Set during the time Bam was still training under FUG, after Evolet came back.
Bam felt delirious than ever before. He didn't quite know what was going on. It was shivering cold but sickeningly hot at the same time, he felt weak and his body was aching all over. To sum it up, Bam was having a fever. With a small groan, he curled into himself and wriggled uncomfortably under the blanket. That caused the damp towel on his forehead to slide off and plop onto the bed. He opened his eyes with a whine, golden hues glazed over and unfocused as his gaze wandered around the room. And he quickly realized something was off.
There was no warmth by his side, nor a gentle hand that would always reassure him in every possible situation.at any given time of the day and make him feel safe. He quickly shot up from the bed, alarmed when he noticed that Evolet was nowhere in sight. Uncaring of how his blanket dropped to the floor, he stumbled out of the room in a hurry and completely missed the note on the bedside table. He wasn't in the condition to run around the house, yet he urgently searched every possible room all the while shouting out Evolet's name fearfully.
"Eve!"
"Eve!!"
"Eve!!!"
"Ĕ̸̮͕̫̟̬̇ͅv̸̭̈́̈̋͠ẹ̶̰̦̗̦̤̚͜͜!̶͚͚͖̬͈̫̟͓͊͐̇̆̍̐̊̎̇͜!̶̨͉̰̝̭̰̃̍̀̎̆̎̌̚͜!!̷̧̡͚̼̺̘̖̺͚̋́̇͠"
Bam was in a full blown panic when he couldn't find her anywhere in their house. All sorts of scenarios were running through his mind, none of them reassuring him. His heart was practically pounding out of his chest. The only thing he was thinking right now was to find Evolet no matter what and that's exactly what he did. By banging open the door and running out to search for her in his delirious state of mind. Not the best course of action to say the least.
Clothed in only his pajamas and barefoot, he ran across the lonesome grassy path without a destination in mind. There was no one in sight, their house isolated from the rest of the Floor to optimize their training, or so says FUG. Lies built on top of lies, it was for the sole reason that he was dead to all and should be hidden, is it not? He did not mind, for she had returned to his side after that excruciating one year and he was content so long as she was with him.
She has always been by his side and will always be. So where was she now? Had FUG taken her away? Had she gone off on her own again and left him on his own? Had she pushed him away like his brightest star did? No. He refused to believe so. She promised him and he shall believe, just like he always has.
His guileless golden eyes brightened up like the blazing sun, small tears of relief pooling at the edge as the calming presence of his Polaris returned. Her lustrous light lavender locks graced by the fading of twilight and adorned by all the stars of nightfall. Iridescent shades of blue and violet widening as her silvery voice called out his name with surprise. "Bam!!!"
He brings her to his embrace without hesitation, comfortingly so as they fitted like the perfect two pieces of puzzle and meant to be. How could he ever bear to let her go when he is only complete with her beside him? He whispered her name like a sacred prayer, over and over as if pleading her to never leave. And she brought him closer in return, brushing his bangs away with her delicate touch as she pressed a mellow kiss to his forehead. He melts into her embrace without a single thought, the panic and adrenaline from earlier seemingly gone without a trace along with his worries.
"Why are you outside, Bam… I left a note that I was going out to buy medicine since Yunuen-san and Jinsung-san were busy."
At this point Bam couldn't even hear what Evolet was saying. He squinted his eyes in an attempt to focus on her voice, brain too fuzzy to register a thing. Evolet seemed to have understood his situation, sighing contentedly as he felt her soothing hand on his forehead. The expression Evolet had was the exact opposite, frowning when she noticed his temperature was still hot.
"This is why I told you to just rest…"
Though even if she said that Bam was too far gone to register a thing in his mind, instead flashing her a goofy grin like he could only see her in the moment. She smiled fondly at him, shaking her head in loving exasperation. She steadied him slowly, making sure he could stand properly before dropping to her knees. Bam stared at her quizzically, waiting for her to say something.
"It's a long way home, I'll give you a piggyback ride so you can sleep on the way."
Bam accepted it immediately without any fuss, looking rather giddy like a child on Christmas. The biggest grin could be seen on his lips as he nuzzled deeper to Evolet's neck and kissed it lightly, enjoying the way she shivered at the action. She said they're going home, but Bam silently disagreed in his mind.
He doesn't care where they may be. So long as she was with him then home was wherever they were together. No matter through heaven or hell, through the deepest of oceans and the tallest of mountains, even if they were against the world. So long as they both stand beside each other, he believes they'll be able to overcome anything. Hugging her just a little tighter, he was lulled to sleep by the relaxing scent of lavender and the gentle breeze.
The next time he opened his eyes, he was once more in the comfort of their bed. A cold towel perched upon his forehead to lower his high temperature, and his cherished Evolet holding his hand while… working on her Lighthouse?
His eyebrows furrowed at the normal display of her workaholic self. She was always drowned in work yet never failed to pay attention to him properly during then. Which he appreciated but he'd like it more if her full attention was in him alone and if she relaxed properly. Evolet blinked in surprise, looking at him as he squeezed her hand lightly with a visible pout on his lips. He looked exactly like a sulking child which had Evolet smiling fondly at him.
