Ocean Blues

Hehehehehe… um…. Heya!

As much as I would love to say that I have an excuse… I don't. I was lazy, and I was out of ideas. I'm so sorry you guys had to endure such a long wait. I'll try to update more frequently than, you know, once every 3 months.

On an amazing side note: This story officially hit the 4K point! THANK YOU SO MUCH GUYS! It means so much to me that y'all enjoy my work, and I'll keep pushing to bring you updates!

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN SEKAIICHI HATSUKOI!

Enjoy the ride!

Takano Masamune was not one to obsess over anything.

Really, he wasn't.

But Ritsu seemed to have a talent for making the impossible possible (really, it's no wonder he fell so hard), and making the great Takano Masamune obsess over something was one such miracle.

It had been such a small thing. A stupid throwaway line that Ritsu had said as he was distracted by a nature documentary on jellyfish.

"I wish I could see them in person."

Ritsu didn't seem to realize what he'd said, too focused on the screen. His eyes were glowing with that beautiful shimmer that Masamune swore could blind him.

"You've never been to an aquarium?"

Ritsu turned his gems for eyes from the screen to his lover, his face a lovely hue of red. Embarrassment, perhaps?

"N-No. My family wasn't one for fun outings," Ritsu confessed painfully, and Masamune suddenly wanted to choke someone.

It was hard to get Ritsu to tell him what was wrong, but, after some time, he slowly started opening up to him. He told him little stories, small moments, and never in too much detail.

For once, he was glad. He couldn't stand seeing Ritsu sobbing openly in front of him. Ritsu had never cried in front of him, and when he did… Masamune heard his heart crack.

"Ritsu," Masamune started quietly.

Ritsu, his beautiful, strong, Ritsu, only smiled in response. Not wanting his lover to say anymore, he leaned in and placed a chaste kiss on Masamune's lips.

And, really, how could Masamune possibly think like that?

Despite Ritsu's attempt at a distraction, the thought remained with Masamune, appearing in his dreams at any given chance.

Usually, he dreamed of shining emeralds and bubbly laughter. He dreamed of a warmth in his hand and a touch on his lips, soft and delicate.

And every morning, Masamune woke up to his sleeping boyfriend, face relaxed and hair looking fluffier than ever.

This time, he dreams of stars within the darkness of the ocean. He feels the sand between his toes and the coolness of the water on his skin.

Then, a hand intertwines with his, and laughter sounds in his ears. When he turns, he sees Ritsu shine among the sea snow, the glowing algae giving him an unbelievably magical look.

He dreams of oceans and finding a treasure of emeralds.

When Masamune woke up, he was alone. He glanced around and felt for his lover, finding his side of the bed warm.

He sat up with a yawn and remembered his dream.

"Finally awake?"

Masamune turned his eyes to the voice, and couldn't resist smiling at the sight of Ritsu in one of his adorably large hoodies.

"What's this, my subordinate waking up before me? You insult me, Onodera."

Ah, yes. There was the usual "I really want to punch you" expression that greeted him at work.

"Whatever, Takano-san," Ritsu grumbled. "Get up, there's an hour left."

Masamune smiled at the spite in Ritsu's voice. One thing that would never change is Ritsu's never-ending annoyance with him.

"Not even a morning kiss for your boyfriend?" Masamune pouted falsely.

Ritsu sputtered out what sounded like very unflattering language, and turned to leave the room.

"Good morning to you too!" Masamune called to spite him some more.

When he received no response, he sighed. Ritsu was so mean, really.

And here he was, planning a surprise date for him.

Speaking of...

He already had a place in mind, a recently new aquarium that's known for its beautiful jellyfish display. He specifically picked it for that reason.

Masamune could honestly say that he wasn't really interested in aquariums. He'd been to one with his parents before things went to shit, and he had found it relatively mediocre.

This was different, though.

This wasn't about him. This was about Ritsu and making Ritsu happy.

If Masamune could give Ritsu a happy memory to override anything negative in his life, he'd take him on a million dates.

"Masamune, hurry up!"

Really, the things he did for love.

Ritsu let out a relieved sigh as soon as he entered their shared apartment. He didn't have to look back to know that Masamune was locking the door. As much as he hated to say it, Masamune would always be the more responsible one between them.

Not that he'd ever say that to his face.

Ritsu barely made it past the living room when a hand grabbed his waist and twirled him dramatically into a warm chest.

His face exploded in red. "W-What do you think you're doing, Masamune?"

Masamune grinned innocently at him. "I never got my morning kiss."

"Seriously? Would it kill you to grow up a little?" Ritsu grumbled.

Still, he made no move to get out of his lover's arms, nor did he stop the hand guiding him into a kiss. Their lips met in a passionate dance, neither one pulling away until the need for oxygen overwhelmed them.

Ritsu panted as his hands gripped Masamune's shirt, leaning his head against the wide chest embracing him lovingly.

