Chapter Text
“Summer!” The inkling perked up, looking away from Callie’s laptop that she borrowed. She got up from the dining table and went to the living where Marie’s voice came from.
“Hey, I’m gonna stop the store,” Marie said, picking up her bag. “Is there anything you want?”
“Uhm,” She fiddled with her hoodie strings. “Thosthe spicy chips you got lastht time?”
“You already ate all those?”
“I wasth eating them when looking at sthchoolth,” Summer smiled nervously. “I didn’t realizthe until it wasth empty. Sthorry.”
“It’s okay, Sunshine. I’ll get more. Anything else?”
“Nope! Thank you, Marie.”
“Of course.” Marie gave a small wave and left, locking the door behind her.
Summer went back to the dining room and sat back down. She went back to what she was doing when her phone began ringing. Even though she wasn’t gone long at all, maybe a couple minutes, Marie was calling Summer.
“Marie?” She answered, clearly confused. “What’th up?”
“Um, so, I may have fallen,” Marie started, sounding more embarrassed than in pain. “I tripped going down the stair-“
“Callie get up right now! Marie ith hurt!”
Marie pulled the phone away from her ear when Summer shouted. She pulled it closer when she heard nothing else. “Sum-“
“We’ll be there sthoon, Marie! Don’t move!” The line cut off, indicating that Summer hung up.
“It’s not like I can…” Marie sighed, putting her phone back in her bag. She looked down at her twisted ankle and let out a sigh. Her ear twitched upon hearing frantic footsteps. She looked up to find a panicked Summer with Callie in tow.
“Marie, are you okay?!” Summer reached the bottom of the steps, kneeling beside her.
“I’m fine.”
“You don’t look fine,” Callie kneeled at Marie’s twisted ankle. “That’s normal for you though. It looks like you just twisted your ankle. It’s not bad. She’s twisted it a couple times before, so it twists easily.”
“Really?” Summer looked at Marie’s ankle that was swelling up fast.
“Yeah, it was during agent work,” Callie stood up, grabbing Marie’s bag. “Luckily it just needs to be put in a brace. There should be one in the bathroom. Summer, can you pick her up?”
“Uh, sure!” Summer moved closer to Marie and carefully picked her bridal style. She clearly struggled slightly, but didn’t say so. She slowly made her way up the stairs with Callie behind her.
They got up to the apartment and Summer set Marie on the couch, letting out a heavy breath
“Summer, how did you struggle that hard?” Callie set Marie’s bag down. “There’s no way you’re that weak. You’re an agent!”
“I think I-I may have justht done all of that while high on adrenaline. A lot of it wasth a blur.” She quickly waved off the look Marie gave her and sat down in front of the couch.
“Sure.” Callie walked off to grab the brace for Marie’s ankle.
“There’s no way you were struggling to carry me.” Marie crossed her arms, glaring at the orange inkling.
“I have weak arms!” Summer huffed.
“Don’t you main a brush?”
“Thosthe are lightweight!” She turned around to glare at Marie, but faltered and quickly looked away. “Not like a charger main like you would care.”
“Yeah, whatever.” Marie nudged her with her good foot.
“Alright,” Callie announced when she came back. “Now the fun part.”
Marie groaned, moving to lay across the couch. “I hate this part.”
“Huh?” Summer looked up at Callie.
“I have to move it the right way before I can put the brace on,” Callie sat at the end of the couch by Marie’s feet. “Marie is a wimp, so she definitely doesn’t look forward to this.”
“Who would?!” She glared at her cousin.
“Um,” Summer scooted closer to Marie. “W-Would it help if you held my hand?” She held her hand out, her cheeks flushing slightly.
Marie stared for a brief moment, maybe too brief, before she took Summer’s hand and held onto it tightly.
“Ready?” Callie asked, putting her hands on Marie’s ankle.
“Yep. Totally ready.”
“Kay. I’m gonna count to three and then twist.”
“Okay,” Marie nodded. “I got it- AH!” She shouted when Callie twisted her ankle back with no warning and tugged on Summer’s hand, squeezing it tightly. “Callie! I thought you’d actually count this time!”
