Chapter Text
Holidays were less of a special time of year and more of an odd time. Since Joll, Conk, Kibble, Buzz, and Golem were constantly on the move—traveling from dungeon to dungeon— they couldn't exactly show up to a gathering of friends and family as they wouldn't even know where to find them.
"Open up! It's time to receive your daily tokens!" This was the case every year until Joll woke up to the villager of this week's dungeon knocking on his door.
"What? I don't remember this dungeon having a token system!" The frog opened the door of his one-bedroom wooden-and-cobble hut, confused.
"Heh—yeah, you're right, I'm just here to deliver some letters." The villager laughed, handing him two letters, a Silver coated one addressed to Color civilization, and the other looking as if it were cut straight from a geode addressed to the Blockfruit Seas.
"What?! You got letters from Candy and Jackswano??" Conk asked in utter shock when Joll showed him the letters, "who were they again?"
Joll didn't even shake his head at that, way too used to Conk's stupidity to the point where he's subconsciously tuned it out.
"Jackswano was from Color civ remember? we helped him with the revolution?"
"Oh, why didn't we make a movie from that?"
"Uh, maybe because we were in prison for most of it?"
"Oh yeah."
Joll began to read the letter aloud as Golem, Kibble, and Buzz also gathered around him.
"My dearest, Joll.
This year, as thanks for assisting me and the other colored civilizations in our quest for freedom—and as friends in general— I would like to invite you to my family's Christmas party. If you and your group decide to show up, I look forward to seeing you in the Totem kingdom.
Yours truly, Jackswano of Color Civilization."
Golem sauntered over, peering down at the letter, written in unnaturally neat handwriting, as if the author had gone through multiple drafts just for a letter as short as this.
"God he's just like his father…" Joll thought he heard the golem mutter under his metallic breath.
"What?" the frog turned to his friend, not quite sure of what he said.
"Nothing…He put a comma after dearest, good for you." Golem dodged the question, heading elsewhere pretend to be busy.
Joll shrugged this behavior off as something the plot will reveal to him later and opened the next letter, this one from Candy.
"Geez, I hope she's not too mad about the whole 'abandoning her 5 minutes into our relationship' thing." he sighed, starting to read the loopy handwriting.
Dear Joll,
As you know, ever since you left the blockfruit seas, I have been traveling on my own. Even with the loss of my short-lived power, I was still able to form a small band of adventurers and sail from island to island. On one of my adventures I actually made it back to Amethyst Island and caught up with some old friends and family. During that time, I've uncovered something about my past—no—about our past that you may or may not know of. These details will have to wait, however, as the reason for my writing of this letter is to invite you to my family's Xmas party which will be taking place in Totem kingdom!
I hope to introduce you to my mother, uncle, and cousin.
(the last of which refuses to believe I have a boyfriend, so do show up if not to prove him wrong.)
With love, Candy
"You and Candy are dating?" was the first thing Conk asked, having somehow sat through the letter without interrupting.
"Yeah—I mean no—I mean… I don't really know anymore.." Joll stammered, while it's true he held some affection towards the girl, he's not sure if it's truly romantic anymore—or ever was. "I think…I used to like her? We were close? but… I don't think I like her like that." The frog scratched his head, conflicted. On one hand, he didn't want to lead her on, especially if she thought they were dating the entire time, but On the other, Christmas was right around the corner and he didn't know how long it took for letters to travel between dungeons.
"Maybe you should break up with her at the party!" Conk blurted, earning looks from everyone in their group, even Golem looked up from his zoning out guarding.
"Uh, no Conk, that's rude as hell." Joll explained to his friend. "Uh, well, Jackswano also invited me to his Christmas party, I can just tell her I already made plans to go to his!" he then continued, taking out the silver card.
"Woof! Woof!" Kibble barked.
"Kibble says both thier parties are at the same place!" the rock translated, making Joll do a double take. "Wait, why do you look like—OOOOOHHHHHH!"
A few days later…
"Oh damn, now that it's actually Christmas Eve, I'm kinda nervous." Jackswano fidgeted, having nothing else to do with his remaining time as the guests arrived. The palace the party was taking place in was incredibly grand, taller than any structure the boy has ever seen
"Why? Think things'll go wrong?" asked a boy in nothing but old blue overalls and a pancake hat on top of his obnoxiously orange hair, arriving with a present so messily wrapped, it could have been mistaken for sparkly trash had it not had a barely legible tag with:
TO: JAXUANO
FROM: RUSTY
written on it.
