I’d rather avoid if I can.
Can’t I just know how to cook?”
Pangi shrugged, scooping the last bit of mashed potatoes covered with a cornflower infused sauce into his mouth. “I mean you can, but I don’t know, you just never talk about it. Took me by surprise.”
He raised an eyebrow, “Did you forget who made you lasagna? And two versions at that just for the bit.”
A look of realization crossed Pangi’s freckled face.
“I like to keep some surprises,” Lukey hummed.
“Well, I like surprises.”
They looked at each other; only Lukey saw his reflection in the sunglasses. His hair was all over the place and a slight blush had crept to his cheeks. He immediately took his glass and downed the rest of the alcohol that was left inside it.
Lukey had to admit, the chase was exhilarating when he was the one being chased.
There was just something about the uncertainty of where they were gonna go next, of letting the other person calculate their way around the situation- allowing himself to fall into their tempo, never going too far or letting them get too close. With Pangi, it felt good… he liked surprises too.
Soon the sweet smell of the apples, butter, and cinnamon coalescing spread through the air. The next part of the date began.
The fire danced gracefully upon the firepit, drawing the shadows around it into rhythm. The two were sitting a good distance away, backs turned from the flames, with shoulders leaning into each other.
“I- I want to stay in this moment forever Pangi…” Lukey whispered, his heart was fully grasping at hope, silently begging that they wouldn’t leave such a tranquil night.
A strong and scaled arm pulled him closer just as a breeze blew in. The clouds that were blocking the night sky were whisked away and the fire behind them snuffed out; revealing a myriad of brilliant starry patterns in the sky.
“Woahh..” They both gasped in awe.
It was beautiful out here, way more than when they had originally camped out before. The crackling of dying embers accompanied their moment of awe as the stars and galaxy continued to reveal themselves to their audience.
Lukey took the lead in leaning back onto the grass, taking Pangi down with him in a fit of laughter and protest. They eventually settled down, both staring at the night sky.
“Do you know anything about what’s up there?” He broke the silence first, slightly leaning his head towards the other.
“No. I mean I know there’s the constellations and how they make up the astrology signs, but nothing else.”
Lukey burst out into a small fit of laughter drawing Pangi’s attention, “I remember Beky telling me that you mentioned you were a virgin, do you remember that?”
“Ugh,” The pangolin brought his hands to his face, taking off his sunglasses, before covering them. “I meant to say Virgo- you know english isn’t my first language.”
“Hahaha, it’s cool- it’s fine. I wouldn’t mind even if you were.”
There was a muffled huff, “Riiight, cause anything is possible under the hands of a scientist huh?”
Now it was his turn to groan.
“Caught me and my undercover plan.” Lukey raised his palms up in the air before settling them back down on his abdomen.
[[Start playing “III. Clair de lune (Andante très expressif)”]]
They laid there in silence once again, taking in the large expanse of space above them. It made Lukey feel small- like everything he’d been through didn’t matter in the grand scheme of things.
How does something so beautiful exist out there, but produce something so terrible like the corruption? It was truly an evil force, but at the same time it allowed him to meet some people he’d probably never meet otherwise. It tore him apart sometimes. Yet, he persevered nonetheless.
“Do you know about parallel universes?” Lukey asked out of the blue, silently enjoying the coolness brought about by the darkened sky.
“Like other realms?”
“No…” Lukey reached a hand out to the stars with a grasping motion, “like for every choice, there's a version of you that made the opposite one you didn’t take- but infinite.
-Or where there’s a world out there that- where corruption doesn’t exist— never existed! One where we live completely normal lives without the factions or keepers; in a city with canals or a cottage in the countryside…” his voice tapers off.
Lukey turns his head, meeting Pangi’s awed gaze. His eyes are beautiful tonight, matching the galaxy above them. A symphony of purple and blues.
Pangi smiles and chuckles, “What? Is there something on my face?”
“No- just… nothing. It’s beautiful.”
Crickets start their nightly song and the nocturnal creatures of the night become active, filling the air with tranquil activity.
“And in these universes…” Pangi’s eyes never move away from his, “what would Pangi and Lukey be doing now?”
A grin seeps onto his face as a hint of jubilation fills Lukey’s chest, “Well, there’s a Lukey out on the coast— let’s call him Lukey 3000— he just moved there so he doesn’t have any furniture, but he’s happy.”
“Right, just like the lab!”
“Shut up! Oh- he also has a plant named Lasagna, it’s a peace lily.” They both chuckle, remembering the first date. Perhaps it wasn’t so bad.
“And then there’s Pangi 100 who just had the best time of his life, he became the champion of a tournament! And yes— before you ask, he’s a handsome, humble, feminist, but slightly shorter than 6 foot.”
From his peripheral view he sees Pangi silently pump an arm out with a grin on his face before the latter half of the sentence finally hits his pangolin brain and shrugs, “I’ll take the win, can’t be as perfect as me in every universe. Do they know each other?”
“Of course!” Lukey slightly sits up and scoffs, “Lukey 3000 was there when he won and on the sidelines the whole time cheering him on!”
“Awww.”
“Yeah…
They’re super close too. Always orbiting each other, their friends hate them for it.”
They didn’t realize it, but somehow they ended up moving closer to each other, their arms touching. Lukey could almost feel the sparks igniting as his fingers grazed Pangi’s.
Pangi turned to him with half-lidded eyes, “Do they talk about parallel universes too?”
“Definitely,” Lukey says in a whisper, a million thoughts running through his head as the other boy intertwined their hands together.
His brain was buzzing, barely catching the other’s voice, “And what do they think Lukey 1 and Pangi 1 are doing..?”
It felt like a loaded question, but also an affirmation of— Lukey decided to stop thinking about it.
Lukey 1 is gonna make a decision that a million other different versions of himself would also choose. So he closed the distance between him and Pangi with a kiss.
Apples and cinnamon, maybe it’ll be tradition.
Bonus:
Lukey had his arms wrapped around Pangi as they both gazed up at the stars. He silently pressed kisses down the back of his neck eliciting a laugh from the other boy.
“Do you really want to live out in a cottage?”
Lukey stopped and pulled Pangi in closer to his chest, meeting his heterochromic eyes with a fond gaze. “Yeah, I think we’d enjoy it. Away from all the hustle and bustle— and we could have a dog!”
“Pfft! You don’t like Donut after all the effort we went through?!”
“No, I love Donut- just, maybe Lukey 3000 and Pangi 100 could have one to accompany them.”
“What would they name it?”
“Binky, definitely Binky.”
“That’s a good name.”
Lukey snuggled his face into the crook of Pangi’s neck and smiled, “of course, I came up with it.”