“Did she not count the other timesth?” Summer asked, ignoring the painful squeeze Marie gave her hand.
“No! She never does and I don’t know why I had faith in her this time!”
“Oh, hush.” Callie, this time more carefully, put the brace on her cousin’s ankle. She made sure it was on good, then stood up and gave her a stern look. “No walking this time. You’ll mess it up more and end up spraining it again just from walking.”
“Nurse Callie, everyone,” Marie gave a few sarcastic claps. “How do you expect me to get around? I was just gonna go grocery shopping.”
“I’ll get that done for you,” Callie went back to Marie’s bag, pulling out the grocery list she had. “Summer, please watch after her.”
“I’m not a kid.”
“Well, you act like one.”
“Love you too.”
“I know!” Callie pressed a kiss to Marie’s head and then to Summer’s before heading out the door.
Summer watched her leave before turning back to Marie. “Do you want to go lay in your room?”
“Nah. You probably wouldn’t be able to carry me there anyway,” She teased. “Don’t want to get more injured.”
Summer puffed out her cheeks. “Well, I bet you couldn’t pick me up.”
“I have picked you up,” Marie pressed a finger to Summer’s chest, right where her scar was. “Remember?”
“Oh, right.” She hung her head to hide her growing blush, playing with her hoodie strings again. This made her realize that her other hand was still held onto Marie’s. She pulled her hand away, mumbling an apology.
Marie smiled, placing both her hands on her chest. “How’s Bianca?”
“Good!” Summer perked up, happy for subject change. “She’th really fun to hangout with and she’th learning Inkish really well! She’th bathically fluent at thith point. And I might asthk her to help me workout. I clearly need it.” She leaned back against the couch, poking at her belly.
“You don’t have to workout. I was just teasing you.” Marie reached her hand down, messing with Summer’s hair.
“I know. But maybe I should get sthtronger. Might help if I ever need to go on missionth again,” She leaned her head back to look at Marie. “And, um…” She paused at the look the other gave her.
“And what?” She tilted her head.
“And to carry sthtuff?” Summer shrugged, looking away.
“Then I’m sure Bianca would be happy to help,” Marie continued playing with Summer’s hair. “She was in the Octarian Army, so I’m sure she knows plenty of ways to workout.”
“True.” She closed her eyes, starting to purr.
“Do you wanna sit on the couch?”
“Nah, I’m good on the floor.”
“Alright. Oh!” Marie started looking for her phone. “The spicy chips aren’t on the list. I need to text Callie to get them. Summer, can you grab my phone? I think it’s in my bag.”
Summer nodded, getting up from the floor. She found Marie’s bag and pulled out her phone, bringing it back to her. She took her place back on the floor and relaxed, listening to the clicking of Marie’s phone.
…..
Callie’s eyes shot open, her sleep getting interrupted by noises from the living room. Just then her eight AM alarm went off too. She groaned and shut it off, dragging herself up from the bed.
Entering the living room, she was met with the sight of Summer doing push-ups while Bianca, the new addition to the Splatoon, was sitting on her back.
“Ten more, Summer!” Bianca smiled happily and patted her friend's head.
“Y-you sthaid that earlier!” Summer whined, her arms shaking.
“What the heck is going on?” Callie stood dumbfounded.
“Helping Summer get strong!”
“She’th torturing me!” Summer gave Callie a desperate look.
“Okaaaaayyyy,” Callie walked over, a smile creeping on her face. “Why?”
“Oh, Summer said she want to carry-“
“Bianca, no!” Summer’s arms finally collapsed with Bianca still on top of her, causing her breath to escape her. She let out a long wheeze, starting to tap the ground. “I-I give up…”
“Come on, Summer!” Bianca cheered her on. “Push back up!”
“No…”
“Maybe you should give her a break?” Callie suggested, kneeling beside the almost passed out inkling.
“Oh, fine,” She finally got off Summer, sitting beside her. “This would not pass in army though.”
