#tags?

Chapter 1: 'Cause you're the only one I want to be by my side (whether the night is cold or warm)

“You will never be the strongest again.”

Those words kept repeating in Flame’s mind for days to follow. 

When he heard the oh-so-familiar voice when he came out of the old mafia headquarters, Flame couldn’t help but laugh internally. How long was the abyssal demon waiting for him on top of that tower? Was he just aura farming this entire time?

The second thing he did was to take in the appearance of Wemmbu as much as he could from where he was standing. His long purple hair flowed gracefully behind him at that height. Flame could see him wearing his typical royalty outfit under his fully enchanted netherite armor set. Flame’s eyes caught the glint of a mace he knew all too well, Gambit. 

Looks like he’s looking for a fight.

Flame indulged him for a bit. He didn’t take him seriously. Flame talked to him like he did every time, taunting — teasing — him. Flame had thought it would be like all of their previous battles.

That was until Wemmbu pulled out a fishing rod — seriously? — and Flame had to experience being the ground zero of a stab shot blast.

It was a blur after that. 

Flame could remember moving a lot more than he did with his previous fights. Not only did he have to avoid Wemmbu’s quick diving with his mace, but he also had to get away from the stab shots and nukes that Wemmbu somehow acquired.

Wemmbu’s laughter rang clear in his mind. Flame barely even remembers questioning who was supplying him totems. He couldn’t believe that Wemmbu actually had the skills to make him retreat from a battle. A battle against Wemmbu, no less.

This was definitely not the same purple-haired guy who he had met back in PrinceZam’s Empire, nor the same guy from the tournament months ago.

What had happened?

Despite the loss — because as much as Flame wants to deny it, he did lose against Wemmbu and he will take back his title — Flame couldn’t help but note the changes in Wemmbu.

Wemmbu seemed to have filled out. He seemed to have gained a bit more muscles in him compared to when he first met him when he was still working with PrinceZam. Back then, Wemmbu looked like a gust of wind could blow him away. It was nice to see. He thinks. That means he’s been eating well, training a lot, and that he was taking care of himself. 

Flame ignores the feeling of satisfaction upon realizing that last part.

Speaking of, even his hair still looks as immaculate as ever. Flame has no idea how Wemmbu’s hair doesn’t even bother him, especially considering his fighting style. He still remembered it being around shoulder-length when they first met, and when they fought back when he was an Invis Mafia member. During the tournament, it was already reaching past the middle of his back. His hair seems to grow fast, and he takes good care of them. 

Flame had felt numb when he found out that his own older brother had betrayed the Empire to side with Wemmbu. Every hit during the duel continues to add weight in his heart, his hands felt heavy but his hits were never lighter. He caught a glimpse of Wemmbu’s worried face directed to ManePear. Flame wonders what Mane saw in Wemmbu that made him betray Flame the empire. 

The thing about betrayal is that it doesn’t come from the enemy. Flame was studying Wemmbu’s face while PrinceZam was verbally putting him down. He almost wanted to retort, but he was still working for PrinceZam. The way Wemmbu’s eyes flashed through a storm of emotions, the way he just looked so defeated that time, Flame had to tighten his hold on the hilt of his sword. Still, Flame couldn’t help but let out a breath of laughter as he saw how Wemmbu steeled himself in real time. That’s when Flame knew that wouldn’t be the last time he would see Wemmbu. He looks forward to their next meeting.

To be fair, Flame thinks Wemmbu’s crash out was valid. PrinceZam’s Empire wasn’t built in a day, but it sure as hell was destroyed in a single day because of some purple-haired flying dude.

The next time they met, Flame had Wemmbu’s best friend — Eggchan — hostage. Simply put, the time spent waiting for Wemmbu was kind of… not really much.

“Why do I keep getting kidnapped?” Eggchan sat in the meager space where Flame had boxed him in.

Flame didn’t reply, not verbally nor with signs

“Hey, what would you even get by kidnapping me, anyway?” Eggchan then remembered something, “Oh right, was it because my identity got revealed? C’mon man, this could be our little secret, bro.”

Eggchan didn’t stop there.

“What’s it like being a Diamond-trim player? Don’t you guys have maces? Where’s yours?”

