Work Text:
"Something Blue" (A Sequel Story to "Among the Scattered Waves")
By: Miracle Shining
RATING: PG
PAIRING: EraserMic (Aizawa Shouta X Yamada Hizashi)
SUMMARY: Two weeks after the defeat of Chisaki, Captain Aizawa Shouta and General Yamada Hizashi are ready to perform the Human Bond of Marriage. Just have to get over one little "hurdle" first.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is a gift to the_obsessed_dragon who wanted to see a bit more of my Water Walker AU. (And now there may be even more after this!)
*****
It had been two weeks since the downfall of Chisaki. The seas had blessed both Hizashi and Shouta, giving one life again and the other the brief gift of Mer.
Now it seemed like an eternity ago.
The two were still figuring out how their Mating and soon to be Marriage was going to work. It was by pure accident while going through some old maps that Hitoshi had discovered a small island that fell almost in the exact middle of where the North and South seas met.
It was Hitoshi who suggested that Shouta and Hizashi make the small island a kind of central ground. The weather was temperate enough for both North and South Mer to come and go without any real issue.
After some discussion and a brief explanation to Eri about what they were thinking, the two decided that they would make the island their temporary home away from home. Both knew for the moment that they just couldn't be with each other all the time.
Though it was hard, Shouta and Hizashi knew that was how it needed to be. But the island was easy to reach within a day by Shouta's ships and Hizashi could travel both underwater as well as riding the waves.
Now the day of their actual Human wedding was upon them. Their human friends, Water Walkers, Winged Folk and Mer were gathering upon that little island via boats, waves and even from the air.
But that was the farthest thing from Shouta's mind at the moment.
He was sitting in a distant corner of the island that only had a few palm trees. He was actively gazing at three objects sitting in front of him. His expression was one of deep contemplation.
"Uncle?" he heard a familiar voice behind him.
"Yes, Hitoshi?"
The purple haired teen approached the quiet man. He looked over his shoulder to see what Shouta was looking at so intently. The youth raised a curious eyebrow.
"Shouta, why are you staring at those three seashells."
"Because I don't know if any of them are right."
"Right?"
"Yes, to give to Hizashi."
"What do you mean?" Hitoshi inquired as he sat down by the other man.
"How much do you know about the courting habits of Mer and those of Mer descent?"
"Only what I've read." Hitoshi replied. "I know it can be very complex and there are a lot of rules involved."
Shouta gave a quick nod, his braid containing Eri's bead gift swaying in the light breeze.
"Even humans who marry people of Mer descent have to abide to some of these customs. One of the main ones is that a gift must be presented that is considered acceptable not by the one being courted, but by the Water Walker Lord or Lady."
"So... That would be Princess Eri, wouldn't it?"
Shouta gave a glum nod.
"Yes it would be. The problem is, even if she's only five years old, she can still reject my gift."
"Which means?"
"I will still be mated to Hizashi and even married to him but whatever decisions are made involving the future of the Northern Mer, even if I know it's not a good idea, I will have absolutely no input. It's as if I am not part of their clan."
Hitoshi's eyes went wide at that admission.
"You don't think Eri would be that tough, Shouta? I mean, she loves you a ton!"
"Love doesn't have as much sway as following their dictates. And knowing Zash, she's been well educated in them. The gift doesn't have to be expensive or elaborate. But the Lord of Lady Water Walker must be able to feel it was chosen with a great love for the one's partner."
"And you've narrowed it down to these three seashells?"
"Yes. But now, which one?"
Hitoshi fell silent and let himself lean a little against Shouta's side. The captain drew in a slow breath and let his fingers glide over each shape.
Maybe the Voice of Sea would grant him another favor and guide him in his choice.
*****
"Papa! Papa! Lookie, lookie!" came a bright voice.
Hizashi turned to see his little silver haired daughter bouncing on top of the water with something wreathed around her head.
"What does my little Sea Foam have?"
