Work Text:
"TODAYS GONNA BE PERFECT!! " Lightbulb
Practically jumped out of her bed when she realized what day it was, today wasn't anything special, not like a birthday or anything, but it was the day when lightbulb received a special delivery, which wasn't for her, but for a special someone who she cared a lot for.
She spun around her room as she twirled around in her favorite skirt, and put on her favorite shirt and leggings. She even decided to put on a little bit of make-up, despite not being too experienced with it, all because she wanted to look perfect for painty.
She quickly grabbed her phone and excitedly messaged painty about meeting up, she knew that painty had been recently stressed out and tired due to being the only non-competiting member of the safety squad, so she didn't expect a quick response when she messaged them about meeting up. In fact, this had been the reason lightbulb even ordered the special delivery for them! However, when she noticed that paintbrush had already read it and responded with agreement, she practically ran out of her room to go and quickly pick up the special delivery just so she wouldn't forget about it!
Her boots ran across the sandy path, making a soft clacking sound everytime she took a step, her hair slightly flowed with the wind, and her face was a complete full smile! She had been looking forward to surprising paintbrush as a gift, because of how much they had been burnt out and basically out of it whenever they talked, and she really wanted to do something that could make them smile. Not to mention the fact that she barely did anything like this for anyone! So, overall she was really excited to do this because she had never done anything that was as close as good to this.
"Oh hey lightbulb! Are you in a rush? "
Lightbulb paused as she spun around to see a familiar red and yellow paper object, Fan!
"Omga! Hey fan!! Not at all, I'm just picking up a surprise gift for a special someone!"
Lightbulb grinned as she thought about how paintbrush might react, she didn't want to tell fan about how she was getting it for paintbrush, since she knew that he probably wouldn't be able to resist posting about it on his blog, which would've completely ruined the surprise.
"Oh? Mind telling me whoooo? "
Fan used the biggest puppy eyes as he could as he tried to pity lightbulb into spilling who the gift was for, he just couldn't resist figuring out who would be receiving a mystery package!
"Is it paintbrush? It's gotta be! Oh wait, or maybe starfruit, ur friends with him right?"
"Hmmm, Id like to keep the mystery alive! Sorry fan, but even though this quick chat was fun, I need to go pick up that package! But I did get something for you aswell! So, Ill probably find you after I give this package to my special someone! "
Lightbulb gave a cheeky grin and wink before she ran off, leaving fan with anticipation for what his gift could possibly be.
"Hmm, maybe I'll go ask test tube about if she has any ideas about what or who the gift is for... "
Lightbulb shortly after running off, arrived at the post office and picked up her packages, before running off and hiding them inside her room. As she hid the surprise gift, she checked the clock for what time it was,
"1:30"
She had been wayy too early, paintbrush would only be arriving around 4, since that's the time they planned to meet up at, so she basically had 3 hours to do whatever she wanted while waiting. She pondered as she walked around her room in circles, till she finally remembered about fan and test tube.
"Oh right! I need to gift these to fan and test tube! "
Lightbulb bounced towards the hotel oj entrance, where she saw test tube and fan chatting nearby the couch.
"TEST TUBE FAN!! I HAVE A GIFT FOR YOU GUYS!!"
test tube and fan quickly turned their heads to see lightbulb almost trip and crash into them.
"Oh, hey lightbulb! Hows the competition been? I know we havent done a lot, but idk still like to hear some feedba- " lightbulb quickly silenced fans incoherent ramblings before handing them both a keychain and a few accessories/ items that she thought they both might like.
"OMG?? INANIMATE INSANITY MERCH?? OF ME?? "
"Ooh! This would be perfect for my new invention idea!! "
"Yeah yeah, dont mention it! I know it's not alot, but I hope it's okay! "
"Yeah it's AMAZING!! OH MY GOD I LOVE THIS SO MUCH! "
Fan excitedly talked about how perfect the keychain was, before rambling about the second season of Ii when he noticed his appearance.
"Thank you lightbulb, but I might not use some of this stuff, it's not exactly my kind of stuff.. "
Test tube awkwardly thanked lightbulb as she picked up each item lightbulb had bought her.