Looks like it will take some time for Wemmbu to arrive. Maybe Flame can indulge Eggchan for a bit.

He placed down an oak sign.

I don’t use mace.

“Cool. Can I have it instead?”

Flame stared at Eggchan.

“... Worth a shot.” Eggchan seemed to ponder for a bit, “My friend uses a mace. He’s really good at it.”

Flame perked up. He placed another sign.

I know.

“Are you the same guy observing us from the Snow Civ?”

Flame paused. He’s quick to put things together.

His pause was enough for Eggchan.

“Yeah, that was definitely you.”

The faint sound of fireworks drifted in the open area. Neither of them said anything again to each other as Wemmbu arrives to rescue Eggchan.

The first thing he noticed was that Wemmbu seemed to have lean muscles now. He seemed to have been eating well. If his guesses were right, then Wemmbu and Mane might have actually been together after the empire. It left a pang in Flame’s heart at the thought, but it was quickly replaced by content by the knowledge that Wemmbu would definitely be taken care of.

Flame was actually pretty okay with Wemmbu popping his totem. His identity might have gotten revealed, but at least he can talk now. Throughout the entire fight, Eggchan was throwing commentaries from the sidelines. He also saw the way Eggchan was watching him intensely as he fought Wemmbu.

Who wouldn’t feel it when a huge eyeball is just staring at you? Bro, even he feels a bit unnerved by it. How Wemmbu acts so parental over Eggchan is beyond him.

So he uses that knowledge. He threatens to kill Eggchan if Wemmbu doesn’t give him the mace. Flame had utilized slow falling arrows during their battle, and with him having superior skills in sword PVP, it was only a matter of time before Wemmbu had to give in.

There was barely a battle in Wemmbu’s mind after Flame said that. He dropped the mace at his feet. Flame was quick to retrieve it while Wemmbu was freeing Eggchan as soon as he could. Flame took one glance back at the two, at the way Wemmbu was checking Eggchan all over — asking if he was fine — Flame only caught faint words of Eggchan reassuring Wemmbu that he’s the “Immortal Hostage” or something.

Flame almost laughed at that, but he ended up leaving the two alone. He kept his word. But as Flame handed the mace to ClownPierce, he couldn’t help but feel like he was the one who lost something.

His life after the Invis Mafia was peaceful… not. He constructed a base on a good spot, he thinks. The nights do get pretty cold, but he’s a netherborn demon, nothing he can’t handle. Come to think of it, he remembers Wemmbu being some sort of demon as well. Abyssal, was it? Was that, like, the void or something?

He wasn’t sure, but Flame remembers Wemmbu being a bit cool to the touch whenever they were in close proximity in the rare times they weren’t at each others’ throats. But then again, Flame also remembers Wemmbu getting cold when the nights are particularly chilly. It was even more evident back at Snow Civilization. Wemmbu would be suppressing his shivers from the cold while he was observing their fight.

He wonders what it would be like to be the one to give warmth to Wemmbu— 

Flame threw his blankets as he abruptly sat up.

“Bro…” Flame whispered to himself, “What?” 

Flame ran his fingers through his dreads. He hears a small, whining sound from somewhere on the floor. He looks to where his dogs were in a pile together. He flashes them a grin before coming over, petting Ashen on the head and careful not to disturb his other dogs.

Bro, what the hell was he thinking?

Maybe it was just this night being particularly colder than the previous ones. His thoughts have been flying all over  recently. Flame drank the glass of water placed on the nightstand. He should really go back to sleep.

Overall, his base is pretty great. He’s particularly proud of it as well, since he built it himself. The only downside in living at his new base is that he’s constantly harassed by bandits.

Bandits, bro! Bandits! What in the world?

Three players even tried to trap him at his own base, but he’s not like most players. Of course he escaped and killed all of them. So many chungies have been trying to kill him — and why is SpokeIsHere is here? — he ends up finding one of the bandits’ base and even got a netherite sword out of it.

He was just passing by a group of players on his way to Merchant City, and a familiar face somewhere in them, when they instigated a fight. He even hears TheobaldTheBird telling those chungies to leave him alone. Flame was also fine to leave them be, but one of them just had to attack him. 

