Chapter Text
Welp, Marie’s ankle was healed. It didn't take long either and Summer didn’t get to carry her after gaining some muscle. Though with how Bianca was treating her, she was sure she wouldn’t be able to lift Marie anyway.
Marie was healed now and no longer needed any help, a slight bummer to Summer. She even wanted to give up working out, but couldn’t convince Bianca to give up on her.
“I never gave up in metro and you will not give up now! Take it from me!” She had once said.
Summer wanted to say that the metro was much more different than doing a workout, but didn’t get the chance since she was forced to do push-ups. She did think about how much better Bianca’s Inkish had gotten. Though the two still spoke in Octarian at times.
A part of her wished they were the only ones that knew Octarian so they could get away with having secret conversations. Unfortunately everyone they knew, except Pearl, knew the Octarian language. Marie is still a little rusty, but can mostly understand it.
They mainly spoke in Octarian during workouts since that’s what naturally came to them. And Summer noticed she was actually getting better and lasting longer during the sessions. Doing it everyday, she got used to the “torture” Bianca would put her through.
After a few weeks, and showing how much she could lift, Summer was able to convince Bianca to push their workouts to a couple times a week. The support from Marie and Callie also helped.
Still, disappointment lingered.
Summer sighed as she laid across the couch, happy Bianca allowed her the break. “How many sit-upth wath that?”
“Twenty five!” Bianca clapped. “You’ll be at thirty in no time!” She patted her friends, smiling at the purr it caused. Inklings still fascinated the Octoling. Summer was a lot more interesting since she was part shark.
She sat up from the couch and accepted the towel Bianca gave her. “Yeah…”
“You okay?” Bianca sat beside her.
“I am. Justht a little sthad.” She leaned her head against her shoulder.
“Sad? Why?”
“Remember me telling you that I wanted to help carry Marie becausthe she wath injured?” Summer looked down at her lap. “Well, I never actually got to do that. I wanted to show off a little…”
“I am sure you will get that chance eventually.” Bianca gave her a supportive pat on the back.
“Maybe…” Her ears drooped.
“I bet you will get to date her someday,” Bianca said to hopefully lift Summer’s spirits. “From what I have seen, you two seem to belong together.”
“Don’t get my hopeth up, B.”
“I am being serious,” She wrapped an arm around her and held her close. “I feel you hear and make enough puns to know what a joke is.”
Summer chuckled, leaning into her friend. “How about you? You got feelingsth for anyone.”
“Feelings are still a little confusing to me,” Bianca admitted, a bit embarrassed. “I am still learning things. But I know obvious feelings. Like you and Marie.”
“Shut up!” Summer shoved her friend away. “No more sthtuff about me! How isth Asthpen? I sthtill sthruggle talking to them.”
“They are okay. I learned that they are living with Captain Cuttlefish!” Bianca started playing with Summer’s tentacles. “They have fully healed, but unfortunately it damaged their eye. They cannot really see out of it. They say it is okay, but I can tell they are upset.”
“That mustht be difficult. At leastht they have you and Craig.” She started purring, closing her eyes.
“It is still a little awkward between us,” Bianca shifted, starting to tie up Summer’s tentacles. “I can tell they are still a little uneasy around me.”
“Why?” She turned her head, but Bianca turned it back.
“Well, I am an octoling and they have always fought the Octarians. It is more relaxing when I am around you. I am lucky you came from underground too.” She pulled away once Summer’s tentacles were up.
“Well, I didn’t sthtay down there too long…”
“It does not matter how long you lived down there. You still came from there.” Bianca wrapped her arms around her friend.
“Thankth, B.” Summer leaned into her friend, closing her eyes.
“Of course,” She patted her friend’s head. “Now! Let’s get back to it!”
“Noooo…” Summer whined as she flopped onto the couch. “I’m so tired.”
“Liar! Come on!” Bianca got up and gently shoved her friend. She decided to drag her up after shoving her did nothing. She easily lifted her up onto her feet. “Alright! What should we work on next?”
“Napth?”
“Nope!” Summer whined. “Oh stop complaining! Be happy I went down to only doing this two times a week.”
She sighed and slumped her shoulders, but suddenly perked up when footsteps caught her attention. She turned to find Marie, of course, still in her pajamas. She instantly noticed that she was still limping.
“Marie,” She went to her side. “Are you sthtill hurt?”
“I’m fine, I’m fine.” Marie held her hands up in defense, but quickly used them to hold herself against the wall. Her ankle seemed fine and no longer swollen. “It’s just a little sore.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t be putting weight on it.” Summer kept her hands up, ready to help her if she needed it.
“I’m fine, Summer. It’s healed.”
“But it’th sthtill sthenthitive. You should be careful,” Summer frowned, her ears drooping. “Remember when I got my chestht thcar? You made me sthleep on that uncomfortable cot.”
“There is a huge difference between a sprained ankle and being shot in the chest!” Marie crossed her arms.
“Summer,” Bianca interrupted the argument, catching the attention of her friend. “You could keep her from walking by picking her up.”
“What?” Marie looked at Summer. “What does she mean?”
Summer grinned, her cheeks flushing slightly. “It meansth I can keep you from walking!” She suddenly scooped up Marie, making her shout.
“Summer!” She grabbed onto her. “Put me down!”
“Nope! You sthtill need to restht your ankle.” She headed towards Marie’s room, easily holding onto the squirming firefly. She’s gotta buy Bianca lunch as thanks for helping her workout. Even though it was tiring.
Callie stepped out of her room, drawn out because of the noise. “What’s going on?” She took in the scene in front of her. “Oh, is it finally happening?”
Marie’s eyes widened while Summer looked at her confused. “Huh?”
“Nothing is happening!” Marie squirmed more. “Summer won’t let me get chips from the kitchen!”
“Your ankle ith sthtill sthore!” Summer held onto her tighter, now starting to struggle.
“Oohh,” Callie nodded, but seemed a bit disappointed. “Marie, just let her take you back. I’ll grab your chips.” She walked off, groaning when she reached the living room.
“It is difficult to witness, huh?” Bianca said, noticing Callie’s annoyed expression.
“I’m trying to be patient,” She dragged a hand down her face. “But it’s so hard.”
“It really is.”
“Sthtop thquirming!” Summer’s voice came from the hallway. “Callie ith acting like your maid! Why are you complaining?!”
“Just put me down already!”
A loud thump followed the shouting.
“Oh, geez. I’ll go check on them.” Bianca hurried off to check on the two.
“I’ll get the chips.” Callie sighed, going to the kitchen.