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‘You’re scared, I can see it.’
Infume picked himself up from the ground, ignoring the aching burn in his muscles. After hours of training with Ferre, he felt like his body was about to give up on him, but it didn’t matter. Now that he was officially part of Lifesteal, he needed to improve, to get better. The thought of disappointing his team, especially Flow, made him feel sick. After that first day, when they had to waste so many resources on crafting new hearts, he immediately sent a message to Ferre, asking to meet.
It was nice to see him again. Ever since Lifesteal World had ended, he couldn’t stop thinking about how great it felt to fight alongside him. The long days grinding while in the same call, interrupted by yet another murder attempt by Flowtives. It was unfortunate that he had to leave for MCSR Worlds, and in consequence miss the Finale. Despite his tendency to run away from danger, it felt wrong not to go out in battle. Maybe there was something to ‘Lifesteal Bloodlust’ after all.
Infume was brought back into the present by a ping from his communicator. He checked it, ignoring Ferre’s curious gaze, and blushed when he saw the message.
<Flowtives> hope you’ll be watching tomorrow baby boy
It was accompanied by a photo of Flowtives, looking very happy to be sitting in the commentator booth Infume recognized from the first day of PVP Champs. He must have finally reached the server it was being hosted on. Despite the fact he must have not slept for at least a whole night to get there that fast, he looked as awake as during their fight against Epax and Leek.
‘Is that Flow? I can see the way you’re smiling’ Ferre didn’t sound upset, but Infume still felt a flash of guilt.
‘It’s nothing, its nothing, I’ll respond later’ he went to put the device away, but before he could it got snatched out of his hands. When Ferre saw what Flow had sent him, he laughed with delight.
‘He’s so obsessed with you, it’s adorable’ he smirked knowingly at Infume’s flustered reaction. He must have noticed he was actually a bit uncomfortable, since his stance softened.
‘Come on, you know you’ll always be my pookie. I just want you to be happy, that’s the most important thing.’
Infume nodded, trying not to think about Evbo. They were on speaking terms again, and they were back to bantering and even flirting, but he still felt bad about the way their short-lived relationship ended. He wasn’t proud of the way he had acted when they were together. He knew Evbo wasn’t used to the way speedrunners did relationships, his reaction to the number of boyfriends Silver had was proof enough. Still, he couldn’t stop himself from encouraging his advances, mesmerized by the way he moved and the ease with which he learned everything he set his mind to. The proposal was the beginning of the end. He should’ve known Evbo wasn’t like Doogile, happy to be the only husband, no matter how many others had a place in Silver’s heart. That was on him, not being honest from the start, making promises he never intended to keep.
He noticed Ferre typing something on his communicator and scrambled to take it back, but he was too late. When he retrieved it, the message had already been sent.
<Infume> no need to worry, he’ll be ready for you when you come back, I promise
<Flowtives> ???
<Flowtives> is this fucking ferre?
<Flowtives> baby boy I know our first day was bad but on god we’ll be back on top soon
Infume ignored Ferre laughing in the background to respond. He knew Flow wasn’t being serious, but he still felt the need to reassure him. After promising that he would be watching the whole time he was commentating, and getting another photo in return, this time of the for-now-empty arena, he shut off the communicator, ready to get back into the swing of things. He could feel Ferre studying his form from under his mask, and he shivered in anticipation. When he logged on again, the Lifestealers wouldn’t know what hit them. And if Flow was impressed with his progress, or would offer to train him personally to get one over Ferre, that was all the better.