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After a long time, in the midst of episodes, Two and Gaty happened to be talking quite frequently actually. They'd talk to each other about anything they could think of, and always went to a very familiar couch to the two.
After a while they grew closer, maybe a bit too close for how Two was expecting things to have gone. Especially for them, as Two had started gaining some sort of feeling for Gaty that they didn't understand much. It confused Two for quite some time, and during that era, Two would jump a bit whenever Gaty called for them, concerning her a bit.
After all, they knew everything about each other...right?
Two had run over to X, since Two talked to X about similar things or to “info-dump” about Gaty, or how their show was going. Two would talk to Four...if Four didn't have a sorts of vendetta against them, therefore Two was unsure to trust Four with this current situation. The roughest part of trying to talk to X however, was coming up with a reason to separate him from Four.
"Hey uh— X..." Two started, trying to think of a lie, "So I..might have some important thing to say that can definitely wait to talk about." Reasonably questioning themselves internally for spilling out like that.
"Oh!— Fouuuur!! Two said it's playtiiiime!!!" X shouted a bit, as Four exclaimed in the back room and ran out of the kitchen to go play. "Now! We can trust we're safe to talk!" X sat down and looked at Two as they followed.
"Well I—.." Two mumbled before X mentioned, "You're gonna be blunt Two, don't try to sugarcoat it! You know you're good at that only when you're baaaking hehehe!" X had a laugh. "Quickly quickly! Go go!!"
Two couldn't help but start feeling warm in the face, as they took a breath in, and quickly let out their feelings. "So during the time I've been running my contest for The Power of Two, I've been talking with this particular contestant of mine. You've probably seen it happen once or twice haha...Back to the point, slowly I think I've been developing feelings for them and I'm unsure what to do about it, whenever I'm near them I always end up feeling this same warmth and I get this strange feeling in my stomach I've never felt before??? I just..don't know what to do about it! So I came to you since I didn't know whether I should talk to them about it yet. I don't even know what this is! What should I do?"
X blinked for a moment, trying to put together the story Two just spilt at them. "Are you talking about Gaty?" X asked bluntly, knowing Four will only be content playing alone for so long.
Two went to speak back before X interrupted once more, "I can already tell from your expression!! Weeeelll..I think I know what you're feeling, I've seen it happen between contestants before, but never between a host and a contestant!" X looked at Two worried that those words would hurt, Two gave X a worried smile.
"See!? That's the problem X! I know this hasn't happened and I can't tell if it's weird! I don't want her to think I'm strange or a bad host...not to mention the other contestants will think I'm being unfair or biased because of this!! I know I could just hide it but I don't think I could do that for long! You know how bad I am at keeping secrets." Two had continued to spill out every small thing it's been taking every small fiber of their body to keep in.
X continued to keep staring at Two, unsure of what to do themselves at this situation. "Well..Have you tried talking to her? Or..anyone else for that matter?" It didn't take even a second for X to realize the answer was “No X, I haven't told anyone up until now! Why did you ask?” Making X give a sigh. "Two, the best thing to do would be to tell her!! Gaty will understand, and give her opinion to you back, she seems to like you already Two!"
Four had walked back in and heard the last bit, "You're finally admitting it? Good grief." This sudden voice made Two jump, making a startled sound with it. "Really, it's hard watching you and her going back and forth. Just get together again, and admit it. Like you did here." Four was almost completely deadpanned explaining this, raising an eyebrow out of nowhere after briefing the last bit. X agreed with Four, making Two feel nervous.
"But— I-- What i—" X stopped Two from continuing, putting their hands up to Two's mouth, "No!" Four continued X's words, "If you keep up at that then you'll never tell her anything, just. Tell her." X smiled at Four "You're finally helping Two !!! Yaaayy!!!" X started spinning around Four very happy, Four simply rolled their eyes, but smiled slightly nonetheless.
Two sighed "I guess—...You two are right. I'll, go muster up some power haha.." Shuffling back out while saying that, silently giggling at their unintentional pun. Eventually running off to try and find Gaty.
"They'll come back crying in two hours about something I know it." Four stated bluntly after watching Two leave, with X frowning slightly at him for that comment. Clock in the meantime has been watching this all happen from the second Two walked in, unable to speak about it in slight shock that everyone happened to have forgotten that he was there in the first place. He continued to try and wash the dishes to forget about this.
It didn't take Two very long to find Gaty, after all they knew her well enough to have learned her few favorite spots to hang out at. Luckily for Two, it was only the second or third place to look to see Gaty, talking with Barf Bag about something. Two stood by in the meantime, not trying to eavesdrop on what they were talking about nor interrupt their time together. Barf Bag was the first to notice Two was there, happened to nudge Gaty to help her notice them, it was at this point Two tuned back in to what was happening.