Lightbulbs face slightly fell as she noticed how quickly they brushed it off, because they had immediately started talking about season 2 and barely thanked her, but why would that matter? It's not like she cares. Theyre not paintbrush.
Lightbulb quickly scurried away back into her room, and started immediately getting bored, and starting to quickly plan on what to do to pass the time till paintbrush got here. The time had read 2pm, which meant she basically had enough time to maybe try out some new games or start a new series, but the problem was figuring out which one was good enough to watch.
Lightbulb quickly grew even more bored, as every show and game seemed uninteresting to her. Even the ones she watched on repeat. She had a new series she started, but she remembered that she promised painty to watch the whole thing together and to NOT skip any paints without the other present.
She slowly grew restless, as she waited and waited. Usually she'd talk or hang out with fan and test tube, but they both seemed a bit tense recently, and honestly only really seemed interested when the whole gang was together, so she didn't want to talk to them. Not to mention how they barely acknowledged her gifts, even if they weren't that good, she was hoping for a bit more appreciation from them.
Lightbulb eventually started to just watch the clock tick till it hit 4pm. She grew a bit upset and paranoid while waiting, since she usually hung out with people to prevent those thoughts, but being all alone waiting, didn't seem to help her at all.
And finally, the clock hit 4pm. Lightbulb quickly fixed her room a bit more to seem more presenting for when paintbrush would arrive, but she quickly noticed how much time was passing without paintbrush arriving.
Lightbulb peeked her head outside the door, and searched for no trace of paintbrush. She knew that paintbrush would probably be a bit late, maybe they had forgotten about meeting up! No worries.
Lightbulb:
"Hey paintbrush, uhm are you still coming?"
(Sent) 4:32pm
Lightbulb fidgeted with her necklace as she stared at her screen, Nothing. They've must've been busy, maybe they're in a rush coming here?
She sat in bed waiting for them to come, her excitement wore off with every minute that passed, and soon, it was already 6:45pm. And no paintbrush in sight.
Somehow, lightbulb was still waiting patiently. She knew she couldve just dropped it by their place, but she wanted to see the reaction she could get from them.
She was a bit tired since she hadnt eaten yet, because she was too scared that paintbrush would barge into her room at any given moment and get disgusted by her. but right before she could grab a snack, a soft firm knock landed on her door, a familar pattern which impacted the door softly.
Lightbulb jumped out of bed and opened the door to see paintbrush! Her one and only.
"hey lightbulb! I'm sorry about being really late, I stayed up because of a issue and I fell asleep like right after u texted me. I know I shouldve set a alarm, but I practically passed out! "
Paintbrush quickly explained the long delay, their face a mix of emotions.
"Oh don't worry about it! I actually got you something, and I've been waiting for you to show up to give it to you! I hope you like it!! "
Lightbulb handed the bag over to paintbrush, who opened the bag to see the exact art set they had been raving about, but couldn't afford.
"WOAH LIGHTBULB? HOW'D YOU AFFORD THIS?? I LOVE IT!! thank you!!"
Lightbulb grinned as she watched them check out the set, their face grinned ear to ear as they excitedly discovered everything that came with the set.
"So, Paintbrush. I was hoping we could hang out! Or may- "
Paintbrushes phone lit up, a text from marshmallow emitted from the screen.
"Paintbrush, are you gonna hurry up? Apples getting impatient! "
"Oh uh, sorry lightbulb. But uhm we can hang out after this sorry!! "
Paintbrush ran out the room with the gift inhand. Meanwhile, lightbulb just stared at the door. She had done all of this just for NO ONE to appreciate her efforts and even thank her sincerely?
Lightbulb's face completely dropped, and tears leaked from her eyes onto her bed sheets. She curled up into a ball underneath her blankets and cradled herself as she sobbed uncontrollably. She had waited this whole time, just to get immediately bailed on. She couldn't blame paintbrush, since she knew their sleep schedule was ass due to the overload of work, but it really hurt seeing them barely say anything to her after she had done that for them. she had waited hours, wasted the day waiting for them.
lightbulb was so sensitive, she was always high-demand and set high expectations for everyone. of course no one could fulfill those roles. even if she would be willing to listen to change them, nobody would ask her because she wasn't a priority to anyone, she was just someone to talk to, and that was all she was ever gonna be to anyone.