Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Something wasn’t right about the marigold inkling.

Over the weekend, he noticed that she became more fidgety, more absentminded, more…

It clicked.

“Dedrei, did something happen to you?”

She stared at Neptune, eyes wide. “What?”

“You went home with Alocer on Friday, and now you’re spacing out unless you’re with him.” Neptune kept his voice low, as to not disturb the others in the class. “I’m sure he didn’t do anything, but did someone else? You’re not focused on Nemichi anymore either and-”

“I’m just thinking about the break.”

He was surprised about her honesty. The inkling was fairly good at telling whether or not someone lied- And Dedrei was often a horrible liar. 

When she did, she stumbled over her words around him, or hesitated when she spoke, or had a look similar to a guilty slug… 

With the answer not being that someone hurt her, he smiled. “Are you getting used to being at school so much that being away scares you?”

“Huh? No, I’ll be in Inkopolis during the time.”

“Excited…?”

She exhaled a quiet laugh. “No, no, I am, I just…” There was that hesitation… “I’m going up alone, and I don’t know who I’m staying with.”

“It sounds like you’ve been there already.”

“My friend Ivy usually drives me over to see her and her partners. Not super often, maybe every other week…”

Your friend can drive?! “Why isn’t she bringing you?”

Dedrei sat up, frowning. “That I don’t know. She said that someone called her and told her to not worry about it, and that that someone was going to pick me up from one of the train stations.”

By train…

“When are you leaving?”

“After we’re done with midterms.”

Doesn’t… Is he over there for that time? Could I get him to bring me…?

Neptune thought to himself, tapping his pen against the table.

Maybe I can make sure she’s safe?  

I don’t want her to get hurt.  

Neptune smiled. “Would going with my brother and I make you feel safer? We’re heading out the same time, I can’t say we’re heading back the same as you though.”

The younger teen’s posture tightened, Dedrei bringing a leg up. “You’d do that for me?”

“It’s nothing, really. Plus, it means that if something happens, you have someone you can come to if Ivy isn’t available.” 

Tears brimmed in Dedrei’s eyes, Neptune laughing softly and leaning over, rubbing them with a thumb. “Thank you, Neptune!”

“You’re what.”

“I’m going with Jupiter to make sure Dedrei gets to Inkopolis safe.” Neptune picked a potato stick from the bag of sweet ones Hera and Castor were both munching on. Mars and Pollux were at another table, going back and forth with math problems. “She’s been sketched out since the weekend, and I’d rather make sure that she’s safe.”

“But we have the tournament-”

“And that’s why miss Castor is even registered with us.”

“Hey, Pollux and I have our own friends we could invite if you and Mars would rather break up to fight with your friends.” 

Hera scrunched her nose. “No, I’d rather fight with all of us together, you know that.”

Neptune took another. “You’re a good backliner, Hera. Don’t let yourself think otherwise. You’re more than capable of being their anchor.”

Mars spoke up from his table. “What? You don’t want to support a slosher and two blasters?”

“No!” Hera scoffed, leaning back and crossing her arms. “What are those three going to do anyways, without her? It’s more logical for one of us to go with them and the rest of us to break into our own teams if you and her are gone.”

“She has no choice,” Mars pushed a flash card over to Pollux. “Neptune has a choice.”

“I don’t mind going with our friends,” Pollux filled it out, turning it over, handing it to Mars. “If you’re so gung-ho about this.”

“You four are fine.” Neptune intertwined his hands, resting his chin on them. “And will be fine without me, and without Dedrei.”

Castor raised a brow. “That still doesn’t answer for Alocer.” 

Neptune smiled, resting his hands down on the table. “He’s handled teams with just him, Murmur, and Zeppy.” 

“Speak of the devilfish,” Mars waved to the entering four inkfish. “Yo~ho! You fellas are late!” 

“We were doing a match before coming up.” Alocer sat next to Pollux, Zeppy sitting next to Mars. Murmur sat at the head of their table, Dedrei joining Neptune and setting her bag on the table. 

“You should be bringing Dedrei here and not on the field especially since she needs the help for midterms.” Hera tapped the table, Dedrei unloading her books. 

“We’ve been studying together since Friday, what are you talking about?” Alocer grumbled towards her. “That was the first time we’ve done anything outside of study and sleep .” 

“What?” Hera raised a brow. “Wait, seriously?” She looked over to Murmur and Zeppy. “Weren’t you two turfing during the weekend?”

Murmur shrugged. “Yeah, duos. We tried calling them to see if they were going to show up and Alocer told us that they were together.”

Zeppy grinned. “Why? Are you jealous that they study alone?”

“No, I’m wondering why you two weren’t studying with them.” Hera glared at them.

“Hey now,” Neptune hummed. “We’re here to study, not interrogate each other.” 

Mars grinned. “Yeah, Hera.”

“Whatever…” She turned away from him, taking a notebook from her bag. She handed it to Dedrei. “I prepared something for you, it’s a mix of Inkling and some math questions at the end for you to work on. Finish it, then you can go home.”

Dedrei grumbled to herself as she picked it up from her. “It’s a whole notebook…”

“Yes, and you’ll get even more on your exam. I don’t want to see you have to miss your trip because you decided to not study.”

“When did you care so much about her?” Castor took a stick and bit part off. 

Hera scoffed again. “Do you really think I don’t care for her?”

“Stop talking like I’m not here.” Dedrei opened the notebook, looking at the other girls at the table. 

“Who are you seeing, by the way?” Castor finished her potato stick off. Dedrei ignored her, scribbling down answers in the notebook. “Alocer-”

“Don’t ask me, I don’t know.” Alocer searched through his binder, glancing over at the other table after taking out a few worksheets. 

“Boring.” Castor sighed. “Whatever.” 

“So,” Mars leaned towards Alocer. “Don’t you think it’s weird that Neptune’s been pretty close to her recently?”

“No.” 

Mars turned his head. “That was fast.”

“Neptune cares about all of us,” Alocer opened the rings of his binder, taking another sheet out. “There’s no reason to think he’s treating her like that. Plus, he doesn’t care for girls.”

Mars raised a brow to the latter statement. “...What do you mean by that?” 

“They’re talking about us.” Dedrei commented quietly, looking up at Neptune.

“If he had other motivations for talking to her, I would know.” Alocer picked the folder the other boys were using for their flashcards and slipped a paper into one of the pockets. 

Neptune glanced towards them, then chuckled. “It’s whatever, Dedrei.”

“You sound so sure.” Mars hummed. Alocer’s tentacles began to curl inward, avoiding looking towards him. 

Dedrei frowned, tapping the tip of her pen against the notebook. Castor took another snack, turning her head. “Should we go to another room?”

“I’m sure because I know her, Mars.” Alocer responded.

“Would you rather that, Dedrei?” Neptune turned to the side, watching the other inkling as she nodded. 

“You’ve known this girl for a few months,” Mars removed the paper from the folder- Nothing more than a worksheet from one of his classes that he had forgotten to grab- and began to fill it out. “And yet, you seem to know so much about her.”

Hera and Castor collected their things, leaving with Neptune and Dedrei into the next room over. 

“Sorry for making you guys move.” Dedrei sighed, rubbing her face. 

Murmur spoke up, “Why are you so concerned about it?” 

“It’s fine .” Hera shook her head. 

“I’m done with this.” Alocer placed his sheets back into his binder, shoving it in his book bag. 

The four of them went to work on their own, Neptune keeping an eye on the girls’ work as he did his own.

“Hey, don’t let him get to you!” Zeppy stood, huffing. “Mars, stop being such a dick!” 

“I’m not being a dick, I’m just pointing out, why is it that he meets a girl, she’s suddenly in our lives, and he's infatuated?!”

“Mars…” Pollux hissed. “Seriously, quit it.”

“What’s so special about her?!” Mars waved a hand in the direction of the other table-

“How long do you think it’ll be until they notice we’re gone?” Castor asked the others. 

Hera responded, “Long enough to warrant them looking for us when they do.” 

