Hello all, and welcome back to another fic on my page, but, I have a surprise... I'm finally writing another multi ch work! And this time I'll actually finish it, I swear! I got a few surprises in store with this one too, and even if it's a little different than what I usually do, I hope you stick with it, and, as always, I hope you all enjoy!
-marketvalueneps
As a bright, sunny, usual everyday went by in Gamindustri, everything seemed right with the world, as was usual, at least if you asked a certain pudding loving, adored by all, the protagonist of protagonists. To Neptune, much of the hassle of the everyday was lost on her, she only needed the calmness of an everyday life to be happy. Boring paperwork? Didn't interest her. Of course, by this point, I'm sure, most of you are already aware of this. Neptune was unchanging, unwavering, her energy almost infectious. It certainly was something she enjoyed about herself.
There were few things that she liked disturbing her usual days, and, as we take our story on this day, one of them happened to be calling her, smiling as she read the name on the caller ID, she eventually picked up,
"Why hellooo my sweetest of sweet hearts~" She dreamily answered the phone cooing, much to the embarrassment of the person on the other line. Although, this wasn't just Neptune's naturally very flirty personality, no, for you see, it was partially a lie to say that Gamindustri was as it always was. There was one pretty big difference you see…
"Neptune… I told you; you don't have to embarrass me every time we talk!" The other person on the line mildly scolded, as Neptune chuckled a bit, relishing in the embarrassed tone her girlfriend took.
"Buuuttt Miss Nowaruuu… That's my job~"
Gamindustri sure did have a big change on its hands. Having two of the goddesses officially dating one another was certainly new… although. It wasn't as though any of the populace was any the wiser. Which is to say, it was not entirely inaccurate to say Gamindustri was without change.
Yes, even though Neptune and Noire had been officially dating for 3 months now; the only people who knew were the people close enough to them to get the privilege to know. That meant, the other goddesses, as well as a select few of their human friends. All of whom were sworn to secrecy, lest they be at the end of Noire's rapier.
This was what Noire had insisted upon when Neptune made her feelings known all those months ago, when Neptune had decided she had had enough of waiting, had enough of playing games, had enough of walking a fine line of lover and friend. She couldn't handle it anymore; her heart couldn't handle it anymore.
Back then, even if she was more than a little confident her feelings were reciprocated in the woman her love was directed towards; but that didn't help to slow her aching heart. It felt like the stupid organ was going to beat right out of her chest… didn't it know? Protagonists don't act like this! They confidently stride into their lover's room, declare their love for them, and then, that's that. They stride off into the sunset.
Why was she so nervous?
Was it perhaps because; she had never put herself out like this? She had never put herself in the position to lose anything? She was goofy, and light hearted, for her entire life, it felt like, she was always ok with just being there, enjoying the simple pleasures of life. The share race? She never cared about that, she just wanted the people of Planeptune to enjoy the life she did. But now? If she was wrong…
She'd lose everything.
Shaking her head, she put the thoughts to the side, as she continued flying across the continent. She had just called Noire, and confirmed she would be in for the night, so she just had to make it there, and spill her heart. Even if it killed her.
Landing on the balcony connected to Lastations Basilicom, Neptune disengaged her HDD transformation. Even if it would give her the maturity and confidence to say what she needed to; that was wrong. She needed to say what she needed to say, as herself. Neptune needed to say it. Taking a deep breath, Neptune started her quest. A quest that would, admittedly, not take long, as she soon found the very woman she was looking for. "Heyyy Nowarru!" she yelled out, hand in the air,
This was it. No going back.
"Neptune!? Mind telling me what the hell that was about!" Noire glared at her undeclared best friend with her hands firmly planted on her hips. Honestly, the nerve of her. Who does she think she is to call saying, 'Hey, Noire? Can we talk? I'll be headin over, k?'. Didn't she have any sense at all, and didn't she know what time it was?
