Chapter Text
Sunday 25th
Alice felt the sun shine through her eyelids, stirring her. She shifted, and opened her eyes, to find Holly and Cala stood by her bed with stuff in their hands.
"Happy birthday Alice," they said in hushed but excited whispers. Alice sat herself up, rubbing her eyes to clear her vision.
"What's going on?" She asked with a smile creeping in on her face. She was finally able to get a better look of what they were holding: a tray of breakfast, and a small stack of beautifully wrapped gifts.
"We made you breakfast for you to have in bed," Cala said with the stack of gifts. The two of them were vibrating with excitement.
"A true Surface tradition," Hol added, and then jerked a shoulder. "At least where I'm from. We made you toast, lightly toasted, with non-melted butter," she made clear, pointing to each treat, "another slice with melted butter, and honey; a glass of apple and elderflower juice, and, the pièce de résistance: jam doughnuts."
"But these ones are safe," Cala clarified, playing into the bit. The three of them giggled at their little inside joke.
"Aww, you guys," Alice cooed, as the tray of goodies was placed on her lap by Hol. "You shouldn't have."
"Oh, we did," Hol said with an enthusiastic nod, and scooted up next to Alice on the bed. "And we would've done more if buying out construction workers wouldn't have set us back several years," she muttered bitterly out the side of her mouth. Alice shouldn't have been surprised to hear that.
"This is us being tame," Cala told her as she sat down by her feet, and passed the little stack of presents over to the angel. She accepted them, taking a moment to appreciate the wrapping and ribbon work, and the little notes tied to each one.
Apparently she wasn't moving fast enough, because Holly gripped her shoulders and shook her. "Hurry up I'm dying here, Al!"
"Okay, okay!" Alice exclaimed through her laughter, and started unwrapping one to quell her rabid friend. She chose one from said friend, wrapped in a leafy patterned paper, and opened it to reveal a box, no bigger than her hand. She opened that next, smiling amusedly at the chin now resting on her shoulder.
In the small box was an ornate little wooden hair brush, made of ebony. Alice gasped softly and took it out, running her fingers over the unique bristles.
Holly hummed proudly. "Engraved with unbreaking runes, of course," she said in a nasally voice. Cala tittered.
"Holly this is beautiful," she breathed, and held the brush close. "My hair will thank you," she said with sincerity.
"Well, that brush is not for your hair," Holly informed her. She blinked at her.
"It's not?"
"Nope. That brush is for your feathers," she disclosed, leaning back casually on one hand. "Wiston helped me out heavily on my research here. So, birds' feathers usually shouldn't be brushed - they preen them themselves. But, since you don't have a beak, I figured a brush would be handy. Wiston said Fireball has the same issue, and recommended a brush with really soft, fine bristles, and offered you a lesson on how to clean them properly, since there's a certain way to do it."
Alice 'huh'd, and brushed a hand over the brush again. "Well then my feathers thank you," she remarked with a giggle. Hol dipped her head in a silent 'you're welcome'.
After setting the brush on her nightstand, she moved onto her next gift. It was wrapped in a floral wrapping paper.
"That one's from me," Cala pointed out with rising excitement. Alice gave a chuckle, and started stripping it of its paper.
Inside was another box. She opened that too, her eyes landing on a silver, toothed hair comb, with a string of daisies running along the top of it.
"Aww, Cala," she cooed as she took it out. It was gorgeous.
"I had an inkling daises would look great on you," the mermaid commented, beaming.
Holly buzzed her lips in agreement. "And, they supposedly symbolise kindness, and fun," she recited with a whimsical manner, lifting a finger in the air, before she turned it on Alice and started poking her playfully, "which is all you, baby!"
Alice fended off the attack, giggling throughout it. She returned the hair comb safely to its box, and closed the lid, setting it next to her new brush. "I will be wearing that later," she assured Cal.
"Quick, open the last one!" Holly urged, flapping her hands. Alice moved onto the remaining gift in fear of her friend flying off.
This one was wrapped in a very unique wrapping paper - nothing she'd ever seen in a Surface shop before. It was so colourful.
She tore away the rainbow paper, revealing an album. A photo album, decorated with a bunch of handmade stickers, of people from the house and little inside jokes. 'Alice's Surface Album'.
"Aww, guys!" Alice cooed for what felt like the millionth time. "You did all these??"
"Not just us," Hol corrected with a proud smirk.
"The whole house pitched in," Cala credited. Alice dropped her jaw as it clicked.
"Oooh, that's why you kicked me out yesterday!" She exclaimed. The two of them burst into snickers. Alice shook her head at the audacity of them, though she struggled to smother her own smile.
She flicked the decorated front cover over, opening to the first page. It was a picture, taken months ago, during a food fight. Wakko was holding the camera and grinning a tongued grin. There were little doodles and stickers lining the page.
Alice looked over at her friend, without anything to actually say.
"The Warners played a big part in creating this," Hol answered regardless. The angel scoffed lightly in amazement.
