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The Playground is an outstanding faction. There were the buildings, short or tall ones being followed by the neon lights and many shops. In the street, there were a lot of cars making it very busy— in general, the civilians of this faction are either the most chaotic ones or the most gentle beings.
After all, Playground is known for being the most chaotic faction.
There were a lot of spray paintings scattered around the building, some being vandalized with a curse, with unrelated art, and others being hate speech to another person or the artist. The buildings are usually vandalized by spray paints and random doodles on the walls. This is the true meaning of Playground. Chaotic, messy, yet organized like a city.
There is a grand variety of natural resources— gardens scattered on the buildings, animals flying and running around the streets with the small demons chasing them with no care. Some demons take the flowers from private properties for whatever they think they want. For a friend, for a family, or just for something that can be used as an accessory.
Boombox has lived in Playground for whatever long— since he was young. He doesn't remember a lot, and he would love to leave like that. In this faction, the DJ is known for his works and his music, and everyone in Playground would love to get an autograph from Boombox himself. After all, he is famous.
He doesn't mind. As long there won't be a big group of demons chasing Boombox.
He is located sitting on a bench with his gear sitting on the ground, playing the music (sometimes it is his own or the Flipside), relaxed as the sun rises. It's in the morning, and Boombox likes a warm morning outside. Just peace, and warmth, with no chaos and no demons to annoy his life.
He continues watching the sun rise with his visor on, smiling.
He then notices the group of birds approaching Boombox— and he recognizes the type of birds. It's the doves, pink ones with the light red heart-shaped pattern on their chest. They approached Boombox cautiously, chirping. Their heads quickly switch as their eyes take a glance at Boombox.
The musician has no food in him. He just came here to rest. He wished he brought bread. “Sorry, I didn't bring food today.” He chuckled, now feeling guilty.
Doves are known for being given as gifts to their partners in the Playground.
Boombox has seen a lot of partners in Playground, duos being together and holding their hands. Some of them give a tamed dove to their partner, and they kiss— agreeing that the bird will be their pet. Other demons do collect doves just for their feather patterns.
The last thought made Boombox feel sick. He wouldn't want the doves to be collected just to be turned from animal to an accessory. After all, they're living beings, not objects.
Boombox didn't notice that one of the doves was lying down on his lap.
He just stared at it, the bird instantly felt comfortable around the DJ. Boombox hesitated on giving the pink dove a small pat until so— the dove chirped, now loafing.
“Such a silly bird, isn't it?” Boombox spoke to himself, patting the dove. “Why did you stay here? You need to be with your family.”
Boombox doesn't know if this dove has a family or something, and it worries him—why is he worrying over a small bird that laid on his lap? Sighing, Boombox took cautious to pick his gear (that had been blasting music) from the ground and poked the pause button and the gear completely cut the music.
Placing on the open space of the bench, he focused on the dove who was sleeping on his lap. He is not sure what to do, and the sun is rising. It may be morning, but he has to go to his own home before being chased by millions and millions of Playground demons.
The other doves just flew away, but this one just kept with him.
“Hey, hey,” the musician whispered to the small animal. “Your friends, or whatever it is, are leaving. Wake up, and—!?”
The dove woke up and began to climb (and used his wings) up to Boombox’s shoulders in an instant. What does this mean?
Boombox doesn't want to get a pet. He is fine living with his closest friend, Skateboard, who is very active every day and would bring chaos to the Playground and the musician has to fix the messes they've made. But bringing the dove to his home? He would hope Skateboard wouldn't annoy his ass up about the bird.
Sighing, he stood up, picked up his gear, and began to walk on his way to his home. With a dove lying down on his shoulder.
Boombox hopes this won't end in chaos.
“You WHAT?!”
A loud and optimistic voice blared in Boombox’s ears, grunting. The musician groaned.
Skateboard and Boombox are found in the apartment’s living room, with a dove now sleeping on the small glass table. The duo was sitting on opposite sides, and the skater wasn't having it.
Earlier, Boombox had reached his apartment with a dove on his shoulder and the skater was sitting alone, until he took a glance at it. He was surprised, and the musician was ready to have a long chat with his roommate.
“Don't yell at me!” He exclaims worriedly, placing his fingers on his forehead. Glaring at Skateboard, he wished this wouldn't have happened to him and let this happen to the other person. “Dude, I don't know what happened t’me!”
The skater rolled his eyes sarcastically and then crossed his arms. His dark red eyes focused on the pastel pink bird. “You were chillin’ and a dove just laid on your lap? What a way to get a pet.” He joked.
“I don't want to get a goddamn pet!”
“Then, why not give it to your lover? Valk, is that right?”
…
He wasn't wrong. Boombox and Valk are couples, and this is the right moment.
Boombox's face quickly shook, clearing the thought. He didn't expect that. “What?”
“You get it,” he points at the bird. “Give it to him. Jus’ pretend that you don't know it.” He refers to the way people give doves to their partner.
“That won't work! He knows a lot of stuff about the Playground, idiot! He traveled a lot here!”
