Date: Wed, 22 Oct 2014 20:03:18 -0700
From: Andrew Bailey <feare909@yahoo.com>
Subject: Aquata Cove - Chapter 33

Aquata Cove
Chapter 33: Meet The Parents


-RRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRR-

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.


~~~


"It ain't that bad, babe." Jamal said as Nick bumped his head repeatedly on
the bar able. The club is currently fairly calm, as there is no shows
happening at the moment, "Psh, you shoulda seen it when they first saw me."

"Jamal. He greeted them buck naked, man! And all I had on was my
draws... Man..." Nick took a drink while Jamal snirked.

"When I first met them, I was gettin it on with this one chick. Bitch
tricked me outta the house, RIGHT after we finished just to fuck wit
me. Nekkid Hide-n-Seek she said it was," Jamal said as he tipped the bottle
into his mouth. After a gulp, he continued, "Mah junk was still dripping
with spunk at the time."

"God, now I can't come over for a while." Nick moaned as he clutched his
head. Jamal shrugged and nudged him.

"It's cool. I'll just stay wit'chu fo while." He said with a grin.

"No se permiten mujeres." Nick said.

"Aw, c'mon, babe~ I gotta get pussy SOME time!" Jamal said playfully.

"Stay at THEIR places than, Senior Puto~" Nick said with a smirk.

"Awhhoo, gettin sassy on me, huh?" Jamal said as he turned Nick's stool to
him.

"Yeah, I'm getting sassy~ What'chu gonna do about it?" Nick goaded.

"Ah may have ta spank yo spunky lil ass in fronna all these people~" Jamal
teased with a grin.

"That a threat or a flirt~?" Nick smiled back as he leaned in and kissed
Jamal, "Last guy I fucked was a total bitch," Nick mentioned as he put his
hand onto that rod-shaped lump on Jamal's thigh. "I think I need my big
black daddy to teach me whose boss~" He said as he rubbed the hard bulge.

"Dayum, boy~" Jamal said as they kissed sensually, "Lets go in my car
before my break ends." He said before he and Nick got up, and left the
back-way.


~~~


"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.


~~~


Luther walked into Adam's bedroom, where Donna is already in bed, reading
her book. He walked to the other side, rather slowly, and sat down, looking
like a stampede of wildebeests just stormed by.

Just then, he felt Donna's knuckles rap the back of his head three
times. "Knocking. It goes like this." She knocked on his head three times
again, "Ever heard of it?"

"Oh, come off it, woman," Luther grumbled as he flopped down onto the bed.


~~~ The Next Day ~~~


Luther grumbled as he shuffled through his suitcase, still wearing a worn
out undershirt, and a pair of light khaki shorts. "Grrrr... That woman
sometimes, I swear to God..." He riffled through the suitcase, confirming
that there is nothing to find within. He turned around and checked the
laundry basket and dug through it.

"Hello?" Came a voice. The man stood up and saw Adam's boyfriend standing
there, wearing some shiny satin boxers.

"Hey, Merrick," He said as he continued to dig through the dirty clothes,
"Gimme a sec, I'll be with you in a minute."

"... Is anything wrong? Can I help with something?" Merrick asked
helpfully.

"Well, you know the shirt I was wearing when we first got here?"

"... The yellow one with the blue flower images on that?"

"Yes! Well, I had three other ones just like it, but I can't find them! I
think Donna hid them, she thinks they're too damn tacky or something!"

"I disagree." He said while nodding, "I think it's colorful and bright."

"Exactly! Besides, they're comfortable and breezy to wear in this island
heat." He scowled as he took off his glasses and rubbed his brows, "You
know where she put them?"

"I think I remember her shoving something behind..." Merrick entered and
patted the wooden dresser, "This big thing? I'm not sure what it's called."

"Really??" The man said as he then shuffled to the side. He edged it to the
side, and scowled as he saw a cluster of vivid fabric stuffed between the
wall and the back of the dresser, "That dang woman..." He grumbled as he
yanked the shirts out of the tight nook, and put two of them into his open
suitcase. He draped an orange and white one with leaf and flower designs
around himself, and buttoned it up over his thick build.

"God bless ya, kid," He said.

"Wow, that's a bright design!" Merrick said.

"Good to see a man of taste," Luther said as he and Merrick left Adam's
room. "Sooo... What do ya do, Merrick?"

"... Huh?" The merman asked curiously.

"I mean, Adam already said you're a male model, but you do anything else on
the side?"

"I don't understand." Merrick said.

"I mean, do you have a part-time job or something?"

"No... But I have been thinking about going somewhere else to spend time
while Adam is gone."

"Oook?" Luther said, shrugging, "Do you like any sports?"

"Uhh... Sports?" Merrick asked as he blinked awkwardly.

