#devils guilt

A cuphead fanfic by me!

Pairing: slight Dice/Ace

Tags: very mild cursing, flashbacks, suspense?

This is my first time writing something for cuphead and my oc, so don’t judge me too bad!

“‘At the Devil’s Casino, all bets are off. In that gilded house, they’re all doomed to die’- At least, that’s what my Ma always said to me. She always hated this place, thought it was a brodie. Reason was, our Pa, unknown to me and my sibs at the time, had gotten his soul snatched. Right out of the blue! Didn’t make a deal or nothin’! Me an’ the boys thought it was bonkers, until He came to collect.

“Ah, but enough ‘bout lil’ ol’ me, why don’t you roll, doll?” Ace said to the fine lady at the table. In truth, she wasn’t all that fetching, but he was willing to call her anything; just as long as he gets something from her. Be it money, or her very soul. The woman blushed and took up the dice in her fist and shook it, then rolled them down onto the tabletop. She looked anxiously toward them, not catching the dealer’s eye fixed on the pair. For a moment, it was a 7! But, somehow, it became a 2.

“Oh, deary me, that ain’t a good roll at all…” Ace shook his head, feeling only a bit of pity for the fair lady. “I’m afraid ya time is up-” “Please, give me one more chance!” Ace glanced up at her face, she was becoming awfully distraught; her eyes pleading with worry, her lip quivering with a twinge of fear. Ace huffed, “Now, I’m sorry, miss, but you’ll have to stop now. I wouldn’t want ya losin’ anythin’ MORE than ya soul.” The man’s eyes glimmered, signaling her her final warning.

At that, her shoulders slumped in defeat. Forthwith, a man appeared from nowhere at all, and spoke to her in a deep voice, “May I escort you, my dear?” King Dice bowed to the lady and offered his arm. Her response was quite something, for she shoved him out of the way and ran for the doors. Despite his small shock, Ace had quickly put his fingers together and whistled loudly, causing 2 tall men who looked quite like Ace himself to appear and grab the woman as she shouted, “NO! YOU CAN’T- YOU CAN’T! PLEASE!” The manager and the dealer merely watched her being dragged away, to the Devil’s quarters.

When the doors shut with a loud slam, Dice turned to Ace, who whistled with a hint of relief. “Isn’t it whacky how some folks just can’t help themselves? I’d say they’re practically mad!” Ace looked up at him, a gentle smile and a faint tint of red on his cheeks. “I suppose so…”

—————————————

“Everything hurts.

I’m dyin’, I can feel it… This damned Abercrombie is kickin’ my ass..!”

—————————————-

“Say, Hearts, why don’t you and me go knab some liquor?” King Dice continued, “I trust you know it ain’t no bathtub gin.” “I know, sir. But I’m workin’ right now. Surely, ya don’t want no slackers?” Ace replied, his tone humble, yet subtly flirtatious.

—————————————

As he knocked the dice, he sent him off to another world, so it seems, and face more of his pesky little challenges. “What’s the damn POINT of this?!” Frustration hit, and those glasses of booze were out for good.

When he returned to the tabletop, the big guy was there again. “Having fun? Let’s hope not!” And the die appeared once again.

——————————————

“Don’t be like that!” The King said, “Just one little drink. Please?” Ace looked at his boss, then to his cards. It’s awful rare and a bit awkward when the employer wants to have a drink with his underling… it usually means he wants something. Only one way to find out what he wants. The boy sighed, “I suppose one wouldn’t hurt nobody…” “Excellent!” King took Ace’s wrist suddenly, and led him to the bar. He took his seat gently, while Ace had slowly set himself down at the counter. The boy could feel his boss’s eyes on him as he ordered 2 brandies, and honestly? He had a slight idea why.

Ace could admit that he was acting strange. Strange meaning distant, and particularly unaffectionate. But this has been going on for about a year now, so who could tell the difference between just Ace, and Ace’s depression?

“Here you are, my dear!” King Dice passed off the brandy to the boy, who caught it with grace. As they drank, Ace seemed to look into his glass- his reflection was awfully… unsightly.

—————————————-

When he finished off the rabbit, he was brought back again to face the King. The man laughed, “Why try, Hearts?! Just look at yourself! Alone, no brothers, no hope! How could you EVER defeat me?!”

