(Y/N) POV

Veronica was happily walking alongside (Y/N) down the streets of Splatsville.

Veronica: Do you think they'll be happy to see me when we get there?

(Y/N): Yeah, probably. I don't see why not. But are you sure you want to come along? I know they're a bit much to deal with.

Veronica: No, I like them. They're funny.

She giggled.

(Y/N): It's your decision.

He shrugged with a smile on his face as the two walked up to the door to the hideout.

Upon (Y/N) opening the door, there was immediately heard the sound of feet scampering across the floor and fast speeds.

Mere moments later, Frye was grabbing onto Veronica's arms and in her face.

Frye: WE'RE GONNA DIEEEE!

Veronica looked startled and worried.

Veronica: What?

(Y/N) was just as shocked by the sudden quick outburst.

Big Man: AY! (FRYE!)

Shiver was snickering behind her mask while Big Man was attempting to scold Frye.

Veronica: What's wrong? What's happening?

Big Man turned to her.

Big Man: Ay. Ayy. (Nothing. Frye is exaggerating because of the new Splatfest theme.)

Veronica: O-Oh... That's good, haha... What's the theme?

Frye: The theme is "What would you do at the WORLD'S END"!

(Y/N): That's a little dark for a Splatfest.

Frye: Shush, it's cool.

(Y/N): What are the team choices?

Shiver: I'm on Team Same Ol'. End of the world or not, who cares? It's just another day.

Frye: Booooooring!

Frye wraps her arm around Veronica. I'm Team Bucket List. Going out with a bang!

Big Man: Ay? Ay! (Why go out with a bang at all? I'm Team Save the Day!)

Shiver: And if it's a meteor strike? What do you really intend to do then, huh Big Man?

Big Man: Ay. (Intervene.)

Frye: Whatever.

Frye bobs her shoulders up and down in opposite rhythm from each other as she approaches (Y/N).

Frye: You'll be on my team, won't ya~?

Big Man: Ay. Ay- (Nonsense. (Y/N) helped save Inkopolis in the past-)

Frye: -That's too bad.

Big Man: Ay! (So, he's obviously going to go Team Save the Day!)

(Y/N): Sorry to burst you two's bubble, but I'm going Team Same Ol'.

Big Man: Ay? (Huh?)

Frye: What?! You can't do that!

Shiver pulled (Y/N) in close to her as she gave Frye a snarky look.

Shiver: Don't be so crude. He can make any choice he wants that aligns with my views.

Big Man: A-Ay? (B-But why?)

(Y/N): Saving the day can be tough work, and I'm more of a "go with the flow" guy. I'll help if someone needs me to, otherwise, I'm carrying on with my day.

Shiver: Good enough for me!

Frye pouted while Shiver kept looking down on her.

Big Man: A-Ay? (W-What about you then?)

Big Man asked Veronica.

Veronica: Probably Team Save the Day? I'd like to help in any way I can! Plus, who would spend the last day on Earth on a list of buckets?

Frye: No no no! That's not what a bucket list is!

Big Man: Ay-! (No, she's made her choice-!)

Veronica: What is it then?

Big Man: Ay... (So close...)

Frye: A bucket list is a list of the most important things you want to do before you croak. The things you couldn't imagine never doing in your life at least once.

Veronica: That sounds so fun! I want to make one!

Frye: That's what I like ta hear. Come with me and we'll put together the best one you can come up with!

Veronica: Okay!

Veronica said excitedly already trying to think of things to write on it.

Frye was already discussing ideas and talking about her own bucket list items while leading Veronica to another room.

Big Man was stammering after the two but realized he lost this battle and accepted it as he went back to his own room.

Shiver and (Y/N) were left just standing in the main room on their own now as the other three left.

The two looked at each other.

Shiver: Wanna go find Boss Marie and annoy her?

(Y/N): You read my mind.

