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(Rough Timeline: After Highwater but before Capital City)
Flame was just tired, okay? He’d been running around doing whatever Saps ordered him to for so long. Sure, he got breaks and all that sometimes, but whenever he did have to do something it was extensive. Both on himself and his resources.
So, how does he fix this, you ask? Easy.
He quite literally just hides in the woods by himself for a good few hours. It lets him be alone, lets him relax, not be on guard twenty-four/seven, and just means he doesn’t need to keep listening to Saps or trying to keep Lomedy safe. It also lets him think.
Currently, during his third time ‘running away,’ he wasn’t thinking about much. He was kind of just walking around, listening to the ambience that a forest gives. Leaves rustling, birds singing, that kind of thing. He wouldn’t call it peaceful per se -years of fighting and being alert might have made him a little paranoid- but it was nice at least.
He also had his blindfold acting more like a bandana, since he didn’t feel like wearing it. The forest was rather dark anyways, so the light wasn’t bothering him. And he kind of just wanted it off to feel more related.
And then he spotted something, no- someone, purple in the woods as well.
Wemmbu.
Something in the world must hate Flame, honestly, because for once he didn’t feel like dealing with his rival. And yet, it didn’t really look like Wemmbu had noticed him yet. The demonic avian was sitting on the ground, wearing the bare minimum of armor, and was merely leaning against a tree. And if Flame looked closer then he could see how Wemmbu’s eyes appeared to be closed.
It looked like he was doing what Flame was doing, actually. He was obviously tired, based on the deep eye bags and the slow, shaky breaths he was breathing. The demonic lion was just about to walk away when he accidentally broke a twig on the ground.
His rival’s eyes immediately snapped open to look over, yet the reaction seemed slower than Flame expected. And they both just locked eyes, awkwardly quiet.
...
..
.
Wemmbu was the first to look away, a small and uneasy expression on his face. He brought his knees to his chest, arms folding on top. And soon enough he just quietly sighed and rested his forehead on his arms, thus covering his face.
Flame hesitated for a brief moment, before just thinking fuck it and walking over. He noted how the demonic avian barely flinched when Flame eventually sat down next to him. They weren’t close, but they weren’t exactly far away. It was just.. A quiet agreement, to not mess around for once. To simply relax.
They shared no words nor did they move closer or further away from one another. They just existed in one another’s presence. It was strangely peaceful, for two people who were supposedly rivals.
A small breeze blew by every now and then, making leaves, wherever they were, rustle softly. A few birds were startled, chirping and flying away. The temperature was cool in the shade of the trees, a nice contrast to the blazing heat of the sun. Crickets buzzed absent-mindedly in the distance.
It was nice to just unwind like this, Flame could admit. The silence didn’t even feel wrong, despite him having to share it with Wemmbu of all people. But they both seemed tired, and definitely looked the part. The demonic lion didn’t mind the weird peace of it all. His tail flicked every now and then, just adding to the gentle ambience.
But he could also feel that something was off. Like words were waiting to be said, hanging on the tip of someone’s tongue. Flame wasn’t sure if that was coming from him or Wemmbu. There were a few things they should probably talk about, honestly. And soon enough Wemmbu broke that silence.
“I’m still mad at you, y’know,” the demonic avian murmured. His voice was slightly muffled since he felt his face buried in his arms.
“..For what?” Flame queried softly. There were a few things Wemmbu could be mad at him for, and he wasn’t entirely sure which one. Well, no, he actually was pretty certain what it was.
“For taking Egg,” his rival huffed. “Like- I get you had a question, or whatever it was, but you didn’t need to kidnap him for it. Could’ve just.. I don’t know, stopped by and asked civilly.”
“Saps’s orders,” Flame lightly shrugged.
“Why are you in Cindercrest, anyways?”
“Bro didn’t I tell you when you were coming for Egg-?”
“You did?” Wemmbu finally looked at him, confusion in his gaze.
“Yeah- like, bro- Lomedy wanted to join, and I can’t just like.. He’d probably die or get hurt if I don’t stick with him, so..”
It was silent for a while after that. Like Wemmbu was taking in what Flame had said, properly this time. Honestly Flame wasn’t entirely sure why the demonic avian was with the Caves. He didn’t really know what happened after he left when that invis guy was trying to auction Egg off.
“Why are you with Arachn1d?” The demonic lion finally risked asking.
“Right, you left before..” Wemmbu drawled hesitantly. “Arachn1d uh. He has Egg, and if I don’t do what he says then, well.. You know.”
“...He’ll kill Egg?” Flame guessed.
“He’ll kill Egg,” Wemmbu nodded, sighing tightly.
And once again, quietness. The crickets were practically mocking them as they both sat awkwardly, unsure what else to say. And it was only the bugs, mind you, as no breeze passed by and no stray animals broke sticks on the ground. No sounds of players, either.
Just the two of them in some random woods, likely ignoring their duties. Looking equally tired (maybe Wemmbu a smidge more, if Flame was being honest), and wanting the same kind of rest. And freedom. Flame had a pretty good feeling Wemmbu would destroy the Caves as soon as he and Egg got out safely. The demonic lion kind of wanted to do the same with Cindercrest, if Lomedy finally saw how wrong they were.
“How long have you been out here?” Flame eventually asked.
“How long are you going to ask questions?” Wemmbu snorted. “Only like half an hour before you showed up.”
“Sorry for trying to fill the silence, bro,” the demonic lion rolled his eyes playfully.
“Bro just let there be silence, I was trying to nap. Void knows sleep is a rarity with everything Arachn1d is making me do.”
“Real, honestly. If I don’t have insomnia right now I will soon.”
“Join the club,” Wemmbu laughed.
And after that the speaking finally ceased. Wemmbu had made it clear that he wanted to sleep, which Flame couldn’t blame him. He would do the same if he weren’t so paranoid, especially with him being with Wemmbu now. Besides, the demonic lion was pretty sure he got more breaks than his rival did.
So it was just a nice afternoon, with two people acting surprisingly nice to each other. At some point it got a bit colder, and Wemmbu, who was asleep mind you, unconsciously shifted to be closer to Flame. Which he barely paid any mind to.
And if anyone saw that they were practically sitting right next to each other, sides touching, and that Wemmbu was asleep while Flame let out a quiet chuff every now and then, then they wouldn’t live to tell the sight.