Meta Knight x Reader One-Shots

Healing

The frantic knock on your cottage door was enough to pull your attention from organizing your herbs. A moment of setting them down, and you were approaching your door. When you pulled it open, your heart dropped.
"(Y/n)! Please, you've gotta help him!" Sword and Blade stared up at you, voices desperate.
Propped up between them was an unconscious Meta Knight. A second was all you needed to register the blood coating him. It was still a vibrant red, having not yet clotted. A small puddle of it had formed on your doorstep.
Your body began to move on instinct. You pushed the door further open, the two knights quickly bringing their injured companion inside.
You must have told them to bring him into your guest room, as they were already making their way to that door as your hands gathered some of the medicinal herbs you had just been sorting.
To aid blood clots. To prevent infection.
When you regained sense of where you were, Sword and Blade were setting Meta Knight down on the bed. They had put some towels down under him. Had you given them those? They were holding your first aid kit at the ready. You don't remember giving them any instructions.
I think I'm in shock.
You silently thanked whatever gods were listening that your state of shock was apparently not stopping your instincts from taking over what to do to help.
"Tiff and Tuff and Kirby ran to grab the doctor while we brought him here. He was too hurt to get him all the way back to town safely," Sword told you.
You don't know if you gave them a reply, but you must have, as the two knights elevated Meta Knight's bloodied wings above the rest of him.
That should slow the blood flow there.
A washcloth soaked with rubbing alcohol was handed to each of them as you gave quiet but urgent instructions to clean the cuts there, before handing them bandages to wrap the wounds after. They were familiar with the process, at least.
While they worked on his wings, you turned to the rest of him. The other gashes you could see were partially covered by his mask.
Even in a life or death situation, you still felt the need to apologize about taking it off him.
"Sorry about this, Meta," you said, mostly to yourself. You hoped Meta Knight would hear it in his unconscious state.
Normally, you would have taken a long, close look at his face. You'd never seen it before. The part of you that had an enormous crush on the knight, however, was outweighed by your need to not have him die.
You made fast work of cleaning his wounds. They were deep. Even with all the rubbing alcohol on hand, you knew bandages wouldn't be enough. You looked to the first aid kit and spotted the sewing needle and medical grade thread.
You knew how to sew quite well, but this would be the first time you had ever had to use the skill on organic matter.
The threading of the curved needle was easy, your muscle memory guiding you through it in seconds. When you turned back towards the unconscious knight, you hesitated. This NEEDED to be done well. So many things could go wrong if you fucked this up.
Your growing panic was cut off as the actual doctor came into the room.
Doctor Moro took one look at your shaking hands holding the needle and hastily made his way over.
"I can take it from here, (Y/n), you can go." Your hesitation urged him to continue. "You've done well, but I know this isn't your normal wheelhouse. Go out to the kitchen, the kids are waiting out there right now."
He gingerly took the needle from you, and you turned away before you could see him start working with it.
At the door, you noticed Kirby peeking in, alongside Tiff and Tuff. You stood from where you were kneeling, legs suddenly very shaky.
Oh I'm definitely in shock.
When you got to the doorframe, the kids started asking you questions.
"Poyo?"
"Is Meta Knight going to be alright?" Tuff.
"Are you okay, (Y/n)?" Tiff.
On shaky legs, you made your way to the kitchen and clicked the kettle on. There was enough water in it for several people. The kiddos were probably shaken up, too.
None of you had ever seen Meta Knight get so injured before.
Rather than your usual caffeinated beverage or herbal tea, you pulled out the hot chocolate mix from your cabinets. When you set it down on the counter so you could get mugs for all of you, you noticed the dried blood covering your arms. With shaky hands, you turned on the faucet's hot water and doused your hands in dish soap. You scrubbed harder than you needed to.
"(Y/n)?" Tiff asked you again. You still hadn't answered their questions. Or said anything for that matter.
"I don't know." Your voice was shaky. Your answer was honest.
