Work Text:
It takes a moment for Baablu's eyes to adjust to the sunlight assaulting his eyes compared to the damp darkness of the boarded up building. The moment they do, they zero in on Feinberg sitting precariously on the edge of the building, legs dangling off the side, back facing the rooftop entrance.
“There you are,” relief fills Baablu's voice, “I was starting to think you abandoned us. What are you doing up here?”
Baablu walks the short distance to where Feinberg is sitting. He stops right behind the brunet, knees almost touching the sunkissed leather of his jacket. Feinberg himself doesn't acknowledge Baablu's question or react to the other's proximity. In his hand is a single rose. The red of the petals is the same red as the blood splatters staining the person holding it. Feinberg spins the rose between his fingers, watching as a petal threatens to fall off with the movement.
Baablu takes a moment to appreciate the view from the roof. The view is nice, Baablu can see the edge of the city where buildings end and forest begins. The sun warms him up nicely, a nice change from the cold that's been persistent in the last few weeks. It's almost enough for Baablu to take off his pink jacket, but a light breeze runs its cool fingers through his hair effectively helping in the decision to keep the piece of clothing on. In the distance, beyond the makeshift wall the others put up, a zombie meanders on its own. Baablu makes a mental note to do a patrol around the perimeter making sure to take care of any stragglers roaming too close. Overall it's not a bad spot, Baablu can see why Feinberg decided to run off up here.
“Helloo, Feinberg, you know it's rude to ignore people,” Baablu huffs as he leans over the body sitting in front of him, hands going to steady himself on broad shoulders. The leather of Feinberg's jacket is warm under slender fingers, evidence of the brunet having been sitting outside for an extended period of time.
A chill runs down his spine as Baablu pointedly ignores glancing at the ground below. The building is 10 stories tall, a fall from this height would most definitely kill someone, but Feinberg doesn't seem to worry about it so Baablu won't either.
His face is directly in front of Feinberg's now. The tips of his pink dyed hair are only centimeters away from the flower being held. Warm grey eyes try to meet cool blue ones. After a moment of intense staring on Baablu's part, Feinberg finally drags his attention from the twirling rose to the upside down face blocking his view. Baablu grins in response, happy to get the attention of the man he's been looking for for the better part of the afternoon. Just as Baablu is about to open his mouth to ask what Feinberg has been up to, the man in question speaks first.
“Would you be sad if I died?”
The question completely catches Baablu off guard. His mouth opens in shock, eyes widening and fingers gripping Feinberg's shoulders just a little bit tighter.
“Don't joke about shit like that.” Baablu pushes himself into a standing position. He runs a hand through his hair to sloppily push it back into place as he steps to the side, taking a seat next to Feinberg. “What are you even talking about?”
“It's going to happen one day. In a world like this where everything is shit and wants you dead, you know no one is dying of natural causes.” Feinberg turns to face Baablu. “I mean- look at Aj or Fantst, I thought they would live longer but then one little thing went wrong and next thing you know they're dead.”
The thought of their fallen friends makes Baablu's heart ache. A frown takes over his expression. Their deaths still haunt him, a sense of responsibility never leaving him.
For Aj, they were running away from a horde that had managed to sneak up on them. A group of about 30 zombies all ready to tear them limb from limb. Qndres had pushed Aj forwards- to give him a boost he had claimed- but the momentum caused Aj to trip over his own feet taking him to the ground. He couldn't get back up in time before a zombie fell upon him. Then another… and another until his body disappeared from sight under a mountain of undead ripping him apart. They couldn't save him, they could only continue running as the sounds of his screams echoed in the air.
And Fantst
Oh Fantst
Baablu wasn't even there for his best friend.
The group had split off to explore a decrepit warehouse. They could tell that the building had seen better days, broken floorboards and holes littering the walls and roof. Yet still, the desperate need to find at least something caused them to abandon caution and venture inside. Baablu was looking through some crates when a piercing scream and a loud crash reverberated throughout the warehouse. When he arrived at the scene, Baablu could only stare in horror at the sight in front of him. Fantst was in a broken pile, limbs bending unnaturally, blood seeping into a puddle under him. A wide eyed look of panic forever etched onto his face. He learns later from Willy that he had fallen through the floorboards, weight too heavy for the rotten wood to support. Baablu can't close his eyes without the image of Fantst's mangled body making an appearance in the darkness.
