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Snow and adolescence are the only problems that disappear if you ignore them long enough.
—Earl Wilson—
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"Are you listening, Kirby?"
The little puffball blinked. At one point he was but now he could not find his place in the textbook propped up in front of his face. Kirby and Tiff were in the library, as they were every morning since Dreamland had no official school.
"Oh well," Tiff closed her book with a smile. "I guess you're catching the infamous spring fever, too."
Kirby went rigid. "I-I'm catching what?" he asked putting a paw over his mouth.
"Relax, Kirby!" Tiff laughed, her laughter sounding whimsical and light like her mother's laugh now. "It's an expression of speech! The term "Spring Fever" describe cappies who exhibit feelings of restlessness and the longing to be outside to enjoy the early spring weather. I know it doesn't snow here in Dreamland, but the effects remain the same."
"Oh…" Kirby plopped back down only to squirm in place. Everything felt overly sensitive today, especially his bum and lower stomach. There was also a strange persistent longing within him. Much like his ever-present hunger pangs, but this could not be satisfied with food or by sitting here cooped up in a stuffy library. "If that's the case then maybe I can be dismissed early and go to sword practice?" he asked hopefully.
"Well, you do seem to be a bit antsy today," Tiff glanced up at the clock. "But Sir Meta Knight will not be back until this afternoon."
Kirby quickly got to his feet. "Sword and Blade can instruct me until Meta Knight returns."
"They may be preoccupied with teaching Tuff," Tiff reminded him.
"Then I could just watch," Kirby insisted impatiently.
"Alright…" Tiff finally relented. She tilted her head to the side-eyeing him critically. Kirby normally liked how perceptive she could be. It had saved his life on many occasions, but not if she used that skill against him. "…but if something is bothering you, Kirby, you know you can always talk to me about it, right?"
"Yeah, I know!" Kirby was already moving towards the exit. "See you later, Tiff!" he called over his shoulder as the door closed behind him.
Kirby drew in a deep breath to fully take in his newfound freedom only to gag. "Ughh…!" Kirby groaned as he covered his nose. What that horrid smell? It smelt like raw blubber left rotting in a kitchen sink for a week. Then something forcefully bumped into Kirby causing the puffball to roll back afoot.
"Hey! Watch where you're goin'!"
Kirby's eyes twitched in agony as he forced himself to look up at the disapproving glares of King Dedede and his favorite lackey, Escargoon.
"You come to my castle every day and you cannot even greet me?" Dedede demanded. He was not as hostile as he used to be, but that didn't make the ruler of Dreamland any less obnoxious.
Kirby retreated far back as he could.
Dedede squinted his eyes at the puffball's strange behavior. "What's wrong with ya?"
"You stink!" Kirby blurted, waving a paw in front of his face to help clear the air.
"What! I…I do?" Dedede took a self-conscious sniff at his armpit. "But I don't smell anything! Hey, Escargoon! Do I stink?" he held up his arm for his adviser test.
His snailly servant made a face, obviously not eager to find out. "…Figuratively or literally, sire?"
"Quit playin' dumb!" Dedede snarled, practically jabbing his pits into Escargoon's face. "Literally!"
"Ekk!" Escargoon reared back pinching his own nose. "J-Just your usual musk, your majesty!"
Kirby used both paws to cover his nose now. Escargoon smelt of something sour and foul like a mildew-infested sponge. Kirby swallowed the bit of bile building up at the back of his throat. "I…I don't feel well so don't mind me…" he wobbled past them.
It was when Kirby finally made it to the courtyards that the most tantalizing smell entered his nostrils.
"Again!" Sword Knight commanded as he raised his large sword towards Tuff.
The training session had been going on for some time and the young squire looked about ready to tip over. The tips of Tuff's green hair were a matted sweaty mess. His arms were shaking as he held up his sword, but Tuff did not complain. He was eager to prove himself to his master.
Kirby tilted his head to the side in confusion. Why did Tuff smell so good today?
"Hey, there Kirby!" Blade greeted him cheerily. The other knight had been watching from the bench. "What are you doing here this time of day?"
Not taking his eyes off Tuff, Kirby replied, "Tiff let me out early today…"
Noticing him on the sidelines, Tuff waved. "Hey, Kirby! Pass me my water bottle, will you?"
"Huh?" Kirby turned to see the cooler at his right. "…sure." he pulled out the chilled drink and ambled over to give it to Tuff. Kirby's head began to swim. The closer he got; the stronger Tuff's scent became. The sweat pouring from his pores amplified it.