You let the kids talk while you made some hot chocolate for each of you. You made sure there was enough mix left for more. Doctor Moro might be used to these situations, but Sword and Blade would definitely be just as shaken up as you were.
You all sat in the living room, cups of hot chocolate in hand. You had grabbed your weighted blanket from your room and had it draped over your shoulders. The kids were playing a board game you had set out for them. Their interactions as they played without you were helping your mind keep occupied.
If you were alone with your thoughts you wouldn't be able to control the panic in you.
Everyone sat at attention when the guest room door opened.
"I have good news and bad news," the doctor started.
Sword and Blade exited the room alongside him.
"What's the good news?" Tuff asked first.
"The good news is he's going to be alright."
A collective sigh of relief was heard from everyone, yourself included.
"And the bad news?" Tiff asked.
"He's too hurt to safely move him at the moment. And since it was King Dedede's monster who caused the injury, I would recommend Meta Knight not return to the castle for the moment."
You all absorbed the information in silence. Sword was the first to speak up.
"(Y/n), would you-"
"He can stay here. I'll do my best to help him recover," you answered before the question was fully asked. "That is, if that's okay with you guys."
"Of course! You were a big help!" Blade confirmed.
"The doctor said you were a big help and did everything right!" Sword added.
You breathed another sigh of relief.
"One of us can come check on him every day to make sure he's doing okay. And so you're not stuck alone with him the whole time."
"I don't mind that," you answered bluntly. Your energy was too diminished to feel flustered about your wording, as you normally would. Your usually blushy demeanor and nervous speech when talking about Meta Knight is completely gone. The day's events seem to have helped your confidence. You did help to save the man's life, after all.
"Thought you might not mind that," Blade teased.
The two of them were well aware of how you felt about their mentor. Though they seemed surprised when your only response to their jest was a simple confirming hum.
Doctor Moro gave you instructions for Meta Knight's care, which he wrote down at your request. You still didn't quite trust yourself to absorb all the information you were given.
The others left, promising to come check on Meta Knight the next day. After you waved them off, you went to check on him. He was still unconscious, but his breathing was even now. The peaceful rise and fall of his chest following the rhythm of sleep.
You set a bottle of water on the night stand next to him. A moment of thought, and you went and brought back a pack of cookies from your kitchen.
In case he wakes up during the night.
One more glance from the doorframe, and it was off to bed with you. Sleep came easily, the day's exhaustion finally catching up to you.
***
There's so much blood.
Your hands press the cloth against the wounds, but it just stains impossibly redder.
Meta Knight's blood flows endlessly from his wounds. No matter how hard you press it doesn't stop.
The room is flooding with it. You clothes are becoming a deep dark red color. Your hands and feet are stained.
You can't stop the bleeding.
Kneeling over him and putting all your weight into your attempts, the blood is up to your shoulders now.
You can't stop the bleeding.
You can't stop the bleeding.
You can't stop the bleeding.
***
You find yourself bolting upright in bed. Choked gasps leave your body as you take in your surroundings.
You're covered in sweat.
You hastily check your hands and feet. Your clothes…
There is no blood coating them. Your clothes remain the non-red color you had originally had before.
A nightmare.
It was just a bad dream.
Even with this realization, your body refused to calm itself.
You had the overwhelming urge to check on Meta Knight.
A glance at your clock told you it was 3am. You needed to calm your breathing before you went to check on him. He needed his rest, and as much as you wanted to make sure he was okay, you didn't want to wake him up.
A big glass of water later, and your feet crept carefully through the hallway. You knew where to avoid to prevent the floor from creaking.
Carefully opening the door, you found Meta Knight still asleep. His breathing, as it had been before, was even and calm.
A sigh of relief went through you.
But your mind was still racing.
You wouldn't be able to fall back asleep, and you knew it.
Instead, you carefully got up on the end of the bed unoccupied by Meta Knight. It was a much bigger bed than he needed, so there was plenty of space left for you to sit. Sitting with him in the room made you feel less alone. Your sense of panic slowly drifted away. You would stay in that spot for a while, until you see the sky outside growing lighter.
