The Fine Thread

11

"Tsukkiiiiiiii~ Whatcha reading?" Hinata asks, swimming right above Tsukishima, who's floating peacefully in the mermens treasure cave. It had been more than a week since all the boys had their encounters with their feelings, and none of them had told the others about what had happened between them so they all have just remained stubbornly silent.

"Just the storybook." Tsukishima responds dryly, making Hinata pout.

"What story, dummy." Hinata pouts, resting his head on Tsukishima's shoulder.

"Just a fairy tale." Tsukishima says, making Hinata more confused and frustrated.

"I just wanna know what the story's called!" Hinata exclaims, taking the book from Tsukishima.

"Hey, give that back!" Tsukishima shouts, trying to grab Hinata. The ginger laughs, swimming out of the cave swiftly and away from Tsukishima. Hinata starts swimming backwards, keeping his thumb on Tsukishima's page while he looks at the story he was reading. As soon as Hinata finds the story, he's tackled by Tsukishima, pinning him to the sandy floor.

"Give me the book." Tsukishima says, staring at Hinata threateningly.

"The little mermaid ay? Want to learn more about mermaids." Hinata prods, giggling slightly.

"Shut up, it's a good story." Tsukishima says, snatching his book back from Hinata. Tsukishima starts to swim back to the treasure cave to finish the story.

"And it's a love story." Hinata teases, slinging his arms around Tsukishima's shoulders.

"Ok and?" Tsukishima says, a small blush spreading across his cheeks.

"A dramatic love story between a mermaid and a human, only to end with the mermaid giving up her life for him~" Hinata says dramatically, swimming around Tsukishima. Tsukishima grabs Hinata by the waist, dropping the book and pulling the ginger close to him.

"Maybe I want the same story but a different ending." Tsukishima whispers, his breath on Hinata's ear. Hinata turns bright red, embarrassed about what Tsukishima just said, Tsukishima laughs, not letting go of Hinata's waist.

"S-stupid Tsukishima! Don't joke like that!" Hinata pouts, crossing his arms and looking away from the blond. Tsukishima grabs Hinata's chin, making the ginger look at him.

"Have you ever known me to joke around.. Shoyo?" Tsukishima says, turning slightly red himself. It takes Hinata a moment to process what Tsukishima just said, before he turns a brighter shade of red.

"W-what!" Hinata yelps, getting so embarrassed by Tsukishima.

"Will this help explain?" Tsukishima says before kissing Hinata passionately. The ginger sits there shocked before kissing back, placing his hands on Tsukishima's chest.

"Better?" Tsukishima says with a smile. Hinata nods, hugging Tsukishima tightly and burying his head in his chest. Tsukishima chuckles, patting the mess of orange hair right below him.

"Finally! Took you long enough!" Noya shouts. Everyone else laughs at Noya's comment, seeing the 2 opposites being all lovey dovey with each other.

"Oh shut up shorty!" Tsukishima shouts, holding onto Hinata possessively.

"Tsukishima, I just have one thing to say." Suga says, swimming over with Asahi.

"What is it, Suga?" Tsukishima asks, still holding Hinata.

"If you ever hurt him we will not hesitate to gut you." Asahi threatens, a thick and threatening aura surrounding both mermen.

"Jesus, you think I want to hurt him? Hell no!" Tsukishima says, picking up Hinata playfully and slinging him over his shoulder. Hinata yelps, holding onto Tsukishima's shoulder tightly.

"Still, he's our brother and we have to make sure he's safe." Suga says snickering.

"Aye aye sir." Tsukishima says lazily, swimming off with a laughing Hinata.

"Don't worry, sugar, he means what he says." Daichi says, grabbing Suga by the waist. Suga turns red, seeing as how neither of the other 2 knew about him and Daichi getting together.

"Called it!" Hinata yells, seeing Daichi being all sweet with his brother.

"Oh get back here Hinata Shoyo!" Suga says, swimming after Hinata. Hinata yelps, swimming away from Suga as he starts chasing the smaller merman. Everyone starts laughing seeing Suga so embarrassed and Hinata swimming away from him. Soon after everyone is tired, and laying on the floor. Suga cuddled up with Daichi and Hinata cuddled up with Tsukishima.

"I think this is a better time than ever to say that me and Asahi also got together." Noya says bluntly.

"Called it." Everyone else says in unison, making both boys turn red and embarrassed.

"Well.. looks like we all fell for the mermaids." Daichi says.

"Yes you did." Suga says, snuggling close to Daichi.

"Oh by the way, Noya, Daichi, if you hurt Suga or Asahi you will not be able to move for about a month." Hinata says in a chirpy tone, giving the human boys mixed signals.

"How can you say the most threatening things in the nicest tones.." Tsukishima asks, looking at his new partner slightly concerned.

"I dunno!" Hinata says laughing.

"Ok so what I'm gathering.. If any of us hurt the other.. You will attack us." Noya says.

"Yes." All 3 mermen say, different tones dotting their voice.

"Ooookkkaaayyyyyyy somewhat scared but it's fine." Tsukishima says.

"Just don't break our hearts and we won't have any issues." Suga says.

"Yea we are very protective of each other. So yea. Don't mess up." Asahi says, laying back on the sand holding Noya.

"I meant to ask.. Why are you so protective of each other?" Daichi asks.

"Well, Suga and I used to live in the same kingdom together that was attacked by Siren hunters.. We were the only ones who escaped...." Asahi says.

"We found the Lagoon and learned how to live here for the last 10 years. When me and Asahi we're about 13 I think Hinata escaped a similar situation." Suga explains, letting Hinata take over storytelling.

"My home was completely raided by treasure and Siren hunters. None of my family died.. But they were taken and I haven't seen them in over 6 years. I was 10 when I escaped here, Suga and Asahi we're 13." Hinata says. Everyone goes quiet before Tsukishima speaks up.

"S-so Suga and Asahi got attacked when they were 8..?"

"Yea about. Asahi might've been 9" Suga says, like the whole conversation is the most normal in the world.

"When did you get attacked, Hinata..?" Noya asks.

"Well let's see.. I was 9 when I got attacked and lived in the ruins for a little less than a year before leaving." Hinata says.

"Have you guys ever thought about going back to the ruins..?" Tsukishima asks.

"A few times but it's easier said than done." Asahi responds.

"How so?" Noya asks.

"Getting into the mooned sea is quite easy, sure it gets rough sometimes but actually getting into the sea is just a break from the ocean. Getting out though.. It's like the ocean line throws you back to the sea." Hinata explains.

"The only real way to cross the sea is by ship and we don't know how to operate a ship even if we had access to one." Suga says, looking out at the sea getting rougher.

"Oh.. That does seem easier said than done.." Noya mumbles, looking out at the sea with Suga.

"B-but hey! I mean we would've never met you guys if we didn't come here. So that's a good thing." Hinata says, pecking Tsukishima's cheek.

"Exactly! I'm kinda glad in that sense." Asahi responds, holding Noya close to his chest.

"Yea, maybe one day we can go back to see the ruins, but that day's not today." Suga says, placing his head on Daichi's chest and yawning. The rest of the boys follow suit, getting comfortable in the sand, cuddled with their lovers before drifting off to sleep peacefully.