Face Your Fear
Snorpy lay curled up in bed. He was blankly staring out the window of the Mill House in deep reflection over a previous occurrence. However his status wasn't calm.
It was...a mixed bag to put it simply, just like the Nutty Snackpod, and the feelings swirling around in his gut like a twister consisted of fear, depression and anxiety. Even though he was laying on a comfy mattress in a proper bed, (which was a step up from the tiny cot in him and Chandlo's cabin back in Sugarpine Woods) it didn't feel that way to Snorpy. The inventor felt as if he was laying on literal pins and needles cause his whole body was prickling, even as he wrung his paws together out of apprehension.
Ever since that horrible trick played on him earlier in the day, (curiosity of Snaxburg's pop culture journalist Beffica Winklesnoot in order to get his secrets) Snorpy had been trying to avoid everyone, especially Chandlo. Snorpy mentally scolded himself for not rushing off and grabbing his glasses when something about "Chandlo's" voice didn't seem right, it sounded far too feminine but he didn't think anything of it. What would the real Chandlo have thought if he had been present then? Thank Grump he wasn't anywhere near the mill when this earlier event took place. Due to all her snooping around, Snorpy always had suspicions and theories about Beffica being an undercover agent for the Grumpinati. Then again, he had had those same thoughts about every other Grumpus on Snaktooth Island, given his social anxiety and short interactions with anyone else. Aside from Chandlo however, whom he trusted the most.
Snorpy couldn't give his full trust to anyone (except Buddy the Journalist and Chandlo) lest he wanted his secrets 'platered all over the front page news'. As he had revealed to Buddy before engaging in their interview. He wanted to get off this island ever since he had been prompted to "unwillingly" spill the beans on his deepest secret. Just thinking back to revealing his secret crush to the Grumpus who could tell anyone at any moment made tears present themselves in his eyes. And that very memory wasn't fading anytime soon, he feared it would be permanently embedded into his frontal lobe for years to come. Some time ago, being the eccentric inventor that he was, Snorpy had considered a memory wipe device but the dream never became a reality, due to the many constant curveballs known as life.
As Snorpy thought about how to construct it, from his mind, another thought dawned on him:
Where would he go if he could escape this place? He couldn't just abandoned his childhood friend whom he had shared a bond with since the dawn of time. Snorpy's mind was foggy as potential ideas popped into his head. Pretty soon however they were pushed aside as he remembered the giant birthday cake that threatened to shake the Frosted Peak apart. Daddy Cakelegs. It was a good thing Buddy had been with him then. What would've transpired to Snorpy if he had died on that mountain to the Bugsnax itself, or worse...gotten caught up in an avalanche like Lizbert and Eggabell? Chandlo would probably blame himself for such a dangerous situation by not going with him.
Which is the very reason he had Buddy drop weights on him and then try to face off against Mama Mewon earlier. He undoubtedly got himself pummeled in seconds. Even though he was in top shape with his daily weight lifting routine and Shelda's wisdom, Chandlo wanted to continue to get stronger every day to protect Snorpy from threats like that and make sure he was safe. The outside world, the "real" world was a perilous and unpredictable place that would crush you if you let it, but Chandlo had learned that the bond him and Snorpy had shared would be enough to face anything that got thrown their way. They were strong dynamic duo together.
Snorpy had a good view from the window located next to his bed so he could keep an eye on Chandlo, while also avoiding the outside as much as possible. The less attention he could attract from the Grumpinati the better, though Chandlo was right when he mentioned getting fresh air at least once a day. The green basketball loving Grump was busy running back and forth in the b ball court, sinking slam dunks one after another so it couldn't possibly be him. Not that Snorpy was ready to face him and get the weight of his feelings off of his shoulders. Soon, he heard someone ascending the staircase and he only assumed it was Buddy, who was invited by Elizabert herself to compile a story for the newspaper. Either that or it was Beffica coming back to rub this all in his face. He quivered in fear, hoping that it wasn't the latter of the two options. If it happened to be Buddy however, Snorpy would just keep quiet over this whole ordeal. The yellow Grumpus decided to shift positions; he rolled over onto his stomach and buried his face in his pillow to avoid making eye contact.
