Zypher: as with many old ideas, i have wanted to do a mermaid story in the past. of course there were so many good ones out there, surely i couldnt compare or make something far removed from the commonplace "runaway sea prince finds human on land and has to choose between land and sea". but today, i bring you something a little different, a little darker. this isnt your cute little mermaid tale~
warning: mentions of drowning
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Day 8: Beware the siren's song for once they grasp you with their hypnotizing melody, you are bound to join them in their watery realm. This was a summer vacation where the line of myth and truth blur. What awaits Yugi under the shimmering surface of the ocean with a song so melodic yet dangerous...
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"It's summer!"
The rapturous cry came from a young boy of twenty who was absolutely ecstatic to be out on the beachfront property. It was a wide expanse of beach owned by his best friend's boyfriend who was, albeit reluctant, allowing them to stay for the summer there. Jounouchi of course was excited as long as he was well behaved and Yugi doubly so. It wasn't often he got to be this close to the ocean. "Hey Yug' we're gonna swim! Ya comin'?" Yugi turned back to the open door to see Jounouchi already dressed down in swim shorts with an inflatable tube in hand, Seto and Mokuba not far behind in their own though it was clear he taller brunet was planning to be as far from the sun as he can be with a beach umbrella in hand. Spoilsport. He waved them off, deciding he was going to take a walk down the strip of beach and perhaps do some shell hunting while he was there.
Jounouchi nodded before he and Mokuba bolted out the door with Seto trailing behind slowly with a grumble that the sun was too bright and the air too hot. He only agreed, rather threatened, to come or else the blonde would be withholding from him. Seto never backed down to no one but that was something he will do as it's his one escape from company work. And Jounouchi knew this but will be keeping an eye on his boyfriend to ensure he actually relaxes and not sneaking work into their vacation. Yugi chuckled at the thought as he walked along the shore, looking to the bright waters as they crashed with white seafoam along the shore. The place was beautiful and he was so happy that Jounouchi invited him along.
Yugi hummed softly as he walked along, soon finding himself a spot where a multitude of colorful shells rested in the sand. The lad was quick to get on his knees and sift through them, most sadly chipped or cracked in chunks. Yugi toiled in the sun for his little adventure and thought he'd come up empty when something coursed over the air. It was faint at first but even for how faint it was, it drew Yugi's head up from the shells. Slowly, he stood and his feet began to take him towards the sound, soon finding it to be a wonderful baritone that was singing. The words were unfamiliar but was clear he didn't have to know what the words mean for them to attract him towards them. He found a large outcropping of rocks that stretched out into the sea and upon them, there was a man sitting there. He couldn't see much except for his back and the strange familiarity of hairstyles even from behind but regardless of what little he was able to see, Yugi was gobsmacked.
The male didn't turn but the beautiful baritone was hauntingly hypnotizing. It called to him, washing over him with a blissful sense of tranquility. It made his palms sweat and his knees weak but Yugi dared not to interrupt, not wanting the spell to break. But for all the silence Yugi tried to keep, the figure on the rocks knew someone was there watching and peeked over his shoulder to reveal burning scarlet eyes that pierced right through his heart with a shock. Of pleasure? Of fear? Yugi didn't know what to make of it but it was clear the other was unafraid towards his presence. In fact, by the mild crinkle of amusement in his eyes, he welcomed it. Slowly adjusting himself to face the other male, Yugi drank in every feature of the one to reveal himself more.
Tawny skin gleamed in the sunlight, highlighting a finely tuned swimmer's body while strong cheekbones and sharp eyes shaped a handsome face full of allure and mystery. The unruly hairstyle, a match so close to his own, was a charming blend of ruby and obsidian, a mere shade of difference of his own magenta and raven, with golden bangs that framed his face with three bolts cutting through the expanse. Then those eyes, those deep scarlet eyes were drawing him in like a moth to a flame and was clear the other male knew this. A smirk crossed those perfect lips before parting and with it came the sweet grasp of an unknown song. Yugi felt alarm bells ringing, like something was off about it but despite the warning his rational mind was telling him, his body failed to follow those warnings and instead, started towards the male.
