CupTale (CupheadxUndertale)Ā Ch 8: Heartache
Finally got this done after a half-year hiatus! This fic is still in hiatus sadly, but itās slowly progressing. Itās my birthday today! And soon it will be my Japanese test on Sunday. Thank you so much for sticking around, even if itās really taking this long. Enjoy!
Music box melody playing. The peaceful darkness. A cushy pillow on the back of your headā¦ well, half of it for Cuphead at least. The other half was taken by a baby cooing and moaning Mugman, and Cuphead felt his brother snuggling on his right face, as if he was a pillow.
Opening his eyes, Cuphead glared annoyed at his brotherās big and goofy smile, and his rubbing snuggles on his faceā¦ but he also felt the end of his lip curl into a smile and felt a heartfelt stiffness on his right arm that is stopping him moving away from Mugmanās shoulders. Looking down and realizing he smiled, his eyes widened, then he shook himself and growled at Mugman for making him feel like this. They werenāt flexing. They werenāt wrestling. They werenāt chest bumping, fist bumping, butt bumping, or clinkingā¦ They werenāt manly at all.
Closed eyes, Mugman moaned and squeezed his hug a little. āCuphead is redā¦ Mugman is blueā¦ā
Cuphead couldnāt help but chuckle. āFlowers are stupid. So Cagney is too!ā He continued to giggle which got a little louder and then ended with a sigh mixed with fun and disappointment. Annoyed, he glared at Mugman who was still on his face. āYa awake yet?!ā He said with a hiss on his voice.
āNope.ā Mugman said jokingly.
Cuphead grunted. āWell, when are ya awake?ā His right hand on Mugmanās shoulder splayed.
Mugman opened his eyes and smirked. āWhen I open my eyes.ā And then he closed his eyes again.
Cuphead moaned and rolled his eyes. āHow long will that be?ā
Mugman squeezed his hug a little more. āFew more minutes.ā
Cuphead grumbled and pounded his left fist on the bed, causing the mattress to shake. āThatās gonna take ferever!ā And then looked at the ceiling, waiting for that forever to finishā¦ but then his eyes widened. āWait a minuteā¦ā
Mugman started to snicker, then bubbly giggle, then bubbly laugh. āYer such a dum dum bro.ā
Cuphead growled. āGet off!ā He pushed Mugman but he didnāt move.
āN-ho!ā Mugman giggled and tightened his hug.
āYouāre being super icky right now!ā With his hands, Cuphead pushed his face off.
āAww come on!ā Mugman pushed his head through Cupheadās hands and clinked the head of his brother, who squeaked startled in reaction. āYou like this ickiness!ā
Milk boiling, straw steaming and whistling like a kettle, Cuphead readied his hands. āI. DO. NOT!!!ā At the last word, Cuphead pushed Mugmanās face away very very hard.
āOW! HEEEY!ā Mugman swatted Cupheadās hands. āYA DIDNāT HAVTUH PUSH SO HARD!ā
āTHEN GET OFF ME!ā Cuphead pushed Mugmanās chest.
āNO!ā Mugman pushed Cupheadās chest back. āIāM NOT DONE!ā He placed his hands on Cupheadās shoulders and hit his forehead onto Cupheadās.
Cupheadās furious eyes glared straight into Mugmanās. āYES!ā He put his foot on Mugmanās stomach. āYOU-ā
A wisp of brown creamy curly air waved and seeped into the nostrils of Cuphead and Mugman who then sniffed, sniffed, closed their eyes, and then followed the scent with their sniffing noses. The trail led to the floor behind Mugman and they both leaned their noses towards it while sucking the scent with their giant nostrils at the same time. They opened their eyes and gasped.
Two creamy brown pies (with golden brown crust and creamy brown filling) were set on the floor in the middle of the rug blessed by the warm white light peeking from the narrow open doorway.
Dog-like tongues dripping with drool stuck out of the brothersā mouths and they used them to lick their own entire faces. They looked at each other, cheekily grinned at each other, and then scrambled out of bed while growling, laughing, and playfully pushing each other, to get to the pie. Along the way, they pushed each other so hard they crashed sitting and laughing on the floor next to the closest pie they each had.
They both looked at the pie with their black pupils reflecting the pieās imageā¦ but then Mugman raised an eyebrow confused.
āHuhā¦ā Mugman continued to stare. āNo forks.ā
āHeh!ā Cuphead elbowed Mugman. āRelax, we can eat it on the floor.ā
Mugman glared at Cuphead. āOn the floor?! Like animals?!ā Then suddenly Mugmanās eyes widened. āOhhhhā¦ā He said in realization, picked up his plate of pie and smiled at it. āToriel-! THATāS WHY THEREāS NO FORKS!ā He held up the pie like it was gold.
Cuphead glared confused at Mugman āUhh, yeah!ā He smiled. āForks are borinā anyway.ā He motioned his right hand to pick up the pie until-
āHEY HEY HEY!ā Mugman swatted Cupheadās hand.
āHey!ā Cuphead glared surprised at Mugman.
āDidja wash yer hands?ā Mugman pointed his right finger at Cuphead while looking at him with his squinted right eye.
Cuphead snickered and then swatted Mugmanās right index finger away. āWho cares?ā He splayed his carefree hands, while Mugman just looked at him annoyed. āWeāve got gloves.ā He presented his hands wiggled his fingers.
Mugman scoffed and rolled his eyes. āThe same gloves you drooled on and fell on the dirty creek! Youāll wind up buzzed by germsville! Iāll go find the bathroom.ā He placed his right foot down, ready to stand. Ā
āMmmmokay!ā Cuphead smiled smug and picked up his pie. āI hope ya donāt mind if I eat that other slice if yer not havinā it!ā
After a moment of staring cautiously at Cuphead, Mugman picked up his plate and moved the pie away. āNo way! I just need clean hands!ā
Cuphead shrugged his shoulders. āAlrighty!ā He offered his hand. āIāll just hold onto yer plate while ya go wash yer hands!ā
Mugman gasped and beamed. āThanks buddy!ā He was about to lend his plate to Cuphead. āHey wait a minuteā¦ā He pulled back his plate to the middle and squinted his eyes at Cuphead. āYa tryna pull a fast one on me?ā
Cuphead snickered while biting his teeth together and holding back tears. āWhaddya mean bro?ā
āYer gonna wait until Iām outta sight.ā Mugman pointed his left finger at the door. āAnd then when I come backā He pointed his finger to the floor. āBoth piesāll be gone and in yer stomach!ā Mugman stretched his left arm two times its size to poke Cupheadās stomach, causing him to squeak in laughter.
