Date: Sun, 30 Aug 2015 05:20:23 -0700
From: Andrew Bailey <feare909@yahoo.com>
Subject: Aquata Cove - Chapter 55

Aquata Cove
Chapter 55: Together Again


Adam and Merrick stand at the railing, staring up into the night
sky. Merrick nuzzled up to Adam lovingly as their hands interlaced with
each other, and Adam's other arm wrapped around Merrick.

"I love you so much." Adam said as he kissed Merrick's head, "I'm so sorry
for everything..."

"Adam..." Merrick said, "...I'm sorry too..."

"For what, babe?" He asked, "I was the one who fucked up. I swear, I'll
never touch another drink in my life." Merrick chuckled as he rubbed his
leg with Adam's.

"No, that's okay, Adam, you don't have to stop drinking."

"Good, because I love Cosmos, and I've been wanting to try one of those
Fizzy Pixies." Merrick laughed at that.

"No, no, what I meant is..." Merrick held on tighter, "After everything
else, I still couldn't figure out how to be your mate, your lover..."

"What are you talking about, Merrick? You're ev-"

"I don't talk about things, Adam," Merrick interrupted, "And when I do, I
go to Yuri, and that's only with..." Merrick hesitated, and sighed as he
bows his head, "Everything..."

The merman straighten back up, and continued, "Growing up, my Father taught
me that I must cast off many of my personal burdens for the greater good,
to keep my focus for the sake of the pod and the future. That means that
anything that may be hurting me, I have to deal with on my own..." He shook
his head, "Usually, I don't like to talk about these things to you because
you're my boyfriend, so you shouldn't have to deal with it, nor am I
supposed to show that kind of weakness. I often talk to Yuri about these
sorts of things because for some reason, it feels more freeing to go to
her."

"Merrick, why wouldn't you want to talk to me?" Adam stroked his
cheek. "That's what boyfriends are for."

"So I've heard," Merrick said, "But... It's the same old problems with
me... I miss the sea, my pod, my old life... It should be obvious-" He
hesitated, "I mean... I thought it was... And after a while, I get sick of
reporting to you about the same old problems. So eventually, I learned to
stop trusting you..." Merrick sniffled a little, "A-And I was wrong... When
I said I lost everything because of you..."

"No you weren't, Merrick..." Adam sighed, "You had your whole life set
before you, and it all fell apart when you found me. It's my fault-"
Merrick turned his head and kissed him. Adam blinked awkwardly as he stood
there, as his merman lapped and licked softly at his lips.

"I told you before, Adam..." Merrick kissed Adam a little more
passionately, "If saving you from that Siren was a mistake... I'm glad I
made it..." He nudged Adam's cheek affectionately, "And among everything
else, I didn't lose you... And I never will..." Merrick muttered as he
rubbed Adam's chest. Adam hugged him tightly as they turned back to the
dark ocean surface as the ship sailed along push and pull of the
water. "And... Adam, I need to confess something..."

"Go on," Adam said.

"I know I say a lot of bad things about humans... How they destroy, ruin,
consume everything." Merrick cast his eyes down for a moment. "But in
truth..." He turned his head back around to look his lover in the eyes,
"I'm vastly jealous of humanity." Adam blinked.

"You're... Jealous?"

"Yes..." Merrick looked up at the moon. "You humans... You may destroy a
lot of things, but you create as much as you're able to..." Merrick
continued, "Even when a building is destroyed, eventually someone will
rebuild what was lost, maybe even better. Even when it comes to courtship,
you said it yourself - humans can love and fuck over and over again."

"Baby..." Adam shook his head, regretting that he ever said such a thing.

"But us merfolk? We can never do what humans do on a regular basis. We can
never go back as you can... None of us are capable of having a second
love... All we can do is survive and carry what we can."

"Okay, now," Adam turned Merrick's chin to face him. "You listen to me,
sweetie." He kissed those sweet, pink lips. "There is nothing wrong with
the merfolk's way of life."

"But that night, you said-"

"I was drunk," Adam interrupted, "And I never get drunk. And when people
get drunk, they get stupid, and I was a complete dumbass." Adam next kissed
Merrick's nose, "Now I said some stupid shit, but some people would
actually prefer merfolk living rather than living with humans -- a lot of
humans would rather live like that."

"Adam, you don't have to-"

"Merrick I mean it! My Aunt Dolli, my Dad's sister, she lives out in the
middle of nowhere in the desert, away from other people, and she prefers to
live like that." Merrick blinked.

"Are you serious? I've always heard that deserts are dry, desolate places."

"Yes, but she happens to prefer that sort of place to live. Not all humans
need to keep together in crowded places." Merrick chuckled.

"You're just saying that-"

"No, I'm not, Merrick." Adam shook his head. "You've seen me, babe, I'm not
a good liar."

"Hehehe," Merrick smiled as Adam hugs him closer.

"Besides, think about it -- in an average human house, you always have to
think about your job, your rent, endless bills, going from place to place
in your car, having to worry about the car itself, the insurance - it's all
just one, big, complicated mess. But in a pod of merfolk, you don't have to
worry about that. Everyone has a place, everyone has a simple task to
follow, you stick together, you don't need so many complications," Adam
said, "A lot of humans would kill for that kind of life."

Merrick smiles with contentment, and kissed Adam on the cheek. "Here..."
Merrick tucked his hand into his pocket, and drew out a strange looking
shell -- it has several holes lined along it, with various shell parts
inserted and constructed upon it.

"Wow." Adam accepted the strange shell, noting that part of it turned
halfway like a knob. As fascinating as it was, he couldn't really tell what
it's supposed to be, "... What is it?"

Merrick chuckled as he took the shell. "It's an Ocalen." He turned the side
of the shell a few times and tapped the small holes a little. "You know
that mermen can't sing, right?"

"Yeah."

