(NOTE: This is probably my first FN/FD short I have written. I've written it around last year and obviously some elements I have given to characters have obviously changed. For example, in this short, Peach is a pediatrician, but I then later on make her a math teacher at Nemo's school. I also later on gave Peach weak lungs, so Gill smoking around her wouldn't be safe as it is here. Sorry for the inconsistent stuff. Hopefully that changes once I get all the shorts I have made so far from my Wattpad onto here. My Wattpad is MalloryMynatt if you wanna follow me.)
Nemo was waiting impatiently for the school bell to ring. Dory promised she'd walk him home from school today and he couldn't wait another minute. He really did love Dory, almost like she was the mother figure he never had.
"Nemo, you're tapping your foot again." Pearl whispered from the desk next to him. She chuckled at Nemo's reaction making him blush. He immediately stopped tapping his foot, blushing more.
"Everything alright, dude?" Squirt, his best friend asked from the desk behind him, Tad and Sheldon next to him. "Yeah I'm fine, I just can't wait any longer. Dory's taking me home from school today." Nemo eagerly explained.
"Isn't she dating your dad?" Pearl asked. "No she isn't, why?" "I've seen her hang out with your dad a lot!" Tad said, playing with a pencil. "Yeah." Sheldon agreed. "Every time we come over we at least see them exchange an awkward conversation once."
Nemo thought about it. "That is true, that happens a lot, doesn't it?" "They honestly should date." Squirt piped up. "Yeah, they look so adorable together." Pearl cooed, imagining the two together.
Before Nemo could respond the bell ring and the students ran out of the door excitedly like every elementary kid does on a Friday. "Remember, we're all coming over tomorrow." Sheldon reminded. "Yep, see ya guys tomorrow." Nemo waved as his friends went off.
He immediately found Dory's bright blue hair tied in a high ponytail and ran over to her. "Hiya, Fabio!" Dory chirped, hugging Nemo. "It's Nemo, Dory." Nemo corrected, breaking the hug. "Right right, Nemo."
On the way home Nemo went on and on about his lesson on coral reefs and how important it is for marine life. Marine biology was Nemo's favorite subject, he loved learning about ocean life as much as his teacher Mr. Ray loves teaching it.
"We're home!" Dory called from the entrance of the house. Marlin came down stairs, wiping sweat from his forehead. "Dad!" Nemo ran to his dad and hugged him. "Hey son, how was school?" Marlin asked, hugging his son back. "It was hilarious! Tad kept falling asleep during Mr. Ray's coral reef lesson and Squirt had to bang on his desk to wake him up."
Marlin chuckled, letting go of Nemo and ruffling his hair with the same shade of orange as his loving wife. "Same old Ted, huh." Dory piped in. "Tad." Nemo corrected. "Oh right. Sorry." Marlin gave Dory a concerned look. She seemed like she was upset about something.
"Peach is coming over later to check on your arm." Marlin broke the awkward silence.
Peach, a member of the "Tank" Gang, was now a pediatrician and offered to check on Nemo's "lucky arm" weekly. Marlin didn't want to put Peach through the trouble but gave in once Nemo pleaded his father. She would sometimes bring Gill and the rest of the "Tank" Gang along which made Nemo more happy.
Nemo's eyes lit up at the mention of Peach. "Is she bringing Gill?" He asked hopefully. "Yep." Marlin nodded. "Yes!" Nemo fist pumped the air in excitement. Nemo always loved to talk to Gill. Besides his father and Dory, Gill was like his mentor. He'd been there for him ever since he got kidnapped a year and a half ago, giving him advice and cheering him up.
"Now go get yourself, ready." Nemo obeyed and ran upstairs to his room, giving one last wave to Dory. She smiled brightly, waving to him back, probably forgetting what she had been upset about. It looked like she suddenly remembered because she looked at the floor again, not saying a word.
"Dory, are you okay?" Marlin asked after a moment. "Huh?" Dory poked her head up. "Oh no, I'm alright." Marlin didn't buy what she was saying, making Dory sigh. "You sure you're okay?" Dory didn't say anything, nodding silently. Marlin sighed, not wanting to argue further.
"How's writing with your arm been doing for you?" Peach asked, examining Nemo's arm. "It's been going better, it's still hard to write fast." He explained, looking out the window."What if you taught him how to write with his left hand, that way it wouldn't have to hurt." Gill suggested.
