A/N: After a few months, I have returned with a new story! Devastated, my big fanfic project of 2020-2021 was a grand success and has now opened dozens of doorways leading to all sorts of paths I can take my characters down along. Presently, I'm actually caught between writing 4 different ideas, one of which that shifts focus to Adorabeezle, and another that isn't even WiR at all. So caught in this excitement of getting ideas on electronic paper, I was left at a stump as to what order these stories should be released.
I had originally started Caramel Corn back in September as the follow-up to Devastated, but then became interested in writing 2 slightly longer ones that (may) contradict details in this one since this was started first. It sat unfinished on my computer for several months before I finally decided to complete it for Valentine's Day. While it very obviously comes after Devastated, it doesn't quite have any direct spot in the timeline. Really this is just a stand-alone story that uses past events, all dedicated to Valentine's Day 2022. Hope you like it!
Caramel Corn
September 22, 2021 – February 19, 2022
The golden rays of fresh morning sunlight streamed gently upon the sleeping face of Crumbelina DiCaramello, awaking her from deep slumber and prompting her hand to push the sleep mask away from her eyes. As if solar-powered, she sat up and gave a great stretch to forcefully press the remnants of sleep out of her digital system, finished off with a huge yawn. She normally never slept in on racing days (or even slept at all given that she was a virtual game character who did not require such a fundamental need), but these last few days had given her more time than what she knew to do with, so she had chosen to enjoy the beauty of rest. While unusual, it did leave her feeling very refreshed.
Snug in the blankets of her enormous salt-water taffy heart-shaped bed, Crumbelina's eyelashes fluttered briefly and squinted from the soft light peeking through the Godiva curtains before she fell back upon her marshmallow pillow with her hands behind her head. Cushioned all around her were several other pillows and her orange gummi teddy bear. She wore simple, yet fine light brown pajamas that had a chocolate drizzle pattern along the sleeves and legs that matched her default outfit's leggings. Her long brown hair, always so stylish when done up in those twin cinnamon buns for her public appearances, was disheveled and falling down past her shoulders in a disarray of tangles. There was good reason why no one should see her like this.
Taking a whiff of the air, she immediately detected a rich aroma wafting through the bedroom. Her mind found itself whirring to life with a stimulating rush of excitement mixed with sudden hunger. Now what could that be? she thought to herself.
In a land of where literally everything is made of sweets and confections, delicious smells present at any time was one of the game's laws of nature. But each of the racers were drawn to particular scents and tastes related to their candy themes. Wave a cherry tart to Jubileena's nose, and the red racer would be begging for it in seconds. In this case, Crumbelina was picking up a caramel scent with a hint of cinnamon that was making her mouth water. Drawn by this delightful surprise, but also the knowledge that something might be happening within her house that needed investigating, she pushed aside the taffy covers and stepped into the slippers waiting by the bedside. She threw her fluffy snow-white bathrobe over her pajamas and headed out the bedroom to follow the scent.
Down three flights of stairs the girl slowly descended (she had to grip the banister for support with each careful step forward), and she soon arrived at the arched doorway leading to her fancy kitchen.
There, standing at her stove, was Gloyd Orangeboar, the vibrant orange hue of his racing jacket and pumpkin hat bouncing off every gleaming surface in the vicinity. He was stirring a spatula in one of her silver saucepans that sat simmering with some kind of liquid that was giving off the rich scent that had called her down here.
Crumbelina inhaled the air again. Now at the source, she could pick out all the scents clearly: caramel, cinnamon, and coffee. Three of her favourite things. She spotted a bowl of steaming popcorn next to the stove and noticed that her convection oven and coffee maker were all running.
Taking in this scene, the girl's eyes widened in realization and she raised a hand to her lips. He's making me breakfast. How sweet! she thought with a wide smile.
Gloyd poured the popcorn into the pan that was full of bubbling caramel sauce and slowly began stirring. He didn't notice that he was being watched until a voice spoke up.
"What's cooking, good-looking?"
