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The whisper of the waves against his boat, gently rocking, nearly lulled Sukuna to sleep as he rested in his rowboat, hat on his face to block out the harsh morning sun. Since moving to his island home after an early retirement, he’d taken up fishing as a hobby. At least, that was what he told his nosy, overly friendly neighbors. Really, he just enjoyed the peace and quiet that could only be experienced out on the water. He’d always felt more at home among the waves than anywhere else and that had become even more true as of late.
“Oi, Sukuna!” He heard a splash and then a thunk against the side of his boat. He lifted his hat off his head and propped himself up on his elbows as he eyed the real reason he’d been spending so much time out on the water lately. The golden eyes and cheerful grin of his favorite merman soothed his tired eyes. Yuji had his arms folded on the edge of the boat, careful not to tip it too far with his weight and send Sukuna to his salty grave.
“What’s up, brat?” Sukuna said, not about to let on that he’d been waiting for Yuji’s arrival all morning.
He had met the little merman while fishing one day. He’d known merfolk existed, but he had never expected to meet one in his secluded stretch of the world. The sweet pink-haired mermaid had come up with his sharp teeth embedded in the fish his lure caught. Sukuna had been puzzled at the heaviness of his line, and the two eyed each other in shock when Yuji’s pink head popped out of the waves. The little merman had initially retreated, only to flush with embarrassment and stutter out his thanks when Sukuna tossed the fish back to him. It wasn’t like he needed it for food, so Sukuna hadn’t given it a second thought. From the way his eyes had shone, Yuji seemed to take it as the ultimate kindness. Since then, Yuji had visited Sukuna often, and Sukuna, who disliked being around others, had to admit that the boy’s presence was welcome, sometimes.
“I brought you something!” The merman ducked his grinning face below the edge of the boat’s lip, bashful despite the excitement in his voice. Yuji wore his heart on his sleeve, and Sukuna couldn’t but chuckle at the cute sight as he used the motion of the ocean to rock up into a sitting position.
“For me?” The little merman must have felt he needed to repay his debt to Sukuna after their first meeting, so he’d brought him a swordfish, of all things. Sukuna had mounted it, and liked it so much, he thought to reward Yuji with some human food he had cooked. Yuji had flushed when he saw the treats Sukuna had brought him, and Sukuna enjoyed the sight of his saltwater friend sampling saltwater taffy for the first time. This exchange had beget only more exchanges and, though he’d needed to ask Yuji to bring smaller gifts after the little merman brought him another swordfish, he enjoyed the trifles and trinkets the boy brought him. And he especially enjoyed the awe in the little merman’s face as he tried human dishes. Sukuna knew merfolk typically traveled in packs, far offshore and rarely around human settlements. He didn’t know why Yuji was on his own, but he was glad for the merman’s isolation, as it was likely the only reason they’d been able to grow close.
“Of course!” Yuji chirped, before fishing around in the little netted bag he always wore across his body. Sukuna had watched him make it, months ago, expertly weaving seaweed and little shells into a compact and flexible container for his things. Yuji seemed to secure what he was searching for, but kept it clutched tight in his hand. Sukuna could only see a flash of iridescence before it was encompassed in the merman’s tan fingers.
“Um, this gift is special, though. Since we’ve known each other so long. And I really like being your friend, and…” The little merman was rambling, so Sukuna deigned to be merciful and cut him off. Though it was cute to watch him struggle.
“Hah, okay, just show it to me.” Sukuna held out his palm. Fortunately, he did bring the pink-haired merman something, too. He’d planned on this particular gift for a while, but it had taken him some time to secure.
“Eh, okay…” Yuji shyly pressed something into Sukuna’s hand and bit his lip apprehensively, flushed. Sukuna looked down to see a navy blue pearl, glittering darkly against the pale iridescence of the shell it rested on.
“It’s beautiful.” Sukuna said truthfully. He could tell his little merman had been careful to clean the pearl and shell of all imperfections. Yuji lit up immediately, as if his whole being hinged on Sukuna’s praise. The man shook his head, charmed by the honesty of the pink-haired merman.
“Y-you accept it?” Yuji’s eyes were nearly sparkling, the light glittering off the waves turned golden in the reflection of his gaze. Sukuna wasn’t aware of why the normally confident and easygoing merman was acting so bashful, but he nodded to ease the little thing’s nerves.
“Yes.” Sukuna eyed Yuji as he broke out into a curiously radiant smile. “Actually, I brought you something similar.” The merman gaped at him as he fished around in his tackle box. Sukuna retrieved the velvet bag before handing it to the wide-eyed merman.
“I’d been intending on giving you this for a while, but I couldn’t find one of the right color.” Yuji opened the bag and pulled out a string of pink pearls, the color carefully chosen to match his hair. The merman traced his fingers over them, before fixing Sukuna with a strange expression.
“For a while? Really?” Sukuna nodded affirmatively and only had a moment to blink before he found his arms full of merman. Yuji squeezed his arms tight around Sukuna’s torso as the man desperately tried to steady his tiny vessel.
“Can you put it on for me?” Yuji extended his wrist and the bracelet to Sukuna, still gazing up at him with a smile that made his eyes look all the more radiant. Sukuna did so, admiring how the soft pinks contrasted against the tan skin of the little merman. They perfectly picked up on the tones in his hair and shimmering tail, and the clasp was golden like his eyes. That had been a lucky coincidence as Sukuna researched which metals were waterproof. Yuji admired it too, before crushing his body even more tightly against Sukuna’s than before. The little merman was quite strong.
“Careful not to knock me into the water, brat.” He ruffled Yuji’s damp hair as the merman retreated a bit to look up at him. “I assume that means you like the gift.”
“Yes! I love it!” Yuji said eagerly, before glancing at him shyly. “And I accept. With all my heart.”
Hm. Sukuna couldn’t help but feel that pearls might carry some special significance among merfolk. He’d have to check when he got home. For now, he enjoyed the rare sensation of a warm body resting against his own as Yuji cuddled close to him .