Chapter Text
As Chuck E. walked back from the already locked back door, he let out a long sigh. I really gotta work on trusting my friends more. How am I suppose’ta let myself take time off if I can’t even let myself leave them an easy task like locking up?
As Chuck E. rounded the building, he was drawn out of his thoughts at the sight of Jasper sound asleep in the car. He had closed the door and cranked the window down a little for fresh air, and his head was resting against the still visible section of window. At some point, his hat had fallen off his head and onto his left shoulder. His light snores were fogging up the patch of window by his nose.
Chuck E. fished his phone out of his pocket to take a picture. If he ever sees this, he’ll probably think I wanted it for blackmail, but honestly he’s just so cute! Chuck E. froze for a second before tucking his phone back into his pocket and walking around to the driver side of the car. Friends think their friends are cute, right? He gently opened the car door and climbed into the driver’s seat as quietly as he could. I mean, I can acknowledge that Helen is cute, she’s just…not my type. He looked over at Jasper as he started the car. As he felt a smile creep onto his face, he pushed down the whispers in his brain that thought they had an idea what his type actually was.
Chuck E. shook his head and pulled out of the parking lot. “Guess a nap in the Cheese Mobile isn’t so bad after all,” he joked to himself under his breath.
As he drove home, Chuck E. planned what he wanted to make for their belated lunch. I might have chicken tenders in the freezer I could make to really class things up. He bit his lip to keep himself from laughing at his own joke. When he stopped at the red light ahead of him, his eyes fell on the upcoming gas station and the large ad they had for cold drinks on the side of the convenience store. Oh yeah, Chuck E. remembered, I think Jasper drank the last of the Dr. Pepper I had in my fridge for him last time he was over. I should run in and get some.
~~~~~~
Jasper woke up to the smell of Velveeta and the sound of Chuck E. humming Pizza Cabana floating in from the kitchen. I don’t care what Chuck says, this might just be the comfiest nap spot on the planet. He stretched out on Chuck E.’s incredibly comfortable purple pleather couch and without even sitting up, started singing along with the song. “My name is Jasper. I am a hound dog.”
At the sound of his voice, Chuck E. paused his stirring to walk into the living room. “You love ta play guitar, and you’re gonna be a star.” Chuck E. giggled.
“Good morning, sleeping beauty!” Jasper just yawned and rubbed his eyes. Chuck E. laughed some more before his eyes lit up with remembrance. “I’ll be right back!”
Jasper sighed and sat up. He leaned down to take his shoes off before putting his feet up on the coffee table only to find his shoes already gone.
At that moment, Chuck E. walked back into the room with a cold can of Dr. Pepper in his hand to find Jasper staring at his socked feet. “Jasp?”
Jasper looked up at him with one eyebrow raised comically high. “You a shoe thief now, Chuck?”
Chuck E. scratched the back of his neck with his free hand. “Well, you-you were so out of it when we got here that ya somehow, um, sleep walked up the stairs, so it felt silly to wake ya over shoes, but y’know, I don’t love shoes bein’ o-on the furniture, and-”
Jasper rolled his eyes fondly. “Do I get ‘em back when I leave?”
Chuck E. tilted his head and gave him a funny look. “Wha- Yes, Jasper, I’ll give you your damn shoes back,” Chuck E. said through laughter. “They’re with your hat in the front closet.” How is he even this hilarious ridiculous right after waking up?
Jasper nodded, still keeping his straight face. “Good.”
Chuck E. smiled and shook his head. “Good. Also, This-” He held out the Dr. Pepper, “Is for you.”
The sarcastic façade immediately dropped from Jasper’s face and was replaced with surprise. When Jasper didn’t immediately reach for the can, Chuck E. pushed it into his paw. “But- I thought I-” Jasper shook his head and tried again while squinting at the can. “Didn’t I finish off the last Dr. Pepper stash I brought over a couple weeks ago?”
“You did, but I remembered that while we were drivin’ home. I know how supa obsessed you are with the stuff, so I stopped to getcha some!” Chuck E. beamed at him proudly.
“There’s a whole 12 pack in the fridge if ya want another, but maybe try not to drink ‘em all today?” Chuck E. chuckled while Jasper kept gazing at the can. Sweet sassafras, he even keeps track of my soda stash. He’s sweet and an enabler.
