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How much did Waxwell have to try and try until he succeeded?
That was something Waxwell asked himself quite often. Even now, as he headed away from the dining area with a scowl, he wondered. Every little thing he tried backfired. Just an hour ago, he had thrown a massive amount of salt into the pot of pasta.
When the time came, everyone sang their praises- apparently the pasta was usually dull, flavorless, something which Waxwell didn't know as he refused to eat it.
He had been excited, because who could even enjoy that much salt? But no, apparently it was the best thing the other toons ate in a while- even Shrimpo didn't sound as angry. So, Waxwell had eaten his plate of food with a pout while everyone around him had a great dining experience. And his own food?
… Meh.
Maybe he'd mess with Sprout's cookies again soon. Or ruin one of Goob's-
“Waxwell!” Speak of the devil. Turning around, Waxwell blinked, watching the craft approach with one of his signature dumb smiles. “I saw you adding salt to the pasta earlier. That was nice of you!”
Nice? He didn't… “That was not supposed to be nice! I was adding salt so everyone would have a horrible time eating their food! Why even- why can't Sprout cook normally?! How do you even mess up spaghetti?!” Waxwell had heard how bad Sprout was at baking in particular. But spaghetti? Come on. Even he could do better! Not that he would, obviously…
“Umm,” Goob blinked slowly. “Well, everyone knows that Sprout is a bit clumsy in the kitchen when it comes to certain dishes.” He explained, which made Waxwell groan. Of course.
Why did everyone know everything about everyone but him?
“Ugh,” was all Waxwell said, turning to leave. Goob chased after him for some reason, which Waxwell tolerated for maybe 8 seconds before he turned around to stare at him.
Goob smiled a little wider.
“Do you mind?” Waxwell sighed, looking away from Goob's big, stupid, ugly puppy eyes. The craft paused, then shook his head.
“Sorry! I should've said something. Waxwell, do you want to go do some crafts over at the arts and crafts room?” Goob immediately corrected his mistake- though it made no difference to Waxwell. The candle rolled his eyes.
“No, Goob.” He said plainly.
“Please?”
“No.”
“I'll give you a hug!”
“That doesn't change the answer!”
“I'll ask Glisten to make you a new blanke-”
“Shh!” Waxwell's flame lit. He looked around quickly, deflating when he saw no one nearby. He didn't want to replace his blanket, but an extra one might be… nice. He felt his face heat up. Why did Goob care so much if he did or didn't go?
Before he could agree, Goob gave him the biggest puppy eyes imaginable.
“Fine! Ugh, let's just go.” It'd save him from any potential embarrassment to just agree, probably.
Waxwell began heading to the art and crafts area, which was a bit far from the dining area. Goob made some sort of happy noise Waxwell tried to ignore, pushing away the kneejerk reaction to find it cute.
The walk there was relatively uneventful, only passing by Teagan who did a small double take at seeing them together. If she had any thoughts though, she didn't voice them. Waxwell tried not to think too much about her reaction. It wasn't that weird to see them together, right? He could co-exist with the other toons!
“Waxy?” Goob called. Waxwell felt his heart do a summersault at the stupid nickname.
“What?” He turned his head to Goob as they reached the door to the arts and crafts area, raising a brow.
“You look really bothered lately.” The craft stated, giving Waxwell a sympathetic look then walking into the room, making sure Waxwell followed.
The candle stuttered in his step. He felt his face heat up, from embarrassment or something else entirely.
There it was again…
Goob seemed to care about him. A lot. For whatever reason. It made Waxwell's heart stir with something painfully mushy and vulnerable and scary.
“Villains don't get bothered by things,” he huffed, plopping himself down on one of the chairs just as Goob did. He began to rummage through the box of art supplies on the table.
Huh.
Had Goob prepared it beforehand…?
“Oh, Waxy,” Goob's voice and smile were gentle. “You don't have to pretend. We're friends! I know how much it frustrates you that none of your schemes work. So I just wanted to tell you that you don't have to be bad just because you were in the show.”
Waxwell stopped rummaging through the supplies to look up at Goob. He felt his heart squeeze. He knew that. Technically, he knew that. But… what else was he if not a villain? The thought was scary. Even then though, he was a lousy villain. He didn't know what Goob saw in him. Not really.
“I… like my schemes.” He managed, pushing away the self-consciousness. “I like coming up with them. One day they'll succeed.”
Goob hummed, as if thinking. Really, when they were first getting to know each other, Waxwell thought he was dumb as bricks. But no, Goob was actually quite tactful and emotionally mature. It just so happened that he was into childish things, which Waxwell humoured from time to time.
