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English
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Published:
2022-05-21
Updated:
2022-09-15
Words:
1,590
Chapters:
3/?
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22
Kudos:
126
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Call Them Brothers

Summary:

After saving the world, our newly appointed heroes are treated to a grand dinner with the great heroes. They are allowed to invite two people, Gingerbrave decides to invite Muscle and Ninja to everyone's surprise. This leaves his friends to ask, why them of all people?

Or: The Common Brothers (as I've taken to calling them) accidently reveal some deep shit about themselves during Brave's celebratory dinner

Chapter 1: Ginger is indeed brave

Chapter Text

Gingerbrave never liked getting into his home life, if he had to he would be very vague about it. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t pretty either. When talking about it, he would just say “I was closest to my brothers, after a test my oldest brother would take me to go get ice cream,” things like that. Sometimes he’s forced to explain further but he would still be very vague. After all, getting into his home life often meant receiving pity. 

 

***

 

Gingerbrave and his friends had a celebratory dinner with the great heroes after being able to defeat Dark Enchantress and reunite everyone with White Lily. The newly appointed heroes were allowed to invite 2 people, Gingerbrave instantly knew who he was going to invite. 

 

They arrived a bit late, as their home was a ways away from the castle, but they got there. The newly appointed heroes were the first there, then Wizard’s mother and brother arrived, and soon after that Chili Pepper’s brother. Gingerbrave waited patiently until finally, they arrived. 

 

“I knew you were brave,” Wizard Cookie said upon seeing them. “But this may be a new level.” 

 

In walked Muscle and Ninja Cookie, who were considered to be the town celebrities due to their strength and speed. Both were dressed in nicer clothes than they usually wore, Muscle in a clean flannel with the sleeves rolled up and his hair showing (which was tied back), and Ninja in a neat, dark blue suit and his hair in a similar style. The two never really bothered getting to know others so the fact that they were here meant one of two things.1, Gingerbrave somehow managed to waltz up to them and befriend them. Or 2, Gingerbrave had really earned the title of “World’s bravest cookie”. Turns out there was a surprise third option. 

 

Muscle walked up to Gingerbrave and awkwardly set a hand on his shoulder. “Hey kid, thanks for inviting us. I’m grateful but I think you really should’ve-” 

 

“Muscle,” Gingerbrave sighed. 

 

“Drop the act?” 

 

“Please.” 

 

“Oh thank god,” Muscle laughed. “Now, c’mere!” 

 

He wrapped his arms around Brave and lifted him up, both laughing. “I’m so proud of you!” 

 

The group (minus Ninja) stared both stunned and confused, as far as they knew, the two never met. Once Brave was set back down, he looked over to Ninja with a wide smile. Ninja then gave a sigh and hugged Brave (who seemed surprised by this). Then he made his voice quiet so only Brave could hear him. 

 

“Mom and Dad would’ve been so proud…” 

 

Gingerbrave took a second to process, before smiling and hugging him back. 

 

After Ninja let go, Muscle said “Look at you getting a Ninja hug.” 

 

“When you save the world you can have one,” Ninja retorted.

 

“Well, I didn’t save the world but I did a pretty good job at pretending not to know Brave.”

 

“You did a horrible job at that, that was the worst acting I’ve ever seen, why’d you even start?”

 

“You could’ve just said no…” 

 

“Hate to break this cute scene,” Chili Pepper said. “But how do you know them, Ginge’?” 

 

“Oh, that’s right I forgot to tell you guys,” Brave said. 

 

He faced his friends and, wrapping his arms around Muscle and Ninja, said “Everyone, meet my brothers, Muscle and Ninja!”

Chapter 2: Muscle slipped up but caught himself, don't worry (With a giant section of angst)

Notes:

This chapter includes a small part mentioning loss of fingers, nothing graphic or anything serious but it's there if that makes you uncomfortable.

Chapter Text

“I didn’t know you had brothers,” Strawberry said. “Although I should’ve put two and two together sooner…” 

 

Muscle laughed awkwardly as he sat down next to Gingerbrave. “No I get it, we aren’t often pictured around Brave.” 

 

“Most people actually think Muscle and I are just rivals,” Ninja said, sitting down on the other side of him. “I suppose we both have our faces covered 90% of the time so you can barely see any resemblance.” 

 

Muscle ruffled Brave’s hair and smiled. “I still can’t believe this tiny kid helped save the world.” 

 

“I’m not that short!” Gingerbrave said. 

 

“Yeah,” Chili said. “Pointy hat is shorter.”

 

“Unfortunately…” Wizard sighed. “But you don’t need to keep bringing that up!” 

 

Wizard’s mother patted his head. “You’ll grow, don’t worry.” 

 

“So, are you two actually rivals?” Chili asked. 

 

“Nah, that’s just for show,” Muscle said. 

 

“‘Just for show’? That’s kinda boring.”

 

“Makes for good entertainment. Besides, we never really got the chance growing up to develop a rivalry.” 

 

Muscle was shot a look from Ninja before he realized that what he just said would raise questions, questions that the three brothers didn’t want to answer. 