"Well, some mermen still have a sense of music, though we still can't
sing. So we find various materials to try to make objects that can make
melodic sounds -- what you humans call Instruments, we call Ocalens."
Merrick smiled as he turned the shell's side knob. "My Father has one of
these, every time he and Mother went to the surface for a romantic
moment..." He blushed and giggled. "As the Adra Triton, Father charged me
to watch over the Pod while he and Mother went away, but every once in a
while, when everyone was resting, I snuck around, and saw them. Father
would serenade Mother with his Ocalen, and once, they were even in a duet
of sorts."

Merrick brought his Ocalen up, moving the pointed mouthpiece to his lips,
and blew. Fiddling his fingers with the holes, and also turning the knob,
he started to play a strangely pleasant tune from the shell. Adam grinned
and chuckles as he could make out the melody as Merrick played `Can You
Feel The Love Tonight'.

"Wow, Merrick!" Adam accepted the shell back after Merrick's little tune,
though he doesn't really want to learn how to play this thing... It looks
complicated to how Merrick was playing it. "This is so neat! But..." He
hesitated, "What's the occasion? Is it because we made up?"

"No..." Merrick turned to the moon up in the sky, half shrouded in thin
clouds. "See... Tonight is the night that you and I fell in love for the
first time." Adam looked up at the moon as well, as if trying to find some
way how the moon may be looking different than usual.

"Wow, really? How do you know? It's not even a Lunar Eclipse right now."

"I just do," Merrick answered, "It's a merfolk thing." He snuggled up to
Adam. "It's been 8 years tonight since you and I first saw into each
other's eyes, and became bonded..." Merrick blushed a little, "And I wanted
to give you a gift for it just to... You know..."

"...You know, humans have a name for that: Anniversary -- it's another
holiday."

Merrick scoffed and smirked, "Finally, a practical festival."

"It's not really a festival, you little blonde twat." Adam nudged Merrick
playfully, "An Anniversary is the celebration of a sentimental event or a
memorable commitment. Like, how a married couple celebrate a 13th
Anniversary for being married for 13 years."

"I think I get it," Merrick half-rolled his eyes, "Like a birthday for
important stuff."

"Hmmm..." Adam pondered, "... As long as it's our 8th Anniversary..."

"Huh?" Merrick looked at him curiously.

"Wait here, I'll be right back." Adam said before giving the Ocalen back to
Merrick, and then running off. He giggled as he adjusted himself, and
straightened up his silver Graceful Gogo medal.

Adam returned almost 5 minutes later, panting as he came up to him. After
catching his breath, he straightened up, and offered a small silver box,
"Here, sweetie. Happy Anniversary."

Merrick recognizes the emblem on the box -- it's the logo from the jewelry
shop at the shopping center. He smiled with intrigue as he opens the box,
and delicately moved the silk veils aside. The merman gasped as he saw it:
The platinum, angelic, filigree key pendant. The Siberian Jeremejevite
jewel in the middle curvy heart image glittered in the moonlight, with two
C-shapes on the lower part of the heart, and a silver curve for the key
teeth.

"O-Oh my g-" Merrick covered his mouth as his eyes watered up, completely
stunned. "A-Ad- Ohmm!" He squealed a little as he took rapid breaths. Adam
smiled and chuckled.

"A-Adam!" Merrick quaked with emotion as his hands shook, feeling Adam's
hands slip in and hold him steady. "Th-The woman there said an older couple
already b-bought it!"

"That's what I told her to say if you went back there to see it," Adam
said, smiling uncontrollably. "I wanted to save it for a special occasion,
but now seems as good as time as any, seeing as it's our Anniversary."

"B-But-" Merrick sniffled and quickly wiped his tears, "Y-You said you
couldn't afford it!" He whimpered, trying to find a reason to deny the fact
that it was now here, in his hand, instead of in the shop, "T-That it
would've taken two paychecks to pay for it-"

"That jewelry company has been around for decades. My Gramma has a very
long-signed membership with them, and I was able to get an amazing
discount, plus I signed up for a Payment Plan to pay it off so I won't go
broke for it."

"A-Adam... I..." Merrick sniffled as Adam took the small box, and plucked
it up from the smooth white fabric. Adam then removed the Gogo medal, and
replaced it with the dainty necklace.

"I love you, Merrick. And I just couldn't stand to leave the cruise without
getting you something that reminded you of your mother."

"Adam... This... This is too much," Merrick wept as he plucked up the
necklace, seeing it glisten in the low light, knowing that this beautiful,
shiny, valuable, now priceless pendant was now his.

