~Chapter 2-Rejected~
Cuphead knew that Mugman was going to be angry from the start. He wasn't expecting him to be all positive and encouraging, after all. Hell, he wouldn't be surprised if Mugs exploded at him! He just wanted him to do something. The younger boy had been silent the whole walk home, not saying a word. They were halfway home when Cups muttered, "H-Hey, Mugs... it's gonna be okay, alright? I'm gonna-"
"Are you kidding me!?" Mugs yelled, facing him, and Cups jumped. Okay, he was a little surprised his brother raised his voice at him. Mugman wasn't usually the yelling type. It was always Cups who was the hothead and getting angry easily. But this wasn't easily. Mugman had a right to be beyond pissed.
"No, Cups! Quit pretending like everything's okay! Everything's not alright! We just gambled away our souls! You just gambled away our souls! And now we have to be killers and chase down the stupid devil's debtors, something he should be doing himself for the record, and collect souls! I don't wanna be a murderer, Cup! But we have to be! And all because you can't use your head!"
"Mugs-" Cuphead tried, but Mugman cut him off again while shaking his head, growling, stepping more and more toward him, Cuphead holding his hands up and backing up each time Mugman came closer and closer to him. "No, Cuphead! You're gonna listen to me for once in your life! This whole time I've had to be listening to you, and now it's my turn! Cup, you're so damn reckless all of the time! It's like you don't even consider the fate of others around you when it comes to your making decisions! It's like you don't even care or something! Well, it's about time you start caring about me and others around you for once!"
Cup's eyes narrowed and he glared equally at his brother, "First of all, what the hell makes ya think I don't care!? I do care, and ya know that! I'm the one who's been standing up for you your whole life!"
"What!? Because I wasn't strong enough to do it myself?!"
"I never said that!"
"Yeah, but you're thinking it! Just say it! You think I'm weak and that I've never been strong enough to stand up for myself!"
"That's. not. what. I. said. or. think." Cups growled, his hands clenching into fists. "You're twisting my words around, Mugs! Never once did I think you were weak! But since ya want me to say it soooo badly, then fine, I will! You've always been a huge crybaby our whole lives since we've been brothers, I've always had ta stand up against bullies for ya because ya were never strong enough to stand up for yourself, and for the record, I always got hurt for ya, too! I always came home with some kinds of bruises or scratches, or bloody injuries, or black eyes or whatever, and it was all because of you! Because you were so concerned about what those asses thought of ya! You're always so worried about what others will think if ya make one single wrong move! Hell, you were concerned if you made a right one, too! And not only that, you're claiming I don't give a dang about ya!?"
It was Cuphead's turn to stomp over to Mugs, and he did so, getting up close to him and poking him roughly in the chest. "Huh. Funny! Because the way I remember it, I was always there for ya! Whenever you had I nightmare, I'm the one who always woke up in the middle of the night, and I was the one who held ya and lulled ya back ta sleep! Also, whenever ya got bullied, I always fought off those assholes for ya and took ya home to make sure you would be okay! I was also always there for ya through those rough and stupid stages of your life where you claimed you had it sooo bad, and I know I yell a lot at ya, but you've screamed a lot at me too, and I happened to let ya instead of barking back every time, unlike you! So yeah, I did all of that, but noooo, I don't care one bit about ya!"
Mugman shook his head, fighting back tears. "Maybe I'm weak, but at least I think before I act!" He hissed, pointing at his own head. "You should have never rolled that dice back at the casino! You should have thought of my safety first before you did anything! But noo, you were so desperate for money! Typical Cuphead! Always thinking about what will make him happy!"
"Oh, so I'm supposed to drop whatever I'm doing to consult with you first before I do it!? Thanks a lot, I'll remember that the next time! Sorry I don't think all the time!" Cuphead screamed angrily, the milk in his head boiling and bubbling wildly, some milk splashing out due to how angry and pissed off he was at his brother.
"YOU GAMBLED OUR FREAKING SOULS AWAY!" Mugman screamed back, his voice cracking. "YOU WERE SO FOCUSED ON THOSE EASY RICHES THAT YOU DIDN'T EVEN THINK OF THE CONSEQUENCES IF YOU LOST! WE COULD HAVE JUST WALKED OUT OF THERE, BUT YOU JUST HAD TO STAY AND TRY TO GET THAT MONEY! I BET IF YOU DID WIN, YOU WOULD HAVE HOGGED IT ALL TO YOURSELF, LEAVE ME AND ELDER KETTLE TO ROT AND RUN OFF SOMEWHERE, AND FORGET ALL ABOUT US! YOU'D FORGET ALL ABOUT ME! AND NEITHER OF US WOULD EVER SEE YOU AGAIN! I BET YOU DIDN'T EVEN THINK OF THAT, HUH?! THAT'S BECAUSE YOU'RE SO SELFISH AND SELF-ASBORBED, YOU DON'T CARE TO!"