"It's a ring of Coral Flowers! Tensei made it for me to wear to the Weeding!"
"That's Wedding, Eri." Hizashi said with a smile as he knelt down and swept the Sprite up. "You know, your Papa Shouta is very worried about presenting a gift."
"Why would he be?"
"Do you remember everything I taught you about courting a Mer or someone who's part Mer?"
Eri nodded brightly.
"That the Mer or Human must come to me and show me their gift. If I don't accept, then you can still be mated but they can't say anything at meetings or stuff."
"That's right, my little Sea Foam." Hizashi said with a smile. "Your Papa Shouta is working very hard to pick out just the right gift. As a Water Walker, you must open not only your eyes but also your heart and listen. The sea will tell you if his choice is right."
"But... What if it isn't? Will... Will he and Hitoshi go away, Papa?"
Hizashi kissed his daughter affectionately on her forehead.
"No, Eri. We're going to stay together no matter what. We'll find a way."
*****
The wedding parties began to gather in chairs and along the line of surf on the east side of the island.
The front row was reserved for Hitoshi, Eri, Nemuri, Oboro, Dabi and Hawks. The five took their places, Eri opting to sit on Hitoshi's lap instead of her own chair.
Some of the other visitors included Dabi's siblings, Hawks' apprentice Tokoyami and a few other humans that came from the South.
Around the surf was Tensei along with a mixture of Northern and Southern Mer.
The archway was decorated in tropical blossoms. The wind was a comfortable temperature for everyone involved and the water seemed to be glittering with its own light.
Shouta walked to the front with an object clutched tight in his fist. He was feeling a little sweaty as he took his place underneath the arch. Nemuri made a quick 'tut' noise, stood and straightened out Shouta's red cravat and smoothed down his slightly tattered vest.
"We could have made you a new one, Shou." she said seriously.
"Hizashi is wearing the same thing minus his collar, Nems."
"Yes, well that's because he's a Water Walker."
Shouta rolled his eyes as Nemuri gave him an affectionate pat on the cheek before returning to sit with her Mated Husband.
A little pan flute music was heard and all attention turned to the waves just past the shoreline. The water swirled into a long tunnel before disipating. Hizashi stepped out of the glimmering blue and made his way across the waves.
The Mer bowed their heads as the General reached the sands. He couldn't help but feel the warmth blossom in his chest as he saw Shouta waiting for him. He could also see with his green swirled eyes that the man had a near death grip on something in his hand.
"It'll be okay, Shou. You got this." Hizashi thought to himself as he walked toward his mated companion.
The minister stood in front of them before gesturing to Tensei in the water.
"As is tradition when a human marries someone of Mer blood, we will now adhere to the tradition set forth by our water living friends. Counselor Tensei will make the presentation."
The black haired Mer pushed up his spectacles and then turned his attention to the two at the arch.
"Captain Aizawa Shouta, you have already taken General Yamada Hizashi as your Mated, having removed his collar. Now you both wish to enter into the human tradition of Marriage to become Mated Husbands. To do so is of great responsibility and must be honored as such. Lady Water Walker Eri, please come forward."
The Sprite glanced up at Hitoshi and the teen nodded. She slid off his lap but instead of just walking to the front, she grabbed Hitoshi's hand. The purple haired youth looked at her curiously but then realized she didn't want to do this by herself.
There were a few murmurs of the question as Eri pulled Hitoshi to the front. She took a deep breath and looked up at her two fathers.
"Um, I am Lady Water Walker Eri and I have to... I have too..." she knit her eyebrows together.
Hitoshi knelt down and whispered softly into the child's ear.
"Oh yeah! Thank you, Toshi! I have too make sure that the gift you give my Papa Hizashi is worthy to make you a member of our clan, Papa Shouta!"
The red eyed Sprite beamed proudly that she had almost remembered everything she was supposed to say.
Shouta's dark eyes looked at Hizashi's green swirled ones and he took a deep breath. The two knelt down together so they were both level with Eri.
