Chapter Text
Its awfully bright outside.
It felt too early to wake up, but too late to fall back asleep. It was a time where no regular person should be awake. Well, he was a flower. Or a human. He couldn’t remember what he was it.
It was 7am, it was too early for anything philosophical. That was Blue’s job.
…But Blue wasn’t here.
Yellow would know. The bed wasn’t as cold as usual, he didn’t feel the chill from Blue’s hands. He always had colder hands compared to himself. Yellow was the warm one, as radiant as the sun as his darling Blue described. Yellow’s hands reached towards the sunlight peeping in from the window, the gentle warmth helping him perk back up. He had this daintiness to him at times. He felt weak without his partner’s presence, but he’d be alright. Blue was always an early bird, he probably forgot to wake up Yellow as well.
Although, he would’ve stirred if Blue was to move. They often held each other, so it was odd that he wouldn’t have figured that out already.
It was a weird morning then. But Yellow could make do with it.
As he sat up in his bed, the sun glared in from the windows. There wasn’t any clouds, which made things feel even more liminal. Without Blue’s presence, nothing really felt the same. Empty spaces felt emptier, the world revolved without a sense of peace. It felt nonsensical and awkward. There was so many ways Yellow could describe it. Yet, he still knew Blue was out there. Perhaps he’d already left for practice, or maybe he wanted to assist the other flowers in something menial. It made sense. Yet, why wouldn’t he tell Yellow? He would’ve told Yellow. Blue and Yellow mainly spoke to each other, so something like that would’ve been mentioned.
Perchance, Blue was simply just surprising Yellow with something special. He always loved things like that.
Infact, Yellow was planning a little surprise of his own. The remembrance brought him back to reality. He glanced at the drawers next to his bedside, quickly pulling a small box from the bottom one. He took a double take, looking back and forth before bringing it close. If Blue was just momentarily gone, Yellow would still need to conceal it. He had his suspicions, but ultimately opened the small box while he assumed no one was looking. He unveiled it carefully, lifting the lid up as if to just peep inside a little bit.
It was a ring box, seemingly bought recently. A golden ring rested inside, brilliantly decorated in gemstones of their flower colors. Goldstone and blue goldstone dotted around the center piece of it, the yellow hued topaz in the middle of it all glittering proudly in the sunshine. The metal was carefully arranged around it to make the centerpiece look like a flower.
Yellow had been planning this for months. Whenever Blue would return, he’d take him out somewhere special. Whenever Blue wanted to go. He wanted to propose at some point, but lacked the actual confidence to try. He had a habit of carrying the ring box around just in case, but his time never came. The thought of it lingered on his mind all the time. If he got it wrong, oh he didn’t even wanna imagine the possibilities. He couldn’t fail something like this. Despite the bumbling and clumsy demeanor he always had, he’d have to hide it away when that fated day came. No silliness, just the heartfelt words he held onto dearly. But when this day came…
Only time could tell.
With a gentle and loving sigh, Yellow cautiously slipped the ring box into his pocket.
Maybe today was the day, but a moment perfect enough could only ever occur once in a blue moon.
The vibe was off too.
Whats up with that?
Yellow stumbled carelessly into the establishment with unease in his posture and his pistol at his side. Green held their coffee in contempt, their eyes darting to the yellow flower. Orange whispered something, but it was unintelligible to most. She especially seemed off, but tried her best to hide it, instead passing off cocoa powder to Green mid conversation. Seth studied Yellow like a hawk, looking through their notes to appear inconspicuous. Aqua occasionally popped up to try and talk, leading Seth to drag her back to the floor once more. Flowery rested with his back against the wall quietly. He hadn’t a thought in his mind, only a blank expression. Although, with how strange everyone was acting, it was clear something was amiss. Something was missing, someone was missing.
