Chapter Text
it wasn't supposed to be like this. it was just supposed to be a simple fight. i win, i rescue the damsel, save the day and i get to be droselmeyers favorite again! ugh, why did my enemy have to be so pretty?! it's not fair. i tested my gun, taking comfort in the cool weight of it in my hand. it was a classic ten-caliber rifle, shot gumballs, and was the first thing i remember having since becoming a nutcracker. "sir!" shouted one of my insufferable soldiers from behind me, making me jump out of my skin. "idiot! learn to knock, would you!?" he flinched (well, flinched as much as a soldier made of tin and gears could) "apologies, sir! the girl wants to see you, i thought you'd want to know." ah. right. the girl i had been tasked with entertain and taking care of, and who had mistook my obligation for fondness.
i huffed. "send her in, i suppose." i flicked my hand and leaned back on my chair.
she strode in the room happy as anything, wearing light pink and purple stockings and a dress with polka dots. "helloooo nutcrackeeerrrrr!" she drew out the word, practically singing.
"sigh. hello, clara." she frowned. "not happy to see me?" i tensed. "no! i mean of course not- i mean yes i'm happy to see you-" i sighed and pinched my brow "im just- thinking on other things at the moment..." thoughts of the mouse king flooded my head unbidden, his laugh (which might've been a battle cry now that ive thought about it), the way he cared so deeply for his soldiers, or maybe they were his children? brothers?? didn't matter. "-ello? nutcracker?" clara was tapping me rather insistently on the head, shaking me from my reverie "yes! yes, what is it?" i batted her away, "it's just, you seemed a bit far away for a minute. everything alright?" no, i'm in love with my sworn enemy i'm not alright what kind of question is that "YES." i say a bit too forcefully, shooting out of my chair. "I HAVE TO GO." i all but shout, sprinting out of the room.
CHAPTER 2; MOUSE KING
it was the day before what was supposed to be my great battle with the nutcracker was to take place when i realized something was different. i kept thinking about him, the way his mouth never quite moved correctly when he spoke, the way he always seemed so careful in battle but kept falling over, maybe that was because he didn't technically have knees?? how did he move?? ponder it another time, augustus! (AN; i've decided that's his real name) pull yourself together!
"your higness!" came a squeak from behind me, and i nearly jumped out of my fur. i flicked my tail, "steve!" i shouted "steve, what have i told you about ringing the doorbell!" he blinked slowly at me, clearly still unaware as to what a doorbell was. "sorry, fath- my liege. won't happen again. just thought you should know that your uh, your wife would like to see you." oh great, what now? "sigh. send her in." i was greeted by a very disgruntled looking mouse in a gingham dress, looking ready to shout, run away, or bite someone. quite possibly all three. "yes, Bethany?" she bristled "'yes?!' YES!? you tell ME what's yes!!" i put a hand up to stop her, "which one was it this time?" she scowled, either at me or the offending mouse soldier i couldn't tell. "which one do you think?" sigh. . "i'll handle it." i scuttled off to go find him.
CHAPTER 3; the battle
"everyone ready?" said the mouse king, ensuring that each of his soldiers had the correct armor in the correct places. he paused to fix one who put their helmet on backwards and had somehow not noticed
"everyone ready?" asked the nutcracker, looking over his (fritz's) soldiers, their comically large hats bobbing up and down as they all nodded in unison. who dressed them like that?? was it droselmeyer? he loved the guy, but who told him what soldiers looked like?
the mouse king took a long, steadying breath and set his sights on the horizon, to where he knew the nutcrackers troops hid out. someday... he bit that thought off at the stem, he could not think about that right now, however attractive his opponent may be.
meanwhile, the nutcracker was staring at the wall of his tent and silently willing his nerves to quiet down. who cares? just another battle, besides the mouse king was married! wish he was married to m- the nutcracker jumped up and started pacing. just... breathe. he looked to where his gun was sat against the wall. he knew what he had to do.
at the mouse kings tent, it was very dark. it was very dark and very quiet, save for the occasional honk shoo mimimimimimimimi that could be heard from the mouse armies tent. get in, get out, be quick. the nutcracker ran his hand along the rifle, feeling for the safety and swiftly clicking it off. he made his way to the tent he knew the mouse king must be sleeping in (very loud honk shoo mimimimimi) and silently crept inside. this is it. he cocked the gun and held the barrel to his temple, and...
the light flicked on. (AN; don't ask about how they have electricity idfk) standing there, crown askew, was the mouse king. the nutcracker froze. he had not anticipated this... how did he hear him coming? as if reading his mind, the mouse king answered, "you uh, aren't as quiet as you think you are."
a pause. "sorry. i think i have to kill you now."
it was too loud. the silence spoke volumes.
"oh really?" came the mouse kings answer after a moment.
"...yes. sorry again, mouse ki-" the king put a paw up to silence him. "augustus. it's augustus." the wooden man was in shock, he had a name?
ok, breathe. calm down. he has a name, he told you his name. that didn't mean anythi-
"i'm william." came the nutcrackers response, seeming to surprise even him.
"...your... name? your name is william?"
another, longer pause. the tension hung thickly in the air.
"yes. before all... this." the wooden soldier gestured to his general area.
"right. and you... lost? your name? after all this?" he gestured to the nutcracker.
"yes."
...
"listen, august-"
"i'm in love with you."
that was almost enough to make him keel over.
"i.. think im in love with you too."
the mouse king inches closer, until their hands touched.
"yeah?"
if wood could blush, the soldier was sure he'd be a dark shade of crimson. he swallowed. "yeah, i think so-"
in a moment, the mouse kings lips were on his. how the hell do you write kissing scenes what the fuck man