Chapter Text
Anne waited a few moments to see if Marcy would stir, but soon the ball of tension shaped like her friend relaxed and turned into dead weight on Anne’s chest. Anne smiled down at her, Marcy had been working so hard for everyone and Anne was glad she was able to give her a little respite. Even if her it would mean being sore in the morning.
Anne looked down at Marcy, smiling warmly. But as she enjoyed the warmth and closeness with her long time friend, a small nugget of guilt crept in. Marcy was only this close to her because she was ignorant of Anne’s feelings. Anne tried to shake off the guilt. This was for Marcy’s sake not hers, but as Marcy squirmed and nuzzled into Anne to get more comfortable, Anne felt the rising mixture of delight and shame.
As she repositioned herself to get comfortable, Anne caught something out of the corner of her eye. Sasha stood there, looking harried, but pleased. Anne felt her face flush with embarrassment. They communicated through a series of gestures and mouthed words to one another.
‘You want help getting her to bed?’
‘ No I’m good, we should let her sleep. ’
‘ I bet you are~ ’ Sasha had a teasing grin that only made Anne feel worse. Sasha seemed to regret the comment immediately, but pressed on. ` talk to you tomorrow? ` she said and mimed drawing a sword and held up 10 fingers
Anne nodded and watched as Sasha quietly closed the door behind her. Anne took in the sight of Marcy resting peacefully before drifting into a dreamless sleep.
Anne woke up the next day feeling wet slime on her face. She cracked open an eye to see her frog brother with a regretful look and a hand placed squarely on her face. She recoiled, wiping at the spot of slime, “ugh, Sprig, gross.” She may have loved the Planters like flesh and blood, but that didn’t mean she wanted fresh slime on her face in the morning.
“Sorry Anne, but you said that if you ever sleep in too much to wake you up by- and I quote- ‘Any means necessary.’” he said putting on an innocent grin.
Anne quirked an amused eyebrow. “I have given you way too much power haven’t I?”
“Oh definitely, but to be fair, I only resorted to slime after calling your name and pelting you with paper balls for a few minutes.”
Anne moved to sit up and heard the crinkling of parchment all around her. She dusted the collection to the ground, though her eye did spy one neatly folded paper among the crumpled up projectiles. She fished it up and unfolded it, instantly recognizing Marcy’s handwriting.
Sorry to bother you last night! I’ll be sure to get on a better sleep schedule.
- Marcy
Anne looked at the paper with mixed feelings. Ever since Marcy had woken up after the fight, she never asked Anne for help. Granted, Anne wasn’t really capable of helping her with most of the work Marcy took on, but she wanted to support her however she was able.
“Oh a note from Marcy?” Sprig asked curiously.
“Yeah,” she sighed before looking at her adoptive brother, “What time is it?”
“A little past 10, you missed breakfast.” Sprig informed, fishing out a fruit that was close enough to an apple. If you ignored how it sounded like it cried when you took a bite out of it.
“Thanks,” Anne took it and started to eat. They both knew Anne didn’t really miss breakfast. If Anne asked, the kitchens would find something for her to eat, but they also both knew Anne didn’t like to impose. People who came in just before closing to eat were the worst . “Alright bath later, gotta go meet up with Sasha.”
“Oh, you gonna go beat up your emotions again?”
“Mmmhm.” she answered as the two walked to the door.
Anne found Sasha at their usual spot. It had been a training ground for the Newtopian Royal Guard, but had been abandoned since their replacement by Andrias’s robots. It made for a relatively private place for them to spar.
What surprised Anne was that Grimes was there too, she couldn’t make out what they were talking but Sasha was definitely asking some sort of favor from Grimes. Grimes looked reluctant but relented, receiving an enthusiastic hug from Sasha. Grimes walked Anne’s way after saying goodbye, giving Anne something between a stink eye and a respectful nod. Which wasn’t too surprising. He respected the fact that Anne was instrumental in scuttling two of his schemes, while on the other hand it frustrated him that Anne had been instrumental in scuttling two of his schemes.
It was complicated.
Anne refocused on Sasha who stood waiting for her. Two wooden practice swords in one hand while she inspected her nails on the other. Her cloak and hair fluttered in the wind.
“Dude, could you be any more dramatic?”
Sasha looked up, smirking. “Please Boonchuy, this isn’t dramatics, it’s gravitas.”
Anne started to go through her stretches while Sasha waited patiently, “You know,” Anne mused, “there're probably healthier ways to work through our issues than hitting each other with sticks.”
