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Explosions flooded the night sky with colorful arrays.
Flopping on the makeshift blanket he and Golf Ball had set up before crafting the perfect display to show off in the spirit of July 4th, Tennis Ball gazed up at the sight above. It was one out of two times in the 365 days of the year where lighting fireworks was allowed upon, and of course, the two inventors sought and took this opportunity into their own hands.
Everyone was gathered around to see him and Golf Ball’s invention, or well, to see the firework show specifically. He had passed by Coiny and Pin on the way, seeing them on a simple picnic blanket with a few snacks and a couple of muffins that he was sure Pin had baked herself; not as artificial as store bought, and too nice to be Coiny’s cooking.
He looked at his own setup. It consisted of an automated video camera propped up next to the half empty energy drinks that were used to fuel him and Golf Ball’s brains in finishing this project in time and also staying awake enough for the display, in case it broke or caught on fire. Too many instances of that occurring…
Tennis Ball finally relaxed his body, listening to the other fireworks being lit in the distance as he was about to close his eyes for just a moment… only for something to jolt him back awake.
“Hiya TB!” He opened his eyes to Nickel staring him close in the face, with that signature smile of his.
“Gah! Don’t scare me like that, Nickel!” He sat back up with fear in his eyes, his hands propped up on the blanket below him as he grounded himself. The other chuckled before apologizing.
“Sorry! Anyways, mind if I join you?” He collapsed onto the blanket, sitting himself up immediately after.
“Weren’t you hanging out with Bomby tonight?” He was skeptical of Nickel’s sudden desire to come up to him like this. Sure they were close in BFDIA and all.. But they barely talked now! It was clear there was a motive or something!
“Oh yeah! Said he had to help Naily with something, car related I think!” He recalled, before brushing it off with a warm smile. “Oh well! At least that means I get to hang out with my best buddy!”
“Best buddy?” He repeated, raising a brow.
“Yeah! Why wouldn’t we be?” He innocently blinked, shuffling closer to him as he gazed up at the sky.
“I mean-”
His rebuttal was cut short by Nickel covering his mouth and pointing up.
“Look! I think it's starting!” He exclaimed. Tennis Ball looked for himself, and sure enough, there was Golf Ball talking to Puffball with a blowtorch in tow. He gave an awkward wave to her, in which she acknowledged it and went back to what she was doing.
A slight frown. He slightly wished she would have returned it, but this was Golfie! She wasn’t huge on social cues, and he knew she cared in her own way anyhow.
“What's up with you, Teebster? Excited?” He nudged TB with an elbow, making him snap out of his thoughts momentarily.
“Oh yeah- I’m excited.” He responded awkwardly, adjusting his posture.
“Me too!” It surprised him how Nickel kept up such a positive demeanor. If it were Tennis Ball in his shoes, he’d be crumbling in self-doubt right about now. Just how did he do it? He was an enigma in his eyes.
He shook off his thoughts, grabbing his energy drink and chugging the remnants of it as he heard a torch flick on.
Golf Ball was ready.
He watched her in her prime. The lighting area was fairly far away, in the middle of a sandy, closed off area with some distance from trees to prevent spreading fires. She crouched down, lighting the fuse and running backward. He watched closely as the sparks flew up, lighting up the sky and adorning it with a plethora of color schemes. Mental notes racked his brain as he watched for any mistakes in the sh- Huh?
He was interrupted by a sudden weight on his shoulder. Nickel leaned up close to Tennis Ball, clutching his arm as he watched the show unfold. His attention was definitely too caught up in the pretty colors to even notice the other’s flustered expression. Tennis Ball shook it off and prayed that the cold air would wear his flush away even if, scientifically, that would take a bit.
He tried to stuff his thoughts into the show, completely ignoring the overly affectionate Nickel latched onto his side… surely...
He watched as his science partner ushered up to the lighting area and lit off more fuses in the distance, kind of thankful he let her do it this year. Tennis Ball wasn’t the greatest runner in the world, and he was content just relaxing and enjoying the night.
A part of him wished he was helping her though, as it would have gotten him out of this awkward situation with Nickel. Where he wasn’t questioning his life's turnout and why another part of him wished he could be in this moment for eternity, or well, as long as he could handle it for. It was frustrating, and confusing. Golfie was going to get on his case about not paying attention to quirks for sure!
All because of… Nickel.
“What do you think fireworks taste like?” He was caught off guard by Nickel’s sudden question, whipping his head around. His voice was obstructed by the explosions, but Tennis Ball could still put together what he was saying.
“I mean, fireworks are made up of fuel and different compounds of minerals you shouldn’t be digesting. They’d taste like a mixture of fuel, oxidizer, and metal.” He explained, imagining the scenario for himself and recoiling in disgust.
“Woah! Cool!” The other looked at him with genuine fascination, even though he was certain he had no clue what he was even talking about. “You’re super smart, you know?”
That comment made Tennis Ball perk up, his flush picking up again.
“Oh- erhm, thank you?” He chuckled awkwardly, looking off at the fireworks again. He could feel the other’s breath on his arm, making his skin crawl even more.
“Yeah! I could never know the stuff you do, how do you do it? With all of your smartness and stuff?”
He cleared his throat, fixing himself to be criss cross on the blanket.
“I suppose it’s about really studying up about stuff… Why are you so curious?” It was a genuine question, what did Nickel see in him that was so admirable?
“I dunno! I like hearing more about you, that's all.” His voice dropped to a lower register, making Tennis Ball barely able to hear him, but still registering the words just the same.
“You want to get to know me?” He spoke after a moment, knowing this wasn’t abnormal coming from Nickel, but still… It made him feel rather warm knowing someone, even if it was Nickel, cared enough to sit down with him and let him talk.
“Of course, Tennifer! Our friendship in BFDIA wasn’t for nothing!” His voice lit up again, moving an arm to hold the other closer to himself. God, did Tennis Ball heavily dislike being easily flustered..
“I don’t think- Nevermind.” He let himself indulge in the moment. Golf Ball was lighting off the last tube, not exactly recalling what this one was supposed to be. This is what he got for getting distracted when he was supposed to be paying attention!
His heart jolted in his chest as a heart shaped firework carefully lit the sky in a pink hue, the sparks flying to different directions as he stared. His eyes moved to look at Nickel, who had moved his arms off of TB and was now looking at his phone for the time.
… Something unraveled in his brain, a disturbing, but possibly true thought.
He was in love.
And Golf Ball was going to reprimand him for getting so wrapped up in his feelings tonight.