mers oh my

[shikosuki]

Merchoro PSL

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[shikosuki]

[ He's actually listening intently because he didn't know this and it actually fascinates him? There's so much they don't know about their dad and what he actually does, just purely because they took for granted having a god for a parent and never thought to ask about this sort of this thing once they got of their "why" phase. Which he's realizing now is a bit of a shame.

He's surprised with his dad's offer though ]

A-A-Are you sure?! You don't have to do something like that...! B-Blue works fine...!

[ He looks back at this materials ]

I just... suddenly thought about it... because I think she really likes red. But she also has these beautiful green eyes, and I'M green so...

[ And there's that red face again ]

[karappo]

Then I will make you red and green stones. You may choose from those and the ones I have once they are made and I will affix them for you.

[It's really the least he can do.]

They will be imbued with a minor protection spell. I of course cannot give too much, or else I would need to do the same for all of my citizens...but whenever she is in trouble, the stones will provide a warning. A chance to get oneself to a safer place.

[He doesn't know who it is for. He doesn't know just how ironic the gift truly is.]

[shikosuki]

[ And there it is again, that pang of guilt he felt earlier and is now starting to become familiar with.

He gets up the seafloor now but only long enough to move closer to Poseidon, getting as close as he can against an arm or hand ]

Thank you, dad.

[ It will all be fine, he tells himself. One day he'll introduce them all to one another and it'll be fine. He's not being a bad son. ]

[karappo]

[Ah...

Poseidon feels his chest tighten, his heart beating painfully hard against it. And when Choromatsu comes close, he suddenly extends a hand.]

May I tell you something, son?

[shikosuki]

...Huh? Sure-- what?

[ SHIT IS HE CAUGHT...... NAH NO WAY...

He swims into the hand ]

[karappo]

[No, nothing like that...Dad just needs to be dumb and sentimental for a moment because he still kindof feels like shit about this.]

I notice you frequently ask if what I am doing for you is okay, and if I am sure...and I want you to understand that your friendships...your relationships are very important to me. I want to see you and your brothers grow up happy as well as healthy. And though I would much rather see you stay by my side forever...I try not to stifle you, either.

[He reaches out, gently nudging the edge of his finger against Choromatsu's cheek.]

I would move entire oceans for you. I would call down the very stars from the heavens to create something beautiful for your friend if it meant that you were happy. I want you to understand that, no matter what, you will always come first.

[Perhaps even before his love of the world and its continued existence.]

1/2

[shikosuki]

[ Choromatsu is left completely speechless after all that. Is there even anything he could saying but thank you? Would that even be enough? He doesn't know.

So he doesn't speak. Rather his face twitches and his lip wibbles until his face finally just contorts and he lets out a sobbing sound. ]

[shikosuki]

[ Even with his tears mixing with the saltwater it's clear he's crying, especially with the way he quickly tries to cover his face with his sleeves and his shoulders shake.

But it's with relief. ]

[karappo]

Eh? ....EH!?

[Oh fuck.]

C-c-....C-choromatsu! D...do not cry! P-please don't cry!

[He immediately lifts his son up closer to his face, pressing him against his cheek whether he wants to be there or not.]

Shh...shh......I didn't mean to upset you-!

[shikosuki]

[ He's gone to full out wailing now even as his father draws him close ]

I-I'm n-n-not upset...! I-I'm just-- [ sniff ] so relieved!!

I-I k-kept worrying... a-about what if you don't l-l-like them and...!

[ aaaaaaaaand right back to incomprehensible wailing

It'll be fine. Everything will work out. If Poseidon meant what he said then... it'll be fine. ]

[karappo]

[Poseidon just...holds Choromatsu for a long, quiet moment, listening to him cry. He so desperately wishes, some days, that he could hold his children like proper parents might; to embrace and comfort them the way all merfolk do with their offspring. Instead, he curls forward and holds him gingerly in his palms, making soft hushing noises all the while.]

Oh Choromatsu...my sweet child. Did I not tell you before...? A friend of my son's is a friend of mine.

[But he doesn't know...he doesn't know his friends are human.

What might he say, then, if he knew the truth?]

Hush...hush now. You have nothing to fear. I promise.

[shikosuki]

[ He clings to him, letting himself ride his shaky sobs out, until he's reduced to only sniffles and a blossoming headache. ]

Th-Thank you... I love them a l-lot so I...

