Chapter Text
Meta knight watched as Castle Dedede grew smaller and smaller in the distance, only half-listening as Kirby and Bandee chatted animatedly in the back about the trip. Before long, the castle was no longer distinguishable from the horizon, reduced to a tiny speck of color. Strangely, now that they were up in the air and headed to their destination, some of his worries about leaving Dreamland were drifting away, lost to the wisps of clouds that parted in their wake.
As he turned back around to sit properly in his seat–eyes fixating on a distant horizon–a familiar feeling welled up inside his chest. A call to adventure, a feeling that was seeing less use than it used to, but Kirby's presence alone had him contemplating just how this trip would go. It was meant to be a few lighthearted days of fun and relaxation, but something within him was tepidly banking on otherwise. Where there was Kirby, danger had a way of brewing, the hero an inexplicable magnet for it. Was it wrong of him to hope something came along to spice up their otherwise vanilla excursion? Abruptly, like he'd tripped a mental wire, his mind conjured up an image of Dedede waggling a disapproving finger at him in answer. Though unfortunately for the imaginary King, Meta knight's paranoia supported selective hearing.
The Triple D Cruiser's navigator screen let out a few little beeps as Dedede poked at it. He squinted at the blue tinged interface, before announcing to the group, "Says we should get there in about seven hours. Hopefully the wind'll stay on our side."
Meta knight shot the King a look of bemusement. "Surely not? This craft was built to handle far greater speeds. Escargoon and I fit it with the BlackStar Model 5 Cruiser. It's one of the best engines on the market. I'm certain you could cut our trip in half. Easily."
Dedede's beak immediately took on a stubborn tilt, an expression Meta knight had seen a thousand times over. "No way. We don’t need to go that fast. What? You suddenly real eager to get there? I thought you didn't wanna go."
Meta knight huffed. "It's merely an inefficient use of our time. We'll only be there five days. I assumed you would want to get there as soon as possible."
"We'll have plenty of time. Don't worry," Dedede waved a flippant hand, then smiled smugly. "And since I'm driving my ship, we're gonna enjoy the scenic route."
Spying an opportunity, Meta knight drummed his fingers on the dash before daring to ask, “May I pilot?"
"Meta knight's gonna drive?" Bandee piped up, halting his idle chit chat with Kirby.
"He is?" Kirby perked up.
"Oh, absolutely not,” Dedede asserted, glaring at the backseat through the rear view mirror. "This moron is NOT driving! What do you two have a death wish? Got cotton in your brains?"
"You insult me. I'm not that bad."
Dedede pivoted his glare to his knight, before refocusing on the sky. "The last time I let you drive, I was sick and nauseous for the rest of the day. It felt like my insides were tryin' to become outsides."
"Bleh," Kirby said, pulling a face.
"Bleh," Bandee agreed.
"Oh, shut your yaps back there. You've both seen and heard worse."
Kirby pulled a face at the rear view mirror.
"I'm a great pilot," Meta knight pressed. "It's hardly my fault you can't handle your own vehicle."
That got Dedede to face him fully, and Meta knight's lip quirked beneath the safety of his mask. Almost had him.
"Really? Is that a challenge, Meta knight?” Dedede barked.
"And what if it might be?” Meta knight returned coolly.
"Well fine then!" Dedede lifted his hands off the wheel. "Come show me how it's done, fly boy! If I'm sick again, I'm making sure it ends up on you."
Victory sealed, Meta knight grinned a grin that hurt his face.
-
Dedede did not lose his lunch, but it was a near thing. Currently, the monarch was leaning against the ship, hand braced against its side as he drew in shallow, measured breaths. He muttered something unintelligible at the ground, no doubt threats of bodily harm towards his knight. Meta knight, feeling only mildly guilty and more giddy than anything else, slipped a hand into his cape to retrieve a piece of candy. He handed it to the King, who unwrapped it and popped it into his mouth, no questions asked. It was a ginger flavored hard candy, something Meta knight had gotten into the habit of keeping on himself for moments such as this. That, and he enjoyed the taste of ginger outside of its nausea mitigating properties.
"Oh man, that was awesome!" Bandee cheered, hopping out of the ship, before immediately having to correct his balance. Every piece of peach fuzz fur on his body was sticking out like a hundred little needles, and there was a slightly wild look to his eyes. He set about smoothing his fur out. "Great King, can we let Meta knight drive home, too?"
Dedede thumped his forehead against the ship's flank with a loud metallic thunk and groaned his dissent. A definite no.
Kirby joined Bandee, feet crunching down upon a snow blanketed ground. He appeared entirely unphased by Meta knight's driving, his tolerance for aerial tricks and dives higher than most. It was likely the result of speeding around on his Warp Star, often performing dangerous maneuvers and spins even Meta knight would think twice about attempting. He'd still do them, of course, but still.
