"Fries, Fries, look at this!"

Fries turned around. "Hm- Woah! Pen, what are you doing up there!?" he shouted.

"I'm gonna-" Pen grunted, stretching his arm toward the plump, red apple. "Gonna get this apple for you!"

Fries ran up to the tree, his fries bouncing around in the box. He glared upwards at Pen with his hands on his hips. "Get down! You might fall!"

Pen inched farther out onto the branch, still swiping at the fruit. "Nono, I got it, Fries! Just give me a minute!" He knew he was tempting fate, but Pen gathered his courage and crawled farther out. The branch bowed slightly under the shift of his weight.

"Listen, I know I said I wanted apples, but I could just go to the store and get them myself!" Fries shouted.

"Straight from the tree is better!"

Fries ran a hand down his face, pulling at his eyes. "Don't fall!"

Pen clutched at the branch, pressing his arms and legs against the grooves in the bark. He wasn't so sure of himself now, but he still had to get that apple! He snaked his arms along the branch, which bobbed with every movement he made. Pen's heart pounded against his chest.

He brought his legs behind him. Pen took another grab at the fruit; it was within his fingertips! Maybe he could try something a little daring. He clambered as far as he dared, and took the apple in his two, roughed up hands. Pen let go of the branch, hoping his weight would help sever the apple from the tree.

It didn't.

Pen dangled from the tree helplessly, flailing his legs around in an attempt to loosen the fruit.

"Oh my tater- Pen!" Fries scolded.

"Um..oops? Please help me!" Pen yelled and squirmed.

Fries stood on his toes and reached up, and grabbed Pen's torso. He yanked, and snapped the apple off the tree. Pen fell into Fries's arms.

"Well well, what do we have here?" Pen joked, leaning close to Fries's face. Fries promptly dropped Pen.

"No. What in the tater were you thinking!? You could've broken something!" Fries yelled. Pen seemed to shrink, and held up the apple.

"Um- I got the apple for you?"

"I don't-" Fries stamped his foot. "I don't care about the apple! Why are you always putting yourself in danger!? How come you can't act like a responsible adult!?"

Pen pushed himself up. "Well maybe it's because I don't feel wanted by you! I have to get your attention somehow! Okay, I-" Pen paused for a moment, wiping his eyes. "I gave you your space, but you're always so distant, I- I feel like you don't love me." He sniffed. A thick silence hung between them.

"There." Pen's voice wobbled. "I said it."

He thought voicing his feelings would make him feel better. Instead, Pen was guilty. Fries definitely didn't like him now. Pen stared at the ground, pinching himself. But at least Fries knew how he felt, even if it was at the cost of their relationship. Keeping it inside was killing him.

"I didn't know you felt that way," Fries muttered. "I'm...I'm sorry. I should've told you I'm not good at relationships."

More silence.

Fries sighed, and his shoulders drooped. "I don't think I'm right for you."

"Maybe..." Pen admitted. "So, is that it?"

"Yeah. I think it's for the best. You're a great guy, don't get me wrong, but I'm just not the right kind of person."

Pen nodded. "...So...see you around?"

"Sure. I'll see you around."