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Toon Link lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling with a look of exasperation on his face. His hands gripped the sheet tightly, a desire to vanish, or for the Earth itself to swallow him whole and spit him back out into his world. He felt trapped, a scream stuck in his throat along with his vocal cords, this had caught the attention of his roommate, Young Link, who earlier, worried, asked his friend what was wrong, but received no response, not even a blink, so he decided to leave, he didn't want to "bother" his friend any further, if he already looked like he wanted to kill himself, who knew if someone else might end up being his punching bag?
But how did all this start? If you want to find someone to blame, you don't have to think twice, Toon Link brought this on himself by being both too much of an idiot and too kind. His whole dilemma began yesterday afternoon; Villager had approached Toon with good intentions asking if he wanted to help him with something:
“Hey, Toon! I was looking for you.” Villager seemed genuinely happy to see the swordsman; there wasn't much to say for the other, on the contrary, he'd been startled, which Villager found amusing.
“You know you can say 'hello,' right? What's up now? What do you need from me?” He sounded a bit tired. Toon Link had recently finished training with Pit, the angel had helped him a little more with his archery techniques, but he was completely exhausted.
“I don't like formalities. Anyway, I wanted to ask if you'd be willing to help Daisy and me in the garden tomorrow afternoon, if you don't mind, of course.” It was rare for Villager to ask others for help, especially when it came to the garden. It seemed to be the only entity he took seriously besides the Hands and fighting.
“Sure, I have no problem with that! In fact, I’d love to!” Toon couldn’t help the slight blush that crept across his cheeks, which made Villager laugh again.
“Ah, great! The more help, the better. But do you know what I heard? You’ve wanted to help in the garden, but you’ve been too shy to tell me. I wonder why?” Villager asked with a teasing smile.
“Yeah… It’s nothing, I just thought you might not like me being there or something.” Toon crossed his arms looking away, trying to hide his growing blush. He had previously spoken to Lucas about this desire of his; perhaps Villager had overheard them talking about it or maybe Villager had even blackmailed Lucas for the information.
Villager simply nodded and left, leaving Toon alone in the hallway once more. He remained completely silent for a few moments before bursting into celebration like a high school girl who'd just gotten a date from her crush. Going back a bit further, because of Popo's absence from the previous tournament, Toon Link felt relatively lonely. Yes, he had his other friends with whom he shared a lot, but Popo was a little more important to him than they were. In those moments of solitude, Villager approached him, they became friends and, over time, grew closer to one another, but he couldn't help noticing how his heart fluttered whenever Villager was near or how he smiled while watering his plants. Was he falling in love with him? Those thoughts were put to rest when that tournament ended, but even back in his own world, he couldn't stop thinking about him…
But everything turned upside down when the current tournament was announced. Not only would Villager be returning, but it also implied that all the fighters would be back, which simultaneously meant that Popo and Nana would be returning. When he saw Popo there, back at the mansion, probably talking about something silly with Ness and Lucas, his heart leaped with joy, as if it wanted to escape his chest. It made him realize that he was still in love with Popo, but his interest in Villager also existed within him. Was he in love with two boys? He had no idea! He really didn't have time to think about such "nonsense," opting to leave this problem to his future self, who wasn't having a good time with the situation he had to face.
The second blow came that night at dinner. Toon Link was sitting eating the pancakes that Kirby and Rosalina had cooked for the children. Popo, Nana, Ness, and Lucas were also at the table.
“Toon, I wanted to ask if you wanted to come train with me tomorrow… You know, I need to start being a little more… independent in fights in case Nana gets knocked down.” Popo explained while playing with his food. This was part of a little plan Nana had put together for him; she cared a lot about her brother, and if he needed help with his love life, he knew she would be there.
“Don’t you have Nana for that?” Toon asked, chewing on a piece of his food. Popo frowned, not only at Toon’s assumption but also because he was chewing with his mouth full—how childish and disgusting of him.
“It would be useful if we didn’t both have the same moves, you know? And swallow before you eat! Savage…” You could hear the disgust and annoyance in his voice, which made Toon laugh. Popo always looked so cute when he was angry, and it became even more adorable when he noticed him turning red.
