Aquata Cove Chapter 32: Fish Out of Water
As Merrick stood there, leaning on the frame of the sliding door, wearing only some light pink satin boxers, he stares at the vast blue ocean before him.
He glares at the water, almost with contempt, as if bitterly looking into the eyes of a hated opponent.
He so wants to go into the water... He feels the yearn to swim so badly; it's enough to drive any merman or mermaid mad. Yet if he goes in there... It's unlikely, but he might not make it back here alive, especially without a proper weapon. And besides that, he can still sense the distant presence of his pod -- this moon is just about over, and it's time for them to move on. Should he have risked himself to see his family again, if only just once, for a very short moment?
"... Nghhh" He grunted as he put a hand to his head, feeling it start to ache again, as a sensation of cold heat blew over his body, "Damn... Not again..."
"Yo Merrick!" Came Jamal's cheerful voice, "How you doin?!" He said as he slapped Merrick hard on the back.
"AH!" Merrick coughed and staggered, "Hhhghh... I've been better..." Merrick grumbled as his head grew dizzy.
"C'mon, man, gotta PSN card, man! Le's get some DLC!" He ended the sentence with a deep yell as he tugged on the merman.
"Right..." Merrick groaned as he turned and walked with the black male. As he walked, however, the pain in his head began to get steadily worse. He moaned as his vision began to blur. He blinked and shook his head, trying to force out this most unpleasant sensation. He feels his breaths getting deeper, rather complicated in fact.
"Been real excited bout this! Now we get to find out what happens with..." Jamal said as he turned around, but stopped as he looked at the merman, "Hey, Merrick... You aight, man?" The area around his eyes appear to be darkened, his tone is a little pale without its usual subtle brightness, and he's panting lightly as he walked towards him.
"I'm... I'm fine, Jamal..." Merrick replied hardly able to think himself capable of standing and talking at the same time.
"Dude, you don't look so good," Jamal said as he went to him, and putting a hand onto Merrick's forehead, "You a little warm there. There something wrong?"
"I said I'm fine," Merrick said weakly as he brushed Jamal's hand away, "I just..." Merrick moaned as he turned to the kitchen, "I just need a glass of water..." Merrick said as he made his way to the kitchen.
"Dude, you-"
DING-DONG
"Ahh, hang on," Jamal sighed before he turned towards the door, and turned the knob open, showing Nick there, holding a PS3 controller with its cord wrapped around it.
"Hi babe~" The Latino said with a wide grin. Jamal smiled and kissed him softly.
"Hey there, Nicky."
"What you up to~?" He asked.
"Well," He turned to see Merrick stumbling among the cabinets, groaning quietly as he brought down a glass with a shaking hand, "Was gonna get some DLC, but I dunno right now..."
"Why, what's wrong?"
"Hajimemashite!" Came another greeting. Jamal turned his head to see Ryojin knocking on the doorframe.
"Oh, hey, Ryo-"
"Konichiwaaaa!" Piped up Ryo's little sister, in a magenta shirt and a cute blue flowery skirt.
"Ugghhh..." Merrick groaned as he tried to fiddle with faucet, with that young girl's voice throwing off his already suffering concentration -- the very sound of her sugary voice is interfering with his sense of balance.
"Oh yeah..." Jamal chuckled weakly, "Ya brought yo sister too. In't she supposed to be in school?"
"Merikku-kun wa ima, koko ni wa arimasu ka??" The young girl asked quickly as she bounced up and down. Ryojin chuckled as he looked up to Jamal.
"Heh heh, she want to know if Merrick-kun is home rdight now." He said.
"Actually, Ryo, this ain't a good time right now," Jamal said, "We should prolly play games some other time,"
"Why, baby? What's up?" Nick asked.
"He just... He's in a funk right now. I think he's gettin a lil sick," As Jamal talked, little Fumiko stood on her tippy toes, peeking around, and squealing in delight as she saw the blonde, semi-naked male in their kitchen.
"Ooh! Meriku-kuuuuun!" She called out.
"Ahhhhh..." Merrick moaned as his head became increasingly dizzy and unfocused, especially that young, hyperactive voice scratching in his brain like fingernails on a chalkboard, "I don't..." His whole body shook as his chest felt tighter, barely able to manage a breath, "I can't handle her... Right now..." He groaned as he barely figured out how to get the kitchen faucet to trickle, "Jamal..." He called out weakly, "Please, Jamah..."
"Look guys, we'll hang later," Jamal said hastily, "Merrick's not doin good right now."
"What," Nick asked as he looked over Jamal's shoulder, "You ok, Blondie?"
"Ennhhhh..." Merrick moaned as his head spiraled like a typhoon in his skull. His whole body feels like it's about to fall apart into pieces from all his shaking.
"Look, guys, let's just-"
THUD, Clink-kink-kriiiiii...