"Yeah! That'd be much easier." Nemo agreed. "I'm not sure, that'll take awhile, but we can give it a shot. Other than that you're perfectly fine." "Thanks Peach!" Nemo hugged the bright pink haired female. "No problem Shark bait. Well I'm gonna join Marlin and Dory." She stood up. "Alright, we'll be there in a minute." Gill called down to her. Peach nodded and headed downstairs.
"Hey Gill." Nemo broke the silence. "Hmm?" "How do you feel about my dad and Dory's relationship?" Gill raised a confused eyebrow. "Well, I think they seem pretty close. Why are you asking me?"
"Well," Nemo started. "I told my friends Dory was picking me up from school today and they told me how they always seem a bit nervous around each other. Then a moment after Squirt said they should date." Gill's eyes widened at bit at Nemo's last sentence.
"Do you think they should?" Gill sighed. "That depends, do you want them to?" Nemo thought for a moment. She was like the mother Nemo never had. She would be a nice edition to the family, with her quirky but optimistic personality. And she and Marlin have shown a few signs of liking each other.
Nemo finally would have a female role model in his life why don't they date? Nemo finally answered Gill's question by nodding. "Yeah I do, how can I get them to?" Gill chuckled at his question. "What?"
"Nemo, you're not the one that can make a relationship like that between them happen." "Well then who can?" Nemo asked. "Your dad. If he truly loves Dory, he'd ask her himself." Nemo frowned. "It'll take my dad forever to make a decision like that."
"Well sometimes things like this take time. I'd say just let him think about it." Nemo looked at the ground disappointed. "But you can bring the idea up, but don't make it obvious and don't do it often, maybe like once or twice." "You sure that'll work?" Nemo was unsure.
"Trust me after you mention the thought once it'll get stuck in your father's head." Nemo giggled. "Thanks, Gill." "Anytime, shark bait." A moment of silence fell until Gill whispered "Personality though they should date if they can."
Nemo's eyes lit up, chuckling at Gill's comment. "Speaking of which, how's it going with you and that girl from school?" Nemo's heart stopped for a second once Gill mentioned Pearl. "Gill!" He whined in embarrassment, playfully shoving Gill which made him laugh.
"Well, I haven't made a move yet." Nemo admitted. "Why not?" "I don't know, it's like there's something that's stopping me from confessing to her." Nemo felt stupid, he knew that he had to just do it and get it over with, but it's like there's a wall between him and Pearl that he just can't seem to break.
"It's the fear of rejection." Gill finally spoke up. "Huh?" "You're worried that she'll deny your affection, am I correct?" Nemo sighed and silently nodded. "It's dumb I know." "It's not dumb, you're just scared. We all get scared it's perfectly normal." Gill assured him.
"You're not scared of anything." Nemo argued. Gill shook his head. "That's not true, even I was scared at one or a few points in my life." Nemo looked up at Gill in disbelief. How could someone like him be scared? "Really? When?"
"Well one time I can remember was when you got cooped up in that 'insane asylum' with us." Gill started. "The first escape plan I established, I was so caught in my own selfish desire that I nearly forgot about your safety."
Gill paused then continued "So when I heard those fan blades whirl with you still in the vent, I finally opened up my eyes. I was so worried about loosing your life and not getting you back to your dad that I never wanted to put you through that again. I vowed to keep you out of harms way everyday after that, even still today."
Nemo was frozen, he had no idea Gill cared so much about him even if he was his mentor. "Wow." Was all he managed to say."Anyways, about that girl, don't worry about her not feeling the same. It happens and there are always others." "Thanks, Gill."
Gill grinned down at the orange haired boy and nodded. Suddenly Peach came back to the two. "Gill, we're ready to leave." Gill nodded and stood up, Nemo following.
As the three were walking down stairs Peach and Gill accidentally bumped into each other. She blushed and backed away, immediately apologizing. "It's alright, no need to apologize." Gill gave Peach an assuring grin making her blush more.
"Thanks so much, Peach." Marlin said as Peach and Gill were going out the door. "You're welcome, Marlin. I'll be back next week if that's okay." "Of course, thanks again." Before the two left Nemo called out to Gill.
"Gill!" "Yeah Shark-" Gill was caught off guard by Nemo quickly hugging Gill. He chuckled and hugged him back. "You'll be here next week?" Nemo asked hopefully. "You bet, kid." The two let go and gave each other a final wave.