Adam brought Merrick's chin up, before moving in to kiss his lips. Merrick
pushed his mouth in firmly as he put his hands onto Adam's sides. His eyes
closed as Adam tilted his head a little to push in a little further. He
rolled his jaw around as he brushed his tongue along the roof of Merrick's
mouth.


~~~


"~I know that you're hiding things ~Using gentle words to shelter meee~" A
singer hymned as she stood in a beautiful songstress ensemble as she held a
beautifully curvy microphone in her hand, "~Your words were like a
dream... ~But dreams could never fool me~ ...Not that easily~"

What seemed like moments later from the railing, Adam and Merrick part
their lips as they circled in a waltz, like a cluster of other couples.

"~I acted so distant then ~Didn't say goodbye before you leeeft~" The
songstress was accompanied by a small orchestra to augment her
singing. "~But I was listening ~You'll fight your battles far from me ~Far
too easily~"

The area on deck has been decorated in a formal style to give it a
prom-night theme, while the dancers here were dressed in formal
attire. "~"Save your tears 'cause I'll come back" ~I could hear that you
whispered as you walked through that door ~But still I swore~ To hide the
pain, when I turn back the pages ~Shouting might have been the answer ~What
if I cried my eyes out and begged you not to depart But now I'm not afraid
to say what's iiinnn myyy heeeeaaaarrrrt~"

"You humans have such a way with lyrics..." Merrick muttered as his head
his pressed against Adam's fine tailored tribal polo shirt, equipped with
smooth black slacks, while Merrick wears a shimmering blue tunic/toga in a
royal fashion, similar to that of what he wore on Valentine's night.

"Yeah..." Adam and Merrick turned slowly in the waltz, "Sometimes, the best
song just has the right words."

The songstress sang on with the next dramatic part of the song "~Though a
thousand words ~Have never been spoken ~They'll fly to you ~Crossing over
the time ~And distance holding yooouuu!~ Suspended on silver
wiiinnnngggs!~"

The dance sped up a little with the couples dancing, "~And a thousand words
~One thousand confessions ~Will cradle you ~Making all of the pain, you
feel seem far awaaay! ~They'll hold you foreeeeeeveeeerrrr~!"

The piano and harp of the small band played a rapid tempo for a set amount
of seconds as the couples twirled and spun in sync with the song. The music
calmed down, as Merrick turned so his back brushes with Adam's front as he
put his around his merman, and holding his hands.

"~The dream isn't over yeet ~Though I often say, I can't forget~" The
songstress closes her eyes, as if the song makes her both dreary but
longing to continue, "~I still relive that day ~You've been there with me
all the way ~I still hear you say~"

"~"Wait for me, I'll write you letters" ~I could see how you stammered,
with your eyes to the floor ~But still I swore ~To hide the doubt when I
turrrn back the pages~" Adam and Merrick waltzed in turn and motion with
the other couples, switching from place to place while gracefully moving,

"~Anger might have been the answer ~What if I'd hung my head and said that
I couldn't wait? ~But now I'm strong enough to know it's not toooo
laaaate~"

A few subtle people look and survey the deck as the fancy affair, nodding
and looking to the handful of happy couples as they hear the songstress as
she comes to the climax of the song.

"~Cause a thousand words ~Call out through the ages ~They'll fly to you
~Even though I can't see ~I know they're reaching yoouu ~Suspended on
silver wiiiinnnngggs!~" Adam and Merrick twirl and circle in the middle,
holding onto each other's hand as Merrick's formal robe shimmers a
brilliant in the white light.  "~Oh a thousand words ~One thousand embraces
~Will cradle you ~Making all of your weary days seem far away ~They'll hold
you foreeeeeeveeerrrr!~" Adam glides alongside his lover as he guides the
movements of their procession in the music.

The white lights of the dance floor seem to revolve around them as the
violin and piano move in the air like a river around the two men. The way
Adam and Merrick move shows the world just how inseparable they need to
be. How much their own life and souls rely on each other's resonance and
wavelengths. Their very moves in the dance speak out across understanding
how one half is unable to be without the other, how two stars that once
crossed before were always meant to cross again, no matter how far the
distance or the pain of the trails that pushes them away from each
other. Merrick moves away from Adam as their hands slip over their arms, as
if being pulled apart by fate itself. The leap of the music gives an almost
tragic note, before Adam turned his hand, and pulled Merrick back to him to
embrace him before he could be lost, just as the songstress reach the next
verse.

"Oh a thousand words!~" The songstress sang in a dramatic elevation, "~Have
never been spoken!~ They'll fly to you!~ They'll carry you home, and back
into my aaaarrrms!~" The songstress held out her hand as she performed,
~Suspended on silver wiiiinnnngggs!~ Ohhooohhhh~!"

The lovers become lost in the romantic twist and turn as the end of the
song approached.

"~And a thousand words! ~Call out through the ages! ~They'll cradle you!
~Making all of the lonely years to only daaaayyyys~

"~They'll hold you foreeeeeeeeveeeeerrrrrr!~" The dance floor slowed down,
and so Adam and Merrick are holding each other close, not noticing that
they seemed to have inspired quite a stirring of heartstrings amoung their
peers.

"~Ohhhh a thoooouuusaaaaannnnd woooorrrrrds~" The songstress finished.


~~~


Syrinx stands by at the far end, watching the romantic dance of another
Waltz Night for those who want to feel a little fancy for an evening --
Kevin's so sick of those, as Syrinx has been dragging him wearing a tux
almost every night since the cruise.

She sees the very strange merman in a regal-looking robe with a silvery
rope, holding that human's hand... It's so strange. How can a merman or
mermaid be attracted to the same sex? Nothing like that has ever been
known, has it? There have been times when some merfolk have never been seen
with a mate, and eventually, their lives end alone. Could that be the case?
Mating with the same gender is another one of the Sacred Laws.

And then there's this merman's very peculiar ability to remain in human
form, despite being wet with water. Is this one even a merman at all? No
one has ever been able to forgo the change of water. She's CERTAIN that
this blonde guy is a merman, but for some reason, when he was doused with
bottled water, or when she saw him splashing about on the beach of the
island, not once did he change. It really bothers her that he can do
that...

Such a trait can only point to a mutation of the Black Sun. That sort of
metamorphosis is extremely volatile and unpredictable -- for all anyone
knows, a Black Sun could've really made it so he's unable to change into
his true form. The last time Syrinx heard of a Black Sun mutation was when
a handful of Sirens were turned from fish species to bird-like
creatures. So if this merman is a product of the Land Father's slumber,
then shouldn't he look more grotesque than this?

And something's different about this merman too. The dance floor on deck
broke off as the couples walked away, and Syrinx can see the light
reflected in Merrick's eyes again. The unstable malevolence has become
deluded from the first few times she saw him. The threatening spark, the
thin line of sanity, or the very fragile structure of his emotions seems a
lot different.

