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“I said you couldn't bring that rat into the kitchen!”
“Oh, but Pep, he's the cleanest rat I know!”
Peppy was milling about in the lobby, taking his time sweeping the floor as he ruminated over the happenings of the day. There was a pause in his work, however, when a familiar voice fell upon his ears.
“That's not the problem, and you know it! What if an inspector comes?”
“... Right, you do have a point… But it's well past business hours!”
The deep tone and jovial manner filled Peppy's chest with warm nostalgia--one that he had long since stopped trying to recall when the owner's face failed to grace his memories.
“Ugh, whatever, so long as he doesn't get into the food.”
“Brick is much more polite than that! Give him some credit!”
Smiling, Peppy propped his broom up against the wall and bounded into the kitchen. The warm feeling in his chest swelled when he spotted the owner of the familiar voice.
Gustavo, in casual attire, stood at the back door with a large gray rat at his flank. Half troll, half gnome, the man’s appearance was relatively unique when he didn’t don his human disguise and chef hat. His round face and large nose were framed with chestnut brown fur, with long tufted ears sticking out from behind his sideburns. Hands were replaced with polydactyl paws, and his feet were much the same, bearing finely trimmed claws that only just touched the tiled floor. A tufted tail trailed behind him, which collected dirt and leaves while he adventured. While Peppy entered the kitchen, he was picking leaf litter out of his fur and tossing it outside.
Peppy was relieved to finally see the face that had been missing from his memories once again. It was like having a weight removed from his chest to have that blank filled in, ”!suG“ he called, ”!uoy ees ot ecin os s’tI“
Gustavo turned to the kitchen door, and immediately tensed, dropping his tail. The rat beside him tensed in turn, raising his hackles as he lifted his head to show his massive incisors. Brick’s eyes moved between Gustavo and Peppy, as if following the gnome’s lead.
Peppy instinctively stepped backward, his smile faltering. His shoulders fell when he could see the fur on Gustavo’s tail bristling, and the wrinkles of his cheeks straining.
Grabbing hold of Peppino's forearm, Gustavo whispered through his teeth in Italian, "Peppino, what is that?” he didn’t remove his eyes from Peppy for even a second.
Gustavo's words were like an ice-cold shot directly into Peppy's heart. His legs felt weak beneath him, and he raised one arm against the door frame for support.
Peppino nervously scratched his sideburns, his forehead perspiring, “Oh. Right. That's Peppy. He'll be staying--for a little while!”
There was a tense silence that followed. Peppy couldn't bear to lift his eyes from the black and white checkers at his feet. He could hear anxious shuffling, claws scraping against the tile.
“I… I don't like the look of it, Pep.”
Peppy's world crashed all around him at once. It took him a moment to realize that he was on the ground, legs and arms splayed in front of him. He shuddered, and failed to hear Peppino call out for him.
To have someone he held so dearly, someone he knew could be trusted to have a rational outlook on things, someone he knew he could confide in whenever something went wrong…
To have him so coldly deny and not recognize who should clearly be Peppino was gut-wrenching.
… But he didn't look like Peppino. And for all intents and purposes, he wasn't Peppino.
“... Ah, He’ll be fine, probably… Anyway, he's harmless!” Peppino urged, “A-as far as I know…” he added under his breath.
Gustavo sighed, “If you say so…”
Peppy dragged himself upright and slunk into the lobby, his feet and knuckles dragging across the floor.
“Listen, it'll only be temporary!” Peppino continued from the kitchen, “Once the Pillar brothers finish rebuilding the tower, I'll send him away.” he had lowered his voice, but Peppy could still hear him loud and clear, like a pan crashing against his head.
Gosh, did he wish that Peppino didn’t treat Italian like a secret language he didn’t know.
“Are you sure he can be trusted?” Gustavo asked with a slight tremble in his voice, “Doppelgangers aren't exactly a safe thing to keep around, even for a little while…”
Peppy had stumbled his way over to the attic stairway and slumped roughly onto the bottom two steps. His gaze was distant, and his body felt ice cold. He could only focus on the harsh rejection that made it feel as though his insides had been ripped out and strewn across the floor.
“Uh… Hey, why don't we get to work on dinner? I'm in the mood for some lasagna…”
The voices of Peppino and Gustavo faded away. Peppy found himself trapped within the tower, and the old, dank pizzeria once again. The walls were closing in on him, the thumping and shuffling of clones preying upon his nerves. His breathing was shallow, and it didn't feel like he was getting enough air. His entire body was tense, yet he could feel himself spilling over the floor.
So caught up in his distress, he didn't notice the light scraping of claws over tile, and the quiet sniffing of a nose against the floor. He nearly jumped through the roof when he felt something brush against him, crashing him back to reality. Feeling a bit dazed, his eyes snapped to the base of the stairs, where he spotted the gray rat, whose fur was puffed up.
The two stared at each other for a long while. Realizing that neither party had ill intent, Peppy's tense body slowly relaxed, leaning against the wall and clinging onto the railing with one hand. As Peppy relaxed, so too did Brick, fur falling flat, and his nose twitching with great curiosity.