“Maybe I can help you with one of the more harmless pranks.” Goob offered, his claws working to glue macaroni together. Waxwell's head shot up from the blank paper he was contemplating.
“What? Really?” And perhaps he had said that with too much hope, because he heard Goob's tail begin to wag, hitting against the back of the chair.
“Yes!” Goob clumsily grabbed glitter glue, a purple color that reminded Waxwell vaguely of flowers. “I don't mind helping you if it's not something harmful. That's what friends do!”
Overlooking the word ‘friends’ again, Waxwell thought about it. Maybe they could do some sort of plan together, yes… maybe he could make Goob write something mean to one of the toons, and watch them be confused! Or maybe he could ask Goob to drop glitter on someone! He could do it, with his long arms!
“I like it when you look happy!” Goob said suddenly, causing Waxwell to realize he had been smiling. His wick lit near instantly, his face burning up as well. He stopped smiling to pout, utterly and wholly embarrassed.
“I-I’m not happy about it! I… I just thought it would confuse everyone to turn you evil!” It was a horrible excuse, but Waxwell felt too flustered to think properly.
“Aww, it's okay, Waxy.” The craft was scribbling something on his own craft now, looking completely overjoyed by the entire interaction. “Nothing to be ashamed about. It's cute, if anything!”
The flame on Waxwell's head roared. He didn't reply this time, busying himself with his blank paper instead. Ugh, stupid Goob… his words always did something to his heart, no matter how much he tried to ignore it.
He mindlessly scribbled as his thoughts circled and circled around Goob and his words, so much so that he began to doodle Goob himself on the paper.
Stupid…
Stupid Goob with his stupid fluffy self..
Stupid Goob with his stupid warm hugs…
“I finished!” Goob piped up after a while. It broke Waxwell out of his Goob centered thoughts, plummeting him back into the Goob centered reality. Waxwell looked at the other Toon, squinting his eyes. So fast? Maybe he had practice with it, he guessed.
“Show me,” Waxwell urged.
“Okay, okay!” Goob giggled, hiding the craft for a short moment, raising it up a moment later with nothing but pride. His cheeks were a little colored, but he looked happy.
Waxwell blinked slowly.
Was that… him? As… as macaroni art?
The candle felt his cheeks slowly heat up again, flame appearing for a little moment. He felt… oddly flattered. Really, incredibly, strangely flattered.
Goob's eyes opened, a slightly worried look crossing his face. “Do you like it?”
Waxwell finally remembered to react. He looked away with a cough, still warm and fuzzy. Why did Goob have to do such embarrassing things? Why was he so cute?!
“It's- it's really good, actually.” Waxwell huffed. It was good, he guessed. With Goob's long arms he was surprised he could even do any of that. “Um, thank you. I like it.”
The candle heard Goob's tail begin to wag fast, and the craft himself looked delighted. He stood, and remembering his Goob doodles, Waxwell followed suit, standing in front of them to shield them.
“I'm so glad you like it! I hope I captured your evil essence!” Goob spread his arms slightly, a smile that had his eyes squinting coming up on his face. “Can I hug you? Please?”
Waxwell opened his mouth, but before he could really say anything, a piercing shout cut through the air.
“WHAT ARE YOU TWO IDIOTS DOING HERE.”
Waxwell flinched, turning around to see Shrimpo slowly walk into the room. Goob peeked from behind him, thankfully focused enough on Shrimpo that he didn't see the drawings. Waxwell felt sweat gather at his temple.
“S-Shrimpo! My fellow villain! Uh, we're- I was just ruining Goob's crafts! Maybe you'd like to join me-”
“IS THAT WHY YOU DREW GOOB WITH A TON OF HEARTS AROUND HIM A BUNCH OF TIMES.”
Waxwell felt his heart drop.
Behind him, Goob had moved close enough that Waxwell felt him tensing.
No, no, nonono! Dang it! Now Goob was going to absolutely hate him! Was he stupid, drawing Goob like he was a lovesick fool?!
“I-”
“I HATE IT BY THE WAY. IT SUCKS.”
Waxwell pretty much deflated, hit on each sensitive spot he had. He felt stress begin to build, making his eyes begin to swell with the beginning of tears.
“I like it,” Goob's voice came from behind him suddenly, and Waxwell near jumped out of his skin when he felt the craft’s claw rest on his shoulder. “I really like it, Waxwell.”
