Dreamland was a peaceful country for the most part. It had some rundown criminals here and there, but nothing worse than petty thieves, or the occasional vandal, nothing that couldn't be dealt with in a timely manner with minimal fuss or complications. Sure, King Dedede was probably the worst there was, being quite the petty and childish dictator, but it wasn't anything the citizens weren't used to dealing with on their own terms.
Anything worse than that had long been dealt with...nothing to worry about, none at all, all thanks to a certain pink puffball that lived within the quaint village of Cappytown…
And yet...A young girl was seeking out someone to watch over the puffball. Someone who had expected the child to do just fine on his own, but now found himself nearly speechless when the Cabinet Minister's daughter came up to him to do that job.
"...I beg your pardon?" Meta Knight asked.
The two were standing in the hallways of Dedede's Castle, where they both resided in, nobody around to listen save for the occasional wandering Waddle Dee guard, and they paid them no heed, minding their own business as always. Fumu had flagged him down, nearly out of breath, suggesting she'd been searching the castle for the caped knight, and prompted him with that favor. She wanted him to watch over Kirby as a guardian...and he honestly did not know what to make of it. Her hands were pressed together in a plea as she continued speaking.
"My family and I are going away to the next town over for a little while, so we wanted someone to keep Kirby some company while we're away, at least until either one of us comes back. Tokkori has been out for some time on a personal trip, so I can't exactly ask him to watch Kirby...and even then, he isn't exactly the most ideal candidate for the job. I hate to see Kirby get lonely."
Meta Knight paused. This was an unusual request he had received, from anyone ever in his life; if Fumu had asked him to train Kirby, that was one thing...but to watch him like a parent watches a child? Not even Knuckle Joe's father had ever put something like this on him...and they had been quite close in the past.
"The young Star Warrior has been just fine on his own before. Why would you need me to watch him now?" It didn't make sense to him...
Fumu shook her head. "It doesn't have to be all day every day. At the very least stop by once in a while to keep him some form of company. I don't like how the other kids play with him. He's just a baby, and they forget that sometimes...I'm sure he'd appreciate your company, too, Sir Meta Knight. Please?"
Meta Knight remained stoic in appearance, but inside, he faltered. How was he supposed to know how to watch children? He was a Star Warrior! Not a...babysitter. This was far from anything he knew.
"You know Kirby best besides myself," Fumu said. "You'd be able to figure what he needs or wants while we're away." She clearly trusted Meta Knight the most with Kirby's well being more than anyone else in the village…he wasn't sure if he was flattered or not.
"Well, yes...but I will have to see what I can do; I cannot always take time out of my day just for him I'm sure you're aware, and His Majesty might request my presence at times." Though the latter, he knew(and she probably did too) was just an excuse. Most of the time he didn't really even follow Dedede's orders, simply because they were ridiculous and the king seemed to forget he told Meta Knight half of these things anyway.
Fumu scoffed, clearly not put off by the idea. "You know how Dedede is. He'll be fine without you once in a while. Nightmare is gone…Dedede can't cause any trouble with nobody to order demon beasts from! We're finally in a time of peace..."
"Fumu..." Meta Knight spoke in a serious tone. "Star Warriors have always existed, even before Nightmare became who he was over the eons...there's grace periods, but the universe will always need our work to be done." It was true, as he was nearly certain of the existence of any stray Demon Beasts that roamed the cosmos, ones that weren't in the fortress when it exploded...but...
"...You really won't let yourself have a break, will you?" Fumu sighed, folding her arms. "...I just wanted to ask anyone who knew how to handle someone like Kirby. It isn't like you can't train him on the side if you wanted…" Though she was reluctant to add the last part, knowing how harsh the knight could get on the pink puffball with his training. She was simply hoping to convince him to take care of Kirby in her absence. A sigh of resignation passed her lips, realizing she should probably not manipulate the knight into doing her bidding; he had his own life, too, and he had a point...Kirby wasn't a helpless, dependent child. It would simply help her feel at ease if Kirby would have some level of a watchful eye on him, especially from the only other person who seemed to know him best.
