♡ goggles x rider ♡

Chapter 5: The Get-Together

[I've been super busy with school, sorry :')]

Once again, blue team and Rider decided to meet up. This time, the group gathered at the same train station. They had planned to find new opponents in Inkopolis Square, and were going together. Headphone-chan decided that making a group chat for the five of them would facilitate communication. Being the first one to show up, she pulled out her phone and sent a message to them.
Headphone: Hey everyone! Are you all here yet?
Glasses: I'm almost there!
Bobble: Yup! Look behind you.
A cold wave washed over Headphone-chan as she slowly turned her head and found Bobble-chan staring back at her with her typical grin. An innocent giggle escaped her mouth as Headphone shook her head. The two went over to rest on the wall while they waited for the others. It took less than a minute for Glasses-kun to show up. He quickly greeted the two and waited with them. Headphone patted her pockets until she found her phone. She took it out and went to the group chat again.
Headphone: Goggles? Rider? You guys here?
Rider: Yeah, just got here. Don't remember which side I was supposed to go in...
Luckily, the green inkling was on the correct side and soon found himself with the others. They had a quick chat before that ended in wondering just where Goggles-kun was. He had not replied to the group chat at all. Could it be that he overslept? Before any more questions were raised, they got an answer. Four pockets buzzed as they received a notification.
Goggles: AAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!
Glasses: What happened this time?
Goggles: I FORGOT WE WERE MEETING UP
Glasses: GOGGLES WHAT THE CARP
Rider: Tch, typical.
[...]
Goggles-kun sprinted around his apartment while going through his morning routine. He devoured an entire jar of pickled plums as a substitute for breakfast. The blue inkling pulled on his clothes, not taking note of his jacket being put on backwards. His keys were shoved into his shorts' pocket as he ran out of the door, shut it behind him, and jumped down a whole set of stairs to get to the entrance. He was quite fortunate to have put on a pair of speed up shoes instead of his usual ones in order to get to the station much faster.
"I'M HERE!" Goggles exclaimed as he arrived to where his friends were, fifteen minutes later than the time he was supposed to be there.
"Good job! We missed the train thanks to you," Glasses complained. The screen above him showed when the next train would arrive. He lifted his head up to read the bright letters and numbers. "We're lucky the next one will get here soon."
Shortly, the group of five stepped into the train, without any having spoken a word since Goggles came. Most seats were occupied, so everyone sat down except for Goggles-kun and Bobble-chan. The blue, typically cheerful duo both held on to the pole that sprang from the floor to the roof above them. Silently, they waited station after station and were close to arrival. Headphone-Chan spoke up, "Has anyone been to the Square before?" In response, she received a few head shakes and some 'no's. It looked like they were going to share the experience of a new Inkopolis together.
Five faces lit up at the sight of the area. Although smaller than what they were used to, everything felt welcoming and a lot more fresh. New hairstyles and weapons that had never been seen before intrigued them. The idea of having a battle here was perfect — it would help to become familiar with new stages, learn to use and counter new weapons, and earn money for fresh new gear. Additionally, there were shops with new owners and new idols, which also meant more music. And as they reached Deca Tower at last, Rider realized that something seemed a bit off...
"Where's Goggles?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. In the area surrounding him, he was nowhere to be seen. Glasses pushed his retro specs up as he looked up high above. His eyes nearly jumped out of his lenses.
"He's... The tower..." he began, "...Look up there!" Three pairs of eyes followed where he had pointed to.
In the distance, a small figure with his tentacles tied up and a hero jacket stood upon the peak of Deca Tower. His hands were on his hips and his feet were spread apart as he looked down proudly upon Inkopolis Square. He spotted his friends far below him. "Hi! I was exploring the square!" Goggles shouted with a hand waving to the squad.
Rider sighed. That idiot. That foolish, adorable idiot. At this point, he wasn't afraid to think of Goggles like that. These feelings had showed up multiple times and there was nothing he could do against it.
"I'm gonna super jump to you guys!" The blue inkling's voice echoed in the open area. He did just as he had said, but crashed into a nearby food truck when landing. "MY CLOTHES!" Goggles shrieked. To his dismay, his hero jacket and shorts ripped when he decimated the truck. Parts of his body were exposed, including his thigh and upper body areas. His skin appeared to be smooth yet pale, which Rider payed close attention to. His eyes eventually met the other's, and he quickly turned his head to avoid further eye contact.
"Sorry." Rider had no proof that he hadn't been staring, so he used an apology to get the moment over with.
"Oh!" Goggles took in what happened. He considered it just his imagination. Rider wouldn't... No, it couldn't have meant anything, Goggles thought. He probably thought I looked strange and not... yeah. The blue inkling sighed, and he waited for the rest of his team to freak out over his ripped clothes.
"We're getting you new clothes," Glasses affirmed. "You cannot walk around looking like that!" His head was tilted down slightly, which made his retro specs slip down a bit. He put a finger on them to push them back up.
"MY TRUCK!" Crusty Sean gasped as he looked at the mess that was now his food truck. It was clear blue team was responsible for this. Bobble smiled worryingly. Goggles stood remorsefully in the clutter. Headphones and Rider stood back without saying anything.
"As the leader of team blue, I say we'll find a way to fix your truck! Right guys?" Glasses asked, expecting an unanimous reply. No one said anything. "Guys?"
Blue Team had to find a solution, and fast!

[After this I'll have Goggles and Rider interact a lot more, I promise. I just... needed to set up the story I guess?]