The table of boys- And Zeppy- stared at the empty table beside them. 

“Where did the girls and Neptune go?” Mars gawked in disbelief. 

“Wait, you guys didn’t tell them we left?” Dedrei furrowed her brows at the others. “Why wouldn’t you tell them?”

“They were arguing over you, what are we going to do, add fuel to their bullshit?!” Hera huffed. 

“I think they got annoyed by your bickering.” Zeppy picked her backpack up, grabbing Murmur’s arm, then Alocer’s. “Let’s just go find her.”

Mars shoved the worksheet into his folder, standing. “Hey, you guys said you’d study-!”

“I would have told Alocer we’re in here if I knew you guys wouldn’t say anything!” She stood, placing her pen on the page she was working on.

“Yeah, study, not bug me about what my girlfriend and I do.” Alocer pulled his backpack on, wiggling out of Zeppy’s grip and leaving the room. Zeppy groaned, Murmur finishing putting his things together. 

Mars stared, again, in disbelief as the two left after Alocer. “Girlfriend?” 

The three looked into the nearby classrooms, Murmur grabbing onto Alocer’s jacket. “Hey.”

“What?” 

“...You didn’t say anything about you two being official.”

Alocer felt a distinct anxiety crawl up his spine, an awkward laugh escaping the octoling. “I. Uh,” He turned to the taller inkfish, tentacles curling. “That just kind of, came out.”

“Are you going to tell him?” Neptune watched Dedrei head towards one of the room doors. 

“I figured that was what was going on. Mars needs to mind his own business.” Zeppy sighed. 

“Of course? I mean, it’s silly if I don’t- Oh.” She began to reach for the handle- Alocer pushing the door open on the other side. “Hi.”

“You guys are in here?” Alocer asked, peeking in. 

“Don’t bring the entire brigade with you.” Hera yelled from the table. 

Dedrei noticed his tentacles, turning her head. “What did you guys talk about?”

“Nothing important.” Alocer pushed the door open a little more, heading in. “We can work on our stuff while you guys keep doing your thing.”

“He called you his girlfriend.” Zeppy was behind him- Alocer and Dedrei both immediately turning towards her in embarrassed horror.

“Is that supposed to be news?” Castor leaned an arm over her chair, looking the group over. “Stop bickering and get back over here.”

Murmur joined them, pushing a few desks to combine with the ones that Hera, Neptune, and Castor were sitting at. “They haven’t said it before out loud.”

“Hey,” Alocer pointed at the green inkling. “What do you mean out loud?!”

“Alocer, it’s a little silly to think that we didn’t know.” Murmur set his bag down on a desk. “Zeppy, did you make sure to bring all your stuff?” 

“Duh,” She sat down next to him, setting her bag on the desk. Dedrei took her seat again, embarrassment warming her face. “I’m not that stupid.”

Alocer sat across from Murmur and Zeppy. “I… I didn’t realize how obvious it was.”

“I knew you had a crush on her, and we told her,” Zeppy dumped her backpack on the desk, Murmur picking the few random pens and toys up before they fell onto the floor. He sat them on the desk. “It had to happen eventually.”

“Why do you guys get so flustered over these things?” Castor sighed. “I don’t get it.”

Neptune watched Alocer as he placed his things down, eyes glossy. “Hey, did what Mars said really get to you?”

Alocer frowned. “No, not like that.” He shook his head. “I think I’m just a little emotional right now.”

“You know the teasing isn’t meant to be mean.” Zeppy picked one of the toys up- A little sticky slug covered in lint and various other dust- and set it on his desk. 

“I know.” Alocer nodded. “I just… I don’t like that he’s so concerned that you’re caring for her. You took care of all of us at some point, it’s not like it’s special treatment.” 

“If it wasn’t for you, we wouldn’t be here.” Hera sighed, closing her eyes and resting her cheek against a palm. “That’s why I’m annoyed at you for leaving us for the tournament.”

“What… Do you mean?” Dedrei asked Hera. 

“Neptune’s…” Hera opened her eyes, thinking for a second of what she should say. She pointed at Dedrei with her pen. “Let’s just say he’s strong. It runs in the family.”

“I’m new to the area,” Neptune laughed. “And there’s been too many situations in the last couple of years where I’ve been there to help everyone out.”

“And you don’t give yourself any credit.” Hera retorted. “You help us out and think that you could do more and you push yourself for no reason!”

“But that’s my job, Hera.” Neptune continued to laugh. “If I didn’t, then there’s no reason for me to be here.”

…No reason for you to be here?

Dedrei frowned. 

That mentality is familiar.

“You’re smart, and you’re one of the school’s best, that’s worthy enough for you to be here, Neptune.” Hera grew agitated by his self-pity.

“If that makes you happier, then I want you to continue to think that.” 

No way.

Neptune laughed. 

Dedrei sat up, eyes widening. 

“Neptune!” 

“I’m playing, I’m playing.” Neptune waved a hand. 

Her stomach churned. 

His scars, they’re not from accidents, are they?

He glanced over to her, then smiled, his jagged, shark-tooth-like beak distracting her from his otherwise masculinely soft features. 

For the first time, Dedrei saw a similar, sad glimmer in another’s eyes, a shadow under a sober teen’s mirth. 

Chapter Text

“Do you know who’s picking me up?” Dedrei leaned over the side of the bed, phone to her ear.

Ivy let out a sigh. “You know I can’t tell you.”

“But do you know if it’s someone we trust?”

“Dedrei…”

“I’m going to keep asking until you tell me.”

“And I’m not going to break a promise.” Ivy tapped something against a table on her end of the line, then tore something. “If I could, I would tell you.”

Dedrei turned over, placing a hand on her stomach. “Hiru won’t tell me. You won’t tell me…” She sighed. “I just… Don’t like that.”

“If it’s anything,” Shuffling came from Ivy’s side, before she continued to speak. “I should be able to get you if there’s any issue.”

“That’s good at least… What are you doing?”

“Just taking some of my meds.” Ivy moved the phone to her other side, Dedrei hearing her throw a few things away. “How is your studying going?”

“Good, I have my midterms next week.”

“That’s exciting!”

The door to the bedroom opened, Eight peering inside. “Oh, let me let you go, Ivy.”

“Alright. Have a good evening, Dedrei.”

“Bye!” Dedrei hung her phone up and sat it down on the bed stand. She walked over to the door, waving. “Is dinner ready?”

“Almost.”

Dedrei followed Eight into the kitchen, taking a soda from the fridge and heading to the bathroom. 

I should take mine.

She removed one of her pills from a blister, popping it into her mouth and downing it with soda. She set the blister back into its pouch. Heading back to the kitchen, Eight placed a finger over her mouth. 

“Huh…?”

“Shh.” Eight motioned for Dedrei to follow her, the two peeking into the living room from the dining room. 

“She’s doing okay.” Hiru was leaned out on the couch, focused on the television. “Her old mom called earlier.” Silence followed, before Hiru responded to what Dedrei would assume was a call. “She was talking to her friend earlier, so I don’t think she’d be up to talking. I’ll tell her you said hi though, Momma.”

Momma…?

Hiru stood from the couch, both teens sliding back into the kitchen. “I think Eight’s almost done with dinner.” Dedrei picked her soda up, Eight moving to get a few plates out. Hiru entered the kitchen, removing the phone from their ear and covering the receiver. “Is it finished?”

Eight smiled. “Yes!”

Hiru brought the phone back to their ear. “I’ll let you go.”

Dedrei and Eight could hear on the other end, “ Have a good weekend, sweetie. ”

“Who were you talking to?” Dedrei asked once Hiru shoved their phone into their pocket. 

“My parents.” Hiru shrugged. “They check in on us sometimes.”

Your parents…?

“Oh! Are they doing okay?”

“Momma’s gotten a new job, a bit closer. Still across the water,” Hiru waited for Eight to prepare a plate for them before continuing. “Mom’s been dealing with some medical stuff. Gave her the information for your old doctor, Eight.”