But the voice that cut through the air wasn't laced with mockery or asperse no, rather it was calming and honest. It was the last person Snorpy would ever expect. The first sentence, or rather question made him lift his head up and reposition his whole body to face them directly.
"Why won't you just tell him Snorpington? Honestly it's getting embarrassing at this point, watching you make a fool of yourself due to your incompetence and lack of communication." Floofty admitted as they approached Snorpy's bed. Even though their own brother was driving himself mad with the possibility of the Grumpinati watching him 24-7, Floofty knew there was one other thing weighing heavily on his mind. Or rather one other specific Grumpus. They had known for years about his secret. They had brought up the subject just recently when their Bugsnax regeneration experiment was abruptly halted. A small part of Floofty was slightly irritated at that, while another was...releived? They really could've lost their own head in that reckless stunt, even if they thought so little about the possibility at the time. Relying on walking appetizers to be a solution for missing limbs probaby wasn't the best idea.
Snorpy tried to anwser but the response came out in pieces, "Y-yes Floofty I know. I-I want to tell him but, t-the, the thing is..." At that moment, Snorpy's words had failed him and before he could put a stop to the stuttering and fully explain, his sibling interrupted him. Floofty slowly walked tword him and planted themselves down on his bed, the mattress dipping down slightly in response to the added weight.
"Are you more afraid of your feelings, rejection, or due to your crazy conspiracy theories, the fear that the Grumpinati could be anywhere among you listening and watching?" Carefully, the scientific Grumpus raised an eyebrow as they let Snorpy organize his thoughts. They cupped their hand under their chin and crossed the opposite arm over their chest as they awaited an anwser.
Their brothers eyes widened in realization to that choice of words and it took a minute for his brain to register, "I thought you didn't believe in the Grumpinati? Y-you've always just assumed it was all n-n-nonsense and that I was playing childish games." Snorpy, never in his entire life imagined Floofty to bring up that secret organization. He had always observed them being wrapped up in their own crazy world; a world that was full of dangerous and potentially life threatening experiments that involved equally dangerous and modified equipment. Cleary insanity ran in the Fizzlebean family.
"I don't beleive in them but thanks to your constant ramblings about them day in and day out, I..well, I guess it's starting to rub off." They sighed, hardly convincing themselves as they said that. Floofty never wanted to sink to their brothers insane level and yet, they were here now. The purple Grumpus quickly focused their attention back on the current subject. "But this is about you, not them. Now back to the topic at hand: what are you so afraid of? Your own feelings or the possibility of rejection?" They repeated once more.
Snorpy froze, so thrown by the mention of the Grumpinati that he almost forgot what had been making him more anxious than ever just a few hours ago. He pulled himself up into a sitting position and dangled his legs over the bedside. Snorpy's mixed feelings were starting to get the better of him. He took a deep breath to calm himself before properly giving an honest anwser.
"I...I don't know Floofty, this whole situation is just...It's messing with me! Chandlo's just so sweet and trusting, I want to tell him how I feel but I don't know how he'll take it. Earlier, Beffica tricked me; she disguised herself as Chandlo in order to obtain my secret about him. And I didn't have my glasses...I wish I would have though. Then, when me and Buddy came back from Frosted Peak, well, Chandlo told me I could've been killed, he hated that I went off without him. He demanded an explanation immediately and I was thrown by that. I wanted to tell him but, in the heat of that moment, my nerves wouldn't let me and the words didn't form. So I've been in here for hours trying to get my head straight." Soon, he placed his head in his hands and shook it, heaving a frustrated sigh soon after.
Floofty, as annoying as they thought their own sibling was, they knew they couldn't just leave him like this.
Carefully, with a touch as light as a Cheepoof, they grasped one of his paws. That ejected a gasp of surprise from him soon after. "Floofty?" He asked, his eyes refusing to meet theirs.
