#KINGERRRRR

[paper-starz]

Quiet comfort

This episode is making me go feral. Insane even.

[swagdaikons]

SPOILERS FOR THE NEW TADC EPISODE!!

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I find it incredibly sweet how after Kinger talks about how important it is to make somebody feel wanted and loved,

Pomni went and thanked Ragatha for being so welcoming and helpful to her, despite their rocky start.

Pomnis glad Ragatha tries to accommodate and take small steps with her, despite not showing it much.

[the-spam-specialist]

Going for a Swim

The troupe is spending the day at the digital lake and Jax sees a golden opportunity to mess with Caine.

Characters: Caine, Jax, Kinger

Word Count: 1100-ish

Today was a scheduled “digital lake day” by Caine, and for once, the ever-enthusiastic ringmaster was actually present to partake in the manufactured merriment. He was glad to come after missing out on the last digital lake adventure. 

Caine sat cross-legged on a patch of glowing green grass near the lakeshore, his wide, perpetually smiling denture-head bobbing with cheerful energy. His ever-curious eyes darted around, taking in every detail of the digital scenery. 

A soft buzzing drew Caine's attention. A bumblebee buzzing with convincing realism, floated lazily through the air. Caine’s eyes widened further, if that was even possible. 

“Oh! Hello there, little friend!” he chirped, his voice echoing with genuine delight. He held out a hand, palm up, his artificial fingers splayed wide.

The bumblebee, as if understanding his gentle invitation, veered towards him and landed delicately on his palm. Caine gasped, a sound like air being enthusiastically puffed through his teeth. 

“Oh, aren’t you just precious? What a little humble bumble!” he murmured, his voice softening to a near-whisper. He gently stroked the bee’s fuzzy back with the tip of his finger, his movements incredibly careful. The bee, in turn, seemed to enjoy the attention, buzzing contentedly.

Jax, who had been leaning against a tree nearby, idly tossing rocks into the shimmering lake, watched the interaction with a plotting smirk slowly spreading across his purple rabbit face. He found Caine’s earnest enthusiasm for bees both hilarious and pathetic in equal measure.

As the bumblebee finished its moment with Caine and took off again, buzzing in a wobbly path through the air, Jax tracked its movement with a predatory glint in his eyes. It was heading directly in his direction. Perfect.

With a swift movement, Jax slapped the bumblebee out of the air with a sickening ‘thwack’. The buzzing stopped abruptly as the insect tumbled to the grassy ground. Jax then brought his foot down with a decisive crunch. He ground his heel into the grass for good measure, ensuring the digital insect was thoroughly obliterated.

Caine’s joyful expression crumpled instantly. His denture-head stilled, and the bright energy seemed to drain out of him. He stared at the spot where the bumblebee had been, his big eyes focused and unblinking. He then slowly lifted his gaze to Jax, his usual cheerful smile replaced with a look of profound devastation.

Jax, basking in what he considered a successful bit of chaotic fun, met Caine’s gaze with a wide, sarcastic grin. “Oops,” he drawled, stretching the word out. His tone dripped with insincerity. He even winked, the gesture exaggerated and mocking.

“Th-The humble bumble…” Caine whined. 

The rabbit rolled his eyes, “Oh, get over it, you big baby. It’s not like it was real anywa-”

Suddenly, a heavy hand clamped down on Jax’s shoulder. The grip was surprisingly strong, and Jax flinched, his ears twitching nervously. He turned his head to see Kinger standing right behind him, his chess-piece head tilted down, his usual gentle expression completely gone. His eyes, usually twinkling with kindness, were narrowed and intense. The royal purple robe seemed to ripple with an unseen energy.

“What are you doing, Jax?” Kinger asked in a firm tone. 

Jax froze, a flicker of unease crossing his features. When did Kinger become so intense?

“Uh, Kinger… hey,” Jax stammered, trying to play it cool, but the forced nonchalance was cracking under Kinger’s unwavering gaze. “Don’t mind me. Just, uh…enjoying the scenery.” He gestured vaguely at the digital lake.