Completely draped in a veil pointedly focused on the mysterious creature upon the rocks, Yugi walked. A hand reached out as the song grew in strength, bringing him further under the spell but this left Yugi oblivious to a few things about this entrancing creature calling to him. One was the webbed fingers tipped with wickedly sharp claws that were made to rip and tear into something soft and malleable...like human flesh. The next was the jagged rows of teeth behind those pretty lips, shark-like in appearance, they too clearly made to cover what the claws can't do in terms of the same act of ripping and tearing into flesh. Eyes were alight with glee as the male continued to serenade Yugi closer.
Closer...
"Yugi!" A voice hollered from afar, breaking the spell as the creature snapped his jaws shut with an angry hiss, Yugi himself stumbling back and fell on his rear, hazy spots dancing before his eyes with the abrupt halt of the thralling song. Someone was coming, the male on the rocks noted as the taller blonde was coming their way. Looking down to Yugi once more, a smirk played at his lips. He'll find this sweet little morsel again. This may be a private beach but this entire strip was his territory. If the little one was making home here then he had full access to charm him again. "We'll be meeting again..." Was the faint whisper to go unheard from the dazed male on the sand as the figure on the rocks disappeared, the only thing that would've made one do a double take to his departure was the long tail of black with flecks of gold that followed him into the deep blue waters below.
"Yugi! Yugi...yo what happened to ya?" Jounouchi had asked upon reaching the smaller male, touching his shoulder. From that touch, everything came back with sudden clarity and Yugi glanced up to the rocks only to see nothing there. Was it a dream? No, Yugi was sure he was fully awake and saw a mysterious man on those rocks. A glance back to Jounouchi held question before he asked what was on his mind, did someone else live nearby? Jounouchi had shrugged, telling him that the entire strip was privately owned and the beach house they were staying in was the only place on it. "If someone did, hopefully they paid fer their land or Seto's gonna be furious of someone trespassin'." he spoke as he helped Yugi onto his feet, telling him that they were going to head over to the boardwalk for lunch.
"Yeah," Yugi began as he followed after the blonde, taking another glance back to the rocky outcropping. "Lunch sounds good."
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At the boardwalk, Yugi walked between Jounouchi and Mokuba, the two swapping stories right over his head as Jounouchi's arms were laden with a sizable selection of food. He couldn't just choose one place and Seto was essentially treating though he wasn't there with them. Yugi hummed as he bit into the candy floss that had caught his attention, his eager sweet tooth wanting the crystallized treat the moment his eyes landed on the cart selling some. "Ne, Katsuya-kun, did ya hear the stories that float around here?" Mokuba questioned and the blonde looked down to the smaller raven. Seeing the curiosity in amber eyes, Mokuba grinned as he started to tell the tale that was around the area. A tale so far-fetched, it was unbelievable, but the people believed in it and some of the missing persons posters that were around the boardwalk seem to validate the tale.
It was the tale of a roving siren that lived in the waters around the area.
Jounouchi snorted at the idea of a siren being real but Mokuba continued, telling him that people have heard the siren sing out at sea and anyone to follow the melody was eventually dragged to their watery grave. "It's spooky, ain't it?" Mokuba commented and Jounouchi chuckled. "Only spooky if ya really believe in it. C'mon, squirt, there's no such things as sirens. Those are jus' those seafarin' stories ya always read in books." Unknown to the two, they didn't realize Yugi had stopped as Mokuba told the tale. A siren...a creature of the sea that sings and draws ships into dangerous waters, wrecks them and partakes in the drowning men on board. Now the violet-eyed male would be on Jounouchi's side in believing the rumors to be just a mere fanatical tale that drew in tourists with the expectant idea that somehow, this infamous siren would appear to them like a roadside attraction.
But the very same...even if it was a brief instance of a memory before his mind went dark to a hazy sea of colors, Yugi remembered the song. Remembered the male on the rocky outcropping that looked at him with a coveted smile and alluring eyes that drew him in. Would it be foolish to think of that man to be a siren? Yugi shook his head before hurrying to catch up with Mokuba and Jounouchi. No, that was crazy. He was crazy to even think of such a thing. He was here on vacation, to enjoy himself after finally graduating from Domino High. This was a treat for himself and for Jounouchi, the latter one of the surprising ones when it came to graduating as many would think the blonde was incapable of actually making it. Feet padded over the worn wood of the boardwalk, below the sea sloshing against the barnacle and algae ridden pillars that held it up but deep within should one had been able to see down there...a dark form glided through the waters.
