Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Wemmbu sat in his room, eyes fixated onto his monitor.
The bright light radiating off of highlights his face. His eyes sunken in and dark from a lack of sleep, hair a mess. He's a visible mess.
He had just finished editing one of his unstable smp videos. With a soft sigh, he pushes himself back into his chair. After a short moment's rest he runs his hand through his knotted hair, forcing himself to straighten back up and finally upload his final draft to youtube, he was tired. He's been working on this video since 5, it was currently 11. As much as it pains him, he's always been one for perfection- he couldn't bring himself to settle for anything less.
Closing his editing software, he pulls up discord to check his messages.
Despite his online popularity, he didn't have as many friends as you'd expect him to. Scanning though his dms, he finds out that spoke and parrot would upload their povs after him. What a relief he finished on time for neither of them to be off their own schedule.
The next messages were either promotional, unreplyable or just not worth his time. He decides to log off for the day. He shoots the unstable server a quick message pinging spoke saying his video will finish uploading by early morning tomorrow, to which he got a heart reaction to.
Shutting down his pc, he gets up and stretches his arms up above him.. His back and legs bones audibly creaking under the sudden use. He should really stop sitting for this long. Getting up and walking to his bathroom, he lets his mind wander as he does his nightly routine, brushing his teeth, changing clothes, and all the other boring things on his list. He thinks about all the support he's been getting online. He's grateful, obviously but for some reason he feels as if it isn't worth it. None of those people actually know him, right? It's just numbers plastered on his screen. Spitting out his toothpaste, he shook away an incoming train of thoughts, one he knew would just lead him into a spiral. One he didn't feel like dealing with tonight. He started youtube as an escape from his thoughts rather than for the fame, he didn't think he’d even get any viewers when he first started.
Groaning slightly, he finishes up. Walking from his bathroom to his bedroom. It wasn't that far at all actually, hes just dramatic. He lived in a one bedroom apartment in some beat up neighborhood complex. The rent was low,and no one bothered him, so he sufficed.
He turns off his bedroom lights, as well as unplugging his microphone from his pc. For some odd reason, whenever he sleeps with it connected it falls over at night. And he’d rather not blow another hundred over that mistake again. As well as risk a heart attack from the sound of it crashing. afterwards, he goes to crack open a window, the cool summer breeze calms his ceaseless on nights like this. Although, unfortunately for him- it was raining. Whatever, he could deal with the humidity. What's a little rain gonna do?
He spawls out over his bed, pushing his blanket to the side. Picking up his phone from his nightstand, he sees a message from one of his friends, FlameFrags.
He considers himself and Flame to be quite close, they met a couple years back and kept in touch ever since. Their lore on unstable revolves around each other most of the time, which has probably made them bond even more. With a tap, he opens his messaging app and checks what's been sent.

((Flame: Wemmbu! thanks for helping me with my pov the other day, man. Never got the chance to thank you till rn tho. Hope it aint too late.)) 12:34am

He stares at the messages confused, he did? He cant quite remember when exactly. It's all been a blur to him.Time has been slipping past, but he’ll make it work.

((GAMBIT: yeah ofc, anytime. (✿◠‿◠) )) 12:39am

((Flame: likewise, hope your day was alright. Don't stay up too late. Gn bro, ly)) 12:40am
((GAMBIT: gn)) 12:42am

..what?
That's all Wemmbu could think. What? Why did Flame say that? He's never said that before let alone.. Show that much care.
I mean, he knows they're close but.. Are they that close? Do best friends say they love you? do–
“No, don't make this weird” he tells himself. Shutting down his train of thoughts, he closes the messages.

Then open them again.
It was only two letters.. Could he have misclicked? He didn't correct himself if he did.
‘I'm probably just digging too deep into it..’ as likely as it is that flame just misclicked, he couldn't help but feel a slight tinge of disappointment.
He hated it. He hated that feeling. Flame was his friend, he shouldn't be so weird about this. Friends care about each other. Itll brush over soon.. Right? Yeah. He'll sleep this off. He's not that lonely!

