Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"Mr. Felix, how much longerrrr?” Bendy whined.

"It's been five cussin' seconds since you last asked,” Cuphead growled back.

Felix sighed inwardly, tuning out their bickering. Again. He didn't know how much further they had to go. 

Someone had reported an odd surge of magic from the area. Maybe it was another part. It was unlikely, as it hadn't appeared on the map, but, it didn't hurt to check. Maybe they'd be able to help even if it wasn’t a part. 

Well, that was what Felix was hoping. Plus, he was curious. It wasn't normal for magic to be near Toon Town, and it was even weirder that it was in the middle of a dense forest on the outskirts of the city. Really weird. 

Ah, maybe it was a prank. 

He started debating heading back. The landscape was doing a number on them. Poor Boris was tripping over every stump and stubborn twig they came across, Bendy was simply bored, and the Cup brothers were growing skittish, and irritated.

Felix swiped at yet another bush with his dagger. "It should be around here somewhere,” he altered them, “… whatever it is… " 

That last part had come out a little less reassuring than he'd meant.

There was a scoff from behind him. "Yeah, ya sound real confident 'bout that." Cuphead muttered. He then grunted in pain.

"I don't know… this place is pretty empty," Boris commented. He was right. It was almost completely untouched.

"At least there's animals this time." 

Everyone felt a chill run up their spine. Bendy audibly shivered. "Stars, don't jinx us Mugs." The dish chuckled nervously in response.

Alright, time to change the subject back. "Can you feel anything, Bendy?" Felix asked. If there really was magic here he would be the most likely to feel it.

"Magic? No. Nothin' really, just- WAH!- "

The adventurer whipped around with a hand already in his bag. Bendy, who had been at the back of their group, was now tangled up in a net hanging above the ground, thrashing and cursing. 

"Bendy! Are you okay?!" Boris rushed over and started pulling at the ropes.

Cuphead was already laughing loudly. Mugman was trying to quiet him, but was hiding his own chuckles. Felix didn’t find it as funny. He was concerned now.

There were traps. And there was a chance whoever set them was still here. This whole situation could have been a trick. 

The cat motioned for them all to quiet down and moved in to help cut Bendy out of his ropes. He was fighting against the trap with glowing eyes, after finally figuring out which way the sky was again.

" This is stardust! " Bendy hissed through grit teeth. He was fuming. Cuphead snorted to keep from laughing again.

Felix used his blade to slice through some of the net. "Hang on. Someone might be here wi-"

A horn sounded - an old-fashioned horn, the ones typically made out of, well, horns. It shook the trees, branches and leaves. Birds flew up from their nests, and any wildlife around them fled. 

He and Boris winced as their ears pinned to their skulls. Everyone looked around frantically for the source of the racket. 

"What the cuss was that?!" The cat heard Cuphead yell in a muffled voice. He and Mugman already had their bullets ready.

Felix switched his dagger for his battle axe in a splash of stars. He felt like he may need the long-ranged ability, just in case.

Boris scrambled for his pipe, and they all formed a defensive circle around his brother, who was growling lowly.

A figure jumped down from a tree near the one the net was hoisted from. Judging by the spiked ears, long snout and scraggly tail, it was a wolf. 

"What the... " Felix heard one of his gang murmur.

The wolf had a shield up in preparation, with an axe in their other hand. They stayed back, in their own readied stance. 

No one moved. No one made a sound. Okay, if it came to a fight, it was five, or rather four, against one. That wasn't much of a worry. But, hopefully this person was willing to talk.

Felix slowly started to lower his weapon to test the waters, holding his empty hand out placatingly. Cuphead tensed. "Alright, we don't want to hurt anyone here." He said. The person watched him with narrowed eyes.

He took the opportunity to study them a bit. They were certainly battle ready. She, she was battle ready. She had some kind of face paint on, that extended to her arms. Her axe seemed of European origin. And her shield. Her shield was circular, with a crest displayed on the front. It had been a while since Felix had seen gear like that. That crest was horribly familiar... Wait, was that-

"Whit da cuss is up wi dy fanger?" She abruptly asked, and lowered her shield with a baffled expression. She was gaping at the two dishes.

Cuphead flinched back in shock. "Uhh- what??"

Two more people were rushing through the brush. " Did du git onythin’?? " One of them shouted.

The wolf seemed to relax a bit and called back to them. "Nah, jost a weird dragon-y lad."

Bendy scoffed indignantly. "Dragon?" He mumbled to himself in confusion.

The other people broke through the forestry. The Cup brothers came face to face with two other dishes with painted faces. One was a woman, almost a full foot shorter than Cuphead, with long brown hair tied up messily. The other was a man, or, boy, with similar shoulder length hair. He was lanky, and a good piece taller than she was. Oh, Felix knew this lot, even after multiple years.

Mugman was pulling the most confused face he'd ever seen. Cuphead looked mildly jealous.

"Who the cuss are you?" He eyed her up and down suspiciously.

She returned the look. "I could ask du da saam min." She looked over them all. Her eyes widened when they landed on Felix. Ah.

"Oh. My. Thor ." She exclaimed, lowering her weapons. 

Meanwhile Boris and the other wolf were staring at each other. They both looked alarmed, and were tilting their heads in a very dog-like manner.

The female dish turned to the wolf and socked her in the arm, which gained her attention. Ouch. "Noods! It's yun adventurer cat! Felix!"

Felix chuckled, tilting his hat back. "Ah, so you remember me?"

"What the hell is going on here??" Bendy demanded.

Felix cleared his throat. "I think some introductions are necessary. No need for a fight, right?"

The boy took over, as his sister was too busy rummaging through a sack for something. "Sure. We're Bean, Noodle and Soup. Fae a muckle chunk o island up North."

Their Quester gang were a little stunned. The Cup brothers were still confused, as was Boris. And Bendy had held his breath to avoid snickering, most likely at the Cup brothers confusion, and Cuphead’s growing indignation.

"I'm Felix the Cat,” he started by introducing. “This is Bendy and Boris Bbro, and the Cup brothers, Cuphead and Mugman," he said, indicating to each member of the group.

Bean caught a cackle in his throat. "Cup-heed??" He repeated. His sisters barked less than ladylike laughs. Cuphead frowned deeply. His brother pulled his scarf over his nose, his shoulders shaking.

Soup finally found what she'd been searching for. She took out a really, really tattered book. "Faider brought back wan o dy books yonks ago!" She showcased.

It had been years. Three or four, he thought. The front cover was unrecognisable. The pages were gone yellow. The only way to discern it was one of his books was the crudely scratched letters on the spine. ‘Felix the Cat - The Dragon Mountains’. They'd obviously had to rewrite the title. He felt his heart warm a little. 

"Yes, your Chief was kind enough to give me a tour once. I remember seeing you three."

Bendy had his arms folded and a deadpan expression. "This is sweet an’ all, but could somebody please let me out of this starfallen net?"

Felix smiled sheepishly and picked up his battle axe from the ground, cutting through the rest of the ropes. He then returned the weapon to his bag.

Bendy hopped out and stretched his legs. 

"What's that trap for?" Boris inquired.

"Grub. We're tryin’ ta catch daener, but caught yun fella." Bean gestured towards the demon.

Cuphead raised a brow. "You guys campin' or somethin'?"

Soup nodded. "We set up on a peerie hill. Dere’s a good lil' braak in da trees."

"Mind if we join you? We should rest for a minute." Mugman asked, and looked to their group for approval. He was met with a couple angry looks from his brother and Bendy, the two of them still sceptical.

“It’s alright, guys. They’re good,” Felix assured them, and focused back on the new trio. “That sounds like a great idea. This magic surge is being a bit tricky. We could use a rest.”

Soup shrugged. "Aaright. It's dis wiy gaamers,” she directed them with a shoulder jerk, as she grabbed her gear and threw her shield over her back. Her siblings followed suit, and they began to walk off.

The cat motioned for his group to join as he fell into step behind them. It had been a while since he'd seen anything to do with that crest. Last time he’d seen their family those three were still children, practically. Now the eldest, Soup, would be over Bendy’s age, if Felix was remembering his years right, and her younger sister just under. He pondered how their village was doing.

Noodle sniffed around. She was following a trail back.

“What're you people doin' out here, anyway?" Cuphead quizzed as he pulled out a cigarette. His brother swatted it out of his hand. Cuphead huffed.

"Oor faider hid some treasure aroond here. We're tryin’ tae find it,” Bean answered, and judging by his flat expression their search didn’t seem to be going well. Or maybe that was just his face.

"Are you the oldest or what?" Bendy waved his hand in confusion.

Bean grinned. Noodle kicked him in the back of his shins with a string of curses, and he buckled to the ground with an ‘oof’.

“ I’m da aaldest,” Soup corrected with a thumb to her chest. “Noods is in da middle, an Bean's da youngest. He's… ack, I dunna kain numbers min.”

”I’m fifteen,” the dish teen answered when his sister faltered.

Boris stopped dead in his tracks. He looked like he'd seen a ghost. Oh dear. " He’s fifteen?! " He squeaked.

Cuphead roared with laughter. Mugman giggled a bit himself. "Golly, you still have some growin' ta do Boris.”

Bendy squinted. "But your voice is creepily deep dude,” he said in confusion.

“I can maake it deeper,” the dish grinned as he got up from the ground, and lowered his voice as much as possible. When he tried to say something it ultimately resulted in a voice break that sent his tone up to the highest octaves, which had everyone burst out laughing. Felix had chuckled a bit himself. He’d gone on quite the journey with his own voice growing up.

After some walking they reached the break in the forest Soup had mentioned, and climbed the incline. The three siblings got to work on rebuilding a fire. Felix helped. The Cup brothers gathered twigs, leaves, brush; fuel for the flames. After a while they even had a pot of soup bubbling away. It smelled... interesting.

Cuphead stared down at the bowl he'd been given. What the cuss was this. This wasn’t soup. 

Bendy was staring at his bowl on the other end of their tree-trunk-bench. His face was all scrunched up. "What the cuss is this??” Yeah, Cup’s thoughts exactly.

The new wolf narrowed her eyes irritatedly. "Wheesht, min. It's good fir dee. Jost scoff up." She said around a spoonful.

Cup eyed his soup again. It was watery, and yellow, and had chunks of some kind of meat floating around. And a bone. Some kind of bone. Nobody else had a starfallen bone.

He noticed Mugs pouring out some of his behind his back. The pup had just put his down. Bendy had dared to take a bite. And the cat, he was having a great old time over there.

Cuphead was not eating this. So, instead of just sitting around while everyone struggled with the soup, he decided to start asking some damn questions.

"Alright, what's goin' on here? How d’you know each other?" He gestured between the two groups, waving his spoon. The three newbies were off in their own world, joking amongst themselves.

Felix swallowed a mouthful. "I met their father by accident when I was exploring some rumours. There was a gang just further East of here that were capturing dragons and selling them on the black market. Chief Smuck was tracking them too."

"Schmuck?" Bendy muttered.

"Chief?" Boris muttered at the same time.

Felix nodded. "We worked together, and became decent friends. He was an interesting fellow. You see, he, and these three, travelled down from a Highland archipelago that is completely cut off from society. The community prefered it that way. I'm assuming they still do. Most of the people who live there are direct Viking descendants. At the time, I had no idea their lineage had carried on. I don't think anyone did."

Cup could practically hear the cogs in everyone's brains turning. Thank cuss they didn't bring Holly. She'd blow up from all her questions.

Mugs stuttered. "W-wait. Actual Vikings??" 

"Well," Felix's head tilted, "probably not the bloodthirsty pillagers you're thinking of. They have their own customs. And they carry more Scottish heritage than the original Vikings, but, yes. They're the real deal."

Damn. But, they were dishes. Well, two of 'em were. What happened? How much do they know about dishes? The Calix Animi? Cup glanced at his brother, who looked back at him with the same expression. So he was thinking the same things. 

Boris had a screwed up muzzle. "A-are we in danger??” He asked flat-out.

The cat brushed his ears back to comfort him. "Not at all - they’re harmless. Or, at least, reasonable. They're the Chief's three kids."

"That a Bendy and Boris situation or su’m else?" Cup interrogated and jammed his spoon in his mouth, and immediately regretted it. Tasted awful. Bendy pulled a face in sympathy.

"Oor mam's a dish, Faider’s a wulf. Da genes were a bit o a lucky dip,” the boy- err, Bean piped up. They'd tuned back in to the conversation.

Huh, well that answered a few more questions. What happened with their mom? Did she know anything? Did she teach 'em anything? After being scolded for how cussing oblivious he and Mugs had been to the order, Cup was cautious. Just how off-grid were these people?

"Yeah, whit's wee dy accent?" The older girl suddenly asked.

She was staring at him. Cup glanced off, and then glanced back. She was still staring at him. 

"Uhh, I danno, wat'd up wid yourd?" He retorted from around his spoon. Cuss. He'd forgot about that. He took it out.

She shrugged. Noodle mimicked him from next to her, jerking and saying something into her bowl in what was such a gross exaggeration of a Southern accent he couldn't even figure out what she said. Her sister and brother were cussing shaking with laughter.

Cuphead scowled. The cat raised a finger in warning as Bendy started splitting his cussing sides. So did Boris. Mugs too, the mook. They had the same cussing accent.

“Yeah yeah, laugh it up why don't ya,” he grumbled, and slapped Bendy on the back, who coughed in response, and then tossed him an orange glare.

Felix eventually got them to settle down, and they were back to asking questions.

"So what's the deal with this treasure?" The starfallen pipsqueak asked with a glint in his eyes. 

Bean started gathering all their bowls, empty or not. “Faider apparently left somethin’ here fir us ta find. He ‘hid’ it fir when we were aald enough to go hunt it doon, which we are noo. Oor mam gave us a map wee an ‘X’ an a riddle on it. Da riddle goes somethin’ lik… ‘Up o’er da broch whar da trowie bides, du'll need dy axes or du's deed min.’”

Cuphead had whiplash. By the looks of it, so did everyone else. Not the cat, of course, because he just knew everything. Been a bit since Cup had felt that dumb. 

His brother scratched the back of his head with a clueless stare. "Uhh," was all he could manage, again.

"What language was that?! ” Bendy snapped.

The pup turned to Felix with a sheepish look. "Mr. Felix? Could you maybe translate?"

He had his weird adventurer face on. "It's not a language, exactly. It's a dialect,” he explained, pinching his chin in thought. “In regular old English it just means ‘Up over the river where the trowie stays’ - a trowie is a creature similar to a troll,” he paused to elucidate. “… ‘You'll need your axes or you're dead.’” 

He glanced to the Viking kids for confirmation on his translation.

Soup nodded. "Pretty moch."

Well that sucked.

"Is it supposed to rhyme?" Boris’ muzzle scrunched up in confusion.

The other wolf snorted. "Faider wis bruck at rhymes,” she remarked, before her brother shoved all the dishes into her arms. 

“Du's on waashin’ daday.”

She frowned, but got up, grabbing a barrel of water and dragging it with her as she stomped away, yelling random curses out as she did.

"There hasn't been a river on a map of Toon Town for some time,” Felix mused, a deep knot in his brow. He tore his gaze from the ground to the Vikings. "Are you sure what you're looking for is around here?"

Bean took a seat next to his sister, who now had a frown on her face. "Oor map his a couple brochs,” she muttered more to herself, and then pulled out said map. Her brother stared over her shoulder. "Yeah, dere."

"Maybe it's outdated?" Boris suggested. 

Cup rolled his eyes. "Horribly outdated,” he grumbled. He then felt pain jab him in the arm, and clutched it with a wince. He scowled at his brother. That was the second cussing time today!

The cat got up from his seat, and headed over to the three ‘Vikings’ to take a gander at their map. His knot only grew.

“What’s up Mr. Felix?” Boris asked, lifting his head curiously.

“I’m… not sure,” he admitted. “I don’t think this map is of this city. The river system is too dense - this might be a map of somewhere more up North.”

“What’s to say it isn’t anywhere else in the cussin’ world??” Cup pointed out, tossing a hand up. It didn’t exactly have ‘United States’ slapped across the top of it, did it?

Felix realised this, and looked to the Vikings. “Are you sure the thing your father hid is here? In America?”

“I think so,” Soup responded, chewing her cheek. “Oor Mam said it wis in… ‘merica… ” She mumbled. Stars.

Felix had his dumb thinking face on, which to Cup only meant bad news.

“… Maybe there's something that can help us back in the city,” he said. 

Us? He meant them, right?

"Why don't you come back with us? We could do some research, maybe give you lot a tour in return." He continued. Oh cuss no. Like hell Cup was taking these wackos with him.

Bendy clicked his tongue and hopped up with a grin. "Berries." No, not berries.

Mugman and Boris followed suit. The two remaining kids began packing and cleaning up their camp, the other one eventually deciding to show up again just as they were finishing up.

“Ay yo whit's goin’ on, whit did I miss,” she asked, packing the clean dishes away in a sack of some sort and throwing the barrel off to one side.

Bean took the barrel and somehow managed to tie it to the mess of gear he already had tied to his back. "We're goin’ wee a bunch o strangers wha could totally kill us an no wan would ivir kain,” he replied with absolutely no cussing sarcasm whatsoever. Cuphead suspected he was the only one who heard the comment - no one else had reacted. Everyone was too busy moving.

After refusing to move, Cup was pulled up from his seat by the pipsqueak. "C’mon, man, we're going." 

The dish groaned. He didn't want to move. He didn't want to go back with another gang of weirdos. And every time they brought someone back, they ended up cussing staying! The house was packed! When had they started trusting complete cussing strangers?!

Bendy hauled him along with his stupid starfallen demon strength. Once everyone was ready, they started making their way back through the forest, with the cat at the front using a compass as a guide home.

"None of you use magic, do you?" He raised a brow at the berserker gang. Oh yeah. The magic surge. 

The wolf snorted. "I mean Soup's burps are brally magical but I dunna kain if yun’s whit du means.”

Soup cackled, and bumped her collar bone with a fist. “Hang on, lemme see if I’ve got wan stored.”

Multiple of their group raised their palms haltingly, and begged her not to, while her siblings split their sides.

Cuphead did not like these kids.

Chapter Text

The trip back wasn't that bad, in Bendy's opinion. Except the glassbrain. He had been in an awful mood, for whatever reason. Probably because he still wasn't allowed to smoke. He practically sulked the whole damn way. But, at some point the lanky dish kid had started singing… or, screaming. Bendy couldn't tell if it was an actual song or a chant. Either way, it had lightened the mood. The girls joined in. Somehow everyone had eased up, including Cup. Bendy hadn't realised there was any tension until it was gone. It had been kinda fun. They even handed out some buns at one point. A little stale, but not bad. Anything was better than that soup they’d given them. Even back on the streets Bendy would've refused that.

They had tried to make their way through the city quickly once they reached it, but the new trio had apparently never been in a city before, and stopped to look at everything. And Bendy meant everything. It took them a whole other hour to make it home. 

And when they finally did, there was the press. Hovering right outside their gate.

They decided to initiate their backup plan: entering through the backyard. So that’s what they did. They skirted around the block and over to the backyard’s fencing, which they then scaled, helping each other out in the process. Bendy wasn’t going to acknowledge how much help he had needed.

They trudged through the garden and up to the backdoor. It was unlocked, thankfully. Although maybe it shouldn’t have been. Anyone could’ve done what they just did.

Wiston walked past the doorway as they entered. He paused in the hallway, watching them.

“Uhh… ” He exclaimed in loud concern.

“ What is it? ” Red called out from another room.

“They’re back,” the fox called back, still watching, and growing more concerned when the Vikings came in last. “But they came through the backyard, and have… new people,” he made it known.

“We have some guests,” Felix announced on top of that.

" Guests? How wonderful! " Granny replied from the kitchen.

Bendy gave a chuckle, and glanced back at said guests. They had suddenly become much more timid. That was weird.

There was a scoff from Red. " You better not bring any soil in with you! " She warned. They heeded her and checked all their shoes.

Alice stepped into the hallway to greet them. Oh. The girls were here. 

“How was your trip?” She asked, drifting up to Bendy. “Did you find anything?"

Cup tossed a thumb over his shoulder. "Do they count?"

Alice’s eyes locked on the trio, who were still standing outside. Her mouth made a little ‘o’ shape in surprise. "Guests." Bendy could see all the questions running through her head. 

Felix turned to them. "You okay guys?" 

Soup snapped out of something and nodded. She shuffled forward, her siblings following. They’d been hovering back by the door until now.

More people were coming out into the hallway. The Warners' heads popped out the front room in a zany stack. Holly leaned out next to them.

"Well, whadda we have here?" Yakko grinned. Dot narrowed her eyes.

Cala went to greet Mugs and caught sight of them. And shortly after that Granny waddled out.

“Oh! A full house! Red, dear, we'll need to put on more veggies!" She called out, before going over and closing the backdoor for them. "Come on in out of the cold,” she ushered. “It's still winter out there. Can I get you anything? Tea, or a hot cocoa?" She smiled warmly.

"Hot chocolates would be great, Granny, thank you." Felix answered with a smile of his own. She nodded, and wished the newcomers a welcomed stay, before retreating to the kitchen.

Bendy looked at the three of them. "Do you wanna take off some of your bags and weapons and stuff?" He suggested. They were just standing there with them. All that gear had to be heavy.

They untied the organised mess of stuff they had strapped to their backs, and with the help of Felix found temporary homes for their things in the front porch. They were then led into the living room. Wiston had been trying to play cards with the Warners and Fireball, their game now abandoned. Xedo was sat in one of the armchairs with a cup of coffee and a newspaper. His eyes flicked up towards them when they entered, lowering his paper.

Yakko was stood next to Bendy now. Bendy was getting used to the jumpscares.

“You gonna introduce us?” He asked expectantly. “I thought we were pals!" 

Bendy huffed, scraping Dot of his arm. "I was getting there, just lemme cussing sit down first,” he grumbled. 

Dot didn't budge. She nuzzled his arm, before her head snapped to the trio. "Yeah, who's this?" She asked in suspicion.

Bendy ignored her, and finally got her to let go. He fell into another armchair, while his brother took a seat on the couch next to him. Cup, Mugs, Cala, Alice and Holly hung around by the door. And the Vikings just kinda continued to stand there.

"Warners,” Felix, well, warned. He took his hat off and placed it on the coffee table after sitting down next to Boris. 

The cat exhaled sharply. “Everyone, this is Soup, Noodle and Bean,” he introduced, motioning to them. “Soup, Noodle, Bean, this is everyone."

More introductions went around. Everyone gave their names, which Bendy highly doubted the three of them would remember. There were so many people here, now that he thought about it.

Granny and Red came in with multiple hot cocoas, and passed them around. Bendy licked his lips. He took a mug and thanked them before they headed back.

"Where did you come from, if I may ask?" Xedo raised an eyebrow.

"They came from 'up North'," Cup used finger quotes, "whatever that means." 

"Europe." Felix added.

"Europe?" Wiston repeated.

"What're you doing all the way out here?" Holly asked. She had that look in her eyes. It was taking everything in her not to ask more.

Wakko tilted his head, his tongue flopping out. “Ink illness?” He interjected.

"No, we’re em… we’re lookin’ fir somethin’ oor faider hid fae us,” Soup piped up, scratching her cheek.

Everyone paused. It was the accent this time. Bendy took a quiet swig of his cocoa, watching. The three of them were looking pretty uncomfortable with this whole situation.

Thankfully, Felix noticed this too, and cleared his throat. "Yes, they… have a map they're following. It's of some intertwining rivers, but we’re not sure where in America they are, exactly. We, well, I offered to help them out to return the favour I owed their father. We worked together for a little while."

"We could go to the library first. Look for some river maps,” Holly suggested. “There should be some in the geography section.”

"Libraary?" Soup looked curious. Bendy took another sip of his cocoa, feeling better now that the awkwardness seemed to be easing.

Felix nodded. "That would be a good start,” he concurred, and took a sip of his own cocoa, then moving to get up.

"Can we maybe see the map?" Alice stepped forward, a gentle smile on her face.

Soup took her map out and showed it to her. Bendy tried to sneak a peek too. He hadn’t gotten one earlier.

Though he really hadn’t been missing out on much. It was awful. A bunch of scratchy, charcoal lines drawn in what were some of the weirdest rivers Bendy had ever seen. There was some crude blue drawn in there too, just so it would have some resemblance of running water. That and a big ‘X’ at the end of them, scruffy trees around, and bits of text in characters Bendy hadn’t seen before.

Holly peered over the angel’s shoulder, and frowned. "That… is quite odd. I don’t know what rivers those are… ” She mumbled more to herself.

She clutched her satchel as her frown became more determined. "Can I come with you guys?"

“Sure,” Felix agreed, taking his hat and placing it between his ears.

Ehh, whatever. Bendy was too interested now. 

“I'm coming too.” He said as he hopped up. He placed his sad cocoa on the coffee table.

"I-I'll think I'll stay,” his bro decided as he moved. “My last couple library experiences weren't great.” He mentioned with an unamused glance off to one side.

Boris was staying? Alright. Bendy ruffled his hair a bit.

"I'm out. Have fun," Cup remarked before slipping out the room. Mugs’ eyes followed the grump, before he ducked out after him.

Cala looked a little lost. "I'm going to go help with dinner, I think." She offered. Alice joined her, and they drifted to the kitchen.

Wiston, who had been hovering behind everyone in the doorway, raised his hands hopefully. “Can I go??”

His brother shook his head. "One of our own bookshelves was almost reduced to cinders the other day. I don't think going to a library is entirely wise,” he stated. Wiston groaned.

Dot zipped in front of Bendy as he went to take a step forward. "Are you going somewhere without me again, Bendy-Boo?" She pressed her pointer fingers together with a pout.

Bendy rolled his eyes and gripped her head, moving her to the side like a claw machine. " Yes, I am."

"Aw, you wouldn't hurt my poor sister like that, would you?" Yakko questioned, interrupting his next attempt at a step forward. Bendy growled lowly.

Oddswell came in, and for a second he could've sworn the guy had angel wings. "I believe we have an appointment today, Wakko,” he brought up, and adjusted the glasses on the end of his snout as he flicked through the pages on his clipboard. "The 1.45 p.m. slot, yes?" There was a hint of challenge in his lizard-y stare.

"Uuuuuuuhhhh, gotta go!" Yakko basically teleported over to his side, leaving a cloud of smoke for Bendy to choke on. "Sorry Doc."

Dot sidestepped away with a sheepish grin to join them, while Wakko hopped down from the room's light shade... when the cuss had he gotten up there??

He walked over to Dr. Oddswell with his head hanging low and his hands dragging on the floor behind him, the three of them heading around him and out into the hallway.

The lizard eyed the Viking trio. "You must be the guests. Welcome, make yourselves at home for now,” he greeted briefly. He then turned and led the Warners upstairs with his clipboard in hand. Well, he was busy then.

Bendy sighed a tired sigh and spun back to the gang, who were getting ready to head out. It took a surprisingly long time to convince the newbies that they didn't need to bring all of their stuff with them. In most cases people didn’t need to use axes in a library.

Holly stepped up to the door, and went to open it. Felix stammered to stop her. She paused when he did.

“-Uhh, the press are creating quite a crowd out there. We might have to head through the back again,” he suggested.

“I’ve got it,” Red barged through, swiping up a baseball bat. She opened the door and stormed out, and waved her weapon. 

“ Beat it - all of you! Half of you are stepping on our cussing land! Leave, before the cops cussing get here! ”

There were some murmurs from outside. They didn’t leave, really. They hadn’t for the past cussing month. 

Not wanting to subject the Vikings to the press, they decided to take the backyard route, but thanked Red for her service.

As they left through the backdoor, Bendy heard Granny call out to them. " Make sure you're back in time for the roast! " 

Mm, roast. Bendy’s mouth watered. 

Holly dropped all her books clumsily onto their table. 

She winced. “Sorry.” That had been loud.

"I grabbed everything that could tell us about rivers,” she told them, tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear. “Geography and geology books, maps of the states, some article on the best rivers in the state, and so on and so forth,” she sighed, sinking into an empty chair.

Felix picked up one of the books. “Thanks, Holly, this is perfect." He said with a grin. Berries. She was glad. 

She and Bendy grabbed books too, random ones. Holly had nowhere in particular to start.

She glanced over at the trio. They were a little strange… Well, that wasn't fair for her to say. She was pretty strange herself. Anyway- She had a lot of questions.

The eldest, Soup, had taken a liking to Snowball, who was doing somersaults on the table for her. She was putting on quite the performance, leaving dandelion petals all over the table. The middle-est, Noodle, who was a wolf and not a dish - ergo, more questions - was staring over at the mural. Holly had purposely chosen a table in sight of the display and the tranquility that radiated from it. And the youngest, Bean, was blatantly avoiding looking up in any way at all.

They were very bizarrely dressed, and had a myriad of tattoos between the three of them. Some might have even considered it unseemly, or perhaps scandalous, for those with their nose stuck up in the air. Holly was of the opinion that they could do whatever the hell they wanted. Screw the big-noses.

Noodle had gingerly opened a book, and now had a look of panic on her face. "Uhh… " 

Holly's lip twitched. Okay that was a little amusing.

Bendy, who had clearly not been reading at all, raised his brow at the wolf. “What's up?" He questioned, a chuckle slipping into his inquiry. Felix looked over as well.

Soup peered at her sister's book, and made a weird noise at the back of her throat. “ We canni read yun. " 

"You can't read?" Bendy asked. Even Snowball had bounded over to take a peek for herself.

The three shook their heads.

"Weell, we can read oor ain writin', no yun." Bean clarified.

Their own writing?? There were so many questions.

Felix tilted his hat back. "Ah, well, maybe just look out for pictures?" He suggested unsurely.

They nodded, and everyone went back to reading, or, looking.

Holly rubbed the page between her fingers. 

Would it be rude of her to ask a couple things? Well, yes, it could be. They might be personal questions. And she didn't know their boundaries.

But they could be totally fine with it. Maybe she was just overthinking it.

Maybe she could ask them things about dishes.

No, no, that was too much. And she still had all ten of those papers Cup had given her. She could just use them, instead of interrogating these poor people.

She propped her elbow on the table, a hand pressed to her temple. Horse feathers, she was getting distracted.

... Maybe just one question?

Holly lifted her head. Soup and Noodle were flipping through the pages, with Snowball watching, and Bean was now gazing at the mural, particularly its reflection on the floor.

"Where did you say you came from?" She queried. Europe. But where in Europe?

The eldest glanced up at her. "A muckle aald staine floatin’ in da middle o da sea, basically. Da Isle o Lug. It's above… uh… Alba. Right.”

She furrowed her brow. “Alba?”

“Scotland,” Felix translated. Oh.

"Why do you carry so many weapons?" And why were they so old-fashioned?

She shrugged. "It's a Vikin' ting, I guess. Du dusna carry onythin'."

" Vikings?? " She breathed. Oh. My. Stars.

Did Felix know about this?! She turned to him. He was switching between them with a worried stare.

"How are you three Vikings?? They fizzled out centuries ago! Is that why you wear face paint? Is that a thing for battle? And why do you wear wool capes? Are they real? Are they to keep you warm? Are you direct descendants?? What’s your accent? I've never heard anything like it before. What can you read if you can’t read English? How does your hair work? Do Vikings actually have horns on their helmets?? I heard that was debunked recently. Do you wear helmets? Do you do magic? Dish magic? Who is your father?? How come nobody else knows about your isle?? How do you know Felix?? How long have you been here?? How in Yen Sid’s name did you get here?! How-” She paused to take in some air again. 

She froze. They were all staring at her. Her face darkened. 

Holly cleared her throat and dipped her head. "I'm sorry,” she squeaked. Stars, she had done it again! In front of complete strangers!

Felix and Bendy chuckled. Soup shook out of her shock and smiled. "It's aa good, gaamer. I hiv twa siblin's dat wunna stop yabberin',” she gossiped. Said siblings then proceeded to fake out an attack on her, raising their fists, to which she held up her hands in surrender. Oh, geez. Holly suppressed a giggle. That was comforting.

Then they answered everything. Every. Thing.

They were direct descendants of Vikings. Or, a group of them. They'd stuck to their archipelago for the most part, so they were almost purely Viking. They wore face paint partly for camouflage, partly because they liked it. Families had their own styles. 

Their capes were made of real sheep hides and were worn to counteract the weather, but the younger siblings always found them too hot. Their accents were from their own dialect, which had a strong Scottish influence, Felix helped explain. He also helped explain how they had their own alphabet - English in the literary sense wasn’t taught to them. 

Though they too wouldn't explain their logic-defying hair, or, couldn’t, they did debunk the horn myth. Apparently their village wore feathers on their helmets instead, if one could actually fit a helmet on their head. 

They didn't know anything about dish magic. Holly had really confused them by trying to explain using her limited knowledge on the subject. Perhaps that was a better convo for Cup to have with them.

They were biological siblings. Dad was a wolf, mom was a dish. Their dad was chief of their village. Felix was among the rare few that knew about their community. Like other pieces of culture and history, he chose to keep it a secret after visiting. He didn't want anyone disturbing them. Felix met their father after they worked on a mission together. 

And perhaps the weirdest part was that none of them had any idea how they’d ended up in the States. They said they had just appeared here, after deciding to set off on their journey. It was suspiciously fateful to Holly.

And, even after berating them with questions, they didn't even look at her weird!

Holly had decided. She liked those three.

By the time they were done in the library, the sun had begun to set. They agreed that it was best if they called it a day for research. They needed to head back soon or they would miss out on dinner. 

Felix and Bendy helped Holly put the books and articles away, while the others shuffled over to the edge of the mural to scope it out. Holly smiled to herself. It was always great when people discovered it for the first time. 

Once everything had been returned to their rightful shelves, Holly shuffled over to the trio and stood next to them with her hands clasped. She motioned to the colourful mosaic on the floor. “These are runes, and were added by Yen Sid when he built this school. These ones are peace runs, and were installed to protect everyone and everything on campus, and promote peace and focus overall, but they're also a good judge of character. Or, more of your soul than anything."

"Runes?" Bean's head tilted in fascination whilst he petted Snowball gently. She had taken up refuge in the locks of hair that spilled over the top of his mug and acted as an overgrown bang.

Bendy and Felix joined them. "Go on - try step under them,” the adventurer encouraged. He shared Holly's excitement. 

The siblings gave each other a look, before they stepped forward. 

All three pairs of eyes widened to the size of dinner plates. Soup laughed a little, and hopped up and down slightly. “Aw min, dis is ebic! ” She beamed, suddenly full of an energy she didn’t have before.

Noodle closed her eyes and took a deep breath in, her broad shoulders relaxing. And Bean was completely giddy - he started chortling uncontrollably. "W-Whit da cuss is dis??" He managed around his giggles. 

"Right?! Dis is great! ” Soup practically shouted, and grabbed her sisters' paws. They started spinning together with their own laughter now.

"Never gets old," Bendy commented, his tail swaying back and forth lazily. Felix chuckled a bit himself and put his hands on his hips as he watched them.

Holly glanced around. They were getting a couple looks from passer-bys and such. They were probably being too loud, and, well, to put it bluntly, the trio didn't exactly fit this society’s norms.

But nobody from the house really fitted in, did they? Two of the people in there had cups for heads, for Yen Sid's sake. If someone had told her people like that existed before she joined the quest, she would've laughed. In fact, she had laughed. If they didn’t fit society’s norms then they would fit in perfectly with their gang.

Anyhow, it was getting late. Felix helped wrangle everyone up and led them out the door, and they began the stroll back home.

Snowball hopped onto Holly's shoulder and swayed a bit. She looked a little dizzy, after clinging on for dear life when Bean was splitting his sides. She collapsed quickly. Holly picked her up and gently put her in her pocket.

Noodle tilted her head. "Whit is she?"

The rest of their journey was spent trying to explain the little flowery creature whilst dancing around the mention of their map’s purpose. Felix was acting cautious about the subject. Why? She'd have to ask him later. For now, it was time for a delicious roast.

Chapter Text

The dinner table was packed. Even more packed than usual. Mugman sat down next to Cala, and Cup sat down on his other side. Alice and Holly went next to Cala. After staring at the lights for a while, the Viking kids joined, filling the gap between Holly and Felix in order of age. Bendy and Boris took the spaces on Felix' right, then the Warners, Scratchansniff, Oddswell, Red, Granny, and then Xedo and Wiston. A full house.

The girls who had helped with cooking passed around the veggies while Red cut into the ham and started to pass everyone their portion. Wakko's hand hovered over the plate full of rolls, but was met with a head shake from his guardian. 

Mugman glanced at his brother. He'd been sulking ever since getting back from the forest. Mugs had asked about it, and all he was got a grunt in response. A couple jokes had been thrown around when they were hanging out at the camp, but those things didn't get to him anymore, did they? 

No, this was something else. Cup either needed to go to bed, or they needed to talk. He probably wanted a smoke. 

Hopefully he could still enjoy dinner at least.

Thankfully, dinner did go well. A bit chaotic, but when was something ever calm in this building? The Warners and Bendy, surprisingly, almost started a food fight, which the new trio was totally ready for. Oddswell made sure nothing happened though. Whines of disappointment sounded round the table. Mugs had to admit, he joined in. A food fight would've been good for letting off some steam.

A few questions were asked and answered as everyone ate.

"Are you here for ink illness?" Wiston asked straight off the bat. Things went quiet for a second. Mugs almost choked on his broccoli.

The eldest, Soup, shook her head. "We're lookin’ fir somethin’, but hiv a bruck map ta go aaff o.”

"Sounds like a treasure hunt!” Yakko grinned, and slapped an adventurer’s hat onto his noggin. “We're in." He hopped up out his seat and started marching off. He didn’t get very far though.

“Hey,” Dot interjected, catching his tail as he passed by, which caused him to fling back like an elastic band, “not so fast.” She turned a glare on the three Vikings, squinting. "I don't trust 'em."

"Now now, Dot, zat iz rude. Zey've done no wrong." Scratchy chastised with a finger raised. Dot squinted further.

Felix decided to change topics. He cleared his throat and punched his chest lightly. “We didn't find much in the library,” he commented, “but, uhh, we were a little distracted. I was going to take them back another day, if you lot were planning on sticking around… ?" He glanced to the three of them.

Bean shrugged and swallowed a mouthful. "I guess. Dis plice is brally cool, and we'll eventually find whar Faider hid it."

"Do you have anywhere to stay?" Alice queried.

"No really. But we can heed back tae yun woods, or go tae wan o da gaps between da buildin’s," Noodle replied. 

"Oh, dears." Mugman heard Granny sigh.

He frowned. Nobody at the table was comfortable with that thought.

“You can’t sleep in the alleys,” Bendy barked in outrage, setting down his knife and fork. Boris murmured concurrently, nodding along.

Cup scoffed. “They’ll be fine - they’ve got all the campin’ gear,” he dismissed casually as he ate. Voices around the table scoffed back at him.

“Cuphead,” Felix scorned flatly. Mugs took the direct approach by stomping on his foot. Cup jerked and smacked his knee against the table, cussing under his breath. Served him right.

"I'm not going to let another person spend a night out on the streets,” Xedo stated, loud enough for everyone else to go quiet. All eyes went to him.

“Even if you are strangers currently,” he added and dropped his gaze to his plate, somehow even slicing through his roast potatoes poshly. “We can sort something out at mine and Wiston’s apartment if you are in need of a place to stay for now. I've done worse."

Holly looked to Alice and Cala. "Do we have any room?" 

Cala grimaced. "Ebi." Oh, right. Yeah. She wasn’t one for strangers, judging by what Cala had told Mugs, and the brief talk he’d had with her at the circus.

"I'm sure we can make some space,” Granny chimed in, and turned to Oddswell, “right, Doctor?"

His scaly snout turned down into a frown. He seemed like he wanted to say something, but wasn’t. His tongue flicked out. 

"Yes. Right.” He answered lightly, and set his cutlery down in his empty plate. “I'll see what I can do." 

"Thanks, Doc. You're the man." Bendy hopped up with his own empty plate. Everyone filed out after that. The girls helped wash up after dinner. Mugs joined them, and he managed to force Cuppy too. Felix and Oddswell went off to talk, and Bendy and Boris led the new trio into the living room. 

The fox brothers offered to walk Alice, Holly and Cala back home. It was dark out now. Mugman kissed Cala goodnight, while Holly spoke to Cup. Mugs heard Alice pulling some awful puns with Bendy too. They all said their goodbyes before they headed out.

His brother went straight upstairs. Guess that was his cue.

Mugs followed him up to their room and started getting ready for bed. Cup had already changed, and was in the bathroom brushing his hair. Mugs got into his pyjamas.

"Cup?" He peeked into the bathroom.

"Yeah?" He hummed, putting his comb down, and started pulling at the safety pins keeping his bandages together. Mugs stepped in fully, and moved in to help unwrap them. 

“… Wanna tell me why you're bein' a grump?"

Cup scoffed, sitting down on the edge of the bathtub. "I'm not bein' a grump." He grumbled. How convincing.

“Keepin' it to yourself isn't gonna fix it,” Mugs told him as he finished unwrapping the last of them. He scoured over his stitches. They were good. Nothing had come undone. The cracks were starting to seal up now.

His bro was looking off to the side. 

He sighed through his big nose. "It's not the jokes, is it?" He stated more than asked.

Cup's eyes focused back on him, angry confusion flashing through them. "W-What?? No, I- Of course it's not the cussin' jokes."

Mugs stayed quiet and waited for him to explain.

He let out a heavy breath, and slouched. "Casothinkboutad." He murmured.

He blinked. "Uh?"

"Icantstopthinkinaboutdad."

"I can't hear you bro."

"I can't stop thinkin' about Dad, okay?! Cuss!" He huffed.

Mugman felt his heart twinge. That’s what was bothering him?? 

He frowned sadly at him. “Cuppy..."

"And now there's two more damn dishes in the house!" He threw his arms up, which had Mugs wince in sympathy. "And all I can see is his starfallen face everywhere. It's cussin' awful, Mugs." 

He lowered his gaze to the floor, and smiled bitterly. “You don't have to explain it to me, bro, I get it." Out of everyone, he understood. That much was obvious.

Cup faltered at that. “I-… I know, I know.” He dipped his head. “I'm sorry." 

“It’s okay,” Mugs said softly.

Silence fell between them for a bit. His brother looked like he was trying to find words. He was about to say something, gesturing with his hands like he could just get the words to show up. But, then he just sighed hopelessly and sunk into himself. 

“I dunno... I miss him."

Mugs felt tears prick at his eyes, and he pulled his brother into a hug.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner, Cup?"

"How could I? We've had three screechin' barbarians on our tails all day,” he pointed out. At least there was some humour in his voice. Mugs laughed.

"Right, right. Sorry." 

Cup let go with a sniff, and reached out for the tube of devil cream. "Let's just slap this damn cream on so I can get to cussin’ sleep."

Mugs nodded and chortled. He covered the lines of his wound with the cream, and then helped rewrap him with fresh bandages.

"Stars, I hate this recovery stardust." His bro complained.

He stifled more laughter. "Sucks, right?"

"Yeah," he chuckled. He put his shirt back on and they dragged their feet over to their beds.

Mugs collapsed onto his. He didn't know about Cup, but he was beat. 

He got under his covers and turned towards the wall.

"Hey, bro?"

"Mhm?"

"Thanks."

Mugman smiled. "No problem. Love you."

"Love ya too."

"Mr. Cat." 

Felix turned to Dr. Oddswell, who was stood in front of the stairs. "Yes?"

“May we talk?” He asked, putting his hands behind his back. “Upstairs, in my office.”

Oh dear. This didn’t sound great. 

Felix inhaled, and gave him a single nod. He followed the lizard up the stairs and into his office. He turned on a little old-fashioned oil lamp he had on his desk and sat down in his chair, gesturing for Felix to join him. 

"Is something wrong?" Felix started as he took the seat across from him.

"Not exactly." He replied, and paused. 

He put his hands on the desk and pressed the pads of his fingers together, staring at Felix with a level gaze. “Mr. Cat, I appreciate what you are doing for these people, but I don't have endless amounts of rooms. They aren't subjects, nor patients, or a part of our group. To put it frankly they’re going to take up space."

The cat winced inwardly, and glanced off. "I-I know, Doctor… But they can help out around the house! I'm sure they'd be willing. A-and they're quite an interesting bunch,” he noted, scratching the back of his neck. “I-I know Professor Wilson would've loved to meet… them… " He glanced back to gauge his reaction to the mention of the Professor. It had been a while since he'd said anything about him. 

The Doctor simply stared. Well, Felix didn't know what else he had expected.

He continued. "T-They shouldn't be here for long, I just have to help them figure out this map situation." 

"And what about the quest? What happens when a part shows up?" The Doctor questioned.

“W-well, by then, I would've hoped I'd already helped them, or they were capable enough to navigate the city on their own,” Felix explained. Oddswell didn’t look too happy with that.

He lifted his hands, and pressed his digits together. "I suspect they're not here legally, are they?" He raised a suspicious eyebrow.

Felix fell short.

Oddswell sighed a slight sigh, almost disappointed in the cat. Ouch.

"Do they have parents?” He pressed. “Are they old enough to be without a parent or guardian?"

"Their mother is still back at their home manning the village, as far as I'm aware. Their father passed away a few months ago - I-I don't know the exact details.” He admitted. He had stayed regrettably distant from them in recent years.

“… A-as for their ages, now, I think the eldest is… twenty, the middle is eighteen, and the youngest is fifteen, there and thereabouts.”

The gecko stared at him.

... Felix was now realising how similar of a situation this was to Bendy and Boris', except Soup and Noodle didn't have a document to say they were their younger brother’s guardian… although that document didn’t do much for Bendy and Boris anyway. Drat.

Doctor Oddswell tilted his head down to stare at the cat with a serious tone. “Mr. Cat… they are quite far from home. This isn’t even their home continent.” He reached to his left, and adjusted a coffee mug idly. “And as you know our legal system possesses a serious lapse in judgement - the laws we possess do not take kindly to those not in the system, or those that arrive without authorisation. And stars forbid you originate from anywhere other than a neighbouring state.”

