YOURTURN

❝ ...You shouldn't have done that. ❞

[dayfourwmv]

Gold rests his head on Ben's shoulder as the two look out to the waters below. Entire packs of Dewgong, with several Seels along for the ride, travel at a leisurely pace downstream. The weather will be a lot warmer soon, meaning it's about time for their spring migration.

"Do you think we could stay like this?" Gold's voice is quiet, almost dreamlike, as he affixes his pupils onto Ben. His stare is so gentle that his sockets closely resemble Deerling doe eyes. "Forever?"

[[ Happy Valentine's Day :) ]]

Admittedly.

He found the whole idea a little dumb.

When pitched, it sounded like a BAD field trip — where you're still expected to do classwork, be it answering a sheet of questions or an writing an essay on your experience. BEN would've laughed were it not for Gold's wide, ever pleading sockets.

His sourness improved as the day grew close — but he still wondered what made the whole thing date worthy. An arcade, a movie ... anything other than watching Pokémon migrate.

Not even catching them? Really?

But day of, sleeve-in-hand, those bratty worries were silenced. Excitement beat a nonexistent heart to life in such a way, that by time they scaled the grassy hills he was tumbling down it to meet the water's edge.

BEN couldn't remember the last time he'd been so carefree, beckoning Gold closer, taking in the world around them. To think packs of Seel and Dewgong would be this exciting! His eyes could hardly keep up as they mixed with other Pokémon under the water. He crawled next to his boyfriend, wrapping a hesitant arm around Gold as he turns to him.

' Do you think we could stay like this, forever? '

[ I ... I hope so. ] They did have an eternity, as turbulent as it started. Somewhere down the line, these moments would stretch into forever. [ Even if we can't ... this moment right now, it's ... ]

BEN pulled the other into an embrace.

[ It's perfect. Thank you. ]

I love you.

[dayfourwmv]

He'd think this a prank, were it not for the terror latched to his soul.

BEN fumbled through his inventory, distracted by the puzzle before him. MX, a prideful demon, wouldn't appear to him like this. If he were powerless, the monster wouldn't emit such an aura. Though he couldn't reach the doors that lead to town, he knew they'd been sealed from the moment he entered.

You have no right to be here, he wanted to scream before hypocrisy snatched his tongue. His trembling blade points to the stagnate mask as eyes seemed to peek through the cracks of the room. Whatever happened to leave him in such a wrathful state ... BEN shuddered to think about.

He swung, and crashed steel against the ground.

Did he just miss a sitting target?

Or was his blade acting on his own?

Whatever the reason, his sword was useless. Throwing a bomb from his left c-button, its icon disappeared with the explosion. Spilling arrows with his bottom c-button, the bow snaps in his grip. The hook shot set to his right c-button bounced off the mask ... and out of his hands, vanishing into the growing dark.

BEN paused, only to be greeted by an abandoned inventory. The masks he collected, the fairies as insurance ... Everything had left him, except for the Lens of Truth.

Tatl was gone — having fled or been banished by the other. Helplessness settled as set the the dark looking glass to be equipped. As if sensing his desperation, he smothered the lingering light. BEN never thought he could be powerless in his own world.

... But he's always been alone, hasn't he?

He stared at the glass, frozen.

MX was inviting him.

The boy held the lens up to his eye and ...

In moments, it shattered.

[dayfourwmv]

[ . . . W H E R E A R E Y O U G O I N G ? ]

The question burns, nearly sparking the wooden pieces that made his "heart". Why would he get answers after decades of questions? What satisfaction would that bring him, now that he's fallen this far? The Salesman chuckles as be begins his descent, ignoring the child entirely. The creaking of the tower grows louder, muting the once comforting song.

That devil-of-a-merchant disappeared as Tatl broke out of BEN's cap. She feared him ever since he came back from—

The child shifted with an ever sinking pit at his core. He can feel a frigid sweat take hold with every step he took toward the accursed mask. Was it more terrifying to watch the other shatter his expectations, or for him to leave something in his stead? He was the Happy Mask Salesman, after all. For him to abandon this, and the Mask of Majora ...

Whatever is about to happen fills him with dread.

And whatever is about to happen, he can't avoid it.

Summoning all of Link's courage, he steps forward to close the gap. The fairy, begrudgingly, stays to watch over BEN. Though the river beneath the town and the stone walls that towered high above were the same, something in this world had twisted and darkened. An unbearable, undeniable pressure that saw through his facade from the start of his dashboard journey.

