14 Days Of I.I Ships

(Suitloon) Late Night Talks

( This takes place after the hiatus for season 2 but before season 3 )

...

The air was cold, winter was still in full swing. Balloon rubbed his hands together. Blowing into them. Anything to try and warm himself up. Even after being eliminated he still wasn't allowed in the hotel. He had a little camp set up. Nothing big, just a tent with a single blanket. He was only brought into the hotel to get food. It was a disappointing life but a life nonetheless. He shivered for the last time before deciding he was going to ask OJ to let him in. Even if he said no he had to ask. The cold stung as he shakily stood up, putting his arms out to balance himself.

Stars shone in the night sky, Balloon had no clue what time it was. He looked around, the hotel was in distance but that's not what had caught his eye. By the dock sat a smaller girl. It was hard to make out who she was but Balloon felt drawn to her. His course changed as he stepped on the dock and sat next to her, staring at the dark reflective surface below.

"It's cold out."

"I know" Her voice wasn't higher than a whisper. She let out a shaky breath.

"Why are you here?" Balloon swung his legs back and forth, too short to scrape the undisturbed water. The silence was broken by sobs, they weren't loud. A murmur. "Hey- Suitcase- are you okay?" She curled herself into a ball, her entire body shook as she broke into louder cries. He carefully took his jacket off, wincing as the cold air hit his arms. He wrapped it around her shoulders, scooting closer and wrapping his arm around her. Balloon wasn't good with people, but he did know what it felt like to cry and have no comfort. No warmth, just tears.

"I-" She sniffed, picking her head up slightly. "I don't want to be here anymore.."

"What- Suitcase what do you mean?.."

This time she looked at him, her tear stained face broke his heart. "I don't want to be in this competition anymore, I don't want to be here on the dock, I don't want to be anywhere."

"Why don't you want to be in the competition, you've made it so far! You're in the final 4!" She looked away, closing her eyes briefly. "That's the thing.. I'm scared Balloon. Lightbulb is eccentric, Knife is fierce, Baseball is independant, and I'm just here- I don't know who I am, or- who I want to be. After Nickels manipulation and gaslighting I don't know who to trust or what to do. I have nobody to depend on but myself and- and I'm scared."

He pulled her into a tight hug, tears stained his shirt as she rested her head on his shoulder. "Suitcase- you are the most kind-hearted person I've ever met," He paused, taking a breath in, "You are sweet, reassuring, and fun to hang around. Honestly if it wasn't for you I probably would've been a total loner during my time on season two.. You deserve to be where you are and I'll always be here if you need anything."

Suitcase lifted her head up, slowly breaking the hug. "Thanks." Balloon smiled. So much was said in that moment, despite little words exchanged. Suddenly it didn't feel as cold as it did before. Balloon stood up, offering his hand, to which she gladly took. All the season two contestants were staying in the hotel currently, with the hiatus going on. He walked her to the door, turning to leave. "Hey, where are you going?"

"Oh, I'm not allowed in the hotel-"

"You've been sleeping out in this weather the entire time!?"

"Well kinda-"

Suitcase grabbed Balloons arm, throwing the hotel door open and dragging him inside. Balloons nerves eased when he noticed OJ passed out at the front desk. Suitcase continued, dashing up the stairs and down the hall. All new territory to Balloon. Eventually stopping at a sticker and paint covered door, a contrast to the normal dark wooden ones the other rooms adorned. Suitcase noticed Balloons confusion, "I room with Lightbulb but she's at Paintbrush's right now so it'll just be us."

The room looked like it had almost been split in two, Suitcase had the bed nearest to the door. Her side of the room was decorated with a poster or two but otherwise barren, at least in comparison to Lightbulbs, which had posters stacked on top of each other. Stickers covering every surface, and splotches of paint over the original bright orange. Suitcase dug through her closet, pulling out a small sleeping bag, setting down on the ground. "Sorry if it isn't much-"

Balloon laughed breathily, "Compared to where I have been sleeping this is like heaven." He climbed into the sleeping bag,melting into the warmth, the realization that he had been sleeping on a single blanket finally hitting him. Suitcase herself had gotten into her bed, staring at the ceiling. "Hey Balloon?"

"Hm?"

"Why does Nickel hate you so much?"

"I made some bad choices back in season one, I was an asshole to everyone. He doesn't think I've changed and he doesn't trust me. Thing is, doing that he's become the thing he hated the most."

"Did you though?"

"Did I what?"

"Sorry, change- I mean. Have you truly changed from season one? I'm sorry if it sounds mean it's just- you get it right?"

"..I think so. My mindset has definitely shifted, I'm still trying to become a better person to everyone. But I know my actions will speak louder than words."

"I think you've done a lot to prove yourself, they just hold their grudges to hold them. People can never just accept and move on. They need something bad in their lives they can just hate."

"Wow.. You should write poetry. I do it a lot to get my feelings out and I think you'd be great at it."

"Really?"

"Yeah.." Balloon yawned, snuggling closer to the sleeping bag, "G'night Suitcase."

"Goodnight Balloon."

A/N: Ruining my sleep schedule for this ✨