[Author's note: Hello and welcome to chapter 5! This one was really enjoyable to write. I got to do a lot more dialogue and setting work this time around.]

DEDEDE

"Bowser? Are you up?"

"...Yeah, come in."

The morning sky was overcast outside the window.

"Did you sleep okay?"

"Yeah, this bed is comfortable." Bowser already had on his shell and his sharp accessories.

"Have you been up for a while?"

"Yeah. Just couldn't sleep much."

"If you wanna take a nap…"

"Nah, I prefer to start the day whenever I wake."

"Coffee, then? Breakfast?"

Bowser smiled softly. "You had me at coffee."

"How do you take it?" Dedede's personal chef asked Bowser.

"Black. How else?"

"At least we agree on something," the penguin king said. They were seated at a modestly-sized table, catty-cornered with one another, in one of the castle's more quaint dining areas. It was a medium room without much decoration to distract from the act of feeding.

"So what's the plan for today?" Bowser asked, watching the yellow cook, wearing an apron and hat, fill his cup with caffeine.

"Oh, y-you still wanted to go?"

Bowser's mouth curled downward a bit. "Well if you don't, it's fine, I don't-"

"I wasn't saying that. Let's do this."

The chef placed a plate of scrambled eggs and bacon, and another plate stacked with pancakes on the table.

"Thanks, Kawasaki."

The chef nodded and saw himself out.

"Dig in," Dedede said.

The pair were as different as could be. Dedede ate in small, measured bites, while Bowser practically breathed in his food like Kirby.

Bowser took a big glug of his java. "Headache cure if I ever saw one."

"Yeah. So I was thinking… we can head into town, see what's up, and if it's boring-"

"I'm sure it'll be more than amusing. Yo, can you pass me the carafe?"

Dedede obliged. Bowser took more coffee.

The penguin poured some more syrup on his pancakes and bacon. He wasn't much for eggs, but he figured Bowser might like them, which appeared to be true from the way he gobbled them down. Everything he did, even eating, the Koopa did with gusto, it seemed.

When they were finished, they both sighed, bloated from the day's first meal. Dedede stretched in his chair.

"Sure we can't take a nap?"

"What, like, together?"

"No, is that what you had in mind?" He was getting better at keeping his cool with these jokes.

"You do kinda look like a big, soft, fluffy pillow. I could lay on you and probably fall asleep."

Never mind. "That's- that's not happening."

"Can I at least pluck your feathers to stuff MY pillow?"

"Can I borrow some of your scales? I need a new wallet."

"Good one, jerkface." Bowser grinned, leaning back in his chair.

They both sat silent for a few moments, content.

"Well, let's get a move on," Dedede said.

The sky was a muted white as it waited for the clouds to clear. The walk from the castle into town was less than five minutes. Dedede couldn't help smiling a bit when he saw everyone setting up market stands and tents, despite the ground and air still being a little wet.

"King Dedede! Hello!" A man's voice called from underneath an awning, where he had a fruit stand set up.

Dedede walked over. "Morning, Papaya." The man looked like a thinner version of Chef Kawasaki, but with hollowed out eyes and a mustache.

"Who's your friend?"

Dedede looked at the Koopa, who simply waited for him to speak. "Bowser. He's from the Koopa Kingdom."

"Nice to meet ya, Bowser. Hey, since you're new, I'll give you a little welcoming present. Take something. Whatever you want."

"Uh, okay…" Bowser hesitated on a decision, finally picking up a grapefruit.

"I'll let you two get on with the show. Be sure to check out Wanda's art display."

"Oh yeah, I forgot she was doing a sculpture this year." Dedede nodded. "Later, Papaya."

"Thanks," Bowser said.

Dedede walked them through the crafts section. "I like all the little things people make here."

He looked at Bowser, who was busy trying to peel his grapefruit with the tips of his claws. A lone spray of juice hit him in the face.

"Some of this is tacky though," Bowser said, glancing around.

"I don't mean I want it in my castle," Dedede quickly added. "I just think it's nice to see people expressing themselves."

"As long as they express themselves in an approved way, right?"

Dedede paused. "What do you mean by that?"

"Nothin'. Let's go see this art show." Bowser walked ahead.