"Snorpington, look at me. Look at me!" They repeated that last command with an edge to their tone. Floofty wanted to see the yellow Grumpus giving them their full attention. Snorpy was startled but quickly locked eyes with them. "Now then, deep breath." He did as he was instructed. Snorpy never had anyone give him comfort and reassurance like right now and he didn't remember any scenario with Chandlo. "It's sad, almost pathetic seeing you in such a state. And what's even more embarrassing is that you've been friends with him since Kindergarten." The suggestion that came after had more gentle tone in it.
"Tell Chandlo how you feel, then maybe you'll feel better as well." Snorpy started to protest at the idea but was cut off."
"I know but.."
"You cannot let a little thing like fear stand in your way. Plus I can't stand you lying around here moping. It's just a waste of your intelligence, well that and your Grumpinati mind games."
"They're not...mind games, but what are you saying?"
Floofty pintched the bridge of their nose in irritation and shook their head. "What I'm saying brother is Chandlo obviously cares for you so you should tell him how you feel. Don't let what you might think happen weigh you down now. Cause it hasn't happened yet. Even if he doesn't take it well, at least you will know what he thinks and it will be a huge weight off of your shoulders." They placed a hand on his back, their long arm gently trailing a hand down, which made him purr in contentment. Then, without any hesitation Snorpy wrapped his arms around the other Grumpus, embracing them in a comforting hug which was a gesture not usually affiliated with either of them.
"You're right, I won't let this weight me down, thank you Floofty."
The hug caught Floofty off guard for a second but they soon returned the gesture. "Any time brother. And the one who needs to be thanked is you. Sorry for calling you a spineless baby earlier, I was so caught up in trying to see where my own experiments and theories would lead, I forgot that sometimes, there are mysterious out there everyday and not everything can be solved with notes and crazy contraptions. You were right, I really could've lost my head. I appreciate your general concern, even if you are a nuisance from time to time." They stood up and started for the stairs but not before giving Snorpy a warm suggestion. "As for you and Chandlo, just be confident and tell him. Rip the bandage off and come right out with your confession." They paused breifly as they remembered Snorpy's anxiety. "And try to relax while you're doing it would you? Your anxiety is comparable to that of a Shy Weenyworm. Ta tah." Floofty then disappeared from his vision, heading back back to their lab in Tiffany's research tent. They had notes to analyze and more hypothesis of Bugsnax to ponder.
Snorpy laid back in bed, sighing happily as he cupped his paws behind his head. "When the time is right, I'll tell Chandlo my biggest kept secret..." The inventors mind however wasn't as confident as he would've liked.
The Major Celebration had arrived (all thanks to Filbo) and everyone took advantage of it: fixing their tainted relationships, to getting down on the dance floor, and enjoying not having the weight of their own problems on their shoulders. All except two at the moment. Chandlo told Buddy that he wasn't hitting the dance floor without Snorpy.
The inventor looked around, his eyes taking in the lights and the other mingling residents of Snaxburg. Soon, he targeted Floofty who was chatting away with Tiffany, the archeologist laughing at a joke they made and sharing infornation on her own discoveries and theories from her exploration around the island. Snorpy peered around the corner of the Mill House, spotting Chandlo standing mere feet away; all by himself watching the festivities. So close yet so far at the same time, but he figured there wouldn't be a better time and place to confess. "My chance has arrived, don't blow this Fizzlebean. Remember what Floofty told you." As his Snackified legs began moving him forward, Snorpy tried to push all the negative possible outcomes out of his head. 'You got this. And whatever happens you're still friends with him.'
Chandlo looked up his face bearing a neutral expression, hoping that his lifelong partner had something positive to say. "Chandlo, I...um, I'm ready to talk to you." Snorpy looked out of the corner of his eyes to Floofty who noticed him. They nodded and presented him with a thumbs up, telling him "you got this". The gestures took some of the pressure off him and the inventors nerves relaxed. He made eye contact with the shorter Grump and controlled his breathing.
"Good, you're finally ready to talk to me. Well, let's hear it, what's going on bro? Like I said, I'm tired of being left in the dark."