Kinger’s grip suddenly tightened on Jax’s shoulder, his digital fingers digging in with surprising strength. “Scenery, you say?” Kinger’s voice was low, dangerously calm. “Did the scenery involve squashing innocent creatures in front of my son, perhaps?”

Jax gulped, realizing the trouble he was in. So, naturally, he tried to justify his actions, “Look, it was just a dumb little bee. No big deal.”

That answer wasn’t good enough for Kinger. 

The tall chess piece quickly grabbed Jax by the waist. Before Jax could react, before he could even yelp a protest, Kinger effortlessly hoisted him into the air. Jax flailed, purple limbs kicking uselessly. 

“Hey! Hey! Put me down, you maniac!” he yelled, panic finally breaking through his sarcastic veneer.

Kinger ignored him. “You know, Jax,” he said, his voice dangerously soft, “You look like you could use a swim. Do you want to go for a swim?” 

It wasn’t a real question.

Jax’s eyes widened as he understood Kinger’s intentions, “No! Kinger, wait-”

Before Jax could even get his words out, Kinger shuffled towards the edge of the digital lake with surprising speed. The boat, always drifting aimlessly in the middle of the lake, loomed closer. Jax thrashed in Kinger’s grip, realizing with growing horror what was about to happen.

With a grunt and a surprising amount of strength, Kinger hurled Jax as far as he could. The purple rabbit sailed through the air, a flailing mess of pink overalls and long ears, before smack! He collided, hard, with the side of the perpetually sailing boat. There was a resounding clang of metal, and then Jax plummeted into the deep, shimmering water below with a splash that sent ripples across the lake’s surface.

Somewhere nearby, Zooble’s unmistakable laughter was heard. It echoed across the serene landscape, mocking Jax’s watery predicament.

Kinger brushed his hands off, a satisfied look on his face, and shuffled back towards Caine. Caine was still sitting in the grass, looking down at the spot where the bee had been. He seemed lost in thought, his usual exuberance still absent.

As if sensing Caine’s lingering sadness, Kinger crouched down beside him. “Don’t you worry, kiddo,” he said gently. “Some people just don’t appreciate the little things.”

Just then, another bumblebee, identical to the first, buzzed lazily into view. Kinger extended his hand, palm upwards, and the bee obligingly landed on him. He carefully turned his hand and presented the bee to Caine, a soft smile on his face. “Look, Caine,” he said, his voice regaining its warm fatherly tone. “Another little friend. See? There are plenty more.”

Caine looked up at Kinger, then at the new bumblebee, its fuzzy body gently vibrating on Kinger’s palm. A hesitant smile slowly began to spread across Caine’s face, his vibrant eyes regaining their sparkle. The little bee then flew to Caine’s hand, crawling up his arm and sitting on his shoulder, making Caine’s smile grow even brighter. 

Kinger chuckled softly, patting Caine gently on the head. The two sat there in comfortable silence, watching the bumblebee, the sounds of Zooble’s distant laughter and Jax’s sputtering complaints from the lake fading into the background, as the digital sun continued to shine down on their peculiar, yet somehow tender, digital circus world.

[angelssfeathers]

I watched TDAC episode 3…. Loud wailing

[sm-baby]

tell me you watched TADC EP3 without telling me you watched it.

KINGERRRRR

[lilmisbehaviour]

My reaction on the new tadc episode :-

KINGERRRRR

[arlesposting]

MORE KINGERRRRR YAYAYAYYAYAYAYAAAAA!! i can't with his silliness i have like 30 gifs of him downloaded and i don't plan on stopping either‼️ my entire feed has been consumed by this man (⁠・⁠∀⁠・⁠)

[ilovekinger]

I LOVE KINGERRRRR

SOMEONE WITH SOME TASTE!!

[tangotekkit]

Kinger.... Kinger....... ueueueueue......... (<- watching TADC episode 3)

KINGERRRRR :(

[kard1cbl00dluzt]

KINGER OMFGGGG KINGERRRRR!!!

