Frye POV

Frye was using Big Man's laptop while lying across the couch up against Shiver's side.

Frye: Okay! Now this is getting ridiculous!

Shiver: Y'know constantly refreshing the page isn't going to make your package get here any quicker, right?

Frye: You don't know that!

Shiver: Frye, there is literally no effect you doing that has on the delivery...

Frye: Well-! Just look at the delivery progress! IT LITERALLY WENT BACKWARD! WHY WOULD IT GO BACKWARD?!

Shiver: I don't know, but you can't do anything about it.

Frye: Or can I...?

Frye said while thinking about it and looking up.

Shiver: You can't borrow Master Mega to go hijack the delivery truck.

Frye: WHA- I- That was NOT what I was thinking of doing...! But if it was-?

Shiver: -I would say no.

Frye snapped her finger in defeat before lying back on the couch.

Suddenly, (Y/N) walked into the room.

(Y/N): Hey you two, what's up?

Shiver: Howdy.

Frye: Hey.

Frye said with a frustrated look, but not looking away from the laptop.

(Y/N): She still upset about her package not getting here?

Shiver: Sure is.

(Y/N): Frye, you should just find something else to do instead of watching that one website all day... Or at least stop hitting the keys so hard before you break the laptop.

Frye listened to his advice and set the laptop on the table away from her, but she also crossed her arms and grumbled to herself.

Frye: Okay, smart guy, then what kinds of things should I do today? What're you up to?

(Y/N): I don't know about you, but I was going to go check out the shops in the city to see what they've got.

Frye: OOH!

Frye immediately rolled off of the couch and surprised him by running over to him and hitting him in the arm.

Frye: Count me in!

(Y/N): Shouldn't you be watching what you spend? You just spent some money on your online shopping recently.

Frye: You don't want to hang out with your smokin' girlfriend?

She said giving him a pleading look.

(Y/N) just smiled and shook his head.

(Y/N): You know it's not fair to ask me that, right? How am I supposed to say no?

Frye just gave a big smile.

Frye: You're not!

Big Man: Ay?! (Which one of you two took my laptop without asking again?!)

Frye: Time to go! Good luck, Shiver!

Frye quickly exclaimed while dragging (Y/N) out of there while (Y/N) waved back to Shiver.

Shiver: How generous, Frye.