Meta Knight turned slightly, seemingly staring down the hallway as if there was something beyond, going back to the initial subject at hand. "…When exactly do you plan on leaving?"
"Sometime this weekend. So you'll have time to think about this," Fumu answered, almost sheepishly. "If you really can't do it, I'll figure something else out...I didn't mean to put this on you out of the blue like this..."
Meta Knight was quiet. Fumu bit her lip; perhaps he might refuse. She should have known it might have been a little bit of a stretch to ask him, a seasoned Star Warrior who had only ever known battle, to do something so mundane.
"...I'll let you know my answer tomorrow morning, Fumu, so you will not have to wait very long in the chance you need someone else for the task."
Fumu smiled reassuringly at the knight. "Thank you for at least considering it...Please don't see this as any obligation...I'll understand."
Meta Knight only nodded his head silently and walked back with the intention of going to his room with another word. Fumu blinked, opening her mouth to say farewell, but he had disappeared around a corner. She chewed on her lower lip, sighing quietly and turning to head back to her family's quarters.
The TV screen flashed the images of the show on the only channel it had: Channel DDD. Why it was still running now that Dedede didn't really have much to go on after all that had happened in the past year aside from reruns was beyond Meta Knight, but as it was the only show that ever aired on the television, he, and his squires Sword and Blade might as well watch before going to bed.
"Sir," Sword said, glancing at his lord anxiously, who had been awfully quiet since that morning. "What was it that Miss Fumu wanted to see you about?" The two had been aware Fumu had been searching for Meta Knight, having run into her not long before she had managed to track down the elder knight...and they wondered what exactly she sought, as she had only left them with "It's urgent" before scurrying off again.
"A request regarding Kirby," the Star Warrior said simply; an answer so blunt, yet so vague.
"...What about him?" Blade asked after a moment. It only added more questions to their minds with such a small answer. "...If I may ask...?"
"She wishes for me to act as his guardian while her family is on vacation. However, I am still thinking about whether or not I should actually agree to do it. Kirby has been just fine and has grown very much in the time he has been here in Dreamland."
"Yes, my lord..." Sword and Blade looked at each other. Meta Knight, a babysitter? That was what Fumu had asked of him? An odd request, they had to agree...After all, Meta Knight was a warrior who had fought for the galaxy's sake many years ago. For him to do something like babysitting was...almost unthinkable. Although it was Kirby they were talking about...yes, though Kirby was very powerful, he was still an infant in many senses. He still couldn't even speak, for the stars' sake. "Well, what choice are you leaning towards?"
Meta Knight's eyes seemed to narrow from under his mask, briefly flickering a thoughtful green. "...I am still unsure..." A rare sentence coming from him.
Sword and Blade watched as their lord shut off the TV with the remote, and hopped down from his seat. He headed towards his bed. "We should sleep now. Good night, Sword, Blade."
"Uh, good night, sir..." They couldn't help but feel a little brushed off, even if they were used to Meta Knight's curtness and tendency to cut subjects short if he saw no use in discussing it more than necessary. He was likely mulling it over in his head quietly as it was, and didn't need distractions from their questioning.
Meta Knight climbed into his bed, armor and all, and laid down in the sheets. Sword and Blade were unsure if he had actually fallen asleep that quickly, but they lay down to sleep themselves nonetheless. It was best not to bother Meta Knight at this point. They had to let him think for himself and accept whatever choices he would make. Whatever curiosities they had would be answered by morning.
The war was over. The Galaxy Soldier Army had failed to overthrow Nightmare. Despite that, the destruction the war had caused across planets was already undergoing redevelopment, even if under Nightmare's new rule. Meta Knight knew that though the war was over, this grim tranquility would only be temporary, as Holy Nightmare already had most of the galaxy in his hands, and would not stop at anything to gain total control. Meta Knight refused to see the day that Nightmare would seize total control. The only chance possible to subdue him at last would be for the Star Warriors to rise again...