He can't be a Coshiton either -- not once has she even spotted a single
black symbol anywhere on his body. So what exactly IS he?? She still feels
very uneasy about even coming near him, but his eyes show a different
light. He looks as if he's... Healing.


~~~


Back into some casual clothing, Adam sits down at big cushion in the Dance
Lobby. Merrick just sits on his lap like a petit doll, before he leans and,
and Adam holds him close and kisses his cheek.

"Hey, man," Jamal said as it seems that he's right next to him, with Nick
by his side, still wearing his golden Gogo medal.

"So how many awards are there?" Nick asked.

"Not sure, man." Jamal said, "Queen Jizzelle says that they's hiding judges
here and there alla round the cruise, judging people for outstanding stuff
or something."

"Yeah, kinda like who had more sex than others," Adam said, "Who danced the
most, who played the most, it's kinda complicated."

"I thought you had to sign up for those." Merrick said.

"Naw naw, those were the contests. These're the Notable Awards -- like,
when people git noticed for certain things they do best round the ship."

"Isn't that the same as a contest?" Merrick scoffed.

"I... Well..." Jamal fumbled for an answer, but was unable to find one,
"This is more anonymous, ya git me?"

"I barely get anything, you know that." Merrick said as he shook his head.

"They're just giving some shiny trophies to some people they think deserves
recognition. Only there aren't three winners. More like one at a time."

"I still don't really get the point~" Merrick nuzzled Adam, "But I hope you
win one, Adam."

"Oh please, I haven't done anything for a trophy. Except make one of the
biggest fuck-ups of my life almost a week ago."

"You made up for it, babe~" Merrick said with a kiss on his cheek.

"Eh, I still don't think I really deserve a trophy for cleaning up my own
mess."

"With as much sex I been havin," Jamal groaned as he rubbed his groin, "I
better git a fuckin million dollars. After alla condoms I used up, I be
givin them mah best bidness!"

"Jamal, they're not giving out checks for the winners," Adam laughed, "And
the condoms are free -- there's a whole bowlful beside almost every door."


"Alright, alright~!" Queen Jizzelle's voice boomed out from the microphone
attached next to her mouth, now wearing the classy New England queen gown
of leopard velvet and gold linings, wearing strings of pearls and a broad
velvet cape lined with white fur, along with a bright, shiny astral crown
encrusted with many jewels.  
"Settle down, my lovelies~!" She
said as the crowd took their seats or their places, "As we come to the last
night of our glorious cruise, I am very excited to perform my very last
service as your adoring queen~!" The crowd cheered for Queen Jizzelle.

"Yeeeees~! Yes yes, yes~! I will miss each and every one of you~! " Queen
Jizzelle responded as she basked in the collective glow, "Sadly, all good
things must come to an end. But lets skip all the tearful saddies, and get
straight to the Notable Awards~!"

The crowd cheered with excitement as she walked around, and pinched her
gloved fingers upon the silk cloth on a large shelf, and flourished it
right off, revealing 10 gleaming, glittering, decorative trophies, each one
specially sculpted, stylized, and design to represent their supposed
category, some of them gold, some of them silver, with different colored
jewels/gems/orbs.

"Aren't they beautiful~?" Queen Jizzelle said, "Each one is for a lucky
winner who our hidden judges all over the cruise have selected specially!
Once your name is called up, please report next to Your Highness to receive
your trophy, as well as her royal blessing~" She blew a kiss to the
audience, "And line up a beautiful line to present yourselves for your
chosen deeds~!



"And now, for the first award~" Queen Jizzelle put her dainty hands upon a
gold trophy, this one has three humanoid figurines standing with their
backs to each other in a triangular formation, each one holding an
orange-colored glass shape -- an orb, a cube, and a pyramid.

"The Community Helper Award!" Queen Jizzelle announced, "To one of the many
kind, hard working volunteers who signed up to do as many probono jobs they
can participate to help make all of this possible~!" Queen Jizzelle removed
the paper tag taped underneath the circle mount. "And our Community Helper
Award goes too..." A roll of drums sounded as the drag queen unfolded the
paper, and read the name written on it, "Kathryn Evans!"

An mid-aged woman walked up and stage, and gave a formal nod and smile as
she received her selfless award, along with a royal kiss upon her forehead,
and standing next in line.



"Our second award~!" Queen Jizzelle took up the last silver trophy. A
martini glass with a silver neck, bottom, and rim around a cone-shaped
glass mounted on the black circle. A thin silver pick has a purple jewel
tuck in the middle of it, along with several other differently lengthened
silver picks stood around the martini glass, with purple diamond-shaped
jewels mounted at the top of each one.

"The Dizzy Drinker Award!" Queen Jizzelle announced, "For the tipsy
bar-hopper who has trailed our finest spirits, and sampled each and every
beverage on the menu~!" Queen Jizzelle removed the paper tag taped
underneath the circle mount. "And our Dizzy Drinker Award goes too..." A
roll of drums sounded as the drag queen unfolded the paper, and read the
name written on it, "Franklin Darone!"

A cute Italian man strode up there, and grins with eagerness as the queen
hands over the alcoholic achievement. He gets the kiss like the previous
winner, and goes to take his place right next to Kathryn.



"Our third award!" Queen Jizzelle selected a gold trophy. This one has a
long rod-shaped salute with a mushroom top with a pearly white
diamond-shaped halo above it, held up by twin smooth, graceful branch-like
pieces stemmed from the bottom of the rod.

"The Frisky Bunker Award!" Queen Jizzelle announced, "For that tireless,
virile jackrabbit who has, on multiple testimonies, slept with the most
people on the whole cruise~!" Queen Jizzelle removed the paper tag taped
underneath the circle mount. "And our Frisky Bunker Award goes too..." A
roll of drums sounded as the drag queen unfolded the paper, and read the
name written on it, "Jamal Tucker!"

"Oh shit!" Jamal blinked in surprise, "No fuckin way!" He said.

"Well, get up there, boo!" Nick budged him.

"Go on, get going!" Adam pushed as he grinned excitedly. Jamal quickly
scrambled up, and ran up to the stage. He couldn't stop smiling as Queen
Jizzelle presented his sexy prize. Once again, she kisses his forehead, and
Jamal jogged to his place on the line.



"Our fourth award!" Queen Jizzelle gracefully picked another one. This
