Araiso was quiet, thinking for a moment in the bathwater. Kasei had already backed up to be leaning against the bathroom door.

“Anyway you look at it, isn’t this like keeping a hostage?”

“Hostage?” Kasei looked over to the other. “You’re not a hostage if you’re staying by your will.”

“But I’m not!”

“You can go back any time.” Kasei said with an unbelievably straight face. “Just cause I have your mirror doesn’t mean you can’t return to the sea, right?”

All Araiso could do was look down in sadness. He got out after a few minutes more and dried himself off before redressing himself. Kasei gave him his shirt and then they quietly returned to Kasei’s room.

After Kasei had changed into some jogging pants and a loose tank, he set the mirror on the night stand and rolled into bed.

Araiso just stared at him, returned to his human form after he dried off.

A few moments of that uncomfortable stare and Kasei rolled to look at him, “What?” Araiso pointed at the bed. “What…? No, this is my bed!” Araiso rolled his eyes and reached for the mirror. Reflex action, Kasei was up and grabbed the other’s wrist. “Okay a deal. You don’t try to steal the mirror while I’m relaxing- and definitely when I’m asleep- and you can share the bed with me.”

Araiso pulled on the covers with his free hand.

Kasei groaned, glaring long and hard at the cyan eyes. “Fine. I’ll even share the stupid blankets.”

A happy smile from Araiso, and then a bit of pushing and shoving as they made room for each other in the bed. Once they were comfortable with their bodies, they both started trying to yank the blanket their own way.

Kasei groaned, holding firmly to his half, “This isn’t working.” Araiso glared back, yanking a bit on the blanket but Kasei held on firmly. “My bed, my blankets.” Araiso yanked on the blankets again with a frown. “I said-“ He shut up.

Araiso had shifted so close, his forehead was against Kasei’s collar, and even their knees touching.

Kasei held his breath for a moment, looking nervously to the other. Araiso just snuggled a bit into the mattress and closed his eyes, falling to sleep.

Dark brown eyes watched the other sleep for a while. At first, Kasei was just wondering why Araiso had gotten so close, and then he began to feel guilty. He was keeping a “child of the sea” against their will. Was he really being so cruel on purpose? No, he assured himself. He found the mirror with no owner in sight ten years prior. Anyone wouldn’t give it back after bonding with such a beautiful mirror for ten years.

Right?