Chapter 3: Lost in thoughts and feelings

Shiver huffed as she took one last swing of the hammer. The tent was pitched and ready to be used as a shelter. The blue octoling looked over her shoulder to see the yellow inkling lounging about nearby. Shiver placed a hand on her hip and cleared her throat to get the other's attention. "Frye, I don't think this is what BigMan meant by "You two can make camp". All you've done is handed me a hammer." Shiver growled lightly as she pointed the tool in frustration. "I held the tent stable! Not to mention I laid out the sleeping bags." The yellow one argued, eyeing her companion curiously. Shiver narrowed her eyes before belting out a fit of laughter... laughter?! Frye jumped to her feet and curiously hopped around the Octoling with dramatic hand motions and fancy foot work. This of course didn't help calm Shiver in any way, it just made her laugh harder. "Shiver!? I know you lost your memory but you're acting strange! I thought you regained some already? Are you sick?!" The inkling began to ramble as The Octoling tried to calm herself down. Shiver eventually was able to put up a hand, stoping Frye's investigation. "I'm fine Frye, stop acting so goofy. I'll make sure to get you back next time." Shiver smirked, lifting a red finger tip to lightly poked the yellow one on the nose. Frye blinked a few times in shock, but quickly tuned on her toes. Prancing away happily, Frye looked over her shoulder with a wave. "I'm gonna gather some firewood. Just relax and hold down the fort. I'll be back soon." She called, disappearing into the bushes and trees that hid their camp.

The blue Octoling sat on the nearby log, with a hand on her chin. Eyes slowly shut as she relaxed into her constructing stream of memories. Her family, friends, training... training? Shiver hooked onto that though and began to play out her missing pieces of lost recollection. Her hands remembering the feel of an octoshot resting in them, and the sight of sharks at the ready. Thoughts of her family, her clan, helped her remember the fierce nature of the traditional shark taming methods that had to be preformed. Even if her body was small and thin, that did not stop her from taking down a comrade or even a shark back then. But there was something looming over her mind, like a memory that wanted to be forgotten. Darkness engulfed her memory as a figure in her mind took her hand. The smell of blood and ink felt uncomfortably familiar, as the sounds tried to put themselves back together. Shiver's ears twitched as a gut twisting scream snapped her out of that horrible scene. She looked down to see her hands shake in fear and hearts bested loudly against her chest. "Frye I'm coming!" Shiver yelled as she balled up her fists and took off running.

Holding a stack of wood, Frye was ready to head back to camp. A strange noise had her turning her head to a fin gliding through the ground. Ink splattered as it moved quickly towards the inkling. "Oh Cod!" Frye picked up her pace but the shark jumped from the ground. It was covered in the green ooz that resembled the same ink that engulfed Shiver. Sticks and logs went flying as she stumbled backwards with a surprised shriek passing her lips. "Nice Sharky! Do you know Master Mega?" She tried to make conversation as she crawled along the ground. "He and Shiver are my closest buddies." She nervously chuckled as the razor teeth got uncomfortably closer to her face. Frye kicked the beast as hard as she could, getting a little more distance. "Sorry! Please calm down Sharky!" The Shark was getting ready to pounce on the inkling. He made a strange noise as Shiver ran with full force into his side. Her elbow sunk into the fish's flesh and sent it flying. Shiver's face was lined with worry and anger as she growled fiercely in her own language. In amazement, Frye leaned back on her elbows, and when red flaming eyes met her scared yellow she trembled.

Shiver's face took on worry when she saw the inkling shake from her gaze. "Frye? Did he hurt you?" She asked, slowly lowering herself to her knees with a hand outstretched. The inkling shook off the shock and smirked as she took the helping hand. "No, he didn't get me." 'But you can if you want.' That last part she was able to stop herself from saying out loud. Hearts continued to pound as she was helped onto her feet. Frye let herself fall forward and wrapped her arms around the Octoling. "You're so strong Shiver! Not to mention that look in your eye. I thought you were gonna eat me instead!" She joked. "S-sorry! I just pulled myself out of a memory, so I'm a little on edge. I didn't mean to frighten you." Frye lifted her head and curiously gazed at Shiver. The two locked eyes and slowly relaxed, allowing their arms to slide past one another with hands interlocking at the fingertips. "Was the memory about me?" Frye asked shyly. "N-no... but I hope the next one is." Shiver smirked as she leaned closer to Frye's cheek. Her nose gently nuzzled the soft skin making the other giggle. "I could really use a good memory right now." Shiver continued with a sigh, resting her head on Frye's shoulder. "You really think I would be a good memory?" Frye smirked as Shiver turned her head to look. "Yes? Why would you ask that?" Shiver asked in shock. "No reason. So I take it I'm alright? You're not normally this snuggly, though I don't mind. I like cuddles." Frye nuzzled into Shiver's long blue tentacle gently with a bit of red on her cheeks, not noticing the Octoling hiding her own in Frye's shoulder. "Frye?"