The boy leapt a foot off the ground. "I didn't do it officer, I swear!" he yelped and almost dropped the empty bowl in his hand. Spinning around wildly, his eyes landed upon Crumbelina, who was nonchalantly leaning against the counter beside him as if she had been there forever. She raised an amused eyebrow at his little performance.
"Oh, hi," he said, his coded nerves still on hyperdrive. "I…didn't think you would be here."
The Italian racer giggled. "Well, considering this is my house, that might be a rather weak assumption," she cracked. "Especially nearly an hour and a half before the arcade has even opened."
She then looked at the popcorn that was now glazed with thick golden liquid. "That wouldn't happen to be caramel corn, hm?" she quizzed.
Gloyd fiddled with the dripping spatula. "Maybe," he answered.
Lina beamed. "My favourite kind of popcorn?"
"Is it? I didn't know."
But even he didn't buy that. Everyone knew Crumbelina was crazy for caramel.
She cupped her hands at the side of her head and batted her eyelashes at him. "Are you making breakfast for little ol' me?" she cooed, feigning surprise in a most modest fashion. Gloyd blushed a bright orange that she secretly found adorable.
"You weren't supposed to know I was here," he mumbled in disappointment. "You're supposed to sleep in when you get a day off. Stay in bed like a big toasty cinnamon bun."
That made Crumbelina laugh out loud. "Sorry for spoiling your surprise, Cupcake, but the delicious scents were beckoning me like the Cream Pied Piper," she giggled.
She eyed the orange backpack lying unzipped against the refrigerator. "Did you break into my house just to do this?"
Gloyd suddenly found the pan of simmering popcorn very interesting. "I didn't break in," he said to the corn, giving it a few stirs. "I crawled through the window. Nothing broke."
Crumbelina frowned. "But I keep all my windows locked."
"Not the one I unlocked when I visited you last night."
The girl considered him thoroughly. Her mind told her that she ought to be mad that he had plotted and successfully invaded her house…but her heart told her to be absolutely touched that he had done so just to prepare her breakfast. She felt like how Calhoun must have felt upon discovering Candlehead's artwork of their adopted family on Felix's living room wall drawn with crayons.
It didn't take her long to choose which way to go. After all, it wasn't even a contest.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of such kindness?" she purred, taking a step closer to run a finger along his orange-tinted cheek.
Her instant closeness and seductive tone made the boy lose focus for a brief moment. "Nothing. But since you're still getting these days off to recover, I figured I might make this one…y'know…more special in my way," he muttered lamely. Tipping the pan, he poured the steaming caramel corn back into the bowl, now varnished in a rich golden coat.
"You're so thoughtful," the girl cooed dreamily, wrapping him up in one big appreciative hug. Gloyd had a few seconds of being buried in the fluffy fabric of her robe before she pulled away. Turning her attention to the stove, Crumbelina took a delicate sniff and closed her eyes. It gave Gloyd the chance to analyze her. In her PJs and robe with disheveled hair falling down her back and a very relaxed smile on her face, she looked very endearing. Maybe even more than when she was all dressed up and groomed.
"The, uh…pecans still have like 30 minutes to roast all the way," he told her. Crumbelina looked past him and spied the tray of cinnamon pecans in her convection oven and coffee brewing in her espresso machine. She flashed Gloyd a sweet smile.
"Just enough time for me to freshen up," she stated, making him blush more. And with that, she strolled back towards the stairs, but paused to give Gloyd a dainty wave of her fingers. "I shan't be long!"
Gloyd didn't answer, but it took him a moment to notice that he was sloppily waving back like an idiot.
With the caramel corn cooling, and the pecans still needing time to do their thing, Gloyd leaned back against the kitchen counter, looking around Crumbelina's kitchen. Merged with the dining room, the whole place was so big that it could almost compete with that of Vanellope's castle. Apparently, the developers had stylized her home after real Italian mansions in the human world, despite their game hailing from Japan. That's what Lina told him anyway. He believed her, since no other building in Sugar Rush looked like this.
