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cuptalecupheadxundertale · 11 months

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CupTale (CupheadxUndertale) Ch 8: Heartache

Author’s Note:

Finally got this done after a half-year hiatus! This fic is still in hiatus sadly, but it’s slowly progressing. It’s my birthday today! And soon it will be my Japanese test on Sunday. Thank you so much for sticking around, even if it’s really taking this long. Enjoy!

Music box melody playing. The peaceful darkness. A cushy pillow on the back of your head… 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 brother’s big and goofy smile, and his rubbing snuggles on his face… 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 Mugman’s 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 weren’t flexing. They weren’t wrestling. They weren’t chest bumping, fist bumping, butt bumping, or clinking… They weren’t manly at all.

Closed eyes, Mugman moaned and squeezed his hug a little. “Cuphead is red… Mugman is blue…”

Cuphead couldn’t help but chuckle. “Flowers are stupid. So Cagney is too!” 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. “Ya awake yet?!” He said with a hiss on his voice.

“Nope.” Mugman said jokingly.

Cuphead grunted. “Well, when are ya awake?” His right hand on Mugman’s shoulder splayed.

Mugman opened his eyes and smirked. “When I open my eyes.” And then he closed his eyes again.

Cuphead moaned and rolled his eyes. “How long will that be?”

Mugman squeezed his hug a little more. “Few more minutes.”

Cuphead grumbled and pounded his left fist on the bed, causing the mattress to shake. “That’s gonna take ferever!” And then looked at the ceiling, waiting for that forever to finish… but then his eyes widened. “Wait a minute…”

Mugman started to snicker, then bubbly giggle, then bubbly laugh. “Yer such a dum dum bro.”

Cuphead growled. “Get off!” He pushed Mugman but he didn’t move.

“N-ho!” Mugman giggled and tightened his hug.

“You’re being super icky right now!” With his hands, Cuphead pushed his face off.

“Aww come on!” Mugman pushed his head through Cuphead’s hands and clinked the head of his brother, who squeaked startled in reaction. “You like this ickiness!”

Milk boiling, straw steaming and whistling like a kettle, Cuphead readied his hands. “I. DO. NOT!!!” At the last word, Cuphead pushed Mugman’s face away very very hard.

“OW! HEEEY!” Mugman swatted Cuphead’s hands. “YA DIDN’T HAVTUH PUSH SO HARD!”

“THEN GET OFF ME!” Cuphead pushed Mugman’s chest.

“NO!” Mugman pushed Cuphead’s chest back. “I’M NOT DONE!” He placed his hands on Cuphead’s shoulders and hit his forehead onto Cuphead’s.

Cuphead’s furious eyes glared straight into Mugman’s. “YES!” He put his foot on Mugman’s stomach. “YOU-“

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 brothers’ 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 pie’s image… but then Mugman raised an eyebrow confused.

“Huh…” Mugman continued to stare. “No forks.”

“Heh!” Cuphead elbowed Mugman. “Relax, we can eat it on the floor.”

Mugman glared at Cuphead. “On the floor?! Like animals?!” Then suddenly Mugman’s eyes widened. “Ohhhh…” He said in realization, picked up his plate of pie and smiled at it. “Toriel-! THAT’S WHY THERE’S NO FORKS!” He held up the pie like it was gold.

Cuphead glared confused at Mugman “Uhh, yeah!” He smiled. “Forks are borin’ anyway.” He motioned his right hand to pick up the pie until-

“HEY HEY HEY!” Mugman swatted Cuphead’s hand.

“Hey!” Cuphead glared surprised at Mugman.

“Didja wash yer hands?” Mugman pointed his right finger at Cuphead while looking at him with his squinted right eye.

Cuphead snickered and then swatted Mugman’s right index finger away. “Who cares?” He splayed his carefree hands, while Mugman just looked at him annoyed. “We’ve got gloves.” He presented his hands wiggled his fingers.

Mugman scoffed and rolled his eyes. “The same gloves you drooled on and fell on the dirty creek! You’ll wind up buzzed by germsville! I’ll go find the bathroom.” He placed his right foot down, ready to stand.

“Mmmmokay!” Cuphead smiled smug and picked up his pie. “I hope ya don’t mind if I eat that other slice if yer not havin’ it!”

After a moment of staring cautiously at Cuphead, Mugman picked up his plate and moved the pie away. “No way! I just need clean hands!”

Cuphead shrugged his shoulders. “Alrighty!” He offered his hand. “I’ll just hold onto yer plate while ya go wash yer hands!”

Mugman gasped and beamed. “Thanks buddy!” He was about to lend his plate to Cuphead. “Hey wait a minute…” He pulled back his plate to the middle and squinted his eyes at Cuphead. “Ya tryna pull a fast one on me?”

Cuphead snickered while biting his teeth together and holding back tears. “Whaddya mean bro?”

