Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"Uh... Pin? Can I chat with you for a few moments solo?" Tree asked.

Pin nodded, getting up and walking over to the side with Tree, out of earshot of everyone else around, "What is it?"

"I got word that Pencil got beat up by Coiny and Leafy," Tree explained, "And you were there and didn't stop it. Do you mind explaining why?"

"She insulted me. Like, a really bad insult. Coiny and Leafy were not going to let her get away with it. I did not stop it because she deserved it," Pin explained.

Tree sighed, "I get they're your partners, but you can't just let them do what they want. I get she insulted you, but that does not constitute-"

"She said that I should have stayed how I was in BFDIA," Pin interrupted him, "She knows BFDIA is an extremely sensitive topic with me."

"...Oh," Tree didn't have the words to reply.

Pin continued, "Plus, I already hadn't been in a great mood, and neither had Coiny, and Pencil had clearly sought us out to do that."

Tree nodded in understanding, "I see... I wanted to talk to you one on one before our next meeting so I could discuss with Black Hole the verdict on what we should do about the situation."

"Understood. I get what I was meant to do, but..." Pin didn't finish her sentence, but she didn't have to.

"No, I get it," Tree replied, "We've needed to knock at least a bit of sense into her for a long while."

Pin waved goodbye, going back to talk with her wonderful partners. She knew she would probably get some minor punishment ("punishments" in Death P.A.C.T. could range from forcing someone to listen to rants, to watching over Pillow for a day. Trust me, you don't want to have to watch Pillow for the day), but it was fine. Besides, it was rather therapeutic to watch Pencil get the living daylights beat out of her a few days ago.

Coiny greeted Pin back first, "Hey, what'd Tree pull you aside for?"

Leafy nodded, "He doesn't usually do that unless it has to do with Death P.A.C.T.."

"He wanted my side of the story for what happened a couple days ago, that's all," Pin replied.

"With us beating up Pencil?" Coiny asked.

Pin nodded, "Yeah, that. But it was so worth it to see her expression when you guys did that."

"It felt good," Leafy replied, "Just letting actions do over words."

"I would have stopped you if you pulled out the knife. I still have some respect for Death P.A.C.T., even with you guys," Pin replied.

Leafy played a mock offense, unable to keep a straight face, "Really, Pin? You wouldn't let me use the knife?"

"Yes, Leafy, I wouldn't let you use the knife," Pin smiled, "The knife causes death."

Coiny was laughing already, Leafy going further onto her stance, "Not if I use it right!"

"Do you even know how to use one?" Pin jokes, even though she already knows the answer.

"Of course I do!" Leafy replied, laughter bubbling up as she tried to hold it back, "You've seen me use it before!"

Pin thought for a moment, her own laughter coming through in small blips, "But have I?"

Leafy hesitated, and that was all it took for the laughter to consume her. It immediately got Pin laughing as well, and the three were loving it. Coiny was in tears, his laughter the loudest of the three. So, yeah, none of them were worried at all. Pin, for the moment, had forgotten in the first place there was any looming chance to be punished. All she could care about was how funny the conversation was that she was having with her partners.

Chapter Text

Sunscreen took a good look at Orange Surfboard, who was holding the blue surfboard they had used at the start of the challenge. He was pointing at it, a smile on his face. It wasn't like the shallow smirks he'd give, the too-full smiles at cameras. It was genuine, one side higher than the other, but authentic none-the-less. A smile he rarely wore, and one that warmed Sunscreen's heart.

Sure, Sunscreen had just lost the chance to win the Dream Island Mini Resort, but they found themself more excited to surf the waves with Orange Surfboard. They took the board he held, the one they had used, and returned the smile. Orange Surfboard grabbed his own board he used, letting Sunscreen take the lead on what they'd be surfing.

Time flew by like seconds, until the sunset coated the sea orange. It was usually blue, like Sunscreen, but now it was orange, like... him. Sunscreen had wiped out a few times, but Orange Surfboard had always stopped and helped them up. He would have never done that, not in a million years, back when all he cared about was fame. Back when the cameras were his focus in life.

And, yeah, he did still care about the cameras. But it just made every moment he spent with them even more special. Because it showed he would put them first. Even after cheating in the challenge about seashells, he still had a bit of a fan base. Those who loved watching him surf the waves and didn't care about the competition. But, even to those who still watched, he put less care now.

Because now, Orange Surfboard has Sunscreen. And they really did show him how you don't need the cameras to feel loved. They showed him what it's like to feel love that's not from fans. Love that's different. Love that doesn't require putting up an image. A type of love that's authentic and forever.

Sometimes, all you need is someone to surf with.

Chapter Text

Words were never Golf Ball's forte. Sure, she had intelligence beyond belief, could build anything from nothing, and was one of the most, if not the most, skilled engineers out there. Her contraptions were insane, yet fault she lacked. At least, with machines, she could use mathematics. Black and white. Right and wrong. If you calculated wrong, things went wrong. It was as simple as that.

