Chapter Text
It's an hour later before the four return to the mer town. Not knowing what to do with Shota, the mermaids decided to get everyone close to the surface instead. Hizashi’s parents came first and sprinted into their son. They had the same reaction as Tensei and Oboro, crying and hugging Hizashi to no end. The three of them watched from the sidelines with a smile. Hizashi’s sisters came next and joined in on the hug, threatening Hizashi that they would kill him if he did that again. Mrs. Yamada looked over at Hizashi and fretted over his injuries upon seeing them. After reuniting with his family, Hizashi introduced them to Shota. After preventing everyone from killing him at the first sight, Hizashi explained how he saved him. Shota then got to experience the full power of the Yamadas’ bearhug. After Shota avoiding the third death sentence, Hizashi was welcomed back into town with everyone surprised to see him again. People congratulated him and friends cried into him, overjoyed to see him again. Shota was also introduced to the community by his side. Most people froze at the sight of him and looked like they were either going to kill him and run in terror, but after explaining how he saved Hizashi, people welcomed with open arms.
It’s almost sundown when Hizashi and Shota find a place for Shota to rest in. There is a cave a couple of blocks from Hizashi’s house that has a cool air filled cave further in. It’s spacious and has multiple pools of water that go deeper into the cave. Hizashi swims Shota inside, having left Oboro and Tensei outside. The two can finally rest again, not having to worry anymore about home and pirates. The two sit side by side, looking up at the smooth stone ceiling.
“Hey Shota, what are you going to do now?” Hizashi asked, still staring up. Shota shrugged. “I guess I'll look for some town to go to and hope to get a job.”
“You know we’re actually not too far from a human village I think. It’s about an hour swim away again. It's south of here. I saw a couple of buildings on the beaches. Maybe you can settle there. I would offer you to stay here but… it’s not exactly that friendly to humans,” Hizashi rambled on. Shota huffs and looks to the side, at Hizashi’s beautiful face. “That could be a good idea.” Shota scooted closer to Hizashi and stared at his face. “It would be nice to eat some good human food again. Though I do wish to stay close to you still. Do you think they would allow me to visit?” Shota asked. Hizashi thought about everyone’s response to Shota being in town. “Hopefully, I really want to see you again.” Hizashi wrapped his hand in Shota’s. “We’re trauma bound now! You ain’t gettin rid of me any time soon!”
Shota chuckles and leans into Hizashi, looking at their intertwined hands. “Yeah that’s one way of saying it.”
The two sit there for a bit, being comforted in each others’ presence. Finally being able to fully rest since this whole thing has started. For Hizashi, he is glad to have met Shota. He does wish it was in better circumstances but he loves this boy with all of his heart. He would die in a heart beat for him. He would even get kidnapped by those pirates again if he needed to. Hizashi knows he might have fallen for him too fast than a mermaid knowing someone for not even a week should, but he doesn’t care. This guy risked his life for him and saved him from one of the worst fates that he can imagine. Who doesn’t fall for someone like that?
Hizashi starts to hum the song that has been stuck in his head since meeting Shota. Shota looks up at him and quietly listens to Hizashi. He joins in with Hizashi’s beat and the two create a harmony with their singing, making a duet. It’s no louder than a mouse but it’s all their ears can hear.
“Blackbirds singing in the dead of night,”
Shota holds Hizashi’s cheek.
“Take these broken wings and learn to fly, all your life.
Hizashi does the same and stares into his dark, obsidian eyes.
“You were only waiting for this moment to arise.”
The two lean closer till their foreheads are touching.
“Blackbirds singing in the dead of night,”
Hizashi's eyes tear up at the sound of Shota’s voice, as deep as the sky.
“Take these sunken eyes and learn to see, all your life,”
He wipes his tears away. Shota’s eyes starting to water too.
“You were only waiting for this moment to be free.”
They nuzzle their noses, a sickening smile on their lips.
Shota continues to sing in whispers, with Hizashi humming along.
“Blackbirds fly, Blackbirds fly
Into the light of a dark black night”
He leans in till their lips are a breath away.
“We’re free now Hizashi, I love you.”
He breaks the gap between them and softly kisses him. The kiss leaves no doubt in Hizashi on how much they love each other. He kisses back, not holding back his longing for him. Shota deepens the kiss and slides his hand up to Hizashi’s hair. They kiss each other for as long as they can. This is the first kiss that isn’t a peck or Hizashi breathing into Shota.
Shota slowly breaks away from Hizashi, out of breath. Hizashi almost wines when Shota breaks away from him but thankfully holds it back. Then they hear a splash from behind which scares them. They quickly push each other away and look back at a dumbfounded Tensei. He looks between the two of them.
“Well… wasn’t that quick, heh… I’ll just umm… I’ll just be back outside heh. You two can get as horny as you want. Bye!” Tensei quickly dashes back down.
