Chapter Text
Author's notes:
THIS TAKES PART AFTER THE EVENTS OF S2 EP18!
!this is my 1st fanfic, so it might be bad :(!
TW:
Spoilers
Cringe
Homophobia
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7.30pm
4 days after the 'Cobs Incident'.
OJ had just finished gathering the laundry from yesterday. He was not his punctual self as he, and many others, had been affected by the truth that had been unveiled. Still, work needed to be done in the hotel, and if nobody else was going to do it, OJ would. Everyone except Paper, who still tried his best to be helpful around the hotel grounds and took over work when OJ was unable to. It was almost as if he felt... useless if he didn't help around the hotel.
After hauling a load of bedsheets into the washing machine, he walked into the living room. Almost everyone had gone to their rooms, except Salt, Pepper, Paper, and Lightbulb. Lightbulb, like her usual self, was chatting loudly about herself and how she was planning to take Baxter to the beach to meet his 'Crab Family'. Salt was whispering things to Pepper on the other side of the room with a scowl on her face.
Salt's expression immediately changed when she realised that OJ had walked into the room. Her eyes lit up, and she forced a smile. She looked like she was about to say something. However, Paper interrupted her with his usual greeting of a wide grin and a wave.
OJ waved back, but this time felt different. His heart seemed to flutter as he remembered the moment that him and Paper had shared. The hand-holding. The smiling. The blushing. Maybe Paper felt the same way? No. Don't let stupid fantasies get in the way of the work that needed to be done.
"Alright, everyone! It's getting late, and we need to make sure we all get a good night's rest." OJ nagged. And, to the annoyance of Salt, everyone agreed. It was getting late, and there was work to be done the day after.
After Lightbulb and Pepper had said their fairwells to the others, Paper held this breath and walked towards OJ. He had... something... on his mind. In fact, it had been on his mind for days, and now that he has OJ's attention, it was now or nothing.
"OJ? May I.. have a word with you? In private?" Paper's voice echoed in the almost empty room. OJ nodded and ordered everyone to leave the room, except for Paper.
Salt, being the gossiper, decided to stay and watch to see what Paper was going to say. Pepper stayed as well, but she had no intent of starting rumours. They peered into the living room from the hallway and listened intently; if they said anything, OJ would probably put them on garbage duty for a month.
"Hey, Paper! What's up?" OJ said in a soft, friendly tone, "You haven't really been yourself the past few days. Is there... something on your mind?" OJ secretly prayed that Paper was going to bring up their interaction in the void.
"OJ- I.." Paper struggled to get his words out. He looked down sheepishly. Taking a deep breath, he blurted everything out.
"OJ, you're an amazing friend and work partner, and I love working around the hotel with you. Our friendship means a lot to me, and I hope this doesn't make things too awkward between us, but.. will you maybe want to.. go out with me?"
Paper shut his eyes, expecting a negative response. However, when he opened his eyes, OJ was stood there in disbelief. The curve of his glass was highlighted with a light blush, and his eyes had a twinkle that Paper had never seen before
"Paper- I- YES!" OJ exclaimed. The two pulled each other into a tight hug like they had just reunited after years of not seeing each other. They held each other, staring into each other's eyes. OJ looked at Paper, Paper looked at OJ. Suddenly, OJ let go of Paper. Flustered, he laughed, "I- heh- think it's getting a bit late." He turned to Paper to hear his reply.
"Yeah, you're right," Paper admitted. His pink blush was still noticeable on the surface of his face. "I think it's time we headed off to bed. Are you coming, OJ?"
"Maybe in a few minutes. I have a couple of things to do around the hotel."
Salt leaned against the wall that protected her from being seen by OJ and Paper. Her world felt mixed up. OJ was supposed to love HER, not some weird boy. A boy loving a boy. The thought made her sick.
"Disgusting.." she muttered.