♡ goggles x rider ♡

Chapter 7: The Meeting and After

[Merry Squidmas Eve everyone! Since winter break is here I'll try to get some writing done and hopefully you'll see more frequent updates! :D]

Goggles plopped down in between Glasses and Rider on the couch. His drink nearly spilled out of his hand. He slurped the soda until it met the first line on his red cup. "Can we do a pizza eating contest instead? Pleeeeease?" The inkling asked, filling up his mouth with nearly the whole cheesy slice. His cheeks were puffed up as if he were a nut-eating squirrel.
"We are not doing that Goggles. Remember, we came here to form a strategic plan against our possible opponents," Glasses explained. "It is best that we-"
"But Goggles' plan sounds great! Raise your hand if you want to join a pizza eating contest!" Bobble interrupted, raising Headphones' hand as well as her own. Goggles followed. "It's three against, two, we win!"
"We all saw you do that, Bobble."
"Do what?" She smiled.
"...Moving on. If we want to win this contest, we have to know our opponents. Headphones, what is the best way to approach a long ranged weapon?"
She thought for a second as she sat up. "You sneak up behind them and get up close, so then you'll have the advantage."
"Great start! See, it's all about getting within range or out of range depending on your weapon. Goggles? Bobble? You guys heard that?"
The two blue squid kids nodded their heads. They could be quite silly and distracting at times, but would give attention when it is needed. The discussion on weapon types continued, as well as how to counter them. Rider brought up movement around the map, and this lead to the group talking about where to go during a match. Logically, Headphones would take the high ground and snipe, Goggles and Bobble would turf and kill, and Glasses would be the slayer. Weapon range plays a big role in what you are able to do.
"Hey, I just thought of something!" Goggles chimed in. He turned to face the green inkling. "Rider, if you make your team join, you can help us!"
"And why would I do that?"
"Because that's what friends are for!"
Rider sighed. "Fine. But my team gets most of the money, and it's only if I win."
"Deal!" Goggles exclaims, putting his hand out for a high five. Rider pauses, then gives in and lets the other have what he wants.
"So do we have most of the plan then? What else is left?" Headphones asks while chewing on a pepperoni. She gets up and throws her paper plate away.
"I think the rest will come to us once we actually start. It's mostly instinct at this point." The team leader wipes his mouth with the first clean napkin he sees. "We could call it a day, if you guys want."
"Yeah, I got some babysitting to do later." Headphones smoothed down her tank top.
"I understand, I have an appointment later so I guess the two of us agree on ending the meeting. Bobbles? Rider?
"What about ME?"
Glasses slapped his forehead. "Goggles, you're already home."
The realization hit him. "Ohh! Right!" he responded. He turned into a squid and flopped around on the couch. Goggles jumped onto Rider's lap. "Don't tell me you're busy too~?" His pupils got darker and bigger and there was a small sparkle in his eye. The yellow-green inkling felt hypnotized by the little squid's puppy eyes. He turned away, his face getting warmer by the second.
"I'm not..."
"YAAAAAAAAAY!"
"Oh, shut up." Rider picked up Goggles and lightly tossed him aside. He morphed back into his humanoid form, a big grin displayed on his face. The blue inkling kicked his legs back and forth as he held onto the seat of the couch.
"OK, Headphones and I will be leaving. You guys have fun," Glasses casually said, and proceeded to step out and leave the door open for Headphones. She appreciated the gesture and closed it behind her.
"I guess it's just you and I now," Goggles commented.
"And Bobble." The two looked over at the smiling inkling. Then again, was she ever not smiling? What kept her so happy all the time? It seems there was yet to find out the answer to these questions. She was quite the mystery behind her little grin.
"I don't think you guys want me here," Bobble began, "so I'm gonna go stalk some people. Bye~!" She opened the window and slid out, super jumping to the front of the building before she hit the ground.
"I... Okay." A blank expression was displayed on Rider's face. He didn't really know how to react either. What exactly are you supposed to do when someone jumps out a window? What Bobble did was just one of the many examples that made him question why he hung out with these dorks. His thoughts came to a quick conclusion as he felt something on top of his open, resting hand. It locked in as if it were a perfect fit. The green inkling found none other than Goggles' warm hand. "What the hell are you doing?" he asked, his heart suddenly pumping faster.
"Isn't this what you're supposed to do?" Goggle's lips were pouty and his deep blue eyes gave off a sparkle. The other gave him a puzzled look, his cheeks visibly burning up.
"Don't tell me you mean...?"
But what else could it be? There were only so many possibilities, and, to Rider, it appeared as though it was the one he was hoping for. He placed his other hand atop the blue squid's and raised them to his chest. Rider closed his eyes for a bit and sighed, then looked back up at Goggles. "I've had very strange emotions that I didn't know I felt towards you until recently. And... I'm starting to think you might have felt the same," he finally confessed. The green inkling looked down, placing his hands on his lap. His tinted cheeks stood out.
"Rider... Wow. I honestly didn't think you would feel the same way. You look so tough on the outside that it made me think you didn't have any soft spots!" Goggles teased. He was able to get Rider to look up at him again. "So what now?" he gazed at the other with curiosity.
"I guess we could go out sometime?"
Goggles' heart skipped a beat, pausing to take in what Rider said. "Yeah! I'd like that."