She said with a wave to the two as they left.

~~~

(Y/N) POV

The two were walking through the streets with Frye jumping around joyously on the trash cans and other such things. She was also trying to balance herself on top of the railings causing (Y/N) to worry about her safety.

(Y/N): Frye, if you're not careful, you're going to slip and get hurt.

Frye: Pfff, nuh uh.

She said with a snicker.

Frye: Do I look like the kind of person to not be careful?

He just gave her a look before she laughed.

Frye: Oh nooooo, here I gooooo!

She said while almost completely leaning over looking like she was about to fall before suddenly her feet left the railing and (Y/N) instinctively ran over to catch her. Unfortunately for him, she hadn't actually slipped but had instead kicked off of it and did a cartwheel on the railings while still staying on top of them.

(Y/N) took a second to realize she had been messing with him but took a second to let out the breath he was holding while she had been giggling at his reaction.

Frye: Awww, I'm glad to see how quickly you were coming to my rescue, but your face was hilarious with your reaction, especially when looking at it upside-down.

(Y/N) was just blushing out of embarrassment but was still smiling at her little prank on him.

Frye: Buuuut, you better be ready to catch me this time, because this time is for real!

(Y/N): Wait, what?

He quickly noticed she had flipped away from the railing altogether, and he quickly went to catch her where she was looking to fall, which luckily, he accomplished.

She was now in his arms and cheering for him.

Frye: Alright! Great catch!

(Y/N): You keep surprising me like that, I'm gonna pass out one of these times.

He said chuckling.

Frye: Don't be too upset, you get a reward for a good job after all.

He looked at her confusedly before she gave him a nice kiss on the cheek.

Frye: And doesn't that make it all worth it?

(Y/N): Can't say it doesn't.

He said while smiling at her.

Frye: Make it worth it enough to carry me there?

(Y/N): Not for just a cheek kiss.

He said while quickly setting her back on her feet.

Frye: Aw man... Well, at least we're basically there already now.

(Y/N): Where do you want to go first?

Frye: Is that even a question? Hotlantis, of course! I love the random stuff they've got there. You never know what you're going to find!

(Y/N): Then Hotlantis it is!

The two walked for another minute or two, finding their way to the main part of the city, and immediately seeing Hotlantis on the corner, to which Frye rushed in ahead of him with him following in shortly after.

Frye: Wassuuuup, Harmony!

(Y/N): Heya, Harmony.

Harmony: Hi.

Frye then noticed another Inkling in the store with them.

Frye: Ayo! Is that you as well, uh... um... what was your name again?

The Inkling's expression had quickly changed from shock to a questioning look as Frye had clearly not remembered their name.

Eva: It's Eva.

Frye: Right, right, I knew that!

Eva: You haven't heard my actual name before now.

Frye: Oh sweet, then it's not my fault.

The Inkling had a yellow ink color and one side of her tentacles was braided up. She had a tattered, gray shirt along with a pair of gray, red, and black boots.

The woman who said her name was Eva then looked over at (Y/N) who had walked in behind Frye.

Eva: He with you?

She asked Frye.

Frye: He sure is! He's my boyfriend.

Eva: Wow.

Her eyes were a little wide in reaction to Frye proclaiming such a thing.

Frye: Why does everyone always have that shocked look when I tell them that...

Eva: Nothing, that's great, just didn't expect you to be the type of person who... yeah.

(Y/N): I'm struggling to tell which one of us is the one being insulted.

Eva: Nonono, I'm sorry, I didn't mean it in a bad way for either of you two!

Frye: It's fine, he's just messing with you.

Frye said with a laugh.

Frye: Luckily for me, he's hard to upset.

Eva just breathed out a sigh of relief.

Eva: So, what're you two doing here?

Frye: You know how it be. Buying stuff and thaaaangs.

(Y/N): Even if some of us shouldn't be.

He said while looking through some of the stuff in the shop with a laugh.

Frye: You shushy!

She said before turning back towards Eva.

Frye: And what you up to here?

Eva: Workin' a bit.

Frye: Workin'? You, ya big, mean, splatting machine?

Eva: Yeah, just part-time though. It's not bad but it helps with paying for my new place.

Frye: You're moving?

Eva: Nah, just moved here not too long ago.

Frye: Moved from where? You're not from Inkopolis, are you?

She said while eyeing up Eva, meanwhile (Y/N) had heard it and was listening a bit confusedly.

Eva: No, I'm from Splatsville, I just moved to some place around here to be closer to all this stuff.

(Y/N): Wait, I'm still confused. What's wrong with Inkopolis?

Frye: Ugh, what isn't? Ain't that right, girl?

Frye was holding up her fist to Eva for her to fistbump, but Eva didn't, and instead thinking she understood why he had asked decided to ask (Y/N) a question of her own.

Eva: Did you also move here?

(Y/N): Yup, sorta recently too.

Eva: That's cool, where from?

(Y/N): Inkopolis.

Eva turned back to Frye who had then started sweating a bit and freezing up, finally realizing why (Y/N) had asked the question.

Frye: N-Not you, of course! I didn't mean it like that! You're great, hehe.

She said with a nervous laugh while trying to backtrack the statement she had made in front of him.

Meanwhile, (Y/N) and Eva were both just enjoying the rare sight of a nervous Frye who had said something she regretted. The two had let out a laugh causing Frye to feel slightly embarrassed as he held her hand causing her to just look away from him annoyed, but also refusing to let go of his hand.

Eva: Anyway, I'm about done here, I'll be heading outta here. Gonna go do some Turf Wars later.

Frye: Well we'd be down for joining in with you.

Eva: You sure?

Frye: Yeah, I've been bored today and we mostly came out here for me to find something to do. You'd want to join in too, right (Y/N)?

(Y/N): I mean, yeah, of course I'd be good to go.

Eva: You sure you can keep up with me though?

Eva said with a jokingly cocky tone.

Frye: Oho, just because you beat me that one time someone thinks they're the master now, huh? Well even if you beat me, I'm sure (Y/N) here can outdo you anyway.

(Y/N): Why am I being dragged into this now?

Frye: Because I've seen what you can do out there and I've gone against her before. Plus, seeing as you're my boyfriend, your victories are basically my victories too.

Eva: Riiiight. Well, if you two are ready to go, we can head over now.

(Y/N): Don't you need to grab your weapon?

Eva: Nah, I've got it in my locker in the lobby.

(Y/N): There are lockers in the lobby?

Eva and Frye both looked at him like he was dumb.

Fyre: They have personal lockers for people to use and store their things in.

(Y/N): Wha- where have they been at?

Eva: Right in between the lobby terminal and the food stall. There's a door for the area right there.

(Y/N): I've never seen anything there but a shiny wall though!

Eva: There's a sliding door there and when you get close to the "wall" it becomes clear since it's glass, which is why it looks shiny.

(Y/N) just face-palmed.

(Y/N): Now that's just bad design.

Frye just patted him on the back to comfort him as he coped.

Frye: Mhm. Whatever you say...

Eva: We're all heading out now, Harmony.

Harmony looked up from the item she was messing with.

Harmony: You all are still here?

Eva: See ya later.

Harmony: Bye.