He responded back with a mischievous smile to match Shiver's as she wrapped her arm around his while the two left to find the sassy squid who would certainly punish them for what they planned to do.

~~~

Veronica POV

Veronica: Ooh, and then there's buying (Y/N) those snacks he likes at the store. Play video games with Pearl and Marina. And-

Frye: Hold it.

Frye had her hand held up in front of Veronica.

Veronica: What's wrong?

Frye: I think you're missing the point. Of a bucket list.

Veronica: You said it's stuff that's super important to you.

Frye: Exactly!

Frye grabbed the paper list Veronica was listing her items on and held it up in front of Veronica.

Frye: This reads more like your everyday to-do list.

Veronica: The things I do on a daily basis are important to me though. (Y/N) gets cranky when he's hungry for insta-

Frye: Yeahyeahyeahyeah. Listen.

Frye halted Veronica's speech.

Frye: I get it, but you're missing the point. Something on your bucket list is stuff that are like BIG moments. Things you'd want to be notable things you did that make you say life was worth living. So, do you get why just boring, normal stuff you do all the time doesn't work for one?

Veronica: Maybe?

Frye: Think bigger. You said you wanted to play video games with Pearl and Marina, right?

Veronica nodded.

Veronica: Mhm.

Frye: Think bigger.

Veronica thought for a moment in a confused manner.

Veronica: Play two video games with Pearl and Marina?

Frye: Bigger!

Veronica: Three-

Frye: BIGGER! Something you haven't done before but want to!

Veronica was silent for a moment trying to think of something.

Veronica: Well... Marina has always wanted to teach me that game that she and (Y/N) spend hours on, but whenever I try to figure out how, it always confuses me. They say you need to "roleplay" for it, but I'm not sure what that even means. I could finally take the time to learn how to play with them.

Frye: BI- Oh wait, actually, that's pretty good. Nice job!

Frye gave two big thumbs up.

Veronica: This is hard to think of, but I think I sort of get it now. It's pretty fun.

Frye: See? I told ya so!

Veronica: Can you tell me the things on your list to help me out?

Frye: Sure! I can show ya a couple.

Frye takes out her bucket list as it unfolds down to the floor, clearly made up of multiple pieces of paper taped together messily.

Frye: Like what you see?

Veronica was reading her list.

Veronica: "Jump a shark"?

Frye: Yeah! It'd be sick! But Shiver has always told me it's too dangerous.

Veronica: I thought Shiver was good at taming sharks.

Frye: She is. She meant that it'd be too tempting for her to command the shark to intervene in the middle of it.

Veronica: Oh.

Veronica said with a surprised face before looking at her list again.

Veronica: "Win a wrestling championship and an eating competition at the same time"?

Frye giggled.

Frye: Yeah, that one's a good one. I could totally do it too!

Veronica: I believe in you.

Frye smiled a wide smile at Veronica while she continued the list.

Veronica: "Let Shiver and Big Man know-"

Frye snatched the list back.

Frye: Oi oi! Not that one!

Veronica: Huh? Why not?

Frye was blushing a bit.

Frye: It's just...

Her shoulders slumped with the list a bit.

Frye: It's just kinda lame...

Veronica: But you had all those circles around it.

Frye was silent for a moment.

Frye: Ugh, don't tell anyone else about it...

Frye offered the list back to Veronica as she continued reading it.

Veronica: "Let Shiver and Big Man know just how important they are to me".

Frye looked away a bit to hide her embarrassed face.

Veronica: That doesn't seem that bad.

Frye: Yeah, well, Shiver and Big Man would make fun of me if they read that.

Veronica: I don't think they'd do that.

Frye looked over at Veronica.

Frye: You're right... Shiver would make fun of me if she read it.

Veronica: I think they'd both be happy to hear how you feel. But there's one issue.

Frye gave a confused look to Veronica.

Veronica: I thought you said to list things that you don't do all the time.

Frye: Well, yeah, but... That's just a general idea. There can be exceptions. If you tell someone you like that you care about them all the time, there's nothing wrong with wanting to make it clear and do one last big gesture for them if you thought it was your last day.

Veronica listened to her.

Frye: That's what a bucket list is about. Getting everything you need out of your system while you have the chance before you miss your chance entirely. Writing them down as a bucket list can make it easy for you to think about how you need to do it now rather than later. Which is good since I'm a bit of a slacker.