Jamal jerked his head to the kitchen when he heard a noise. His eyes bugged out when he saw Merrick collapsed on the floor, with a small splash of water on the tiled kitchen floor, with a glass rolling to the cabinet. "MERRICK!" Jamal rushed to the kitchen.
"Whoa, shit man!" Nick rushed in too, "Blondie! You ok, man?!"
"Ā, iya! Merikku-kun!" Fumiko exclaimed.
Jamal turned the merman over, deliberately putting his leg onto the small puddle so his jeans can soak up the water before it can touch Merrick's skin. His eyes remained closed as he lay there, unresponsive.
"What is happening?!" Ryo said as he held his sister back from pouncing upon Merrick, "What is wrong?!"
"I dunno! He's all hot and clammy!" Jamal said, "Merrick! Wake up man! Say something!" Nick put his hand over Merrick's forehead, wincing as he flipped his hand to press the backside of it against it.
"He's burning up, man. We gotta get some help!"
"Ryo! Call Yuri and get her over here!"
"Hai!" Ryojin then moved Fumiko to the couch, and urged the preteen to sit, "[Stay here for now, Fumiko. Merrick-kun is sick.]" He said to her. She shook and nodded as she sat there while Ryojin flipped open his phone.
Jamal carefully tucked his strong arm under Merrick's legs, and around his shoulders, and slowly picked up the unconscious merman. When he stood up, he turned to Nick, "Go head n call Adam bout this, he'll wanna know."
"Ok, babe," Nick said as he fumbled for his phone while Jamal carried Merrick into Yuri's well kept room.
+++
Merrick watched on the futon as Yuri moved the cooled pad of her stethoscope from his belly to his chest, feeling his body quiver even as he lay still. She listened carefully as her ears scanned the sound of his body.
"... Your pulse is awfully high..." She said. She unhooked the ear-buds of her tool, and picked up one of the flat wooden sticks from a small glass jar. She took a close at Merrick's mouth, "Hmmm... You lips are chapped too. Say, `Ahhh'."
Merrick opened his mouth, and allowed Yuri to press the small wood paddle down on his tongue, and flashed a small light into his mouth. She investigated his mouth for a few seconds, "Did you drink from a blow dryer? There's not a drop of saliva in here!" She commented before taking the tiny plank from his tongue, and taking a moment to look at it, "... Not even damp."
"What's wrong with me, Yuri?" Merrick asked feebly.
"I'm almost positive what it is, I just want to check one more thing," Yuri said as she took the cuff of her sphygmomanometer, and strapped it around Merrick's left arm, and pressed the power button.
It buzzed into life, and began inflating the cuff. Merrick grunted and winced as the cuff squeezed tightly around his bicep. It stopped inflating for 3 seconds, before it shrunk once, twice, third time, and then deflated as the machine beeped.
"78/49" Yuri said as she ripped the velgro apart from his arm.
"I-Is that good?" Merrick asked.
"No, Merrick. That's bad," She said plainly, making Merrick groan a little, "Your blood pressure is REALLY low."
"Yuri... Am I going to be alright?"
"Yes, you'll be fine. You're just suffering from a harsh case of dehydration."
"What... What does that mean?" Merrick moaned.
"It's when your body doesn't have enough water inside it to function normally. So it shuts down like this until it can get some moisture. Have you been drinking enough water lately?"
"Mmmm... Sort of..." Merrick groaned.
"Ok, well, you need to drink a little more. Maybe because you're..." She nodded her head to the side, "You might be a little more susceptible then humans..." He nodded as she then took out a large pouch full of clear fluid, "From what Ryo told me on the phone, I suspected I would need to bring some Saline with me. For the time being, you need some water in you right now, so you're gonna rest in here while you have an IV, ok?" She said softly.
"Alright..." Merrick agreed as he eyed the small needle and tube she unpacked, "Can Fumiko not stay here today?" He braced himself, and winced as the needle injected into him, "I just can't deal with her right now." Yuri laughed as she connected the tube to the big, full pouch.
"Don't worry, Ryo already took her to a friend's house. He figured you could do without a screaming fangirl jumping all over you."
"Good." Merrick said as Yuri hung the saline pouch up.
"Ok, just take it easy, alright? Let me know if something else is wrong, and don't move that arm."
"Alright... Thank you, Yuri..." Merrick said as he rested back, feeling a cold sensation wash into his veins, "Hmmmmm~" He murred as he enjoyed the very chilled sensation drive into his arm, and cooling him off from the inside. It feels like ice cold water is pouring into his arm -- which is VERY welcome.
+++
Yuri exited her room, and closed the door. Jamal stood up from the couch with Nick, and went to her.
"So, what's wit him? He gonna be aight?" He said, just as there came a loud rumble.
Before Yuri could answer, the sound of a motorbike's roar came to an abrupt end, before some rapid steps stomped onto the property's gravel, and Adam came bursting through the door, still wearing his Fish House uniform overalls, shirt and cap.
