(* HAVE THIS CHAPTER A DAY EARLY!!!! >:3 -A/N *)

(* Also changed the title to it's correct chapter number! -A/N *)

*1 month later*

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*Test Tube's P.O.V*

The progress on Balloon's new robotic arm was going smoothly! The arm was about 80% done!

I had to tell Fan that our little special project was put on a small hold for a bit. He was a little confused at first.

But once I told him about building a robotic arm for Balloon, he understood. He was glad that I was helping Balloon and taking small breaks.

I set my screwdriver down on the table and wipe the small sweat that went down my head. Man. This was some project.

What time is it? I look over to my watch and see it was 1:30 pm. Oh crap! I need to freshen up!

I'm supposed to be meeting OJ and Balloon in the next 15 minutes! I stop my project and head to the restroom to change.

Since OJ, Balloon and I were related, we decided to go on little cousin outings! Family means a lot to all of us, so this was a need.

A need not just for me and OJ, but Balloon now more than ever. We're the only relatives Balloon has. She doesn't have any siblings to look up to. 

Nor does she have any extended family that she knows of. So it's us, her dad, uncle Lifering and auntie TK she has to rely on.

I shake off that sad thought and get ready for our hangout.

No matter what happened in Balloon's past... We'll always be there for her.

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*Balloon's P.O.V*

I was just getting my hair done by Trophy because I hate doing hair. He was just brushing it and styling it because duh.

"Your hair is so soft.", Trophy says.

"Troph... you always say that.", I whine all flustered.

"I know. But it's so true!", he protests.

I just sit there with my face all red from the blush. I look at the time and see that it's 1:35. 

Crap. We're cutting it tight. I don't wanna rush him, but I don't wanna be late!

"Troph. It's 1:35...", I announced.

"Shit. You gotta be there in 10 minutes.", he mutters.

"Mhm..", I hummed.

"Don't worry. I'm almost done.", he reassured.

It took another 5 minutes when Trophy announced he was done. I looked in the mirror and saw that he did a low braid.

A little feminine, but it was cute! And I was feeling like a girl today anyways. I smiled and hugged Trophy thanking him.

I bid him farewell, grabbed my bag and head out the door. I rush towards the bottom floor to meet OJ and Test Tube.

We hangout every Saturday so we can bond. Family meant a lot to all of us and so we decided to do this.

I make it to the main floor and see OJ and Tube there. CRAP! I WAS LATE! I rush up to them and pant a bit.

"S-sorry I'm late!", I apologize.

"Hey Loon! And don't worry. We just got here.", OJ said.

"It's true. I just walked through the doors.", Testy said.

"Oh! Thank goodness then!", I breathe relived.

"Hehe. Your hair looks nice by the way!", OJ compliments.

"Yea. Did you do it?", Testy asked.

"N-no. Trophy did. I suck with doing my own hair.", I said.

"Wow! He did a good job!", OJ says.

"Yea he did! You look so cute!", Testy exclaimed.

I blush and look away muttering a small 'thank you'. They both smile and hug me, which I returned.

A short minute later, we all break the hug and head out the door. I thought about coming out to them soon.

I know Testy knows kinda, but I just wanted to let her know anyways. OJ and the rest of the hotel; minus the ones who do know; have no idea however.

So I'm going to come out soon. Maybe I'll come out to OJ and Testy today. Yea. I think I will.

I didn't even notice that we were in the car. Let alone heading to our destination already. 

We all talk a bit in the car while we make our way to the place. I loved my little family of just my dad and uncle.

But I was beginning to love my new extended family. Having more family makes me feel even more loved.

After another good 30 minutes, we make it! OJ parks and we all head out and head over.

We were at this outside open market thing. OJ heard about it and decided we should go when it was open.

So that's where we are! And there were a lot of stands here! Meaning 2 things.

1. Lots of places to shop at and buy from! 

2. Potentially getting lost and being abandoned.

There were also a bunch of food trucks! I was pretty hungry actually, maybe we can get a bite to eat soon.

"Oh golly! This looks super cool!", Testy exclaimed.

"Yea. Man there's so many places to potentially buy from!", OJ said.

"And the food trucks there make me feel so hungry!", I whine.