“Yer gonna wait until I’m outta sight.” Mugman pointed his left finger at the door. “And then when I come back” He pointed his finger to the floor. “Both pies’ll be gone and in yer stomach!” Mugman stretched his left arm two times its size to poke Cuphead’s stomach, causing him to squeak in laughter.

Still giggling, Cuphead swatted his brother’s left hand away. “Soooo… Let’s eat em togethah!” He presented his plate to Mugman. “Come on!” He smirked and raised an eyebrow at Mugman. “Don’t leave me hangin’ pal, or I’m getting that slice!” He winked and pointed at Mugman’s pie.

Mugman grumbled at Cuphead for this idea… but then he rolled his eyes. “Fine.” 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. “Cheers!” Then bumped them together “Clink!”

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. “Hnn Mhhgmhhn!” He talked with his mouth full.

Closed eyes, enjoying the pie, Mugman peeked his right eye to Cuphead.

“Thish ish howsh ya eatsh yush candish!” Cuphead spoke with salivary crumbs spitting out of his mouth. He closed his eyes and then vocalized “NGAM NGAM NGAM NGAM!” 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.

“EEEEEHHEEHEHEHEEEEEEWWW!” Mugman giggled as he smiled disgusted and intrigued at his brother. He then gulped down his pie. “I love ya buddy.” 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. Cuphead’s horrified eyes slid towards his right looking at his innocently smiling brother who locked eyes with him for a few seconds.

“LEAUGH!” Cuphead let his ball of pie roll out of his tongue down to his plate like a ball rolling down a red carpet.

“EEEEHEHEHEHEEEEWW!!” Mugman laughed and pointed at the ball of masticated pie.

“Mugs!” Cuphead said disgustedly. “I know!” He splayed his right hand. “Ya literally just told me the day yester!”

Mugman giggled. “You mean yesterday. Wait was that yesterday?!” His eyes scrunched in surprise and then his eyes looked left and right as he tapped his chin in thought. “I thought it was a few hours ago.”

Cuphead grumbled. “Mugs, you were literally on my face fer like ferever!”

“Really?” Mugman raised an eyebrow. “I thought it was just a nap.”

Cuphead uttered a sound but then stopped to look left and right, thinking about how long they slept, but then he shook his head. “It doesn’t mattah ya literally tell me that gross L-word more often than not, it’s like ya think I don’t know.”

Mugman smirked. “Aww come on, I know ya like it!” He winked at him.

Cuphead’s eyes twitched, his milk boiled, he blushed and even the beating brotherly heart on his chest glared annoyed at Mugman. “NOO I HATE IT!” He he stood up at the same time.

Mugman’s smile faded into a disbelieving frown. “Wh-what?!”

“YEAH!” Cuphead stomped his foot down. “Y-YEAH Y-YA HEARD ME! I-I H-HATE IT WHEN YA USE THAT GROSS L-WORD A LOT!”

Tears started to form on Mugman’s eyes, but then he scrunched them angrily. “I DON’T BELIEVE THAT ONE BIT!”

“YOU SHOULD TOO!” Cuphead pointed his finger at Mugman.

“OH YEAH?!” Tears welling on his eyes, Mugman splayed his arms. “WHAT’S WRONG WITH IT?!”

“WHAT’S WRONG IS THAT YER ACTIN’ LIKE A BABY BRO!” Cuphead jabbed his finger once at Mugman.

“WELL I LIKE ACTIN LIKE A BABY BRO! IT’S WHAT WE DO!” Tears fell from Mugman’s face as he spread his arms.

“NO IT’S NOT! YA SEE THIS?!” Cuphead flexed his left arm, and a lump of muscle appeared. “AND THIS?!” He flexed his right arm. “THESE…” He alternately flexed his arms left, right, left, then right. “ARE WHAT REAL MEN DO! THEY ACT TOUGH! THEY ARM WRESTLE!” He arm wrestled both his hands together. “THEY BURP!” 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. “AND THEY DO…” His eyes looked left and right at his hands. “OTHER MANLY STUFF!”

“I DO THAT!” Mugman pointed his thumb at himself.

“NO, YA DON’T! YER ALL-“ Cuphead formed two fists that were cuddling his chin. “’Hee hee, I’m a baby bro, I like tuh cuddle with my brothah and get lotsa tickles all day!’” He grunted and dropped his fists into demanding open hands. “Come on ya gotta man up bro!” He smirked and folded his arms. “Or we might as well start callin’ ya Mugbaby!”

Fists clenched. Mouth trembling. Tears falling from his furious eyes. Mugman took a sobbing breath. “NOOOOOOOOOO!” 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 brother’s 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. “I LIKE WHAT WE-! NO!” He stomped his foot again, making Cuphead shiver. “I LOOVE WHAT WE DO!” His sobbing became louder. “YOU’RE MY BEST FRIEND AND MY BROTHER!” He pointed his finger at Cuphead, whose eyes started to crease in sadness. “I-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 ‘TIL ELDER KETTLE COMES! A-A-AND I COULD CUDDLE UP TUH YA I-IF THERE WAS LIGHTNIN’ OR I-I HAD A BAD DREAM OR-!”