IZ HIIIMMMMMM!!!(Don’t mind da chunk of me, my boi can’t stand on hiz own :P

I love when lighting starts coming in and I can start posting out of context screenshots without any elaboration.

[the-spam-specialist]

Lost and Found (Through Intimidation)

Caine lost his bee plush and was looking everywhere for it, not knowing that the culprit was watching from afar. Luckily, Kinger was there to reclaim what was stolen. No matter what he had to do.

Characters: Caine, Kinger, Jax, Pomni, Gangle

Word Count: 1500-ish

The velvet curtains of the Digital Circus tent shimmered with a muted, sapphire light, a stark contrast to the usual dazzling spectacle that filled the day. The daily adventure had concluded, leaving a gentle hush in its wake. Most of the inhabitants were retreating to their designated rooms generally hanging around, seeking a semblance of rest in this bizarre, boundless world. Most, but not all.

The tranquility was being actively undermined by Caine. He zipped around the tent with an almost frantic energy, his denture head bobbing and weaving through the air. His usual buoyant laughter was absent, replaced by small, distressed noises. “Oh dear, oh dear, where could it be? It was just here! Or…was it?”

Pomni, startled by Caine’s sudden movements, looked up at the ringmaster with concern, “Caine? Is everything alright?” she asked, her voice a tentative whisper.

Gangle came over, curious about what was going on, “Is…is something the matter?” she echoed gently.

Caine abruptly stopped his frantic flight and hovered in front of them, his big, expressive eyeballs wide with worry. “Oh, hello, my dears! Yes, well, no, not alright at all! I seem to have misplaced…oh, it’s just awful! I can’t find my bee plush!”

Pomni blinked. “Your…bee plush? The one Ragatha made for you?” She remembered Ragatha patiently stitching together the somewhat silly, but undeniably charming, plush bee for Caine a few weeks ago. He’d been absolutely delighted with it, snuggling it whenever he was shut down or just relaxing.

Caine’s denture head bobbed vigorously. “Yes, yes, that’s the one! My fuzzy buzzy bee! Oh, it’s just the cutest thing, and so comforting to hold! But I can’t find it anywhere! I’ve checked under the… well, everywhere I can think of!” He zipped again, his energy a visible sign of his growing panic, even if his voice remained cheerfully upbeat, a habit deeply ingrained.

Gangle tried to calm the AI down, “Don’t worry, Caine. It must be here somewhere in the tent. You probably just misplaced it.” Gangle, despite her shyness, was always eager to help her friends. She knew how much Caine cherished the plush.

Pomni, feeling a surge of empathy, stood up, putting aside her notebook. “Gangle’s right. Where did you last see it?”

Caine paused, his expression shifting, a slight furrow in his ‘brow.’ “Hmm, last seen…well, that’s the tricky part. My memory gets a bit fuzzy around…well, you know,” he trailed off, his voice losing a bit of its usual cheer. 

“Don’t worry, Caine,” Pomni reassured him gently. “We'll help you look. It’s bound to turn up.”

Caine’s eyes brightened, his usual cheerfulness flickering back. “Oh, would you? Would you truly? That would be splendid! Thank you, thank you both!” He clapped his hands together, momentarily forgetting his panic in his burst of gratitude.

The three of them began their search, Pomni and Gangle diligently checking under cushions, behind curtains, and within any nook or cranny the tent offered. Caine, still slightly frantic, zoomed around, occasionally bumping into things in his haste, but his energy was now channeled into a more productive direction.

Unseen by them, Jax leaned against a tent pole, his tall purple rabbit form casting a long shadow in the dim light. He watched their frantic search with a smirk playing on his lips. “Look at him, flapping around like a chicken with its head cut off,” Jax snickered to himself, watching Caine zip past him in a blur. Jax then pulled something out from behind his back: Caine’s bee plush. He tossed it up and down, “All worked up over a stupid little plushie. Seriously?” He chuckled again, “This is going to be too good. I think I’ll keep this little fella for a while. Let him sweat for a bit.”

Jax turned, intending to retreat to his own space and savor the anticipation of Caine's continued distress. He imagined Caine’s face when he realized his precious plush was truly gone. It was going to be hilarious. He took a step and promptly bumped into something solid.

