Chapter Text
Eijiro sighed softly as his feet sank into the warm sand, surfboard tucked under his right arm. His wetsuit rolled around his waist as he walked toward the water. Some days he really did enjoy coming to enjoy the surf on his own, soaking in the sun and being one with the sea. To be one with something so vast was terrifying and awe-inspiring. He knew to respect the ocean as it was temperamental, some days beautiful and welcoming and others violent and closed off. This was one of the good days.
He set the board down in the shallows dipping down into the water as he slid the wetsuit the rest of the way shuddering from the cold hands of the water surrounding him. He sucked in a breath before dipping entirely underwater, surfacing soon after to slick that crazy red mane back into a tight ponytail. He grinned, pushing the board out into the water before hopping on and paddling toward the waves. The soft roll under his board as he worked to get out was soothing, each moment carrying him farther from the shore.
Little did he know he had garnered an audience.
A few fish disturbed as he paddled out were of no consequence to the redhead, but for the blonde beneath the waves the flurry of bubbles that blocked his view was more than a little irritating. A quickly frustrated chirp left his lips as he darted along the path, he was low enough to avoid detection, but this wasn't the first time he saw the crazy and loud man. He came alone a lot, but sometimes he brought others; when they arrived, the blonde knew to stay far away.
Eijiro made it to the first wave he wanted and got set up, only to rush him far too quickly to set up, so he let it roll under his board. He sighed, knowing there'd be another soon enough. He sat on his board, watching the waves roll over the water before seeing a large one coming toward him.
He liked a challenge.
He paddled along, catching the wave; he noticed how fast it was, but he started to get up on the board anyway. Barely on his feet, the board knocked out from under him, and he was plunged into the surf. He tumbled a few times in the water before trying to surface, only to get knocked down and spun by another wave. No wonder it was so fast; there were two, or he had been under longer than he thought.
His lungs burned, but he pushed toward the surface. Why the hell did it feel so far away? He wasn't a sluggish swimmer, but his body was beginning to give in. This was why you weren't supposed to go alone; the ocean was a temperamental love.
Warmth pressed against his lips, and his eyes fluttered open to meet with beautiful red. He felt the air get forced between his lips, and he took it, knowing whatever luck he had he shouldn’t waste it.
Vision clearing more revealed a male with red eyes, wild blonde hair, and a speckle of…scales? They weren't freckles unless freckles came in a goldfish orange variety now. He pressed back a little, taking in his savior a bit more, his eyes widening as he caught the beautiful black and orange tail that started at his hips.
He made a noise, trying to swim up before hearing a voice clear as day.
"Hey, stupid Aalto* let me get you out of the fucking rip curl unless you have a God damn death wish" the snap had Eijiro spinning, struggling to figure it out before feeling a hand on his waist water rushing over him.
He patted the hand, slowly tracing it back to his savior. That alone almost had him inhaling the sea; who…what was this? He definitely had already passed out, right? He was hit on the head by his board adrift in the waves. He had to be.
"Oi! Cop a feel later…fuck, you really are a dumbass, aren't you…look do you need air?" The blonde knew talking to him was dangerous, let alone saving him, but he wasn't about to let the hottest guy he saw (and waited daily for) die just because of some idiotic rules. Besides, he could handle himself just fine should things go sideways.
An abrupt change in direction, and he rushed toward the surface and easily broke into the air. Eijiro began to hack up a lung and attempted to tread water, but those strong arms held him steady, so he relaxed. If he wanted him dead, he already would have been, so he had to trust this creature before him if he didn't want to die.
After a few moments, his breathing began to regulate, the soft roll of the waves soothing any residual stress, and it didn't take long before he felt arms rolling him over. He was soon face-to-face with this person, only to see a small point down. Cocking an eyebrow, he felt them sinking and quickly sucked in a breath before being under the waves, tight hands holding on to him. He didn't thrash. He trusted this creature more than anyone probably should, which seemed to earn points by the smug grin it…he sported.
"Maybe you aren't as stupid as I thought…you were just stressed, huh?" He smirked, his tail swirling beneath them, treading water better than anyone Eijiro knew. "Well…as you might have guessed, I’m not like you, but I need you to fucking stay quiet about me. I won't be getting caught because some shark tooth wannabe outs my hangout!" Small frills fanned out as he shouted from behind his ears and along his tail. The soft taps pulled him from his rant, the redhead pointing toward the surface. Ah, the air is sort of important for those stupid bipedals.
Breaking the surface, Eijiro sucked in a breath again, smiling a bit at the blonde holding him securely and safely. He rested his hands on his shoulders and gave a soft, reassuring squeeze. "I would /never/" He spoke with such determination as he met the mer's eyes. "I may not know who or…what you are, but I know you are special" He smiled more, a light blush resting on his cheeks "and you know, thanks for saving me" He chuckled, grateful he could express his thanks now that he wasn't one foot in the grave due to his own stupidity. But maybe it had been a good thing; otherwise, he wouldn't have met this man of the sea.
He was soon returned to his board, and with promises of a return and secrets kept, Eijiro's beach day came to an end with a surprising twist. In the days, weeks, and months following, the duo spent much of their time far out from the beach until one day, when Katsuki the mer wanted to show him something special. A surprise.
*Aalto- Finnish term for Wave (looked it up on Google so it might be wrong but it fits nicely I think in this fic)