Felix reeled slightly at the professor’s small outburst, and lowered his gaze shamefully. He knew. While he had been born here in America, growing up he’d witnessed the struggles of others; the struggles of toons outwith the North of this continent trying to make it in, and then the continued misjudgement and ostracisation within. The United States had secured their ‘unity’ by buckling down over recent years, and had crafted a cruel, cruel system.

Dr. Oddswell breathed a sigh out his two nostrils holes. “… I’m not one hundred percent certain what would happen to these three if the law were to find out about them, but I do know it would not end well for any of us,” he stated sternly. “They would be taken away, Felix. Under the newly installed laws those unauthorised and under the legal age of an adult would gracefully be granted avenue by the senate, but those over the age would be detained and or deported. And not to mention the consequences we would face for being complicit in it all.”

“I know, Doctor,” Felix expressed earnestly, “it's bad. Stars, I would take them home myself, but they would fight me before that ever happened. They're honouring their father,” he said with a helpless hand getsure. His tail flicked back and forth restlessly.

Oddswell, again, was staring at him expectantly.

The cat stared back, until he realised what he was not saying. 

“- I-I'm not going to consider the adoption of another three kids if that’s what you’re insinuating,” he said clearly, holding his hands out as if he could stop that line of thought. He was getting déjà vu here.

Oddswell acknowledged this, giving a nod. "That is fair.” He stated. He moved some of the papers around on his desk. "… We will have to try and keep them hidden from the likes of the press, then. Such a task might prove difficult what with all the recent attention this house has been getting,” he muttered more to himself.

Felix’s brow flew up. "They can stay??”

"Yes, for now, but this cannot be permanent," he said firmly with a warning look, before focusing back on his papers, sorting them into a stack. "We should get them some more appropriate clothing, and perhaps a lesson or two on etiquette.” He suggested as he tapped his stack against the desk. “Perhaps in public they could even pass as family members, by sticking near certain members of our group. Though to stay on the safe side I think public interaction should be limited.”

The adventurer grinned and jumped up. "Thank you, Dr. Oddswell. I'll sort everything out."

"I advise against you putting too much on your shoulders.” He chastised lightly, and then pointed a pen at him. “And you must promise me this will not happen again,” he sort of threatened, his gaze now scornful.

Felix smiled and scratched the back of his head sheepishly. “Yes, I-I promise. Thank you, again."

The doctor nodded at him again, to which he answered with his own, before swiftly leaving the office and closing the door behind him. He let out a breath, a new-found determination rising in him. 

Alright, he had some work to do. He ran his fingers along the brim of his hat and rushed down the stairs. "Good night, everyone!" He called as he rushed through the hallway, and then out the front door. 

He needed to talk to Sheba.

And a milkshake. Definitely a milkshake.

"I dunna get it." 

Boris sighed. They'd been trying to teach the Viking people Go Fish, but, honestly, they were hopeless. For one, they'd never seen playing cards before, and didn't understand what the suits or numbers meant. And they couldn't get past the fact there weren't any actual animals. Bendy had thrown the cards off the table multiple times now, and he kept growling. 

Boris rested his chin on his hand with his elbow on the table, and looked longingly at the stairs. He had wanted to hang out with Mugs, but he and Cup had just gone straight to bed. Maybe Cup was still struggling with his recovery, and not being able to smoke at all. The past couple months had been an irritable rollercoaster with him. Would he snap, wouldn’t he snap. 

Boris couldn’t blame him really. He’d had a rough recovery process too. Turned out deep wounds cussing sucked to heal. Who’d have thought.

His hunger issues had gotten better though. Holly’s rune sessions were helping.

But he could really go for some toast or something. Anything else was more interesting right now.

Felix had bolted out the door a while ago. He wondered why.

"Do you have any donkeys?” Bendy asked through grit teeth. He was about to puncture a hole through his cards.

Boris yawned. Even the Warners had gone to bed. 

Bean looked to his siblings, before placing a card on the table. 

“No!” Bendy roared. The three across from him snickered. Maybe they were just putting on an act to annoy him on purpose.

But other than that, they seemed surprisingly chill about him being a demon. Or just not aware. Maybe they’d never come across a demon before?

“How come you guys are so okay with demons?” Boris mumbled sleepily. It took him a second to realise what he’d said might be rude. He glanced at his brother in panic. “Sorry, I-I didn’t mean-”

“It’s fine, bro, don’t worry,” Bendy dismissed with a hand held up. “I know what you meant.”

Soup’s squinted eyes flicked between the two of them. “Whit- Whit does du mean.”

“Ack, demons have a pretty bad rep up here on the Surface,” Bendy explained casually as he sorted his cards into a stack, wafting his free hand. “They aren’t really, like, liked - more feared, or just cussing hated. People who don’t know me usually just get scared,” he said bitterly, tapping his cards against the table. Boris frowned a bit himself.

The three glanced between each other cluelessly. “Honestly min we tought du wis a humanoid dragon or somethin’.” The oldest dish admitted.

Bendy blinked. Boris tilted his head, his ears flopping. “Dragons?”

“Ye. We've dealt wee angry dragons an stuff oor entire lives - wiy bigger dan dee. Dey can gee du a muckle gluff sometimes,” Noods said with a laugh, taking a sip of her milk. She'd gotten a glass of it at some point.

Bendy’s face fell to a deadpan glare. “I’m gonna give you the benefit of the doubt here since you’re new and assume that wasn’t a jab at my height.” He excused. It had flown right over the Vikings’ head.

“Yeah, an dir claas are usually langer, an most o ‘em hiv wings,” Bean continued comparing, now squinting at the demon, “which… noo dat I tink aboot it doesna look lik du at aa.” Okay. It was starting to click for them now.

“But is yun no fae a dragon?” Soup asked and pointed to Bendy’s eye scars.

Boris winced internally. Stars, you weren’t supposed to just straight-up ask about scars. Although Bendy didn’t seem that bothered by it. 

“Nah.” He grazed the scarred skin. “This is from some other schmuck creature.” He grumbled. 

Soup paused for a second, an excited gleam appearing in her eyes. She leaned forward. "Trowies??" 

Now it was the two brothers’ turn to pause. They couldn’t find anything to say in response to that.

Red and Granny walked in, after turning the lights off in the kitchen. Granny tapped her cane lightly to get their attention, moving both her hands to the top of the handle. “I think it's time you all went to bed,” she suggested.

Soup, Noodle and Bean all groaned like children. Bendy snorted and got up. Boris followed.

Red rolled her eyes lightly. “Come on, I'll help you set up an extra bed in your room,” she told the Vikings, nodding for them to join, and turning off the living room light behind them.

They all headed up the stairs and filed off. 

Bendy sighed once he’d reached his bed, and fell back onto it. Boris sat down on his own bed with a chuckle.

"Those are some of the weirdest people we've met yet." His brother concluded, eventually sitting up to get changed.

"I think they're pretty tame in comparison,” Boris commented as he untied his bandana, and folded it up on his nightstand. “We’ve met a lot of weird people bro.”

Bendy pursed his lips, and nodded with a claw raised. "Touché."

Boris forced a chuckle through his nose. His gaze fell to the floor, and to the half-healed claw marks on his leg. He twisted his shin to look at it better.

They’d met a lot of horrible people too. Hopefully… that… had been the worst of it.

His ear twitched as he heard a rip. 

"Ah, cuss." Bendy cursed, examining his freshly torn shirt with a disappointed, though not surprised, frown. Boris burst out laughing.

His bro looked like he was about to get angry, but stopped, and laughed a bit too. "I swear, these claws are gonna be the death of me." He joked with a shake of his head.

Boris took a minute to control his giggles. He felt himself yawn again.

Bendy carefully switched his mangled shirt for a new one. "Hey, get changed before you pass out."

He rolled his eyes, but did as he was told, though did it tiredly. It had been a long day.

Just as he was ready to slip into his luxurious-looking covers, someone knocked on the damn door. He groaned, and threw his arms up. What now??

“It’s fine, bro, I’ll get it,” Bendy volunteered, and went over to answer it with a flick of his tail. Boris huffed an annoyed ‘thank you’ as he pulled his sheets back. He peered over his shoulder to see who was at the door.

It was Red.

"Red?” Bendy exclaimed in surprise, before smirking. “What're you doing here?" He asked in a tone he thought was smooth, resting a hand on the doorway. "You wouldn't be here to se-"

"Bendyyyyy.” Boris whined. “Please, no." He was not in the mood to listen to him even try. And judging by Red’s twitching eye and stiff posture, she wasn’t either.

“Do you boys happen to remember where you last saw the spare sets of pyjamas?” She queried with a strained smile.

Bendy’s brow furrowed. “Yeah. Why?”

She took a deep, and clasped her hands together. “Soup, Noodle, and Bean - they don’t have any pyjamas, and apparently the girls were really struggling with the nightgowns I gave them… so they asked me to find something else,” she explained through grit teeth and forced chuckles. Oh no.

The demon eyed her. “O… kay. I put some sets away the last time I did the laundry. They should be in the spare room’s cabinet.”

Red’s smile dropped. “You… put them in the spare room??”

He shrugged, murmuring. “I mean, yeah, y’know… spare room, spare pyjamas… ” He got quieter and quieter. “… I thought that’s where they… went… ”

“No! They go in the spare cabinet - in the hallway - where all’a the spare bed sheets an’ clothes have always gone!” She hissed.

“Oh, right.” He scratched the back of his neck sheepishly. “That… makes more sense. W-we’ll go get them,” he assured her.

“Okay. Great. You do that.” Red answered in a threatening whisper, before she pivoted and walked off, her heels clicking down the hall.

Boris glanced over at his brother, who mirrored his concern. And although he really wanted to go to sleep, he also wanted to keep his head, so, they got up, and trudged over to ‘the spare room’ Bendy had rambled about, even though there was more than one now. 

After grabbing some pj sets of different varieties to bring through, they headed for the room at the back that was usually empty. It was totally not empty now.

One bed had been pushed along the longest wall and into the middle. Another was crammed in the left corner. And there was now a hammock on the right. 

Noodle was already asleep on the bed on the left, while Soup was sat on the other bed. She had been doing something with her hair until they entered, reaching over to yank her sister's foot to wake her up. Bean wasn't there.

Boris felt like he was having some sort of strange dream.

“Uhh… we’ve got pjs.” Bendy eventually said. Boris was too mystified to get anything out.

“Sweet.” Soup hopped up and over to them, picking some clothes. "Taa." She then went over to their closed bathroom door. “Oi.” She kicked it. "Delivery.”

The door opened a smidge, and a hand slipped through the gap and made a grabbing motion. She plopped the delivery into the hand. It slid back in and the door locked again. 

This had to be a dream.

Bendy passed his pile of pjs to the now awake Noodle meanwhile. It took a bit of searching before she picked out some shorts and stuff. Her sister walked back over to pick out her own stuff.

“Alright, well, just uhh… I dunno, call, if you need anything else,” Bendy told them as Boris and him retreated out into the hallway, closing the door behind them. 

Bendy blinked a couple times. He looked to the wolf. “What just happened?”

“I-I don’t know,” he said with a helpless shrug. “I guess they just aren’t nightgown… people?”

“No, ‘parently not,” snipped Red as she came over to the spare cabinet, neatly folding the clothes and sheets she had in her arms, and organising them into each drawer. Boris assumed that was the weeks worth of laundry Bendy had been misplacing.

After she was done, she sighed and straightened herself up, looking at him and Bendy expectantly. “Are we all good here now??” She asked through another forced smile.

Boris focused on his brother, begging him not to say anything. Thankfully, he didn't. He just gave a nod.

"Good good,” she sighed, and clapped. “Now. I am going to sleep." She finalised. She swivelled around and headed back to her room.

“Good night Red.” Boris waved.

“Night,” Bendy said at the same time, and chuckled nervously.

They shared one more look, before deciding to walk back down the corridor in silence. Boris was too tired to process it fully.

"That weird enough for ya yet bro?" Bendy challenged as they returned to their room, padding in.

Boris rubbed his eyes, dragging his feet over to his bed. "Yeah." He fell onto it. "That was weird." His voice sounded muffled from the pillows. Bendy cackled.

Once he had mustered up the energy to move again, he slipped into his covers. 

"Night bro."

"Night."

He was out in a couple minutes.

Chapter Text

Breakfast was fun, in Bendy's opinion. And huge. There were pancakes and waffles with syrup, and eggs, sausage, baked beans, and bacon. Sweet, sweet bacon. Bendy licked his lips.

After waking up - late - and getting dressed, he headed downstairs and sat next to his brother in the dining room. He glanced around the table. The Cupbros were up and getting cups of coffee. The grump looked better, thank the stars. Granny and Red were taking through the last of the food. Oddswell and Scratchy were chatting at the table. The Warners were plodding in now, and Bendy could've sworn Wakko was still asleep. His eyes were closed, and there was a snot bubble floating up from his nose. Gross.

Eventually the new trio fell down the stairs. The wolf literally, and he meant literally, dragged her siblings down the stairs by the rims of their heads. Laughter and a couple concerns sounded around the room. Obviously they weren't morning people then - They still had their starfallen pyjamas on. Though the dishes did perk up when they spotted the food. Bendy had suddenly felt threatened in that moment.

And boy could those Vikings eat. They gave the Warners a cussing run for their money. Between Cup and Bean Bendy had had to fight for the last rashers of bacon. He won. 

They'd also never seen pancakes before, or waffles, or syrup. The sweet parts of breakfast had been a big hit with Soup.

Apparently the news of last night's failure of a card game had spread, because Cup kept bugging Bendy about it. He regretted everything he had thought about being glad the schmuck was better.

It didn't take long for the delicious cooking to disappear. All that was left was a few eggs, that had suspiciously disappeared as soon as Bendy looked at them again, and a pancake that was burnt enough for everyone to pass up.

That was how the first of the Vikings’ talents was introduced - Noodle's. Or, what she claimed was her talent. Bendy wasn’t totally sure it counted.

Soup noticed the dreaded pancake. She pointed a thumb at it. "Du gunni scran yun?" She asked her sister.

Noodle eyed it with a fanged grin, and shrugged her broad shoulders. "Canna let it go tae wiste,” she justified, picking it up. Bean snickered from next to her.

"What the cuss is wrong with you??” Cup asked lowly with a disturbed expression. “That thing looks like it's been in the pits of Hell,” he swore. Mugman cringed, and muttered something to Granny and Red about how good their cooking was.

"Do it!" Wakko shouted. The three zanies were crowded around her with their fists raised.

"Oh no." Bendy heard Boris murmur. Bendy watched in horrified fascination. She wasn't going to... No, she couldn't. She was bluffing.

The Warners started chanting. "Dooo it! Dooo it! Dooo it!"

She did. She ate the whole thing. Didn’t even make a face.

Bendy facepalmed as the Warners cheered and laughed. The wolf's siblings were laughing as well. 

“Eww,” Boris groaned, scrunching up his muzzle. Cup and Mugs looked like their souls had left their bodies. The rest at the table just rolled their eyes and chuckled. 

“You know, I think I would’ve been less offended if you hadn’t eaten that,” Red remarked as she got up, taking some of the empty dishes back to the kitchen.

Granny chuckled at their antics. "That's quite the talent." 

“It’s a one-star for sure,” Cup commented, before shoving an entire slice of toast sideways into his mouth, and then dusting his palms off. Bendy watched him in mild disgust.

“Stars, man. You ever thought of chewing??” He suggested with a grimace. The dish shook his head proudly.

Someone came rushing through the front door. It was Felix.

"Good morning!" He announced.

“Morning,” Bendy called back. Mugs did the same around his mug of coffee.

Felix entered the dining room shortly after. “What's all this about?" He queried, putting his hands on his hips. He seemed lively this morning.

Bendy swivelled around in his chair. "Noodle was showing off her 'talent'." He used air quotes. 

The adventurer chuckled. "Oh yeah?"

"What's up Mr. Felix?" Boris asked, turning away from the chaos that the two trios were brewing. It sounded like the proposition of a burping contest.

Felix glanced at Oddswell. They shared a passing look. The lizard cleared his throat, looking to the rest at the table. "We have some things to discuss." 

Things? This sounded kinda serious.

Bendy wasn't the only one thinking that; everyone else went quiet too.

Oddswell continued. "Our guests aren't supposed to be here.” He stated. “Quite frankly, it's against the law."

"Great,” Bendy sighed in irritation. He eyed said guests. They were nervous now.

Yakko’s interest had piqued. He leant over to the lizard. "We talkin' criminals here, Doc? Fugitives? Stowaways? Robbers? Murderers??"

"No one has murdered anyone here.” The doctor clarified unchangingly.

Multiple looks were passed around the table. The ones Bendy was concerned with was the silent stand-off between Felix and Cup, and Mugs’ own uncomfortable one. Stars. They still needed to sort some baggage out.

The now stern adventurer crossed his arms. "The police can't know about these three. That's all."

“So we're hidin' them. Got it,” noted Cup with a hint of attitude. Then realisation dawned on his face. 

“… The press. They're gonna be a cussin' nightmare."

"Exactly," the cat confirmed. "They stand out a lot in public, so we need to work on getting them to blend in.”

"Blend in?" Bean raised an eyebrow. The two trios had clocked back in.

"W-well, as much as you can.” Felix remarked. “I was thinking of calling the girls over. Dr. Oddswell suggested getting some new clothes, and maybe they could help teach some of the, uh, etiquette we use here." He offered lightly.

“Etiquette?” Boris cocked his head. 

“How to act like a lady,” Dot answered for him, hopping onto the table and pinching her skirt out into a curtsy of some kind. 

“Bah! They don’t need etiquette lessons!” Yakko loudly claimed. “They’re great!” He nudged an elbow towards the Vikings. “Right, guys?”

Soup then proceeded to let out the most outrageous belch Bendy had ever witnessed. It was cussing impressive. Maybe that was her talent.

Everybody with a sense of humour at the table erupted into fits of giggles, the Warners especially. They had huge animated tears flowing out their eyes.

“Yes, I think lessons on etiquette would be suitable,” Oddswell declared over the noise, and managed to get everyone to calm down with his pointed manner.

Felix cleared his throat to continue. “A-and, for going out in public, the three could stay near some of you, and would hopefully be mistaken for family members at a passing glance. The Cup brothers and Soup and Bean could be seen as distant family, maybe." He suggested.

Cup choked and spat out the last of his coffee. Felix winced slightly, while Mugs started hitting his brother on the back.

Bendy had started laughing again. Them? Related??

"I-I don't know if that would work, Felix-" Mugs stressed.

"Like hell it wouldn't!" Cup barked.

The adventurer gave them a look, which had them back off almost immediately, Cuphead scoffing. Yi-hikes.

"Alright, alright,” Cup complied, holding his hands as he pushed his chair out. “Whatever." He stood up to clean the mess of coffee. Mugs squinted at the other dishes - more at their hair than anything else. 

"Hey, it's not a bad idea." Bendy told him with a smirk as the tall mook left. Cup pushed his goggles down over his face in response. He growled, and was left to wrestle with that for longer than he would’ve liked to admit.

Felix turned his attention to Boris. "The same could go for you and Noodle."

Boris' brows knitted together. "Really?"

After Bendy finally got his starfallen goggles back on his head, he managed to look up at them. His brother was peering at the other wolf, who was picking something out of her canines. Geez.

"'It’S nOt a bAd iDeA.'" The glass head mocked as he came back in with a cloth. Bendy tried to trip him up, but he sidestepped. Cussing mook.

Dot zipped next to Noodle and put an arm around her shoulders. "Don't worry, girl. You can hang with us." She affirmed. Yakko and Wakko showed up on her other side, with Wakko's hat spinning from the motion, before it fell over his eyes. 

He pushed it back up and grinned. "Yeah, we could look alike! See??” The three siblings smiled unnaturally large smiles that twinkled in whatever light was there. Noodle stared at them in confusion.

Bendy pointed deadpanned finger guns at them. "No."

Boris chortled, and quirked his shoulders. "Sure, I don't mind."

Felix clapped his hands together resolutely. "Brilliant! Alright, I'll call the girls and see what they think." He stepped out the room and over to the phone. 

Dr. Scratchansniff sighed light-heartedly, before adjusting his spectacles. "Mugman, I believe ve have un appointment zis morning, ja?"

Mugs blinked. "Oh, right, yeah." He remembered. He then stood up and headed out the room, the Doc trailing behind. Cup’s eyes followed them as he started cleaning up the spilt coffee.

Bendy turned away, just to find the Vikings’ seats suddenly empty. They were peering out the door now, and watching Felix dial the phone. Huh. Guess they'd never seen one before.

With Oddswell's help, he and Boris gathered some of the plates from breakfast, and took them through by. They had to weave and dodge the Warner chase that had began at some point.

Once his hands were free again, he went to join the curious trio, who were still watching the adventurer. 

He leaned against the other side of the doorway with his arms crossed. "Weird, right?"

"Whit is yun ting??" Soup had a thoughtful frown. 

"It's a phone. You can call people live with 'em, instead of sending letters or just seeing them in person. Y’know,” he waved a hand, “all that stuff."

"Hoo?" Noods breathed, while her sister scowled at the empty space next to her.

“Is it magic- No. Yun’s a daft question,” the dish spat.

Bendy snorted out of confusion. "No, it's science. Or something like that." He vaguely explained. Should he be worried about her?

She nodded like that made sense to her, but then shook her head, bewildered.

Bendy slid his hands into his pockets idly. "How old are you guys, anyway?" 

"I'm fifteen as du kains, tirnin’ sixteen soon," Bean answered, thumbing his shirt. "Soup's twenty, and Noods’ eighteen. Roughly.” He jerked a shoulder. “We’re kinda bruck at keepin’ track back haeme. Might’ve missed a year or somethin’.”

Bendy let out a snicker. He sure would’ve liked to miss a year, go back to being seventeen. Everything had flipped on its head as soon as he’d become an adult, or at least an adult by definition of law.

His smile slipped. 

Now that he thought about it, they were a lot like him and Boris. 

"What're you mopin' about?" Cup interrupted his thoughts. 

Bendy frowned and rolled his eyes. "Says you." He grumbled. He’d moped the whole day yesterday.

The phone clunked as Felix put it down. "The girls are on their way with supplies, as they put it,” he told them, turning to the group that had gathered. Noticeably he spotted the Viking kids and their curious peering. “… Yes, we have a lot to teach you." He chuckled.

A wet kitchen cloth landed on Bendy’s face. 

"Ew!” He ripped the starfallen rag off and threw it away, whipping around with a glowing red glare. “Cuphead! You cussin' dish scum!" He shook a clawed fist at him. 

The mook was already at the top of the stairs, cackling. Bendy growled and started after him.

"I will throw you in the sink and scrub your finish off with the star-forsaken scratchy sponge you sunblazing jerk!" 

Alice readjusted the bag on her arm. After Felix had called, Holly, Cala and her had scrambled to bring everything they may need for the new people - the girls in particular. Spare blouses and shirts, skirts, dresses, shoes… even some pants and shorts. They also brought things like makeup and jewellery to try out. Anything they could think of. She had noticed yesterday that they didn't exactly wear… conventional clothing.

Felix voiced his concerns on the three of them getting investigated by the police, which she understood. It was quite the situation. She'd been on the Surface long enough now to know how the law would mishandle it. That, and, well, she'd witnessed a couple things firsthand. Bendy and Boris got in trouble a lot. But she was inspired by the cat’s determination. And a little excited. Holly and Cala were too. Ebi had chosen to stay at the apartment.

"Do you think we have enough?" Alice queired, peeking into her bag.

Holly chuckled in amusement. "Yes, Alice, this is enough. It's enough for everyone in the house - we could hold a fashion show with the amount we have here.”

"Now that would be quite the sight,” she remarked. Cala giggled.

A string of squeaks came from one of Holly’s bags, before Snowball poked her head out one. She was wearing a ring as a tiara. 

Holly noticed this, and gave a small bow. "At your service, Princess Snowball." She said dramatically. The little creature nodded pridefully.

"Wow, she really blossomed into that role, huh?" Alice smirked.

"Oh, Alice, please, no." The mermaid begged. "We still have several minutes before we get there."

"What? You'd be dandelion if you said you didn't enjoy my puns!" 

Cala shook her head, while Holly barked a laugh. "You're bloomin' crazy, woman!"

They spent the rest of their journey tossing jokes back and forth. Even Snowball was entertained. Cala pulled ahead at one point to get away from them, and all three of them practically ran down the streets. Alice was sure they had gotten some looks, but she didn't care. It had been fun little memory to make, and fun to test how far she could push her flower puns.

What she didn't realise was that upon reaching Dr. Oddswell’s house, they would be walking into an even more chaotic situation.

The first task was to get past the press. They made it, with some polite ‘excuse me’s. There were less people here this morning.

Once they’d made it through, Alice stepped up to the door and knocked twice. Then, after a moment, she was greeted by Granny, who answered the door with a surprised exclamation. 

“Why, hello, girls! Come in, come in!" She ushered them in with her cane, as loving as ever. 

The three of them did so. Behind her Red was stood with some empty shopping bags. Alice assumed they were going on an errand run.

"Let's go, Granny, and leave this mad house." Red muttered, and looped Granny's arm through her's. The old gopher chortled and nodded, and gave the girls a goodbye as they headed out.

"Come out and fight me like a cussing man, you low-life heartless schmuck!"

Oh dear. That was Bendy then. 

The three of them followed the noise into the back garden, where Cuphead was perched on top of the fence to avoid the 'crazed' demon. 

"Awe, c'mon, man. That was a low blow." Cuphead snickered.

Bendy paused. "DID YOU JUST-"

"What happened now?" Holly asked and folded her arms like a tired parent.

The two troublemakers noticed them. Bendy's eyes landed on Alice.

"That cusser dropped a dish cloth on my face! After he used it!" He roared.

The angel rolled her eyes with humour. "Oh, the horror." 

She approached him, and took his chin gently. "How's your scar doing?"

His glowing eyes dimmed. "'S fine.” He murmured, and jerked a shoulder. “Think this is it fully healed. This is just how it's gonna be."

He was right. It was just going to stay like that. A big scratched mess over his face. 

Her lips dipped into a frown. “… I'm sorry I couldn't heal it any further."

He clasped her hands with his own, his warm skin and cool aura contradicting each other. "It's alright, Alice, really. You did everything you could." He gazed at her sincerely.

"Plus," he continued with a cheeky look in his eyes, "I think it looks kinda cool. Makes me look tougher, dontcha think?"

She couldn't help but giggle. "Right, yes, I was forgetting that."

She felt mirth from next to her. Holly, Cala and Cuphead's shoulders were shaking suspiciously. Whatever for?

Alice's brows flew up. She brought her arm around and showed them her bag. "We've brought clothes for the girls."

"We brought everything," Cala clarified and beamed. She'd been so excited to help. She had gained an interest in the Surface's fashion in the past couple months.

Cuphead nodded. "Berries. You'll need it all." He hopped down from the fence, and dodged a hit from the demon along his way back inside.

“Oh.” Alice blinked. “A-alright… Well, ” she looked to her roommates, “let's go find them, then."

The girls plus Bendy drifted into the house and combed the front rooms, finding a group gathered in the living room. 

Felix was sat with Boris and the guests around the coffee table, and were watching an impromptu catwalk the Warners had set up. Bendy had just entered, settling against a wall to watch. Cuphead kept his distance in another corner of the room.

"And here we have Dot Warner, modelling a knee-length flapper dress with long gloves and beaded flower headband." Yakko announced. It sounded like he was speaking into a microphone. Wakko was on top of a bookshelf directing a spotlight at his strutting sister.

Dot struck a pose, and fluttered her impressively long eyelashes at Bendy. "Whadda ya think, honeybun?"

He cupped his hands around his mouth and booed, to which Holly playfully scorned him for, smacking him on the shoulder. Alice tittered.

Felix noticed them for the first time, and stood up. "Girls!” He walked over to them with a bright smile. “I’m glad you could make it.”

“Heey, what gives??” Dot whined and pouted, crossing her arms. Her brothers had taken their arrival as their cue to change scenes; Wakko tilted the spotlight away and switched it off, while Yakko rolled the backdrop back up. This no doubt was a routine thing.

Holly gave a confident nod to the cat as he came over. "Of course we made it. And we bear every item of clothing known to man.”

“That’s perfect,” Felix remarked with a chuckle lacing his sentence. “Thank you. I’ll admit, I’m a tad out of my depth here with fashion and stuff.”

“No need to worry, good sir, we’ve got everything covered.” She assured, and brought her bag around to peer in it.

Snowball took the opportunity to climb out of this bag, and scurry across the floor, making a beeline to Cuphead. The dish lit up when he noticed her crawling up his coat and onto his shoulder. "Hey puffball. Or, flowerball? No, that ain't right." He muttered to himself.

Holly’s demeanour dropped to a deadpan one. “You know, I’m starting to think she has a favourite.” She said, with humour, and a hint of jealousy. Alice patted her shoulder consolingly.

Dot padded over to them, adjusting the flower in her hair, now suddenly in her usual skirt. “You better have had a good reason for interrupting my show.”

"We were called for a makeover,” Cala informed with big eyes. Dot’s were suddenly filled by stars. 

The zany gasped. “A makeover?!" She clasped her hands together.

"Yes, something along those lines.” Felix agreed. He turned to… Soup and Noodle… if Alice remembered correctly. He quirked an eyebrow. “You guys ready?"

The wolf sunk into her seat, while the dish let out a long sigh. "Yeah yeah, aaright. Let's git dis o'ar wee." She begrudgingly got up from the couch along with her sister. Their brother was cackling.

"Bendy, Boris," Felix pointed between the two of them, "we’re on helping Bean with a new outfit too." 

"Whit??" Bean exclaimed. 

Now the sisters were the ones cracking up. "Nae wan’s safe, lil' bro." Soup gloated as the two left. Amusement rose in several in the room.

“How about we take everything to their room," Felix suggested, and guided the five girls up the stairs. Or, six. Snowball had hurried to join them.

The two sisters were still in the pyjamas they seemed to have been given, and seemed a little reluctant to the idea of this ‘makeover’. Alice had decided that this was going to be… an experience.

Soup showed them into the room they had occupied, gesturing to the entirety of it. "Du can put dy bags doon wharivir du wants," she told them.

The angel's eyes swept the room. The beds had been moved to particular places against the walls, and… there was now a hammock in there? Had there always been a hammock?

She placed her bag on top of a chest of drawers and started unpacking a couple articles. Cala and Holly took up the beds. 

Felix shuffled into the hall. "I will… leave you girls to it, okay?" He gave them a thumbs-up and a smile, before closing the door behind him.

"So… ” Noodle put her hands on her hips and tilted her head, peering at them, “… hoo are we daein’ dis?" 

Alice, Holly and Cala all glanced at each other. They grinned.

Chapter Text

The sisters shared a concerned look. They were confused, but Alice could pick up some humour in there too.

Holly flapped her hands with an excited giggle. "Okay, okay!" She went up to Soup and took her hands, pulling her over to the assortment of clothes.

After escaping Holly’s bag, Snowball climbed up the dresser, and studied the clothes that had been set out. They all watched curiously.

“If yun lil’ boi is pickin’ oot me ootfit din I’m aa in,” Soup declared. The three roommates tittered.

Holly planted her fists on her hips and looked to her flowery friend. “What do ya think, Snowball?”

She walked contemplatively between the items, and then leapt onto a blouse. "Meep meep!” She told them with confidence. She was quite the little fashionista.

"This one?" Holly pointed at the blouse in question. Snowball gave another meep, which they took as a yes.

Cala picked it out and held it up in front of Soup. The three of them leaned back to examine it.

"It's cute - I like the sleeves," Alice commented. It was really cute, actually. Snowball definitely knew what she was doing.

"Hmm, it is." Holly mused. She then smirked. "But I think we can do better." 

The three of them agreed.

Alice and her roommates spent the next hour or two ferrying the dish in and out of the bathroom with different blouses, skirts and dresses until they found something that both looked good and made her happy. She wasn’t too keen on things like short sleeves or short skirts, or gloves or tights, and anything too tight in general… and was really into the sweaters they brought.

Eventually they settled on something. It was a big loose sweater, with big stripes of grey and white, and long sleeves and a billowy figure. They paired it with a pair of blue jeans, rolled up at the bottom, and a pair of black pumps. Soup kept some elements of what she classed as her usual look, like a black necklace that sat close to her neck, and her adornment of rings and piercings, as well as braiding her impressively long hair into a big messy braid.

Then, the girls sat the dish down in the stool stationed in front of the vanity. It was time for makeup.

Holly pinched her chin and hummed in thought. “What are we thinking here?” She quizzed them all.

“I lik doin’ dark looks,” Soup told them. “I hiv a charcoal stick I use tae line me eiyes,” she explained, miming the action. She then gained a more deadpan air. “Fren says yuns no muckle good fir me though.”

Alice batted her own inked eyelashes.

… It wasn’t?

She noticed a particular eyeshadow palette shuffling itself across the vanity, with a dandehog tailing behind it, butting it with her snout.

“You think we should use this?” Holly asked her, pointing to the chosen palette. Snowball meeped affirmingly, before tapping her paw against one particular shade: a deep brown.

Cala ‘oo’ed, and looked to Soup. “What do you think?” She inquired, as Holly held the palette up next to her eyes.

The dish dipped her head with enthusiasm. “Go fir it, lad. Droon me eiyes in it.”

Holly beamed, and got to work. They lined her eyes with the shadow, similar to how her liner had looked the day prior. Snowball made sure to keep them straight on how much they should and shouldn’t add.

Once they were finished, and Snow was satisfied, they took Soup over to the full-body mirror placed on the other side of the room, for her to get a full look.

“Ayyy, I look lik wan o dee noo!” She exclaimed with a grin as she patted herself down, then turning to the empty space next to her. “Whit does du tink?”

Alice, Holly and Cala all shared a confused glance. Who… who was she talking to?

“Yun’s muckle cool, min.” Noodle commented from her spot at the end of her bed, then clapped. “But I’m gaein’ tae need tae hiv a serious convo wee whaivir invented yun type o sleeves. Yun’s ootrageous.”

The girls snickered light-heartedly. Alice supposed she wasn’t one for sleeves, then.

“You look brilliant, Soup.” Cala beamed. Soup itched the back of her bowl head bashfully.

“O, cheers gaamer,” she murmured. “I’m sorry fir robbin’ dy claes.”

“Oh, no no, it’s okay!” Cala assured with a wave. “Honestly, I wouldn’t have worn it anyway. The weather is getting too warm for me to wear long sleeves and such.”

“It’s literally fifty degrees,” Holly said in a flat tone.

“Ah… Well, i-it’s warm for me,” the mermaid restated, growing slightly embarrassed. “I-it’s typically much colder back home.”

Soup tutted and rolled her eyes. “Tell me aboot it. We get sun, lik, wance a summer.”

Alice chuckled lightly to herself. She would’ve usually been a little wary around strangers, people she had only met the day prior, but these people seemed nice.

Although she had thought it best to wait a bit before sharing her angel-ness. For as long as she could. She seemed to have a knack for letting everyone and their grandmothers know.

She glanced curiously at Noodle, and the item she had been eyeing. “What’s that?”

She blinked, before holding up a dress. “Ack, jost a dress o some sort.”

The wolf then quirked an eyebrow. “Does du mind if I try it oot?”

“Not at all - go for it,” Holly encouraged, folding her arms. Noodle thanked her, and headed into the bathroom to try it on.

Once she had changed, she came out to show them, and gave them a full fashion walk as she did so. It really sold the garment.

The dress was a teal, a-line dress, simple in style, with thin straps and a hem that went down to her knees. Everyone was sold straight away - there was no debate. It was a good choice.

Like her sister, she wasn’t keen on the idea of tights or gloves, and was adamant on keeping her current footwear. And doing anything with her hair was out of the question - although messy it apparently took a specific method to achieve the style. There was no concealing her tattoos, or the interesting shaved fur patches she had, but she seemed okay with that.

Once all that was settled, she was seated in the vanity stool after her sister. And was immediately certain on what she wanted: something with colour. Holly brought out a palette with every colour in the rainbow, where they spotted a teal shade that matched her dress. It was chosen, and then lightly dusted along her lids.

When they were finished, she leaned forward towards the mirror to inspect their work, humming and nodding in humorous thought, which the rest in the room found amusing.

At one point her act dropped as she properly evaluated the shadow. “Ay, dis is bleedin’ ebic,” she breathed in fascination. “Yun’s wiy better dan my stuff. Hoo’d it do yun??”

“Lot of chemicals most likely,” Holly remarked as she sidled over with her hands behind her back. She looked to the rainbow palette, and the dandehog sitting on top of it.

“You can keep it if you want.”

Noodle glanced at her in surprise. “Really??”

“Sure. I haven’t used it much anyway.” She said in a sigh. “I’m more about those neutral tones.”

A burst of excitement arose in the wolf, as she took the little palette from Snowball and hopped up from the stool. “Thank you I will treasure dis,” she vowed. Holly smiled and gave a ‘no problem’ kind of gesture.

Soup pulled an over-exaggerated shocked face when her sister turned her way. "Look at dee, aa girly. It's weird."

“Spik fir dysell,” Noodle jabbed back with a snort. The two snickered.

Cala glanced between them all. "You guys ready to go back downstairs?"

“Oh yeah!” The sisters lifted their arms and slammed their forearms together in what was reminiscent of a fist bump. Then the younger of the two bolted off. “Race dee!”

“Aye du-” The elder rushed after her, hollering. “Git back here!” 

"B-be careful not to trip on your skirt!” The gorgon called out. “It's, um, easier than you think… " She mumbled towards the end of her sentence. Alice doubted the pair heard, judging by the competitive screeches coming from out by.

She rolled her eyes light-heartedly, and grazed her friend’s shoulder as she walked past. "Let's go see what the others have been up to.”

Holly stretched her arm out towards Snow, and the dandehog scampered up her arm and settled down on her shoulder. The three of them left the room and headed downstairs. 

Alice looked at Holly. “You know, that was a really nice thing to do, Hol."

She waved a hand nonchalantly. "Bah, it’s nothing. Like I said, I’m all about those sweet neutrals."

"Still, you're way on your way to earning your wings." The angel teased.

Her friend shuddered with a laugh. "Stars, no. I could never! What about the doughnut joke we pulled?? That had to deduct some points."

"That was mean," Cala pouted, but she was amused underneath it. That got more light chuckles out of the other two.

Bendy watched the cat and the girls leave. He glanced at Boris, and then Bean. A heavy sigh left him.

"Alright," he gestured for them to follow, and headed over to the stairs, "c'mon. Let’s get this over with.”

“Have fun gettin’ dolled up,” Cup smirked as he watched him leave. Mook.

Dot teleported to the first step in front of him, and clasped her hands with big, pleading eyes. "Pleeease let us join, Bendy-boo! We're great at this stuff!"

"No." He stepped around her. But Yakko and Wakko were already at the top of the stairs. 

“You're gonna need us, pal. Trust me.” Yakko told him. He held his arms out. “It'll be swell!"

Bendy didn't have much of a choice here, did he?

He rolled his eyes and continued climbing. "Fine, fine, whatever. Let's go." 

“Sweet!" Wakko put both fists in the air, before the two zanies turned to sprint off. 

Correction: they tried to sprint off. They ran in place for a second, their feet spinning so fast they looked like starfallen car wheels, and even smelt like burnt rubber, until they finally rocketed off.

"Thanks, mah mailman!" Dot leapt up and gave him a big wet smooch on the cheek before she zipped away to join brothers.

Bendy groaned in disgust and wiped his face. "Gross! HEY! Don't go cussing breaking anything!" 

He got nothing in response other than distant cackles. Geez, he was regretting this already.

“Whit wis yun aboot??” Bean quizzed from his left. His pebble tooth protruded through his grin. “‘Mailman’??”

"Yeah, that’s just a weird thing she does.” Bendy answered with a tired tone. “She’s a menace to society.”

Apparently Cuphead had followed, because the next thing Bendy saw on his right was his stupid dish head butting into the conversation. "She still calls you that??”

“HZZ- Stars, man,” Bendy sighed, palming his chest. “Don’t do that! I almost fell down the damn stairs!" 

"Yun's hilarious.” Bean remarked through his and Cup's laughter. 

Bendy pointed a claw at the kid. "Watch it, bucko. I'll be chasing you next."

"Please don't chase the guest, bro.” He heard Boris pipe up from somewhere further behind. Bendy tsked.

They stalked through the hallway and over to his and Boris’ room, where a changing booth had been set up. He hoped the Warners would be able to blink it back out of existence once this was done. If not, he was tossing it out the window.

Yakko had one of those leather aprons on, and a felt ball or something full of pins tied to his wrist. He took a tape measure out and started measuring Bean's arms, legs, torso, even his feet. He had giant feet. 

"Alrightuh… please try this on, sir." Yakko shoved a clothing hanger with a suit bag into Bean’s arms, and ushered him into the zany changing room.

"Coulda just used the bathroom." Cup muttered. Yeah, no kidding.

"How's it going in here?" Felix asked, peeking his head into the room. He then spotted the cubicle after entering fully. "Ah." 

Oh thank cuss, Felix was here. He could help.

"Don't worry Felix my pal,” Wakko told him as he locked his fingers together and stretched his arms out, his bones clicking concerningly loud. "We've got it under control."

That wasn’t really comforting. Their definition of 'control' was very different to everyone else’s.

And due to the Warners, getting Bean sorted with an outfit took hours. Hours. How did picking clothes take multiple hours?! Bendy had almost lost his mind.

That and this kid had particular tastes. He apparently wanted something classy, but nothing with 'Thor-forsaken tags' as he put it.

Mugs came in wondering what all the noise was about, and actually joined in. The Cupbros took the task surprisingly seriously. It was pretty funny - Bendy and Boris had been snickering to themselves at one point. But they did actually have some taste.

After what felt like years they had found something that worked. A dark blue dress shirt with short sleeves, a pair of green pants and some tan suspenders on top. Bean got to keep his boots.

The dish put his hands in his new pockets. "Cool," was all he said.

"Not bad, right?" Bendy grinned a fanged grin.

"All thanks to us," Dot added unhelpfully. Then she and her brothers took a synchronised bow.

Cup scoffed. "You did jack-all but dress him in silly starfallen costumes."

Wakko frowned. "Hey! Watch your mouth there, Cupperino! I'll have you know we helped design your ‘fits for this here story!" 

Bean's upper lip quirked to laugh. “Whit’s du on aboot.”

Boris shook his head helplessly. “Don't worry about it. It's Warner stuff." 

“… Well,” Felix clapped, “thank you for your help, you three, but can you get rid of the changing booth?" He reminded as he headed for the door, nodding for the rest of the group to follow. “We should go back down and let everyone know we're still alive."

“Honestly I’m barely hanging on after that,” Bendy said flatly as the gang started making their way back. He could hear the Warners’ distance struggle with the booth.

Mugs snorted lightly. “You don’t like fashion?” 

“I thought I did, but not to that cussing extent.” He answered. “That was a couple hours too many.”

Boris groaned, agreeing without words. He dragged his hands down his face. “How long even was that??”

“Long,” Bendy reiterated.

They went through the hall and downstairs again, and checked in on everyone once they got there. Or, what was left of ‘everyone’. The girls hadn’t come down yet.

Red and Granny had returned from their errand run ages ago though, and were preparing dinner. Geez, dinner already? To be fair, they had had a late breakfast.

They waited a bit longer for the girls. Yakko, Wakko and Dot kept them entertained, or just busy, really, after trying to start a game of 'catch the roll'. They got a scolding from Granny in the end and were dragged into the kitchen to help.

Finally, some footsteps came running down the stairs. It was Soup and Noodle. Then Alice, Holly and Cala, and Snowball.

The two Vikings were dressed in much more normal garbs now. Ignoring their Viking-y tattoos and crazy hair, and from a distance, they could’ve passed as regular Toon Town citizens.

“Wo-hoah, now that’s a makeover!” Yakko exclaimed. Wakko flicked his wrist out enthusiastically, making even more clicking sounds. Cuss, how many starfallen clicking bones could one guy have??

Dot growled up at the roof with her fingers furled angrily. “Are you kidding me?! I missed out on the girly ones?!” She raved. Everyone else just chuckled.

"That's perfect, you’ll fit right in. Good job you lot." Felix grinned.

“Ay, look at dee, bro!” Soup stepped up to her brother, planting her fists on her hips. “Du looks spiffy.”

“Du looks weird,” he said with a half smothered laugh. People around the room snickered or tittered at the kid’s straightforward delivery.

“I’m assuming we're all done, then?" Alice asked through her chuckles, quirking a thin brow. Felix nodded.

"Aaright, can we go change back noo??" Noodle questioned eagerly. She and her siblings were already inching out the room. When the three were given the all-clear, they darted up the stairs again, cursing and barging into each other along the way. Bendy felt his teeth cussing rattle as their footsteps thundered and shook the whole house.

“Stars, you’d think they were running for their damn lives,” he muttered in exasperation. Cuphead snickered.

A loud grumble sounded and silenced everyone. All eyes went to the culprit: Boris.

The wolf blinked. He coughed embarrassedly. “Sorry.”

“You hungry?” Mugs quizzed with a chortle.

“Yeah, cussing starving,” he murmured, more to himself, putting a hand to his stomach. Bendy shared a concerned look with Felix, and then Holly.

“… Well, by the looks of it, we did skip lunch,” the cat noted, glancing at his watch. He then stepped away, and waved for the pup to follow. “Come on, I can fix us up a little something before dinner.” He offered. Boris perked up, and padded after him. Chunks of their group followed along too.

“Maybe we should do one of those rune circles again soon, Hol.” Bendy suggested. It was about time for another round anyway.

She snapped her fingers. “On it. I’ll get to work on that later.”

