Chapter Text
An event that takes place once a year. The stars were alluring in the night sky, the two moons settling their gentle gaze to the planet. In the moonlight shining below, the fountain's water held the night’s light almost perfectly, joining on par with the calm, almost enchanting words from guests slurred together in the air. Gentle laughter, kind phrases, staring eyes, repetitive compliments. They all were noticed by Flame Nova, but one can’t blame another for those praises. He was, if one dared to call him, the star of the party.
Golden silks wrapped his frame, from his finials to his arms, even some in the shape of crescent moons on his hips. Gold wasn’t the only color on the silk, the fact it faded to a dull white on the edges could make one gasp in the beauty of it. It didn’t stop the guests from obsessing over his looks, instead amplifying it. Some were more ambitious with their word choices than others. It was tiresome. Words that held no meaning to him, that held no significance to someone of his standard.
He found himself standing alone in the middle of the ballad, which was oddly poetic. The Hero of Machina, alone in an overly extravagant set of silk. He closed his eyes, feeling the cold air of the unending night. His seclusion was quickly ended when he heard the sounds of butlers and maids swiftly weaving their way between both guests and decoration. A fake smile on their faces with every drink they passed. Flame Nova grabbed one of the drinks off a tray, the fuel blinding him with its reflection of the lights.
Speaking of lights, looking up to the festoons, they were gold with patterns of flowers and gemstones, suspended high in the air. Unable to be tainted by one’s curious touch. A gentle puff of flame left his facial vent, It flickered in the air before dwindling away. He found his hand out to where it dissipated at. How foolish of me. He dropped it to his side. Music from the live band played gently, trapping Flame Nova in a sense of nothingness. One could easily mistake this moment for a dream, for a moment this breathtaking to possibly exist in a world this cruel, this horrible, and to maybe show its kind eyes.
To show its kind eyes. “Ah, Sir Flame Nova?” A voice snapped Flame Nova from the depths of his mind. The voice, kind, polite, couldn't have possibly come from an unwitting guest. He turned his helm to face the one speaking.
“This party is exquisite! To think one like yourself is the one who orchestrated all of this is not surprising to many.” Flame Nova blinked, he recognized the large red cardbot in front of him, yet couldn’t quite think of the name.
“Why thank you. Your kind words flatter me.” Flame Nova’s finger was tapping against his drink, yet he didn’t stop himself from doing so.
The large red bot held his own drink close to his chest, taking in the sight of the party. The bot’s silks, a beautiful orange with speckles that could be mistaken for stars draped over his frame. Gold accents held onto him as if it belonged there all along.
“Sir?”
Flame Nova jolted, then slowly relaxed.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes.” Nova didn’t mean to make it sound so forced. Why would he? This party is going perfectly, everyone is cheerful, hopefull, happy even. No mistakes have happened yet, the strong-graded drinks were controlled, no drunken fights…
“Sir…” The cardbot repeated, a bit more harsh. Flame Nova got lost in his thoughts again. “Not to be ill-mannered but I’m serious, Are you alright?”
Flame Nova squinted at the words, of course he is fine, like he mentioned before, everything was going perfectly. Yet no matter how much the words were dancing on the tip of his thoughts, they did not come out.
The crackling of fireworks boomed in the air, bright sudden flashes of lights made the crowd cheer. Flame Nova however, flinched at the sound, narrowing his eyes to the sky. His shadow flickered in the firework show that followed with the obnoxious gasps and laughter of the crowd. The noise became overwhelming.
“Have you seen the firelights tonight sir?” The large cardbot whispered. Flame Nova turned slowly to face the former, his drink crushed in his hand.
“I have not. I thought they had all gone extinct.” Flame Nova was expressionless. Where was the bot leading him with this conversation?
“No sir, they are very much alive.” The large cardbot set his drink down, Flame Nova followed his movements with eyes only until an outstretched hand took him off guard. “May I show you them? It will be quick and it's nearby, I promise."
Flame Nova was skeptical, his frame tense with another puff of involuntary fire. He glanced over to the crowd, the fireworks took their focus entirely, chattering and gossiping away like they owed the world nothing. Honestly a nice change of scenery wouldn’t be bad. Slowly, setting his drink down next to the large bot’s, he placed his hand in the bot’s. Flame Nova expected the bot to wrap his hand around his but was surprised when he just guided him away. If he had a mouth, he would have smiled.
The bot, true to his words, didn’t take Flame Nova far away at all with the party still in eyesight. They were however, next to a small creek, the water dark due to the night taking away all light. Flame Nova sat down on a boulder, letting out a much needed sigh. Opening his eyes, he saw the other standing in a patch next to the creek.