"You know, baseball? Football? Soccer? Tennis? Basketball?" Luther
listed. Merrick paused before shaking his head.

"Nnnno, I don't think so..." He said.

"Right..." Luther said, "Uh... Any hobbies?"

"Hobbies?"

"Things you like to do in your spare time? Do you draw? Write? Collect
stamps? Fishing? Hunt-"

"Oh, yes! I know how to hunt!" Merrick piped up.

"Oh, ok! What kind of rifle you use?" Luther asked.

"... What's a rifle?" Merrick asked.

"Ahhh," Luther sighed, "I'm going about this the wrong way... What do you
hunt?"

"Fish, mostly," Merrick said, "Sometimes crabs or squid, and the like."

"Oh, you mean you go fishing?"

"Not really... I uh..." Merrick fumbled for the right words, "I don't use
any of the items Adam uses to hunt fish -- rods or nets. I'm more adept at
using a trid- spear, I mean..." He said.

"I see..." Luther said. Nice boy, but a bit of an enigma.

The blonde stood awkwardly as he has no idea what to say next. This man is
very inquisitive, and he does not have any answers that feel right to use.

"So um... Adam says you grew up in a Nudist Community? What's that like?"

"Er..." Merrick winced, as once again, has no viable answer, "Well... It's
been a long time since I last been where I'm from..."

"Ah, I see..."

"... I'm sorry..." Merrick said as he looked to the side, "My life
is... Complicated."

"I hear ya... Sort of..." Luther said.

"I... I think I'll just walk to the pier and wander..." Merrick said as he
turned and went to Adam's room to get dressed.

"Ok then... Maybe I'll meet up with you later when Donna comes back?"

"Umm... Sure..." Merrick said casually as he walked away. Luther sighed as
he scratched the back of his head.

"Strange kid..." He mumbled.


~~~


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."


~~~


The next day, Luther and Donna are walking along the forest path.

"Ugh, I thought to point of coming here was to visit Adam," Luther
complained, "Why are hiking out here alone??"

"The kids are out for their own thing," Donna said, "Besides, I'm still mad
at that Merrick for he yelling at me. All day yesterday after that, he
didn't even look at me!"

"Oh lord, is that what this is about??" Luther asked, "He didn't want to
talk about his past, you dug into his business, and he got mad. It's not
that hard!"

"That's not the point," Donna responded, "He just out right bellowed at
me. He flagrantly disrespected me, and he hasn't even bothered to
apologize. I doubt Adam even knows about it."

"Come on, Donna," Luther said as he put his arm around her.

"Get off me, Luther" Donna said as a smile forced its way onto her mouth,
"You're heavier than brick wall."

"I can't, I'm using you as support."

"Oh, get off me, you old buzzard!" Donna laughed as she shrugged her
husband off. Luther grunted as he put his arms around her, and stopped
moving his legs, "Ah! Luther!"

"My legs! They're numb!" Luther jested as he dragged his feet as he held
onto Donna.

"Stop it, you're gonna make me trip!" Donna said as she struggled to get
the man off of her.

"We're gonna fall! Help meh, Love, help meh!"

"For God's sake, Luther! Ohhff!" With that, Donna fell to her hands onto
the tree roots. She laughed as Luther scruffed and climbed onto her, and
tightly wrapped his arms around hers. "Luther, stop it! Hahaha!" Luther
cackled as he wrestled her along the fallen leaves, "Luther! I swear, I'm
gonna kill yooouuu! HAHAHA!" Donna couldn't stop laughing as her husband
rolled them in the mild dirt and twigs.

Luther laughed as he moved above her, with her back to the ground. She
growled annoyingly as she gripped his hair with both hands, "Grrrrr! Heh
heh heh!" She laughed as her goofy man kissed her, "In all my years in
psychology, you're the only madman I can't figure out."

"Good!" Luther said, "The less you figure me out, the better!"

"Oh whatever! Help me up, I think you rearranged my insides!" Donna said as
Luther got off of her, took her hand, and pulled her to her feet, "Come on,
we're almost to the waterfall."

The old couple strolled further into the woods until they started to hear
the familiar rush of water. "Are we there yet?"

"Oh for God's sake, Luther!" Donna retorted. They walked through the woods,
until they can see the white cascade of water, and the familiar rainbow
sheen from the sunlight.

As well, they hear voices.

"Aw dammit," Luther complained, "There's people here already."

"Oh, stop complaining already," Donna said as she swatted Luther's chest,
"I'm sure they won't mind us dipping our feet in the water."

Luther and Donna continued on, until they could see the grotto, as well as
make out the people hanging around the area.

"... Hey, wait," Luther said as he spotted a buff black man in a red
speedo, pumping a brightly colored Super Soaker in his arms, "Isn't that
one of Adam's roommates? Jamal, right?"