“You have two moms?” Dedrei seemed surprised. 

Hiru raised a brow. “...Is that weird?”

“No, I…” She shrugged. “I don’t know, I just don’t picture you having a mom.”

Hiru cracked a smile. “Mom looks like me, you know. I’ll show you a picture when we’re sitting.”

The three moved to the table, Hiru pulling their phone from their pocket and searching through it. They showed Dedrei a picture of a polaroid- Two older inklings holding what looked to be a little boy in their arms. “And a brother?”

“That’s me.” Hiru glared at her. The child had their ink color- Though had their tentacles up in a bun like one of the older women- The one was lithe with short, lime-green tentacles. The other was a chubbier inkling, covered in piercings, with dark green tentacles and long ears. 

“I can tell she,” Dedrei pointed to the lithe inkling, “Is your mom, but the other one kinda doesn’t…”

“They used a donor that was the same species as Momma.” Hiru explained. 

Dedrei slowly nodded. “I see… I don’t know, it’s just… Kind of weird to think about it.”

“You don’t usually think of someone’s parents when you’re with them.” Hiru set the phone down, leaning back to start eating. “Though… It makes me curious, Neo.” Dedrei looked up at them while she ate. “Aoi took care of you. What do you remember of your parents?”

“Um…” The question made her uncomfortable. 

I don’t… Like talking about them.  

Hiru stayed quiet as they waited for her response. 

“My mom… Um. She wasn’t around. Neither was my dad, really.”

“Who raised you, then?”

Dedrei picked at her food. “After I tried to find my mom, these two octolings and a shark. They were super nice, and taught me how to read.”

Hiru relaxed. “So that’s why you’re getting help with reading inkling.”

The teen nodded. “They taught me that, and how to talk, and how to sell scrap. They taught me how to fight and buy stuff.” She slowly smiled- The experience clearly not being traumatic for her. “Then they were gone one day. So I used what they taught me and found Little Buddy.”

Eight perked up. “I thought you got him as a birthday present!”

“I didn’t-” Dedrei caught herself on her words. “I didn’t want to tell the truth. I didn’t… I didn’t know if I’d get in trouble, or if you’d try to find my parents, or-”

Hiru nodded. “You were scared we would think you’re lesser than you are.”

“Uh-huh.” Dedrei nodded. “You already scared me… I didn’t want there to be a reason for you to not want me around…”

The table went quiet, Dedrei doing the dishes after with Eight. She joined the two on the couch, Hiru pulling her into their lap and brushing their hand down her unbraided tentacle. 

“There’s not a lot of stuff out there about your parents.” Hiru hummed. “Is there?”

Dedrei leaned into them, frowning. “...I don’t… Like talking about it.”

“It’s okay to talk about it with me, Dedrei.”

“I-”

Hiru rested a hand on her shoulder, rubbing into it with a thumb. “Truthfully, I don’t think there’s any form of paper trail that leads to them.”

“...What?”

Hiru kept their gaze forward, even as Dedrei turned to face them. “I can’t find any records. I’ve been trying to collect things for your doctors. Nothing leads to you, or away from you, other than everything with Aoi. No missing child records either.”

She began to grow unsettled listening to them. “...Captain,”

“Normal parents don’t let a kid leave on their own,” They rubbed at her shoulder again, another hand moving to her hip. “Normal parents don’t let a stranger take their child.” 

Her mouth opened slightly. “Captain…”

“Your mother wasn’t in the picture, right?” 

“Hey…”

Hiru kept their voice low as they leaned their head down. “Shark bait has an expiration date, you know.” They whispered into her near, causing the teen to squirm. “Are you sure your dad didn’t plan any of that? It’s strange…” Their hand pushed up her shirt, Dedrei’s breath hitching. “Little girls don’t just get abandoned by their parents like that.”

No way.

She closed her eyes as Hiru’s hand moved to her chest, slowly massaging it. “Maybe that’s why I was so drawn to you,” Hiru hummed. “You’ve just existed as a toy… So cute, so stupid.” 

No… He couldn’t have done that… Dedrei’s lips quivered as Hiru groped her. 

They kissed her cheek. “It’s okay, Dedrei. I’m here now.” Their hands moved under her bra, thumbs and index fingers pressing against her nipples. “I won’t let anything bad happen to you. You know that. Ever since you’ve been here, nothing bad’s happened, right…? You haven’t been hurt by anyone else, you haven’t been abandoned, I’ve been right here for you…”

I…

…You’re not wrong. Dedrei wanted to whisper. She couldn’t bring herself to speak, however.

“You’re such a good girl, Dedrei.”

Tears dropped from her eyes, Hiru letting go of her chest and moving their hands lower. They rested one hand on a hip, the other pushing down into her shorts. They rubbed at her slit from outside of her underwear, causing the teen to begin to shake in their arms.

“I want you to understand that you belong to me, Dedrei.” They kissed an ear, the hand on her hip moving up to lean her face towards them. “Your life has been so much better with you here . You’ve been doing better with me .”

Their hand moved under her panties, Dedrei’s eyes settling down and watching their hand as they began to finger her. “I…”

“You can have your own toys, but your body will always belong to me .” Hiru hissed, fingers pumping in and out of her. “And any toys you have will need to understand that. When you’re gone,” Hiru removed their hand, pressing their soiled fingers to her lips. Dedrei opened her mouth, Hiru rubbing their fingers against her tongue. “You need to remember that.”

This is… Uncomfortable…

“You will always be mine .”

They removed their fingers, pulling her shorts off and adjusting their own bottoms. “Captain…”

“Your little boy… Trust me, I know how happy he makes you. I have no intentions on stopping you from loving him.” Hiru’s eyes tilted down, positioning theirself to her entrance. “I don’t see him as a threat, if I’m being honest.”

…Huh?

“He’s cute.” They slowly brought her hips down. “Seeing how you get with him…” Their tongue brushed against their lips, a sly grin on their face. “It’s adorable. I don’t care that you don’t look at me like that, truly.” 

Dedrei’s hands traced down Hiru’s arms, embarrassment filling her core. 

“He can never do what I can do with you, and that’s why I’m fine with you two. Ivy can never do what I can do.” Their hands adjusted from the sides of her hips to the front, both thumbs pressing against her abdomen. “I still want you to be my wife, you know.”

…What?

Hiru met her eyes, kissing her. 

Wait.

Her hearts began to beat fast as the gears in her head turned. 

“I don’t-!” Dedrei pulled her head back, anxiety welling in her chest. “I don’t know if I’m-”

“Not now.” Hiru’s thumbs massaged against her abdomen, their reply firm. “You’d have too many complications. But in the future…”

Her tears returned, fear over the concept of the other impregnating her taking over any other feeling she had in that moment. “Wait, no, stop-!”

“I have our money… We won’t have to worry about that.” Hiru whispered. “There’s nothing you have to worry about yourself…”

“I… I don’t want to have a baby, Captain…” She sniffled, her whole body shaking once more. Hiru’s movements grew sloppy, disgust filling Dedrei’s chest. “I don’t! I don’t want you to think I want one! I don’t-!” 

“It’s not up to you, Dedrei.”

“I don’t like this anymore, stop-!” 

“Why did you ever think you had a choice in the matter?” Dedrei continued to sob as Hiru came inside of her, thumbs rubbing harder at the area on the outside of her womb. “You belong to me , Dedrei. You don’t get the choice of whether or not you want it. I do. It’s my body.”

Dedrei leaned forward, grabbing onto Hiru’s shirt and crying. She began to cough, Hiru rubbing her back after a few moments. 

“You’ve gotten too comfortable, Dedrei.”

I want to go to bed!

“I won’t have you for over a week. I don’t want you to forget…”

Dedrei tuned them out. She continued sobbing, gripping their shirt the moment they began to pick her up to bring her to the bathroom. 

“...She didn’t take that very good, did she…?” Eight asked, Dedrei unable to tell if she was following the two or not. 

