The night was Meta Knight's element. He was very used to staying awake until odd hours to soak in the peaceful ambiance of midnight on Popstar, and he had great memories of doing so on other planets in his youth. But the novelty of those experiences was very far in the past, and he was ever grateful to be able to relive them again in this wild realm lost to time. The pièce de résistance too was that he was able to enjoy it with his new love, King Dedede.

He was a native to Popstar and had grown up familiar with its atmosphere, and by the time the two had begun to bond Meta Knight had long grown used to the planet as well. Now he had been able to re-experience that wonder again to its fullest with the one he held dearest too him.

But... unfortunately, his love did not seem to enjoy the exercise as much as he did...

The king's make-shift throne sat on a ledge ideal for looking down on the town square, and conveniently close to some outdoor dining which was long closed by now. It had been upgraded from a rock slab to a full bench and small pavilion since connection was re-established with their home, but still very comfortable for admiring the surrounding wilderness with the town asleep.

Meta Knight sat on the elevated arm of the chair, with his love splayed out beside him leaning on the adjacent back. His mask remained atop his head just in case a stranger walked by, but he let his face bare to the cool winds of the night and the presence of his partner.

The chittering and chirping of the wilderness around them was thick, but every now and then Meta discerned a unique call from the cacophony and pointed it out to his partner, theorizing to what exotic creature it may belong. And Dedede would answer with a grunt of acknowledgment. A pattern which started to distract the knight more and more.

Finally he decided to turn to the man, and saw that he lay with his eyes closed, seeming very inattentive. The knight's heart ached a little, realizing he may've been ignored for the past many minutes. "Are you growing weary, my love?" he asked gently.

The man opened his eyes lazily and looked up at him. "Nah, not at all. I'm still listening," he answered curtly.

The knight's ear flicked, something was still off. Even on Popstar with both their over-familiarity with the fauna he'd never seemed this disinterested. "Am I boring you?" he asked, cringing a bit at how over-direct he was. Apprehension that he was doing something wrong had crept too quickly up his spine.

"No, no..." Dedede replied, sitting up and more alert now. "It's just that..." Silence, for a few moments, as he stared into the night before him. He brought his hand up to his chin. "I don't think I share your... enthusiasm for this place. The way he had about Dreamland is all..."

"Ah..." Meta Knight gasped. His ears twitched, betraying a hint of shame. As soon as the words left the king's mouth he understood why he would feel so. Their adventures in this foreign land did far more of a number on him than Meta Knight. Perhaps it was naive to believe he would appreciate this.

"It's not your fault at all, Mety," Dedede said, as if able to read his mind. The two turned to each other. "I just didn't realize how much I uh... I'm not big on how wild this place can be and what all the animals are up too. It kinda just makes me think back to what it was like being surrounded by them all the time, I guess..."

Meta nodded. "I understand, it is not flattering to be reminded of times when you felt you were not in control of yourself..." Something both men had had their fair share of recently.

"Yeah, I can't wait to get out of here for real once that fairy kid's well enough to be on his own. And doubly so to get to a barber so I can get this scraggly beard under control again," He said with a lighthearted huff and began scratching at his cheek.

"I was not aware you were so unhappy with your appearance as well, you seemed so confident."

"Well," the king abruptly stopped and pouted. "I'm torn on it to be honest. It's an interesting look for sure, but at the same time I don't want to just... look exactly like the same Dedede everyone had to put up with this whole time. I think the kid especially still ain't used to me."

Meta Knight tilted his head. "I understand... but I don't believe anyone here looks at you differently for what happened. And personally..." he said, instinctively reaching to where the man had playfully scratched before to do the same. "I do find your beard very handsome..."

He trailed off in a bit of a daze, lost in affection for his love's appearance and turmoil. But curiously, Dedede didn't continue on. After a few moments Meta Knight noted he was quietly leaning into his hand with a peaceful expression.

As is easy for the knight, he let the romance of it all wash over him. Perhaps this world and its tribulations didn't have to be all negative for his love, at least for this moment... which he would gladly let stretch on as long as the man would allow. As Dedede began to snuggle ever closer to Meta, the knight couldn't help but ask gently, "Does that feel good for you?"

At that Dedede visibly shivered and drew in a sharp breath. He snatched Meta's hand off his chin and placed a comforting kiss on its back. "I-I'd really prefer if you didn't say stuff like that i-in public, sugarplum," he chuckled with a crooked smile.

"Like what?" Meta Knight asked, still recovering from the broken trance.

"Uh... uhm, l-like ya talk when we're more private with each other..." he whispered.

The knight's face flushed, though it would be impossible to see in the faint moonlight, and the same must have stood for the king he supposed. "M-my apologies, my love..."

He was met by another light chuckle from Dedede, who continued to stare at the back of his hand. "It uh..." he gulped. "It did feel really good though... I guess its a new sensitive spot. Uhm..."

He righted his posture on the bench to look directly into Meta's eyes. "How 'bout we find somewhere where we can be more private... and we can save the talk of other stuff for another time..."

He didn't want Dedede to keep hiding these feelings from him, but as well, he would do anything to alleviate some of the pressure, even for just a night. "If you wish..." Meta replied.