Waxwell's head whipped to the side when he felt Goob move to stand next to him, looking down at the drawings and smiling like he'd just been given the world. The candle felt his breath hitch.
“DON'T IGNORE ME.” Shrimpo hissed, slamming his hand down on the table. Startled, Waxwell inched closer to Goob's side. Goob let him, using his other claw to grab the drawing before Shrimpo could do anything to it.
“Sorry, Shrimpo. I'm just very happy with Waxwell's drawings. It's not nice to say something is bad when it's made with love, though.” Goob said as gently as he could. “Maybe you can ask Finn to make you a drawing and you'll see how it feels?”
Shrimpo closed his mouth. He seemed to think on it, huffed, and angrily turned around. “YOU'RE NOT WORTH MY TIME ANYWAYS.”
Sighing in relief when Shrimpo left, Goob turned back to Waxwell. The candle had been watching Goob closely, and once he noticed him looking back, he quickly turned his head.
Goob giggled, which made Waxwell's heart flip, his heartbeat already running wild from the stress and the horrible horrible mushy feelings. The craft put the drawing down and gingerly turned Waxwell's head towards him. “Are you okay?”
“You're- you, uh, don't hate me?”
That seemed to take Goob by surprise.
“No!” His floppy ears drooped slightly, his tail moving down as well. “Waxwell, I could never hate you. I like you a lot, really. Your smile, your mischief, your little doodles. I like how you get embarrassed and flustered when we hug, or when I say something nice. I like not only your softer side but your evil side too. I love how you always try your best and never give up.”
By this point, Waxwell felt like he was going to melt. He gulped, feeling his flame burn hot and bright. Despite that, as Goob leaned close to nuzzle his head, the flame only tickled comfortably.
He reached a hand to carefully take Goob's claw, which caused Goob to pull Waxwell even closer, now practically hugging. With a pout, Waxwell rested his head on Goob's shoulder. He felt dizzy, warm, and extremely loved.
Goob did not push him for an answer, instead looping his arm around him and keeping him close.
What a weird feeling.
Waxwell eventually regained some bravado after some minutes, pulling slightly away from Goob to look at him. His eyes wandered, shy and self conscious. But Goob just smiled, patient.
“Goob, I…” He fidgeted with one of Goob's clawed fingers, running his thumb along the back of his hand. “Ugh, why is this so hard…” He bit his lip, frustrated.
Without interrupting, Goob nodded encouragingly for him to go on. Waxwell took one deep breath, and spoke.
“I think… I think I like you, Goob- b-but uh, it's whatever if you don't. Yeah, don't sweat it, uh-”
“Haha, Waxy, you're adorable. Why would I have you this close if I didn't like you back?” Goob's tail began wagging again, fast.
Waxwell felt like he had died and gone to heaven. Which was a very possible thing, because he had never once succeeded in doing something evil. Burning up, figuratively and literally, Waxwell pushed his face into Goob's shoulder. It made the craft giggle, using his claw to pat Waxwell's head.
“Take your time, Waxy. There's no rush to figure out your feelings completely.” He said kindly. Waxwell thought he sounded happy just holding him.
“... Thanks.” Waxwell managed. Then, being the bravest he had been in his life, he murmured into Goob's fur.
“... Kiss?”
And despite how calm Goob had been so far, the craft had quickly pulled back and held both of Waxwell's cheeks, feeling how warm he was.
“Yes!!”
Closing his eyes quickly, Waxwell felt Goob's lips on his almost immediately. Kissing the craft was a bit awkward, mostly because he had never kissed anyone. But other than that? Waxwell felt like he should've done this much, much sooner. Clumsily, the candle kissed back, holding onto Goob's claws tenderly.
The kiss was chaste, but filled with longing. A longing Waxwell hadn't even realized he felt towards Goob. He really… was in denial, huh. They had clearly been friends, and now, perhaps something more.
The thought made Waxwell's wick burn bright. Goob pulled away from the kiss when he felt the extra warmth, and smiled down at him sweetly.
Waxwell was all tangled up in Goob's arms, but really, there was no other place he would want to be.
They stared into each other's eyes quietly, just admiring each other.
“Yes, so the tea party would be- oh!”
Waxwell and Goob flinched, their heads snapping towards the entrance of the room.
Glisten and Teagan stood there with their mouths open. Waxwell, realizing exactly how close and… tangled he was, opened his mouth to clear up everything, but Glisten and Teagan slowly, almost comically retraced their steps, mouths still wide open.
“... We might have a problem.” Goob said slowly, his face flushed.
Waxwell screamed internally.