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“You’re sure you don’t want to bet anything? It would be a lot funnier if there were higher stakes.”
“Sorry little guy, no money involved, it’s against da rules.”
“Pff, okay, I’m not gonna force you.”
During their free time, a zapper and a pippins played card games. Tenna was once again throwing one of his usual tantrums after the show flopped (though almost none of his show were actually attracting people anymore) and everyone who could hid there and there in order to escape him. Usually, the zapper would have been outside trying to catch the pippinses who were trying to steal points and furniture, but his friend convinced them to enjoy their break without thinking about their boss or any thief pippins.
They were now hiding in a broom closet, but fortunately for them, every room and every closet were much larger than regular rooms in order to let Tenna move freely in the studio. They were comfortably sitting on the ground, with a small lamp lighting their cards enough for them to be able to play.
“However, you let me chose the next game. Nothing illegal, promise, but something that is a at least a minimum fun.”
The pippins glanced at the zapper, and seeing they didn’t react, continued their proposition.
“We could play poker?”
“Wes don’t have chips, it seems a lil’ bit hard to play without ‘em, and again I said no-”
“A STRIP poker.”
Although they had no face, the pippins could clearly see the zapper raising an eyebrow. The pippinses were known among zappers as freaks, for sure, but All-in didn’t particularly enjoy playing too mature games.
However, now that they were playing with Wave, they thought: who were they to say no to a quick look at wave’s build? As a bouncer, they were surely hiding abs under their clothes.
Maybe they WERE a freak after all…
Seeing the slightly disgusted look on the zapper, All-in felt the need to add “...But in a respectful way, of course.” as if it would change Wave’s perception of the game. The bouncer let out an audible sigh.
"...Again, we don't have money, so how are we’s gonna-"
"Trust me, there's no WAY no pippins has hidden poker chips here. This is typically the type of place pippinses hide in order to play. ...forget I said that, actually. Nobody ever comes here, it's a pure coincidence if I find any- ah, there they are!" All-in got up, and squeezed themselves on Wave (on purpose) to get closer to the hidden chips behind them. They didn't have to get this close, but hey, can't a dice be playful?
They took a box on the shelf behind the zapper, and sat back in front of them. Wave seemed slightly uncomfortable, but All-in could SWEAR they saw the remote blush. ...If that was even possible.
The pippins started explaining the rules of the game, even though they already played many games of regular poker. To spice up the game, the players would take off their clothes every time they lose, not waiting to lose all their coins before taking something off, or else they wouldn’t have the time to do anything “fun”.
"Please ?"
“All right. But only cuz ya didn’t choose the previous games. AND ya must promise we won’t play more than three games, ‘kay ?”
Trying to hide their inner thoughts, All-in quietly nodded. THREE games? But they wouldn’t have the time to remove anything in three rounds! Unless the zapper was a freak and directly took off their shirt instead of their gloves, but the pippins highly doubted it. Maybe…
Maybe they had a chance to take a look at Wave’s torso if they didn’t lose a single game. Well, what’s a game with no challenge? Plus, they were probably more experienced at poker than their friend. Or maybe they could just…
“Okay. I shuffle.”
“Huuuh… no offence, buddy, but I don’t really trust youse. Hand over the deck.”
“You really thought I was about to cheat? I’m really offended.” Said All-in, a forced disappointed look on their face. “I just shuffle faster than you, that’s why I took the cards first.”
Obviously, Wave didn’t believe it, and they were right. Taking the cards, they started to separate them.
Okay, All-in had to admit, Wave was much better at this than they thought. The way they handled the cards was rather hypnotizing. It was done with a certain expertise, and while the pippinses were Professional at shuffling cards, this zapper could beat some pippinses at their own game.
"Where did you learn how to do that ?"
"Huh, before you guys came over to TV World, Tenna made us learn some tricks for a TV show. Not all of us know how to do that tho."
They then distributed two cards per player, and laid five others in front of them.
They bet one chip each for the first round, then looked at their cards.
All-in had the Queen of Diamonds, and a five of spades. That was okay, they thought.
They glanced at the zapper. Of course they had the perfect poker face, they didn't have any face! That was disappointing.
“If I lose, imma take off my glove I think.”
"Okay, that's boring. And not fair, I don't have gloves."
"I'm not gonna change it. Ya take it or leave it, buddy."
