Chapter Text
The usually bright afternoon skies that hung over the hotel were darkened by heavy clouds. Most of the other contestants were taking shelter indoors, anticipating what looked to be a heavy storm.
The hotel doors swung ajar, Pen leaning against them to hold it open for him and his friend Eraser.
“Is it raining?” he wondered out loud, glancing up at the sky.
“Didn’t think it was supposed to ‘til later.” Eraser held an open palm towards the sky, before retracting it a couple seconds later.
“Yeah, no. Not yet, I guess.”
“Thank author..!”
Pushing up from off the door, Pen followed Eraser, their steps instinctively syncing as they set out on their walk.
Afternoon walks together had become a part of the two’s daily routine- It provided an outlet for them to stretch their legs and cure any in-between challenge boredom. But they honestly just liked the excuse to spend time with one another.
Especially since they were no longer restricted by different teams, so they found themselves joined at the hip pretty much constantly.
Just like old times.
Eraser let out a tired groan, resting a hand over his forehead.
“Man, I’ve got one hell of a headache.“
“You alright?” Pen asked, tilting his head as his expression shifted from happiness to slight concern.
“Yeah, I’m good. It’s just that GB’s been a total pain in my ass. She gave me this whole talk earlier today about how I’m “slacking off,” and “dragging the team down.” She’s so annoying, it’s unbearable.” he sourly said.
“Hey, don’t let her get to you. You’re not dragging us down at all.”
“I guess. She kinda has a point though..”
“Oh, come on. She doesn’t know what she’s talking about. She’s got a PhD in grade-A bossiness.”
“Yeah, and a major in eggheadedness.” Eraser snickered.
“Jerkwad academy alumni.” Pen added, as the two of them exchanged loud roaring laughter.
“Ough, you’re killing me, bro..!” Eraser guffawed. If there’s one thing he could depend on, it was Pen’s rather dorky sense of humor to cheer him up.
“Seriously, though. You’re not a letdown. You’re a great best bro, and that’s all a team needs to be successful. A-At least in my totally unbiased opinion.” Pen smiled at him earnestly, and Eraser could feel the last bit of his worries fade away at the sight alone.
“Thanks, dude.”
“I really mean it.”
Pen held out a fist for Eraser to bump, which he gladly did.
“Man, I just can’t wait till this is all over and we’ve won this thing.”
“Oh, same here.”
“Okay, but hypothetically, if you were to win Two’s power, what do you think you’d do with it?” Pen continued.
“First of all, “when I win.” Not “if.” Second of all, I dunno. Never really thought about that.” Eraser said in response, giving a halfhearted shrug.
“Never? Come on, this is limitless power we’re talking about! You seriously haven’t given it any thought?”
“Nope. You?”
After chuckling at Eraser’s usual carelessness, Pen took a couple seconds to consider his answer.
“..I always thought maybe we could split it, or something. Create our own, dream island fit for just the two of us. No one else. Pen and Eraser, against the world!”
Eraser’s smirk softened as he watched Pen describe his fantasy- it was rather corny, but his eagerness and animated demeanor made Eraser instantly swallow down any insult or tease he had thought of.
There was just something about Pen that made it easy for Eraser to let down his guard. He never had to put up a facade or pretend around him- he could just be himself.
“Oh yeah, and maybe I’d finally get that sign.”
“Oh no, not the sign. why do you always gotta bring up the sign?” Eraser said, any hint of annoyance being betrayed by his ear-to-ear grin.
“Cause it’s awesome.”
“Yeah, awesomely stupid. You’ve been talking about it since season one. Give it up already, won’t you?!” Eraser gave him a playful shove, causing him to stumble to the side briefly and having to catch back up with Eraser’s pace.
“I can picture it in my head right now. Giant, blue neon letters- Pen Island!”
“No spaces..?” Eraser asked, having been through this for what felt like millions of times. Each one feeling more redundant than the last.
“All caps..!” Pen smiled, proud yet oblivious.
“Penis land.” Eraser whispered under his breath.
“What’d you say?”
Eraser’s smirk widened as he contemplated whether or not to tell the unfortunately-too-innocent Pen, but the opportunity to mess with him felt too good to pass up on.
“Oh, nothing.”
“Hey, I know that look. What’s going on, Eraser?”
