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Buck tapped his fingers against the table, eyes darting around the bar, waiting for a few certain cogs to show up.
The sounds of slot machines and casino games mingle in the air as the gambler kicks his feet off his seat, occasionally kicking the counter in front of him.
He sighed as he looked down at his wrist for the time, only to remember he never wears a watch. He laughs quietly to himself as he picks up his margarita from the table, carefully twirling it in his hands.
It wasn’t like him to arrive at a get-together early, let alone one he organized himself, maybe he just got excited at the thought of hanging out at this bar again.
Suddenly he heard someone snap their fingers behind him, he lifted his head up from the table to see two familiar faces.
“Earth to Buck Ruffler.”
The brainiac continued snapping his fingers in front of him until Buck shaked his head and plastered a smile on his face.
“Brian! Benny! How have you been?”
The Prethinker scoffed, “Could be better. You could’ve chosen a more… tasteful location to meet at. A casino? Really?”
Brian gives the gambler an unimpressed look, he flinches as he feels the Bellringer playfully flick his braincase with his fingers, a small annoyed ‘hey!’ coming out of him.
“Would you expect anything less from him, love?”
The bell chuckled to himself, the other giving out an annoyed huff.
“If you didn’t wanna come along, you coulda just declined the invitation y’know?”
“Well, yes- but…”
The Prethinker grumbled, crossing his arms.
“You were invited too…”
Buck stifled a giggle, leaning his elbows against the bar counter as he faced the other two. The brainiac turns his head at the noise, cocking a brow.
“What’re you laughing at, Ruffler?”
The gambler chuckles to himself, waving the other off. “Nothin’, nothin’! Enough thtanding around, come take a theat!”
“Fine…”
The two oblige, Brian sitting in the stool next to Buck as Ben sits next to Brian.
The Duck Shuffler takes a little sip out of his margarita, licking the drink off his beak.
“Davey will be runnin’ a bit late, he’th got a thhow goin’ on tonight but it’ll be ending real thoon.”
The Bellringer chimes in, leaning in to look at Buck.
“I’m surprised you didn’t meander over to watch his performance, I could imagine you swooning over him on stage.”
As he says that he taps his fingers against the counter, catching the attention of a Mover & Shaker bartender.
He points toward the Duck Shuffler, “Could I perhaps ‘ave what he’s ‘aving, mate?”
The bartender nods, walking away for a moment to prepare his drink.
Brian shoots Ben a confused look, “I thought you said you weren’t gonna have any drinks.”
The salesman chuckled in response, fiddling with his hands.
“Maybe that was a little fib, I couldn’t resist. Just a little sip or two wouldn’t hurt.”
The Prethinker thinks for a moment as a realization dawns on him.
“Hold on a tick, how are you capable of… drinking…?”
Ben blinks in surprise, his eyebrows raising.
“You’ve never seen me drink anything before?”
The brainiac shakes his head as Ben chuckles to himself.
“Oh, well you’re in for quite the scare, then.”
Brian looks at him confused and a little concerned as little stifled giggles from Buck could be heard behind him.
“What does that mean?”
“You’ll see.”
Buck elbows the Prethinker playfully, taking a large sip out of his drink.
“Pfft- y’don’t know how your boyfriend’th body workth? You haven’t gotten that far yet?”
A bit of steam bellows out of Brian’s face plate as the metal grows warmer. He turns and points at Buck accusingly.
“One, do not word it like that. -And two, we are not official yet!”
“Aw, bugger.”
Brian jumps at the sound of Ben’s voice as the bell gives him a fake disappointed look. All the while Buck maniacally laughs to himself.
“What.”
The Duck Shuffler smacks the table as he laughs, almost dropping his drink.
“Geeth, you guyth are FUNNY! HAHAHAHAHA!”
Ben chuckles to himself too as Brian just sits there flustered and confused, even more steam coming out of the joints of his body.
“You sure you aren’t drunk already, love?”
Brian shivers at the thought of the gambler being drunk, the steam coming off his body subsiding.
“Oh cog, I do not want to deal with a drunk Buck.”
