Road to Splatsville

Taking that boy’s ID was a terrible idea. 

I’d often see people on the streets and fantasize about them for a day, only for my memories of their looks to fade, but I could pull out Raviyoli’s lanyard and stare at his cute, freckled face whenever I wanted.

I didn’t want to jump the gun and claim that I had made a friend, but something was there, sure. Not like it mattered. It was just like my one-night stands. Once in a blue moon, I would meet back up with a person from the past, but I rarely saw the same face twice. I told the Octoling he’d never see me again, mainly to prepare myself for the truth. 

I had tried making friends before, especially within the past year. I finally worked up the courage to start conversations with people in bars and restaurants. Instead of flirting, which I was usually incapable of doing, I stuck to unbearable small talk, but no one ever wanted anything to do with me.

I was disappointed but not surprised. Imagine a dark-skinned Inkling approaching you in a bar after hours. His tentacles are discolored, you can’t differentiate his potential eyebags or smeared eyeliner, he reeks of sweat and seawater, and every single clothing item he wears has a tear. Nonetheless, depending on what part of town I was in, some people…already knew me.

It was impossible to befriend strangers when you knew nothing about them, and they knew you for your promiscuity. I went from hating people and fearing communication to trying to make friends just to feel something, turning to sex since that substantially filled the void, and then when I gave that up and tried one last time, everyone I met knew me for me sex-work and just wanted me to sleep with them.

Sometimes I didn’t care, but other times, I wanted a normal friendship. But even during childhood, friendships weren’t a fit for me. I was one of those kids that freaked everyone out and was better off alone.

Ravi probably lived on the good side of town and had no clue about the back-alley drug deals, fights, and prostitution happening within the shadows of Splatsville. He didn’t need to hear about it through me, that’s for sure. The best way to preserve the safety of anyone I cared about, even just a little, was to just…stay away from them.

Even if they weren’t in harm's way, being known as ‘Radian’s friend’ was never good. If you were my friend, something was wrong with you. At least, that’s what I’ve been hearing all my life.

All my life.

I dragged myself down the sidewalk.

Living with the Salmonids was easier than remembering my flaws, facing my past, and fixing my problems. Doing so would be a waste of time. 

There was no saving Radian Gorbuscha.

I thought about that a lot. When I was still around people, I heard it constantly. Sometimes I didn’t care, but then there were days like these where I just wanted to curl up in a ball and cry. Though, that would only embarrass me. No one was around to hold or console me anymore. I had to do it all myself, so it was easiest not to do it at all.

My only recent source of therapy was the record shop on the corner a few blocks from The Battle Pot. They had tons of old records, tapes, and CDs. I considered buying some but didn't have a player of my own, so I’d just listen to them in the store. They had listening booths, but if you were nice enough, the manager would let you play a record throughout the store.

Or so I’ve heard.

I’ve never actually seen the place in the daylight. 

A while ago, there was a power outage, and the sensor on the door stopped going off. It appears to be set, but it stays silent, even once I’ve let myself in. Despite how I’d act in other stores after hours, I’d never steal anything from there.

I’d just listen to the music. 

It’s all I ever wanted, and there was nowhere else I could do so. 

Hence, for the seventh night in a row, I picked the lock and let myself in, securing the door again once I was inside. The back of the store had countless albums my parents would always play, so I always migrated over there. However, as I tiptoed across the hardwood, I saw something move and quickly froze.

And then the lights flickered on.

“So, you’re the one who’s been breaking in after hours. We closed an hour ago. Get out.”

I looked toward the voice, and there stood Raviyoli by the front counter with a broom. He wore a spiffy apron with a bunch of pins, along with some Punk Blacks. I think I was more shocked seeing him in regular clothes than I was finding him in this store. 

God, was he attractive.

“Oh, Pretty Boy,” I chuckled awkwardly. “I know you. What are you doing here?”

Ravi squinted, scanned the store, and then looked back at me. “Radian? What the hell do you mean—I work here. Why are you here? How’d you even get in here?”

I placed my arms behind my head. “Funny story, actually.”

The Octoling didn’t seem amused. Hell, he seemed worse than when I first met him. Then again, it was 11 p.m. on a Friday night, and he was stuck at work. I’d be pissed too.

“Were you…looking for me?”

I glanced around. “No. But I’m happy I found you. I never guessed you would’ve worked here. Did you pick this up to replace working for Grizz?”

“No,” He muttered. “I’ve always worked here. I worked at a record shop in Inkopolis too. I just like music…is all.”

“Oh? You got a favorite song?” 

He anxiously rubbed his arm. Now that he wasn’t wearing gloves, I noticed how his fingertips were pink and that he definitely worked out. If we were strangers, he surely would’ve kicked my ass after I broke in.

“#8 regret, by Dedf1sh. S-She’s sort of an underground artist.”

“Sounds cool. You should play it for me. You got tons of speakers in here,” I chuckled.

“Maybe another time. Now that you’re here, I can technically leave.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“Not that seeing you again isn’t cool or anything, especially since I thought you’d eventually become a figment of my imagination,” He laughed. “I’ve been instructed to stay late this week to see who’s been breaking in.” He started sweeping the floor. “And I use the term ‘breaking’ loosely. Everything’s intact, and nothing’s missing, so it’s not like we’ve been robbed, but we can’t have people coming in when the store’s closed.” He turned his back to me. “Obviously.”

“That’s…fair. My bad. I’m good at going where I don’t belong without leaving tracks.” I snickered. “Anyway, you getting paid extra for this? I’m starting to feel like you’re not a night person.”

He glanced at me. “Yeah. I’m actually a night owl, though. It's just—this week’s just been…”

“One of those weeks?”