"Where is he?! Is he alright?! What happened???" He said as ran up to Yuri, "Yuri, tell me he's-"
"Easy, easssyyyy!" She said, "Calm down, guys," Yuri said as she turned around, "Merrick is fine, he's just very dehydrated. I'm administering some saline into him as we speak, he's going to be fine." She said. Adam sighed heavily in relief.
"Thank God... I thought... Oh man, thanks, Yuri." He said as he put his gloved hands on her shoulders, which stilled smelled heavily of fresh fish.
"You're very welcome, Adam, please get your gloves off me." She said with a sense of disgust as she leaned away from him.
"Oh! Sorry!" Adam said as he yanked off his thick gloves, and stuffed them into the overalls pocket.
"Qué alivio, eh?" Nick said as he slunk back, "He had us all worried, man."
"Anyway, Adam, can I talk to you in private, please?" Yuri said, "There's something that has be concerned about Merrick." She said.
"Oh, sure." Adam said as he and his Japanese friend walked through the open door, and strolled over to Lavi's little koi pond, "So... Is there something else wrong with him? Give it to me straight."
"Men plus women." Yuri jested casually, "But we're not talking about that."
"Right, so what IS the problem?" Adam said as he crossed his arms.
"Well... I think Merrick's been dehydrated for a while." Yuri said.
"What makes you say what?"
"Haven't you noticed? He's been looking pale for the past few weeks. He seems so dreary and down. Half the time, he kinda acts like a zombie."
"I think I might know what you're talking about. This is the month where his pod is around these waters. He really wants to see them, but he can't since he was banished."
"I don't think that's the problem, Adam. This isn't the first time he's been out of sorts lately." She said. Adam uncrossed his arms and looked at her.
"What? What do you mean?"
"All month, it's like he's walking with a haywire compass in his head. He's been unfocused and woozy all the time. Everytime I asked him if there was anything wrong, he'd just deny it."
"I have noticed... Something..." Adam admitted, feeling a little ashamed, "He always just brushed it off... But dehydrated? He's always drinking plenty of water, I don't understand."
"I think I do." Yuri said.
"Well, let me hear it."
"Think about it," Yuri said as she looped her hand casually, "He's a..." She looked behind her to make sure Nick isn't around, "Merman..." She muttered, "Maybe he needs to be in the ocean for a while. What if he's not getting enough water from the OUTSIDE of his body, instead of drinking enough of it?"
"That's actually a good point," Adam said, "It has been a while since we went swimming."
"Cool. Maybe we can head to the beach sometime? Or what about that scale of his? Did you say it was about to expire?" Adam took off his cap and scratched his head, remembering how the scale that makes Merrick appear human while wet has almost lost all of its color.
"Yeah, it might be safer if it's just the two of us." Adam said.
"Sounds like a plan," Yuri agreed, "He's in my room hooked up to an IV. I think he should rest in there for a while."
"Ok..."
Adam pushed the door opened and entered into Yuri's room. Merrick's pale complexion has already improved as he laid there on Yuri's futon, "Hi, baby." He said. Merrick opened his eyes, and smiled as he saw his lover come in. "Hi, Adam," Merrick said as Adam knelt down beside him. "How're you feeling?" Adam asked as he gently stroked Merrick's cheek. "A lot better now that you're here~" Merrick said with a smile. "Aww~" Adam smiled as he moved in and kissed Merrick. He ignored the dryness of Merrick's chapped lips as he kissed him, and nuzzled him. Merrick moaned pleasantly as both the coldness of the saline swirled in his body, and the touch of his human lover. "Mmmm... You smell so tantalizing..." Merrick muttered as he nibbled at Adam's somewhat smooth chin, detecting the noticeable fish scent coming off of Adam's uniform. Adam chuckled sheepishly as those lips and teeth traced his chin. "Yeah... I didn't get a chance to change or shower when Nick called me here." "Mmm... I love that smell..." Merrick said as he kissed Adam's lips again. Adam smiled as he edged closer to Merrick, while the merman snuggled up to him. Adam's hand strokes along Merrick's arm -- it does feel different... it's lacking in its usual super smoothness, and feels just a little clammy. "So Yuri says that you're dehydrated," Adam said. "Yeah... She says it means I don't have enough water in me..." He said, "It kinda makes sense..." "Mhm..." Adam said, trying to think of the best way to ask Merrick to go swimming, "Say, babe. How about you and I go to the beach something? Just the two of us?" "..." Merrick hesitated, and shook his head, "No... I can't..." "Come on, sweetie," He said, "No one will see us. We haven't gone swimming in ages, and it's been a while since I seen that beautiful tail of yours." "Please, Adam," Merrick said, suddenly becoming agitated, "I don't want to go to the sea, alright?? If I don't want to risk running into my pod out there, ok?" "Ok, ok, Merrick. Just... Looking out for your well being-" "I know, Adam, I just... Lets just drop it... I'm... Just never mind." He said. "Babe, what's wrong? There's no need to get defensive about this. You don't want to go, you don't want go." "I'm not defensive! I'm just..." Merrick groaned as he felt himself tire from the surge of emotion, "Please... Just... I can't go out there. I just can't..." "Alright, we won't go to the ocean..." Adam said. He huffed as he lay back, and stroked Merrick gently. Right now, Merrick is kind of acting like a fussy kid. Wonder why that is...? `Well,' Adam thought, `Just have to go with Plan B then...'...
