"Time's almost up, everyone!" Four announces from one of the large pillars, examining the landscape below for the contestants before frowning angrily at the sight of...no one. "Grrr, where are they?!" He growls, shifting and teleporting to different places, popping up out of bushes and walking into archaic buildings to attempt and locate anyone to no avail. It isn't until he hears a sigh that he teleports away once more to the source of the noise, coming face to face with you. You yelp and tumble backwards at Four suddenly just appearing in front of you like that, clutching your chest. "Do you always have to do that?! Jeez, Four!"
Four stares through you with a big smile, stretching an arm around to your back to pick you up as if you were a cat by its scruff, setting you back on your feet. "What are you doing here all by yourself, Y/N? Shirking out of co-co-hosting duties, hmmm?~" He teases with a smug grin, leaning towards you. You scoff playfully, placing a hand on the side of his nub to push him back just a bit. "What are you talking about? I was just taking care of these rocks like X told me."
Four looks over at the large pile of rocks that you were gesturing to, looking back at you, perplexed. "Wha?" They grunt. You feel a little anxious by that response, as if your work may not have been good enough for him. You start to explain your assignment nervously, and what you did to solve the problem. "W-well, X told me that there were too many rocks and that would upset you since it was not an amount divisible by 4, so...I just got rid of a few. It didn't take me too long or anything. X said that there were 867, so I just got rid of 3 of them since 864 is divisible by 4. They've been gone for...a pretty long time though, so I've just been kind of waiting for them to get back." You elaborate and Four blinks, his expression blank. You nervously fiddle with your hands, "Uh...is that alright?" You finally ask, Four reaching out to cup your cheeks, pinching a little rougher than you would like. "Aaaawww~ Y/N~ You didn't have to do all that for me!~" He chirps, appearing to be touched by the gesture. "I didn't...? But..." You answer, confused about X's explanation about him becoming irate from the wrong amount of rocks present. "And you've arranged all 864 remaining rocks in the shape of a 4 from a bird's eye view! How sweet!~"
You didn't do that. And you're not really sure how Four was seeing that when he was standing right in front of you.
"I did???" You reply, stunned. "You don't have to be so modest, Y/N! Thank you so much for the nice gesture!" He says, pulling you in for a firm hug. Regardless of the whole strange situation, it's nice to see Four so happy because of you and you pat their back. "I'm glad you like it, Four." They step back from you, checking the invisible watch on their wrist and gasping. "Looks like time's up!" They say, wrapping a hand around you waist as they look off in the distance, seeing a small cluster of individuals and taking off. The wind blows in your ears and the sheer speed that you are suddenly moving causes your limbs to flail behind you until Four halts, leaving you feeling a little frazzled. The ground rumbles slightly under Four's feet once they land, the huddled contestants and X all looking over at the two of you with shocked expressions.
"Four-colored team! It's time to show me the location you've picked!"
They all look to one another, uncertain and filled with dread. X had pulled them all aside and in the midst of all the gossiping and planning, they had totally lost sight of the competition. Four raises a brow, putting his hands on his hips. "Well- where is it, huh? Unless...this is the spot you've picked..." They glance around with scrutinizing eyes, and the Four-colored team can already tell Four's not liking what they see. "W-we'll show it to you in just a moment! But first...why don't you and Y/N take a break over here? It's pretty nice!" Gelatin says, ushering the two of you over to a table. It's a small table, suited for a cafe with a candle in the center. There is an empty wine glass for you and a juicebox for Four on the respective sides, both of you pushed into your seats by the gelatinous contestant.
"You know since we're like...pretty far away from home, I was thinking about setting up another steakhouse right here, which means you guys would be my first customers. Pretty cool, right? We're giving a discount for couples, too...you know- just in case!" Four looks at you and you stare back, both of you completely stumped on what was going on. "Gelatin..." Four growls, Gelatin peering over. The host glares daggers at the contestant, squinting. "Are you trying to stall for your team..?" He asks menacingly, and you sigh. "I don't mind having dinner and all, but maybe you should just let Four finish judging today's contest and we can get back to it after." You suggest softly. Honestly, the idea of being able to have a pleasant dinner with your friend sounded nice, but it wouldn't be all that great if he was just angry and impatient the entire time...
Gelatin's smile wavers a bit, looking over his shoulder to the other contestants and the co-host, where they urged him to keep going. "Uh...o-okay, sure- but first, I think Bubble and Ruby might want to say a few things first! Heh! Right guys?" The next step of the plan was going to have to be enacted early, the two contestants scrambling up to the table you and Four are seated in, turning to each other.
"So like...everyone keeps secrets from one another, don't they? And isn't it great that you can get all of those secrets off of your chest by just talking about them?" Ruby asks, Bubble nodding. "Yoi, that's roight! My secret for you, foir example is that I may have umm...been the poirson who broke the radio in the Freesmoirt Supervan...sorry Roiby..." Bubble admits and Ruby gasps. "You know what? That's okay! You're still sooo my bubble buddy and like- whatever a radio can do, I can probably do better with my voice!" She states, hugging Bubble and then turning to Four. "See how great that felt, Four? Now, do you have anything you want to say to Y/N, maybe..?" Ruby asks, and Four squints, looking very angry.
