Chapter Text
Well, that hadn't been a total disaster. It could've gone better, sure, but being able to put Jax in a maid dress was the highlight of their month... Maybe Gangle taking a liking to the day's adventures helped, just a little.
It wasn't unusual to find Gangle and Zooble unwinding after a long day on one of the couches, even if most days they were accompanied by others. "Y'know Zooble... The bar was a pretty fun adventure, even if the drinks tasted... Odd."
"Was I that bad?" They weren't bothered with the idea that maybe his bartending skills had gotten a little rusty, though Gangle didn't seem to agree with that.
"No!!!- No, you were great! Caine probably just doesn't know what alcohol tastes like..." She couldn't see, it wasn't like Gangle's avatar could even show it, but if he had to guess, they'd say she was blushing. "-You're a great bartender!"
There was a moment of silence as Zooble stared at Gangle, before a crinkle made it's way to their eyes, which Gangle recognized was a smile, even when he didn't exactly have a mouth.
"...Didn't take you for a drinker"
"I'm not! Why- Why would you think that?"
"Nobody else seemed to notice the drinks tasted weird" Gangle always had the funniest reactions, especially when she got embarrassed. Which was often. Gangle was very easy to fluster, and Zooble definitely took advantage of that when they could.
Gangle stared at them, now less embarrassed and more grumpy. "Maybe the other's drinks tasted fine..." She looked cute. God how many times would that thought pop up in Zooble's mind? It wasn't like he wasn't already head over heels enough.
He always wondered what she looked like in real life. Outside of this hellhole. Was she tall? Short? Was her hair long? Dark? Dyed? Were her eyes pretty? Would she even look their way if he didn't look like a cartoon character?
"Hm... Yeah, maybe" The stretch of silence that followed wasn't awkward, just thoughtful.
Plenty of times were like that when they were alone. Lots of things, thoughts, feelings left unsaid. The moment was never right, there was always someone nearby, maybe they were scared of Caine barging in, but regardless of the reason, both always knew there was more to those moments.
This was one of the few times they had to themselves. Being alone wasn't an easy feat in the circus, you'd probably think so, especially considering how big it is, but most rooms aren't exactly usable, so the ones that are comfortable are... Popular. Zooble enjoyed being around Gangle, she was sweet, kind and genuine with him, patient too.
They were soooo (honk)-ed.
Gangle leaned her head against their shoulder interrupting his line of thought. "...What're you thinking about?" He hoped she wouldn't move so soon. Gangle's comedy mask had been fixed after the adventure, but she seemed genuinely relaxed, not forced to act happy like the plastic mask had made her feel.
Zooble thought for a moment. "Do you think we've met each other? Like... Outside of this place?" It wasn't out of the blue. Gangle herself always wondered if maybe they were closer than they realized. "What if you met me while I still bartended?" Zooble continued.
"I don't... Usually go to bars. At least I didn't use to, now even if I wanted to..." Gangle turned to face Zooble, she was probably reminiscing over the past. It was hard not to drown in memories in a place like that. Remembering things was what kept Zooble sane most days. She always felt worried for Kinger, he didn't have the best relationship with memories.
Zooble spoke up, not allowing Gangle to reminisce too long. "...We could always ask Caine to bring back that adventure. I also think another day of Spudsy's would be nice, it felt very grounding." Gangle always had an adorable smile, even when her comedy mask was broken. Sometimes a smile would flash on her tragedy mask and it'd make Zooble's day. It was hard not to succumb to cuteness aggression...
Gangle spoke up."You think so too? I didn't think anyone actually liked it" She looked surprised to figure out that anyone would even like one of her ideas. Zooble thought it felt wrong for her to feel embarrassed over her own suggestions. They spoke up. "I liked all of your adventures, they always remind me of the real world, in a good way." Gangle lit up at the comment.
"I guess they do... I kinda miss the routine" She answered and Zooble hummed, they did miss a lot of their old life. Work was tiring, but it gave him something to occupy their mind with, in a very different way from how Caine's adventures did... The girl before her interrupted his reminiscing. "What was... Tattooing like? Did you still do that before the circus?"
Zooble looked at Gangle, pondering for a moment, before answering. "I was working at a tattoo shop when I got here, long hours, but it paid well, so everything kinda worked out" Gangle's expression immediately lightened, she looked very interested in their work. "I didn't think you still worked with that, could I see one of your drawings? If you have any!-" She immediately tried to brush the comment off, visibly embarrassed, as she lifted her head off Zooble's shoulder. "No pressure!"
Zooble smiled as they glanced at her, he had an idea but they weren't sure if it was pushing the teasing a little bit too far...
"What if I draw you?" Gangle didn't know what to say to that. She tried to stutter an answer, but got nowhere "I think I'm a little rusty, but nothing some warm ups can't fix, what do you say?" Zooble continued, enjoying how flustered the girl before her looked.
"I dont-" she looked embarrassed "-You'd do that?"
"Why not? You look adorable" Even more so when she was flustered, it was so cute. Zooble was confident in their abilities, he'd drawn a lot before getting in this place, hell it was her JOB. He would definitely be able to capture Gangle's likeness, at least.
She was so cute. The way she held her sketchbook close to her chest, her smile, her voice was so sweet, they couldn't ever get tired of it. He would always listen to her for however long she wanted to talk, all about her "nerdy" interests, mangas, books, it wasn't like he was paying that much attention to the details regardless, seeing her smile was a lot more important.
He'd always felt like capturing her crushes on paper, just a way to remember and admire them...
If only they had paper.
"Oh." Gangle looked worried, almost like he'd change his mind all of a sudden.
"...I don't have any drawing supplies... We'd have to ask Caine for some and he's busy... Is he flirting with the moon again?" Zooble asked, before Gangle nodded.
Gangle was still very embarrassed, but it had been a while since she'd drawn with someone else, it was always a welcome break to her usually solitary hobby... "Zooble... How about I bring some of my supplies and I draw you tomorrow as well..? ONLY IF YOU WANT TO!- No pressure! It's just an idea!"
Maybe she was less prepared to suggest that then she expected. She hadn't even realized she'd closed her eyes, worried about how Zooble would react. Rejection was never fun.
Of course Zooble wouldn't want to, they offered just to be nice, he could tell it was an attempt at a date, how could she not tell? Gangle had never been good at this whole dating thing. Why bother with it?
After a moment with no answer from Zooble, she took the hint and started to get up. "I- I'm sorry, I get it if you don't want to."
"Gangle it's not that!- I just-" Zooble got up as well, grabbing one of Gangle's ribbons, the one closest to them. "I- I guess I didn't expect you to want to draw me as well, out of all people..."
...Gangle stopped, looking back at Zooble, wondering what they were going to say.
"I'd love to. I was just embarrassed." Zooble finally admitted, taking a deep breath, then continuing "Tomorrow? After whatever Caine decides to throw at us?"
The girl thought for a moment. Maybe the "almost rejection" had made her apprehensive... Zooble remembered when she was younger, they'd gone on his fair share of "artsy dates" drawing, clay, painting, even Legos, but this seemed more intimate. Especially considering how much they liked Gangle.
Gangle tried not to seem too excited that she hadn't been rejected. "Okay. Tomorrow then."
They hadn't slept at all. That night, he pretended to go into her room before beelining to find Caine, ironic how love can make you do weird things, huh? And asked them for drawing supplies, whatever he was willing to give him.
Then, sitting down in bed, she'd spent the whole night practicing. They didn't want to disappoint her.