"My Lady Water Walker Eri, my sweet daughter and cousin to my nephew Hitoshi, I have but one gift to present to you. I hope that you will find it worthy from me to your father, Hizashi."
Shouta opened his hand.
Eri blinked for a moment and then her face morphed into one of utter delight.
A spiral seashell colored the most vibrant blue she had ever seen rested in Shouta's palm. Her tiny fingers reached out and lifted it from his hand. She closed her eyes and placed the small shell to her ear.
"I can hear it, Papa Hizashi!" she almost sang. "I can hear the Voice of the Seas!"
"I can too, my little Sea Foam. Even though the shell isn't by my ear, I can hear it. And so can our people."
The melody of Mer's voices gathering together raised in cadence. Without thought, Eri began to sing too. Hitoshi turned to see Oboro had stood, his voice coming alive. The silver haired child looked at her father. Hizashi closed his eyes. His lips parted and all of them together formed a symphony unlike anything the Seas had ever heard.
The song went on for only a couple minutes before the choruses died down and the island fell quiet again. Eri took the shell from her ear. She reached up to the string of salterwater pearls gracing Hizashi's golden hair and carefully hooked it on so it rested on the right side of his face.
"I, Lady Water Walker Eri of the North Seas declare this gift is accepted."
Cheers echoed across the small area. Hitoshi grinned as he lifted up his baby cousin.
Shouta let out the breath he didn't know he was holding as Hizashi and he stood, their fingers laced together.
"My Lady, my sweet daughter, thank you for making me a member of your clan."
"And some day we can make Hitoshi a member too!" she happily said.
"I'd like that, Eri." Hitoshi gave a nod. "Let's get sat back down."
The teen returned to his seat with Eri still sitting on his lap.
Tensei spoke once again.
"The pact has been made, the Mating is officially complete. Captain Aizawa Shouta, you are as we Northern Mer are. May the Seas bless and guide both of you."
Tensei nodded briefly at the minister.
"Now, the Mated with become Wed Husbands. Captain Aizawa Shouta and General Yamada Hizashi, it is only this glorious day as two Seas, two Islands and two Souls meet that we have reason to celebrate. You are wearing your Wedding Bracelets, keep them close to your hearts, close to your souls and embrace them while you apart. Your vows."
Shouta swallowed and cleared his throat nervously.
"I... I...."
"Now don't go getting married without me sitting down yet!"
A voice interrupted the ceremony suddenly and everyone turned, their eyes huge in shock.
A tiny little elderly woman was making her way carefully through the sand. Shouta and Hizashi both were stunned and without thought, they left the arches and ran to greet the new guest.
"Sister Chiyo!" they both cried and dropped to their knees in front of her.
"I thought they said you couldn't come because of your health!" Shouta exclaimed.
"I wasn't about to miss my two boys big day. Not after watching you suffer waiting for him for twenty five years and knowing that you were also probably just as miserable without him."
Both men nodded and went to hug the tiny woman when she gave them both firm pinches on their ears, causing them to yelp loudly.
"And THAT'S for being so stubborn, not seeing eye to eye and taking that long to finally find each other again. Now say you're sorry for making me worry about both of you!"
"S-s-sorry! OUCH, SORRY!" both nearly shouted.
Chiyo released their ears and the two much taller stood, rubbing them and visibly wincing.
"Now then, where's my grandchildren?"
Shouta and Hizashi escorted the small woman to the front seats.
"Sister Chiyo!" Hitoshi said happily. "I'm so glad you made it!"
"Wouldn't miss it, child. But now I'm Grandma Chiyo to you. And is this my new granddaughter?"
Eri looked at the tiny gray haired woman with wide eyed wonder.
"I'm Lady Water Walker Eri! But Papa Hizashi calls me his little Sea Foam and Papa Shouta calls me Bubbles!"
