Estimated Reading Time: 23 Minutes

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Melodic Discord

Tina's words crashed over Ness like a tidal wave, a cold dread sinking deep into his bones. Panic clawed at his chest, his hands threatening to shake, but he forced it all down with raw determination. His expression remained unreadable, his posture steady—nothing to hint at the depressed emotion he was feeling inside.

Ness: "Ohhh… t-that's—great."

Tina: "Ya think?"

Ness: "Sure."

Tina: "I've known Kip for a while now. I mean sure we fucked before, but I never thought he would wanna be my boyfriend."

Ness's eye twitched, a barely restrained reaction as Tina casually reminisced about sleeping with Kip, her tone light as if it were nothing. A sharp heat flared in his chest, but he kept his expression neutral.

Ness: "Wow. Y-you and Kip, huh? I didn't know you two did that."

Tina: "Yeah. It was a long time ago. A part of me sorta regrets it, but also it's whatevs."

Ness: "A part of you regrets it?"

Tina: "A little. He's a cool guy and all, but I knew another inkling liked him. I did it anyway…"

Ness: "Oh…"

Tina: "Yeaaaah. But also she should've just told him how she felt. It ain't my fault."

Ness: "Haha… y-yeah."

Tina: "Anyway what should I do?"

Ness: "I don't know."

Tina: "Should I date him?"

Ness: "Do you want to?"

Tina: "I mean… yes and no. He's chill, but also… I dunno. I'm kinda over datin'. I can never find the perfect guy, ya know."

Ness: "Mhm yeah."

Tina: "But he's also longest male friendship I've had. So he might be the one."

Ness: "That's cool…"

Tina: "Ugh, such a dilemma. I'm not sure… I'm really not lookin' for a relationship."

Ness: "Oh."

Tina: "Hmm, what'd you think?"

Ness: "Mhm yeah."

Tina: "'Yeah' I should?"

Ness: "Sure, I guess."

Tina: "Uhhh, dude?"

Ness: "Yes?"

Tina: "Are you okay?"

Ness: "Huh? Yes! Hi, sorry. Yeah I'm here."

Tina: "Are ya sure?"

Ness: "Yeah, sorry."

Tina: "You look nervous. Want some weed?"

Ness: "Oh, no thanks. Don't worry about me. Keep venting."

Tina: "I'm not venting. I'm asking for your advice."

Ness: "Oh."

Tina: "You good bro? Sounds like ya checked out."

Ness: "Sorry, I'm just really tired. You know me, haha… always busy doing something."

Tina: "Long day at work?"

Ness: "Yeah."

Tina: "Didya just wanna talk about this another time then?"

Ness: "No no. You can tell me."

Tina: "Nah, I'll let ya rest. I'll figure it out."

Ness: "Wait, no! Sorry, I'm here. I promise."

Tina: "It's cool, bro. Don't feel bad. I get it. I'll talk to my girlies."

Ness: "Riley?"

Tina: "Nah. She'll freak out. She probably gots a crush on either Kip or me. I can't tell."

Ness: "She is rather clingy towards you in particular."

Tina: "Ya. I don't wanna start anythin'."

Ness: "But if you date Kip, she'll know eventually, right?"

Tina: "Shit. Yeah. I didn't think that far."

Ness: (You never really do, do you?)

Tina: "Well anyway, I'll do some thinkin'. I'll see you around, mkay?"

Ness: "Y-yeah. See ya."

Tina hopped onto her skateboard and rolled away without a care, leaving Ness sitting on the floor, staring after her. He had been distant for most of the conversation, but now the weight of it sank in. She was actually considering Kip. Sure, she had known him longer, but Kip is an asshole—a racist one at that. The thought made Ness's stomach twist.

What does he have that I don't? I'm nicer. I've never been on her bad side. I even learned guitar for her!

