~Chapter 12-Ill~

Mugman frowned as he climbed up on his brother's bed. He found it strange that he was the first one up while his brother still slept, blanket pulled over him, covering his entire body.

Mugs sighed softly as he pulled the blanket off Cups a little. The older slept, face contorted in somewhat of an half-uncomfortable, half-peaceful expression with one brow narrowed while the other raised normally, chest rising and falling steadily, breaths slow and heavy, mouth slightly open ajar as he slept, hands clutched into fists like always. /Y'know,/ Mug thought to himself. /Cup always looks younger than me when he sleeps./

The boy smirked softly, lightly flicking the older in the head affectionately before pulling the blanket back up and jumping down.

Mug walked into the kitchen to make himself some hot chocolate. While the sink filled his cup up with water, an idea struck him and he gave a devious smirk as he looked back toward his and Cuphead's room.

Mugs snuck back into the room as quietly as he could. His smirk grew wider as he pulled down the blankets while getting close to Cup. Holding back a snort of laughter, Mugs tipped the cup over, pouring the ice cold water all over his brother's face, causing Cup's eyes to snap open as he coughed and gasped and shock as he shot up, rubbing his face. Mug laughed hard at his brother's reaction.

Cup looked over and glared slightly at his brother. "Mug, the hell!?"

Mug snorted a little in laughter. "S-Sorry bro. Couldn't resist. Won't do it again, I promise."

"Better not do it again, or I swear I'll get ya if ya do." Cup stated, sentence being slurred by a sleepy yawn as he rubbed at his eyes. "What time is it anyway?"

Mugs shrugged, "Dunno. It's later then when you usually get up, I know that much. Why were you sleeping in so long anyway? Not enough sleep or something?"

"Somethin' like that, I guess." Cuphead agreed quietly. His head hurt for some reason, and it felt hot like hell in his and Mug's room. "Hey bro, does it feel hot in here ta ya?"

Mug furrowed a brow in confusion. "No." If anything, it was a little cold, why would Cup think it's warm? "Why, does it feel hot to you?"

"A little." Cup confessed.

"Well it's not hot for me. Maybe because you sleep with a lot of warm things?" Mug suggested.

"Maybe."

Mug's frown deepened, wanting to ask more, but Cups changed the subject on him like usual.

"Hey, can you go make some breakfast? I'm hungry." Cup asked him with a small grin.

Mug smiled a little himself, deciding to shake the previous conversation off. "Uh, okay. Let's get up and go eat."

As the duo entered the kitchen, Mugs couldn't help but feel like there was something up with the older. Was he feeling okay?

"Spacin' out or somethin'?" He heard Cups say from behind him, causing the younger to yelp in surprise as he jumped, before spinning around and glaring at Cuphead, punching him in the shoulder. "Cuphead! Seriously!?"

Cuphead snickered, rubbing at his arm even though it didn't hurt all that much. "Sorry pal. But y'know what they say 'bout karma."

Mug rolled his eyes and smacked him lightly on the back of the head. "Go sit down before I kick your ass, Cup."

Cup laughed again, "Whatever, bro."

"Hey Cup, wanna go sledding with Hilda and the others this afternoon? It's getting really cold outside, and it already snowed for the first time last night." Mugs asked as he baked his blueberry pancakes that Cuphead loved so much.

"Uh, sure bro." Cups yawned. "Whatever ya want. I don't know if I wanna sled though. I'll probably just sit and watch you and the others this time."

Mugs gaped as he turned to face his brother whilst putting the plate down in front of him. "What did you say?"

"I just don't really feel like sledding this time, that's all." Cup repeated and reached for the pancakes, frowning when Mugs pulled it away from him a little.

Mug gave him an incredulous look. "You don't wanna go sledding? Cups, you're the one who began suggesting it in the first place! You love it, why the hell wouldn't you wanna do it?"

Cuphead rolled his carmine eyes as he pulled the plate from Mug's grasp and over to him. He shrugged as he cut a piece of pancake and popped it in his mouth. "Just don't wanna this time, ya don't need ta make it a Broadway play." he stated in between bites and chewing.

"Cup, don't talk with your mouth full." Mug scolded as he walked away to make himself some coffee.

"Yes, Gramps."

Mugs smirked at the older over his shoulder before he returned his attention to his task at hand. "Be a smart-ass all you want. If don't keep you on your feet, no one will."