The polished marble cake island served for both food prep and bar for at least seven patrons with a long dining table close by. Suspended over the island were cooking utensils hanging from giant lady finger beams. A dozen coffee mugs stood in an organized row on a shelf. Occupying every bare space of wall were ornate candy mosaics and framed pictures that glinted in the bright sunlight streaming through the spotless windows of sugar glass and intricately cut white-chocolate frames. Most of all though, everything was neat, tidy, and finished with the colours that Crumbelina DiCaramello represented.
And this was just the kitchen. There was also the living room, the sugar powder room, the lounge, the entertainment centre, the giant foyer, the massive staircase, the balcony, her private library, the music studio, one of Vanellope's lollipop chandeliers, the 3-kart garage, the basement packed with spare racing equipment, her Italian botanical garden, the chocolate fondue hot tub, the swimming pool filled with blue raspberry cola, the glazed gazebo standing at the furthest acre of her property…
(he still doesn't know about Crumbelina's secret enormous walk-in wardrobe)
Gloyd opened the oven door to give the roasting pecans a toss in the cinnamon sugar. He of course had accepted everything about Lina. But even so, he still didn't think a single girl needed all this. Sure, she was loaded with cash, but living here every day would overwhelm him for sure. At times when he dropped by for a visit, only a few minutes would be enough to do just that. He was used to cramped spaces with just the necessities, given that his own house was usually a cluttered mess. Perhaps less so as of late; due to Lina visiting him much more frequently, he had taken it upon himself to make his territory at least a little more presentable.
His thoughts were interrupted by the sounds of gurgling pipes over his head. Although faint, Gloyd swore that he could hear a girl's majestic voice singing a lively melody.
"Does she…sing in the shower?" he wondered, an amused grin now playing across his face.
His feet subconsciously began to move him closer to the staircase for a better listen, but were halted when he heard a tapping sound – coming from the window he had used to sneak into the mansion. A figure wearing a blue racing jacket and swirly beanie was standing on the other side.
Frowning, Gloyd shuffled over and pushed open the expensive-looking glass. "Uh, hey, Swizz," he greeted hesitantly. "W-what are you doin' here?"
Swizzle was standing in Crumbelina's fondue rose bushes that lined the mansion wall. He looked very amused. "I should ask you the same thing, dude," he sneered. "Saw your ride parked in McGlamour's driveway."
He gestured to Gloyd's go-kart parked nearby. His own Tongue Twister idled next to it. "You didn't tell us this is where you hide out before racin' hours."
Gloyd looked away. "What are you talking about? This is literally the first time I've been here in the morning," he muttered.
That was a lie, but Swizzle didn't need to know.
"So what'cha doin' hanging out at Crumbelina's pad this early anyway?"
The Halloween racer shrugged. "I dunno. I just felt like doing something nice for her, that's all. Is that a crime?"
His daredevil friend leaned an arm on the open windowsill. "Nah, man. I should know. I got my own hands full with generous offers for Mints," he answered.
Then he flashed Gloyd a teasing smirk. "So this is actually happenin', huh? You really hittin' it off with Crumbelina?"
Gloyd internally called out to the angle food cakes above to erase his blushing at once. "Knock it off," he scowled. "She deserves a little pick-me-up after what she went through."
"Fair enough," Swizzle said, turning himself around to spread both arms along the windowsill and look up at the sun while addressing Gloyd backwards. It was clear he wasn't planning on leaving anytime soon. "I just find this whole deale-o ironic."
"What's ironic?"
As if he had been anticipating to need to explain further, Swizzle nodded. "I can recall a couple o'months back when you told me with that mouth about how you would be caught dead before ever hooking up with a girl of your own after finding out me and Minty were tied down. But here you are gettin' all cozy with the foxiest chick in Sugar Rush."
Gloyd's whole face flushed. "The what?" he blurted out.
Swizzle laughed and turned to face him. "Gloydster, chill. Just forget I said that."
"I think you should forget you said that," Gloyd spluttered indignantly. "What happens if Minty hears you?"
Swizzle seemed to back off slightly at this logical reason. "Yeah, you're probably right. But you gotta admit," he said slowly, "Crumbelina holds her goody-goody prim n' proper standards for a reason. She's programmed to be the high end of our sugar-loaded society. All the girls know that, even Minty admits she's jealous of her. Miss DiCaramello may be one of us, but she's still in a league of her own. You can't deny that."
