Chapter Text
“...It’s already winter, Flux!” Saps exclaimed.
“Yeah, I can tell.” Came the other person's reply, thinking of how Saps has always wanted to go out one day, somewhere ‘peaceful’ he said
The white-haired man had gotten bored, somewhere between watching the snow drop and Flux reading something to him.
“You know,” Flux suddenly spoke up, “If you're bored I can sneak you out of.. here.”
“Oooo.. Yes please!” he giggled, turning to glance over at Fluixon, who had already stopped reading a few minutes ago. “It's wayyy to boring here!” Saparata whined.
Saparata sounded alot different now, the purple-haired man thought.
He was right, though. It's already winter. Fluixon didn’t realize the days had gotten by so fast. He set down the book he was reading, shifting his attention fully to the man laying on the hospital bed.
“What? Missed making snowmans?” Flux joked, light-heartedly.
They both knew he did. But, what they also knew is that he wouldn't be able to walk more than 3 minutes in the cold. Something he learned once while walking with Saps side-by-side on the snow last year.
Saps laughed like usual, “Kinda, but I prefer spring more, especially since it's the season where flowers bloom, you know?” he hummed, “though, I wished I could've gone to the beach before Winter.”
“We can go next year, if you want to. We could go back to your vacation house. There's a beach surrounding the island, more beautiful since it's just right by your home.”
The soft hum of the A.C was all that could be heard in the room. Fluixon had to admit, this conversation was starting to drift into something he didn't want to. It was so quiet he would've thought Saps had fallen asleep in the middle of the conversation. He didn't, of course. If he did, he wouldn't be hearing him shuffling and breathing steadily beside him.
“I don't think I’ll last another year, Flux.” Saps mumbled, quiet and vulnerable, but somewhat he still acted alive.
He was using his usual low, cheerful voice. Except it didn't sound right to Flux.
Something about it right now sent off the wrong ideas to Fluxion's mind.
Saps was supposed to say some dumb joke and then they'd bicker about it, or about how Thomas is annoying. He'll laugh, loud and free unlike his state right now.
But now, he sounded too small and weak. He looked thin and pale under his hospital gown. His eyes looked tired, almost.
Maybe it was Flux's lack of attention, only noticing it now.
If he let go of his focus abit, the angle would soon eventually fade away with the background.
He didn't want Saparata to fade out.
Maybe he was just too used to trying to fill every negative space with jokes and reckless acts that he failed to notice his best friend is slowly slipping away.
No, Sap’s not slipping just yet. Not now, not ever.
But he’s not in denial, no way. He accepts his losses and moves on, that's just how Flux is.
The Fluixon of Luminara doesn't let his emotion get the better of him.
The thought made his throat dry, he ignored that too.
“Let's go tomorrow, then. Before Winter actually comes around.” He forced the words out of his throat.
Saps looked at him like the purple-haired man grew three heads, he didn't believe Fluixon would actually bring him to the beach; To say he was shock was an understatement.
“Are you for real?” He would have screamed, if it weren't for the fact the medicine was making him sleepy. And Jophiel would definitely scold him.
“Look, I learned lockpicking a while ago,” he’s only smashed windows to steal candies, “and we could sneak out through the window. You’re lucky we’re on the first floor.”
While Fluixon was confident in his ability, he really had to gamble about Saps’s. With the cold coming in, he might just need to carry his friend for the whole almost 4 hour trip to the nearest beach. But really, who would he be if he gets cold feet this early? Fluixon the unstoppable will have a way, planned or not.
“Jophiel would definitely spot something is wrong, Flux.”
Saps raised his eyebrows so high in suspicion that Fluixon almost thought he had to forget this conversation ever happened and move on as usual. But fortunately, the trust they shared weighed heavier, perks of being best friends since childhood, he supposed.
“Fine, but you’ll do the planning. I lowkey don’t know where to go– like, anywhere,” Saps sighed, acting exasperated but Flux knows better from the slight move from his ear wings.
His best friend was excited. Saparata, who thinks everything is worth his attention other than the hospital, is excited for this. He hadn’t been this excited for ages, not since being bedridden for half of his teenage years. And that was enough motivation to keep up all night and make a seamless planning of the route they’ll take.
All Saparata has to do is sit patiently like the angel he is, and Fluixon will always be his crutch. It'll be just like the old days.
“Deal.”
***
The hospital ward was, surprisingly, almost empty the next day. Jophiel mentioned something about a "mental health seminar" taking place, leaving only a few nurses and doctors behind in their offices. He didn't even have to break the window this time. Saparata had been kind enough to wake up early and open it for him instead. Turns out, the angel made quite the skilled thief.
This was easy for Fluixon—almost like taking candy from children. Which, to be fair, he'd actually done more than once.
He couldn't say the same for Saparata, though. He wondered if sneaking around was simply too difficult for the white-haired angel, considering how many times he'd already whispered for him to crouch and stay quiet. The angel followed him like a duckling, yet somehow still managed to wander away every few minutes. Fluixon couldn't help but worry over Saparata's complete lack of awareness of his surroundings. Maybe spending all those years confined to a hospital room had really affected him.
