Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

One year ago

Loud waves crashed against the sea, and seagulls soared and squawked through the stratosphere. A large port was cluttered with boats, and the soft ocean breeze was salty and refreshing. Lights shone in houses, where families sat down and ate dinner, giggling children and content adults together. The castle looked over the bustling town, tall stone walls hiding the colorful gardens inside from folkspeople’s gazes.

This was the kingdom of Shiratorizawa.

But where our story starts is not under the cozy, warm roofs of homes, or within the palace flowerbeds. It is not with the rat filled alleyways, or high in the clear night sky. 

Where our story starts is with a rock in the blue of the sea, where a little merman sat, quietly sobbing. 

Frigid air chilled his soaking body, but he did not care about the cold. His  heart racked with loneliness and hurt, and his throat ached from loud sobs being torn out minutes ago. 

His name is Tendou, Satori Tendou. Or, by his official title, Prince Satori of the Shiratorizawa Coast.  

“Why,” he asked, “why can’t I be like them?”

A few hours had passed since he was beat up yet again by those boys. The ones that had screamed when he tried to play with them back when he was little. The ones that hated him, and would throw rocks at his head when he went through the streets alone. The ones that gave him the name that Tendou hated; Freak.

Tendou hated it. He hated how everyone would whisper that when he swam past, he hated how it would be painted on the sides of the palace in red, and he hated himself. Why couldn’t he just be normal, instead of a ugly, scary, freak?

He wiped away tears from red rimmed eyes and looked up at the warm lights of the town. 

Oh, to be a human. Tendou dreamed of soft beds and ice cream and  running across the beach, barefoot and free. Collecting shells and laughing, dry hair flowing in the wind. 

He pushed his wet, sopping hair out of his face and stared at the glowing garlands of light. They were so bright and pretty, glowing in warm tones instead of the glistening blue of algae. 

Numb, buzzing hands began reaching for the beach before he knew it, and he stopped himself, biting his lip. 

It was illegal to swim there. Humans were scary, choosing to scream and hit merfolk that swam too close. Survivors that escaped told tales of being trapped in nets and isolated in nets, far from water. That was why the king, Satori’s father, banned merpeople from talking to land dwellers. 

He was getting off the stone, shimmying down and watching the shore. It would be fine if no one saw him, right?

Tendou swam towards the shore, his crimson tail swishing through the waves. God, his body ached. Bruises adorned his arms and back, and small scales were missing from his fishtail. 

He panted. Just a bit more to the shore, then he could see them better. The lanterns. That was what they were called. The wood and glass squares with the orange bioluminescent things inside it. 

He could feel the rocks touch his fingertips, and then his hands, and then the underside of his tail. Tendou struggled to keep on going, the current pushing and pulling his weak body around. This was the rocky part of the beach, away from the central sand and people. Not that there was anybody still around at this time, but if Tendou had to guess, they would all be on smooth sand instead of sharp, black, basalt.

“Stupid waves.” He muttered. 

The water moved him around back and forth, he steadied himself, placing his hands on the submerged stone. Tendou looked at the lanterns. Here was a much better spot than that rock. It was totally worth the sore joints and blistered fingers.

He smiled at the beautiful lights. The faint scent of fresh baked bread poured out of the bakery that had the lanterns, and Tendou basked in it. It smelled delicious. He thought of biting down on it, soft loaves melting on his tongue. He reached out for the building, yearning to be inside it. 

A big wave hit his back, and his other hand slipped. Tendou’s face was met with hard stone.

Pain, saltwater, and darkness came as he blacked out, buns and lights forgotten.

“Are you there? Hello?” 

Tendou blinked, head pounding. Where was he? And why did everything hurt? 

He groggily looked up. Who was this? Messy dark green hair gently blew to the side with wind, pretty brown eyes looked back at him. 

“You’re awake.” He said.

Tendou had certainly never seen a merboy that looked so beautiful.

He looked around, and eyes widened in horror and dread as he recalled what happened then and what was happening now. 

This wasn’t a merboy.