Dedede got the sense that Bowser's comment was a dig at him not accepting the Koopa's personality. This again? I thought I was being nice…

He sighed and followed along.

Pretty soon they got to a large circular area, with tents and drapery all over the place. At the back was one of the castle walls, one that extended out over the moat. Varied and strange art pieces and supplies were scattered about.

There was Adeleine, working studiously on her canvas. She was painting a garden that looked remarkably real. It almost felt like it could jump out of the page, and that was actually a distinct possibility, given her painting "skills".

"Hey, Adeleine," Dedede said.

She turned around. "Hi Dedede!" Then she saw his royal acquaintance.

"Bowser!" Adeleine looked overjoyed. She quickly put down her tools and ran over to embrace him.

No one's ever that happy to see me, the penguin thought.

"Um," Bowser coughed, reddening, "Suuuuup."

"We missed you!" Adeleine pulled away, keeping her hands on the Koopa's arms.

"'We'?" Bowser said.

"Of course! Waddle Dee, Kirby, Dedede and myself."

"What's this about ol' King D missing me?"

Dedede saw the smirk on Bowser's face and frowned. "Adeleine, what are you talking about? I never said I missed him."

"You didn't have to. I could see it. You've been forlorn and quiet all month, and the moment I saw you today, you looked anxious, but also more energetic than usual." She was very energetic herself.

"I just had two coffees…" Dedede looked at Bowser, who had a smug, but fond expression. "What are you looking at?"

"Missed you too," Bowser said with a wink.

Dedede overheated. "Shut up! Don't make assumptions based on the word of a young, naive artiste!"

"Does he always boil over like a kettle?" Bowser asked the painter.

"Yeah, he's a grumpy one." Adeleine even managed to sound like a sweetheart when she was being rude.

Bowser laughed. "It's so fun pushing his buttons, ain't it?"

"I'M RIGHT HERE!" Dedede squawked.

Adeleine appeared to remember something. "Oh, Bowser, I'd like you to meet someone."

She led him over to a metal sculpture about seven feet tall. At the bottom of it was a small Waddle Doo girl kneeling, working on it. She wore a pink sun hat. There was a folding ladder off to the side.

"Bowser, this is Wanda. She is the most talented sculptor I've had the privilege of meeting."

"Oh Adeleine, flattery will get you everywhere. That means a lot, coming from an artist of your caliber." Wanda chuckled. Her voice had a strange, reverberating quality to it.

"A Waddle Dee with only one eye?" Bowser was taken aback. "I think I saw another little guy like you…"

"I'm a Waddle Doo, and you better watch your mouth or I'll shoot electricity at ya. It's what we do best."

Bowser took a step back. "Duly noted."

They looked at the sculpture. Dedede couldn't pretend to understand it - it was a bunch of sharp metal shapes welded together, an eyesore in a place like Dream Land where almost everything was round.

"Sick installation you got there," Bowser offered. "Are you selling it?"

"No, this is a personal piece," Wanda said. "But I take commissions once in a while. I'll give you my business card later, when my hands are free."

"So what's up, Wanda?" Dedede had been quiet standing behind the other two.

"Oh, heyyyyy, KD, I didn't see you there! I'm just putting the finishing touches on this. Whaddya think?"

He gave it a once-over. "It's really… unique!"

"Yeah, everyone seems to dig it. I told them to keep the kids away from it though. Sharp edges and all."

"It's unlike anything I've seen in this town. You really have a creative spirit." Dedede smiled warmly, even though he had no idea how to look at this kind of art.

"Aw, stop! I told you, I'm single for life! I'm married to my craft, unfortunately."

Dedede turned pink again. "I- I didn't-"

"Chill out, KD. I'm just messin' with ya."

Bowser snorted. "I think you and I will get along just fine, Wanda."

Dedede rolled his eyes. "Is everyone gonna start singling me out for abuse again?"

"But you're so fun to abuse," Bowser said.

"Hey, after this, how about we all get a drink?" Wanda suggested. "I mean, Adeleine, you'll have to drink juice or something, but…"

"Hold up," Bowser said, eyes wide… "There are pubs here?"

Wanda regarded him quizzically. "Well, yeah, what do we look like, a bunch of stuffed toys?"

Silence. Then she and Bowser started to laugh.

