Work Text:
[ Flame ]
Flame's biggest regret to this day was what happened his senior year in high school.
In high school, Flame dated this brilliant guy named Wemmbu. He was gorgeous— long purple hair that reached down to the middle of his back when pulled into a pony tail, bright golden eyes that seemed to dance in teasing amusement at everything Flame did, pale cheeks that dusted red at the slightest bit of attention. But beyond that, he was funny, smart, and even kind.
The kindness was a little harder to get to, but once you got through the walls, it was nearly impossible to ignore.
Wemmbu had straight A's; he knew exactly what he wanted to do for his entire life, and knew how he was gonna get there. He was driven and how attractive was that? Flame wanted to be by his side for the rest of their life.
Flame had seen Wemmbu for the first time at his freshman debut on the basketball team. Wemmbu had been wearing the "guy version" of the school's cheer uniform— pants, and a sort of t-shirt esk version. But he still seemed to shine in it. Because of course he did— it was Wemmbu. Wemmbu shined in everything. The pants made his legs seem longer, the shirt sat prettily on him and Flame had openly gwaked from the sideline. His eyes were trained on the pretty cheerleader instead of watching his teammates play. His friend, Jaden, who he had met at the tryouts a few weeks prior had elbowed him, told him to lock in, but had snorted despite it. Jaden had watched the downfall, had watched all of it, and had been there when Flame needed it.
But despite it all, despite the teasing, despite the knowing glances, Jaden had been there with Flame the entirety of his crush. Flame had yearned after Wemmbu for a full year before he had grown a pair and asked the purple idiot out.
It had been terrifying— of course it had, why wouldn't it be? Asking someone as wonderful as Wemmbu would always be terrifying. What would happen if the other didn't like him? Flame isn't sure what he would do with himself. What if Flame wasn't enough for Wemmbu?
However, as it would turn out, Wemmbu had a crush on him too. The feeling was incomparable to everything Flame would feel for the rest of his life. Wemmbu was the type of person you hold onto forever— the type of person that sits in your soul and either grows or rots. It depends on how you play your cards. Wemmbu had blushed pretty, red over their pale cheeks as they nodded and grabbed the flowers Flame had given him as he asked. Wemmbu had giggled a little, and Flame couldn't help but stare as Wemmbu looked up at Flame through his eyelashes like he was expecting something. Wemmbu had looked at Flame like he was everything— like he was promising him everything.
And Flame would hold onto that feeling for the rest of his life.
So Flame knew their first date had to be perfect. Especially considering who Wemmbu's family ended up being.
When he had knocked on the door, it was their twin brother, Boosfer, who had opened the door. He was taller than Wemmbu, with green hair and even greener eyes. Honestly, he looked like he could be their parents biological child, even if Wemmbu had told Flame that he and Boosfer had been adopted at a young age. Boosfer had his arms crossed, eyes narrowed as he called for their dads. Boosfer didn't play about Wemmbu— everyone knew that. They two were tighter than anyone— including Wemmbu's two best friends (Eggchan and Rejoice— who, fun fact, were dating).
But his dads were who were especially terrifying.
Two renound professors for a nearby university— Unstable University was what you would call an "Ivy League School", and professors who taught there were notoriously hard asses, however, the test scores didn't lie— and neither did the success rate. So, there was very few people who disrespected them. It was an odd mixture of fear and respect that was around the UU campus— and Wemmbu dreamed of going there. Flame had listened to Wemmbu talk about it for hours back when they were still just friends. Wemmbu talked a lot, and Flame liked to listen. Especially to Wemmbu— Wemmbu who got excited over small things, Wemmbu who was always so eager to share stories, Wemmbu who always made sure the other person was okay, Wemmbu who—
Technoblade, "the blood god", was a renound literature professor who had years worth of tenure. He carried himself like he was the smartest in the room, and the only person he respected was his husband. He could pretty much cook anyone in an arguement but dissecting why and who people were with a mere thirty second conversation. Terrifying to say the least. Even more terrifying, he was tall. Probably one of the tallest people Flame would ever have the displeasure of meeting. He had long pink hair that was usually pulled back into a pony tail and dark ruby eyes that were sharpened by years of experience. He wore regal clothes— button down, majestic shirts that reminded Flame of Wemmbu.
But if Technoblade wasn't enough, his husband, Dream, was just as terrifying. Dream was a professor of Psychology and Philosphy. He was able to study those who thought they were smarter than he and was notoriously a little manipulative in the classroom, although professors couldn't prove it, and students learned to appreciate it. He was also tall, even if he sat a few inches shorter than his husband. He had medium length hair that was tied back into a man bun consistently— it was golden. His eyes were an odd mix of yellows and golds that Flame wasn't quite sure the endgame was. He, unlike his husband, wore sweaters and dress pants to work— but was in a hoodie and sweats when he approached the door.