trophy has a medical cross with two tendrils of spiraling lines with gold
coins melded onto the with a few green gems embedded within the casting as
well.

"The Sweet Charity Award!" Queen Jizzelle announced, "For the one who
donated the most money and promise for over eight different non-profit
organizations sponsored on our cruise~!" Queen Jizzelle removed the paper
tag taped underneath the circle mount. "And our Sweet Charity Award goes
too..." A roll of drums sounded as the drag queen unfolded the paper, and
read the name written on it, "Stacey Marval!"

A pretty young girl with indigo-dyed hair climbed up onto the stage, and
smiled with glee as she accepted her generous award. Queen Jizzelle also
kissed her forehead, and scampered off to the line.






"Our fifth award~!" Queen Jizzelle picked up a golden trophy with a cute
bear-like idol stands in a mighty salute within a pair of circle-belts with
a black paw-print jewel on its round belly, along with attached paw prints
on the top of each belt, and the bottom of it as well, with one of the
rings holding a buckle.

"The Mighty Bear Award!" Queen Jizzelle announced, "To the burliest and
manliest of our cute and cuddly Bears on the cruise ship~!" Queen Jizzelle
removed the paper tag taped underneath the circle mount. "And our Mighty
Bear Award goes too..." A roll of drums sounded as the drag queen unfolded
the paper, and read the name written on it, "Dane Panford!"

A dirty blonde chubby guy with some firm muscles on his arms and legs, and
a fine layer of stubble on his lower face came up to the stage, and
accepted the ursine trophy. Queen Jizzelle gave him a kiss on his forehead,
and sent him to stand with the other four winners.



"Our sixth award!" Queen Jizzelle selected a trophy with an owl on it. The
owl's eyes shimmer with clear reflector material, as did the feathers of
its open wings. Clear, narrow, fiber-optic lines to catch the light and
show it as a slight rainbow tint surround the bird-like idol.

"The Rave Owl Award!" Queen Jizzelle announced, "For the one who showed up
in every party, rave, and dance in the their most fashionable statement out
of everyone~!" Queen Jizzelle removed the paper tag taped underneath the
circle mount. "And our Rave Owl Award goes too..." A roll of drums sounded
as the drag queen unfolded the paper, and read the name written on it,
"Jenocta Charhart!"

Up came a somewhat plump, feminine-looking person in short black hair and
black lipstick, in chain-link gothic clothing and biker gloves came up to
accept his avian award. Queen Jizzelle stamped his forehead with a kiss,
and sent him off to line up.



"Our seventh award!" Queen Jizzelle picks up an angelic-welded trophy, one
that is designed and adorned in a symmetrical, curvy wing-like structure,
holding a glittering red crystal heart in the middle.

"The Golden Lover Award!" Queen Jizzelle announced, "To the gentle,
hopeless romantic that can sweep anyone off their feet with their
affectionate charm~!" Queen Jizzelle removed the paper tag taped underneath
the circle mount. "And our Golden Lover Award goes too..." A roll of drums
sounded as the drag queen unfolded the paper, and read the name written on
it, "Adam Bryant!"

"Wha?!" Adam gasped as he looked at the drag queen holding the glamorous
prize up. He felt a pair of hands pushing him from his momentary paralysis.

"Go, Adam!" Merrick said, smiling with happiness, "Go on!" His heart pounds
as his lover gets to be recognized ball all of these people.

"A-Ah!" Adam stumbled up, and ran up to the steps, and hopped up to meet
the queen. She smiles at him as she presented his romantic trophy to
him. Adam grins endlessly as he received the next royal kiss, and went to
the line of winners. He chuckled with excitement as he saw Jamal give him
an eager thumbs-up.



"Our eighth award~" Queen Jizzelle took the next a silver trophy with four
hockey sticks mounted on a black stand, held in place with 3 hoola hoops, a
big one on top, a medium hoop in the middle, and a small one for last, with
a clear yellow sphere in the middle of it.

"The Game Maniac Award!" Queen Jizzelle announced, "For participating and
playing every single game and activity upon the cruise more than anyone on
board~!" Queen Jizzelle removed the paper tag taped underneath the circle
mount. "And our Game Maniac Award goes too..." A roll of drums sounded as
the drag queen unfolded the paper, and read the name written on it, "Jackie
Galeer!"

A young copper-skinned lady ran up on stage, and accepted her sporty
trophy. She smiles as Queen Jizzelle kissed her on her forehead, and sent
her off to stand at her place of the line-up.



"Our ninth award!" Queen Jizzelle goes to produce the last gold
trophy. This one is designed with a rocky-themed figurine holding a thick
barbell up with both arms with six standing dumbbells with round pink
jewels on both ends of each one.

"The Size Builder Award!" Queen Jizzelle announced, "To the mightiest of
incredible hulks who outweigh and outsize anyone on deck in pure,
unadulterated muscle~!" Queen Jizzelle removed the paper tag taped
underneath the circle mount. "And our Size Builder Award goes too..." A
roll of drums sounded as the drag queen unfolded the paper, and read the
name written on it, "Irene Taylor!"

A tall, large, bulking woman with red hair in pigtails came right up,
smirking with delight as she stalked up to the drag queen, easily towering
over her by a few feet. She had to stoop down for the queen to kiss her
forehead, before giving her the athletic idol, and then taking her place on
the line.



"And now to our tenth, and final award!" Queen Jizzelle lifted remaining
silver trophy. This one has swirling and spiraling tendrils with blue
hollow-glass orbs, with a bigger one right in the middle.

"The Bubbly Washer Award!" Queen Jizzelle announced, "For the
cleaner-than-clean bather who has spent an exuberant amount of time in the
showers and baths~!" Queen Jizzelle removed the paper tag taped underneath
the circle mount. "And our Bubbly Washer Award goes too..." A roll of drums
sounded as the drag queen unfolded the paper, and read the name written on
it, "Benjamin Lark!"

A sunny-haired athletic guy hopped up for the stage in a tanktop and
jeanshorts came to take his watery trophy. Queen Jizzelle once again
blesses him with a kiss, and sends him on his way.


"Lets give them one more hand, folks!" The drag queen daintily claps her
hands as the crowd roars with cheers for the 10 winners, each one holding
up their unique trophy. Adam can't stop smiling as he looks at the wild
crowd, and even more so when his eyes go back to Merrick and Nick. Right
then and there, Adam just wants to drop everything, and just have at his
beautiful boyfriend right there on the dance lobby.