...
...
7:30am
Ring ring ring. Ring ring-
Tap
Adam disengaged his cellphone alarm, and gradually crept out of bed, careful as to not wake Merrick up.
Very quietly, Adam dug in hid dresser, and fished out his swimming trunks. He bent over, stepped into them, and pulled up them up between his legs, and over his butt and package. He stepped into his sandals, and walked out of his room. He stepped quietly through, stopping a moment when he heard a sound. He gritted his teeth and hissed quietly as he stayed completely still, but soon discovered where the sound is coming from. He carefully stepped forward a little, and peeked through Jamal's door, which was open a crack.
"MMmmff~ Ohhh, me gusta, negro puto~" Came Nick's voice. Adam blushed as he saw Nick's bubble butt on Jamal's lap as a dark hand rubbed along the tribal thorn tattoo that led to the rose design on the small of his back.
"Gahd, you so fine, baby~" Came Jamal's low, sexual tone. As his fingers of both hands grabbed and kneaded those sumptuous buttcheeks, digging into Nick's vulnerable, cock-lodged anus.
"HOOoooh~!" Nick gave a sudden gasp and moan of pleasure as he and Jamal quietly rode each other.
Adam bit his lip as his member stirred hard in his trunks, and crept to the dining area to pick up his backpack.
"Prrrrooowwwrr~?" Adam felt a fluffy brush along his shins. He smiled as Roxas nuzzled his leg. He squat down, and stroked the cat's soft fur. Roxas purred as he rubbed his palm into the feline, before scratching his ears.
"Shhh," Adam softly shushed him as he equipped his pack over his shoulders, and carefully opened the door to let the cat out.
Creeping back into his room, Adam carefully peeled the blanket off of Merrick, and very carefully tucked his arms under him, and slowly lifts him off of the bed. Merrick moaned in his sleep, rolling up against Adam, and nuzzling his bare, fuzzy chest.
Ignoring the persistent, silent moans from Jamal's room, Adam carried Merrick through the house, and carefully left the door.
Adam watched his step as he tread over the gravel from his home, kept an eye on the floor of the trees as he entered as to not snap any twigs or dry leaves. As he walked along the forest trail, Adam couldn't help but smile excitedly as he carried his unsuspecting merman in his arms.
If Merrick won't go swimming at the beach, then he'll just have to take him to their old, romantic rendezvous point: Aquata Cove.
"Mmmm..." Merrick murred in his sleep as he snuggled against Adam's chest. Adam hissed and stopped in place, delicately putting a foot on a tree root to keep his balance. Several seconds passed by before Adam was convinced that Merrick is still asleep. He sighed in relief as he continued to creep along the messy forest floor.
"... And there it is..." Adam muttered as he gazed at the familiar waterfall of the sapphire blue grotto, "You're a sight for sore eyes, ol' Aquata." He said as he took in the rocks, the water, and the pale rainbow in the morning light. It's been so long since he's last been here -- not since he had taken all of the stuff from the cove, and moved it to the house when Merrick taught himself how to walk, when he said he would make Adam's house his new `Sea Spot'. Carefully, he unhinged his backpack, and laid it onto the ground. He stepped out of his sandals, and stepped onto cool stone. Taking a few quick breaths, with the sleeping merman still in his arms, Adam suddenly sprinted forward. He dashed to the rock, up to the end of it, and leapt forward, just as Merrick's eyes blinked awake. SPLASH! Adam and Merrick dropped right down into the water! Immediately, Merrick yelped and squirmed from Adam's hold, and whirled around in a panic. Adam grinned as he saw Merrick's body transform into his true image -- a blue and silver merman, sharp fins lined in rows on his head, a short fin on each forearm, the surface of his flesh protected by a layer of thin, transparent scales. His long, strong tail adorned with ruffle-like fin membranes for a touch of elegance, and his wide tail fin waving around. Merrick whirled around, soon figuring out where he MIGHT be -- it's been too long since he was in this secluded den, tasting the naturally freshwater. He looked at his webbed hands, and at his tail, concluding that he is back in a familiar world... A feeling of being what he really is... Just him and Adam... This feeling is both relieving, and heartbreaking. Adam blinked and looked at him strangely as the merman turned and swam away, undulating his tail up and down as he disappeared into the cloud of white bubbles of the waterfall. Curious, Adam swam forward quickly into the tickling suds storm, and into the dark tunnel. He paddled through the water in the darkness -- he's been in this underwater carven so many times, he can navigate through it blindfolded. As he swam, he began to notice that the water isn't warming like it usual. As a matter of fact, he can't see the familiar orange-pink glow of the crystalline cave. Instead, began to feel the water's temperature... Lighten, only a little. Not like a hot spring like last time. The water is also illuminated with a blue-green glow. Instead of a warm, orange-lit basin, the cove is now pleasantly cool with glowing teal crystals shimmering in the water and the rocky walls. `That's odd...' Adam