Words were not as simple as numbers. They could be interpreted in a myriad of ways when strung together, even if they had a clear cut definition when alone. Some words even had multiple meanings, depending on the context. Like the word myriad - it's main use is for something extremely large, near infinite, but it could also mean a clear-cut number: 10,000. Thinking about it, Firey Jr got a myriad of votes in BFB 13: exactly 10,000. However, using myriad in another context could show it's other definition.

It's because of that fact, in which words could be interpreted in many ways, that she left Tennis Ball, her trusty assistant, to speak for her when it came to her machines. In the public eye, she was to sit and demonstrate the machine. Tennis Ball was the one to speak about the less technical aspects of her machines, she could easily handle explaining the technical part. Those words almost always fell into one definition and one definition alone.

Unfortunately, Tennis Ball would not be able to help Golf Ball now. She had been crushing on this girl for a very long time, since before TPOT started running, and she was finally going to spill her heart out today. She didn't like that phrase, even if it meant exactly what she wanted to say. She was speaking her mind. That's a phrase she likes better. She was speaking her mind about this girl. The girl she had loved for such a long time.

She couldn't tell you what made her fall in love at first with her. Golf Ball's hypothesis is that it was during BFB 16. It was while she was ranting about Two, and how they shouldn't trust them. It was at that moment that she spoke her mind. Sassy, yes, but she spoke her mind without being straight up rude. It was a quick shutdown, backed with obvious evidence, and it wasn't like how Pencil would shut her up rudely.

Pie was able to actually add evidence to her point. Her point was obvious enough: how could Golf Ball ask those questions about Two when she didn't bother to with Four? And not only that, adding on the fact that she willingly built a rocket to obey Four? (Ok, well technically, that was Donut, not Four. But it was Donut with Four's powers, and as time went on, Donut obviously became harshly effected with Four being inside him. It could be debated on whether it was actually Four or Donut.) No one would actually bother beforehand to add evidence like that.

Golf Ball suspects that's why she fell for Pie. And she remembers when she first fell, and just how hard she fell. She's definitely grown a lot since then. She's learned to be... nicer to others, learned how to use her words better. She used to be "rude" and "bossy", but she was just speaking her mind. The truth of her plans. She didn't understand why it was rude back then. She did now, though, and she hoped Pie would see her growth.

What she hoped for more was that Pie would reciprocate her feelings.

Golf Ball sat at the picnic she had set out watching over the Goiky Canal, listening for footsteps to signal Pie's arrival. Golf Ball had picked out this spot for two main reasons: One, Tennis Ball said it was a bit of a romantic spot (considering he was already dating Pen, she'd trust his judgment), and two, Pie already hung out here pretty often. Golf Ball only knew that because she'd also spend time by the Goiky Canal, analyzing things like tide and ecosystem and (occasionally) checking on the multitude of FreeSmart dead bodies down in the canal.

Pie's arrival was signaled with the rustling of nearby bushes, as Golf Ball looked up to see her. Pie didn't bring anything except a small cube, multiple colors on each side. Of course, Golf Ball would recognize this as a 3x3 Rubik's Cube, a puzzle that had even stumped her when she first got her feet on one. However, she had (eventually) brute forced a solution. She never learned the proper way to solve one, she only knew how to brute force. Why would Pie bring one of these with her?

Pie sat down on the blanket Golf Ball brought for the picnic, on the other side of the basket. The two sat in silence for a few moments, nothing but the sound of the Goiky Canal splashing onto the shore to accompany them. Golf Ball somehow both felt at ease and stressed, a feeling she could only describe like when you're sick and simultaneously too hot and too cold, so you're constantly fighting on whether or not you want a blanket on. Except instead of being sick you're sitting next to your crush, and you're fighting on whether or not you want to run away and hide or confess your feelings on the spot.

Yeah, Golf Ball was not exactly in the... best position... right now. 

She grabbed a sandwich from the basket she brought, opening up a small conversation to start the two off (factory did she hate small talk), "So, how's your day been?"

Pie shrugged, grabbing a sandwich as well, "Not much has happened. I've just been waiting for this. How about you?"

"Hmm. Well, I somehow slept over my alarm, so today didn't particularly start great," Golf Ball admitted. She wanted to add on how Pie's presence has made her day better, but she omitted it.

Pie nodded, and the conversation died out. It left Golf Ball a tad bit frustrated, she had wanted to just talk with Pie. It was hard to just... have small talk with people. She was so used to telling people what to do and talking about what she was working on and sitting in silence and... Well, admittedly, Golf Ball barely engaged in small talk. Communication was hard. Why did it have to be so hard?

Eventually, Pie pipped up again, "These sandwiches are really good."