Ravi smiled.

“You’re not alone. Me too. That’s why I’m here, actually.” I mumbled. “This place has all my favorite albums, and I don’t have a phone or any players.”

He propped up the broom. “Hold up—so you’ve just been breaking in to listen to music for a few hours and then leave?”

I shrugged. “Pretty much, yeah.”

“Why don’t you come during the day so I don’t have to deal with this headache?”

I pointed to myself. “Nocturnal. Remember?”

“Shit.” He rubbed his face. “Yeah, yeah. Whatever.”

“You got someplace to be? Hot date, maybe? Hope you’re not cheating on me.” I winked.

The Octoling rolled his eyes. “No… I mean, I like working here. When my manager told me to stay late, I was excited at first since that meant I could blast whatever music I wanted, but it got old kind of fast.” He sighed. “I’m bored and frankly, exhausted. And while I can never sleep anyway, I’d rather toss and turn in my bed at home than get a crook in my neck trying to sleep at the counter.”

“Well, you can leave—I promise I won’t make a mess,” I smirked, walking towards the back to grab a record. “Clearly I never do.”

Ravi gave me a look. “You know I can’t do that.”

“Why? Technically, it’s been happening all week.” I returned to his side, smiling as he glared at me while I walked behind the counter and started playing it. “A little music between friends never hurt anybody.”

The Octoling quietly watched the vinyl spin.

“Y’know, I would’ve assumed you listen to rock music.” He mumbled as slow folk music echoed through the store.

“What gave it away? The collar?”

“The collar,” He confirmed, laughing.

“I mean, I do.” I clarified. “But occasionally, I crave something slow like folk or classical, which my parents played a lot when I was a kid.”

Ravi grinned. “Now I’m trying to imagine you as a tiny Radian.”

“I was still tall, even as a kid.”

“Figures.”

“How ‘bout you? You always been short?”

The boy scoffed. “I’m only short to you because you’re way too fucking tall! And you’re not even that tall, honestly! You just feel the need to use your height against me, so it feels multiplied.”

I walked out from behind the counter and stood in front of him, holding back my grin as he grew tense.

“I just like when you look up at me.” I lifted his chin, and he quickly smacked my hand away, backing up.

“Augh, I forgot you were a perv.”

“I’m not being a perv! No ulterior motives, promise!” I snickered. “It’s just a flattering angle. I can perfectly see all your freckles and the lights hit your face in all the right places.”

As to be expected, Ravi covered his face with his hand.

“What?” I laughed. “I’ve never seen your face in the light before! You’re prettier than I thought you were! And you’re already really damn pretty! That’s why I call you Pretty Boy!”

Despite turning away, I caught a glimpse of his smile. “Radian, shut up.”

“What? You know you love me.”

“Yeah, right. You’re still practically a stranger to me.”

“Love at first sight exists.”

He rolled his eyes. “That’s not real love—you don’t even know the person! You’re just attracted to them!”

“And is that so bad?”

“I mean, no, but it probably won’t end well.”

I rocked on my heels. “Sounds like someone’s speaking from experience.” I teased. “I’d kill to hear your ex-stories. I don’t have any, but I’ve definitely had some weird sex partners, which I actually only learned were weird after the fact.”

Raviyoli sighed. “TMI Radian.”

“Fine, fine. A story for another day, then.”

“That implies that I’ll see you again.”

“Yes, and?” I leaned against the counter as he started organizing some nearby crates. “You sound excited. I mean, you work at my favorite place, so now it wouldn’t be weird to see you again.”

“Well, the shop’s rarely busy so when I do work here, it’s usually just me.”

“Hence why you should be happy I broke in. Now you have someone to talk to!” I sighed. “But if you’re truly sick of me and want to return to your Salmon Run-induced anxiety attacks, I have your lanyard.”

He caught it after I tossed it to him from across the room. “It was a panic attack, actually, and I could’ve gotten a new ID if I wanted to work another shift. I just decided it was time for a break.”

“And how’s that break going, huh? I mean, I'm sure you’re tired from manning this store solo all week, but you look worse than when I saw you after your panic attack.”

Ravi examined his ID and stuck it in his apron pocket. “Wow, thanks,” He muttered.

“No, I-I mean, you sure as hell look better in that apron than the slop suit. You got a nice figure, nice face—nice everything, really.”

He stayed quiet, refusing to look at me as he sifted through some more records. The more flustered he got, the pinker his fingers became. Maybe that was an Octoling thing.

“I wasn’t trying to be an ass. You just look tired.”

“So do you.” He shot me a pissed glance. “So, we have matching eyebags. Shouldn’t you be excited about that or some shit? You’re weird like that.”

I shrugged, smiling. “I mean, I was hoping that if I ever saw you again, you’d feel better after recovering from the circumstances when we first met.”

“Sorry.”

“No, you don’t have to apologize—I was just…worried,” I muttered under my breath.

“Huh?”

“N-Nothing. Never mind. I wasn’t sure if your current mood related to you having panic attacks or something.”

He chuckled, finally looking me in the eye. “Nah dude, I’m just tired. I’m not anxious or anything. I appreciate your worry though.”

“Eh, what can I say? I’m a nice guy.”

“Oh sure, Mr. Breaking and Entering.”

“That’s probably supposed to be a snipe at me, but I like that. Mr. Breaking and Entering and Pretty Boy. We could have a TV show.”

Ravi returned to examine the songs on the album. “And what would we do, exactly?”

“No!” I beamed. “Podcast! We could have a podcast! To talk about dumb shit. And music.”