“I-I know.” Summer carefully pushed herself up, coughing. Her arms already felt like jelly.
“Sooo, why did you wanna work out?” Callie prompted again.
Summer this time covered Bianca’s mouth before she could answer for her. “Well, j-justht in cathe I-I do m-more agent work! Being sthtrong w-would help.” She let out another cough, leaning back against the couch after freeing her friend.
“Your hands very salty.” Bianca moved to sit beside Summer.
“I’ll go get you a towel and something to drink.” Callie stood up.
“Thank you.” Summer watched her leave before leaning her head against Bianca’s shoulder.
“You lie to Callie.” Bianca pointed out, hugging her knees.
“Not entirely,” Summer shrugged. “I justht didn’t want to tell the whole truth.”
“Wouldn’t Callie be happy you want help Marie?” She gave the other a confused look, but she avoided it by turning her head away.
“It’th embarrasthing I guesth?” Summer started to mess with the ends of her shorts, feeling her hearts quicken and this time not from working out.
“Oh.” Bianca leaned her head against Summer’s, deciding not to prompt her for answers even though it confused her.
Callie came back after a moment of silence, giving Summer a towel and a drink.
“I’ll be in my room if y’all need anything. Don’t push her too hard Bianca. She might die.”
“In army, this light workout.”
“Thanksth…”
Callie chuckled. “Good luck.” She waved, going back to her room.
Summer wiped herself off and chugged the drink, finally feeling relaxed. She leaned her head against Bianca’s shoulder again and closed her eyes, feeling her wrap her arm around her.
“Am going to ask question. You do not have to answer.” Bianca said slowly, leaning her head against Summer’s.
“Okay.” She hummed, keeping her eyes closed.
“You like Marie?”
She opened her eyes, her hearts picking up speed again. “Of coursthe I do. She’th my friend.”
“I mean, um, more than friend?” Bianca paused for a moment, trying to pull together the right words. “You look at Marie like my moms look at each other. With, um, love?”
Summer sucked in a breath, her eyes shooting open. She suddenly pulled from Bianca and rushed off to her room.
Bianca frowned and stood up. She feared she may have gone too far and made Summer uncomfortable. She went to follow, but the other came back.
She no longer had her hearing aids in and was holding a notebook and pencil. She pushed Bianca over to the couch and sat down with her. She scribbled on the notebook and held it up.
‘Sorry. I just didnt want to answer out loud. you can speak I can mostly read lips’
Bianca blinked and nodded slowly. “I hurt feelings?”
Summer quickly shook her head. ‘no! I actually really want to tell someone this I just don’t think I can admit out loud yet’
She nodded again, prompting Summer to continue.
Summer flipped the page and started writing, erasing it a few times and pausing to think about how she should write. Once she was finally done, she looked towards the hallway to make sure Callie or Marie came out of their rooms. She held up the notebook.
‘I have a huge crush on marie. I really like her a lot and I wanna hug her and kiss-‘ The rest was scribbled out.
Bianca blinked. “Oh! I see.”
Summer nodded a little. ‘it is true I want to get stronger to help her and maybe impress her! but I dont think shed like me back’
“Why you think that?”
She frowned as she wrote her response. ‘she is an idol and super pretty and probably gets tons of admirers. how could she like a weirdo like me?’
“You not weirdo,” Bianca frowned at her friend. “Can tell Marie cares about you and likes you. Just observing can tell.”
Summer looked down at the notebook, unsure how to write out her thoughts. Not even speaking or sign language could convey how she feels about this or her feelings for Marie.
‘complicated’ She wrote simply.
Bianca nodded a little. “That all I know about feelings. Complicated.”
“Mhm.” Summer set the notebook down, starting to play with the hem of her shirt.
“Hey, you two,” Bianca looked over to see a tired Marie, hopping over on one foot since the other still had the brace on. “Working out?” She leaned over the back of the couch.
Summer quickly flipped the notebook and looked up at Marie, tapping her ear to show she wasn’t wearing her hearing aids. “You are not supposed to be walking.”
