(Set between bfb 16-17!)

  Even on a clear day, the sky still had its pinkish tint. It was probably something in the air. But the remaining fourteen BFB contestants didn't seem to mind anymore. In fact, they had all adapted well to their new environment. Most of them could hop over the rock columns with ease, while others preferred to stay where they were.

  Life was essentially normal. Everyone missed the friends they left behind, but they all knew they'd reunite eventually. So for now, they focused on being friendly to each other. At least- as friendly as they could be in a competition. Eventually, they'd have to work against each other.

  But for now, life was peaceful.

  "-and then I died!" Gelatin said. He smiled and put his hands on his hips, as if he were proud of it.

  "Huh!" Firey snorted, "that wouldn't have happened to me!"

  "Well, whatever. Anyway, wh-"

  "Hi friendos!" Four jumped in. Gelatin and Firey flinched back, startled. "What are you two talking about?"

  "Oh, just catching up on things!" Gelatin replied with a wave of his hand.

  "Can I join?"

  Firey shifted a bit awkwardly. "Uh- no offense, Four, but we barely know you."

  "Oh." Four deflated, literally. Their nubs drooped down, and they sulked away. "I guess I'm not needed. I'll just be over here, then." They let out an incredibly drawn out sigh, and slumped against a pillar.

  Firey and Gelatin watched Four be miserable. It wasn't even the first time, either. Four's behavior had become increasingly clingy to their contestants: they always looked to spend time with them, and jumped in on conversations that clearly didn't involve them. Four even went as far as to cry out when someone had to leave them.

  Their behavior left the contestants a bit dumbfounded. None of them really knew what to do. Obviously the answer was to reassure Four, but the idea of a personal relationship with their host was off-putting to most of the contestants. Everyone did try to help Four in their own way- but it still felt strange.

  The only one with a pre-established relationship with Four was Leafy. Apparently they had become something close to friends in the EXIT. But Leafy wasn't there at the moment. 

  "We can finish catching up later," Gelatin waved. "I'll go check up on Four."

  "Yeah," Firey walked off, "see you later."

  Gelatin smiled- though Firey couldn't see it- and slid up to Four.

  "Heyyyy, Four. Wanna hang out?"

  Four wasn't responsive. Usually, they'd perk right back up like nothing ever happened. But Four had this blank, distant look in their eyes. They were almost like a statue.

  "Four? You okay, man?"

  "I want X back," they whined. "He left me all alone, and now I feel so lonely."

  Right. It was only natural to assume Four was acting the way they were because of the whole fiasco with Two. Still, everyone saw how Four pushed X away from them. As much as they felt bad for Four, many of the contestants couldn't help but think Four's situation was their own doing.

  Of course, none of them wanted to say it to their face.

  "But you have us!"

  "You guys don't even like me," Four slid down completely. "You're always having fun without me!"

  "I'm here though, aren't I?"

  Four grunted in response. "You're gonna go away too. Just like X and everyone else did!"

  Gelatin felt a retaliation bubble in his throat, but swallowed it and continued calmly. He had to be the mature one in this situation.

  "No, Four. I appreciate all the hard work you've done- so I'll stay by your side!"

  Four finally looked up at Gelatin. They hesitated for a bit, as they contemplated whether to trust Gelatin or not. After all, Gelatin was rude to them during the last elimination. Plus, he was annoying in general.

  "If you say so."

  An ambiguous response- but at least it was a start.

  "It's a promise, Four!" Gelatin held out his pinky. Four stared at the gesture blankly.

  "What are you doing?"

  "It's a pinky promise! You take your finger like this," he waved his pinky, "and we wrap 'em around each other! And you can never break a pinky promise!"

  Four copied Gelatin's gesture. They bent their pinky a few times, and wrapped it around Gelatin's. Four felt a bit of happiness, from the sheer childishness and from the making of a new friend.

  Gelatin was one of the contestants who wasn't weirded out at the prospect of befriending Four. He wasn't picky with his friends. And Gelatin had to admit, Four was cool when they weren't killing people. So he really did intend to keep his promise. Being lonely was the worst, and he knew that.

  Whether Four actually trusted him or not, Gelatin didn't really mind. All he was focused on was to be the best friend ever.

  "Now!" Gelatin unwrapped their fingers, "as friends, what do you say we spend the rest of today hanging out?"

  "Do I! Let's go hang out over there!" Four grabbed Gelatin's arm and ran off to finally have some fun.