“That actually sounds kind of fun.” Ravi leaned on his hands in front of me in the cutest position I’d ever seen him in.

The more I stared at him, the less I wanted to leave. It had been so long since someone smiled at me like that. Though, the more he looked at me, the more self-conscious I became about how he saw me. 

I’m sure seeing me in the light didn’t do me any favors.

Though the only flaw I noticed as I kept staring at him while he rambled about literal podcast ideas was that gap in his eyebrow.

Given him, it wasn’t much of a flaw. He was adorable, but his piercings and scar gave him the cool factor needed to tie the whole look together. God took extra time making him.

“Are you listening to me?”

I blinked. “What? No, Love, absolutely not. So sorry.”

The boy seemed amazed that I actually admitted to it and started laughing.

“If you say you were distracted by my face, I’ll punch you and make sure there’s a six-foot gap between us at all times.”

“You act like no one’s ever flirted with you before!”

“I mean, no one’s flirted with me like this! I’m sure I’d be less caught off guard if I had known you for, say...more than a few hours in total.” He fiddled with his industrial piercing.

“How long have you had that for?” I pointed to the bar.

“Oh? I’m not sure, actually.” He laughed awkwardly. “Probably since I was a teenager, which I know is vague, but I really don’t remember. I know how I got my ravioli earrings, but that’s about it.”

“So, you don’t remember your name or your piercings,” I muttered, looking him over. “You think it was a drunk dare or something?”

“No, cuz then I would at least remember the pain.” He grew quieter. “It’s my long-term memory that’s kind of…a mess.”

“Do you know how you got that scar through your eyebrow? It looks cool.”

“O-Oh.” Ravi raised his hand to touch the area. “Just a fight, I guess. Yeah.”

I grinned, hoping he would match my energy despite growing gloomier with each observation of mine. “Did you win?”

“Given that…it’s from me falling and hitting my head on a dresser, I’m gonna say no. Especially since I got a concussion as if the gash wasn’t bad enough as is.”

I wasn’t sure whether to laugh or worry. I’d been in countless fights, but they were usually out on the streets.

“So…you were punched into a dresser.”

“Sort of.”

I sat on the counter. “C’mon, gimmie the details! Given those biceps, I’m sure you’re one hell of a fighter.”

“Don’t sit up there, Radian.”

“It’s just us, c’mon. What are you gonna do? You a snitch?”

He rolled his eyes, smiling a little as he switched the record. He started playing one of his favorites, and though I came to listen to my stuff, I was curious about his taste. Music was typically the only thing that could calm me down when I’d have weeks like this, but seeing him soothed my soul in the same way.

“Shut up.”

“You should drop your workout routine.” I lifted my shirt when he returned to his feet. “I could use more toned abs. More everything, really.”

He politely shoved me off the counter. “Don’t fucking strip in here.”

“I won’t!”

“With you, I never know!”

Ravi laughed and returned to the side where I was standing. He grabbed a stack of crates and gestured for me to sit down. Despite how stupid it seemed, I was happy to sit on my rickety throne.

“I was actually in the army for most of my teen years. I was enlisted when I was fourteen.”

“Holy shit.” I beamed. “You were practically still a baby!" I snickered. "Still, that’s fucking awesome. See, I knew you were cool! That’s fucking hot!”

The Octoling rubbed his face. “Eh, sure. I mean, it inadvertently improved my battling and understanding of certain weapons, so I’ll take it. And yeah, I got buff too.”

“Why’d you leave the army to…what, work at a record shop? Were you discharged?” I snickered. “Did you break the rules? You seem like a goody two shoes.”

Ravi paused, fiddling with his piercing again as he leaned against the counter. “I didn’t really fit in, so I left.”

“How so?”

He exhaled sharply. “I don’t know. I just remember never feeling…right. And I didn’t wanna spend my whole life there anyway. I had dreams to pursue—I wanted to see Inkopolis and what it was like up here.” He pursed his lips. “It was an important time in my life, but nothing lasts forever. I’ve moved on to the next chapter.”

“That’s…fair, I guess. Were you on the front lines? Were you weaker than everyone else or something?”

“I was trained for the front lines, but I was one of the engineers. One of the top engineers, if I remember correctly.”

“Then why didn’t people like you? You’re hard not to like.” I smiled, but Ravi didn’t return the expression.

“Radian, I don’t know. I just…remember crying a lot. And not because I was physically hurt—I just felt alone all the damn time. That’s all I remember, and so I got the fuck outta there.”

“O-Oh. Do you at least like it better here?”

He continued fidgeting. “Yeah.”

“Okay, bear with me here.” He looked up as I went on. “If you’re this kickass ex-soldier, shouldn’t you have won that fight? I’m older than you, and I bet you could still beat my ass. Wait!” I stood up. “Punch me!”

“W-What?!”

“I wanna see how hard you hit!”

“I-I’m not gonna punch you!” The Octoling exclaimed, worried.

“What? You like me or something? Worried about my well-being, maybe?”

Ravi leaned forward and smacked me, flustered. “There! Will you shut up now?”

I rubbed my cheek. “You should do that again.”

“No! You’re probably a masochist!”

“So what?” I smirked. “You should humor me. I’d happily humor you.”

He groaned. “You’re such a weirdo, goddamn. No filter, no nothing!”

“You know you love me.” I beamed.

“No, I don’t.” He rolled his eyes. “I barely know you.”

“Not my fault—start asking questions then. I fuckin love learning about you. I could probably write a one-page essay about what I know about you so far.”

“Please don’t.”