thought as he floated in the aqua-lit basin, `Since when did these crystals change color?' Also noting the cooled temperature, he swam up, and climbed up onto the stone ledge. He peered, and spotted his fish-like boyfriend, sitting against the rocky wall. "Hey, babe..." Adam said as he got up, "My trunks are still on... They're usually floating on the surface by now..." He said in a weak attempt at a joke. "... It's not warm in here anymore..." Merrick replied, "It's changed..." "I noticed," Adam sat down in front of Merrick, "Atarah did say she grows crystals in here... Maybe she's growing a different kind." "... Adam..." Merrick said. The human can make out a slight, white twinkle around Merrick's eyes, "Am I a fool?" He asked. Adam paused at the question. He sighed as he lowered his head. "Even though we were bonded, I tried to leave you. After I nearly died, I revealed myself to the pod, and I got banished. It's just one thing after another with me. And now... I'm drowning myself on dry land..." He looked up at his human, "Adam... I don't know what to do anymore..." Adam adjusted himself, and cleared his throat, "Merrick... We're all fools. Every one of us. We all make mistakes that have nasty consequences. We all tell lies. We all think we're doing the right thing, when it might just be the wrong thing. That's just the way things are." Adam explained, "The point is that we learn from our screw ups. When we do something wrong or bad, we may suffer for it, but it's worth it when we learn something." "... But..." Merrick hesitated, "I was an Adra Triton... I'm not supposed to make mistakes like that... I'm supposed to know what to do, and what will happen from any actions..." He looked away, "To be a Triton, is to be absolute. Any mistake is unforgivable..." "Is that what your father said?" Adam said. Merrick nodded, "If I didn't know he was strict, I'd say that's an unfair lesson to teach kids. Is that why you hate yourself, babe?" Merrick whimpered at that, "Sweetie... It's not fair for you to hate yourself when a decision doesn't work out well. That's life. You screw up, and you learn from it." Merrick sighed, and nodded. "... You sound a lot like my Mother..." Merrick said, "When Father became angry at me, she would always tell me it will be alright... She said I will always learn from when I fail..." After a brief pause, Adam moved closer to the merman, "Alright, Merrick..." He turned pseudo-fish to look at him, "It's my turn to ask a question." Merrick chuckled weakly at that. "Why are you so scared to be in the ocean?" Merrick's slight smile faded with that, "We've only been in the sea very few times since you moved in. Every time I want to go to the beach with you, you always never want to go, or otherwise you just stay out of the water," Merrick shied away slightly, "Are you banished from the sea too?" After a moment, Merrick shook his head, "No..." His tail moved up onto him, "I am not banished from the sea..." "Then... What? What are you so afraid of?" Adam asked. Merrick looked his eyes directly into Adam's. "There's something out there..." Merrick said, his sapphires full of fear, "There's a creature in the ocean looking for me... And it won't let me be..." "What? Is it the Ghost Whale?" Adam said. Merrick shook his head. "... The Capricorn..." He said as he began to shake. "The Capricorn?" Adam said, "You mean like, half-goat, half-fish?" The merman nodded, "What makes it so fearsome?" "... In general, they're not supposed to be terrifying..." Merrick began, "They are among the most ancient creatures in the sea. No one truly knows their origin, only that they seek merfolk who have lost their way. When a Capricorn finds a lost merperson, they guide them to safety..." "That doesn't sound so scary." Adam said, "They sound helpful." "They are... It's when they find a Coshiton that I fear..." "Oh..." Adam said, "What do they do to Coshitons?" Merrick looked up at Adam, with his eyes framed with terror, "They guide them to a merciful death." Adam gasped as his stomach purged with fear, "No..." The merman shook from saying it. "To be Coshiton is to be an outcast. The ocean is a cruel, beautiful, unforgiving world, Adam. Without a pod, a merperson will only last for so long all alone. So the Capricorn finds them, and delivers them from their misery..." Merrick's eye's began to shimmer as he began to cry, "That Latolcus... Belinda... She said she only seen one in her life, and it has never shown itself to her again..." His breath started to quicken as tears rolled down his cheeks, "But me... Everytime I go into the ocean... Whenever I bathe in the waters that used to be my home..." Merrick cried as Adam reached for his hand, "When I dare to enter the sea... I feel its presence..." "Oh, baby," Adam said as he moved in, and put his arm around Merrick. The cold, wet merman huddled up against him. "Even when I am not alone... It comes... No matter where I am, it will hunt me down... If I go into the ocean Adam, it will take me away..." "Have you tried signaling it? Maybe you can reason with it, tell it to leave you alone." "I tried!" Merrick replied as he struggled not to sob, "When Sister attacked you, it came to me when she tried to kill you... I signaled it, I begged it to leave me be, but it wouldn't leave me alone!" The