The Inky Mystery

request for anon and my fan version of this demon

This has been something repeatedly mentioned and approached throughout the story. Especially with him and Boris, leading to tension and conflict between the two, prior to the Labyrinth.

Bendy repeatedly is trying to get Boris to come to terms with the fact Bendy may not be around any more. That Boris has to be ready to move on with that, more then that Bendy also emphasizes Boris needs to rely on the people around them.

Which leads to the conflict in the Labyrinth, where Boris finds a way Bendy won't have to die after watching Finley pass and Bendy get kidnapped, but Bendy is upset because this isn't something he wants. Bendy has already made the choice a long time ago, he would rather prioritize saving everyone he can from the illness then save himself

But here's the thing, we see this Boris and Bendy

Bendy hasn't thought about everyone else. This is the first time he's approached this discussion with loved ones that isn't Boris, and the first one he has it with is Cuphead

Because Bendy just realized the impact he has on Cuphead, and proxy Holly. He can feel Cup's terror about Bendy dying and he saw how distraught Holly was before he fell unconscious. And it's not like he doesn't understand the fear of losing a loved one, because he goes on to explain how he thought Holly might've gotten caught in the explosion and how he was focused on trying to find her to save her life if he had to

I think this conversation helped Bendy realize that Boris wouldn't be the only one extremely lost and distraught if he had died. That it isn't just him and Boris anymore. [I'm sure Cup lashing out at Felix about Felix making funeral plans for Bendy also changed some perspective there as well]

Holly tells him he shouldn't think that way, but she hasn't been there for Oddswell telling Bendy numerous times that Bendy shouldn't even be alive at this stage of the illness.

I also think this mindset has dulled Bendy's determination to survive. Which began back at the Labyrinth. He had lived through something horrible just so he would survive and everyone else wouldn't, for a year. I imagine that he had awhile to think about that kinda thing

I've noticed that Bendy is much more apathetic about anything that's a threat to his life, for example the snake bite, but also the bomb, and even the ink attacks he's cared less about. He tells them he doesn't want to die, but he's also given up on the idea of surviving

Anyway, all of this being said Bendy really needs to sit down with everyone and have a serious discussion about how Bendy has a terminal illness, and how they should go about handling that. Not just what they should do but what Bendy needs to do just in case

There's the obvious factor being that, outside of Mugs, Cuphead trusts them the most. And the fact they were the ones he was upset with and that he wanted them to listen to him. I get the frustration of being upset with someone else and other people butting in and then lashing out at them. Cup even says "Felix was in the way" when Bendy asks why he lashed out at him

Before he shouted at them he even tells Mugs "You don't have anything useful to say", it's incredibly brash and rude but it was on some level him trying to communicate how he was feeling in the moment. Which was "you're not the person I want to talk to"

But there's another level of it I don't see people talking about. This conversation would not have gone well, if it wasn't those two, because they're the only ones that have an idea of why he's reacting the way he is

Holly has her experience with it, having dealt with it directly after the gala, so she's probably more emotionally equipped for what Cup is going to throw at her this go around and Bendy can literally feel Cuphead's emotions

Bendy even outright says without the soulbond he would've been PISSED about how Cuphead is reacting at that moment, if it wasn't for the fact he could feel how terrified Cuphead was. Holly ends up stating "I've noticed you react in anger when you're scared"

Felix wouldn't know this, Boris wouldn't know this and while Mugs might know I've already covered that Mugs is frankly awful with actually handling emotional conflict

Not only that, but that brings the other thing to the table asides just knowing Cuphead well, they also have more of an understanding of how to handle emotional conflict. Both of them are incredibly emotionally intelligent, so they can understand that they need Cuphead to actually talk

Talk, not a fight like Cuphead was looking for, but an actual conversation. Because they understand that someone they're close to is upset with them, and they want to help make things right. And in order to do that, they have to communicate

This is why I think the conversation went so well between the three of them, Cup was given far more grace then he's ever been given while reacting the way he was. They didn't just try to shut him down and talk to him when he was calm, they tried to have him actually communicate his way through it and explained their side of things

I think that was the other thing that helped defuse it so quickly, how honest and sincere they both were. Bendy straight up admits he's accepted he could die at any moment, Holly admits how terrified she was but she always feels the need to do the right thing.