Cala shuffled up next to her as they walked into the hallway, fiddling with her hands nervously. “But… do you think we could maybe avoid the love rune this time… ?”

Several shudders spread around their group. Bendy couldn't blame them. He had fallen in love with starfallen bacon.

… Actually, his experience hadn’t been all that different. What was worthy of a shudder was the fact he’d almost mauled his own cussing brother for it.

Alice giggled, almost mischievously. "Is this the dreaded rune escapade again?" 

"Let's not talk about it," Mugman spoke into his scarf.

Holly had squeaked at the same time. "It was nothing!-"

"I-It was a powerful rune." Felix excused nervously, tugging at his collar.

"No," Cuphead stated over them all.

They spent the next several minutes in the kitchen, retelling the story to Alice, since apparently she had been told, but not in much detail. Call Bendy a cussing detective, but, he hadn’t bought it. She definitely already knew.

And then there was the mess with the antlers, the flower bush, the bacon; It had been an interesting conversation. Everyone in the kitchen chipped in to piece the events together, including Red and Granny, as Felix whipped up a few sandwiches up for Boris… and some of the others. Makeovers were hard work.

Soup, Noodle and Bean came to join them after getting back into their own clothes, and were quickly roped into a discussion on etiquette, more specifically for the sisters. Bendy thought it was probably for the best. He had never seen a dame act or dress like they did.

Alice and Holly took the two into the dining room to practise what was described as 'the basics'. It reminded Bendy of the forfeit Oswald had him and Cup do, and what they’d had to learn. 'How to be a woman'.

And as if the universe could read the demon’s mind, they had some surprise visitors. The circus gang.

"Evening, everyone! We were hoping we could stop on by!” A high-pitched voice called as the front door opened. Oh no.

"Looks like they don' have a choice." Another one quacked. Oh no. 

Bendy turned to Felix, who mirrored his look of panic. The Vikings.

The cat whipped around, and slid out into the hallway. "Ah, h-hey, guys!" He greeted with a nervous chuckle, doing an awful job at hiding his distress. Dammit Felix. 

Bendy caught Cuphead facepalming out the corner of his eye, before he went through to save the adventurer.

"You alright Feels?" The rabbit queried with half a smile quirked, eyeing him worriedly. Feels winced, and itched the hair under his hat.

“We uh… we have a situation,” he told them.

The mouse perked. "A piece situation?" 

“No, no,” Felix shook his head, and gripped the back of his neck. “It’s uhh... "

"A ‘need to hide this from the cops' situation.” Bendy finished for him.

Oswald tutted a laugh. "My favourite," he quipped. The feathery grump from next to him crossed his arms and rolled his eyes skyward.

“Oh great, what cussin’ trouble did y’ get yourselves into this time,” he grumbled and sighed, talking out the side of his beak. “Guess it can’t top the damn horror maze.”

Felix swallowed. He dipped into the kitchen and dining room, ushering the Vikings out and into the hallway. He cleared his throat. “This… This is Soup, Noodle and Bean. They're on their own quest here, and… shouldn't be on this continent,” he divulged. 

“The police can’t know about ‘em,” Bendy summarised.

The mouse, rabbit and duck went quiet. And just stared.

Oswald sighed now too, his face falling into his hand. "Stars, Felix, what have you done now?" There was a chuckle in there somewhere. 

"It ain't funny, bunny." Donald griped. Now that was funny. Funny rhyme.

“It’s a little funny." Bendy admitted, pinching his claws together. Even the Vikings were with him on this one, although, they found everything funny.

"W-why don't you come and sit down, and we can explain everything?" The cat offered and motioned to the living room.

Micky gave a nod, glancing between the duck and the bunny. "That sounds like a good idea." 

He led his group into the living room and settled down on the sofa, with Bendy, Felix and the Vikings following in after. A couple others from the kitchen slithered in too.

Felix inhaled and pressed his palms together. "So. These three are staying with us for a bit while they work on their quest, to put it simply. And… um… well they're not here legally." 

“The state can't know about 'em, basically.” Bendy stuffed a hand in his pocket, waving vaguely with the other one. “They'll be thrown out."

"Why should we care?” The duck challenged, and swiped a feathery arm out. “This ain’t our problem - we’ve already got enough trouble with the damn law as is,” he grumbled, and got an elbow from Oswald.

"W-we’ll not say anything," Mickey assured with a frantic nod. Bendy could see everyone around relax.

Oswald leaned forward casually as he looked to the Vikings, resting his arms on his legs. "Where do you guys come from, then?"

Soup replied. "Uhh... no, it's Alba. Up o’ar Alba. On a peerie isle."

Oswald opened his mouth to respond, but fell short, his face now confused. He glanced at Felix helplessly.

“O-oh, Scotland,” Felix translated. “Alba is Scotland.”

The three circus people hummed and nodded along the best they could. Or two. Donald just stared with a furrow in his feathery brow.

"Ya get used ta it," Cup told them from the doorway, and then shrugged. “Kinda.”

Mickey took his cap off, giving a sad smile. "Boy, you folks are far out, huh?" He chuckled lightly.

Donald scoffed. “No kiddin’. Scotland??” He huffed a dry laugh, shaking his head. “How the cuss did ya even get here??” 

“We… dunna kain,” Noods admitted and raised her broad shoulders. “We jost shaa’d up.”

“Just showed up- Whadda ya mean you just showed up??” Cup interrogated, his head jerking forward in accusation. The Vikings exchanged helpless looks, struggling to come up with anything else to say.

“Cup, they seem to genuinely not know,” Alice defended, her dark eyes switching between him and the three stood there. Bendy was eyeing them now too. That didn’t make any sense.

“… W-well, however you got here, I’m glad you ran into this group,” Mickey interjected with his usual politeness. “It sure is nice to meet you three!” He smiled. His brother squinted from next to him.

"Are any of you... " Oswald swept over everyone in the room with narrowed eyes, "... relatives?"

"Starfallen- No!" Cup roared. Bendy burst into cackles. A couple others in the hallway did too.

“I-it’s unlikely," Felix added, his voice shaking with mirth. The rabbit pursed his lips in mock acknowledgment, only breaking character when Mickey told him to do so.

"Dinner's ready,” Red called out. “And there’s enough to feed an entire village so feel free to stick around.”

Guess the circus gang were staying.

Chapter Text

This had been an... eventful evening, Oswald would’ve said. Goofy had told them he'd hold down the fort at home, so Oswald, Mickey and Donald had gone to visit the gang at the house. And met some new faces. Some… characters.

Oswald didn't know what to make of them. They were young, and loud, and unashamed. And made dinner in this house even more of an event.

More explanations had gone around to help him and his circus friends understand what the cuss was going on. Apparently these three were from Northern Europe. Scotland or… something. That made sense. 

They shared stories of other adventures they'd been on and all the battles they'd been a part of, which prompted Felix to share some of his. The kids would've been so jealous. Oswald had to invite the cat over again some time. For the story telling, of course, but also because the rabbit enjoyed having him around.

And then there were the more chaotic parts to the night. Like the burping contest. 

Now, Oswald knew a thing or two about burping contests, especially drunk ones. But those were usually held by boisterous men. This one was started by the Warners. 

They gave the winning spot a run for their money. They had the zany advantage - Their gums had flapped around from the sheer force of the air their were producing. It was pretty damn funny.

The mug heads had given it a shot too. They were able to chug bucket loads of whatever drinks they had, to get a good belch going.

Even Bendy and Boris pitched in, though Boris’s were pitifully small. He’d giggled about it for several minutes afterwards.

Nobody came close to the new kids though.

The wolf didn't try, saying she was a pathetic burper. The other two were definitely up to the challenge though. 

The youngest one’s attempt had been loud. Like, zany loud. That was a man burp. Until the eldest tried. 

It shook the cussing walls.

The bowl lady won. There had been no debate.

It had had mostly everyone in fits of laughter. Bendy struggled to breathe, while Boris gripped onto his brother and shook him. Glasshead had just about wheezed his new lungs off, with Mugman slamming his face into his plate from next to him, slamming his fists down on the table. The Warners were punching the floor and rolling around. Holly came close to joining them, wiping tears from her eyes. Even the new wolf was falling out her chair. Meanwhile her siblings, the other two dishes, just looked so proud. 

Oswald had tried to stay composed, like the respectable adult he was supposed to be, but the snickers won. And he felt a bit better knowing Felix was fighting his own, his tail twitching. Granny chuckled away to herself, with one doctor completely unfazed and the other trying to get the Warners under wraps.

The girls had been horrified. Poor Alice seemed like she'd never recover. And Cala was so lost. Red was too flabbergasted to speak.

The doctors eventually got the mayhem to die down. Oswald had been struck with inspiration, and proposed another drinking bet. At first, the demon and the dish weren't eager. They were still wary after their forfeit. But, there was a new contender now. Soup. She was twenty, and completely up for it. Suddenly the other two losers wanted in as well. Bingo. 

With that settled and dinner eaten, they were ready to head home and save Goofy. Oswald had said goodbye to Felix, and warned him not to get involved in any more law-defying situations, besides the quest, and then they headed outside. Mic called a cab and the three of them climbed in, leaving for home.

And Oswald couldn't stop thinking.

There was something about those kids that bugged him. He couldn't put his finger on it. Was it because they were in a tough situation? Or that they just randomly showed up? Felix said they had their own quest. What- What quest?? What other quest was there?? 

Was it to do with ink illness? That hadn’t been mentioned. And none of them really looked… that. But… well that was the kicker about the illness. Nobody ever looked it.

Oswald felt his mood drop a couple notches as he continued going over it in his head. He’d better stop from going down that path of thinking.

Apparently he had shown his discomfort, because Mic was looking at him with that look. That or his bro could read minds. As time went on, he was starting to believe that was a real possibility.

No, no, his rabbit ears had just sunk. That was what it was.

"You okay Ozzy?" His little brother had a concerned frown.

“Yeah, just thinking." Oswald answered, and gave him a smile. "I'm okay."

Mickey tried his best to smile back. He’d never been great at hiding when he was worried.

Okay, Oswald was moving onto something else to think about. Like… what book to read to the kids tonight.

Ack, they always chose one of Felix’s.

A few days flew by. Three boring, uneventful days, where Cup spent most of his time throwing a damn ball against the wall as one of the psychical therapy exercises the doctors had told him to. ‘Gentle exercise’, as they cussing put it, since he couldn’t run ten cussing feet without getting winded. He couldn’t run, couldn’t fight, couldn’t do any of that stardust. Instead he had to sit and cussing watch, as Mugs trained with Bendy.

They’d picked up the Bbros training again over the past couple weeks, once the house had settled down again after the moonrocks with the Labyrinth, and Dimitri’s entire damn family staying over. Mugs and Bendy were taking a lap around the block and sparring every other day, building up to what they’d been doing before. Though, Boris was being let off the hook - he had his own cussing rehab to go through. The pup usually sat with Cuphead, just… watching, something Cup had gotten great at. That’s all he’d been cussing doing - watching everyone else do stuff.

He’d also started watching the Vikings, now that they were here. It was the only scrap of entertainment he’d been getting recently. Watching them try to figure out how to live in this house was interesting. He’d even began to get used to seeing them around.

But they’d just gotten more cussing annoying.

The kid, Bean, had seemed the most laid back, but turns out it just took a couple days for him to get just as loud if not cussing louder than his sisters. He just had a knack for booming everything he said.

He ate a lot. Was interested in gardening, and all of the plant stuff the girls talked about. He laughed and talked loud, and for some reason put all of his cussing weight into his hooves when he ran up the stairs. He also seemed to get an inch taller every time he woke up. 

He didn’t get the point of sarcasm, so cracked jokes with a completely straight tone of voice, and confused the cuss out of everyone around him. He’d hung out with the Warners a lot by now. That was just a recipe for disaster. And if he wasn’t with the zanies, he was usually pacing around the dining table or something. But he was pretty damn funny.

Noodle was just as loud, both in her volume and personality. ‘Flamboyant’ was a good way of putting it. She had the kinda personality you’d find in the more colourful parts of the Surface, and had an ego to go along with it - one big enough to contend with Bendy’s. Shocking, he knew.

She was competitive as cuss, and a sore loser on top of that. Sucked at speaking. Was usually the first out the three of them to turn to physical violence. And she used a lingo Cup just couldn’t hack, frequently calling people in the house a ‘slay’ or cussing ‘pookie’. Hell knew what that meant.

She pulled a lot of faces, typically judgemental ones. Those were just funny. Also had tendencies to jerk or scream or repeat people at random times. Apparently shame didn’t exist in their village either, because she spat like a damn man, and danced like… bad. And she had a weird habit with smelling foods, or just smelling things in general. Cup had started to think that was her actual talent - she could pick up a smell five business days before anyone else cussing could.

Then, the oldest one: Soup. She was the most bearable. She belched and cursed like a trooper, but other than that was usually chill.

Blind as a bat. They’d discovered real cussing quick that she could barely see anything that wasn’t right in front of her. And also had the hearing of an ancient grandpa and the attention span of a five year old. She had a knack for anything to do with animals or life in general - Cup was being outshined here. She saved every stardust critter she came across, and had become the designated person to call when a critter was found. 

Her hair was ridiculously long. Too long, in Cup’s opinion. Just couldn’t be practical anymore. She was big on music. Between her and Noods they managed to keep the record player busy. Introducing her to that thing had been a mistake.

Sometimes, or a lot of times, she’d talk to thin air. The house still didn’t really know what that was about. It wasn’t that angel ghost or anything, it was thin air. Definitely a couple screws loose there.

The three of them were a wacky bunch. On their own each of them went kinda quiet, but together they barked, yelled, and laughed amongst themselves, going off an endless list of inside jokes, and ripping each other a new one with their mocks.

They already had their Viking slang and the chutzpah to cuss out everything known to man, but they also all had their own unique vocabs. Noods had her girly-pookie stardust, Soup had her thing of referring to everyone as ‘gamer’, and either sounding crazy smart or just quite dumb, and Bean had his random outbursts, spurting out things Cup refused to believe were actually cussing words. In fact they all did that. They just sat repeating the same phrases and noises to one another like a starfallen broken record.

They also loved to pick on Cup, he had learnt. It was one of their favourite pastimes. The pipsqueak thought they were a cussing riot. Little twerp.

He was actually gearing himself up for that. Because today he had a little chat planned for two of them. A dish chat.

Assuming their mother didn’t have a Calix Animi committee back on their floating rock, the two of them didn’t know stardust about it, and cuss knew how much they knew about potions and shots and all that moonrocks. 

So, Cup had decided to take it into his own hands to tell them, and figure out how much they already knew. He was now searching the house for them, with a worried brother on his tail.

"Cup, what are you gonna do now?” Mugs whined. “You can't be mad 'em."

"I'm not gonna do anythin', bro.” He said as he poked his head into the kitchen to check if they were there. “We're just gonna have a little chat with ‘em. You're part’a this too, ya know."

Mugs huffed in exasperation. Tsk. Cuphead was just tickled to have such a showing of support.

There those two were. The backyard.

Cup made a beeline for the back door and went out into the garden, where Soup and Bean were staring at the ground, picking handfuls of grass. Felix was off to the left reading some… book. Probably more research for the Vikings’ map.

“You two." He pointed at them. They looked up at him. “With us." He pointed at himself next. Then the floor. "Now." 

Soup let out a suffering sigh and got up, Bean following after.

"What are you taking them for?" The cat eyed him in suspicion, which was just swell.

Cup just turned around and walked away.

"It's dish stuff, Mr. Felix, don’t worry." He heard his brother quickly clarify, before rushing to follow the ones leaving. “They’ll be back in a minute!”

"Can du maak dis quick, Cup-heed?" Bean said his name weird for what felt like the millionth time. Cup didn't answer the kid.

He led them upstairs and into his and Mugs' room, where they could actually get some peace from prying non-dish ears. Mugs closed the door behind them.

The two other dishes looked just about ready to pull out whatever weapons they had stored on them. At least they had good instincts.

"Relax, we're not gonna hurt you dimwits. Just got some questions,” Cup said. Their shoulders untensed slightly. 

He inhaled, folding his arms. “What do youse know about dishes?" He started.

They blinked at him. 

Cup leaned his head forward and gestured in prompting. “Y’know… your own race. Whadda you know ‘bout 'em?"

Soup glanced at her brother hopelessly. "I-I dunna kain. We crack?"

Cup facepalmed so hard he ironically almost shattered his eye. 

“W-what he means is, what do ya know ‘bout the things dishes can do?” Mugs carried on for him. “Shots? Supers? Parryin'?"

Soup squinted at him like she hadn’t caught that. "Huh??”

Cup let his hand fall, and gestured to the two of them. "You don't know stardust, do you?" He said flatly, to which they shook their heads. He nodded. “Great."

“What about your mom?” Mugs tried, his brow furrowed. “She didn't... tell you anythin'?"

“No.” Bean answered with an impassive expression. "Whit wis she supposed tae tell us lik?”

Mugs itched his cheek. “Ah, well… Basically, us dishes, we have… magical properties, so to speak.”

Soup tilted her head down and blinked up at them with bulging eyes. “Wait whit.”

“Magic. Like other races, we have our own kinda magic. We can add these potions to our systems, and uhh… ” Mugs lit his finger, shrugging, “shoot bullets from our fingers.”

Soup’s jaw dropped. “Whit.”

“We can do yun??” Her brother questioned. So far this was the most shock Cup had seen from the kid. He hadn’t thought him capable prior.

“Ya could,” he told him, leaning back against the door. “But I dunno how the cuss you’d get your hands on potions all the way out there, unless any of your folks carried the Calix Animi business over with ‘em.”

Bean's brow furrowed. "Du licks a whit-noo?"

"What?? No, I-" Cup groaned, and pinched the bridge of his nose. "It's our order, kid. We fight stuff. We're knights. Or, we're supposed to be." He muttered that last part. 

"Du twa dunni look lik knights." Bean stated with a flat look. "Whit happened yunder?- "

"That ain’t the damn point,” Cup raised his voice, stepping forward. Mugs gave him a warning look. He scowled, but took a deep breath.

“Look. This is your cussin’ culture,” he told them, pointing in their faces. “And you don't know nothin' about it. We shoot stuff with our starfallen fingers. We have charms that give us the ability to phase through cussin' walls. We can parry people back from the cussin' dead. We can use our own cussin' souls to fight with, and have liquid magic swirlin’ around in our cussin’ heads. Do you not know anythin'??”

Neither of them responded. Soup was eyeing him in concern, while Bean just sniffed, completely unbothered. 

Cup growled and pulled at his face in frustration. 

"Hey- Maybe it's not that bad, Cuppy." Mugs proposed, gripping his shoulder to turn him away. "They’ve been fine all this time, all these years.” He reasoned. “Maybe they don’t have ta get involved.”

"But it's dangerous, Mugs." He argued. "We knew a lot more than they cussin’ do and we still got in trouble. And next thing you know you get starfallen demon blood stuffed down your head and it's all 'whoopty-doo you're gonna get cussin’ killed if you go back'."

Hurt flashed through his brother's eyes. Great. Now he was snapping at everyone.

Cup was more upset about the fact he’d just said cussing ‘whoopty-doo’.

He turned back to the brats with a head shake, deciding to move on from that. 

“D’you at least know about your systems?” He tried, and motioned to their bowl heads tiredly. “The whole filter thing?”

“Oh, ye.” Soup brought the weird pipe out her head. She showed it off to them. “Drinkin’ horns. Nivir leave haeme weeoot ‘em. Keeps aa da bruck oot.”

“Cool,” Mugs uttered with a smile growing. Cup rolled his eyes.

“Ye, an du can play ‘em too.” Bean grabbed his own and blew on it like a trumpet right in their cussing faces, practically bursting their eardrums.

“AGH- Cussin’ watch it, pal!” Cup snarled after taking his hands off his mug. Mugs’ face had contorted in pain.

“Whoops.” Bean said, and glanced to his sister with a grin. The two snickered to each other.

“Well, they definitely work,” Mugs acknowledged, knocking the side of his head with his palm. No kidding.

“Whit kindo horns are yun?” Soup interrogated with a lip quirked, while her brother stuffed his horn back in his own noggin.

Cup scoffed, reaching up to the ‘horn’ she was talking about. “They’re straws,” he snipped, “not cussin’ horns.”

She didn’t look all too impressed by that. “Weell can du play ‘em?”

He sighed internally. “No,” he hissed through grit teeth. They were just cussing straws, dammit.

Bean snorted. “Yun’s lame.”

Cuphead’s eye twitched.

“… Cuppy, you’re boilin'." Mugs commented. Oh really. He hadn't noticed.

"I know," he bit out. Cussing smart-aleck kids with their stupid starfallen long hair. How did they even grow it that cussing long?? Whatever, he didn’t care.

“… Whit wis yun pert aboot da deed?" Soup queried. Mugs decided to answer while Cup cooled off. 

“We… have this way with souls that nobody else really has. Well, other than demons. But we can bring our people back from the dead by parryin' the pink heart their ghost has. Usually… has.” 

Nice one.

“Oh.” Bean turned to his sister and gestured at her. “Is yun whit happened tae dee?”

Cup blinked. “What, what happened?” He pressed.

“Whenivir we battle somethin’ she aawiys gets hurt, an I aawiys hiv tae slap her awaake. At first it wis on instinct, but,” he flopped his shoulders, “noo it’s jost a routine.”

“Ay, I’ve hid tae slap dee sometimes too,” Soup countered.

The Cupbros shared a very perturbed look.

Mugs blinked, and turned a more grave expression on the two. “Guys, you’ve been dyin’,” he told them.

“Oh. Well, yeah, yun explains a lot.” Soup acknowledged, and scratched her brow.

“Does du tink we would’ve maade it tae Valhalla?” She asked her brother.

Bean buzzed his lips doubtfully. “Probably no, du dies too silly.”

“Hmm, good point.” She concurred. She then slid a glare towards the empty space next to her. “I didna need dy input lad.”

Cup pressed his mouth into a line, nodding. He’d decided: they were a lost cause.

“Stars, I need a smoke.” He muttered and rubbed his forehead.

"I think that's enough of a chat for today." Mugs called it. Cup didn’t argue.

"Alright, fine. But you can't go runnin’ your mouth on this kinda stuff, okay? Dishes keep this stardust to themselves." He made clear. "Tellin’ other folks ‘bout the way you work’ll bring you nothin' but trouble."

Soup staggered back a bit. "No even Noodle?"

“Cup, they can tell her.” Mugs interjected before he got to say anything else. “It’s their sister. And we’ve told people things. Like Holly.” He pointed out.

Cup clenched his jaw as he bit back his argument. “Fine. As long as she doesn’t go tellin’ anyone else.” He negotiated, and swung the door open, stepping out. “She seems like the type to blab.”

“Oh yeah, she canna keep a secret fir da life o ‘er.” Soup casually explained as she walked out the room. Bean followed after her with his plodding footsteps.

Cuphead raised a deadpan eyebrow at his bro. “Ya still think it’s fine?”

“It is,” Mugs assured. He grunted in disagreement, glancing off to one side.

“You're worried." Mugs said with his arms folded. Cup scowled and whipped around to face him fully.

"You know how we were, bro.” He stressed. “We felt like we were on top of the world, and then it just came crashin' down on us. I'm not lettin' it happen to another two stupid kids."

Mugs exhaled through his nose, and shook his head firmly. "It won't. They're smarter than we were, and older. Soup's twenty - She’s not gonna go walkin’ off inta some random casino and bet on their cussin’ souls,” he reasoned, flicking an arm out. 

Cup wasn’t so damn sure. The three of them didn’t even know what a cussing casino was, never mind the thrill that came with gambling.

His brother watched him, and took a step forward. “Why don't we just leave 'em be?” He suggested. “They don't seem to need their powers back on their island. They’ve lived just fine without ‘em up until now.”

He scoffed. "I don't give a damn about 'em if they're goin' back to that rock - Casinos don’t exist there. But while they’re here they need to learn some things so they don't end scribblin' their names on a starfallen contract,” he hissed as he started stalking away and down the corridor.

“Well… then whadda ya wanna do, sit around and watch ‘em like a pair of hawks while they’re here?” Mugs jabbed, throwing an arm up.

Cup scowled and shook his head. “That ain’t what I meant.”

“It kinda is.” He argued.

Cup stopped at the top of the stairs. He glared off to one side, clenching his jaw. Mugs moved around him.

“They’ll be fine, bro.” He said as he walked past, and started heading down. “Just let ‘em be.”

He sighed, and followed after him. He was right - it’d probably be fine. They’d leave soon anyway.

His little bro glanced around at the bottom of the stairs, spotting something and wincing. “Ah geez, we’ve got trouble,” he mumbled, tugging at his scarf.

Confused, Cup went up to him, and looked to where he was looking. His face fell. “Cuss.”

Felix was leaving the backyard and storming towards them, clapping his book closed, and shoving it angrily into his bag. For cuss’ sake, how long was this guy gonna hold a grudge??

“What did you say to them??" The cat hissed once he’d reached them, sticking a claw in Cup’s face.

He raised his hands defensively. "Calm your whiskers, I didn't say anythin'. We just talked about dish stuff."

The cat narrowed his eyes, his tail flicking agitatedly. 

"That was all, Mr. Felix. Really. Stuff they need to know." Mugs reassured. 

He retracted his arm, but still looked sceptical, flicking between the two of them with narrowed eyes. "They're acting odd now."

“Yeah, well they were already odd in the first place,” Cup muttered through his teeth, and then got an elbow to the arm. He grunted and gripped his sleeve.

Felix pursed his lips further, before sighing in defeat, easing off. 

“Okay. Just… don’t scare them off, please,” he said pointedly, and then turned and left.

Mugs shoved him a bit once the cat was out of eyeshot. “Bro- What the hell’s wrong with you?! We’re tryna get him to like us.” He hissed. Cup tutted.

“You might be - I’m not gonna start suckin’ up to him now just ‘cause he can’t let go of a damn grudge,” he growled, and straightened out his coat. “This is on him.”

Mugs flung his arms up in exasperation as he spun away, marching off.

Ugh. Cussing great.

…

"AAH!"

Mugman shot up and leapt out of bed, darting out the room. Cuphead was just a beat behind him. The two shot down the hallway and towards the yell.

It could've been anything. Robbers, kidnappers, trouble with the mob. There was a lot of worst-case scenarios going on. 

Mugs skidded to a halt and slammed the door open, aiming a glowing finger towards... huh.

The wolf in the corner yelped. “AGHF it’s gaein’ tae bury itsell in me covers an nivir git oot!”

“Gaamer it’s jost a peerie moth, du’s scarin’ heem,” Soup rebuked from the foot of her sister’s bed.

Noodle was crammed against the walls above her bed, leaning as far back as she could from whatever was supposedly in her covers, while Soup was knelt down with her hands cupped around something.

Oh. Not a break-in, then. Just a moth.

Mugs heard more people leaving their rooms half asleep. Bendy was the next to come sprinting around the corner, bouncing his shoulder off the wall. “Hey, guys, w-what’s going on??” He panted as he rushed up to them, looking into the Vikings’ room.

“Just a bug.” Mugs reported and motioned to the two sisters, letting the light of his finger dim. Well he’d only been half asleep anyway.

“A bug??” Cup growled, and dragged his hand down his face, fed-up. “You’ve gotta be cussin’ kiddin’ me.”

Noodle wailed and jerked away when the dreaded moth fluttered towards her, darting to the other side of the room. Her sister followed it around gracefully as she continued trying to catch it, dodging a pillow as it was launched from Bean in their direction. Ah, he was the one in the hammock.

“Ugh, it’s too cussing early for this,” Bendy grumbled as he rubbed his temples. Cup scoffed in agreement.

A drowsy Boris appeared from around the corner, practically sleepwalking over to them. “Wuz… wuz goin’ on?” He asked with his eyes closed.

“A bug,” Mugs repeated. Boris’ eyes flung open.

“A bug?? W-what type of bug?!-” He yipped, before Cup clamped a palm over his mouth to shush him.

“Sshhhh, Boris! It’s the middle of the cussing night!” Bendy hissed. “You’ll wake the rest up!”

Boris furrowed his brow angrily and argued muffledly from behind Cup’s hand, probably about how half the house was already awake.

“Can it, pup, it’s just a moth.” The dish told him. “Don’t get your tail in a twist.”

“It’s fine - Soup’s on the case,” Mugs added. Cup let him go after Boris untensed.

Then came the Warners, in their own states of tiredness. Wakko, in a pair of footie pyjamas, dropped a pillow down in front of him before falling onto it. From a couple steps behind him Yakko was barely staying upright. He had swollen eyes and a cup of coffee in hand, and was squinting around. Dot, who seemed to be the most alert, had a dressing gown on and a pair of fluffy pink slippers, lifting half her eye mask to peek at them. "What's all the noise for??” She interrogated. “You're interrupting my very important beauty sleep here."

“And mine.” Bendy growled, and itched his horn, before exclaiming as a hand whacked him over the back of the head.

“Shut the cuss up - you don’t get no damn beauty sleep,” Cup snipped, putting his hand back down. Bendy scowled over his shoulder at him. 

A light turned on in Red’s room, the door swinging open soon after. She leaned out of the doorway with her own eye mask and robes, her hair rolled up in those curl things. “Whatever is going on out here, speed it up,” she threatened as she tied the belt around her waist with sharp movements. Oh, geez. They’d better sort this out quick.

“Can you get it out the window or somethin’?” Mugs asked Soup, who was still following it as it flitted in around just above her. She moved in slowly, before snapping her cupped hands around it. She carefully peeked inside.

“Got it!” She grinned, and stepped over to Bean’s side of the room. “Bro, open yun windoo, will du?”

Bean groaned and reached up lazily to said window, pushing it open from where he was laying. Soup leaned over and stuck her hands outside, letting the moth go. "Be carefoo lil' lad."

“There,” Bendy sighed in exasperation. “Can we go now??”

“Think so.” Mugs looked to the girls in the room. “You guys good here?”

“Yep.” Soup affirmed as she climbed back onto her bed and scooted under her covers. Noodle was doing the same, sitting uncomfortably on top of hers.

The wolf pressed her muzzle into a guilty frown. “Sorry.”

“It’s cool.” Bendy dismissed with a tired expression, and slapped a hand down on the door knob. He pulled on the door. “Night.”

Cup grit his teeth as it closed, growling. “I swear to cuss, if that happens again-”

“I think we should all return to our beds,” Oddswell interjected from the end of the hallway. He was in a pair of striped pjs, but still had his lab coat on. Did he ever take that thing off?

“You’re tired.” He stated, and blinked. “Go to sleep.”

Lazy nods went around their group.

Yakko took a paw to his mouth while yawning, as he and his siblings retreated. He waved with said paw. “Goodnight everybody.”

Red gave a curt ‘hmph’, before stepping back and closing her own door.

“C’mon, bro.” Bendy clasped his brother’s arm and dragged him along with him as he trudged away. “We need a couple more winks at least.”

“-B-but- A-are you sure they got it??” Boris fretted. Bendy’s reassurances grew distant once they’d rounded the corner.

“And you need about a bajillion more,” Mugs told his own bro as he clapped him on the shoulder, directing him away before he could say otherwise. The grump just grumbled.

Soup let out an exhale after the door had closed.

“Does du tink me beed’s sif?” Noods asked from the bed next to her. 

“It’s fine, gaamer, jost gya tae sleep,” she told her, starting to stack the mountain of blankets she wore on top of her duvet. “Du’s gunni miss dy next windoo.”

Her sister frowned, but eventually got half under her covers and lied down, facing the wall.

Once her sheets were all good, Soup nodded to herself, and lied down too. Time to try get to sleep.

…

Agh, this wasn’t working.

She sat up again with a huff, gazing around.

Her eyes landed on the figure sat by her bedside. “Du up fir a chat?”

“Of course, Friend.” The figure smiled.

Chapter Text

Holly found herself in the library. This wasn't unusual, but today she was going for the fun of it. No assignments, no research, no peeking at records - Just for fun. 

But she had no idea where to start. She was stood in the middle of the hall gaping at the endless rows of bookshelves. 

What did she feel like reading? She’d basically gone through every book in here. There wasn't much more for her to learn.

Then it clicked. She was going to read one of Felix's books.

She went over to the Action section and spotted a row of them sitting there. She closed her eyes and moved her finger randomly until it landed on one. There.

'Felix the Cat - The Great Dunes of Martos'. Perfect. She seized it and walked off to find somewhere to sit. 

Like there was a debate. 

She headed over to her favourite spot. The spot in the corner, with the pillows piled up-

It wasn't there.

Huh? But it had been there. And it wasn't like she went the wrong way, did she? No. She pictured it in her mind. It was here. It was supposed to be here.

Did they really remove it? Oh, cussing horse feathers. That sucked.

She huffed air out her nose. Now she wasn't in the mood to read. 

She turned away and stormed off. 

After months, now they decided to just clean it up?? Holly was sure she wasn't the only one that hung out around there. It was perfect for introverts alike. And then just poof. Gone.

She tutted to herself. She'd just go and put the book back and do something else to get rid of this sour mood. Maybe go to a cafe or something. Yeah, that sounded nice.

As she was leaving, she caught a glimpse of someone familiar out of the corner of her eye. She looked over.

Soup. Soup was here?

Donning her new Surface-style clothes, she was sat at a table with a book of her own in front of her, and her hands resting on her temples in what could only be stress. She was staring down at the pages with a panicked frown. 

Holly pushed her frustration aside and approached her. She was curious as to what had her pulling that face.

"What are you up to?" She started, leaning on tiptoe to peer at her book.

The dish took in a deep breath, and held it. "Research. Tryin’ tae research. I canna read ony o it."

Yep. She'd suspected. 

Holly slipped into the seat next to her, putting down the adventurer's book. "Yeah… The English language is rough. Even I don’t get it occasionally. Well, more than occasionally. Regularly."

Soup a blew a breath out, shaking her head. “Yun doesna bode weell fir me.” She said with a laugh. Holly forced a chuckle through her nose.

“… Felix said you have your own alphabet.” She spoke up after a pause, and raised her finger in a hook. “If I may ask: what is it, exactly?" She quirked a brow.

"Runes." Soup shrugged. "We write wee runes."

Holly's mind whirred. Runes?? Wait, there were many types of runes. Micco runes weren’t the only ones. It could be something entirely different. She shouldn’t get ahead of herself here.

Apparently her thoughts had been loud, because now the dish was looking at her. Well, now was as good a time as ever. 

"Do you… use… Micco runes, by any chance?" She inquired as casually as she could, trying to smother the burning curiosity she felt growing in her.

Soup scrunched her nose. "Mikko... runes… Whit??" Confusion took over her face. 

Hm. Maybe not then.

Holly reached into her satchel and rummaged for a piece of paper and a pencil. She pulled the stationary out and slid it in front of her. "Could you write some? Just a simple sentence, or something?"

Soup inspected the pencil for a second, before scribbling a couple characters down.

Holly's mouth shrivelled up, and she made a weird choking sound. 

Okay, those were not Micco runes. Definitely of Nordic origin, not Micco. There went that little spark of hope.

She coughed and cleared her throat awkwardly. "Yes, that certainly is your own alphabet." 

Her head tilted, a strand of soupy hair falling over her face. "Whit… whit are Mikko runes?"

"It's Micco," she corrected. "They’re an alphabet of unique characters and symbols an ancient civilisation, the Micco people, used as both a language and as tools. What makes them so special is that they're magic.”

There was a wondrous glint in Soup’s eyes. "Magic??" She breathed.

Holly felt herself beam. 

Bendy was about to go to town on his freshly baked cookie, when he caught sight of Soup entering through the door with a shopping bag lining her arm, Holly behind her. They were chatting amongst themselves. He watched them drift into the front room, quirking an eyebrow. What had they been up to?

He took a bite of his cookie and then placed it down on the plate in his other hand, before trotting after the girls.

"Ay, Noods, look at me boannie new claes." Soup grinned as she started pulling out some of the garbs from her bag and showing them off to her sister. The wolf observed with a couple casual comments now and again, and some uncontrollable claps.

Bendy sidled up to Holly. He gestured between her and the dish with his cookie. “You two went shopping?"

Hol nodded energetically. "Yeah. I found her in the library. She was losing a literary battle with a book. We hung out for a bit and went to a cafe, and then went shopping."

"Huh.” He chomped down on his cookie, chewing in the side of his mouth. “Cool."

"I also taught her a few things about Micco runes as well,” she admitted. “She was curious."

His chewing slowed. He eyed the dame next to him more worriedly now. 

He swallowed his mouthful. “-She's not gonna try use them, is she?"

“Oh, no, it's fine. Nothing like that." Holly waved.

“… Okay.” He gave a small nod.

His cookie caught her attention. Her eyes flicked between it and him, a hungry glint growing. "Did Granny bake those??”

The demon clocked her eyeing, and opened his mouth to make it known that this was his cookie. But then the goddess of cooking herself walked in.

"Bendy, what did I tell you about lunch coming soon?" 

Uh oh. He'd been got.

He turned to the old gopher with a sheepish smile. "Sorry, Granny." 

"Cookies?" Dot's head popped up next to his plate. Bendy moved it away swiftly and frowned at her. 

Then Wakko's head appeared on his other side. Bendy growled and lifted it up instead.

And just when he thought his treat was safe, Yakko jumped up and swiped his delicious treat and sprinted off, his siblings following with cackles. 

“Hey!” Bendy whipped around, and shook a fist at them. “That was mine, you sun blazing thieves!"

He then spent the next fifteen minutes chasing his cookie captors around. The worst part was the zany tricks. They kept turning into literal pieces of furniture that blended in perfectly with the house. He only caught glimpses of them unfolding back into their normal bodies and sticking their limbs back on, all the while passing his poor cookie back and forth between them, just so it was always just out of reach. It was a cussing nightmare. 

Wakko even turned into a plant at one point, with leaves and everything. His nose stayed green though. It didn’t look like it was going away. That was at least a little payback.

Granny eventually called them again for lunch. Bendy stood in the hallway, panting, and put his hand on the wall for some support. "You..." Pant. "This..." Pant. "Is not..." Pant. "Over… !" He warned them. 

They snickered, and Yakko, the one with the cookie, then raised the baked good and stuffed it into his gob. Didn’t even chew. 

“MmmMm mmh~!” He hummed and licked each individual finger clean, smacking his lips mockingly. “What a treat!” He beamed. Bendy snarled and lunged to grab any of them. The three just giggled and bounded off to the dining room.

"Now that was entertainin’,” Cup smirked in passing. Cussing dish. Bendy was tempted to go rob a cloth from the kitchen. A used one.

Everyone was filing into the dining room now. Cup and Mugs were taking their seats, thanking Granny and Red as they served them lemonade before moving on. Soup, Noodle and Bean were already sat, staring at the collection of sandwiches on the table. Oddswell and Scratchy were chatting about some doctor stardust. 

Holly took the spot next to Soup. Guess she was staying. 

The Warners teleported into their chairs, already drooling. And Boris was sat waiting for Bendy, with a sandwich already in hand. He raised an eyebrow at him over the back of his chair.

“You okay, bro?” He asked as he approached, giving him a once over. “You look a little... sweaty." There was a hint of amusement in his tone.

“Yeah, 'm fine." Bendy grumbled as he slid into the chair next to him, and tossed a glare at the Warners as he reached out for a sandwich. The three cookie thieves put their paws up to their mouths as they giggled, poking their cheeks innocently. Tsk.

At least he could have a sandwich in peace. Ham and cheese sounded good. He huffed and bit into his chosen sandwich.

"Really? You look cussin’ beat.” Cup commented with a snort.

Never mind. There was a bubblehead at the table.

Bendy scoffed sarcastic surprise. "Huh! Hadn’t notished."

Cup cringed audibly. "Geez, man, cussin’ chew with your mouth closed,” he snipped, avoiding looking at him. To annoy him further Bendy leaned forward and chewed as obnoxiously as he could up in his face. The dish groaned and shoved his head away. "Cussin' hell-"

“Bendy- Please stop acting like a toddler,” Boris complained with an eye-roll.

“Yes, please,” Red seconded, “for all our cussing sakes.”

“Seriously, the Warners act better than you guys,” concurred Mugs, looking fed-up.

Holly buzzed her lips sceptically. “I wouldn’t go that far.” She noted, comically oblivious to three zanies behind her, who froze in their attempt to steal her sandwich at being mentioned, and zipped back to their seats.

Bendy and his chewing did eventually ease off. For now. He swallowed and looked back to his plate.

Only to find it empty. His sandwich was cussing gone. He scowled.

"Alright, who took it??" He barked, studying everyone at the table. His gaze fixated on Yakko, Wakko and Dot. "Was it you again??”

The Warners all shook their heads cluelessly. They seemed genuinely confused.

"Cuphead-" He heard Mugs sigh.

"What, this?" His older brother chimed. Bendy whipped his head around to see the schmuck was holding his schmuck sandwich up in the air with a schmuck smirk.

Bendy shoved his chair back and lunged for him. "Gimme my sandwich!" 

The dish got up out his seat, and danced around him as he tried to grab it. "Come and get it from me!”

Some people were snickering now, the Warners and Vikings in particular. Boris and Holly were trying to hide theirs, but were failing. The table was getting louder.

Bendy made another attempt to grab it by jumping up to reach, but the gangly jerk just stepped to the side and lifted his hand higher. Dammit!

Someone, probably Mugs, winced. "Cuppy watch your stitches-"

"C'mon man, just grab it!" He taunted. Even he was laughing now.

Bendy growled and jumped to swing at it yet again. And missed. The jerk was too cussing tall.

Cuphead roared with laughter. He clenched his fists and sneered.

"Gentlemen, please-" Oddswell tried to speak over the noise.

"You mook, I could beat you to a cussing pulp even without my sun blazing demon strength!" He barked, pointing a claw up at his stupid smug face.

"Oh yeah?" He cocked an eyebrow, his smirk growing. "That a bet?"

Boris whined in exasperation. "Please don't fight-”

"Arm-wrestle!" Wakko yelled and hopped up onto the table. 

“Yeah!” His brother and sister cheered, popping up on either side of him.

"Sounds great." Schmuckhead grinned, and took a bite of the hostage sandwich. 

Bendy grit his teeth. "Perfect.”

“Oh, brother.” Red muttered, putting her hand to her brow.

The dish gulped, and tossed the sandwich down. "Care to ref, bro?" 

Mugs sighed in defeat. "Only so ya don't end up killin' each other."

“Well then.” Holly exhaled, and pushed her chair out, springing up with her hands on her hips. "So much for lunch.”

The rest took that as their cue to get up as well, stampeding out the dining room eagerly. Confused, Bendy stayed put, until something pushed him from behind and directed him into the living room, where he and Cup were dropped into stools opposite each other with a table in between them. The room was somehow dark now, and the only light came from harsh yellow spotlights that glared down from somewhere up above.

Bendy looked to his right to see there were cussing bleachers stood off to the side where the sofa used to be, with Oddswell, Dr. Scratchasniff, Red, Granny, Holly, Soup, Noodle, Bean and two thirds of the Warners sat there. Wakko and Dot had buckets of popcorn, and some fizz-whizz hats too.

The sound of someone clearing their throat sounded over a loud microphone. "IIIIIIIIInnnnn the right corner we have the infamously famous sharpshooting Cuphead!” Yakko’s voice announced from somewhere. “He's had many-a knockouts in his days!"

Mugs' hand slammed down on the table and snapped him out of his daze. 

“I want a clean and fair match here.” He stated firmly as he looked between the two of them. “No magic or demon strength."

Cup smirked again, and brought an arm out across his chest, stretching. “Don't worry, Mugsy. This’ll be a cakewalk."

“We'll just see about that,” Bendy remarked and cracked his knuckles, waving his hands out. He was gonna rip that cussing smile right off. 

Boris palmed his shoulder. He peered around to give him an uncertain smile. "Don't go nuts, please?" 

"Yeah yeah, sure,” Bendy dismissed. It was just a little arm wrestle.

"Aaaaaaand over in the left corner we have the definitely not vertically challenged demon, Bendy Bbro! Watch out for those claws, folks!" He winked audibly.

"Vertically challenged?!" Bendy roared. Where the cuss had that come from?!

His opponent snickered, and positioned his right elbow on the table with his hand open. "You ready?"

Bendy did the same, though a little more aggressively, and grabbed his hand. He hardened his glowing gaze. "Bring it."

"A good day for a swell battle!” Came another announcement. That wasn’t Yakko’s voice anymore.

Mugs dipped his head, and lifted his palm from the table.

"Here goes!"

Bendy immediately started resisting. Cuphead fought back, so their arms stayed in the middle for a while, shaking with the force.

The crowd they had off to the side were cheering. There was not enough people over there to make that much noise. Had to be some added zany sound effects.

Now, the hard part for Bendy wasn't the arm-wrestle itself, it was keeping his strength at bay. It just wanted to come out screaming. His reflexes on holding back had weakened at some point in the past few months. He'd have to work on that later. At least this was a good exercise for his control.

Cuphead put up a good fight. He really did. For a second there Bendy was worried. But he was too frustrated. He burnt himself out too quickly. And also being in recovery from a deep surgery didn’t help the guy. It didn't take long for his arm to start wavering and for condensation to run down his face. He had his jaw clenched so hard Bendy was worried it'd shatter.

"What's wrong, Cupperino? Can't put your money where your mouth is?" Bendy taunted, and witnessed the man’s face flash with fury.

"Oh, I'll cussin’ show you-" He grit out.

The stubborn mook somehow managed to steal from his cussing reserve, because now their arms were tilting to Bendy's right. 

"Stars, man!" Bendy exclaimed and dug his claws into his pant leg with his other hand. Where'd he pull that from?!

Thankfully, it wasn't long before they were back at Bendy's left again. Cup's arm was getting dangerously close to the table's surface. There was panic in his eyes. But he didn't wanna give up.

"Cup, you just had cussin' surgery! Be careful!" Mugs was getting agitated.

He was sweating bullets now. To be fair, Bendy was too. The dish continued fighting even while his sleeve grazed the wood. 