merman cringed as he wept, "Sister paralyzed me so I couldn't stop her from trying to end you, and I was helpless..." Adam softly rubbed him, "If Belinda didn't come when she did... If she was not in the sea when I called her to save you... Both of us would have..." "Shhhh," Adam softly hushed him, "It's ok... You're safe here, Merrick..." He said as he Merrick struggled to calm himself, "This is a freshwater area... It won't find you here..." Merrick whimpered as he snuggled up against Adam, "Maybe we can go to Atarah? Maybe she'll know a trick to repel the Capricorns from finding you." "I did," Merrick replied, "I tried asking her if she knew a way to keep the Capricorn at bay, but she said it's one thing that she was never able to figure out. She said the best idea she can offer is to not be on my own when I go into the ocean, but it still comes for me, regardless." "Alright..." Adam said with a sigh, "So, we'll just keep you out of the ocean then. I won't give that thing a chance to touch you." Adam vowed as he tightened his arms around Merrick. "... I love you, Adam..." Merrick muttered weakly as he cuddled up to him, "I miss the warmth here..." "Heh. I love you too, Merrick." Adam replied as he kissed his lover. After a while of sitting there, in the cool-conditioned, teal-glowing cave, Merrick's body is partially transformed -- now that the cave is not a hot spring anymore, he's drying off a lit slower than usual. Most of his body is still pearly-silver with a blue sheen, though his tail had turned to legs, and his feet retained a hint of fin. "So..." Adam said, "There's something I've been kinda wanting to try with you." "Hm?" "The scale Atarah made..." Adam said as he dug in his pocket, and fished out the necklace with one of Merrick's scales on it -- the one that was enchanted to prevent the transformation from the water. It is almost completely transparent, with a bit of blue still gleaming on the edge of it, "From the looks of it, it's only got one use left." "... What are you suggesting?" Merrick asked. "Well... We've only used it for showers..." Adam said, "I've been wondering... Would you wanna try and swim like a human?" Merrick scoffed as he looked at him. "Why? Humans are such slow swimmers," He said with a smirk, "It would take me forever just to swim to one place." "Aw, come on, babe..." Adam insisted, "Besides..." Adam's hand smoothly side down Merrick's back, and cupped Merrick's tender butt. The merman eeped, and giggled as Adam's hand rubbed and fondled Merrick's buns, "I've always wanted to try underwater sex..." "Hmmmmm... Ok!" Merrick said with a smile, "But lets do it OUTSIDE the cove. It's a little cold in here for what WE do~" He said. Adam smiled as he put the scale in his pocket. "Ok... Just stay calm when I put it on you." Adam said as he and Merrick moved from the crystalline cave, and dipped into the chilled water. Merrick once again transformed into his true form, as a Piscien merman while Adam can in, and took Merrick's webbed hand. Merrick wrapped his arms around his human, and glided them along the teal-lit basin. Adam padded his legs, but with Merrick's strong tail waving up and down, there's hardly any difference. Adam shivered as they moved, until he could make out the glow of daylight from the entrance. Merrick carried him into the waterfall's fizz, before both of them felt the aura of warmth from the sun shining down on the subterranean pool, as opposed to the shaded and cold water from inside the cove. The merman let go of Adam, and swam around the pool. He smiled happily as he felt the water all around his scales and fins, feeling the freedom of his form all around -- a sensation he has almost forgotten. Adam smiled with glee as he watched Merrick glide and loop around him. He can't tell whether it's because it's been ages since he saw Merrick's true form, or if it's his happiness, but Merrick has an air of brilliance all around him -- his fins and body seems to glimmer in the bright, rippling sunlight. Merrick swam up to Adam, and softly floated right up to him. Adam put his arm around the slick body, and held him close. The merman nuzzled Adam's neck, as he reached his hand into the pocket of his swimming trunks. "... Mmf!" Adam suddenly felt his trunks get yanked on. He grunted and irked as Merrick yanked at his shorts, and roughly removed them from Adam's body. Adam grinned as he felt his naked body exposed to the water and sunlight, as the merman swam gracefully around the pool, waving his trunks like a victory flag. Adam laughed as he swam for Merrick, as if trying to get his trunks back. Merrick giggled as he would swim away, barely letting Adam get close enough to touch him before swimming in another direction. The human meeped and swerved as he would feel Merrick's hand grab his thigh, before a current of water rushed behind him, followed by a tailfin slapped his butt. He grinned, and turned to just where Merrick was about to go. Adam whirled, and then took Merrick's neck with the chain of the enchanted necklace. The merman gasped as his tail immediately shrunk, and split into two appendages, which instantly morphed into legs. The fins on his head shortened and turned into a field of blonde hair. The webbing between his fingers disappeared as his blue and silver sheen