Meta knight pressed a button on the ship's dash to open the trunk, before joining the others outside. He’d had his fun. “His majesty can fly us home."
They'd landed in a frigid, white and wintery wonderland. Huge spruce trees stood all around, their snow capped tops climbing high up into a pale blue sky. Wispy clouds floated past, edges soft and spun like cotton candy. The air hit the cut of his visor, sharp and cold, the kind that had a crisp bite on the inhale. Meta knight could see his breath clearly as he exhaled, and he wrapped his fur lined cape snugly around his shoulders. Between a break in the line, their cabin was set into a steep hill, snow capped and built of huge cut logs and fieldstone supports. An arched floor to ceiling window served as a focal point for the front and Meta knight spied the beams of a balcony at the back end of the house. A long winding set of dark flat stones paved the way up to the lantern lit front door, jutting out of the snow like the scales on an ice dragon. Quite charming, he could admit. Dedede, for his faults, certainly knew how to choose a scenic location.
Kirby retrieved his small carry-on bag from the cockpit and held it over his head, shifting his weight from one boot to the other. “Come on! Come on! I wanna see what's inside!”
Dedede, now recovered, climbed the rungs of the ship to access the trunk.“You aren't gonna help me bring all this in, huh?”
“Nope,” Kirby said sweetly, popping the p. “That's your problem.”
“You little brat! I should-!”
But Kirby was already gone, taking the stepping stones two at a time and kicking snow down the hill in his wake.
“The audacity of that pipsqueak,” Dedede simmered, pulling out two of his bags. “Bandee, can you give me a hand?”
“Certainly, Great King,” Bandana dee chirped, setting down his own bag to grab hold of Dedede's.
Meta knight glanced towards the cabin–its interior warm and inviting–to see Kirby fiddling in futility with the door handle. “May I have the key, sire?”
“Sure. Just as soon as we get my stuff up there, I'll unlock the door.”
Meta knight stared at him, flatly, then turned away.
“Hey! Hey, hold on a second,” Dedede called after him, looking up from retrieving a pair of skis. “Where do you think you're going?”
“Inside. I won't be a part of this “we" in moving your luggage. Packing lightly is important, sire, as I'm sure you'll soon find out.”
At that, Meta knight scooped up his own bag and walked pointedly away, ignoring Dedede's indignant squawks and Bandee's heavy resigned sigh.
-
“Everyone alright with their rooms?”
“Mine is suitable. Thank you.”
“Yes, Great King. It is much appreciated!”
“No, mine's lame. It doesn't have a balcony.”
Dedede leaned over and flicked Kirby between his eyes, to which the kid immediately recoiled.
“Ow!” Kirby cried, rubbing at the spot. “Meanie!”
“Quit your whining, ya pain in the ass!”
Meta knight inhaled and exhaled subtly, stewing in mild regret from his spot between Dedede and Bandana dee. He was in for 5 days of this.
After the amusing ordeal of watching Dedede haul far too many bags of luggage and skiing equipment up the stepping stones–Kirby having taken a squirming Bandee hostage to prevent him from helping halfway through–a key was finally procured. Meta knight was grateful to leave the cold, joining the others in the inspection of the cabin's interior. It was as cozy inside as it had looked on the outside, with dark floors, warm walls, and all the gaudy furniture and decor one would expect of a log cabin.
An expansive living room took up the bulk of the residence, housing a large limestone fireplace with a wall-mounted tv, leather furniture, and several overlapping fur rugs. Light spilled in from the slice to the outside world in the arched window Meta knight had spied earlier, highlighting the gold base of a rather garish animal skull mounted above the fireplace. Meta knight spared the thought of wondering at the decor's authenticity, before his eyes tracked higher, following along ceiling support beams and a slowly spinning low hung fan. Overhead, a catwalk stretched to one side of the room, opening up into two areas Meta knight couldn't see from his vantage point. Surprisingly spacious, overall, larger inside than it had appeared outside. Enough that, If he so chose, there was enough space available for him to take flight.
An open kitchen bled into the living room, complete with the appliances and gadgets one would expect. Hanging under a line of dark cabinets was a magnetic knife block. Meta knight lingered on the largest knife, admiring its edge, before exploring further. A small laundry room lay tucked away in a corner, no doubt soon to be the victim of Dedede’s wardrobe. It was adequately stocked, as was the bathroom he found, its sink holding a white bar of plain smelling soap and several gray towels.
After methodically poking his head into each of the rooms–finding a supply closet and a game room that Kirby and Bandee were currently gushing over–he discovered what turned out to be a loft upstairs. It was incredibly rustic, stuffed full of more shaggy fur rugs and old wax candles than was probably necessary, and it smelled strongly of pine nettles. The bed was large, with plush pillows and a navy hued comforter, and an age-kissed window provided a snapshot to the white blanketed world outside. A small chair and table were tucked into a corner, along with a rusted wall mount lantern and a foot rest: the perfect place to wind down with a book.