~~~

Eva POV

Eva: I'll admit, you're a little better than I thought you'd be.

(Y/N): A little?

Eva: Stop fishing for compliments.

Frye: The win streak doesn't let up!

(Y/N): Yeah, but I think it might be a good time to stop. We've been going at it for like half the day now.

Eva: It has been a while we've been stomping people in these matches, it probably is a good time to stop.

Frye: Ugh, you ladies are so quick to tire.

(Y/N): Not everyone can have infinite energy to spare, Frye.

Eva: Besides, Little Buddy needs to be fed. He can't just wander around the city the whole day.

(Y/N): Little Buddy?

Frye: Her pet Smallfry.

(Y/N): Oh that's awesome! Can I check him out?

Eva: Sure, depending on how quickly I can find him.

(Y/N): Find him?

Eva: Yeah, he kinda just likes to wander around the area the lobby and shops are at when I'm here.

(Y/N) nodded to show he understood.

The three made their way to the locker room, much to the annoyance of (Y/N) still that this had been there the whole time and he hadn't noticed.

He returned the weapon he had borrowed from Eva and she put it back in her locker before the three made their way back out of the lobby.

(Y/N): Are you still annoyed that you couldn't get a snack before we left?

Frye: I swear I had a food ticket on me...

Eva then called for Little Buddy hoping he was close enough to come out.

After a few moments of nothing, they heard a noise slowly start getting louder as Little Buddy rounded a corner running and jumping up into Eva's arms.

Eva: There you are!

She said while hugging him lightly before holding him out for (Y/N) to see.

(Y/N): It's almost strange to see a Smallfry that isn't trying to beat me down with a spoon.

He said while putting his hand close to him before Little Buddy quickly shut his mouth causing (Y/N) to yank his hand back quickly.

Eva and Frye just laughed at how jumpy (Y/N) was over it.

(Y/N): It's not that funny.

Frye: Yeeaaaah, it's hilarious.

She said nonchalantly.

Eva meanwhile was taking the time to look up at the tower to see the Great Zapfish who had been returned recently.

(Y/N) and Frye noticed her staring at it and looked up with her.

(Y/N): Oh yeah, glad to see the big fella is back. The power shortages were annoying to deal with.

Frye and Eva just stared at each other knowingly and chuckled.

Eva: Still, I hope that little hair on its head isn't going to be a problem for it.

(Y/N): At the least, it doesn't seem like it's giving it any issues. But seriously, they need to put a bell on them or something. The Great Zapfish in Inkopolis went missing twice, and now Splatsville's.

Frye: Heh. Inkopolis failed to protect theirs twice. Splatsville for the win.

Frye said while holding up a fistbump for Eva to return, but Eva just shook her head with a sigh.

Frye: One of these times, you will fistbump me.

Eva: Yeah, well you're gonna have to say something that isn't just you putting up a petty rivalry first.

