Chapter Text
“Gosh.. I expected one candy bar, or even none! Not complaining though.”
Robot Flower held back a small chuckle herself. “Where are we going?”
“Is my room fine? I know you haven’t cleaned your room in quite a bit. So I'm doing us a favor, not to mention I cleaned it only yesterday! I would love for you to see. I got a wooden desk, computer and a black chair that spins from Two! Oh and a white crochet blanket!” Basketball spoke with a clear smile plastered on her face. Not stopping herself this time.
Robot Flower felt hot again at the fact that Basketball had just reminded her about the fact that Basketball just reminded her of how messy her room was. She didn’t say anything about it though. Just nodding.
A few glances went to Robot Flower. Urging Basketball to get into the elevator
Now the silence as they entered the elevator felt awkward. Whenever Robot Flower had a free chance, her mind seemed to drift back to Flower. Why couldn’t she get her out of her head?
Robot Flower didn’t seem to realize the fact that Basketball was talking.
Was this the clear exhaustion Robot Flower was feeling?
Basketball didn’t repeat herself. Just giving a quick smile.
The elevator beeped once again. The silver elevator door sliding open. A long, green colored hallway stretching far ahead of them. Basketball and Robot Flower stood by each other's sides while walking.
Basketball started to notice that Robot Flower was a lot quieter than she usually was. Shifting a bit closer to her to get a better view of her tired expression. Basketball was most likely just overworking herself and overthinking this.
Robot Flower and Basketball came to a stop, Basketball skipping towards her door and turning the handle with her foot. Letting both of them inside as Robot Flower closed the door behind her.
Robot Flowers "eyes” darted around Basketball’s room. Noticing the new desk, chair and computer. Not to mention what looked to be a soft, milky white crochet blanket folded up on the bed. As well as her main orange blanket over her sheets. Made out of wool and matching the exact color palette of Basketball.
The sports ball was already sitting on the edge of her bed. Scoffing as she saw the robot glance around the room.
Instead of placing herself beside Basketball. Robot Flower sat in her new, black chair. Leaning her head back a bit.
“Hey Basketball, did you see that Flower is now famous? What if I tried like her? Do you think I could become like her?”
Robot Flower didn’t even realize what she was saying at first, but didn’t stop herself. Turning to face Basketball properly in the chair. Then lifting herself to a stance.
“Hm? Well it takes a lot of effort and determination to become famous. Even then it would be nice. Imagine the money you could make. But of course, there is a downside to being famous.”
Basketball let out a small chuckle, her voice seeming almost bitter for a moment. “And you almost “became” Flower. Almost.”
She smiled again, “But even if you decide to try, I'll believe in you. Just be careful.”
Robot Flower didn’t say anything else. Finally moving to sit beside Basketball. Then flopping onto her back onto the soft, wool blanket
“I think I'll give it a try.”
Around an hour later, Pin was still waiting in Robot Flower’s store for more customers. Watching the other objects continue their chattering. The thumbtack turned a few minutes later to see an electric fan. Before she could react Fanny spoke.
“Hey! Team leader right? I know you're taking care of Robot Flowers shop. Anyways, you got another paperclip?” Fanny seemed more annoyed than usual.
“Another Paperclip? Pretty sure there's about 20 here.” Pin turned her back to the coral painted dresser(?) pressed right up against the back of the wall. Not wasting any time and pulling open each drawer, then closing it after she was left with nothing. Even after a double check in the drawers she was left with nothing. “Huh.. I'll have to ask Robot Flower and see if she has any extra.. I was so positive there were a whole bunch of them! Can you give me a moment Fanny?”
“I guess so… Just- don’t take too long!” Fanny grumbled. Looking back towards her friend group. As Pin was about to walk out from behind the counter. Marker was suddenly seen trotting over to the store right next to Fanny’s side.
“Reeeallly? No paperclips? I must’ve been too rough with that other one..” Marker was leaning against the counter for a moment before taking a step back.
The thumbtack’s eyes seemed to widen for a moment. Letting out a lighthearted laugh and finally walking out behind the counter. Nudging Fanny. To that Fanny looked a bit ticked off. Taking a step back. “Oh! That's why you wanted a paperclip! I was a bit confused when you just suddenly walked up to the counter asking for a paperclip out of all things.”
Fanny avoided eye contact. Trying to not suddenly scream her iconic catchphrase at the red thumbtack.
Marker wasn’t really listening to any of this. Just having his “head” leaning against the counter with his eyes shut.
Pin wasted no time. Ignoring Fanny and skipping towards the elevator door, noticing it was closed. Fanny was still by the counter. Grumbling some things that Pin couldn’t quite make out.
The thumbtack stepped back as the elevator doors screeched open. Revealing Tennis Ball and Golf Ball who were having their own conversation. Walking out the elevator without even acknowledging Pin.
The thumbtack slipped past them into the elevator. Watching everyone disappear from her sight. Her foot tapped on the elevator floor. Taking a few moments until the elevator doors opened once again. Pin couldn’t help but admire the green hallway in front of her. Pin never travelled to this floor. She wasn’t even where Robot Flower’s room was, or Basketball’s? What if Robot Flower wasn’t even there? What was she gonna tell Fanny?
You're overthinking this! Team leader, remember? They have their names on the door stupid.
Pin made sure to look at all of the labels on the doors as she passed by all of them.
TV.. Nope.
Remote? Nah.
Pin swiftly came to a complete stop as a longer name carved into a door came into sight. This was the one. Robot Flower. She tried not to put much thought into it, turning the door handle with her fingers.
