The following scene was written by The Primordial Clok Roo, with small tweaks and edits by me, and was taken from his oneshot "The Aftermath"
The school day had finally ended, but not everything was on the up.
Darwin and Penny sat together on the ride home, their thoughts still on Gumball and his mental collapse that pushed him beyond his limit. At the time when he had turned on them, they were upset and hurt by his sudden actions. But after hearing the full story from Anais, they began to understand.
"Darwin," Penny began asking. "Is it alright if I come home with you for a while?"
"Why?" Darwin asked.
"I... we need to speak with Gumball."
"Are you sure you want to do that? After what happened?"
"We have to," The fairy declared. "After what happened, he probably thinks he's lost us forever. But the thing is... he needs us more than ever now. He needs to know that we understand and forgive him."
"...Do we forgive him, though?" Darwin continued asking.
"I do! Don't you?"
Darwin took a moment to think about it. Was he ready to forgive Gumball for lashing out at him the way he did? He didn't think he was...what he'd said had really hurt, and he wasn't sure he was ready to talk to him again. Not yet anyway.
But then he looked at Penny, and he saw how prepared she was to face him. To forgive him. To assure the boy that she loved that she was still by his side. Darwin had no idea how she was able to do it after what he'd done to her, but her confidence gave him the boost he needed to say:
"Yeah. I forgive him."
The bus eventually pulled up outside the Watterson home – not the normal stop for Penny, but it was for today. Herself, Darwin and Anais got off and made their way to the house. All three of them were worried about Gumball – Penny and Darwin more so; Anais had already forgiven Gumball at this point. As they stepped up the door, it was opened by Nicole.
"Kids," She said, her usual motherly pep and spark absent after today. "So glad you're home. You too Penny. Gumball has been awfully quiet since we got back."
"Is he OK, Mom?" Anais asked.
"He's fine," Nicole sighed. "I think he's just sorry for what happened. He seemed happy and relaxed enough when I was talking to him earlier, but...I think the guilt and weight of what he did to you is catching back up to him again...he's been in his room for an hour now, probably thinking about what happened over and over..."
"You aren't mad at him for trashing the school?" Darwin questioned.
"Ordinarily I would be, but...based on what happened, I'm more worried about him than anything, honestly," She revealed.
"How come?" Anais asked.
Nicole shook her head. "It's... best it stays a secret between your brother and me."
"Can we at least speak with him, Mrs Watterson?" Penny requested.
"I'll go ask him first. He might still be a bit nervous given what he told me," The feline mother said. As turned around and went up the stairs, the kids sat on the couch and waited.
"Wonder why Mrs. Mom's not angry with Gumball?" Darwin asked. "Normally whenever we do something wrong or trash the house, she becomes... gulp scary."
"It's probably something that connects them more than it does any of us," Anais assumed. "After all, they probably have the most in common out of anyone in this family."
"Because they're both blue cats?" Penny guessed.
"Well, yeah. There's that" Anais reasoned. "But I meant more in regards to how linked they are in their DNA-"
"Anais, can you just give us a simple explanation for once instead of your smart-girl ones?" Darwin requested. "You've already ruined several things by explaining them scientifically. Like rainbows."
Anais sighed, rolling her eyes. "Gumball and Mom share more in common that just being blue cats. There's the way they behave, the way they treat others, the way they express their feelings, and the way they resolve problems."
"Huh, I guess you're right," Darwin responded. "Never noticed that."
"and with what we saw today it's pretty reasonable to assume their temper can be added to that list..." Anais finished
"That makes sense, actually," Penny added. "If what you said about your mom is true, and given what happened today with Gumball... She probably understands how he feels and how afraid he is right now... *sigh* I sure hope he's alright."
Nicole came back down the stairs and gently called for Penny and Darwin to follow her. She led them up the stairs and to Gumball's room where gestured for them to be quiet and slow, suggesting that Gumball was still a bit tense about seeing his friends. As they nodded understanding, she got down on one knee and hugged both of them as a way of saying 'Thanks' before leaving them.
Their willingness to forgive Gumball meant more to her right now than any words of gratitude could. Especially since her little Gummypuss was practically a broken boy- no, a broken man right now.
Darwin quietly turned the knob for the door and let himself and Penny in. They looked at the bunk bed and saw Gumball sitting on the edge, staring down at the floor with his ears flat against his head and drooping. He didn't look up at his friends or brother and just sighed, the sadness and regret weighing him down.