What’s up with everyone trying to kill him on sight, bro? Like, seriously, bro?

Of course, he was also attacked just as he was leaving Merchant City. A team of players again, they call themselves the “Bounty Assassin Team”. While the name sounds lowkey cool, they lost aura when they had to run away from Flame. 

When Flame got home, he was so annoyed. Like, can’t he get a break? He just wants to get some items, train, relax for a bit, then train again, and then perhaps add some more life to his base.

He swears, at this point, the next person to attack him better be Wemmbu or else he’s going on a killing spree.

A month went by, Flame actually experienced a peaceful time, wow. There were some random chungies who tried to steal from his base, but Flame dealt with them swiftly. He also got more gear and items, so he knew he was prepared for anything anytime. It was a nice change, although he knows better than getting used to it.

Then, he finally showed up.

“I can see you through the window.”

Flame almost let out a noise when he heard a voice he could recognize instantly. He was immediately on his feet, running walking towards the entrance of his base.

“Yo! Why are you at my base, bro?”

He caught a glint of diamond and purple through his windows. He opened his doors just to see Wemmbu looking around his base.

“Wemmbu?!”

“First of all, this is the trashiest base, bro.” Wemmbu scans around, “This is something I would expect from a random chungus on this server, bro. Like, when you tryna look up builds on how to make a fortress...”

Wemmbu’s words were lost to Flame, and Flame was lost in Wemmbu’s voice. How long has it been since he last saw the abyssal demon? It felt like a long time. Wemmbu continued to yap and judge everything about his base. Flame should feel offended, but all he could focus on was the way Wemmbu was cutting himself off just to laugh at his own words.

He’s so easy… As in, he laughs at the most random thing.

Once again, he takes his time in studying Wemmbu’s features. The diamond armor seems to fit him a bit better than the last time. He also carries himself with an air of confidence, if the way he laughs cockily isn’t telling enough. He misses hearing his laugh. Wemmbu’s hair also seemed to have grown longer, now reaching the middle of his back. Flame wants to run his fingers through them, would they be soft to the touch? Probably. 

“You sound so stupid right now, bro.” Flame said to direct Wemmbu’s attention back to him.

Of course the purple guy’s face scrunched up in annoyance, Flame didn’t bother to hide his laugh. Wemmbu quickly schooled his expression into a grin.

“Well, remember how we fought when you were still in the mafia?” Wemmbu’s mace appeared in his hand.

“What, you’re here to get revenge, bro?” Flame guessed, and where did he even get another mace?

“Of course, bro. I’m gonna make it even.”

“What makes you think the results would be different this time, bro?”

They exchanged a few more words before the first hit was thrown. Flame grins as Wemmbu flew up to the skies and dove down at fast speed. Flame threw an ender pearl away. Blows were traded, and totems were popped. Flame barely cared about his crops getting smashed to the ground for when the two of them ended up going around his base. The two of them laughed as Flame managed to escape Wemmbu’s mace attack by teleporting into his base.

“Ohoho, dudeee!” Flame could hear the grin in Wemmbu’s voice, “You are sooo lucky!” He whines.

The fight stretched on, but it ended after Wemmbu had enough of Flame’s slow falling arrows.

“You know what, I’m not even trying to kill you.” Wemmbu landed on the ground slowly, “I’m not gonna spend eight hours draining you of all those slow falling arrows. Like, I’m not even tryna kill you—”

“You’re not even trying to kill me— Bro, you’re not killing me, bro!” Flame walked up a few distances from Wemmbu, “You think you’re able to kill me?” he laughs.

Wemmbu looked indignant at him, “I just popped you twice, and hit you for the third time—”

“What are you gonna do?” taunted Flame as he stepped closer to Wemmbu, “fish rod me in the air?” 

Wemmbu took barely one step back — not one to easily back down from intimidation — and he stuttered out his next words. 

“I— Well— Well, I’ll elytra-mace you like I did three times already!” The purple-haired demon grit his teeth as Flame was shoved back by the chest away from Wemmbu.

“Well, use a sword! Use a sword! Use a sword!” Flame laughs as he munches on a golden apple, “I won this fight, bro.”

Wemmbu’s face reddened in annoyance.