Ness clenched his fists, his thoughts spiraling. I thought she liked me… I thought sleeping together meant something. I really thought she liked me more than—

He let out an exhausted sigh, the weight of it all crashing down. I was nothing but a toy to her.

The sad realization settled deep in his chest. She's going to date Kip. Sonic was right—she'll go with whoever asks first. I should've just asked from the start… but I didn't want to rush it.

He finally pushed himself off the floor and skated back inside the mansion. A few Smashers greeted him in passing, and he forced himself to lift a hand in response, barely acknowledging them.

The moment he reached his room, he collapsed onto his bed, burying his face in the pillow as the tears came. His chest heaved with quiet sobs, his fingers clutching the sheets in a desperate grip. His teeth clenched as he pounded his fist against the mattress, but nothing could dull the ache in his heart.

Why doesn't she want me?

The question looped endlessly in his mind, an agonizing, broken record he couldn't turn off.

Ding!

Ness instantly reached for his phone, his heart leaping with hope—maybe it was Tina. But as soon as he saw the name on the screen, disappointment crashed over him.

[- Nate

Nate: heyy didya wanna play league?

…

He ignored the message and buried his face in his pillow again, letting out a low, miserable groan. Time blurred around him—minutes, maybe hours—he didn't know or care. The intense wave of sadness slowly left, leaving behind something worse: a dull, empty numbness that settled deep in his chest. He just lay there, staring blankly at his ceiling, feeling nothing at all.

Knock! Knock!

"Ness? Can I come in?"

That voice. The one he never realized he was missing until now. Lucas.

.

Shy Blonde

A sudden wave of unexpected joy washed over Ness, so strong it snapped him upright from the bed. He rushed to the door, throwing it open to find the blonde standing there, his precious blue eyes locking with Ness's. For a moment, the world felt lighter, and everything else seemed to fade into the background.

Ness: "Hey!"

Lucas: "Hi. I know it's sudden, but I couldn't stop thinking about you. You haven't texted me back in a while so I got worried."

Ness: "Oh, sorry. I lost track of time."

Ness stepped aside, allowing Lucas to enter. The blonde grinned and casually kicked off his socks and shoes before making his way to the bed. He plopped down with ease, flashing Ness a warm smile that sent a wave of both comfort and nervous energy spiraling down his spine. There was something about that smile, the way Lucas's gaze lingered on him, that made everything feel complicated in the best and worst ways.

Lucas: "Did you wanna play Stardew? I brought my laptop."

Ness: "Um… sure!"

Ness dropped into his gaming chair, his hands already instinctively reaching for the controller. Lucas stayed on the bed, setting up his laptop with a quiet focus. The two settled into a comfortable rhythm, each absorbed in their own tasks. Ness fished, making sure their in-game income kept growing, while Lucas, with a carefree grin, chatted away with the NPCs, his voice light and easy. The quiet atmosphere between them felt like a welcome distraction, something steady and familiar in the midst of everything else.

Lucas: "I think I'm gonna go after Emily."

Ness: "Why her?"

Lucas: "She's quirky. What about you? Who're you gonna choose?"

Ness: "I don't care about romance. All I care about is getting as much gold as possible."

Lucas: "Aww, but what's the fun in that?"

Ness: "A lot."

Lucas: "Okay, but you could be getting to know these characters."

Ness: "Who cares. They're just NPCs."

Lucas: "Think of it like a dating sim. You like those."

Ness: "True. But it feels different. The whole purpose of dating sims is to get as many girls as possible."

Lucas: "You can do that here."

Ness: "You can?"

Lucas: "Just don't get caught."

Ness: "Caught? Wait, you can get caught?!"

Lucas: "Yeah."

Ness: "Wow, that's actually quite detailed for a farm game."

Lucas: "It's fuuun! You should try it out~"

Ness: "Cheating?!"

Lucas: "If you want~"

Ness: "No! I'd feel too bad."

Hearing that, Lucas couldn't help but break into a big, warm smile. "They're NPCs," he chuckled.

