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Craig sat in the cabin tapping at the table. Octavio sat in his globe crunching his wasabi stick stash that Craig regularly brought him, Marie, Callie, Agent 3, and agent 4 were all out doing their own things the silence of octo canyon was Deafening.
“Tch” Octavio grumbled as Craig walked out of the cabin with a pot of tea setting up a small table for two and opening up the hatch for Octavios globe the only thing keeping him in. “You're really letting me out Now?!” He said annoyed slamming a tentacle at the glass before slipping out quietly, shifting out into his humanoid form an old Stoic man with long tentacles and large suckers held together by some rope.
Slipping his shades up to reveal those piercing eyes of his he coughed slightly for craigs attention “Its been a while since we've…” he stood before trailing on. “Had some privacy huh?” The Dj said trying to make conversation
Craig merely nodded before talking with his raspy voice “I thought it'd be good for you to give you some erm” Craig blushed for a moment trying to stay civil with octavio. “Space and let you have a good stretch before you…. Leave again” He sighed looking away remorseful about his past actions.
“Oh?” Octavio inquired perking his head up slightly in surprise and also slight suspicion.
“I mean it's just that we’ve both made mistakes we aren't proud of I thought maybe you'd be ready to apologize!” Cuttlefish said letting his anger take hold and lashing out at Octavio.
“It was A WAR CraigI did what I had to to protect myself!” He said defensively “You KNEW I loved him you Couldn't Incapacitate him!” Cuttlefish argued back angrily.
“He was merely a Child Craig He shouldn't have been there in the First place!” The DJ said Angrily “You yourself should have known that he shouldn't have been there same as you!”
“As Was you!!” Craig practically screeched “Then why are you doing this to your own agents!” Octavio said harshly “Putting them through the same thing WE went through”
“It's not like your any different Putting your soldiers through it” Cuttlefish responded
“Its different Craig they Understand what they go through the moment they enlist! And they are not as young as yours They have to be at least 16 before they start training and they aren't even on the battlefield until they are 18!” Octavio said with practically sorrow in his voice.
“We don't have to be like our predecessors and yet you are the things you put those poor agents through! you're own GRANDKIDS too!!” Octavio took a shaky breath to compose himself
“I took Callie and she was doing wondrously until Marie intervened do you know how she was doing She was Depressed because of what you put her through Do you know what happened to 3 you messed up a perfectly ok kid up with this agent work” He scolded before Craig interupted “I gave her a Home A family he could look to when they were alone Heck even agent 4 was doing awful until they joined!” He responded upset
“I pity you craig cuttlefish you don't even know how ruined you are my dear” He responded with a frown his tentecles stiff and straight since the day craig shot him “We were both forced into this war you and I because of both our predecessors and the land and yet we are both so different”
His gaze Hardened a single tear running down his face. Craigs gaze softened as he was about to speak before he was interrupted “You Have Changed Craig Cuttlefish and for the worse too to think I could have a civil conversation with you.” His voice broke as he spoke Craigs expression quickly shifting to a frown.
“But Tavi I-..” he stayed silent unsure of what to say. “I want to be better I just..” The inkling sighed wishing they were young again
“Tavi Stop it!” Craig giggled as they messed around with each other The young prince helping craig reposition the bandages under his shirt as they sat in his Beloved garden “Well Maybe if you stopped moving around so Much silly!”
Octavio teased slipping Craigs loose Uniform back down as they giggled. Craig pulled out a small hankerchief with small squids embroidered on untying it revealing Crabbie Cakes. “I brought ya Something Tavi” He smiled presenting them to Octavio.
“Oh!” He said with a smile his tentecles curling up with glee at the site of his partner's gift “You’re Much too Kind Darling but if you don't mind I’d like to save it for Later” He smiled looking at the inkfish and his Odd ways tying the handkerchief carefully. Craig watched with awe at how Octavios Tentecles curled up when he was happy or They swayed as if in tune with the wind
Watching Octavio play a Shamisen with his gentle soft fingers a harsh contrast to Craigs rough calloused hands. He pulled out a somewhat worn out Banjo playing along to Octavios lead while shifting out on humming along to the tune. “Hey ‘Tavi ever thought about a Band” He murmured as he played
“What would our name even be!” He laughed not against the idea still playing he sung softly. Tucking a tentecle behind his ear as he continued to play
“Y'know Tavi That more of the land has been flooded by the sea?” The once relaxed mood shifted into the tense air between Craig and Octavio’s Tentcles stiffened and straightened and craigs hands fidgeted nervously “Yes I heard…” Octavio replied softly fixated on the instrument he played “What’re we gonna do Tavi’ Im nervous!” Craig replied shaking
“I could probably convince my Father to Allow You to stay… if worst comes to worst” He replied unsure
“I can't leave my Friends Tavi’ My family I….” He sighed midway through his panic tears falling down his face lifting Octavios chin to look him in the eyes. The octoling had a sollem look to him as he cupped craigs face with those soft hands of his
“I-.. Want us too promise that no matter what happens we'll still love each other and…. and hang out ok! Please…” Craig begged softly his usual cheery grin the mask of which he held all his troubles fell off.
Octavio placed his head on craigs their lips brushing against each other for a mere moment as he spoke “I’ll always love ya You goofball!” He teased trying to lighten the situation
“I'm Sorry” Craig replied leaning on his bamboozler “Your what?” Octavio responded confused “I’m Sorry I couldn't admit it earlier I just.. It's been so long since we've been alone And I've missed you!” The old Squid admitted with a guilty expression “We’ve been fighting for so long…. And I missed our old relationship before the war took everything away! I just thought….”
Octavio’s expression softened reluctantly, standing up and placing a hand on craigs shoulder, his golden eyes hidden behind fresh shades, lifting them up and giving Craig a sad smile before enveloping the short squid in a hug “I'm sorry too darling… we’ve been fighting for so long that I… I thought you still hated me for what I did to your partner. I really missed you darling”
’He said running his hands up to the back of Craig's chest tracing the old shoddy tracksuit Craig wore, noticing the lack of bagginess and bandage material. He grinned “You got the surgery huh cuttlefish..” He joked around Craig blushing with a giddy smile
“well I had to cough up the rest of my retirement funds but my grand squido’s got me set!” Craig responded placing his hands on Octavio’s “Hmm least you can breathe easily now I was always worried you'd
asphyxiate in that thing with how tight you’d tie them!”
He chuckled uncomfortably as he looked down eyes darting about “Well I best be going before any of your squiddo’s see me so I…” Craig stopped him looking down guiltily “I did” he admitted giving Octavio a hug Octavio’s tentacles curled in a hugas he reciprocated it giving craig a knowing glance “I know pet I know”