[Chapter 1, Scene 2: I Can't Believe That You're in Love with Me]

The hands on his face are gentle- their grasp easily escapable- but Mugman doesn't pull away immediately. Instead, he rests his own hands over them, warmth in his cheeks and his voice.

"I thought you were busy today?"

He feels his boyfriend nuzzle the back of his neck and smile, "I had a little extra time. Not happy to see me?"

"I can't see you at all!"

Mugman grins when he hears him laugh and finally pulls away, turning back to drop a kiss against his cheek.

"Don't laugh at that, Bendy. It was awful."

Bendy flushes as he's kissed, prompting Mugman to loop his arms around his neck and do it over and over again until Bendy titters and pulls at his handle, ink dripping past his eyes.

"Stop! I don't want to stain you again," he chuckles, teasingly holding Mugman at arms' length.

Mugman pouts and playfully swipes at him, "I come from a family of tailors. If anyone knows how to deal with difficult stains, it's us!"

"I think some gang members would disagree with that."

"Oh, I assure you. My aunts know a thing or two about bloodstains too."

The ink covering Bendy's eyes starts to recede, his shoulders shaking in amusement. Mugman beams at the sight, lifting a hand to wipe away the traces of black from his cheeks.

"There you are," he whispers lovingly.

Bendy turns his head to kiss his palm and shyly smiles back, "Here I am."

"Why do you always forget to bring a towel?" chides Mugman.

"I didn't think I'd need it. You're the only one who makes me drip nowadays."

"Oh really?" Mugman snickers. Bendy blinks rapidly when he realizes the implications of what he'd said.

"Cagney was right. You're turning into a punk."

Mugman pauses as he's struck by a thought.

"How long have you been here?" he asks hesitantly.

Knowing what he's looking for, Bendy's smile turns a little sadder and he shrugs, "...Long enough."

So he'd heard everything. Mugman frowns and tries to move away, but Bendy expects this, so he quickly tugs him into his arms.

"It's fine. You know I'm used to the comments," Bendy hums against the rim of his head as Mugman burrows into the crook of his neck, "Nothing Cagney said is new to either of us and I know he just wants the best for you."

"...But it wasn't just him complaining," Mugman mutters, kneading the front of Bendy's shirt, "I know you heard what I said too."

He feels Bendy clutch him just a bit tighter, "...I'm sorry."

"Why are you sorry?" Mugman steps back and immediately regrets it when he sees the look on Bendy's face. He grabs his hands, squeezing his fingers in the same firm motion he has always done to comfort him, "I've told you before- you don't have to apologize for things that aren't your fault!"

Bendy tilts his head and gives him that same bittersweet smile he's grown frustratingly used to, "But this one is my fault, isn't it? I'm the one who won't let us be seen together in public."

Mugman's face falls and he looks away from him, "I'm sorry. I know you're just trying to protect me," He pouts, huffing, "But people should be used to you by now! You've lived here for six years!"

"You shouldn't be sorry either," Bendy pats his cheeks soothingly, "It's not like Inkwell is the only place that hates demons. Having the Devil here just makes it worse."

"And then you went ahead and started working for him too."

Not again. Mugman isn't the type to get riled up, but Bendy has always been different. He finds his foot in his mouth more often than he'd like whenever his demon's concerned.

"I-I'm sorry-"

"Now who's apologizing too much?" Bendy doesn't sound irritated. He never is, which makes Mugman feel even worse, "I mean, you're not wrong. I didn't do my reputation any wonders by working at the nightclub."

"You know I've heard there's a nightclub here too!" Mugman blurts out, "Cagney told me all about it. Why don't you work there instead?"

Bendy shrugs and gives him a strained smile, "I know what you're talking about. They say that place is a dive though. A real clip joint."

"And the Devil's isn't?"

"No, but to their credit, it's just as swanky as the casino," Bendy sighs, "Plus, the club here prefers a different kind of entertainment. One I'm pretty sure I can't provide."

Mugman crosses his arms, "...Why don't you come work with us then?"

The silence that follows is longer, thoughtful. It gnaws at Mugman and he starts to regret the turn in their conversation. Wishes he could go back and take a path less laden with thorns.

I wonder when Cagney's coming back, he thinks, and immediately decides that is even worse.

Thankfully, Bendy interrupts the flow of his thoughts.

"You told me not to apologize, so I won't," Bendy starts, "But I want you to know I didn't leave because of any of you. In fact, Uncle Don was the one who helped me get the job at the Devil's Swing in the first place."

Mugman startles when Bendy takes his hand again, lifting them up until he is staring back into his eyes. He is lost in the mess of emotions he finds.

"I can't tell you why right now, but know this," he continues, "Everything I did, I did it for you."

Despite the apparent gravity of the situation, Mugman breaks into laughter when Bendy flushes bright red at the intensity of his own words. Still, he seems determined to keep rolling through his embarrassment, even as ink starts to drip back down his face again.

"W-will you come… Come see me at the club tonight? I want to show you something," he stutters, pulling one of his hands away to try and wipe the ink off his face.

Mugman bites his lip, filled with adoration at the familiar gesture. He laughs and throws his hands around his neck, even as Bendy tries to pull back to avoid dripping ink on his head.

"Of course, you goof!"

They pause at the sound of rustling grass, Bendy flinching when they realize Cagney is coming back.

"Time to dangle."

Mugman pulls off one of his gloves and hands it to Bendy, watching as he fights off the instinctive urge to refuse, "Tidy up with this. I'll see you tonight, okay?"

Bendy takes it, hesitates, then leans forward to peck him on the lips.

"Goodbye. I love you," he murmurs, running off into the trees. Mugman presses his fingers to his lips and blows a kiss to his back.

"I love you too!"

notes: this isn't a true crossover. bendy is the only character i'll be using from batim- and his personality is based off the cartoons, not the game.