Chapter Text
Splatsville
12:00 P.M.
Deep Cut’s Apartment
To describe the feeling of the reveal of the final winner of the End of the World Splatfest as “joyful surprise” would be a massive understatement. Many did not expect Frye’s team to come out on top, but they did by the slimmest of margins. However it wasn’t just the fans celebrating, as after Deep Cut had concluded their broadcast of the final results for the Splatfest, it was Shiver that suggested that they party back at the trio’s shared apartment.
“I’ve been rooting for you to get a win for a long while.” they said. “And you came out on top! Let’s get some pizza and celebrate!”
“Ay! Ay!(Shiver’s right!)” Big Man added. “(Your team pulled out all the stops! Let’s go have some fun!)”
And so they did. The trio ordered pizza, played video games, and just partied for the next few hours back at home. It was a really great time, and Frye couldn’t have been a happier squid.Over the course of the party, many of the trio’s associates and friends had texted their congratulations to her and Team Bucket List. From the The Squid Sisters and Off the Hook to the Captain and Agents of the NSS. Today was a good day for Deep Cut.
At the moment, the gang was just relaxing after their mini-party, with both Frye and Shiver on the couch, and Big Man in a chair reading a book. The topic of conversation later shifted to the various crazy things that happened during the Splatfest, mostly how crazy Turf and Tri-Color got near the end of the Fest.
“Honestly?” Frye said “I was watching those replays of your team, Big Man. Those comebacks were something else. You’re team had me on the edge of my toes!”
The manta ray smiled “Ay! Ay! Ay!(Why thank you!)” he replied happily (But you give yourself too little credit. You made us work for it! You should be proud!)”
“Awww you guys…” Frye said blushing “I don’t deserve-” at that, Shiver silenced the inkling and brought their partner into a hug.
“Drop the humbleness just for now.” they said as they embraced their partner “You deserve us, you deserve this win, you deserve to just be happy!”
In truth, Shiver didn’t really like that their teams kept on winning. Sure, they LIKED winning, but as the streak continued, they honestly felt like they were cheating their partners in crime, especially Frye, out of victories that they could’ve obtained. It didn’t help the fact that some of their “fans” had gotten as toxic as octopus venom, which turned what was supposed to be friendly rivalries into at times all out brawls. Shiver themself would at times go incognito on Squitter and report the worst offenders. No one talked about their girlfriend like that.
Frye instantly returned the hug “...Thank you, Shiv.” She said quietly “That really means al- no, YOU guys mean a lot to me. I meant what I said when the number one thing on my bucket list is making sure you all have a good day. That ain’t changin’ anytime soon! Bring it in guys!” she exclaimed.
And soon, all of Deep Cut were cuddled up next to each other. The trio would’ve been absolutely content with this moment lasting forever. Unfortunately, the moment didn’t last as the phone rang.
“Oh come on!” Frye yelled “We were having a moment!” She then turned to her partners “Were either of you guys expecting anyone today?”
“Not off the top of my head.” Shiver replied confused
“Ay Ay…(I’ve got no appointments scheduled today…)” Big Man added before walking over to the apartment’s phone. He then got an even more confused look on his face “Ay?(Guys, could you come look at the Caller ID?)”
Both Inkling and Octoling joined him and then noticed the name on the Caller ID:
Kiki, from the band C-side. Now this just got more confusing.
“Why on earth would C-side be calling us now?” Shiver wondered “This seems so out of the blue.”
The Octoling was right, this WAS out of the blue. While Deep Cut and C-side haven’t collabed, both groups still talked with each other and hung out when they could. Last Frye had checked, Kiki was getting both C-side and her other band Riot Act together for a collab album starting today, so this call was odd.
“We’re about to find out.” Frye replied before grabbing the phone “Hello?”
“Frye? Is that you?” came the voice of C-side’s guitarist
The inkling tilted her head “Yeah, it’s me Kiki. What’s going on?”
A sigh could be heard from the other end of the line “I’ll cut straight to the chase.” she said “Baker is missing.”
Apparently the apartment’s phone had its volume turned up, because it wasn’t just Frye that exclaimed “WHAAAAAT?!?!?”
Another sigh from Kiki “I take it everyone else heard that, so I’ll elaborate: Remember that collab album between our two bands that we were cooking up?”
Frye nodded “Yeah, from what I saw and heard, you all were super excited to get started on it. What changed?”
“Simply put, Baker never showed up.” the bass replied “All of us have tried calling him, and we haven’t gotten an answer. This isn’t like him, Frye. We’re all worried about him. Could you…?”
“Say no more.” the inkling replied determined “I’ll find my little brother and get back to you when I do.”
“Thank you, Frye.” Kiki said, sounding relieved “There’s a reason you’re considered an honorary member of this band. Keep me posted.” And with that, Kiki hung up.
Now that raised more questions than answers. Baker had always been the rebellious younger brother, and founding C-side was one of those outlets for that nature, so the fact he didn’t show up was confusing to Deep Cut.
“Ay?(Has your brother done stuff like this before, Frye?)” Big Man asked
Frye shook her head “The only time something remotely like this happened was when Kiki temporarily “quit” the band, but he got over that pretty quickly, especially after she came back. This is so confusing to me, I just hope he’s okay.”
Shiver put her hand on their partner’s shoulder “We’ll find him. Shouldn’t be too hard.”
As if the universe heard the Octoling, a knock could be heard at their apartment’s door. Frye raised her eyebrow at her partner before going to the door and opening it. There stood a slightly shorter inkling with orange tentacles and a black and green shirt. He then gave Frye a lazy grin.
“Hey sis.”