“And you expect me to keep it as a pet? Oh,” the skater’s face instantly shaped to a smirk glancing at Boombox whose face is disgusted on knowing what is about to come next. “I am your lover, ‘box? How grateful, but I have a date tonight.”
He spoke as if he was from the Lost Temple in a joking manner.
“Dude, what the he– YOU HAVE A DATE?”
Skateboard winced at the sudden yell. “Dude, yes. Didn't you listen to me earlier?”
Fucking SFOTH, thought the musician, I thought he was joking.
“No,” he shrugged. “I was zoned out.”
Skateboard groans, now staying up from their seat as he looks for his gear. “Got a date today, and it's probably someone ya’ know, idiot.”
“Who?”
The skater shrugged. “Don't know. Take a wild guess.” Once found, he picked his board as he went for the door, opening– then he stopped. “Take care of yourself when goin’ to the road. There's an event going on the beaches of the Playground.” He warns, smiling as he exits the apartment with a slam on the door, leaving Boombox alone with the sleeping dove.
What a fucking asshole.
Groaning, he didn't know what to do with this little bird who wanted to stay with him. He doesn't want to get a pet as he is terrible at taking care of stuff— he loses most of his items due to his stupidity.
Maybe he can give– gift the dove to Valk.
Boombox has known Valk since they were young demons— as friends then best friends. As they're growing and becoming adults, both of them crush on each other. It was such a long and rough time, that Valk decided to say it out loud in front of Boombox, and then kiss him in perfect scenery, maybe under the blossom cherry tree. Now, they're lovers.
And Valk wants to get pets. Boombox is on the opposite side of getting pets.
He then realizes what Skateboard has mentioned earlier. An event taking place on the beaches? Boombox knows that Playground doesn't do too many events due to the roads being busy, plus their jobs are very, very busy, and would never get time to have a break. However, the Playground knows that Boombox holds events— such as musical competitions, street dancing, and anything else that will entertain.
Most events are being hosted by the Flipside brothers, Dom and Valk, on Crossroads. And the musician is surprised that there is an event happening on the Playground. Maybe a new one?
He should investigate.
Getting up, he went for the door but he was stopped by a sudden thought. He almost forgot about the bird. Turning around, he noticed that the dove was still sleeping on the table, and he didn't want them to wake up. Approaching the table slowly, he cautiously picked up the bird as if he was holding a burger, and quickly exited the apartment.
There are many demons on the beach.
It's overwhelming.
Boombox has concealed himself by just simply adjusting the visor to the front and taking his visor off, exposing dark-green eyes with a minor scar on its side. Maybe he needed it on, but he has to take it off to not get recognized. He had to buy a different shirt in a shop quickly, because oh he forgot to change his clothing , and it would be better to not get in red-handed and run away as fast as possible from the citizens.
The dove is currently playing on Boombox's shoulder, now awake. The bird chirped, and the musician had to shush them off, keeping them quiet.
He had to approach and know what was happening, now concealed with the bird.
“Thanks for listening to our music,” Boombox recognized the voice. “We will see you at the FLIPSIDE!”
Before Boombox can think further about what's happening, a unison yell is presented in an instant to his ears, and it's hurting. So much so that he had to wince softly and cover his ears, being careful to not push the dove away from his shoulders. He shouldn't have joined this concert in the first place.
But he has to see them.
Pushing and apologizing to the demons on his way to approach backstage—he has managed to go backstage, but he is stopped by the security guards. Boombox understands the security for the brothers, but that? He should tell them to fuck off over not being recognized.
“You're not allowed to get here,” the security glares at the small demons with the glasses concealing their eyes. “Please leave.”
“Dude, it’s me! Boombox! Get me in!”
“Citizens of Playground are not allowed to be in the backstage.”
What the fuck? This security should be losing his job at this instant. Fucking asshole.
“I am BOOMBOX! Can't you hear me? I need to talk with the Flipside, fucking ass!” Boombox has lost his cool so easily, aggressively pointing at the security, accidentally pushing the dove away from his shoulder–and the bird did not try to leave the musician. They just simply laid back on the shoulder.
“Leave or it has to be a force–”
“Wait! Let him in!” A recognized voice appeared- and the short idol rushed for the musician, hugging him in an instant.
Once again, the dove had to be pushed back, and annoyingly decided to lay on the musician's cap.
The security groaned, now letting both of them enter the backstage. It wasn't secluded, and everyone could see the backstage. However, it has a lot of security guarding it, and there are many room dividers to ensure the privacy of the famous idols. The sun hits the whole backstage with warmth.
“Boombox! You're here,” Valk begins, now pulling away from the hug, his eyes focused on the musician. He smiled at him, chuckling. Valk wanted to see his eyes which were always covered with his visor on. “You are so pretty.”
“Bah! Don't tell me that,” Boombox instantly covered his eyes with his visor, now displaying lime green circular eyes— and looked at Valk.
