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"Nickel, you're practically sleep-walking. Just go to bed already," Balloon said softly, concern in his voice, to the mess of a gray nickel walking aimlessly around the dimly lit living room. It was rather late in the evening, so they were the only ones left in the room.
Nickel groaned. "Can't. Headache," he said before flopping on the couch. "I'm so tired but it's keeping me awake."
Balloon put down his pencil and put away the paper he was working on before grabbing a water bottle and sitting next to Nickel.
"Did you drink enough today ?" He asked, giving him the bottle.
"Obviously." Nickel responded. Still, he took a few sips of water. "Also took some aspirin but it's not working." He put a cushion over his head before letting a loud frustrated scream.
"You look like a mess." Balloon commented with a chuckle.
"Oh gee, wonder why," Nickel answered back with clenched teeth.
"Maybe... Maybe you just need to relax for a bit. C'mere." The red balloon grabbed his teammate's cushion and put it on his lap. "Put your head on it."
Nickel smirked. "That's gay."
"Shut up. Don't make it weird." Balloon was hoping Nickel couldn't see the very light blush coloring his cheeks. "My old friends did this to help me sleep. Trust me."
"Fine. I've got nothing to lose anyway."
Nickel did what he was told and laid down on the couch, his head resting on Balloon's lap. He smiled. "This is comfy."
"Um, I might need to touch your head for the next part. Can I ?" He asked hesitantly, knowing how Nickel usually hated having to be messed with.
"Uh, sure. But don't touch it too hard."
"Okay. Close your eyes."
Nickel's eyelids fluttered shut and Balloon gently put his fingers against his teammate's temples. In circular motions, he rubbed with a little pressure the side of his head. Judging by Nickel's smile, it was working.
Balloon then switched to the top of Nickel's forehead, and so on, until his breathing was light and steady.
Gently, he pushed away a finger from Nickel's forehead, gazing at his peaceful face. He looked so soft, and the warmth emanating from him made Balloon feel fuzzy inside. Although, he couldn't be certain the heat wasn't coming from himself.
It was the first time in a long while he'd seen Nickel so relaxed. He looked like he was carrying the weight of the world everyday and Balloon had started to think that's just how Nickel was.
But no. The small nickel could also look calm and peaceful. Balloon liked that. Nickel deserved some rest once in a while.
Glancing to his right and left to make sure no one else was in the room, a mischievous smirk grew on his face. Nickel's upper half was soft, He touched it for a little while, stifling a chuckle when it tickled his palms. Yeah, it was childish but he always wanted to ruffle it up ever since Nickel told him he couldn't.
It was nice.
He stayed there a few more minutes, not moving, before a thought crossed his mind. What if he... Kissed him ? Just on the cheek. Nothing weird, right ?
He shook his head and blushed. Hard. No, it was weird ! What kind of idea was that ? Where was it coming from ? He doesn't like Nickel like that.
Then again... No one was here. And once he'd done it, he'd see that he didn't feel anything remotely romantic. Just a platonic friendly kiss. The idea would leave his head and he'd go back to pretending it wasn't sitting in the back of his mind for months. Good plan.
He made sure they were alone one last time before bending over, his shadow covering Nickel's face, the small nickel's cheek resting against the cushion. As he was about to kiss the other one, Nickel suddenly turned his head and Balloon managed in a split second to avoid his lips and kiss his nose instead.
The red balloon let out a relieved breath. That was close.
"You missed. Your lips were supposed to touch mine, you dumbass."
Nickel's voice froze Balloon in place.
"W-What ?" He stuttered, panic and confusion seeping in. His face was now a deep red hue.
"I said," Nickel started again, opening his eyes, "that you missed my lips. Dumbass."
"Y-You mean- You were awake all this time ?"
Wait, that meant-
"Yep," he answered, popping the 'p'. "I know you played with my head, touching it and all. But don't worry. I'm willing to forgive you if you do something for me."
"Really ? What ?"
It's the first time Nickel wasn't mad at someone who touched his head. Balloon was panicking even more now, even forgetting about the almost kiss. What was he gonna make him do ? Clean his room ? Do his chores ? Make him go on all the missions Nickel didn't want ? What-
"Kiss me properly this time."
Balloon's train of thought stopped and his cheeks grew hotter. He looked at Nickel, who was now blushing himself and not looking so confident anymore. He looked so cute !
The red balloon boy broke out in a fit of laughter, the tension melting away to make place for relief. Nickel looked at him, a confused and flustered expression on his face.
"You don't have to make fun of me..." Nickel muttered, red as his teammate, sitting up straight and standing up to leave.
"I'm not ! Just- Come back here, you pain in the ass..." Balloon grabbed Nickel and pulled him back on the couch next to him. He put his hand behind the gray nickel's back and drew him closer with a smile, their noses almost touching.
Closing the few inches separating them, Balloon locked lips with Nickel in a gentle kiss. They stayed like this for a while, smiling against each other's mouth.
The butterflies in Balloon's stomach were fluttering everywhere, and the red balloon wondered how he ever lived without this feeling before. No way this was platonic. And... He was okay with it.
They pulled away from the kiss, both their minds still a little fuzzy but very satisfied with how everything turned out. Their faces were still hot but they didn't mind. It felt nice.
"So, your headache ?" Balloon asked in an attempt at filling the silence before he'd start laughing nervously.
Nickel paused for a second then answered within with a big smile. "Completely gone. Thanks, moron."
"You owe me now !" The red balloon told him, sticking his tongue out in a fake offended pout.
The gray nickel smirked and made an attempt at trying to cuddle with the big one, trapping him in a warm hug. "Does another kiss sounds good ?" He asked, stifling a laugh at Balloon's flustered expression.
Balloon hid his face against Nickel's chest and answered, his voice muffled.
"I'm listening..."
The gray nickel chuckled. He could tell from the sound of his voice that Balloon was smiling.
They suddenly turned their heads towards the hallway, where irregular footsteps sounds followed by a very tired Tea Kettle appeared.
"Either you guys tone it down or you both go to sleep. Now." There was murder in her eyes. They both swallowed audibly and nodded. There was no arguing with Tea Kettle when she was this tired. They wouldn't stand a chance.
"Good. Thanks. And congrats, I guess. I'm going back to bed." She wobbled back to her bedroom, the boys behind her in the hallway.
A few more chatter and giggles came out of Balloon's room that night, but the joy emanating from them the next morning softened the others' sleep deprived expressions.
They got teased about it, obviously, but luckily not enough to give them a headache again.
It was really nice.