The Best Prank Ever

[PRE-RELATIONSHIP]

"CHERRRRIEESSSS!"

The twins couldn't help but giggle as OJ screamed their name, so loud he could've sworn the season two contestants that were still on the show probably heard it. And then another round of banging on the door followed... punching, kicking, screaming...

Was this one of the more stress-inducing pranks they've pulled this month? Yes, but he knew it'd be worth it. He never liked seeing his dad in such a panicked state, but he wouldn't stay that way for long.

Paper helped him come up with the idea. Lock OJ's out of his office, just for a little while, so he'd be forced to take a break... now that he'd found out about the plan, all he had to do was wait until all his anger had diffused, open the door and give him his surprise.

It was practically perfect. He got to hear his dad go absolutely nuts - knowing there was no real reason to - and he got to surprise him with an awesome gift!

...The only real downside was the idea of OJ... disliking it. Which... yeah, that would suck, and meant everything they'd done would be for nothing. But they had hope that that wouldn't be the case.

"Cherries... Cherries, I swear to god, if you don't open this damn door-"

They ignored the barrage of furious attacks OJ unleashed on the door. Man, that door was really resistant, huh? That was their dad's own fault, though, he was the one that invested into making them super sturdy.

But then... it just- stopped. Completely. And the room was engulfed in silence.

...Huh?

Cherries stood there in shock, absolutely baffled... was dad okay? Had something happened to him? Why did-

And then he heard a voice. A softer voice than the enraged one he'd been hearing for the past 10 minutes or so.

"OJ? Are... you alright?"

He recognised it as Paper's voice. Of course it was Paper... who else would it be?

Cherries tiptoed across the room, an ear to the door as he attempted to listen to the muffled noises behind it.

"Alright? Of course I'm alright, why wouldn't I be alright?"

The words were followed by a very obviously faked chuckle as they felt their father lean against the door. As if he hadn't been trying to break it down a few seconds ago.

"...Maybe because it sounded like you were just trying to break into your own office?"

It was followed by a deep and guilty sigh, as OJ pushed himself off the door and spoke again.

"Fine, fine, you got me... Cherries is pulling some dumb prank on me, that's all... they took my office keys and locked me out."

"Oh, really?"

Cherries could hear the smile in Paper's voice.

"Well, have you ever considered just... asking to be let in?"

"Paper, that's stupid. They're not just gonna let me in, this is Cherries we're talking about."

...Well, he could work with this. They took a small step back from the door, left cherry's hand around the knob as he waited for the perfect moment...

"Just... give it a try?"

OJ let out a tired groan, his voice unenthusiastic and disinterested.

"Cherries, could you please let me in, I have a hotel to run."

And just like that, the door was gently opened, much to OJ's surprise. Paper had to hold back a snicker as Cherries blinked innocently up at him, offering his dad their best smiles.

"Okay!"

OJ sighed to himself, feeling like a bit of an idiot, but still pleased nonetheless.

"Sometimes I forget that you're not a being of pure chaotic evil like Yin-Yang or Salt can be..."

He ruffled their leaves, earning a light-hearted giggle from the two.

"Well... actually, we have something for you!"

Right cherry pulled out a small gift box from behind his back, watching as OJ's eyes widened subtly in surprise, gently taking the gift in both hands.

"You guys know it's not my birthday, right?"

"We know, we know!"

"We just... wanted to give you something. For being an awesome dad."

OJ's gaze lingered on them, long enough for the two to notice the slightest flicker of guilt that flashed across his face. As if he didn't believe their words were true in the slightest.

He opened the gift, slowly pulling the ribbon off, and he let out a light little gasp when he picked up what was inside.

Little stuffed dolls... of him and the cherries. They were set up in the box in such a way that it looked like they were holding hands. OJ's eyes widened in surprise, almost dropping the box altogether. Paper peeked inside, and even he seemed touched by the gift...

"Oh my god... you made these?"

OJ took them out of the box, inspecting them both individually... and Cherries felt himself grow nervous, as right cherry began to ramble.

"Well... yeah, I did... sorry, I know it's kind of childish or whatever, but I just thought that maybe it'd... ah, forget it, it's dumb-"

Suddenly, a pair of arms were being wrapped around them, tight and warm... and he could've sworn they heard their father start to sob.

"Cherries... this is anything but childish... you aren't childish, not at all. I love it... don't change a thing about yourself, okay...? I don't... I don't deserve you..."

And all of a sudden, they were crying alongside him. They couldn't help it, everything about the moment... he felt so loved, and he wouldn't trade that feeling for the world.

Out of the corner of one of their eyes, though... they could've sworn they saw Paper... reach a hand out. Almost as if to join in, to provide them with more comfort. And yet... he stopped himself.

Why? They wouldn't have minded... and the were almost certain OJ wouldn't have either.

They didn't have much time to dwell on that, though. OJ soon pulled away, snapping their attention back to him.

"Don't worry... I've got a really special place where I can put these..."

