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Neil Josten stares at the large building in front of him, his mouth twisted into a small frown. Yesterday, Browning had handed him a manila folder containing his new name, his new life. Included in that file had been a note, the same slightly crumpled note he’s holding in his hand now, with the name of his new employer.
Foxhole Aquarium. Ask for David Wymack.
As far as low profile employment goes, it was an odd choice to say the least. But, Neil supposes, in Browning’s own words, he’s “a free man now.” His father is dead, his father’s people are all either dead or facing a life sentence in prison, and Neil’s five-year stint in WitSec is finally over. So then, maybe a job scrubbing algae off of tanks isn’t too far out of the question. Neil supposes he can’t complain. He’d always been fascinated with the water as a child, had dreams about sailing on the ocean and diving into the seas. He had imagined playing with dolphins, meeting merfolk and watching turtles hatch in the waning dusk. But after burning his mother’s corpse on a lonesome beach and burying her bones in the sand, the ocean didn’t seem so appealing anymore. This was probably the closest he would ever get to that dream now.Steeling himself, he tucks the note back into his jean pocket and heads towards the glass entryway. Inside is a large atrium, its walls painted with an elaborate mural full of every sea creature imaginable. Chief among them is a mermaid, her tail painted with every color of the rainbow.A large crowd of people is gathered near the front desk; a tour group, Neil surmises. A young, freckled woman stands in front of the crowd, near the exhibit entrance. Her bright orange polo shirt, emblazoned with the aquarium’s name and logo, identifies her as the tour guide.She smiles invitingly at the group and waves a hand. “Gather up, everyone!” she calls, “We’ll be starting the tour through the merfolk exhibit in two minutes!”Neil pauses, glancing back at the welcome desk. Reason tells him that he should go up to the receptionist and ask for Wymack. Going on a tour first would be a waste of time when he'll be here every day for work soon enough.But.Memories of a fractured childhood whisper in his ear, of nights huddled in the passenger seat of a stolen vehicle while his mother hurtled down the highway. He’d been only eleven years old, pouring over a discarded newspaper and reading about another confirmed capture of a mermaid, a real life mermaid, who’d been discovered in a fishing net just off the coast of Florida.The article had stated that dozens more had been found in the weeks since, washed inland by a giant tsunami in Indonesia. From there, the sightings had continued, and now scientists suspected there may be merfolk worldwide, that they’d been right under humanity’s nose all along. He’d opened his mouth to relay the discovery to Mary, but before he could get a word out, she’d ripped the paper from his hands and tossed it out the window, ordering him to watch for cops.“Alright, everyone!,” the tour guide calls, jarring Neil out of his reverie, “Right this way, please!”Silently, Neil falls in behind the group as they follow the tour guide down the dimly lit hallway. They pass through an underwater glass tunnel, where the crowd stops to gape at the variety of sea life swimming overhead. Neil watches as a giant turtle passes them by, its brief appearance eliciting declarations of amazement from the rest of the tour group.The guide - Katelyn, according to her name tag - starts talking animatedly about the facility and the aquatic creatures held within. “Foxhole Aquarium is home to the largest oceanic tank on the continent,” she explains, “We are the leading rehabilitation center for injured and sick aquatic wildlife in the nation, and we are home to some of the rarest, most intelligent underwater species on Earth. Yes,” she adds, grinning playfully at some of the awed whispers in the crowd, “That includes merfolk.”“When do we get to see the mermaids?” a little girl asks, her eyes wide with excitement.“Currently, all of our merfolk residents are mermen,” Katelyn tells her, “But don’t worry! You’ll get to see them at the end of the tour. They’re in our largest enclosure with the sharks, with lots of space to move around and play.”The little girl frowns, her bottom lip trembling dangerously at the apparent lack of mermaids. Katelyn seems to sense the threat of the impending tantrum, because she leans down towards the girl, almost conspiratorially. “Do you want to know a secret?” she asks. The little girl nods, sniffling a little. Katelyn looks around, making sure she has the audience’s attention. “Our mermen are actually just as pretty as mermaids,” she says, “And, two of our mermen are actually twin brothers!”Neil perks up, interested. Most people knew merfolk existed these days, but he’s never heard of mer twins before. He didn’t even know it was possible.“Really?” the little girl gasps, all threat of waterworks forgotten.Katelyn nods before continuing, “One of them is really shy and doesn’t like to come out much, but if you get lucky, maybe you’ll get to see both of them!”"Okay!" says the little girl, before firmly taking hold of Katelyn's hand and marching onward. The tour guide doesn't even hesitate, waving at the rest of the group to follow and continuing the tour.Neil loses track of time as they wander through darkly lit rooms to each exhibit. He hasn't been to an aquarium since he was a child, but he still recalls how much he'd loved the calm and the quiet. It was oddly soothing, watching the graceful movements of the fish and sea life.He's glad to see that has not changed."This way, everyone!" Katelyn calls. The group follows her dutifully, passing through a large metal door into another dimly lit room. At first glance, Neil thinks it might be an auditorium, or maybe a large amphitheater, but then he sees it. A large, curved wall, nearly 30 feet high and made entirely of glass. Beyond the glass is a vast underwater display, so large in size that Neil cannot make out the other side. Countless fish flit about inside, their silvery scales shimmering in the ambient light. The entire back wall of the tank is made of synthetic rock and reef, dotted with entrances to what must be half a dozen caves. Within seconds, Neil spots several sea turtles, various species of sharks, and at least five or six rays. "This is our main merfolk observation deck," Katelyn explains, "But as you can see, there are far more than just mers kept in this tank. The rays you see here are part of our rehabilitation program, as are the sharks and the sea turtles. Some were rescued from boating accidents, some were found trapped in fishing nets or litter. In almost every case, humans were the cause of their injuries."There are several saddened murmurs in the crowd, but Katelyn presses on. "That's why the conservation work we do here is so important," she continues, "It's our job to protect wildlife from human mistakes, and to help educate the public.""I have a question!" says the little girl still clinging tightly to Katelyn's hand, "Where are the mermen?"Katelyn smiles and turns back towards the tank. "They'll be here soon," she assures, "Let's all look for them together, okay?"The crowd shuffles closer to the glass, looking around curiously for any sightings of the merfolk. Neil follows suit, slipping between bodies until he's close enough to look. A few moments of hushed murmuring pass, and then Katelyn points towards a far corner of the tank. "Over there," she says in a hushed tone, "They're coming our way now. Keep your voices down, everyone. We don't want to scare them off."The crowd stills as the mers come closer. Neil watches with bated breath as their faint outline comes into view. From a distance, they look like sharks, or perhaps strangely long dolphins. As they draw closer, though, Neil's breath draws short.He's seen pictures before, but seeing a mer in person… it's something else. Katelyn had described them as pretty, and while she's not exactly wrong, "pretty" is not the word Neil would use when describing the creatures before them. Intimidating, perhaps. Terrifying, maybe, in an elegant, graceful sort of way. Dangerous, if their long claws and glinting teeth are any indication. He supposes the one on the right could be described as pretty, with its coral-colored tail, friendly smile and smooth brown skin. But the one on the left looks nothing short of predator. Neil knows without even asking that this mer is not to be trifled with; the jagged, spiked fins, inky black tail and decidedly irritable expression only serve to reinforce that notion.The two mers approach the glass wall silently, angling down towards where Katelyn stands. The coral-pink one does a little twirl - showing off, Neil suspects - which earns him a delighted gasp from the crowd and an eye-roll from his companion."Hello boys," Katelyn greets, waving to the mers through the glass, "Everyone, these two are Nicky and Aaron. Aaron is the one with the black tail, see? And Nicky is the one with a coral tail."Nicky waves to the tour group, doing another twirl and flashing a winning smile. The crowd gasps and claps softly for him, the children amongst them giggling in delight. Nicky seems to revel in the attention, winking and blowing kisses in response to the cheers. Definitely a show-off, then, Neil decides.Aaron, for his part, offers a polite wave, his gaze passing over the crowd with disinterest to instead focus on Katelyn. He floats just behind her on the other side of the glass, his expression softening when their eyes meet. Neil wonders at it briefly before dismissing it as irrelevant."Which one of them has a twin?" someone asks."That would be Aaron," Katelyn answers happily, smiling at the mer in question, "Though as I said, his twin Andrew is not a big fan of crowds, so we may not get to see him today.""Is Nicky related to them?" another person asks, "Or did they meet here?""They're all from the same original pod," Katelyn explains, "They grew up together, they've been together since they were children. Nicky isn't their sibling, per say, but it would be fair to think of him as something of a cousin. Either way, they're family. Mers don't tend to get on well with other mers not from their pod, and they especially don't do well when isolated. They are highly social creatures, just like we are.""That one really seems to like you," a man points out, nodding at Aaron. The merman scowls back at him, seemingly annoyed, but doesn't otherwise react. "Can they really communicate with humans? I heard they can speak our languages, is that true?""It is true," Katelyn confirms, "It depends on the mer in question, of course, but research has shown they are highly capable of learning and adopting new languages, and they're able to adapt their speech patterns to match that of humans. Mers naturally rely on echolocation when speaking with each other, but both Nicky and Aaron are able to speak English and communicate with our staff here at Foxhole Aquarium. Andrew may be able to understand English as well, but he has yet to speak it around any of us.""Can they transform into humans?" a young girl asks, "Like Ariel?"Katelyn laughs, shaking her head. "No, I'm afraid that is a myth, based entirely on human invention. If these guys are able to turn into humans, we have yet to discover it.""Are they going to go back to the ocean someday?" another child asks.“Well, like I said earlier, almost all of our larger aquatic animals are actually rescue cases,” Katelyn says, “That includes the merfolk. Some of our rescue animals will eventually be returned to the ocean once they've recovered enough, but currently, all of our merfolk are permanent residents.”“But,” a young boy protests, “But wouldn’t it be better for them to be in the ocean? Why do they have to stay here?”“All three of our mers were captured by humans while very young,” Katelyn explains patiently, “They were taken to an aquatic theme park that was later shut down following investigations of abuse and animal cruelty. It was discovered that the mers, dolphins and orcas were forced to live in horrifying, unsafe conditions. Many were sick, malnourished, and showed signs of injuries, both self-inflicted and otherwise. Most were not fit for release to the wild. Our facility was one of several who stepped up to take on their care and rehabilitation.”“Wait a second,” a woman in the crowd says, “I heard about that place! Easthaven Aquatic Park, wasn’t it? Wasn’t one of the trainers killed by a mer during a live performance?”Katelyn’s smile turns into a grimace. Behind her, Aaron and Nicky turn and swim away. “That is correct,” she says stiffly, “The death of that trainer was what launched the investigation. It was later discovered via recovered security footage and eyewitness testimony that the trainer who died was one of the main perpetrators of the abuse. Given that context, I think it’s perfectly understandable why the mer lashed out, don’t you?”The crowd seems to murmur in agreement. Neil frowns, his eyes following the two mermen as they swim towards the other side of the tank. He'd heard about the incident in passing, but he'd never looked too far into it. But now, seeing their powerful builds and sharp teeth - not to mention their lethal-looking claws, he can easily imagine just how dangerous an enraged mer must be."It's important to remember that, while merfolk are just as social, intelligent and sentient as both humans and dolphins, they are not harmless," Katelyn continues, seemingly echoing Neil's thoughts, "While they don't normally attack humans, and can even be quite gentle, playful and friendly, they are also very capable of being dangerous if provoked or threatened, which is why we must take care to treat all wildlife with respect."For the next few minutes, Katelyn answers every question and shares facts about merfolk with the tour group. Neil watches from the sidelines, keeping his distance as the crowd slowly begins to spread out and disperse. He catches bits and pieces of her enthusiastic answers while he waits. “They do primarily rely on their gills to breathe,” she explains excitedly to a family of five, “But they also have fully functioning lungs! It’s believed their gills are a more recent adaptation as they moved into deeper waters, and that eventually, their lungs will either disappear or lose function through natural selection…”Neil waits until the family wanders away before approaching. “Excuse me,” he says.“Yes?” Katelyn asks brightly, “Did you have a question?”“Kind of,” Neil says, “I’m here for a job interview? I was told to ask for David Wymack.”“Oh!” Katelyn says, her face lighting up in surprise, “Oh, you must be Neil! I saw you were on the schedule today. Did you talk to the front desk?”“No, sorry,” Neil says, grimacing, “I wanted to catch the tour first.” He nods at the wall of glass behind her. “I’ve never seen one up close before.”Katelyn smiles understandingly. “They are really incredible, aren’t they? Like something out of a fairytale.”In truth, the mers looked far more like something from a Brothers Grimm story than a Disney film, but Neil wasn’t going to tell her that. “I guess so.”“Come on,” Katelyn says, “I’ll take you to Wymack’s office.”She leads him away from the observation deck, down the hall towards a door labeled as Staff Only. Pushing the door open, Katelyn leads him up several flights of stairs to the top of the tank. Neil glances down into the depths of the pool as they pass by, noting the railing surrounding the borders of the tank and a lower diving platform near the water’s edge. Along the nearest wall of the tank is a wide ledge of rock; low enough to be partially submerged in the water. One of the mers - Nicky, he recalls - is lounging on top, his coral tail glittering in the artificial light.He doesn’t get much longer to look before Katelyn is turning down another hallway, lined with what appears to be research labs, locker rooms and even an industrial kitchen. They pass by them all, stopping at the very end of the hall in front of a door marked Office .“This is it,” Katelyn says cheerily, “Want me to go in with you?”“I’ve got it,” Neil replies, “Thanks, I guess. For the help, and the tour.”“No problem,” Katelyn says, “Good luck!”He watches her back as she goes, waiting until she’s out of sight before knocking. “Come in,” a gruff voice calls from inside. Taking a deep breath, Neil pushes the door open. The office is a cluttered disaster, stacks of papers and files towering on every available surface. Seated behind a battered desk is a man sporting large, tribal flame tattoos and a thoroughly grumpy expression. Neil thinks the man can’t be older than his mid-forties, and yet he’s already graying around the edges of his hairline.“Are you David Wymack?” he asks, stepping into the office, “I was told to ask you about the open job position.”“Just Wymack is fine,” the man answers, “Neil Josten, right? The recruiter called about you, said you’d be coming. Have a seat.”Closing the door, Neil drops into the metal folding chair in front of Wymack’s desk. He waits silently while Wymack sifts through the paperwork on his desk, fiddling with the corner of his manila folder to quell his nerves.“Got it,” Wymack says shortly, pulling a slip of paper out of a stack, “So, Neil. You’re looking for work as an aquarist. Got any experience working with sea life?”“Not yet,” Neil says. Reaching into his folder, he pulls out his resume and passes it over, “I’m freshly graduated from Palmetto State with a degree in Marine Biology, but all my classes were online. Not a lot of opportunities for hands-on experience there.”The lie flows easily from his lips, a cover story Browning had offered him. He had been studying Marine Biology at PSU for a little while - right before the FBI had needed to move him again. The resulting identity change had stripped him of all the college credits he’d earned, only six months before graduation. Thankfully, the diploma that Browning had provided in his file looked real enough to fool God.“I see,” Wymack says, frowning down at the forged resume, "You certified to dive at least?"Neil nods. Technically, he took a diving class when he was ten, but he never got past confined water dives. Mary had taken him and run before he’d gotten the chance. Not that it matters now. Browning had taken care of that little detail too. “Well, that’s something at least,” Wymack muses, “One last question, then. Why do you want this job?”“I need the money.”“If it were just about money, you wouldn’t be looking here,” Wymack says, “Try again. Why do you want this job, in particular?”It’s a struggle not to squirm under Wymack’s piercing gaze, but Neil manages to stay still. “I grew up reading about the first merfolk discoveries. Meeting and studying merfolk became a childhood dream, but it wasn’t meant to be.” He pauses, clearing his throat, “I thought I’d never get a second chance. I’m hoping you’ll prove me wrong.” “Right,” Wymack says slowly. He taps two fingers on the desk, his brow furrowed in thought, “Okay. Come back tomorrow at 6:30 - that’s 6:30 in the morning, mind you. Dan will show you the ropes at first, but eventually you’ll be working with Renee in the mer tank.”Neil blinks, surprised. “That’s it?”Wymack shrugs, “That’s it. You’ve got the job. Pay isn't great, but it’s yours. Assuming you still want it?”“Yes,” Neil says quickly, “I just- you’re not going to ask me anything else?”“Listen, kid,” Wymack says, “It’s my job to make sure this place keeps the lights on and the fish fed. It is not my job to pry into your business. If you can clean a tank and aren’t squeamish, that’s all I care about. Got it?”“Got it,” Neil says. Wariness still niggles at the back of his mind, but he elects to take Wymack at his word.“Take this,” Wymack says, handing him a packet of papers, “Read through it all, sign it, and bring it back with you tomorrow. If you get here before Dan does, wait by the door out back. She’ll let you in.”“Right,” Neil says, taking the packet and getting to his feet, “Thanks.”Wymack nods, waving him off, “No problem. Now go. I’ve got to make a phone call.”He shoos Neil away without another word. Ducking out the door and closing it behind him, Neil heads back down the hall, an odd mix of euphoria and foreboding settling in his chest.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

When Neil arrives at Foxhole Aquarium at 6:15 a.m. the next morning, Dan is already waiting for him in the parking lot. Standing next to her is an alarmingly tall man, his hair styled in spikes.“Hey,” she calls out, waving him over, “You’re the new hire, right? Wymack mentioned you’d be here.”“That’s me,” Neil says, nodding, “Neil Josten.”“Dan Wilds,” she replies, “This is my fiance, Matt Boyd.”“Hey man,” Matt says, offering Neil a friendly grin. There’s a tray of coffees in his hand, along with a box of donuts, “Nice to meet you.”Neil blinks, a little caught off guard. “Likewise.”“Right, then,” Dan says, motioning towards the door, “Let’s go in and I’ll show you around.”She reaches into her pocket and pulls out an overloaded ring of keys, twisting one in the lock and pulling open the door. Neil follows behind her, with Matt bringing up the rear. Dan flips a switch as soon as they step inside, flooding what appears to be a maintenance hallway with light. “This is the employee entrance,” Dan explains as they walk down the hall, “You’ll clock in here, with a punch card, see?” She points towards a metal door as they pass it by. “That’s where we manage the filtration systems and the water levels for every tank. We make all of our own saltwater, and we recycle water in between changes too.” She nudges Matt playfully, “Our engineers and maintenance team keep everything running smoothly.”“Thanks, babe,” Matt says, “We try our best.”Dan’s lips quirk up in a tiny smile, and then she’s continuing down the hall, turning the corner and heading towards a set of stairs that Neil recognizes as the same ones Katelyn led him up yesterday.“So Neil,” Matt begins as they follow Dan, “Ever worked at an aquarium before?”Neil shakes his head, trudging up the stairs after Dan. “No,” he says, “I’ve never worked with merfolk before either.”Matt blanches, and Dan seems to pause. “Wymack said you’d be working with Renee,” she hedges, “Is that correct?”Neil tenses, that forboding feeling returning again. “That’s right.”Dan doesn’t say anything, but she and Matt share a silent, worried look that makes Neil’s hair stand on end. “What is it?” he asks, “Is there a problem?”“Not a problem, per say,” Dan says carefully as they step onto the landing and pass by the top of the mer tank, “It's just that, well-”“Some of the mers have a reputation for being a bit… temperamental ,” Matt finishes.“One of the mers especially,” Dan adds. She leads them down the hall, towards what appears to be an employee break room, “The other two are alright mostly, but Andrew…”“He won’t let anyone near him,” Matt explains. He sets the coffee and donuts down, popping open the box to snag one for himself, “Doesn’t come out at all during the day. Won’t tolerate anybody getting near his end of the tank. Nobody besides Renee, that is.”Neil frowns, “Katelyn said he was shy.”Matt snorts. “Shy, yeah. That’s one way of putting it.”“She was probably trying to be kind,” Dan says, grimacing, “Sorry, we didn’t mean to scare you, Neil.”“It’s fine,” Neil says, his gut twisting in warning, “You were going to show me around?”“Right, right,” Dan says, checking her watch, “Let’s go then, follow me.”“Have fun you two,” Matt says, waving them off as they leave, “I’ll be downstairs if you need me.”“Okay, so,” Dan says as she leads them down the hall towards the kitchen area he’d glimpsed the day before, “This is the commissary. It’s where we prep food for all of our residents, merfolk included.” Next, she points at the twin set of doors on the opposite side of the hall, "Those are the locker rooms," she explains, "It’s also where we store the diving gear.""And those," she says, nodding at the series of rooms further down the hall, "Are our labs and veterinary office. Bee and Kevin work in the lab, analyzing the data we track for them and researching merfolk. The vet office belongs to Abby, but most of the time you’ll find her out back with the new arrivals in quarantine."Neil nods, mentally noting the exits as she points out each room. Dan frowns, her gaze fixed on his faded gray t-shirt. "You need a uniform," she states, "Stay here, I think there's some spare polos in storage. I'll be right back."Neil nods, putting his back to the wall while he waits. His mother’s voice hisses in the back of his mind; an alarm bell he’s learned to ignore but never been able to fully shut off. Despite all evidence to the contrary, Neil isn’t a complete idiot. The wary looks on Matt and Dan’s faces from earlier are all the proof he needs that something bad must have happened with Andrew.He debates asking Dan outright, but elects to instead bide his time. Maybe he can wheedle the answers out of someone later.A moment later, Dan comes back with a shirt in hand. “Here,” she says, “Go put this on, and then meet me in the commissary when you’re done.”Squinting at the bright color, Neil heads into the locker rooms to get changed, where he’s pleased to discover there are private shower stalls. Five minutes later he’s sporting the eye-watering orange polo and heading back to meet Dan.She’s waiting for him by the stainless steel counters, skimming over a clipboard. “Good, you’re ready,” she says, setting the clipboard aside. She pulls open the door to a massive walk-in freezer, revealing countless racks of frozen fish. “We get fresh shipments every week, and every morning either Kevin, Jean, Jeremy or myself comes in to thaw what we need and start prepping early. Usually Renee helps out when she gets in too. You’ll be doing the same, since you’re working with her.” Dan pauses, picking up a large tub of frozen squid and handing it to him, “Here, take these and put them in the sink. They’ll thaw faster in hot water.” She smirks at his wrinkled nose and gives him a knowing look. “Don’t worry,” she says, “You eventually get used to the smell.”“Fingers crossed,” Neil says dryly, accepting the heavy tub and hauling it into the large industrial sink. He plugs up the sink and turns on the faucet, leaving it to run while he helps Dan unload more fish. “Great,” Dan says, reaching for a box of gloves, “Now put these on. We’ll get the treats ready while that thaws.”“Treats?” Neil asks.“Enrichment for the animals,” Dan explains, “Lettuce bombs for the turtles, herring hidden inside of toys for the dolphins, mini scallop cakes for the otters. Even the mers get extra snacks sometimes. Keeps them from getting bored, you know? Here, grab some lettuce out of the fridge and start chopping while I get everything else ready.”He does as instructed, chopping up half a dozen heads of lettuce while Dan retrieves cut up sections of PVC pipe and a muffin tray. She shows him how to stuff the lettuce into the pipes and instructs him to grind up scallops in a blender for the muffin tray while she slices up herring. They’ve just finished prepping the treats and putting them back in the fridge when two men walk in. “Good morning, Dan” the shorter one greets, smiling brightly, “Who is your friend?”“Morning Jeremy,” Dan replies, “This is Neil. He’s our newest aquarist for the mer tank.”“Neil, huh?” Jeremy says, “Good to meet you, man. I’m Jeremy, and this is Jean.” He holds out a hand in greeting. Neil doesn’t take it, holding up his gloved, fish-covered hands in lieu of answering. Jeremy laughs and nudges his companion. “Come on, say hello!”“Hello,” Jean says, his French accent just as noticeable as his sullen expression.“Jeremy is in charge of our otter exhibit,” Dan explains, “And Jean handles the jellies.” She turns back to Jeremy and motions towards the sink, “Your fish should be thawed out by now, and the scallop cakes are done.”“Perfect,” Jeremy says, grabbing a set of gloves for himself and Jean.“Right,” Dan says, moving over to make space for Jeremy and Jean to start fileting fish, “Neil, grab the squid from the sink, will you? We need to get prep done and have everyone fed before the aquarium opens at 10.”They’ve just finished slicing up herring and squid when a young woman with dip-dyed pastel hair enters the commissary. “Good morning everyone,” she says.“Morning, Renee!” Dan, Jeremy and Jean echo back. Neil stares at her, slightly disarmed by her kind expression and cheerful tone. She notices him quickly, her mouth curving into a gentle smile. “You must be Neil,” she says politely, “I saw you were on the schedule. It’s nice to meet you.”Gathering himself, Neil nods, “Likewise.”“Neil is going to be helping you out with the mer tank,” Dan explains, “Can you show him the ropes?”“Of course,” Renee says, “Neil, let's go get suited up. I’ll introduce you to the mers and then we can feed everyone their breakfast.”“Okay,” Neil says, peeling off his gloves and tossing them in the trash. Dan waves goodbye as Jean and Jeremy start loading up a cart with all the prepped meals.He follows Renee back into the hall, where she directs him to a supply closet full of wetsuits and diving gear inside the locker room. He picks out a suit and ducks away into a stall to change, pausing just long enough to toss his clothes into a locker. Renee is already waiting outside for him, wearing a matching wetsuit and leaning against a cart full of chopped squid. “Okay, so,” she begins, leading him back towards the mer pools, “The mers usually come up for their meals on their own, but we’ll have to dive to feed the rest of the fish. Especially the bottom feeders.” “Afterwards,” she says, pausing by the railing around the main pool, ”We have to make note of how much everyone ate and if anyone refused food. We can’t have anybody in the tank going hungry, or somebody will get eaten. Following so far?”Neil points at the far end of the pool, towards a more secluded, shallower area, “What’s that over there?”“That’s the medical pool,” Renee explains, “Abby does all of our regular vet exams there. If somebody gets sick, we coax them up into the pool with food, or in the mers’ case, we just ask them nicely.” “Even Andrew?” Neil asks skeptically.Renee tilts her head, “Somebody talked to you about him already?”“Matt and Dan,” Neil answers, “They said he won’t let anyone near him, that he never comes out during the day. How do you get him to come up for an annual checkup?”Renee shrugs. “Truthfully, we don’t.” she explains, “It’s not ideal, but if he doesn’t want to, we won’t make him. Other aquariums might try to sedate him, but Wymack won’t allow that.”Neil blinks, surprised. Renee smiles at him, her expression strangely knowing. “We probably won’t see Andrew this morning, but that’s okay. The other two - Nicky and Aaron - they’ll take his meal to him.” She nods at the platform along the edge of the pool. “That’s where we’ll dive in. Ready to go?”Neil nods, following her over to the edge and kneeling beside her. They’ve barely settled in before there’s movement from below, two figures rising from the depths. Neil recognizes the pitch black and coral pink of their tails before they break the surface. “Back again, angel face?” Nicky says, his smile bright and friendly, “And you’ve brought somebody new. He’s even cute! ”Aaron rolls his eyes beside him, clicking in annoyance.“This is Neil,” Renee says pleasantly, “He’s going to be helping me out with looking after you all, so be nice. Also, I’ve brought your breakfast, and Andrew’s, would you mind-?”“I’ve got it,” Aaron says, holding out a hand. Renee passes him two servings of squid before handing one over to Nicky as well. Aaron sinks back into the water without another word, but Nicky sticks around. He crosses his arms and rests against the platform, sharp teeth glinting when he smiles up at Neil. “So, Neil,” he says, “Ever seen a mer in person before?”“I saw you yesterday,” Neil says, shoulders hiking up the longer Nicky looks him over, “During the tour.”Nicky’s eyes spark, “Oh! Which one were you on? The one with Erik?”“My tour guide was Katelyn,” Neil says.“Ahh, shame,” Nicky sighs, “Renee, you’ll have to introduce him to Erik. He’d love to meet this one, I’m sure.”“Later, perhaps,” Renee says, “But right now we’ve got work to do.”“Aww, you’re no fun,” Nicky pouts. He pushes away from the platform and dives back under, his colorful tail splashing them a little before it too disappears beneath the surface.“Right,” Renee says, tugging on her diving fins before reaching for her mask, “Grab some squid off the cart, gear up and follow me, please.”Neil nods, grabbing two sacks of squid from the cart, pulling on his own mask and following her into the depths. Sinking below the surface is like entering another world. He’d already seen the interior of the tank from the observation room the day prior, but even that had failed to capture the sheer vastness of the enclosure. Hundreds of fish swim beneath them, little flickering darts of silver and shadow. Among their number, Neil spots rays, sea turtles, and at least half a dozen species of shark. He can see the silhouettes of two mers along the far rocky wall - Nicky and Aaron, he assumes - circling the perimeter of the tank while they eat their breakfast. Renee is waiting for him, her hair pearlescent in the shimmering blue water. “Check, check,” her voice crackles through the comms speaker in his ear, “Can you hear me, Neil?”“Loud and clear,” he replies. She motions him over, taking one of the food sacks from him with an outstretched hand. “We’ll stick together at first,” she explains, “I’ll show you how we feed the sharks - you’ll have to use one of these.” She pulls out a long, plastic stick from the bag and shows him how to spear pieces of squid with the end of it. “You’ll feed them through the side of the mouth with this - keeps your fingers from getting eaten too, see? For everyone else, just scatter their food nearby. If they refuse to eat, we’ll mark it down in the log.”“Got it,” he says. He follows close behind her as they delve deeper into the tanks. A small hammerhead shark approaches them. Renee pauses, offering it bits of squid with the stick. It takes the food quickly, lingering just long enough to get a second helping before swimming away. “Go ahead and scatter some around,” Renee says, “They’ll smell it and come to us, and then all we’ll have to do is track down the bottom feeders.”Neil follows her instructions, scooping up handfuls of squid and tossing out into the water. More fish swim their way, including a large reef shark about as long as Neil is tall. He stills as it approaches, unsure of himself.“Go on,” Renee encourages gently, “You can do it.”Swallowing his hesitation, Neil grabs the plastic stick from his bag and stabs a generous piece of squid with it. The shark circles him curiously, clearly eager for its meal. Carefully, Neil feeds the stick into the side of its mouth, letting out a breath when the shark bites down and takes the food. It swims away a moment later, apparently satisfied with its meal. “Well done,” Renee says happily, “You’re a natural.”They spend what feels like hours underwater, passing out food until their bags of squid are empty. Renee has them resurface briefly to grab some of the enrichment treats off the cart before they’re diving back under and passing out lettuce bombs to the turtles. She’s explaining to Neil how to spot check each animal for illness and injuries when Nicky approaches. He circles them gracefully, chirping curiously at Neil and offering Renee a friendly wave. Neil frowns, puzzled when the mer suddenly bumps against him.Renee must sense his confusion, because she speaks up. “He’s just being friendly,” she explains, “Mers like to nudge podmates to show affection. Think of it like a pat on the back.”Nicky smiles, brushing his tail against Neil’s shoulder gently as if to prove her point. Neil blinks, surprised at the kindness behind the gesture. He can’t remember the last time someone showed him such affection.“Let’s head back up,” Renee says when Nicky finally swims away, “We’ll go record the meal logs for today and then break for lunch.” "Okay," Neil says, hoisting the empty food bag over his shoulder. He follows her back up towards the surface, leaving the quiet calm of the tank behind him.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Lunch, as it turns out, is a boisterous affair.The staff all gather around one table in the break room, talking and laughing between mouthfuls of food. Renee doesn’t hesitate to fill up a plate and grab a seat between Katelyn and Dan. Neil considers finding somewhere quieter, but Matt spots him before he can duck away.“Neil!” he calls, waving him over, “Hey buddy, come grab a seat!”“I’m fine,” Neil says, “I’m just going to-”“Come on, man,” Jeremy says, “Abby brought in food, you’ve gotta stay!”A woman - Abby, Neil presumes - flashes him a kindly smile. Sighing in defeat, he slinks over, dropping into the chair between Matt and Jeremy without further protest. The conversation picks up around him, the cacophony of voices making it hard to keep track. He spots Wymack at the far end of the table, deep in discussion with a middle-aged, bespectacled woman and a dark-haired young man. His gaze draws Wymack’s attention, because he turns to Neil a moment later. “Well, kid,” he says, “How’s the first day going?”Neil shrugs. “It’s fine.”“He’s doing really well so far,” Renee chimes in, “Handled feeding the sharks just fine. Nicky seems to like him too.”“Good,” Wymack says, approving. He nods to the young man sitting next to him. “This is my son, Kevin,” he explains, “He’s our lab intern. And this,” he continues, nodding to the older woman sitting across from him, “Is Dr. Betsy Dobson. She’s our head of merfolk research, and a pioneer in the field.”“Hello, Neil,” Betsy says, smiling.“Hello,” Neil says, eyeing her warily. Her expression is friendly and polite, but something about Betsy’s perceptive gaze makes his skin prickle. Like she sees right through him.“You’re working in the mer tank?” Kevin asks. When Neil nods, Kevin straightens. “My graduate thesis is on merfolk physiology,“ he explains, “There’s still so much we don’t know about them, including how they’re so easily able to mimic human speech and learn our languages so rapidly.”“Kevin has been instrumental in helping me study merfolk vocalizations,” Betsy elaborates, “We’ve been investigating the range of their vocal chords. It is remarkably rare in the animal kingdom for a single species to be able to create such a diversity of sound, and yet merfolk can communicate with both echolocation and within the normal human vocal range. It is theorized they are also capable of singing, in a manner similar to whale song. Though, it has only ever been witnessed a handful times in the wild, and none of these reports were ever confirmed.”“If you notice anything unusual,” Kevin adds, “Or hear them making any strange calls, anything like that, make sure to tell us. It’s important for our research.”“Right,” Wymack says, getting to his feet, “Abby and I have a one o’clock with a new vendor. Neil - I suggest you go make yourself a plate before these two talk your ear off. Abby-”“Right behind you,” Abby says, rising from her chair, “Everyone - eat up, I don’t want to take home any leftovers after this.”“We should get going too,” Betsy says, checking her watch, “I’ve got a call with the department of Biological Sciences at the University of South Carolina in ten minutes. Kevin, can you-”“On it,” Kevin says, getting up to follow her. Neil watches them go for a moment, mulling over Betsy’s words.Dan snaps him out of it a minute later when she tosses a napkin at his head. “Hey,” she says, “You heard Abby. No leftovers. Go fix yourself a plate.”Obediently, Neil shuffles over to the side table, loading up a paper plate with homemade casserole, salad, and rolls. He can’t recall the last time he had a proper meal; most of the food he’s used to eating comes out of a can.“So how was it?” Katelyn asks, “Your first dive.”“Renee already told you,” Neil says, “It was fine.”“Yes, yes, we know,” says a taller man with a slight German accent, “But how did it feel, being in the water with them?”“You’ll have to forgive us,” Katelyn says, apologetic, “Erik and I - we run the tours, but we don’t really get to go in the tank with the boys. The most we do is hang out around the topside. You could say we’re a bit jealous.”Neil blinks, surprised. “You’re Erik,” he says, glancing at the man, “Nicky mentioned you.”Erik smiles wide. “Did he?”Neil nods. “He seemed to think you’d want to meet me.”Erik laughs, his cheeks flushing a little. “Yes, I imagine he did,” he says, “Well, he was right, I suppose.”“I’m surprised Nicky has eyes for anyone besides you, Erik,” Jeremy pipes up, “Considering how sweet on you he’s always been.”Erik shrugs, still smiling. “That doesn’t mean he’s blind. And neither am I,” he finishes, winking playfully at Neil.“Oh hush, you two,” Dan says, “Did everything else go okay, though? No… problems?”Neil looks at her, tilting his head. “You mean with Andrew.” The chatter around the table dies down. Matt’s smile fades a little, his worry slipping through from behind the mask. Even Jeremy looks somber.“Something happened, didn’t it?” Neil presses, glancing around at them all, “Tell me.”“There was an… incident,” Dan says, looking a bit uneasy, “Cleaning the tank is a big job. We used to have a second person, Jack, who helped Renee. But then Andrew, he-”“He attacked him,” Matt says, “Didn’t kill him, thank God, but he scratched him up pretty bad. Scared him, too. Jack resigned as soon as he got out of the hospital.”“Why?” Neil asks, “Was it provoked?”“Nobody knows,” Jean says, speaking up for the first time since Neil arrived, “Renee was out sick when it happened. Jack wouldn’t say either.”“Wymack has to know, right?” Jeremy says, “I mean, I don’t think he’d keep Andrew here if he was attacking people without reason.”"Andrew wouldn't attack someone without reason," Renee says firmly.“If Wymack knows anything about it, he’s never told me,” Dan says. She looks at Neil, her troubled expression shifting towards one of reassurance, “It’s probably fine, though. Wymack wouldn’t put you in danger deliberately like that. As long as you’re with Renee, you’ll be safe.”“I’m just surprised Wymack decided to hire a rookie again,” Jean says, “Especially after Jack. I’d have thought he’d go for someone a bit older, a bit more experienced.”“I’m sure he had his reasons,” Renee soothes, “Besides, Neil is doing well so far. It’ll all be fine.”***After lunch, Renee takes him back out to clean the mer tank.“We’ll work in sections,” she explains, kneeling at the edge of the tank and passing him a scrub brush, “I’ll start on the right, you take the left. We’ll meet in the middle. Make sure to clean off any algae that you see - the filters will suck it up and clean it out once it’s loose, we just need to make sure it doesn’t build up on the rocks or the glass.” “Got it,” Neil says, hooking the brush onto the tool belt around his waist. He nods at the small plastic disk in her hand, “Anything else?”Renee pauses, her expression pensieve. “That should be everything,” she says, “Just… don’t worry about what the others said too much. As long as you don’t go into the caves, Andrew won’t bother you.”“I’m not worried,” Neil says, and it’s not entirely a lie. Wary as he might be of the sharp claws and teeth, he’s faced death and survived more times than he can remember. He won’t be scared off so easily by a supposedly aggressive mer, especially one that has yet to show his face."Good," Renee says, smiling warmly, "Let's get started then."She pulls on her mask and slips into the water, disappearing between its surface. Pulling on the rest of his gear, Neil follows after her.Just as it did earlier that morning, seeing the full expanse of the tank takes his breath away. He follows Renee down, splitting off when they near the glass wall and heading to the far left side. He spots Aaron on the way and offers him a silent nod. The mer only offers him an uninterested glance in return, so Neil simply moves along. When he reaches the bottom left corner of the glass, he pulls the scrub brush off of his tool belt and gets to work.It's mind-numbing work, but Neil can't help but be soothed by how peaceful it is. The fish seem content to leave him alone, seemingly used to the presence of humans in their space. He busies himself with scouring away algae, relishing the quiet calm. He can see people watching him from the other side of the glass - part of a tour group, no doubt - but it's easy enough to ignore them. They're not here to see him, anyway.He loses track of time, so focused on his task that it startles him when his comms crackle to life. "Neil," Renee says, "I'm sorry, but there's a problem with my gear. I've got to resurface for a minute. Are you alright to stay in here alone, or do you want to come back up with me?" "You go ahead," Neil tells her, "I'm good here.""Are you sure?" Renee presses, "I won't be long." "I'm sure," Neil says, "I've got this covered, don't worry about it.""Alright," Renee says, "I'll be right back." Neil turns to watch her go, the tank suddenly feeling that much bigger without Renee at his side. He moves on to scrubbing the rocky wall above the caves, making sure to keep a wide berth from the entrance. He pauses to check his progress just as something bumps against his hip, hard enough to knock the brush from his hand. Cursing himself, Neil glances down to find a rather large nurse shark. It bumps against him again, nosing curiously at his tool belt. Carefully, Neil places his hand on its blunt snout and slowly guides its head away. The shark goes without complaint, seemingly more confused by him than anything else. Neil watches it swim away for a moment before turning away to locate the lost brush.His heart sinks when he spots it nestled just inside the entrance of the cave below him. An anxious little voice in his head tells him to leave it, to wait for Renee to come back so she can retrieve it instead, but Neil ignores it. It seems silly to waste time waiting when the brush is just right there. Besides, Neil is quick. He can duck in, grab it, and get out before anyone - or anything - realizes he's even there. Easy.Still, he can't help but hold his breath as he dives down, watching for any flicker of movement in the shadows as he draws closer. Nothing stirs. For all he can tell, the cave appears to be empty.Finally, finally, he snatches up the brush. Sighing with relief, he turns to swim away, eager to put some distance between himself and the eerie cave. He's barely made it out of the entrance when something slams into him from behind, knocking the wind out of him and sending him spinning. He struggles, disoriented from the impact, and then something grabs his arms, its grip like iron as it pins him to the rocky floor. Neil's vision clears to reveal an enraged mer, identical to Aaron were it not for the vicious snarl on his face. Andrew.Neil freezes. It's pointless to fight back against a creature so much stronger than him, so he elects to make himself seem as small and non-threatening as possible. Maybe, if he's passive enough, the mer will let him go.For a moment, he is nine years old, pinned to the floor with a knife at his throat, Lola’s cruel laughter ringing in his ears. There had been no escape then, and there is no escape now, but Neil is no stranger to enduring pain.Distantly, he registers Renee's frantic voice over the comms. Andrew stills, his snarl faltering for a brief moment. Then he hisses, baring his teeth in both threat and warning, and darts away, leaving Neil stunned and unmoving."Neil!" Renee calls, swimming down to him, "Neil, answer me! Are you hurt?" "I'm fine," Neil says, automatic. He gathers himself quickly, pushing up from the bottom of the tank to meet her. "Are you sure?" Renee asks, "What happened?"Neil scowls. Now that his initial shock has faded, he's more annoyed than shaken. "It was nothing. I just got a little too close, and he made sure to let me know. We can keep going."It's hard to read Renee's expression through the diving masks, but the concern in her voice comes through all the same. "Let's take a break," she suggests, "We can finish the rest of this later.""I don't need-""At least for a few minutes," Renee insists, "Just so we can make sure that's not the shock talking."Sighing, Neil acquiesces, following her back up to the surface without another word. “So,” Renee begins once they’re safely on the platform, “You met Andrew.”Neil pulls off his mask with a huff, frustrated with himself. Renee had warned him beforehand, but he hadn’t expected the mer’s retribution to be so swift and sudden. He supposes he’s just lucky he was able to get away unscathed. “It was my fault,” he says, frowning, “I dropped my brush, and it landed just inside his cave. I thought I could grab it quickly before he noticed, but I was wrong.” “An easy mistake to make,” Renee says, “You’re sure you’re unharmed?”Neil nods. He can already feel the inevitable bruises forming on his back and arms, but those hardly seem worth mentioning in the face of what could have been. He peers over at Renee, deciding to at last ask the question that has been niggling in the back of his mind since arriving this morning, “Is there a reason he’s so much more territorial than the other mers?”Renee smiles, her eyes sad. “He has his reasons, though even I am not sure of all the details.”“I heard a bit about what happened from Katelyn,” Neil pushes, “About the last place they were at, the aquatic theme park? She said they were rescues.”Renee nods. “You’d have to ask Andrew for the full story,” she says, “Though I’m afraid it isn’t a happy one.”Neil frowns, “I thought he didn’t speak to anyone?”Renee shrugs, her eyes far away. “Or he just chooses not to.”Neil scowls, annoyed at her vague answer. “Can we go back in now?” he asks, “I really am fine.”Renee nods. “Sure,” she agrees, “Let’s go.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Neil wakes with a jolt, his heart thundering loud enough to rattle his ribs. He wipes at his face with shaking hands, palm coming away sweaty and cold. Visions of a beach and a car set aflame flicker beneath his eyelids. Echoes of imagined screams fill his ears, setting his teeth on edge. In his dream, Mary had still been alive when fire had caught, and he’d been forced to watch, frozen in place as she clawed at the passenger window, begging for help even as she burned alive.In reality, she’d been dead for nearly an hour before Neil had found the strength to light the match.He shoves off his blanket and stumbles over to his sink, pouring himself a glass of water. Aside from his twin-size mattress and folding chair, his tiny, cheap apartment is still bare. For the first time, that fact is more depressing than reassuring. He can feel the walls closing in around him, almost oppressive in their emptiness. Mindlessly, Neil shoves his shoes on and snatches up his keys. His legs itch with the need to get away, to put miles between himself and the memories chasing him. He tells himself it’s not really running if he plans on coming back, but the excuse sounds hollow even to his own ears.He shuts his brain off the minute his feet hit pavement, choosing to focus on the steady pulse of his heart instead of his mother’s ghost. Mary would kill him for staying in one place, would kill him for working with the FBI at all.But Mary is dead, and her fists and her anger cannot touch him now.He still misses her with a ferocity that makes his lungs ache.Between grief in his chest and the slap of his shoes on asphalt, Neil loses track of time and place. All he knows is that one second he’s turning a corner at the end of his street, and the next he’s outside the aquarium, gulping for air and dripping sweat. The building is shuttered and dark, the usual lights shut off and the visitor parking empty. Wiping at his brow, he considers his options. He could run back to his apartment, take a shower and try for more sleep. It’d be a fruitless effort, he knows, and the thought of being back inside those four empty walls makes his stomach clench.The other option, of course, is to kill time until the sun rises.Making a decision, Neil jogs around to the back of the building. Picking the lock on the employee entrance is alarmingly easy. He pulls the door open a few moments later, allowing him to slip quietly inside.The hall is dark as he enters, but Neil doesn’t bother switching on the lights. Instead of heading up the stairs, he takes a left through a side door into the visitor area. Thankfully, the merfolk exhibit atrium is blessedly empty.Neil lets out a long breath, finding a spot along the wall and taking a seat. He tucks his knees to his chest, letting his head fall back against the wall with a dull thunk. The atrium is quiet, the only source of light the dimly lit mer tank. The water casts the room in an eerie blue glow, broken up only by the occasional passing fish sending shadows dancing across the floor.Neil watches them move with half lidded eyes, feeling strangely calm and safe. Somehow, sitting alone in the dark feels different here than it does in his shitty apartment.A flicker of movement catches his attention. He watches curiously as a school of fish dart away from the mouth of the cave. A dark shape follows them, looming out of shadows and rising towards the surface of the water. A mer, Neil realizes, recognizing the shape immediately. At first he thinks it must be Aaron, but then it swims into the light, pale and ghostlike, its hair glowing silver in the water. His eyes catch on its scarred forearms, and his pulse jumps. He didn’t get a good look at Andrew before, but he knows Aaron’s arms are unmarked. This could only be Andrew.

