Clumsy

Chapter 8

Luckily, Aloha's house was only a few blocks away from the central square, so it wasn't far to carry (Y/N). But, he did get funny stares from fellow pedestrians. Did he care? Actually, not really.

He swung open the door to the large house and set (Y/N) down on the front steps. Her leg felt less painful, it's previous writhing pain now dulled down to a throb gnawing at her joints.

"Do you need any help taking your shoes off~?" Aloha asked, like a true gentlesquid. He sat down next to her, unlacing his crazy arrows before setting them by the door.

"I'm fine, th-thank you," (Y/N) lightly smiled as she too removed her footwear.

Helping her up with a warm hand, Aloha unlocked the door with his other and guided her through.

"Dang, I can see why you guys like your parties," (Y/N) breathed, almost speechless "I understand why you'd want to show this place off! It's so fresh~!"

"Thanks, but before we start talking about fun let's patch up your knee. Wait here~🎵" Aloha disappeared into one of the hallways, leaving (Y/N) alone. She carefully lifted herself onto a nearby couch, swinging her injured leg across it. As she was waiting rather impatiently for Aloha, the inkling took a second to take everything in. The sharp white walls, the bright hues of pink lining the doorways and skirting boards, the massive skylight nestled in the ceiling above her but slightly to the left. The open space, the remnants of streamers breaking up the white of the ceiling, the bunting hanging from the wall in front of her spelling
'No breaking, no taking, but baby let's get shaking!'. There was a window with open blinds in front of her.

Aloha soon returned with a first aid kit in one hand and a pack of ice in the other. This time, minus the golf visor.

"When I met you, I started to keep an ice pack in the freezer just in case stuff like this happened. I just knew that one day you'd need someone to make sure you don't wipe yourself out," Aloha winked "You're so clumsy, aren't ya?🎵"
(Y/N) was touched by the thought, but raised her eyebrow with a smirk at the last comment.

"You don't say."

He handed her the ice pack (which was gratefully received), and she pressed it to her knee. The knee was extremely swollen, but it would have been worse if she didn't immediately pop it back when she has first done it. Otherwise, She'd have to wait longer for the swelling to go down and that is an unpleasant experience with a kneecap out of place. All Aloha and (Y/N) needed to do now was ice, bandage and wait.

Comfortable silence rested with them as they waited. Aloha sat on the floor, back against the couch and (Y/N) lay across the couch, leg covered in ice packs and a bandage. Her hand draped limply onto his shoulder as Aloha scrolled through inkstagram. Occasionally, he'd lift his phone up to show (Y/N) a meme.

To be honest, they probably could have gone their separate ways a while ago, as all (Y/N)'s knee needed was rest but they enjoyed having the other. It was comforting.

(Y/N) was halfway drifting off to sleep when their fingers entwined, Aloha pressing a soft kiss to the back of her hand.

"Hm?" She hummed

"Hm. Check your inkstagram🎵" She could hear that he was half asleep too. It was a serene afternoon. The golden afternoon sun filtered onto them through the trees outside, casting a golden hue on the dozing inklings.

She lazily fumbled for the inkphone in her pocket, opening inkstagram.

1 new notification

Aloha had sent her a picture of him kissing her hand entwined with his, golden light settling on them and both of their half-lidded smiles gazed at her through the phone. In the photo, she was laying on her side, looking at the camera. (Y/N) smiled at the picture, saving it to her camera roll(er).

"Can I post it, princess?" Aloha turned around to look at (Y/N), sitting cross-legged, resting his forearms on the couch cushion with his head on top.

"Sure. You gotta tag me though." (Y/N) became hyper-aware of how close their faces were getting.

"Anything for you, babe~🎵" He began to lean in, and (Y/N) could feel his hot breath fanning her face.

'Is this happening' She thought, also leaning in. Their lips were millimetres apart, grazing each other.

Is there a better time to walk in then now?

Snorkel didn't think so.

"We're hooooomee~" Snorkel called as the rest of Aloha's team walked in. (Y/N) and Aloha gave each other a panicked glance, before 'acting natural'.

"Oh, there you guys are!" Octoglasses grinned, the team turning the corner. What they saw was Aloha helping an injured (Y/N) from the couch, both flushed various shades of pink and (I/C).

"Yep! Here we are!" Aloha grinned cheesily.

"Ooh! Look at the time! I must be getting on." (Y/N) looked at her wrist before mentally deadpanning- her watch was on her other hand! "I'll see you guys at the party on Tuesday, au revoir!".

Aloha helped her out the door and avoided eye contact with his confused teammates. They walked outside onto the porch, Aloha shutting the door to give them some privacy from his team.

"Thanks for helping me out, Aloha"

"No problemo, sugar🎵," He took in a deep breath,
"(Y/N), it's been fresh hanging out with you this afternoon even though you hurt yourself AND fell on me." Aloha chuckled, recalling the days' previous events.

"Next time I promise I won't fall on you!"

"Beautiful, fall for me instead." He quickly kissed her cheek before ducking inside, leaving a blushing mess of (Y/N) on the porch.

As Aloha walked back inside, his teammates stared at him quizzically.
This was going to be an interesting conversation.

(Y/N) limped home on the sidewalk. Hopefully her knee would be better soon, so she could battle again! It didn't hurt too much now, and she recalled some of the rest exercises her doctor had prescribed her in the past for kneecaps. But, her thoughts couldn't stray far from the fact that Aloha kissed her on the cheek.

'Does he like me too, or was he just being friendly? What about when we almost kissed? Did that even mean anything?' (Y/N)'s mind raced, thoughts whirling around and around until she felt dizzy and had to sit down on a bench.

Taking a deep breath, she gained her composure. Despite her growing headache and queasiness, (Y/N) was grateful for the fact she was alone.
Right now, she just had to escape.

This time, to her small apartment on 56 Jelly street. To her home.