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Space is honestly not as interesting as people had made it out to be, if you were to ask Octavio. He can now say that he's been to the place, and it really isn't as fantastical as he was expecting. The journey was pretty interesting, he can give it that much, and though he hadn't had much time to stop and enjoy the view as he was quite literally in a life or death situation with the rest of the world relying on him for survival, he can admit that the pure vastness had caught him off guard.
That's where it ends, though. Grizz and his rocket were interesting, the fuzzy ooze was interesting, the battle was interesting. Space? Admittedly not as interesting as he was waiting for it to be. Quite the disappointment, really.
And that's why his mind can't seem to grasp why the rest of the Squidbeak were so mesmerised by the concept of going there.
He relaxes back into the human-made shelter behind him, and he watches as Callie excitedly grabs their newest Agent by the shirt and shakes her back and forth, speaking so quickly at the poor girl he can't even begin to try and lip-read. It's a type of interrogation from the Squid Sister he's had to be on the other end of far too many times during his time in the snow globe, and he wishes Agent Three the best knowing how headache-inducing it can be.
He has no need to lip-read, anyway, since he already knows the topic of conversation. Callie had been asking them about space the moment they'd landed safely on the ground, and clearly hasn't stopped even after everything's calmed down.
It was all just a bunch of nonsensical questions that had no true purpose in retelling what had actually happened up there: ‘Is it pretty?’, ‘Is it big?’, ‘Do the stars look brighter up there?’,
Octavio would've preferred to tell the girl that space didn't exist and everything was a lie just to get her to shut up. He'd been to space, for Cod's sake! Not even a break after all of that? They should know by now that he's getting far too old to be put up to these kinds of things.
It's a relief he managed to get away from the energetic girl before he fell victim to her just like Agent Three has. Some sacrifices are necessary. Sorry, Agent.
He snickers to himself at the sight of them.
Oh, wow. That…feels a bit too warm, even for him. He shouldn't be getting comfortable with them now, right? Yeah, saving the world and all was sort of a big deal, but they've done that so much already this time around shouldn't mean anything. Right?
His involvement definitely shouldn't mean anything.
Octavio sighs, folding his arms and pulling his attention away from the camp. He chooses to curiously look over the strange statues in the distance, and the weirdly large structures once inhabited by humans.
He shouldn't focus on the Squidbeak, not at all. It's wrong. If he chooses to go along with them, then he's betraying his people. And if he doesn't, then…he's betraying something a little deeper.
The decision wasn't really a well-thought-out one. He remembers it vividly: Agent Three was in trouble and he didn't have it in him to leave the girl up there all alone. It was in the moment, and surely no one can blame him for that but…
Now he has to figure out what to do now. He can't make the excuse that what he's doing is on impulse anymore, and he's being given more than enough time to think. Is he supposed to return to the domes now? Is that the next step?
If he chooses to do that then everything's going to go back to normal like nothing ever happened in the first place, which should be what he wants.
Octavio's been wanting change for as long as he's been stuck underground, but he can't say whether this is the change he's been wanting or not.
Callie, Marie, and Agent Three sit in a sort of circle off in the distance. They've got a mess of papers and scrolls in the middle of them, and they each look to be scanning through whatever words are written. Lil Buddy is in the Agent's lap, while Callie leans against her cousin's shoulder.
She holds up a piece of old looking paper, brownish and ripping at the edges, and the other two lean closer to get a better look. Octavio sighs.
A little further away from them are a new idol group he's yet to know more about. Shiver, Frye, Big man, three distinctly unusual people, though he must admit they make a unique group. Fitting for the city, considering the yellow inkling looked as though she was ready to use teeth if he made one wrong move, the strangely traditional octoling verbally threatened violence upon him if he tried anything, and the manta…was actually pretty chill, when they'd all met. City of chaos, and chaotic idols to go along.
They're doing whatever it is they usually do–which just means he cannot understand them for the life of him. Frye's got more energy than even Callie, and that's saying something. He'd rather not get too close lest he be dragged into the unruly activities of three people who don't know what calm means.
