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There was too much to unpack. One was gone, sure, but that didn't mean there wasn't still a weird emptiness in Two’s heart. It felt like a freezer, the cold in themself stuck in static.
For the past year or so, the only sight they had to see was the ceiling on their room.
Even if things were normal again, Two felt uncertain that they would be able to heal so quickly. So much had happened in the past year or two, and it had taken a huge toll on their mentality.
Tentatively, Two laid their hand on the doorknob of their room. It would be awkward to lay their eyes on the same space where they had sulked for who knows how long, waiting endlessly for something they didn't even know.
It was the same room where they had confided in someone, held them and their tangible body… It was the same room where they had cried for hours, threw up in a bag from the sickness the morning after… And now they were going to enter that room once more.
Two shook off that weird feeling they had. They had no need to dwell on it. There was no room for them emotionally: They were a show host, not the same ill number they used to be. Twisting the doorknob open, they were greeted with the back of their friend at the window. Well, they weren't really friends.
“Hey, Four!” Two called out, waving a hand meekly. “How you doin’, chum?”
Four’s face turned into a grimace as they groaned. Nothing new for Four. Two sighed, walking past Four and looking down at their bedside drawer. Sitting on it was a photoframe of themself, along with an almost empty box of tissues. They pulled out another photoframe; the one of them alone on an empty couch. Their gaze lingered on the space next to them on the couch.
Even after so long, Two was still grieving the loss of their friend. There was so many memories made with her, and so many possible memories lost… Their love was like an opening flower bud cut from the stem before it could bloom.
Two knew they loved her. That was probably the worst part. They loved her and they never got the chance to let her know. At least she was at peace, hopefully…
“Sounds like your friend’s coming back?” Four’s voice chimed from behind them, Two’s eyes widening. “Huh,” Two mumbled as they looked through the window. X was doing something as a group of contestants watched them…
The realization hit Two as X rubbed their hands together with a beam of light. Their mouth curling into a grin, Two eagerly watched as it got brighter and brighter and…
Two uncovered their eyes as they heard Grassy’s voice scream “Basketball!” If Basketball was back, so were the other contestants… and so was…
Gaty.
Two’s heart pounded as they watched the cheerful reunions of all the contestants. Warm hugs, kisses on the cheeks… It almost made them jealous. But Gaty must be somewhere!
Their smile turned into a wide grin. Two raced out their room, leaving Four in the dust once more. Practically tripping down the stairs, the only thing playing in their mind was “Gaty’s back. Gaty’s back. Gaty’s back–!”
Two slammed the doors open, almost breaking them as their eyes darted around the scene. All the hope that had left their body and soul throughout the past year had soaked back into them. Gaty was back.
There she was, right infront of them. Her eyes shone as brightly as they remembered. “Gaty–!” they cried, sprinting up to her and pulling her into an embrace before she could finish saying “Two..?”
At that moment, all the guilt, all the sadness, all the love that they felt couldn't be bottled up any longer. Everything that they felt had broken and crashed through like waves breaking through the dam that they had built in their mind for so long.
“Gaty– I’m so sorry!” They exclaimed, squeezing her tighter. “I-If I just sent you to Yoyle City- then maybe One wouldn't have-” Two looked past Gaty, their gaze setting on all the happy contestants.
They looked so cheerful. Maybe that could’ve been Gaty if Two had taken care of her better, or payed more attention to what they were doing. Guilt chipped at them.
“I-I don't even know what you’ve been through… and I can't even begin to apologize enough for my selfishness.” Two sighed, looking down at Gaty. “I wanted you to stay after you got eliminated, but it just made things worse,” they murmured, their voice cracking. “Two, be quiet–!” Gaty laughed, her gaze fixed on Two.
Two melted into Gaty’s touch as she cupped their cheeks, a soft smile on her face. “I’m glad to be back.” For a moment, both of them looked into eachothers eyes, longing etching into Two’s chest. Slowly pulling away, they added, “And hey..!” Putting her hands on her hips, she grinned. “It totally cured my biggest phobia!”
“I’m totally okay with being eliminated now! Sounds way better than… not… existing…?” Gaty scratched the back of her head, smiling nervously. “...Whatever I was,” she added.
Gaty stepped closer to them, their cheeks reddening more. “And plus.. I’m just happy I finally get to see you again,” she whispered, her hands sliding to Two’s shoulders. Her forehead almost bumped against Two’s with the lack of distance between them.
Two laughed gingerly, their mind panicking with feelings they couldn't control. “H-Haha! I see- yeah!” they said, gently nudging Gaty away. “Y-You should go see your team.”
Gaty shook her head. “I will in a moment, but first-” Two interrupted them in a sweat. “N-No! Don't worry a-about me, haha! Trust me, they–”
“I told you to stop talking,” Gaty demanded, her hands grabbing Two’s waist. Before Two could protest, they felt Gaty’s lips touch theirs as she pressed their faces together.
Gaty was kissing them.
They were kissing Gaty.
Two’s brain short circuited as she kissed them. Immediately, they wrapped their arms around her, kissing her back like it was instinct. It felt like the world around them had melted into shades of periwinkle purple and nothing else.
At that moment, everything was perfect. If Two could live in any moment forever, they would choose the very minute that they were living. They would suffer that year a thousand more times to kiss Gaty like this again and again.
Unfortunately for Two, they had to pull away eventually. Gaty smiled shyly as their hands lingered on Two’s waist. “Sorry. I was being impulsive..” she said, though the look in her eyes told Two she wasn't sorry at all.
“You’re not sorry.”
“Am too.”
“Nuh uh.”
“Yuh uh.”
Two rolled their eyes, looking away with a smile. They sighed, looking back at Gaty with nothing but infatuation. “I.. I love you, Gaty,” they whispered.
“I know,” Gaty whispered back. Two gasped, their face turning pink. “...It was kinda obvious… I just didn't wanna rush you. But I love you too, Two,” she added.
Two scoffed. “It wasn't that obvious–!” Gaty opened her mouth to protest. Hearing someone clear their throat from behind them, Two realized there was still a crowd watching the two of them. “Oh- uh- you should go say hi to your friends now.”
“Yeah…” Gaty nodded, still staring into Two’s eyes. Two stared back. “Let’s talk later, okay?” she reassured them.
Gaty snuck a quick peck on the cheek from Two and rushed to her friends. Two heated up, placing their hand on their cheek. Their heart was still pounding, and that kiss didn't help.
With a lovestruck smile, Two admired Gaty as her teammates (and especially Saw) welcomed her back with open arms. They couldn't begin to describe the feeling they had in their chest seeing how loved and missed she was by everyone. They couldn't begin to describe the feelings they had for Gaty herself.
God, Two loved her.