"Drinking this early? Are you alright, Wanda?" Dedede said.

"I must chime in that I don't understand this, either," Adeleine scratched her head through her cap.

"What's wrong with day drinking?" Bowser said. "Not like I'm planning to get sloshed."

"Pffft, don't mind them," Wanda said. "They're just a pair of goodie-two-shoes."

"You don't know what you're talking about, Wanda!" Dedede huffed. "I'm just concerned, that's all!"

"Well, I'm a big girl. I don't need you worrying over me. I get my best inspiration when I'm buzzed." She got up. "All done."

"So, we going?" Bowser said.

"Right now?" Dedede asked. "We haven't even looked at everything."

"There'll be time for that later," Wanda said. "Now, we inhabit the liminal space between setting up… and more than twelve people being around. It's kinda dead this early. When it warms up we'll be quite busy. It's better to participate when things are more lively, and there are people to discuss the stuff with."

"Alright, you have a point," Dedede agreed.

"So, Adeleine, you gonna come with?"

"Oh, I'll catch up in a bit. I just want to work a bit more on this painting before I can call it complete."

"Thatta girl," Wanda said, in her echoey voice. "Just don't dawdle too long. We're not gonna drink all morning."

They left, walking toward the closest watering hole, a little classy bar called The Grape Garden.

"Is this all wine?" Bowser asked.

"They have hops available. It's just that wine is their specialty," Wanda explained.

"Cool."

Dedede hung back, walking behind them. He felt excluded but he didn't know what to talk about. He wasn't on the same level as those two.

I feel like the kid who eats alone in the school cafeteria, while Bowser and Wanda discuss which locker to shove me into…

They found themselves seating at the bar counter. Bowser was on the left, at the corner of the bar, with Wanda sitting between him and Dedede.

There was nobody else there this early, except some senior citizens in a corner having brunch.

Bowser ordered a "black and blue", which Dedede discovered was some kind of a mix of a beer and something else… maybe another beer? He wasn't really listening.

Wanda ordered some red wine.

"Is that a good one?" Dedede asked.

"It's different. I kind of enjoyed it last time I tried it, so I figured… why not?"

The server acknowledged Dedede.

"Um, I'll get a glass of water…"

The other two looked at him sideways.

"... And whatever she's having." He gestured to Wanda's glass.

"Deeds, well done." Bowser said. "Thought you were gonna be boring."

"Yeah, well, I'm not boring, believe it or not!" That came out sounding quite defensive. Dedede cleared his throat. "I enjoy red wine now and again."

"What about white?" Wanda asked.

"Bleh," Dedede answered. Wanda nodded.

"Cheers…" Wanda raised her glass. "... To new friendships."

They all clinked their glasses, Bowser quite aggressively.

"Careful, there, big boy," Wanda joked. "You break it, you buy it."

"Sometimes I just forget my own strength…" Bowser smiled coolly.

"Hey, KD. How'd you meet this goof?"

Dedede blinked, somehow not expecting to be addressed. "I, ah… He kind of just… dropped in on me one day. About a month ago. Said he was looking for planets to conquer. So we went for a picnic."

Wanda giggled. "That's so random!"

"Yeah, and little ol' Dedede was his usual snappy self, taking every joke I made so seriously. I think he blushed more than a bride at her wedding!"

"Ha HAAAAAA, of course. Good ol' KD." Wanda gave him a loving punch on the arm.

"Here we go, everyone's gonna gang up on me now, I suppose."

"Oh, lighten up. If you weren't such an easy target, no one would even bother. Besides, we're just ribbing you 'cause we love ya. Isn't that right, Bowser?"

The Koopa looked over at the other side of the bar, mumbling, "I wouldn't go that far."

"Hey now, don't be mean to our silly penguin king. He's still a king, and I dunno about you, but he's earned my respect through his consistent actions. He's always ready to be part of the community, even when everyone ignores him."

Even when everyone ignores me? So she notices it, too. Oh, this is humiliating.

"What I mean is," Wanda continued, "Dedede often gets the cold shoulder from people who either think he's above talking to them, or who believe that because he's royalty, they HAVE to treat him differently than a regular old pal. Surely you can relate to that on some level, eh, Bowser?"