"Thank you! I take great pride in my sandwich-making abilities," Golf Ball smiled, before it faltered, "I don't get how Tennis Ball still makes better sandwiches than me."

"Have you considered the possibility of a secret ingredient he has you don't know about?" Pie asked, as if she knew the answer already, "'Cause some of my friends use secret ingredients to keep us eating their food over others."

Golf Ball's eyes widened a bit, "I hadn't... considered that. He's usually very open with me, but he never really has been that way about his sandwiches."

"He probably has a secret ingredient," Pie re-stated her point.

"I will ask about it next time I see him," Golf Ball replied, "Maybe then I can improve my sandwich-making abilities to surpass TB."

Pie chuckled, looking out to the Goiky Canal, "So, what do you research out at the canal all the time?"

"The tides, and the ecosystem, for the most part," Golf Ball launched into a speech, "The tides somehow seem to be unaffected by the fact the moon is no longer in the sky, even though the moon is what affects the tides in the first place, except for the fact they've moved an average of 2.763 inches inwards. The ecosystem has also been unaffected by this lack of moon, which is fascinating, and goes against every single study that had previously existed."

"If it's not the moon, then what does affect the tide?" Pie asked, attentive to Golf Ball's speech.

Golf Ball thought for a moment, "That's the truth: We don't know. I suspect that, if we could replicate a very specific event that had happened previously, this could prove or disprove theories on what affects the tide."

"And... what's this event?" Pie asked.

"Back in BFDIA, after I was eliminated," Golf Ball explained, "The Earth itself burst opened. If we were to replicate it, it would only be open for 5 minutes, which unfortunately is not nearly enough data for any clear consensus. Combined with the fact that bursting it open too many times could easily destroy the planet, we can't really test any hypothesis."

Pie nodded, "Let's not do that."

The conversation lulled into silence once more, but less tense than before. The two enjoyed the food Golf Ball had packed, watching the tide ebb and flow. Neither of them needed to say anything, and it felt calm. Eventually, all the food was finished, and yet, neither of them wanted to leave the picnic. Plus, Golf Ball hadn't even said what she needed to say, the reason Pie had gotten invited to this picnic in the first place.

Golf Ball spoke, nervous, hoping her words wouldn't betray her, or Pie would misinterpret them, "So... the reason I invited you here..."

Pie nodded, listening attentively, letting Golf Ball speak, "I wanted to tell you something... more... personal..."

"What's up?" Pie asked.

"I, well," Golf Ball deeply inhaled, "For the longest of time, I have found myself, uh, myself caught up, in, in something, and I, I almost immediately could tell, you know, tell what the feeling was."

A blue butterfly with black edges and an orange stripe landed on the handle of the basket between the two girls, as she continued on, "Love is a feeling that makes someone act irrational. It's, it's proven in studies, it's proven, and you can't really deny it. And I didn't understand, at first, why someone, you know, would act irrationally under love. And, and yet, once I fell in love, I, I understood."

"...You're in love with me, aren't you?" Pie asked.

"Y- yeah," Golf Ball's cheeks were arm, "That's why I wanted to have this with you. One on one. I, I thought that, maybe, if, if I just said it, then..."

Pie smiled, a small chuckle worming its way out, "I get it. I didn't really fall into "irrationality" at first, but as I fell more, I started to see those signs..."

Pie looked at Golf Ball, and she looked back. The butterfly stretched out it's wings, as the two of them shuffled closer to each other. Without a word, the two of them, after so long of pining, finally got the closeness they had craved from each other. The moment was soft, gentle, and intimate, not underwhelming but not overwhelming. Once the two parted, the butterfly flew off, it's blue wings shining in the light of the day.

The relationship they both had wanted, they had finally retrieved.

Chapter Text

'So, Pin, who do you plan to let onto Dream Island?'

Pin clearly didn't hesitate, she instantly reached for my hands. Everyone else stood around, but she didn't go for anyone else. Her eyes locked with mine, a rich hint of red shining in them. It was something you wouldn't notice at first, but since the day I met her, I had. Two years we spent, behind the scenes of the competition, we spent every moment together.

'Leafy. I will let Leafy on and Leafy on alone.'

I look at her, not exactly surprised, as the two of us walk across the bridge. Alone. Just the two of us. Everyone else is in a frustrated uproar, but no one did anything. Yes, they all wanted Dream Island as well, that's why we even joined this competition. But as the two of us alone walk the bridge, before opening the gates to our Dream Island. It could be anything Pin wanted. Luxury beyond belief. And it would be ours to share.

And then, Pin held her hands in mine, as we stared out into luxury. The water shined with the reflections of the golden sunset, as our square mile of paradise laid in-front of us. It was me and her, just me and her. We took our first steps onto the field of grass that our luxury laid in. It wasn't everyone's definition of luxury, but it sure was ours. A small farm, just the two of us, where we could spend our time, together.