Mugman grabbed his head grunted in frustration, and Cuphead took a step forward reaching out his hand.

“ANYTHIN’ CUPHEAD!” Mugman spread his open ‘crying out’ hands. “ANYTHIN! I-I-ITS LIKE EVERY DAY’S A SLEEPOVER W-WITH MY BEST BUD AND-AND I-I DON’T HAVETUH INVITE YA OVAH CUZ WE’RE BROTHAHS! WE LIVE IN THE SAME HOUSE! I-IT’S LIKE MAC N CHEESE” Mugman brought out two index fingers representing each food. “A-AND CHOCOLATE AND VANILLA” He pumped each of those two fingers each again. “O-OO-OR SUGAR N SPICE TOGETHAH! TWO OF OUR FAVORITES IN ONE! WE COULD DO ANYTHIN CUPHEAD! ANYTHIN’! WHY WOULD YA WANNA MAN UP FROM THAT?!”

Eyes creased. Pupils trembling. Cuphead started with a stammer. “B-because…” His eyes looked down in defeat. “B-because…”

Sobbing turned into open-wide loud wailing and the tears fell like rushing waterfalls from Mugman’s eyes. Cuphead’s 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.

“WhydoeshehavtuhbelikethisIcan’tbelieveit!” He gave big heavy sigh and opened his air-patting ‘calm down’ hands. “Alright. All I gotta say is…” He took a deep breath, and opened his eyes pretending he was there. “Mugs… I’m…” His mouth shut uncomfortably, it gradually puffed up, and it struggled to open to say something... but then he unleashed a loud raspy whine as he stomped his feet left right left then right. “WhydoIhaftuhsaythes-word” He walked towards the door and yanked it very aggressively that it banged onto the wall. “AllIevahwantedwasfuhMugstuhmanupforonceandnotbesoickyandsobabyishandsoftandstuff.” He kept grumbling other jibber jabbers while walking towards Toriel’s living room/dining room. “Whydoeshehavtuhbesuchababywhycan’themanup.”

“Why couldn’t he just go with it and have fun?” The sound of Mugman’s sniffling being wiped could be heard. “It’s not like I’m hurtin him or nothin.”

Toriel hummed endearingly. “Well, if I may suggest, based from experience, maybe you’re giving him too much love.”

“Too much?!” 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 Toriel’s left knee by the crackling fireplace.

“Well, what did you do with your brother yesterday?” Toriel rubbed Mugman’s back handle endearingly.

“Well, we went lookin’ for ya.” Mugman said as he was touching his index fingers together.

“And… did the search, by any chance, involve lots of hugging?” Toriel teased and raised an eyebrow.

“What?!” Mugman started counting with his fingers on his right hand. “Noo, there was running, and parrying, and we played tag n’ uhh… ghosts, and spiders and…” He counted his left fingers while looking at them nervously and a curled mouth. His left fingers unfolded one by one, ‘til all four of them were splayed. “S-sure… there were some hugs here n there but… they weren’t too much!”

“Uhh, yeah they were!” Cuphead interjected.

Mugman’s 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.

“Ah!” Toriel smiled. “Good morning Cuphead!”

“NUH-UH!” Mugman furiously leaned in closer to Cuphead and stared him down.

“UH-HUH!” Cuphead stood on his toes closer to Mugman and stared him down... or up rather.

“NUH-UH!” Mugman leaned in very close to Cuphead.

“UH-HUH!” Cuphead stood even taller and pushed his nose against Mugman’s as he stared straight into his eyes.

“AW COME ON YOU STARTED MOST OF ‘EM!” Mugman poked a finger on Cuphead’s chest.

“I-!” Cuphead blushed from embarrassment, and then swatted his hand off furiously. “THAT’S NOT THE POINT!”

“HA!” Mugman poked that same finger on Cuphead’s chest, while pushing his nose forward. “SO YOU DO ADMIT IT!” He poked his chest a second time.

“DON’T YA ‘HA’ ME OR I WILL ‘HA HA’ YOU!” Furious-eyed Cuphead pushed back with his nose and poked Mugman’s chest.

“WELL DON’T YA ‘HA HA’ ME OR I WILL ‘HA HA HA’ YOU!” Furious-eyed Mugman with steam erupting out of his straw pushed back with his nose and this time he pressed hard Cuphead’s chest with his finger.

“WELL DON’T YOU ‘HA HA HA’ ME OR I WIL ‘HA HA HA HA’ YOU!” Furious-eyed Cuphead with steam erupting out of his straightened straw pushed back with his nose as he pressed Mugman’s 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.

“CHILDREN!” Toriel yelled, and then sighed. “Please! No yelling!” Without breaking their nose connection, she picked up Cuphead and sat him on her left knee. “And…” Toriel giggled. “Do you have to literally be at each other’s noses when you argue?”

