Buster Moon OneShots

6

Buster was frusterated. More than frusterated. He had been slipping little treats and gifts to the members of the troupe all day. He wanted to make up for making them angry the other day. But none of them knew it was him. They all thought it was Rosita or Porsha and did not question it. He wished they would see him.

He wished they would realize it was him doing everything. "Hey, Ash? You need anything?"

"Yeah, actually." the porcupine replied somewhat irritably. "I can't get this restringed!" she was referring to the G string, which had snapped. Buster smiked at her and took the guitar as she struggled to restring it. While he did so, he dropped a little candy into the slot between the wood of the body of the guitar and the B string. It was snug there and Ash was sure to notice it.

"Thanks." Ash grumbled, taking the guitar before turning away to continue working on her newest song for her album Don't Rain on Me. She jabbed Buster with two quills to make sure he got the cold shoulder. He didn't react but to lower his ears sadly, unable to control that, and plucking out the quills with a small hiss of pain. He rubbed his hand where one of them had jabbed him with a wince.

Sparing a glance for Ash, he turned away. "Moon." she interrupted his retreat. He looked over to her, almost hopeful that she would realize how hurtful they were being. "What's up with you? You seem... off." her voice was cold but she meant well.

Buster shook his head with a sigh. "Nothing, Ash." he lied, turning away and walking away. Ash knew something wasn't right but simply shrugged and returned her attention to her sound. "Hey, Gunter! Anything I can do?"

The pig crossed his arms angrily at the theater owner, stil upset about what Buster had done a few days ago. "You bring me my gloves, ya?" he asked. His usualy cheerful voice was accusing and hard. Buster nodded, his smile somewhat weaker than before, even as a fake smile. He grabbed the glove, slipping a chocolate candy into it.

The pig nodded at him, taking the gloves before turning away without a word. Buster looked down sadly before plastering on the fake grin and a forced cheerfulness and running off.

"Hey, Mr. Moon? You think you could grab me my jacket? Imma head out." the gorilla did not seem angry, but his voice put notice to the fact that he was severely dissapointed with the koala. Buster put a candy in the jacket pocket.

"Here... Johnny." he tried to smile but it came out as more of a struggling smirk.

This did not escape Johnny's notice. "Uh... something wrong, Mr. Moon? You seem a little... upset."

"Course not." he said, looking away before saying goodbye. "Be safe on the way home, Johnny." he told the gorilla before walking off.

"Moon-Man, bring me my stick!" Nooshy called. Buster ran off to go fetch it and gave it to her, a candy taped to it. She slugged him fiercely on the shoulder. "That's for Wednesday." she sniffed before turning to go back over to Gunter. Buster stood there as she ran off, just watching, ears low and eyes sad. He couldn't find the quivering frown on his face.

He trudged over to where Rosita was. "Hey, Rosita. Need anything?"

"Uh, could you bring me those song papers?" Rosita also sounded upset wth him. He nodded, flashing a huge smile. It was painful and huge but he managed it. The pig noticed it was fake, it looked wrong. Like it was painted on. Buster taped a sucker to the back of one of the papers and gave them all to her.

Buster turned away when Rosita said nothing and went to go sit down on one of the theater chairs. His expression was very sad and his ears drooped completely down. Even his eyes were stormy and downcast. "Mr. Moon, are you alright?" Meena's shy voice called behind him.

"Meena? Oh. Yeah. Of course-" he tried to smile but it came out as more of a pained grimace.

"Aw, come on, no you're not. That's not even a real try at smiling. What is it?"

"Nothing." he sniffed, looking away to wipe away a tear before she could see it.

"Mr. Moon... Come on, even you can't always smile. I'll listen to whatever's upsetting you."

"Are you mad at me for Wednesday?"

"What? No. Well, I'm a little dissapointed but I understand why you cancelled that play. Someone you cared about died, Buster. That's more important than the first showing of Cops and Fires. I forgive you for it. Why would I be mad?"

"Everyone else is." he sighed more heavily with a shuddering inhale. "Thanks, Meena." he tried to smile, it came out as weak, sad smile, but Meena knew he was grateful. She hugged him gently, carefully as to not hurt him. "I've left them all little treats on things all day but they don't seem to really care."

"Maybe just do it when they won't see you and eventually they'll realize it was you?" she suggested uncertainly.

"No, because that's just the problem! No one sees me! Either that or they don't care. I'm trying to make it up to everyone. I left you the bag of Bit o Honeys by the way."

"Maybe you should ask them about it. And thanks, I love those."

"I... I can't."

Little dod he know that Ash had been watching the entire time. She couldn't hear all of the conversation but she heard enough. She ran off to speak to Rosita. "Rosita, Rosita, can I talk to you?"

"Of course, sweetheart. What is it?"

"Rosita I think we're being mean to Buster."

"No we're not! why do you say that?"

"He's really upset. I overheard him talking to Meena. He's been leaving us the little candies all day and being extra nice and helpful but we're still being... cold. Look!" she dragged her to the side of the stage where she could peek out. She saw how upset Buster looked.

"He... he looks heartbroken." Rosita said, now feeling guilty and a bit sad. Ash nodded. "This is because of us?" Again, Ash nodded. "I think we should do something for him." Rosita stepped out from where she was hidden and walked over to Buster, who was now sitting alone as Meena had gotten a text from her mom and had to hurry home. She walked up to him and tapped his shoulder.

He looked up, wiping away a stray tear or two on his face and forcing a small smile. "Rosita! What-" he never got to finish what he was going to say before Rosita threw her arms around him in a tight hug. Slowly, he loosened up and returned the embrace, closing his eyes a moment. "Rosita, why-?" he never finished that either.

"I'm sorry, Buster. We're sorry. Would you maybe forgive us?"

"There's nothing to forgive." he said, squeezing her in their hug. Finally, a real smile was on his face.