[There is only one thing Poseidon can say to that.]
Only if you can ever forgive me.
[He says this quietly, his voice hoarse from his attempt to keep from getting emotional again. The fact that he never really thought Choromatsu would be able to come back to the sea like this had started hammering home that he'd just have to accept that...so it's a lot to try to take in.]
I...I missed you too. But I am not totally blameless in this. I did not even attempt to understand...and I drove you away.
[ God, he feels like he's going to start crying again after that... dad wasn't mad at him and had admitted he'd been wrong? That's... all Choromatsu had wanted.
He nods against his father's skin. He forgives him. He couldn't not forgive him. ]
Thank you...
[ He practically wheezes it out, his voice raspy as he tries not to cry.
He's silent for a while longer, stealing up his nerves to say the other thing he has to say. ]
I... if you really insist I won't go to the surface anymore. I promise... but... dad...
[ Oh nope he can't stop the tears after all, here they come again. ]
I... I want you to meet my... my friends. [ Not partners, though he longs still to call them that, but sending them away was basically a break up and he knows it. ] Please dad...
I've always wanted you to meet them... Always... I was j-just scared.... i-if you say no I understand but I...
[Poseidon is quiet, having managed to hush his own crying and subdue it into relative silence, just emotions clear on his face as Choromatsu speaks. He understands now, how Choromatsu feels. He probably could have before, had he allowed himself.
He reaches out, resting his knuckle against the side of Choromatsu's face.]
My son...to be in love...is a powerful thing. I did not truly understand before, but now I do. And if you truly love them as much as you say...then I would be honored to meet them both.
[ Choromatsu was ready to hear the "no". Ready to never see his beloveds ever again. So when he hears his dad agree he thinks at first that he imagined it. But no that was what... he actually said.
He pushes himself away from his father just enough to look at his face. ]
[Poseidon sighs, closing his eyes and tilting his head towards Choromatsu, wishing so much that he could return his hugs properly.]
I just do hope you will not plan to leave again so soon. I would miss you far too much if you did-
[...he trails off, lifting his head and looking past Choromatsu when he finally spots Osomatsu hiding behind the lip of the rock face. He looks severely upset.]
[Osomatsu swims over hesitantly, looking like he's seen a ghost after having passed the wished-for knife off to his brother to vanquish the sea witch. He opens his mouth to speak, but seems to clam up for the moment and looks off to the side.]
...Now that I think about it...Osomatsu, Choromatsu says you gave him something with which to stop Totoko. Where did you get it from?
[The eldest mer continues to keep his mouth shut, mostly because he knows he'll choke up if he speaks and he refuses to in front of Choromatsu. But too much time passes, and he eventually chokes out-]
The...the goddess...u-up on the island. I wished for it...
[...and then Poseidon freezes.]
Megami-?
[And then is interrupted again by Osomatsu before he can say anything else, who is shouting at this point so he doesn't just. Cry about it.]
[Well...unfortunately, Choromatsu won't get much of an explanation. At least, not right away.]
W...what do you mean, he isn't okay? Osomatsu what are you talking about!? Is he still on the island?
[Osomatsu's eyes dart from Choromatsu to Poseidon and back as Poseidion bombards him with questions, and the best he can do is repeat himself.]
You gotta just go, right now! Just go!
[Poseidon feels his heart turn to ice when Osomatsu refuses to take the time to explain, prompting him to gently scoop up Choromatsu in his hand and deposit him near his brother, who is starting to get a touch panicked, which is probably something Choromatsu hasn't seen in a long time.]
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Eventually he settles down a little and starts talking again. ]
I missed you so much dad... I'm so sorry for everything [ again with the apologies ] I just... I didn't know what t-to do and I... I...
[ He hugs tighter ]
C-Can you ever forgive me for what I've done...?
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Only if you can ever forgive me.
[He says this quietly, his voice hoarse from his attempt to keep from getting emotional again. The fact that he never really thought Choromatsu would be able to come back to the sea like this had started hammering home that he'd just have to accept that...so it's a lot to try to take in.]
I...I missed you too. But I am not totally blameless in this. I did not even attempt to understand...and I drove you away.
And I am very, very sorry.
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He nods against his father's skin. He forgives him. He couldn't not forgive him. ]
Thank you...
[ He practically wheezes it out, his voice raspy as he tries not to cry.
He's silent for a while longer, stealing up his nerves to say the other thing he has to say. ]
I... if you really insist I won't go to the surface anymore. I promise... but... dad...
[ Oh nope he can't stop the tears after all, here they come again. ]
I... I want you to meet my... my friends. [ Not partners, though he longs still to call them that, but sending them away was basically a break up and he knows it. ] Please dad...
I've always wanted you to meet them... Always... I was j-just scared.... i-if you say no I understand but I...
I... love all of you... so much...
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He reaches out, resting his knuckle against the side of Choromatsu's face.]
My son...to be in love...is a powerful thing. I did not truly understand before, but now I do. And if you truly love them as much as you say...then I would be honored to meet them both.
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He pushes himself away from his father just enough to look at his face. ]
R-Really?! Y-You mean it...?
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Yes.
[Poseidon lowers his head a little.]
I cannot say I trust humans...far from it. And it is going to take a lot to change my mind...but perhaps you can show me what I cannot see.
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He smiles
He finally smiles
Then returns to huggin his father's neck once more. When he speaks his voice is heavy with happy relief ]
Thank you dad... thank you so much...
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[Poseidon sighs, closing his eyes and tilting his head towards Choromatsu, wishing so much that he could return his hugs properly.]
I just do hope you will not plan to leave again so soon. I would miss you far too much if you did-
[...he trails off, lifting his head and looking past Choromatsu when he finally spots Osomatsu hiding behind the lip of the rock face. He looks severely upset.]
...Osomatsu? Come here, what is wrong?
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Eh? Osomatsu-niisan...?
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...Now that I think about it...Osomatsu, Choromatsu says you gave him something with which to stop Totoko. Where did you get it from?
[The eldest mer continues to keep his mouth shut, mostly because he knows he'll choke up if he speaks and he refuses to in front of Choromatsu. But too much time passes, and he eventually chokes out-]
The...the goddess...u-up on the island. I wished for it...
[...and then Poseidon freezes.]
Megami-?
[And then is interrupted again by Osomatsu before he can say anything else, who is shouting at this point so he doesn't just. Cry about it.]
You gotta go up there, Dad! He's not okay!
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[ he's been away for so long he has no idea what Osomatsu means... He knows a goddess gave dad the egg but... ]
What... goddess...? Wait, does he mean...?
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W...what do you mean, he isn't okay? Osomatsu what are you talking about!? Is he still on the island?
[Osomatsu's eyes dart from Choromatsu to Poseidon and back as Poseidion bombards him with questions, and the best he can do is repeat himself.]
You gotta just go, right now! Just go!
[Poseidon feels his heart turn to ice when Osomatsu refuses to take the time to explain, prompting him to gently scoop up Choromatsu in his hand and deposit him near his brother, who is starting to get a touch panicked, which is probably something Choromatsu hasn't seen in a long time.]
Choromatsu, go with Osomatsu back home.
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[ Well now you've got HIM worried but he's not gonna ask anymore questions ]