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While the sea is always awake, for some reason, on this particular night it fell exceptionally quiet.
Peso has never considered himself brave. In fact, he found himself rather cowardly.
Still, every now and then, a member of his crew will congratulate him for being so.
He never quite understood why, after all he’s just doing his job!
On this particular day, it was the Captain.
The Captain Barnacles! A man, whom of which was practically the epitome of bravery and strength, had the nerve to say “That was incredibly brave of you, Peso.” to him after what had transpired today.
He knew he only meant is as a compliment—christ it WAS a compliment— but even so, he felt as though he didn’t deserve it, or rather that it wasn’t true.
Peso saved the dolphin, sure, but he was so utterly terrified he wouldn’t be able to the whole time. In his eyes, he felt he wasn’t acting brave at all.
Then all of a sudden, Peso realized he was spiraling. To try and not do so any further, he attempted to make conversation.
Peso turned to Captain Barnacles, who was completely focused on piloting the Gup A.
"Captain?”
Barnacles turned his head slightly to face him, smiling fondly at his medic friend,
“What is it, Peso?”
Peso wasn’t actually exactly sure what he wanted to say, but to keep himself from his own thoughts, he opted for something he could just about always say to the Captain.
Peso looked up at Barnacles, smiling back, “It’s just,” he looked off the the side “I have to say it, even if i have a hundred times before.. I'm really impressed by you. You're an amazing leader; you always know what to do in tough situations."
It was something he really did say to the Captain all the time, but he figured it was mostly okay because it was something that he always meant truthfully, too. Captain Barnacles really was an exceptional person in his eyes, and Peso figured he could always stand to be reminded of it.
The sudden sincerity made Barnacles smile even wider, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
"Thank you, Peso. It's just my job, but I appreciate the sentiment. And I have to say, you're not too shabby yourself. You're just as great as I am, in your own way."
Peso's eyes faltered at that. He had started this conversation to get out of his own head, not to dive head first into it. "I don't know about that, Captain..” He trailed off slightly “ I mean, I’m practically afraid of everything that comes my way, and I don't feel like I'm anywhere near as capable as the rest of the team.” He looked away from Barnacles gaze again, his voice barely above a whisper.
With that, Barnacles’ expression turned serious. He let out a heavy sigh.
"Peso, let me tell you something.” He stopped the Gup A, turning to face Peso, making sure he had his full undivided attention.
“Without you, that dolphin would still be stuck in that cave, hurt and alone. Your medical skills and quick thinking saved its life. And that's not something to be taken lightly."
Peso almost thought that was all, but instead he continued on,
“Stepping in to save a life, even when you are afraid— Peso that’s what bravery is. You are brave. As well as skilled and kind, and I realize that you have doubts in your abilities, everyone does, but what you need to understand is that you do make a difference, that our team wouldn’t be complete without you.” He ended his statement with a kind, reassuring look.
Peso looked up at him slightly, emotion evident in his eyes. "I— I guess I didn't think about it that way.."
He truly didn’t. When Peso thought of being brave, he thought of people like the Captain, or Kwazii. People who would rush into save a life without fear or hesitation.
Leaning forward, Barnacles eyes locked with his own. “I know it's hard to see your own strengths sometimes, but trust me Peso, you have a lot to offer. And I'm not just talking about your medical skills. You've got a good heart, and a willingness to learn that's essential to our team."
Peso felt a lump form in his throat as he looked up at the Captain once more.
“Thank you, Captain. That means a lot coming from you."
Captain Barnacles smiled again, his expression warm. "I mean it, Peso. You're a valuable member of this team, and don't you ever forget it."
…
The rest of the ride back to the Octopod was spent in comfortable silence, the only sound being the hum of the Gup A's engine. Peso gazed out the window, lost in thought, while Captain Barnacles piloted the vessel with ease.
As they came into the launch bay, Captain Barnacles turned to Peso with a warm smile. "And don't forget what I've told you, Peso."
Peso nodded, his eyes shining with gratitude. "I won't, Captain!"
Just then, Kwazii appeared at the edge of the deck, a curious expression on his face. "What's all this, then?"
Peso and Captain Barnacles exchanged a look, and the Captain gave a good-nature pat onto Peso’s back before stepping out of the Gup.
“Just a little chat, Kwazii. Nothing to concern yourself with."
Kwazii raised an eyebrow but said nothing, instead he opted to follow Peso as and headed off towards the Octopod's interior.