Mashle in Wonderland

by Anonymous

Summary:

Teen and Up just incase..
Alice in wonderland and tarot merch has got me in a chokehold fr 😅
I'm too embarrassed to post this while not having updated my own fic.

Delisaster sat down in a dejected manner as the same boy and girl dashed by him for the one thousandth time.

"Oh my fucking god, and people think I'm high?" The girl ran around in distress growing and shrinking and Delisaster swore he sang a song about vowels twenty times.

Not to mention, why that hot knight kept reappearing every once in a while too.

Notes:

I've got this figured out:
Mash: White Rabbit
(Mash v2 is just a pastry boy mebbe)
Lemon: Alice
Orter: Queen(King) of Hearts
Kaldo: Knave of Hearts
Lance: Mad Hatter(I wish it was Dot, lmao)
Dot: March Hare
Finn: The Dormouse
Ryoh: White King(piece maybe in Through the Looking Glass?)
Rayne: White Knave(or rook in the Looking Glass chess scenes..)
For mine,
Delisaster : Caterpillar
(Will add more...)

Chapter 1

"What are you doing?" Delisaster snapped at the mass of red guards swarming his house one morning.

"We're clearing it, I'm sorry." The knight timidly gulped, holding a chainsaw. "Our Majesty, the King has requested this space for a lengthy game of chess."

"Our Majesty? More like 'Your Majesty', because no way am I listening."

"But the King of Hearts demands it"

Delisaster shrugged and smoked his hookah. "I could care less, work away."

And they did. Which was why he was left feeling sorry on his butt after they sawed apart his residence.

Now, he was forced to be a wanderer. 

No biggie, it wasn't like he's never done that before. He strolled through the forests before ending up near a long table, fit for a banquet. "Helloo, can I just help myself to a spot?"

The silence gave him a reassuring 'yes'. So naturally, he sat himself down, without managing to notice a boy with a peculiar hat. "Gah!" He back pedaled in shock, the blue haired boy not losing contact even once. Delisaster squinted, realizing who this man was, The Mad Hatter. 

"What's wrong?" The Mad Hatter asked, extending a hand, "I'm Lance." 

Delisaster reached to grab it but the Hatter withdrew his hand and instead threw him a teapot. "Whoa there-"

"But don't break it!" Lance scowled, eyeing him carefully. "That's his favorite pot."

"His?" This was so confusing, he looked around until he found a smaller boy resting on a chair, curled up tightly.

"Don't disturb Finn, he'll start talking about cream puffs made of treacle."

"What even.. Okay fine... Sure." Delisaster glanced at Lance, and the boy, staring back and forth until the placed the teapot near the slumbering kid.

They sat in silence before another madman strolled into the clearing.

"Well if it isn't the Hatter." The red haired boy claimed a seat next to the sleeping one, pouring himself some tea. 

"Serving yourself so early? Mr. March Hare, we haven't even had the full table yet."

"You'll never get that, pretty boy." The Hare took a swig of the tea, and spat it out in disgust. "Can you even brew tea? What is this awful chamomile?"

"Excuse me," Lance snapped. "I think it tastes fine."

Delisaster stayed silent as they bickered, wondering if that was why the Hatter was truly 'mad'.

"Fine? It tastes like finely grounded cat shit or something!"

"Don't say it-"

"What? Cat shit!? Oops, said it again." The Hare smirked. 

"Dot Barett, stop it." Lance glanced at Delisaster. 

"Hey, uh, that's not my name-" Fingers gripped his shoulder fearfully and he slowly turned his head. The sleeping mouse, or, well Lance called him 'Finn' stared in worry. "D-did you say... Ca.."

"Cat? Nah, we didn't," Dot answers foolishly. "Buddy, you're fine-"

At the word 'cat' Finn bolted, hopping on top of the table in an attempt to run.

"CATCH HIM! HE'S GOING TO RUN!" Lance demanded, Dot sprung after him, and Delisaster simply sat back as they ran around the table.

"You're fine, you're fine!" Dot kept trying to soothe Finn. Finn shook his head, glancing everywhere. "Where is the cat?!"

"Here!" Lance hollered, throwing Finn's beloved teapot. The frantic boy's eyes widened and he dove for the pot. Not shockingly, Lance caught the pot and hugged Finn supportively instead. "I've got you, you're safe."

"What, from me?" Dot scowled. 

Lance talked Finn back to sleep while Dot leaned over to Delisaster. "So, what's your deal?"

"Me? I'm just a wanderer. The King evicted me out of my home."

"Aw shucks," Dot replied. "Couldn't be me.. I'm sure you're welcome to stay here, an enemy of the royalty is a friend full of loyalty."

Delisaster nodded. "Thanks."