The Duck Shuffler twirls his drink in his hand as he giggles to himself.
“Ah, but it rhymeth, pal! That meanth it’th gonna happen! Hehehehe-!”
He takes another sip, finishing his drink.
“But you’ll probably like me more when I’m tipthy, I like me more when I’m tipthy, HAHAHA.”
The Prethinker squints at him, “I don’t trust the things you like, Ruffler.”
Ben chimes in again, “I mean, it makes sense though, the alcohol would mellow you out a tad.”
The gambler snaps his fingers toward Ben, pointing at him.
“Right on the money, pal! Get thith guy a prize, HAHAHA!”
Right as he says that the bartender returns with Ben’s drink, placing it in front of him. The bell lets out an amused hum.
“Hmph, what good timing. Thanks, mate.”
Brian blinks, staring at him as Ben lifts the glass toward his head. He holds the cup just below his bell.
Both Buck and Brian curiously stare him down as Ben goes in for a sip. His bell clapper which acted as a tongue moves in and laps at the drink much like how a dog would drink water out of a bowl.
The soft but kind of gross sound of liquid splashing could be heard as Brian shivered in disgust.
“Eugh- that’s- o-oough!”
“HAHAHAHAHA!”
Buck cackles madly as he slaps Brian’s back in hysteria, making the Prethinker enter a coughing fit.
The Bellringer puts down his drink, snickering as the alcohol drips from his clapper.
“What’s with the audience reception? I’m just ‘aving a little drink ‘ere.”
He holds the drink up to Brian with a smug expression on his face.
“Did you want a sip, love?”
Brian feels himself heat up, more steam venting out his body as his back straightens up in shock.
“After that- ABSOLUTELY NOT! ”
He shivers again at the thought, Buck absolutely losing it in the background, the entire bar filling with his overpowering laughter.
“Aw, what a shame, I was ‘oping you’d be into it.”
It feels as if Brian’s insides were on fire as he flapped his hands to release the emotions he’s feeling.
“We are ending this conversation!”
He coughs to himself, trying to flap away the steam coming from his body with his hand.
“A-and besides it would be best if at least one of us were sober, and it sure heck isn’t going to be Brubot.”
He crosses his arms, turning away from the drink as Buck lets out another cackle, patting the brainiacs back more gently this time.
“Oh, you thhoud thee how much booze Davey can gulp down! It’th a thpectacle, I’ll tell ya!”
Ben lets out a small laugh, taking another ‘sip’ out of his drink.
“Everything that man does is a spectacle to you, love.”
“Hehehe! You bet, thugar!”
Buck drums his fingers happily on the counter, ordering another drink from the bartender. The Prethinker eyes him, sighing.
“Why’d you choose this bar specifically to meet up at? I’m not exactly one to drink. ”
The Duck Shuffler turns to face him, his usual grin plastered on his face.
“Well for one: I’m in my element here! Jutht look at all thothe thlotth, pal!”
Brian puts his face in his hands, letting out a groan.
“I swear, we are not letting you anywhere near those things or else we’re going have to pry you away from them.”
The gambler giggles, “Oh, c’mon! Can’t I have a lil fun around here?”
“But anywayth, for two: thith plathe hath thome hithtory with me and Davey. It’th where we met!”
Brian’s eyes widened a little, surprised by the information. “You knew each other before C.O.G.S?”
The Bellringer wipes a little alcohol off his clapper before interjecting.
“Well it’d make sense, ‘adn’t it occurred to you that the two seemed a little ‘close’ during their first days?”
The brainiac scratches his head. “I suppose, though they weren’t all ‘lovey dovey’ then.”
Buck turns his head to see that his drink had been placed in front of him. He thanked the bartender, the lisp in his voice seeming to have gotten a little stronger.
“Oh, I can tell ya all about it while we wait for Davey to arrive.”
He takes a particularly deep swig, laughing crazily to himself as he wipes off his beak with his hand. He clears his throat.
“5 thomethin’ yearth ago, thith plathe wath everythin’ to me, I dropped by almotht every night to play a few gameth.”
…
…
The sounds of slots spinning and competitive banter rung through the casino, almost overwhelmingly so.