"I guess you could say it's not a foreign concept to me," Bowser finally said, after a long pause.

They all became quiet again. Dedede mused on what the Koopa had just said.

"Hiiiiiii everyone!"

They all swiveled around in their seats. It was Adeleine.

"Glad you made it," Wanda said. "Hey, Dedede, sit next to Bowz over here."

Dedede put down his wine glass. "Why?"

"Because I wanna talk shop with little Addie here, and you're kind of a brick wall blocking whoever sits beside you."

"Alright, fine." He didn't know why he felt nervous again, all of a sudden. He got up and walked over a few inches and hopped up onto Wanda's seat.

The girls sat together, next to them, and were instantly chatting up a storm, while the bartender brought their new guest a hot cup of ginger tea.

Dedede eyed Bowser. His features were faint in the darkness of the bar. He looked pensive, holding his drink in his hand and taking a sip here and there.

"Um… how are you enjoying things so far?"

"Better than I expected. Wanda is a treat."

"Yeah, she's great…" Dedede felt an inexplicable wave of sadness.

"Seriously. You got cool friends. I dunno why you were so insistent on bringing me along.

"You can be cool occasionally," Dedede suggested. "Not that often, though."

Bowser laughed. He took a swig of his beverage, finishing it. "Yo, barkeep, another?"

"Aren't you going a little fast there?" Dedede asked.

Bowser shook his head. "Nah. Look at me, I'm a heavyweight. Takes like three beers just to catch a buzz."

"Ah." Dedede was already feeling a little tipsy from half a glass of wine.

"You look off. What's wrong? ...Am I annoying you again?"

"No, uh, nothing's wrong."

Bowser turned away, not looking convinced. The server placed his second drink on a coaster, and the Koopa nodded to him.

Dedede zoned out, not knowing what to say. He listened to the girls talking.

"So it was inspired by that winter?"

"Yes. Something about the muffled, snowy peacefulness made me want to produce a conflict. Something jarring."

"That's interesting."

"Your garden picture, it looks so familiar. The detail is incredible."

"I painted a courtyard of Castle Dedede from memory.

"From memory? Addie, you never fail to surprise me. I'm still in awe of that outer space thing you did in his guest room."

Dedede heard Bowser chime in excitedly, the Koopa spinning in his chair to face them, leaning to the side to look past the penguin.

"You did that, Adeleine? That's crazy! How long did it take you?"

"Oh, a couple of weeks. I'd go in for a few hours, eat with Dedede, and then go back to work."

"You're a prodigy. Holy crap."

"Bowser, you're too nice!" Adeleine beamed. "I do admit to being a little proud of that effort."

"Well, ya should be." Bowser leaned back in and toward Dedede. "Wow, she really did that? You commissioned her?"

"Yeah. I can tell you're impressed, because you aren't even pretending to be aloof about it."

"I'm just in a good mood, okay?"

"I'm glad they lifted your spirits so much." Dedede hoped the tone of his voice didn't carry the envy he felt.

Why am I even jealous? It's the same as everywhere else. I get overshadowed by much cooler people.

Bowser just looked at him and then turned around to face the bar again, taking a sip of his new drink.

After they all exited The Grape Garden, Adeleine and Wanda left, to attend to the outdoor gallery and answer questions.

Dedede was alone with Bowser again.

UGH. Why is he so much cooler than me… the stylish way he does things… his casual way of talking… everybody loves him and he doesn't even have to try! I'm sure they'd forget about me in a week if I just disappeared.

Dedede was watching Bowser do the hammer challenge. You had to hit a pressure plate at the bottom of a tall fixture. The force of your swing would send a weight moving upward, and the goal was to make the weight hit the bell up at the top as hard as possible.

Bowser slammed down the mallet that the game's supervisor, a Cappy (mushroom person) with a baseball cap (which seemed redundant), had given him. The weight went soaring up at a remarkable speed, making the sound of the bell carry across the vicinity.

He's even good at this! I'll never hit it that hard…. Oh, look at me, caring this much about being taken seriously. How juvenile can I be...

"Your turn," Bowser said.

Dedede took out his own hammer and nervously slammed it down. It hit the top, but with a much quieter ding.

"Man, even with your own special mallet, you're still no good at this game, compared to me," Bowser teased.