"Well, you know someone…Important is coming…and—" he blushed slightly before changing the subject "and also you spelled my name wrong." the brunette pointed at the tag.
"What??" Rusty looked down utterly shocked. "But Candy said—"
"Said what?" Just then, a young woman with short blue hair wearing an impossibly sparkly dress appeared behind them, leaning in the doorway whilst sucking on a candy cane.
"Candy, did you teach Rusty the wrong spelling of my name?" Jackswano asked his cousin, exasperated.
Candy leaned down to read the tag on the gift, as if inspecting an artifact, ignoring the way Rusty stiffened and lightly blushed the way he always did when a sentient female got within 5 feet on him, "I don't see what's wrong." she deadpanned, playing dumb.
"That's not how you spell my name!" the brunette exclaimed.
"Humph, who knows? maybe you're just too dumb to know how to spell it." his cousin snarked, "You did trade creative mode for eggs, after all."
Before Jackswano could retaliate, a knock sounded from the gate. As Totem answered it, a frog stepped through, looking dazzled at the grandeur of the castle. Seeing this, both the prince of Iron and princess of Amethyst rushed towards the door
"Welcomed! Esteemed…uh, who are you?" the totem asked
Jackswano called out: "He's the guy I've been talking about!"
at the same time Candy excitedly announced: "He's my boyfriend!"
"…"
"WHAT?!"
Chapter 2: Well, this is awkward
Summary:
Jackson being a sad lil gayboy
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Candy
"…"
"WHAT?!" both cousins asked each other in shock while their guest stood awkwardly in the doorway.
"Wait wait, he's your boyfriend?" Jackswano spoke first, frantically gesturing at the frog and desperately hoping he's wrong.
"Uh, yeah? told you I had one." Candy replied, regaining her cool composure. "What's with the faces?" Watching the other's face turn from confused to shocked to embarrassed and…hurt? The girl suddenly realized something. "Oh, shit… was he the—?" She looked back and forth between her cousin and her boyfriend, watching the former nod unwillingly whilst the latter started on in confusion, "Oh daaaamnnnn… well, uh, good luck with that information!" Candy grabbed Joll's arm with a smile, reasoning she shouldn't feel bad for taking an unclaimed man.
Behind her, Rusty seemed to have just figured out the situation as he loudly blurted out, "WAIT IS HE THE GUY YOU HAD A—"
Jackswano stopped him by stuffing his mouth with a caramel apple and told him to put his gift under the tree as the couple rounded a corner down the golden halls.
"So, how have you been?" Candy asked casually, still clinging to his arm.
"Uh..pretty good, traveled a few more dungeons, tested my plot armor—still holding well." Joll replied awkwardly, his arm stiff in her grasp. "What about you?" he looked down at her in curiosity.
"Oh I just have so much to catch you up on!" the woman smiled excitedly as she recalled her tales and adventures sailing the Blockfruit Seas, the friends she made along the way, and battles shes won; all while giving the frog a tour of the massive palace. "And then, I found out my mother was the queen of Amethyst! like, isn't that insane? Being raised on a dirt island your entire life only to discover you were royalty??"
Joll chuckled at this, "Heh, I would say I can't relate but, I actually do—to an uncanny degree actually."
"Oh?" Candy made a questioning sound, "How so?"
The frog pulled her over to one of the plush cushions lining the walls—likely because this place was so big you'd need to sit down and rest multiple times walking from one end to the other— and cleared his throat, "Allow me to tell you the tale of the lost frog prince raised in dirt civilization…"
Jackswano
"Oh gods—I feel so fucking stupid!" Jackswano cursed, slamming his fist on the couch of one of the Totem palace's many, many parlors.
"Hey man, it's not too bad right? I mean, at least you found out *before* confessed so now there's no award moment where he tells you he was dating your cousin and probably straight and wouldn't ever be interested in you!" Rusty comforted, patting his friend on the back.
