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Fan is Test Tube’s willing test subject for all experiments, eagerly sitting and trying out any concoction or invention she offers him. Whether it's a random liquid she has cooked up or a new invention, Fan is always the first to give it a go and offer his review. He is the most loyal test subject anyone could ever ask for.
It was another day of testing new things, and Test Tube and Fan were already in her secret lab. The green-filled vial was bubbling with something new today as she mixed chemicals behind her workbench. Fan sat idly on the inflatable couch they had in the lab, his phone in hand as he wrote reviews for a recent restaurant he visited, humming away as he did his thing, allowing his best friend to do hers. He tried not to interfere when she was in her groove. Some days, Fan does help out and acts as Test Tube’s special lab partner, but today he was merely a test subject waiting for his turn. It didn’t bother him what role he played, as long as he got to spend time with his best friend, Test Tube.
Test Tube was on the verge of completing her latest invention: a truth serum of her own creation. She devised it as a potential advantage for any future reality show competitions, enabling her to slip it into the drinks of fellow contestants, compelling them to speak only the truth. However, before she could utilise it in any real scenario, she needed to ensure its effectiveness. And who better to test it on than her closest friend, Fan? After all, he never keeps secrets from her, so she reasoned it wouldn't be an invasion of privacy. To maintain the integrity of her tests, Test Tube couldn't divulge the nature of the serum to Fan; his ignorance was crucial to ensuring unbiased results. Despite this, she believed it shouldn't be considered an intrusion into Fan's privacy, given their status as best friends who share everything—or so Test Tube thought.
"It's ready!" Test Tube cheered, holding up the small potion-like bottle. The liquid inside was a gloomy purple, with a few bubbles bubbling within.
Fan perked up, setting his phone down as he smiled over at Test Tube. "Ohhh, what is it?" he asked curiously.
"Can't tell you that! It could impact the results!" she replied with a wide grin.
Fan paused for a moment, considering her explanation. It seemed reasonable enough. Though he felt a tad nervous about consuming something unknown, he trusted Test Tube wholeheartedly. As long as it wasn't poison, he was game.
"Can't argue with statistics! Pass it over!" he said with an eager smile.
Test Tube pulled out a stool for Fan to sit on, already equipped with a list of questions ranging from basic to deeply personal. She needed to ensure the serum worked effectively, so she prepared a variety of inquiries.
"Come sit!" she exclaimed, patting the stool.
Fan complied, walking over and plopping onto the seat. He swung his legs back and forth, humming a tune. Test Tube handed him the bottle and stepped back, grabbing a notepad and pen.
The bottle was small, just a single shot—enough for Fan's needs. Any more might lead to a bad trip.
"Alright! Should I drink?" he asked, popping open the cork. The scent was a bit funky, but he hoped the taste would be tolerable at least.
“Ready when you are!” Test tube gave a thumbs up and waited.
Fan tossed back the liquid, finding it tolerable despite its medicinal taste, and felt the bubbles go down his throat. He waited for a moment, but nothing felt different. Was it even working?
"So… now what?" Fan asked nervously, feeling a bit unsettled by the lack of immediate effects. He had expected something more instantaneous.
Test Tube glanced down at her notepad, preparing her questions. "Now I need to ask you a few questions, just to make sure your brain is still switched on! Still can't tell you what it does though!" She pulled up a stool in front of him and clicked her pen, ready to begin the Q&A.
Fan tapped his hands on his knees and waited impatiently, he hated anticipation.
"First question! Who is your best friend?" Test Tube began with a simple inquiry, a baseline to gauge the serum's effectiveness. She knew it might not reveal much, but it was a necessary starting point to establish a reference.
Fan laughed awkwardly at the question. It seemed odd, but he played along. "You, of course!" he replied casually, nothing seemingly out of the ordinary.
Test Tube smiled, jotting down some notes. It was reassuring to hear that she was indeed Fan's best friend.
"Alright! Perfect, let's see… next question…" she prompted, ready to delve a bit deeper. “What’s something you’re afraid of…” She cooed, crossing her legs as she tapped her pen to her notebook, this would be interesting.
“Oh boy, social interaction– but also humiliation– or losing my friends… I’m afraid of a lot of things.” He rambled on. He seemed very willing to confess these, but it was nothing that Test Tube didn’t already know.