"No."
"Umm...are...you soire...?" Bubble asks before Four juts out his finger, popping her, recovering her seconds later, squeezing his hands into fists while he stood up from the table. "If you do not show me your area right now, I will put you all up for elimination!" They warn, gritting their teeth. Lollipop facepalms, shaking her head. "This isn't working at all...Four is just not being cooperative right now." She says, Leafy leaning over. "That's true, but...do we even have an area to show them?" She asks before a figure rushes in behind them. It's Teardrop, who points to an area nearby. It's a lovely place, a small, foggy valley riddled with rocks and lush flora. The team scrambles over to look, Gelatin giving a nervous laugh. "Hahaha, yeah! There's the area we picked! It's the best, right?" Four, however, doesn't appear all that impressed.
"Mmmmm...no. 3/10." He pips finally, shrugging his shoulders. Teardrop looks offended by that, waving her arms around to try and ask him for an explanation. "Yeah! What Tearster uhh...said?" Gelatin agrees. Teardrop frowns and turns to look at him, raising an eyebrow as to why he felt a need to point out her muteness.
"If you recall my instructions, I was looking for a landscape for the purpose of building! Those rocks and trees would make it too much of a hassle." They said, folding their arms and scoffing. "Shame on you, Four-colored Team! Pay attention better next time!"
The entirety of the Four-colored team frowns, X looking around sadly. It's his fault that the team lost, isn't it? After all, he stole their attention away from the challenge just to make his own plans that were starting to crumble anyway. He would have to make it up to them! "Oh no..." He murmurs to himself, Leafy putting a hand on his shoulder. "It's okay, X." She whispers. "We've still got Plan B." X smiles to her, feeling a bit grateful that she is still in high spirits.
And there still is the chance that their team might win.
Firey rushes in soon after. "Four! We found an area we think you're going to like!" He says confidently, Four smiling and snapping their fingers to transport everyone to the location where the rest of the X-colored Team stands. It's a much sleeker area in design. It's atop of more mountainous area, flat and relatively empty, with larger, rocky pillars surrounding it. Four hums pleasantly, nodding as they look around. "Wowie!~ Nice place you've got here! 10/10! You guys win!" He throws his arms up in celebration, announcing the X-colored Team's victory.
It's in this moment when he starts speaking to the viewers that you realize that you're there as well, standing in the very background of the show you've been watching. You wonder fleetingly how the viewers will perceive your appearance now, and just how much they really know about you. It's a bit of a nerve-wracking thought that you're quickly snapped out of when Four appears in front of you, speaking to you. "Ready to go?" He questions. "Go?" You reply, a bit confused. "Go where?"
"You're awfully forgetful, huh?" He says in almost a teasing manner. "Back to your home like you were asking about earlier! Remember?" They poke you in the forehead, and you smile. "O-oh! Oh, yeah! So you've already talked to X about it? And they're okay with it..?" Four stiffens. "Uh-"
They had forgotten all about mentioning it to X. While they are certain X would be just fine with it, he has a right to know at the very least. Guess they had become a little too excited at the prospect of spending some more alone time with you. "Oh, Four..." You give him a soft smile. "You know, I'll go ahead and try to get situated with some of the contestants more, and you can go talk to X. We'll meet up when you're finished, okay?" He seems to like the sound of that, turning away with a slight hesitancy. They don't really want to leave. They want to stay here and hold your hand and talk to you...if those contestants say a single mean thing to you, so help him...
"See you soon, Four!" It's your turn to snap him out of his thoughts as he watches you leave with a slight wave. He slightly waves back, before disappearing off to where X is. Immediately, he's greeted with a confusing sight. X is standing there assisting Bubble, Leafy, and Ruby work to dress up Lollipop as...well...you. Four stares blankly at the group and they all stare right back. "What's...what's all...this?" Four finally asks, eyebrows furrowing, absolutely perplexed.
"Umm...nothing...serious..." X says softly, poking their fingers together nervously and swallowing hard. Four squints. "Excuse me, everyone. I need to speak with X privately for a moment." He says, reaching out to harshly grab X by the nub to pull him away from the others, moving behind a nearby rockface. He frowns down at the shorter variable, X looking uncertain. "It really isn't what it looks like! I promise!"
"I don't know what...shenanigans you're pulling with the Four-colored team, X, but they all have been acting too weird today! Did you have something to do with it?" He asks sternly, X nodding. He expects Four to punish him, bracing himself to be despawned or scolded, but it doesn't come. "I don't think it's a good idea for the hosts to get too involved with the competition, X. Look what happened today! The Four-colored team didn't even apply themselves because they were distracted, disappointing my own color! Ugh." He pinches the bridge of his nose. "Can you just tell me what's going on, please?" They finally ask, a lot softer and more politely. X seems mildly surprised, shuffling nervously. "It's just- well, I...I...I just noticed how- how you and Y/N act around one another and you seem like you two really like each other and I just thought that maybe- maybe-" Four realizes instantly what X is doing...and it all makes sense. The strange candlelit table and Lollipop dressed up like you. "H-huh?!" Four's face purples with a deep, violet blush, nervously gesturing towards X. "I don't- err- I mean- I- you don't know what you're talking about, X! You're over analyzing the situation." Four says stubbornly, but X knows better, raising an eyebrow and giving him an expression that has "Are you serious?" written all over it.