“Yeah,” Sasha conceded, “those ways probably aren’t as fun though, right?” Sasha smirked tossing Anne a sword
“Definitely not,” Anne took a dueling stance and Sasha did the same. Then they started their biweekly spar.
Between the two of them, Anne knew Sasha was the better fighter. Anne wasn’t a slouch in a fight, but the reason she kept foiling Sasha’s plots was that she was just good enough to keep Sasha occupied while her friends undid all her plans. In a straight up fight, Sasha was simply better practiced and more ruthless.
And that was all before Anne had lost her dominant hand.
Fortunately, they didn’t take these little spars as seriously as the times they fought atop towers and city walls. Sasha generously used her non-dominant hand to even the playing field. While she had yet to get the better of Sasha, Anne relished the competition. Winning had become was less the goal than survival. She was proud to say in each spar it took longer and longer for her to get disarmed.
Plus for some reason the easiest place for them to get past any of their baggage with each other. Sasha seemed capable of parrying blows or mincing words, but had trouble doing both. While Anne was a lot more honest with how she felt when she didn’t have time to filter her words to be friendly and palpable.
Sasha parried one thrust before advancing with a slash. “So, Marcy?”
Anne dodged under the swing before striking at Sasha’s legs “You were right-” she beat a hasty retreat as Sasha hopped over her swing and swung for her shoulder “she’s gonna burn out at this rate.” She took a few deep breaths as the two of them circled each other “I think she needs a win. Something… haa… attainable you know? Everything she’s working on is gonna take months to bear fruit.”
“Great minds,” Sasha smiled, “don’t worry I have an idea.” Unfortunately sparring did little to hinder Sasha’s ability to cryptically hide her true intentions.
Before Anne could press for details, Sasha pressed the attack with a thrust and then swipe, managing to tap Anne on the arm. “You gotta dodge less, it uses too much energy.” Anne took deep breaths, wanting to refute but parrying the next strike. “Speaking of Marcy-” Sasha easily deflected another of Anne’s attacks, “did you make your move last night?”
Anne’s eyes went wide, and she scanned across the area for any eavesdroppers. Sasha abused this distraction getting in close to her guard, and with a clockwise twist of her wrist, Anne felt her sword wrenched from her hand. It clattered across the stone cobbles and Anne gave Sasha a dirty look. “That was hardly fair,” she said, jogging over to get her sword.
“Maybe, but neither is combat.” Sasha said with a smug smile, “also, not an answer.”
Anne scowled at her childhood friend and rotated her arm to get ready for the next round, “No, I didn’t make my ‘move’.”
“Why not?” Sasha asked, this time waiting for Anne to make the first attack.
Anne took a moment to stare at her friend before starting the fight again. The question seemed earnest enough, despite the fact that Anne knew that Sasha knew the answer. “Cause it would gross her out?” She hadn’t spoken it outloud before. It didn’t feel good.
“Okay, but why?” Sasha pressed.
“Cause of what you said before. Her parents and-” Anne ducked a blow
“She literally ditched our planet to get away from her parents Anne- so the three of us wouldn’t be separated.” Sasha reasoned, “I doubt she’s holding onto any of their prejudices”
Anne paused at that and only narrowly avoided a konk to the skull. “I guess that's true… still what about what she told you?” Even as she said it, Anne’s mind started to recontextualize that long ago conversation. She started to frown.
Sasha took a deep breath, “Okay, so you know how I was a huge controlling bitch?” she said frankly.
“Yes…” Anne’s voice rumbled in warning.
“So, with that in mind, I may have felt threatened by the possibility of you two dating and-” Sasha’s face contorted into one of guilt, “may have lied to keep you from confessing.”
Anne took a deep breath. “Are you…” a spark of blue power lashed out from her as she made a wild swing at Sasha. “ Kidding Me!? ”
Sasha went to block the blow, bracing the length of the sword with her off hand. There was a crack of impact, and even as Sasha held firm, the force of the strike propelled her sideways, boots skidding across the stone. She nearly survived unscathed but her boot caught the lip of a broken stone and she went tumbling ass over end for a few feet. She sat up, rubbing at her head, “yeah deserved that one.”
“What was wrong with you?” Anne demanded, looming over Sasha.
“Controlling bitch, Anne.” she looked at the impact point, the wooden sword was almost snapped in half. “We’ve been over this.” she dropped her sword and rubbed at her wrist.
“Was any of it true? Or-” Anne spluttered.
