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Akk was running late! By three whole minutes!
Perhaps it didn’t sound like a lot, but since Akk and Ayan have been meeting every single day for the past month, Ayan was tracking the time a bit too closely, but he couldn’t help it. He was looking forward to seeing Akk every single day.
It was in the middle of the day, waves were slowly hitting the rocks as Ayan took a deep breath in, allowing the breeze from the ocean to gently ruffle his hair as he sat down onto the giant rock, the water splashing around him as this was their usual meeting spot.
And in his pocket, he was hiding something.
A seashell.
It was beautiful. He found it the day before when he was on his way back home and because it was just so beautiful, he wanted to give it to Akk. The seashell reminded him of Akk, slowly pulling it out of his pocket and he glanced down at the pearly colours, biting on his lower lip.
“He’ll love this,” sighed Ayan, feeling oddly giddy and he glanced around, smiling because the beach was empty – like always.
Not many people knew about that place and even if they did, no one ever came there for swimming. The beach wasn’t really pleasant as there were many rocks around, but this was why Ayan liked it. Secluded and alone, Ayan decided to go there just because of that.
It all started a month ago.
Ayan had stumbled upon the hidden part of the coastline as he was exploring further than he normally did. It was a place that was impossible to find, unless you knew where to go. Well, that day Ayan didn’t really know where he was going. He just kept walking and… walking. The rocks were jagged and he nearly wanted to give up and walk away, but he kept going.
Completely deserted.
It felt nice to walk along seashore, but then there was something that made Ayan freeze that day. Because he saw a giant purple tail splashing into the water and Ayan was completely petrified because he had never seen such a giant fish.
But, then he realised that it wasn’t a fish… not exactly.
There was a pair of the most beautiful, big doe-like eyes watching him from the back of the rocks, spying on him and Ayan decided to come a little bit closer. As he came closer, he found the person trying to run away, but somehow… They got trapped amongst the jagged rocks, unable to move.
Only then did Ayan manage to see that the person didn't have legs, but the most beautiful tail ever. A merman, the pearly amethyst scales on his tail made Ayan speechless because he was stunning.
And the merman was scared.
Petrified.
Even more than Ayan.
The two of them stared at each other for a very long time, Ayan unable to keep his eyes away from him, until the merman managed to free his tail from the rocks, squeaking and quickly vanishing into the water. It made Ayan laugh when he heard the little squeak and… Because he was curious, he decided to come back the next day.
The merman was also curious because the next day, he was back as well.
Eventually, Ayan got to learn his name.
Akk.
Beautiful, like him.
Akk was adorable. Shy, a little bit naive, but not stupid. And his smile was gorgeous, Ayan could keep staring at him forever, but whenever Ayan stared at him for too long, Akk got all flustered. It was adorable.
Meeting up with Akk was fun. He would share stories with him from the sea – as it turned out, the sea was a lot more interesting than Ayan knew and Ayan would bring him stories from the land. Akk was curious about humans, wanting to know more about them, so Ayan was also happy to share with him.
Little by little, this has become Ayan’s favourite part of the day.
Seeing Akk.
Somewhere in the middle of it all, Ayan found himself falling for Akk.
It was ridiculous, but he didn't care.
Ayan heard splashing and he immediately looked down. It really didn’t take too long for Akk to finally appear from the water, spraying droplets of water everywhere as he slowly swam closer to the rock, his beautiful tail slowly moving in the water and there was a smile upon Akk’s cheeks.
Ayan huffed.
Adorable.
Ayan felt how his heart made a little thump and he quickly hid the seashell into the pocket because it was a surprise and he leaned closer to the edge of the rock as Akk swam over to him.
“Here you are finally,” whined Ayan.
“Aye,” chirped Akk happily.
Akk’s voice was his favourite sound.
God.
“Sorry,” said Akk and Ayan smiled because whenever Akk spoke, there was a bit of accent there, which he loved. He also loved learning Akk’s language. It was complicated, but beautiful and he sighed along.
“You’re late,” said Ayan and Akk looked worried.
“Really?”
“Mn! Four minutes,” said Ayan playfully and Akk knew that four minutes weren’t a lot!
“You’re counting minutes now?” asked Akk and Ayan nodded.
“Of course, I was lonely,” said Ayan and Akk chewed on his lower lip because that made him happy. He looked pleased and Ayan chuckled because that smile was dangerously cute and Ayan leaned closer, gently pinching his cheek, which made Akk's face turn red.