As they broke apart, Cuphead and Mugman blinked and they both looked at Toriel unamused and confused respectively.

“Uhh…” Mugman scratched the side of his head. “What’s wrong with that?” He said while briefly stealing a peek at Cuphead.

“She doesn’t have a brother.” Cuphead spoke to Mugman while his backhand was hiding his sidemouth

Toriel’s 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. “Aww… that’s so sad.”

Snapping at Mugman, Toriel made a loud flaring inhale, and gritted her teeth under her closed mouth.

Cuphead giggled. “I know right.” He winked at him.

Mugman giggled in response. “Yeah, she don’t get what we do.”

“Yeah. Only we do buddy.” Cuphead buddy hugged Mugman and they both shared a moment to giggle.

Cuphead ended with a sigh. “Now… where was I?” He raised an eyebrow.

“Ha ha ha.” Mugman said casually as he tilted his head three times, one on each ‘ha.’

“No no, what’re we beefin’ about?” Cuphead swished his free hand on front of him.

“Oh! Uhh…” Mugman tapped his chin twice. “My hugs are too much. Which THEY’RE NOT BY THE WAY!” Mugman bumped his forehead and pressed his nose onto Cuphead’s, who stared back furiously.

“YA THEY ARE!” Cuphead pushed back with his nose.

“NO! THEY’RE! NOT!” Mugman pushed forward with his nose and forehead on each syllable.

“YA! THEY! ARE!” 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.

“Toriel!” 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. Toriel’s mouth scrunched and she took one fiery fuming breath.

“Apologize… Now. “ Her irises burned with fire within them.

“W-we’re…” Cuphead and Mugman hugged each other very tightly as they shivered. “W-we’re-!”

“Say. It.” She hissed with every word.

“WE’RE SORRY!” 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. “I guess it’s not too much when you are taking care of each other!”

Cuphead and Mugman’s eyebrows creased with confusion, and then they habitually slid their eyes to each other to check if the other understood… but then those same eyes widened and they gasped in shock. They were hugging each other, and Mugman quickly pushed Cuphead away.

“WHA-! HEY!” Cuphead splayed his palms open.

Mugman folded his arms and looked away. “I don’t wanna hug you anymore. You ruined everything!”

“I-!” Cuphead growled, gritted his teeth, squeezed his fists, and his milk boiled. “FINE!” He turned away and folded his arms, mirroring Mugman’s posture.

“Oh children…” Toriel gently placed her hands on their heads, covering their milk completely, but not the straws. “This is all a misunderstanding. Can’t we talk it out?”

“No!“ They both said as they bumped their folded arms onto their chests and stuck their noses higher to the air.

“But… you’re both right!” Toriel smiled.

Cuphead and Mugman’s eyes opened, and they looked at her confused. “What?!”

Toriel’s smile showed teeth as she chuckled. “Yes! You’re both right!...” She raised and index finger as she explained, but she tapped that same finger on her lips thinking for a few seconds. “But you’re also both wrong.” She giggled. “Does that make sense?” She looked at them with a kind and patient smile.

Cuphead and Mugman kept staring at her with their silent speechless mouths open. “Nnno!”

Toriel chuckled. “Alright, I’ll explain.” She cleared her throat. “Cuphead. Don’t be so harsh on your brother. Just tell ‘im.”

“I did!” Cuphead thrusted his showing hands towards Mugman. He then glared at him. “But he wouldn’t gimme a break!”

Mugman spit raspberry sounds at towards Cuphead.

“Well in that case, Mugman.” She looked at the blue mug with a gentle smile. “Don’t blame your brother. You fed him too much pie.”

Eyebrows creasing more confused, Cuphead and Mugman looked at each other for a moment, and then back at Toriel.

“But… I didn’t feed him any pie!” Mugman raised right eyebrow.

“Yeah!” Cuphead raised his left eyebrow, mirroring Mugman.

Toriel chuckled, with her hand politely covering her mouth. “Your hugs ARE the pies.” She endearingly booped Mugman’s nose.

“Hey!” Mugman’s eyes looked at Toriel’s finger booping the middle of his nose, earning a slight chuckle from Cuphead who thought Mugman’s crisscross pupils were funny.

“Yeah, I still don’t get it.” Cuphead scratched the top of his bendy straw.

“Yeah!” Mugman looked up at Toriel. “Why would anyone get tired of your pie? It’s delicious!” 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. “Uhh… that’s not it, but he’s not wrong though.”

“Aww, that’s very sweet of you!” Toriel smiled with his hands together with thumbs touching her mouth. “Come here my child!” She opened her arms wide enough for Mugman to enter.

A big smile spread on Mugman’s face and he made a quick tackling hug on Toriel’s stomach earning a surprised “Oh!” from her. She chuckled, and then hugged Mugman very fondly, and Mugman stuck his tongue out with a loud “LLLLLLHH!!!” at Cuphead who growled and folded his arms in reaction… until Toriel tightened her hug that it caused Mugman to squeak at the sudden tightness.