“Oh, the thing about her parents was definitely true. I was in the car with them after they dropped you off one day. Some radio story about pride came on and they shut it off and muttered to each other about it until they dropped me off,” she grimaced at the memory, “if you had confessed, it would have needed to stay a secret.”
Anne frowned at that, she had several fond childhood memories with the Wu’s. The confirmation that they would have hated who Anne grew up to be still hurt.
“As for Marcy. For what it's worth, I actually did ask her feelings on the subject - she mostly seemed benignly confused as to why I asked..” she shrugged. “So take that for what its worth.”
“You- ugh” Anne shook with rage, “why were we even friends?”
Sasha smiled, expression was hurt, but not offended or surprised, “just bad luck I guess,”
At the lack of a fight, Anne felt the rage seep away and she dropped her sword. She frowned, Sasha’s wrist looked like it was starting to swell. She offered her arm to help Sasha up “We should get some ice on that.” Sasha took the arm with her uninjured hand and the two made their way towards the kitchens deep in the bowels of the castle. “Why didn’t you say anything sooner?” Anne thought of all the places she could have confessed. At the fountain in Newtopia. After Marcy came to Wortwood and were basically living together. Or maybe she would have confessed the moment they reunited and Anne saw Marcy in her cute ranger outfit.
“Straight up? Until recently I thought you two had been dating since before we all reunited.”
Anne flushed, “huh?”
“You two were practically fused at the hip, you had inside jokes. I don’t know I may have been projecting, but I thought you two were just waiting for a good time to tell me.” She looked to the side a bit, “Or- weren’t planning on telling me at all… Anyways,” she brushed past the vulnerability to press on, “I realized what I had said was still bothering you, so I just wanted to clear the air, or whatever. So if you were holding back do to what I said in the past…”
Anne looked at her second oldest friend sympathetically. It was hard to see the person who dueled her atop Toad Tower. Still… “Well, thanks for that Sasha but…”
“But?”
“I still can’t tell Marcy how I feel… she’s already dealing with so much, I don’t want to add to that.”
“You honestly think she will see it as a burden?” Sasha’s voice was incredulous.
Anne sighed, “She might accept out of guilt Sash, even if she doesn’t feel the same.” Anne saw the way Marcy looked at her missing arm, when she thought no one was paying attention. Anne wasn’t sure if Marcy had memories of her time possessed, but she clearly felt responsible regardless.
“Yeah… yeah. Okay.” Sasha conceded reluctantly. “I guess unless Marcy came up to you herself and confessed you won’t budge?”
Anne blushed briefly imagining such a scenario before waving her hand in dismissal, “pretty much. Sorry about your wrist”
“Eh, I’ll live. You were long due to knock me on my ass again” Sasha chuckled as they walked through the winding corridors of the castle.
After a bath in one of the castle’s heated pools, Anne made her way up to where she was staying. She made her way to what was once the king’s bedchambers.
Frogs bustled in and out of the door, and a piece of scrap wood hung above that had the words ‘Little Wortwood’ carved into it. The sight of what awaited inside was a beautiful disgrace to the Leviathan name. Anne walked through the door to a chorus of welcomes. She looked out at the room, occupied by the various people of Wortwood who had marched all the way to Newtopia with Sasha. Folks had repurposed the massive sheets, curtains, and linens into lavish looking tents and shelters. Hobbled together walls of wood and rubble defined each household’s space in the room.
While it was a little chaotic, it was leagues better than how she had felt occupying the massive room alone. They had let her recover there after the battle, and it was way to spacious and quiet for her liking. At first the Planters came to keep her company, followed by the Sundews and Flours making a visit. Others came for dinner and soon enough Mayor Toadstool was dividing up parts of the carpet and furniture like they were property lines.
While a lot of people jostled for what was effectively a dresser turned apartment complex, Anne was more than happy with the top half of the bed she shared with the Planters. Even though traversing the ladder to get up there was a little annoying one handed. She ducked under the flap that hid their plush living quarters, wooden poles holding this inside it all up like a tent.
“Hey there Anne, how’d your duel with Sasha go?” Sprig asked in earnest.
“Eh, fine. Cathartic.” she shrugged.
“Did she whoop your butt again?” Polly prodded.
“For once, no actually!” Just cause she needed some ancient power to win didn’t make it less true.
Hop Pop put down a puzzle book he had brought from Earth, “Oh, Anne, that reminds me, Sylvia had some questions about the dress-” Hop Pop fished out a paper from his coat.