“Care to join me?” The bot closed his eyes, genuine kindness was in those words. It was unfamiliar to Flame Nova. He rested back on the boulder, his eyes looking for any tricks.
“Join you in what exactly?” Flame Nova became further confused when the bot began to chuckle. It was deep and wholehearted. He held out his hand once more, the gentle wind and leaves were not helping in this situation.
“I wish to surprise you, if you don’t mind, sir.” The bot did not move, he kept his hand out and filled with confidence that Flame Nova couldn’t find the origin too. It was awkward, Flame Nova didn’t move from his spot, making the bot begin to hesitate.
Well, curiosity didn’t kill the mechafeline. Flame Nova pushed himself off the boulder, on edge yes, but not dismissive of the act either.
“Do not plan anything suspicious.” Flame Nova snapped, taking the bot’s hand once more.
“I promise you I will not.” The bot led Nova to the center of the patch, “May I have both your hands?”
Flame Nova’s mind wanted to hiss out a sharp no, but the bot hasn’t done anything yet, so what's the worry? Placing his second hand in the other’s, Flame Nova noted how rough they felt, feeling every dent and scrap on them.
“You can spin without tripping right?”
“Excuse me?” Flame Nova let out an undignified squack as the bot began to spin the both of them. Going round and round, Flame Nova closed his eyes, getting dizzy was something he didn't want right now. The boisterous laughter from the other echoed in his audibles, it felt oddly pleasant. After a few seconds, they stopped.
“Sir… you may want to open your eyes.” Flame Nova kept them shut for a bit longer but reluctantly, he did so. And oh how they widen in that same moment. The sky itself was filled with flickering lights, fading on and off. They filled the space where they stood, not trapped in the boundary that was the sky. It was beautiful.
“Ah, I don't believe I ever gave you my name, I apologize." Flame Nova’s eyes moved from the sky to the bot. In all honesty, he doesn't care for the fact he never got the other's name.
“My name is Gigantrex.” He gently let go of Flame Nova’s hands, his own idling to his side. “I am sorry for not telling you earlier."
“After you took me away to this secluded area?” Flame Nova teased but quickly found out the other took it literally, “No don’t be, it's fine, truly.”
They stood in awkward silence. The fireworks danced away at a great distance, allowing the firelight’s lights to keep the creek in their embrace. At that moment, Flame Nova never realized how beautifully blue Gigantrex’s eyes were. They were like the day’s sky, big, hopeful, bright.
“Why did you…” Flame Nova broke the silence, earning a curious tilt of the helm from Gigantrex, “...Take me away?”
Gigantrex frame lifted up, he blinked a few times before averting his gaze. “I… don’t actually know.”
You don’t know?! Flame Nova wanted to scream out. Surprisingly, he kept it to himself with a controlled ex-vent.
“You took me away like a stowaway prince and you don’t even know why…”
“You appeared stressed and I suppose I wanted to get you somewhere calm.” Gigantrex cut Flame Nova’s whispers short which caused him to snap up, sending a confused look to Gigantrex.
“What.” Flame Nova let out a nervous laugh, hands together behind his back. “I believe you may have misunderstood Sir Gigantrex. I was never stressed.”
“But sir…” Gigantrex held back his words, seeing Flame Nova look so accusatory made him hesitate.
Ugh. Flame Nova scoffed, turning his head away from Gigantrex. Something that could be mistaken for annoyance was evident on his face.
“I deeply apologize, I will not do something this brash again unless I ask you first.” Flame Nova curled his hand into a fist. Not because he was angry at the apology, but because he genuinely enjoyed this quiet moment.
“It’s…”
“I hope you have a pleasant night. But before I leave… your eyes look pretty when they aren’t hidden by your visor.”
Flame Nova bit down a gag. whipping his head to Gigantrex who was retreating back to the party. Out of everything, His frame, his silk, even his voice, no one ever said anything about his eyes. He didn’t do anything to make them stand out besides the mentioned not having his visor on. He stood there for a few more moments and once Gigantrex was out of sight, he giggled.
That cardbot is something else… Flame Nova’s frame felt lighter, more collected. He shook his head as he began to move through the sea of firelights. One even landed on his finger, letting out small chirps. Everything was so quiet here, besides the muffled sound of fireworks and the running creek. He took in the air one last time, it was cold, yet not unforgiving like the air at the party. He chuckled to himself once more, noting this place for another time.
Flame Nova then felt something cold, his eyes widened in surprise as he moved his hand, scaring off the firelight.
Tears. He froze.
Am I crying?