Archive of Our Own ^beta

   Happy knocked on the door to Garbage’s room. His muzzle formed in a smug grin. Finally, after all this time, Happy was victorious. Garbage was finally stripped of his captain’s title. Ever since then, Happy was looking for the perfect opportunity to rub his victory in Garbage’s face. He finally had one when he saw the former captain’s crew all gathered at the diner together, without Garbage. Meaning Garbage was alone. A sitting duck placed perfectly in Happy’s paws. He took this opportunity at once and rushed into the Pluto and up to Garbage’s door. Leading to where he is now. 

   Happy knocked once again, more vigorous than the first time. The door swung open after the second knock, causing Happy to knock the air a few times. Happy heard a groan.

   ”Why are you here Happy?” Garbage bitterly stated. “Did you come here to brag?” Happy opened his mouth to respond, but the depressing sight before him made him falter.

   This wasn’t the same happy-go-lucky Corgi that Happy knew. For starters, the determined glint in Garbage’s eyes were gone, they looked so dark and lifeless, half-lidded and tired. His muzzle was curled into a frown, clearly caused by Happy’s presence. His ears were folded back as well, the one on the left more folded back than the other.

   The former captain before him wasn’t wearing the captain uniform that Happy was familiar with. Granted, Happy knew that Garbage wasn’t a captain anymore, but Happy thought he would never take that thing off. Instead, he was wearing more comfortable clothing, a loose white tank top and black capris. One of the straps was sliding off of Garbage’s shoulder. Happy tried not to stare.

   Garbage’s fur was disheveled and matted, showing that Garbage has not picked up a brush in a while. On top of all that, Garbage’s stench matched his name. He literally smelled like Garbage. The smell made Happy stifle a gag. After that, Happy made a mental note that Garbage clearly hasn’t been taking care of himself. 

   At that moment, Happy could have laughed in the Corgi’s face, flaunting his victory and metaphorically stomping Garbage into the dirt. But he didn’t. He couldn’t. It didn’t feel right, not while Garbage was like this. 

   This was Happy’s rival, a competitor. To feel truly victorious, the enemy has to be at their best, the top of their game. Right now Garbage was not at his best. He was a lousy, depressed mess. So instead, Happy took a different approach. He crossed his arms and stood tall. 

   “Why aren’t you out with your friends?” Happy asked. Garbage’s eyes darted to the floor. His right paw flew to his other arm and rubbed it nervously.

   “I‘m just a little tired,” Garbage replied flatly. Happy narrowed his eyes and scowled. 

   “Hotdog water,” Happy shoved past Garbage. The Corgi stumbled, voicing complaints and pleas. They fell on deaf floppy ears, for Happy wasn’t listening to any of it. Glancing around the room, Happy saw that it was a complete mess, the bed was unmade, the desk and the shelves were disorganized, and the floor was riddled with empty bottles. Happy picked up a stray bottle from the floor. He glanced at the label and grimaced. “Ugh, you’re such a complete disaster.” 

   Garbage slapped the bottle from Happy, causing it to clatter to the floor. His sad expression shifted into a scowl. 

   “Don’t you DARE!” Garbage shouted. “You have no idea what I’ve been going through! Over these past few days I have lost EVERYTHING! I lost my uniform, I lost my captain’s chair, and I lost my job to one of my FRIENDS!” Garbage’s fur bristled, teeth bared, and nostrils flared. His paws were clenched into fists, shaking with rage. To Happy’s surprise, a growl emanated from Garbage’s throat. 

   For the first time, Happy started seeing Garbage in a different light. A broken dog with broken dreams, and they were broken by Happy’s own paws. Happy sighed and lowered his head, gaze towards the floor.

   “You’re right, Garbage,” Happy said softly, “I’m… I’m sorry.” 

   After a few moments of silence, Happy lifted his head. Garbage was sitting on the side of the bed, head in his paws, covering his eyes. His body shook with intense sharp breaths. Tears flowed down his cheeks and his ears were tightly folded to the back of his head. 

   Slowly, Happy made his way to Garbage’s side. He stroked the Corgi’s back up and down. Feeling the former captain’s body rise and fall with every shallow breath. 

   “It… I… It wasn’t supposed --- to be this way ---,“ Garbage managed to say between sobs. At this moment Happy was unsure of why he was doing this. He hated this dog. But the more he looked at Garbage, the worse he felt. He had never seen Garbage so damaged before, so fragile; like a baby bird.

   After a while, Garbage was finally able to look up at the Poodle. His fur was wet from tears and his eyes were a little red.

   “Thanks for being here for me,” Garbage said. Happy averted his gaze to the other side of the room.

   “Even though you make my fur stand on end Garbage,” Happy replied, “It wouldn’t be right to leave you like that. Just like it wouldn’t be right for you to avoid your friends.” Garbage’s expression fell.

   “But Stella,” Garbage mumbled, “I don’t know if I can fa-“ Happy cupped Garbage’s face in his paws.

   “That's not the Garbage I know,” Happy interrupted. “The Garbage that I know always had a chipper attitude and an upbeat tone that made my blood boil. The Garbage that I know always kept a brave and happy face even in the face of danger. The Garbage that I know, always had his crew’s back no matter what. Garbage I am confident that they will do the same for you.” Happy finally let go of Garbage’s face, leaving the Corgi stunned and frozen in place. He stayed like that for a while. Happy grew worried and slowly reached a paw to Garbage’s shoulder. 

   Garbage shot forward into Happy’s arms, trapping him in a warm embrace.

   “Thank you,” Garbage whispered. Happy froze for several seconds, before finally giving in. He wrapped one arm around Garbage’s middle and stroked Garbage’s head fluff with his free paw. Happy found it surprisingly pleasant to hug his rival like this. Perhaps Garbage wasn’t so bad after all. 

   Then, Happy ended up taking another whiff of Garbage’s stench, causing him to cringe and scrunch up his nose.

   “Eugh, Garbage go take a shower you stink,” Happy gagged.