Wave Of Surprise

Shul chuckled as Sark bumped his shoulder and shook his head, trying to seem disappointed.
"I expected more from you. You must overcome the ticklishness of your fleshy form."
Shul could barely keep a straight face and he grinned back at Sark, laughing. He bumped his shoulder back.
"But at least now we know each other's weaknesses."

Shul sputtered a bit when Sark dumped water on him but kept smiling and laughing. What's a little more water in already soaked head?
Shul's smile also softened as did Sark's and he nodded.
"Naturally. It'd be impossible not to enjoy it with you here, Mr. Sason."
Shul chuckled a bit and smirked back, it felt so weird to call Sark that.

Shul submerged himself for a sec and came back to surface, swiping his hair back. Then he smiled gently at Sark, serious for a second.
"Thank you for bringing me here Sark. This surprise completely beat coffee."
Shul swam a tad closer and beamed at Sark.
"You're the best weirdo boyfriend ever."

Shul let out a small high yelp when Sark tickled his side suddenly and he slapped his hand away, pouting.
"Well, I'm just one big weakness in my fleshy form. Have a little courtesy."
Shul grinned and dumped two handfuls of water on Sark's head.
"For every tickle I hold back one hug. Will that make you stop?"
Shul's grin turned into a sly smile as he tilted his head a bit.

Shul laughed at Sark's drama act and wiped some tears off his eyes. Or maybe it was just pool water.
"You called me Mr and made me feel old first. Not even my students call me that. So, in your face, Mr. Sason."
Shul snickered as Sark completely submerged and brought his hands together as if in a prayer.
"Rest in peace. You shall be remembered as the eternal toddler and hot chocolate master."
Shul cackled all the way through this speech and burst out laughing again after finishing it, falling backwards to float on his back.

Shul answered Sark's grin and the adoration in his eyes didn't lose to Sark's. As Sark leaned forward Shul met him halfway, expecting the kiss. Shul was the type that hated kissing unless it was with someone he truly liked. And kissing Sark was one thing Shul was happy about in his human form. He enjoyed feeling close to Sark like this, and never wanted to separate.
But all good things must come to an end and after slightly deepening the kiss Shul pulled back and smiled at Sark. Shul's eyes were almost dreamy at that point and his cheeks were a bit flushed.
"Of course I'd enjoy swimming with you. It wasn't that much of a challenge. And the kissing and hugging aren't ruining it either."
Shul chuckled and splashed little water on his own face in attempt to cool it.

Sark crossed his arms and puffed his cheeks a bit, going for a pouty look. He knew Sark meant it when he swore to protect him, and that really did not bother Shul. He was used to being protected, he was aware he kinda had that effect on certain types of people. But he was also used to protecting himself, so it would be a lie if Shul said Sark's words didn't annoy him one bit. But his amusement and affection greatly overpowered the mild annoyance and Shul soon grinned.
"I said my fleshy form is weak. But in this story the princess is also the dragon. I'll make sure you're not the only knight, my hero."
Shul tried to look smug but laughed, amused at his own analogy.
Shul beamed at him and gave Sark a hug.
"I forgive you, for now. But you better seal your inner tickle monster, those are not allowed outside the playroom of the daycare."
Shul chuckled, it was an actual rule for the smaller kids at the daycare so it made it that much funnier.

Shul would never get bored of watching Sark blush. Before he had somehow guessed whenever Sark would've been blushing but had never been certain. But now he saw the slight blush on his cheeks and smiled. Shul put both his hands on Sark's cheeks and his smile turned into a grin.
"You don't need kisses or hugs, but a little persuasion never hurt anyone."

Shul chuckled and blushed a bit, suddenly embarrassed by the whole knights and dragons analogy.
"Glad you like it. I've been reading too many bedtime stories."
When Sark started telling Shul about his past Shul got concerned and observed Sark in case he was going to have a lapse. But it seemed to be okay, so Shul concentrated on listening. He always loved to learn anything new about Sark.
When Sark finished Shul smiled gently and took Sark's hand into his own underwater and squeezed a bit.
"Can I still call you my hero? Because that's what you are to me, in more ways than one."
Shul gently touched Sark's cheek and stroked it with his thumb.
"I would've loved to meet your father as well. He was the one who raised the man I love, after all. He had to be great."
Shul smiled bit more widely, still holding onto Sark's hand.

Shul chuckled when Sark pouted and swam a bit closer.
"Awh, don't pout. Did you forget your naptime today, you big toddler?"
Shul grinned and tried tickling Sark's upper sides.

Shul gasped and looked at Sark with a shocked expression, or the best shocked expression he could make while holding back a snicker.
"How could you try and bribe me? I trusted you."
Shul swooned backwards a bit dramatically but wasn't able to hold back and burst out laughing.
"Oh well, I guess getting bribed by you can't be so bad. After all, it's a win-win situation. I get to spend even more time with you."
Shul smiled and swam a bit closer to Sark again, happiness in his eyes.

It was strange, being able to read Sark's expressions. But Shul was thankful for it. It gave him the chance to be able to catch the subtle signs on Sark's face. Shul was a huge worrywart, but at the same time he was scared. So his eye had been honed near perfection in catching markers of distress. And although Sark did laugh and smile, and Shul answered them with a chuckle, he could see Sark was not fine.
But Shul knew, not the time, nor the occasion. Sark needed time, and Shul would give it to him. He beat himself up for being so insensitive, of course the talk about his father would be painful to Sark. But Shul smiled on the outside as well and gently pulled his hand out of Sark's. It was not rejection or pushing Sark away. Shul used the now free hand to splash little water on Sark.
"I see you as many things, hero being one of them. I also see you as a weirdo, a toddler and hot chocolate master."
Shul snickered a bit.

Shul laughed when his hands were slapped away and he brought them against his hands, trying to look hurt and failing miserably.
"But...I was just trying to make you stronger. Help you overcome the hurdles of your fleshy form."
Shul let out couple of fake sobs and pressed his hands against his face. Behind them he was grinning and glanced at Sark from between his fingers.

Sark's sudden sincerity made Shul blush a bit and he answered Sark's smile with his own, his expression packed with deep, gentle affection.
"I know I'm right. I'm always right. I will never let you forget it."
Shul's smile turned a bit playful but he was also serious. He didn't want to leave Sark's side, never. It was so strange, to feel that determined about something. But somehow Shul knew he didn't want to leave Sark as long as he lived, and that thought at the same time scared him and elated him. It was a strange feeling indeed.