The Book Of IDOLiSH7, TRIGGER, Re:Vale, and ZOOL Oneshots

IoRiku (Fluff & Slight Angst AU)

(A/N): I've decided to make the mermaid AUs into a sort of short series. I may or may not reach everyone, though. I've also taken a few liberties with Riku's and Iori's personalities, as well as their pasts. Iori's height is relative, since they're in water and because of his tail. They are complete, absolute stagers who flirt every other breath.

Riku waded into the water, savoring the feeling of seawater slipping around his legs. He walked deeper, shirt wet as the water met his shoulders.

He could hear his twin's voice in his head. Riku! Tenn scolded, You're going to catch a cold! Out! Now!

Riku wished his twin wasn't so overprotective. Seriously! He could do things by himself now! Just because he had asthma didn't mean he was helpless!

He closed his eyes, ducking his head underwater. His red hair fanned out softly across his face, brushing his cheeks. He opened his eyes, expecting to see, well, sand and water, and. . .

. . .there was another face staring curiously at him.

"Uwaa-!" Riku cried out before he remembered he was underwater. The curious face in front of him morphed immediately into something else as water rushed into his mouth. A hand clapped over his mouth as they surged upwards, breaking the surface of the sea.

Riku coughed and sputtered as the person glared at him. "Are you an absolute idiot?!" The person yelled, angrily shaking his shoulders. "You almost drowned!"

Riku coughed and glared back. "It's your fault! You surprised me!"

The person opened their mouth to retaliate, then sighed and regained their composure. "Fine," They growled, angrily releasing Riku's shoulders. "Say it's my fault."

Riku puffed out his cheeks, huffing and crossing his arms. His tone was sulky, but grateful. "Thank you for saving me, though, I guess."

The person softened, anger fading. "It's not a problem," They said, "Anyone would do it."

Riku nodded and perked up. "Hey! I don't know your name!"

The person sighed. "Iori."

Riku tilted his head. Iori was a boys' name, right? Or was it a girls' name? He didn't know. "So...   you're a boy?"

Iori yelped. "Yes! I'm male! What kind of question is that?!"

Riku tilted his head the other way. "You're so pretty I couldn't tell." It took him a moment to realize the words were true.

Iori narrowed his eyes. "Is that an insult?"

Riku puffed out his cheeks. "Can't you recognize a compliment when you hear one?"

Iori looked at him. "I am sorry," He said softly, fidgeting his hands. His hands were pale, with thin fingers. Riku realized it was the first time he'd seen Iori's hands - they'd been submerged or hidden from view the whole time. It made something inside him pulse hotly. "In my culture, I'm considered plain."

Riku looked as Iori unbelievingly. "I don't like your culture," He said. When Iori opened his mouth to reply, Riku cut him off. "How can they not see how pretty your are?"

Iori looked away, pain etched across his face. "My brother has better looks than I do. You'd like him better."

Riku shook his head stubbornly. "I haven't met your brother yet, but I can tell I like you better."

Iori looked at him, his eyes filled with lifetimes of desperation. His voice was small. "Do you really think that way?"

Riku nodded. "You shouldn't undervalue yourself so much." In an attempt to change the subject, he asked, "What's your brother like?"

Iori's face transformed into an adoring, bitter smile. "He's perfect. The star of the family. Everyone loves him, even strangers. I'm just his shadow, no matter how many times he's tried to give up the spotlight. He so kind, so bright, so lively. Never me. I'm just the quiet child no one wants."

Riku's heart ached. He knew what that felt like, to be the child no one wanted. His twin was everyone's angel. Tenn was perfect, always doing what was right. He shone brighter than anyone.

But Riku heard the words whispered behind their backs. Imperfect. Broken. Unnecessary. If only he wasn't born. Tenn doted on him, but it only made the hatred towards him increase. So Riku pushed Tenn away, even as his twin reminded him to wear a scarf, put on a coat, take his inhaler.

"I know," Riku whispered. He pulled Iori towards him, letting him rest his head on Riku's shoulder as the tears flowed down his cheeks. "I know," Riku repeated as Iori cried and he rubbed circles on the back of Iori's neck.

Riku's hands traveled down Iori's sides and he comforted him. He didn't mean anything by it, but his hands settled on Iori's waist, where he expected soaked-through pants to be. Instead, the cloth of his shirt gave way to scales.

Riku froze. He was sure Iori must have felt it, since his tearstained face looked up at him questioningly. "You're not human," He whispered softly.

Iori face filled with fear. He backed away. "No," He whispered, his voice growing louder, "No! Don't leave me! Not you too!" He was screaming himself hoarse now, hands clutched to his heart, eyes squeezed shut and tears running down his pretty down.

Riku's heart hurt as he reached out. He pulled Iori to him, clutching him to his chest as he shook and sobbed. "Iori, Iori," He whispered, repeating his name. "I won't leave."

Iori pulled his tearstained face away from Riku's chest to look up at him, his voice infinitely small like a small, sad child's. "You won't?"

Riku shook his head, his hands tightening around Iori's waist, caressing his scales. "I'll stay." Iori mutely nodded.

They stayed like that, letting the seawater part around them for a few quiet moments. Iori broke it with a hoarse laugh. "I'll never heard your name."

"Riku," Riku said.

"Riku," Iori tested. "Riku," He said again, smiling. "It's a beautiful name."

Riku laughed. "I'm glad you like it."

Iori's eyes widened. "Are you male?" He asked in mock-suspicion. "Have you been tricking me this whole time?"

Riku laughed again. Iori's teasing was endearing and adorable. "Yes, I'm male."

Iori smiled and nuzzled Riku's shoulder. He glanced up shyly. "Do you want to see my tail?"

Riku grinned. "Yes, I do."

Iori gestured back to the sand. "It'll be easier to see," He explained as Riku led him to shallower waters. He sat down in the damp sand, Iori settling himself in his lap. He nuzzled Riku's neck, lifting his tail from the ankle-deep seawater.

Riku's breath caught. Iori's tail was the same navy shade as his eyes, hair, and shirt, but the fins were slightly transparent. His scaled gleamed, and his tail fins differed from a steriotypical mermaid's - it curved and split, and where theirs would be two full swoops, his were like two blade-thin crescents moons, shot through with silver threads.

"So pretty. . ." Riku murmured, running his fingertips lightly over Iori's scales. His hands came to rest on Iori's hips, rubbing soothing circles where Iori's pale skin gave way to shining scales. Where Iori's skin didn't quite cover all of his skin.

Iori leaned into the touch, eyes fluttering closed. Riku tightened his grip and smiled.