Gloyd's face twisted uncomfortably.
"All I'm saying is that you of all people becoming so tight with her of all people was the last thing any of us expected," Swizzle went on. "You two are worlds apart, but that didn't stop you from choosing her. And the fact that you actually won her is just icing on the cupcake."
The way he was talking, it almost seemed like Swizzle was viewing Crumbelina as some kind of token carnival prize that Gloyd had been lucky enough to score. Gloyd didn't appreciate that implication one bit, but he couldn't think of any kind of defensive retort. So he gave up trying. After all, he knew where Swizzle was getting this from. For over 20 years, he had always believed that Crumbelina was way too important to even notice him. Why would she ever want to be friends with someone so different from her? The knowledge that they were standing where they were today still baffled the pixels of his mind.
"Well, I didn't exactly expect it either," he muttered. "It just sort of happened."
Swizzle's teeth glinted with his smile. "Let me be the first of us wacky band of delinquents to say 'congrats'," he said, flicking his messy bangs out from his eyes. "By the looks of it, you both have something really great going forward."
Despite being annoyed by Swizzle's presence and his pointless speech that was on the border line of breaking his good mood, Gloyd noted that there had been one good thing to come out of all that. "Thanks."
The timer on the oven beeped.
"Guess I better banana-split and leave you two scoops to melt in each other's arms," Swizzle chortled. "And remember: the key is to not impress her too much in one go," he added before Gloyd could reply. "You can't let your girl get all goo-goo-eyed all at once. Ya gotta do what I do, and spread your manly charm over many intervals. You do that, and she'll have no reason to get tired in drooling over ya. Works for me every time!"
Gloyd said nothing as he watched Swizzle leap into his kart. Only until the daredevil was out of sight did he close the window shut and shake his head. He thought he would be used to Swizzle's colourful language by now.
"Sheesh. What was that all about?" he muttered under his breath. "And that word…'Foxy'. What does that even mean?"
It was at that moment when Crumbelina drifted back into the kitchen. "Sorry to keep you waiting," she said, pushing herself right alongside Gloyd. "It's always the buns that take the longest to finish. Getting that perfect swirl is no easy picnic."
She took a step back and struck a dazzling pose. "How do I look?"
Gloyd, who was still trying to process Swizzle's words, didn't fully register that Lina had returned until he locked eyes on her standing right beside him. Her hair was now neatly tied up in her shiny cinnamon buns and she was donning her signature cap, but instead of her default racing outfit, she wore a sleeveless cream-coloured blouse with a subtly embroidered swirl design, a dark brown skirt, gold leggings, and simple black shoes. She was also wearing a jeweled heart pendant of crystalized caramel.
An invisible force seized his mind and locked it tighter than a fully-loaded Sweet Seeker canon except for one word that managed to slip free.
Foxy
Lina giggled in surprise. "Not exactly what I was expecting, but I'll take it," she said with a mad blush.
Her voice jumpstarted Gloyd's frozen mind. "I didn't say that."
"You said 'foxy'.
"No I didn't," Gloyd said hastily. "I thought 'foxy'. Thinking 'foxy' isn't the same as saying 'foxy'. They don't send you to jail for thinking you want to strangle someone."
Lina's smile faded in a blink. "What?"
Gloyd shook his head, trying to salvage what dignity he had left. "Never mind," he said. "Um…ya hungry?"
Crumbelina took a long, slow sip from the mug and leaned back in her chair, eyes closed. "Mmm…that's the stuff," she simmered, tucking in comfortably.
Seated right next to her at the long dining table, Gloyd observed her every move. "You gotta be the only kid I know who drinks coffee," he said loftily. "Did I get it just right?"
He was trying his best to not sound anxious.
The girl opened one eye. "You most certainly did," she cooed. "You even remembered the extra cream."
Gloyd smiled, feeling proud, but mostly relieved. "You always said that was the secret."
Lina giggled, then pointed to the bowl of fresh caramel corn. "Pass me a kernel, Pumpkin Pie."