I heard her feet stop next to mine, as we stared out into the sunset. Colorful bursts of pinks, purples, oranges, and yellows flew through the sky. The sun made the water shimmer, and the few clouds that had been in the sky slowly floated away. My eyes couldn't help but be drawn to Pin, and I saw her simply staring back at me. Words slipped from my mouth, natural words that started what we now had:

'Pin, alliance, remember?'

'Yeah, I do. I forever will.'

A warmth hit my cheeks as I noticed Pin's cheeks fill with a beautiful green. It really was perfect, wasn't it? My cheeks turned red, and hers turned green. We were opposites, in that way, but we found our way to each other. I lean just a bit closer to her, and she continues leaning into what I started. Was this what I had felt this entire time? Something more than just friendship?

I knew the answer when our lips connected, all the while the sun set behind us.

Chapter Text

Book was pretty used to having crappy vision. Since she could remember, she's been wearing glasses, at least until BFDIA, where FreeSmart gave her contacts. Especially after BFDIA 22, having bad vision was something not only she was completely used to, but also was easily able to spot in others. Whether they'd like it or not, if someone couldn't see well, Book could usually tell.

And it just so happened that, with the one who told her in the first place that her vision was permanently damaged in her eye, it was incredibly obvious she was also somewhat blind. To just look at her research papers, she had to squint, and often held her papers up close. Book had a not-so-sneaking suspicion that Golf Ball also really needed glasses. She was able to tell that Book's vision was going to be messed up for the rest of her life, but she refused to give herself glasses?

...Or maybe, just maybe, she was unaware. Maybe she was so used to having to squint to see her research papers she never questioned whether or not she needed glasses. Book didn't know, but she wanted to test it anyways. Because, especially as Golf Ball would, once a scientist has a hypothesis, it needs to be tested. And, well, Book had her hypothesis. Golf Ball couldn't see well, either. 

So, when Book ran into Golf Ball, she had something to test her suspicions with. A block, slightly larger than a 2x2 Lego Brick, plain and wooden, that Book would simply task Golf Ball to look at. She'd be tasked to look at it up close, and from afar. A simple test, yet one to confirm practically everything.

"Hi, Golf Ball!" Book greeted.

Golf Ball nodded, "Hello, Book. What's in your hand?"

"It's just a little block," Book held it closer to Golf Ball, "What do you think?"

"Interesting," Golf Ball took the block, holding it close and squinting her eyes, "It seems to be made from spruce wood."

Book nodded, "In fact it is! It's part of a set I got a while back."

"Did you bring the set with you here?" Golf Ball asked, still focused on the small spruce block in her hands.

"No," Book admitted, "I can bring it next time we hang out. I'd love for you to see all of them!"

Golf Ball nodded, "I would love to as well."

The two sat in silence for a moment, Golf Ball caught in the details of the small spruce block, trying to catch the details she couldn't fully see. Meanwhile, Book noticed this behavior, flagging her exact suspicion. Book held her hand out to take the block back, and Golf Ball eventually obliged, after a few more moments looking. She liked the block, she only wished she could see it better.

Book spoke first, pointing out a pretty obvious detail, "Did you notice this knot?"

"Hmm? Oh, no," Golf Ball looked closer, trying to see what Book was pointing at. It was hard, but she eventually noticed it.

"That's strange," Book answered, "It's pretty obvious."

Golf Ball stayed silent for a moment, "Really?"

"Yeah, it is..." Book replied, "You... didn't notice it?"

"I guess not... oh well," Golf Ball replied, as if to reassure herself of something.

Book didn't let silence occur for long, "Do you... realize you probably need glasses?"

"Wh- Me? Needing glasses? No, o- of course not!" Golf Ball fumbled with her words, "Why would, why would I ever need glasses!"

"...Golf Ball, I hate to break it to you, but it's very obvious you need glasses," Book answered.

Golf Ball stayed silent, shaking her head in denial before speaking, "I- I don't need glasses, I swear, I don't, I don't need them..."

Book placed her hand on Golf Ball's back, "It's okay to need them, you know. Just because you need glasses doesn't mean you're any less smart."

"I- but- what- and- I- but- but- wh- I-" Golf Ball sputtered, before sharply inhaling and giving a proper reply, "I... guess."

"Most will think the glasses make you look smarter, if that makes you feel better," Book added on.

Golf Ball swallowed, nodding along, "I... you're right..."

"I don't know if these will help, but," Book pulled out her pair of glasses, "Since I've been using contacts now days, you can try these out for a start."

Golf Ball put on Book's glasses, and looked around. Sure, it still wasn't 100%, but man, suddenly being able to see so much better was... well it was both figuratively and literally eye-opening. Looking around, she noticed a lot of details she hadn't before, details that most would have noticed without a second thought. When she took a look at Book, her breath was suddenly taken away. Book was... beautiful.

