Wannabe (Inanimate Insanity Fanfiction)

Now Don't Go Wasting my Precious Time

Salt's always been the leader between the two of them, so it's no surprise that it's Salt who leads them out of the room, hand in Pepper's and humming happily.

"How is it that you, like, know just what to say to make my day better every time?"

Pepper can't stop smiling. "You've done it for me so many times; I'm so glad to return the favor..."

Salt squeals and gives a little bounce. "OMG, Pepper! You're awesome, you're like the greatest frie... ...No! Girlfriend! The greatest girlfriend!"

'Holy smokes. We're dating now.'

Pepper froze in place before beaming. "I didn't even realize that we're girlfriends now! You're, like, a genius!"

"Yeah, I like, know this Pepper. You don't even have to tell me!" Salt gives her a quick kiss on the cheek. "But you can tell me later. We have to go start our picnic as soon as possible!"

Together they run through the hallways of Hotel OJ, and bounce in place on the elevator, Salt clinging to her. They're acting like kids and it'd be embarrassing on any other day.

'But today's not like any other day.'

Pepper thinks it's a bit unfortunate they didn't meet anyone on their way down to the front of the hotel. Getting to show off her happiness and make every single guest in the hotel feel jealous would have been a great chance to make her day even better.

'But, no matter. Long as I know it'll happen eventually...'

But anyway, the front of the hotel is where the grass is brightest and the atmosphere's nicest. Setting up a blanket's a cinch, because there isn't a single uneven spot on the whole hill. An orange tree shades half the blanket.

Pepper opens the basket and pulls out two sandwiches, handing one to Salt. She takes it with a smile and links their arms.

There they are, sitting close enough for their sides to touch, snacking on delightful sandwiches cut into triangles.

Pepper's staring at Salt with a tiny little smile and it's impossible to tear her gaze away. Salt notices and beams. "...I'm gonna show the world my amazing spicy girlfriend..."

Pepper swallows the bite of sandwich she's chewing and grins.

Salt giggles and eats her scrumptious sandwich. Pepper pays close attention to her posture and, as per BCFF code, she can tell a lot from very little motion. For instance, the way she shuts her eyes after the first bite indicates that she really likes the sandwich. The way her eyebrows raise just a millimeter proves she realizes something. Then she glances back at the sandwich to see that it's cream cheese and jelly (Salt's favorite!). She grins over at Pepper affectionately, then daintily continues to eat.

Cream cheese and jelly. Light and dark. Two things that contrast, but invariably work together to maintain harmony in the world.

'Not unlike salt and pepper, really.'

Pepper smirks at the thought.

She munches on her own sandwich as Salt hums quietly to herself, as if spacing out. It's a song familiar to her in all but name.

It felt like a blissful eternity to be beside Salt like that.

Salt leans into Pepper's side, much to her surprise. The same boldness with romance that'd been the bane of Pepper's existence for years is suddenly cause for her to be incredibly thankful.

Pepper feels an arm slip around her. "It's nice out," Salt remarks quietly. "If I ever lost all ability to move, I'd want it to be, like, now.

'I can't believe this is happening. This is still probably a dream...'