“Interesting…” She wrote some notes and went to the next question.
"When was the last time you cried…?" Test Tube posed a slightly more personal question, aiming to gauge Fan's willingness to share intimate details.
"Weird question… but uh… two nights ago," Fan muttered, feeling a bit uneasy. Test Tube made note of his discomfort, a sign that the serum might be having some effect.
"Two nights ago…? Why did you cry?" she inquired further, concerned for her friend's well-being but also keen to observe his honest response.
"Panic attack… afraid of losing you and the friends I've made," Fan admitted, a hint of vulnerability in his voice. He hesitated for a moment before speaking, as if reluctant to reveal such a personal matter. But he did, which struck Test Tube as both surprising and telling. She made careful note of his response, recognizing the significance of his honesty.
Fan couldn't shake off the strange feeling that came with his candid responses. His mind seemed to be urging him to keep certain things hidden from Test Tube, yet he found himself blurting them out regardless. It was disconcerting, to say the least, and he tried not to dwell too deeply on it. But with each question, his confusion only grew.
Test Tube noticed Fan's unease and made a mental note to tread carefully with her questioning. She didn't want to make him uncomfortable, but she also needed to gather accurate data. Taking a moment to consider her next question, she tried to strike a balance between probing deeper and respecting Fan's boundaries.
"When was the last time you lied?" Test Tube asked simply.
"Two days ago, when you found me alone outside. You asked if I was doing okay, but I wasn't. It was actually right before I started crying, but I didn't want you to know because I was scared you'd worry about me too much," Fan blurted out suddenly.
That revelation weighed heavily on Test Tube. It stirred a mix of emotions within her. She frowned, feeling a twinge of hurt that Fan had kept such a thing from her. While she understood the challenge of opening up, especially about emotions, she couldn't shake the disappointment of being left in the dark.
As Fan's best friend, Test Tube had always assumed they shared everything. But now, she found herself questioning just how many other secrets Fan might be keeping. She quickly jotted down his revelation, recognizing that the truth serum had indeed prompted him to reveal something he had been hesitant to share.
Despite the option to stop now she got her results, Test Tube felt a growing curiosity. She couldn't help but wonder what else Fan might be concealing from her. With a mix of determination and concern, she prepared to delve deeper into her best friend's thoughts and emotions. Now she was intruding.
"Do you lie to me a lot?" Test Tube asked, her voice tinged with worry.
Fan frowned, feeling like he was wrestling with his own thoughts. He didn't want to divulge this, but the words seemed to spill out involuntarily. "Yes—I do. I worry about what you'll think of me," he blurted out.
Test Tube frowned, puzzled by Fan's admission. Why would he worry about her opinion? They were best friends, after all. She would never judge him. The realization left her feeling increasingly upset. "Why would you lie to me?" she asked, her frustration mounting.
Fan's frown deepened as he began to panic. He hadn't meant to upset his best friend. "I just worry that you'll overthink and overprotect me. Sometimes, you become so protective and think you know what's best for me when you don't—" He trailed off, realising too late that his words might only make matters worse.
As emotions flared, Test Tube found herself growing increasingly hurt by Fan's confession. "Well, you always freak out! I'm just trying to make sure you're okay! I know what's best for you when you don't know what's best for yourself! You can't blame me for wanting to help you!" she snapped, her words laced with frustration.
Fan recoiled, his heart sinking at Test Tube's reaction. "What?! N-No, Test Tube, you've got it wrong! I'm not blaming you for trying to help me—I'm just... telling you the truth about how sometimes you make me feel. I want to be independent, and if you do everything for me, then I'll never learn! It's not like I don't appreciate your help, because I do!" he cried, panic rising in his voice. Tears welled up in his eyes as he struggled to articulate his feelings. "I'm sorry, please don't hate me. I don't know what I'd do if I ever lost you!" he pleaded, his breathing becoming erratic as a panic attack threatened to take hold.
Realising the impact of her words, Test Tube's anger melted away, replaced by overwhelming guilt. She set aside her notebook and pen, jumping down from her stool to rush over and wrap her arms around Fan. She hadn't intended for the serum to spark an argument or hurt him. She hadn't realised the depth of Fan's feelings until now. She felt remorseful for trying to control him and then getting upset when he was honest, even if it was under the influence of the serum. In that moment, she wished Fan had felt comfortable enough to share his feelings without the aid of a potion.
