Stranded in Paradise; Welcome Home [An II Au]

Make No Mistake

The bitter sound of retching filled the bathroom as Nickel vomited into the toilet, hunched over the bowl as he did so. Balloon pat him on his back, looking away as to not get sick himself. Neither was sure how long it had lasted for, but a few coughs from Nickel signaled it was over. The gray coin slowly got up, wiping some vomit off his face with his prosthetic foot. "A-Are you gonna be okay?" Balloon asked as he flushed the toilet for him. Nickel just sighed, wiping his foot on the carpet, "Probably...Didn't see any blood in there, so I'm hoping I don't end up like OJ," The coin made his way out of the room, flopping down on his bed. Balloon followed, looking at the coin whom he shared a room with.

"Are you...sure you'll be okay?" Balloon asked.

"Yeah, I think I just need to lay down for like...6 to 8 hours. Or...maybe days would be better."

"Um, okay then. Just...get some rest, okay? I'll go and grab you a bucket just in case."

Balloon then turned his back on Nickel, exiting the room and softly closing the door behind him. He let out a sigh under his breath as he walked down the hall. His thoughts weren't as scrambled as everyone else's, but he wasn't entirely sane either. The island had taken a lot out of him, and he was hoping he could rest too. Eventually.

Suddenly, he bumped into someone. "Eek! Oh, uhh...sorry!" Balloon said as he backed up. It was when he backed up slightly did he realize who he bumped into. Baseball. The big-boned ball looked down at Balloon with a surprised look. "Oh-no, you're okay...I was just going to see Nickel," Baseball said, looking at the door to Nickel's room.

"He's...resting right now. I was with him in there earlier. I think he's just...feeling a bit sick."

"...Oh. That's fine. I'll...just be careful."

Balloon nodded and walked past Baseball. The ball continued to walk as well, when suddenly...he stopped and turned around towards Balloon. "Are you and Nickel...good now?" He asked, causing Balloon to stop in his tracks. He turned around with an unsure look.

"I...guess? I mean, we got along well on the island. And...I guess we kinda became...acquaintances? But I wouldn't entirely say we're friends yet...or maybe..."

"But, are you guys good now? Like...in terms of making up?"

"Yeah, of course! W-We've made up! I-I think." Balloon pondered on his words for a bit, before looking up at Baseball with a frown, "You don't think Suitcase will be upset with me...do you?"

"Why would she be upset? It's okay if you and Nickel are friends...it's not like your relationship with Suitcase will change at all cause of that."

"I know, but...due to what happened between her and Nickel, I...I'm worried it might..."

"You're worried you might not be friends anymore?"

Balloon didn't respond, only nodding. Baseball's eyebrows scrunched as he walked up beside Balloon. "Your relationship with Nickel really doesn't matter to Suitcase...She still appreciates you as a friend. She...probably even loves you as a friend. Your relationships don't have to affect your closest friendships. I'm sure...everything will be fine," The well-rounded ball gave a slight smile. Balloon thought for a moment, then gave Baseball a smile in return.

"Thanks, Baseball...I...I think I really needed to hear that."

"Of course, bud."