“Ughh-!” T-Toriel!” Mugman made a grumbling sound as he pushed Toriel’s stomach away trying to free himself of the tight space. “Too tight!”

“Oh?” Toriel chuckled. “I thought you said you wouldn’t get tired of my pie!” She maintained her tight hug on Mugman.

As he watched Mugman struggle, Cuphead’s mouth turned from a curious ‘o’ into a right-lipped giggling smirk.

“Wait!” Mugman grumbled louder and pushed harder. “I get it!” He brought his feet to her stomach and pushed. “TORIEL!”

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 “WOAHOAHOAH!” 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 “Boop!”

“WOAH!” Mugman wobbled forward and was finally balanced sitting on Toriel’s knee.

Mugman looked at Cuphead to see that he was smug smiling.

“You’re welcome.” He showed a cocky white-teeth sparkly smile.

Eyebrows scrunched, Mugman gave a slightly hard pat on Cuphead’s face.

“Ow!” Cuphead covered his nose with his right hand as he recoiled backwards.

“Mugman!” Toriel glared shocked. “He just saved you!”

Mugman’s eyes widened in realization. “Oh yeah…” His eyes looked down in regret.

“Yeah…” Minorly grumpy Cuphead rubbed his nose with his index finger. “No thanks buddy.”

Mugman’s eyes began to water, and he rubbed his sniffing nose with his right back wrist.

“Aww… Mugman.” Warm smiling Toriel opened her arms wide enough for Mugman like before. “Come here.”

“Not…” Mugman sniffled and a tear dropped as he blinked. “Not too tight.”

Toriel nodded and gave an endearing hum. “I think you’ve already learned your lesson.”

After one last sad look, Mugman let himself fall towards Toriel’s stomach, and they shared a tender hug.

“MMm Sorrrmmm.” Mugman said, muffled by her stomach.

Toriel chuckled. “Not to me my child.” She gently turned Mugman’s handle ‘til he faced Cuphead who was just pouting.

Mugman took a breath and sighed, realizing the hassle he must go through.

“Oh.” Toriel stroked Mugman’s handle with her right hand. “It’s alright my child.” She gave a gentle smile to Mugman, and he looked back with his frown turning into a hopeful smile. “Nothing wrong with trying to fix something… especially if it’s with your best friend.”

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. “Hey. Bro…” He looked at the corner of his eyes and scratched the back of his head. “I-I’m…” He took a breath, closed his eyes, exhaled, opened his eyes again and then faced his brother properly. “I’m sorry.”

Cuphead’s right lip smirked. “Heh. No biggie.” He closed his eyes and shrugged his shoulders. “It’ll just gimme more reason to get back at ya later.” As he spoke, He opened his eyes and punched his right fist onto his own left hand at ‘get back’.

Mugman’s smile curled, nervous about the anticipated revenge.

“See!” Toriel gently placed a hand on Mugman’s left shoulder, and Mugman’s nerves calmed to a genuine smile. “Even after all that fuss, he still loves you!” She playfully tapped Mugman’s nose, causing him to giggle.

Eyes bugged out. Chest jumped. Bendy straw turning into an exclamation point. “WHAT?! NO!!” Cuphead glared at Toriel.

With a big smile, Mugman gasped. “AWWWWWWWWWWW!!!” His glossy eyes sparkled and shimmered as he looked at Cuphead.

“SHADDUP!!” Cuphead lunged his nose against Mugman’s, earning a surprised squeal that soon turned into a snorty bubbly laugh.

“Aw-!” Mugman snorted. “Come on buddy!” He snorted and giggled some more. “Embrace the brotherly love!” He snorted with a giggle as he opened his arms. “Get it? Embrace!” His smile got bigger as he laughed, even as Cuphead continued to glare at him annoyed.

“Oh I’ll show ya some BROTHERLY LOVE in a minute!” Cuphead rolled up his right sleeve, showing his white arm, and he pulled back ready to punch.

Mugman’s pure smile turned forceful as he stared with a sweat drop back at Cuphead… but then the latter’s right lip trembled as he snickered, and then he threw his head backwards as he made a loud laugh.

“I HA-HA-HA-HATE YOUHUHUHUHUHU!” Cuphead playfully pushed Mugman, who just closed one eye as he was pushed, and he laughed with his brother.

“No you don’t.” 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 Mugman’s shoulders. Cuphead hugged his stomach, Mugman accidentally rested his hands on Cuphead’s knees instead of his own, but Cuphead placed his left hand on the back of Mugman’s right hand, and then playfully pushed it away starting a small pushing of hands game as they laughed.

Finally, Toriel sighed. She turned to both each. “You two remind me so much of…” She looked at the corners of her eyes in thought. “a couple of… faces I used to know.”

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. “They made me so happy.”

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 Toriel’s.

“Who were they?” Mugman kept looking at the table with his brother.