“HAHA! Tough luck fellath!”
The Duck Shuffler cackled as the pot was pushed toward him by the Loan Shark dealer. He places his cards on the table as he had won his third poker game in a row that night.
“Thank you, Thpenther.”
The gambler grins, tipping the dealer a dollar. The Loan Shark chuckles as they pocketed the money, giving him a little wink.
“Quite impressive, Buck. You’re on a winning streak.”
“Aww-! You bet! I might be thtayin’ around to play a few more gameth, gotta keep that thtreak goin’!”
The dealer tittered, their teeth visible through their grin.
“Ah, don’t get too cocky. You never know when you’ll lose all of that.”
Buck let out a laugh as he rested his hands on the table, waiting for more people to come over and play.
“Ohhh, I’ll be fiiine! I’m the luckietht duck out there!”
He laughs softly to himself, glancing around the casino before catching eye of a certain cog. They were a real big one, as tall as a Robber Baron, maybe even bigger. It looked like they were up to something, but he wasn’t sure what. He just shrugged it off, not thinking much of it.
He sat there for a while, lightly chatting with the dealer, tapping his fingers against the table, slowly growing restless.
“Geeth, no one hath came around, wonder what’th up.”
“Maybe they got scared off by your winning streak.”
Buck laughed to himself. “HA! Imagine.”
The gambler fiddles with his hands, biting his lip.
“I’m itchin’ for a drink righta ‘bout now. I might haveta leave ya, pal.”
The dealer waves him off, giving him a polite smile.
“It’s fine, it’s fine. You do you, buddy.”
Buck takes his winnings, shooting the dealer a grin. The dealer smiles back, laughing to themselves.
“See you tomorrow night, Buck?”
“Yep! I’ll hold it to ya!”
The Duck Shuffler waves, ambling away as he makes his way to the bar. His legs slightly numb from sitting for an extended period of time, he really needed to get that ‘blood’ rushing. However, his journey would be quickly put to a stop as he hears something.
“Skibidoo-da-di-do-do-da!”
Buck’s lever perks up at the voice, the sound of smooth jazz starting to make itself known. He slowly walks toward the source of the music, seeing something familiar.
It was that cog again, standing on a stage he had set up himself. There were a few cogs huddled around spectating.
“It’s the Restless Rounder of Rhythms, the Head Honcho of Harmony, the Manic Melody Maker- Dave Brubot , makin’ his debut, baby!”
He tapped his feet on the stage, holding his arms out as the audience clapped, albeit a little quietly.
“Shy crowd, huh? Guess that's my cue to woo this crew, hmm?”
Buck stood among the crowd, watching as Dave seemed to be scanning the audience, his gaze slowly falling onto Buck.
“You there! Y’little Jackpot Junkie! Come on stage, I’ll take ya for a spin!”
The Major Player points a finger toward The Duck Shuffler, Buck following suit as he points at himself as well.
“Who? Me?”
“Who else would I be talkin’ about, babe? Don’t be shy, show me your moves!”
Dave does a little ‘come here’ gesture, shooting Buck the best smile he possibly could.
Buck bit his ‘lip’ for a second, he was a confident one, sure. But confident enough to be on stage? Debatable.
He wasn’t exactly the most liked person, many Suits would look at him strangely because he was a bit too loud and gaudy, a bit too outspoken and hyperactive. Of course those stares weren’t enough to stop him from whatever he was doing, but it still planted an uneasy feeling in his chest. Would he be able to ‘woo’ this crew like Dave said? Or would he just be stared at again? Judged…
Buck shook his head, biting the bullet and walking up on stage, making ‘eye’ contact with Dave.
“How ya doin’ tonight, babe? What’s your name?”
The Duck Shuffler grinned, glancing at the audience for a moment, he recognised certain cogs in the crowd, people he played poker with.
“The name’th Buck Ruffler, pal! I’ve been havin’ quite the night, really! Had a 3 win thtreak not tho long ago.”
He smiled confidently, straightening up his posture for the audience.
“Well, that’s no surprise, Ruffler. You seem tailor-made for this place, babe! You really got your ducks in a row, huh?”