Cups merely shrugged again mutely as he popped another piece into his mouth, blushing slightly in embarrassment at Mug's comment. Abruptly, his eyes widened in fear and he dropped his fork on his plate, clamping his hand over his mouth as his stomach gave a violent jump, feeling something unpleasant tasting beginning to climb up his throat. Sweat beaded his head as he removed his hand slightly, looking up at Mug.

"'M...gonna go to the bathroom. I-I'm done, so just c-clear my plate, w-will ya bro?" he said nervously.

"Whatever." Came Mug's slightly amused response as he poured his coffee into a cup, snickering softly as he watched Cup speed by, unaware of what was really going on with him.

Cuphead locked the door behind him, and fell to his knees as he finally uncovered his mouth, throwing up his breakfast and last night's dinner, coughing, gasping and gagging whilst trembling violently. When he was done, he cringed with closed eyes, not wanting to look and backed away as he flushed the toilet. Standing up shakily, he saw in the mirror that he looked terribly pale, face slightly red. He turned the sink on and splashed water on his face, hoping it would help, which it did a little.

When he walked back into the kitchen, Mugman was halfway through his coffee. He smirked teasingly at Cuphead. "It's about time you come out, bro. What were you doing in there anyways? Messing around like always, huh?" he snickered softly.

Cuphead didn't reply, only shrugged as he walked over and leaned against the counter.

Mug frowned, smirk dropping at his odd behavior. "Hey," he said softly; Cup met his azure gaze. Mugs cocked his head to the side. "You don't look too good. You alright?" he asked gently.

Cup swallowed before laughing weakly. "What? Pfft! 'Course I'm okay! Just a little tired still, honest."

A small yelp abruptly escaped his throat as Mug suddenly got close up in his face with a glare, noses nearly touching. "What.." Cups swallowed apprehensively, leaning back as Mug did so."What're ya doin'?"

Mug only sighed, backing away and Cup regained his composure. "You sure it's nothing?"

"Positive." Cup stated, resisting the urge to wince as pain tore at him. He's barely ever lied to Mugs, nor has he ever looked Mug straight in the eyes and lied to him like this.

Mug smiled slightly. "Alright then. I believe you." he paused, "Look, go bundle up. We should head out now."

"Hi guys!" Mug greeted with a big grin as he ran toward Hilda, Cagney and the Root Pack, Cuphead hot on his heels. The boys hugged the five before standing beside each other, Cuphead feeling uncomfortable due to the urge of wanting to take the heavy coat off because it was so hot, but wanting it on even tighter because it was so cold at the same time.

"You guys ready to sled?" Hilda asked excitedly.

"Yeah!" Mugs cheered with a grin. "It's gonna be so much fun! Thanks for meeting us out here by the way!"

"Of course!" Hilda snickered, flicking both boys lightly on the head. "Anything for our favorite tea cups!"

Cups and Mugs rolled their eyes with amused smirks at the nickname.

"What about you, Cup boy?" Psycarrot asked Cuphead with a smirk.

"He doesn't feel like sledding this time." Mugs cut in before Cup could reply after standing there for a few seconds, feeling awkward. He grinned teasingly at his brother. "Party crasher."

Cup snorted, yet he couldn't help the small smirk. "Whatever. I'm just gonna sit down over here."

Mugs shrugged. "Okay. Me and the others will be over there sledding." he pointed.

Cups nodded, resisting the urge to wince as he felt the dizziness return, and suddenly his head felt heavy. He trudged over to the tree, oblivious to Mugs eying him warily. The dizziness and nausea combined finally became unbearable and he lost his balance, stumbling and falling down into the cold snow. He heard Hilda gasp and Weepy call "C-C-Cuphead!?" in alarm, and heard a small smoosh the snow made as someone knelt beside him and picked him up as he blacked out.

Mwahahaha! I'm ending it there on a cliffhanger as "Part 1" cause I'm so evil! Hahahahaha!

Anyways, ughh I'm so tired from exams -.- But I decided to update this for you guys!

Turns out we're right on schedule. My goal is to post Part 2, another chapter and "Christmas Special" chapter in December before the New Year! Yay!

Hope you guys enjoyed! Sorry not sorry! Mwahaha! (Seriously, hope you enjoyed. Night! 'u')