October 8, 2025 • 53 mins
Read on AO3 here! Spotify playlist here! Pairing: Nanjo Kojiro x Sakurayashiki Kaoru, Fandom: Sk8, Rating TSummary: "Cherry and Joe Mermaid and sailor/pirate AU"Don't you need water or something to breathe?" "Oh you're right, how silly of me to have been here all this time, I simply forgot to suffocate. My bad." "Are all mermaids so fucking difficult?!" Kojiro glared. The pink haired man before him bared ever mildly sharpened tooth in what might be the most sinister grin Kojiro had seen this side of the pacific. "You have no idea, human."Kaoru ends up on Kojiro's ship, and Kojiro realizes he may never know peace again. -
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
And welcome back to Therapiste. Back and go pod fix.
Hi everybody, it's October. I'm okay. First of all, I
missed you all terribly. Thank you for being so patient.
I haven't had to skip a month in a really
long time, and it did not feel fantastic, but I
(00:25):
couldn't do anything about it. That was simply how that
had to go for chronic illness and life reasons. Kind
of a stressful time going on right now, but a
stressful time that, even though it sucks, is going to
end up really really good, which is to say, what
(00:47):
I can say about it is that I'm also moving
and it's a relatively short notice, and it's you know,
it's not the easiest thing in the world, but I
am handling it, and I have very supportive people in
my life who are there for me and helping me
deal with it, and that is very good and very
(01:09):
important and very much appreciated. I also saw that it
was school starting time, and I did make sure to
reply to everybody in the comments, but I and I
really really wanted to record something for you guys in
September so that you would have something to help with
any transitional issues of the move to a new school,
(01:32):
the start of a new school year, Di scardiffs for
some people last school year before college, which, oh my god,
your babies give so much ahead of you. That's so exciting,
so so so cool, so cool, really grateful to be
a part of that. I'm really I was so touched.
I cried a little bit at the thought of helping
(01:56):
anybody feel less homesick, or helping anybody feel less stressed
during what I remember to be quite the time. It's
such an adjustment period. But you're going to be fine.
You're going to be so fine, and you're going to
have such a great time. And I'm really very excited
for everybody starting a new school, finishing up school this year,
(02:20):
anybody really starting anything new in their life at all.
It's so daunting. I'm right there with you. Everybody send
me the biggest blessings. I'm trying to go back to
school once again in the spring summer semester, so we
were all crossing our fingers and sending me the sweetest,
loveliest get into design school thoughts. God, what the dream,
(02:45):
the absolute dream to sit here and record these memos.
Oh my god, these pod fits for you guys, and
my yappy updates at the beginning include bits about my
fucking homework and classes. I would really love that. That
sounds like a very happy time. So thank you guys
for your patients. I've missed you so much. I basically
(03:06):
took what I planned to do in September and just
copy pasted it into October. So that means that the
plan is this month, Pearl Diver chapter six and Pearl
Diver Chapter seven are going to be available on the
public podfic and on the Patreon. We're going to have
(03:30):
the first chapter of Hell on the Engine My I
think one and only Baku Deku fit that I ever did.
That was a gift for someone who had that ship.
As you guys know, Carrie Baku all the way for me,
so it was quite a challenge to explore a different
way of characterizing and seeing them. It only has two chapters.
(03:55):
I haven't updated it in three years, not to say
I never ever will, because the story itself is cool.
It's an au. It's it's cool, if I may say
to myself, But it's very very low in the docket,
but it is. But honestly, it's one of those ones
where I read it, and I'm like, God, Damn, I
wrote that, Jesus. So it's a fun listen. That'll be
(04:18):
available for the Tier one Patreon supporters and Tier two
this month gets a podfiic of Fuck Pussycat, Fuck Fuck,
which is quite something and that's all I can really
say about that. Here. That's for the Tier two Patreon supporters,
so you know, uh there, there you go. Additionally to that,
(04:46):
I'll be updating the sneak peeks of my whips and
what I'm currently working on because I did the math
wrong and Mike ran out and I had such a
shit month that I uh, well I'm not shit, well
sometimes shit. Such a fucking difficult month health wise and
then busy otherwise that I didn't get to update that yet.
(05:10):
So I will be updating that again, running that you again,
and I will be trying to come up with maybe
some little extras. Maybe I'll start writing a fic on
Patreon for the Halloween season, just off the cuff and
see what happens as a little treat, also to make
up a little bit for not being able to do
anything last month, and also for the Halloween season, which
(05:34):
is my favorite. So very excited about that. So without
further ado, let's dive in oop Mermaid pun Pearl Diver.
Chapter six must have been a deadly kiss. I'm not
going to read the tags or pairing things anymore because
(05:55):
we are so far into it that I feel like
you know them. And if you're very new here, hi,
you might want to click on the link in the
description video three. You can read the text yourself, or
if you want to start this fick from the beginning,
(06:15):
you can scroll where you listen to your podcasts to
chapter one and listen from there. This is the thick
Pearl Diver, all right. The beginning summary that I wrote
me looking at Joe in all caps. It says, please please,
I'm begging please be less fucking obvious that you're in
love with him. Joe not even looking at me, no
(06:37):
little heart emoticon. Yeah, so that was fucking tough. Beginning notes. Obvi,
you're reading this in English, but in the story, Joe's
crew and Joe speak Japanese, Adam and his aunts speak English.
I almost said aunts. I was like, let's keep it
in one region, let's keep our accent in one region,
(07:00):
and please Adam and his aunts speaking That's such an
odd thing to say. Sorry, this just sounds weird. Adam
and his aunts speak English, which obviously, again you're gonna
hear all of this in English, but for context, if
they ever encounter each other, for example, Joe will not
inherently understand what Adam is saying. If Adam is not
(07:20):
explicitly said to be speaking Japanese. This is a long one, apparently, Well,
you know what, let past me, let me be the
judge of that. All right, we'll see about that. Also,
if my stomach gir goles, I'm so sorry, but lately
it has just decided that if it's gonna make a noise,
(07:43):
that it needs to be like the loudest thing possible
and also typically happen like the quietest or most uncomfortable moments,
typically in public. So I'm not in public, but I
am recording, and I feel like it's entirely possible, you know,
so in advance if that happens for ambient noise, pretend
it's whale song. This is a primarily set on the
(08:06):
ocean fanfix, so why the not? You know? All right?
Koudo was eighteen eighteen, and the sun filtered brightly through
the water as he and Carla swam against the toughest
currents they could find, just to see if they could
really immediately a yawn. Okay, okay. His hair was shoulder
(08:31):
length and flowed like a cloud around him under the
water as he laughed, leading the way to more shallow waters.
He'd heard there was a shipwreck near that nobody had
dared to explore, so naturally they had to go. It
was closer to the shore than he'd thought. That this
place was too windy for humans, he thought too rocky.
(08:53):
Humans needed greenery to live, He'd been told growing up.
They needed sunshine and warmth. Couldn't regulate the temperatures like
kowdoo could, so even when Carla sent an echo of warning,
he'd pushed onward, and with practiced ease, he'd propelled himself upwards,
breaking the surface of the water to do a flip
in the sun. At the height of his jump, he
(09:13):
heard it a gasp. His golden eyes snapped open as
he fell back into the ocean, locking on to pink
eyes wide and confused. The moment he was underwater again,
he froze, staring up through the distorted surface to try
and see the creature he'd spotted. Was that a human?
He'd never actually seen one before before. He could wonder
(09:35):
if it was okay to stick his head above water.
A splash caught his attention. The human had jumped off
the cliff and into the water. Kowodo watched as the
human looked around, blinking rapidly, before sinking deep enough to
begin struggling. Humans can't breathe underwater, Kowdoo thought, horrified as
Krlo squeaked at him to leave. He should have listened
(09:58):
to her in hindsight, but the human was pretty, so pretty,
blue hair curling around a face even paler than his own,
piercing eyes, intelligent and searching for him. He hissed at
Carlo and she tried to nudge him away and swam
towards the human, quickly wrapping his arms around him to
(10:20):
get him to stop struggling. Air. He needs air before
we go to the surface. I have some air. Please
calm down, Kodo tried to say, but it seemed the
human could not understand him, and damn Kowdo was skipping
his lessons so many times. Unable to tell the human
his plan, Kowdoo clasped his face between his clawed hands
(10:41):
firmly and leaned in, pressing his lips to the humans.
The human went still before kissing him back. Hands on
Kowdo's waist, and Kowdo nudged his lips open to breathe
the air he had left over into his lungs as
he began to propel them upwards. Finally, they broke the surface,
and Kowdo pulled back, adding the human coffins butter, you've
(11:02):
saved my life with human waste. Staring at Kowdo in wonder,
dark hair sticking to his face, and you kissed me,
Kowdu blushed. Well, you're the one who jumped. I was
just trying to give you air. It didn't I needed
to learn your language too, so it wasn't a real
kiss or anything. He looked away, feeling shy and at
(11:26):
the other boy's intense gaze. You'll learn my language just
like that. That's cool, like magic. I'm Adam. He held
out his gloved hand to Kowdu and smirked when Kowdo
regarded it suspiciously. I won't bite, I might, Kowdu thought,
before swimming closer to press his cheek to the offered hand,
much to Adam's surprise. Huh, I'm guessing mermaids don't shake hands. Huh.
(11:53):
He rubbed a gentle thumb over Kowdo's cheek, and Kowdo
hummed happily at the sensation. You have a name, he asked,
moving to hold Kowdu's chin between his thumb and index finger,
and Kowdu blinked up at him curiously. Koudu, he whispered,
my name is Kowdu. It turned out that humans couldn't
(12:16):
live there, but Adam could. Him and his three aunts,
who were witches, lived secluded near the cliffs, where Adam
practiced his magic under their tutelage with his familiar snake.
There were days Kowdo would swim out to meet him,
and Adam would be even paler than usual, clammy in
a way that had nothing to do with the sea
(12:37):
water lapping at his skin, eyes dull and tired until
Kowdu sang him a song to perk him up. Worked
every time, much to Koudo's delight. Other mornings, Kowdo would
arrive to find Adam sitting atop the surface of the ocean,
bone dry and radiating heat, twin fangs minimally longer smirked
a little darker. He never wore a shirt, need one,
(13:01):
but he always wore his gloves. Adam didn't know much
about humans either, but he did know a lot about
other magical creatures O. Jesus Christ, and would spend hours
telling kowdu what he knew. Can you tell I have
him a sleeping very well? Sorry, Kowado could have sworn
nothing excited Adam more than learning about other beings, So
(13:22):
of course Kowdu happily told him everything he wanted to know,
except where mermaids lived specifically. Of course, months passed like that,
meeting every morning, parting before the sun set. Adam was
adamant about that rule. Kowodo was to never ever visit
(13:43):
after sundown. Ever, his eyes flashed red whenever he mentioned it.