”?uoy t'nera ,dneirf wen s'ovatsuG er’uoY“ Peppy whispered, his voice feeling hoarse.
Brick's ear twitched, and he tilted his head to one side. Acting as if nothing had happened, the rat continued his sniffing. He was quite interested in Peppy’s smell, and was keen to drink it in. He must have smelled strange, with his doughy body, and whatever else clung to his sticky skin over the day. He hadn't had the chance to wash up. But the rat's curiosity was so charming. Peppy slowly offered one hand towards the rat. Brick turned to it, whiskers tickling Peppy’s wrist as the large pink nose got closer. Eventually, it met his hand, brushing up against his knuckles. It was cool to the touch.
Feeling a surge of bravery, Brick started to climb up the stairs, and soon up Peppy's chest. The clone fell stock still when the rat's paws sank into his squishy belly. Peppy had to hold his breath as Brick's whiskers tickled him from his neck to his cheeks, but he gasped quite loudly when Brick licked his cheek, which he now realized was soaking wet.
The rat bristled and coughed, shaking his head wildly. He sat back and brushed his paws against his nose.
”!yrroS“ Peppy couldn’t help but chuckle, lightly rubbing at Brick's ears. ”.elbide ton m'I“
Brick stuck out his tongue a few times, getting the flavor off of his tongue with his paws. He was certainly no worse for wear, however, as he immediately resumed sniffing, tilting his head when Peppy’s smile fell. The clone rubbed his cheeks dry with a sleeve, leaving behind a wet, floury mess.
It seemed as though Brick realized that Peppy was quite distressed. He rested himself over the stairs, pressing his large form into Peppy's side. He looked up at the clone with round, watery eyes.
Peppy cracked a smile. He allowed some of his tension to ease out of him by running his knuckles over Brick's head and spine. The rat was surprisingly soft, and the motion was more soothing than he ever could have realized. He continued petting Brick over and over, and it didn’t take long for his own doughy form to press into Brick’s side, and fill in the remaining space on the stairs. Taking this as an invitation, the rat climbed back on top of Peppy, resting his head across the man’s chest. The clone promptly started petting Brick with both hands, the rat squeaking lightly with delight.
Peppy didn't know how long they had been cuddling for, but it must have been a while. He could hear the timer go off in the kitchen, and the stove door open. Dinner must have been done. The smell of the lasagna finally fell on his senses, warming his chest further. Ah, he was hungry…
Staring back at Brick's face, he noted that his eyes were doing something strange, as if they were boggling in and out of his skull. Leaning a little closer, he could hear Brick rubbing his teeth together. Peppy grew concerned, pulling his hands back. Was there a problem…? Brick blinked and stared at him with confusion, before pawing at the clone’s chest for more attention.
Peppy resumed his petting, and so too did the teeth rubbing. Perhaps it was fine? Was this like purring for cats? He wasn't entirely sure, but he would have loved to ask Gustavo…
… But he wasn't even sure that he could look the gnome in the eye.
Peppy quickly changed the subject in his mind. The temptation to smush Brick's face was stronger than ever, and he dared himself to scoop the rat's chin into his hands. Brick leaned into his palms, more than happy to drink up the extra attention.
Peppy's head snapped up, however, when he heard footfalls in the lobby. He locked eyes with Gustavo for about a second, his entire body locking up. Gaze falling, he stared long and hard at the ground, his mind racing a mile a minute.
Curious, Brick raised his head and looked over his shoulder. He chirped pleasantly at Gustavo, then turned back to Peppy, resting his chin over the clone’s chest, and nudging his snout back into his palms.
Peppy didn’t move.
Gustavo set the plates he was carrying onto the table, his movements slow and cautious. With his front paws to his chest, he inched closer to his companion and the clone.
Peppy quickly stole another glance, hand stiffly scratching Brick's ear. His insides twisted, a sour feeling hitting the pit of his stomach. His appetite left him as quickly as it came.
Another pair of footsteps entered the lobby. Peppy recognized these as Peppino’s. He could hear the chef setting something on the table, and pulling out a chair to take a seat.
“What's up, Gus?” he asked.
The gnome didn't reply at first, but eventually blinked and turned to Peppino, “Ah, just noting how well Brick took to…” he paused, “Peppy? Was that what you called him?”
“Yeah,” Peppino replied, “It looks like they've hit it off.”
There was another long pause. At the edge of Peppy's vision, he could see Gustavo's paws approach. Swallowing the lump in his throat. Peppy's eyes slowly drifted up and met Gustavo's tiny black orbs.
“I'm sorry,” Gustavo started, switching to English, “I gave you a bit of a rude greeting, didn't I?”
The corner of Peppy's mouth twitched, and he tilted his head far to one side, resting it against his shoulder. He heaved a sigh, and pulled his hands to his chest. “Yes you did,” he wanted to say, “It ripped out my heart,” he wanted to whimper. But he knew that Gustavo wouldn’t understand him. Both literally, and metaphorically. They were supposed to be best friends, but Gus had no idea.
“I wasn't so sure at first, but since Brick trusts you,” the gnome placed a paw gently over Peppy's hand, making the clone’s arm prickle, “I trust you as well.” He smiled warmly, his fingers tightening slightly around Peppy’s.