~~~


"Hmm..." Syrinx looks with astonishment at the line-up of the Notable
Awards, the Golden Lover in particular. The man with short, dark brown
hair, lightly tanned skin, a thin layer of charismatic fuzz on the lower
portion of his face, wearing just a pair of trunks and a T-shirt.

It's that merman's lover again. A bunch of other people were going on about
how this stunning guy won back his cute blonde boyfriend in a very romantic
performance in front of everybody. She can't help but make the
connection. Before, that merman was on the very line of furious insanity,
but now when she glances at him, all she can see is a mended spirit.

The Notables left the stage with their trophies, her eyes following the
Golden Lover winner, until he sat himself down right next to the merman in
question. Both of them marveled at the wondrous ruby heart with golden
swirling wings of gold, seeing the man kiss the merman playfully, right
next to the guy who won the Frisky Bunker.

The more she looks at them, the more she thinks she should maybe...


"Ah yes~! My my my, another cruise, another set of gorgeous trophies gone
to well-deserved sweethearts~!" Queen Jizzelle said, "Please do enjoy the
remainder of the voyage, before we pull into the Aolani Transportation
Port, and off to your pretty little homes~!"

A few gogo-boys and gogo-girls came to their posts in their very sexy,
skimpy lewd thongs and bikinis, and began dancing and gyrating to the music
as the lights flashed and loomed around a mass of dancing people.

Syrinx stands from her stool, and walks out of the Dance Lobby. She needs
some time to think...


~~~


With his trophy safely in his cabin, Adam dances with his one and only
lover. Merrick holds his arms up as he swerves and twirls his hips, wearing
only a pair of jeans, sandals, and the exquisite angelic filigree key
hanging around his neck, while Adam wears an open vest and shorts, both of
them sporting a rather breezy theme of apparel. Everyone grooves the
beating rhythm of Ke$ha's Take It Off.

BOOM!

Canons shoot a shimmering rain of silver confetti and fall like scattered
flower petals everyone in the mass of people.

Adam smiles with excitement as he playfully bumps groins with Merrick while
his hands go to hold on his very smooth hips. His tight shorts already even
more snug fitting the more he dances with Merrick. He goes in, and licks
Merrick's neck, making his lover coo and moan as they hold onto each other
in the booming party.

Maybe it's the fact that neither of them has gotten off in almost a week,
let alone even have had sex with each other since their fight, or the
first-ever dose of a popper Adam inhaled a short while ago just for the
heck of it, but Merrick is looking incredibly hot right now.

As they continued to party, Adam slips his hand into Merrick's pants. The
merman gasps and moans as he undulates his hips as he feels a warm hand cup
his soft genitals, while holding back a squeal as he feels Adam's tongue
glide over his skin, tilting his head back as if to allow a vampire to bite
into him as Adam gnawed on his neck.

Adam's other hand holds onto Merrick's side as his shorts sport a very
large tent while he rolled and fumbled with Merrick's precious orbs in his
hand. 

"A-AHhh~" Merrick moans as he is weak in
Adam's perverted hands as he feels his lover fondle every inch of the
inside of his pants, including rubbing and stroking his confined cock.

"Fffffgggod," Adam growled through thin, desperate lips, "I'm so fuckin hot
for you, babe..." He can barely contain himself as the music rumbled on
around them, as if they're just another couple of groovy folks instead of a
very sexual duo.


~~~


Thomas bit his lower lip as he strokes his huge, jumbo-sized cock with a XL
condom, and globs of glistening lube. Merrick moans as he holds his supple
buttocks up, completely naked and presenting himself to the taller black
male. Thomas aims his swollen head onto Merrick's hungry pink asshole, and
slowly pushes into him. His glistening midnight muscles tense as he slowly
enters into that hot velvet realm, and relaxes very carefully.

"Ahh... NNNNHHH!" He clenches his eyes as he spreads his legs out to give
that large dick more room to enter him.

"That feel good baby~?" Adam asked as he kissed his cheek and the corner of
his lips. He strokes his raging boner as Merrick moans loudly as Thomas
forced a reaction out of him.  
"So fuckin big!" Merrick moans
-- this is the second time sex has hurt and felt great at the same time,
the first being with Jamal that one time.

"Yooouuu arrree sssoo hot..." Adam moans as he and Merrick kissed
passionately.

Adam shudders and moans as his hand is replaced by another one. Greg licks
Adam's loose-hanging balls as he rubs his hand up and down Adam's throbbing
cock. The cute chubby lays on his back while Adam hovers on his knees above
him with his junk just above his face. Adam carefully sits on Greg's plump
chest as he licks and suckles on the head of his dick, while masturbates
under Adam.


Merrick moans as Thomas pushes gently back and forth into his sweet, soft
ass, "God, you feel so fuckin good." He growls as he puts his firm hands
onto Merrick's hips. Merrick can't help but let out a submissive squeal or
groan each time Thomas sinks his cock into him.

The merman opens his mouth, and pushes his face into Greg's lap, nuzzling
his soft, plush-like belly as he sloppily licks and suckles on his short,
uncut dick. Greg gasps and tilts his head back, just as Adam places his
hands onto his hefty mounds. "C-Careful..." Greg quietly begs as Adam
secures his own condom on his long hard torpedo, along with a generous
application of lube. Adam carefully pushes his manhood between Greg's
cheeks, and slowly pushed into him.

"A-Ahhh~!" Greg moans as his tight, hot hole makes way for Adam's intruding
rampart into his ass. Adam's hands rubbed and massaged Greg's broad, round
belly while Thomas reaches below, and starts to rub Merrick's drooling
penis as he very slowly rubs the inside of that hot tunnel.

Greg's head turns left and right, barely able to cope with the
sexual energy as Merrick's tongue hugged and pushed on and around his
4-inch member, while Adam's cock slides inside him, and forces a yelp from
his throat as Adam happened to push his prostate. He whimpers like a dog
having his back scratched, instead of a pudgy bear getting his backside
humped and his little cock slurped and eaten.