Once Finn was asleep, a girl stumbled into the area. It was the girl Delisaster had kept seeing! 

Behind her, a boy fixated on his watch dashed in and sat himself down. "Hi Lance, hi Dot, hi Finn, hurry up start this, I'm going to be late."

"'Sup, Mash."

"Greetings," Lance poured the tea into his cup. "You've been late for a while, haven't you thought about getting that fixed? Also who's that?"

Heads turned to the girl, who bowed profusely. "Can I join? I've been wandering for hours, and I think I cried myself a river, oh how I'm such a mess.."

Lance nodded, throwing her a cup. "What exactly is your story, young lady?"

The girl, named 'Lemon' had found herself chasing Mash which had led her through all these struggles. "And maybe if I find someone who knows more, I can get out of here!"

"Insightful, insightful indeed." Lance stroked his chin. "You remind me..."

"Oh, don't say it, don't say it please." Dot groaned, emptying the teapot down his throat.

"My beautiful sister." Lance sighed, pulling out an image from his hat. "She was taken by the Kingdom of Hearts and their ruler, but one day.. I will get her back."

Right, Delisaster scoffed to himself. As if throwing tea parties helps get you closer.

"That's sweet!" Lemon grinned, she politely sipped her tea while Mash fidgets with his watch.

"You're not going to fix it like that," Delisaster commented. "Try opening it or something."

Mash nodded, and pried it open, causing gajillions of pieces to fly.

"Oh." Mash said. 

Delisaster was appalled. How could one possess such strength.. And not be hunted by the royalty?

"I'll help, this is like dealing with my cat destroying stuff." Lemon beamed, bending down and gathering the cogs and gears with her hands.

At the word 'cat', Delisaster flinched and turned to Finn, but the boy had bolted off already.

"Fuck" Lance sighed.

"Fear not, I'll find him." Delisaster stood up from his seat and ran. "So long!"

---

Finn didn't run too fast, so Delisaster kept an easy eye on him, jogging at a casual pace in order to catch up. "Wait up, Finn!"

As they ran, the forest twisted into knotty roots breaking the ground and an eerie thorned garden was a sudden backdrop change.

For someone so small, Finn started to pick up the pace, his pants fearful and probably blindly running into unknown territory.

No later, they found themselves on a chequered board, that stretched vastly across the land. Hey, would that be where my home would've been? Wait a minute.. "Finn, we should not be here.."

The little kid had fallen asleep again... Great.

Delisaster gingerly lifted him up and was about to leave when the ground shifted and rumbled. shit... Why...

A giant army started to form, materializing from the squares of black and white inhabiting the floor.

"Aha, we are here!" A flamboyant king raised his arms in triumph while his wife laughed gently. "Now now, Ryoh, send someone out for surveillance, I don't want that weird speck in the distance on that board when we play.

Are they referring to us? Aw hell... Delisaster took it upon himself to leave, when a knight made three swift moves in order to stop their path. "Guh.."

The sword pointed at him and Finn, the knight's dual toned hair glinting in the sun. "What is your business here?"

Delisaster stopped in awe, nearly dropping the slumbering Finn. He didn't know if he was one hookah puff away from delirium or damn.. Was that guy nice looking.

Chapter 2

Notes:

Did I call Rayne a rook in the earlier chapter? Oops.
Rayne goes through several name changes, it’ll make sense soon I promise.

Delisaster took his time to think over an excuse while he stared. The knight had no answer and just continued to point his blade towards Delisaster. “This is hardly fair, can I have a name?” 

At such words, the knight froze. “Name?”

”You know, the things we all have, we get them and are kinda known by them. I’m Delisaster.”

The knight frowned and tilted his head, gripping his reins a little tighter. “Well… Delisaster.. what’s the sleeping kids’ name? I swear I’ve seen him before.”

”This little guy?” Delisaster mentally compared Finn to the knight, noting the similarity in hair.. and eyes… “You must have seen him somewhere, he runs everywhere.”

Nevertheless, Delisaster knew the man was stalling. “You still haven’t told me your name, do you even have one?”

”I do.” The knight insisted, a little too indignantly. 
Delisaster smirked, glancing at the chessboard they stood on. “And what, is it ‘Rook on h8’?” Upon looking again, Delisaster corrected himself. “Sorry, I meant ‘Knight on b8’?”
The poor knight’s expression reddened, and Delisaster guessed he wasn’t far off, if not entirely accurate.

”It’s White Knight on g1..” He whispered, turning away. Delisaster felt like making fun of the guy, so he did. “How are you comfortable with people calling you this? Is your nickname g1 or something?” He howled. “Oh knightiee I need your help! Oh wait but there’s so goddamn many of you we have to call you g1~ ahahaha!”
“Shut up..”
At the same time, he felt like the other pieces probably all needed new names. “Do you mind if I call you something else, my friend?”