"Gaty I think someone is trying to talk to you, you might wanna turn around." Barf Bag pushed Gaty until they flopped over, to finally look at Two, who politely waved at the situation with a smile.
"Oh! Hey Two! When did you get here?" Gaty blinked at Two, confused yet happy to see them, it didn't take long for Two to question themselves shortly after.
Despite this, Two sat down and skittishly started talking to Gaty, hoping to find a way to separate Gaty from Barf Bag without being rude, only for a moment to talk. Though it didn't take much time for Barf Bag to realize Two wanted to say something to Gaty, having a slight idea about what this could be about Barf Bag said they wanted to go talk with Bomby about something they've been meaning to strike up in conversation with him anyways. Leaving the two of them alone for a bit.
For more comfortability, Two took Gaty to the pink couch they've been fond of for so long. Taking this time to finally try and say something about these feelings building up inside them, keeping up the small talk while trying to think of how to word things without hinting at it too much betwixt conversations. Gaty seemed to be having a good time, that's what mattered to them especially now after finding all of this out. Seeing her smile was a joy like no other for Two, it made those warm fuzzy feelings, and the butterflies whisp away in their stomach once more.
In the midst of their heartwarming chatter, Two wanted to finally get to the point, now that they had finally warmed up to everything once more. "Gaty I-..'ve been meaning to tell you something for a while now. Though I...wanted to make sure your view on me wouldn't change depending on what I said. It's your decision of course! I just hope it doesn't put a wedge in our friendship, I need to get it out of my system so I can stop thinking about it and...I trust you. I wanted to make sure you trusted me too." Two gave Gaty a gentle smile, trying to make sure they weren't coming off as creepy, disturbing, or anything of that matter.
Luckily Gaty was able to see that, especially due to the nervous tone of voice Two had, in a sense it concerned her. Two's a very dear friend, and she wouldn't want to lose them over something silly. "Sure? What is it Two? Whatever it may be I'll definitely try my best to help you with it, you mean a lot to me and I'd never wanna give that up!" Gaty looked at Two with content and patience, wanting to give them all the time they needed to explain.
Two thought a bit more, trying to carefully choose their words so it didn't sound off or forced, they wanted to give Gaty their genuine thoughts about her. Without holding back for once. "Gaty...For a long time now, we've been growing closer, and with that closer bond I've been...feeling off? Not in a bad way! There's these warm feelings I feel rushing to my face, and these butterflies in my stomach, no matter what I try they never seem to leave. I always hope you didn't notice because I wasn't sure what they were either, it's only up until now I realize what they are haha..." Gaty had this small sparkle in her eyes, it gave Two an even warmer feeling as they continued with their words. "I've always tried to make sure I didn't let these feelings out, especially after learning what they were. I ended up having to talk to X about it a few times, it's because of those two I was able to talk about it with you right now. The entire reason I've been worried about you finding out was I wouldn't know how you'd feel about a host..and a contestant...being more." Saying this made her eyes widen a bit, Two looked away slightly in nerve-wracking embarrassment at what they were explaining to her.
"To put it shortly Gaty I—...I like you and, I was worried you'd find me weird for liking someone who's in my contest. I didn't want it to ruin our friendship so I tried to hide it up until now...I hope at the very least we can stay friends..!" Two tried to sound more happy than nervous at the end, Two didn't mind being rejected of their feelings, more rather losing Gaty scared them beyond belief. Gaty however, was staring at Two, starstruck at the situation, confusing them a bit as they both felt a bit warmer in the face. "Take your time answering I'd be more comfortable knowing you thought about it heh."
The two of them sat in a comfortable anticipation, which wasn't unusual for them. Two was trying their best to keep their cool while Gaty was sorting out the rushing thoughts on their mind, “They like me? I thought it would never happen! What do I say in return, they were so kind about it!” she'd thought for a bit, trying to calm herself down to give Two the answer they've patiently been awaiting.
"Two," Gaty finally spoke, spooking Two and making them jump in their seat a bit to look at her. "thank you for telling me this I'm glad to know you trust me that much." Based on that sentence alone, Two was expecting rejection, however waited for her to finish her thoughts. "To be honest I...don't think I could've said it better myself, you mean a lot to me and even if I knew what it was I still feared for what it could've done to this friendship we've had. You're charming, are jumpy when unexpected things happen, you care about others and their relations with friends. Everything you do astounds me, and I love being able to help you with so many of your minor bumps on the road."