Ness: "I couldn't do it."

Lucas: "How can you collect girls in dating sims then?"

Ness: "It's different. They don't usually care."

Lucas: "Wow."

Ness: "I know… I have problems."

Lucas: "Hahaha~ Oh you…"

Ness: "S-shut up."

The two of them burst into laughter, the sound filling the room as they continued to play. But then, Ness's stomach growled loudly, cutting through the fun.

"Geez, Ness. Your stomach is loud today," Lucas teased, a playful smirk tugging at his lips.

The brunet's face flushed, and he shot the blonde an annoyed look. "It's not my fault!" he huffed, feeling a little embarrassed but unable to hide the small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Lucas: "C'mon let's go to the food court."

Ness: "Well actually…"

Lucas: "Did you have something else in mind?"

Ness: "Y-yeah. Did you want to… I don't know, go to a restaurant?"

Lucas: "Fancy today, aren't we?"

Ness: "Well… it'll feel more like a—date this way."

Lucas: "!"

Ness couldn't help but notice the way Lucas froze, caught off guard by his comment. A small, satisfied grin tugged at the corners of his mouth—he'd definitely surprised him.

Without missing a beat, he stood up, extending his hand toward the blonde. "Do you want to?" he asked, his voice light but laced with a quiet confidence.

Lucas hesitated for a moment, his fingers brushing Ness's hand before he finally took it. "Y-yes," he replied softly, his voice weak but filled with an unmistakable warmth.

With that, Ness gently led him, their hands still intertwined, as they stepped outside of the mansion. They made their way to the nearby Smash Plaza, the air feeling a little lighter with each step, the space between them narrowing in a way that felt both new and familiar.

Ness's heart skipped a beat as he suddenly realized he'd been holding Lucas's hand the entire time. Panicking slightly, he quickly pulled his hand away, a nervous laugh escaping him. "Haha… s-sorry. I don't want anyone to, y'know… know," he muttered, his voice dropping to a shy, almost embarrassed whisper.

Lucas smiled softly, completely understanding. The fact that Ness had held his hand in the first place, especially out in public, felt like a dream come true. "No worries~" he replied with a playful wink, making Ness feel a little lighter. "So, did you have a restaurant in mind?"

"Yes! That one," Ness said excitedly, pointing toward an Italian restaurant with a wide grin.

Lucas's eyes lit up, and he nodded eagerly, his enthusiasm matching Ness's. They walked inside together, the familiar warmth of the restaurant wrapping around them. The host greeted them with a friendly smile and led them to a cozy booth, placing their menus in front of them with a flourish. The atmosphere was inviting, and for a moment, everything felt right.

Waiter: "Hello, what would you two like today?"

Ness: "I'll take a personal pizza."

Lucas: "And I'll take a carbonara."

Waiter: "Of course!"

Once the waiter took their menus and left, an unspoken shift occurred. Ness and Lucas turned to face each other, the quiet between them both comfortable and charged with a subtle tension. Their eyes met, and for a moment, neither of them knew quite what to say. The air seemed thicker now, the sounds of the restaurant fading into the background as they shared a brief, but meaningful look.

Lucas: "So uh… what should we do for summer in Stardew?"

Ness: "Buy lots of blueberries."

Lucas: "Definitely. It's the best choice."

Ness: "And who knows, maybe I'll start talking to the NPCs."

Lucas: "You haven't spoken to one yet?"

Ness: "Not really. Only when I needed to for a quest."

Lucas: "You're a different kind of player."

Ness: "I'm the efficient one."

Lucas: "If you mean boring then yeah."

Ness: "Hey! I'm why you're able to make the farm pretty."

Lucas: "Not really. I've been crafting my own stuff."

Ness: "You know what would be really fun?"

Lucas: "What?"

Ness: "Getting a mod that forces us to pay rent."

Lucas: "Aww, what!"

Ness: "It'll make the game more challenging."

