Intro:

---

(Marina's POV)

Marina sat up in her bed, letting out a long yawn. After a couple seconds, she realized what day it was.

Marina: Huh? Eeeeeh! Yes! Today's the day! All the planning and it should go perfectly!

She got up, went down to the kitchen, and started preparing some breakfast.

As she made the breakfast, she noticed something out of the ordinary; Pearl wasn't awake.

Marina: That's odd, she's usually awake at this time.

She walked upstairs and knocked on Pearl's door.

Marina: Pearlie? You in there?

She opened the door that lead to Pearl's bedroom, but much to her surprise, she wasn't in there.

Marina: Huh?

She then walked over to my door, and opened it.

Marina: Azazel, have you seen-

She stopped mid-question at the sight of what she was seeing. She saw Pearl sleeping next to me in my bed.

She slowly backed away and closed the door.

By now, she was blushing hard at what she had saw. She had thoughts as to what she thought happened in there.

-In her mind-

Within this thought, there stood me and Pearl, on my bed, naked.

Pearl: Oh, I love you, Azazel.

Azazel: And I love you, Pearl.

We both kissed passionately.

Pearl: Please take me.

Azazel: With pleasure.

You could hear Pearl moan loudly.

-Back to reality-

Marina, now as red as a firetruck, was shacking her head so fast.

Marina: No! No! No! No! No! There's no way they've could've done it!

She decided to shrug it off, as she has more important things on her mind.

---

(Azazel's POV)

It was morning by now, and the sun was not in my face to wake me up. Thank God.

I felt a light nudge on my right, I opened my eyes to see who it was that was nudging me.

Pearl: Mornin', Azazel.

Azazel: Oh. Morning, Pearl.

She gave me a peck on my cheek.

Pearl: Thanks again for yesterday.

Azazel: If you need someone to talk to when you feel down, I'm here to help you.

She had a slight blush.

Pearl: Well, I'm gonna go get some breakfast. You get some rest now.

Azazel: Thanks, Pearl.

I slowly drifted back to sleep, as Pearl got out of my bed and walked out of my room.

---

(Pearl's POV)

Pearl came downstairs, rubbing her eyes.

Pearl: *Yawn* Hey, Marina- Oh! You made breakfast. Cool.

Pearl sat down at the table. Marina then walked over with a smile on her face and set Pearl's breakfast down in front of her.

Marina: Of course I did! I wouldn't want you to waste your time. You've got to get going.

Pearl sat there, giving Marina a suspicious face.

Pearl: What are you up to?

Marina: Me? Nothing. Why would I be up to anything? I just want you to be ready for when you leave.

Pearl started eating the food, still a bit suspicious of Marina.

Pearl: Yeah, well I'll be back later, so you better not throw a party or anything like that.

Juvia then walked into the kitchen, getting her breakfast as well.

Juvia: I also need to head out as well.

You could tell that she meant it by the fact that she was wearing her Squidbucks uniform.

Marina: Throw a party? No, I would never do such a thing.

Pearl set down her fork.

Pearl: Listen, Marina.

Pearl pointed her finger at Marina.

Pearl: I know you're up to something, and when I find out what it is-

Marina: Oh, would you look at the time! You two better be on your way, or else you'll be late.

Marina was rushing Pearl and Juvia out of the door.

Pearl: Hey! Marina! Okay, fine! I'll be back later.

Juvia: See ya, Mari!

Pearl and Juvia started walking away.

Marina: Good luck! And Juvia, thank you for remembering that nickname you gave me!

Marina shut the door.

Marina: Ah... Here we go.

[I know what you perverts are thinking, and no, Marina isn't going to have sex with Azazel. That's for a later chapter, so you'll have to wait.]

---

(Azazel's POV)

I was now waking up, feeling good about myself, with everything slowly becoming clearer.

Marina: Azazel... Azazel... Wake up...

Marina was lightly nudging me until I woke up.

Azazel: No... I don't know the muffin man...

Marina: What the heck is he dreaming about?

She started nudging me a little harder.

Azazel: Wha?

I now sat up.

Azazel: Oh, hey, Marina.

Marina: Good morning?

Azazel: Are you alright?

Marina: Of course I am.

Marina had a big smile on her face.

Azazel: Really, because you're acting weird.

Marina: No I'm not. I'm just having a good morning. Now get up, and come downstairs. I'll get you some breakfast.

A few second passed and we were still just sitting there.

Marina: Well, aren't you going to get up?

Azazel: Well, yeah, but... I'm only in my underwear under this blanket.