Everything on the knight’s expression told him he shouldn’t call him a friend just yet, but fear not- Delisaster was a master at renaming.

”I’ve got the perfect one, Majime” 
Delisaster looked at the would be ‘Majime’, it didn’t cut it too well. 
“That’s awful.” The knight choked out. Delisaster could see him testing out the name on his lips too, and it was kind of funny. I can’t laugh.. he’s supposed to be having his moment…

”Oh, young Knight from g1, have you dealt with the intruder?” The king called out. 
Majime turned and shook his head. “Sorry, I will deal with it shortly, Ryoh.”

”Ryoh? Rio? What piece is that?” Delisaster scoffed. He hadn’t played chess since the Heart Castle chopped down his house. 

“That’s the king piece’s name, Ryoh.”

”The king gets a name but not you? What a shame.”

Delisaster sighed. “I promised I’d find you a name, let’s get you one, boy.” 
The knight shook his head. “Don’t burden yourself, Majime will be fine…”

”Majime is fucking awful dude, I smoke my hookah but what the hell are you on?” Oops, was he caring about a chess piece?

The sudden crackle of thunder made Delisaster curse, and Finn stir. Delisaster figured the boy would go into further tears and panic if he saw a man on a horse with a sword at them, so he turned to leave. “Don’t kill us, I’ll leave, alright?”

”Why are you leaving?” The knight’s horse galloped in L shapes, bounding over the black and white squares with ease. 
“It’s raining, the damn weather.” 
The knight nodded. “Very well.. Delisaster. But, you never found a name..”

Delisaster scowled. “Really. Now? I thought you liked being serious, Majime.” He scribbled down a small piece of paper and tucked into the knight’s belt. “Call yourself Rain or something, if I see you I’ll remember I saw you when it was raining, okay?”

He nodded, as Delisaster made his way off the board. It was more of a way for him to remember who he talked to, but he was sure the dumb boy would like it nevertheless.

---

When he returned with Finn, Lemon the crazy girl had left, and so had Mash. 
“You didn’t miss much.” Dot promised, patting Finn as the boy sleepily yawned.

”That’s always good.” Delisaster, feeling bored grabbed a handful of tea leaves and shoved them in his waterpipe to see whatever would come out. 
“Well, now that everyone’s here let’s head out.” Lance declared, adjusting his coat and hat professionally. “We have a chess game to watch.”

”WHAT? I fucking swear I was just there with sleepy boy here!”

”It’s pretty important, His Majesty, King Orter is scheduled to play.”

Delisaster thought. He has imagined the white team being good at the game, maybe Rain and Ryoh would be able to play. 
“Plus, our good ol’ friend Mash will be there, why not cheer him on?” 
“…Fine.”

Then they set off, Lance found a better path with the help of an invisible cat that Delisaster clearly didn’t see when chasing Finn.

 When they arrived, so had the Red kingdom. Orter held the sceptre regally, as he made his way to the board. 
The Red Knight pushed the group forward, making sure there was a path for the king, and.. a gulp of honey for those who didn’t move. 
“That’s enough, Kaldo. Assume your starting position.” Orter commanded. 
So they do have names.. Delisaster huffed. That Ryoh dude needed to be on top of his game, really now..

Delisaster tried to look for Rain again, hoping to find the bumblebee of a knight in his own respective square. After all, as much as he was an enemy… maybe he wasn’t that bad looking? Just… the slightest maybe…

Notes:

Get it..? Majime..? Serious? Ahaha… It still won’t make sense, but I have a grand idea.

Chapter 3

Notes:

Please bear with me with chess terms, I would draw a diagram if I could (but my skills are just- no)
okay. So, for those who know chess, and the puzzle in Lewis Carroll's book, I just want to say no, I won't be using that puzzle for this story, I'm sorry. Oh, also since Orter's a male, and males tend to be Kings... That makes it harder to arrange this, (since the Red QUEEN makes all the moves..) so I hope this is still enjoyable amidst that.
New:
Meliadoul: Red Queen (it doesn't have to mean she married Orter, I just need a fucking queen for chess💀
Wirth: Red Bishop (all because I saw fanart of Wirth in a similar get up to Kaldo... Haha..)

"Wait, let me go!"

Heads swiveling everywhere to see Lemon being dragged onto the board. "I..."

"You shall play, under my orders." Kaldo replied rather sternly, although glancing at the king every so often. 

"What for?" Lemon sighed. Delisaster pitied her, he knew games were stressful, but to actually play human chess? That's probably painful if you die, especially if you're weak like pawns.