These words did not, in fact comfort him as he buried his head in the cushions. "Out of everyone who could have been her boyfriend it was JOLL! and they've known each other for how long?! —hey!" he failed to catch the plush green pillow that was thrown at him, getting hit straight in the face. "What was that for, Clay?"
The thrower was dressed in a purple onesie, the glowing enderman eyes on top just as judgemental as his real glare. "You're whining was getting annoying." Clay cocked his head, readying another pillow.
"Oh shit are we having a pillow fight?" Rusty asked, picking up another cushion.
"Clay, no. Ah! Clay—Augh—Stop!—Rusty, no, No. n—AHHHHH!" the brunette pleaded as he was repeatedly pelted by emerald-colored weapons off mass annoyance, goosedown flying everywhere.
"I'll stop when you stop being a sad whiny gayboy!" the older man retorted.
"I'll stop when… uh, what he said, yeah!" Rusty repeated.
"OK FINE! just—ugh—stop, please!" Jackson begged, though now he was giggling. "hah, huh, except for the gayboy part." he added, out of breath.
"Touché." Clay finally dropped the pillow. "Uh, we should get someone to clean this up." he then commented, looking at the totem staff who was standing guard by the door.
"I would rathar(rather) jump from the tallest' t'ower than clean that' up suhr(sir)." they nodded, speaking in an overly posh/gilded/Victorian/haughty accent, emphasizing the "t"'s.
"…"
"That' t'was a joke, suhr." they added, seeing Clay's slightly raised eyebrow and Jackswano's look of concern. "I am immort'al, it' comes with being a t'ot'em. Jumping off the t'ower is just' my favorite' hobby!" they continued while cleaning the feathers.
"Why? doesn't it hurt?" Rusty asked.
"Only for moment', suhr. I most'ly do it' because I like the thrill, it's an addict'ion suhr." the totem replied whilst sweeping, "I am current'ly in thehrapy(therapy) for it', suhr—it's not' been very effect'ive but the work insurance covers it' so I use it' as a chance t'o vent' without' t'akeing advice."
"That's probably why the therapy isn't working." Clay deadpanned.
"…" the totem stared blankly at him, "I will be t'elling my therapist' about' that'." he said meekly before finishing up the rest of the mess and leaving.
Jackson checked the time, "That's odd, Gold God should be here by now."
"Who knows, maybe he's been standing against a wall this whole time and we didn't notice." Clay snarked.
"Yeah he blends in really well with the castle," Rusty added, "that's why I talk to the walls every so often in case it's him!"
No one was surprised with this information.
As the clock kept ticking away on the gold walls, Jackswano felt his emotional high come back down. His crush was dating his cousin. Has been for almost a year if what she told him was correct, they were even friends for even longer before it became official. He barely spent any time with Joll during or after the revolution. His crush was probably straight. His crush will likely never like him back.
"Est'eemed suhrs," the totem popped back in, interrupting his thoughts. "Her majest'y the Queen has request'ed an audience with all of you."
"Why?" Jackson asked. The party shouldn't be starting for another hour and Lily never requests a personal audience for any matter less than a state level event.
"Just' go!" The totem urged, "it's not' my place t'o st'at'e the announcement'."
At this, the group headed straight for the throne room, slightly anxious as to what could warrant such an announcement. arriving in the throne room, which was not only as gilded as the rest of the palace but was also covered in carvings so intricate the entire room could count as an art exhibit, the prince of Iron took full notice of the rest of the audience. His father was there, standing tall as always, so was his aunt—the queen of Amethyst— sparkling like her name and just translucent enough to look hypnotically disorienting yet beautiful all the same. Towards the center of the room sat her majesty, the Queen of Totem kingdom, her skin set in solid gold and deep emerald eyes making her look like the living idol she is.
Jackswano has known these people for a long time, he knew that his father was protective but emotional. He knew his aunt was energetic, prideful and positive. He knew that Lily was soft spoken and kind. Yet, looking at them now, gathered in the grandeur of the interact hall, it's as if the full weight of their authority were weighing down at him all at once, reminding the young prince just how much power they actually held.
Diverting his eyes to the sides of the throne, he found Candy, standing tall and excited, while on the other side… was Joll, looking bewildered.
