Chapter Text
Reus was not a normal toon.
His outward appearance left many in awe. There were those that whispered among themselves, noting his constant repaints and their distinguished long sleeve and pant combination with their taller than normal frame. His actions didn’t help either. He would ignore toons that interacted with him in battle, not even bothering to use speedchat to strategize. He’d always ignore whispers and friend requests but still led his fellow toons to victory.
Rumors about himself would make his way back to him via Ozzie as he’d recount them to Reus with glee. This time around, the two were taking a rare break on a hill overlooking Toontown Central. Snacks were strewn on the blanket and shared between them.
“They’re claiming there’s a toon that can solo Bullions!” Ozzie rolled over onto his back, lifting a cracker to cover the sun from his view. “Say, you wouldn't know anything them, right?” He turned around to face Reus with a grin.
Soloing a Bullion was something that was attempted by Reus once. It required precise routing and knowing where each and every barrel was. Not to mention the luck involved. Especially after the introduction of counterfeits into the system. Reus was glad he had his stockpile of Gag Up unites but using them in battle was a risky choice. Even duoing them was tough.
He looked back at Noisy and signed back, “Maybe,” before picking up his juicebox and taking a sip. Yum.
“They’re also saying that they’re a fan of sweets!”
These were both tall tales that were born from their last adventure. Counterfeit jellybeans were in circulation and their sweetness level was little to none. One wouldn't have even noticed they were fake if not for the fact that Doodles would spit them out.
Well, maybe only one of these things was completely made up. Reus didn’t mind a sweet or five.
He signed back his reply, staring directly at Ozzie “A total lie.” The mouse laughed.
After their picnic they decided to explore a couple stores around Loopy Lane and ended their trip with fishing, opting to share a dock. As they made their way back to Noisy’s estate, the sun was starting to yawn as it peeked behind the mountains, a single plane was lazily circling above. Ozzie looked up at him, “You didn’t have to help bring the stuff back home y’know.” Reus was holding onto the picnic basket and shook his head. Ozzie darted his eyes to the side while clearing his throat. He pulled out a comically large key and wrestled it to the door. With a hopeful note to his voice he asked, “Ya wanna hang out a bit more?”
Reus looked down at the mouse as he opened his door. It had gotten a bit for Ozzie to get used to but he didn’t feel like Reus’ gaze was a spotlight anymore. He did still feel like the toon put him under a microscope at times, especially when he tried to make any sort of small talk with him, but it could be the height between them.
“It’s totally okay if you can’t! We did just spend um, half of the day together…” Reus continued to stare down at Noisy before he elected to tentatively sign, “Coffee?”
Ozzie smiled and held the door open while Reus stepped in.
The mouse had frantically told Reus to not worry about the coffee and to make himself at home, so Reus had made himself comfortable on the rug. He listened to Noisy hurriedly put his kettle on the stove and it come to life while taking a look around the living room. He had been here a couple times before, also instances in which Noisy invited him over, but he was able to note the new furniture each time. This visit introduced the cushioned ladybug seat placed on the rug. Reus decided to lean an arm on it.
“Hope I didn’t keep you waiting!” Ozzie walked up him, hefting his tray up as he made his way back to the detective on his floor. One mug completely was black and the other a bright purple with a hand-painted smiling sun. Reus took his respective mug with both mitts and nodded his thanks.
Ozzie settled onto the ladybug, criss-cross-applesauce-ing his legs in the process. “Thanks for joining me today,” he took a sip from his mug. “I’m glad I can hang out with you like this now.”
The two of them chill out for about fifteen minutes before they hear a frantic knock at the door. Noisy jumped up a bit while Reus simply flicked his ear. “Just a second!” Noisy called out, hastily getting up from the bug seat. He opened the door with caution. There was a gator toon at the door, Snagglesmirk. She’s out of breath. “Hey!” She peeks into the house and sees Reus cradling his mug up to his face, “Is this a good time?”
Noisy ushers her into his humble abode “Whew!” Snaggle was invited in and take up a mug with them. She settled onto the ladybug to Ozzie’s left, “Sorry I tried tracking down Reus and didn’t find him at any of his usual spots. I made my way here since I thought you would know, but it looks like he’s having fun with you!” She gave them both a toothy grin. Noisy brought his mug down, froth around his mouth, “Yeah! We went out on a picnic today and then hung out a bit after. We’re still hanging out now” he smiled back at her. “I wanted to invite you but I didn’t get a response back from my whispers…”
The gator took a sip, “No, no. I was a bit busy today relaying information and helping take out a cog on the streets.” She drank the rest of her drink in one swig, “This is real good Ozzie! You gotta let me in on your bean supplier. But anyway, I was in Acorn Acres all day so I forgot to respond back, sorry.”
“Ah! No, it’s totally fine!” Noisy assured her, “You were busy helping out toons in need. What brought you by then?”
The gator set her mug on the floor beside her, “Well, Mayor Flippy kind of has a problem on his hands. I mentioned some work that Reus had done before and he asked if they would be willing to stop by and hear him out.”
Reus set their mug down and signed back, “A request directly from the mayor?”
“Yeah! Since it’s pretty late though I figured we could go tomorrow.” She stood up and stretched, “I should get going now, I’ll stop by at yours tomorrow to bring you in.”
“Um!” Noisy interjected, “I was planning to ask Mr Reus if he wanted to stay over, so you should as well! Then we could all go together.” He bonked his index fingers together and shrunk in on himself just a bit, “If that’s okay with the both of you, I mean.”
Snaggle blinked at him before giving him another grin “I’m down!” They both turned to Reus and waited as he thought about the offer. “I will stay the night.”
Ozzie pumped his fists into the air as he ran towards his phone, “Hooray!!!! I’ll order some extra beds right now!” Snagglesmirk gave Reus a questioning look, “You ever been to a sleepover before?” She got a headshake back. “You’ll be fine. Don’t worry.”
Ozzie scrambled past them both and yanked his door open, “They’re here!! I love you express delivery.” With a slam from his mailbox and door, he beckoned for the two of them to join him past his wall and into the grey. Snaggle was a bit surprised about the grey and Noisy reassured her that It was fine to traverse through. They went around the side of the house until they ran a into fireplace with a trolley themed bed in front of it. The mouse set out the two new beds he had ordered for his guests, “Well, feel free to choose which one you guys want!”
The two looked at the beds that Ozzie had placed. One was modeled after a rowboat and the other was a typical bed. After the two of them had decided on their beds, they hung up their hats and tucked themselves in. Ozzie clapped twice and the fireplace turned dimmed, leaving the three of them in a comfortable grey to sleep in followed by the relaxing sound of a fireplace crackling. Two voices wished a good night from their cozy little beds and nodded off to sleep.