He knew this because his brother was attending UU for his graduate degree after he graduate Life Steal University— he was a junior in college at this time, and five years older than Flame. Manepear, his older brother, was smart. And Flame wanted to be just like him. Everything about Mane was wonderful, and he was sure he could be like his brother some day, it was only a matter of time.
The point was, Flame was borderline terrified as he stood at the door, in his nicest outfit he had stolen from Mane, with a boquet in flowers because Rejoice, one of Wemmbu's best friends, had told him he was a fan of flowers. Wemmbu being a hopeless romantic was not on Flame's XXXX bingo card, but here they were. And Flame would do just about anything to make sure Wemmbu knew how appreciated he was, and how much Flame wanted to know him— wanted to appreciate him. He'd make sure Wemmbu knew.
Flame had just smiled awkwardly as the three of them stared him down, and tried to introduce himself. It had been awkward, but he could see the way Dream's eyes softened as he clumbsily talked and answered Technoblade's questions. Dream had eventually told off his husband and Boosfer. He had told Flame to take care of their baby— or face death. But thankfully, , Wemmbu had come to put him out of his misery. Wemmbu's eyes were wide in panic, like he had no idea Flame had been down here by himself dealing with his crazy family. His hair was pulled back into a high pony tail and was wearing a relatively nice shirt and dress pants. So, Wemmbu had just grabbed his hand, and pulled Flame back to his car, eager to go on their date. Wemmbu had told the three of them to relax and that Wemmbu would be home soon and to chill out. Flame had wondered how close he had been with his family to be able to talk to them so easily.
Flame had gone through those three years they were together in a blur. It had been the best three years of his life. It had been filled with laughter and bickering and love. Flame had loved Wemmbu so deeply it ached— but he knew Wemmbu loved him just as deeply so it didn't feel so lonely. It didn't feel so vast. So, when it all blew up, Flame hadn't know why it had happened— how he had let it happen.
Wemmbu had been talking about going to Unstable University, with his parents reccomedation, and for some reason this had sent Flame into a spiral. Maybe it had been because Flame knew he was going to LS Uni, to follow in his brother's footsteps, well, not exactly, but you get the point. Flame was going in as an Engineering/Math double major, but you get the point. Flame's heart had stuttered— and in a fit of insecurity had snapped. And how could you blame him? (You can, Flame knows he was an idiot— is an idiot). Wemmbu was gorgeous; standing at 5'10 with long, pale legs and a "snatched waist". His hair is well-taken care of, and his eyes are always shining with excitement when you're the right person he wants to be around. And he loves so so hard.
The fight had been simple. Flame had been spiraling, thinking about how everything was going to go down hill and Wemmbu had tried to reassure him. And it had been fine— until Flame had raised his voice. Wemmbu had looked at Flame with wide eyes, and hurt dancing in those pretty golden eyes Flame had fallen in love with all those years ago. Wemmbu had tried to explain, tried to calm Flame down. But it was too late, Flame was spiraling and Wemmbu couldn't fix it— couldn't fix them. Flame's voice began to rise, and Wemmbu's matched it.
And it ended with Wemmbu snapping at Flame, and ending it.
And all of a sudden, three years gone.
Flame had watched Wemmbu walk out of Flame's home, and out of his life.
And Wemmbu had never looked back, because once Wemmbu left your life, he never turned back— never even looked back.
[ modern day ]
Flame was walking down the halls of Lifesteal University with Lomedy. Lomedy had been his best friend since childhood. He was good, kind, and hardworking. The kind of person parents beg you to hang out with. He had short brown hair, as he claimed it kept it out of the way when he was working outside, and large golden eyes that almost glowed if you stared too deeply. He always wore a combination of some sort of yellow cardigan and a pair of overhauls. Flame doesn't understand his fashion choices, but Flame also shows up in hoodies and sweats half the time, so eh. Lomedy was talking about his classes, as they were seniors now, and was actually getting into a masters program that he would be helping some guy look into making new strands of grass to survive in different environments. Flame didn't really know what he was talking about, but he didn't mind listening either way. Especially since it was usually Jaden that dealt with Lomedy's agriculture rants these days.
Since, ya know, they're dating now.
They finally confessed a few weeks ago. Flame was actually going to lose it if he had to watch Lomedy watch heart-eyes at Jaden when they went to watch Jaden's basketball games— and yes, Flame did see Wemmbu there. And the way Wemmbu still ignored him was enough to make Flame ache.