At first glance, one would've thought it to be a shark but even sharks feared to tread in those waters as long as the creature that many predicted correctly to live within their vicinity and take in the delicious fare of the ground dwellers. But a meal wasn't on the mind of the shadow carving through the water. Many footsteps echoed above, all similar, all going this way and that. Entering shops or tapping to the rhythm of some tune. However, the creature was following a particular set of steps. Flighty. Light. Distinct from all that wandered the same boardwalk. A hint of gossamer fins swept from the water, propelling the body faster and ahead of the target. Soon, it reached just where it wanted to be. A set of stairs that led down from the boardwalk and onto another beach. This one was populated with people so the shadows of the boardwalk would have to do but a grin split the creature's face as little Yugi walked down the stairs, following his friends.
Scarlet eyes watched him closely, observing every little bit of him. For as long as he patrolled these waters, that particular area where he perched on the outcrop was usually empty of visitors. He never thought the place was private as privacy was a concept he knew but hardly acknowledged with being an apex predator that even sharks wouldn't dare come near his hunting grounds. So it was to his surprise that his songs had attracted someone on the strip far from the boardwalk. And what a delight he attracted. A tongue passed over jagged rows as he sunk into the water, coasting over the shoreline as close as he was willing, keeping Yugi within his sight. The ground dwellers meant little to the siren, their purpose as they constantly flooded the beaches and waters that marked his territory nothing more than food. But this one, this young, supple treat that looks remarkably like him with the exception of being on land and heralding softer features grew into something different for the siren.
It was a rare feat as one could be so beautiful, with fair skin, bedecked in jewels and look like a king or queen and he'd still draw them underwater. Watching as their skin paled, their eyes roll and their heart ceased as lungs filled with saltwater. Oh what a fine show it was before returning to his grotto and feast on his prize. But for Yugi, this innocent little fare, he caught his attention differently. He was a real beauty, a treasure among trash. Something the siren wanted to keep forever. But he walked with the ground dwellers and doesn't seem particularly interested in getting into the water. A minor setback but one easily fixed. A change in pitch, an adjust in tones and he could sing an alluring lullaby that would bring this fascinating treasure to him. He was so close before until the loud blonde broke the spell.
A shame it was but the siren was plotting. He wouldn't let Yugi stay away for long and if he were like the other ground dwellers, he wouldn't allow him to leave. He spied on them as they stood along the shore, shoes discarded to allow the sea waters to run over their feet. The tall blonde had devoured his food like he hadn't eaten in weeks while the small child admonished him for his uncouth manners. And his little treasure just stood and listened to it all with a light smile, plucking at the floss before tearing some to eat. Their attention was skewed despite listening and answering each other. Perhaps he could draw the little one from them. Smirk present, the siren moved to deeper water, a trick often used to make himself look human at first glance and with eyes trained on Yugi still, lips parted and a song began to float upon the air.
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"So what's the plan for the rest of the day?" Mokuba asked. "Well Seto is lookin' to order out so how about pizza?" Mokuba was all for it, even suggesting a party outside to which Jounouchi agreed to and turned to ask Yugi the same when he found him gone. "Yugi?" Mokuba peeked around the taller blonde, seeing Yugi nowhere and his half eaten candy floss melting slowly in the sea water where he was last standing. This concerned the smaller raven, wondering if the stories were true and gripped Jounouchi's hand. We got to find him, Mokuba begged and it didn't take much effort to get Jounouchi moving with the smaller in tow behind him, using his height to his advantage to scan the beach and spot the familiar spiky head of his friend.
He was moving, feet shuffling quick over the sand heading towards the underside of the boardwalk. From the distance, calling his name would likely not be heard so easily and cursed, turning to Mokuba and told him to fetch their things where they left them before kicking up his pace now that he wasn't dragging the smaller boy behind him. With Yugi, he was maneuvering around people though he did find himself shoved a few times. Those people hardly registered to him as his mind was a completely blank slate. Violet eyes were pointedly focused on the location that was drawing his body to follow, ears filled not with the sound of the busy boardwalk or beach but a deep, seductive baritone. It sung sweetly to him, blotting the rest of the world from his ears so that it was the only thing he heard.