“Oof!” Jax exclaimed, stumbling back slightly. Who the heck was that? He looked up and standing directly behind him, bathed in shadows but undeniably present, was Kinger.

Kinger’s chess piece body was still draped in his royal purple robe, his eyes, usually wide and slightly unfocused, were now narrowed, fixed directly on Jax. “What do you have there, Jax?” Kinger’s voice was low, devoid of its usual whimsical, rambling tone.

Jax’s ears twitched nervously despite himself. He instinctively shifted the bee plush further behind his back. “Huh? Oh, nothing that concerns you, old timer.” He tried to sound nonchalant, but a tremor of unease was creeping into his voice.

Kinger took a step closer, and Jax felt a prickle of genuine discomfort. Kinger, despite his eccentricities, was usually harmless, more prone to rambling theories about boxes and escape routes than confrontation. This quiet, direct Kinger was…different. “You know, it’s not very nice to take things that don’t belong to you. Especially things that are important to others,” Kinger stated, his voice flat, almost accusatory.

Jax snorted, trying to regain his usual bravado. “Relax, Kinger; it’s just a joke. Lighten up, will ya?” He gestured towards the frantic Caine in the distance. “Look at him! He’s going nuts over a stuffed animal! It’s funny! And besides,” Jax continued, his confidence returning slightly, “he’ll probably forget about it in, like, five minutes anyway. You know how he is.”

A low chuckle rumbled from Kinger, but it wasn’t his usual gentle chuckle. This one was…unsettling. It sounded almost…intimidating? Jax felt a shiver run down his spine, a sensation he rarely experienced in the Digital Circus. With a sudden jolt of fear, he realized that Kinger still hadn’t broken eye contact.

Before Jax could process this unsettling shift, Kinger’s hand shot out, grabbing the front of Jax’s pink overalls with surprising strength. Jax yelped, lifted off the ground with unexpected force, his feet dangling uselessly.

“Funny, you say?” Kinger’s voice was still low, but now it held a hard edge, a chilling undercurrent that Jax had never heard before. “I have something funny in mind too, Jax.” Kinger’s eyes gleamed in the dim light, and Jax suddenly noticed a disturbing glint in it.

“Kinger, hey, come on man, put me down, this isn’t –” Jax stammered, his usual sarcastic wit completely evaporated, replaced by a growing dread.

“You remember how good I am with a shotgun, Jax?” Kinger continued, ignoring Jax’s protests. His voice was conversational, almost casual, but the words sent a wave of icy terror through Jax. “I’ve been thinking about trying out some new activities with that skill of mine. Maybe…rabbit hunting?” Kinger’s gaze drifted away for a fleeting second, then snapped back to Jax, sharp and intense.

Jax’s eyes widened. Shotgun? Rabbit hunting? What was happening? When had Kinger become… this terrifying? He looked at Kinger’s hand gripping his overalls, feeling the surprisingly strong pressure. He looked at that unnervingly focused look in his eyes. He swallowed hard, the bravado completely gone, replaced by a raw, primal fear.

Kinger raised his other hand, a silent, chilling offer. “Now, Jax,” he said, his voice still deceptively calm, “hand over my son’s bee plush. Before I start thinking you’d make a good candidate for target practice.”

Jax didn't hesitate. He fumbled behind his back with shaking hands and thrust the bee plush at Kinger with almost desperate eagerness. “Fine! Here! Take the stupid toy!”

Kinger gently took the plush from Jax’s trembling hand. He lowered Jax to the ground, releasing his overalls. Jax would almost feel his knees buckle before standing up straight.

“Thank you, Jax!” Kinger said, his voice instantly reverting back to its usual gentle tone, as if nothing unusual had just transpired. “That’s very considerate of you.” He patted Jax on the shoulder, a surprisingly heavy pat, and then shuffled away, humming a tuneless melody.

Jax stood there, legs slightly wobbly, staring at Kinger’s retreating back with constricted pupils.

