Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was a warm evening in Club Penguin, and under the sun that set into the western sky, an outcast walked amongst the snowy streets. His name? Rodrigo Rook. Or, how their friends called him, Rookie. Like his nickname told, They were never the best at anything, never the worst. Average, is how you'd describe them. He'd always aspired to be like the so-rumored PSA Agents that protected the island. But, alas, the only remarkable thing he'd seem to have done is crashing into a tree through a sled race (and ending up in the newspaper). Embarrassing himself seemed to be their only talent.

The green-haired male waited patiently at his bus stop, watching different groups or lone people (like himself) pass in a variety of different fashions. That's what they loved about the island, there was a diversity of characters, it was hard to get bored. All of a sudden, he felt someone bump into them. "Hey! Watch where you're..", He trailed off as they watched a letter fall from the figures pocket, and he picked it up quickly. "Excuse me! You dropped your letter!", He exclaimed as they ran to catch up to the cyan-haired person.

“Oh, thank you.", The other said. They seemed to study Rookie for a moment. "Excuse me, are you alright?", The green-haired asked. "Oh, my apologies, I couldn't help but notice..", The trench-coat-clad figure gestured to Rookie's lower half, stained with dried mud. "Oh, it's nothing, missed my bus this morning and haven't gotten the chance to get all this mud washed off yet.", He laughed awkwardly, kicking the snow a bit. "Oh! And speaking of missing busses..", The stranger turned over to the road, just as the last bus of the night drove off. "Ah! Damn..", Rookie mumbled. Their shoulders sunk down in defeat and the stranger gave a sigh.

"Well, My name is Ace. Pleasure to meet you.", 'Ace' reached out their hand to shake. "Oh. Nice to meet you too, Ace.", Rookie grinned gently too. "You live around here?", Ace asked. "Yeah. Not too far from here.", He answered. "Hm.. oh! It's nine thirty already?! Sorry, I have to go!", The once seemingly stoic Ace's face turned to run, before he stopped. "Wait! I never caught your name!", The cyan-haired looked at Rookie again. Rookie lowered his head and glowered at Ace. "Well, I never threw it.", They said.

The other chortled, stuffing their hands into their grey trench coat pockets. "Haha! You've got a sense of humor, I like it!", Ace lightly punched him in the arm. "But, since you insist, you can call me Rookie. Everyone does.", Rookie shrugged. "Well, was a pleasure talking to you, Rookie!", Ace grinned and shook Rookie's hand once more before turning and nonchalantly walking off into the darkness only punctuated by the eerie glow of street lamps.

Rookie looked down, only to find an envelope in his hand. They opened it, to find the same exact letter that Ace had dropped. How curious.

Chapter Text

You opened the door to the Ski Shop, the bell tolling gleefully as you did. You peeked into your bag, smiling down at the bouquet of flowers you'd gotten for Gary. Blue roses, daisies, and sunflowers. they were all his favorite colors. You took a deep breath, held it, let it out. You'd never done this before. After hanging out with Gary for so long you realized you'd been head over heels in love with the guy. He was so innovative, so kind and witty, what wasn't there to love? You had to admit you were a sucker for a man who could be so polite and attentive, a lovable little dork with a sense of humor and a taste for the finer things in life. The shop was always busy, at least on weekends. There was never a lull in the line. As you finally caught sight of the blue-haired male your breath hitched, stolen away from you just like when Rookie first introduced you to him.

"ah, hello Agent!", he grinned his goofy grin, making your heart flutter. "Hey, Gary.", you faltered back, clutching your messenger bag tighter to the point where your knuckles began turning white. "What brings you here?", He asked, tilting his head a bit and his smile softening. You felt a small heat rise to your cheeks. "Erm, I... wanted to uh-- tell you something!", You said, feigning confidence. You couldn't help but notice he didn't answer right away. Instead, he glanced at the hand that clenched your messenger bag. "Oh? Do tell.", He said finally, realizing he was staring. "Well... Ever since Rookie introduced me to you, something, well... something changed in me. I couldn't help but admire how quick-witted and..", the word 'adorable' nearly left your mouth but you paused before you could slip up. "..and diligent you are. You pour your heart and soul into every one of your projects, and I don't think you get enough credit for it.", You said, lowering your head a bit. You had a pretty good idea of what you were going for, but it began to fall apart when Gary looked at you with a hopeful and starstruck look in his eyes "Listen... Gary, we've been spending so much time together over the past few months and I think I might have come to a realization.", You added, blushing a little at your declaration. Your heart was beating so fast, you felt like you might explode. Your chest was heaving, trying to stop the whirling feeling of butterflies panging around the walls of your stomach.

