#i just....i uh...umm...can you....huh...wow...

"Me?" Eren tried to hide his smile, but it was evident, causing you to roll your eyes.

"Yes, just like you," you replied, a hint of affection in your voice.

You stare at each other for a few moments, before Eren grabs his backpack and begins to rummage through it. “I, uh.. got you something.”

You adjoin your eyebrows in confusion, but then he clarifies. “For your birthday.”

“Eren, you shouldn’t ha-“

“I wanted to.” He declares with a tone that suggests there’s no point in fighting him about it. After he gets a tiny present box out of his backpack, he moves closer, handing it to you.

"Thanks." You smile timidly, trying to escape his gaze. When you open it, your eyes grow wide. “Oh my god, Eren..”

You put your hand against your mouth in awe of the golden necklace positioned in the little box. It’s a lock necklace in the shape of a heart, with your daughter’s picture right at the center of it.

“Eren, this is... it’s beautiful.” Your eyes are still large as you inspect the jewelry, “thank you, thank you so much.”

“I’m glad you like it.” Eren casts a warm smile your way. You exchange glances with him, something you can’t quite decipher shining in his jewel eyes. “I was thinking-“

“I’m ready!” Your little bundle of joy appears in front of you, showcasing her pink glittery skates in her hand.

“Yeah?” Eren kneels next to her, giving a kiss on her puffy cheek. He looks at her, then at you, and then leans closer to your daughter’s ear, “Say, sweetheart.. don’t you think mommy should come with us, too?”

She doesn’t even waste a second, “Yes! Mommy, please come with us!”

You shake your head, “I can’t, sweetheart, I have work to do.”

“But it’s Saturday! Saturday is for fun!” Your daughter purses her upper lip, giving you the cutest little pout you’ve ever seen.

“She does have a point.” Eren nods his head. “Come on. I’ll be making pasta later.” He tilts his head the same way he does every time he tries to persuade you about something. And you hate that you’re debating it. It’s been four months since the last time you allowed yourself to spend time with Eren, and it was the same time you decided that it’d be best to co-parent instead of trying to fix your complicated relationship. He’d agreed to it, although it took him some time to understand what that actually meant. No more touching, kissing, spending nights together. It was hard for him, but with time, it seemed like he accepted it. Your kid was the most important thing for the both of you.

But even so, you could feel that there was still something. He was the father of your kid, and it didn’t help how amazing he was with her. Every time you saw them together, your heart would skip a beat. You couldn’t have asked for a better dad for your little girl. He did everything for her, helped her with school, taught her how to ride a bike, spent an enormous amount of time just playing with her and paying her attention. You were so grateful for that.

And you knew he still had a thing for you. He hadn’t gotten a new girlfriend even though women ogled him left and right, and when he would come to pick your kid up, he’d always talk to you, not being so smooth in trying to find out if you were dating someone or not.

Eren can see you’re still debating it, so he raises his arm in the air, “Everyone who wants mama to come, raise your hand.”

Your daughter follows suit, one tiny hand in the air, the other one holding onto Mr. Poodles’s hand. And you want to cry because this is the cutest image in the entire world.

“See, three against one.” Eren smirks your way, and of course, your cheeky daughter mimics it. That’s when you know, you’ve lost.

“Fine.” They both erupt into cheers, giving each other high fives. “Only for a little while, though.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

…..

The ice rink wasn’t as full as you’d expected for a Saturday, which was a welcome surprise. You couldn’t even remember the last time you went, but it was probably with Eren. He was the one that taught you, and then taught your little girl as well. It always amazed you how even though he was pretty impatient as a person, he was always so patient when it came to her... and to you, too. You really liked that about him.

You watched your daughter grab onto her father’s hand as they slid their skates across the rink, and you couldn’t help but feel your heart get full.

“Mommy! Come on!” She shouts to you, waving her little hand as Eren turns to look at you, a soft smile gracing his lips.

And if you really think about it, this is all you’ve ever wanted.

…..

“I should go.” You say as you gather your skates in one hand, watching as Eren helps your daughter undo hers. You’d been skating for the past two hours, and it was beginning to get cold, so after having spent the best time laughing and doing circles around the rink, with your bundle of joy holding you and Eren by your hands, you’d decided to call it a day.

“Don’t,” Eren basically jumps from the ground, his reaction surprising all three of you. Trying not to cringe from his sudden actions, he moves a bit closer, until you can faintly smell his cologne. “Please stay.”

You’d be lying if you said you expected the vulnerable tone those words came out with. He locked his gaze with yours, the pleading look in his eyes striking something deep inside your chest.

You still don’t say anything, so Eren tries again, “We’ll drive you afterwards. Right, sweetheart?” He turns to his daughter, who’s already giving you her irresistibly green puppy eyes.

“Please, mama. Mr. Poodles is gonna be sad if you leave.” She’s bringing the plush toy to her chest, her pointy chin resting on the animal’s head. They’re both really working you today.

You move your stare back to Eren’s, who looks like a little boy waiting for his parents to allow him something he really wants. You ignore the nestled feeling inside your chest, the one that seems to know why he’s acting this way. Finally, you sigh, tilting your head to catch your daughter’s expression again, “Well, I guess I can’t let Mr. Poodles be sad, now can I?”

…..

You hadn’t been to Eren’s new place ever since he left your shared apartment. You knew where it was because you’d often pick your daughter up from there, but you never felt comfortable enough to go in. Deep inside, you knew why you never wanted to. Not that you’d admit it to yourself or anyone else, but truth was, you were scared. Scared of accidentally bumping into a hook up, even though you knew he’d never allow that while your kid was there. But still, you were always on edge. You were afraid of him living the bachelor life now that you officially weren’t together, because as much as you wanted him to be happy, seeing your daughter’s father with another woman was something you weren’t sure you were ever going to be ready for.

But now, as you make your first step inside, you’re instantly washed with a sense of relief. The place isn’t big nor small, there’s just the right amount of space for a single dad whose kid comes over a couple of times a week. It’s tidy, there is no cereal on the table or alcohol bottles scattered around the shelves. There are a few plants positioned next to the window, their leaves as green as their owner’s eyes. You can even see the little cherry tomato tree you gave him as a gift after your third date—you’d made cherry tomato pasta that he absolutely loved, begging you for the recipe afterwards. Even though it was pretty simple, his reaction made you so happy, you gifted him the tree the next time you guys saw each other. You’d told him that whenever he wanted, you could make it for him with homemade tomatoes.

“Mommy, look what daddy and I drew!” Your daughter breaks your train of memories when she sprints towards the coffee table in the living room, grabbing what you suspect is the drawing, “Look! It’s us!”

She proudly presents the painting to you, smiling from ear to ear. You crouch down next to her, examining what you presume is all three of you holding each other by the hand, with wide smiles drawn on your faces. You can’t help but grin.

“Oh wow, you’re quite the artist, aren’t you?”

“Daddy helped!” She goes to grab her father by the hand, and you exchange glances with his handsome face, emerald eyes shooting arrows right through your heart.

“I bet he did.” You look down at the picture again, memorizing every little detail. How your hair is in your usual hairstyle, how Eren’s shirt is in his favorite green, how your daughter has a huge grin on her face, the same one she has on right now in front of you. And even when just looking at this drawing is enough to fill your heart with joy, you know that it’s not really similar to your real life. Because you and Eren.. you’re separated. You don’t take your kid for walks in the park together. You don’t go to the movies as a family. You don’t fall asleep in his arms after you’ve read your kid a bedtime story. The only time in the near past that you felt this way was today.. at the ice rink. It amazed you how life had the unimaginable gift of making you forget all the bad with just a little bit of good.

Eren notices the sudden sullen look on your face, so he quickly changes the subject, “All right girls, go sit yourselves down. I’m going to start dinner.”

…..

The sweet aroma of sizzling garlic fills the air of the kitchen. You’re seated opposite your little girl, who is now drawing a picture of a cat she’d seen outside the ice rink. It was her favourite animal, something she doesn’t keep away from you or Eren, giving not so subtle hints of what she would describe as the perfect birthday present.

“It smells really good.”

You say, trying to keep the conversation light and neutral. You're aware of the tension that underlies these simple domestic moments, but you're also conscious of the need to maintain a sense of normalcy for your daughter's sake.

Eren glances over his shoulder, offering you a small, appreciative smile. "Thanks. I'm making that cherry tomato pasta. Remember, the one you taught me?"

You nod, the memory bittersweet. "Yeah, I remember."

Your daughter, oblivious to the emotional undercurrents, chatters excitedly about the orange cat she’s drawing, her words filling the space with innocent energy. You listen to her, responding with the appropriate nods and laughs, but part of your attention remains on Eren. The ease with which he handles the kitchen utensils and the familiar way he moves around the space remind you of the times you cooked together, a pang of nostalgia hitting you as you watch.

