"Trooophyyyyy?"

"Shhh! You'll wake everyone up."

Cheesy continued to drowsily question his friend, who was now dragging him into the lift. Hitting the button for the first floor, Trophy let go of Cheesy's hand, causing the comedian to comedically fall flat on the elevator floor.

"Wuh! Trophy, what are we doing?"

"You'll see, stay quiet though."

The elevator softly chimed as it passed the floors. Cheesy got up and brushed himself off, leaning on the wall beside the button panel. He was wearing a tank top and plaid pyjama pants, contrasting Trophy's baggy t-shirt and basketball shorts. A short jingle played as they reached the first floor, the two disembarking as Trophy began dragging his friend along again. He brought them both outside, the pale moon highlighting the dew drops that rested on the grass.

"It looks pretty and all, but did you even bring your camera?"

"I wanted this to be a moment we could see together, dumb dumb. If I took a photo then it wouldn't be our little thing anymore, if you know what I mean."

Malice was nonexistent in Trophy's voice as he mocked Cheesy's speed. The taller one sprinted across the grass, stopping by quite the rare sight, a weeping willow tree.

"There's more than just orange trees?!"

"Yep, found this ol' thing when I was going picture hunting."

Trophy slumped by the tree, patting the grass beside him. Cheesy sat down, a goofy grin on his face.

"What a re-leaf. I wooden't have thought you'd bring me somewhere so nice."

Trophy snickered, leaning back onto the tree. Cheesy's grin only grew.

"This is my little safe haven. I go here whenever I need a getaway or time to myself."

Trophy brought his knees to his chest, resting his head and looking over at Cheesy.

"I wanted to share it with you, since we're friends and all."

Cheesy's eyes sparkled as he attempted to stutter something out, leading Trophy into a laughing fit. The laughing was nowhere near mocking, just friendly, something that made Cheesy laugh with him.

—

It had been a while since Paintbrush's elimination, Fan and Test Tube had recently joined them. Their elimination left the artist... conflicted, to say the least. They were unsure of many things that they felt they couldn't resolve. Where did Marshmallow go, why didn't she tell them where she was going, why did MePhone give them a zero on their painting?

Why were their feelings about Lightbulb changing?

Paintbrush slipped on their headband, licking their lips. They tied up their apron and set up an easel. A blank canvas sat in front of them, a grim reminder of how they lost.

That moment in the calm down corner meant a lot to them, even if it meant nothing to Lightbulb. It was probably just another day to her, helping people out and being a great friend.

'Friend... That word makes my stomach hurt.'

Paintbrush moved to get their paints, but stopped.

On the open windowsill sat Baxter, precariously balancing on the window's ledge.

"Baxter, what are you doing?"

They gently scooped up the crab, setting him in their hair.

"Don't do that. I'll only let it slide this time. Now that that's sorted, let's get painting!"

They brought their box of paints over to their canvas before heading back to close the window. As they grabbed the handle, they noticed Trophy and Cheesy frolicking about in the grass. The scene was quite endearing, the cliche jock character getting along with the comedian. Paintbrush chuckled tiredly, frolicking about in the grass at three in the morning seemed like something Lightbulb would enjoy.

'...Oh gosh.'

Baxter watched curiously as his owner slammed the window shut, tugging at their eyes while sitting on their bed.

"Why can't I stop thinking about her?"

Baxter blinked wisely.

"What do you mean 'you're in love with her'? No way!"

Their face said otherwise, a red undertone highlighting their freckles. Baxter clicked his claws.

"Pfft! No way! Even if I was in love with her, there's no chance she'd love me back."

Their accusatory tone drifted off near the end as they stared longingly at the closed window.

"You told Fan the parameters are only in his mind, is it true?"

A series of clicks and blinks followed, Paintbrush's only reaction being disappointment as Baxter finished.

"He needed a push, hm?"

Baxter hesitantly clicked, hopping down and settling on Paintbrush's skirt.

"Maybe it's too late, I should've joined Fan or something."

They gently ran their gloved hand over Baxter's back, the canvas in front of the bed catching their eye once again.

"I should paint. That always used to help with my emotions and stuff, right?"

Baxter blinked.

"Yeah, yeah okay. Great idea Baxter!"

They picked up Baxter once more, allowing the creature to settle in their long blonde locks. Fishing out some paints, they squeezed adequate amounts onto their palette. A carved paintbrush at the bottom of the box caught their eye.