"I just want to see how far you can go, if your 'talents' are of any use." Kaldo dusted his uniform politely before mounting his horse. "I think I shall have you as one of ours.."

"No." Orter spoke loudly. For one guy, who Delisaster felt could be a lazy ass, mute guy, talked with surprising volume. "We have a set structure, have her on their side."

"You can't do that!" One of the other white pawns protested, stamping his foot.

Dot?! Delisaster looked beside him, he thought they were watching the game with him! Subsequently, Lance was stationed on the board too, tiny Finn was the only one here. "Damn.." he was going to have no friends if they all died as fodder.

 

"White Knight on g1, you're back." Ryoh greeted, as the knight's horse jumped over the line of pawns and rested near the rooks and bishops.

"Yes, that's right sir." The knight said, over the bustling noises of conversational pawns, and stormy sounds of the awful weather.

Ryoh swatted the rain miserably, trying to smooth out his dry royal fur and barely soaking hair, not even noticing how horribly drenched his knight was. 

Although, when he looked up, his eyes widened. "My.. Has the weather picked up. Get another horse, I'll help dry you off."

"Sir, I've only ever trained with this horse, I can't use another- "How good do you think we'll look working with a wet horse? It simply will not be!" Ryoh declared. He helped the knight climb down, when he noticed a slip of paper. 

"What's this?" Ryoh unfolded the paper slowly, the knight's facial expression was one of concern. "Sir, that's-"

Ryoh frowned and tried to squint. The writing was illegible, and the water made it worse. "This is what?"

"A.. Name.." Knight on g1 answered. "Someone chose it for me.. He said it was better than White Knight on g1 or something... Don't worry sir, I don't think so."

Ryoh laughed. "Don't be timid! I have put no thought into your names, you just need to seem organised enough. After all, a woman only loves a handsome, organised man. Now do tell, what was this name of yours?"

 

Delisaster sighed, he had gotten really good at it. Let down after let down had made him so disappointed he felt like sleeping right beside Finn. He made his way around placing bets, and when he made his seat the game still hadn't started

Although! Say.. If maybe the knight makes out of the game alive, he'll have more to remember than just a single word, a single name..

And the knight wracked his mind, remembering everything he could about the encounter, and the name he had scribbled down..

...

---

A name rolled off their lips, the single word crisp, but soothing. "Rain."

---

...

"Well what kind of name is that?" Ryoh cocked his head in confusion. "That's no way to name someone, is it now?"

"It's so they would remember me.." Rain said defensively.

"Remember? No one is going to remember that, you need to spell it in a more manly way, a more.. Elegant way." Ryoh produced a slip of metal, and started engraving a name on the handle of the knight's sword. 「Rayne」 

"That's a lovely name, truly." Lance commented, watching the newly named 'Rayne' stare in awe. 

"Indeed, to be named by the king himself." Dot mused.

"That's not entirely true, someone else.. Delisast-" 

Lance shook his head, Ryoh in the background, a demeaning glare from the usually upbeat guy. "The king will take credit for it.. For now." Lance whispered. 

Rayne nodded begrudgingly, he had no choice. He silently prayed Delisaster would still remember him, even with a different spelling..

 

Unfortunately, the Red Queen was a prick too and grabbed Lemon by the arm rather forcefully. "Come with me."

And thus the game started. The board transformed into a vast stretch, forests and paths galore, but if one got lost, the subtle pattern of a chequered board was visible.

"Go! Strategies!" Ryoh commanded, the guy only stood there and observed, taking one or two occasional steps. Delisaster watched Lance and Dot move like fools, but that wasn't his main focus. 

The knights and bishops kept each other busy, flanking the pawns on their journey, and striking down any pieces that foolishly got in their range.

Kaldo effortlessly slashed down pawns, luring the poor pawns right into his traps. 

But Rain... He was struggling. Delisaster frowned and focused on the horse, it was different. It wasn't the same, and Delisaster gathered that Rain definitely felt the repercussions of that. 

All the meanwhile, Lemon was getting lured closer and closer into enemy territory, the Red Queen had her right where she wanted. Delisaster smiled in satisfaction when Ryoh's queen slid towards them, ensuring no way could the Heart kingdom ever- The bishop, whom looked eerily similar to Orter dashed down, removing the White Queen from the scenario.

Delisaster gasped lightly, even he didn't see the bishop at first.

"I have to go to her!" Rain said urgently, leaving Dot to be mercilessly handled by Kaldo.

Orter watched coldly from his spot, but he was not without a friend. "I think it's time you make your move, advisor."

A tall, broad, purple haired person stepped into the forest. "Sure, Ortie."