"Yes Shiv?"

Shiver lifted her head slowly, looking away in embarrassment. "Are we more then friends?"

Frye took a step back, eyes widened and her hands almost slipped out of Shiver's. "I... don't know. You've always pushed me away until now. I definitely like you though! Don't get me wrong, I think you're incredibly smart and beautiful!" Frye got swept away with her words that made Shiver turn shades Frye didn't even know existed. Uncomfortably, Frye slipped away and began to pick up the fire wood she dropped earlier. "We should get back before that Shark goes crazy again. We should also tell BigMan about it."

"Y...yeah. Here let me help."

The walk back to camp was quite as the two kept to themselves. Frye picked up her pace every time Shiver tried to walk next to her. When they made it back, BigMan was sitting next to a tiny fire he stared. "Ay!?" (Fantastic! You two hungry?) The two looked at each other and quickly looked away. "I sure am Big guy! Let's rustle up some grub!" Frye just plopped the wood down and sat next to her friend as Shiver gently laid her pile down. "I'm gonna lay down for a while if that's ok." Shiver looked at BigMan and he nodded with a smile. "Shiver." Frye stood up and jumped over. "Yes Fr...?!" Frye took hold of Shiver's cheeks and quickly grew the courage to smack a kiss on Shiver's lips. They both tensed up as an unimaginable amount of electricity ran through the both of them. Frye pulled away slowly, but went back for one more. Shiver had to push away for air, "Frye?" She breathed. "Shiv, I should have asked I'm sor... Mm?!" Frye's ears wiggled happily when Shiver pulled her back in. "Don't be sorry, I liked it."

Even after Shiver had slowly entered the tent, Frye stood there silently in total bliss. She only snapped out of it when BigMan touched her shoulder. "Ay? Aay." (You ok? That was new. You two took kiss and make up too seriously.) He joked, making the inkling bust into laughter. "Ok ok, let's make some dinner. I'm starving!" "Ay?" (Frye?) Said inkling turned slowly around and faced her friend's concerned face. "Ay." (Please be careful with her. She still needs time to process.)

"I know! I just ... she saved my life! And then she asked about our relationship... I didn't know how to handle it. I'll talk to her when she's up for it. I promise." Frye happily skipped to the fire and tossed in a bit of wood.

The ray and inkling sat around the fire chatting until the Octoling pulled back the tent door. "Hey Shiv! You feeling better?" Frye smiled as Shiver stretched, "I suppose. My mind feels a bit fuzzy." She shrugged as she sat across from the other two. "What do you mean?" Frye asked as she filled a bowl and handed it to the Octoling who took it calmly. "I remember a few things, but when did we make it out here? I don't remember planning this trip." Shiver's voice was smooth as she eyed the others who looked shocked. "Did you get your memory back?!" Frye spilled some of her own food as she yelled. Shiver held her head in distress, "Not so loud Frye! And what do you mean? I feel like I lost some of it. What day is it?"

BigMan explained what happened as Frye silently picked at her food. She had finally got the courage to tell her how she felt and now she went and forgot it. She no longer felt hungry, even if her stomach protested. "I'm not feeling well. I'm gonna go for a walk. That Shark won't surprise me this time." Frye scraped the food back into the pot and coldly walked past Shiver. Once Frye was out of sight Shiver turned to BigMan. "What's up with her?" She asked taking a bite. "Ay. AyAy." (She'll be alright. You two were getting along, and I think she's just upset you don't remember.) Silently Shiver took a bite and lit up. "BigMan this is really good!"

"Ay." (Frye made it.)

"Hu?!" Shiver looked down at her bowl. "Frye never cooks."

"Ay." (She's been practicing. She's not half bad when she tries.)

Shiver's mind wondered as she ate. Trying so hard to remember what happened between them. She asked BigMan but he would shake his head saying, "Ay." (I think you should ask Frye.) "Was I different?" She changed her question. "Ay." (You seemed happier, but not too mush different.) "Happier?" She questioned, holding her head. Her memory was fading in and out, only seeing glimpses of her past and present. She remembered fighting with her brethren, then Frye and BigMan finding her, all the way up to getting attacked by the mysterious ink. Specks of Frye's smile popped in her memory, but she shook it off. "Alright, I'll talk to Frye." Shiver quickly finished her meal and took her and Frye's bowl. She dunked them in a bucket for washing dishes and quickly scrubbed them before running to the forest.

In an angry rage, Frye stomped her foot on a boulder and cracked the rock in two. Bitting her lip, she took in a sharp breath and didn't release it until she had calmed down. Her hips began to sway as she began to sing. The movement was soft and gentle as she danced.