The mer notices him a second later, halting in the water with an almost unnatural stillness. To Neil's surprise, Andrew does not hiss at him. Beyond tucking his arms close to his body to hide his scars, he does not react at all. He simply stares at Neil with an almost frightening intelligence, his gaze as calculating as it is inscrutable. Neil stares back at him, transfixed. It's the first time he's been able to look at Andrew properly. He can see the obvious resemblance to Aaron, but there are differences too. Andrew's shoulders are slightly wider, his waist a bit thicker and his arms slightly more padded with muscle. His tail is the same inky black as Aaron's though, as are his claws, spines and dorsal fins. After a long moment, the mer raises an eyebrow at him and tilts his head, as if to say, "What do you want?"Neil flushes, feeling oddly embarrassed, like he's intruding somewhere he should not be. It's nonsense. He doesn't need to explain himself to the mer who'd tried to attack him a few days ago. Although, his brain reminds him helpfully, Andrew hadn't actually hurt him, had he? Startled him, certainly. Threatened him, clearly. But the merman hadn't so much as scratched him, and Neil knows damn well that if Andrew had really wanted to, he could have drowned him on the spot. He looks at the mer consideringly, noticing the careful way he's concealing his scars from view. Neil wonders if Andrew is self-conscious of them, or if he simply doesn't like other people looking. Either way, Neil can understand both sentiments perfectly. Holding out his arm so the merman can see, Neil taps on his forearm. Andrew just stares back at him, impassive, even as Neil turns his back to him and covers his eyes. Go on, Neil thinks, hoping Andrew gets the message, Go about your business. I won't look. He stays like that for nearly half an hour before he finally decides to risk a peek back over his shoulder, but when he does look, there's nothing there. Andrew is long gone.*** “Hey Neil,” Dan calls, poking her head through the commissary door, “Do you have a second?”“Sure,” Neil answers. He peels off his gloves and tosses them away, leaving Renee and Jeremy to finish slicing up herring. Dan leads him into the locker room, opening one of the closets to reveal bins overflowing with a mix of old wetsuits and diving gear. “I need someone to help me clean this out,” she explains, her expression grim, “We haven’t gone through this stuff in ages, and I know for a lot of it is either broken or worn out. Will you help me?”Neil frowns. “Renee won’t mind if I miss feeding the mers?”“She won’t mind,” Dan says, waving him off, “This has been on the to-do list for months now, and nobody has had the time to start. I’ll give you back to her by this afternoon, don’t worry.”He sighs, nodding. “Alright. Let’s get started then.”They pull the bins out of the closet and start sorting through it all, piling all the broken gear onto the floor and putting the intact equipment back into the correct bin. Most of it is clearly junk, too broken and worn to be salvaged, but they do find a few things worth keeping - including masks, fins, and even a diving knife.“Oh shit,” Dan says when Neil pulls the sheathed blade out of the clutter, “How did that get in there?”Neil unsheaths the blade, warily examining the pristine, specially treated metal. It looks practically brand new. “I didn’t know we were supposed to have knives for diving.”“We’re not,” Dan frowns, “Wymack doesn’t allow us to carry weapons.” She furrows her brow, seemingly lost in thought. “A lot of this gear was donated, if memory serves,” she mumbles, “Maybe it got thrown in with the rest and nobody noticed.”“What do we do with it now?” Neil asks.“Take it home with you?” Dan suggests with a shrug, “We can’t have it here, but it looks expensive. It’d be a shame to just throw it away. Could be useful if you like diving outside of work.”Neil glances down at the blade, uneasy. He doesn’t plan on going back to the ocean anytime soon, but Dan is right. The blade is too high quality to just be thrown in the trash. His scars itch uncomfortably the longer he holds it, but Neil tucks it into his pocket all the same. It wouldn’t hurt to keep an extra weapon stashed at home, just in case.After a while, they fall into a decent system; Dan focuses on the masks and fins while Neil sorts through the wetsuits. They’ve just finished organizing the third bin when Dan takes a step back. “That’s enough for now,” she says, checking her watch, “We can pick this back up tomorrow.”“Okay,” Neil says. He nods to the discard pile on the floor, “What do we do with all of this?”“We’ll toss it,” Dan says, “Hang tight, I’ll go grab the trash bin. Be right back.”Neil watches her go before turning his attention back to the broken equipment. Most of the wetsuits had been terribly threadbare, but there’s one he had to toss that had been in nearly perfect condition, save for a rip in one of the legs. He picks it up off the pile, idly wondering if it would still be salvageable with some needle and thread.Memories of bloodied, shaking hands and amateur sutures swim in the back of his mind. He’d gotten better at stitching himself back together over the years, thanks to both necessity and his mother’s harsh tutelage, but some of his older scars show the uneven handiwork of his earliest attempts.Speaking of scars-Dan walks in just then, pushing a large, wheeled trash can. He quickly sets aside the suit, jumping in to help her toss the rest of the trash away. When they’re finished, he pauses, an idea already formed in the back of his mind. “Hey Dan,” he begins, holding up the wetsuit, “Can I keep this one?”Dan blinks, surprised. “Sure,” she agrees easily, “What for?”“Testing a theory,” he says, shrugging, “Do you know where I can find some scissors?”“In the kitchen,” she says, “Neil, what are you-?”“Later,” he promises, “I’ll be right back.”Ducking out of the locker room before she can ask any more questions, he heads back into the commissary. Renee and Jeremy are long gone, but the scissors Dan mentioned are still sitting on the utensil rack. Neil picks them up with a critical eye; they’re not fabric scissors, but the blades are still sharp. They’ll have to do. Spreading the wetsuit out flat on the stainless steel counter, he smooths out the wrinkles and gets to work.***When they go to clean the mer tank that afternoon, Renee stops him with a questioning look. “What is that?” she asks, pointing to the folded up fabric tucked under Neil’s arm.“Nothing,” Neil says, automatic. When Renee’s piercing gaze doesn’t relent, he gives in. “It’s a peace offering,” he says, “I figured, well… here.” He pulls out the makeshift armbands, holding them out for Renee to see. The ends are slightly frayed where he removed them from the old wetsuit, but he’d done his best to cut the fabric as neatly as he could. “They’re for his arms,” he adds, feeling awkward.Renee stills, her eyes going wide. “For his arms-” she says, stunned.“That’s why he doesn’t like coming out during the day, right?” Neil continues, “This way he won’t have to worry about people looking anymore.”Renee stares at him, looking genuinely surprised. Neil squirms, unused to such scrutiny. “How did you know?” she asks, “Did he say-?”“He didn’t say anything,” Neil says, getting impatient, “I just… noticed, I guess. Can we go?”Renee blinks, as if startled from a trance. “Yes, yes, sorry. We can go.” She gives Neil another thoughtful look while he pulls on his mask. He sinks into the water as quickly as he can, not bothering to wait for her before diving down.It takes him a moment of deliberation to find a spot, but in the end he settles on a rocky crevice just below the entrance to Andrew’s cave. He shoves the armbands in, pausing to make sure they don’t drift off in the tank’s gentle current before swimming away. They’re easy to spot, even from a distance; Andrew won’t be able to miss them the next time he emerges.Satisfied, and praying he did the right thing, Neil turns towards the glass wall of the tank and begins to clean. Hopefully, the mer will recognize the armbands as the offer of a truce that it is. Hours later, when he and Renee finally call it a day and return to the surface, the armbands are gone.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

To Neil's disappointment, Andrew doesn’t appear at breakfast the next day. At first he wonders if the armbands had gotten stolen by a curious shark while his back was turned, but then Nicky pipes up about Andrew’s “new look”. “I mean really,” he complains loudly, his mouth full of squid, “Why is Andrew the only one who got a gift, huh? Maybe I wanted to try out your weird human clothes too.”Aaron rolls his eyes. “Ignore him,” he advises Renee and Neil, “He’s been griping about it since last night.”“Maybe you should ask Erik to bring you something, Nicky,” Renee says gently, “He told me he was going to drop by after his shift this afternoon to visit you.”“Did he?” Nicky says excitedly, all pretense of offense now forgotten.“Did he like them, then?” Neil asks Aaron, “The armbands.”Aaron gives him an odd look, his mouth pulling into a frown. “He didn’t say.”“He hasn’t taken them off once though,” Nicky interjects, “That’s Andrew-speak for being a big fan.” He yelps when Aaron swats him on the arm and scowls at his cousin. “What?” he demands, “It’s true! He did the same thing when Betsy-”“You talk too much,” Aaron scolds, interrupting him. He glances at Neil again and nods to Renee before shoving Nicky back under the surface. Neil watches them disappear into the depths with a frown. “What did Betsy do?” he asks, turning towards Renee.“I’m not sure,” she says honestly, “Brought him a gift, I suppose.”“I thought he didn’t tolerate anyone but you.”She shrugs. “I don’t think that’s entirely true. I’m the only one who goes in the tank - besides you that is - but he trusted Wymack enough to stay here. That has to count for something.” Neil stares at her, the sentence ringing oddly in his ears. “You say that like he had a choice.”“He did have a choice,” Renee says. At Neil’s bewildered look, she smiles. “When the three of them were rescued from Easthaven, over a dozen different aquatic rehabilitation centers were contacted to take them in. None of them wanted to house a mer who’d killed a trainer, and the mers refused to be separated. Wymack was the only one who stepped up to take all of them on.”“All three of them were in really rough shape when we brought them in - especially Andrew. The whole first month he was here, he was in quarantine, sick with an infection. Aaron wouldn’t leave his side.” She gazes down into the water, her expression sad, “It took a long time for them to recover fully. After a year, though, Abby declared them all healthy again. And then, Wymack had to make a decision.”“What was it?” Neil presses, “What did he do?”“He gave them two options,” Renee says, “Returning to the wild would likely mean certain death for all of them - they’d been taken too young, before they’d learned to hunt on their own. Staying here, where they’re well-fed and cared for, would be the far safer option. But Wymack said it wasn’t his decision to make. So he asked the three of them what they wanted to do - go, or stay.”“So,” Neil says, “they’re here by choice?”Renee nods. “Even now, if they changed their minds, Wymack would let them go.”It’s an absurd assertion, but Neil can hear the truth in her words. He’s only seen Wymack in passing since starting this job, but something about his booming voice and gruff demeanor speaks of a rough brand of honesty. If it’s true that Andrew tolerates him, or even respects him, Neil can see why. “It’s a good thing they ended up here,” he says finally. For a moment, he’s not sure if he’s referring to the mers or to himself, “They got lucky.”Renee smiles. “They did indeed,” she agrees, “But we’ve talked long enough. The others will be getting hungry soon.”“You’re right,” Neil says, shaking himself from his reverie and reaching for his diving gear, “Let’s go.”They dive into the water, and within minutes they’re surrounded by a crowd of hungry mouths. Neil busies himself feeding two of the sea turtles while Renee patiently tosses bits of squid to one of the rays. A familiar nurse shark approaches, circling them from below to catch stray bits of fish that float down. Neil recognizes it as the same clumsy creature that had knocked the brush from his hands the week before. From the length of its body and the shape of its tail, he realizes it must be female. He swims down to her, a large piece of squid already speared and held out in offering. The shark seems to perk up, eagerly taking the food and nosing at his hip. Huffing quietly, Neil strokes the top of her head lightly with two fingers. Her skin is rough like sandpaper, but Neil finds that he doesn‘t mind the gritty texture. Carefully, he spears another helping of squid and offers it to her, smiling to himself when she greedily snatches it up. Without even looking, he can feel eyes on him. Initially he brushes it off, thinking it’s just the usual visitor tours starting to filter in. But then he catches a flicker of movement in the corner of his eye and looks up. On the opposite side of the tank is a mer. At first glance he mistakes it for Aaron, but half a second longer has him noticing the armbands. Neil stills, unsure of what to do. Andrew is looking at him with the same intensity he had that night at the aquarium. His dorsal fins are flared in what must be a threat display, but there’s an almost curious tilt to his head. He looks more intrigued than threatening. Deciding the best course of action is to just ignore him, Neil refocuses on feeding the remaining sharks. An hour later, he’s following Renee back to the surface. Andrew hadn’t deigned to approach them, but he’d made an appearance without attacking anyone, and that was progress enough.“It seems your peace offering worked,” Renee says, smiling. She’s already got her fins and mask tugged off by the time he pulls himself back onto the platform, her gear set aside in a neat pile.“Far better than I’d expected,” Neil admits. He tugs off his mask, wiping the saltwater from his face, “I didn’t think he’d come out while we were still passing out breakfast.”“Perhaps he was hoping for scraps?” Renee suggests, “Speaking of, I think Dan ordered pizza today. Are you alright to finish up here? I’m going to go fill out the meal logs and grab some food.”“I’m good,” Neil says, waving her off while he struggles with his fins, “Go on ahead, I’ll join you later.”Renee gives him a grateful look before she gathers her things and heads to the locker room. It takes Neil another minute before he finally gets both fins pulled off. He's just getting to his feet when something cold and slimy smacks against the back of his head. "What the-?!" Neil yelps, whipping around wildly. A few feet away a large chunk of squid floats near the water’s surface, and a few yards beyond that is an irate-looking Andrew.Neil scowls at him, annoyed. "What the hell was that for?" he snaps.Andrew glares at him, his lip curling. "I hate squid," he rasps.Neil stares at him, so stunned at hearing the mer actually speak that he forgets to be angry. Andrew's voice is a deep monotone, the words fitting strangely between his teeth, as if he's not quite used to using them. "That's all we've got today," Neil replies slowly, finally remembering himself, "New shipment comes in late tonight."Andrew scoffs, displeased. "Bring tuna next time," he orders, diving back under the water.Neil watches him go with an incredulous look, before shaking his head tiredly, picking up his gear, and heading to lunch.***“So, wait,” Matt begins, his eyes wide, “Andrew actually talked to you?”“That’s what I said,” Neil replies, annoyed.“Sorry, it’s just-” Matt says, disbelieving, “He hasn’t spoken to anyone since he got here. Was anybody around when he-?”“No,” Neil says, taking a bite of pizza. He glances at Renee before continuing, “But I don’t think he wanted anyone to be.”“Makes sense,” Jeremy says. At Dan, Matt and Jean’s incredulous looks, he shrugs, “What? It does! He obviously knows it would cause a stir if he suddenly started talking to everyone. Maybe he thought it’d be easier to start with the new guy.”“I doubt that’s it,” Neil says darkly, “He probably just wanted to fuck with me.”“That seems far more likely,” Jean agrees, his expression serious.“Excuse me,” Kevin cuts in. He’s standing in the doorway, a clipboard under his arm, “Did you just say Andrew spoke to you?”“Sure did,” Neil says. He finishes off his pizza and leans back in his chair. It's nice, having regular hot meals. He could get used to it.“Well,” Kevin says, impatient, “What did he say?”“Not much,” Neil admits, “He’s apparently not a fan of all the squid we’ve been feeding him. Oh, and he demanded tuna for breakfast tomorrow. Real verbose, that one.”Matt snorts, then promptly chokes on a slice of pepperoni. Dan thumps him on the back bracingly with an amused grin.“Very funny,” Kevin drawls. He makes a note on his clipboard and fixes Neil with a piercing stare. “If he tells you anything else, you will let me know.”“Sure thing,” Neil lies, meeting Kevin’s glare without flinching. Kevin huffs, turning on his heel and walking away.“Grumpy asshole,” Matt mutters.“Aww come on, Matt,” Jeremy says cheerfully, “He means well, really.”“There's passion, and then there’s obsession,” Matt says darkly, “Kevin leans a little more towards the latter, I think.”“I think it’s admirable,” Jean says, his smile unusually fond.“You two are hopeless,” Matt sighs, shaking his head, "He’s going to hound you now, Neil. You’ll never hear the end of it.”Neil sighs. He’d expected as much. “Great.”***The next morning, Neil wakes before his alarm. He dresses quickly and brushes his teeth, grabbing a granola bar on his way out the door. The air is blissfully cool as he steps outside, the sun yet to emerge over the horizon.About halfway through his walk, he finds himself thinking about Andrew. For all that most of the staff seem to fear him, for all of Andrew’s attempts to intimidate him, Neil can’t help but think there’s more to this mer than meets the eye. Curiosity niggles at him insistently, a seed planted in the back of his mind. Why had Andrew spoken to him, of all people? Neil doesn’t know, but he wants to find out.These were dangerous thoughts to be having - or rather, they should be. Mary would berate him for being nosy, for getting attached. But Neil isn’t running anymore, and there is nothing stopping him from befriending his coworkers or puzzling out an unpredictable merman. When Neil arrives at the aquarium, he wastes no time in waiting around. He’s the first one here, from the looks of it, but that doesn’t stop him from picking the lock and heading up to the commissary. He pulls out buckets of frozen tuna and scallops, leaving them in the sink to thaw out. He’s in the middle of cutting up chunks of fish when he hears somebody coming down the hall. It’s a man’s voice, deep and rough around the edges. Wymack. “Tell the board I don’t care,” Wymack says, his voice echoing loudly down the hall. Neil realizes immediately that he must be talking on the phone. “No,” Wymack says, his voice almost angry, “We are not doing shows with the mers. I’ve been over this with you, James. I don’t care how many tickets it’ll sell. I don’t care if it boosts our name recognition. Foxhole Aquarium is a sanctuary, first and foremost. Our donors know that; it’s why they support us. If the board needs a reminder of that fact, I’d be happy to tell them myself.” As his footsteps draw nearer, Neil forces himself to focus back on his work, trying to hide the fact he’d been eavesdropping. “Yes,” Wymack says, “They’ve already agreed to write the check. I-” He pauses just as he passes the open doorway, his eyebrows raising when he spots Neil. “James, I’ll have to call you back, “ he says, quickly hanging up his phone. Neil can feel his eyes on him, but he keeps his eyes on the knife in his hands, not daring to meet Wymack’s eye.Wymack lets a few seconds of silence pass before finally speaking. “You’re here early,” he says, frowning, “Did Dan let you in? I didn’t see her car.”Neil shrugs. “She gave me a set of keys. Figured I’d get an early start.”“Uh huh,” Wymack says, in a tone that indicates he doesn’t buy the lie for a second, “How much of that did you hear?”“Hear what?” Neil says, choosing to play dumb. Wymack sighs tiredly. “Cut the crap, kid,” he says, exasperated, “And look me in the eye, would you? I don’t bite.”Reluctantly, Neil looks up. Wymack is leaning against the doorframe, his expression weary. “I heard most of it,” Neil admits, “The phone call, I mean.”“Figures,” Wymack says, “Well, don’t worry about it too much. I’ve got it handled.” He eyes Neil thoughtfully, “Kevin told me Andrew spoke to you yesterday.”Gritting his teeth, Neil makes a mental note to leave some fish in Kevin’s locker later. “It wasn’t a big deal,” he says, “He just complained about the food we’ve been giving him.”“Interesting,” Wymack says, “Renee mentioned there was a minor incident, but that you managed to work through it with him. A ‘peace offering’, she called it. Is that true?”“Where are you going with this?” Neil demands.Wymack pauses, his gaze suddenly faraway. “Listen, kid,” he says after a moment, “When we first brought Andrew in, we weren’t sure he was going to make it. The other two were in better shape - malnourished, sure, and scared as fuck. Angry at everything and everyone after what they’d been through. But Andrew? We weren’t sure he’d last two days. Abby didn’t sleep in her own bed for a week; she was here around the clock, looking after him. It was like he’d stopped caring about living.”“Eventually, he did heal physically, but he’s never really gotten much better up here,” Wymack taps on his temple, his expression serious, “Then you showed up, and suddenly he’s showing the first real signs of improvement we’ve seen in years. All I’m saying is it’s remarkable. Whatever you’re doing, keep doing it.”“I’m not doing anything,” Neil says.“Sure,” Wymack says, “I’ll leave you to it then.” He glances back down the hall, nods, and walks off. Neil barely has a chance to process his words before Dan appears, Matt tailing behind her. “Oh,” she says, a look of delighted surprise on her face, “You’re here already.”“Decided to come in early,” he says, “Is that okay?”Dan smiles, kissing Matt on the cheek before he heads off. “Absolutely,” she says, “Let me get some gloves and I’ll help you.”They work side by side, chatting quietly as they mince scallops. Dan asks him about himself; mostly simple, non-invasive things. Where he grew up, what TV shows he likes, what his hobbies are. Some of her questions he can’t answer, and some he has to lie about. Still, Neil tries for the truth where he can. It’s an alien feeling, allowing himself to be known by someone, but he thinks he likes it. An hour later, Wymack comes back, popping his head in through the door. “Renee called in sick,” he says, “Some kind of cold. Neil, are you okay handling the mer tank alone today?”“Yeah,” Neil says, “I can handle it.”“Are you sure?” Dan asks, concerned.“I’ve got it,” he repeats, “Trust me, Dan. It’ll be fine.”“Okay,” she says, still looking a little uncertain, “If you say so.”They finish up food prep just as the others start to trickle in, their voices breaking the quiet peace of the early hour. Neil loads up his share of fish onto a cart and heads off to get suited up, leaving Dan to finish cleaning up.A little while later, he’s kneeling at the edge of the mer tank, two bags of tuna resting at his side. Nicky and Aaron surface to meet him, their expressions curious. “No angel-face today?” Nicky asks, “Is she alright?”“She’s fine,” Neil assures him, passing Nicky his breakfast, “Just a cold, she’ll be back tomorrow, probably.”He passes a single serving of tuna to Aaron next. The mer scowls. “I need some for Andrew too,” he says, “Remember?”“Tell him he can come get it himself,” Neil says, unbothered, “If he can come up here to complain, he can come up here to eat.”Aaron gives him a dirty look before shrugging. “Whatever,” he says, “Come on Nicky, let's go.” Neil watches them both go, crossing his legs and settling in to wait.It doesn’t take long. Less than five minutes later, a shadow moves under the water, rising to the surface to reveal a very annoyed-looking Andrew. “Good morning,” Neil tells him brightly. Andrew says nothing, instead giving him a look that promises murder. Neil ignores it and reaches into one of the bags at his side. He scoops up a handful of tuna, holding it out for Andrew to take. “Here you go,” he says, “All yours.”The mer looks at him warily before swimming closer. He’s silent in the water, a stealthy predator hungry for a meal. For a moment, Neil imagines how easy it would be for Andrew to drag him under and drown him, were he truly angered enough.But it doesn’t happen.Instead, Andrew simply plucks the offered fish from his hand. Their fingers brush, but to his surprise, Andrew's touch is actually warm. “You’re awfully quiet today,” Neil comments, noting with some amusement how the mer’s pointed ears seem to perk up at his words, “What? Not in the mood for chatting?”Andrew gives him a deadpan stare before replying. “Maybe I just don’t like you,” he says, voice just as rough as it was the day prior, “Ever think about that?”“The thought never once crossed my mind,” Neil says dryly, “I assumed you jumping me on my first day here and throwing squid at my head were signs of friendship. Was I wrong? Do you secretly hate me?”“Nothing secret about it,” Andrew says. He takes a bite of tuna, his gaze fixed on Neil. Despite his otherwise blank expression, there’s an interested gleam in his eye.“That’s a shame,” Neil laments, “However shall I go on?”“Drama queen.”“I’m not the one who had a tantrum over his breakfast yesterday.”The mer lifts a clawed hand out of the water and flips him off. Neil throws his head back in a fit of sudden laughter. “Who taught you that? I want to shake their hand.”“Nobody,” Andrew says, swallowing the last of his fish, “I’m just very observant.”“So I noticed,” Neil says, “I’m Neil, by the way. I don’t think we were ever properly introduced.”The mer stares at him. “I know. Nicky told me.”Of course he did. Neil kicks himself a little for not realizing. “Well, I won’t keep you,” he says, “You’ve got lots of sulking and brooding to do, I’m sure, and I have other fish to feed.”Andrew blinks at him wordlessly before starting to swim away. Thinking quickly, Neil grabs another piece of tuna and throws it at his head, smirking when it hits his target with a loud smack. The mer whips around, a mix of irritation and surprise on his face. Neil snorts, satisfied. “That’s for yesterday,” he calls, “Enjoy the extra snack!”The mer flips him off again before disappearing under the water. Neil grins, unable to hide his glee. Maybe Wymack was right. Maybe something he’s doing is working after all.