 

“...What do you mean by that?” Red Pepper asked, catching on. 

 

“It’s not important,” Ninja huffed, trying to avoid the topic. “Let’s just focus on the heroes for now, it’s their celebration after all.”

 

“Yeah, focus on us!” Chili said, playfully hitting her brother. 

 

“I never would’ve described you as a hero,” Red Pepper laughed.

 

“Too bad!” 

 

“Let’s all just be honest real quick,” Gingerbrave said. “How many of you were initially told not to go on this adventure?” 

 

Brave, Strawberry, Custard and Chili raised their hands. Ninja sighed. 

 

“We told you not to go because we didn’t want you getting hurt.”

 

“I’m still here though, right?” 

 

“You lost two fingers,” Muscle said, pointing at Gingerbrave’s hand, specifically his right, which no longer had a thumb.

 

“You win some, you lose some.”

 

“ No ,” his brothers said simultaneously.

 

Chili was cackling at this point, Red sat defeated. 

 

“You two act like Brave’s parents!” she laughed. Muscle laughed, but knew that that may have well been the case. 

 

***

 

Muscle walked a small, 8-year old Gingerbrave to the school gates on the first day. This year was something Muscle looked forward to, his senior year and the last time he’ll have to be in the hellhole. He remembered the little kid was terrified as to what people would think of him. Brave looked at all of the kids his age giving their parents excited goodbye hugs in envy and sadness. Muscle noticed this and knelt down to meet his baby brother’s eyes. 

 

“Hey, it’s alright, you’ll be okay.” 

 

“What about you?” 

 

“I’ll be fine, Ninja and I will both be fine. We’ll miss ya though.” 

 

“You’re going to the big school, right?” 

 

“Mhm, the one right down the road. We won’t be too far.” 

 

“...What if no one likes me?”

 

“They’ll love you, trust me. If you ever feel like you aren’t enough, just tell yourself this; ‘I am strong, quick, and brave.’ Got it?”

 

“‘I am strong, quick and brave…” Gingerbrave echoed. “Ok!” 

 

He started to walk into the school before turning around and asking “Will Daddy pick me up?” 

 

The question was a simple one, but one Muscle had trouble answering. After a couple beats of silence and swallowing back tears, he finally said “No, Ninja and I will come back here to get you, and then we’ll all get ice cream afterwards, ok?” 

 

Gingerbrave (being so young at the time) beamed at the idea of ice cream and it seemed to put a little more spring in his step. “Ok! Bye!”

 

Muscle laughed and waved. “Bye, Ninja and I will be here after school to pick you up!” 

 

Brave nodded and went through the door of the elementary school. The last thing Muscle remembered was sitting in the guidance office at the high school, crying because of that simple question.

Chapter 3: Thud

Notes:

Sorry it took awhile for me to write this, I didn't know where this was going lol

Chapter Text

Ninja was still processing the fact that he was invited to the castle, as if he also wasn’t processing his baby brother being a hero, his older brother almost revealing something none of them wanted revealed, and that most eyes were on them. You know, the opposite of ninjas. 

 

“Are you ok Ninj’?” Muscle asked, setting a hand on his brother’s shoulder. 

 

“No, nothing is going right,” he muttered

 

“Ah right, ya don’t tend to thrive in chaos, huh?” 

 

Ninja shook his head. He never reacted well to things going off rails, even though that’s all he really knew since he was 8. Plans go to shit? Doom is right around the corner. 

 

“Lighten up a bit would ya?” Chili laughed. “This is supposed to be a good time!” 

 

“Give him a minute,” Muscle sighed. 

 

“Shouldn’t he be used to chaos by now? Ya know, with his job?” 

 

“Chili, drop it,” Red Pepper said. 

 

“It’s just a question, jeez!” 

 

While yes, he should be used to chaos and things not going according to plan, Ninja has a horrible history with that. Stick to the plan, nearly to the t. You’ll be fine. All he could do now was pick up what pieces of the shattered plan and rebuild what he could. 

 

Gingerbrave ran up to hug Ninja and out of instinct, Ninja flipped him to the ground and took a second to catch himself before realizing what he did. Gingerbrave lied on the floor for a second wide-eyed, processing what happened, before both he and Muscle busted out with laughter.

 “Shit! I’m sorry Brave!” Ninja said, extending a hand to help his brother up. So much for rebuilding the plan… 

 

“It’s ok! I need to remember to warn you,” Brave said, taking it and getting up. 

 

“Nice reflexes,” Muscle laughed. 

 

Strawberry peeked out from the other room, concerned. “Is everything ok? I heard a thud.”

 

“Yeah, just testing Ninja’s reflexes,” Gingerbrave called back. 

 

“I… Accidentally threw Gingerbrave on the floor,” Ninja admitted. 

 

“How… Do you do that?” 

 

“Just surprise him apparently, his instincts will kick in.” 

 

“Impressive,” Red Pepper said. 

 

“Thanks, are you sure you’re alright Brave? I threw you pretty hard,” Ninja said.

 

“Yeah, I’ve been through worse,” Gingerbrave chuckled.

 

“Unfortunately..”