Yugi~, the voice called with his name mixing seamlessly within the song, urging his feet to move faster. He was practically running and in doing so, the siren raised himself from the water with a gleeful look upon his face, the song picking up with Yugi's urgency to follow it towards his sealed fate. It's working, it's working! The siren changed its haunting melody, inciting the deepest feeling of love and security, enticing Yugi that the siren is all he would ever need in his life and the poor lad with his mind entangled with the song practically believed it. Yugi was so close, could see the sharp face in the shadows of the boardwalk. See the scarlet eyes gleaming with a sense of victory and a hand reaching out for him to take but just as quick...
A larger body crashed into Yugi, bringing him to the sandy ground roughly. The siren's song abruptly cut, snapping its control like a thread from Yugi's thoughts and the smaller male moaned weakly. Amber eyes were drawn to the scarlet from under the boardwalk, a scarlet that held absolute discontent at what happened. Yugi was so close, almost reached him and with how inviting the siren was, would've dragged him under. Jounouchi was one to try and keep himself a source of bravery, especially when it came to Yugi and Mokuba, but this instance as he gazed deep into piercing scarlet...
He was absolutely terrified.
The locals weren't lying. They seriously weren't lying. A siren really did live in these waters and it was out trying to make a meal out of his best friend. Jounouchi gathered Yugi into his arms, slowly standing without breaking contact with the siren as he felt the risk in doing so would bring him harm but the other didn't move. It was until Mokuba showed up with their shoes and gasped upon seeing the siren did he finally leave with a single warning that was clearly demanding for no interference next time.
"Yugi shall be mine."
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"Fucking hell...what do we do..." This was the first thing to come out of the blonde's mouth upon returning to the beach house. The two headed inside and ignored the working male in the den as Jounouchi carried Yugi's unconscious body up to his bedroom to lay him down. Once that task was done, he settled himself heavily in a chair as Mokuba stood beside him. This was insane, the blonde thought. Things like mermaids—even if the one they encountered was a male...merman—and sirens aren't supposed to exist! They were fictional! Fantasy! Nautical tales spun by haggard old sailors that claim they saw these things with their own eyes and eventually revealed it was just drunken ramblings of seeing some seaweed or a fish. But this was the real deal. A siren lived in the area and was clearly bent on taking his friend.
But Jounouchi won't allow that, won't allow his friend to become an entrée to some freaky fish guy! But what can he do? Telling Seto was out of the question. He would think him just as insane as the whole deal itself even if the proof is in the pudding with Yugi's state. Mokuba was lost in thought beside him so he was out and going back into town or the boardwalk would have him sound like a raving lunatic if he tried to beg for assistance there in catching the thing. A hand ran over his face in exasperation. This was supposed to be a time for fun and relaxation, not turn into some B-rated horror movie of dumb teenagers getting picked off one by one from their drunken beach party by the monster of the film. Though in their case, they can omit the drinking part. What was he going to do? Mokuba shuffled on his feet before hearing Seto call for them to come downstairs and eat. The pizza had arrived.
Their plans for a beach party were cancelled immediately after the incident at the boardwalk, knowing well bringing Yugi outside while a siren was trying to charm him into the water was a bad idea. The blonde groaned as he went to stand, calling for Mokuba to come along and the two left Yugi alone. Downstairs, Seto was actually away from his laptop but sapphire eyes were looking out the kitchen window, scanning the area as if he were looking for something. "Seto?" Head turned to Jounouchi who watched him with a curious gaze and he gave a rare smile, telling him to park it and eat while he went to do a walk along the beach. Jounouchi was about to protest, thinking about the siren that could be lurking and surely wouldn't think twice to change his target to his boyfriend, and felt a tug on his arm.
"Come on, Katsuya, we can watch a movie together while we eat." Mokuba offered and that seemed to placate the blonde who sighed but agreed. "You two have fun and Katsuya, try to save some for Yugi if he wakes." Seto spoke before leaving out the back door and headed down for the beach while the two grabbed their pizza boxes and headed off into the living room. The brunet, upon reaching the beach, took quick strides towards the rocky outcrop that was nearby. He went with clear purpose in his strides and once he got there, he paused. Looking to make sure he wasn't followed, Seto glared at the rocks before giving a series of sharp clicks, arms crossed over his chest as he waited.
A splash of water and a head emerged from around the bend.
