Aquata Cove

Aquata Cove Chapter 33: Meet The Parents

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Merrick pushes the loud vacuum cleaner back and forth, brushing the carpet in lines, and leaving the aligned trails of clean paths left by the machine. Now that Adam, Yuri, and Jamal taught him how to use appliances, cleaning utensils, and other such tools, he has a lot more to do around the house.

After pushing the vacuum onto the last patch of carpet, he turned the vacuum off, and began to unplug and coil up the cord. The merman would loop the power cord onto vacuum, before he turned and smiled as Roxas approached him. He chuckled as he lowered himself down, and laid himself onto the floor.

His hand met with the cat's face as Roxas brushed off against his palm, and rolled onto the floor. Merrick giggled as he dug his hand into Roxas's fluffy belly fur, and rubbed playfully. The cat mewled in response, and started to lightly kick at Merrick's hand with his hindlegs. Merrick laughed as he ruffled his hand onto the cat, before it wrapped its front legs around his wrists, and started to nibble on him.

"Heh, having fun, Blondie?" Merrick turned his head and smirked as Nick stood against the doorframe, wearing only a smile and tight, green camouflage underroos. Merrick stopped teasing Roxas and rolled onto his back.

"Naw. Just playing with the cat." He replied as he pus his hands on the back of his head, making no big deal about being completely naked, as usual. Nick smirked as he walked over, and squat down to sit on Merrick's lap, "Heh, I have no idea how you hu- people -- come up with ways to make clothing so... Strangely enticing~"

Nick rose a brow at that comment, "`You people'? And what's that mean, huh?" He asked as he pressed his clothed bum onto Merrick's soft equipment.

"I'm sure I have no idea." Merrick said with a flirty grin.

"You know, I'd usually dick with you and call you a racist, but I wouldn't say that exactly~" He said as he felt a fast-approaching stirring on Merrick's groin. Merrick simply blinked.

"What's a racist?"

"Nevermind~" Nick said as he pushed and ground his hips down onto Merrick's crotch. "When are you gonna come over and sign up to work at Lovers, huh?" He asked as held himself above Merrick, "Wouldn't mind seeing you round there."

"I thought about that. It'd certainly be something to do while everyone else is gone," Merrick replied casually, as if they were discussing this over coffee instead of naked on the floor, "But Adam said that I wouldn't qualify since I don't have any... What he called, `Credentials'." He said, before smirking, "Besides, I wouldn't want him thinking that there was anything going on between you and I." Merrick said as he spanked Nick's rump.

"Ooh~" Nick wraggled his eyebrows playfully, "Now you givin me mixed signals~" He giggled before getting up, and helping Merrick up to his feet, "Seriously though, not that I would ever move in on you, it doesn't help wit-chu naked alla time, man." Nick said as he gave two play pats on Merrick's butt. He smirked as he saw Merrick's penis already semi-hard.

"Dammit, Nick!" Merrick said as he looked at his stirring member, "Gah, can you at least show me how to work with Adam's comp-"

Knock knock knock

"Ah, hold that thought," Merrick said as he turned around and approached the door.

"What- Ah, Merrick! Man, hold up!" Nick said as the naked blonde turned the doorknob. Nick gapped as Merrick opened the door, seeing a mid-aged couple standing at the doorway.

"Hello?" Merrick said. The man is clad in a yellow and blue Hawaiian shirt with faded khakis, with brass-framed glasses on his face. He has grey-brown hair in a frumpy fashion on his head, with a scruffy circle beard stubble on his mouth. Right next to him, his wife, a spry woman with mid-long auburn hair, a light pink blouse and black, curt trousers, both of them holding a suitcase.

"H-Hullo..." The man said as his eyes quickly looked over Merrick, feeling more awkward as he stood there, "Are we interrupting anything?" He asked.

"No, why do you ask?" Merrick asked.

"I-I-I'm sorry," The woman asked, trying VERY hard to keep her eyes from drifting down, "A-Are we at the- At the um... Bryant Residence?"

"What?" Merrick asked curiously, "What does that mean... And is there something wrong?" He asked, "You're looking as if-"

"Merrick, man!" Nick said as came in, and grabbed the doorknob, "Uno momento, porfavor!" With that, he shut the door closed on the couple.

"... Did we just get greeted by two naked young men?" The woman asked.

"Don't get any ideas, Donna." The man said with gritted teeth. The woman scoffed as she whacked her husband on the arm.