“It’s just.. Did you ever realize it says something else..?”
“No? Wha’dya mean?”
“The sign. Picture it in your head again. REALLY focus on the words. What’s it say?”
“Pen Island..?”
“Focus harder.”
“I’m focusing as hard as I can!”
“Well not hard enough.”
“Just tell me, bro! what does it say?!”
“It says penis land.”
Pen stopped sharply in his tracks as the realization sunk in.
“Oh.”
Eraser stopped as well, struggling to suppress his laughter.
“I-I swear I never meant it like that! Promise!”
“You’re such a moron..!”
“Why didn’t you ever tell me?!” Pen felt humiliated, but just one look at Eraser and he couldn’t help but to sheepishly laugh along as well, albeit at his own expense.
“Cause It’s hysterical how oblivious you are! And besides, It’s fitting for you.”
“Huh? What’s that supposed to mean?” Pen asked, unable to figure out the implications behind Eraser’s words.
“It means you’re gay.” Eraser shot him the nastiest grin.
“H-HEY! Am not!” Pen exclaimed, genuinely offended.
Eraser raised an eyebrow in feign suspicion.
“Woah, someone’s getting defensive..”
“Cut it out, man, I’m not gay!” Pen playfully swatted towards Eraser, who shoved his hands away in retaliation.
“I’m obviously kidding! Take a joke.”
“Alright, alright. Just checking.”
“You know what I am? Kinda hungry.” Pen said, but in all honesty he was mainly trying to change the subject.
“Huh. Same, now that you mention it. Wanna grab a bite in the hotel kitchen or something?”
“Oh, ye-“ Pen would be cut off by the gravelly call of his own name.
"PEN!" The shout was unfortunately too familiar, as noted by Pen and Eraser sighing upon its recognition.
There was Golfball, approaching the two with a stern look on her face.
Alongside her she had a clipboard with angry red marks noticeably scribbled across it- whatever her unintelligible notes said, it likely wasn’t good.
“There you are! What are you buffoons doing?! Meandering around foolishly?!”
“Yeah, kinda..” Pen said.
“Why do you care, Bossy Bot?!” Eraser remarked.
"I care because we need to analyze Pen’s performance in the last challenge! Spoiler alert, but it’s execrable.”
“That means good, right?” Pen anxiously asked.
“It means bad.” Golfball shook her head in disapproval. As if someone as doltish as Pen would be able to comprehend her advanced lexicon.
“O-Oh…”
“Well, looks like our fun’s over.” Eraser scoffed.
"Alright, I'll be over in a sec!" Pen said, trying to hide any obvious disappointment from her.
“Don’t take too long. I’ll be in my factory.” she grumbled, storming off and rolling her eyes.
"Why the hell does she need to go over that? we’re in a competition, not high school." Eraser said.
“Ohh! I’m GB! I like numbers and statistics, and I use big, fancy words! Hypothesis! Magnitude! Exy-cra-ble!” Pen mocked, in a half-satirical impression that sounded scarily accurate.
“Oh my rubber, shut up! It’s like she’s here again! I hate it!”
They laughed together once more, Pen clearing his throat afterwards.
“Alright, I probably shouldn’t stick around much longer. Don’t want her to remove even MORE points.”
“Want me to wait for you?” Eraser gestured towards the hotel, more specifically in the exact location of the kitchen.
“Nah, go on ahead. This’ll probably take a while, anyways. You know how GB’s lectures are.”
“Oh, do I ever. But, uh, you still up to hang later?”
Pen eagerly nodded. He’d be much more willing to sit through any lecture, no matter how long, if quality bro time was promised afterwards.
“Of course! Wanna come over to my room tonight? Avoid the rain and chill. Maybe watch a dumb movie or something.”
“I’m down. Text me when you’re finished, or whatever.”
“Will do, bro. Save me a sandwich.”
They exchanged their secret handshake, one so familiar and practiced that it felt almost instinctual.
“Bye, ‘Raser!”
“Later.”
“Love you, man. No homo.”
“You too. No homo.”
They both shared a final nod goodbye, before heading their separate ways.
Pen let out an eager hum as he practically skipped away, excitedly anticipating the moment he’d see Eraser again.
Unbeknownst to him was what tonight would truly bring.