She was met with silence. Her room was quite plain. Nothing that stood out. A few candy wrappers and cans scattered on the floor. Although something seemed to be glowing face up on her bed. Was that her phone? It was still on.
Curiosity seemed to take over her. She slithered towards her bed. Trying to get a good look at the glowing phone screen from a short distance. Vibrant colors seemed to flash her eyes. Blue, pink, purple and an object she most definitely could recognize. Flower in a surely questionable pose.
She quickly covered her mouth. Oh gosh. Don’t tell me Robot Flower is gonna go through a whole arc about Flower again. TPOT 13 had already been enough when she had completely lost it. Maybe it was best if she told Basketball about it?
Oh right! The paperclip. Fanny was most likely getting irritated from the amount of time she had already been waiting now. It hasn’t been that long, has it? Whatever.
Pin scurried out of the room, attempting to be as silent as possible. She couldn’t help but grimace trying to close her door as it made a small creak. Shutting it with a small click.
The thumbtack trotted away from her room, right after coming across a room one door away from Robot Flower’s that was carved with Basketball’s name. She took a deep breath before turning the handle to her door, the door opening with another small creak.
To her surprise. Basketball and Robot Flower were sitting on the edge of Basketball's bed, facing the door. Their bodies were touching just slightly. Robot Flowers legs swung back and forth slowly, both of them seemed deep in their conversation.
CLICK!!
Once the door opened Robot Flower completely stopped her conversation with the sports ball. Both of their heads looked towards the door that was creaking open. the familiar bright red and sharp point coming into clear view.
“Ah, hey Pin! Need anything?” Basketball spoke, crossing one of her legs over the other and risking a glance towards Robot Flower who looked a bit nervous.
“Oh I'm so sorry if I walked in on something!” Pin’s hand went up in surrender. “I was just going to ask if Robot Flower had any paperclips.”
Basketball’s head seemed to perk up, “Paperclips? I have a few! I have a book all about mechanical minds and a couple of other things.. I used paperclips to bookmark the important pages about them! Give me a moment..” She arose from the edge of the bed, dashing towards her desk which seemed quite dusty. Using her foot she opened the three drawers right under her desk. Two seemed completely empty but in one of the drawers, a large, seemingly old book lay. Along with another lime green notebook beside it, the cover completely plain. Then a small, transparent baggie with a couple of paperclips that seemed tangled together.
Basketball hastily closed the drawer before using her teeth and foot to pop the sealed baggie open. Then taking her foot to dig into the bag to grab one, tiny paperclip. Tossing it towards Pin who catched it, a large grin growing on her lips.
“Thank you!” She was a bit surprised, but nonetheless happy. Her arms went back to her side, giving a small wave once again. Basketball and Robot Flower waving back before Pin shut the door.
Even if Fanny was most likely irritated from waiting for so long. Pin got the paperclip!
Basketball placed herself right next to Robot Flower again. Going back to talking about modelling, singing, and being famous. Even with all of the warnings Basketball had told Robot Flower about attempting to become famous. Robot Flower almost ignored them all, instead focusing on the positives.
“You know Basketball.. If I become famous I'll be able to make my shop bigger! Imagine all the things I could sell if I was famous and had a lot of money!”
“Well.. Yeah.. I just– Flower is obviously not holding up well and she’s famous.. I'm afraid you'll become like her. Robot Flower.. You don’t need to become famous to be loved. I already love you more than you'll ever know. P-platonicly of course. So does Pin.. I know she cares about you too.”
Basketball could feel her face heat up.
“But what if everyone loved me?”
....
Basketball let the conversation fade off there. Silence filled the room for a few moments before Basketball changed the subject. “Why don’t we eat those candy bars now.?” She said, already turning her body to look behind her, where four candy bars sat untouched on her bed. Snatching two and tossing one towards the robot. Keeping the other one for herself. Unwrapping her own, Robot Flower doing the same as she started a new conversation, not being able to hide the faint blush on her cheeks.
Basketball could feel a small pit in her stomach. Feeling a bit uneasy now.
This was most likely a phase. Robot Flower has constant obsessions with random things that would fade.
So why did this pit in her stomach refuse to fade?
Before Pin could react, the elevator doors separated. Back to the lobby with a paperclip. Gripped tightly in her hand. Chatter was most definitely still visible.
The thumbtack slithered towards the back of the counter. Popping her head up as she noticed Fanny was still waiting impatiently.
“Here you go!”
Pin flung the paperclip in Fanny’s direction. Fanny jumped. Not realizing Pin was at the counter again. Her shock turned into annoyance.
“I hate when objects scare me like that..!”
“But thanks.. I guess..”
Fanny seemed a bit hesitant to thank her, but she did put in all that effort for her.
Fanny then threw the paperclip towards Marker with her foot. Marker caught it with a huge grin on his face.
“Of course!” Pin smiled.
Later in the night, Robot Flower had stopped talking about wanting to become famous and instead laid right beside the orange sports ball in her bed. Trying to fall asleep. It was never easy to get the poor robot to sleep. She turned and tossed. Trying not to let out any sounds of distress.
Basketball turned over to now face Robot Flower, “Mmhmm…? Robot Flower are you having a hard time sleeping..? You can always just come closer and hug onto me… It’s a lot more comfortable for both of us..” Basketball was most definitely half asleep. Although she really didn’t mind physical touch when it came to her. Giving her a small smile before turning back over and going back into a deep sleep.
The robot stared at her for a few moments. She sighed, shuffling a bit closer to the sports ball and hesitantly placing her arm just halfway over her body. Was this really okay? For her to be this close? Questions flooded her mind, so much that before she realized it she had already fell into her dreams.