I can hear you, although it is faint whispering, I can still hear you louder than I can hear my own breathing. Can you see me?

-

Caution warning for brief talk of self harm if you struggle with self harm or have in the past, please know you are loved and that there is nothing to be ashamed for your scars or wounds. We all have struggles and you shouldn't feel like it's never ok to be sad.

Understand that in this chapter Balloon will be struggling with internal thoughts about their self harm scars, if this becomes uncomfortable please skip this chapter for your safety.

-

Balloon stood in front of Trophy's door, hands fumbling together as anxiety rubbed off against them. This was a waste of time, why did he even bother trying to help them in the first place? Surely he was just teasing them or at least trying to make them vulnerable and then use them. That's it, that's what he was doing. Balloon stepped back from the door, wincing. But then again, They looked down at their knuckle that had a bandaid stuck on top. Balloon let out a soft sigh, staring at the door as their shadow stared back at them. It wouldn't be the first time and how could they be so sure? They opened the door, only to be met with Knife laying lazily in his bed, snoring loudly. Sheets kicked off as his face was smushed into his pillow, drooling like a damn dog as his legs were sprawled out. Balloon cringed, walking in they stared at the bed next to Knife's, Trophy was practically sleeping the same exact way but the blankets were some how on the other side of the room. Balloon stared in astonishment. The fact these two can wake up damn Cthulhu with their snores, they're surprised they haven't waken each other up or at least been checked in by the doctor by how their backs are practically not broken from their sleeping positions. Balloon tapped Trophy's shoulder.

" Trophy? Psst, Trophy.. " Balloon whispered, but yet what good would that do? They might as well scream on the top of their lungs over this snoring and it would still be considered a whisper. They tapped his shoulder again. " Trophy. " Trophy swatted at Balloon's hand, grumbling and shoved his face into his pillow.

" Five more minutes... "

" wh — You told me to wake you up?? Get up! God this place is like a zoo— " Balloon scrunched up their face in utter disgust as they picked up a sock and threw it to the corner. Trophy again, groaned in irritation that his beauty sleep was interrupted. Sitting up, his hair was a ratted mess and yawned.

" Ok— ok. Hang on I gotta get dressed and make a protein shake. " He said groggily, stretching and popping his back before getting up and put on a tank top. Balloon looked around.

" You guys sleep like animals it's insanity. It was clean in here the last time I was here. "

" Jee, thanks. It's fine Knife will clean it up. "

" Like hell I am it's your turn to clean. " A gruff voice suddenly piped into the conversation. It being muffled. Balloon turned to stare at Knife who now laid on his back and held a pillow over his face. Trophy, however, didn't bother to look.

" I cleaned it twice that one time, that means. It's only fair if you do it twice too. " Trophy walked to the exit of the room, Motioning Balloon to follow. Knife sat up and grumbled, glaring at the two. Balloon nervously stared back at Knife before walking out of the room with Trophy.

" .. Well he's still as lovable and nice like I remember. " Balloon muttered. Trophy let out a chuckle.

" Nice? That asshole bites my ass every time I even open my mouth. " The two made their way down the stairs. Trophy flailing his hands dramatically, " OhH! Trophy you're being too loud you're giving me a head ache! Ohh! Trophy this Trophy that! " He mimicked the blade with a raspy voice. Balloon snickered at this.

" Uh huh. I can sorta see what he means. " Trophy glared at Balloon and nudged them roughly with his elbow.

" Ok asshole, imagine having a emo constantly bickering at you! " Balloon rubbed their arm.

" I don't have to imagine. " Balloon furrowed their brows, " Ow. " They felt their arm throb slightly. Trophy snickered, soon making his way into the kitchen. Balloon began to follow before seeing Nickel in the kitchen, at the table with Suitcase, and Baseball. Balloon stepping back and frowned. Trophy noticed this and stared at Balloon in confusion.

" You just gonna stand there or? "

" I'll wait for you. " Balloon's eyes darted away. Trophy slowly nodded before continuing on in the kitchen. Balloon stared at Nickel, hands trembling. Nickel glanced at Balloon, the two staring at each other in silence before Nickel's stare became a glare. Balloon frowned and walked away from the kitchen, walking back up the stairs. Balloon clung onto the bottom of their shirt, eyes slightly watering in shame. What did Nickel even have against them? What did anyone have against them? Their mind trailed off from the other night, the other night when the hotel was murmuring among themselves about Balloon.

" .. can't believe you would still let them into here. "

" I still can't believe that they even allow themselves to still look like that. I honestly say they had gotten worse since the last time we saw them. "

" Guys I'm only allowing them to stay for a short while, ok? It's not that bad. Plus I want everyone — "

" to be included, we know. But would it hurt so bad if you had let THEM out. Only them? "

Oh, the pity. How depressing and miserable the poor Balloon was. Everyone disliked them, of course, they had Suitcase and Trophy. But, of course they're only pitying the bastard for how dreadful they were. From their ratted hair, to their stained clothes, to their bruised knuckles and individual markings on their arms. Each line was practically a call for attention and they knew it. They knew they wanted that attention. They WANTED people to see them. Finally hear them. Balloon tugged down the short sleeves over their arms. Hugging themselves. Hiding.

Balloon stepped inside the work out room, it was small, small for one person usage. From what OJ told them before they came back to the hotel, OJ did some remodeling from interior inside. A small bar, a small room with a reading area, and a Work out room. Balloon guessed that Trophy wanted a room for his own relief. Balloon scanned the room, and stared at the racks of dumbbells.