"What's wrong, Bam? Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere? Or are you hungry? I'll cook up some porridge if you want to." She said to him while rubbing circles on the back of his palm.
She was ever so attentive to him. Except that doesn't make her let go of her work. Bam pouted hard at her, golden eyes quivering slightly at the full force of his pleading puppy eyes that has Evolet freezing up. Both of them knew exactly what he was doing, and they knew who was going to win.
"Bam, no—"
"Eve, please…" He made sure to use his softest voice, intertwining their fingers and gazing into her wavering blue-violet orbs.
To no surprise, Evolet merely sighed as she put her Lighthouse in invisible mode once more. "I can't take care of you if I get sick, you know."
"I'll take care of you if you get sick."
"You'll have to get better first then, hm?"
Bam scooted over to make some space for her on the bed, grinning as she tucked herself under the blanket with him. He wasted no time to snuggle up against her, sighing in content as Evolet ran her fingers through his hair as she usually would. His arms snaked around her, pulling her as close as possible as he whispered his words. "You'll stay by my side… right?"
"Of course, for as long as you want me to." She replied without hesitation, tone unwavering and filled with pure promises.
"Then, together forever and always."
A small chuckle could be heard from Evolet at his words, lacing their fingers together and bringing it to her lips as she kissed the back of his palm tenderly. She gave him no further answer, instead squeezing his hand lightly as if reassuring him that she'll always be there. Bam has every reason in the world to believe it, and couldn't thank the Tower more for how lucky he was to still have her beside him.
He desired to spend his whole life together with her. To become stronger so that he could be the shoulder she leans on. To love with her in times of joy, and comfort her in times of sorrow. To fight together back to back and to support each other till they reach the top of the Tower and even beyond that. He wanted to stand beside her in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, as well as through the good times and the bad. He wished to cherish her like no one else has had in the world and see her brightly smile at him alone. He hoped that they would always be together even after death does them apart.
He smiled softly as he gazed at their hands intertwined, gradually lulled to sleep by the comfort Evolet provided. He dreams of the both of them climbing the Tower together with their friends, joyfully without sorrows as if a ludicrous fairytale that could never exist. A dream so beautiful and comforting, it was everything he could've ever asked for. He knew it was still far out of his reach right now, but he believed he could achieve anything as long as she was by his side. It was both of them against the world, and somehow he just knew they'll be just fine.
During the time he was sick, Evolet nursed him flawlessly for days until he was completely healed. And somehow miraculously she didn't get sick even when she accompanied him to sleep every night. Though Yunuen would kill Bam if Evolet ever got sick because of him. But most importantly, he recovered just in time for his birthday.
Which brought them to the kitchen where Evolet was humming lightly as she took out an undecorated cake from the fridge. The birthday boy himself was as always, never far from her. He was standing near her with a puzzled expression, cutting the tip of a piping bag and placing a standard tip before pouring the frosting into said bag. It slowly began to leak, which made him frown lightly.
On the other hand, Evolet placed a layered plain cake on top of a turntable then immediately spun it at high speed. A concerning amount of frosting was immediately dumped on top, and she swiftly coated the whole cake with the icing spatula in one smooth movement. Evolet huffed proudly at her work, a content grin on her pink lips. She glanced at Bam, about to ask if he needed help. Only to see him flip the filled piping bag since he didn't know how to push the frosting down.
Bam could only blink in surprise when the frosting splattered everywhere, staining the walls and counters along with his hair and face. It was silent for a good few moments before Evolet trembled and broke out in hearty laughter. Her chuckles didn't stop as she grabbed a small towel, gently wiping away the frosting on his face. Bam pouted childishly at their difference in skills, meekly clutching her sleeves in embarrassment as he spoke in a wispy voice. "How am I supposed to get it right if you don't teach me first..."
"Let's do it together then." She moved behind him, placing her hands over his and directing him gently with instructions. His lips were pursed, eyebrows scrunched as he attempted his best to focus. That being said, Evolet was making the simple task extremely hard. All Bam could think of was how soft her hands were and her delicate movements as she guided him. How she was practically breathing down his neck, sending pleasant shivers. Her soft voice expertly gave the necessary directions to him, though it was doing a better job at keeping him distractedly relaxed.
Evolet took no notice to his flushed rosy cheeks, unaware of how flustered he actually was. Her heart was fluttering, never failing to enjoy the small moments they have each day. She cherished every single thing she's done with Bam, reminiscing over fond memories every now and then when she had the time. She doesn't know how long she can stay by his side, how long he'll allow her to stand beside him. So before it ends, before the storm comes and the little moments die down as the memory fades away, she'll live every single day like her last and hold them precious. No matter if she shatters like glass and never to be fixed again once it does end.