It wasn't just them trying to get Cup to talk to them like adults, it was them offering Cuphead to ability to understand them

Even if Cup says things he doesn't mean or pushes people's boundaries to get in a fight, he doesn't actually want to hurt his loved ones. He's never wanted that, so while he's screaming "THAT WAS SO STUPID WHY DID YOU DO ANY OF THAT? WHY AREN'T YOU UPSET?" they fill in the blanks for him

So I had noticed throughout chapter 416, Cuphead repeatedly notes and keeps track of what Holly is doing and how she's reacting to things. This is interesting because he doesn't frequently mention how Bendy's reacting to the conversation, and I don't mean Bendy's emotions, in which he notes repeatedly that Bendy isn't reacting at all and how irritated he is about it

I mean how he keeps track of how Holly is interacting with her environment and how she's reacting to the conversation, periodically. Although Bendy is the one leading the conversation, Holly is notably the most quiet here. She still participates, but Bendy and Cuphead are the ones carrying it

As the conversation carries on Cuphead notes what she's doing, even mentioned he's glancing over at her and she gives him a placating smile.

This isn't the first time we've seen Cup subconsciously tracking what Holly is doing either, the first time we see this is when he meets up with everyone at the college with Alison. He repeatedly notes how Holly reacts to the news

I believe that Cup may be subconsciously looking to Holly because he's in moments of high stress or uncertainty and looking for safety/approval/comfort. We know that Holly's opinion matters a lot to Cuphead, we also know that Cup is extremely tense in this moment and treating Bendy simultaneously like a threat and someone to be punished. But he doesn't think of Holly in that same light even if he is upset with her as well

This is a highly stressful moment, and the way Cup reacts whenever it turns into a discussion about his thoughts and feelings again is similar to how someone who feels cornered might be. Bendy being able to get to the actual problem via soulbound making Cup feel more on edge, because he feels as if he's being forced to talk, when in reality he didn't want to talk about himself at all

We even see briefly that Cup feels threatened by this by him lashing out and calling the soulbond 'creepy', and comparing it to Hat. We know this isn't true, but we also know that Cup does feel afraid of the bond on some level.

It could be that Cup is searching out some sort of comfort subconsciously via looking at Holly and trying to see how she feels about things.

Or. It could be that because he can feel Bendy's emotions, he feels the need to watch her more closely. He notes repeatedly that Bendy doesn't emotionally react, in irritation. Similarly, he could be seeking out that a reaction from Holly, he already knows what Bendy thinks and feels, he doesn't understand what's going on with Holly

Which could be another show of his hypervigilance, trying to keep track of everyone's emotional reactions in the room while stressed to better prepare for what's going to happen. He's mentally checking the level of threat in the room repeatedly [or possibly seeing if there's a way he could provoke a fight]

Mugs watched Cup like he expected a fight. He wasn’t cussing wrong, but Cup wasn’t going to get more attention on them. Not when they didn’t know all the faces of their enemies. He wouldn’t be the one to give them a cussing opportunity to do more today. So Cuphead distracted himself instead of punching Bendy like he wanted to. He studied every face they passed and mapped every path they crossed. He judged window angles and little groups and passing cars. He pointedly ignored Mugs’ glances and Boris offering him a hot dog. Felix and Boris recounted the chase Cup and the rest of them had been on with that scum that got away. Mugs pulled out one of the licenses the schmuck had to pass to Holly and Bendy. Glitter sprinkled onto the card from their hands and hair. Hell, they were leaving a path of it! Cup frowned and looked behind them. A path that would lead back to the apartment.

Maybe don't punch Bendy even if that is tempting but also looks like he just like. Triggered. A lot for you there, man. You've flipped straight back into paranoia level hypervigilance

He is. Very freaked out still apparently

“Can we cussin’ do somethin’ about the fairy sparkles all over the street? If I find that stardust in my coat pockets, I’ll riot,” Cup complained.

I pray you find it in your pockets. For my enjoyment. But I know that's not the actual reason you're complaining

“You said the bag had a trick for this?” Bendy asked. His tail wavered in excitement. Excitement Cup could cussing feel! The dish scowled.