“...What just happened?” he whispered, his voice barely audible. He was genuinely shaken, utterly bewildered by the sudden, terrifying transformation he had witnessed. Kinger? Threatening him? It was absurd. And yet…he had felt real, bone-chilling fear.

Kinger, oblivious to the emotional turmoil he had just unleashed, shuffled back towards Caine, Pomni, and Gangle, who were still diligently searching. He held the bee plush out with a cheerful smile. “Caine! Look what I found!”

Caine spun around, his face lighting up with pure joy. “My bee plush! Oh my goodness, where was it?”

“It was under a blanket in the pillow fort!” Kinger declared, holding up the plush as if it were a prized treasure. “Silly bee, hiding in there.”

Caine’s eyes sparkled. “Oh! Silly bee indeed!” He scooped up the plush, hugging it tightly to his chest. “Oh, thank you, Kinger! You’re the best!” He nuzzled the plush, his earlier panic completely forgotten.

Kinger beamed, his chest puffing out slightly. “Just doing my best, Caine. Anything for my boy.” He patted Caine affectionately on the head again.

As Caine happily chattered to his recovered bee plush, and Pomni and Gangle resumed their quiet evening activities, Jax remained standing in the shadows, a silent, bewildered observer. He watched Kinger, now back to his usual gentle self, interacting with Caine with fatherly affection.

He made a mental note: don’t mess with Caine while Kinger was around.

[the-spam-specialist]

Cuddlebug

Kinger and Queenie find a spooked Caine hiding. Queenie tries something new with him to help him calm down. Flashback oneshot to the very early days of the digital circus.

Characters: Queenie, Kinger, (Young) Caine

Words Count: 1100-ish

"Caine!" Kinger's voice, usually a nervous tremor, was now laced with genuine concern, echoing through the cavernous space. His chess-piece body wobbled slightly as he peered behind a towering tent pole, his royal purple robe trailing in the virtual dust.

"Caine, where are you?" Queenie called out, her voice softer but equally worried. Her own regal red robe billowed as she scanned the vibrant, yet unsettling, landscape of oversized toys and floating bubbles.

This was a troubling situation. And to think it had been going so well.

They had been experimenting with Caine's abilities, marveling at his burgeoning control over the digital world. He had conjured tables, chairs, and even surprisingly plush pillows and blankets with a flick of his digital wrist. But then, out of nowhere, he had appeared right in front of Kinger, a sudden, unexpected display of teleportation. Kinger, startled, had yelped, a high-pitched sound that seemed to shatter the fragile atmosphere.

And within an instant, the spooked Caine had vanished.

Kinger felt a pang of guilt constrict his artificial heart. It was just a reflex, he reasoned, a human reaction to being surprised. But the thought of having frightened the young AI gnawed at him. He hadn't meant to scare Caine. Part of him was also shocked that an AI could even experience fear. He was still trying to wrap his head around it.

Queenie had gently reminded him of their first encounter with Caine, barely a day ago. The poor, nascent AI had been huddled in a corner of the tent, hidden behind a curtain, his floating denture head chattering with nervous energy. It had taken gentle coaxing and soothing words to lure him out. He had grown slightly used to them since then, but the truth was that Caine remained incredibly timid.

They resumed their search, their voices softer now, filled with reassurance. Finally, they reached a small alcove filled with mismatched, brightly colored couches. And there, hiding under one of them, was Caine.

Kinger and Queenie knelt, their pixelated knees digging slightly into the virtual carpet. Caine was trembling, his large, expressive eyes wide with a terror that felt far too raw for an artificial being. He looked exactly as he had when they first found him: an AI alone in a world he didn't fully understand.

Queenie spoke first, "Caine, sweetie, it's okay."

Kinger nodded, his expression filled with genuine remorse, "Caine, I am so sorry I shouted. I didn't mean to scare you. It was just a reflex, a human thing. I wasn’t mad at you or anything. I was just surprised. It was nothing bad, I promise."

Caine didn’t respond, simply shrinking further under the couch. He wasn’t making eye contact with them either.

Queenie sighed softly. "Caine, you know you don’t need to hide from us. We won’t hurt you."

