Coroyakuza

Thirteen|| The Photographs

It had been quiet once Bobble went to the psychiatric ward. Headphones and Specs no longer had anything to say to each other and Goggles no longer snuck out; he had thought of another way to be with Rider without anyone finding out. The two Inklings texted often, everyday in fact, just to make sure the other was doing okay. Although they communicated, one always missed the other.

The blue Inkling was locked away in his room, cradled into a ball and looking at a picture he had taken with Rider a few months back when they first met. He held it close to him, just as he did with all the others he had. The small boy only had about ten photographs with Rider, but he still cherished all of them. His phone from across his room buzzed, causing him to jump up quickly and run across the room (he tripped over a few things but he didn't care). Goggles quickly picked up his phone, smiling brightly as he saw Rider's name. He quickly unlocked it to see what he said.

Rider 💚
you doing okay gogs?

The blue Inkling frowned slightly. Was he? He looked at his reflection in his phone. He quickly typed "Not sure" before sending hesitantly. He unplugged his phone and sat down on his bed, waiting for Rider to text back anxiously. A sudden knock was heard from the other side of Goggles' door, causing him to quickly turn off his phone.

The door was gently pushed open, revealing Headphones. "Hey, Goggles," she said quietly, "I was just wondering if you wanted to go out for coffee today, I was thinking we could go as y'know, a group." Goggles tilted his head, "With Specs?" Headphones nodded. Goggles hesitated before speaking, "Sure." Headphones smiled, "Alright, get changed and I'll meet you outside."

•

The three inklings exchanged an awkward silence once they were seated. "So," Headphones started, "What, what happened to us?" Specs and Goggles looked to the side in unison. "I- I honestly don't know," Specs stuttered. Goggles fidgeted slightly, "I think we- we lost our friendship once we stopped turfing." Headphones nodded sadly. "Can we... restart maybe? I know we can't magically fix our situation but maybe we can, I don't know, fix our friendship?" Specs frowned. "In that case, I'm sorry. To both of you guys, all the crap I've said and done to you was uncalled for." Headphones gave a small smile, "It's ok. We can both learn." Goggles looked up at Specs, "I forgive you." They all sat in silence for another long minute, when Headphone suddenly giggled, with teary eyes.

"I'm sorry guys it's just, it's been so long since we've actually sat down and talked," she wiped a tear from her cheek and continued to giggle. Goggles grinned and joined her in laughter. Soon Specs was laughing too, and the blue inklings felt relief wash over them. Goggles, took a deep breath in attempt to stop his laughter, "I wish Bobble was here," he said, smile still present on his face. Headphones' moment of glee came to a halt, and she frowned. Specs noticed her discontent and gave her a look. "What's wrong? Did something happen between you and Bobble?" Goggles furrowed his eyebrows, "Yeah, you haven't visited her in a while." The blue girl looked away, "We just had a little argument."
"About what?" The boys asked in unison. Headphones sighed, "It's just, okay I'm gonna say something but you have to promise me you won't tell her." Goggles and Specs both nodded, "Promise."
"Well, I've... I've had feelings towards Bobble for awhile now." Specs stared at her, mouth wide open. "What!? You have a crush on her!?" Goggles smiled, "It was obvious." Headphones blushed in embarrassment, "It was not obvious!" The cheerful boy just laughed.

"Ugh, anyways! I have feelings for her and that's why I visited her so often. But the other day I noticed something and, I kinda went off." Specs pushed up his glasses, "What was it?" Headphones was noticeably uncomfortable. "Well, um... She was walking kinda funny and uh, I learned that uhm. SheandMaskhadanintimatemomentandIyelledatherandshegotmad!" Specs and Goggles took a moment to analyze what she had sputtered and as soon as they understood, Specs spit out his coffee. "W-what!? Mask!?" Headphones hastily nodded, "I never would've imagined them together. Nonetheless doing... that!" He cringed. Goggles spoke up, "She told me about Mask last week. She said he was really nice to her, and that he was good company, but I never thought they'd... y'know." The group frowned simultaneously.

•

Headphones reluctantly dialed the number to the psychiatric ward. The phone rang before someone picked up, "This is the Inkopolis Medical Center, how can I help you?" She took a deep breath, "Can I speak to Bobble?"

"What." Bobble's was audibly displeased and Headphones cringed. "I just wanted to say sorry, for the other day. I was out of line and I know it's your decision to make."
"It's okay. I'm sorry too." She smiled slightly. "We're good then?" Bobble let out a small chuckle. "Yeah. Only if you bring me another one of those smoothies though, it was really good," she giggled. Headphones let out a small laugh. "Yeah, will do," she said before hearing Specs' call her name. "Oh, sorry uhm, Specs is calling me."
"Yeah, I could hear him from here," Bobble said. "I'll visit later, promise. Bye, Bobble," Headphones said quickly, hearing a quick "Goodbye" on the other end before hanging up and checking on what Specs wanted.

She found him in Goggles' room. "What's up? Why are you in here?" she asked, walking over to him. He was holding a few photographs with a dumbfounded expression. "What's that?" she asked curiously, looking at the photographs. "That's Rider," Specs muttered, somewhat in shock. "From the YG Gang, right?" Headphones looked at the blue inkling, waiting for a reaction. "Why is he running around with another gang's leader?" he muttered through gritted teeth. "He's just a little rebellious, that's all. I'm sure it's nothing serious, Specs—"
"You're kidding, right? Are you serious, Headphones? Look at him!" She cringed, looking at the photograph of Goggles kissing Rider's cheek. "Please don't yell at him. Or hurt him. We're trying to fix things, just let him explain what's going on." Specs sighed, throwing the photographs onto Goggles' bed. As if on cue, the door opened, revealing the blue Inkling with a few grocery bags.

"I'm home!"

(sorry this one is a little short, we're planning a lot of content for later chapters so please forgive us! i hope you'll enjoy this little "filler" chapter for now! -elliot)