A/N: I have no idea what I'm doing with this fic.
The title probably makes this chapter sound much more grievous or solemn than it actually is :/
It took me a MONTH to get round to writing this short short chapter, because life gets in the way like that-
As expected, the rest of this fic shall now spiral into mediocrity and plot convenience-
Yay!
His lips were soft on his, his hands gentle, grip sure.
Daichi lost himself in the quiet spell that had been cast on him, so sweet and subtle. So lost was the captain in this impromptu embrace that he momentarily forgot the sole purpose of the lungs in his chest, and the great importance of air to complete that purpose.
The spell was broken by the quick resurgence of panic in the captain and his fear of drowning once more despite Sugawara's earlier rescue.
The kiss was also broken as Daichi pushed away from the siren, who had placed his hands over Daichi's eyes to prevent him from looking at his face, kicking his legs desperately in a futile attempt to reach the surface that was so disconcertingly far away from their current position.
Moments later, whilst Daichi fought to hold on to the little oxygen he had left as it stubbornly insisted on escaping his lips, Sugawara's pale arms slipped round his abdomen, holding him back and calming him in and oddly soothing gesture in the midst of his imminent demise.
"Breathe."
Daichi struggled weakly against Sugawara as he abandoned hope in a frighteningly uncharacteristic manner. He despaired at the very moment that he ceased to move his arms and legs any longer as his lungs protested the lack of oxygen.
Against his will, he did as his lungs demanded and inhaled deeply-
"The fear of drowning is a primal one. Daichi struggled against his inevitable fate as his lungs filled with water- the time frame was to quick to do anything, but it was... poignant."
Daichi gasped, then quickly exhaled at the excess of air he'd breathed in.
"Hmm-you're actually quite intelligent... Strong willed, more like. Self-aware. Anyone else would have clung to me till they fell unconscious."
How comforting.
"You can have this back now."
"At last!" It was strange- speaking, breathing underwater. Quite unnatural.
Sugawara had had the good grace to give him back his necklace. "W...What did you do? How am I breathing?"
"Well, that's a little sirens' secret, captain." He teased, grinning at Daichi's back at the sibilance-
"Question the miracle, and it's a miracle no longer. Enjoy the mystery while it lasts!"
"Alright then- but why have you brought me down here?"
"Why, for a tour of the ocean of course."
"Much obliged, Sugawara."
"My pleasure. Come with me, then."
"Really? Why am I here- really?"
"To find you something to eat- I wasn't joking about how difficult it'll be for you to find some driftwood- you won't be roasting anything anytime soon . And it's beautiful down here, you'll enjoy it, just wait. And don't forget the coral for your Hinata!"
Sugawara seemed such a cheerful person now that he had assumed the responsibility of ensuring Daichi's survival. "Oh, wait- there's also an old, old tree with a grape vine growing up it's trunk on the other side of the beach. Perhaps it will suffice, for now."
They didn't have to search too long - "Stay away from the fireweed, Daichi. It's effects are rather malevolent for algae. Poisonous, in fact."-before they found some edible seaweed that Daichi reluctantly swallowed down with a miserable look on his face-
"I'm sure this is nothing compared to the hearty meals provided by all your pirate booty, but for now, seaweed will have to do. Wait for the tide to turn, then hopefully, in the morning some driftwood will have floated ashore."
Daichi sighed, then only slightly hesitated to breathe in again. He still wasn't completely used to breathing underwater. "It's getting dark, Sugawara."
"I'm aware. I'll take you to the reef I call my home- where I live with just a few others. Before that though, there's something down there..."
There was something glinting in the distance once more, much like Daichi's necklace had.
"It's a shipwreck. An old one thankfully... Somehow a more recent tragedy wold be more painful to me than an older one..."
"There are probably chests full of loot spilled out onto the seabed. It might have been jewellery or gold that caught my eye. Maybe there are things to uncover down there. Wood."
"Wood?" Daichi was lost. This siren could be quite vague at times.
"Yes, rather than waiting an indefinite amount of time for driftwood to float in on the current- as that could be a day's wait or a fortnight's- we could dry the wood from the shop on the beach out in the sunlight and fashion a raft of some sort for you to leave this island on. I sincerely doubt you'll find your rescue in sitting on the beach, twiddling your thumbs. This location is quite hidden from most people."
"I see. I look forward to it then."
"Why is that? Are you not enjoying your amazing, once in a lifetime experience that you're spending breathing underwater and speaking with a siren?"
"No, no- that's not it at all. I look forward to finding my crew. It's just too early to leave them to their own devices at the moment."
Sugawara didn't tease him anymore. He could clearly see that his crew's predicament was currently of great concern.
He smiled. His friends would surely prove a great distraction for the troubled captain.
A/N: I'm so crap at coming up with titles for stuff.
Also there was a "50 % Off" reference in there- it was underlined italicised AND in bold so you didn't miss it.
It was a quote really.
50% off is a parody of Free! ( that one gay swimming anime) by Octopimp on YouTube and it's HILARIOUS-I haven't even watched the anime, but I love that parody.
On to the next chapter! (Disclaimer: it may or may not be a week's to a month's period before I actually write it. Oh well.)
