BFDI AND II ONESHOT BOOK!

PAYJAY: Can You Not, Salt?

Salt struggles to come to terms with OJ and Paper being together, and keeps inserting herself into their space, which slowly begins to wear on Paper's patience. OJ notices the shift and while he's concerned, there's also a small, curious part of him that's intrigued by this more intense side of Paper he doesn't often get to see, AKA: Evil Paper.

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Paper practically glowed with excitement as he walked, barely containing himself.

"OJ is taking me out for a candlelight dinner," he gushed, hands clasped together. "He's so charming... He noticed I've been stressed with all the challenges lately and, I mean, being part of the OSC, he's stressed too. We just... haven't had time for us, you know? But tonight—" he let out a delighted little noise, "Tonight is ours. No challenges, no interruptions... hopefully."

Balloon blinked at him, expression flat.

"...Why are you telling me this?" he asked. "Do you... not have friends? I can help you get friends, Paper."

"I am PERFECTLY FINE on my own!" Paper snapped, bristling. "Besides, OJ is my friend—my boyfriend." He emphasized the last word with a smug little gesture.

Balloon sighed. "You say that like I don't also have a boyfriend and should be jealous."

They continued down the path toward the diner, the evening air cool and calm. The sky had deepened into soft blues and purples, stars beginning to scatter across it. Balloon had only been heading this way by coincidence, but now he was stuck listening to Paper ramble, and honestly, he couldn't care less.

Not that things with OJ were exactly simple for him. They were... civil, now. Better than before. But Balloon hadn't forgotten how OJ had once left him with nothing, how long it took for any kind of apology to even be acknowledged. "Good terms" didn't mean close.

The diner came into view, warm light spilling out through its windows. Inside, things were lively but not overwhelming, Bonesaw, Tea Kettle, and Nickel were all on shift tonight, taking advantage of the break from challenges.

Nickel stood at the front, greeting customers. The moment he spotted Balloon, his face lit up.

"Balloon!" he beamed.

"Hey, sorry I'm late," Balloon said, walking over. "Still need help taking orders?"

"Yes, please," Nickel replied, relieved. "Thank you."

They shared a quick smile, soft, familiar, easy.

"Cringe," Paper scoffed under his breath.

But his attention snapped elsewhere almost immediately.

"OJ!!" Paper rushed forward without hesitation, practically throwing himself into OJ's arms. OJ laughed, catching him easily as Paper clung to him, one leg lifting slightly in excitement.

"Paper! I'm so glad you're here," OJ said warmly.

They pulled back just enough to share a quick kiss before being guided to their table. Candlelight flickered gently between them as they sat.

"I've really been looking forward to this," OJ admitted, reaching across the table to take Paper's hand. "It's been too long since we've had time like this."

Paper had drawn a neat little orange bowtie onto himself just for the occasion, and he sat up proudly.

"You look cute," OJ said, smiling.

Paper softened instantly. "No... you look cute," he murmured, voice low and affectionate, gaze fixed on him.

"OJ! Oh my gosh, what a coincidence!"