You don't know when Meta Knight normally awakens, but you do know he'll need energy to keep healing. You go to the kitchen to start preparing breakfast, singing to yourself as you work.
***
The first thing Meta Knight registers is just how sore he is.
Everything hurts, and as he moves to touch his face he feels the telltale pattern of stitches along one of the places he remembers being gashed. He feels bandages covering him.
Nothing he wasn't inexperienced with. He'd had plenty of bad injuries early on. He was covered with scars, memories of previous battles. Though this was the first one in a long while that was this bad.
Oh well, he'd manage.
The second thing he registers, as he opens his eyes, is that he finds himself in an unfamiliar room. It's not a hospital, that's for sure. The plush blankets and pillows placed under him and lack of fluorescent overhead lights tell him that much. But something about it seems familiar, though he knows he's never been in this room before.
The third thing he registers is that in an adjacent room he can hear singing. He finds himself listening silently, enjoying the voice of whoever it was. Their song of choice reminds him of something (Y/n) would like. Not that you ever sang around him on purpose. You were just a little oblivious when absorbed in doing something you enjoyed, and he happened to be around.
Then it clicked, and suddenly the decor of the room made sense.
He moved to try to get up, but the pain that shot through him caused him to suck in a pained breath through gritted teeth. Yeah, that wasn't happening.
The door of the room opens, and you're walking in with two plates piled with bacon, eggs, and pancakes. You pause when you notice him staring at you.
"Oh, you're awake," you smile at him. You set one of the plates down in front of him on the bed, then sit down with the other at the other end of the bed. "I made breakfast."
This was possibly the least flustered he had ever heard you speaking to him. He thought your flustered state had always been kinda cute. This change of demeanor threw him off.
"What, uh, happened?"
"Oh, uh," you looked away, but it wasn't because you were flustered.
The brief look of anxiety was gone from your face almost instantly, but he still had seen it.
"You were… really hurt. Sword and Blade brought you here and I did my best to treat your wounds until the actual doctor arrived," you avoided eye contact, instead pushing a bite of pancake around your plate, drowning it in syrup.
Meta Knight silently watched you, which seemed to make you more nervous.
"I, uh, I'm sorry," you apologized.
"What are you apologizing for?" He asked, genuinely confused.
"I had to take your mask off to treat your wounds. I know your privacy is really important to you, but you were unconscious so I couldn't really ask your permission."
Meta Knight blinked.
"(Y/n), I would much rather that, than you letting me die of blood loss."
You flinched, his wording a little too close to your nightmare. He noticed it.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you feel bad. Truly, you have my gratitude for your help," he apologized.
This drew your attention back to him. He was looking at you genuinely, a bit of worry present in his gaze as well.
"Of course, I couldn't just let you die! Anyone would have done the same," you smile at him, before actually taking a bite of your drowned pancake.
Meta Knight laughed, but made a mental note to ask Sword and Blade what had happened while he was passed out.
He knew enough about hiding things to know you were hiding something, but he wouldn't press you on it for now.
***
Blade was the one to come today. After showing them into the room with Meta Knight, you excused yourself, telling them you were going to go forage to replenish some of the plants you had used yesterday.
When they were alone, Meta Knight asked Blade to tell him what happened. Specifically what you had been like.
"I think they went into autopilot," Blade told him. "It looked like they might have been in shock. They did everything right in terms of taking care of your wounds. But Sword and I tried getting their attention while they were working and I don't think they heard us. When the doc dismissed them they were really shaky."
"This morning they acted like it wasn't that big a deal. Hell, out of everything, they apologized to me about having to remove my mask to care for my wounds."
"Sounds like it's affecting them more than they're letting on. Probably don't want to worry you. Just like you do," Blade added.
Meta Knight let out a huff, knowing that he couldn't argue against that statement.
When you got back, you made lunch for the three of you, after which Blade returned back to the castle, leaving you alone with Meta Knight. While you were gathering supplies to do the tasks the doctor assigned you, Meta Knight tapped your shoulder to get your attention.
