Chapter Text
Recommended song - Candles By Daughter
SUNDAY
“Here you go, Cortez !” cheerfully announced Harl.
“Ah thank you Mister Hubbs, Didn't know what i’d do without your help !” replied Cortez , taking back his freshly repaired boat model.
“Oh please, Call me Harl !” Harl waves his hand around.“ it’s a really pretty toy you got there.“
“Yes, yes ! ” Cortez responded with excitement. “it is not a toy though , it is a 1:48 scale Model of the Original Guardian of the Ocean. the one that came to our city centuries ago. a really pretty vessel with a lot of history if you ask me.”
“Whoa, didn't know you were into that kind of thing. That sounds amazing.” he smiled
“YEAH yeah .. being a doorman is nice but .. I sometimes wish I could go on adventures on the sea .. but alas. I'm stuck here on the ground” he complained in a mocking tone “So what are you doing next Thursday, my friend? aren't you excited ? “
Cortez Smirked at him. but truth be told. Harl had completely forgotten if anything important was happening on that day .. Was it his birthday ? no .. it wasn't Taurus Season yet ? He decided that admitting he had no idea was the best option.
“It’s Hands off day ! “his Face brighten “ Glad Tippy won't be here to take the fun out of it again, this year “ he Giggled.
Harl laughed nervously “Oh RIGHT right ! Also Tippy wasn't Fired, he is on paid leaves. he isn't feeling well lately but NO WORRIES! Harl "Huggs" is the best remedy !”
“If you say so !” Cortez cut the conversation short after that .. but what he said stayed on Harl’s Mind,
It’s Almost Hands off day again ..
The sun was setting. Harl told himself it was time to go back home, see how Tippy is doing.
As he walked down with his bike near the docks. Something on the sea caught his attention.
Fog covered his surroundings and a soft hum came from a large shape.
Harl could read “Guardian of the Ocean” on it’s Side. It was a Boat.
A man came out of the cabin and threw a rope, bringing the guardian to the dock.
Harl didn't realize his mouth was wide open. He had never seen something like this before.
Curiosity took the best of him and he decided to go “help” that stranger.
He waited for the man to leave the Boat so he could get inside and look for anything he could fix.
Once inside, he noted that it looked rather old, rust everywhere. but not un-salvageable ?
A fresh coat of paint would do !
He went back to his bike left on the dock to fetch some paint bucket. He opted for a nice turquoise, then rushed back to the boat
Harl opened the lid of the bucket when he heard a noise.
He looked around and saw nothing. Until a voice from behind him interrupted his thoughts.
“what is the meaning of this ?”
Harl turned around to see a large man, graying hair but the most important detail that made Harl feel a chill down his spine was a patch over the man’s Entire face.
only one eye showing. but even with limited expression. Harl could feel the fear and worry in his eye.
“I’m Sorry..” Harl was trembling “I was just here to- "
“LEAVE” the man interrupted , he sounded panicked.
“Please ..” the man's voice softens “just leave … “
Harl was usually eager to convince anybody that refused his help but this time was different .. so he complied.
“So, You just .. left” Tippy asked again
“Well .. I couldn't really do anything else” Harl explained
“Mmm, that doesn't sound like you, giving up that easily. “ He smirked “ and when people refuse your help .. you’re usually not in that state afterward.”
He paused to reach some spice at the other end of the counter. Harl grabs it and give it to him.
“Thank you hon. What I meant is .. even myself, I refused your help several times .. and you never .. made a face that long”
Harl tried to look up “I know .. “ He watched Tippy cooking and found it soothing. Harl could feel his belly getting impatient. He giggled thinking Tippy might have heard him.
“Want to talk about it ?” Tippy turned the stoves off and smiled “dinner’s ready !”
“I don't know how I could explain. I felt something when I saw his face .. or .. more so , his lack of “ Harl started eating , Tippy looked around for something to say, he blew on his fork lightly.
“You said that man had a Patch on his face ? He might be a Nosepatch descendant ” he asked
“THAT is what I thought !!!” Harl exclaimed with a mouth full
“Ew ! Harl, please! ” begged Tippy
“Sorry.. sorry” he waited that he had swallowed to continue, all while making movements with his hands to indicate to Tippy that he was about to speak
“Its just .. that my Father told me a lot about the “Patch” family line. story about bloodthirsty pirates that would hunt us down and seek revenge ..”
Tippy stopped him in his track “what do you mean ? us ?”
“The Hubbs?” Harl inclined his head slightly “my father told me I was the latest descendant of Horacio Humphrey Hubbs. The man we celebrate on "Hands off Day". “
“Oh that makes sense that the Man that ruined the fun my job is also… from the same family as the man that ruined my teenage dream of utopia ahah ” he laughed
Harl wasn't laughing back , he buried his head in his shoulder looking nervous.
“Im sorry” Tippy reached for Harl's hand “Please continue” he smiled
“My father told me .. our ancestor saved the city .. but that our enemies were still around. and that they would come for me … “ Harl let Tippy hand cup into his.
“are you scared of him ?”
“No” Harl sounds determined “I don't trust his stories. I think he is wrong and i want to prove him .. but Would this man i saw earlier, let me talk to him ? what if he heard the same stories and .. that's why he was scared ? “
Tippy's face light up.
“I recognize you here” Tippy giggled while taking his empty plate to the kitchen
“Hm ?” Harl turned away
“You always want to see the best in people.. Harl, dear, take your time. don't rush it and i'm sure you’ll be able to talk to him in no time, Alright ? “ Tippy smiled at him from the other room
Harl felt warm. “I will”
"Good ! Now , would you like to watch a Movie ? another episode of that show i like ?” he asked
“No thank you” he chirped.
“Not fancy of my door history documentary uh ?” he laughed
“No no no , I’m just tired” Harl nervously responded
“I'm just teasing dear, all good! i’ll join you in a minute “
Harl was getting comfortable and almost asleep when Tippy joined, all he could recall before falling asleep was a small forehead kiss, a soft “ I love you” and the warmth of another body, holding him. Harl had been living with Tippy for a month but tonight he felt home more than any day before. He just had one worry, the face of that stranger came to him again. and how scared he was ..
D-4