Lucas: "Hmm, I suppose you're right. It is a little too easy."

Ness: "Exactly. When we get back, I'm going to look into mods."

Lucas: "Can we get the unicorn mod?"

Ness: "Sure. But why?"

Lucas: "I like unicorns."

Ness: "You do?"

Lucas: "Yes! I don't care if it's girly."

Ness: "Um…"

Lucas: "Yes?"

Ness: "Uh…"

Lucas: "What? Is it that bad?"

Ness: "D-do you watch My Little Pony?"

Lucas: *Gasps* "Yes! I love that show~"

Ness: "Really? I-I do too…"

Lucas: "No way."

Ness: "Y-yeaaah. I have a little soft spot for it."

Lucas: "Ness is a brony."

Ness: "Eww, don't call me that."

Lucas: "Don't worry I am too~"

Ness: "Who's your favorite?"

Lucas: "Applejack. I just love her accent and how tough she is."

Ness: "Mine is-

Lucas: "Twilight."

Ness: "Wow. Way to assume."

Lucas: "Who else could it be? You act like her."

Ness: "You know me too well."

Lucas: "I mean c'mon. Who else could it be? You're both nerds and are obsessed with books and organizing."

Ness: "Yeaaaah."

Lucas: "And you both panic."

Ness: "I don't panic."

Lucas: "You do… and it's bad."

Ness: "It is?"

Lucas: "Yup."

Ness: "Why do you like me again?"

The two shared a wholehearted laugh.

Lucas: "I'm really enjoying myself right now."

Ness: "Me too."

The waiter soon returned with their meals, and the two of them dug in with eager smiles, their conversation flowing easily. Ness found himself relaxing more as they continued chatting about whatever popped into their minds. He was relieved to hear Lucas mention that he liked girly things too. It was something Ness had always felt ashamed of—being a guy and liking things that were typically considered more feminine. But hearing Lucas share the same interests made him feel safer, like maybe he wasn't so strange after all.

As they ate, his mind wandered to the time when Sonic and he had found themselves trapped in Lucas's closet. He recalled seeing the girl's clothes tucked neatly in there—nothing outlandish or humorous, just regular clothes. No maid outfits, no costume pieces, just simple dresses and tops. At the time, it had been a surprising discovery, and now, in the quiet comfort of this dinner, it made more sense.

A small part of him wanted to ask Lucas about it, to understand it better, but the timing didn't feel right. If he brought it up, Lucas would likely be curious, maybe even suspicious, and that could ruin the easy atmosphere they had right now. The last thing he wanted was to make things awkward between them.

Maybe if I happen to see the clothes again... Ness thought to himself, I could casually mention it—only if Lucas is around, though. That way, it won't look like I'm snooping.

He quickly brushed the thought away, deciding to enjoy the moment and keep things light for now.

After finishing their meals and enjoying each other's company at the restaurant, Ness and Lucas stepped back out into the cool night air, strolling leisurely through Smash Plaza. The streets were lit up with neon signs and glowing billboards, giving the area a lively yet cozy atmosphere.

"This place is like a mini downtown city," Lucas mused, his eyes wandering over the bustling shops and cafés lining the streets.

"Less gross, that's for sure," Ness added with a smirk, stuffing his hands into his pockets. Unlike an actual city, Smash Plaza wasn't littered with trash, and there weren't any shady alleyways or weird smells. It was clean, organized, and strangely peaceful despite the liveliness.

Lucas chuckled. "Yeah, I don't feel like I need to hold my breath walking around here."

Ness snorted at that, nudging him playfully as they continued on their way, the night feeling lighter than it had in a long time.

As they wandered through Smash Plaza, Ness's gaze landed on a quaint little bookstore nestled between two larger shops. Something about its old-fashioned charm drew him in, his steps slowing as he admired the wooden sign hanging above the door. Lucas caught on immediately, a smile tugging at his lips as he grabbed the brunet's hand and pulled him inside without a second thought.