"Blade told me how much you helped yesterday. Again, thank you. And thank you for continuing to help."
Before you could once again tell him of course, anyone would do the same, he continued.
"If you need anything from me, anything at all, let me know."
There was a tenderness to his gaze, a sincerity to his voice. You couldn't break eye contact for a moment.
Slowly, you pulled your attention back to the supplies you were preparing.
"Thank you, Meta Knight. I'll let you know."
***
As the days passed, you and Meta Knight grew closer. The flustered state that was previously a guarantee for any interaction you had with Meta Knight was mostly gone. Only a couple of genuine statements and gentle looks made it difficult to make eye contact. And any time that state did come up it got a chuckle out of Meta Knight, so you didn't mind as much.
Sword and Blade kept you both up to speed on what was happening in town and at the castle. Dedede was in a lull in terms of monster purchases, which Meta Knight guessed was due to his royal pain in the ass's poor financial decisions.
That one had earned a laugh from you.
The Doctor stopped by once a week to check to make sure everything was healing alright. He complimented your work when he came by, which made you swell with pride.
Eventually, Meta Knight was well enough to walk around the house, albeit slowly. He joined you in the kitchen, offering to help. It took you one instance of learning the hard way to not let him help in the kitchen before you decided he was, in fact, not allowed to help in the kitchen.
You still don't know how he managed to fuck up a grilled cheese so badly.
Your confidence around him grew, and eventually you felt good enough to sing to yourself like he wasn't even there. Eventually, after hearing the songs enough, he would join in. It surprised you the first time, but now it was fun for you both. You had never seen him let loose like he did with you, and he had a surprisingly good singing voice.
The one thing you hadn't yet opened up to him about was, besides your feelings for him, the nightmares.
You don't know why exactly you hadn't told him. Maybe you didn't want to worry him? Maybe you were afraid he might think they're his fault?
Whatever it was, he had enough burdens for now. Healing was the most important one.
You felt a hand on your own, and realized Meta Knight had been saying your name, attempting to get your attention.
"You alright? You've been staring at the same bandage for a while now."
"Oh! Sorry Meta Knight," you quickly started back up, continuing to remove the old bandages to check his wounds.
"No need to apologize, querido," he answers instinctually.
"querido? I don't think I've heard that word before."
You feel him tense beneath you.
"It's Spanish, right?"
"Uh, y-yeah, si," he stumbled.
Well you knew what 'si' meant at least.
"What's it mean?"
He grew more tense, silent as you finished removing the bandages.
"Okay, some more anti-inflammatory cream here," you got distracted as you murmured to yourself, "And then new bandages, aaaaaand done!"
Meta Knight relaxed, glad your attention was pulled in a different direction before you pushed any further. He did not mean to call you that out loud.
You didn't actually forget about it, but based on his reaction he didn't seem to want to share. You could go and find a Spanish to English dictionary later and figure it out yourself.
***
You bolt upright in your bed, hasty breaths filling your lungs. Slowly, your brain caught up with your body, reorienting itself.
"Damn it," you whispered, "can I have one fucking uninterrupted night of sleep?"
With an exasperated sigh, you collapsed back against your bed. It was never easy to get back to sleep after one of the nightmares. Not unless you go check and make sure Meta Knight is okay.
The knock on your bedroom door startles you, and you sit up again.
"Hello?" You ask hesitantly.
The door opens, and you see a pair of glowing yellow eyes in the dark.
"Oh, hey Meta. You alright?"
He regards you from the doorway, though in the dark all you can see clearly is his eyes.
"I could ask you the same thing," he answers. He walks over to the bed and looks up at you, silently asking permission.
You scoot over to give him enough space to hop up, and he does. He winces a bit as he uses his wings to get some height to come up.
"Careful-"
"I'm alright, they're almost healed anyways," he cuts you off.
"Still, if you're not careful you're gonna open up your wounds again."
"That's just like you."
"Huh?" You ask, confused what he's referring to.
"You're fussing over me when you're the one I came to help," he states.
You blink at him, confused.