Especially because it seemed like the guy was still performing extra hard, as if someone important were watching.
And that's what ached the worst— Wemmbu had moved on, while Flame was right where Wemmbu left him.
With a buzz from Flame's phone, he glanced down, not super eager to see who was bothering him now, but he supposed there were worse people to who could bother him besides Jaden.
orca-bum 🌊😒
yoo, saw Wemmbu with that
wide ahh grin u use to rant
about. think it's jover bro.
flameio hotman🔥
what the fuck are you on about
orca-bum 🌊😒
are u fucking blind or stupid?
flameio hotman🔥
sybau
deadass what are u on about
orca-bum 🌊😒
ur an actual fucking idiot i hate you
wemmbu, as in your ex-boyfriend
who i attend the same university as,
and who you make me keep tabs on
bc ur a weirdo. he was wearing the
dopey grin on his face while on his
phone.
flameio hotman🔥
oh.
uh do you think?
orca-bum 🌊😒
tbh man i think u should have moved
on a long time ago bruh
but that's none of my business
seen 8:00pm
Flame had walked into the basketball gym with little fanfare. Why would he not? It's not like he actually needed to be super locked in. It was his senior year, and it was super unlikely LS was gonna beat UU this year. They had won the last couple years, but then had gotten some powerhouse freshmen that Flame couldn't cover the entire time. Basketball is a team sport after all. Lomedy had driven over, of course, to watch both Jaden and Flame, but Flame knew who he'd be cheering for despite the fact that he didn't go to the school. He was a massive simp, and Flame was disgusted.
Mostly cause he was jealous.
He was missing Wemmbu more than usual when—
There he was. He was sitting with the other cheerleaders, a bunch of nobodies that Wemmbu seemed to have befriended during their three years here. He had his head tilted back as he laughed at one of the had said. His hair was pulled back into a pony tail for the game, but instead of the pants, he was wearing the skirt. As if he had decided he wanted to do both— he knew it was both because Flame catalouged every thing the other wore— okay so it's a little creepy when he thinks about it but he's in mourning okay?? His eyes are glimmering happily as he looks around the area with a sigh of relaxation. But then, a bit abruptly, he looked down at his phone and— yeah there it is.
The grin Flame had used to chase with a vengence— the one he thought about while he sleeped, the one he chased in his nightmares. The one he had wanted to see more than anything these last four years. The one he couldn't breathe without.
But what hurt more than anything else in the world was when he saw Wemmbu snap his head up to look at the door and when Flame saw who made Wemmbu smile like that— well, his whole world ended.
"Flame! Good game, kid," Mane ruffled his locs, causing Flame to scowl a little. It was extremely annoying to make sure his locs were in good standing, and Mane knew that so he was just being an asshole on purpose. He felt like he was seven years old again, and Mane was taking care of him and making sure everything was normal and fine and— "Seriously, I forgot how good you were at basketball."
Flame shrugged, because sure he was okay. But ultimately, it was a team sport. So when UU had won, leaving Lomedy running over to hug Jaden— who was super smug, and Flame knew he wouldn't be hearing the end of it any time soon, Flame hadn't been super surprised. Like he said, UU got a bunch of good freshman and had dominated the league this year. They were ranked number one with LF right under it. UU and LF uni had deep rooted beef— like generational and they were what you'd call rivals. But, none of that mattered.
Because Wemmbu was walking over to Flame's orbit for the first time in years.
However, Wemmbu wraps his pale arms around Mane, resting his chin against Mane's bicep, looking at Flame was a blank expression. He looks pretty, even like this— even looking at Flame like he was a stranger and not his first love. Flame's heart breaks— because no, Mane didn't know. Mane didn't know the deep rooted history between Wemmbu and Flame. At the time, Flame had wanted to keep this to himself. He had wanted Wemmbu's attention to be his, not something Mane could steal with how brilliant his brother was.
And with Mane at college, it was the perfect opportunity. Flame had gotten to just be himself without being in his brother's shadow— his brother who was getting all A's at a prestigious school, his brother who was a track star on a D1 scholarship before his injury, his brother who was calm and collected and—
And who was now dating Flame's first love.
Flame's only love.
"Mane, who's this?" Wemmbu's voice is dry, raising an eyebrow and Flame can tell it's a little cruel but it's also very telling— don't ruin this for me. Don't fuck me over again. And for a moment, Flame considers it. Flame considers ruining this, because how could he not? How could he sit here and not think about ruining the one thing that was keeping him from his happiness?