The pasta is served, with Eren sitting down beside you. You take a bite, the flavors just as you remember, and you can't help but compliment him. "You've got this down to a T," you say, a genuine smile touching your lips.

Eren looks at you, his eyes filled with what you can only describe as warmth. "I had a good teacher," he replies before he turns his attention back to your daughter, who is happily twirling pasta onto her fork.

“Do you like it, little miss?” He asks her, removing some stray hairs from her face so they don’t end up in her meal. The sight makes your heart swell.

“Best pasta ever!” She gives him a grin and Eren chuckles, pinching her on the nose.

“You’re the cutest kid ever.”

“Have to agree with that statement.” You chime in, smiling at them both.

“It’s no surprise. You made her.” 

Eren's comment catches you off guard, a compliment wrapped in a simple truth, and it brings a flush to your cheeks.

You give a soft laugh, brushing off the sentiment with a playful roll of your eyes, but inside, your heart feels a gentle tug. "Well, I had some help.”

Eren nods his head, attempting to conceal his smile, but it was futile. The warmth of the moment seems to hang in the air and the rest of the meal passes with ease, punctuated by laughter and the occasional playful banter. It's a reminder of the chemistry that once brought you together, still present in these small interactions. As you watch Eren interact with your daughter, his love for her evident in every gesture and word, you once again prove to yourself that choosing him as the father of your child was the right choice. Despite the separation, he remains a devoted father in every aspect, and that's something you can't help but respect.

After dinner, as Eren clears the table and insists on handling the dishes, you take the opportunity to spend some quiet time with your daughter, helping her with a puzzle she shows you, one that she’d started with her dad a week ago.

“You’re not ready for what I’m about to show you.” Eren’s voice carries a playful tone as he approaches, drying his hands on a dish towel. 

“What is it?” You turn to him, trying to ignore the way he’s rolled up his sleeves, his big, veiny hands on display.

“Just wait here.” He says with a grin, disappearing for a moment into another room. When he returns, he’s holding something behind his back, a knowing smile playing on his lips. You exchange a curious look with your daughter, who shrugs with an amused smile. Then with a flourish, Eren presents what looks like an album, one you instantly recognise when you read the title emblazoned across the cover. It's a photo album you both started when your daughter was born, filled with snapshots of her life, from her very first moments in this world.

You take it in your hands as if you’re holding the most precious thing in your life — because in a way, you are. The album is more than just a collection of photographs; it's a tangible chronicle of your daughter's journey, a narrative woven together by the love and care of her parents. You run your fingers over the title, the letters familiar and filled with a history that only you and Eren understand. 

“I haven’t seen this in forever.” You say, with a sort of awe in your voice as you flip the first page. There she was, your daughter, in her very first photograph, a tiny bundle swaddled in a hospital blanket. 

“Found it at my mom’s house.” Eren says as he settles on the living room couch beside you. You lean into the comfort of the cushions, the album resting on your lap, and as you turn the pages, you're enveloped by the warmth of the memories it holds.

Each photograph tells a story, and you're struck by the vividness of those early days, the emotions as fresh as if they were just yesterday. The sleep-deprived smiles, the first time your daughter grasped your finger, the countless expressions of wonder as she discovered the world around her—all are captured in these pages.

"It's amazing you found this," you say, looking over at Eren with gratitude. "I didn't even realize how much I missed it until now."

Eren nods, his gaze lingering on the images. "Yeah, I stumbled upon it while helping Mom with some cleaning. I figured we should have it here, where we can all look at it whenever we want."

The two of you continue to reminisce, sharing stories and laughter as your daughter, now more interested in the album than her puzzle, climbs onto the couch to join you. She points to a photo of herself as a toddler, her face painted with an expression of pure joy, and asks about the day it was taken.

"That was your second birthday," Eren explains, his voice tinged with nostalgia. "You had that little cake with the cartoon characters on it. You were so excited you barely let us cut it."

“Can I have the same one on my next birthday?” She asks with that childlike innocence that makes each question so endearing. 

"Of course, sweetheart," you reply, matching her enthusiasm. "We'll find a cake that makes you just as happy as that one did. Maybe we can even add some new decorations to make it extra special for this year."

Eren nods in agreement, always ready to make her birthday wishes come true. "We'll make it a great birthday," he assures her. "Maybe we can even look at some pictures together and pick out what you like best for the cake design."

Your daughter claps her hands excitedly, the prospect of planning her cake adding to the anticipation of her birthday, no matter that it was 5 months ahead. "Yay! I want it to be a surprise, though. I want to see it and be like, 'Wow!'"

You both laugh, charmed by her excitement and her desire for a surprise. "It'll be our little project," Eren tells her. "A big, happy birthday surprise."

The evening continues with a warm, gentle rhythm as you turn more pages of the album. Each photograph sparks a new conversation, a new story, or a fond recollection. And as the night progressed and the album came to an end, your daughter ended up falling asleep on your shoulder. 

Eren quietly gathers her in his arms and carries her to her bedroom, her head resting against his shoulder as he walks. You follow, watching the tender scene. The house was quiet, save for the soft sounds of your daughter's breathing and the faint creak of the floorboards underfoot.

Once in her room, Eren gently lays her down in her bed, taking care not to wake her. He pulls the covers up to her chin and tucks them around her snugly, ensuring she is comfortable and warm. You stay in the doorway, your heart full, observing this nightly ritual that never seems to lose its significance.

With the stealth and coordination of seasoned parents, you both retreat from the room, Eren turning off the light and closing the door just enough to leave a comforting sliver of light from the hallway. The two of you return to the living room, the silence a stark contrast to the laughter and storytelling that had filled it just a short while ago.

“It's been a good day," Eren says softly, his voice reflecting the peaceful atmosphere.

"Yeah, it really has," you agree, leaning against his kitchen counter.

Eren looks down at his feet, like he’s trying to find the proper words. "I wanted.. to say thank you. For tonight, for this," he gestures to the space around you, encompassing the warmth of the evening spent together, "for everything."

You offer him a soft smile, "I'm glad we did it," you reply. "It's important, for her."

And for us.

“She was really happy, wasn’t she?”

You nod, trying not to look him in the eyes. You felt.. vulnerable. You and him, alone, in this close proximity.. it hasn’t happened in a long time. And with the way your heart is beating, you know what you should do next, no matter if it is the last thing you want to do.

“I should get going. It’s getting late.” You tell him quietly, afraid of not waking your daughter up. 

“Wait,” he grabs your hand just before you begin to walk away. Eren's grip is gentle but firm, a silent plea for just a moment longer. You pause, turning back to face him and those beautiful green eyes of his. 

“Y/n, I…” he hesitates, searching for the right words, his eyes locked with yours. “I’ve missed you.” 

Your mouth opens slightly, but words don’t find you. There’s a flutter in your chest, his words stirring emotions you've tried to keep at bay

You watch his face contort into a melancholic smile, “I barely functioned without you.”

The confession hangs in the air, heavy with the weight of unspoken truths. You can see the sincerity in Eren's eyes, the raw honesty that he's allowing you to see. It's disarming, and for a moment, you're transported back to a time when the distance between you didn't exist.

You swallow hard, the flutter in your chest growing into a storm of emotions that you struggle to contain. Nonetheless, you try to keep the conversation light, letting out a low laugh.

“Seems like you’ve been doing fine.”

But Eren doesn’t buy that. He takes a few steps closer to you, his eyes unwavering.

“Yeah, well, I had to. Doesn’t mean you haven’t been on my mind the whole time.”

The proximity and his familiar scent make your heart race, and the walls you've built to compartmentalize your feelings feel as though they're beginning to crumble. You take a deep breath, trying to maintain your composure. The closeness is overwhelming, and you're reminded of the intimacy you once shared. It's a dangerous territory, and part of you wants to step back, to reestablish the boundaries that have kept you both grounded in your new reality.

“Eren, we’ve been through this-“

“I can’t be with anyone else.” He spits out, and you’re left speechless. His declaration cuts through the air, leaving a silence that feels both heavy and electric.

“And I’ve tried- fuck, I’ve really tried, but it doesn’t work. You’re my girl.”

Your stomach is doing somersaults. The intensity of the confession sends your emotions into overdrive, and for a moment, you're caught in the eye of a storm that's been quietly brewing. His words, raw and unfiltered, resonate with a part of you that you've tried to keep hidden away, a part that still responds to him with a familiar pull.

“Eren, this isn’t right- things are fine now, for the first time in a long time. We’ve worked too hard for this, for where we are now.”

“I know. I’m sorry.” His eyes convey his apology, but you can see he’s been keeping this inside for way too long. “But I really don’t think I can ever imagine my life without you.”

“You won’t have to, we have a child-“

“Yes, I know.” It comes out a bit harsh, but he doesn’t mean for it to be. “But just the thought that you might end up with someone else.. it’s like a fucking tumor inside my brain.”