Sure, most wouldn't call her that. But she truly was. Golf Ball didn't know what to say, she just stared. Warmth raided her cheeks, and her heart was pounding in her chest. Her brain was suddenly flooded with how... beautiful Book was. The smile on her face that was a little lop-sided, genuine and almost surreal. Was this, the entire time, Golf Ball had missed out on?

Book took her glasses back, a small chuckle escaping from her, "Did you get too caught up in truly seeing the world?"

"Uh-huh," Golf Ball mumbled, her brain practically exploding from how beautiful Book looked.

"Uh... Golf Ball?" Book looked at Golf Ball, noticing how she barely responded, "You okay?"

Golf Ball blinked, her words coming out before she could stop them, "I never realized how beautiful you were..."

"What?" Book asked, unsure if she heard Golf Ball correctly.

Golf Ball, realizing what she said, fumbled with her words, "NOTHING! N- nothing at all, not at all, nope, nothing, absolutely nothing!"

...Yeah, Golf Ball was going to never actually tell Book what she said.

Chapter Text

The thing about Eggy and Teardrop's relationship, which they kept mostly behind closed doors, was that Eggy were to visit Teardrop, not the other way around, for more privacy. The Strongest Team On Earth wasn't known for their ability to keep privacy, if anything, they were known for their lack of care about it. Breaking into rooms was one of Snowball's ways to say "hi" to others, whether or not they wanted him in.

But when Teardrop half-asleep stumbled into Eggy's room, she knew something was wrong. She also knew this relationship being secret was going to be at a lot of risk. But Eggy didn't even know why Teardrop had come in, and by the looks of it, she had a good reason. She pushed the door closed behind her, then walked right over to Eggy's bed and just... stared.

"Hey TD," Eggy whispered, as walls in the hotel were thin, and she didn't want anyone listening outside to hear, "What are you here for?"

Teardrop rubbed her eyes, before making little grabby hands at Eggy (which was a way they had to communicate when Teardrop wanted to go up). Eggy rested her leg to the side for Teardrop to use as a step stool of sorts. Once Teardrop was up on the bed, she cuddled straight into Eggy's lap, and was almost instantly out. Eggy chuckled to herself, realizing Teardrop just wanted to nap in her lap.

Eggy carefully reached over to a drawer in her desk, full of some of Teardrop's comics. These were personal favorites of her, which she borrowed to read. Carefully setting them down in a way that wouldn't interrupt Teardrop's rest, Eggy let herself get lost in world that her partner created. Whether they be fantasy, or sci-fi, or once where she even dropped everyone into school with Four as the teacher (there was a surprisingly high number of deaths in that one), Teardrop created worlds that Eggy simply got lost in.

"HEY EGGY, OPEN UP!"

Eggy, who had since lost track of time, with Teardrop still asleep on her lap, had the dawning realization that she was about to have to explain herself to her entire team.

"We're going to go do sooom... What."

"It's not what it looks like, I swear!"

"Are you dating her?"

"BELL!"

Teardrop then woke up a bit, to the point she was half awake, shot a laser right at Snowball, and went back to sleep.

That got The Strongest Team On Earth to scram.

Chapter Text

Restless nights were (unfortunately) extremely common for Clock, especially after having to work around Four and X. Well, less X, more Four. X was a good, innocent little co-host, but Clock could only see Four as that monster that cornered and killed him. The attack was brutal, multiple harsh slashes, leaving scars even after being accidentally recovered. Even on The S!, where he was (somewhat) actually remembered, he was still paranoid of dying and being forgotten. Again.

Fortunately, there was Death P.A.C.T. Again, who would probably notice sooner or later that he died. That was, until he ended up in the kitchen with Four and X. From there, nights became a challenge of if he was going to sleep, and if so, if he'd have a nightmare. 99% of the time, when he did get sleep, it was, in fact, a nightmare. And it sucked. It got to the point Clock had become paranoid of the concept of sleep itself, but he knew he had to have it.

Now that he was finally in the elimination space, he thought he'd finally be able to rest without feeling the need to keep one eye open. Which, in a way, yeah, he didn't need to keep an eye open anymore. On the other hand, nightmares still clawed at him every single night, making resting a game of whether or not he felt like a nightmare about death. Which, yeah, was not good on his physical OR mental health.

But since his arrival, what Clock didn't notice, was that Lightning had noticed his state. Absolutely horrible, in a state between 63% and 27% conscious at one time, but still pretending to be fine. Keeping track of time to a tee. Well, roughly a tee. His best skills were slipping from him, and Lightning was the first to notice. Lightning was always the first to notice things with Clock since the two started hanging out before their elimination at the same time.

It started after TPOT 4, when Clock's nightmares started to get worse. Nightmares about death, nightmares about staying dead. He confided these issues within Death P.A.C.T. Again, for obvious reason. Most of them were very sympathetic (he couldn't really say that for Fanny), but Lightning was the one who reached out. Lightning was the one who offered a solution. Lightning was the one who helped. Lighting was, well, he was helpful. And, well, Clock grew to appreciate Lightning's presence in his life.

