Nicole had decided to leave the watch on the porch and bring them back to their home. Seeing Gumball in this state was heartbreaking to her. As she rubbed his back entering the front door, he didn't say a word to her. Gumball went into his own room and she went into hers. Although she didn't want to leave him right now, she thought it would be best for him to vent a little while before talking again.

She plopped down on her cold bedsheets and let out a deep sigh. Reaching into her pocket, her hand pulled out the small slip of paper found from the watch. She re-read it over and over. There were still so many questions lingering in her mind. Questions that seemed to have no answer at this point. Eventually she stuffed the paper back into her pocket and gripped the bridge of her nose. This was going no where.

Nicole decided to do some mediation on the floor to help clear her mind. She folded her legs and straightened her back. She closed her eyes and let out another deep breath. This could take a while...

———

An hour had past since Gumball had entered his room. He had been staring at the ceiling basically the whole time. The harsh lingering thoughts combined with the boredom he felt was driving him half mad.

'Ugh, I need answers! I can't just lay here. Without them, I'll...I'll...'

Gumball swung his fist down onto the bedsheet beside him. The anger was starting to build. He had felt a wide range of emotions before, but not anymore. All he felt now was rage. He needed to cool down. There was only one person who he knew that could help him with that...

Getting up and letting out a deep breath, he made his way over towards Nicole's room. He knocked softly before coming in after not hearing a reply.

"Nicole?" He spoke out, before seeing her sitting on the floor in a lotus position.

Hearing his voice pulled her back into the moment, and she opened her eyes before facing him. She gave him a weak smile before patting a spot next to her.

"Come here Gummypuss, sit with me."

Gumball made his way over to her, and sat closely. She gestured him to copy her, and went back to her meditation. He obeyed and sat in a similar position before closing his eyes.

"Let it all go..." she said, causing him to concentrate.

He felt his mind fight off his sinister thoughts and clear it away. This made his anger start to subside. He was feeling more at ease. After a few minutes, he was finally at peace.

"Thank you..." he said softly, resting his hand on hers.

Nicole nodded before intertwining her hand with his.

Gumball lowered his head and closed his eyes again.

"I'm sorry how I acted back there, I just..."

"It's alright Gummypuss. I know. I'm not angry at you." She said, now facing him.

"Really?" He asked, meeting her gaze now with surprise.

Nicole embraced him and rested her forehead against his.

"Of course not. I love you too much for that."

This made Gumball smile faintly.

"Thanks." He said, kissing her cheek.

The both of them then got up and headed downstairs to get something to eat.

——————————

The supper was quiet, but Nicole felt more at ease now. Gumball seemed happier. His mind appeared to still be in thought however, but she would let that take its course. She knew her own mind needed to process her thoughts. There was a lot of mysteries about that watch, and she wasn't a person who usually liked the unknown; especially after what it had done to them in the park. That memory of Gumball screaming in pain made her grip her fork just a little tighter.

'I really hope that watch doesn't do that to us again. If it does...I'm going to smash it. I don't care. I can't stand it possibly hurting us more.'

Gumball looked up from his food. He noticed Nicole was lost in her thoughts as she half played with her food. He knew what she was thinking about. What else could there be to ponder now? Perhaps they both needed to take their minds off the watch for a while. But how?...

Then it came to him.

"Hey Nicole?" He asked, snapping her out of thought.

"Oh, yes Gumball?" She responded back, putting down her fork.

"I was wondering. Would you...like to water the garden with me?"

'Eh, It's better than nothing I guess...' He thought as he saw her think for a brief second.

"Sure. I'd like that." She said, dabbing her mouth with a napkin before standing up.

'Ha! It worked!' He thought again as he got up too.

The two made their way outside and into the backyard. As they approached the garden, Gumball seemed to grow more and more excited.

"The seeds! They actually started to grow!" He said happily.

Nicole half chuckled at his child-like enthusiasm. Sure it didn't seem too special to her, but seeing Gumball so thrilled about such a simple thing like seeing garden crops grow made her start to appreciate it more; just a little.

Gumball rushed back inside and filled up several buckets they had found around one of the houses and returned only a few short minutes after. Nicole took a bucket from him and gently poured some water over each crop in her row. Eventually they had watered all the rows. Setting down their buckets, they both admired their work. Gumball then leaned down and turned one of the crop's leaves over in his hands, observing it closely. Nicole decided to do the same thing. The leaf in her hand felt soft; velvetty even. It felt like a new born's skin. So delicate and fragile. For some odd reason, this seemed to stir something in her. She was actually starting to care more about these plants. But...why?

After a few minutes, they both headed back for the door. Gumball then sat down comfortably against the door's paned glass and tapped a spot for Nicole to join him. She happily obliged. As they sat there, staring at the clear blue sky...she still had a question lingering on her mind.

"Gumball? Why are you so excited for our crops?"

Gumball turned to her before scooching closer to her.

"Weeeell, I'd say for several reasons..."

Nicole raised an eyebrow.

"And those are?..."

"The first reason is for our future food fight. Something I'm pumped at beating you in." He said confidently, attempting to puff out his chest.

"Oh? Is that so?" She said tauntingly, before giving him a smug grin.

"Oh yeah! Also, the second reason...I don't know, but, I just feel like the crops are like us in a way."

"How so?"

This caused Gumball to rest his hand on hers.

"I mean, despite the risk of never taking off in the first place, the crops grew. They took root, they grew strong and despite the weather and all the odds of not making it...here they are. Sure they have a long way to go, but..."

He squeezed her hand gently now.

"In the end, they achieved so much. They made it."

"Gumball..." she said, shocked.

This was strange hearing Gumball give such touching words like that. But after a little thought, he did speak like this before her the night she had kissed him the first time.

"Maybe I was wrong about Bobert..."

Nicole snapped out of her thoughts.

"What do you mean?"

Gumball looked deeply into her eyes.

"I mean...without him, I wouldn't have you, right? I wouldn't be able to sleep next to you at night. You would be stuck at your harsh job, and you would have to sleep next to...him."

Mentioning "him" caused her to lower her ears.

"Gumball..." she said, pulling him close to her.

She then kissed his head before closing her eyes.

"I think your right..."

Gumball tilted his head back to look at her.

"Y-you do?"

Nicole looked him in the eyes before pulling him into a soft and gentle kiss.

"I do..."

This caused him to look at her with sparkles in his eyes. Something she missed seeing.

"Thank you." He said, before pulling her into a kiss this time.

As they both leaned back, they watched the evening sun start to set over the horizon, sending a final golden glow upon their garden. The tiny water droplets on the leaves sparkled like tiny diamonds in an ocean of green vegetation. Gumball felt the final rays on his face, causing him to close his eyes and let out a gentle sigh. Nicole felt the rays too. It felt so wonderful. They had experienced plenty of sunsets together before, but this one...it felt different. It truly felt special right now with him. Like on their dates. Sure there wasn't any fancy meals or campfire by them this time, but she felt warm enough; especially embracing him. It was like the flame of passion between them fueled their comfort. She didn't want to move, not now. Judging by Gumball resting his head on her chest, it appeared he didn't want to move either. That was fine by her.

It looks like they would be here for quite some time; but why care about time...when they were in each other's arms?