This was a real life human. 

Tendou jumped and scrambled, causing the merboy, no, not merboy, human boy to drop him on cold sand and yelp. Well, it wasn’t really a yelp. More like a monotone, “Ah.”

“Get away from me!” He yelled, shielding himself with his arms. 

“You’re hurt.”

“What?”

The olive haired boy crouched down. “I won't hurt you,” He said. “I wanna help.”

Why was this human offering to help him? No. This was a trap. He was going to be captured and fed to humans and those boys would cheer, filled with joy that the horrifying Tendou was finally gone.

“Why?” Tendou croaked out.

“What do you mean?”

“Why do you want to help me? I’m a freak.“ He bitterly stated. His scary eyes and weird hair were proof. He closed his eyes. Hopefully the human would make his death quick.

“No you’re not.”

Tendou opened his eyes, shocked. What? 

The boy spoke again, questioning Tendou. “Why would you think that?”

“Because I’m horrible and hideous and I scare away anyone who comes near me and I don’t have any friends.” 

“That’s not true.” He turned his head in confusion. “You’re cute, not hideous.”

This was a dream. Tendou was still passed out on the rocks, bleeding out. He would wake up and be disappointed.

The boy continued, offering out his hand. “You didn’t scare me away. Let’s be friends.”

Tendou stared at it, confused. Ah, this was what was called a high five. He hit it with his palm.

The boy raised a brow in confusion. “It’s a handshake.” He grabbed Tendou’s hand, connected his palm with it and shook gently.

The red haired merboy looked away, embarrassed that he misunderstood the gesture. 

The boy tapped him on the shoulder, and he looked over to see his face etched with concern.

“What happened?” He pointed at the bruises. Right. 

Tendou curled up, pressing his fishtail to his chest. “It’s nothing.”

“It isn’t nothing. You need help. You’re bleeding.”

“It’s fine.”

The boy came closer to Tendou, holding his hands and looking him in the eyes, and Tendou wanted to look away but couldn't. Everywhere the boy touched felt like fire and he felt like his brain was about to explode. “Listen to me. I want to take care of you. Let me, please.” He spoke.

Tendou felt like he felt like he had to agree, the kindness in those coffee brown eyes luring him in. “O-Okay.”

He let go of Tendou, a strange sense of disappointment washing over the merboy. “Where are you going?” He asked.

“Going to buy some band-aids for your tail.” He stated, and took a step towards the town. “I’ll be back.”

Tendou outstretched his hand, grabbing the boy’s wrist. “This is selfish of me but…”

“But what?”

“Could you bring back those?” With his other hand, he pointed at the shining lights. 

“The lanterns?”

“Yeah.”

The boy nodded, and he was off. Tendou sat there and stared at him until he rounded the corner, disappearing. 

“Wow.”Slipped out of the merboy’s mouth, and he realised what he did. Blood rose to his face, and Tendou held his head in his hands, dumbfounded. Most merpeople don't even get to witness a human, let alone talk and befriend one. 

He had a friend. Tendou had a friend.

Buzzing with nervousness and excitement, he waited for the boy to return. 

Some time had passed and he started fidgeting with his fingers, a lump forming in his throat. Where was the human? How long had it been? Tendou forced his pounding heart to slow down. He would be back.

“Hello.” Tendou looked up to see the human, moss hair and all. 

“You’re here!” Although the cover of night hid the blush on his cheeks, the excitement in his voice was loud and clear. 

“I couldn’t bring that lantern, but I got a different one. I hope that's okay.” He pulled it out from behind, but Tendou was skeptical. This had the same steel and glass structure, but it wasn't glowing. There was no beautiful light with orange and red. 

“That’s a lantern?”

“Yeah.”

“It doesn't work.”

“Yes it does. Watch.” The boy pulled something out of his pocket. It was colorful, a purple capsule. Placing the lantern down, he opened the top, connected with a hinge. 

“What is that?”

“A lighter.”

“So it’s a light? Does it go inside the lantern? Is that how it glows?”