Meta knight retrieved his suitcase from downstairs and set it down resolutely in the middle of the loft. His now. Better to claim it before Kirby or Bandee got their eyes on it. Luckily, they'd been preoccupied, squabbling downstairs over who was going to get the room with the sliding glass doors and the balcony. From the sound of things, Dedede swiped it while the pair were arguing, resulting in a heated, though heavily skewed, arm wrestle that left a sour Kirby sweating and the King smugly moving his suitcases into his room by the end of it.
They were gathered together on the coveted balcony now, high above the snow cover and forest floor far below. A gentle snowfall had begun in the time they spent unpacking, tiny flurries that slowly drifted through the sky, hypnotic in their gentle descent. Kirby held out a paw, watching as snowflakes landed on it and melted away.
The railing creaked as Dedede swiped away a layer of snow and leaned on it. "Sure is pretty, huh?"
"Mmm. It's nice, I guess." Kirby said, still sullen and nursing a bruised ego. “It kinda reminds me of that snowy place Magolor sent us to look for those sphere whatsits."
Bandee's face flashed from tranquil to sour. "Eugh, don't bring that guy up. If we ever see that traitor again, I'll spear em.”
"Ha," Dedede let out a dry laugh. "Shame he's gone. I wouldn't mind taking a swing myself. Pretty sure you don't come back from something like that, though."
"No, I wouldn't imagine so," Meta knight mused, recalling the wizard's dying moments, the pieces of him that drifted apart like falling snow. He blinked, and the memory was dispelled.
"I'm,” Kirby began, interrupting the reminiscent quiet that had descended, “Hungry.”
Dedede immediately rounded on the pink glutton. "What!? How're you hungry? I watched you inhale an entire breakfast ham this morning! And! You snagged a couple sausage links right off Sword knight's plate. We had snacks on the way over, too!”
Kirby puffed out his cheeks. "He offered them to me! I didn't steal them. I'm not Daroach."
Bandana dee snickered into his paw discreetly, but Kirby noticed and shoved him in retaliation, to which he was immediately pushed back. In a matter of seconds the two were wrestling, trying to kill each other at Dedede's feet. Meta knight, taking precautions, retreated to the balcony railing, and Dedede pulled the fluff of his robe out of harm's way.
From the safety of his perch, Meta knight asked. "You said there was a village nearby?"
Dedede hummed in inquiry, distracted by Bandee doing his best to pin Kirby to the wooden boards below. Of course, being a whole ten pounds made it a challenging ordeal. "Yeah, town should be a mile or so down the mountain. Lots of cutesy window shops, food, couple historic sites, that sorta thing."
"Surrender, fiend!" Bandana dee cried.
"I give! I give! You have bested me, great warrior," Kirby laughed. He went limp, turning his head away and holding his paws up. The perfect picture of defeat.
"Ha! I win," Bandee crowed, pumping a paw in victory, before he moved off of his friend to let him up.
Kirby, of course, a stranger to playing fair and never one to let an opportunity pass him by, made the impulsive decision and launched himself at Bandee, sending the pair of them screaming over the edge of the balcony.
Dedede startled, and Meta knight stared sharply down at the disrupted pile of snow where the pair had disappeared, hand hovering to remove his cape. The balcony stretched several yards tall, not a dangerous fall for either of them, but the snow was piled high enough to cover any potential sharp branches or stones beneath its deceptive surface. Just as Meta knight tensed his wrist to remove his cape, heart starting to pound in his chest, delighted laughter floated up and Kirby reappeared out of the snow, pulling Bandee up with him. Meta knight slackened his grip and glanced at Dedede, who was busy dragging his hands down his face. The penguin made a loud noise into his gloves, then sighed forcefully.
“Those two chuckle heads are gonna give me a heart attack one of these days,” Dedede muttered to himself, letting his hands drop. "Stars. Right. The town. You wanna go see it?
Meta knight left his perch, cleated boots chewing into old, soft wood and wrapped himself up tightly in his cape. He kept a keen eye on Kirby and Bandee as the troublesome pair trudged back to the cabin, a challenging ordeal given the snow was nearly as tall as they were. “Yes, I'd like to visit.”
-
Hoarfrost Village, Dedede had called it. A modest size in scale, a touch larger than Cappy Town, and full of life and intrigue. Its primary residents were a mix of snow and ice golems and waddle dees. Some were similar to the snowman they‘d had run-ins with before—a sentient being of ice and snow by the name of Chilly—while others were jagged, angular formations of crystalline ice. The waddle dees here were larger and darker in color than the dees in Dreamland, covered in dense fur with smooth, pale faces. A stubby Ice Dragon snorted at them as they passed by and a Snowl peered down in wide-eyed curiosity, before flitting off on pure white wings overhead.
