(A/N: This is written for my friend StarlitDuck, who has helped me worked out story plots and characters. I will not normally take requests, but this is an exception. I will say that I added a bit of personal characterization to Celia and Ruby, but not so much that they could be defined at separate characters. Just a bit of personality that would seem fitting of someone they're age, especially in Celia's case. The format might be a bit weird because of how I have to upload it, so I apologize for that. Without further ado, here's the oneshot!)
Celia came home sniffling that day. It wasn't anything too rare…just bullies. She guessed that was what being a hybrid meant; bullies, taunting, and the somewhat hopeless feeling that game with it. Mom must've noticed pretty quickly; as soon as Celia stepped inside the house, she was there beside her.
"How was school?" Mom asked cautiously.
"Terrible," Celia replied, throwing her arms up in the air for a few moments. "I got picked on by mean bullies and the teachers didn't help and the other kids laughed at me and—"
Mom sighed, which made Celia look up at her. "How about we dry those tears, get you a tissue, and get some ice cream?" Mom offered kindly.
"Really?" Celia said, excited now. "Will you tell me a story when we get there?"
"Of course," Mom replied, smiling. She wiped away Celia's tears and used a tissue to help with the sniffles, and offered her hand to Celia.
Celia took it gladly, already cheered up. Ice cream with Mom was always the best! Sure, it was a little chilly outside, but she didn't mind. She was practically skipping as Mom led her to the closest ice cream shop; a little Toad-ran place that never really seemed to mind Celia's hybrid features. Or maybe that was because Mom always glared at anyone who tried to bring it up. Celia never really tried to find out which one was true.
Mom went up to the front counter, with Celia bobbing up and down beside her.
"One vanilla cup and one chocolate cone, please," Mom said.
"One chocolate cone with SPRINKLES!" Celia corrected her excitedly. "CHOCOLATE SPRINKLES!"
The Toad behind the counter gave an almost pained smile, looking at Mom. "So one vanilla cup and one chocolate cone with brown sprinkles?" He asked, taking out a small notebook.
"Yes," Mom confirmed.
"That'll be a hundred coins," the Toad said. He wrote something down on his notebook. "I'll be back in a few moments with your ice cream." He walked away and Mom took out a hundred coins and sat them at the counter.
Celia looked up at Mom, her eyes practically shining. "Can you tell me a story now?" She asked.
"We haven't even gotten our ice cream yet," Mom pointed out kindly. "Wait until we sit down."
"Can you tell me a story about Dad?" Celia said. Her dad was Bowser! King Bowser! That made her a princess! And wouldn't that make Mom a queen? Hm…
Mom didn't actually respond until they got the Toad handed them their ice cream. "Of course, Celia," Mom said quietly. "I'll tell you about your father."
"Can you tell me about your first date?" Celia asked. "I bet it was roooommaaaaaantiiiic and preeeeettyy and—"
"Yes, yes," Mom said. "But don't be so loud, please."
"Oh, right," Celia replied. She licked her ice cream cone, and Mom guided them to a table outside.
Once they were settled down at a table, with Celia's feet swinging underneath the table and her eyes focused on Mom, Mom ate a small bit of her ice cream.
"You're sure you want to hear it?" Mom asked. Celia didn't really notice how she sounded nervous; she just nodded. "Alright…"
… "You won't get in trouble?" I asked him. He shook his head, laughing; "No. I could do this every day and never get caught." "Okay," I said. My heart was…not going at a healthy pace, suffice to say. I was still nervous around him; me, dating the future king? We were just teens! It didn't take me that long to get used to him…all I needed to do was acknowledge that he loved me. I didn't need to do anything else but love him back… "Are you alright?" He asked, sounding worried. "You look a bit distant." "I'm fine," I said. "Just wondering what my parents would say when I come home." He nodded, seeming to understand; he never really mentioned his parents, so I didn't bring the topic up very often. "Did you bring anything to eat? Maybe something sweet..?" "Sorry," he replied. "I, uh…I ate it all." I laughed, to show I understood. "I'll bake us something next time." "Sounds delicious," he said. We were just sitting there, at that point…the view was gorgeous, but it gave us nothing to talk about. Like everything else, Celia, it took us time to feel comfortable enough to truly love each other. At that point, we resembled something close to two glorified friends who feared romantic advancement. That is…until he leaned over and kissed me.
We were younger then, obviously. This was a while before you were born. He wasn't really allowed outside the castle; he snuck out just for me, though.
Mom stopped just long enough for Celia to object.
"Mom! That's gross!" Celia cried. "I was eating my ice cream!"
"You're the one who wanted to hear the story," Mom reminded her softly. "But I can always stop if you don't want to hear the end."
"I want to hear the end," Celia said, "But only if you skip all the dumb kissing stuff."
"Alright, alright," Mom replied. She almost looked relieved. "Long story short, our love blossomed after that, and we were a very happy couple."
"Then you had me!" Celia said, licking her ice cream again.
Mom laughed a little. "Yes, Celia; years later, we had you."
Celia smiled, the school bullies becoming nothing more than a nuisance she'll have to face tomorrow. If only every day could be like this…or better!
After both of them finished their ice cream, Mom led Celia back home, where they worked on Celia's homework and watched TV until Celia had to go to bed.