Toriel looked at Cuphead and Mugman’s hands, held them each with her own hands, and softly clasped them together. “Two best friends.” She looked at both, who then looked back at her with curiosity. “Just like the two of you.” 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. “Where are they?”

Her smile turned into a sad and longing one. “I...” She slowly turned to the fire on her left. “I will tell you… another time…”

“Aw come on!” Cuphead gave a light tug on their held hands, earning a smile from Mugman. “Tell us!” He smiled with his white teeth at Toriel.

“Not now my child!” 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. “Not now.”

Still holding hands, Cuphead and Mugman looked at each other, and then shrugged their shoulders.

“What about you two?” Toriel smiled at them. “I’ll be honest, you’re a cupple of unexpectedly delightful surprises that dropped-in!”

“Hey!” Cuphead smirked.

Cuphead and Mugman laughed in reaction to the puns Toriel made.

“Well, thanks a bunch for taking care of us Ms-! I mean!” 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. “Toriel.” He finished smiled.

Toriel chuckled with her hand elegantly covering her mouth. “You’re a very sweet gentleman you are Mugman.”

“Or should I say…” Cuphead smirked as he leaned towards his brother. “Muggentleman?” He winked at Mugman, earning a snicker from him.

They all laughed together.

“So…” Toriel leaned in with a curious enthusiastic smile. “is everyone a cup or mug in your world?”

“Nah!” Cuphead and Mugman said in sync. They gasped at each other. “Jinx!” They booped each other’s noses and laughed.

“We’ve got all sortsa fellas!” Mugman explained with his right hand splayed open.

“Yeah!” Cuphead raised his index finger. “We’ve got Beppi!”

“A, uhh…” Mugman tapped his chin repeatedly, then widened his eyes with an ‘aha!’ expression. “A balloon clown!” He smiled.

Toriel’s eyebrows creased confused. “A… balloon clown?”

“Yeah!” Cuphead and Mugman said in sync. “Jinx!” They both booped each other’s noses.

“But I said that.” Mugman smirked with his eyes closed and arms folded,

“Yeah!” Cuphead winked and nudged Mugman with his elbow. “That’s what I said.”

“No! I said that!” Annoyed Mugman pointed his thumb to himself.

“Yeah!” Cuphead glared at him annoyed. “That’s what I said!”

“No!” Mugman bumped his nose against Cuphead’s nose again while he stared him down. “You are stealin’ what I’m sayin’!” He poked Cuphead’s chest.

“No! I’m sayin-“ Cuphead pointed his thumb to himself. “What ya said-“ He poked Mugman’s chest. “Is exactly what she’s ask sayin!” He splayed his hands to Toriel as he explained.

Mugman uttered a retaliating tone, but then tapped his chin and hummed in thought. “So what you’re sayin’ is-“ He poked Cuphead’s chest. “What I was sayin’-“ He pointed his thumb to himself. “Was exactly what she was askin fer?” He pointed to Toriel.

“Yes!” He pressed his clinking forehead forward as he pressed his point, regardless of how ‘in-your-face’ he was with Mugman.

“And in addition to what you’re sayin’-“ Mugman poked Cuphead’s chest again. “Yer not tryinna snatch my sayin’-“ He snatched the air to demonstrate. “And yer actually sayin is-“ He poked Cuphead’s chest again. “What I was sayin-“ He pointed his thumb to himself. “Is exactly what she was sayin’?” He pointed to Toriel.

“YES!” Smiling Cuphead pressed his forehead even further, goofily making Mugman lean backwards (which he didn’t mind), and he spread his happy exclaiming hands high to the air. “OH MAN!” Placing his head on Mugman’s shoulder, he used those same hands to hug Mugman tightly. “It feels so good to be on the same page again buddy!”

Mugman’s mouth scrunched smiling. “Awww! You’re huggin’ me again!”

Cuphead’s eyes bugged out. “LEAUGH!” 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. “Hmph!”

Toriel joined in on Mugman’s snorty bubbly laughter with her own endearing and gentle laughter.

“See my child?” Toriel raised a finger in front of Mugman’s nose, and he looked at it with his crisscross eyes. “All you need… is patience.” She booped Mugman’s nose.

Mugman giggled, his shoulders excitedly tensed as he was booped, and then he nodded.

“Now…” Toriel looked at Cuphead. “You were talking about balloon clowns? These are humans who are clowns, who sell balloons right?”

Cuphead glared confused at Toriel. “Uhh… No. He’s walkin’ n talkin’ balloon… human. Right Mugs?” He looked at his brother.

Mugman giggled. “Yeah!” He nodded. “Uhh, Then we’ve uhh…” He tapped his tinking chin. “Baroness Von Bon Von.” His eyes shrunk and his straw turned into an exclamation point (Cuphead giggled in reaction). “No no!” He shook his head. “I mean uhh, Baroness Bon Von Von! NO I MEAN-!” He grunted to the sky.

Cuphead laughed. “No it’s Baroness Von Bon Von Bon Bon Von Bon!”