The air, while crisp, was warmed to a tolerable degree by numerous fire lit lanterns and a huge, blazing bonfire at the village center. Stationed upon a round, expansive slab of stone bricks, the fire's flames licked high into the sky. Huge spruce logs crackled at its core, spitting out burning embers that drifted skywards before disappearing. A large teal ice dragon stood beside the flames, occasionally prodding at the firewood and charcoal with a hooked stoker. Several chunks of lumber were stacked in a neat row nearby.
Similarly to their cabin, most of the buildings in the town were built from cut logs and carved limestone. Snow blanketed every surface available, covering gable roofs, cobblestone streets, benches, and everything in between.
Businesses and store fronts were positioned closer to the center of town, while more residential looking homes were situated on the outskirts. The effect was localizing the town’s activity to the central bonfire, where many inhabitants were milling about. Conversation flowed freely, and no one seemed to pay their group too much mind, spare the odd looks Dedede was getting. Nothing unusual there, his towering stature a natural beacon for attention. He’d forgone his gold crown at Meta knight’s instance, at least. Friendly as the atmosphere seemed, assuming the best of a stranger’s intentions was always unwise.
Dreamland boasted a modest wealth of gold, enough that Dedede garishly insisted upon putting it on display all throughout his castle and personal wardrobe. At home, brandishing his wealth and importance was simply a bothersome quirk of their King. In unknown territory however, where anyone could be watching with ill intentions… Beneath the folds of his dimensional cape, Meta knight set his hand to rest on Galaxia’s hilt. The metal had taken on a chill, leeching through his gloves. It was doubtful, in such a remote area, that anyone would know of the King’s status, much less anyone who knew of Dreamland’s existence to begin with, but it never hurt to be cautious.
“This place is cooool,” Kirby enthused, spinning in a quick circle to take it all in. His dark pink scarf trailed behind him, poorly wrapped and likely to become a mess of snow and dirt before long.
Bandana dee watched his feet to avoid stepping on Kirby’s tripping hazard as he walked, then paused briefly and adjusted his hat to fit snuggly. Just below the blue and yellow wool knitting, his ever-present bandana peeked through. “The waddle dees here are different. It's strange.”
“They've adapted to a colder climate,” Meta knight provided, walking just a step behind Bandee to keep an eye on the rest of the group. “Having thicker fur keeps them warm, just as your shorter coat keeps you cool in the heat.”
“Ahh, feels great out here!” Dedede spread his arms wide, a broad grin on his face as he walked ahead. “Wish Dreamland got weather like this more often.”
It was certainly more tolerable being in a town near several heat sources compared to the woods, but Meta knight still couldn't say he enjoyed the cold. Dreamland boasted a rare, perfectly temperate climate, one Meta knight wouldn't trade for any other. Strong heat made him sluggish and sweaty under his armor, and the cold made his muscles stiff. Neither were preferable as a knight, though he'd still pick sweltering in the sun over shivering like a newborn Scarfy in the snow. It almost made him envious of the thick layers of short feathers coating Dedede's body. Almost. Molting seemed highly troublesome.
As their group moved along, a short, scruffy waddle dee broke from the crowd of busy villagers. They stopped before Bandana waddle dee and pointed insistently at him. Meta knight’s hand tightened around his weapon.
“Wa? Yan wanya?”
Bandee blinked twice, and shook his head. “Wo, wan anyo.”
Wanyish. It was a language unique to waddle dees, and one Meta knight hadn't quite pinned down. The dees didn't have a written language, which made it tricky to learn outside of being raised with it. Dedede knew more than most, the natural result of regularly working with the dees everyday, but even he seemed perplexed, beak pursed and a furrow at his brow.
The waddle dee sent an accusatory glare up at Dedede, who glanced off to the side then back as if to say ‘who, me?’ They huffed and unwrapped the scarf around them in quick short motions, before looping it twice around a befuddled Bandee.
With that, the shaggy waddle dee turned on heel and walked briskly away, snow crunching beneath their bare feet. Bandee called a timid ‘wa, wo?’ after them and touched his newly acquired scarf. Meta knight's hand relaxed around Galaxia.
“What was all that about?” Dedede asked. “They seemed mad at me.”
“I think she was accusing you of malnutrition, maybe,” Bandee answered, perplexed.
“Eh?” Dedede squinted in confusion, watching as the other waddle dee stomped out of view. “I feed y'all plenty. My bank account's got the scars to prove it.”
Bandee grimaced, pulling at his new scarf. “Why's it so itchy?”
Kirby tugged on Dedede's robe twice. “Hey, hey speaking of food. There's a restaurant over there. Can we go?”
Following Kirby's incessant pointing revealed a small restaurant front across the town. The name, Sweet and Sour Sensation, was painted in broad white lettering across a fish shaped sign. Tall segmented windows, edged with frost revealed the cozy glow of paper lanterns inside. Red banners, decorated with long finned fish, were hung either side of the store entrance. A tripod sign stood on a patch of stone free of snow. It detailed some sort of deal, the lettering not quite legible from Meta knight's position.
