Pre-game thoughts: This was requested by deleted user Frozen5110! Although there were a few other Paintbrush ships mixed into that comment (Knibrush and Microbrush, specifically), I didn't want to do a ton of chapters for deleted users in a row, especially for obscure ships that I've never seen anywhere else. If you'd like to hear about those, though, let me know and I can add them to my list!

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Rating out of 100: 45/100

Do I ship this?: I do not...

Why do I/don't I ship this?: ...Because they're such cool friends! Nobody remembers that they were on the same team in Season 1. Their friendship predated Lightbulb and Paintbrush's by over a year.

Is this my favorite ship for one/both of the characters?: Absolutely not, but it's a good friendship.

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Thoughts on the ship name: I don't think there is a proper ship name, but I noted it down as Nickelbrush in my document where I write these. Reminds me of Nickelback. 3/10.

My favorite story involving these two: As far as I know, there aren't any stories about them. Feel free to make recommendations if I'm wrong, though!

Things I enjoy in art/stories about them: Any acknowledgement that their friendship was a thing.

Things I wish I saw more of in art/stories about them: Very specifically, I'd enjoy a Lightbrush/Bickel hangout. The particular combination of personalities, with Nickel despising Lightbulb, Baseball and Lightbulb having great chemistry, and Paintbrush and Baseball's different approaches of leadership would make for a romp.

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Five headcanons about them:

Despite being friends, they refrain from hanging out during Season 2, because they want to avoid conflict of interest or seeming sympathetic to the other team. Can't fraternize with the enemy, you know!

It was technically Nickel who gave Paintbrush the idea to start a painting class at Hotel OJ. Shortly after PB got eliminated, Nickel complained to them about there not being anything to do. This gave Paintbrush the idea to organize something of their own.

I could imagine them organizing mini-challenges in between episodes, to team-build and prove that they lead the superior team. They'd be super competitive, but they'd never lob insults at each other.

Nickel doesn't have much patience for art, but he never misses a painting lesson, because he thinks supporting his friends is important (even though he wouldn't say it to their face).

When Paintbrush has to take care of other business, he leaves Baxter in Nickel's care. Nickel is wary of Baxter and objects to this sometimes, but he never leaves the crab to get into trouble. In return, Baxter likes him.

A story I'd write about them, if I had the time/interest:

Tales from Camp Inanimate, an anthology existing in the same universe as In Need of Counseling! Baseball and Lightbulb navigate their new relationship, Nickel and Paintbrush bond over the difficulty of wrangling rascally campers into sucky camp activities while the camp counselors make out elsewhere. Featuring snarky commentary from both of them.

The holiday that best reflects this ship, and why: National Camp Day (which falls on November 19th this year — that's only six days away)! That's because Paintbrush sat at a bonfire in Season 1 and Nickel is a scary story connoisseur.

Where do they end up in life?: Their lives take them in different directions, but they'd reconnect after Season 2 and call on the phone sometimes.