turned into a peach-colored hue. The swimming trunks drifted out of Merrick's hand as he squirmed and grabbed helplessly in the water. He whimpered as his body suddenly felt foreign exposed, yet he is still able to breath, but this handicap on swimming is really throwing him off. His hands can no longer pull the water around him, his legs won't move him forward! Merrick eeped as he felt a strong pair of arms move around him, felt Adam's manly form press up against him. He blushed heavily as he can feel his human's soft manhood rub between his soft, round cheeks. Never before has Merrick felt so naked and vulnerable than he is now: in human form underwater, where he is in a familiar world in a totally different form. Merrick's feet drifted back and forth as he tried to sustain some level of control, but quickly felt himself submit to Adam's touch. While Adam is still holding his breath that will never be distressed, Merrick is still somehow able to breathe through invisible gills. He blushed and moaned as he felt this hands wonder and drift to his lower region, "Ohh...~" Merrick cooed as Adam grabbed his soft balls, rolling them around in his palm as they floated in the middle of the water. The immune merman closed his eyes as he felt Adam's other hands slide down and started fondling his tender buttcrack. Merrick's back curved as he pushed his lily white bum into Adam's tan hand, feeling so aroused from being touched so. Adam moaned quietly as his hand dipped down between Merrick's cheeks, rubbed up to grind his fingers against that pink star, to gripping one of those fine mounds. Merrick's penis became hard rather quickly. He loves feeling this way -- so vulnerable, suspended in a world he thought he knew, yet in a form that keeps him from being his usual leverage. He is at the mercy of both the water, and his lover, and the very idea of him being as helpless and naked as he is now excites him exceedingly. He gasped when he felt Adam's hands let him go. Before he could beg his human to stay, he saw Adam swim down and below him. Merrick felt himself pulled down just a little as Adam situated between his legs. Merrick's face turned hot when Adam opened his fair legs, wrapping his hands onto his thighs, and moving his face onto his lap. Merrick gasped and moaned as he felt Adam's mouth close in on his throbbing dick. The two had drifted to a nearby rock in the water, here Adam found stability in pinning Merrick to the spot, and pushing his head down onto Merrick's manhood. The blonde gapped and as Adam's tongue attacked his dick. Merrick pushed his head back as Adam bobbed his head back and forth. He put his legs around Adam's sides as he hands dug into Adam's short black hair. He moaned as Adam's lips pressed down onto the glans of his member, and licked around the top of the head, brushing firmly back and forth onto the underside of his head, and sliding his mouth down onto Merrick's smooth pelvis. Merrick rolled his hips against Adam's head, his cock flexing inside Adam's warm mouth as the human sucked him nice and easy. Adam's hands moved along Merrick's thighs, and along onto both of those perfect buns. He rubbed his hands on that tush in circular motions as he lolled his tongue and lips with that dick, digging his fingers into those soft mounds while digging his face into Merrick's crotch. Merrick's toes curled as he tried holding back his orgasm while Adam nursed his rock-solid cock. He gasped and huffed softly when Adam pulled back, and his member was confronted with the chill of the water from the warmth of Adam's mouth. Adam pushed Merrick, up, and tucked his head into Merrick's undercarriage. The blonde's hand squeezed on a rock as he felt Adam's tongue press on his hidden button. His tongue would then lick up between his thighs, and pass on his testicles. Merrick groaned out as his cock convulsed, and streamed out several thick, white spurts. Adam looked, and smirked as he saw his spent boyfriend, panting as a cloud of white spunk floated from Merrick's penis. Adam playfully took Merrick, and moved away from the rock. He moved in to kiss Merrick, and the merman just swallowed Adam's tongue. Both males moaned as they kissed passionately as they stay suspended in the water. Merrick rubbed his hands on Adam's shoulders as the human's hands held at his sides. Adam guided the both of them to the soft, sandy bottom. He stroked his own hard, floppy cock in his hand as Merrick pressed his back onto the warmed sand. Adam swam down, adjusted himself so that his dick lined up with Merrick's anus. He looked to his lover, who nodded in anticipating approval, before pushing himself inward. Merrick moaned as he felt Adam slowly enter into him, forcing his asshole open, and lodging his hard dick into his tight entrance. Adam grunted as he put his hands onto Merrick's hips, while the other male moved to wrap his legs around Adam. With his hands firmly onto Merrick's sides, he rolled his hips inward, eliciting a moan from Merrick, before moving back, and pushing his cock deep in again. The merman's back arched as he groaned out in pleasure. Adam moaned as he pressed his fuzzy patch against Merrick's soft rump, mushing his pelvis up and down against Merrick's supple rear, before pulling back, and moving in again. Merrick moaned even