Marina blushed really hard, looking up and down. She covered her face and quickly left, to go downstairs. Out of my sight, she pulled out a small tissue to wipe away the small nosebleed she had.

Marina: I'm sorry! I'll just go downstairs and wait.

Azazel: Okay.

She left, and I took a quick shower and got dressed.

I came downstairs, and Marina set a bowl of cereal down at the one seat at the table, and then she sat down across with her own bowl of cereal.

I happily sat down and ate the cereal.

Marina: So, did you and Pearl really... you know...

Azazel: Oh. Well, to give you a straight answer, no.

Marina: (Oh thank goodness.)

Azazel: So, is Pearl in the gaming room or something?

Marina: No, Pearl left earlier.

Azazel: Huh? Where'd she go?

Marina: She had a personal matter that she went to take care of.

Azazel: Well, okay, I guess.

Marina: Well, are you busy today?

Azazel: Well... No, actually.

Marina: Great! Do you wanna hang out with me today?

Azazel: Sure, sounds like fun. What do you have in mind?

Marina: A couple of things.

Azazel: Well. Why not?

Marina: Sweet! Follow me!

Marina grabbed my hand, and dragged me outside, to the garage.

Azazel: What're we going to the garage for?

Marina: Well, I thought I would drive.

Azazel: You have a car?

Marina: Not exactly.

Marina opened the garage to reveal a motorcycle.

Azazel: Damn! This thing is sweet! (That thing looks better than mine, and mine's an old school chopper.)

Marina: Thanks.

She giggled at my compliment, as she started putting on her helmet

I looked over to see Marina holding the second helmet out for me.

I turned around to say this to all of you readers out there.

Azazel: Remember everyone, always ride with a helmet on.

Marina: Who are you talking to?

Azazel: The audience.

Marina: Okay then...

I then put the helmet on.

Marina hopped on the motorcycle, then patted the seat behind her. I then got on behind her and wrapped my arms around her.

I couldn't see it, but Marina was blushing a lot now.

Marina: O-okay, now h-hold on tight.

I then held onto her a bit harder, leaving Marina screaming internally.

She collected her thoughts, then started riding off.

---

(Marina's POV)

Marina stopped the bike. Marina and I were now hopping off the bike.

Azazel: So, where the hell are we?

I asked as I was taking the helmet off.

Marina: This is Shellendorf Institute.

Azazel: Oh yeah, I've heard of this place. Do you enjoy coming here?

Marina was now rubbing the back of her neck.

Marina: Yeah, I-I just like seeing everything this place has.

Azazel: Cool!

Marina then relaxed at my response.

We then entered the building. Marina paid the admission fee, then turned around to see me staring around at everything, especially the giant skeleton hung from the ceiling, with awe. I've heard about this place, but I've never been seen all of this in person, until now.

She giggled at this.

Marina: How adorable.

She then walked over to me and tapped me on the shoulder.

Marina: Are you okay?

Azazel: Yeah, just... I've heard about this place from my friends who've been here before, but this is a first for me.

We began walking around the place, taking in the sights, and reading about the exhibits. We saw many things, including a giant wall with writing on it, some vases and models of other things behind glass, and even just seeing some rock layers.

We stopped to look at a model of the Great Zapfish.

I looked over at the little Inkling cutouts.

Marina: You know, I bet it's much bigger in person.

Azazel: Yeah? Well, next time we're in the Square, I'll call it down so we can see if you're right. (Well, it is much bigger in person. Of course, she doesn't know that.)

We both laughed at this.

We continued walking around and saw the mouth structure of a creature with big, sharp teeth.

Marina: Geez, could you imagine that thing coming after you?

Azazel:

She thought that I was joking and was about to laugh, but she realized that I was being dead serious. There are much bigger fish out there, some of which we don't even know.

We then walked over and saw a screen that showed three strands of DNA.

Azazel: To think that everything that makes up our genetic makeup, is all in here.

Marina: Yeah, and they're so small that you can't even see it, but it determines everything about you.

Azazel: Not everything. The only thing that makes you who you are, is what's in here. That's what matters the most.

I said as I placed my hand by where my hearts are.

Marina: Yeah... I guess you're right.

Suddenly, we heard the voice of an elderly squid lady.

Elderly Squid: Aw, it's nice to see a nice young couple doing something other than just be on their phones. [Insert boomer joke here]

This got Marina all flustered, and she started to respond with near-gibberish.

Marina: W-W-What?! Us?! Me and h-him?! Not a-at all! You've got it all w-wrong! We're just f-friends!

RaveDogg: Sure you are.

Elderly Squid: Aw, that's a shame. I would think a nice, beautiful girl like yourself would have someone nice to be with.

