Elly had no idea that something was watching her while she had gotten ready for her date that day. A dark, ominous shadow hovered in the deep as she readied herself, getting larger as it grew closer... but at the last moment before it revealed itself it darted behind the reef.
Once she was gone the shadow emerged, whipping several tentacles out to grab the coral and climb into her nest. It was Aizawa, and he looked more tired than ever. His eyes were fully bloodshot and he carried a woven kelp bag similar to the one she owned. He silently reached into hers and removed the few supplies that were almost empty. As he did so several tentacles brought newer ones around to replace them.
His little companion flashed around him in excitement, carrying bits and baubles of pretty colors and shining stones that he pocketed in another bag he carried with him. When the unicorn fish nudged Elly's nest, however, eyes pleading, he shook his head.
"She'll guess it was us." An incredulous look met his flat statement and he shrugged. "The replacements aren't full, little one. I've carefully measured it all to be more, but not new. Trust me," he added, patting her fondly as she blew out an exasperated string of bubbles. "It's for the best. Why don't you take one - <i>one, mind you</i> -- of your treasures and place it on the sand below? She's sure to find it."
As she wiggled away happily to put a pebble down he noticed her bedding was flat. It was difficult to learn how to weave the surroundings plants and she was just learning. It wasn't a bad effort, but it could be far more comfortable if it were padded differently. He plucked more strands of sea grass and added a layer, his weathered features bleak. When he was satisfied her small area was the best it could be without drawing too much attention he motioned to his companion that it was time to go. Unfortunately as they were starting their descent a sudden sound alerted Aizawa. He snapped his head down, his hair a mass of floating dark like the foliage around them while his body flickered into a riot of colors to match the reef.
Another mer swam by, snapping her tail as she whipped past. This one had green hair and a bright orange body with white markings - a clown fish.
"<i>Aizawa</i>! I'm gonna find you, you know! You can't just disappear on me like that!"
He grit his teeth and stayed hidden, praying she didn't notice Elly's poorly hidden nest. He made a mental note to remind her she needed to make sure everything appeared as natural as possible while he waited. After a long time the unicorn fish scouted ahead for him and he nodded, relieved, when she indicated it was all clear. She touched his arm in worry, her little face somehow expressing concern.
"I know," he sighed as they drifted back to their home. "I can't leave like the last few times, though. Not now. If we have to we'll move where we sleep. Maybe that will be enough."
When Elly got back several hours later she was exhausted with hope strongly coursing through her with every beat of her heart. She was in love, and, more importantly, he appeared to be accepting the life-altering change she'd made to her body. Sighing, she reached out to grab some items from her hidden bag and surfaced for a moment to use them.
The toothpaste she used first splorted freely out and she blinked, startled.
<i>I guess I had more of this than I thought</i>. She put the tube away after brushing, submerged, and patted her bedding. No matter; tommorow was going to be a great day! She would be swimming with Hizashi and could show him so many gorgeous parts of the reef and its creatures. The thrill of being in the water with him was no joke, either. Her heart pounded harder in her chest as she imagined hugging him, being held close for the first time without any barrier between them.
It was a long time before she slept, but she drifted off eventually.
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