WAIT. DOES BENDY'S TAIL DO THE EXCITED CAT TAIL THING??? YK LIKE HOW CAT'S ARE EXCITED TO SEE YOU THEY JITTER IN THE AIR KINDA? OMG I THINK BENDY'S TAIL DOES THE CAT THING! Like father like son

Also Cup. Breathe

Felix unbuckled his belt. “Magic bag, do your thing.” The bag shifted to a larger carpet bag. A huge tongue rolled out of the bag and licked Bendy from toe to horn tip. The demon stiffened. “Gross!” Boris laughed in surprise.

W. How mant times has Felix been uh. Licked by his bag??? Groomed????? Groomed by his bag???

The tongue retracted. Bendy’s pinched face relaxed, and he looked down at himself. “I’m . . . not wet.” He turned to look at himself. “And the glitter is gone?” “Not from the back it ain’t,” Cup said. The bag lumbered around and licked the back of Bendy. Holly shuddered. The demon made a face again. “It’s fabric, but scratchy?”

... Scratchy. Like a cat tongue. I'm learning about a lot of the Questers cat-like traits today.

“Well, it is a magic bag.” Felix offered his glittered hand. The bag wrapped its tongue around his hand and pulled the glitter off. Felix lifted his clean hand. “It’ll probably save the glitter and use it as a prank or a distraction later.” “How much glitter does it have?” Bendy asked. He turned this way and that. He was glitter-free after his bag bath. “Don’t ask,” Felix sighed.

... So there is. A comical amount of glitter in that bag ready to be used at any given moment. Comical might even be an understatement

“Holly love, it’s fine if you prefer a shower. But I don’t know if I want those clothes going through my apartment. We’ll set up a changing screen for you when we get there.” Alarm bells rang in Cup’s head. “Really? Bendy even said it wasn’t so bad.” “Let the lady choose for herself. The magic bag can be a bit of . . .” Felix paused to think of a word.

Ya I'm gonna go with he's currently in fucked up paranoid trauma mode rn

“And what do we do about that?” Cup asked. He pointed at the trail of glitter they were leaving behind. “Oh, well—” Felix looked back and pushed his hat up. The bag trotted over and ran its tongue over the path and up to the group, cutting the trail off neatly. “Ah, seems the bag has it covered for us.”

Magic Bag win. Has more glitter stored for shenanigans.

When Holly stepped out from the screen, she was wearing the bathrobe Alison had brought and had put her hair up in a towel. “Oh,” she said softly upon seeing Cup. “Hi.” Her face darkened a little, and she hurried to the apartment door. Cup snorted in amusement before he remembered he was ticked.

CRUMBS!!! DELICIOUS CRUMBS!!! CRUMBS FOR THE SHIPPERS!!!

Cup shut the door and was met with a face full of fluff, claws, and snarls. “OW! Cussin’ hell, Monster! Get off!” Cup pushed the rodent off his face. The animal growled at him and drifted down to the floor. “Jump me again, and I lock you in the guest room,” Cup threatened. The puffball scoffed and jumped up, drifting up to one of the bookshelves to glare down at him. Okay, not forgiven for leaving him behind. Noted. Cup raised a hand to a stinging on his cheek. No blood at least. Little cusser. Lil’ Monster had not left the apartment unscathed. He’d pulled books from bookshelves and shredded them, knocked cups from the cupboard, gnawed at the base of the door to the apartment, and left his digestive disapproval all over the floor.

Evil little fiend. I still love him. Cup how could you leave him? Mean to him

Bendy picked up the last shredded book and then collapsed next to her. They shared a look and smiled. Cup scowled. That was his last straw. “The cuss you two smilin’ about?” he asked darkly. “Cup,” Mugs said gently. “Shut the cuss up!” Cup snapped at him. “I ain’t talkin’ ta you, and you have nothin’ ta add!”