"Hehe sorry~" Was all the ditzy purple haired woman could respond with, as she scratched the back of her neck. Before taking a long, deep breath, as Noire tilted her head, looking at her, before Neptune began once more, "But, like, for realsies though, can we talk? No nonsense. Just good ol Neppy and Nowa?" Neptune asked, her voice as soft and genuine as Noire had ever heard her, it was almost… creepy. Neptune didn't talk like that…
"Are you ok? Did you hit your head? Eat some bad pudding? Try one of Gust's crazy potions? Get replaced by a clone?" Noire analyzed her as she stared dumbfounded, and Neptune could only give a soft smile in response,
"It's me. I promise, k?" Noire felt her features relax. She always liked that face on Neptune the best, not the over the top almost fake smile she always wore. This one was rarer, but she had picked up on that detail over the years, this smile was the real Neptune.
As the two made their way to a place to sit and talk, Noire couldn't help but notice, Neptune was… shaking? What on earth had gotten into her? Was she… afraid? Neptune? Was that even possible? Noire had never known her to be scared of anything, thick or thin, hell or high water, Neptune was brave, fearless. It was something she admired about her. After a short walk, the two would take seats in one of the Lastation Basilicom's (quite comfortable) sitting areas.
"Alright, spill, what on earth has gotten into that head of yours, it better not be some world ending threat, I swear on the true goddess I might kill you" Noire immediately started, crossing her arms with a huff, imploring Neptune to start, but to continue feeding Noire's growing worries; she was silent. Her face contorted, as if she was trying to force something out. Shooting her a worried glance, Noire started again,
"You know, this is not like you. Where's all that weird fake energy you always have now?" It seemed that triggered something in Neptune, as she took a deep breath, before her eyes shifted, a sort of determination, and desire burning behind her purple hued irises.
"Noire," She began, "I know… I know I don't always say things the best, and the words I do say sometimes mean… well not what I want them to. But…" She paused, trying to think of the proper words to say, "You know how in those crummy harem animes you love, the girl is always mean to the boys they like? Like wooowwzers, girl just say you love that dork and get one with it amiright?" She fumbled as she tried to explain, causing Noire to roll her eyes,
"Is there a point to this?" She asked, as Neptune forced back on her determined look from earlier,
"The point is…" She took a long deep breath, as she clutched Noire's hands, "Noire, I might say a bunch of mean junk sometimes… maybe it makes me a bigger tsundere than you but… I… Noire I… I love you… I don't know how else to say it," her voice faded as she said the words she had ran from for so long, Noire simply staring at her,
"Wha… what… what did you say?" Was all her mind could force out, as Neptune felt embarrassment crawl onto her features,
"I know… I know it doesn't sound believable coming from me, but, Noire! I love you!" She said again, putting much more emphasis into it as she practically yelled the declaration. And with that Noire froze. She didn't know what to think.
Her feelings about Neptune were… complicated sometimes… She had known her for so long, and the two were always close. Perhaps it was the time they spent together… or perhaps it was something else that made Noire notice all the details about her. How hard she could work if she really put her mind to it, how pretty she was when she wasn't too lazy to comb her hair, how funny she was when she wasn't making all those weird references.
She believed for so long that she loved her. The way her heart beated when they were together, the way she would always dream about how they would be together. Neptune and her, working together, to build the beautiful feature she envisioned. At one point she had given up on that dream, she didn't know what to think about Neptune sometimes… but here it was. Her perfect world. It was right there, right in front of her, now she just needed to grab it, make it hers…
"Neptune…." She said, tears crashing down her face, a smile forming despite her tears, "You dolt… I thought I waited long enough" Was all she said, as the two finally connected, wrapping their arms around one another, finally… all was right it felt.
And as the months passed, Neptune couldn't help but smile every time she thought about it. And even if every time they were out on a date, she had to tell everyone it was 'national affairs' per Noires order, and even if she had to hide her rolling eyes when she said it. And even if she wasn't allowed to kiss her in public… or hold her hand… or hug her… or tell her how beautiful she was… it didn't matter. If that's what it took to keep Noire by her, then she'd do it!
She'd do it all
"By the way, Neptune? You made sure you finished all your work, right?" Noire asked, as Neptune felt the color drain from her face,
"Haha… of course!" She lied, she had gotten pretty good at it the last 3 months if she had to say-
"Don't lie to me!" Noire yelled, as Neptune recoiled, before sighing,
"Aye aye… I'll get it done before we go out" She responded, dejectedly, before hearing Noire talk once more,
"Alright~ I know you'll love the dress I picked out! Uni helped me when I went shopping, she wanted my opinion on what she should wear to impress Nepgear" Noire soon added, as Neptune felt a smile form on her face once more. She'd do all the nasty paperwork… if it meant Noire would be happy like this.
