This one's only short cause i've never written cuttlefish or octavio before </3
Sorry if I mischaracterise them at all! This is inspired by dissonant melody so it's before the war
“What's next?”
The comfortable silence is broken, Craig's voice dragging Octavio's attention back into the moment, one he silently wishes would never end. It's been a while that they've been sitting here in the treehouse, long enough for the sun to set and likely for people back at the castle to begin questioning where he had run off to. He knows he should leave. He's not going to, but at least he's got enough common sense to acknowledge his own stupid decisions, such as staying here for much longer than he should.
There's a soft glow cast over Craig's face when he turns to look at him, and in a desperate moment to keep composure Octavio forces himself to look elsewhere–anywhere else, not while the inkling beside him stares into him with that distinct shimmer in those warm golden eyes. It somehow makes two of his hearts beat like there's no tomorrow, maybe even all three if he's feeling generous.
One of Octavio's ears twitches, the only indication he gives that he's actually listening. Folding his arms, he turns his head slightly in Craig's direction, not taking his eyes off the sunset just outside the window.
“Whaddya mean ‘what's next’?” He nudges his elbow into Craig's side, a mocking tone to his voice that he's only just achieved without it melting into something scarily close to endearment.
Craig rubs the afflicted area, letting out an overly loud gasp of ‘pain’ that makes Octavio's lips tug up in a way he tries his hardest to suppress before Craig can notice. He'd prefer it if the inkling didn't get any ideas.
“I mean, we've done the whole band thing already. Writin’ a song with you is good ‘n all but we need to come up with a plan!” Craig speaks in all the dramaticism of a squid who's never had to slow down for anyone, complete with the flourishes and hand gestures to pair.
Octavio can't help but roll his eyes at the familiar sight, having gotten used to Craig's mannerisms after the first three or four times he had to endure them. Even while silent, Craig sits there cross-legged and anxious, looking like he's about to burst with enough words to last them from sunset to sunrise.
Octavio snickers at the way Craig rocks back and forth from where he sits, fingers tapping on his thigh and hand fiddling with his hat with poorly concealed excitement. It's hard to watch, and Octavio sighs and decides to stop making the impatient inkling wait any longer.
“A plan, huh?” His eyes darted across Craig's face, scanning for any signs of humour. All he can see is the pure earnest expression on his face, and it almost makes him feel sick to his stomach. That's what this feeling is, right? Such optimism from one inkling isn't an easy thing to handle, and it causes a fluttery feeling inside him. “Why would we need a plan? We're a band, you've not got anything else up your sleeve have you?”
Octavio leans back into the wall, and he debates whether to wrap an arm around Craig's shoulder and pull him back with him. Just to get him to relax, of course, that's the only reason. Watching Craig squirm like that gets to a point, okay? There's only so much energy he can watch before it starts seeping contagiously out into the air around them, and he isn't looking to do anything other than relax before he has to return. Well, at least the way Craig can't sit still is cute entertaining.
“Yes, I know that we're a band ‘n all, but I thought you'd, y'know…want to return to the castle after all o’ this. Thought you'd just want this thing to be temporary-” Craig is cut off by a finger pressing gently against his lips, and he watches Octavio sit up straighter, both wide-eyed though likely for different reasons. Temporary? Octavio's hearts stutter at the thought.
“Temporary?” He didn't mean to spit the word out so harshly, but he can hardly think between the sharp sting in at least one of his hearts and the idea swirling around his head of disbanding and…
Not seeing Craig. Ever again, probably. He already knows of his travelling tendencies, and without the band to tether him here, why else would he stick around? Octavio shakes his head, removing his finger and replacing it with a tight grip on Craig's jaw as he forces eye contact. Though, Craig doesn't actually look very upset with it. He lets it happen with a fond smile, and Octavio would do anything to wipe that stupidly adorable look off his face.
“We aren't temporary. You're stuck with me, so you better face the facts alright?” He emphasises his point by poking Craig's cheek, and he definitely doesn't feel the tips of his ears flush a little at the way his nose scrunches slightly in response. All the while, Craig sits there watching his inner turmoil all…all smug! Octavio can't believe that he would even think to suggest that he'd want to disband!
“Tavi, I only thought you'd…” Craig pauses his somewhat muffled speech in Octavio's grip, eyes averting nervously in a way that is so unlike the confident, unwavering inkling Octavio knows it's almost unsettling.
“I thought you'd wanna get back to what's most important.” His voice is meek, and now Octavio has to try and push down the guilt clawing at his throat. Okay, fine, maybe he shouldn't have been so aggressive, but how was he supposed to know that it'd turn Craig into whatever this is?
The hand holding his face loosens. Octavio lets it stay there, loosely cupping his face before slowly sinking back down to his side. Craig seems to relax a little, and the knowledge that he might've scared him leaves Octavio feeling strangely guilty.
“What's most important?” He scoffs, snapping his fingers in front of Craig's face just to watch the satisfying way in which he jumps a little. “You really are oblivious, aren't you Cuttlefish.” It's less phrased as a question, more as a statement, maybe even a fact. “If you don't think you're most important, then the only thing going on in that little head of yours,” he taps a finger against the side of Craig's head, trying not to revel in the hoarse chuckle he gets from it, “Is music. I wouldn't be surprised if all that's rattling around in there are lyrics for a new song.”
“Yes, yes, you might be right with that one there!” Craig sends a bashful smile Octavio's way, hand rubbing the back of his neck. A few seconds pass by in silence, and soon a soft pink dusts Craig's cheeks while his eyes finally widen in realisation. That's just another thing to add to the ‘List of weird Cuttlefish Qualities’: Unable to take in a sentence longer than 5 seconds. Maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration, but who cares.
“You think I'm most important…?” His voice has lowered to a soft whisper, and Octavio sighs. This time, he's the one smiling fondly at the inkling, and he can't find it in himself to fight it off. “Me? You sure it's me?” Craig immediately leans forward, as if he needs to hear it repeated while he's all over Octavio's personal space like it's gonna make the words any different. His eyes are locked on Octavio's, hands clasped together loosely.
“Don't make me take it back.” He watches smugly as Craig shuffles away. If only Craig didn't have such an effect on him as to cause his face to heat up upon the huge grin now forming on his face, maybe he'd have actually had it in him to tease Craig further. Oh well. It's only natural, seeing his pretty…not pretty face.
Craig glances at the newly darkened sky outside, grin fading slightly. Octavio glares in the same direction. He wants to remove the sky, more than anything. Only Craig can get him to think silly things like this, but seeing something upset him so only serves to tug at his heartstrings.
“I know you've gotta go soon, but…” He reaches forward, grasping Octavio's hand in his, and isn't that just a sensation. Craig's hand is warm, rough and yet somehow so gentle. He lifts it up to his mouth, and the moment soft lips press against the back of his hand Octavio can feel his tentacles curl up against his face and a dark magenta colour spread across his skin, starting from the tips of his ears and fading away down his cheeks and neck.
Craig seems oblivious to this, as always, only keeping his lips there, eyes closed whilst he mumbles against the skin.
“You're important to me too.”