"Kaiba."
"Atemu."
The siren smirked as he swam out, greeting the other with a teasing tone in his voice. "My most trusted cousin. How is the ground dweller life?" he questioned. Sapphire eyes rolled as he spoke things were fine aside from the fact the siren was scaring the daylights out of Jounouchi. "I'd prefer you don't give my mate a heart attack. What are you even up to here?" The siren, Atemu, grinned as he went to pull himself onto the shore, enough where he could prop his body up and leave the luxurious obsidian tail with its gold flecks submerged to keep from drying out on the beach. Without a single bit of hesitation, Atemu spoke of why he was there. Seeing that someone was making home in what he thought was an abandoned shelter had him curious. So he had come from his grotto to sit upon the outcrop to see what foolish ground dwellers decided to camp into his territory and turn themselves in fodder for him.
"And to my surprise, it was you. Here with your brother and mate. I had planned to ignore you while I was singing...then I caught sight of your fourth guest." This piqued the brunet's interest. He had heard Atemu singing earlier that day, the usual song familiar to them that was catered to drawing prey towards them but he'd ignored it as he knew Atemu's game well. What he didn't factor in was Yugi who, at the time, was hunting for shells. He must've gotten close enough to hear Atemu and Atemu, upon seeing him, desired more than a quick bite to eat. As a responsible adult, he would tell Atemu to fuck off and not disturb his vacation but also knew his cousin well. Even if he did, the stupid siren that was his cousin won't leave without his prize once he deems one worthy of such. It was in their nature when food wasn't on their mind as the reason why Seto was on land himself.
A groan left the brunet as he looked back to the house, knowing Jounouchi and Mokuba were wisely distracted or, in truth, Mokuba was keeping Jounouchi distracted while he was having his conversation. This was supposed to be a calm and nice summer vacation. A reward to them for freeing themselves from the hell that was school and not having life take precedence, at least for Seto who was practically never there but had the strings pulled that he committed to the human education while managing the company in which he gained by even more string pulling and a feasible lie of the previous head of the company passing away. He was a disgusting human being inside and out but his skull made for a nice mantelpiece in his room once decorated to avoid scaring Jounouchi that it was in fact, a real human skull. "So, it's without a doubt your lurking around these parts because you desire the small Motou." A tail flicked a spray of sea water at Seto who huffed in annoyance.
Of course he was. And as Seto expected, Atemu won't leave until he made his claim. A stubborn prince even when self-exiled from their old community. A hand ran through the short brown locks, taking another glance back to the beach house. His mate would be furious if he knew any of what was going on. He was a spitfire to challenge even the most ornery hammerhead but, Seto thought, this is what made him come to land in the first place. His hands were tied but at least he can soothe the ache that would be his friend making home in the ocean with his cousin. If Atemu was this determined in his claim, Yugi will be taken care of well. Probably disoriented that he will be moving from land to sea but taken care of.
"Fine. I'll turn a blind eye to your courting, however you plan to do so. But claim him in five days' time. At least let my mate spend time with Yugi before you take him." Atemu smiled a warm smile and agreed as he started to bring himself back into deeper waters. "But with one request. Shed your ground dweller disguise for one night and join me for dinner. It's been much too long considering distance but at least now, I know where you live. I haven't seen Mokuba in so long either." Seto was quiet for a moment before a smirk spread over his face, stripped out of his day wear, setting it somewhere where he was sure Jounouchi wouldn't be able to find it should he wander out looking for him. Seto joined Atemu in the water, disappearing underwater with the other following. It wasn't long before a cobalt tail with silvery lines flashed above the surface followed by a black and gold one as the two sirens swam off for the boardwalk.
This was prime time for the foolish drunk ones to party on the beach, minds hazed with their alcohol and leaving them so easily susceptible to their dreadful songs to draw them into the sea and right into their claws.
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The next morning, Yugi woke with a groan, rubbing his head as he went to sit up. "What happened..." he mumbled, smacking dry lips as he looked around. He was back in his room but he didn't remember ever coming back to it yesterday. A moan left Yugi as he plopped back onto the bed, closing his eyes to remember what happened. The door opened to reveal Seto stepping in with a glass of water and some aspirin. A kind gesture and one strange when it came to the brunet but if he had to hazard a guess, it was Jounouchi or Mokuba that asked to deliver the medicine to the waking boy. Yugi thanked him, taking both as he sat up to take them.