“No.” He worked the small contraption, a small flow of neon algae shining from the tip. The tip was brung inside the lantern, and the algae flowed, staying. He stopped the mechanism, closing the capsule.

“It makes the light.”

Tendou crawled closer to the lantern. Wonder and amazement shoneon his face, the same that a small child might have.

He watched as the flame flickered and grew, becoming bigger in the open air.

Tendou grabbed at the lantern. He wanted to see how it would feel. Would it be slimy like the bioluminescent algae, or dry?

A hand came out and slapped his, drawing a yelp from the merboy.

“Hey!” Tendou cried out. 

“Don’t touch it.”

“Why not? I want to see what the land light feels like.”

The boy raised an eyebrow. “The fire?”

“So that’s what it’s called.” He grinned. “Fire.”

“Yeah. You can’t touch it though.”

“Why?”

“It’ll hurt you.” He got up, sprinting to go get a stick laying on the sand. Tendou wondered if he could ever be that fast. 

He brought it, sticking the end in the fire. The blaze crawled on it, and he dropped the wood on the sand, letting it burn and fizzle out. All that was left of the branch was black char.

“That,” The boy stated, “is what will happen to you if you touch it.”

“Wh- what? What happened?”

“It burned and turned to ash.”

His amazement had dropped to horror, and Tendou backed away from the lantern, terrified.

“Why in the world would you use that as a light! It kills!”

“Because it won’t hurt you if you don't hurt it.”

“It’s scary.”

“So are you. It’s hard to see the beauty of a fire when you’re blinded by its burn.” He gazed down at the lantern, tucking his legs close to his chest. “Maybe that’s one of the reasons it’s so wonderful. To love how it flickers and flares with such passion and excitement.”

The merboy felt breathless. Somehow, the boy’s words had managed to give Tendou what he’s been wanting to hear his entire life. To be loved alongside his differences, no, to be loved because of his differences.

A smile rose on his lips, blooming into a giggle, until he couldn’t control himself and loud cackles poured out of his mouth and he shook with joy. 

His stomach hurt and his chest heaved, tired and aching. Tears wet his eyes and blurred his vision, and his lungs gasped for air, but he didn’t care. 

For the first time in years, he laughed his heart out.

Tendou forgot the feeling of being on cloud nine, having such a high. It was truly magical.

He brought a finger to his eyes, smearing the leaked drops into salty covered skin. “It’s just that I’ve never heard anyone say it that way before. Thanks.” 

He smiled up at the boy before him, who was staring. Tendou must have looked crazy, but the boy said nothing but a simple, “Wow.”

“What?” Tendou asked.

“Nothing.” He pulled a box out of his pants pocket. “ We should get you bandaged up.” 

Small decorated band-aids were inside, and he peeled off parchment paper to reveal a sticky side. 

He knelt close to Tendou, covering the pink and red flesh with flower patches.

“What are these?” The merboy pointed.

“Band-aids?”

“No, what are the pictures on the band-aids?”

“Their flowers.” His fingers trace the cartoony purple petals.

“Flowers?”

“Yeah. This one is a heliotrope.” He points at the blossom.

“Pretty.”

“It’s even prettier in real life.” He breathes.

A soft grin plastered itself on Tendou’s face. “I’d like to see that someday.”

He applied another band-aid. “Okay.”

The pair spent hours talking about their lives, the lantern between them. Time seemed to fly and stand still when they talked. Laying back and basking in the moonlight with his friend felt wonderful.

“So, you merfolk really have seahorses as pets?” The boy questioned.

“They're super cool, but it takes so long to get one. They're too skittish. What about you?”

“Humans have pets. Usually, ours are a lot bigger than a seahorse though.”

“What else do humans have?”

“We have these things called pictures.”

“What’s that?”

“Their like memories but in real life. Like, you can touch them.”

Tendou’s eyes got wide. “Cool. If you could have a picture of something, what would it be?”

“It would be this night.” He answered without hesitation. “The night when I made my first friend.”

