Date: January 12, 2017

Setting: McScary Field Airport

Event: After three years apart, Gil reunites with Lagoona.

Footprints in the Sand

[Two weeks after Graduation]

"I'm breaking up with you."

The words had hit Gil harder than a tsunami full of metal debris. He knew something was up by the way she never seemed to meet his eyes at all, the constant tugging of her lower lip like all she wanted to do was cry. He was trying to be prepared for bad news, but this...this was definitely not what he thought was in store.

He stared at Lagoona as she sat on his bed, mouth open in shock as his mind began to actually register her words. She didn't seem to be fairing much better, judging by the way she had her hands bunched in her lap, shoulders raised like a child fearing punishment.

"W-w-what? Why?" Gil asked, feeling a familiar pain begin to tug in his chest.

Lagoona refused to look at him, seemingly finding more interest in the carpet. She replied, sadness lacing her words, "...I've been thinking, 'n' it seems best if we ended this. there's just so many things going wrong lately-"

"Like what?" The fresh water monster interrupted, "I mean, w-w-was it something I said? D-did I do something wrong?"

Lagoona fiddled with one of her bangles, still refusing to give him eye contact,"This isn't about anyone doing anything wrong. I...I-I've just realized that there's a lot of pollution we need to purge of before we keep treading the waters."

Gil didn't understand what that meant, opening his mouth to ask her to elaborate.

Then it it hit him.

"...This is about my parents again, isn't it?"

Lagoona refused to answer him, but the sudden wince that came across her face told him enough. Gil felt something ache deep in his heart. His parents. Always a touchy subject in their relationship. It was like, no matter what obstacles the two of them overcame- him meeting Lagoona's parents, helping her get over her stagefright and make amends with Kala, him putting his foot down when it came to possibly leaving school- the subject of his parents and their objection to the two of them was just the elephant shark in the room that refused to leave.

Truth be told, it also made him rather frustrated. He thought that by now they could all just settle on just agree to disagree- that as long as his parents stopped openly treating Lagoona like fin rot that everything would be okay.

Gil thought back to their latest fight- Lagoona had made plans to stay over that night, only to stomp out in tears after a certain remark from Gil's mother (something about saltwater monsters and the constant wreak of oil spill) invoked a screaming match between them, her arguing how he never stood up for her when his parents openly instigated stuff, him yelling back about how she needed to grow a thicker skin and get off his back for once.

"Blue.." he began, trying to find the words, "If this is about last week, I told you I was sorry already."

Lagoona didn't respond. Gil walked over to her and knelt, taking her webbed hands in his, trying to get her to look at him.

He tried to find the words to make her reconsider, "I-I know I should've said something more, b-but I didn't know you were still upset about it. I promise it won't happen again-"

"It's not just about that, Gil!" Lagoona snapped, ripping her hands away as she stood up, finally looking at him with teary green eyes. Gil was taken aback, though he managed to note the crack in her voice.

"Everything we've been doing, it...it's not enjoyable! I'm not happy with us anymore!" she stammered, "I don't get excited when we go on dates, I can't even be happy when it's just the two of us alone! And I know...I know you're not happy either."

"That's not true!"

"Yes, it is, Gil. I can see it in your eyes when we go out. The minute any random ghoul comes up to you, even if it's just to ask you where the science classroom is, I almost lose it! I'm constantly thinking of whether or not you've gone to the gallows- and before you say anything, I know you haven't and I know I have no reason to think so- b-but that's all I think about! I'm paranoid about if you've been faithful when you have done no such thing, because I'm scared your parents have someone talked you into doing it. A-and that's not healthy, Gil! That's not a good mindset to have in a relationship!" she spilled out.

Gil just stared at her, hesitant to confirm her words, though he reluctantly admitted that what Lagoona pointed out was exactly what he had been thinking. Truth be told, when she started to do such things like check his phone, or hang around when talked to another ghoul, he was mostly hurt that she would think he'd do such a thing. As time went on, though, it did get rather jarring, and as of late made him more than a little pissed off. He wasn't a cheat, he never was and he never planned to be, so why was she suddenly treating him like he got another ghoul pregnant right in front of her?