No one tried to make it seem that way, or at least they attempted to. They moved on like nothing happened, albeit tensions were still in the air. In Yellow’s mind, there was certainly something going on behind the scene, but not enough evidence to create a verdict. It was a case about nothing and no one.
”Gud mornin’ y’all, what’s uhh…what’s goin’ on?”
A bitter silence ruminated through the cafe for a few seconds. Stares turned to glares. Whispering turned to stillness.
…
…
”Bl-“ Seth haphazardly cupped a hand over Aqua’s mouth. She flailed around in response, waving her sleeves to get Seth’s attention.
”…Wat.”
”Don’t pay her much mind, she’s antsier then usual. Probably had one of Green’s affogatos, you know the drill.” Seth explained, although sheepishly. Something in their tone was filled with an awkward humor. Aqua was always antsy, what was the difference this time?
”Sure. Not super insanely suspicious at all!”
Yellow walked past the two, picking up on angered muttering from Seth. They held a hand to their glasses, pushing them up as they tried to keep their geeky composure. The lights were dimmer than ever as Yellow leaned against the counter. He watched as Orange fumbled with more cooking supplies, but ultimately managed to deliver them. Green had this peculiar silence to them, not of their normal variant. It was eerie rather than the pleasant persona they always held themselves to. Orange looked like she wanted to throw more punches than usual. Yet, in Yellow’s reverie, he was still blissfully oblivious. Whatever was going on behind the scenes would have to wait.
”Whats up with them amirite?” Yellow joked. His toothy grin concealed whatever loomed beneath the surface. Orange and Green side eyed each other, but Green pushed Orange forward first. “Well, it’s a strange morning. Can’t believe we’re out of foam and cream. We’re kinda freestylin’ drinks right now, although we’ve still got pastries in the oven. I’m just managin’ the small things.” Orange gushed. She was impressed with herself, her hands at her sides while she stood upon Green’s shoulder. She appeared to of shook off whatever was bothering everyone else a bit too quickly.
“Still got sum’ of that orange juice?” Yellow asked politely. He shot Orange a finger gun and a wink. Green smiled at his remark alongside Orange. “Aw, sure. Limme check the back real quick, Green only got out coffee stuff. Speakin’ of that, when’s Blue showing up? His uhh…what the hell is that long ass order again?” Orange glanced back at a lone mug on the table. It was some kind of coffee, complete with a fancy design made out of the milk used to brew it.
”A caramel latte with cinininom- cinnaninman cin- cinna-“ Yellow faltered with his words, the correct pronunciation on the tip of his tongue.
Green kindly held up a sign with the correct pronunciation of cinnamon on it.
”Yeah, cinninimon and vanilla” Yellow still got it wrong, but it was clear he had good intentions.
”Somethin’ like that, yeah. It’s getting awfully warm.” Orange chided, hopping down from Green’s shoulder to grab something from the fridge. She waddled away, although it was hard to see her considering her height. She was almost completely hidden by the counter, save for her ears.
”So uhh…does anyone really got an idea on what exactly’s goin’ on with ol’ Blue? He wasn’t with me earlier, so how come he ain’t overs here with y’all?” Yellow asked.
Silence again.
Wait no, Aqua seemed rowdy once more. Seth kept attempting to cover her mouth, but Aqua continuously flailed. The other flowers tried to ignore the issue, but Yellow watched the two fight. It wasn’t like them at all. Seth and Aqua usually got along better than this. Was something wrong in their minds too? Nothing could really be done to subdue them, so Yellow continued to look. Aqua was trying to say something, but any time she could utter a single word, Seth attempted to cover her mouth or shush her. She continued to retaliate against Seth despite protest. Seth was seriously struggling to keep Aqua contained. Every arm movement knocked them further away, until Aqua eventually broke free.
The gentle patter of Orange’s footsteps brought Yellow back to reality. A glass was set infront of him, filled with ice cold OJ. Orange stepped back from the glass, almost being knocked over from bearing its weight. “There you go, it’s-“
”Blue’s missing!”