So, here Clock was, laying in bed, restless, thinking about his friend. The one who had helped him a multitude of times. The one who was the most sympathetic, and helpful, and kind. The one who cared more than the rest. The one who made him feel truly seen. It made him feel slightly better, in his restless state. He didn't intend to get much sleep anyways, so thinking about Lightning made him feel a bit better. If only he didn't have such frequent nightmares...

Knock knock knock...

Clock groaned, confused on who was knocking on his door this late at night, "Come in?"

"Hey-" Lightning opened the door- "Did I wake you up?"

"No, you didn't. I've just been laying here," Clock explained.

Lightning looked concerned, "Have you been sleeping?"

Straight to the point then, Clock glanced away, "I mean... like... a little?"

"...Clock. How much is "a little"?" Lightning asked.

"..." Clock didn't reply, just looked away. It was enough of an answer for Lightning.

"Have they been getting worse?" Lightning asked, hovering over to Clock's side, "And... is there anything I could do to help?"

Clock sighed, "Yeah, and, to be honest, I don't know."

"Do you think me being in here would help?" Lightning asked, "To clarify, it's in a way to help remind you that you aren't dead."

"That sounds nice. Maybe we could try it. Just for tonight, of course," Clock answered.

Lightning nodded, "Just for tonight."

Lightning slowly floated down to be next to Clock, resting his eyes and holding his arms out. Clock slipped into them, surprised to realize just how warm Lightning ran. But, the warmth was nice. It was nothing at ALL like how it felt to be dead. It felt so much nicer. So much better. So much safer.

Clock woke up the next morning at exactly 10:23 AM. Much later than he'd usually be up, but he felt more rested than he had in... a long time, really. He hadn't had a dream, but, in completely honest, he didn't care. All he was glad about was the fact he hadn't had a nightmare. Looking next to him, Lightning was still there, clearly wide awake, but as still as he could to let Clock rest.

"Morning, sleepy-head," Lightning chuckled, "How'd you sleep?"

Clock let out a light-hearted laugh, "Better than I have in months."

"That's good to hear. Now let's get some food, I'm hungry," Lightning set Clock down, then got up.

...Maybe Clock would ask to sleep in Lightning's arms a few more times. You know, just to prevent nightmares. Not because of how warm he was, and how he was so gentle even though he could be so destructive.

Chapter Text

The question that, at this moment, Fanny hadn't wished Tree asked was, "What's it like to be small?". Tree was pretty tall, and didn't really have the experience of being short that Fanny did. But Fanny also had confided in Tree multiple times she wished she was taller. She wasn't the shortest contestant out there, one of her closest friends that she had was shorter than her, but when 95% of the time she had been surrounded by others who were simply just taller than her, it wasn't hard to feel really short.

But they both agreed that, if they truly wanted to experience a height the other had, they could just swap bodies. It... definitely sounded weird, but one request from Four later, and they were in each other's bodies. It wasn't the most graceful conversation, really anything but, but now they got to experience a height they wanted to. But they also found one... other issue.

"Tree, how do I use arms?"

"I... I don't know how to explain that?!"

So, yeah. Sure, they were enjoying being each other's height, but there was the ever present problem that Tree had arms, and Fanny did not. The two of them were sitting in Tree's room, trying to figure out the arm issue. Tree was leaning on Fanny to stabilize himself, as Fanny was just trying to figure out how to use her new arms. It was both very awkward and yet very comforting that they had each other to go through this experience.

"How do you balance without arms?"

"Trust me, you get used to it over time. It'll take a while to adjust."

Tree took Fanny's words, and tried to balance himself without relying on Fanny. At first, for a moment, he actually did balance himself... and then he felt himself start to fall backwards. Instinct, obviously, told him to hold out his (now nonexistent) arms. But, obviously, that didn't work, and instead, he started to flail around. He plopped on his back right into his bed, pleadingly looking at Fanny.

"Help?"

"...How?"

"Uh, ok, so, take your left arm, and slide it under me, then just, push me up."

The process was a little slow and somewhat clunky, especially since Fanny didn't exactly know how to use arms, and controlling the arms she now had was tough, but eventually she did manage to push Tree into a sitting position... Only for him to fall forwards instead.

"...Ok now do the same with your right arm. But maybe a little less force."

Fanny does it again, but Tree just falls backwards.

"I'm not going to keep doing this if you keep falling."

"I'M TRYING MY BEST FANNY!"

"Alright, alright, I'll keep helping."

Every single time Fanny tried to help Tree sit upright without falling, he stayed up for a few more seconds, before falling once again. He was clearly getting a better grip on not having arms, but it was also helpful for Fanny to get used to having arms.

"You know what would be funny?"

"What?"