BEN squeezed his eyes shut, willing the wretched thing out of his world. When they opened, his body grew colder. He'd have to look the other in the face, as much as he wished not to.

His head fell to where a mask laid before him.

[nintendodeathsystem-deactivated]

[ ...Ha, quite the presumptuous one, aren't you? ] The 'voice' rang back, sharp eyes immediately focused on the boy.

[ Good company requires good manners! One who does not practice this may find themselves constantly in need of friends. Or worse yet... under the pressure of many enemies. ] As the textbox continued to scroll without the other's input, he seemed to be taking inventory, notably tucking away a small bundle of ghostly white masks into his backpack. Were those always in the game...? ...Well, you'd know the answer to that, wouldn't you, Ben?

Before you'd have the ability to answer however, a hand clasped to your shoulder with the grip strength of a Goron. The nonexistent air seemed still as the man's breathing came to a sharp halt.

[ I have no plans of staying here to watch the moon fall for the umpteenth time, child! Nor do I need that wretched Mask! Whatever chain of events are about to transpire, this is your burden to shoulder. I shall return when it's quieter, Benjamin. ]

Though the Salesman would find himself turning to leave, his grip on the boy's very being now absent, he couldn't help but notice an oddity with one of the masks that adorned his backpack. Frowning, he was quick to hide the abnormality from Ben. Though... considering the current events at hand, perhaps attempting to hide such a thing would be fruitless. Alas, this is not my business to meddle with!

[dayfourwmv]

Cold.

Something latches onto his hollow core, piercing and twisting inward. They tear at his wounds, entrails of insecurity pouring out from within. All this time . . . In all this time, he assumed his troubles had ended once J█D██AB██ was out of the picture. That he, in his eternal torment, carved some comfort in the abyss. Torn away from his strings at last, only for that grip to bring an unbearable despair.

He can't move as the other continues to contort — That is, break the status quo. But instead of seeking to help BEN, the merchant stalked as his plunged himself further and further into despair.

The other shifts to hide something. A burning pit swells within his belly. HIS BURDEN TO SHOULDER? HIS PUNISHMENT FOR CLAWING AT A WORLD NOT MADE FOR THE ORGANIC, RIPPING HIMSELF TO SHREDS FOR A GLIMPSE OF WARMTH?

HOW IS IT

f̡ ͏a̸ ͝ ̨̢ ͟͠ ̸̀i҉҉͠ ̷́͢ ̸̀͢ ̡͡͏ ͞҉̛͝ ̶͘͡͝ ̵͟͢͞ ̵̷̧̛͞ŗ̸̴͜͠ ͢҉̸̕͜ ̴̷̧̧̛͝ ̷͟͟͠͞͞ ́͘҉̷͟͜ ̷̡̨̨̛̀ ̴̴̷̷̨́͞ ̀҉̶̶́̀͜ ̷̴̛̕͟͝͞ ̡҉̶̵̨̛̕͜ ̴̢̛̛̛̕͘͞?̶̕͘͟͠͏͡͠

As he undoes his bag, you fumble for your blade. You can't get it steady. He frowns, unhooking a mask for inspection. You can't get it steady. Unexpectedly, he drops it. You can't get it sTEADY. But only gives an empty smile. YOU CAN'T GET IT ŞT̡͢E͘͢͞À̵̛̀́D̴̶̴̛͜͠Y̡̨̢̛̕͜͝. You can feel Tatl pull you from the shirt collar as you try to walk forward. She persists and pleads and promises you that it's not worth it. But still, you can't get it steady. You give, pivot, and scoop Tatl with your hat, asking her to hold on.

[ WHY NOW . . . ? ] Is all he can manage when he turns again.

[ IN ALL MY TIME STRUGGLING — ] But his thoughts are cut short as his eyes focus on the ground. His would-be breath hitches.

The boy turns to the other.

[ . . . W H E R E A R E Y O U G O I N G ? ]

[dayfourwmv]

Enormous, wooden doors push open — light pouring in as the towns' people continue their unchanging schedules. The boy tumbles over his own steps, and stops to catch his breath. The heavy, rhythmic clicks of the town's heart in an otherwise quiet, and cool area begin to soothe him from an onslaught of monotony — Same routes. Same conversations. The same, ever-lingering terror for him to ignore until it was time to reset again. To think, twenty-four years ago, these sights were so new . . . Was it any surprise he hadn't been around Clocktown as of late?