…
”Aqua that’s not…he’s just back at the stage area!” Seth tried to clear up the situation. Their anger was beginning to show as they shook the poor girl around.
”No no! I saw him vanish real early this morning, there was something out there!” Aqua continued to claim. She pointed her finger up like how Seth would, attempting to mimic their nerdy ways.
…
”What…?” Yellow felt his heart sink deep into his chest, his hands falling to his sides. Green glanced back at Orange somberly, but neither spoke a word. “He’s not missing, Aqua’s lying! He’s probably just busy, he’ll be back any moment-“
”No…she’s right.” Flowery spoke up. It was the first time anyone had heard him talk that morning. His head was held low, the radiance he once had diminished to mere fragments. Seth tried to come up with a clever comeback, but faltered in their attempt. Aqua nodded along with Flowery’s words, feeling understood.
”No…you’ve…you’s got to be lyin’! Blue wouldn’t just up and leave…!” Yellow clamored. His common sense was thrown out the window. His entire body shook. As his entire mind raced with the possibilities of would could’ve happened, he wanted to deny it. He knew Blue wouldn’t just disappear like this. He rarely ever left the solace of the Flower Kingdom. Blue was always within the kingdom no matter what. Whether it be in the eloquent gardens, the cliffs, or within the castle’s sturdy walls, he never strayed too far. He had no interest in branching out too far. He enjoyed the company he had built in his home.
”That isn’t the case I’m afraid.” Flowery replied. He raised his head up, looking right back at Yellow this time. Both were tense with emotion, albeit of a different variety. “Blue didn’t go missing on his own terms. Aqua and I…saw something out there. It was dark when it happened, but all we heard was something loud.”
”Why the hell were y’all up at like 3 in the morning anyways?” Orange interjected. Come to think of it, just about everyone looked more tired than usual.
”I wanted water.”
”…Makes sense.”
”No…no no no…please say it ain’t say so…please say it ain’t so!” Yellow pleaded. His legs betrayed him as he fell to the floor, slamming his arms against the wooden boards. Everything felt wrong. Why hadn’t he picked up on these things before? Why couldn’t he…why…why did no one say anything? How could the other flowers withhold something so important from him. From Yellow of all people? Blue and Yellow were boyfriends, sweethearts, soulmates. In Yellow’s mind, they were always together. Everything they did, whether it be on their own or together, it was destiny that they couldn’t be separated.
”…Flowery was afraid you’d uhh…yknow. It’s the truth whether we like it or not. No matter how much we wanna deny it it’s just how things are. Plus, with all the recent knight stuff, we didn’t wanna make everyone feel…worse.” Seth finally spoke up. No more excuses or lies. They pushed up their glasses, staring down at the floor Yellow pathetically writhed on.
”But why couldn’t ya’ tell me?! Why can’t we all bear the burden?!” Yellow continued to press the other flowers. Nothing about this made sense. It felt like a dream he hadn’t woken up from yet. If this was the reality he was living in, then he may as well just succumb.
”…Blame it on Seth, they insisted on hiding it.” Orange pointed at the purple flower, receiving a rather angered expression in return. “Well I…Aqua was the one who noticed first. I was surprised she was even right, I thought she was just imagining things.” Seth counteracted.
”I was just getting water like a normal person, I wasn’t expecting to see something beyond my comprehension take away Mr Blue.” Aqua replied.
”Then you got me, then whatever that thing was made some awful cacophony before disappearing into the night. It woke everyone else up except Yellow and Green, although Green was the first to learn about it from another.” Flowery continued Aqua’s story, although he was seemingly exhausted at the mention of all of it. Out of everyone, he seemed the most disturbed besides Yellow.
”…Why didn’t any of ya’ guys even try to retaliate…” Yellow didn’t even look any of the other flowers in the eyes. He remained cowering on the floor.
