Sylus stood at the edge of the lapping ocean in nothing but a pair of black swim trunks with little purple squids on them. He stared at the water as it dared encroached on him, an angry eldritch god. How dare nature command the tides?

I sat on a towel laid out on the warm sand watching him incase his thalassaphobia got the better of him.

“I’m a GOD for FUCKSSAKE!” He cried out drawing the attention of some of our fellow beach-goers. Unlike myself, they couldn’t see his tentacles flailing wildly.

“You’re a human consciousness piloting the body of a ‘god’.” I called back to him.

“There’s seaweed and dead shit in there…”

I lowered my sunglasses and glared over them.

“The ocean is gross.” He kicked a wave as if it’d care. “Deep, dark, cold.” He shivered as he retreated to his blanket beside me. “I’m over it and I don’t care what my alien squid ‘brain’ says.”

“What if Qaitax wants to go for a swim?” I chided.

“Then I’ll take a nap and he can go sit at the bottom of the ocean for an hour.”

I pulled a book out of the backpack I brought with us. “I’ve got time.”

“Don’t encourage him!” He cried out.

“Well someone besides me has to enjoy themselves today.”

“You’d rather be alone than sitting here with me?” His voice barely shook.

“Oh my god, big guy.” I patted his belly. “Relax.” I leaned over and kissed his cheek. “I’m just giving you two the option.”

“Great. He does, in fact, want to sit down on the cold dark.” Sylus sounded on the brink of tears. “Fine. You deal with him, then.” With a huff, he closed his eyes.

When they opened again I was looking at Qaitax’s violet crosses stretched across a sea of black. He got up without a word and made his way to the water.

“Not even a hello?” I laughed.

“I have fifteen minutes. Greetings can wait.” He waved me off over his shoulder.

I snorted. “Have fun and don’t stress Sylus out too much.”

With that he waded out and vanished beneath the waves.

Knowing them, I knew this might happen so I came prepared. I reached into the backpack and removed a fleecy blanket. I rested it on his towel in the sunlight to let it get warm.

“Fifteen minutes.” I picked up my book. “Probably should have asked how long I should wait before worrying.” I shrugged. “It’s not like they have to breathe or anything.”

Fifteen minutes passed. I wasn’t worried.

Thirty went by. Sylus did initially say an hour.

Forty-five minutes. I finally looked up from my book. No sign of him.

I could hear some people muttering about seeing a man wade out and not come back. Some glanced at me and found my lack of concern disturbing. I sighed. It wasn’t like I could just say “He’s a Voidlord he’s fine.” No one knew what that was. Not yet anyway.

Then again, an hour ticked on and neither of them reappeared.

As invasive as it was, I opened up outlr conduit.

You two okay?

Uncharacteristic silence came in response.

“Ah shit.” I stood up and made my way to the water.

I started picturing him having a panic attack down in the darkness. Qaitax pulling a bait and switch to “strengthen his resolve” as the monster put it. He was always doing shit like that to Sylus. Pushing his boundaries, actively putting him in traumatizing situations. I would’ve called it abusive if I didn’t know it helped Sylus to some small degree.

The way Sylus put it was, if things truly went south, Qaitax would save him. He’d rather face his fears on his own terms than forced to in conflict.

As much as I hated seeing him in tears and pain, I accepted that.

But this felt different. Something wasn’t right. The lack of communication wasn’t like Sylus at all, but it was very much like Qaitax. Creature of few words unless they were taunting and aggressive.

Answer me, Qaitax.

Silence.

I pinched my nose and tossed my sunglasses back onto my towel. Guess I was going in. Not that I could go as deep as they could. Not that I could even really begin looking for them… I sat down in the shallows, knees pulled to my chest and did the only thing I could do: wait.

90 minutes after they submurged, their pale face emerged far out in the depths.

I stood up trying not to look as upset as I felt.

They went back under, a dark shadow signifying their approach. I just stood there trying to meter my feelings. No crying, no yelling. I took a deep breath as they stood up, their shoulders above the waves.

I put my hands on my hips.

He lifted his arm. An orange octopus clung to it. “His name is Corky and he likes mussels.” It was Sylus. I let loose a sigh of relief.

“You could have just told me you were making friends!” I almost shouted.

“I did?” He paused. “You bastard.” He hissed.

“How long did it take him to abandon you?”

Sylus motioned to give him a minute. He rubbed his tentacles together making some squeaking noises. The octopus did something similar before releasing his arm. He ducked under before surfacing for the last time. He lumbered out of the water and stood before me.

“I wasn’t exactly happy about it.” He sighed. “Corky latched onto Qaitax and he couldn’t stand it, so he put me up to deal with it. I learned octopus by the way.”

“Why didn’t you answer me?” My worry was dissipating in the form of anxious shakes.

“I did. But a certain someone intercepted.”

“He can do that?!” My trust for Qaitax was already thin and I knew he had none for me.

“Apparently.” He signed. “Can I get out of the water now? I’m cold and generally uncomfortable.”

I took his arm and lead him back to his blanket.

He flopped down unceremoniously and I sat down beside him, picking up my sunglasses and book. He moved the plush blanket under his head like a pillow and muttered a sentiment of gratitude. I nodded in reply.

“Well I’m glad it wasn’t a disaster, but we really need to talk about that interference thing. Major safety issue.”

He nodded. “I’m less than pleased.”

I sighed as I patted his broad, pale back. “Don’t burn, okay?”

“Can’t. No melanin.”

“I know.” I breathed.

I intended to keep reading, but instead I laid down and closed my eyes.

I turned to Sylus. He was unconscious. I couldn’t tell if he was actually asleep or fighting with Qaitax, but he was out like a light bulb.

I squirmed over and threw an arm over him and rested my head on his.

“I’m glad you made a friend.” I breathed before my anxiety left me groggy and I fell into a nap of my own.