"Thank you all for coming on such a short notice!" The queen stood up, voice gentle but commanding "Today is truly a day of good fortune as my son has finally returned!" She then gestured to her right where Joll came forward. "I thought I lost you when Water civilization was raided. You don't know how long I've waited for this moment." Her voice softened, only being heard due to the room's reverberation qualities.
"Joll, Prince of Totem and Water has been found!"
Notes:
Joll: yeah so I’m Prince of water civ
Candy: OH FUCK I GOTTA TELL UR MOM
Joll:?????
Chapter 3: Yuri.
Summary:
Read chapter title
Chapter Text
The announcement pertaining to Joll's true identity was quite the shock to everyone, however, it was decided that only members of the aristocracy—and Rusty—would know for now, with Lily reasoning that she doesn't want her son's return to overshadow a holiday meant for the people to celebrate and focus on themselves and their friends and family.
So, for now, people were to simply act like nothing happened and save the fanfare for his actual reveal in spring. As for the months in between the two, Candy guessed it would be a mess of politics and negotiations, considering the fact that, as Lily's only child, he should hold the seat as crown prince of Totem and heir to the throne; however, he is also meant to be the defacto ruler of Water due to his lineage on his father's side, and while she's seen dual monarchy happen before, she isn't so certain of what would happen in this case. From Joll's rundown of his backstory, his father never wanted to rule, appointing a new lineage in his absence and going out adventuring on his own. But when his appointed rulers were killed when the grove collapsed, Joll was reinstated as crown prince, and with no other potential heirs, the only thing stopping him becoming king would be his own unwillingness to claim it. Most likely, Joll will be granted the title of crowned prince, though it would be an empty one since, as a totem, the queen was immortal, ageless and unkillable, so the only way for her to pass on the throne would be through resignation, something that doesn't seem to be happening anytime soon.
Candy shook her head, this politics thing wasn't something she cared much for, after all, she was an adventurer first and a princess second, after the party, she'll be back on her merry way, singing shanties with her crew.
"Can I come in?" a knock came from her bedroom door.
"Yeah, sure." she replied, even though she was still in her white underdress, but she trusted her friend and the only difference between the underdress and a regular form-fitting dress was their intended function and the fact that this was a bit more see-through.
The door opened just a moment before a chameleon slipped in, already in her ball gown, the evergreen tones complementing her blue and green scales which littered her shoulders and cheeks, spread like frost outlining her face.
"How." Candy breathed, "You look beautiful, Kam."
And she no doubt was. With every step she took, her pine tree dress themed rustled, sounding like the woods on a crisp winter morning, even though it was only decorated by a few berry and pine cone ornaments here and there, she somehow managed to pull entire thing off and then some. No wonder why all the boys loved her.
Even though they've had some rocky beginnings, after defeating the Soul king on that first adventure, Kam had joined her crew, sailing the block fruit isles together and becoming the best of friends. Candy as the captain and Kam her first mate, facing the world with their crew in this new age of exploration without blockfruits. Unstoppable, unbeatable, and inseparable.
"you aren't ready yet?" the chameleon asked, gliding over to her friend.
"Uh, no. Stupid laces are too complicated, nothing like the ones on my old corset, I don't even think this thing gives back support, who even manages to turn such a practical piece of clothing into a fashion statement? And ruin it's purpose?" the blue haired girl complained, showing the mess of silky ribbons on the back of an otherwise stunning dress. It looked similar to Candy's usual one, decorated with crystals and glitter from the waist down; however, was woven in a special pattern and set with specially cut crystals, changing hues and projecting geometric patterns al around her depending on the angle of the light hitting it. Additionally, the shoulders and chest were littered with lace-woven snowflakes, making the entire outfit remind her of a snowy crystal cave her crew once discovered between the Ice and Amethyst isles.
"Want some help?" Kam offered, holding out her hands.
"Uh yeah, if you could just get the back for me." Candy nodded as he companion helped her slip into the gown. Looking at herself in the mirror, the princess felt a sense of lingering guilt and horror. Sailing through the isles, she's met her fair share of tyrants. Palaces guilded in diamond and gold while their working classes starved. She's assisted rebel groups in crashing royal balls, dragging the aristocracy out by their blinged-out necks, their gowns— worth enough to feed an entire village— trampled in the mud.