So Kawado had simply nodded and promised. Among all the
promises they'd made each other, what did another matter, really, Hey, Kowdu, yes, Adam,
he replied, opening his eyes. They'd been napping in the
(14:04):
midday sun sprawled out, Jesus cried, who sprawled out on
the flat rocks near the shore. When Adam had lifted
himself onto his elbows and turned to face Kodo, Have
you ever kissed anyone a real kiss? I mean? Kowdo
felt his gill's flutter, and he played off his embarrassment
(14:26):
with a shrug. No, nobody's ever been special enough, he
answered honestly, hesitating to ask the same question in return.
Luckily you didn't have to. Adam leaned over him with
a grin, and his eyes darkened me neither. He reached
a gloved hand to trace an invisible line from Kowdo's
(14:49):
sternum up his throat to the tip of his chin,
which he then held between his fingers, like he had
when they'd first met. Pink eyes met gold, and Kowdo
realized he'd stop breathing. Oh before he could diffuse the
tension with a joke or flirt equip Adam brushed his
(15:11):
lower lip with his thumb. You're special, Kaudo, he whispered,
closing his eyes as he leaned in to close the distance,
and Kowdo allowed it, his own, clawed hands wrapping around
the taller boy as they kissed for a first kiss.
It was anything but gentle. Adam kissed, how Cawdo should
have expected him to, hungrily greedily. It made Kowdo's entire
(15:35):
world spin on its head. Their meetings changed after that day,
spending days kissing in the water and exploring new feelings.
You just christ him my good oh okay. Kowdu left
(15:58):
a single, shy bite on Adam's neck, and every time
Adam touched it curiously, he glowed with satisfaction, and he
sang for him far more often than before. Except Adam
wasn't as interested in his soothing songs. He was curious
about Kowdo's other abilities. Wondered out loud i of Kowdo's
(16:18):
magic was strong enough to drive him mad if he
really would one day be able to command a ship
of souls to their deaths. One morning, Kowdo had waited
for hours already before Adam arrived, looking significantly different. There'd
been a violent storm the night before, even Kowdo had
been forced to dive deeper than usual to avoid it,
(16:41):
and when Adam had finally shut up that morning, his
skin had nearly glowed, suddenly free of scars and marks,
except Kowdo's bite, which still appeared clearly on his neck.
That fascinated Adam. For some reason. Every other scar or
wound had disappeared. But Kaoudo's, and while Kowder tried to
play it off as a token of love, Adam obsessed
over it. It was that same morning then, while trying
(17:03):
to southe atom with kisses, Kowdo had discovered two small
horns peeking out through the dark blue curls, a sign
of his strength. Adam had boasted, and Kowdo felt something
stirred deep in his stomach as he gently traced the
irridescent streaks curling around the black horns, remembering vaguely the
time Adam had gushed about unicorns, which were real, apparently
(17:24):
with pearled horns capable of healing even death. The next
thing was a pair of wings larger than life in
a million shades of orange, shaped like flaw leaves. Adam
told Kowdu. Forest fairies flashed across Kawodo's mind before he
schooled his expression back into pure admiration. Adam his Adam,
(17:45):
his love couldn't be doing whatever this was, and he'd
never hurt Kodu, never, but the suspicions just wouldn't leave
his mind. Slight break. Now we're back in the present.
(18:08):
I learned so much about anatomy last night Kojiro murmured
against Kowdo's ear when he awoke, I'm gonna castrat you,
Kowdu grumped, not even bothering to open his eyes. He wouldn't, dare.
I can't believe all this time, your fangs were retractable, dick.
Kochuro nibbled a short trail down Kowdo's neck to breast,
(18:30):
kisses to the mermaid's shoulders. Kowdo smacked him lightly, but smirked,
nestling further into the sheets. Oh, I'm definitely giving all
of you my yawns. I'm so sorry they are really
on it today. At some point before the sun had risen,
Kojiro must have woken up and carried Kowdu with him
(18:51):
to his bedroom. And thank God for that, because that
floor would have read havoc on his back. Shut up
and be grateful. I told you all. I could have
just not done that thing that made you. You're right,
You're right, Thank you, coach. Row pressed apology kisses to
his head. Don't get used to me saying that. Hm hmmm,
(19:13):
what was that? I turned your I tuned you out
after you said I'm always right. I didn't say always
and so beautiful you flatter me well, I mean and
better in bed. Now hold on a minute. Coachro turned
Kowdery to face him, a Cowdo laughed in his face,
finally opening his eyes to face those finally opening his up.
(19:35):
There's no non clunky way to say this, finally opening
his eyes to face you know what, to face, coach Ros,
it says, to face those red eyes. And I'm just like,
do you read your own sentences when you write them?
Finally opening his eyes to face Coach Rows. We need
to work on your bedside manner. Koch Row fake growled
into Kowdo's neck before pressing kisses up and down the
pale skin. Suppose you'll have to keep me by your
(19:58):
bedside to practice. Kowodu gasped under his ministrations, a shudder
going down his spine when koch Ro chuckled against his skin.
Oh sweetheart, if it were up to me, we'd never leave. Hey,
I'm pretty sure you're being gross in there, so quit
it and come to breakfast. Ohka made it. MIA's voice
through the door interrupted them, and Kowdoo's face burned while
(20:18):
Joe laughed, Thank you, Mia. The larger man called back
with a roll of his eyes before looking at the
murmur in his arms. Sorry, baby, looks like we'll have
to continue this later. His voice jailed off to a
whisper as he pressed a door and kisses across Kowdo's collarbones,
and Kowdu sighed, hands shifting to rake through Kodro's messy curls. Mm,
(20:43):
however shall I live? Kodo asked, sarcastically, gasping Kodro bit
his neck for the clip. Don't go dying on me now,
I've got plants for you, you know. Oh? Kaowdo pulled
back after Kodro captured his lips in another long, sweet kiss.
Do tell? Captain god Roger smiled, sitting up and helping
(21:05):
Kowdo into his blanket and wheelchair. Now where's the fun?
And telling you now I'm gonna take my sweet time
with you, princessh I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. I
just rewatched The Princess Bride, and for some reason, when
(21:28):
I read the line I'm gonna take my sweet time
with you, princess, my brain was like millage princess, so stupid. Okay, Okay,
I think I'm very tired. That's okay, It's all right,
(21:49):
it's okay, boy. I hope I didn't write the word
princess a lot more times anyway, anywhere, anywhere, Hm, anyway, God,
I don't know why that caught me so bad. I'm
(22:10):
so sorry, HM, get it together. He kissed the top
of Kowdo's head and went to grab their clothes. When
to grab their clothes, leaving Kowdu with an uncontrollable flutter
in his chest. Oka was a wonderful cook, not quite
(22:31):
like Joe, but wonderful. Nonetheless, Kowdu recognized none of the
foods on the table, and Kodero's eyes lit up, telling
him about them and making sure he tried a bit
of everything, and in between bytes, everyone talked about a
million things. Shadow grilled Reki about catching him sneaking out
of longest room before the sun was up. Mi I
got Oka's cat to eat a piece of salmon, and
(22:52):
Koturo said if Mia continued to prove responsible, he would
consider allowing him to find a pet for the ship.
Oka laughed, the boys scrambling to attention when he held
a handful of envelopes up for each of them. Even
Mia looked eager, and there was a brief scuffle when
Oka set them on the table, and each boy quickly
sifted the letters apart, each ending up with a small stack.
(23:14):
I told you long as mother writes them all. We
try to come here every few months, and in the
coldest month of winter we stay here until the ice thaws.
This year she wants to visit when we stay here,
but that's still quite a while away, Kodo explained, as
Kowdo finished his egg on toast and nodded. How sweet
of Langa's mother, he thought, looking to Langa, who was
(23:34):
eagerly reading the words elegantly scrawled across the page. He
must miss her, he remarked, wiping his mouth delicately with napkin. Yeah,
but he's happier here. Not hard to see why I
still owe you for that bet, you know, koch Ro grinned,
letting an arm fall loosely around the back of Kowduo's chair,
fingers brushing his shoulder through his shirt, playing with the
(23:57):
ends of Kowdoo's ponytail. M I haven't forgotten, I just
don't know what you could possibly offer me. Goda. I
regret letting me teach you about animals. Yes, you probably
have many regrets, such is the life of a simple man.
Watch shark bait. I can make you eat those words,
you know. Oh no, I'm shaking Kodo deadpant, turning to
(24:21):
look back at the group. Koto smirked, having a dark
laugh as he leaned in, lips brushing against Koto's ear.
You were earlier, I could make that happen again. Kodo
flushed bright red and smacked him in the chest. Not
in front of the children, he hissed, Yes, please, not
in front of us, poor innocent children. Recky snicker, looking
(24:45):
up from his own letter. Not the phrase I would
use after last night, Longer replied without looking up, and
Reki choked on his juice, which guarded a reprimanding glare
to both of them from Shadow and another fake gag
from Mia Kaodo couldn't help but laugh at the scene.
After a stunned moment, Cochro joined in and then they
were all in stitches. All right, boys, day one on shore.
(25:06):
What are your plans for today? Coach Row asked, Captain's
voice switching back on as he began clearing plates out
with Shadow. Ow huh um, sorry, uh my, uh have
I have ailed done this? And I I knocked my
(25:28):
fingers in the wrong direction, and I will spare you
the gross details. But if they were briefly incorrect and
now they are correct again, but it is always a
little jarring when it happens. Where was I? Okay, Lanka
and I were going to check out the market and
then go to the boardwalk tonight. Reki replies, replied with
(25:50):
a smile that loga that was happily reciprocated, m don't
stay out too late, and for Fox's sake, Longa, don't
let Recky get arrested again. I know you two think
it's funny to break out of jail, but it takes
years off Shadow's life. What about you, Mia, cot Kodo
turned to his youngest only for a speak up. Hto
(26:13):
me and I were going to ask if you wanted
to come with a stitch to the shop run a
flower shop. Okay, I explained to Koto briefly, before continuing,
we could use the extra hands. If you're up for it,
the I'll do it. Mia nodded, skill fully dodging shadows
reprimand and telling everyone he'd be ready to leave when
they were, before he went off, presumably to finish getting ready.
(26:36):
Long Gun Recki thanked Aka for breakfast and left as well,
wanting to get an early start. What about you too, Cherry,
Joe Shadow asked, helping Koto with the dishes after making
Aka sit back down and relax. Oh. Kato had been
about to say something about how he didn't know yet,
but Kochro interrupted him. I want to show Cherry the city.
(26:58):
Kato's fork fell against the table with a clatter that
drew all eyes to him, but all he could see
was playful was the playful red pair, teasing him wordlessly.
You are you out of your fucking mind? Cool it, Chris.
We'll cover you up. You'll retract your fangs, flatten your gills.
I'll give you some gloves and boom, You'll be my
(27:20):
weird so using sweetheart for the day. Wouldn't you like that?
Me having to do everything you ask? Kowder threw a
slice of toast at his head. You're insane. You're insane.
If I end up killing any witnesses, yourself included, I'll
take no part of the blame. That's the spirit, Kodro laughed.
It Olka joined in, amused by their dynamic. He Hatomi
(27:41):
wrote that you two were like a married couple. But
I couldn't picture it. He was right. Oka laughed and
shadow blushed stammaray explanations that neither Cowdurow no Kowdo could hear.
