Chapter Text
Yuuji shimmied himself lower into the water and smiled.
Every few years Yuuji came to land, a reprieve from the sea. He found a cove with a peaceful stretch of beach, and a town nearby. Though, his favourite place was the secluded spring tucked into the trees down a winding path. He rarely swam in freshwater, so this spot was a treat.
He quickly glanced to make sure his pelt was still visible, hanging in the low branches, before he closed his eyes and dunked his head under.
The water was cool, but not like the ocean. The ocean was the kind of cold that kept out intruders. This was the kind of cold that made the air in your lungs feel crisp. He emerged with a sigh and ran his hand through his hair, smoothing out the droplets. The water was clear, and the sun was high in the sky. Yuuji smiled at the clouds, it was like his own little paradise. His pelt was still there.
He wasn’t one to fret over his pelt constantly, but he was taught to be cautious. It served him well so far, so the habit was hard to break, even if he found it kind of obsessive.
A few hours passed before he reluctantly pulled himself out of the water and wrapped himself back up nicely. He didn’t bother drying off, he was just heading back home anyway. Maybe he’d stop on the beach and watch the sunset. He had a slight bounce to his step as he walked down the forest path. He whistled a tune at a small bird as he passed and got a tweet in return. He smiled wide enough that his cheeks hurt. He loved land animals, they were cute, especially the little fluffy ones.
He breached the treeline and stopped dead in his tracks when he saw a human man staring at him with wide eyes. Yuuji subconsciously wrapped his arms around himself protectively. There were a few too many beats of silence before the man smiled sheepishly and rubbed the back of his neck. “Sorry for staring miss.”
“Sir.” Yuuji corrected quickly, which made the man’s head tilt but he nodded and tucked his head apologetically. The scar running horizontally across his forehead caught Yuuji’s eyes.
His voice startled Yuuji into looking away from the scar, “You’re quite beautiful sir.” He flashed a bright smile that made Yuuji’s stomach flutter. His hair was dark black, inky strands hanging well past his shoulders. His bangs were pulled back into a messy bun, and he had a strand loose near his temple. His eyes were narrow, but curved like he smiled a lot. Yuuji couldn’t help it, he smiled back.
“Thanks!” He didn’t drop his arms from around himself but he relaxed slightly. The man was tall, dressed in dark clothes, and was standing beside an easel. Yuuji blinked, then stared at the easel and the canvas on it. The man had a palette in his hand, and a brush in the other. “Are you a painter?” Yuuji blurted.
The man’s eyes crinkled and he chuckled, still smiling. “It’s just a hobby of mine. It passes the time surprisingly well.” His voice was kind of like a song, and Yuuji felt entranced. “I’ve never seen you before?” The man quickly looked him up and down, then back at his face. Yuuji knew it, he’d have to make sure this man didn’t steal his pelt. “My memory can’t be so bad as to forget you.” He had a playful lilt and he looked back at his painting. He clicked his tongue and frowned, and even if Yuuji knew he should march right by and go home, he felt curiosity bubble in his stomach.
“What’s wrong?” He ventured cautiously, trying to shuffle toward the beach.
“If it’s not too forward, could I paint you?” The man had one hand on his chin thoughtfully and was glancing between his painting and Yuuji.
Yuuji couldn’t help his jaw dropping, “That’s what you ask for? Is this some trick? Start small, lure me in, then, Whoosh! Steal me away?” He waved his arms for effect, gesturing inland. To his surprise the man looked baffled. “Do you even know what I’m talking about?” The mirthful look on the stranger was morphed completely to pleasant confusion. Yuuji’s thoughts were struggling to catch up to the realization.
“Why would I take you away, we’ve only just met.” The man furrowed his brows, but seemed to be amused nonetheless.
“You have no idea? Really? Wow.” Yuuji dropped his guard and just stared dumbfounded. The man tilted his head, pursing his lips. “No, no, it's not a bad thing! I’m just used to people knowing what I am and trying something.” Yuuji put his hands up between them and shook his head.
“Well, I shouldn’t break the mould too much then… What are you, and why am I stealing you away?” He had an impish smirk and a glint in his eyes. He was playing.