“She’ll tire herself out and be okay in the morning.”

They weren’t wrong . She did continue fighting against Hiru’s hold until she felt the shower on her body, exhaustion taking over her.

When she would wake again, only Eight laid in the bed the three shared. She glanced to a clock, reading 4:53 . 

It’s too early to be awake…

But Hiru’s not here.

She wiggled out of Eight’s grasp, replacing herself with a pillow as she made her way out of the bedroom. She scratched at her belly, using the restroom before looking for Hiru- A feat that wasn’t too hard upon hearing the television in the living room change channels to some advertisement one. 

Dedrei took a juice pouch from the kitchen, making her way to the living room. Hiru sat in their usual chair, the teen taking note of a full ashtray and the inkling watching her as she entered. In the dark, the eye covered in scar tissue glowed a soft cyan, along with the scar itself and a portion of their tentacle.

She didn’t know what caused it. But whatever it was, was a sore topic. She knew it hurt, since she had seen the adult use different medicated ointments on it over the course of the months… 

But she wasn’t used to seeing it so bright. 

“Couldn’t sleep?” They asked, taking a drag. 

“Just woke up. Heard you up, so I wanted to see what’s going on.”

Hiru seemed to hesitate. They let out the smoke they took in, eyes locking with hers. “Pain’s been getting worse.” They paused, then added, “You didn’t take your sleep medicine.”

“...Pain?” Dedrei then replied, “No, I passed out before I could.”

“I’ve been working since I was a little younger than you are now.” Hiru watched as Dedrei took a seat in Eight’s chair next to them. “Recently has been the most time between assignments, and it’s taking a toll on me.”

“Wait… Like, Marie and them?”

Hiru nodded. “Mom’s always had joint issues, and I’m guessing I’m getting them now. So… Between busting my ass fighting and that…”

Dedrei sipped her juice. “...Your body isn’t used to resting.”

“Yeah.” They took another drag of the cigarette. “And I’m anxious about you leaving.”

The look they had…

It was genuine. There was a certain slyness that Captain got whenever they lied- One that Dedrei slowly learned. 

But the sadness in their eyes, the distant look at the television…

“You put it all together, right…?”

Silence. 

“It’ll be okay, Captain.”

They leaned forward, breaking the cigarette’s cherry onto the dish on the coffee table. The room filled with the sound of the eel salesperson trying to sell some kind of weight training belt, with a cheesy live studio audience laughing at his jokes. 

Hiru didn’t light another cigarette once the one they were smoking was finished. They leaned an elbow on their chair, eyes fixated on the television. They didn’t chuckle, they didn’t humor any more remarks. 

Dedrei watched them as they stayed quiet. The nicotine smell that once was disgusting to her faded, leaving the room smelling like cold, stale cigarettes. 

She didn’t know what to do. She didn’t want to leave them alone- But she… Didn’t know if they wanted to continue talking.

So she stayed quiet.

She watched the television turn to the early morning cooking shows, the songs of various birds beginning outside of the apartment filling the air. 

She didn’t realize how long the two were there until the shows turned to morning cartoons and Eight woke, peeking over. “When did you two wake up?!” 

“Three.” Hiru answered. 

“Almost five.” Dedrei responded.

“Please nap when you’re finished with breakfast!” Eight pouted at both of them, disappearing into the hall. 

Hiru stood up, rubbing their legs. They held their hand out to Dedrei, the teen taking it and standing. She held their hand as the two entered the kitchen, Hiru tossing Dedrei’s juice pouch away. Eight heated up some porridge for the three, Dedrei letting go of Hiru’s hand and took a banana for herself. 

She handed it to Eight, who smiled and cut it up and put it in her bowl. She turned to Hiru, smiling. “Blackberries?”

“Please.”

Once the three bowls were done, they moved to the table. 

And once all three were done, Eight took their bowls. “I’m okay with doing some of Neo’s chores if you two want to sleep.”

“You don’t-”

Hiru nodded. “Thank you, Eight.” They stepped around and hugged the octoling, kissing her forehead. They let go of her moments later, glancing over at Dedrei. “Come on.”

“I really should study-”

“You can study in the evening.”

Of course they’re fighting me on this. Dedrei and Hiru both grumbled to themselves. 

“Fine…” She yawned, following Hiru into the bedroom. 

She partially expected the other to have an ulterior motive to being so nice. 

But… As the two laid, and Hiru brought her into their arms, she let her guard down. Dedrei hugged Hiru back, burying her face into their chest and closing her eyes. 

This…

Is nice.

She let out a gentle rumble of a purr, Hiru rubbing her back. 

When was the last time I took a nice nap..?

Chapter Text

Hiru slowly became restless. Dedrei could tell that there was something they weren’t telling her. Something that they were bothered with. They lied often, sure, but there had never been a time up to this point that they had an extended period where there was a secret they kept.

They stayed close to her while home, movements more sporadic, growing into a constant need to have their hands on her in some way, shape, or form. She’d come home from school and get bombarded by Captain grabbing her wrists, kissing her and holding her in place. 

She was thankful that most of where they were touching her was hidden by her uniform- As the attention turned sour as it came closer to midterms week.

Neo brought her blanket up to her chest, rubbing her face into it. 

Have they…

Her eyes turned down to Captain, whose face was buried in her neck on the side that wasn’t being snuggled into her blanket. 

I think I’m too tired from studying.

Her eyes settled on the portion of her body exposed from under them, bruised down to her knees and scratched up the side of her hips. 

Captain leaned up, catching her mouth and pressing their tongue inside. 

I’m so tired.

A hand moved down, Captain lining themself with her and pressing their hips against hers. 

Sore.

Neo pushed her tongue against Captain’s, scrunching her face in annoyance. 

Captain pulled away from the kiss, nuzzling against her jaw, then her neck, pushing her blanket away with their head. They licked her neck before dipping their beak into her shoulder. 

“ Shit …” Neo hissed into the air, body twitching. She continued to twitch as Captain continued to bite down, the younger inkling instinctually grabbing onto them and trying to pry them off. “Ow- Ow!” 

Captain glared at her as they didn’t apply any more pressure on her shoulder, but instead, held her by her hips and slammed up into her. Warmth fell into their mouth and down into the bed. 

There’s no way that won’t leave a mark… Neo continued fighting against their hold, hips bucking when Captain’s beak slipped further into her shoulder while she was trying to twist away. 

Captain’s fingers pressed into her hips, a quiet growl coming from them in response to Neo’s struggling. Very roughly, they hissed, “ Stop. ” 

“That hurts, Captain!” Neo growled back. 

Her whole body shook again when Captain promptly moved their mouth from her shoulder to her neck, sinking their beak into the side. They bit down into her until their lips met her skin, letting go and lapping up the inky, bloody mess spilling from the bite wound. “If you won’t stop, then I’ll make you stop.” Captain grumbled. 

“What’s gotten into you?!” Neo sniffled, tears welling in her eyes from the pain. 

“I won’t have you for some time,” Captain breathed against her neck, holding her hips against theirs. “And I need it known to everyone else that you belong to me .” She felt them smile against the front of her neck upon her own core squeezing against their cock. 

The pain took all of her attention away from what they were doing. Radiating from her neck and shoulder, Neo felt nauseous. “I’m sorry,” Neo sobbed. “It hurts, Captain.” She cried through her pain, hands twitching as she reached towards them. 

“You know that this is your fault, Dedrei.” Captain hissed into her ear, resting a hand on her stomach. “You’re leaving me .” Their fingers pressed against her skin, Neo feeling her stomach churn as they continued pressing down. “You know that I can’t be without you anymore. You know how Eight gets when you’re gone for a long time. You still need us to survive,

“So how do you expect someone to treat you when they learn you need so much help?” Their fingers curled inward, knuckles resting down onto her skin. They brought their hand off of her body, before punching down on her stomach. Neo jerked forward, the teen pressing her face into Captain’s head to try to concentrate on not vomiting. 