"When I'm not passed out from blood loss, I'm a very light sleeper."
Ah.
"How long has it been since you've gotten a proper night's sleep?" His voice is gentle. He's not upset with you, just concerned.
"I," you take a deep breath, "Not since before you came here injured."
"Nightmares?"
"Yeah," you trail off.
"Nothing to be ashamed of," he gently takes your hand, giving a reassuring squeeze. "I get them sometimes, too."
"Are they the same one over and over again?"
"Sometimes, yes. There's been a couple different ones that happen most often."
"All from traumatic events that have happened to you?"
"Generally, yes," he answers.
You sit in a comfortable silence for a moment.
"You don't have to tell me about it, but it might make you feel better, if you do," Meta Knight breaks the silence.
You take a deep, slightly shaky breath. He gives your hand another reassuring squeeze.
"I," you try to start, but lose your words.
"Take your time," he speaks calmly.
"It's always just me and you."
A long pause again, gathering your words, and trying your best to make sure you don't start crying mid explanation.
"The room is always empty and cold and desolate. Like a prison cell. I," you feel the familiar feeling of your throat closing up as you struggle to not cry, "I can never stop the bleeding."
Your voice cracks, and despite your best effort, you feel tears threatening to spill.
"I try with everything I have but the room starts to fill with your blood. I can never save you."
Your eyes are looking at your lap, free hand gripping the sheets. You feel your tears start to spill over.
"I, I can never stop the bleeding, I-"
You feel a gentle hand on your face, moving to wipe away the tears rolling down your cheeks. The hand turns you to look at Meta Knight. His expression is the softest you've ever seen him have.
And it just makes your crying worse.
"I, I'm sorry," you sob out.
"Hey, hey hey hey," he tilts your head back to look at him. The hand holding onto your own still gives another squeeze. "You have nothing to apologize for."
Before you realize it, you're hugging him. He stays frozen to a second, before his arms wrap around you. Wings fold over you, enveloping you.
And you stay like that, held by Meta Knight as you let yourself have a good cry. He runs soothing circles on your back.
When your sobs have died down to stray tears and sniffles, you pull back from him. He keeps his hands on you gently, loose enough that you can pull away from him if you want to. You don't want to.
You notice a wet spot on his bandages where your face had been pressed against him, and you laugh between your tears.
"Shit, I got your bandages wet."
Meta Knight chuckles.
"I'll live," and you can hear the smile in his voice.
In the calm of the post cry catharsis, both of you lay down on your bed together.
"Hey, Meta Knight?"
He hums.
"I thought of something you can do help me."
He turns to look at you. Your expression is the most serious he's seen the whole night.
"There's a lot of people counting on you. A lot of people who would be devastated if you were to die. Please, for our sakes, please promise to try to be more careful?"
Your expression goes soft as you ask the question.
Meta Knight is briefly mesmerized by you. Your eyes, the way you're looking at him… he dares to hope your concern goes beyond that of friendship. And in his heart he knows he could never deny you a promise like that.
Gingerly, he takes both your hands in his.
"(Y/n), I swear on my life, I will do everything in my power to always return safely to you."
There's that sincerity you know so well. You smile at him, and resist the urge to lean forward and kiss him.
"Thank you, Meta Knight."
You both fall asleep quickly after that promise.
***
On one of the scheduled visits, Sword and Blade both arrive. You go through your routine of going out to forage, allowing them privacy to discuss whatever they please without your presence.
"Sir, you did WHAT?"
"I promised I would always come back to them safely, or do so to the best of my ability."
Sword and Blade look at each other. Their mentor has NEVER promised anything like that to them, and they were the ones Meta Knight had known the longest of anyone in Dreamland. He had never made a promise like that to anyone, actually. They knew Meta Knight was willing to die for what he believed it, and was very much prepared to do so. A promise like this…
The pair of knights nod at each other, piecing together exactly what a promise like that from Sir Meta Knight meant.
"Sir, you're in love with them, aren't you?"
Blade was the one to ask so bluntly.