Jasper looked up at Chuck E. who was still idling in the living room and eyed him suspiciously. “Wait a minute, you got this on the way here? When’d that happen?”
Chuck E. held up his hands placatingly. “Like I said, Jasp, you were really outta it.”
The kitchen timer went off, startling them both. “Shoot, I gotta go check on the food!” Chuck E. exclaimed, already power walking back to the kitchen. “Didn’tja say you wanted to call your mom again? You could do that while I’m finishin’ up in here?”
Jasper’s ears perked up at the idea. “Good idea, Chuck!” He called loudly towards the kitchen before finally popping open his can of Dr. Pepper and taking a sip. Mm-mm, truly the closest I’m gettin’ to heaven. He grabbed his phone off the table and flipped it open, kicking his feet up on the table while typing in his mom’s number.
“Hey, Mama, it’s your boy, Jasper, again!”
“Oh hello again, Jasper baby! Looks like you and your Charlie had a good, long talk, dear.”
“Yes ma’am, we talked things out.” He paused. Based on her tone, I probably need to clarify. “Not this whole time, though. We talked with the rest of the band too, and now we’re back at his place.”
“Oh?” Now I really don’t trust her tone. “Y’all went home together?”
Jasper brought the paw that wasn’t holding the phone to his ear up to cradle his temple and sighed. “Not like that , Mama. Just, when we were gettin’ ready to leave the restaurant for the day, I guess I was lookin’ a lil bit tired and out of it, and Chuck said I looked too tired to drive and offered to bring me here with ‘im to take a nap. ‘Cause in case I’ve never mentioned it, he has this great couch–it’s practically a cloud. But anyway, now he’s in the kitchen makin’ lunch.”
“Oh, I see, he’s just keepin’ an eye on ya when you’re tired, invitin’ you to sleep in his home, and cookin’ for ya. But it’s definitely not like that , is it, dear?”
“I-” Jasper hesitated and studied his can of Dr. Pepper as he set it back on the table. Maybe this all was a very sweet gesture, but that’s just how Chuck E. is, right?
Jasper ran his free paw through the little tuft of fur on his head. “Anyway, Mama, I called ya back because I have excitin’ news!”
“What’s that, sweetheart?”
Jasper took a deep breath and smiled. “I’m comin’ home for a visit!”
“Oh! Oh, I’m gonna see my baby soon! I might could cry! When’s your flight?” The audible joy in her voice made Jasper smile wider.
“Well, I don't know when exactly yet, we need a coupla weeks to call in reinforcements, but real soon I promise!”
After a slightly too long stretch of silence, she replied,“Oh honey, forgive me for sayin’ this, but given your history with this sort o’ thing, tell me again when you have it booked so I can get excited, alright?” Jasper hung his head. How many times have I let my mama down that she won’t even trust me anymore?
Chuck E. leaned his head through the archway into the kitchen. “Everything alright, Jasp?”
Jasper quickly sat up and put on a smile. “Yep, sure thing, Chuckster!”
“Well, that’s…good,” Chuck E. said, the skepticism clear as day on his face. “Food’s ready when you are, but you guys take your time.” He ducked back into the kitchen.
“Wait, Jasper, honey,” Mrs. Jowls piped in from the phone, “Wouldja be a dear and put me on speaker? I wanna talk to ‘im.”
Jasper sighed. “He went back to the kitchen, Mama. And are you sure this is a good idea?”
She tutted. “Then carry me to the kitchen, dear. And I ain’t gonna embarrass ya. Not that bad anyway.” Why do I gotta have the hardest mama to say no to? Jasper shook his head and headed into the kitchen.
Chuck E. turned around from where he was fixing their plates of mac and cheese and chicken tenders and waved at Jasper with the spoon in his hand. “Oh hey! Ready to eat?”
Jasper winced. “Actually my mama wants to talk to you.”
Chuck E.’s face scrunched up, and his nose twitched as he briefly mulled it over. “Oh, uh, okay, sure!” He said with a quick nod before he returned the serving spoon to the pot of mac and cheese and took off the oven mitt he was wearing. Jasper put his phone on speaker and leaned against the stretch of counter opposite the stove.
“Alright, Mama, you’re on.”
“Charlie, honey, how are you?”
