NEW! c a s i n o c u p s| Reader Oneshots

Dwelling

[Cuphead/Sister! Reader]

It felt like needles pressing into his fingertips every time they dared to brush across it. The old photo album that Cuphead to disturb the dust that rested over its worn cover, of which had seen far, far better days.

He usually would've objected to this, getting defensive whenever the feeling of turning emotional showed itself was something he never meant to do, yet always ended up happening. But the now dead power he and Mugman used to defeat the Devil and all the owners of the soul contracts was being sought after to return, and digging up the dirt of memories might just be the perfect portal to the past and help them in this search for their lost abilities. Cuphead flipped through the pages of thin plastic with old photos sandwiched in-between, helping to preserve them after all these years.

His eyes scanned desperately through different pictures, searching for any clues that would hint to Calix Animi, or anything of it's source or secrets. Only daring to heed once his gaze fell on a familiar picture.

It looked almost too perfect...

The unmistakable younger forms of Cuphead and Mugman sat on the old wooden floor of Elder Kettle's hut, their fingers curled around some old toys Elder Kettle had bought them, possibly from the market. Both of them were squealing with glee at the gifts, while Elder Kettle, posing as the photographer snapped a picture of them and...her...

Wedged snugly in-between the two rowdy cups, was a familiar pair of bright, shimmering (color) eyes. A smile danced lovingly on her features as she stared at the gifts. Cuphead felt his chest tighten, and a lump take place in his throat as the old photo opened more sensitive memories for him.

(Name) was the kindest person to ever walk the ground of Inkwell Isle, he was sure of it. A charming personality, harmonious laugh... He never realized how much he missed that sound until that occurring moment. Both of the brothers cared deeply for their sister, doing anything in their power to make sure she never got harmed. To them, it was their duty they made ever since they laid eyes on her. Brotherly love practically radiated along with pride off of him like a scent. That vow was sure to never be broken. Or at least he thought.

The day his little sister (Name) got ill, he comforted himself with the thought that it was just a cold, or the flu. Yeah, it sucked, but it would pass like it did whenever the sniffles made it's way around with him.

But...it didn't. It gradually grew worse over time. The once youthful girl got bed-ridden as her fever and awful cough grew more and more consistent and frequent. The doctors retorted that they could do nothing, only wait and see if time would have its mercy on the girl. Things just went downhill from that point onward until...

'SLAM' Cuphead shut the photo album with a resounding start, no longer caring for the tears that managed to slip down the curve of his cheeks. He found himself unable to view it anymore, the undeserved guilt stung far too much for him to bear any longer. He wished she was here, he wished he could hold her close, talk with her, and just see a glimpse of his happy upbringing and perhaps even live a small slice of it once again.

But alas, the air around him felt cold, empty, and lonely, as did his heart and mind, of which now was tampered with the memories or her sweet smile, and her eyes.

It was under the excuse of things like this that'd he would rather not go back into the photo album, and why he dreaded forever dwelling on people like her.