"Thanks!" Tuff reached for it. With Kirby being so small and Tuff's hands so big, his fingers brushed against his tummy. A wave of pleasure went through him.
This touch, Kirby latched on with a contented purr. This is what I need!
"…uh…?" Tuff blinked uncertainly at the puffball clinging to his arm. "…I, um… I'm happy to see you too, Kirby, but I got to get back to training," Tuff nudged him away.
The strange heat in his stomach began to burn even fiercer. Kirby moaned in pain at the lack of contact.
"Aw, don't let it get ya down," Blade Knight trudged up beside him. Mistaking Kirby's groan for disappointment, he volunteered, "Since Sword and Tuff are busy, I will be more than happy to train with you."
Needing a distraction, Kirby accepted.
"Over here then," Blade led him a short distance away and handed him a blunt sword. He positioned himself in front of Kirby and waited. "Are you ready to begin?"
"Ready!"
Blade struck out first. Kirby stayed on the defense while he deflected his jabs. For some reason, the scent coming off Blade Knight was not as intoxicating as Tuff's, but at least he didn't smell bad like Dedede and Escargoon. He was more like a Waddledee or Tiff, a neutral scent, not aromatic in any way.
"You seem distracted…" Blade noted.
"I-I am fine!" Kirby pressed forward, going on the offensive for the first time, but was rewarded with a blunt smack of a sword for his efforts. Kirby let out a disgruntled yelp. If he were Sword-Kirby this fight would be over within seconds, but Meta Knight wanted him to train without using the sword ability for self-defense when he could not use his copy ability.
"Stay focused!" Blade warned before striking again.
Kirby was not ready. His lower stomach was sensitive and when Blade Knight sent him hurling to the ground, and it hurt a lot. Kirby let out a pained cry.
"Kirby!" Sheathing his weapon, Blade ran over to him. "I'm sorry! Did I hurt you?"
Kirby could not respond. Everything hurt. He needed something to make it stop.
"You are looking kind of red. Are you running a fever?" Blade placed a gloved hand on Kirby's forehead. "Bloody hell!" he exclaimed, catching the attention of Sword Knight and Tuff. "You are!"
Sword paused. "You shouldn't be training if you're sick, Kirby…"
"Yeah, you could be passing the germs along!" Tuff covered his mouth.
Kirby sat up with a huff. "…I'll go home and… and rest for the day…" he conceded.
"Want me to escort you?" Blade offered.
Kirby forced himself to his feet. "No, I can make it…" I think.
Blade nodded reluctantly. "Very well. I will inform Sir Meta Knight you are under the weather when he returns, alright?"
"Hope you feel better, Kirby!" Tuff waved him goodbye before turning his attention back to his master.
"Me too…" Kirby muttered as he left.
It never got better. Hot… everything was so hot!
By the time evening rolled around Kirby would have sworn never to eat another watermelon for the rest of his life if it made the pain stop! Kirby didn't even know exactly when Tokkori had left him. The canary was squawking something about "getting help before it was too late!" and now he was alone.
Kirby groaned. Even rubbing against the wall wasn't helping him anymore. Only Tuff could help him now! Kirby wasn't sure how, but he had too! He was the only one who could-
No, his scent is too weak! Something within him protested. There is another coming. Be patient-
To Nova with patience!
Kirby let out another agonized gran as he forced himself back onto his bed. There he proceeded to clutch his pillow like it was a lifeline. And that's when he smelt him. It was like an explosion of pleasure to his senses. The scent was faint but steadily approaching. Kirby lifted his nose and inhaled deeply. His thoughts of Tuff now completely forgotten.
He's the one! He is almost here!
Kirby exhaled with relief. He could practically taste his delectable scent on his tongue even before the door opened.
I have waited for you… Kirby's heart began to pound in anticipation as he yearned for his touch. …at last you have come!
Kirby rolled over just as the door opened to see that his eyes were glowing silver, pale and bright as the full moon. For somebody who was in a big rush, Meta Knight seemed hesitant to enter the house.
"Oh, no…" he gasped softly to himself. "This is happening much sooner than I anticipated!"
"What's happening?" Kirby thought it to be Tokkori's voice, but he couldn't see the canary from the angle he was laying.
"Bird, you are to leave and once you return, you can no longer sleep in the same bed as Kirby, it's highly inappropriate."