However, Meta Knight was alone. Any other surviving Star Warriors were lost and beyond contact, if there were any at all. He himself had not survived unscathed. He lost his wings in one of the battles…he wouldn't stand a chance against the demon alone, even with the sacred Galaxia on hand.
The universe needed new Star Warriors, new ones with unique abilities that could rise up easily against Nightmare. Though the next generation was…not ready. They were too young. It was before the end of the war that one of the final acts of the GSA was to see off the young warriors into the depths of space in the safety of their Starships until they were ready to fight. But before then, they would need to sleep to reach maturity. Yes...the new generation of Star Warriors wouldn't be ready so soon. They had to slumber…
He wasn't sure how long it would be before he could see any one of them again. He might not be able to fight at all at that point in the future, he was already well past his own prime, and could probably only mentor them once they were ready.
However, surely, he would see to it that they would be ready to take down Nightmare. They had to be…especially since among this new generation was one certain Star Warrior destined to be their leader, and the one to fell Nightmare with his own hands.
He was willing to live on just for that sake.
Fumu sighed softly as she watched her brother and Kirby from a bench. Bun ran around the green fields with the infant star warrior in a game of tag, their giggles filling the air, not having a care in the world, their minds entirely on the game.
"Catch me if you can, Kirby! Hahaha!"
"Poyo, poyo!" the pink warrior cried merrily, toddling after Bun as fast as his little feet could carry him.
Fumu put her chin in her hand, eyes traveling to the clouds in the sky. If Meta Knight refused, who would keep Kirby company? The village children played too roughly with him, they both knew that. And though he could keep himself occupied from time to time, she didn't want him to try and play with the other children constantly and have them abuse their friendships with him, intentionally or not. Kirby had never managed to understand when people hurt him or made fun of him, much less on purpose...he never harbored any grudges towards anyone. Perhaps, she would have to rely on her faith in that trait of his if Meta Knight refused her request, but even so, she would prefer if someone was looking out for him...
Kirby came to a stop at the sight of Fumu's melancholy cloud gazing and called out to her, apparently concerned. "Poyo?"
The minister's daughter gasped and shook her head to shake herself from her thoughts. "Oh, Kirby, I'm alright, thank you. I'm just doing some thinking...I'm going to really miss you while we're away."
Kirby smiled and waved his small arms. "Poyyy, poyo!" He was just so innocent at heart and surely was trying to cheer her up. He was handling the news of her having to leave him for a while fairly well... Fumu smiled fondly at the young hero.
"Thanks, Kirby. I'll try not to mope so much. I have to be more upbeat, just like you," she giggled, unable to help but admire Kirby's ability to stay positive.
"Yeah, you're no fun when you have your lower lip out all the time!" Bun cried back, having barely realized Kirby was no longer chasing him. Fumu huffed, folding her arms and looking away with a puffed cheek.
"I'm no fun to you most of the time, though, hm?"
"I didn't mean it like that, Sis, jeez!" He turned from his sister, shaking off her statement, and beckoned to the pink infant. "C'mon, Kirby, you're still it!"
"Poyo!" Kirby remembered the game of tag and ran along after Bun with an excited giggle, little paws in the air. Fumu watched them for a bit longer until a familiar, calm voice called softly from behind her, keeping her from getting lost in her thoughts once again.
"Fumu. I have my answer for you about your request." Standing a few yards away, beneath the shade of a tree, stood Meta Knight, wrapped in his cape and posture firm as ever...he still looked and played the part of his occupation, no matter the time or day.
"Oh! S-Sir Meta Knight!" She jumped down from the bench and made her way to the blue-clad knight. "Well, what's your answer?" she asked after a moment, nearly hesitantly.
Meta Knight seemed to wrap his cape more tightly around himself. "...I have thought about it overnight...and I will accept your request. I will stay by Kirby once in a while these coming weeks, even if I cannot always be there for him."