“Awh, never mind! Of course I’ll help you! I have no problem helping my dear Popo~” He grabbed the climber’s cheek like a grandmother doting on her grandson. Teasing him had always been something he loved. In Brawl, it wasn’t so common, but in this new tournament? It was like watching a newlywed couple.
“Stop grabbing my cheeks, you idiot!” For doing these things that were extremely embarrassing for him, Toon received a punch on the shoulder that made him groan.
“Ow, okay, okay! But don’t hit me, now you’re the savage.” She laughed while pointing at Popo, who wasn’t taking this well at all. He felt embarrassed, and he’d completely forgotten there were three other people sitting where they were.
“I’m starting to wonder if your plan is really a good idea, Nana,” Ness inquired as she watched Toon and Popo start arguing. Nana seemed totally excited and happy about it, and Ness wondered if her friend was truly crazy.
“Of course it is! I mean, look at them, they’re showing each other so much affection I think I’m going to get diabetes.”
“Nana… Your brother is hitting Toon with the spoon,” Lucas said, sounding a little scared.
“Aww! Let them be, that’s how Popo honestly rubs his love in.” Nana had never actually seen her brother in love. In their homeland, she and Popo only completed small jobs in the mountains, even at their young age they didn’t have time to fall in love. But here? It was completely different. Although Nana wasn’t interested in the idea of having someone to call “her partner,” Popo clearly had someone in mind.
Finally returning to the present, Toon Link sits on his bed, memories of these events flooding his mind with fervor. He clearly doesn't feel entirely comfortable with them; they only remind him that his heart is more confused than before.
"I don't even know what I want when it comes to love... Is what I feel for Villager even love?" he asks himself, watching his hands tremble gently. "I feel like a big, kind, idiot." He'd never been one to talk to himself this way, but this time, he feels it's the right thing to do.
So immersed in his thoughts, he didn't notice the knock on his door, but the moment he heard the voices outside and knew who they were, his mind snapped open for a few moments.
“What are you doing here so early, Villager? I thought you were still asleep at this hour.” It was Popo, probably looking for him so they could go train early. He'd likely found out about his plans with Villager and didn't want to take up that time with him—how thoughtful.
“Me? Oh, nothing. I was just here to remind Toon about what we were doing today, though I could ask you the same question.” His tone wasn't filled with the curiosity of someone else who might ask the question; rather, neither Popo nor Toon knew what lay behind those two eyes.
“Well, I'm here because I need to see him. We agreed to go train and… Ah… Here I am!” He was a little nervous; he hated being seen, exposed by Villager and his tricks for seeing even behind any security mask.
“Ah, yes, I’d heard that from other fighters. How thoughtful of you to choose him, wasn’t it?”
“Well, he’s my best friend. Why wouldn’t I choose him?” Popo became a little defensive, why was Villager “bothered” that he had chosen Toon to train? He knew Villager liked to cause chaos, to see reactions, and he was slowly falling into that spiral of getting caught in a trap.
“There’s no reason why you wouldn’t want to, and I’m not saying this for that reason either. What strikes me more is… Maybe you’re not being honest about how you feel.” Now, where was he going with this? No, the better question: How far did he want to take this?
“I’m being honest about how I feel. He’s my friend, I have no reason to think otherwise.” He crossed his arms, staring at the ground. He was starting to get annoyed; this was weighing more heavily on him than it should. He didn’t like being confronted with a truth he wasn’t ready to admit.
“I think you see him as more than a friend. Are you—?” He was about to speak, but Popo stopped him.
“Don’t you dare…! Not here. He’s definitely asleep and I don’t want to wake him up with a commotion.” Toon Link could hear all of this and couldn’t help but feel his heart pound with guilt and affection.
“I’m sure he’s awake. Young Link was talking to Zelda, trying to figure out what was wrong. It was quite sweet.”
“What do you want… to get out of all this?” Popo asked vulnerablely. It felt like a blender of emotions was churning him while he was still breathing, painful and suffocating.
“I want you to admit what you feel for him. You can do that, right?” This left the listener stunned. It was like a confession that shouldn't be overheard, and yet, here he was, listening, breathing in the same feelings.
“And I ask again, what do you want out of all this?” Even with the shock of it all, he couldn't help but feel pressured. He was truly confused by Villager's reasoning.
