- Stars -

December 20th. Some fighters have already gone back home for the holidays, most of the ones left here are preparing for a Christmas party this evening. The holiday spirits are really in the air today, I couldn't even get anyone to spar with me. A tad disappointing but I'll deal with it.

"Just a bit more to the right, Kirby!"

From the big hall's doorway I observe as the pink puffball in question is floating up with another end of a Christmas decoration in his mouth trying to get the placement on the up corner of the wall just right like Peach wants it.

"There! Let's get to the next one, shall we?"
"Poy!"

Kirby quickly deflates and floats down to Peach. He seems to be enjoying himself. Of course, knowing all the food he will be allowed to eat later this evening probably has him pumped up to the core.

"You should take an example from your little ally."

I turn around to look up at Zelda who is carrying another box of decorations.

"The sooner we're done with the decorations the sooner we can move on to other things." She shifts the box in her hands a little to keep a good grip of it.

I glance at the box. "With how many decorations there are around already and how many people there are currently helping, I believe my wings would get in the way." I turn my eyes back towards the hall.

All I get from her is her quiet acceptance of the situation. And a slight smile which I catch a glimpse of. "Would be refreshing to see you looking forward to the fun evening ahead for once." She shrugs and gets back on track towards the other side of the hall.
Well, I did look forward to it. Not that I would ever admit to anyone that my highlight of these holiday gatherings is the sweet desserts I normally don't eat much if at all.

After these self amusing thoughts I catch one last glimpse of Kirby's excited smile before I turn around and head back to my room.

Reading is quite relaxing and generally a pleasant way to pass time. I lift my eyes up from the book I was currently reading to look out the window in my room. The stars are really coming out in full force this evening. I slip a bookmark in the middle of the book and set it aside, might as well make my way to the party. Before all the desserts are eaten anyway.

As soon as I arrive to the scene the peace of the quiet mansion hallways turns into music and all the noises of the event hall. And as expected, Dedede and Kirby are both being absolute gluttons. I pay no mind to it as I'm awfully used to their behavior around tons of food. I walk further into the hall towards the dessert table.

"Meda!" I hear. Kirby's waving at me from his table next to Dedede, I return the gesture and wave back. However Dedede turning around with a smug grin catches my attention.

"Nice going coming around so late, all the delicious dessert cake is already gone." He gives his belly a pat. I find myself slightly frowning under my mask.

"That is unfortunate." I sigh calmly. I truly am disappointed but I best keep my affection for the delicious cake to myself. "However I'm not a glutton like you so just about any dessert will keep me satisfied."

I'm about to turn back towards the dessert table, but the next thing I know Kirby is hopping off his seat and making soft quick steps towards me. "Poyo." He tugs at my cape as a sign to go over to the table with him.

"I'll come sit with you two once I grab a bite for myself, alright." I'm about ready to remove his tiny hand from my cape when he goes full stubborn mode and points towards the table with his other hand. "Kaek poyo!" He's pointing towards the empty seat, towards a piece of the cake lying untouched on the table in front of the empty seat. Well, would you look at that. Doesn't take much of a moment to figure out what he's trying to tell me.

"What? You were saving that for him!?" Dedede seems heavily annoyed, huffing at Kirby. "Teasing me with that last piece of cake like that, you should have just let me have it. Poor cake had to wait for Late Knight for nearly two hours." To my amusement Kirby is giving Dedede a disappointed look back as I make my way to the empty seat. Kirby is quite the little hero, isn't he. As Kirby hops back on his own seat between mine and Dedede's, he gives me one of his signature bright smiles. He seems very proud of himself.

"Thank you, Kirby."
"Poyo!"

And like that he goes back to gobbling up his own food. I lift my mask just a bit for me to be able to actually eat the cake. It's absolutely delicious.

I can sense quite a few eyes on us after the little scene, but my mask is mostly in front of my eyes now so I can't see it and I don't care to see.