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Neil knew from the moment the tuna landed on Andrew’s cheek that the mer would not let that stand. Andrew’s retribution would soon follow, of that he has no doubt.The following day, he’s proven right.They’ve been cleaning the tank for nearly an hour. Neil is elbow deep scrubbing algae when something bumps into him from behind.He turns around, expecting to see the same nurse shark he’s become rather fond of, but instead finds Andrew. The mer blinks slowly at him, making a series of low clicks before he swims away. Neil watches him go, puzzled at the mer’s behavior, but in the end decides to ignore it.Five minutes later, Andrew does it again. This time, he nudges Neil’s hip in passing. Neil twists to look at him when Andrew snatches the scrub brush from his hands and takes off.“Hey!” Neil shouts, chasing after him. The mer is startlingly fast, and it quickly becomes clear that trying to catch him is a wasted effort.“Neil?” Renee asks, concern leaking into her voice, “Is everything okay? What’s going on?”“I’m fine,” Neil says, annoyed, “Bastard stole my brush.”Renee goes quiet, but he can still tell she is desperately trying not to laugh at him. “There should be spares in the supply closet,” she says, her tone carefully controlled, “You can grab one from there.”“Thanks,” Neil grumbles as he begins to surface. He glimpses Andrew on his way back up. Unlike Renee, the mer makes no attempt to hide his amusement. He offers Neil a lazy two-fingered salute, the stolen brush still in his hand.Neil had hoped that would be the end of it. Andrew had gotten to have his fun, so now they could both let it go.How very wrong he was.For weeks after, Andrew pesters and prods at him on a near constant basis. Whenever Neil has his back turned or attempts to refocus on his work, the mer is there. Sometimes he bumps into Neil casually, almost as if by accident. These incidents could almost pass for Nicky’s usual friendly nudges, were it not for the taunting look in Andrew’s eyes.Other times, Andrew is bolder, tugging on Neil’s wetsuit and darting away when Neil finally turns to face him. Sometimes, he even drags Neil along with him for a few feet, pulling him through the water as if he weighs nothing.It’s frustrating. It’s confusing. Neil doesn’t understand any of it. Worse still, Renee seems to think it’s deeply amusing.“He’s playing with you,” she says that morning while they prepare breakfast, “He doesn’t mean any harm.”“He’s driving me up the wall,” Neil replies darkly, “You do realize he stole my diving fin yesterday? Right off of my foot! I had to get out and grab another one before I could finish.”“Maybe you should take some treats in, to distract him?” Renee suggests.“Bribery?” Neil muses, loading up the cart with sliced fish. It’s not a terrible idea. “Worth a try, I guess.”When they finish up in the commissary and arrive at the tank, all three mers are already waiting for them. “Hello,” Renee says, already passing out fish, “You’re all up quite early this morning.”“Nicky woke us up,” Aaron says grumpily. He rests his arms on the edge of the platform, his eyelids drooping, “Something about a new bracelet.”Nicky grins, holding up his arm to show off the string of puka shells around his wrist. “Erik got it for me,” he says happily, “Isn’t it pretty?”“How lovely,” Renee says sweetly, “It’s very pretty.”The merman preens under the compliment before turning toward Neil. “What do you think?” he asks brightly, “Do you like it?”“Uh,” Neil says. He glances at Aaron and Andrew briefly, but the stone-faced twins offer no help. “It’s nice?’Fortunately, his awkward attempt at a compliment seems to satisfy Nicky. “Aaron is just jealous because he doesn’t have one,” he says smugly.“I am not,” Aaron huffs, “Besides, Kate-”“Enough,” Andrew says. Aaron scowls, slinking away and disappearing under the water. Nicky gives them all an apologetic look before going after his cousin. Andrew starts to leave too, but Neil moves to stop him before he can get too far. “Hey,” he says, “Can I have a word with you?”The mer blinks and says nothing, but he leans against the platform and waits.“Neil?” Renee asks, her expression puzzled.“Go on ahead,” Neil tells her, waving her on, “I won’t be long.”She looks at him for a moment before nodding and pulling on her diving mask. A minute later, she sinks into the pool and vanishes from sight.Andrew cocks his head. “Awfully mysterious today, aren’t we?” he drawls, “To what do I owe the pleasure?”“Listen,” Neil says, “I don’t know what your problem is with me. Maybe you hate my guts, maybe you’re bored out of your skull. I don’t know, and I don’t care. I’m sure heckling me must be very entertaining, but I need you to stop harassing me at every turn.”“Interesting,” Andrew says mildly, “And what, pray tell, is in it for me?”“What is it you want?”The mer shifts, rolling over to float on his back. “I want nothing,” he says blithely.Neil grits his teeth at the unhelpful answer. “There must be something,” he says. Andrew doesn’t answer him. He simply closes his eyes, looking for all the world like he’s falling asleep.Neil scowls, glaring at the obstinate mer. He’s wracking his brain for anything he could possibly offer Andrew when his eyes catch on the shark tooth earring dangling from the mer’s ear. He’s noticed it before; the mer wears it every day, but Neil has never paid it much attention before.Now, upon closer inspection, there’s something odd about it. He had always assumed that Andrew had made it himself, perhaps fashioned it from a tooth shed by a shark in this very tank. But now, he realizes that can’t be true, because the tooth is definitely human-made. Not only that, it’s the cheap, obviously fake kind, like one you might find in an overpriced beach shop. Somebody must have given it to the mer.Neil doesn’t know how he didn’t realize sooner.“How about this,” he suggests, “You stop messing with me, and I’ll bring you something after I get off work. Something from the human world that you want or haven’t tried before. What do you say?”The mer opens his eyes and turns to look at him. “Do you really believe one trinket is enough to buy my mercy?”Neil scowls. “Not just once, then," he amends, "I'll bring you something every week.”"Better," Andrew nods, his eyes glinting. “It’s a deal.”***After the aquarium closes Friday evening, Neil ducks out to the nearest corner store in search of a gift for Andrew. Despite all expectations to the contrary, the mer had actually kept his promise and left him alone.He peruses the aisles critically, wondering what to get. Aside from Andrew’s apparent fondness for cheap jewelry, he’s not sure what the mer even likes. He pauses midway down the freezer section, right in front of a bin full of novelty ice cream. Neil frowns, considering his options. Somehow, he doubts that Andrew has ever had a chance to try something so artificially sweet before. Could merfolk even process this much sugar and lactose?He shrugs and grabs an ice cream bar for Andrew and a popsicle for himself. Worth a try, at least.He jogs back to the aquarium quickly, hoping to get there before the ice cream melts too much. Picking the lock is second nature at this point, and before he knows it he’s hurrying up the stairs to the second floor.Andrew is already waiting for him on the rocky ledge. Nicky is there too, chirping animatedly in his cousin’s ear. Aaron, however, is nowhere in sight. Neil holds up the ice cream bar as he approaches, catching Andrew’s attention. “Look at that,” he says, “You actually showed up.”“I said I would, didn’t I?” Neil replies, kicking off his shoes and socks before carefully slipping under the railing and dropping onto the rocks next to him.“Aw Neil,” Nicky says, smiling wide, “Did you bring me a present?”“It’s not for you,” Neil says bluntly, “It’s for Andrew.”Nicky starts to pout, but then Andrew gives him a look. “Nicky,” he says, “Go away.”For a second, Neil expects Nicky to put up a fight, but instead the mer holds up his hands in surrender and slips back into the water. “Going, going,” he mutters, “Shit, you two are grumpy.”“Here,” Neil nods once Nicky is gone. He unwraps the frozen treat and passes it to Andrew, “Try it.”Andrew takes it from him gingerly, his expression curious. He sniffs the chocolate-covered bar cautiously before flicking Neil a suspicious glare. “What is it?”“Ice cream,” Neil says, rolling his eyes, “It’s sweet. You’ll like it, probably. Go on, give it a taste.”Carefully, Andrew takes a small bite. He pauses and shivers, his eyes going wide. “Cold,” he says, surprised.Neil snorts. “Yeah,” he agrees, opening up his popsicle and digging in, “Is that all?”Andrew hums, taking a larger bite this time. “Sweet,” he adds, “It’s good.”“Told you so,” Neil smirks, “I had a feeling you’d like it.”“Hmm,” Andrew says, clearly enjoying his treat. He glances at Neil, eyeing his popsicle. “What is that?”“This? It’s mango-flavored,” Neil says. At the mer’s uncomprehending stare, he sighs and breaks off a piece from the end. “Here,” he says, holding it out, “Try. Before it melts.”Andrew takes the chunk of popsicle from his hand, popping into his mouth without hesitation. He frowns, a wrinkle forming between his brows. “Weird,” he decides, “Mine is better.”Neil grins, shaking his head. “Suit yourself. Yours is way too sweet for me.” He takes another bite of his treat, considering the mer’s profile. He’s still wearing the shark tooth earring, the metal tarnished from age and saltwater. “Where did you get that, by the way?” he asks after a minute, “Your earring.”Andrew sucks a smear of chocolate off of his thumb before answering. “Bee gave it to me.”“Who?”“Betsy,” Andrew says, looking at him. He finishes off his ice cream, licking the wooden stick clean. “She brought it back after one of her trips, shortly after I first came here.”Neil frowns. “I thought you didn’t like anyone but Renee.”“So they say,” Andrew says dismissively, “They also said I don’t talk to anyone. It turns out they like to say lots of things, but what do you think?”“It doesn’t really matter what I think,” Neil says, “You wouldn’t give me a straight answer either way.”“Maybe,” Andrew says, an odd glint in his eye, “If you asked nicely, I just might.”“Okay,” Neil says, “So why Betsy? Why give her the time of day and ignore almost everyone else? Kevin has been dying to talk to you since his internship started, but you’ve had him convinced you couldn’t speak English until now. Why?”Andrew smirks, slow and lazy. “Because it’s fun. And because Betsy is good at keeping secrets. You’d know a thing or two about that, wouldn’t you Neil?”Neil stills, his popsicle turning in his stomach. “What are you implying?”The mer gives him a calculating look. “You’re like a minnow,” he says, “Darting around here and there, hoping and praying you’re fast enough to escape. Making yourself smaller in the hopes of avoiding notice. It’s only a matter of time until you’re somebody’s meal.” He leans over, tucking his empty ice cream stick into Neil’s pocket. “You’re running from something. I don’t know what or why, but I know the look of prey when I see it. Something is hunting you.”“Was hunting me,” Neil corrects, his heart racing, “I escaped for good long ago.”“Is that so?” Andrew muses. He tilts his head thoughtfully for a moment before seemingly coming to a decision. “Your secret is safe with me,” he informs Neil, “Now flit away, little fish. And don’t get caught in any nets.”Neil stands, his nerves still on edge even as he walks away. “I won’t.” He hurries down the stairs, needing to put some distance between himself and Andrew’s suspicions. He’s in such a rush to leave that he almost crashes headfirst into Katelyn. “Sorry,” he stammers, catching himself before he stumbles.“O-oh, Neil-” she says, looking like a deer in headlights, “N-no, I’m sorry, I didn’t realize anyone was still here? Um,” she pauses, her cheeks flaming red, “I just… forgot something in my locker.”“Okay,” Neil says, choosing not to question her on the obvious lie, “I’m just going to go then, so-”“Wait!” she says before he can get too far, “I- would you mind not mentioning to anyone that you saw me here?”Neil pauses, leveling her with a critical look. “Why?” he asks, “Are you planning on stealing something?”“N-no!” Katelyn cries, “I just… sometimes I like to come here, to think. It’s calming, you know?”“Right,” Neil says. He sighs, scratching the back of his head, “Well, don’t let me stop you. Aaron will probably be happy to see you, at least.”Katelyn’s eyes widen in surprise. “How did you-?” she begins, before shaking her head, “Never mind, it doesn’t matter. Thank you.”“Don’t mention it,” he tells her. He ducks past her without another word, for once eager to get back to his apartment.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

To his surprise, Andrew keeps his promise. When he arrives back at work the next day, nobody gives him a second glance or questions him about his past. They greet him the same as always, drawing him in with their rough affections and attempts at friendship. Neil doesn’t really understand why they’re trying so hard, but he finds that he doesn’t mind it. It’s only been a few months since he first arrived at Foxhole Aquarium, but somehow he finds it hard to imagine what his life was like before.That evening talking with Andrew had become the first of many. Before, Neil would leave right as his shift ended, only to spend his evenings pacing his apartment, staring at the empty walls or circling the block on his nightly jog. Now, more often than not, he spends his evenings with Andrew, bantering and bickering until long after the sun goes down and both of their eyes itch with tiredness. As much as the mer seems to relish picking at him, he seems to revel in it even more when Neil bites back.And every week, he brings Andrew a gift; something small, usually. A packet of cookies from the break room, or a bit of chocolate from the aquarium gift shop. Today though, he brings Andrew a book.“What is that?” Andrew asks, his eyes narrowed. “Hans Christian Andersen's Complete Fairy Tales,” Neil says as he plops down on the diving platform, “It’s a children’s book, full of human myths and legends. There’s even one about a mermaid. I thought you might find it interesting.”Andrew swims up to the platform, pulling himself up and sitting gingerly on the edge. Neil flips open the book and hands it to the mer, trying to contain his amusement. In truth, he’d picked up the book mostly as a joke, but hopefully it would entertain Andrew either way.Andrew stares at the book silently, the water still dripping from his hands and hair soaking the page. “What are these?” he says, pointing to the printed letters.Neil blinks. “They’re… they’re stories” he says, nonplussed. Realization dawns on him at Andrew’s confused look. “Oh, oh shit, I’m sorry,” he laughs, smacking his forehead, “I’m so stupid, I didn’t think- Of course you can’t read human writing, who would have taught you?”Andrew blinks, looking down at the pages. “These are… words?” he questions, tapping on the page. A moment later, he thrusts the book back at Neil. “Read it to me,” he demands.“Are you sure?” Neil asks, smirking a little, “I can run out and grab something else, if you-”“Neil,” Andrew says, cutting him off, “Shut up and read it.”“Alright, alright,” Neil says, smirking a little as he begins to read, “Far out in the ocean, where the water is as blue as the prettiest cornflower, and as clear as crystal, it is very, very deep; so deep, indeed, that no cable could fathom it…”***“So wait,” Andrew says as Neil finishes the story, “The mermaid… The man she loves marries someone else, her sisters fail to save her, and then she dies?”Neil shrugs, closing the book. “Sort of? She was going to become sea foam, but then she became an air spirit instead. After three hundred years she’ll earn a soul and be allowed into heaven. Or something.”Andrew scoffs, flicking his tail in annoyance. “Typical,” he says flatly, “What an awful story.”“There are other versions,” Neil offers, setting aside the book, “But yes, it is rather grim. The modern retelling is supposedly much happier, but I’ve never seen that version. My mother only ever read me the original.” “I suppose at least this version is more realistic,” Andrew concedes, “A mer and a human, falling in love and getting a happy ending? Now that is a fairytale.”Neil snorts, leaning back on his hands, “What, not a fan of impossible romances?”Andrew glances at him, his gaze inscrutable, “No.”“Me neither,” Neil admits, “Though to be fair, I’ve never really understood any of that stuff anyway.” He sighs, kicking his feet in the water. “Do merfolk have their own legends? About humans, I mean.”Andrew rolls his eyes. “Only lies told to frighten or coddle children," he says, "And you do not strike me as someone who wishes to be frightened or coddled.”“No,” Neil agrees, “but I am still curious. Tell me about one?”Andrew sighs and slides back into the water. For a moment, Neil thinks the mer is going to leave, but then he resurfaces, floating on his back a few feet away. “Nosy one, aren’t you,” he complains, “Fine. You’ve told me your human version of the story, so I’ll tell you ours. Deal?”“Deal,” Neil grins, settling in, “I’m listening.”“There is a legend,” Andrew begins, “About a mermaid who loved a sailor. She saw him dancing with his crewmates upon a ship, and she fell in love with the sound of his laughter. Night and day after that, she followed his ship, hoping to hear the sound of his joy.” “One night,” he continues, “When the ship was docked at shore, she spotted the sailor along the rocky coast. He was singing about desires unfulfilled and impossible wants, and the mermaid believed the song was for her. Moved by his voice and his pretty words, she sang back.”“The sailor heard her voice and soon discovered her. Taken by her beauty, they spent the night together. But by dawn’s rise, the ship was leaving, and the sailor had to go. He and the mermaid both knew that they could not be together.”“Desperate, the mermaid prayed to the moon for help. She vowed to leave behind everything of the sea - her friends, her family, and all attachments therein, if only she could become human and be with the man she loved. The moon, sensing her grief and knowing her promise was sincere, granted her wish. The mermaid shed her tail in exchange for legs, and was washed ashore with the morning tide. There she waited, hoping that her sailor would come back.”“And,” Neil presses, “Did he come back?”Andrew shrugs. “Nobody knows for sure,” he says, “In some versions, he returns for her and they sail away together. In others, he never comes back and she dies alone. Not that it matters, of course. None of it is true.”Neil thinks back to Nicky’s sappy smiles and Erik’s obvious infatuation, to Aaron’s quiet admiration and Katelyn’s flushed cheeks. He wonders if they too believe any chance at a happy ending is impossible. Somehow, he doubts it.***Neil wakes up in a cold sweat, his heart hammering. He’d dreamt of the mansion in Baltimore, of the dark, bloody basement that lay beneath its polished floorboards and the endless suffering within. Lola’s laugh is shrill in his ears, even as he scrambles to his feet. They’d found her body lying in a ditch twenty miles outside city limits, fingers cut off and face mangled beyond recognition. A classic mafia hit, through and through. Neill recognized his father’s handiwork; or rather, the handiwork of his father’s people. Nathan was dead, but he lived on in the methods he'd taught to his inner circle.Romero had been picked up a few days later. He was gleeful in his confession, blaming his sister for Nathan’s downfall. Neil stares down at his shaking hands, struggling to calm his racing heart. They'd found two of Lola's missing fingers in the glove compartment of Romero's car. A keepsake, Romero had sneered. Something to remember his beloved sister by.The prints had been a perfect match.Neil grabs his keys, fear rising in his throat. He can’t be here right now, not when the walls are closing in around him and the sting of Lola’s knife is still sharp on his belly. Not when he can still feel the outline of a blade in his hand.He’s never been able to outrun his panic, but that’s never stopped him from trying.His feet move automatically, carrying him down a path well-trodden by now. Foxhole Aquarium looms into view, a promise of sanctuary in the night, but this time Neil doesn’t head towards the quiet dark of the mer exhibit. Instead, he climbs the stairs, nearly tripping over himself in his desperate scramble.The halls of the second floor are dark, the main room only visible thanks to the dim blue glow over the mer tank. Neil collapses near the diving platform with a pained grunt. He leans against the railing, struggling for air as exhaustion and panic set in.“What are you doing?”Neil whips around so fast his spine pops. Andrew is watching him from the edge of the pool, his arms crossed where they rest on the platform. “I-” Neil starts, shock making his words stumble. He wheezes, unable to speak past the vice around his chest. He needs to go, he needs to get away, he needs-“Stop it,” Andrew commands. He hauls himself halfway out of the water, grabbing the back of Neil’s neck with a firm hand and shoving his head between his knees. Neil is too weak to resist him, so he curls up small and locks his arms around his legs.“Breathe,” the mer says, softer this time. So Neil does.It takes him nearly twenty minutes before he’s calm enough to speak. Andrew lifts his hand as soon as Neil’s shoulders drop, but Neil can still feel the mer’s eyes on him. “Sorry,” he begins, his voice shredded raw, “I didn’t think- I thought you’d be asleep.”There’s a pause, and then- “I don’t sleep at night.”“Oh,” Neil says. Shame and embarrassment creep in slowly, a steady trickle down his spine. “Sorry. I’ll go.”He starts to stand, his legs trembling from exertion, but then Andrew speaks again. “You didn’t answer my question,” he says, “What are you doing here?”“I-” Neil starts before cutting himself off. He could lie, make up an excuse, but it seems pointless. Andrew already saw his breakdown. “I had a nightmare,” he admits, “So I ran.”“And you came here,” Andrew finishes, “Why?”Neil shrugs. Truthfully, he isn’t quite sure himself. He turns to face the mer fully, his eyes on the rippling water. “It’s… calming here,” he hedges, “I like the quiet.”“It’s not quiet at home?”Neil shakes his head. “It’s the wrong kind of quiet.” He finally risks meeting Andrew’s eyes. The mer’s expression is unreadable, but he doesn’t look annoyed at Neil’s presence. If anything, he just looks bored. “Why don’t you sleep at night?” he asks, the question slipping out before he can stop himself.Andrew quirks a brow. “Why do you have nightmares?”Neil bites his tongue. “Fair enough,” he murmurs, “Sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”An uneasy silence falls over them, and then Andrew sighs. “Truth for a truth,” he says, “Yes or no?”Neil hesitates. The last time he was honest with someone, truly honest, he was spilling secrets to the FBI. The years in WitSec since have only reinforced the habits Mary beat into him, but what harm could there be in confiding in an apathetic merman? Who would Andrew even tell? “Okay,” he says cautiously, “You first.”“Easthaven,” Andrew says, “That’s why I don’t sleep.”Neil blinks. The answer isn’t all that surprising, given what he knows about Andrew’s history. “You have nightmares too?”Andrew nods, his tail swishing in the water. “Your turn.”“I, uh-” Neil says. Explaining the cause of his nightmares isn’t easy, if only for the fact that there are so many reasons he has them. “My father,” he finally settles on, his stomach clenching uneasily, “He’s the reason I have nightmares. Or… well, he’s the reason for most of them anyway.”He can tell from the look on Andrew’s face that he wants to press for more, but Neil doesn’t give him the chance. “That story you told me earlier, about the mermaid and the moon,” he asks, “Your brother and cousin… They believe it, don’t they?”“Nicky does, the hopeless fool,” Andrew says, “Aaron would like to believe it, despite knowing better. Regardless, they are deluding themselves. Even if that stupid legend were true, they wouldn’t be able to make the change anyway.”“Why not?” Neil asks, “I don’t know about your brother, but it’s pretty clear that Nicky and Erik are infatuated with one another. Why wouldn’t they be able to do it?”“You ask a lot of questions.”“Will you tell me or not?”Andrew is silent for a moment before answering. “Because they made me a promise.”Neil stares at him. “What kind of promise?”Andrew shakes his head. “My turn now.” He holds out his arm, nodding at his makeshift armbands. “Why did you give me these?” he asks, “How did you know?”“That’s two questions,” Neil points out.“Then pick one and answer it.”Neil pauses, closing his eyes. Of all the secrets he’s had to carry in his life, this should be one of the smallest, and yet- “You aren’t the only one with scars,” he says at last, “I wouldn’t want to be stared at either.”When he opens his eyes again, Andrew is still looking at him. Maybe it’s just the odd shadows cast across his face, or maybe it’s the lateness of the hour, but for a moment, Neil sees a glimmer of bone-deep understanding in the mer’s eyes. Then Andrew’s expression clears, smooth apathy replacing any semblance of emotion. “You should go,” he says, sliding back into the water, “It’s getting late.”Neil opens his mouth to stop him, another question forming on his lips, but the words slip away before he can get them out. Andrew is already gone.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Neil doesn’t sleep when he gets home that night. Instead he stares at his ceiling, thoughts of Andrew and their game of truths racing through his mind until the dawn creeps in. What was simple curiosity feels bigger somehow; no longer a harmless whim, but a need to understand. He’s still thinking about his last conversation with the mer when he gets to work that morning, moving on autopilot as he drops his things off in the locker room. Wymack spots him just as he reenters the hall, leaning halfway out of his office. "Neil," he calls, "A word, please."Startled out of his reverie, Neil follows Wymack into his office. He hasn’t been back here since his interview, but the mess is the same as ever. If anything, the stacks of paper only seem to have grown. Neil wonders how long it will be until one of them topples over, if it hasn’t happened before already.“Sit,” Wymack says, gesturing at the chair opposite his desk. Neil takes a seat, doing his utmost to school his expression into something neutral. At some point in the last few weeks, he’d realized Wymack wasn’t a threat to him, but being alone with an older man still sets his instincts on edge. Thankfully, Wymack’s office door is still open, the easy escape route a balm on Neil’s nerves. “Is there a problem?” he asks.“That depends on your point of view,” Wymack replies. His gaze shifts to behind Neil’s shoulder and waves someone inside. Neil jumps a little, startled at being snuck up on. Renee smiles at him as she walks in and takes the chair to his right. “Good morning,” she says politely, “Have you filled him in yet?”“I was just about to,” Wymack says. He looks back at Neil, “Renee is taking a sabbatical. Volunteer work, wasn’t it?”Renee nods. “There’s a dolphin rehabilitation center in Key West - they’ve just taken in their first mermaid. She was practically dumped on them by a so-called private collector.” Despite her calm expression, Renee’s voice is icy with barely concealed anger. She takes a deep breath before continuing, “The staff down there are out of their depth and they asked us for help. Her condition is… poor. She’s very sick. She needs specialized care, but more than anything she needs someone familiar with merfolk who can help her and educate her care staff. So I’ll be traveling down there myself to do just that.”Neil shifts, looking between her and Wymack. “How long will you be gone?” he asks.“Three months,” Renee answers. She straightens, all traces of cold fury gone from her tone, “Maybe longer. I leave at the end of this week.”“That soon?” Neil says, surprised. He glances at Wymack, “Will you be able to find a replacement for her that quickly?”“I already have,” Wymack answers with a meaningful look. Realization is a weight in Neil’s stomach. “What do you-?” he says, “I can’t- I’m too new, I-”“Renee and I have already discussed it,” Wymack continues, ignoring Neil’s protests, “We both think you’re ready.”“You’ve picked up on everything so quickly,” Renee says, “I’m confident that you can do it.”“I don’t have enough experience,” Neil argues, “I’m not ready.”“Experience isn’t everything,” Wymack says dismissively, “Renee is right. You’re a fast learner, you’ve put in the work. Besides, it’s only temporary. You can do this.”“Nobody else has gotten through to Andrew like you have,” Renee says gently, “Please, Neil. We need you.”Neil thinks of telling them no, of walking out the door and never coming back. Self-doubt and anxiety are at war in his chest, but in the end he just sighs. “Okay,” he says, resigned, “I’ll do my best not to let you down.”“That’s what I like to hear,” Wymack says, nodding to Renee. She stands to take her leave, patting Neil fondly on the shoulder on her way out. “Now,” Wymack continues, reaching into the file cabinet behind him and pulling out three folders. He slides them across the desk towards Neil, his expression stern, “Since you’re going to be their primary caretaker for the time being, I’m going to give you access to the mers’ files. Read it at your leisure, ask me questions if you want, but know that what is in there does not leave this office. Especially anything regarding Easthaven. Am I clear?”Neil hesitates, his stomach twisting in discomfort. He stares down at the file marked clearly with Andrew’s name. Despite the curiosity burning at him to look, he can’t bring himself to flip it open. It feels wrong, somehow, to obtain this information without Andrew’s permission. Slowly, he pushes the files back towards Wymack, shaking his head. “No thanks,” he says, “I’d rather hear it directly from the source.”The look Wymack gives him in response is scrutinizing, to say the least. Neil keeps his gaze fixed on the desk, willing himself not to give anything away. After a moment of silence, Wymack sighs and puts the files away. “Suit yourself,” he says, “If you change your mind, let me know.”“I do have one question though,” Neil adds. When Wymack gestures for him to continue, he leans forward, “Jack. Why did Andrew attack him?”Wymack frowns. “How do you know about that?" he asks, "No, wait. Don’t answer that, I already know. What did the others tell you?”Neil shrugs. “Not very much,” he admits, “Jack was alone in the tank, and Andrew attacked. Nobody seems to know why, only that he quit as soon as he checked out of the hospital.”Wymack sighs wearily, rubbing at his eyes. “Jack didn’t quit.”“What?”“You heard me,” Wymack says, “He didn’t quit. I fired him.”Neil stares at him, nonplussed. “You- why?”“Because Andrew’s attack wasn’t out of nowhere,” Wymack says, his eyes like steel, “It was provoked. Directly.” At Neil’s silent gawking, he continues, “We were doing annual health checks that week. Nicky and Aaron had already gone through theirs, as had the rest of the residents in that tank. The only one we hadn’t done was Andrew’s, because as usual he refused to cooperate.”“We were planning to wait until Renee was back from vacation the following week,” Wymack sighs, leaning back in his chair, “See if maybe she could persuade him into letting us at least perform a cursory checkup. Not that it had ever worked before, but we had to at least try.” Wymack scowls, his gaze darkening, “But Jack had other ideas. He didn’t want to wait, he thought he could handle it on his own. So he went behind my back and Abby’s. He stole some sedatives and a syringe gun from Abby’s office, and then he went into the mer tank alone. The idiot ambushed Andrew, snuck up on him while he thought he was asleep. He’s lucky Andrew didn’t kill him.”Neil lets out a long breath. Calling Jack lucky was the understatement of the century. “How did you find out?”“He fessed up at the hospital,” Wymack says, “Apparently, Aaron held Andrew back long enough for Nicky to haul Jack up to the surface. Probably saved his life. I reamed Jack out for his little stunt, and then I told him his options. Own up to what he did, apologize to everyone involved, and be reassigned to another exhibit. Or leave, and never come back”“So he chose to leave,” Neil says, “I’m surprised you were willing to give him another shot.”Wymack shrugs. “Call me a believer in second chances,” he says, “In any case, I think he was too scared to face Andrew again, so as soon as he was healed, he collected his belongings, picked up his last paycheck, and never returned.” Good riddance, Neil thinks viciously, any sympathy he might have had for his predecessor now gone. “Why didn’t you tell anyone what really happened?”“Because it’s none of their business,” Wymack says, “Andrew doesn’t care enough to correct the record, so I keep my mouth shut. I expect you to do the same. Now, if we’re done here, I’ve got some paperwork to fill out.”Sighing, Neil rises from his chair. He’s halfway to the door when Wymack speaks again. “One last thing,” Wymack says, tossing him a set of keys. “Unless you plan to keep picking locks, you’re going to need these.”Neil catches them easily, his eyes widening. “You knew? All this time?”“There are cameras on all the exits,” Wymack says, “So yes, I knew.” “Sorry,” Neil says, feeling awkward.“No, you’re not,” Wymack says calmly, “And I’m not mad, either. Just don’t forget to lock up when you leave. And Neil?”Neil pauses, turning back at his name. “Yes?”Wymack nods at him, something close to approval in his eyes. “Good luck.”***That evening, Neil lingers after the aquarium closes. Once most of the staff have left for the day, he heads back to the mer tank, hoping to find Andrew and get some answers. Instead, he finds the mer’s irritable twin, draped on top of the artificial rocks. Katelyn is sitting next to him, cradling his head where it rests in her lap and speaking to him quietly. Aaron’s eyes are fixed on her, his expression unusually soft. There is a new necklace around his neck, made of the same shells as Nicky’s bracelet.Katelyn looks up as Neil approaches and offers him a friendly smile. “Hello Neil,” she greets, “Staying late again today?” “Yes,” Neil says. He leans against the railing, looking down at Aaron. “Nice necklace.”Aaron sits up quickly, all signs of tenderness now hidden behind a cold glare. “What do you want?”Neil raises an eyebrow at his tone. “Is Andrew around?”Aaron scowls. He and Katelyn share a meaningful look before she gets up, ducking under the railing and walking away. Aaron turns his gaze back to him then, looking every inch a threat. “What is it you’re after?” he asks, “Why take such an interest in my brother?”“I’m not,” Neil says, annoyed, “I just want to talk to him, is all. Is that a crime now?”Aaron narrows his eyes, clicking under his breath. “I’m watching you,” he says, low and dangerous, “If you so much as think about crossing a line-”“Aaron.”The mer jerks around at his name. Neil follows his gaze to find Andrew, his head just poking out above the water. Aaron says something to his brother, a hurried rush of clicks and chirps that Neil can’t understand. Andrew responds in kind, his cutting tone coming through despite the language barrier. Aaron stiffens, his face reddening in anger, but Andrew cuts him off with a sharp trill.Scowling, Aaron drags himself back into the water, slinking away without another word. Neil might not speak the language, but it doesn’t take a genius to see that whatever argument they were having, Andrew clearly won.Said mer watches his twin disappear for only a moment longer before turning his attention back to Neil. “What do you want?”“Hello to you too,” Neil says. He kicks off his shoes and slips under the railing, dropping down carefully onto the slippery rock ledge. Taking a seat by the water’s edge, he waits until Andrew swims closer before continuing. “Our game of truths,” he says, “Are we still playing?”Andrew rests his arms on the rocky ledge and tilts his head up at Neil curiously. “It’s still your turn.”Neil takes a moment to gather his thoughts, wondering how best to approach this. In the end, he opts to be blunt. “Wymack offered to let me read your file.”Andrew stills, for once looking a little surprised. “That isn’t a question.”“I know,” Neil says, “I turned him down.”Andrew stares at him, his expression unreadable. There is a new tension in his shoulders that wasn’t there before. Some part of Neil regrets being the one to put it there. “...Why?” Andrew finally asks.“If I’m going to learn the truth about what happened, I want it to be from you,” Neil replies. He leans a bit closer to the mer and lowers his voice. “What happened at Easthaven, Andrew? Will you tell me?”Andrew pauses for a moment before answering. “Not for free.”"What would it take?" Neil asks.Andrew cocks his head. "What will you give me?"Moving slowly, Neil reaches for Andrew’s hand and guides it under the hem of his shirt. The mer’s eyes widen when his palm makes contact with Neil’s scarred abdomen, but he says nothing. “The truth,” Neil promises, "All of it."It’s a terrifying offer, one that would have his mother dragging him away by the collar were she still alive. Nobody but the FBI has ever heard the full story, and even Browning got an edited version. Yet here he is, ready to confess the ghosts of his past to a reclusive and irascible merman without an ounce of fear. He can’t say exactly why, but something about Andrew’s steady presence and impassive expression inspires trust. Maybe it’s the fact that he’s kept Neil’s secrets thus far, maybe it’s because the merman has been slowly opening up to Neil himself. Maybe it’s the even exchange of truths, the promise of mutually assured destruction should they turn on one another.Neil sucks in a breath when Andrew’s fingers spread out, the mer’s claws scraping lightly over mottled skin, but he doesn’t push Andrew’s hand away. The sound of approaching footsteps draws his attention. Out of the corner of his eye he spots Erik, jogging up the stairs with a broad smile. He stops by the diving platform and kicks off his shoes. A second later, Nicky surfaces, chirping delightedly as he practically drags Erik into the water.“Not now,” Andrew says, his eyes on Nicky as he pulls his hand away, “Come back later, after dark. I'll tell you then.”"Okay," Neil agrees, getting to his feet, "It's a deal."

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

When Neil returns later that night, Andrew is already waiting for him at the edge of the diving platform.He swims away as soon as he spots Neil, motioning for him to follow. Realizing that Andrew is heading towards the shallow medical pool at the far end of the tank, Neil circles the edge of the perimeter to go after him.Finally, Andrew settles along the back of the pool with an expectant look. Neil joins him a minute later, kicking off his shoes and socks before taking a seat along the edge. The saltwater splashes at his calves as he settles, and he’s suddenly grateful he thought to change into swim trunks before coming.Andrew is silent for a long while, seemingly gathering his thoughts. Neil lets him, content to wait. He leans back on his hands and closes his eyes. It’s quieter over here, more secluded. He can see why Andrew chose this spot.Finally, Andrew speaks. “I was ten summers old when they caught us,” he begins, “We were migrating to warmer waters for the winter, along with Nicky’s parents. When the net closed around us and dragged us to the surface, they left us for dead.”There is an undertone of cold derision when he mentions Nicky’s parents. Neil wonders at it, but decides not to interrupt.“A few days later,” Andrew continues, “They brought us to Easthaven. We couldn’t understand anything they said, we hadn’t yet picked up your language, but eventually we figured out that we were being sold.”“The pool they had us in was too small, too shallow. There was nowhere to rest, no caves like there are here. We were exposed, constantly, and we couldn’t understand the other merfolk they’d penned us in with. Their dialect was too strange, too different. They were older, and it seemed like they’d been there a while already. They didn’t like us, mostly I think because we took up what little space they’d had before.”Neil fights a wince. The thought of being confined in such a small space with hostile strangers is enough to make his skin crawl.“Four of them attacked Nicky,” Andrew continues, “I don’t know why, maybe he was being too loud or got too close. It didn’t matter. I stopped it.”“You stopped-” Neil startles, “How?”“By making sure they could never do it again,” Andrew says bluntly, “The humans who captured us didn’t like that. They decided I was too dangerous and moved me to a different tank, far away from everyone else. I couldn’t see or hear Nicky and Aaron anymore.”His tail twitches in agitation, a harsh flick sending ripples through the water. Neil imagines what it must have been like for him, separated from his only family, with no way of knowing if they were okay. For someone as territorial as Andrew, it must have been torture.“The tank they put me in was even smaller than the first one,” Andrew says, all traces of icy contempt gone in favor of blank apathy, “There was so little space, I could barely even move. I was only allowed out during performances.”Neil feels sick. Just the thought of being stuck somewhere so cramped, so completely alone, with no hope of escape- “It sounds awful,” he says, “How long did they leave you like that?”The look Andrew favors him is distant and uncaring. “Until the day they shut the place down.”Neil takes a deep breath to steady himself. Nausea twists inside of him, his next words slipping out before he can think twice. “Was it lonely?”Something violent and dark passes through Andrew’s expression before smoothing back out to numb indifference. “Not as lonely as I would have liked,” he says, “One of the trainers made sure of that.”Neil stills. Something in Andrew’s tone is setting off alarm bells, making his hair stand on end. “The one who was killed?” When the mer doesn’t reply, Neil presses again. “Andrew,” he says, cautious. He feels as if he stumbled into a landmine, one that could so very easily trip should he misstep, “What did he do?”“He said merfolk were exotic,” Andrew sneers, “Said he’d always wanted to try. When I fought, he suggested Aaron might be an easier target.” He looks at Neil again, his eyes filled with such bone-deep apathy that it makes Neil’s chest ache, “I couldn’t let that happen, so I stayed quiet.”“And then you killed him,” Neil finishes.Andrew shakes his head. “Not me,” he says, “Aaron.”“Aaron,” Neil repeats, surprised. “How did he-?”“He saw these during one of the performances,” Andrew says, tapping on his armbands to indicate the scars hidden beneath, “They hadn’t quite healed yet. He tried to ask what was happening, but I wouldn’t tell him. By that point, I was sure that I would be dead soon anyway.”“Eventually, though, Aaron figured it out on his own. He saw me flinch away from Drake, I think, during one of the shows, and pieced it all together. Fifteen minutes later, the crowd was screaming, and Drake was floating face down at the bottom of the pool.”“The other staff,” Neil says, furious on Andrew’s behalf, “They didn’t notice what Drake had been doing?”“One of them did,” Andrew says, “Proust. He was the head veterinarian. He knew what Drake was up to, so he put a price on his silence. He’d keep his mouth shut, and in exchange Drake would help him with his… experiments. I was, of course, the favored test subject. Once I’d been sedated.”“So that’s why you won’t let Abby look at you.” Neil says, the realization both sudden and terrible, “That’s why you nearly killed Jack.”Andrew nods. “Humans cannot be trusted,” he says, “I will not allow myself to be used again.”Neil lets out a shaky breath. “And these?” he asks, tapping at the edge of Andrew’s armbands to indicate his scars, “Were these from Proust too?”Andrew looks away, tucking his arms close to his chest. ”No,” he answers, “They were how I survived.”The revelation of what all three mermen suffered is enough to inspire a violent outburst, but Neil fights to quell his anger with gritted teeth and clenched fists. Andrew’s ghosts are all either dead or gone, but the urge to bury them all again is tempting regardless. The mer must pick up on his murderous rage, because he rolls his eyes and flicks water at Neil’s face. “Stop it,” he says flatly, his tail swishing in annoyance.“I can’t help it,” Neil snaps, the injustice of it all making his voice crack. He takes a deep breath in an attempt to subdue his fury. “I just- How can you stand it? Being here, in this place, after everything you’ve been through?”Andrew looks at him silently, seemingly deep in thought. “Because I made a promise,” he says finally.“A promise,” Neil repeats, “What does that-?” Before he can get the words out, Andrew interrupts him with a cutting look. “It’s my turn now,” he says, “You promised me the full truth. I’ve told you mine, now you tell me yours.”So Neil tells him.He tells Andrew of cold mansions and colder basements, of a childhood splattered with blood and fear. He tells Andrew of Lola's lessons and his father's punishments. He tells Andrew of his only escape, of burying himself in every book about the sea he could get his hands on, of long nights dreaming of a thousand impossible ways he could disappear.He tells Andrew of one desperate night, where his mother had shaken him awake and taken him away. She'd had enough, and so they stole his father's money and ran, using his mother's contacts to make their way to England. After that, they'd just kept running, and all the while Nathan had chased them.Andrew listens quietly as Neil tells him of a fight and a gunshot outside of Seattle, of driving down the coastline while his mother bled out in the passenger seat. He doesn't interrupt when Neil's voice shakes as he describes soaking the leather seats with gasoline, tossing a match and watching the blaze roar in numb shock. He simply watches attentively as Neil explains, pale-faced and sickened, that he’d buried Mary's bones on that beach, and then he’d made a call."Who did you call?" Andrew asks when Neil falls silent, "Your uncle?"Neil shakes his head. "No," he rasps, "I called the FBI." At the mer's puzzled look, he laughs, brittle and slightly panicked. "I was done," he explains, "Eight years running, never staying anywhere for longer than a few months. 22 names in that time, none of them ever real." He looks at Andrew, not bothering to hide his weariness. "I'd had enough."For a long moment, Andrew says nothing, but then he shifts, the water rippling around him. "What happened after that?"Neil sighs, his eyes itching with exhaustion. "I spent the next five years in WitSec, helping the FBI dismantle my father's empire," he explains, "It wasn't all that different from running on my own, but at least there was an end goal, a finish line. Once he was dead and his inner circle was shattered, I could breathe easy again.""And then you came here," Andrew finishes, "Another fake name before they move you again? Or is Neil Josten a real boy now?""No more running," Neil answers. "This is it. This is real. Even if they wanted to move me again, I wouldn't go. I will be Neil Josten until the day I die." It's a blessing and a curse, his salvation and his destruction, no matter how many times he reminds himself that he is free.Andrew considers him. "Does anyone else know?""No," Neil replies, "Well, Wymack might know a bit. The FBI were the ones who set me up with this job, they might have told him something. But the whole story? Just you." He hesitates, a horrible realization dawning in his mind. "If… if you want me to go, I can-""Shut up," says Andrew. He reaches up, hooking two clawed fingers in the collar of Neil's shirt. "You are not going anywhere," he says, with so much conviction that it leaves no room for Neil's doubt, "I told you once before. Do not make me repeat myself again. Your secrets are safe with me. Do you understand?""Yes," Neil says, so relieved at Andrew's acceptance he's nearly dizzy from it, "Thank you.""Go home, little minnow," Andrew says, releasing his shirt and waving him away, "Sleep. I will see you in the morning.""Okay," Neil says, rising to stand. "Good night, Andrew."The mer just blinks slowly at him in response. With a wane smile and a shaky sigh, Neil gives him a two-finger salute before walking away.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