“We just got here.” Dedede pointed out, flummoxed. “How about we explore the town a bit first?”
“No.”
Dedede's expression soured. He leaned over to better glare Kirby in the eye and spoke pointedly. “Does anyone outside of Kirby want to explore the town before we eat?”
“Yes, Majesty!”
“I would, yes.”
Kirby briefly returned the King's glare with equal intensity, but, having been out-voted and not immune to the rules of group pressure, dropped it. A pout took the place of his defiance, and he crossed his arms and looked away. “Fine.”
“Good. I'll lead the way. The cabin had a tour guide brochure in it.”
-
They took their time wandering the village, following after Dedede as he led them into various buildings and stores, pausing occasionally to recheck the brochure as they explored. Allowing him to lead was a mistake, as it soon turned out, the tour rapidly devolving into the sole mission of buying an entire winter themed ensemble for the King's wardrobe. Why, in the vast cosmos above, Dedede needed a brand new feathered scarf to go around his already feathered neck was beyond Meta knight, but here they were. By the time the sun was starting its dreamy descent in the sky, staining patches of snow and rustic buildings a deep orange in its rays, both of Dedede's arms were covered in four shopping bags each and Bandana dee was holding a ninth.
“You have a problem,” Meta knight told Dedede plain and simple, when he finally declared his shopping spree over.
“Yeah, it's blue, opinionated, and annoying about everything. “
They'd stopped to break at one of the town's historic sites. It was an ancient bell, strung up above a frost bitten well and covered by an aged wooden roof. Rust coated the bell’s surface, chewing away at the grooves in the rim and shifting a pale aqua in some spots. The brochure detailed that the structure used to serve as the village’s main source of water hundreds of years ago, though the modern times had turned that function obsolete. Presently, it served as a popular tourist spot for making wishes, a water pump running to keep the surface from freezing over.
“As I should be,” Meta knight quipped. “At this point, you might as well carry a flashing sign around that says ‘I have lots of wealth. Please, feel free to rob me.’”
Dedede leaned back against the wooden worn bench they were sharing and laughed. “I don't know what you're so worked up about. What do I need to worry for? I got you covering my back, don't I?”
Meta knight pursed his lips, hackles lowering, then muttered. “...It wouldn't hurt to be more careful about your status, you know.”
Dedede hummed. “Maybe so. How about this then?”
Meta knight watched as Dedede rose, approached the well, and dug around in his pockets to pull out a green star coin. It glittered prettily in the sunset’s waning rays as he balanced it on his thumb, then flicked it into the wishing well.
“I wish that everyone is safe for the duration of the trip and no one gets robbed so my knight doesn't blow a gasket.”
Meta knight's mouth stretched into a thin, flat line, any lingering positive feelings about mutual trust and respect effectively nullified.
“Dummy,” Kirby exclaimed. “You said it out loud. Now the wish isn't gonna come true.”
“Eh? According to who? Don't tell me you believe that nonsense.”
“‘Course I do! Gimme a coin.”
Rolling his eyes, Dedede dug a hand back into his pocket and made a show of rifling around in it, patting his other pockets, shaking the ends of his robe, before coming up empty and shrugging. “Oh darn. Guess I'm all outta money. No coins for you.”
“You're lying!” Kirby cried, making a grab for the fluff on Dedede's robe. “I can hear them jingling!”
“Ay! Quit that, ya pest! Alright, alright!”
Dedede pushed Kirby away, squishing his pink face in, before begrudgingly relinquishing a coin. Two more coins were passed over to Bandana dee next, who took them with a polite ‘oh, thank you.’
“Why does Bandee get two?”
“‘Cause I like him more than you.”
“Mean,” Kirby stated matter of factly, but seemed largely content with the single coin in his paws as he contemplated the well's rippling surface. “What do you think, Bandana? Should I wish for unlimited cake forever till I die or Dreamland's continued safety?”
“First of all,” Bandee began, pausing to throw one of his coins in the well. He clasped his hands together and shut his eyes briefly, before continuing. “What kinda choices even are those? Second, weren't you just saying the wish doesn't work if you say it out loud?”
“Mm, guess I did say that, huh. What to wish for though…? Aha! Got it!”
In a burst of enthusiasm, Kirby cast his coin at the well. His pitch veered hard off target, pinging against the bell with a high pitched ting, before ricocheting off, hitting the ground below, and sliding perfectly into a crack between the aged bricks underfoot and the well's wall.
“My coin! Shoot!” Kirby fretted, dropping to the ground and pawing in futility at the small sliver of green metal peeking out of the crevice.
Dedede broke into a fit of laughter, doubling over. “You gave it too much gusto! That's unlucky.”