Ortie? Delisaster bit back a laugh, I thought that Ryoh dude had god awful names, but that makes the King of a kingdom sound like a toddler with a leotard! Which piece was the advisor though? Let's see, pawn, rook, bishop, knight.. The royal pieces...

"Hey, they're cheating!" Delisaster hollered. Heads turned, and Delisaster tried to find the purple haired 'advisor'. "The advisor isn't a piece! That's not fair!"

Nobody batted an eye.

The advisor didn't seem to do much, until Delisaster saw. Rain set himself up perfectly to kill the bishop, and now they awaited the red team's turn. 

"Nuh-uh, sweetheart." The advisor chuckled. "Nice try, your move." 

When he went to strike, it turned out he was off, by one square. Just outside a knight's ability to strike in an L. "How?!" Rain paled. "You were within my-!!"

"You were just off by a little..." The advisor smiled deeper, an unnerving one too. "I'll be rooting for the red team alll day, the name is Margarette."

"Kuh.. Margarette moved the bishop!! Someone has to see this.. Finn!" Delisaster shook him awake. "Tell me what you see!"

Finn glanced groggily at the chessboard. "Um.. What?" He yawned. 

"They are receiving outside help!"

"The white team?" Finn mumbled, rubbing his eyes. 

"The red team!"

At those words, Finn shook his head. "No, they aren't." 

"How could you say that?" Delisaster cried. "Are you high too!??" 

Finn's troubled gaze met his. "I said..They aren't." Delisaster was about to grab Finn's treasured teapot and ask him to treasure every part of it across the floor, but Finn's look meant something else. He knew they were cheating too. They were just powerless against it.

"This isn't right! And I know.. I'm not usually right, but I need to do something."

Finn stared at him incredulously. "You literally puff out air from a tube and water, when you have lungs."

"Hey! You're not distinguished enough, Mr. I-sleep-all-day." Finn didn't have a response to that, luckily.

He turned and headed towards forest himself. "I'm going in then." This may be selfish, but that guy intrigues me. I want to get to know him, but that means he has to get through this game. And if him saving Lemon means him surviving, so be it. Because I really want to date him.

Notes:

You guys were all right, I need another chapter..

Also, you see in my original fandom I don't get comments at all- so, the mashle fandom is really nice for that actually. Thank you.
I promise there will be so much delirayne interactions in the next chapter

Chapter 4

Notes:

someone help me this story just keeps getting longer. (I think that's good but still)

"Here we go.." Delisaster smirked. As he's said way too many times, he hadn't played chess too much to understand how the Ryoh guy wanted his plan to work, but since the arrival of the tall, buzz cut person they were struggling greatly.

As soon as he stepped in, the patterns of the board glowed under his feet, reminding him the game was still at play. "I'll be nothing more than a piece collector." He lied to the system. "Y'know, the folks who pick up the guys after they get killed?"

As if on cue, the Red side's bishop slashed down a white knight of their horse, watching the poor guy fall to the ground. 

"See?" Delisaster bent down and picked up the person. "Like that!"

Although, seeing how that person unfortunately wasn't the knight he was looking for, he tossed him when the game approved of his presence. Where is Rain...? I swear I saw him from my seat earlier, the landscape is huge now that I'm actually playing.

He scanned around some more before seeing the group of Lemon, Dot, and a red knight, with Rain not too far behind them. There! He tried to sprint unsuccessfully, running in long fabric just.. Doesn't work sometimes. Plus, his lungs started to give out on him last minute- great. 

He stumbled a bit on some trees, before running into the King himself- Ryoh. 

"Sir!" He greeted breathlessly, leaning on a tree trunk to catch his breath. "Y-you... Need to fucking help -... Hah... Help your team!"

Ryoh shook his head sadly. "I'm afraid I cannot. You see, us royalty are only permitted to go so far."

"Oh really? What's with your queen then? I don't see her sitting down?"

"That's... different. She enjoys the control here and there, I just enjoy my looks." Ryoh opened a pocket mirror and admired himself. 

"Well fine, I'll help your knight myself." He marched off to find them, thinking about if any regal parts were actually good in this place.

"Oh? By that, you mean Rayne?"

Delisaster flinched. "What do you mean?"

Ryoh's mirror clicked shut, his demeaning glare burning Delisaster from the inside out. "You know what I mean. You gave him that name."

Delisaster knew he gave him the name Rain, but something about how Ryoh pronounced it seemed just slightly.. Off. "So what? You have horrible name skills."

"It's for organization. They die most of the times anyway, their names won't matter." Ryoh said coldly. 

Delisaster stopped, partially in annoyance but in thought. "You.. Don't use the same ones after?"

"After? Of course not! Look at them," the king gestured to the fallen knight Delisaster discarded. "Do you see him being any use? I see none. Where is his honor? His face, it's all gone. How would he show his face in battle once more?"