Ah. Fun. Alright. Here we go. Buckle up everyone. It's time for a Cuphead Crashout. Brace yourselves this may get ugly. Rip Mugs he tried his best to defuse the situation. We salute our soldier from the fourth wall

Bendy stood up. “Cup, that’s enough.” “Like hell—” “Dad,” Bendy turned to Felix, “I know we got something light just a minute ago, but how about you and the others go get a pizza for all of us, and Holly and I will talk to Cuphead?” Holly looked between Bendy and Cup with a worried expression. “The hell do you think you’re doin’!” Cup demanded.

Oh?

Bendy's gonna try defusing this? Idk if we've ever actually seen Bendy in this position before. Alright, Bendy I'm rooting for you. You got this homie, I believe in you

Bendy stepped up to him and frowned. “Can you wait just a couple of minutes for them to go? Before you say something you’ll regret?” Felix moved to usher the others to the door. That brought Cup up short. “I ain’t some cussin’ brat throwin’ a starfallen tantrum, Bendy! This cussin’ mess ain’t about me.” “You’re the one with the problem here and wanting a fight. I’ll fight you, but you’re not dragging Felix and Boris into it, alright?” Bendy looked up at him, measuredly. “We can talk. You can yell, but if you’re that ticked at me, it will be directed at me. Not them.”

WOOP! GO BENDY! GO BENDY! GO BENDY! DEFUSE THE TICKING TIMEBOMB THAT'S YOUR BEST FRIEND RN! THERE'S NO GLITTER BUT I BELIEVE IN YOU!

Mugs put a hand on Boris’ shoulder and smiled. Boris looked from him to Cup to Bendy. “I wanna talk to you later too. Cup isn’t the only one upset.” Bendy gave him a nod, and then they were gone, leaving just the three of them in the room together.

Oh that's vaguely intimidating. The Mugs "☺️ I Also Need To Talk To You About This" treatment is far more terrifying to me then Cup's. Which yk I was hoping would happen but still

“So what? You see a few symbols, so it’s all fine? That’s not how bombs work!” Cup snapped. Bendy filled a kettle with water and put it on the stove. “Would you cussin’ pay attention and stop dismissin’ me!” Cup nearly roared. Bendy turned back and walked over to Cup. “I am paying attention. Cup, you’re ticked, but you’re also terrified, man. If you’re gonna deck me, then deck me already, but I wanna talk to you. Not have a screamin’ match, so do what ya gotta so we can.”

YAAAAAA BENDY WIIIIIIIN!!!!! WOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

Also Holly just sitting there like: 🧍‍♂️

Cup balled his fist, tempted to do just that. A gentle hand reached out and covered his fist. Cup paused and glared down at her. Holly looked up at him silently. “Let go. He said I could.” “You don’t want to hurt him, Cup,” she said softly. “If you did, you wouldn’t be this mad.” “Someone needs ta hurt for this. That cussin’ bomber got away. How about the thieves?” Cup offered darkly. “They’d deserve it for all this stardust they put us through.” “Then are you going to hit Snowball and me too? Because I’m just as at fault as Bendy,” she said, staring him hard in the eyes. Cup baulked. “N-No, but—” They were teaming up on him, damnit!

NEVERMIND HOLLY COMING IN WITH THE STEEL CHAIR!!!!!

That being said oh my god it is SO refreshing to see someone's uh, breakdowns, being treated the way it needs to be. Again, what Cup is pulling isn't okay but they understand he's upset and they're trying to calm him down enough to talk about it! This!!! This is a better way of handling it!!!!

Also my brain can't help but go back to how Mugs handled Cup in a similar situation right after the Gala, it was a little more different but it really shows that no Mugs did not handle that well and shows how the Cbros dynamic has been for years and how much growth they still have ahead of them

AGH! I'M LOVING THIS!!!!! YESSS!!!!

Holly’s eyes welled up. “Don’t think that we’re okay just because we’re acting calm. You of all people should know that not all emotions are worn on a sleeve. I was so scared I was going to die. But I didn’t know anyone else who could do anything about what was happening. I did what I thought was best in the moment. Maybe there were better options, but I didn’t know about them! I know I’m not as smart and skilled as you are, but I’m trying.” Cup blinked. What? Not as smart as . . . Holly thought she wasn’t as smart as him?