Using Merrick's own precum, Thomas fondled with Merrick's tight, heavy
nuts, feeling his smooth back jump and shudder as his sensitive testicles
are deftly massaged and rubbed. His back curves down as his soft buttcheeks
push against Thomas's coarse, thin pubic patch. His free-hanging cock
throbs and oozes pre freely as that large penis pushes every button inside
of him.

Adam's hands glide slowly along Greg's huggable body as he slowly slides
his cock in and own of Greg's welcoming ass, choking his dick as he pushed
into his rekindled buddy. Adam nibbles on Greg's warm neck as Adam's hands
eventually find themselves on Greg's moobs. The poor chubby's knob jumps in
Merrick's mouth as Adam tenderly squeezes and rubs his hard nipples. He
pushes his butt against Adam's body as he moans from the pinching and harsh
tweaking for his vulnerable areolas.

Merrick moans with his mouth playing with Greg's small endowment. His hands
grip the sheets as Thomas rubs his dick up and down underneath him. He
clenches his cheeks together to intensify the pressure for Thomas, before
relaxing his haunches and feeling hat dick melt up inside him again. His
tongue wiggles against the underside of Greg's penis, before dipping in and
around his fleshy hood at the tip of his dick, licking up the salty fluid
from the slit.


10 minutes later, Greg is put on his back with his thick legs pushing on
Adam's sides as his big, squishy belly is pushed down by Adam's fuzzy
front. He whimpers more as Adam gently drills into his tight anus.

Merrick is placed on the bed, finding a pillow and biting into it as he
feels Thomas's full weight press on top of him. Thomas grunts as his juicy
black buttcheeks flex as he pushes inside of Merrick.

Both tops push in at a rolling rhythm into both bottoms. The room smelt of
their horny musk blended with the scent of lube, as well as the sounds
could be heard is their moaning from the hot, sweaty, raunchy sex.

Greg looks to his side as Merrick reaches for him. Merrick moves in, and
presses his teeth onto Greg's ear ridge. His eyes flutter closed, right
before a sharp moan from one of Adam's thrusts. He groans as his hands
cling onto Adam, and the sheet he lays on. His dick smushed between his
belly and Adam's fuzz makes him moan from the tense tickle and friction of
their bodies.

Merrick licks Greg ear like an affectionate predatory feline in heat as he
chews on it tenderly, sensing it to Greg's liking as he also sucks on his
lobe. A squeal came from his throat as Thomas's large dick pushes that deep
spot inside of him -- how it hurts so good. His dick still oozing, is
rubbed onto the mattress below him as the muscular dark man behind him
fucks him in a climbing speed.

Adam moans as he turns his head, and puts his hand onto Thomas's. He turns
his head, and almost immediately goes to meet Adam's face in a wild,
open-mouthed kiss. Adam pushes his pelvis back and forth, rubbing up and
down on Greg's cushion-like bottom. Thomas's teeth lightly graze his tongue
as he tilts his head to the side to push his mouth fully and completely
against each other. Just the kiss alone makes Adam's balls tingle with the
juices that boil inside of his heavy bag.

Thomas reaches down, and starts to knead one of Adam's fuzzy cheeks. Adam's
brows furrowed as the groping makes his cock flex inside of Greg. He curves
his thrusts while pushing his ass against Thomas's hand as those fingers
dig into his meaty behind. Their lips lapped and smultzed against each
other, losing focus as they humped into their bottoms.

Adam rolls his hips back, right before he felt a sudden SLAP on his right
mound, "UUNNH!" He pushes harshly into Greg, making him moan out from the
deep thrust. Thomas spanked Adam's left cheek, elating another pleasure
moan from him, "Uhhh yeah~!" Adam moaned out as he wiggled his butt a
little, before Thomas delivered a quick smack onto his crack, "Fuck yeah~"

Adam's rear stings with the swift spanks to his ass, one after
another. Each surprise butt-slap making him thrust deeper into Greg. His
dick starts to feel that warning signal, "Fuck, spank me more~!" Adam begs
as he drives deep into the chubby charmer's asshole.

BAM!

SMACK!

SPANK!

WHACK!

Adam moans and grunts as his bare butt turns a little pink from Thomas's
hard slaps. He clenches his eyes shut as he jerked his pelvis back and
forth into Greg, who is still whimpering from the rapid shots into his hole
by Adam.

"Fuck... Fuck... Fuck!" Adam pushes more harshly into Greg, gaping his
mouth open, before his body starts jerking wildly, "AHHH!" His dick
explodes, flooding his condom. Greg coos and moans as he feels the hot
white fluid through the thin plastic.

With Adam's convulsing cock still inside him, Greg lays there as Merrick
moves his mouth in, and starts to lick his left nipple. "O-Oh God!" Greg
moans as that blonde laps at his standing teat, "A-Ah~! Nnnhh~!" Adam bends
down, and starts to suck on the other nub too.

"Ohh! Ghhh! Ahhh!" Greg's head thrashes on the pillow back and forth as his
belly bobs and tightens as both of his nipples are engulfed in the embrace
of greedy lips. He can only moan and whimper, even as Thomas's hand digs
in, and starts to grab and rub his short dick tightly.

Unable to resist, move, or even shift in his position, with two men
slurping and licking his two most sensitive weak nipples, and his dick
being squeezed with his own pre and sweat by a thick, strong hand is
driving him wild. Unable to do a thing while three men pleasure him at once
is more than he can bare. Greg clenchs his eyes, and moans out loud as his
knob swells and squirts all over Thomas's hand, and soaking Adam's hairy
crotch with his hot spunk. He pants helplessly as Adam and Merrick ease
down on tenderly licking and kissing his nipples.


With Merrick's lower body elevated, he moans as Adam has tucked his head
into his lap, and sucks on his smooth, raging hard cock, before his hand
reached up, and gently massages those loaded berries than hung
below. Merrick moans out as his ass is engorged with Thomas's fat rod
sliding in and out of his very tight anus.