"Hey Gumball," Darwin spoke softly. Gumball didn't even react and continued looking down. "Um... are you feeling O-?"
Penny put out an arm and stopped Darwin from speaking before shaking her head. She wanted to take this conversation as delicately as possible, and asking the question 'Are you feeling OK?' given prior experience from the day was not a good start.
"We heard about what happened today," She whispered. "We're sorry we pushed you too far."
Gumball sniffed once and closed his eyes before shaking his head slowly. "No. I'm the one who should be sorry... I didn't mean anything I did; I never meant to say such awful things. I was just so... angry. I had no idea what I was doing or what came over me. I lost control and-...
"I never meant to hurt you guys."
Gumball's voice was barely a squeak as he started crying. The tears poured down his face in rivers as the regret of his actions overcame him he threw his head down and slammed his hands into his eyes in a vain effort to stop the tears.
Penny walked up the bed and sat beside the blue feline she adored. Carefully, she wrapped an around Gumball and held tight, offering him comfort. "We know, Gumball. You wouldn't do such awful things to us. You were just... not yourself, and we forgive you."
Still crying, Gumball slowly looked up at Penny and into her eyes. "You... you really mean it?"
"Of course we do," Darwin responded. He sat down beside his brother and copied Penny's action, placing an arm around Gumball and holding him tight. "You're our friend. And friends are there for each other when they need it. You've always been there for me and Penny. Now it's our turn to be here for you."
Gumball continued to snivel, but his sadness slowly started to give way as he felt the comfort Penny and Darwin were giving him. He thought a moment that he was dreaming and that this wasn't happening. But the more he looked at them, the more he realised it was real and it was happening.
"Thanks, guys," He whispered airily. "Darwin, I'm so so sooo sorry I treated you like that. You're more than a pet to me. You're my brother. I couldn't be happier to have a brother like you."
Darwin smiled but didn't say anything back. He just wrapped his other arm around Gumball and hugged him, resting his head against his brother's shoulder.
"And Penny," Gumball continued with his apology. "I, uh-"
Penny placed a hand over his mouth and shushed him. "It's OK, Gumball... I'm sorry too. You have no idea how terrible I felt afterwards. I-... I don't want to break up with you, Gumball. I love you too much for that."
And finally, tears still running down his face, Gumball managed to smile. He tried to speak, but his voice was completely gone and he only ended up mouthing his response.
'I love you too.'
Penny leaned in and kissed Gumball on the cheek before copying Darwin and hugging her boyfriend. Gumball could feel the love his friends were giving him. He was just happy to have them back. He reached his arms around them and pulled them in for a group hug.
As the three hug Gumball closed his eyes and began to purr, elated and relieved to have his girlfriend and brother back.
He opened one of his eyes however as he heard the door creak slightly, followed by a panicked gasp. He smiled, letting out a small chuckle. "I know you're there sis..."
Having been exposed the young bunny reluctantly opened the door and entered the room with the others. She rubbed her arm sheepishly as she walked around the corner.
"Sorry for listening in...I just couldn't resist. I didn't want to be left out..."
The kitten smiled. "Awww, we'd never leave you out! Come here!" He held out his arms for the young bunny, and she eagerly accepted, joining the group hug which was now a very tight squeeze, Anais having to climb onto Gumball's lap to have enough room to join in.
"I love you guys so, so much." He cried, tears streaming down his face.
"We love you too Gumball. So, so much. And no matter what happens, we'll be right here with you. Right by your side." Darwin too teared up.
"Mhm!" Anais nodded. "You're our brother, our friend, and you always will be! Nothing will ever change that!"
"and you'll always be my special little Gummy." Penny smiled, kissing him on the forehead. "I love with all my heart! You were there for me on the toughest night of my life. You were there when I thought no one would be. And now it's my turn to pay it back to you..."
"Oh, you guys..." The feline purred. "I...I don't know what to say, I..."
"Don't say anything." Anais smiled. "Just enjoy the moment."
He nodded, resting his head on her shoulder as he continued to purr, tears streaming down his face, and a s he rest there and let his siblings and girlfriend's comfort envelop him, he closed his eyes and thought to himself.
Though he was scared of what may lay ahead for him in the future, he had comfort in knowing that no matter what happened, no matter where he might end up...
...he wouldn't have to face it alone.