Sleepy eyes flashed happiness on his face, and he looked to the sky. “Yeah. Same.”

They lay in comfortable silence for a while, watching clouds come and go. 

Then, the merboy heard swishing sand. Tendou looked over to the boy, who was getting up.

“What’s going on?”

“I need to go. Back home.” The boy said. The merboy could tell the fear and loneliness in his eyes.

“What?” Any feelings of joy and serenity were now gone, replaced by dread. “Will I ever see you again?”

Tendou’s heart sank at the uncertainty in his face. “I don’t know.”

“Let’s meet back here, okay?” Tendou extended his palm for a handshake.

“Okay.” He grabbed his hand, but instead of a handshake, the boy pulled the merboy into a hug. A small gasp escaped his throat, but Tendou soon sank into the tight embrace, worried that this might be the last time he ever saw his friend.

Then, the boy left, leaving Tendou to sit in the sand, alone.

He simply clenched his hands, making no attempt to go back home. He wanted to cling onto this memory, not wanting to return to the underwater world where he had no place.

The night felt colder than it had ever been before, the sky a little more gray.

Chapter Text

His tail swished in the water, the midday sun bouncing off it in scarlet rays. 

This was the three-hundred and sixty-first time Tendou was, once again, swimming to the surface.

It had nearly been a year since he last saw his first friend. Lots of things had happened since that day.

He carved tally marks onto his bedroom wall, one for each day it had been since that fateful night.

Tendou had been given a curfew, unable to go outside of the castle after nightfall. Staying out the entire night had shook his parents, and new rules had been placed upon the merboy despite his protests.

He studied the humans. Every day after lunch, he would come and watch them. Sometimes, he would even talk to one. The one currently sitting at their usual spot.

Black rock dug into his palm as he hoisted himself onto the shore. “Hello, Semi-Semi!” Tendou greeted.

The second month he had been making the trek to the basalt area, he had been discovered by another human. Semi Eita. He was the son of a baker and a musician, often bringing Tendou human foods like bread and cake and playing him songs on his phone.

“‘Sup, Tendou.” he smiled.

“Got any leftovers?” The merboy asked.

The ash blond boy placed a container on his lap and peeled off the lid. What were they called again? Ahh, yes. Tupperwares. Inside the tupperware was a cupcake, mocha frosting and dark chocolate cake.

“Here you go.” Semi offered, Tendou picking up the pastry and digging in. “Wow, no thank you?”

“Thanks Semi.”

“You’re welcome.” He opened his phone and tapped at it, working that fancy contraption that Tendou would never be able to figure out. Music started playing, and memories bubbled.

“This is Still Into You, right?” Tendou guessed. “By Paramore.”

“Yeah.” The pair watched the waves crash against the beach and children run and play on the sand farther down the coast. 

“You’ve been playing it a lot recently. Why?” 

“Just reminds me of someone.” He answered, eyes lost. Tendou could see the look in them, one of melancholy. 

“Is it your friend? Shirabu, I think? You know, the one that doesn’t have any more time for you ever since he got that job?”

“What? How did you k-”

“You used to never shut up about him, and now you get all mopey when I bring him up.”

He shoved Tendou, a tint of red spreading over his cheeks. “I do not get mopey.” Semi turned the other way, crossing his arms.

“So am I right?”

“...Yes.” He buried his face in his hands. “It’s been two weeks since I last got a text, let alone hang out with him.”

“Wow. He must be busy to not respond to those messages.” 

“I don’t want to spam him, but what if he doesn’t want to be friends with me anymore and is just ignoring me? I mean, two weeks? Who goes two weeks without checking their phone?” Tendou watched his friend sigh and lie back slowly, being careful not to hurt himself on the sharp stone. “Fuck, I miss talking to his grumpy dumb butt and fooling around doing who knows what.”

Semi glanced at Tendou, apologizing. “Sorry about the whole spiel dude.”

“Don’t sweat it.” Tendou grabbed the tupperware, putting his wrapper in it and sealing it. “You know, all this is sounding like you've got a crush on this mystery boy.”