“My wish,” Kirby lamented pitifully as Dedede continued to snicker.
“Here,” Bandee offered a paw, within it his other coin. “I'm happy with my one wish.”
“Really? Aw, Bandee you're the best! I promise to never throw you off a balcony again.”
“Somehow, I doubt that.”
“Nuh uh, see,” Kirby walked up to the well, and, with more restraint the second go around, tossed his coin in. “I wish that Bandee never falls or gets pushed off a balcony ever again. There, see? Now you're safe.”
Bandee's eyes squinted in mirth. “That's your wish? And, you said it out loud, too.”
Kirby blanched. “Ah- wait. Shoot! I messed it up! I was gonna wish for something else,” He looked frantically to Dedede. “You have more coins, right? Right?”
But Dedede was already walking away, gathering up his bags and blatantly ignoring the serious puppy-dog eyes Kirby was sending his way. If he turned around, he'd fold under the weight of a guilty conscience.
“You already had your chance, pipsqueak. Besides, I'm hungry. Let's say we go check out that restaurant you saw earlier, then head back.”
Like a cloud passing by the sun, Kirby's pitiful expression was wiped away, replaced by elation at the prospect of food. Should there ever be a day Kirby wasn't enthused at the suggestion to eat, it could safely be assumed hell had frozen over.
“Finally!” Kirby yelled. “I thought I was gonna starve!”
“His appetite never ceases to amaze me,” Bandee remarked as Kirby ran after Dedede and took hold of one of the bags to carry for him. “It's like his stomach is bottomless.”
Meta knight shook his head. “You'd certainly be hard pressed to put a limit on it.”
-
Leaning against the corner of the living room's couch, Meta knight tucked into his meal as he listened to the others chat about tomorrow's plans, fire crackling away in its hearth.
In the end, the universe was no closer to finding out whether Kirby's appetite was a finite thing. They'd indeed gone to the restaurant Kirby spied earlier in the day, and, abundantly his delight, the signage posted outside advertised an all you can eat special for the day. Being the little glutton Kirby was, no force in the universe could have steered his path away from such an opportunity. By the time he finally set down his last plate, it was only due to Dedede tapping out of the improv challenge to see who could eat more between the two. The stack of plates they left behind and the horror etched into the faces of the staff of Sweet and Sour Sensation, was as amusing as it was likely that they'd never be allowed to step foot in the restaurant's doors again. A small loss in Meta knight's eyes, a fair trade by Kirby's, a hole burned in Dedede's wallet, and a long, exasperated sigh let out from Bandee.
“What do yall think of heading here tomorrow?” Dedede asked, pointing at a subsection of the brochure spread out on the coffee table.
Meta knight popped a tuna roll into his mouth and set his chopsticks and takeaway box aside to lean over and see what Dedede was pointing at. Pictured above a small informative blurb was a ski resort, boasting a variety of different skill dependent slopes and scenic views.
“It looks..nice,” Bandee said, eyes roaming over the words on the page, lingering on the pictures. “But, the hills are kinda steep, don't you think?”
Kirby yawned widely, slumping back against the cushions and shutting his eyes in contentment. He hadn't looked at the brochure even once. “Nah. You got it Bandee. There's nothing you can't handle.”
“Yeah, it'll be fine,” Dedede agreed, and clapped a hand against Bandana dee's back who had to dig his feet and paws into the couch to remain in his spot. “I'll be helping you out, too. I'm an expert skier, remember?”
Bandee's eyes squinted in a waddle dee smile, the worry on his face easing. “Oh, well of course. I'm sure you're brilliant on the slopes, Great King! I'd be lucky to have you as a teacher.”
Dedede's feathers puffed up in pride. “Damn, sure!”
Meta knight polished off the rest of his meal as Dedede began listing off his best tips and tricks to get on the path of becoming a–triple D approved–skilled skier. No sooner had he gotten to his third piece of advice, going on about the importance of the shape of your skis when manipulating your momentum and drafts, Kirby was out. A full belly, a warm, crackling fire, and the deeper tones of Dedede's rumbling voice seemed more than enough to put him to sleep.
Upon noticing the soft snores coming from his right, Dedede commented in bemusement. “He went and fell asleep that quick? He's gonna miss all my good advice.”
“Dont worry. I'm listening, Majesty,” Banana dee assured him. “I can tell him what to do tomorrow.”
Dedede smiled and reached over to ruffle Bandee's head, displacing his bandana a little. “You're real dependable, kid.”
Bandee's face lit up like Dedede had just promised him the world.
Their conversation continued on a little while longer, hushed down to a volume lower than even the crackling of the fireplace. Meta knight chimed in as he liked, though he mostly listened, content to let Bandana dee soak up quality time with his king.
Before long, Dedede was yawning in between sentences, and Bandee could hardly keep his eyes open. Meta knight called it and excused himself to go to bed.