Before Yuuji could figure out how to react his mouth moved, “A selkie.” Yuuji scratched his neck and wobbled his head back and forth, “I’m from the ocean. I’m kind of like a seal?” He winced, “But not. I don’t look like a seal right now. I can have legs on land. And a human head and stuff…” The man stared at him blankly for a moment. Yuuji scrunched his nose up, he was bad at this. “Doesn’t matter, I’m not human.”
“Hm…” He seemed to think about it for a second before he blew his bangs out of his face in a large exhale. “Well, Selkie, I’m not sure what that means, but could I paint you?” He tilted his head and wiggled the paintbrush between his fingers.
Yuuji wasn’t sure what he expected, but he was kind of pleased with this outcome. He wouldn’t tell this man about his weakness. He was safe. “I don’t see why not, I was going to watch the sunset on the beach anyway.” He smiled then startled and shoved his hand out, “Oh! I’m Yuuji by the way, you don’t have to call me ‘sir’ or ‘selkie.’” Belatedly he realized they were just a tad too far apart to shake hands comfortably.
The stranger took a step and gently took his hand, “You can call me Kenjaku, it’s a pleasure to meet you Yuuji.” He exaggerated a bow, holding their hands aloft and Yuuji couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled out of him. Kenjaku looked up at him with a wink and a fox-like smile. Yuuji’s heart skipped a beat and he quickly took his hand back. His skin was definitely too hot. Did Kenjaku notice? He groaned inwardly. Kenjaku stepped backward toward his easel again and nodded at Yuuji.
Yuuji scampered toward the beach and stopped when he got on the sand. It honestly wasn’t too far from where the easel was set up. “Where should I sit? Lay? Should I lay down?” He was probably too excited about this, but he didn’t care. He was going to be painted! This was the coolest thing that had happened to him in a long time. The last time was when he managed to get an octopus to ride on his back for a whole day.
“Right there is fine, and you can sit. Face the sunset. Perfect.” Yuuji wiggled into position and arranged his pelt nicely around himself, he wanted it to look nice for the painting. Should he stretch his leg out? He decided he would. He glanced toward Kenjaku, who was watching him with a heated gaze. Yuuji felt his stomach flip and he looked back toward the horizon quickly. He kept his leg outstretched and prayed that his blush wasn’t dark enough for Kenjaku to see. He hoped he was allowed to see the painting when he was done. He wanted to see how this man saw him.
Yuuji hadn’t ever really interacted with a human man who didn’t try to trick him into taking his pelt. Well, he had but they were too old, or just kids. Kenjaku was young and handsome and he made Yuuji’s heart beat faster. Yuuji smiled and wiggled his toes in the sand. This ended up not being so bad. He didn’t hear anything from Kenjaku for a few minutes so he peeked out of the corner of his eye. He was glancing between Yuuji and his canvas, brush moving languidly. When they caught eyes Kenjaku’s lips twitched but he didn’t stop painting.
Yuuji’s mind wandered as the time went on and he started thinking about other things. Who he would go visit next, what he would catch for dinner, how pretty the sun looked dipping below the waves. He jumped when he heard Kenjaku laugh beside him. He looked and watched as he sat down in the sand, the canvas held nicely in front of him. He guessed it had been an hour or two.
“Done~” His eyes were closed with a childish smile as he presented the painting to Yuuji. For a moment Yuuji watched the man, who’s actions seemed cheery but the closer Yuuji looked…
His eyes snapped to the painting and Yuuji’s mouth formed a silent ‘Oh’. He was in ¾ profile, his pelt glimmering in the sun, his hair tousled and wild, and he had a bright smile. Kenjaku emphasized his broad shoulders, didn’t accentuate his chest. His jawline was stronger. Yuuji’s heart tightened. He looked right. He’d never seen this before. He wanted it so badly it hurt.
Kenjaku was looking at him with a puzzled expression when Yuuji looked at him with thinly veiled emotions. He wasn’t sure if he was going to cry, or hug this man. He saw him. Kenjaku truly saw him. His face split into a dazzling smile, “I love it!”
Kenjaku returned the smile, though more subdued. “I’m glad you like it.” He shifted and looked down at the painting, then out at the ocean. Yuuji tore his eyes away from the painting to watch him. “I suppose you will be returning there right?” He didn’t specify but Yuuji knew what he meant.
“Yeah,” He felt sadness well up, “I can stay a little longer.” Yuuji watched Kenjaku turn his head and watch him thoughtfully, “Only if you want I mean.” He waved his hands again, then pet down his pelt, brushing sand off of it.