OJ turned his attention back to the cute dolls, taking them in his hands and walking away, a bright smile on his face. They were about to follow, but something made them... hesitate.

Their eyes landed on Paper again.

He didn't look... happy. Yes, he had a calm and loving smile on his face... but the look in his eyes told a different story. One of dissatisfaction, one of longing for something... distant.

Paper noticed their gaze, walking closer to them.

"That was... really sweet, you know. The gift, I mean. I didn't realise it'd be so cute!"

Left cherry pretended to roll his eyes a little, but moments later right cherry revealed the pride he felt from the compliment.

"Thanks... we put a lot of effort into it."

"We just wanted to give him a little something, y'know? We appreciate him a lot."

Paper nodded along to their words, his smile starting to fade. It was subtle, but they noticed.

"Are you okay?"

Paper attention snapped up to left cherry when he asked the question, nodding, as if on instinct.

"Yeah... I'm okay."

Right cherry couldn't help but speak up after hearing that answer.

"Hey, why didn't you join in our hug? We could see that you wanted to."

Paper stiffened a little, unsure how to answer that question, taking a deep breath as he forced the words out.

"It just... seemed like a family thing. It'd be weird if I joined in."

Cherries took... quite a while to process that answer.

To them, Paper had always pretty much been like their second dad. Helping them out with homework, or giving them tips with their puppets... he even helped make a few, and played with them when they were bored with nothing to do...

And OJ was just so busy... yes, they had their father-son moments together, but they weren't as often as they would like them to be. They knew why, of course, but... still.

So if OJ was managing the hotel, they'd always spend their time with Paper, who wasn't given as much to do - despite being the co-manager.

He never really stopped to consider the fact that they hadn't talked all of that out, though. After all, Paper and OJ were just friends...

"Oh, uh... that makes sense, yeah."

Left cherry opened his mouth to speak after right cherry had, but silenced his own thoughts. It seemed like Paper wanted to be a part of their little family as much as they now wanted him in it... but they didn't want to bring it up. There was something in the back of his mind telling him it'd be a bad idea.

"Well... I think I'm gonna go get groceries. Want anything?"

Paper asked, the bright, cheerful smile back on his face... though he could tell this one was a mask for his emotions, too. He was quite familiar with masks.

"No, we're okay."

"See you around, Paper...!"

Paper nodded in response, giving the boys a wave goodbye as he walked off.

And so, Cherries was left in OJ's office to ponder what had just happened.

They found their feet taking them back to their room, where Yin-Yang was... surprisingly not doing anything.

"What's up losers?"

Yang greeted, waving to them as they entered the room, a mischievous smile on his face before Yin noticed their expression.

"...Hey, are you guys okay?"

Cherries walked over to their bed, as left cherry grabbed a framed photo they'd taken of themselves and OJ.

When he looked at these photos, they always brought Cherries such warmth. Spending time with their dad made them happy, and remembering the time they spent with their dad made them even more happy.

So... when they remembered those moments now, why did it feel like something was missing?

"We're fine."

"We were just thinking, is all."

They heard Yin-Yang step closer to them, feeling their hand on one of his shoulders. It was cold, yet soothing. Like ice on a burn.

"Do you want to talk about it? Yang's not the best listener-"

"-HEY!-"

"-But... it might help?"

Cherries nodded along, their eyes still not leaving the photo as right cherry began to speak.

"Mhm... it might. You see... OJ's a great dad. And we love having him as a dad... but we've recently been seeing Paper as our dad, too."

Left Cherry took over, his grip on the frame tightening.

"And he probably sees it that way as well! But there's this... it's like a weird gap between us. And I don't really know what to do about it."

Yin-Yang seemed to think on those words, and it wasn't long before Yang spoke up, helpful as ever.

"So? Just close it."

"It's not that simple, Yang..."

"Yes it is, Yin! Those stupid idiots are always together, anyway! Why can't they just be a family or whatever?"

"OJ and Paper aren't together, Yang, you can't assume-"

"-THEY'RE NOT?!"

Wow. Even Yang was surprised. Cherries couldn't blame them, though, the two were practically inseparable.

...Wait a second...

...Why weren't they together? Anyone with even a single pair of eyes could see they were meant to be; if OJ wasn't taking care of the hotel, chances were he'd be spending time with Paper. From the moment they were let out of that closet in the hotel, in their mind it was pretty much always 'OJ and Paper'.

...Was that why they saw Paper as a second dad?

The gears in their shared brain started turning, and they were hit with the most genius idea on the planet.

Why couldn't they just... get them together? Take Yang's advice literally? It would solve all their problems... Paper would be a part of their family, OJ would probably take more time off of work... the idea was flawless!

"Oh my god... thanks Yin-Yang! I really owe you guys one."

The two seemed pretty confused, reflected on their face, until Yin finally spoke up.

"Uh... you're welcome?"

Cherries then turned back to the door, flinging it open, running downstairs and spotting Paper leaving to buy groceries. Perfect.

They knew this was going to be the Best. Prank. EVER.