"That's awful, I can't listen to this anymore." He didn't bother with niceties, the 'king' didn't deserve them.

---

Rayne's steed neighed in complaint again, after he tried to pull it back for the twentieth time, or something. It was nothing like his old horse, and it was so rebellious. He counted at least 3 times the horse almost willingly walked into a pawn's line of death, or a shot with the queen herself, and Meliadoul certainly was a scary lady. She continued to waltz around Lemon, dangerously so, but Rayne couldn't find any openings to save her without risking his own life. But my job is to protect our pieces, what use should I be if I cannot do so?

A quick glance assured Rayne that if he were to die, a pawn could easily avenge him, but if the kingdom of heart's twin rooks were to notice, he would be in trouble. The Morceau rooks were famous for their chess strategies. 

Well, I must do what I have to..

Rayne raised the reigns to urge his horse forward, when he was suddenly jerked backwards, his horse whining again. "What now.."

Delisaster panted, gripping the tail. "Wait.. Don't go.."

---

Delisaster lifted his head to come in eye contact with the knight. "Please.. You'll get killed."

"Why does my life matter to you?" Rain answered carelessly. "I'm just going to die anyway,-"Your names don't matter'- whatever that shit the king spews! Stop it!" Delisaster huffed, startling Rayne. "Listen.. You do matter. I think it'd be nice.., since.. The King also throws out his pieces once they die." 

He noticed the boy's horse was also different. "You got a new animal?"

Rain nodded. "Yeah, I'll get my other one back after this game-"No you won't, not if you die." Delisaster looked him in the eyes harder. "Do. You. Get. My. Point. Rain?"

At that Rain looked away. "You can't call me that."

"What, first the king and now you? Is this some fucking unfortunate situation anytime I find a love trope?"

"Lovers?" Rain uttered, blush coloring his cheeks. 

"Shit- what? Nooo, I didn't say that." Delisaster played it off, his face similarly tinged. Why the fuck did I ever say that, fuck fuck fuck.. what the hell, what was I thinking...?

"Are you sure..?"

"Ah, of course I am! I totally don't like you."  Not at all, you handsome fucking knight in SHINING ARMOR? 

Rain tilted his head and smiled in confusion, and Delisaster wanted to slam his head into the ground. He was already fighting back a giant idiotic smile, but... "You know what, I..." of all times for words to fall short. Also did I just notice how golden his eyes are..?

"So why can't I call you Rain?" Delisaster tried to bring back the topic on hand again, praying they could just forget that.

The other's face fell as Delisaster asked. "The king changed it or something.. Said it didn't make sense."

"To what?" Delisaster asked. 

"Just the spelling," Rayne offered Delisaster a peek at his sword. "Look."

"R A Y N E.." Delisaster read, realizing why Ryoh's pronunciation sounded different. "Ugh that guy takes credit for everything."

"Anyway," Rayne turned away. "I should go, I need to help Lemon now."

Delisaster nodded. "Yeah, you should go.. Just forget about this, okay?"

"Okay." Rayne trotted off with his horse into the fray of Lemon and Meliadoul.

...

It took him a second to realize he failed his goal. 

"Did I just ask him not to die and then tell him to forget that?"

and did I tell him I liked him?

Notes:

hey um, just incase.. Rayne and Delisaster are in their 20s for this.

 

Thank you for continually enjoying this, and also to the guest Miro for making really cool fanart, it makes me so happy to have this, ahhh :DDD

Chapter 5

Notes:

The jump festa is starting soon, isn't it?

Delisaster continued in to trudge through the forest, processing the events. 

How am I going to fix this? He ran several fingers through his hair in frustration, scuffing his boots against the tree roots. 

Rayne has simply gone off, and Delisaster didn’t even know where to look for him. Think! When you last played chess against Mr. Hokey Hatter where do you put the knights?

”I killed them as fodder.” Delisaster mused. 

Wait. 

That was the problem. Judging by what Ryoh said, no doubt he thought those two were expendable. And remembering that one knight was down, he knew Rayne wasn't far off from joining him. 

Lemon was still making noises and complaints in the foreground, so it gave him a good idea of where he should head, at least.

He ran past pawns and bishops, rooks and whatever pieces weren't crowded around the queen. "I have to get there fast..!"

When he arrived, there the scene was, painted like a canvas. Red Queen Meliadoul stood, enticing the confused Lemon to wander while they slowly claimed checkmate. "Keep going.."

"No!" Rayne called, unfortunately stuck at his spot. "If you keep moving, we can't defend our pieces!"

Lemon turned. "Wha-?" 

Then the tall, purple music thing stepped in. "I don't think so, keep playing Kaldo." They said, signaling at the guy who looked like he was dressed for colour guard. 