"I said the same thing about that damn shirt!" She said as she pulled at his sleeve.

"So, you wanna tell me why your mother and I was greeted by a couple of naked fellas?" Luther said as he and Donna sat on the couch with his wife. Adam scratched the back of his neck.

"I am so sorry..." Adam apologized, his face heavy with heat, "I've sent you a picture of what Merrick and me, right?"

"He had clothes on!" Luther said, with a bit of a forced laugh, "Good lord, son, does this sort of thing happen here a lot?"

"I-I... Well-"

"You know, Adam," Donna said, "When your grandparents told you to take care of the house, and I told you not to worry about it..." She stifled a laugh, "This ISN'T what I had in mind! Hahaha!"

"I know, Mom, and it's not like I turned this place into an orgy house or something..." Adam said, chuckling nervously.

"But you weren't even home. And then there was that Mexican kid there too. I can't help but think that-"

"No, Dad, he's not fooling around behind my back. Nick comes over a lot since he and Jamal started going out, and Nick is... VERY causal."

"Wait wait wait," Luther said, "I thought Jamal was into women."

"Jamal's into a lot of things." Adam said, "... OK that came out wrong!" He said quickly as his parents laughed, "As for Merrick, he's... Ok, I didn't tell you guys before because I didn't want you to get the wrong idea..."

"Well, spit it out, boy!" Luther said.

"See... Merrick's a nudist..." Adam said, feeling a purge of reluctance from the statement, "And we don't make him wear clothes unless we're going out, and even then, he wears as little as possible."

"Is THAT all?" Donna said, "I think it was more dramatic when you wrote that he had social problems."

"Ok, so, you're alright with him?"

"If we weren't we wouldn't have bothered." Luther said, "I never met anyone who was socially impaired, but we'll try not to come off as too pushy." He said, nodding.

"Ha! Speak for yourself!" Donna scoffed, "I've always had experience with shy people," She said proudly.

"Yes, I know," Luther rolled his eyes, "Your time with loonies..." He said. Donna slapped the back of his head, "Ow!"

"They're not LOONIES, Luther!" She glared, "Say that one more time, I'll yank half your hair out!"

"I'm just joking, love!" He said as he rubbed his head.

"At ANY rate," Adam said as he stood up, "I think I'll have Merrick join us now," He walked a few steps, before stopping and turning to them, "Just... Try not to ask too many questions, please? As I said, he's VERY shy."

"Of course, son," Donna said, "Go on, we're really eager to meet him."

Adam nodded, and went to the hallway. He huffed and sighed as he thought to himself, `Here we go again...'.

He opened the door to his room, where Merrick is on the bed, pouting and squirming slightly in the clothes he's wearing -- a simple blue and white polo shirt, and a pair of cargo shorts.

"Ungh, I hate these... These things," Merrick groaned as he plucked at his clothes, "How do humans get around, covering themselves up with all these sails on??"

"I know, babe," Adam said as he sat down on the bed, "I'm sorry, it won't be long, I promise."

"You know," Merrick started, "When you told me your Mother and Father are coming over for a while, I assumed you were going to prepare me for it."

"Their flight came in earlier than expected, my bad," Adam said, "It's only for a couple of weeks. Just... It's just gonna be like when you first met Jamal and Yuri."

Merrick grimaced, and sighed as he bowed his head, "I hate this..." He mumbled as he shook his head, "I feel like I'm always lying..." Adam frowned as he scooted right next to the merman.

"I know, sweetie..." He nudged and kissed Merrick's cheek, "I wish I didn't have to put you through this either..." Merrick stared at the floor with half-lidded eyes. He took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled.

"... It's fine..." Merrick responded, "I have to protect the secret of merfolk... Even if it means I have to be someone else..."

"Merrick..." Adam gently moved in and hugged his lover. Merrick nuzzled affectionately against him. He really wishes they didn't have to hide like this. It's almost like taking a step back into the closet. But Merrick feels keeping this secret is necessary, and so he has to do his part in keeping the secret as it is.

"Alright..." Adam said as he got up, "They're ready for you now." The blonde nodded as he too got up, and followed Adam into the living room.

---Several Hours Later---

"Hahhh..." Merrick sighed as he leaned on the bathroom sink. He irked as he yanked the shirt off of his body, before pushing his pants down, "Finally..." He turned on the water faucet, and put his hands under the small cascade of water. His hands gleamed as they instantly transformed into blue and silver. He rubbed some water onto his face, murring and groaning pleasantly as the cold water refreshed him.