“Aye,” groaned Akk.
“Mm?”
“Why do you keep pinching my cheeks?” huffed Akk and massaged his cheek. Ayan didn’t really pinch hard, but Akk was just too damn cute. And the best part? Akk was an affectionate thing.
“Sorry, I’ll stop,” said Ayan and Akk looked even more worried now.
“No, you don’t have to,” said Akk way too quickly and splashed water around him, getting some of it onto Ayan’s clothes, but he didn’t mind it and he just laughed. Akk’s hair was wet, shaking it a little bit and Ayan watched how the droplets were clinging to his wet hair, to his eyelashes and to his… Oh, he really was so pretty.
Akk leaned closer and Ayan simply waited. When the two of them would sit over at the shore, Akk would often drape himself around Ayan when he wanted attention and Ayan never stopped him. Akk loved affection and he felt how Akk’s chin was soon on his knee, those big eyes looking up.
Ayan had to pace himself because all of this was too much for him.
“Do you want pets?” asked Ayan and Akk nuzzled into his knee.
“Mmm.”
Akk didn’t deny it and Ayan slowly combed his fingers through Akk’s wet hair, who sighed happily and calmed down under his touch. He closed his eyes and Ayan almost whined because this was ridiculous.
It was unfair just how cute Akk was.
Did Akk know what he was doing to him?!
The two of them never really… spoke about dating and stuff. Ayan didn’t know how that worked with merpeople, but they had to… Have partners, no? Would it be plausible for a human and a merman to be together?
Well…
Ayan kept petting his hair and Akk was almost purring. It was then that Ayan finally remembered the seashell and he slowly reached into his pocket, pulling it out and Akk curiously looked up when he felt Ayan moving.
“By the way,” said Ayan softly and Akk perked up. “I have something for you.”
“Me?” squeaked Akk.
Ayan nodded and slowly held out the seashell.
“I found it yesterday,” he said and made a pause. “It’s pretty, like you.”
Akk’s eyes widened and his whole face went red all of the sudden when Ayan said that and he glanced down at the seashell because it truly was stunning. Smooth and pretty. Stunning.
“Here,” said Ayan, trying to move the seashell into Akk’s hand because the other one still wasn't moving, but Akk only stared.
Slowly, he blinked.
Did Ayan understand what this meant…?!
Akk’s heart skipped a beat.
“For me?”
“Yes,” said Ayan and Akk finally reached out and held it in his hand. He held it very carefully, caressing it with his fingers and he slowly looked up at Ayan, trying to be sure that Ayan truly was giving this to only him.
Akk forced in a deep breath.
“Everything… okay?” asked Ayan carefully.
Akk tried to recover, but his heart was beating way too fast.
“Akk?”
“You’re giving this to me?” whispered Akk and his voice was now shaking. Ayan slowly nodded.
“Um, yeah?”
“Just me?” stressed Akk and Ayan nodded again.
“Yeah, I mean I wasn’t planning on giving it to anyone else,” said Ayan and Akk looked seconds away from combusting. He didn’t know what to say, his whole head was spinning, but he gently pressed the seashell against his chest and he closed his eyes tightly.
Ayan didn’t understand what was happening.
“Are you okay?”
Akk nodded.
“Yes,” croaked Akk.
“Are you sure?”
“M-hm.”
Akk was acting kind of weird and Ayan started to wonder if gifting a merman a seashell was considered a bad thing in Akk’s culture – he should have checked before, no? But, then just like that, Akk suddenly disappeared under the water and he blinked hard.
“Akk?!”
Nothing.
Akk disappeared all of the sudden and didn’t appear back for a very long time. Perhaps it was only ten minutes, but it felt much longer and Ayan was now questioning all of his life decisions because he didn’t want to make this weird.
“Akk, this isn’t funny! Come on!”
When minute eleven rolled around, Akk was back! He appeared quite far away from the rocks, but he started swimming to Ayan faster and faster. He was very excited judging by the look on his face and his cheeks were very red, but he was out of breath when he finally reached Ayan and he handed something to him.
A seashell.
Different from the one Ayan gave to him. He was still holding onto it.
Akk’s seashell was smaller, but just as pretty.
Silver and purple.
Akk’s hands were shaking and Ayan accepted the seashell, happy but confused as to why Akk was shaking like that.
“Here,” gasped Akk.
“Thank you.”
Akk beamed, but he was serious. Very serious for some reason, his eyes on Ayan and he waited, while Ayan’s fingers caressed the seashell. Akk wouldn’t stop staring at Ayan, who was starting to think that he should be getting something that he definitely wasn’t.