'I... didn't make this.'

Paintbrush picked up the art tool. The carving was mediocre, a scene containing the sea. Coral, fish, seaweed and crabs were present, a cursive 'P' was etched at the top of the wood. A note laid at the bottom of the paint box, Paintbrush picked it up.

'hiya paintee!

i was really happy when you told me about your whole gender thing

so i snuck this into your apron :)

it might take you a while to find this

testy helped me make it!!

i hope you like it

love ya!

lighty :D

Paintbrush felt their face heat, their amber gaze shifting from the brush to the note repeatedly.

"Oh."

They brought Baxter down from their hair, the crab giving them a knowing look. They looked at the paintbrush once again, looking up to the blank canvas.

"Baxter, I have an idea." They remarked, picking up their previously set down palette.

—

"Cheesy, you idiot! Get down!"

"Nah! I like it up here!"

Cheesy sat in one of the branches of the tree, his legs swinging as he hummed a familiar song.

"I don't want you to fall, come down twerp!"

"Awww, you're worried about me!"

Trophy felt himself grow embarrassed.

"Fine, maybe I'm worried about you, but rightfully so. I don't trust you climbing a tree."

"Fair enough, I wooden't either, eheh!"

Cheesy moved to slap his knee but stopped last minute, realising how catastrophic it could be.

"This would make for a really good photo, but you falling down would've made it even better."

Cheesy scoffed with fake offence, Trophy got up from where he sat by the tree swinging his legs about as he walked around.

"What are you doing?"

"Walking around, this little area is really nice."

Cheesy felt a happy feeling zoom through his veins, Trophy wanted to share something he enjoyed with him. This must've been really important to him.

—

"How is it?"

Baxter blinked and clicked his little claws, providing his professional artistic critique.

"Yeah I like it too."

The painting encapsulated a simple scene. Lightbulb sat by the shore of a twinkling pond, stars glowing in the sky. She wore an easy going smile, coupled with her classic skirt and sweater combo. Paintbrush smiled proudly, setting down the gift they received from Lightbulb. They picked up the canvas, setting it on their desk to dry. Baxter clicked his claws as Paintbrush laid on the bed with him.

"Yeah okay, maybe I am in love with Lightbulb."

"You're WHAT?!"

Paintbrush darted up from the bed to see Fan standing in the hallway, frozen halfway through typing something.

"Fan."

The boy glanced both ways, slowly beginning to walk back.

"Fan if you even think about writing-"

He was off, weaving through the hotel corridors at 4:30 in the morning.

"FAN YOU LITTLE-"

Paintbrush harshly bumped into Trophy, the two's shoulder's hitting against one another. They quickly apologised before continuing to chase their roommate, screaming something or another about a crush he had.

"You oak-ay?"

Trophy rubbed his right shoulder, wincing slightly as he did.

"Yeah, I'm alright."

Cheesy looked at his friend worriedly, putting a finger to his chin. After plenty of thought, he took Trophy's hand into his own, directing the two of them to Cheesy's hotel room. Trophy didn't protest at all, he just made sure that Cheesy's hand wouldn't attempt to sneak further up his arm. They reached an orange door, one of the few that weren't customised by the inhabitant. Cheesy unlocked the door with his keycard, happily strolling in with Trophy right behind him.

Cheesy's room was surprisingly barren. Basic furniture like a desk and bed were present, but the room lacked personality. One bed had plain yellow covers, clearly the one belonging to Cheesy, while the other was perfectly made.

"You're probably confused, I used to share a room with Apple."

Trophy made a noise of acknowledgement, sitting down on Cheesy's bed.

"I... I miss her sometimes."

Trophy looked over at the shorter boy. Cheesy's face was turned away, but he was clearly about to cry. Trophy got up, beginning to make his way over.

"Cheesy I-"

"It's really stupid, I know. I never really talked to her, but it was nice having her there, you know?"

Trophy nodded, standing beside Cheesy.

"Company is always really nice."

"Yeah, you're right."

Cheesy leaned on Trophy's arm, almost immediately realising his mistake and moving away. Trophy stopped him, moving his head back to rest on his shoulder. Cheesy sighed and grinned tiredly.

"You're always right, thanks Trophy."

Trophy ran his hand through his friend's hair.

"No problem, bud."