There were other's, too. BigT who was only with them for a short amount of time. Bitten before he even joined the group. Turned before anyone knew what he was hiding. Wolfeei, bit trying to create a distraction for the group. Silver, Bry, Luigi, Larry, Evbo. What initially started off as a large group slowly dwindled down to just eight.
Feinberg is right. This world wants them dead, to join the ever increasing army already roaming the land. Death is inevitable but there's a small part inside of Baablu that believes humanity will survive.
“We'll deal with that when the time comes. Until then we just keep fighting. Don't you want to say fuck you to the world and live against the odds?”
Feinberg looks contemplative at that. “Maybe. Who knows.”
“What even brought that up anyways? Are you contemplating your untimely demise?” Baablu says in a light-hearted manner trying to ease the heavy mood that had fallen over them.
“I dunno, just something to wonder about- life after death, how you would take it.”
“Yes, I would be sad if you died. You're one of the most important people in our group with going on supply runs and gathering resources. You also always seem to have a sixth sense when it comes to sensing if zombies are nearby.”
“Oh, so you only want me because I'm useful. Is that all I am to you?” Feinberg laughs as he speaks, eyes crinkling at the corners.
Baablu laughs along with him, “well it's certainly a factor.”
“Wowwww I see how it is.” With the hand not holding the rose, Feinberg lightly shoves at Baablu’s shoulders, careful not to put too much force and send him plummeting to the pavement below.
“Chill, chill man, relax,” Baablu's grinning wide, playfully shoving Feinberg back. “I guess you have other qualities that I like.”
“Oh really now? Come on then, list them, or are you lying straight out your ass?”
“Fishing for compliments is not a good look on you dude.” Yet Baablu still considers his request. “For one, I like spending time with you. It's like I forget that I'm in this hellhole when you're around. I can rely on you for anything and you never let me down. Also,” Baablu bats his eyelashes, giving the other a flirtatious look, “you're easy on the eyes.”
A laugh erupts from Feinberg, clearly not expecting that to be one of Baablu's reasons. “Fuck off dude!”
Once the laughter has died down between the two, a gentle smile appears on Feinberg's face.
“That was nice of you though. I like spending time with you, too.”
Sincerity coats his words, enough to make a light blush spread across Baablu's cheeks. Still, the mood is light and happy so Baablu continues to play along. He props his elbows on his knees, head coming to rest on his cupped hands. He widens his eyes a small amount, enough to hopefully convey a look of innocence on his face.
“Oh really now? Tell me more.”
“Fishing for compliments is not a good look on you,” Feinberg parrots his own words back to him. “Lemme think… I like the perpetual sunburn you have on your face or when you need help jumping over every wall we need to pass.”
Now Feinberg is just teasing him at this point. Baablu pouts. He hopes his expression is enough to tell Feinberg how unamused he is at the man's words.
“It's not my fault sunscreen is a luxury now and I never claimed to be the most athletic. Walking and running everywhere can only do so much.”
“Sorry sorry,” Feinberg does not look sorry at all. “I'll come up with something else to appease you, your majesty.”
“You better, I was actually nice and gave you a compliment. Now return the favor before I leave you here by yourself to watch the sunset.”
The sun has finally reached a point in the sky where everything is washed in a sea of gold. Soon it will disappear over the horizon, allowing the moon to take residence among the stars. Looking at Feinberg, Baablu can't help but admire how the rays highlight his features. His hair has turned into a warm, honeyed brown. The sharp blue of his eyes softened, leaving a gentle look on his face. Baablu wasn't lying when he said the brunet was easy on the eyes. It's only exaggerated now with just the two of them, the sun low on the horizon, a break in the chaos of their world.
“You're strong,” Feinberg's words break Baablu out of the trance he had fallen in, “you're confident. You manage to keep the group together even when it seems like we're about to break apart. Everyone relies on you to help lead us to a better future. Even with everything you've gone through, you still want to live and I think that's the most admirable thing about you. Also,” Feinberg gives Baablu a cheeky grin, “you're very pretty to look at.”