The boy sat up a little too fast and yelled, shocked. “I do not!” 

This did nothing to stop the redhead, instead only confirming his suspicions.

“You totally do.” 

“Shut up, I don’t.” 

“Do you want me to sing it?” Tendou cupped his hands around his mouth. “Semi Eita has a crush on Shi-”

The merboy was shut up by a noogie to the head, Semi’s fist digging into burgundy locks. “Tendou shut up otherwise others are going to hear you. Do you want to be found out again?”

“If people could hear that then they would have been coming over already. Your music is loud.” Tendou stated, drawing attention to the song that had switched a long time ago.

“Okay, whatever. I’m not in love with Shirabu. Got it?” A sigh escaped his lips. “I just… miss him.” 

Nostalgia hit Tendou, and his gaze wandered over to the stone pillar sitting between the waves. The one he had sat on and cried so long ago.

“Yeah.” He agreed, voice barely a whisper. 

Semi smirked at the merboy. “Thinking about your mystery friend?”

The merboy cleared his throat. “So, what song is this?”

“Don’t avoid my question.”

“Fine, yes, I am thinking about Lantern.” A smile trickled onto his mouth and made his heart beam, if that could even happen. It sure felt like it.

Since he had never gotten a name, he used a pseudonym; Lantern. The kind, handsome, wonderful boy from that night.

“How long have you been looking for him now?”

“A year.” 

Semi choked on air, coughs thrashing his chest up and down. “A year now?”

“Almost. In about a week.”

“What if he’s in a different country by now?”

“Then I’ll go there.”

“Tendou… I’m worried. You’ve been looking for this guy for a whole year. What if you never see him again?” Semi asked. He was worried for Tendou. This “Lantern” may not even exist. He didn't want the merboy to get hurt.

“I have to.” He simply replied. It was rare for Tendou to look so focused.

Then, the concentration faded away, turning to face the phone sitting between them.

“What song is this?”

Semi answered softly, as if anything too loud could spook away the serene calm. “505, by Arctic Monkeys.”

The merboy hummed to the tune, the lyrics fading away. This was the bit before Semi’s favorite lyrics.

But I crumble completely when you cry

Semi caroled out, eyes closed. He didn’t want to think about Shirabu, or Lantern. Just wanted to forget his worries and fade into the song.

It seems like once again you’ve had to greet me with goodbye

I'm always just about to go and spoil the surprise

Take my hands off of your eyes too soon

Another voice trilled, way too high pitched, but it made Semi smile either way. Tendou remembered the lyrics. They belted out the last part together.

I'm going back to 505

If it's a seven hour flight or a forty-five minute drive

In my imagination, you're waitin' lyin' on your side

With your hands between your thighs and a smile

“How do you get so off-key?” He teased.

“Semisemi, mean.” Tendou pouted. “My voice’s just unique.”

“Ah yes, so unique.”

“I don’t exactly get a lot of practice singing.” He argued. “The sirens are always too focused on being the best. I just want to go off and do my own thing.”

“I get that.” Semi agrees.

They sit, enjoying the good weather and the other’s company. It’s not many days they have deep conversations like this.

Just two kindred spirits, trying to find their loved ones once again.

Chapter Text

“‘Kay, so I met this dude that looks like he might be Lantern.”

“What?” Tendou’s eyes widened, head snapping to meet Semi.

Semi scrolled through his photo album. “This blond guy comes into the bakery a bunch, and yesterday he brought in his friend. Green hair with brown eyes, right?”

“Yeah.” Emotions long buried under lairs of time were being dug up, flickering again. 

“Is this him?”

The photo was like water doused on the fire of hope as Tendou stared at the picture. His face was softer, eyes less intense. His frame was smaller, fingers shorter as he raised a peace sign. The most prominent thing was his freckles. They dotted all over his cheeks and on his shoulders peeking through his tank top.

This was not Lantern.

“Really? Are you sure he hasn’t changed over the year?” Semi replied. Oops, he said that out loud.