"What if we didn't tell anyone we were swapped, and see how long until people notice?"

Fanny chuckled at Tree's idea, "That would be great."

"I think all we need is to get a little more used to each other's bodies."

Marker sat next to Black Hole, the two watching Fanny and Tree off in the distance.

"Ha-ven't you noti-ced it to-o?"

"Yeah, they seem to be acting... off... but like each other..."

"I-'m worri-ed..."

"Maybe we should ask them... if they're okay..."

Marker and Black Hole walked over to Fanny and Tree, noticing those small things no one else had.

"He-y..." Marker twiddled his thumbs, "A-re you two- okay?"

Fanny and Tree looked at each other, "You're explaining this."

"Me?! Fanny, you have to be kidding!"

"It was your idea in the first place!"

Black Hole spoke up, "Wait. Are you two... in each other's bodies?"

"...Yeah."

"Oh. So you're fine."

"Uh, yeah," Tree chuckled, "It was my idea... I wondered what it was like to be short..."

Fanny leaned herself onto Tree, "And you know I was willing to become tall."

Chapter Text

Price Tag sighed, looking at the sheets. Running a business with Yellow Face was surprisingly hard, but they had been pouring so much effort into it to make sure it stays afloat. They don't get how Yellow Face had managed to keep running this business for so long, but at least now he had assistance. They stared at the sales spreadsheet, diving the profits the business had gotten between the two of them, while keeping a cut as "emergency funds" for the business. Marketing strategies. Something they had grown increasingly used to.

Well, at this point, they were planning to take a break sooner rather than later. The decision for now was made when Naily ran into their room, bounding with limitless energy. She ran right up to Price Tag, then over to the bed, and scampered around the room. Price Tag chuckled, exhausted and dry, before getting out of their chair.

"Wanna go outside, Naily?" Price Tag asked, their voice laced with the obvious exhaustion that came from doing business work all day.

Naily didn't respond, instead running outside of Price Tag's room with speed that they couldn't keep up with. They trudged down the stairs (because someone took the elevator, so they couldn't take it), ready to go hang outside with Naily.

Only to realize Naily definitely had already left.

"Welp, here we go..." Price Tag mumbled, not having the energy to hunt Naily down.

They would anyway, of course, but if they wanted anything right now, even though it was a little after noon, was to sleep. Take a good nap. They've been up doing business work since, what, 4 in the morning? Yeah, a nap sounds good right about now. But instead, they had to find Naily. It was fine, once they did find Naily she'd probably be tuckered out and the two of them could take a nap together.

Price Tag walked out of the hotel only to find no sign of Naily, except a set of footprints that were obviously hers in the grass. So, at least they had a lead. Now they just had to follow it. Walking for a long while, depending on how far Naily ran. Not exactly how they wanted to spend their afternoon, but they knew Naily was having fun. She deserved to be allowed to have all the fun she wanted. 

And so, Price Tag trudged on.

Meanwhile, Naily was running about anywhere she could. Through the yellow fields, past Death P.A.C.T., past The Clubhouse of Awesomeness (she tried to enter once, she will never again. Not a fun experience, despite its name), even past Golf Ball's Underground Factory. She felt free, like she could run forever. So, she kept running.

And running.

And running, of course.

Running until she got lost.

Like every time she feels like she could run forever, she runs until she gets lost and doesn't know how to get back to the hotel.

And she gets scared.

And cries a little.

And then Price Tag finds her and guides her back to the hotel.

But while she's running, those thoughts on what would happen next just doesn't occur.

She just runs.

Runs until she gets lost.

This time, she's found herself in a place she has no idea to describe.

Purple fields stretch for miles on end, bushes hold small, purple berries on them.

She's lost. Again.

Where is she?

"How far could she have possibly ran this time?"

The question was spoken to no one, as Price Tag had been trudging down the path of footprints Naily had left for who knows how long. They'd past many locations Naily would end up getting "lost" in, but she's never run this far. Price Tag was getting exhausted, but they needed to find Naily. So, they would. They would find Naily.

Eventually, they reached Yoyle Land - a place they had heard Book talk about many times. And the footsteps abruptly stopped. The Yoyle grass, unlike the stuff Two grew, didn't leave imprinted footprints for them to follow. So, great, now they had to find Naily without the footsteps that had helped them so many times.

"NAILY?!"

Price Tag figured calling her name would pull her out of wherever she was hiding. 

"T- taggy?"

Price Tag heard the faint call of their name, and listening closer, they could hear quiet sobs. Right, that's definitely where Naily is. They followed the sounds until they found Naily, crying behind a bush.

"Hey, Naily..."

"Taggy!"

Naily pushed herself into her partner, into Price Tag, who wrapped their string around in a comforting hug.

"It's okay, I can get you back. It's going to be all fine."

Naily trusted Price Tag's words, as the latter guided the former back.