Captain punched her stomach again, Neo’s instincts taking over and with a rush of adrenaline, she pulled away from Captain for only a second, the older inkling pulling her back down by her wrist. 

“Why are you running?” Captain frowned, Neo beginning to openly sob harder. “This is the easiest way to make sure nobody else touches you, you know,” Neo continued to scramble in their grasp, breathing harder and harder as the bed grew a dandelion yellow from the inky blood mixture rolling down her neck and shoulder. “I’ll be nice to you when I know you’re safe in my arms,

“And when I know nobody other than those two will be as close as we are.” Captain held both of her wrists, thumbs pressing against her palms.  

I don’t want to think about them when you’re hurting me, Hiru!  

Where they hit her was already welling up in a disgusting mustard-ish color, Captain pulling her back up to their hips. They let her go, and the moment Neo started to squirm away, they grabbed her by her non-braided tentacle and turned her over. They grabbed her hips, bringing her up once again and spread one of her lips to align theirself against her entrance. 

Sinking into her, they leaned over her, pinning her shoulders to the bed and biting into the nape of her neck. By the time they were finished, Neo was passed out, Captain picking her up and taking her to the restroom to bathe her. 

When Neo came to, she was covered in blankets with Eight rubbing her stomach, kissing her forehead. “Are you okay, Neo…?”

Neo glanced over to her, closed her eyes, then yawned. 

My entire body feels like it’s on fire.

She snuggled into the blankets, a small smile coming to her face. 

….But this feels nice…

Eight moved her hand to Neo’s face, kissing her cheek before hugging her and resting. 

Neo returned to sleep shortly after, waking in the morning and sitting up. She climbed out of bed on Eight’s side, looking into the mirror. Plasters sat over her neck and shoulders, soaked with a muddy teal and mustard mix. 

Most of whatever ink Hiru could have given her was soaked out into the plasters thankfully, leaving only the dull color at the tip of her unbraided tentacle. 

She made her way to the restroom and replaced the plasters, going to the bedroom and getting her school uniform on. 

The bandage on her neck stood out like a sore thumb. 

…It’s whatever. She sighed. 

Nobody will mention it.

“Are you okay, Dedrei?” 

Neptune asked the moment he saw her in the morning. 

“What do you mean?”

He motioned towards his neck. 

“Ah I… Uh,” She stumbled over her words. “I just slipped pretty bad when I was cutting something.” 

Neptune frowned. “If you got hurt that bad, you need to go to a doctor, not leave a bandage on it…”

“I’m fine, Neptune.” Dedrei waved her hand. 

He gave her a skeptical look, leaving the subject alone as they made their separate ways into their homerooms for their midterms. 

Dedrei sat her bag down, flinching when she heard the door open and saw a blue ring octoling- Miss Aoi - enter. Generally, she left Dedrei alone, as the only times that she would see her during the day were in passing and she had no interest in provoking her or causing any distress by talking one on one…

But Dedrei knew exactly why she was there the moment she saw Neptune beside her. 

“Dedrei?” Aoi asked, waving her over. “You’ll be taking your exams with me and a few others today.” 

…Is this about my bandages, or is this about something else..?  

Dedrei picked her things up and left the room, Aoi placing her hand on her back. “Is everything okay? Nervous?” 

“I’m wondering why I can’t take my tests with everyone else.”

“You’re still behind on some reading goals,” Aoi brought her to another room- Dedrei pausing in the doorframe when she saw Alocer awkwardly waving. “Neptune let me know you might be especially nervous today so I grabbed Alocer so you had someone you’re comfortable with to help.”

“I’m not a baby.” 

“I know you aren’t, Dedrei.” Aoi smiled. “But I also know that you’re bad at taking tests. If you do good on your midterms, I won’t bother you with all of this next time.” 

Dedrei grumbled- Aoi rubbing her head. “You didn’t have to bring Alocer into this.”

“He’s here for another reason.” Dedrei raised a brow. “He’s severely behind on his home economics class so he’s catching up on his work there.”

Alocer frowned. “Hey, you said you wouldn’t tell her!” 

“Alocer, you’ve been on top of like, everything!” Dedrei teased him as she took a seat near him. “What could you possibly have gotten caught up on?”

His tentacles curled inwards. “...I’m not great at cooking, so I might have…”

“Skipped his classes.” Aoi crossed her arms. “And now a certain little anemone is on both my butt and yours to do written work to make up for everything you missed.”

“If you had issues with it, you could have asked Tabby…” Dedrei trailed off.

“I don’t want to bother Miss Tabby with that…” Alocer frowned.

Aoi moved to her desk and sorted through her things, then handed a few workbooks to Dedrei. “Anyways, you two both have work to do. I’m not going to put you on a time limit, but I do need at least two of your midterms finished by lunch, okay? If you have any questions, ask Alocer or I.”

Dedrei nodded, taking her pencil case out and picking a pen. She started on her work, occasionally looking over to watch Alocer write away at various worksheets involving cooking and the chemistry involved with certain recipes. 

Thankfully for her, most of her work was easy enough to understand and so she got through both of her subjects before lunch- Though kept her inkling language work to the side to do after lunch. 

Aoi kept an eye on the two of them, tapping her pen to her desk as they both worked. A few hours into the session, a few more joined- Nobody being anybody that Dedrei personally recognized. 

Once lunch came around, she closed her books and undid her lunch box from her bag, setting it down and opening the wrap around it. Alocer continued working on his worksheets, Dedrei picking a little sausage out from her lunch and poking him. 

“Hey, open your mouth.”

“I’m not hungry right now.”

“C’mon.”

Alocer looked up, then sighed, opening his mouth. She placed the little snack inside, Alocer smiling after eating it. “Okay… Maybe I am hungry.”

Dedrei watched as he took his lunch box out, removing the top and exposing the inside- A bed of rice and a few veggie and meatball skewers. “How are you so scared of cooking but you’re making cute lunches like this?” 

“I don’t like cooking stuff here…” Alocer picked out a few more sausages and a tomato from Dedrei’s lunch, giving her a skewer as a replacement. “I don’t know, it’s just boring.”

Dedrei smiled. “I think you’re good at cooking, from what I’ve tasted.”

Alocer’s tentacles curled inwards. “I… Uh,” He chuckled. “If I had my own place already I’d be able to show you how bad I actually am at cooking. It’s pretty easy to make some rice and heat up some stuff on a communal stove.”

“It’s more than what I can do.” 

“Does Tabby not teach you…?”

Dedrei shook her head. “I haven’t asked her to show me how to make anything before. If I help her with dinner, it’s usually just taking things out.”

“I wonder where she learned to cook then,” Alocer picked one of the sausages up and bit the tip. “Hiru doesn’t seem to be the type to be able to cook.”

Aoi spoke up. “You two can come over some time and I can show you some basics.” She smiled warmly. “I can even give Hiru a call to see if it’s fine.”

Ah, right… Hiru does have Aoi’s number.

“Sure!” Dedrei smiled. 

Alocer seemed more embarrassed over it than her. “You don’t have to…”

“Dedrei needs to learn how to do more things on her own,” Aoi huffed. “And you need to learn how to work more than just a rice cooker and microwave, young man.”

“Auntie…” Alocer pouted. 

“Don’t Auntie me, Alocer. I know inklings say that every woman needs to be able to cook, sure, but every man needs to know how to cook as well!” Aoi waved a finger. “If you can’t, then you can’t support yourself! Plus, it means that when your partner needs help or can’t, then you can step up to the plate and make something good for them!”

“She’s pretty old fashioned, isn’t she…” Dedrei chuckled as she whispered to Alocer.

“Ever since I came out, she’s been pretty stern about these things…”

“I think she just wants to make sure you’re a good husband one day.” Dedrei smirked. 

Alocer opened his mouth to retort- Filling it with food after realizing that whatever he wanted to say would be met with more teasing. “I’ll be a plenty good husband…” He mumbled under his breath.

“I think you’d be a cute one.” Dedrei started to eat her own lunch, leaving the octoling to be flustered as he ate his meal. 

