Work Text:
She was at the train station again. Waiting. Waiting. Trains rushed by with the rapid rising and setting of the sun. Time was still. How long had she been standing there, waiting at the platform? Hours? Days?
Where is Callie? Where is Callie ?
She could hear her fans, cheering her on. Faceless inklings celebrating her victory. She won. Another train whips by. Instead of the screech of the metal track, she can hear her cousin's screams. It's too loud. It's too loud .
The screams blend with the cheers until she can't distinguish her cousin's voice anymore. She can’t find her. She's gone.
And it's all Marie's fault.
Marie wasn't there for her.
Callie is gone .
And it's all her fault.
~
Marie awoke with a start, like a rubber band snapping.
The inkling propped herself up on her elbows, shoving the plush blanket off of her lap.
She took deep shuddering breaths. It was just a nightmare, no need to worry. Despite her attempts to comfort herself, a choked sob made its way up her throat. She covered her face with her hands, collecting her tears in her palms.
Marie felt something stir nearby, and she suddenly remembered she wasn't alone in her bed.
Shiver. Her lovely, beautiful partner. Was sleeping soundly next to her.
Not too soundly though, as their face twitched and they groaned. Shiver blinked blearily, barely picking their head off the mattress.
"Marie..?" They whispered, their voice husky from sleep. The inkling immediately felt a pang of guilt for disturbing them.
"Sorry. Didn't mean to wake you." Marie coughed out through stifled sobs. Shiver grumbled and sat up, before immediately flopping over into Marie's lap.
"You okay?" Shiver asked, nuzzling into their girlfriend's chest.
"Mhm." Marie lied. The octoling grumbled unhappily.
"No you’re not. Your hearts are beating way too fast." Shiver called out. "What's wrong?"
Marie didn't respond. She simply sighed and snaked her arms around Shiver's form.
"Just stupid stuff from the past. I should be over it by now." Marie ridiculed herself. She breathed deeply, taking comfort in Shiver's weight against her body.
"Talk to me." Shiver requested. Marie grunted. "Please?" They looked up at her with those stunning ruby eyes and Marie didn’t think she could ever refuse them.
"It's nothing, it's just..." Marie sighed. "It's from when Callie was taken. I keep blaming myself. And it is my fault- I mean, I should've paid better attention to her. I should have realized she was hurting." Marie felt choked up again, the tears stinging behind her eyes. "And I left her alone and she was taken and brainwashed, and everything would be fine if I just hadn't won that stupid Splatfest!" Marie couldn't hold back her tears anymore. She let out painful sobs, covering her face to hide her shame.
She really didn't want Shiver to see her like this.
Without a word, Shiver sat up, urging Marie's hands away from her face. They took a tear-stained hand in their own, holding it to their chest. The octoling enveloped their girlfriend in a crushing hug. Marie let her head fall on their shoulder.
“I’m sorry.” Marie sputtered through hiccups. Shiver cupped her cheek and tilted her head up, placing a soft kiss on Marie’s birthmark.
“You have nothing to be sorry for, love.” Shiver promised. “It was not your fault.”
And those five simple words nearly brought Marie to tears again, but she refused to cry in front of her partner for a third time in one night.
“None of it was your fault.” Shiver echoed. “You couldn’t control the outcome of that Splatfest, nor could you control Callie being taken. And she’s okay. She’s safe.” Shiver affirmed, rubbing soothing circles on Marie’s back. “And she doesn't blame you for what happened, so why blame yourself?” They questioned.
“I don’t know. It’s easier this way, to blame something tangible instead of chance, or some divine force.” Marie groaned.
“Is it?” Shiver tilted their head. “Callie has grown past this, but you’re not letting yourself move on.” The octoling traced the freckles on Marie’s face absent-mindedly. “You deserve to grow and be happy, Marie.”
“Okay.” Marie choked out, barely restraining a sob from bubbling up her throat. She coughed and sniffled, holding onto her partner tightly. Despite her best efforts, a few stray tears escaped, running down her cheeks.
Shiver clicked their tongue, running their claws lightly over Marie’s cheeks to dry her tears. The inkling could only let her eyes flutter shut and melted into the touch. What an odd effect they had on her. So eager to be in their presence, to be held by them.
“Thank you.” She whispered. Shiver smirked, placing a playful peck on her nose.
“Anything for you, Hotaru.” They promised.
Hotaru. It meant firefly in octarian. Shiver began to call her that shortly after they saw Marie flustered for the first time. They said the way her freckles lit up reminded them of fireflies. Marie would never admit it to them, but she adored the pet name.
Marie blushed, living up to the name as her freckles glowed green in the dark room. Shiver chuckled and urged her to lie back down on the bed.
They never separated from her, keeping their arms locked around her waist and nestling their head under her chin.
Marie realizes, not for the first time, how lucky she is to have someone like Shiver to call her partner. Someone so gentle and sweet. Always so kind, so considerate. They really, truly understand her. Marie would be lucky to just call them a friend, but they’re her’s .
“I love you.” Marie uttered. “I really love you.”
“I love you too.” Shiver chuckled sweetly. “Now can we please go to bed?”
In lieu of a response, Marie hugged her partner close to her chest and shut her eyes. The inkling sighed deeply, letting the even breaths of her partner lull her to sleep.