Work Text:
“Y’know, Firey, it’s nice to be with you again.” Leafy suddenly spoke up, the sound of the ocean waves crashing onto each other becoming quieter. “Hmm?” Firey only managed to mumble as he fluttered his eyes open.
The sky was their only indicator of time: the full moon was setting, which meant morning was about to arrive. The moonlight illuminated each crease on the ocean, highlighting each crash and creating a mesmerizing view for Leafy. She didn’t mind being awake for this one night if it meant being blessed with this sight, even if she and Firey see it everyday. X randomly taking away their propeller has prolonged their sailing for much longer than necessary, but Leafy was glad to be able to relish in the view more.
“Leafy… Why are you still awake..?” Firey groggily sat up, his orange flame now reflecting on the ocean’s surface. “Just, look at this view! It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Leafy’s energy never seemed to dissipate, even if it was already past midnight. Firey’s eyelids were heavy, trying to keep them open to watch the waves alongside her.
“Yeah…” he yawned as he steadily put his hand on the gunwale so as to not rock the boat, “yeah, it is.” “You being here makes this a lot better.” Leafy took a glance at Firey, seeing his face droop down only to immediately put it back up again. She thought he looked cute without the headstrong personality he put up throughout the years. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you, I just wanted to let out how much I appreciate you!”
He was hearing Leafy’s voice but couldn’t properly process what she was saying. He only listened to how pleasant she sounded like she was singing a lullaby. He really, really tried to keep his eyes open, but drowsiness got the best of him and made him fall back to sleep with his face resting on his arms on the gunwale.
He could only hear her softly chuckle before he returned to dreamland, warming his heart a little. This was his biggest hope, a dream that stayed at the back of his mind ever since BFDI ended, and it was finally fulfilled after all those years. It was just them and only them now, and he wished it would stay like that forever, as selfish as he sounded.
—
Even if the boat was cramped, it was still their home. It was enough satisfy their needs of eating, talking, and sleeping. They had their propeller back at least, so the trip returned to its faster pace. They have been sailing for a while, finding islands here and there, but they weren’t exactly to their liking. It was either the climate, size, or the food growing that made one of them not want it, so they had to find another one.
Certain circumstances would make them temporarily settle in an island though, such as refilling their food stash or simply relaxing on the sand for the day. It was nice since they could feel something else on their feet other than the cold metal surface of the boat. Today was one of those days.
They parked their boat on the sand and got off, Leafy holding a sack meant for their food. The food left were yoyleberries, but either didn’t like how heavy being yoyle metal felt, so they had to find some food. Its grass was slightly tinted yellow and the fruits growing on the bushes looked edible enough.
They picked and picked and picked for the rest of the afternoon, also sharing some stories throughout. Except, some of the stories had been repeated from when they were in the boat; specifically about Firey’s time in the WTF and Yoyle City. Leafy was slowly getting sick of it, but she didn’t say much since Firey’s voice was drowning out the silence. She was so grateful for the company of someone she greatly valued.
The sun had already set and the pair was sitting on the grass, eating their harvest. The condensation on the island-exclusive berries were cooling to the touch and saccharine, which convinced the two to pick some more the next morning. For now, they were living in the moment: on this small island, bellies being filled, and enjoying each other’s presence.
“Hey, Leafy…” Firey broke the silence, “do you think we’ll ever find Dream Island?” Leafy stared at him for a moment, holding a bitten berry. Her lips curved before replying, “yeah! Whatever island that’s perfect for the both of us, that’s Dream Island.” But her friend didn’t seem to be satisfied with that answer. “No, I mean the original Dream Island. The one you bought, I’m just curious- where did you even keep it?”
Leafy paused from taking another bite. “O-oh.. it’s been a while. It has all been a blur before you revived me back then.” Only the sound of the waves could be heard for a while. “I know it’s been, like, years since then and you’re probably over it already, but I still feel really bad about that. I’m sorry, Firey.” “No! Don’t apologize, I was kinda at fault too…” He touched her arm as a sign of reassurance. “I was… Pretty bad to you. I’m very grateful that you took the blow during the court session, but I really should’ve been the one who lost instead. It’s my fault your team took the blame.”
Leafy immediately used both of her hands to grab one of Firey’s. “No, no! I started all of this mess, I shouldn’t have been so petty!”
“But that was because I didn’t let you in!”
“It wasn’t your fault for feeling hurt about the ferris wheel!”
“The ferris wheel was my idea, which hurt you. Then I got mad at you for complaining about that! If anything, I should be the one at fault!”