“Positive. Lantern doesn’t have freckles.”

“Okay. That’s another candidate down.” Semi stated. Below his breath, he muttered. “There weren’t even that many to begin with.”

Tendou ignored that last part. “Just got to keep looking.”

Semi lowered the device, almost pocketing it when a buzz rang through it. He looked at it, eyes lighting up and screaming.

“Holy crap. Dude, what-”

“Shirabu!” He answered before devolving into hysterical laughs. “Finally!”

“Oh my god, your down bad behind is finally getting laid.” Tendou exclaimed sarcastically.

He didn’t respond, instead sitting back down and typing out words lighting fast. If Sonic existed, he would be jealous of the pure speed Semi’s fingers were moving. 

Tendou leaned to peek at the screen, snickering. “Seriously? You’re freaking out over that?”

Shirabu<3: this crying little kid wouldnt stfu and he reminded me of you 

Tendou nudged his shoulder. “First text in weeks and he insults you. God, how are you so in love with this guy?”

“Shut up! I’m not in love.” Semi lies.

Semi: bruh what

Semi: im literally taller than you how do i remind you of a little kid

“Semi, you literally have him saved with a heart next to his name.”

“Yeah, ever heard of satire?”

Shirabu<3: your annoying you wont quit yapping and you have a stuffed animal collection

“You have a stuffed animal collection?”

Semi looked at the screen, refusing to meet Tendou’s eyes. “Yeah…”

Semi: HEY

Semi: DO NOT DRAG THEM INTO THIS

Shirabu<3: right i forgot you get so overdramatic when it comes to your precious ms pom pom

Tendou glanced at Semi with the most devilish look. “Ms. Pom Pom?”

“Pomeranian stuffie. It’s a type of dog.”

“Why did you name it that?”

“I was five!”

“And you decided to keep it for fifteen years? That’s even more embarrassing.”

Semi: could you not mention her

Semi: one of my friends is with me rn

“Are you sure about this?”

“He won't see your face or anything.”

Shirabu<3: who

Shirabu<3: ik you dont have a social life

“Loser.”

“Loser? The reason I don’t have any friends is because I’m hanging out with you all the time!”

Semi: i have friends

Shirabu<3: really

Shirabu<3: send a pic

Semi bit his lip. “Shoot.”

“Chat, are we cooked?”

“I regret teaching you tiktok slang.”

Semi: no

Shirabu<3: lol nerd

Shirabu<3: screenshotting this and sending it to my friends

Semi: what friends

Semi: bruh aint nobody wanna hang out with your chihuahua looking ahh

Shirabu<3: why are you here then

Shirabu<3: go buzz off

Shirabu<3: shoo you pesky little fly

Semi: >:(

Shirabu<3: youre just angry i made a good point

“He’s right.” Tendou points out.

Semi: actually tho who is your friend

Shirabu<3: guard at the palace

Shirabu<3: his names taichi

Shirabu<3: hes a walking tumbler meme

Tendou raised an eyebrow. “What palace?”

“We’re ruled by a government being ruled by a monarchy, and the castle of said monarchy is like a three hour drive from here.” Semi paused for a second, words caught in his throat. “Shirabu dorms and works at the palace to pay for his medical school bills.”

“What job does he work at the palace?”

“Butler. He watches over the princes for cash and job experience. Between that and taking college classes at night, his schedule is packed.”

“Isn’t he like, nineteen? Shouldn’t they hire someone who isn’t literally fresh out of high school?”

“He says the fam’ wants someone around their sons age.”

“Good on him for getting a job and going through college. He’s probably going to become super successful.”

“Don’t act like we aren’t going to be on top of the world with him. You are a royal.”

“Maybe in title, but not otherwise. I don’t want to rule some stuffy, sunken kingdom that doesn’t care about me. I want to see flowers, eat something other than seafood, go on walks, and dance in a field full of lanterns.”

A long silence fell over them before Semi spoke up.

“So you want to be human?”

“Yeah.”

“Being a mermaid sounds sucky.” Semi stated.