He's clearly better at everything I thought I was good at. Probably even reads faster. What a joke. He's gonna figure out how unremarkable I am, and never come back here. Then again, maybe he will come back… to see everyone else.

Bowser must have noticed Dedede's expression, because he mumbled, "You were still pretty decent, though…"

"Hey, King Dedede!" A younger Cappy hopped over to him.

"Mr. Popular, are we?" Bowser said.

"I mean, I'm sure when you go to Koopa Town or whatever, everyone knows your name," Dedede pointed out. "Hey, Zuzu."

"I just wanted to tell you that my mom's baking brownies, and she's going to drop them off at your castle later, to thank you for helping us build that gazebo in the park."

"Ah, well, tell your mother that I'll eat them in secret, because they're too good to share!"

"Bye, Dedede! Have fun! Check out my dad's booth!"

Dedede waved. He smiled at last. Then it dropped, when he turned and saw Bowser watching him with an amused expression, arms crossed.

"What? Is there something on my face?"

The Koopa rumbled and said, "Evil king my ass. You're one of the good guys."

"No, um, what he didn't tell you was that I built the gazebo with spikes in the floor."

"I really don't care. Just as long as you know who's the toughest around here. I'm not gonna take advantage of your goodness, or plot to kill ya. Probably."

Dedede gulped. It was probably a joke, though. Right? "I've done a lot of bad things."

"Did you happen to be possessed by an otherworldly darkness when you did these bad things?"

"What are you talking about?"

"I was chatting with Adeleine while you were spaced out at the bar."

"Well… really, I'm a total badass, I swear!"

"I can't believe you're still on this. Okay, fine, I'll take your word for it. Dunno how you could pass for 'bad' when you're so freakin' cute…"

They both paused.

"Uhhhhh," Bowser said quickly, "Cute like a plush toy. That's what I meant to say."

Dedede blushed, angry and confused. "I'm not cute. I'm not soft. I'm a big, frightening threat… and you should watch your back, Bowser."

The Koopa turned pink now, tail wagging. "Haha, whatever you say!"

BOWSER

The pair walked around a bit more. They'd done pretty much everything, and it was midafternoon now.

Kinda glad the ladies are handling their business right now. I think Dedede felt left out when I was talking to them, the poor guy. Which is super adorable, if he actually cared that I wasn't focused on him. I get the sense that he doesn't get the attention he deserves from many people around here.

Bowser closed his eyes tightly, then reopened them. What am I daydreaming about? This is silly.

Dedede sighed. "I don't really enjoy crowds. We've pretty much seen it all at this point. Want to move somewhere quieter?"

"Yeah, I'm tired of walking, and the sun is beating down on me when I'm already filled with fire."

"Filled with fire?" Dedede asked.

"Are you a penguin or a parrot?" Bowser lightly punched his chest as the bird shot him a dirty look.

Ooh, his chest full of feathers... actually IS pretty… soft…

The Koopa snapped out of it. "Watch this."

Bowser pivoted his head upward and spit flames into the air above. A few passers-by gawked as they saw it.

Dedede gasped. "Holy cow! That's sooooo badass!"

Bowser grinned smugly. "Just like everything about me."

Dedede looked like he was hurt by that comment, which made no sense.

"So where did you wanna go then? Back to the castle?" Bowser scratched his arm.

"I have a better idea. It's become too nice out to stay cooped up indoors."

Bowser had to agree. The clouds had all but left the sky, letting the sun shine its light on the town.

Dedede beckoned and Bowser followed.

They got to the top of a steep climb and went around the back corner of the castle. The land was rugged all around it, but still green.

"If I knew you were gonna make me climb a hill again, I would've refused."

"I don't believe you. Once you see this little grotto you'll change your mind."

Sure enough, as they turned the corner Bowser saw an extra set of stone walls extending from the castle. Within them were planted a variety of coniferous trees, and plenty of flowers. There was a pool of water teeming with koi fish. A couple stone benches were around, as well.

"The outer courtyard," Dedede explained. "My little hideaway."

They sat down on a soft, grassy patch of ground.

"You like your little… relaxing spaces, don't you."

"Well, doesn't everyone?"