As if they somehow heard his thoughts, Shiver sends a sharp glare his way. How they even managed to see where he was looking from so far away is a mystery. Well, they do seem like quite the perceptive one.
His eyes dart away from them.
Looking at all these newly friendly faces is weird. It's weird to see the Squid Sisters and Deep Cut and the Agents as people he's no longer expected to hate. He hadn't planned on this being the outcome.
He wasn't sure what he was actually planning, but still. What is he supposed to do with himself now?
Does he leave? Does he stay? He's not even sure if Callie will let him leave–he's sure she's been waiting for the opportunity to keep him on their side since forever.
And…what about his people?
He can't stay here for too long, not while he's got a whole society waiting for him back there. Well, what's left of one.
If anyone asks, that's why he saved Agent Three and helped them take down Grizz.
Of course, that must've been why in the first place. That bear was doing the same to his people as Tartar had been, and it's only right that he took part in the battle against him; it's better than not even knowing it was happening in the first place. He won't let himself be so negligent again.
So now why is he finding it so hard to figure out what to do? Even if he was wanted by the Squidbeak, it's not like losing his support would cost them anything, and they've been doing more than okay on their own.
And honestly, that's his decision right there. All nice and easy for him. Go back to the domes and go back to what he was doing. That way, he can make the change he's actually been aiming for and…well, get the great zapfish, instead of siding with the people he taught the Octarians to be against.
He isn't sure why the thought of that makes him shiver. It's nothing, it's what's right for him to do as a king.
He needs to leave.
Octavio quickly sits up, a slight sheen of sweat on the side of his face. He shouldn't be waiting around. He has people waiting, relying on his return.
He pushes himself off the ground, the fake snow beneath him cold and burning against his tentacles. His eyes dart from side to side, and at the sight of no one looking he begins to-
“An’ where do you think yer goin’ Tavi?”
“GAH! Craig, what-” Octavio slaps a tentacle over his mouth, slumping back down to where he'd just been sitting. He glares up at Craig's small, floating form, and he's glad he's covering his mouth or else he'd have some choice words he'd love to shout at the inkling.
He knew there was a member of the Squidbeak he was forgetting about.
“What do you want?” He brushes some of the snow off himself, not bothering to get back up.
Craig chuckles raspily, gliding down to rest on the floor beside him. Looking at his even more frail form is not something he can say he likes doing. He's not had much time with Craig alone since all this chaos happened, but now he can see how thin and dry the man's gotten. He looks as though he could be blown away by a strong gust of wind. Maybe even a light gust of wind, Craig really doesn't look like he can withstand anything at all.
“You were lookin’ so lonely over here, felt like I had to come over an’ say hi.” He has a small smile on his face as he speaks, though it slowly falls as he finishes. “Seems like you were tryna leave, huh? Where are ya off to?”
Octavio frowns. He doesn't understand why Craig would need to keep tabs on him, especially now. He helped them save the world! What kind of mischief does the inkling think he'd try to get up to on the same day?
“Didn't think you needed my help anymore. Unless, are there any other world-threatening foes you need my help defeating right now?” He smirks, nudging Craig slightly. Forgetting how small the inkling's become, he only just manages to stop himself before he accidentally flings him across the snow.
“N-Nothin’ of the sort! Just thought you'd stick around a little longer is all.” Craig wheezes, rubbing his side with a thin tentacle. “So…you wanna leave already, huh?”
“Yeah, what about it?” Octavio watches him falter for a moment, before he sits up a little straighter and turns to face the octoling.
“Well, I was hopin’ I could catch you before you left so we could talk, just didn't think it'd be so soon.” His brows furrow, beard moving a little as he frowns. “Didn't wanna let you go without a proper thank you.”
“A ‘thank you’? For what?” Octavio shrugs, “All I did was do what you couldn't. Don't you think I should be getting one from all of you?”
