Chapter Text
It was so close. Soon they knew it would all be over, though whether it would end in their favour would be up to fate. Kris knew they were hopelessly outmatched, they knew that things capabilities better than anyone else here. It was surprising that they had managed to be rid of its control in the first place. While they were thankful for their regained autonomy, they didn't have time to appreciate it, all they could think about was how hopeless everything was, how the odds were stacked against them. It made them think about everything they ever regretted - which, granted, wasn't very much, - but the little they did regret, it weighed on them like a thousand suns. They knew the distraction would lower their chances even further, and they couldn't have that. Not when they have so much to lose.
"Hey..." Kris spoke, tapping Ralsei on the shoulder, "Can we go somewhere and talk? Alone?"
"Of course, Kris," Ralsei wasn't one to protest being alone with Kris, even after they...
"What we not cool enough for this?" Susie teased, Kris shifted their gaze to her, she smiled and rolled her eyes, "Ya, ya, go do your thing before we all die." Kris nodded, thankful for her understanding.
Kris walked with Ralsei in tow, until they found a spot suitably private enough, out of earshot and line of sight. Kris knew they weren't very good at these types of things, embarrassing themself in front of Susie was the last thing they needed before they all died. They could feel themself shaking, bangs matted to their forehead in a thick layer of sweat. They were scared, for the first time since that thing lost control. They didn't know what scared them more, the inevitable, or what they were about to tell Ralsei.
"What was it you wanted to talk about Kris? And why alone if I might ask?" Ralsei spoke, "Not that I mind being alone with you of course! It just seems kind of out of nowhere!"
"Because it's only meant for you, and I know it's sudden, but I just needed to get this off my chest y'know?" Kris couldn't bring themself to look him in the eye, "But now that we're here, it's harder to... get out? I don't know."
"If you're not ready that's fine, Kris. I'm more than happy to wait until you're comfortable."
"No, no, it's just..." Kris felt their chest tighten, "When I first met you, I didn't know exactly what to think. Not like with Susie, where we kinda just clicked y'know?"
"I think I understand what you mean, yeah."
"But then when you took off your hat all I could feel was... disdain?"
"I..." Ralsei's head lowered, the frown on his face being a rare sight, "I am... sorry to hear that Kris, but-"
"But it wasn't for you, it was for myself," whatever fear Kris had before, was gone, "Whenever I looked at you all I could think about was how I never fit in, how I was always so different even though I desperately wanted to be like everyone else."
"Kris, I-"
"I'm the only human in a town full of monsters, hell, I haven't even met another human, not that I can remember at least. So when Susie and I fell in here and you took your hat off, all I could think was that even in this new world, completely different to my own, there was still someone who fits in better than me. Someone who looked like the rest of them, someone who is kind, considerate and always pushing others to be their best self, making friends with ease. And there I was, the weirdo. Unable to make any form of meaningful connection."
"Kris, please! You know that's not-"
"It hurt, a lot. And for a while. But then on the boat ride, in hindsight, it seems so silly, you told me that it was great that I was who I was. I don't know why, but I thought you were mocking me, making fun of my lack of control."
"I'm... I'm sorry Kris I never realized. But, I do truly believe that you - not the person you were made to be - are amazing Kris, for whatever that's worth," Ralsei felt fire rise to his cheeks as his soft pink eyes locked with the beautifully violent crimson of Kris's.
"I know that now, you don't need to apologize, you shouldn't feel guilty at all. Thank you though, it... it does mean a lot. But, I should be the one saying sorry, Ralsei, I let how you inadvertently made me feel turn into a... jealousy?" With every word, Kris could feel the weight on their shoulders lift a little more, "And instead of just talking to you, I villainized you, made you out to be someone you weren't. Hell! I should be thanking you! You were the one who made me realize that it IS great that I am who I am! You were the one who saw past the veil that thing put up!"
"K-Kris?"
"So thank you, Ralsei. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. And I'm sorry, for everything."