"Yeah…"

Would he even enjoy going to MY castle? It's all dark and fiery, and all the stuff I set up that I think is cool… well, he'd probably think of it as over the top. Or too foreboding. He isn't a crazy bad guy like me, that's for sure. His castle is so understated and kind and quiet, like him… Okay, seriously, Bowser, snap OUT of it!

"What's on your mind?" Dedede asked.

Bowser put on his signature grin. "Wouldn't you like to know." He gave Dedede a gentle nudge in the chest with his palm.

How is his body so soft?

The penguin repositioned himself, a little closer, after getting pushed. He looked like he was having anxiety.

Jeez, I so much as touch him and he looks like a nervous wreck… probably thinks I'm gonna eat him or something.

Screw him. Thinking I'm some monster… I'm getting too attached. No, I'm not, I never get attached to begin with. I wish he'd just leave me alone!

"Raaar!"

"What was that?" Dedede asked.

"What?"

"You just growled a little bit there." The bird looked perplexed.

"That was out loud?"

"Yeah."

"Oh," Bowser said, embarrassed. Then, he realized how he could turn it around. "Aww, poor baby… Did I scare you?"

"Of course not. You don't scare me."

Bowser gave him a little soft slap, a love tap, across the cheek. "Might wanna rethink that, now that we both know our respective alignments."

The penguin grumbled. "You're really touchy feely, you know that?" Dedede didn't appear upset about this fact. Maybe he just felt he had to put up a stink to maintain his dignity.

"Whatever. I bet you like when I smack you around."

"Whatever yourself," Dedede said, flushed. It was so easy to bug him, you'd think it'd get boring. But it didn't.

"Ah, I think it's due time for that nap you suggested," Bowser said.

"Agreed."

They laid down side by side, arms touching, leaning into each other. Neither commented on this, but just let it happen.

Dedede pointed at the sky. "That cloud kinda looks like Kirby."

Bowser had his hands folded on his chest. He gestured at another cloud. "That one looks like a butt."

They both laughed, feeling their bodies vibrate against one another. Then they sighed contentedly.

Bowser smiled. "Don't ever repeat this, but… your place is pretty chill."

"Really? I thought you'd find it dull," Dedede replied, shifting a bit and just happening to bring himself closer to the big reptile… Was that on purpose?

"Nah, it's peaceful. Still got some crazy sugary people, but the ones I've met have been entertaining."

"Like Adeleine? And Wanda?" The penguin's voice was hesitant.

"I meant you, ya numbskull."

"O-oh!"

Bowser was happy Dedede didn't snark back at him, instead remaining silent. He already felt awkward even saying that one pleasant thing, like he was revealing a weakness.

Something about this moment felt sweet to Bowser. Normally "sweet" made him want to gag, but this was different. He wanted to remember this.

He could feel the bird breathing next to him, saw his round stomach rise and fall slowly. So relaxing. He had an urge to just grab him and give him a noogie. Why did he find this guy so… adorable, like a stuffed animal he would've cuddled in bed as a child? He couldn't explain it. All he knew was that he wanted to continue spending time with Dedede, even if that seemed the craziest, most ill-advised notion of his life. Surely a pure sweetheart like the penguin king would find it hard to accept the darkness within him. Eventually he'd be too much, and he'd be rejected, as always.

But Dedede seemed different. He didn't seem to care so much that Bowser was an evil overlord… in fact, Dedede seemed to find it cool in a way. That was weird. But maybe Bowser would run with it, and see how long the penguin's interest lasted.

Bowser found the soft, easy feeling of interacting with him so natural, compared to plotting chaos and destruction with someone more like himself.

"Hey, Dedede?" Bowser said.

He heard nothing… and then he heard a snore.

"Alright. Better follow his lead, I didn't get much shut-eye last night…"

He felt Dedede's body next to his and it just felt so… nice. He never realized physical contact could be so enjoyable, even essential… he had only ever really experienced being touched when he was fighting someone.

Figuring no one would notice, and he could pass it off as having happened in his sleep, Bowser turned onto his side and nestled his head into Dedede's chest, the silky feathers tickling his snout.

Bowser noticed the other king smelled amazing, clean and sweet and fruity, almost like a blueberry candy. The scent lulled him into a deeply relaxed state, and before long his eyes slid shut, a serene smile on his face.