“You act like we’re going to war or something!”

The man sputtered, violet eyes widening behind his glasses. “N-No!” He quickly cleared his voice. He went to scratch his cheek with his free hand, a nervous habit of his. But he stopped quickly upon remembering the painted flowers on his cheek. He didn’t want to mess up Nohealani’s work.

“Come on!” She tugged his hand, moving forward quickly. “Achlys said he’d meet up with us near the ice cream booth.” Somehow, that didn’t surprise the quiet librarian. He didn’t have the heart to tell the older man there probably wasn’t any gelato at that booth though.

“Do you know if my brother is coming? He didn’t get back to me.” Gabriel followed her though, long legs easily able to keep up with her hurried pace. The woman made a face without looking at him, but he could see the side of her expression, a soft chuckle escaping him.

“Achlys didn’t say.”

Gabriel shrugged, oh well. 

“Do you think we look too hetero to be here? I always worry about that.”

Noheleani stopped in her tracks, letting go of his hand to turn and look him up and down. Gabriel blinked, head tilting to the side, brown bangs falling over his glasses as he looked back at her.

“You’re wearing a turtleneck.”

He tugged at his turtleneck, looking down at it. He liked his turtlenecks..

“Is it really-”

“Turtlenecks are gay, baby. I’m sorry to be the one to tell you this.”

Gabriel brought his turtleneck up, unfolding it so it covered part of his face. His pale cheeks were dusted a dark red, almost immediately flustered. “It’s okay, you look good in them!” She reached up, pulling his turtleneck back down and folding it once like he liked. 

Her eyes glanced at the ducky earrings he was wearing as well. Those certainly added to his image, but she was sure he knew that bit. Gabriel pouted at her, and from how close she was, she could see his blush spreading down his neck.

“Come on! I want to check out the booths before everything sells out.” She stepped away from him, turning back towards the path. But Gabriel was quick to slip his hand back into hers, fingers interlacing once more.

Nohealani doubted anybody would say anything at a pride event of all places, but she was more than ready if they did say anything. The spikes on her boots would do wonders if they did. Now she kind of wanted somebody to say something. Then she could bea-

“Nohealani, Gabriel.”

“Achlys!”

“They didn’t have gelato..”

The man’s form solidified in front of the two, his disappointment clear even with the mask and bandage hiding a substantial portion of his face. “But I found these trinkets.” He held up his hand and then opened it, two keychains hung from his fingers.

Once was a golden retriever painted in the demisexual flag colours and the other was a bunny painted in pansexual colours. Nohealani beamed when she saw them, taking the bunny from him to inspect it closer. “For you.” Achlys handed the dog one over to Gabriel.

Gabriel let go of Nohealani’s hand for only a moment, quickly attaching the trinket to one of his belt chains. Or rather, one of the chains he’d borrowed from her closet. “Thank you.” Gabriel smiled, turning his head to watch Noheleani affix it to her own outfit.

“Find one for yourself?”

Achlys nodded, hair bouncing slightly as he pulled a third trinket from his pocket.

She immediately looked away to try and hide her laugh.

A turtle painted with the bisexual flag colours.

“That’s cute, Lys!” 

“Don’t tease! I like turtles.”

Gabriel couldn’t help his soft snicker, partially hiding in his turtleneck again. 

“Ugh you two-”

Mismatched eyes blinked in surprise when the large black truck nearly hit the curb in front of him. The window on the passenger side rolled down, revealing Katsumi in the driver seat, fangs visible as he grinned. Eiji stepped forward, his ears perking up upon seeing the man.

“You got it cleaned?”

Katsumi nodded, unlocking the door so he could get in. If Eiji knew anything, it was how much that man loved his truck. “It looks good.” Eiji pulled open the door and pulled himself into the vehicle. He pulled the door shut and relaxed almost immediately. As much as the large truck was… It was much better than the busy city.

“Did you find what you were looking for?”

Eiji lifted his shopping bag before he buckled himself in. “Mhm. Unfortunately she was missing the chiffon I wanted but I got everything else.” He set the bag down on the floor beside his feet. “Did you find my ‘surprise’?” The whole reason Katsumi left him.

“It’s in the bed.” Katsumi tilted somewhat to the side, checking his mirror before he pulled back into the street proper. “Did you want to look somewhere else for the fabric?” But Eiji shook his head, leaning back into the seat. “Alright.” Katsumi kept one hand on the wheel, but he rested his free hand on the feline’s thigh.

“Are we going home now?”