Why couldn't she just leave him be? Why did he always have to be the bad guy?

He felt none of that now, though. Instead, as the two water monsters looked at each other, all Gil could feel was hurt. Hurt that it had come to this point. And goddamn, did it not rub the wound in his chest raw. He tried to say something, but the lump in his throat refused to let him talk. Gil forced it down, trying to get his words out without cracking.

"Lagoona...are...are you sure about this? That...that we can't just talk?"

"Yes," Lagoona admitted, her shoulders dropping in defeat, "We're not happy together, Gil. You and me...we can't keep going on like this. If we do, we'll end up tearing each other apart. I...I need time to myself. Get my head on straight before I'm ready to continue this."

He swallowed, feeling the corners of his mouth tug in a frown.

"Blue..."

"I'm sorry," she said, "But...but I can't do this anymore."

Without another word, she gathered her things and walked out, not sparing him one more glance.

Those last words echoed throughout Gil's mind, and he sighed, his breath coming out in a frost. A chill went through him- whether it be from the memories or the cold, he didn't know- and he stuck his hands in the pockets of his throat, burying his nose into the collar in an attempt to get warm.

He looked left and right. Where was she? She said to go over to the drop off, but five minutes had past and there had been no word back from her. Gil furrowed his brows as a thought flew over his head. He hoped her appearance hadn't changed so much so that he didn't recognize her- he could've very well walked right by her and not have even noticed! Now that would be horrifying.

"Gil?"

His heart skipped a beat. He knew that voice.

It was her.

Taking a deep breath, trying to soothe the angelfish that swam around in his stomach, he slowly turned around.

Lagoona stood, evidently taller even without the wedge heels she wore. Her arms, clutching her bags, were toned and thick with muscle, hinting that she continued her athleticism even after school. Her hair was still as blonde and as blue streaked as he remembered, though now the tidal wave-like curls had been straightened out, the locks gathered into a thick fishtail braid. The strapless floral print sundress complimented her lovely blue skin, highlighting the freckles that still decorated her cheeks.

Gil's mouth suddenly went dry, feeling a blush creep onto his cheeks as his eyes wandered down her figure, particularly the curve of her hips and her chest.

She certainly had filled out, no longer a slim girl but a well-built woman.

Realizing he was ogling her, he shot his eyes back to hers. Initially, Lagoona had a look of uncertainty when she saw his backside. As recognition registered in her brain, her eyes slowly widened, the uncertainty growing in delight as it occurred that he really was standing before her.

For a moment, they just stood there, eyeing each other.

Suddenly, Lagoona dropped everything and ran towards him, jumping up and wrapping her arms around Gil, the force nearly knocking the two of them over.

"I'm so glad you're here!" She exclaimed, her arms wrapped tightly around his neck.

Gil embraced her, feeling massive relief, though his nerves were still a jumbled mess. So she did want him to be there. That was a good sign. Hugs were always good signs. Her hair brushed up against his face softly, and he inhaled its scent. Sea breeze and pineapple. He rested his nose on her shoulder. Man, did he miss her. A familiar fluttering in his chest started up, his heart racing.

Curse his body for making him feel like a crushing fifteen year old again.

He felt Lagoona start to pull back, and with a flush of embarrassment Gil realized that they had stood like that for an awkwardly long time. With a grunt to disguise the nervous tickle in his throat, he rubbed his neck, trying to break the ice ruining the mood.

"So, um," he stammered, "You want to get something to eat?"

Lagoona looked at him, and Gil realized with surprise that her own cheeks had a slight dusting of pink on them. She gave him a small smile.

"I'd love that."

Hand in his chin, Gil watched the sea creature before him sip on her margrrrrita. The two had decided to just get something at the airport while they were there, settling on a small seafood restaurant near the terminal. They had made light conversation as they waited for their food, all the while Gil observed Lagoona as subtle as he could without coming off like he was staring.