“Why are you looking at me like this?” asked Ayan and Akk pouted, but he leaned closer.
Akk’s face slowly turned redder and his eyes kept looking around, not able to meet Ayan’s gaze, clearing his throat. Ayan really… Didn’t feel anything at all? He was so…
“Because,” forced Akk out. “The seashell.”
“Mmm?”
“It’s the courting shell,” stressed Akk and Ayan’s eyes widened when he heard that because what? A courting shell? That was a thing? Slowly, he knitted his eyebrows together and his eyes carefully travelled to Akk, who was now trying not to overthink and he cleared his throat.
“A courting shell?” repeated Ayan and Akk was about to nod, but then he realised something – Ayan didn’t know, did he? “Oh,” said Ayan and Akk blinked harder because… why else would Ayan give him the shell if he didn’t want to court him?! Akk was confused, but Ayan was putting the pieces together and he huffed.
“Oh.”
Akk got him the shell because he felt the same.
But, apparently, Ayan didn’t even know.
Akk was panicking and Ayan glanced down at the seashell in his hand, then over to the one Akk kept gripping and he almost smiled because even if he didn’t understand it at first, he was now starting to realise what was happening. Akk felt… the same?
Right?!
But, Akk looked like he was about to cry now.
“You didn’t know,” said Akk, feeling miserable.
“No, but-”
“Why did you give me the seashell then?” asked Akk, his voice shaking and his eyes were too glassy for Ayan’s liking. Akk was embarrassed and he wanted to run, but he kept clutching onto the seashell.
“I thought it was pretty and I wanted you to have it,” said Ayan and Akk lowered his head.
“Oh.”
The sea suddenly felt too cold for Akk’s liking and he needed to go because this was too embarrassing. He was horrified and Ayan felt how his heart twisted. He needed to fix this. Immediately.
Akk was sinking under the water, still clinging onto the seashell that Ayan gave to him and before he could disappear, Ayan gently reached out.
“Akk, wait,” whispered Ayan.
Akk hiccuped and closed his eyes.
“Akk, can you look at me?” asked Ayan and Akk shook his head.
“You will laugh at me!”
“I won’t,” said Ayan. “I need you to listen to me, okay?”
Akk nodded, puffing his cheeks as he was now starting to sulk and Ayan slowly continued.
“I admit it, okay? I didn’t know that giving you a seashell would mean that I am courting you, but,” said Ayan very quickly. “But, now that I know what it means, I want you to keep the seashell even more.”
Ayan’s heart was beating fast, but he needed Akk to know and Akk slowly looked at him. Akk’s eyes were locked on him and Ayan gently cupped his face.
“Do you understand me?”
Akk nodded and sniffled, slowly calming down because maybe not everything was lost now that Ayan explained it better.
“You want to court me?” asked Akk and Ayan nodded right away.
“Mn.”
“And…” carried Ayan on. “Seeing that you have given the seashell back to me – can I assume that it means you want to be courted?” asked Ayan and Akk nodded slowly. Very slowly, his whole face on fire and Ayan gulped because holy shit, he was so freaking lucky!
Akk felt the same!
Gently, Ayan ruffled Akk’s hair and Akk finally dared to look at him, keeping in his breath, but he smiled when he felt Ayan’s touch, who shook his head.
“I like you a lot, Akk,” said Ayan and Akk perked up, leaning closer.
All of this was just so… Akk was happy! He was glad that the misunderstanding was out of the way immediately.
“A lot?”
“Yes!”
A smile was soon back on Akk’s face and it was the same smile that Ayan fell in love with, leaning closer.
“Aye, I like you too, yes?”
Ayan nodded and gently held Akk’s face, who noticed that Ayan was leaning closer, Akk’s eyes widening even more and his breath shook when he saw that Ayan was now dangerously close, his tail splashing in the water, but he didn’t pull away.
Akk heard about… kissing.
He thought how it would feel to kiss Ayan, so he stayed perfectly still and allowed Ayan to press their lips together. A simple brush of their lips and when Ayan pulled back, Akk clutched onto the seashell, Ayan placing his own one onto the rock and Akk placed his next to it.
They looked cute like this, Akk amused and he grinned, but Ayan gently tugged onto his hand. The two of them decided to go over to the shore because Ayan wanted to wrap his arms around Akk and pull him in a hug properly and Akk wasn’t complaining at all.