"Katsuya told me you passed out at the boardwalk yesterday. Hope the heat isn't going to kill your vacation." Yugi pouted, sipping slow at the water thought what Seto told him hardly sounded right. He was sure he was fine at the boardwalk but there was a gap in his memory. It didn't help that his dream was nothing but a sweet yet sinful melody that called him to the ocean paired with scarlet eyes. Did he see that man again? But it was so strange though that every instance was met with haunting melodies made to put him at ease that nothing in the world mattered as long as he was going towards that voice. It was like the man was some sort of siren but that was just foolish to think of. That tale Mokuba told them must be messing with his head. Once he was feeling up to standing, Seto motioned for him to head on downstairs before Jounouchi ate everything off the table.
Yugi chuckled and nodded as he ran off to join Mokuba and Jounouchi for breakfast. Once he was gone, Seto moved to the window to gaze outside, knowing full well Atemu was milling about outside waiting and watching for the smaller male to appear. He was told in little detail what he had planned in regard to his courting since he had been interrupted twice in serenading Yugi into his claws but he had his job by the time the five days were up. Personally, Seto will admit that he didn't expect Atemu to remotely find interest in anything. After all, pursuing a mate was the reason they both left their kingdom. Sirens there were too full of themselves and their singing. To them both, they were all tone deaf in comparison to the two but were so sure their melodies were to mesh. Jounouchi may not be a singer but what he lacked in voice was made up in grit and moxie. To challenge him at first sight was enough to make the siren want to tame such a golden creature filled with fight.
He just hoped he was right in what he expected of Atemu in taking care of Yugi. He may not be close but as a close friend to his mate, he wouldn't want any harm to come to Yugi. moving from the window, Seto made his way downstairs to join the others for breakfast though his meal only consisted of a couple slices of toast with butter.
Last night's buffet would keep him full until lunch.
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Early that afternoon, the three were back out under Seto's supervision as they gallivanted off into the water to roughhouse and play. Yugi felt loads better compared to the morning and the water was absolutely refreshing. He laughed as Mokuba sent a wave of water at him, brushing away the droplets and went to follow after him. Jounouchi snickered as he watched, both missing the dark shadow from afar that lied in wait for them to be distracted long enough. Seto sat up when he saw it and groaned. Of course he couldn't stay away. With a whistle to turn Jounouchi's attention towards him, Seto waved for the blonde to come over and Jounouchi did so, leaving the two to continue playing in the water. With him gone, Atemu smirked as he drifted closer to the splashing duo.
In his hands he held a medallion, the shining gold polished to a radiant shine. A spoil from a sunken barge and part of his personal collection of effects he kept around the grotto. Atemu obviously wouldn't just give such treasures to anyone but for Yugi, he would entice him with treasures and simple delights of the sea until the time came. Peeking out from the water, Mokuba caught sight of him and gasped audibly before covering his mouth as Yugi looked towards him in confusion. "What's up, Mokuba?" The smaller boy looked between him and Atemu though the siren held a finger up to his lips, a call to keep him silent before he raised his other arm. The medallion sailed, striking Yugi in the arm before plopping into the water and Atemu was gone from sight the moment Yugi turned to see what had hit him.
The glittering item in the water had him gasp in awe as he knelt down to pick it up. A thumb ran over the golden surface, over the etched carvings and wondered how something so clearly ancient was like new. Mokuba walked over to look at the medallion, wondering what would have Atemu pull something so rare from his collection. "A gift from the sea. It's usually rumored that when one receives something so wholly intact, it's for courtship." Mokuba hummed, a mere rumor by Yugi's standards but he spoke truth and was rather surprised that Atemu would be courting at all as courtship was the reason he and his brother left home to begin with.
But, the raven-haired boy revealed hidden siren surmised, if Seto found himself happy living on land to be with Jounouchi, then with the right incentive, Yugi will find himself happy with Atemu in the sea. At least, that's what he was hoping for. They did keep their heritage a secret from them both and sirens were but stories and myth to the common human. If Seto decided to reveal what they are to Jounouchi after all this time...he could only hope Jounouchi will still like them. "Courtship, huh? Seems strange that a medallion of this quality would be found out here but it's too pretty to pawn off." Yugi murmured, slipping the chain around his neck and smiled. Atemu had watched this from afar and smirked.