more from Adam's attack on his tender bum, pushing against his human's cock and trying to open his legs wider to get more of Adam's raging manhood inside of him. Adam moved himself lower to put himself above of Merrick looking into his merman's blue eyes. Merrick moaned weakly in the water, before Adam moved his head down, and pressed his lips down onto Merrick's mouth. Merrick closed his eyes as his mouth joined into Adam's for a lip lock of bliss. With his ass full of cock, he nestled himself on the sand, putting on hand onto Adam's neck, while the other rubbed along Adam's back. Adam's jaw rolling along to push his lower lip against Merrick's mouth, as he pushed his lower body back and forth to slowly hump into Merrick. Merrick moaned weakly as his tongue pushed and rubbed along with Adam's mouth as he felt his human's dick push in and around inside of him. Every once in a while, Merrick gasps when Adam's cock pressed in on a pleasant nerve. Adam's hands tried not to grip Merrick too tightly, but his member is coming up on his climax. He stopped kissing Merrick for one moment, and planted his hands into the sand. The human grunted and moaned as he straightened his back, and dug his hard weapon deep into Merrick's anus. Adam shifted himself up and down on Merrick's ass, really stirring and grinding into Merrick's insides in one place, before Adam let out a few large bubbles from his mouth as his cock exploded inside of Merrick! The merman moaned as he felt Adam's member gush inside of him with his seed, filling him up with hot, sticky love. Adam grunted as he held his breath again, feeling like he needs to pant, yet he can't do so underwater. All in all, this was a bit of an awkward method of fucking, but it's a different experience. As he pulled his softening cock out of Merrick, the last spec of color faded from Merrick's necklace. Merrick felt a strange sensation crawl up on him. His skin transmuted into blue and silver once more, his blonde hair turned into an array of sharp fins, his hands became webbed, his legs combined into a long tail once more, and his ears flattened into gills. The merman moaned pleasantly as he can still feel the afterglow inside of him, even in his true form. Adam smiled, and moved in to kiss Merrick, when the merman stopped him, "Hm?" Merrick's gills twitched before he gasped, "No..." The Piscien whirled around, suddenly showing a phase of horror as he looked at the concave shadow which connected the grotto to the sea, "{Not here too!}" He said, but in his own language, which Adam did not understand. The merman grabbed Adam's wrist, and yanked him away from the sand. The human grunted and stumbled as Merrick tried to take him from the water, up to the rocks. Adam swam with him, but couldn't understand what Merrick was saying, as he was speaking in his watery tongue. "Merrick," Adam said, his voice muffled and blurry from the water, "Wha'ss wrong?" He asked. Merrick exclaimed, and pointed. Adam turned around, and gasped as he spotted a pair of glowing golden eyes in the darkness of the exit. His eyes widened as he saw in outline of a strange shape, before a goat like creature gradually immerged. Its horns grown in a spiral-like fashion, its skin gleams with a purple sheen with stream-like designs along its body. It pushed its wing-like flippers to propel itself, while its tail slowly rose up and down. Its presence gave off a strange aura -- a feeling of cautious foreboding, like wanting to step aside in the sight of a royal lord. Merrick sent out a strange sound. Adam looked to see Merrick trying to signal the creature, looking terrified as his voice sounded shaky. "{Ancient Capricorn! I beg you, leave me be!}" The merman called out as they aquatic legend swam slowly towards him, "{I do not need a merciful death! I am protected! The open sea does not threaten me!}" The words do not pause the creature for even a second, "{I live with my mate on the land! I need not to disappear from this world!}" He begged, yet the Capricorn still approaches him. The merman tried several more signals, before pulling himself from the water, his tail soon disappearing above the surface. Adam stared at the creature for several seconds as it got closer, before turning and climbing out quickly to follow Merrick. The merman panted and whimpered as he looked at the water. Adam turned his head to see the creature turning about, as if looking for the Coshiton that is no longer in its detection. "Not even here..." Merrick whined as the Capricorn swam a gradual Figure 8, trying to find its initial target, "I'm not even safe here..." "Whoa..." Adam awed as he looked at the strange, alien creature swim in slow circles, before it turned to the tunnel, and disappeared into it. "Adam..." Adam turned his head, and then got up to sit next to Merrick. The merman whimpered and huddled up next to him, "It wants me... It want to take me away..." "Shhh, it's alright, Merrick... It's gonna be alright..." He said, "Tomorrow, I'll start closing up that tunnel. Maybe Atarah can close it too." Merrick simply nodded, feeling himself shake like a traumatized meryin, feeling like the Capricorn was just inches away from taking him away this time. Never has he ever felt so vulnerable and terrified to be in the water, than when he was banished.