”…I mean I threw a shoe at it.” Aqua said.
”At what Aqua?”
”…I have no idea what the fuck that thing was-“
”Language Aqua…” Seth piped in, although unnecessary.
”Did ol’ Blue even try to escape…?”
”By the time everyone was out there, it was already leaving the castle and making its way out to the gardens. What’s the verdict from you Aqua, bein’ that you were there during the initial attack?” Orange questioned.
”Too dark to see, I did hear screaming though. Sounded oddly satisfying but still terrifying nonetheless.”
”…Not helpful in the slightest.”
Yellow went silent.
If Blue fought back or not, that’d be a mystery, but from the report alone, he had suffered. Though the details were little, everything felt too gut wrenching to handle. Yellow continued to lay his cast on the floor’s of the cafe, resisting every urge in his body to cry. If he tried to speak, it’d come out warbled and dissonant. He could hear the other flowers speaking on the incident, but it sounded like mere droning on his end. Nothing but static. The world around him faded away into a watercolor painting, places and faces familiar feeling like nothing but the wind.
Blue…oh Blue…
How would he live on now, knowing his sunshine was gone? The one man in which his life revolved around was missing. Everything that held meaning would be nothing but a fragment of what it was. Rooms would feel emptier. There wasn’t a single song that could lull him to sleep, no more hands that could hold him in the dead of night. Neither would’ve known that’d be the last night they’d spent together. Yellow hadn’t done enough to make it feel right. It was too quiet, a night he would’ve forgotten if the morning afterwards wasn’t so traumatic. All those plans they had that were waiting to come true would remain incomplete. Yellow would never get to propose, or even be able to show any more affection towards his darling. He wouldn’t ever be able to witness Blue walk down the aisle, nor share a kiss with him. Everything they wanted to do would remain trapped in time, it’s cruel tides holding both prisoner.
No…he wouldn’t let fate play its cards like this.
Yellow had to take action. He’d be a “criminel” if he just sat still and sulked. He couldn’t stay in the comfort of the flower kingdom forever. With the heavy things that weighed harrowingly against his heart, he needed a way to lighten his own worry. He had to get Blue back, or else punishment may await the both of them. Yellow was already painfully resisting the urge to take his pistol and pull the trigger. He couldn’t continue wallowing in his own self pity. Blue was still out there, that is if he hadn’t died along the way. Yellow knew he wouldn’t give in that easily.
No matter what it took, whether Yellow made it out alive or in pieces, he had to go.
”I can go retrieve Blue, after all I-“ Flowery was halted in his attempt of heroism. This time, the spotlight was on someone else.
”No…it’s my duty. I gotta bring back Blue.” Yellow started. He slowly got up from the floor after his sullen eternity of brooding. “He’s my darlin’, if I’m not the one takin’ him back, then it’ll eat me alive for the rest of my days. Consider this my own punishment for bein’ too neglectful to notice.”
”But Yellow-“
”I’ve made up m’ mind. It’s a solo mission that I an’ I will alone will brave.” Yellow valiantly claimed. In reality, he felt so afraid. Whatever was outside of the castle walls could be treacherous. He’d risk losing his life over his beloved. Anything was possible out on the road to nowhere. Someone had to bite the bullet, and that someone would be Yellow in these hellish circumstances.
”Yellow…we don’t need you dying out there…” Seth sighed, still concerned over why Yellow would volunteer for such a thing.
”M’ not goin’ to. I swear on my petals!” Yellow barked back, gaining some amount of confidence. His posture grew less stiff. “M’ takin’ back Blue no matter what. As a justice, I gotta bring justice.”
”Hm…I suppose there is no point in really fighting against this. Very well.” Flowery spoke. He held his skepticism at bay.
”How can you be so sure Flowery?” Seth barged in.