She continued flicking through the pages. Some were collages of certain moments, some were full pages dedicated to one big family photo. There were little notes written too - she'd recognised Cuphead's writing at one point. Hol had described it as a 'fancified chicken scratch'.
They were photos from nights out, photos from winter, and of the circus gang. There was a whole page dedicated to fashion shows Snowball had put on. Hol had poured her soul into that one.
There were all the photos from pranks, and goofy little selfies Bendy and Boris had taken. Ones taken by the Warners on a train trip with Cuphead and Mugman in silly costumes, bubbles in their heads and pen on their faces. Sneaky ones that had been taken of the couples of the house, including some ones from the mistletoe incidents. There were ones they had taken of Cala out in the snow. Cala had gotten mildly embarrassed about those - she hadn’t known about them prior to this. And... there was Snow. And Sammy, and Finley. Holly had gazed fondly over those. And at the end was a giant group photo, a photo that… wasn’t even possible. It was of all of them. Alive. And together. Alice didn’t know how they’d gotten this one… but that wasn’t to say she wasn’t grateful.
By the end of it, Alice's eyes were full of tears. She went to comment, but failed, letting out a sob instead.
Holly and Cala gave pitying chuckles, and sat on either side of her, wrapping their arms around her as she cried.
She hadn't meant to. She was happy, really. It was beautiful.
"Stars, sorry, Al. If I had known it would make you cry this much I wouldn't have given it to you," Hol noted with humour through her own tears. Alice giggled wetly.
"No," she mumbled, and sniffed, brushing over the page she was on. "This is perfect. I really like it."
"Of course you do. Look at you, you're a mess," Cala teased as she rubbed her back. Alice exhaled in a laugh, and sniffed again.
"Do you want some new toast?" The mermaid asked. "It must be cold now. And maybe a little soggy."
Alice looked up as she dabbed at her eyes. "No no, it's okay. This... is my consequence," she joked lightly. Her friends tittered.
"Think we could nab a doughnut each?" Holly requested. "If I'm being honest here there was a reason I served you three."
"Be my guest," Alice invited.
The three of them spent the time Alice took to eat her breakfast talking and flicking through the album, reminiscing on each moment and picture. Holly dropped some lore on the journey of creating it, and trying to wrangle the Warners into making the gift actually tangible.
Eventually, after clearing her plate, the two headed out to leave Alice to get ready for the day. She got changed into her dress, and sat down in front of her vanity to take her rollers out and do her makeup. Once she'd unravelled it all, she pinned half of her hair up at the back of her head with the comb pin Cala had given her. It was really cute, and ended up complimenting her dress well.
Now ready, Alice came out of her room and entered the kitchen, where Ebi was having breakfast, and Cala and Holly were packing a giant lunch bag, having gotten ready themselves.
"There she is, it's the birthday gal~!" Hol sang, and planted her hands on her hips.
Ebi paused in eating her tuna toast. "-It's your birthday?" She muttered.
"Yes, I am nineteen now," Alice stated... Stars she felt old.
"Oh... Happy birthday," she wished quietly, returning her attention to her toast. Alice smiled gratefully.
Cala fisted her hands, buzzing. "Are you ready for the best Surface celebration ever??"
"I am indeed," Alice affirmed, and then glanced off to one side. She felt a little guilty for not going to the Upper, or calling them immediately.
No, she would give her family a call later, and explain. Right now, she was going to the house. She was excited to spend the day with her best friends. And... was also excited to spend it with Bendy.
Holly somehow managed to read her thoughts, a smug expression settling on her face. "Oh, I know that look. It's your smitten look," she teased.
"Smitten? Now what in the heavens are you talking about?" She retorted in mock innocence, and went to the front door. Holly slung the bag over her arm with a cackle, moving to catch up to her, while Cala spoke to her sister.
Alice pushed down on the handle and swung the door open, expecting to be met with the morning air.
Jake was stood there instead.
He paused in his attempt at ringing the doorbell, and beamed.
"Alice! Happy birthday, Al!"
"Jake??" She uttered, her mystified gaze following him as he stepped past her and into the apartment. "W-what are you doing here?"
"Why, I'm here to take you to the Upper, of course! Your family sent me as your chaperone," he casually informed her.
"The Upper?" Hol repeated, a little shocked herself.
"Yeah. Your family's all up and waiting- Wo-hoah," he exclaimed, veering away from the angry gorgon sat by the table. Ebi wasn't taking lightly to the new angel.
"What is this boy doing here??" She hissed.
"It's okay, Ebi. He's Alice's friend," Cala elucidated. "There's no need for the fangs," she chided.
Alice screwed up her face at the other angel. "Waiting?? W-what-"
"For your party," he said, and fell back into the sofa. "Although, if you're not ready I'm okay with waiting."
"I-I never asked for a party," she opposed, as he put his hands behind his head and kicked his feet up on the coffee table.
"Bah, you never ask - You know your family, they always put one on for you anyway. And I thought they went all out for your eighteenth. This one is a rager," he expressed.
Feeling mildly irked, Alice pressed her mouth into a line, straightening her stature. "Jake, I'm not going." She firmly stated.
