Work Text:
I hope you enjoy even if it's unfished. I have been seriously struggling with motivation to write. So Idk when I'll write again. Sorry!
Bendy simply stared at Cuphead for a moment, before grabbing his things and got up to leave.
The sound of laughter quieted a little as Cuphead turned to watch the demon head for the door.
“Wait! B-Bend’s where ‘ya going!?” Cuphead asked getting up to follow.
Bendy didn’t respond as he tugged his jacket on and pushed the Café door open for his exit.
Sage just shrugged before elbowing Apollo with a grin.
“At least we don’t have to wonder where that smell is coming from.” Sage mocked with a visible grin.
Cuphead looked at them disappointedly before fully getting up to leave himself.
“Cuphead, where are you going?!” Apollo asked after a few moments. Chalice looked up from her sundae to see Cuphead’s expression twist with worry.
“I think Bendy is actually upset, I’m going to go check on him.” Cuphead explained picking up his book bag.
“I wouldn’t worry about ‘em.” Riccardo said with a dismissive wave. “No need to follow a sore loser.” He said crossing his arms behind his head kicking his feet up onto the table.
Cuphead looked at the three older teens and recognized the way they began to ignore the situation.
Like Bendy’s feelings meant nothing… to them.
/Ah Damn it!/
Cuphead rushed out the door and the three called after him confused as he kept on running to find his friend.
…..
Chalice frowned a little and stabbed at her sundae uncertain if she should follow him out the door or not.
“Hey, Challie! Want Cuphead’s Burger and Fries since he ditched us?”
Chalice chewed on the inside of her lip as the plate settled in front of her.
One more bite couldn’t hurt…
------------------------
Mugman had just finished another successful gamble in Chess Club when the door to the room opened again.
Mugman looked up momentarily from his winnings, before snapping his head up fully to witness Bendy crumble against the door to close it.
“Whoa! Are you alright Ben?!” Mugman asked stuffing his box back into his bag.
Bendy didn’t respond.
Mugman turned towards the beanbag Boris was napping on and nudged the wolf-dog awake.
Boris’s eyes cracked and he let out a growl before a whine ripped from his throat as he stretched. Jaw’s opening wide as he yawned.
“Hey bud, Bendy’s not doing to hot. Can you help me out.” Mugman asked pointing towards the door.
Boris took one look before scrambling up and over to his brother to assess him.
Bendy let out a small noise as Boris forcefully crawled into his lap and pressed against his face muttering softly to him.
Bendy barely responded but he did speak, which was more than Mugman was going to get out of him.
----------------Massive Scene Jump and Cut-------------------
Cuphead wrung a hand through his messy hair and cursed as he threw his bag against his bedroom door with enough force to rattle it.
Sinking against the closet wall, Cuphead began to smack himself on the forehead over and over with his palms.
“Stupid, stupid, stupid! Of course, Bendy would be mad. He has every right to hate me. - I stood by and let those… THOSE-“
Cuphead let out a frustrated shout before throwing his jacket against the desk. Scattering Mugman’s writing utensils.
“-Lousy porcelain brain! How could I do that ta’ him!” Cuphead wailed and curled his head into his knees.”
“I would ask the same thing, but I’m guessin’ you don’t have an answer.” Mugman’s voice chimed in from the window.
Cuphead yelped and scrambled back bumping into the display of his friendship trophies. Cuphead instinctively caught them, before staring at them. His reflection shining back to expose the tears running down his face.
The words ‘Inkwell’s Number 1 Friend’ Stared back at him.
Taunting him.
Mugman’s face joined Cuphead’s and he frowned as Mugman eyed him through their reflections.
“You want to talk about it or do you need a moment?!” Mugman asked flatly.
Cuphead winced and looked away from his brother’s invasive examination.
Cuphead was the type to usually push it off or distract himself until he can’t ignore the problem anymore. Mugman knew that more than anyone.
Yet at this moment. Cuphead felt completely lost.
He couldn’t just ignore this, that’s what pushed Bendy away in the first place. Cuphead wasn’t willing to acknowledge that he’d hurt Bendy’s feelings on more than one occasion and this might have actually been the final straw.
What was he supposed to do, or even say.
That he was scared.
That his feelings for Bendy might change if he actually tried to be vulnerable with him.
That he’d been secretly gay and had started to date Chalice to hide it from everyone on the isle's and that he was secretly in love with him!
Cuphead hadn’t noticed Mugman climb into the room or the other two presence’s that had followed him.
His heart was loud.
Had it always been so rapid?
“Cuphead!” Mugman shook him. Cuphead just stared vacantly as tears continued to fall down his face and his breathing became a rapid storm.
Why couldn’t he speak?
What’s happening?!
“Calm down Cup’s! You panicking!”
The voice itched Cuphead’s brain, but he couldn’t muster a response as he was pulled into someone’s arms and held tightly. They squeezed him and he felt a sob compress against the back of his throat.
“Hey there! Breathe with me!”
Cuphead shuddered a breath as he was lead through a breathing exercise.
Large warm and calloused hands rubbed soft circles on Cuphead’s hands and ground him to carefully take in his surroundings.
Mugman stood off to the side with Elder Kettle, a steady hand on his shoulder as the two witnessed Cuphead’s breakdown.
It was odd to see him so afraid and visibly shaken.
Like Mugman had told Bendy in the beginning. Cuphead was born with the ability to fake anything.
Forced to play on a stage for thousands day to day.
Practiced perfection.
Broken,
all because Cuphead was scared to lose his best friend and possibly his crafted identity.
“There we go. Do you feel any better, Kid?” Cuphead nodded and pulled his hand away from Henry’s to rub at his irritated eyes.
“-Sniff- D-Did Bendy send you.” Cuphead’s voice cracked liked glass as he asked the small question, barely meeting the older gentleman’s eyes.
“Not exactly. I came to hear your side of the story.” Henry said rubbing Cuphead’s back.
Cuphead nodded, not meeting his gaze as he mumbled a small apology.
“I’m not the one you need to apologize to, kid. I just need to know you actually understand what it is that you’d just done, but I think you do.”
Henry said firmly.
It sounded so accepting, but stern. Cuphead wanted to hug him, but he also felt like he was being scolded for not doing his chores.
“Let’s wait until you’ve both calmed down fully though. I want you to think about what your going to say to Bendy when you apologize.”
Henry Advised and Cuphead merely nodded, to tired to fight the war he’d already lost.
“Drink some water, and talk to you’re family. I think you both have things you need to talk about.”
Cuphead froze as Henry pulled away from him fully and his eyes shifted towards his families feet, catching them in his peripheral vision.
He’d worried them more now.
/Damn it!!! Why’d I go and lose my cool!/
Cuphead winced as Henry whispered to Elder Kettle and watched as he left the Kettle Family to talk about the elephant in the room.
Cuphead shrunk into himself as they focused solely on him.
-Gulp-