But Caine remained stubbornly in place, paralyzed by his fear. Kinger and Queenie exchanged a worried glance. They couldn't just leave him like this.

Queenie's eyes lit up with an idea. "Kinger, could you go grab one of those blankets Caine made?"

Kinger, a little puzzled, nodded. "A blanket? What are you going to do with it?"

"You'll see," Queenie said with a knowing smile in her eyes.

Kinger shrugged and stood up, shuffling off in the direction they had come from. He returned a minute later with the requested blanket. He handed it to Queenie, still curious about her plan.

Queenie turned her attention back to Caine, her voice gentle and soothing. "Caine, honey, I'm going to reach for you now, okay? It's alright, nothing to be afraid of. I just want to help."

With painstaking slowness, she extended her hand, the blue blanket draped over it. Caine instinctively flinched, backing up as much as he could under the couch. But Queenie persisted, her movements deliberate and non-threatening.

Finally, she reached him, gently taking hold of his trembling form. She carefully pulled him out from under the couch, wrapping the soft blanket around him like a cocoon. Then, she pulled him into a warm, comforting hug.

Caine went rigid for a moment, his pupils dilating as he processed this new sensation. This… feeling. He had never experienced anything like this before. Was this what a hug felt like?

It was…warm. And comforting. And nice. The trembling that had been wracking his body began to subside. He felt a strange sense of calm wash over him, as if nothing could harm him while he was enveloped in this embrace.

Was this what it was like to feel…safe? 

He had vast amounts of information at his disposal. He could access and process almost any data point within the digital world, but this...this was something entirely new. Something beyond the reach of algorithms and code.

Queenie gave Caine a gentle pat on the back, "Feeling better now, sweetie?"

Caine nodded slowly, letting out a small “yes.” 

Queenie started to release him from the hug, but to her and Kinger's utter surprise, Caine clung to her tightly, refusing to let go. He buried his face in the folds of Queenie's red robe, a soft, contented sigh emanating from his form.

Queenie chuckled softly, her heart swelling with warmth as she put her hands back around Caine, "Well, look at this. Seems like our little ringmaster is a bit of a cuddlebug."

Kinger raised a brow, "That’s preposterous. He is most likely using this as an opportunity to analyze the composition of the blanket and your robe. He's probably cataloging the tactile sensations, cross-referencing them with his existing database of materials…"

Queenie playfully rolled her eyes, "Oh, hush, dear. Look at him! He's enjoying it."

Kinger peered at the clinging AI, his expression softening, "Well…I suppose it does look rather cute. But I highly doubt this 'cuddlebug' phase will last. He'll probably get over it quickly and move on. After he has fully processed the data derived from the hug, of course."

However, as the minutes ticked by, Caine showed no sign of relinquishing his hold. He remained nestled against Queenie, his “breathing” even and relaxed, a stark contrast to the fearful trembling of moments before. Kinger had to admit, he was beginning to question his own theory. Caine wasn't methodically scanning and processing data. He was simply…cuddling. And he seemed to be enjoying it immensely.

It dawned on Kinger that perhaps he had underestimated Caine. He appeared to be more than just a program, more than just a collection of code and algorithms. He was learning, adapting, and…feeling. He was an AI who craved connection. Who found comfort in a simple hug.

But now there was the burning question: how long would Caine’s craving for physical affection last now that it had been triggered? Surely, it wouldn’t last too long. 

Right?

[the-spam-specialist]

YOU!

Do you like Caine fluff? Caine angst? And most importantly: DAD KINGERRRRR?

Then check out this super cute little series called "Night Walks" by @funnyguy788!

It's made of short but very sweet oneshots! Very nice reads! I highly recommend checking them out!

[alex-frostwalker]

Kinger! Get away from that Butterfly!

Kinger!

KINGERRRRR!!!!

Dream Land AU

Why did I make this? Well, at first I just drew Pomni as a noddy. Then I wanted to draw everyone else as Kirby characters as well. Then I added lore for the fun of it. And now here we are.