He didn't need to look up to see the soft expression on his boyfriend's face, nor did Masamune need to look down to see his face was a blushing mess.

But they did anyway.

Amber eyes locked on jade green eyes. As they stared into each other's eyes, Ritsu found that he couldn't stand the distance between them and pulled the taller man into another kiss.

Masamune let out a surprised noise, and then he closed his eyes and tightened his grip on Ritsu's waist.

Surprisingly, Masamune pulled away first.

"As much as I would love to kiss you all day, we have other plans," He grinned.

He let his eyes shamelessly ogle Ritsu as he added, "Do please keep that on the agenda though."

Ritsu slapped the back of his head. "Pervert."

"Only for you, babe," He winked.

"Utterly shameless!" Ritsu sighed. "Why am I dating you again?"

"My dashing good looks and charming personality?"

"Yeah, right. Now, what was that about a plan?"

Masamune pulled away completely, dropping his work bag. "We're going out."

"To where?"

"You'll have to find out later. Come on, let's go."

Ritsu wasn't really paying attention to where they were headed, more focused on the excited smile on Masamune's lips. Ritsu's own lips twitched into a smile in response. This man's happiness was infectious, and Ritsu found himself not wanting a cure for it anymore.

He glanced back at the road when he noticed they were stopping. The area wasn't familiar, so it was probably some new place Masamune wanted to try out with him.

The passenger door opened, and the first thing he saw was Masamune holding out a hand for him.

"Ladies first," He grinned.

Ah, right. He forgot how infuriating his boyfriend was.

"You bastard-"

"I was joking, Ritsu," Masamune sighed. "Learn to take a joke."

"Calling me a lady is not funny."

Ever the walking contradiction, Ritsu took his hand anyway.

Masamune gazed at their linked hands for a minute. Ritsu's hands were so small compared to Masamune's, he feared he would break them.

"Masamune, where is this exactly?" Ritsu asked, his eyes curious.

The taller man simply pointed at the glaringly obvious neon sign. "See for yourself, dumbass."

Ritsu turned to look in the pointed direction, and his heart almost jumped out of his heart.

A giant neon bug-eyed whale stared back at Ritsu.

His heart racing, Ritsu looked to his companion. "You… You remembered?"

"Of course I did, dumbass," Masamune smiled softly. "How could I forget anything when it comes to you?"

God, he loved this man so much.

His face red, Ritsu tugged at their joined hands.

"Are you gonna lead me in or what?"

Masamune didn't need to answer that. He tightened his grip on his lover's small hand and led the way into the aquarium.

The two men stood out amongst the crowd of families and children, but they paid the stares no heed as they walked on, both their hearts racing.

Masamune glanced at Ritsu, and his face softened. Ritsu's eyes were wide with awe, looking all around them at the many displays. He looked so impossibly soft, Masamune wanted to gather him in his arms and never let him go.

"Masamune! They have penguins!"

And that's how they spent the next hour: Ritsu eagerly dragging Masamune wherever there was a display, and Masamune always following with a soft smile.

Because as much as he hated being dragged around, the sight of Ritsu smiling and laughing so freely was much stronger than his annoyance.

The amount of love he held for this man was impossible, but then again, Ritsu had always been good at proving him wrong.

Masamune glanced down when he felt another tug at his hand.

Ritsu was glancing at him with a small frown on his face. "Are you… Not enjoying yourself?"

Masamune's heart stopped. "No, No! I am!"

"Then why…"

Masamune took Ritsu's face into his hands and looked him in the eye. "You aren't a nuisance Ritsu. I brought you here because I wanted you to have a good time. Tonight is about you, not me."

Predictably, Ritsu's face flushed. Masamune could feel his heart speeding up through their linked hands.

"I… thank you, Masamune, but I want you to have a good time too!"

Masamune blinked in surprise. Slowly, he felt a smile grow on his lips. Onodera Ritsu really was something, thinking of others even when the day was dedicated to him alone.

What a man he's fallen for.

"Ritsu," he whispered.

Ritsu parted his lips to respond but stopped when he caught sight of what was behind Masamune.

"Masamune," Ritsu breathed.

He glanced behind him to see what caught Ritsu's breath and paused.

Of course. It was the very reason he had taken Ritsu to this place.

In front of them was a large tank filled with jellyfish.

In the darkness of the room, the jellyfish glowed a brilliant assortment of colors, with the algae creating the illusion of stars.

It was like looking into a whole new galaxy.

Masamune glanced at Ritsu's awed expression and admired the way his beautiful jade green eyes reflected something far more beautiful than the jellyfish.

Masamune's heart was ensnared, has been for 11 years now.

And when Ritsu turned to him, the blue of the tank reflecting on his skin, in his eyes, Masamune swore that he would never let this feeling go.

Ritsu reached out his hands and held his face softly.

"I love you, Masamune," he whispered.

And as Masamune whispered his own answer, there was only the Jellyfish to witness their love.