~Chapter 11-Misunderstanding~
"..I'll take care of it, Mugs. Just don't worry 'bout it, alright? I'll handle it, and you just stay in the sidelines." Cuphead told his brother for the fifth time in a row after Mugman expressed his nervousness about facing Hilda Berg. Hilda wasn't like the other debtors. Yes, Cuphead and his brother had a close realationship with all the debtors before this madness, but out of all of them, Hilda, Cagney, The Root Pack and Baroness Von Bon Bon were the ones they were closest to. Or used to be closest to. Cup had no doubt in his mind that they especially would hate them-no-hate him after all this. In truth, Cuphead couldn't really blame them.

The older walked ahead of Mugman, list of debtors clenched in one of his fists, the younger hesitantly trailing behind. Cuphead's eyes narrowed, his free hand coming up to clench his chest as a painful feeling settled itself inside his heart. He deserved it, but it still hurt. Cuphead had grown to see Baroness as a motherly figure, the way she always fussed and worried over him whenever he saw him out somewhere he shouldn't be, Hilda as an aunt because she was always there to care for and hang with him, and the Root Pack and Cagney as Uncles, guys he could always turn to if he needed them.

Everything would be different now. It was his fault, and Cuphead absolutely hated it. The boy gritted his teeth in silent anger.

Mugman caught up to him and walked beside him. "Hey, Cuphead," he started awkwardly, sensing his pain and anger. Cuphead always acted quiet and bitter, the polar opposite of his usual reckless and energetic self, whenever he felt this way.

"What?" Cuphead mumbled in response.

"I..." Mugs started, then paused, unsure of how to put it.

"Spit it out," Cup ordered, tone coming out curt, sharp as a nail and cold without meaning it to.

Mug paused for the longest minute before shaking his head. "Remember when we were kids? How on our birthday, Bon Bon would always come over with our favorite homemade red velvet cheesecake cupcakes? Remember that?"

"Yeah," Cup riposted slowly. "What of it, bro?"

Mugs shrugged. "Nothing. I'm just thinking about how things used to be. Do you think it'll ever be the same again? Don't lie to me."

Cuphead sighed softly. "No." He answered honestly. "Don't think so. Too much has happened at this point."

Mug nodded mutely, deciding to change the subject. "You got a plan for the battle? Are you finally gonna let me be in the lead?"

Cup's head snapped up and he glared at his brother. "Ha! I knew it!"

Mug frowned, holding up his hands as Cup got in his face. "What? Knew what?"

"Should've seen that comin'. You only got me on that sappy, emotional subjcect so I could maybe let you be in the lead, isn't that right?"

Mugman sighed, "I wasn't trying to be manipulative Cuphead, but every single time I ask you, you just shoot me down."

"Every time counts as this time as well. I am not letting you lead. Ain't happenin'." Cuphead countered.

Mugman gaped, "What?!"

"I didn't stutter."

Mugs narrowed his eyes. "So what? You say it's not happening, and that's the end of it?"

"Considering the fact that I'm the oldest, yeah." Cup riposted with a glare himself.

"Cuphead! That ain't fair!"

"Not supposed ta be fair."

"Are you serious right now!? You haven't let me lead since we started our journey!"

"Which I have a very good reason for."

"Which is?"

"None of yer business, Mug."

"See!?" Mugs exclaimed in frustration, cheeks tinted a bright red. "There is no good reason, is there!?"

"You know that ain't true." Cuphead mumbled. /I'm doing this ta protect ya, ya idiot, why can't ya see that? Why can't ya see I'd hate myself if anything ever happened ta ya on my watch?/ he thought.

Carmine eyes met Azure. "There's always a good reason, Mugman." Cuphead stated sternly, walking past him. "C'mon, let's go. Hurry it up."

Mugs growled in frustration, folding his arms across his chest as he followed his brother.

Mugman loved his brother, of course he did. But sometimes Cuphead just got so bossy. It annoyed the younger to the bone. Mugs knew that Cuphead wasn't some power hungry guy, though. For the most part, Cuphead was this fun-loving, sweet amazing guy to be around, and on that note, an amazing brother. But boy, did he and Cuphead get into the stupidest spats and arguments, including this one right now. Again, Mug knew Cup wasn't the power hungry type who enjoyed bossing him around. Still, he couldn't help but feel like Cups sometimes took advantage of being in charge. In the end, Mug supposed he would do the same thing if he were the oldest, in a way.