Craig laughs nervously, “I must say, the others aren't really as on board with the idea as I'd like ‘em to be.”
“Oh yeah? I'm not surprised.”
“Not that they don't like you!” His eyes widen, tentacle half raised as if he'd just stopped himself before he could place it reassuringly on Octavio's shoulder. He's grateful for that. He probably would've smacked it away if he had. “They just…take a little more convincin’, Marie especially. I have to say, she's always been a stubborn one, that girl.”
Octavio sighs. He shouldn't feel disappointed by this, but he's not that bad that the idea of thanking him for saving their lives is too much to handle, surely.
“And so you're the only one willing to do it? How righteous.”
“No, I just-” He shakes his head, staring straight into Octavio's eyes. There's a slight wateriness to his own, despite his overall dry complexion, and Octavio wants to look away. He doesn't. Craig really knows how to make it hard to do so, looking at him like that.
“I wanted to say that I'm proud of what you did. You made the right decision, and I know it must've been hard for you Tavi.” His voice is low, a bit scratchy, but filled with something Octavio doesn't want to acknowledge.
Craig continues to look into his eyes, and oh does he despise how that makes him feel. It makes him long for something, something he knows he can't have even if he wants it more than anything. He vowed never again.
He can't let there be more than one big change today. Perhaps not ever again.
“You…well of course you should be happy for me!” He blurts out, folding his arms and closing his eyes. “I should be getting a medal for what I did.”
Craig looks unimpressed when he opens his eyes again.
“Tavi, take this seriously! What you did was a really good thing, and I'm sure the Squidbeak are gonna accept you warmly.” He glances over in the direction of the Squid Sisters. “Marie and th’ Captain included, if I have anythin’ to say about it, so don't you worry.”
“I wasn't worrying.” Octavio grumbles, looking over there too. It seems like the Captain's joined them from wherever they'd gone off to, and has sat down in their research circle too–can't really call it a circle when it looks so squarey now, but he might consider it if the energetic small fry stops speeding about and instead joins their little shape.
“Even if you weren't, I hope this was a good enough thank you. Can't say I know any way to thank you enough fer what you did.” His eyes sparkle with happiness and what Octavio can only describe as tears of joy. Wow, being mummified has really made the inkling more emotional than ever. “And I believe you deserve some well-earned rest after all this, don't ya think?”
“Rest? I have to get back-”
“C'mon Tavi! They can wait, you've gone through a lot today.” Craig looks up at him pleadingly, and Octavio's not gonna say that it was this look that made him stay but he certainly can't say it was anything else.
He relaxes back with a tired sigh, “Fine. But as soon as I'm done I'm leaving.”
“I'm fine with that.” Craig gets up slowly, letting out a low groan and puts a tentacle to his back as he stretches. “I suppose I'll get back to the girls now. You know where to find me if-”
“Wait.”
Octavio nearly shocks himself at how quickly he raises a tentacle to stop the inkling, retracting it with an embarrassed flush on his face. “I…don't trust you not to get into any more trouble after your little dehydration stunt. You're staying here with me.”
He wants to wipe that smug look off of Craig's face the second he sees it, and the man makes a mocking salute at him and slides back down the wall to sit next to him once more.
“Aye aye Cap'n. But I promise I won't do anythin’ like that again! I'm sure there aren't any more bears out there waiting to steal my brain…”
“Doesn't matter. You'd probably find some other creature that wants your brain just as much, knowing you.” Octavio rolls his eyes at Craig's soft chuckle. He can feel a smile tugging at his own lips, and he struggles to keep it down.
He's missed whatever this is.
And…also hadn't realised how tired he's gotten before his eyes begin stinging and he has to fight back a yawn. Craig sends him a knowing look, poking him weakly.
“Now get to restin’, Tavi. You need it.”
“Fi-ine.” He yawns halfway through the word, and that's when he decides to give up on talking.
Neither of them say anything after that.