Kowdo was surely bright red. He knew how hot his
face got when he was flustered. Kodro was no better,
quickly changing the subject and walking back over to Kowdo
was sad and kneeling by his side as he had
(28:02):
dozens of times before, one hand stroking the bend in
Kowdo's tail fondly. Look, I I want to show you
some of my world while we're here, While you're still here,
Kochio thought the last part to himself. I think you'll
enjoy it, and I promise I'll keep you safe. I'd
(28:24):
never let any harm come to you. You know that,
right because I I he thought, surely you know, But
now you must know I. Kowdo heard Kocho's words from
the night before echo in his head before he let
as he let out a deep sigh. This fucking human
(28:45):
was gonna get him fucking killed. This fucking, stubborn, annoying, persistent, affectionate,
wonderful idiot was going to be his undoing Oh well,
kywder supposed he'd almost died for much worse things. I
didn't know that. I know now his own words rang
through the air in his mind. I know, Kowdo replied coolly, instead,
(29:10):
holding out his palm and smiling, and Koduo pressed his
face into it. My muscle man, ready to protect me,
the vicious, lethal sea monster from other smaller humans. Kodoro
barked a laugh and pressed kisses into Kowdoo's palm and
up each individual finger to the paths just under the claws,
(29:32):
and then back down, only to move to the next finger.
The simple gesture, the care and time he took to
do it, took Kowdo's breath away. There was no lust
in Kodro's eyes, well, no more than usual one. He
looked at Kodo, only affection. Even Kowdo retracted his fangs
and bit his lip. Koduoo, he complained, softly, noticing the
(29:58):
stunned audience they had. Oh God, shadows seemed to realize
they were staring at the same moment, and busied themselves elsewhere,
excusing themselves and heading to get Mia. Oh no, I
wrote it again. It's okay, it's okay. I got this
I can be so normal immature she ah okay, fuck okay,
(30:26):
shouldy princess wonders never cease. Goto cheese, pressing one final
kiss to Koto's pulse point on his wrist. It's not
shyness when it's in response to public indecency. Kaowdo hissed
to cover up his fostered state. He thought that was indecent. God,
you're gonna think this is downright criminal. Goto lifted the
(30:49):
blanket on Kowdo's lap and dove undered, ready to put
his new anatomy skills to good use, and Kowdos slapped
his well kissed hand over his mouth to stifle any sounds.
Though the house was likely already empty by the time,
Kochuro rolled Kowdoo out of the house, tightly wrapped up
in a high collared shirt that hid his gills, with
smooth white gloves to colver his claws. The sun was
(31:09):
high in the sky, and the two bickered lightly all
the way into town. If Koudo wasn't already used to
the noise of the ship, he'd have been overwhelmed, but
as it was, he simply looked around, unable to conceal
his curiosity and asked Kodo a million questions, all of
which he answered gladly and not without some level of amusement.
Kodo Koudo's eyes widened as he fought back the urge
(31:31):
to drop his hags again, gloved hand tightly pinching Kodo's arm.
What is that? He pointed suddenly, and Kodo dipped his head,
hiding his face in Kwedo's hair as he tried and
failed to stifle his laughter. His large body shook and
attracted a few curious and amused stairs as Kowado's pinches
became full on smacks. As the smaller man's voice rose
(31:52):
and pitch why are its fucking eyes like that? How
big are those teeth? You could chop off a child's head?
Kodo whimpered, clutching his abs, barely breathing from his poorly
suppressed laughter. Gow to please, he weazed, that's that's a horse.
Tears gathered in his eyes as he wheeled kowdou closer
(32:15):
to the animal, much to the mermaid's growing panic. If
they repeated smacks were anything to go by, they're harm
They're harmless. Cout to please, Buck, stop making that face.
I can't breathe good, choke bustard. Kowdo hissed, now incredibly
close to the horse, more specifically the horse's face. The
horse looked at him curiously and his ears twitched, before
dipping its head down to nose that Kowdo's shirt in
(32:36):
search of treats. Kawudo was a bit of the Kowodo
was absolutely frozen, and Kodro was worried he was going
to burst a blood vessel. Trying not to laugh so much.
Kochu excused himself, ripping himself from the mermaid's tight tense
grip despite his hisses, and returned a minute later with
an apple to see the horse nosing at Kowdu's hair.
(32:57):
I know it's messy, but it's not straw, Kojuro teased,
handing Kowder the apple. Kowdo blinked up at him. I'm
not hungry, it's for the horse. The horse eats human food.
Almost everything up here eats human food. Okay, why did
you give this to me so you can feed the horse?
(33:19):
You're choking? No, no, Kocho, I quite like my fingers,
if I remember correctly, You're quite partial to them yourself.
Koto cut him off by grabbing his hand and laying
it flat so the apple was loosely resting on his palm,
and then moved Kowdo's hand closer to the horse. The
horse sniffed and quickly picked the apple up, crushing it
in its jaw. Kowder relaxed somewhat and dropped his hand
again quickly, still scared of the horse. Maybe I will
(33:43):
drown you and show you all the creatures of the
depth of the ocean and then make fun of you
when you see them for the first time. Don't threaten
me with a good time princess. I really need to
use a different nickname, because if this keeps happening, I
will not make it to the end of the story.
Don't me with a good time princess. Oh my God,
(34:09):
If nothing else, I amuse myself God. Koju toured the
market with Kowdu for the rest of the afternoon. Came
to try new foods, cherries fresh from a nearby orchard,
and cod. Road only blushed a little when Kowdu had
teased him about the sweet nickname from the sweet fruit.
Oranges also imported and so far Kowdu's favorite. Oh I
(34:35):
should have known you'd have expensive taste. Shut up, you,
unrefined Ogre, showing him shops and explaining how human cities
were built. The sun was slowly starting to set when
they came across an older man on the street painting
portraits and for a laugh. Kowdu agreed to Koduro's request
to have one done. The old man watched them, and
(34:55):
Kowdu poke Kodur inside. He describe my face. Huh, why,
I'm curious. I'd never seen it so clearly before your
glass in the bathroom. I never thought about it so
much before. So what's it like to a human? Terrifying?
(35:16):
Kado histed him mildly, baring his sharpened teeth, yellow eyes flashing.
Oh yeah, no, my about that face is just beautiful. Sorry,
I don't know where I could have possibly gotten terrifying
from dome no biting. Okay, cow, do you know you're beautiful?
Koto felt his face heat up. Idiot, that's not what
I meant, moron. He resisted the urge to hide his
(35:40):
face for the artist's sake. No, hmm, I suppose I
could start with Your cheekbones are so high and sharp.
Everything about you just looks so elegant. Your eyes are
like liquid gold. But I'd rather see there shine than
that of a thousand treasures, Kodo whispered. Kowdo regretted every
(36:00):
action in his life that had led him to this ordeal,
where he was now being publicly flustered yet again. Or
perhaps I should tell you how perfectly your hair frames
your face, how kissable your lips are, how strong the
urge is to touch your perfect skin all the time.
I regret asking, Kowdo replied, voiced tight and strained. Kojuro
(36:23):
breathed a laugh into his ear, looking back to the
artist and smiling. What was that this morning about regrets
and simple men? If you think I won't kill you
just because there's a witness, you are sorely mistaken, sweetheart.
Kado resisted the urge to roll his eyes and huffed.
But thank you anytime, Princess pressed it. I can do this.
(36:46):
This is so stupid, I can do this. Kochu oppressed
a kiss to his cheek, and Kowdo shoved him off
the stool he was posing on, blushing furiously. The artist
was finished, thankfully, and Kochoro paid him, taking a quicks
taking the quick sketched Kowdo quite red in the face himself. Ah,
I think he exaggerated a bit. Kochuro laughed chepishly as
(37:08):
Kowdu snatched the drawing from his hands suspiciously. Oh. It
was a cute sketch, quick lines in black, capturing the
edges and planes of what were clearly Kochuro and Kowdu.
Except while Kowdo was drawn facing the artist, chin lifted
with pride and long fuck and long hair cascading down
his shoulders, Kochiro was drawn almost from the side, staring
(37:32):
at Kowdo with a teasing smile, lips parted as if
about to say something that would skyrocket Koudo's blood pressure.
It was a very telling look, and Kowdo felt his
breath catch in his chest. He hadn't been entirely spared, though,
as the artists had captured the unmistakable quirk was closed
mouth and the softness in his eyes even as they
had scowled. It looks fine. He handed it back to
(37:57):
Kochuo and sniffed, averting his gaze. Kojuro huffed out a
dry laugh that didn't fully reach his eyes and tucked
the drawing away safely. Well, Oh, now I'll always have
something to remember you by. He shrugged, playful tone falling
flat as Kodo bristled in the chair, deciding it was
best to not respond immediately as Kocho pushed him along
(38:19):
the streets. It was after several minutes of call me
it slightly charged silence that Kodo replied, I hadn't realized
you planned to forget me. Kodro's laughter definitely rang hollow,
now echoing in Kowdo's ears, but he let it slide. Kodo,
I'm sure I couldn't forget a single thing about you
if I tried. They ended up back on the beach.
(38:44):
Kojiro had gotten some food at the market, and now
that they were safely back in their home, they could
unwrapped Kodo and use a blanket on the sand to
sit on while they sat and talked and ate no
heavy topics, although Koudo could tell. They waited on kojurow
just fun light stories from when the king were little,
or amusing misadventures with Karla from Kowdu's younger days, and
(39:05):
then he just popped up totally fine, asking if we
could keep it. Kodu laughed as Kowdu laughed with Kowadu
as the mermaid tried to picture it in his head.
I'm quite glad you didn't let me keep a ten
foot snake on board. I would have thrown myself back
out to see far sooner. He shook his head, noticing
the way Kodo's smile faltered. Minutely, they fell into comfortable silence, again,
(39:31):
alternating between looking at each other and at the open sea,
Kodo's hand playing in Kowdu's hair absent mindedly. Kocho's eyes
suddenly flashed with an emotion Kowdu couldn't catch as he
looked across the water before turning back to Kawadu, squeezing
his hands. Swim with me. Kowdo's eyes widened. What what
(39:53):
are you talking about, I Kowodu, It's not a dazzling
feet of strength. Just get in the water with me.
What makes you so sure? I'm at bolt As soon
as I'm in the water, Koduro, in there, I could
be dangerous. You'd never be able to fight me off
if I turned on you. His voice shook as he asked,
trying not to examine the strange mixture of feelings in
(40:13):
his chest that arose as he did Kojo shot him
with that ridiculous lopsided grin, eyes fond but tinged with sadness.
I'm none, but I do want to do this with you.
I trust you, Kowdo, plus, he winked as he shed
his shirt and unbuttoned his pants, watching his Cowdo's eyes
drank him in. Who says i'd fight you off of me?
