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It had been a while since Nickel locked himself in the building he’d claimed in Yoyle City.
He hated being alone, and indoors, but it was necessary! He’s sick! And despite all of his knowledge on various sicknesses (which in all fairness was a bit lacking), this one didn’t match any of them! Even though he was burning hot, it wasn’t really a fever, and he didn’t necessarily feel like throwing up- though sometimes it felt close- maybe? But he felt dizzy! Did he have a concussion!? No, he hasn’t hit his head…probably. Also that’s not an illness.
Sometimes it settled a bit, became a hum in the back of his mind, and for a moment he almost thought he could go outside- and maybe he could ask Bomby what this is! He would know, he’s amazing!
Bomby.
And then he got all hot again, lightheaded, chest tightened, all at the perfect moment each time he was just about to leave! So he’d sit right here, bouncing around and tapping the ground and grumbling complaints face down until the sickness went away, no way did he want anyone else catching this.
At first he had tried to ignore it, to be outside around everyone else, and it seemed to work! Until he went over to his best bud Bomby, hung out with him, talked about complete nonsense while eating ice cream, a great day! Aside from his RAPID HEARTBEAT DEAFENING HIM! Eventually he convinced himself he was having a heart attack and ran away. Turns out it wasn’t a heart attack- must’ve just been another weird symptom of this sickness. But how could he have gotten it!? He hadn’t heard of anyone else feeling off lately, though frankly most of the people here didn’t talk to him so he wouldn’t be shocked if some news didn’t reach him.
No, it was probably just him…better than some people though, because he was smart and wouldn’t let it spread! Kind of, at first he didn’t quarantine…but that’s in the past! He did so fast enough, because when he looked outside everyone was still wandering around, having a great time with all of their friends. Acting as if nothing was wrong.
“Aww, but I wanna go outside too!”
Nickel complained aloud, rolling on his heels and announcing his distress to the silence around him. He liked the sun, and the plants, and the weirdly shaped rocks he could climb on, and WOAH Bunch! Mainly Bomby, the others didn’t seem to like him that much.
He laid down on the floor as his heart rate picked up again, bringing his legs up to his chest. This sucked! At least when he used to have a fever he could tell what was wrong! It’s not like he was having trouble speaking or anything, or lacked energy, in fact he seemed to have even more! What kind of sickness could even do all of this? It seemed so random…he would ask TB but he really didn’t wanna get him sick.
A knock on the door made Nickel shoot back up, spinning around and nearly falling over.
“Uh…Nickel, you in there?”
“BOMBY!”
Nickel ran up to the door and hit his head on it, falling back to the ground. He quickly bounced up again, his excitement swiftly returning to its usual worry and stress about his condition. His heart rate picking up again, dizzy, he couldn’t think- come on, why does it always get to have perfect timing!?
“Hi Nickel. You’ve been in there a few days now, you okay?”
“NOOO I’M NOT OKAY, I’M SICK!” Nickel erupted, shooting into the air and pathetically falling on his back.
“You don’t sound sick…”
“I AM! I don’t know what it is, but it’s AWFUL! I won’t let it get to you guys, don’t worry!! I’ll stay in here until it goes away!”
Nickel kicked at the air as if it would save him, or do anything at all to put an end to his woes. It didn’t, it didn’t do a single thing because it seemed he was incapable of getting tired. Weird, don’t sicknesses usually cause tiredness?
“You can’t even cook, what have you been eating?”
“Cold mac n cheese.” Nickel answered instantaneously, a completely flat tone accompanying it.
“That’s disgusting.”
“I KNOW! IT’S GROSS! But I can’t reach the microwave- who thought putting microwaves on walls was a good idea!?”
Nickel huffed, finally letting his legs rest as he pouted. He’d do anything to be well again so he could leave this house and answer his best buddy with a big smile and as best a hug an armless object can manage. But NOTHING fixed this! He tried! At least, he tried everything available with what he had. Which again, in all fairness, wasn’t much.
“Just let me come in and I’ll make something and, I dunno, get you some medicine? So you can leave sooner!” “NO YOU’LL GET SICK” Nickel barely didn’t interrupt Bomby. He was the one speaking too fast when usually the other was known for that, wow.
“I’m not gonna get sick, I have a strong immune system!”
“WE CAN’T RISK IT!”
“We don’t know if you’re actually sick.”
“I KNOW I AM! THERE’S NO OTHER EXPLANATION!”
Bomby was always brave as ever, or overconfident- Nickel viewed it as bravery, and loved that aspect of his pal. He loved every part of Bomby, and sometimes he was even TOO nice and caring! Like right now! Trying to put himself in danger for Nickel!! He appreciated it, it made some part of him happy, but scared him wayyyy more. Bomby would NOT get sick because of Nickel, he’d make sure of it.
“Well I’m coming in anyway!”
Nickel watched as the lock started to jiggle, a dramatically stretched frown covering his face. Right, he gave Bomby a key. Why did he give Bomby a key?? Curse his stupid past self!
As soon as Bomby opened the door, Nickel screeched and kicked the floor, forcing himself back and against the wall furthest from his companion, eyes darting around until they found Bomby again, who looked infinitely perplexed.
“GET OUT!! YOU’LL GET SICK!”
“I won’t. Why do you think you’re sick anyway? You look fine, you clearly can move fine, you’re not tired, there’s nothing!”