As soon as Price Tag got to their room, they flopped on their bed, out like a light. Naily walked in shortly after, noticing her partner asleep and covering them with a blanket.

"Thanks, Taggy."

Chapter Text

Tree sat alone at the table, poking at his lunch. TPOT 14 was around the corner, and he was scared. Sure, Fanny, Marker, and Black Hole were extremely popular, and he’d probably have the support of them.

Still, it was scary, because he was the least popular out of the four of them. And, yeah, there was Pin, and Robot Flower, and Gaty, so he probably would be safe. Still, those were his rather new teammates, and he didn’t exactly want them to go. 

No one was with him at the moment, and he stared out into the distance. His foot tapped at the floor, an anxious up and down that revealed his anxieties to an observant eye. Fortunately, it seemed like most everyone here lacked said observant eye.

Gaty’s footsteps down the stairs weren’t on his mind at first, but Tree didn’t think about the fact that Gaty would, of course, notice his anxieties. The small things that he himself didn’t notice. The small things that only an observant eye would notice, which Gaty just so happened to have.

“Hey Tree!” She greeted Tree.

Tree nodded, pretending to swallow a bite of food he hadn’t taken, “Hello, Gaty.”

“What’s up?” Gaty asked, “You seem a bit nervous.”

Tree laughed, but it was more fake than half the rumors that flew through the hotel, “Me? Nervous? Not at all!”

“Tree, you can tell me if something’s bugging you,” Gaty tried to gently pry the issue out, “I’m willing to listen.”

“No, no, it’s fine! Nothing’s wrong anyways! Why don’t you get something to eat? Surely you’re hungry!” Tree deflected Gaty’s offer.

Gaty was patient, if Tree wanted to deflect, then she’d slowly pick away at it, “Well, what is for lunch, then?”

“Well, I mean, the usual stuff Four and X make, of course,” Tree replied, “Pretty good.”

Gaty glanced at Tree’s plate, seeing how his food was almost entirely untouched, “Uh-huh. I might as well grab myself some, then.”

Gaty left for a moment, letting Tree recollect himself. He had been distant from his team lately, but he kept pushing that he was fine. Besides, generally everyone was starting to drift away a bit. Fanny hadn’t been hanging out with the team as much, saying she’s busy “trying to solve the hardest puzzle ever”. If that’s the case, why won’t she let the team help?

And that really was the main reason why Tree felt like it was fine to hide away his insecurities. Fanny’s been being extremely secretive, so why can’t he?

Gaty returned with some food, setting it down and sitting next to Tree, “I wonder how Four and X make such good food.”

“Yeah, it’s a real mystery,” Tree replied, “But it’s really good.”

“I mean, if it was really that good, I would assume you would have eaten more of it by now,” Gaty pointed out.

Tree hesitated, “Well, you know, I’m not really that hungry today, so I, you know, uh, haven’t really eaten.”

“Alright,” Gaty accepted this answer, but it didn’t answer her worries, “So, what do you think the next challenge will be?”

“I don’t know, probably something clever. You know, Two comes up with great challenges, so, like, it’ll probably be great to play,” Tree replied, stumbling over his ideas. Quiet as a mouse, he mumbled so lowly not even Gaty could hear, “If I survive this elimination, of course…”

Gaty heard Tree mumble, but not what he said, “What was that?”

“N- nothing! I’m sure the challenge will be great!” Tree forced a smile onto his face, too wide for him to be fine, holding up two thumbs up.

Gaty nodded, thinking for a moment, “Are you worried for the next episode?”

“Of course not!” Tree lied, and pretty obviously too, even if he thought otherwise, “Everything’s going to be perfectly fine!”

“...Tree,” Gaty replied, not stern, yet clearly trying to get him to admit he was lying.

Tree continued to play his facade, “What?”

“You’re lying. You’re worried about it, aren’t you?” Gaty asked, reading Tree’s expression as his face dropped.

“I mean, like,” Tree stumbled, “...I guess… I’m not the most popular, I’m probably going to get voted out.”

Gaty nodded, “I doubt it, but, even if you were, wouldn’t you rather spend the last few days you got with your team?”

“I… I guess I’m just anxious, is all. I don’t want them to see me all worried and get worried as well,” Tree admitted.

“I think they’d be less worried if you spent time with them,” Gaty replied, “We’ve all been worried about you.”

Tree blinked, thinking about what Gaty was saying, “Oh.”

Gaty got out of her seat, going to stand next to the seat Tree was sitting in, leaning close, “It’s okay. I’m sure you’ll survive the elimination, alright? You’ve got this.”

“Thanks,” Tree chuckled, “I guess I at least have someone’s support.”

“Yeah! Now, you really should eat something,” Gaty smiled.

Tree smiled back, realizing he didn’t have to be so anxious about the next episode. Hopefully Gaty was right, and he’d survive elimination. And, if that was the case, the only thing he hoped was that she survived as well.