(40:36):
Kowdo allowed Kodo to take his shirt as well and
unwrap his tail from his blanket, lifting him into his
strong arms, nude, broad and smody, creating a stark contrast
against Kowdu's silver bite scars across his neck and shoulders
and arms and thighs, and the one on his lower
back just above his ass that Kowado hadn't told him about,
glowing under the moonlight. Kojo held Kowdo in his arm,
(41:00):
kissing the mermaid languidly deeply as he waded into the
water at the first As the first drop of water
touched his sore fin, Kowdu startled, but Kocho just recaptured
his lips in the continued kiss, just as Kocho continued
to hold Kodu even when they were no longer able
to stand and Kojo was holding them both up by
treading water. Kawdu opened his eyes andnew to Kojo, they
(41:22):
appeared to be almost glowing under the moon. Kocho reached
one hand up to unknow Kodo's hair and that it
flowed freely around his shoulders in the water. How's your
fin feeling, Kocho mumbled against the cold scales just under
Kowodo's gills in his neck. Kowdu flexed his tail and
felt a dull pain from the force of the water
(41:43):
against his fin, but it was held under pressure. It
was sore, but functional. Would he want to summit it
for longer face a heavy current? Not particularly, but could he?
He swished it back and forth, moving himself out of
Kojo's arms and attempting to keep himself afloat alone and succeeding.
He looked down at the shine of his pink and
gold scales underwater, shimmering up to the surface, and then
(42:05):
looked back up at Kochuro Kojo, who was smiling and
definitely holding back tears. Kaoudu didn't hesitate this time, swimming
right back into his arms and kissing him deeply, wrapping
his arms around the man, gasping when Kocho instantly deepened
the kiss, sliding his tongue into teeth Kodo's fangs. Kocho's
hands got lost in his hair, cradling his head so
(42:27):
gently in contrast with the firm, urgent kiss. They broke
apart eventually for air, but Kodro was right back on Kowodu,
this time with a slow, affectionate kiss, A wet kiss,
A wet kiss. Kadu opened his eyes to see Kojo
jerk back, slightly, turning his head. What's wrong, Kochuo, Koudu trilled,
letting some of his own language vibrate when he said
(42:49):
his lover's name. I I'm gonna miss you, Kodu, Koduo
replied softly, as if stealing himself to not allow his
emotions to fully big through. You're stupid. Koto's had whipped
around to face a highly unimpressed mermaid floating in front
of him with his arms crossed. Honestly, Kochuro, if had
(43:12):
wanted to leave, i'd be gone now. To think I
thought you'd take a hint, but of course I should
have known. Kowdo was cut off, and Kodo lunged at him,
flinging his arms around the mermaid and kissing him as
they fell beneath the surface. The water was still warm
from the day's sun, but it felt cool against their skin.
As Kowdu latched onto Kodo in returned, kissing him without break.
No longer kneeding air as his gills flapped, Kodo did,
(43:35):
but Kowdo could handle that too, Breathing oxygen into Kodo's
mouth between kisses, they could stay there longer as Kowodo
sank them deeper and deeper. Astonished at the trust Koduo
was showing him, Maybe the human was just too stupid
and infatuated to remember that mermaids typically drowned sailors. Kodo wasn't,
but Kodo had no way of knowing that. Carefully, Kowdo
(43:58):
breathed a larger amount of oxygen into Kojo's mouth and
parted from him, holding Koldro's hands in his own. As
he let Kocho look around, schools of silver fish danced
past them, moonlight reflecting off of them and making their
surrounding sparkle. Few humans could ever enjoyed such a sight.
Karwdo was sure, but when he looked back up, Kochro
was only looking at him. In Kocho's eyes. He'd never
(44:21):
seen a sight so beautiful. He'd never seen a sight
as beautiful as Koudo underwater, every inch of him glowing
in the moonlight, long pink hair floating around him like
a halo. Kocho reached out gingerly, removing one hand from
Kowdo's grasp to cup his cheek. Kowdo leaned into the touch,
closing his eyes and letting Kochro kiss him again, making
(44:44):
sure to replenish his oxygen in between kisses, and slowly
lifting them back up to the surface, twirling them a
bit for fun. Kojuro cut on and waved excitedly for
kowder to stop lifting them, and Kowdo quirked his eyebrow
at the man. Confused, Kocho took a advantage of Kowdo's
hesitation and settled one hand on the small of his back,
(45:04):
taking his hand in the other like when they danced
in the celarium. Kaowodo caught on quickly and set his
free hand in Kocho's arms as Kodro began to sway
them back and forth, slowly spitting them around to the
tune none of them could hear, but they didn't need
kissing slowly all the while, Kawodu did eventually start to
(45:24):
lift them back up, unsure of how long Kodro could
last on his oxygen under the pressures of water, but
they clung to each other the whole time, breaking the
surface still in the block. You're so what you're saying
is kowdo? Please? Kocho wiped water from his eyes and
then reached to brush Kowodo's hair from his face free hand,
(45:46):
lifting Kowdo's ching gently. Kowdo rolled his eyes, pink dusting
across his nose and cheeks. Yes, human, I'll stay with
you still, please, please do? God I never I wouldn't
have asked you to. You didn't need to. Kawodu gently
shut down his train of thought. I decide for myself
(46:08):
where I go, Kochuro, where I want to be. He
let the tips of his claws caress the lines of
Kodro's face, his cheekbones, proud brow, And you want to
be with me? Kocho grinned, and Kodu hoffed for now
he allowed, unable to hide his smile. However, when Kojuro
(46:29):
kissed him, pulling him underwater again, Kawodu broke the surface
two hours after the sun had set, and he and
adamant said their goodbyes. He'd tried to ignore the tugging
worry in his gut, but that morning he'd kissed Adam
and tasted death upon his lips. Oh my god, sorry,
we so we went back to the past. Sorry, okay,
So after they kissed it and they went underwater again,
(46:52):
there's a break. We go into the past again. Kawodu
broke the surface two hours after the sun had set,
and he and Adam had said their goodbyes. He'd tried
to ignore the tugging murray in his gut that morning,
in his gut, but that morning he'd kissed Adam and
tasted death upon his lips. Adam had seemed to be
paying less attention to him as well, at least to
(47:13):
his person. His kind's abilities fascinated the young ran endlessly. Still,
I don't didn't arrive first thing in the morning anymore either. Lately,
Kochro Lately, Kowdo had waited for hours every day, the
sun high in the sky. When Adam approached the rocky shore,
stripping down to join Kowdo in the water. Now winds
(47:34):
whipped harshly when Kowdu's wet hair as he slammed closer
and closer to the shore, Hiding behind one of the
taller jagged rocks, there was a fire if that was still.
With the raging flames engulving half of the lower cliffs
could be called. Kowdo blinked at the inferno, feeling unfamiliar
heat radiating from it, and realized with the start that
the flames weren't on the cliffs they were liking up
(47:57):
at them, but they were on the water. Kowodo whispered
to himself, eyes wide. The flames were higher towards the cliffs,
but lower the further to see they spread, and standing
on the water surrounded by a ring of fire was Atom.
His Atom. He was nude, standing in front of a
(48:19):
creature that floated before him. Kaowdust soon realized the creature
was being suspended in the air via the three witches
standing atop the cliffs, chanting things Kowdu couldn't understand, but
looking at the scene before him, he felt somewhat relieved
that he didn't understand, because it seemed that the creature
did that. It was terrified. This creature had scales like kowu,
(48:40):
but all over its body, which mostly looked like a
very long tail beginning in a long snout, and large
eyes that looked like jewels in the mixed light of
the moon and the fire. Its wings were torn like
they had been slashed the sharp object. It struggled in
vain against the invisible hold of the witches. Then it
shot a gust of flames from its mouth directly at Adam,
(49:01):
and Kowder almost cried out, but the flame stopped just
short of him, hitting some invisible barrier. The witches kept chanting,
and Adam began to remove his gloves, walking closer to
the creature, unbothered, if anything, Adam seemed amused. Finally, for
the first time, Kowodo saw what the gloves were hiding,
(49:22):
lengthy black claws and gnarled hands so unlike the smooth
rest of his skin, skin that Kowldo had been countless
hours caressing and kissing. Adam reached out like he was
going to pet the creature, but the pit in Kowdo's
gut quickly grew bottomless. As he saw Adam's silhouette change,
jaw unhinging, fangs growing horns. Kowdo closed his eyes and
(49:47):
dove underwater. Hands pressed over his ears, but he couldn't
drown it out. He didn't know how long he'd stayed there.
All he knew was the dreadful noises stopped eventually, and
the water grew colder. He broke the surface again, searching
for Adam, and saw him now, Adam at scales across
his body randomly. His pink eyes had slitted pupils, and
(50:09):
he closed his mouth, And as he closed his mouth,
Kowdo saw a puff of smoke escape. It was only
then that Kowdo noticed the small jet black snake child
curled tightly around Adam's shoulders that was suddenly fixed on
Kowdo with a cold stare. He gasped before he could
stop himself, and Adam snapped to face him, eyes widening
(50:30):
and chok before hardening, a snarl ripping from his throat.
You should have listened to me, Kowdo heard it distort
a deeper version of his lover's voice, and swallowed Adam. Adam.
The three witches called out in unison, you've lured a mermaid.
How fortunate they're so elusive, even we never caught one.
(50:53):
Well done, kot Kowdo began to protest, fearful eyes turning
to Adam as whose fourbly ripped from the ocean and
flung into the air. He flailed about, struggling and hissing
and panic. Adam, he cried out, tears welling up and
smelling over Adam, Love, my love, My human shut up, Koudu.
(51:14):
Adam flicked his wrist, and Kowdu felt the pressure around
his ribs, as if a giant hand were slowly crushing him.
I'm not human anymore, or yours for that matter. I
thought you could be special, but you've proved me wrong.
He walked closer to Kawdo, claws reaching out but not
yet touching, as he smiled up at him. And I
(51:34):
certainly never loved you. He pulled his hand back to
gain as if to gain momentum, But before he could
reach the mermaid, Kodu screamed. A siren's song is powerful,
but a siren's scream is a weapon of mass destruction.
Koudou couldn't even think straight, heart ripping into a million
(51:56):
pieces as the scream tore from his body. The cliffs
shook the house atop them, crumbling to dust, the witches
along with it, their souls and screams lost in the
mailstrom growing around Kowdu and Atom. With their magic gone,
Kowdu fell back into the ocean, screams still echoing through
the world, as and now out of control, flames devoured
the crumbling cliffs. Rocks fell all around Kowdu as he
(52:19):
caught a glimpse of Atom bleeding from the ears and
rushing towards Kowdu, before the cliffs collapsed around him, burying
him along with pieces of Kowdu's heart, the pieces he'd
so cruelly torn to shreds. Kawdu continued to sink deeper
and deeper into the water, where his tears wouldn't show.
He swam until his body ached days and nights with
(52:39):
no break. At some point Karla joined him again, offering
unwavering support as Kowdu swam himself to exhaustion until they
were in waters they'd never explored, leaving behind every trace
of Atom and of the merman who had been foolish
enough to love him. End of chapter, end notes. This
is written in all cabs. If you noticed when Adam
(53:01):
traced up Cherry's body, He's tracing the lines to gut
him like a fish. Okay, bye. So that was chapter
six of Pearl Diver. I hope you guys enjoyed even
with the yawning and the unstoppable Princess Bride brain rot,
(53:25):
but I had fun. I am happy to be back,
and I look forward to seeing you all again soon.