Cup, getting a glimpse at how Holly feels about herself: Wait, hold on, say what now

“No. But the bite,” Cup pointed out, trying to bring it back around to his point, “you weren’t even worried. I felt it cussin’ you up, and you didn’t even care.” Bendy looked away and sighed. He kicked his boot before he waved for Cup and Holly to sit on the couch. Holly gently pulled Cup down next to her on the couch. “That’s, well—Damnit Cup. I’ve gotten used to the idea of dying. I mean, I could drop at any second. Any ink attack could be my last.” Bendy walked back into the living room and in front of them. “It’s just how it’s been for me.”

PAIN. I DON'T CARE IF I MADE AN ANALYSIS ABOUT THIS, IT'S AWFUL TO SEE IT BEING BROUGHT UP STILL 😭😭😭

All sorts of feelings for these three today

“Well, it’s a little better or worse than that,” Bendy laughed—actually laughed. “I thought it wasn’t so bad. I almost couldn’t believe I was in real danger. I mean,” he put a hand over the bandages on his arms, “it was so much easier than all that pain. I know what’s at the end of the ink. And it’s horrible. But the venom? That’s just a nice nap. I guess some deaths are better than others.” “Bendy.” Cup leaned forward. This wasn’t right. Bendy shouldn’t think like that.

Pot meet kettle??? Cup you are the last to judge anyone's mindsets, they just had to calm you down from frothing at the mouth from what was basically a panic attack

Also unfortunately the whole "some deaths are better than others" is. A very understandable statement for me. Cuz it's true, even if it is morbid and horrible to think about

I'm also realizing how horrible it would've been if Bendy did die here, for everyone else. Bendy has accepted his own death but nobody else has, they are in active denial

This wasn’t the conversation Cup had been gearing up for. This wasn’t the way he had planned to take this. Chew them up for being reckless, but not—Cuss, not this. Bendy didn’t talk about this. Hell, he thought Bendy didn’t care, but it wasn’t that. An easier death. How cussing grim, and he was standing here smiling about it. Damnit. Cup knew that Goofy’s death shook him up, but to this extent? Or had it always been this bad? Underneath the stubborn determination and snappy sass? Cup knew Bendy thought ahead on these things. The promise he made to Bendy proved it. Just how horrible was it to die of ink illness? Cuphead blinked. He’d never thought what it’d feel like before, just that it looked painful and cussed up. Now with this thing between him and Bendy, he could feel it. A shadow of it, he suspected. He remembered chasing the demon and him collapsing, reaching for his bag, and just how horrible it looked. Bendy stepped in front of him. Cup looked up at him.

I can't imagine this is a conversation anyone wants. Also I can't help but think about how Cup reacted when he thoughts Mugs died, he couldn't even bring himself to check. Like he's refusing to ACTUALLY think about any of his loved ones dying even if he knows they're in danger, that he'd never have to acknowledge that possibility based on him saying he just expected to yell at them for being reckless

Which I think also just ties into the fact that Cup hasn't ever had someone talk to him about emotions in a serious light like this before. Not to this degree of honesty and sincerity at least

Cup stared at Bendy and his raw honesty. His plea to understand and be understood. He looked over at Holly. She was frowning, her expression conflicted. Bendy continued. “So, I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you. I trust you. I really do. Next time you say wait, I’ll wait without asking. But that’s why it’s hard for me not to go sprinting at every damn crumb I hear about. I never meant to scare you like this.”

I would've included the previous paragraph but that was. A Lot. But oh, Bendy

Sometimes I forget that Bendy is kinda desperate. His situation isn't great and he has so much responsibility put on him and he's only 19

He's so young, man. It's so easy to forget how young he is

“That’s not what I . . . You two are too important to lose,” Cup said. He glared at the table. “I mean, yeah, cussin’ listen ta me, but . . . I’m just . . . I’m not used ta lookin’ out for so many people at once.”

😭😭😭 Ya what if I cry? Huh?? What if I just do that instead????

Cup glanced at Holly. Her expression was carefully neutral. How many nightmares did she have because of this quest?

I mean. Caused by the Quest but her dreams are uh. Something else. I'll say that.