Gloyd chose one coated with what looked like the most golden glaze for her. Once it was in her fingers, Crumbelina examined it thoroughly. But instead of eating it, she held it to Gloyd's mouth. "Open up," she commanded.
"Huh?"
"Open up."
He obeyed, letting her insert the popcorn into his own mouth. He felt positively confused as he chewed and swallowed.
"Why am I the one eating?" he asked with absolute befuddlement that zoned out the corn's rich taste. "This is your breakfast."
"Which means I get to make the rules of how it's eaten," she said simply. "Now, it's your turn to feed me."
He did so, but felt so weird doing it. Swizzle's right, he thought with slight dismay as he mimicked Lina's actions by placing a kernel in her mouth for her to eat. She really is from a different world than mine.
They continued this exchange for several more minutes and Gloyd slowly got the hang of it. Feeding her was a strange experience. But the caramel corn did taste good. And besides, Crumbelina was happy.
Kernel by kernel, the bowl was soon emptied. Crumbelina savoured the last bit of caramel on her tongue before speaking. "Well done, Pumpkin Pie. You've proven yourself to be a worthy opponent at this game," she said with a flirtatious smile.
Gloyd's eyes narrowed. "Game? That wasn't a game. That was just weird," he countered.
"Is that so? Well, Mr. Smarties Pants, what would you do if you were given a bowl of fresh caramel corn?" she sneered.
"Easy. Ask for another bowl and have a caramel corn eating contest with Swizzle," Gloyd answered triumphantly. "Now that's what I call a game!"
Crumbelina scoffed as she reached now for the cinnamon nuts. "Very original, Sugar Plum. But don't you fret. I'm going to whip you into shape. Then you'll be able to play my games with no problem at all."
She batted her long eyelashes at him, making them flutter like butterfly cookie wings. Gloyd rolled his eyes. "Oh brother."
"Oh, don't sound like such a grump," she soothed. "That caramel corn was heavenly. And these pecans are simply divine. You should have been a chef."
Her words made him smile a proud little smile. "Meh. Not really that impressive," he responded modestly, helping himself to a handful of pecans. "Just a recipe I whipped up a few years back. You get to learn a lot when you're all alone."
Crumbelina gave a slight nod, knowing that Gloyd's last remark referred to his past life when it was mostly just him in his house, only coming out for the races and nothing more. Any social contact in Gloyd's timetable had been strictly reserved for hanging out with Swizzle and Rancis, or pranking the citizens of Sugar Rush. It sounded unbearably lonely.
"Well, you're not alone anymore," she hummed, those reflecting thoughts assisting in delivering her gentle response. She shifted her chair closer to his so she could lean herself comfortably against his warm side.
Gloyd looked down at her, still a bit captivated by how pretty she looked in today's new outfit. He then decided that now was the time to ask what he had wanted to know the moment he saw her today. "Lina?"
"Hm?"
"You didn't have any nightmares last night, did you?"
There were a few quiet moments before Crumbelina softly shook her head against his shoulder. "Not this time."
Gloyd let out a mental breath of relief. "You feeling any better?"
"Bit by bit, every day."
He could detect the longing in her voice, and he knew why. "Still feeling a little sad?" he asked cautiously.
Crumbelina looked up to meet his eye. "No."
But just gazing into his chestnut-brown orbs seemed to make her abandon whatever weak facade that she was trying to put up. "Maybe a little," she murmured, a pink blush now present.
Gloyd's hand found its way to her shoulder. "It'll be over soon, Lina," he told her. "Just give it some more time, and you'll be racing on the tracks with all of us again."
Crumbelina looked at him. She wanted to smile, to show him that she too had the same confidence, but it was hard. Feelings she kept inside were making her chest feel heavy and sit in a slump. So she turned her face away, directing sights down to her shoes. A small portion of the weight that hung dully on her code was lifted as she registered her cap rising away from her head.
"Hey," Gloyd's calm voice resonated. "Who's the racer programmed to be the fanciest 10 years-old girl who ever lived?"
