Crowned

Arc 1, Chapter 20: What Is, And What Isn't.

———

Walking next to him, was the boy that'd saved his life.
Next to him? Someone who'd done the same.
Time and time again had they made it out of situations unamaginable. Only because of eachother had they lived. It had been hard to hate someone, because of that. It had been hard to remain nuetral to someone, because of that.
The day had been strange enough, the week had been even stranger. Everything that could've gone wrong. Could've happened.

He sighed. Balloon, he had sighed. He had since gained his strength enough to walk. It had been a handful of hours, and he'd taken a moment in the medical room to recover. Easily walking on his two feet once more.
Supposing that walking in silence was less than comfortable, he said something. How could he not say something?
"Thanks for saving me." Balloon shattered the silence, just like that.

"Oh... It was... It was mostly Lightbulb." Nickel shrugged. He'd fully healed by then, so his head was cleared of pain.
"I just. Helped. Kinda."

"I shouldn't have... Suggested the roof thing. I'm sorry." Balloon frowned, rubbing the back of his head. Shamefully had he watched his feet drag along the carpeted floor.

"Yeah... uh. Not much we can do about it now. I mean, it happened. It's whatever." Nickel shrugged.
"I'm just glad you're not dead."

"Yeah." Balloon quickly replied.

Nickel glanced up at Balloon. He could feel the tension that weighed down the air. He'd felt bad, as if it had been he who'd done something wrong. He would not be incorrect, but everything he'd done was long since passed. He'd still felt just as horrible regardless. Fondness, a bright fondness had sparked within him for Balloon. A fondness that burned bright in a way he couldn't describe. Part of him knew what kind of flame had begun to kindle. He was afraid to admit to himself the fact, however.
"Don't... Blame yourself. I know you like to do that." He'd tried to joke.

"I'm not." Liar.
"I just... Are you okay? I know you were hurt and stuff..."

"I'm fine." Nickel shook his head briefly. Looking at the ground, he too found it difficult to look at the other.

Eventually they arrived at their room. Balloon grasped the handle and slowly pulled the door open. His eyes still trailed the ground. He stepped inside—only a few paces. Nickel shut the door behind him and—...
"Nickel. Do you... Do you actually like hanging out with me...?"

"What?!" Nickel finally raised his head to glare at Balloon like he'd just said something entirely blasphemous. Dumbfounded that he'd even asked that at all.
"Dude. I'm pretty sure I would've made it clear if I didn't."

"I—..." Balloon pursed his lips, "No... That's not what I meant. I mean... Do you... Actually like hanging out with me. Not do you talk to me because I'm someone who gets it... and... We're just going to become awkward in a month or two.
Are we... Are we friends?"

"Oh. Wow." Nickel blinked, unsure how to respond to that.
"I—... I don't know what to say to that."

"I obviously don't expect to compete with anyone. Baseball will always be your number one. I just... Wanted to know if we were at least... Kinda friends." Balloon fidgeted with his thumbs. Breathing in the air like he was suffocating.
"I just... Don't want to... Over step any boundaries."

"Balloon, no that's—... Baseball. He's my best friend, sure. But... You? I don't-..." he furrowed his brows, "I don't know..."

"...I. Understand."

"Balloon! No. That's also not what I mean... Don't take it that way." Nickel shook his head again, more firmly that time.

"It's fine! You don't have to try and make me feel better, Nickel. If you don't want to be friends—I get it. You're popular—and people like you! They don't like me. You... Have a reputation. I don't take it personally." He turned and raised his hands, a smile was plastered on his face. But it had felt hollow. He couldn't help but have felt hurt.
"I'm just glad you don't hate me anymore."