Still. Mugman shook his head in anger. He still couldn't understand why Cuphead wouldn't let him lead at least once. Cuphead was goofy and fun, but at times could get unfair and ridiculous.

Cuphead saw his brother falling behind and stopped. "How long are ya gonna be mad at me for?"

"Long as I want to." Mug snorted as he walked straight past him.

Cuphead snorted as well, except he had a smirk appearing on his face. "Oh c'monnn," Cuphead snickered as he caught up to the younger, resting a hand on his shoulder. "Ya know ya can't stay mad at me forever. You've tried before and ya failed."

"Maybe I'll succeed this time." Mug retorted, ignoring a smile tugging at his lips. He knew Cuphead was right, and was struggling to prove him wrong.

"Yeah right! C'mon Mugsy, show me a smile! Please?" Cuphead teased.

Mugman merely glanced at his brother, and at seeing Cup's smirk, a smirk appeared on his own face and he burst into laughter. "Cuphead, you're a idiot."

"I know, I know." Cuphead snickered, walking ahead. "See? Told ya! Now c'mon, let's get this battle over with."

The confrontation was awkward and scary to say the least. Compared to the other debtors, Hilda didn't say a thing. Just one dirty glare at the two boys showed her anger, disappointment and digust in them, and that the battle was for sure on. They both made notes to themelves to especially make up with her after this hell was over.

Battle with Hilda was a huge struggle. Out of the corner of his eye, Mugs saw that Cuphead was certainly struggling to keep up with the debtor. He scowled, but his eyes abruptly widened as Cuphead yelled at him to duck, which he did as Hilda sent an attack his way.

"Cuphead!" The younger exclaimed at his brother with a scowl. "C'mon! Let me lead! I can handle it, and you're struggling!"

"No way!" Cups exclaimed in response as he dodged another attack. "I said no, Mugman! Not gonna happen!"

"I don't care! I wanna lead!"

"I said no!"

"Cuphead!"

"No, Mugman!"

"Can you think logically for once?! You're having a rough time, and I can help, you idiot!"

"Oh my God-are we seriously having this argument right now!?"

"Yeah, I think we seriously are!" Mugs spat in return as he dodged. "C'mon Cups!"

Cuphead hesitated, then growled in frustration as he backed up. "Ugh, fine!" The hot-headed teacup exclaimed. "But I swear Mugman, if you get hurt-"

"I won't."

"-I'll get pissed ta the point where you'll regret wanting to lead." Cuphead warned.

Mugman snorted, rolling his eyes. "Yeah Yeah, chill bro. You're all talk and no action."

"I'm serious, Mugman."

"Never said ya weren't."

"Be careful, ya moron."

"I will be." Mugman riposted as he went up ahead. Mugman took over fighting Hilda as Cuphead stayed back in the sidelines. He fought, throwing his own attacks and dodging Hilda's.

After a while, close to the end of the battle, Mugman flew close to Cuphead, smirking whilst sticking his tongue out childishly. "Can't handle it, huh?" He teased.

Cuphead rolled his eyes, resting his head in his hand. "I'm still better than you at this." He stated bluntly.

This irked Mugman. He glared, "Liar! No you aren't!"

"Yeah I am."

"The hell you are!"

"Yes actually, I-" Cuphead froze, eyes dilating in terror as he saw an attack heading straight for his brother. He turned to him. "MUGMAN, LOOK O-" He started to scream, but was too late as the attack had already hit Mugman's plane, smoke coming out from the plane, and Mugman yelped as he was crash landing rapidly towards the ground, and finally hit with a loud crash, successfully knocking the boy unconscious.

"MUGMAN!" Cuphead screamed.

Cuphead wasted no time. After seeing what had happened in terror, Hilda had reluctantly given Cuphead her soul, and the boy thanked her, promising her that he would make things right. After shoving the contract roughly in his pocket, Cuphead quickly landed his plane, jumped out and ran over to his brother's.

"Mugs!" He exclaimed in sheer panic as he reached Mug's plane.

"Oh God, what were ya thinkin'...why the hell didn't ya listen ta me..." Cuphead mumbled to himself, voice slightly shaky as he pulled his unconscious brother out of the plane.

"Shouldn't have never said yes...this is all my friggin' fault..." he murmured as he gathered Mugman into his arms and gently put him on the ground, leaning over him on his knees.

