Chapter Text
The show was going remarkably smoothly.
Scooter had been buzzing with nerves when they’d started, like always, but there hadn’t been any unforeseen circumstances. Gonzo’s act went flawlessly, the Electric Mayhem’s song killed, and the audience was even laughing at a few of Fozzie’s jokes!
However, there was one thing that wasn’t going according to plan…
“Walter! Walter! Where’s Walter?”
Scooter rushed through the theatre, heart pounding. He’d seen Walter today, at least, so he couldn’t have gone too far…
He spotted someone in a red satin jacket walking back towards the pit. “Floyd! You seen Walter anywhere?”
Floyd shook his head, shrugging. “Sorry, my man. Haven’t seen him.”
“O-okay…” Scooter wheeled around, doing another round. Their number was in five minutes. Walter couldn’t be missing.
“Gonzo!” he called. “Have you seen Walter? I’ve looked everywhere; our act’s up next, and—”
He was nearly hyperventilating. He took a deep breath, attempting to calm himself down. There was no need to get worked up about it. Panicking wouldn’t find Walter any faster.
Gonzo bit his lip. “I don’t think so—oh. There.” He pointed behind Scooter.
He turned around, glancing up at the landing in front of the dressing rooms. Walter stood at the top, peering over the railing. He was wearing a stunning blue shirt that took Scooter’s breath away. Silvery lightning bolts raced up and down its sides, making him look even more ethereal than he always did.
Scooter realized his mouth had fallen open. He shut it, face heating up, and hurried up the steps. “Walter! There you are. I was looking all over for you!”
“Sorry,” Walter said, flashing him a smile that made all his worries melt away. “I was just getting dressed. Had a little trouble with the buttons, but we’re all good now.”
“You could’ve asked me to help,” Scooter mumbled, staring down at the shirt in awe. Walter had made that. He wanted to reach out and touch it, but he had a feeling that that would be weird. “I wouldn’t have minded.”
“Yeah, but you were busy with the show,” Walter said. His eyes sparkled impishly. “Besides, I didn’t want you passing out on me right before we had our big number.”
“I…” Scooter’s cheeks flared. “R-right.” He rubbed the back of his neck, looking away.
Walter gave him a once-over.“Oh—the jacket! I hadn’t seen it on you yet, it looks great! Do you like it?”
Scooter looked down at the jacket he was wearing. It was sparkly and red, glimmering under the lights backstage. He couldn’t imagine how much brighter it’d look when he was under the spotlights. “Yeah. It’s—it’s beautiful. Thank you so much, Walter.”
Walter’s eyes crinkled. “I’m glad you’re happy with it.”
Scooter’s heart skipped a beat. He grinned at Walter, at a loss for words.
“I’m so excited for this!” Walter said, changing the subject on a dime. “I’m gonna be on stage, with you, singing a song together! We’re gonna rock this, I just know it!”
Scooter’s heart fluttered at his enthusiasm. “I’m excited too. You’re gonna do great.”
He glanced at the clock on the wall, eyes widening. “Oh, shoot—we should go get ready. We’re on stage in two.”
“Oh, yeah!” Walter grinned, grabbing Scooter’s hand (the lightning bolts on his shirt weren’t just for show, because Scooter felt sparks) and dashing off to the wings.
Fozzie was just walking off the stage when they got there. He waved at them, mouthing, “Break a leg!”
Scooter smoothed down his jacket, setting his clipboard down on a nearby chair. He grinned at Walter. “You ready?”
“Heck yeah I am!” Walter whispered, beaming.
“All right, folks!” Kermit walked onstage, smiling to the audience. “Hope you enjoyed our bear-rel of laughs! Let’s keep things rolling. Our next number is actually being performed by our gofer, Scooter, and our newest Muppet, Walter…”
“Oh, almost forgot! C’mere, Scooter!” Walter beckoned him over.
“Huh?” Scooter’s brow furrowed. “We gotta go onstage, like, right now, Walter.”
“It won’t take very long. I promise.”
“Okay…” He walked over, heart fluttering.
Walter pulled him close, leaned up onto his tiptoes, and pressed a soft kiss onto his cheek.
Scooter’s mouth fell open. He gaped at Walter, heart pounding.
Walter pulled away, smiling sweetly. “Good luck.”
Scooter was sure that his face was the same color as his jacket. Walter had just kissed him—
“And without further ado, please enjoy—Moves Like Jagger!”
The audience cheered, and the band started playing the opening. The penguins waddled onstage. Scooter swallowed. Hopefully no one would notice how flushed his cheeks were.
Walter smiled at him one last time, then bounded onstage, lips puckering again to whistle out the opening melody. Scooter sighed, a goofy grin spreading over his face, and followed him out into the light.