Chapter Text

Planeptune's prison had a very distinct aroma. Sterile, like the inner corridors of a hospital, yet at the same time it had the lightest tinge of lavender, perhaps placed there by Histoire out of pity. After all, Linda and Magic were locked in low security for... some reason or other. Histoire's mercy, mayhaps.

What was not merciful, however, was the sparing of CFW Magic. With DOS Arfoire gone and the Four Felons disbanded, Magic was a shell of her former self, with only the Under- I mean Linda, for company. The two hadn't spoken since their defeat, and it had been roughly 6 months since then. Despite sharing a bed, the two often slept on opposite sides, never touched nor spoke to the other, and generally lived a secluded life within the prison.

Until one day, that is.

"Why?" said Magic quietly, barely a whisper that would've been nothing were the prison not quieter than death.

Linda looked over at her, pink hair covering Magic's eyes like a macabre, unwashed veil.

"Er... Why what, exactly?" mouthed Linda, each word dripping with hesitation.

"Why are we still here? Just to suffer? Every night, I can still feel my eye, my fingers, even Arfoire. The body I've lost, the comrades I've lost, won't stop hurting"



"Why am I still alive? Why did they spare me?" Her words sounded guilty, but it was hard to judge through her usual monotone.



"Why wouldn't they? They're crooks, yeah, but they're not sociopaths." said Linda defensively, unusually defendant of the CPUs.



"Why would they? I'm just a pawn, a soldier. In the grand scheme of things, I don't matter... nothing matters." A hint of regret broke through Magic's for a monotone, if only for a second, and humanized the once immortal-feeling CFW deeply.



"I... well..." Linda stammered and racked her little Underling brain for some little Underling words.



Ding!



Suddenly, an idea... A risky one.



Linda got off from her chair, walked over, and knelt beside the CFW.



Putting a hand on her shoulder, Linda stammered out the words "You... you matter to me."



Magic looked up, her once soulless eyes lightly tingling with something resembling appreciation. The CFW's lips twitched ever so slightly into something that seemed like a macabre imitation of a smile.



"I... thank you Under- Linda."



Linda smiled back, possibly the first sincere smile that was ever smeared on her little face.



The following days were significantly less tense. The two comrades talked now and then, reminiscing on the past, their former allies, even their enemies. Their discussions continued, until one night...

The smell of... oil, faint, but pleasant.

Linda slowly raised one eye awake, and met with a most glorious sight.



Magic had, in her often restless sleep, rolled over and pulled Linda into a snuggle.



Or she did, until the weight of what had happened hit Linda and the little Underling let out a happy squeal. Loud enough to rouse the CFW from her sleep.



"What..." Magic wearily rubbed an eye open. "What was that sound?"



"Er... I, well, technically eh uh-" Linda's spaghetti was dropped. There was no way she could even speak now. This was it, the end of all th-



"Was that... you?" Magic laughed a little. Magic laughed. Magic laughed. Magic laughed. Linda could hardly believe it. THE CFW Magic, the stoic badass idol that all aspiring pirates should look up to... laughed?



It was a pleasant laugh, too, a natural laugh. As if Magic had just witnessed a cute puppy, or saw someone get pranked. The underling blushed, as it was the only response she had left in her. She opened her mouth to speak, but Magic's next words put a halt to that.



"It... it was cute." Both Magic AND Linda let loose cheesy smiles, unable to comprehend the weight of what was occuring. For Magic, this was the first emotion she'd shown since her creation. For Linda, her idol, and crush, just admitted she was cute.

For a moment, there was a deathly silence between them. Thoughts raced, sprinted and hopped across their mind, almost in sync.

Smooch



Without realizing, the pair had gotten closer... closer... closer, until they unknowingly collided into a kiss. It took a second longer than an accident for them to pull away, and when they did, their embrace wasn't broken. They stayed that way for the coming night, Linda's head nested in Magic's chest, and Magic's hands gently stroking Linda's bright green hair.



Months passed, and the two eventually got set free. Well, one of them did.



Linda was released on probation, and the Planeptunian oracle let her take one valued possession with her.



Due to a loophole, she took Magic with her.