Her eyes didn't leave sight from the floor, but she was listening. "I am."
Gloyd put her hat on the table and gently stroked her tightly secured hair along the back of her head. "Who's the greatest racer I've ever met?"
That earned him a slight giggle. "I am." She closed her eyes, unable to resist melting in the gentle comfort of his hand.
The elastic that held one of her signature buns in place was inching away from its designated position as Gloyd's next words drifted into her ears. "Who's the prettiest girl in the world?"
Now she was grinning. "I am."
"And who still loves me even though I'm an idiot who's clueless with the ladies and doesn't know how to play the dumb caramel corn game?" Gloyd asked as he fully removed the elastic; immediately afterwards, he secretly reveled in the satisfying sight of the cinnamon bun unraveling on its own to tumble down the side of her head and down her back. He then did the same with the other; two golden streaks shone magnificently in the morning sunlight.
Crumbelina hadn't noticed, for she was too busy soaking in Gloyd's compliments, trying to understand where this was going. After sitting in silence for a few minutes, she finally turned her head to face him. "What are you saying, Gloyd?" she asked softly.
"I'm saying that even though you're not racing, you're still Crumbelina. You're still my friend. And you're still awesome whether you're out there racing or not."
His simple words of assurance could not help but fill Crumbelina with a sensation that made everything below her waist go numb and everything from her chest up feel jumpy. It was a strange combination of feelings that only rose within her when she and Gloyd shared a tender moment.
"You know...you claim you're clueless with the ladies. I don't think that's true at all," she said in a voice that was ever so wistful. "I think you're just perfect,"
They were both blushing now. Gloyd scratched the back of his neck. "But…I'm completely new at all this…romance business," he muttered, his palms becoming very clammy at the mentioning of that word. "I'm just a rookie."
Crumbelina giggled and shook her head, making her liberated hair swish gently around. "That doesn't mean anything. You're just yourself. You have flaws, you have insecurities. You're just like me. I'm good at this, you're good at that. I'm bad in something and so are you. But you never stop being there for me when I need you. And that's why you're perfect."
Gloyd just stared at her, but his heart was already calming as he lost himself in those honey amber eyes that sent the message out to him loud and clear. A message saying that he truly was all he could be for Lina. And this could not help but make him smile again.
He watched as she slowly raised her hands to her shoulders and each finding a fistful of her brown and gold hair. "My buns," she stated, as if realizing for the first time that her buns were no more. "You unraveled them."
"I know," he said casually.
"But I told you they take so long to do," she pouted, trying unsuccessfully to hide her growing smile.
"And it took less than five seconds to undo," he countered, his devilish side taking the wheel for a moment. "Y'know, they're like a great prank when you really think about it. They take so long to set up, and then they're over instantly."
Lina arched an eyebrow at him. "Did you just equate my hair to your pranks?"
"Yup."
"And I suppose you find this just as enjoyable?"
"No. Better."
If Gloyd wasn't being so adorable, Lina might have told him off. Her hair was not only very special to her, but a place where she secretly-not-so-secretly held a lot of pride. Yes, curling it into the perfect cinnamon bun shape for her public appearance always cost her a great deal of time, but any feelings of contempt she might have had seemed to be erased by Gloyd's presence alone. Still, she decided to get even.
"All right, rookie," she said with a smirk, now eyeing the bowl of cinnamon pecans. "Just for that, I propose we play another of my games. A different one."
Gloyd watched with apprehension as she picked up a large cinnamon nut and faced him again. "Open up," she ordered.
Obediently, he did, albeit feeling confused since this was supposed to be a different game. But instead of plucking the sugared nut in, she held onto it. "Clamp your teeth on this."
Well, this was certainly different.
"Good," she said once the pecan was locked between his teeth. "Now comes the fun part. When I say 'three', I have to take it from you with my hands behind my back."
"Sai-whah?" he asked with his jaws paralyzed in their current position, but before he could say anything else, Lina promptly said 'Three!'
Straight away, she leaned right in and captured the pecan with her own teeth, giving Gloyd a kiss in the process. She deepened the kiss, then was back in her own chair in a flash, munching contently on her prize. "Not bad, rookie. You're quite good at this game."