"I know and I'm dreadfully sorry for keeping you there." Snorpy quickly cleared his throat and began, "Chandlo, we've been together for so long and it's so hard for me to know what you're thinking sometimes. I've been afraid of talking about this for quite some time. " The inventor held his head up high and took another deep breath. "But the truth is Chandlo...I love you with every fiber of my heart. I've wanted to tell you this for years but I've feared rejection and you leaving me and it's been pushing me down." Snorpy held his breath for bit before easing into the big question. "You've got a good heart and a good well being and I want to be with you. Do you want to be my...boyfriend?" The confession was out there, there was no going back; this was the point of no return and whatever the outcome was, Snorpy knew he'd have to live with it. For the rest of his life.
The other Grumpus tilted his head, signaling his confusion as he uncrossed his arms "Bro, that doesn't make any sense."
If Snorpy had ears, they would've flattened against his head in udder disappointment. "Oh...I see." He could feel his heart breaking. Thanks to his sibling and their talk, he had built up his confidence for nothing. Chandlo didn't feel the same but at least the weight of his feelings was lifted and Snorpy's deepest secret was one he wouldn't have to die with if the Grumpinati happened to find him. Just as he was about to walk off and sulk inside for what he deemed would be an eternity, a paw rested on his shoulder and turned him around. Snorpy was met with Chandlo's warm gaze and he was more than confused by it. "What?"
"Snorpy, we've been dating for years."
Snorpy's eyes grew wide as his jaw nearly hit the ground. He really was oblivious to events going on around him due to being caught up in his own world. "W-Wait...What? How is that possible?" He needed to get things clarified right now cause he was throughly lost.
"Remember that time we made out on that ferris wheel and I said we should move in together?"
Snorpy couldn't believe his ears. How could Chandlo even remember that from years ago, it had been so long? "Yes, yes but I thought we were roommates with benifits. You know I hate ambiguity."
"Sorry Snorpdawg." He leaned in for a kiss and Snorpy wasted no time with hesitation, immediately kissing back in response. "Is that clear enough for ya?" Pulling back after mere seconds which almost felt like an endless hour, all Snorpy could do was babble.
"I, uh...I."
"I love you dawg, now let's dance!"
Breaking out of the mild trance he was in, the yellow Grumpus looked on as his lifelong partner took to the dance floor. Snorpy's eyes wandered to where his sibling was; on the dance floor as well...doing the robot. Floofty saw their brother and carefully approached him, airing on the side of caution. "So brother? What's the verdict?"
Snorpy wrapped them up in yet another hug and Floofty wasn't as surprised as when it happened the first time. "Your talk worked and it turns out I've been oblivious all these years. Me and Chandlo have been dating ever since our trip to the fair, many moons ago. I didn't even know it. What I do know is that now my fear of rejection and losing him altogether are no longer bothering me. You gave me the confidence I needed and now I feel as though I can share everything with him. Thank you again, Floofty. Don't know how I'll be able to repay you for all you've done for me today."
"Don't mention it and to make it up to me, you can assist me in my research."
Snorpy gave a half-hearted sigh at that response, but how could he refuse? After all, he owed his sibling that much.
"You've got yourself a deal."
Floofty smiled and reajusted their glasses and then playfully shoved him forward. "Excellent, now off you go. Go enjoy the rest of the party with the Grumpus you love. I know you want to." Their brother smiled brightly as he headed tword Chandlo while they simply watched in satisfaction. "Snorpington has really matured. Maybe I should try to get his mind off of the Grumpinati next." A smile crept up on their face as they turned to go back to their lab. That new idea of Floofty's...would have to come at a later date.
A/N
Woo! Ok, so this isn't my normal fandom but after playing through and beating Bugsnax twice, I just had to make this. Snorpy and Chandlo are definitely my number one Bugsnax pairing. Sorry Gramble and Wiggle. XD I thought the internet was just playing around when I saw Snorpy/Chandlo but I found out for myself that it was real. :P I hope you guys enjoyed this. Until next time keep smiling and remember, use a hug as an excuse to plant a tracking device on people you care about. ;)
EDIT: I've been waiting for this fandom to show up in the archives. I actually posted this on Archive of Our Own months ago.