Finally, Bendy managed to pin him.

"Knockout!"

The crowd cheered. Cup’s shoulders fell with the defeat, as the two of them retracted their arms. 

“Bendy won - what a surprise,” Boris said with a light eye-roll.

“Ack, well, it was a tough match,” he told his opponent, setting his boosted ego aside.

Cup chuckled breathlessly, having palmed his armpit. “Y’don’t need ta let me down slowly, short stuff. Besides, I’m… I’m gettin’ a damn rematch once I’m healed,” he forewarned.

Bendy smugly propped his chin on his fist. "Then I'll just have to win that one too, won't I?"

"You cusser." He swore, though there was amusement in his eyes.

Bendy chuckled, and clapped him on the upper arm. "Go rest up, pal." 

"Bro, tag me in." Mugs volunteered and held his hand out. Cup got up, did some sort of handshake thing with him, and then switched places.

"Oh-ho, two wins? Easy pickin’s,” Bendy boasted and rolled his sleeves up further as the younger but burlier dish dropped down onto the stool opposite him.

Mugs barked a laugh. "Don't go gettin' cocky now." He said, mirroring Bendy when he planted his elbow back on the table. The two clasped hands.

"A brawl is surely brewing!”

“C’mon, bro, you’ve got this!” Cup hyped and gripped his brother’s shoulder, shaking him a bit. Mugs stayed unfazed. His face was settling into a hard look and a very determined grin.

"You're up!"

Mugman had more of a defence. He got less frustrated, and had more stamina in the long run. Bendy found the whole thing a neat little experiment - he’d always been curious as to who was the stronger one out of the two. Now he got to test them out. And, Bendy didn’t know if Cup was just not at his strongest due to his surgery, but his little bro had felt a bit stronger.

But, still, it wasn’t enough to beat him.

Mugs didn't waver much throughout it. He was better at keeping his ground. But once he lost it it was curtains. He gave in with an exhale as his forearm hit the table.

"Knockout!"

"Golly, Bendy." Mugs held his wrist, and furled and unfurled his fingers. "You sure you didn't use your demon strength?" He asked with a chortle.

The demon just shrugged. "Wish I could." He replied with mock helplessness.

Boris chuckled from over his shoulder. “You’re so vain,” he flatly told him through his tittering.

“C’mon, bro, you’re supposed to be supporting me here,” Bendy remarked, tossing a hand up. His lil bro was doing anything but at the moment.

Across from him Cup snatched his own brother by the back of the neck and brought him into a rough headlock, buffing his palm into his mug. “Bah, we’ll get ‘im next time,” he grinned, Mugs freeing himself a moment later.

"I wanna go!" 

The two Warners sat on the bleachers zipped over to the table, leaving their buckets of popcorn and soda hats spinning in the air. 

“This’ll be interesting,” the wolf hovering behind Bendy noted with a narrowed gaze, as the two zanies fought for the empty spot. Bendy was on a similar train of thought. What were they going to pull here.

Wakko, with his green nose, managed to beat his sister to the stool. He locked his fingers together and stretched his arms out, also taking the time to crack his back by twisting his torso until he looked like a twisted stick of liquorice.

"A great slam and then some!"

Once pretzel boy had unravelled himself again, they prepared their arms. "You ready now?" Bendy interrogated, his tail flicking back and forth in anticipation.

Wakko's tongue stuck out through his smiling teeth. "Always."

"Now go!"

Bendy shouldn’t have been worried. The main part of this joke was that Wakko couldn’t get his arm to move at all. He switched from pulling at it, pushing it, hanging his full weight off it, and using various objects to get it to budge. None of his attempts worked. His arm didn’t move an inch - he couldn’t even feel Wakko trying. At one point the demon had faked a yawn, and had everyone around him splitting their sides. It had really sold the bit.

Eventually, after wiping a waterfall of sweat off his brow, Wakko threw in the towel. He hopped down from the stool, and called in Yakko to take his place, much to Dot’s annoyance.

The eldest held up his stick-thin arm and flexed, a tiny peek jutting out from his bicep. If that wasn’t enough there was also a drawn-on tattoo of a heart with an arrow struck through it. A real tough guy this one.

Although, out of the three of them, Yakko had the most realistic fight, as realistic as zanies got. It took a little longer for him to go down - they’d actually warred there for a bit. When he did go down his arm flew through the table. It split and splintered.

Bendy threw his hands up in surrender. "That was not me." He swore. The pair of dishes still hovering behind the opponent seat guffawed.

The remains of the table were quickly replaced by a Wakko in a hard hat, which was a bit in of itself. Dot hurried it along though. She wanted a shot. Bendy had been dreading it.

Unsurprisingly but still annoyingly, she spent most of their match trying to flirt with him. It took everything in him not to add more strength. What was surprising was that this time, Bendy was the one that couldn’t get her to move. Her arm was, like, made of cussing steel. He’d barely done cussing anything! And while he was trying desperately to make her arm move, she just continued batting her dumb eyelashes at him.

He guessed that was the point of her bit though, because once she found out it wasn't working, she got bored and gave in.

"Ha! Five outta five!" Bendy cackled in victory, quickly moving on from the fact he’d definitely been panicking there.

A rag was wiped over his forehead and a straw shoved into his mouth. He almost choked on the water in confusion, but realised it was just another Warner joke. He went with it. It was handy anyway, he had broken a sweat.

He also caught a glimpse of Dot doing a cheer routine with a pair of glittery pom-poms. She’d made it back to the bleachers, and was now chanting some stardust chant. Hol was getting cussing whacked in the face by her pom-poms.

Before Bendy could ask who his next challenger was, Soup stood up and walked over to the empty stool nonchalantly.

“Weell somebody his tae taak dee doon." She said as she sat down and got comfortable.

“We’ll just see about that,” Bendy challenged and held his hand out ready. She clasped it with a firm grip.

“Here’s a real high-class bout!” 

“Let’s see what you’ve got, Soup Agglesnoff of the Lunatic Tribe,” he mocked lightly. She only snorted in response.

"And begin!"

Chapter Text

"And begin!"

Bendy had not been prepared for the fight Soup put up. She’d been a tank. A foul-mouthed one, but a tank nonetheless.

Her curses ramped up in speed and strain as he made progress on leaning her closer to the table, but then they tilted her way. They stayed stuck warring with each other.. For. Ages.

The crowd exclaimed every time they leaned further to one side. Bendy had started to wonder if it was ever gonna end, or if he or her were gonna pop a vein.

But, eventually, her arm hit the wood.

"Knockout!"

Soup sighed in defeat, and brushed her forehead with a sigh. "Gods, min, du's muckle strang."

Cup rolled his eyes audibly. "Don't cussin’ blow up his ego further,” he grumbled, gesturing to Bendy. “We've already fed it enough with this starfallen mess."

“No no, keep it comin’,” Bendy gloated with a beckoning wave. His ego was growing with this.

“We need Alice here,” Boris piped up. “She could give him a run for his money." 

Bendy gave his brother the most betrayed expression he could. "How dare you," he breathed. Boris snorted.

“Now that's a fight I'd pay ta see,” Mugs said with a snap of his fingers. Bendy was being betrayed left and right here.

Soup left her seat and dusted her hands off. "Noods, du's next. I tink I tired ‘im oot a lil' onywiy."

“Nice,” Noodle grinned, and took her sister’s place. She turned her head and spat off to one side like a cussing grown man, which was honestly one of the least surprising things she’d done.

"This match will get red-hot!"

The wolf propped her left arm up with a fanged grin. "Other hands?"

Bendy's lip quirked in confusion. "You left-handed?"

"No, just hiv maere faith in me left dan du does in dy wan," she challenged.

He gave a laugh and switched out for his other arm. "If you say so." They clasped their hands.

"It's on!"

Bendy needed to work on strengthening his left arm. It was a tougher match than he’d wanted. Luckily she had been bluffing at least a little, because she was struggling too.

He managed to get her arm hovering over his side pretty quickly - she’d straight-up yelled on the way down, and managed to hold on for a bit longer. But, not long enough.

After a bit, she met her fate.

"Knockout!"

Noods let out a breath of defeat, and then yelled again in frustration of losing. Bendy simpered as he rubbed his wrist.

“Not a great loser, then?” He quizzed and cocked a smug brow.

“Da wirst,” she growled, with half a laugh on the end. Bendy understood, though he just liked winning.

“Gee’s a shot,” Bean said as he stepped forward, and swapped places with his sister.

“Surely du his tae be knackered noo,” Soup said in exasperation.

"Nah, I could go for days.” Bendy straight-up lied as he positioned his arm. He could not. His arm was on fire.

"A great slam and then some!"

Bean wasn't convinced. He smirked, his pebble tooth protruding from his gums. "Yeah, sure." He propped his arm up too and grabbed his hand. "Ready ta lose tae a bairn?”

"That ain't happening anytime soon," Bendy assured him, determined.

"Now go!"

For a kid he packed a cussing punch. He was stronger than his sisters for sure, and barely let anything show on his face. No struggle, no strain, just concentration. Bendy had started to wonder if he was even trying.

"Come on, Bean! Du can do it!" Soup and Noodle were cheering him on, or, just screaming in his ears. 

For a second there was a hint of condensation on his forehead. 

Then, his focus slipped or something. Next thing Bendy knew, Bean's arm hit the table with a slam. It popped. "Agh!"

Bendy swiftly pulled his arm back in shock. Oh cuss. Had he-

Soup and Noodle burst out laughing. Bean joined them, and clutched his wrist.

Bendy's stomach dropped. He waved his hands frantically. "Dude, I-I'm so sorry, are you okay?-" 

Oddswell and Granny waddled over. "What happened?” Oddswell questioned in a serious tone, with Granny onlooking in worry. Holly trailed behind them. The Warners had appeared, and were watching curiously.

"Check his wrist, Doc," Cup told him.

The lizard took Bean's forearm and studied his now cracked wrist. He tried moving it slightly, but Bean's wince stopped him. He inspected it closely through his tiny glasses.

"I'm not an expert on breaks, but I would suggest taking him to the hospital. It could be a sprain or a fracture. Both require the medical attention the hospital offers.”

"A hospital?" The kid repeated. He was taking it like a champ. Cuss, Bendy had really messed up. 

"It's a place people with injuries or illnesses go to to get treated," Holly explained. The dish made a noise of acknowledgment.

"Why don't you just shake it off?" Wakko tilted his head, his hat flopping down over his eyes. He pushed it back up.

"Why haven't you shaken off your green nose?" Dot asked with a deadpan expression.

Wakko fell short. "Wh- Green nose?-" He took a hand mirror out from behind his back. When he saw his reflection he jumped up in shock, his eyes growing to the size of saucers and bulging out his head. He then jabbed the mirror at his siblings. "It was like that the whole time?! And you didn't tell me?!"

Yakko seemed genuinely puzzled. "Uuuuhhhh, we thought you liked it,” he said. He looked to his sister, who just shrugged uselessly.

“Du can jost shaak aaff dy injuries??" Noods asked through dying laughter. Soup was wiping tears away from next to her.

“Oh yeah, it’s great. Watch this.” Dot brought out a hammer and swung it down in Yakko, reducing him to a flat Yakko pancake on the floor. Yakko then sprung back up with a ‘pop’, good as new. 

“It’s a zany thing,” Wakko nasally said as he pulled his sleeve over his hand and buffed the green colour of his nose. 

"Aw min, we've been livin' life aa wrang," Soup concluded. Noodle agreed with a cackle. 

Yakko stuck a finger in the air. “To the hospital!”

When that little twerp had announced ‘To the hospital’ Cup hadn’t expected he’d be involved. But in fact he had, and found himself alone, walking the lanky kid to said hospital. Everyone had jumped on the opportunity to force him to go, because they could pull off the stupid family schtick. Buncha cussing traitors.

Bean had had to go and change into his non-Viking outfit, which, with a bent wrist, took considerably long. Cup could've sworn he had waited an hour.

Then they had climbed out the cussing backyard to avoid the press, which was just ridiculous. They had slipped through all the back alleys and were now finally on a normal street.

Bendy had looked shaken back there. Probably beating himself up about it. Cup might have to talk to him later. 

He wasn't too worried about it though. This kid was handling it well. There was no reason for Bendy to freak.

Once hospital came into view, Cup leaned in towards Bean. "If anyone asks, we're cousins.” He told him under his breath. “Distant cousins. That means you gotta be convincin'. No weird accent. Got it?"

The kid simply shrugged. “Sure. Whitivir du says."

"Good. And hide that cussin’ tooth, will ya?" Cup grumbled. Bean grinned, and took the damn rock out his mouth, putting it away somewhere on his person, just before they burst through the building’s doors. 

The horrible medical smell that came along with it smacked Cup in the face, and had him grimacing. Stars, why did it always have to smell the exact cussing same, no matter what the- Oh no. 

Cuphead stopped dead in his tracks as he made eye contact with a particular bird stood chatting with a honey badger nurse behind the reception counter. The bird’s beady eyes bulged when she spotted him, making a distant exclamation. His face dropped.

He shook his head rapidly at her. No, no no, lady, please don't- 

Sun blazes, she was already cussing walking away.

"Starfallen dammit," he cursed and pinched the bridge of his nose. He did not want to talk to her today of all days.

Bean was watching him in mild amusement. "Whit's got du aa grry?"

Cup staggered back a step. "Wh- 'Grry'? The hell- I-I was just plannin' on avoidin' one of these nurses. She's a cussin' nightmare someti-"

"Oh my stars! Again?!" 

There she was. Nurse Fanny Cottontail. Marching right up to them.

Cup threw his hands up in surrender. "I-it’s not me! I'm fine! It's him." He jabbed a thumb at Bean.

"Wowee, gee, thanks min." The kid muttered.

Fanny stuck her face in his, the medical smell getting washed out by her woody perfume. "You better not have ripped your stitches."

“I haven't!” He defended and veered back. “Stars, woman, where's your faith? I'm fine. It's this kid you should be scarin'."

Fanny folded her arms with a huff, and stepped out of his space. "My faith in your glasshead flew out the window the first time you walked into this building," she retorted. Geez, don't remind him. 

She looked to Bean. "Okay, kid, what's up?" She asked with resignation. 

He lifted his right arm. "Wrist." He simply said. 

Was that his cussing way of avoiding his accent?? This was gonna be a long afternoon.

The rabbit’s thin brows furrowed, which was quickly followed by an expectant look towards Cuphead. 

“He hit his wrist against a table, and got a good pop outta it," he explained.

She pursed her painted lips sceptically, and sighed again, rolling her eyes. "How bad does it hurt, one to ten?"

"Six, until I move it ony.” Bean answered.

Fanny let her arms fall, and waved begrudgingly for them to follow. "Alright, come with me,” she ordered and strutted off. They trailed along behind her.

She led them into an examination room and instructed Bean to sit up on the bed and hold out his wrist. Bean did as he was told, hopping up, while Cup fell into one of the guest seats next to the bed.

Fanny worked swiftly and mechanically, as she always did, inspecting his injury.

There was a split second where her professional attitude wavered. Cup searched for what could've fazed the mighty Mrs. Cottontail.

He found it. Bean's right thumb. It wasn’t there - just a nub.

Yeesh, Cuphead hadn't even noticed that before. The hell had happened there.

"Are you family?" She spoke up after a bit of silence.

"Yeah, he's mah cuz." Bean answered, putting on the worst cussing Southern accent he had ever heard. Starfallen-

Cup could feel the nurse eyeing him. He blatantly avoided her gaze, focusing on the ground in just pure disappointment.

She left whatever that had been at that, thank cuss, moving Bean’s hand around with caution as she inspected the damage.

“And how did you end up 'smacking' your wrist against a table?" She mocked, more towards Cuphead.

He rubbed the back of his neck. "Rmwrstl."

"Sorry?" There was derision in her tone.

"Arm-wrestlin'," Cup spoke louder. She tutted. 

“And I suppose you were the cause of this?" She assumed, her voice thick with judgement.

"Oh cuss no," he said, and leaned back into his chair casually, propping his ankle up on his knee. "I can barely lift my arm as is with these damn stitches. It was another fella."

"It wis me ain faaut.” Bean clarified. “I got distracted."

Well, there went the accent.

Fanny gave Cup another cussing eyeing. He'd just given up on trying to keep up appearances at that point.

After a scornful silence, Fanny seemed to finish up her examination. 

"I’d say it’s a sprain,” she reported, “but, you should get an x-ray to be sure. It’ll be a cast or a splint from there.” 

There. A sprain. Bendy had nothing to freak out about.

“I’m going to get you some ice, and an ointment for that crack,” she said, before turning and clicking her heels to the door, leaving them.

Cuphead glared at the kid. "What the ever-lovin' cuss was that?"

He only grinned at him. That little-

"You did that on cussin’ purpose,” he accused, and dragged his palm down his face. "Are you kiddin’ me.”

The mook’s shoulders shook. "Yun wis brally funny."

"Oh," he pointed a finger at him, "I'm gonna give you hell after this, you starfallen-"

Fanny walked back in. He immediately retracted his arm to avoid getting a telling-off. He hated it, but it was what he had to do to survive out here.

She’d come back with a tied cloth full of ice, heading over to Bean with it. She placed it surprisingly gently on his wrist and put his other hand on top of it. "Ice it, and keep it elevated." She told him.

Fanny then straightened up her posture to smother the irritation she probably felt. "Now, I… have to go and find a doctor,” she said with an indignant huff, and turned and left again.

Sure enough, she returned with a doctor. He was annoying and full of himself. Looked like a schmuck. And she obviously shared Cup’s opinion, judging by the cussing disdain that wafted off her.

The doctor, after a completely unnecessary analysis of his own, took Bean away for an x-ray. Which left Cuphead with the scary lady.

She planted a hand on her hip and raised an eyebrow at him. “Were you seriously stupid enough to join in on the arm-wrestling?"

He sucked in a breath. "Just couldn't resist." He remarked.

"Oh, because you're just so macho,” she quipped and matched his sarcasm, and added a jazz-handed gesture too. She approached him. "Let me check your stitches then, smart-guy."

He reclined back in his chair defensively. "Nah, I didn't come here for a check-up."

She wasn't having it. In fact she whipped her shoe off and threatened him with the heel of it.

“Okay, okay! Stars!” He exclaimed, grumbling as he stood up. “Some cussin’ nurse you are.” That had to be against the rules or something.

He took off his coat, and then his turtleneck. When he struggled to find the end of the maze of bandages he was wrapped in, she stepped in to help. He failed to see why the cuss he needed them now. They were just a nuisance. 

She started examining his stitched up skin. With him following all her dumb rules, and also probably help from the cream, they’d been healing pretty good so far. Itchy, but good. At least on the outside.

Fanny gave a mildly pleased hum, and took his bandages away to dump ‘em in the trash.

“That kid… ” She started, a smug look settling on her face. “He’s not from around here, is he?" That was more of a statement than a question.

Cup glanced off. "No, he is not." He grit out.

"And you're not cousins," she furthered.

"No, we're not,” he admitted, deflating in defeat, while Fanny let out a deep chuckle. Felix was so gonna kill him. 

"Good detective work," he praised with more sarcasm. Her dark lips stretched into a smirk, and she made a "hmph" sound as she came back over to him, as if it were the start of a laugh. 

She then wrenched his arm up.

Cup winced and put a hand to his armpit. "Cuss, woman! I thought we were done with the mean nurse schtick!"

She pried his arm away with a tut. “Excuse me?" She snort of sneered.

"Y'know," he gestured at her, "your schtick. I thought we were finally friends."

She rolled her eyes and inspected his stitches again - the lines that creeped further around his torso. "My 'schtick'? And you are very low on the friends scale, you moron. You have to earn that stardust."

Cup scoffed slightly. Silence fell between them.

"... What do I have ta do to earn your friendship, then?" He offered.

She chuckled wryly. "Oh, I don't know, turning up somewhere other than the hospital - and not to mention - my place of work?? How about showing your face at my house once in a while?"

He pointed at her in defiance. "Hey, you've invited me into your house twice now."

She pulled a face. "One of those times you were certainly not invited," she puffed with bulging eyes.

Yikes, whoops. "Right, right. Sorry." He eased off.

She let his first arm go, and moved on to raise his other arm. 

“Does that hurt at all?”

"Of course it cussin' hurts. My skin is being held together by a starfallen thread and you're cussin' pullin' on it." He hissed. "How is this part of an exam??"

She ignored him and went over to the desk in the corner, grabbing some kind of tube. Was it the cream? He eyed it as she came over to him again. Yes, yes it was the damn cream. He scowled.

Seemed like Fanny found that amusing. "Judging by that look, you are applying the cream every night," she said as she did just that. It stung.

"Yes,” he replied in exasperation. He felt like a cussing schoolboy here.

"And you haven't smoked anything?" She fired at him.

He exhaled sharply through his nose. "No, I haven't. Don't know what else you want from me. I use the cream, change the wraps, take the pills; I haven't smoked, haven't drank; can't move my arms. I get winded from cussin’ walkin'. Laughin' hurts, breathin' hurts.” He threw his hands up, like an idiot, and regretted it. “I-I'm doin' all I can, lady."

“Aw, you poor baby,” she cooed, and cussing tapped his nose, before turning back to the desk. 

Cuphead had startled. What the hell was that for??

She came back with new bandages in hand, and together they got to work on rewrapping his torso. Cup held parts in place while she spread and tucked the strip of cloth around him, though she did it tighter than he usually did.

"How's that new job of yours now?" He inquired with a nod.

She took some time to answer. "... Still suspicious." She decided.

Cup smothered a snicker. "Well, gimme me a call if you need help with this 'suspicious' work."

She rolled her eyes and left him again to clean up the desk. "I don’t think I have your number down - think I lost it,” she remarked with mock innocence and her back turned.

He put his turtleneck back on and shrugged his coat on. "Ouch. That hurts,” he remarked with just as much of a mocking tone.

"Think they're done torturin' the kid?" Cup quizzed, and stuffed his hands in his pockets. Something pricked his finger. He had to smother a wince.

She glanced at him in confusion. He went to disclose, “He's never been in a hospital before.” 

She bobbed her head understandingly, humour in her dark eyes. "Yes, they should be done traumatising him,” she said, shoving a drawer closed. “I'll go check on them." 

After she’d strode out the room, and it was safe, Cup brought his hand out of his pocket and shook. “Starfallen dammit, Lil’ Monster, y’ got me right on the tip’a my damn finger,” he swore under his breath.

A pair of angry red eyes glowered up at him from his pocket.

“What, was our room not good enough for your tastes? Didn’t get enough of the hospital last time??” He interrogated.

A low growl was his response, before the tiny menace retreated into its petals. Cup crossed his arms. "Tsk, you better stay in there."

It took a few minutes for them to return. Fanny brought Bean back in a brace, and was grilling him on what to do and what not to do.

She passed Cup a bottle of pills. "Some anti-inflammatory meds to help with the pain and swelling. Be responsible about it, will you?" She said, but didn't sound too confident.

"Yeah yeah, whatever,” he grumbled as he took the bottle, and stored them in the pocket that didn't have the angry pom-pom. He then went to grab some cash, but she stopped him with a light smack of his hand. "Hey-"

She gave him a pointed look, and then cleared her throat and lifted her nose up in the air. "You owe me an expensive dinner now."

He grinned. "Oh yeah? Alright, deal,” he agreed. He had to start searching for a venue, then.

Cup jerked his head for Bean to follow as stepped over to the door. “C'mon. Let’s blow this popsicle stand."

They left the room and started making their way down the clinical halls. Fanny stepped out after them.

"I mean it!" She called. Cuphead chuckled, and raised his hand in a wave.

They got to the doors and left the building. The fresh air was, well, fresh. Or, as fresh as it could be in a cussing city. It was late in the afternoon now.

Cuphead glanced to the kid walking next to him. "You good?”

"I dunna really lik yun plice, or yun fok," he simply stated.

Cup huffed. “Yeah, me neither." He couldn’t have cussing agreed more.

"Du liks yun wife though." 

Cup’s eyes snapped to him. He was smug. 

"We ain’t havin' this conversation." He finalised.

Bean was snickering now. Little punk.

“I could cussin' slap you inta Sunday,” he growled.

"But du wouldna hurt a poor, injured lad lik me, would du?" He retaliated flatly.

"Stars, man," he shook his head a little. This kid was a starfallen pain.

Well, at least he was entertaining.

Chapter Text

Cup opened the door and entered the house with Bean. "We're back," he announced.

Holly popped out of the kitchen in curiosity, before stepping back in and repeating him. "They're back!"

Soup leaned out of the living room nonchalantly. "Oh, hey, bro. Hoo's du?" 

Wow. How casual.

Bean just shrugged, his sling going with his movements.

"Some siblin's you have," Cup muttered. Then the cusser elbowed him. "Ouch, man!"

Soup moved to the side as Wakko came through, walking backwards out of the front from with a construction helmet stacked on top of his hat. "C'mon, keep it comin'."

Then Yakko and Dot stumbled out holding a big plank above their heads. It leaned heavily on Dot's side due to her being, like, two whole feet shorter. 

She grunted. "This is not the work for a lady like me! I've already ruined my manicure!"

"May I remind you, dear sister, our dear brother is ill. We're doing this for him," Yakko told her.

Oh, they were coming Cup and Bean’s way. Cuphead slid to the left, dragging the dish kid with him.

"Just a little further,” Wakko coached, opening and folding his arms in his direction, and headed out the door. His siblings trailed out after him.

Cup looked to Soup in a ‘what the cuss was that about’ kind of way.

"Granny tasked dem wee taakin' doon yun step-thingies,” she explained, referring to the bleachers.

“They're being rather dramatic about it,” said gopher said as she waddled out the kitchen and shook her head.

“Always cussin’ are,” Cup said loudly over his shoulder and towards the open door. There was a distant zany crash.

Granny turned to Bean, smiling. "Do you want something to eat, dear? It'll make you feel better."

Bean lit up. "Yes, please,” he agreed with the most enthusiasm anyone ever got out of this kid.

"Hang on," Cup stopped him once he’d moved to follow the gopher. He brought out his pills and held them up in front of him.

“Says on the bottle you can take two of these every four hours, nothin’ more,” he schooled, shaking the bottle, before snatching it up again and offering it out in his palm. “You responsible enough to deal with these yourself?" 

Bean gave him a deadpan expression. “Really?”

"Alright, fine,” he rolled his eyes, and tossed them over. "Just tryna look out for my 'cuz'.” He said with finger quotes.

The kid laughed a bit, and went with Granny, the two of them retreating to the kitchen.

Cup decided to see what was going on in the living room, ducking past Soup.

A horrible game of Go Fish, that's what was going on.

Boris had his whole cussing hand shown to try and explain it to Noodle, who had her eyes narrowed in concentration. She muttered something that made him growl and pull at his ears.

“Pup, it's pointless,” Cup told him as he strode up to the table. He waved a hand of dismissal. "Just drop it."

Soup was close behind him. "I'm wee dee, min. Yun cerd deal is a pile o peats."

Boris didn’t move for a moment, and then buried his face in his hands with a muffled scream. Cup chuckled.

Bendy was sat next to his brother, only half paying attention to the game. He was staring in a daze.

Bingo.

"Oi." Cup got his attention. The demon glanced up at him. "Sad sack. C'mere."

Bendy’s now angry eyes snapped over to him. He balled a fist and shoved his chair out, marching up to him. He opened his mouth to speak, but Cup interrupted.

"Wanna grab a drink?"

Bendy paused. He then turned to a clock. "It's cussing five o' clock."

Cup shrugged. "It's late enough for someone in your state."

"My 'state'?" He raised a brow in irritation.

"You're mopin'. C’mon.” He nodded for him to follow and headed out the room.

Bendy took a second, but he ended up chasing after him. "Me and Cup are going out!" He called.

Cup dodged the Warners' starfallen construction bit and opened the front door, stepping out.

"Where we going?" Bendy asked as he caught up, closing the door behind them.

"I dunno," he replied with a grin.

The fun had ended as soon as Cup and Bean had left for the hospital. Everyone had started much more calm activities. Soup, Noodle, Boris and Bendy had given Go Fish another go; Yakko, Wakko and Dot, after a lot of convincing, were given the chore of cleaning up the mess in the front room; the two doctors went upstairs; and the rest went to prepare dinner. 

Mugman and Holly were chopping vegetables. It was something he hadn't done for a long time, and embarrassingly, Holly had had to show him the ropes a bit. Thankfully, it was just Holly. She was a forgiving audience.

Yikes, he’d just almost cut his thumb again there. He needed to stop thinking while holding a knife.

"Stars, Mugs, be careful, please,” Holly pleaded through her titters. He grinned sheepishly in return.

Cup and Bean had come back. They’d been chatting about something out in the hallway. Now Bean was entering the kitchen with Granny.

"Can I help wee onythin'?" He asked.

"No, no, it’s quite alright. And I don't want you hurting yourself further," Granny dismissed lightly. "We already have enough accident-prone ones in this house." She chuckled. Mugs ducked into his scarf. Damn, that woman saw everything.

Bean just kinda stood there, not knowing what to do, with his right hand stuck in a brace.

“… Think ya could help peel the potatoes?" Mugs offered.

He blinked at him, and then at his wrist. "I dunna kain." He said unsurely.

"Me and Cup are going out," Bendy shouted from out in the hallway.

"D-don’t go drinking too much, you two!” Granny called out after. “Remember di- Oh, tsk, they're already gone. Kids these days. Always rushing,” she continued murmuring to herself.

Holly perked up from next to Mugs. "What about that machine that does the peeling for you?"

Mugs had no idea what she was talking about. She took that as her cue to go off and find it.

He went back to chopping meanwhile, finishing off the last of the carrots. Bean approached him and watched him curiously. 

The kid’s eyes suddenly widened in a very perturbed expression as he spotted something. "Whit in Odin's beard is yun??” 

Mugs followed his gaze. It led to the corn cobs they had out. He picked one up. "What, corn?"

He started at it with disgust on his face. Mugs tilted his head, fighting off a laugh. "You've... never seen corn before?"

"It looks lik a stick o eggs min."

"Well, can't argue with you there," he admitted in an amused mumble. It was kinda like a stick of eggs. A stick of sweet, tasty eggs though.

Holly came back, and placed the mystery peeling machine down in front of them and put her hands on her hips. "There," she said triumphantly.

It was a weird screw-machine-thing, that had a rotating handle at the back, a blade at the front, and a long prong in the middle that left space between it and the blade. Kinda looked like a torture method.

“How… does that work?” Mugs asked sceptically, scratching the back of his neck. Holly popped her tongue in a ‘I’m about to show you’ kind of way.

She seized a potato, and stuck it on the end of the prong, then began cranking the handle. The potato got closer to the blade, until it started peeling it. The skin just curled right off.

Mugs gave a surprised ‘huh’. Bean grinned. "Yun's nuts."

"I mean, it works pretty well,” Holly remarked, and took the tortured potato out. It was totally ready for the cutting board now.

“Wanna give it a go?" She offered Bean.

Bean agreed, and with her guidance he copied her steps, and got his own vegetable on the go. Mugs checked up on him now and again, while he got back to his chopping, and Holly whisked the fully prepped veggies away.

Soon, they had a good system going, and had all the veggies done and cooking in record time. Granny was mighty pleased with them.

She invited Mugs over to the stove, and showed him a couple tricks and certain blends of spices that she used. He was 'forced' to taste test things, but totally wasn’t complaining. That woman was an angel when it came to food.

Bean was interested too. Apparently he hadn't known that many spices existed, which was... worrying. And explained the soup.

Then, Cup and Bendy stumbled through the door. Mugs could hear their giggles all the way from the kitchen. Oh boy.

He left the room and all its good smells, and went over to them, the two bumbling idiots. They were obviously tipsy, if not a little drunk.

Cup was in stitches, now in multiple ways. "A-And then, the mook just- j-just-" He wheezed. He didn’t even have to finish the sentence to make Bendy guffaw, leaning into the dish and howling with laughter. 

Boris came out of the front room at hearing them too. He sighed, going over to his brother. "Alright, bro," he patted his shoulder, "let's get you some water and some sleep."

Bendy giggled and swayed as Boris directed him away. "Hey, Cup!" He looked back and pointed at him with two hands. "You da mannnn~!"

Cup cackled too, and went over to Mugs, after finding he was the closest thing to use to keep himself upright. He rested an arm on his shoulder with his head down, then took a deep breath. Before Mugs could ask what was up, he lifted his head and stared him dead in the eye.

“I love you bro,” he croaked with a choked up voice. 

Mugman bit his lip to smother his rising laughter. "C-c'mon, you should get some rest,” he said, looping the arm around his shoulders fully, and began leading him up the stairs.

On their way through the corridor Mugs caught a glimpse of Bendy face-planting into his room, and Boris having to haul the rest of the giggling demon in. That had definitely not been the first time he'd done that.

Once they’d made it to their room, Mugs got Cup to sit down on his bed and fetched him a glass of water from their bathroom. Cup took it after some convincing, and swirled it around and drank a sip. His face formed a disappointed frown. "Water? Aw, man.”

Mugs snorted. "Drink up, ya big baby. Ya need it." 

His frown deepened, but he did as he was told.

"I dunno if drinkin' while you're recoverin' was a good idea, bro,” Mugs said after a small silence. He was worried. Worried what that would do to his healing. And no doubt Fanny would kill ‘im. Then he’d need more cussing surgery.

Cup waved a hand. "It's fiiiine, bro, fine. It was my heart 'n stuff, not my liver." 

That was a fair point. But still. It was risky.

"Just... keep an eye out for any weird feelin's then, okay?" He urged.

His brother agreed in a murmur, and moved to take off his coat. Mugs aided in taking his glass and setting it on his nightstand, while he shrugged himself lazily out of his coat. He handed it to Mugs, and then let himself fall onto the bed with a 'humph'.

Mugs rolled his eyes as he folded up his jacket. 

There was a growl from inside it.

He stopped his folding short, and went fishing in his pockets. He got nicked by something. 

"Yeowch!" He hissed, and flapped his hand around. Stars! What the hell could've-

He peered inside the dreaded pocket. Lil' Monster. Of course.

He shook his head like a disappointed parent, kneeling down. “Had a good trip?" He asked the dandehog scornfully, mentally apologising to Cup as he laid the coat on the floor so the little horror could get out.

He didn't. At least, not yet. 

Mugs huffed and got back up. “Alright, later,” he snipped, and headed out their room. He closed the door. 

To his left he saw Boris doing the same. He looked over at him. 

Mugs sighed. "Brothers, amiright?" He said with amusement.

Boris beamed and approached him. "Totally,” he concurred with an eye-roll. Mugs huffed and ruffled the wolf’s hair.

He tossed a thumb towards the stairs. “Need some help with that card game?"

“Please,” Boris implored. Mugs chortled, and headed downstairs with him.

Soup walked through the hallway. It was late. Or, later. The people that didn't stay in this house had left in the evening, and the bairns had gone to bed to wind down. By bairns, she meant Yakko, Wakko, Dot, Boris and Bendy.

“Bendy is eighteen years of age, not too dissimilar to you,” Fren pointed out.

Well, whatever. Close enough. 

That card game had tired her out, but it was too early to try and go to sleep now. She was bored. She wanted to do something, other than just sitting and waiting to get sleepy. So, she was wandering the house aimlessly in hopes of finding someone else who was staying up.

There was a light coming from the eating room. Soup quirked her head in curiosity.

“No fire should have been left on.”

No, it shouldn't have. Soup whipped out her trusty shirt-knife and held it ready in her hand as she creeped up to the doorway, just in case.

She rounded the corner and stared into the room.

Cat adventurer Felix was sat at the table, with books and paper scattered around. He was deep in thought.

Welp. Soup put her blade away. 

“For what reason is he still here? He should've returned home.”

Hang on, she would ask him in a second.

"Felix?"

He glanced up at her in surprise, his face then settling to something more relaxed. “Oh, Soup, it's you."

Her brow furrowed. "Whit is du still daein’ here? Ivirywan else went haeme."

"Yes, I am… aware of that,” he remarked and smiled awkwardly, taking off his hat and placing it down. “… I was just trying to do more research on your map,” he said. There was a hint of dejection in his eyes.

“He’s upset. Comfort him.” Fren prompted.

Thor no. She could not comfort him.

Maybe just a change of topic would work.

She cleared her throat awkwardly, shifting her weight onto one foot. “Holly… showed me some runes. Mikko- No, Micco runes. Yeah."

He just stared at her, glancing sideways for a second before glancing back. He blinked a couple times.

Fren put his hand over his eyes. “I’m of the opinion we should never socialise again.”

"She said they needed, lik, combinations?" She felt confusion take over her face. "I-I dunna get it. Does du think du could teach me more aboot 'em?"

He opened his mouth as he finally caught on, and then nodded energetically. “-Yeah, of course. Do-do you want to take a seat?" He suggested, motioning to a chair, and chuckled. "It's a lot." He warned light-heartedly.

Although she should’ve probably heeded that warning and realised sooner that her brain could not take the bucket loads of information she was about to try and consume, she went over anyway and plopped down in the chair, while he searched for something in his bag. He brought out another book and some notes and stuff. 

“I've been giving Bendy and Boris lessons on Micco runes, so I should be well prepared for this,” he noted.

His gaze danced around all his workings. He took a deep breath. "Alright." He let it out, and clapped his hands together. "So, combinations. A lot of runes can work by themselves, but can also be used together, to alter their abilities or power them further, and so on. For example: a basic combination is the rune for fire and the rune for water. When put together, it creates boiling water." A smile was forming on his face. "Fascinating, right?"

"Muckle fascinatin’," she agreed. It really was.

“But how does that work?” Fren questioned, having sat down in a chair next to her. “What object would you write the runes on to create the right reaction, and would different objects affect it? How do they connect?”

"Wheesht, let him explain," she chided.

The adventurer watched her with puzzled eyes, before he shook it off and carried on. "-But… well that's unique to that pairing. There are more alternative reactions too. For example, a lot of these runes have the ability to condense the effects of others… ”

Soup didn't know how much time passed, but it felt like a while. She had been really enjoying the lesson. Micco runes were really interesting, and nothing like her runes. They put hers to shame. And now she really wanted to see them in action.

“-Can du… use wan?” She questioned curiously. Felix stared at her for a moment.

“-Uhh, I am probably not the best person to do that,” he excused, itching the back of his head with a nervous chuckle. “I… prefer them in written form. Holly is more of the expert on actually practicing the magic.”

Soup squinted. “Whar does da magic come fae??” She breathed. Was Holly magic??

“Well, everyone has their own magic within,” Felix claimed, and palmed his shirt. “Even we toons. It exists in your soul and lifeblood. It was the magic the Micco learnt to harness.”

Soup made a noise of shock in her throat. “Does yun mean I hiv magic??” She asked incredulously.

“I wouldn’t count on it,” Fren grumbled. Soup shot him a look of shock.

Felix’s face twisted to stifle a laugh. “W-well, Soup, I don’t know if you’ve realised, but you are made up of magic. Your entire race is - you have your own systems a-and magical abilities. Your hair is magic,” he said and chuckled.

“Oh,” she said, and flopped her shoulders. “I tought we were jost sillies. But, noo dat I tink aboot it, da Cup lads did say sometin’ aboot magic shots ‘n stoff.”

“Yes, those two are… quite into their shots,” he commented, in a weird way.

“… Oh stars, it's late,” he realised, brushing his forehead in a slightly panicked manner. He then began gathering his books and whatnot and stuffing them into his bag. "You better get to bed, and I better get home,” he advised, then muttering. “Gosh, Sheba's gonna kill me." 

“Does du need help?” Soup awkwardly asked as she watched him, to which he politely dismissed. Her watching got even more awkward after that.

He sighed once he’d cleared it all up, and picked his hat up, plonking it on his head. Then, he focused on Soup, his face turning more serious. 

“Don’t… try any of these runes by yourself,” he told her, holding a hand out in warning. “They’re great and all, until you use them incorrectly, and are not something to play around with.”

"I kain, dunna worry. I wunna do onythin’,” she promised, and gave a thumbs up.

He visibly relaxed a touch. "Good, good. Thank you,” he smiled. Soup did too.

She then motioned for him to run along. "Noo git haeme afore du burns dysel oot, min."

“Yes yes, I’m on it,” he said, and saluted on his way out the room. “Goodnight." 

"Night." Soup replied.

She looked to the switchy-thing on the wall, and flicked it. The fire lamps went out. 

Satisfied, she retreated back upstairs, through the corridor, and over to her room. She hopped onto her bed and slipped underneath her endless number of blankets.

After all that, she was still not tired. And Fren wasn’t leaving.

He pursed his lips and then smacked them. “… Fancy reviewing everything we've learnt thus far of Micco runes?”

Sure, why not. 

Chapter Text

Red placed the giant pot of chilli con carne on the table, and leaned back with a sharp exhale. “There. Dinner.”

The three zanies at the table breathed in the visible smell in the air through enlarged nostrils, and then sighed in unison, their features melting.

“It looks amazing, Red,” Felix said, and thanked her. She dipped her head welcomingly, and began taking people’s plates to serve them potions of chilli and rice. There was cornbread too, which was grabbed by most and taken to their plates. Even with the full house they had, the girls and the circus gang included, they had food to spare, so anyone that wanted seconds could. It wasn’t long before they were all tucking in.

“Mmh-mmh-mMmMmH! ” Wakko hummed as he smelled his serving again, hovering his head over his dish. Yakko meanwhile was flicking his hand around to get the scent to travel up to him, sniffing poshly. Then all three of the Warners took a forkful each in unison.

The spice hit them, and they burst with zany expressions. Dot’s head exploded, leaving a smoking black stump, while Wakko went bright red and made a blaring horn sound, sweating bullets, and Yakko breathed fire off to one side. Everyone laughed at the dramatic spectacle.

“C’mon, guys, it’s not that cussing spicy,” Bendy remarked with an open-armed gesture. Felix had to agree - it was quite mild to him.

“Granny went easy with the chilli, actually,” Red averred, while the Warners worked on regaining their heads.

“I didn’t want to overwhelm our newcomers,” the old gopher divulged, and received an angelic hand to her shrouded upper arm.

“It’s perfect, Granny,” Alice smiled. Granny gave her thanks through chortles.

“How are you finding it?” Red asked the Vikings as they ate, not sliding more than a flick of a glance their way.

“Good. I lik it a lot,” Bean said, with his oldest sister next to him silently guzzling a glass of water. The younger two found this amusing.

Amusement was plastered across Boris’ muzzle. “You don’t have much spices where you come from, huh?” He guessed, with deadpan confidence in his wager.

“No,” Noods snickeringly confirmed after a hoot. “We dunna hiv ony.”

“We’ve got a coupla herbs an stoff,” Bean chimed in to add, “but aether dan yun we jost sear oor food until it actually his some tiste.”

Oswald pointed a finger at them. “Hey, that’s not a bad tactic,” he credited. The duck next to him puffed a scoff.

“You’re just sayin’ that ta feel better ‘bout your own damn cookin’,” Donald croaked, to which the Oswald mimicked playfully, something Donald found worth a scowl, and Mickey a chuckle.

The chilli was going down a treat, scoops being slathered over cornbread and then inhaled. The choice of dinner was bringing back a memory Felix hadn’t doted on much; he recalled the Cup brothers, and a mention of a fondness of spicy food, and another of sweet, though hadn’t kept track of who liked which. He hadn’t really thought those two capable of anything sweet.

Thinking of, their chairs at the dinner table were empty. Notably empty, on Felix’s part. He hadn’t been there to witness them leave, or why. And was less than partial to it.

He observed the table and its discussions as he ate, more focused on the former, as Xedo spoke up.

“Is the community nice where you originate?” He inquired, before a polite forkful entered his mouth.

“Oh, muckle nice,” Soup responded, having since recovered from the capsaicin’s assault, and had taken to eating the un-chillied rice along the outskirts of her plate. “We hiv museic,-”

“ Lots o museic,” Noodle emphasised, which her sister nodded along with.

“And-” The dish swallowed a mouthful. “-We may no hiv moch in da wiy o flavour, but we hiv lots o food. Muckle feasts, perties; du naames it.”

“You have dancing at all where you’re from?” Bendy asked with a head ducked to catch his next prepared bite.

“O yeah, lots o dancin’,” the wolf of the group confirmed enthusiastically.

“Folk dancing,” Felix specified its name in this country. He could attest. 

Bendy’s eyes snapped to him in surprise. “You danced?”

He lifted modest shoulders. “Yeah. It was part of the visit,” he recounted. 

“Did it come on the brochure?” Oswald remarked, to which most laughed. Felix took the chorus of mirth as an opportunity to clear the sudden stone in his throat. That had been very, very funny to… to him.

Soup motioned the end of her fork towards her sister. “Noods dances da maest oot o us. Helps wee her jerks.”

“Oh really?” Bendy hummed, his brow raised.

“Yeah. Big on movin’ aroond,” the wolf verified whilst scooping up some rice. Bendy gave an avid huff.

“Well cuss, you gotta show us this folk dancing sometime,” he expressed, his hand hitting the table after he’d tossed it up.

“Bendy’s got a talent for dance in general,” Yakko acclaimed, and dug an elbow twice towards the demon, though consequently jerked the scoop of food off his fork, and witnessed it hit the table with a sad slap. His siblings tittered.

Noodle widened her eyes and hummed at this mentioning. “Does du noo?”

“I do. I’m at home on the dance floor,” he proclaimed and palmed his proud chest. A few seats down Red barked a laugh.

“Stars you’re so slappable sometimes,” Boris muttered in embarrassed, teenage disappointment, as he sliced his cutlery across his plate. This was either ignored or not heard by Bendy, something that made Wiston, the Warners and the girls snicker.

The dance enthusiast gestured a paw out to the Vikings. “You guys could give swing a go,” he encouraged. It was met with mixed reactions.

“We’re horribly uncoordinated,” Bean informed him. Bendy waved this off.

“Swing isn’t about coordination. It’s about spirit,” he avowed. 