Veronica: I see...

Frye: Your stuff you think about is all about other people. Think about the things you want to do with those people you care about before it's too late. Like, check this out.

Frye rolled her list up as she found the one she was looking for and read it off to her.

Frye: I want to make sure my little sisters have the happiest day of their lives and do whatever they want.

Veronica smiled.

Veronica: That's really sweet.

Frye giggled.

Frye: And this one. "Give my little twerp brother one last noogie to annoy him with".

Frye was laughing while Veronica shook her head and looked at the list one more time.

Veronica: "Do that thing with (Y/N) one last time"? What's that one?

Frye: Eh, don't worry about it.

She said as she quickly rolled up her list.

Frye: Think you've got the idea now?

Veronica: I think so? I've got the idea now I think, but I need to come up with some.

Frye: Think about the people closest to you and think of what you'd want from them or want to do with them first. Any ideas?

Veronica tried thinking about it for a moment before she blushed a bit and rolled around trying to calm down a bit.

Frye: Oh? Seems like you've got an idea.

Veronica: Y-Yeah...

Frye: Well? Out wit' it.

Veronica: I really... want to hear Marina tell me how proud she is of me...

Frye: Not bad at all. Now that's the embarrassing stuff you want to get out on your last day. Perfect! Another!

Veronica sat back up thinking about some more.

Veronica: I want to let Pearl know just how great she is.

Frye: You sure? Her tiny body might not be able to handle a head that big.

Veronica: Well, I just know Pearl has had a tough time in the past. I want to let her know she's loved and cared for. So she knows just how deserving of love she is!

Frye: Fine, I guess that does sound pretty nice. Yeah, add it to the list. Now, next one.

Veronica: Ooh! I've always wanted to do this one!

Veronica quickly jotted down another one.

Frye: What is it? What is it?!

Frye tried to peek past Veronica's head and see what she wrote.

Veronica: I've always wanted a one-on-one fight with Liz.

Frye: OOOOH! Now that's the stuff that I like to see! Invite me to watch that one! But how come? Didn't take you for that type of person.

Veronica: It's just... some things happened a long time ago, and it just stuck with me. Part of me was too afraid of the idea that it left within me, but I also fought her in the Deep Sea Metro, but she was all brainwashed back then. So I want to put put the idea behind me once and for all.

Frye: That sounds awesome. I'm so proud of you!

Veronica smiled but then quickly wrote something else.

Frye: And now?

Veronica blushed.

Veronica: Well, I always wanted to get the Squid Sisters' autographs...

Frye: Aren't you friends with them already?

Veronica: Of course, but... I was a huge fan before that, and when I finally met them, it was kinda awkward and I couldn't ever bring myself to ask for it back then.

Frye: Surprising, but good. Aren't you forgetting someone though?

Veronica: Um...

Veronica was thinking.

Frye: (Y/N).

Veronica: I know that. It's just... I can't think of anything...

Frye: Really? Not a thing?

Veronica: I-I know there are things I want to do with him, it's just..! It feels like I can't narrow down one thing specifically to put how I feel perfectly... does that make me a bad friend?

Frye: Nah, I get it. Trust me. I ain't so good wit' words like you is. Things you can't punch are harder to understand. That's why I was no good in school.

Veronica: Shouldn't I be able to come up with one idea at least? It feels like they're all floating above my head but I can't reach them.

She said while puffing out her cheeks, frustrated.

Frye: Yeah, it's annoying. I've got a punching bad that helps me when things feel like that. Just try and think of other things you want for now and come back around later. It's not like the world is actually ending.

Veronica: Yeah, but you told me the bucket list is for making you realize the things you should do. If you put them off because you think you have more time, then that seems like hubis- er, hubris.

She corrected herself.

Frye: Fancy word, but valid... Maybe I should give more care to actually finishing these things on my list... Starting with this one!

She said while pointing at an easy one on her list she was able to do.

Frye: BIG MAN! What's the record again for-

Big Man: Ay! Ay! (No! We're not trying that again!)

Big Man yelled from the other room.

Frye: Don't be like that, Big Man! It's for the bucket liiiiiist!

Frye whined loudly back at him.