The rawness in Eren's voice strikes a chord within you, and you can't help but empathize with the pain he's expressing. It's clear that his feelings are genuine and that he's been wrestling with them for some time. Yet, despite the empathy you feel, you know that the health of your family dynamic is at stake.

“Eren.” You say softly but firmly, “We have a little kid together. I don’t want to screw her up like my parents did me. I want her to be happy.”

“Don’t you think she will be, though? All she does is ask me when I’m moving back. We’ve never fought in front of her. You know I’d never let that happen.”

“Yes, but we did fight a lot last time. I don’t want to live like that, like my-“

“Hey, we are not your parents, okay?” He cradles your face in his hands, and that’s when you realise there were tears forming in the corners of your eyes, “Stop thinking about them and just think about us.” 

You stay like that, looking up at him, his touch gentle and comforting.

“I’m so sorry about last time, believe me. I’ve learned from my mistakes. And I know it’s hard for you, but I’ll show you. All I want is for you and our baby to be happy.”

The warmth of his hands on your face and the sincerity in his eyes make it hard to maintain the walls you've built to protect yourself. 

“I love you to death, y’know that, right?”

And then, it’s all over.

“Eren..“, you hiccup, crumbling into his arms, sobbing quietly as the emotional dam breaks. The stress of holding back, of trying to be strong and keep everything together, is suddenly too much.

"I know," he murmurs, his voice a soothing balm as he holds you close. "I'm here. I've got you."

The comfort of his embrace allows you to let go, if only for a moment, of the fears and doubts that have been haunting you. In the safety of his arms, you allow yourself to feel the full extent of your emotions—the love, the hurt, the hope, and the uncertainty.

“There’s never going to be anyone else for me. Ever.” He whispers, “I’m willing to do the work. I’ll do whatever it takes.”

You feel the steady beat of his heart against your ear, a rhythm that once felt as familiar as your own. He loves you. He truly does, and you know that, you’ve always known. After a moment, he brings you back by the shoulders so he can look at your face.

“You’re the most beautiful woman in the world.”

“Stop it.”

You try to hide yourself in your hands, but he catches them softly.

“It’s true. No one else compares, baby.” He brings his hands to your hips, and your heart skips a beat. “No one.” 

“Eren..”, you say his name softly, eyes glued to his pretty lips.

“Yeah?” He reciprocates your tone, and you’re sure he’s caught on the change of atmosphere. Of course he has, he’s the one who started it.

“I’ve missed you, too.” You encircle your arms around his neck, bringing him even closer.

“Shit, not as much as me.” He presses his forehead against yours, his eyes closed, “It was like a part of me was gone. The only time I felt happy was when I was with our baby girl.. and when I’d see you.”

“I.. I didn’t know what to do. I thought this was the best decision, but.. I was so sad, Eren.”

“I’m sorry, baby.” He rubs soothing circles around your hips, “If I wasn’t such an idiot, this wouldn’t have happened.” 

You stay like that for a while before he catches your chin between his fingers, making your eyes meet. “Do you love me still?”

Even if you wanted to deny it, you couldn’t bring yourself to.

“.. Yes.”

You’d never seen him smile like that. It was the purest, most joyful smile you’ve ever seen on a person. He doesn’t waste any time, pulling your face closer until your lips meet, the kiss soft but passionate, one that sends butterflies across your whole being, one that you’ve dreamed about for the past 5 months. 

When the kiss ends, his gaze rests on your face, “Then..”, he removes a strand of hair behind your ear, “if you still trust me, give us another chance, Y/n.”

You’re embarrassed by how aroused you feel in this moment, with his body pressed against yours, faces inches away. 

“Kiss me again.” You whisper before pulling him to you again, this time taking the lead, your hands leading his to your lower back, signaling for him to pick you up. Eren doesn’t need an explanation with words, he knows exactly what you want. And even though he wants it more than anything in the world right now, he still knows that he needs to be cautious, to ensure that this is what you truly want and not just a momentary lapse driven by old feelings and the intimacy of the moment.

He looks into your eyes, searching for confirmation, for the certainty that this step is one you both want to take. "Are you sure?" he asks quietly, his voice a mix of desire and concern. The last thing he wants is to rush you or make a decision that could complicate the fragile progress you've been making.

"Yes," you reply, your voice steady, eyes locked with his. There's a clarity in your decision, a conscious choice that speaks to the connection you still share. You're aware of the significance of this moment, of the potential it has to either rekindle something beautiful or to reignite past pains. But right now, you're choosing to focus on the present, on the longing you feel, and the man before you who still holds your heart.

“Take me to bed, Eren. Please.”

With your affirmation, Eren gently lifts you, your legs wrapping around his waist as he supports you with strong arms. The kiss deepens, fueled by longing and a profound familiarity that has never truly faded. It's a dance of lips and breath, a silent conversation that speaks volumes about the love and tension that have always characterized your relationship.

Eren carries you with a tenderness that belies his strength, each step towards the bedroom measured and deliberate. The world outside this moment—the doubts, the history, the fears—falls away, leaving only the two of you and the undeniable pull that has always existed between you.

As he lays you down on the bed, there's a reverence in his touch, a silent promise to cherish and respect the trust you're placing in him. He kisses your lips, your cheeks, your chin, and each kiss is a wordless vow, a gentle affirmation of his love for you. Eren's lips move with a purpose, tracing a path of passion across your neck, your soft breaths an indication that he’s on the right path. When he reaches the buttons of your shirt, his eyes meet yours again, a silent question lingering in them, seeking permission to continue. You nod slightly, watching as he undoes each button slowly. When he realises you’re not wearing a bra, he lets out a low groan before taking a nipple inside his mouth. You moan, his expert tongue drawing circles around the nub, making you feel a warmth at the pit of your stomach. His fingers go to the other breast, squeezing it not too gently, something you understand given the fact he hasn’t touched you in more than five months. 

“You have the most perfect tits.” The comment pulls a soft giggle out of you, one that disappears the moment his palm lands on your clothed heat. Now he’s the one smiling, his tongue still working your sensitive nipples. He knew you loved it when he played with your breasts.

When he decides to keep going down, he lets go of your tit with a bop, then kisses down your navel, paying attention to every part of your unclothed body.

“I’ve thought about this every day.” A kiss. “Every night.” A lick. “Every fucking hour you weren’t with me.” A suckle.

Your moans echo through the bedroom as Eren undoes the belt on your jeans, chuckling when your impatient self lifts your hips to help him remove the garments more easily. He does as you wish, throwing your jeans onto the floor, cursing when he sees your white panties are soaked with your essence.

“It’s been so long, huh, baby?” He draws soothing circles around your clothed clit, “You missed me here?” 

“Yes, yes,” you’re restless, moving against his hand, trying to bring yourself more pleasure. “Please, Eren, please, I can’t wait any longer.”

“You won’t have to, baby, I promise.” And even if he didn’t, his erection was beginning to feel more painful than pleasurable. He needed to be inside you.

“I have to make you cum first, though.” He says firmly, “I need you to cum on my tongue.”

“No, just- please, can we do that later? I just, I need-“

“No.” And then you feel his tongue on your clit, and you have to put your hands against your mouth to stop yourself from moaning too loudly. He’s always been so, so good at eating you out, always taking his time with it, until you were creaming inside his mouth, trying to get away from him from how sensitive he’d made you after cumming so many times. 

When he pushes his middle finger in, you start losing your mind. 

“Oh fuck, you’re drenched. Do you want another one?” 

He was such a good fucking talker, too. 

“Do it, do it, please-“

And that, he did, moving them in and out of you, then spitting on his other hand so it could go up to your breast and rub around your nipple. The combination, needless to say, makes you cum within seconds. 

Your whole body tenses as you let out a strained moan of his name, the strength of your orgasm leaving you completely breathless. It’s the kind of orgasm you feel on your fingertips, the type that makes every touch to your body electrifying.  

“I’m sorry, baby, I just couldn’t help it.” You faintly hear Eren’s voice, accompanied by the sound of clothes rustling that you believe are his. When you finally have the strength to look down, you see his beautiful, naked body before you, his cock finally free from its confinement. It’s a sight for sore eyes, and yours sure were that. His mouth shines with your liquids, and you don’t know why you’re blushing, as if you didn’t have this man’s child. He smiles down at you before he starts rubbing his tip at your entrance, hissing from how wet you are.

“I can’t believe you’re here.” He says, so gently, as if he’s not about to rock your whole world. “It hurt missing you so much.”

You want to kiss him in that moment, tell him it’s going to be fine, that you still love him, but you’re deprived of that opportunity when he pushes in, stretching your walls because of how big he is. Even though you were prepped, it still stung a little, and you think Eren knows because his strokes are slow and gentle, easing his way inside you.

“You feel amazing.” He whispers as he brings himself down to give you a sloppy kiss, your moans synchronising as he moves inside you. Your hands roam around his strong back, unconsciously pulling him down so you can feel him deeper.