Holly tutted. “Easy for you to say. I’m twenty one and I still haven’t remotely mastered it,” she flatly delivered, much to his disappointment.

“C’mooon, where’s your spunk??” He questioned.

“Non existent,” Boris dryly answered from his other side, something several of them chuckled at. Bendy was not happy with his brother’s lack of support.

“I’m doon - I’ve got spunk,” Noodle volunteered, pronouncing it in a way that made her siblings cackle.

Bendy hissed a ‘yes’, and due to his victory was able to return to his dinner. “It’ll be swell. We can go out, pair you gals up with a couple lads. You’re both over eighteen right?” 

The two sisters that were being addressed were laughing harder as of now, sighing their confirmations. “Would hiv tae be some muckle special lads,” Soup remarked as she wiped a tear from her eye.

Bendy shook his head with a slightly lost chuckle. “How come?”

“She’s no intae romance unless da lad’s got a mop o hair gaein doon tae his tail,” Noodle revealed, directing a clawed thumb to her sister.

“An she doesna really swing yun wiy moch,” Soup revealed in return.

Chewing around the table slowed, to make way for confused lip purses and shared glances. Felix himself froze entirely.

It was a painful silence on his part. And it only got worse when the three zanies got involved.

Yakko, Wakko, and Dot all exploded with rainbow confetti, flipping up onto the table and into a cheerleader triangle, with Dot on the top, rainbow pom-poms in hand.

“ ALLY! ” They… cheered, and doomed the room to another silence.

Felix’s skin could’ve upped and scurried away with how much it crawled, having to sink into his arms in response to his catastrophic cringing. It hurt, so… much.

Many were now not only confused, but perturbed, glances being tossed left and right. 

“What- What does that mean,” Wiston questioned past some vision-altering squinting.

“Not now Wiston,” Xedo told him without looking up from his plate, calm as the sea. Felix felt like more of a sandstorm.

And as if that hadn’t been enough, now some were sliding eyes to him. Oh, sweet stars.-

Disappointed with the quiet, Dot brought her nose back down, and put pom-pom-holding paws on her hips.

“What?? Wrong century or somethin’?”

“Deuh- Cornbread! ” Felix blurted out, grabbing and raising the plate of yellow bread like it was the most fascinating artefact known to man.

He smiled, while people blinked, and then started cautiously reaching out for slices.

“There’s plenty more to go around,” he nervously assured them. “He-Help yourself.”

Dinner carried on after that, discussions continued and new ones rose, much to Felix’s relief. He, however, had been elsewhere for the remainder of it, his mind rudely adrift. He didn’t even listen, to anything, something he was ashamed of in hindsight. 

Once plates were cleared, Felix lingered, to aid in the clean up. Everyone had brought their dishes through to the kitchen and stacked them by the sink, in preparation of Alice and Cala washing up, after they had volunteered to do so, and also to have a yarn with Granny. Felix though dallied to help Professor Oddswell and Red, in cleaning up all the stray pieces of rice that seemed to always follow dinners that included the cooked grain, and especially with particularly messy house members. Rogue rice pieces were scooped off with wet cloths and into their palms - a brave task, and not one for the faint of heart. And as the table got cleaner… the task of retrieving the floor pieces approached.

“Ah, there… seems to have been a food mishap over here,” the Professor reported from over by the chairs the Warners had occupied, a finger sliding his spectacles further up his snout when they began to slip.

Red huffed a chuckle. “I can assure you that is no mishap - that is just the Warners,” Red reported, as she approached the scene of the crime with experience on the field. “I got this.”

Professor Oddswell quirked a crooked smile, and left her to it, turning towards Felix, who was in combat with a piece of rice that had been mushed into the table’s surface. It was resistant to his cloth.

“Are you okay?” The gecko inquired, and caught Felix by surprise.

“-Yeah, everything’s good,” he answered after a moment of embarrassing befuddlement. Bloody hell, this was being… a real nuisance of a piece of rice.

The doctor’s eyelids fell with an emotion Felix could only guess was amusement.

“Mr. Cat, I’m asking if you are okay,” he revealed. Felix was taken mildly aback.

“... I-I’m okay, uhh… I have to get home,” he professed, having finally eradicated the rice, and being able to retire his cloth. He was sure Sheba had some chores that needed doing, despite her expressing that morning that there was no work for him to do. But it had been twelve hours since. There was probably something now.

Cuphead walked up to the gate to the house, with Mugman in tow. He swung it open, and entered.

He spotted Hol on the front step. A glow dimmed from her hands. She spotted them back.

“Hey,” Cup greeted as he approached her. She gave an upwards nod and a smug grin in response. Loser.

He jerked his head to the door to the house. “Why’re you out here?”

“Ah, inside is just… a lot,” she explained vaguely, twisting one of the rune bands on her wrist. “Just an interesting dinner - nothing new,” she attested. “I just wanted to come out here for a bit.”

Lot of justs.

Cup shared a glance with Mugs, before Mugs stepped past them and ducked into the house. Cup stayed.

He stepped up to the top step, and sat down next to her with a sigh too dramatic for something as simple as sitting down. It got a chuckle out of her at least.

He looked over at her. “What happened?”

She ‘ehh’d and waved a hand. “Nothing important.” She dismissed. He pursed his lips to acknowledge.

“You okay?” He asked, with a tone suspecting she wasn’t.

“Yeah,” she claimed and dismissed again.

His expression turned flat. “Really?”

She huffed, and rolled her eyes amusedly.

“... Alice and Cala ditched me for dishwashing,” she revealed, to which Cuphead huffed a snort.

“‘S that so?” He mused with humour. The nerd next to him feigned some lighthearted wallowing.

“That all?”

Judging by her glance to him, and then a moment of cheek chewing, his suspicions had been right. It was just gonna take her a second to talk.

“… I’ve got an issue with my magic,” she admitted. 

“Yeah? It givin’ you the slip again?”

She then turned a bit of side-eye on him, her top lip inflating. “ No, it’s not giving me the slip, ” she drawled, clearly mocking him. He let it pass.

“... It isn’t gone, exactly, it’s just… I need it. I, like, crave the feeling of using it,” she said, curling her fingers.

She slid her gaze over to him. “You know what I mean?”

Cup tutted, and leaned to the side. “No, no idea,” he sighed as he pulled his cigarette case out, and plucked a cig out. Holly gave a laugh.

For a second he thought he was actually gonna get the chance to use it, until a sneaky hand flashed forward and took it from his mouth.

Now it was his turn to roll his eyes. He supposed he was never gonna be able to smoke around these mooks again. 

Defeated, he returned his case to his coat pocket, and leaned forward with his elbows on his thighs. He rubbed his hands together idly.

“You thinkin’ it’s an addiction?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe.”

“But it isn’t hurting me. Like, it isn’t a harmful thing to do. It’s not a problem. And I don’t do it that often.” 

“How often?” He asked. She raised her shoulders to her ears and squinted.

“Just like… once every four days or something. Maybe three… Two… ”

Cup huffed and bobbed his eyebrows. “You tryna tell me that ain’t often?”

She screwed her mouth up into a frown, not liking that comment.

“It might not be hurtin’ you now, but what’ll hurt is tryin’ to go without it,” he told her. “When it starts interferin’ with your every day. That’s a problem.”

“I know how addictions work,” she assured him with snip, to which he lifted his palms and backed off, resting his arms back on his thighs in a beat of silence.

“Just don’t let it get any worse, okay? That’s the kicker.”

Hol puffed. “It’s easier said than done,” she grumbled.

“I know,” he acknowledged. Her eyes flicked to him, and flashed with regret.

They went quiet again. Holly in thought, and Cup in not knowing what else to cussing say.

She chewed her cheek again, her gaze steadying. “… Maybe I do depend on it.”

Well, there was the first step.

He raised an eyebrow. “You gotta plan?”

She gave him a confused look, to which he shrugged. “You always gotta plan, for everythin’. You’re thinkin’ of one right now,” he guessed and pointed to her head.

She ‘hmph’ed humorously, and pulled her skirt further over her legs, before she plonked her arms down on them with an exhale.

She pouted as she pondered. “… I could try weaning myself off it, maybe.”

“I don’t know. I’ll figure it out,” she waved.

“Sure you will,” he remarked, convinced. She always did. He had full faith in her busy brain.

“And, for now, you can talk to your friendly walkin’ talkin’ corpse about anythin’,” he offered as leaned back on his hands. She snorted.

“Speaking of the corpse, to stop him from becoming even more of a corpse I am going to confiscate all of his cigarettes,” she declared, and went into his coat pocket to fish out the cig case she gave him.

He watched with a flat expression, as she plucked them one by one. “Well that’s just rude.”

“It’s for your own good,” she claimed, simpering. Sure it was.

“Can I at least get my case back oh-healthy-one?” He requested with sass.

“Sure,” she granted, and returned it to him. He reached to the side to slide it back into his coat pocket before he went back to a normal sitting position.

He noticed her watching him out the corner of his vision. 

“You want one?” She asked, maybe even just stated.

“Yeah. I always do,” he confessed.

“How did it start?” She pressed.

He blew out a breath, and went back to the hellhole that was that part of his head. 

“… Well, at first I just wanted to annoy Flug.”

She furrowed her brow. 

He rolled a hand in prompting. “Y’know, Doctor with a paper bag for a head. I’ve told you about ‘im before.”

She narrowed her eyes sceptically. “Mm, pretty sure you didn’t.”

“Yes, I did, ” he argued.

“Hey, who’s the one with the memory talent here?” She argued back.

“Yeah, well- Whatever,” he dismissed. She smirked in victory.

“Anyway. I started smokin’ ‘round him, just to tick him off,” he continued.

“Then, I started doin’ it whenever I was bored, or wantin’ away from my thoughts. And now… ” he opened his hands, “… whenever I need.”

“And how often do you feel the need?”

“All the time,” he answered, scratching his neck. “It’s like an itch. I-I need ‘em to focus, need ‘em to… relax.”

“They are bad for you,” she pointed out. Cup tsked.

“Worse things have happened to my body. This is nothin’,” he guaranteed her.

She shook her head at him, and leaned forward. “You need to keep your body and your new organs alive ,” she implored, following him as he shifted.

“Bah, if it was that bad I would’ve felt it already,” he said confidently.

“Do you not feel a cough? Shortness of breath when you run? Disgusting and deterring odour?” She interrogated cooly.

“‘Ey, I did not come here for you to doctor me, or insult me,” he chastised, pointing a finger at her again. She jerked into her shoulders in a titter.

“Fine,” she relented, and moved to get up from the step. “But one day I swear I shall find the second secret stash you hide on your person,” she forewarned.

Cup grumbled to himself as she left and headed back inside, though couldn’t help a chuckle. What a pain.

Chapter Text

It had been a couple more days. Boring ones, ones that Cuphead did cuss-all in.

He’d tried tagging along in one of Mugs’ and Bendy’s runs, but had only made it a block or two without getting horrendously tired and winded. He’d had to leave and do the walk of shame home. It’d been cussing embarrassing.

Oddswell had been out a lot, tending to the new wing of hospital he’d petitioned for. Cup didn’t know much about it, but apparently it was a wing made specifically for ink illness patients. It seemed to be fully up and running now. That snake Slither and the like had been transferred there a few weeks back to un-crowd the house. And the lizard mentioned something about Jerry being admitted after a bad attack. Apparently he wasn't doing too hot.

The attacks in the house were… not there. Cup supposed that was because Bendy was the one usually having them, but thanks to the Labyrinth now he seemed less like he was on the verge of death. And the other two didn’t have regular attacks either. The house seemed okay for once.

The most eventful thing that had happened recently was when the pipsqueak had been snatched up by Hat out of the blue for a visit to Hell. It had only been a half an hour trip, and he hadn’t come back looking like a wreck for once.

But the Vikings had got curious. Real cussing curious. It had been a panic to hide the three of them, especially Soup and Bean. Cup didn’t want that pitscum going anywhere cussing near those two. And Mugs had been on the same page.

Now, he and Mugs had another chat to have with the three of them.

They knew nothing about demons. And now they were living in a world full of the schmucks. Well, except Bendy.

They were just gonna explain a couple things. Mugs was the one that brought the issue up. Cup was wary of the cat, but he agreed that he would've been very cussing grateful if someone had done the cussing same for them back when they were kids. 

So, they had started looking for them. 

They weren’t in the front rooms, so the two of them had moved to the back of the house. Cup poked half his body out the back door to see if they were in the backyard. They weren’t. 

"Oi."

He turned to his brother, who was stood by the kitchen doorway. "Over here." He waved.

Cup went over, and stuck his head into the room. There they were.

In the kitchen, Soup was washing dishes. Noodle was next to her, drying the clean ones off. And Bean was in the corner plotting with the Warners.

"Hey. You three,” Cup said to grab their attention, and then tossed a thumb over his shoulder. "Come out here for a sec'."

"Who, us?" Dot pointed to herself with an innocent look.

"No, not you. The cussin’ Vikings,” he clarified with an irritated tone. Dot crossed her arms and pouted.

Soup and Noodle stopped their chores and gave each other a glance. The wolf hung her dish cloth back on its hook, while the dish washed her hands. She did that thing where you flick your hands to air them out and flick water everywhere, cackling amusedly with herself. Her sister didn’t like it.

Bean let Wakko finish signing his wrist brace, before going over to Cup, his sisters trailing after. He and Mugs stepped back into the hallway, the other three filing out after.

"So, we don' know how much y’ know about demons." Mugs started. He waited in anticipation of their response.

They just stared at him.

Cup felt a headache coming on already. His brother continued. "Y-y’ see, their race, mostly, lives down there." He indicated to the floor. "But, some of 'em live up here on the Surface with us. And they can be... " He struggled to find the words.

"Dangerous and manipulative as cuss," Cup finished.

"Yeah," Mugs concurred, "and worse. Just, if you come across a demon that tries ta sell you somethin’, or make a deal, just… avoid 'im." He advised.

Soup squinted. "Hoo does du kain wha's a demon an wha's no?”

“Oh, you’ll cussin’ know,” Cup assured them, bulging his eyes.

“Demons don’t really look like your average toon, mosta the time,” his brother furthered. “They also usually smell like sulphur, and smoke. They have cold auras, and you'll know ‘cause they'll cussin' terrify you the minute you’re close ta one. You'll start feelin' all clammy and stuck straight."

Noodle grunted. “I’m aawiys clammy,” she claimed as she wiped her hands together.

“Whit’s so bad aboot these lads?” Bean questioned with a sceptical brow raised.

"They're all manipulative, blood-thirsty, sociopathic hellspawn,” Cup told the kid. “They ain't got any morals, or sympathy or empathy, and use the people around 'em to get what they want. They don't give a flyin' cuss about anyone but themselves. It’s the way they’re born and it’s the way they grow. And if you meet one, especially if you get on their bad side, they're gonna offer you a deal. A contract: the most damnin' piece of paper you'll ever see. They usually sound great, but, it ain’t. It’s a cussin’ trap.”

“… Yep, pretty much,” Mugs confirmed, holding the back of his neck. “They'll offer you anythin' and everythin' you've ever wanted. Some folks do it for fame or money, some want to cure someone or bring 'em back from the dead, some want power or magic, and some just want to get outta some tricky situation. Point is, they can grant anythin', and in return, you… sell your soul." 

"Dy soul?" Soup repeated with a growing furrow in her brow. They had all sobered up a bit now.

Cup gave a half-shrug. "Depends on the contract. Most times, as soon as you write your name on that roll of paper, it's curtains. They own your soul. And in return you have ta do every scummy thing they ask’a you. Otherwise," he clicked his tongue, "they'll eat it."

Silence fell between them. They let the words sink in.

The youngest broke it first. "Dey can bring fok back fae da deed?" He asked next, with only a curious eyebrow twitch.

Cup narrowed his eyes ever so slightly. "Yeah. If you find the right one.”

Soup put a foot forward. "An, why is du tellin’ us aa dis?" She interrogated, gesturing to the three of them. She’d also become sceptical now.

"Because when we were kids we had little fairytale books that warned us about 'em,” Cup said, and slid his hands into his pockets. “You never had those. And you look like the type to fall for their tricks. You're young, naive, and don’t know cuss about the city you just walked into after leavin' your cozy little island. You're bound to mess up sooner or later. We're doin' you a cussin' favour here."

“Just-” His brother interjected by cussing moving in front of him. "If you come across a demon, don’t talk to ‘em," he concluded. “‘Kay?”

The three exchanged looks, before nodding their three heads. Mugs nodded as well.

 “-Oh but none of this applies ta Bendy,” he cleared up.

They all gained a confused look, before they widened their eyes and ‘oh’d. “… Right, Bendy’s a demon,” Soup remembered, tapping a finger in the air.

"Well, yeah," Cup stated like it was obvious. He raised a brow. "What did ya think he was?"

She scratched the side of her face and glanced off. "I dunno, we tought he wis dragon or somethin' fir a bit.”

He snorted. That was berries. Mugs pressed his lips into a thin line to keep from laughing. "N-no, no, he's a demon."

"Can we go noo?" Noodle was wearing an impatient frown now.

"Yeah, whatever." Cup answered. They wasted no time in starting to walk off. Cup stood up and away from the wall. "Just stay away from the rest of 'em, alright?"

They mimicked him in some way or another. He scowled. "Hey, I'm serious. They're bad news."

"Aaright," Soup replied with exasperation, "we git it, min, Freyr."

"Wheesht dy cheeks an button dy breeks," Bean recited and snickered as they left.

Mugs barked a loud laugh from behind him. Cup whipped around and shot him a look. That got him to shut up.

He hunched his shoulders and grumbled. "Stupid sun blazin' kids."

The worst part was that he felt like they hadn't even listened. He squinted daggers at their retreating forms.

"Think they're gonna do somethin' dumb?" He threw back at Mugs once he had cussing calmed down enough. But instead he found him screwing his maw with uncertainty, judging something Cup had done, or said.

Cup let his eyelids fall and a tired breath leave him. “What,” he questioned.

Mugs grimaced, raising his shoulders. “… They ain’t really kids, Cup. I mean Soup’s as old as me,” he pointed out.

Cup didn’t appreciate being corrected, and expressed so through a grumble. “Yeah well you do a lotta dumb stuff still.”

The look he got this time was just disappointment, like even Mugs knew he hadn’t truly meant that.

When he averted his stubborn but shameful eyes, Mugs came up to him, and planted a hand on his shoulder.

"They’ll be fine. They’re smarter than we were." He responded.

Cup was still on the fence, one half of his top lip lifting to express his unconvinced position. "How can you be sure?"

“Because they're older, bro,” he answered as he came up beside him. “Even Bean is older than you were back then. They ain’t naive… A little silly, maybe, but… weren’t we?”

Cuphead went quiet. He hated when Mugs made sense.

"... You were talkin' to yourself for a second there." His younger bro said more softly.

He closed his eyes again and let out a defeated sigh this time. "I know, I know."

His brother clutched his shoulder tighter and just looked at him. Cup’s eyes fell to the floor. 

“We need to report soon,” he said. It had been a while. And he was healed now. Not healed healed, but healed enough for the Boss.

Mugman hummed sarcastically. “… You're still recoverin', can barely lift an arm. You're in no way ready for a fight," he exaggerated mockingly.

"Mugs," Cup whined. He just chuckled, and wrapped an arm around his shoulders. 

"Ya know what you need? A fun night. With everyone here. Have a couple drinks, row with Bendy, and just relax." He envisioned. "It'll do that heart’a yours some good."

"You're a cussin' nightmare sometimes, bro." He tried to say it seriously, but humour tugged at his lips.

Mugs grinned and pulled him closer in a side hug, leading him off down the hallway. "And proud to be." He winked.

Cup rolled his eyes.

Oswald watched the buildings in the window rush past, with a hand against his cheek and an elbow against the glass, currently debating whether or not leaving Goofy behind to put the kids to bed was a good idea. The goof had assured them - he had this. But… while he always had the bestest of hearts, he had trouble caring for himself at times, tripping over building blocks and getting his snout stuck in the vacuum. Last time they had left him, they’d returned to a kitchen smothered in pasta sauce, from trimmings to roofing. And that hadn’t even been a zany joke, that had purely been the kids doing, or so the tale went. Oswald wondered if it would be a flooded or burned house they would go home to tonight. It was anyone’s guess.

He had faith in Goof though. He never got them hurt, and they were only attending a small house party the folks at Oddswell’s were holding. It would be fine. 

“… And then it just cussin’ vanished! I swear, I didn’t lose the damned thing,” Donald snapped, his permanently grumpy pupils sliding over to the rabbit for backup. “Right Oswald??”

Oswald looked to him. “Huh?” He hummed, faking he hadn’t caught any of it. When the duck scowled, Oswald grinned, and revelled in amusement as his best friend performed his usual routine, of angry growls, then succeeded by some sulking, and grumbled curses down at his folded wings.

“Oswald, we’re going somewhere,” Mickey chastised pleadingly. “Don’t get him angry before we’ve even left the cab.”

Oswald swiped a hand down. “Naaah, he’ll be fine. Just give ‘im some candy, a pacifier… little dab of whiskey on his next bottle.”

“Ozzy,” Mic’s chastising furthered, along with a quack and a glare from the ol’ duck.

Oswald raised his palms. “Kidding,” he chuckled. His younger brother just shook his head. Though he was smiling really. Oswald could see it.

They had roughly ten minutes after that to get Don out of his mood, before they arrived at Baker’s Street. They were unsuccessful, but soldiered on, climbing out of the car and tipping the driver, then inviting themselves in through the gate and stalking up the path to the door, where Oswald knocked.

Felix answered. He opened it with a grin. "Guys!" He swiftly ushered them in. "I'm glad you made it."

"Wouldn't be a party without us," Oswald remarked as he stepped in. 

"Boy, you sure got a full house on your hands!" Mic exclaimed. 

He was right. Everyone was here. Alice, Holly, Cala Maria, the Warners, the doctors, Red, Granny, the two foxes, Felix, Boris, Bendy, the dish brothers, and the Viking newcomers.

Stars, there was no escaping social interaction tonight. Don was in for a treat.

"The house is burstin’ from the cussin’ seems." The very same duck muttered.

Oswald threw an arm around his shoulders. "With all of your favourite people." He proclaimed proudly. Donald shoved him away.

"Mr. Mickey," Boris was stood in the hallway, smiling nervously at the sight of them.

"Boris!" Mic greeted cheerfully and went over to pet his head. "How're you doing?"

He ducked his head in embarrassment and murmured, "'M good." 

“Yeah? Not too traumatised?” Oswald asked, sticking his thumbs through his belt loops.

The pup shrugged. “No. I guess not. Just guilty, still.”

Donald ‘bah’d. “That guilt’s gonna be stuck with y’ for the rest’a your life,” he quacked flatly.

“Donald,” Mic squeaked, angry and embarrassed. The kid didn’t seem phased by it though.

“Thanks. That makes me feel great,” Boris returned the flat delivery. Oswald laughed, and clapped him on the shoulder. He was gonna be just fine.

When Mic got swooped up in catching up with the wolf, talking about his Christmas gift of fencing lessons, and Don split off to pout elsewhere, Oswald drifted too. There was a lot going on in the front room. Oswald wasn’t sure he wanted that to be his scene tonight.

So, apparently forgetting that a party was all about partying, he dipped into the kitchen, to see if he could be of use. Cala Maria was in there. Red too. And the youngest of the Viking trio, Bean, who was observing Granny as she worked her magic on a pot of… something that smelled good. The kid had a brace on his wrist. Brought back half-heard mentions of an arm wrestle contest a couple days back.

As far as the kitchen went everything seemed to be in control - Oswald got the hint that he would just be in the way lingering here, therefore asked if any other room needed him.

Red mentioned that the table was being set by the other Vikings, and that they could need some assistance. Lucky for them, Oswald had been setting tables that seated four hundred and twenty small, hungry and uncoordinated mouths for years now - this he was an expert at.

And with such expertise under his non-existent belt, he left the kitchen and headed next door to the dining room, though almost ended up stepping on a speedy Snowball scampering underfoot on the way. He’d just managed to stop himself from committing to his step, and let the living dandelion sprint away. Wasn’t there another one now too?

Despite any pollinated road hazards, he made it to the dining room, and upon entry found the two older sisters; Soup and Noodle, placing down glasses. It looked like it had been going well, until the wolf’s arm jerked, and threw down the glass in her claws.

The two of them ‘oohwww’d winces, as they grimaced at the sight of shards on the floor. Oswald felt sympathy.

“It’s aa good gaamer - I’ll go git a… somethin’ tae sweep it up,” the dish said, before she departed, passing by the rabbit as he went the opposite direction - to the table.

“Everything alright?” He asked as he approached, and was caught a bit by surprise when the wolf let out a pumped-up yell.

“-Yeah, ivirythin’s fine,” she reported casually. “I jost canna control me soonds or movements sometimes.”

“No kidding,” he laughed. She did too, so he felt less rude about it.

“Need any help?”

The wolf pursed her jowls mid placing a plate down. “Uhh… du can help wee dese. Miybe I’ll jost stick tae da knives an sticks,” she decided. Oswald thought it amusing.

He was passed over the duties of handing all the plates out, setting them down across the ever-growing table. He swore it got longer every time they visited.

“Do you break stuff a lot?” He asked, keeping his countenance lighthearted.

“No really,” she answered as she placed knives and forks down in what upper class folks would dub as the wrong way around. “It jost becomes a nuisance whin I held aether fok’s stoff - as soon as a tink aboot no daein’ somethin, it daes it,” she revealed plainly, to which Oswald tittered.

“I get it,” he mentioned, to some extent. “I’ve got kids that can’t even keep hold of a cracker. Always ends up on the floor,” he avowed in awe, which the wolf cackled at. Every time, without fail. He was beginning to wonder if that phase ever ended. 

“I’ve seen that type of thing before,” he restated. One of her eyebrows raised.

“Du has?”

“Yeah,” he confirmed easily, skirting around the table to begin filling the opposite side. “You meet a lot of unconventional people through circus.”

“Cool,” she noted. It was - cooler than the majority of Toon Town anyway.

He reached the last of his plates, his hand glad to be relieved of the stack of dishes. Noodle was almost done too.

“… I know this city can feel excluding at times. Too much,” he said, resting fingers on the table’s edge. “Especially if you don’t fit the mould, so to speak.”

“… But I know places, and communities, where you guys can feel safe,” he told her, in an offering. “If you ever need it.”

The wolf grinned. “Thanks,” she said, outwith her dialect. Oswald felt satisfied with completing his daily Mickey Mouse-coined act of service. How he’d ever forgive Mic for influencing him to be kind he didn’t know.

“Is du… unconventional dysell?” The wolf then queried, tilting her nose down and widening her eyes in waiting. It took Oswald a moment to catch her drift, which in turn caught him a little off guard.

“… I don’t… know,” he supposed, itching his temple as he muttered. He hadn’t really been thinking too hard about that. About… his attraction nowadays. Hadn’t thought about it since Ortensia, really.

Though less pained than he used to be when his late best friend came to mind, he still felt the need to sit down, pulling out a chair and lowering himself, then settling folded arms atop the table. Noodle continued arranging cutlery, while he gazed down past heavy ears in thought.

“... I’ve never questioned my masculinity, or my feelings. I suppose… I haven’t cared about them as much as others,” he concluded with a raise of his brow. “I’ve always been okay with who I am, and knowing who I am.”

“But I’ve had some new feelings crop up,” he mentioned, and opened a hand. “... And they don’t make me feel bad. They’re not… crazy, or something that perturbs me. They’re… chill.”

The wolf across from him beamed, and bobbed her head. 

“Yun soonds muckle healthy,” she said. Oswald felt honoured to receive such a compliment. He only ever wanted to be a good example to his kids. That was some reassurance he was on the right track, even if it was from an eighteen year old.

“I wish du aa da best wee dy new feelin’s,” she granted him, as she placed down the final knife.

“Thanks,” he remarked, with earnest, and rose from his chair again with a pat of his pocket. He was ready to leave her be now, go check in on Donald and his mood, but the furrowed forehead eyeing the wolf was giving the set table had him lingering. 

Her eyes narrowed further. “Yun doesna look right,” she murmured, previous dinners providing a comparison in her brain.

Oswald forced a chuckle through his nose. “Usually forks and knives are the other way around,” he disclosed with a motion to the nearest plate, and the mismatched cutlery on either side of it.

She shook her head in complete puzzlement. “Why??”

Oswald jerked his own head. “Not a cussing clue,” he exhaled. Noodle snorted.

A thud sounded from out in the hallway. Then a cough.

"It's weird, right?"

"Most peculiar."

Holly slouched a bit further into her spot on the sofa. This map was silly, dare she admit it. She apologised to whoever made it, but it was just silly. It didn't fit a single river, a single stream, in this whole country. Its rhyme didn’t make any sense, even translated. And none of the other footnotes made any sense either. And how were they supposed to know this was of this country?? For Yen Sid’s sake, it was hand-drawn with what looked like mud!

And Xedo didn't have a clue either. She had hoped his different perspective would provide something, but, no. This had to be a prank.

The fox adjusted his glasses. He was seated next to her on the couch with a thoughtful hand to his chin. "The rivers are the main issue here. There has to be more to it."

Holly plonked her elbows on her legs and propped her chin on her hands. She watched Snowball dance across the map on the coffee table in front of them, and then sprint off out the room. Having all these people here was giving her the zoomies.

She gazed around aimlessly, at this point just waiting for inspiration to come to her. 

Xedo was thinking hard from next to her. He had been this entire night so far. She had come to realise he never stopped.

He was great. A marvel. He was incredibly resourceful, sharp as could be, and he had an eye for details no one else would notice. Well, other than Dr. Oddswell. And above all that, he was caring. She was sure he was the key to solving this strange puzzle of a paper.

He had been there for her all those months ago, at the beginning of all this. Offered her his couch. Helped out with her research on the doll. He completely fixed the situation with Toon Town Times, and now sent out brilliantly crafted news articles that helped the public but also kept enough secret for their quest. And he'd helped take Holly down when she was under the influence of the cog. What hadn’t he helped her with??

Now that she really thought about it, she had never properly thanked him for everything. She'd said it a couple times here and there, but not for everything. She doubted she would have gotten this far without him.

"Xedo?" She glanced at him.

"Yes?" He inquired as he continued eyeing a paper. She let her forearms fall, clasping one hand in the other.

“… I never really thanked you for everything you've done for us. Or, more specifically, me,” she said.

His head turned to her in slight surprise. He blinked. "And what have I done for you?" 

She tipped her head to the side. "Well… before all this, back when Bendy and Boris were still 'fugitives', you really looked out for me. You didn't have to do that. And you didn't have to help with my wacky research, and the police too. You even gave me the key to residence on your sofa." She laughed. "To a complete stranger at the time."

He let out a chuckle, and pulled his spectacles from their place on his snout, bringing a cloth out his waistcoat. "Well, I wouldn't hold me in such great esteem. I have made a lot of mistakes since."

She gave him a deadpan stare. 

"Really?" 

It caught him off guard. His brow twitched in surprise, and he lowered his glasses.

"Do you have any idea how many mistakes I've made?" She continued. "I stalked people, got myself into trouble. I went homeless. I hexed a man- A couple men. I touched the cog, tried to kill all of you multiple times. Got kidnapped in Heela city-"

He lifted a hand with an amused smile. "Alright, I understand."

"Stars, all of this started with one of my mistakes! I gave that address to Bendy and Boris!" She mentioned.

"That was one of the best mishaps you've created," he said with certainty.

"Exactly." She pointed at him. "Mistakes are versatile, and sometimes lead to better situations. Mishaps are there to learn from. You can't beat yourself up for learning."

Xedo smiled, and nodded once. "That is a fair point.”

He lowered his gaze to his glasses, and brushed the cloth over his lenses. "You are welcome nonetheless, Miss May,” he stated, and returned the cloth to his pocket and his glasses to his snout. "I suppose there's an unspoken code for those of us who are considered more as outcasts in this society, in helping others in need."

One word rang through her head. Code.

Her eyes started darting back and forth as her mind raced. Code. Code. What if it was a code? Code for something else. A prank, a trick, an illusion. What if it didn't mean river? What else could it mean? Other things in the world that resemble a river. Work like a river. 

"Holly?"

She snapped back to reality. Xedo was observing her in mild concern. Oh, she had been muttering. 

She felt her face heat, and she cleared her throat and sat up straight. "Sorry. Um, what I was thinking was... maybe it's a code? A facade? A metaphor? Just not what it seems." She gestured towards the troubling piece of paper.

The idea lit up his face in curiosity. 

“… You may be onto something there,” he uttered thoughtfully, tapping a finger in the air as he pondered it, and then he faced her with resolution in his eyes. "We should make asking the three newcomers if whomever made this map enjoyed things such as riddles a priority. Perhaps they can provide a clue to this so-called ‘code’.”

She snapped her fingers. "Yes. Great idea,” she affirmed.

She celebrated internally. This map hadn’t gotten the best of them yet.

Dot raced into the room, with a tail in hand and a grin on her face.

"Dot, please don't feed it to your strange and concerning pet!" Holly heard Yakko yell. He ran in after her, a stub on his rear end.

There was a thud. "Agh, cuss!" Then a cough.

Holly felt her stomach plummet. Oh, horse feathers.

Chapter Text

Bendy spotted Alice outside through the window, alone. After a minute of debate, he decided to head out, and go up to her.

“Alice?”

She turned to him in mild surprise, and smiled. "Why, halo, Bendy."

"Stars, you say that every time,” he said, a snicker slipping into his sentence.

"I do?" She asked innocently. Bendy rolled his eyes.

She gazed back up at the sky, like she had been doing before. Bendy looked up too, though with less confidence as to what he was supposed to be looking at.

He glanced between her, and the door behind them. He raised an eyebrow. "Too much in there?"

“No, I think it's great,” she said with a pleasant expression, still gazing up at the heavens. “It's nice seeing everyone together. It feels like home." She then shrugged a shoulder. "I just came out to stargaze for a little while."

He nodded lightly. “It's pretty."

A glint of humour lit up in her eyes. "Pretty out of this world, huh?" She punned and nudged him on the arm. 

He snorted a snicker, and then nudged her back. “C'mon, you can do better than that," he challenged.

“Oh, I Apollogise, was that too Capricorny for you??” She tried next, putting on a thick voice.

Bendy burst into chuckles. "Now that's what I'm talkin' about,” he pointed a claw at her. She giggled a bit herself.

A sort of mischievous grin was forming on her face, a look that shook Bendy to the core.

“Oh no, what's that for,” he asked warily, eyeing her up and down.

She glanced off to one side, before suddenly grabbing his hands. “Come with me," she said, and dragged him around the corner into a back alley, her warm aura brushing over his skin.

"Is there a reason you're bringing me into this creepy alley?" He questioned as he stumbled along, his head swivelling back and forth as he examined their surroundings.

She didn’t answer. Instead her hands slid up his arms and gripped on tight. "Grab my forearms," she told him. What? He did it anyway. 

There was a light coming from above them now. It was her halo. She'd uncovered it. And her wings. 

"Do you trust me?" 

He focused back on the angel. She was looking him dead in the eye with determination painted on her dark lips.

"Alice I'm terrified." He murmured half jokingly, half genuinely.

"Hold on tight!” She warned, before she was gone. She went up. The gust of wind her wings pushed in his direction almost tipped him over, embarrassingly enough.

He had a split second where he was left on the ground to realise he was going to go with her. "Al-"

"-liiIiIIIIIICCEE!" He left his stomach back on the street. He had crammed his eyes shut and now all he felt was air rushing down past him. Fast.

Alice whooped. He gasped blindly. "Stars, Alice! You're-"

"Bendy, look!" She told him. She sounded elated, like she was grinning from ear to ear.

He tried to steady his breathing, and then slowly took a peek.

He was greeted by the skyline of the city below and ahead of them. Tall, dark buildings, with little lights illuminating each square window. Everything was cast in the deep blue shadow of the night.

Alice flapped her wings. "Pretty incredible, right?!" She called.

Bendy laughed. "Are you kidding?? This is cussing amazing!" He buzzed.

She laughed too, and whooped again. "Woohoooo!" 

She folded her feathers in and caused them to dip, rocketing down towards the rooftops. Bendy's gums pulled back as the wind rushed by.

Her wings burst open at the last second, and had them speeding across the tops of the buildings. If Bendy stretched his legs far enough he could be running along these rooftops. 

Apparently she could read his mind, because that's what she did. She dropped him. He landed on the flat concrete of one of the structures, but the momentum he just came from kept him running.

She turned around on her back to look at him, and grinned. "Try to keep up!" She challenged cheekily, and then zoomed ahead of him.

Oh, he would. He put on his game-face and raced after the angel. He reached the end of a building and didn't have time to think before he leaped onto the next one. 

At some point, something cussing happened, because he had never run that fast or jumped that far in his entire life. His tail flicked wildly behind his movements as he cussing leapt from rooftop to rooftop.

He was swiftly approaching a road below them that stretched too wide for him to make the distance. The buildings were too far apart.

Alice had already made it there. She drifted and angled her wings so she looped around, and whizzed past him. Stars, he hoped she was coming back.

The gap was quickly getting closer. Oh cuss, oh cuss, oh cuss! 

He boosted off of the last roof, and fell.

Something snatched his forearms and wrenched his body in the opposing direction. His breath left him in a wooosh.

Thank the stars. A little of his soul had left his body there.

"What? Did you think I wouldn't catch you?" She smirked down at him.

"No, but that kinda drop is still cussing horrifying!" He replied.

She hooted with laughter, and beat her wings to gain some height. She glided and tilted them from side to side gracefully through the air.

Bendy felt elated. He howled into the night as they ducked and swirled and rolled, their cries echoing for miles. It should’ve been cold - Bendy should’ve been bothered. But her aura lit him up, and didn’t allow a single inch of cold to reach him. She lit him up.

Eventually, they came across a tall hotel, with a neon sign at the top. Alice flew them over and placed him down on the roof's ledge, between two giant letters. She plopped down after him.

He continued laughing, and swallowed past his dry mouth. "That... That was nuts!" He panted.

She gave an exhilarated nod. "I know! I go for a fly almost every night now. It’s amazing,” she breathed.

He narrowed his eyes slightly. "Hey... Isn't that... a little dangerous?" He asked, still panting. Damn lungs.

"My very existence has been dangerous ever since meeting you," the angel retorted with a growing grin.

“Touché,” he said, pointing at her lazily, before he sat himself down on the ledge of the roof, hanging his legs. She joined him, crossing her ankles as they dangled in the air. 

"I am safe about it,” she assured him. “I'm not silly. Most of the time I go to the forest anyway. But the city is on a whole new level of gorgeous, even if it is all smoggy."

"Not a bad little town, huh?" He agreed, and leaned back on his hands. 

Silence took over as they admired the view.

“I think I owe you an apology,” Alice stated while nodding to herself.

Bendy scoffed light-heartedly. “For what?” He asked.

“For picking you up,” she answered, lolling her head towards him with a humoured grin. Bendy ‘ah’d as he caught on, playing along with her bit.

“Bah, you’re cool,” he excused and waved. “You get a pass.”

She raised a thick eyebrow. "Really?" He hummed in confirmation. 

“What, am I special or something?" She inquired, her question laced with amusement.

"Oh yeah, totally,” he said and rolled his eyes playfully. She burst into giggles.

He found himself gazing at her, gaining a softer smile. Yeah. "You're very special to me."

She looked over at him, his smile reflecting on hers. “You’re very special to me too,” she said, something they both already knew. And something about that was comforting.

Alice took a breath in, and shook out a sigh, gazing out at the skyline. “Oh how far we’ve come.”

He hummed, swinging his legs idly. “How did your lead in the Upper go? On that… chalice thing.”

“Oh, not great, admittedly,” she confessed through the side of her mouth, before sighing again. “I’m not sure it is the piece, but, I think it’s best I stay away from that area for a bit.”

Bendy pursed his lips. “Fair enough.”

He then stood up - or practically hopped up, but he wasn’t going to admit that - and jumped onto the ledge, turning around with his arms wide open. “All the more fun for you to have down here, right?”

She only laughed, as he started messing around, stepping along the ledge with a small jig.

“C’mon,” he confidently implored, “you tellin’ me you didn’t miss the smoggy air, and my sweet dance moves?”

Alice scoffed in disbelief, and touched her cheek to her shoulder, putting on a casual act. “I don’t know,” she gave a sceptical eye-roll. “It’s pretty great up there.”

Bendy tossed a narrowed gaze over at her. “Don’t tell me you met some tall, feathered fancy-pants up there to sweep you off your feet.”

She chuckled deep in her throat, and stood up. “I could never,” she professed as she walked over to him.

Bendy paused in his dancing, turning to her fully, as she reached out to fiddle with his squint collar. “My heart only yearns for Bendy Bbro,” she claimed, in a voice sweet as honey, and then booped his non-existent nose.

Bendy smirked, and made the fatal error of mistaking this for a romantic moment. While he prepared for something along the lines of a smooch, she had other plans, instead shoving him.

He was only allowed a second of panic before he teetered back and lost his balancing, falling backwards off the building.

He tumbled, fast, and screamed all the way down. His hair and clothes whipped wildly out above him. He’d almost lost his hair band in the process.

Then, after a moment of doubt, he saw Alice shoot down after him, with a giant smile on her face, and infected Bendy with it.

Just before the road below him got too close, she grabbed him and scooped him up, and spread her wings.

The rushing wind hit them and halted their descent, instead sending them shooting across the traffic the couple feet below them.

“Took you long enough,” Bendy remarked through his grin. Alice laughed heartily.

They continued speeding along, until they made it to a street a couple blocks down from the house, where Alice landed them safely. Bendy was glad to be back on the ground admittedly - he’d felt enough adrenaline for one night.

He hummed to himself, as he offered her his arm. “Apology accepted,” he finally decided. She rolled her eyes playfully as she looped her arm through his.

They walked the rest of the walk to Oddswell’s in a peaceful silence. With someone like Alice, it was welcomed. 

They knew where they stood with each other. They were interested in each other, but the circumstances were just a little too off for comfort.

Though that didn’t stop them from sharing moments like this.

Bendy liked her, more than he’d ever liked any dame. In fact it had only grown these past few months.

And meeting up after she had come down from the Upper had been an eye-opening experience. He’d really missed her. And it was becoming clear to Bendy that he wanted Alice in his life, as a friend or otherwise.

So this was good. He might kick himself later for it, but for now, this was nice.

As they walked up the path to the house and approached the door, before Bendy could do it himself, Alice stepped to the side and bowed. “M’ gentlemen,” she said with a hand flourish. Bendy snorted, and played into the bit by slinking up the stairs with his nose in the air. Alice giggled as he opened the door, and the two of them stepped in.

They were hit with the warm air of home and all the buzzing commotion. Before they even got their feet in the door Bendy cussing spotted Dot bolting down the stairs with a tail in her hand. 

Yakko came next. Ah, it was his then. "Dot, please don't feed it to your strange and concerning pet!" He fretted.

Wakko trailed behind them, but stumbled and tripped on the last step. He clutched his chest. "Agh, cuss!" He coughed.

Wakko had an ink attack. It had been a while since Bean had seen one.

Everyone had flipped out. The little dude's siblings had rushed over to help, followed by the lizard doctor, and Red, who he was coming to learn was a nurse. They took him upstairs.

The mouse and duck had jumped out of their skins and started frantically searching for the rabbit in their group. For good reason. The man had had a breakdown. 

After a bit, Soup went hunting for Noods after she ran. Bean was waiting for them to come back.

He looked around the sitting room. Everyone was bunched up in their own small groups and chatting indistinctly to one another. The mood was miserable. And Bean, while mildly rattled himself, was also a tad bored.

The rabbit and his gang came in. They took up residence on the couch. He seemed better, and tried to smile. But he had that dazed stare.

Bean itched his wrist. This brace was the most disgusting thing he'd ever felt. Other than clothes tags. He had a bone to pick with whoever invented those.

"Oi." 

Bean glanced up. It was Soup and Noodle. He snorted. “I tought du had wandered aaff," he said.

They sat down and joined him in his spot on the floor. 

"This plice is muckle sad,” Noods noted with a hint of humour.

Bean suppressed a snicker. "Faider’s gunni come back fae da deed tae yell at wis.”

"'Whit’s du mopin’ aboot du bunch o lazy farts??'" Soup said in a wheezy old man voice that mimicked Dad. They all cackled.

"'Whar's me bleedin' treasure du Mary??'" Bean added in a similar voice.

Noods put on Dad's fake shocked face and shrugged helplessly. "I dunna kain,” she said suspiciously.

Soup groaned. "Gods, yun wis the worst, min. Those werena bloody hints!" She complained as they reminisced on the pure torture he put them through during at-home treasure hunts.

Bean laughed. "I swaar yun wis cheatin’ du kains. Yun wusna fair, we were jost bairns."

"Weell at list he canna cheat noo,” Noods pointed out, to which they snickered further.

The three of them spent the next several minutes guffawing in their own little corner. It eased the tension, for them, and even for some of the others in the room.

After a bit, the Warners entered and surveyed the room. Things went quiet again.

Wakko was back to his normal self, and was in the middle of planting his hat on his head. He huffed at the sight of everyone, planting his fists in his hips. “Well, what do we have goin' on here? This is no good!"

“They're just worried, kid,” Red said, a couple steps behind him. “It's to be expected," she chided. The Doctor filed in too.

Dot shook her head and crossed her arms. "No, no, this will not do."

Yakko clapped his hands demandingly. "Come on, let's get some good vibes up in here,” he encouraged as he swept over the crowd, who were now looking between each other.

Noods flopped a shoulder. “… Whit aboot some dancin’ or somethin'?" She suggested.

The Warner heads zipped over to her, a gleam in all six eyes. "Dancing?" They asked in unison.

"That sounds like a good idea," Alice piped up, lighting up.