A silent few seconds, and Meta Knight's dark blush on the parts of his face not covered by bandages are enough of an answer. But even so, he answers.
"Yes."
Sword and Blade exchanged another look.
Time to wingman their superior.
***
On the day Meta Knight was deemed healed enough to return to the castle, Sword and Blade both arrived to see him back safely. Your goodbyes took longer than they should have, and even after saying them, neither you nor Meta Knight moved. The reluctance was obvious to the other two knights, who, after exchanging a knowing glance, cleared their throats.
"Would you like to come with us to make sure he gets back safely?"
You immediately perk up, a knowing smile growing on the two knights' faces.
"Would you mind?" You glanced between them and Meta Knight. "I know you're probably sick of me but it would really help set my mind at ease seeing you make it back for myself."
"I could never grow tired of you, (Y/n)," Meta Knight answers. "I would gladly welcome your company on the journey back."
You beam.
When you're not looking, Meta Knight looks to Sword and Blade, who both flash him a thumbs up. He lets out a soft chuckle.
The walk back is uneventful, thankfully. You point out the plants you recognize, telling the group their uses, what parts of the plant to avoid, what preparation is needed to safely use them. You're so wrapped up in your infodumping you don't notice the lovestruck gaze Meta Knight watches you with the whole time.
Sword and Blade ask the questions, and the way your eyes seem to sparkle as you excitedly answer has Meta Knight falling even more for you than he already was.
"I'm disappointed I was not able to go out into the forest with you to hear all your knowledge on this subject whilst I was injured," he laments aloud.
"That's alright! You had a pretty good reason. But if you want, we could go foraging some time together! I know you probably won't have much use for what's gathered, since the castle is always well stocked and all…"
"I'd like that very much," he cuts you off before you talk yourself down any further.
When you arrive at the castle, Doctor Moro is waiting to do a check up on Meta Knight. You offer to leave the room to give them privacy, but Meta Knight insists that you stay, if you would like.
Hearing from the doctor that he is healing well and that you did a good job providing care makes you swell with pride again. He leaves some instructions of what to look out for as Meta Knight heals, and then he takes his leave.
You spend the rest of the day with the three knights. Meta Knight is quiet for a lot of it, Sword and Blade doing the talking as they had on the walk back to the castle. You end up helping them make dinner, your new understanding of why Meta Knight wasn't allowed in the kitchen partially fueling your decision. Dinner is pleasant and familiar, and you feel closer to the trio than ever.
You feel like your connection has deepened with all of them from the shared trauma. You hope it never fades back to what it had been before.
When dinner is over, you and Meta Knight do the dishes together in comfortable silence. You appreciate him taking the task of washing, as he had learned from observation that touching the left over wet food on the plates grossed you out. He gave you the task of drying. The silence was broken occasionally by you asking where certain dishes went, which he would point out.
It felt so domestic, comfortable. Like it had at your own home after the initial stages of the healing process, when Meta Knight could actually leave the guest bedroom on his own.
"It's getting late," you stated.
Meta Knight hummed his acknowledgment.
"I should probably be heading home soon."
As if on queue, a rumble of thunder sounded.
The two of you looked towards the windows. It was darker than it should have been at the current time. Storm clouds blotted out the remaining light, threatening to spill their contents on any unfortunate souls caught outside when it passed overhead. A flash of lightning illuminated the clouds from the inside.
"Perhaps you should stay the night," Meta Knight suggested.
"I don't want to impose more than I already have," you admit.
"You're not imposing. And I'd much rather you stay here than try to navigate your way home in the cold rain."
You looked down in thought, considering your options.
Of course you didn't want to leave. You were having a wonderful time. But the little anxious voice suggesting your friends were just being nice, that they were just too polite to ask you to leave, spoke up in your mind.
Seeing your apprehension, Meta Knight drew your attention by taking your hand gently. Immediately you were pulled back to the present, out of your thoughts.
"Hey, I promised you I'd do everything in my power to come back to you safe. Please, do the same for me. It would make me feel better knowing you were safe and sound here rather than out in the dark during a storm."
