Wooden boards were torn off of buildings and dust was flown everywhere, Mikel was rebuilding an abandoned house to match his needs. Inside was a naked little maiden fish boy dusting away any speck of dirt and dust he could find with a gleeful expression.
Mikel chose a building close to the broken bridge the merman didn't let him cross, it was the biggest home of the abandoned village. It even had a second level with a bedroom separated from everything and a 'balcony' that barely hung on.
While the dust warrior was occupied on turning this place spotless, Mikel focused on the walls, turning them more sturdy. He doesn't really want the house to collapse while he's in… He fixed the balcony in his own way; he returned to the forest many times to grab a large chunk of vines and used them in replacement of nails to tie the plank together with style, giving his home a bit of a more controlled overgrown aesthetic.
Whenever his body would ache too much, his little housewife would rub his back perfectly content with their work. While Mikel was handling the hard work, the merman instead focused on fixing the interior and 'finding' some cooked fish.
Despite being busy, the fish man still had time to look over Mikel. For instance, Mikel sometimes tried to wander off to the broken bridge but he was immediately met with a tackle and a drag back by his reliable house maid.
Today, he was in the middle of arranging furniture in a way he prefers when the sudden smell of fresh fish reached his nostrils.
There he goes again…
He didn't know where he got those fish from, let alone cook them but they always seemed fresh and warm so Mikel didn't complain. His body felt so much better than when he first woke up and he definitely disliked how weak he was, but he intended to work on his body later.
He didn't find any dishes or any left behind things aside from some furniture so this village was either already raided or everyone left with their belongings. He thought of giving the merman clothes, but there was none, even for himself. And he seemed perfectly content without them. As long as Mikel kept his eyes above groin level, there should be nothing wrong with it.
There were no fabrics but there were a few old books, so Mikel decided to store them on the second floor in a corner after sorting them. He stopped allowing his companion to go up there since he always seemed to try throwing away the books.
The fish boy had no name nor voice, but understood everything perfectly, even the command not to go up the stairs anymore. Mikel first tried to reason with him to not touch them at all, but he always acted erratic when it came to specific things so he decided to place some rules down.
He grabbed a few vines and whistled his companion back from the outside. He came, bringing some cooked fish and Mikel decided to wait for them to eat first before doing anything. After finishing their meal, Mikel faked a smile and…
"Extend your arms." Mikel commanded and the man immediately obliged.
His eyes grew confused but he didn't move away as Mikel tied his arms up to a nearby post. He didn't react until Mikel finally went up the stairs and came back with one book. Then he began fussing and kicking, but Mikel decided to ignore him and opened the book anyway.
I… I don't understand.
Mikel got dizzy trying to decipher the words. He opened the book multiple times, but each word was unreadable.
I'm not illiterate!! Why can't I read!
He dropped the books. Growing irritated, he stomped down the stairs and slammed the front door shut behind him, leaving the other man naked and tied away, alone in the house.
"I can't believe it…" He groaned while running his finger through his short hair. "First homeless, then moneyless and now illiterate! I'm gonna lose it."
Breathing the salty air, he buried his face into his hands. "What should I do… I thought I simply didn't understand the map, turns out I really can't read."
"Mikel?" a voice called out from afar and Mikel's heart dropped. His eyes twitched and his head slowly turned to the source of the call.
His breath hitched when he saw a familiar red mane and a heavy broad blade he could never forget.
Mikel took one step back, then another, and another one. He was running, as fast as he could. As far as his legs could carry him.
The man's pursuit was endless. Mikel tried to get as far as he could but he got tackled down soon.
"LET GO OF ME!" Mikel hissed while they both were rolling on the floor, fighting over who's on top.
When finally pinned in place, Mikel gave in. He was panting from exhaustion while the other was barely fazed. "How did you know my name.." He glared at the redhead.
"I asked around… Turns out someone knew a Arlon."
Arlon? There is no way he said Arlon.
Mikel turned his head away.
"You're here to lock me away… Aren't you." His voice was timid.
There was no response from the other man until he quietly shook his head. His hair was tied into a loose ponytail, giving him a much more relaxed look.
"No…" Shi Fei leaned closer to Mikel's ear. "I'm here to take you."
"Take..? Where…" He held his breath in anticipation.
"Anywhere, where do you wish go?"
They were locked into each other's eyes.
Anywhere, it was a tempting promise. Mikel was about to suggest something but his heart dropped.
I… I kissed this dude!!
"Here to break my heart again!?" Mikel shoved him aside with ease, finally remembering his script.
While one was averting his gaze, the other was fully determined to escort him away.
"No, I wish to make amends." His voice sounded genuine, but Mikel could hear a familiar click in his head.