Buck chuckles, snapping his fingers.
“Oh, you bet I do! Tho what’re we doin’ tonight, huh?”
The Major Player taps his feet on the stage, leaning in closer to Buck.
“Nothin’ woo’s an audience like a good ol’ toe tappin’ tango! Whaddya say to a dance, babe?”
The gambler pondered for a moment, a little ‘hmmm’ droning out of his mouth. He couldn’t really opt out cause that’d be pretty awkward, but at the same time he wasn’t really the best dancer out there. He wishes he wasn’t such a coward at times, sometimes being cautious led to him losing a game, he had to take risks, that’s his thing! Sometimes he can’t help it though, he needed that push, that confidence boost, that fall into insanity that made him afraid of nothing.
Buck choked out a laugh, holding out his hand which trembled subtly.
“HA! Bring it on!”
The Major Player grinned as he took Buck’s hand, squeezing it in a strangely… comforting manner. The gambler yelps as Dave pulls him close to him, the other hand grasping his shoulder to keep him steady.
The musician hovers his head next to Buck’s auditory receiver, whispering into it.
“No need to be so tense, babe. Just chin up and follow my steps, y’got that? I’m here to catch ya if you slip up.”
The sudden closeness and his voice made a shiver go up the gambler’s spine, his face growing hot. He let out a flustered chuckle, responding.
“Y-Y’got it, bothh!”
Dave stepped back, a more gentle smile on his face. He turned to the audience who seemed to be just waiting for something to happen.
“On three, baby!”
Buck subconsciously squeezed his hands tighter as he tried to keep his feet steady on the ground. He clears his throat to do the countdown with Dave.
“One!”
“Two!”
“Three!”
He suddenly feels a pull, looking down at Dave’s feet as they get to stepping. Step, one, two, three, all you gotta do is look at me, baby. The record on the Major Player’s head spun as the lever on the side of Buck’s head bobbed up and down, slowly falling into a rising rhythm, a funky beat makin’ it’s way, if ya can’t take the heat stay outta the kitchen, babe. This dance was gonna be hot n’ fiery, they just needed some time to get the steam rollin’.
The Duck Shuffler pants as he was starting to get the hang of it, tilting his head up to meet Dave’s gaze. He didn’t need to look down anymore, he’s got the groove in his schmooze, no need to count or strategize, this was all instincts, babe. He let his intuition take over, makin’ steps and takin’ risks, that’s the gambling life-style. No need to worry, no need to cry, if you lost it all you could just win it all back again, right?
It felt as if he were focusing on nothing, as if the world around him blurred and the only thing he could feel was the floor below him and the hands grasping his. Everything was just a fuzzy nothing, the only thing that mattered was the dance he was sharing with a complete stranger.
He laughed as he felt the musician take him for a spin, spinning him ‘round and ‘round and ‘round, totally scrabbling his brains in the best way possible. He felt so fearless.
Their dance would soon come to an end as Buck felt one of their hands part as the two held their arms out to the audience, one hand still interlocked as they bowed.
The audience clapped, seeming to have grown larger since the two had started dancing. Buck breathed out as the other patted his back, whispering into his auditory receiver again.
“That was one hot ride, babe. Great job out there.”
Buck’s breath is caught for a moment before he chuckles softly, slowly letting go of Dave’s hand.
“Thayth you! You led the whole thing!”
As the audience died down, Buck stepped off stage, looking back one more time to see Dave point a finger gun at him. He giggled as he integrated himself back into the crowd, ready to watch the Major Player perform once more. He couldn’t keep his eyes off him as he performed a little jig, joyfully scatting away without a care in the world. The gambler could’ve sworn that the musician was shooting glances at him… it was probably just his imagination.
The show eventually reached its end, Dave thanking the audience for enjoying his performance. The crowd started to dwindle away as the show came to a close, Buck watched closely as the musician stepped off stage walking off elsewhere, probably to put away his equipment.
The Duck Shuffler looked beside him, eyeing the bar, he had completely forgotten that's where he wanted to go. Guess he got side tracked by whatever had happened back there.
