Gangsters Don't Cry: Edgar X Muffet

The Fight

"Okay, Barley. Get ready..." Charley ordered. The sailor grinned as he nodded, turning to Edgar. Edgar nodded back. "Three, two, one..."

The next few seconds after that was chaos. The Butcher Gang had been trailing this rival gang for a while, and they didn't appreciate them coming onto THEIR turf, acting like they were the Mr. Big Bads. Oh lord, they were about to be taught a lesson.

Fists flew, as did some stray glass bottles that exploded upon hitting the concrete and nearby buildings. Charley delivered an uppercut to the rival leader, and the sound his jaws made as they smashed together was legendary. If several teeth weren't knocked loose from the impact, then his lower jaw must've cracked.

Barley wrapped an arm around another gangster, bringing him into a choke hold before flinging him down. Edgar gave yet another gang member a very nasty bite on the shoulder before toppling backwards, ripping his crimson-stained fangs out of the arm.

Spitting out the copper taste, Edgar glared in the direction of his bloody victim. The rival flipped open a switchblade, advancing toward the spider. Edgar braced himself.

The gangster swung, but Edgar dodged it and took those precious few seconds to inflict another bite, this time in the enemy's side. Edgar dodged again, but still caught the business end of the knife as he pulled away. He grimaced, not taking his eyes off his opponent.

Once more, the gang member charged, this time planning to side slice the spider. Edgar decided in that moment to change up his fighting style. As the knife whizzed through the air, Edgar kicked upwards, sending the knife into his enemy's forehead.

For an instant, there was a look of confusion on the rival's face. Then he fell, hand still clutching the knife lodged in his head. Edgar spat defiantly before glancing at the rest of the scene.

Charley smashed the guy he was fighting face first against the side of one of the buildings, breaking his nose. Then he threw him to the ground.

"Retreat!" the man screamed, his nose a waterfall of bloody mucus. His surviving buddy fled after him, one arm dangling uselessly at his side.

Barley laughed, jumping up and down. "That's right! We're the Butcher Gang, you bastards! Screw with us and we mess you up!"

Charley smiled, then turned to Edgar. "I think we've proved our point, boys. Let's split." Barley paused as he saw the dead gang member lying by Edgar. "Oh my god," he said, grinning. "Edgar, you're an animal!"

Edgar rolled his eyes as he followed after Barley. The Butcher Gang went back to what qualified as their home: an empty warehouse. They parked their van inside, and each gang member had their own sleeping bag.

Except Edgar didn't feel like sleeping tonight. He had been visiting Muffet for a good solid week now, and he'd promised her he'd help make some cupcakes with her before her bakery opemed for business the following morning. Of course, he couldn't exactly tell this to Barley and Charley. They'd laugh at him until they were blue in the face. You get into a gang fight, and now you wanna make cupcakes with your girlfriend? they'd ask.

So as soon as they were asleep, Edgar snuck out. As the cold night air hit him, he exaled softly thinking of seeing Muffet's face again. Edgar loved her company. It was nice knowing someone who wasn't shady for once.

                          **********
Muffet put the last tray of cupcakes in the oven before turning to Edgar. "And now we wait," she chirped merrily. Edgar smiled as they sat down at the same table they always sat at.

"Oh no," Muffet frowned. Concern was in her eyes. "What's wrong?" Edgar asked. Muffet caressed the side of his face. "You're hurt," she said.

Edgar felt the sting of his cut as she took a napkin and wiped away the blood. "I'm alright," he replied. He hoped she wouldn't ask how he got the cut.

She didn't. She was so worried about cleaning his wound and bandaging it up that she didn't even notice the timer for the cupcakes going off until Edgar told her. Muffet blushed, then got up to remove them from the oven.

"Thanks for all your help Edgar," she said. "Maybe I'll see you tomorrow night?"

Edgar cocked his head. Tomorrow was not a work day for Muffet. Maybe she just wanted to visit him?

Aw, what the hell? She was a great friend who genuinely cared about him.

"Sure, Muffet. I'll see you then." With that, he left her bakery with butterflies in his stomach.