“Oh I’m pretty good, thank you. Are you havin’ a nice Mother’s Day?” Chuck E. walked the few steps to come lean against the counter next to Jasper. Jasper smirked. There’s that parent pleasing voice that gets us through the birthday parties.
“It’s been lovely, dear. How sweet of ya to ask. Have you talked to your mama yet?”
Chuck E. froze. Jasper leaned in to bump their shoulders together in a comforting gesture and answered for him.
“He called her this mornin’, Mama.” Chuck E. stared at him with wide eyes and Jasper made a waving gesture with his free paw. “Don’t worry ‘bout it,” he mouthed.
“Whaddya wanna talk to Chuck E. about, Mama?”
“Alright, alright,” she sighed. “So Charlie, Jasper here says he’s comin’ to see me soon, but, well, he likes to keep sayin’ that ‘til the cows come home, and I just wanted to ask you if he was really gettin’ that all sorted out wi’ ya.”
Jasper shrunk against the counter. Chuck E. gave his arm a quick squeeze and held out his hand for the phone, which Jasper readily handed over.
Chuck E. took a deep breath. Okay, Chuck E., cool and confident. “Yes ma’am, we’re already making the plans now. Jasper and I were talkin’ and agreed we could both use a break. I know he hasn’t made it home in a while, so we’re taking 2 weeks off, and I’m sending him your way for both of ‘em!”
“Two whole weeks? Oh Charlie, you really are a good boy. I can see why Jasper likes ya so much.”
Chuck E. blushed, and Jasper melted further into the counter.
“Thanks, Mrs. Jowls, but it’s nothin’ really. I just like seeing my friends happy! I just need a few weeks to catch up to the party reservations we have already, so all o’ those kids can get the band they booked. But I got a whole bunch of friends in showbiz I’m callin’ in the morning to find people to cover for us while we’re gone, so I’m thinking we’ll get this guy on a plane for you within the next… month-ish. And I’m buyin’ the ticket so he can’t jus’ back out and show up to work anyway.”
Jasper put his pity party on hold to speak up for himself. “Hey now, I would never-“
Chuck E.’s incredulous glance and his mom’s silence spoke volumes. Jasper shut his trap.
“That all sounds wonderful, Charlie, sweetheart, thank you!”
“Oh, it’s nothin’.”
“Well, it’s certainly somethin’ to me. Didja have any plans for your weeks off yet, dear?” Jasper’s eyebrows shot up. I know that voice. That’s Mama’s conspirin’ voice. He eyed the phone warily.
“Oh, uh, no ma’am, but I’m sure I’ll come up with somethin’!” Chuck E. chuckled awkwardly. “Maybe I’ll finally learn how to make some actual recipes or read a book or… something.”
“Welll…” she started, really dragging the word out. “You’re more than welcome to come stay with us too! We have plenty of room on the farm, and I know it would be a lovely change of pace from all the stress you boys deal with in California.”
“Oh, I-“ Chuck E. tried.
“And Jasper could show y’around our darlin’ little town or maybe even take ya into Nashville!”
“Mamaaa!” Jasper groaned.
“And no offense to y’all’s little chef friend, but let me tell ya, Charlie, honey, a good plate of some country food will darn near knock your britches off!”
Chuck E. and Jasper studied each other’s faces, trying to figure out what they wanted to say and if the other would agree with it.
“Whaddya say, dear? And don’t worry, your plane ticket will be on us . Just consider it a lil’ southern pre-hospitality!”
Chuck E. broke the eye contact to study the spice rack across from them and worried his bottom lip between his teeth. Honestly, that all sounds great—a vacation and time with my best friend! But I wouldn’t want to crash Jasper’s time with his family when he hasn’t seen them in so long.
Jasper fidgeted with his paws and kept sneaking glances at Chuck E. It would be real nice to get to spend some time with Chuck outside our usual work routine...if he’d even want to. But I know Mama’s wantin’ to set us up, and I’d hate to make him uncomfortable.
Chuck E. finally broke the silence. “It’s, uh, really kind of you to offer, Mrs. Jowls, but is it alright if Jasper and I talk about it for a minute before I give ya an answer?”
“Of course, boys!”
“Okay Mama, lemme just see if I can remember how to mute the phone for a sec.”