"GEE, I'M SORRY, I AIN'T PERFECT! HOW THE HELL WAS I SUPPOSED TO KNOW WE WERE GONNA LOSE SO EASILY IN THE FIRST PLACE?! YA MAKE ONE MISTAKE IN FRONT OF MUGS, AND HE GOES CRAZY ABOUT IT! THAT STUPID DEVIL COULD HAVE TRICKED ME FOR ALL WE KNOW, SO WHY ARE YOU BLAMING ME!? IT WAS A MISTAKE, MUGMAN! GET OVER IT!"
"GET OVER IT!?" Mugman repeated, shaking with rage. "Get over it!? Cuphead, I swear, I...I...I HATE YOU!" He screamed, so loudly that he was sure that all of Inkwell Isle had him. Cup's eyes widened, bewildered and shocked beyond belief. "I...I hate you!" Mugman repeated, gazing down at the ground, his gloved hands clenched in tight fists. "You never think of others, and I hate you for that! You're so selfish, and reckless all the time, and your always putting others in danger! You're a horrible brother! I wish I never had one in the first place!"
...Silence filled the air. Mugman stared at the ground for a few minutes, still angry. When he looked back up, he was shocked to see Cups unmoved by his words. Cuphead swallowed, "Well," He started slowly, meeting Mug's icy gaze. "I guess if that's the case, then you won't be needing to go on this journey then, will ya?"
Mugman glared at him. "...No," He muttered. "Guess not." The two turned and they parted ways, Mugman leaving the quickest. Cuphead glanced at the empty trail behind him and choked on a sob, wiping aggressively at his eyes. It was for the best, anyways. The last thing he wanted was for his brother to die because of his foolish actions. With that thought, the red cup brother turned and disappeared into the darkness.
That night, Mugs slowly trudged over to his house and opened the door, walking in to be greeted by Elder Kettle. "Hello, Mugman!" Elder Kettle greeted with a grin. "Did you boys have a nice adventure?" Mugs gave him a small faux smile. "Hi, gramps. Yeah, it was interesting, I'll give you that." "Well, that sounds promising. Why don't you sit down? I made some food not too long ago, and you may as well eat it before it gets cold!"
Dinner was silent and awkward. Mugman played with his food more than he really ate it, poking at it with his fork with his one hand, and another had his head resting in it, his elbow on the table, lost in deep thought. Elder Kettle frowned, sensing a problem. He cleared his throat, grabbing Mug's attention. "So?" He said. "Where's your brother?"
Elder Kettle lost his youngest grandson's attention as quickly as he got it and Mugs merely shrugged, looking back down at his food. "I don't know," He muttered, purposely making it loud enough for his grandpa to hear. "Sorry, should I care?"
Kettle was startled at this, and his frown deepened. "Oh no." He said gravely. "What happened?"
Mugman shrugged again. "Mugman," Kettle said again, this time more sternly, causing Mugs to look up at him, except this time gazing directly at him. "Tell me what happened, Mugman."
"...You'd be mad if I told you," Mugman choked, "...You'd hate me even."
Kettle's gaze softened slightly. "No matter how dumb or ridiculous it is, no mistake could ever make me hate either of my grandsons. Ever. But still, I need you to tell me. I promise, I'll stay calm and I won't hate you."
The blue clad boy sighed heavily, tears beginning to shine in his eyes. "...I'm sorry, gramps," He started shakily. "We messed up. We messed up big this time. You know the casino you kept telling us over and over not to go into? We went there. And then Cuphead started gambling, and gambling, and he kept on winning, but then... the devil himself came along, and he told us that if we won against him, then we could have all the money in the casino, but if we lost, we owe him our souls. I knew it wasn't right, and I begged Cups not to do it, but... he wouldn't listen to me! And then we lost, he spared us, but now we have to collect his debtor's souls by midnight tomorrow! I'm sorry, grandpa, I'm sorry! I'm really, really sorry!" Mugs ended, bursting into tears, burying his face in his hands.
Kettle sighed. He knew this would happen one day. His grandsons would make a mistake so big that they would have to figure it out without him. What worried him was that it would be big just like this. But now wasn't the time to be disappointed or angry. Now was the time to help his boys like he always does.
Elder Kettle reached out and touched Mug's shoulder, and the blue clad looked up at him with tears streaming down his face. "...That's... not it, is it?" Kettle sighed, rubbing his grandson's back. Mug sniffled, shaking his head. "N-No," He croaked. "M-Me and Cups, w-we got into a h-huge fight on the way home. I was really mad at him for gambling our souls away, and he got mad too, and so we fought really, really bad. I told him some pretty horrible things, even more bad then what he told me, and then we just left each other, and I don't know where he is now!" He sobbed, full on hugging his grandpa. "He thinks I'm weak, gramps!"
Kettle sighed, hugging his grandson tightly and petting his back. "Now, Mugman," He started softly. "That's not true. I've raised you and your brother your whole lives, and I know him well enough to know that he does not think that you're weak."
"B-But... *Hic* He said so! *Sob* He said so.."