Was she the same as them? No, of course not. Her gown was embedded with crystals because the Amythest kingdom specialized in the trade, because her mother—and herself for some time—could grow it from just a shard of glass. The Totem palace was set in gold because it wasn't seen as a currency, just a nice shiny metal that doesn't corrode found in their mines, harvested with no concern for causality because totems can't die. She wouldn't be wearing this in a closed off ballroom but in front of a crowd, a crowd that will look equally stunning in their own ways, dancing and celebrating with no regard for class or division.
So why did she feel so guilty?
Why did she feel like a traitor?
"Hey, are you ok? You've been just staring at yourself for a hot minute." Candy flinched at the soft hand placed on her shoulder, reminding her she wasn't alone.
"Oh, um yeah…Just this dress is…different." She replied weakly.
Kam just nodded in understanding and finished lacing up the corset, pulling till it was snug but not restricting, the way her captain liked it.
"It's certainly new," the chameleon leaned forward past her companion's shoulder, their bodies pressing close as she gazed at their reflections in the mirror. "But I for one think you look stunning. I'd like to stare at you like this for hours if you'd permit it, Captain." She says the last part in a breathy whisper before stepping back.
At this, Candy felt the tips of her ears heat up, her pulse doubling in speed as she was suddenly very interested in the green and gold embroidered carpet.
"Uh—um, well if you like the dress so much— I could lend it to you…" she stammered, cheeks flushing redder with every syllable.
"Nah, it looks better on you anyways." Kam smiled casually. "Plus, we gotta go attend the opening ceremony now!" She held out her hand. "Let's go, m'lady."
Notes:
Also in case anyone’s wondering where everyone else is:
Golem doesn’t care for these events, he’s been to a few and it’s not that impressive. To much people and glitter. Not to mention the least time he went his wife and kid were still…
Conk was invited and was there with Joll when be arrived, however he got distracted and ended up in the kitchen, eating himself into a sleep coma and horrifying the chefs
Buzz went home to the hive for the holidays and is currently getting buzzed on some holiday mead
Kibble tried to keep Conk out of the kitchen but was not successful
Gravey was with Kam for most of the time but let her and Candy have some privacy
Gold God was standing against a wall, no one noticed him
Chapter 4: The ceremony
Summary:
Jackswano gets to talk to Joll alone!
Yaoi, angst, and awkwardness.
Idk how to write crushes, I’ve never had one.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Jackswano stepped out of his room, fixing the clasp on his cape, the white feathers adorning his shoulders rustling with the motion. The opening ceremony was starting soon, he should head out to the balcony now. walking down the halls in a brisk pace, the iron chains that hung from his suit and belt jingling with every step. Turning a corner, he found a frog clad in gold and green with a lotus-flower shaped crown on his head looking rather lost, and halted in his steps.
"Joll?" the name came out quiet, but thanks to the golden palace walls were able to travel to the other man's ears.
"Huh?" Joll whipped his head around, a look of surprise and relief on his face. "Jackswano!" he exclaimed, rushing up to the brunette. "Hey! uh, I was just looking for the…. uh— well you see—" he stammered, trying to find the right words.
"You're lost, aren't you?" Jackswano stated, finding the frog's attempts to create a conversation a bit amusing.
"Y-yeah. I'm lost." Joll finally sighed. "the totem told me to 'go to the main balcony' but this place is huge! and like— I walked into 5 different death traps on the way here?? what's up with that???" he went on, exasperated.
"Heh yeah, an entire civilization made up of immortal, invincible beings tends to get a bit…off." The brunette chuckled, trying to calm down his inner thoughts cause HOLY SHIT WHO GAVE JOLL THE RIGHT TO LOOK SO HOT IN A SUIT???
"Um, if you want, I know the way to the balcony, maybe you can…come with?" Jackswano offered, extending his arm and retroactively squealing inside as the frog took it, realizing a bit to late he could have just offered a hand or something but now his crush—who was also dating his cousin—was holding onto his arm!
"Ahem—" the prince of Iron coughed as he remembered he was meant to be leading them both to the balcony, "So, uh Joll, um, how come you're wearing that?" he pointed towards the metal wreath on his own head whilst looking at the other man's lotus crown. "I thought we weren't gonna announce the fact that you were the prince yet."