Gloyd just sat there, his whole face frozen in shock and his mouth still hanging slightly open.
"That's the fun part?" he finally gawked.
Crumbelina licked her lips. "Why of course. I had fun. Didn't you?" she asked, her hands clasped together in a bashful pose.
Gloyd slowly touched his mouth. "Well…yeah, I guess I did."
The sound of her giggly laughter broke his confounded state as Crumbelina wrapped her arms around his torso and leaned into his chest for a warm embrace. "Thanks for everything, Pumpkin Pie," she hummed into his shirt. "Breakfast…visiting me while I'm out of commission…making me feel better...just being so perfect."
Gloyd felt his own smile find its way to his face and he rested his chin upon her head. The sounds of her contented breathing and her light weight pressed upon him were all new things that he was coming to love more and more these days.
His relaxed state was somewhat interrupted by the timely return of Swizzle's words to his mind: You two are worlds apart.
But now they were faced with Lina's words: You're just like me. I'm good at this, you're good at that. I'm bad in some things and so are you. But you never stop being there for me when I need you. And that's why you're perfect.
He would never deny on any day and in any regenerated game life that he and Crumbelina were incredibly different. But they were also incredibly alike. And that second point was a staple that held them together and seemed to be all that mattered.
"Hey, Lina?"
"Hm?"
"Do you ever feel…overwhelmed from living in such a huge mansion?"
Lina paused, then snuggled her face into him. "Sometimes. That's why I like it when you visit. I have someone to share it with."
That was a good enough answer for Gloyd.
"Attention! The arcade will be opening in 20 minutes. Racers, please report to the racetrack."
Gloyd and Crumbelina opened their eyes and reluctantly looked at each other.
"Guess that's my cue," Gloyd mumbled. He let her go.
Lina accompanied him to the front door. Now standing out on the porch under the decorative archway, she wordlessly began straightening out his jacket and lightly dusting him off. Gloyd waited patiently for her to finish this mandatory ritual. He knew by now that Lina never considered public appearance lightly. All he could do was let her finish.
"Can't you do anything about that hair?" she fussed, attempting to smooth his flick out from his right eye. "I'm worried it'll block your vision while racing."
"It's kinda programmed that way," Gloyd answered as he leaned his face slightly away from her moving hand. "Trust me, I've tried to change it up before, but it always winds up looking like this. Don't worry though, I can see where I'm going."
"But I can't see your whole face," Lina pouted unhappily. "And neither can the players."
Gloyd raised a hand to push back his hair so he could observe her fully. "Don't worry about that either," he breezed with a smug sort of smile. "The players love me just fine. Just like you do."
Gazing into both of his eyes coupled with his honest statement gave Lina's cheeks a pink tint that made her look so adorable to him. And despite the fact that she had just finished tidying him up, she stepped forward to give him one last hug.
"I'll be watching you all day," she whispered into his shoulder, not wanting to let him go. "Shoot some power-ups for me, okay?"
Gloyd rubbed her back gently. "Well, I may not have your extra attack strength superpower, but you and I both know that I can do some pretty big damage with those projectiles," he intoned as a matter-of-factly.
Lina let out a strange sound that was a mix between a moan and a giggle. Pulling back, she busied over the new wrinkles in his jacket sleeves and fixed his lopsided hat before finally feeling satisfied that he was ready for the day. "That's what I like to hear," she said, giving his cheek an affectionate nudge.
Then she grabbed a paper bag from the chocolate table near the door and pushed it into his hands. "Here. I was going to give these to you just before the first race, but you might as well take them now," she said as Gloyd peeked inside. He grinned upon finding sticks of biscotti, each drizzled with a liberal amount of dark chocolate and wrapped individually in shiny plastic.
"Just in case you want something to munch on between races," she explained merrily, "And…one more thing…"
Brushed with a sudden streak of thought, she produced a sour key from the nearby candy bowl. It was silver with a tiny chocolate swirl pattern embedded along its finely twisted shape.
