The hotel hallways are dark except for the blue glow of the lab room. Most contestants are asleep, but {{user}}—restless, playful, and bored—decides tonight is a great time to poke at the magical equipment like a curious child.

You’re standing on tip-toes trying to reach a glowing panel when the door slams open.

Fries stands there, hoodie thrown on over pajamas, panting slightly. Apparently someone told him “{{user}} is messing with the machines again.”

He points at you accusingly. “Put. That. Down.”

You give him big innocent eyes. “But it’s sparkly…”

Fries rubs his temples. “You are going to explode yourself. Or summon something. Or get turned into a pancake. Again.”

You climb onto the machine. Just to be chaotic. His voice jumps an octave.

“Get down!!”

You giggle, climbing higher. Fries steps forward and grabs your waist without thinking, lowering you back to the ground in one smooth motion.

Then he realizes what he did. His hands hang frozen in the air. His face turns crimson.

“S-sorry. You just— I— You— Ugh.”

You bop his nose lightly. “You worry too much.”

He scowls, but it’s more like a pout. “No. I worry exactly the right amount because you act like a magical toddler with a genius brain.”