"He was just angry. You know Cuphead, when he gets upset like that, he often says things out of line. That doesn't mean that he meant what he said. He was mad, that's all. Listen to me, Mugman. Your brother loves you more than anyone else we know. He values you deeply, and he'll sacrifice anything, even himself, to keep you safe. He's always been there for you, and he always will be there for you. It may not seem like it now, but he really does love you. Which is why you have to go after him. I know that you're upset with him right now, but he is your brother."
"But what if he doesn't forgive me for what I said?" Mugman whimpered.
Kettle smiled, squeezing Mugman's shoulder reassuringly. "He will. Believe me, he will. Now go get some rest. You'll need it for tomorrow."
"...Alright..." Mugs sniffled, slowly pulling away from Kettle. "Night, gramps." He muttered, and slowly walked up to his and Cuphead's room, shutting the door behind him. He looked up above Cuphead's bed and saw a picture of Mugs attacking him in a hug, and Cuphead grinning bashfully while hugging him back with one hand, trying to keep his balance. Mug's eyes filled with tears and he sniffled, climbing into his own bed as he buried his face in his pillow, sobbing, crying until he eventually fell asleep.
Mugs groaned, gradually opening his eyes. When he did so, his half open eyes widened to see that he was on the ground in front of the devil's casino. Grunting, he picked himself up. "How did I get here?" He mumbled, bewildered. "I don't even remember getting up this morning or saying goodbye to gramps..." Abruptly, his eyes widened. "Cuphead!" He said under his breath, and he rushed into the casino.
The young boy quietly wandered the casino, trying his hardest to go unnoticed by anyone, including King Dice in one room.
"Aha, Cuphead!" Boomed a voice from in one room and Mugs gasped, running over and hiding behind a corner, peeking out. His eyes widened to the size of dinner plates when he saw his older brother in front of the devil himself.
"Wonderful job! Join my team!" The devil cheered wickedly. "...Only if you swear you'll stay the hell away from my brother and grandpa." Cuphead ordered, sounding a little scared, hesitant, but most importantly confident and certain. Mug's gasped, beginning to shake. "Cuphead, no!" He whimpered.
The devil smirked. "Of course! A deal is a deal, after all!"
Cuphead nodded silently, and began to hand him the contracts. Mugman gasped and began to run out. "CUPS, NO!" He screamed. But it was too late! The devil smirked, grabbing the contracts just as Mugs reached his brother. Mugman gaped when he saw the deformed appearance of his brother. Tears welled up in his eyes. "Cups..." He muttered. "This is my fault... I never should've left... I'm sorry!" He sobbed, falling to his knees.
The devil chuckled demonically. "And now it's your turn!" He boomed.
Mugs gasped and looked up; all at once, everything turned black.
Mugman screamed, shooting up in bed. He breathed heavily and gasped for air, his eyes impossibly wide. After he calmed down a little, he glanced over at Cuphead's empty bed and realization hit him like a brick. The boy jumped out of his bed and rushed out the bedroom, and out the door while grabbing his hoodie in the process.
Mugman was a very fast runner; almost as fast as Cuphead, who was one of the fastest in Inkwell Isle. It didn't take him long to get to where he wanted to go, saying a quick "hi" and "bye" as he sped by whenever somebody greeted him. Sweat trickled down the sides of his face and he felt his legs beginning to give in, but he kept running.
Finally, when he began to reach the casino, he felt his heart skip a beat when he saw what looked like Cuphead in the distance walking towards the doors. "CUPS, STOP!" Mugs yelled, and Cuphead jumped, startled, slowly turning around. Mugs skidded to a stop, his chest heaving with his heavy breathing and he wiped away some sweat with the back of his gloved hand. He regretted wearing a hoodie and running at such a pace at the same time.
/Please let this be the real him.../ Mugman thought. /Please let it be him...!/
Cuphead slowly turned around, and looked at him, startled. "Mugs...?" He uttered. "What're you doing here? It's too-w-woah!"
Mugs sobbed, falling into Cuphead's arms and wrapping his arms around his neck, burying his face in his chest. "I'm so sorry, Cups! I never should of left you! You're stupid, selfish, and reckless at times, but you're also really kind, loving, and selfless all the time, and you're the best brother I could ever ask for! Please, Please! I love you so much, and I could never hate you! I love you, so please don't do this! Don't leave me!" Mugs ended in a choked sob, his tears soaking Cup's shirt.
"I'm sorry too, Mugs" Cups said softly, hugging his brother tightly, rubbing the younger boy's back. "I'm sorry that I threw that dice in the first place. But I promise, I'll finish this just like I started it. It'll be okay, I promise."
"I don't hate you...I love you so much...You're the best brother ever..." Mugman said, his voice muffled.
"Thanks, Mugsy. You're forgiven. And you're not weak, alright? You're the strongest guy I know. I love ya too." Cuphead said with a big grin, pulling away and caressing his brother's face, wiping away his tears before kissing his head, causing Mugs to giggle.
"You ready to go beat the devil and set things right, Mugs?" Cuphead asked, smiling. Mugman nodded. "Yeah. Let's go!" Mugman and Cuphead walked towards the casino, hands intertwined, ready to settle things once and for all.