Greg locks his mouth with Merrick's lips, spent but still relatively
aroused as he rubs his hands on Merrick's defined chest and abs, rolling
his tongue invasively in their hot, foggy faces. Merrick can barely make
himself last too long as his meat bathes in Adam's active mouth as he bobs
back and forth, working every bit he can on Merrick's 6-inch dick in his
mouth while playing and rubbing on his balls.

The merman's hand clasp onto the bed's frame, barely able to keep himself
up at all with the hot monster climbing in and deep inside his wet cave
over and over again, or with the wild soaked tongue and cheeks dancing on
his throbbing member underneath him, or the adorable human cupcake making
out with him in the midst of the fuck-suck action.

Adam licks along Merrick's pole with his tongue, and his hand rubbing along
his shaft before Merrick's muffled moan ran inside of Greg's mouth. His
dick flexes as it juts out a powerful white splash on Adam's face! His cum
splats right on Adam's cheek, painted his chin and lips, even getting into
his dark hair.

Thomas pulls out of Merrick's hot ass, not far from climaxing himself. He
lies back, and peels the condom right off of him. Greg immediately tucks
between those dark brown thighs, and starts licking the intimate area of
his sweaty ass. Thomas gasps and shudders as that hungry hot pig slurps up
his deep crack, and takes one of those fat balls into his mouth.

Merrick grabs that cock like a baseball bat, and starts to squeeze it
firmly. He goes to nurse on the fat, swollen cock head at the top of
Thomas's shaft, and start to give fast strokes that bad boy.

Adam licks his fingers so they are both soaked, and start to work over
those pitch-black nipples. Thomas moans and grunts as he squirms on the
bed. His bulging pecs flex and twitch and all of his sensitive areas are
worked and taken advantage of all at once, like a heated, beastly factory
in the works of producing countless productions of his hot milk.

His deep voice elevates in the musty room as he struggles to make himself
last longer, but that's not going too well with Adam tuning his hard nubs
with his wet fingers, Merrick wringing and twisting his hands around the
head and frenulum on his dick, and Greg digging his face into his balls
twitching balls and hot ass.

"AHhhh! Oh fuck! GoddAAAmmnn!"  He moans out, dropping his head down as
Merrick felt that cock harden like a diamond rocket. His huge black rod
erupts like a crazy phallic fountain! While lava spurts from his member in
huge globs! He pains Adam's hair and shoulders with specs of pearly jizz,
along with Merrick's blonde hair, even managing to land a blob of hot,
thick man-gravy onto Greg's nose.


Panting, Thomas lays back, his whole body shiny with sweat and cum. Adam
huffs as he sets himself down next to him, feeling down-right beat. Merrick
groans in spent satisfaction as he places his head onto Adam's though, and
nuzzles comfortably there. Greg crawls to Thomas's side and lays down,
feeling that beefy arm tuck over him, and holding him close, and making him
blush.

The ceiling fan spins at full power over the four men as they slowly doze
off into their lustful stupor into the slumber of the afterglow.


~~~


"Hmm..." Syrinx sits on a chair on deck, with an icy Shirley Temple placed
on the small table right next to her, half full of red beverage, with the
cherry and pineapple still pierced with a small umbrella on the side of
it. She has her hands to her face with her fingers interlaced, and her
index fingers standing up as she thought deeply.

"There you are." Came Kevin's voice. She opened her eyes, and saw her
boyfriend in that ridiculous white speedo with red hearts on it. She scoffs
at him as he sat down.

"I thought you hated that thing." She pointed out.

"I do. But I find that I get a LOT of free drinks and stuff when I wear it
around." Kevin said with a smirk as he kicked back on a beach chair.

"Oh my God, you're such a man-whore tease." Syrinx said as she puts her
fingertips on her forehead.

"So what've you been up to? I haven't seen you all day, and I just missed
you at the Notable Awards."

"Thinking..." The mermaid said, "About that blonde merman, you know?"

"Yeah..."

"Lately... Or, more like VERY recently," She started, "I'm not seeing the
same psycho that was punching out those guys a few days ago. I don't know
how to describe it, but it's like he's a different person than the first
few times I saw him."

Kevin shrugged, "Maybe he's gotten over whatever's been fucking with him."

"No, I mean..." Syrinx addled with her hands, "Before, he just looked like
he could break, and go on a rampage at any given moment, even when he was
with his `boyfriend'. But now, I see his eyes, and it's almost like he's
halfway through a rehab program."

"Again, maybe he got everything out of his system. That happens a lot, you
know."

"He just seems so... Weird. I know he's a merman, there is no mistaking
that, but I can't get over how he's not changing when wet. It's disturbing
me a lot more than it should..."

"That, and he fucks with guys, right? You said there isn't supposed to be
such a thing as gay merfolk." Kevin said with a quirked brow.

"I never said there wasn't SUPPOSED to be gay merfolk, idiot." Syrinx said
through gritted teeth, "I just said I've never heard of it before."

"Ok, cool down, babe." Kevin chuckled.

"Anyway, I've been thinking it over... And I still think he's possible
dangerous..." Syrinx sighed, and looked at her mate in the eyes, "But I've
decided to go and talk to him."

Kevin looked seriously at her, and then sat up, "Are you serious? Before,
you were petrified to even look at him. And remember, he almost broke my
arm when I went to talk to him myself."

"Things are different." Syrinx reasoned, "I don't see the fragility in his
eyes anymore. And knowing YOU, you probably provoked him with your
tough-guy bravado when you went to track him down." She added with
irritated eyes.

"He was a tweaked out punk, I thought he needed some talking-down."

"In any case... I changed my mind, and I want to hear him out; at the
Shopping Center, he said he wanted to talk to me, so I'll give him what he
wants." She turned in her seat, and put her feet to the deck floor,
"Besides, I want a few answers from him myself."

"... Alright, babe... But I'm sticking with you, in case he tries to hurt
you." Kevin said.

"Oh, please!" Syrinx said, "After how he sprained you? Do you REALLY think
you can take him?"

"Come on!! Give me a LITTLE credit!" Kevin said defensively.

"Ugh" Syrinx felt her forehead, "Lets just hope he's not a total wreck by
the time we find him."