"Hm? oh, this?" the frog prince briefly touched the crown, as if just discovering its existence. "I've actually had it for a while, I've been publicly recognized as the crown prince of Water Civ for quite some time now, just not Totem" he explained, rubbing his neck.
"Oh! uh, guess I never really… thought about that. Heh." Jackswano chuckled awkwardly, seemingly unable to form a coherent sentence and all too aware of the green hand still on his forearm.
After a few more steps of torturous silence, Joll finally spoke up, thankfully cutting off the static and echoing steps:
"So, about Candy…"
"Uh, yeah?" the brunette's head suddenly snapped up, "What about her?".
"Um…so…you know how we're dating right?" the frog continued, rubbing the back of his neck.
"uh-huh." Jackson nodded, trying not to sound as sad as he felt at the reminder.
"Well, I guess…I mean I don't know how to tell her—she's a good friend don't get me wrong!" Joll stuttered, his words confusing the brunette and voiding him of all sense of the direction this conversation was going in. "But, I don't think I actually like her…like that anymore. times have changed and, I haven't really kept in contact for a while and….well, I don't even think I actually like— girls?"
What?
Jackswano stopped breathing, unable to believe what he just heard.
So Joll didn't like Candy anymore? And he didn't even like girls??? That means he likes guys, right? unless he likes neither and in that case the brunette will just lay down and sub himself to death— wait no. If Joll doesn't love Candy, that's a terrible thing! She'd be so heartbroken and humiliated! Sure she might be a bit of a bitch sometimes, but she was still Jackson's cousin! If he just swooped in right after Joll broke up with her (and that's a big "if") then that would be a total violation of bro code! Cousin code?
"So, will you be telling her that?" The brunette tried, calming his, admittedly, rising hopes.
"Well I can't tell her now right? That'll ruin the holiday!" The frog exclaimed, the last part of his sentence reverberating off of the walls.
|"day!"
| "day!"
| "day!"
"…"
"Can't argue with that logic." Jackswano could only agree, hoping so badly to just, crawl into a ditch and die at this point. Not only at the constant reminder of the man he's been in love with since he shoved him into a mine cart in the Nether—risking his own capture— being in a relationship with his cousin, but also due to the fact that he feels happy about his cousin's boyfriend on the verge of breaking up with her!
"I just dunno how to do it, ya know? chances are, we'll go our separate ways after the party, so who knows when I'll see her in person again!" Joll continued, set on rambling for the duration of their trip to the balcony, "like, if I broke up with her during or right after the party, that'll spoil the entire mood of the holiday! But if I wait a few months, that just means I'll probably have to break up over text! Geez, why is it so hard to exit a relationship where we only seen each other a few times a year?" he grumbled as the pair reached the bottom of an inconspicuous but also long flight of stairs.
Finally, it seems they made it to the balcony. the hallway was one decked out in snow and ornaments, lining the walls and ceilings as if it were shiny patches of ivy in a run-down building, bells and chimes jiggling subtly like the whispers of fairies and a faint whiff of nutmeg hung in the air.
The opening ceremony was about to begin.
"There you are! Candy ran up to Joll, her dress sparkling like a lake under a moon lit night… if like, the moon was 50 different shades of purple, and grabbed the frog's arm, tugging him sing with her to the front of the group which had gathered behind the balcony door.
"You two were almost late you know? 1 more minute and we would have had to start without you! Hell, even Olive got here before you did!" The woman added. And sure enough, along with everyone who was already here, the Enderman king, wrapped in an obsidian black cape which shifted with the stars of the void stood silently next to his son—Clay.
However, since they made it on time, Candy joyfully took her boyfriend's arm and dragged him away as the doors to the balcony swung open, letting a gust of cold wind rush in as the Rulers of each kingdom (that were present at the moment) gave their part of the speech, wishing a merry Christmas and a happy new year before the crowd erupted in cheers. Yet, even amongst the cheer of the crowds and the ringing of bells, The prince of Iron could only think of Joll standing awkwardly besides Candy, a girlfriend he'll have to pretend to love for the entire holiday, and how he himself will have to pretend he didn't desire the frog for the entire holiday.
The wind seemed colder than before.