Welp. At least they tried.
One round after the other, they made their bets, until all the cards in front of them were facing up. The pippins had a pair of queens; hopefully, this would be enough.
They showed each other their cards. The bouncer only had a pair of six, and took one of their gloves off.
Okay. Two more games, the pippins thought.
Wave shuffled again, putting on their little show once more, then distributed the cards. They bet again, then looked at their cards a second time. A seven and a two, of different colors. Well this was one shitty hand.
However, as the zapper turned the cards one by one, it appeared the pippins had a double pair. There was a lot of chance they’d win this round. Maybe there was a chance they could see Wave topless, after all.
God, the zappers were right. They were a freak.
Before they could see the last card, however, the remote stopped the round.
“I fold.”
“Does… does this mean you lose, or…?”
“It shouldn’t mean I lose.”
“No, actually, I think it does.”
“...Are ya just makin’ up rules, buddy?”
“No, those are the actual rules, trust me I know. Why would I lie to you?”
“Ya tell me”, said the zapper while taking off their second glove. “I’m startin’ to think you’se cheating. ”
“Not this time, I’m not. Go on, shuffle. We need to play the last game before the end of the break!”
Okay. Everything was going according to plan. If everything went well, they should win the next one too. Wave kept saying they got really unlucky with their pulls until now, but maybe it just meant they were bad at the game.
….Maybe All-in was a little bit too invested in this. Why would seeing a zapper shirtless matter so much to them? Well, not just a zapper, but Wave. Still.
Maybe there was something wrong with them, to develop such a crush on one of the bouncers.
One last time, the zapper distributed the cards. Okay, this time, winning wasn’t an option. Until then, everything went well. Hopefully this game would go as planned too. They bet, then looked at their cards.
Two sevens.
Right off the bat, this was a really good combo.
Wave then placed the cards in front of them. The first round didn’t change anything for the pippins, nor did the second. They could only hope a pair would be enough to win.
Wave then turned the last card. A seven, again.
Three of a kind.
There was no way they wouldn’t win.
“Wave, if I lose, I take off both my cloak and my shirt.”
“...Why would youse do that.”
“For the stakes. But I don’t think I will lose, don’t worry.”
Unsure if the pippins was bluffing or not, the zapper kept on going. After their last bet, they one by one revealed their cards.
The first card of the bouncer did not lead to anything. Their second card was probably another pair, the pippins thought. There was no possible way for them to do a straight.
But then, they laid their last card. Five hearts.
A flush.
The zapper won.
The pippins let out an audible lament of disappointment, and covered their face with their hands. It was too good to be true, obviously.
“Well, this was a good game. I ain’t bad sport. The rules are the rules”, they said, taking off their cloak.
They then grabbed the end of their shirt, ready to take it off too, but Wave stopped them before they did. They were all red and sweaty, looking awfully embarrassed.
“WAIT. Ya don’t havta take off your shirt, cuz… well, huh, ya won! I didn’t have anything, look! Ya beat me! Haha…” They said, while gathering the cards on the ground. “Don’t bother, it’s okay, you’se not forced to do anything ya don’t want to…”
Clearly, the zapper won. Did they not see they had a flush? Or-
Were they pretending?
Putting the cards and the coins back in the box, anyone could see they were trying to hide their face.
Oh they were flustered alright!
“Sooo… you lost?”
“Huh? Oh, yeah, hang on.”
Not having gloves to take off anymore, they (FINALLY) took off their shirt.
They got up and placed the box back on the shelf on top of them.
All-in had then the perfect view on the zapper’s back.
GOOD GOD, THEY WERE JACKED. Incredible back muscles, and the perfect amount of fat. They had big arms and a big torso, along with a big tummy.
The zapper were right, all pippinses were freaks, All-in was no better than the rest.
“You’re sure you don’t want me to take off my shirt? I’m pretty sure you had a flush and I lost.”
“NOPE! I’m good.”
“Alright then.”
Wave took their shirt on the ground, and put it back on. All-in was a little bit sad it went so fast, but seeing Wave get dressed was eye candy.
“I, huh, we should… yeah. It’s the end of da break. I’m gonna go, see ya later. Bye. Ciao.”
They opened the door, and awkwardly waved at their coworker.
The pippins smiled.
“Ciao, big guy.”