“No, I won this fight! What are you talking about? I won this fight!”

“I won this fight!” Flame shot back, “Bro, bro!”

“I won this fight! I’m letting you live! I ‘M LETTING YOU LIVE—!”

Flame had no idea what urged him to welcome Wemmbu in his base properly and show off his dogs to him.

“Yeah, so these are like, my wolves.”

He watches  with a satisfied smile to himself as Wemmbu immediately gets tackled by his hyper wolves. Damn, seems like he really needs to let other people interact with them. Wemmbu laughs heartily as his face gets licked, cooing as the puppies climb over his chest.

“They normally don’t like people, but I guess bro is the wolf whisperer or something.” Flame leans back on the walls of barrels in his base.

“Are you trying to do the wolf TP tech?”

“Um, maybe.” He stands back up as Wemmbu follows him deeper into his base, “I’ve just been fighting off these goons Spoke’s been sending to my base, bro. I don’t even know why.”

“Spoke?” Wemmbut repeats the name, “Yeah, he’s just kinda  up to some odd activities— Oh yeah, sorry about your ceiling.” 

“Oh yeah, I mean, I can just fix it. I have some blocks.” Flame did just that while Wemmbu laughed at him.

This dude, really.

“You know what, bro? I’m gonna help you fix your base, c’mon.”

Flame couldn’t remember a time when his base was filled with so much life before the point. The only other times, he was often taking them. It just felt so natural to have Wemmbu’s presence around him despite all the fighting they did against each other. It was so easy to get a reaction out of Wemmbu, and Flame loved making a game out of it. He loves hearing him laugh at the most stupid thing, he loves making him puff up his face in annoyance when he taunts him, he loves seeing him smile from time to time. Wemmbu is just filled with so much life. Flame loves—

Flame loves Wemmbu.

It didn’t come like an explosion of realization to him. It was like finally acknowledging something that he has been ignoring for a long time. When did it even start? He doesn’t have an answer for that. Would it change anything between them? No, Flame wouldn’t let that type of thing easily change the dynamics between them. Just because he has feelings for Wemmbu, doesn’t mean Wemmbu is obligated to reciprocate them. Flame is perfectly fine with the way they are right now. He wants more. 

Months passed and Flame’s feelings did not lessen. In fact, he feels like he’s burning in them. What do they say again? Distance makes the heart go fonder? Well, it’s definitely true. Because the next time Flame saw Wemmbu was when he joined a tournament. 

His hair was longer.

Of course, the first thing Wemmbu did when he saw Flame was annoy him. They exchanged taunts and teased each other as the tournament went on. It was during the break, with Horace getting saddled with the task of cleaning up the arena, when Flame found out there was more to Wemmbu’s hair than he thought.

“Doesn’t your hair get in the way of battle?” It was Theo who asked the question.

Flame’s attention turned to where the two were messing around near the minigames outside the arena. He walked up to them, interested in the conversation.

“Of course not!” Wemmbu smirks as he flips his hair, “bro, it’s like a symbol of strength, y’know? Like, I’m strong enough to protect my hair and not let it get in the way.”

“Ohh, that’s actually so interesting to hear, bro.” Flame casually rested his elbow on Wemmbu’s shoulder, “all this time, I thought you were just vain.”

“Excuse you, bro—” Flame laughs as Wemmbu shoves his arm away, “I’ll let you know I take good care of my hair!”

“Obviously, bro. That’s one of the very few things you’re actually good at.”

“I’ll show you where else I’m good once I beat you in the finals—!”

Flame slowly opened his eyes to the ceiling of his base. His body ached from yesterday’s battle. He needs to restock, regear, and let Wemmbu have his fun with his title for a bit before he takes it back. It will only be a matter of time. 

He does his usual preparation for the day. He got himself ready to look for Wemmbu. In previous times, he had let destiny lead Wemmbu to him, but this time, he will look for the abyssal demon himself. Perhaps it’s time to finally let Wemmbu know his real place. Flame had indulged him far too much already. 

This time, he will make Wemmbu know about how he feels about him.

Flame had made his decision. He starts his journey towards Capital City.

“I’m sorry, but Wemmbu is dead. I don’t know what else to tell you.”