I shrugged. “I mean, then you couldn’t say I don’t listen. You’re named after pasta, afraid of Salmonid, into music, kicked ass as an ex-soldier even though you couldn’t handle a catfight later on—”

“It wasn’t a catfight!” He stood up from the counter in a huff, grabbing the broom again. “It was a spur of the moment, sure, but it wasn’t…stupid like that.”

“Yeah, yeah, alright.” I watched as he started sweeping again. “Didn’t you already clean that spot?”

“Yeah. I just…need something to do with my hands.”

“I can think of countless other things you can do with your hands. They’d probably be more fun than sweeping the same corner repeatedly.”

He kept his back to me. “I’m great. Thank you.”

“My flirts seem to go over your head, so I’m implying that you should give me a hand job. Or even vice versa!”

Ravi whipped around, flushed. “I got the subtext, thank you very much! I am politely declining!”

I laughed at his response while watching him tidy up despite the earlier cleanliness. I’m sure he could feel my gaze, but he was stunning from every angle. However, the more I talked to him, the more confused I became.

“Hey, genuine question.”

He glanced back at me. “Hm?”

“Why don’t you remember much? Is it trauma-related? Do you have selective memory, or were you just born that way? Like, no judgment. I’m just curious.”

The Octoling froze up, tapping the broom to the music playing around the store. “I was in an accident.”

“Like a car accident?”

He kept sweeping. “Sure. Yeah.”

“No, I seriously wanna know.”

He sighed. “When I left the army, I got attacked and knocked unconscious. When I awoke everything was a blur—I had no idea where I was, who I was, or what was going on.”

“Holy shit.”

“But I met friends along the way who helped me out, and occasionally I'll remember a bit about my past. It’s usually just stuff about the army since that was a prime point in my life, but I can’t much about it. I’ve…tried, I guess.” He mumbled. “But it’s exhausting searching for answers when you don’t even know what to search for. How can I get answers when I don't know the questions either?”

“G-God, that’s awful.” 

He forced a smile. “Yeah. And that’s why I don’t bring it up because it’s hard to explain, and no one ever knows how to reply.”

“That’s fair. I didn’t intend to make you talk about something heavy like that.”

He moved to the back of the store, and I followed him, making sure not to trail the dust piles around. “It’s fine. I’m kinda content with it now. I moved to Splatsville to start over anyway.”

“Oh?”

“I just needed a change of scenery, y’know?” He chuckled. “Or maybe not, since you seem to stick around the Hydro Plant.”

I shrugged. “Eh.”

“Do you sleep there? Like during the day or something?”

“Yeah, I usually sleep inside Grillers.”

His eyes widened. “Wouldn’t they cook you?!”

“Nah, I get special treatment,” I chuckled. “They like me. It’s actually quite comfortable. I like small spaces.”

“Is that so…” He mumbled, visibly amused by my abnormal ‘home-life’.

“You know, you should try it.” He jumped. “Like, genuinely! Maybe if you see what certain boss salmonids are like up close outside of waves, you’ll be less scared.”

“While that makes sense, I still think I’ll pass.”

“If you change your mind, my Griller’s outside. I usually ride it around the city where no one’s around.”

“What?! So, what is it—like, your bed, your car, your pet?”

“Pretty much, yeah. Sorta like a mobile home.”

“I have no clue how you sleep in there. I can barely sleep in a bed and yet you willingly curl up in a ball in a murder machine.” Ravi chuckled.

“I like it! I don’t fear much, honestly,” I stated proudly. “Why the hell can’t you sleep in a bed though? Are you one of those weirdos that sleeps on the couch?”

He rolled his eyes. “No, I just…have slight insomnia.”

“So that’s why you’re tired all the time!”

“I’m not tired all the time! You’ve only seen me twice!” He exclaimed. “I just have trouble sleeping when my roommate’s not there. I got used to sharing a bed with…someone, so now I can’t really sleep without company.”

I grinned. “I’ll happily sleep with you!”

He coughed. “No surprise there..”

“I’m serious! Like—just the sleeping part even!”

“But you don’t sleep when I do. You’d just be sitting around, bored.”

“Being bored with someone else is better than being bored alone.” I happily explained. "Especially if it's you."

The boy just sighed.

“God, I don’t get you. Y’know, I’m not the type to help people or even make friends, but you could at least accept one of my offers.”

“I’m not asking you for help, okay? You’re asking questions, so I'm answering them. Stop trying to—I don’t know—fix me. I’m a lost cause.” 

“I’m not trying to fix you! I just wanna see you smile! And maybe sleep will fix that or remembering your past o-or facing your fears—I don’t know!”

“Radian, you don’t know me!” He exclaimed, still with his back to me. “You have some mental image of who I’m supposed to be or something? Sorry I’m kinda fucking awful to be around and look at right now. I wish I could get better, but I guess I’m sorry for not matching the idealized Ravi you’ve probably been having weird sexual fantasies about all week.”

“No, that’s not what I meant. Also, I haven’t been having fantasies about you,” I laughed awkwardly. “Promise.”

“Y’know, I really don’t care.” He walked back to the counter, not looking at me, as he did hell knows what. If the store closed an hour ago, what was even still busying himself with?

“You just come off as the bubbly type, and I was looking forward to seeing that side of you when you felt better, that is…if I ever saw you again,” I admitted. “You haven’t smiled a lot, but it’s adorable when you do.” 

He looked at me, face flushed again. “Why do you keep hitting on me?”

“Cuz I like it when you turn pink. It’s pretty simple.”

He scrunched up his nose. 

“Okay, fine—is focusing on your smile off the table? Some kind of unspoken boundary, maybe?” I laughed to myself. “There’s a lot about you I could focus on!”

He groaned, leaning on the counter. “Could you stop flirting with me for one fucking second?”