Still giggling, Cuphead swatted his brotherās left hand away. āSooooā¦ Letās eat em togethah!ā He presented his plate to Mugman. āCome on!ā He smirked and raised an eyebrow at Mugman. āDonāt leave me hanginā pal, or Iām getting that slice!ā He winked and pointed at Mugmanās pie.
Mugman grumbled at Cuphead for this ideaā¦ but then he rolled his eyes. āFine.ā He laid his right foot to a sit, and (together with Cuphead) picked up his pie with his right hand while his left held the plate.
They lifted their pies to the middle between them. āCheers!ā Then bumped them together āClink!ā
Both with their biggest open mouths, they chomped their pies almost finishing it with one bite leaving only the crust they held on their fingers. They both chewed the pie with their cheeks puffy and lumpy.
Cuphead elbowed Mugman. āHnn Mhhgmhhn!ā He talked with his mouth full.
Closed eyes, enjoying the pie, Mugman peeked his right eye to Cuphead.
āThish ish howsh ya eatsh yush candish!ā Cuphead spoke with salivary crumbs spitting out of his mouth. He closed his eyes and then vocalized āNGAM NGAM NGAM NGAM!ā as he made very big chews with his teeth showing, saliva spitting everywhere, and the gooey pie in his mouth breaking down to pieces as it was being tossed around his mouth.
āEEEEEHHEEHEHEHEEEEEEWWW!ā Mugman giggled as he smiled disgusted and intrigued at his brother. He then gulped down his pie. āI love ya buddy.ā He then bit off a part of the crust.
Eyes popped out open, chewing stopped, and mouth scrunched at the same time. The words of the last phrase echoing in his mind. Cupheadās horrified eyes slid towards his right looking at his innocently smiling brother who locked eyes with him for a few seconds.
āLEAUGH!ā Cuphead let his ball of pie roll out of his tongue down to his plate like a ball rolling down a red carpet.
āEEEEHEHEHEHEEEEWW!!ā Mugman laughed and pointed at the ball of masticated pie.
āMugs!ā Cuphead said disgustedly. āI know!ā He splayed his right hand. āYa literally just told me the day yester!ā
Mugman giggled. āYou mean yesterday. Wait was that yesterday?!ā His eyes scrunched in surprise and then his eyes looked left and right as he tapped his chin in thought. āI thought it was a few hours ago.ā
Cuphead grumbled. āMugs, you were literally on my face fer like ferever!ā
āReally?ā Mugman raised an eyebrow. āI thought it was just a nap.ā
Cuphead uttered a sound but then stopped to look left and right, thinking about how long they slept, but then he shook his head. āIt doesnāt mattah ya literally tell me that gross L-word more often than not, itās like ya think I donāt know.ā
Mugman smirked. āAww come on, I know ya like it!ā He winked at him.
Cupheadās eyes twitched, his milk boiled, he blushed and even the beating brotherly heart on his chest glared annoyed at Mugman. āNOO I HATE IT!ā Ā He he stood up at the same time.
Mugmanās smile faded into a disbelieving frown. āWh-what?!ā
āYEAH!ā Cuphead stomped his foot down. āY-YEAH Y-YA HEARD ME! I-I H-HATE IT WHEN YA USE THAT GROSS L-WORD A LOT!ā
Tears started to form on Mugmanās eyes, but then he scrunched them angrily. āI DONāT BELIEVE THAT ONE BIT!ā
āYOU SHOULD TOO!ā Cuphead pointed his finger at Mugman.
āOH YEAH?!ā Tears welling on his eyes, Mugman splayed his arms. āWHATāS WRONG WITH IT?!ā
āWHATāS WRONG IS THAT YER ACTINā LIKE A BABY BRO!ā Cuphead jabbed his finger once at Mugman.
āWELL I LIKE ACTIN LIKE A BABY BRO! ITāS WHAT WE DO!ā Tears fell from Mugmanās face as he spread his arms.
āNO ITāS NOT! YA SEE THIS?!ā Cuphead flexed his left arm, and a lump of muscle appeared. āAND THIS?!ā He flexed his right arm. āTHESEā¦ā He alternately flexed his arms left, right, left, then right. āARE WHAT REAL MEN DO! THEY ACT TOUGH! THEY ARM WRESTLE!ā He arm wrestled both his hands together. āTHEY BURP!ā He puffed his cheeks and unleashed a loud trembling burp to the ceiling while spreading his arms wide like he used inner power to do so. āAND THEY DOā¦ā His eyes looked left and right at his hands. āOTHER MANLY STUFF!ā
āI DO THAT!ā Mugman pointed his thumb at himself.
āNO, YA DONāT! YER ALL-ā Cuphead formed two fists that were cuddling his chin. āāHee hee, Iām a baby bro, I like tuh cuddle with my brothah and get lotsa tickles all day!āā He grunted and dropped his fists into demanding open hands. āCome on ya gotta man up bro!ā He smirked and folded his arms. āOr we might as well start callinā ya Mugbaby!ā
Fists clenched. Mouth trembling. Tears falling from his furious eyes. Mugman took a sobbing breath. āNOOOOOOOOOO!ā Shutting his eyes, Mugman stomped his foot forward, and punched his fists behind him as he screamed as loud as he could in front of him.
Cuphead gasped and trembled at his brotherās sudden scream; his straw turned into an exclamation point. He took a step back and raised his hands in caution.