Lifting his head, the clone stared at Gustavo with some disbelief. However, the gnome’s kind, but intent stare was soothing. Memories of old came flooding back to him. He was given confidence when Peppino’s Pizza first opened. Reassurance when they were planning on moving to America. Comfort when they were hunkered together in a deadly confrontation.
Tears formed in Peppy’s eyes again, but he managed to give a genuine smile. It was as if a weight had been taken off of his shoulders, and the pike removed from his chest.
Gustavo motioned towards the table, “Would you like to eat with us?” he asked.
Gently nudging Brick off of his lap, Peppy rose to his feet and nodded, his smile growing. As Brick shuffled away to find his own place to sit, Peppy went to grab his boom box, then took his usual chair across from Peppino and folded his hands over the table. Gustavo scurried into the kitchen to grab another plate and set of utensils for Peppy.
When everyone was seated, a short moment of awkward silence followed. Peppino cleared his throat, Gustavo watched everyone that sat across from him, and Brick couldn't help but shift around in his chair, sniffing at the lasagna in the middle of the table with anticipation. It appeared that no one wanted to be the first to move after all the confusion and tension from the day.
If no one was going to do anything, Peppy was going to be the first. He felt a surge of bravery! He made a recording with the boombox, specifically in Italian.
“Thank you for the food. Next time, would you mind letting me help?”
Peppino's face turned ghostly pale, his eyes wide as saucers. His hands gripped the edge of the table as his shoulders were drawn to his chin.
Gustavo, meanwhile, blinked, but a smile formed under his mustache. “Sure,” he replied, “I don't see why not!” However, as he turned to confirm this with Peppino, concern washed over his face, “Are you alright?”
“Fine!” Peppino burst, strangely in English. He suddenly jolted upright, “I'm fine I'm fine!” his voice cracked, and he hastily reached for the lasagna.
Peppy felt a little bit guilty. However, he couldn't help but smirk to himself now that Peppino knew better. Hopefully he wouldn't hear backhanded remarks under the chef's breath from now on…
Peppino cut the lasagna into sections, and served it to everyone. He kept his eyes glued to the table, unable to look Peppy in the eye--although it was always difficult for him to make eye contact with his own clone, let alone anyone.
Gustavo cut a slice of lasagna into little pieces and passed the plate to the rat. Much to Peppy’s surprise, Brick grabbed a fork with one paw and picked up his food with surprising skill. The clone expected the rat to eat it directly off the plate like an animal, but this was extremely charming! He couldn’t help but watch for a little while, smiling as Brick chirped contentedly.
Peppy turned to his own food, sighing with content himself. The food warmed him up, and hit his senses in all the right ways. The spices were excellent, and the meat and noodles were cooked to perfection. He so missed Gustavo’s cooking…
The rest of dinner went well. Peppy was determined to fill in the gap that had been made between himself and Gustavo, feeling a bit overconfident as he spoke up and answered any question that came his way. Although it was clear that Gustavo was avoiding the harder questions, like Peppy’s status as a clone, Gustavo was still clearly very interested in this “new” addition to his life. All the same, Peppy was feeling like himself again as they conversed about food, baking, and the adventures that Gustavo had gone on recently.
Even Peppino started to relax a bit, although by the end of it there was some sort of uncomfortable air about him. He would cast nervous glances at his clone, conflicted stares that would immediately be broken as soon as Peppy turned towards him.
Maybe he was feeling nervous that he would be replaced… Peppy didn't know how to make it clear that he had no intent on replacing the real deal, but he wasn't going to pass up an opportunity like this. Gustavo was far too important.
The Pillar brothers finally came home as the sun vanished behind the horizon, and Gustavo and Brick decided it was time for them to leave. But, he said that he would come back the next day to help out around the kitchen. He was ready to start cooking indoors again! Peppy couldn’t have been more delighted!
Peppino and Peppy had gotten ready for bed, and the Pillar brothers were already fast asleep. Just before he made way for the attic, Peppino stiffly approached his clone, rubbing his hands together with deep anxiety. The man was sweating profusely.
“Peppy?” his voice cracked again, and he cleared his throat. “I, uh, want to apologize.”
Peppy turned, and Peppino put on a strained smile.
“Uh… Ahah, I've said some pretty nasty things about you… You’ve… Probably noticed,” he scratched the base of his neck, eyes drifting away, “I should have known better, and I shouldn't have said them in the first place.” he swallowed the lump in his throat, breathed in, and then puffed out, “I hope you can forgive me.”
Managing to smile, Peppy nodded. At least his original was willing to admit when he had done something wrong. Still, he remained silent, fingers fiddling with the edges of his sleeping bag.
Peppino tensed, his jaw clenching. But he soon heaved a sigh of relief, “O-okay, I'm going to head to bed. Good night.” And with that, he's scurried up the stairs.
As Peppy tucked himself into his sleeping bag, he realized that he could rest easy now. Not only did he make a new friend in Brick, but he also reconnected with Gustavo, and met Peppino at his level.
He could only hope that things would get better from here on.