"Dude- Saps, crouch down! You'll alert the guards!" Fluixon whispered harshly into Saparata's ear, already tugging his cardigan lower to keep him hidden. The angel only let out a quiet snicker behind his hand before gently lifting Fluixon's chin. As long as Saparata was enjoying himself, he supposed it was worth the trouble.
All they had to do now was make it to the hospital's bus stop. That was their first objective. If Fluixon could convince himself this was just another quest from the MMORPG he'd been obsessed with lately, he'd be able to get through it.
The route was straightforward. They'd take the bus for a few minutes, ride the train for a couple of hours, then hop onto another bus before finally arriving at their destination. It was a solid plan—simple, smooth, and efficient. The sooner they reached the beach, the sooner Fluixon could make sure Saparata got back to the hospital safely.
If only the guard standing by the entrance would look away for even a second. They were guarding that door like their lives depended on it. Way too much effort for what Fluixon assumed was probably terrible pay. At that point, they could've worked at a fast-food chain and earned more.
"I have a silly plan, Flux," Saparata whispered, somehow picking up on his best friend's frustration almost instinctively. Fluixon could hear the grin in his voice before he noticed the colorful wrappers clutched in his hand.
The angel had pulled a handful of candies from his pocket.
Candies.
Fluixon wasn't even sure if Saparata was supposed to have candy in the first place. But judging by the mischievous glint in his eyes, he had a strong feeling he was about to witness some absolute Looney Tunes-level nonsense unfold right in front of him—courtesy of his own best friend. He honestly couldn't decide whether to be impressed or deeply disappointed.
"Are you serious?" Fluixon asked, doing his best to keep himself from laughing.
Still, he let Saparata indulge in his little scheme. Who was he to ruin a perfectly good bit? Besides, if anything went wrong, Fluixon was more than capable of getting them out of trouble. After exchanging a silent agreement, the angel padded away on quiet feet, carefully placing a trail of candy leading away from the door before tossing one toward the guard to grab his attention. Then he hurried back.
For what felt like an eternity, nothing happened. Fluixon had already started coming up with a backup plan when, by either unbelievable luck or the guard's complete lack of common sense, the man actually followed the ridiculously obvious trail of candy. Just like that, the entrance was left wide open—unguarded and absolutely perfect.
The hospital seriously needed to retrain its security guards.
Not right now, though. Right now, it was hilarious.
Before either of them burst out laughing loud enough to get caught, Fluixon grabbed Saparata's hand and the two of them bolted through the exit. The moment the fresh air hit them—ruffling their hair and sending a cool shiver across their skin—they broke into uncontrollable laughter.
"Oh my god, I can't believe that actually fucking worked," Fluixon wheezed between laughs as they sprinted toward the street, the bus stop waiting just beyond the hospital's wide parking lot.
Fluixon could hear Saparata giggling beside him, completely out of breath and stumbling every now and then, yet he kept running anyway. Saparata could feel Fluixon's hand firmly guiding him toward the next checkpoint of their little adventure. Above them, the gray sky stretched endlessly—so much clearer than the one he'd only ever seen through hospital windows. The cold wind brushed against his skin. The pavement beneath his feet was solid, dark, and undeniably real.
Everything was real.
Saparata was finally out.
Maybe not forever—he'd have to return eventually—but for a few precious hours, he could finally experience what freedom felt like.
By the time they caught their breath, the nearly empty bus had already closed its doors. The two practically collapsed into the nearest seats, their heavy breathing filling the quiet bus alongside the soft hum of the engine. They were incredibly lucky no one else was riding with them.
"That was so funny! I genuinely didn't think that would actually work, Saps!" Fluixon laughed, finally getting enough air back into his lungs to speak properly.
"I know... oh my god—wait, give me a second..." Saparata gasped, his palms damp with sweat as he struggled to steady his breathing.
Oh.
Right.
A sharp wave of guilt settled in Fluixon's stomach.
Had he really forgotten about Saparata's condition?
He hadn't meant to make them run like that. The adrenaline had kicked in, and the ridiculousness of everything had completely taken over. But seeing how exhausted Saparata looked now made him question whether sneaking out to the beach had been worth it after all.
What if he'd accidentally pushed Saparata too far?
If they got off at the next stop, the hospital was only a few minutes away on foot. Maybe he could come up with some ridiculous excuse for why they'd run all the way to a bus stop only to return less than an hour later. They were teenagers, after all. Hormones did weird things. Maybe they could claim the endless white hospital walls had finally driven them insane. Jophiel probably wouldn't buy it, but maybe the other nurses would at least hear them out.
Fluixon barely noticed when Saparata weakly reached up and moved his hand away from the angel's forehead. When had he even placed it there?
Saparata frowned with concern. "I'm fine, just give me a minute to catch my breath, okay?"
"A-Are you sure, Saps? We could, like... go back or... something," Fluixon offered hesitantly.
"The last thing I wanna do is go back, Flux," Saparata replied, his breathing finally evening out as his voice settled into its usual calm, almost monotone rhythm. "Don't wanna get cold feet this early, right? I thought you were better than Legacy, bro."