The moment they stepped through the door, a cozy warmth surrounded them. The air carried the nostalgic scent of aged paper and ink, mingling with the faint aroma of worn leather covers. Dim lighting cast a soft glow over the rows of dust-kissed books, their cracked spines whispering stories of the past. Nestled in the corners were stacks of CDs, vinyl records, and old cassettes, giving the shop an almost timeless feel.

Ness's eyes shimmered with excitement as he eagerly combed through the shelves, pulling out books and rambling about the differences in writing styles. His voice carried a contagious energy, his hands gesturing as he spoke. Lucas, meanwhile, found himself completely entranced—not by the books, but by Ness himself. The way he lit up, the way his fingers traced the edges of each page with reverence—it was endearing beyond words.

Ness showed no signs of stopping anytime soon, completely lost in his enthusiasm. It wasn't until the storekeeper politely informed them that the shop was closing that reality finally caught up to him. He blinked, then let out an awkward chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck as a sheepish smile crossed his face. "Ah… sorry about that," he muttered, offering an apologetic nod before stepping out with Lucas.

The two continued to stroll through the plaza for a little longer, enjoying the quiet night air before eventually making their way back to the mansion. Once inside, they headed straight for Ness's room, slipping in with the ease of two people who had done this a hundred times before. They flopped onto the bed, sitting side by side in comfortable silence, the warmth of the day lingering between them.

Lucas: "So, what'd you wanna do now?"

Ness: "We could—um, how about you decide this time?"

Lucas: "I'm in the mood to watch TV shows."

Ness: "Got any in mind?"

Lucas: "Yes!"

The blonde eagerly took the remote from Ness, his eyes lighting up as he switched to a familiar channel. "Oh! I love this show!" he said, practically bouncing in place. "You're gonna love it too, I just know it! I've already seen the whole thing, but I can't get enough of it." His excitement was contagious, filling the room with an undeniable warmth.

Ness: "What's this one about?"

Lucas: "Lots of shipping."

Ness: "Of course it is. You're trash."

Lucas's soft giggle sent a jolt through Ness's chest. He never imagined that Lucas, of all people, could make him feel this way. Just hours ago, his world had felt like it was crumbling—Tina's words still stung, and the looming certainty of her accepting Kip's proposal gnawed at him. I should've acted faster… Guilt bubbled up, threatening to drown him again.

But then Lucas laughed, bright and carefree, snapping Ness out of his thoughts.

"Did you see that?" Lucas pointed at the screen.

"Yeah, that was funny," Ness replied with a small smile, though his focus had shifted elsewhere. His gaze lingered on Lucas's hand, his pulse quickening. Just go for it.

Without a word, he reached out, intertwining their fingers. Lucas jumped slightly, eyes widening as he turned to the brunet. Ness, still staring at the TV, had a deep blush dusting his cheeks. His grip was warm and a little sweaty, but Lucas didn't mind. If anything, it was endearing.

Meanwhile, Ness was absolutely losing it. Oh my god, I'm actually holding his hand! I-in a romantic way! This is real. This is actually happening. His thoughts raced, heart pounding so loudly he swore Lucas could hear it.

The show played on, but Ness could barely focus. Every nerve in his body was hyperaware of their intertwined fingers.

And then—Lucas rested his head on his shoulder.

Ness's breath hitched. He's laying on me! His entire body tensed, his brain short-circuiting.

"This is nice," Lucas said quietly. "Y-yeah. It is," Ness said, slightly leaning his head on Lucas's.

Ness closed his eyes for a moment, savoring the warmth of Lucas's head on his shoulder. He felt safe, secure—like nothing could touch them. Maybe I should just give up on Tina, he thought, a pang of resignation in his chest. She's going to end up with Kip anyway.

But with Lucas, everything felt different. It wasn't like with Tina, where he always questioned if he was enough. With Lucas, it's like we're in this together—just him and me against the world. No one can get in between us.