I waved farewell to him but…
WHY IS HE HERE WITH LEGS?!
What Mikel assumed were solo travels, once more ended up with a companion instead. However, without any fins nor tail, his silver eyed bath buddy was now trailing after Mikel like a lost fox.
Why not a dog?
Because this little rat looks like he knows exactly what he's doing! This 'innocent' smile he gave with a fish tail didn't change now that he has human legs!!
He wore a stupid ankle length skirt that was clearly chosen at the last second! It lacked colour and everything! Stupid black!
He was trailing just close enough to follow Mikel, but far enough to act like he is not.
Does he think I'm stupid? Blind? Deaf? Seriously.
Mikel did everything in his power to throw him off, from climbing trees to running off and hiding in bizarre places. At one point, Mikel found himself upside down on a tree just to find the man next to him, still smiling.
How can he even do all that in that inconvenient attire thing!! I thought those muscles were just for decoration, but he's been putting them to better use than me!
Mikel couldn't find enough energy to actually pounce and hide for long, not after everything that happened. But he's surprised that his body isn't in a constant state of agony. Was it the pond?
Don't tell me it was because of this acrobatic fish… I think I got rid of him this time.
He peeked past a tree, but he couldn't see anyone. When he finally turned around, he screamed as this thing's face was a hair away from his.
Covering his mouth, he rounds the tree, his head lowering.
That was a pathetic high note… I hate this dude… everyone's scaring me in this place!!
Mikel peeked past the trunk and saw a familiar smiling face peek past the same tree.
"Fuck you." The other man's eyes widened at the insult. And a smile crept up Mikel's face, delighted to finally see him switch expressions.
"Fuck. You."
There was a moment of silence, but really it was just Mikel staring at the green haired weirdo. Lost in his thoughts, the merman suddenly got the occasion to tackle Mikel down in a tight embrace.
"Hands off!" Despite his complaint and protest, he was not released.
Eventually, Mikel gave in and decided to take him along. The man was clingy and did not let go, but at least It didn't hinder their traveling progress. After some time, he got used to the feeling of a weirdo backpack.
He finally saw the forest lessen and lessen, the sun beginning to shine through. The grass grew thinner, shorter and flowers began to bloom along their paths. Mikel turned very observant of their surroundings; they seemed empty, but he could smell the fresh scent of waves.
"There's water nearby." Mikel grabbed the man's arm, stationing him next to him.
He kept his grasp firm on his arm, but it felt odd.
No…
Mikel took the man's hand, their fingers intertwining.
This felt more familiar, but-
—
"I think this way we won't get lost." A young boy spoke to a slightly older one.
"I'm worried, won't they judge us?" the older looked at their intertwined hands.
"What does it matter? Am i fucking you in public!?" They both freeze at the younger one's remark.
"I'm sorry." "It's okay. I think that helped." The older confessed, his expression growing calm.
"If anything, we can go home." "Or to the library." Both options tempted them.
"Cake?" "Cake."
—
Tears trickled down his cheeks. He attempted to keep them in desperately, wiping each droplet, just for another to come out.
It started overwhelming him like a storm; he avoided the merman's eyes with all he could. Each time he got too close, Mikel would shove him aside or turn away.
He wiped one after another until he finally couldn't take it anymore and broke down into sobs and hiccups, falling on his knees, hands covering his face.
Pathetic… I look so pathetic right now… why am I even crying in the first place.
A familiar rough hand placed itself on Mikel's back. Before he could find the energy to pull himself together, he fell apart once more.
—
"Hey, it's okay."
—
After a few tearful minutes and comfort, Mikel shakingly got up, wiping his face one last time, erasing that last bit of emotion.
"I'm okay."
The merman moved to reach out to tap the man's shoulder, but instead, his hand got once more held by the other.
"Don't worry."
He was now walking ahead the merman, attempting to keep up with his fast paced walk. He walked as far as he could. The smell of the ocean began to lessen as they walked further into the grass field. When they arrived in the middle of the field, some grass was bent and some formed odd spots where flowers didn't bloom.
"Wanna learn something new?" Mikel's head turned, a knowing grin spreading on his face.
The flowers bloomed beautifully, their various colours glowing with the stars. It excited him. The green haired man's eyes lit up and he nodded eagerly.
"Unless you know it already, these are markings of people being here before, so it's not a desolated area. This means there's civilization nearby." Mikel points at the faint markings; some looked like wheel markings while others were unidentifiable.
"They come from three sides." He led the man along as he explained. "It's possible the city I rob- BORROWED from, is in that direction, whether that's north or south or anything, I don't know, but it means there are 2 more places we could go." Mikel coughs, attempting to hide his slip up.
The grass was beautiful and fresh, untouched aside from the indents of footsteps and carts, so he was caught off guard when he noticed a few more trails.
"Maybe four…" he scratched his chin with a hum.
"Where I'm from, the sun rises from the east… I'm not sure if this applies here too, but if that's the case. Here!!!" Mikel pointed at the direction they came from.
His ramble was stopped by the man who was curiously tilting his head.
"You can't tell anyone…" Mikel placed his finger on the man's adams apple. "that I'm not from here." The merman nodded.
"Alright!" Mikel cheered. "Now, if you were to pick a direction from your three choices!!" The merman suddenly held up four fingers.
"Just three, the fourth one could be a wrong guess." Mikel responded to his gesture.
Mikel pointed at the three directions, each one merely leading to more and more trees. This beautiful grass field was clearly surrounded by forest. Good, they will be safely hidden.
The merman pointed at the direction back where they came from.
"Alright, we'll take this route then." Mikel made sure his hand was still there before he led the way.
Unbeknownst to him, a pair of eyes was following his every step, adoring.
The smell of the ocean returned and when they finally walked long enough, they could see a few old homes from afar. Mikel picked up the pace until they finally arrived, but the area was dead.
"Abandoned." Mikel sighed while picking up a piece of dust. "That's good." Together, they roamed for just a bit longer before they stopped at a broken bridge connecting to another smaller island with an abandoned shack on it.
Mikel was about to jump to cross it but the merman tackled him again, hugging onto him tightly.
"Hey! Just let me cross it!!" Mikel tried to throw him off but the man overpowered him just enough to drag him back.
"What's wrong with you!?!?" He groaned, his whole body hurting from the embrace.
The merman desperately shook his head, his eyes glowing in worry. Mikel sighed in defeat, deciding to give up on it for now.
I feel like I should go there…