“…That's none of your business.” Villager was serious. It wasn't common to see him like this, but finding an answer was what made Popo leave. His steps were heavy; he was truly upset.
Toon Link was quite surprised and bewildered. What the hell had just happened? He could still sense Villager's presence outside, probably waiting for him to say or do something, maybe go after the climber, but he couldn't move, still in shock.
“Go for him, okay? I’m not trying to separate you. I know you like him… So do me a favor and go for who you prefer.” Those were Villager’s last words to Toon Link before leaving. Words that lingered in his head for a moment like a siren’s song he couldn’t silence.
He needed to go get him, that much was obvious. But what was he supposed to say? “Hey Popo, I heard you outside my room talking to Villager, and I heard we’re in love with each other! Will you be my boyfriend?” That would be simply terrible, probably one of the top 10 worst confessions
he’d ever imagined. He needed help from an outsider; his head was honestly fried. So he decided to go to someone who might be able to help him see things a little more clearly.
His hurried steps led him quickly to a door with a badge that looked like a depressed eggplant. He heard sluggish, even clumsy, footsteps. Nana opened the door, thinking it was someone else.
“Popo, I can’t keep helping you if you come here to our bedr—Toon…? Wait, Toon, what are you doing here?!” she asked, confused and surprised. Popo was supposed to have come looking for him. What was he doing here?!
“I know it’s weird, but I need help… a lot of help. It’s about Popo.” His tone was melancholic, which stirred something within Nana.
“Did something happen to him? Is he okay!?” he asked with a frantic air that clearly showed she was worried about her twin.
“Well… I’ll explain inside the room.” He entered the room, pushing past Nana so he could get in. She complained under her breath but still let him in.
There, Nana let Toon pour out everything from his heart: feeling like a complete idiot for getting engaged to two boys, the growing confusion within him, the suffocating feeling of not knowing how to approach or even attend to this issue. It was all too much for the blond boy sitting on the floor, while Nana sat on the edge of the bed hugging a plush vegetable.
“Wow… That’s a lot, honestly. I didn’t think you’d be going through all this… with everything.” Nana put a hand to her face, thinking. This was partly her fault, indirectly per say, for telling Popo what to do and say so they could both have a good time today. “Ah… Toon, I really want to ask, and I need you to be honest with me: What do you feel for Villager?”
“Well, he’s quite mysterious. Nobody knows what goes on in his head. It seems like he does things for his own entertainment and, at the same time, to help others. It’s like he knows everything and pretends not to know anything. It’s… curious and interesting.” He explained. Perhaps what he felt for Villager was a bit more analytical, trying to figure out what was really going on with him, or maybe less dramatic and more profound.
“Alright, so what are your feelings for Popo?” Now the question was gentler, even his eyes lost their sleepy tone, becoming more vibrant. He looked at the ground for a few moments before smiling.
“Popo? Well, he’s someone I never expected to get so close to. The first time I saw him, it was like seeing… maybe an ice cream? It sounds silly, but he was quite cold, both physically and in personality, but at the same time, he couldn’t help being so sweet… That captivated me, maybe it made me fall more and more into his clutches, to the point that I spent so much time with him that I could easily forget what it was all about… or anything at all.” Toon spoke like a boy in love, completely lost in Popo. Nana felt even perplexed by all of this; it was as if this lost boy were talking to her about a gem he had fallen hopelessly in love with.
“And even after telling me all this, you’re still inclined to question what you really feel? You’re literally in love with Popo! You talk about him like he’s an oasis in the hottest desert.” Nana sounded genuinely surprised, but also annoyed. Had he really lost his mind?
“Maybe… But I don’t even know how to approach him after that disastrous conversation. Villager said to go after him, but I don’t think I have the courage to go,” he admitted, his voice choking with emotion. It wasn’t easy to admit that the guilt he felt for all of this was building up inside him, like a poison with no escape except through his words.
“You don’t need to say anything to him, just go to him… You have several things to work out with each other, but I truly believe you can handle it.” Nana stood up and placed a hand on his shoulder, offering Toon support. She knew nothing would be fixed overnight, but the most they could do was try.
“…Okay, I will, thanks Nana.” He got up from the ground with a more optimistic smile now. His movements were still a bit wobbly, yes, but his determination to fix things with Popo was stronger.