The kitsune snickered, the muffled sound of his tails wagging became audible despite the fact they were pressed against the seat. “You really hate the city, huh?” He snuck a peek at Eiji’s face, Katsumi didn’t miss the way his face scrunched up momentarily before quickly relaxing again.

“I don’t hate the city, I just prefer our cabin.”

“Your cabin. I still have my apartment.” 

“You stay there more than your apartment.”

“Because you hate the city.”

Eiji sighed, resting his hand on top of Katsumi’s, he intertwined their fingers. “I don’t like the city, I don’t hate it.” He corrected softly, leaning his head against the window so he could watch the grey pass by in a blur. The city didn’t have the lushness his cabin did, or the camp did. It just wasn’t the same to him.

“We just have to pick up groceries then we can go home.”

The feline gave him a small nod.

They survived mostly off the land, traps, foraging, Marabelle the cow. Katsumi even taught him how to make cheese. But Katsumi’s sweet tooth was another story, Eiji smiled at the mere thought. His lover loved sweets and deep fried tofu. 

“I can go in alone, it’s okay.”

But Eiji shook his head, letting go of Katsumi’s hand to open the truck door. The kitsune shook his head with a smile, pulling his keys from the ignition, he then also hopped out of the truck. “How are you wearing that jacket in this heat?” Eiji questioned as he rounded the front of the truck to once more take Katsumi’s hand.

Katsumi looked down at his leather jacket then at his jeans and boots. He then shrugged. “I’m always the same amount of warm anyways.” He answered, taking Eiji’s hand with a grin. Eiji returned his smile but shook his head, endeared. 

Both he and his siblings always ran cold, but even then his thin long sleeve was enough protection with the beating sun. Katsumi started towards the grocery store, pulling the list out of his pocket. “Okay! So we need mango ice cream, sushi rice, nori, tofu, popsicles, beer..” He rattled off the list as they entered the store.

Eiji was just happy to follow him around, the grocery store was quieter, less frequented. And despite being taller than him, Katsumi was always good about dragging him around the aisles. He moved quick for a man that was more tail than person. And as if he could hear Eiji’s thoughts, his tails began to wag side to side.

“Oh popcorn kernels!”

“You’re really stocking up.”

“Mhm! I don’t wanna come back for a while. I got a whole month of work from home to spend with you.”

Eiji squeezed his hand, he appreciated Katsumi swinging it so that he’d spend the month before they were due for getting back to the camp at the cabin with him. 

“When we get home I want you to bring the groceries in while I set up your surprise.”

“Hm? Very well.”

Not that they’d be home for another hour, but Eiji was sure he’d remember.

“What did you get me?”

“I’m not telling you.”

“Katsumi~”

“Nuhuh, angel face.”

“Kaaatsumiii~”

“Nope! I won’t tell ya, fruit cake.”

“Did you just refer to me as a fruit?”

“Your head was between my thighs this morning, I’d say it's apt.”

Eiji stuttered, mismatched eyes widening at his blatant comment. Katsumi smirked as he drove down the highway, the city melting to trees rather quickly. “Well..” The feline cleared his throat and then leaned forward, turning the radio on. The action made Katsumi laugh, but he didn’t say anything else.

When they did finally get back to Eiji’s cabin, Katsumi parked somewhere on the grassy entrance. The feline got out of the car with his shopping bag, opening the backseat door to grab the groceries. 

“I’ll be in the back!”

Katsumi grabbed a large black box from the bed of the truck, quickly jogging away and to the side of the cabin. Eiji shook his head, a smile on his face as he carried the groceries up the steps of the porch. 

He unloaded the groceries, taking the time to put them away while Katsumi worked on whatever the surprise was. He’d be lying if he said he wasn’t excited to figure out what it was. Katsumi’s gifts were always so thoughtful, it made his heart thud. 

“EIJI!”

He jumped, tail frizzing slightly. He then exhaled, glaring at the back door even though Katsumi couldn’t see him. He wiped his hands off on his pants before heading outside said door, jogging down the steps. 

Eiji stopped in his tracks when he saw what Katsumi had set up in the backyard. Katsumi beamed as the feline approached him, mismatched eyes on the white and black device set up in the clearing. 

“A telescope..”

“Yep! You mentioned wishing you could see the stars better. I can’t exactly afford to put you through astronaut school so…” Katsumi rubbed the back of his neck, his grin becoming more akin to a sheepish smile. “Masuyo thought you’d like it. I. Ahem, I hope you like it.”