Fists lowering. Eyes open and glaring at his brother. Breaths shuddering and turning into sobs. Mugman pointed his finger at him. āI LIKE WHAT WE-! NO!ā He stomped his foot again, making Cuphead shiver. āI LOOVE WHAT WE DO!ā His sobbing became louder. āYOUāRE MY BEST FRIEND AND MY BROTHER!ā He pointed his finger at Cuphead, whose eyes started to crease in sadness. āI-I-I COULD BUILD A BLANKET FOHRT WITH YAH A-AND-AND READ OUR FAVORITE COMIC BOOK ALL NIGHT! I-I COULD WRESTLE ON THE BED WITH YA āTIL ELDER KETTLE COMES! A-A-AND I COULD CUDDLE UP TUH YA I-IF THERE WAS LIGHTNINā OR I-I HAD A BAD DREAM OR-!ā
Mugman grabbed his head grunted in frustration, and Cuphead took a step forward reaching out his hand.
āANYTHINā CUPHEAD!ā Mugman spread his open ācrying outā hands. āANYTHIN! I-I-ITS LIKE EVERY DAYāS A SLEEPOVER W-WITH MY BEST BUD AND-AND I-I DONāT HAVETUH INVITE YA OVAH CUZ WEāRE BROTHAHS! WE LIVE IN THE SAME HOUSE! I-ITāS LIKE MAC N CHEESEā Mugman brought out two index fingers representing each food. āA-AND CHOCOLATE AND VANILLAā He pumped each of those two fingers each again. āO-OO-OR SUGAR N SPICE TOGETHAH! TWO OF OUR FAVORITES IN ONE! WE COULD DO ANYTHIN CUPHEAD! ANYTHINā! WHY WOULD YA WANNA MAN UP FROM THAT?!ā
Eyes creased. Pupils trembling. Cuphead started with a stammer. āB-becauseā¦ā His eyes looked down in defeat. āB-becauseā¦ā
Sobbing turned into open-wide loud wailing and the tears fell like rushing waterfalls from Mugmanās eyes. Cupheadās creased eyes looked up apologetically at Mugman, he reached his hand and opened his mouth to try talk to him, but then Mugman covered his eyes, turned around, and ran while pulling the door open.
Cuphead gripped the hem of his shorts, and grunted while kicking his plate, which flipped over and then spun on its rim on the floor to a noisy shaking stop. Closing his eyes, He slapped his own forehead with both hands, grunted as he looked up at the ceiling, and roughly wiped his face down with his hands.
āWhydoeshehavtuhbelikethisIcanātbelieveit!ā He gave big heavy sigh and opened his air-patting ācalm downā hands. āAlright. All I gotta say isā¦ā He took a deep breath, and opened his eyes pretending he was there. āMugsā¦ Iāmā¦ā His mouth shut uncomfortably, it gradually puffed up, and it struggled to open to say somethingā¦ but then he unleashed a loud raspy whine as he stomped his feet left right left then right. āWhydoIhaftuhsaythes-wordā He walked towards the door and yanked it very aggressively that it banged onto the wall. āAllIevahwantedwasfuhMugstuhmanupforonceandnotbesoickyandsobabyishandsoftandstuff.ā He kept grumbling other jibber jabbers while walking towards Torielās living room/dining room. āWhydoeshehavtuhbesuchababywhycanāthemanup.ā
āWhy couldnāt he just go with it and have fun?ā The sound of Mugmanās sniffling being wiped could be heard. āItās not like Iām hurtin him or nothin.ā
Toriel hummed endearingly. āWell, if I may suggest, based from experience, maybe youāre giving him too much love.ā
āToo much?!ā Mugman exclaimed.
As Mugman ranted, Cuphead entered the mouth of the room and saw Toriel wearing her eyeglasses while sitting on her couch by the fireplace and Mugman sitting on Torielās left knee by the crackling fireplace.
āWell, what did you do with your brother yesterday?ā Toriel rubbed Mugmanās back handle endearingly.
āWell, we went lookinā for ya.ā Mugman said as he was touching his index fingers together.
āAndā¦ did the search, by any chance, involve lots of hugging?ā Toriel teased and raised an eyebrow.
āWhat?!ā Mugman started counting with his fingers on his right hand. āNoo, there was running, and parrying, and we played tag nā uhhā¦ ghosts, and spiders andā¦ā He counted his left fingers while looking at them nervously and a curled mouth. His left fingers unfolded one by one, ātil all four of them were splayed. Ā āS-sureā¦ there were some hugs here n there butā¦ they werenāt too much!ā
āUhh, yeah they were!ā Cuphead interjected.
Mugmanās chest jumped, and looked his under right to see Cuphead with his arms folded and blankly staring at him at the foot of the couch.
āAh!ā Toriel smiled. āGood morning Cuphead!ā
āNUH-UH!ā Mugman furiously leaned in closer to Cuphead and stared him down.
āUH-HUH!ā Cuphead stood on his toes closer to Mugman and stared him downā¦ or up rather.
āNUH-UH!ā Mugman leaned in very close to Cuphead.
āUH-HUH!ā Cuphead stood even taller and pushed his nose against Mugmanās as he stared straight into his eyes.
āAW COME ON YOU STARTED MOST OF āEM!ā Mugman poked a finger on Cupheadās chest.
āI-!ā Cuphead blushed from embarrassment, and then swatted his hand off furiously. āTHATāS NOT THE POINT!ā
āHA!ā Mugman poked that same finger on Cupheadās chest, while pushing his nose forward. āSO YOU DO ADMIT IT!ā He poked his chest a second time.
āDONāT YA āHAā ME OR I WILL āHA HAā YOU!ā Furious-eyed Cuphead pushed back with his nose and poked Mugmanās chest.
āWELL DONāT YA āHA HAā ME OR I WILL āHA HA HAā YOU!ā Furious-eyed Mugman with steam erupting out of his straw pushed back with his nose and this time he pressed hard Cupheadās chest with his finger.
āWELL DONāT YOU āHA HA HAā ME OR I WIL āHA HA HA HAā YOU!ā Furious-eyed Cuphead with steam erupting out of his straightened straw pushed back with his nose as he pressed Mugmanās chest back as hard.
Growling Cuphead and Mugman pushed each other by their noses in some sort of push-o-war with an intense stare down.
āCHILDREN!ā Toriel yelled, and then sighed. āPlease! No yelling!ā Without breaking their nose connection, she picked up Cuphead and sat him on her left knee. āAndā¦ā Toriel giggled. āDo you have to literally be at each otherās noses when you argue?ā
As they broke apart, Cuphead and Mugman blinked and they both looked at Toriel unamused and confused respectively.
