Eclipse

Chapter 15

Tsukishima's POV
"Hey. Just where do you think you are going??"

"Huh, Oh. Hi Tsukishima. We were just. Um. Going out to explore." Akihiko said to me with an awkward smile, Eclipse and Grant standing with him. I raised my brow at the trio. Shaking my head.

"Right. Without an escort?"

"...Uh-"

"Listen, Eclipse, Yama told me about what happened. Did you tell them?" I asked, Eclipse slowly nodding with a sheepish smile. I sighed, crossing my arms.

"All of you. You cannot run away from this." I said, Eclipse and Akihiko looking at each other quietly when Grant stepped in front of them, trying to intimidate me.

"Didn't you hear what Yamaguchi said. There will be a blood bath. I don't want either of these two dying or getting hurt."

"I did hear. In fact. Yamaguchi told me as part of it, my fate is to either die or be gravely injured during this. But do you see me running away?"

"I don't care what you do, I'm protecting both of them."

"And what will hiding away the prince and princess, along with the two you plan on becoming the future kings will do? What will happen then? The knights will be sent out to kill every last villager until they find where you all are being hidden. Perhaps they will find a way to find you no matter where you go. Do you really believe that you are so unstoppable and invincible just because you get gills?" I said angrily. Grant looked at me surprised before I smiled. I may or may not have overheard him saying how he was a merman earlier.

All three looked at me quietly, Grant looking quite upset and almost a bit angry. I sighed, stepping closer and putting my hand on his shoulder.

"Grant. I understand wanting to protect the ones you care about and love. I really do. Trust me. I am more than willing to die for Yamaguchi. But you cannot just simply run away. All of you, you must be brave and face what is to come."

"But.. What if they die."

"Then they die. But you also know that the overseer in our dungeons have claimed that Eclipse and her family will live. She will even bear a child." I said, looking at her. Grant looked over at Akihiko before sighing.

"What about him."

"I do not know his fate. But I do know if you run, or if you decide to turn back now. The king and queen will not be so kind as to give you their throne, just because you look like their son." I said, Akihiko biting his lip as Grant looked at him shocked.

"Wait, what???" Grant asked with confusion. Akihiko cleared his throat and explained the story quickly to Grant. Grant seemed surprised, but quickly snapped out of it and looked at me.

"But..."

"Look. You care about these two. Do you not?"

"...Of course I do."

"Than let them decide. Let them stay and fight their battle." I said, Grant nodding as I turned and walked off. I knew that I was incapable of physically stopping them if they truly wanted to run away and hide. There was no way that I could simply watch them 24/7. And I certainly couldn't just hold them all until things were figured out. But I could see Grant simply wanted to do what was best, even if his ideas were a bit reckless.

Grant's POV
...Should I take them both with me..? I want them to stay safe. But.. what if the king and queen do find a way to find all of us. There have been stories of humans who have captured and killed mermaids just for their scales. What if the king or queen had done that, and somehow figure out how to turn their army into of soldiers into mermaids or mermen..

I wouldn't want that happening. As I said, we do have defenses. But, there is no use for more blood shed than what we were told would already happen. I turned around and looked at Eclipse and Akihiko.

"We aren't leaving.." I said, both of them looking almost a little bit relieved. Eclipse hugged me tightly, Akihiko hugging my other side. I put my arms around both of them as Eclipse sighed gently.

"Both of you.. I promise I'll figure out how to do this. I really really need to talk to my dads about this. Especially Tobio."

"I understand. Please go." I said, Eclipse nodding before giving me a quick kiss. She ran off with a laugh when I stood there looking a bit surprised. Akihiko tilted his head before smiling slightly.

"Hey Grant..??"

"..Yes?"

"Do you mean it when you said said you care about me and Eclipse..???"

"Yes, I do mean it." I said honestly. Both of them were important to me. I knew Eclipse from childhood. I only knew Akihiko a short time, but he reminded me much of Eclipse. And he was innocent. He didn't deserve all this chaos that has happened to him. None of us did. But we had to be brave, just as Tsukishima said.. I wonder... I wonder if Eclipse and her family would object to a little bit of extra help in this upcoming battle we knew would certainly follow.

Akihiko smiled faintly and nodded, both of us standing there for a moment before he asked me to look at him. I looked down at him, receiving a shy kiss from him as well. I looked at him surprised before laughing faintly. Yeah. I care about them both too much.