“But what you pulled after is stardust, Cup,” Bendy said, pulling his attention back to him. “That’s the other thing we need to talk about.” Cup scoffed. “I didn’t do jack squat!” “Because I stopped you. Hell, we had to stop you at the hospital, too.” Bendy crossed his arms. He looked disappointed, but what Cup felt was worry. “You can’t go attacking us because we scared you.” Cup scowled. “I ain’t cussin’ scared! I’m ticked! Yes, what you did was a scare, but I’m over that. I wanna—” “You’re not, and you want to punish us for scaring you.” Bendy frowned. He put a hand on his chest. “I can feel it, man, remember? And you’re cussing lucky I can. It’s the reason I’m acting calm instead of flying off the damn handle at you.”

CALL! HIM! OUT! YESSSSS BABYYYYYYYY!!!!! Also ya that makes sense, shoutout to the soulbond for making this nicer bc I was absolutely preparing for an emotional MESS. Like the Gala but maybe worse bc Bendy and Cup fighting would suck waaaay more then anyone else fighting

He got the kettle and set out two cups. “H, you want any cocoa?” Holly made a resigned expression of disgust. “I suppose it’s appropriate,” she sighed. “So yes.” Cup gave her a confused look. She hated hot chocolate?

THE COCOA RETURNS!!!! HAHA! Sorry Holly, my favorite kinda unintentional joke of this series. You being haunted by hot chocolate and emotional conflict at the same time

Also, Cup repeatedly this chapter; I am learning something new about Holly

“Milo was just trying to protect me. He doesn’t know you,” Holly said softly. “You know how scary you can look when you’re angry.” Cup pulled his eyes off the wall and back to Holly. She thought he looked scary? Bendy came over and pushed a mug into Cup’s hands.

I-

Cup that isn't what she said. Oh my god, FOCUS YOU STUPID SMITTEN MAN!

Bendy feeling Cup get vaguely upset when she said that: HERE. COCOA. LOOK. YUMMY COCOA. THINK ABOUT THE COCOA. YOU LOVE SWEETS!

Holly’s expression tightened. She took a long sip of her mug as she seemed to steel herself to speak. “Cup,” she said in her gentlest tone. “I’ve also noticed that when you are scared, you express it as anger.” She paused for a long moment. “I believe that’s what happened after the gala. When we spoke,” she said neutrally. Cup’s eyes widened before he shut that stardust down. Bendy glanced at him. His keen eyes too sharp. Cussing demon and his cussing bond! He didn’t need this. “That ain’t the same. I—This is about you two. I’m just—” Cup lowered his eyes.

OHHHHHOHOHOHOOOOO Cup is stuck in the feelings! No escaping! Bendy can feel them!!! It's apparently time for him to actually talk to people now!

Bendy watched him. None of Cup’s frustration reflected back at him. “And ya know what? Cussin’ hate this damn bond! Cuss it and all this stardust that comes with it!” Bendy didn’t look surprised. For some reason, that ticked Cup off even more. “I thought that what Hat put me through was cussed up, but this is so much damn worse! It’s invasive and creepy, and I hate this damn creepy demon magic!” A twinge from Bendy. Something flickered through him, but it was gone before Cup could figure out what it was. Anger? Hurt? Embarrassment? He should feel that way! Bendy lowered his mug and looked down at it.

Never mind Cup did something worse and instead prodded into a very very old wound. And also said things he didn't mean. Still.

Cup you idiot. Yk I guess it could be worse. They could be screaming at each other AND Cuphead said this about Bendy

Although I do remember wondering waaaay back when Cup's uh. Issues with demons in context of Bendy would appear. Because Cup DOES have issues with demons. And Bendy has issues regarding being a demon. Could've been worse I think

Could not be easy hearing that from Cuphead though

Cup furrowed his brows. That was it? What the hell, Bendy? He wasn’t going to argue or fight back? Cup didn’t want a damn apology! That cat woman even said it was good for him, and he was just going to get rid of it? “Hat said it was dangerous,” Cup pointed out. Bendy snorted. “I’m sure I can find a safe way. I’m stubborn enough to figure it out. If I’m gonna cure an incurable disease, a soul bond should be easy, right?” His tail flicked again, and Cup thought he hid behind the mug this time. He tried to find any resentment in Bendy, but there wasn’t anything but sorrow. “It might have to be after the quest, but we’ll get outta this, okay? Promise.” He smiled at Cup, and a brick of guilt and shame plummeted into his stomach. Damnit. Mugs had been right. Bendy wasn’t like the Devil, and Cup was sitting here asking for him to fight back like he was.