All right, take care. Let me know how everything's been
going since I didn't get to check in with anybody
over September. Talk to you soon,
And welcome back to Therapiste. Back and go pod fix.
Hi everybody, it's October. I'm okay. First of all, I
missed you all terribly. Thank you for being so patient.
I haven't had to skip a month in a really
long time, and it did not feel fantastic, but I
(00:25):
couldn't do anything about it. That was simply how that
had to go for chronic illness and life reasons. Kind
of a stressful time going on right now, but a
stressful time that, even though it sucks, is going to
end up really really good, which is to say, what
(00:47):
I can say about it is that I'm also moving
and it's a relatively short notice, and it's you know,
it's not the easiest thing in the world, but I
am handling it, and I have very supportive people in
my life who are there for me and helping me
deal with it, and that is very good and very
(01:09):
important and very much appreciated. I also saw that it
was school starting time, and I did make sure to
reply to everybody in the comments, but I and I
really really wanted to record something for you guys in
September so that you would have something to help with
any transitional issues of the move to a new school,
(01:32):
the start of a new school year, Di scardiffs for
some people last school year before college, which, oh my god,
your babies give so much ahead of you. That's so exciting,
so so so cool, so cool, really grateful to be
a part of that. I'm really I was so touched.
I cried a little bit at the thought of helping
(01:56):
anybody feel less homesick, or helping anybody feel less stressed
during what I remember to be quite the time. It's
such an adjustment period. But you're going to be fine.
You're going to be so fine, and you're going to
have such a great time. And I'm really very excited
for everybody starting a new school, finishing up school this year,
(02:20):
anybody really starting anything new in their life at all.
It's so daunting. I'm right there with you. Everybody send
me the biggest blessings. I'm trying to go back to
school once again in the spring summer semester, so we
were all crossing our fingers and sending me the sweetest,
loveliest get into design school thoughts. God, what the dream,
(02:45):
the absolute dream to sit here and record these memos.
Oh my god, these pod fits for you guys, and
my yappy updates at the beginning include bits about my
fucking homework and classes. I would really love that. That
sounds like a very happy time. So thank you guys
for your patients. I've missed you so much. I basically
(03:06):
took what I planned to do in September and just
copy pasted it into October. So that means that the
plan is this month, Pearl Diver chapter six and Pearl
Diver Chapter seven are going to be available on the
public podfic and on the Patreon. We're going to have
(03:30):
the first chapter of Hell on the Engine My I
think one and only Baku Deku fit that I ever did.
That was a gift for someone who had that ship.
As you guys know, Carrie Baku all the way for me,
so it was quite a challenge to explore a different
way of characterizing and seeing them. It only has two chapters.
(03:55):
I haven't updated it in three years, not to say
I never ever will, because the story itself is cool.
It's an au. It's it's cool, if I may say
to myself, But it's very very low in the docket,
but it is. But honestly, it's one of those ones
where I read it, and I'm like, God, Damn, I
wrote that, Jesus. So it's a fun listen. That'll be
(04:18):
available for the Tier one Patreon supporters and Tier two
this month gets a podfiic of Fuck Pussycat, Fuck Fuck,
which is quite something and that's all I can really
say about that. Here. That's for the Tier two Patreon supporters,
so you know, uh there, there you go. Additionally to that,
(04:46):
I'll be updating the sneak peeks of my whips and
what I'm currently working on because I did the math
wrong and Mike ran out and I had such a
shit month that I uh, well I'm not shit, well
sometimes shit. Such a fucking difficult month health wise and
then busy otherwise that I didn't get to update that yet.
(05:10):
So I will be updating that again, running that you again,
and I will be trying to come up with maybe
some little extras. Maybe I'll start writing a fic on
Patreon for the Halloween season, just off the cuff and
see what happens as a little treat, also to make
up a little bit for not being able to do
anything last month, and also for the Halloween season, which
(05:34):
is my favorite. So very excited about that. So without
further ado, let's dive in oop Mermaid pun Pearl Diver.
Chapter six must have been a deadly kiss. I'm not
going to read the tags or pairing things anymore because
(05:55):
we are so far into it that I feel like
you know them. And if you're very new here, hi,
you might want to click on the link in the
description video three. You can read the text yourself, or
if you want to start this fick from the beginning,
(06:15):
you can scroll where you listen to your podcasts to
chapter one and listen from there. This is the thick
Pearl Diver, all right. The beginning summary that I wrote
me looking at Joe in all caps. It says, please please,
I'm begging please be less fucking obvious that you're in
love with him. Joe not even looking at me, no
(06:37):
little heart emoticon. Yeah, so that was fucking tough. Beginning notes. Obvi,
you're reading this in English, but in the story, Joe's
crew and Joe speak Japanese, Adam and his aunts speak English.
I almost said aunts. I was like, let's keep it
in one region, let's keep our accent in one region,
(07:00):
and please Adam and his aunts speaking That's such an
odd thing to say. Sorry, this just sounds weird. Adam
and his aunts speak English, which obviously, again you're gonna
hear all of this in English, but for context, if
they ever encounter each other, for example, Joe will not
inherently understand what Adam is saying. If Adam is not
(07:20):
explicitly said to be speaking Japanese. This is a long one, apparently, Well,
you know what, let past me, let me be the
judge of that. All right, we'll see about that. Also,
if my stomach gir goles, I'm so sorry, but lately
it has just decided that if it's gonna make a noise,
(07:43):
that it needs to be like the loudest thing possible
and also typically happen like the quietest or most uncomfortable moments,
typically in public. So I'm not in public, but I
am recording, and I feel like it's entirely possible, you know,
so in advance if that happens for ambient noise, pretend
it's whale song. This is a primarily set on the
(08:06):
ocean fanfix, so why the not? You know? All right?
Koudo was eighteen eighteen, and the sun filtered brightly through
the water as he and Carla swam against the toughest
currents they could find, just to see if they could
really immediately a yawn. Okay, okay. His hair was shoulder
(08:31):
length and flowed like a cloud around him under the
water as he laughed, leading the way to more shallow waters.
He'd heard there was a shipwreck near that nobody had
dared to explore, so naturally they had to go. It
was closer to the shore than he'd thought. That this
place was too windy for humans, he thought too rocky.
(08:53):
Humans needed greenery to live, He'd been told growing up.
They needed sunshine and warmth. Couldn't regulate the temperatures like
kowdoo could, so even when Carla sent an echo of warning,
he'd pushed onward, and with practiced ease, he'd propelled himself upwards,
breaking the surface of the water to do a flip
in the sun. At the height of his jump, he
(09:13):
heard it a gasp. His golden eyes snapped open as
he fell back into the ocean, locking on to pink
eyes wide and confused. The moment he was underwater again,
he froze, staring up through the distorted surface to try
and see the creature he'd spotted. Was that a human?
He'd never actually seen one before before. He could wonder
(09:35):
if it was okay to stick his head above water.
A splash caught his attention. The human had jumped off
the cliff and into the water. Kowodo watched as the
human looked around, blinking rapidly, before sinking deep enough to
begin struggling. Humans can't breathe underwater, Kowdoo thought, horrified as
Krlo squeaked at him to leave. He should have listened
(09:58):
to her in hindsight, but the human was pretty, so pretty,
blue hair curling around a face even paler than his own,
piercing eyes, intelligent and searching for him. He hissed at
Carlo and she tried to nudge him away and swam
towards the human, quickly wrapping his arms around him to
(10:20):
get him to stop struggling. Air. He needs air before
we go to the surface. I have some air. Please
calm down, Kodo tried to say, but it seemed the
human could not understand him, and damn Kowdo was skipping
his lessons so many times. Unable to tell the human
his plan, Kowdoo clasped his face between his clawed hands
(10:41):
firmly and leaned in, pressing his lips to the humans.
The human went still before kissing him back. Hands on
Kowdo's waist, and Kowdo nudged his lips open to breathe
the air he had left over into his lungs as
he began to propel them upwards. Finally, they broke the surface,
and Kowdo pulled back, adding the human coffins butter, you've
(11:02):
saved my life with human waste. Staring at Kowdo in wonder,
dark hair sticking to his face, and you kissed me,
Kowdu blushed. Well, you're the one who jumped. I was
just trying to give you air. It didn't I needed
to learn your language too, so it wasn't a real
kiss or anything. He looked away, feeling shy and at
(11:26):
the other boy's intense gaze. You'll learn my language just
like that. That's cool, like magic. I'm Adam. He held
out his gloved hand to Kowdu and smirked when Kowdo
regarded it suspiciously. I won't bite, I might, Kowdu thought,
before swimming closer to press his cheek to the offered hand,
much to Adam's surprise. Huh, I'm guessing mermaids don't shake hands. Huh.
(11:53):
He rubbed a gentle thumb over Kowdo's cheek, and Kowdo
hummed happily at the sensation. You have a name, he asked,
moving to hold Kowdu's chin between his thumb and index finger,
and Kowdu blinked up at him curiously. Koudu, he whispered,
my name is Kowdu. It turned out that humans couldn't
(12:16):
live there, but Adam could. Him and his three aunts,
who were witches, lived secluded near the cliffs, where Adam
practiced his magic under their tutelage with his familiar snake.
There were days Kowdo would swim out to meet him,
and Adam would be even paler than usual, clammy in
a way that had nothing to do with the sea
(12:37):
water lapping at his skin, eyes dull and tired until
Kowdu sang him a song to perk him up. Worked
every time, much to Koudo's delight. Other mornings, Kowdo would
arrive to find Adam sitting atop the surface of the ocean,
bone dry and radiating heat, twin fangs minimally longer smirked
a little darker. He never wore a shirt, need one,
(13:01):
but he always wore his gloves. Adam didn't know much
about humans either, but he did know a lot about
other magical creatures O. Jesus Christ, and would spend hours
telling kowdu what he knew. Can you tell I have
him a sleeping very well? Sorry, Kowado could have sworn
nothing excited Adam more than learning about other beings, So
(13:22):
of course Kowdu happily told him everything he wanted to know,
except where mermaids lived specifically. Of course, months passed like that,
meeting every morning, parting before the sun set. Adam was
adamant about that rule. Kowodo was to never ever visit
(13:43):
after sundown. Ever, his eyes flashed red whenever he mentioned it.
So Kawado had simply nodded and promised. Among all the
promises they'd made each other, what did another matter, really, Hey, Kowdu, yes, Adam,
he replied, opening his eyes. They'd been napping in the
(14:04):
midday sun sprawled out, Jesus cried, who sprawled out on
the flat rocks near the shore. When Adam had lifted
himself onto his elbows and turned to face Kodo, Have
you ever kissed anyone a real kiss? I mean? Kowdo
felt his gill's flutter, and he played off his embarrassment
(14:26):
with a shrug. No, nobody's ever been special enough, he
answered honestly, hesitating to ask the same question in return.
