Splatoon x Male Reader

S3C Chapter 74: All Good Things

Marina POV

Within the home of the previously sanitized Octoling was Marina, who was recounting a story of what had previously happened while Acht herself was mixing up beats.

Marina: Acht? Acht, are you even listening?

Acht held up a finger, motioning for Marina to hold on for a moment, before she pressed a button and slid her headphones off her ears.

Acht: Yeah, I'm listening. You feel bad about something that happened to your boyfriend.

Marina: No. I feel responsible for what happened to (Y/N) because he was pretending to be my boyfriend, like I asked him to.

Acht: "Pretending." Right.

Marina: I mean, the only reason he had that run-in was because I made him publicly seen as my boyfriend without even consulting him first... I'm an awful friend.

Marina said dishearteningly, while Acht sighed and sat down by Marina.

Acht: Marina, you're not a bad friend.

Marina: But this whole idea of me and him pretending to date was my idea, and it's what led to this happening to him.

Acht: You can't control what everyone else does.

Acht said, but it didn't seem like a satisfying answer to Marina.

Acht: You want to actually be with him, don't you?

Marina blushed happily with a small smile, still looking downward.

Acht: Then, what happens if some weird fan tries doing something to him when you're actually dating?

Marina actually seemed a bit caught off guard by the logic Acht was bringing up, causing Marina to reel back and question herself about it.

Acht: Are you just going to say you two can't be together because something out of your control might happen?

Marina: No! I-I-I-

Marina quickly denied, but was now embarrassingly stumbling over her words.

Acht: Which is why there's no use worrying about it. Do what you can, but don't try assuming it's all your fault. If you have something to say, just talk it out with your-

Marina was staring at her before she said her next word.

Acht: -pretend partner.

Marina sighed.

Acht: Think it through what you want and how you feel, and then bring it up with him. If you really want this to all be real one day, you've got to be ready to take the good with the bad, because you two can do it together.

Marina lightly smiled with a slight chuckle before smiling brighter at Acht.

Marina: You're right, Acht.

Acht: I hope so, it all just sounds cliche to me when I say it. I really don't get why you come to me for advice on these kinds of issues. Wouldn't Pearl or... anyone else be a better person to consult on this?

Marina: Maybe. I know this isn't really your area of expertise, but you're one of my closest friends whom I can trust with talking about this stuff. Besides, my other friends like Pearl and Eight are a little too close to the subject for me to want to talk about this with them this time.

Marina explained her reasoning.

Acht: Yeah, I guess.

Marina: Besides, you're smart enough to be able to tell me what I need to hear anyway.