Fumu gasped, a smile spreading across her face, almost unable to believe her ears. "Thank you, Sir Meta Knight! I'm sure Kirby will very much appreciate it!" She glanced back at the children playing, having heard Kirby squeak from surprise and shouted. "Bun, stop running so fast, you made Kirby trip again!" She smiled sheepishly as she turned to apologize to Meta Knight, but stopped in surprise.
He had vanished.
"Why does he keep doing that...?" she moaned, shaking her head.
A baby...this particular Star Warrior was just a baby. He had NOT remembered wrong...Kirby had indeed woken up early. Now that he checked...it was 200 years early. He wasn't even close to maturity... How could a baby stand up to Nightmare? By now Nightmare must be aware of his presence...perhaps plotting to…
Meta Knight had to make sure they didn't attack Kirby; not while he still had much to learn...losing this particular Star Warrior would be disastrous for the universe. Then there was also the fact he was an infant...an infant to have to deal with all this danger at once was cruel within itself.
No, no. No, that was the reason he himself had willed himself to live; he was supposed to mentor the Star Warriors once they were awake! Yes, that had been his original intention. Kirby would be no exception, even if he was this young and knew practically nothing, even if he was a baby-
Just a mentor. Forget the fact he is an infant. Nightmare cared not how old or young his victims had been, and he would make no changes for Kirby. So, he too, would have to train Kirby with a similar mindset if he was to stand a chance…forget that Kirby was an infant. Treat Kirby as equally as he would an adult warrior.
Just...why did it have to be so early?
"Sir! Sir! Are you alright?"
Meta Knight looked up at his knaves, who were watching him worriedly. "You…haven't touched your dinner..." Before him was his meal plate, entirely undisturbed since he had served himself.
"...Right, I apologize. I was...lost in thought." Meta Knight reached for his fork, having realized his eyes had been likely flickering between yellow and green and alerted the younger knights that something was up. After what Meta Knight had told them that morning he was going to agree to watch over Kirby while Fumu was gone, they were practically certain the situation had been stuck on his mind the whole day.
"Surely you are not..." Blade could hardly believe he dared himself to say it. "...nervous about the job?"
Meta Knight said nothing, but Sword and Blade could both see him briefly pause before lifting his fork to eat through his mask, and Blade wondered if he had made his superior uncomfortable by bringing it up constantly...
"...I have seen many things and challenged myself numerous times over in my lifetime as a Star Warrior...but this is one thing I hadn't bothered myself to consider. I never thought I would need to..." He closed his eyes briefly before returning to his food. "...I think I just might be...yes, you are right…" How rare was it that the knight would ever admit to being put off by anything...yet he remained strong and refused to waver. "But it is not going to stop me," Meta Knight said, finally, and left it at that.
"I'm leaving now, Kirby," Fumu said, patting the pink puffball's head. "You be good while I'm away, okay? I'll be back before you know it!"
"Poyoooo!" Kirby hugged the elder girl, nuzzling her affectionately with his cheek against hers, as a way of saying good luck and goodbye. Fumu laughed, returning the embrace before letting go and waving bye, finally hurrying after her parents and a sniveling Bun. "Oh, Bun, it's only for three weeks…" she murmured to her brother. "Byyye Kirby! Be good, okay?"
Kirby waved cheerily as the family headed down and eventually out of sight when they reached a fork in the road. He turned away, knowing very well he would miss them, but Fumu had promised they would come back, and that was good enough for him, especially since he knew nothing could hurt them right now. He trusted Fumu's words more than anyone's. She was always honest.
He decided to hum to himself as he walked on the road back to his house. Perhaps he could find something to do while Fumu and Bun were away, he always felt so easily entertained. Maybe he could find some butterflies to play with, or roll around in the grass...or even just nap the day away, naps were good, too.
The child then stopped on the side of the road and looked up, a tree having caught his attention. And it wasn't just any tree, but a banana tree!
Kirby loved eating more than anything (well, besides being with his friends). What else was there to do other than shake the tree and have some? Kirby smiled and let out a delighted "Poyo!" and did just that.