After the banquet had been announced Anne realized she had nothing more formal than a t-shirt and armor to wear. While there were a few expert tailors who Anne could have approached, some of the folk in Wortwood had caught wind of the predicament and went about trying to design something for her. Though everyone was enthusiastic Felicia and Sylvia Sundew had been the only ones who had had the forethought to Ask Anne what she would like. So she accepted their offer.
Anne curled up on the pillow-couch next to Hop Pop and took a look at the sketch…
A week later Anne, Polly, and the Sundews were all getting ready in the Planters blanket home. Everyone was dressed in the nicest clothes they were able to stitch together. It turned out silk curtains sewed by ancient newt artisans looked really nice cut up and draped as dresses.
Anne had asked for a traditional Thai outfit and the Sundews had done a great job bringing it to life for her. Felicia had gotten pretty good at tailoring during her time on the road.
Anne wore a light cream top that flowed into a moss green skirt tied off by a sash. A long sleeve extended and draped over her left arm and the dress was tailored so her right shoulder was bare. At the moment Sylvia was pulling back her nest of hair into a neat ponytail with a hair tie decorated with seashells.
“Thank you girls for your help.” Sasha and Marcy had been busy, but the Sundews were more than happy to help.
“Think nothing of it Anne, it's the least we can do for the guest of honor.” Sylvia said with grandmotherly sincerity.
Anne resisted groaning. She got how on paper what she did was really impressive and important to people, but she didn’t feel like the hero everyone proclaimed her as. Sasha had failed to convince her that, no, actually a lot of people wouldn’t have done the same, but had insisted Anne to stop being so publically humble about it.
“Still, I appreciate it,” Anne assured.
A muted call came from the entrance, “All you ladies decent? We gotta get hopping if we want to get there on time.” Hop Pop’s voice called in.
“Yeah I think we’re just about ready H.P.!” Anne called back. As a group the Planter’s, the Sundews, and Mayor Toadstool started to make their way out, compliments and well wishes being given by the citizens of Wortwood that hadn’t been invited.
As a group they set off towards the banquet hall. First to arrive, they were led to their table without much fanfare with a few exceptions. First was Toadstool who decided to come back when he could be announced proper to a crowd. Second was Hop Pop who clambered up to the host table where the counselors would be sitting. Last was Anne who would be stowed in the ballroom waiting to be announced once everyone had arrived.
The banquet hall sat at the end of the top floor of the castle with three entrances. Two that led to hallways, and doors opposite them that led into the ballroom. While guests arrived through the hallways, Anne waited in the ballroom kept company only by a pair of newts who would usher her in. Fortunately they didn’t seem to judge the hero of the realm for spying through the generous space between the massive doors.
She watched as more and more people arrived. Nobles from Newtopian families that had sided against Andrias. Toad warlords who moved more like a warband than guests. Frog representatives who arrived in their Sunday best and marveled at the remnants of royal luxury.
Lady Olivia and General Yunan arrived as a pair taking their place at the table for counselors. Their whirlwind courtship during the rebellion was something oft gossiped about, but Olivia had told Anne that the rumors of Yunan’s suave overtures were greatly overestimated. Olivia had basically needed to initiate every step of their relationship herself. Though her tone betrayed these complaints as disguised affection.
Grimes arrived to a sense of awe from not only the toad warlords, but any who had held rank in the rebellion. He walked with a confidence and pride that was a far shot from the petty warrior Sasha had been captured by when they first arrived. He had grown from a capable warrior to a glorious leader.
Sasha and Marcy were two of the last to arrive.
Sasha was dressed in what was likely the most fashionable set of armor that Anne had ever seen. The metal plates and silks effortlessly drew the eye away from where she was almost certainly hiding daggers.
However, the thing that most distracted Anne was Marcy. She was dressed in military formal wear. A white undershirt beneath light blue military jacket adorned a Newtopian Nautical Conch acting as a clasp for the collar. Tailored dark blue slacks tucked into tall formal boots. In place of her green hair pin was a polished clamshell.
Anne had to step back from the door she had been spying through. She covered her face and took a deep breath.
How could Marcy look so cute?