"Well, let's go ahead and get some food before we go shopping.", OJ suggested.

"Good idea cuz!", Testy said.

"Yea! I'm so hungry.", I slightly groan.

We all laugh and head over to where the food trucks were. There were so many! How could we ever choose?!

"What are you in the mood for guys?", OJ asked.

"I have no clue. Everytihng looks super good!", Testy said.

"Me neither!", I said.

"Hm. Well. We could always go with pizza.", OJ said.

"Good idea!", me and Testy said together.

We chuckle and all make our way to a pizza food truck. It was called 'The Pizza Party Food Truck'. 

It sounded inviting! We stand in line and wait for our turn to order. We stand for a good 10 minutes before it was our turn.

"Hello there! Welcome to 'The Pizza Party Food Truck'! My name is Chalice! What can I get for you today?", Chalice asked.

"Well hello! Can we get a meat surpreme pizza, a cheese pizza, and a pepperoni with mushroom pizza?", OJ orders.

"Alrighty! Any drinks with that?", Chalice asks.

"A Dr. Pepper, a Sprite and a Big Red please.", OJ says.

"Okay then! Will that be all?", Chalice asks.

"Yep.", OJ says.

"Alrighty! That will be $30 please!", Chalice says.

OJ pays her and we get a ticket with a number. I guess we have to wait for a bit. Ugh.

I'm so hungry! I don't want to wait more! We head to a nearby table and sit down so we can wait.

"She seems nice.", OJ said.

"She does!", Test Tube exclaimed.

"Yea. And those pizzas smell amazing.", I said.

"It really does.", OJ agreed.

"Hey look! It's Mangy. I wonder why she's here?", Testy said.

"I don't know. Maybe to do some shopping?", OJ suggested.

"That's fair. But who's the kid?", Testy asked.

"It doesn't look like Star...", I mutter.

"Who's Star?", OJ asked.

"Mangy's son.", I said.

"She has a kid?!", Testy asked.

"I have two thank you very much.", we hear Mangy.

We jump and see her at our table. HOLY FUCK! WHEN DID SHE GET HERE?!

"Oh! Hey there Mangy!", OJ greets.

"Hey! I saw you over here so I came to say hi!", Mangy says.

"Well it's nice to see ya! Who's the little one behind ya?", Testy asks.

"This is one of my sons! Guys, meet Shade!", Mangy introduces.

She steps out the way a bit to reveal Shade. He looked a little like Star, but a little older. 

"H-hi...", he greets.

"Hey there. I'm OJ.", OJ greets.

"I'm Test Tube. Nice to meet you.", Testy greets.

"And I'm Balloon.", I greet.

"N-nice to meet you too.", he says.

"He's a little shy. Not used to meeting other people still.", Mangy says.

"Wait. Did you say 'one' of your sons?", OJ asked.

"Yep! I have another. His name is Star. He... um... is hanging out with his boyfriends right now.", Mangy says.

"I met Star before. And his boyfriends.", I say.

"Oh yea! Star told me he did! Nice that you got to meet him.", Mangy says.

"Well what brings you here? Other than shopping.", OJ asked.

"Heh. Shade wanted to come over and shop for stuff for his room! And I heard my girlfriend was gonna be here so I came to tease.", Mangy explained.

"Wait. Rosa is here?", I asked confused.

"Oh! Right. You met her.... and um... n-nevermind that!", Mangy said while flushed.

"Wait what? I'm confused.", Testy muttered.

"Heh. I have 2 girlfriends! Rosa, and Chalice! Who you three met!", Mangy explained.

"Oh woah! You're in a polyamorous relationship?", OJ asked.

"Yep! It's still wild for me. But I love them so much.", Mangy says.

"Well we're glad you found love Mangy.", Testy says.

"Thanks. Anyways. We're gonna go shopping. See ya later!", Mangy said.

We all wave goodbye and Mangy and Shade leave. We chat a bit before our number was called.

OJ gets up and heads over to get our order. Test Tube looks excited and I was too. We were finally going to eat!

OJ comes back with 3 plates and 3 cups. I walk over to him and help out. He thanks me with a smile and we walk back.