It was weird, yet nice to have the roles swapped for Two. Gaty was in that more nervous mood, of course Two felt bad for causing that, but it was always this certain feeling to hear Gaty ramble about something, a very happy feeling they couldn't express well. "Two, the feelings here are mutual. I like you as well but never had the proper words or time to say anything, I'm glad to know you feel the same..." Gaty finished off quickly, trying to get the “embarrassing” part over.
It was quickly obvious how happy that made Two, as their tails appeared and immediately started wagging, something Gaty found endearing. Small details like that made Gaty think of Two as some sorts of a golden retriever, loyal, very soft, and happy enough to spawn two tails out of thin air, deeming it as “a side effect of the power of two”. It was a small secret for them as she saw it, which made it feel special. Two couldn't resist pulling Gaty into a hug, trying not to cry from relief that the anticipation and nerves were over, knowing this information made Two feel closer to Gaty and that thought alone brightened their day.
"Thank you for telling me that Gaty, it means a lot hearing those words coming from you, more than I know how to express haha..." Two tried to laugh off that last feels of nervousness left in their voice, finally feeling that comforting area of bliss basking the two like rays of sunlight. Now that the nerves were out of the way, Two had realized their current position with Gaty. "Oh gosh- sorry Gaty. I should've asked before I had given you such a long hug..."
Gaty laughed this off a bit, confusing Two. "Two, I don't mind. If I did I would've let you know, I find it comforting, safe in a sense. Granted I think you give me those feelings anyway." Gaty gave Two a nice smile, a smile that gave Two those feelings they've been hiding for so long.
Slowly embracing her once more, having the two of them fall into a silent time together, a comfortable silence if you will. Almost like a walk in a small forest, with the breeze swifting through the trees and the sunlight basking the two with a nice gentle warmth. It was like this for a long while, every now and then Two or Gaty would chime in with a sweet sentiment, making the other say something similar back.
This had gone on for long enough to have Barf Bag try and find them, now that she was done talking with Bomby. Upon finding out where Gaty and Two had been for so long, Barf Bag had knocked on the door a few times, but to no avail she was still waiting outside. Knocking a bit louder now and then, waiting longer between knocks or a smaller amount. Nothing seemed to have worked, to the point of Barf Bag starting to pound her hands on the door, and on the other side of the door, she could hear Two make a shocked sound.
Having finally gotten someone's attention, Barf Bag stood outside the door once more, now knowing that she'd get an answer. Two had finally opened the door and sincerely apologized for the wait. By only the look on Two's face, Barf Bag could tell something had happened, striding in Barf Bag saw Gaty wave at her, seeing Gaty's face only solidified the ideas Barf Bag had put together.
"Hey Barfy! What's up?" Two asked while sitting back down next to Gaty, a very wide smile appeared on their face while doing so. "Did you wanna go back to talking with Gaty? I'm done talking with her if so." Gaty gave Two a specific smile, making Two look away slightly blushing a bit from what she meant.
"So...are you two a thing now..? Is that what I'm walking in on here?" Barf Bag asked bluntly, not wanting to try and hide anything. Though the comment made both of them flush red and try to blabble their ways through it, it ended up being a “maybe” at best from what Barf Bag could tell. "I'm not gonna say anything if you don't want me to of course, just curious." Barf Bag smiled at them after stating.
Two and Gaty looked at each other again, went to say something, ended up speaking at the same time and had that banter of “You go first!” “No no, you should go first I insist...” for a bit. "I think you should go first, I don't wanna interrupt you heh.." Two stated, still a little flustered and embarrassed from Barf Bag's comment.
"Well...alright then, Two I— wanted to ask if, you'd be interested in uh...being my partner. Only if you want to! I don't mind either way haha..." Gaty gave Two a softer smile, knowing how this looks and knowing Barf Bag is right there, even though she wasn't paying attention at all.
Two was in slight shock from disbelief once more, quickly trying to stammer out words that Gaty could actually understand. Though it wasn't working as well as they were hoping, ended up having a quick breath and hurriedly saying "Yes." Gaty was thrilled at this information and gave Two a hug, making Two's serotonin levels go even higher than before. This is when Barf Bag started to tune back into what was happening again, now that they had finally finished wrapping up the reason behind their long time of talking.
Barf Bag ended up taking Gaty back to continue what they were doing beforehand, and Two felt a lot more refreshed. They had agreed to keep it to just the few who knew for a bit, that way it didn't make the others think Two would have favoritism towards her. It didn't last too too long though, eventually their secret would come out to the rest of them, but they were hoping it would happen after the show was over and the winner was determined. They were happy now, and that's all that mattered to them.