“C’mon! You know I’m joking!”

He glared at me. “What the hell’s even your end goal? Take me back to your place? Oh wait—you don’t have one.”

“Harsh but deserved.”

“You don’t even know if I’m single! Or into dudes, for that matter!”

“Fine.” I crossed my arms. “You single?”

He hesitated.

“Exactly. You seem like one of those guys to be like, ‘Excuse me, I have a girlfriend,’ and immediately shut me down.”

Ravi rolled his eyes. “Whatever, Radian.”

“Nonetheless, you don’t really have to be single to jack a guy off! Or taken! You ever had a fling?” I chuckled. “Well, you’re a goody two shoes, so of course not.”

“What are you even basing that on?” He asked, annoyed while watching the vinyl spin again.

“That’s not the type of thing nerds do! You’re too pure for that!”

“Yeah, well I’m not like other nerds.” He huffed proudly. “I could kick your fucking ass.”

“And I encourage you to do so! Let’s split and go have a 1v1!” I slammed the counter. “C’mon!”

“I’m too tired for that. Another day maybe.”

“Ravi!! C’mon, just when I think you’re getting interesting again you shoot down something that would bring out more of your personality. You’re fun to be around, so let’s actually go do something amusing!”

He turned his back to me as I leaned on the counter. He tried to appear as if he were doing something productive, but I knew he was just calming his nerves. 

“Ravi!” I repeated. “Ravi, c’mon.”

“Just go home Radian,” He mumbled. “It’s midnight.”

“This is the start of my day! I’d like to keep spending it with you,” I finished softly, leaning across the glass top to lightly pull on his apron’s tie.

“You’re different—I genuinely like that about you. Your ears, your teeth, your tentacles—I haven’t had a friend in…years, and when I did, he was an Inkling, so I can’t help wanting to get to know you better.” I eventually managed to untie the bow and started tugging on his T-shirt.

“You’re like…a fucking mystery. And it’s cool as shit.” I pulled his shirt some more. “I thought you wanted company.”

The Octoling started laughing softly, and I grinned, sitting up. “C’mon, c’mon, c’mon.” I knew he’d get mad if I climbed on the counter, so I used my manners and took the long way around, but then I finally saw his face.

He wasn’t laughing—he was sobbing.

“Holy shit!” I ran over to Ravi as his posture loosened, and he became a blubbering mess while leaning against the counter. He pulled his apron off, but he refused to look at me.

“Dude, are you okay?! Hey!”

“Just go…” He muttered, hugging himself. “I’m sorry, okay?”

I stood in front of him and awkwardly grabbed his shoulders. I had no idea how to console him—I could barely console myself. I was freaking out. If the only options were RBF or sobbing instead of finally smiling, I’d choose RBF! Goddamn!

“W-Why are you apologizing?”

“Just go fawn over another Octoling, Radian.” He slowly made eye contact with me. “You don’t want me,” He cried softly.

“Wait—did I do something?! Please tell me if I did something!”

The boy’s crying increased. “I’m so tired, okay?! These past few days have just been so awful, and then here you come again out of nowhere, picking fun at me as if I already don’t feel bad enough!”

“Oh my God, Ravi, no—”

“I can’t fucking sleep—with or without Wyatt—I can’t fucking clear my head no matter what I do! Salmon Run! Ranked modes! Working here, even!” He sniffled, wiping his face with his apron. “And I’m trying to act like it’s fine because I moved here to stop thinking about Stewart, but this week, I just got hit with a truck of old feelings from a year ago!”

“I don’t want to think about him anymore! I’m supposed to have moved on, but here you fucking come!” He cried. “A random Inkling showing up in my time of need, saving my life—just like him! But then here you go, teasing me about shit I already feel awful about! I didn’t lose the goddamn fight because I was weak! I lost because I never wanted to fight him in the first place! I fucking loved him!”

I gulped and reached forward, wiping his face, although the tears wouldn’t let up.

“Ravi—”

He placed his face in his hands, backing away from me almost immediately. “He was my best friend! But everyone’s moved on but me, and I feel awful for thinking about him again in the first place! It’s so fucking stupid, and I try and play it off like nothing matters and that I’m fine, but I’m fucking trapped in a downward spiral…”

He paused, staring at the floor. “Again…” He whispered. “I can’t go through this again…I’m supposed to be better—I moved on months ago, but it’s back. I feel like such an idiot. And here you come with your smart remarks and shit…just making me feel worse.”

“I hated that you could immediately tell I was messed up.” The boy admitted quietly. “Boring, deadpan—I was trying so hard to hide it.”

I held his face again, and he didn’t pull back. “I told you, with a smile that charming, there’s no way you aren’t one of the bubbly types. Y’know, making people’s day just by being around.”

“It felt like you were making fun of me…” He sniffled, finally making eye contact.

“No, Ravi, I’m so sorry. I-I don’t know how to talk to people, and I always have my foot in my mouth and all I do is flirt. I flirt out of admiration and as a defense mechanism—I don’t know.” I rubbed my neck. “I-I promise I wasn’t trying to hurt you. I really think you’re cool.”

“You don’t wanna be my friend right now, okay?”

“No! Not okay!” I looked around anxiously. “What the hell happened to you?! Who hurt you?! Who gave you that scar?”

“It doesn’t matter, Radian. Just go.”

“Raviyoli, I have all the time in the world. I have nowhere to go, ever. I can listen.”

“You don’t need my sob story!” He sniffled. “I’m already self-conscious enough around you—you don’t need to know why I suck on top of that! That would just make matters worse.”