"Oh, I bet~ Don't worry I'll let Nep Jr know she's in for a treat later as well!" She energetically explained,
"You can't tell her! Uni made me promise to keep it a secret you dolt!" She chastised, as Neptune recoiled once more,
"Eep!" Was all Neptune could squeak out, before hearing a sigh on the other end,
"Either way, I'll see you tonight" She ended, as Neptune added one last line, sweety, she cooed,
"Alright, love ya!" But all she heard was the ending of the call, sighing, she stood up making her way to the office, as she did, she heard a voice from behind her,
"Nep-Nep! Nep-Nep!" The energetic voice called out, as Neptune felt a smile form on her face,
"Oh hey! B-sha!" Neptune energetically waved to her gilded friend as the former Gold Third made her way to join up with her friend,
"Hey, Nep-Nep, I found this really cool retro game the other day while I was working at the shop! Come on, check it out with me! It's even got mechas in it!" B-sha brightly smiled as she offered, but Neptune's face only stayed in a neutral state,
"Sorry, no can do my ever gilded friend" Was all she said, as B-sha gave her a confused stare,
"Huh? Why not?"
"I gotta take care of the work today, we can try some other time, k?" She offered, as B-sha stared at her, as if she had been replaced by some alien lifeform,
"Are you ok? Did Histy threaten your pudding collection?" If there was one thing B-sha knew about her close friend; she hated the boring work, not that B-sha blamed her, in the short time she was Planeptune's "ruler" she grew to have a fierce hatred of the work as well. Which made it even more peculiar,
"Nah… Noire made me. She doesn't like me ditchin my work n' all. But, you know what the old gents say, happy waifu, happy laifu!" She started, before forcing her face into a smile, excusing herself as she made her way down the hall, and B-sha could only stare at where her friend had been standing, in her gut a strange feeling brewing, before shaking her head, deciding against it, as she made her way out of the building, she was only there to see Neptune in the first place… B-sha hated how she would pay all her attention to her. Didn't she see there were other people worthy of paying attention to?
"Ugghhhhh this suuucks!" After a few hours of her work, Neptune could feel her energy running on 'empty', grumbling she looked at how much she had to do, then at her phone, noticing she only had a little longer before she had to get ready, she grumbled again, realizing, gravely; there was no way she was going to finish before her date, which meant one thing…
Noire was gonna yell at her again, well... if she told her the truth that was...
"Man, I hope she takes it easy on me… I'm not built for this!" She sighed, as she got up, heading over to her room, as she got ready, putting on one of her nicest dresses before beginning the arduous process that was combing out her hair. Even if she didn't get the point, and even if it hurt like hell to get out all of the tangles… Noire liked her better when she combed out her hair. And if Noire liked it better, then Neptune would suffer through it.
"Alrighto! All neatarfic and everything!" Neptune held back a tear as she looked in the mirror, making sure her look was flawless, twirling in reflective glass with a giggle, before spinning on her heel as she made her way out of the room, walking down the hall as she waved, wishing farewell to her friends and family, "See ya later, Nep Jr! Oo! If you see B-sha, can you let her know to bring over that game tomorrow?" She instructed her sister, who nodded, as she wished Neptune good luck as the goddess exited her home and made her way to the designated spot for her and her girlfriend's date, one of Planeptunes's nicer establishments, of course, more than happy to accommodate the late reservation request for their goddess.
Neptune jovially skipped down the futuristic paths, humming a tune, as she made her way to the spot, walking into the restaurant as the staff immediately took her to her table, where she immediately saw Noire waiting for her… arms crossed as she tapped her foot, sitting down, Neptune smiled as she caught look at her choice in outfit, a stunning black dress accented by white lines down her sides,
"Is this seat taken?" She comically pulled out the seat, making a great deal to bow in an over the top manner,
"Just sit down." Noire chastised as Neptune rolled her eyes,
"Aww that one was funny!" She defended herself, as Noire sighed, clearly not amused,
"No it wasn't, and you're late!" She glared at Neptune, who seemed confused, looking at her phone seeing as it read '6:37'.
