Work Text:
“Okay Everyone.” Speaker Box announced to the BFDIE contestants, “Today’s Challenge Will Take Place Somewhere Else, So We Will Have To Fly There.”
“But how?” Needy asked. “Will we use your Space Thingy?”
“I’m not using the Space Thingy again!” Sidewalky grumbled. “Too cramped in there! I’ll crush all of you if it means getting a comfortable, spacious flight!”
“There Will Be No Crushing Today Sidewalky,” Speaker Box replied, “As I Have Gotten Us A New Passenger Plane For Me To Enjoy.”
The contestants oohed and aahed at the shiny, fresh aeroplane in front of them. It was labeled “Air Thingy.”
“That’s pretty cool and all,” Needy said, “but how did you afford that?”
“I Scammed An Alien Using The Defective Space Thingy.”
“...don’t you think that will backfire someday?”
“Someday Needle, But Not Today.”
“....I’m not even gonna ask.”
And with that, everyone started boarding the plane, even the eliminated contestants.
“Hey!” Toothpaste pointed at Rose and the others in the passenger line. “Why are they here?”
“Apparently Stowing Live Objects In The Cargo Hold Locked Inside A Box Is Not Safe According To OSHA Standards.”
Toothpaste glared at them. “I’m keeping an eye on you guys.”
Hotdog groaned. “Whatever, at least I get to do something other than sit around staring at a wall.”
Money pursed her lips. “I don’t know how to tell you this hotdog… but-”
Everyone began pouring into their seats, some sitting together, some sitting alone.
Fern chose to sit in one of the middle chairs. It was the best choice in his opinion, being able to still see outside the window while also being able to exit quickly.
Jammy approached him and tapped on his shoulder. “Hey Fern.”
“Oh, hey Jammy!” Fern said. “What’s up?”
“You mind if I sit with you?”
“Oh, not at all!” He scooched on over a bit. “Here you go!”
“Thanks.”
“Jammy?” a voice called from the very front row.
Jammy sighed. “Yes boss?”
Ruler poked his head above the headrest. “Get over here henchman! It’s awfully spacious in here and I need a bodyguard!”
“Ughhh, coming.” Jammy groaned.
Ruler glared. “What was that?”
Jammy just rolled her eyes and slugged herself towards the front row.
‘Poor Jammy,’ Fern thought, but what he should have been thinking was ‘Poor me’ because as soon as Jammy left, Toothpaste was standing right behind her. Her eyes dug deep into Fern’s, Her arms crossed while tapping the dull side of her knife on her hands like a baseball bat.
Fern gulped once he saw her. “T-Toothpaste!” he waved his hands at her, albeit it was more of a scared shake. “Didn’t see you there!”
“You wanted Jammy to sit with you and not me?” she scoffed.
“I was just being nice!”
Toothpaste pursed her lips. “Well your niceness cost you. You're my boyenemy again.”
Fern sighed. “Can we not do this? We’re on a plane right now.”
“Well unless you make something up, I’m officially demoting you to boyenemy again. And trust me,” she put her knife to his face. “You DON’T want to be my boyenemy. Again.”
Fern let out a nervous chuckle. Really girl? You’re saying that to me?
“Uh, uhhh-” Fern glanced around her, hands raised, once again looking for something to cater to his yanderish girlfriend. He saw the seat to his right and yet again, another idea sparked.
“Well I was only allowing Jammy to sit there because I wanted you to sit on the right!” Fern said.
Toothpaste peeked over. “Sit there?”
Fern nodded.
Toothpaste bit her lower lip. “I appreciate the concern, but I prefer to be close to the exit.”
“Oh. Uh, sorry about that then, you can sit here instead.” He tapped on the seat where Jammy was supposed to be.
Toothpaste, all the more cautious and suspicious, gently sat down beside her. “I’m watching you.”
Fern sweated whatever plants sweat.
“Alright,” Speaker Box spoke from the middle of the plane, “Is Everyone In Their Seats?”
Everyone nodded.
“Good. Now If You’ll Excuse Me I’ll Be Hanging Out In My VIP Area, And Under No Circumstances Can You Interrupt Me Or There Will Be Consequences.” After which, Speaker Box left and drew the curtain behind him.