True to his word, Andrew doesn’t tell a soul. When Neil arrives at work the next day, Dan and Matt greet him as normal, chatting idly with him as they unlock the door. Nicky is the same as always, and while Aaron casts him a critical glare, Neil supposes that’s hardly out of the norm.Andrew, for his part, says nothing, though in his eyes there is a knowing look, an understanding that wasn’t there before. Neil finds that he doesn’t mind it. It is a relief to confide in Andrew, to have that stalwart strength at his back. He’d forgotten what it was like, to not be alone in his burdens. There’s a comfortable ease between them now, a rough sort of familiarity. Neil isn’t sure when it replaced the early suspicion and the more recent fragile trust, but he finds himself wanting to lean on it so much that it almost frightens him.He’s still lost in thought about Andrew that afternoon, only half-listening while his co-workers ask Renee for what must be the sixth time if she’s certain she doesn’t want a going away party. He’s roused from his musings when Jeremy passes him a clipboard. “What’s this?” Neil questions.“Abby scheduled the annual physicals for all the exhibits,” Dan explains, “The mer tank is up for next week, see?” She flips through the clipped stack of papers, pointing to a chart, “Aaron and Nicky she can manage on her own, just make sure to let them know it’s happening ahead of time. She’ll need your help corralling the sharks, rays and sea turtles, though.”“Actually, Neil,” Abby says, speaking up from where she’s seated next to Wymack, “I meant to ask you earlier, but do you think you could convince Andrew to let me look at him as well? It’s been years since we’ve been able to update his records.”Neil stares at her. “He’s never allowed it before. What makes you think he’ll change his mind?”“He listens to you, doesn’t he?” Matt reasons, “That has to count for something.”“It wouldn’t hurt to ask,” Renee says gently. Neil gives her an incredulous look, but she simply smiles at him, serene.“Please, Neil,” Abby pleads, “It’s really important.”Neil sighs. He doesn’t see an outcome where Andrew will agree, but he supposes Renee is right. “Fine,” he relents, “I’ll ask him. But I’m not pushing it if he says no, and I don’t want any of you to either. I mean it.”“Of course,” Abby agrees, her pinched expression relaxing, “Thank you, Neil. Really.”“Don’t thank me yet,” Neil mutters, taking another bite of his peanut butter sandwich.***“Don’t you have anywhere else to be?” Andrew gripes when he finds Neil sitting by the tank that evening.“Sure,” Neil drawls, “Can’t you tell my social calendar is bursting at the seams?”“With your sparkling personality and winning charm?” Andrew deadpans, “I don’t doubt it.”“Ass,” Neil says, unable to fight his growing smile. Leaning down, he scoops up a handful of water and flings it at Andrew’s face. The look the mer levels at him is nothing short of scathing, but Neil just laughs. Retribution comes in the form of Andrew slapping his tail against the water’s surface, instantly soaking him. Neil pushes back his sopping curls, wiping the saltwater from his eyes. At least he’s still wearing his wetsuit. “You bastard,” he laughs, exhilarated, “I’ll get you for that.” He moves to splash Andrew again, but the mer is quicker. He grabs Neil by the arm and tugs hard, unbalancing him just enough that he falls in headfirst.The sudden rush of water catches him off guard. It takes him a minute to right himself and find the surface, and then he’s gasping and sucking in air, shaking water from his eyes while the mer watches him with an amused expression. “You were saying?” Andrew asks, eyebrow raised. “That was low,” Neil laughs, splashing the mer in vengeance, “I can’t believe you dunked me!”“You started it,” Andrew points out. He disappears under the water then, and Neil feels something grab his legs, pulling him back under before letting him go. Neil swims blindly back to the surface, having fun despite himself. Andrew reappears a second later. “And now I’m finishing it.”“Yeah, right,” Neil says, “Two can play at that game!” He lunges at Andrew, making to grab him by the shoulders so he can push him under, but the mer dodges him easily, simply ducking under Neil’s arms and grabbing him around the middle. Neil yelps, helpless to resist Andrew’s strength when the mer traps him against the rocky ledge. He’s not even fighting anymore, but Andrew pins his hands to the side anyway. Despite his neutral expression, his eyes are twinkling; whether it’s from amusement or victory, Neil doesn’t know. “Alright,” Neil says, slightly out of breath, “You win.”“Thought so,” Andrew replies, still not moving. Neil is close enough now that he can see the tiny black scales that pepper the edge of the mer’s cheekbones, all the way down his jaw to the delicate gills on either side of his neck. There’s a slight pause, a strange charge in the air, but then Neil clears his throat. “I actually did have something to ask you,” he says, “Can we talk?”Andrew blinks, and then the spell is broken. He pulls away, releasing Neil’s hands and putting a bit more space between their bodies. “About what?” he asks.“Abby is doing physicals next week,” Neil starts, hauling himself up onto the ledge, “Routine annual checkups. She asked me to see if you’d be willing to let her examine you.” He pauses, choosing his words carefully. “What would it take for you to say yes?”Andrew's expression shutters. "I already told you. I will not allow myself to be used again.""It's not like that," Neil says, "It won't hurt, you'll be awake and in full control of yourself the entire time. It's not some experiment. Abby just wants to make sure you're healthy.""Do I look unhealthy to you?""It's preventative," Neil says, "Look, if you really don't want to do it, you can say no. I'll drop it, and I'll make sure the others don't bother you about it either. But this is meant to help you, not hurt. I promise."Andrew is silent for a long while. At first Neil thinks it might be a refusal, but instinct urges him to wait. “I don’t want to be alone with her,” Andrew says finally.“I’ll be right there with you,” Neil says immediately, “We can even have Nicky and Aaron there, if you want. I’m sure Abby wouldn’t mind.”“Just you and Aaron,” Andrew says, “Nicky will only fuss." He falls silent again, seemingly deep in thought. "There’s one other thing," he says at length, "I want insurance.”Neil stares at him, uncomprehending. “What do you mean, ‘insurance’?”“Must I spell everything out for you?” Andrew sighs, rolling his eyes, “You of all people should understand the need for a Plan B.”Before Neil can question him further, the mer leaves, diving back under the surface and swimming away.When Neil goes to bed later that night, Andrew’s cryptic words are still ringing in his ears. He stares at his water-stained ceiling, frowning to himself as he mulls over what kind of insurance he could possibly offer the mer. If he and Aaron aren’t enough to make Andrew feel safe, what else possibly could?He sits up, an idea forming in the back of his mind. He reaches for his duffle bag, digging through his scant few belongings. He’s been in this apartment for months now, but he has yet to go to sleep with his bag unpacked.He finds what he’s looking for when his fingers brush against leather and steel. He'd stashed it in here weeks ago, too paranoid to just leave it sitting out. Smiling in grim victory, he grabs hold of his prize, clenching his fist around the handle in a tight grip.Insurance, huh? he thinks, looking down at the diving knife in his hand. Hopefully, this will do.***On Monday, he finds Andrew lingering by the diving platform. Abby is already hard at work, standing waist-deep in the medical pool while she checks Aaron’s vitals and marks her notes down on a clipboard. Andrew’s gaze is fixed on her, his eyes narrowing when she presses her stethoscope to Aaron’s heart. Neil takes a seat beside him, watching Abby as she works. “So,” he begins, “Insurance.”Andrew glances at him, eyebrow raised. “Figured it out then, did we?”“I think so,” Neil replies. He digs into his pocket and pulls out the diving knife before holding it out to Andrew, “Will this work?”Andrew cocks his head, staring at the sheathed blade. "A human weapon?""A knife," Neil explains, "We don't have sharp claws and teeth like you, so we use these instead." He unsheaths the knife, showing Andrew the sharpened edge. "There's an attached holster, see?" he points out, "You can strap it around your arm and hide it under your armbands. A secret weapon, should you need it.""Show me," Andrew insists.Neil demonstrates how to tighten the holster around his arm, helping the mer adjust it so the blade is well hidden. "It's specially treated to resist corrosion and rust," he adds, "So the saltwater shouldn't hurt it, at least not for a while. If it starts to get dull, let me know. I'll show you how to maintain it.""How do you know all of this?" Andrew questions.Neil winces. "One of Lola's many 'lessons'," he says grimly, remembering the punishments his father’s favorite had meted out when he’d neglected to sharpen his blades to her satisfaction. "Will you let Abby take a look at you now?"Andrew considers him silently before nodding. “Fine,” he answers, “Meet me over there.” He pushes away from the edge, a dark shape moving through the water. Neil gets to his feet, hurrying around the edge of the tank to follow him. Abby looks up as Neil approaches, waving in greeting. “Oh, Neil! You’re just in time,” she says, patting Aaron on the shoulder, “All done now, Aaron. Thanks for being patient. You can go.” “Wait,” Neil says, stopping the mer before he can take off. He can see Andrew lurking just outside the medical pool, his head barely poking above the surface. “Andrew says he’ll let you examine him,” he tells Abby, “But he wants Aaron here.”Aaron stares at him in shock, but it’s Abby who speaks first. “You actually got him to agree?” she says, stunned, “How did you-?”“Don’t worry about it,” Neil says, “Will that work for you?”“Yes,” Abby says immediately, “Yes, of course. Unless- Aaron, do you mind-?”“No,” Aaron says. He’s still staring at Neil, a puzzled frown on his face, “I’ll stay.”“Great,” Neil says, relieved at the compliance. He turns back towards Andrew, gesturing for him to come closer. The mer hesitates for a moment before approaching, his gaze flicking between Neil and Abby. Aaron clicks at him in question as he passes, but Andrew doesn’t answer, simply brushing against his brother before settling against the wall of the pool. Neil takes up position on Andrew’s right while Aaron swims over to his left. “Ready?” he murmurs, his eyes on Andrew’s profile.The mer twitches, nodding jerkily. His expression gives nothing away, but the tension in his shoulders is loud and clear. Abby approaches slowly, her smile gentle. “Hello Andrew,” she says softly. To her credit, she doesn’t flinch when Andrew’s gaze snaps back to her, cold and suspicious. “This will be quick,” she continues, “I’ll just be performing a general exam, nothing too serious. It shouldn’t hurt, but if it does please tell me. Okay?”Andrew nods, his tail flicking in agitation. Abby grabs her stethoscope and puts it on. “I’m going to check your heart and your lungs first,” she explains, “It might be a little bit cold. Now, take a deep breath for me.”Andrew glances at Neil before complying. He jumps a little when Abby presses the stethoscope to his chest, but does not otherwise react. Abby listens to his heart first before instructing him to lean forward. “Another deep breath,” she says, pressing the stethoscope to the mer’s back. Satisfied, she steps back. “Your heart and lungs sound good,” she says, hanging her stethoscope around her neck, “Now, lift your tail up for me.” Andrew does as instructed, his large tailfin hanging heavily over the water. Abby looks it over, nodding to herself. “No signs of fin rot,” she mutters, “No signs of columnaris either. Good, good. Now, just let me check your gills.”Andrew tenses, pressing himself firmly against Neil’s side. “It’s alright,” Neil murmurs, “You’re okay.”“She won’t touch,” Aaron adds, his eyes locked on his brother, “She just needs to look. Right, Abby?”She nods. “Right,” she says, “I just need to make sure there’s no signs of infection. I promise I won’t touch.”Andrew doesn’t relax, but he does nod for her to continue. Fortunately, Abby makes it quick. “No signs of ammonia or nitrate poisoning either,” she says, seemingly pleased, “That’s great, Andrew. We’re almost done.”She pulls a long, metal tool out of the pouch on her belt and leans closer. “Okay,” she says, “Open your mouth for me.”The mer shifts, and for a second Neil thinks he might be going for his knife, but then Andrew grabs onto his arm instead, his claws biting through Neil’s wetsuit into sensitive skin. "Easy," Neil chides, "She just needs to check your teeth."Andrew makes a low noise, something halfway between a whine and a growl. “Calm down,” Aaron tells him, “It’s not so bad. Both Nicky and I managed just fine.”The brusque comment seems to steel Andrew’s nerves enough for him to finally open his mouth. Abby sends Aaron a grateful look before peering closer at Andrew’s sharp teeth. Andrew is still as a statue, his claws digging hard enough into Neil’s arm to draw blood. Neil bites back a pained hiss but doesn’t pull away, unwilling to startle the mer during such a tense moment.“All clear,” Abby declares a minute later, “Okay, we just need to do your bloodwork and then you should be all set.” She reaches into her pouch, pulling out a needle and syringe. Andrew stiffens, his eyes fixed on the needle. “No,” he says flatly.“It won’t hurt,” Abby says, her tone soothing, “Just a tiny pinch, nothing more.”“Abby,” Neil interjects firmly, “He said no. Leave it.”“Okay, okay,” Abby relents, putting the needle away, “You’re all done now, Andrew. You can go.”Andrew sags against him, relaxing his grip with an exhausted sigh. Neil winces at the sting of saltwater on his wounds, but does not otherwise complain. “Go on,” he murmurs lowly to the mer, “I’ll catch up with you later.”Andrew nods tiredly, slinking away and diving back into the main tank. Aaron pauses just long enough to give Neil a shrewd look before following him.Abby watches them go, her expression pensive. “I can’t believe it,” she says at last, “How did you manage to- Oh. Neil." She frowns, her gaze falling on his injured arm, “You’re bleeding.”“It’s nothing,” Neil says, tucking his arm out of sight.“Nonsense,” Abby clucks at him, “Come back to my office with me, I’ll get you cleaned up.”“There’s no need,” Neil argues, “It barely even hurts, I’m fine-”“Neil Josten, you will not lie to me,” Abby scolds, “Fine or not, you cannot be in this tank with open wounds. My office, now.”Giving in, Neil climbs out of the pool. Five minutes later, he’s sitting on the exam table in Abby’s clinic, his sleeve rolled up just far enough for her to clean the injury. Fortunately, the cuts aren’t large or deep enough to require stitches, but Neil can already tell that they’ll leave scars.He doesn’t really mind. At least these marks aren’t the result of a bad memory.“You did really well today,” Abby says when she’s finally finished. “I mean it,” she adds at Neil’s skeptical look, “We’d never have convinced him without your help. We’re lucky to have you. Andrew is lucky to have you.” She tosses away used gauze and pauses, “How exactly did you convince him, by the way?”Neil shrugs. “I asked.”“You… asked?” Abby repeats, disbelieving, “And that’s all it took?”“Pretty much,” Neil says, hopping down from the table, “Can I go now?”“I- sure,” Abby says, “Make sure to keep an eye on those cuts. If it gets sore or starts to look infected, don’t ignore it. Either go to a doctor or come to me. And Neil?”“Yeah?” Neil replies, already halfway to the door.Abby smiles at him, “Thank you.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

In the weeks since Renee’s departure, Neil finds himself working longer and longer hours at the aquarium. The other Foxes insist on helping, of course. Jeremy takes it upon himself to take over morning food prep for the mers, cheerfully recruiting Matt, Jean and Kevin to help him out. Dan even offers to help him clean the tank in the afternoons once she’s finished with the dolphins. Neil was sure that Andrew wouldn’t allow it, but the mer had simply shrugged at the suggestion, seemingly unbothered. When that shift had happened, Neil wasn’t sure. He needed the help too badly to question Andrew’s change in attitude. How Renee had managed a tank of this size on her own for so long, he didn’t know. That morning, he clocks in feeling more worn than usual. He’d barely been able to get out of bed earlier, his head pounding like a drum. It had distantly occurred to him that he might be getting sick, but he’d disregarded the thought almost as soon as it registered. Instead, he’d just popped a painkiller and gone to work.He doesn’t have time for things like illness or colds. Not while he was on the run, and certainly not now.“Morning, Neil,” Matt greets when Neil enters the locker room, “How’s- oh shit, you okay buddy? You look rough,”“I’m fine,” Neil says automatically. He feels a bit dizzy, even as he tosses his things into his usual locker, but Matt doesn’t need to know that, “Didn’t sleep well, is all.”“Uh huh,” Matt says slowly, “Well, don’t push yourself too hard today, okay? If you’re not feeling well, we can-”“Matt,” Neil says a little sharply, “Don’t worry about it, alright? I’m good.”Matt flinches a little, lifting his hands in surrender. Neil shoves down his guilt and grabs his wet suit, ducking into one of the stalls to change. He has to lean against the wall to keep his footing, but eventually he manages to pull on his suit and zip himself up. Five minutes later, he’s heading to the commissary to pick up morning meals. “Thanks again for doing this, Jeremy,” he says, “Really, it’s- nice.”“No problem, man,” Jeremy says, flashing his usual bright smile. It falters a little when his eyes land on Neil’s face, “Are you feeling okay? You don’t look so good.”“Why does everyone keep saying that?” Neil grumbles, “I feel fine.”“You don’t look fine,” Kevin says, scowling while elbow deep in diced herring, “You look like shit.”“Wow, thanks Kev,” Neil says dryly, helping Jeremy load his cart with sliced tuna, “Appreciate the support. Fuck you, by the way.”“He has a point,” Jean says mildly, giving Neil a critical look, “You would do well to listen.”“Fuck you both then,” Neil adds, just as mildly, “Not you though, Jeremy. You get a pass.”“Thanks,” Jeremy says, clearly fighting a laugh, “But seriously Neil, just tell Wymack you’re not feeling well. We’ll cover you, you don’t have to-”“I take it back, you don’t get a pass anymore,” Neil gripes, “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some overgrown goldfish to feed.”He leaves the three of them in various states of laughter and disgruntlement, his head aching worse with each step he takes. He’s so distracted that he nearly forgets to grab his diving gear, having to double back at the last minute to pick it up.When he finally gets to the tank, the three mermen are already waiting for him. “Good morning, Neil,” Nicky chirps, “What’s- oh wow, you look-”“Say one word about my appearance, and I’m feeding your breakfast to the dolphins,” Neil warns. Nicky balks at his sharp tone, seemingly chagrined.“What’s your problem?” Aaron asks, raising a brow. Neil is almost relieved at the lack of sympathy in the mer’s voice, but that doesn’t stop him from biting back. “Less talking, more eating,” he says, handing out tuna.Aaron scowls at him. “Prickly bastard,” he grumbles, nudging his brother and cousin. “C’mon, let’s go.”Nicky follows him obediently, but Andrew lingers, his eyes fixed on Neil. He doesn’t say anything, simply tilting his head in question.“What?” Neil asks warily, his hackles raising, “Not you too-”Andrew ignores him, lifting a hand to Neil’s forehead. “Warm,” he comments, “You have a fever.”“It’s nothing,” Neil sighs, “Really, it’s just a cold. I’m fine, I can work.” He ignores Andrew’s skeptical look and pulls on his fins. The mer watches him silently for another moment before he dives back under. Neil sighs, for once relieved to be free of Andrew’s piercing gaze.Sinking into the tank is an immediate relief, the cool water a balm on his fevered skin. He tries to get his bearings quickly, pushing past the pressure behind his eyes to focus on the sharks circling below, waiting for their morning meal. He approaches slowly, his limbs oddly heavy. They end up mostly coming to him, hungry and impatient with his sluggishness. Neil spears bits of tuna as quickly as he can, fighting to keep his focus. Managing all the hungry mouths on his own is hard enough on a good day, but today he struggles to keep up. The sharks bump against him in agitation, clearly annoyed with him for taking so long.His vision flickers around the edges. There’s a warning bell going off in the back of his mind, but Neil can’t quite seem to hear it. He shakes his head vigorously, feeling himself slipping away just as the world fades to black. Something tugs hard at the bag of food in his hands, ripping it away, and then half a dozen large bodies are barging into him, tossing him around like a rag doll. Neil fights to free himself, caught in the middle of the frenzy, but something solid and hard smacks him in the head, knocking him senseless. Panic is a sudden wave rising, but Neil is still seeing double, still unable to tell which way is up.Suddenly, he hears an inhuman shriek, followed by a venomous hiss promising murder. The sharks around him scatter like frightened birds, taking flight at first sign of a bigger threat. Neil squints past his blurred vision, trying to spot the danger, but then strong arms are wrapping around him, lifting him towards the surface. Neil blinks, dazed and confused. He’s being held against a broad chest, a familiar voice ringing in his ears. It’s hard to tell when his vision keeps fading out, but he thinks the face above his is Andrew’s. The mer shakes him, his words muffled through the cotton in Neil’s head. He tries to speak, only belatedly remembering Andrew can’t hear him through the regulator. He tries to pull it off, but Andrew bats his hands aside, tugging off the regulator and mask before tossing them away carelessly. Andrew hauls Neil up onto the diving platform, grunting with effort. “Stay awake,” he commands, smoothing back Neil’s hair. The fear in his voice is unmistakable. “Don’t you dare pass out again.”“Andrew,” Neil says weakly, “Andrew, what-?” Something hot and sticky is running down his cheek. Neil touches it without thinking, his hand coming away bloody. “Oh-”“Neil!” someone yells. There’s a cacophony of voices, followed by a small stampede. Andrew hisses as they approach, baring his sharp teeth. Neil struggles to keep his eyes open, his gaze locked on Andrew’s face, but then the ache in his head takes over and his vision turns black once more. ***Neil groans, groggy and disoriented. Something is pressed against his forehead. It takes him a moment to realize it’s a hand. For a wild moment, he thinks it might be his mother’s.He’s leaning against something hard - glass, he thinks. A window. Judging from the slight jostling and the hum of an engine, he’s in a car. Oddly enough, he’s still wearing his wet suit.“Jesus Christ,” a familiar voice curses, “He’s still burning up. Dan-”“I’m going as fast as I can,” Dan replies, “Hospital is only ten minutes away, we should-”“No,” Neil rasps, his throat like sandpaper, “No hospitals.”The hand on his forehead stills. “Neil, buddy,” the man says. It’s Matt speaking, Neil realizes belatedly, “You’re sick, we need to take you to a doctor-”“No,” Neil repeats stubbornly. He squints his eyes open, trying to get his bearings. He’s sprawled out in the passenger seat of Matt’s truck. Dan is at the wheel, her eyes fixed on the road. Matt is seated beside him, his brow creased in worry.“Neil,” Dan says evenly, “You passed out and hit your head. Abby says you need to get checked out.”Neil fumbles at the door behind him, feeling around blindly until his hand lands on the plastic handle. It’s been a while since he’s had to tuck and roll from a moving car, but he still remembers what to do. “No hospitals,” he says again, “Take me home.”“Neil-” Dan begins to argue.“Dan,” Matt interrupts, his gaze locked on Neil’s hand, “Do as he says.”Dan glances over, her eyes widening. “Oh for fuck’s sake,” she swears, taking a hard left and turning the truck around, “Fine.”The drive back to Neil’s apartment is silent. Neil fights to stay awake, not trusting that Dan and Matt won’t change their minds and take him to the hospital in spite of his protests. He feels both feverish and chilled, his headache from earlier that morning making his eyes hurt. There’s a tender spot just above his brow, and he taps against it gently, feeling along the edges of a large bandage. “Abby patched you up,” Matt explains when he glances over at Neil, “You scared the hell out of us.”Neil winces. “Sorry,” he mumbles, “For that and, well… for snapping at you earlier. I-” He pauses, unsure how to explain. “I’m not… used to this.”“To what?” Dan asks, “Giving your all of your friends’ heart attacks?”“No,” Neil admits quietly, “To having friends.”There’s a beat of silence that follows his words, and then Dan sighs, “ Oh Neil…” Neil frowns at the sorrow in her tone and looks to Matt for answers, but instead only finds Matt surveying him with a wounded look. “Did I… say something wrong?” he asks, uncertain.“No,” Matt reassures him, smiling weakly, “It’s all good, buddy. Don’t worry. We’re cool.”“We’re here,” Dan says, pulling into the parking lot, “Matt and I will-”“Thanks for the ride,” Neil says. He opens the door as soon as the truck is stopped, sliding out before either of them can protest. He’s halfway up the stairs before he realizes he doesn’t have his keys or any of his belongings. Cursing lowly, he turns to go back down the stairs, only to find Matt waiting for him, holding the keys up with Neil’s duffel bag slung over his shoulder. “Dan is parking the truck,” he says, “Looking for these?”“Yes,” Neil says, relieved. He reaches for them, but Matt just holds them up higher and passes him on the steps. “We’ll just stay for a few minutes,” he says breezily, “Just to make sure you’re settled in and have everything you need.”“There’s no need for that,” Neil argues. He tries to chase Matt up the stairs, but fatigue and dizziness force him to lean against the railing. Matt just raises an eyebrow at him and continues on. “Which one is yours?” he asks mildly.Wheezing, Neil gives in. “Last on the left,” he says. Realization dawns on him just as Matt turns the key in the look, “Wait, don’t lo-”Too late.Matt pauses as the door swings open, his eyes going wide. In all his urgency to get home and avoid the hospital, Neil had forgotten the current state of his apartment. It’s been a long while since he’s lived in a properly furnished home, but he’s well aware that most people have more furniture than just a folding chair and worn out mattress on the floor.“What happened?” Matt asks, bewildered as he steps inside, “Were you robbed, or-” He stills, dropping Neil’s duffel bag onto the floor. “Neil, have you been living like this the whole time?”Neil winces. There’s no use lying about it now, not really, but that doesn’t stop him from trying. “I wasn’t sure how long I’d be staying,” he says, “It seemed silly to buy furniture-”“You’ve been here for months,” Matt reminds him. His frown deepens when he spots the threadbare blankets that make up Neil’s bed. “You can’t stay here,” he says, looking deeply troubled, “Just come to our place for a while, it’ll be-”“What’s going on?” Dan calls from the entrance, “Is everything-? Oh.” Dan’s expression mirrors Matt’s for a moment before twisting into frustration. “How long have you been living like this?” she demands, “Why didn’t you say anything?”Neil flinches, unused to seeing her so upset. “I’m sorry,” he tries, “I didn’t know that it mattered.”“Didn’t know that it-” Dan fumes before stopping herself. She takes a deep breath, closing her eyes and letting it out in a long exhale. “Matt,” she says, authority in her tone, “Take him back to our place. Make sure he gets some medicine and some rest.”“On it,” Matt says, “What about you?”“I’m going to stay here,” Dan says, “I need to make a few calls. Come back once you’ve got him settled in at home - and bring the truck. We’re going to need it.”“Yes ma’am,” Matt says, kissing her firmly on the forehead, “C’mon, Neil. You heard her.”“Hold on,” Neil says, “Dan, I don’t need-”The look she gives him is thunderous, but her voice is perfectly even when she speaks. “Neil,” she says calmly, “Go change your clothes and get back in the truck. Now.”Neil isn’t foolish enough to test her patience again. He nods and goes to the bathroom to change, exhaustion wearing him thin. When he’s finished, he follows Matt back down the stairs quietly, suddenly longing for a soft pillow to rest his aching head. “Don’t take it to heart too much,” Matt says as he unlocks the truck, “She’s not really mad. Just worried.”Neil sighs, leaning back against the leather headrest. “I know,” he mumbles, “I’m sorry.”“You don’t need to be sorry,” Matt tells him, turning the key in the ignition, “Just… be honest with us, you know? Tell us when you need help. She cares about you. We both do.”Neil closes his eyes, heartsick with guilt. It’s an unfamiliar sensation, one that makes him squirm in discomfort. “I’ll do better,” he says, “I promise.”***Twenty minutes later, Matt pulls into the driveway of a single-story, ranch-style home. Though small, the garden is well-kept and the lawn neatly trimmed. Matt shuts off the truck and leads the way, waiting until Neil has stepped into the hall before closing and locking the door.The inside of Matt and Dan’s home is cozy and bright. There’s a large couch in the living room and plush carpet on the floors. The walls are decorated with dozens of photos; some featuring the two of them on various vacation destinations, others the staff at Foxhole Aquarium. A few photos feature Matt, his arm around the shoulders of an older woman whom he strongly resembles. Neil wonders if she might be Matt’s mother.“There’s a guest bed down the hall,” Matt says, “Second on the right, next to the bathroom. Make yourself comfortable. I’m going to grab the thermometer and some meds. I think we’ve got some Tylenol left over. Do you like tea?”“Uh,” Neil says, slightly overwhelmed and feeling dizzy again, “Yeah, sure. Tea is good.”“Great,” Matt says, kicking off his shoes, “Go settle in, I’ll just be a minute.”Neil watches him go for a minute before finding his way to the guest room. More photos line the walls of the hallway. Neil recognizes a younger Kevin in one of them, crammed into a booth between Wymack and Abby, his expression disgruntled even as Abby laughs. There’s a waiter in the shot too, setting down an alarmingly large sundae in front of Kevin. Based on the candles topping the sundae and the opened card in Kevin’s hand, Neil figures it must have been taken on Kevin’s birthday.“Dan took that,” Matt says from behind him. “Sorry,” he adds when Neil jumps, “Didn’t mean to startle you.”“S’fine,” Neil says. He looks back at the photo,“I didn’t realize you all were so close.”“Wymack is something of a surrogate father to Dan,” Matt says, “Really, he’s a bit of a father figure to all of us, as much as he likes to deny it.” Neil frowns, his eyes catching on a larger group photo on the wall; a candid shot of all the Foxhole staff, gathered around an overloaded dining table. Wymack, Renee, Bee and Abby all appear engrossed in conversation, while Jeremy is practically draped over Jean’s lap, lips pressed to Jean’s cheek. Neil knew that the two lived together, but he hadn’t realized they were a couple.Kevin is seated on Jean’s right, red-faced and flustered. Whether his stare is locked on Jeremy or Jean, Neil cannot tell. Opposite of him is Matt, clearly attempting to pass the rolls and unable to get Kevin's attention. Neil presumes the empty seat next to him belongs to Dan.“That was Thanksgiving last year,” Matt says, following Neil’s gaze, “Dan took that too. One of these days I’ll get her a new tripod, so she can actually be in the family photos again.” He nudges Neil along into the guest bedroom, setting down a bottle of pills and a mug of tea on the nightstand.Neil settles gingerly on the bed, exhaustion making his limbs heavy. His whole body aches with fever, and he’s hit with another wave of chills. “Open up,” Matt says, holding out a thermometer.“I’m not a little kid,” Neil complains, but he opens his mouth anyway and lifts up his tongue. Matt pops the thermometer in and pats him on the head, waiting patiently until it beeps before checking the temp. “102.9 degrees,” he says, frowning, “Jesus, maybe we should have just taken you to the ER.”“I’m fine,” Neil says stubbornly.“I’m officially banning that phrase from your vocabulary,” Matt sighs, pulling back the covers and handing him two pills, “Take these, drink your tea, and then try to get some sleep.”Neil swallows the pills down with a gulp of tea, wincing. Mary would be rolling in her grave if she saw him drinking Lipton, but Neil isn’t about to complain. “Thanks,” he says, crawling under the covers and collapsing onto the soft mattress, “I’m sorry again for, well. Everything, I guess.”“That’s enough ‘I’m sorry’s’ for one day, I think,” Matt tells him, heading for the door, “Sleep well.”Neil closes his eyes before Matt even shuts the door. Within minutes, he’s fast asleep.***Hours later, Neil wakes with a dry cough. His throat feels like it’s been scrubbed raw, but at least his head aches a little bit less. He sits up and reaches for his mug of tea, but it’s long since gone cold. Neil chugs it down anyway, too desperate to relieve his throat to care. He groans at the bitter taste and wipes at his mouth. The bottle of pills are still there on the nightstand; Neil isn’t sure how long he slept, but judging by the now setting sun, he’s likely due for another dose. He pops two more pills and grabs the thermometer. His fever seems to have lessened, though he still feels a little delirious. He shuffles on shaky legs into the kitchen. The lights are all on, but there’s no sign of Matt and Dan. There is, however, a sticky note on the fridge: 
Went to pick up Dan. Call when you wake up.