"Whaaat? The reservation was for 6:30 miss abyssal heart!" Neptune pointed out, as the two began their dinner. Conversing on assorted topics as they waited for their food, as the more than attentive wait staff put the dishes in front of the goddesses, Neptune immediately seized the opportunity to swipe a sampling from her dates plate,
"Hey!" She yelled as Neptune cheekily stuffed the vegetable in her mouth… before quickly spitting out… right onto Noire's face, "Jeez! What the hell is wrong with you!" She yelled as she wiped her face.
"Ack… ack… it was… eggplant!" Neptune choked out, still coughing as she tried her best to rid her mouth of the rotten flavor. "Pudding… need pudding!" She cried out as she put the back of her hand to her head, more or less as a joke, yet,
"As you wish Lady Purple Heart" The waiter bowed as he quickly entered the kitchen, coming back out but a moment later, a dish of pudding in hand,
"OOhhh! See Nowa this is why Planeptune is the greatest!" She boldly declared as she practically inhaled the sweet offering, humming a tune as she did, much to the annoyance of the woman across from her.
Really… this was every time. Neptune completely lacked any sense, and it always ended in embarrassment for her… Why do you think she picked out a Planeptunian restaurant? It certainly wasn't because they were any better, or even comparable to Lastation establishments… it's because, she couldn't let her populace see her with such a… such a…
"Ugh... Neptune, do you even know how to eat like a dignified goddess should?" Noire leaned her head on her hand as she felt the vein in her forehead twitching.
"Hmm? It's totally cool. I'm sure the folks here are just happy to be in the presence of the totally adorable dressed up main character~" She smugly responded, stuffing her face with more food, as Noire took note, she at least did do herself up. But... her hair was still hardly adequately tended to, and her dress was crooked. She got a 0. 0 effort. Did she even care about how she looked? She looked like she just rolled out of bed.
"Did you at least finish your work?" She asked, if she had... she supposed she could excuse her lateness, and clear lack of attention to her look.
"Urk... Of course, miss work heart asks about that. Who do you think you're dealing with? Of courrse I finished" She blatantly lied as Noire's forehead twitched even more,
"I can't believe you! Who do you think you're fooling!" Noire glared at Neptune, who nervously scratched her neck. Well... this date was sure going... not perfect. Neptune put her brain to work, as she tried to think of a way to rectify everything. She didn't want Noire mad at her after all.
As the date neared its conclusion, Neptune, it would appear, had one more surprise up her sleeve, as she went to say goodbye, and as the eyes of nearly the whole restaurant laid on them…smooch
It was a short peck, on Noire's cheek, a light touch of Neptune's lips on her face… yet.
Snap.
She was such a… she was such a!
"DUNCE!" Noire screamed as Neptune nearly jumped back, her eyes widening, Noire's tone was not like it usually was when she would call her stupid… this was… bitter.
"Wait… I'm sorry… I though-"
"That's just it isn't it!? Huh!? You never think about anything! You selfish arrogant self-entitled child!" Noire continued her tirade, screaming at Neptune who felt herself crumbling,
"Noire wait-" looking Noire in the eyes, she felt her mind crumbling as she saw those red eyes. Glaring at her, cold venom laced in her gaze. So different from those months ago, when they were filled with loving joy. It was gone, all but sapped up.
"NO! Shut up! Do you ever even think about how anyone else feels!? That's just it with you, all you ever think about is yourself! You're the main character, your name is in the title, whatever any of that shit means!" Noire continued and she continued, she didn't even know why she was so upset. But by the end of it she couldn't even see that straight anymore from her anger, "I put so much effort into this, and what did you ever do!? I can't believe you! How selfish can one woman get!" Her venom laced words shattered Neptune, every word a fell stinger to her fragile heart, and as Noire stormed off, she couldn't even find the strength to stand, reaching her hand out, desperately trying to stop her, as she faded out of few, the tears blurring her vision,
"Wait… Noire… wait… wait…" Her sobbing grew more and more as she saw the black adorned woman grow smaller and smaller, "Wait… I'll change… I'll… do… anything…" Yet. It didn't matter.
She was gone.
Her perfect world had broken.
She had broken.
And there's the first chapter! Hope you all stick with me long enough to see what I've got cooking here! Just you wait!