Once lunch was over, Dedrei had one more test for the day, occasionally getting Alocer’s attention to read certain parts out for her. 

“This is pretty much the same as together , right?” Dedrei pointed to a word, saying the octarian version. 

“Yeah, it’s saying ‘ What words when put together sound similar ’.”

“Together…” Dedrei whispered the word. “Ah.”

“Does that not show up a lot in what we all read or write…?” Alocer asked. “That’s such a strange word to get caught up on.”

“I don’t know, I think we usually say stuff that means the same but just not that word.”

“It is conjugated pretty strangely there. I mean, it’s usually plural, but I think it’s because it doesn’t have a positive or negative case…” 

“So that’s the neutral.”

“Yeah,” Alocer nodded. “You usually don’t say if it’s positive or negative in speech, so I guess that’s why it’s weird.”

Dedrei nodded. 

There were a few other times that she needed help- But by the time that she was done with her test, the bells were ringing to let out for the day. Dedrei finished the last few questions and handed her book to Aoi. “I think I have two more tomorrow, the next day,  then we’re out for break, right…?”

“That’s correct.” Aoi smiled. “Meet me back here tomorrow morning.”

Dedrei returned to her desk, picking all her things up and putting them together. “I’ll see you tomorrow!” 

Alocer scrambled to get his things together before Dedrei could leave, waving to his aunt and following after Dedrei. “Hey, can I walk home with you?” 

Dedrei stopped a few feet into the hallway, looking back at him. “Oh, uh, sure.”

He closed the gap, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Are you fine? I mean, I’m sure you’re fine , but are you okay? What happened to your neck?” 

Ugh.

“Hiru was a little rough.”

“A little?! I’ve never seen you with bandages .” Alocer squinted. “What’s going on?”

“I think they’re stressed that I’m going to be gone for the break. They’re scared something’s going to happen to me.”

“So they’re hurting you to…?”

“Their reasoning was to make it so nobody but you, them, and Tabby will touch me.”

Alocer slowly nodded. “So pretty much treating you like some little chewtoy.”

“I guess.” Dedrei glanced over to him. “It… Hurts, sure, but I’d rather not piss them off right now.”

“What will happen if someone does hurt you, though?”

“Huh…?”

“If someone, when you’re in Inkopolis, hurts you, or touches you, or anything. There’s no way Hiru would know unless they told them, right…?”

“I… I don’t know? There’s weird stuff that I know they can tell and that I can’t. I don’t know if it’s because I’m not an adult yet, or if they’re insane or something.” Dedrei shrugged her shoulders. “I’m… Not pressed about it, honestly.”

Alocer frowned. “I’m just worried that they’ll do something worse than usual if they figure out someone else hurt you.”

“I… Think that they’d be more likely to hurt that person more than me.”

“You put a lot of faith in them for that.”

Dedrei chuckled. “I guess I do.” 

They stepped out of the school, Alocer brushing his hand against hers. She took his hand, pulling him closer as they walked down the street. “Do you feel comfortable going up there with just Neptune and Jupiter?”

“I think I’ll be okay.” She smiled. “You’re going to have Zeppy and Murmur here with you while you’re in that tournament, right?”

He nodded. “We’re together, Mars managed to convince the others to get together instead of splitting up.”

“Hiru will probably record it.” Dedrei hummed. “They’ve been recording the others that we’ve been doing.”

Alocer sputtered. “Wuh- Wait, what? They have?”

“They like having stuff of us,” Dedrei opened the door to the apartment complex. “Why does that surprise you?”

“I don’t know- Wait, is it fine for me to come over?”

“Ah.” She let go of him. “Did you not want to come over…?”

“I can if it’s fine. I just… Didn’t want to surprise Hiru or anything.”

“I’ll go run up and ask.” Dedrei ran up before Alocer could argue more, coming back a few minutes later. “C’mon up.” 

Dedrei kept the door open for him, closing and locking it after he entered the mud room. She kicked her shoes off, setting her bag down near the door. They both peeked into the living room, Hiru and Eight resting on the couch. 

“Hi, Captain, Eight.” Alocer waved.

“Afternoon.” Hiru waved, Eight smiling and waving as well. “Everything fine?”

“Yeah,” Alocer nodded. “While I’m here,” He made his way over, undoing his blazer and setting it down on the coffee table. “Is it fine for Dedrei to go over to my aunt’s house after the break? She wants to show us how to cook some stuff.”

“Miss Aoi’s?”

Dedrei nodded, removing her socks and stumbling over. “Yeah, we were talking about cooking earlier and she mentioned that she doesn’t mind having us over to learn some stuff.”

“That’s fine,” Hiru nodded. “I don’t mind. She’s probably going to call me, isn’t she?”

“Yeah,” Alocer hummed. “That’s why I wanted to ask before she did.”

“What are you two up to now, though? You both have school in the morning.”

“Is it fine for him to stay over for dinner…?”

“Sure. But you have to walk him back to the dorms after.” Hiru commented, glancing back at the television before immediately looking back at them. “You’ve gotten taller.” They pointed in Alocer’s direction.

Alocer looked Dedrei over, then back to Hiru. “I have?”

“You used to be shorter than Dedrei.” They smiled. “It’s cute.”

“I just haven’t had my growth spurt yet!” Dedrei complained, balling her fists.

Hiru leaned back, crossing a leg over a thigh. “You sound like you want to be taller than him.”

Dedrei began to stumble over her words to argue elsewise- Slowly becoming too flustered to confess to them that fact.

“I don’t blame you,” Alocer laughed. “Most octoling boys are shorter than girls, so it’s a little funny to be taller than you!”

“Wait, really?!” Dedrei gasped. “I didn’t know!”

“You’ve only known girls, right…? I don’t blame you for not knowing.”

“But… Pollux isn’t taller than his sister.”

“They’re paternal twins, so it makes sense.”

Dedrei stared at him, dumbfounded. “...Paternal?”

Alocer scratched at his jaw. “Uh… I don’t know the octarian word for it. Closest would be cutling but it’s… Not really that. Um, you know how a kid is made, right?”

Hiru let out a laugh- Dedrei raising her voice. “Of course I know how kids are made, Alocer!”

“Well, paternal twins come from one egg.” Alocer raised his index finger, explaining. “So they’re identical.”

“Ohhh…” Dedrei slowly nodded. “Wait, if they’re like cutlings, then that explains why they have the same features…”

“It’s really weird you know cutlings more than twins .” Alocer laughed.

“Hey, I’ve never had to deal with knowing any twins in my life until recently.” Dedrei gently punched his arm, then turned to Hiru- Who was still laughing over their conversation. “Shut up!”

Alocer rubbed at his arm, chuckling.

Hiru covered their mouth. “Sorry,” They slowly calmed down from their laughter. “Hearing the boy ask that was not what I expected today.”

“Ugh!” Dedrei grabbed onto Alocer’s wrist. “We’re going to the kitchen.”

“Alright!” Hiru waved them off.

Chapter Text

Alocer let her pull him into the kitchen, anxiously waiting for her to take a moment to pause before taking her wrist. “Hey, Dedrei…?”

“Huh?”

Alocer picked one of the cups she began to pick up out of her hand, setting it on the counter. “Let’s get your, you know,” He motioned towards his neck. “Cleaned up. You’ve had them on all day.”

Her hearts skipped a beat, laughing nervously. “Uhm, sure.” 

She followed him to the restroom, lowering the toilet seat and sitting down as he locked the door and turned the water on for the shower. 

Dedrei watched him strip his uniform, awkwardly standing and starting to remove her own clothes. “Alocer…?” She trailed off, then chuckled. “If you just wanted to shower with me-”

“I just want to make sure your marks don’t get infected.” Alocer avoided her eyes, his gaze widening when she removed her button-up and exposed her bruised torso. “Dedrei?!”

“Huh?” She folded the shirt, then undid her bra. “What’s wrong?”