As the two entered Peach's car, she spoke up breaking the silence. "You know you're really good with Sharkbait." Gill chuckled. "So are you, you know." "Yeah but no one can give advice like you can." She said, starting the car and leaving the driveway.
"Nah, I can think of one person who's still giving me advice." Gill teased, making Peach blush. Gill took out a cigarette, lighting it with a lighter. Peach groaned annoyed, she hated whenever Gill would start smoking. Especially around her.
"Really? In my car?" Gill shrugged. "It's just one cigarette, Pinky." Peach blushed, cringing at that nickname Gill would always use. "I thought I told you not to call me that." "Why not? It's adorable." Peach blushed more but her annoyance got in the way of it so she barely noticed.
"Adorable!? I'm a child nurse working a serious job, how is that adorable!?" Gill shook his head amused. "It's the way you get mad that's adorable." He teased. "Want me to kick you out of this car!?" Gill finally had enough and said no. "Good, then don't do that, got it?"
"Fine Pinky, whatever you say." Peach was so ready to just punch Gill, but she knew she couldn't do that so she took a few breaths, soon calming her down.
Once Nemo finally fell asleep, Marlin quietly closed his bedroom door. "Hey Marty." A cheerful voice whispered behind Marlin making him flinch. "Dory I told you not to sneak up on me like that." He whispered back.
"I did? Oh no. I'm sorry." Dory looked down at the ground with eyes full of guilt. Marlin sighed, remembering what happened earlier. 'Something's definitely wrong.' Marlin thought to himself.
"Dory, are you completely sure you're okay?" Dory looked like she remembered what happened earlier too because her expression fell more. "Y-Yeah, I'm alright Martin. Don't worry about me."
"It's Marlin, Dory." Marlin corrected. "Sorry." 'Huh, she has been apologizing a lot whenever she forgot today. Hasn't she?' Marlin noticed. "Well, night!" Dory waved to him going downstairs, giving a bright cheerful grin.
Marlin always hated that Dory had to sleep on the couch. It felt rude to and he wouldn't be there to make sure she didn't sleep walk or something. Marlin sighed and went into his bedroom.
He looked over to the left side of the bed where Coral used to sleep. He left a picture of her by the bed side. He went over to the picture and, kissed two of his fingers and stoked the area where Coral was in the picture. "Love you."
Marlin walked back over to his side and laid down. He glanced back at Coral's photo once more before eventually falling asleep.
Dory woke up in a dark, dimly lit room. She was confused of where she was so she looked around. She observed her surroundings and soon found some people. She breathed in relief and ran over to the strangers."Excuse me! Hello? My name's Dory and I seem to be lost! Can you-" Dory stopped in her tracks once she got closer to the strangers. Their bodies were solid black like shadows, and had glowing red eyes.
Dory, being the friendly person she is, ignored their creepy appearances and held out her hand. "Hi, I'm Dory. I'm a little lost, can you tell me where I am?" The pitch black person in the front chuckled coldly. "Why do you ask, dim whit?"
Dory stared at the stranger hurt and confused. "Now excuse me, who gives you the right to judge someone you just met?" Another pitch black person from the left spoke. "The same people who gave the right to let you live like a normal person short-minded." The other two pitch black men laughed alongside him.
Marlin groaned as he woke up from the cold metal floor. "Wha- What happened, Do-" He stopped, realizing Dory wasn't next to him. "Dory?" He called. "Dory!?" He heard the sound of laughter but not just laughter you hear at a playground or around a group of friends. It was a menacing laugh.
Marlin turned to the direction of the laughter and found three pitch black men making fun of Dory, calling her awful names. She sunk to the floor on her knees in tears. She looked defeated like the three men had gotten to her and left a horrible mark.
"Dory!" Marlin shouted. She didn't hear him, neither did the men making fun of her. He ran up to Dory who was sobbing into her hands. "Dory, I'm-" Marlin tried to touch her but his hand went through her shoulder as if Dory was a hologram.
The three man poked fun at her more. "Dumb!" "Wanderer!" "Mistake!" The three teased. The last insult was what really got Marlin. 'Dory? A mistake? I-It can't be. I can't let them get to her.' "Dory! Don't listen to them!" He cried, but no matter how loud he yelled no one even batted an eye at him like he wasn't even there.
The pitch black man in the center approached a shaken Dory ready to kick her. Marlin gasped, refusing to let him hurt her. "NO!" He shouted jumping between Dory and the man. Before the impact could come, Marlin's eyes shot open.