Four bites their lip, slumping slightly. "It was that obvious, huh...? Well- why didn't you just let me handle it on my own?! You didn't have to go and drag the contestants into this! It's not any of their business!"
"Oh, I know I shouldn't have...but I just really wanted you to be happy! And the contestants were willing to help me, so..." X tries to explain and Four looks around the rock back to where the gaggle of girls stood, Lollipop trying with minimal effort to act just like you. "Can you maybe just try..? It might help you." X suggests. Four bites his lip. He honestly didn't want to do this, but he already lost X once. Yet here they are, actively trying to help him. He couldn't just dismiss them again...not if he wanted to keep them in his life. "Fiiinnee..." Four says, slumping forward. The two re-emerge from the place in the rock, sliding back over to the group. "Ah! There you are! Fourty-Four, I think Y/N would love to spend some time with you! Isn't that right, Y/N?" Leafy asks, turning to Lollipop. She clearly seems to have taken the role as director in this little plan. Lollipop rolls her eyes. How did she get caught up in this mess. "Suuure..." She replies unenthusiastically, Bubble pulling out the chair for Four to sit.
"What's wrong, Four? You look a little tense." Lollipop blinks with a bit of a smirk, almost amused by how nervous the normally intimidating and unsettling character looks. "I'm fine." Four says shortly, refusing to make eye contact with the costumed candyball.
"Psst. Try to make conversation. Try and compliment Y/N's eyes." Leafy whispers, giving Four a thumbs up to keep going. Four can only feel even more icky about this situation as he forces himself to look up at Lollipop, who honestly looks rather bored. "Uh- Y-your eyes remind me of...uh- raisins." They stammer before facepalming.
Lollipop stares at him awkwardly. "Was that...supposed to be a compliment?"
Four feels like he's about to burst at the seams, gritting his teeth and glaring off to the side. "I don't know! All of you have the same features!" Leafy and Bubble glance to one another, noticing that Four doesn't seem even remotely confident. This is supposed to be meant as practice for the real thing, but they're even struggling with this.
"Umm...great joib, Four!" Bubble cheers him on with a thumbs up, though he can hardly believe her. This is going terribly.
"What do I do now?" He finally asks, stroking the nubs on the top of his head in order to self-soothe. "You should try asking Y/N out on a date! And explain why you want to go on one!" Leafy encouraged.
So that's all he had to do? Just tell you why he liked you and if you would want to spend more time with him somewhere fun? They grip the edge of the table and seem to be on the verge of a meltdown with how uncomfortable and nervous they are. "I-I...I like how much you- you get me- and I-I think that...maybe...would you wanna...g-go out together sometime...?" He stammers, still refusing to look up at Lollipop, who shrugged. "Sure...why not." She says. Four pauses.
You said yes. Was it that easy?
"Really?" He asks, finally looking up towards Lollipop with a confused look on his face.
"Yeah. I'm glad you finally asked me out." Lollipop says, a hint of sarcasm on her voice, though Four doesn't pick up on that. They asked a question and they got a 'yes'. That felt...strangely invigorating.
"Huh." Four blinked, Leafy smiling. "See, Four? You can do it!" She cheers. "Yeah! And if Y/N rejects you- you still have Lolli here!~" Ruby says, Lollipop startling at that idea. She cringes and glares at the gem. "Be quiet, Ruby. There will be none of that." Four is hardly listening to them, moving towards X to speak with him.
"Thanks for your help, little buddy! I feel great!" He says, patting their head. "Also, Y/N and I are going to be gone for a little while...maybe a month or so."
"Haha! You're welcome, Four! And okay!.......Wait- A month?!" He looks up, looking around. Four has vanished. "Four..?"
Four had fled the scene, locating where you were with ease and rapidly rushing up behind you as you were speaking with Taco, trying to make casual conversation. Taco is startled by the abrupt halting by Four, the wind that was caused by the sheer speed that he was running blowing behind you. You barely jolt, however, slowly turning around to greet him. "Hey, welcome back! How'd the talk with X go?" You inquire, Four smiling from ear to ear. "It went perfectly! There shouldn't be any problems in our absence!"
"That's great!" You smile, certainly feeling relieved to hear that there wouldn't be any confusion from this sudden change. "Wait? Absence? Where are you guys going?" Taco asks, and you bite your lip. How could you even possibly explain this? Your thoughts are cut short as Four snaps his fingers and the world around you disappears in light. Blinded, you squeeze your eyes closed, feeling your knees touch a cold, flat floor. When you open your eyes again, you're there on the hardwood floor of your apartment's living room. Four is in front of you, back to the small size of when you first met him, looking up at you with a grin.
You smile back at him, taking note of the warm sunbeams peering in through the window, illuminating the particles in the air to dance around them. It's a soft, comforting sight.
Home sweet home.