Unfinished Smurfs

Chapter 3: Grouchy And The Foundling/Three Smurfs And A Baby

One day, three Smurfs were taking a walk in the woods.

"Can we smurf home now?" Jokey whined, trailing behind the others.

"I hate whining!" Grouchy complained.

"Oh, come now, dear Jokey," Vanity admonished, his gaze never leaving his mirror. "Walking is good for you."

"I hate things that are good for me!" Grouchy whined.

"Well, I hate hypocrites!" Jokey yelled at him.

"I hate being called out..." Grouchy grumbled.

"Is there anything you don't hate, old friend?" Vanity asked, adjusting his flower with a sniff.

You, Grouchy thought.

"NO!" Grouchy said.

//They find a Baby Smurf under a stasis spell in the woods and take him back to the Village. Someone needs to watch him while Alchemist tries to find his parents. Grouchy is either assigned the role or surprises everysmurf by volunteering.

Grouchy pounded on the library door, scowl deepening every second it went unanswered.

Finally, a disheveled Brainy opened the door. "What?" he snapped. He recoiled as the Baby was shoved in his face.

"I need a book on how to take care of Baby," Grouchy growled.

"Since when do you have a child?" Brainy asked, blinking the sleep from his eyes and looking around. "Who in their right smurf would smurf you with a child?"

"It was me or Jokey." Grouchy shrugged, privately enjoying the look of utter horror that crossed the other's face. "Book."

Brainy scowled. "Despite my temporary residence here, I will have you smurf that I am not, in fact, the town Librarian."

"Book," Grouchy demanded again, glaring. Baby giggled, reaching out a tiny hand to honk Brainy's nose.

"Awwww!" Brainy cooed, running a finger along Baby's arm. He sighed, deflating. "Oh, alright. Come inside, sit down; I'll smurf your books in a minute."

"Coochie-coo, Baby!" Jokey giggled, scratching the hatchling's chin. He pulled a tiny gift box out of his vest. "I hava present fer ya!"

"Jokey..." Vanity said wearily.

"I'd hate to have to hit you, Jokey," Grouchy warned.

"Come on, guys, d'ya really tink dat liddle of me?" Jokey pouted. "It's an actual gift dis time, honest!"

"I HATE..." Baby nuzzled Grouchy's cheek. Grouchy smiled softly, making the others gasp. "...how much I don't hate Baby."

//Of course Baby's parents aren't found, and he needs a more permanent caretaker. Grouchy has some thoughts on this.

"Mine," Grouchy growled quietly, hugging the sleeping Baby close to his chest. "You smurf a problem with that?"

Vanity looked away from his mirror, staring at Grouchy for a second. Two. His gaze flicked to Baby. Back to his mirror. He smiled. "Of course not, old friend. But don't expect me to smurf his diapers."

"I HATE smurfing diapers," Grouchy muttered. He startled as Vanity's arm snaked around him. He didn't hug back, but he did lean into the touch. "I hate you... slightly less than most."

"I know," Vanity chuckled.

Jokey popped up behind them suddenly, wrapping his arms around them both, careful to not jostle Baby. "Oh! I luv ya guys!"

"We love you too, Jokey." Vanity rolled his eyes. Silently, privately, where no one but him could hear... Grouchy echoed their words.