(* don't ask how Balloon is helping with only 1 arm... he's holding the plate on his arm while holding the cup in his hand... :3 -A/N *)

"Alright! The pizza is here! Here's your's Tube.", OJ announced.

"Nice! Thanks cuz!", she thanked.

"Loon you have yours. But here's your drink.", OJ said.

"Oh! Thanks!", I thanked.

"Anytime. Here's your drink too Tube.", OJ said.

"Thanks again.", Testy smiled.

"You're welcome cuz. Now let's eat!", OJ said.

We cheered and began eating. Holy crap! This pizza is so good! I can tell that OJ and Testy like their pizza too!

We chat and eat for a bit before we finish our food. We throw the plates and drinks away.

Alright! Let's go shopping!

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*2 hours later*

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*OJ's P.O.V*

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HOLY FUCK!

I LOST MY COUSINS!

HOW THE FUCK DID I DO THAT?!

OH GOD! OH GOD!

WHERE DID THEY GO?!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

I'M FREAKING OUT!!!

I NEED TO FIND THEM BEFORE BALLOON GETS INSECURE!!!!

THINK OJ!!!!

UMMMM.....

OH WAIT! I GOT IT!!!

TUBE LIKES SCIENCE AND PLUSHIES!

I SHOULD GO FIND SOME PLUSHIES TO SEE IF TUBE IS THERE!

BUT FIRST I NEED TO CALM DOWN!!

*deep breath in*

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*deep breath out*

Ah. Much better.

Okay! Now that I'm NOT freaking out!

Time to go find Test Tube and Balloon!!

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*Test Tube's P.O.V*

Where the fuck did OJ go?

He was just here like.... 30 minutes ago?

Oh well. I just hope he's not freaking out. 

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Yea no. He's freaking out. Oh golly.

We better stay in this area then. I look over to Balloon and see that she is looking at some plushies.

I walk over to her and see that it's some cute science plushies. OH MY GOD!

I NEED ONE! I pick up a cute periodic table plushie and just stare at it.

"Cute huh?", Balloon asks.

"Hell yea they are!", I exclaim.

"I thought so! It's like your favorite thing in a cute form!", she says.

"Oh yea. I'm so getting this for my collection.", I mutter.

"Wait. You have a plushie collection?", she asks.

"Oh shoot! U-um..", I stammer.

Crap! Nobody but OJ, Lightbulb, Fan and Paintbrush knew about my plushie collection!

What do I say?! Should I tell her?! Oh golly!!!

"It's completely okay if you have a plushie collection Testy!", Balloon says.

"Wait huh?", I snap out of my thoughts.

"Yea! It's okay! Completely vaild!", she says.

"Y-you... don't mind?", I asked shocked.

"Of course not! I have a plushie collection of my own!", she exclaimed.

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I fucking love her so damn much. She shares the same love of plushies as I do.

"You do?", I ask.

"Yep!", she beams.

"You are the best cousin I have.", I mutter.

"Huh?", she asks confused.

HOLY FUCK!

She is so cute!!

Why didn't auntie TK date uncle Lifering sooner?!

I go in and hug her and she hugs back. She's still confused, but it doesn't matter.

"TEST TUBE!! WHERE ARE YOU?!", I hear a voice.

There he is. I knew OJ was looking for us. I guess he thought I was alone though.

Not that I blame him. He did loose both the Cherry twins once. Had to look for them individually.

Balloon pulls away and looks confused.

"Was that OJ?", Baloon asks.

"Yea. Incase you didn't noticed. We did loose OJ.. or rather. He lost us.", I explained.

"Oh. I did not notice..", she says.

Heh. Well we look around to see if we can see OJ. I spot him near a plant stand.

"OJ!", I shout to him.

He looks over and I wave him down. I think he has this big look of relief on his face. 

Hang on. Is... IS OJ SPRINTING OVER HERE?!

HOLY SHIT!!! HE'S FUCKING FAST!

I SHOULD PROBABLY BRACE FOR IMPACT BEFORE-

And now I'm on the floor. Ow.

"Tube! Oh I'm so glad I found ya!", OJ shouts.

"Ow..... Nice to see ya too cuz...", I grunt.