āUhhā¦ā Mugman scratched the side of his head. āWhatās wrong with that?ā He said while briefly stealing a peek at Cuphead.
āShe doesnāt have a brother.ā Cuphead spoke to Mugman while his backhand was hiding his sidemouth
Torielās eyes widened, she frowned, her eyes stared in anger and her head pulled back pushing against the couch.
Mugman gasped and covered his mouth with his right hand. āAwwā¦ thatās so sad.ā
Snapping at Mugman, Toriel made a loud flaring inhale, and gritted her teeth under her closed mouth.
Cuphead giggled. āI know right.ā He winked at him.
Mugman giggled in response. āYeah, she donāt get what we do.ā
āYeah. Only we do buddy.ā Cuphead buddy hugged Mugman and they both shared a moment to giggle.
Cuphead ended with a sigh. āNowā¦ where was I?ā He raised an eyebrow.
āHa ha ha.ā Mugman said casually as he tilted his head three times, one on each āha.ā
āNo no, whatāre we beefinā about?ā Cuphead swished his free hand on front of him.
āOh! Uhhā¦ā Mugman tapped his chin twice. āMy hugs are too much. Which THEYāRE NOT BY THE WAY!ā Mugman bumped his forehead and pressed his nose onto Cupheadās, who stared back furiously.
āYA THEY ARE!ā Cuphead pushed back with his nose.
āNO! THEYāRE! NOT!ā Mugman pushed forward with his nose and forehead on each syllable.
āYA! THEY! ARE!ā Cuphead pushed forward with his nose and forehead on each syllable.
They both grumbled as they kept pushing in this nose push-o-war again.
āToriel!ā Cuphead and Mugman turned to her they pointed their fingers at each other.
Then, they gasped in shock.
Before them were two crimson-piercing eyes looming and staring back at them furiously. Torielās mouth scrunched and she took one fiery fuming breath.
āApologizeā¦ Now. ā Her irises burned with fire within them.
āW-weāreā¦ā Cuphead and Mugman hugged each other very tightly as they shivered. āW-weāre-!ā
āSay. It.ā She hissed with every word.
āWEāRE SORRY!ā Cuphead and Mugman yelled as they kept shivering and hugging each other.
She glared at them, turning her eyes slowly to Mugman, then Cuphead, then Mugman, and then Cuphead.
Then, she sighed in relief, and chuckled. āI guess itās not too much when you are taking care of each other!ā
Cuphead and Mugmanās eyebrows creased with confusion, and then they habitually slid their eyes to each other to check if the other understoodā¦ but then those same eyes widened and they gasped in shock. They were hugging each other, and Mugman quickly pushed Cuphead away.
āWHA-! HEY!ā Cuphead splayed his palms open.
Mugman folded his arms and looked away. āI donāt wanna hug you anymore. You ruined everything!ā
āI-!ā Cuphead growled, gritted his teeth, squeezed his fists, and his milk boiled. āFINE!ā He turned away and folded his arms, mirroring Mugmanās posture.
āOh childrenā¦ā Toriel gently placed her hands on their heads, covering their milk completely, but not the straws. āThis is all a misunderstanding. Canāt we talk it out?ā
āNo!ā They both said as they bumped their folded arms onto their chests and stuck their noses higher to the air.
āButā¦ youāre both right!ā Toriel smiled.
Cuphead and Mugmanās eyes opened, and they looked at her confused. āWhat?!ā
Torielās smile showed teeth as she chuckled. āYes! Youāre both right!ā¦ā She raised and index finger as she explained, but she tapped that same finger on her lips thinking for a few seconds. āBut youāre also both wrong.ā She giggled. āDoes that make sense?ā She looked at them with a kind and patient smile.
Cuphead and Mugman kept staring at her with their silent speechless mouths open. āNnno!ā
Toriel chuckled. āAlright, Iāll explain.ā She cleared her throat. āCuphead. Donāt be so harsh on your brother. Just tell āim.ā
āI did!ā Cuphead thrusted his showing hands towards Mugman. He then glared at him. āBut he wouldnāt gimme a break!ā
Mugman spit raspberry sounds at towards Cuphead.
āWell in that case, Mugman.ā She looked at the blue mug with a gentle smile. āDonāt blame your brother. You fed him too much pie.ā
Eyebrows creasing more confused, Cuphead and Mugman looked at each other for a moment, and then back at Toriel.
āButā¦ I didnāt feed him any pie!ā Mugman raised right eyebrow.
āYeah!ā Cuphead raised his left eyebrow, mirroring Mugman.
Toriel chuckled, with her hand politely covering her mouth. āYour hugs ARE the pies.ā She endearingly booped Mugmanās nose.
āHey!ā Mugmanās eyes looked at Torielās finger booping the middle of his nose, earning a slight chuckle from Cuphead who thought Mugmanās crisscross pupils were funny.
āYeah, I still donāt get it.ā Cuphead scratched the top of his bendy straw.
āYeah!ā Mugman looked up at Toriel. āWhy would anyone get tired of your pie? Itās delicious!ā He smiled and began moving in some forward kicking-like action alternatively with his left foot, then right, then left, and then right.
Cuphead stared with a confused raised brow at Mugman. āUhhā¦ thatās not it, but heās not wrong though.ā
āAww, thatās very sweet of you!ā Toriel smiled with his hands together with thumbs touching her mouth. āCome here my child!ā She opened her arms wide enough for Mugman to enter.
A big smile spread on Mugmanās face and he made a quick tackling hug on Torielās stomach earning a surprised āOh!ā from her. She chuckled, and then hugged Mugman very fondly, and Mugman stuck his tongue out with a loud āLLLLLLHH!!!ā at Cuphead who growled and folded his arms in reactionā¦ until Toriel tightened her hug that it caused Mugman to squeak at the sudden tightness.
āUghh-!ā T-Toriel!ā Mugman made a grumbling sound as he pushed Torielās stomach away trying to free himself of the tight space. āToo tight!ā
āOh?ā Toriel chuckled. āI thought you said you wouldnāt get tired of my pie!ā She maintained her tight hug on Mugman.