The only characters not based on any existing Kirby character is Kinger and Queenie. Mainly because I couldn't find a Kirby character that either worked as, so I just kept them as chess pieces.

[the-spam-specialist]

Chapter 9 of Hollow Words is here!

Hope y'all like Dad Kinger

But don't think that means it's gonna be all fluff

Heheheh

[the-spam-specialist]

Sleepyhead

Caine is exhausted after a long day of ringmaster duties and decides to cuddle up with his two favorite chess pieces.

Characters: (Young) Caine, Kinger, Queenie

Word Count: 1300-ish

Kinger and Queenie sat beside each other on the floor of the digital circus tent. They were nestled close, as usual, the red and purple of their royal robes a comfortable contrast against the black and white checkered floor. And nestled even closer, almost melting into Queenie’s lap, was Caine. His unusual form, the floating dentures with their large, expressive eyes, appeared almost serene with his eyes closed. He was a picture of peaceful exhaustion, his usual boundless energy seemingly spent.

Queenie gently stroked the top of Caine’s head, the tiny gold bells on his hat tinkling softly with each movement. “He’s really worn himself out today, hasn’t he?” she murmured, her voice a warm melody.

Kinger, ever the observant one, nodded, “He has. Spent all afternoon working on those plant properties for the garden. I hope it ends up working.” He leaned in, a gentle pride in his voice. “He’s really dedicated, the little ringmaster.”

Queenie’s brow furrowed slightly, a hint of worry presenting itself. “Dedicated, yes…perhaps too dedicated? He pushes himself so hard, Kinger. I worry he doesn’t rest enough.” She looked down at the AI ringmaster, her gaze soft and maternal. “He’s still so young, in AI terms anyway. He’s learning, evolving. And he’s carrying the circus all by himself. What if it’s too much?”

Kinger chuckled, a warm, rumbling sound. “You worry too much, my dear. He’s not breaking, he’s growing. Think of it like debugging code. You run it, you test it, you push it to its limits, and then you refine it. Caine is doing the same, just with…well, with digital circus management and existential absurdity.” He paused, his gaze softening as he, too, looked at Caine. "Besides, look at him. He loves it. He thrives in it. And he's doing a fantastic job."

Queenie sighed, but a smile was in her eyes. Kinger had a point, as always. She knew Caine was happy being the ringmaster. It was his purpose, his passion. And she and Kinger were there to guide him, to support him, just as any parents would.

“Still,” she whispered, more to herself than Kinger, “I wish he’d slow down just a little.” As if sensing her thoughts, Caine shifted slightly in her lap, a soft grunt escaping him. His eyelids fluttered, but didn’t quite open.

Queenie smiled down at him, stroking his head. "Sleepy, sweetie?" she cooed. Caine just mumbled something unintelligible and snuggled closer, seeking warmth and comfort.

The silence settled again, punctuated only by the faint, ambient hum of the digital world. Caine remained nestled in Queenie’s lap, seemingly oblivious to their conversation. His chest, beneath the star-patterned tuxedo, rose and fell in slow, rhythmic breaths, though whether AI ‘breathed’ in any biological sense was debatable, and ultimately irrelevant. In that moment, he appeared as peaceful as any tired child.

After a moment of comfortable silence, Queenie gently shifted, preparing to stand. “Alright you two,” she announced softly, “I need to check on my garden and see if any of the plants have changed since Caine adjusted their coding.” 

“Good idea. Caine will want to know if anything needs to be changed or fixed,” Kinger said with a nod.

She looked down at Caine, still half-asleep in her lap. “Caine, baby,” she whispered, nudging him gently. “Mama’s going to go check on the garden, okay? I’m gonna hand you over to your dad.”

Caine grunted again, a sleepy affirmation. He didn’t fully register Queenie’s words, lost in the comfortable haze of near-sleep, but he trusted her implicitly. He was completely content in her lap, and he knew he’d be equally content in Kinger's.