"Hi. Yes. Now that I found ya. We need to find Loon! Come on!", OJ rambles.

"Um. OJ... She's right there.", I grumble.

I point slightly behind OJ and he turns around. He gasps and hugs Balloon, which she returns.

"Oh Loon! I'm so glad you're okay!", OJ exclaimed.

"Awe~! OJ! Of course I am!", Loon says.

"Well I'm glad you weren't hurt.", OJ sighs in relief.

Balloon giggles as OJ ruffles her hair. I slowly get up from the ground, in slight pain.

I still had the plushie in hand and I'm so glad I didn't ruin it! I place it back on the table, so I can buy it afterwards.

"Wait. Did you say 'she'?", OJ asks.

I freeze up a bit and look at OJ. I see Balloon look a little nervous, but kinda scared as well. 

Oh shit. Did I just reveal to OJ that Balloon wasn't a full male? I know OJ didn't know about Balloon being genderfluid.

Of course. I didn't know either. But, Lightbulb being the accidental loud mouth that she was.

She accidentally told me and Fan about it. But I was understanding about it! 

I supported my little cousin of course! With me being bisexual anyways. I'm sure OJ will accept her too!

"Um.. I did... but for good reason. I'm sure Loon will tell ya.", I explain breifly.

"Yea?", OJ asks Balloon.

"U-um... Y-yea..", Balloon mumbled.

OJ smiles and we both smile back. I go ahead and buy that plushie and another one because I can.

We continue to shop for a bit when we decide to head home. Well, not after we got some dessert.

I was craving something sweet, so we decided to get some! Balloon had suggested a place called 'The Dessert Bar'.

So that's where we're heading to right now! We're talking and what not and it was really nice!

But right now I'm just wondering about how OJ will take the news about how Balloon is genderfluid.

I'm sure OJ will accept Balloon! We're all a little gay in this family anyways!

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*OJ's P.O.V*

So we made it to 'The Dessert Bar' just now. We get out and head to the enterance and walk inside.

"Hello! Welcome! Table for 3?", the hostess asks.

"Hi! Yes, table for 3!", I confirm.

"Alrighty! Follow me please!", she said.

I nod and she begins to walk off. We all soon follow and are taken to a nice booth.

We all sit and are handed our menus. I look in the back for the drinks so I can see what I want.

"What can I get you to drink?", the hostess asks.

"I'll get a nice frappachino please.", Tube says.

"What flavor? And creme based or no?", the hostess asks.

"I'll get the nice caramel one. And just a normal frappachino please.", Tube says.

"Okay! For you?", the hostess asks me.

"A cappachino for me please.", I say.

"Sure thing! And for you?", the hostess asks Balloon.

"U-um... Can I get a oreo milkshake?", she asks.

"Of course! I'll be out with your drinks momentary!", the hostess says.

She walks off leaving us to finding something to snack on! I take a look inside and wow!

There are some amazing desserts here! But... what the hell are sopapillas? I'll ask Balloon.

"Hey Loon. What are sopapillas?", I asked.

"Oh! Basically a biscut like dessert topped with powdered sugar! It's super good!", Balloon explained.

"Wow. It does sound amazing.", I say.

"They are! I got them last time I was here.", she says.

"I might get them just to see how good they are.", I mutter.

"Please do. I want one too.", Tube says.

"Don't worry. I am. I've been convinced.", I said.

"Well I'm going to get a brownie sundae.", Loon said.

"I'm gonna get piece of a cookie cake.", Tube said.

"Nice. We got our orders sorted out.", I praise.

"Hey there! I'm here with your drinks.", a man says.

Huh? This isn't our hostess. I guess she isn't the waitress now huh? Duh.

"Oh! Hello Mr. Adam!", Balloon greets.

"Ah! Balloon! Welcome back! Good to see you again.", Mr. Adam greets back.

"Wait Loon. You know this guy?", I asked.

"Yea! He's the manager here!", she said.

"Indeed I am! I knew Balloon since he was in high school. My son went to the same school as him.", Mr. Adam said.

"Oh yea?", I asked.

"Mhm. Though my son was one of his bullies. But they're on okay terms now.", he said.

