Chapter Text
“See you guys later.”
Mask waved to his cyan team as they parted ways outside of Grizzco’s lobby. Thanks to the unexpected 24/7 opening of shifts, along with Turf and Ranked battles, the team were able to get together with less worries of conflicting schedules, earning Mask enough funds to buy a new console along with some of the fresh games that were released alongside it. All that was left was to hit up one of his favorite stores. However…
Drip. Drip.
A shiver crawled down Mask’s spine as he felt something wet land atop his head. He looked up, squinting as his eyes made contact with the sun’s harsh, bright rays. Not a single cloud lurked in what was a clear, blue sky.
“Must be my imagination…” Mask muttered to himself after a shake of his head.
With both hands stuffed into the pockets of his pants, he walked through the hustle and bustle of the cephalopods scattered throughout Inkopolis Plaza until he arrived at its train station. As he boarded, his ear twitched as he heard mutterings from a couple of girls nearby, their voices ceasing to a panicked stop as the cyan captain’s half-lidded gaze met with their wide-eyed ones briefly.
With a roll of his eyes, Mask turned away from the two and sat down to browse his many socials on his phone. For Mask, sometimes being an S4 member was nothing but a complete annoyance. While he was pleasantly surprised by Skull’s interest in him becoming an official member, thanks to his incredible ability to rely on mostly sub-weapons, the occasional fan girl and unwarranted attention he received made him feel uncomfortable at times. He couldn’t understand how Aloha actively indulged in it so often.
After the train traveled a significant distance from the plaza, Mask put his phone aside to gaze upon the green scenery of the lush trees and shrubbery that passed them by, catching glimpses of cephalopods hanging out in a variety of different areas from outdoor cafés to shops and even turfing spots. It was distracting enough that the inkling hadn’t even noticed the clouds huddling together, darkening as humidity wafted through the air.
Once the train slowed to a stop at a station, Mask hopped off with several other cephalopods, some accompanied with their chatty friends, others running solo just as he was. The plaza he entered was much smaller and quieter than Inkopolis’, which was something the tired inkling greatly appreciated. Unfortunately, just as he took his first few steps into the plaza…
“ Maaask ?”
Mask immediately winced at the sound of the loud, energetic voice, his shoulders hunched tightly as his head slowly rotated until his gaze was matched with bright, pink sparkly pupils.
“Heeey! ♡ I didn’t know ya hang around here too!”
Mask awkwardly turned away as he gave a slight nod, “Yeah…sometimes.”
To get away from you, he wanted to add, but stayed silent, biting his lip.
“Where ya off to?” Aloha asked, his arms folded behind his head as moved beside Mask, giving him his signature obnoxious grin. “I just finished a turfin’ session with pals! Inkblot’s not as fun as Mahi-Mahi, but the art’s pretty fresh-lookin’. Though it’s kinda distractin’, y’know?”
“Wonderful.” Mask replied, his tone bitter.
“You didn’t answer my first question.”
The cyan captain remained silent. Of course, of all days, Aloha had to pester him now. He had a simple task list of purchasing the console and games–maybe some snacks along the way if it was convenient–and returning home to play in the warm, soft layers of his blanket, snuggled comfortably on his bed, completely unbothered.
“Maaask! Are ya still in thereee?”
And with that, Mask could feel his temple begin to throb as his hands slowly balled into fists. He swiveled around and pointed a finger directly in front of the wide-eyed pink captain’s face.
“Listen here you–”
A small, cold and wet sensation splashing onto his finger cut off his snark. Slowly, the two inklings, moving in perfect sync, looked up to see an enormous mass of dark clouds huddled together, nearly about to burst as more droplets of water fell, splashing around them. After the sound of thunder rumbled within the ears, both returned their equally wide-eyed gazes to each other.
“ Rain .”
And here it was. The wrench thrown in to foil his simple plan. With a huff, Mask retracted his hands into the sleeves of his shirt, casting a glare at the energetic inkling beside him as if he were the cause behind the approaching storm.
“What?” Aloha asked, raising a brow.
“Stay outta my way.”
Without waiting for a response, Mask marched over to a little shop near the end of the plaza, his boots squeaking with every step after stepping into a puddle. After wiping his boots on the squid-shaped mat, he pushed open the door, causing the small, ribbon-adorned bell hanging outside to jingle as he stepped inside.
“Ah! Mask, welcome!” A cutely-dressed, pastel pink-haired octoling girl smiled from behind a counter, waving to the aforementioned inkling who returned the gesture in a much more tired manner. “Who’s your friend?”
Mask raised a brow. “My friend?”
He slowly turned to see the pink captain behind him, grinning and waving over to him, and narrowed his eyes. Of course. Aloha was known for his ability to not only be light, but quick on his feet. It’s no wonder Mask didn’t even hear the energetic inkling follow or enter behind him.
“Ugh, he is not my friend.”
“If you say so…” the girl giggled, narrowing her eyes with skepticism before disappearing behind the counter. In mere seconds, she reappeared, grunting with a large bag in her arms that covered the entirety of her upper body as she placed it on top of the counter.
“Oh! Is that?!” Mask gasped, his eyes sparkling as he rushed over to the counter, standing on the tips of his feet.
Aloha felt a light blush creep upon his cheeks as he witnessed the scene. It was at that moment he realized he had never seen the cyan captain express such joy towards…well, anything before. It was no secret that Mask was the least enthused member of the S4. Sometimes, Army would even complain that his complete lack of energy was intoxicating and made any of their get-togethers a drag.
“Thank you very much.” Mask smiled, stuffing his receipt into the bag.
“Wait…,” The cashier frowned, folding her arms. “You’re not thinking of going out into that nasty weather, are you?”
“Nasty weather?” Mask raised a brow as he shifted his gaze towards the window. The rate of the droplets had increased tenfold in the short amount of time they spent within the store. Turning back around, he reached into his pocket and slammed a pile of coins onto the counter.
“Got two umbrellas?”
“Actually, we only have one left in stock,” answered the octoling. She smiled and added, “It’s an adorable parasol!”
Mask glanced over at the pink inkling who grinned as their gazes met, his eyes twinkling as he wiggled his hips, before returning his attention to the cashier.
“Alright…it’ll do.”
The plaza was completely devoid of any activity as the two inklings exited the store. The air, thick with humidity, wafted into their noses as the sound of the water droplets pounding onto the metallic roofs of the buildings and the pavement resounded in their ears.
“Here, hold onto this.” Mask said, passing his newly purchased console to Aloha, “And don’t drop it.” He added with malice.
Aloha winced from the harsh tone, but nodded as he watched the latter pull out their newly purchased parasol, opening it before stepping out into the onslaught of droplets. Mask glanced over at him, extending his arm out with his hand, making a grabbing motion.
Aloha felt the blush from earlier blossom onto his cheeks until the realization hit him, only causing his face to redden.
“Actually, can I carry it?”
Mask opened his mouth to speak, but even with his mouth concealed by his mask, Aloha still cut him off.
“I promise I won’t drop it! Pinky swear!”
A moment of silence, aside from the sounds of the rain, washed over the two until Mask sighed, giving Aloha a nod.
“Fine, but if you drop that–”
“I won’t! I promise!” Aloha beamed as he bounced over to the cyan inkling, staying close to his side underneath the parasol. “So, where are we goin’? The station’s back that way.”
“Inkblot.” Mask answered.