Sing For Me, Darling

Chapter 5 - Ballad

For the next few nights, their system had worked smoothly, with Jotaro always showing up after the first or second call and Kakyoin sometimes bringing his sketchbook in order to study both the ocean and the siren (unbeknownst to him). They both had endless questions to ask about eachother, so the conversation never lulled. One night in particular was filled with such banter, fired off rapidly and without hesitation.

"What's the surface like?"

"Boring as all hell. Trust me, you're not missing much of anything, unless you're interested in drunken bar fights. What's it like living underwater?"

"Dark. And cold, sometimes. But mostly dark. We've tried using bioluminescent creatures to light things up, but they just don't glow enough. Who taught you how to paint?"

"I'm self taught. My parents were never really interested in the arts, so there was no way they'd teach me. What does your mother look like?"

"Honey coloured hair that's curled into two little circle things at the end in the front, and hazel coloured eyes. She's kinda plump, but her fingers are long and spindly, and her tail is this really nice shade of orange. Why'd you ask?"

"No reason in particular."

Kakyoin was lying, of course, as he knew exactly why he was asking. It was the same reason why he was stealthily studying the siren, studying his anatomy, comparing it to that of a human, watching his every move and noting if any of his findings changed. It was to be a gift, this idea of his, a nonverbal thank you for all of the happiness that Jotaro had given him. He grinned to himself at the thought of his reaction, and hugged his sketchbook close to his chest.

"You're really giggly today." Jotaro teased. "Are you hiding something from me? I wanna be happy too."

"Me, giggly? You must be mistaken." Kakyoin retaliated. "If anything, you're the giggly one around here. What happened to that brooding attitude of yours?"

Kakyoin had noticed how close Jotaro had started to get ever since their portrait session. Prior to that, he stuck to the water like glue, keeping his distance and staring at the painter disdainfully. But now? Now, he was always practically laying his head in Kakyoin's lap, his eyes closed serenely. Of course, he didn't mind one bit, as he was glad that the siren had become comfortable around him.

"Attitude? Me? You're crazy."

"Or, you just don't want to admit it."

The easygoing relationship that they shared was one of the best things that Kakyoin had ever had. It was like they'd been like this for years, and yet, something was still fresh about the bond they shared. A small, quiet part of Kakyoin hoped that what he was planning would strengthen that bond, into something more, something even closer, something that transcended friendship.

"Hmph. Or, maybe you just bring out the best in me, is all."

"Maybe I d– wait, what?"

Jotaro's face was flushed, but his eyes were still closed. His trademark scowl had made a return appearance, and his eyebrows were knotted together.

"Jotaro? What do you mean?"

"It was something that just slipped out. Sorry."

"You don't have to apologize, you know. Thank you for the compliment. It's very sweet of you."

They were both silent for a moment, unable to process what had just happened.

"...Kakyoin, can I ask you something weird?" Jotaro said, biting his lip.

"If I were to say no, that wouldn't stop you, would it? Go ahead." Kakyoin replied.

"If you really, really loved someone, how would you tell them?"

"Ah, that's more of a difficult question, rather than a weird one. Let's see... Me, personally? I'd give them a token of my appreciation. Something meaningful to them, or with a heavy emotional weight to it. It doesn't have to be anything extravagant, as long as it means a lot to the person."

"I see. Something meaningful, huh?"

"Indeed. Does this mean you've found someone special, Jotaro?"

"You could say that, sure."

All of a sudden, he laid his head fully into Kakyoin's lap, a defiant pout and a sideways glance laden on his face. Kakyoin let out a quiet gasp, but he couldn't generate anything of substance to say. Jotaro's face was dusted a light pink, and his fin-ears were flapping idly, tickling Kakyoin with every passing brush. Unsure of what else to do, Kakyoin began to run his fingers through Jotaro's jet black curls, humming and rhythmically kicking his feet. The siren began to hum along, his face relaxed and his tail swishing about. The peacefulness of this was liberating, like a moment of frozen time in the middle of a hectic battle. If Kakyoin could have things his way, he'd keep things like this forever, without a care in the world.

"Kakyoin."

"Yes?"

"You're not... You're not playing some dumb trick on me, are you?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"This doesn't feel real. Or right. I know I should trust you, which I do, but something in the back of my mind is telling me not to."

Kakyoin though on this for a moment, then beckoned the siren to the spot next to him.

"You can get yourself up here, right?" Kakyoin said mischievously.

"Yeah, but you haven't answered my question." Jotaro confusedly responded while hoisting himself up.

"Patience, dear siren. Roll onto your back, then sit up, close to me, alright?"

Jotaro reluctantly did what he was told, and Kakyoin lifted his chin with a finger.

"Look me in the eyes."

"What?"

"You keep looking to the side. Look at me."

Icy blue eyes met charming purple ones, and for the first time, Kakyoin wasn't stunned. They were just as captiviating as always, but he felt a different sort of fascination. It was an odd sort, the type that one feels when they've found a new home. Not breaking eye contact, Kakyoin used his other hand to raise Jotaro's to his lips.

"This is my proof." he said with a sly grin. "This is my proof you can trust me."

As they made contact with the skin of his hand, Kakyoin got to witness the almost instantaneous transition of the blush on the siren's face from a light pink to a deep, deep red. Jotaro looked from his hand, back to Kakyoin, back to his hand, back to Kakyoin, and repeated this several more times, until he buried his face into both of his hands.

"I've never seen you this flustered before. Don't die on me, now." Kakyoin said smugly.

Jotaro didn't respond. He instead grabbed Kakyoin by the lapels, and pulled him into an actual kiss, inadvertently causing the painter to blush as well. Kakyoin's eyes widened in shock at first, but he eventually relaxed, wrapping both his arms around the siren's waist. They both pulled back at the same time, two blushing messes.

"Y-you..." stammered Kakyoin.

"I..." muttered Jotaro.

"...We..." they said together.

Jotaro retreated hastily into the sea, and Kakyoin followed suit, practically dashing back to his house. His head was spinning, but it wasn't an unpleasant feeling. He touched his lips with the tips of his fingers in disbelief. Jotaro's lips were slightly salty, but pleasantly so, and they were unbearably soft. As of now, there was no point denying it any longer. He was head over heels in love.