As he watched Mugman struggle, Cupheadās mouth turned from a curious āoā into a right-lipped giggling smirk.
āWait!ā Mugman grumbled louder and pushed harder. āI get it!ā He brought his feet to her stomach and pushed. āTORIEL!ā
Cuphead laughed and pointed his right finger towards Mugman, who then growled at Cuphead.
Toriel chuckled and let go, but it made Mugman push himself too far that he wobbled with a āWOAHOAHOAH!ā and he spun and spread his arms trying stop himself from falling over her knee.
With a sly smile, Cuphead leaned over to Mugman and tapped the back of his head with a āBoop!ā
āWOAH!ā Mugman wobbled forward and was finally balanced sitting on Torielās knee.
Mugman looked at Cuphead to see that he was smug smiling.
āYouāre welcome.ā He showed a cocky white-teeth sparkly smile.
Eyebrows scrunched, Mugman gave a slightly hard pat on Cupheadās face.
āOw!ā Cuphead covered his nose with his right hand as he recoiled backwards.
āMugman!ā Toriel glared shocked. āHe just saved you!ā
Mugmanās eyes widened in realization. āOh yeahā¦ā Ā His eyes looked down in regret.
āYeahā¦ā Minorly grumpy Cuphead rubbed his nose with his index finger. āNo thanks buddy.ā
Mugmanās eyes began to water, and he rubbed his sniffing nose with his right back wrist.
āAwwā¦ Mugman.ā Warm smiling Toriel opened her arms wide enough for Mugman like before. āCome here.ā
āNotā¦ā Mugman sniffled and a tear dropped as he blinked. āNot too tight.ā
Toriel nodded and gave an endearing hum. āI think youāve already learned your lesson.ā
After one last sad look, Mugman let himself fall towards Torielās stomach, and they shared a tender hug.
āMMm Sorrrmmm.ā Mugman said, muffled by her stomach.
Toriel chuckled. āNot to me my child.ā She gently turned Mugmanās handle ātil he faced Cuphead who was just pouting.
Mugman took a breath and sighed, realizing the hassle he must go through.
āOh.ā Toriel stroked Mugmanās handle with her right hand. āItās alright my child.ā She gave a gentle smile to Mugman, and he looked back with his frown turning into a hopeful smile. āNothing wrong with trying to fix somethingā¦ especially if itās with your best friend.ā
Grumpy Cuphead looked away for a moment of thought, and then looked back at Mugman.
Smiling more hopeful, Mugman let go of Toriel and placed his hands on his knees. āHey. Broā¦ā He looked at the corner of his eyes and scratched the back of his head. āI-Iāmā¦ā He took a breath, closed his eyes, exhaled, opened his eyes again and then faced his brother properly. āIām sorry.ā
Cupheadās right lip smirked. āHeh. No biggie.ā He closed his eyes and shrugged his shoulders. āItāll just gimme more reason to get back at ya later.ā As he spoke, He opened his eyes and punched his right fist onto his own left hand at āget backā.
Mugmanās smile curled, nervous about the anticipated revenge.
āSee!ā Toriel gently placed a hand on Mugmanās left shoulder, and Mugmanās nerves calmed to a genuine smile. āEven after all that fuss, he still loves you!ā She playfully tapped Mugmanās nose, causing him to giggle.
Eyes bugged out. Chest jumped. Bendy straw turning into an exclamation point. āWHAT?! NO!!ā Cuphead glared at Toriel.
With a big smile, Mugman gasped. āAWWWWWWWWWWW!!!ā His glossy eyes sparkled and shimmered as he looked at Cuphead.
āSHADDUP!!ā Cuphead lunged his nose against Mugmanās, earning a surprised squeal that soon turned into a snorty bubbly laugh.
āAw-!ā Mugman snorted. Ā āCome on buddy!ā He snorted and giggled some more. āEmbrace the brotherly love!ā He snorted with a giggle as he opened his arms. āGet it? Embrace!ā His smile got bigger as he laughed, even as Cuphead continued to glare at him annoyed.
āOh Iāll show ya some BROTHERLY LOVE in a minute!ā Cuphead rolled up his right sleeve, showing his white arm, and he pulled back ready to punch.
Mugmanās pure smile turned forceful as he stared with a sweat drop back at Cupheadā¦ but then the latterās right lip trembled as he snickered, and then he threw his head backwards as he made a loud laugh.
āI HA-HA-HA-HATE YOUHUHUHUHUHU!ā Cuphead playfully pushed Mugman, who just closed one eye as he was pushed, and he laughed with his brother.
āNo you donāt.ā Mugman folded his arms and he smirked at Cuphead as he danced his head left and right sassily.
The three of them threw laughing fits. Toriel laughed while hugging her stomach, and then eventually placed her hands on Cuphead and Mugmanās shoulders. Cuphead hugged his stomach, Mugman accidentally rested his hands on Cupheadās knees instead of his own, but Cuphead placed his left hand on the back of Mugmanās right hand, and then playfully pushed it away starting a small pushing of hands game as they laughed. Ā
Finally, Toriel sighed. She turned to both each. āYou two remind me so much ofā¦ā She looked at the corners of her eyes in thought. āa couple ofā¦ faces I used to know.ā
With curious big eyes, Cuphead and Mugman looked at her, then at each other for a moment, then back.
Turning to the right, Toriel looked at the dining table behind her. āThey made me so happy.ā
Mugman turned to his left, while Cuphead leaned forward to look past Toriel.
Three chairs were arranged on the long table; one was the smallest about the size of the Cups by the far head of the table, next was the biggest on the right side, and lastly across the smallest was just the size of Torielās.
āWho were they?ā Mugman kept looking at the table with his brother.
Toriel looked at Cuphead and Mugmanās hands, held them each with her own hands, and softly clasped them together. āTwo best friends.ā She looked at both, who then looked back at her with curiosity. āJust like the two of you.ā She turned back with a proud smile at their holding hands.
They smiled at each other; Cuphead had an excited and big smile while Mugman had a warm, endearing, and awestruck smile.
