Pre-game thoughts: After ages, today, I'll be going over a ship that I've been asked my opinion about on several occasions throughout the years: by _sasterisk_, if memory serves! Sorry for being so late, and I hope you enjoy!

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Rating out of 100: 63/100

Do I ship this?: Yes and no.

Why do I/don't I ship this?: It's very wholesome and cute, but it just doesn't have the oomph that makes me feel invested in it. Part of it is that I'm not a huge Balloon or Suitcase fan, but it also comes down to the fact that there just isn't a lot of internal conflict to keep things going. The best pairings have interesting problems to face from both the outside world and in dealing with each other. For example, a pairing like Lightbrush will always have a bit of friction to work through because they're so different - but their strength as a couple comes from working through that.

Is this my favorite ship for one/both of the characters?: Yes and no! It's the default and one that I like, but I would feature other couples in a story before going to this one.

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Thoughts on the ship name: We could've had Ballcase, so Suitloon is far preferable. Missing out on Salloon is understandable but disappointing.

My favorite story involving these two: Muted by Talemer "He's a Monster" being interesting in a different, darker way. Go vote and comment on both of these stories!

Apparently, there's 94 stories about them on Wattpad, and I haven't read all of them. I do intend to read Burst (I can't remember finishing it back in the day), but besides that one, do you guys have recommendations that could make me fall in love with the ship?

Things I enjoy in art/stories about them: They're constantly building each other up, and sometimes, that's exactly what you need in a tense story.

Things I wish I saw more of in art/stories about them: I'd love to see their dynamic fleshed out and given depth without being overshadowed by an external conflict. Seeing Nickel get in the way of their relationship can be fun, but so can watching these two figure out how to best get along with each other!

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Five headcanons about them:

Suitcase loves nature, and bringing Balloon tokens from it to enjoy. Sometimes she mixes it up by bringing him potted plants for them to take care of together, so Balloon can feel confident that he can do things right. During the autumn, they probably press leaves into a scrapbook together.

After the show, Balloon and Suitcase like to have slumber parties together. They stay up late telling each other interesting stories.

Whenever they walk through the rain, Balloon holds an umbrella over Suitcase so she doesn't get wet, even if he gets soaked. He's used to it.

Suitcase is fascinated by those Buzzfeed quizzes, so when she and Balloon are just chilling, she'd make him take a lot of them. Apparently, if he was a fruit, he'd be a peach.

I feel like these two and Fan and his SO would go on double dates together all the time. What the actual dates would be depends in part on Fan's SO, but I could definitely imagine them going to a library together! Balloon could entertain a bunch of children by reading stories in his goofy voice.

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

Love, Cabin Fever, and Other Maladies, in which Balloon takes Suitcase on a camping trip to a really beautiful cabin in the mountains, just a really alpine area... but continues to be held back from actually confessing his feelings by his own self-doubt. Suitcase gently nudges him along at as many turns as she can, reassuring him that he's great at planning trips and she loves his company. She doesn't know that he likes her like that yet, but she does know that he means a lot to her, and she'd like to date him, she just... isn't forceful like that. While navigating their own respective issues, they experience the greatest that nature has to offer, which parallels and illuminates their own experiences and what has to be done.

The ending would feature them getting together in an emotional scene, and ultimately dozing off, Suitcase nestled safely in Balloon's arms.

The holiday that best reflects this ship, and why: Grandparents' Day, because they'd both celebrate it every year, let's be real. Suitcase makes macaroni art that's kind of mediocre because she can't be that careful with the 

Where do they end up in life?: Married with kids! They'd live in a suburb with a cute, well-trained dog, have a really sweet life, and never fall out of love. I could even imagine them running a relationship-advice column in the paper at some point or another; they may not have problems within their own relationship, but they sure can help you with yours!