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The clock struck 3:00AM, by this hour, most of the other contestants living in hotel OJ were long asleep by now. The halls were silent, and the only light illuminating Lightbulb's room was the soft moonlight and her little bedside night light. (she didn't particularly like the complete darkness) And unfortunately for the girl, she couldn't sleep. Lightbulb laid on her back looking up at the hotel room ceiling, irritated about her predicament, beginning to glance around the entire hotel room.
Lightbulb's hotel room was nice, although very similar to the others, she did appreciate having her own little bedside table in which she's placed photos of all of her friends and Baxter. Aside from the table, she of course had Baxter's little tank, and some string lights strung about.
Lightbulb also has a roommate! One of her best friends, Paintbrush. Paintbrush used to share a room with Fan, but once recent events ended, and everyone was settling back into Hotel OJ, Fan and Test Tube wanted to share a room, and So did Lightbulb and Paintbrush respectively. Switching the room plans around, but they liked it this way! hell Fan and Test Tube are right next door anyways so they don't feel that far away anyways.
Now, why was Lightbulb up this late anyways? Everyone else besides maybe a few night owls still out and about were long asleep by now. Lightbulb wasn't really sure what exactly was keeping her awake, she supposed it must've had something to do with the past few weeks, she did technically "die" it was hard for her to wrap her head around, and knowing recovery is now impossible didn't make her feel any better about it.
The tired girl irritably rubbed her eyes deciding to get up for a glass of water, maybe a walk around the hotel will clear her head and help her get some rest. Lightbulb carefully climbed out of bed getting a glance at her buddy Paintbrush, hoping to not wake them up. Paintbrush recently joined a new safety crew, it seemed like the stress of making sure people don't get hurt/injured was dawning on them a bit, so she didn't want to mess with their sleep considering how hard they work. Lightbulb tiptoed as quietly as she could, wincing at every bump the carpeted floor made beneath her, Holding her breath as if it would prevent noise. The girl slowly crept out of the room, reaching the door, she slowly opened it and snuck out of the room. Lightbulb heavily exhaled once she was in the clear, no longer at risk of waking her sleeping friend. Now she was out of the room, she slowly walked down the dimly lit hallway. Hotel OJ was a little creepy at night, something about the empty halls of a normally busy and bustling place always sent a bit of a chill up her spine. Lightbulb strolled towards the closest community lounge area, searching for a sink to pour a cup of water for herself. A few more moments of walking along the hallway, she eventually reached the desired room. Lightbulb smiled, stepping towards the little kitchenette this little hotel lounge had, Lightbulb grabbed a small glass which she then filled up with water from the sink.
Lightbulb enjoyed the quiet moment, sipping her water, watching the stars outside. Trying to quiet those unwanted thoughts from her brain that'd kept her awake all this time. Once Lightbulb drank up her water she cleaned the glass and put it back, common hotel courtesy and what-not. Lightbulb yawned as she stepped out of the little communal lounge. 'Jeez finally' she thought to herself, feeling like maybe she could finally get some rest, she hoped. Lightbulb snuck back down the hotel hallway, reaching her and Paintbrush's room once more. She creaked open the door, shutting it softly behind her. Lightbulb thought she was in the clear, tiptoeing over to her bed, almost making it, then.
"gHuh… Lightbulb??" Paintbrush mumbled, breaking the silence.
"P-Painty!?" Lightbulb gasped, startled; tripping on her feet, and falling back onto the floor. Lightbulb sat, stunned for a moment before quietly laughing.
"Pfft… heehehe" Lightbulb giggled, Standing back up and brushing off her knees.
"Sorry Painty… I was just getting water" Lightbulb spoke softly looking at her friend who squinted at her as if they could read her mind or something.
"… Lightbulb have you slept?" Paintbrush sat up concern laced their expression. Lightbulb's face told them everything, her eyebrow's raised in surprise, shocked they were able to tell that easily.
"woah! was it really that obvious?" Lightbulb chuckled. "no. I haven't yet, I can't sleep." Lightbulb answered inching towards her bed as she explained.
Paintbrush looked at the girl in front of them. They were able to get a better look at her once she stood up and inched closer to her bed, her face lit up by her night light. She looked tired, her short curly hair looked wild, likely from tossing and turning, and her eyes looked exhausted. Paintbrush's eyebrows furrowed, they knew how she was at this point, something must've been bothering her and keeping her awake. They sighed looking up at their friend deciding to try to help.
"Um… If it helps you could um. sleep here?" Paintbrush offered sharing their bed, scooching over and pointing that their bed has room for her. Paintbrush liked lightbulb a lot, they'd be lying if the thought of this made them nervous.. Maybe flustered, but they cared about her. She just, looked like maybe she needed company. Lightbulb blushed a little standing upright, pausing a moment dumbfounded.
