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"Kwazii? Kwazii!" a distant voice called out.
Was that his name? It had to be.
Kwazii opened his eyes. His vision was a huge blur, his ears rang, and every inch of his feline body was in pain.
"He's waking up! Peso!"
That was Tweak's voice, he finally registered. He could also hear a faint beeping noise.
Kwazii coughed, clearing his throat. Where was he? Last thing he remembered, he was in the Gup B, speeding through the deep blue sea…
Peso approached his bedside, and squeezed Kwazii's hand with a soft flipper.
"You crashed the Gup," Peso informed.
…And then there was that rock.
Kwazii groaned.
"You're in the Sick Bay," Peso continued.
"I am?" Kwazii rasped.
The blurry blob that was Peso nodded. "You broke a few bones… You're all bruised up, but you made it."
Kwazii laughed softly. "Aye, matey, you think I'd die so easily?"
Tweak huffed. "Easily?! Kwaz, there was barely any Gup B left! I'm surprised you were still in one piece!"
The distant beeping sped up. Kwazii's vision focused enough to catch Peso's soft glare.
"Easy, Tweak," he said. "He almost died." Peso sighed. "Go let the Captain know Kwazii is awake. He'll want to see him."
Tweak's jaw was set firm. She said nothing else, just nodded and headed out.
"I really made 'er mad this time, didn't I?" Kwazii remarked.
Peso patted Kwazii's head. "She's just… worried. We're all worried."
Kwazii mustered up a smile. "Sorry, matey."
Peso sighed. "It's okay. You're… you're alive. That's all that matters."
Before Kwazii could respond, someone came barreling down the hallway, heavy steps causing the metal to clang and echo.
"There he is," Peso said.
Captain Barnacles opened the Sick Bay door. "Kwazii!" he greeted his Lieutenant like they hadn't seen each other in weeks.
"Ahoy, Barnacles," Kwazii lifted a sore arm to wave at him.
The captain leaned over Kwazii's bed, and scooped the cat up into a tight, almost crushing hug.
"Yeeooow!"
Kwazii had most definitely broken a rib. Or several.
Captain Barnacles released him. "It's good to see you again, Kwazii. You've been out all day."
Kwazii fell back into his pillows, panting. "Yeowch, Captain. Careful with the hugs, matey."
Captain Barnacles laughed. "Sorry." He smiled, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "No more Gup crashes, alright?"
Kwazii chuckled softly. "Aye. No more Gup crashes."
The Captain frowned. "Seriously, Kwazii. I… I don't want to lose you."
Peso nodded. "Yeah, Kwaz. Neither do I."
"Well, ye don't have to worry about that!" Kwazii sat up, wincing at the pain in his joints. "Once I'm recovered, I'll be more careful."
Captain Barnacles folded his arms. "You're sure?"
"Of course!"
Peso and Barnacles shared a look. A look that indicated they really didn't believe him.
…Of course they didn't. Kwazii wouldn't believe himself, either.