Chapter Text
When it reached night they decided to set up camp. All Munch had requested was setting up somewhere near the water so that he could sleep there. He understood and acclimated to his request. He knew how terrifying sleeping somewhere you weren’t used to was, after all.
When the spot was settled he had started a small campfire and Munch had caught them some more fish to cook on it, to his confusion. He had offered a cooked piece for him to try, watching as Munch tilted his head at it warily before placing it in his mouth. He chuckled as his friend’s face scrunched up, clearly not used to the taste and texture. He still ate it, though slightly reluctantly, and then they both sat in comfortable silence around the fire.
He was just about to nod off when he looked to his right and yelped, jolting away from the glowing pink eyes that bore into him.
"W-W-What?!"
Suddenly the pink eyes blinked and came a little closer to the dimmed fire, slowly revealing Munch's form. The pink in his eyes were still somewhat brighter than usual but now he could at least see his purple irises.
"Wha..t's wroongg..?"
He blinked idiotically for a few moments, trying to comprehend what he had just seen...then it clicked.
"Your...eyes glow in the dark? Is that so ya can see in the water..?"
Munch nodded after a moment, blinking exaggeratedly as he hesitantly reached up towards his eyes.
"Waterrr gets darkkk...light alsoo attracts fishhh..."
Abe found himself nodding along, thinking now about what else there was to learn about his friend.
"Yourrr eyess..?"
"Huh?"
Munch motioned towards his eyes and then to his.
"Wha...Oh! Why are my eyes like this..?"
Munch nodded. He rubbed the back of his head as he considered it...
"Well I...I'm not really sure, to be honest...All Mudokons have eyes like this!"
Munch's eyes narrowed in confusion.
"...Mu-doe-kin?"
He chuckled and dropped his hand.
"Mudokon! It's what I am! Like yer a Gabbit, yea?"
Munch nodded, seeming to understand...but then appeared to be interested in eyeing him in his entirety.
"...Cann I askk something?"
"Er...yea, sure?"
"Whyyy is your mouthhh..."
"...Oh, uh...I..."
He trailed off, lost in his solemn thoughts. Munch seemed to deflate, frowning in sympathy before looking up to the own contraption on his head and letting out a small, high-pitched whine. He smiled apologetically at him, but it didn't feel very strong.
"It's alright...so uh, since we're askin' each other questions and stuff, can I ask about your uh...horns?"
Munch brightened up, tilting his head so he could see them better as he nodded.