The boy, wiping away the blood from his chin, huffed with exhaustion, “I’m...not...DONE YET!” And so, he knocked the dice once more. “Here we go again, Hearts!”

——————————————-

“Yo, Hearts!” Dice snapped his gloved hands close to Ace’s ear, knocking the boy out of his trance. “Huh? Oh, sorry boss. I think I was just daydreamin’...” The boy responded, a small, fake smile placed politely on his face. The manager scoffed, “Right. Well, I’d like to say something.”

Ace raised his brow, his smile faltering. Ah, here it is. What could this be about? “Somethin’ on ya mind, boss?”

King drummed his fingers on the wood counter, looking at his employee intensely, “No, but I’m wondering what’s on YOURS, Hearts.” He turned to take a quiet sip of his alcohol, then continued, “See, you’ve been actin’ funny for a few weeks now- funnier than you usually are, and I’d like to know exactly what’s goin’ on under that fluffy mop ‘a yours.” Dice set down his glass and leaned his arm on the counter, looking at Ace sincerely now. “In short; what’s buggin’ ya, Ace?”

————————————

As he hopped on the cards, he watched the King grin and giggle. “What’s so funny?” The boy asked, landing onto the ground. See, the King shouldn’t have been laughing. His face had cracks and bruises, but his eyes… those were shimmering… but with what?

“Game over, Ace.” He leaned over the table , showing how truly gigantic he was in comparison to the boy. “It’s time for the final round~ Let’s see what you’ve got!”

—————————————-

His name…. Ace hadn’t heard his name sounded like that before. This is pretty serious, if his boss was willing to use his real name instead of that silly nickname he’s always been called. Ace turned, looking straight back at Dice, “You know exactly what’s buggin’ me, don't cha?” The King crossed his legs and rested his cube head on his fist, signaling the boy to continue with a raise of his brow. Ace sighed, setting down his full glass silently and turning to the other man, “Me an’ my brotha’s, we’ve worked here for what, three years now? And they all seem… so miserable. All wet, and they hate this place.” He looked down at his lap, not wanting to feel King’s eyes on him anymore.

“And what about you?” Dice replied, his hand stroking his edges, “Surely, you must feel the same?” Ace hunched, his face shouting his obvious disagreement. “Not really, no.” the boy ran his hand through his hair and continued, “I don’t know what’s wrong wit’ me, but I actually like it here. The front entrance, m’ coworkers, the cheatin’... Hell, I even like you!”

King Dice’s eyebrows raised in surprise, and Ace had looked up and blushed absentmindedly. “W-What I meant… I just, I worked so hard, to get my soul back, along wit’ my brotha’s, who worked their goddamn ASSES off, and we wound up wit’ nothin’ but a job that makes ‘m feel like nothin’. How d’you think that feels?” Ace looked up at Dice now, a deep sincerity placed on his face, with a hand pressed to his chest. King’s face was unreadable, his lips pressed into a line, his eyes doing nothing but looking at his underling. Ace’s hand curled up into a ball as he looked away, his voice softer now, “I just keep thinkin’ ‘bout it, again ‘n again, and i feel so guilty, i want it to stop.” His voice grew shaky, and hot tears started to form in his eyes. God, did he feel lost.

The boy lay there, face down, with his blood spilling from his mouth and his scrapes and his cuts. He looked absolutely pathetic. King Dice laughed as he saw him there, “You really are a twit! I thought your brothers were stupid, but facing me head on? Why, it was a trip for biscuits!” Ace’s hands trembled as they tried to search for something to grab; anything.

———————————-

The King looked down, and saw his helpless grasping, and felt something in the boy he tried to ignore a long time ago. His determination, his sacrifice, his pure will to keep going… Needless to say, he’s seen it before. “Say, kid,” said Dice, “How’d you like to make a deal?”

————————————

As Ace sat, Dice pondered over this new information. He hadn’t thought about any of this, not in his life. When he first took notice of his employee’s change in attitude, he knew it wasn’t just a bad day, oh no. His first thought was the classic ‘I want to go back to my family and be happy’, not ‘I just want to be happy here, with you’. And, in all honesty? It flattered Dice. Immensly. He just hoped to the Devil himself that Ace wasn’t doing anything unecessary with any blades.