It was amazing, this reunion, the fact that Lagoona wanted him out of everyone to be there. The fact that she even wanted to still speak to him after all this time, it all made his heart flutter.

A slight grimace suddenly appeared on his face as he thought back to the months after they first broke up.

He had gone through an absolute whirlwind of emotions- devastated that it was actually over, guilty over the unfortunate truths that Lagoona had to point out for him, angry at himself for not doing more, angry at Lagoona for not doing more- but for the most part, he was just...numb. Numb from all the drama, all the heartache, all the roadblocks that seemed to be cemented in their relationship, no matter how hard they tried to overcome them. The guys tried to be supportive and help, but it was hard when all your beast friend's ghoulfriends were all friends with your ex and everyone was nosy and trying to get both sides of the story in as much detail as they could. He'd talked to Lorna a few times, but she had been going through some stuff with her own ex and the two fell out of contact.

Those were definitely unpleasant times.

So when he finally got an e-mail from her, asking about school and hoping he didn't mind her contacting him after years of being MIA, it was shocking, to say the least.

'Hey,', it had said, 'How r u doing. I...I hope u don't mind me dropping in like this.'

Gil remembered how he stared at the screen, completely flabbergasted. It was a good five minutes before he was able to gather his wits and form a response.

'Good. School's got me a little undead inside tho'

From then on, they talked about everything and nothing: from who had stayed in town and who had left, who was getting to the top and who was bound to hit rock bottom, how Frankie and the rest of them missed Blue and hoped she'd be back soon, how Venus was coping with her son as a single mom ( thus leading to the both of them bonding over ranting about her jerkass boyfriend), and the like. It all culminated in a message Lagoona sent two weeks ago, asking him if he could be the one to pick her up from the airport ("I want to surprise the gills").

"So," Lagoona's voice broke him from his thoughts, "How you've been?"

Gil's eyes snapped from where they had become focused on the restaurant's wallpaper to her, "Oh, I've been fine. Been moving into my apartment, focusing on finishing my degree, that kind of stuff."

Lagoona nodded, though suddenly her gaze dropped to her drink. Gil didn't miss the slight worried crinkle that appeared between her brows, the slow way she twirled her glass, like she really had to contemplate her next words. Slowly, her green gaze creeped back up to his, searching for any sign of...whatever she was looking for.

Hesitantly, she asked, "How...how are your parents?"

Unconsciously, his grip on his glass tightened. He stared at her, caught off guard by her question.

When he noticed the way she seemed to shrink in her seat with fear, like he had just shouted at her, Gil cleared his throat, looking away. He bit his lip, wondering how to word his answer. "They're...fine, last time I checked."

Lagoona lifted her head. "Last time you checked?"

Dammit, why did she have to ask? That was one subject he was hoping to avoid; it didn't help that Lagoona, of all monsters, was the one bringing it up. It was dangerous territory, something that he really did not want to talk about, especially considering the good spirits the two of them had been in all night.

"We really don't talk that much anymore," Gil explained, anxiety starting to creep into his chest, "We...kinda had a falling out."

Her eyes widened, and silence stretched out between them. Something in his fins told him to elaborate, even though he was dreading exactly that.

"After you broke up with me...I lost it with them," he continued, "I mean, they tried to be sympathetic and comforting, but I couldn't take it. All I could think about was all the things they did, what they put you through, put us through, and I just...just snapped, you know? I was so angry that I didn't care at the time what I said or how it made them feel."

"What..." Lagoona said, "What did you say exactly?"

Gil looked down, the familiar shame washing over him, "I told them I was tired of them pushing away people I cared about from me because they were so blind to their bigotry. How I was tired of being a pushover to please them, and also admitted that I had no interest in going into my dad's fishing business like they wanted me to, that I was going to pursue my engineering degree and that if they didn't want to pay for my schooling, fine, but either way I wasn't going to budge. And then I said if they didn't change, then they might as well act like their son was dead and gone, because if that was the way it was, I'd rather not be part of their life."

