Chapter Text
The sky looked so much different underwater.
Little flecks of light that decorated the night sky were only visible above the tides. The way the open ocean sparkled with moonlight was absolutely stunning, dolphins breach and chirp, sending starlight dancing across the waves. Ushimitsu curls his tail, enthralled at the beautiful display.
There was one thing different about the ocean tonight, though. A small sailboat, anchored some yards away, was a definite unusual for him. Ushimitsu’s pod was currently living in shallow waters off the coast of Japan, drawn out of the deep ocean to enjoy the seasonally warmer waters. Their spring habitat was lush and beautiful in comparison to the usual rocky and open terrain of the deep ocean. This particular stretch of sea didn't get boats often, considering how close to the reef they were. It was one of the reasons that Ushimitsu’s pod had chosen to settle down here, fewer humans meant they could live a little easier. Although, even still, his pod tended to favor staying out of sight, just in case of any stray vessels.
Ushimitsu gazed at the boat, looking for any signs of life. It had been a few days since the ship had moored in that spot, and since Ushimitsu only surfaced at night, he hadn’t had the chance to see the human. His pod had warned him to stay away from the ship, but Ushimitsu couldn’t help being curious. It wasn’t like the ship’s crew was doing any harm, there were no signs of the usual clunky nets and rigging that there were on big commercial fishing vessels. Ushimitsu decided he would visit come sunrise, as he fell back beneath the waves.
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~O~
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Daybreak had come slowly, and as Ushimitsu swam up to the boat, Large tuna heavy in his hands, he spotted a dash of movement on deck. Although trying to stay relatively serious, there was no suppressing the spark of excitement Ushimitsu was feeling.
He’d befriended a human before, but... they didn’t get to stay in touch for very long. Blonde hair and soft beaches trickled through his thoughts, but he shook them off as he neared the ship. Ushimitsu chirped a loud greeting, and chucked the fish up onto the boat. Whoever was on deck shrieked, and Ushimitsu quickly launched himself gracefully out of the water, landing next to the tuna.
There was only one visible member on board, and as he got a good look at the boy, the siren mentally complimented himself for a decision well made. The human was splayed out on the deck, propped up on his hands and looking at him in shock. Black-blue hair and bright eyes that glimmered like stars in the harsh sunlight caught his attention, as well as long, clothed appendages instead of a tail, which looked absolutely abysmal for swimming, but humans were a peculiar species. He puffed out his fins, preening, all while trying to look as unthreatening as possible.
Ushimitsu chirped, doing his best to appear friendly. “Holy shit, holy shit what the fuck-” The boy vocalized in an odd language, saying what he could only assume was a pleasant greeting, and a “please, let me show you around!” and maybe even a “Hi I know we just met, but you’re very attractive and-” oh who was he kidding, Ushimitsu waited for the human to stop freaking the fuck out. He actually felt a little bad for scaring him, maybe jumping onto the boat wasn’t the greatest entrance he could’ve went with. Feeling remorseful, Ushimitsu scoots closer, cooing gently.
The boy pauses, and his expression slowly softens. His panic morphs into curious surprise, and he looks at the siren, wide eyes taking in every inch of his body. Ushimitsu straightens at the attention, smiling at the human, hoping it doesn’t look as awkward as it feels. The human seems to snap out of his trance, “Uh- hello, there.” He squirms where he’s seated on the deck, unsure what to do with himself.
Ushimitsu will admit that maybe he was staring just a little, but he couldn’t help himself! The human did such interesting things, and he wanted to see so, so much more. He snatched up the tuna and held it up for him. (Look human, I brought this for you. Doesn’t it look good? Doesn’t it make you want to be my friend? Here, take it.) Understanding the peace offering, the boy takes the fish with cautious hands, somewhat in awe. “... Thank you, for- uh,” He stares down at the fish in his hands, “Thanks.”
Ushimitsu chirps contently, satisfied his gift was accepted. “My name’s Akashi,” He pauses. “... can you-” Ushimitsu finds himself unconsciously inching forward towards the boy, who was looking at him curiously. “Can you understand me?” Akashi hesitates, looking at the mermaid, who was currently glancing between him and the perfectly good fish that was not immediately eaten for some reason. Wasn’t he hungry? The human smiles lightly, “I guess that’s a no?” Ushimitsu chirps ruefully. Please eat the damn fish, human.
Akashi stands up suddenly, fish clutched tightly in one hand, and faces his palm towards Ushimitsu. “Wait.” He states simply, then turns on his heel and quickly strides into a small cabin on the boat. Ushimitsu was almost impressed by how efficiently humans could move on land as his tail slapped against the deck in irritation. Clattering ceramics and running water abruptly sound from within the boat, and after a few minutes, Ushimitsu impatiently calls for the boy.
“Wait for just another minute, I’m almost done!”
Moments later, the door swings open and Akashi emerges, holding a plate. He sits down next to Ushimitsu, placing the plate of sashimi on his lap. Akashi pops a piece of tuna in his mouth, chewing thoughtfully. A dazzling smile lights up his face as he swallows, and he hums in pure bliss. “This is so good!” He moans. “I forgot my fishing equipment at the docks,” He takes another bite of fish, “Canned food really starts to lose it’s appeal after a week.”
As the human tucks into his plate of fish, Ushimitsu rests his elbows on the deck, head in his hands.
Thoughts drift into his head as he watches the boy eat. ‘You wouldn’t hurt my family, right?’ He smiles to himself, ‘You wouldn’t hurt me, would you?’ The boy exhales loudly as he finishes off the last of the fish, thoroughly satisfied. The plate clatters against the deck as Akashi sets it down, and he swiftly turns to Ushimitsu, grinning, “Thank you!” Ushimitsu lifts his head from his hands.
The familiar accented english takes him by surprise, he never imagined that one of the few english phrases Roku-chan taught him would actually be of any use. He chuckles, returning the boy’s pleased smile, “You’re welcome!” Akashi stares at him, jaw dropped in shock. “E-English?!” He stammers, “Shit, I, uh, I’m really, not very good with English...” He jerks upright, sitting straightly on his knees.
“My name is Akashi. I am beef.”
“. . . . .”
“Huh? Was that... not right?”
Akashi squirms at the siren’s quizzical stare, reverting quickly back to Japanese. “That’s what Aoyama always told me to say! I’m sorry if I said something weird, my friends are always trying to mess with me-”
“Akashi?”
The boy gaped, eyes glittering with wonder. “Wow, alright, this is really happening-”
What was it that Roku-chan used to call him?
“Those assholes are never going to believe this-”
Syllables rolled around on his tongue like honey, sweet and nostalgic.
He chuckled, heart in his throat, “Hell, I don’t even know if I believe this-”
There were no words he could say to express the emotions coursing through his veins. There was a fire in his heart, and something shining brilliantly sitting before him. The only thing he could think to do was spit out the words he needed to say.
“Ushimitsu Kyoshiro.”
Would you mind if I, Ushimitsu Kyoshiro, were to fall in love with you?