Chapter Text
When Droid ended up creating an entire line of improved Scuba gear, no one could believe it. It wasn’t as though Droid was necessarily trying to best other long standing companies on the island or anything, he just saw room for improvement and improved on it. O2 tanks that could hold air longer and with more of it. Fins that were a touch more effective or goggles that were a bit clearer.
For some reason this was a big deal, earning him an award somewhere and kick starting his own company. He wasn’t entirely sure what was happening but there was demand and who was he to not fulfill it? He had plenty of managers to take care of the business side of things while he focused on his true love, diving and inventing.
Unfortunately three years ago his uncle died. He was the one who taught Droid the ins and outs of scuba gear and diving, as his uncle was a marine biologist. Over the three years after his death Droids had a very hard time coming up with something new to invent. He just wasn’t inspired like he used to be. Investors, buyers and social media were all waiting for his next big move. Funny part was that there wasn’t one.
Which is why he was consulting his main council, the homies.
Puffer, Grizzy and Droid were all sitting in a small smoothie bar on the island. Palm tree decorations and island aesthetics along with an oversized fish tank decorated the small space. The TV hanging up behind the bar was already showing Droids uncomfortable face as mics and cameras were shoved into his space demanding to know what he was working on. The news story was inconclusive and clearly just using his name for revenue. Fantastic.
“I’m telling you dude, you inherited your uncle's place, a good vacation could get you inspired” Puffer sipped on his sugary blueberry smoothie. Droid grimaced, “I haven’t been there in years, plus I doubt that it’ll fix my creative block” Puffer shrugged, looking past him to Grizzy. “Maybe not, but it could be a great vacation either way, you deserve it man, especially dealing with all those idiots” He pointed to the shouting interviewers on the screen. He’s never going inland again.
“Maybe you’re right, I should start sorting through stuff I inherited anyway” Droid agreed, enjoying the mango taste on his tongue. “Or you could just relax, the grind can wait, you workaholic” Puffer waved dismissively. Droid smiled, “says you” Puffer nodded, “exactly, game recognises game my guy”
“Maybe you both need a vacation” Grizzy huffed, reeling from the mere amount of work rants he’s had to council the two through. Puffer shook his head, “not for this guy, I physically can’t relax ever” Saying it as though this were the undeniable truth. “Any askers?” Grizzy looked around the room to find some imaginary audience.
Puffer spouted some joke about Grizzys mother and chaos ensued. Some more jokes later the three finished their smoothies and split ways on to their busy lives. Droid swallowed whatever doubt he had before. Even if he doesn’t get inspired he can still enjoy diving on his uncles side of the ocean. Or maybe he could just go down memory lane.
He’d healed since the loss of his uncle, but he’s sure that an old photo or two may cause him to tear up. Especially since it was a scuba diving incident that took him too early. Packing up a backpack and suitcase he got in his car and navigated his way across the island. A wrong turn and narrowly missing a seagull later and he found exactly what he was looking for. His uncles house was always unreasonably close to the tide. It was a wonder the sea hadn’t claimed it.
Droid left his car in the driveway. Seawater rising and spraying over the cliffs that supported his uncle's house. Waves seemed testy today, hopefully that wasn’t a bad omen of some sort. Droid tried to not slip on the wet gravel as he finally got to the front door. The ‘go away’ doormat was still present, Droid cracked a smile at it.
Once he forced his way inside he recognised how prestine it was. His uncle always hired maids, paying them months in advance so as not to bother him, maybe he’d paid years ahead. Or maybe since no one was living here the dust itself had nothing to disturb it, thus keeping it under couches and away from sight. Whatever the reason Droid was just glad he didn’t have to clean.
The short entry hall had two doors on its left wall, those of which led to the bathroom and bedroom. The same entry way led forward to the living room and kitchen which shared the same space. The only thing separating the two areas was the walking space between the island barstools and the couch. Droid would have to get groceries doordashed here, since he was sure that fridge was empty.
He forgot how much of a movie nut his uncle was, if his giant TV screen and sound system was any indication. The inside of the home was nice or whatever, but the real fun was outside the back glass sliding door. Droid stepped outside, looking across the vast body of water. There was of course the back porch which was a smooth spread of pavement that acted as the poolside. Except it wasn’t a pool, it was a controlled species observation tank. Or at least that’s what his uncle called it.
The reality was that it was just a chunk of the ocean he separated with a glass wall as to make the animals he was studying feel at home. By all means it had coral and natural species growing at its floor and fish traveling about continuing their own ecosystem, but it was really just a pool. The real good stuff was behind the garage door on the other end of the poolside. Droid shoved the thing open, seeming to find some of the missing dust from earlier. He coughed, waving it out of his face before examining what he was working with.
A neat room with a desk chock full of books, notes and sticky notes. Little pictures of his uncles favorite fish with their names neatly written under it. There was a large silver tub in the middle, probably used to help out any sea life that ends up sick or injured. The thing could probably fit a healthy adult seal. Next to that were all his tools. A tranq gun, for sea lions most likely, and a net were leaning against its side.
Then there was a wall of tools. Things like bolt cutters, screwdrivers and electrical tape that Droid was already planning on using. He missed this place. Looking over he saw a photo of a tiny clown fish. His uncle always gave his fish an unhealthy amount of attention, little Droid ended up getting jealous of the fish and would call them mean names in order to compensate. It seems 'Little fucker' was still living it up in the sea anemone.
Droid grinned, remembering yelling at the probably confused and slightly offended fish. Droid could sort through this place once he gets some rest. He's really hungry and tired right now having endured the long car ride. Pulling out his phone he ordered his list of groceries he wanted sent to him, along with a note to drive carefully as the wet gravel wasn't kind on newcomers.
Returning inside he texted Grizzy and Puffer that he didn't die on the way there. Grizzy asked if there was a gym there, or at least any type of equipment to which Droid replied 'Water'. Grizzy was disappointed to say the least. Puffer said something about sending him photos of a pufferfish if he can. Before Droid knew it there was a knock at the door and his food was here.
Droid did what he did best. Stuck some food in a microwave and called it a day. Sitting at the lonely island with the lights turned on but still low in comparison to the darkness growing outside, he got an alert on his phone. He first thought it was a run-of-the-mill amber alert or something but instead it was a severe storm warning. Best time to have one of those considering he's directly next to a very angry ocean.
Great.
Droid did his best to make sure the area was strom and ocean proof while getting his face pelted by wind and saltwater. Once inside, and properly soaking, he sealed up any cracks in windows and barricaded the glass door. Once everything was as set as he could make it, he showered in hot water and got in bed. Sleep didn't come easy, especially considering the thrashing of ocean waves against the side of the home and the lightning that boomed outside.
Eventually things calmed down enough to get some good shut eye. By that point the exhaustion was already setting in big time. Droids limbs lethargically relaxed as he slipped under. Unaware of the new fishy house guest that would soon be arriving.