Jake hopped and approached her with open arms. "Sure you are - it's your birthday! You always want to spend it with your family. And me, of course."
When Alice stayed silent and sure, the angel boy’s emotions shifted, flicking uncertain irises to and away from her. “Unless you don’t want me there… ?-”
Alice’s eyelids fell with her next exhale. “… Jake, no, that’s not-”
”Okay they may have done the cake thing again and made nineteen tiers this year but they’ve got it handled this time,” he rushed to confess and comfort, raising honest hands, “they’ve got it waiting outside. Last year won’t happen again.”
”Jake.”
”And they charmed the punch so Rachel and David can’t spike it with snicker serum.-”
”Jake,” she implored, and seemed to finally get his attention and him out of his rambling. It was difficult at times to get him serious… but over their many years she’d learnt a thing or two.
”… I’m not going to the Upper,” she informed him, which caused the jester to place his chin between a thoughtful thumb and finger.
”Are you going to the Downer?” He wondered with an eyebrow quirked. This Hol snorted at. Alice could see humour bloom in Cala too. Had it not been the matter it was, Alice would have found it amusing as well. But she was being serious here, and to get through to him truly and nurture her growing ability to stand up for herself she had to remain so.
Jake’s grin loosened a millimetre as he acknowledged her and her demeanour, softening into something less clownish and more aware. “… Al-”
“I’m not going up there, and I’m not open to persuasion,” Alice made clear with a motion of her arm. “I’m staying here. With my friends,” she declared.
Jake batted his eyelashes, and glanced to said friends.
“… Y’know I’m not really that big of a fan of punch anyway,” he admitted through a squint.
Alice jerked her head back slightly in surprise. That was it??
She observed, mystified, as Jake slid his mailbag off his shoulder, and clapped, rubbing his hands together.
“So! What're we doing?"
Cuphead sighed through his nose, tapping his finger against the dining room table.
In front of him was a bunch of planning papers, and every note he'd ever taken on the Devil. He'd spent the day writing out the Devil's attacks, stages, and the little minions he usually snuck in there. He had it all down. And was going to write it down several more times until everyone had a copy of their own - he wanted everyone to read these until they could cussing recite it. They needed to if they were going to stand a chance.
It was evening now. Still bright, but late. Everyone in the house was dispersed. Dinner had been served and eaten, and now everyone was off doing their own things.
The girls hadn't come around. It was Feathers' birthday, so they were supposed to be celebrating, but apparently they'd gotten held up by an old friend. Bendy was real bummed about it.
Cup would've asked the little sulking mook out for drinks if he wasn't wrapped up in this. Hell knew he needed to.
He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, scanning over his work for the millionth time. He was questioning how to go about this - about fighting the Boss... but was struggling to find an outcome from the first stage where they didn’t leave in cussing pieces. Or torched, or eaten, or... cussing flattened. How was he going to get an entire team through this stardust.
He and Mugs had died so many cussing times trying. And these people couldn't parry - they only had one life. One claw to the gut or chest and they were done.
They had to be trained. They had to know his attacks down to a tee. And that was only for the attacks he and Mugs knew. This guy could've switched it up countless times now - it had been a whole cussing decade since they fought him.
Cup felt the dread in his stomach grow and grow. This was a bad idea. This was such a bad idea. They weren't getting out of this alive.
He stumbled back a step, running his hand over his mouth. He couldn't do this. He never should have told them. This... this was doomed. This-
He sneered, and ripped his glove off, scraping the scab on the back of his hand until the insane itch came off as pain instead. Stupid cussing IV-
Somewhere amidst digging his nails into his skin, Cuphead paused, staring at his hand. It was pouring blood, and trembling. He was trembling.
He blew out an exhale. And another. And another. Until he was gasping.
He stepped back again. The room spun with him, as the panicked feeling in his chest built, and he was forced to take a backseat in his mind so he could only watch; not respond, not… move. He couldn’t do anything but hyperventilate and sway, until he felt like he was on death's doorstep. For a second there he was convinced the Devil had found him. He had found him, and was going to kill him. Right then and there. It blared in his mind like a warning. He was just dying.-
"Dude," he heard Bendy. He was somewhere over there. Cup couldn't... couldn't-
"Dude, breathe," he said clearer. Something in Cup snapped and brought him back into his body, and the heart-pumping and nausea that brought.
He let out a weird noise after swallowing, and leaned his palms on the table to steady himself, focusing in on his breathing, attempting to calm it down with one long, shaky whistle-breath out.
He closed his eyes as he waited for the remainder of his panic to fizzle out too. And the light-headedness, and the thrumming in his ears. He suddenly felt like he'd just ran a cussing marathon - just barely escaped cussing death. He didn't even have the energy to be embarrassed.
In the middle of his recovery, he felt a clawed hand land on his shoulder, and grip it.
Cuphead looked to the little twerp next to him. He didn't look like he was there to heckle him at least. He just looked like he understood, with his lips pressed into a knowing line.
Cup let his head hang loose. He needed a starfallen nap after that.
Bendy came up with an alternative solution.
"Wanna drink?"