"Well, why don't you show us one of your jigs, guys?" Felix suggested, and smiled at Bean and his sisters' huddle. "I'm sure we'd all love to see some folk dances."

"Dunno if you've realised, whiskers, but," Cuphead threw his hands up and gestured around the room, "we ain't in a big cussin’ hall here now are we?" He snipped. Mugman elbowed him.

Bendy hopped up out his seat. “Well that’s an easy fix,” he claimed.

He turned to the rest of the room, locking his claws and stretching his arms out. “Alright y’all, let’s get some cussing furniture moving.”

Everyone got to work on pushing all the furniture to the outskirts of the sitting room. The cup heads lifted the couch out of the way. Holly and Cala rushed to take everything off the coffee table before Alice coaxed it aside. Boris and Wiston started moving one of the armchairs, while Red and Xedo took care of the other one. The doctors and Granny carefully nudged all the decorated shelves to the side. Bendy practically carried one of the less delicate bookshelves out the room and helped in getting rid of the tv. Bean was starting to realise he had stupid strength, the strength of bloody Thor.

Yakko, Wakko and Dot nabbed all of the smaller pieces of furniture and chucked them away, while Bean, Soup and Noodle worked on a big cabinet together. Felix and Oswald moved more bookshelves against the walls, Mickey and Donald rolled up the rug, and boom. A clear enough room.

Wakko dusted his hands off and surveyed their new space. "Not bad, not bad at all,” he grinned.

“Where are we gonna get music?” Boris asked the room.

“We have a record player that we just threw out the room,” Red brought up, leaning against the doorway with her arms crossed.

“Nonsense - we need the real deal!” Wakko proclaimed and stuffed his hands into his pockets, and then turned to his sister. Dot took that as her cue to reach into thin air and yank out a fiddle to start with. 

Soup laughed in surprise. “Yun’s ebic!” She beamed, as the zany handed her the instrument, looking it over. “An muckle boannie.”

“We got any other volunteers?” Yakko swept over everyone, while Dot continued pulling out more instruments. 

Boris stepped forward, after being nudged by his brother. "I-I can play a couple things,” he said.

Dot summoned a flute this time with a puzzled frown. She offered it to him. 

Boris grasped it, and adjusted it in his hands. He shrugged. "I mean it's worth a shot."

"If anyone can play it, it's you, bro." Bendy ruffled his hair. His brother ducked away bashfully.

Next instrument was a guitar. Yakko snatched it up. 

“I'll be taking this,” he seized, and spun it around in his paws. “Gotta bit of experience from serenading the ladies,” he claimed, then winked at absolutely no one. A banjo was dropped into his brother’s arms meanwhile. He almost folded under its weight.

“I'll taak care o da beat," Bean assured his siblings. Soup gave him a thumbs up from her spot in the established band.

Noods got up onto her feet. "Alright, wha's a quick learner?" She questioned.

Bendy was tripped forward, seemingly by Cupheed, and growled in annoyance. But with an eye-roll he accepted his fate.

“Alright, what’s the steps then,” he quizzed, and gestured back and forth with his hands like he was weighing up options. “Two? Four? Any specific timings?”

Noods blinked, and shook her head. “I dunna kain whit du’s taalkin’ aboot - Jost copy me feet,” she instructed, and took his hands into the right position.

“But I’m leadin’,” she told him and grinned.

Bendy tutted. “Of course you are,” he grumbled with another roll of his eyes. A couple chuckles sounded around the room.

It didn't really matter anyway. As far as Bean was aware, there was barely a 'lead' as it was. It was just two people stepping together, really.

The band started up. They went slow at first as Bendy was shown the ropes. He really was a quick learner though, he had it down in no time. Though, it was an easy dance. Bean wasn’t sure how much credit he could give the guy.

The music picked up in speed after a bit. Bean began hitting his boot into the floor and clapping his hands to the rhythm, like how they did it at home. Others followed suit, and soon, they had the whole group going. Cuphead even brought out a pair of spoons, and Granny tapped her cane.

After a while other pairs started to join in. Wakko tossed his instrument aside and brought out his sister, who was now wearing a sparkly dress of some sort. Holly dragged Oswald with her, and Alice dragged Mickey. Mugman led his girlfriend, Bean had assumed, onto the floor. Xedo offered a hand to Red. 

The room was swiftly filled with a circle of dancing duos. Those who had stayed near the walls continued clapping and cheering along with the lively music the band had going.

Then the pairs started mixing up, and then everyone was dancing with everyone. Red with Mugman, Mugman with Holly, Xedo with Felix, Bendy with Dot, Holly with Wakko, Mickey with Cala, Oswald with Felix, Noodle with Alice, Bendy with Alice, Red with Wakko, Oswald with… with Donald? Alright then.

Soup even waltzed into the circle at one point, and flounced around as she played her fiddle. And Yakko and Boris were surprisingly good with their new instruments.

It was pretty cool. Loud, but cool. It was a lot like home.

I’m so sorry for that cut it kills me everytime man 💀

Chapter Text

The doorbell rang.

"I'll get it," Cuphead volunteered. Nobody was really listening anyway. Another song was starting up - Soup and Noodle were showing everyone a new dance.

Cup rolled his eyes and left the room, heading towards the front of the house.

The dish opened the door with a cackle as he heard the pipsqueak yell about something. He turned to who had rung.

None other than Fanny Cottontail was stood there. 

His eyes widened.

She looked a mess. Well, the messiest he'd ever seen her. She had black streaks of make up smeared down her cheeks. Her hair was more unkept. She looked like she’d just been through the pits of Hell.

And she had an angry expression.

Her posture was stuck straight, and she had her chin up high and her fists clenched. It looked like her just being here was damaging her pride.

Cup had so many questions. But nothing was coming out his mouth. He just stared stupidly.

She stabbed a finger down at the ground, motioning for him to come out.

He did as she ordered, in fear of what she’d do if he didn’t. He closed the door as he stepped up to her. And continued to stare and struggle with his racing questions.

She stared back at him with conflict in her eyes and grit teeth. Then, she suddenly and cussing harshly pulled him down into a hug.

Cup made choking sound and froze in shock. Her perfume tickled his nose.

His face went hot with disconcertion. What the cuss was happening. He felt horribly in danger.

Was this a nightmare? Yeah, probably. He felt more comfortable down in Hell.

He tentatively wrapped his arms around her and returned the death hug. 

He took in a breath to say something. A question. A reassurance. A something. Rather than just gaping like an idiot.

She’d obviously been crying. And in the time he’d known her he knew it would take a lot to make Fanny Cottontail cry. She had to be real cussing upset to come to him for a starfallen hug.

“S-”

“Don't. Say. A Word." She hissed, stopping him dead in his tracks. 

Never mind. He closed his mouth tight and gulped.

They stayed like that for a bit. Cup didn't know how long, but it felt like a while. He didn’t ease up much.

She eventually released him. He pulled back, and straightened up. She did too, with a light sniff, and took off one of her gloves to wipe at her stained cheek.

He stayed stuck in his stupor, clearing his throat awkwardly. What was he supposed to cussing say after that.

She sighed, defeated, and waved a hand towards the house. "What's going on in there then?"

"Uhh..." He shook his head, and itched the back of his mug. "It's a party... thing. That 'cousin' ‘a mine and a couple others are teachin' us some dancin’."

She raised a critical brow and scoffed. "Sounds silly," she crossed her arms.

“Yeah,” he agreed with an awkward laugh.

He then tossed a thumb over his shoulder. “You wanna come in?" He offered uselessly.

She scowled and tapped her heel, as she indecisively switched her gaze between the door and the ground. She then let out a much sharper sigh, and dropped her shoulders. "Fine!" She snapped.

Cup stifled a snicker. He opened the door, and led her in through the hallway and into the front room.

When she saw the dance circle her brow flew up in surprise. The next face she made was one of disgust, probably.

Red stumbled over to her with a grin that was scary on her. "Fanny! When did you get here?? Oh, come dance with me!" She whined, and did not give the rabbit a choice. Red grabbed her hands and pulled her in. Fanny shook her head rapidly as she fell into the swarm.

Cup leaned against the wall and watched smugly. He caught sight of her giving him an 'I'm going to kill you" type of look a couple times. It was great.

It took some time, and a lot of arguing, but she did manage to climb out again. She strutted over to him and slapped him on the arm, first off, and then folded her own again with a huff. "You knew that would happen, you sneak."

He rubbed his smarting spot, snorting, and then raising his shoulders. “Ya have to admit, it was a little funny.”

She scowled and glanced away from him. "I'm not falling for this happy-go-lucky family nonsense,” she sneered and wafted a hand dismissively.

Cuphead clicked his tongue. “Welp, you’re gonna miss out on all the fun then.”

Despite being ticked off at him, she stuck by him for most of the night. This wasn’t really her crowd as far as he knew.

Especially with the other rabbit in the mix. They still had whatever cussing tension looming over them. Cup was apprehensive of them interacting tonight.

But no, they stayed away from each other. The other rabbit gave her a couple of sad glares, but nothing more. And Fanny didn't even acknowledge his presence. Something really was bothering her.

Cup didn't ask. It wasn't his place. If she wanted to talk, then that was fine. If not, that was fine too. He'd just leave her to it.

Bendy rubbed his face with his hands. That had been another mildly embarrassing experience to add to his list.

The dancing had continued on into the night, until they got a noise complaint. Then Oddswell had convinced everyone to begin cleaning up, somehow. And other than being led around for some of the night, Bendy had enjoyed it.

He wasn’t too bothered about it though - he had done a lot worse in the past. Not taking the lead for once was chill in comparison. He’d get over it.

Though that would be a lot easier if the dish sat next to him on the roof would stop cracking up.

"Du shoulda seen dy face min,” she howled, and slapped her knee.

“Yeah yeah, I get it,” he grumbled into his glass of lukewarm fizz-wiz, while she continued laughing.

He was a little amused himself, admittedly. She had a pretty funny laugh. Completely unashamed.

She wiped a starfallen tear from her eye, sighing. "I dunna kain whit's so embarrassin' aboot it. Is yun no normal or somethin'?"

“No, actually. In this country a guy and a girl dances,” he began explaining, holding a finger up over his glass in gesturing. “The guy leads, the girl follows. That’s just… how it works. They have moves that compliment each other. Any other way would have everyone up here freak.”

She scoffed. "Weell yun's daft."

He pursed his lips and nodded his head to the side, before muttering his response into his drink as he went for another swig. “Maybe.”

He swallowed, and lowered his glass.

"You do things differently where you're from?" He inquired with a scarred eyebrow raised.

"I mean, yeah,” she answered, and brought a leg up, wrapping an arm around it. She shrugged. "Onywan dances wee onywan. Dere’s no rules or whitivir du fok hae o’er here."

"Huh." He hummed. 

"Oor faider used tae haald muckle ol' perties in da haa. Wee bucket loads o food - good food," she clarified, "an drinks, an music, an dancin'." She grinned at the memories.

"Your dad, the chief?" He asked.

She gave a nod, but then stopped to correct herself. "Weell, Mam's chief noo. Faider’s in the groond."

Bendy’s eyes grew large for a moment. She’d… said it so casually.

"Dead?" He managed after another swallow. Though after that he wished he'd kept his starfallen trap closed. 

“Yeah,” she confirmed with a bob of her dish head.

“Stars, I’m sorry,” Bendy said genuinely, adjusting his sitting position. That sucked.

“Ack, it’s aaright,” she assured with a wave. “An, hey, he lasted a bleedin' while."

Bendy awkwardly let silence fall between them. He’d thought he’d be a little more prepared at this point, with all the death he’d experienced. But he was grasping for what to say next.

"… Uhh... how did he die?" He tried, as an offer for her to speak about it if she wanted to.

She picked at the worn parts on her boots. "Yun… blinky stuff.”

“You mean ink illness?" He clarified flatly.

"Yes!" She clicked her fingers, and then put them to her jaw. "Yun's whit it’s caaed.”

"Stars, it's gotten all the way to you guys?" He muttered more to himself with a shake of his head. That was stardust.

He looked her over to judge if she was the type of person that liked talking about this kind of stuff, but didn’t get much.

“… How long did he last, then?" He questioned.

She pressed her lips together in thought. "Twa moons."

"Two moons… So, like, two months??” He repeated.

“Ye,” she confirmed. He turned his head away, and let out a spluttering breath, deflating.

She watched him. "Is yun good?"

Bendy barked a laugh he did not mean to. "Yeah, it's pretty cussing good."

Thankfully, she laughed too, and punched his shoulder. "Aw Thor yeah! Is yun a record??" She asked excitedly, while he slowly spun away from her and mouthed a silent groan of pain as he clutched his poor shoulder. 

“Nope," he strained. He had half the mind to punch her back, but she was still a dame, no matter how cussing loud she belched.

He finally exhaled. “Someone else has been going much longer."

"Wha??”

He smirked and pointed to himself nonchalantly. "Why, yours truly."

She grinned in surprise. "Really?? Hoo lang his du been goin’?"

He gestured in a so-so manner. "Maybe six, seven months? Or moons, too,” he added with a cocky hand-behind-his-head move.

"Yun many moons??" She cackled. "Yun's mad."

"Yep,” he popped his ‘p’, and then sighed. "The Doc even gave me a month left. That was four months ago."

Soup wheezed and fell into another fit of laughter.

Bendy chuckled along with her. It was kinda nice being able to joke about it with someone. Maybe it was a zany thing to do, to laugh in the face of death, but it was fun, and relieving. He'd take it.

"Hey, we should take you guys out sometime." He suggested.

She sighed, and looked at him curiously. "Oot?"

"Yeah, around town. Get you guys into swing. Show ya how we do things 'round here." He propped a leg up and slung his arm over it. "Though, I'm not sure your bro would be into that. Boris certainly isn't."

Soup cringed a bit. "Wee dy rules? I'd be stuck tryin' tae avoid gettin' me taes stepped on by a lad aa night." She shuddered.

"What, you don't want a gentleman in your life?" He asked with genuine surprise, leaning back on his hands.

"Thor, no." She slouched. "I've become maere an maere uninterested, really. I dunna get it."

“Huh.” He hummed again, and looked down in thought. “I thought all dames were interested in that stuff,” he muttered. She shook her head with her mouth pressed in a firm ‘mm-mm’.

“Nah, I’d rather hiv planties an animals tae keep me company,” she admitted, looking out to the skyline. “They’re quiet. An goofy.”

Amused by her use of words, Bendy snorted, chuckled, and then burst into full-blown laughs. Even though she didn’t know what he was laughing at, she did too.

You know, Bendy liked hanging with her, even if she did do a number on his ego. She was cool, and didn’t take things too seriously. And it was nice to have more people in his age group.

Soup sighed, and started shuffling ungracefully to the edge of the roof. "I better heed in. Holly needed tae taalk or somethin',” she mentioned, and dropped down with a loud thud of her boots.

He saluted at her, and got a wave in return, before she went out of view.

He shimmied over to the edge, and exhaled. Now, how was he gonna get down?

He spotted something out of the corner of his eye. It was Cup trudging back, from walking Fanny home. Bendy squinted to try and read his face from where he was. The dish hadn’t noticed him yet - he was deep in thought.

"Oi."

That got his attention. The clod looked up at him, and immediately cussing smirked. "You stuck?"

"No," he bit out, and found a pipe to use. He moved over to it and turned around, using twisted and protruding parts as footholds to climb down.

He landed on the ground and wiped his hands clean, before putting them on his hips. "So, what's up. Dish it out."

Cup's lip twitched in mild disgust. "Stars, man, leave the puns to Feathers. That ain't even the right context."

Bendy dismissed the comment, and just waited.

His shoulders fell. He flung his arms out helplessly. "I dunno, she was upset about somethin'. Wanted comfortin' or whatever."

Bendy huffed a laugh, and tilted his head sceptically. "She came to you for comfort??" He tutted, folding his arms. "Now the world really has turned upside down."

Cup ‘ha’d dryly. "You're funny - a real jester,” he remarked, his tone dripping of sarcasm, and went rummaging in his pocket for something. Bendy chuckled through his teeth.

There was a thought bothering him, nagging him. About this whole ordeal.

"What in the world could've gotten to Fanny Cottontail?" He puzzled.

"Beats me," the dish replied. He brought out a cig.

Bendy eyed it, and slapped it out of his hand. Fast.

Cup balled his now empty fist. It shook. He then yelled and threw his arms up in frustration. "Cussin' stars! What is this place! The tobacco police?? What's a guy gotta do to have a smoke 'round here?!" He ranted as he stormed into the house.

Bendy snickered and followed behind him. "You'll need to tobacgo somewhere else, pal." He told him.

"Shaddap!”

After the lizard shut down the party, Cup had offered to walk Fanny home. There was a lot of back and forth, but eventually she agreed.

They'd been walking for a bit now. He hadn't said anything.

He didn't know what the cuss to say. 'Sorry that happened'? Sorry what happened?? He had no cussing idea.

And she had her thinking face on. It was the one face that creeped him out. He could deal with the angry ones, the critical ones, the mocking ones, the disgusted ones, but not that one. It was the worst because he had no damn idea what it meant and what she was feeling.

Cup had been going in mental circles for a couple blocks now. It was becoming embarrassing.

"Those are an interesting bunch," she suddenly broke the silence. Oh thank cuss.

"Oh yeah, they are," he remarked in a deadpan voice. "They're cussin' annoyin'."

She adjusted her glove with a rich chuckle. "All kids are."

“These ones take the cussin’ cake,” he assured her.

She scoffed lightly. "Really? What do they do then that's so despicable?" She exaggerated, narrowing her eyes at him and scrunching up her nose, surprise, mockingly.

"They pick on us. Or just me, basically." He frowned.

Fanny found this piece of information amusing. "Now those are some kids I could get along with," she noted. He tsked and glanced off.

She was watching him.

He focused back on her. "What?"

"You're jealous," she claimed out of nowhere. There was a smirk pulling at her painted lips.

He huffed. "Of what?" He questioned.

Her straight posture somehow straightened further. She was smug. "Their hair."

His brows furrowed in just pure puzzlement, and he shook his head in shock. “How the cuss did you get that??”

“I can see it in your eyes,” she claimed, her nose lifting even higher. “You wish you could have locks as long as theirs.”

His frown deepened to levels he didn't know were possible. "That’s the worst cussin' thing you've ever said ta me."

She studied him with an entertained glint in her eyes, and chuckled deeply. “Did I finally offend the big china thug?" She mocked, shimmying her shoulders back and forth slightly.

He didn’t answer that, only flaring his nostrils and stuffing his hands into his coat pockets. He wanted to go back to the silence.

She didn't let him. 

"Who are these 'annoying' kids then, if they're not your cousins?" She jeered.

"They're Vikings, or somethin' like that.” He muttered.

She laughed deeply, putting a hand to her mouth. 

It took her a minute to realise he wasn't joking. 

"You're serious?" She stated, her lip curling.

"Yep."

"Huh,” she hummed. Her nose twitched a little in confusion, a detail that he realised too late he probably shouldn't have noticed. Stars.

"What, do they rob and pillage then?" She waved in a sarcastic manner.

He buzzed his lips. "Haven't seen anythin' go missin' lately, so, no, guess not,” he answered, and then paused. 

“-By the way, have ya seen my smokes?"

Fanny scoffed. "Har-har,” she rolled her eyes. He grinned.

He looked up. Oh. They were on her street. The dreaded street. He suppressed a shiver.

Well, this was probably his last chance then. 

"Hey, look… about-"

"I don't want to talk about it,” she told him, and kept her intense gaze level and away from him.

He sucked in a breath and pressed his lips together. "Yep, sure, okay." He scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. He'd screwed that up then.

The quiet returned as they approached her house.

The lights were off. Guess that giant scumwad was out. Cussing good, maybe she could get some peace.

They stopped in front of the path to her door, next to a streetlamp. He just stood there. 

Yeesh, now what was he supposed to say?

She turned to him first, with one of the more sincere looks he’d witnessed from. It still wasn't that sincere, and was a bit terrifying, but it was different. 

“Thank you,” said Fanny Cottontail.

He sort of choked and coughed, and then cleared his throat. “Don’t… don’t mention it,” he murmured, with a face as hot as the cussing sun. “Don’t think I did much to help anyway.”

She forced a chuckle through her nose, and then faced her house. "Well, you certainly weren't my first choice."

He nodded, shrugging a shoulder. "That's fair." 

He stayed by the streetlamp as she went up to her door, unlocking and opening it. 

“Call me when you pick a spot for dinner,” she called just as he was about to leave, before she left, closing the door.

He facepalmed once she was out of view. Starfallen dammit. Dinner. He needed to work on that.

He spent the journey back home thinking hard about where to take her. Where the cuss did you take a dame- a friend like Fanny?? He only knew the scummiest places around.

Eventually his train of thought travelled into the frequently visited mess that was 'what do I do about the Devil.' They really needed to report soon.

They’d been avoiding it. Hard. They hadn’t reported since the last time Mugs saw Dice, going with the excuse that Cup was still healing.

He was actually surprised they hadn’t been taken yet. The Boss usually never paid attention to whether they had injuries or not. He certainly hadn’t when Mugs had been in the hospital.

Maybe the Boss was busy or something. Cup hoped so. These past couple weeks without all the debtor stardust… had been great. And he knew Mugs was certainly enjoying it.

Stars, what a cussing can of worms.

He felt the itch creep up on him again. He really needed a smoke.

Surely it had been long enough now, right? It had been a few weeks.

A few weeks. These things took months to heal.

He cursed under his breath. Cuss this. He wasn’t waiting several months.

"Oi."

Cup lifted his head to search for the cause of the noise. He pulled his hand out his pocket.

It was Bendy. He was sat on the edge of the roof.

Cussing- Was he stuck?? That was hilarious. 

He smirked. "You stuck?"

Chapter Text

Mugman was sat on the step to the back door of the house, watching Boris, Noodle and Bean. After winding down from the dancing, they had offered to teach him about shields and how useful they were in combat. 

Mugs had to admit, it wasn't a bad idea. They started showing him ways to, well, shield himself, but also how to use it as a melee weapon. A weapon with no blades or anything, nothing too brutal. It was right up Boris' alley.

Boris also seemed interested in it. Bean offered him his shield, and explained how to hold it properly. The wolf slid his arm into the hold. Bean let go.

He exclaimed as his arm was yanked to the ground. "Too heavy-" He wheezed.

Ouch. Mugs ducked into his scarf to hide his giggles. Guess that was the first major con then.

He felt a hand brush his shoulder. Cala plopped down next to him.

"Hey," he greeted with a grin. She grinned back.

"What's going on here then?" She looked to the three.

He shrugged lightly. "Noodle and Bean are tryin' to teach Boris a coupla things. Apparently they use shields in fights."

Cala’s thin brows knitted together thoughtfully. "I don't think I've ever seen one before,” she admitted, with Paul mirroring her expression. “At least, not one like that." 

"No kiddin', those are old. Older than the Boss," he jested. Cala tittered.

Her expression fell a bit, and she glanced at him with her big eyes. 

“How are things going?" She spoke softly. "You know... with that."

Oh, he knew. He blew his lips out as he searched for an answer. 

“Well... " He clicked his tongue. "I dunno, Cup's still workin' on it, I think. We haven't reported for a while, but I've been stallin' it, usin' Cuppy's surgery as an excuse. He's gettin' stressed."

She blinked sadly. "I'm sorry."

He shook his head. "It ain't your fault,” he said, and took her hand in his. "Don't worry, we'll find a way out."

She realised and corrected her expression, placing her hand on top of his and nodding firmly. "Of course you will."

"Always do." He winked. A smile tugged at her lips.

She tilted her head fondly at him, her giant eyes gleaming.

Stars, Mugs had something to say. But had no idea where to start. He tugged at his scarf.

At the beginning? Yeah, probably. Oh boy.

She seemed to have picked up on his distractedness. She was eyeing him with a wondering glint.

“You okay?"

It was now or never then. He straightened up, and shifted to face her fully. She did the same. He focused on their hands as he gathered his words together in his head.

“… In the Labyrinth, a lot... happened,” he started. “And I’ve talked about 'em briefly, but… you know we were in those dreams?”

“Right,” she confirmed.

“Basically, these dreams… were built off of our dreams. Like, what we wanted for the future, or what we wanted to go back to- A-a big world where everythin’ was good,” he described, though didn’t think he was doing a great job at it. But Cala was patient like that.

“I went through an entire two years of the best life I could’ve imagined,” he said with a laugh of amazement, to which she smiled.

He gazed down again, brushing his thumb over her knuckles. “You and me… we had a whole life together.”

Her warm smile only grew. “Tell me more,” she prompted softly.

“We uhh… we were married, and free of… all our stupid ties,”  he exaggerated with humour. She giggled lightly

“We moved back to the Isles, I got knighted, got plane licences together… We even had a kid… ”

“It was just,” he sighed and lowered his shoulders, looking up at the night sky. “… just perfect.”

His eyes widened. “-N-not that I want to put pressure on you or anythin’, we don’t have to live that life at all if you don’t want to. A-and I know if we did it wouldn’t be perfect. That was a dream, and this… is real life… Stars, what am I sayin’,” he muttered more to himself.

Cala reached a hand up, and palmed his cheek. “It sounds lovely,” she uttered with a rosey face. “Any future with you sounds lovely.”

Mugs smiled so hard his face cussing hurt. He held and brushed her wrist, whilst his other hand still clasped hers, eventually guiding her other back down, to grip them both firmly. Determinedly.

He inhaled through his nose.

“I wanna take you on a date," he told her. "A proper one. Just the two of us. Wherever you wanna go. No Boss, or Cup, as much as I love 'im. No screamin' kids runnin' around the house, barbarian or otherwise.”

She giggled, and gazed at him with adoration. "Oh, Mugsy."

“I want a life with you, Cala. I will fight with my very soul if I have to, to get the life I want, and the life you deserve. I've never been more determined. I want a life where we're totally free to be ourselves and be with each other. One with Cup and Holly and Alice, and Bendy and Boris- e-everyone. One with you." 

She beamed, biting her lip as she buzzed with what he hoped was joy. "Yes," she breathed.

"Really??" He gave a laugh

"Yes, yes, yes, a million times, yes!" She shouted, and then flew towards him, throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him. 

He fell back on an elbow, and clutched her waist and returned the kiss. 

He was so happy he could cry. Truly, for once he felt like he had a future. Hope. Hope for the future. He had something more than just freedom to fight for.

And he was going to do everything in his power to get it. For him, for Cala, for Cup. For everyone.

Mugs was brought back down from space, as she moved back, after noticing something to his right. He looked over.

Oh, right. Bean, Noodle and Boris were still there. Bean was bellowing and winding up a fist to hype Boris up as he and Noodle went for a sparring, but ultimately tripped and let the weight of the shield carry him to the ground. He ate dirt. Next thing that followed was laughter, from all three of them.

“Golly, forgot we had company,” Mugs admitted and scratched the side of his mug, as the two moved to sit up again, their shoulders shaking.

A yellow blur bounded between the pair and had them blink. Snowball?

Lil' Monster followed shortly after.

"Cuss this place!"

Ah, Cup was home from walking Fanny home.

"Oh my," he heard Cala exclaim.

Sure enough, Mugs’ grumpy brother stormed through next. He was practically boiling.

Cup briefly peered at him from the corner of his eye and studied him in a sceptical manner.

He was probably still kinda red. Oops. He gained a sheepish grin.

His big bro dismissed any interest he had in that and went over to him. "How much cussin' longer, bro?? I'm gonna lose my mind if one more of you starfallen schmucks smacks a cig outta my damn hand! It's been weeks!" He gripped at the air in frustration. "I’m cussin’ dyin’ here!”

Mugs rolled his eyes. Here they went again.

Felix had had a good time dancing, but a day later and his legs were dying. Everyone’s legs were dying. 

Noodle lumbered down the stairs behind her siblings, groaning in pain. "Yun is the wirst spaegie I've ivir had,” she claimed. There were some cackles from the youngest in the group.

"Yeah, me arms are screamin'." Soup glared at said limbs.

Felix smiled in sympathy, and led the three of them into the living room. Holly and Xedo had something to show them.

The house was a little quiet. The Warners and Dr. Scratchansniff had left early morning to sort some business out in Warnerburg. Apparently the city had blown up overnight. Felix wasn’t sure if that was figuratively or literally. It could’ve gone either way, really. Whichever one it was he wished them luck, he was sure they’d need it.

Two of the girls had popped over - Cala, and Holly. Cala had collected Mugman for a day out together, and Alice was visiting a friend today. So it was just Xedo, Wiston, and Holly over. And with Boris, Red and Granny busy preparing for dinner, and Professor Oddswell working in his office, it was mildly empty.

They filed into the sitting room, and gathered around the coffee table, where Xedo was sat on the couch, and Holly was stood. Bendy and Cuphead were in the background having a tussle of some sort. Wiston was fussing with Fireball on the floor.

Holly gently pushed a sleeping Snowball and Lil’ Monster off some papers, adjusting her page layout, the trio's map being the focal point. Her attention flicked to them as they entered.

“Alright," she clapped her hands and put them up to her mouth. "So. We’ve been doing some brainstorming of sorts, and we've come up with a new lead - a new perspective."

"A new perspective?" Felix inquired, tilting his hat back as he grew curious.

Xedo bobbed his head. "It is the best way to go about it from here, this map is quite the conundrum. We were wondering: who exactly inscribed this?"

"Oor Faider," Soup answered.

"Yes," the fox acknowledged, "and is he prone to cracking jokes or using things such as metaphors? Could this map have been coded or something along those lines?"

Her face fell. "Fir da love o Odin."

Noodle pursed her lips as it dawned on her. "It's no actually a burn, is it? It's a trick."

Holly reached up to twiddle a lock of hair. "Well, that's what we suspect." She explained. "Would he do that type of thing?" 

“Yes, he would,” Bean flatly verified.

"That does sound like him,” Felix mused. As far as he knew the man. He himself wasn’t family, only friend.

He then tapped the finger he had to his chin in the air resolutely. "We should get to work on finding other things in this city that could resemble a river. I reckon that's our best bet." His eyes drifted up in thought, before focusing back on them. "Look for something more crude."

Xedo raised a critical brow. When nobody said anything, he let out a sigh and adjusted his spectacles. "As you wish. Crude it is,” he declared, and moved to get up from the couch. Holly started scooping up her papers, shoving Snowball further, to the point of awakening.

"Thanks for the help you two," the cat told them.

"Yeah, du guys are legends." Soup grinned and gave a thumbs-up.

Holly grinned too, gripping where the straps of her satchel met the bag itself. "No problem. I'm glad I could help, and I missed cracking codes with this smart-aleck." She nudged a shoulder in the fox's direction.

"I will take that as a compliment,” he retorted cooly. Felix chuckled lightly.

His ear twitched as the doorbell rang. 

Who could that be?

Bendy leaned over and peeked through the window to see. Then, he made a strange noise in his throat and whirled around in panic. 

“It's the Detectives."

"Oh, cuss,” Cuphead cursed, after taking a look for himself.

The Vikings.

Felix pointed to the doorway. "Get to the kitchen and hide." He sort of ordered the trio. Soup, Noodle and Bean didn’t waste any time in bolting off, shoving past each other in desperation.

"What do we do??" Bendy questioned those left in the room.

"We bend the truth," Xedo offered, "as we have done multiple times now."

“You know for the amount you school me on honesty you’re a pretty frequent and easy liar,” Wiston reported with a displeased expression.

Xedo blinked, his face unchanging. 

“We will talk on this later,” he noted.

Cuphead rolled his shoulders, smothering a small wince. "Just keep 'em in here,” he said as if that were the obvious way to go, leaning down to pick up the two sleepy dandehogs and ferry them onto each shoulder. “Chat about whatever they wanna chat about, and then kick 'em out again."

"Yes, that." Felix agreed with a judgmental tone. While the dish’s laidback attitude irked him, he was right. They could just keep them to the sitting room, and everything would be fine. Now- 

The door opened. "Oh, hello!" Granny's voice rang out, already greeting them. "We weren't expecting you two. Why, come on in."

"Thank you, Mrs Gopher." Detective Featherworth said.

"Do you want any tea? Lemonade? Me and dear Boris just made some fresh."

"Just two teas, thanks." Ringtail requested, and then let out a sigh. "Just need to speak to the boys quickly. Don't worry, we'll be outta your hair in no time."

"Oh, don't be silly, you're always welcome here."

"Boys! The Detectives are here!" Granny called.

Felix, Bendy, Cuphead, Holly, Xedo, and Wiston, all glanced at each other.

Bendy went out into the hallway. Felix trailed behind him.

"Hey, what's up?" The demon greeted. It was brief. The two started walking past him.

"Nothin' much," Ringtail waved, "just a weird report. We were wondering if you lot were behind it."

Granny was leading them into the kitchen. Oh no.

Holly slid in front of the ladies in a last-ditch attempt to stop them. "A report, you say?" She queried through gritted teeth.

"Yes, it was described as a 'magic surge'." Featherworth quoted, before they entered the kitchen after Granny. Oh no.

Holly gave a silent wince, while Bendy panicked and slid in with the two detectives.

“You couldn’t have cussin’ put them upstairs or somethin’?!” Cup hissed towards the cat as he stalked by, following in after. Felix had barely been given time to react to any of this, not even to get mad at those who bothered him.

Expecting the worst, he rushed into the kitchen, with Xedo and Wiston on his tail. He swept over the room.

There was no sign of the three. Oh, good.

He felt himself relax slightly, the others having done the same, although mildly confused. 

Good good. They were either hiding or gone.

Granny put the kettle on.

Boris approached them. "What's going on?" He tilted his head.

Featherworth took out a notepad. "An anonymous citizen phoned the police and mentioned a 'magic surge',” she repeated, putting a pen to paper. "They sounded concerned."

"Anonymous?" Holly furrowed her brow.

"Maybe a demon or somethin'?" Bendy suggested, due to the mention of magic.

Cuphead scoffed. "There ain’t enough cussin' magic in the world to spook a de-" His eyes got big again for a second as he spotted something above their heads, before he quickly snapped back to them. "-mon."

"Did you guys have anything to do with it? Anything to do with all your, you know, magic?" Ringtail made an all-encompassing circular motion.

Felix followed Cup's line of sight up to the ceiling. There, with her hands and feet lodged against the walls to keep her up, was Soup. She was staring down at them in horror.

He immediately looked away. Bloody hell.

Granny came over with their teas.

"-We… a-actually got a report too, for some reason,” Felix revealed. “We headed out a week or so ago to see what it was about, but we couldn't find anything,” he chimed in to keep their attention towards him and not the dish in the ceiling.

Bendy saw her too. He slapped a hand over his mouth.

Then Boris. Bendy covered his mouth as well.

"Nothing?" Ringtail almost sneered.

"Nothing, sorry." Felix smiled apologetically.

Holly noticed next, and dragged her hands down her face. Xedo sighed inaudibly, while Wiston had to stop himself from laughing.

"You didn't happen to feel anything?" Featherworth asked, turning to Bendy, and sipped on her tea after putting her notebook under her wing.

He shook his head rapidly. "Nope. Nothin'."

Ringtail threw her head back and groaned about something being boring. Her partner elbowed her lightly, to which she straightened up again, moving her hat.

“It didn't have anything to do with your machine?" The bird inquired.

The cat itched his neck. "No. We wish it had."

Featherworth blinked her usual calm blink. "Alright." She set her drink down. "Well, we best be going then. Lots of paperwork to do," she mentioned as a small jab to the raccoon.

It was noted. She puffed up a little. "Thank you for your hospitality,” she grit out.

Granny patted her arm, blissfully unaware. "Anytime."

"Yeah," Bendy laughed nervously and started pushing them out, "anytime, but you're done here now soIthinkyoushouldleavethankyoubye." 

The door shut.

Everyone's shoulders fell in relief. 

Bendy trotted in again and wiped his forehead with a stressed expression. "That took a couple more months off my life,” he declared. Cuphead snorted.

Felix swept the room. "You can come out now,” he assured.

Granny gasped as Soup jumped down and clasped her wrists with a pained breath. "Me poor hands min."

Bean crawled out of the oven and stretched his legs. "Yikes,” he winced, moving his braced wrist. What was more concerning was that his sleeve was smoking. 

“Dude, you’ve got a little something on your sleeve,” Bendy alerted. He noticed it, and let out a voice-cracked exclamation, patting the smoke out. Soup was laughing at him.

"Ay yo gees a hand," a muffled voice came from somewhere. That was Noodle then.

Boris tracked it to a cupboard and opened it. A mug fell out and he fumbled to catch it.

The other wolf was in said cupboard, scrunched up like a cube of rubbish, she held out a twisted arm, which, once he’d saved the mug, he took and pulled. She popped out and landed on her feet. 

"I think we should have a better plan prepared, if this situation ever arises again," Xedo brought up.

"That is a good idea." Holly nodded. In fact, everyone nodded.

Bendy tossed a thumb over his shoulder. "Think they're onto us?"

Cup shrugged, bothering the dandehog hiding under his coat collar. "Probably. They're detectives."

"Boy," the dish then exhaled, planting his hands on his hips, "we need ta get you guys outta here fast. When are ya leavin'?" He said with a little too much eager.

Granny thwacked him in the shin with her cane. "They can stay as long as they want." She scorned. The dish rolled his eyes, leaning over to rub his shin.

While, again, his delivery was something Felix didn’t agree with, he did agree that having the Vikings here was getting difficult. Oddswell was right. They couldn’t stay here for long.

“… If you two are staying for lunch,” Felix began as he stepped up to Xedo and Holly, “would you mind if I joined in on your research?”

“Not at all - we’d be glad of it,” Xedo responded. Holly buzzed excitedly from next to him.

“Oh yeah, we’re getting the band back together!” She announced, and made her way out the kitchen, striking some enthusiastic dance moves as she did so. Felix trailed after her with a twitch in his tail, as he and most of the others filed out the kitchen.

“Hol, you gotta stop,” Cuphead implored. Felix doubted she heard.

Boris and Bendy said some things in passing, before Bendy left. He scooted up to the Vikings.

“You guys into pranks?” Felix overheard.

For the rest of the day, a slew of pranks were set on Cup. It had made Bendy's week.

Soup, Noods and Bean were apparently very experienced in 'Loki days', and had been his partners in crime in torturing the man. They pulled some smaller stunts at first, just to tick him off, but as the day went on and he left to do ‘business’, their pranks increased.

They managed to sneak sticks of charcoal into his cigarette case, which confused the ever-loving cuss out of him. They put a get-well-soon card by his plate at lunch. That was hilarious. They were able to trick him with chilli tablet - a weird block candy that was just pure sugar, except with chilli added - and he spent the next several minutes chugging milk.

And, they managed to braid his hair while he took a nap on the sofa, and the guy could not figure out how to get it out. He’d had to go to the hospital for a check up with it still in. He’d been cussing furious.

Tonight, Soup had set up a new prank. She had written blank runes on Cup's bed. Though Bendy couldn’t have figured out it was a blank rune just by looking at it. It was scribbly, to say the least.

"Du sure yun is gunni wirk?" Noods had looked doubtful.

"Nope," she responded. Well, that just filled Bendy with confidence. Great. 

He had watched on with crossed arms, growing sceptical of her abilities. "You sure it isn't gonna, you know, cussing explode?" He questioned.

"It's jost a blank rune, it's no dangerous by itsell." She dismissed.

He huffed. “Says the woman who just started learning ru-"

"What is going on here??" 

Bendy flinched. Cuss. That was Holly. 

He spun around slowly. "Heeeeeyy, Hol."

She approached them and put her hands on her hips. And waited. 

"Well?"

"We're maakin Cupheed’s beed disappear," Bean said plainly. 

Soup mimicked a scribbling motion with her pencil. "Blank runes?"

An eager look had passed through Holly's eyes. She had to suppress it. She took a deep breath and tried to compose herself, sticking her nose up in the air. "Well, that is... unsafe, and I don't condone your actions."

She’d started buzzing, and whatever control she had eventually snapped, rushing over and crouching down. "I'm helping."

Now, they were waiting for Cup to show up. He and Mugs had gone out to do whatever they do, and hadn't come back yet. It was late. Past dinner.

Bendy sighed in boredom, propping his chin up on his fist.

Holly tapped her nails rhythmically on the windowsill as she kept an eye out, whistling idly.

"Uuuuughh, I'm so bored. Noodle dae somethin' pls,” Soup whined for the millionth time.

Her sister slammed her head into the wall. "Please. Stop."

"Yun is da last prank," Bean finalised. Bendy was with him on that one.

Holly perked up, stammering and motioning to alert them of movement outside.

Finally, they were back. 

The door practically slammed open. Cup stormed in and made a beeline for the stairs.

"Sorry, guys," Mugs called out them, trudging through the hallway after his brother.

Everyone who had been behind the prank gave each other an alarmed look. They had cussed up.

"Hey- wait!" Bendy darted over to him. 

Mugs raised a brow, pausing at the bottom of the stairs.

Bendy hissed a wince through his teeth. “How… angry… would you say he was?” Bendy asked gingerly, shrinking into his shoulders. “One to ten?”

Mugs’ eyes bulged as it dawned on him. He lolled his head back with a pleading look. “You didn’t.”

“We… did,” Holly confirmed, cringing herself.

“What did you do,” he breathed with dread. Bendy shrank further.

A loud bang sounded from upstairs. "AGH-”

...

"WHERE THE CUSS DID YOU PUT MY DAMN BED?!"

Chapter Text

So, Cup learned a new thing this afternoon. 

The Vikings kids - and just them, no Bendy, the mook - had made him something called 'Sorry soup', which he was a hundred percent cussing sure was made up.

Either way, they were trying to make up for the pranks they had pulled on him, cause what a cussing evening that had been.

Last night, after being called in by that rat Mortimer for his little cussing favour, Cup and Mugs had chased a kid around the whole damn city. Cuss knew why he was involved with Mort. Cup was half tempted to just leave 'im be. Knowing the rat it was probably all for some petty reason.

At some point the kid had just cussing disappeared, and then they got a call from Mort saying the mark had left the state hours ago, which made no cussing sense. Cup had just wanted to go to starfallen bed after that.

But instead he and Mugs had come home to find the pipsqueak and the trio had written those invisibility runes on his entire. Cussing. Bed.

And H had helped. Cup had never felt so betrayed.

He was gonna get them all back... eventually. For now, he just wanted a normal day. 

He wasn't getting it.

Back to the soup. Yeah, he was very afraid.

It could be another prank, it could be a genuine soup. A toss-up. Or, in the Vikings' terms, a horrendous attempt at the food.

Apparently Granny had supervised when they made it, so it couldn't be that bad, could it?

Red placed down a huge pot of soup.

Cup leaned over in his chair and, with trepidation, took a whiff of it. 

It wasn't bad so far. It smelled like vegetables, mainly. Was it safe?

Mugs chuckled from next to him. "It's just soup, bro. It’s okay."

"No, it's not okay, bro," he stressed and swiped his hands definitively. "You haven't been here. You've been goin' off on little dates with your girlfriend,” he mocked, pitching his voice higher in an immature tone.

Mugs gave him a very unimpressed glare.

“Dude,” Bendy judged from across from him. Everyone was looking at him now.

He realised, and dropped his head in shame. "Sorry. That was low."

His bro gave a single nod of satisfaction. "You're forgiven."

He then reached over, grabbed the ladle. "Here, I'll try it first,” he volunteered. Cup, and practically everyone at the table, observed him as he poured some into his bowl, put a big, lumpy spoonful into his mouth and chewed. He swallowed. 

His eyes widened with pleasant surprise. “Hey, that ain't bad," he murmured.

With that reaction, a couple others began taking turns on filling their own bowls. Cup eyed them all as they had similar reactions, some of them humming in delight.

With a sharp sigh, Cup took his own ladleful. He tasted it gingerly, just licking the spoon at first.

Stars, it was fine. Fine. He didn't know why, but that was somehow more annoying.

Soup and Noodle walked into the dining room with every cussing flour in existence all over them, and a plate in hand.

"Bannocks." Soup grinned.

"Bannocks?" Shortstack parroted.

"Yep." Noodle placed the plate down on the table. There were weird triangle-shaped buns on it, pale as a ghost. Appetising.

"Dey’re kinda lik bread, but no as bread... -y,” Soup expertly explained.

“Yeah? Who'da thought,” Cup muttered, and got a pinch on the arm from Mugs. He gave him an angry ‘what did I do’ expression in response.

"From what I’ve observed, they seem like a mix between a roll and a scone," Red elaborated, taking one and slicing it open with a butter knife. 

Bendy shook his head to himself. "The cuss is a scone?" He mumbled with a dumb frown. Cup resisted the urge to pull his spoon back and flick a chunk of carrot at him.

"They're a crumbly cake kind of... thing, and are commonly eaten over in England with jam and butter, and a cup of tea." Felix picked a 'bannick'. "I think here they're most like your version of biscuits, or English muffins."

"Huh," Boris hummed, his brow furrowed.

"Bannocks need tae be scranned wee soup,” Bean advised with a snicker. "Dey’re bruck weeoot it."

Cup snatched one of the bread-like things and inspected it. He ripped it apart, and draped it into his soup, then stuffing it in his mouth.

Yeah, it worked. It wasn't up to Granny's level, but it was okay for lunch. Whatever, he'd eat it.

It didn't take long for the food to disappear, surprisingly enough. There was enough left for leftovers though.

The Warners and Scratchansniff showed up as they began clearing up. The sounds of tired groans and feet-dragging sounded through the hallway, before the three zanies appeared in the dining room doorway. They looked beat.

"Woah, what's up with you guys?" Bendy quizzed with shaking shoulders.

"Warnerburg's a mess," Wakko told them, then tipped over and face-planted into the floor.

"There's a new zany in town, and it's got the po-po all jumpy. Couldn't catch a break,” Yakko said, slumping.

"They tried to steal my poor baby." Dot's lip trembled as she rocked the freaky box that had her 'pet' in it. She kissed it, her lips stretching out and sticking to it for a second, before she pulled at her skirt and dropped the box into an invisible pocket attached.