XXX-XXX-XXXX

-Matt
Neil fills a glass of water at the sink, gulping it down greedily while he considers the note. It takes him a minute to locate the landline phone in the kitchen, but he dials Matt’s number once he does. Matt answers on the second ring, sounding strangely out of breath. “ Hey man, ” he greets, his voice tinny through the speaker, “ How’d you sleep? ”“Like a rock,” Neil croaks, “Where are you?”“Still at your place,” Matt answers, “We’ll be leaving soon though. How are you feeling?”Neil considers, taking stock of his body. His throat still hurts like hell, but his headache is less severe, and the room is no longer spinning. “Better than I was,” he says, opting for honesty, “Could probably use more sleep though. Why are you still at my place? It’s been hours.”“Just taking care of some things,” Matt says evasively, “Are you staying the night at ours?”“I’ve intruded on you guys too much already,” Neil says, “I’d rather just head home for the night.”“You’re not intruding,” Matt says, “But that’s fine. We’ll be there soon.”After Matt hangs up, Neil settles on the living room couch, sipping his water and watching the road outside the living room window. Twenty minutes later, a familiar truck pulls into the driveway. Neil gets up and heads outside, pausing only to lock the front door behind him. “Hey,” Matt greets when Neil slides into the passenger seat, “All set?”“Yep,” Neil says, buckling himself in. He glances into the empty back seat, raising an eyebrow, “Where’s Dan?”“Still back at yours,” Matt says, “She wanted me to make sure you were really feeling better before driving you back.” He pauses, surveying Neil’s face, “Are you really feeling better?”“I am,” Neil says, “Really, Matt. Sleeping helped a lot.”“Well, you look better in any case,” Matt muses, putting the truck in reverse and backing out, “That’ll have to do.” By the time they reach Neil’s apartment, it’s already dark out. Neil frowns at the extra cars parked in front of his building, one of which he recognizes as Jeremy’s bright red Jeep. “What’s going on?” Neil asks, confused, “Why is Jeremy here?”“Hmm?” Matt asks, parking next to black Toyota that looks identical to Kevin’s, “Oh, nothing. He and Jean just stopped by to help out.”“Help out,” Neil repeats slowly, “Help with what, exactly?”“You’ll see,” Matt says vaguely, “Come on, let’s get inside.”He shuts off the ignition and shoves open the truck door, forcing Neil to follow or risk being locked inside. Suspicions growing by the minute, Neil gets out of the truck, tailing behind Matt all the way up the stairs. The door to his apartment is already open, the sound of multiple voices spilling into the hallway. “I think that’s everything,” he hears Jeremy say, “Kevin- would you give me a hand with this? Let’s take it out to the dump, and then I think we’re all set.”“Thanks again for all the help, guys,” Dan says, “They should be back any minute. Oh.” She pauses, catching sight of Matt and Neil lingering in the doorway, “Speak of the devil.”“Coming through,” Jeremy calls. He’s carrying one end of Neil’s old mattress, smiling brightly at their arrival. Kevin is holding up the other end, looking distinctly less cheerful but focused all the same. Dan steps aside to let them through. Jean follows after them, his arms full of broken down cardboard. He nods to Dan and Matt as he passes, pausing to give Neil an assessing glance before moving along. Neil stares after the procession, feeling totally lost. “Where are they taking my bed?”“To the dump,” Dan says briskly, “Come inside. It’s getting cold out.”Neil obeys, stepping into the tiny entry and kicking off his shoes. There’s a new doormat now; simple, with gray stripes. He follows Dan down the hall, Matt close at his heels. His gaze is drawn to the kitchenette first, spotting the gleaming new coffee maker on the counter and the glistening new kettle on the stove. Stunned, Neil takes in the rest of his apartment. There’s a tiny dining table by the kitchen window now, with two wooden chairs. The rest of his living space is divided into two; on one half is a loveseat sofa, a battered coffee table and an old entertainment center, on which sits a small flat screen TV. A plush rug covers the majority of his cold vinyl floors, making the whole space feel much more cozy.On the other side of the studio is a brand new queen size bed, shoved up against one wall with a nightstand. There’s a dresser too, a little worn with age but still in solid condition. “What-” Neil starts before cutting himself off, at a loss for words. All of it is so much. He tries again a moment later, swallowing hard to clear his throat, “Where did you get all of this?”“Most of it was donated,” Dan shrugs, “Jeremy and Jean were planning on upgrading to a new TV anyway, and that couch has been sitting in Renee’s mom’s basement for like a year. Matt and I didn’t need that breakfast table anymore, we just got a new one two months ago and hadn’t gotten around to tossing the old one yet.” “Abby contributed the kitchen appliances,” Matt adds, “She’s been trying to cut her caffeine intake, and I guess she barely used the kettle. Bee donated the doormat, pillows and linens. Kevin, Katelyn and Erik scraped together most of the rest. The only new thing we had to buy was the bed frame and mattress.”“How much?” Neil asks, now completely overwhelmed by their generosity, their kindness, “I’ll pay you back.”“No you won’t,” Dan says immediately, “Wymack covered the cost of the bed, and he won’t accept a dime from you. Not for this.”“She’s right,” Matt says, “You might as well accept it.”“I-” Neil stammers, his words getting lodged in his throat, “I don’t- How can I ever repay you for this?”“I’ll tell you how,” Dan says, putting a hand on his shoulder, “The next time you get sick, or get into trouble, or need help, you tell us. Let us be there for you, Neil. That’s what friends do.”The ferocity of her tone leaves no room for argument, so Neil just nods, at a loss. “I will,” he says, “I promise, Dan, I-” He clears his throat, struggling to reign himself in. “Thank you.”“You’re welcome,” Dan says. She pulls him into a tight hug before letting him go. Neil stiffens at the sudden contact; he can’t remember the last time anyone hugged him. Not even Mary had, not like this anyway. “Get some sleep,” Dan continues, releasing her hold and stepping back, “You’re off work until you feel better. Wymack’s orders.”“We’ll cover for you,” Matt says just as Neil opens his mouth to protest, “Don’t worry. You need to rest.”“Anyway,” Dan says, slipping on her shoes and heading for the door, “There’s medicine in your bathroom cabinet and soup in the fridge. Abby dropped some off for you.”“Good night,” Matt calls, “Sleep well!”When the door closes behind them and their footsteps fade into silence, Neil surveys his apartment again. It’s almost unrecognizable from what it was before,Shaking himself from his reverie, Neil locks the front door and gets into the shower. He washes the salt and sweat off of his fevered body, still in shock at the day’s events. There’s a fresh towel waiting for him on the rack, and he dries himself off quickly.When he’s dressed, Neil heats up the soup, eating it quietly at his new dining table and watching night fall outside his window. The hot meal eases the hollowness in his stomach, but it does nothing to quell the emotions still tight in his throat.Once his soup is gone and his teeth are brushed, he crawls into bed, still exhausted despite sleeping most of the day away. His new mattress is a cloud beckoning him towards unconsciousness, and Neil falls into it gladly. He closes his eyes and dreams of being gently carried into an abyss.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

When Neil wakes the next morning, his headache is gone. He stretches, the sun streaming in through his apartment windows. It’s been a while since he’s slept in this late, so used to rising before dawn he’s become. For the first time since he moved in, his apartment doesn’t look dingy and gray in the morning light. Now its interior is light and cozy, like it could almost be mistaken for a home.Home is a concept still foreign to him, but Neil has long been a stranger in a strange land. He can adapt to this too.When he rolls out of bed, the perpetual dizziness from the day prior doesn’t return. His muscles still ache from the residual effects of fever, and the cut on his forehead is still tender to the touch, but the ground does not spin underneath him when he shuffles into the bathroom. When he checks his temperature, the thermometer reports that his fever is gone. Whatever sickness he had seems to have passed.He takes another dose of medicine anyway, just to be on the safe side. After getting dressed and shuffling into the kitchen, his eyes land on the new coffee maker. At first he thinks he’ll need to buy beans later, but when he opens his cupboards to grab a granola bar, he finds a fresh bag of coffee grounds. Whether Dan had bought it or Abby had dropped it off with the rest of the appliances, Neil doesn’t know, but he makes a mental note to thank both of them again later.There’s no cream or sugar in his pantry, though. Not that Neil minds, he prefers his coffee black anyway. Sipping at his mug and taking in his new furnishings once again, he considers his options. The sun is already up, but it’s still only seven. He can still make it to the aquarium well before the mer's feeding time if he leaves now. Wymack had given him the day off to recover from being sick, but he didn’t say what to do if he woke up feeling perfectly well again. Neil rips open his granola bar and takes a bite. That’s as good of a loophole as any.Finishing his mug, Neil slips on his shoes and grabs his bag. Wymack might be cross with him for showing up, but with Renee gone and the staff stretched thin, he won’t be able to deny that they need the help. The walk to the aquarium goes quickly, and before long he’s walking through the employee entrance and heading up the stairs. He passes by Jeremy and Jean on the way and manages to hide a wince when the blonde puts a hand out to stop him. “Neil? What are you doing here?” Jeremy questions. “Aren’t you supposed to be at home?” Jean adds suspiciously.“I woke up feeling a lot better,” Neil says, “So I called Wymack. He said I could come in as long as I don’t have a fever.”Jean raises a skeptical eyebrow, clearly unimpressed, "You have a phone?"Neil nods. Technically, it isn't a lie. Browning had given him a new phone when he'd been released from WitSec. Neil had popped the battery out the minute he was alone and dismantled it to check for bugs.The phone turned out to be clean, but he never bothered to put it back together. He wouldn't use it anyway.“Oh, well. Alright then!” Jeremy smiles, clapping Neil on the back, “I’m glad you’re feeling better, man! You gave us a bit of a scare, you know?”“Sorry,” Neil says, rubbing at his neck, “Thank you both for… well, everything. I mean-”“Happy to do it,” Jeremy grins, “You like the new TV then?”“Yeah,” Neil says. It’s not a total lie. While he hasn’t had a chance to try the TV yet, nor does he have internet or cable, he appreciates the gift nonetheless, “It’s great.”“Awesome,” Jeremy laughs, “Maybe then you can finally watch Fleabag , huh? Jean and I must be on our sixth rewatch of it by now.”“Seventh,” Jean corrects.“I wasn’t counting the last one,” Jeremy laughs, “I fell asleep halfway through, remember?”“You always fall asleep, mon cherie.”“Right… Well,” Neil, scrambling to think of an excuse to leave the couple behind before they get any more doe-eyed, “I’ll see you guys later, then.”He’s nearly made it to the locker rooms when another voice stops him in the hall.“Josten!” a gruff voice booms. Neil grimaces, his eyes finding Wymack where his head is poked out of his office door. “In here. Now, ” Wymack orders. Knowing that escape is impossible, Neil accepts his fate and follows him into his office. “Good morning, boss,” he says dully.“Don’t you ‘good morning, boss’ me,” Wymack grumbles, “What the fuck are you doing here? You are supposed to be at home. Resting.”“I did rest,” Neil says, “And now I feel better, so I came in to work.”“Smart-ass,” Wymack says irritably, “Fine. But no getting in the tank until Abby checks your temp and clears that head wound, you hear me? I do not want to hear about you diving while sick again, or so help me I will put you on tour duty for a month. Am I clear?”Neil fights a shudder at the threat. “Crystal.”“Good,” Wymack says, “Now-”There's a sudden crash coming from outside Wymack's office, followed by a startled yelp. Neil jumps to his feet and rushes out the door towards the noise, Wymack hot in his heels. The commotion seems to be coming from the direction of the mer tanks, so Neil takes a hard left down the hallway towards the diving deck. To his shock, Andrew is on the platform, dragging himself across the metal grating despite his heavy tail still dangling off the edge. Dan is there too, pinned between the railing and the furious merman, a half-full bucket of fish spilled on the ground beside her. She shoots Wymack a wild, panicked look, her face ashen with fear. "Andrew," Neil says, keeping his voice calm as he slowly approaches, "Drew, it's al-"The words have barely left his mouth before the merman whips around to face him, pale-faced and wide-eyed. Dan takes the opportunity to escape, but Andrew is no longer paying attention to her. Instead, he reaches a clawed hand towards Neil, his vicious snarls shifting into a series of frantic, desperate clicks. Neil goes to him without hesitation, dropping to his knees at Andrew's side. "Neil-" Dan calls worriedly, "Neil, be careful, he's-""It's fine, Dan," Neil replies, cutting her off. The merman catches hold of him, anxiously running his hands over Neil's chest, shoulders and cheeks, tracing a clawed finger over the bandage on Neil's temple. Neil lets him, keeping his own hands firmly at his sides. "It's alright," he says softly, leaning into Andrew's touch, "It's just a scratch. I'm fine." That earns him several unhappy clicks, and then Andrew is tugging at his clothes, trying to pull him towards the water. "Calm the fuck down," Wymack warns, "He can't go in with you right now. Not while that head wound is still healing."Andrew shoots him a lethal glare, but he stops pulling on Neil, instead settling down with a miserable noise. Neil hums lowly to get Andrews' attention. He lifts a hand to Andrew’s hair, pausing at the last second to see if the mer will push him away. “Is it okay if I touch you?” he asks when Andrew eyes his hand warily. After a brief pause, Andrew nods. His shoulders drop slightly when Neil tucks a lock of his hair behind his sharp ear, his whole body relaxing with a soft, shuddering sigh. Neil waits for him to pull away, but the merman shows no sign of moving, instead dropping his head onto Neil’s shoulder. "It's okay," Neil says, stroking Andrew’s hair, "I'm sorry I scared you."“You were unconscious,” Andrew says, “And bleeding.”“You were right,” Neil says, “I was sick, and I pushed myself too hard.”“If you ever do that again,” the mer warns, clenching his fists, “I’ll drown you myself.”“Hey-” Dan protests, but Neil silences her with a look.Andrew ignores her, his grip on Neil's shirt tightening. "Nobody told me where you were," he growls, his voice raspy and strained, "They came and took you away, and I-""It’s okay," Neil says again, "I'm alright. I'm here."  He sends Dan and Wymack an accusatory look, a silent demand for answers. Dan balks at the weight of his scorn, while Wymack looks downright stricken. Sighing, he turns back to the agitated mer when he notices the blood on Andrew's tail. Some of the scales are scraped raw, no doubt from dragging himself across the metal grating."You're bleeding," he says gently, "Will you let us check you over?"Andrew twitches, finally lifting his head to glare up at Neil. "It's just a scratch.""Then it won't take long."Andrew is quiet for a long moment before answering. "Make it quick.""Dan," Neil says, glancing over to her, “Can you go get Abby?" She stares at him in silence, looking as if she’s just seen him clearly for the first time. “Dan,” Neil tries again.“R-right,” she says, as if awakening from a trance, “Yes, sorry. I’ll go.”When she’s gone, Wymack sinks into a crouch, putting himself eye-level with Andrew. “We should have told you what was going on,” he says, “It was our mistake.”“Save your apology,” Andrew says flatly, “I do not wish to hear it.”“It’s not an apology,” Wymack says, “It is a promise. It will not happen again.”Andrew doesn’t say anything, but he meets Wymack’s gaze and holds it. Neil wonders how long their wordless staredown might last, but then Andrew looks away, seemingly mollified. “See that it doesn’t.”“You have my word.” Wymack replies. He straightens again just as Abby comes rushing over, her brow wrinkled in concern. “What happened?” she asks, dropping to her knees by Andrew’s side, “Dan said-”“It’s here,” Neil points out, indicating the wound on Andrew’s tail, “From the grating, see?”Abby tuts lowly, opening her first aid kit. “We’ll need to disinfect it,” she says, “The scales will grow back on their own eventually.” She frowns at the metal grating. “We should do something to cover that, so we don’t have any more injuries. A rubber mat, maybe. David-”“I’ll take care of it,” Wymack answers.“Okay Andrew,” Abby says, “Try to hold still, this might sting a bit-”Andrew is perfectly still while she cleans the wound, though Neil can feel the tension rolling off of him in waves. When Abby is finished, she packs up her first aid kit and gets to her feet.“Come on,” Neil nudges Andrew, “Let’s get you back into the tank.”Andrew glares at him, but he releases Neil’s shirt and carefully maneuvers himself back into the water. Once submerged, he fixes Abby with a harsh stare, jerkily nodding at Neil. “How long?”Abby just looks confused until Neil taps on his stitched up forehead. “A week,” she says, “Maybe more. That cut needs to fully close before he can swim or dive, or else he’ll risk infection.”Neil winces. A week wasn’t so bad in the grand scheme of things, but he’s not the one who will have to clean the tank while his injury heals. “Will you be alright with Dan covering for me?” he asks Andrew.Andrew blinks up at him, all traces of emotion now smoothed out to bland indifference. “I don’t care,” he replies, “Just make sure she stays out of my way.”Neil snorts, pleased at the return of Andrew's usual abrasive attitude. “Thank you,” he says, “Don’t miss me too much.”Andrew scoffs, annoyed. “I won’t miss you at all.”Neil doesn’t call him out on the obvious lie, but he doesn’t have to. They both know it’s not true.“If you two are done,” Wymack cuts in, “Neil, we still have some things to discuss.”“Right,” Neil says, “Coming.” He gets to his feet, pausing one more time to look back at the mer. As suspected, Andrew is still watching him, looking far calmer now than he had been just twenty minutes ago. Neil smiles and sends him a two-fingered salute, earning one last exasperated eye roll before he follows Wymack back to the office.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Somehow, the week Neil spends exiled from the tank feels more like a month.He keeps plenty busy, of course. Dan shows him how to take care of the dolphins in her absence while she tends to the mers, and Kevin helps him with keeping them fed and happy. The dolphins are social and chatty, but Neil can’t help being annoyed by them. Something about their almost aggressive friendliness and semi-playful attempts to bully him sets his nerves on edge. More often than not, he finds himself missing the quiet calm of the mer tank.“They’re just so demanding,” he complains to Dan over lunch one day, “If I try to pay attention to one, the others get pissed off and try to pick fights. If I’m too slow giving out treats, they get mad and start pretending to nip at me. I don’t know how you put up with it.”Dan laughs, almost choking on her sandwich. “You’re not wrong,” she wheezes once she clears her throat, “Dolphins are fucking assholes. The amount of times those little fuckers have tried to bite me-”“Tried,” Matt parrots, “Succeeded, more like.”“Hush, you,” Dan laughs, swatting his arm playfully, “Anyway, you’re not off base. They’re prickly little jerks and will do anything to get attention or food.” She pauses, casting Neil a sly look, “Though, I am a bit surprised you’re not a fan, given your apparent affinity for prickly jerks and all.”“What are you talking about?” Neil says, confused, “The sharks aren’t prickly.”"I'm not talking about the sharks, Neil," Dan says, "I'm talking about the mers."Neil frowns. "I don't follow."“Didn’t Andrew try to maul you on your first day?” Jean asks from across the table, “How else would you describe that, if not prickly?”“That was different,” Neil argues, “It was my fault. He was just protecting his territory.”“Sure,” Matt says, patting him on the back, “Whatever you say, buddy.”"Cheer up, Neil," Jeremy says bracingly at Neil’s sour look, "The week is almost over. Speaking of- Dan, any news from Wymack yet?"Dan shakes her head. “Not yet,” she answers, “He said they probably wouldn’t have reception on location.”“What’s going on?” Neil asks, curious, “Did something happen?”“Wymack got a call this morning while you were in dolphin hell,” Dan explains, “Coast Guard found an injured shark just off of Myrtle Beach. They think it was illegal poaching.” A chorus of angry murmuring passes around the table before Dan continues, “Wymack drove up to see if the poor thing can be saved, and he took Abby with him. They should be back this afternoon.”***Just as Dan predicted, Wymack and Abby return late that afternoon with the truck and trailer. Dan, Jeremy and Jean disappear to help them both unload, leaving Neil to finish up cleaning tasks for the day.He’s just finished cleaning the commissary when Wymack finally returns, his brow wrinkled in worry. “A lemon shark,” he says gruffly at Neil’s questioning look, “Still a juvenile. Five, maybe six years old at most.”Neil frowns, leaning against the counter. “How bad?”“Worse than we’d hoped,” Wymack says, “It was poachers, for sure. Bastards cut off his dorsal fin and left him to die.”Neil winces in sympathy. Without a functioning dorsal fin, the shark won’t be able to swim properly or keep its balance. Left in the wild, it’s as good as dead. “He’ll be a lifer, then.”“Assuming he lasts the night,” Wymack says grimly, “Abby is with him now. He’s sedated, so he’ll need help moving until it wears off. Otherwise, he’ll suffocate.”“How can I help?” Neil asks.Wymack considers him, frowning. “I’m making a rotating schedule for looking after him. He’s going to need round the clock care for a few days at least. Dan and Abby are covering for tonight, but you’ve got the first shift with Jeremy tomorrow morning.”“Okay,” Neil says, “I’ll be there.”“I’m also putting you back on the mer tank," Wymack adds, "But no more stupid risks, you hear me?"“Yes, sir,” Neil says dutifully.Wymack scowls at his tone, but instead of complaining he just waves Neil off. “Go on,” he grumbles, “Go see your merman.”“He’s not my merman,” Neil says, ignoring Wymack’s unimpressed look, “But thanks. I will.” He grabs his clipboard and slips past Wymack before he can argue any further, quickly ducking into the locker room to change into his wetsuit. Five minutes later, he half-jogs over to the mer tank, unable to hide his excitement. It’s only been a week, but even that feels too long.Humming to himself, Neil settles on the edge of the platform, his feet dangling in the cool water below. He frowns down at his clipboard, squinting through the smear of ink as he hurriedly initials and dates the tasks he’s completed during his shift. The sooner he can get this done, the better.Something grabs Neil’s foot and tugs hard enough to get his attention. He smirks and looks up from his checklist, peering into the water below. Beneath the surface is none other than Andrew, looking annoyed with his hand still wrapped around Neil’s ankle. He stares up at Neil, blinking slowly as he tugs again.“Be patient,” Neil says, “I’m nearly done, and then I’ll be in, okay?” Andrew blows a steady stream of bubbles that fail to completely hide his pout. He pokes his head out of the water a little, just enough that his eyes are above the surface. He doesn’t say a word, his silent demands for attention already loud enough. Neil snorts and finishes off the paperwork before setting it aside. “Alright, alright, you impatient guppy,” he chides, “I’m getting in now, calm down.” Tossing his pencil, he slips off the edge of the platform, sinking down into the water below all at once. Andrew meets him with eager hands and low, insistent clicks, as if scolding Neil for making him wait.Neil indulges him, letting Andrew grab him by the shoulders and push him away from the platform. He just barely manages to take a breath before Andrew is pulling him under, spinning them around in playful circles and twists. Andrew doesn’t keep him under long, letting him surface to suck in air before diving back down again. Neil can’t stop grinning, thrilled to be back in familiar waters. It’s rare to see Andrew openly play, let alone participate in it. He can’t help but treasure it like the rare gift that it is.They’ve just surfaced again when Nicky swims up to them, emitting delighted, curious chirps. Andrew replies back in kind, swimming circles around Neil and brushing against him occasionally. Nicky bumps against him too, smiling in greeting, but Andrew shoos him away suddenly, nudging him back with a series of rapid clicks. At first Nicky looks confused, even mildly hurt, but then his eyes light up and he grins, wide and excited before swimming away without further argument. Neil watches the interaction with a degree of confusion, unsure why Andrew sent his cousin away. “Everything okay?” he asks the merman when he returns to Neil’s side, “Did something happen?”Andrew stares at him for a moment before shaking his head, clicking softly. “Nothing,” he rasps, “Nicky is nosy.”“Nosy, huh?” Neil replies, grinning, “Or you just don’t want to share.”“Ha, ha,” Andrew says dryly. He flicks water at Neil’s face, unamused. “Does this mean you’re back to annoying me now?”“Yup,” Neil says happily, “Wymack gave me the go-ahead.” He nudges Andrew’s shoulder playfully. “Admit it, you’re glad to see me.”“Positively thrilled,” Andrew deadpans, pointing to his face, “Look at me. I’m practically giddy.”Just then, something brushes against Neil's foot from below. At first, he dismisses it as Andrew’s tail, but then a familiar snout bumps against his thigh and he recognizes his favorite nurse shark. “Oh hello, pretty thing,” he murmurs, stroking the top of her head gently, “What are you doing all the way up here? Did you come to say hi?” He casts Andrew a teasing look as he continues cooing at the shark, “At least somebody around here missed me.”The mer simply rolls his eyes at him, brushing a hand along the shark’s back. To Neil’s surprise, the shark quickly abandons him for Andrew, slipping under the mer’s outstretched arm and curling around his ribs. “I didn’t know you two were friends,” Neil says, watching as the nurse shark practically shoves herself into Andrew’s embrace.“Friends,” Andrew drawls, petting the shark’s snout, “Hardly. She’s an eternal nuisance, and I’ve simply resigned myself to tolerating her.”Neil swims closer, not so easily fooled. “Does she have a name?”“Dumbass,” Andrew says.Rude. “Fine,” Neil grumbles, “Don’t tell me then.” Andrew raises an eyebrow at him. “That is her name, idiot.”Neil stares at him. “You named your pet shark Dumbass.”“She’s not my pet,” Andrew replies, even as Dumbass nuzzles against his hand.Neil shakes his head, disbelieving, “That is easily the worst name for a pet I’ve ever heard.”“Nicky wanted to name her Sharky McSharkFace.”“...Fine,” Neil allows, “It’s the second worst name for a pet I’ve ever heard. You really couldn’t think of anything else?”Andrew gestures at the shark in his arms. “Why would I? It fits her perfectly.” Rolling his eyes, Neil pulls himself up onto a nearby ledge of rock, needing a break from treading water. He watches Andrew send Dumbass away with a few soft clicks. The shark must understand what Neil cannot, because she nuzzles Andrew one last time before delving back into the depths of the tank, disappearing into a blurred shadow.“Can I ask a question?” Neil says suddenly.“You just did," Andrew points out. He crosses his arms on the ledge and looks up at Neil, his long black tail fanning out behind him. From this angle, his scales cast tiny prisms, the usual pitch black shimmering like oil on water.It's more captivating than it should be, so Neil forces himself to look away. "A truth for a truth then," he amends. When Andrew nods for him to continue, Neil leans back on his palms. "You told me before that the only reason you're still here is because you made a promise," he starts, "What was it?""Nosy one, aren't you," Andrew tuts, "What will you give me, I wonder, for such a heavy truth?""Anything," Neil replies, "Name it, and it’s yours."He can tell by the way the mer stills that his curiosity is piqued. "When we first came here,” Andrew begins, “Wymack gave us a choice. Stay, or go. Nicky and Aaron wanted to stay.”"And you didn't?" Neil asks. The mer simply looks at him, saying nothing. "But… going back to the ocean would have killed you. You wouldn’t have lasted more than a few days, maybe a week at mo-" He pauses, his stomach sinking, "Oh."“Oh,” Andrew repeats, in a tone that probably is meant to be mocking but only sounds tired. Neil can see the exhaustion in his eyes, the weariness that had likely roosted there years ago and never left, not really. It’s like looking in a funhouse mirror, like seeing a hollow-eyed version of himself.Still, no matter how hopeless it had seemed, the thought of giving up had never crossed Neil’s mind. Maybe it was because of Mary, or maybe Neil had just been fighting to live for so long that he didn’t know how to stop. “Why?” he asks, desperate to understand, “Why just… give up?”Andrew shrugs, uncaring. "By the time Wymack laid out our options, it was clear Aaron and Nicky would be safe here. They did not need me any longer, and I saw no point to… remaining.""But you did," Neil frowns, "You did stay. So, why-?""When they realized my intentions were to leave, Nicky and Aaron begged me not to go," Andrew continues, "They said they'd do whatever it took to change my mind. So I offered them a deal; so long as the three of us stayed together, so long as nothing came between us ever again, I would stay." He looks away then, his next words barely audible, "If that ever changed, then I would go.""Is that what you meant then, about the fairytale?" Neil asks, "You said it wouldn't work because they'd made you a promise. They can't abandon their tails and become human without also leaving you behind, so they're stuck.""No," Andrew says, flicking an annoyed glance at Neil, "They can't abandon their tails and become human because it is impossible. It's a made up story, designed to soothe any merfolk foolish enough to entertain the idea of loving a human."“But what if they could?” Neil presses, “What if it was real?”“Do not waste my time with ridiculous ‘what-ifs’ or useless fantasies,” Andrew dismisses, “Truth, honesty. The things that are. That is what matters. There is no point hoping for the impossible.”There’s something in the mer’s words that sounds almost rote, as if he’s trying to convince himself just as much as he’s trying to convince Neil. “Speaking of truths,” Andrew continues, pulling himself up onto the ledge, “It’s my turn.”“Fine,” Neil acquiesces, deciding not to push Andrew any further today, “I’m listening.”Andrew considers him, a curious tilt to his head. “Tell me your name,” he says at last, “The one you were born with.”Neil’s stomach sinks, but he steels himself, unwilling to back out when he already agreed. “Nathaniel,” he says, the confession ashen in his mouth, “Nathaniel Wesninski.”Andrew frowns at that. "Nathaniel, huh?" he mutters, “It doesn’t suit you at all.”Neil laughs, brittle and broken. “I was named after my father.” He looks down into the watery depths, his eyes tracking the shadowy outline of a shark. “Mom hated how much I look like him. I think that’s why she always called me Abram.”“Abram?” Andrew asks.“My middle name,” Neil explains, “Even while we were living under aliases on the run, she would still call me that in private.” He sighs, his regret over his mother’s death lingering still, even years later. “It’s funny. She’d probably kill me for going to the FBI. For being here.”“She hurt you,” Andrew replies with a voice like steel, “She does not deserve your grief.”“Maybe not,” Neil agrees, “Maybe you’re right. I don’t know. She kept me alive for all that time. That has to count for something doesn’t it?”“Only if you let it,” Andrew says. A long silence falls over them, the weight of their combined truths heavy on Neil’s shoulders. “It is a good name,” the mer says at last, “Abram. Far better than Nathaniel.”Neil smiles ruefully, grateful for the indirect attempt at comfort. “Going to start calling me that now too?”“No,” Andrew says softly, meeting his eyes. He lifts a hand to Neil's face, gently tapping a clawed finger against his cheekbone, “I prefer Neil.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

The next morning finds Neil heading to the aquarium two hours early. The door is already unlocked when he arrives, both Abby and Dan’s cars still in the parking lot. Neil wonders if either of them went home last night or if they both stayed behind to take care of their newest arrival. Jeremy shuffles in just as Neil clocks in, bleary-eyed and groggy. “Morning, Neil,” he yawns, his words half-muffled into his fist.“Morning,” Neil replies, “You know where we’re supposed to go?”“Mhmm,” Jeremy says, typing on his phone and rubbing his eyes, “Want anything? I’m asking Jean to bring us coffee.”“No thanks,” Neil says. He’d made himself a black coffee before leaving this morning.“Suit yourself,” Jeremy shrugs. He tucks his phone into his pocket and clocks in, “Come on, I’ll show you where the quarantine tanks are.”He leads Neil down the hallway, taking a right instead of going up the stairs. It’s a part of the aquarium that Neil has never been through before. “There’s a separate area just off the loading docks that we use for newcomers,” Jeremy explains, “They have to be sectioned off from the general population at first so we can make sure they aren’t carrying any diseases or suffering from infections. Plus, since most come in injured, we don’t want them getting picked on by other fish.”“How long do we keep them there?”“30 days, usually,” Jeremy replies, “Sometimes longer, if they’re seriously sick. Our lemon shark might take a while before Abby clears him.”They stop in front of a set of industrial doors at the end of the hallway. Jeremy pushes through them easily, revealing a large atrium. There are at least a dozen small tanks, maybe more. Some are empty, but most have at least one resident inside. Neil spots at least two sea turtles, a mother otter and her newborn pups, a dolphin missing one of its flukes and an octopus watching them lazily. The largest of the tanks is in the farthest corner, with a very tired looking Dan inside. In her arms is the lemon shark. It’s longer than Neil is tall, its skin dull and lifeless. The barely remaining stump of its dorsal fin is still swollen and angry, though Neil can see Abby’s careful sutures closing the wounds.“Oh thank god,” Dan says with relief when she sees them approach, “You’re here.”Jeremy frowns, “Where’s Abby?”“Sleeping in her office,” Dan says, “I told her to get some rest,” She gestures at the shark in her arms, “Can one of you-?”“I’ve got it,” Neil says, getting into the tank and holding out his arms, “Here.”“I’ll show him what to do,” Jeremy adds, “Go on, Dan. Go home, get cleaned up and get some sleep.”“Thanks, guys,” Dan says gratefully, carefully passing Neil the shark. Its body is so limp, only the slight flutter of its gill’s even indicate that it’s still alive, “Are you sure-?”“We’ve got this,” Neil tells her firmly, “Go.”Dan nods, climbing out of the tank with a weary groan. “I’ll let Abby know you’re here,” she says, “She’ll want to check his vitals again.”“Has he eaten anything?” Jeremy asks.“Not yet,” Dan replies, shaking her head, “We tried a few hours ago, but he wasn’t interested. Abby said if he didn’t eat this morning, we’d have to put in a feeding tube.”Jeremy grimaces. “We’ll try another normal feeding then,” he says. When Dan finally leaves, he turns back to Neil. “Ever helped a shark breathe before?”“No,” Neil answers, “Show me what to do.”“Hold him like this,” Jeremy instructs, moving Neil’s hands, “Make sure you’re supporting his underbelly. Then you just circle the perimeter of the tank. Slowly. Make sure to keep an eye on his gills, see? When they’re fluttering like that? That means he’s still breathing. And don’t stop moving, whatever you do. If your arms get tired, I’ll switch places with you.”“What if he tries to move on his own?”“Let him,” Jeremy says simply, “If he’s capable of swimming on his own, that’s a good sign. Just watch him, and don’t let him stay still.” He gets to his feet, shaking the excess water off of his hands.“Where are you going?” Neil asks him.“Commissary,” Jeremy says, “We need to see if he’ll eat now. Otherwise, we’ll need to help Abby put in a feeding tube. I’ll be back in a bit.”Neil watches him go for a moment before turning his attention back to the shark in his arms. It’s surprisingly calm, but he supposes that’s likely due to the combination of exhaustion and the sedatives still in its system. “Hang in there, big guy,” Neil murmurs, “You’re a survivor. You’ll be okay. We’ll make sure of it.”The shark gives no indication that it can hear him, let alone understand, but Neil doesn’t mind. He just keeps moving, focusing on the shark’s gills as he circles the tank. About twenty minutes later, Jeremy returns with Abby in tow. “How’s he holding up?” Jeremy asks, setting a small bucket of minced squid and gelatin next to the tank.“No changes,” Neil says. He glances at Abby, frowning at the dark circles under her eyes, “Did you get any sleep?”“A bit,” Abby says ruefully, “I always forget how uncomfortable that cot is. Anyway, that’s besides the point. Let me check his vitals first, then we’ll sort out his meal.” She climbs into the tank next to Neil, pulling out her stethoscope and pressing it to the shark. “Heart rate is still too slow,” she says, frowning, “Jeremy, can you hand me the powder gel?”“What’s that?” Neil asks, puzzled at the small bottle Jeremy passes to her.“Antiseptic powder,” Abby explains, brow furrowed as she applies it to the shark’s sutured wounds, “Keeps out bacteria and prevents infection. Normal antiseptic just washes off in the water, but this stuff turns into gel when it gets wet and clings to the application site. It’ll last for way longer.” She straightens when finished, setting aside the bottle and pulling a syringe out of her medical bag. “Okay big guy, let’s get a blood sample,” she mutters, “Hold on to him Neil, in case he startles.”Neil braces himself, but the shark barely seems to notice when Abby pricks its skin. Abby sets the vial aside and motions for Jeremy. “Come on,” she instructs, “Let’s see if he’ll eat something then.”“Here you go, little buddy,” Jeremy murmurs, filling a large syringe full of pulverized squid. He offers it to the shark, but the creature shows no interest, simply ignoring the food.“Can I try?” Neil asks. Jeremy shrugs and nods, passing him the syringe. Neil moves further up the shark, letting Abby support the back half of its body while he shifts towards the creature’s mouth. He angles its snout up slightly, slipping the syringe in between rows of needle-sharp teeth before slowly injecting the food into its mouth. “There you go,” Neil mumbles, pleased when the shark stirs enough to swallow the food, “Good boy. That’s it.”“He did it,” Abby says in a mixture of exhaustion and relief, “He ate. Thank god.”Neil nods at Jeremy, holding out the empty syringe. “Another.”An hour later, the shark has eaten enough to satisfy Abby’s worries for the time being. Neil climbs out of the tank, his arms aching from carrying the heavy shark for so long. Jeremy takes over quickly, leaving Neil to shake out his soaked clothes at Abby’s side. “Will he make it, do you think?” he asks her.Abby nods. “It’s still early,” she says, “He could still get an infection and take a turn for the worse, but this is a very good sign. Sharks heal pretty fast, so the real test will be if he can figure out how to get around without that dorsal fin.” She glances at Neil, something akin to pride softening her tired eyes, “He still needs a name. Any ideas?”Neil considers. The rising sun filters through the atrium windows, transforming the shark’s muddy skin into a brownish gold. The color faintly reminds him of Andrew’s hazel eyes. “How about Sunshine?” he suggests.“Sunshine, huh?” Abby smiles, “A fitting name for a lemon shark. I like it. Sunshine it is.”***“I’ve brought you something,” Neil announces when he plops down next to Andrew’s tank that evening. The mer glances up at him, stirring from where he’s sprawled out on top of the rocks. “Bring it here.”Neil slips under the railing, hopping down onto the ledge next to the mer. He digs this week’s gift out of his pocket and drops it into the mer’s waiting palm. Andrew peers down at the necklace in his hand, unimpressed. “This isn’t chocolate.”“Observant of you,” Neil quips, “It’s sea glass,” He taps on the bright blue glass resting in Andrew’s palm. “Sometimes, glass bottles wind up in the ocean. When they break, the shards get polished by the sand until all the sharp edges are gone. Eventually, it washes back up on the beach.”Andrew brushes a finger over the smooth shard of glass. “You went to the beach?”Neil shakes his head. “The aquarium has a gift shop. The sea glass really is from the ocean, though. I checked.”Andrew huffs. “Typical,” he mutters. Carefully, he slips the leather cord over his head, the glass resting just below his collarbone. Neil bites a smile, pleased. “Do you like it?”Andrew hums thoughtfully at the question and doesn't reply, though Neil doesn’t miss the way the mer’s thumb lingers on the leather cord. “How’s the new kid doing?” Andrew asks, changing the subject.“Abby thinks he’ll recover,” Neil says, “But even if he does, he won’t survive if we release him back into the ocean. You’ll have a new roommate once he’s healthy again.” He pauses before adding, “He reminds me of you, a bit.”“Hmm,” Andrew grunts, his eyes far away. Neil watches him in silence for a long moment, a question rising on his tongue. "Do you ever miss it?" he asks before he can stop himself, "Your life before, in the ocean."The merman stills for a moment, then turns to look at him. He doesn't say anything, blinking long and slow as he considers the question. Neil swallows the lump in his throat, regret a bitter taste in his mouth. Perhaps it had been cruel to even ask, but there was no going back now. "It was my home, once," Andrew finally answers, "But no longer."A lonely ache clamps tight around Neil's lungs, but he forces out his next words through the pain. “I always wished I could be like you,” he confesses, “Be a mer, I mean. Live in the ocean. It always seemed like such a perfect escape, hiding deep under the waves where my father could never find me and I could be free.”“A childish dream,” Andrew murmurs, “Life in the ocean is just as deadly as life on land. Our monsters might look different, but they are monsters nonetheless.”“You’re probably right,” Neil sighs, “It’s just… it was the only dream I had.” He tucks his knees to his chest, his memories a knife under his skin."Do all humans have this much baggage?" Andrew wonders after a beat of silence, "Seems like every land walker I've met either lived through terrible things or is terrible themselves. Sometimes both.""Are merfolk any different?" Neil asks before shrugging, "I don't know. The way I see it, a lot of people I knew before coming here were all pieces of shit in one way or another." He sighs, shaking his head. "Maybe normal people are different." "Normal people," Andrew parrots, "Tell me about them. What are they like? What makes them any different?""Well, they don't have serial killers for fathers, for one," Neil points out, "Mostly though, I think they get to just… live their lives in peace. Spend time with friends, go to parties, have fun. You know, drinking and dancing. That sort of thing." The merman stares at him, uncomprehending. Neil raises an eyebrow at him. "What, never heard of having fun before?"Andrew rolls his eyes with an annoyed scoff. "Idiot," he grumbles, "I don't know anything about human customs. Parties or dancing, or whatever.""Oh," Neil replies, frowning slightly. Making a decision, he slides off of the ledge into the water. "Come on," he says, holding a hand out to Andrew, "I'll teach you."The merman sends him a dubious look. "I thought you said only normal people danced.""So?""So you don't know what you're doing either.""I've seen it done before," Neil dismisses, "How hard can it be?"Andrew sighs in resignation. "This is stupid," he complains."Sure is," Neil agrees, "Now are you gonna come over here or not?"Grumbling to himself, the merman slides back into the water and joins him. Neil takes his hand, pulling him closer. “Can I put my hand on your waist?” he asks.Andrew gives him a wary look. “Why?”“If I’m leading, I’ll need to,” Neil explains patiently, “You can lead instead though, if you want. I’ll only have to touch your shoulders then.”Andrew relaxes, slipping a hand around Neil’s waist. “Shoulders are okay.”“Okay,” Neil says, adjusting Andrew’s grip on his waist before resting his hand on the merman’s left shoulder, “Good.”Andrew looks at him, a little uncertain, “What now?”“Now,” Neil says, lifting their joined hands, “We rotate in a circle. Slowly.” Andrew raises a skeptical eyebrow but obliges, slowly turning them around in a circle before coming to a stop. “Like this?”“Yes,” Neil says, smiling despite himself, “But keep going, you’ve got it.”Furrowing his brow in concentration, Andrew turns them again, settling into an easy rhythm. It’s a little clumsy due to their inexperience and being in the water, but the merman manages to maneuver them around easily enough.Neil just holds on, letting himself be carried away and relaxing into Andrew’s gentle hold. “There you go,” he praises, “You’re getting the hang of this.”“Shut up,” Andrew mutters, his cheeks tinted pink, “You barely know what you’re doing either.”“Still know more than you,” Neil smirks, earning an irritable glare. He huffs out a laugh, enjoying himself despite the ridiculousness of it all. “This is nice. I can see why normal people like this.”Andrew doesn’t say anything, but his hold on Neil’s waist tightens, pulling him slightly closer. Neil lets the conversation lull, content to share the quiet moment with him. Sighing, he tucks his head onto Andrew’s shoulder, eyes closing as they continue to sway.“I think I get it now,” Andrew says after a while, his breath warm against Neil’s ear, “It’s… not bad.”“Normally, there’d be music playing too,” Neil says apologetically, “Something soft and slow, easy dance to. Sorry about that.”“It’s fine,” Andrew murmurs. The hand on Neil’s waist slides up to the small of his back, pulling him flush against Andrew’s chest. His tail tangles with Neil’s legs, hooking behind his knees to keep him close. Something warm and soft presses against Neil's neck, and it takes him a second to realize it’s Andrew’s lips. He opens his eyes in surprise, his breath catching in his throat when Andrew starts to hum.It starts out low; a soft, vibrating baritone that rises into an almost unearthly tenor and trails goosebumps across Neil’s skin. It’s beautiful and ethereal, and distinctly inhuman. He doesn’t recognize the song, and there are no lyrics, but the melody is laden with so much sadness and longing that it makes his heart ache. Neil doesn’t dare interrupt Andrew to ask about it, too stunned to even open his mouth. He remembers Bee’s words about mersong, about how it was so desperately rare that humans had only a scant few recorded instances of hearing it, even after they started capturing merfolk. Neil remembers, too, that no mersong had ever been observed from mers in captivity.What he’s being given now by Andrew - being allowed to hear this, to witness it. Neil knows it is nothing less than a priceless gift.He's not sure how long they stay like that, but eventually Andrew's voice fades to silence. “Thank you,” Neil murmurs.The mer lifts his head and looks at him, something heavy in his gaze. “Neil,” he whispers, “I-”“Yes?” Neil asks, voice just as soft. There’s that same charge as before, an unspoken energy humming in the space between them. It’s alien and unfamiliar, yet strangely exciting.Andrew swallows, his eyes flicking across Neil’s face. His expression darkens, and then he looks away. “Nevermind,” he says. He drops his hands from Neil’s waist, uncoiling his tail from behind Neil’s knees. “It’s nothing.”The sudden dismissal is like ice water dumped on Neil’s head, shattering the spell the mer’s song had woven. Neil lets Andrew go when he backs away, something akin to loss tightening his chest. “I don’t understand."“It’s getting late,” Andrew says firmly, “You should go.”“I-'' Neil starts before cutting himself off. If Andrew wants him to leave, who is he to argue? “Okay. I’ll go.”He swims back to the edge of the platform, hauling himself out of the tank with a low grunt. Andrew disappears soon after, leaving Neil along the water’s edge; cold, confused, and utterly alone.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