The newts who waited with her politely averted their eyes as Anne recovered from being a flustered puddle. After a minute or so, the last of the announcements settled and one of the newts coughed to let Anne know it was her turn. She gave them a nod, and one entered
“Presenting Anne of House Boonchuy and Ward of House Planter. World Hopper, Human Councilor, and Tyrant Slayer!” Anne finally entered the room to a response as diverse as the crowd. Hoots and hollers from the frogs; chest slamming salutes from the toads; respectful claps from the Newts. Sasha gave slow deliberate claps, clearly enjoying Anne’s mortification. Marcy meanwhile just stared at her slack jawed, which filled Anne with a cocktail of confidence and butterflies
Anne made her way to the raised platform that held the councilors’ table. Her seat was right in the middle and as she reached it the assembly took their seats. She glanced down at the speech notes she had prepared. The half baked purple prose had been shaved down to three bullet points.
- Keep it positive
- Don’t just talk about Wortwood
- Thank everyone
Anne looked out, took a deep breath, and spoke from the heart.
“Welcome everyone to this banquet- I know we’re here to celebrate what we’ve achieved, but I briefly want to admire what we will restore. I first came here 10 months ago alone and confused. I spent time among the frogs who took me in and in a short time embraced me as one of their own.” A number of frogs again cheered along with a ‘that’s my sister!’ from Sprig before being dragged down to his chair again by Polly.
“After leaving the valley I traveled here, to Newtopia, where I saw the ingenuity of the populace. Cultures and peoples from across Amphibia embraced in its streets and by its people including my friend Marcy. A good people led by an unworthy king.” a number of calm nods and an enthusiastic endorsement from Yunan rang out.
“And while I didn’t spend as much time with the toads until our victory, General Waybright did, and I know from her that when toads work together there is little that can blunt their path-” Anne bit back an overwhelming desire to add ‘except gates’ to the end of that. The toads as a group started to holler like a fraternity in a college movie. They were only silenced by Grimes holding up a hand.
“This world was, frankly, terrifying when I first arrived. But its people have made it a second home for all three of us,” she said with a smile glancing between her two friends. ”I think it's a world we can rebuild, better than before, together.” She picked up her glass which copied by all the guests. Anne swished the liquid in her glass as she considered a way to end the speech. With a satisfied smile she held it up high and called out, “To the death of the king!”
“To the death of the king!” a chorus returned. With that, servants flooded the room with plates of hot food to be delivered to the tables.
As they sat down Hop Pop gave her eyes of mild grandfatherly judgment, “Good speech, but a pretty morbid way to end things on don’t you think, Anne?”
Anne shrugged, “so I may be a little bitter,” she admitted, “sue me.”
Olivia, sitting to her right, commented “Well I think it was well earned, both by you and the late tyrant.”
Anne smiled, “Knew we were of a mind, Olivia. Respect.”
“Yes, mad… respect indeed.” Olivia agreed, and Anne could hear Marcy stifle a snicker from her end of the table.
As the food arrived the aroma made Anne’s stomach rumble. It was a sparse meal, the council agreed that it wouldn’t do to gorge themselves while the rest of the city rationed. As such, everything was made using the rations as a base, however the talent of the chefs more than made the meal worthwhile. Especially with Stumpy bringing a Thai flair to the proceedings.
… Anne really hoped Stumpy gave himself that nickname. She would have to ask him next time she saw him.
Anne spent most of dinner enjoying her food and listening passively as Hop Pop and Olivia talked politics past her. The two had bonded over being the voices of reason on a council shared by Grimes and Yunan.
Once dinner was finished, the doors to the ballroom swung open. Despite the cracks running through the stonework and its shattered glass doors covered tastefully by overlarge drapes, the room was still imposingly luxurious.
The floor was made up of massive slabs of turquoise-blue marble, it’s dark flecks swirling like the waters that once sparkled outside Newtopia. Sconces and chandeliers bathed the room in warm light that sparkled off what remained of the gilded walls. Across the ceiling, damaged but still recognizable, were massive painted murals depicting various moments from Amphibian history (or so Marcy had told her so many months ago when they ran roughshod through the palace during their sleepover).
To start off the night there was to be a number of Frog Folk songs. The Planters dragged Anne out to the dance floor for many of these. There was little order or tradition to the dances and so Anne could join in without worry. She recognized one or two from Wortwood, but several came from the eastern bogs and a few from the dry dunes of the northern desert. All, however, had the same small town charm of instruments cobbled together with more heart than skill.
As the small town musicians abandoned the field Anne found a seat to one side of the room to rest. For a time Sprig kept her company, but was eventually dragged away by Ivy and Polly. Anne declined accompanying whatever misadventure the three would have.