Marlin woke up to find himself in his bedroom, drenched in his own sweat and tears. He exhaled a sigh of relief knowing it was only a nightmare. Before he could go back to sleep, he heard someone cry.
He recognized that cry, it was Dory. Marlin got up and headed downstairs. He found Dory, also sweating and in tears, sobbing her eyes out on the couch. "Dory?" Marlin softly spoke up in a gentle tone. She jumped and turned behind her where Marlin stood.
"M-Marvin?" Dory asked, rubbing out the tears in her eyes. "Marlin and yes. I heard you crying from upstairs." Dory, realizing what she has done frowned. "Oh, I'm sorry." Marlin sighed, he couldn't stand to see her like this and wanted to get to the bottom of it.
"Dory, what's the matter?" He asked, sitting on the couch next to her. "Something was wrong with me?" Dory asked, memory loss kicking in. "Yes, I heard you crying. I want to know what's wrong."
Dory started to remember again and frowned. "I told you it's nothing." "It isn't nothing if it's causing you so much pain. Just tell me what's wrong." Dory sighed, knowing she couldn't lie anymore.
"I hate my memory." Was all she said. "Dory, why would you hate your memory?" "Isn't it obvious!? It makes me wander, it makes me forget important things in my life and it makes you mad, that's why I always apologize to you every time I make a stupid mistake."
"Dor-" Dory put a finger against Marlin's lips to stop him from talking. "It makes me feel like I'm not normal. It really hurts to know that I might have forgotten the happiest day of my life and I can't seem to remember it for a full minute."
Dory finally stopped, fresh tears forming. She moved her finger from Marlin's lips and turned away from him, refusing to make eye contact. "Dory, you don't have to be normal in order to live life. " Dory just sat there not moving, tears falling down her cheeks.
"I'm not angered by your memory at all." Marlin continued. That made Dory turn to face him again. "Y-You're not?" She choked. "Of course not, I completely understand you can't help it and I'm a hundred percent fine with it. Yes I get frustrated at it sometimes, but we all get frustrated."
Dory smiled a bit at him. "I'm so sorry." Marlin had enough and hugged Dory as tight as the day he was reunited with Nemo. "You don't have to say sorry every time you make a mistake. It happens and you shouldn't have to apologize for it."
Marlin let go of Dory and looked into her bright magenta eyes. "Your short-term memory makes you who you are right now, you should be just as proud of it as your parents are proud of it." Marlin hesitated before continuing. "How I am proud of it. How we all are proud of it."
Dory gave Marlin a warm smile, sobbing more. "What's wrong now?" Marlin asked. "I don't remember what we were talking about." She cried, making Marlin chuckle. The two sat in silence as Marlin moved a strand of Dory's hair behind her ear.
"You okay now?" Marlin finally asked. Dory nodded silently. "I think so." "Good." Marlin stood up to go back upstairs before Dory grabbed his arm, stopping him. "Wait." "What is it?" Dory fell silent before speaking.
"C-Can I sleep with you tonight?" Marlin's face heated up. "I-I don't know if-" "I don't think I can sleep." "I mean, the thing is I had a wife a-and-" "Please?" Dory gave Marlin the best puppy dog eyes she could.
Marlin struggled to fight back but he ended up giving in. "Alright, just for tonight." "What's just for tonight?" Dory asked. Marlin sighed, shaking his head.
Dory laid on the left side of Marlin's bed, feeling more comfortable. "Ah, much better than a couch." Marlin chuckled and got in as well. "You'll be okay, right?" Marlin asked. Dory nodded making Marlin softly smile before drifting to sleep.
A moment later he felt something nuzzle again his chest. He slowly opened his eyes to find Dory, gently sleeping next to him, her arms wrapped around his neck and head against his chest. Marlin blushed, wrapped his arms around her waist, and rested his head on top of her's.
"Night, Marlin." She sleepily said before snuggling closer to him. Marlin couldn't believe his ears, she finally got his name right. Marlin smiled and slowly closed his eyes again. "Night, Dory."
"I-I love you."
A/N: HOLY CRAP 3405 WORDS! I THINK THATS THE LONGEST I WROTE IN A SINGLE CHAPTER IM SO PROUD OF MYSELF! Yeah this chapter might be trash, idk what do you think? Anyways guys, love you all!
~Rxin3