[ ... ]

D-D-Dad... I... h-have to tell you...

[ He should. He has to. The sooner he opens up the better it'll be... ]

[karappo]

Tell me? ...tell me what?

[He whispers, pulling Choromatsu away from his face slightly so he can look down at him properly.]

[shikosuki]

[ ......

He can't. Not yet.

But. ]

...I love you a lot too, okay?

[ He's not sure he even remembers the last time he told him that. ]

[karappo]

[It's probably been...a while, on all of his son's parts, given the way it makes his throat tighten and his eyes begin to burn a little. He knows they don't mean anything by not reminding him that they care- they are but children, after all- but hearing it...it means a lot, given the fact that he is not truly their father by blood. Oh, how he wished he could say he was.

He laughs silently and holds Choromatsu close again.]

I am...so very glad. You do not know how much that means to me.

[shikosuki]

[ He clings to him when he's held close again ] We... kinda take you for granted don't we...? [ He nuzzles and buries his face against him ] My friend... the boy. [ he hesitates ] Takumi. [ he hopes the name isn't recognizable ] He told me that um... his parents are all dead. And they didn't just pass away-- they were killed. And it made me think... I don't know what we'd do without you. If something happened to you... I can't even imagine such a thing... [ He's huge and embarrassing but he's still their DAD and the only parent they've ever known. ]

...this was left open in a tag for thirty minutes and did not send oKAY DREAMWIDTH

[karappo]

[The following conversation is a lot more somber than he would have expected, and he stays quiet for it out of respect for the situation. All the while he holds his son carefully, his expression soft and a bit sad.]

It is not your job to worry about me, my son. It is mine to worry about you, and to protect you. I never want you or your siblings to feel as if anything you do might change that. You are growing so much faster than I ever realized, but you are still very young.

[He sighs.]

It takes so much more than you would ever have to be concerned with for me to be harmed.

[At least...permanently.]

[shikosuki]

I know, [ the benefit of having a giant god for a father he supposes ] just...

[ he tries to cling tighter ]

I wanted to make sure... that you knew, I guess. That I love you.

[ he takes a moment just to breathe and steady himself. The sniffling is done but his head still hurts. ]

You're... a really good dad.

[karappo]

[Poseidon smiles, letting Choromatsu cling however he likes.l]

For a first time dad, that is about all I could ever hope to be, really. I love you too, more than anything. I did not realize that until I saw you and your brothers for the first time.

[shikosuki]

[ He unclings a little to nestle in the spot and make himself comfortable. Looks like he's okay with being held for a while longer, like he's a little kid again. ]

You mean when we hatched?

gg on the typo there chi

[karappo]

Mmhm. It was very strange...for the longest time I cared for an egg, waiting and wondering while I kept it safe from harm...and then, one day, you all came one by one.

It made me realize that this world is a lot bigger, a lot more important than even the things I do for it. I always had a purpose before, but now it is only strengthened to make sure you live happy, healthy lives.

[shikosuki]

[ He's heard the story before but listening to it again now with more of an "adult" perspective makes it sound almost new

Though something suddenly sticks out to him ]

...The egg was given to you, right?

Does that mean we're... "adopted"?

[ cHORO.... ]

[karappo]

E....eh?

[....he....HE DOESN'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT THIS...]

W-...where did you hear that?!

[shikosuki]

Um...

[ shit... is this just a human concept? he thought merfolk might "adopt" too and he just never heard about it but... ]

M-My friend... he says that he has "adopted sisters". And a second mother? [ who is ALSO dead. TRIPLE DEAD PARENTS. ]

He said it's when parents take in a child that doesn't have any.

[karappo]

[It...really was more of a human concept, honestly, because the concept of adoption wasn't something merfolk really did all that often. Parents were exceptionally proud to have children of their own, specifically of their own blood...and most of the time if a child lost their parents, they almost always had a large family to go to so they couldn't possibly be left alone. For the king of the sea to be in charge of six children who were by and large not his blood was the strangest thing of all, but he didn't care. He loved them as if they were his biologically, even though...he would probably never come close to that in another thousand millenia.

So Choromatsu's statement about his friend, Takumi, is wildly confusing to Poseidon. Confusing, but not unheard of. Just rare.]

A-ahh...I suppose...if you would like to be technical...then yes. You are adopted. But it really does not matter, as far as we go...