~~~

(Y/N) POV

Shiver and (Y/N) walked back into the hideout dejected.

Big Man: Ay? (What happened to you two?)

Big Man asked from the couch that he, Frye, and Veronica were sitting on.

(Y/N): Marie...

Shiver: She's a tyrant...

Shiver said with an annoyed look that she didn't even care to hide behind her fan.

(Y/N): You look happier than you did earlier though.

Big Man was smiling while Frye frowned.

Frye: He would. After all that, she's still sticking with Team Save the Day.

Veronica: I just would like to help out everyone if given the chance. I'd have to act.

She said smiling.

Frye: Mhm.

Shiver: Then what are you three doing now?

Frye: Watching a movie off of Big Man's account.

Shiver: That sounds relaxing enough for me to unwind with. Count me i-

Frye: Wait, hol' up.

Frye quickly started running at the front door Shiver and (Y/N) were standing by for seemingly no reason before everyone else noticed the door opening to reveal Eva.

Eva: What're you losers up to-?

Frye quickly grabbed Eva's arms.

Frye: WE'RE GONNA DIEEEE!

Eva just simply blinked a couple of times.

Eva: Guess it's my last chance to do this then.

Eva grabbed (Y/N) and got really close to his face before Shiver, who was standing by (Y/N) still, butted in.

Shiver: You do know Frye is just talking about the next Splatfest theme, yes?

Eva was silent for a few moments before trying to brush it off.

Eva: Pff, uh, yeah? Of course? Haha, what else would it be?

Eva took a step back from (Y/N) and tried to play it natural while Shiver kept eyeing Eva from behind her fan.

Eva: So, what's the theme and choices?

Big Man: Ay? Ayyy? Ay- (What would you do during the world's end? Same ol', bucket list, or save the day? Obviously, you're gonna go-)

Eva: -Bucket list.

Eva answered having successfully shifted the topic at hand.

Frye pumped her fist into the air while Big Man was left with a shocked expression.

Big Man: A-A-Ay! (B-B-But you literally saved the world!)

Eva shrugged.

Eva: Put it on my bucket list.

Big Man just put his face into his fins.

Frye: What're you lookin' so sad for?! You already snatched one away from me earlier!

Veronica just giggled as she looked at the scene around her.

She looked back at the movie they had been watching as it neared its end while everyone else was busy with each other. She enjoyed the happy ending the movie and its characters had.

Veronica turned back toward the others, but this time focused her attention on one person specifically.

Veronica stared at (Y/N), not breaking her stare at him for a while as if she was having an epiphany, even locking eyes with him for a bit.

Veronica brought out a piece of paper and wrote something down as (Y/N) approached her.

(Y/N): What do you have there?

He asked her causing her to look back up at him suddenly with rosy cheeks at his approach.

Veronica: My bucket list.

She said smiling at him with her flushed cheeks.

(Y/N): That's cool. May I see what you find so important to put on a bucket list?

Veronica looked back at her bucket list and then back at him, her smile growing.

Veronica: Nope!

She shook her head as she folded her bucket list back up and put it back into her pocket, leaving (Y/N) both confused and pretending to be hurt, but she just giggled at him instead of giving in to his plights.

2761 Words

August 26, 2024 - 6:55 P.M.