The next day, Neil stops by Betsy’s lab.Memories of Andrew’s mersong had kept him awake all through the night; a haunting, heart wrenching echo that he couldn’t quite shake. What little sleep he had gotten was fitful and restless, visions of shadowy waters and a heavy, dragging current flickering behind his eyelids. They had lingered even as he awoke that morning, ghosts of his dreams chasing him into the shower. It was as if Andrew’s voice was living under his skin, humming through his veins into his beating heart. He needed answers. He needed to know what it meant for a mer to sing. For Andrew to sing.Cautiously, Neil pokes his head in through the door. At first glance, the lab appears empty. It’s early yet, so it’s possible Betsy and Kevin haven’t yet arrived, but then he spots a familiar tall frame in the far corner, hunched over a petri dish.“Hey,” Neil says.Kevin startles, nearly knocking over his mug of coffee in surprise. He turns around to scowl at Neil, his hair a disheveled mess. “Don’t do that,” he snaps.“Do what?” Neil asks innocently.“Sneak up on me,” Kevin hisses, “I swear, I can never hear you coming.”“Sorry,” Neil says, not sorry at all. He leans against one of the tables, surveying the lab equipment. “Is Betsy around?”“She’s at a conference,” Kevin says grumpily, “She won’t be back until tomorrow.” He pauses, looking away from his work station, “Why? Is there something you need?”“Sort of,” Neil says evasively, “I had some questions about merfolk.”Kevin straightens, his expression shifting from annoyed to interested. “Does this mean you’re finally going to tell me what you and Andrew talk about?” he asks dryly.Neil rolls his eyes. Just as Matt had predicted, Kevin has been hounding him for months, demanding details about what the merman had to say. So far, Neil has neatly dodged or outright ignored every attempt, but that hasn’t stopped Kevin from trying. Kevin might consider it thorough data collection, but in Neil’s eyes, Kevin was just being nosy. “No,” he replies sharply, “I already told you that it’s none of your business.”Kevin glares at him, huffing irritably at the refusal. “Then what?”Neil hesitates, unsure of how to broach the topic. “What do you know about mersong?” he finally asks.“Not much,” Kevin admits, leaning back in his chair, “It’s been so rarely observed, we have almost no data on it.” He looks at Neil then, brow furrowing in suspicion, “Why do you ask? Did something happen?”“Nothing happened,” Neil lies, “Just answer the question.”“Neil.”“Kevin.”They stare at each other in quiet challenge for a long moment before Kevin throws up his hands. “Fine, fine,” he grumbles, “We really don’t know much about it, but there are a few proposed theories.”“Okay,” Neil says, settling in, “So let’s hear them.”“Well, one idea is that it’s a form of communication reserved for podmates and family members,” Kevin begins, “Used to find each other when they get separated, or to communicate over large distances.”Neil frowns. That didn’t seem right. Aaron and Nicky were in the same tank as Andrew, never more than a stone’s throw away. “What else?”Kevin tilts his head curiously but for once doesn’t push. “There’s another idea,” he continues, “That it’s for mating rituals.”Neil’s brain screeches to a halt. “Mating rituals?”“It’s just a hypothesis, at this point,” Kevin says, “But yes. The theory is that mers sing to try and win over potential mates. If their desired mate sings back, then the courtship is accepted, but if the song is ignored…”“Then what?” Neil urges.Kevin gives him an odd look. “Then it is considered a rejection.”The ground tilts under his feet, leaving Neil reeling. He grips the edge of the table for balance, his mind struggling to reboot. The words courtship and rejection play on repeat in his brain, but he can’t seem to make sense of it. Still, something about the suggestion strikes an odd chord, a dissonant note, and it’s enough to help him regain his center. Andrew himself had said love between merfolk and humans was impossible. Had insisted on it, in fact.There was no way that’s what his song had meant.Besides, the song hadn’t sounded anything like that of a hopeful admirer. It had just sounded sad, like Andrew was lamenting something already long-since lost. “Is that all?” Neil asks once he’s regained calm, “There’s nothing about mersong and… grief, maybe?”“Not as far as I know,” Kevin says, looking more puzzled by the minute, “Neil, what is this about?” His eyes widen, realization dawning on his face, “Did Andrew-?”“Bye Kevin,” Neil mutters, pushing away from the table. “Wait-!”Neil pauses at the door, glancing back. “What?”“This is important,” Kevin says urgently, getting to his feet, “If Andrew sang, I need to know why. This could be a huge breakthrough in the field, the first time we’ve observed it in captivity-”“I already told you, it’s none of your business,” Neil says curtly, “If you’re that set on proving your theories, you should ask the mers, not me.”“I tried,” Kevin snaps, “Aaron just flipped me off and ignored me. Nicky just thought I was hitting on him. Those two are impossible to get anything useful out of.”“So ask Andrew.”“You know that won’t get me anywhere. He won’t talk to me.”“Maybe that was true once, but not now,” Neil says, “Ask him nicely, and he just might tell you whatever you want to know about merfolk. You just need to ask the right questions… and maybe give him a little incentive.”Kevin pauses, seemingly surprised. “...What kind of incentive?”“Figure it out for yourself,” Neil sighs. He considers Kevin for a few seconds before adding, “He likes ice cream.”Kevin stares at him. “Ice cream?”“The novelty ice cream bars, with the dipped chocolate and crushed walnuts,” Neil clarifies, “But anything with chocolate will do in a pinch.”“I-” Kevin starts. He cuts himself off, shaking his head. “Okay. Fine. Thanks for the tip.”“You’re welcome,” Neil says, “Good luck.”***Really, Neil should have known if he wanted concrete answers, the best thing to do is ask Andrew himself. So, when he goes to feed the mers, he asks Andrew to hang back. The mer is quiet this morning, his expression more guarded than usual. It’s not particularly out of character for him, but Neil can’t help feeling as if the distance between them has grown, like a new, unspoken boundary was erected overnight. Neil doesn’t know why, but he chooses not to question it. If Andrew needs space today, then Neil will give it to him. Thankfully, the mer still obliges his request to wait. He lingers by the edge of the platform with his eyebrow raised. “What is it?”“I wanted to ask you something,” Neil starts, “About last night, when you sang-”Andrew’s expression shutters, his gaze growing distant and cold. “I already told you. It was nothing,” he says flatly.“But-” Neil protests.“No,” Andrew says. Neil’s mouth snaps shut at the command, though it does nothing to quell his frustration. Andrew’s gaze drifts, his eyes far away. “It didn’t mean anything,” he says firmly, more to himself than to Neil, “Just forget about it.”“I- Okay,” Neil says, slightly bewildered. Before he can ask anything further, Andrew sinks back below the surface, disappearing from sight.For the rest of the day, Neil is distracted, lost in his head. His thoughts keep straying back to Andrew, to this strange, aching sensation in his chest. He doesn’t know what had caused Andrew to suddenly close off, but he can’t help feeling he was somehow at fault. Maybe he’s overthinking it. Maybe Andrew just woke up wrong. Maybe it really was nothing after all.That afternoon finds him leaning against the railing around the mer tank, contemplating if he should stay late that night to try talking to Andrew again. He’s just talked himself out of it for the third time when Matt’s voice stirs him from his thoughts. “Neil, buddy,” he says, slinging an arm around his shoulders, “I can practically hear your brain overheating. What’s on your mind?”Neil shrugs, not in the mood to talk about it. Matt winces in sympathy but doesn’t press. “Suit yourself,” he says, “But if you’re in need of a distraction, we’re going out tonight.”Neil blinks, looking up at him. “Who all is going?”“Me and Dan, of course,” Matt says, “Erik and Katelyn. Jean and Jeremy. Kevin, too, if Jeremy can convince him. You should come, it’ll be fun!”“I don’t know…” Neil mumbles, trailing off. He looks back at the tank again and spots Andrew lingering along the edge of the rocks. The mer is watching him intently, but the minute Neil’s gaze lands locks with his, he looks away and dives back under without a word.Well. That answers the question of if he should stay late tonight. “I’ll go,” he tells Matt, suddenly desperate to be anywhere else but here, “What time?”“Really?” Matt says, delighted surprise evident on his face, “Okay, great! We’re meeting there at 9. I’ll pick you up.”“Great,” Neil says, “I’ll see you then.”***Eden’s Dive is an old, noisy little pub just a few blocks away from the aquarium. Neil recalls walking past it many times on his way to and from work, but he’s never seen it during the peak business rush, lit up from the inside and packed to the brim with chattering voices and boisterous laughter. Neil follows Dan and Matt inside, eyeing the crowded bar. He’d briefly wondered if his ratty clothes would be out of place for a night out, but thankfully Eden’s seems to be a mostly casual atmosphere. Matt is the first to spot their group through the throng of bodies packed around wooden high-top tables. Jeremy and Jean are seated at a large, circular booth near the back with a red-faced Kevin sandwiched between them. Opposite them are Katelyn and Erik, clearly engrossed in deep conversation. “This way,” Matt calls over the noise of the other patrons, taking Dan’s hand and pushing easily through the crowd like he’s parting the Red Sea. Neil follows close behind, scoping the place out from sheer habit. It’s been a while since he’s been in a crowd this size, and he’s never been overly fond of nightlife, but at least the booth the others have picked is fairly close to the emergency exit.“Hey guys!” Katelyn greets when they finally reach the table. She and Erik scootch over towards Jeremy, making room for them on the end.“Hey, Kate,” Matt says, taking the seat on Erik’s left. Neil waits for Dan to slide in before taking the spot on the outside. To his relief, it’s quieter here in the corner than in the rest of the pub.“You all have great timing,” Jeremy says, “We were just about to order another round. Dan, Matt - the usual?”“Yes, please,” Dan says.“Just a beer for me,” Matt says, “I’m driving later.”“Got it. Neil?” Jeremy says, turning to him and pointing, “Drinks?”“No thanks,” Neil declines, “I don’t drink.”“A soda, then,” Jeremy suggests. When Neil doesn’t protest, he moves to get up. “Kevin, would you mind lending me a hand?”“Uh,” Kevin says, “Sure.”“I’ll come too,” Jean says with a gentle touch to Kevin’s elbow, “Right behind you, mon p'tit chou.”Kevin’s blush deepens at the quiet French, but he nods and slides out of the booth, following close behind Jeremy to the bar. Neil watches the three of them go curiously, not sure what to make of Kevin’s unusually flustered manner.“Are they-?” Matt questions, his gaze following Neil’s. They watch in silence as the three men lean against the bar, Kevin once again sandwiched in the middle. Jeremy is practically plastered to Kevin’s side, his face turned upwards in rapt attention. Jean, in contrast, is leaning down slightly to speak in Kevin’s ear, his hand resting lightly on the small of Kevin’s back.“I think so,” Dan answers, a small smile on her face.“About time, if you ask me.” Erik adds, “They’ve been dancing around each other for too long.”“Way too long,” Matt agrees.“What do you mean?” Neil asks, “I thought Jeremy and Jean were together.”“They are,” Katelyn says, “Have been for years.”“So then-?”“Isn’t it obvious?” Dan says, eyebrow raised, “They’ve both been crushing on Kevin for ages. And Kevin, well-”“He’s been pining for months,” Matt whispers conspiratorially, “And not-so-secretly, mind you.”Neil frowns, unconvinced. “I never noticed that.”Matt snorts, “Yeah, that tracks.”Before Neil can ask what he means, Katelyn turns to him with a kind smile. “I’m glad you came out with us, Neil,” she says sweetly, “It’s nice, getting to hang out away from work.”“Me too,” Dan adds, nudging Neil playfully, “You kept turning us down so much, I was starting to think you didn’t like us.”Neil blinks, surprised. “I do like you,” he says honestly, “I just don’t like getting drunk.”“We won’t pressure you to drink,” Erik says seriously, “You don’t have to worry about that.”Neil fights the urge to squirm, uncomfortable with the sudden spotlight. “Has anyone heard from Renee?” he asks, changing the subject.“She’s texted Jean a few times I think,” Matt offers, “But we’ve not heard much else.”“I miss her,” Katelyn laments sadly, “It’s just not the same without her.”“We could video call her,” Dan suggests.“Did I hear that right?” Jeremy says as he returns to the table, Jean and Kevin trailing behind him, “Are we calling Renee?”“You have her new number, right?” Jean questions, his eyes on Dan, “If not, I can-” “No need,” Dan says, pulling out her phone while the three men pass out drinks and retake their seats, “I’ve got it. Just one second…”She taps a few buttons on her screen, then props up her phone in the center of the table so everyone can see it. The call rings for a few seconds before connecting, and then Renee’s face pops up on screen. “Hi Renee,” the others say in chorus. Neil leans over so he can see her more clearly. She looks exhausted, but she’s smiling.“Hi everyone,” she greets, “How are you all?”“We’re good,” Dan pipes up, “Missing you though!”“I miss you all too,” Renee says sweetly, “Are you at Eden’s? I thought I recognized that wallpaper from somewhere.”“We are!” Matt chimes in, toasting her with his beer, “Neil agreed to come out with us tonight.”“Oh, Neil’s there too?” Renee asks, “Hi Neil! How’s everything with the mers? Still doing okay?”Neil nods before belatedly realizing he’s out of frame. “They’re good,” he adds, “Andrew let Abby give him a checkup.”Renee looks genuinely surprised at that news. “Really? That’s great!”“How’s your mermaid?” Jean asks, his expression serious, “Allison, right? The last we spoke-”Renee’s smile fades, her eyes sad. “Not much better, I’m afraid,” she answers, “We still can’t get her to eat much of anything.”“Why?” Neil asks, “Is she sick?”“In a manner of speaking,” Renee replies somberly, “Her mate died.”“Hold on,” Dan says, her brow furrowing, “I thought she was dropped off half-dead and alone by some rich asshole.”“She was,” Renee says, her voice trembling with barely concealed anger, “Her mate passed before she came here. Apparently, he’d been sick for some time, but nobody noticed. By the time one of the housekeepers realized something was wrong, he'd been dead for almost a week.”“No,” Kevin whispers. Jeremy takes his hand, squeezing it hard. Erik curses in murmured German, taking a large sip from his drink, while Katelyn’s face pales. Neil feels sick. It had been horrible enough, driving down the coast with Mary bleeding out in the passenger seat. The thought of being trapped with her corpse for a week makes his stomach turn.“That’s awful” Dan says shakily, “No wonder she’s struggling, the poor thing.” Matt reaches for her, putting an arm around her shoulder and tugging her close. “Will she ever recover?” Neil asks.“You know mers mate for life, yes?” Kevin asks. When Neil nods, he continues, “There’s still much we have to learn about their mating behaviors, but the bond between a mated pair is astoundingly strong.” He hesitates, glancing at Renee for help.“We’re doing our best to help her,” Renee adds, “But there’s only so much we can do. She has to decide for herself if she wants to live, and losing a mate is not an easy thing for a mer to survive.”“Excuse me for a moment,” Katelyn says, her voice slightly strained. She moves to get up, forcing Dan, Matt and Neil to stand and let her out. Neil watches her stumble away into the crowd.“I’ve got it,” Erik says at Dan’s worried look, standing up to go after her, “Pardon me.”Once he too disappears, the three of them retake their seats. “Is she alright?” Renee asks, “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have brought it up.”“It’s not your fault,” Jean assures her, “I was the one who asked.”They chat with Renee for a few more minutes before Dan hangs up the call. There’s still a feeling of awkwardness lingering over the table. Neil glances back out at the crowd, but there’s no sign of Katelyn or Erik. “Should we go look for them?” he asks.“They’ll be okay,” Jeremy says, “Erik will look after Katelyn. I think it’s just hard for her, you know? For both of them, really.”Neil looks at him, puzzled. “What do you mean?”“They’re leaving,” Jean says, “Erik is finishing grad school soon and then going back to Germany. Katelyn’s internship ends at the end of summer, and then after that she’s moving to California.” The realization is ice in his stomach. “How can they do that?” he demands, “Why would they just leave Nicky and Aaron behind?”“They’re in a difficult position,” Dan grimaces, “USC has an excellent marine biology graduate program, and they have a spot waiting for Katelyn. She’d be a fool to turn it down, she won’t get a better offer than that.”“And Erik has already secured a position as a research fellow at an institute in Bremen,” Matt adds, “Besides, even if he were to stay, his visa will expire a month after he graduates. He’d be forced to go back either way.”Neil scoffs, “I still don’t see how they can just decide that so easily.”“It hasn’t been easy for them,” Jeremy sighs, “I mean, I don’t think either Kate or Erik expected to become so… attached. I’m sure they’re both torn, both worried about how Aaron and Nicky will fare without them.”“Even if they stayed, it wouldn’t last in the long term,” Kevin says, pragmatic as ever, “No matter how much they love each other, they can’t be together, not really. I mean, what are Katelyn and Erik going to do? Put their entire lives on hold, just for a few stolen hours here and there? Give up everything, all of their dreams and plans, for a relationship that’s doomed to fail? It wouldn’t work.”Neil grits his teeth, fuming for reasons he can’t quite explain. “You’re wrong,” he tells Kevin, because he wants more than anything for it to be true, “It could work, if they tried hard enough.”“Oh, Neil,” Dan says softly, her gaze laden with sympathy. Neil refuses to look at her, downing the rest of his soda, tossing a few bucks onto the table and getting to his feet. “Thanks for inviting me,” he says bluntly, “I’m heading home.”“Wait-” Kevin starts, looking stricken, “I didn’t mean-”“Hold up,” Matt says, getting to his feet, “At least let me drive you.”Neil just shakes his head. “Thanks, but I’d rather walk,” he says, “I’ll see you guys later.”“Neil-” Kevin says again, more urgent this time, “Neil, wait!”Neil ignores him, pushing his way through the pub and stepping out into the chilly night air. He spots Erik nearby, talking quietly to a red-eyed Katelyn."Do they know?" Neil demands, walking up to them, "Did you tell them both that you're planning on leaving?"Katelyn looks bewildered at his outrage, but Erik has the good grace to answer calmly. "Of course Nicky knows," he says, "I haven’t told him the exact date, but he's known from the start that I'd have to go back to Germany eventually.""And you," Neil says, rounding on Katelyn, "Have you told Aaron? Or are you planning to let him get his hopes up before leaving him behind?""I-" Katelyn stammers, fresh tears welling in her eyes, "I haven't told him yet. He knows I applied, that it's a possibility, but-" She swallows hard, her lower lip trembling. "I haven't decided what I'm going to do. I don't want to go, I don't want to hurt him.""But you're still considering it," Neil finishes, "Aren't you?" At Katelyn's silence, he shakes his head. "Just forget it," he says, "Good night."His apartment isn’t that far away, so he pulls up his hood and starts walking. Despite the cold, there’s a fair amount of people just outside the pub, but Neil pushes past them without slowing. He nearly knocks a woman over in his eagerness to get away. She grabs onto him for purchase, her long nails digging into his arm, but Neil just mutters a quick apology and shakes her off, hurrying away before she can respond.When he gets home, he kicks off his shoes and falls into bed, not even bothering to change his clothes. His anger has mostly dissipated, but there’s still a bitterness lingering in his chest, an uncomfortable mix of overwhelming sadness and indignant frustration. Unwilling to dwell on his confusing feelings any longer, he closes his eyes and allows himself to drift away.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

The following week is nothing short of painful. On Monday morning, Kevin tries for a stilted, clumsy attempt at an apology, bolstered by Jeremy and Jean flanking his sides. Neil accepts it with a shrug, his anger long since gone cold. He knows that as much as it stung to hear, Kevin’s words weren’t born of a need to be cruel, but instead came from a place of honesty.On Tuesday, Erik makes an attempt at polite conversation over lunch, but gives up quickly at Neil’s monosyllabic answers. Katelyn, for her part, seems to be avoiding him entirely. Dan and Matt act mostly normal, aside from the long, worried looks they share when they think he’s not paying attention. Neil still doesn’t fully know how to handle their obvious concern, but he isn’t foolish enough to push them away. For whatever reason, they chose to take him in. He owes them better than that.So on Wednesday morning, he pulls them both aside.“Hey,” he starts, halting and awkward, “I just wanted to say… about last weekend, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have just left like that.”Matt’s face softens at his words, while Dan looks a little surprised. “It’s alright, man,” Matt says, patting him on the shoulder, “I get it. I mean, I didn’t see it before, but it makes sense now why you got upset.”“We understand how important the mers are to you,” Dan adds, her voice soft, “How important Andrew is to you. Trust us, we don’t want to see them get hurt any more than you do.”Neil nods, his throat tight. “I hate that they’re going to be left behind. I wish it could be different.”“So do Katelyn and Erik,” Dan says sadly, “I know you’re probably still angry with them, but try to understand. They’ve been given an impossible choice.”“I know,” Neil says, “It’s just…”“You’d choose differently,” Matt finishes, his eyes kind.Neil swallows, his heart heavy. “Yeah,” he admits, “I would.”“Come here,” Matt says, holding his arms out wide. Neil shuffles forward, allowing his friend to wrap his arms around his shoulders. Matt squeezes him tight while Dan pats him soothingly on the back. It’s far more comforting than it has any right to be. “I’m going to be a better friend to you both,” Neil says, his voice slightly muffled against Matt’s chest, “I promise.”“We’ll hold you to that,” Dan teases.“We sure will,” Matt says, finally letting him go, “Come out with us again sometime, okay? We’ll go get dinner or something, just the three of us. Deal?”“Okay,” Neil says, smiling at the prospect, “Deal.”***To make matters worse, Andrew still won’t talk to him.He still shows up at breakfast with his brother and cousin, and Neil still spots him from time to time while he’s cleaning the tank, but the mer seems to be purposefully ignoring him. Even after dark when Neil lingers, hoping for a chance to speak with the mer, Andrew doesn’t appear.He does talk to Betsy Dobson though. On several occasions, Neil spots her by the edge of the tank, speaking to Andrew in calm, hushed murmurs. Neil can never make out what they’re saying, but the sole time he decides to approach, Andrew disappears, leaving Neil behind with Betsy and her apologetic smiles.It hurts, the unexpected cold shoulder. A few months ago, Neil would have been indifferent to Andrew’s avoidance. Now though, it makes him so lonely that his lungs ache.Neil misses him far more than he ever could have imagined.On Friday when he goes to feed the mers, he passes out breakfast to Nicky and Aaron first. “Wait,” he tells Andrew when the mer holds out a hand for his meal, “I want to talk. Alone.”Andrew narrows his eyes at him, glancing at the bag of sliced tuna. “Withholding my breakfast, are we?”“Just for a minute,” Neil says, “It won’t take long.”The mer gives him an assessing look before seemingly giving in. He nods to his brother and cousin, clicking sharply when they hesitate. “Make it quick,” he tells Neil as Nicky and Aaron leave.Neil sits back on his heels, considering his words. “You’ve been avoiding me,” he says eventually.“I have not.”“You have,” Neil asserts, “I don’t know why, and I have a feeling you don’t want to tell me. Am I right in thinking that?” At Andrew’s silence, he continues. “We made a deal, remember? I’m supposed to bring you a gift every week.”Andrew twitches, his mouth twisting in annoyance. “Of course I remember.”“I’m coming back here later tonight with something for you, just like I promised,” Neil pushes on, “When I do, I’d like us to talk.” He pauses, feeling strangely nervous. “Will you meet me here?”Andrew looks away for a long moment before nodding wordlessly. Neil sighs, knowing this is the best he’s going to get right now. “Thank you,” he says, holding out Andrew’s breakfast, “That’s all.”Andrew takes the offered food without meeting his eye. Neil watches him go, swallowing past the burning in his throat. He goes about the rest of his morning in a haze, his thoughts on Andrew and this strange new distance between them. By lunch, he’s so preoccupied that he doesn’t notice Abby is speaking to him until she taps him on the shoulder. He flinches at the unexpected contact, startled. “Sorry,” he says, shaking himself from his reverie, “What did you say?”Abby’s worried look softens. “I was asking if you’ve got some free time this afternoon to help me with Sunshine,” she says, “He’s still having trouble eating, and it’s easier to manage with two-”“Sure,” Neil says, eager for the distraction, “I can help.”“Great,” Abby says warmly. She nods at his half-finished pasta salad, “Make sure to finish that. I don’t want any leftovers, remember?”“I thought Kevin made this,” Neil replies.“Who do you think taught him?” Abby asks, amused. “Sure as shit wasn’t me,” Wymack adds from where he’s seated on her left, “Do as she says, kid. We don’t have enough room in the fridge for it all.”Neil snorts, scooping up another forkful of pasta into his mouth. “Yes sir.”***It’s late afternoon by the time Neil meets Abby by Sunshine’s tank. His missing dorsal fin is still as startling as ever, but the flesh around the sutured injury is far less raw. Amazingly, the shark is now managing to move on his own, albeit slowly. Even his brownish yellow skin seems brighter, looking almost gold.Abby is already waist deep in the water next to him, her brow furrowed in concentration. “He’s still very lethargic,” she tells Neil as he climbs into the tank, “But he was eating pretty well up until yesterday. I’m worried about an infection though. Hold him for me? I need another blood sample.”“Got it,” Neil says, taking the shark into his arms. Sunshine seems to perk up a little at his touch, his massive tail swishing a little at the contact. Neil hums quietly at the creature, pleased to see the little signs of life. “He’s missed you, I think,” Abby smiles as she prepares a syringe, “Right, hold him steady, this will be quick.”Neil does as he’s told, watching quietly as Abby draws a small vial of blood. When she’s finished, she reaches into her medical bag and grabs another vial. “What’s that?” he questions as she prepares a second syringe.“Antibiotics,” she says grimly, “I’m hoping this will help him fight off the infection. Normally, sharks don’t really need it, their immune systems are naturally quite strong, but this guy needs a little extra help.”“Will he make it?” Neil asks, frowning down at the shark in his arms.“His prognosis is good,” Abby says, “He’s already made it through the first week, that’s a great sign. An infection is a setback, yes, but I’m not giving up on him.”Once she’s finished injecting the antibiotics, she sets aside the syringe and holds out her arms. “Here,” she says, “I’ll take him. You get his food ready.”Neil nods, handing off the shark to Abby and hopping out of the tank to grab Sunshine’s meal of diced squid. The shark seems disinterested in the food, so Neil tips its massive head up the same way he had the first time, carefully slipping the food between rows of razor sharp teeth. “Was Andrew sicker than this when he first came here?” he asks. He shrugs at Abby’s questioning look and adds, “Wymack told me.”Abby sighs, her expression clouding with sadness. “He was worse, by far” she says, “Sunshine here is a fighter, but Andrew… Frankly, if he hadn’t had Aaron with him, I don’t think he’d have made it.”The thought sinks like lead in Neil’s stomach. “You didn’t give up on him either.”“No, I didn’t,” Abby says. She levels Neil with a look that is entirely too perceptive for comfort, “And neither should you.” At Neil’s silence, she continues, “I don’t know the full story, but I’ve seen the long face you’ve been wearing lately. Give him time. He’ll come around.”Neil strokes Sunshine’s head gently once the last of the food is swallowed. The shark’s skin is rough against his fingers, feeling strangely like a cat’s tongue. Sunshine seems to press into his hand, as if enjoying the affection. “I hope you’re right,” he murmurs.***As promised, Andrew is waiting for him on the rocks when he returns that night. Neil hops over the railing and drops down beside him. Andrew doesn’t look at him when Neil takes his place at his side, but he doesn’t move away either. He’s still wearing the necklace Neil gave him, rolling the sea glass mindlessly between his fingers.“Here,” Neil says, pulling a wrapped brownie out of his pocket. It’s a little smushed on one corner, but it still smells just as good as it did at the bakery earlier that day.Andrew holds out his hand without looking up. Sighing, Neil drops the brownie into his waiting palm, watching as Andrew starts to eat. “Will you tell me why you’ve been avoiding me?” Neil asks.At Andrew’s silence, he continues. “It’s fine if you hate me,” Neil says, “I can accept that. I just want to know if I did something wrong.”Andrew pauses before taking another bite. “You didn’t do anything.”“Then why-?” Neil starts before cutting himself off, “I just don’t understand.” He tucks his knees close to his chest and curls in on himself. “Ever since that night, you’ve been distant. Kevin says when merfolk sing-”Andrew huffs, swallowing the last of his brownie. “Kevin is an idiot.”“But-”“Stop talking,” Andrew interrupts, “It is none of your concern.”“Don’t do that,” Neil says sharply, “It is my concern, I-” His voice trails off, something hot and aching in the back of his throat, “...I miss you."Andrew stills before finally, finally, turning to face him. “Don’t,” he whispers. There’s a new tension in his shoulders, like he’s holding himself back; from what, Neil doesn’t know."I don’t know why you’re pushing me away,” Neil presses on, “But I…” He falters, searching for words. “I can’t fix this if I don't know what's wrong, and I won’t know unless you tell me.”“There is no this,” Andrew snarls, both a threat and a plea. There’s a torn look in his eyes, a warning edge creeping into his voice.“Fuck that,” Neil snaps, his ire rising, “I know something is wrong. You can try to push me away all you want, but I’m not going anywhere. I won’t give up on you.”"I told you to stop talking," Andrew growls. Neil opens his mouth to argue, but before he can get the words out, Andrew catches him by the jaw and kisses him.All at once, Neil's half-formed arguments and furious retorts vacate his mind. He scrambles for purchase, searching for an anchor to orient himself around, but it's as if the ground has upended. Andrew is kissing him, biting and angry and desperate, his hands cradling Neil’s face and his lips tasting faintly of chocolate.Then, as soon as it had started, it ends. Andrew rips himself away, pushing Neil back as if burned. Neil stares at him, dumbstruck. Andrew wipes at his mouth viciously, his eyes wide and unseeing.Neil touches two fingers to his own lips, still buzzing from the heat of Andrew's mouth. "An…drew?" he questions, his shock leaving him stuttering and uncertain.The mer flinches at his name, refusing to look at him. "You should go," he says hoarsely, "Now.""Wait," Neil starts, his sense returning, "Wait, don't-!"Before he can stop him, Andrew takes off, diving back into the water in one fluid motion. Neil curses, helplessly watching the mer’s shadow fade into the blue abyss.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Neil doesn’t sleep that night. It’s not for lack of trying. He spends hours laying in bed, staring at the ceiling while he replays the memory of Andrew’s kiss over and over again in his mind. Neil has kissed people before, but it has never been like that. Those hurried, amateur experiments from his teenage years were nothing in comparison to the revelation that was Andrew’s lips on his. Once the initial shock had worn off, all Neil could think about was that he’d liked it, and that he wanted to do it again.In retrospect, so much of Andrew’s behavior now makes sense. All those charged, quiet moments between them, all those little touches and playful jabs. Andrew’s desperation after he’d passed out in the tank. The hushed conversations. The trust. The mersong.Andrew likes him.But Andrew had also run away, and Neil doesn’t know if it was from impulse or regret.When the sky begins to lighten to a watery gray-blue, Neil gives up the ghost. The smell of coffee fills his nose as he waits for the pot to brew, and he feels a rush of gratitude towards Abby for the luxury of fresh caffeine. He swallows it down black, the bitter taste steeling his nerves and shaking off his restless thoughts. He’s the first to arrive at Foxhole Aquarium that morning, by a long shot. By the time the others start to show up, Neil has already finished over half of the food prep.He’s just finished loading up Jeremy’s cart with scallops for the otters when Kevin, Jean and Jeremy walk in. “Oh, you’re here already?” Jeremy says, clearly surprised, “Did you… do all of this by yourself?”“Yep,” Neil answers, pushing his cart towards him, “Here you go. Jean, yours is out in the hallway.”“Oh,” Jean says, “Thanks.” Kevin doesn’t move, his eyebrows raised. “What time did you even get here?”Neil shrugs. “Before five, I think? Couldn’t sleep, so I figured I’d get an early start.”“Neil…” Kevin starts, but Neil ignores him, turning back to the counter so he can start chopping tuna for the mers. Kevin joins him a second later, nudging him aside with a stern look and taking over. “We’ve got this,” Kevin says, “There’s coffee and breakfast in the breakroom. Wash up, take a break and go eat something.”He starts to protest, but catches himself before the words escape. “Alright,” he sighs, “Thanks.”Thirty minutes later, he’s refueled on caffeine and fruit. Jeremy smiles at him when he reenters the commissary, Jean and Kevin both working at his side. “Tuna is ready” Kevin says, nodding at his cart, “If you’re tired later, you can nap in Abby’s office over lunch.”“Okay,” Neil says, a little nonplussed, “Thank you.” He’s grown somewhat used to such kind gestures from the others, but coming from Kevin it still feels a bit foreign. He wonders if Kevin feels just as awkward about it; judging from the nervous look on the man’s face, he would assume so.He wonders too if the others can tell what happened last night, if it’s written on his face, plain for them to see. Logic tells him that it’s impossible, there’s no way for them to know, but paranoia is a wary voice in his ear. He smooths his expression down as much as he can, determined to give nothing away.When he delivers breakfast that morning, Andrew is absent. Nicky greets him cheerfully enough, but Aaron levels him with a suspicious glare. Neil ignores him, choosing to hide his disappointment. He considers withholding Andrew’s breakfast as he had once before, but something stays his hand. Maybe Andrew was still processing from last night, maybe he just needed some time. Neil can give him that.***The next day, neither of the twins appear when he goes to deliver their meals. Instead, Nicky is waiting for him alone, his smile unusually strained.“Where are the others?” Neil asks, frowning.“Slept in again, I guess,” Nicky answers. When Neil stares him down, unimpressed by the lie, Nicky quickly folds, “Andrew wouldn’t come out this morning and won’t tell us why. Aaron is with him now.”“Is he okay?” Neil questions. He knows Andrew is likely just avoiding him after the other night, but he can’t stop himself from asking. He needs to be certain . “He’s not hurt, is he?”“I don’t think so,” Nicky says, looking a little helpless, “Not that he’d tell us if he was , mind you. He never told us before, when- Well. You know how he is.”“Yeah,” Neil sighs. He passes Nicky three portions of tuna. “Keep me updated, will you?”“I will,” Nicky promises, accepting the food. He disappears a moment later, leaving Neil alone with his thoughts. ***On the third day, Nicky appears alone again. Neil sighs and hands him three servings of fish, fed up with waiting. “Any change?” he asks.“No,” Nicky answers sadly, “Sorry, Neil. It’s like I said; he won’t tell us anything.”“I understand,” Neil says, “Will you pass along a message for me?”“Sure,” Nicky agrees, “What is it?”“Tell Andrew that I’m not mad,” Neil says, “Tell him that it’s okay. Tell him whenever he’s ready to talk, I’ll be here.”Nicky blinks, surprised. “Okay,” he replies. He opens his mouth as if to ask something, but seemingly changes his mind. “I’ll tell him,” he says instead.Neil lets out a long breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding. “Thank you.”***That afternoon, Neil cleans the mer tank in utter silence.He catches glimpses of Nicky here and there, fluttering in and out of the entrance to the caves. Dumbass comes to greet him at one point as well, but there is no sign of either of the twins. For a moment, Neil imagines entering the cave so he can talk to Andrew himself, but he stamps out the thought before it’s fully formed. He will not cross that boundary uninvited. Whatever this thing is between them, Neil will not be the one to break it.When he’s finally done for the day, he heads for the surface, his insides feeling oddly hollow. He’s just pulled off his mask and regulator when something grabs him by the ankle and drags him back under. Neil yelps, struggling against the hands pulling him down. He spots a flash of blonde hair and thinks it must be Andrew, but then he notices the bare forearms and his heart sinks.
Aaron.
To his surprise, Aaron lets him go. Neil flails towards the surface, gasping for air. He barely has time to catch his breath before Aaron barrels into him, knocking the wind out of him and slamming him against the glass wall. Grunting in pain, Neil tries to shove the mer off of him. Aaron simply knocks his hands aside, pinning him in place with a hand to his neck. “What the fuck did you do to my brother?” he hisses.Neil snarls, scrabbling at the hand around his throat, but it’s useless. Aaron is too strong. “I didn’t do anything!”“Liar,” Aaron snaps, his sharp teeth glinting, “I know you were here, three nights ago. Something happened, didn’t it? He was doing better, and now he won’t come out of his cave again. He won’t talk to Nicky, he won’t even talk to me. Spill, before I rip out your throat.”“I told you, I didn’t do anything!”“Stop lying,” Aaron growls, his voice like venom, “I’ve known from the start you were trouble. Have you been using him this whole time, or did you wait until Renee left to take advantage?”“Fuck you,” Neil bites out, “Your brother is the one who kissed me and took off!”Aaron stills, his eyes widening. “I knew it,” he says, his sharp claws digging into Neil’s jugular, “You are messing with him. What, thought it’d be fun to fool around with a merman? Think this is some fun little game?”“No, I’m not, I-” Neil wheezes, struggling to breathe through the constriction around his neck. “It’s not like that. Not to me.”“Then what is it?” Aaron demands, “Nicky says you’ve been asking about Andrew. Why? You have feelings for him?”Neil looks away, saying nothing. To sum up the tangled web inside of him as feelings seems woefully inadequate. He’s certain if he looks too closely, he’ll find bits of Andrew in his lungs, swimming through his veins and living under his skin.Mary would call it dangerous. Andrew might say it’s foolish. Neil doesn’t know what to call it, other than a nameless shape of longing-want-need, exhilarating as it is frightening and utterly unknown.Aaron lets out a sharp breath through his nose. “So that’s how it is,” he mutters, “Color me surprised. And here I thought you were just playing ignorant to string him along. Turns out, you’re the pathetic one.”Neil grits his teeth, flicking a dark look at the mer. “Fuck off.”“Luckily for you,” Aaron says, relaxing his grip on Neil’s throat and dropping his hand. “I’m going to help.”“You-” Neil starts, unable to conceal his surprise. He rubs at his neck, wincing at the new tenderness there. “You are? Why?”“Because I’m tired of Andrew’s brooding,” Aaron retorts, rolling his eyes, “And I’m sick of you acting so wounded and mopey. It’s disgusting.”It’s a flimsy excuse at best. Even if Aaron believes that he isn’t a threat, there’s no way he would suddenly be okay with this, let alone go out of his way to help. “That’s not the only reason,” Neil presses, “Is it?” Realization dawns on him at Aaron’s silence. “This is about Katelyn.”The mer slams into him again, shoving Neil up against the glass with an arm against his chest. “Don’t talk about her,” Aaron growls, “You don’t know anything.”“I know enough,” Neil asserts, meeting Aaron’s furious glare unafraid, “She told you, didn’t she? That she’s leaving.”“I said shut up!”“And so now you’ve decided to actually fight,” Neil continues, silently daring the mer to look away, “Do you really think Andrew breaks his promises that easily?”Now it’s Aaron who looks surprised. He backs away, dropping his arm and letting Neil go. “He told you about the deal?”Neil ignores him. “Answer the question.”Aaron pauses, as if sizing him up. “Maybe not for me,” he says after a long moment, “Maybe not for Nicky, either. But for you?” He hums, his expression thoughtful, “Yeah. Yeah, I think he will.”Neil scoffs, disbelieving, “If you really believe that, you’re an even bigger idiot than I thought.” He pushes past Aaron, swimming back towards the diving platform and hauling himself up to the edge. To Neil’s annoyance, the mer follows him. “Listen, asshole,” Aaron says, “Do you want my help or not?”“...Fine,” Neil relents, pulling off the rest of his diving gear and setting it aside, “What exactly do you intend to do?”Aaron considers, resting his arms on the edge of the platform. “Meet me here tonight, after dark,” he says finally, “I have a plan.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