We're really watching Cup trying to prod his loved ones into abusing him like everyone else did for the last 10 years.

This should be known as "The Cuphead chapter in which Cup tries to get someone to lash out at him bc he's upset and self-destructive"

“Cuphead?” Bendy asked. Cup looked up to see Bendy giving him a confused and worried look. “What’s really bothering you? There’s nothing for you to feel this bad about.” Cup looked away. “It’s okay to not want the bond, really. I’m not offended.” Here he was comparing Bendy to the Devil and Black Hat. Cuss. Cup was so damn—

Oh Bendy 😭😭😭 you have no idea

Cup looked at both of them. “Dumb luck! That’s the reason why we can sit here. Just dumb cussin’ luck! It’s cussed up! We tried to do everythin’ right, and we’re still a mess! It doesn’t matter, does it?” Cup asked. “One of us or maybe all of us are cussed, and it’s just a matter of time before the luck runs dry. Ya can’t beat the cussin’ house.” “It sounds like you’re angry with yourself, too,” Holly commented softly. She frowned at her mug, wrapping her fingers around it but not drinking.

THE GAMBLING METAPHORS WHILE HE'S SPIRALLING ABOUT THEIR WELLBEINGS 😭😭😭 HE'S STILL IN THE DEVIL'S CASINO!!!!

Also Holly choosing not to drink her hot chocolate 😭 that poor girl basically has trauma with that drink and this isn't helping

Cup made a noise in the back of his throat and downed half the cocoa. “As a damn bodyguard, I should be cussin’ fired.” Bendy huffed. “You’re not my damn bodyguard. You’re my best friend. You’re not going anywhere.” As if to prove his words, Bendy wrapped his tail about Cup’s ankle. “Look, we don’t expect you to be everywhere and fix everything for us. That’s cussing impossible, and I’m too danger-prone for any one cusser to handle. We have to fight our own battles. Like I said before, that’s not on you. Today isn’t on you, Cup. Holly and I made our choices. You can’t take responsibility for us. We’re cussing adults! You’re allowed to be angry with me, but you’re not allowed to feel guilty for the things I decide to do. I’ll drive you crazy.”

THE TAIL?? WRAPPING HIS TAIL AROUND CUP'S LEG???? HIS TAIL????????

Also this convo where Bendy essentially breaks down that no Cup you are NOT intended to just DO things for us, we love you

But also how, this again nods back to the Gala. Him and her flirting about him being her bodyguard, Bendy has NO idea what he just stepped into

Wingman Bendy... Wingman Bendy........

“And then saved my life with those same shadows!” Cup continued to argue. This was lighter. Something heavy in Cup’s chest loosened just a little. Bendy shrugged like it was nothing. “I know how scary I am. I don’t hold it against the fella. I mean . . . how many stories are there where a demon is the bad guy? It is what it is. I guess this is the price for learning and then being willing to use my magic. Any magic can scare people, but demon magic? C’mon, Cup, you even said it yourself. I’m creepy. The bond I accidentally made is creepy.” “That! That’s not what I meant!” Cup startled. A flicker of horror sparked in his chest. He’d asked for a fight, and look what he’d done. Bendy thought he was a cussing monster. Bendy shrugged again. He seemed unbothered, but there it was again. That twinge. It was hurt. “I’m sorry.” It slipped out. Cup twitched. Bendy glanced up. Cup looked away to Holly instead. She met his eyes, that placating smile on her face. “I didn’t mean to hurt you like that. It was too cussin’ far. We all know you’re the furthest thing from a creep, Bendy. Those shadows have saved lives now.”

YESSSSSSS! DON'T LET BENDY GO ON THINKING HE'S AWFUL FOR BEING A DEMON!!!