Still excited, Cuphead looked at Toriel. āWhere are they?ā
Her smile turned into a sad and longing one. āIā¦ā She slowly turned to the fire on her left. āI will tell youā¦ another timeā¦ā
āAw come on!ā Cuphead gave a light tug on their held hands, earning a smile from Mugman. āTell us!ā He smiled with his white teeth at Toriel.
āNot now my child!ā Toriel snapped a glare at Cuphead, and they both gasped in reaction. She then returned her gaze to the fire and then let of their hands. āNot now.ā
Still holding hands, Cuphead and Mugman looked at each other, and then shrugged their shoulders.
āWhat about you two?ā Toriel smiled at them. āIāll be honest, youāre a cupple of unexpectedly delightful surprises that dropped-in!ā
āHey!ā Cuphead smirked.
Cuphead and Mugman laughed in reaction to the puns Toriel made.
āWell, thanks a bunch for taking care of us Ms-! I mean!ā Mugman shook his head so hard, it splashed tiny droplets of milk in different directions (Cuphead chuckled as he covered his face) and shook his head straw. āToriel.ā He finished smiled.
Toriel chuckled with her hand elegantly covering her mouth. āYouāre a very sweet gentleman you are Mugman.ā
āOr should I sayā¦ā Cuphead smirked as he leaned towards his brother. āMuggentleman?ā He winked at Mugman, earning a snicker from him.
They all laughed together.
āSoā¦ā Toriel leaned in with a curious enthusiastic smile. āis everyone a cup or mug in your world?ā
āNah!ā Cuphead and Mugman said in sync. They gasped at each other. āJinx!ā They booped each otherās noses and laughed.
āWeāve got all sortsa fellas!ā Mugman explained with his right hand splayed open.
āYeah!ā Cuphead raised his index finger. āWeāve got Beppi!ā
āA, uhhā¦ā Mugman tapped his chin repeatedly, then widened his eyes with an āaha!ā expression. āA balloon clown!ā He smiled.
Torielās eyebrows creased confused. āAā¦ balloon clown?ā
āYeah!ā Cuphead and Mugman said in sync. āJinx!ā They both booped each otherās noses.
āBut I said that.ā Mugman smirked with his eyes closed and arms folded,
āYeah!ā Cuphead winked and nudged Mugman with his elbow. Ā āThatās what I said.ā
āNo! I said that!ā Annoyed Mugman pointed his thumb to himself.
āYeah!ā Cuphead glared at him annoyed. āThatās what I said!ā
āNo!ā Mugman bumped his nose against Cupheadās nose again while he stared him down. āYou are stealinā what Iām sayinā!ā He poked Cupheadās chest.
āNo! Iām sayin-ā Cuphead pointed his thumb to himself. āWhat ya said-ā He poked Mugmanās chest. āIs exactly what sheās ask sayin!ā He splayed his hands to Toriel as he explained.
Mugman uttered a retaliating tone, but then tapped his chin and hummed in thought. āSo what youāre sayinā is-ā He poked Cupheadās chest. āWhat I was sayinā-ā He pointed his thumb to himself. āWas exactly what she was askin fer?ā He pointed to Toriel.
āYes!ā He pressed his clinking forehead forward as he pressed his point, regardless of how āin-your-faceā he was with Mugman.
āAnd in addition to what youāre sayinā-ā Mugman poked Cupheadās chest again. āYer not tryinna snatch my sayinā-ā He snatched the air to demonstrate. āAnd yer actually sayin is-ā He poked Cupheadās chest again. āWhat I was sayin-ā He pointed his thumb to himself. āIs exactly what she was sayinā?ā He pointed to Toriel.
āYES!ā Smiling Cuphead pressed his forehead even further, goofily making Mugman lean backwards (which he didnāt mind), and he spread his happy exclaiming hands high to the air. āOH MAN!ā Placing his head on Mugmanās shoulder, he used those same hands to hug Mugman tightly. āIt feels so good to be on the same page again buddy!ā
Mugmanās mouth scrunched smiling. āAwww! Youāre hugginā me again!ā
Cupheadās eyes bugged out. āLEAUGH!ā He spit his long tongue out as he pushed himself off of Mugman, earning a bubbly laugh from him, and he panic-wiped his shirt off like he was cleaning off a disgusting infection, and then he folded his arms. āHmph!ā
Toriel joined in on Mugmanās snorty bubbly laughter with her own endearing and gentle laughter.
āSee my child?ā Toriel raised a finger in front of Mugmanās nose, and he looked at it with his crisscross eyes. āAll you needā¦ is patience.ā She booped Mugmanās nose.
Mugman giggled, his shoulders excitedly tensed as he was booped, and then he nodded.
āNowā¦ā Toriel looked at Cuphead. āYou were talking about balloon clowns? These are humans who are clowns, who sell balloons right?ā
Cuphead glared confused at Toriel. āUhhā¦ No. Heās walkinā n talkinā balloonā¦ human. Right Mugs?ā He looked at his brother.
Mugman giggled. āYeah!ā He nodded. āUhh, Then weāve uhhā¦ā He tapped his tinking chin. āBaroness Von Bon Von.ā His eyes shrunk and his straw turned into an exclamation point (Cuphead giggled in reaction). āNo no!ā He shook his head. āI mean uhh, Baroness Bon Von Von! NO I MEAN-!ā He grunted to the sky.
Cuphead laughed. āNo itās Baroness Von Bon Von Bon Bon Von Bon!ā
Mugman laughed, in chorus with Cupheadās. āNo itās Bon Bon Von Von Bon Von!ā
The brothers laughed together with their respective squeaky hiccup sounds and snorts.
Amused, Toriel watched them as they laughed. āAnd, what kind of person is this Baroness?ā
āSheās a candy-! No, I meanā¦ a cake human?ā Mugman looked to Cuphead.
Cuphead shrugged his shoulders. āSheās got the candy cane though so youāre not wrong.ā
Mugman smiled and held his hand high, and Cuphead high-fived it casually.
Smiling Toriel raised an eyebrow intrigued.
āThen thereās Djimmi!ā Cuphead raised his index finger.
āHeās a ghost human!ā Mugman raised his index finger in imitation.
āUhhā¦ā Cuphead raised an eyebrow. āIsnāt that ghost train thingy-!ā
āThe Phantom Express?ā Mugman raised an eyebrow too as he smiled.
