The Sample Platter

Chapter 10

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There was always one event throughout the year that Atemu enjoys most since leaving home. Well, two if one accounts for crowded beaches teeming with delicious ground dwellers during the summer. You think they would be much smarter about their approach with so many missing person reports posted all around. Such clueless, little fodder. However, they were second to a more promising event for the siren this time.

Spawning day. The territory would become abundant with fish passing through. A practical smorgasbord to feast upon for a few days. Yugi, still a budding siren, has never been a participant to such. He would enjoy himself, feeling his primal drive skyrocket as he chased to his content. The waters were warm enough to promote the season further, making Atemu work to prepare early so they could get the best catches.

While he knew well that no one would dare wander so close, he still had to keep his wits about him. He knew well enough some of his home's hardships when it came to food. There was much to say about home but Atemu made to put it behind him. The problems of the kingdom weren't for him to worry about.

If they were smart, they would fix their own problems. For now, his focus was getting his mate up and ready. Moving to the vanity to put on a few choice gems for decoration and setting out some for Yugi, he grinned then turned to his slumbering mate. He swam over, looking over his sleeping face lovingly.

Yugi was such a beautiful specimen. Gorgeous with his lavender tail and milky skin. And his eyes, like glowing gems to rival all the treasures in the royal vault. He chose well and he will make sure to show off whenever he can, even if he had no audience to show Yugi's beauty. "My pearl, you are a delicacy~ My mouth waters to sup on your rich perfection. Alas, I must behave for the season is upon us." A bejeweled hand caressed his cheek softly.

"Wake up, Yugi~ Join me for a seasonal banquet~"

The body in bed shifted, amethyst eyes revealing themselves to the world as Yugi sat up. "Mm, Atemu...what hour is it?" A yawn punctuated his question, making the siren smile. He said nothing more, only urging the smaller siren to rise and greet the day, bringing him over to the stone vanity to get him ready. Yugi held still as Atemu spruced him up til he was glowing, adding on gems and a splash of silver to add to his radiance.

Yugi was curious about it all, wondering if they were secretly meeting someone. Something that he didn't expect of Atemu for all the efforts to make sure that no one uninvited entered their territory. He had mentioned something about a feast and the thought of food made his stomach growl. When Atemu finished, he smiled at the reflection in the mirror, resting his hands on Yugi's shoulders.

"Look at my beautiful siren~ Don't think I could keep my hands or teeth off you when you look so scrumptious~"

"Well if you want dessert, we have to have this entrée you speak of." Yugi teased, observing the twin reflections in the mirror. Both were not fully bedecked in gems and precious metals but they still looked the part of nobility for a siren. Yugi knew there were groups of sirens, pods he supposed he would call them, out there. Atemu even mentioned his first home once or twice which promoted others.

The idea of swimming into a crowded place, richly decorated, promoting themselves as rulers to their own kingdom. One that saw no invasion from others due to their fierce loyalty and protection of their home. Atemu built his space from the ground up and invited Yugi and Yugi alone into it. How jealous would they be, knowing what he had they couldn't receive?

Yugi pushed the thought aside, promising to think on it more when Atemu pulled away. "Come now, my pearl. We don't want to be late for the engagement." The small siren followed, both swimming out from the grotto with Atemu leading their small procession. The waters were warm and bright with the sun, announcing it must be close to mid-afternoon.

They swam with ease through the open waters, a small mackerel or two flitting by with their silvery scales catching Yugi's eye. He wanted to snap at it, catch it by the tail between his teeth and offer it to his mate as a small appetizer. Atemu made sure he wasn't led astray. Better awaits us, he claims for each diversion of Yugi's attention from the path ahead.

Yugi pouted but followed after him, watching their surroundings change bit by bit until he noticed they were leaving well past their territory line. The idea of such made Yugi bristle. Being outside the territory meant they were free game to others. Anyone who wandered into theirs would know punishment should they not disperse. Equally, the same goes for them if they wandered into someone else's.

So what does Atemu have that urges them out of the safety of their home? He wouldn't get an answer by asking so all he could do is trust his mate. They both could fight and will fight to the death if need be. Atemu looked to him, a single swipe of the tail touching Yugi's own to calm him. The siren could sense the worry and tenseness coming from his mate.