Eiji ran his fingers along the sizable optical tube. He’d even tied a purple ribbon around the tripod. “Katsumi..” He trailed off, turning towards the bashful kitsune. “I love it, thank you.” He closed the distance between them, arms wrapping around his waist to tug him in closer. 

“And I love you, my flower!”

Katsumi made a strangled sound when Eiji kissed him with nothing short of passion and adoration. The kitsune’s eyes swiftly closed as he melted into the kiss, arms wrapping around his neck. The passion was returned tenfold, something Katsumi was always good at. Something that he knew drove Eiji crazy.

“We should go inside.”

“Oh yeah?”

Eiji opened his eyes, taking in Katsumi’s expression. His flushed cheeks, and dopey smile, the slight pant.

“I have to reward you.”

"Today marks your final week, Fujimoto." Eiji was reading notes on his notebook, taking stock of the samples Katsumi had collected. "It'll also be your deepest dive." He set his notebook down to turn towards him.

Katsumi leaned against the door of the research vessel's laboratory, checking his claws. "Are we going to be returning to Naikama port?"

"No, Kimokita. My research facility is closer to that port."

He nodded, dropping his hand to his side. The kitsune's tails swished behind him as he approached Eiji who was particularly interested in one of the live samples.

"What do we need today? How deep?"

Eiji set the container down, picking his notebook back up. "Let's see.. You'll be going down one hundred twenty meters. And we'll be needing-"

"One twenty? That's double the depth of any dive I've done so far."

"Yes, we've kept the specialized equipment specifically for this dive. You'll do fine."

Katsumi sighed, cracking his neck side to side. If anybody could do it, he could, he knew that.

"Excellent, as for the samples you'll be collecting.."

The kitsune listened intently as the marine biologist rattled off what to look for, which specimens to collect, and how; as if he hadn't been doing it for three weeks already.

"Alright alright, I get it, doc." Katsumi reached up, tugging Eiji's hat down over his eyes. The feline's tail swished, swatting his hand away. "If I get hurt I'm sure you'll come rescue me."

Eiji adjusted his hat and averted his eyes. His tail flicked in mock annoyance, or maybe he was annoyed, Katsumi sort of struggled to really be able to read him. Even now.

"I would send someone down after you, certainly."

Katsumi exhaled a small laugh and took a step away from him, he stretched his arms upwards. "Wow, I see how it is.." He turned away, dropping his arms back to his sides. He brought his tails up, brushing them underneath Eiji's chin to make the feline mer huff.

"You know what happens when I get wet."

There was a pause.

"Not in that manner-, Fujimoto I see your tails shaking from your laughter!"

"Heh- hehehe.. Sorry~ I gotta go suit up. Wouldn't want to dive too late."

"I'll meet you on the deck with your supplies."

Katsumi left the room to go get ready for his dive, Masuyo seemed apprehensive about the depth, stirring within his head. But the kitsune ignored him, zipping up his suit instead. If anything happened, the being inside him would get him out.

But even then, the diver had full confidence in his ability; so out he went on the deck.

Eiji was there to wrap the belt around his waist, clipping the containers to him. "Here, your dive computer." The marine biologist took a small watch from his lab coat, taking Katsumi's hand in his.

His touch was surprisingly gentle and Katsumi felt his heart jump. In the centuries he'd been alive, he hadn't felt that particular sensation before. Eiji wrapped the watch around his wrist and clasped it.

"I assume you know what it does?"

"Uh yeah, for the most part.."

"Excellent, I don't have to walk you through it."

Eiji released his hand and the kitsune suddenly felt cold without his touch, he swallowed thickly. What was he thinking? Just because he spent every breakfast and dinner, well when he showed up, with the researcher…

"Stay safe down there, this area is known for predators."

Katsumi smiled sharply before pulling his helmet on. "I'm a fox spirit, I think I'll be fine." But Eiji sighed. "Okay okay, I'll be safe. You almost sound like you care. For a guy who is getting rid of me in a week."

Eiji twitched.

"It isn't like that."

Oh the diver had hit a nerve? Katsumi tilted his head to the side as the marine biologist adjusted his helmet and suit.

"We can discuss further use of your abilities when you come up."

Katsumi chuckled, stepping away from him and waving him off.

"Don't worry about it, doc. I'm just teasing anyway. See you on the surface."

It wasn't long before he was loaded up in the dinghy to be lowered down to the sea's surface. Katsumi knew he would miss these dives.