“I think I’d like that.” He had that fox-like smile again and Yuuji was happy he wasn’t standing because his knees felt weak.
Yuuji sputtered and cleared his throat, hoping to cover it up, “What do you do by the way? Do you live in the town nearby?” Yuuji stretched both legs out and watched as a little crab crawled over his toes and scuttled away.
“I’m a doctor, I just moved here last year. The town sent out a call for a doctor since the last one died and I obliged.” He hummed and was watching the horizon instead of looking at Yuuji. Yuuji took the opportunity to stare unabashedly. “What about you, Selkie ?” He had a teasing ring, but Yuuji didn’t think it was because he didn’t believe him. He couldn’t place it, but it almost seemed like Kenjaku thought it was a game.
“I mostly travel the sea around the islands. I visit some friends, hide from fishermen and sailors…uh, catch fish…” Yuuji started counting things off on his fingers, “And I come to land every few years to see what’s changed. I didn’t go into the village this time.” He huffed and patted his hands on his thighs absently, “Didn’t want to deal with the hassle.” Kenjaku didn’t know what the hassle was, and Yuuji didn’t want to explain it. It was hard to keep people away from his pelt sometimes, and he didn’t feel like punching someone today.
Kenjaku looked mildly intrigued but Yuuji was thankful when he didn’t ask for an explanation, “I never thought I’d meet a creature like you. Let alone get to have a painting of you.” He winked at Yuuji and had a sly smile. Yuuji belatedly realized he couldn’t keep the painting himself. When he thought about it, it made sense. He couldn’t bring a canvas into the sea. He felt dumb for not grasping that sooner. He must have been pouting because Kenjaku laughed, “You could keep coming back to see it if you’d like.”
Yuuji’s breath caught in his throat.
“You could stay with me.”
He looked serious, not a trace of malice on his face. Yuuji felt his heart crack a little.
“I belong to the sea, Kenjaku. I can’t stay here with you. It’s just what I am.” He whispered softly. He fidgetted his fingers and looked down at them. He had never had to reject someone like this before. It was surprisingly hard. Especially since Kenjaku was kind of charming.
Kenjaku sighed, “I see, that’s okay.” He reached over and tilted Yuuji’s chin up to look at him. “I’m glad we met at least once then. I’ll remember you.” He had a peacefully resigned face, and Yuuji felt terrible. This was worse than punching some guy for trying to snatch his pelt. He barely knew this man, but it hurt to see him look like this. Maybe he should have gone to town instead. Maybe he wouldn’t have felt like trash.
Yuuji felt his stomach tie into knots, but before he could figure out what to say, Kenjaku had sat back and was smiling at the ocean again. “I’m sorry.” Yuuji’s voice sounded weak, and he watched as Kenjaku contemplated him briefly.
“No, I’m sorry, look what I’ve done to the mood. How horrid.” He laughed, shaking his head and tutting disapprovingly. Yuuji felt his spirits rise and he chuckled as well. He almost missed the slow self satisfied smile Kenjaku made. It was gone as soon as Yuuji noticed it. Odd. Maybe he was pleased he made Yuuji laugh. Yuuji had a nagging feeling, but he pushed it down.
“It’s okay, I’m glad we met. I got to see the painting, and that’s something I’ll never forget so thank you!” Yuuji beamed, and got a warm look in return.
“I’m glad.”
They sat in comfortable silence for a few moments before Kenjaku stood up with a sigh. “I’m sorry to leave, but it’s a bit of a distance to my house and I want to be able to cook supper before it’s too dark.” He explained. Yuuji jumped to his feet and helped him grab the painting and his easel. Yuuji silently marvelled at how small it could fold down to.
“Have a safe walk! And enjoy dinner. I liked spending time with you Kenjaku.” Yuuji took one last look at the painting before he handed it back. He really did like it.
Kenjaku nodded at him, “Likewise. Yuuji. ” The way he said his name made Yuuji shiver. He quickly jogged toward the water instead of dealing with that . He turned and gave a big wave to Kenjaku, seeing a small smile on his handsome face, before he turned away and waded into the sea.
When he got deep enough he looked back. Kenjaku was still watching. Yuuji was too far to read his expression, but he was pretty sure he was still smiling. Yuuji dove beneath the waves thinking about the first human who saw him as a man and not just a selkie.