Notes:
Hey! Sorry for taking so long and I’ll have to rush this if I wanna finish in December but yeah, Jackswano being a sad lil gayboi will forever exist in my fics
Chapter 5: Doodle
Summary:
Merry Christmas ppl
Chapter Text
Chapter 6: Vodka and Cobblestone makes Yaoi
Summary:
Gravy gets drunk and fed up with slowburn
Notes:
Turns out I actually can't write without a boring history lecture so I lowk didn't during winter break
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Gravy
The bells rang out as the sun's final rays dipped beneath the horizon, replaced with the glow of Christmas lights and yellow street lamps. The scene as merry and beautiful as the concept of Christmas itself—or at least, Gravy thinks it does she can't really see. However, as blind as the cobblestone was, she can still see her best friend's massive crush on their captain, as well as the fact that Candy returned those feelings but was too blinded by her 15 minute relationship with Joll. As well as how FUCKING ANNOYING IT WAS!
"Hey you!" Light iron steps stopped in front of Gravy.
"Uh… can I help you?" Jackswano asked the cobblestone in front of him.
"I know you like Joll ya lil gayboi!" She pointed in the prince's general direction, widening her stance to block his path.
"Excuse me? No? Who are you even—"
"I can get you with him" Gravey interrupted the brunette, grabbing his attention.
"What do you…" he started before trailing off, likely looking away. "I don't wanna get in her way, she's my cousin and—"
"Cut the crap I know you want him, and I know he doesn't want her—but I know who does."
Jackson though for a second, trying to decipher the order in which Gravy said things, she knows he wants Joll, she knows Joll doesn't want Candy, she knows who does want Candy? or…
"Are you drunk right now?" the brunette leaned towards the cobblestone, or at least she figured he did since his voice drew closer yet no steps sounded.
"Dru—no I'm not drunk I'm saying I can help you hook up with the frog prince!" Gravy lashed out, irritated.
"WHOA there! buddy, I may have a crush on Joll but I am NOT tryna get in his pants anytime soon!" Jackswano defended backing up. "Are you sure you don't want some water or something? or like, a nap? I can help you get to a spare room…or a couch…or just like, a soft patch of grass."
"Was that last part a micro aggression against me or something?" Gravy pressed, stepping closer to the man.
"N-no! why what did I say?" Jackswano stumbled back again, anxious.
"Cobblestone? sleeping on grass, you think I don't? I— wait what was I…?" Gravy shook her head, ok maybe she's a bit much to drink, what was she doing again? oh yeah, she was setting Kam up with Candy, and step one of that plan would be the iron twink here.
"Make out, make love, who hell cares?" the cobblestone bounced back as if her recent laps in though never happened. "I know you want Joll, and I can get you with him tonight. You won't have to worry about Candy either if the plan goes right."
"You're not gonna.."
"No I'm not killing her."
"I'm in."
Jackswano
Jackswano stood alone on an unlit balcony, taking in the scene of a bustling town whilst waiting for whatever Gravy had planned since she didn't give him any more details than: "stand here and look pretty or something"
He really hoped when she stumbled away she would end up falling in a cold fountain. Chances are, the cobblestone would sooner pass out on the bathroom floor than actually initiate whatever vodka-induced match making plan she came up with so if he just waited a few minutes, he'll be able to get back to the party and hang out with his own friends while trying not to notice Candy clinging onto Joll like a freakin' koala.
Just as he decided it was way too cold to stay up there anymore, the door to the balcony swung open to reveal a certain surprised looking frog.
Oh you've gotta be kidding me
"Oh. um— hey Jackson!" Joll laughed awkwardly as he slowly backed away from the door, looking like he was debating whether or not to close it and run. "Didn't expect to see you here." he chuckled, rubbing the back of his head.
"…Yeah….me— me neither." Jackswano swallowed, wondering how the fuck Gravy managed to pull this off.
"Well." the frog awkwardly started, "I don't assume you've uh…talked to a certain trashed cobblestone recently eh?" he finally decided to step out onto the porch, standing stiffly with both his hands in his pockets, looking a lot less regal than his fitted suit was likely meant to communicate.
