-> TW: Mentions of blood, mentions of war.
-> tags: Fluff, Crossover fic ("The Bonds that Tie Us" and "Two Sides of The Same Coin"), Existential crisis (?), Fourth wall breaking constantly, Character becomes sentient??, Angst WITH comfort, Meta (maybe)
-> A/N: This is a crossover fic between my two universes. The characters find out they're not real, while staying in Aqua's interdimensional living room. Also, no I'm not 8 years old. But I did have Crystal and the rest of TBTTU since I was 8. So yeah. Me reference.
Crystal looked at the little girl on the screen. She was so young. How could such a sweet little thing be the reason for all of Crystal's suffering. She remembered the nights where it was painful to even look at her hands, with the blood of the innocent (Phillipines) tainting them, and her heart ached. Now she learns that all of the killing and the bloodshed and the endless war was meaningless, crafted for entertainment, crafted by a little girl.
While Crystal was busy staring at the screen, Phillipines's full attention was on Crystal. It was odd, seeing Crystal so quiet. He preferred Crystal being loud and bursting with energy in everything she does, like she usually was. The quietness disturbed him, it worried him deeply. At least when she was trying to cut his head off, her passion was still there, burning bright like a beautiful blaze.
The chilling silence was broken by Crystal. "She's…young", Crystal says. "Indeed", Aqua replied. "If I'm not mistaken, Author is currently eight years old." That was indeed quite young, quite so very young.
Aqua looked at Crystal pitifully. It was a very complicated matter, after all. Bargaining with the author is possible, but she hardly ever changes Canon. This universe could have a peaceful ending, but the multiverse at large will continue as usual, bloody war and all. Aqua struggled explaining all this to someone who just learned she was a character from a book. Just kidding. Aqua never struggles.
"Basically, yeah. It's possible. Pretty easy, even. However---
Aqua was unable to finish his sentence because he was rudely interrupted by Crystal grabbing his arms and jumping up and down. "That's wonderful", Crystal says, giving Aqua a bone-crushing hug. "How do we do it? How do we bargain with her??"
Crystal fell down, flat on the floor, for Aqua had poofed out of her embrace. "As I was saying", Aqua said, reappering behind Tsutsi's back (for protection), "it'll only happen in this world. The other Crystals in the other worlds will still be forced to fight itty bitty Phillipines." Everyone in the room (?) looked confused. Aqua shrugged. "Multiverse stuff."
Crystal pondered on this. If she were to do this, only she would be happy, free from her chains. The other Crystals would still be forced to fight. But on the other hand, how could she pass up the opportunity to end it all. She'd do anything to escape from this burden placed upon her (as long as it didn't harm others). But doesn't this still harm others? Aren't her other selves hurting? Crystal's head was beginning to ache from all these complicated thoughts.
Seeing this, Phillipines spoke up. "If I understand correctly," he began, "you are saying there is a way for the Light Blue and Dark Red to live in peace?"
Aqua nods, stating that it has actually happened a couple of times.
"And no matter what we do, whether we choose peace in this world or not, it would not change the fate of these other Crystals?" Phillipines clarified this for one reason, to strike a peace between the Light Blue (him) and the Dark Red (Crystal). In all honesty, he was tired of constantly parrying Crystal's blows. But for some reason, Aqua interpreted this as Phillipines flirting, giving Phillipines a supportive thumbs up and wink.
"I would like to bargain with the author, for peace," said Crystal and Phillipines at the same time. Everyone looked at them, shocked. It was no surprise to Aqua though, because they were made to be (literally).
"I-if we were to stop this generational war, we should probably work together or something." Phillipines said, though his voice was squeakier than usual. Crystal looked at Phillipines's outstreached hand and, after a moment of hesitation, grasps it tightly. "Alright", she says, her voice filled with determination. Crystal looks at Aqua. "What does the author want?"
"Marriage." Said Aqua. The whole room froze.
Everyone suddenly felt a bit colder, many of them rubbing their arms awkwardly. "Marriage", someone repeats, from the back of the room, but it felt like more of a question. "Yep!" Aqua replied, "Between these two." Aqua pointed at Phillipines and Crystal. Phillipines refused to look Crystal in the eye.
Aqua continued, defending himself from Phillipines judgemental gaze. "It's true", whined Aqua. "There are many universes where you guys are arranged married to stop the war." This was an exaggeration, of course, for there was only one universe (or was it five) that this event happened. But Aqua is very dramatic.
Phillipines looked at Crystal. Did he feel a little guilty? Maybe. Was he semi-sure this is just another ruse of Aqua's to get him and Crystal together? Yes. But in the off-chance that what Aqua said was true, would he be willing to take that chance?
Crystal spoke, interrupting his train of thought. "Let's do it then. I'll do what I must." Then, she kissed him. She kissed Phillipines. On the lips. HOLY MACARONI, I JUST GOT KISSED--
Aqua appeared behind them, and pronounced them husband and wife. Crystal held her husband's(!?) hand gently, saying that she'll do her best. Phillipines is hardly processing what is happening. Kalatsutsi is also very confused (her sister just kissed her crush + best friend), but she's resigned to it, for peace. All in all, a very happily ever after.
"Hey! What about us!?" shouted Julian. He grabbed Aqua (who was just very nicely narrating the end of the story) and shaked him over and over again. "We're still stuck in this weird other-world place. Bring us home! You DO NOT get to end this story without bringing me back home to my castle and my wife-fiancee. HEY LISTEN TO ME!! I demand you, heathen--
And then the scene fades to black. Because it does. And the story ends. Screw you, Julian.