The Merman and the Prince

Chapter 40

I leant back into Akashi's embrace and he nuzzled into the back of my neck as we stared at the sun setting over water. Behind us I could hear the people of Teiko preparing the last minute decorations for tomorrow.

"I can't believe it's finally here. I feel like I have been waiting forever to marry you."

I squeezed his hand where it rested around my waist and tucked my head under his chin as he ran circles on my hips with his thumb. It had been a strange year. I lost my home and my family, got kidnapped by slavers and then freed by the people who would become my new family. We had stumbled at first but we always came through for each other. I discovered my new life as a pirate and a merman and lost my fear of the ocean as I travelled the seas with Akashi by my side.

"Hard to believe the man I had fought with over you is now going to be giving you away."

"And I will repeat the honours when he and Aomine finally tie the knot."

We continued to watch the setting sun, thinking over the time we had spent together. He rubbed my thigh and I knew he was thinking of when we had both almost died.

"I will make sure to properly protect you."

I opened my mouth but he silenced it with his own.

"And yes, I will need you by my side to keep me out of trouble as well."

"Akashi! Kuroko!"

My soon-to-be-husband groaned and buried his face into my chest as I laughed and kissed his head.

"I don't want to be apart from you tonight."

"We were outvoted, Kise is going to get his way."

"We could just elope. Let's go now, swim us to the nearest island where we will get a priest or another captain to marry us."

"That isn't going to happen!"

I squealed as I was lifted out of Akashi's lap and slung over Kagami's shoulder.

"Let me down Kagami!"

I beat at his back but he wasn't fazed at my futile attempts.

"Come on, the sun has set. Time to say your goodbyes. You will see each other when you walk down the aisle tomorrow."

With a groan Akashi got to his feet and walked over to me, cupping my cheek and lightly kissing me.

"Enjoy this time Tetsuya because after tomorrow you will always be by my side as my wife."

He kissed me once more before Midorima, Murasakibara, Aomine and Kasamatsu whisked him away and Kagami trotted in the opposite direction.

He took me to the hot springs where I soaked and enjoyed the warmth with Kagami and Kise. When we got out they took me back to Kise's house, Akashi was in ours. Momoi, Himuro and Takao were waiting for us, a spread of delicious food and drink before them. I was so nervous so I just nibbled on the food while Momoi dried and brushed my long hair, humming as she did so.

"I can't believe its tomorrow and to Akashi of all people."

Kagami was lying down, picking food out of his teeth. We were all sitting or lying on pallets on the floor, talking as the lantern slowly burned down.

"Akashi said the same thing about you giving me away."

Kagami wrinkled his nose as the others laughed.

We talked away, trading stories about Akashi well into the night. I knew I had to sleep but being with everyone and thinking about what tomorrow would bring had me so nervous and excited I thought I would be awake for days. I didn't notice the different taste to my vanilla coffee that Takao bought me and before I knew it I was waking up to sunlight streaming into the room.