𝑩𝒆𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒆𝒑-Tododeku(Mermaid AU)

ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 5

Late night talks
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It was deep in the night, everyone happily sleeping after the tiring events from earlier. The only ones who seemed to be awake beside the ones on watch were Iida and Shoto, who were discussing on the merman they've managed to capture. Shoto tried not to move much due to the bandages wrapped tightly across his stomach. Hizashi made sure that they were extra tight, out of fear that it'll get infected.

"So he's all ready for the voyage then, right?" Shoto asked, his voice subtly had a concerning tone to it.

Earlier when they managed to put Izuku into a large glass cage filled with water, Iida was tasked with checking for any wounds besides the new bleeding on the back of his head.

"Yes, my prince, he's in stable condition," Iida replied, cleaning his glasses with a handkerchief from his pocket. "Though, if you don't mind me asking, why are you so worried over him?"

Shoto just shrugged as he continued to gaze into the fire, turning around slightly to lock eyes on the foggy glass of the cage. Noticing the mer inside squirming around, as if trying to get in a comfortable position.

When Iida got up and called it a night, Shoto glanced towards his makeshift bed before having his curiosity take the best of him. Shoto walked up to the cage laying across the dirt ground, a sword on his hand as he knocked on the glass. The mer jumping at the sudden sound before calming only slightly at the familiar face.

Shoto then opened the lid of the cage up, allowing the mer to hesitantly sit up comfortably. "So...I'm guessing you understand me right?" He asked.

Izuku merely nodded, scared if anything he'd say would be the wrong answer. Shoto then carried on, "You're probably wondering why we took you then, right? Well, uhh...this is kinda weird now saying it aloud, but we need your tears?" He said steadily, scratching at his hair at how awkward he made it seem. He glanced over noticing the mer sinking back into the waters, clutching their arms. "I didn't know there were male mermaids too...the books never mentioned it so, and I was wondering if your tears are also magic—"

"...yeah, all of us have that gift." Izuku softly whispered head bowed as he feared even looking up at the boy. Shoto was surprised, a part of felt reassured that they won't have to try and get another one, but the other part of him felt worried.

He knew it was bad to even attempt to form a bond, no matter how little, with someone he's meant to give to his father. The thoughts and images of what his father may do to the mer popped in his head, knowing the monster he'd do anything to make the poor thing cry.

"I—well, that's...nice?" He mumbled out, coughing to try and regroup himself. The merman soon had a confused expression at the statement, the prince quickly trying to think of a way to change the topic. "I'm just human so, we don't really have magic I think... but so you must sing too right?" Shoto internally slapping himself.

"I..uh..no, o-one of my sisters is a really good singer though, singing is more of a f-females ability so." Izuku stuttered out, his head still lowered. His features were barely highlighted by the campfire, mainly lit by the dim light of the moon.

"Oh... my sister can cook," Shoto stated nonchalantly, recalling his sister's infamous dishes when he was younger. That was when he noticed another confused expression on the mer's face, finally gazing up at him.

"What's a cook?" Izuku asked curiously, the first time he ever heard such a word.

"She like, heats up food? Yeah, basically, uh sorry... I kinda forgot you guys eat your food raw..." Shoto said, nervously chuckling before a question pops in his head. "Oh, I forgot to ask but, do you have a name? Mines Todoroki Shoto and yours is..." He stated, tilting his head out of curiosity.