Now it's Baablu's turn to be shocked at the other's words. His face had steadily become more and more red as Feinberg continued on with his praise. He can feel the burning embarrassment coursing through him, warming him more than the lowering sun.
“Whatever dude, the others rely on you too. We wouldn't be this far without you here with us.”
For a split second, Baablu swears that a look of sadness crosses Feinberg's face, but it's gone before his brain can register it. A trick of the light.
“You would be alright without me.”
Baablu scoffs, “we would all die immediately.”
“That's not true. You're with them and that's enough.”
Baablu doesn't know where this unwavering faith in his abilities came from. It makes him feel gooey inside. A warmth filling him and making him smile.
“Fine, we wouldn't die immediately but we would definitely struggle.”
“That's something you could work with at least.”
A comfortable silence falls between them. They watch as the sun officially lowers out of sight. There's only a small amount of time left before the light is completely gone. They should probably start heading back before the others truly start to worry.
With a soft sigh, Baablu turns back to Feinberg. “We should head back.”
A pause before Feinberg answers. “I want to try something first.”
Facing the younger, Feinberg brings his hand up to rest on Baablu's cheek. He turns the other's head more towards him, meeting his eyes head on, then slowly as if giving Baablu time to say no, he begins to lean in. When their lips touch, electricity zaps through Baablu's nerves. The kiss is soft, gentle. It feels as though it doesn't belong in the harshness of this earth. Baablu wants to melt into Feinberg. He wants to get closer, to open his ribcage and find a home next to his heart. The kiss makes Baablu feel safe, like he can give up and it would be alright because Feinberg would be there to take care of him. This world doesn't allow for a delicate touch. It's rough and unforgiving, taking, taking, taking, until there is nothing left to give. Feinberg somehow manages to fight for an exception.
Lips move together in a slow glide. Baablu is so caught up in the action that he doesn't register Feinberg pushing his rose into Baablu's empty hands until the prick of a thorn startles him into pulling away. He had almost forgotten about the flower until this moment.
“Ow…” Baablu stares as a drop of blood wells up on the tip of his thumb.
“Sorry,” and this time Feinberg truly does look sorry, like he didn't mean to cause pain. Taking the slender hand in his, he brings Baablu's thumb up to his mouth before licking the droplet away.
Baablu's breath hitches. He watches Feinberg's throat bob as he swallows, tongue coming out to run over his lips before disappearing back out of sight.
“There we go, good as new.” There's a look in Feinberg's eye, like he understands why the undead devour the living. Baablu can't do anything but let out a shaky breath, hand clenching in Feinberg's grip.
“I wanted you to have this, it's for you, a gift to remember me by,” Feinberg gestures to the rose clasped in Baablu's other hand. “Be careful though, I thought I got all the thorns.”
“It's alright- wait, what do you mean?”
“Come on, it's time to go.”
Feinberg pushed himself up to stand before offering a hand to Baablu. Carefully, Baablu takes the offered hand in his before he's being pulled up as well. Using his grip on the other, Feinberg pulls Baablu closer, chests almost brushing together.
“One more time,” the taller says before he's connecting their lips again. The last one was short and sweet, this one has desperation leaking out of it. It's still chaste, still only lips moving over lips, but there's a finality to it when Feinberg pulls back. Baablu is left breathless.
“This is perfect, you're perfect.”
The way Feinberg says it makes alarm bells ring out in Baablu's head.
“Fein-”
“Thank you for being with me and for giving me a tiny bit of hope.” As he says this, Feinberg steps backwards closer to the edge of the rooftop.
“Feinberg stop,” Baablu's voice is starting to rise in panic, “come back over here.” He reaches out a hand as if to grab the other, but the distance between them feels like miles.
Feinberg smiles. He looks truly content for maybe the first time since news spread of a disease taking over the population.
“Don't be too sad.”
Then Feinberg tips over the edge, arms spread wide as if accepting an embrace from death.
Baablu's screams are the last thing he hears before his head kisses pavement.