Lagoona's jaw dropped, and Gil refused to look at her. Even though he apologized over and over again, the sight of his mother breaking down in absolute tears, the look of crushing despair on his father's face, would never leave his mind. It was still present in the phone calls he made, in the stiff and doubtful tone his mother would talk to him with. In the way his dad would look at him like he was going to strike him.

"When you left me, it made me realize just all I had to lose," Gil mumbled, "For weeks, I couldn't stop thinking about you or about all the problems we had. I guess I was so tired of always having to change to please other people, or always having to play the referee in fights. I was...so tired of always having to walk on turtle egg shells. Lagoona...when I lost you, it really opened to my eyes as to where exactly my life was heading if I didn't change."

There was no response from the sea monster, and Gil looked down at his shoes. He suddenly felt a hand over his, and looked up in surprise to see Lagoona looking at him with a strange expression- not anger, nor disgust, nor judgment, but a soft gaze of understanding.

"Gil, it wasn't just you that led to our breakup," she said, "I had a lot of things that I realized that I needed to fix. Honestly, in hindsight, it probably would've happened sooner or later anyway. You were too submissive when it came to arguments and never wanted to rock the boat, I was way too clingy and never trusted you. I mean, look at how I treated Lorna. The poor thing just happened to be a ghoul and your friend, and I treated you both like you were ready to elope to Boowaii. We both needed to grow up and stop ignoring our problems like they'd just disappear overnight."

Gil nodded slowly. She was right. It had been a hard pill to swallow, but they both had to come to terms with the fact that, unlike most of their friends, they probably just weren't ready for a relationship at the time. Too much immaturity from both ends, too much conflict, not enough effort to find the resolutions. Instead of trying to talk it out, it was so much easier to blame.

"But," Lagoona suddenly said. He looked at her, eyebrows raised. She gave him a small smile.

"I'm willing to give us another try...if you're up to it."

It was at this time he realized that she had been slowly rubbed her thumb across his knuckles. Though nothing more than a kind gesture, it still made a sudden heat start building up in his chest. He swallowed hard, his eyes slowly widening as he felt the corners of his lips twitch up. He turned his hand over to grasp hers, taking solace in the soft warmth her silvery blue hand gave, feeling the familiar roughness of her calloused palms.

Later, after he had paid the bill and they collected Lagoona's luggage, Gil began the drive back to the city. It was long past dusk by now, the sky the color of octopus' ink, the stars washed out from the numerous street and car lights. The only other natural light source was the bright white of the moon, shining brightly in the sky in its waning gibbous phase. As he changed lanes, Gil let himself spare a glance at Lagoona. She was currently looking out the window, an excited smile wide on her pink lips; no doubt anxious to reunite with their friends after being away for so long.

He knew there was no certainty of what was to come of this. He wasn't the same as he was in high school, and neither was she. They were older and had responsibilities; no longer carefree teenagers with all the time in the world. They had changed, in some good ways, but also some bad ways depending on how you looked at it. Maybe they would work out, maybe not. It was a fifty-fifty chance they'd either grow stronger than ever before, or everything would go to Hell in a hand basket (though he hoped to Achelous it was the former).

Time would only tell.

And it was risk he was willing to take.

Author's Note 12/13/2016: And after four months of inactivity and this chapter being halfway written, then being completely put on the backburner, the Great Rebirth is officially done!

What's changed: The whole chapter. The original chapter did feature Lagoona, but when I went to rewrite it, I decided that if Mattel isn't going to actually do something about her and Gil's relationship (besides the circlejerk of his parents hating her, she cries, they make up without actually solving anything) then I would.

So yay! Hopefully I can finally get around to actually writing some new chapters and pick this story back up (keyword hopefully, if the writer's block doesn't build a cement wall all around my inspiration).