Luckily you didn't have to. Adam leaned over him with
a grin, and his eyes darkened me neither. He reached
a gloved hand to trace an invisible line from Kowdo's
(14:49):
sternum up his throat to the tip of his chin,
which he then held between his fingers, like he had
when they'd first met. Pink eyes met gold, and Kowdo
realized he'd stop breathing. Oh before he could diffuse the
tension with a joke or flirt equip Adam brushed his
(15:11):
lower lip with his thumb. You're special, Kaudo, he whispered,
closing his eyes as he leaned in to close the distance,
and Kowdo allowed it, his own, clawed hands wrapping around
the taller boy as they kissed for a first kiss.
It was anything but gentle. Adam kissed, how Cawdo should
have expected him to, hungrily greedily. It made Kowdo's entire
(15:35):
world spin on its head. Their meetings changed after that day,
spending days kissing in the water and exploring new feelings.
You just christ him my good oh okay. Kowdu left
(15:58):
a single, shy bite on Adam's neck, and every time
Adam touched it curiously, he glowed with satisfaction, and he
sang for him far more often than before. Except Adam
wasn't as interested in his soothing songs. He was curious
about Kowdo's other abilities. Wondered out loud i of Kowdo's
(16:18):
magic was strong enough to drive him mad if he
really would one day be able to command a ship
of souls to their deaths. One morning, Kowdo had waited
for hours already before Adam arrived, looking significantly different. There'd
been a violent storm the night before, even Kowdo had
been forced to dive deeper than usual to avoid it,
(16:41):
and when Adam had finally shut up that morning, his
skin had nearly glowed, suddenly free of scars and marks,
except Kowdo's bite, which still appeared clearly on his neck.
That fascinated Adam. For some reason. Every other scar or
wound had disappeared. But Kaoudo's, and while Kowder tried to
play it off as a token of love, Adam obsessed
over it. It was that same morning then, while trying
(17:03):
to southe atom with kisses, Kowdo had discovered two small
horns peeking out through the dark blue curls, a sign
of his strength. Adam had boasted, and Kowdo felt something
stirred deep in his stomach as he gently traced the
irridescent streaks curling around the black horns, remembering vaguely the
time Adam had gushed about unicorns, which were real, apparently
(17:24):
with pearled horns capable of healing even death. The next
thing was a pair of wings larger than life in
a million shades of orange, shaped like flaw leaves. Adam
told Kowdu. Forest fairies flashed across Kawodo's mind before he
schooled his expression back into pure admiration. Adam his Adam,
(17:45):
his love couldn't be doing whatever this was, and he'd
never hurt Kodu, never, but the suspicions just wouldn't leave
his mind. Slight break. Now we're back in the present.
(18:08):
I learned so much about anatomy last night Kojiro murmured
against Kowdo's ear when he awoke, I'm gonna castrat you,
Kowdu grumped, not even bothering to open his eyes. He wouldn't, dare.
I can't believe all this time, your fangs were retractable, dick.
Kochuro nibbled a short trail down Kowdo's neck to breast,
(18:30):
kisses to the mermaid's shoulders. Kowdo smacked him lightly, but smirked,
nestling further into the sheets. Oh, I'm definitely giving all
of you my yawns. I'm so sorry they are really
on it today. At some point before the sun had risen,
Kojiro must have woken up and carried Kowdu with him
(18:51):
to his bedroom. And thank God for that, because that
floor would have read havoc on his back. Shut up
and be grateful. I told you all. I could have
just not done that thing that made you. You're right,
You're right, Thank you, coach. Row pressed apology kisses to
his head. Don't get used to me saying that. Hm hmmm,
(19:13):
what was that? I turned your I tuned you out
after you said I'm always right. I didn't say always
and so beautiful you flatter me well, I mean and
better in bed. Now hold on a minute. Coachro turned
Kowdery to face him, a Cowdo laughed in his face,
finally opening his eyes to face those finally opening his up.
(19:35):
There's no non clunky way to say this, finally opening
his eyes to face you know what, to face, coach Ros,
it says, to face those red eyes. And I'm just like,
do you read your own sentences when you write them?
Finally opening his eyes to face Coach Rows. We need
to work on your bedside manner. Koch Row fake growled
into Kowdo's neck before pressing kisses up and down the
pale skin. Suppose you'll have to keep me by your
(19:58):
bedside to practice. Kowodu gasped under his ministrations, a shudder
going down his spine when koch Ro chuckled against his skin.
Oh sweetheart, if it were up to me, we'd never leave. Hey,
I'm pretty sure you're being gross in there, so quit
it and come to breakfast. Ohka made it. MIA's voice
through the door interrupted them, and Kowdoo's face burned while
(20:18):
Joe laughed, Thank you, Mia. The larger man called back
with a roll of his eyes before looking at the
murmur in his arms. Sorry, baby, looks like we'll have
to continue this later. His voice jailed off to a
whisper as he pressed a door and kisses across Kowdo's collarbones,
and Kowdu sighed, hands shifting to rake through Kodro's messy curls. Mm,
(20:43):
however shall I live? Kodo asked, sarcastically, gasping Kodro bit
his neck for the clip. Don't go dying on me now,
I've got plants for you, you know. Oh? Kaowdo pulled
back after Kodro captured his lips in another long, sweet kiss.
Do tell? Captain god Roger smiled, sitting up and helping
(21:05):
Kowdo into his blanket and wheelchair. Now where's the fun?
And telling you now I'm gonna take my sweet time
with you, princessh I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. I
just rewatched The Princess Bride, and for some reason, when
(21:28):
I read the line I'm gonna take my sweet time
with you, princess, my brain was like millage princess, so stupid. Okay, Okay,
I think I'm very tired. That's okay, It's all right,
(21:49):
it's okay, boy. I hope I didn't write the word
princess a lot more times anyway, anywhere, anywhere, Hm, anyway, God,
I don't know why that caught me so bad. I'm
(22:10):
so sorry, HM, get it together. He kissed the top
of Kowdo's head and went to grab their clothes. When
to grab their clothes, leaving Kowdu with an uncontrollable flutter
in his chest. Oka was a wonderful cook, not quite
(22:31):
like Joe, but wonderful. Nonetheless, Kowdu recognized none of the
foods on the table, and Kodero's eyes lit up, telling
him about them and making sure he tried a bit
of everything, and in between bytes, everyone talked about a
million things. Shadow grilled Reki about catching him sneaking out
of longest room before the sun was up. Mi I
got Oka's cat to eat a piece of salmon, and
(22:52):
Koturo said if Mia continued to prove responsible, he would
consider allowing him to find a pet for the ship.
Oka laughed, the boys scrambling to attention when he held
a handful of envelopes up for each of them. Even
Mia looked eager, and there was a brief scuffle when
Oka set them on the table, and each boy quickly
sifted the letters apart, each ending up with a small stack.
(23:14):
I told you long as mother writes them all. We
try to come here every few months, and in the
coldest month of winter we stay here until the ice thaws.
This year she wants to visit when we stay here,
but that's still quite a while away, Kodo explained, as
Kowdo finished his egg on toast and nodded. How sweet
of Langa's mother, he thought, looking to Langa, who was
(23:34):
eagerly reading the words elegantly scrawled across the page. He
must miss her, he remarked, wiping his mouth delicately with napkin. Yeah,
but he's happier here. Not hard to see why I
still owe you for that bet, you know, koch Ro grinned,
letting an arm fall loosely around the back of Kowduo's chair,
fingers brushing his shoulder through his shirt, playing with the
(23:57):
ends of Kowdoo's ponytail. M I haven't forgotten, I just
don't know what you could possibly offer me. Goda. I
regret letting me teach you about animals. Yes, you probably
have many regrets, such is the life of a simple man.
Watch shark bait. I can make you eat those words,
you know. Oh no, I'm shaking Kodo deadpant, turning to
(24:21):
look back at the group. Koto smirked, having a dark
laugh as he leaned in, lips brushing against Koto's ear.
You were earlier, I could make that happen again. Kodo
flushed bright red and smacked him in the chest. Not
in front of the children, he hissed, Yes, please, not
in front of us, poor innocent children. Recky snicker, looking
(24:45):
up from his own letter. Not the phrase I would
use after last night, Longer replied without looking up, and
Reki choked on his juice, which guarded a reprimanding glare
to both of them from Shadow and another fake gag
from Mia Kaodo couldn't help but laugh at the scene.
After a stunned moment, Cochro joined in and then they
were all in stitches. All right, boys, day one on shore.
(25:06):
What are your plans for today? Coach Row asked, Captain's
voice switching back on as he began clearing plates out
with Shadow. Ow huh um, sorry, uh my, uh have
I have ailed done this? And I I knocked my
(25:28):
fingers in the wrong direction, and I will spare you
the gross details. But if they were briefly incorrect and
now they are correct again, but it is always a
little jarring when it happens. Where was I? Okay, Lanka
and I were going to check out the market and
then go to the boardwalk tonight. Reki replies, replied with
(25:50):
a smile that loga that was happily reciprocated, m don't
stay out too late, and for Fox's sake, Longa, don't
let Recky get arrested again. I know you two think
it's funny to break out of jail, but it takes
years off Shadow's life. What about you, Mia, cot Kodo
turned to his youngest only for a speak up. Hto
(26:13):
me and I were going to ask if you wanted
to come with a stitch to the shop run a
flower shop. Okay, I explained to Koto briefly, before continuing,
we could use the extra hands. If you're up for it,
the I'll do it. Mia nodded, skill fully dodging shadows
reprimand and telling everyone he'd be ready to leave when
they were, before he went off, presumably to finish getting ready.
(26:36):
Long Gun Recki thanked Aka for breakfast and left as well,
wanting to get an early start. What about you too, Cherry,
Joe Shadow asked, helping Koto with the dishes after making
Aka sit back down and relax. Oh. Kato had been
about to say something about how he didn't know yet,
but Kochro interrupted him. I want to show Cherry the city.
(26:58):
Kato's fork fell against the table with a clatter that
drew all eyes to him, but all he could see
was playful was the playful red pair, teasing him wordlessly.
You are you out of your fucking mind? Cool it, Chris.
We'll cover you up. You'll retract your fangs, flatten your gills.
I'll give you some gloves and boom, You'll be my
(27:20):
weird so using sweetheart for the day. Wouldn't you like that?
Me having to do everything you ask? Kowder threw a
slice of toast at his head. You're insane. You're insane.
If I end up killing any witnesses, yourself included, I'll
take no part of the blame. That's the spirit, Kodro laughed.
It Olka joined in, amused by their dynamic. He Hatomi
(27:41):
wrote that you two were like a married couple. But
I couldn't picture it. He was right. Oka laughed and
shadow blushed stammaray explanations that neither Cowdurow no Kowdo could hear.