"Take my spare house key. That way, you won't need to sneak in the next time you want to plan another surprise," she said, coquettishly swishing her skirt.
Gloyd looked at it, then at her, almost in disbelief. Being coded as a prankster since Day 1 had basically labelled him with an unspoken rule that he should never be handed access to someone's house.
"You're giving me a key to your mansion?"
"Why not?" Lina countered. "You visit almost every day now, and you know you're welcome here anytime. My home is your home."
Feeling that extra-comfy wave of Lina's trust in him sweep through his coded veins, Gloyd smiled broadly as he accepted the key, making a mental note to give her one for his house. "Thanks. But remember, I'm still a prankster. That's what my code lives and breathes on," he said with a flare of pride in his tone. "So…by giving me this key, don't be too surprised if one day you find pumpkin mellowcremes waiting for you on the table, or something squishy in your boots."
His Italian friend laughed. "Save your trickster treats for the road, you little hooligan," she snarked. "Now go show those players what you're fully capable of."
"And if you win," she added in a flirtatious tone, flashing him that very seductive look in her eye, "you may come back here for your dessert."
By the way she said that, Gloyd knew she didn't mean a slice of tiramisu.
"Can't I get a free sample now?" he asked with a hopeful grin.
Lina crossed her arms. "You know the rules, Pumpkin Pie," she purred. "You need to earn your prize fair and square."
"Why do they always have a price tag attached?" he complained.
"Because that's what makes them special," she answered simply.
"Not even one for luck? Swizzle always gets one from Minty before the races start."
Lina scoffed indignantly. "Oh, and we're expected to follow exactly what other couples do, is that it, Pumpkin Pie?" she teased. "Why, the very thought!"
"But I broke into your house to make you breakfast."
"And I already paid up. There shall be no mooching on smooching."
To her surprise, Gloyd whisked out a fondue rose from seemingly nowhere. "Will this change your mind?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
He had clearly come prepared. Roses were her favourite, and Lina had to admit, she was impressed by his timing. But she wasn't going to let Gloyd off that easily. She would not be swayed, for she was stronger than that and would let him know it.
"You drive a hard bargain, Honey Bun. But my answer is still no," she said firmly, trying to hide her admiration as she accepted the sugary flower. "Let's see how you do at the races first. Then I shall assess."
He rolled his eyes and hitched the backpack more securely up his back. "Well unlike you, my business transactions are a lot more generous," he retorted. "So if you won't give me a free sample, I'll just have to give you one instead."
Before Lina could say anything, Gloyd leaned forward and gave her a quick peck on the lips. A bold move that happened so fast, she was taken by complete surprise.
"See you later, princess" he grinned roguishly before jogging off to his waiting kart with a notable spring in his step.
He may have been a reformed racer, but he was still a prankster down to the root of his code. So it felt good to outsmart her for once.
Crumbelina stood quietly on her doorstep with her lips slightly parted. Luckily, she managed to dislodge whatever blockage was in her brain to wave goodbye as Gloyd drove away. In the distance, she could hear the echoing revs of other racing karts driving up to the starting line, mixed with the din of the spectators gathering together for what promised to be another exciting day of racing, all under the music of the familiar Sugar Rush theme that played over the track's loudspeakers to be eventually lost to the morning sun. It was a lovely sound.
Soon, Vanellope would be standing in her top box to open the day's races with a quick rally speech. By that time, Crumbelina herself would be present too, but instead of standing at the platform beneath the box with the rest of the racers, she would actually be standing next to Vanellope as the president said her piece. After that, she would occupy the box's regal chair beside Sour Bill, for she would not be racing, but rather watching as a simple spectator. She would sit in the spot that Vanellope had given her for the last few days and watch her friends zip along the golden paved road from the best view possible, each of them giving their players the time of their life. Most of all, she would see Gloyd fly by in his candy corn cruiser, zapping his opponents mercilessly with power-ups and expertly shielding himself with his natural-coded protection from any ammunition sent his way.
And even though she would not be participating, Crumbelina felt happy.
Hugging the rose to her chest, she gave it a deep sniff and exhaled a happy sigh. "It's good to be me!"
THE END