"Ummm... ha... y-you don't need to be sorry Kris, things are different now and I'm glad that I could help a-and that you changed your mind, " Ralsei was red as a beet. Kris didn't even notice that in the heat of the moment, they took his paws in their hands, when they looked down felt their chest tighten again. They didn't let go, the feeling only reminded them of the last thing they needed to... get out there.
"Yeah..." Kris softly squeezed his paw, "Y'know it's... it's kind of funny to think about now..."
"W-what's funny Kris?"
"It's just... when that thing controlled me, I never wanted the help, never wanted the advice that it forced on me," they started rubbing circles in his palm, "But when... when you told me how you felt... I asked for help. Asked for its advice, how I should respond."
Ralsei could barely contain his joy, he had been hoping it wasn't them that... "What did it tell you to say?"
"It was quiet, for a long time. Then when it finally spoke, it said that it wouldn't interfere with anything between me and you. That it wasn't it's right," they squeezed his hands a bit harder, "But what you said was so foreign to me, I didn't know how I should respond, so I decided the best option was to just stay silent. Ignore what you said. I didn't even think about how that could make you feel, and I just wanted you to know that I regret it, I really do. And I'm sorry."
"Kris, it's okay... I... I'll admit that it hurt, just being ignored after I opened up to you like that. I was hoping that the thing controlling you made you do it, that you wouldn't just leave me without an answer. But hearing that you didn't know and that you're sorry? That you regret it? It means everything to me, more than you can possibly imagine."
Ralsei smiled warmly at them, before slowly shifting around to pull Kris into a hug, he moved slowly, as if making sure they were okay with the act of affection. They were, and they slowly moved into it, wrapping their arms around the prince. They stood in their embrace silently for a while. Just enjoying each other's warmth and the comfort that it brought. But Kris had one last thing to say before they were done.
"Ralsei?"
"Yes, Kris?"
"I think what I've been trying to tell you is..." Kris could feel their heart racing, a blush rising to their face.
"Tell me what, K-Kris?" Ralsei tightened his hold on Kris, somehow he knew what they were going to say.
"I..." they took a deep breath "I feel the same."
They hoped his response would come quickly but it didn't. He was silent, squeezing them a bit harder. They swore they could feel him shaking. Before they could worry, Ralsei pulled out of the embrace, looking at them with a giant, elated smile, eyes filled with passion. They barely had time to process the feeling of his paws on their face before they were pulled into a kiss. It was short. It was awkward given their differences. But, oh, was it sweet. It was everything the both of them had wanted and more.
"You have no idea how much it means to me to hear you say that, Kris," Ralsei's face had somehow how gotten even more flushed.
"I uh... I think I have some idea, yeah."
"But, if you don't mind me asking, why now of all times, Kris? Why at the last minute?"
"Because... because I'm afraid that we won't get through this and if these are to be our last moments, why not make them happy?"
"Oh Kris," Ralsei cooed as he pulled them back into a warm embrace, Kris nuzzling into his soft fur, "We'll get through this, I promise you, we always do."
"Together?"
Ralsei smiled, a smile full of barely contained joy, "Together Kris, together."
They stayed there for a while, in a loving embrace, silently enjoying each other's warmth and the moment they had shared. Eventually, however, they knew they had to make their way back, so, hand-in-hand, they made their way back to Susie and Noelle, who seemed to have enjoyed their time alone. Upon seeing the two of them, Susie looked... glad that everything worked out.
"You two nerds done? We got a world to save." Susie greeted the two of them.
"Yeah," Kris responded, rolling their eyes at Susie... well being Susie, but before they could continue Susie stopped them and whispered in their ear.
"Good for you, Kris," they felt Susie squeeze their shoulder, smiling warmly at them. It erased the last of the doubts they had, to be encouraged meant the world. It made it seem to them, that right now, everything was okay and everything was going to be fine in the end.
They had their friends and their unwavering support.
They had someone who they loved, and who loved them back.
It gave them the confidence to walk into the inevitable.
With no regrets.