section7mfu | "Squid Pro Quo"~ for the Short Affair Challenge

Challenge: The Short Affair

-Prompt Word #1 - Tendril

-Prompt Colour – Purple

Author: mrua7

Title: Squid pro quo

Word count: approx. 1000

Scuba diving was something that Illya Kuryakin did enjoy as a pastime during the warmer months. Though not a fan of the sun like his partner, Illya could quickly cool himself off in the depths while exploring a shipwreck of old, or observing the sea life that lived in a colorful coral reef.

It was on one such adventure to the deep that nearly cost the blond Russian his life, not that it wasn’t the first time. Illya had had a number of close encounters with the greatest denizens of the deep, namely sharks.

Not this time though.

Illya gave a little wave to Napoleon as he leapt from the deck of Solo’s yacht, the Pursang. His partner had invited him for a long weekend sail and after being given assurances of good weather and smooth sailing, as well as copious amounts of food... Kuryakin agreed.

Of course Illya laid in a supply of ginger ale, ginger tablets and non-drowsy Dramamine just in case as he was prone to seasickness.

The enticement of lobster, crab, shrimp, shish kebab, roasted clams, corn on the cob along with plenty of other grilled goodies, as well as fresh fruit and beer were irresistible to a man of Illya Kuryakin’s boundless appetites.

The blonde Wilson twins were also offered up as an enticement by Solo as well, but as in the past Illya avoided being set up with a woman by his partner like the plague. He’d learned the hard way what these double dates usually meant; Napoleon went off with one, while Illya was left with the air headed friend.

Granted, he could have just seduced the woman, which wouldn’t have been hard to do; but Illya having sex would be at a time, a place and with a woman of his choosing, not his partner’s.

At the last minute the Wilson twins begged off, as somehow they’d gotten a better offer...which in Napoleon’s mind was hard to believe. Still, the trip had been planned, supplies laid in and that Solo wasn’t about to cancel come hell or high water.

It was then Illya accepted the invitation without hesitation.

As Napoleon started grilling the seafood, Illya decided on a quick dive. The water was crystal clear and the coral reefs below looked beautiful. By the time he was done the food would be ready. There was no need for him to help as Napoleon preferred doing the cooking himself, since he fancied himself a bit of a gourmet.

If it were survival cooking, Illya was a wiz at that but this was a weekend cruise that entailed eating good food, and not foraging for grubs and nuts.

Kuryakin donned his mask, air tank and flippers; in an instant he was over the side with a splash. Paddling down to the reef, the myriad of colorful fish swarmed around him.

He reached out his hand and they circled, thinking perhaps he had food for them. Obviously tourists had fed the fish before.

He kept a wary eye out for sharks, just in case and as he headed down to an unusual grouping of purple brain coral to take a closer look. Just as he reached it a long tendril lashed out, entwining itself around the Russian’s ankle.

It was a monstrous octopus, and given these creatures could camouflage themselves, blending seamlessly with their environment; Illya never saw it hiding there.

Another arm reached out, taking hold of the Russian’s wrist as he began to struggle to free himself.

Illya’s mind was racing; he’d never heard of a cephalopod acting in such an aggressive manner with a human.

Octopuses had neither a protective outer shell like the nautilus, nor any vestige of an internal shell or bones like cuttlefish or squid. They had almost entirely soft bodies with no internal skeleton… a beak was their only hard part. Given that they were able to squeeze through very narrow slits between underwater rocks, which is very helpful when they are fleeing from morays or other predatory fish. That was the conundrum, they preferred to flee rather than fight.

Why was this creature being the aggressor?

Another suction-cupped arm reached out and latched onto Illya’s face mask and breather, pulling them away. Somehow the sudden burst of air bubbles may have startled the creature enough that it let go, allowing Kuryakin to quickly escape.

Just as suddenly a dogfish...which was a type of shark, darted in, grabbing the giant octopus. A battle ensued but the shark was not match and lost; it became lunch instead.

Had it not been for Illya's near death experience he would have stayed to observe the event.

Replacing his mouth piece, Kuryakin grabbed his mask as it floated towards him and returned to the yacht.

As he climbed aboard, Napoleon called out, “Lunch is ready tovarisch. Hey, you look like you just saw a ghost...you okay?”

“Fine,” Illya’s answer as usual was short. He stowed his gear and after putting on a tee shirt, he sat down to eat. The incident was over and done with and he was none the worse for wear, so why mention it.

“What is for lunch?”

“Tovarisch, a culinary masterpiece of grilled octopus with bay leaf, thyme, peppercorns, salt, garlic and lemon. Some zucchini, tomatoes and mushrooms all flavored with a special secret marinade.” He held out a cold bottle of Schlitz beer to the Russian.

Illya thought about it a second before helping himself to a plateful of food. How ironic that an octopus tried to eat him for lunch and now the Russian was getting his revenge in a round about way.

“Hey Illya What's an octopus’ favorite latin saying? “

He resisted rolling his eyes, even though he knew something was coming. “I do not know, what is an octopus’ favorite latin saying?”

“Squid pro quo!” Napoleon grinned.

Though not completely accurate, it was befitting the situation; Illya nodded his approval.

“What no pithy comeback?” Solo asked.

“Not today.” Illya speared a piece of octopus with his fork and ate it with gusto.

“Better you than me,” he whispered.