"I'm Grandma Chiyo for you, little one. And when this ceremony is done, Granny will tell you some embarassing stories about your fathers."
Eri and Hitoshi started giggling as Chiyo got comfortable. She then gestured to the minister.
"Well, let's pick up where you left off."
The man shook his head with a slight smile and gestured to Shouta.
"Your vows?"
The raven haired man looked at Hizashi for a few moments. The beautiful blue shell he had picked out glowed with the afternoon sun. The effect was almost like a halo around Hizashi's whole being.
"I was going to say something but now I want to say something else. Hizashi, I have loved you since we were six years old and the Great Tide brought you to me. I have never truly loved anyone else. You are my Waves, my Water, my Crest and my Deep. I am not whole without you."
Hizashi felt his breath being stolen from him at those words. His emerald eyes could see the water seeming to dance around Shouta in the distance. It was as if it was making the captain a part of itself without him knowing.
"Shouta, I have loved you since I was six years old too and the Great Tide brought me to you. I have never truly loved anyone else. You are my Land, my Sand, my Rock and my Anchor. I am not whole without you."
The minister paused for a moment, wiping a tear from his eye.
"The two have said their vows and the bond is met. By the North and South Seas, they are declared wed. You both may kiss and let your lives become as one."
Shouta slid his arms around Hizashi's waist and pressed a soft kiss to his now Mated Husband. Hizashi sighed into it and wrapped his arms firmly around his Mated Husband's neck.
They drew back to the sound of cheers and music around them. A flurry of flowers was tossed into the air and arcs of water danced around them.
The two looked out and smiled at everyone.
It was going to be okay.
Together and as a family, they would find a way.
*****
Hizashi sat on the beach quietly, Shouta's head resting in his lap. He let his long fingers slide through the delicate strands of ebony hair.
The wedding party had drawn to a close. Chiyo had entertained everyone with the pairs embarassing stories of their six year old childhood. She had boared a ship back to the Southern islands. Hitoshi had joined her while Eri had went underwater with Tensei. The other Humans, Mer and Winged Folk had boarded their boats, dove down to the depths or had taken to air.
Now, on that small island, it was just the two of them and a little tent set up for their Honeymoon night.
"Are you happy, Shou?" Hizashi asked softly.
"Incredibly." the man answered, pressing a kiss to Hizashi's hand. "Though I admit I was pretty terrified during the gift presentation."
Hizashi's free hand touched the blue spiral shell still in his hair.
"You did good."
"I listened for the Voice of the Seas. It's strange, Zashi, because even though I'm not Mer any more I can still some times hear it."
"Maybe the Seas have more planned for both of us." the general mentioned quietly.
"Maybe. But that's for the future." Shouta said as he sat up and placed a tender palm against Hizashi's cheek. "But as for now, I want to take my gorgeous Mated Husband to that tent and REALLY enjoy the rest of the night."
"Why Captain Sleepy Cat, are you planning to have your wicked way with me?"
"In more than one way, General Cold Fish."
The breeze blew across them as they leaned in to share a soft kiss. The light wind freed a single strand of golden hair from Hizashi's head. It drifted aimlessly off into the night's wind.
*****
The thread of yellow landed in the water a great distance away and began to drift down toward the bottom of the sea. It swirled and moved until it passed the planes of light. The water became inkier and darker.
The strand glimmered like a beacon as it floated aimlessly in the near blackness of the deepest part of the seas.
It swayed among movement and a sudden gray tentacle shot out from the darkness. More tentacles joined before a pale hand reached out and grasped the single glowing piece of hair. White, almost see through hair floated around the other's head as the tentacles covered part of the sea dweller's face.
The hair was moved back and forth until a kind of near after image, like an imprinted memory, could be seen for a mere split second.
After a moment, scarred red eyes went wide and looked upwards toward the hint of light that barely was visible from the depths.
".......A Storm Rider. A Male Storm Rider. How rare and most fortuitous."
THE END AND A TO BE CONTINUED!