Archive of Our Own ^beta

There really is little comparable beauty to that of a thriving tropical reef, but Gillion thinks that Caspian might be, as the two of them dive beneath the warm ocean waves. The burst of colour all around them in the form of both fish and coral is wondrous, indescribable in the depth of which it is so awe-inducing, but Gillion can barely spare it a glance for more than a mere moment before he’s looking to Caspian again.

The water genasi swims gracefully, like it’s a dance all its own. His hands aren’t webbed like Gillion’s are, but his muscles work overtime to compensate, propelling him forwards with power. For a moment, Gillion can imagine Caspian living here, spending his life beneath the seas.

“Oh, this one’s drooping,” Caspian says in perfect primordial, and moulds the water under his hands to bring a piece of coral back upright. “There. That’s better.”

Gillion swims to his side, reaching for the coral to gently nudge it a little more into place with his own shape water. “It’s beautiful.”

Caspian catches his hand. “For the record, I believe you are the prettiest thing in this reef.”

It drives the breath from Gillion. There’s nothing he can do but surge forwards in the water and kiss Caspian. 

“Give a man some warning next time,” Caspian says when they part, but he’s smiling, and he’s brought up his other hand to cup Gillion’s cheek.

“Warning,” Gillion says, and then kisses him again.