Mugman laughed, in chorus with Cuphead’s. “No it’s Bon Bon Von Von Bon Von!”

The brothers laughed together with their respective squeaky hiccup sounds and snorts.

Amused, Toriel watched them as they laughed. “And, what kind of person is this Baroness?”

“She’s a candy-! No, I mean… a cake human?” Mugman looked to Cuphead.

Cuphead shrugged his shoulders. “She’s got the candy cane though so you’re not wrong.”

Mugman smiled and held his hand high, and Cuphead high-fived it casually.

Smiling Toriel raised an eyebrow intrigued.

“Then there’s Djimmi!” Cuphead raised his index finger.

“He’s a ghost human!” Mugman raised his index finger in imitation.

“Uhh…” Cuphead raised an eyebrow. “Isn’t that ghost train thingy-!”

“The Phantom Express?” Mugman raised an eyebrow too as he smiled.

“Yeah the phantom train thingy! That one!” Cuphead pointed to Mugman as he smiled. “Isn’t that ride full of ghosts?”

Mugman gasped. “Oh yeah! That mean’s Djimmi’s uhhh, uhhh…” He stirred his head milk with his own straw as he tapped his chin; his eyes went whirly as he stirred.

“A djinni?” Toriel raised an eyebrow.

Stopping his stirring, Mugman snapped his fingers. “Oh yeah! A Djinni!”

“Yeah, like that one story Elder Kettle tells us about?” Cuphead was wagging his pointing finger.

Mugman giggled and shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t remember which one, there are so many!”

“Pfft!” Cuphead flicked his hand down. “Yeah, until he-“ 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. “He’s the best!” He spread his hands in the air.

“Yeah!” Cuphead also spread his hands in imitation… but then he looked at the lower corner of his eyes. “Yeah…” 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.

Their minds raced. Elder Kettle giving them the blue potion of their powers… them training in Kettle’s magic drawing board with Elder Kettle himself gently guiding them from above.… Him catching up to Inkwell Isle II to give them hope of defeating The Devil… and finally celebrating in a hippity hoppity group hug after everything was over… 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.

“Toriel…” Mugman slowly looked to her, who just blinked. “It’s been a real slice…”

“Literally!” Cuphead raised his index finger and giggled. “That pie was the bee’s knees!”

Mugman gasped. “Aw man no fair!” He pushed Cuphead a little roughly.

Cuphead and Toriel just laughed.

Cuphead put his hands on his hips. “Ya gotta be faster buddy!” He winked.

Mugman rolled his eyes. “Anyway, yeah it’s been a real-“ He paused, and then slid his glaring eyes at Cuphead who was just smirking at him. “Real.” Mugman said smug.”

Cuphead snickered. “Jealous.”

Mugman rolled his eyes again. “Toriel, when can we go home?”

Cuphead smiled at Toriel.

Toriel blinked confused. “Home?”

“Yeah! Ya know, our reeaal home!” Cuphead he spread his arms as if he was demonstrating a huge place.

Mugman chuckled apologetically. “Yeah! Elder Kettle might steam his spout if we’re gone for too long.”

Eyes shut, Cuphead shuddered. “Wouldn’t wanna see that.”

Toriel chuckled. “You’re very thoughtful to think about your grandfather like that.”

Mugman raised his finger. “Well technically he’s-!”

“Don’t.” Cuphead put his index finger on Mugman’s mouth. “Just don’t.”

Mugman just nodded.

“But first…” Toriel raised her finger. “You mentioned you had… cake humans…” She started counted with her fingers. “balloon humans, djinnis, ghost humans, and Elder Kettle, which I think is a walking kettle or… a kettle human?

“With a cane and a jolly good ‘ol sense of humor.” Cuphead made a hook punch in front of him.

Toriel hummed in amusement. “I see. I suppose there are other cup humans in your world too!”

From smiling, Cuphead and Mugman looked at each other, and then frowned looking down.

“We… um…” Cuphead started.

“We don’t know.” Mugman finished.

“Oh…” Toriel put her hands on their heads. “I’m sure there are my children.”

Cuphead and Mugman looked at her and smiled.

“And I also suppose that… in your world, there are other kinds of ‘humans’” She wiggled her fingers to make quotation marks. “Not just candies, balloons, and ghosts?”

“Oh yeah!” Cuphead and Mugman said. “Jinx!” They pointed at each other.

“There are plant humans!” Cuphead raised a finger.

Mugman raised an eyebrow to Cuphead. “Are those humans?”

Cuphead blinked confused for a moment. “Well.. there are human humans.” He shrugged his shoulders and smiled with uncertainty.

“Yeah but… plant humans?” Mugman smiled with cringe.

“Well… there’s Goopy.” Cuphead pointed to Mugman.

Mugman stared in space, thinking about what he said. “Good point.” He then smiled at Toriel. “There are mermaids and fish too!”