“Well, the way I see it,” Said the man suddenly, “is that you aren’t going to please y’self until you please y’brothers. And it looks like that’s not happenin’ anytime soon.” Ace blinked his eyes rapidly to shove away his tears, and look up at his boss with dignity. “Do y’have somethin’ in mind?” “Hmmm... “ replied Dice, drumming his fingers again on the counter, “Well, the only thing i can think of… is t’drop ‘em.”

Ace’s brow furrowed, “Y’know I can’t do that kind’a thing! That’d be-” “-Unethical, I know. But if you really wanna stop feelin’ guilty about all this, you gotta let go.” Dice interrupted. Ace looked down at the ground. How was he supposed to feel about that? He’d be abandoning his brothers, the people he’s fought with since forever. How would a man ever- “Trust me, Hearts, I don’t like it neither. In fact, I didn’t like it when I had to do it myself, way back then. But, put’cha faith in me, you’ll feel a whole lot better once you do.” He took up his drink and, with a glimmer of empathy in his eyes, raised it to Ace, “What d’ya say, Ace?”

The boy looked to Dice’s glass, then to his own. With his right hand, he ran it through his hair again. Then, with his left he took his drink and looked into it, like he did once before.

————————————

“How d’ya feel, Ace?” Said the King, wrapping up his bandages and putting them away neatly. Ace looked down at the floor, a whole ocean of emotion crashing and settling over again in his mind. He looked up to the man, the bandages covering his eye blocking his vision ever so subtly.

“Neva’ betta’.”

———————————-

Ace raised his glass, and clinked it against the King’s, sealing their silent agreement. The boy quickly brought the brandy to his lips and downed the shot in one fell swoop, then returned the cup to its keeper. Dice soon finished the last drop of his and set it on the table, then rose from his seat and brushed off his trousers. “Ah, I think it would be best if we parted, don’cha think?” Ace stood up silently, still in mild shock, “I s’pose so... “ The King nodded, with a soft smile on his face, different from his usual, sleazy grin. As Dice walked away, Ace took a few steps opposite, then stopped. “I neva’ stood a chance, did i?”

Words: a lot

Pairing: slight Dice/Ace

Tags: little swear, tough times, tension, close calls

The next few months after were a special kind of hell, chock full of an uneasiness not meant for the innocent world. Lucky for Ace, this was Hell itself. As the days went on, the more guilt he felt. The more he saw his brothers, the guilt would breed and multiply in the darkest corners of his mind. The fear that came from the guilt, however, was worse.

As Ace sat on his bunk in his part of the house, he stroked the soft material of his dress shirt that lay on the sheets. A forlorn expression laid across his features as he procrastinated, what am I goin’ ta do? Ace thought. It’s been months since I’ve talked ta boss, and I know he’s suspectin’ me… What’s a guy ta do? The boy sighed and finally reached for the shirt and rolled his arms into the sleeves, preparing to button it when the door swung open.

“Whadda wallop those kids gave me!” Said the other man, stretching his arms like they’d pop out if he stopped for a second. Ace looked him up and down; the man’s hair, like Ace’s, was light and fluffy at the ends, but seemed more ruffled. There were a few cuts on his cheek, but it looked like he once had more. The goatee on his chin signified the other man’s stance as older, while his eyes said the exact opposite. Ace chuckled, “Ya probably deserve it, Mae. Who KNOWS what goes on in that head’a yours.” A little smile planted itself on the boy’s face, but quickly dropped when he turned away.

Maestro was one of Ace’s older brothers, the second oldest. While Ace was the softer of the 4, Maestro often proved to be the exact opposite. Bruises were always evident on Maestro’s body, and now cuts since they entered the casino business. Maestro plopped down on a bed and rubbed the gauges in his ears, then tapped the diamond earrings as if to assure himself that they were still there. He leaned down to reach his hand under the bed to grab a first aid kit, open it, and take out the mirror that lay inside. Maestro held it up to his face and ran his finger across his parted lips, eyeing the chipped tooth near the front of his mouth. “Damn!” The man said with a hint of frustration, “those scrubs got me pretty good! I mean, I know they got Doyen, but those kids sure can run ‘n’ gun!” He set the mirror down and got out the small roll of bandage to start wrapping his wrist.