āYeah the phantom train thingy! That one!ā Cuphead pointed to Mugman as he smiled. āIsnāt that ride full of ghosts?ā
Mugman gasped. āOh yeah! That meanās Djimmiās uhhh, uhhhā¦ā He stirred his head milk with his own straw as he tapped his chin; his eyes went whirly as he stirred.
āA djinni?ā Toriel raised an eyebrow.
Stopping his stirring, Mugman snapped his fingers. āOh yeah! A Djinni!ā
āYeah, like that one story Elder Kettle tells us about?ā Cuphead was wagging his pointing finger.
Mugman giggled and shrugged his shoulders. āI donāt remember which one, there are so many!ā
āPfft!ā Cuphead flicked his hand down. āYeah, until he-ā He pretended to snore with his head tilted down and his bendy straw inflating a big bubble at the tip of it.
Mugman laughed loudly and bubbly. āHeās the best!ā He spread his hands in the air.
āYeah!ā Cuphead also spread his hands in imitationā¦ but then he looked at the lower corner of his eyes. āYeahā¦ā His smile started to fade.
Mugman noticed his fading smile, making his own smile start to frown as well.
They looked down to their laps, and felt a peculiar familiarity. Sitting down on the knees of someone else. Fire crackling from the fireplace. If they looked up, they could probably see Elder Kettle smiling with wonder with his right hand in the air wiggling with magic wizard fingers and his left hand holding a book picked from a shelf of dozens of storybooks arranged on the shelf above the fire. If not stories, then they listened to the radio, and would sing a hippy happy song they would know. Ā
Their minds raced. Elder Kettle giving them the blue potion of their powersā¦ them training in Kettleās magic drawing board with Elder Kettle himself gently guiding them from above.ā¦ Him catching up to Inkwell Isle II to give them hope of defeating The Devilā¦ and finally celebrating in a hippity hoppity group hug after everything was overā¦ with a few back breaks from Elder Kettle that they had to take him to the hospital.
They both looked up to the headrest of the chair, but Toriel, instead of their beloved guardian, rested her head on it while watching them with curiosity. They both looked at each other, and gave a sad smile and a sigh of longing.
āTorielā¦ā Mugman slowly looked to her, who just blinked. āItās been a real sliceā¦ā
āLiterally!ā Cuphead raised his index finger and giggled. āThat pie was the beeās knees!ā
Mugman gasped. āAw man no fair!ā He pushed Cuphead a little roughly.
Cuphead and Toriel just laughed.
Cuphead put his hands on his hips. āYa gotta be faster buddy!ā He winked.
Mugman rolled his eyes. āAnyway, yeah itās been a real-ā He paused, and then slid his glaring eyes at Cuphead who was just smirking at him. āReal.ā Mugman said smug.ā
Cuphead snickered. āJealous.ā
Mugman rolled his eyes again. āToriel, when can we go home?ā
Cuphead smiled at Toriel.
Toriel blinked confused. āHome?ā
āYeah! Ya know, our reeaal home!ā Cuphead he spread his arms as if he was demonstrating a huge place.
Mugman chuckled apologetically. āYeah! Elder Kettle might steam his spout if weāre gone for too long.ā
Eyes shut, Cuphead shuddered. āWouldnāt wanna see that.ā
Toriel chuckled. āYouāre very thoughtful to think about your grandfather like that.ā
Mugman raised his finger. āWell technically heās-!ā
āDonāt.ā Cuphead put his index finger on Mugmanās mouth. āJust donāt.ā
āBut firstā¦ā Toriel raised her finger. āYou mentioned you hadā¦ cake humansā¦ā She started counted with her fingers. āballoon humans, djinnis, ghost humans, and Elder Kettle, which I think is a walking kettle orā¦ a kettle human?
āWith a cane and a jolly good āol sense of humor.ā Cuphead made a hook punch in front of him.
Toriel hummed in amusement. āI see. I suppose there are other cup humans in your world too!ā
From smiling, Cuphead and Mugman looked at each other, and then frowned looking down.
āWeā¦ umā¦ā Cuphead started.
āWe donāt know.ā Mugman finished.
āOhā¦ā Toriel put her hands on their heads. āIām sure there are my children.ā
Cuphead and Mugman looked at her and smiled.
āAnd I also suppose thatā¦ in your world, there are other kinds of āhumansāā She wiggled her fingers to make quotation marks. āNot just candies, balloons, and ghosts?ā
āOh yeah!ā Cuphead and Mugman said. āJinx!ā They pointed at each other.
āThere are plant humans!ā Cuphead raised a finger.
Mugman raised an eyebrow to Cuphead. āAre those humans?ā
Cuphead blinked confused for a moment. āWell.. there are human humans.ā He shrugged his shoulders and smiled with uncertainty.
āYeah butā¦ plant humans?ā Mugman smiled with cringe.
āWellā¦ thereās Goopy.ā Cuphead pointed to Mugman.
Mugman stared in space, thinking about what he said. āGood point.ā He then smiled at Toriel. āThere are mermaids and fish too!ā
āFish in the water?ā Toriel smiled with curiosity, though her tone sounded more suggestive than surprised.
āNah! Fish walkin!ā Cuphead smiled. āAnd fishā¦ fishināā¦.ā He cringed in realization.
Mugman cringed in realization too, and their eyes met.
Toriel chuckled. āAre you sure you know what a human is?ā
Cuphead and Mugman looked at each other confused. āYes?ā They then looked back at Toriel.
Toriel chuckled. āOnly one way to find out.ā
She carried Cuphead by his body and put him down and did the same with Mugman. She stood up, held their hands, and walked towards the dining table.
āWait here please.ā Toriel let go of their hands and walked towards the kitchen.
Cuphead looked to Mugman confused but the latter just shrugged his shoulders with the same confusion as his brother.
As the big soft footsteps approached, Cuphead and Mugman turned to see Toriel carrying in her hands paper and a box of crayons which the two brothers cringed at the sight of.
Mugman leaned to Cuphead. āWhatāre we babies?ā He whispered with his sidemouth.