My love is for you

It will always rain true

For nothing can keep us apart

Deep within my heart

Her feet became sluggish as her movement slowly came to a stop. Tears rolling down her cheeks. She turned around when a familiar voice copied her singing. Shiver had been watching and slowly she picked up on the movements. Frye quickly wiped her eyes. "Shiver?" The Octoling didn't stop the song, but motioned for Frye to come closer. "Shiv, I don't really feel like... woh!" Shiver wasn't going to take no for an answer. She grabbed Frye and slid her arms around the yellow one's neck. A silent 'shut up and dance with me' was visible in her eyes, convincing Frye to gently take hold of the swaying hips.

The two relaxed in the grass looking up to the sky. "Are you okay?" Shiver cut though the silence, worry hung to her words. "Yeah, don't worry about it."

"BigMan told me we were getting along. I didn't realize we didn't get along."

Frye blinked a few times before rolling to her side. "Are you being serious? You always run away when I disagree with you."

Shiver took a deep breath before rolling herself, "That's... because I don't wanna say something stupid, and when I do apologize you get all clingy... Frye there is something I need to tell you."

The hearts of the yellow inkling thumped in her chest as she nodded her approval. Shiver sighed and closed her eyes for just a moment before speaking, "I was engaged before my clan was under attack. It was arranged by our parents but I didn't hate him. If anything I was fine with it."

Frye's eyes moved to the ground, her hearts dropped and began to sting. This new information began to eat away at the inkling as Shiver continued.

"We became the best of friends, and when my 16th birthday passed my clan started the preparations for our wedding."

Frye didn't want to hear any more. She sat up and Shiver followed. "Frye?"

"I get it. You don't have to say anymore." Frye stood up but when she began to walk away, Shiver grabbed her hand. "Frye! I wasn't done!"

"I was just being a goof... I'm glad you wanted to tell me, but I don't think I can handle anymore right now."

Shiver gently let go and pulled her knees up to her chest. "I don't know why you're upset. I'm trying to explain myself but ..."

"You don't need to." Frye sighed as her cold hand softly rubbed along Shiver's tentacles. "I lo... like you just the way you are. I was sad when you forgot about me, and when we finally began to... bond... you snapped right back like it didn't matter. I just need a second to catch up... I'll be ready to listen more later if you're still up to share. I promise."

"You're right. I'm sorry for dumping this on you all at once. The truth is... I don't think I'm ready to get over it, but I do have feelings for you Frye."

The inkling froze, she wasn't ready for a confession. Mixed feelings swam in her chest as she tried to come up with something to say.

"Frye I..."

"Stop!"

Shiver looked up in horror. She has never heard Frye sound so mad. She began to feel like she shouldn't have said anything, shouldn't have followed her at all, shouldn't have stayed with her. Shiver hid her face as she pulled herself up. "This was a mistake... I'm sorry for bothering you." Tears dropped to the ground, and when Frye reached out to comfort her Shiver took off running. "Shiver!" Frye hit her own forehead, "So stupid, she's never gonna talk to me now!"

It was late when Frye returned to camp. She was surprised to see BigMan waiting up for her. "Ay?!" (What happened?! Shiver came back crying!)

Frye lowered her head and sat next to him. She laid her head on his flipper and couldn't help but shed her own tears. "I snapped at her! I didn't mean to!" She belted out loudly, even the upset Octoling could hear from the tent. Shiver made no move to leave, but she calmed herself enough to listen. "Ay?" (What happened?) BigMan gently held Frye close, he rubbed her back gently. "I just... I couldn't tell how I was feeling. She confessed to me and I blew it up... literally!" She sobbed between her words. "Ay." (Frye calm down. Try apologizing in the morning. It will be alright.)

Doubt began to swim around her mind. All these emotions and thoughts where driving the poor Inkling up a wall. When she was finally calm enough to sleep she entered the tent. Shiver had moved her own sleeping bag to the farthest corner from Frye. She was still awake, but didn't want to talk. "Shiver?" Frye whispered a call as she slowly scooted closer. "I'm sorry for snapping at you. I was the one being stupid. You did nothing wrong and I hope you can forgive me." Frye saw Shiver twitch when her cold fingers touched a blue tentacle. "I really like you too Shiver." Frye took the limb, placing on it a soft kiss and watched it curl around her wrist. "Goodnight Shiver. Please don't forget about me."

"Frye?" Shiver mumbled under the blanket, unmoving. Frye replied with a soft hum, rubbing her thumb against Shiver's head. "I forgive you." Shiver mumbled as Frye smiled, leaning over to give Shiver's cheek a small peck. "Thank you, now get some sleep. I'm gonna talk your ears off tomorrow." With a small giggle Shiver lifted her chin from the covers, "I'm looking forward to it."