"Of course." Kaldo eyes glinted a fiery crimson, stepping across Lemon. "You'll have to excuse me, little pawn. I have some business." His gaze hardened at Rayne, and he tightly gripped his sword handle.

Rayne looked up in surprise, as if hoping to avoid confrontation. "You.."

Delisaster bit his finger nervously, knowing he technically could do nothing to stop it.

Kaldo drew his sword, and then it glowed with flames. 

"What the fuck?" Delisaster spat. This was not- what?? Huh?

Rayne was also not prepared, and even when swung his well crafted sword, it shattered against the black pure metal of a fucking fire from hell sword! Delisaster fumed. His horse neighed in fear, bucking a little as Rayne tried to steady himself. 

"Now!" Meliadoul shouted, running full speed, towards Lemon. 

Delisaster gaped. That was truly a good play. Well distracted, and he had observed them taking out most of the other players behind them. But unfortunately..

Rayne gripped his reigns and rode towards Lemon and Meliadoul, but failing to continue as he is stopped at a turn of an 'L'. "No.." Rayne cried in frustration, his face one of turmoil. "Lemon.. Move towards me.. Please!"

"I can't.." Lemon apologized. "I'm only a pawn, I can only move forward."

"Tch, this is too sappy." Margarette, the 'advisor' scoffed. "White loses a turn because of that."

"What?" Delisaster yelled again. 

"You need to silence yourself, please." Kaldo glowered at him, although his face was still seemingly pinched in a grin. "Before I do it for you." 

And because of the unfair 'turn', the queen continued to advance. Delisaster glanced around while he tried to be silent, catching sight of Finn's face in the distance. 

Pure disappointment. 

He turned away shamefully, it was true. He couldn't do a thing. 

And then finally- at last. White was allowed to move. 

"Do your job, Knight!" Ryoh commanded from his spot. The crowd cheered as Ryoh waved and sparkled, but Delisaster could only seethe. 

Rayne galloped over to Lemon, coming to a stop besides Lemon. "This is the farthest I can go, I'm sorry."

Lemon glanced at the Queen, preparing to move and smiled sadly. "It's alright, you're doing your best."

"Alright, enough bullshit let me go!" Delisaster wrestled with the Red knight, escaping the grip. "My job was totally to pick up after the out pieces and clearly your going to kill that knight, so let me at it."

Kaldo reluctantly nodded, clearly suspicious but it wasn't like he could move any further himself.

Meliadoul reached Rayne faster than Delisaster could, already kicking the horse out from underneath him. 

Rayne's eyes widened as he stumbled and collected himself, but a flicker of sadness flashed when the horse collapsed on it's side. "Move, let me get to the pawn." Meliadoul said cheerily, winding a punch. Rayne shook his head, gripping the hilt of his sword. "I ca-"

He was cut off when Meliadoul delivered her first hit. He worked to reflexively catch it, holding it firmly in his gloved hand. She did not stop there, sudden fast punches strikes through his armor, singlehandedly - with her fist. (Mash cheers in the distance.)

Rayne looked up fiercely and tried to defend himself, when he staggers, and coughs, a red liquid dripping from his mouth. Blood.. Delisaster worried. 

"This is what I do to anyone in my way," Meliadoul was not kidding around. Rayne still tries to draw his sword, but the Red Queen swings her sceptre like a bat and shatters the beautiful blade into pieces. Rayne looks devastated, but also shocked.

"You've done your job.." Ryoh smiles coldly. "As a knight." He turns around instead with a warmer smile, announcing how 'he' came up with the ideas. 

"The king does it all!" They cheer.

Rayne falls backwards from the inpact fairly quickly, while Lemon can now advance, and Delisaster runs. He looks dazed and his eyes are half-lidded, as if he was slowly- well..he probably was.

Delisaster crouched down and gently grabbed Rayne's wrist. "Just checkin' for a pulse you know? Um.." of course the knight was still conscious. "Nevermind." Delisaster whispered. 

"So, I'm out." Rayne said softly, letting his hand drop over his face with some feel of resignation. "I couldn't do anything.."

"Don't say that." Delisaster found himself saying. It was a shock. He hadn't said that to anyone, he wouldn't care. Nothing more than a hookah was worth his time, but yet he found himself talking.

"Seriously dude, you protected the Lemon from getting killed, that's noble."

Rayne's hand still covered his face, but a tinge of color flashed and he silently listened. "Go on.."

Delisaster smirked. "You like.. Look fairly good when you do that shit too, I can't ride a horse, and apparently you're riding a new horse too? That's balls or something, I could never, trust."

"But it's not useful.. It only looks nice to you." Rayne put himself down, figuratively. "It doesn't matter if only you think it's good."