He broke his own cycle, and began cultivating a world outside . . . This. Gold had become a prominent figure in his life, he met one of his early idols, and found some acceptance - and maybe a little comfort - that Death was nicer than he appeared. While he didn't care about Grey or Lucas (Which, by the way. He still doesn't. Just in case there was confusion! He definitely does NOT want THOSE weenies as his friends...), he could still appreciate the entertainment they offered in just picking on them.

So long as he watches out for . . . Well, never mind that.

Settling on the stairs, BEN took out a glass bottle and knocked back more Chateau Romani. He leaned back, staring awkwardly at this room's only other inhabitant — smiling at him while his actions looped. Despite how important he was to kicking off the start, the salesman . . . Did not have a presence in this story. So what made this visit inside the clock tower any different? Something, somewhere, in his world had shifted.

[ . . . But it can't be you. ] The text floated as he finished the bottle. More for himself, than the other. BEN pushed himself off the ground and began to pace in a circle, counting on his fingers. Right. He only mattered at the start and end of every playthrough. Neither of which . . . BEN had seen in a very long time.

As if to test the theory, he equipped his keaton mask and began to circle the man like he were a broken toy rather than a person. Nothing abnormal here. He sighed and removed his mask, turning away from the Happy Mask Salesman as he folded his arms.

Was he making things up . . . ?

[dayfourwmv]

Oh he is the best gift giver EVER.

[dayfourwmv]

@gildead

[ N-No, I haven't heard any legends about Typhlosion like that. ] Though he supposed it made it sense — Johto was a world without compare in the Pokémon franchise. ( Though, admittedly, he hadn't caught up with it. Too wrapped up on being dead, and all. ) Curled, shaved bits of wood continue to pile at his feet as BEN kept carving. He looked off in the distance where Noa and Tattle continue to prattle, and squinted a bit as they laughed.

[ But it's not really the weirdest story out there. ] BEN ran his hands across the rugged surface of the mask and frowned. [ Termina's got its slew of weird stories that could give you a run for your money. ]

He shifted his body to look at Clock Town behind them. Same as it ever was, complete with the moon Gold had tried to yell at moments prior . . .

BEN recoiled, sucking his teeth as he the dinky tiny knife had nicked his finger. In an attempt to save face, he wrapped it within the edge of his tunic and placed the incomplete mask down. The pain was still incomparable to everything Gold had been through recently, so he'd suck it up for him.

[ Actually, ] He clumsily reached for his Ocarina of Time with one arm, showing off to Gold. [ You've seen me use this already, but, it's a bit of a legend in its own right. ]

He scooted in, placing the instrument against his lips. Six, simple notes — In six simple notes, rain falls upon the pair and drenches their clothes. BEN looked away awkwardly, before lowering his voice.

[ They say this was carefully passed down a royal family line. It can do more than make little rain falls. It — ] He leaned in even closer. [ I can use it to bend time and teleport. ] He pressed his good index finger into Gold's chest. This dork doesn't even know he's technically registered as an Owl Statue in BEN's code. And he never will. [ And it helps me get to you faster. ]

[dayfourwmv]

"Nice nerd costume, idiot." Oh my God, it's the Rowdyruff Boys from the hit Cartoon Network series The Powerpuff Girls. What's with the weird hair, though. They looked normal last time Ben probably watched them. And they exploded at the end, too.

The red one continues talking as his brothers laugh mockingly behind him. "Who made that for you? Your mommy?"

...

The Rowdyruff Boys came back?

No, but like for real — The Rowdyruff Boys came back?

He remembered when the Powerpuff Girls began airing. Forgotten faces laughed at the show as he'd pretend to join them. For girls, they said. No one in their right mind would like that show unless they were a stupid girl or a stupid baby. It was something he enjoyed before the RRB came along, and something he enjoyed more after they came a long, but ... they died at the end of their episode.

... How long did Powerpuff Girls run, anyway? Things to look into later.

BEN placed his hand on his cheek, stuck between meeting more of his favorite characters and having just been insulted.

[ My Dad did, actually. ] He finally replied, surprised by his earnest answer. Once the awkwardness passed, he unsheathed his sword. [ He also gave me this. ]

[apjvff]

Your account has been terminated because you're so sucks. Goodbye.