“You want it harder, baby?” He asks between kisses, and you nod frantically, like it’s the only thing you will ever want in your life. When he begins to fuck you in a hastier pace, filling you up to the brim, he has to put his palm in front of your mouth so you don’t wake your sleeping daughter up.

“Shh, I know, I feel it too,” he has a hard time controlling himself as well, your pussy sucking him in so deliciously, he thinks he can stay like this forever. “Look at your tits bouncing. Just- if you could see yourself right now. You’re unreal.”

His words go to one place and one place only, making it even more pleasurable when he hits your spot over and over again.

“Rub your clit.” He instructs, sounding more and more out of breath. “I want you to cum with me.”

You do as you’re told, your fingers working on your sensitive bud as Eren stands back on his knees, his abs flexing with every move of his hips. He was becoming sloppier, like he was losing control of his rhythm, his fingers plunged into the fat of your ass as he moved you onto his dick. 

“Rub them faster.” He groans, “I’m so fucking close.”

“Oh, god!” Your body bounces on the mattress as you feel the nearing rush of your second orgasm approaching. “It’s coming, I’m- oh fuck, I’m gonna-“

“Me too, shit, shit, I love you,”, he fucks you through both your orgasms, lips swallowing your desperate moans, with a little tear rolling down your face from all the stimulation and his confession. No matter how many times you heard it, it still pulled an emotional reaction out of you.

When Eren’s hips come to a halt, he doesn’t pull out immediately, choosing to stay close to you and pepper your neck and shoulders with open-mouthed kisses. You’re spent, trying to catch your non-existing breath as your hand rubs gentle circles around your lover’s back. 

“I still can’t believe this happened.”

You smile against his ruffled hair, “Well, you better believe it because you just fucked the shit out of me.”

Your laughters fill the bedroom air, making the atmosphere lighter after the emotional rollercoaster that was the past hour. Eren cradles your face in his hands, and you just can’t imagine being any less happy than you are in this moment, “I’m never, ever letting you go again. Understand?” His voice is firm yet filled with a warmth that resonates with every beat of your heart.

You gaze into Eren's eyes, seeing the determination and love that shine back at you. His declaration, so full of certainty, wraps around you like a comforting embrace.

"I wouldn’t want you to," you reply, reaching your hand up to caress his cheek. "But we have to promise each other something, Eren. We have to promise that we'll communicate, be honest, and work through things together. No running, no hiding—just us, facing everything as a team."

Eren nods, the seriousness of your words not lost on him. "I told you, I’ll do whatever it takes.", and you can tell by the look in his eyes that he means it.

You lean forward, pressing a soft kiss to his lips, a seal to the vows you've just exchanged. It's a kiss that speaks of new beginnings, of forgiveness, and of the love that has weathered the storm.

Eren nestles his head against your chest, finding solace in the steady thrum of your heartbeat, while your fingers tenderly weave through his hair, caressing him with every affectionate stroke.

“What will we tell your mini-you?”

“That I slept on the couch. She’ll be so happy she won’t even care about anything else.”

You let out a chuckle, “That, she will be.”

And as you fall asleep in each others arms, the world outside fades into insignificance. The comfort of Eren's weight against you, the gentle rise and fall of his breathing, and the softness of his hair beneath your fingertips are the only realities that matter. That will ever matter.

…..

number one: during 'the blind banker'

you were a detective. you went on cases with Sherlock and John. now you had to go into Eddie Van Coon's apartment.

"they are new to the apartment aren't they?" you said.

Sherlock smirked: "yes, they are"

"how are you so sure?" John asked

Sherlock points at the name on the doorbell.

"maybe they changed it." John said.

"no one would do that" you said and Sherlock rang.

"hello?" a woman's voice said some moments later

"ummm, hello miss, we are your downstairs neighbors. i don't know if you know us." Sherlock said

"uh, umm, no. we are new" the woman said.

"well, me and my girlfriend forgot our key's in our apartment" Sherlock said wrapping one arm around you and you rose an eyebrow but quickly played along.

"oh, do you want me to open the door for you?" the woman asked

"yeah, ummm, could we come from your balcony?" Sherlock asked.

"the balcony?!" the woman said surprised and Sherlock nodded.

after she left you came out of his arms.

"your girlfriend?" you asked with a raised eyebrow and John chuckled.

"oh, please. it had to be believable." he said.

"uh-huh" you said

number 2: during 'a scandal in Belgravia'

"punch me in the face" Sherlock said

"punch you?" John said

"yes, punch me in the face. didn't you hear me?"

"i always hear 'punch me in the face' when you talk but it's usually subtext" John says

"yeah" you agreed and then, without another word you punched Sherlock in the face.

"i always wanted to do that" you joke

"ouch" Sherlock says "ok..." he starts but gets cut of by another punch by John.

"you are right! i think i did too" John says chuckling making Sherlock roll his eyes.

after forcing Kate, Irene's assistant to open the door you entered the house.

"who is the beautiful lady?" Kate asked with a fake smile

"oh, i..." you started but Sherlock cut you off

"she is my girlfriend" he says

"oh" Kate's fake smile fades and she walks to the room asking you to follow.

"i literally just punched you in the face" you whispered

"i asked you to" he says and you tried to hide your smile

number three: during 'the hounds of Baskerville'(i added this scene)

"hi" Sherlock says sitting next to a random costumer at the bar.

"hello, what's the problem?" the man said

"well, me and my girlfriend are here for vacation and we heard whispers about a huge dog in this town. in the woods." he says

"we made a bet. i said there is no such a thing and he disagrees" you played along

"so, you are here more often right? we wanted to know which one of us will win" Sherlock said placing a hand around your shoulders to make it look more realistic.

"oh, oh, this is way more than a dog. it's a monster. you should believe in it." the man says and then he turns to look at you "of course i don't want to scare a pretty woman like you"

you rolled your eyes and Sherlock glared at him and left before he could finish.

"ok, thank you for your help." he says trying to act unbothered.

"wow, you don't have to be so overprotective" the man say making you smirk and Sherlock roll his eyes.

number four: the real confession

"y\n?" Sherlock says walking to the room.

"yes?"

"i wanted to ask you something" he takes a deep breath.

"ok, what is it?"

"will you....can you....oh god!"

"Sher, just say it. its okay."

"ummm.....willyoubemygirlfriend"

"i'm sorry?" you raise an eyebrow

"oh god" he takes another deep breath "look, i'm not usually this nervous about anything but this really means to me and it has been on my mind for months....will you, be my girlfriend?" he finally says

"what?" you chuckle making him look more worried than he already is "you were nervous to ask me to act like your girlfriend? i have done that a lot of time. i'm actually starting to think it is real" you joke.

"what is it this time? a serial killer or another guy with mental health issues? maybe another naked woman?" you continue

"no....i....i mean be my actual girlfriend" he corrects

"what?" now you were really confused

"you see, all this time, when i acted like you were my girlfriend or acted jealous, it was because i liked the thought of that."

he waited for you to answer but when you didn't he continued.

"will you?" he said "be my girlfriend"

"this isn't a test to see how sentimental i am?" you asked half-jokingly

Sherlock chuckled "no" he said.

Chaeyoung is laying on your bed and playing on her phone, 'Wow, your company seems so harsh, forcing you to work until 10 on weekends, I don't understand why Dahyun eooni would like to work at your company.'

“This was a special occasion, I had some struggles with an employee, and I stopped for food. What are you doing here Chaeyoung?”

'I help you to change the bed sheet, Oppa.' Chaeyoung gets up from your bed and walks to you. 'You know it was Dahyun eooni's first-time last night, she cut away the pieces with her blood and keep it.'

'Don't worry, I keep mine one at out our house in hometown.' Chaeyoung come to hugs you. 'Oh, I can smell the shampoo, you doing something naughty today huh?'

“Just a little after-work fun.” I fall into bed after hugging Chae. “I’m just going to sleep like this. I’m too tired to change.”

'Wow, so you finally find a girl that can drain you? It's fun.' Chaeyoung comes around to kiss your forehead and then goes to your bed, cuddle with you. 'I' m sleeping here tonight, good night oppa.'

“Why can’t you sleep in your bed?” I ask while moving away slightly.

'Yah, what do you mean?' Chaeyoung cuddles with you again, 'I just wanna sleep next to you tonight, ok? Or you still mad with me about yesterday? Sorry oppa.'

“Its’s fine, but I was just curious as to why.” I begin to fall asleep.

You fall asleep soon while you have Chaeyoung in your arms.

You are awake by the middle of the night, and you see someone riding you. 'No, Mina, tomorrow is Sunday, we don't need to work.' As you haven’t fully wakeup, you thought it is Mina giving you the alarm.

'Mina' stops for a second when she hears Mina's name, but soon she starts to ride you again. You close your eyes and try to sleep again.