He splashed his face and shook, huffing in relief from the clothes and the sprits of water on his face, "I guess it went well enough." He mumbled to himself. Donna and Luther seem like nice people -- almost like with Jamal and Yuri, except for an obvious age difference. He still can't help but feel bewildered, however. They are Adam's parents, after all. He feels a more judgmental air about them -- as if he was being subtly scrutinized.

After washing his face, Merrick buried his face into a towel, and dried his head, while also brushing his hands with it. His flesh slowly morphed back into human-type before he picked up the discarded clothes, and turned to enter Jamal's room - Adam decided to lend his room to his parents, so he and Merrick is sleeping in Jamal's room while he sleeps over at Nick's apartment for the time being.

"Well, hi there~" Said Adam as Merrick entered the room. Merrick looked, and grinned as he saw Adam on Jamal's bed, wearing a rather tight undershirt, and some snug tighty-whities. Merrick could already feel his member stirring as Adam laid there, stretched out with his legs spread, and his hands holding the back of his head. Merrick giggled as he tossed the clothes aside, and slowly crawled onto the bed.

"What trickery do humans make to have clothing look so... Enticing~?" He said as he put a hand onto Adam's package, and rubbed it around. Adam grinned as Merrick cupped his round bulge.

"It's an artform, babe. Sometimes, small amount of clothing can be incredibly sexy~"

"So I see~" Merrick said as Adam's bundle became firmer after a few seconds.

"Besides, since you're so used to nudity," Adam explained, "Lewd clothing like this gets to be a huge turn-on." He said as he saw Merrick's penis already erected.

"Mmm~" Merrick murred as he stopped fondling Adam's pouch, and crawled up onto him.

"C'mere..." Adam whispered as Merrick came up to him, and glued his lips onto his mouth. Merrick moaned lightly as he sat his naked butt onto Adam's fuzzy abdomen, and laid himself down onto his human as he felt his tongue push into his mouth.

Adam closed his eyes as Merrick meshed his lips with his as their tongues rolled and dug into one another. Merrick breathed deeply through his nose as he aggressively pushed his mouth against Adam's lips.

Merrick's hand dug under Adam's white undershirt, and pushed it up to feel onto Adam's happy trail.

Suddenly, the door opened "Hey Adam have you seen my- WHOA!" Luther said as his eyes boggled, seeing the naked blonde male straddled ontop of his son. Merrick yelped as he dismounted Adam.

"DAAAD!" Adam yelled as he covered his large dented underwear with the blanket.

"SORRY!" Luther yelped as he turned quickly and slammed the door, "Was wondering if you had any spare toothbrushes." He said behind the door.

"NO!" Adam replied.

"Alright! ... Goodnight and... Have fun!"

"Oh my God," Adam scowled as he took a pillow, and pushed it down his face, where he proceeded to growl and groan into it.

"... I WANT to continue, but I don't want to..." Merrick said, "Is this normal?"

"Mmm-hmmmfffff" Adam said muffled, while nodding his pillow up and down.

Donna stretches as she feels the sunlight in her sweats. Just before she inserts her headphones into her ears, her eyes glance to the side. Over by the old cliff, is Merrick, sitting on the edge - wearing just some boxers, from the looks of it.

Curious, she jogged on over to him, and walked up behind him, "Not thinking of jumping, are you?" She asked. Merrick turned around, and looked up at her. The way his eyes looked... He looks as if he was expecting her.

"No..." He said as he turned back to the sea, "Just... Remembering, I guess..."

"Ah, ok..." Donna glanced at his neck, her eyes locking onto a tribal heart symbol on his flesh, "That's a neat tattoo you got there." Merrick's fingers tensed on the rock, "I think it's pretty."

Merrick put his hand on the back of his neck, "It's..." He paused for a moment, "It's more of a grim reminder to me. Thanks though." He said as he lowered his hand.

"Oh, I see..." The woman couldn't help but notice a sense of melancholy from the blonde man. His voice carries a hint of longing as he gazes over the ocean, "Something on your mind?"

"A lot, really..." He responded.

"Need to talk? I'm a psychologist." Donna offered.

"What does that mean?" Merrick asked, his voice giving off just a hint of subtle aggression, as if he doesn't really want to talk.

"It's someone who is trained to talk to people about their problems. Talk them through their troubles, make them feel better."