Yakko sidled up to them, stepping over his brother and squishing his head further into the ground, and then perched an arm on the dining table. "Catch an ol' pal up, will ya? Wha’did I miss?"

"A prank war. It was mostly one-sided though," Holly noted with amusement. Cup shot a glare in her direction. Traitor.

Wakko popped up and gripped onto the table with wide eyes. "A prank war??" A kettle started whistling. He tugged back and forth on the wood and threw his head back. "Are you kidding me?!"

Yakko clicked his fingers. "Darn. Shoulda stuck around."

"Yeah, well, we're done now. Tough luck." Cup shoved his chair out and left to take his dirty dishes to the kitchen.

He heard Wakko rage, and chuckled to himself.

The group of jokesters spent some time briefing them on all of the tricks they'd pulled on Cup, after migrating to the kitchen. Cuphead listened on unhappily, taking a folded-arms and crossed-ankles stance against the counter. Wakko kept facepalming, eventually hard enough to knock himself over. He was real upset about it.

"Oh, we even braided his hair. He had to go to the hospital with 'em in,” Bendy slapped his knee with a cackle. Oh, Cup was getting him back.

"How did you even manage to do that?" Felix raised an eyebrow and squinted at them with that cussing father look. But there was a hint of humour in his eyes. Cup hated it here.

Soup jabbed a thumb at her brother. "Thunder hooves o’er here can be muckle light on his feet whin he wants tae."

"You?" Cup sneered.

Bean grinned his pebble grin. "Me."

He felt Granny pat his arm. "I thought those braids were quite charming."

He held in a scoff. It was Granny. "Thanks, I guess." He grumbled.

"Hey, maybe you could do them again?" Holly had a more genuine smile now. Cup studied it for any faults. "You could do it properly this time."

Three Viking heads turned to him.

"No."

Ten minutes later he was sat on the cussing floor with Noodle and Soup on the sofa behind him, doing his hair.

"Ow." He repeated in a monotone voice as one of 'em yanked his head back.

"Wheesht, du big bairn." Noods replied. Mugs was creasing over in the corner. 

“At least I have hair," he threw at his brother. He pouted.

Cup quirked a lip as his head got yanked again. He sighed inwardly.

“How'd you get your hair to grow that cussin’ long, anyway?” He asked the dish behind him. “Mine doesn't do nothin' anymore."

"I dunni kain, it jost grew." She said. No kidding.

"Miybe it's doon tae genetics or somethin'," Noodle suggested. "Mam had lang lacks."

"Our mom had hair that went to her waist." Mugs mentioned.

"Dad had cuss-all,” Cup added with an eye-roll.

Soup danced over that part. "So du could be able tae grow it oot. Miybe du jost his tae wish fir it?"

He laughed loudly. "What, like a cussin' magic star or somethin'?" He glanced at his brother to see if he shared his amusement.

Mugs had a curious expression.

He stared at him deadpan. "Seriously bro?"

He shrugged and mumbled, "It's magic. It could work. Ya never know."

"Alright, I'll go to my bed tonight - my visible bed - and dream about havin' longer locks then, shall I?" He proposed, his tone coated in sarcasm. "Just will my hair to grow longer.”

"That mean I could will mine into existence?" Mugs asked with hopeful eyes. Tsk.

Cup felt the girls' grip on his head loosen.

Noodle got up and kicked his arm. "Okay, come on girly, lit’s go find du a mirror,” she said and skipped off.

Cup let out a begrudging sigh and stood up to go after her.

They climbed upstairs and headed over to his room, where he ducked into the bathroom to see whatever the cuss they did to his hair.

He had tried to, but was currently distracted by the wolf next to him eyeing the mirror up close.

Cup stared at her in disbelief. “You just wanted to come up here to look at yourself in the mirror,” he accused.

She scoffed a laugh at being found out. “No… I wanted tae see hoo du liked dy plaits,” she claimed.

He snorted. “Yeah. Right.”

She whacked his arm. “Du’s no reactin’. React, min.”

He looked back to the mirror, and checked out his braids.

What was infuriating was that there was only two braids. How can two starfallen braids take that long and hurt that much?

But, other than that fact, they looked okay. He had one pulling some of his hair back, and another sticking out near the back. They weren't neat, but, neat wasn't his style anyway.

"Huh," he hummed.

"'Huh'?" She threw her hands out. "Yun's it?"

He snickered a bit. "Ya didn't let me finish. Think it's cool."

"Yeah?" She said with more energy now, grinning.

"Yes, don't make me say it again,” he grumbled.

She cackled and punched his arm, and then followed with more cussing punches.

He started stepping back. "Agh! What- Hey!" He clutched his arm to protect it. "Knock it off!"

"Fight me.” She challenged, raising her fists and bobbing from side to side.

"Really?" He asked plainly.

"Yeah, really." She backtracked into the main chunk of his room.

He paused. Then walked straight past her. “No. That’s stupid.”

She bemoaned this, and followed after him with a huff. “Du’s muckle borin’ sometimes.”

He headed through the hall and down the stairs with the wolf in tow, returning to the living room. Holly was there now. To make things worse, Alice and Cala had shown up as well. And Bendy. He burst out laughing as soon as they entered. Surprisingly, Soup flicked his horn, which totally threw him off. At least it shut him up.

"Oh." Alice exclaimed softly as she noticed him. Holly's mouth fell open. Stars.

Cup craned his head towards Mugs, ignoring the embarrassment creeping in on him. "Didn't care ta tell me they were gonna come over?"

He put his hands up in surrender from next to Cala. "I-I didn't know they were comin'. Honest." Meanwhile his girlfriend held a hand up to her mouth to try hide her smile.

Alice didn't hide hers. "I think it looks dashing, Cup." She commented. She did that creepy angel stardust and saw right through him.

Holly whirled to Soup. "Can you do ours??" She had stars in her eyes.

The dish smirked and cracked her neck, then her back with a hiss out. "We've got some wirk tae do, Noods,” she declared. Her sister smirked back.

It turned into a cussing braid party. Cup had to admit, he was curious as to how they worked. He still didn't really get what chunks of hair went where.

Soup took care of the girls', and Noodle took care of the guys' after Cup had teased Bendy into doing it, and Felix had volunteered.

Alice got a braid that crowned over her head. Holly got one that followed her hair part and went to the back of her head. Snowball inspected it closely. The little puffball seemed jealous. 

Bendy requested a couple small ones near the back of his head, and Felix got one done in his hair. Cup complained that nobody would see it, but, no, it peeked out from under his hat. 

Mugs tried to learn from them and practiced gently with Paul's tentacles. It looked rough. But the mermaid and octopus both seemed to enjoy it.

After a while, Bean, Boris, Xedo, Wiston and the Warners came in to see what was going on. The girls offered to do theirs. 

Wiston cringed in disgust. Xedo was interested but didn't want to taint his pompous style. Cup thought it was a poor excuse. He was a cussing assassin, the Devil's lapdog, and still got two. Wusses, both of ‘em.

Wakko was still in a mood, though offered up as practice for Dot, who then offered up to Yakko. Soon, they had their own train going.

Boris didn't really want one - his teenage embarrassment denied any coaxing from Bendy, who eventually just gave up.

Some more weird Viking chants were started by Bean. Something about 'blood red eyes' and 'devouring clothes and all', Cup didn't know. But it was fun. It even got Wakko out his sulking.

Maybe the starfallen sorry soup was working.

"It eits fire?"

"Yep."

Bean's brow knitted further. What.

"Lik a dragon?" He queried.

Wiston hummed in thought, his eyes squinted. "Maybe. I've never seen a dragon in person before. Do they eat fire?"

"Oh yeah." He sighed. "Dey breathe it too. Bit o a nightmaar sometimes."

Bean focused back on the bird-thing. It sort of screamed at him.

"I think she's real swell. She grows on ya." Yakko danced his fingers around her. Dot was lied down with her chin on her hands and her feet swinging up and down behind her. Wakko was in a huff.

"Yeah, she's got me out quite a few pickles,” Wiston said, and scratched under her chin affectionately. She chittered a bit.

"Could we stert a peerie fire?" Bean looked at the fox, and then his older brother, who was supervising them. They were outside in the garden.

"You don't wanna start a fire around Wiston or the Warners,” Boris warned with a head shake of horror. “It's bad."

"You got that right." Dot giggled. Yakko nudged her. 

"You're not helpin', our case here, sis,” he grumbled through grit teeth, shooting indicating glances towards Xedo.

Xedo gave them all a once-over, folding his arms. Then, he ambled over to one of the patio chairs and brought out a newspaper. "I suppose you can. You are old enough to be doing these things safely now."

Wiston brought a fist down in victory. "Yes." He hissed.

"Well, then, we need materials,” Boris said. He got ready to stand up.

"I got it." Bean piped up. The wolf sat back down, as he brought out his fire-starter pack and a sack of stones. Fireball flitted over and sniffed at it curiously.

Boris angled his head. "You just keep that stuff on you?"

He jerked his shoulders. "I mean, yeah. Du nivir kains whin du'll need it." He took out some rocks and began making a circle.

Wiston scrambled for something he stored in his shoe, bringing out some matches. His older brother eyed him. He chuckled sheepishly.

Wakko suddenly grabbed his brother's face and literally put his eyes against his. "Why did we have to leave on the one day there was a prank war?!" He howled.

Yakko smushed his head on top of his, petting his head as his eyes filled with water. “There there, brother.”

They spent a bit trying to console him while Bean and Wiston worked on the fire. Plotting future pranks helped. He still pouted though. Bean thought it was funny.

He filled the circle of stones with straw and coal he had stored, and a type of sap that was insanely flammable. He had to push Fireball out of the way - she almost got drenched in it. 

Once the setup was ready, the fox struck a match and dropped it in. The mound lit up. He beamed. "Sweet!"

Fireball cawed and hopped from rock to rock, fluttering her wings. Wiston and Boris chuckled.

The Warners all whipped out sticks with weird white blobs on the end and held them over the flames with watering mouths.

"Whit is yun?” The dish asked, motioning to the blobs. They were weird.

“What, marshmallows?" Boris quirked a brow. He nodded. "Oh, they're like these weird fluffy sugar balls. Like if a cloud was edible, but it's much more gummy. They're pretty strange, now that I think about it."

Dot pulled out another blob and held it out to him. "Wanna try one?'

Bean hesitantly took it, and sniffed at it. It did not smell right. He put it up to his mouth and bit it.

Horrendous texture. He spat it out into his palm and grimaced. It sent a shiver up his spine. "Yun's mank min."

They all cracked up at his reaction, as he looked them over in confusion. “Hoo does du eit yun??'

"'Cause they're delicious!" Dot opened her maw and stuffed her stick in her mouth, licking her fingers clean.

"It's part of the fun of campfires," Boris told him with a laugh. "What do you do if you don't melt marshmallows?"

"I dunno. We sing an play tunes, dance," he listed. "Oh, an we burn pinecones."

"Pinecones?" The wolf repeated.

"Burn?" Wiston said at the same time.

"Yeah, wan second." He rummaged through his kit to see if he could find some. He brought out a few.

He picked the longest one and hovered it over the flames. It smoked a bit, before it lit on fire. The fire burned green.

Wiston stared in wonder, before he cackled with joy. "That's amazing!"

Dot reached out to touch it, but was stopped by her brother, to which she frowned.

“Ain't that somethin', huh bro?" Yakko beamed at Wakko.

He jerked a shoulder. "'S cool or whatever,” he mumbled, trying to pass it off.

"Y'know, I prefer that over marshmallows," Boris admitted with a chuckle.

“How did you get it green??” Yakko breathed, and looked to Bean expectantly. Bean blinked.

“Dunna worry aboot it,” he dissmissed.

Wiston jerked forward. "Wait, Fireball! Don't-"

There was an inhale. Bean looked back at his pinecone to find it only smouldering.

"-do that." Wiston deflated, and pointed at the bird, frowning. "You are a little terror!" He scolded. She just 'aahhh'd in his face.

Boris giggled. "Well, at least we have the-"

Wooosh. The whole fire was gone.

"Fireball!" They all cried.

There went that then. Piltics.

Xedo folded up his paper. "On that note, I think that is enough fire for today, don't you?" He stated, knowing full well that they'd disagree.

More whines went around. Bean gathered the rocks up again, though tested to see how hot they were beforehand.

"You're not getting any of my dinner,” Wiston told the dear-bird as she flew and landed on his shoulder. She screamed at him. He pursed his lips in annoyance.

"Let's go see what the gang's up to." Yakko lifted his chin up and marched into the house, his arms swinging. His siblings weren't happy. 

"Probably something boring," one of them complained.

Bean and the others caught up to join the three, strolling through the house.

They found a whole group chilling in the sitting room. By the looks of it, they were plaiting each other's hair.

Chapter Text

Bendy had suggested going out for a night on the town to let off some steam, and to show the Vikings around. It had taken a lot of organising, but, with help from the girls, they finally got it sorted. Mugman, along with Cuphead, Bendy, Felix, Soup, Noodle, and Bean were either ready, or in the process of getting ready. Boris and Wiston couldn't have been more uninterested, so they were staying behind with Granny and the doctors, and Xedo as well. He had claimed he wanted to work on the map- or, one of the maps. The Warners were forced to stay, which was probably a good call.

The girls were coming too. Red had gotten dolled up and called Alice, Cala and Holly for backup in helping Soup with a dress. They turned up in their own garbs and rushed upstairs in heels, somehow. 

Bendy and Boris had helped Bean pick out an outfit. He’d gone for a white dress shirt with short sleeves and a pair of fancy black braces and slacks. They finally got him out of his boots and into a pair of dress shoes as well.

Noodle had found a black off-the-shoulder kinda dress with a flared out skirt, but had kept everything else to her usual. They were unsuccessful in getting her into any kind of shoes, but oh well.

After changing into their own outfits, Mugman and the rest of the guys, plus Noodle, had stood downstairs and begun waiting for the rest. And were still waiting. Cup kept sighing every minute or so. 

"You sure we locked our room?" Mugs quietly asked him. He was concerned they'd forgotten, and Lil' Monster would escape and wreak havoc on the house. Holly did leave Snowball to babysit him though. He could count on her if all else failed.

"Yes, I am sure," his brother answered exasperatedly, leaning his head back to glare at the ceiling in boredom.

Mugs went to tug at his scarf, only to find it wasn't there. Oh right, yeah, he'd taken it off. He wasn't wearing it out tonight.

Bendy tapped his tail rhythmically against the wall on the other side of the hallway, watching the stairs. And waiting.

And waiting.

Mugs let out a sigh of his own.

"Waant some tablet?" Noodle offered and held up some of the treat from next to him. It was just a bar of sugar. But it was a tasty bar of sugar. Maybe a bit too sweet for him, but still good.

"Sure. Thanks." He smiled and broke off a chunk. Out of habit he sniffed at it first, before nibbling it a little.

Cup was looking at him judgementally. He scoffed. "You seriously still cussin' do that?"

He shrugged and muttered his next words, now feeling embarrassed. "I guess... I dunno, tastes better that way."

"Yun's jost da better wiy tae eit it, min." Noods lectured. She squinted her eyes and gestured with her hands in a way that resembled a chef, sort of. "Du gets da foo experience yun wiy." 

Mugs stared at her. "You do it too?"

"Of coorse I do." She tapped the side of her nose. "Ivirywan else is missin' oot."

He grinned, and turned a smug look on his brother. "See? I'm not the only one."

Cup crossed his arms and lolled his head away from them. "Yeah well you're both weirdos."

He chortled. "C'mon, bro, you love candy,” he tempted, and stuck more of the tablet in his face.

Cup growled and shoved both him and the candy away. "Get that hellish sugar stardust away from me,” he snapped. Multiple of them snickered. He was still salty from the prank then.

There was movement from up above, and then the girls started stepping carefully down the stairs.

"Finally," Bean exclaimed.

"I'd lik tae see dee try get into dis monstrosity," Soup snipped. She had a gold-coloured flapper dress on with beaded necklaces layered and a feather clip on her head. She also had long white gloves and a small pair of heels.

Bean backed off with a head-shake. "I'm good."

Cup turned to Alice and Red. "We ready ta go now?"

The angel adjusted the clutch on her arm. "Yes, I think so. Our lifts are waiting outside."

Mugs raised a brow. "Where we goin'?"

"A neat little club some blocks down,” Bendy answered as he headed for the door, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "Me and Cup found it a while ago and kept it in mind."

Cup followed him out with a confused frown. "Uhh, what club?" He asked the demon. Mugs couldn't tell if he was being serious or not. Either way, it was funny.

"Have a good night!" Granny waved from behind them.

They filed out the house, into the cabs, and were driven off to their destination.

Soup had been watching for most of the night. And from what she’d seen, she had reached the opinion that their way of dancing was weird. There was a lot of stepping and hopping on the spot, and swinging and looping, and there were strictly male moves and female moves. It was confusing.

And their clothes were horrendous. She thought clothes tags were bad before, but this dress reached new levels of itchy. Noods and Bean got to wear non-itchy things, lucky buggers.

The three of them were sat at a round table next to a wall, looking out at the dance floor. Bendy and Alice were out there yet again, racing around. They were bonkers.

Soup frowned down at her drink. 

There were rules here. People under an certain age couldn't drink any alcohol. She was allowed, but Bean wasn’t, and Noods wouldn’t. They had to get something called 'mocktails'. Soup got one too out of sympathy. She regretted it.

They were bad. She had already pushed hers over to her sister.

Although, they came with the best thing she'd ever seen in her entire life: little things that Cuphead explained were cocktail umbrellas. She’d already stolen some of 'em.

There was a sound of disgust from Bean. "Yun is mingin'," he decided and shook his head with a shrivelled up expression, finally giving up on his drink. He pushed his glass over to Noods.

She accepted it and took a sip. "Dey’re no yun bad."

“Du's got super taastebuds. Du canna talk,” Soup pointed out. She cackled in response.

"Hey." She noticed Bendy approaching her from her right. Or, left.

“Right,” Fren reminded.

Right.

She focused back on him.

“Fancy giving swing a go?" He offered, holding out his hand.

She eyed him sceptically, before she stood up. "Aaright. Du’s on,” she challenged and gripped his hand in a more arm-wrestle way. He laughed.

As they stepped away, Holly swooped in, and grabbed Noods, pulling her out her seat. “C'mon, you can't sit there all night! Come dance!"

Noods rolled her eyes. “Well, if I have to,” she obliged with mock reluctance, grinning. Alice drifted over and took Bean away too, though he went along with her less enthusiastically.

Bendy took some time to show Soup the basics. There were a lot of steps, which she was used to, but she wasn't used to the amount of arm and hip movements, and all the opposing moves between the two in each pair, and the spinning. Why did she have to spin the whole Thor forsaken time??

And, Bendy was going easy on her. He was holding back. It was annoying, so, she made sure to keep up with him out of spite, no matter how many times she twisted her bloody ankles. She was gonna have so much spaegie tomorrow.

She caught glimpses of her siblings as they went. Bean was avoiding stepping on Alice's feet like his life depended on it. At least he knew that much about this type of dancing, and just general manners. And Noodle and Holly whizzed by a couple times. They were just spinning, really. They were having a good time though. Mugman and Cala had also joined them on the floor at some point. 

The pairs switched up a couple times, and Soup ultimately ended up dancing with Felix for a song or two, which was just mortifying. She bolted back to the tables after that. A terrifying experience.

Bendy took a sip of his fizz-whizz to quench his thirst. Six dances in a row and he was parched, and ready for a break. Most of them were.

The night had progressed, to the point that their tables were now covered in empty glasses. Soup and Noods were the only ones out on the dance floor now. They were holding hands and whirling around in a circle worryingly fast.

Cup was stood next to him, leaning against the wall. He suddenly huffed a snort, and glanced towards Bendy. “Your little feet not able to keep up?"

"Watch it, bubblebrain,” he warned flatly, now talking into his glass. "I might just ruin your night."

The mook shook his hands dramatically and pulled a face. "Oooh, how terrifyin'. I'm quiverin' in my shoes."

"Du canna say onythin’." Bean's voice appeared from the other side of the table.

Bendy jumped and almost spilled his drink everywhere. He’d forgotten the kid was there - he hadn’t heard him speak for minutes.

Cup startled too, palming his chest with an exhale. "Holy cuss, man, don't cussin’ do that. You gotta make yourself known.”

The kid only ‘hmph’ed amusedly from his Viking table, just casually fiddling with a cocktail umbrella.  "Du looks lik a Mary,” he commented.

It took the other two a second for his words to register, that that was his way of saying someone looked like a girl. Then Bendy burst out laughing.

"I thought we were past that stardust," Cuphead replied through gritted teeth.

"Never." The other dish grinned.

“Hey, you look good in a dress, man. You should embrace it,” Bendy told his best buddy with light back-handed back. He huffed air out his nose, and then stuck it up in the air slightly.

“Maybe I will. I look better than you, anyway,” he put forward. Oh, that was totally a challenge Bendy was going to rise to someday. If he lost another drinking bet.

There was a thud that pulled their attention to Soup and Noodle. They were down on the ground now, splitting their sides.

Soup got up and held a hand to her bowl. She looked like she was about to tip over from dizziness. She did manage to stumble over to them, falling down into a seat. Bendy’s group chuckled lightly.

"Du's no hecklin’ me poor brother, is du?" She interrogated, whilst taking a casual sip of someone’s mocktail, her face twisting with regret.

Cup scoffed. "No, he's hecklin’ us."

She broke into cackles, and tapped an amused finger at her little bro. “Good. Du’ll need yun fir chief wan day."

"Chief?" Bendy quirked an eyebrow.

"Yep,” she sighed, curling an arm around her glass, and tapping the table idly. "Usually da aaldest is next in line fir chiefdom, but Bean's maere keen on it dan I am."

"Oh yeah?" He hummed with a smile, and glanced to the kid. Was that a hint of bashfulness?

"Yun's no set in staen yet," Bean brushed it off. "I'm too lazy."

Cup tsked. "A village run by him sounds like a nightmare." He commented, and got a toothpick shot at him by Soup, bouncing off his arm. He grumbled lowly at the attack.

Bendy’s fangs gleamed with entertainment, before he looked at the dance floor again. It was just Noods now. She was tearing it up out there. They weren’t dance moves Bendy had ever seen before, but, dancing was subjective. At least she was having a good time.

Cup's eye-roll was audible. "So much for cussin' blendin' in."

“Bah, to hell with blending in,” Bendy declared, raising his glass. Bean boomed one of his ‘WEY-HEEYYY’s in agreement, which Soup chorused.

After another moment, Bean hopped out his seat and went to join the crowd, and started doing this thing called 'throwing it back', which was genuinely the most horrifying thing Bendy had ever witnessed. And he'd visited Hell. Multiple. Times.

Soup and Noods laughed, while the people around the two on the floor shuffled away. Okay, maybe some blending in wasn’t that bad.

Eventually Cup stomped over and grabbed the two by the backs of their shirts and brought them back to their tables. He tossed them down in their chairs and poked a finger at them. "You're both chair-bound for the rest of the damn night."

Bean gave a finger-gun in turn. "Whitever du says, Cup-heed."

Cup balled his fists and growled again. Bendy and the rest snickered.

Alice twirled her straw around her glass, staring in a daze, in the direction of the others’ tables.

She was lost in thought. The girls were talking about something, but she couldn’t hear them.

Tonight had been great so far. Magical, even. Everyone was having fun… Well, mostly. Cup seemed a little angry over there.

The Vikings were really coming out of their shells now. They were all laughs and giggles.

And Bendy… Although she wasn’t totally sure, and never was… he seemed happy. He’d been smiling as they danced. They had danced a lot. It had been great.

So why did she feel such a looming dread? Like… something was going to go horribly wrong. Like she was going to ruin a perfect night. Again.

She sighed lightly, and rested her hand on her cheek.

"Alright, I'll bite,” Red suddenly said, and swivelled around to face her. "What's got your feathers in a twist?"

Her eyes flitted up to the woman. "Huh?" Was all she replied with. She hadn’t been totally listening, as rude as that was.

"You're thinking up quite the storm there, Al,” Hol piped up, propping her folded arms up on the table. She was watching her. Actually, everyone was.

Alice switched between them with furrowed brows. How could they read her so well?? She was the angel here.

Cala leaned towards her with a gentle look on her face. "What's on your mind?"

She bit her lip slightly, and sunk her shoulders in defeat. "Just... Bendy, a-and how our last night out didn't end so well,” she murmured. She'd really hurt him.

"Well, I don't think he's going to ask you out again.” Holly shook her head with surety. "He knows where you're at with all that."

"But I don't know where I'm at with all that,” she admitted and gestured helplessly. It was all a huge mess. 

"Let us help you then. We're all very experienced in the field of schmoos," Red said as she examined her manicure. 

"How?" Alice inquired.

"So.” Holly took a fist to her mouth and cleared her throat, before she settled her focus back on Alice. "Where did you two last leave off?"

Alice lowered her eyes to her glass. She thought back over the past few months. 

"... We've had a couple of conversations about us since,” she recalled. 

“… I think we just settled on the fact that we both want to... but, um, can't be together,” she concluded, feeling her shoulders sink further.

Red pursed her lips. "Just because you can't put a label on it doesn't mean you can't have your romance,” she expressed by waving her hand vaguely.

Alice batted her eyes. "... T-That's not how it is." 

She turned to her with a critical eye. "Isn't it?"

Alice went quiet. Was it? She was scared of a label? Well, yes, but that wasn't all. It was risky. Selfish.

"... It's dangerous," she finally uttered.

Cala slid a hand over hers. She met the mermaid’s round eyes.

“Danger shouldn't stop you, Alice. I think you of all people should know that by now. What's a little peril got against you?" She smiled.

The angel just stared with her mouth agape.

"Me and Mugs shouldn't be together," she continued. "I'm a gorgon, and we both have a... certain background. We're in a precarious situation. We shouldn't be together, we can't be together. Anyone finding out would be awful... " 

She gulped down her anxiety, and focused back on her with determination. She squeezed her hand. "That hasn't stopped us. It comes with hardships, but, it's worth it,” Cala told her. She radiated adoration.

"She's right, you know. Hanging around Bendy could be the least of your worries,” Holly noted. She had a humorous expression.

Red circled the rim of her glass with a finger, her chin propped up by her other hand. "Society is stardust,” she snipped. Her emotions swirled with irritation and disappointment, and a little courage. "It also prevents us women from being anything other than a nurse. Don't listen to anybody else, girl. Do what you want."

Alice felt her throat close up. She palmed the angel pendant around her neck, the one Bendy had made for her. 

“I-I know it's horrible, but... I'm scared,” she practically whispered.

Holly tilted her head and gazed at her. "It's not horrible. It's normal. Stars, it'd be weird if you weren't scared."

"And people in regular relationships get scared as well," Cala added with a nod.

There was a beat of silence. 

"Al, Bendy's probably just as afraid," Holly told her softly.

She lifted her head up at that. Her friend carried on. "Behind that cheeky-tough-guy act of his, he's probably hiding his own fear. In fact I know he is.”

"Maybe... you could comfort each other through it, or something." Cala offered. 

That didn't sound bad.

Oh, stars, she was being silly. She gave a laugh and fanned her eyes. She was not crying her makeup off. "Thanks, guys, really. I appreciate it."

Holly grinned and straightened up proudly. "Now, how about for one night you let yourself have some fun?" She held a finger up authoritatively. "And before you argue, I mean actual fun."

She pouted. They knew her too well.

Hol smirked, and jerked a shoulder at her. "Go on - ask him for a dance. You two can swing the night away,” she teased, wrapping her arms around herself and swaying from side to side. They all giggled.

Alice glanced between the three of them. "Thank you. You girls are the best."

Cala squeezed her hand again and let go. Paul wiggled atop her head.

Red bumped hips with the angel. "Go get your man,” she told her.

She thanked them again, and rose out of her chair, heading over to the chaos that was conspiring on the other two tables they had taken up. Oh dear, Cup was even angrier now.

"What's going on here?" She had to smother her amusement.

Mugs had drifted from his strained conversation with Felix, and patted his brother's arm. "Walk it out, buddy."

Cup grated his teeth. "I'll be back," he hissed past his fury, and walked stiffly out the door.

Alice shook her head at their antics. Her eyes landed on Bendy.

"Bendy?"

He turned to look at her. Her nerves bumped up a notch. "What's up?" He was an emotional mystery, as always.

She pushed her gloves further down her fingers. "Fancy another dance?"

He beamed, his little fangs sparkling in the spotlights. He hopped up. "How could I refuse?"

She held out her hand with an eye-roll, and let him lead her out.

They spent the next couple songs flying across the floor. She spun away from him, and he stepped after her. They played a game of cat and mouse through the glittering lights that shone down and the music that pounded under their feet.

As any band does, they switched to slower songs towards the end of the night. Bendy left her side and went to return to the tables.

She held him back, and asked him to stay.

He flushed from his neck to the tips of his horns. It took him a moment to gather himself, and agreed.

The two of them fell into step and swayed together for the rest of that magical night.

Chapter Text

Red, Felix, Soup, Noodle and Bean had taken up one cab, and the Cup brothers, Bendy, Alice, Holly and Cala had filled up the other. The second one had headed for the girls' apartment, whilst Red's made a stop at Sheba's shop, and then went to Dr. Oddswell's. The younger ones of the group, who should’ve been bright and sprightly, were in fact beat.

They all trudged up the pathway, either dragging their shoe-clad feet or going barefoot, and into the house. Red hurried them all up the stairs, lecturing them lightly on getting changed before they passed out. It was a tie on whether or not they actually would.

Red explored the house to find Granny had gone to bed. The Warners and Boris too. There was a small light coming from the Doctor's study, though. He was probably being stubborn again, and was still working. She would leave him to it. It was his own fault if he woke up tired again.

She retreated down the stairs again, and on her way through the hallway, was surprised to find Fireball perched on top of the kitchen door. What on earth was she still doing here?

She ventured further into the room. 

Wiston was by the kettle, making tea. Huh.

She screwed her lips, folding her arms and eyeing him. "And what are you still doing here?" She boomed into the silence.

He yelped and jumped and whipped around. "Red!"

Fireball screamed disapprovingly at her and flew over to the fox, as he palmed his shirt. "You scared me half to death!" He barked.

She tapped her fingers on her elbow crease in waiting.

He pouted and slouched, taking the kettle to pour into two teacups. "Xedo wanted to stay,” he grumbled. “He's glued to that stupid map."

She tutted. "That fox," she cursed, and strutted over to the kid and snatched one of the teacups. "I will go give him a piece of my mind, then." 

She turned and left the room, her heels clicking along the way. She hadn't even had a chance to get out that dress. And here she was, already doing housework again, if housework consisted of kicking foxes off their stubborn rearends.

It took a moment to track the dolt down. He was hiding in the dark of the front room. 

Red switched the light on to get his attention. 

He glanced up at her for a second. "Ah, Red,” he greeted casually. “Did you have a nice night?"

She shook her curls out her face. "Yes, I did,” she answered curtly, and twirled her fur shawl with an accusatory tone. "And what have you been up to?"

He flicked through some of the papers that trashed the coffee table. "Research. This map has quite the code."

She snorted richly. "Organisation is not one of your strong suits."

"It's not?" He smiled pleasantly at her. There was only a hint of humour in his voice. The average gal wouldn't have caught it.

"You do realise it's past your bedtime?" She quipped as she sipped the tea she had seized, without breaking eye contact. She swallowed. "Well, your brother's bedtime. Or do you also still follow those rules?"

She managed to get a chuckle out of him, then a sigh. "I am aware it's late." He rubbed his forehead. "I'm struggling to comprehend this man's state of mind. He's not your average individual, to put it simply. I fear he’s playing me."

Red giggled amusedly into her teacup. It was rare to see him so stumped. And that made it all the more entertaining.

The sound of rain pattering against the window filled the room, and diverted their attention. It wasn’t long before it swelled into full-blown pummelling.

A storm? It was spring. And they were overdue some bad weather.

Red's lips spread into a simper as an idea popped up.

She approached him and set her teacup down on the table. "I think it's time you peel your eyes from your 'work' and give your sorry self a cussing break."

His head flicked up in surprise, or, as much surprise as he could possibly display.

She nodded for him to follow as she strode out of the room and over to the front door. His footsteps followed. 

She swung the door open and stepped out into the rain. It immediately drenched her to the bone. Her hair flattened; her makeup smudged and ran; her dress, gloves and fur shawl soaked.

She looked up into the storm and laughed loudly, twirling around in a circle with her arms out wide. 

Xedo stayed stood silent in the doorway. Red noticed this, and stared at him expectantly. Challengingly.

“I'm not going to ruin a perfectly good suit," he called out.

"Oh, come on, you big wuss." She stormed over to drag him out herself. "It's just a little rain! Enjoy it!"

He didn't bother struggling, only sighing again as the water drowned his fur and clothes. He removed his spectacles from his nose and pocketed them in his waistcoat. "Well, it seems I don't have much of a choice in the matter." He stated, defeated.

"Precisely," she grinned, and clasped his hand whilst placing her other on his shoulder. He took her waist in turn.

They stepped to the right, then forwards, left, backwards. Right, forwards, left, backwards. He raised their hands and spun her around and out. She threw her shawl away with a laugh, before they brought their arms in and met in the middle. The fur was already stained anyway. Bean had spilt strawberry cussing milk in the cab, and had ruined everything. Her fur had been no exception.

They locked their fingers together and faced each other. She stepped a foot forward, and he countered by leaning a foot back, shimmying to and fro for a bit. He moved in to hold her waist again, and stepped to the side, taking her around. They spun down the street in fluent circles, parting their way through the rain.

"Miss Hood, as much as I enjoy a dance in the rain, I should be getting on with my work." He explained in good humour, leaning her into a dip. 

She scoffed. "There's your problem, Tiptail. I work all day, every day, but at least I still leave room for enjoyment in my life." Once he brought her upright, she traipsed a rhythm into the ground as she waltzed away. "What good does gawking at your papers all day do?"

He took the opening and trailed into position behind her. "Right now, the papers are less important. I need to think."

She held the hands on her waist and swiped a heel through a puddle, kicking her leg up, creating a splash. He did it along with her. "You can't think outside?" She smirked.

They gave another kick. "That is a fair point," he replied with an amused tone.

"Go on then." She held his hand and swung out, then twirling into him and looking over her shoulder. "Though you better not expect me to give a single cent for your thoughts."

"Hah!" He threw her out and hopped up onto the sidewalk. When she tried to prance over to his side, he stepped down. A game of tag ensued along the curb.

"To start with, I translated the text of their unique runes into English." He swung her around with their hands clasped again, and he leaned back. She was propelled in the opposing direction, up and out, and flailed her skirt, flicking beads of water everywhere. "Thankfully, it was quite simple. It still had the structure of the English language, mainly, if not a little altered."

"Then what's so befuddling about it?" She quizzed. Once her momentum had run out, she turned and swung him out next. They boomeranged, tossing the movement between them.

"Well, there are words and letters missing, and it's written in a style that's almost crude - a joke." They met in the middle again, and tapped out the same beat, twisting one leg back and forth. "And it's written in their native dialect, which is mildly confusing as it is." His gaze glazed over in sort of dread. "It's quite a mess, really."

She cackled. "Sounds like he could've benefitted from some of my organisation skills."

He hummed to acknowledge this, hiding his arm behind his back while the other twirled her around on the spot. “Though I’m not sure he meets your friendship requirements."

"And who does meet these friendship requirements you speak of?" She raised a challenging brow.

He rested his palm on her back as she switched from heel to heel, turning her hips from side to side. "A sharp, witty gentleman with rather red fur, dare I say?"

She burst into rich laughter. "Watch it. I'm taller than you in these boots."

"Only just." He grinned, and lifted her up and spun in a circle. She spread her arms out against the rain shower in a feeling of elation.

When she was brought down she clasped his hand and stepped out, brushing a wet curl out her face. "Surely it's nothing you can't decipher."

"I would hope so," they stepped back in, "but this man is throwing me for a loop even from the grave." They stepped out.

She lifted their arms over their heads, and they started looping in and around each other, letting go at some points and then clutching hands again in what could subjectively be seen as classic swing. 

“Maybe you have to look at the bigger picture,” she suggested between loops. “What about the landscape?"

"There's the mysterious system of rivers that no longer exists." He twirled her into another spin. “Though at this point I’m not even sure they are rivers. Felix brought up the proposition that they are in fact a joke - not what they seem. Which begs the question what else could resemble a river.”

"What about the plumbing system?" She propounded, and bent a leg as he leaned her back against his arm in a quick dip.

That knot in his brow grew as he puzzled over her idea. “… Yes, something like that,” he mused as she bounced back up, and walked him into a waltz. “That, but somewhere, somewhere explorable.”

Red almost stopped dancing as it hit her. “The sewers.”

“The sewers,” he confirmed, grinning a grin ill-suited to the word. “It explains everything; the map, the mechanical structure of the drawn rivers, the crudeness, and the end. The sewers have an end - X marks the spot. Jackpot.”

“You are too enthusiastic about this,” she said through chuckles. “Have you not stopped to think about how these sewers could be anywhere in the continent? That is if they are indeed in this continent,” she noted.

“Well that will be our next step in deciphering,” he stated with confidence, even more than his usual. She supposed nothing could come between him and his love for a good detective case.

He gave her a crediting nod. “Brilliant thinking, Red,” he complimented. She laughed heartily.

They danced side by side along the road, which eventually evolved into the Charleston. Their mirth rang out through the night as they swung their arms and kicked their legs.

Red faced him and intertwined her fingers with his, and they shimmied their arms back and forth. They crossed their arms and ducked in and out of each other's grasp, unwinding them and then rewinding them again.

He tossed her out, and appointed her for a solo. She accepted, flaring the fabric of her dress and clicking a tune into the concrete. Once she'd finished she stomped her heel in the pool of water underneath her. He mirrored her, adding some Tiptail flare by spinning and leaning onto the tips of his skinny polished Oxford’s.

She started sashaying over to him once he’d finished, pinching her skirt and swishing it back and forth. He reeled her in like a fish on a line. She laughed further, leaning back and shimmying her shoulders as she approached him. He was all smiles and chuckles, a rarity for him.

He took her hands and continued stepping a rhythm. She walked on her tiptoes as if she were on a tightrope, and twisted her hips from side to side, the ends of her dress spraying water everywhere.

His hand went to her lower back and supported her into another dip. With cheek she plucked the ink pen he always kept behind his ear and stuck it between her teeth as a makeshift rose. That got more mirth out of him.

He spun her away and in again, catching her as she faked a swoon. He lifted her over to his other side and they twirled in a tight circle.

They came to a stop when a pair of car lights blazed through the rain, and watched it with panting breaths.

She sighed and removed the pen from her mouth. "Stars. I was wondering if they'd gotten lost."

"Ah, well," he brushed some water off his face with little to no success, "we should head inside anyway. We've already tempted our chances of catching a cold or fever. I don't fancy adding hypothermia to that list."

She snorted. "I have to agree with you on that one. Let's scram before we get a grilling." 

He nodded, and they made a break for the front door. Red was bummed they had to end the fun, but at least she had gotten him to loosen up for once. And it had made her evening all the better.

Alice brushed a lock of hair behind her ear, as she and Bendy sidled up to her apartment stairs. He slipped his hands into his pockets as they went. She was wringing her hands.

Whilst the two of them had been debating who owed more favours to whom, after Alice had offered to pay for the cab, expressing it was the least she could do, Mugs had walked Cala up to the door, and Cup had walked Holly. They said their goodbyes and split off, the girls heading inside, and the boys getting back into the car, leaving Alice and Bendy alone. It was blatant it was their turn now.

Internally, she was freaking out. This was it. This was how it had happened last time.

Maybe if neither of them said anything, everything would be fine. They could just stay like this, bathing in the bliss this night had brought.

No, someone had to say something. She had to say something. It was the least she could do.

Her grip tightened on her clutch.

A sigh came from him. "Here we are again," he joked and chuckled. She couldn't tell if it was genuine or not. Was he upset underneath? Oh, curse her discriminatory angel abilities!

She stopped walking, and turned to face him straight on. He did the same after a second of mild confusion.

Okay, just rip it off like a band-aid. She took a deep breath. 

“Look, Bendy, I... " 

Oh stars. Her words were gone.

He chuckled again, glancing off. "Alice, you don't have to say anything." He scratched the back off his head with a shrug. "I get it. It's cool."

She blinked at him. "N-No, that's not- It's not that simple. I-I can't-" She furled her fingers as if she could pull words out of thin air. "It's so hard to explain."

"I'm listening." He watched her patiently with his big eyes. He was not making this any easier.

She relaxed her shoulders and tried to clear her head. 

“Tonight... was quite possibly one of the best nights of my life. With the music, and the dresses, I… " She exhaled sharply, dropping her hands. "It was great.”

“But... truth be told, I liked it because for a lot of it I was around you.”

His face flushed lightly, though that didn't stop him from flaunting his usual cheek. "Wow, now who's the cheesy one?" He remarked.

She pursed her lips to fight off the giggle that wanted to escape. The gall. "I'm being serious here, Bendy."

He backed down and raised his hands. "Right, sorry." The humour stuck in his tone. "Carry on." He waved for her to continue.

Alice shook her head. At least he was helping lift the mood. 

She straightened her posture and cleared her throat. “… What I'm trying to say is... I don't want this to be over."

Her gaze fell to her hands strangling her clutch. "I want more of this... "

"But I'm so... so afraid," she stressed. She choked up. Please, not again.

It was as this happened that she thought it best to relocate her clutch to her armpit to hold, as she needed her hands free to tend to incoming tears. Bendy though gently took her hands in his, and grazed his thumb over her gloves. "I know, I know,” he murmured with a sad smile. She sniffed.

A drop of water hit her nose. Then another landed on their hands. Was it raining? What timing! She was pouring her heart out here!

She focused back on Bendy. Rain began to shower down in buckets and drenched his clothes and fur.

Her vision got blurry as her eyes welled up. "But I really like you." She admitted with a watery laugh.

Panic crossed his face. "Cuss, it's happening again." He stepped back and let her go. "Alice, I'm so sorry-"

"No," she dabbed at her eyes in anticipation of her mascara running, "these are good tears, you idiot!"

He looked her up and down in caution. "There are good tears?" He asked with a baffled expression.

"Yes!" She laughed.

"So, you're okay?" He quirked a brow.

"I've never been better," she assured. This was too funny. She was going to faint from the emotional whiplash.

A breath of relief left him and he sank, putting a hand to his chest. "Okay, good."

"… Stars, I don't know what I'm doing," she sighed, taking her fingers down from her face and just praying her makeup didn't look too horrible. 

"Yeah, I don't know what I'm doing either." Bendy gave a chuckle. "All I know is that I… really like you too. You’re special to me, Alice. And I want to be around you." He tilted his head fondly. "Whatever… you want that to mean. Friend, cussing acquaintance,” he shrugged, “I don’t care.”

“Don’t be silly, I’m not demoting you to acquaintance here,” she smacked his upper arm lightly, to which he giggled. What a moron.

She clasped his hand this time. Both of them. She interlaced her fingers with his claws.

“… Maybe we could just leave it up to fate,” she offered, “i-if you believe in that kind of thing. See where the wind takes us."

He beamed at her. “I would love that.”

“We can take it easy, go at your pace,” he offered in return. She smiled gratefully.

His eyes met hers. They had the warmest look she'd ever seen. It made her heart flutter out her chest like a thousand butterflies. 

“I'm ready when you are, Alice."

This demon - the most mind-boggling soul she'd ever come across. The boy she'd dismissed at the very beginning, who had continued to pursue her friendship. Thank the stars he had, because this had blossomed into the best friendship she could’ve imagined. And she had fallen head over heels for him.

She threw her soggy arms around him and hugged him tight. He jerked slightly in surprise, but returned the embrace. 

“You really are one in a million, Bendy."

"I could say the very same for you," he uttered. “… Like-”

“Don’t ruin it,” she told him, before he tried another cheesy line. He simply chuckled instead. 

They stayed like that for longer than she'd like to admit. It wasn't until he brought something to her attention that she came back to reality.

"... I am currently off the ground." He pointed out.

She squeaked and quickly released him. 

She had picked him up. Again.

"Oh, sweet stars, I am so sorry,” she rushed, struggling against her rising giggles. She had ruined such a perfect moment.

Thankfully, he was laughing too, maybe even more than her. “It’s alright. You still have your pass, oh special one,” he claimed and swooped a hand in a bow. She rolled her eyes with a titter.

He was truly glowing in that moment. Alice didn’t even need her angel perks to tell he was radiating joy, his little fangs glistened in the moonlight. Alice’s face hurt from how much she was smiling. They were drenched to the skin, yet so happy.

She brushed her sticky wet bangs off her forehead, with not much success. "Ah, I-I better head in. Cala and Holly are probably getting worried. And I'm soaked."

He snorted, studying his own drenched clothes. "Yeah, that's fair." 

Alice smiled again, and leaned down to peck him on the cheek. He froze in surprise for a moment, before he grazed his cheek with his eyes ever warm.

She continued watching him as she stepped up the first step to the apartment. “Farewell, Bends,” she joked lightly. “Until we meet again.”

Bendy stifled a snort, and stepped backwards with another hand flourish. “Au revoir, chicken feathers,” he tossed back at her.

“And goodbye for now, flat face,” she returned in her snootiest voice possible. He barked a laugh of shock, and inhaled to retort.

"Oi, Romeo!" Cup called from the cab. "Git over ‘ere! You're gonna catch somethin'!"

Bendy looked back from the cab, and quirked his shoulders helplessly at the angel. 

She giggled again, and kissed her hand and threw it out at him, before she opened the door and slid in, closing it behind her and resting her back against it. Her walk up the stairs to her apartment was giddy, and full of dumb smiles, a manner that had her slinking into their apartment door like a besotted snake.

