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You watched from a stool as the two cup headed bartenders argued about their bet. The red twin had wagered that the famous adventurer Felix would appear with the map you'd needed to get. The blue twin had argued differently. To settle it, Cuphead glanced at you, "Whaddya say, toots? Who owes money here? Your handsome, sexy boyfriend who was totally right, or your nerdy future brother in law?"
"Brother in law?" You ask, raising a brow with a soft laugh. "Who says I'm marryin' you?"
"Me, obviously. You don't have a say in this," he hums, leaning on his crossed arms over the counter to look at you better. His eyes flit over you twice before he winks, causing you to laugh again.
"Can you two please focus? We'll lose our target," Mugman cuts through the tension like a humorless cockblock pair of scissors. "Fine, fine, who's getting it?"
The twins share a glance over my question for two seconds before Cuphead sighs dramatically, "I guess I will... C'mon, hot stuff, you're comin' with me." The dish steps around the bar with a tray of two drinks and lifts you by your shoulder off the stool.
"What? Why??" You question, eyes widening slightly. Cuphead would never lead you into any sort of danger, so why would he bring you along?
He shrugs, giving some half-assed answer about not wanting to leave you alone with Mugsy too long. "He might try to make you smarter than me," he reasons, earning a protest from you.
You were smarter than him, you both knew it, but he liked the idea of knowing things you didn't and if Mugman were to tell you any of them instead of himself... It's more fun if Cup was the one to teach her something for once.
The two of you start to head upstairs but are quickly ran into by a short demon. The inky figure quickly apologizes and tries to run past toward where you were headed yourselves. The V.I.P room. Felix had just headed upstairs, meaning the map would be in perfect position to grab by either of you.
"Woah woah, where do you think you're going shortstack?" You ask, grabbing the demon's wrist quickly and pulling him back. Cup stands behind you, still holding the tray and watching you carefully. You could hold your own, sure, but he couldn't help but be protective... especially with how the demon pauses at the proper sight of you.
"I... uh... a-autographs! Yea! I'm just a huge huge fan of Felix and was hoping to get an autograph from him and Mickey..."
"Doesn't matter how much of a fan you are, you ain't allowed in," Cuphead glares at the inky boy, already stepping closer to place a hand on your lower back. He doesn't back down however, instead looking the two of you over before commenting, "Didn't realize the Ink N Paint had bouncers."
"We didn't realize it needed them. Now, I advise you get outta here before we-" Cuphead grabs the ink demon's forearm and starts to drag him away before he's cut off.
"Wait wait! If you kick me out, I'll tell everyone you don't work here!" The demon exclaims, pulling the name tag off Cuphead's belt loop. "You sure as hell don't look like this guy... and I know everyone who works here."
You sigh and shake your head. "Cup... It's fine. It's just a superfan, it'll take a few seconds." The dish stares at you for a moment before mirroring you and letting the boy go. "Fine."
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"Sorry to interrupt but your orders are ready," Cuphead exclaims, walking into the V.I.P room where a mouse and cat were talking. You can see the map from where you are, gripped tightly in Felix's hand. "Two drinks and a superfan here for an autograph."
The ink demon immediately starts running his mouth and almost mentions the map before you grab him and cover his mouth, cutting him off with some bullshit explanation. Eventually, You and Cuphead follow the fan out, your hand finding the parchment that the ink demon's tail had snatched. With a light tug, it slips into your grasp without either of them noticing. You run off downstairs as Cuphead grabs the boy, commanding him to hand over the map.
"Cup! C'mon! It won't be long before they notice." You exclaim, already downstairs and moving towards Mugman.
-+-+-
By the time you've made it into the woods, Mugman had ran off ahead, leaving you and Cup to wander. You'd slipped the blue twin the map as you ran out of the bar, trusting him more than yourself to carry it. "So... that was fun... what do you think it leads to?" You ask, glancing up at your boyfriend as he digs his hands into his pockets.
"Dunno... maybe we could open it when Mugsy gets back." You nod and smile slightly. "...Speaking of... who knows when he'll be back... we could always-"
You could barely get the words out before his grin found your lips, his hand moving to cup your cheek. A smile tugs your lips as you eagerly kiss him back, chasing him when he pulls away. "I love you... but not right now. After we've delivered the map, mm?" He offers and you pout but nod.
With a smile, Cup guides you to a tree, sitting and pulling you to sit between his legs. His pulls you close with his arms around your waist so your back was flush against his firm chest.
You were lucky. You were poor and homeless and wanted for crimes... but you were happy. You ARE happy. Because you've got the boy behind you and that's all you'll ever need, map or not.
You were lucky the mission worked out perfectly enough that you could waste some time... and you were so so happy.