Anne’s eyes scanned the room of its revelers, and came to settle on Marcy. She was standing across the room looking nervous about something. Anne couldn’t help but smile, some things never changed. Marcy always had trouble at any of Sasha’s more ambitious parties. She usually holed up in Sasha’s bedroom and played her switch. When Sasha didn’t allow that, she would usually find Anne and orbit around her for the night.
Anne held up her hand to catch her attention. When she had it she moved to stand up but saw Marcy panic and dash towards a group of newts, academics if Anne had to guess, and started to talk to them. Anne slowly lowered herself back into her chair trying not to feel hurt. Looked like some things changed after all.
Next on deck was a series of toad fighting ballads. Partly meant for marching as well as bonding brawls during festivals. It mostly resembled a mosh pit to Anne, which Sasha embraced wholeheartedly. Her leg sweeps and body throws were unorthodox, but not unwelcomed by the toads. A few of the frogs joined in but what surprised Anne were the number of newts who had apparently waited their whole lives for the excuse to go feral.
Once the ballads were finished, Sasha collapsed into a chair next to Anne. One eye clearly starting to swell from an unseen elbow she had caught in the last song. “Ballads not to your taste Anne?”
“Been in enough fights Sash. Our sparring matches are more than enough for me now.” Anne looked as the drummers and improvised musicians of the toads were being replaced by the last band of the night, an assortment of Newt musicians all carrying classical instruments. Though the one that caught her attention was a large sitting golden harp with seemingly no player. The music started to fill as pairs of amphibians of all shapes and sizes started to filter out onto the floor to waltz.
“Suit yourself, but lack of practice is why you keep losing,” Sasha shrugged.
Anne rolled her eyes, looking back to Marcy. She was now talking with Lady Olivia and Yunan about something. Yunan looked like she was giving one of her patented unhinged monologs. Olivia waited patiently to filter said monolog into something coherent
“Marcy’s looking nice tonight huh?” Sasha commented in a teasing tone. Anne gave her a stink eye but that did little to change Sasha’s expression. “I mean I think she looks nice, but what’s your opinion, as the resident expert Marcy appreciator?”
Marcy, finishing her conversation, turned and started to stride over to them. Anne would have to make this quick. “Sasha, I thought we went over this-”
Sasha held up one hand in defense while the other nicked a glass of juice passing by “I know, I know. Unless she asks, you're not making a move,” Sasha assured while taking a sip.
“Hey girls!” Marcy greeted, hands fiddling about with her clasp.
“Hey Marcy!” Anne smiled, pushing blonde annoyances out of mind for the moment.
Sasha held up a hand in greeting but continued to nurse her drink.
“Your speech was really great Anne, I knew you could do it.”
“Well, it's thanks to you, just had to speak from the heart, right?” Anne shrugged.
“Right… right,” Marcy took a moment to breathe in and out, then her eyes shone with confidence. She shifted one foot back and made a slight bow. She held out her right hand upturned, “Anne, would you like to dance?”
Anne blinked a few times, not fully processing what was happening. Marcy was asking her to dance? Like together? Like those couples?
It didn’t help that being this close Anne could see how cute Marcy was in her outfit.
As Anne was stuck in her own head, Marcy’s confidence started to falter, “I-if not that’s fine, I mean- you must be tired-”
Anne was shaken out of her trance by Sasha elbowing Anne in the side, “I-I’m not,” she reached out taking Marcy’s outstretched hand before she could retract it, “I mean I’d love to.” The first of the ballroom songs came to an end and Anne and Marcy circled into one of the vacated spots. As Marcy took the lead, placing a gentle hand on the small of Anne’s back, Anne was only distantly aware of a signaling whistle from Sasha.
Marcy smiled at her shyly, lacing their fingers together, “I’ve been practicing, but uh, sorry if I mess up…”
“It’s fine, Marmar” Anne assured. “I’ve never done a fancy dance like this, so I‘ll be following your lead.”
Marcy gave a wary smile and nodded, looking down at the positioning of her feet.
The lack of music and murmurs around them broke Anne’s concentration on her friend. Many around the room were looking up to the performers, where Grimes, toad councilman, wielder of Barrel’s warhammer, and hero of the nation, sat behind the golden harp giving stern instruction to Newts who looked unsure but unwilling to question the toad.
Anne could hear scoffs from some of the nobles. All doubts were put to rest as the one-eyed general strummed the harp, stunning everyone with his skill.