His courtship gift was accepted, now everything else will fall into place easily.
0
The day continued with little interruption and the rest to follow just the same. When Yugi headed out to the beach though, he had found something of immense value laid within his path. From pretty shells with iridescent coloring to treasures unimaginable like pearls and precious jewels. All were laid out for him to find and Yugi began to wonder who or what could be leaving such extravagant things just for him to find. He knew for certain it wasn't Seto. To have something like this just lying around would be completely asinine and Seto was smarter than that. Yugi sat on the sand, beach towel spread out underneath him as he looked at his recent acquisition upon shell hunting earlier. A beautiful ruby gem settled in the palm of his hand, shimmering in the setting sunlight. Jounouchi was manning the grill, a promise made to Yugi about having hamburgers off the grill for dinner while they were at the beach house. It was such a beautiful piece and Yugi couldn't imagine anyone just throwing it away like this. "Rare things dredged from the ocean. A sign of courtship. But to me of all people? Surely they jest." Yugi mumbled, sorely considering throwing the ruby back to the ocean.
While the lad wasn't overly pessimistic, there are times where he would be and this was one of them. He wasn't an attractive kid back in school and many would tell him that. They thought of him too childish looking and paired with his love of games, it just nailed the point home that he'd never find a date, a girlfriend or even a boyfriend once his curious mind found that peculiar guys were rather charming. But back to the jewel, Yugi thought as he looked back to the gem in his hand. A fine treasure like this didn't belong in his hands. He wasn't worth even a fourth of this jewel's price. Yugi cocked his hand back in preparation to do just that when a voice spoke up from behind.
"Are you really gonna throw it back? That would be an insult to your admirer." Mokuba piped up as he came to sit beside him. Yugi looked to the smaller boy, wanting to ask how he was so sure that there was an admirer leaving the expensive treasures on the beach for him. Not only that but leaving them on a privately owned beach knowing full well that Kaiba tolerated no trespassers. Before he could ask, Mokuba began to speak again. Do you believe in sirens, he had asked and Yugi tilted his head in curiosity. He'll admit to not being a firm believer of mythology but wouldn't say he was completely against learning all the different stories passed down from a creature's creation to exist in the world to their purpose no matter how malicious or frightening it was. They weren't real so one didn't have to be concerned of the fae who tricked with one taste of their food to bind you to their realm or the trickster kitsune that played and lied among the people in the towns they frequent.
"I would say I don't with stories always being just that, stories. But why do you ask, Mokuba?" A forlorn smile crossed his face, grey eyes dimmed with a long ago memory as he spoke. Many would always point out that things like sirens and mermaids, two completely different creatures, he expressed bitterly, weren't real. They were always a jolly sailor's tale for the masses to hear and imagine they were real and not as threatening as the really old stories portrayed them. Conditioned to seem innocent and gentle by media and fantasy renditions that separate their predatory nature. "But the truth is...what if they were real as the stories that are told about them? And if one comes to you with a proposal that sounds strange but beneficial in making you happy...would you believe it?" Mokuba finished and Yugi was left silent.
This wasn't just a childish ramble but a well thought out and deep moral consideration. It would be wrong of him to challenge Mokuba's words that sirens just couldn't be a thing but as he sat beside the silent child, rolling the ruby in his palm, Yugi began to question if it were really true...
Do sirens exist?
"Guys, c'mon! These burgers are on fire!" Jounouchi called which gained a vehement shout from Seto warning him that they better not be on actual fire or he will take his grilling privileges away for the rest of the summer. Yugi snickered at the thought before he stood. "Mokuba," Yugi began as the raven-haired boy looked towards him. "If sirens do exist and I somehow come across one, I won't deny the truth before me as mere fantasy. But if what the stories do say about them are accurate, let's hope I'm fortunate enough to beg for my life and be able to slip away from being a meal. At twenty years, I don't want my tombstone to have "eaten by a siren" written on it." Mokuba chuckled and nodded as Yugi went to head over to where Jounouchi was having a small verbal spat about jokes with Seto and when he was out of range did he turn his head back to the water.