Closing his eyes, he tries to not to focus on anything and just sleep as soon as possible. He'd rather fall asleep before the silence between him and Craig gets too awkward to ignore, and-
And before he starts shivering too much to actually do so.
Jeez, has it always been so cold down in Alterna? He knows that the place is covered in snow, but that can't mean anything when it's fake. His tentacles tremble, and he really doesn't want Craig to mention it.
Wait, how is Craig handling the cold? There's no way he can be when he's that thin. He's probably freezing in this sort of cold, there's no way he can just let him…
Well, maybe he can do something to benefit them both. Perfectly normal, of course.
Slowly, hesitantly, Octavio slides a tentacle over to Craig. He refuses to open his eyes–he can't stand the thought of seeing his reaction while trying this–and places a light touch on the inkling's shoulder.
He hears a quiet hum. Octavio takes that as an invitation that it's okay.
His touch on Craig tightens slightly, and he pulls the inkling closer and anxiously mutters the words ‘body heat’ as some sort of clarification for the man. He can feel the dryness of his tentacles touch his own, and it takes a lot of strength not to shiver at the contact.
“G'night Tavi.”
“Yeah, goodnight.” Octavio lets out a soft breath. It's not even an artificial night yet, but neither of them care.
“So, whaddya think even happened with Grizz, Mar?”
“Huh?” Marie looks up from her phone, raising a brow at her cousin. They're both at one of the tables in Inkopolis Square, disguised and a certain topic of conversation apparently taking up Callie's attention. She slams two hands on the surface, the food and drinks they'd ordered shaking at the force. She sits up from her seat a little, not caring enough to shy away from the few stares she gets.
“Aren't you curious? I just gotta know how he's doing up there!” She points upwards, eyes shimmering as she sits back down at her seat when Marie sends her a look.
“Not really. I think he's dead. Y'know, since he needs to breathe and all.”
“Nooo…but what if he's a special sorta bear?” Callie gasps at her own suggestion, hand moving to hover over her mouth. “Maybe he figured out how to not breathe! Like, he's gotta be pretty sciency since he made the fuzzy ooze stuff.”
Marie takes a long sip of her drink, watching as Callie pretty much squirms in her seat in the silence. She sighs, “Cal, everything needs to breathe, I'm sorry to say.”
Callie's face falls, and she groans loudly at her theory being shot down. Marie snickers to herself, and reaches across the table to tap her cousin on the shoulder.
“I know what'll cheer you up. Here, take a look at these pictures I managed to get yesterday…”
Callie perks up immediately, leaning closer to watch as she taps on her phone for a few seconds before turning it around to face Callie.
On the phone is a picture clearly taken in Alterna with the amount of snow there is, though the main focus of the picture is in the middle, where there are a certain two cephalopods fast asleep together.
Octavio's tentacles are wrapped tightly around Craig, who's tucked snugly against him. The inkling's face is half turned into his chest, tentacles wrapped around as much as Octavio as they can reach. Octavio's face looks calmer than ever, his usually constant worry lines nearly invisible. Craig looks almost limp while being held by Octavio, and his loud snores are audible even through the screen.
“Oh. My. Cod!” Callie squeals, hands flapping and a huge grin on her face.
Marie smirks, and swipes to another picture.
This one's pretty similar to the first, except Marie's face is in the corner this time as she's taking a selfie of her with Craig and Octavio in the background. The two seem to have shifted in their sleep a little, as Craig is now pretty much buried in Octavio's tentacles, only small parts of him visible to the camera.
Then, Marie swipes to one more picture, watching with amusement at Callie's poorly contained excitement.
This one is more the same, except now Marie's face has disappeared and now Lil Buddy is snuggling into Octavio's side. It's an adorable sight.
Marie pulls her phone back to herself, returning to whatever it was she was doing before. “Took them long enough.”
“Mar can you believe this?!” Callie shouts, eyes lit up so bright it's blinding. “Aah I'm so happy for them!”
Marie shrugs, “Have you seen them? There's so much tension I'm shocked this hasn't happened sooner.”