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Ugh. This diving suit was stuffier than a hermit crab’s shell. Alberto scrunched up his face at the weird smell as he fastened the helmet on, grossed out but resigned to his fate for now.
He’d decided the suit was a good idea for today’s scavenging mission, because if there were more humans... Well, it might help him stay safe. Almost like a reminder, the fresh scar on his shoulder smarted. Alberto grit his teeth as he looked at the same harpoon that had given him the wound just last night. The harpoon was propped innocently against the wall of his tower, and after a moment’s hesitation, Alberto grabbed it as well. Just in case. And besides, he bet he looked super cool holding it. His muscles already felt bigger, like he was one of the big, hairy dad-humans.
Fully equipped, Alberto set out to gather supplies. He knew he’d missed a few of the goodies that fell from the boat last night, after leaving the scene in such a rush. Maybe he could find them again if he went back around the same spot.
Alberto’s mind drifted as he swam, hoping the humans wouldn’t be back near his island today. It would be easier if they’d just stay away for a bit. But then, it would also be easier if he didn’t have to do his scavenging by himself. Having a buddy, anyone, to work with would be way better.
Alberto shook his head. His inner Bruno whispered that, really, it’d be easiest if he didn’t have to scavenge at all—didn’t have to wear a stinky suit, or pick his own seaweed, or light his own fires just because he was left all alone as a—
Kid. Alberto froze. There was another sea monster kid, right around the rocks. He was like Alberto, except a little smaller, and green, and… he was picking up the human stuff! The kid looked over each item slowly, holding them up at different angles and seeming amazed.
Aw. Alberto remembered being that dumbstruck by human things. Alberto actually chuckled as he watched the other sea monster pick up a glass and peer through it with his big, curious eyes. Yeah, this kid seemed alright—Alberto decided to be friendly, and have a little fun.
As the big-eyed kid spotted and swam over to the singing-lady machine, Alberto drifted down from where he’d been hiding. He held the harpoon, advancing slowly, barely holding back his own giggles. Oh, he was gonna give Big Eyes such a good scare. Right on cue, the kid turned around.
“AH!” Alberto had noticed how graceful the kid's swimming was before, which just made it sillier when he clumsily scrambled away.
Yeah, that was definitely worth it. Big Eyes’ reaction had been priceless. It got even harder for Alberto to keep from snickering, but he also felt like that was enough fun for now. He followed the kid's path, and, geez, even his nervous hiding was adora—amusing.
With one more “boo!” for good measure, Alberto came clean.
“It’s fine,” he said with a grin, “I’m not human.”
Nice, now it seemed like Big Eyes wouldn’t completely faint on him. Fun taken care of, Alberto ditched the harpoon. It was time to get what he actually came here for.
He also figured, if a scaredy catfish like this kid was here, then things couldn’t really be too dangerous. Alberto happily wriggled out of the dive suit. There, that would make gathering things way more comfortable. As Alberto picked up his finds, Big Eyes drifted over and asked if he lived “around here.”
“Down here?” Alberto scoffed. His hideout on the surface was way cooler than these boring rocks, how could this kid even think someone as awesome as him lived liked the rest of them? After letting Big Eyes know he was just here for his stuff, Alberto grabbed a few more things—oooh, cool hook-y stick!—and then saw he had pretty much everything he needed. Time to leave.
Alberto swam away, still idly thinking of the kid’s question. Him? Live in the water? That would be okay for some normal kid, with a safe, boring, normal family. Which, well, nope.
It might have been his thoughts that distracted Alberto from hearing Big Eyes’ first question. He heard the second time, though: the kid had brought along his forgotten harpoon.
“Oh yeah, thanks!” Alberto grabbed the harpoon, surfaced, and then—huh. The kid was just gaping at him.
Well, if he’s so curious… Alberto didn’t think about it much as he swung the cool new hook-stick around, got it behind the kid, and tugged.
Oh. Oops. Big Eyes was freaking out. Alberto sighed, sat down, and waited while the other sea monster went through The Change. Hopefully he'd calm down soon.
Huh, his human hair was kind of cu—fun. Alberto idly watched a bouncy curl bob with Big Eyes’ thrashing. Finally, Alberto asked, “First time?”
“Of course it is!” Big Eyes’ voice sounded terrified. “I’m a good kid!” He started to hyperventilate, gaze darting around in panic.
Alberto thought back to his first time in the air, and being just as overwhelmed. Well, maybe he wasn't this bad. Grinning slightly at the memory, Alberto told the kid in front of him, “Hey, relax. Breathe.”
Phew. Seemed like it was working. Alberto decided once the kid really chilled out, he’d send him back to the water. Some sea folk just weren’t cut out for the coolness that was the surface.
Except… something came over the kid. More than calm, Alberto watched as his eyes went wide—even wider than he’d seen before. His lips parted, a look of complete awe taking over.
Big Eyes lifted his face up to the sky, squinting for just a moment. Then, like magic, the sunlight gleamed in them; his irises turned warm, full and golden. A sweet, amazed smile stretched across his flushed cheeks.
Alberto felt something at the sight. He blinked, and some of the heat in his face went down, but he was still hooked on that smile. Finally, someone was seeing his world. And liking it. Right?
“Well?" Alberto asked, trying not to sound strained. "Isn’t it great?”
In an instant, Big Eyes slipped back into fear. He stuttered through some excuse, rolling into the water, and Alberto couldn’t help looking up in exasperation as the other kid escaped.
Yeah, not the smoothest exit. But still… Alberto kind of hoped he’d be back. The wonder this other kid felt, that he made Alberto feel too, that was nice. Special.
Alberto started lugging his things up toward the tower, but he also decided: if he did happen to see Big Eyes around, he’d definitely make him smile again. For sure.