He sat at the counter, ordering a margarita from the bartender. He sat on his own, his mind still on that performer as he swirled his drink in his hand. He kicked his legs off his seat, hitting the counter in front of him in a certain rhythm, he still felt some kind of force tug at his legs, he just wanted to get up and start tapping his feet again.
He heard some shuffling behind him and the sound of someone taking a seat next to him. He looked up, catching view of someone familiar.
“Well, well, well, if it ain’t the notoriouth Dave Brubot!”
The performer perked up, turning to face the gambler.
“Ah! Ruffler, is it? Didn’t think I’d swing by ya again so soon.” He shot him a genuine smile, tapping his fingers on the counter.
The gambler chuckled, taking a swig out of his drink. “Call me Buck, pal!”
“Alright, Buck, nice to swing by ya again.”
The Duck Shuffler gave him a toothy grin, fishing a few cogbucks from his pocket.
“How ‘bout drinkth on me, eh? Gotta pay you back thomehow for thuch a wonderful performanthe.”
The Major Player seems to straighten up at the sight of the money, being caught in surprise. He lets out an amused chortle, resting his head in his hand.
“Already puttin’ that poker money to use, huh?”
“You bet!”
Buck skulls his glass, placing it on the table as he orders two more for him and Dave.
“Speakin’ of pay, babe…”
He points toward Buck’s slot machine lever, tilting his head curiously.
“That spinner up for grabs? Or is it behind a paywall?”
Buck puts a hand on his lever, flicking it weakly so it doesn’t cause his eyes to spin.
“Oh thith ol’ thing? Ha! Ya gotta pay to get a piethe of thith ducky!”
He smirks, looking back at Dave with lidded eyes.
“But for a hot thhot like you I might give ya a free trial.”
The Major Player lets out a laugh, looking over the side briefly as he’s given his drink.
“Ooh, you raise a good bargain, babe. How about I claim a spin, hm?”
“Go right ahead, pal.”
The two chuckle as Dave reaches out to give Buck’s lever a little pull. His eyes spun, little pictures coming and going until it all landed on three with ding.
Seven, seven, seven.
“HAHA! Jackpot!”
Buck grinned as the musician had some kind felt of sensation flow through him, a calming feeling blanketed his body, eliminating any kind of exhaustion and burnout he had felt after the show he had performed.
“Hoo-! What was that, babe?”
The Duck Shuffler smirked at him, playing idly with his lever.
“It’th a little bonuth that cometh with rollin’ a jackpot, health up any painth you had prior. Pretty neat, huh?”
He takes a swig of his drink, looking at Dave with a slightly drunken smile.
“Neat indeed! Really raised my rhythms after my show.”
He chuckles as he takes a swig of his drink too, kind of just pouring it into his open mouth, it looked pretty funny considering how his head was built.
“A thhow ath good ath yourth ith bound to tire ya out. I’m thurprithed I hadn’t heard of ya till now.”
The musician tapped his feet against his bar stool, wiping his mouth.
“It’s ‘cause I’m still a small-time musician, babe! Still obscure an’ all. But hear me out when I say I’m gonna make it big out there!”
Buck leans his head against the counter, grinning up at the other as he places his drink on the table..
“Really, now?
Dave gestures wildly, pointing at himself.
“I’m tellin’ ya, babe! You’ll watch me shoot up into the stars, and you’ll see my skiddly-down right gorgeous face as you look up.”
He takes another sip, grinning.
“You’re pothitive about that, eh?”
“Ab-so-lute-ly! More so than a magnet, babe!”
The gambler glances at his empty glass, considering getting another drink. He touches his face, feeling it getting warmer.
“I’m feelin’ a little tipthy now, tho how about we bet on it, big guy?”
The other perks up, the cymbal on his head ringing out, making a soft ‘tsst’.
“Oh? A bet, huh? Tell me all about it, babe, you got my attention.”
Buck blinked slowly, his speech ever so slightly more slurred.
“Hehehe… If you become a thtar like you thaid you would… thithh here duck will owe ya thomethin’, anythin’.”
Dave shot him a surprised look, tapping his fingers to a curious tune against the counter.
