Chapter Text
Things have gone back to normal after destroying the statue and freeing 8, but some of the secrets that were revealed has certainly made things… awkward.
Honestly, Marina had let adrenaline and emotions cloud her judgement when she tackled Pearl and practically smothered her. Marina still cringes at the memory.
But at the same time there was no denying the sudden surge of affection felt when Pearl sent that beam right back into that evil phones face.
The tackle hug wasn't even the end of it either. After everyone's injuries was tended to Pearl was glued to Marinas side and even fell asleep with her head on her shoulder on the ride back to their shared apartment.
A lot of people who don't know Pearl would say that she is stupid and irrational but that could not be further from the truth. She has an incredible ability to spot patterns, from fashion trends to movie cliches. Which means she can tell when something doesn't belong, like a sour note or a botched rhyme. And that's great for making music but so very terrible for Marina. There is absolutely no way she didn't notice that her cohost is an octoling.
Which leads to the present. Marina hasn't actually been face to face with the rapper since coming back from saving the world. She's just hiding in her room trying to write new music, like a coward.
She sighs and puts her pen down. She was hoping that writing would be the distraction she needed until this awkwardness blows over.
But it seems even her writing cant escape her love of the tiny princess.
And it really is love isnt it? This desire to protect her, hold her hand, kiss away her insecurities, to pick her up when she feels down. Marina's biggest desire is to just love her with all of her very being and to be loved back with the same intensity.
But now? Would that even be possible? While she didn't outright lie about being an inkling no one really questioned it. Would it be a lie by omission if no one asked? Is this revelation going to be the unraveling of her happy life?
It was one thing to be branded a traitor and barred from returning to the octarians but to be scorned and flat out hated at her new home would be nothing short of devastating. The Great War has shaped a lot of inklings perceptions and opinions on octolings. Then the movies and songs about it portray the octolings as weird looking inklings who started a war for no reason. Propaganda is a powerful tool. Marina knows that a little too well.
She's stopped writing long ago but takes one look at the paper before crumpling it up. Perhaps she will get some better inspiration tomorrow. ….
TOMORROW!
THEY HAVE TO DO THE NEWS TOMORROW!
There's no way she can even look in Pearls general direction without freaking out! Especially now she knows exactly what she feels towards the rapper. But confusing and scary feelings aside she is not being fair to Pearl right now. Because crush or not they are still friends and it would be terrible to waste a friendship like the one they have. It's time to rip this bandaid off.
Gathering up her determination, she stands up and makes her way to the door.
She pauses with her hand on the doorknob, her tentacles are wiggling erratically. That's gonna be a dead giveaway that something's wrong. Maybe a hat would be a good idea right now.
Turning from the door towards the dresser she pulls out a box from a drawer. Inside the box is a collection of beanies. Beanies are the most superior hat, they are very soft and comfy, keeps you head and tentacles warm, and in a pinch can be used as a weapon so win-win.
She grabs the special one of a kind beanie from off the hooks first actual concert. It's the very first piece of merchandise they ever made. This would help keep her tentacles under control.
Slipping the beanie on she takes one last steadying breath before throwing the door open.
Their apartment is unusually quiet. It's actually weird how lifeless and cold it is. Normally its filled with warmth and laughter.
Marina is just standing in the living room trying to make her feet move forward when she hears Pearls door open. Pearl has certainly looked… better. Her eyes are droopy and bloodshot, she almost seemed to be vibrating.
“Oh uh hey Pearl feeling better?”
She shakes her head no and pulls out her phone. She looks at Marina for a second before gesturing to Marina.
“Did you overdo it with the killer wail?” She says as she opens the text she received.
MC👑: i think my voice is fucked
DJ🎧: have u been drinking tea?
MC👑: yea but i dont think its working
DJ🎧: what kind have u been using?
MC👑: all of them but they didnt do shit
DJ🎧: well u did scream justice into a statue.
