A World Once Familiar, Redux (Splatoon/Subnautica x Male Reader)

3: A Watery Hellscape

  "I understand. Thank you... Miss Houzuki." You told her, standing from the bed. In response to your statement, Pearl paused, looking back at you as you kneeled in front of that bag of clothes she had bought you the previous day.

"How old are you?" Pearl asked, eyes narrowed. She wasn't mad or distrustful this time. It was only light surprise that coated her words now.

"Twenty-one." You answered plainly, bringing a low grumble to Pearl.

"We're the same age, L/n. Drop the 'Miss' stuff. Just call me Pearl." She told you.

"You call... me L/n, however." You pointed out.

"Easy for me to remember. Would you rather I call you Y/n?" Pearl questioned.

"I..." You paused, taking a moment to consider the words that could leave your mouth. You had to be careful, or your sentence would clog up your throat midway.

"Whatever works best... for you... Pearl." You told her.

"Then it'll be L/n. When I start calling you Y/n is when I'm remotely comfortable with you." Pearl insisted.

"I understand."

"Good. Get cleaned up." With the order, Pearl finally, fully vanished behind the bedroom door, leaving you with a set of clothes in your clutches. Here's hoping they fit well...

...

  "You done?" Ten minutes had passed between then and now, where you stood in front of Pearl just after opening the guest room door. Your previous apparel had been removed, set aside before a shower had graced your body. Despite having already showered last night, you were ever-thankful to not have to deal with the smell of sewage that resulted from seawater and malfunctioning ovens on you.

  Instead, you smelled like 'Blaze of glory' (going off the soap name Pearl remembered leaving in that particular bathroom), and were dressed normally for once. A grey sweater and dark pants were finished off by those shoes Pearl had chosen for you. Going off how they looked, it seemed her decision for size was correct. They fit you well.

  "I... I'm done." You told Pearl, who nodded with crossed arms.

"Great." She took a step back, granting the space for you to step out, to be in Pearls vision during the walk onto the lower floor. With a quick nod, you began the walk out of your room.

  As you passed Pearl, the shorter inkling raised a hand, giving a small thunk on your back. Intended as nothing more than a greeting, the kind of gesture one would perform on a friend. You did not have the corresponding reaction Pearl would expect.

  All she caught for a split second was a sharp inhale of pain and your back arching, before in a flash of blue and gold, her shoulder was grabbed, and just as she began to register what was happening, your closed fist was inches away from her throat. An act of aggression, one that could have killed Pearl had you not stopped yourself and had your knife in hand.

  "..." Your sudden panting quickly gave way to a single 'huh?' as you realized what exactly had happened.

  "I..." Your hand, positioned as if you had still been holding the knife Marina had taken a day ago, was drawn back in shock.