Jasper muted the sound coming from their end of the line, turned down the volume, and set the phone down on the counter. He looked over at Chuck E., trying to keep his posture relaxed. “Y’know, she said she wasn’t gonna embarrass me.”
Chuck E. met his gaze, head slightly tilted. “It wasn’t that bad.” Jasper raised an eyebrow at him. Chuck E. slowly tilted his head back side to side a few times before relenting, “Okay, so it was a little awkward… And weird that your mom trusted me more than you.” He smiled at Jasper sympathetically.
Jasper sighed. “And also a little weird that she spontaneously invited ya like that, heh, right?” He chuckled uncomfortably.
Chuck deflated ever so slightly; the change just barely noticeable to Jasper. No way. Jasper felt his heart beat faster. Does he actually want to come…with me? He squeezed the counter behind him to ground himself.
“Not that I think you comin’ along is weird or anythin’. Jus’ the way she went about it is all.”
Chuck E. stayed quiet, and his expression remained unclear. Jasper kept going. “I, uh, actually might rather like it if ya came.”
Chuck E.’s eyes lit up. “Really?”
Be cool, Jasper. “Sure! I do lo- like , uh, havin’ ya around, y’know.” Oh perfect, that was definitely cool… not. He started lightly drumming his claws on the underside of the lip of the counter.
Chuck E. giggled. “Well, I know that, Jasp. And I like spendin’ time wit’cha too.” He smiled warmly at Jasper who looked away to hide his blush. “I jus’ thought you’d wanna focus your time on your family, and just, like, take a break from, um, e-everythin’.”
Jasper frowned. “Chuck, I don’t need a break from you . I am realizin’ I need a break from the constant workin’ somethin’ awful, but I’d never get tired of ya.”
“O–oh.” Chuck E. crossed his arms and scratched at one arm nervously to distract from the warmth bubbling in his chest. “Well, I mean, uh, that’s good. ‘Cause I really don’t wanna be in the way of your time at home, but I was in here thinkin’ about how we haven’t gone more than a day or two withou’ seein’ each other in a coupla years, and I was worried I might r-really, um, miss y-ya.”
Chuck E. cleared his throat and missed Jasper’s eyes going comically wide. “Where was I?” he asked quietly under his breath. “Oh, right, uh, I just figured it would be fun to go on a trip with ya, and I did meet your mom that one time, but I’m sure the whole crew of Jowls…es is, uh, a hoot and half as you’d say.” He smiled over at Jasper, still fidgeting with his arms.
Jasper snorted. “Hoot and a half is one way to describe it. Headache and a half is another. I love ma family, but lordy, are they a lot sometimes. And they’ll definitely rope ya into helpin’ with some farm chores, sayin’ some shit like ‘itsa fun bondin’ activity!’ or ‘I’ll buy ya ice cream if ya can pick more beans in an hour than me.’”
Jasper sighed and crossed his arms too. “Don’t ask me how many times I’ve fallen for that one… or how few times I actually won. Jenny’s just too fast, man.” Chuck E. laughed good-naturedly. Jasper shook his head.
“Anyway, ya sure you want to deal with all that on your time off? Unlike me, you can get away with sayin’ no to my mama.” Jasper crossed his right foot over his left and looked expectantly at Chuck E., unsure as to what he wanted the answer to be.
Chuck E. clasped his hands together in front of his chest. “As long as you’re sure I won’t be in the way-”
“You won’t be.”
“Then I-I’d love to come along!” Chuck E. said with a grin.
Jasper nodded and allowed himself a small smile. He grabbed his phone where it still sat and turned the volume back up. “Hey Mama, we’re back!”
“Thank you, Jeremy, honey, I’m sure I’ll be in jus’ a minute, I jus’ wanna hear from those boys first.”
Chuck E. amusedly raised an eyebrow at Jasper. Jasper looked down at the phone to find the mute icon still on the screen. “Heh, whoops.” He hit the mute button to turn their mic back on.
“Hey, Mama, we’re back!”
“Hear that, Jere, this is why I keep tellin’ y’all I got the strongest motherly intuition in da county!” She let out a confident hum. “Anyways, Jasper, Charlie–you boys comin’ to see us or what?”
Chuck E. leaned in closer to where Jasper was holding the phone. “Yes ma’am, we’re comin’!”