Logan liked quiet, peaceful places, so he often distanced himself from others and sought out silence. He was swimming near a reef when, in the distance, he spotted a couple of barracudas. Logan stayed behind some corals, knowing he could easily win in a fight but wasn’t in the mood for one today.
The barracudas circled near some other corals. They probably smelled something, but after not finding anything, they swam away.
Logan was about to leave too when the corals the barracudas had been circling began to change color, slowly revealing a figure—a completely white octopus, standing out starkly against the surroundings.
Logan thought they were beautiful.
They swam toward Logan but were looking in the direction the barracudas had gone, making sure they were far enough away. They turned their head just as they neared Logan, stopping abruptly to avoid bumping into him.
"Oh! Sorry, I..."
"I saw you." Logan thought they were even more beautiful up close.
They tilted their head, confused, and Logan found that adorable.
"Well... I’m right in front of you, so obviously you’re seeing me."
"No, I saw you before, when you were camouflaged."
"Oh, yeah, that's something my species can do," they said, shrugging, with a slight blush on their cheeks, looking a bit embarrassed that Logan had seen them.
"I think it was impressive," Logan said, and they looked surprised by the compliment. "I’ve never seen anything like that before."
"It’s nothing," they smiled, and Logan was captivated by their smile. "I’m Morph, by the way."
"That name suits you. I’m Logan."
"It’s more of a nickname, but I use it more."
"Logan’s a nickname too."
Morph swam around Logan. "What are you doing here? I’ve never seen you around these parts before..."
"I was looking for a quiet place," Logan replied, unable to take his eyes off them.
"Oh... Well, I pass by here a lot. I live nearby, and I never stop talking, so that probably rules this place out as quiet." They started to slowly swim away from Logan. "But I hope you find a quiet place."
Logan didn’t want them to leave.
"Wait!" Morph stopped quickly, surprised. "I’m lost. I need help," *because I’m helpless in love.* "If you know the area, maybe you could..."
Morph blinked, then shrugged and smiled. "Sure, why not."
They swam together for a while. Morph wasn’t lying when they said they never stopped talking. Logan didn’t even have to ask questions to learn more about them, and while he might have found that trait annoying in others, it wasn’t the case with Morph. He liked their voice, and he thought their laugh was goofy and contagious.
Morph led Logan out of the reef, then waved goodbye as they swam back.
Logan didn’t have to go much further before he ran into Scott.
"Where have you been? You disappeared again… Is something wrong?" Scott asked, noticing how distracted Logan seemed. Logan looked at him seriously.
"I think I’m in love."
"Oh... um... I’m really flattered, Logan, but..."
"Not with you, idiot."
"With who, then?"
"You wouldn’t know them..."
"Wait, you were gone for, what, forty minutes? An hour? And you fell in love in that time?"
"When you met Jean for the first time, didn’t you feel deep down that you were destined to be with her?"
"I, well, yeah, I suppose," Scott said, shrugging.
Over the next few days, Logan returned to the reef several times to find Morph again. The first few times, he wasn’t lucky, but this time, he heard something behind him.
"Lost again?" said a familiar voice.
Logan turned to face Morph.
"Not really. I just like this place."
"I can go if you want to be alone," Morph looked a little nervous.
"That’s not necessary, bub. I like you. We could—"
"My name is Morph," they interrupted. "I thought I told you that last time we met." They put their hand on their chin, trying to remember.
"You did. I remember your name," Logan replied, a little confused.
"But you just called me Bob."
Logan laughed loudly at that.
"I called you 'bub.' It’s like saying buddy or mate."
"Oh, I get it now."
Logan sighed. "I was wondering if—"
"Is your hair always like that?"
"What? Like what?"
"You know... like that," Morph made some gestures with their hands, and Logan couldn’t help but laugh softly.
After that visit, their meetings became regular. During one of those encounters, they were watching the scenery together. Morph seemed quieter than usual, looking thoughtful.
Logan moved closer until they were shoulder to shoulder. "A modern coin for your thoughts, bub?"
"When we first met, you said you were looking for a quiet place. I thought maybe you liked being alone."
"I do like being alone."
"Well... when you're with someone, you’re not alone, and I’ve gotten the feeling you like being with me."
"I like being alone with you," Logan said, taking their hand.
Morph blushed a little.
"I like being alone with you too," Morph said, leaning their head on Logan’s shoulder, and Logan felt his heart race.
They stayed like that for a moment, watching the beautiful scenery in silence, enjoying the solitude and calm in each other’s company...
"This is uncomfortable ; you're really short. Don’t you want to be the one to rest your head on my shoulder?"
Logan chuckled. "Of course, darling."