And the safety the sea brought him, away from the land and those who hunted him. He took a steadying breath as the boat hit the water, then he pushed himself up onto the ledge.

Then he fell back into the water.

"You really exceeded my expectations today."

Eiji adjusted the chopsticks in his hand before bringing some fish up to his mouth. Katsumi snorted, looking out at the wine red sea as the ship moved.

"Told them when they hired me, no depth is too deep."

"Eat you'll need your strength for tomorrow," he pointed at Katsumi's bowl with a chopstick. "But yes.. You were quite persuasive to my fellow. I'm thankful for your assistance, because of you I'm sure my research will finally have some weight."

"You know.." Katsumi leaned back, poking at the fish in his bowl with a single chopstick, "I don't think I know what it is you're even studying." He laughed a bit, then brought the fish to his mouth.

Eiji went quiet for a moment, taking small polite bites of food that, honestly, wasn't even that good. But it was enough for survival.

"I'm studying how the healing factor of different marine organisms can be applied to illnesses in humans."

"Really? You aren't even-"

"Neither are you."

Katsumi chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck with a smile. "Yeah, that's true. That's a noble cause."

"Not really. It's just a topic of interest."

Eiji smiled softly, finishing off his food and setting the bowl aside. "What will you do when you get back on land, Fujimoto?"

"You know you can just call me Katsumi, doc.."

"Katsumi."

Katsumi's cheeks warmed and he gazed at the setting sun, it truly painted a beautiful picture for them.

"Find another job, I guess. Travel. I don't really have anywhere to go."

"You don't?"

He shook his head, bringing the bowl to his mouth to scoop up all the rice. He swallowed the rest of his food with a frankly terrifying mouthful.

"Nope, just me!" And I. "What about you?"

"It is.. Also just me these days."

They grew quiet after that, both watching the setting sun. The sun slowly began to sink into the sea and Katsumi stood up. It was almost time, he had to go to his cabin.

"Well if you ever want company in that research station of yours."

Eiji seemed to be thinking it over, his cat tail loosely wrapping around his knees.

"Perhaps."

Katsumi reached down, hand landing between the man's fluffy cat ears. He pet his hair and ears, earning a surprised mrrrp from the man whose eyes widened.

"Night night, Eiji~"

"Goodnight, Katsumi…"

He left the deck, stopping by the galley to drop off his bowl before he retired to his room. Masuyo would surface soon and he would wake tired and confused on what he had done all night on a ship.

He took the wave patterned ribbon out of his hair, letting the blond and brown hair fall loose around his shoulders. He carefully folded it and placed it in the drawer. Then he unwrapped his hands, throwing away the bandages.

He tied off his white yukata, preferring the comfortable fabric to sleep in compared to other clothing choices. Not that he really did much sleeping, but his body didn't hurt as much when he came to.

Katsumi sat on the bed, unable to tell if it was fully dark out yet. There was no window in his small cabin. So he waited.

But a knock came at the door.

The kitsune bit the inside of his cheek, standing up. He went close to the door but didn't open it. "What is it?" He called.

"It's me," Eiji spoke on the other side of the door. "I wished to discuss a possible proposal to extend your work contract with me?"

"Uhm.. Can it wait until morning?"

"I have to submit the proposal sooner than later."

Katsumi sighed, rubbing his face. He opened the door, letting Eiji into the room after a moment. "Apologies, did I disturb your routine?"

"It's fine.." He shut the door behind the scientist. "What's up?"

Eiji handed him the paper and he looked it over, bringing his free hand up to bite at his thumb claw as he read the papers.

He would be working as a glorified coffee runner. But it would allow him to travel and dive with Eiji whenever the need arose. It sounded perfect really. Plus being with the feline mer didn't sound half bad..

"Sure! I'm in, doc!"

"Really?" Eiji seemed surprised, tilting his head so his eyes weren't as hidden by his hat.

The kitsune laughed, bringing his hand up to run his fingers through his hair instead. "Why you so surprised I wanna spend more time with my favouriteeee doctor~?"

"Your-" Eiji cleared his throat, averting his gaze as his pale cheeks tinted a pretty pink hue. He coughed into his hand, then pulled a pen from his lab coat to hand it to Katsumi. "Just sign your name where it says.."

Katsumi put the papers against the wall and began to sign his name in the appropriate spots.

"Aaand done! Here ya go, pretty kitty." Katsumi handed him the papers and the pen back and Eiji quickly took them.

"I- I will see you in the morning. Goodnight."

"Goodnight~!"