—-------

((Flame: morning, wanna hop on 2day?)) 10:25am

((Flame: if ur free that is obv.)) 10:28am

((GAMBIT: sure, 5 work 4 u?))

((Flame: 4 u? ‘Course it does. Call u later bro.))

Oh God.
Hes fucked. So, so fucked.
Flame has to be messing with him, right? Just playing with wemmbu for a video?

Wemmbu doesn't know how to feel.
Gut turning, face hot, he double taps flames message and reacts with a thumbs up.
He hopes the day goes by slowly, painfully slow.

Chapter Text

Wemmbu stared at his clock.

He had plans today. He was supposed to work on a thumbnail, go out and get some groceries. But instead he finds himself sat by his desk, eyes glued to the time displayed on his phone.
It was currently only 4:37, he's supposed to call flame at 5. A groan escaped his lips, he was thinking too hard again. hes called flame before, many times. one on one as well! So why does this feel so much different?
He boots up minecraft, he’ll do something to pass the last thirty minutes that doesnt involve his doubts.
—-

Flame didnt have a clue what he was doing. No plan, no end goal. but..
He's seen it. He's seen how down wemmbu has been the last couple months. the bags under his eyes whenever he turned his camera on, the way his words have started sounding sad. It hurts seeing his friend like that. He isn't used to dealing with other people's emotions by any means.
he was half asleep when he sent that text last night. He didn't mean it more then at face value. no, not at all. wemmbu was just a friend to him. friends check up on each other, friends notice when the others down. they notice when their friends hair isn't as groomed as it normally is.. or how Wemmbu's eyes have dimmed, or how his biceps flex when h—
no. he needs to stop thinking. his goal is to cheer the younger man up, not be a pervert. besides, he isnt gay anyways. especially not for his best friend. his.. very strong fr—-

-

It was five, wemmbu hesitated on clicking the call button on discord. would it be too obvious if he called right on the dot? Maybe he should go grab a snack first?
His ideas were interrupted by the ear crushing ringtone coming from his computer. Flame had called him first.

“hey.. Flame” he cringed at himself, why did he hesitate? Gritting his teeth he rests his elbows on his desk, it's salvageable - he tells himself.
“Did you wanna record for unstable today? or are we just playing” Boosfer would be so proud of him, this was complete aura.

“nah i just wanted to hop on, ill send you my world bro. its survival” Flames voice was calm, he didn't seem phased by Wemmbu's demeanor. or he just hadn't noticed it. wemmbu was hoping for the latter.
“aight, I'm loading in.”
wemmbu coughs slightly, “so uh, Flame. how've you been?”

silence.
Besides the occasional keyboard click, Flame hadn't replied. wemmbu was internally scolding himself for being so awkward.

“im great. you doin’ okay? you sound a bit off, wem.”
Flames character walks up to Wemmbus punching him once as a poke.
“not tryna butt in or anything, obviously. just wondering”

Wemmbu punches back, circling Flames avatar after. he crouches at him whilst speaking.
“ im good, ive just been overworked y’know?”

Flame joins wemmbus crouching, punching him again. “I get that. good to relax once n’ a while though.”
Flame uncrouches. He turns around and goes to grab a nearby tree.
“were speedrunning, by the way..”

Wemmbu chuckles, his nerves steadily easing. He'll be normal.
“bro? we might have the slowest speedrun of all time at this starting rate..” his keys clicking as he runs after Flame, stealing his wood.

—

Time passed into a blur of giggles and determination. Soon enough, they've beaten the ender dragon.

| {flamefrags} advancement; free the end. |

They punched each other's avatars, and jumped into the portal. Flamefrags slams his hands onto his desk in excitement as the credits roll.

“YO WEMMBU, WE DID IT” Flamefrags’ voice cheered loud enough to go through Wemmbu’s headset.