“Yeah, ‘bout that time,” Dedede nodded and waved him off. “G'night, knight. I'll deal with Pinky.”
“Goodnight, Majesty. Bandana.”
Bandee returned his goodnight, the word blurred at the edges with sleepiness, and Meta knight made his way up the steps to the loft. Their chatter drifted after him a little longer, individual words incomprehensible. There was the sharp hiss and the glow of the fireplace vanished, darkness overtaking the house with only the moon peeking in through the windows to provide light. Meta knight rifled through his suitcase, procured a book, and climbed into bed, sitting on top of his covers. He listened to Dedede's footsteps and the faint noise of his robes dragging behind him as he went through the nightly motions. Before long, Bandee whispered a final goodnight to Dedede and shut his door. Silence followed, signaling the hour of sleep. Meta knight settled into his pillows and cracked open his book's spine.
-
A door opened and closed, rousing Meta knight from the murky visions swimming behind heavy eyelids. There was a quiet shuffling, followed by the tink, tink, tink of someone climbing up a ladder, and, before long, a pink face appeared.
Kirby hoisted himself up over the lip of the roof–eyes dull and more closed than open–then padded over to Meta knight's side. His breath was visible in the cold air as he exhaled a long, long sigh that shook towards the end, before he sat himself down heavily. There was a beat of hesitance, then Meta knight felt the kid paw at his cape, insistent. The cloth unraveled, cold briefly nipping at him, before Kirby fell against his side, still warm from being indoors under the covers. There was another unsteady inhale and exhale, and the knight laid a hesitant hand atop Kirby's head, a frown tugging at his lips.
Kirby breathed, hiding his face, clutching Meta knight tightly.
This wouldn't be the first time he'd seen Kirby like this, but it never stopped feeling like a punch to the gut. The things Kirby had seen and done, things a mere kid shouldn't have had to experience. He shouldn't be shouldered with all the responsibility of the world. Powerful or not, it didn't magically whisk away all the fear and stress of being a hero. There would always be the haunting visions of battles past, nightmarish beings, heavy expectations, and betrayal. There were days where those memories were quiet, nothing more than foggy bad dreams to be shooed away, and then, there were times like this, when Kirby's cheery demeanor cracked and fell away like broken armor.
Guilt, familiar and heavy, welled up within him, lifting its ugly head to sneer at him as it often did. Guilt over not being strong enough to hide Kirby from the true horrors of the world, over having been an enemy himself in the days long past. Yet, there was at least this he could offer, if not a sturdy shield, than a brief reprieve. A blanket to block out those shadowy figures who festered at the edges when the past tried to claw its way into the present. The memories would still be there, permanent and unavoidable, but at least they were buffered. It wasn't glorious or brave, it was... awkward for him, and it wasn't enough in his eyes. But, if he could help by being the hero's shoulder to cry on, then so be it.
Before long, the tears stopped coming, leaving Kirby even more worn out than before. He slumped his full tiny weight against Meta knight, no longer hiding his face in favor of looking up at a sky full of glittering stars, eyes red around the corners.
"You should go back to sleep," Meta knight whispered.
"Don't wanna."
The knight closed his eyes and breathed out a sigh, breath coming out of his visor like smoke.
"I know."
It would be hypocritical of him to insist that Kirby return to sleep, to risk falling back into another nightmare. Being out of range of the Fountain of Dreams—the star kissed fountain supplied with enough dream matter to last for eons to come—was... not something he enjoyed. His own presence up on the roof and away from his pillows and blanket was testament enough to that.
He patted the kid on the head, the movement stilted, and joined him in looking skyward to lose himself in the millions upon millions of lights shining above that made up the expanse of Gamble Galaxy. They were brighter than the stars in Dreamland, the sleepy kingdom stuck at sea-level. Their cabin was nestled high up on a mountain, stars so close you could near reach out and pluck one from the sky. In the distance, between brilliant white specks, he could see the nebulous clouds of their galaxy, faint washes of color against the inky blackness of space, joined by a glowing white moon. The sight was a comforting steadfast in his life, one he found himself returning to when things went wrong or his mind was too full of tripwires and hooks to safely navigate. It felt like home, a comfort for reasons he couldn't articulate.
He looked back to Kirby, whose eyes were just barely cracked open, fighting a losing battle against sleep. Blue eyes would slip shut, only to be forced open, over and over. By the fifth occurrence, he was nodding, and Meta knight made the decision, once again, to turn in for the night. Properly, this time.
"Alright. Come along, Kirby. There's much to do tomorrow. You know Dedede has a full day planned."
Kirby made a noise of dissention, barely even conscious, but he made no move of resistance as Meta knight scooped him up in one arm and made his way back inside the cabin, careful on his way down the ladder.