For the past few months, these two kids got their souls snatched by the Devil. Thing is, not everyone comes back from that, but these two fellas started collecting contracts and fighting for their souls. To Ace, it seemed so familiar, for the 4 of them had done that, once upon a time. “Hey, speakin’ a’ which, you seen Doyen anywhere? I reckon he’s gotta SHIT ton a’ scrapes from his fight. I checked ‘is table, but he ain’t nowhere… “ Maestro broke the silence once again, breaking Ace from his thoughts. The younger brother responded, “Naw, I haven’t seem ‘im. Must be hurtin’ tho, from that beatdown… Must’ve been fun, huh?” Ace looked back to his vest and dusted it off, then slipping that around his waist and slowly buttoning it.

Maestro looked up at his brother quizzically, “‘Ey, what’s wit’ you? You don’t gotcha mind in the’ gutta, do ya?” Ace shook his head and chuckled softly, “No, no. Just thinkin’, is all.” “About th’boss, amiright?” The younger boy tensed up at the thought of his boss, without recognizing Maestro’s flirtatious meaning behind it. Oh god, do I tell ‘em now? What would he think? Oh god, I- “‘cuz I gotta admit, you spend a lotta time wit’ that guy. It’s gettin’ weird.” Maestro looked around, thoughts running through his head. Suddenly, a thought struck his mind, and Ace knew the exact one.

When the boy turned around, Maestro was already standing up, a worried expression laid across his face. Ace looked at him with a fake smile, “I don’t think it’s… SO weird, y’know? Isn’t- Isn’t it natural for two people ta get along?” Maestro inspected his brother with an uneasiness in his stomach, and pointed his finger, “‘ey, are you, you an’ him-” He clenched his other hand into a fist, his tongue tracing his lips for a quick moment, “-are you an’ him pitchin’ woo? I hope ya rememba’, what we all went through togetha’, an’ if you’re in kahoots with-” Maestro pointed to the door, signalling the outside world. “-THAT guy, then you’ve gotta whole other thing comin’-” “Speakin’ a’ Dice, ah… We have ta talk.”

This stopped his big brother in his tracks, and made him start his habit of clenching and unclenching his hands. Oh, jesus christ, not this shit again, thought Ace, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. Maestro was quieter now, his eyes set on his brother after riling himself up. Ace sighed and continued, “I… I don’t know if I… can do this anymore.” He looked to Maestro, who nodded at him to keep going. Ace sighed a second time, “I can’t keep up with you guys, y’know? I’m just, so sick, of bein’ on my knees and beggin’ for scraps. I wanna do somethin’, be somethin’...” Ace finally looked up again at his brother’s face, and said with the most seriousness he’s ever had, “If I have...ta let ya’ll go, well… “ He trailed off.

Maestro’s eyes widened, his breath hitching. His brow furrowed after a few seconds of fist clenching, and when he spoke, his voice was loud and furious, “SO YOU'RE JUST GONNA DROP US, JUS’ LIKE THAT?!” The older man was trying so hard to search his brother’s eyes for a hint of a joke, but when he found none, he took a step forward. Ace saw this, and did nothing. He had expected this out of Maestro… he was the rowdiest, after all. “Mae-” “NO! DON’T YOU ‘MAE’ ME! DON’T YOU REALIZE WHAT YA JUS’ SAID??” Ace turned to look away, knowing this would happen. There was nothing Ace could say, or do, to fix what he just did. Tears stained the corners of his eyes as another man entered the room, “‘Ey, what’s wit’ th’shoutin’?”

Champ, Ace’s third eldest brother, strolled into the room at the worst, most absolutely terrible time. His tired eye, the unbandaged one, looked between his younger brother and older brother, an eyebrow raised in suspicion. Maestro shrugged his shoulders and scoffed, walking in circles now, “I knew it. I KNEW it! There was ALWAYS gonna be a traita’ in our lil’ hug fest soona’ or later!” Champ looked to Ace now, confusion littering his eyes, “what didja do, Ace?” Champ asked softly. “I’LL tell ya what ‘e did!” Maestro finally turned to his brothers and pointed a finger at Ace specifically, “HE’S STEPPIN’ AWAY! LEAVIN’ US IN THE DARK! He cares too much about the damned boss than the rest of us!” “Well, do I got much choice?! You’re all mopin’ and so damned miserable that not even I can fix your sorry asses!” Ace shouted back, his voice cracking while his tears started to spill.