Kowdo was surely bright red. He knew how hot his
face got when he was flustered. Kodro was no better,
quickly changing the subject and walking back over to Kowdo
was sad and kneeling by his side as he had
(28:02):
dozens of times before, one hand stroking the bend in
Kowdo's tail fondly. Look, I I want to show you
some of my world while we're here, While you're still here,
Kochio thought the last part to himself. I think you'll
enjoy it, and I promise I'll keep you safe. I'd
(28:24):
never let any harm come to you. You know that,
right because I I he thought, surely you know, But
now you must know I. Kowdo heard Kocho's words from
the night before echo in his head before he let
as he let out a deep sigh. This fucking human
(28:45):
was gonna get him fucking killed. This fucking, stubborn, annoying, persistent, affectionate,
wonderful idiot was going to be his undoing Oh well,
kywder supposed he'd almost died for much worse things. I
didn't know that. I know now his own words rang
through the air in his mind. I know, Kowdo replied coolly, instead,
(29:10):
holding out his palm and smiling, and Koduo pressed his
face into it. My muscle man, ready to protect me,
the vicious, lethal sea monster from other smaller humans. Kodoro
barked a laugh and pressed kisses into Kowdoo's palm and
up each individual finger to the paths just under the claws,
(29:32):
and then back down, only to move to the next finger.
The simple gesture, the care and time he took to
do it, took Kowdo's breath away. There was no lust
in Kodro's eyes, well, no more than usual one. He
looked at Kodo, only affection. Even Kowdo retracted his fangs
and bit his lip. Koduoo, he complained, softly, noticing the
(29:58):
stunned audience they had. Oh God, shadows seemed to realize
they were staring at the same moment, and busied themselves elsewhere,
excusing themselves and heading to get Mia. Oh no, I
wrote it again. It's okay, it's okay. I got this
I can be so normal immature she ah okay, fuck okay,
(30:26):
shouldy princess wonders never cease. Goto cheese, pressing one final
kiss to Koto's pulse point on his wrist. It's not
shyness when it's in response to public indecency. Kaowdo hissed
to cover up his fostered state. He thought that was indecent. God,
you're gonna think this is downright criminal. Goto lifted the
(30:49):
blanket on Kowdo's lap and dove undered, ready to put
his new anatomy skills to good use, and Kowdos slapped
his well kissed hand over his mouth to stifle any sounds.
Though the house was likely already empty by the time,
Kochuro rolled Kowdoo out of the house, tightly wrapped up
in a high collared shirt that hid his gills, with
smooth white gloves to colver his claws. The sun was
(31:09):
high in the sky, and the two bickered lightly all
the way into town. If Koudo wasn't already used to
the noise of the ship, he'd have been overwhelmed, but
as it was, he simply looked around, unable to conceal
his curiosity and asked Kodo a million questions, all of
which he answered gladly and not without some level of amusement.
Kodo Koudo's eyes widened as he fought back the urge
(31:31):
to drop his hags again, gloved hand tightly pinching Kodo's arm.
What is that? He pointed suddenly, and Kodo dipped his head,
hiding his face in Kwedo's hair as he tried and
failed to stifle his laughter. His large body shook and
attracted a few curious and amused stairs as Kowado's pinches
became full on smacks. As the smaller man's voice rose
(31:52):
and pitch why are its fucking eyes like that? How
big are those teeth? You could chop off a child's head?
Kodo whimpered, clutching his abs, barely breathing from his poorly
suppressed laughter. Gow to please, he weazed, that's that's a horse.
Tears gathered in his eyes as he wheeled kowdou closer
(32:15):
to the animal, much to the mermaid's growing panic. If
they repeated smacks were anything to go by, they're harm
They're harmless. Cout to please, Buck, stop making that face.
I can't breathe good, choke bustard. Kowdo hissed, now incredibly
close to the horse, more specifically the horse's face. The
horse looked at him curiously and his ears twitched, before
dipping its head down to nose that Kowdo's shirt in
(32:36):
search of treats. Kawudo was a bit of the Kowodo
was absolutely frozen, and Kodro was worried he was going
to burst a blood vessel. Trying not to laugh so much.
Kochu excused himself, ripping himself from the mermaid's tight tense
grip despite his hisses, and returned a minute later with
an apple to see the horse nosing at Kowdu's hair.
(32:57):
I know it's messy, but it's not straw, Kojuro teased,
handing Kowder the apple. Kowdo blinked up at him. I'm
not hungry, it's for the horse. The horse eats human food.
Almost everything up here eats human food. Okay, why did
you give this to me so you can feed the horse?
(33:19):
You're choking? No, no, Kocho, I quite like my fingers,
if I remember correctly, You're quite partial to them yourself.
Koto cut him off by grabbing his hand and laying
it flat so the apple was loosely resting on his palm,
and then moved Kowdo's hand closer to the horse. The
horse sniffed and quickly picked the apple up, crushing it
in its jaw. Kowder relaxed somewhat and dropped his hand
again quickly, still scared of the horse. Maybe I will
(33:43):
drown you and show you all the creatures of the
depth of the ocean and then make fun of you
when you see them for the first time. Don't threaten
me with a good time princess. I really need to
use a different nickname, because if this keeps happening, I
will not make it to the end of the story.
Don't me with a good time princess. Oh my God,
(34:09):
If nothing else, I amuse myself God. Koju toured the
market with Kowdu for the rest of the afternoon. Came
to try new foods, cherries fresh from a nearby orchard,
and cod. Road only blushed a little when Kowdu had
teased him about the sweet nickname from the sweet fruit.
Oranges also imported and so far Kowdu's favorite. Oh I
(34:35):
should have known you'd have expensive taste. Shut up, you,
unrefined Ogre, showing him shops and explaining how human cities
were built. The sun was slowly starting to set when
they came across an older man on the street painting
portraits and for a laugh. Kowdu agreed to Koduro's request
to have one done. The old man watched them, and
(34:55):
Kowdu poke Kodur inside. He describe my face. Huh, why,
I'm curious. I'd never seen it so clearly before your
glass in the bathroom. I never thought about it so
much before. So what's it like to a human? Terrifying?
(35:16):
Kado histed him mildly, baring his sharpened teeth, yellow eyes flashing.
Oh yeah, no, my about that face is just beautiful. Sorry,
I don't know where I could have possibly gotten terrifying
from dome no biting. Okay, cow, do you know you're beautiful?
Koto felt his face heat up. Idiot, that's not what
I meant, moron. He resisted the urge to hide his
(35:40):
face for the artist's sake. No, hmm, I suppose I
could start with Your cheekbones are so high and sharp.
Everything about you just looks so elegant. Your eyes are
like liquid gold. But I'd rather see there shine than
that of a thousand treasures, Kodo whispered. Kowdo regretted every
(36:00):
action in his life that had led him to this ordeal,
where he was now being publicly flustered yet again. Or
perhaps I should tell you how perfectly your hair frames
your face, how kissable your lips are, how strong the
urge is to touch your perfect skin all the time.
I regret asking, Kowdo replied, voiced tight and strained. Kojuro
(36:23):
breathed a laugh into his ear, looking back to the
artist and smiling. What was that this morning about regrets
and simple men? If you think I won't kill you
just because there's a witness, you are sorely mistaken, sweetheart.
Kado resisted the urge to roll his eyes and huffed.
But thank you anytime, Princess pressed it. I can do this.
(36:46):
This is so stupid, I can do this. Kochu oppressed
a kiss to his cheek, and Kowdo shoved him off
the stool he was posing on, blushing furiously. The artist
was finished, thankfully, and Kochoro paid him, taking a quicks
taking the quick sketched Kowdo quite red in the face himself. Ah,
I think he exaggerated a bit. Kochuro laughed chepishly as
(37:08):
Kowdu snatched the drawing from his hands suspiciously. Oh. It
was a cute sketch, quick lines in black, capturing the
edges and planes of what were clearly Kochuro and Kowdu.
Except while Kowdo was drawn facing the artist, chin lifted
with pride and long fuck and long hair cascading down
his shoulders, Kochiro was drawn almost from the side, staring
(37:32):
at Kowdo with a teasing smile, lips parted as if
about to say something that would skyrocket Koudo's blood pressure.
It was a very telling look, and Kowdo felt his
breath catch in his chest. He hadn't been entirely spared, though,
as the artists had captured the unmistakable quirk was closed
mouth and the softness in his eyes even as they
had scowled. It looks fine. He handed it back to
(37:57):
Kochuo and sniffed, averting his gaze. Kojuro huffed out a
dry laugh that didn't fully reach his eyes and tucked
the drawing away safely. Well, Oh, now I'll always have
something to remember you by. He shrugged, playful tone falling
flat as Kodo bristled in the chair, deciding it was
best to not respond immediately as Kocho pushed him along
(38:19):
the streets. It was after several minutes of call me
it slightly charged silence that Kodo replied, I hadn't realized
you planned to forget me. Kodro's laughter definitely rang hollow,
now echoing in Kowdo's ears, but he let it slide. Kodo,
I'm sure I couldn't forget a single thing about you
if I tried. They ended up back on the beach.
(38:44):
Kojiro had gotten some food at the market, and now
that they were safely back in their home, they could
unwrapped Kodo and use a blanket on the sand to
sit on while they sat and talked and ate no
heavy topics, although Koudo could tell. They waited on kojurow
just fun light stories from when the king were little,
or amusing misadventures with Karla from Kowdu's younger days, and
(39:05):
then he just popped up totally fine, asking if we
could keep it. Kodu laughed as Kowdu laughed with Kowadu
as the mermaid tried to picture it in his head.
I'm quite glad you didn't let me keep a ten
foot snake on board. I would have thrown myself back
out to see far sooner. He shook his head, noticing
the way Kodo's smile faltered. Minutely, they fell into comfortable silence, again,
(39:31):
alternating between looking at each other and at the open sea,
Kodo's hand playing in Kowdu's hair absent mindedly. Kocho's eyes
suddenly flashed with an emotion Kowdu couldn't catch as he
looked across the water before turning back to Kawadu, squeezing
his hands. Swim with me. Kowdo's eyes widened. What what
(39:53):
are you talking about, I Kowodu, It's not a dazzling
feet of strength. Just get in the water with me.
What makes you so sure? I'm at bolt As soon
as I'm in the water, Koduro, in there, I could
be dangerous. You'd never be able to fight me off
if I turned on you. His voice shook as he asked,
trying not to examine the strange mixture of feelings in
(40:13):
his chest that arose as he did Kojo shot him
with that ridiculous lopsided grin, eyes fond but tinged with sadness.
I'm none, but I do want to do this with you.
I trust you, Kowdo, plus, he winked as he shed
his shirt and unbuttoned his pants, watching his Cowdo's eyes
drank him in. Who says i'd fight you off of me?
