𝓘𝓷𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓽𝔀𝓲𝓷𝓮𝓭 𝓦𝓸𝓻𝓵𝓭𝓼 | 𝓣𝓸𝓾𝔂𝓪 × 𝓣𝓮𝓷𝓴𝓸

3. Acceptance

Warnings: Panic attack and flashbacks!

The next morning came around. As Touya swam towards where the cave was located where he had last seen Tenko, chilling there after their awkward conversation together. Sighing softly as he was carrying a whole scoop full of creatures for Tenko as breakfast. Clams, fish of all types, crabs, lobsters, and shrimp. He could eat whatever he liked from the options.

Swimming into the cave. He was making sure to stay open-minded. The advice his mother gave him last night? He was gonna take it and put it to use. Being gentle with him and all and gaining his trust to make him his mate. “Good morning. I got you lots of creatures to eat.” He smiled and set the creatures that were lifeless, down. Although when he looked back up. He was absolutely flabbergasted and shocked. How decorated the place was so suddenly now..

Tenko was laid in his corner and curled up, hugging the plushie as he had the blanket cover him up. Though the jewelry was no longer in his hair.

He looked up when his ear twitched. "Morning." He whispered and looked at him. His eyes wandered to the ground, and he almost jumped and the amount he was given. "Wow...uh... thanks." He muttered as he just looked at the food and him.

Touya looked around the cave, inspecting it a little as he kept a smile on his face. Looking back at Tenko. “I'm glad to see you decorated it a little. It looks great.” He complimented him a little. Thinking for a moment.

“Well, while you can eat and fill your stomach. I could go and get you more stuff and treasures so you could decorate it more? Oh, and I have some plushies and stuff that I don't really use anymore. I could possibly give them to you.” He smiled softly at him. “I'll be right back!” It made him glad and happy that he decided to stay since he had no other choice and just simply made himself at home.

The man looked at him. When he heard his words, something in him striked up. Like a weird feeling. Unfamiliar. He didn't expect that.

He gave a small hum. "Thanks." He smiled and then took a clamp, opening it and eating it. His fin settled down. Maybe... the decoration made him a bit calmer.

The Siren then left. And returned after a couple of minutes. Entering the cave and in front of Tenko. He placed everything. A few more gold coins, a couple of plushies like a catfish, a siren, and a shark. Some coral and seaweed and other sea plants. Also, a couple of sea slugs like sea bunnies! The cute ones.

He smiled proudly as he sat down. “Here you go. There's not much that I found at the moment, but I'll get you more things. And uhm.” He looked at the small crack in the cave wall. He has gotten a harder rock. He approached that crack and started banging it with the rock. Only to break it and create a hole for more light to pass through the whole cave for him.

The merman watched him come in. After a second, he smiled at the things. He picked up the few sea bunnies and smiled at them.

He shrugged together when he heard the loud crack. He turned his head to where the noise came from and froze up. Absolutely. No movement from him as he was taken away.

His entire mind was running. Now the crack looked more like a window...friendlier.

"Touya...I.....wow...oh.." he looked at it. He did not know what to say. He...felt like he was gaining more freedom each second..

"Stop...loud." He whispered after a second. He held his arm, which held the stone with his free hand..the sea bunnies protected in the other.

He looked at him. Putting the rock down a little, giving a sad look. “Ah– I'm sorry, I forgot how sensitive your ears are..” He muttered softly. Taking the rock and just putting it aside in case Tenko ever needed it.