“Hey…”

“I can’t ever catch a break!” The boy wiped his face. “I-I was attacked and kidnapped after I left the army. When I woke up in some metro station, everything in here was gone.” He held his head. “I fought for my life to get out of there, and I still have nightmares to this day. Stewart met me once I got to the surface, took me in, taught me about Inkopolis, and gave me his name since at the time, he went by Ravioli. We became best friends.”

He rubbed his eyebrow. “But I felt like I had met him before. Whenever I looked at him, I’d have some sort of déjà vu, but when I investigated his room to see if I could find anything about him and his past to remember mine, he got pissed, and we got in a fight. He hit me first,” Ravi mumbled. “It went on for what felt like forever. All I wanted was to learn about my closest friend, and he made me feel horrible.”

“So, it’s thanks to him you have that scar.” I hissed.

“He threw a hard punch, and I fell back, hit my head on his dresser on the way down, and crashed onto the floor. And that’s when it ended.” He smiled a little bit. “He freaked out, trying to help me as if he even had the right to at that point. But when I finally looked up, he was gone. A-And he wouldn’t answer my calls or anything.”

“Even now, I still don’t know where he is. I just know he left behind his other ravioli earring, so now I wear them both.” Ravi hid his face. “I fell into a really bad depression. My friends helped me, and I eventually felt better, and later on, we moved here, away from all the shitty memories.”

“And he was your best friend—what the fuck!” I exclaimed. “Tell me everything you know about him! I’ll beat his fucking ass!”

Ravi tensed up. “No! It’s not…important anymore—I don’t care. I just…I suddenly feel alone again. My current roommate is another close friend, but Stewart was…everything.”

“Dude…”

“I want another Inkling friend, but I’m paranoid about getting too close to someone and losing them. Especially since you have a lot of charisma, just like him.” He mumbled.

I smiled a little. “I really don’t. You’re the first person I’ve approached in years without planning a one-night stand. And even with those people, it’s like a fucking business transaction. You’re officially the one person in Splatsville who’s seen the most of me. Emotionally, that is.”

Ravi looked me over.

“Not to say you can’t come and watch me wash naked in Anarchy Bay. The offer still stands. We can keep each other company.”

He chuckled softly, sniffling. “I still politely decline.”

“But from what I’ve heard, you’ve been alone way too much.”

Ravi folded his apron and sat it on the counter. “Well, it’s not like I don’t have friends.”

“Well then, how many times have you been uncomfortably alone recently? Prove me wrong.”

He hesitated. “Tch, I mean…there’s working in this store recently, alone. Wyatt’s been staying the night with Alaias a lot, so I’ve been alone in the apartment too, I guess. And after Ravi left, I had to sleep alone and act like I had been living there solo the whole time. And when I was fighting my way out of that metro…working through each station in the ocean’s depths.” He sighed, eyes watering again. “And the army. Everyone prioritized work over relationships, and I just wanted someone to talk to.”

“Being alone isn’t the issue. It’s being lonely.”

He nodded slowly, wiping his face before any more tears fell. “Welp, turns out I was lonelier than I thought.”

I reached up and held the side of his face. “Let’s go do something. Seriously. You need it.”

Ravi quickly pushed my arm down. “I’m not up for much.”

“Please let me make it up to you,” I begged.

“For what?”

“For making you cry.”

“You didn’t make me cry…” He muttered, and I raised my eyebrows. “Well, maybe just a little.”

“Exactly.”

“But I don’t want you to feel bad—it’s not your fault. You just caught me during a bad period.” He sighed. “I’m sure next week will be fine. I’d been smooth sailing for a while before now.”

I grabbed his hand, dragging him from behind the counter. “I’m not taking no for an answer.”

“Hey!” He shouted, sounding slightly amused as he grabbed the keys. “Wait!” 

He quickly took his record and tried to clean up before I dragged him to the door. I scanned the wall, searching for the light switch which didn’t take long to find. Once it was dark, I shoved Ravi out the door, stealing the keys from him to lock us out.

“Radian!”

I handed them back. 

“Hey, you said you wanted to go home anyway. If I’m not in the store, there’s no need for you to be there anymore. You said it yourself.” I snickered.

He sighed. “Yeah. God, you’re really something else.”

“Thank you!” I grabbed his hand back, walking down the sidewalk while searching for my Griller.

“That wasn’t a compliment!”

“It’s impossible to insult me—we’ve been over this.”

He leaned away from me. “Stop holding my hand! I don’t need a bodyguard!” I stopped in front of the alley where I had left my Salmonid and finally released Ravi. “I’m not touch-starved!”

“Okay. Well, I am.” I admitted and grabbed him by the waist, pulling him into a hug.

He let out a soft, “Oh…” before immediately loosening up and hugging me back. I had to lean down a bit to hug him, and his face was buried in my neck, but I liked it. The Octoling exhaled slowly but continued to hold me even once I let go.

“Oh,” I muttered, slightly amused as I felt his arms tighten around my waist.

“Sorry,” He whispered. “I-I’m just…”

I held him again. “You don’t need to apologize or explain anything. It’s okay.”

“Okay.”

I rubbed his back, memorizing the feeling of him in my arms until he eventually let go. Once again, his scent stained me, and I couldn’t concentrate. Thanks to the store, he smelled like antiques on top of whatever scent his deodorant was. Even though he was visibly anxious about my Griller, I still helped him on top, and he let me hold him like last time.

It was weird.

While I directed the Salmonid to certain spots in the city, I couldn’t think straight.

In my case, holding someone for so long or being so close typically led to something intimate. I’ve never hugged anyone out of worry or admiration. If I touched someone, it was because I wanted something else, yet being around Ravi felt completely different. I was so inexperienced in normal interactions that I wasn’t sure if this was what a friendship was supposed to feel like.