I roll onto my side bringing them with me. Groggily saying “I said no.“ Following that I wrap my arms around them. "Just sleep.”

'Mina' did not resist, she just peacefully sleep in your arms, and you two just sleep until the sun rises.

As you are very tired from the sex with Sana, you woke up pretty late today and it's already noon. You open your eye and find that the one in your arms isn't Chaeyoung, it's Dahyun instead, she just watches you sleeping.

"Dahyun what are you doing here?” As I look down, I notice that I’m still inside her and immediately back off. “Why was I inside you?”

'I come here to wake Oppa up, but I hear Oppa say you want me in the dream, so...' Dahyun blushes and grabs your morning boner, guiding you back to her pussy. 'I can help oppa...'

“What about the others Dahyun? What if they come in?”

'Chaeyoung knows already, and Jihyo eooni won't talk about us, so... Uh... so big, oppa.' Dahyun starts to moan as you have entered her.

'Love me, oppa.' Dahyun leans to kiss you.

I return the kiss and push deeper into her. “Let’s be quiet Dahyun.”

'I will try... Ah!' Dahyun fails instantly after you start thrusting.

'Umm... Umm...' Dahyun keeps moaning as you move, you doubt that other in the house knows what happening in the room.

I kiss Dahyun in response, “I said keep quiet.”

Dahyun bites her lips real hard to hide her moan, she even uses her hands to cover her mouth.

'Ummm...' Dahyun crosses her legs on your leg demanding you thrust faster.

It's just her second time having sex, it's really tight and you're tempted to go rougher, and her milky thigh keep rubbing your back make you even turned on.

I squeeze Dahyun’s ass cheeks, as I start to thrust faster. Planting kissing down her body I reach her nipple and start suckling on it.

'Ah ha! No, oppa!' Dahyun fails to keep her moaning again when you start sucking her nipple, her body jerks from the sensation.

'I'm going to pee! Ah, Oppa!' Dahyun' s leg pushing you to go further as she is approaching her orgasm. Her walls becoming tighter and wrapping you well, allowing you to have more pleasure.

I continue sucking on her tits and start to thrust faster. “Cum for me Dahyun.”

'Ah! Oppa! I love you...' Dahyun arcs her back and hugs you tighter when she orgasms. Her nectars splashing on your tip, her walls pressing on your shaft.

'Pull out... Oppa... We will have child...' Dahyun moans weakly as you keep thrusting throughout her orgasm, but her legs still crossing on your back.

“You have to let me go Dahyun.” I say while trying to unhook her legs.

Although Dahyun tells you to pull out, her legs still lock you tightly. You are on the edge of orgasm already while you trying to remove her legs.

'Pull out... Oppa.' Dahyun can feels your cock throbbing and she finally frees you a bit but her legs are still hooking you.

I unhook Dahyun’s legs and pull out enough to cover Dahyun’s stomach in cum. I kiss her and say, “Dahyun you made that a lot harder than it had to be.”

Dahyun returns your kiss and hugs you tightly again, 'Sorry, Oppa. I know I can't let you cum inside, but it's just feel so good to have you in me.'

'I am sorry I can't keep quiet, oppa.' Dahyun blushes. 'Chaeyoung must be laughing at me.'

“She definitely is.” I respond while moving to sit. “We said we would spend the day together. Go take a shower, I’ll go after you. Then we can go out.”

Dahyun kisses you one more time before leaving for a bath, you can hear Chaeyoung's laughter when she opens the door. You wait for a few minutes later to take your bath.

When you step out, the girls in the living room are watching you, Chaeyoung is smirking, 'I guess you have finished your breakfast, Oppa?', Jihyo just smiles and shakes her head. Unexpectedly, Mina is also here, you can feel she is glazing at you and then turns her head around.

“Hello, Mina. How are you doing?” I ask without pausing.

Mina ignores you and just focuses on her food. Jihyo sees your embarrassment, so she says ‘Um yeah, I invite Mina to come to have some fun on cook with me as you guys are going out later, I hope you don't mind, Y/N.'

'Of course, Oppa would not mind.' Chaeyoung answers. 'Mina eooni, you are really beautiful. Do you have a boyfriend?'

Mina blushes as she hear Chaeyoung's compliments, 'No, I am not that pretty, but thanks Chaeyoung.'

“Well, it’s nice to see you making friends, Jihyo. I’m not mad. Just make sure to tell me or clean up beforehand. It’d be bad manners to have them come into a mess.”

'Yeah, no worry, Y/N. We will make sure to clean the kitchen afterwards.' Jihyo says.

You then head to the bathroom for a shower and get ready to go out with the sisters.

'Damn, Mina eooni is so hot, I wanna sleep with her, you won't mind, right?' Chaeyoung whispers to you when no one noticed. 'After I sleep with her, I can help you to get her too, deal? She's your secretary, so I gonna ask you first.'

You can imagine the scene of Mina and Chaeyoung having sex and even a threesome with you, it's hot.

“No Chaeyoung, me and Mina are going through a rough patch. I haven’t exactly been the best boss. I’ll consider it if you help me get her a gift so I can say sorry.”

'Wouldn't nice sex is the best present for her? From a woman, I can tell she is empty and lonely. Your cock is the most suitable present for her. Let me help you, ok?' Chaeyoung says. 'Look at her ass, wow. It's unbelievable, I just can't wait to sleep with her now.'

'What are you two talking about?' Dahyun comes and asks.

'No, we are just talking about you or me should go first tonight. You got the morning cum so I will go first.' Chaeyoung answers Dahyun playfully while Dahyun blushes when she hears what Chaeyoung says.

'I can do it... As long as Oppa is happy is fine, Oppa's fingers is good too.' Dahyun looks at you shyly.

“Chaeyoung, seriously, I’d rather get her something that shows I care about her.” I whisper.

'What? Care about me? Oppa already care about me a lot.' Dahyun seems confused about the conversation.

'Yeah yeah yeah, oppa of course care about you, he feeds you already this morning.' Chaeyoung smirks.

'Go talk with her now, we will wait for you at the car.' Chaeyoung brings Dahyun to leave then. You look at Jihyo and Mina chatting on the sofa, thinking what you should say.

“Could I talk to you for a second Mina?” I say interrupting their conversation.

Mina is still ignoring you, Jihyo knows what you want, so she excused herself, leaving you and Mina in the living room.

'So, asking Jihyo to find me come today? What do you want? I have nothing wanna say. ' Not addressing herself as 'Minari', you know she is still mad about the 'Dahyun' thing.

You sit beside her, and hold her in your arm, she resists for a while, but eventually give up when you kiss her, she rests in your hug after you break the kiss, waiting for what you gonna say.

“I’m sorry Mina. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings but I did and I what to make it up to you. Is there anything I can do for you? To make up for wronging you.”

'You know what Minari wants, can you give it to Minari then?' Mina turns her head away, looking at the window.

'All the things we go through together are still in my memory, I still remember last time you drunk as shit and you called me, I still remember you cried like a baby in my arms, I still remember the interview you hired me. Everything, I remember everything. '

“I’ll try to Mina. I promise to do my best for you.” I hug Mina. “I know Mina, you’ve really had to deal with a lot because of me. I want to be there for you like you were with me.”

Mina put a finger on your lips to stop you,' No, I don't want promises, breaking an unachievable promise would just make my heart break.'

'Let nature takes it course.' Mina leaves your arms and helps you to fix the collar on the shirt, just like a wife helping her husband before he goes to work. You look at her pretty face when she is fixing it, you remember how she treat you all the time, you can't hold on and you hug her again.

'Your sisters are waiting, Boss.'

"I know, Mina. Let’s spend next Friday night together though.”

'Let's see. Some guys already asking me out on that day.' Mina leaves when you are shocked and stand still. You don't expect she is rejecting you.

'I'm ready, Jihyo! Let's make the cake!' Mina yells at Jihyo's room to let her know she is ready.

You looking at the back of Mina, thinking can you accept Mina going out with other men?

Jihyo comes out and see Mina is smiling while you are emotionless, wondering what have happened.

“Hey! Don’t go too far!” 

You swam out onto the expanding sea, ignoring your mother’s half-hearted call, knowing that she trusted you enough to not get lost in the ocean.

You were at a small beach next to the cottage your family owned and sometimes camped at during the summer. The beach opened up to an expanse of blue that you loved, so you always spent your time swimming in the shore. 

That day, there was a growing fog, but that didn’t deter you from swimming at the beach anyway. You quickly kicked your legs as much as you could for an eleven year old —travelling far, far into the cold ocean. After a while, your legs tired, and you stopped and trod. You looked around you and saw virtually nothing but the blue of the ocean and the gray sky contrasting with each other.

You looked down, and you could only see your thighs through the water. The rest of your legs disappeared inside the blackness of the ocean. You could’ve sworn the shore was right there. The waves pushed you lightly and bobbed you up and down.