“Something? Anything? That’s a lot to put on the line, babe.”
Buck gives him a toothy grin, tittering to himself.
“It’th all or nothin’, pal. And I’m willing to bet on youse.”
“Ho, ho! Just you see, babe! My boppin-beats will charm any Suit or Toon who hears it!”
“Hehe, well you’ve thertainly charmed at leatht one.”
He reaches a hand out, his hand relaxed, not as shaky as it was before.
“Tho… ith that a deal?”
Dave takes his hand, giving it a firm shake.
“You got it, babe. A deals a deal.”
…
Since that day, the two of them frequented that casino, Buck so he could continue to chase that high and gamble everything away, and Dave so he could perform and grow his audience.
The two of them would always see each other, Buck would watch Dave’s shows and after the whole performance was wrapped up they’d have drinks over at the bar.
Night after night, always in that same casino, it didn't matter what their business was there, they’d always manage to run into each other. Eventually it became some sort of ritual to meet at that place, like some kind of unspoken promise.
They still held onto that bet, despite how long it’s been, it would be brought up occasionally but neither dwelled on it for too long.
That is until one special day.
Buck sat at the bar stool, getting a head start on drinks, taking little sips out of his glass.
He turned his head to the side, almost jumping in his seat as he saw a rather ecstatic Brubot take a seat next to him. Buck shoots him a smile, putting his glass on the table as he sits up straight.
“What’th got ya all giddy, pal?”
The Major Player excitedly bounces his legs as he sits, returning Buck’s smile.
“Ooh-! You just won't believe what’s got my feet tappin’, babe! Take a looksie-”
Dave quickly fishes something out of his pocket, pulling out a set of keys and jingling them in front of Buck.
“Guess who just landed themselves their own building, baby! This hot shot’s finally made it up in the world!”
The gambler perks up as he sees the keys, his slots spinning into exclamation marks briefly before turning back into 7’s.
“Wowie! Are you theriouth?”
The musician clutches the keys in his hand, shaking a little in excitement.
“As serious as I can be, baby doll! It’s got all I could ever want- auditorium, lounge room- all that jazz!”
He puts the keys back in his pocket, letting out a content sigh. Buck looks at him with a more gentle smile, genuinely happy about Dave’s big accomplishment.
“Thith ith huge, Davey! I alwayth knew you’d make it thith far.”
The Duck Shuffler takes another swig out of his drink, licking off some of the alcohol on his teeth.
“Theein’ ya climb up to the top thinthe the firtht performathe I ever thaw of yourth… it wath really a thpectacle.”
Dave chuckles, his laughter sounded like an amalgamation of an accordion and a piano, it loud and ridiculous, but that sound brought Buck so much unimaginable joy.
“Oh, baby, everything I do is a spectacle!”
Buck lightly punches his shoulder, letting out a drunken laugh.
“HAHA! You’re darn right!”
The two laugh together, both loud and obnoxious but their voices somehow blend together into something coherent.
“But you do know what that means, right, babe?”
The Major Player gives him a little smirk, tapping his finger along the desk.
“Our bet.” The musician's voice drops low for a moment, making Buck shiver.
The gambler leans on the counter, tapping his chin in thought.
“Tho, what’th the mathter of melody want outta me, eh? I thaid it could be anythin’! Tho go on, take your thpoilth! HAHA!”
Dave’s smile widens as he leans in closer to Buck.
“Hm… I know exactly what you owe me, baby doll.”
“-And what’th tha-”
The musician tilts Buck’s chin up with his hand, leaning in and gently chomping on Buck’s beak in a ‘kiss’. It was weird and unconventional but the gambler melted at the feeling, his heart jumping as he sat there and took it. Steam erupted from the Major Player’s mouth as they stayed there for a moment, despite how smooth and suave he came off as he seemed pretty flustered by his own actions, if he had eyes behind those shades he’d be squeezing them shut.
Eventually, Dave pulled away, smiling down at the other as he felt his hot face.
“A little kissaroo from me to you, babe!”
“...”