That night, Neil returns to the aquarium long after the sun has set. He heads to the locker room first and changes back into his wetsuit. He doesn’t plan on diving tonight, but the last thing he wants is to walk home in soaking wet clothes should Aaron’s plan go south.When he’s finished, Aaron is waiting for him at the surface, just as promised. “Took you long enough,” he whispers when Neil approaches, “Andrew has been having us check if anyone is around before he comes up. I’ll go tell him the coast is clear, you just stay where you are.”“What if he just takes off again before I can say anything?”“Then I’ll drag him back up here by his tailfin if I have to,” Aaron replies dryly, “Just wait here.”Neil nods, taking a seat on the platform, staying farther back from the edge so Andrew won’t spot him from below. It’s deathly quiet here tonight, the silence broken only by the soft laps of water against the thick glass. He’s just starting to think Andrew won’t show when a familiar looming shadow approaches from the depths. Andrew surfaces with his back to Neil, pushing his blonde hair from his eyes with a soft exhale. Neil watches the muscles in his back flex, the spiky dorsal fins that run the length of the mer’s spine still dripping with water.“Hey,” Neil says after a moment, suddenly overwhelmed with the desire for Andrew to look at him. Needing him to.The mer tenses, going perfectly still. He does not turn around. “You shouldn’t be here.”Neil scoots closer to the edge of the platform, allowing his legs to hang in the water. “I wanted to see you,” he replies, “Can we talk? Or are you planning to avoid me again?”Andrew says nothing at first, still not looking at Neil. “You told Nicky you weren’t angry.”“Because I’m not.”The mer makes a disbelieving noise. “You should be.”“Andrew-” Neil starts, but the mer cuts him off.“I didn’t ask,” Andrew continues, “I just took.” There is an undercurrent of self-loathing in his voice, unlike anything Neil has heard before. “You should hate me for it.”“Well, I don’t,” Neil says calmly, “I liked it.”The mer stops short. He doesn’t turn around, but Neil can tell by the tilt in his head that he’s listening hard.“I liked it,” Neil repeats. He slides into the water, swimming over to Andrew as quickly as he can. The mer still isn’t looking at him, but Neil presses on, undeterred. “I’ve kissed people before,” he says softly, “Years ago. It was nothing special. None of them made me feel the way you did.” He circles around to Andrew’s front, determined to catch the mer’s gaze. Andrew’s eyes are wide, his expression strangely frozen. “Will you kiss me again?” Neil asks.Andrew’s gaze snaps to him, and then he’s moving, pushing Neil back until he’s shoved up against the curved glass wall. Neil goes easily, allowing Andrew to pin him with a hand on his collarbone. “You don’t know what it is you’re asking for,” Andrew says, frustration leaking into his voice, “I could hurt you.”“You won’t,” Neil says softly, “You’d never do that.”“But I could,” Andrew stresses, “And even if I couldn’t, it would never work. I can’t give you the things a human could give, I can’t-”He cuts off abruptly, desperation and censure warring in his eyes. Neil rests his hand on top of Andrew’s, and the mer’s tail brushes against his legs in response. “I don’t care,” Neil says quietly, "I don't want anyone else. Just you."The wall of the tank is cool against his back. Andrew's tail brushes gently against his legs again, but Neil is certain now that it's no accident. He isn't sure when their faces got so close, but he can see the flecks of gold shimmering in Andrew's eyes, the tiny droplets of water clinging to his eyelashes. “But,” Neil whispers, “If you don’t want this, if you really don’t, then say so now,” He swallows and licks his lips, his heart racing in his chest, “I won’t bring it up again, and we can go back to the way things were before. Just say the word.”Andrew clicks in frustration, his gaze dropping to Neil’s lips. “I hate you,” he breathes, defeated. It’s not a denial, but neither is it a yes.“That’s okay too,” Neil replies, smiling sadly. He lifts a hand to Andrew’s cheek and pauses, his fingertips less than an inch away from the mer’s skin. His eyes catch on the freckles dusted across Andrew’s nose, barely visible in the dim light of the tank. “So which is it?” he asks softly, “Yes? Or no?”A beat of silence, and then- "You can touch," Andrew replies, throaty and low. The hand on Neil’s collar bone moves to his waist, the mer’s clawed thumb coming to rest lightly at his hip. He's looking at Neil with that same intensity again, that all-consuming focus that makes Neil's face hot and his stomach do somersaults.Carefully, Neil drags a finger down the slope of Andrew's nose. Andrew closes his eyes, leaning into the touch with a strange, melodic trilling noise. Transfixed, Neil touches him again, tracing a thumb across the curve of Andrew's cheekbone, down to the edge of his jaw. Soft, damp skin gives way to smooth, flat scales the further down Andrew's neck his fingertips roam. He pauses just above the delicate ridge of Andrew's gills, suddenly uncertain.Andrew stills, his eyes fluttering open again. "Keep going," he rasps.Swallowing hard, Neil continues on, trailing curious little touches along the fragile structure of Andrew's gills.The mer shivers at the contact, making that odd little trill again. His grip on Neil's waist tightens just as his powerful tail wraps around his legs, pinning him in place. They're so close now that he can feel the mer's soft breath on his face."Neil," Andrew murmurs, his eyes flicking across Neil's face almost frantically. There’s a hint of trepidation in his expression, as if he’s still expecting to be pushed away, "I-""Yes, Drew," Neil whispers. He leans in a little, brushing their noses together, "Whatever you want, it's a yes."There's a pause, and then something cracks in Andrew’s expression. He leans in slowly, closing the gap between their lips. The first touch is hesitant, unsure, but then Andrew whines low in the back of his throat and deepens the kiss. Andrew's mouth is surprisingly hot, his kiss igniting an unfamiliar heat in Neil's belly. He tastes of sea and salt, of promises and warmth and safety. Neil melts into it, desperate for something to hold on to but unsure of where to put his hands. He gasps when Andrew's fingers wrap around his wrists, tugging them up to the sides of his head. "Here," he breathes against Neil's lips before kissing him again.Gratefully, Neil sinks his fingers into Andrew's hair and gently tugs. He licks into Andrew's mouth hungrily, tracing his tongue along the sharp edges of the mer's teeth. Andrew groans, cradling Neil's head with one hand, his touch shockingly tender despite the ferocity of their kiss. It's enough to make Neil's head spin. He pulls back, mind reeling, tracing shaking fingers over the tips of Andrew's ears while he catches his breath. Kissing someone really had never felt like this before. Like the very air had been stolen from his lungs, like he didn't know where he ended and Andrew began.Andrew cups his face, giving him a moment to collect himself, "Neil," he says; softly, like it's a prayer. Neil can feel the slight tremble in his fingers when they stroke his cheek. "Do you trust me?""Always," Neil answers, bumping his forehead against Andrew’s and meeting his eyes.

Andrew’s throat bobs when he swallows, his tail tightening around Neil’s legs. “Hold on to me,” he whispers, and then he’s kissing Neil again, pushing away from the plexiglass and dragging Neil under, until they’re sinking into the water like stones. Neil squeezes his eyes shut and holds on tight. Logically, he knows he should be scared, knows that he can’t stay under for long. Knows that Andrew could very easily pin him to the floor of the tank and drown him, and Neil would be helpless to fight back. But there is no fear. He’s safe. Andrew will not hurt him. Despite his eyes being closed, Neil can feel them sinking deeper into the tank. His lungs start to ache, his need to breathe becoming more urgent by the second. He taps Andrew on the shoulder, trying to signal that he’s running out of time. In response, Andrew chirps in his ear and pulls him into another kiss. Neil startles when their lips meet, but then fresh air fills his lungs and he understands. Andrew is breathing for him. Andrew clicks softly when he pulls away, picking up the pace and effortlessly gliding through the water. Neil holds on tight, wondering where the mer could possibly be taking him.For a while, it seems as if they’re just going down, down, down, but then Andrew changes direction, and Neil thinks they have to be getting close just as they begin to rise upward.They break the surface a moment later. Neil sucks in a lungful of air, blinking the water from his eyes and looking around. It’s an air pocket, and quite a large one too. Belatedly, he's struck with the realization that they’re inside Andrew's cave. It's far roomier than he'd expected. Ledges of rock line the walls, big enough for several fully grown mer to rest on. There’s a wide slope of limestone nearby, covered with a fine layer of silt and forming a natural ramp up onto the ledges. The water around them is lit up in faint, flickering blue. It takes Neil a few seconds to realize that the light is coming from Andrew, the spines of his fins and tail lit up in dazzling bioluminescence.“Okay?” Andrew asks, his gaze searching. Even the tiny scales speckled around his eyes and cheekbones are glowing.Neil nods, excitement and curiosity bringing a wild grin to his face. “Yes,” he says, breathless, “You’re incredible." He traces a finger over one of the glimmering blue scales, “I didn’t know about this. It’s beautiful.”“It’s meant to attract prey.”“Then it must be working,” Neil smirks. Andrew rolls his eyes but doesn’t shove him away. “That trick with the kiss,” Neil continues, “How did you know-?”Andrew wipes at his mouth. “It’s another old legend,” he says carefully, “That mers could share a taste of the sea’s blessing with a kiss.” He pauses before lifting a hand to smooth back Neil’s hair, “This one isn’t based on fairytales, though. Newborn mer gills usually don’t work very well until they’re several hours old, so adult mers will sometimes help them breathe this way.”Neil reaches for the ledge of rock, hauling himself up onto the edge. “Still seems a bit like a fairytale to me. I almost expected you to bring me to Atlantis.”“Very funny,” Andrew says dryly, “Do you ever shut up?”“Maybe,” Neil teases, nudging Andrew playfully with his foot, “If you kiss me again, I just might.”Andrew plants his hands on either side of Neil’s hips, lifting himself halfway out of the water and making himself comfortable between Neil’s thighs, “You're eager.”“Maybe a little,” Neil admits. He leans back a little and spreads his legs wider, making more space for Andrew, welcoming him in.“Good,” Andrew murmurs, his eyes dropping to Neil’s mouth, “Come here.”Neil closes his eyes, and then Andrew is kissing him again, his mouth a shock of heat against Neil’s own. He sighs, burying his hands in Andrew’s hair with a low noise. A questing hand pinches the zipper on his wetsuit collar, tugging in silent question. Neil pulls back, panting. Andrew’s eyes are strangely reflective in the low light, his gaze inquisitive. “Can I take this off?” he asks.Neil adopts an expression of faux surprise, “Did you bring me down here just so you could get in my pants?”“Actually,” Andrew deadpans, “I brought you down here so I could drown you.”Neil laughs, quick and sharp. “Is that so? Been plotting my murder for a while, have you?”Andrew hums, “Since the moment we met.”“I knew it,” Neil says, still smiling, “You do like me.”“Stop talking,” Andrew says, “Or I really will drown you. Yes or no?”“Yes,” he says, shoving aside his trepidation in favor of having Andrew’s hands on him. Andrew has never seen the full extent of his scars before, but he’s seen enough.There’s a momentary pause when the zipper comes down, followed by a light touch to the bullet scar just below his collarbone. “What happened?” Andrew asks. His voice is quiet, but calm. Steady. It’s enough of a comfort for Neil to answer. “Gunshot,” he says, just as quiet. Another secret for Andrew to hold, “It was a long time ago.”The mer’s gaze shifts, moving instead to the iron burn on Neil’s shoulder. This scar earns a frown, though he suspects the furrow between Andrew’s brows is born of confusion, not needless pity. “A clothing iron,” Neil explains, preempting the mer’s question, “It’s… hot. We use it to press wrinkles out of clothes.”Andrew taps the scar, his frown deepening. “Who?”Neil swallows, feeling suddenly nauseous. Something hot and tight gathers in his chest when he answers. “My father.”Andrew’s eyes snap back to his face. He takes Neil’s jaw in hand, careful with his claws even with his firm grip. “He’s dead,” the mer says, with a surety that warms Neil’s bones, “He cannot hurt you anymore.”Neil sighs, nodding, his nerves settling at the reminder. There was nothing more reassuring than the knowledge that Nathan Wesninski was rotting in the ground. “I know,” he whispers, “Thank you.”With a heavy gaze, Andrew gently drags a thumb across Neil’s bottom lip. “Do you want to stop?”Neil shakes his head and hums, lifting a hand to Andrew’s cheek. “Kiss me?” he asks, “I don’t want to think about the past. Just you.”Silently, Andrew pulls him in, kissing him hard enough it could be mistaken for angry. It’s enough to make Neil’s lips go numb and his mind go blank, enough to chase away any lingering ghosts. Andrew softens a little when Neil licks into his mouth, his palm sliding from Neil’s chest down to his abdomen. He lets his hand rest there for another moment before he pulls the top half of wetsuit off, freeing Neil’s arms from the sleeves and shoving it down his waist. “I want to see you,” he murmurs against Neil’s lips, “Yes or no?”Neil nods, his heart rabbiting in his chest. He lifts his hips up to help Andrew pull the wetsuit down further, hissing when the chilly air starts to settle against his exposed dick. Andrew pauses, his cheeks flushed and his eyes far away. Neil waits a beat to see what Andrew will do, but the mer doesn’t move. “Hey,” Neil murmurs lowly to get his attention. Andrew’s eyes snap back up to him, alert and present once more. Slowly, Neil reaches out, brushing a lock of blonde hair away from Andrew’s face. “We can stop, if you want.”Andrew shakes his head. “I don’t want to stop,”  he rasps, “I want to get you off.”“Okay,” Neil starts, unsure of where to go from here. He’s never done this with anyone before, let alone a merman. “How do we-? What should-?”Andrew lets out a long breath, his tongue darting out to wet his lips. “Like this,” he says finally, wrapping his fingers around Neil’s half-hard dick. His hand is trembling, but his expression is determined and sure when he meets Neil’s eyes, “Yeah?”Neil nods jerkily, sucking in a sharp breath when Andrew starts to stroke him. “Can I touch-?”“Shoulders up,” Andrew commands, tightening his grip. Neil reaches for him gratefully, wrapping his arms around the mer’s shoulders to steady himself. His lips find the line of Andrew’s throat, and he kisses his way down to the upper edge of Andrew’s gills, licking away the salty droplets still clinging to his skin. The mer shivers hard, his hand faltering for a moment on Neil’s cock before he resumes his movements. Neil tucks a hidden smile into the hinge of Andrew’s jaw, pleased at having gotten such a visible reaction, and does it again. “Shit,” Andrew grits out, “Neil.”He bites down playfully instead of replying, a spike of arousal running through him when Andrew rubs his thumb over the head of his cock. The mer curses again, his breathing ragged and hot against Neil’s cheek. He presses closer, so far out of the water now that he’s practically on top of Neil, increasing the pace. Neil can feel the weight of Andrew’s tail against his inner thigh, along with an unmistakably hard bump that had not been there before. He doesn’t look, but he knows enough about merfolk anatomy to know that it’s Andrew’s dick, tucked inside a protective slit even when aroused. Even when he can’t touch, the knowledge that Andrew is just as gone, is just as worked up right now, is enough to push him to the edge. “Andrew,” he moans, “I’m getting close, I-”His words cut off when Andrew kisses him, hot and messy and full of soft little sighs. “Come, then,” Andrew breathes into his mouth, “Come on. Let go.”When Neil comes, it’s almost silent. A choked off cry dies somewhere between his lips and Andrew’s when he spills into the mer’s hand. Distantly, he feels himself trembling, his mind too scattered to connect words to thought. Andrew is still half on top of him, his weight grounding Neil back to reality. “Good?” the mer rasps.Neil nods shakily, grinning with exhilaration. “Good,” he confirms. He can still feel the hard bump from Andrew’s arousal against his thigh. “Do you want me to-?”The mer shakes his head, moving away and slipping back into the water. “No,” he answers, crossing his arms and resting on Neil’s thighs.“Okay,” Neil says, sitting up. Everything feels a bit surreal, like he somehow wandered into a dream. Carefully, he tucks himself back into his suit, shivering as he zips himself up. Andrew frowns. “You’re cold.”“I’m fine,” Neil says. He winces at Andrew’s unimpressed scowl before correcting himself. “It’s just a bit chilly down here. It’s not a big deal.”The mer does not look convinced. “Come on,” he says, holding out a hand, “I’ll take you back up.”Neil slides his palm into Andrew’s, smiling softly when the mer pulls him off of the ledge and into his arms. He takes a deep breath and tucks his face into the crook of Andrew’s neck, closing his eyes just as the mer drags him back under.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

In the weeks that follow, it becomes something of a new routine.On the nights that the aquarium is empty, when the rest of the world is shrouded in darkness and even Katelyn and Erik have both long since left for home, Andrew pulls him into the tank, drags him down into the privacy of his cave, and kisses him brainless.Sometimes, he gets Neil off; quick and fast, with heated hands and hotter mouths. Sometimes, Andrew drags it out with slow, soul-wrenching kisses and careful, hesitant touches. And other times, he doesn’t get Neil off at all. Instead, he just kisses him until Neil sees stars, their bodies held carefully apart.Neil gets the impression that the mer is studying him; his reactions, his desires, what will make his back arch and his toes curl. He also gets the impression that Andrew is testing his own boundaries as much as he’s testing Neil’s, that he’s still mapping out uncharted waters. In that regard, Neil supposes, they are not so different. This is all new to him too, though admittedly not in the same way.Then, there are the days where Andrew allows Neil to touch him back.It starts off with just above the shoulders; his hair, his ears, his neck and his gills. Then, the territory expands, and Neil is allowed to run his hands over strong arms, to explore the dip below his shoulder blades, to trace gentle fingertips along the curve of Andrew’s spine. And then, one day, Andrew takes Neil’s hand and places it on his chest, a determined look in his eye. Neil can feel the mer’s heart pounding under his palm, giving away what is usually so carefully concealed. He doesn’t dare to move his hand, but he doesn’t dare to remove it either.“Do you feel what you do to me?” Andrew had murmured, “This is your fault.”Neil had simply smiled and pressed one of Andrew’s fingers to his equally racing pulse. “And this is yours.”Instead of responding, Andrew had pushed him against the wall of the cave and kissed him so hard that Neil couldn’t think anymore.Soon enough, the mer is guiding Neil’s hands to his waist, his hips, even the small of his back where skin meets scale.He still won't let Neil get him off, though.Not that Neil minds; he’ll take whatever Andrew is willing to give him. Whatever ground Andrew wants to cede, Neil will worship every inch.Tonight is no exception.Andrew has him pinned against the ledge of rock that lines his cave, his mouth hot on Neil’s neck. Neil's shirt is already discarded somewhere behind him. He'd forgone his wetsuit again today, knowing it would be stripped off the minute they were alone. Instead, he'd opted for his weathered swim trunks.The sound of their ragged breaths echoes off of the damp cave walls, the water cool despite the heat building between them. They’ve been at this for a while now, time blurring between minutes and hours in Neil’s mind. It’s one of those days where Andrew takes it slow, where each point of contact between them is hard won and savored.Neil likes all the ways in which Andrew touches him, but days like these might be his favorite.“I want to try something,” Andrew murmurs against his cheek, “I want to use my mouth.”Neil’s thoughts are scattered, tangled things, distracted by the insistent weight of Andrew’s tail pressing against his dick. “Your mouth-” he asks when he can finally string the words together, “Where?”Andrew scoffs and pulls back to glare at him, but the effect is undercut by how undone he already looks. “Here,” he answers lowly, brushing a thumb over Neil’s nipple before tugging at the waistband of his trunks, “And here.” Oh.Neil considers rows of razor sharp teeth designed to tear and devour, considers the long, deadly claws resting lightly against his hip. He considers kisses that are sometimes soft and sometimes harsh, but never bloody, never painful. For all his rough desperation, Andrew is unfailingly careful with him.“Yes, ” he breathes back.Andrew kisses him then, languid and easy. "Stay still," he instructs when they break apart, "If you want me to stop, pinch me." He pauses, considering, "You can touch above my shoulders, but don't push me or hold me down."Neil swallows and nods, willing himself not to think too hard about why Andrew would need to specify that. "Okay.”Seemingly satisfied, Andrew kisses him again, with more heat this time. Neil melts into it, his dick twitching with interest as Andrew’s mouth moves down his jaw to his collarbone. He can’t stop the noise that escapes him when Andrew latches on to his nipple, his tongue pressed flat against the sensitive bud. Andrew looks up at him through his eyelashes then, and Neil sucks in a breath. Andrew hums a little before pulling off with a soft noise and turning his attention to Neil’s other nipple. Neil whines, arching into the touch. It’s all he can do not to beg for more.Andrew looks up at Neil again and smirks, right before he sinks beneath the surface. Neil shudders when he feels the heat of Andrew’s tongue on his abdomen, his lips trailing a path through the meadow of scars on Neil’s torso. He braces himself with one hand on the ledge behind him while the other hand finds Andrew’s hair, smoothing it away from his face as best he can. It’s hard to see what’s happening through the distortion of rippling water, but then Andrew squeezes his hip in reassurance and Neil knows everything is alright.There’s a pause, and then he feels two clawed fingers hook in the waistband of his trunks, quickly tugging them off. They land on the ledge next to him a moment later, sopping wet. Neil barely has time to catch his breath before Andrew’s hands are on him, wrapping around his dick and stroking him hard and fast.Neil groans at the touch, his head dropping back. Andrew works him until he’s aching, his thighs shaking with the effort of keeping still. His eyes shoot open when he feels Andrew tentatively lick at the tip, the warm slide of his tongue sending a jolt of pleasure up his spine.He bites back a curse. Andrew squeezes his hip again - whether in acknowledgement or warning, Neil doesn’t know - and keeps going, slowly lapping at the head of Neil’s cock before taking him into his mouth.Neil shivers hard; though if it’s from the chilly air or Andrew’s lips stretched around him, even he isn’t sure. He moans softly, resisting the urge to buck his hips forward. Andrew's mouth is hot , almost overwhelmingly so. He's suddenly grateful for the hand on his hip, pinning him firmly in place while Andrew swallows around his length and starts to move.It doesn't take long for him to approach the edge, his abdomen tight with impending orgasm. His hand clenches in Andrew's hair, and he reaches down to tap the mer twice on the shoulder in an attempt to warn him. Despite his best efforts, Andrew doesn't pull away, and Neil is coming in his mouth before he can stop himself. The mer swallows it all, his throat flexing and relaxing around him until Neil is whimpering from overstimulation.Andrew releases him then and resurfaces, his eyes dark and his cheeks flushed as he wipes at his mouth. “Are you okay?” Neil asks, his worry returning along with the rest of his senses, “I’m sorry, I tried to warn you-”Something softens around the mer’s eyes at the question. His hands find the dip in Neil's waist while his tail fits neatly between his legs. “I should be asking you that,” he says hoarsely, brushing his lips along Neil’s jaw, “I don’t do anything I don’t want to do.” Neil shudders at the implication, tipping his head back to grant Andrew more access. He can feel the press of Andrew’s arousal against his thigh. Curiosity niggles at him to look, but he resists the temptation.He’s jolted out of his thoughts by the sudden scrape of sharp teeth on his throat, just light enough not to break skin. Andrew soothes the sting away with his tongue, his grip on Neil’s thigh tightening. Neil takes the hint and hoists his legs higher, wrapping them loosely around Andrew’s hips and burying his fingers in his hair. That earns him a pleased growl and a biting kiss to his jaw. “Do you need me to go?” he asks, “Or stay?”The mer pauses, his breath hot and damp against Neil’s collarbone. He feels Andrew’s grip on his thigh tighten again before relaxing. “Stay,” Andrew answers, “But don’t look.”“Okay,” Neil says, “Come here.”He tugs gently on Andrew’s hair, guiding him into another kiss. The mer goes without resistance, sighing into Neil’s mouth like it’s a relief. He can still taste himself on Andrew’s tongue, but finds that he doesn’t mind it.He feels Andrew’s other hand slip between their bodies and hears the hitch in the mer’s breath, feels the slow, steady motion of Andrew stroking himself where his arm bumps against Neil’s thigh. Neil closes his eyes and focuses on the sound of Andrew’s pleasure; the bitten-off gasp that slips out when Neil kisses his neck, the soft slap of water against skin that follows Andrew’s hand moving faster. He feels it when Andrew comes with a sharp little hiss, the mer's body trembling with aftershocks. A moment later, Andrew drops his head onto Neil’s shoulder with a quiet groan, his lips warm on Neil's skin.Neil lowers his legs from around Andrew's waist, giving him the option to pull away should he need it. When the mer doesn't take the offered space, he traces gentle fingers over the edge of Andrew's gills, pleased at the little tremor he gets in response.The mer grunts, his hand shifting from Neil's hip to the small of his back. "That tickles.”“Should I stop?” Neil questions. When no answer comes, he hides a victorious smile in Andrew’s hair and presses a kiss to his scalp. This too has become routine, these quiet moments after.Neil hums, a sudden thought occurring to him. “Your brother and cousin,” he starts, “All the times we’ve been down here, they’ve never once come in.”Andrew huffs, a hot puff of breath against his neck. “What, were you hoping to get caught?”“Shut up,” Neil laughs, tugging the mer’s hair in reprimand, “Of course not. I guess I’m just surprised. Don’t they sleep in caves too?”“They do,” Andrew replies, “Just not in this one. They know better than to come inside uninvited, especially after I warned them.”“Do they know I’m down here?”Andrew hums. “Yes.”“And they don’t mind?”“They have no room to complain,” Andrew says, “I have never bothered their idiot humans, and I expect they will not bother mine. So long as the deal remains unbroken and they remain here, I do not care what they do.”“Yours, huh,” Neil says, “That’s new.” When Andrew falls silent, his face still carefully hidden, Neil noses against his temple. “I like it,” he murmurs, “I like being yours.”Andrew doesn’t say anything, but he squeezes Neil a bit tighter around the waist. Neil yawns, drowsiness suddenly catching up to him. He’s not sure how long they’ve been down here, but the hour must be getting late.Unfortunately, Andrew doesn’t miss his exhaustion either. “Come on,” he orders, pulling away to reach for Neil’s swim trunks, “Time to go.” “I’m not even that tired,” Neil complains, but he doesn’t resist when Andrew helps him slip his trunks back on. “Uh huh. Very convincing,” Andrew drawls, “I thought you were supposed to be good at lying?”“Fuck off,” Neil says fondly, turning to reach for his shirt.“Wait,” Andrew says. He stills, his gaze locked on Neil's arm. “What is that?”“What?” Neil says, glancing down at his forearm, not seeing anything out of the ordinary.Andrew grabs his wrist, pulling it close to his face. “That,” he says stiffly, gesturing at the five indented scars just below Neil's elbow, “It almost looks like…” He lines up his claws with the marks, his expression shuttering at the undeniably perfect fit. “How?” he demands, “When did this happen?”“A few months ago. When Abby did your health exam , ” Neil says, slightly bewildered at the mer's reaction. True, the scars are usually hidden under his wetsuit, but Andrew still must have seen them at least a dozen times by now. Had he simply never made the connection? “You don't remember?”“No,” Andrew hisses, his eyes flashing, "Why didn't you tell me?""Didn't seem important," Neil shrugs, "It's just a few scratches. These scars are hardly even noticeable, compared to everything else I’ve got going on.""Don't say that," Andrew grits out, trembling fingertips tracing over the little marks, "I hurt you.""You didn't mean to," Neil argues, tugging his arm out of Andrew’s grip to finish pulling on his shirt, "You were scared-""Don't make excuses for me," Andrew snaps. His tail twitches in agitation, his spine rigid with barely contained rage."Then let it go," Neil says, turning back towards him. Calm. He needs to stay calm. "It's in the past."Andrew looks at him, his eyes full of furious self-hatred, "You should be angry at me.""Well, I'm not," Neil says, frustration bleeding into his tone. He takes a deep breath, attempting to soften his words, "But if you keep trying to punish yourself, I might be."Andrew looks back down at the tiny scars, all of his anger suddenly morphing into quiet distress. "I never wanted to hurt you," he mumbles, his touch light on Neil’s arm."Listen to me," Neil says softly. He takes Andrew's hand, slotting their fingers together and squeezing gently, "I’m okay. Really. It was an accident."Andrew lets out a long breath and drags their joined hands to his mouth. "It will not happen again," he says firmly, pressing a kiss to Neil’s knuckles, “I promise.”“I know,” Neil replies, smiling faintly, “Come on. Let’s go.”***“You seem to be in a good mood lately,” Dan says, nudging her foot against his under the table. Neil startles, looking up from his fries. Dan is smiling at him, her brown eyes crinkled around the edges. Matt is still up at the bar, his back to their table. Neil had invited them both out to Eden’s tonight, intending to make good on his promise to be a better friend. He’d picked a good night for it too; the bar is nearly empty, aside from an older couple sitting in a booth on the opposite wall and a woman in thick glasses perched on one of the barstools, her nose buried in a book.“I am,” he answers after a minute, “I think.” His thoughts stray back to blonde hair and black scales, as they always seem to do these days. “I think I’m… happy?”“Because of Andrew?” Dan questions. She smiles at Neil’s surprised look and tosses her braids over her shoulder, “You’re not exactly subtle, you know.”“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Neil says, smoothing out his expression.“Sure you don’t,” Dan says, “That’s why you’ve been even more sleep-deprived than usual, and why you’ve shown up to work with visible hickies for weeks, and-”“Alright, alright,” Neil relents, “Point made.”Dan nudges his foot again. “I’m happy for you,” she says honestly, “It’s nice to see. I don’t know what it is about Andrew that brings it out in you, but you seem… lighter. Calmer.”“Thank you,” Neil says, a bit taken aback by the sincerity in her tone, “I- It’s good. He’s good. To me, I mean, uh-”“Oh, are we finally talking about Neil’s love life?” Matt says, sliding back into the booth with a tray of drinks. “No,” Neil says with a frown, “We’re not.”“Yes,” Dan replies, flashing Neil an innocent smile, “We are.”“Excellent,” Matt says happily. He hands Dan her rum and coke before turning back to Neil. “So, you and Andrew, huh? What’s that like?”Neil looks at him warily. “What do you mean?”“You know,” Matt says, making a vague hand gesture, “How does it all… work? For lack of a better term.”“I can’t believe you just asked me that,” Neil groans, his face getting hot, “I’m not having this conversation.”“Aw, come on,” Matt pleads, “You don’t have to give us all the details.”“We just want to make sure you’re okay,” Dan adds, “I mean, we know he’s important to you, but mers and humans are really different, so-”“Does he treat you right?” Matt asks, “I mean, some of those hickies looked really intense.”“I’m not answering that,” Neil grumbles, burying his face in his hands, “Did you guys corner Erik and Katelyn like this too?”Matt snorts, while Dan just grins ruefully. “Sort of,” she admits, “I mean, the interspecies thing was concerning at first, but other than that, we weren’t really worried about Nicky and Erik. And anybody with eyes can see just how much Aaron dotes on Kate. But Andrew-”“He’s always been a bit rough around the edges,” Matt admits, “Unpredictable. And then there was that whole thing with Jack-”“Enough,” Neil says sharply, “You weren’t there. Neither of you were. You don’t know the full story. I do.”Matt blinks, holding his hands up in surrender. “Sorry man,” he says placatingly, “I didn’t mean-”“Look,” Neil interrupts, “I’m tired of people making assumptions about him based on hearsay.” He levels both Dan and Matt a glare, his tone brooking no room for argument. “What happened with Jack was not Andrew’s fault. If I hear either of you insinuate otherwise again-”“We get it,” Dan says, “It was a stupid thing to say.”Matt nods, his eyes wide. “I really am sorry,” he says, “It won’t happen again.”Neil sighs, his anger quickly fading. “Apology accepted,” he says, “Just… try to give him a chance, won’t you? He’s been through a lot. He deserves that much, at the very least.”An awkward silence falls over them. Neil glances around the pub, wishing for a distraction from the residual tension. The elderly couple at the booth are long gone, but the woman at the bar is still there. He briefly wonders if she overheard his outburst, but her eyes are still firmly fixed on her book.He tries not to feel guilty about once again snapping at his friends. He knows they don’t mean any harm, but he can’t help the protective rage that flares inside of him when he thinks of Andrew. “You really do love him,” Dan says, jarring Neil from his thoughts, “Don’t you?”Neil looks back at her and swallows hard. Love.  The word hangs heavy in his ears, weighed down with loaded meaning and years of trauma. Mary had loved him, of this Neil was sure, but her love had come with unforgiving hands and even less forgiving bruises. Nathan, in contrast, had never been capable of loving anyone other than himself. That much had been obvious since the day he pressed a hot iron to Neil’s shoulder.The thought that he could love Andrew, that he does love Andrew, is nothing less than terrifying. Mary had protected Neil for years out of love, and then she’d died for it. Andrew had martyred himself out of love for his brother, and it had nearly destroyed him.Love, Neil thinks, is a loaded gun; both safety and threat, depending on where it’s aimed. Neil does not want that loaded gun anywhere near Andrew. He wants to destroy it; to empty the chamber and toss it into the sea. He wants to push it away, to pretend he didn’t hear Dan’s words. And yet, he knows in his bones that it’s true. He loves Andrew, has probably loved him for a while now, long before he even knew these feelings had a name.“Yeah,” he answers, throat tight, “I do.”They change topics after that, talking instead about the new baby otters scheduled to leave quarantine and speculating about Renee’s sabbatical. Dan tells him about how she first met Wymack, Abby and Kevin as part of the aquarium’s educational summer outreach program.“I didn’t really expect Wymack to remember me,” she admits, “But when I was 18, I was old enough to apply for the summer internship. I was still dancing back then, and I couldn’t really afford to stop, especially for an unpaid internship. I applied anyway, just to see if I could get it, and I got accepted, but I already knew that I’d probably have to turn it down.”“But you didn’t.” Neil says, “Right?”Dan shakes her head, smiling. “Actually, I did. Wymack called me afterwards. He’d recognized my name from the application, he knew how passionate I’d always been about the ocean as a kid. He asked me why I said no, and when I told him, he said he’d call me back.” She leans against Matt, her eyes fond. “Two days later, he came back with a grant to cover my bills for the summer. And then, once I completed the internship, he offered to pay for my schooling, so long as I came back to work for him after. So I enrolled.”“And eventually met me,” Matt chimes in, beaming.“You went to school together?” Neil asks.“Sure did,” Matt confirms, “Different programs, but we lived in the same dorm. They grouped all the STEM kids together. I was in the engineering department, while Dan was studying marine biology. I tried to ask her out within a week of meeting her, but she turned me down.”“I was focusing on school,” Dan admonishes, “I was there on grants and scholarships and Wymack's goodwill, I didn’t have time for dating. I had to keep my grades up!”“Yeah, yeah” Matt says, waving her off with a smile, “You were always top of the class, your grades were fine. Anyway, we stayed friends for a long time after that, and then she graduated and I was scared I’d never see her again.”“Until the old engineer at Foxhole Aquarium retired, and a spot opened up," Dan continues, "Wymack asked me if I knew anyone, and I knew Matt had just graduated, so-”“So you recommended him for the job,” Neil finishes. He turns to Matt, fighting a smirk, “How long was it after Wymack hired you before you asked her out again?”“Day one, buddy,” Matt grins, “Day one. I was not about to miss my second chance.”Dan rolls her eyes and smiles, her cheeks dark. “You’re ridiculous.”They talk for a little while longer before the late hour finally catches up with them. Matt gets to his feet first and heads towards the bar to close out their tab, but Neil beats him there, shooing him away when Matt tries to pull out his wallet. “I’ve got this,” Neil tells him, “Go wait for me outside with Dan.”“Are you sure?” Matt asks, “We can just split the bill-”“I’m sure,” Neil says, “I owe you both way more than just dinner and a few drinks. Besides, I was the one who invited you. Let me handle it.”Matt seems to cave in at that. “Alright,” he says, “Thanks, man. Let us give you a ride home at least.”Neil nods and waves him off, pulling out a wad of bills from his pocket and handing them to the bartender. Mary would kill him for wasting money like this, but Neil has steady paychecks coming in now, not to mention half a million dollars in cash split between the stash in his apartment and the handful of hidden caches dotted across the country. He’d given a lot up to the FBI when he’d turned himself in, but he’d spared his mother’s contacts and the money leftover from what they’d stolen from Nathan all those years ago. At the time, it made sense to have a contingency plan, just in case WitSec turned out to be a trap and he had to run again. But now, he doesn’t need it anymore. He’s done running, so he might as well use it to treat his friends.A moment later, the bartender hands him his receipt and his change. Neil shoves it into his pocket, thanking him with a quiet nod. Matt’s truck is already running when he steps outside, and both of his friends are waving at him to hurry up. Neil smiles, opens the passenger-side door and gets in.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