Mokuba smiled and waved to the siren that had his head peeking from the surface and Atemu waved back. "Thanks, little cousin." he whispered, a tone so light but with their good hearing, Mokuba heard it easily and nodded, standing from the sand. "Promise to take care of him, Atemu. He means a lot to me just as he does Katsuya." he whispered back before he headed up the shore to meet with the others for dinner. "Of course, little cousin. You know the rules as much as I~" Atemu whispered before he was gone.
Tomorrow was the day.
0
It was another warm, sunny day and both Yugi and Jounouchi were ready for another day of play in the ocean. Seto was already outside, sitting on a lounge chair with a book in hand though his eyes weren't on the page of words. He had to be prepared for what was going to happen fairly soon. Mokuba had come to him knowing what would happen as well and asked if he would explain to Jounouchi about everything. To be fairly honest, he rather not have to spill a whole world of secrets but knowing for sure that Jounouchi had seen Atemu at least once and that Yugi would not be coming back to land, to speak of their secret world was inevitable. He just had to trust that the blonde would shut up long enough for him to get everything out on the table. Or, in the worst case, keep his fists from flying for his face.
"I got the beach ball! Let's have fun!" Was the jovial cry from the blonde as he ran for the ocean waters with Yugi close behind. Mokuba was slowly trailing after them, sharing a glance with his brother, and watched him nod. This was it. The splash of water disturbed the serene surface as Jounouchi headed out as deep as his waist, holding the ball and bounced it towards Mokuba with his fist. Mokuba bounced it back happily before glancing towards Yugi who was heading out towards Jounouchi and in the distance...a flip of an obsidian tail with gossamer fins. Prompt as always but he expected no less when it came to a courting siren. But ignoring the presence of the other for the time being, they continued to play with the beach ball, often losing it further and further out where the only one that could really get to it without being neck deep in the sea was the blonde.
Yugi was all bright smiles and playful wit as he hit the ball towards Mokuba who tried to jump for it but it sailed over his head. Jounouchi laughed before running off to get it and the moment he had separated himself from the two did it begin. Yugi blinked as the soft, sonorous hum of a familiar baritone filtered into the salty sea air. He looked around quickly before seeing a stir of bubbles in the distance as a head rose from the glistening surface. Waves crashed around the male who invaded his every thought and dream, rising further from the water and with it, the song grew in strength. It ensnared Yugi in the sweetest melody, a call to him to finally meet. Those scarlet eyes watched him, drawing him further into the spell and Yugi found himself swimming towards him.
Jounouchi grabbed the ball and was ready to resume the game when he saw Yugi swimming and curious of where he was going had him follow the path. His blood froze in his veins when he saw the figure from the boardwalk. How...when...he thought it was just a dream! A joke played from the heat or one of the locals out to scare tourists! But there was no mistaking it. The enthralled gaze in Yugi's eyes, the grin on the siren's face as lips continued to sing a harmonious, deadly tune to bring Yugi closer to him. Fucking hell, he wasn't about to lose his best friend like this! "Yugi!" Jounouchi called but this time, Atemu wasn't disturbed by the loud voice of the other. He continued to sing, continued to enchant Yugi to come out further into deeper waters and Yugi followed the command obediently. With no stop to the course of things, Jounouchi was ready to bolt after him when he felt strong arms settle around his waist, locking his arms in place causing the plastic ball to drop from his hands. He whipped his head around to see Seto there, unaware he had even come out and was ready to scream at him to get Yugi from that monster.
But too late was the chance to react.
Out far enough, Yugi kept himself buoyant, Atemu pleased as he circled around his fair prize still whispering his sweet melodic words. Jounouchi struggled in the brunet's grip, trying to free himself, eyes wide in horror as he saw the black tail flip from the water, a light caress over Yugi's skin, as he gave one last pass around him then glanced over to the two. No longer was his façade that of a mere human posed at sea but the true siren underneath. Sharp eyes with narrowed pupils and a grin harboring jagged rows met frightened amber. A clawed hand caressed a soft cheek that leaned into the affectionate gesture before the siren dove into the water, leaving nothing but silence before Yugi was dragged under and the scream to tear from the blonde's throat nearly deafened the two other sirens nearby.
"Seto! Fuckin'...lemme go! We have ta save him!"
"We can't."
"What do ya mean we can't?! If we don't, he's gonna drown!"