Hizashi's face turns into a tomato from Tensei’s words. “Tensei!” He screams before looking back at Shota, who is also blushing furiously. “I think it’s time for us to go to bed now,” Hizashi awkwardly says. “Yeah, I think I’ll just deal with everything in the morning,” Shota yawns into his hand at the thought of sleep. “I guess I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Yeah, see you tomorrow! Good night!” Hizashi quickly leans in and gives Shota a kiss before diving under. He giggles at stealing one last kiss before leaving. The look of shock on Shota’s face will be in his dreams forever. He meets back up with Oboro and Tensei and gives Tensei a punch at what he said. The three laugh and go back to their families. They say goodbye and a hug before leaving. Hizashi comes back home and a couple hours later he’s on his bed. He thinks about how long it’s been since he’s last slept on a bed. He closes his eyes and enters his deep slumber with a smile.
-
It’s hours later before Hizashi and Shota make it to the mainland. Hizashi’s family is in the water behind them, not wanting to part from their son so soon. The two are next to the tide pools near a cliff. They are as close as they dare to get with Hizashi.
Shota looks at the beach and houses a bit away from him. He gets a sense of deja vu from looking at them. This looks so similar to where he used to live. He sees a girl a little away from the beach near them. She has raven hair that passes her shoulders and has a short blue dress that sways in the wind. She has a sun hat that she places beside her and picks up a rock, skipping it four times. She huffs and picks up another rock.
Shota climbs up the rocks and out of the water. He stares at the girl, not believing his eyes. She looks so similar.
It couldn’t be.
Could it?
“Shota?” Hizashi calls after him.
The girl turns around and sees Shota. She freezes and stares at him. She slowly lets go of the pebble and walks to him. Shota holds his breath, not wanting to look away from her. She’s a couple rocks away when it finally clicks. He looks into those sapphire eyes that’s now watering up. He walks forward and is now an arm away from her. She barely changed the last time he saw her.
“Nemuri?” He whispers.
Nemuri cries out and crashes into him, crying uncontrollably. “Oh my god it’s you! It’s really you!” She crushes him with a bear hug, squeezing his wounds but he doesn’t care. He’s with his sister again.
“I thought you died!” She cried into him. “How are you here? How?” She broke off, clinging to him.
“I’m here now,” Shota whispers to her. “I’m sorry for leaving.”
The two cry into each other, finally reunited after over a year. Hizashi watches from the sidelines with a bittersweet smile. It’s not until Nemuri looks up that she sees him. She stills and looks back at Shota. Shota watches her gaze and stands up.
“I might have met a few people when I was gone. Nemuri meet Hizashi, Hizashi Nemuri.”
“Hi nice to meet you! Shota has told me a lot about you,” Hizashi greets Nemuri. Nemuri looks between Hizashi and Shota, baffled. “How the fuck? How… what… You know what I’m just going to ask later. Hi, I’m Nemuri, Shota’s sister,” her voice cracks.
She stands up and ruffles Shota’s hair. “I’m going to kill you if you don’t explain how the hell you got here.” Shota stills at the hand on his head, the nostalgia hitting him. He hasn’t felt that in years. He huffs, “You’ll probably kill me anyways with what I’m going to tell you.”
Nemuri looks him over with a frown. “You know you look like you should be dead. I’m taking you straight to Chiyo right away. This time you can’t argue with those injuries.”
“I would want nothing more than to finally get new clothes and some rest,” he remarks. He looks back at Hizashi. “I’ll see you at sundown?” He asks. Hizashi nods. “Go hang out with your sister.” Shota nods and looks back at Nemuri with a glint in her eyes. She smiles, “Thank you for taking care of him.” Hizashi smiles at her and nods. He watches the two go, Shota leaning on Nemuri as they leave. His heart breaks at the sight, seeing two siblings finally be reunited. Is this what Shota felt when he was reunited with Oboro and Tensei? How the hell did he not cry?
He feels a hand on his shoulder and turns around to Hana behind him with a smile. “I think it’s time we go back.” Hizashi nods with a smile. He looks back one more time at the beach before going back under. Hana leads him to the rest of the family. His parents hug him and tell him they’re proud of him and glad Shota found his way home. They swim back home together again. Hizashi looks at each of them and warmth fills inside his heart.
He’s glad everything has turned out fine.
Off in the mainland, Shota is sitting next to his sister on a cot, finally getting fixed up. He has new clothes and his wounds cleaned up. He leans into Nemuri, waiting for Recovery Girl to come back. His eyes start to droop and he leans further into his sister. She wraps an arm around him, never letting him go again. He smiles, tightening his hand that is in Nemuri’s. He looks out at the town he grew up in and hasn’t seen in over a year. He looks at the office he used to visit more often than a kid should. He looks at his sister.
He’s finally home again.