Well, you couldn't argue with that. It was only fair you did the same as Meta Knight had promised you.
"Alright, if you insist," you smile at him. Though his mask covers his expression, you can tell by his eyes he was smiling at you, too.
***
You bolt upright in the guest bed you were sleeping in. Another nightmare. Even with Meta Knight nearly back to his full, uninjured self, the stressful dreams remained.
You took deep breaths, in, then out. Repeating the process, you looked around and started identifying what was around you. The blue blanket over top of your legs still. The window overlooking the castle courtyard. The moonlight pouring into the room.
It was a technique Meta Knight had taught you. Grounding techniques. Good for when, eventually, you wouldn't be able to simply go check he was alright during the night.
Though you could still do that at the moment.
When you were no longer shaking, breathing almost even, you pulled the blanket from you and stood up. Making your way to the group of knights' common area, you went to the kitchen to see what sorts of herbal tea they might have. That would help calm you further.
You were glad they had lent you a room directly connected to their suite. You weren't keen on having King Dedede or Escargoon barge in on you. The Waddle Dees you would be fine with, but they were always more polite to you than their boss was.
As you clicked the electric water heater on, you heard a door open behind you. One of the knights. You hoped it was-
"Bad dream?"
Turning around, you were met with familiar yellow eyes peering at you from the dark.
"Yeah, the usual one."
"You don't seem as shaky."
"Your grounding techniques helped me calm down. The tea is for falling back asleep."
"Sorry we have a more limited selection than you do," he moves over next to you, grabbing a mug of his own and perusing through the flavors available.
"I'll manage," you smile at him as you watch him select the sweetest option available. "What are you doing up at this hour?"
Thinking of you. He wasn't brave enough to speak the truth to you.
"Couldn't sleep. It's funny how much I got used to your guest bedroom. My own room didn't feel as familiar as I remembered it being."
You hum, wondering to yourself if there was a certain threshold before your brain recognized somewhere as 'your room.'
"Well, if we're stuck being awake, I'm glad we're not alone in it," you tell him.
He hums, before switching off the water heater as it begins to boil. He pours it into your mug first, the teabag waiting in it making the water no longer clear as it instantly begins to steep.
"It looks like the storm from earlier has passed. The window of my room was pouring in moonlight," you say.
"There are lots of places in the castle that have a good view of the sky. Would you care to join me in admiring the stars?" Meta Knight asks, setting the kettle back down now that his own mug is poured.
"I'd love to," you answer.
He guides you towards a balcony connected to the hallway just outside of the suite. There are some cushioned chairs, though the earlier rain has drenched them. The two of you instead sit on the ground together.
You observe the night sky in mostly silence. Meta Knight occasionally breaks it to point out some of the constellations, telling you the stories behind them. You wonder how he knows so many of them, considering that he wasn't from here originally. Maybe he learned all the constellations of every planet he had been to? That would probably help with navigation in an emergency. That seemed like the kind of practical knowledge Meta Knight would learn. Though that wouldn't account for his knowledge of the mythos around them. Perhaps knowing the mythos helped him retain the information? You know you remember information better if there's a story you can connect it to.
"(Y/n)," Meta Knight calls your name, drawing you out of your thoughts. His hand was touching yours, and he was looking at you. How long had he been trying to get your attention?
"Sorry, got lost in my thoughts," you tell him.
He gives you a soft look. He doesn't seem to mind that your attention wandered.
"It's no problem. Just wanted to make sure you're alright."
You smile at him.
"How do you know so much about constellations? You're not originally from here, does the sky look vastly different on the other planets you've been on?"
He chuckles at you.
"I learned the stories from those originally from here. Same thing for other planets. And yes, if the planets are far enough from each other, the stars are completely different."
"Did you learn the stories for a reason, or just curiosity? Oh, I wonder how different the stories are, how the experiences of the different folks on the different planets influenced the folklore and mythology of what they saw in the stars," you rambled, thinking out loud. When you noticed Meta Knight watching you closely, you got a bit flustered. "Sorry, I'm rambling."