Marie just shrugged and waved it off, deciding to change the subject. “How’s working out going?”
“Bianca is trying to kill me.”
“Kill?” Bianca tilted her head. “What about kill?”
Marie and Summer looked at the octoling. “You know some sign language?”
“Yeah? Learn some after meeting Summer,” She smiled at her friend. “Wanted surprise though. Oops.”
Summer’s lip quivered and suddenly hugged her tightly.
“Wow, so you’re learning Inkish and sign language?” Marie asked, smiling at Summer’s reaction.
“Yeah! Want to communicate with Summer the best way I can!” Bianca hugged the inkling back.
“That’s very sweet of you,” She said, but didn’t take her eyes off Summer. “I’m glad she has you as a friend.” She hobbled off to the kitchen, leaving the two alone.
Once Summer pulled away, she saw that Bianca was grinning. “Marie look at you same way you look at her.” She whispered so the idol didn’t hear her.
She felt her cheeks warm up, glancing towards the kitchen. “R-Really?”
Bianca nodded eagerly. “No lie.”
She nodded a little and picked up her notebook again. ‘gonna check on her so she doesnt get hurt’
Bianca smiled. “Okay. We continue working out after.”
Summer got up and went to the kitchen, finding Marie making coffee. “Marie?”
She looked up from her task and smiled at Summer. “What’s up?”
“Do you need any help?” She asked, glancing down at Marie’s injured leg.
She huffed, setting her mug down. “I’m fine, Summer. I’m not putting any weight on it.”
“I know.” Summer frowned slightly, putting her hands down.
Marie hummed. “I promise to be careful. Can you grab me a coffee pod?”
Summer nodded and went over to one of the cabinets, opening it. She reached up for Marie’s favorite coffee, but was able to grab it. She huffed, pushing herself up on her toes to try and reach.
Marie soon noticed her struggle and went over to help. Walking up behind her, she reached past her and grabbed the coffee. She lingered a bit as she closed the cabinet before pulling away and going back to the coffee machine.
Summer stood there frozen, trying to process what just happened. She pressed both her hands on the counter, using the coolness of it to ground herself. She eventually turned around and noticed Marie side eyeing her as she prepared the coffee. She signed a quick apology, her hands shaking slightly.
“You okay?” Marie turned to her, frowning slightly.
Summer nodded. “I’m okay. Still reeling from Bianca torturing me.”
Marie snickered and started brewing her coffee. “Torturing you? She making you do hard stuff?”
“According to her and the Octarian Army, sitting on me while doing push-ups is easy.” She pouted, slumping her shoulders to exagérate how tiring the workout was.
“Gramps was similar. He made us do obstacle courses when we were younger before we became official agents.” She grabbed her mug, putting a few packets of sugar.
“That must’ve been fun.” Summer chuckled, leaning against the counter. “You know, I actually wanted to be part of the army. My mom was part of it and I wanted to be like her.”
“That’s sweet. In a way.” Marie took another sip of her coffee. “I’m gonna head back to my room. You can’t avoid working out forever.”
Summer pouted at being called out. Marie wasn’t wrong, but it still hurt. “Do you need help? I don’t think hopping with hot coffee is smart.”
Marie nodded a little, admitting that she was right. Plus, she didn’t want Callie to catch her walking without help.
Summer was quick to wrap her arm around Marie, holding her close as she helped her out of the kitchen. This caught the attention of Bianca, who not so subtly watched them.
Reaching her room, Marie pulled away from Summer. “Thanks, Sunshine.”
Summer nodded, smiling brightly. She went back to the living room feeling slightly giddy. Did Marie really feel the same way she did? Or was she just being nice? She didn’t care at that moment.
Bianca smiled at her when she came. “You good?”
Summer nodded, picking up her notebook and pencil. ‘let’s get back to it!!!’
Her smile grew and she shot up from the couch, her friend’s excitement infecting her. “Alright! Not gonna be nice though. Time to go outside!”
Feeling just a bit regretful upon hearing that, Summer nodded and went to put her shoes on.