Alocer stepped out of his boxers, then placed a few fingers on one of the center spots of her bruises. “Did… They do this?”

Dedrei gulped. “I… Yeah?”

His stomach churned at the thought of the older inkling hurting her so badly…

His tentacles wavered slowly.

But… Why is this interesting…

A morbid curiosity came across the octoling, fingers tracing around the bruise as he frowned. 

They look like they hurt but…

They also look nice.

What am I thinking…? Alocer scolded himself for his thoughts. Dedrei watched as he peeled the plasters off, setting them to the side and gently pressing against the bite marks on her shoulder. 

…They are clean. He noted, the areas thinly scabbed over. …So Hiru did clean her after.

Dedrei winced when he touched near the actual bite- Pulling her panties off after Alocer stepped away. He felt the water temperature, motioning her to join him in the tub. She undid her braids and set the ribbons on the sink before entering.

He picked up one of a few shampoos- One that was the lightest of the few. He squeezed some into a hand, then rubbed it against the base of her tentacles, Dedrei letting out a pleasant sound in response. “That feels nice…” She whispered.

He helped her wash the soap away, an anxious arousal forming in his chest as he looked at her body over again.

Leaning in, he kissed her, Dedrei hesitating before opening her mouth and brushing his arm with a hand. He then moved to her neck, kissing the spot where Hiru bit her- Causing the younger teen to flinch. “Alocer…”

He kissed her shoulder, Dedrei gripping his arms when he opened his mouth- Just to lick the area. 

…Alocer…? She thought, watching him as he brought his tongue over her scabs, then pressed his face against her neck again. 

He let out a shaky breath. “I’m sorry, this is too weird,” He kept his voice hushed, Dedrei watching him shuffle on his hips. “I don’t… I don’t think I could ever hurt you, not like this but…” She could feel him scrunch his face against her neck, cursing himself. “There’s a terrible part of me that thinks it looks cute.”

Dedrei brought a hand to the back of his head, rubbing it. 

“I can’t think of you without your scars. Maybe it’s because I’ve always seen them…”

“Maybe that’s the same way Hiru feels.” Dedrei began to gently scratch at the nape of his neck. “...I don’t know if it’s just… An adult feeling or not, but I think I know where you’re coming from.”

He wearily looked up at her. “...Huh?”

“It’s weird to think of you with scars, but I do get this urge to, I ‘dunno.” She turned her head, face growing warm. “Do the same to you.”

“I…” A small smile creeped up to his lips, a nervous laugh escaping the taller inkfish. “I don’t mind. Just-” He placed his hands behind his back. “Somewhere that wouldn’t be obvious. Not like… Hiru does.”

“Are… You sure?”

He nodded.

Dedrei traced her fingers down his side, Alocer watching her closely as she kissed his collarbone. She leaned down, kissing down his chest. She found a spot near the middle of his breasts, kissing it. “Is… Here fine?”

Alocer nodded. 

She grazed the spot with her beak, before biting down. Alocer immediately took her head in his hands, wincing as she bit down. Dedrei removed her mouth from his chest before her lips met his skin, licking the spot where she bit. The roughness of her tongue against the raw wound sent painful shivers down his back, knees pressing together as blue-violet dripped down and mixed with the water. 

“Huh… Holy shit…” Alocer cursed. 

“Did it hurt that much…?” She frowned. “I know it hurt when they did it but I didn’t bite that hard..”

“No, it hurt-” Alocer started to reply, laughing. “It just… Felt really good.”

“...Like,” Dedrei laughed as well, motioning downwards with her gaze. “...That?”

His laughing turned more into nervous chuckling, thumbs brushing against her head. “Can you… Do that again?”

The younger teen gave him a skeptical look. “...Alocer, do you like that?”

“I don’t know for sure-”

“Sure.”

He let go of her, Dedrei rubbing his sides before licking another side of his chest. She then bit down again, Alocer’s hands moving to her shoulders. She released the muscle she bit into, licking away the blood from the bite. 

“...When you’re home,” He whispered, “Can… We do more of this?”

“You don’t-...?”

“I’d rather not take too long and worry Hiru.”

Dedrei nodded. “Yeah, they’ve… Been pretty off, knowing I won’t be around for a while.” Alocer reached over her, picking up some tentacle conditioner from the mix of bottles and pouring some into his hand. 

“Maybe they’re just worried…?” He began to clean her head, massaging the stripped tentacles that she used to form into her braid.

“I’m sure they are,” Dedrei frowned. “But it’s… Strange seeing them like this, you know? They’ve always been pretty rough, so seeing them sad is… Weird.”

“They don’t seem to be the type to really let others know how they feel.”

“They aren’t. They usually lie about everything, but there’s something about them recently…” She glanced at the shower curtain, the colors of the bathroom obfuscated through the translucent tan. “They seem down . Like, actually depressed.”

Alocer swapped places with her, handing her one of the shampoos so she could lather it onto his tentacles. “You’ve been living here with them for… What, four, five months now? Even if they hurt you,” He leaned down once her hands were covered with suds so she could comfortably wash his tentacles, “There’s… No way that they couldn’t not care for you after living with you for so long.”

“They’re my senior, so of course they love me.” Dedrei hummed, using the same technique that Alocer had taught her to massage the suds into his tentacles. “I just… I don’t know if I like it.”

“Hm…?”

“I don’t know if I like them being sad over me. I’m used to them being mean, or flirty, or weird , but sad… It makes my stomach feel weird.”

Alocer turned his head as she moved to the other side of his tentacles. “Like… Anxiety?”

“No, not anxiety. I think it’s guilt.”

He leaned his head back once she was done with the shampoo, quiet as the water washed the soap away. 

“Why would you be guilty that somebody would miss you?”

That feeling came back. 

The same one the two were discussing. 

At once, the teen realized what she felt the moment she laid eyes on Eight. 

“...I don’t think I felt love for you, Alocer, at first.”

He turned his head. “...What?”

“I think I felt guilt, Alocer. Guilt that you were so nice to me.” The feeling began to eat at her stomach, embarrassment returning to her chest. “Alocer, I felt guilty that you cared for me.”

The two exchanged conflicted glances, quiet as Dedrei filled her palm with conditioner. 

Alocer leaned his head down once more, responding as she finished on his last tentacle. 

“...Dedrei, has anyone ever told you that you don’t deserve to be loved?”

“What do you mean?”

Once again, he straightened his posture, closing his eyes as the water washed the conditioner away. “I’m just curious, since it’s… Not really normal to feel guilty about being loved.”

…Hiru’s never said that I don’t deserve to be loved.

So why do I feel like this?

Aoi never said that.

So why…

“It’s okay if you don’t know, and I think… If someone did tell you that, then you’d be quick to tell me.” Alocer turned the water off, pushing the shower curtain to the side. “...But I want you to know that you don’t have to feel guilty, Dedrei.”

She didn’t know what to say.

She thought, all this time, that her feelings that were associated with reciprocation were positive. Dedrei thought that the nauseous feeling in her chest was good . 

She stayed quiet as Alocer made his way towards the bathroom’s linen closet, taking a towel out and bringing it to her. Picking it up from him, she rubbed her tentacles down, handing it to him after drying herself off. 

Dedrei kneeled by the sink, opening the cabinet under and taking out a first aid kit. She set it on the sink, Alocer tossing the towel into the wash after drying himself off. He picked an alcohol wipe out from the kit, tearing it open and brushing Dedrei’s tentacle behind her shoulder. She winced as he wiped her scabs over with it.

He tossed the alcohol wipe away and unwrapped a few plasters to press against her neck and a few other bite spots. 

“Do you want me to clean yours off…?” 

“It’ll be fine.”

“Are you sure?!”

Alocer chuckled. “...Yeah, I’m sure.”

Once her scars were covered, Alocer braided her tentacles and redid her bows. They both got dressed, Alocer unlocking the door. 

They left the bathroom, Eight waving from the kitchen. “Dinner’s ready, you guys!”