Cuphead spoke back with his side mouth. āIām not, but you are.ā He smirked
Mugmanās eyes widened for a moment, then he glared at him sideways, and then pushed him. āStop it!ā
Cuphead laughed as he was pushed.
Toriel went to the table and laid down the paper and the box of crayons she carried onto the table.
Cuphead and Mugman cringe-smiled. āYayā¦ā They said unenthusiastically.
Toriel sighed. āIām terribly sorry my children, these are the only arts and crafts supplies I could find.ā She hummed and tapped her chin to herself. āMaybe I could find or buy more once you get settled in.ā
Mugman blinked and stared at her cautiously. āOnce we what?ā
Torielās eyes widened. āOh! I mean, I have a favor to ask both of you.ā
āOh! What is it?ā Cuphead smiled while gliding his hands backwards.
Taking a sheet from the stack on the table, Toriel placed a piece of paper to her left in front of Mugman, and placed another to her right in front of Cuphead.
āCould you draw yourselvesā¦ā Toriel opened the box of crayons, and rolled the crayons in the middle. āBut with your own hearts?ā
Cuphead and Mugman raised an eyebrow confused and looked at each other. āHearts?!ā
āYes! You knowā¦ā Toriel picked up a black crayon and drew an upside-down heart on the paper. āLike that!ā
Cuphead and Mugman kept staring at the heart example with their raised eyebrows.
āUhhā¦ā Cuphead looked at Toriel as he pointed at the heart. āI think ya got it upside down.ā
Torielās enthusiastic smile turned into a shocked eyes widened frown.
āYeah!ā Mugman then smirked. āWow Cuphead youāre not so dum dum after all.ā
Cuphead playfully pushed him. āShut up.ā
Mugman giggled and rotated the heart right-side up. āAnd his heart is pink!ā He grabbed a pink crayon and colored the once black-lined heart.
Torielās shock slowly turned into despair.
āEw!ā Cuphead glared at Mugman. āYa make it sound like I have a galās heart!ā
āWha-!ā Mugman glared at Cuphead confused. āNo! Itās the same color as mine!ā
āEW WE BOTH HAVE GIRL HEARTS!ā With a playful smile, Cuphead leaned away from Mugman.
āEW CUPHEAD!ā Mugman playfully pushed Cuphead and they both laughed.
Amidst their laughter, Toriel slowly became numb and it turned into a frown of indifference.
āYou have a stupid tiny nose.ā Giggly Mugman drew a cup for a head with a black crayon and put a red dot on it.
āOh-ho yeah?ā Ā Cuphead confidently raised an eyebrow. He snatched the black crayon from Mugman. āWell you have a giant nose the size of a football!ā He drew a mug for a head and then picked up a blue crayon and drew a huge oval that covered most of the mug.
āHey!ā Mugman snatched the blue crayon from Cuphead, who then was surprised at first but then glared back at him annoyed. āItās not that big!ā
āAnd my nose aināt that small!ā Cuphead pointed his thumb to himself. āYa started it!ā He tapped his brotherās chest.
āOkay okay!ā Mugman raised his āstopā hands. āNo nose jokes.ā He wagged his finger.
Cuphead smiled. āDeal!ā
They bumped their backhands to each other.
āExcuse me for a moment.ā Ā Toriel said with an empty voice.
āOkay!ā Cuphead and Mugman said together as they continued to finish their drawings of each other; Cuphead grabbed a sheet and started a new Mugman drawing, while Mugman just normalized the size of Cupheadās nose on the drawing.
Ā Once they were done, they ran out to the main hall and looked around to find her.
Ā āI thinkā¦ she went to her room?ā Mugman pointed towards the hallway.
Cuphead smiled. āCome on!ā He grabbed Mugmanās hand and they happily ran to the end of the hallway to the last room on the left.
They opened the door, but Mugman screamed, jumped towards Cuphead and hugged him, while the latter then caught his brother by his back on one and his back knees on the other.
āF-f-fl-! F-F-F-Flowey!!ā Mugman pointed above ahead.
A bunch of bright yellow flowers in a vase glowed in the upper part of the dark space.
Cuphead snickered at Mugman who just blushed and looked away.
āHey, flowers can be horrible. Like Cagney for one!ā Mugman looked at his brother, hoping the explanation was enough.
Cuphead put his mouth closer to Mugmanās ear side. āBaby br-!ā
āAM NOT!!!!!!ā Mugman yelled with his mouth opened three times larger than its actual size, showing its sharp shark-like teeth, and unleashing a strong wind that blew onto Cupheadās smug face.
Cuphead laughed and began to sing. āRock a bye baby on the tree top!ā He began to sway Mugman left and right.
Mugman growled and wrestled Cuphead down to the floor, who laughed in reaction, and then laughed louder as evil-smiling Mugman was wiggling his stomach.
āOKAY!ā Cuphead kicked the ground repeatedly with his heels as he laughed. āOKAY OKAY YOUāRE BIG BRO!ā
Mugman held his fists on his hips. āThatās right, and dontcha forget it.ā
Mugman looked to the room, leaving Cuphead to just laugh the tickles off.
It was a mostly dark room, save for the things lit by the hallway light. On the dark parts (after his eyes adjusted) there was a bed on the far left corner, a tall flower vase on the right of it, a four-space bookshelf full of books right of it, on top of the book case was the yellow glowing bunch of flowers on the left side and a tall cactus in a pot on the right, on the right of the bookcase was a two-drawer dresser with a lamp standing on its left-side on top, and a mirror on the wall behind the dresser.
In the lit parts of the room, closest to Mugman who stepped in, was a desk with an unlit lamp on the upper right, some scratch papers below it, below that off the desk was a pulled-out seat, and to the left of the scratch paper was an open written journal with one paragraph encircled in red. Mugman tiptoed to read the journal.
āWhy did the skeleton want a friend?ā Mugman read in Torielās voice. āBecause she was feeling BONELYā¦ā
Ā Mugman raised an eyebrow and smiled in reaction.
āWhatācha readinā?ā Cuphead approached Mugman.
āEh, just some of Torielās jokes.ā Mugman shrugged his shoulders.
Cuphead tiptoed to read, and just snickered. āWhere does she get these bad jokes?ā
āSpeaking of who, where is she?ā