"Maybe, but chances are..." Merrick said, "You won't understand me..."

"Well, maybe not, but it helps to talk at least. I can't tell you how many of my patients have told me that."

"That just means they're trying to cope with their pain. Would bringing it up REALLY help with dealing with it."

"That's exactly what psychologists are for," Donna said as she sat down next to the young male, "It's not always easy, but talking people through there problems and resolving their conflicts is what we specialize," She patted his shoulder, "Come on, Merrick. Let's talk."

After a short pause, Merrick bowed his head, "... I miss my p..." He stopped briefly before continuing, "... My family..."

"Ah, I see." She said, "When was the last time you talked to them?"

"Almost 2 years now, I believe..." He said.

"You have a big family?" Donna asked.

"... You could say that..." Merrick answered, "We were always traveling... We never stayed in one place for too long..."

"Who do you miss most?"

"... I miss my best friend... He had a big dream... And now I can't see where he will go with it now that I'm gone..."

"What was his dream?"

"He..." Merrick bit his lips as his fist clenched, "He wanted to be the best at hunting fish..."

"Wow, that sounds neat," Donna said as she nodded, keeping her eyes on Merrick's face. Something's off about the way he's acting, "Anyone else?"

"My Sister..." Merrick told her, "When I was..." Merrick paused again, holding back a tear, "She begged me not to leave... She didn't understand that I had no choice...

"... My Father..." He said, his hand harshly gripping his arm, "He was strict, stern, and always seemed to be kinder to my Sister than to me -- or to anyone else for that matter...

"... And I feel like I let my Mother down most of all..." He said, his stomach heavy with grief, "When all was said and done, she still did not resent me..." Merrick started to tremble as his form tensed up.

"Listen, Merrick..." Donna said as she put her hand onto Merrick's hand, "They may have kicked you out for being who you are... But that is their fault, not yours..." Merrick's teeth gritted as he sat there, shaking with rage "You are who you are, and they shouldn't have done this to you..." Donna said softly, "Someday, they will understand you-"

"NO!" Merrick suddenly blurted out as he stood up. Donna scrambled around, and looked up at him, "YOU don't understand me!" He said as his eyes watered, "You don't understand a single thing about me!

"M-Merrick, calm down," Donna said she stood up, "This is natural for you to feel angry-"

"Is THIS what psychologists do?!" He demanded, "How is forcing me to talk about my pain supposed to help?! My family is gone, and I can NEVER see them again!! How is thinking about that supposed to make me feel better?!" He shouted.

"Because keeping it bottled up inside of you isn't healthy!" Donna responded, "What we do is try to get everything out in the open, and understand the deep meaning about how and why we feel about such things..." Donna sighed as she rubbed her fingers on her temples, "Alright, look, I'm sorry I brought it up, I was only trying to help-"

"I KNOW how I feel! I understand EVERYTHING that's happened to me! My pain runs deeper than you can ever understand!" He seethed as a tear ran down his cheek, "How dare you invoke the wounds of my heart?! If THIS is what a psychologist does to people, then-"

"Merrick?" Came a voice. Merrick and Donna turned their heads to see Yuri in her morning kimono, "What's going on here? Why are you yelling?"

Merrick sighed forcefully, and turned to walk in her direction, "Nothing." He snarled as he strode past her. Yuri watched after him a few seconds, and turned to the mid-aged woman.

"I have... Never seen him this angry," Yuri said as she shook her head and slowly approached Donna, "What happened?"

"It's my fault," Donna said as she shook her head tossed her hands up, "I tried to help him get over his problems, and he just blew up."

"... Listen," Yuri said, "Merrick has... A very complicated past. A lot's happened that he holds himself responsible for, and talking about it just makes it worse."

"Yes, I know that NOW." Donna said, rather aggravatingly, "Adam already told be his parents kicked him out when he came out of the closet. But there was no reason for him to snap at me."

"I know, and I'm sorry for him, but..." Yuri sighed, "Like I said, it's... Very complicated."

Dinner is reaching its awkward end. Adam nervously glances side to side as Merrick sat beside him at the table, while Donna and Luther were both staring at the blonde eating his slice of chicken.

Luther kept a sharp eye on Merrick as he hate, trying to figure out where all those fins and scales went. Donna tilted her head a little as she tried to make out SOME trace of the creature she saw today.

Could this boy REALLY be the same fish they saw playing with Adam, Yuri, Jamal, and Nick?