Bomby began walking closer, Nickel’s heart rate spiking again, scrambling and backing himself further against the wall as if that would do anything for him. He wanted nothing but to be closer, but no, he couldn’t! Bomby shouldn’t be approaching either! What was he thinking!?
“I- I dunno! My heart keeps beating too fast, I feel hot, my stomach feels like it’s ATTACKING me, I’m dizzy, and I can’t stop thinking long enough to sleep! I mean, I know my brain’s always racing, but usually I can sleep anyway!”
Eventually Bomby was right in front of Nickel, picking him up and feeling his forehead, the other flinching in response.
“Why are you electric!?” Nickel spat in surprise.
“What?” Bomby shook his head, dismissing the comment, “You’re not that hot, you’re probably fi…”
Nickel quickly got much hotter, breathing a little heavy and shaking, eyes staring right into Bomby’s. Bomby raised a brow.
“SEE!? And now it’s worse! It always gets worse around you, or just thinking about you makes it more intense! I don’t wanna be allergic to you or- or maybe I already infected you!”
Nickel kicked out his legs into the free air around him for emphasis, oblivious to Bomby’s open mouth and slight red tint.
“Maybe I got you infected before I realized I had it, and now we both have it, and it increases in intensity in groups!”
“Uh…Nickel, I…don’t think that’s what’s happening-“
“IT HAS TO BE! What other possibility is there!? Oh no, and now we’ll have to quarantine and be separated FOREVER!”
Nickel’s distress only grew as his rambling sped up, frantically kicking his legs yet somehow perfectly avoiding kicking Bomby. Bomby could barely keep up.
“I don’t wanna be split up from you Bomby! You’re my bestest bud in the whole wide world!”
“Nickel-“
“But we’re both sick, they’ll put us in separate buildings to avoid it getting worse, and then we’ll both be quarantined all ALONE! I’m so sorry, Bomby!”
“Nickel.”
“Oh no no no, you’re probably getting yourself more sick just staying here with me! You gotta go! I hate to see you leave, but it’s for your own safety!! Maybe you aren’t fully sick! It’s not too la- mmph!”
Nickel froze in the air, his legs pausing, eyes wide as the world slammed on the brakes. He stared in bewilderment at Bomby’s closed eyes, flicking between them as if they’d give any answers, the warm pressure of their lips together shutting him right up. He couldn’t even begin to process what was happening. They were pressed right against each other, Bomby’s arms firmly holding him close. He forgot how to breathe, all of his effort going into trying to think. His weight against his closest friend slowly dissipated his distress, feeling that pain in his chest fade into a welcoming warmth. An invitation, with a hand outstretched waiting for his acceptance.
For the first time in days, Nickel relaxed, and the noise buzzing in his head stopped. For once he didn’t think of anything, had no worries, allowing his eyes to close, his legs going limp and dangling in the air. There was no room in his brain for the usual spinning and drifting into his own thoughts, only absolute bliss. Breathless bliss, leaning into the kiss with all his weight against the other. This felt wonderful.
After a few moments, Bomby slowly pulled away, giving him a fond and patient look. Nickel remained still, mouth left agape as he finally put the pieces together.
“You- I…” Nickel’s silence was never a common thing, in fact this could be considered a first. He didn’t know what to say. All he could do was take a few seconds to breathe, struggling to understand it all.
“I don’t feel…sick anymore. Or, not, negatively sick.” He began controlling his legs again, lifting them towards himself to confirm it was all real. That kiss, that electrifying, beautiful, euphoric kiss just happened, the only good tasting medicine he ever knew of.
Bomby never let go. He held him, waiting. No rush, expectations, annoyance, anything in sight, just his gentle hold, and their eyes locked onto one another. His face felt warm, and it felt great. Bomby felt great. Everything about him- he loved it. He loved him.
“I love you.” Nickel repeated from his thoughts, mesmerized by Bomby’s sweet expression.
“I love you too, Nickel.” Bomby smiled, Nickel laughing with giddy as the other pulled him into a tight hug, relief flooding both of them.
“I-I can’t believe it! It was love all along!? Really!? This is amazing!- wait I’ve been eating cold mac n cheese for nothing.”
Bomby couldn’t help but laugh at that, nuzzling Nickel in his arms. He never thought Nickel would love him back, honestly he’d assumed the coin liked Tennis Ball with how he acted- not him. He got pleasantly proven wrong today.
“It wasn’t for nothing, it led to this!” Bomby lifted Nickel in front of his own face again, them both inches apart with big, goofy grins stuck on.
“Yeah, you’re right.” Nickel adjusted himself to sit on Bomby’s head, looking right down at him. “Hey, does this mean we’re dating now? I don’t know how this stuff works.”
“If that’s what you want!”
“YAY!” He bounced up into the air, Bomby catching him. “We’re bestest of boyfriends now! Wow, never thought I’d get to say that.”
“Now let’s go get you some actual food!”
“Ooh, we could go out for dinner, like a first date!” Nickel excitedly swung his legs, barely keeping himself stabilized on Bomby, letting his pal carry him out of the house for the first time in days.
“Honestly a lot of the things we’ve done before could’ve been called dates.”
They laughed fondly in unison, the warmth of the sun hitting Nickel’s surface, but the newfound warmth in his heart was all he cared about. The love he found today, something that felt impossible to achieve- he held it now. And it was returned. Something so easily fragile handled with such care, of course Bomby was able to help so easily. He’s the best, kindest, most understanding guy around!
There’s nobody else Nickel would want to spend the rest of eternity with more. Bomby, his love, is perfect.