"Really? Are you sure? It doesn't matter that I think you tried hard, were loyal, nothing I do, hm? What do I look like to you?"

Rayne squinted through his fingers meekly, and his mouth twitched slightly with amusement. "A.. Caterpillar?"

...

..

"Aren't you supposed to be injured, smart-ass?"

Notes:

I didn't want to not post within a week, I'm sorry. I wish I could write longer for everyone.

Chapter 6

Notes:

Happy new year. The US collab for cream puffs starts soon, right?(okay quick check from AUGUST 2025 wow I’m sorry I haven’t touched this in ages.) like sorry I’m back now, I hope everyone is still here…

Rayne felt a searing pain in his chest, his armor severely damaged and pressed against his chest from Meliadoul’s many punches. He groaned as his lungs fought to take in breaths and he tilts his head back, feeling the grass against his hair. 
“You gave up rather quickly.” Delisaster smirked. 

…

Rayne had forgotten that the other man was still there. 

“What can I do?” He exhaled quickly, the metal clinging to his chest like a magnet. 

“Um, ask for help, duh.” Delisaster bent down and pried the armor off of him, carefully, yet carelessly. “It would be a shame to watch you suffocate.”

Rayne didn’t move, grateful for the weight off his chest, but troubled at the amount of blood that he could feel inside, and however much he was losing. It was bad, it hurt.. “I think I’d rather suffocate.”

”Nah, you wouldn’t, Rayne.” Delisaster replied. “I fell asleep at the table once with a bottle of wine, and somehow woke up choking on the cork, it’s not fun.”

Rayne squinted quizzically, trying to understand the context but Delisaster waved him off. “You wouldn’t get it.” He sat down beside Rayne, looking down at him every now and then.

“Say, do you have a home?”

Rayne looked up. That was fairly unrelated to their topic, and he wasn’t sure how to respond. “Don’t we all?”

“Sorry, Mr.I-don’t-have-a-name-until me, I, Delisaster came along, it’s hard to believe you.”

Which was a good point, because he didn’t have a house.

Rayne’s face flushed again, realizing he didn’t, and Delisaster caught on quickly. “You’re homeless, you’re fucking homeless.”

“It’s not funny..”

Delisaster nodded solemnly, with puffed cheeks. “Totally… It’s a very serious situation.”

Oh boy.

Rayne looked away, not wanting to see Delisaster’s smug expression any longer. 

“I did this for him.”

Delisaster made a choked noise. “Him? Who’s he?”

“My brother. I haven’t seen him in years though, I don’t know if I still have one.”

He had taken up the odd jobs working around and stealing, until the king had caught him and offered him a position. It was good pay, and nice benefits, but when he tried to find his younger brother he was gone. No where. 

“You’ll find him one day, I just know it. Look in teapots.” Delisaster checked his wrist and exhaled. “It’s late, we should go.”

Rayne shook his head. “I’m not permitted to leave a certain distance from the king. I can’t go.”

“Oh who cares? This game is corrupt, just go home. To my home..” Delisaster trailed off  Right, because I don’t have a home either.

”I would like that.” Rayne looked up hopefully, taking Delisaster’s hand while clutching his own bruised torso.

”Actually, do you mind?” Delisaster shoved Rayne back down, peeling off his bloodied shirt to expose his chest-

oh my god..Rayne looked pitiful.

”what’s wrong..?” Rayne flailed weakly from the ground as Delisaster stared on.

Rayne continued his shuddering breaths, unaware at the mass bruising of the armor and punches he withstood. The black and blue discoloured splotches over his paler skin, as well as the red blood dripped down from his side, the way his ribs were probably broken and his diaphragm was suffering, Delisaster ripped off some of his fabric and dabbed at Rayne’s body.

”Ah, Delisaster sir, that really hurts-“Shush.” He continued to use his clothes like a towel, blood staining through the fabric so rapidly. “Don’t move, man.”

“Okay..”

“Okay is right, yknow you should propose to Ryoh guy if he actually cares about giving you guys less armour like this, it’s so detrimental to you all, look at yourself.”

Rayne tenderly lifted his head to stare at his bare chest, his face flushed with embarrassment. “I’d rather not..”

“Not like that, think! Think!” He rapped his knuckles against Rayne’s head softly. “Look at what this heavy chainmail does to you, crazy stuff.”

Rayne winced but nodded slightly, his eyes squinting as he thought of some shit.

”Also stay still while I bandage you up.”

 

”what?”

 

 

Notes:

Wrapping up tomorrow or a week later, I want to give time for comments :,)

Notes:

I'm not going to write too much of this, I promise, it was a late night idea, and it probably can't go on forever anyway.