Frye: Hmph.

Frye said with her arms crossed and a pouty face.

Frye: Anyway, you got our number from the boss already, right?

Eva shushed Frye, to which (Y/N) just looked over questionably.

Eva: You're not supposed to talk about that stuff openly.

Eva whispered to Frye.

Frye: Come on, not even to (Y/N)?

Eva: Yes, it's super secret, remember?

Frye: But he's my boyfriend.

Eva: Ziiip!

Eva said while mimicking Frye to zip her mouth closed.

Frye: Aw man, this is gonna be tough... Fine... That said, we did already tell him a summary of what happened.

Eva: How much?

Frye: Just the basics. We got a new boss, we fought Mr. Grizz, saved the world. Just that sort of stuff.

Eva sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose.

Eva: Nothing about the New Squidbeak Splatoon?

Frye: We didn't mention that part, no.

Eva nodded and finally broke apart the distance between her and Frye after Frye's reluctant agreement and explanation of where things stand.

Eva: Anyway, yeah, I got your numbers. I can give you mine though and then you can pass it to Shiver and Big Man.

Frye: Definitely! You haven't hit us up since all that went down! We gotta be able to hit you up if we need to if you ain't gonna do it for us.

Eva: Yeah, I'm sorry. Just haven't gotten around to it yet.

She said while nervously rubbing her neck before pulling out her phone and giving Frye her number.

Eva: You want to swap digits too? I gotta admit, you aren't a bad teammate to have in matches with your skills.

She asked (Y/N) causing him to smile and take out his phone.

(Y/N): Sure, I guess it couldn't hurt to play with some of the more casual players.

He said with a jokingly cocky attitude.

Eva: Oh that's how it is?

He just shrugged playfully.

(Y/N): I can count it as community service.

Eva: Next time we'll do a 1-on-1 and see who's the one in need of some lessons on how it's really done.

Frye walked between the two.

Frye: Ladies, ladies, you're both very pretty. So now that that's all settled, let's gooo alreadyyyy!

The other two laughed at Frye's impatience before fist-bumping each other, which caused Frye to give the two a glare at how Eva wouldn't give her one earlier.