When he returned to his room, he opened the curtains to let in the sunlight, something he hadn't done before. Not even Young had dared to do it. Seeing him so unwell was surely a bitter surprise. Even so, he showered and changed into his usual fighting clothes. His sword, which he always carried, reflected his feelings: doubt, fear, and uncertainty. But he couldn't run away again. He had to face this ghost that haunted his every step, the ghost of a love his heart could no longer bear.
Entering the training room, he could hear Popo's sledgehammer slamming furiously against the sandbag, each blow more fervent than the last. Clearly, he still hadn't gotten over his earlier conversation, and this was a way for him to let it all out. He wasn't wearing his usual parka; this time it was tied around his waist, revealing the white shirt he always wore underneath. He didn't want to carry the heat of not only his own fury but also the heat of the room itself.
“Careful, Master Hand won’t be happy to see another empty sandbag here.” He joked, trying to sound innocent, as if he knew nothing, but it was a bit difficult.
“It doesn’t matter, he can create another one himself. I need this.” Popo wasn’t looking at him, but he knew he was there and not just because of his voice “You’re late.”
“I know, I honestly overslept, sorry.”
“…I can’t help but think you’re lying to me.” Popo finally deigned to look him in the face, but this time it wasn’t with the fury with which he’d been hitting the object, but with distrust. He didn’t know why he felt this way, but something about the way Toon spoke didn’t sound “honest.” His mallet hit the floor with a dull thud. Right now, he didn’t want to train; he wanted to talk.
“Well, maybe it is, maybe it isn’t…” He teased for a moment before stepping closer and standing in front of him. “Why do you think I’m lying to you?”
“You don’t sound like yourself. I mean, you told a joke and didn’t laugh at it, and you’re more stiff than usual… Are you lying to me about something or keeping a secret? You’re not good at pretending.” He explained, his eyes lingering on every detail Toon mentioned, and honestly, he couldn’t disagree. He knew he was bad at lying and hiding things, but he couldn’t help it when the source of his problems was right in front of him.
“Am I really that bad at hiding things?”
“Definitely.”
They both laughed at this, the atmosphere now a little lighter. Even so, they both carried regrets in their hearts, things they knew they had to say and couldn’t hide for much longer.
“Okay… Yes, there is something I need to tell you.” He took Popo’s hand in his own, intertwining their fingers in a gentle grip. “Look, I overheard what you were saying to Villager.” He noticed Popo’s frown quickly.
“You… You heard all that? Oh, no! How embarrassing! I swore you were asleep and that’s why you wouldn’t hear anything!” He clearly sounded hurt, which pained Toon.
“Yes, I heard every word you said and his as well, but don’t feel sorry for yourself. In fact… Um, I guess we’re in the same boat!” His cheeks turned red; he couldn’t help it. Admitting this was difficult, but if he was determined to fix his problems, then admitting he was in love shouldn’t be so hard.
“In the same boat?” Popo sounded surprised, quite surprised; his eyes were wide.
“Yeah, you know, we’re both in love with each other and want to get married and all that!” His nervousness got the better of him, and he blurted out one stupid thing after another. His face was so red he could have been mistaken for a tomato because of his outfit.
“Toon, you’re turning red!” He laughed happily. Seeing Toon Link like this made his own heart leap; it was sweetly intoxicating.
“Don’t laugh, you’re only making it worse!” He shouted sharply. His embarrassment wouldn’t go away for a moment and hearing Popo laugh at his suffering wasn’t making it any better. “I’ll make you shut up!”
“And how do you plan to shut me up—?!” He said between laughs, only to be interrupted by a kiss on his lips. It was too awkward; after all, they were both novices, but neither he nor Toon, who was kissing him, had expected that.
“Ah… I’m so sorry, Popo, that was totally impulsive, please don’t kill me!” With desperate movements, he grabbed Popo’s shoulders, who was completely silent after that kiss. Now he was as red as a tomato, along with Toon.
“They’re both a disaster together,” Red remarked, who was watching all this along with Nana, she looked genuinely happy to see her brother relatively content; after all, a small smile spread across his face.
“They might be a disaster together, but they’re so cute together… I really am a good Samaritan!”
“I think you should be more careful with your words, Nana.” He was only there because neither Ness nor Lucas had