(*Late post! I was busy reading an Octonauts book... No shame! -A/N*)

*Right after leaving Balloon alone with Suitcase*

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*Taco's P.O.V*

I winked at Balloon as I was near the door to leave the room. Their face goes into a full on blush as I smirk.

With that, I left the room. There was a reason I did this. Well... two reasons actually.

1. To let Balloon reconnect with Suitcase (and maybe to get him to confess).

And 2. I just wanted to talk to Mic in private.

To say I was nervous was.... an understatement.

I haven't talked to Mic in... fuck it feels like forever!

I wanted to give this time to apologized to Mic. I had spent the last 3 days making plans to finally apologize to Mic, Pickle, and just about everyone from season 1.

I didn't have time to ask Balloon for any type of help, but that was fine. I wanted Balloon to stay in that postive mindset. 

Dr. Fizz told me that Balloon had always been insecure, so I understood that I needed to help Balloon with that while being here. So I didn't bother them with anything.

That, and I wanted- no... NEEDED to do this on my own. I needed to do this, for my sake.

I wanted to make things right. I don't care if they don't accept my apology. I just wanted to say how sorry I was for hurting them all.

"So... Where are we going?", I hear Mic ask.

I was pulled out of my thoughts and looked up at her. Damn, I really am short.

"Eh. Anywhere honestly.", I replied.

"Alright. But is there a reason for leaving Balloon with Suitcase?", she asked.

I smirk at that question. 

"I think you know why Microphone.", I slyly remark.

She thinks for a minute and then does an 'ooh' face. (:o)

"Oh. So they can reconnect?", she wanted to confirm.

"Yep. Just like we are of sort.", I confirm.

"Got it.", she said.

We continue to walk to where ever we were going. If I'm being honest? I have no clue where to go. Maybe the cafeteria?

Yea, that sounds good. I am getting a little hungry anyways. So, we head to the elevator and head down to the 1st floor.

"Hey.", I hear Mic call out.

"Hm?", I hummed.

"Um... I-it's n-nothing..", she stuttered.

"Oh.. alrighty then.", I say.

I wonder what she wanted to ask or say? Oh well I suppose.

We continue to stand there in silence. A VERY awkward silence. This was so weird...

GOD DAMNIT!!! Why can't I just muster up some sort of courage to start a small talk!? FUCK!!

After what feels like for-fucking-ever, we make it to the bottom floor. I slightly bow and do a smug face.

"Ladies first~", I semi 'flirt'.

Mic blushes and mutters a 'thanks'. She quickly speeds off the elevator. I chuckle and walk out the elevator.

I walk in front of her, since she hasn't recovered from my comment. Honestly though? That felt good.

I remember having a talk about crushes with Balloon maybe about a week ago. When I brought up the fact that I couldn't stop thinking about Mic...

Well... Balloon said that I had a crush on her. And then they procceed to tease me while I blushed like a maniac.

I eventually got back at them and teased the living daylight out of them about their crush on Suitcase. Their face was as red as my tomato earrings!

Back to the present, now with that new knowledge in my mind. I wanted to be a little tease. I know I don't have a shot with Mic.

A frown forms on my face, but I shake that off. I don't need to feel upset. I lost Mic's trust, so of course she didn't want to be with a lying bitch like me.

Mic probably has eyes for somebody better, like Soap or something. I know it ain't Knife, he has Pickle.

"So... Where are we going again?", Mic asked.

"Like I said... anywhere... but more than likely the cafeteria.", I explained.

"Oh. Alrighty.", she said.

We walk more when Mic taps my shoulder.

"Hm?", I hummed.

"I need to use the restroom real quick.", she mutters.

"Alright. Make it quick though. I'm hungry.", I say.

She nods and rushes off to the restroom. I guess I'll wait around for a bit.

While she used the restroom, my mind wonders back to previous thoughts.

I have no idea why I chose to fall for Mic. Sure, she was the only other human contact I had other than Balloon in a really long time.

But yet, some how... 'Fate' said 'HEY! YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A CRUSH ON THIS ONE!!!'.

And I say to you 'Fate'.... 'FUCK YOU!!!'.

*Sigh*... Why did it have to be MIC!?

I wouldn't have mind my crush being Balloon! At least then it wouldn't be so awkward!

BUT NO!!! IT JUST HAD TO BE MICROPHONE!!

I feel my face burning a bit. So, I calm down a little, so I'm not blushing by the time Mic comes out.

Doing that made me filled with guilt. If I had not shot my gun at Test Tube. If I had just listened to Mic that night...

Maybe I would still have a chance with her. Maybe I could potentially-

"Taco?", I hear a voice.

I snap out of my thoughts and look up. Shit! Mic was back, play it cool!

"Hey. Ready to go?", I asked.

"Yea. Have been for the past 2 minutes.", she said.

"Oh. Sorry.. I got caught up in my thoughts..", I apologized.

"Eh. It's alright.", she said.

I felt a little embarrassed, but I did my best to not show it.

I walked and Mic followed. Fuck. I could've apologized right there!!! Technically I did... but not for what I needed to apologized for.

'I'll do it later. When we get to the cafeteria. I'll properly apologize then.', I tell myself.

We were close by the cafeteria when I spotted a certain breakfast named boy.

"OJ?", I called out.

"Heeyy...", he greeted very awkwardly.

I guess it makes sense. We haven't seen each other in years. Not only that, but I guess he still didn't trust me fully.

"You good?", I asked.

Hopefully he see's that I'm trying to be nicer and changing. He has a small smile, but frowns once more.

"...Not really.", OJ mutters sadly.

"How come?", Mic asks.

"....Just feeling.... guilty. That's all.", he explained.

Guilty? For what? Hurting Balloon for years on end? For not giving two fucks about them until it was too late??

