i was able to update faster than i anticipated because procrastination on schoolwork leads to productivity on fanfiction, i guess x)

He maneuvered the boat to shore and brought it in, parking it in the waters beside a small house. Misaki eyed it curiously. "Is this where you live?"

"No. I'm only staying here temporarily."

"Oh." Suddenly, Misaki found himself lifted into the air by a pair of strong arms and made a sound of surprise. "Wahhh! What are you doing?!"

"I'm taking you inside to treat your wounds. You can't walk, right?"

"Umm..." the brunette muttered, embarrassed that he had to be carried. "Sorry."

"What are you apologizing for? It's fine. I don't mind and you're really light." Akihiko's voice trailed off so that Misaki barely heard the words he mumbled at the end, "and I like holding you."

What the hell does that mean? he wondered as the silver-haired man carried him like a princess into his living space.

Akihiko set him down on a blanket and hurriedly gathered together some first-aid supplies, bandaging his wound.

"Sorry," he apologized. "I'm not very good at this."

"I-it's okay," Misaki reassured him. "Thank you for helping me…"
Akihiko smiled at him warmly and Misaki noticed for the first time the deep violet hue of his eyes. "You're welcome."

Misaki shivered as Akihiko's hands brushed over him, attending to his wound. The silver-haired man noted this and asked, "What's wrong? Are you cold?" He is naked, after all.

"No, it's actually quite warm… but your hands are cold."

Akihiko smirked slightly. "Sorry, but you'll have to deal with it for a bit."

"It's fine. It was just unexpected." Akihiko looked up from his attentions and suddenly noticed that Misaki's cheeks were pink. Cute…

After a while, Akihiko leaned back. There were a couple of other gashes on the boy's skinny body that had made him wince in sympathy as he saw them, and he had carefully dressed them all. He gave the boy a bag of ice. "Keep this on them if it hurts. It will help to numb the pain."

"Thanks." Misaki accepted the bag and pressed it to his arm. "I don't know how to repay you…"

"You don't have to do anything," Akihiko replied.

"But still…"

"Don't worry about it." Misaki shifted uncomfortably and Akihiko sighed.

"Stubborn."

"What? Me?"

"Yeah. You're the only one I could be talking about."

"...!" Misaki looked at him indignantly and Akihiko laughed.

"Well, if you really want to do something for me, you could answer some questions."

"Umm, okay," Misaki said nervously. "What kind of questions?"

"You don't have to answer if you don't want to, so stop being all tense around me."

"S-sorry." Akihiko patted the boy's silky hair.

"Seriously, don't worry. I won't force you to do anything, so just relax for today. You've been through enough." He picked the boy up again, and Misaki put his arms around his neck to stabilize himself. The arms withdrew quickly and Akihiko almost chuckled when he saw the embarrassment that made itself visible on Misaki's cheeks.

"I'm taking you to bed now so you can sleep." He gently set the mass in his arms on the sheets and he watched as Misaki unfurled from the ball he'd curled into upon being set down.

"It's really soft," Misaki said in admiration, stretching out. Akihiko took the bed sheets and drew them over his form, tucking him in.

"You can sleep. I'll order food tomorrow, but it's late right now so just rest."

"Mm…" Misaki was asleep in the bed before Akihiko even left the room.

The next morning, Akihiko ordered breakfast and delivered it himself to Misaki's room. The merboy was already awake, examining his surroundings curiously. He eyed the plate Akihiko held out before him.

"Is this for me?"
"Yes. I ordered plain omelette, since I don't know what you eat."

Misaki looked at it thoughtfully. "I've never had that, but I suppose if you can eat it I can too."

"If you don't like it, don't force yourself."

Misaki glanced at the utensils Akihiko was holding out to him. "What's this?"

"You use them to eat." Akihiko demonstrated with his own plate, sitting down at the edge of Misaki's bed.

"Ah, okay." Misaki handled them pretty well for his first time, and took a bite of the omelette. "This is good," he said, awe in his voice.

Akihiko laughed. "I'm glad. I enjoy it too, since it's commoner's food."

"Huh?"

"Nothing. Eat up and enjoy. If you need anything, just ask."

"Y-yeah. Thank you, Usagi-san."

"You're welcome," he said, flashing a brief smile at the boy before he left the room.

He waited an hour for the boy to finish, not wanting to rush him, although he was too eager to see him again. He reentered the room and found that the dish had been wiped clean of the food that was on it. Misaki looked at him in question.

"Did… you want something?"

"Right," Akihiko said. "I wanted to ask you a few questions."

"G-go ahead."

"No need to be nervous. Don't answer if it makes you too uncomfortable."

"Alright."

"How old are you?"

"Nineteen."

Akihiko frowned. I'm twenty-two, but I was eight when I was pushed by Haruhiko… so he was only five then? "Are you a good swimmer?"

Misaki looked offended. "Of course!"

Akihiko chuckled. "But there's one thing I really want to know…" he muttered under his breath.

"What was that?"

"When you were younger, do you remember helping a human in the ocean?"

Misaki's eyes widened. "I… helped someone once, because I ventured too far to the coast, and I found one of them… a human. My brother always told me to stay away from them, but I didn't listen, because it looked like he was going to die…" he looked down. "He was so small, even though he was bigger than me… I figured he couldn't hurt me, so I tried to take him to shore, but there were three bigger humans coming and I had to leave him and run before I got too far in. I… I don't know if he survived, I was too scared to look back… I was hoping the other humans would get to him instead."

Akihiko gulped.

"Usagi-san, are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Misaki." He hugged the small form in front of him as he was reminiscing and Misaki stiffened in surprise.

"Usagi-san?"

"Misaki," he breathed into Misaki's ear. "Thank you."

"Hm? For what? I should be the one thanking you."

"No," Akihiko said, his face buried in Misaki's neck. "Thank you for saving me that time."

"You…" Misaki started in wonder, "you're the one…? You're alive?"

"Thanks to you." Akihiko leaned back, staring into Misaki's eyes. A tuft of brown hair was draped in front of his face and Akihiko brushed it away, leaning closer until their foreheads bumped. He heard the sharp intake of breath from the other and leaned forward, meeting Misaki's lips.

"Mmph!" Misaki froze as Akihiko gently caressed his mouth with his own, his arms reaching around to embrace the boy who was shaking so timidly. The kiss was slow and relaxed, and after a moment Akihiko's tongue darted out to wipe across Misaki's closed lips, asking for permission. The younger boy regained his composure and shoved Akihiko away, a wild panic in his eyes.

I shouldn't have done that, Akihiko instantly regretted as he saw Misaki's expression.

"W-w-wha…why…?" Misaki stuttered terribly but Akihiko only found it cute.

"It was just a kiss," Akihiko muttered. I didn't even get to do anything. Why is he so flustered?

"But…" Misaki looked troubled.

Did he hate it or something? "What's wrong, Misaki?"

"That…you…" His cheeks grew rosy as he touched his lips. "You! You stole…" he trailed off, unable to finish.

Akihiko stared at him in disbelief. No way… "That was your first?"

Misaki blushed deeper, averting his gaze. Akihiko took his hand in his and kissed it, causing Misaki's gaze to dart back to him. "What are you doing?!"

"I'm glad I could be your first," he whispered, before turning and quickly leaving the room. Misaki was left on the bed, bewildered and blushing.

Damn it, Akihiko thought. Why did I have to go and do that? On sudden impulse… and I usually don't even like to kiss women, either. He stopped for a moment. But, I've finally found him… those eyes…

i hope you enjoyed this chapter! more coming soon. and thank you for the reviews :)