"Yep! We text every other day.", Loon said.

"Wow. Who knew a bully could change color?", Tube asked.

Balloon and Taco. Taco wasn't a bully, but she still changed. Balloon used to be 'manipulative', but she also changed.

"Well, here are you're drinks! Are you ready to order?", Mr. Adam asked.

"Yes we are! I'll have the sopapillas please.", I order.

"Ooo~ Alrighty. Honey or no honey?", he asked.

"Um. Honey I guess.", I say uncertain.

"Wise choice. And for you ma'am?", he asks Tube.

"I'll have the piece of the cookie cake please.", Tube says.

(* I want some cookie cake now.... T^T -A/N *)

"Okay. And for you Balloon?", he asks Balloon.

"I'll have the brownie sundae!", Loon beamed.

"Nice! I'll be out with your food soon.", Mr. Adam said.

With that, he walks away leaving us alone. We all just continue to talk for a bit.

That's when I remembered about Balloon's little thing. What did he want to tell me again?

"Hey Loon. What did you want to tell me?", I asked.

Loon looked a bit nervous as she tried to speak. She takes a deep breath and calms down a bit, ready to speak.

"Well. I'm sure you've heard others call me by different pronouns other that 'he/'him' right?", Loon starts.

"Yea. I've noticed. Why is that?", I questioned.

She once again takes a deep breath and calms herself. She must be really nervous about this.

"It's because... I'm genderfluid.", she finally confesses.

Genderfluid? That's where a person feels like multiple genders right? I think so, I look random things up a lot.

"You are?", I ask.

"Mhm. I feel like more than 1 gender. Like today I'm feeling girly.", she said.

"Well. No matter what gender you are Loon... I'll always support you.", I smile.

"Y-you do?", she asks teary eyed.

"Of course Loon. Not only are we family, but come on. I'm bisexual myself.", I giggle.

"I-I'm so... glad you accept me.", she says.

"Of course we do Loony. We love you for who you are.", Tube smiles.

Loon smiles and we hug for a bit. We continue to talk for a bit.

This was so nice. I'm so glad to have family like them.

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*Balloon's P.O.V*

I did it. I finally confessed that I was genderfluid to OJ and Tube.

And I'm so glad that OJ and Tube accepted me for who I was. Now i just need to figure out how to come out to the others.

"Oh hang on. What are you're pronouns Loon?", OJ asked.

"I use 'he/him', 'she'/her', 'they/them', and 'xey/xem' pronouns.", I say.

"Ooo~ neropronouns! Cool. So you're using 'she/her' today right?", Tube asks.

"Yea. But.. how did you know that Tube?", I ask her.

"Um... Lightbulb accidently told me and Fan like a month ago... heh.", she said.

"Oh.... So you knew already...", I said.

"Yep. But I still support ya silly.", she smiled.

"Thanks you two.", I thanked.

"Anytime.", they both say together.

A short while later, Mr. Adam comes back to hand us our dessert. I do wonder why there were less people here than before.

I had asked and Mr. Adam said that the place was short staffed and are looking for new waiters and bakers. I wished him the best of luck and he walked off.

We all began to eat and chat. OJ was so in shocked about how good the sopapillas were and had to give one to Tube.

Tube was also surprised and they ate most of the sopapillas. I managed to get one and finished my brownie.

Once we were done, we get up to go pay. Since I still had that 40% discount, we got to use it again.

OJ was shocked to learn that I had a discount for this place for a good 2 years. So OJ pays for the treats and we leave.

We head to the car and start our journey back to the hotel. Today was really fun.

I can't wait to do more fun outings with my cousins.

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*End of Chapter 56*

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EY!!

THANK U ALL FOR 24K READS!!!

This is a nice cute filler chapter just because I can!!!

This was cute to write!!!

And OJ panicking about loosing his cousins feels right.

The final 2 chapters are among us!

I hope you stay tune for that!!

And in other news!

I'm making a one-shot book!!

And I'm NOT holding back on them!

It's not restricted to just I.I one-shots!

It's open to all the fandoms I'm in!

I'll have it uploaded sometime this weekend!!

I hope you stay tune for it!

I'll see you all soon!

:)