You panicked. Where were you? Were you going to drown? What if you got tired and couldn’t swim anymore? You spun around frantically trying to remember which direction the shore was.

You had to calm down. Spinning around in circles wasn’t going to help anything. You closed your eyes and breathed in and out. Settled yourself. 

When you opened them back up, you saw two brown eyes staring at you, right up close. 

You yelped and fell back, just as the boy in front of you did the same, startled by your sudden sound.

He looked about your age, comparing him to how the boys your age looked. Most notable of all, he had pink hair. And a little bit of brown on the sides, too.

“Woah!” he said, eyes wide and full of wonder. “Are you a human?”

“Umm… yes?” You answer, eyeing his unusual hair, still wary of the random boy that popped up in the middle of the sea.

“Wow! That’s cool!” He said again, clearly not registering the suspicion on your face. “Two legs, right? Are they unstable when you walk? Can you go on land?”

Pelted by the sudden but obvious questions, you couldn’t help but get confused. Why was there a boy out here? And why was he asking questions about being a human?

“Uh– no, they’re not that unstable… and yeah, we can go on land…”

“So cool!” the boy repeated, not knowing much more vocabulary. 

“Wait– how are you here?” You asked, “And how is your hair pink? Your parents let you dye it?”

He laughed brightly. “No! I was actually born with it! Crazy, right?!” He looked at you again with those curious brown eyes, full of energy. “And I’m here because you’re here. I think I saw something moving around here, and it turns out it was you. A human at that!”

Huh? What was he talking about? Why was he still going on about the human stuff? Was he… not one?

“How did you see me?” you asked, still confused.

The boy grins. “From the water, of course!”

“The water?” Now you were probably more confused than before.

He rambles on. “I live there! Wow, I’ve never seen a human before. My dad said that they didn’t really go out too far where we lived, but here you are! But then again, I guess I did swim pretty far away. I’ve only ever seen fishtails in my life, so I was like, super surprised when I saw something that looked like fingers but not quite, and–”

You started to put two and two together. A boy, talking about people like you as some foreign creature. And a boy who also appeared out of nowhere from within the water. Was he a—

You cut him off. “Fishtails?” 

He laughed. “Yeah, fishtails! I’m a merman!”

“A merman?! They exist?!” You blurt out. 

“Humans exist?!” He says back.

You both look at each other, with the same dumbfounded expression on your faces. And then he laughs. Just a little. A nose exhale. And soon, both of you were laughing out loud in the sea, marveling at each other’s existence.

“Have you seen the Little Mermaid?!” You asked, still laughing.

“No! Have you seen Legs on the Sand?!” He excitedly shares back.

“What?”

“What?!”

You both smile at each other, the wonder of discovering a myth in both your worlds amazing to your young minds. 

Your legs, still treading, cramped up a little, reminding you of your situation. You grimace and look at him, wondering if he knew how to get back.

“Uh,” you start, suddenly realizing you never got his name. 

“Yeah?”

“Do you know how to get back to the shore? I kinda got lost, and that’s how I ended up here in the first place,” you explained.

The pink-haired boy blinks twice and suddenly perks up, having found the answer to your request.

He points to your left.

“I’d say follow where the waves are heading. The fog is heavy today, but I’m pretty sure there’s land over there.”

You look towards the direction he was pointing, feeling unsure. Nevertheless, you trusted him.

“Thanks,” you smiled at him. “What’s your name?”

“Yuji Itadori! Merman from the ocean! What’s yours?”

“(name). Uh, human from the…land I guess? Nice meeting you!”

As you started to kick your legs up to swim in the direction Yuji pointed you at, you felt his hand grab your wrist. 

“Wait– don’t go yet!” You turned around, looking at him in his brown eyes. 

“We should see each other again!” he smiled. It seemed like he never stopped smiling. “It’s my first time seeing a human, I don’t want it to be my last too!”

You nodded, silently agreeing with him. You also wanted to see more mermaids or mermen, especially after figuring out they were real.

“Sure, but where should we meet..?” You trail off. You were still in the middle of the ocean, the fog covering up any sort of landmark that could serve as a checkpoint for your meeting spot with Yuji. 

Luckily, he had already thought of a solution. “Just swim until you can’t anymore! I’ll definitely see you and come right over!”

Not reassuring, but still a plan. You smile back at him, and he lets go of your wrist, getting what he wanted.

“I’ll see you around, Yuji!”

“You too, (name)!”

And so was your very first meeting with Yuji, the merman.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

The next year, you begged your mom to take you back to the oceanside cottage. Taken aback by how enthusiastic you were, she agreed. 

You rushed over to the beach once you got there, quickly changing into your swimsuit and zipping away from the cottage before your parents could stop you from going out alone.

You faced the ocean, where you met your unusual friend and felt a pang of uncertainty. You haven’t visited Yuji in around a year. Would he even remember you? What if he never came looking?

The sky was clear, with no sign of anything that could dim your eyesight. You couldn’t have swum that far when you were nine, so you were fairly certain that you wouldn’t get lost in the ocean. 

Taking a deep breath, you dove in. And swam. Pulling from the memories of the past year, you were pretty sure you just swam straight ahead from the shore when you found Yuji. 

You continued swimming out, sometimes checking if the beach was at an okay-enough distance where you could still see it. 

After some time, you stopped and trod. You looked around yourself, then down into the ocean, anxiety nibbling at your edges. There was no sign of life anywhere. What if that one time you saw him was the first and last? And you swam all the way here for nothing?

Intrusive thoughts swarmed your mind, threatening to drown you in the metaphorical water. 

Then, suddenly, you heard a splash of water coming from in front of you. You looked up and saw a flash of pink before you got tackled by the hyper boy. You yelped as he laughed as you both splashed into the water. 

“You came back!” Yuji exclaims, overjoyed at the sight of you.

“You remember me?” You say, smiling back.

He lets go of you, and you both float up to the surface.

“Of course I do! I’ve always been hanging around this area to see if you would come back!”

“Really?” You stammer, suddenly feeling guilty. You were only around this cottage during the summer. Was he here waiting for you during the entire year?

“I couldn’t pass up the chance that my favorite human would come back and see me, right?!”

You gulp and look at him, his energy blinding. You seemed dull around him. 

“Favorite? I can’t be your favorite…”

He blinks at you. “Well. I don’t know any other humans. So you’re my favorite!”

You avert your eyes. “Thanks… I guess you’re my favorite merperson too.”

He grins as bright as the sun overhead.

Year after year, you continue to visit Yuji on the shore. Your parents were already tired of returning to this cottage every year, but you didn’t mind, as it was an excuse to see him.

He teaches you about merman culture, and in turn, you tell him about human culture. The food, the clothes, and the technology. You had cars, airplanes, and whatnot.

Yuji tells you about how they use currents and maybe the occasional dolphin as transportation. He becomes amazed by the wide selection of food you have and makes it his life goal to try a pizza one day.

He teaches you how to properly swim, and it surprisingly helped a lot even if you didn’t have a tail replacing your legs. Wanting to not tire you all the time, Yuji personally took it upon himself to find a nice spot, and he did. A small place hidden behind a large rock, where you could sit and talk while Yuji waded in the water.

You, personally, thought Yuji had so much energy and really couldn’t believe that he was always this excited to see you. You seemed dull around him. 

What you loved most about him was that he never let you go quiet in a conversation and always made a point to ask you questions so that it wasn’t just a one-sided dialogue of him just talking and talking. You always felt that he genuinely cared, which warmed your heart to the bone.

You both grew up alongside each other. Learned new things and learned new feelings. You couldn’t deny that you liked him a little. He was your little secret, one that you kept from all your friends. No one would believe you if you said you were friends with a merperson.

So you never mentioned it to anybody. He was something only for you to enjoy, to pine in secret. A reason for you to count down the days to go to your family cottage.

However, a part of you still feels sad. 

He was a merman, and you were a human. You were from two separate worlds. How could you ever date?

So you kept that little crush deep inside your heart, focusing on enjoying the limited time you could have.

Despite being older, Yuji always kept that same energy you loved. You were scared you would get too boring for him, a concern you always had since you two had regularly started to see each other.

One summer, you were packing as usual for your yearly trip to the cottage. 

When you were finished, you went to the kitchen, trying to find a bite of food while your mom was there washing the dishes.

“Oh, yeah, (name,) I wanted to tell you that this year will be the last year we’ll be going to our cottage.” Your mom says casually, as if not dropping the biggest bombshell ever.

At first, you don’t even register her words. Just stood there, looking at her. 

Then it sinks in. “What..? Why?” 

Your mother looks up at you. “Well, we’ve already been going there for so many years now, and your father and I both sold it already. Don’t you think we’ve spent our time there well enough?”

You stare at her, eyes wide as you try to process her words.

Your last time at the cottage. Your last time seeing Yuji.