"I... Gary, I love you!", You exclaimed finally, holding out the bouquet of flowers you'd gotten him.  And then, just as quickly, Gary laughed. "Agent, I-I feel the same way! God, you don't know how afraid I was when I realized I was in love with you!", He said, hugging you tightly. Your eyes widened with a whirlpool of a hundred different emotions. He then, shaking his head, gave another laugh. A smile began to creep across your face. "I'm so happy, Agent. So happy to have you with me.", he said with a smile, cupping your face and kissing your forehead gingerly. 

Chapter Text

Gary pushed up his glasses on the bridge of his nose, staring intently at his project. A screwdriver was held in one of his hands, and the other firmly gripped the invention. “Gaarryyyy.”, Rookie whined from the table. “Hmmm?”, The other replied. “I want attentioooon.”, He groaned. “I’m busyyyy.”, Gary spun around in his chair. “Pleeeeassee?”, Rookie pleaded. “Lateeer.”, Gary turned back around to face his invention, tinkering with it still. Eventually, Rookie managed his way over to Gary’s desk in a rolling chair, placing a piece of paper down. ‘Attention?’, it read. The scientist managed a chuckle, his eyes trailing to the other. Suddenly, Rookie leaned forward in his chair, planting a kiss on Gary’s forehead. After a moment, He pulled away. He began to smile, noting the fog that formed on Gary’s lenses. “Thanks Rooks. Thanks a lot.”, Gary sighed. Rookie only chuckled. “You are welcome.”

Chapter Text

The Nightclub was an exciting place filled with music nearly every hour of every day. Penguins would flock in to show off their dance moves and meet the one and only DJ Cadence. Well, except for (Y/N)... They merely stood by and cheered on other penguins while they watched from the crowd.

But tonight was the night that would change. (Y/N) would get on that dance floor and show their stuff! They felt the snow crunch under their feet, and the lights flashed cheerfully and they pushed open the door and was greeted by the chatter and music of the nightclub. (Y/N) felt their chest tighten as they pushed through the crowd and to the dance contest sign-up sheet. The pen seemingly shook in their flippers as they marked their name on the paper.

And with that, they pushed through the crowd and to the dance floor. (Y/N) opened their flippers and bumped into a few penguins, murmuring an apology under their breath. They hummed to one of Cadence's songs that played over the speakers, watching other penguins spin on the dance floor, and fell into rhythm with the music, clearly practicing for the evening. (Y/N) found a spot in the corner of the dance floor where they could see the crowd but not suffocate in it. About an hour and a half passed, and the music faded out and was then replaced by a familiarly lively voice.

"Good evening Club Penguin! How're we doin' tonight?!", It was DJ Cadence over the loudspeakers. (Y/N)'s (E/C) eyes trailed over to the DJ booth to see the peach-toned penguin raising her flippers to greet the crowd, which happily responded. "Now, I think y'all know what time it is! It's time fooooooor... The nightly dance con-teeest!", The DJ cheered. "And up first we haaave... (Y/N)! (Y/N), show ya face!", She grinned. The (F/C) penguin felt their stomach drop to their feet and spatter on the floor. They feared that if they stepped forward, they'd stumble and fall flat on their beak. All eyes were on them. Their chest tightened once again and they looked down. An ugly blush stained their cheeks as they feared that Cadence and the other dancers were looking at them with a mix of disgust and taunting. They hid their embarrassment by raising their flippers and quickly making their way to the center of the dance floor. "Alright! There you are! And from what I see here... You wanna dance to The Party Starts Now, yeah? Quite a classic if I do say so myself!", The violet-haired penguin chuckled, and (Y/N) nodded sheepishly.