"First of all, the name's Tokkori, helmet head!" Tokkori yammered. "And second, just who do you think you are? This is my home too!"
"You mean Kirby's home," Meta Knight corrected him. "Now, get out!"
Kirby heard an indignant squawk of outrage and then the slamming of the front door.
"You…" Kirby muttered longingly as he sat up. "…you are the one I need! Meta…" he lifted his eyes to his mentor. "…I want you!"
Meta Knight didn't say a word; the knight remained completely still, his eyes going from glowing silver to a thoughtful misty green. The only sound that could be heard was the ticking of the clock on the wall soon followed by the gentle chime of midnight. Meta Knight's scent filled up every space of his small house and Kirby couldn't stand it any longer.
"Meta!" Kirby cried, trying to get closer. He felt incredibly hungry for something other than food. "Please help me!"
His cry seemed to have prompted something in the Star Veteran to move. Meta Knight came forward and sat on the bed. Kirby immediately latched on, snuggling to his side with a relieved sigh. He felt his pains decreasing at their contact. Meta Knight loosened his cape allowing it to cover him.
A strange heavy scent began to fill the room masking that delectable scent from earlier. Kirby wanted to moan in disappointment but couldn't. Although the scent was different from what he wanted, it felt strangely comforting to Kirby. It was like being wrapped in a warm snugly blanket.
Go to sleep, the scent whispered.
What? But… but I need you!
No, you don't, the scent rebuked him gently. At least not yet.
How absurd. Kirby wouldn't trade this moment even for a triple-layered strawberry shortcake with extra cream and fruit. Kirby nuzzled his cheeks against Meta Knight, moaning in pleasure. That nagging, empty feeling inside was finally being sated.
More! I need more-
"K-Kirby, stop that a once!" Meta Knight commanded aloud.
The pleasure he felt was too addictive to stop. Why? This is what I need! I need you-
"I said stop!" A firm hand came down wedging him into place.
Your time has not come!
Kirby struggled underneath his mentor's hold. At the loss of their contact, the pain was so intense that it racked his body in spams. Kirby let out a desperate cry. He felt like has going to burn up if he didn't move. Why was Meta Knight doing this to him?
Be Strong-
"You're hurting me!" Kirby screamed.
"No, I am not! Now focus!" Meta Knight ordered. "You must control these urges, Kirby! I know this is hard, but they will pass!"
It is not your time! the scent repeated. Your Whiff-mate is not here!
That struck a chord. Not here? Kirby stilled at this revelation. The pain finally beginning to subside as the heat in his belly faded away.
Not here, the scent confirmed. Not yet.
Whatever was pumping through his veins was finally extinguished. Kirby slumped down in exhausted relief. The pain is nearly gone as it continued to recede to nothing but a gentle pulse of contentment at his core.
Now, go to sleep…
Kirby's eyelids began to droop.
…you only need to be patient…
Kirby huddled closer to Meta Knight for warmth and comfort. To his surprise, the stoic knight gave it to him by stroking the top of his head. Kirby let out a relieved purr.
…another wave will come and next time you will be ready, it promised.
"Okay…" Kirby yawned aloud. It was very late. Slowly he began to drift out of consciousness.
"I am very proud of you, Kirby," he heard his mentor praise him.
Meta Knight would not assist him all the time, but Kirby was grateful to have him at his side tonight. 'I only wish I could cuddle next to him forever,' Kirby thought happily as he finally fell into a blissful sleep.
Early the next morning, Kirby woke up alone to the sight of Tokkori glaring at him from his nightstand. "..what?" Kirby deadpanned. Not in the mood to have the bird squawking mad at the start of the day.
"Are you feeling better?" the canary quipped dryly.
"Yeah, why are you all frowned up?"
"That overprotective mentor of yours kicked me out late last night while he tended to you! I need my beauty sleep!"
"Then get in," Kirby lifted a corner of his blanket. "There's more than enough room."
"Hmph!" Tokkori crossed his wings, not moving an inch from his perch. "He said we shouldn't sleep in the same bed anymore!"
"Tokkori, you're a bird and I'm…" Kirby didn't know exactly what he was. "…me. I don't think it's inappropriate."
"That's what I said!" the bird huffed before finally settling under the covers. "That Meta Knight needs to mind his business if ya ask me!"
Kirby snuggled back into his pillow, imagining it as Meta Knight's side. Kirby fell back asleep with a smile on his lips.
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Next Chapter: Secrets in the Night
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