”Well, I think we should give Yellow the chance. He’s got good skills if he can get that brain of his in check. I’m sure he’ll do well.” Flowery suggested. The other flowers glanced at each other, then back at Yellow. The justice didn’t waver. Green was the first to agree, holding up a check mark sign. Aqua joined in, nodding along with the idea. Orange joined in, leaving only Seth alone in their disbelief.
”Oh come on guys, really? You’re letting the goddamn suicidal cowboy out on a guaranteed death mission?”
”I ain’t doin’ none of that?”
”How can you be so sure? None of us even have a single clue where Blue could be.”
”M’ willin’ to try. As I said, no matter what. Even if it takes me years, m’ gonna find him.”
”Well…I…” Seth hesitated. They couldn’t think of anything more to spout out. Their intellect had betrayed them. “Let him go! I’m curious where this may lead! What’ll possibly happen on mister Yellow’s great journey into a brand new world?!” Aqua playfully clamored, excited by the idea. “May I come with? I wanna go, I wanna go!”
”Sorry dear Aqua, this adventure’s cowboys only.”
”Aw phooey.”
”If you’re really committed to something like this, you need to pack your bags and get ready. Green could probably hit you up with some provisions and sustenance, at least until you reach a town or somewhere with goods. Who knows what’s out there.” Orange suggested. She quickly scadaddled from Green, throwing a few eager punches at Yellow’s boots. “Now come on, we gotta get ya’ suited up. A journey of this magnitude deserves some serious consideration!”
”Tch, alrighty then! Guess we’re really doin’ this!”
Yellow glanced back at the rest of the flowers again. He had one foot out the door, the other still wishing to stay inside. Aqua waved happily at the cowboy, Seth nervously joining her. They were being amicable again, dropping the weird cryptic and sketchy persona they had just hours earlier. Orange, although nervous, was still proud nonetheless. She bashed her fists together with a joyous smile. Green remained quiet, but Yellow could tell she meant well. Flowery watched from beyond, his back against a nearby wall. His usually piercing gaze was soft. Rather than act as the main character, he let himself become one of the background variety.
In his mind, Yellow could imagine how Blue would’ve looked amongst all of them. If the journey was for anything else, Blue would be so happy yet filled with worry. Yellow could see it now, Blue cupping his face and gently kissing him. He’d probably hug him too, wholeheartedly embracing Yellow until the other couldn’t breathe. Blue’s eyes would tear up, a shame to see that smile of his fade. They’d exchange a good bye or two. If Yellow had the charisma, he might even drop a corny joke.
He knew Blue wasn’t there though. That was the only thing that was wrong about it all. Yet, he could prove himself to be a true justice to Blue. All of this was for him.
It meant everything.
”So uhh…I guess I’ll be seein’ ya’ all later then?” Yellow questioned sheepishly. He adjusted the straps on the large satchel he wore. It wasn’t his choice, but Orange and Green greatly insisted to take such things with him. “I suppose so. Give em hell!” Orange clamored.
”Well, this really is a goodbye. Gosh, this feels mighty strange. I feel like a real cowboy now, goin’ out on the open road!” Yellow chuckled, his nerves beginning to settle down.
”Good luck out there!”
”Don’t get your dumbass killed!”
”Euu, bring me back something special!”
”See you real soon…”
Green held up a sign displaying a good luck message as well, while also still reminding Yellow about Blue’s owed money.
With one final glance, one longing gaze back into the place he called home, he stepped away. Yellow was heading forth into new horizons. What lay ahead of him would be a long journey. An adventure to the farthest ends of the dark world. Wherever he was heading was pure mystery. Seth probably packed him some maps to use, but Yellow was never good with directions. Whichever path he chose to follow, be it arduous or slow, there was still one goal in mind; Save Blue at all costs.
The other flowers mindlessly watched Yellow slowly vanish off beyond the trees and elegant gardens of the castle. Seth glanced back at Flowery condescendingly, to which he returned a confused look.
”He’s not gonna last a day…”