"Heh, yeah." the Iron prince let loose a chuckle at the mental image of Gravy harassing him into going with her plan and coming here, which—don't get him wrong— was a fate he wouldn't wish on his worst enemy(even the nepobabies) but it was still, admittedly, a really funny visual.
Click
The pair's focus turned to the door just in time to see a rock locking the balcony door before waving at the frog prince and giving him a thumbs up then swiftly running away.
"CONK!" the frog rushed up to the door, banging on it while shouting "CONK! CONK! GET BACK HERE COOONK!" He went on yelling until it was clear the other wouldn't come back.
"Welp, guess we're trapped up here now." Joll sighed, kicking the frozen planks with his pointed boots. "Sorry about that."
"No it's…fine" Jackson reassured, getting a sneaking suspicion this was planned. Man, now he wishes he had some Vodka.
"Think someone'll hear us if we scream loud enough?" the frog made his way over to the railing, staring down at the empty garden, blanketed in endlessly thick snow.
"Nah, no one really heads back here, not much of a scenery—well actually—" the brunette started before remembering a small detail. "Sometimes couple's would sneak into the garden to share a moment, they aren't supposed to but Lily doesn't mind much.
"Lily." Joll chuckled, fidgeting with the Water token on his wrist, "You seem to know my mother better than I do." A cold wind blew by, sending shivers down the other man's spine, his clothes were warm, but not enough to keep out the cold in such a small, empty space.
"Here." Jackswano unclasped his black cloak, draping it over the other. He definitely felt much colder without it but not too much for him to handle. Plus, frogs are cold-blooded, he needed this more than him. The frog took it hesitantly, wrapping it around his shoulders, pausing for 3 breathes, counted by the white clouds visibly coming from his mouth.
Then suddenly, he moved.
Silently, only making noise by the frost crunching underfoot and swooping sound of heavy fabric, the frog wrapped part of the cape back around the Prince of Iron, bringing him close in a warm embrace, the white feathers decorating the shoulder area tickling his neck.
Jackswano's breath hitched in his throat, half wondering if he'd accidentally fallen off the balcony and snapped his neck, and that this was actually heaven.
"So… " Joll took a deep breath, not looking in his direction, "I assume you know about the situation?…" his cheeks gradually turned a darker shade of blue as his fingers played with the silver chain dangling from the cloak, making a jingling sound a tad bit different from Christmas bells.
"The situ…" Jackson started before trailing off at the realization.
Oh.
Oh.
That fucking bitch!
"Listen, Joll, about that, I was going to tell you myself but—"
"I like you Jackswano!" The frog blurted before he could finish his sentence, turning his head to look him in the eyes.
"What?" the brunette breathed, stunned. Joll…liked him too? Then… in that case, did Gravy not out him to Joll?
Seeing his hesitation, Joll sighed, continuing, "I know I'm dating Candy and I know I'm being an asshole by hitting on her cousin but I've liked you for a while now. Even before…everything." His eyes shifted, as if he wanted to look away but forced himself not to. "Before Greyciv, before the Color wars, I've known you. You probably don't remember but I was there!"
The Frog Prince cupped his cheeks with cold, calloused hands worn from years of adventure and fighting. Watching the dim light from the rest of town bounce off Joll's dark, beady eyes, his expression unreadable in the darkness. Jackson didn't even notice when he forgot to breath, only taking in a shallow breath when he got too light-headed, too worried that this was all some sort of fragile illusion that could be broken if he moved just an inch too much.
"I—…" the frog looked down, his pulse so quick it's as if he just ran a mile, or was it his own? "Please, I— I know they were probably all different versions of you and, I know you wouldn't remember anything we've been through together, but please just— I—" Joll's words were cut off by Jackswano pressing his lips against the other's grabbing the back of his head and stroking his lime green hair until the crown prince of two nations kissed back.
Amidst this moment of warmth and bliss, lost in each other's embrace, neither men noticed the glittering figure of a young woman watching from the balcony door, her hand hovering over the lock for just a moment before she turned around and ran down the hall unlit, stumbling over her heels and leaning on the walls, just whatever it takes to get away from the couple.
Notes:
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! THAT FELT HORRIBLE!!!!!!! I HATE WRITING ROMANCE! AND ILL HAVE TO DO IT AGAIN! FUUUUCK
can't they just die in each other's arms again?