The cottage really wasn’t too important for you, but he was. You couldn’t bear the thought of losing him, someone that you looked forward to every summer, slugging through the school year waiting for it to end.

“Oh,” you mutter. Your mom smiles at you, pleased that you didn’t make any protest. 

You make your way back into your room. You knew it was pointless to beg your parents to stay at the cottage. And yes, they were right. The cottage had served its purpose for your family, and it was a nice way to get a little extra cash back. It’s rational. It’s reasonable.

However, you didn’t want to lose it, purely out of your own selfish desire of not getting to see Yuji again.

You breathe in, trying to hold back your irrational tears from falling. 

Guess you’d just have to make this one a lot more memorable with him.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

As your parents pulled into the driveway of the cottage, you stared solemnly out the window, contemplating on how to explain your situation to Yuji. It felt like pain to leave him, after all those years of friendship you had. He was the most special secret you ever kept, and now because of a decision you had no say in, you would have to lose him.

Once you unpacked and got changed, you headed over to the beach as always. Your parents were already used to you spending hours at a time at the beach, so they never worried or questioned. You always came back, after all.

You saw Yuji again, and he was always there, always waiting for you. You felt guilty for leaving him. Every time you looked at him, your heart pangs. Just a little. As if the tiny crush you hid inside there throbbed.

He noticed your hesitance, the guilty look on your face. Of course he did; he always paid attention to you no matter what. Since the day you first met. 

“(name), why aren’t you looking at me?” he asks, clearly worried. 

The question only makes you divert your gaze even further. You didn’t want to spill the truth to him just yet.

“Nothing, actually it’s just…”

You take a deep breath. 

But your voice failed you; the words stuck in the back of your throat. 

“I-I’ll tell you on my last day,” you sputter out, your mouth subconsciously hiding the truth.

He nods and doesn’t push it any further. He was just so understanding. It really did make you want to ugly cry at the world for not being able to have him. He continues the conversation, a year’s worth of memories to catch up on and share. You smile. He smiles back.

On the last day, you walked into the cold water, the warmth of the summer sun contrasting it nicely. You looked around you, taking in everything as it was your last time.

You swim towards the spot he found for you two all those years ago. Today would be your last day with it, however. 

You sat on the rock, thinking about how you would deliver the truth while you were waiting for Yuji. You wanted to be blunt and straightforward and not waste anyone’s time. But you were scared of hurting his feelings, of making it feel like you never cared at all. You cared. You cared a little too much.

Lost in your thoughts, the splash of his head popping out from the water pulled you back in. He smiled at you with those warm brown eyes again.

“Hey, (name)! What’s up!”

You smiled weakly, returning his enthusiastic greeting with your listless one. He immediately gauges your mood and drops to a more serious demeanor. You loved that about him. How he could light up your day but always know when you were sad to comfort you or drop to a more serious tone whenever the conversation called for it. It felt so refreshing after being around so many people who never understood your emotions, thinking that you were being rude for being tired all the time and not putting effort into your responses.

He understood you like no other human did, and maybe that was because he wasn’t. And you would have to leave him today.

You take a deep breath in. 

“Today will be the last time I’m here.”

Silence stretched between the two of you, Yuji letting the words sink in.

“You’re…not coming back next year? Or at all?” he says tentatively. 

You nod solemnly, not finding it in you to talk.

“Oh,” he says, after a bit. Just oh.

The only thing both of you could hear was the waves crashing onto the rocks.

“I’m sorry.”

“No,” he replies almost instantly, finally looking at you again. “Don’t apologize, please! I just…” 

He exhales. “Why?”

At least you can give an answer to that question. 

“My parents sold the cottage that we stay in during each trip and said that I already had my fun here. Said it was boring to go back each year again and again.” 

He nodded, pretending to understand even if he didn’t. Even he couldn’t hide the sorrow on his face. 

“I’m sorry,” you say again, hoping that it fixes the wounds you just caused. 

He doesn’t reply. Why should he? Tears were beginning to form, burning the back of your eyes.

You felt a hand grab yours. His hand. It took you by surprise, but you didn’t want to look at him, even if he was holding your hand. 

Then, he yanked you into the water. Hard.

You yelped, the coldness of the water shocking you as you splashed into the sea with him. He laughed as he helped you up above the water. 

“Yuji, what’s this about?” You say, finally looking at him for answers.

“Well,” he smiled. “If this is gonna be my last time seeing you, I want to at least show you something.” 

His gaze dropped to his own chest, and you can see his face pale just a little. “Shoot! I forgot it!” He panicked. It was your turn to subtly laugh at him. 

“Wait here! I’ll be back in five—no, three!” He hurriedly swam away, leaving you in the dust and pretty confused.

After two minutes and fifty-three seconds, Yuji returns, breathless but with a necklace with a tiny bottle as the sole decoration for it. 

Before you could ask what it was, he undid the cork of the small bottle and handed it to you.

“Drink,” he pants, still out of breath.

You take the bottle out of his hands while eyeing him suspiciously. “Uhh, what even is it?”

“It’s a potion to breathe underwater. Drink it.” 

You eye the contents of the bottle. There was about 5 mL of clear liquid inside the bottle. Deciding to trust Yuji that it won’t automatically kill you, you swallow it down. It didn’t taste like anything, but it still made a nasty impression on your lungs.

“Blegh,” you cough out, handing the bottle back to Yuji. “What now?” 

“Follow me!” 

He dives into the water, tail flicking upwards and propelling his body forward. You didn’t want to get left behind nor lose sight of where he was going, so you rushed in afterwards, your legs kicking as hard as they could. You held your breath as instinct, but soon after realized that the potion had worked, and you really were breathing underwater. It felt just as normal as breathing in regular air.

Before you even realized that you lost sight of him, Yuji appeared right next to you, having swum back to check on you. 

“Gosh, humans really are slow underwater,” he says, grabbing your arm and dragging you along faster than what your legs could kick.

“My legs were made for walking, not swimming,” you retort back playfully. “And you’re not even a good comparison—didn’t you win mermaid track and field?”

“It’s called tide and glide, actually. And it rhymes, so it’s automatically better than your sport for it.”

You roll your eyes. Banter like this wasn’t too out of the ordinary for both of you.

Your stomach drops suddenly, reminding you that this was the last time you could banter with him again. Really? At a time like this?

You decided to focus on Yuji’s arm around yours, dragging you through the sea, his body exuding warmth. Yuji pointed at structures, showing off the architecture that really was as pretty as he described it to be. Long, stable arches that resemble the ones you saw in pictures stood towering above the coral, vines of seaweed decorating the pillar. Schools of colorful fish you have never even seen before swim in the vicinity. You two were deep in the ocean. He showed you around his own world, wanting to at least give you a view before you left. 

Finally, Yuji stops right before a ruin. You could see the once majestic pillars crumbling away from forgetfulness, the cracks in the stone never filled in by negligence. You wonder why Yuji brought you here. He detaches himself from you and floats in front of you so that you two are now face to face.

“(name), I know this sounds super, super sudden and weird, but,” he pauses. “Since this is your last day, I guess I have to do it…” 

“Do what?” you ask. 

He clears his throat. He obviously felt just as awkward as the situation he brought the two of you in, a hint of red creeping up on his cheeks. 

“So, in my mind, when the time came, I would bring you underwater and show you everything and what the merfolk world looked like, blah blah blah,” he rambles on. “But, I didn’t know that the time would come so soon, so I never really planned what I would do fully, and now it’s awkward because I don’t know how to transition from idea A to idea B, so really this whole time I’ve been basically winging it, and—”

You cut him off and put your hands on his shoulders. “Yuji, slow down. What are you talking about?” 

“Can I kiss you?”

You stop breathing momentarily, his question throwing you off. Very off. Even if it was a quiet desire you buried within yourself for years.

You can see his face flood with panic when you don’t respond, and he starts rambling again as he does when he gets nervous.

“Of course—well, if you want to—Oh my gosh, (name), I’m so sorry if you don’t like me—I—sorry, I’m just super lame, but I always kinda maybe wanted to kiss you a little, but—”

His words get muffled by your mouth as you move forward, cup his cheeks inside your hands, and kiss him, shutting him up before he self-destructs again. 

Although he was initially surprised at first, he leaned into the kiss, putting his hands on your waist to pull you an inch closer, his whole body buzzing, as if his cells knew that yes, this was the right person. 

Your heartbeat was thudding in your ears, going so fast, but all you could think of was his lips between yours. 

When you both pulled away, breathless, you looked at him again. Really took him in.

And Yuji, red in the cheeks, flashed you the brightest smile you had ever seen from him.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

When you both returned to your usual hangout spot, cheeks flushed, you knew it was time for your goodbye. 

Even if you wanted to cry, wanted to hold onto him until the ocean dried up, and wanted to beg no one in particular to stay in the water for one more minute, you couldn’t. You weren’t a child anymore. 