"Fan... I'm sorry, shh, please don't cry. I won't hate you," Test Tube reassured him, holding him close as he wrapped his arms around her. She felt a pang of guilt wash over her as she realised the extent of his anxiety attacks.
"It's okay... I'm sorry," Fan murmured, his voice trembling with emotion. "I just constantly worry that I will do something that might upset you... or I'll mess up somehow," he confessed.
Test Tube gently stroked his head, offering comfort. "Fan... you won't mess up, I promise you. Please take deep breaths," she urged, feeling the weight of responsibility for causing this emotional turmoil. She knew she would have to tell him about the serum soon, especially since its effects wouldn't wear off for another hour. She needed to ensure he didn't inadvertently reveal anything to others and monitor him closely in her lab.
Test Tube pulled back, Fan wiped his tears away quickly.
“Are you okay?” Test Tube asked.
“Not really.” Fan answered truthfully, clearly because of the serum.
"I should probably tell you what the serum is..." Test Tube spoke sheepishly, rubbing the back of her neck, feeling guilty for intruding on Fan's privacy.
Fan tilted his head, a concerned frown creasing his brow. He hadn't even realised the serum had taken effect. "What is it...?" he asked curiously.
"Truth Serum," Test Tube awkwardly confessed, avoiding eye contact.
"Oh," Fan responded simply. "That would explain a lot," he added, surprisingly calm.
Test Tube was relieved that Fan didn't seem angry about her actions. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you. It could possibly impact results if I did, and I needed the results to be perfect and—" she began, but Fan cut her off.
"Test Tube, it's fine. I understand," he reassured her quickly. "I'm your test subject, I know what I get myself into when I do these things. I'm not mad. I understand it's all for the name of science and whatnot. But maybe it wasn't fair to use it to delve into my personal issues... but I forgive you," he said, offering her a smile. "Besides, those were things I really should have been open with you about in the first place," he admitted honestly.
Test Tube breathed a sigh of relief, her grin widening. "I'm glad you're not mad," she said with genuine relief. "Well, now you're stuck with me for an hour. I can't let you leave until I'm sure the serum has worn off... you could accidentally confess some really embarrassing things, especially if it ends up in the wrong hands," she warned him. "This stuff seems powerful," she added, her tone tinged with caution.
Fan nodded in understanding. "Right, well, no biggie. I love hanging out with you! So, it doesn't bother me," he reassured her with a wide smile. Despite his words, he felt slightly on edge now, knowing that everything he said would be the truth and only the truth. He was paranoid that he might slip up and say something really mean or embarrassing. It was freaking him out, but he was trying his best to keep it together and not start panicking.
Test Tube could tell Fan was on edge, he was literally shaking, eye twitching with anxiety.
“Fan… are you okay?” she asked.
“Nope! Not at all!” Fan blurted out.
“Well that was expected.” She chuckled sheepishly. “Fan, trust me, there is nothing to worry about, as long as no potential risks interact with you, you should be–”
Suddenly As a loud thud echoed behind them, Test Tube swung her head around to see Lightbulb sprawled on the floor. How did she manage to get into the secret lab again? Test Tube sighed inwardly. Lightbulb was one of the few who knew about the lab's existence and would occasionally enter without permission, like right now.
"Hiya guys! Whatcha doing!?" Lightbulb chirped, flashing an innocent smile. This was definitely not the time.
"Lightbulb! What are you doing here?" Test Tube exclaimed with frustration, her irritation evident in her tone.
Fan's panic surged the moment he laid eyes on Lightbulb. He knew this wasn't going to end well. While Lightbulb might not have malicious intentions, her unpredictable and eccentric nature meant she could use the truth serum to goof around, potentially making Fan confess some really weird things.
"I was bored! I knew you two would be down here!" Lightbulb giggled, her eyes darting around the lab. "Sooo... what's popping?" she asked curiously.
Fan struggled to keep his mouth shut, his body shaking with the effort to hold back the truth. But it was futile. Suddenly, the words burst out of him uncontrollably. "Test Tube made a truth serum and made me drink it, and now everything I say is the truth and only the truth!" he blurted out loudly.