This just seemed to make Marina even more flustered.

I then walked over and grabbed Marina's shoulders.

Azazel: Sorry ma'am, it seems she needs a little time to calm down.

Elderly Squid: Of course, go right ahead.

I then walked Marina away. After a bit, she calmed down a bit, to where she could take her face out of her hands.

Azazel: You feeling better now?

Marina: Yeah. I think so.

I then looked around a bit, while waiting for Marina to calm down a bit more. I then saw a sign with a list of rules on it.

Azazel: Let's see what we have here. No photography, no drinks, no kissing?

Marina then looked up for a second.

Azazel: Wait, so does that mean that food is allowed?

Marina then put her face back in her hands.

---

After a bit, we decided to head out. We threw on our helmets on and continued on riding.

We grabbed a bit of food on our way to our next destination. Marina wasn't recognized due to her helmet, thank God because I don't want to deal with that experience... again.

We arrived around this one place no one was. We walked to the top of the hill, which had a view that overlooked the entirety of Inkopolis, perfect for viewing the sunset.

Marina set a blanket down on the hill and set the food down next to us. We then both sat down on the blanket. Just basking in the golden embers of the sunset.

Marina: Isn't it beautiful?

Azazel: It truly is... This city really is beautiful. Whether you're viewing the sunrise, the sunset, or even the lights of the city in the darkness of the night, Inkopolis never fails to show its beauty. A beautiful jewel radiating its luster, that is how I view Inkopolis.

Marina just looked over admiring me. Admiring the way I was able to put my thoughts into words.

Marina: (It's a rare occasion to actually hear him speak his thoughts about a situation, rather then just taking everything half-seriously.)

She then looked away, with a slight blush on her face, realizing how she had just been sitting there silently staring at me.

Azazel: But you know what jewel I think is the most beautiful, even more so than Inkopolis?

Marina: What could that be?

Azazel: You.

Marina was surprised to hear this, to where she was blushing hard by this point.

Azazel: If you haven't found me while I was passed out in the middle of the Square, I would've never known you for what you truly are; a kind and caring person who puts your hearts and soul into making others happy. You may be an Octoling, but to me, from the bottom of my hearts, you're the definition of what it means to be an angel; a smart, beautiful angel that descended from heaven.

Marina didn't know what to say by now, she was silent. That silence was broken when she hugged me, and even started to cry.

Marina: Thank you... You have no idea how I feel...

Azazel: Believe me, Marina, I know. You wanted people to see who you are, not what you are.

As the sun was touching the buildings, Marina got closer to my face, and I couldn't say no, so I moved my head closer to hers.

Our lips got closer and we were staring deeply into each other's eyes, and then...

We connected.

After a bit, we broke the kiss, and we continued to take in the food and the drink, not to mention, the view. We sat there just watching the skyline until the sun eventually dipped beneath the horizon.

She gave me a hug, and I returned the favor.

Marina: I had so much fun today with you.

Azazel: So did I. Should we head home and call it a day, maybe even watch a movie?

Marina: That would be nice.

We packed up our stuff, put our helmets on, and rode back home.

---

Marina walked over to the couch, with the now cooked popcorn, and laid down in front of where I was laying down, making sure not to block my vision. She set the popcorn just in front of the couch, so we could both reach it.

Marina: Got the movie?

Azazel: Yep. Got the popcorn?

Marina: Right here.

Azazel: Looks like we're all set.

We then continued to watch the movie, late into the night. Marina would get slightly flustered every time I would reach my hand over her, but in actuality, was just grabbing myself some more popcorn.

The movie was near over now, and I reached over her.

Marina: (Seriously, does he have to snack so often?)

But Marina was surprised when I didn't take my hand away. She shifted over to see that I had fallen asleep.

Marina wrapped her arms around me, and sunk her head into my chest with a smile on her face, se we both were now drifting off into sleep.

SEE YOU SPACE COWBOY...

Wow, I mean, just... Seriously, that's... He managed to kiss both the Off the Hook idols in the same week. Well, Azazel, you did it, you made me cry. But anyways, if you guys enjoy this chapter and enjoy this story, be sure to show me some love, hit that vote button, follow me to receive news on Into the Light. I noticed that my chapters as a whole, expect for the entry chapters, have less reads than the others, mostly due to the fact that most of them are carbon copies of moments from Splatoon x Male Reader by DForrester. Check out his story, it's actually really good. Don't worry, original ideas will be coming soon. Just wait after Cuttlefish and the Agents return to the surface. Chapter 17 is in development. As always, I'm RaveDogg, and I'll see you in the next chapter

October 29th, 2020