Alocer took a seat next to Dedrei at the table, Hiru already eating. Eight set a few cups of water down, sitting next to Hiru. “Thank you for the meal, Eight.”

“You two were in there for a while.” Hiru didn’t look up at the two, too fixated on eating. 

“We both were washing up.”

“I know. I’m just saying, you both were in there for a while.” They looked up from their food, annoyance in their eyes. 

“We had to clean off Dedrei’s marks.” Alocer picked at his food. “I was worried that they could get infected.”

Eight visibly grew uncomfortable after he mentioned her marks. Hiru hummed. “I’m not awful, I make sure to clean her…”

“I didn’t say you were,” Alocer frowned. “I just want to make sure she’s okay.”

“Thank you.” 

That was the last thing Hiru said to him for the evening. An awkward silence fell after they spoke, Hiru leaving the table. Once the teens were done eating, Eight gathered their plates and cups. 

“...They seemed offended .”

“They’ve been like that for the last few weeks.” Dedrei stood. “...Let’s get you back to the dorms.”

“Alright…” 

Dedrei made her way through the living room with Alocer, turning and waving to Hiru. “We’re heading out.”

They silently waved back. 

She frowned, turning on her heel and leading the way to the mudroom. Pulling her mary janes on, she pushed the apartment door open and held it for Alocer once he got his belongings together and his shoes on. 

He closed the door behind himself, following Dedrei out of the apartment.

“...Hiru is mad at us.” He stated.

“I know.” Dedrei stayed ahead of him, anxiety settling in her stomach from the idea of dragging him into their bullshit. 

“I’m sorry, Dedrei.”

“It’s fine.”

“No, I really mean it. I didn’t think they’d get mad at me being worried.”

Dedrei stopped, turning before Alocer took her hand. “It’s fine, Alocer.”

“It’s not .” He frowned. “They’re mad at us.”

She shook her hands away from him. “They’ve been mad at me for months and I’m fine, Alocer.”

“I just worry that they’ll not let you-”

Neo turned and returned to walking. Alocer puffed his chest out, walking over and past her. He turned, grabbing onto her shoulders. She glared up at him, Alocer huffing. “It’s okay .”

“I don’t want you to think that you don’t deserve kindness, Dedrei. You do. I don’t want you to think it’s fine for them to be so mean. I don’t-”

Neo began to squirm in his grasp, uncomfortable with how stern he was. “Stop, Alocer.”

“You need to understand, Dedrei! You know what, I’m going back,” He let go of her, storming past her back towards the apartment complex. “I’m telling them I’m sorry and that if there’s something I can do to repay them, then I’ll do whatever it is to make sure you’re safe.”

“Alocer!” Neo panicked, rushing after him as he continued down the street. His pace was faster than hers- Though she mostly chalked it up to his height more than the fact that he was faster than her. 

He made his way up the stairs and opened the door, setting his bag down. Alocer kicked his shoes off, leaving the mudroom. Neo followed, closing the doors and doing the same as Alocer entered the living room. 

“Everything okay?” Eight asked- Alocer walking over to Hiru and sitting down next to them on the couch. 

“I’m sorry, Hiru.”

They sat up, furrowing their brows. Alocer leaned forward on his knees, slumping. “...What?”

“I’m sorry that I implied that you don’t take care of Dedrei.” He looked up at them, Neo walking over and grabbing onto his shirt. “I didn’t mean for it to be a rude comment, and I-”

“Stop, Alocer.” Neo pleaded with him.

Hiru smiled. “No, let him speak.”

“I don’t want you to think I think poorly of you. If there’s something I can do to make it up to you…”

The older inkling hummed, resting their cheek on their knuckles.

“ Anything .”

Hiru motioned towards him with their available hand. “We can figure that out later,” They hummed. “But, thank you.”

Chapter Text

Hiru still seemed off when Dedrei returned to the apartment. They sat on the couch with Eight, petting the octoling’s head as small whines of sleep came from her. They glanced up, then back to the television, expression unchanging. 

…They forgave Alocer, right…?

Dedrei pulled her socks off as she walked towards the bedroom, hesitating. 

Right, my medication.

She went to the restroom and picked her sleeping medication out from the medicine cabinet. Shaking one of the pills into her hand, she squeaked when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up at Hiru, who brought their hands to her head, cupping her cheeks. “Wuuah?”

“Get on your knees.”

Hiru let go of her, Dedrei furrowing her brows. She placed a hand on the sink and used it to hold her weight as she moved to her knees. Hiru plucks the pill from her hands, Dedrei watching Hiru as they motion downwards. 

“Open your mouth.”

She does as they say, Hiru smirking when she instinctively sticks her tongue out. They place the pill on it, adjusting their boxers. 

Eugh. Dedrei scrunches her nose as they take their cock out, pumping it a few times. After a moment, they begin to pee, the teen’s hands twitching in her lap as she suppresses the urge to close her mouth or gag. The pill slides to the back of her mouth, the stench of the adult’s urine stuck in her nose after Hiru finishes. 

Dedrei swallows, then gags, covering her mouth. 

“You didn’t fight that at all.” Hiru comments, amused. 

Dedrei glares at her, shifting on her hips as her body heats up. Her stomach churns from the mixture that was just swallowed, the teen keeping her mouth covered with her hand as she stands and stumbles to the bedroom. 

That was so gross… That was so gross! Dedrei curses in her head, crawling into bed and plucking one of the pillows from the headboard. She hugs it, scowling into it as nausea sets in her stomach. 

Her head began to grow light from her medication, eyes heavy as she made an attempt to drift off to sleep. Dedrei’s attempt was stopped by the sound of the door opening, the teen turning to her back and squinting as she tried to discern if it was Hiru or Eight entering the room.

Her tired mind couldn’t process between the two, Dedrei hugging the pillow again and holding it to her chest as her eyes closed once again. The bed shifted- Giving her the indication of who exactly it was joining her: Hiru, of course. 

They were lighter than Eight, mostly since they actually worked to be able to get any weight off their frame- But never did anything in any attempt to bulk. Dedrei giggled when she felt a few stray kisses on her forehead, the pillow being pried from her arms. 

Hiru said something , but Dedrei was too tired to understand it. 

Yet, she knew the position she was in. Her tiredness left her with no guard, and there were many nights where the older inkling would climb into the bed after knowing she took her medication and have their way with her. 

Dedrei wasn’t tired enough to not be able to brace herself for it. To brace herself to feel those kisses go to her lips, opening them as was the usual routine. Her core began to heat up by then, Hiru stripping her and toying with her body. 

The exact things they would do would always blend into the tired nothingness, culminating in the same mundane actions at the end of it all. There was one special spot that drove the teen insane every time, one special spot that she only would release when she had no guard, one special spot that she wouldn’t fight against when she was in such a state. 

Hiru would always cause her to cum over and over by rubbing the tip of their cock against her cervix, Dedrei sobbing and crying every time as she would be overstimulated and tired and…

Huh…?

Dedrei opened her eyes, Hiru kissing her lips before settling against her. The adult hugged her tight, burying their face into her neck. 

The thought of their nightly assault always prepared her in a way that made it significantly less painful, so to not receive those touches, to not have it occur…

She shuffled her legs, rubbing her knees together. 

Dedrei let out a noise that was some mixture of words she didn’t understand and annoyance. 

“Let me hold you.” Hiru growled back. 

So she did. 

Dedrei turned over, letting Hiru spoon her. Shivers went down her back as Hiru’s breath continuously brushed against the back of her neck. Sure, she could feel their erection on her behind…

But it was strange to her. 

Hiru not immediately harming her. 

“I just want to hold you.” Hiru muttered. 

Dedrei frowned. 

“I won’t get to hold you for a while.”

Tears brimmed in her eyes. 

“You don’t even hear me now, do you?”

Those tears fell down her cheeks. 

“You’re mine, Dedrei…”

She sniffled.

“I’m going to miss you, Dedrei.”

She was too exhausted to keep the sleep away.

“I love you, Dedrei.”