The bananas fell on the ground beside him in a pile. He sat down next to it and took them, peeling off the skin and helping himself. Kirby munched on them and stared up at the clouds.
...How peculiar, he thought. It would be by far more fun to share these bananas with someone, but Fumu and Bun were already long gone, and Tokkori wasn't going to be back for another few weeks with whatever he was up to. Kirby looked at the pile of bananas. There were too many to carry alone, and he didn't have much at his disposal to help him carry them along with him, having not brought a basket with him. Perhaps he could inhale them up and then spit them back out for someone who might want any in Pupu Village? Oh, but they didn't like to take the food he offered. They always insisted he help himself, as they knew Kirby was simply unaware of the ethics they had about already consumed food.
Kirby sighed, slightly disappointed. He would really HAVE to eat them alone.
"Kirby. What are you doing all the way out here by yourself? Or were you coming back to the village after saying goodbye to Fumu and her family?"
Kirby nearly gave a start, but he recognized that low, mellow voice anywhere. He turned, his mouth shaping into a delighted smile. "Poyo!" It was Meta Knight, and he was perched up on a stone ledge, staring at Kirby with those bright golden eyes he'd grown used to seeing over the years.
"I see you have...managed to entertain your own appetite well enough by yourself."
Kirby smiled and waved at Meta Knight to come over and have some bananas, too. He took one from the pile as the fellow Star Warrior began making his way over and held it out to him as a friendly offering. Meta Knight stared at the fruit. "...I think I will pass for now, but thank you."
Kirby continued to hold it out, still sporting a merry smile. Meta Knight could not contain a sigh and took it, taking a seat carefully beside Kirby, slowly peeling the fruit. He watched as Kirby ate the other bananas quickly, not bothering to chew once or twice per banana. Then again, Kirby did not have teeth…
"You are a powerful warrior, Kirby," Meta Knight mused. "Yet you still want to occupy yourself with food and playtime whenever possible."
Kirby didn't appear to understand his point, still chewing away at what was left of the banana pile as if he had not heard the knight. Figuring he was not to get any sort of response, Meta Knight took a bite of his banana through his mask. This, Kirby noticed.
Kirby hadn't exactly realized until now, without the distractions of a demon beast or other serious matters to keep his thoughts away from the subject, but Meta Knight always wore his mask, every day and every night, even while eating...or what he had seen of him eating. Perhaps the man even wore it while sleeping. Wasn't it difficult to deal with all the time? Kirby stood up, looking at Meta Knight intensely. The other star warrior stared back, mildly bemused. "Is something the matter?"
Kirby reached forward, paws latching onto the knight's mask, and tugged. Meta Knight abruptly responded by lightly slapping away Kirby's hands. "Please do not do that."
"Poyo..." Kirby rubbed his paw with the other, having not expected that kind of reaction from his mentor.
"I can eat just fine, if that was your concern..." Meta Knight's tone was slightly stilted.
Kirby puffed his cheeks and sat back down to finish the bananas. He had admittedly been curious to see what Meta Knight's face was like underneath the mask, too. However, his mentor seemed very set on keeping it on. He would have to let it go...for now, at least. One day, the child thought to himself, one day for sure he would figure it out.
Meta Knight was quiet. Of all people he didn't want seeing what he looked like under the mask, Kirby was the one he didn't want finding out the most-especially in the off chance the child reacted negatively if he saw the face underneath. Or so he believed.
Kirby finished the last banana and made a small noise of contentment. Meta Knight decided it was time to guide him back home. "Alright, child. It's time to go back..." He paused when Kirby did not stand up. "...Kirby?" He turned and was quick to find out the pink ball had fallen asleep. "You will fall asleep anywhere." He again took a seat beside the young Star Warrior, sighing as if the weight of the world rested on his shoulders. "What have I let myself into...?"
"...Kabu sees you are troubled...Sir Meta Knight cannot hide everything with that mask..."
The knight stiffened, not facing the stone sage. "...Of course not." It was impossible to hide such things from the wise totem.