Frye and (Y/N) then left their separate way from Eva.

~~~

(Y/N) POV

Frye and (Y/N) entered the hideout and found Shiver on the couch using Big Man's laptop with headphones plugged in while Big Man was just sitting by her sulking.

Frye: We're baaaack!

Big Man: Ay. (Oh, hey you two.)

(Y/N): Something up, Big Man?

Big Man: Ay! Ayy. (Yes! Shiver's been hogging my laptop all day.

At this point, Shiver noticed something going on and looked around and noticed the two had returned before taking her headphones off.

Shiver: Oh, hey guys, welcome back.

Big Man: Ay? (Oh, so now you can take off the headphones?)

Shiver: I don't have someone nagging me for their laptop now, so yes, I can.

She said with a smirk.

Frye: What've you been using it for?

Shiver: Important things. But I was also listening to that new Squid Sisters song as well.

(Y/N) froze for a moment at the mention of the group.

Frye: OOH! You mean "Wave Goodbye"? It's so good!

Big Man: Ay. (It is a really good song.)

Frye: Have you heard it yet, (Y/N)?

(Y/N) just gave a nervous laugh.

(Y/N): I hadn't realized they released a new song.

Frye: Really? I would think if anyone would care about the Squid Sisters, it'd be the one from Inkopolis, where the Squid Sisters are from.

She said while bending over forward with her hands on her hips and saying it in a teasing way to him.

At the mention of the fact, Shiver and Big Man looked over.

Shiver: You're from Inkopolis?

(Y/N): Please tell me you're not going to be all weird about it like Frye was.

Shiver just held her fan in front of her face while turning away slightly with her eyes shut.

Shiver: There are always some exceptions to be made, I suppose.

Big Man: Ayyy. (I guess that does make sense considering we found him crossing the desert from the direction of Inkopolis.)

Frye: Don't worry, we won't think any less of you for it.

(Y/N) was still just left speechless and confused over what their beef was, but at the same time, he would be surprised if there was anything or anyone that they didn't have beef with.

Frye: Anyway, you should listen to it, it's pretty good if I say so myself.

She said like she was the expert on the matter.

(Y/N): Uh, nah, maybe another time.

Shiver: What, are you busy again after you just got here?

(Y/N): I mean, how can I enjoy listening to it if I already listen to the best band ever all the time: Deep Cut?

He said nervously hoping his flattery would work.

Big Man: Ay! (Aw, thanks man!)

Frye: Yeah, but sucking up ain't gonna work.

Shiver: Besides, we've already approved of even our biggest fans supporting the Squid Sisters.

Before he could make another excuse, Frye had already grabbed his shoulders and placed him on the couch between all of them.

Big Man: Ay, ay! (Trust me, this is one of my favorites of theirs probably!)

(Y/N) just gave a nervous laugh as Shiver pressed play on the song, now with the headphones unplugged so they could all listen.

Shiver POV

They all listened to it and were enjoying it in a different way. Big Man looked as if he was melting away to the happiness of the song, Shiver was just smiling with her eyes closed as she listened to the Squid Sisters' melodic tune, and Frye was bopping her head, feet, and hands around since she couldn't help to stand still while the song went through her.

They had listened to most of the song and as it was coming to an end Shiver decided to take the moment to look at (Y/N)'s reaction. However, instead of seeing a smile across his face or anything like that, she instead saw tears forming in his eyes.

She didn't understand what was going on but she was really worried about his sudden reaction, so she nudged Frye to snap her out of her groove and nodded her head towards (Y/N) to signal that she should do something about it.

Frye looked over at (Y/N) and saw the tears forming in his eyes and looked like she had come to a realization.

Frye: See? I told you it was good! So good it'll make ya cry tears of joy clearly.

Shiver facepalmed at the Frye misunderstanding the situation, and Big Man had also noticed the situation going down now.

(Y/N): Yeah, it's great, I just... I'm just gonna go get a breath of fresh air for a minute.

He said while standing up and walking out of the room and going up towards the roof.

Shiver: Were you dropped or were you just born this way?

Frye: What the heck does that mean?!

Shiver: Frye, he's hurt! You. Are. His. Girlfriend. You should be looking out for him and trying to help him right now!

Frye: I'm sorry! I didn't notice!

Shiver was annoyed at Frye being dense about the situation, but Big Man just put a fin on Shiver's shoulder before turning to Frye.

Big Man: Ay. (You should go check on him, Frye.)

Frye nods understanding that this should be the thing she should do as his girlfriend and leaves to go after him.

~~~

Frye POV

Frye saw him just leaning on the edge of the roof looking out at Splatsville.

Frye went to say something to him but stopped herself beforehand since she wasn't sure how exactly to handle the situation, especially when she didn't know what exactly had led him to act that way either. She wasn't one for comforting words, so there was only one thing she could do to make him feel better.

(Y/N) was surprised at how he suddenly felt arms wrapped around with a comforting tightness.

He turned his head over to see Frye looking a bit awkward and worried, but holding him anyway.

He just smiled and wiped away the tears on his face and hugged her back, enjoying seeing how much she cared about him.

(Y/N) hugging her back did let Frye ease up a bit more seeing as her plan worked to help him, and the two separated from the hug to look at each other.

(Y/N): Thanks for the healing hugs, Frye.

Frye just gave her normal big smile at him.

Frye: They're a cure-all for any problem you're having, and I'll always be there to give them.

(Y/N) once again hugged her, happy at knowing how lucky he was to have someone there to help him when he was feeling down.

He then went back to looking at the city, now with Frye right beside him as they rested their heads together.

(Y/N): It was a really good song, Frye. Thanks.

Frye could tell he wasn't lying or just saying it to make her feel better, but she couldn't shake the curiosity of what had caused him to react with such sadness to the song. However, she would never think of wanting to choose that curiosity over his happiness so she just let it be and continued to smile along with him as she looked at the best and most beautiful city in all the land with him, which in turn, made her feel as happy as could be as well and cuddled into him even more.

3713 Words

March 4, 2024 - 5:55 P.M.