But that's the point isn't it— Flame would never get Wemmbu back.
But like this, he could at least keep Wemmbu in his life.
"Oh, this is Flame, my little brother," Mane looks down at Wemmbu with a soft look in his eyes— something Flame's never seen from his brother, but he can't blame him— it's Wemmbu after all. His blonde dreads are pulled back and are held together with a purple hair tie that was clearly Wemmbu's, and his shoulders were exposed with the tank top he had decided to wear with the UU logo— a few years in grad school and all of a sudden he's a UU fan, "He's about your age. Actually, I think you two went to the same high school."
"How convinent," Wemmbu's smile isn't kind, and Flame can feel each word like a sword— cutting, real, mean. Just like how Wemmbu had always been when he stopped caring, his golden eyes are narrowed at Flame like he's suspecting him to strike at any moment. It would hurt more if Flame hadn't given Wemmbu every reason to believe he might, "It's nice to meet you, Flamefrags."
"Flame's fine," Flame gritted out, standing tall, raising an eyebrow and puffing his chest out— like hell he'd let Wemmbu win. If Wemmbu wanted to be mean, Flame could match that. It was easier to be angry than it was to feel pathetic getting sad about seeing Wemmbu, four years after their break up, with someone else— even if it was his older brother. But he watched the way Wemmbu curled around Mane, his arms were wrapped around Mane's arm, even as Mane shifted it to go around his shoulders. Wemmbu's arms then shifted to cross over his chest with the movement. His eyebrows raised high in challenge, as Flame managed, "Congrats on the win."
"Oh, I didn't do much." Wemmbu's voice is now light, as if he's realized Flame had picked up what he put down— that they weren't gonna talk about it, that it was burried, ancient history; he was still in the uniform, pale legs exposed but the damning part was the jacket over his shoulders— it was so clearly Mane's Flame wanted to nuke something, "It was a fun game. You did well too, it was a close game. Mane's mentioned his brother, but never said his name. Kinda funny this is when we meet."
"My bad," Mane's voice is all soft and so painfully affectionate Flame wants to cry— because that should be him, because Flame would always be in that house, always be right where Wemmbu wanted, just in case he changed his mind. "I was gonna get there. Just like how you were gonna tell me about how terrifying your parents are?"
Wemmbu flinched, turning to glare at Mane, fighting a grin as he huffed, eyes soft, hands now moving to poke at Mane's chest as he tried to argue, "My parents aren't terrifying—"
"They're some of the highest ranking professors world-wide and are some of the most hardass professors. Dr. Clown complains about Dr. Technoblade and Dr. Dream's dynamics."
"That does sound like Dr. Clown," Wemmbu nodded sagely, like he was commenting on the weather, not giving Flame new information he would have dreamed about only minutes ago,"I doubt he'd ever admit it though."
Flame felt very out of place.
Luckily, "Yooo, Flame! There you are," Jaden's annoyingly welcome voice called him over, and Flame glanced over his shoulder. Jaden was walking over to Flame with Lomedy in towe, holding the other's hand softly, affectionately, and Flame wondered if they saw it for what it was, and Flame wanted to go, "C'mere man."
Flame hesitated only a moment, glancing back at the two of them.
Mane just nodded his head, eyes soft and easy with affection and it was so hard to be mad at Mane— he hadn't done anything wrong, he didn't know. And it seems Wemmbu had never told him (and how funny was it that Wemmbu had fallen in love with both of them at different times in their life), "Get outta here man, we'll catch up. Wemm's gonna be around more so we can have a dinner the three of us, so you can get to know him."
Wemmbu didn't flinch, just tilted his head slightly, as if challenging him slightly, "Yeah Flame, I'd love to get to know you."
Yeah well, I'm not that different than I used to be so… Flame thought and forced his urge to glare at the asshole who he definitely needed to get over now, crossing his arms over his chest in that defensive way he does when he's sure he's about to get hurt. "Sure thing. Gotta get to know the idiot who managed to catch my hardass older brother's attention."
Wemmbu sqwaked in that way he did when he was embarresed, that familiar pretty blush over their cheeks as they looked away from both of them, "I—"
Mane snorted into his hand, like he knew exactly what Flame was doing, amusement in his tone and on his face as he commented, "Flame's just trying to ragebait you to soothe his own ego from losing. You were the only one I was really paying attention to, baby, don't worry."