"Tell Kabu what your troubles are...So that I may try to ease them." He could certainly try, at least...
"...I swore to stand by and only act as a mentor...stepping in only when necessary." Despite himself, the words fell from his lips before he even realized it.
"Is this about Kirby?" The knight paused when Kabu asked. It was no use making it vague; the sage knew already.
"...It is difficult...and enough so when he is not even out of infancy."
"Sir Meta Knight cares for Kirby."
If anyone could see him under his mask, they would have seen the grimace he took on when Kabu made the comment.
"...Fumu is his guardian. She is all he needs-"
"Kirby cares for Sir Meta Knight, too." Kabu witnessed the rare instance of the blue knight cringing at his words.
"...I cannot let him close to me. There is no need..." He felt himself leaving the valley to return to the castle.
"...Sir Meta Knight cannot hide his troubles forever. Kabu wishes you to be able to know what your limits are."
...But what was he supposed to do about that?
"Poyo...Poyo!" Kirby waved his hand in front of Meta Knight's face. The knight was in some sort of daze, having not reacted when Kirby awoke, but surely he wasn't asleep; otherwise his eyes would not be glowing that shade of green. Kirby was starting to worry, not used to the knight being this unresponsive. He dared to get closer and slightly nudged Meta Knight. "Poyoooo!"
Meta Knight gave an uncharacteristic start. "...Ah, I...I apologize, Kirby. I was thinking about…something..."
Kirby frowned, still visibly concerned for him. "Meh...mehhhnn...t'nah...poyuuu…"
Meta Knight looked up, surprised by the gibberish Kirby was spouting other than his usual use of "Poyo".
"Me-meh? Meh-nah?" Kirby managed to spout, poking Meta Knight. Meta Knight realized, with alarm, Kirby was trying to say his name, albeit with only half success. Of course…
"...I'm fine, Kirby," he said, rising up, and wrapping his cloak around himself once more. His answer was enough for Kirby, who then gained a smile again and responded with a small, "Poyo, poooy!"
Meta Knight began walking. "Come, little one. You should head back to your home." Kirby responded with another happy cry and was practically skipping after Meta Knight. He sighed a bit, once more, but quietly so as to not make Kirby worry over him again. That wasn't necessary.
Child, you have survived so many horrors, but you are still able to act like none of it happened most of the time. I envy you.
Kirby began singing as they walked along. "Poyo, poyooo~! Pooooy! Poyo, poyo, poooooy~!"
Meta Knight knew his singing wasn't the best, but, dare he think it, it was adorable...well, at least when he wasn't Mike Kirby. That would have been...disastrous.
"After I take you back, I must return to the castle. Do you understand, Kirby?"
Kirby stopped singing and visibly pouted, clearly disappointed his mentor couldn't stay longer, but nodded anyway. Meta Knight noticed this and paused. "...I will be back tomorrow, however. Take my word for it...Would you like that?"
Kirby bounced in the air hearing this, his little paws waving about cheerfully. "Poyo, poooooy!"
Meta Knight turned back ahead, trying and failing to resist a smile of amusement, even if Kirby could not see it through the mask. Just for this brief time, I suppose it could be nice to...indulge. To just...be with him.
It was the next day, and despite himself, Meta Knight's first thoughts that morning were mainly about visiting Kirby. It hadn't been half-bad spending time with the young Star Warrior the day earlier. He had promised he would be back, so he might as well uphold his word.
"Sword, Blade," he spoke, hearing their armor clank behind him. "I'll be off for a few hours. If His Majesty needs me, find me to let me know."
"You are going to visit Kirby again?" Sword asked, curiously, unable to hide his surprise when Meta Knight was usually so hands-off with anything regarding the pink warrior.
"I made a promise," Meta Knight replied, and began heading down the halls.
Sword and Blade looked at each other. They each knew full well that Meta Knight had long since grown attached to Kirby since the baby Star Warrior landed in Dreamland, although how attached was left to interpretation... Was he spending time with Kirby purely by Fumu's request, or was it that combined with a personal desire to do so? It wasn't very clear, as his actions over the years often flip-flopped and confused their conclusions on the matter.