He tried to wiggle his hand out of Leafy’s, but her grasp only got tighter. “Listen, Firey, like you said way back: that was all in the past. You saved me after that anyway, and even if you’ve ignored me up until BFB, we’re here now. And about that court thing… We were in the middle of a challenge – under time pressure. I wouldn’t blame you for wanting to win for your team.” Spark, she became a saint.
“You’re too kind for your own good,” he huffed. She really needed to respect herself more. “I’m never gonna redeem myself if you keep being like this, Leafy…” He could only muster a laugh (an awkward one at that), to which Leafy also joined in (with a more genuine one instead). “Hahaha! I’m-” she was about to tease him about how shy he got, but she restrained herself, “…thank you, Firey.”
“I’ve also done my fair share of bad deeds, you know. I’m not void of any guilt, but I’ve gotten closure for most of them. I just can’t forgive myself about Dream Island, which is probably gone for good now-” “I forgive you though.” “-but I’m sure we can find another that’s just as better.” Leafy let go and watched the sea in awe. Firey was still looking at her, seemingly wanting to continue talking, desiring something more between them. To him, it seemed like she had become his metaphorical home: His safe space, his source of comfort, the love of his life – maybe. Hopefully.
“I’m confident the Dream Island we’ll find will be better,” his voice suddenly turned quieter, “...’cause you’re here.” Leafy suddenly faced back to Firey; her eyes wide open, then gradually softened, “Even without the 5-star hotel and robot servants?” He chuckled afterwards, “yeah. You’re worth way more than those things.” Leafy giggled at the cheesiness. It was silent again and Firey was unsure of how to keep the conversation going.
There’s no moment better to confess than now.
“Um… Leafy, I’ve been thinking about something.”
“About what, Fireball?”
“Well- us , if you don’t mind.”
Leafy changed her posture for her body to now face Firey, her entire focus now on him. “Go on.” “I’ve been feeling some things recently, something unfamiliar.” He scratched the back of his upper body. “Yeah?” She was slowly scooting closer out of curiosity. “Uhhh-” he couldn’t get the words right in his head; he should’ve prepared some more beforehand.
“Leafy, I really, really like you. You’re important to me and I’m so glad you’re my best friend. You’re kind, friendly, outgoing… Pretty. And I wanna… be more than friends.” He confessed, his speech delivered at a faster pace than normal. His friend was just.. staring at him, as if she was thinking of a reply. The silence was scaring him a little, what if she was thinking of how to reject him politely? What if this just made things awkward between him and her? What if-
“Firey, I like you too!” Her friend seemed to have become a statue because of how still he was. Probably due to nerves. “Sorry for taking a while, I was processing what you said. I… I’m so happy you see me that way, and I, too, think you’re neat!” She was even closer to him but not close enough to be set ablaze.
“Leafy…” Firey broke out of his trance and looked at Leafy again, this time with more fondness in his eyes, “I’m sorry, and I love you.” She replied with a bigger smile. He loved her, and she loved him; this was a dream come true. They both turned to watch the ocean together, the sound of waves crashing filling the comfortable silence they shared.
—
A little more than two years have passed since they left, and they were still on their boat. It was still in decent condition thanks to the times they’ve worked on repairing it on the islands they visited throughout their sailing and their food stash could suffice the both of them, so they didn’t mind spending another year in sea. It was a nice break from the competitions they’ve participated in before.
It was late in the morning, where Firey woke up to Leafy already sitting upright. She has always been a morning person ; he found out during their time together. He found it embarrassing how he was always the last to wake up between the two, but Leafy found it endearing instead. She admitted to having watched him sleep some days, “just not for long,” she kept emphasizing. The thought always kept Firey’s flame burn a little warmer.
“Good morning Fireball!” “Morning ‘eafy…” his eyelids were still heavy despite sleeping earlier than usual last night. “You want breakfast?” She asked, already holding their stash of assorted berries, fruits, and vegetables. “Please,” he lazily got up and grabbed the bag, putting his arm inside to find something to bite.
He grabbed something round and had some rough leaves at the top, including its stem, but he was too sleepy to care. He failed to see the purple color before chucking it into his mouth. He felt himself become slightly colder than before and the orange hue illuminating from him disappeared.
Leafy teasingly laughed at how careless he was, “Firey, be more aware of what you eat!” Firey just groaned and rested his back against the ship’s wall. “Do we have any yellow tomatoes here?” He grumbled, hoping there was any leftover. “...No, sorry Fireman. Maybe there’ll be some growing in an island nearby?” “Gosh, I hope so. This is why we shouldn’t have packed so many yoyleberries.”