(40:36):
Kowdo allowed Kodo to take his shirt as well and
unwrap his tail from his blanket, lifting him into his
strong arms, nude, broad and smody, creating a stark contrast
against Kowdu's silver bite scars across his neck and shoulders
and arms and thighs, and the one on his lower
back just above his ass that Kowado hadn't told him about,
glowing under the moonlight. Kojo held Kowdo in his arm,
(41:00):
kissing the mermaid languidly deeply as he waded into the
water at the first As the first drop of water
touched his sore fin, Kowdu startled, but Kocho just recaptured
his lips in the continued kiss, just as Kocho continued
to hold Kodu even when they were no longer able
to stand and Kojo was holding them both up by
treading water. Kawdu opened his eyes andnew to Kojo, they
(41:22):
appeared to be almost glowing under the moon. Kocho reached
one hand up to unknow Kodo's hair and that it
flowed freely around his shoulders in the water. How's your
fin feeling, Kocho mumbled against the cold scales just under
Kowodo's gills in his neck. Kowdu flexed his tail and
felt a dull pain from the force of the water
(41:43):
against his fin, but it was held under pressure. It
was sore, but functional. Would he want to summit it
for longer face a heavy current? Not particularly, but could he?
He swished it back and forth, moving himself out of
Kojo's arms and attempting to keep himself afloat alone and succeeding.
He looked down at the shine of his pink and
gold scales underwater, shimmering up to the surface, and then
(42:05):
looked back up at Kochuro Kojo, who was smiling and
definitely holding back tears. Kaoudu didn't hesitate this time, swimming
right back into his arms and kissing him deeply, wrapping
his arms around the man, gasping when Kocho instantly deepened
the kiss, sliding his tongue into teeth Kodo's fangs. Kocho's
hands got lost in his hair, cradling his head so
(42:27):
gently in contrast with the firm, urgent kiss. They broke
apart eventually for air, but Kodro was right back on Kowodu,
this time with a slow, affectionate kiss, A wet kiss,
A wet kiss. Kadu opened his eyes to see Kojo
jerk back, slightly, turning his head. What's wrong, Kochuo, Koudu trilled,
letting some of his own language vibrate when he said
(42:49):
his lover's name. I I'm gonna miss you, Kodu, Koduo
replied softly, as if stealing himself to not allow his
emotions to fully big through. You're stupid. Koto's had whipped
around to face a highly unimpressed mermaid floating in front
of him with his arms crossed. Honestly, Kochuro, if had
(43:12):
wanted to leave, i'd be gone now. To think I
thought you'd take a hint, but of course I should
have known. Kowdo was cut off, and Kodo lunged at him,
flinging his arms around the mermaid and kissing him as
they fell beneath the surface. The water was still warm
from the day's sun, but it felt cool against their skin.
As Kowdu latched onto Kodo in returned, kissing him without break.
No longer kneeding air as his gills flapped, Kodo did,
(43:35):
but Kowdo could handle that too, Breathing oxygen into Kodo's
mouth between kisses, they could stay there longer as Kowodo
sank them deeper and deeper. Astonished at the trust Koduo
was showing him, Maybe the human was just too stupid
and infatuated to remember that mermaids typically drowned sailors. Kodo wasn't,
but Kodo had no way of knowing that. Carefully, Kowdo
(43:58):
breathed a larger amount of oxygen into Kojo's mouth and
parted from him, holding Koldro's hands in his own. As
he let Kocho look around, schools of silver fish danced
past them, moonlight reflecting off of them and making their
surrounding sparkle. Few humans could ever enjoyed such a sight.
Karwdo was sure, but when he looked back up, Kochro
was only looking at him. In Kocho's eyes. He'd never
(44:21):
seen a sight so beautiful. He'd never seen a sight
as beautiful as Koudo underwater, every inch of him glowing
in the moonlight, long pink hair floating around him like
a halo. Kocho reached out gingerly, removing one hand from
Kowdo's grasp to cup his cheek. Kowdo leaned into the touch,
closing his eyes and letting Kochro kiss him again, making
(44:44):
sure to replenish his oxygen in between kisses, and slowly
lifting them back up to the surface, twirling them a
bit for fun. Kojuro cut on and waved excitedly for
kowder to stop lifting them, and Kowdo quirked his eyebrow
at the man. Confused, Kocho took a advantage of Kowdo's
hesitation and settled one hand on the small of his back,
(45:04):
taking his hand in the other like when they danced
in the celarium. Kaowodo caught on quickly and set his
free hand in Kocho's arms as Kodro began to sway
them back and forth, slowly spitting them around to the
tune none of them could hear, but they didn't need
kissing slowly all the while, Kawodu did eventually start to
(45:24):
lift them back up, unsure of how long Kodro could
last on his oxygen under the pressures of water, but
they clung to each other the whole time, breaking the
surface still in the block. You're so what you're saying
is kowdo? Please? Kocho wiped water from his eyes and
then reached to brush Kowodo's hair from his face free hand,
(45:46):
lifting Kowdo's ching gently. Kowdo rolled his eyes, pink dusting
across his nose and cheeks. Yes, human, I'll stay with
you still, please, please do? God I never I wouldn't
have asked you to. You didn't need to. Kawodu gently
shut down his train of thought. I decide for myself
(46:08):
where I go, Kochuro, where I want to be. He
let the tips of his claws caress the lines of
Kodro's face, his cheekbones, proud brow, And you want to
be with me? Kocho grinned, and Kodu hoffed for now
he allowed, unable to hide his smile. However, when Kojuro
(46:29):
kissed him, pulling him underwater again, Kawodu broke the surface
two hours after the sun had set, and he and
adamant said their goodbyes. He'd tried to ignore the tugging
worry in his gut, but that morning he'd kissed Adam
and tasted death upon his lips. Oh my god, sorry,
we so we went back to the past. Sorry, okay,
So after they kissed it and they went underwater again,
(46:52):
there's a break. We go into the past again. Kawodu
broke the surface two hours after the sun had set,
and he and Adam had said their goodbyes. He'd tried
to ignore the tugging murray in his gut that morning,
in his gut, but that morning he'd kissed Adam and
tasted death upon his lips. Adam had seemed to be
paying less attention to him as well, at least to
(47:13):
his person. His kind's abilities fascinated the young ran endlessly. Still,
I don't didn't arrive first thing in the morning anymore either. Lately,
Kochro Lately, Kowdo had waited for hours every day, the
sun high in the sky. When Adam approached the rocky shore,
stripping down to join Kowdo in the water. Now winds
(47:34):
whipped harshly when Kowdu's wet hair as he slammed closer
and closer to the shore, Hiding behind one of the
taller jagged rocks, there was a fire if that was still.
With the raging flames engulving half of the lower cliffs
could be called. Kowdo blinked at the inferno, feeling unfamiliar
heat radiating from it, and realized with the start that
the flames weren't on the cliffs they were liking up
(47:57):
at them, but they were on the water. Kowodo whispered
to himself, eyes wide. The flames were higher towards the cliffs,
but lower the further to see they spread, and standing
on the water surrounded by a ring of fire was Atom.
His Atom. He was nude, standing in front of a
(48:19):
creature that floated before him. Kaowdust soon realized the creature
was being suspended in the air via the three witches
standing atop the cliffs, chanting things Kowdu couldn't understand, but
looking at the scene before him, he felt somewhat relieved
that he didn't understand, because it seemed that the creature
did that. It was terrified. This creature had scales like kowu,
(48:40):
but all over its body, which mostly looked like a
very long tail beginning in a long snout, and large
eyes that looked like jewels in the mixed light of
the moon and the fire. Its wings were torn like
they had been slashed the sharp object. It struggled in
vain against the invisible hold of the witches. Then it
shot a gust of flames from its mouth directly at Adam,
(49:01):
and Kowder almost cried out, but the flame stopped just
short of him, hitting some invisible barrier. The witches kept chanting,
and Adam began to remove his gloves, walking closer to
the creature, unbothered, if anything, Adam seemed amused. Finally, for
the first time, Kowodo saw what the gloves were hiding,
(49:22):
lengthy black claws and gnarled hands so unlike the smooth
rest of his skin, skin that Kowldo had been countless
hours caressing and kissing. Adam reached out like he was
going to pet the creature, but the pit in Kowdo's
gut quickly grew bottomless. As he saw Adam's silhouette change,
jaw unhinging, fangs growing horns. Kowdo closed his eyes and
(49:47):
dove underwater. Hands pressed over his ears, but he couldn't
drown it out. He didn't know how long he'd stayed there.
All he knew was the dreadful noises stopped eventually, and
the water grew colder. He broke the surface again, searching
for Adam, and saw him now, Adam at scales across
his body randomly. His pink eyes had slitted pupils, and
(50:09):
he closed his mouth, And as he closed his mouth,
Kowdo saw a puff of smoke escape. It was only
then that Kowdo noticed the small jet black snake child
curled tightly around Adam's shoulders that was suddenly fixed on
Kowdo with a cold stare. He gasped before he could
stop himself, and Adam snapped to face him, eyes widening
(50:30):
and chok before hardening, a snarl ripping from his throat.
You should have listened to me, Kowdo heard it distort
a deeper version of his lover's voice, and swallowed Adam. Adam.
The three witches called out in unison, you've lured a mermaid.
How fortunate they're so elusive, even we never caught one.
(50:53):
Well done, kot Kowdo began to protest, fearful eyes turning
to Adam as whose fourbly ripped from the ocean and
flung into the air. He flailed about, struggling and hissing
and panic. Adam, he cried out, tears welling up and
smelling over Adam, Love, my love, My human shut up, Koudu.
(51:14):
Adam flicked his wrist, and Kowdu felt the pressure around
his ribs, as if a giant hand were slowly crushing him.
I'm not human anymore, or yours for that matter. I
thought you could be special, but you've proved me wrong.
He walked closer to Kawdo, claws reaching out but not
yet touching, as he smiled up at him. And I
(51:34):
certainly never loved you. He pulled his hand back to
gain as if to gain momentum, But before he could
reach the mermaid, Kodu screamed. A siren's song is powerful,
but a siren's scream is a weapon of mass destruction.
Koudou couldn't even think straight, heart ripping into a million
(51:56):
pieces as the scream tore from his body. The cliffs
shook the house atop them, crumbling to dust, the witches
along with it, their souls and screams lost in the
mailstrom growing around Kowdu and Atom. With their magic gone,
Kowdu fell back into the ocean, screams still echoing through
the world, as and now out of control, flames devoured
the crumbling cliffs. Rocks fell all around Kowdu as he
(52:19):
caught a glimpse of Atom bleeding from the ears and
rushing towards Kowdu, before the cliffs collapsed around him, burying
him along with pieces of Kowdu's heart, the pieces he'd
so cruelly torn to shreds. Kawdu continued to sink deeper
and deeper into the water, where his tears wouldn't show.
He swam until his body ached days and nights with
(52:39):
no break. At some point Karla joined him again, offering
unwavering support as Kowdu swam himself to exhaustion until they
were in waters they'd never explored, leaving behind every trace
of Atom and of the merman who had been foolish
enough to love him. End of chapter, end notes. This
is written in all cabs. If you noticed when Adam
(53:01):
traced up Cherry's body, He's tracing the lines to gut
him like a fish. Okay, bye. So that was chapter
six of Pearl Diver. I hope you guys enjoyed even
with the yawning and the unstoppable Princess Bride brain rot,
(53:25):
but I had fun. I am happy to be back,
and I look forward to seeing you all again soon.
All right, take care. Let me know how everything's been
going since I didn't get to check in with anybody
over September. Talk to you soon,
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