“We’ll see each other again one day, yeah?” Yuji whispered as you hugged him tight. You weren’t sure if he was being serious, but dear god, you hoped that he would be right. That you really could feel him around your arms, feel his lips within yours again.

You left the beach, not daring to look back. If you did, you would’ve seen his hand waving goodbye to you as the sun set.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

Three decades later, when you have your own house, your own job, and your own car, living a rather steady life, you remember something strange from your young adult years.

Of course, years of pouring yourself into academic success and hard work dulled some of the old memories, but you still couldn’t shake off the feeling of missing something. It was just in your grasp, but you couldn’t reach for it, since you didn’t know what it was.

The answer came to you in a dream. 

An oceanside cottage. A beach. The cold water and a boy with pink hair he said he was born with. A small corner between two rocks that hid the two of you. A fishtail. His laugh, your tears. The majestic white pillars and the colorful corals and fish straight out of books swimming around the two of you. The ruins and the kiss you shared underwater.

It was all coming back to you. What was his name now? Where was he? Would he remember you?

You woke up after the dream on a Saturday morning, determined to find answers. 

Looking through your old camera roll filled with pictures from back when your parents still took photos of you, a cottage that looked familiar kept on appearing every summer. You saw a photo of you on the exact beach that appeared in your dreams, and it clicked. 

You got up, changed, and set your GPS for the address of the old cottage resort in old pictures. Luckily, the picture came with the location attached to it. 

During the drive, you wondered about the cottage or the beach. A lot can change in thirty years. Maybe the cottage got demolished or renovated. Maybe that small area got bought out, and it turned into a huge apartment complex. Or maybe it stayed the same, the owners still using it each year. 

Thankfully, the cottage was still there, as was the resort. 

As you parked your car along the edge of each property, you took the whole scene in, nostalgia hitting you everywhere you looked. The cottage you visited every year felt more used, proof that the people your parents sold it to really did take the cottage to their advantage. 

But the building wasn’t your focus. 

You walked around the gravel route, trying to remember where the beach that you had always visited was. Where was the boy that you remember yourself loving but couldn’t remember his name or face? 

You stopped. A clearing that felt strangely too familiar presented itself in front of you. The sky was cloudy. You remembered sunnier days and maybe cleaner waters and a prettier beach. 

But you trusted your gut, not your eyes. 

You dipped your toe in the tide, the cold water greeting you. It felt almost like a welcome. Welcome back, it said. We haven’t felt you for a long time. But we remember.

You walked deeper into the water until your feet could no longer reach the ground. So, you swam. You spotted a bundle of rocks together and decided to swim to them. A checkpoint. 

You swam over to the rocks, which were in fact the hangout spot that you and the boy had agreed upon. Now, the stone had eroded, leaving it softer to sit on but shorter and weaker. It wouldn’t hide the two of you anymore. 

It was peaceful. Hidden away from society was this tiny sanctuary. The waves were gentle, and the sun was lowering into a burst of color for those with the appreciation to stop and see. 

But no matter how pinterest-worthy the scene looked, it felt like it was missing something. 

The bright laugh. His toothy smile. And the pink hair. 

You sighed. The sun was only continuing to lower, and you didn’t even know what you were waiting for. Maybe your dream was imagining the boy, and it only brought you here to relive your childhood. Who was born with pink hair? 

By now, your body had completely dried from swimming, and you were reluctant to go back in the water.

Closing your eyes and gritting your teeth, you put both your legs inside the water, preparing to hop off, just as—

“(name)?” 

The sudden call of your name startled you, and you gasped, slipped, and plunged completely into the water. 

But before you could float up yourself, strong hands grabbed your waist and lifted you out of the water. 

And the one holding you was a man—not a boy anymore—with pink hair and brown eyes and a few scars on his face.

Waves of memories suddenly flooded through your brain, like a broken dam. The talks, the secret crush, the jokes, everything. 

“Yuji?” you asked, voice shaking. 

It takes a lot for a man like Yuji to cry. He’d endured hardships, a full-blown war, and a demon living inside of him, but this, having you in his arms again, even he couldn’t stop—didn’t want to stop—the tears that filled his eyes.

“You’re back,” he says, voice filled with the longing he hid for decades.

And you, the human he randomly met when he was still a child, when he was naive and helpless. The human that left him but promised she’d return. Left him wishing that he was a human so he could be together with her at all times.

Here she was, in his arms.

“I’m back.”

a/n: (giggles into the air) yuji itadori... heh...took supa long to do this DON'T LOOK AT ME. please stop ragebaiting me mai.

"legs on the sand" at the start.. i tried to make up a good movie name for something that would be as popular as the little mermaid, but in mermaid culture, so it would be about humans..? idk

i headcanon that breathing in water would be EXACTLY the same as breathing air (i actually spent a lot of time thinking about this when i was 5) like, the potion would just help your lungs only extract the oxygen from the water... but then the water would turn into just hydrogen and... oh wait that's not a good explanation. whatever.

bro proofreading this now why did i lock in so hard for the end (timeskip thing) that was written so well and the rest... erm.... yeah idk. it's kinda ass please don't beat me up for it and pelt me with crayons

this was so long that when i tried to make it into the small text it lagged and crashed. BRUH

Kissing...?! Again?! Well, atleast it's better than a punch to the face... You can't believe it's come to a point where you're glad to get kissed by Ran.

But still, does he have to kiss you in the least romantic place possible? Even if you did have feelings for him you'd totally find this moment cringy.

"You suck at kissing." He comments heartily, pulling away.

"I'm not the one who kisses a new girl every day. Maybe I actually have some self-respect." You crossed your arms. He was your first kiss after all.

"Every night is an exaggeration. It's like, every week." You couldn't tell if he was joking or being serious, even if you saw his expression.

"Oh, wow. Glad to know that I'll get cheated on in about 3 days. Way to make your 'girlfriend' hate you less."

"I'll stop for you." He smiled.

"Uh huh, whatever." You rolled your eyes.

Though, his kisses are actually kind of making you.... No, no! Don't fall for that! You can't believe you almost admitted that you'd fall for him if he kissed you more.

.

"How's it going with your new boyfriend, girl?"

"God, do not call him that." You held your forehead in frustration.

"I think he's taken a liking to you." Your friend nudged you, pointing at Ran who was sitting on the other side of the cafeteria and smiling at you as he ate.

"Great." You said sarcastically, immediately looking away when your eyes met.

"See? It ended up well. Now you have a hot bad boy boyfriend." Your friend kinda wished she'd done it instead of daring you.

"Didn't I just... ugh! I don't think my parents would agree with you." You placed your forehead on the table, groaning. "You date him if you want a bad boy so bad. But I hate you for dragging me into this." Your voice was slightly muffled.

"Yeah, we'll see. You'll be the happiest couple ever in like, two months."

You raised your head, looking back at Ran once again. You're in quite the pickle, aren't you? The next thing you know, you'll fall for Haitani Ran.

How scarily exciting.

.

"Hop on." Ran stopped on his bike in front of the library. How he knew you had a study session there today? Don't worry about the details.

Another motorcycle ride... You feel like you barely survived the last one.

"My parents expect me to be home in 10 minutes." You crossed your arms. You weren't lying, either.

"Who cares? Live a little." Ran rolled his eyes playfully. Clearly he isn't going to let you back down.

"I'll do it, but only if you keep it to ten minutes." He was right, backing down isn't your thing. You wonder how much resisting him you could get away with if you weren't special to him.

Special to him... huh.

"Killjoy." He insulted you lightly as you sat down in front of him. Again, neither of you are wearing a helmet. This is the last time you'll let it slide.

"I prefer to not get scolded endlessly." You held onto him tightly because you knew what was coming and didn't want to almost fall off the bike again. He felt proud when you held onto him like that.

Like you're finally his. To be honest, he didn't really care much for you until you kissed him out of nowhere like that. How bold of you, the top-of-the-class rule stickler. But he likes that. And that's why he decided to make you his.

Isn't the fact that he lets you ride on his motorcycle enough to see that?

You felt the wind blowing against your face as you set off. Now that you feel it again, it doesnt feel too bad. It's kind of nice, actually. And Ran is warm, too.

The scenery moves past the two of you and strangely, you feel really calm and at peace. It feels like your parents don't exist in this moment and that you can just... live, and feel the adrenaline of the high speed.

This is so scarily exciting.

"You look relaxed." He said, looking down at you.

"I am. And look at the road, will you?" You scolded him but your voice was still relaxed. You look up at him again.

He actually isn't that bad looking. You kind of understand why some girls would fall for him. You, on the other hand...

Are unfortunately befalling the same fate.

He didn't say anything but you had a feeling he knew you were staring.

"You look like you're in love."

"What?! How would you even know?!" You looked back at the road, hiding your face from him. You can't help but get defensive of such a thing.