"Mugman," Cuphead uttered as he shook his brother. "Mugs, c'mon, quit foolin' 'round with me! Wake up!"

"Mugs c'mon..." Cups checked the younger for any injuries, which there weren't any except Mug's two legs slightly cracked, so the boy wouldn't be able to walk, which was both a relief to Cuphead that there weren't any others too serious, but still a huge concern that he wouldn't be able to walk and that Mugman still wasn't awake, despite the fact that the younger was still very much alive.

Cuphead smiled shakily in an attempt to comfort himself. "Th-This is just a cruel joke, right? Just ta make me worry and scare me? Well knock it off, 'cause it ain't funny and it ain't working."

A long pause, before Cuphead's smile dropped and his throat tightened. "..Okay, Okay maybe it is working. Mugs, c'mon you're scaring me. Wake up."

"Mug...you're worrying me...I'm scared...please wake up...please..." Cups choked. Not his baby brother. "Please bro...please...open yer eyes..."

"You boys have fun!" Kettle called out as 6-year-old Cuphead and Mugman ran out of the house. "And be careful!"

"We will, Gramps!" Cups and Mugs called back in union before running faster.

"Where are we going Cups?" Mugman panted once they came to a stop.

"Over there!" Cuphead riposted with a grin, pointing at the forest up ahead.

Mug frowned nervously. "O-Over there? You mean...that forest?"

Cuphead's smile fell. "Uhh..yeah? I don't see any other forest 'sides that one, bro."

"Cups...I dunno...I don't think we should play hide and seek in there. Gramps said it's dangerous and we could get lost. Remember last time we got lost somewhere? Gramps got worried, and he had to come out and find us. Remember how angry he was once he found us? Remember?" Mugs reminded the older.

Cuphead shivered slightly at the vivid memory. "Yeah. 'Specially at me." He then shook it off, grinning again. "But we're not going to get lost this time. Promise!" He uttered jovially.

"Cuphead..." Mugman still cautioned.

"Chicken?" Cups teased with a smirk. "Is Mugs too scared to go in the forest? You 'fraid?"

"Back off..." Mugs mumbled with a scowl, cheeks tinted red, something that always happened when he got mad or irritated, folding his arms across his chest. "I am not a chicken. I'm not afraid, either. I just don't wanna get in trouble."

"And we won't! C'mon, Mugs! It'll be fun! Only for a little while, I promise."

"You sure?" Mug questioned. "Only for a bit?"

"Have I ever gone back on my promises to you?"

"N-No..." Mug answered, smiling a bit. "Alright, Cups. Y-You win."

"Woo!" Cuphead cheered triumphantly, grabbing Mug's hand and took off running without giving the startled younger a chance to react. "Let's go!"

Once they were inside the forest, Cuphead grinned at his brother. "Alright! I'll seek first, and you go hide!"

Mugman snorted, rolling his eyes at his brother's amusement. "Yeah Yeah, I got it. No peeking, by the way."

"I won't." Cup stated, and after he saw Mugs run off, he turned back to the tree, covered his eyes, and began counting.

"One..."

Mugs panted as he ran throughout the forest, at the moment, not caring about how lost he got.

"Two..."

"Three..."

The blue clad finally stopped at a tree. He frowned. It wasn't exactly the best hiding spot, as he knew Cuphead would look in the trees, but he knew his brother well enough to know that Cups certainly wouldn't look up in a tree right away. With an uncertain sigh, Mugs began climbing the high tree, almost falling a few times, but managing to catch himself. However, when the boy looked down, he froze at how high up he was, not being able to believe that he had forgotten about his fear of heights. As he began to panic, sweat beading the sides of his head and pupils wide in horror, he missed his footing on a branch and screamed as he fell to the ground.

Cuphead froze as a scream rang throughout the woods, four dying on his lips. The boy spun around, blood running cold. "MUGMAN!" He screamed, taking off to search for his brother. "Mug! Mugs, where are you?!"

After a few more minutes of searching, the older finally found him unconscious.

Cup's heart pounded in alarm. "Mugs!" He exclaimed as he got closer and leaned over him. "Mug...Mug c'mon..." A light punch to his shoulder. "Mugman...wake up.."

Mugman groaned aloud, reaching up with one hand and touching his throbbing head. He swallowed and squinted as a pair of tearful carmine eyes came into view. He groaned again. "C-Cuphead...?" He uttered, voice cracking slightly on the name.