But before she could dote on that moment any further, she came across Holly and Cala stood by the window that had a view of the building’s front entrance. They whipped around when she entered, staring at her. Guilt swirled heavily around them.

She switched between the window and the two very suspicious girls.

"Wha- Were you watching us?" She was astounded.

"Yeeeess?" Holly admitted sheepishly. Cala ducked her head. Even Paul was abashed.

Alice burst into giggles, and shook her head at them.

Chapter Text

Bendy smiled.

She had kissed him on the cheek. A kiss, a planned kiss. 

He bit his lip to stop from cussing squealing, and jumped up and threw a fist in the air in victory. "Yesss!" He hissed.

"’Ey! Quit your fist pumpin’ an’ get in this damn car!”

Oh right, yeah, the cab, and rain. He was soaked to the skin. 

Bendy jogged over to the car, and ducked in through the door being held open for him, then closing it behind him.

Cup and Mugs eyed him, awaiting his response. Bendy didn't even notice.

"Well?" Cup gestured for him to talk.

Bendy put his hand under his chin with a sigh. "I dunno,” he murmured all dopey.

The two others in the car exchanged looks. Cup grimaced. "Oh cuss, she broke 'im."

Mugs winced. "Was it that bad?" He inquired, while his brother waved a hand in front of him. Bendy just blinked. She had kissed him.

Wait- bad? Bendy shook his head and snapped out of his thoughts. "Bad??" He said out loud this time.

"Did ya bomb?" Cup iterated. 

Bomb? 

“Y'know,” he whistled and dragged his fingers through the air, before he blasted them open and mimicked the sound of a bomb exploding.

Bendy squinted. How old was this guy?

"Wh- No, I didn't bomb,” he snapped, and then tried to hide his growing grin, folding his arms casually in an attempt to act cool. "She kissed me. On the cheek."

"Really??" Cup laughed and smacked him. "That's good! Right?" He then sneered at his now wet palm with an 'ugh'. He wiped it on his leg.

Mugs nodded along. "What did she say??"

Bendy recovered from his whack on the arm, and raised a claw. “She said we could just see where the wind takes us. That, and, she said I was 'one in a million',” he said proudly.

Cup pushed the demon's head down with a groan of disgust. "I'd count that as bombin'. Way too cheesy. Stars, what does that dame even see in you?"

Bendy growled and shoved his mitt off. "She sees plenty, thank you very much. Do I have to remind you that you are pining after-”

“T-that is a step up,” Mugs interrupted, looking hopeful. “Maybe you'll have a relationship on your hands soon." He grinned.

"Ehh, we'll see." Bendy reclined and put his hands behind his soggy head. "We want to take it easy."

Schmuckhead wheezed. "Take it easy?? You?"

"Hey, I can take it easy!" He snarled back at him. "Whaddo you know??"

"I know that you're a big sap that gets all goo-goo eyed every time she walks into the room!" He guffawed. 

He grit his teeth. "Shut up, you glass brained mook before I cussing whack you back.”

"Oh boy, let’s go home before another arm-wrestle contest breaks out,” Mugs said more to himself. He muttered to the driver, and he got the car started.

Bendy leaned over to the laughing dish, shaking a fist threateningly. "Do you wanna get wet too?!"

He cringed back into the other side of the vehicle. "Eurgh! No! Stay the cuss away from me!"

Oh, this was gonna be a fun drive.

—— WARNING FOR CONTENT PAST THIS ——

Boris dragged the quilt off his bed with a bit more attitude than he'd meant. And when it didn’t come off fully he got more annoyed.

Granny had asked him to help with the chores. It was fair - he was due a chore. But it was still annoying. 

He’d been given the task of gathering his and Bendy's bedsheets and changing them out. And at age fourteen this was still something he couldn’t hack. This was probably the only thing he missed about sleeping on the streets. Their cardboard beds hadn’t had cussing bedsheets.

He tutted to himself as he swiped the pillows of his bed. Where was Bendy, huh? He didn't have to do chores. He should be here, doing his own bed. At least then Boris would only have one to do.

Boris moved onto the fitted sheets and tried ripping them off. What was he busy doing? Fighting with Cup?? Probably. When were they not fighting.

The sheet wouldn't budge. He tugged harder. 

He would much rather be bickering with Cuphead than having to do this... this... stardust!

He growled and pulled even harder. It gave, and he slipped back with a yip, landing on his tail in a mess of bedding.

He frustratedly fought for the surface, eventually breaking through the fabric for air. Stupid chores. His poor tail.

With a huff, he got up and bundled up all the laundry in his arms, dragging his feet out the room. He was gonna find Bendy after thi-

Boris heard music from out the hallway. It was coming from another bedroom. After a couple more steps in the music’s direction, he figured out it was the Vikings’.

Out of curiosity, he padded over to the door, where Noodle was sat at a vanity doing her face paint... thing, with music playing on a record player.

"Why are you painting your face?" He questioned. She jerked and exclaimed in shock, palming her shirt.

“Gods, min,” she breathed as she calmed down from her scare. Boris waited patiently for an answer. She took a moment to catch on.

She jerked a shoulder when she did, gesturing with her paintbrush. “I dunna kain. Jost felt lik it, didn’t I.”

His jowls pulled back in confusion, leaning a shoulder against the doorway. "I thought that was for battle.”

"A lot o da time, yeah, but we also jost do it for da fun o it," she explained, as she finished the last spike of a star. "It's kinda lik whit da lasses here use.”

"Makeup,” he guessed, scrunching his muzzle slightly. He didn't get it. It looked like too much work.

He examined the hallway to see if anyone else was around. Other than the distant sound of comical kicking and punching, there was no sign of life.

He turned his head back, eyeing the floor in thought.

“… What... do you know about being a wolf?" He found himself asking. He was curious about her take on things.

She glanced away from the mirror and at him. "A wulf?"

"Yeah... " He cleared his throat and straightened up, coming off the doorway. "I-I've had some people talk to me about what it's like to be a wolf, or a dog or something. We're quite... different." 

She tilted her head in a very dog-like manner, ironically.

He shuffled from foot to foot a bit. "Do you feel... different? Sometimes?"

She blew her lips out as she thought. "Sometimes, yeah," she admitted. "I am different. We aa are. Life would be borin' as cuss if we were aa da saame."

He nodded from side to side. "I get that, but... Do you not have really different issues?" He pressed. "Issues that no one else gets?"

She set down her brush and turned to face him fully. He took that as his cue to sit down and settled for a spot on the end of her bed, setting the damn bedding down to one side.

"There was this... man,” he said, and tugged at his bandana. “… He wasn't great, but he taught me a couple things, things that made sense." 

He felt his ears lower slightly as bad memories of that man surfaced. He still felt guilty for ever listening to him, and feeling like he could relate. It was a disturbing thought.

He tore himself away from that mental spiral and looked back up.

Noods was staring at him in worry. Oops.

"A-And there have been other people too - much nicer people," he clarified with his paws raised. "... They have talked about the same stuff." 

"Stuff?" She quirked a thick brow.

"Stuff like... " He twiddled his thumbs. "Well, the first thing was pack mentality."

She jerked her head back. "Whit mentality?"

"Uhh, pack... " He coughed and repeated in a mutter, "pack mentality."

She squinted.

"Yun soonds lik a bunch o bruck min."

"No, no, it's a thing. Us wolves, we apparently need a big group of friends or whatever to, like, lean on. I-it’s how our brains work,” he tried to explain.

She just kept staring at him like he was crazy. 

He pouted, and motioned a hand at her. "Do you have a big family?"

"I mean, I guess,” she unsurely claimed, looking up to the roof to count. "Der's Faider, Mam, Grandmam, Soup an Bean. Is yun big?"

He blinked. He didn't really know how big families usually were. 

“W-Well, it's bigger than mine used to be."

There was a small pause before she spoke again. 

“It wis jost dee an Bendy?" 

He dipped his chin. "For a while. But I'm learning that everyone in this house… we're kinda just one big, weird family,” he said with a shrug.

“Of coorse du is,” she affirmed with a sure nod. “Du’s da maest family family I’ve ivir seen.”

Boris smiled. Her certainty was reassuring, even if she was a bit of a wacko.

He dropped his gaze to his feet, shifting them.

“… A-Another thing that I was told was how we have trouble eating, sometimes. We sort of... fast when we're worried or upset." 

Boris swallowed. "... A few months ago, we lost a friend. A really good friend. And on the same day, Bendy was kidnapped and taken away for weeks. I... didn't eat much, at all. I was too anxious."

He fiddled with his gloves, well, anxiously. "I also used to do it when it was just me and Bendy. He'd leave to get food, and then got in trouble and was kept away for days, sometimes. I stopped eating back then too."

"Felix didn't really understand... Well, actually, I think he did." He corrected with chagrin. "I just didn't let him." 

"A-And another friend later on understood. She's a beagle, and she said it was normal for us." 

He studied her and started his next question tentatively. "Have you ever... had anything like that?"

She took a deep breath through her nose, looking down at the hand she had resting on the vanity.

"Somewhit, yeah." She tapped her claws against the desk. "I dunna kain if it's a wulf ting or no, but I've hid a couple issues lik yun."

Boris raised his head. “You have?”

“Yeah. Still do,” she confessed. “Mine crops up as a wiy o control. If things in life are stressin’ me oot n’ stuff, den at leist I can control whit an hoo much I’m eitin’.”

Boris furrowed his brow again. “I-I don’t think mine is a control issue. I just… don’t wanna eat when I’m anxious.”

“Because it feels lik dere’s a giant baa in dy troat an dy stomach is da size o a pebble?”

“Yeah,” he agreed enthusiastically. “A-And the worst part is that it freaks everyone else out. I’m fine going without food. But everyone just looks so… worried. So I-I want to eat - for them.”

He looked at her searchingly. “How… how do you get past that?”

“Ack, I dunna kain, really,” she answered, itching her neck. “I’ve had mine fir years, an I still struggle fae time tae time.”

Boris let his gaze drop again, a familiar hopeless feeling creeping in. He supposed he’d been wishing for a quick fix, and was coming to realise there most likely wasn’t one. Nothing was that easy.

“… Some tings dat I do though is eitin’ by mesell,” Noodle spoke up again. “I tend tae eit maere whin I’m on me ain. But yun’s jost me. It’s different fir ivirywan. Dat, an to do it weeoot thinkin’. Do somethin’ else at da saame time, so da eitin’ pert isn’a the maan ting du’s daein,” she imparted. “Du aren’a focused on it, so du canna tink aboot it. No as much, onywiy.”

“An talk aboot it.” She heavily advised him. “Ask fok for help, whitivir du needs dem tae do. It sucks sometimes, but, it really helps.”

He listened to all this, eventually nodding again. “Thanks,” he said, and did his best to smile. She smiled back.

He looked back to the floor, feeling his stress and guilt weigh heavy on him. “I wish I didn’t have these problems,” he mumbled. Something of pity strung her eyebrows together.

“… It gets better,” she reassured him, and then rolled her eyes lightly. “I kain du’s probably aaready heard yun fae iviry adult here, but it’s true, as annoyin’ as it is.”

He huffed a chuckle through his nose. Yeah, he had heard that from everyone. Though maybe there was a reason for that.

Noodle gazed down at her hand again, and snorted. "Eitin’s jost rough sometimes."

His lip twitched. "Was that a pun?"

She grinned, picking up her brush and facing the mirror again to continue. "I dunno. Miybe."

Boris struggled to stop his giggles. "That was awful!"

She cackled a bit herself, and finished up her facepaint with a couple extra lines.

He watched her with interest.

"Could you do mine?"

She glanced at him. "Du wants fice pent?" 

He nodded sort of shyly. She shrugged. "Aaright den. Jost a warnin’: it's caald."

She was not exaggerating. It was surprisingly cool. It kind of felt soothing, actually. Like a face mask or something. She said the materials it was made from were all natural too. This could only be good for him.

He couldn't tell what she drew by touch, so when she was done he was excited to look in the mirror and see what she'd drawn.

"Wow," he exclaimed, and laughed a bit, his tail giving a single wag. "I look like one of you.”

"Hell yeah du does,” she beamed and bopped him on the arm. He laughed further.

Noodle sighed sharply, planting her fists on her hips. "So. Whit aboot yun clood?" She threw a thumb towards said cloud.

Oh. The laundry. He turned to the bundle of covers and frowned like they'd insulted his mother.

He let out a sigh of his own, though more begrudged. "Do you know how to put on fitted sheets?" He quizzed with little hope.

"Sure, I kain a peerie trick or twa."

He perked up. "Really?"

She confirmed with a hum, and picked up half the bundle. He took the other half. 

The two of them headed downstairs and got them ready for the wash basin. They headed back upstairs, and grabbed some fresh covers from the clean laundry drawer on their way through the hallway, and went back to Boris' room to wrestle with the dreaded sheets.

They weren't so dreaded once she'd shown him the hack mentioned. She demonstrated by stretching most of the sheet over the mattress, and then she got on top of it, sat by the last corner, and pulled the corner up to close the distance between the corner next to it. It kinda looked like she was wrangling a beast or something. The sheet fit much easier, and once she let it go it didn't do that stupid thing where it bounced off. 

He tried it on his own mattress, and it worked. Nice!

He dusted his hands off smugly. Now they'd never win against him.

They then moved onto putting fresh covers on their quilts, and soon they were done with the easiest bed change he'd ever done.

"Thanks!" He told her as he placed his pillows back on his bed. "I'll be using that for the rest of my life."

"Nae problem." She responded, doing the same with Bendy's. They stepped back and examined their work.

"Wanna go rub it in dy brother's fice?" She offered.

Boris gained a mischievous grin. "Hell yeah."

He and Noodle ran out the room in a string of cackles.

Bendy groaned for the millionth time. 

"I can't believe I have to scrub the floors!" He complained and he threw his sponge into the bucket. "What about, I don't know, anyone else?!" 

He could practically hear Cup roll his eyes from his spot at the dining table.

"What about the Warners?? They made this mess! Why is this my chore?!" He crossed his arms, which he was quickly going to regret because of his soaking hands but he was going to ignore that for now. "Why can't I go on an errand run or something??"

"Because, Red's ill, you moron,” the dish explained flatly, taking his eyes off his book, before returning them. "I'm sure she'd love to kick your cussin' cogs into gear but she's stuck in her room, thanks to the Doc." He flipped a page, grumbling under his breath. "At this rate I'm gonna break her out myself."

Bendy huffed childishly.

Wait.

"Red's ill?" Red never got ill.

"Yeah,” Cup exhaled, and cleared his throat uglily. "Need me to spell it out to ya?"

Bendy frowned and smacked his lips, mimicking him in a mumble.

Cup turned his attention back to his book. What was he reading? Cuphead never read. 

His nosiness growing, Bendy lifted his chin to peer at the book in front of him. "What are you even looking at, anyway?"

"Places to eat," he answered in a plain tone of voice.

Bendy's forehead furrowed. "When have you ever cared about where to eat?"

"Dunno. Guess I care now, don't I?" He snarked. 

"Tsk. Whatever,” Bendy grumbled, giving up on that. He went to grab his sponge again.

He got back to cleaning the floor, on his hands and knees. His starfallen back ached. Didn’t they have a cussing mop in this place?

"You know, some people actually like cleanliness."

Bendy yelled and leapt out his skin, his sponge flying out his grip. Cup jumped as well.

"Angelo,” he greeted in a growl, and turned a glare on the inky mess of an angel.

"It's called a shower. Have you ever heard of it?" He suggested rather innocently.

"Yes, Ihaveheardofashower,” he hissed, bobbing his head back and forth mockingly. "And I wouldn't go cussing me out. You need one more than I do, pal."

"Cussin' stars," he heard Cup mutter in exasperation.

"Well." Angelo gestured helplessly. "I'd love to, but," he clicked his tongue, "I can't." A thick glob of ink dropped from his face, which was something Bendy was getting used to at that point.

"What do you want?" He snarled slightly. He was not in the mood for his stardust.

"I came to talk to you about your attacks." He told him with a more serious tone.

Bendy gave a slow nod. Ah. Right.

He reached up to scratch his cheek, mumbling. "I dunno.” He shrugged uselessly. “Haven’t had one in a while."

"It's been months," Angelo informed.

Months? Stars. It had. What the cuss had the Labyrinth done to him?

"You ever seen anything like it before?" Bendy asked him, not expecting much of an answer.

The angel shook his head. "It doesn't just disappear."

Bendy breathed out through his nose, looking down in thought.

"The instrument is a part of the machine - It’s…  supposed to help cure ink illness," he noted. "Getting rid of my illness for a moment would make sense." 

Angelo grimaced. "I-I wouldn't have brought it up if your case wasn't as bad as it is,” he stressed, taking a step forward. "I worry about what will happen when it eventually shows up again."

"Yeah, I know,” he acknowledged in a murmur. "It could be bad."

"It will be bad."

Bendy swallowed. He was right. It could be the worst attack yet, or just the end. Cuss.

He hadn’t really been thinking much about it at all. He’d just… gotten used to life without it. He supposed Wakko’s attack should’ve been a wake-up call, but it hadn’t. He’d just moved on.

"I-I don't want to worry you,” Angelo claimed with wary palms held up. “You’re doing good at the moment." His expression softened. "You're not as stressed as you usually are."

"Really?" Bendy asked deadpan, reaching out to collect his abused sponge. "I feel like the Vikings have taken a couple extra months of my life."

"Yes, well, they're on their own path,” Angelo said sort of delicately. 

"That's one way to put it,” he grumbled as he went back to scrubbing the cussing floor, turning his back to the angel. The angel moved around to peer at him.

“I-I just wanted to warn you and make sure you're being careful,” he fretted, not taking notice when Bendy’s scrubbing got harder. “And that you still have your rune bracelet, and-"

He scowled and whipped around to him again. "Alright, Ang, I get it! I'm on the verge of death every second of every cussing day! I don't need you breathing down my neck! It’s all you cussing do!”

Angelo took a step back, looking hurt, and gave Bendy a chance to regret his lashing out.

“… I just wanted to make certain,” he said, with a pitying look in his eyes.

Bendy pinched the bridge of his nose with a sigh. "I know, and I appreciate it, but there's nothing I can do,” he huffed, and opened his palms. "It's outta my hands."

Angelo made his mouth small, keeping quiet, while Bendy knelt there helplessly.

"If you think for one second I'm gonna let you conk out on me you've got another thing comin',” Cuphead suddenly snapped, breaking his silence. Bendy glanced over at him. 

“You can handle it,” he continued. “You've been through worse.”

“Oh yeah? What’s worse?” Bendy challenged with a nod. Cup blew air out, and brought out an imaginary list.

“Let’s see here… We got killer voodoo people, killer spiders, basilisks, cogs, demons, your own brother-”

“Alright, I get it,” Bendy interjected with a palm raised, mildly irked by that last mention. But after thinking over his list, he huffed a chuckle.

“Just don't go runnin' away from us,” the glass headed mook said and pointed at him, “then you'll really be screwed. We're here ta help, man."

A smile tugged at Bendy's lips. The guy was shockingly awful at comforting people most the time, but sometimes, he got it right.

"Thanks, Cupperino,” he saluted. Cup grunted angrily at the nickname.

He looked back at Angelo. "See? We're good."

The spook was sceptical. "As good as we can be," the demon added. That seemed to satisfy him.

"Okay," he clapped his hands together resolutely, "I'll leave it up to you guys, then. Keep an eye on him, will you?" The two of them stared at Cup. 

Cup switched between the two of them. He was totally lost.

"Oh, right." Bendy facepalmed. "Ghost. Angelo asked you to 'keep an eye on me'." He used finger quotes.

Cup smirked. "Sure, I'll take care of him." Oh no.

The mook-grin flew completely over Angelo's head. "Great. I'll leave you to it." He took a small bow, before backing out and phasing into a wall.

"I will be keeping a four-foot distance from you at all times," Bendy stated.

The dish waved him off. "Alright, sponge boy, carry on."

He dug his claws into his sponge, and went to continue his cussing chore.

Footsteps raced down the stairs. They came through the hallway, and to the dining room. 

Boris and Noods rushed in. She had her face painted... and Boris did, too. It was weird seeing it on him.

"Hey-" He slapped a paw over his mouth when he saw his older brother. "Bro, what're you doing on the floor?" He questioned, trying not to laugh. Noods cared less about holding back.

He scowled. "I'm cleaning, bro. I've been scrubbing at the ground for the past hour, while you two have been busy messing with sun blazing makeup!" Was he the only one doing chores around here??

"Yeah, but that's because we've already done our chore." He had a smug smile. "Record timing."

"What? Taking out the trash?" He remarked.

"We changed dy beds, but did it in… somethin’-somethin’ time,” she wafted a hand vaguely.

“Fifteen minutes,” Boris clarified.

Bendy groaned. “Fifteen minutes. Of course you did your chore in fifteen cussing minutes,” he continued grumbling, and continued scrubbing. Every soul around him was snickering.

Chapter Text

Oswald headed for the door of the shop, hands full of grocery bags.

It just wasn't right. It was a neat little shop, and it had helped him on his errand run, but it wasn't Betty's. He guessed nothing would beat Betty's though.

He gave his bags a quick glance. Had he gotten everything? Apple juice, orange juice, tomatoes, potatoes, corn, baked beans, more soap, paper towels, band-aids... Yeah, that was all.

He stepped out the door, which was lacking a doorbell. And came face to face with Felix.

They both froze and just stared at each other for a moment. Oswald was the first to blink off his surprise. 

"Felix! Hey!" He greeted, and grinned. "Fancy seeing you here."

Felix shook his head, returning the grin. "Oh, well, I got a desperate request from Red to collect a couple things. I feared my life may have been on the line." He said with humour.

He chuckled and raised a brow. "Oh yeah? Sounds like a dangerous mission."

"It is," he nodded with good humour. "I'm thinking about writing my next book on it."

"'Felix the Cat - The Quest for Groceries.'" Oswald spread his hand out in the sky. And then paused. 

He jerked a shoulder. "It's a working title."

Felix laughed, and then seemed to notice how loud it was, clearing his throat and quieting his tittering.

"You heading home?" Oswald tilted his head in the direction he came from.

"Yeah," he gestured to his own grocery bags, "I better, actually. I’ve got enough here, I-I didn’t need that chewing gum anyway,” he claimed, to which Oswald hummed to acknowledge.

"Mind if I join you?"

Felix tossed a thumb towards the shop the rabbit had just emerged from. "Do you not need to get everything back to your house?"

He waved a hand. "It can wait."

The cat blinked. "Oh. Alright then." 

Oswald stepped down the stairs to the building and walked out onto the sidewalk. Felix sidled up next to him. They started making their way to Baker's Street.

"Any other contests I've missed out on?" Oswald asked.

He hummed in thought. "I don't think so. There was a prank war a few days ago, or just a prank attack, really. Cuphead didn’t fight back."

Aw man, Oswald really had missed out on something else. 

“Let me guess, Bendy started that one?" He assumed.

"Bendy started it, but the Viking kids played a big part,” Felix retold, with a growing knot in his brow. “Though, their pranks are a little odd. They put worms in his coat pockets at one point."

Oswald snorted. "W-what?" Worms??

"Worms,” he confirmed. “They went outside, dug some up and stuffed them in his coat. I had to stop them from putting them in his head,” he laughed a bit, at the sheer shock of it.

Oswald laughed too, and pointed a finger in the air. "You know, I think they're growing on me."

The cat nodded again. "Yeah, they do, even with the worms,” he said with a lip quirked in mild disgust, which had Oswald chuckling more.

He sighed, and they drifted into silence. Not an uncomfortable silence, just, sort of peaceful.

Well, it was peaceful, until Oswald started thinking again.

"Do you... ever worry about 'em, Feels?" He eventually managed.

Felix looked at him curiously with his big eyes. "In what way?"

"Well," he held the back of his neck with his free hand, "worry about how this city is gonna treat 'em. They're very... different." 

His gaze dropped to the ground as they walked. "Yeah, I guess I do... But, I think we're all a little different anyway." He shrugged with a smile. "It's one of the many things that brings us all together, right?”

Oswald felt a smile of his own growing. "You're right."

He was starting to see his friend in a new light. He still didn’t know what kind, but new. It was nice.

He liked hanging out with Feels. He really did. And was open to seeing where their friendship took them.

Though, for the meantime, he was going to keep these feelings to himself. He’d puzzled over it for a bit, and struggled to find a delicate way to bring it up without making Feels uncomfortable, or embarrassed.

So he wasn’t going to say anything. Not yet anyway. He didn’t feel a need to - they were okay like this, and he had faith that Felix would tell him when he was ready. If he was ready.

“Ozzy? You okay?”

The adventurer had noticed his thinking, and was eying him worryingly, tilting his head. 

“Yeah, I uh… ” Oswald trailed off. He breathed in.

"Do you wanna go out for lunch again?" He said in an exhale.

Felix seemed to light up. "Sure, I'd love to." He agreed. 

“Cool,” Oswald smiled. He did too.

"There was a little cafe Soup and Holly went to a couple weeks back," Felix mentioned. "We could try that out."

"Think there's carrot cake?" He'd kill for some carrot cake right about now.

"I would hope so." He jerked his shoulders. "I could check beforehand if you want."

“You'd do that for me?" Oswald beamed.

“Of course - you… like carrot cake,” the cat reasoned. “And a cake cafe without carrot cake is doing something wrong.”

“Hear hear,” Oswald concurred, raising a pretend glass. Felix gave a chuckle.

"But, hey, it’s always a chance to find something else. Try somethin' new,” the rabbit mused. 

He looked at his cat friend with an eyebrow raised. "Got any recommendations?" He queired. Felix put a finger to his chin. 

“… Strawberries are coming into season. Have you ever had a Victoria sponge cake with strawberries and cream?"

Oswald buzzed his lips. "I don’t think so. I've had strawberry cake, but it's really cussing sweet. And pink,” he noted, and shoved his hands in his pockets with a casual sigh. "It's not my jam."

That got a chuckle out of him, and a light eye-roll. "That's why I prefer Victoria sponge. It's just plain cake with plain cream - no sugary icing - and tangy strawberries. Personally, I think it's much better."

"Alright, we'll get some of that then," he finalised. Felix nodded, concurring.

A rip sounded. The weight on Oswald's right hand suddenly left.

He looked down to find one of his bag’s contents has spilled out and fallen onto the sidewalk.

"Ah, cuss." He cursed. He knew he should've gone with more bags. All the cans were too heavy. One would think after years of parenthood he'd have learnt that by now.

Some of the cans tried to roll away. He went to kneel down to grab 'em.

Felix moved. "Oh, let me he-"

Bam. They smashed their foreheads together.

Oswald landed back on the ground with a grunt. He heard Felix do the same, though with an 'oof'.

They paused, and then fell into a fit of laughter.

Oswald held his forehead. "Stars, man, what the cuss is your head made of??"

"I could ask you the very same," Felix remarked through wincing chortles. Oswald chortled too.

They regathered his things and fixed his torn bag to the best of their abilities, tying it back together. It became much smaller, so he had to hold some groceries in his hands. Felix offered to store it in his magic bag, but Oswald said it was fine. Honestly he was worried about losing them to that thing.

After a while the two of them made it to Oddswell's. He and Felix headed in and stayed for a bit to chat to everyone. He also got a new shopping bag, thankfully. 

The house was busy, and preparing for dinner. A couple of people had facepaint on. Apparently they’d had a bit of a makeup party at some point, with a grump or two in the mix. Bendy in particular looked like he was having a bad day.

Oswald was tempted, but he didn’t stay for long. They needed dinner, and he needed to go home to start his own. So, he wrapped up his conversations and said his goodbyes, thanking them for the new shopping bag. Felix showed him out when he was ready to leave.

Oswald looked back at the house once more as he stepped down the steps. "Hey, you guys should come visit the circus again sometime,” he suggested. “It's been a while."

The cat grinned from the doorway. "That sounds like a great idea. And I'm sure Soup, Noodle and Bean would be up for it. I doubt they've ever been anywhere like that before,” he thought to himself, seeming to get more excited, and began stepping away and out of view. "I'll go ask them." 

"Oh!" Felix rushed back. "Right. Sorry,” he apologised, and then waved. "See you soon, Oswald!" And closed the door.

The rabbit smiled warmly to himself. "See ya."

Bendy and the gang rolled up to the circus and its entrance. He looked over the bustling park.

Well, they were back here for a visit. For a day out. Felix had forwarded the idea a day prior. It was a good one, on paper. They’d had a free day and the Vikings had never been.

But, it being a circus had multiple of them on edge. Their last circus experience was moonrocks.

Bendy looked over and Cup, then Mugs. They were putting on good faces. But Bendy had known them long enough to recognise when they were doing just that - putting on faces.

Holly and Alice had it even worse. They didn’t seem excited at all, to the point that a couple of them had offered just not going to them. But they had assured them this was something they wanted to do.

Felix noticed all their moods, and reached up to pet Boris’ head, who was acting skittish himself. "Let's go find Mickey and the gang,” he said as he swept over their whole group with a reassuring expression, and gave a nod. He was right. It was fine. It was cussing nothing like the black and white striped hell.

Bendy heard Alice take a deep breath and let it out from next to him.

He offered her his hand. Wasn't much, he'd admit, but it was all he could think to do.

She eyed his palm for a moment, before clasping it and giving him a small smile. At least it was more genuine.

"All you have to worry about here is the horde of blue fuzzballs and my stash of circus puns,” he told her, and winked. "I've been collecting." 

She huffed a giggle, and settled her face into a more determined one. “You’re on,” she challenged under her breath.

"You're a pretty big fuzzball yourself,” Cup muttered as he stalked by with his stupid long legs. Bendy had prepared a fist to hit him with at that point.

With Cuphead pressing forward, parts of their group began trailing on after.

“I can already smell all the popcorn,” Wakko murmured, his mouth watering an unhealthy amount as he padded forward. Dot was jumping up and down from next to him.

"What are we waiting for?!" She complained exasperatedly to her brothers. "Let's go!"

Felix held up a finger. "Well, first, maybe we should talk about a meet up spo-"

The three wound themselves up, and then zipped off like race cars. Bendy didn't even see them move. They were there, and then they were just gone. All that was left was three trails of dust. Cup almost coughed out his new heart.

"What was that about a meet up spot?" Bendy asked the cat pleasantly, humour in his tone. Cup wheezed in the background while Mugs slapped his back. The Viking trio were splitting their sides.

Felix rolled his eyes with a chuckle. "Never mind. Come on," he waved for them all to follow him.

Bendy, Boris, Felix, Cup, Mugs, Holly, with Snowball as a plus-one, Alice, Cala, Xedo, Wiston, with Fireball as his own plus-one, which was just a disaster waiting to happen, Yakko, Wakko, Dot, Soup, Noods and Bean. A big ol' gang.

They made their way over to the biggest tent. There was a show on soon, and Boris was buzzing over it, explaining the whole deal to the three newbies. Half of the group went to go get seats, while the other half went hunting for a familiar face backstage.

"Guys!" A voice exclaimed, spotting them.

That was Mickey. Everyone drifted over to the voice. He was with a group of bunny kids preparing for the performance. 

“Glad you could make it!" He greeted cheerfully as they approached.

"Glad to be here,” Felix said, planting his hands on his hips. All the kids' heads whipped around at hearing the cat adventurer, and all, like, thirty pairs of eyes landed on them and widened.

"Mr. Felix!" Sounded a chorus. They rushed over and crushed him to the ground.

Mickey hurried after them with his hands up. "Now now, kids, we-"

"And Bendy! And Boris!" The kid with the mini goggles hopped over to Bendy. Trevor, wasn't it?

He patted his head lightly. "Hey, buddy. How's those lenses workin' out for ya?" He asked the kid. Boris was giggling from behind him.

"Who's dis?" One bunny pointed a nub at Soup.

"T-These are our friends - Soup, Noodle and Bean," Felix tried to explain from under his pile of pom-poms. "They're staying with us for a bit."

Another kid stared in wonder. "Like the foods??"

"Sort of," Felix shrugged, a bundle of the bunnies bouncing with his movements. One then tipped his hat down over his eyes. He made an ‘ap’ sound as he was blinded.

Bendy glanced over to the Vikings to see how they were holding up with this. Soup and Noods were shuffling away in nervous laughter, while Bean was talking to a few bunnies that had gathered by his side.

"Your hair is so looong," one child craned his head back to gape at Soup.

“Are you related to the Cup bros??" Another one near Bean asked.

"Can we git oot o here?" Soup made as a formal request. Bendy and the others tittered amusedly.

"Alright, kids," Oswald trudged in like a saint, "leave 'em be. You need to get ready."

They whined, but did as they were told, dragging their feet away.

Oswald sauntered over to them. "Sorry about that. They can be a bit much sometimes," he stated more towards the Vikings.

Felix got up and fixed his askew hat. "It's alright. I should've given you three a heads-up."

"Have you guys got seats sorted?" Mickey queried, and plonked his own hat on his head. Confirming nods went around. "Swell. It's on the house!" He declared, giving them a salute before he marched off.

“Are you sure? We could just pay for them,” Felix offered as he dusted off his knees.

"Nah," the rabbit clapped a hand on his shoulder, "you're family here, no matter how much that duck argues." 

They gave each other a grin, and not long after that, Oswald was off again. Their half-group went to go join the rest in the main tent, and settled down in the front row of the bleachers. Alice had saved Bendy a seat next to her, which he gladly took. Holly, the Cupbros, the foxes and the Warners were off to her left, while Bendy and his group took up the rest of the spaces on the right, Boris sitting on his other side.

The show began.

Bendy thought it was good. It had had Boris on the edge of his seat, so he couldn't complain. He also just way preferred this type of circus to the cussing horror show he'd been in before. Yeah, nothing was gonna rank lower than that.

It was also entertaining to watch the bewilderment of Soup and her siblings. He'd wager that they had never seen any of these animals before, or just a circus in general. The faces they made were berries. It had a good chunk of them snickering.

Once the show was over, they split off into different groups to explore the site.

Boris watched Soup goggle at the raccoon man behind the counter spin some cotton candy for them. Ah yes, the wonders of the cloud candy. He had to admit, he was pretty jazzed about it too.

"Here y’ go." The man leant down and handed her a stick of the sweet treat, and got started on Boris' next.

"Whit is it?" Soup examined her stick. She sniffed at it.

He quirked his shoulders with a bit of amusement. "It's just spun sugar. Try it," he encouraged.

She bit straight into it. Her eyes bulged. 

Soup shrunk her mouth. "ʸᵘⁿ'ˢ ᵇʳᵃˡˡʸ ˢʷᵉᵉᵗ,” she wheezed. Boris covered his mouth to smother his giggles. 

"An’ anotha for you,” the raccoon said, and gave a second stick to Boris, to which he slid over a couple cents he had stored. The two thanked him and trotted off.

Boris pinched a chunk off his cloud and stuffed it in his mouth. "So, whadda you think of the circus?"

"People," she simply replied.

He quirked an eyebrow. "People?"

"People. Lot o fok,” she acknowledged, and then shoved the whole stick of cotton candy into her mouth. And just ate it. It was impressive, honestly.

"You don't... like... people?" He questioned with a furrowed forehead. It was starting to ache.

"No really, no. None o us do." She used the stick to pick at her teeth. "Last time we saw dis maany fok wis at a dinner perty yonks ago, whin we were jost bairns. Bean ended up bitin' a lad."

"Wh-"

Boris wasn't given the chance to express his growing befuddlement. "Is dere onythin' maere savoury aroond here?" She pursed her lips as she scanned the place.

Savoury? Uhh. He could smell hotdogs. He led her over to a hotdog stand in a daze.

She spoke to the girl behind the stand and ordered multiple hotdogs, if he heard correctly, with curiosity.

"An whit are dese?" She asked as if everything was normal.

"Hot... Hotdogs. They're a sausage in a bun, sometimes with condiments,” he answered.

Her face lit up. "Soonds lik my kinda scran."

He waved his hands with yet another head shake. "Wait, wait. Let's go back a step."

She looked at him inquisitively. "Back to the dinner party," Boris continued. "Bean bit someone?"

"Weell, yeah. He didna lik 'im." She responded like that easily explained it. She pointed at her jaw. "Yun's hoo he lost his tooth."

"That's normal??" Boris barked a little louder than he'd meant. His voice sort of cracked. That was embarrassing. He cleared his throat, hoping no one had noticed.

She just nodded. "Dy teeth are a muckle good weapon, du kains. Gotta use 'em." 

She got four plain hotdogs passed over to her. A grin spread on her face. "Noo, whit does du taak in trade?" She interrogated the worker.

The girl froze for a second. "Uhh... money?"

Soup's expression contorted. "... I dunna hiv ony o... yun. Does du taak chicken feed? Nuggets?" She narrowed her eyes in accusation. "Does du want bleedin' gems??"

The worker leaned back in discomfort, and a bit of horror. Oh boy.

Boris pushed over some actual money before Soup mortified him further. He dragged her away.

"Dy system here is weird," she told him with a huff.

"I could say the same for yours." He muttered out the side of his mouth. "Just eat the hotdogs."

She did, and looked very content doing so.

"Want wan?" She held one out for him.

He grimaced. His last couple experiences with hotdogs deterred him. Despite having just been to several, admittedly Talent Town had put him off a lot of food stalls. "No, I'm good thanks."

She stared at him deadpan. "Hiv a hotdug." She plonked it into his hands anyway.

Well, no one else was gonna eat it now. He sighed in defeat and sunk his teeth into it.

"So, let me get this straight." He finished chewing and swallowed. "You just bite stuff?"

"Yep," she said around a mouthful.

"And Noods bites stuff?"

"Yep."

"And it's allowed?"

"Yep."

"Damn," he looked off as he reminisced, "first time I bit someone I got put in a drawer for it.”

"Lad, I'm tellin' dee, du's livin' in da wrang society." She gestured precariously with her hotdog. Or, what was left of her hotdog.

He snorted. "That, or, yours is just odd."

"Miybe. But we turned oot aaright, didn't we?" She spread her arms out, and then ate the rest of her hotdog.

"That's debatable," he retorted with a grin.

She held her now empty hand to her chest in mock hurt. He laughed.

"Ay yo, whit's du daein' min?" A voice said from behind him. He jumped three feet into the air with a short shriek, and whirled around. 

It was Noodle. Oh thank cuss. "Stars, Noods, don't do that,” he stomped slightly. Now she was the one laughing. Xedo and Wiston were with her. Wiston seemed mildly amused by the jumpscare too. Even Fireball did.

"Want a hotdug?" Soup showed another one off to her sister.

The wolf frowned. "No, I'm good."

"Hiv a hotdug." She shoved it into her hands.

"Can we go play some games or something?" Wiston pleaded. "These two are being horrendously boring,” he whined. Fireball cawed in what Boris could only guess was agreement.

Actually, he was up for some games as well. Something more normal would be great.

Chapter Text

It had been a while since Xedo had visited a fair. It was refreshing. Red had been right - he did need to take a break and relax more often.

From beside him Noodle punted a pebble at a stack of cans with a little too much enthusiasm. The cans toppled and left the beam empty. Noodle, and Wiston, cheered.

Well, it didn't seem like he would be getting much of a chance to think here regardless.

"You won a prize. Take your pick," a worker behind the stall explained rather apathetically in stark contrast.

"Go on, Fireball. You heard the man." Wiston extended his arm for her. She cawed and beat her wings, boosting off his limb and swiping her chosen plush. The worker yelped and ducked below.

The bird hybrid returned to her favourite spot on the cub’s shoulder with her prize in hand, or rather talon.

"Thanks for the backup." Wiston raised his fist to the wolf for a fist bump. What he got was a sock in the shoulder.

Xedo started ambling away. "Please do not go damaging my brother. He means a lot to me."

"It's fine, min, he's fine." Noodle trudged alongside him with said brother on her left. "Right?"

He had his shoulder clutched. "Ow," he strained with an eye twitch and a stiff stature. Xedo's lip quirked with humour.

They made their way through a scattered crowd, of both people and stalls and tents. Every so often Xedo caught a glimpse of a Warner head popping up, usually in the midst of a pun.

Wiston asked to have a go on the carousel. Xedo paid for a ride, and then his brother was already gone. Fireball hovered around the edges of the attraction and watched him like a hawk.

"Is she some kind o weird dragon?" Noodle piped up from her position next to the fox.

"No. As far as I'm aware, she has the body of a falcon and the head of a deer. Not your typical woodland creature," he noted with mild bemusement. "Holly accidentally made her during a series of tests, along with a couple of other critters."

He turned a curious look on her. "Are creatures such as dragons common where you're from?"

"Oh yeah, dey’re ivirywhar," she told him, her attention still partly fixated on the bird. "Du's maere likly tae come across a dragon dan onythin' else. But dey’re cool. We dunna hurt dem, an dey dunna hurt us."

"How interesting," he simply commented. "And chaotic."

She chortled. "Du has no idea."

He let out a chuckle himself. "No, I suppose I don't. Though Wiston's pyromania gives me a small insight."

"Is du talkin' aboot his fire problem?" She folded her arms with a grin.

"Yes, but, well," he reached into his waistcoat and pulled out his notebook, flicking through the inked pages, "we have gone sixteen days without a significant incident." 

He tucked his notepad away again. "That is mainly thanks to Fireball."

"Yun a new record?" Her broad shoulders shook with mirth.

"It is," he admitted with a lighthearted smile. She cackled.

The ride came to a halt. Soon after, his brother hopped off the ride, and headed over to them with a woozy bird on his tail. 

“You know, I think I'm getting a little old for carousels,” he proclaimed. Was that so.

"Alright - we shall shun them for the rest of our days," Xedo settled. His brother went to protest but failed as he started padding away. “We best go someplace else before Fireball collapses.”

They began trekking through the maze of stripes once more, Wiston pouting along the way. His sulk didn’t last long. It never did. He quickly got distracted by his feathered companion again.

"We've been working on your map,” Xedo mentioned, and adjusted his spectacles, “and have come up with a place to search first." 

Noodle's attention whipped to him. He continued, “I was going to ask if it was a probable option."

She tilted her head. "Whar?" 

"The sewers."

Her snout crinkled. "Whit's da sewers?"

"They are a string of underground tunnels which pass on our drained water and waste. Not particularly classy, but," he dusted off the cuff of his sleeve, "they've saved us from multiple epidemics and for that I am grateful."

Her expression dropped into one of dread.

"We suspected the rivers were too mechanical and unique to be natural, therefore, the sewer conclusion. It fits better.”

“Do you think he would've hidden something in a place like that?" He queried.

“Definitely,” she confirmed.

He gave a nod. "Very well. We will start research on which sewers they could perhaps be, as there are a lot of them in this continent."

"I’m gaein tae re-kill ‘im at dis rate," she swore, and looked back at the fox. "Cheers, though. Du's a mad lad."

He laughed a bit in surprise. "I'm not going to pretend I know what that means, but I will take it,” he accepted. Her sharp-toothed grin made a return.

Wiston scoffed from beside her. "I did not come here to listen to you two blabber about the sewers,” he complained, and then motioned to the shoulder his bird friend was taking up residence on. “Fireball's already eaten through this toy!"

He was right. The plush had been torn to shreds, shreds she was happily nesting in.

The wolf snickered through her fangs. "Looks lik we need tae play maere gaames. Lead da wiy, lil' min."

The 'little man' did so, and brought them over to another stand. It involved catching a toy mouse that shot out of a long pipe at random intervals. Xedo thought it was ironic, considering the owners of the circus. 

Wiston and Noodle managed to turn it into a contest between the two of them: whoever caught the most mice won. Fireball dived in to steal the rodent once in a while. There was the debate on whether or not she had entered the competition herself, or if she was on Wiston's team.

It was a diverting game. Wiston took a mouse to the face at one point, and Noodle caught one in her mouth, though looked as if she hadn't consciously chosen to do so.

Together they were able to claim a few more prizes, one of which was another teddy that went straight to Fireball.

After running that game dry of trinkets, they left to go find a new stall to ransack.

"Hey, is that Boris?" Wiston pointed a finger towards a duo. "And Soup?"

Xedo eyed them. He had his back partially turned, but it was indeed Boris. The dish was easier to recognise.

The three of them sauntered over, in silence apparently, judging by the wolf's unsuspecting attitude. He guffawed at something Soup said.

Noodle treaded up to him. "Ay yo, whit's du daein' min?" She voiced. The other wolf leapt up in shock. Xedo heard Wiston giggle.

"Stars, Noods, don't do that,” he frowned and stomped a foot into the grass. She, and Xedo, admittedly, laughed along with Wiston.

"Want a hotdug?" Soup held out the food.

"No, I'm good." Noodle dismissed. Xedo was of the same opinion. He wasn't one for such processed foods. They had become disturbing to him.

"Hiv a hotdug." She, forcefully, passed it to her sister regardless.

"Can we go play some games or something?" Wiston begged. "These two are being horrendously boring." Ah yes, the sewer talk.

This time Soup was the one that pointed. "Is yun Bean?"

Xedo squinted through his lenses, looking to where she was directing her digit. “… I would guess so. There's a scarce amount of dishes in this town."

"Let's go raid whitivir he's playin'," Noodle waved with her hotdog and tore a morsel off, before she rushed over to her brother. Soup followed in pursuit. 

Boris groaned in resignation and jogged after them with little pep. Wiston and Fireball trailed after him, and Xedo trailed at a more relaxed pace.

Bean's sisters arrived first. "Foos du doin' daday min?" The eldest planted her hands on her hips.

"Gamin’," he answered rather plainly, only sparing a second to glance at them before continuing his round of aggressive whack-a-mole. Mugman and Cala Maria were stood next to him.

"Can I go next?" Wiston held up his balled fists. "I've got some pent-up energy here." Fireball screamed into his ear, something he had grown immune to.

"Sure." The dish, well, whacked a mole.

Cala gazed around in wonder, and found herself spinning, taking in the sights. 

This circus was wonderful. It was colourful, bright and busy: it was what she had first imagined when she was told what a circus was. Not that horrible black and white fear factory. No, this was it.