Another Lovely Day in the Neighbourhood

Flash raced after Timber. Clay splattered against him as he crashed through foliage with the single-minded purpose of catching his boyfriend before whatever that monster did what it intended to do. Flash didn’t know, but he presumed it wouldn’t be good.

Another clearing. A pool of clay rippled in the center. A dark serpentine body, the monster’s body, was sinking into the ‘water’ taking Timber with him.

He grabbed Timber’s hand.

“Timber, hold on!” Flash shouted.

“I’m really selfish, Flash,” Timber replied. “I’m sorry I never told you.”

“Not the time!”

He tried to dig in his heels, but couldn’t find any purchase, instead sinking into the pool along with them. Clay went up to his knees, eating them both. The monster had long since submerged and only half of Timber’s body was unenveloped.

“Please, Timber! Fight!” Bitter tears rolled down Flash’s face.

“I’m sorry, Flash, but I can’t stand being without you, so… I’ll wait for you this time,” Timber said. “That’s the deal, okay?”

“Deal? What deal?!”

“I can’t keep doing these resets. Losing you, watching you suffer from the same hurt over and over again… I’m at my limit.” Timber smiled. There was a sad resignation to it. “The monster offered me a bargain.”

“Stop talking nonsense! I’m getting you out of this and then—”

“Flash.”

Flash paused. Timber sunk just a bit more.

“I already made the deal. I lose awareness so you can have it. You can skip the pain. It’s all I want. Just… find me again, please?”

He charged forward. Flash kissed Timber. A final— no, one of many to be had. He tried to get his body to remember Timber’s warmth. To stay with him for however long it would take to get him back.

The warmth disappeared. Timber was gone.

All Flash had left was clay up to his elbows and bitter tears.