With Lungs Like Gills (Merman!Brothers x Reader)

Chapter 23

The night sky from (y/n)'s apartment wasn't as great of a view as he was hoping, but he wouldn't complain about it tonight. Osomatsu had smiled as he watched (y/n) retreat into a room, closing the door and locking it hard enough for him to hear, leaving him to take the opportunity to wander around her small apartment. His human form had dulled senses compared to his actual form, but nothing escaped his sharp eyes.

The bed was small, pushed against the wall across from the kitchen to clear a walking path from the front door to the small couch. As he sat down, the couch cushions were soft to his skin but the length wasn't long enough for him to stretch out completely, so he opted for propping his feet on the opposite arm as he rested his back against the other. The soft glow from his coral caught his eye in the window reflection.

If he was honest with himself, Osomatsu didn't want to be here. The skin he wore itched like crazy, and he could feel his scales underneath cry out for the cool waters of the ocean with every passing minute. His lungs spasmed every few moments or so, trying to get used to breathing the oxygen-rich air.

Everything about being on land was uncomfortable.

When had he become so complacent? When (y/n) had left him earlier, a younger Osomatsu would've left her high and dry, leaving a storm in his wake just because she made him wait. Instead, he had stayed patiently, keeping watch over her things like she asked and stayed out of the water until she jumped in first.

When (y/n) had returned with his coral, he couldn't help but stare at it. It was nestled right where it belonged, close to her heart and between her bre--

Osomatsu clicked his tongue in growing annoyance and looked back at the night sky beyond the window, a feeling of agitation growing for some reason.

He knew that Todomatsu would try something tonight, especially with the way he had tried to use (y/n). A soft click brought his focus on the door behind him, the one that (y/n) had locked.

"If you're going to stay the night, at least take this," He heard her groan as something moved through the air towards him, "I tend to keep the temperature on the cool side."

He caught the object, feeling the fuzzy texture of the fabric before snapping his wrist to expand it over his body. His eyes never moved from the window, locked onto her faint shadow in the glass. She seemed to pause, her eyes darting around aimlessly in thought before she spoke again.

"Did I--?"

"Yeah," His quick response was sharper than intended, knowing that she would ask if she interrupted him, "What else would I be thinking about other than tomorrow morning? I'm staying here because I don't know what Todomatsu or Jyushimatsu have planned. You're still mine...for now..."

The last words he bit out were angry, his emotions starting to unwind from their tightly knotted mess. Osomatsu rolled his eyes at himself, listening to the sounds coming from behind him, indicating that (y/n) had gotten into her tiny bed. He smothered a joke of him keeping her warm, remembering that she had made it very clear to him her opinion of his personality. He'd wait until tomorrow, then he could have fun with her for as long as he wanted.

"Did you...really want me to choose another brother...?" (Y/n) asked suddenly, bringing his full attention back to her.

"Of course not," His response was quick, his frustrations at her wanting to give every brother a chance making themselves known. He had claimed her first, so why couldn't he keep it, "You put my coral on, so you're mine by rights...but if you choose someone and can help them, then why wouldn't I jump at that opportunity?"

More silence from (y/n).

"Would it hurt you to lose your claim?"

"It's just coral. It's not attached to us in any special way," Osomatsu finally turned to look at her, noticing her eyes on his coral on the counter, "The few things special about it are that only a certain brother can hear it, and the others can't touch it directly. It's like holding a burning coal, and the feeling never goes away as long as skin contact remains."