It had been so long since I was around someone where my first instinct wasn’t to try and get into their pants.

I mean, not to say I wouldn’t mind fooling around and seeing if he had freckles anywhere else, but it wasn’t a priority. I just wanted to have generic fun for once. He could make my occasional trips back to the city interesting.

“Do you wanna go home?” I asked as we rode down the street. The streets were dead, thanks to the time of night, and since we weren’t in a body of water, Ravi was less shaky.

“I don’t know. What do you have in mind?”

“I figured I could show you all my frequent spots since you’re so flabbergasted by my lack of a social life.” 

He chuckled. “I’m not flabbergasted, but if you have no home and no money, what do you even do?”

I nudged him. “I live every night like it’s my last.”

I had many favorite bars and a few restaurants where I could always either guilt trip or seduce one of the managers into giving me free food. Many spots were on the bad side of town, so I didn’t want to drag him into that, but eventually, I started stalling because I liked feeling him leaning against me. 

The more jokes I cracked about stories from certain alleyways and random strangers I had beef with, the more colors he showed. I started getting used to his laugh, and my face hurt from smiling. I felt like I was living in the twilight zone. It was a shame how being happy didn’t feel like myself, but it’s not like I could complain.

Still, whenever we got off my Griller and I saw Ravi’s face straight-on, the desire to obliterate that Stewart kid only increased. Some fucking best friend he was leaving him with that scar. I could barely imagine what he looked like the moments after the fight ended. Then again, Ravi might throw a fit if I actually ended up killing him. I wouldn’t be pressed, but I didn’t wanna make him cry again. The view was gut-wrenching—I just wanted to see his bright grin.

I eventually returned the Octoling to his apartment on the outskirts of Eeltail Alley, though we sat on the steps eating my favorite gas station snacks, which he ended up paying for. I laughed as Ravi gave himself a headache from drinking his slushie too fast.

“You think brain freeze can affect memory loss?”

He elbowed me, chuckling. “Piss off, Rad.”

“Did you call me Rad?”

“You call me Ravi.” He shrugged.

“You told me I could!” I snickered. “It’s cute, I don’t care. I dunno if you’re using it as a proper noun or an adjective.”

“I thought you dropped out of high school.” He attempted to open another chip bag, only for the bag to explode open. “Fuck!”

I ate some off his leg. “I learned that in elementary school!”

“Why’d you drop out?”

I flashed him a smile. “For the same reason you deserted, really. I felt alone and like I didn’t belong.” I fiddled with my collar, and the charm caught his eye since it distracted him the entire time I talked.

“I didn’t really see the point anymore. There was nothing to look forward to, and I was always tired. I tend to unintentionally freak people out.” I shrugged. “I was a problem child.”

“Seriously?”

“Yeah!” I grinned, finishing my soda. “I was also nocturnal back then, so I often slept in class.”

“Goddamn. How many hours do you need?” I flinched as Ravi touched the side of my face, probably examining my dark circles.

“W-What?”

He chuckled. “How many hours do you need a night? Or I guess, a day.”

“Huh—o-oh. Shit.”

“What?” He squinted, giving me a confused look along with his smile. His hands were insanely soft but freezing since he had been holding his slushie.

“Sorry.” I pushed his hand down. “Brain malfunction. I just need five or six, really. Sometimes there are days where I get ten, but it’s rare unless I’m super comfortable. Honestly, I’m never really tired.”

“But we’ve got matching eyebags, remember?”

I rubbed my eye, ending up with a black smear on my hand. I presented it to him. “It’s usually smudged eyeliner. So makeup aside, that’s just how I look.”

“Oh.”

“Is that bad?” I wiped my hand on my jeans.

“N-No, not at all! You look good!” He beamed.

I put my arm around him, laughing as he awkwardly ducked away. “What’s your type? Am I your type?”

Ravi shooed me away, collecting our empty bags. “I don’t really have one.”

“Yeah, right. From what I’ve heard, you’re into Inklings.” I nudged him, and he flinched.

“W-What?! Who fuckin’ told you that!”

I laughed at his outburst. “You! Given that your ex-boyfriend was an Inkling and you loved him. You said it yourself.”

The Octoling blushed. “He’s not my ex! We were friends!”

“Who slept together, apparently.”

Ravi shoved me. “Yeah! Side-by-side! We didn’t sleep, sleep together,” The boy tried to explain. I could believe they were just friends, but his reaction was priceless. But even if their relationship was platonic, I’d bet money that Ravi still had feelings for him. He cried way too hard for them to only be friends.

“Yeah, but I bet you’d always scoot closer to him in the middle of the night and wake up in his arms.”

“Get out of my head!!” He exclaimed, trying not to smile as he jumped up to throw away his mess. He held onto his slushie that was taking him a millennium to finish.

“You liked him.” I teased as he sat down, seemingly closer to me than before.

“Shut up!”

“Then why are you still wearing his earrings?” I leaned over, fiddling with his pasta-shaped jewelry. They were made of felt and stuffing, making them really light.

“They’re my signature thing! I can’t be Raviyoli without ravioli earrings! My friends would be confused,” He laughed. “Also, it’s the one thing I can wear that doesn’t fuck up my feelings about him.”

“Oh?”

“I don’t know…now that he’s sort of relinquished his persona to me, I feel like I’m the superior Ravioli. I have both earrings, and it’s iconic now.”

I kept playing with them. “Makes sense.”

“Like your collar,” He continued. “I’m assuming that’s your signature item. The charm’s pretty.”