At hearing his name, Cuphead swallowed hard, breathing out a sigh of relief. The older merely lurched forward, gathering the latter in a tight hug, startling the younger at first, but hugged back after a few moments.

An awkward silence filled the air as Cuphead fixed Mug's injuries with the special glue, and afterwards gave Mug a look that said 'Can you walk?' without even opening his mouth. Mugman got up and tried to walk, but Cup quickly caught him as he fell, Mugs shaking his head in embarrassment and shame. "It's okay.." Cuphead assured in a quiet mumble as he slung Mug's arm over his shoulder and placed a hand on his back, helping him limp away after they had gathered all their stuff.

The walk home wasn't any better. Cuphead avoided Mug's eyes and wasn't talking at all, which was extremely unlike him. However, Mugs noticed that Cup was red in the face, and his eyes were narrowed, and Mugs was able to hear the slight boil and bubbling in the milk in Cup's head, something that always happens when Cup is angry. He was pretty mad, wasn't he?

"Cuphead..." Mugs started awkwardly, "What happened?"

"What do ya think happened?" Cuphead hissed through clenched teeth, startling Mugman. Yup, he was pissed.

"I told ya that I had it under control, Mug! I told ya that I didn't want ya ta lead! But did ya listen? Nope! I can't believe ya were such an idiot!"

Mugs narrowed his own eyes. "I was not an idiot, Cup! I knew what I was doing!"

"If ya did then how come ya crashed?!"

"How the hell was I supposed to know that I was gonna crash!? I was almost one hundred percent sure that nothing bad was gonna happen!"

"See!? That's the thing, if ya ain't one hundred percent sure that nothing bad was gonna happen, ya shouldn't have done that in the first place!"

"Will you just knock it off already!? Lay off!"

"You lay off!"

The bickering continued even when the two boys got home, not bothering to say hello to Elder Kettle as Cuphead set his brother on the couch before they continued yelling at each other.

Kettle glanced between his two grandsons back and forward as they argued, being able to grip what it was about, but was tired of all the screaming. He glared and yelled, "ALRIGHT! BOYS, THAT'S ENOUGH!"

The two jumped slightly and instantly stopped arguing, but kept their glares on each other with folded arms.

Kettle sighed with a scowl. "Alright, first of all, I'm going to deal with your injury, Mugman. Cuphead, I demand that you go to your room in the process."

Cup's eyes widened in shock and he glared. "W-What!? Are you saying that I'm the only one in trouble here!?"

"I didn't say that. I'm not happy with your brother, but I'm not happy with you either. Now please go to your room."

Cuphead stood there, clenching his fists, body shaking slightly, tears of frustration burning in his eyes. "Y-You always take his side!" He exclaimed.

Kettle spun around, startled. "Cuphead...!"

Cuphead pursed his lips together, a small tearful "mmph!" Escaping them as he turned on his heel, running off and slamming the door so hard both Kettle and Mugman flinched.

"What'd he say that for?" Mugs asked, perplexed as Kettle tended to his legs. "You never take my side all the time. You don't take any sides."

Kettle sighed. "My best guess is that it's just nonsense because he's so upset. Don't worry about it, I'll talk with him later. However, my advice for you is to give him space for the rest of the night considering his situation." Mugs nodded.

Later on that night, Kettle knocked on Cuphead's door. "Cuphead?"

"C-Come in." Came a choked up voice from inside.

Kettle opened the door and saw Cuphead sitting on the edge of his bed, knees pulled to his chest and head resting on his arms. He glanced up as Kettle walked over.

"'M sorry.." Cuphead apologized, sounding abruptly exhausted. "I didn't mean ta snap at ya Gramps. What I said was just crap, I don't know what I was sayin'. I'm just so friggin' pissed at Mugman."

"Why?" Kettle asked with curiosity.

Cup exhaled shakily, "'Cause even though I told him not ta lead, 'cause he can get hurt, he still didn't listen ta me and begged me ta let him lead, which I eventually did, and before I knew it, he was crashing one minute and out cold the next. It freaked me out. It's basically that forest incident all over again.."

"Were you scared?"

Cups froze. He gradually nodded, hugging his knees closer and putting his head down in his arms. "Really scared..." He admitted in a choke.