The door shut behind them with a quiet click, blocking out the cold. Meta knight's fingers prickled with pins and needles, numbness bleeding away as he adjusted to the shock of warmth inside the cabin. Someone must have messed with the thermostat in the time he spent outside. Kirby had succumbed to sleep, breathing deep and slow, his face relaxed. Meta knight hoped it stayed that way. If he could banish Kirby's bad dreams forever, he would do so without hesitation.
As Meta knight debated what to do with his charge, whether to return him to bed or let him stay, faint conversation drifted upstairs, and the muttering of two voices reached his ears. He descended a few steps to peer over the guard rail into the living room below. Dedede and Bandana dee were slumped against the plush couch, talking quietly in the midnight spilling in through tall, square windows. It bathed the room in an ethereal glow, washing out Dedede's red robe and Bandana dee's auburn fur.
Meta knight stepped a little harder than he normally would to get his armor to clink as he picked his way downstairs. If the two sitting on the couch were up for the same reasons as he and Kirby, it would be wise not to appear too suddenly.
He grabbed their attention as intended, Dedede catching the golden glow of his eyes as he reached the foot of the stairs.
"That you, metal head?" He called out, a little wary.
Bandana shifted on the couch, glaring in suspicion, only to relax a second later. He slumped back against the cushions, eyes falling half-lidded.
"Yes," Meta knight assured, adjusting Kirby in his grip, who muttered vaguely upset gibberish at him for being jostled.
Dedede frowned at him, "Is Kirby with you, too? What's he doing there?"
Meta knight approached the sofa, trying not to shake his passenger too much. He gingerly set Kirby down on a plush pillow, only for the child to immediately roll over and bury his face in the fabric of Dedede's night gown. The penguin's face scrunched in minor annoyance, and he nudged him away.
"He had a nightmare, I believe," Meta knight said, tone low and quiet. "He sought me out, and we sat together until he fell asleep."
Dedede looked down at the pink lump beside him, expression softening a tad. "Poor little guy."
Dedede stifled a wide yawn into his hand, then let out a tired grumble. Bandee was a similar sort, squinting like his eyes hurt and keeping them more closed than open. He was making a best effort at merging with the couch beneath him, little paws and feet completely slack.
Meta knight asked the question. "Why are you two up? Were you also visited by nightmares?"
Bandana rubbed at an eye, and mumbled. "No. I was fine. His majesty woke me up ‘cause he had a strange dream."
"What!" Dedede stage whispered. "That ain't true! I woke you up to make sure the shadow I saw in the window was gone. For backup, you know? I woulda asked Meta knight, but he wasn't in his room."
There was inquisition in the penguin's tone, as he looked to the knight for an explanation.
"Apologies, sire. I was up on the roof."
Bandee pulled a face and Dedede squinted at him, "The hell were you doing up there?"
"Nevermind that. You said you saw a shadow?"
Bandee yawned. "Great King, I don't mean any disrespect, but are you sure you didn't dream something was there? We went out and checked. There weren't even footprints."
"I'm telling you, I saw something! At least I thought I…?” Dedede trailed off, now uncertain.
"I could go check the perimeter, if you like," Meta knight offered, already shifting to remove his cape. A quick fly around wouldn't take long, and his eyes could cut through the darkness with ease.
Dedede let out a rumbling sound of contemplation, head tilted and arms crossed. "Well, I don't know about all that. We already checked, and it's real cold out there,” His hand found his neck, displacing the feathers there, before he added. “For you guys, I mean.”
“It would be no trouble,” Meta knight insisted.
“Leave it. Maybe Bandee’s right. I could’ve imagined it.” Dedede crossed his arms. “Maybe just... keep an ear out, would ya? You're a light sleeper, right?"
Meta knight tilted his head. Was there something lurking around outside, after all? It wasn't too hard to believe Dedede had spooked himself into thinking he saw something in such a state of mind, half awake and frazzled with fear. He certainly had the history to invest more on the side of caution these days. Regardless, Meta knight had been ordered to stay, and he would.
For now.
“Alright, sire,” Meta knight dipped his head, then addressed Banana dee. “Would you mind handling Kirby?”
“Yes, of course,” Bandee slid off the couch, grabbed hold of Kirby and hauled him over his head. “Come on, sleepy. You can sleep in my room.”
Kirby barely stirred, limp and oblivious as he was carried off to Bandee's room. At times, Meta knight envied that ability to shut out the world and achieve deep restful sleep no matter where or what time it was. Other times he wondered how Kirby made it as far as he had with the survival skills of a wet towel.
“Well. Goodnight, then,” Dedede bid, tone somewhat farcical. Then, added. “Again.”
Bandee let out a short laugh. “Goodnight.”
Meta knight bid his own evening farewell and retreated upstairs for the second time that night. Climbing into bed, he settled under warm, heavy covers and drew his cape around his shoulders. Eyelids heavy, he spared the stairs one last glance, before shutting his eyes and waiting for sleep to claim him.