#reuben625

The sound of jar scraping and whisper-humming could be heard from the kitchen of the former Captain Gantu's ship. Reuben, his little sandwich sidekick, was slathering strawberry jam onto a price of bread, while another piece of bread covered in peanut butter sat next to it. He hummed happily as he finished up spreading the jam on the piece of bread, then placed it ontop of the bread with peanut butter. Just as he was about to push the sandwich into his mouth, he heard the sound of the elevator whirring.

Gantu appeared after a moment at the top of the elevator. His hands were balled into fists and he had a sour look of his face.

"Aww, lemme guess. You got your butt kicked by that little girl and my cousin again?" Reuben said with a teasing look as he took another bite of his sandwich. Gantu turned around and scowled at him, getting right up in his face. "Why don't you shut your trap before I pummel you?!" Reuben squinted his eyes and raised his eyebrows at Gantu and responded with; "Yeah, yeah. Okay blubber butt."

Gantu rolled his eyes and sighed loudly. He turned to go to his room, but saw the mess in the kitchen.

"What the hell is this?!" He said as he put the dirty dishes and silverware in the sink. "I just came back from a hard day of work, and now I have to clean up some sandwich trog's mess?!"

Reuben shrugged. "I was hungry."

"You're always hungry!!" Gantu responded.

"I mean, that's my purpose. Oh, and what a wonderful purpose is is." The little yellow experiment jumped down from the counter and walked towards the couch, grabbing the remote. Gantu saw him do this and glared at him.

"Don't even try to watch anything. Doctor Hamsterveil cut the cable." He sighed. "Again?? Wowzer. Buddy, you gotta start catching these experiments so I can watch my sandwich channel."

Gantu balled his hands into fists once again as he heard Reuben. "Well then, why don't YOU try capturing a damn experiment??" He spat back as he picked up Reuben with one hand. But before Reuben could get a word out, Gantu continued. "Ohh wait I know why! It's because your a failed prototype of 626!! FAILED!!! Nobody needs you! I don't need you! Just get OUT." As Gantu finished his rambling, he dropped Reuben back on the couch and stomped away to his room.

Reuben sat on the couch in shock. He usually didn't care when Gantu, or anybody in fact, fought with him. He always used humor to win. But hearing that not even Gantu needs him? Oh.

Maybe he's right.

Maybe he should just leave and never come back.

...

Nah, he's too lazy for that. So he snuggled up in the corner of the couch and fell asleep, most likely dreaming about sandwiches.

Inside his room, Gantu sat on his bed. Just fuming at the thought of the little yellow trog. He shut his eyes tightly and tried to collect his thoughts.

Although his exterior showed that he absolutely hated Reuben, on the inside it was totally different.

He wished Reuben were here in his room right now, laying next to him like a little pet while watching their favorite reality show together.

After about 10 minutes past of Gantu sitting on his bed, lost in thoughts, he got up and went into the kitchen. He opened a cabinet and saw it stacked to the brim with bread. On the outside of the cabinet door, a sticky note that read "Bread" in messy handwriting was placed. He softly smiled at the thought out Reuben placing the piece of paper there.

Gantu pulled out two slices of bread, some bacon, blankets of lettuce, and a few tomatoes. He placed all the ingredients on the first slice of bread together and topped it off with the last slice. Then, he carefully put it on a small, white plate.

He smiled, admiring his work. "Reuben will like this, won't he?" He thought to himself.

Gantu walked into his living room area since it was the last place he saw Reuben. And of course, there he was. Snuggled up on the couch. Gantu placed one of his big hands on Reuben and shook him ever so slightly to awake him.

After a bit, Reuben's eyes reluctantly opened and stared back at Gantu. He opened his mouth to say something, probably a sassy remark, but Gantu stopped him by placing a finger on his mouth.

"I know, I know." Gantu started. "I... Uh..."

He looked down at the little yellow trog, remembering his words.

"...I'm sorry. For what I said, I mean." Gantu broke eye contact and looked away. "I do care about you. A lot, actually." Realizing he sounded soft and that he was breaking his tough exterior, he added on. "I mean... you're my only 'friend.' So, of course I care about you. I-I guess. ...I appreciate you. Thanks. For... Sticking around and everything." As Gantu finished, he softly patted Reuben's head and put the plate down on the couch.

Reuben smiled his big silly smile and grabbed the sandwich. "Aw, thanks 'G!" He said in an almost joking way, but his feelings said different. Moving into a more serious expression, he continued. "I appreciate it big guy." He placed his tiny paw on Gantu's arm. Gantu gave him a wide, genuine smile as Reuben hopped up onto him and sat on his shoulder. "Oh... By the way, I recorded your silly little soap opera show."

Gantu's face lit up "Really?? Well... Uh... if you'd like to watch it we can." The little yellow experiment on his shoulder patted his horn. "Yeah, of course big guy."

The rest of that night was used up with Gantu and Reuben watching their soap opera. They shared sandwiches together, taking bites out of each others and rating them. Reuben snuggled up in Gantu's arm while watching together despite the splash zone above him of Gantu's tears.

"G. It's not that deep. What's even goin' on here? Who fell into the coma and cheated on that blonde chick again?"

"*SNIFFFF*.... IT WAS ASHLEY!!!! HOW DO YOU NOT REMEMBER??? WAHHHH!!!!!" Gantu said as he blew his nose for the millionth time. Reuben rolled his eyes playfully as Gantu hugged him even tighter while he cried.