"Alrighty then! I got that booted up and three. Two. One. Go!", And sure enough, that song began to blare from the speakers. And although the music was louder than ever, it felt muffled. But, (Y/N) tried their best. They moved their feet and flippers to the foggy beat of the music. But, out of the corner of their (E/C) eyes, they could see the crowd beginning to whisper and giggle things to other penguins, and walking away from the dance floor. "W-Wait! cut the music! C-cut the music!", (Y/N) shook their head, their limbs shaking like a frail baby bird. And like that, the music calmed. "I can't do it. I-I'm sorry for wasting your time.", They fiddled with their flippers, slowly stepping away from the dance floor, still feeling all the other penguins' eyes crawl along their back. They hunched their shoulders and exited the Night Club. (Y/N) slumped against the cold wall, their chest heaving with anger. And with that, they sat on the cold wall, their (F/C) flippers buried in their warm and embarrassed face. The night passed by calmly and quietly (considering their favorite pizza several times, but inevitably lost their appetite.) And the Night Club was soon devoid of penguins for the most part.

***

"Hey, (Y/N) right?", A voice said. The saddened penguin looked up from their spot against the wall. A tanish-pink penguin with loud purple and pink toned hair and neon green headphones smiled sympathetically. "Woah, DJ C-Cadence?! Why are you here?", The (F/C) penguin stood from their spot with wide eyes. "The one and only!", The other chuckled. "I, uh... I saw how upset you looked on that dance floor. What's buggin' you?", She tilted her head. "Well... I'm just not so good at dancing," (Y/N) gave a small shrug. "That's all.", They saw Cadence give a small grin at their words. "I mean, everyone starts somewhere yeah? Even I didn't know how to dance or sing at one point in time.", She gave a reassuring pat on (Y/N)'s shoulder. "But, dancing... It's just not for me. Dancing is... It's too hard!", They shook their head. "Well, maybe you're right. Maybe you're wrong. Either way, you're right.", The DJ nodded her head a bit. "... What does that even mean?", (Y/N) asked. "I dunno. But still! Everything takes practice. Hey, maybe we can do a few lessons together. I could give you a few pointers." "I'd love that." "Then let's get to it!"

The two entered the Night Club, and so they went, onto the empty dance floor and Cadence clicked on some music. "Now, there's no real right way to dance, keep that in mind!", The peach-colored penguin took (Y/N) by their flippers, leading them onto the dance floor. "Are you ready?", They nodded slowly, but with an optimistic smile. "One. Two. Three. Now. You. Go!", Cadence said in unison with the beat of the music. The music began and (Y/N) hesitantly began tapping their feet and swinging their flippers softly. They found that the beat of the music didn't feel right, and Cadence paused in her dancing. "Hey, you got that same look on your face. What's wrong?", She said. "Well... It's just, uh... Just a feeling.", The other hummed, giving her a nervous look. "Here, lemme show you a trick I learned.", Cadence took their flippers once more. "I know this is gonna sound silly, but imagine you're doing chores and listenin' to music, it just works really well!", Cadence grinned. They followed her lead and their feet began to tap in sync.

"Haha! There ya go!", Cadence grinned ever wider. "Thanks, that was cool. But, I still don't know if I like it.", (Y/N) said timidly. "Well, don't worry. You'll get used to it soon enough. Practice makes perfect. And what better way to practice than just havin' fun?", Cadence shrugged positively. "Yeah. You're right.", (Y/N) returned the grin. The two penguins continued to dance together, smiling and laughing until they both got tired and decided to part ways.

"Hey! Before you go, (Y/N), take this!", Cadence handed them a slip of paper. 'Call me soon! :)' it read, and below, Cadence's phone number was written. (Y/N) smiled and laughed as the two shared a hug. "And like I said. Practice makes perfect!", Cadence grinned. "Bye! See you soon!", Cadence smiled as she walked from the Night Club. The (F/C) Penguin looked down at the colorful paper once again.

'Call me soon! :)'