The Cannon Fodder Male Insect's Art of Breaking Up

[If you already knew you would break up, would you still choose to be with your current partner?]

Norse had a dream.

In the dream, his betrothed, a male lead in a sweet insect romance, was the protagonist, while Norse was merely his cannon-fodder ex.

According to the plot, the protagonist would grow through his failed relationship with Norse. The countless arguments and compromises between them would teach him maturity, gentleness, thoughtfulness, and care, so he could carefully cherish the male lead who came later.

The first bug plants the tree, and the next one enjoys the shade.

The mature partner he had shaped through endless arguments and exhaustion would, in the end, simply be another male bug's good fortune.

At the end of the dream, the protagonist and the male lead became the new Emperor and Empress of the insect race. Norse fell from grace and became a prisoner, fleeing in shame like a beggar in front of the imperial couple's wedding parade.

Norse: "..."

He opened his eyes, got out of bed, and pushed open the bedroom window. Looking down from above, he gazed at the protagonist, who had pursued him for three whole years. Every time he returned from battle, the protagonist would bring countless rare treasures and keep vigil day and night outside his palace, pitifully hoping for just one glimpse of him.

- If you already knew you would break up, would you still choose to be with your current partner?

Norse's answer was "yes."

A dream was a dream. Reality was reality.

In Norse's imagination, even a breakup should be dignified and amicable. It would be a beautiful day, sunny and warm, with a gentle breeze. He would wear something nice, choose a quiet, elegant restaurant, and place a glass vase with a rose sprig on the table. He would calmly and politely break up with his male spouse.

Not flee in utter disarray before everyone's eyes.

Norse: "This breakup doesn't fit my aesthetic."

Norse: "Let's break up again."

*

Alistair had always thought he was the luckiest male bug in the world.

He had made a name for himself at a young age. Born into a time of turmoil, he overcame the barrier of age and rose to the position of legion commander through his remarkable military achievements.

At eighteen, he fell in love at first sight with a respected Sir. After three years of tireless pursuit, he successfully won his beloved's heart.

Then, over the next ten years, he stood with his male lord through thick and thin. Together, they brought an end to the old empire and the turbulent era, then ascended hand in hand to the highest throne of the insect race.

He was the very picture of a life well lived.

The day after ascending the throne, Alistair finished a day's work and returned home, ready to embrace his male lord and recharge with a long, enthusiastic cuddle.

Then he saw his male lord dressed to the nines, looking so beautiful he could have been about to get married. The man handed him a piece of paper and said very politely, "Hello. Divorce."

Alistair: "???"

* Main couple, one-on-one, both each other's first love, strong and beautiful, 100% sweetness

* A somewhat unconventional and coolheaded but not cold INTJ top x a once-arrogant, male-dominant military insect who, after falling in love with the top, gradually matures into a considerate and thoughtful marshal

(The top can't be bothered to teach him; the bottom learns it all by himself.)

* The dream is fake. There's no replacement partner and no groveling redemption arc, just a playful chase where one runs and the other pursues. The sweethearts only have each other.

Theme: Love means always feeling that you owe the other person more.