"Yes, I think..." Donna said, "And there's Yuri!" She pointed out as Yuri
screamed and covered herself from a stream of water jetting upon her by a
slender Latino guy with intricate black tribal tattoos on his right arm and
left thigh, "Oh lord, and there's that other kid again," She said, rolling
her eyes as she noted Nick wearing a green and white speedo -- one more
revealing than the one Jamal is sporting.

"Oh, come off it, Donna," Luther said as he nudged his wife, "We used to
wear those kind of swimsuits when WE were that age, didn't we?"

"Not THOSE kind!" Donna said as Jamal came up behind Nick, and gave his
partially exposed behind a surprise spank!

---

"AH! Whaaa- Ahhh!!" Nick lost balance, and fell into the grotto.

"Hahaha- AHLGGL!!" Jamal laughed, right before Yuri nailed him in the mouth
with her own squirt gun.

"Eat that!" She shouted.

---

"Ha ha!" Donna silently cackled, "Nice shot on that one," She snickered as
Jamal sputtered and coughed.

---


"Yo, Yuri! I ain't into watersports!" Jamal said as he shot another burst
at her. Seconds later, Nick's head breaks out of the water, gasping for
air. While he swam to the edge, Jamal looked down, and grinned, "Hey babe,
where's yo swimsuit?"

"*Cough cough* It got pulled off me, man!" Nick blurted, "Freakin Merrick,
man!"


"Good grief. Merrick's here?" Danna grumbled, "Lets go, Luther."

"Oh, come off it, woman," Luther said, "Hey look, there's Adam!" He said as
their son pulled himself onto the rock with the water rushing off his
body. He wildly shook his head to get the water off of his hair, and sat on
it.

"Yeah, he BETTER be wearing trunks," Donna said as she saw Adam sporting
his blue/golden fish swimming trunks, "He and Yuri the only ones wearing
decent swimwear." She pointed out.

Just then, a blue and silver humanoid pulled himself onto the rocks, next
to Adam. Webbed hands, gleaming blue and silver skin, a head of shard fins,
and no legs, but a long, singular appendage below his waist.

"Holy Jesus, what the hell is that?!" Luther exclaimed. Both he and Donna
stared with eyes wide open at the fish-like person next to their son. Adam
had turned, laughing as the bizarre creature held up the green and white
thong/speedo. Adam laughed as he kissed the creature's mouth, and ruffled
the side of its head playfully.

"What in the world IS that?!" Donna gapped.

---

"Babe, you're so crazy!" Adam said as he took the speedo.

"C'mon, man!" Nick said after Adam tossed his speedo back to him, which he
tucked into the water, "I'm not used to you yet!"

"I'm not gonna maim you, Nick~!" Merrick said, "I just want to expose and
take advantage of you in the water. THAT'S all~"

---

"Why did Adam KISS that thing?!" Donna whispered harshly, "And where's
Merrick?!"

"Donna..." Luther said, "I think that IS Merrick..."

"What?? What makes you say that??"

"Look at his wrist. He's wearing that bracelet." Luther muttered.

---

"Easy, babe," Adam said, "Yuri's here, save that kind of thinking when
she's not here to spectate."

"Yeah, Merrick!" Yuri said as she aimed her bright orange water weapon,
"Are all merfolk this pervy? Or is it just you??" She then shot directly at
the merman. Not even flinching, the merman giggled pleasantly as the water
ran down his form. He brought his hands up and rubbed down the find of his
head, and along his arms.

---

"That HAS to be a costume!" Luther said as he squinted through his glasses.

"I don't think so..." Donna said as he saw the fins on the top of the
merman's head flutter a little, "Why would anyone go through the trouble of
putting on that much make-up to swim..."

---

Adam chuckled as he kissed Merrick's cheek, "You're so cute, babe."

Merricked turned his head, and chuckled evilly before he slipped back into
the water.

Jamal looked up with his super soaker dipped into the water. He winced as
he saw the aquatic being come up to him. "Merrick, I'm just reloading!
NOOOO!"

---

"Just, how is this possible??" Donna whispered as she saw the fish-like
creature break out of the water as Jamal pulled his water gun out of the
surface -- too late. He howled as the waterman pulled the darker man into
the pool. Adam and Yuri howled with laughter from the large splash that
came from Jamal's downfall.

Luther nudged her on the arm, and nodded his head to leave, "Come on,
Donna. This isn't the time or place..."

Reluctantly, Donna turned around, and walked with her husband away from the
cove.


~~~


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..."


~~~


"I don't get it," Luther said, sitting on the bed "I just don't get it!"

"Me neither," Donna said as she rubbed her forehead, "It's like he's not
even the same... Well, the same THING we saw at the cove!"