It took Saparata gently squeezing his hands to finally pull Fluixon out of his spiral, which honestly felt a little embarrassing. His best friend wasn't trembling anymore. His breathing had returned to normal, his chest rose and fell steadily, and Fluixon could hear the familiar rhythm of his heartbeat.
Maybe it even sounded healthier than usual.
The little wings by Saparata's ears fluttered happily, and his eyes curved into a soft smile. Fluixon couldn't remember the last time he'd seen him like this—perhaps not for centuries. He looked brighter now, as though the walls of that hospital room had finally stopped dimming his light.
Saparata was alive. He was breathing. And judging by the grin still lingering on his face, he was absolutely thrilled by the ridiculous stunt they'd just pulled.
For now, that was enough to quiet Fluixon's worries.
"...Yeah, alright, bro. Don't say his name—you'll probably jinx us," Fluixon muttered with a smile.
Saparata only grinned wider before purposely dropping his head onto Fluixon's shoulder.
"—Oof."
The demon let out an offended grunt as Saparata's full weight landed on him.
"So... it's about a 40-minute ride, right? Mind if I take a quick nap?" Saparata asked, though it sounded more like a statement than a question. He didn't even bother waiting for an answer, and honestly, Fluixon couldn't blame him.
"Sure. I'll just leave you on the bus so you can get shipped off to some warehouse," the purple demon teased.
Saparata let out a quiet laugh before the bus settled into a comfortable silence. As the angel drifted off to sleep against his shoulder, Fluixon turned his attention to the passing scenery outside, keeping a quiet watch over his best friend.
It reminded him so much of when they were kids.
A field of bright sunflowers flashed by outside the window, while the clouds above twisted themselves into ridiculous little shapes. As the morning wore on, more and more people began filling the streets. For once, everything felt... peaceful. Someone like Fluixon usually hated sitting still, but if it meant Saparata could get some proper rest, he didn't mind staying exactly where he was.
Maybe this wasn't so bad after all.
.𖥔 ݁ ˖ִ🛸༄˖°.
This was, without question, a terrible day.
Today had officially earned the title of the worst day in Dr. Jophiel's career at the Endatorium Hospital. If she were forced to rank the worst days of her life, today's date would sit comfortably at the very top—even above the day she was born. It had gone so catastrophically wrong that she'd locked herself inside the room of her currently missing patient just to quietly lose her mind, far away from the concerned looks of her coworkers.
Healthcare workers already carried enough burdens as it was. Jophiel had no intention of dragging the rest of the staff into her disaster.
"Where could he possibly have gone?" Jophiel groaned, fingers already tugging at her neatly kept blonde hair.
Maybe she needed to throw something.
Or drink another espresso.
Anything to keep herself grounded.
The day had been supposed to follow its usual routine. She'd planned to stop by her primary patient, Saparata, for their regular morning checkup. By now, she had the schedule memorized. Around this time, Saparata would still be fast asleep, buried beneath layers of blankets and an unreasonable number of plushies. Jophiel would gently wake him, carry out their standard physical examination while the angel fought to stay awake, then finish updating his charts. If her schedule wasn't too packed afterward, she'd usually stay for another minute or two just to chat. Sometimes they'd talk about whatever book Saparata had been reading lately. Other times, Jophiel would tell him amusing stories about interesting patients she'd met throughout the week.
Imagine Jophiel's surprise when she found the room completely empty.
Not a single person was inside. The only things left behind were a few books and a yellow sticky note clearly meant for her. ‘Be right back’ it read, scribbled in handwriting she could only compare to the Declaration of Independence, accompanied by a horrible smiley face drawn with a purple glitter marker.
There was only one patient in the entire hospital who wrote like that.
And only one person in the whole universe who insisted on keeping the glitter marker she'd spent years trying to confiscate.
Jophiel took a very, very deep breath, resisting the overwhelming urge to snap the clipboard in her hands. The poor thing had survived years of hospital shifts. It deserved better than being sacrificed because of two reckless teenagers. Besides, her schedule was already overflowing. She certainly didn't need "buy a new clipboard" added to today's list.
She was furious.
Absolutely furious.
She could already picture the lecture she'd give them once she tracked them down. It would probably last a hundred pages if written out. She was fully prepared to stretch their cheeks until they turned bright red for making her worry like this.
But underneath all that frustration...
She was terrified.
Jophiel couldn't just stand around hoping everything would somehow work itself out. A chronically ill angel with a rare condition was wandering around outside in a world full of dirt, crowds, and who knew what else. Saparata, who sometimes didn't even have enough strength to finish a meal, was out there doing who-knows-what.
And while she trusted Fluixon—and knew the young avian was more than capable of protecting his best friend if trouble found them—there were some things even he couldn't shield Saparata from.
Jophiel pushed herself to her feet, forcing her way out of the spiral she'd been sinking into. Right. Think logically. That was what she excelled at—arguably the thing she took the most pride in. She needed to do something before the situation got any worse.
...But first, maybe two more cups of coffee would keep a doctor sane.
Or five.
Actually, on second thought, perhaps she should just empty the entire break room's coffee supply.
Yeah.
That sounded like an excellent idea.