As the shock faded the dancers started in. Anne refocused on Marcy who started to lead her through the dance. Anne kept her eyes on Marcy who was focused on not stepping on Anne’s feet. Anne couldn’t help but smile, Marcy had clearly put a lot of effort into this for her.
“Hey Marcy,” Anne gently rubbed at Marcy’s knuckle with her thumb to get her attention. “You’re doing great.” Anne was quickly getting the hang of her part of the dance and kept them on track as Marcy looked up to her again. Anne smiled and Marcy's tense grip loosened in relief. “It’s funny that they have dances like this on Earth too, huh?” Anne commented innocently, laying out the bait.
Marcy’s eyes brightened with intrigue, “I know right? It’s kind of crazy some of the similarities between Earth and Amphibia. Especially in Newtopia! I think it has a lot to do with the fact that this was the capital when the empire lost the music box. I bet Earth was their next target and that probably meant they had sent some scouts to observe us-” and she was off to the races.
Anne fell into a familiar pace of listening to Marcy speculate and expound on the offered topic. Anne indulged in the feeling of Marcy’s hand on her back; in her voice laced with genuine excitement; in the way her eyes sparkled with curiosity.
“-who knows what other connections there might be!” a look of realization and self consciousness came over her, “Sorry, you don’t need to know all that.”
Anne shook her head, “Don’t apologize, you never need to hide any part of yourself from me Marcy.” Anne said honestly.
Marcy blushed and there was a moment, a brief one, where Anne let herself believe that their feelings were mutual. But there was a nagging thought that stopped her. She could sense Sasha’s hands in all this, and some part of her couldn’t trust any of it.
The song came to an end with a beautiful solo by Grimes that brought cheers from the entire room. Marcy stepped away but held onto Anne’s hand. Anne smiled appreciatively at her. It was a beautiful dance. Before she could excuse herself Marcy spoke up, “I’m feeling a bit warm, do you want to go out on one of the balconies?”
Anne agreed, letting Marcy pull her to one of the overlarge drapes; they slipped between its folds and through an empty door pane that once held stained glass to a small private balcony. Despite what Andrias had done to the area around Newtopia, the whole city below bathed in moonlight was a beautiful sight.
She and Marcy both gravitated to the stonework railing to get the best view, resting their arms atop it. A comfortable silence passed between the two before Anne forced herself to break it, “thanks for the dance Marcy, it was really nice.”
“N-no problem,” Marcy said, fiddling with her spiral conch pendant.
Anne took a slow breath of the cool night air. It had been a good night, even if it had to end a bit bittersweet. She turned her back to the city, leaning against the railing. “I’ll have to thank Sasha for setting this all up.” She said casually.
“Sasha?” Marcy asked, confused. “Oh, yeah, I was surprised she got Grimes to play for everyone.”
“Yep, and she even got me a great dancing partner,” Anne said, smiling knowingly at Marcy. She saw a crinkle appear on Marcy’s brow. Anne wasn’t sure how much Sasha had told Marcy about her feelings, but she wasn’t about to burden Marcy with them just cause Sasha thought she should confess. She stretched out her back casually, “you cool now? I’m kind of thirsty.” Anne started to walk back towards the party, gently wrapping this memory in her mind to look back on fondly.
“Anne, wait!” Anne felt a hand on her shoulder and turned back. Marcy had a look worry, one that was desperate to be understood. So Anne turned with a patient smile. Marcy took a breath, “this wasn’t Sasha’s plan…” Anne quirked her eyebrow in doubt, and Marcy shook her head, “I mean, yeah, the dancing was her idea, and Grimes with the music, and… and she encouraged me to ask you…” Marcy paused, a frustrated look on her face. “But I mean she didn’t do all that for your sake.” “ Only your sake?” Marcy’s brow knitted together like it always did when she was piecing together a puzzle.
Anne waited a few moments, hearing a new song to filter through the heavy drapes. “Marcy?” she prompted.
“Sorry.” she refocused on Anne, her eyes filled with hope. She took Anne’s hand in her own swallowing once before smiling softly at her, “Anne, I- I have a big crush on you.” Once spoken, the confession was like a single rock setting off a landslide. “You’re so kind, and brave, and always look out for me. even when I’m in over my head you don’t hesitate to dive in after me.” she caressed Anne’s hand lovingly. “Being around you feels like home, more so than any house I’ve lived in.”
“Also, you are really pretty. Like not just tonight, though-” Anne felt a crackle of embarrassed excitement as Marcy looked over her from head to toe, “tonight, uh, wow?” she looked down, embarrassed by her outpouring.
