Work Text:
Pearl was a confident woman. Bold, maybe even a little cocky at times; it was an attribute Marina admired about the inkling. It seemed to all the world that nothing could shake her. To all the world, except Marina.
Pearl's reputation wasn’t something she upheld lightly. It wasn’t in her nature to go around telling people what got under her skin. But Marina wasn’t just anyone to Pearl. No, Marina got to see every part of Pearl, not just the shiny fearless persona she put on for the public. Pearl let it all out for Marina: her worries, her insecurities, all the secrets she held close to her chest and hid from the rest of the world. And one of those secrets only Marina was privy to was her one and only phobia.
…
Marina lay sprawled out on their king-sized mattress, laptop closed and pushed off to the side. See, she had planned on getting some work done this afternoon. She and Pearl had planned on finishing the lyrics to their latest single. But, as these things often did, it had quickly devolved into yet another unproductive hang out.
“No, we did try that bakery down by the harbor.” Pearl continued. “Remember? You said they were too skimpy on their fillings?”
Marina thought for a moment. “No, the one in the mall is too skimpy on their fillings. I remember because the pastry made me thirsty and you gave me that giant gallon water bottle you bought because it was the same price as the regular water bottles, and I refused to drink from it because it was ridiculous. I’m telling you, we’ve never been to the one by the water.”
Pearl sighed dramatically. “Fine then, we’ll go to the one by the harbor. But when you don’t think their croissants have enough chocolate filling–” Pearl glanced to her left, only to double take at something on the far side of their bedroom. Lazy golden eyes widened, her posture tensing.
“Pearl, what’s wrong?” But Marina already knew the answer. Following Pearl’s gaze, she squinted at the far wall that had stolen her inkling's attention. “Where is it?”
Pearl swallowed, pointing. “Next to the curtain…”
Marina sighed, pushing herself off the bed. She made her way over to the window, eyes eventually landing on the cause of Pearl’s distress.
“How did you even see it from over there?” Marina asked, brushing aside the curtain and gently cupping her hands over the tiny jumping spider before it could scurry away. “It’s like you have a sixth sense for them.”
Marina turned to watch Pearl visibly cringe. “Are you seriously touching that thing with your hands?” Pearl squirmed. “Be careful Rina! It might bite you.”
“I’ll be fine, Pearl.” Marina said. “It’s tiny.”
Pearl had been terrified of spiders as long as Marina had known her. Pearl hated most bugs, but that was more often out of disgust than fear. Spiders were one of the only things Marina had ever seen truly scare Pearl.
The worst incident had been Christmas a few years back. The pair had been setting up their tree when a massive cellar spider had fallen onto Pearl’s arm. To this day, it was the only time Marina had ever seen Pearl cry from distress. It had taken nearly an hour to calm her down, and they’d needed to throw the entire tree away. Marina hated that memory.
Marina carried the little jumping spider over to their balcony doors, awkwardly turning the handle with her elbow before pushing her way out. “Now stop scaring my Pearlie.” Marina whispered, gently nudging the critter over the side of the balcony. It would be fine of course, something that small wouldn’t be injured from a fall like that, but Marina couldn’t help but feel a little bad. Pearl may hate them, but Marina always found jumping spiders weirdly cute.
“You’re sure it’s off you?” Pearl asked as Marina returned. “Like, you’re positive it didn’t crawl back on you?”
“I’m sure.” Marina answered, sitting back down beside her partner. “I watched it fall off the balcony.”
Pearl let out a sigh, her body visibly relaxing. “Thanks, Rina. What would I ever do without you?”
Marina couldn’t stop herself from smiling. “Anything for you, Pearlie.”
“My hero.”
It was nice being the hero for once. So often it was Pearl coming to the rescue, Pearl being the one making Marina feel safe. It wasn’t that Marina liked seeing Pearl upset, but it made her feel oddly warm knowing Pearl found just as much comfort in her as she did in Pearl.
“If you don’t mind me asking,” Marina said after a moment. “What is it you hate so much about spiders?”
Pearl looked like she was giving it thought. “I mean, it’s hard to explain, you know? Every time I see one I just… freak out..”
Marina nodded. “Sorry if that was a weird question.”
“Nah, it’s cool. Really, I don’t get how you don’t hate them, too.” Pearl paused. “I think it’s just the way they move. All those legs…” She shivered.
Marina raised an eyebrow at that. She shifted into her swim form, folding her front tentacles in front of her like crossed arms. “Huh, so you’ve got a problem with eight legs now?”
“Wha–no, that’s not what I meant.” Pearl gave her a teasing shove, and Marina shifted back. “See, it’s all in the execution. Octolings, you guys got it perfect. Spiders, same idea, just awful delivery.”
Marina laughed. “You know I’m joking, right?” She lifted one of her tentacles. “I think they’re technical arms, anyways.”
“Yeah, I know.” Pearl sighed. “Anyways, what were we talking about? Oh, right. So if you find the fillings not to your liking, I just wanna preemptively say ‘I told you so.’”