Chapter Text
Pearl awoke to loud, harrowing sobs. Looking to her right, she realized that Marina wasn’t asleep next to her as she had previously been.
Although this wasn’t the first time Marina had woken up in the middle of the night to do cod knows what, this time it seemed to concern Pearl. She pulled the satin sheets off of her and slowly approached the doorway, preparing herself for whatever lay in the narrow hallway.
Creaking the door open, she pondered through the hall. There sat Marina, tears pooling in her eyes. She recoiled. The poor octoling was trembling, her tentacles wrapping themselves around her. It had been a little while since Marina’s last meltdown. They typically weren’t to this extent of extreme emotion, though.
Marina’s teeth gritted, her breathing picking up pace.
“Marina, mea vita.” Pearl murmured, crouching down towards her. Marina flinched, looking away from the inkling.
“Let me help you, ‘Rina.” Pearl nuzzled her head against Marina’s arm.
Marina looked up at her, mumbling. All Pearl could make out of the mumble was ‘Pearlie.’ Marina locked eyes with the inkling, whilst visibly shaking. Pearl’s heart ached. She couldn’t bear to see Marina in this state, even though she was quite used to it. The first time Marina had a meltdown, she flipped out. Her and the young octoling had been browsing around a few local shops. Marina started to distance herself from Pearl, barely talking to her. She hadn’t had a meltdown in a few months, so it caught Pearl off guard.
Pearl let out an exasperated sigh, holding Marina’s head in her lap. The silence drove Marina crazy, although any sort of continued noise would also upset her. She choked out a sob, trying to calm herself down. The room was dim, but the light flowing from the window shone down upon the two. Pearl peered down at Marina, the octoling tugging at her tentacles.
“Hey, hey.” Pearl slightly scolded, holding Marina’s hands to prevent her from hurting herself.
“You’ll be fine, ‘Rina. We just gotta wait it out.” Pearl planted a kiss on Marina’s hand. It was something that seemed to calm her down. Marina slowed her breathing, relaxing her tense muscles. The physical touch, maybe. She was exhausted, but she truly, truly, loved Marina. Wrapping herself around Pearl, Marina’s eyes fluttered shut.
“Yo, can I pick you up, ‘Rina?” Pearl inquired, glancing at her.
Marina nodded. “Mmhm.” Pearl lifted the taller girl onto herself. She rubbed at Marina’s back, quietly wiping her face off.
“It sucks seeing you upset, sugar.” She cooed.
“I apologize, Pearlie.” Marina murmured.
“No need.” Marina sat there, snapping her teal fingers over and over, calming herself. Depressive episodes were easier to conceal, but meltdowns? There was no real way of preventing them. As much as she tried, something was always bothering her. Whether it was overstimulation, unpleasant memories, or fear, it always resulted in a breakdown. Luckily for her, Pearl understood her. She pushed aside her anxieties and mothered Marina for as long as she needed.
“Back to bed, come on.” Pearl lifted her upwards and trudged towards the bedroom. Marina hung off of Pearl’s back, face flushed with embarrassment and sorrow. Her baggy clothing was soaked with tears. Guess she’d have to wash them in the morning.
“You think you’ll be able to go back to bed, Marina?”
Marina paused. “I don’t think so, Pearlie. I’m sorry.”
“You gotta stop saying sorry, ‘Rina. You haven’t done anything.” Pearl turned away from their bedroom and headed towards the living area.
“You want to watch something, pretty girl?”
Marina nodded. Focusing on something else other than her current situation always cooled her down. Flipping through channels, Pearl rested her head on Marina’s bosom, kissing at her neck.
“ Shit.”
“You find a channel yet, Pearlie?”
“Naw. You can choose. I’m going to get us some coffee, okay?” Marina glanced at Pearl.
“..Okay.”
Pearl winced. She hesitated before heading to the kitchen. Her cotton socks squealed against the cold tile. Digging through their cabinet filled with too many teabags, spices, and miscellaneous items, she found some instant coffee. She couldn’t cook if her life depended on it, but she made some damn good coffee. A shit ton of sugar and milk was the key. Lumping instant coffee and white sugar together, she poured some scalding water into it. A little bit of milk, and she was done. Eager to see the octoling, she scampered into the next room, coffee in hand.
“Yo, Ida.” Pearl slowed down, placing her hand on her busty hip.
“Come get your sugar, sugar.” She snorted.
Marina sat still, eyeing Pearl. “I asked for coffee, not sugar.” Marina mumbled, confused.
“It’s a jo..” Pearl stopped herself. There was no use trying to explain it to ‘Rina, anyways. She strode towards her, parking herself down right on top of Marina, their bodies entwining like pieces of a puzzle.
“Enjoy the coffee, mm?”
( this isn’t a garden reference omg it’s a coincidence i swear but ily fletcher n wyatt )
Marina nervously sipped at the coffee, grains of sugar stuck between her fangs.
“Sweet like your lips, Pearlie.” She winced. Pearl eyed her, questioning her reaction.
“Assuming that’s a good thing, yo..” Marina nodded and continued to drink from her mug. Hand wrapped around the inkling, her eyes, glossed over, focused on the flickering TV.
“This blows, ‘Rina. I’m jaded.” Pearl murmured, pressing her lips up against the taller woman’s cheek, moving towards her mouth. Marina didn’t hesitate and started reciprocating, the two holding each other like newlyweds. Hot tears trickled down the dark-skinned woman’s face, smiling ear to ear.
“Rina. You gotta quit crying over the smallest gestures, chica.” Marina chuckled, wiping her face off. “
Sorry about that.”
“No worries.” Pearl sighed.
That wouldn’t stop Marina from worrying, though.
Nothing could stop Marina from worrying.