...It was best not to ask. Their lord had always been best at hiding his intentions, even with them at times.
Meta Knight himself seemed to have a hard time admitting to himself that he really did like being around Kirby for reasons other than training, as Kabu himself had once pointed out. However, denial seemed insistent on keeping itself in his thoughts regarding the pink infant, and he kept telling himself, repeatedly, that he was doing this out of his respect for Fumu's wishes more than any personal desire to see Kirby.
Ah. He found himself almost about to walk in the Cappytown streets publicly, having heard distracted murmurs of the Cappies that had not yet noticed him; that wouldn't do. He made a turn away from the main streets, narrowly avoiding any attention, and began heading towards Kirby's hill from the alleyways. He'd much rather avoid running into the populace and encountering unnecessary distractions. Certainly, if he crossed paths with anyone, they'd greet him, make needless small talk, and ask questions about his business. No, his only goal was to get to Kirby today, there was nothing about mingling with the general populace.
That child...I wonder why I'm allowing myself to do this...He develops better under harsh circumstances-
No. No, no, that was wrong. That was the regimen for training Kirby in battle, not his day-to-day life. Kirby being left alone much more frequently resulted in loneliness and misery, such as the time when it had been the first anniversary when he had arrived in Dreamland, in which he had tried to run away from feeling neglected. Meta Knight had been there to consult Kabu and had found the child with a travel sack and ready to leave the town.
...Perhaps that was why Fumu had been so imploring while she requested Meta Knight to watch over him, thinking about the last time Kirby had been essentially left to fend for himself. He should have known better than to doubt her judgement.
Kirby's hill was just ahead. He could not see the pink Star Warrior in Tokkori's tree, so this time he fell asleep in his actual bed. Meta Knight needed to have a talk with him about sleeping in Tokkori's tree sometime, regardless of the fact that he enjoyed it...it would probably help with Fumu trying to convince him of the same thing.
He knocked on the door, firmly to make his presence known. "Kirby. It is me."
There wasn't an answer. Was Kirby out of the house? To check, Meta Knight opened the door(had the Cappies even made a lock for it when they built it?) and peered at the bed.
Kirby was fast asleep under his covers. Meta Knight resisted a sigh and made his way over. It was nearly noon and the child was still sleeping? He ignored the nagging thought at the back of his mind. Babies sleep more than anyone. "Kirby, wake up, please." Meta Knight lightly rapped the pink warrior's forehead.
Kirby's bright blue eyes opened and he yawned tiredly, mouth opening wide. He noticed Meta Knight at his bedside, and waved his small arms merrily, as if he hadn't been sleeping moments before. "Poyo...Poooy!"
Meta Knight could not help himself once again and smiled slightly behind his mask. Kirby was pleased to see him...the child actually enjoyed seeing him...
"I told you I would come by again."
"Poooy, poyo, poooy!" Kirby jumped down from his bed, promptly took ahold of Meta Knight's hand, and began trying to drag him out of the house, tugging insistently. "Pooy!"
"N-now Kirby, where do you plan to take me? You didn't even make your bed." Meta Knight paused. Now that sounded like something Fumu, or by extension, a parent would say. Was he turning soft? The child was already managing to make him smile behind his mask.
Kirby blinked, glancing over before running to the bed. However, he forgot to let go of Meta Knight's hand, resulting in the glove coming off. Meta Knight acted abruptly and quickly hid his ungloved hand under his cape, not wanting Kirby to see the nub he actually had. Kirby looked at his own hand and dropped the glove in surprise, thoroughly embarrassed that he had removed the knight's glove. "P-Poyooo!"
Meta knight picked up the glove with his other hand and put it back on with his back turned to Kirby, hating how exposed he felt without it, feeling more at ease with gloves and armor and all. If he were to get any indication of who...or rather, what I am…
Kirby looked worried as Meta Knight turned back around, shame evident on his face. "You're alright, Kirby. It was an accident," the elder warrior reassured.
