Candle: Splatoon Manga AU:

Chapter #10

Tomorrow was when holidays were usually celebrated, although you weren't really with your family for this, this time, you were staying with Team Orange. 

Although some would treat this as a dream come true, you really just wanted to be alone for the holidays, since your parents.. well.. they work for squid force.. and they never had time for you.. 

Though currently, you were sitting at Team Orange's table, eating more curry. 

Army didn't speak or really state any of the usual, the rest of his teammates were worried as shell for him. 

But when Army is silent, it's a sign for danger. 

You took a deep breath after you finished your curry, but you decided to just sit there silently, as you did suddenly remember when you were happy with your parents, before they ended up working for squid force, all that love was really just a charade when it came to earning money. 

You sighed, that was quite a tough thing to remember. 

You all eventually got up and cleaned the dishes and basically the same routine as yesterday. 

Expect Army grabbed your hand, "Y/N, we need to talk." And then he proceeded to take you outside the kitchen and onto the balcony. 

You just proceeded to nod and go along, not like you had something called free will.. 

- 

"Y/N, I'm sorry for being a bit harsh today, though you still didn't get the notes for the meeting down, did you?" Army suddenly said after pulling you out. 

"..." You were silent, not really knowing what to say about his response. 

He gave a sigh, "I know you didn't, but still, please do better next time, will you?" He asked, you nodded and he returned a head pat, "there, there, you may be in trouble, but I still care about you." He said softly. 

You smiled for a moment.. but stopped.. 

"Y/N, is there something wrong..?" Army asked you, wondering why you suddenly seemed odd. 

Army cared about you genuinely, and not just because of cash, he cared for just you. 

Nobody had ever cared to be like him to you, nobody ever, not even your parents. 

Your mind and body had no idea what to do in that moment, so you hugged Army tightly and quietly whispered, "thank you Army.." while trembling in tears. 

"..Y/N.." Army said, quite stunned, unsure, but returned the hug gracefully. 

"Dear Y/N, you'll be alright." Army said as he stroked your tentacles in the cold moonlight, stars twinkling across galaxies. 

- 

Before you knew it, you were in bed, Army sitting next to you, comforting you, "Sweet dreams Y/N." He said before he got up and left the room. 

Forge walked up to him as he came back down the hallway, "Commander, is something up? You've been acting different.." Forge asked in all concern. 

"Forge, I'm fine, thanks for the concern." Army said as he was beginning to walk away, but Forge grabbed his arm. 

"Army, you aren't usually so nice to Y/N, did something happen?" Forge asked again. 

Army just sighed and sat down on the sofa, motioning Forge to sit next to him. 

"Y/N's emotions at the moment seem more down than usual, and I almost feel like it's my fault." Army said finally, after a bit of silence, "I'm just trying to make a positive difference in their life."

"...hmm.. I never thought you'd do something like that, do you perhaps have feelings for them?" Forge asked cautiously. 

"Forge, are you suggesting a.. "ship" of any kind?" Army said, a bit disappointed in Forge, "I'm not in love, there's an age gap obviously between us, and they are a student of mine, just simply an attendent who stepped out of line, crossed me, ect, nothing special." 

- 

You heard it all, Army doesn't actually care about you does he? 

Army suddenly thought he heard something in your direction, so he glanced over. 

He noticed a shadow running away and footsteps, "Y-Y/N.." he nearly shouted, going after you. 

You didn't even think, you just grabbed the few belongings you had to your name, and jumped out the window, you realized you were probably gonna die in the next 5 seconds, falling from head first must not be fun. 

Luckily Aloha was still nearby and noticed this and immediately came to quickly catch you before you hit the ground. 

"aw~ cutie is out cold?" Aloha snickered to himself quietly, before taking Y/N to his place to warm up. 

Army saw the last part through the window, he was outraged, wanting to drop kick Aloha so badly. 

Forge walked up to Army, comforting him, "It's alright, they'll hate that party animal more than anything and come back." 

"I guess so.." Army replied, slightly sobbing. 

The 2 ended up going back to the couch, Forge, letting Army lay in her lap while in squid form. 

After all, it was getting late, Forge sighed, watching the sunset in the distance, wondering, 'Is Y/N actually gonna come back?' 

Army had now fallen asleep, a lot earlier than he usually would, as Forge played slightly with his tentacles. 

Forge later started to shut her eyes, quite sleepy. Army softly  moved out of squid form and snuggling up with Forge softly in his slumber. 

They both later on fell asleep on the couch, B-Sailor and W-Sailor struggling to hold their laughter, took a few pictures, Army lifting an eyelid and glaring at the two, basically sending that he's gonna kill them next meeting, and went back to sleep. 

W-Sailor's expression turned blank, while B-Sailor tried to calm W-Sailor down, both of them going to the balcony and hugging eachother. 

Both of the sailors had no idea what happened to Y/N and checked on Y/N, realizing they were gone. 

"Oh.." W-Sailor suddenly whispered quietly, assuming they shouldn't even question the cracked open window. 

"Maybe that explains why Commander was upset earlier?" B-Sailor suggested. 

"I think so.." W-Sailor said as the 2 headed out and back to sleep. 

Words: 1001