Test Tube immediately smacked her head in frustration.
"Whoa! A truth serum, you say? Sooo that means I can ask you anything and you'll answer truthfully! Fun!" Lightbulb giggled, her eyes sparkling with mischief. Test Tube could already see where this was heading, and she wasn't looking forward to it.
Test Tube crossed her arms, glaring at Lightbulb. "You aren't going to be asking Fan anything! You need to leave immediately," she insisted, attempting to usher Lightbulb towards the exit. But Lightbulb remained stubborn, standing her ground.
"Nuh uh, girl! Come on! You have Fan here, ready to spill absolutely anything, and you're not going to have a little fun? There's no harm in a little fun!" Lightbulb giggled mischievously, refusing to budge.
"I am not about to use this against my best friend, Lightbulb! If Fan wants to tell me something, he will. I am not forcing him to say anything he isn't comfortable with!" Test Tube snapped back, her arms still crossed firmly.
Fan smiled gratefully at Test Tube, appreciating her loyalty and protection.
"WELP! Suit yourself! I'm having funsies!" Lightbulb pushed past Test Tube and stood in front of Fan, clearly intent on enjoying herself regardless of Test Tube's objections.
"Hi Fan! How are you feeling?" Lightbulb giggled.
"Nervous," Fan laughed nervously, shooting a pleading glance back at Test Tube, hoping she had a plan to get rid of Lightbulb before he blurted out something idiotic.
Lightbulb smiled widely. "Nothing to be nervous about, Fanstar!" she giggled, glancing back at Test Tube, who clearly did not approve.
"Come on, Lightbulb, enough. Fan is uncomfortable," Test Tube warned, her tone firm as she attempted to rein in Lightbulb's antics.
Lightbulb let out a whine. “Come on Testy! Don’t you wanna know some of Fan’s secrets~ like if he has a crush on anyone! Oooh! That’s a good question!” Lightbulb giggled excitedly.
Test Tube couldn't help but feel a slight twinge of curiosity at Lightbulb's suggestion. After all, finding out if Fan had a crush on anyone could be interesting... not because she liked him or anything, she quickly added in her thoughts, but because it was just a natural curiosity.
However, she could see the panic in Fan's eyes, the sweat glistening on his forehead, and she immediately felt a surge of protectiveness towards him. "I don't think that's a great question," Fan interjected quickly, his voice trembling with panic.
Test Tube nodded in agreement, her protective instincts kicking in. "Lightbulb, enough. Fan doesn't need to answer that," she said firmly, her gaze unwavering as she stepped between Lightbulb and Fan, shielding him from any further intrusive questioning.
"You know you wanna ask," Lightbulb teased, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Shut up! Why would I need to know this, Lightbulb? Just leave him alone!" Test Tube's patience was wearing thin with Lightbulb's persistence. "How would you like it if you were the one on truth serum and we were asking YOU personal questions!" she snapped, her frustration evident.
Lightbulb simply shrugged. "I wouldn't care. I say every thought that comes to mind anyway!" she laughed. It was true—Lightbulb was an open book, never hesitating to share even the most mundane details of her life, like her inexplicable love for oatmeal raisin cookies.
Curiosity brewed inside Test Tube as she observed Fan growing increasingly fidgety and anxious about Lightbulb's question. A part of her was tempted to ask, fueled by the possibility that Fan might indeed have a crush. Yet, she knew deep down how wrong it would be to pry into her best friend's personal feelings. She found herself torn between her curiosity and her loyalty to Fan.
Fan was in a state of stress. They absolutely could not ask him that question. He did indeed harbour a crush, not just any crush, but a crush ON Test Tube.This wasn't something he was ready to share—not yet, at least. The thought of his confession being spilled for both girls to hear made him feel sick to his stomach. It was embarrassing beyond belief. He wished he could simply knock himself out to prevent himself from speaking. He couldn't bear the thought of letting Test Tube know about his feelings.
“What’s wrong Fan~ feeling a little nervous~?” Lightbulb teased.
Fan gulped.
“Well… yea? You’re trying to get me to confess whether or not I have a crush, it’s really daunting!” He confessed.
“You wouldn’t be so nervous if you didn’t have a crush, so you must have a crush~” She giggled.
