Muppet Oneshots + Drabbles

Restless Naps

Zoot falls asleep in Lips' lap and Lips has a conversation with someone else while stroking Zoot's hair as if they were a sleeping cat.

Another day at the office. It seemed like a habit to wake up early to hear the game plan from Kermit about the show. Some Muppets have adjusted to waking up in the morning and eating on the go, but some haven't and still yearn for sleep. Among them was the burnt-out musician Zoot, who's been having nightmares for the past few days. Even his usual hourly naps are interrupted with a night terror. Usually, a cup of coffee would help take his mind off them, but he couldn't shake off the fear stuck in his consciousness. He hasn't told the band of them out of fear of being a nuisance. After throwing away the cup of caffeine, Zoot begins to walk back to his bandmates. It was easy to dodge the cameras that followed everyone around.

"There's this cute California guy I worked with. I dunno if I should text him or not," Dolores says to Janice. She sat in the band's hangout with the others having their own conversation. Zoot trudges in, dragging his feet on the ground. Dr. Teeth briefly greets him before continuing on the subject.

"... And he asked me to play with him, but I said no and went on my way". Lips grins as Zoot sits down next to him. As Lips begins to talk, Zoot's exhausted mind begins to take effect. For the next few minutes, he tries to stay awake. Blinking away the sleep isn't doing anything and pinching his skin can only help for a few seconds. It isn't long before Zoot's eyes close shut, not fully asleep yet though.

"Sax Man, are you OK?"

"So... tired..."

"What do you mean? You're always tired".

"Like, totally not helping, Floyd". A pair of hands grabs Zoot's shoulders. Zoot opens an eye, seeing everyone looking at him.

"Zoot, what's the matter?" Lips asks. Lips never uses their real names unless he's serious. Zoot only responds with the word "Nightmares", tilting forward tiredly and then jolting awake.

"Why didn't you tell us?"

"Didn't... wanna be a... another problem... for you," Zoot replies, struggling to keep his head straight. Without another question, Lips carefully lays Zoot down on what the blue-haired musician thinks is a pillow and begins to pet his head.

"He'll be OK, right?" Dolores asks. Dr. Teeth reassures her that he will be fine after a restful nap. Floyd changes the subject quickly to liven up the mood. Dolores leans to Lips and asks if Zoot will really be alright.

"He's gonna be just fine. When he has enough power to sit up, I'll ask him and work something out," he whispers. Zoot's head rested on Lips' thigh with the rest of his body sprawled long ways on the couch. Petting his head seemed to do the trick on helping him sleep better. Their conversation extends from bass players to band names to types of music and whatever else came to their mind all while Zoot finally had a nightmare-less sleep.

Epilogue:

An hour and a half had passed when Zoot woke up refreshed. Dolores and the rest of the band, excluding Lips, we're gone doing something else, leaving the atmosphere silent. He looks up at Lips, who is resting his head on the back of the couch.

"You stayed?"

"Well, I couldn't just leave ya here alone".

"... I'm sorry. For worrying you, I mean".

"You're fine. Now, please don't ever think you're a problem for us. You're important, Zoot".

"Well, thanks for being there for me".

"No problem".