Wemmbu smiled, slow and pretty, and entirely too sweet for Flame's taste, eyes trained on Mane for a bit as he whispered, just for Mane— but Flame's an unlucky bastard, so of course he heard it, "Aw, thank you, Mane. I did it all for you." He giggled a little, leaning up and pressing a kiss to Mane's cheek— which gross, Flame did not wanna see them being happy just yet, bro is in MOURNING. Wemmbu turned back to Flame, something flashing through their eyes before letting out a sigh, and tried to emphasize something. "I hope we can get along, Flame, seriously," but then turned to Mane, and Flame's heart dropped into his stomach, "Hey, do you mind if I talk to him for a second?"
Mane raised an eyebrow but just shrugged, as if they had perfected a trust Flame couldn't understand— if Flame had that trust back then, would that be him? If Flame had trusted, instead of spiraling about something that likely wouldn't have come, would Flame still be at his side? "Sure, I'll meet you by the door when you’re done?"
"Of course," Wemmbu's eyes softened again, squeezing his hand. They watched Mane walk over to the door, and then Wemmbu turned back to Flame again, keeping his arms crossed as he looks away a bit ashamed, which makes Flame flinch, "for the record, I didn't know."
"Yeah I doubt even you would go low enough to date my brother after—"
"Okay, so, we're remembering this very differently clearly." Wemmbu snapped, eyes flaring in a way that brought Flame back to when he was eighteen, losing the love of his life. Wemmbu took a deep breath, as if trying to keep himself grounded in the now, like he was fighting back memories even now, because he looks serious. Like this is something he cares about— like Mane is something he cares about. Fuck, this is more serious than I thought it was, "Look. Flame. I… I love your brother. Mane is… you must know how wonderful Mane is, and I— I can't lose him just because of our history. I need to know you won't ruin this for me. I need—"
"My biggest regret is losing you, Wemm." Flame's voice is more honest than it's been in years. Because it was true, and Flame could spend his entire life wanting Wemmbu— and probably still would— and although Flame was a selfish creature, who wanted and wanted and wanted, Flame would make a selfless decision. Flame would truly let Wemmbu go— would finally be at "peace" (or at least as much as he could) And when Wemmbu flinches at the nickname, Flame can't help but tense at the reaction, "Look, I— I know there's nothing I can do to fix the past, and all I've ever wanted was for you to happy. For a long time, I wanted to prove I could be that happiness again. But…" Flame lets his eyes trace over to Mane, who's trying and failing to make it seem like he isn't staring at the two of them, because his brother had always been more obvious to Flame than most, "After seeing you with Mane, I can kinda see that's never gonna happen. Are you gonna tell him?"
Wemmbu's eyes soften, as if he had been needing to hear this for years, and a small laugh escapes their lips as he admits, "I mean, I did kinda tell him about my asshole ex-boyfriend who basically broke up with me cause I was too pretty for my own good."
"That's not—" Flame went to argue, but shook his head, locs hitting his face as he tried to ground himself again, because he wasn't here to argue, wasn't here to win Wemmbu back apparently either. Time had given him a gift— having Wemmbu in his life again, even if it wasn't romantically, Flame got Wemmbu back; or at least a part of him— maybe Wemmbu was never his to begin with. But even if Wemmbu wasn't his, Flame would always be Wemmbu's, "Wemmbu. Tell him. We're gonna always have this awkward vibes if you don't. I'll give him my sibling blessing or whatever. But, Wemmbu, if you want him, I'm gonna be in your life. For the rest of it. Mane and I are close, I'm kinda surprised he didn't bring me up."
Wemmbu sighed, before nodding in acceptance, because both of them knew Flame was right, "We're still new. It's only been about six months. I haven't even told him I love him yet," Wemmbu wrapped his arms around himself, and whispered, like he needed Flame to know what he was saying was true, "If… if you ever loved me, you won't take this from me."
Flame's heart breaks for the final time as he looks at Wemmbu's small, sad smile, like he knows what he's asking and does it anyways, because Wemmbu's right— sometimes love isn't about posession or desire, sometimes love is letting go because you know the other's happiness won't come with you. Sometimes to love something is to let it go, because they need someone else more than they need you— and love is to not only accept that, but be happy for them as well, "I… yeah, I won't take this away from you, Wemm."
"That's the last time I'll let you call me that." Wemmbu rolled his eyes, before sighing deeply like he had aged ten years with this conversation. Wemmbu snorts as he says, "Maybe I'd even let you hug me if we weren't in the middle of the basketball court of my uni. Mane's driving me back to my apartment, but… I guess I'll see you around, Flame."
Wemmbu turns around after waving to Flame, heading right to Mane and Flame… well, Flame watches his heart leave with his brother. And the last bit breaks before he can help it.
"Yeah, bro when I said he had that dopey ahh smile that is not what I was expecting."