The Duck Shuffler fell silent for a moment, touching his bill, feeling some kind of lingering feeling from Dave’s teeth. He hadn’t bitten down hard enough to leave indentions but it just felt like something was still there.
“Ha… haHAHAHAHA!”
Buck laughed, a mixture of disbelief and euphoria washing over him.
“Geeth… out of thomething, anything… THAT’TH what you wanted?”
He continued to laugh out of pure disbelief, he almost sounded mad. Dave stared back at him, a little itch of doubt making itself apparent, he tried to keep his composure as he gave the other a completely serious look.
“It’s all I’ve ever wanted, babe, and that's the cold hard truth. No amount of luck could affect how much I’ve wanted to have my mouth on that pretty little pecker of yours.”
The gambler bit his tongue at his comment, feeling his face grow warm as his slots spun excitedly. His mechanical heart beating wildly in his chest.
His eyes land on sevens, causing a healing aura to blanket the both of them. Buck’s heart is slightly calmed as he sighs, letting out a soft laugh.
“I thee that thith bet hath gone in my favor.”
Dave’s glasses morph to simulate raising a brow as he tilts his head a little in confusion.
“I dunno what you’re musin’ about, babe. According to the terms you set yourself, you lost the bet.”
Buck dangles his legs off the barstool, grinning mischievously at his response.
“Maybe, maybe I did. But I thtill won thomething worthwhile in the end.”
“And what is it that you won, babe?”
The Duck Shuffler grabs Dave’s tie, pulling him toward him, speaking into his auditory receiver.
“I won you.”
A bout of steam erupts from the musician’s mouth, the record on his head starting up, playing smooth jazz as he feels himself get dizzy with love.
“Oh, babe… you know exactly what to say to make my records spin…”
Buck giggles, pulling him even closer, quickly pressing his bill against his teeth. The contact making Dave’s tooth let out a soft ‘pling!’ The two chortle at the sound, this must be ridiculous to witness, but to be honest, they didn’t really care.
“What can I thay? Thpinning’s my thing!”
“And we landed on a jackpot right ‘ere! HAHAHA!”
As the gambler laughs he feels his hand be taken by the other, feeling it be squeezed just how it was squeezed when the two had first met. Buck looked up at Dave who had been giving him such a nice smile…
“I’m so glad I picked you outta the audience, babe. What were the chances of that, hm?”
Buck squeezed his hand back, his stomach feeling warm and fluttery.
“The chantheth don’t matter, what matter’th ith that we won. Hehehe…”
The Major Player hums in response, seeming to be deep in thought for a moment.
“Hm… could I make some additions to my favor, babe?”
Buck tilts his head curiously, his tongue hanging out of his mouth.
“Ooooh?”
“How about I take ya back to my place by the end of the night, hm? We can sing our songs there, just the two of us if you know what I’m sayin’.”
He holds Buck’s hand in both of his, a comforting warmth filling his body.
“And I’m thinkin’ maybe after, we could go on a date? Go somewhere real nice.”
The Duck Shuffler’s chest flutters at the thought.
“I’d want nothing more.”
“That’s a deal then, and I sure as heck know you don’t ever back down on a deal.”
“Never.”
…
…
The gambler showed off his hand to Ben and Brian, the golden ring on his finger shining brightly in the lights of the casino.
“And THAT’TH how I landed a complete hottie! Been together ever thinthe.”
Buck laughed drunkenly to himself, his speech so much more slurred and slow, having downed multiple glasses throughout his whole retelling, he was most definitely wasted now.
The Bellringer laughed softly, amused by Buck’s drunken state.
“How cute.”
Brian butts in, letting out a huff.
“Disgustingly so. It was so cheesy-“
“Well yes, that too.”
Buck weakly slaps the counter, pouting at the two Suits.
“That’th mah wife youse’re talkin’ about-“
Ben chuckles. “Ah, I never knew that about Brubot. Congratulations on the transition, I give her my best wishes.”
The Prethinker elbows him. A huff of steam coming out his brain case.
“You know that’s not what he meant.”
The other shrugs in response.
“Come on, ain’t it fun to play along?”
Buck blows a little raspberry, giggling to himself.
