Chapter Text
They were running out of ores on the ship. Considering all the new equipment they were building and the fact that there was seven people on board who all needed said equipment, they were bound to run out of supplies. Puffer didn’t think it’d be this fast, though.
”I’m going to suit up to dive,” Puffer told Pezzy, who was cooking in the kitchen.
”Okay. Stay safe! And take someone with you.”
”You know I will.”
Puffer started searching the ship for a plus one. Matt and Droid were busy tinkering with some new gadgetry, trying to figure out what they could improve. John was busy logging any new plant life he’d seen on his recent dive. Grizzy was getting some well needed rest. So, that just left Smitty.
Smitty was… weird, to say the least. Not that anyone one else on this ship was normal; quite the contrary, really. Even Puffer knew he himself was definitely a bit strange. But Smitty… Smitty was a different story. The man genuinely never left the ship. They’d been on the expedition together for about a month, and Puffer was sure Smitty hadn’t gone on an exploration once.
”I’m the pilot guy. I’m just the one making sure we don’t end up dead at the bottom of the ocean, while ya’ll do your thing.”
He didn’t really believe it, though. Smitty had frequently show a fascination in ocean animals, asking John to take photos for him when he thought nobody was watching. Puffer had also heard him ranting about these creatures to Matt while the Canadian worked in the lab. Only when Smitty was sure the two were alone, of course. There was definitely something he was hiding. And maybe now was the time to find out.
Puffer found Smitty in the docking bay, dipping bare feet into the water, kicking up some droplets every so often.
”What are you doing?”
The Canadian jolted, clumsily standing up and turning to look at Puffer.
”Uh, nothing! Just thinking is all!”
”Mhm,” Puffer said, not believing him.
“So, uh… do you need something?” Smitty asked, anxious.
”Just wanted to see if you’d come with me on a dive. We need a couple things.”
”I, well, uh, can’t, y’know? For reasons.”
”…You realize I don’t believe a word you’re saying, right?” Puffer said dryly.
“Yeah. I know.” He looked defeated. “Guess you finally caught me! Haha!”
”Uh, what?” Now Puffer was confused. What the fuck was Smitty talking about?
”Oh. You don’t know. Well fuck me I guess,” Smitty groaned, burying his face in his hands. “Well, since I’ve basically outed myself already, the truth is that I’m afraid of the fucking ocean.”
Puffer just stood there for a moment processing whatever the fuck just came out of the Canadian’s mouth. Trying to, anyway.
”WHY THE HELL ARE YOU ON A SHIP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE OCEAN THEN?!”
Smitty cringed, raising his hand a in defense. “I know, it’s stupid! But I’ve always loved ocean animals, but… I’m deathly afraid of the ocean itself. So you can kinda see problem.” He looked… really guilty. “It’s always been my passion to study these guys and show that they’re not all as scary as they seem! Like sharks! I thought maybe I could handle it once I was finally facing it in the name of my science, but…”
”That didn’t really work out,” Puffer finished.
”Yeah. I feel terrible about it. Someone else probably deserved this way more than me.”
”Shit, man. That really sucks. I can just wait to do a a run later then.” Puffer turned around to leave. He could wait maybe half an hour for Grizzy to wake up-
“Wait! Puffer!” He turned around to see Smitty grabbing onto his shirt sleeve.
”Yeah?”
”I’ll do it. I’ll dive with you.”
”Wait, what?”
”Maybe being in the water will help. I’ve always pussied out before jumping in, so maybe it’ll be better that way,” Smitty said confidently.
”Are you sure? It’s still dangerous down there, even with all of our advanced equipment.”
”I’m sure. This is what I trained for, Puffer. I gotta try,” he huffed.
”Okay, but if everything goes to shit, you’ll have to handle whatever panic attack you’re having on your own. Now suit up, man. Time to go.”