Wemmbu chuckles at the sound of flames hands colliding with his table echos through his mic.
“Finally bro, it feels like weve been playing for hours.. you suck at speed” Wemmbu yawns, his voice teasing yet carried the same emotion as Flames.

“bro theres NO way your talking about speed bro. like- You literally took TEN minutes to go find a village instead of just following me!” Flame tries sounding mad, His laughter betraying his facade.

“alright bruh… you were just cheating..” Wemmbu had a grin plastered across his face, feigning accusations. “besides bro, i popped you! easy op loot drop.” he nodded irl, knowing Flame couldnt even see him.

“Okay bro..” Flame laughs out.

“Hey, bro? ive got a question.” Flames voice sounded serious, yet not negative.

Wemmbu's grin faltered a bit, catching his breath he replied with as much sincerity as he could fester up.
“Yeah? whats up frag?”

Flame lets out a snort.
“dude.. what the hell did you just call me??” he laughs to himself, amused at Wemmbu's choice of nickname.
“It isn't much, but are you planning on attending vidcon next month? even if you don't host, it would be cool to see you in person one day.”

Wemmbu takes a second to think, would it be alright? He is a faceless creator, and he didnt plan on revealing himself anytime soon.
“i.. dont know honestly. ive gotten an offer to host a panel but, I think I'd rather just go as a guest.”
Wemmbu’s voice drops a bit. “its not that i dont wanna see everyone obviously, I'm just a bit nervous..”

“i get that bro. i only asked cause i know itll take place pretty close to you.”
Flame hesitated before continuing, voice slightly waivered.
“if.. i do go, would you wanna meet up afterwards? i heard thats a nice area, anyways.”

Wemmbu's heart fluttered for a moment, before realizing what Flame had just said.
“hold up, how did you know it was in my area?”

Flame took a moment.
What was he supposed to say? he cant just tell wemmbu he just knows these things.. he definitely doesnt spend time searching for stuff about him.. like a creep. noo..

“Egg.”
ahem “Egg told me once..”
“Just some.. idle chatter.”

“…Egg? told You..?”
Wemmbu pauses
“where i live???”

“yup!” Flames voice cracks. what the fuck man.

“i… okay thats crazy.” Wemmbu lets it slide, taking mental note of this for later. maybe he’ll ask egg about it if he remembers. who knows?
“but uh. yeah bro that sounds cool. do you know who else would be attending? we could have an unstable event irl” Wemmbu jokes.

“bro if our characters were actually us you'd mace my head in..” Flame says in such a serious tone that it makes Wemmbu start cracking up. flame joins in, he cant take him self seriously.

“i think a couple people are, we could ask the server later. but i asked you as in.. just us.”
Flames voice is soft, laced with a comfort Wemmbu wasn't sure was to him- or Flames dog.
“we can always talk about it later though, its getting late. We've been calling for a while.”

Wemmbu looks down, its 1.
“yeah.. it has been a couple hours huh?”
Wemmbu stretched, a sigh falling out.
“i think id be down for that, i mean- why wouldnt i wanna see you bro? youre my best friend.”

Flame smiles, his doubts about Wemmbu finding him strange easing.
“likewise, man. im gonna log off for tonight, take care of yourself, Wemms.”

Flame pauses before disconnecting, as if contemplating saying something.
“Goodnight bro, love you.”

He exits the call, leaving Wemmbu by himself, speechless; the only thing he could think to himself was:

Again.

Except this time, it wasn't a missclick.

FlameFrags just said he loved Wemmbu
Was it platonic? Most likely, he tells himself.
But that doesn't stop the rush of blood hitting his face, his porcelain skin now dusted pink as if someone poorly applied makeup on his face.

He lets himself smile a bit, Even if it was platonic, it was nice to hear. It made his heart beat faster, his face flush and stomach turn.
Hes never felt that before.

He could let himself indulge in this feeling, Just for tonight.
He cant be weird about it, Flames his best friend afterall!