He had done this trip every season and never had any misfortune befall him. Sure, anything could happen at any time, the deep ocean blue unpredictable even to him. But this was Yugi's first and Atemu aims to make it the most pleasant season for him to come back and enjoy just as much as he does. "Atemu, how much longer? I'm so hungry." Yugi whimpered, swimming closer to his mate to grasp gently at his arm.

"Not much longer, my pearl. In fact...look ahead."

Yugi blinked then turned his gaze forward. His eyes widened when he saw a school of bream larger than what he would find closer to home. The smaller siren nearly shot for them, eager to dig his claws into the hearty red scales and gorge happily but was once more held back. Yugi whined petulantly at his mate, Atemu only chuckling and nodded, darting forward now. Yugi followed after him, passing the delicious red sea bream and when the other siren stopped, Yugi's eyes took in the sight before him.

Atemu wasn't joking when he said this was a seasonal smorgasbord. Fish that were hard to find were gathered to this one spot. Sea bream, amberjack, tuna, all of it plus some of the smaller varieties that were too common around home were there. Atemu grinned, watching the glow of his mate's face as he expressed he didn't know for sure what brought these schools here but coming upon them one day was one of the best days of his life.

Food was abundant, it was a secluded location as far as he knew as he never encountered other sirens finding or following the schools to this particular location. Thus, this spot was reserved for Atemu and now, he came to share it with Yugi. "We can stay here for a few days. Eat to our heart's content. Enjoy ourselves~" Atemu offered, wrapping his arms around him. "This will be our little secret. We live alone, sure, but the less anyone knows, the more personal this place is. Just for us."

"Atemu, you are much too kind to me. This place, it's amazing. Everything is so fresh and alive." Yugi whispered before turning to the other with an eager expression. "Can I go eat? Please, please, please?!" Atemu laughed, his mate energetic as a pup. How was he to ignore his mate's hunger? After all, a full mate is a happy one and a happy one keeps to his promises. He licked his lips at the thought of dessert, nodding and waving Yugi off.

"Go, enjoy the seasonal banquet, my pearl. When you're finished, come back to me."

"Of course, my king~"

Yugi came forward, nuzzling Atemu with a purr. A deep bellow matched him from Atemu, the siren pressing lips to his cheek before waving him off to enjoy himself, and enjoy he did. Yugi was a dart in the schools of fish, tearing and ripping through prey like a whirlpool of destruction. So often he returned to his mate, bringing an offering to hand feed him. Atemu savoured every fish brought to him, rewarding his mate with an affectionate nuzzle.

Yugi cherished the attention, drowning in Atemu's affection and dedicating to bring more to the alpha siren happily. He aimed to please, practically quivering with elation when both ripped an unfortunate mackerel in two between their teeth, lips brushing together to lap away the remains. The numbers within the schools hardly diminished, scattering when the hungry siren plundered through them, leaving more and more for them to come back to later.

Once Yugi had his fill, he came back to Atemu waiting for him, exceptionally pleased by his performance. He showered Yugi with praise, a true siren at heart, and Atemu was permitted to the promised dessert, marking and loving his mate with little shame to being out in the open.

This was their private paradise, their seasonal banquet to feast and frolic as they desired. When they had fulfilled their days of the season, the schools beginning to cower and scatter from the sirens to never come back to that particular spot, they took what they wanted back to the grotto for later. Yugi excitedly talked about everything he bore witness to, tackling Atemu once comfortably back home.

"Thank you, Atemu, for sharing such a paradise with me."

"Of course. It's one of the best seasons I've come to enjoy once I found home here. Another takes precedence over that but we still have time before it arrives. And that too, will surely become a favorite that you'll adore~"

Yugi can only imagine what other season he had in mind. But as Atemu said, that was for another time. Right now, he was tuckered out and ready for a nap. Yugi curled up in their spongy nest swathed in towels, making himself comfortable. He felt the nest shift, his mate joining him with his body encircling his smaller frame.

"Sleep tight, my pearl."