Ocean Feelings

Chapter 5

Dashi hugged Coco tightly as Tweak gasped at the bags in HQ. "What are you doing here?" Dashi exclaimed as she pulled back to look at Coco, "How did you?"

Coco smiled at her, "Mom brought me. I... I thought about it... and if the spot is still open, I guess I could stick around?"

"What is going- Coco?" Barnacles confused voice rang out as he stepped into HQ.

"You said I would have a spot on the team... Is that still open?" Coco laughed as Dashi wound her arms around Coco.

"Of course! Welcome, Octonaut Coco!" Barnacles smiled as Coco pulled him into a hug. "Now, this calls for a celebratory lunch." Barnacles gave a knowing smirk as he anticipated Coco's reaction.

"You have an obsession with lunches." Coco smiled despite the sarcasm in her voice.

Tweak laughed and abruptly joined Dashi and Coco's hug. "I- you're staying? Like actually staying?"

"I dealt with what was going on at home, and ya know, if there is space-" Coco started speaking before Barnacles cut her off.

"There is." Barnacles smiled. He turned his head as Kwazii walked in.

"Hey, Coco! You weren't kidding when you said you were considering it!" Kwazii smiled, and Tweak intercepted him.

"Wait, wait, what do you mean kidding?" Tweak glared at Kwazii.

"She said she had a secret and that she was considering staying," Kwazii slowly walked backward with a grin on his face.

"And you didn't think to tell me?" Tweak asked incredulously.

"You better run, pirate," Coco smirked.

Dashi sighed as she held Coco close, "I...you said you weren't staying?"

"I technically didn't. I left. And came back. Viola!" Coco smiled as Dashi pushed her. She heard a clash from the hallway as Tweak chased Kwazii."I can't say how long I will stay," her tone got serious, "but I won't leave for a good long while."

"Good." Dashi gave her a fake glare.

Barnacles chuckled as they began walking to the kitchen, "should we warn the crew?"

"Nah," Coco smirked.

Dashi shook her head fondly as she looked at Coco's backpack. "So what all did you bring?"

"I actually brought my own items instead of bumming off y'all like I did for the two months. And my meds." Coco smiled as she walked. "And possibly decorations and books. Look, I don't wanna talk about it." Coco laughed as Dashi and Barnacles joined in.

"You're actually staying," Dashi replied, sounding amazed.

"I mean, I can go," Coco laughed as she pointed over her shoulder.

"Not what I meant, and you know it," Dashi huffed at her.

Coco chuckled as Barnacles adjusted her bags on his shoulders. Coco frowned. "Now I'm perfectly capable of carrying my bags, city boy."

Barnacles chuckled, "New member, humor me."

Coco rolled her eyes as Barnacles steered them to the side, "what are you doing?"

"Taking them to your room," Barnacles replied easily.

"Really now, I thought that room was for the siblings that visit." Coco chuckled.

"Oh please, you're not that dense. I got to say Tweak's plan worked better than mine, though...." Dashi frowned.

"Cause Tweak, don't treat me like I'm four," Coco rolled her eyes as she spoke.