“Fish in the water?” Toriel smiled with curiosity, though her tone sounded more suggestive than surprised.

“Nah! Fish walkin!” Cuphead smiled. “And fish… fishin’….” He cringed in realization.

Mugman cringed in realization too, and their eyes met.

Toriel chuckled. “Are you sure you know what a human is?”

Cuphead and Mugman looked at each other confused. “Yes?” They then looked back at Toriel.

Toriel chuckled. “Only one way to find out.”

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.

“Wait here please.” 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. “What’re we babies?” He whispered with his sidemouth.

Cuphead spoke back with his side mouth. “I’m not, but you are.” He smirked

Mugman’s eyes widened for a moment, then he glared at him sideways, and then pushed him. “Stop it!”

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. “Yay…” They said unenthusiastically.

Toriel sighed. “I’m terribly sorry my children, these are the only arts and crafts supplies I could find.” She hummed and tapped her chin to herself. “Maybe I could find or buy more once you get settled in.”

Mugman blinked and stared at her cautiously. “Once we what?”

Toriel’s eyes widened. “Oh! I mean, I have a favor to ask both of you.”

“Oh! What is it?” 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.

“Could you draw yourselves…” Toriel opened the box of crayons, and rolled the crayons in the middle. “But with your own hearts?”

Cuphead and Mugman raised an eyebrow confused and looked at each other. “Hearts?!”

“Yes! You know…” Toriel picked up a black crayon and drew an upside-down heart on the paper. “Like that!”

Cuphead and Mugman kept staring at the heart example with their raised eyebrows.

“Uhh…” Cuphead looked at Toriel as he pointed at the heart. “I think ya got it upside down.”

Toriel’s enthusiastic smile turned into a shocked eyes widened frown.

“Yeah!” Mugman then smirked. “Wow Cuphead you’re not so dum dum after all.”

Cuphead playfully pushed him. “Shut up.”

Mugman giggled and rotated the heart right-side up. “And his heart is pink!” He grabbed a pink crayon and colored the once black-lined heart.

Toriel’s shock slowly turned into despair.

“Ew!” Cuphead glared at Mugman. “Ya make it sound like I have a gal’s heart!”

“Wha-!” Mugman glared at Cuphead confused. “No! It’s the same color as mine!”

“EW WE BOTH HAVE GIRL HEARTS!” With a playful smile, Cuphead leaned away from Mugman.

“EW CUPHEAD!” Mugman playfully pushed Cuphead and they both laughed.

Amidst their laughter, Toriel slowly became numb and it turned into a frown of indifference.

“You have a stupid tiny nose.” Giggly Mugman drew a cup for a head with a black crayon and put a red dot on it.

“Oh-ho yeah?” Cuphead confidently raised an eyebrow. He snatched the black crayon from Mugman. “Well you have a giant nose the size of a football!” 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.

“Hey!” Mugman snatched the blue crayon from Cuphead, who then was surprised at first but then glared back at him annoyed. “It’s not that big!”

“And my nose ain’t that small!” Cuphead pointed his thumb to himself. “Ya started it!” He tapped his brother’s chest.

“Okay okay!” Mugman raised his ‘stop’ hands. “No nose jokes.” He wagged his finger.

Cuphead smiled. “Deal!”

They bumped their backhands to each other.

“Excuse me for a moment.” Toriel said with an empty voice.

“Okay!” 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 Cuphead’s nose on the drawing.

-End of Part 1-

(Cutscene)

Once they were done, they ran out to the main hall and looked around to find her.

“I think… she went to her room?” Mugman pointed towards the hallway.

Cuphead smiled. “Come on!” He grabbed Mugman’s 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.

“F-f-fl-! F-F-F-Flowey!!” 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.

“Hey, flowers can be horrible. Like Cagney for one!” Mugman looked at his brother, hoping the explanation was enough.

Cuphead put his mouth closer to Mugman’s ear side. “Baby br-!”

“AM NOT!!!!!!” 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 Cuphead’s smug face.

Cuphead laughed and began to sing. “Rock a bye baby on the tree top!” 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.

“OKAY!” Cuphead kicked the ground repeatedly with his heels as he laughed. “OKAY OKAY YOU’RE BIG BRO!”

Mugman held his fists on his hips. “That’s right, and dontcha forget it.”

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.

‘Why did the skeleton want a friend?’ Mugman read in Toriel’s voice. ‘Because she was feeling BONELY…’

Mugman raised an eyebrow and smiled in reaction.

“What’cha readin’?” Cuphead approached Mugman.

“Eh, just some of Toriel’s jokes.” Mugman shrugged his shoulders.

Cuphead tiptoed to read, and just snickered. “Where does she get these bad jokes?”

“Speaking of who, where is she?”

(End of Cutscene).

#Cuptale #cupheadxundertale #cuphead crossover #undertale crossover #undertale au #au #cuphead au #fanfiction #fanfic #Cuphead #mugman #cuphead and mugman #toriel #toriel undertale

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