“I don’t… didn’t?” a small smile appeared on Marcy’s face, “expect you return my feelings,” she admitted “I just didn’t want to hide this from you-” she looked up and her face dropped. “No, I-I’m sorry, please don’t cry!” Marcy let go of Anne’s hand, fretting.
Anne felt herself welling up, but she wasn’t upset. Overwhelmed? Absolutely, but anything but upset. In fact she felt free as the knot of guilt and shame she had held in for over a year started to unravel.
Anne stepped forward. Marcy retreated out of confusion, but only had a few steps before her back was to the railing. Marcy's face flushed with color as Anne got close. Anne put her hand on top of Marcy’s, pinning it to the rail. “Marcy… did you really mean all that?”
Marcy rallied, reaching up with her free hand to cup Anne’s face, “Of course Anna Banana.” she wiped away a stray tear with her thumb, “I love you.”
Anne closed the distance between the two of them, tilting her head just so. She had seen more than enough romance movies to mimic her dream kiss. Through half lidded eyes she watched Marcy’s flutter shut before losing herself in the feeling. In Marcy’s hand gliding from her face into her hair. In their bodies embracing.
They held the kiss for precious moments, a year of repressed feelings spilling out. They held on until both broke away out of breath, resting foreheads against each other. Warm breaths shared on a cool moonlit balcony.
“So, uh,” Marcy smiled shyly, “you feel the same?”
Anne couldn’t help but chuckle, “yes Marcy, without question.” she whispered, letting go of Marcy’s hand to wipe the last few tears away. A thought came to her, and despite herself, Anne started to snicker.
Marcy tilted her head with a, “hm?” in question.
Anne waved away at the thought, “Sorry, I just realized- Sasha is going to be insufferable about all this.”
Marcy thought about it for a moment and descended into giggles, “oh, wow, yeah.” she agreed. She reached out for Anne’s hand again and smiled up at her, “a small price to pay though, right?”
Anne raised Marcy’s hand to kiss it, “absolutely.” Anne made a half turn back towards the door, “ready to head back in?”
Marcy nodded, linking arms with Anne as they walked back towards the party. Anne noticed belatedly that the music had stopped, which was odd since they hadn’t been outside that long.
What they arrived to was a scene . Sasha was standing before the drapes, struggling against the younger members of the Planter family.
Polly was secured under Sasha’s arm, kicking futilely at an armored point in her outfit. Sprig on the other hand was attempting to clamber over Sasha with every leverage he could find, but Sasha managed to gain a tight hold on his ankle,
“Everyone! Betrayal!” he shouted to the crowd of onlookers. “To arms!”
Hop Pop, nearby, looked mortified.
Sasha took an errant kick to the side of the head and growled, “I swear if you two muppets ruin everything-” Anne cleared her throat to get their attention.
“Anne! You’re alive!” Sprig twisted his body back towards the crowd “sorry! False alarm- whoh”
Sasha dropped the Planters as she saw Marcy curled around Anne. Her eyes lit up with genuine excitement and gave a very subdued fist pump of self congratulation.
Anne rolled her eyes as Sprig recovered and jumped over to her, “Hey! Marcy, did you hurt yourself? You’re leaning on Anne a lot.”
“We can call a doctor, is it your ankle?” Hop Pop asked, concerned.
“If not, you should really let go, Anne needs that arm.” Polly added.
“They’re dating you goobs.” Sasha said looking up to the two of them, “you are dating now, right?” Marcy just smiled, leaning her head on Anne’s shoulder. Sasha let out a sigh of relief, “thank god,” she pointed at Anne, “that means you’re on teddy bear duty tonight, I’m gonna sleep in.”
Anne was about to ask what she meant before the Planters drew her attention.
“You two are together now? Like the IT Gals?” Polly asked, impressed.
“You two weren’t dating… before?” Sprig asked, confused.
“Did everyone think that?” Anne asked, somehow jealous of her own rumored love life.
More of their friends and family from Amphibia started to gravitate towards them, congratulations mixed with inquiries into Sasha’s supposed treason. Their relationship was by and large embraced by their surrogate families. All the while Anne enjoyed Marcy's warmth and presence at her side.
Things weren’t… fixed now, like the world around them. they both had plenty of things to work through and overcome. But at least now they would be able to lean on one another for support. As excited as Anne was for dates, kisses, and everything else she had ever dreamed, she was just as excited to be that support for Marcy.