JOY

"Alrighty happy team! Time for a game, and you will all take part in it!" announced Joy right after Riley closed her eyes to sleep the night away.

Anger was visibly upset and grinded his teeth, clenching his fists and overall not liking this bit of news at all. Still, he didn't say a word. Some of the others were not optimistic, especially Sadness who just wanted to head to bed. Envy however, was very much on board with it, so was Anxiety for once.

She thought it would be a great opportunity to strengthen their bond after the incident where she kicked them out of HQ… that was until she heard what game they'd be playing.

Disgust also didn't enjoy the idea, but since she had no choice, she might as well join and be done with it, and maybe not be completely humiliated. Fear was also on board. He thought Joy wouldn't cross any lines or boundaries they had established over the years.

Little did he know but Fear was another reason why Joy wanted this unplanned game night in the first place: she wanted to see more life out of Fear. The two have a track record of working together for Riley but Joy deems him too hesitant, both at work and their personal relationship.

Ennui was forced to put her phone down too, as Joy requisitioned it and told Ennui she'd have it back if she completed the game.

"It's truth or dare!" she revealed. And just like that Anxiety wasn't so sure anymore.

"JOY! This is a bad idea, these games always end up ruining bonds! We'll end up hating each other and plot against each other and-!"

"I got this! Trust me, okay? We'll be fine because we are the happy team. Nothing will ever break us apart." She smiled. Those words were apparently enough. Anxiety was still worried but Joy's words eased her heartbeat.

The others just accepted it. No point in arguing with Joy. They just sat down in one big circle, some were hesitant.

"Let's make this quick, s'il vous plait." Complained Ennui, her head tilted and resting on Embarrassment's shoulder, her legs carelessly spread on the floor, sitting unproperly.

Embarrassment made himself comfortable and adjusted to Ennui's presence. He didn't want to bother her. It would have been awkward for him to address the issue.

Moment's later, Joy finally announced the game start. Unbeknownst to everyone, Joy had specific plans for Fear… this however didn't mean she couldn't mess around a bit.

"I think the youngest go first! Go Envy, truth or dare?" gleefully asked Joy.

Envy pouted, countering she is no child. "I'll go with truth for now!"

Joy rubbed her hands together, but she wanted to go easy on Envy. "Dear Envy, tell us your honest opinion about Anger!"

Anger's expression remained unchanged, neutral and annoyed.

Envy briefly looked at him then looked away. "Anger is very mean at times! He's way too impulsive and those clothes are so outdated, he looks like an old man." She said innocently. "And besides, he is so short."

Anger surprisingly kept his cool. "At least I'm not the shortest anymore in this sorry excuse of a team."

Envy pouted again. "Hey! That was mean!" her eyes lit up.

"Bite me."

Envy crossed her arms and looked away. The others meanwhile, exchanged whispers and giggles, specifically about Anger. This did tilt him off a bit but he just groaned in response.

"My turn now. Truth or dare, cabbage?" bluntly asked Anger, referring to Disgust.

"Dare. I'll kill you for this by the way." Retorted Disgust.

Anger laughed. "Swap your outfit to a yellow palette. Now." Anger sported a huge grin on his face. Disgust just upped and left to change.

Everyone was surprised that Disgust showed no protest. Just what was she thinking?

"We love each other so much! Anxiety, why don't you proceed?" encouraged Joy, giving her a pat on the shoulder.

Anxiety gulped and hastily picked Sadness, not being a fan of the spotlight placed upon her.

"Dare." Speaks Sadness in a low tone, using her turtleneck to cover her lips, hoping the dare wouldn't be too demanding.

"Uhm… I don't know!" struggled Anxiety. "You have to smile for 5 minutes!" she pulled her hair to cover her eyes.

"How does one smile again?" innocently asked Sadness.

Joy laughs. "You silly. You've done it plenty of times before. Think of stuff that makes you happy and go along with it!" she instructed.

Sadness complied and flashed a smile. It only lasted 3 minutes before she broke it. Fear was growing largely apprehensive.

"Uhm, it's my turn now? Uhh-"

Disgust finally showed up. She was wearing the same outfit as ever, only that now it had a yellow palette.

"GORGEOUS!" shouted Anger sarcastically.

"Just you wait, you coward." She sat down and looked away.

Joy winked at Fear and lightly elbowed him. It was pretty clear she wanted to be chosen. Fear takes the hint, but he doesn't understand what Joy meant when she pressed her index on her lips.

"Okay so, Joy! Truth or dare?" smiled Fear nervously, wondering what Joy has in store for him…

Joy confidently answers with a dare, her cheeks turn red and she's bouncing excitedly.

"Uhh…" Fear was a bit stuck now. Joy was doing more gestures he didn't understand, while the others were getting impatient.

Joy ran her hand through her hair and blew a kiss at him, she then sighed in annoyance when Fear was still dumbstruck about it.

Ennui caught eye. "Taking your sweet time…" she sighed. "Joy, just kiss him already, that's the dare."

Envy and Sadness gasped while Anger and Disgust were neutral about it, having now caught eye as well and just wanting to get on with it. Embarrassment literally turned around.

Joy frantically agitated her hands. "W-what do you mean kiss him? Are you sure that's okay, Fear? Not that I don't want to, it's just-"

"Just do it already, my goodness." Protested Anger, standing up and dragging Fear next to Joy. Joy looked away smiling and blushing, then looked at Fear in the eyes.

"No wait! She doesn't want to-" shouted Fear.

"NO TAKEBACKS!" cheered Disgust.

Seeing how slow things were going, Disgust lightly shoved Joy, then Anger pushed his head to Joy's lips, making for a sudden and messy kiss. Joy gave in and held his cheeks while Fear still couldn't believe it. Anger lets go of him, which causes Joy's excess of force to fall on top of him still kissing. It lasts a while, mostly because Joy didn't seem to let go for some reason…

"Okay, show's over." Sighed Anger, more annoyed than ever, following suit Ennui and Disgust.

Fear was trying to get out of it but Joy… just kept clinging to him, not letting the raw nerve slide away.

I SAID!" he then pushed Joy away, using a good bit of force. "SHOW'S OVER!" Joy falls on her back, more delighted than ever, blushing like crazy.

"Fear! I didn't know you were so good at kissing." Giggled Joy, looking away holding her cheeks.

"Na na na… it was you just pushing more onto him." Corrected Ennui.

"He was so passionate." Joy kept daydreaming.

"No. He was being dumb." Protested Anger.

Embarrassment turned back around, while Envy was cheering now more than ever. He said in a low tone, "Can I look now?" which left everyone a bit surprised. It's not like him to talk all of a sudden like that.

"JOY AND FEAR, WO! I ship it!" danced Envy.

"We are not sailing, I don't like water." Replied Fear.

Everyone just stood silent, sighing. He sure couldn't be this naïve right?

Joy took a good look at him. He didn't seem too bothered about the kiss, he was barely blushing. It's almost as if he didn't understand Joy hinted at him to kiss her, and that she did so passionately. Fear didn't return that passion which left Joy wondering… is this guy even aware I like him?

The game kept going, until Disgust got her revenge on Anger. She made him wear a feminine outfit for the rest of the game.