Or perhaps? Was it because he had to see the physical damage that bear caused us? Cause this isn't quite exactly how I pictured coming back into society.

I see Mic walking up to OJ and placing a hand on him. She whispers something to him and he looks a little happier.

He smiles at her giving her a small mental 'thank you'. I could tell he still felt a little upset however.

"I'm going to leave. Is that okay? I'll be back for you and Suitcase.", he asked.

"Oh. That's okay OJ.", Mic says.

"Don't worry OJ. We'll be fine.", I explained.

I understood what he meant. He was he manager of a popular hotel. He had stress written all over him.

Not only that, but he had so much going on. From caring for the hotel residents. To having to worry ten fold about Balloon and me.

I honestly feel bad for him. However, I know he has a ton of support at the hotel. So he's in good hands if things got hard for him.

OJ smiled once more, then walked away. He did wave and we waved back.

Fuck... I could've apologized to him just now!!! *Sigh* Soon... I'll get to do it soon.

But I want to apologize to Mic first. She was most important right now.

"Let's go. We're almost to the cafeteria.", I said.

Mic nods and we finish our walk to the cafeteria. Once there, I grab a snack and so does Mic.

I grabbed some fruit and a Snapple; the peach flavor. Mic grabs a bag of chips and a sparkling water.

We go and sit down at a table. I'm lucky not a lot of people were here. This meant the apology could be in somewhat full effecct.

"There's not many people in here huh?", Mic inspected.

"Yea. I'm surprised. Then again. It's nice and quiet.", I said.

"Why is that a good thing?", she asked.

"I don't like the loudness all that much. And it makes it hard for people to hear you.", I explained.

"Hmm... You make a vaild point.", she agreed.

We talked for a little longer. This was nice. Nothing felt forced or fake. It all felt, genuine.

I should probably apologize now. Better now than later. I take a deep breath to prep myself.

"Mic... There's something... I want to tell ya.", I started.

"Oh? W-what is it?", she asked.

"W-well... I.. Just wanted to... apologize.", I muttered.

"Apologize? For what?", she asked.

"Everything. I'm sorry for everything I ever did to you. Making you team up with me to get the million. Hurting people for nothing...", I started.

I could feel tears in my eyes. I blinked them away. I didn't want to be weak. Not right now, I can do it afterwards.

"I'm sorry. I know it means nothing to you right now. But I just hope you can forgive me some day.", I continue.

"I know why you cut contact with me that night. And I understand if you don't want to continue talking after this visit.", I say solemly.

"But I'm willing to change. Balloon changed me but I didn't show it. I was so focused on the million... I forgot about the main thing I've always wanted- no.. needed in my life.", I continue.

"And what's that?", she asked quietly.

".... Friends. I've always been alone. My parents predicted I would be alone until the day I died... and... I keep proving them right.", I slightly choke.

"First it was Pickle who I hurt.... Then it was you... and then everything fell apart when I hurt Balloon. They gave me that chance! But then I crushed it.", I explained.

I felt more tears coming, but I bat them away. I didn't want to feel weak right now.

"Wait.... you hurt Balloon?", Mic asked a little shocked.

"... Yea....", I say.

"But... then that means... you lied...", she realised.

"When we were still in contact? Yea... I did... and I'm sorry. But Balloon asked me to keep them a secret.", I say in defense.

"He did? Why?", she asked.

'She didn't noticed the pronoun change.... eh... Balloon will tell them when they're ready.', I mentally tell myself.

"Would you want a person to rat you out if you were playing hide and seek?", I asked.

"Um... no. That's the whole point of hide and seek.", she explained.

"Then that's why Balloon didn't want me to 'potentially' rat them out.", I hinted at.

"I... I guess that makes sense...", she agreed.

"Yea... anyways.. I'm sorry again...", I finish.

She looked like she was in thought. I hope she accepts... But I already know she won't. I broke that trust.

"I... I can't forgive you yet.", she bluntly said.

'I knew it... there is no hope for us.', I solemly thought.

"But... It wouldn't hurt for us to... start over.", Mic suddenly explained.

"W-what?", I questioned.

'Is this for real?', I thought to myself.

"I said it wouldn't hurt to start over. Make amends you know?", she explained.

"Y-you're willing... to give me another chance?", I quesioned in disbelief.

"Yea... I'm willing to give you another chance Taco.", she said.

'HOLY FUCK!!! FATE YOU AMAZING CURSED BEING! THANK YOU!', I shouted in my mind.

"... T-thank y-you Mic...", I thanked.

"No problem.", she said.

After that. We continued to talk about random things. This was absolutely blissful.

I knew Mic couldn't forgive me.. But the fact she wanted to make amends.. Makes me feel hopeful.

Hopeful for us becoming good friends. Hopeful for us becoming something more as time goes on.

I can wait however. However long it takes for Mic to forgive me. I'll wait for eternality for her to forgive me.

But for now... we'll take it slow. Slow to forgive.

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*End of Chapter 43*

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HEY!!!

HOW THE HELL DID MY BOOK GET 13K READS!?!?

I WAS GONNA MAKE A RANT ASKING ABOUT HOW IT GOT 12K READS!

FICBSDIUCHsdJCB;KJbsIUAB!!!

THANK YOU GUYS FOR CONTINUING TO READ THIS SUPER LONG ASS BOOK!

I'M SOO SORRY THIS BOOK IS SO FUCKING LONG!!

T^T

*ahem*

..................

Sorry about that!!

Anyways...

I hope you guys like this chapter!!

Next chapter will be another time skip.

But I'll be telling it like a story almost...

(Think back to the prologe and chapter 26. I'll be doing it like that.)

I'll see ya next week!!

*goes and fangirls over the 13k reads*