Cup scoffed. “So what? Is that what you’re gonna do after this quest? Take on the world for the demons’ sake?” Cup raised his mug again. Bendy tilted his head. “Eeeeh. There are some good fellas down there. I’d probably have to cussing overthrow that schmuck of a Devil first. Nothing is gonna get done with that scum in charge, but hell, why not?” Cup choked on his cocoa. He coughed and looked at Bendy, dumbfounded. Holly patted his back. Bendy laughed again. “You’re insane.” Cup chuckled once he could breathe.

LMAO. This is just funny to me. Both like, the interaction itself but also the irony that Cup is one of the Devil's debtors who ALSO tried to take down the Devil. When he was a kid but still

“Ya know, I think that’s treason or some stardust,” Cup pointed out. “Pffft! Like I care. Cusser never showed up for me. I don’t owe him stardust!” Bendy declared

LMAO??? Fair enough Bendy, carry on

“Honestly, I think you’d do well as someone in charge,” Holly commented, taking another drink of her hot chocolate. “You can build engines on the weekends.” “Ugh, but then I have to work with people,” Bendy bemoaned. “We’re people, you cusser,” Cup pointed out. “You work with us.” “Incompetent people,” Bendy corrected. That made them laugh. What the cuss? Cup had asked for a damn fight. How the hell was he laughing now? He felt . . . relieved. “I have a solution for that. Just fire the incompetent people and hire competent ones,” Holly said with a mischievous wink at Bendy. Bendy got a wicked, sly smile. “Imps would run the world.” What the hell was he talking about now?

IMPS WOULD RUN THE WORLD!!! YOU HEARD THE MAN! PUT IMPS IN CHARGE!!!!

Also mood on the "ugh but then I have to work with people". So real for that. So real

I'm happy they're being silly after getting through all that, I'm glad that Cup can finally see emotional conflict doesn't have to be fighting and punishment or end in that way. I seriously hope he learns from this

And also Bendy as the Devil tease there

OPTION A. If you want to be an artist drawing for this project

1 Join the discord and choose your role(s):

Sketcher:  They will they draw scenes straight from the fanfic

Inker:  They will do lineart/cleanup from the sketchers sketch.

Grayscale artist/Colorist:  Do grayscale based on the lineart.  Only magic and important or specific scenes will be colored  And even then it can go from base colors to simple shading at most.

Letterist: In short comics they will add brief dialog or descriptions to give context. 

Background artist:  Not every drawing will need to have backgrounds, only important backgrounds will be drawn when required. Ex. A reference of the Dancing Lady when it’s introduced. 

In the discord I'll be coordinating all parts of the process and who will draw which scenes, etc. 

I divided it into roles to lessen the workload.  So for example if a sketcher just has the time/ energy to draw one scene that's all right!! Because the other artists can polish it for you. Or say you're not good at drawing scenes from a script then you can help by finishing a sketch already made! 

IMPORTANT: YOU CHOOSE HOW MUCH YOU DO FOR THIS PROJECT.

Artists can also join and leave  and rejoin the project as they like. I would just ask NOT TO LEAVE/GHOST if you're still currently working on a scene.  Or at the very least let me know if you have to please TWT.  Please.

Deadlines will be very chill and flexible. There is no rush to finish this or even complete it. It's all for fun and we'll only stop when it's not fun anymore. 

OPTION B if you want to contribute with your already made fanart.

Have you drawn a sketch/comic/illustration of a specific inky mystery scene? Great! You can be key to getting the pieces together!

Every now and then I'll be making posts asking for artists who have drawn for example any scene from book one or seeking them out myself.

Because this blog will also work as a sort of archive that features inky mystery fanart exactly in the order it needs to be placed in the story.

Example: If you've drawn the scene of the Cupbros meeting the Bbros when the time comes for adapting that specific scene instead of having the team draw it from scratch all over I will simply REBLOG (not reupload) that drawing here where it would fit with the previous and next scene in the story.

I will always ask the creator before I REBLOG (not reupload) their work here. 

If different artists have drawn the same scene and I have their permission I will reblog multiple drawings of the same scene and won't be choosing one over the other.

I only WON’T be able to reblog your art once we're past that specific scene (Ex. I can't reblog a scene from book one if we're already in book two).

Feel free to ask any questions and concerns! 

Remember this is a volunteer passion fanproject so if you’re thinking of joining then no pressure and just enjoy yourself!!