The short idol usually wears his usual gold Valkyrie Helm, but the outfit is completely different; he is wearing a Hawaiian shirt and shorts matching the colors of his helmet. One thing that caught his attention was the flower crown on his head, accompanying the helmet. In return, the musician is blushing. Mainly because of the praise or the way he looks.
“You look so amazing…”
The yellow demon chuckled. “Thank you. I've worked kind of hard in finding ways to match the vibe in the beach of your home,” he winked, poking the DJ's nose with his initial finger. “I wanted to match your ‘Coolerbox’ vibe.”
“Gosh,” he sarcastically rolled his eyes. “I'm not usin’ that outfit. I hated it.” He cringed at remembering his old outfit before using his usual one.
Valk giggled, now dragging his lover– completely unaware that there was a dove on Boombox's cap– into finding his brother.
“Dom! Guess who has joined us!”
The taller brother stopped focusing on whatever he was doing and turned around to be surprised by the sight of the musician. “Boombox,” he calls. “I'm surprised.”
“Yeah,” he awkwardly scratched at the back of his head. “I had to conceal myself from everyone else so they wouldn't jump at me.”
Dom chuckled. “We've tried to conceal ourselves in the Playground–” he glared at Valk with a mean look hidden with a smile. “–and we ended up being found out over the way Valk has acted.”
“Huh?”
“He was talking every day about you. He was trying to find your apartment. In the end, he did a ‘oopsie!’, ” Dom used his high-pitched voice. “and somehow managed to reveal ourselves.” His voice eventually came back to normal.
Valk smiled.
“Valk…” Boombox deadpanned. “Please be careful around my place, I don't want you to get hurt.”
“Don't worry! Our security has managed to keep them away from us!”
“Valk, let's not forget the way the demon just slammed at you for the autograph…”
He looked at Dom with a shit-eating grin. “And I gave him the autograph! The security then knocked him out!”
What?
“L–let's cut it down,” Boombox begins, sighing. “I just came here to say somethin’ and all.”
Valk focused and finally noticed the dove sleeping on Boombox’s cap.
“You're giving me a dove?”
Boombox wished he could kill himself before the embarrassment killed him.
“Y-yes! Not my idea, but S-Skate's idea, right?!” He parked nervously, picking the dove from his head to now his hands. He eventually hands them over to Valk, his face looking away– there is a visible blush on it. “Y-you can have the bird.”
Dom looks at Boombox with a worried face. Boombox could understand that statement, he didn't want to be in charge.
The short idol looked at the sleepy dove, hesitating to pick them up in his hands. “But, you said you don't want any pets–”
“IT'S MY WAY TO SHOW MY LOVE TO YOU!” He raised his head quickly, yelling–he didn't mean to interrupt both of them.
There is an awkward silence. Gosh, Boombox wanted to leave and cry over the mistake he made. Now everyone can hear it, and Valk is going to be harassed because of–
“I… thanks. I wanted to get a bird.” Valk picks the dove, his voice being soft which makes Boombox want to melt. “That made me get an idea for our next Phestival, Boom.”
“Thank you, my love.”
Valk kissed Boombox's cheek, his open hand caressed at the left side of his face. “I love you.”
“So much.”
Boombox never felt so loved.
“Ahem,” the taller coughs. Valk and Boombox stopped and awkwardly separated themselves. They forgot about Dom third-wheeling this fucking scene and Boombox felt he is responsible for this situation. “We need to take our leave. If you don't mind, you can join us in our house at night.”
The musician smiled at the invitation. “I wouldn't! At what time, though?”
“Specifically at 8 o’clock.”
“ ‘Ight! Got it!” The musician turned around to leave backstage.
Valk caressed and patted the dove with love. He then looks at Boombox. “One moment.”
Boombox stopped, to turn back and look at Valk. In an instant, he felt his lips meet at Valk's, then the soft caresses on his jawline. The green demon wasn't expecting this, but he welcomed it, kissing back– placing his hands on Valk's face to strengthen the kiss. It took them for a short period because the fucking Dom is waiting for his brother to take leave and continue working on whatever they're going to do at his offices.
Both of them separated their kisses, looking at each other.
“See you at my house. We can watch movies, Dom won't be here.” He whispered at the last part, making sure his brother wouldn't hear. The latter giggled.
“Alright! I'll make sure to come in time!” He waved off and eventually left the backstage, now taking his visor off, keeping him concealed from being found out. The beach is fortunately empty, but it has been covered with trash. He gives himself a mental note to scold his lover about hosting events in a place THIS vulnerable.
Boombox has finally given the bird to Valk. He finally doesn't have to take this fucking sleepy as fuck bird.
Taking his phone out, he gave some messages to his roommate.
stupidboard
i gave the bird you keep whining
to valk
i hope to not receive 50 fucking notifications from you
The musician is now in his home, and the day is still surprisingly sunny. He quickly went to his bedroom and lay on the bed, looking at the wall.
Repeating the memories earlier.
“I… thanks. I wanted to get a bird.”
“I love you.”
The kiss. The soft caressing.
Under the thought, he fell asleep happily.