They do finish decorating the cake soon enough, and Bam's soul has long flown away at Evolet's unbearably close proximity the whole time. You'd think he was already used to her cluelessly flirty actions, but he always gets flustered with the little things she does. One way or another, she'd unknowingly surprise him with her caring actions and he would feel like the most loved person in the Tower. Today was no different than that and he loved it. Because it simply meant that she shows her affection for him daily without a miss. Every day was just as special when he spent it with her.
If there was one thing different on his birthdays, then it was the day he was most grateful that he was born. Because he had the chance to meet her, to be alive and spending time with her whom he holds precious. He nearly feels like he wouldn't trade her for anything in the world. He wants her to stay by his side forever even if it was selfish of him.
She offered him her hand, a beaming grin on her lips as she invited him to the rooftop for their little birthday party celebration. It wasn't anything fancy or grand, only a simple celebration between the two with a homemade cake and a nice dinner. He recalled how she's always been the one he celebrated his birthdays with, since Rachel wasn't particularly interested in his birthday and opted to never come on said day. He'd be lying if he said he didn't want to celebrate it with Rachel too, but too many questions were left unanswered after he was betrayed in that bubble.
This was his first birthday in the Tower. There's many things that have changed. Short euphoric encounters with his new friends, betrayals that he would've never imagined, abrupt farewells that he never got to say. Yet Evolet alone stayed constant in his life as his pillar of support. And he couldn't be more grateful for that. Jinsung had told him a little bit on how Evolet has been trying her best to make Bam's life in FUG easier. Granted, he couldn't know too much of the details but the effort Evolet put in reassured Bam to no end.
He was laying on her lap right now as she ran her fingers through his hair lovingly, both of them gazing at the starry night sky albeit made out of Shinsu. The illusionary stars shine as if they're showing him a path he alone would know, the moonlight gently blessing him with warmth and lighting up the darkness. It makes him wonder how beautiful the real stars that Rachel would abandon him just to chase the myth. He can't understand a single thing about it.
"...say, Eve. Do you think I'll be able to see the real stars someday?" Evolet stopped patting his head, instead glancing at the brunette who seemed to be deep in thoughts. His golden eyes were fixated silently at the dark hues of the sky as if searching for an answer from the universe.
Truth to be told, Evolet doesn't know if his question was because he truly wanted to see it with his own eyes or because of Rachel. She'd ask him to figure it out, but how would she react if his reason was Rachel? She was far too scared and anxious to receive such an answer albeit never showing her worries to him. He already had plenty to worry about, there was no possible way she'd add to his burden.
So instead she leaned down a little, light lavender hair curtaining Bam's vision as she did. He was met with iridescent shades of the night sky, a mix of a dark blue and a tint of violet that glimmered like the countless stars. Her gaze was deep and endless, a comforting reflection of himself that reassured him of his own identity as the 25th Bam instead of a FUG Slayer Nominee or anyone else they wanted him to be.
"Do you want to see it?" She whispered in a small wispy tone.
"...yes." Bam answered breathlessly, lost in her gaze overflowing with pure love. He thinks the real night sky must be as beautiful as Evolet's radiant blue-violet orbs, otherwise it wouldn't have been worth searching for. She was mysterious in her own ways just like the night, her smile was akin to the blaze of a thousand stars.
Her white Lighthouse appeared in visible mode, radiating a dim light that brightened up their surroundings. Bam could see the mellow expression on her face as she pulled something out of her Lighthouse and gave it to him. His breath hitched as he grabbed it with trembling hands, careful to not damage what has been given to him.
Tears pooled at the corner of his eyes, threatening to break out and spill uncontrollably like a dam. In his hands was a framed picture of his friends that they all took before the Hide and Seek Test, the last memory of all of them together since Evolet disappeared during then. He sat up and clutched the frame gingerly to his chest, sobbing quietly at the reminiscent of their fond memories. FUG hadn't allowed him to have any contact with his old friends, nor could he see any pictures or hear news about them. So the fact that Evolet gifted him something like this was very precious.
She embraced him tenderly, making him lean on her chest so that he could hear her soothing heartbeat. "If you want to see the stars then we'll see it Bam. I'll bring you to the top of the Tower. Not just the two of us alone, but with our friends together."
He bit his trembling lips lightly, nodding fervently at the promise she made to him. The journey was far from over and all he could see right now was the hardships, but he had no doubt that Evolet would fulfill the promise she made. One day, they'll be back with their friends again and climb the Tower together. Until then, he— both of them will fight together in the shadows to keep their friends safe from FUG's claws. It was both of them against the world, just as it's always been. And Bam wouldn't have it any other way.
A/N:
Sadly this will be the end of the special chapters for quite a while ;-; I don't exactly want to die from managing special chapters for two books simultaneously. But— I will write the special chapters for the jjk book, which is coming out tomorrow. Since the Muse series already have quite a lot special chapters too... Ngl tho, I was thinking about writing a special chapter like a male!Evolet or a collab stage between Yura and Eve— Or the one with siren!EvexKhun— ;-; They'll be published some day probably— I'll see when I can write them without getting drowned in work