"Cuphead, I feel you should talk this over with your brother tomorrow while I'm gone. It will make you feel a lot better." Kettle advised with a frown.

"What if he doesn't listen to me?" Came Cup's muffled voice.

"He will. Trust me, my boy."

Cuphead nodded, leaning into his grandfather as Kettle rubbed his back.

The next morning, Mugs got up surprisingly earlier than usual. He tried to go back to sleep, but since he found that he couldn't, he decided that he may as well eat breakfast.

As Mugman passed his and Cuphead's shared room, the boy instantly froze. At first he thought he was hearing things, but it was confirmed he wasn't when he heard the sound again. A sob. Followed by another, and another. Heavy sobs and sniffles came from inside the room, muffled and pain filled. The first thing Mugs thought of was his brother.

/Cup?/ Mugs thought to himself with concern. He decided to investigate, grabbing the doorknob and turning it, quietly opening the door and peaking in.

Mug froze as he saw the figure under the blankets quaking violently. He felt a pang of guilt as he walked in, quietly shutting the door behind him.

He walked closer to the older's bed, reaching over and resting a hand on the shaking figure. "Cups..."

Cuphead yelpled whilst jumping in surprise, gradually sitting up and pulling the blanket off of him. Mugman gaped at the tears streaming down his face despite Cup's shaky smile.

"M-Mug..." Cups stammered. "When d-did you get in here? D-Don't you hate getting up early?"

Mugman ignored his question, reaching forward and squeezing his shoulder. "Cuphead.." he said again. "Are you okay?"

It was Cup's turn to freeze, before laughing as he wiped away some tears. "O-Of course I'm okay. I-I d-don't even know why it won't stop, e-everything's fine..you're right here...God it's so stupid..."

"Stop." Mug cut him off with a frown. "Just stop it. It ain't stupid, ya idiot."

Cuphead merely laughed some more. He froze again when Mugs reached forward and hugged him tightly. The older's face contorted and he hesitated for a minute, before he hugged back, sobbing whilst squeezing Mugs extremely tightly, but to the point where the blue clad could still breathe. "I'm sorry..." Mug apologized. "I'm sorry, Cuphead...I didn't mean to scare ya.."

Cups sniffled, clenching him tighter. "I-It's... *Hic* a-alright Mug...I-I'm j-just...*Hic* glad y-yer okay.."

Mugman positioned himself where the older was on his lap, his head falling against Mug's chest as he sobbed weakly, small shoulders wrenching, hands limp at his side. Mugman rubbed circles into his back.

"Cuphead, when are you going to finally realize and learn that keeping all this inside isn't good or healthy for you?" Mug breathed in exasperation and concern.

"B-But I h-have t-ta," Cups choked out as a reply, sniffling. "I-If I s-show w-weakness, i-it m-might g-get y-ya k-killed o-one o-of these days...I-I c-can't show any e-emotion...*Hic* f-for y-yer s-sake..."

Mugs gaped before scowling sternly at this. "What!? No! That's crud, Cuphead!"

"Mugman..."

"No!" Mugs cut him off. "How do you expect to look after me if you can't even look after yourself?"

"I-I m-manage."

Mug resisted the urge to facepalm in frustration. "Listen to me, Cup, and listen well okay? I don't want you hiding these feelings anymore. Whenever you feel this way, just come to me or Gramps, alright? We're not gonna think it's weak and we're not gonna think it's pathetic, especially not me. Just talk to me, okay? What else am I here for?"

Cups nodded, sniffling. "O-Okay. T-Thanks, Mug."

Mug finally grinned. "No problem, bro. Now c'mon, let's go eat some delicious pancakes!"

Kitten: Hi guys! Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday! I'm thankful for my family, friends, and all of you! Thanks so much for the support!

So, just to explain Cups. He's a reckless daredevil, but if anything happened to Mugs, he wouldn't know what to do. He's a hothead, so he gets angry pretty easily, but overall he's a sweet kid. Like mentioned before, Cup feels it's his responsibility to keep him safe, so Cuphead can't imagine ever failing to do so. When it comes to his brother, he can get overprotective and pretty serious, but that's just because he wants to protect and keep him safe in the end. Cup fears emotions will slow him down, and he can't stand the thought of losing him. He loves the hell outta his brother after all!

Anywayy I should get some sleep! Cup, Mug help me out!

Kitten, Cuphead & Mugman: Happy Thanksgiving!