I sat up. “Oh, yeah. A Goldie gave me the egg charm, and I haven’t taken it off since.”

“Goddamn. Well, that’s not too weird, I guess. I normally sleep in my earrings.” He squished them. “They’re honestly kind of comfy.”

“What did you wear before?”

“Oh.” He took a sip from his slushie. “Just some black studs. I think they were a gift, but I can’t remember who gave ‘em to me…of course.” He chuckled. “Goldfish brain, y’know?”

“Don’t say that. I’m sure it’ll come to you eventually.”

“I hope.” He sighed, setting his cup down. “I always imagine that one day I’ll wake up, and everything will be there. It’ll all be crystal clear. You never know.”

“See, you want to wake up and remember your past whereas I’d rather wake up and forget mine.”

“What’s your sob story?”

I quickly looked away. “Pretend I said nothing—it’s not really important. I’m chill. My brain doesn’t register it as an issue anymore so it’s not like I’ll fall into a depression or something.”

“That’s just it—I thought I was over Rav—er, Stew, and then boom! Insomnia.” He chuckled a little but I could tell the truth still upset him.

“That’s the difference between you and me.” I grabbed his drink, but he didn’t seem to notice I stole a sip. “You’re normal and can acknowledge your feelings. No matter how hard I try, I can’t. I either feel neutral or nothing at all.”

“I find that hard to believe.” Ravi paused and then took his cup back before I kept drinking. He hesitated before taking another sip. “You’ve got zing!”

“Yeah, but that’s me on the outside, not the inside.”

“Well, I think it’s your time to talk.”

I cleared my throat. “Actually, I think it’s your bedtime. Isn’t it almost two already?”

Ravi checked his phone. “Shit…yeah. Lemme finish this.” He started inhaling his slushie, quickly getting another brain freeze. I laughed and placed my hand on his thigh, causing him to glance down and back at me before scrunching up his face from the cold.

“You sure are touchy for someone who’s so closed off.”

“Emotionally, sure.” I laughed. “But if you’re hot and give me the go-ahead, I’ll touch you until you tell me to stop.”

“That sounds…” Ravi massaged his head. “Sooo…weird…”

“Good,” I smirked and squeezed his thigh, making him screech.

He shoved me off, flustered. “Don’t do that! It feels weird!”

“Uh, yeah! That’s the point!”

Ravi stood up as I followed him after giving me his cup. “You can have the rest of this. I’m freezing now,” He chuckled.

“If I had a coat, I’d lend it to you but,” I rubbed the back of my neck. “We know I don’t have much.”

He shrugged. “It’s fine—my apartment’s right there.”

“True.” 

The Octoling stood by the sliding doors but neglected to walk inside.

“You good?”

“I—uh, yeah.” He messed with his piercings. “I was just waiting for you to say I’d never see you again…again.”

“Well, I mean, no promises. Then again, I know where you live now. I can sit out here and wait for you whenever I want.”

“Okay, no.” He rubbed his face, smiling. “Please don’t stalk me.”

I smirked. “No promises.”

He sighed and turned to walk inside, only to stop again. He looked back at me. “Thanks for saving my life. I know I said that last time, but I’m forever in your debt, honestly.”

I finished his slushie and managed to toss it into the trash can at the bottom of the steps. “Don’t tell me that! I’ll make you repay your debt by letting me suck your dick.”

“Radian!” He shouted, flushed again, which only made me laugh harder. “I can’t even tell if you’re joking!”

“If you want me to be joking, I’m joking.” I winked. “But if not, you should let me come upstairs with you.”

“Okay, then you’re joking,” Ravi clarified and took a deep breath. “Lord, I wish you had a filter.”

“No, you don’t. Otherwise, you wouldn’t find me so fascinating to be around.”

He groaned. “‘Tis true… Anyway, thanks. Again. And thanks for…listening to me. All day.”

“You don’t have to thank me for that.”

He shrugged. “I dunno. I mean, you’ve only been around me when I’m at my worst, but I promise next time will be better. That is if I see you again since I clearly can’t text you or anything.”

“Aw…you want my number? And a third date? You really do love me!”

Ravi scrunched up his nose and ran over to shove me, but the moment he touched me, I grabbed his arms and pulled him into another embrace. Despite being caught off guard, he hugged me back almost immediately.

“I don’t love you.” He muttered into my neck. “I still don’t know you.”

I rubbed his back. “Nice excuse, but I think you need some new material.”

Ravi stayed quiet, but when I let go, he didn’t, just like last time. “I promise I don’t normally hug people for this long. Next time you see me, I’ll be normal. Promise.”

When he leaned back, I played with his tentacles, although it was definitely getting him worked up.

"If this is you being weird, keep being weird."

He chuckled softly.

“You know I don’t care. I like your weird side. Well, I like—”

“You like all my sides, I know, I know.” Ravi backed up. “I could live without your constant flirting next time.”

“Hey, it’s not my fault you’re hot. I’m just letting you know that I know!” I beamed.

Ravi rubbed his eye, sighing. “Yeah, okay Radian.” He glanced at the entrance. “Well, I’m tired as shit so…I’m gonna go upstairs and pass out,” He chuckled.

“Figures. Thanks for indulging in night owl activities with me. I’m not used to company, but yours is nice.”

“W-Well, thank you as well.” He looked around before smiling at me and finally walking inside.

I stood in front of the doors until I saw him disappear around the corner, and he looked back to wave at me before he did so. I reapproached my Griller and climbed on top, laying down as it returned to Anarchy Bay. I wished I wasn’t nocturnal so I could see him more, especially in the light. 

I’m sure that smile of his is beautiful in the sunshine.