Later into the night the ballroom dancing starts. Link and Zelda are quite impressive on the dance floor together.

"Poyyy.." Kirby next to me starts getting tired. Actually I'm surprised he hasn't gone off somewhere to fall asleep yet after eating so much food.

"You should go sleep, Kirby. It's getting late." As I say this I notice he is now looking past me to the windowed wall, towards the starry sky outside. He makes a soft little sound and tiredly hops off his seat and jogs closer to the windowed wall. I observe his sudden actions in curiosity, he's now opening the windowed door to go outside. I take a look around me and quickly make my way after him.

As I step outside I notice he's puffed up and flying up towards the roof of the mansion. "Kirby?" I try to call after him but decide just flying after him is better. I close the door after me and hop into the air with my wings. As we both make it to the roof Kirby sits down and directs his eyes back to the starry sky. The glittering stars are reflecting on his big eyes. It truly fits him.

My wings turn back into the cape and I wrap it around myself. "This isn't a very wise spot for sleeping in the middle of a winter night." I state.

He seems oddly fixated on the sky, but he manages to pry his eyes away from it to look back at me. I can see the sleepiness all over his face. But I can only wonder what thoughts led him to wanting to stargaze out of the blue in his current state. Homesickness? I suppose that would make sense.

While I'm busy trying to read his expression he gets back up just to walk and sit next to me. Leaning onto me, trying to snuggle warmth out of my cape.
...Wait, when did I stop minding him being this close to me? Because I don't have any urge to shove him off.

Kirby's soft happy voice wakes me back to reality. I look down at him, his half open eyes still staring to the skies. I find myself surrendering to the current situation and settle myself to sit down next to him, wrapping my cape onto him. I feel him shift into a comfortable position under it and see him close his eyes. As much as I want to take him back inside, the chilly peaceful air outside feels somewhat calming even for me. Even with the muffled music humming through the glass walls.

But seeing Kirby so peaceful puts my own mind at ease.

I can't believe there used to be a time when I wanted to truly fight him till the end for my own selfish wish. I am quite thankful to him in the long run, I think. Enough for me to lend my aid to him in battle during some of his quests. And he's always been trusting towards me, no matter how many times I have fought against him. Albeit some of these times I was either forced or possessed. But I could always rely on him to have my back and snap me out of it. He is quite strong by now.

My thoughts are again interrupted by something poking at my mask. Kirby's hand.

"Kirby? What's the matter?" I ask, although part of me already knows what that deeply curious face meant.

"Meda poyo." He then lightly tugs at my mask with both of his hands.

I give a tiny moment of silence. "You.. Want me to take it off?" To which Kirby answers with a simple nod.

I don't understand. He already knows what I look like, he's broken my mask enough times to have had the chance to see my face. Or so I assume, even though I always retreat out of battle very quickly after it happens for reasons.
Now, am I underestimating my ability to quickly retreat away from him? I internally chuckle at myself. What's happened to me.

Without a word I slide the mask aside a little so half of my face is visible to Kirby. I don't feel enough comfortable just taking it off completely, I rather be ready in case I hear someone coming.
All he does is keep looking at me. Suddenly I see a certain sense of comfort in his expression.

Kirby makes a pleased little noise and looks back at the stars again, then at me. I decide not to question him about this, maybe when he's less sleepy. He closes his eyes again and goes back to snuggling up to me under the cape. I take this as a sign to put my mask back in place.

I give Kirby a gentle headpat. He clearly has something on his mind, but it appears I was what he needed to calm him down. What a curious little happening.

My own eyes drift to the stars as Kirby peacefully sleeps.

Author notes:
Hello. This is the first ever fanfic I've ever written, so apologizes if it's poorly done. I was never good at writing anything. If you feel like giving me feedback or just any comments or thoughts about the story go ahead, I'll welcome it with open arms.

Hope you enjoyed it regardless. If I ever feel like writing more stuff with MK and Kirby I'll just add them as chapters to this.