A lie? Did he just lie to me?
He had no proof but his alarms were ringing like crazy, this gut feeling. He learnt it from a special little liar. Someone who would lie to someone's face without hesitation. This instinct was trained and nurtured until he could tell even the littlest of pointless lies.
His eyes landing timidly on the other man, the memory of what happened between them coming back in a different light.
I turned just like him. Impressive, what a skill.
"I don't…" "You don't?" Shi Fei tried to coax out an answer faster.
"I don't think I can…"
"Why not?"
The red head grabbed onto Mikel's chin, forcing their eyes to meet.
"I-" before Mikel could speak up a large wave of water rose up from afar coming straight for them.
"Controlled!?" Shi Fei blurted out as he created an elemental shield that was barely visible to the eye but managed to protect the entire village.
The impact managed to ring the shield like a loud bell before it finally retreated.
"An attack?" Mikel looked around but there was no one.
Shi Fei was about to rest his shield but multiple waves began to come and crash down upon him, each one hitting harder and getting larger than the last.
"Stay back!" Shi Fei hid Mikel behind him, changing his position and releasing his blade.
Despite the restless assault, the man finally found an opportunity to split the waves in half. Piercing through his own barrier, he began clashing with the waves.
His eyes began glowing, his pupils slowly fading inside his red fury.
"The village. DON'T DESTROY THE VILLAGE!" Mikel screamed hysterically at the top of his lungs.
Not just Shi Fei, but the waves stopped as well.
Covering them like a watery sky it stood still as if commanded to stop.
"I'M GONNA FUCKING KILL YOU IF YOU PARTICIPATE IN DESTROYING IT!" Mikel grabbed Shi Fei's hair while glaring the wave down.
The village could barely stand by itself, even the shield wasn't enough to stop the homes from brittling and falling apart.
Something's fishy.
Mikel moved his head slightly to gaze at his home he's been working on just to see a familiar head slightly poking out.
Mikel pinned Shi Fei down, sitting on his abdomen, making sure to obstruct his view of the other man.
His broad blade dropped to the side and his pupils slowly came back into view. The wave threatened to crash back down. With the barrier shattered, Mikel maintained control over the larger man below him.
"Amazing..." Mikel praised.
He wasn't sure who exactly he praised but both eyes lit up in pride.
"I never knew you were this strong…" Mikel didn't have to specify. He knew that both of them would take it as a compliment and not question anything no matter which position he'd be in.
"You think so…" A husky voice from below questioned.
All of the sudden, Mikel's nose was hit with an intense smell that began making his body shake. He used his hand to cover his nose while feeling the urge to gag. The pheromones?!
It's so..! Strong!
He didn't notice the intense stares from both sides watching him fall apart. Shi Fei reached out his hand but Mikel slapped it off.
"You dare..! Can't you tell I'm unwell?" He scolded while his migraine grew.
"My apologies, I'll stop it." The man reluctantly mumbled, feeling rejected, the intense smell began lessening until it was finally gone.
Relief came over Mikel, his body relaxing against the man underneath him.
He could feel his pecs through his armor, which was certainly a plus, so he was in no hurry to get off.
"Distasteful… Is there no length you won't go to hurt me.." Mikel weakly chuckled as he kept the act going, his head raising to admire the watery sky above him.
It could kill them at any moment, but that's nothing new to beauty.
He had a hunch it could betray him anytime. "Pull back." His voice rang gently, traveling all the way back to the green haired idiot who was peeking through a window not so far away.
He would be lying if he said he disliked this view, but it was as beautiful as deadly. The blurry sky slowly retreated after his order, turning into its usual cloudy view.
Mikel then lowered his head to face the redhead beneath him.
"You can't take me, just like I couldn't take you." Mikel whispered, his vague words only reaching the man beneath him.
"You can take me now…" He whispered back.
"I don't want you anymore, my legs grew tired."
"Then how are you using them to run away from me…"
Mikel grabbed onto his shoulder, lowering his head until they were nose to nose.
"Why are you chasing me?"
"Why won't you let me?"
Their eyes were locked in a fierce stare off. Neither of them seemed to back down.
"You left a lovely mark, but it left me unsatisfied."
"I don't aim to satisfy you." Mikel scoffed.
"I am well aware."
Locked in the tension, the water crept closer as if readying for another attack.
"Then, watch another man satisfy me instead." Mikel rolled off quickly with that remark and ran towards his merman's direction.
Shi Fei wasted no time in pursuing his little runaway, but a large chunk of water blocked his path. He easily sliced through it but it quickly reformed in mockery, delaying his chase.
He finally understood. Those waves were not just a sudden assault.
Mikel made sure not to look back as he made his way to his 'other man'.