Champ’s gloved hand covered his mouth in shock, now believing his younger brother. Maestro huffed and looked over his brother for moment, and began to open his mouth- “I can’t HELP but like this place more than you! ‘Spite rememb’rin’ all we’ve been through, I wanna move on!” Tears stained Ace’s cheeks, but there were more in Champ’s eyes. Ace pounded on his own chest and continued, “My heart hurts, Maestro! I don’t know how much I can take this anymore! I don’t know how long it’ll be before I end my own goddamn LIFE ‘cause of this mis’ry!” Ace’s voice wavered and cracked as he wiped the snot from his nose, “Surely, you’d want me alive n’ happy somewhere, then dead ‘n a ditch…?”

The elder brother looked to the floor, then Ace. If any of them touched any part of Maestro’s body, especially his face, it would be as hot as magma in a skillet. Maestro shivered and growled inhumanly, “get out… “ “W-what?” Uttered Champ, shaking in his shoes. “I sAID GET OUT!” Screamed Maestro, his knuckles white now. As Ace stepped back, Maestro stepped forward, waving his fist in front of him. “And don’tchu EVER, EVER LET ME SEE YOUR FACE IN HERE AGAIN, YOU HEAR ME?” The elder brother’s vision went red, and Ace flung his hands up in front of his own face, flinching as the fist came down, expecting it to land on him.

After a moment of caution, Ace looked up at his hands and was surprised to find no marks. What…? He looked over to his brother, whose fist was enclosed in another’s hand. When Ace tilted his head, he saw his oldest brother, Doyen, with a bandaged wrapped firmly around his crown and his poofy pompadour split in two. He must’ve been listenin’ from outside... The youngest brother shook in fear as Doyen shoved Maestro’s fist away and say some incomprehensible gibberish to his brothers. Ace couldn’t hear a word, he was so shook with fear. After a second of panting dissociation, he heard his name sounded by a deep voice.

“Ace.” Doyen spoke, his hand on the open door. The youngest brother looked between the panic-stricken Champ, the raging Maestro, and finally on Doyen. His oldest brother was usually the strongest, most stoic of the bunch. He always made things better, and gave them hope… This, however, was not the case. When Doyen looked at Ace, he saw nothing but loss. Ace shivered, and walked toward the door, silently and slowly. He didn’t dare look back. Not once.

After a minute or so of walking about, Ace finally tucked in his tie, buttoned up his shirt, and clasped together his vest. He made his way to the bar, stiffly ordering a strong whiskey, and downing it in one go. The people around him buzzed with excitement, alcohol in their veins and risking their lives like it isn’t theirs to risk. When Ace looked around, all he could see were suckers. A pang of guilt hit him in the heart, If a ditch it is… a ditch it’ll be. He ordered one more whiskey, making that 2, and drank.

“Feelin’ low, Hearts?” Dice said, out of nowhere. The tall man leaned himself on the wood counter, eyeing his employee curiously. Ace only nodded, “I did it, boss.” “Did what?” Dice replied, catching a serious glare from Ace. The manager looked at him for a moment before chuckling softly, “sorry, Hearts. I was only teasin’ ya… But maybe that’s not what you want right now. Amiright?” Ace sighed, but then that sigh turned heavier, and then into fits of sobs. The boy covered his head to shield himself from his bosses prying eyes, his body shivering and emitting soft hiccups.

“Oh, Hearts,” said Dice, “Don’t you cry, you’re betta than that! In fact…” The man pulled out a white hankey from his coat pocket and nudged it to Ace, who quietly took it and wiped his eyes. “Why don’t you prove it to ‘em? I seen them two boys come in here with the intent to knab their souls back, and I gotta plan to make ‘em regret ever comin’...” Ace looked up at Dice, what’s he on about? “You’re whacky, boss,” he sniffed, “Those brats walloped my brotha’s, ya think I can do any damage to ‘em?” “I do.” Said Dice, “Y’know why I think so? Because you’re more capable than all y’brotha’s combined, y’got that? Ain’t nobody can touch you.”

For the past few months since the two had spoken, Dice had found himself becoming more accustomed to Ace. His mannerisms, his diction, his point of view… It was all so fascinating to Dice. Because it was so familiar. Running away from something that made him feel so lost was so real for Dice, and while Ace has him, Dice never had anybody. “Tell y’what--You help me finish off those boys and I’ll give ya someplace to stay. I imagine those brotha’s ‘a yours won’t letcha stay with them no more, right?” Ace nodded in response, rising from his seat and wiping away any remaining tears. Dice held out his hand, “Come with me, and you’ll finally get your freedom.”