Kirby smiled at this and then hurried to tend to his bed; within minutes, he had finished setting it up for the next night, although it was still slightly wrinkled. Well, the effort was what counted, here... "Poyo!"
Meta Knight nodded. "Now, for where you wished to go..." Kirby let out a delighted cry and ran to his mentor, taking his other hand this time and guiding him out into the fields. "Meh-nah, poyo!"
Meta Knight let him guide him down the road, away from Pupu Village(much to the knight's relief) and towards the direction of the beach. Clearly, Kirby felt like playing there for today...but perhaps he could convince Kirby later to train with him. Unless other people joined them to play at the beach, then it would have to wait.
Kirby glanced Meta Knight's way, and beamed, eyes sparkling with clear affection. Meta Knight was slightly taken aback by the random gesture.
...Well, maybe they could train tomorrow for sure. He wasn't one to slack off, no, he didn't like to slack off very much, but the child was so eager to relax with him...Just this once. Meta Knight didn't say it aloud, but he felt rather...content.
Kirby...one day you will have to mature completely as a Star Warrior. You can't always enjoy this leisure, even if Nightmare has been defeated. The universe will always need Star Warriors...but only for this time, I'll allow this, because you are a child...I cannot rob you of something most of our kind were not as lucky to have…
They had arrived at the beach, finally. Kirby laughed and began running around in the sand as Meta Knight watched him from atop a rock. Sometimes he would find a pretty seashell and run to Meta Knight and place it in front of him, as if to present them to him. To please the young Star Warrior, Meta Knight nodded in acknowledgement each time he brought one over and would say things like, "It is a pretty one," and "Very nice". Kirby would always beam happily with each little comment and run off to find more.
Kirby did eventually come across a conch that was being inhabited by a hermit crab and cried out with pain when it pinched his hand for disturbing it. Kirby ran to Meta Knight and showed him the red spot, teary-eyed.
"Now Kirby," Meta Knight reasoned, slightly bemused. "You have battled powerful monsters who have hurt you far worse, but here, you're asking me to treat a little pinch?" He wasn't Fumu, who would have likely rushed to Kirby's aid with an exasperated laugh, and would have said something like, "Oh, Kirby, you really need to be more careful, you silly thing."
"Poyo," the little pink warrior said with a pitiful sniffle. Meta Knight rolled his eyes slightly behind his mask, deciding to humor the child, and took Kirby's hand, gently rubbing it.
"You'll be fine. It'll go away."
Kirby suddenly held Meta Knight's hand with both paws before the other warrior could let go. He looked to the younger Star Warrior, confused. He opened his mouth and only got out a "Wha-?" before Kirby inched forward and gave him a hug.
Meta Knight froze, caught by surprise with the sudden affectionate gesture. "...Kirby?"
Kirby nuzzled him with his cheek, not unlike how he would do with Fumu or Bun, letting out numerous, soft, happy "poyo"s. Meta Knight's eyes flickered around, a bit worried about someone spotting them like this. He wasn't upset by their display, just…flustered.
Kirby closed his eyes, smiling. Meta Knight looked down at him, acutely aware of their size difference, how small Kirby was compared to him. "...Was this your plan?"
Kirby did not reply, though neither did he let go of Meta Knight. The elder Star Warrior sighed and allowed himself to pat Kirby on the head.
"You're really attached to me, too, aren't you...?" he murmured, not meaning for the "too" to slip out the way it did.
Kirby tucked himself under Meta Knight's arm and sat down like that. He didn't make an indication that he would be leaving Meta Knight's side anytime soon. Apparently, this was his answer.
Meta Knight's eyes glowed blue. "...Just this once."
A/N: (Updated 5/1/2020) Soooo uhhh, anyone coming back to this fic for a reread may notice I've rewritten it...again. New readers, hi, it's not much you missed out on, don't worry, just some formatting/wording that was driving me nuts since I initially posted it. :'D Hope you enjoyed this silly fic of mine!