Adam swallowed, and put down his fork, "Ahem... U-um... Merrick? Is there something you want to say to Mom?" He said. Merrick gave Adam a heated glare, before sighing, and turning his head to look at the woman.

"... I'm sorry I yelled at you yesterday morning," Merrick said begrudgingly, "I was out of line, and I shouldn't have shouted."

"O-Oh, what?" Donna said, just snapping out of trying to study Merrick, "Ah, that's alright, I already forgot about that."

"... Really?" Adam asked.

"Yes! Don't worry about it," Donna said, "Water under the bridge!"

Merrick sighed again, and pushed his dish, "I'm not hungry," He said before getting up, "I need some air." As soon as he left the front door, Merrick scowled as he yanked off the shirt Adam had him wear.

"... I uh..." Luther said awkwardly, "I need to take my pill..." He said before wiping his mouth with the napkin, and left the table too.

After a pause, Adam broke the silence, "Merrick has... A few problems..."

"I know, sweetheart," Donna said, "So does your father, but that never stopped me." Adam chuckled at that, "I think it's safe to say that dinner is over though," Donna said as she stood up and picked up hers and Luther's plates.

"No, Mom, I got this," He said as he took the plates from her.

"You sure?"

"Yes, it's your vacation. Just make sure Dad takes the right pills."

"Ok, honey." Donna said before turning around and walking away. Adam looked after his mother while he gathered the dishes. He groaned as he went to the sink.

"This isn't going well at all..."

Merrick gazes up at the full moon as he sits on the familiar cliff, wearing just some satin shorts, and his discarded clothing on the sandy turf. He prays silently to the Sea Mother Atargatis, seeking for a sense of soothing peace in his soul. He wants nothing more than to just jump into the water right now. He feels so far away from his real self, despite having a good time at the cove.

"... Hm?" He hears footsteps. He turned his head to see three people coming towards him. Merrick turns himself further to see it's Adam leading his mother and father to him. He groaned as he stood himself up to face them.

When they reached him, they said nothing, merely looking over him. Merrick's eyes looked straight into the eyes of the three humans before him. They don't need to say a word for him to know what this is about.

"My Mother," Merrick began, "Is an Arctic Veil Mermaid. My Father is a Navyn Fish Merman." He said, to the astonishment of Adam's parents. "I was the Son of the two leaders of my pod, and I was to take my Father's place in leading my pod when I came of age.

"I wasn't `kicked out of a house' for simply being gay. I was banished from my pod for the crime of mating with a human, and a male besides. So it is virtually the same thing, if you wish to see it that way."

Merrick turned himself around, and tapped the back of his neck, "You see this symbol on my neck? This `grim reminder' of mine?" He pointed at the tribal heart design imprinted on his flesh, "All banished merfolk are branded with the symbol of their crime. This image on my skin is the symbol of Forbidden Love." He turned back around, seeing Donna's hands over her mouth, and Luther looking at him dumbfounded. This kid... This isn't the grumpy blonde they have been passing by in the house for the last few days.

"I'll never know whether my pod hates me or not for being what humans call homosexual -- I broke two of our laws, and so I was punished for it. What they feel and think of the matter is irrelevant.

"I can never see my pod again. And on top of that, I can't even go into the ocean anymore because a creature that hunts banished merfolk is after me, no matter where I am in the sea. So in a way, I am banished from the ocean itself. I may never have a true home again." He said as a sparkling tear rolled down his face.

"If I have seem unpleasant, it's because of all this in my mind, and the fact that I have to hide my true identity from the human world," He turned his face to Donna, who has moistening eyes herself, "And talking about it doesn't help. I am sorry for my outburst yesterday, Donna, but talking about what happened to me will never help me in the slightest." He then turned his head to Luther, "And I am still adjusting to this different way of life, Luther. All I know is to hunt in the sea. I still know nothing of life of human society, and quite honestly, I am very reluctant to learn. I will not abandon who I am."

Merrick huffed as he put his hand to his eyes. He sniffled as he tried the wipe away the tears, "This is what it is to be a rogue..." He muttered. The merman felt the older man walk up to him, and pat his shoulder.

"It's ok, son..." Luther muttered, "It's ok..." Donna came up to him too.

"I'm sorry, Merrick..." She said. Merrick eased up when Adam came to him, and hugged him too.

"We're here for you, Merrick..." Adam said lowly.

It's not the pod he misses so much, but a human family will do...