Kwazii came back to the Octopod. He landed in the HQ through the Octochute, making his usual flip when he landed, though his heart wasn't really in it.
Kwazii closed his eye and took in a deep breath. Outside the windows, the Californian port and docks were clearly visible.
By unanimous vote, the Octonauts decided to stay in California while Captain Barnacles recovered. "He might not want to see us," Tweak had said, "But we're not leaving him." They all agreed to that sentiment.
"How is he?" Dashi asked. They were all in the HQ, including all eight Vegimals, waiting for his return.
"He's doing ok," Kwazii said. "The staff is treating him well."
"When will he get out of the hospital?" Shellington asked.
"It's going to be 72 hours, three days. But, if he's still not stable or something comes up, then he'll stay there longer." Kwazii said. He had asked the doctors about that. At first, they were wary to give any information, since there were confidentiality laws; but Captain Barnacles signed a statement that they could share his situation with the cat, so they were much more willing to oblige.
"Could we see him tomorrow?" Inkling asked.
Kwazii stilled, bracing himself. "He still doesn't want anyone else to see him," he said.
"Why not?" Tweak said, frustrated. "We care about him!"
"We're here for him!" Dashi said.
"Talk to him," Inkling said. "Please."
"Ok, I will," Kwazii said, though he believed it would be an uphill battle.
The cat was right.
"Are you sure you don't want the other Octonauts to come?" Kwazii asked the next day. They were sitting on the couch in the TV room. Their usual place. "They really care about you."
That seemed to really freak him out. "No," Captain Barnacles said, breaking off eye contact and looking to the side, his gaze unfocused. As if his body moved on his own, he brought his legs up to his chest. "No, please. Just... No." It was like he was fully present one moment, but not all the way there the next.
This was still bizarre for Kwazii, this new body language; but he kept a straight face. "Why?" he asked gently. He pretended to be Dr. Galen, used the doctor's advice on how to talk to Captain Barnacles. Never be accusatory, allow him to explain himself, ask questions, be patient.
All emotional eloquence was suddenly thrown out the window. Barnacles couldn't think straight; all that was there was pure fear and shame, screaming in his mind. All of it was white noise, making his head feel foggy. His nails dug into his skull, past his fur. It didn't hurt like it normally would because the doctors had cut his claws (much to his sadness; he wanted to feel that pain right now. Anything was better than this).
He went out of his mind a little when an orange arm went around his shoulders. "Sorry," Barnacles ground out, still looking forward, his head still full. "It's hard to talk."
"Take your time," Kwazii said.
Those words took only a small part of the anxiety off, but it was enough that he could start thinking a little again. The white noise lessened slightly. His ability to think wasn't at 100%, but it was something.
"They don't really care, not really," he said. His mouth felt heavy, like it was full of cotton. He put his face against his arms.
"That's not true!" Kwazii cried, appalled. Barnacles tightened his arms, burying his face further into them.
Dang it. Kwazii mentally tried to backtrack. He had raised his voice. Fric, why did the Captain trust him of all people to come?
"I'm sorry, I don't know how to do this right," Kwazii ran a paw over his face.
Barnacles peeked an eye out towards him. He didn't want Kwazii to suffer either. "Don't feel bad," Barnacles said. "It must be hard, being in your shoes right now."
"Yeah," Kwazii chucked dismally. Though he was glad that Captain Barnacles was getting out of his shell again. He had raised his head again. "It never ceases to amaze me how much responsibility it is to be Captain."
"Tell me about it," Captain Barnacles said. He rolled his eyes, though his smile was almost fond. His muscled loosened a bit; Kwazii could feel it under his arm.
"And I wasn't much help," Kwazii chuckled. "Remember how you got annoyed with me whenever I went ahead of your orders?"
"Haha, don't remind me," the Captain smiled. It did Kwazii's heart good to see it. "And you crashed into me that one time when you were swinging on vines?"
"And how I would practice sword fighting with a loaf of bread?"
"Oh jeez, I still can't tell if you stole the bread, or if the Vegimals let you borrow it."
"And it'll always be a secret!"
Captain Barnacles laughed out loud, finally getting out of the fetal position. Kwazii was proud of himself.
"That all feels so long ago," Captain Barnacles said. "I can't believe this has all happened only in a few years."
"Time flies," Kwazii said, nodding.
Kwazii realized that he didn't convince Captain Barnacles to let the others visit, but he was too glad to see him calm again. He didn't have the heart to get him in that state again, though it would probably be necessary to do so eventually. He would have to try again later.
Or, he could just be firm and tell the others to stay off the bear's back. They cared, and he knew that. But for some reason, Captain Barnacles didn't. And as much as he disagreed, the polar bear did have the right to choose who could visit him. The doctors and nurses in the hospital made that incredibly clear. It wasn't what any of them wanted, but until the Captain didn't panic like that anymore, it might just be for the best.
He could only hope, that's all Kwazii could do.