“It’th okie dokie, Davey don’t mind bein’ referred to in that waaay… hehehe…”
“To be honetht… he’th a little into it… heheheaHAHA!”
The bell pats the brainiacs back.
“See? What’d I tell you?”
Brian grumbles, crossing his arms as he leans into the Bellringer’s touch.
“ Still not what he meant.”
The Duck Shuffler whines, pouting as he kicks his legs sluggishly against the counter.
“Aww… Where’th Daveyyyy…? I mithh him thoooo much…”
The Prethinker rolls his eyes, “No need to be a cry baby, it hasn’t been that long has it?”
Ben taps his shoulder, pointing to his watch.
“It’s been 48 minutes since he started yapping, love.”
Brian’s face plate spins in surprise, moving back to its original position.
“Geez, for that long?”
The gambler holds up his hand, his arm wobbling. “It’th a long thtory…! Catch me a brrreak, pal.”
The Prethinker lets out an amused scoff, taking Buck’s hand and placing it down on the table.
“It was only long because you kept praising and going on and on about your husband.”
Buck slurred, spitting everywhere as he spoke.
“What’th it to ya, huuuuh?”
He rolled his eyes again, leaning into Ben.
“Nothing, I’m just pointing it out.”
The Duck Shuffler laughed crazily to himself, pointing at the brainiac.
“Y-you and your p-pointin’... you thhould be called the… uh… POINT- thinker…! hahAHAHAHA!”
Brian just blinks at him, squinting.
“Are you out of it?”
Ben taps his braincase, picking Brian up gently and placing him in his lap.
“He’s drunk, mate.”
The Prethinker shifts in his hold, slightly shaken but trying to get more comfortable.
“Well- yeah, I know that. It’s just that somehow he’s gotten more incomprehensible than usual.”
Ben titters softly, directing his gaze to Buck, watching him slump on the bar counter.
“That’s just how he is, love. That music bloke sure has an… odd taste in men.”
Brian sighs, putting his face in his hands.
“He’s just as insane as Ruffler. To be honest, you’re one of the only normal people here.”
The other lets out an amused hum.
“S’pose it’s an honor to be considered ‘normal’ by you, love.”
He rubs Brian’s shoulder, the other sighing.
“It should be standard. ”
As they all sat there for a moment, their banter seemed to die down. Buck impatiently tapped his glass against the counter, he was going to have one hell of a hangover the next morning. Meanwhile Brian sat snuggly in Ben’s lap, he’s been getting more comfortable with being close like this as of late. The brainiac sighed, slouching into his hold before jumping at a sudden familiar voice.
“Sorry I’m late, babe!”
That loud and gaudy voice rang out, making Buck almost fall out of his stool. He stumbled, grabbing the counter to cease his fall. Brian blinked and it seemed that Buck was already out of his seat and running toward the musician with open arms.
“Daaaaveyyyy!”
“Ooh-! Come ‘ere, Bucky-boo!”
Dave opened up his arms, feeling the full force of Buck running straight into him. He caught the gambler and spun him around twice or thrice, nuzzling right up into him.
“Davey… I mithhed youuu…”
He slurred against his chest, giggling drunkenly to himself.
“I missed ya too, baby doll. Didya get a head start on drinkin’ without me?”
The musician poked his beak, making Buck let out a little ‘quack’.
“Thorryyy… I couldn’t wait any longerrr…”
The Major Player lets out a laugh pressing his teeth against Buck’s beak in a kiss.
“Ooh… Buck, you silly billy… the night’s barely started without me, babe.”
The two nuzzled into each other, pressing kiss after kiss on their faces, a canopy of quacks and piano notes escaping them.
All the while Ben and Brian just sat there and stared, the latter just squinting at them.
The Bellringer taps the other’s head, looking down at him.
“Y’think we’re gonna end up like that, love?”
Brian groaned, covering his eyes with his hand.
“Oh Cog, if we do I want you to green me.”
The bell lets out an amused titter, holding Brian close, his clapper against his head.
“How about we bet on it?”
The Prethinker’s eye twitches.
“Ben, I swear to Cog.”