Leafy has been staring at him for longer than usual, which made him raise an eyebrow. “Leafy? Are you okay?” She made eye contact with him before breaking it immediately, blushing a warmer shade. “Got carried away…” she admitted in defeat. “There’s something on my mind but I’m kinda afraid you’d find it strange.”
“We’re together now, Leafy, there’s nothing to be embarrassed about.”
“I want to kiss you.”
Oh, right. They have never kissed until now due to… obvious reasons. This might be their only chance at it, when one of them is yoyle metal. Firey was speechless and his mind was static, unsure of how to reply.
“I mean- we don’t.. have to if you don’t wanna! I just… wanna know what it feels like…” Leafy was stumbling on her words, having become a nervous wreck ever since the suggestion. She was trembling, and it could be felt by the way the tip of her head was blowing against the morning’s chilly breeze.
Firey still couldn’t think of words, but on a whim, he put both of her hands on his to pull her closer. Leafy’s breath hitched at the sudden action, unable to move away. Was this really happening?
Then their lips touched, and Leafy felt a cooling sensation from Firey. It was… odd, since she was so used to being surrounded by his warmth, with always being near each other in the boat and all. She knew about yoyle metal cancelling out Firey’s heat, but she never realized how cold he really was until now. It was probably due to the wind also contributing more to his coldness.
She wanted to feel the real Firey, the Firey who wasn’t metal. She wanted to lay under his hold for a long time without hurting herself or being overly cautious about their positioning – it was hell trying to find ways for the two to be physically affectionate with each other without actually touching their bodies. It was also risky, since neither one wanted to go all the way back and sail back here. Despite that, their limbs getting all the contact wasn’t enough to satisfy their craving for love.
Leafy was the touchy type, but she has become so conscious of showing that with Firey after the… “railway cleaning incident.” She only got to truly touch him for less than a second before burning herself, so her tasting him for this long made her so giddy, even if he was currently metal. Zen knows how often she has dreamed of this moment.
She could taste the slightest hint of yoyleberry on him, and it reminded her a bit of her stay in Yoyleland. It was a bittersweet memory for her, but she has moved past that. She was here now.
As for Firey, he also never got to properly feel Leafy on his body since she’d always dissolve on contact, much to his dismay. It was an unfortunate situation, but it never occurred to him that they could comfortably (well, not exactly) hold each other when one of them is metal.
She tasted earthly – as expected – but there was also a mix of the berry she probably ate for breakfast while he was asleep. It had a faint, citrus flavor; slightly sweet but also spicy. He recognized it as the berry they picked two islands ago, where he enjoyed the unconventional blend of sweetness and spice. Leafy was a little conflicted when Firey described it, but she was willing to try when she felt like it. It seemed she felt like it earlier today.
He also discovered that her lip area was a lot softer than the rest of her body. Whenever he touched her, she was “crunchy,” for lack of a better term. She was mostly harder around the edges, but it seemed she was smoother near her core, excluding her midrib, obviously.
He loved being this close with her, and so did she.
—
The pair eventually got some yellow tomatoes on an island and reverted Firey back to his original form. Leafy was a bit upset that she could no longer give him cheek kisses anymore and was forced to be aware about touching him again, but they had plenty of yoyleberries and yellow tomatoes in their stash to go around. Maybe it’ll be her turn next to become yoyle metal; she got used to the feeling throughout BFDIA anyway.
They found a much larger island than usual revealing itself to them from the fog, silhouettes of mountains and trees could be made out from a distance. They both looked at each other and decided they’ll settle there and assess if it could be their Dream Island.
They parked their boat and got off to admire the view: it had a nice beach, there were various flora, the grass was a pleasant shade of green, and the mountains looked tall enough to protect them from rainfall. They were sold – this was their Dream Island now, or, their Dreamier Island.
They decided to rest for the day and worry about building shelter tomorrow as a celebration for finally finding their new home. Maybe they could collect some wood for planks later on if they felt like it, but they wanted to really feel this island first before committing.
“I think I could get used to living here,” Firey commented as he sat down on the grass. “Mhm, me too.” She was walking towards him until a faint scream could be heard above.
It was Pin! Leafy waved and screamed back, “hi Pin!” Firey also looked up and waved to her as well, then she disappeared. That could probably mean Two’s own show was still ongoing; what led her to flying across the atmosphere though? It’s none of their business, their show with Four already wrapped up long ago.
Leafy continued walking to Firey and laid beside him to admire the clouds soaring above them. This entire trip was a breath of fresh air from almost everything, which was what they needed. They hoped it would stay like this forever, and after everything they’ve gone through, maybe fate will be kind to them for once.