Tendou frowned. “Kind of.”

“What do you mean?”

“The people are horrible. They’re so old-fashioned in their thinking. My dad still thinks I’m going to grow up to marry a nice mermaid and be the king.”

Semi scoffed at the thought of Tendou marrying a girl. How anyone didn’t immediately recognise him as queer, he will never know.

“But I love the sea. Not being under it, just being by the shore. It’s calm.”

How could you hate the sea so much but still love it? It confused Semi, but he didn’t ask. There were lots of things that he didn’t understand but knew existed. Love, how to cook, the Portuguese language, people who put the milk before the cereal.

“Okay.” He finally answered.

Another ping rang from his phone as Shirabu texted.

Shirabu<3: are you there

Shirabu<3: did you despawn like my sanity

Shirabu<3: idiot respond

“You should respond.” Tendou pointed out.

“Yeah, I got it.”

Semi: i live :)

Shirabu<3: do you want to meet up tmr? 

Semi: i thought you had to do hw or babysit

Tendou looked upon the moronic reply, horrified. “Semi, you idiot!”

“What? What did I do?”

“He’s asking you out! You should have just accepted and asked where he wanted to go! I swear to chat, how am I better at romance than you? I’m a social outcast!”

“Okay, okay! It isn’t a date or anything. We’re friends. Besides, how do you get that he likes me when he insults me constantly?”

“ You clearly like him.” Tendou shoved a finger in Semi’s direction. “Take that chance to meet up with your ‘friend’ that you won’t quit yapping about.”

“Fine, whatever! I have a small crush on him. Happy?” Semi admitted, exasperated.

“Far from it, SemiSemi.”

Shirabu<3: i have a day off and annoying you is entertaining

Shirabu<3: or maybe i should take the time to enjoy myself

Semi: wait no

Semi: come we can go to a cafe or smth

Tendou facepalmed. “And now you seem desperate. Great.”

“I didn’t know what else to do!”

“Rizz him up!”

“Why did I tell you brainrot terms! God, this is going to haunt me forever.”

“Yep.”

Shirabu<3: sure but it better have good coffee

The pair were shell shocked and silent, before Semi asked the question that had been playing through their minds.

“How the actual hell did that work.”

How much of a simp is Shirabu?

Sorry, the question playing through Semi’s mind. Tendou was appalled at Shirabu ignoring that loser move, but also agreeing to go out with Semi.

While the ash blond proceeded to turn several shades more like the merboy’s hair and tail, Tendou yoinked his phone and typed out a reply.

Semi: cool

Semi: its a date then

“Dude what? No, give it back!” Semi screams as he reaches over to snatch the device.

Shirabu<3: whatever

Shirabu<3: just dont die before dummy

Tendou shrugged, satisfaction creeping in his smug little grin. “Told you I was good at romance.”

“Shut up.”

“Fine.”

Chapter Text

Hello dear readers.

I've lost motivation slowly to write this fic, as well as having no time because my upload schedule heavily focuses on my other fic. With sadness, I will discontinue this fic. If you wish for answers on what was meant to happen, read the paragraph below;

When Tendou finally became a mermaid, it was a spell instead of a witch. The spell turned him into a mermaid for a 100 nights, but if he didn't have true loves kiss by then, he would become a sea glass statue. Tendou was meant to gain Shirabu and Ushijima as friends, eventually going to the shiratorizawa castle and playing in the flower fields. The next major plot point was that Oikawa was supposed to be engaged to Ushijima, since he had no current partner. Iwaizumi was supposed to be in love with Oikawa. A huge plot point was supposed to be Tendou and Ushijima sneaking out at night and playing on the beach where they met, and Tendou's moonlight smile, which Ushijima saw on the mermaid so long ago, was supposed to shock him into realising Tendou was that mermaid.

That was all I had plotted out so far. Again, I'm sorry about the cancelation. But who knows, I might rewrite parts of the fanfic into an actual book. Goodbye, wonderful readers.

-Cheesecurddragon