[dayfourwmv]

why haven't you taken him on a date around clocktown yet

[dayfourwmv]

Making you a Patron Saint.

patron saint of silence.

you are the patron saint of empty spaces, cavernous rooms, moments that last for days. for some people, the emptiness is horrible, something that they need to fill: you, its patron, try to search within it for peace. there is nothing there. there is never anything there. even the emptiness is not a presence of its own. the only thing there is you.

[dayfourwmv]

"Eh, don't listen to them, kid... there are plen-ty of other ways to show people you don't hate 'em." Hey, it's Daggett! Arms crossed and brow raised, he would continue.

"You don't have to do all that mushy-gooey-ooey-sicky stuff. Just doing small things goes a long way, liiiike... grabbin' the TV remote for 'em, or uhhh... givin' 'em their favorite snacks! Or bringin' 'em to see the world's third-iest bigg-iest rubber band ball! C'mon, 'cause who wouldn't wanna see that?!"

omg

daggett

hiiii <3 :) <3

Y'know, he didn't get a chance to fan-boy over these two after rescuing Gold. And now one of his favorite cartoon characters is giving him advice? There are silver linings to this hell after all.

[ OH! That's good advice, actually ... ] Grabbing Gold the TV remote, buying his favorite snacks... the world's third-iest bigg-iest rubber band ball. Simple, but worthwhile. He rubbed the back of his head with a lopsided grin.

[ H — Honestly. I was worried I rushed things? But knowing small things can count makes it all easier. ]

[dayfourwmv]

'hand holding' but he ain't got no hands?????? what are you gonna hold, fucking air?????????

[ SLEEVES. ]

[dayfourwmv]

does kissing still give you cooties? :)

He just begins to rapidly swing his sword at the other.

[ SHUT UP. SHUT UP. SHUT UP. ]

[dayfourwmv]

FINALLY. SOMETHING HAS FINALLY GONE RIGHT IN THIS CRUEL, MISERABLE AFTERLIFE.

[gildead]

O... Oh.

That's what was going on.

...Well, in hindsight, it did check out, didn't it?

For a moment, Gold watches Ben, his pupils unblinking. He tilts his head like a curious little Skitty, watching to see what Ben does. How he'll react. It's clearly taken him a long time to come to that conclusion and bring it to Gold. Even now, he's still extremely embarrassed by the show of vulnerability, which means that Gold has to be careful in how he responds.

His sleeves move to his head, gently removing the wig and hat from on top of it. Ben's worked this hard to open up to Gold; it feels weird to not be a little vulnerable himself, even if he is mostly vulnerabilities. He flops into Ben's arms, staring up at the other boy with the biggest, widest sockets imaginable.

"Ben..." Oh. Is he blushing too now?

"You have no idea how long I've waited to hear you say that."

[dayfourwmv]

[ GOLD . . . ? ]

Oh! Oh. If it wasn't clear from his shocked expression, this was not the outcome BEN anticipated! He came here accepting his feelings would be unrequited, but now that they were returned he could feel his brain sort of blue screen. He stares down at Gold's wide-eyed gaze. That surprised expression began to soften.

[ That ... Makes me really happy. ] Genuinely happy. Like his chest was about to burst. [ Then I take it ... That means ... ? ]

Not wasting a moment, he scooped Gold up and spun him around! Gripping onto him like the moment could slip away at any second. He would have been OK with saying what he felt, and awkwardly moving on from there. If anything had happened to either of them, at least there would be no regrets between the pair.

But this ...

[ T—Thank you. Seriously, I ... ] BEN returned to the bed, placing Gold on it. Once he sat down next to Gold, he held those sleeves tighter than before. [ I'll — I'll keep you safe. ] Like a knight; like Link. And even if he couldn't ... [ I'm here for you. You mean everything to me. I — ]

BEN gently smacked his own face, laughing a bit.

[ I was so ready to leave I didn't — I didn't think — ] It was his turn to throw himself in Gold's arms. [ I'm happy we met. ]

[gildead]

"Sweet merciful Ho-Oh." Noa looks up from the Cheri Berry she's nomming on for one second as she surveys the scene in front of her.

"And here I thought he'd never spit it out."

[dayfourwmv]

Gently sets herself on Noa's head.

❝ Oh my goodness, you have NO idea. ❞