MC👑: i didnt think it be this bad tho
DJ🎧: do you want me to go get some soup?
MC👑: nah ill be good with tea i should probably grab another cup
A sharp knock at the door startles both of them. Pearl sends one more message before she runs back in her room.
MC👑: pizza ill get it
A few seconds later Pearl returns with a mischievous grin. Marina doesn’t know what's going on but hopes she’s not gonna scare the delivery driver off. They've kinda become acquaintances since this is the only person who hasn't freaked out when they deliver.
“Hello your total is- wow you look like shit.”
Pearl grabs the paper she brought and writes something that has the delivery driver give her a suspicious look.
“Uh huh and what else?”
Pearl writes more and shows it to the driver.
“... okay i guess you're legit but how'd you find out… unless?” The driver looks over at Marina.
Pearl shakes her head and motions for the driver to come in.
“As cool as that would be Im on the clock.” The driver passes the pizzas to Marina over the rappers head while she quickly writes something on the paper and gives it to the driver along with a bunch of cash.
“Cool I'll text you guys when I get my phone back but you gave me too much.”
Pearl gives a nonchalant wave and closes the door. She turns around wearing the smuggest of grins.
“Uh what was that about?” Marina really didn't follow what was going on.
Pearl grabs the paper and shows her what was on it.
“Wait! That was Agent 4 and they've been the person delivering our pizza?” The news surprises her greatly, not knowing the squidbeak splatoon was so close. She is eternally grateful it wasn't agent 3. But she doesn't remember an agent 4 at all so they must be new. Hopefully they're not as…. persistent as their predecessor.
Pearl opens her pizza box and starts demolishing it with one hand while writing with the other hand, ”U think Marie couldnt call them cuz they were working?”
“I don't think they could have done much it was just a meeting.” Marina wonders if the pizza was supposed to be an olive branch between them.
She's gonna make some tea to match the olive branch.
“I'll make some more tea right quick.” Walking towards the kitchen she now notices the mess. On the counter there's a bunch of tea boxes ripped open and on the stove is a pot with ten different tea bags steeping in it.
“Pearl! Did you use all of these?” Marina looked over at her in alarm.
MC👑: uh yeah more tea means better results
“How are you going to go to sleep with all that caffeine?”
MC👑: ill be fine ive done all nighters before
“Im gonna grab some juice instead of tea.” She grabs the little bottles of juice (one extra pulpy and one no pulp) and sits back down at the table.
They both went quiet for a bit just munching on pizza when Marina remembered something, “Hey do you think you're good to do the news tomorrow or should I tell them you're still sick?”
Flipping the paper over Pearl writes,” nah i dont think theyd like us taking two days off.”
“I could do the news solo for a few days until you can talk again.”
“Are you sure cuz its gonna be super sucky since i wont be there.”
“I know how will I be able to go a WHOLE day without bullying my favorite co host.” she finishes the sentence with an overdramatic sign.
“Ur the one whos gonna get shoved in a locker nerd.”
“I would love to see you try.”
They both have a little staring contest silently daring the other to look away.
Defeated, Pearl looked away and quickly wrote, “Fine ill buy a tall ass locker first thing tomorrow morning!!!”
Marina let out a giggle that startled pearl but she couldn't help it, the mental image of pearl trying to push her in a locker was ridiculous. Pearl silently joined in the laughter.
Once the mostly one sided laughter ended Marina said, “Speaking of tomorrow, we should probably go to sleep, if you even can.”
Pearl was running out of room so she had to write very small.
“dont worry ill be out like a rock.”
“Do you still want me to wake you up in the morning?
“Yea if u gotta be up that early i should to.”
“Also you should stick to soup tomorrow it would suck if you got sick from all the caffeine.”
“Yea ill do that. Goodnight”
“Goodnight, see you in the morning.”
Marina fell into a deep and pleasant sleep.
Pearl laid in bed and waited for night to be over.