"No no, I like hearing your thoughts," he said, calming your anxiety. "I've never thought too much about that. But it is an interesting question."
He looks deep in thought, considering. Now you're the one watching him closely. When he meets your eyes again, you can't help but glance away. You hear a chuckle from him.
"While I don't have an answer to that, I forgot to answer one of the other questions you asked. I learned the constellations so I would still be able to navigate without a ship's computer. You don't want to be stranded out in space just cause you don't have a machine to tell you where you are."
The laugh that escapes you earns a questioning look.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to laugh. It's just, that's the exact reason I guessed you might know this. It's very like you to know this sort of thing for practical purposes."
Meta Knight let out a laugh. He was happy you knew him so well.
A comfortable silence followed the laughter. Both of you considering the same thought, though neither of you made a move to voice it just yet. Both of you mulling over your feelings for the other. Both of you hoping the signs you picked up on were just that, and not just wishful thinking.
You start speaking at the same time, courage gained.
"Meta Knight?"
"(Y/n)?"
You both pause and look at each other, before laughing.
"You go first," Meta Knight encourages you.
Suddenly your words leave you. Your brain short circuited briefly as you tried to remember just what you were going to say.
Meta Knight waited patiently for you. You appreciated it. You didn't want to fuck this up.
With a deep breath, you began.
"I… used to have a crush on you."
Meta Knight feels his heart sink at your words. Used to. Had he missed his chance? Had he taken too long? Were you too good for him?
Had the real him disappointed you?
"When Sword and Blade showed up with you so seriously injured, I felt such a rush of panic. I don't know how my body managed to remain so calm while my head and heart were racing. It was terrifying to see you so hurt. To realize you could die," your eyes remained glued to your lap.
"But then I was able to help you. To actually feel confident in what I was doing around you. It felt a lot better than just being reduced to a flustered mess. And, I think, in seeing you so vulnerable, I realized that, the knight I had been crushing on, it wasn't really you. It was the idea of you, more than anything. And, in actually getting to know you… I didn't feel so nervous anymore. Like I didn't have to try and be perfect, like I just needed to be."
You fidget with your hands. Meta Knight is still as he absorbs your words.
"It felt like, for the first time, we were equals. We were on the same level, and it felt honest. It felt right. And, I think, that crush…"
You trailed off. A quick glance up at him, and you see him completely motionless, awaiting with bated breath. You had come this far.
"I think it turned into something more."
You kept your eyes on your hands as you finished what you wanted to say.
"I think I'm in love with you."
There's a long moment of silence. Just as you're about to tell him it's okay that he doesn't feel the same, Meta Knight finally speaks.
"(Y/n)," he places his hand under your chin, pulling your gaze up to look at him. His eyes seem to sparkle in the moonlight. "I feel like I didn't get to see your full self before everything happened. And while your flustered state was very cute," he chuckles as you feel your cheeks heat up, "I am so glad I got to get to know your full self. Your concern, your laughter, your sadness, it's all a part of you and I'm so happy you shared it with me."
He takes your hands in his own, and looks you in the eyes.
"I love you, too. And I will always do everything in my power to come back to you, just like I promised."
You're at a loss for words. But only for a moment. Gingerly, you place your hands on the edge of his mask to lift it, pausing to allow Meta Knight to stop you if he wants. He makes no objection, moving closer to you as you pull it from his face and give him a soft and gentle kiss.
A moment, and you've pulled away again, leaning your forehead against his. He lets out a content sigh, pulling you ever closer to him. Comfortable silence falls around you as you watch the stars together. After a few minutes, you pipe up again.
"Hey, Meta Knight, I trust you to always come back, but please still try to be more careful so you don't give me a heart attack in the process."
"Even if getting injured means I have a super cute nurse to bring me back to full health," he teased.
"YES!" You yell.
He laughed, holding on to you tighter.
"Alright, I promise."

(A/N-WHOOPS FORGOT TO POST THIS HERE)