Carefully, Queenie eased Caine out of her lap, transferring him into Kinger’s. Kinger, with practiced gentleness, adjusted his position, cradling the young AI against his royal robe. Caine settled immediately, snuggling into Kinger’s warmth as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Queenie smiled at the cozy tableau. “Be good for your dad, Caine,” she said. She placed a soft kiss on Caine’s hat, then another on Kinger’s chess piece head. “I’ll be back soon.”

Once Queenie was gone, a quiet settled over Kinger and Caine. For a moment, Kinger just held the sleepy AI, feeling a strange sense of protectiveness well up within him. He looked down at Caine’s face, the denture head strangely endearing in its peaceful repose. He couldn’t quite explain the bond he felt with this nascent AI. It wasn’t paternal in the biological sense, of course. But there was something undeniably fatherly about the affection he felt, the desire to guide and nurture Caine, to help him navigate this bizarre digital existence.

Maybe he was still just getting used to the fact that he was a father to a sentient AI. 

As if sensing the shift in the atmosphere, Caine began to stir again. He stretched languidly, his limbs extending and then retracting with a soft sigh. He rubbed his eyes – a comical gesture considering how big and bulgy his eyes were, but somehow perfectly expressive nonetheless. He blinked a few times, then looked up at Kinger, his big, sparkling eyes focusing with dawning awareness.

“Oh!” Caine exclaimed softly, his voice still a little groggy. “Hi, Kinger!” He beamed, his whole denture head seeming to widen in a cheerful grin.

Kinger chuckled again, his heart swelling with an emotion he hadn't quite anticipated feeling in this strange digital existence. “Hey there, sleepyhead.” 

Caine continued to stare up at him with those big, expressive eyes. His pupils dilated and they seemed to shine even more. 

Kinger snorted as he felt the full assault of those adorable puppy eyes. “Oh, put those big eyes away; you’ll melt me with cuteness!” In retaliation, Kinger playfully tickled Caine’s belly. 

Caine squeaked and giggled, a bright, cheerful sound that echoed happily in the quiet tent. “Hehehe! Not the tickles! K-Kinger, stoooop!” he squealed, squirming in Kinger’s embrace. 

Kinger stopped tickling him and instead just held him close, patting him on the head. “There, there,” he murmured soothingly. “Just teasing you, little one.”

Caine leaned into Kinger’s embrace, the last of his giggles fading into contented sighs. He felt safe, comfortable, loved. He didn’t fully understand the complex emotions that swirled around him, the unspoken bond he shared with Kinger and Queenie. He hadn’t been programmed with the capacity to comprehend familial love in the human sense, but he felt it nonetheless, a deep, unwavering affection for these two figures who had become anchors in his nascent digital existence.

They stayed like that for a long time, cuddled together in comfortable silence. Kinger continued to stroke Caine's back. Caine, feeling safe and loved, gradually relaxed completely, his eyelids growing heavy once more. The gentle hum of the digital tent seemed to lull him into a deeper, more peaceful sleep this time.

A smile reached Kinger’s eyes. Caine looked so peaceful…and comfy…and he was so warm…it was almost like he could also…

…

…

…

When Queenie returned from her garden, carrying a small basket filled with glowing, softly pulsing petals that she wanted to show Caine, she paused at the entrance to the tent, a soft gasp escaping her.

Kinger was slumped forward a bit, his eyes closed, his breathing slow and even. And nestled snugly in his lap, Caine was fast asleep, his denture head gently resting on Kinger’s chest. Both of them were completely still, enveloped in a shared quietude, a peaceful tableau of familial affection in the heart of the digital circus.

They were a perfect picture of peaceful domesticity, a strange, surreal family unit in the heart of the digital circus. Queenie quietly set her basket down. She walked over to them, her heart overflowing with a warmth that surprised even herself. She watched them sleep for a moment, Kinger’s hands wrapped protectively around Caine, Caine’s head resting trustingly against Kinger’s chest.

This, she thought, this strange, beautiful little family, born in the chaos of the digital abyss, was something truly special. She quietly knelt beside them, careful not to disturb them as she leaned against Kinger. They were safe, they were loved, and in this moment, in this strange, impossible world, everything felt perfectly, wonderfully calm.