"Is Adam dating some fish or something? If that's true, then that blonde
kid hangin around here is just a cover!"

"That wasn't some fish, Luther," Donna said as she paced around, "I heard
that thing talk. Wasn't there some..." She stopped and snapped her fingers
a few times, "Mermaids, mermaids... The body thing, where they found some
chunks of mermaid in a stomach?"

"Yeah, but the ones in THAT video wasn't blue."

"It just, it doesn't make ANY sense! It HAS to be two different people. I
mean, dating a weird fish creature would be... Well, it IS strange to
ANYBODY." She said, "I suppose it's only natural to want to hide something
like that, but making that blonde lie to us just cover up... It just
doesn't seem like Adam... He hasn't hide anything from us since he came
out..."

"Would YOU want to know if I were going out with some fish, Donna?"


"I should hope so," Donna said before giving Luther a light slap on the
head.

"Look, maybe we should just-"


Then, the door opened. In comes Adam, holding up a small orange bottle. He
lightly shook the container of tablets to make it rattle, "Found your pills
in the kitchen, Dad..." He said.

"Oh..." The man said as his son put them on the shelf next to the
door. Adam leaned back, and crossed his arms.

Almost a whole minute passes by as Adam and his parents looked at each
other. Adam uncrossed his arms, and closed his eyes. Taking a deep breath,
Adam reopened his eyes, "How long have you guys known?"

"..." Donna paused, and crossed her own arms, "Since this morning." She
said.

"So what are you playing at, son?" Luther said as he stoop up, while Donna
sat down on the bed, "Are you dating a guy ONTOP of a fish?"

"It's..." Adam said, feeling himself shake a little, "It's more complicated
than that... I'm only dating one guy... We were hoping to keep this a
secret, but..." Adam hesitated, before walking around to his bed, and
slowly sitting himself down, "I think you guys should know the
truth... But... You have to keep this a secret too..."


~~~

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...


~~~


"C'mon, Mom," Adam moaned, "I save mornings like this for sleeping."

"Oh hush now, you're worse than your father!" Donna said as she stretched
herself, getting ready for a morning jog, and dragging Adam along with her.

"Tell me again why Dad can't just go along with you?"

"He wants to take Merrick bowling, just to get to know him better."

"Awwwwhhhhh!" Adam moaned, "I wanna go boowwwllliiing!"

"We'll see." Donna said, "Now lets go."

Adam groaned as the two of them set off jogging down the beach. Donna and
Adam jogged lightly away from the driftwood legs, along the rocks and
cliff, and onto the beach.

"See?" Donna said as they went, "This is nice!" She said. Adam groaned in
response, making her laugh and swat his arm.

Adam rolled his eyes, before he saw something off the corner of his eye. He
stopped in his tracks, and turned around. Donna jogged a few feet ahead
before she stopped. "Adam?" She looked, and gapped as she stared at the
person sitting on the rocks.

A rather large man with black hair on his head, and a pointed goatee. Tan
skin, hard, rippling muscles with a few long, wide scars on his chest and
abs. He wears a band of Great White teeth around his head, and a string of
angler fangs around his neck, and crossbelts of more Great White shark
teeth around his body, and wearing nothing else. With one hand on his knee,
he holds a long pole with a semi-rusted fish-knife attached at the bottom
end of the pole, and a three 12inch spiral shells tied with fishing line
onto two detached anchor prongs.

"Who the heck?!" Donna said, "Sir, who-" She stopped talking when Adam held
his arm out. Adam narrowed his eyes, glaring at the man's sapphire blue
eyes.

He took a few steps toward him, but only a few of them, "I know you can't
talk to me," Adam said, "But just so you know, it's far from fair on how
you judge your son."

"..." The man scowled and leered at Adam.

"If you think he's abandoned his identity, you're dead wrong," Adam told
him, "He's doing fine now, but he's miserable without his pod. I want you
to know that." Adam continued, "Or did that not occur to you because we was
banished?" The man's fist tightened around his three-pronged weapon.

"Whatever grudge you hold against him, you should know that it was never
his fault to begin with. Even YOU should figure that." The man grunted at
Adam, before turning, and maneuvering himself off the rocks, and into the
ocean.

"... Adam?" Donna started as her son turned around, "Who in the world WAS
that?" She asked.

"Well, I think we just had a run-in with Merrick's father." Donna blinked
at him as Adam stood there. "I met his mother already, and she is
incredibly nice and reasonable. It's his father I have a problem."

"Why was he just glaring at you? I'd feel a little tiffed if you talked
like that to me."

"I told you before, contact with humans is strictly forbidden," Adam said,
"Come on. Just meeting him pisses me off." He said as he started to jog
away.

"O-Ok! Wait for me." Donna said as she quickly caught up with her son.