“Of course I have a crush! Why else would I be freaking out right now?!” Fan blurted out. Oh great, now they both know he has a crush on SOMEONE.
Test Tube was starting to grow extremely curious now… so Fan did have a crush. She tilted her head and inspected Fan’s facial expressions, he was so nervous. Why would he be this nervous– unless his said crush was in this room…
“Wait, is your crush in this room?!” Test Tube blurted out without thinking. Idiot! Fan can’t lie! Why did she say that?!
“Yes–” He quickly slammed his hands to his mouth and shook his head, his entire face going a bright shade of pink, he was freaking out.
"Oh jeez, I-I didn't mean to—I'm sorry, Fan!" Test Tube stumbled over her words, feeling remorseful for putting him in that position. But despite her apology, she found herself filled with adrenaline, her heart racing in her chest. His crush was in this room? That meant it was either her or Lightbulb. Something about that notion thrilled her, a part of her secretly hoping it was her.
Lightbulb smirked widely. "Is that so~?" she teased. "I know who your crush is~" Lightbulb continued her playful teasing, poking at Fan's face.
"Fan! As long as you keep your hands over your mouth, you can muffle any truth that she tries to make you say!" Test Tube quickly suggested, her mind racing with ideas to protect Fan's privacy.
Fan nodded, obediently keeping his hands covering his lips. He knew it was already too late; they'd obviously figure out who his crush was. You didn't have to be a genius to work that one out.
"Aww, is it me?" Lightbulb giggled, teasingly. She knew it wasn't her, but she also knew it would provoke a reaction from Fan.
Fan dropped his hands without even thinking. "What!? No! What makes you think it would be you—" Before he could finish his sentence, he realised what he had done. Well, that's just great.
Test Tube's entire face flushed a bright shade of green, her chemicals bubbling inside of her vile. Fan had a crush on her!
"Test Tube... I—" Fan began to speak, his own face ablaze with embarrassment. He didn't want Test Tube to find out this way.
Lightbulb stood back, wearing a satisfied smile. Her little plan had worked! She always suspected these two nerds harboured feelings for each other. It was about time they confessed!
"You... have a crush on me...?" Test Tube asked, needing confirmation, feeling overwhelmed with emotions—giddy and excited about this newfound revelation.
Fan swallowed nervously, stepping down from the stool and approaching her. "Yeah, I do... I just wasn't ready to tell you because I was afraid it would ruin our friendship," he confessed, his expression tense with worry.
Test Tube was in disbelief, but also elated. She smiled shyly, adjusting her glasses with a trembling hand. "Fan... I like you too," she admitted, her voice soft with sincerity. "I have for... a while," she confessed, not only to Fan but to herself as well.
A relieved smile quivered on Fan's lips. "Oh... heheh... Well, that makes me feel a lot better," he admitted.
Lightbulb squealed happily. "You two!!" she cheered.
Test Tube and Fan both ignored her antics, feeling a mix of annoyance at her for forcing this confession out, but also a sense of relief that it happened.
"How long have you liked me...?" Test Tube asked curiously, her cheeks flushing with warmth.
"Heh... oh... a long while... all the way back in season 2..." Fan shyly admitted. "You just seemed so... smart and funny... and you were the first person to really notice me," he explained, a faint smile gracing his lips. "There were a lot of reasons to like about you," he added.
Test Tube felt herself heating up, her chemicals inside her vile bubbling up. her heart fluttered at his words. "Wowie..." she giggled softly.
"You two nerds are so awkward!" Lightbulb laughed. "Kiss already!" she called out playfully.
Ignoring Lightbulb's teasing, Fan and Test Tube smiled warmly at each other, feeling a sense of warmth and happiness blooming inside them. Neither of them felt ready to kiss just yet, especially not with Lightbulb around. Instead, they exchanged affectionate smiles and gazed into each other's eyes lovingly.
"Did you, um, maybe want to grab some food after this serum wears off?" Fan asked, his voice tinged with shyness.
"Sure! I'd love to," Test Tube answered eagerly, a big smile spreading across her face.
This was going to be the beginning of something wonderful.
Lightbulb felt a tear welling up in her eye.
"My work here is done," she declared with a sniffle. Wiping away her tears, she beamed brightly at her two nerdy friends, feeling a sense of pride and satisfaction in bringing them together.