"I…..I didn't take you as the cuddling type Painty." Lightbulb chuckled slightly, teasing them.
"Pfftt usually I'm not, you dork." They teased back rolling their eyes. "Just... Get over here you silly." They chuckled patting the spot next to them "If you want to of course" They reassured. Lightbulb beamed giggling slightly, grabbing a crab plushie from her bed, her pillow, and then jumped into bed with Paintbrush.
"hehehe Thanks Painty!" Lightbulb chuckled getting comfy but not wanting to overstep, making sure she gave them enough space.
Paintbrush hummed in response looking at Lightbulb more closely, even though she looked a mess from the lack of sleep, she still looked beautiful to them. Paintbrush cleared their throat before responding. "Of course Light." They trailed off a moment before speaking again.
"So um.. what was keeping you up?" They asked curiously watching the girl next to them.
Lightbulb turned over facing Paintbrush now looking at her friend. "Oh um.. just…" She sighed frowning. "Everything that happened. The erasing stuff.. It just.. It sure sticks with ya huh." Lightbulb chuckled attempting to make the moment feel more lighthearted, but she frowned again once her eyes met Paintbrush who also looked a little down thinking about it all too.
Paintbrush scooched closer to Lightbulb, she did the same, enjoying the closeness of the moment. Paintbrush blushed softly before lifting a hand up to brush her hair out of her face. Of course stopping before actually touching her, quietly asking. "um. can I-?" They started to speak before Lightbulb cut them off.
"Yes." She spoke softly, wanting them to.
Paintbrush proceeded, brushing her bangs away from her eyes looking at her, her face was covered in freckles, her cheeks were rosy, flushed a little from the contact. Paintbrush's fingers moved downwards holding her cheek, brushing her face with their thumb soothingly.
Lightbulb melted into the touch sighing, smiling up at her friend.
"Somehow without saying anything, you're always good at helping me feel better Painty." Lightbulb chuckled quietly, scooching closer to them.
Paintbrush hummed smiling "I'm not great with words." They admitted chuckling as well. "We all went through hell and back Light, there's nothing wrong with taking a while to heal from it all. I am too, hell, I think all of us are" They spoke looking down at the girl in front of them who listened intently frowning slightly but nodded along.
"Thanks Painty." Lightbulb sighed, blushing a little as she felt Paintbrush's eyes on her.
Paintbrush hummed in response slowly moving back their hand only to then ask another question.
"Wanna hug?" Paintbrush asked.
Lightbulb looked at her friend before smiling wide her eyes looking a little teary. "Yes." Lightbulb smiled, scooching in close and wrapping her arms around her friends waist, hugging them. Lightbulb rested her head in under their chin letting out a content sigh.
Paintbrush chuckled slightly at her eagerness but they weren't surprised, she always liked hugs and physical touch. Paintbrush wrapped their arms around Lightbulb as well pulling their blanket over them both. Paintbrush let out a small yawn before stroking lightbulbs hair softly.
"That feel better?" Paintbrush spoke looking down at Lightbulb.
Lightbulb nodded lifting her head up a moment to speak. "Hehe absolutely. Thank you Painty. I uh.. really needed this." Lightbulb blushed slightly smiling brightly up at them.
Paintbrush blushed as well chuckling nervously "Aww. Haha, Of course Lightbulb, I care about you." They smiled going back to playing with lightbulbs hair. Lightbulb beamed, before tucking her head back underneath her friends chin, letting out a content sigh, squeezing paintbrush a little as if she was silently thanking them again.
Paintbrush smiled their other hand slowly inched down to lightbulbs back, softly stoking her back, wanting her to feel comfy, loved and safe. Lightbulb sighed again, melting into the touch. It wasn't long after this, when Paintbrush eventually started hearing soft snores coming from Lightbulb, she had finally fallen asleep. Paintbrush smiled scooching slightly making themself comfy as well, once they were settled and ready to sleep once more, before falling asleep, they muttered quietly
"Love you Lightbulb, goodnight." Not expecting a response, but to their surprise Lightbulb must've woken up a but from when they moved a little, she replied.
"Love you too Painty." Paintbrush felt their cheeks warm up, not expecting her to have heard that, they chuckled running their hand through her hair chuckling softly before mumbling once more, "Goodnight Lightbulb."
Lightbulb smiled, burying her face in the crook of paintbrush's neck and squeezing them one more time, letting out a content sigh before letting herself drift off once again. It wasn't long until Paintbrush dozed off as well, the both of them finally getting the rest they both desperately needed.