“.....I’m gonna interrupt him.” Sidewalky said as he got up from his seat and entered the VIP Area.
Soon the plane was in flight, soaring through the clouds. Sidewalky hadn’t returned. Either he absolutely crushed Announcer or the consequences were much more severe than what the contestants had expected. Either way they were glad that nuisance was gone for now.
Toothpaste on the other hand was still glaring at Fern, knife held close to her chest like she was getting ready for an attack.
Fern just stayed cramped in his seat.
“Guhhhh” Fern whined. “Just tell me what to do please I don’t want to be your enemy anymoree”
“Well that’s for you to figure out, you're the boyenemy.” Toothpaste answered.
Fern grumbled. What could possibly cater to this gremlin?
He recalled that night on the hill. Just when Toothpaste was about to leave, he gave her a little kiss. She was giggling as she left. Giggling means happiness. Maybe… just maybe…?
He didn’t want to go all out though, Toothpaste might stab him out of pure joy. So he decided to go with the smaller option.
He carefully spread his palm out, as if expecting something. Toothpaste watched him carefully.
“May I?” Fern asked.
Toothpaste brought the knife closer to her chest. “Nuh uh, knife is for me only.”
“I-I’m not talking about the knife, I mean your hand.”
“Oh.” Toothpaste slowly but surely let one of her hands rest on his. Was he going to hold her hand throughout the flight? That thought made Toothpaste calm down a bit.
Fern let out a small but nervous laugh as he slowly brought her hand near to his face. Toothpaste eyed him intently.
With a gulp, Fern brought her hand closer and closer until he gave it a little kiss. A little peck, just a tiny smooch, before settling it back down on the arm rest.
Toothpaste stared at him, eyes and mouth wide open.
Fern gave her little smile.
“Wuh, Gh-Huh??” Toothpaste blushed. “What was THAT??”
Shoot, Fern bit his lower lip. “A little kiss?”
“Yeah but-like-that… that was… i didn’t-” any words that Toothpaste tried to form just faltered. She ended up groaning and slamming herself into the headrest, much to the dismay of Rose.
“Hey I’m over here you know!” Rose yelled.
“SHUT UP!” Toothpaste rebuked.
……
“So um…” Fern tried to tap his fingers together before he realized his hand was still interlocked with Toothpaste’s. Actually it wasn’t supposed to be interlocked in the first place. It appears that while Toothpaste was stuttering, she had laced their fingers together unintentionally, and now she was grasping his hand so hard it was beginning to turn numb.
Fern winced, but continued on. “Am I still-”
“Yeah, you're my boyfriend again or whatever.” Toothpaste muttered.
Fern let out a sigh of relief, before leaning on the headrest and letting out a yawn.
“....You tired?” Toothpaste asked.
“Huh? Oh, a little bit.”
Toothpaste slowly sat up straight until she was on the same level as Fern. Rose grumbled ‘finally’ before staring at the window again.
“You can lean on me if you want.” Toothpaste said, tapping her shoulder.
“Oh! No it’s fine you don’t need to do that, I just-”
“I insist.”
Fern glanced at her. Using ‘insist’ was not a good sign, and he didn’t want to anger her again, so he did as he was told.
He ruffled about a bit to get comfortable until he found the perfect position. His leaves acted as a good cushion, like his very own neck pillow.
“Is that better?” Toothpaste said.
Fern nodded. He noticed that Toothpaste had let go of his hand, so he settled both of his hands on his lap again.
That is, until he felt something ruffling through his leaves. He looked up to see Toothpaste using her hand to caress his ‘hair,’ mindlessly dragging and scratching around.
Fern had to admit, it was calming. Soothing in a way. Was this how being petted felt like?
He ruffled in closer and let out a happy whine, slowly drowsing off.
Toothpaste on the other hand, was not as comfortable as he was. Fern’s leaves were starting to itch and prick at her skin, and the only reason she was ruffling through his hair was to find a good spot to rest her arm while slinging it around him, but when she realized Fern seemed to enjoy it, she decided to continue on with the ruffling.
Fern let out another happy sigh, which caused Toothpaste to redden and look away. She heard Fern say a sleepy but content ‘thank you’ before he began to snore softly.
Toothpaste smiled.