Deja vu.

They shook their head sat down on a small bench. Waiting for Trophy.

Soon, Trophy walked in with a shake in hand, and a protein bar in mouth, setting the shake down on a table as well as the bar.

" You got a bar? " Balloon hummed.

" You a bar, you'll need it. Especially if you haven't put anything in your stomach. " Trophy replied, popping his back like a middle aged man. Trophy turned to Balloon, " I'm gonna have to sit there. " Balloon raised a brow before realizing and stood up.

" Sorry- "

" 's fine, why don't you start off with something easy. " Trophy smiled, sitting down on the bench and pointed at the dumbbells. Balloon glanced at them, walked up to them and just stared.

" These? "

" Yes. "

" ... "

" Well? Go on. They're not gonna bite you. "

Balloon slowly picked up one, only to have the weight of their body be tugged down to the floor. Balloon dropping the dumbbell in fear and stepped back, flinching at the loud thud. Trophy stood up immediately, picking it up. " Careful! Ok — Jesus this is gonna be hard. " Trophy placed it back onto the rack and rubbed his eyes in irritation.

" I'm sorry— I just- I didn't know how to- "

" Ok well obviously you don't pick up the heaviest one yeah? "

" But I thought we- you know?? "

Trophy just gave Balloon a look of stupidity.

" ... like... start..off.. with a heavy set and.. you know??? Physics? "

" Jesus Christ you're dumber than I thought. " Trophy rolled his eyes and picked up a smaller dumbbell, handing it to them. Balloon stared at it awkwardly and held it in a weird position, one shoulder lower than the other as their body tilted to the side. " No. Don't do that. " Trophy said, hands on Balloon's side and straightened their back. Balloon immediately tensed up and freaked out, dropping the bell in an instant before clenching their fist and —

Trophy stumbled back and held his nose, blood gushing out like a fountain of water. Eyes shut tightly before staring at Balloon. Who just panted with pure disgust on their face.



Balloon's fist had slight drops off blood sprinkled onto it.

" .. What.. The fuck is your problem! " Trophy shoved Balloon into the rack. " Are you insane? What the hell was that?! " Balloon frowned, face going pale in under a minute.

" No no no ! I'm so sorry I— I'm - I didn't- " Trophy gripped the collar of their shirt. Gritting his teeth.

" You could've broken my fucking nose are you mental?! You— " Trophy slowly trailed off, letting go of Balloon and touched his nose that still bled. " could've— broken my nose. "

Balloon awkwardly stood there, slightly shaking.

" .. How did you learn to punch like that. "

" huh? " Balloon stared in confusion. " What do you mean? "

" I mean, you give one hell of a punch. How did you learn to do that? Have you boxed before? "

" .. WHAT! Wait - no! No I haven't what are you on about I just— kinda— " Trophy grabbed Balloons wrist and stared at the hand.

" You don't have any blisters or anything! No rough knuckles, no bruises, Are you sure you haven't boxed before? "

" I— no- " Balloon grabbed their wrist back, clinging it to their chest. " I'm.. sorry about your nose. "

" No! Don't be! That was awesome! I would've never guessed you'd be the type of guy— er- person to get physical! " Trophy grabbed Rag and wiped his nose. Balloon stared in confusion, staring at their hand.

" .. Thanks? I guess? " Balloon slightly smiled.

" Wait wait, you know what, scratch the whole idea of working out, I have a better idea. " Trophy smiled widely, rushing to the other side of the room. Balloon just watched before seeing Trophy pull out a punching bag with pure joy in his face, like a child on Christmas Day. He seemed like he was having an absolute thrill. " Punching baggg! " Trophy did small jazz hands.

" What?! " Balloon snickered, backing away. " I'm sorry- no. This was fun- and all— I think. But I can't- i don't know anything about boxing I— really don't want to do this. "

" Come on! At least try! Please? " Trophy begged.

" .. mm.. I.. guess. " Balloon slowly made their way to the worn out bag. " .. so do I just? " They gave it a small punch.

" .. seriously? " Trophy raised a brow.

" I'm sorry! I told you I don't have any clue what I'm doing! "

Trophy sighed and moved Behind Balloon, " Ok, look. Spread your legs, you don't want to keep them together ok? " Balloon tensed up slightly.

" Ok? "

" Ok, good, make a fist. "

" Like this? "

" Jesus— no! Did you punch me like that? "

" Yeah? I thought that's how you usually punch- "

" No! You'll break a damn thumb if you do that! " Trophy sighed in irritation, grabbing Balloon's hand from behind and formed their hand into a fist correctly. " There, now, go ahead and punch it, "

" Trophy I REALLY don't want to do this— " Balloon frowned.

" Just give it one punch, please? " Balloon stared at the bag and shook their head.

" I don't— want to- I'm sorry- " Balloon moved away from Trophy. " I don't want to punch people— hell I didn't even like the fact I hurt you! " Balloon winced, rubbing their hand in shame.

Trophy sighed, " Ok, That's fine. But let me know when you change your mind ok? You can really learn to stick up to yourself more. "

" .. yeah.. i guess. "

" You're not leaving, right? "

" .. I need- some sleep. " Balloon rubbed their eyes tiredly. " Goodnight Trophy.. "

" Goodnight Balloon. "

-

Get jolly and whimsical dude