The next day, Neil finds himself in quarantine again. Abby had requested his help while she checked in on Sunshine, so Neil stops by after lunch and assist.“You know,” Abby says, straightening up and putting her hands on her hips, “I think he’s ready.”Neil looks up at her from where he’s seated inside Sunshine’s tank. The shark is circling the perimeter, pausing to brush against him with each pass. He’s still a bit wobbly, but it’s impossible to miss the vast improvement from when he’d first arrived.“You think so?” Neil asks, frowning as he strokes Sunshine's snout, “He’s still struggling on some of the tight turns.”“He won’t have to make as many tight turns in a bigger tank,” Abby points out, “He’ll have more space to move.”Neil watches the shark as it circles the tank again. The stump of its dorsal fin has healed significantly in the last few weeks, and all signs of infection are long gone. “Okay,” he says, “So how do we move him?”“We’ll need some help,” Abby says, “You, me, Dan and David at the very least. And Matt, of course, to operate the transport equipment. Preferably a sixth person too, to help with any heavy lifting we might need.” She considers, tapping her chin thoughtfully, “Maybe Kevin,” she decides, “He should be able to lend a hand.”“I’ll ask him,” Neil says, rising to his feet. Sunshine bumps against his legs curiously before passing by again. He steps out of the tank, shivering from the chill. “When do you want to move him?”“Tonight, I think,” Abby replies, “When there aren’t any visitors. We’ll start him in the medical pool so he can acclimate, and then ease him into the rest of the general population.”Neil frowns. “It’ll be tough to keep him hydrated and breathing during transport.”“Let Matt and Wymack worry about that,” Abby says, “You just round up the rest of our muscle.”“Okay,” Neil nods, “Will do.”He heads back into the main aquarium then, leaving Abby alone in quarantine. He makes a quick detour down to the dolphin tank to inform Dan of Abby’s plan before heading upstairs towards the mers. To his surprise, Kevin is kneeling at the edge of the tank, talking quietly with Andrew.Neil pauses, hanging back to watch. He’s too far away to hear what Kevin is saying, but he can make out the furrow in his brow while he talks. In contrast, Andrew’s expression is blank as ever, but he’s clearly paying attention, his eyes locked on Kevin’s face. After a moment, Andrew holds out a hand, his palm turned up as if expecting tribute. Kevin sighs and reaches into his pocket, pulling out something too small for Neil to see. He watches as Kevin drops the mysterious object into Andrew’s palm. Seemingly satisfied, Andrew opens his mouth and says something back. It can’t be more than a few words, but Kevin’s eyes go wide. Hurriedly, he pulls a small notepad out of his pocket and starts to write. A moment later he nods, a rare smile crossing his lips. Andrew rolls his eyes, his gaze briefly catching on Neil’s before he swims away without a word.Kevin is just straightening up when Neil decides to approach. “Well,” Neil begins, “I see you found the right incentive.”Kevin jumps. “Jesus,” he wheezes, “What did I tell you about sneaking up on me?”“Sorry,” Neil says blithely. He nods down at the depths of the tank, his curiosity getting the better of him, “So?”“You were right,” Kevin says, tucking his notepad away, “He was willing to answer my questions, for a price.”“It wasn’t ice cream you gave him, was it?”“Nope,” Kevin says, “He wanted something else. And no,” he adds at Neil’s questioning look, “I won’t tell you what it was.”Neil scowls. “This is payback for me not telling you anything before, isn’t it?”“Sure is,” Kevin says briskly, “Anyway, did you need something?”“You’re staying late tonight.”Kevin blinks, seemingly surprised. “I am?”Neil nods. “You are. Abby says we’re moving Sunshine into the main tank. You’re going to help.”Kevin frowns, his gaze turning thoughtful. He rests his elbows on the railing and looks down into the tank, his eyes tracking the shadowy silhouette of a passing mer. “Do you really think he’s ready?”Neil shrugs, “It isn’t up to me. Abby says he is, and I believe her. Don’t you?”“Of course I do,” Kevin says, “It’s just… I worry, okay? If he can’t adapt to life in the big tank, there won’t be much more we can do for him.”“He’ll be okay,” Neil says. He leans on the railing next to Kevin and nudges him on the shoulder, “Besides, it’s now or never, right? He can’t stay in quarantine forever.”“I hope you’re right,” Kevin sighs.***As it turns out, relocating a six foot long, four hundred pound shark is a rather complicated affair.First, Wymack has them lower what is essentially an enormous stretcher into Sunshine’s tank. They fill the stretcher with enough water for Sunshine to comfortably swim in, and then Neil and Abby spend several minutes coaxing the very nervous shark into it. Once Sunshine is safely in the stretcher, they hook all four sides of the stretcher up to steel bars, forming a sort of canvas bag full of water to carry the shark.Then there is the matter of lifting and transporting him. Neil watches with bated breath as Matt cautiously navigates a forklift over to Sunshine’s tank. Matt raises the forks up, carefully maneuvering them through the steel handles that line the top edge of the stretcher. Once the forks are securely in place, he gestures for the rest of them to stand back before lifting the stretcher. Some water slops over the side, but thankfully it’s relatively little. Neil can see the outline of Sunshine’s tail swishing nervously, but the shark stays fairly calm at the sudden movement.Carefully, Matt carries the shark over to a large metal rack on wheels. The rest of them hurry to help, securing the giant stretcher to the rack with heavy metal clamps on the steel bars. In the end, the stretcher is suspended two feet above the ground, looking like an enormous, waterlogged laundry cart.“Right,” Wymack calls, gesturing at Matt to back away that the shark is secured, “Abby, take the lead. Make sure the path is clear. Dan, Neil, Kevin, help me push this thing. Matt, go get the crane ready. We’ll meet you there.”“Roger that, boss,” Matt says before driving off with the forklift.It’s a tense twenty minutes, navigating through the halls with such precious cargo. They’re forced to move slowly so they don’t jostle the shark or spill too much water. Even with the help of wheels, it’s a difficult task.Soon enough, the mer tank is in sight. Matt is already waiting for them. “Ready when you are!” he calls to Wymack.“Dan, Kevin and Neil, in the water,” Wymack instructs, “Stay clear of the stretcher, just be ready to help once it’s in. Abby, you stay up there and spot Matt. Wait for my signal, and then lower Sunshine into the water. Slowly.”“On it,” Abby says. Neil follows the others into the medical pool, his eyes on the stretcher above them. He watches with baited breath as Matt hooks the crane onto the steel bars and carefully lowers the stretcher into the pool.Finally, the stretcher is almost entirely submerged. Inside, Sunshine is agitated, swimming in clumsy circles and bumping against the canvas walls. “Grab the edges,” Wymack says, “Somebody unhook the crane so Matt can back away.”They do as commanded, each grabbing a corner to keep the shark contained. Even with the buoyancy of the water to help them, Neil’s arms still ache from the effort.“Hold him steady,” Wymack orders, “Give him time to acclimate.”“How long?” Kevin asks.“Fifteen minutes,” Abby calls, “More, if we can manage it. We don’t want to shock his system with any pH or temperature differences in the water. He needs time to adjust.”A few minutes later, Neil nearly jumps out of his skin when something touches the small of his back. He looks over his shoulder to spot Andrew, his head just above the water’s surface. He gives Neil a questioning look before nodding at the stretcher. “It’s Sunshine,” Neil tells him, “We’re letting him out soon.”“Who are you talking to- Oh,” Dan says, her eyes wide, “Hi Andrew.” The others turn to look, but the mer ignores them all. He clicks softly, his gaze locked on the stretcher. Sunshine thrashes restlessly, smacking his tail against the canvas.“He’s confused,” Andrew murmurs, quiet enough that only Neil can hear, “And scared. He doesn’t know where he is or what is happening.”“Tell him we’re giving him a new home, where he’ll never have to worry about being hunted again,” Neil says, “Tell him that I’ll take care of him from now on.”Andrew blinks slowly at him before turning back to the shark, relaying the message through soft clicks and chirps. After a minute, the shark seems to settle, his frantic swimming slowing to something calmer.“Let him out,” Andrew says, louder now, “He’s ready.”“Neil, lower your side and back away,” Wymack instructs, “Carefully.”“Okay,” Neil says. He unhooks his side of the stretcher from the steel bars, creating an opening for the shark to swim through. Andrew’s hand is steady at his back as Sunshine approaches, and he watches the shark with narrowed eyes. Sunshine circles around them both three times before nudging against Neil’s side, as if requesting attention.Neil huffs and strokes the shark’s nose gently. “Go on,” he murmurs quietly, “You're free to go.”Andrew clicks at the shark, petting it gently on the head. Neil can’t help but wonder what he’s saying; was Andrew telling the shark it was safe? Or simply translating Neil’s message?Whatever the mer said, Sunshine must have gotten the message. He circles them once more before taking off, swimming towards the deeper end of the tank and disappearing."Thank you," Neil tells the mer. Andrew looks at him, saying nothing. Neil smiles, leaning in a little. "Will you keep an eye on him for me? Just for a little while."The mer blinks slowly at him again, his tail brushing against Neil's legs before he too disappears beneath the surface. "Well," Dan says, clearing her throat, "That was…""Weird?" Kevin offers."I was going to say unexpected," Dan says, "It was nice of him to come help. Neil, how did you get him to do that?""I didn’t," Neil replies, "He did that on his own.""Enough chatter," Wymack interrupts, "We’ve still got work to do. Let's get this equipment cleaned up and put away."***Hours later, long after the others have left, Neil finds himself in front of the merfolk exhibit, tucked into the far corner of the curved glass wall. Andrew hadn't appeared near the surface that night, so Neil takes it as a sign that the mer didn't want to be disturbed. It was just as well; he's too tired to dive again today anyway.Instead, he settles in on the window ledge in front of the mer tank to watch the fish pass by, content just to have a quiet moment to himself. Sunshine appears to be doing alright; Neil can see him clumsily circling Nicky on the other side of the tank. Neil smiles at the sight, relieved. Despite Abby's confidence and his own assurances to Kevin, he'd had his own doubts about the shark's ability to  fully thrive again.He's never been happier to be wrong.A shadow passes overhead, and Neil looks up to see the twins swimming side by side. Aaron is talking, and although Neil can't understand what he's saying, he can still hear the faint sound of the mer clicking through the thick glass. He wonders if any of the mers have noticed he's still here; it's hard to imagine that they haven't, but none of them have looked his way yet, so it seems possible.Humming to himself, Neil closes his eyes. It's so peaceful here, he could easily fall asleep. The ledge is just wide enough for his whole body to fit comfortably, and the glass feels cool against his forehead. He's just drifted off when something taps against the glass, stirring him awake. Neil opens his eyes to find Andrew looking back at him, his clawed hands pressed flat against the glass and his mouth twisted in a puzzled frown. Neil blinks drowsily at him, lifting a hand to the glass and lining it up with Andrew's. He's never looked that closely at Andrew's hands before, but now he finds he cannot tear his eyes away. Were it not for the length of his claws, the mer's fingers would be shorter than his, though admittedly thicker as well. The mer gives him an odd look but doesn't move, his gaze flicking between their lined up hands and Neil's face. Neil spreads his fingers a little farther apart and has to resist the urge to smile when Andrew spreads his fingers to match.From this angle, it's easy to forget the glass separating them and imagine that they're actually touching. He briefly entertains the idea of dragging himself back up the stairs and getting into the tank again, but he already knows Andrew will tell him to leave the moment he lets a yawn slip. He can see it in the furrowed, slightly worried look on the mer's face.Besides, right now he's too weary to even move."I'm alright," Neil tells him, hoping that the mer can hear, "Just tired."For a moment he expects Andrew to tell him to leave, to send him home to bed as he so often does. But then the mer says something back, and although Neil can't hear him through the glass, he can read Andrew's lips just fine. Sleep, little minnow, he says, You're safe here.  Sighing quietly, Neil stretches out his legs and tilts his head back. The mer backs away from the glass but lingers nearby, as if standing guard. Finally comfortable again, Neil allows himself to drift once more, watching Andrew's face until he can no longer keep his eyes open.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Shockingly, the greatest challenge Sunshine faces in his new home is not keeping his balance, but rather his willingness to share.  Specifically, his willingness to share Neil. It’s undeniably amusing, watching the shark not only compete with the rest of his kin for Neil’s attention during breakfast, but also seeing him compete with the mers. Sunshine seems particularly intent on stealing Neil’s focus where Andrew is involved; a fact that visibly annoys the merman. More than once, Andrew chases the shark away with sharp clicks and a warning hiss, only for Sunshine to come back twenty minutes later, begging for affection.Despite Andrew’s annoyance at the pesky young shark, Neil can’t find it within himself to say no. “You’re spoiling him,” Andrew grumbles, watching moodily one night as Neil feeds extra scraps of squid to the lemon shark after work.“I am not,” Neil says, feigning offense. At Andrew’s skeptical look, he sighs. “Okay, so maybe I am a little,” he admits, “But come on, can you blame me? Look how cute he is! He’s a growing boy!”“He’s longer than you are tall,” Andrew comments, “He could tear your arm off without even trying.”“So could you,” Neil retorts, “Doesn’t stop you from being cute, does it?”Andrew goes silent after that, his face turning pink. Neil smiles in victory and tosses Sunshine another piece of squid. His victory doesn’t last for long, because the moment he turns his back, Andrew slaps his tail against the water, splashing him and soaking his clothes. He wipes the saltwater from his eyes, spluttering. Andrew’s mouth is a flat line, but his eyes are twinkling in silent laughter.“You’ll pay for that,” Neil says. He gets to his feet and shakes the water from his hair, stepping away from the water’s edge. Andrew raises an eyebrow, but then Neil takes a running start and the mer’s eyes go wide. He ducks out of the way just before Neil cannonballs into the water with an exhilarated shout.When Neil bursts back above the surface, Andrew is there, leveling him with an unimpressed look. Neil laughs, pushing his hair from his eyes. “Told you.”“You’re ridiculous,” Andrew says, tugging him in by the collar.“You like it,” Neil replies, smug. Andrew doesn’t deny it or even try to argue. Instead, his eyes drop to Neil’s lips. “Yes or no?”“Yes,” Neil murmurs, his pulse jumping. Andrew hums and leans in, kissing him fiercely before dragging Neil down into the depths below. They end up as they always do now; sequestered in the privacy of Andrew’s cave, lost in a sea of hot kisses and carefully roaming hands. Somewhere between the slick drag of Andrew’s tongue on his neck and the firm grip of Andrew’s hands on his wrists, Neil winds up pinned under the mer’s comforting weight, laid out flat against the wide slope of limestone with Andrew cradled between his thighs. "Fuck," Neil gasps, breaking away for air. He shivers under Andrew's touch, his shirt discarded somewhere behind him. He's already hard, his clothed erection trapped between his and Andrew's stomachs.He feels the edge of sharp claws slip beneath his waistband. "Off," Andrew says, his breath warm against Neil's cheek."Yes," Neil moans, raising his hips so Andrew can tug off the offensive clothing. The mer looks down at his now naked body and hesitates, his eyes dark in the gloom of the cave. Neil lets him look, not bothering to hide. Andrew has seen all of him, there is no reason to shy away. "Hey," he says softly, reaching for the mer, "Come here."Andrew leans back down, his eyelids fluttering when Neil threads his fingers through his hair. Neil kisses him slowly, coaxing his mouth open with a quiet sigh, and it’s safe, safe, safe, being here under Andrew, where nobody can hurt them and the rest of the world ceases to exist.Andrew hums before pulling away, his lips reddened and his cheeks flushed. He wraps his fingers around Neil’s wrist, pulling his hand to his mouth and kissing his open palm. Neil doesn’t resist, his heart skipping several beats at the apprehensive look in Andrew’s eyes. Andrew pauses, and then he’s slowly guiding Neil’s hand down, down, down, until his palm is pressed flat against the mer's hidden cock. Neil freezes, his eyes snapping to Andrew's face. The mer's gaze is impassive, but the rosiness in his cheeks gives him away."Are you sure?" Neil asks, keeping his hand perfectly still. His pulse is drumming in his ears, his voice trembling around the edges despite his best efforts to project calm. Andrew nods sharply, licking his lips and releasing Neil’s wrist. "You can move."Slowly, cautiously, Neil rubs his palm over the large bulge. It earns him a choked gasp from Andrew in response, so he does it again. His eyes widen when he feels something shift under his fingers. Slowly, Andrew's dick unfurls into his hand, until it's no longer tucked inside the mer's body. He chances a glance downward. It's distinctly inhuman; grayish purple in color and longer than Neil's by several inches. The head is slightly tapered in appearance, and the underside is lined with small ridges. It's hot to the touch, and noticeably slick. It curls slightly into his hand, far more flexible than any human dick could be. Neil rubs a thumb over the tip, his mouth dropping open when he feels Andrew throb in his hand. "Show me," he whispers, looking back up at Andrew's face, "Teach me how to make you feel good."Andrew shivers, his eyes falling closed. “Tighten your grip,” he grits out.“Like this?” Neil asks, squeezing Andrew more firmly as he starts to slowly stroke the mer’s dick. The mer lets out a sharp exhale, a muscle jumping in his jaw. “Yeah,” he breathes, “Faster.”Neil obliges, watching in awe as Andrew trembles above him, his own neglected cock leaking where it rests on his stomach, momentarily forgotten. The mer’s hips twitch jerkily, little aborted thrusts into Neil’s hand. Suddenly, Andrew’s breath catches. “Wait.”Neil freezes, his hand stilling immediately. Andrew props himself up on one elbow, reaching down with his free hand to tap on Neil’s fist. Neil starts to pull his hand away, but then Andrew takes both of their cocks in hand and adjusts their combined grip. “Together,” he rasps, leaning down to nose against Neil’s cheek, “Like this. Yeah?”Neil bites back a gasp. Andrew’s dick curls around his, squeezing him tightly enough that his vision flickers. “Yeah,” he breathes back, “Fuck, Drew-”Andrew kisses him again, swallowing down Neil’s moan and his name. It’s messy; all tongue and teeth and broken sighs, growing all the more uncoordinated as they both rock into their joined hands. Andrew increases the pace, and Neil follows suit, happy to let him take the lead. “Shit,” Neil gasps when they break for air. Sweat pools on his exposed abdomen, the building heat between their bodies chasing away any threat of a chill. He buries his free hand deeper in Andrew’s hair and leans up to nip under his jaw. Andrew shudders, his dick pulsing in Neil’s hand. Exhilarated, he drags his tongue up the column of Andrew’s throat, smiling at the tiny sigh Andrew lets slip. It’s intoxicating, watching Andrew’s control spiral, crumbling to pieces under his touch. “So good,” Neil mumbles, words slurring against Andrew’s skin. He can feel himself getting close; it’s in the tight heat building in his core, in the way his toes curl and his back arches. If he had to guess from how much precum the mer’s cock is leaking over their joined fists, Andrew is close too.Neil pulls back from Andrew’s neck, wanting to watch, wanting to see. Andrew’s face is flushed, his eyes dark from pupils blown wide. His gaze locks on Neil's, and then Neil is lost, is found, is coming, his climax hitting like a wave, his thighs shaking as his cum spills onto his stomach.Andrew follows him a few seconds later, with gritted teeth and a barely concealed cry. His dick swells in Neil’s hand as he comes. It's a lot; thicker than Neil's and tinged slightly blue, splattering in ropes over Neil's stomach and chest, all the way up to his chin. Finally, Andrew collapses on top of him, trembling and shaking. Neil grimaces at the sticky mess now trapped between them but doesn’t protest. It’s then he notices how tense the mer is, his shoulders hiked up to his ears.“Andrew?” he asks tentatively. The mer twitches at his name, but doesn’t respond. “Andrew,” Neil tries again, removing his hand from Andrew’s hair, “Tell me what you need.”Andrew is silent for a long moment before responding. “Talk,” he croaks out.So Neil talks.He tells Andrew about what he had for breakfast that morning, about the new shoes he bought for running. He tells Andrew about summers swimming in the pool as a child, about having to wear his shirt even then, lest someone see the scars on his five year old body.He tells Andrew about long nights in strange motels, the outline of a gun pressing into the side of his skull through the too-flat pillows. He rambles about sneaking bites of French pastry with his mother in a Montreal alleyway, about burner phones and three day drives down the coast, about an uncle who was too far away to save them but not too far to call, should the need arise.He talks and talks and talks until the tension bleeds from Andrew’s body, until he’s melting into Neil’s arms with a quiet sigh. He talks until Andrew picks his head up and blinks, slow and steady and calm. “Come on,” he says, his voice hoarse, “Let’s get this washed off.”He rolls off of Neil and dips back into the water, resurfacing again just seconds later, hand extended. Neil takes it easily and follows him in. Andrew pulls him close and cleans him gently, rinsing the drying cum off his skin with cupped handfuls of water. Neil lets him do it without resisting. It feels important, somehow, to let Andrew do this. To allow this act of care.Besides, he likes having Andrew’s hands on him.When he’s finished, Andrew nudges him back towards the limestone bank. Neil climbs up onto the rocks and retrieves his clothes, shivering as the wet fabric makes contact with his skin. Andrew is waiting for him at the edge of the bank when he turns around, his expression pensive. He’s holding something small, his fist closed too tight for Neil to see.“Okay?” Neil asks, scooting back down to meet him.Andrew nods. Neil expects the mer to send him home, but instead Andrew cups his cheek and asks, “Stay?” It’s so quiet, the way he says it, and although it’s clear Andrew is attempting to feign neutrality, Neil still hears the flicker of hope in his voice.“Of course I will,” Neil answers. He leans into Andrew’s palm, smiling when Andrew pushes him onto his back. He’s just gotten comfortable when Andrew settles in next to him, his body heat a welcome shield against the chill. The mer props himself up on one elbow, looking down at Neil searchingly. “I have something for you.” he says.Neil blinks up at him. If he didn’t know any better, he’d guess Andrew was nervous. “Okay,” he says, “What is it?”Andrew hesitates, and then he holds out his hand, dropping something small onto Neil’s chest. It’s a necklace; a stone pendant strung on braided leather cord. Neil squints and picks it up, trying to see through the dim light of the cave. It's hard to tell, but the stone seems to be the same inky black as Andrew’s tail, polished smooth and shaped just like a mer scale. “Where did you-?” Neil starts, sitting up a little. The stone is small, no bigger than a bottle cap, but it still weighs heavily in his hand, “Did you make this?”Andrew looks at him, his face determinedly blank. “Kevin gave me the leather. I found the stone at the bottom of the tank,” he pauses before adding, “Do you like it?”Neil grins, slipping the necklace over his head, his heart so full that it aches. “I love it,” he tells Andrew honestly, “Thank you.”Andrew looks away, swiping a thumb across his mouth. “Shut up,” he mumbles, sounding oddly stilted, "I can't stand you."Neil smiles and says nothing as he lays back down. A moment later Andrew does too, curling up against his side and dropping his head onto Neil’s shoulder. It’s quiet for a while, the silence broken only by their quiet breathing and the faint dripping of water. Were it not for the risk of catching a cold, Neil could fall asleep like this. For a moment, he allows himself to imagine it, living here with Andrew. How much would it change, if he were a mer? Would Andrew feel more comfortable around him? Would he still look at Neil the same?“What would it be like?” he wonders aloud, “If I was a mer too, I mean. What about this would be different? What about us would be different?”Andrew opens one eye to peer up at him. “Why are you asking this?” he says, “It will never happen.”Neil shrugs. “Indulge me," he says, "What would change?”Andrew props himself up on one arm, frowning down at him. “I would mark you. Here, I think,” he says after a beat, tapping on the junction between Neil’s neck and shoulder, “So that everyone would see where my teeth have been and know you chose me.”“You could mark me now, if you wanted.”“No,” Andrew says, “Your skin is not as tough as ours, nor does your body heal as fast. As a human, you would quickly bleed out. I will not risk that.”Neil grins, warmth flooding his chest. “Would I mark you too?”“Yes,” Andrew confirms, laying back down next to him, “If you wanted. I would let you.”“I would want to,” Neil says. He rolls over, nuzzling closer to Andrew’s side. The mer throws an arm over his waist, his eyes locked on Neil’s. “Right here, I think,” Neil says, tracing a finger just below Andrew’s gills, “The same side as mine.” Andrew doesn’t reply to that, but Neil notices that the bioluminescent markings on his cheeks seem to be glowing a little brighter. Neil fights a smile, deciding to prod a little more. “What else?”“We would sleep in the same cave,” Andrew continues, “In this one, probably. So we could have privacy whenever we wanted.”“Naturally,” Neil agrees, “How would we sleep? Here, on the rocks?”“Underwater,” Andrew corrects, “I would loop my tail around yours, like this.” He demonstrates by lifting his tail up, slinging it over Neil’s thigh and hooking it behind his knees, “So that you don’t float away and get into trouble.”“Very kind of you,” Neil praises, tucking his leg more firmly around Andrew’s tail, “Anything else?”Andrew is quiet for a long moment. “I’d sing for you,” he says softly, his eyes downcast, “And this time, you’d know what it meant.” He looks up at Neil again, more vulnerable now than Neil has ever seen him before. “Maybe you'd even sing back.”Neil shuffles closer, tucking his face into the crook of Andrew’s neck. “I could sing for you now,” he says, just as soft, “But you’d probably make fun of me.” "Probably," Andrew agrees, cupping the back of Neil’s head, “Do it anyway.”It takes Neil a few minutes to think of a song, but then a familiar tune echoes in the back of his mind; a lullaby, one his mother used to sing to him when he was still very small. He doesn't remember all of the words, but the melody is easy enough to recall, so Neil begins to hum. It’s slow and somber, much like Andrew’s mersong had been, too melancholy to truly be a love song.  You are my sunshine
My only sunshine You make me happy
When skies are gray As he hums along wordlessly, he thinks of Andrew, so worn down and broken that he was willing to let the sea take him, clinging to life by the thread of a years-old deal. Neil cannot make him want to live. He knows this, but that does nothing to banish the terrifying thought of a world without Andrew in it. You’ll never know dear
How much I love you There is nothing he can do but hold on, hold on and hope that even if Aaron succeeds and the deal is no more, Andrew will still choose to stay.
Please don’t take my sunshine away
His voice trails off when the song ends, leaving them wrapped in silence once more. Neil waits, bracing himself for a dry remark or a deadpan joke, but Andrew says nothing. Instead, he tugs gently on Neil’s hair, forcing him to come out of hiding. Neil looks up at him, embarrassed and a little raw. Andrew doesn’t say anything, but he doesn’t laugh either.Instead, he taps two fingers to Neil’s lips, his head tilted in question. Neil nods, his eyes falling closed just as Andrew pulls him in for a searing kiss. It’s both grounding and dizzying, filled with promises unsaid and words unspoken. Neil clings to him like a life raft, grateful to be held afloat until they finally break for air.“Is that all?” Neil asks hoarsely, "Nothing else would change?"Andrew brushes his knuckles against Neil’s cheek, his eyes unusually soft. “Yes,” he replies, “That is all.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

It was amazing, really, how much time seemed to fade away during a dive. Every day, Neil loses hours cleaning the tank, his body on autopilot and his mind blissfully empty. It had taken him a while to develop a routine, but he’s gotten faster, more efficient. The one thing he still hadn’t gotten used to was the inevitable stares of the aquarium visitors watching him work.He’s gotten better at ignoring them though, despite how uneasy it still makes him feel. He rarely looks up at them now, even at the children who point and screech loudly enough he can hear it through the glass. He’s never really known what to do with kids, how to interact with them. Best just to pretend he can't see.He’s still pretending not to see a crowd of children right now, their faces tipped upwards as they watch him work. Judging from the half dozen chaperones standing a few feet back, they’re part of a school group, likely here on a field trip. Neil keeps his eyes locked on the patch of algae he’s scrubbing, hoping that one of the mers passes by to draw the kids’ attention away. Sure enough, he spies a dark shape approaching from the corner of his eye and glances back to see Andrew swimming towards him. Neil nods at him in greeting, gesturing at the gawking school children staring up at them.Andrew’s tail swishes, his gaze sliding from Neil down to the kids. He cocks his head, clicking softly. Not for the first time, Neil wishes he could understand him.He watches as Andrew drifts down towards the school children, putting himself at eye-level with them. In response, the kids shriek in excitement, loud enough to make Andrew flinch. Annoyed, Neil waves at them, pressing a finger to his mouth in a bid for them to stay quiet. Thankfully, the kids settle down, their eyes as wide as saucers. Andrew blinks at them, slow and lazy, his hair floating in a silvery halo around his head. The children crowd around him, faces and hands smushed against the glass as they stare at him in awe. Slowly, Andrew lifts a clawed hand to the glass, lining up his fingers with a young boy’s hand, just as he’d done with Neil once before. Neil can see the children’s broad smiles from here, their little faces filled with wonder. Andrew lingers there for another minute or two before departing with a low chirp, brushing against Neil’s leg as he passes by. Neil watches him go, amused despite himself. Who would have thought that a merman would be better with children than him?Then again, knowing Andrew, maybe it’s not so surprising after all.Eventually, the children disperse, shepherded away by their chaperones before the aquarium closes. Neil finishes cleaning shortly after they leave and rises back up to the surface. All three of the mers are lounging on the rocks; Nicky splayed out as if sunbathing while the twins sit along the edge, talking quietly in soft clicks as their tails hang in the water. Neil pulls himself up onto the platform, tugging off his mask and respirator with a sigh of relief. It feels good to have fresh air on his face again after being confined for so long; he can still feel the indent of his mask where it was pressed into his cheeks and nose.“Neil!” Nicky calls, far too loudly. Neil winces; after so long underwater, every little sound echoes like thunder in his ears. Nicky seems oblivious to his reaction though, simply waving him over. “Come hang out with us!”Neil glances over at him, shrugging off the oxygen tank from his back and setting it aside. “I’m still working.”“Oh come on,” Nicky whines, “Everyone else already left for the day! Besides, we need your help settling an argument.”“Nicky,” Andrew says warningly. Nicky ignores him, his teeth flashing brightly in a wide smile.“An argument?” Neil asks, curiosity piqued. He pulls off his diving fins and sets them down next to the oxygen tank. “What kind of argument?”“I can’t decide which of these two,” Nicky says, pointing between the twins, “Is the fastest swimmer, and neither of them are willing to race each other and find out.” “We don’t need to race,” Andrew says dismissively, “It’s obvious who the faster mer is.”“Agreed,” Aaron says, “It’s a waste of time. We all know who will win.”“Who?” Neil asks.“Me,” the twins say in perfect unison before shooting each other incredulous looks. Nicky bursts into maniacal laughter, and even Neil can’t fully bite back his grin. “No way,” Aaron says, ignoring their amusement, “There is no way you’re faster than me.”Andrew rolls his eyes. “Someone is in denial.”“I’m slimmer than you!” Aaron protests, “That means less resistance!”“So?” Andrew says, “My tail is longer.”“By half an inch!”Andrew shrugs, unconcerned. “Still longer than yours, which makes me the more powerful swimmer.”“Bullshit,” Aaron hisses, sliding back into the water. He resurfaces quickly and turns to face Andrew, “Get the fuck over here, we’re racing.”Andrew raises an eyebrow at his brother, leaning back on his palms. “And why would I do that?”“What?” Aaron taunts, “Scared to lose in front of Neil?”Andrew flicks a glance Neil’s way, so quick he almost misses it. “No.”“Then prove it,” Aaron says, his chin raised in challenge, “Race me.”Andrew stares down his brother silently for a full thirty seconds before joining him. Nicky cheers excitedly, sitting up and patting rock beside him. “Come on, Neil!” he calls, “Sit next to me and watch these idiots wear themselves out.”Neil laughs, shaking his head as he joins Nicky on the rocks. Nicky pats him on the back in welcome, nudging against Neil in his usual friendly way. There’s a slight strain in his smile, but Neil chooses not to comment on it. If the way Nicky keeps fiddling with the bracelet around his wrist is any indication, Neil already knows what - or rather, who - is on the mer’s mind.“What do you think?” Neil says, nodding at the twins, “Who would you bet on?”Nicky squints at his cousins. They’re still lining up, their bickering shifting back and forth from English to sharp little clicks. “Hard to say,” he replies after a minute, “Aaron is a bit more suited towards tight turns and minimizing resistance, but power is just as important as dexterity when it comes to building speed, and Andrew has always been the strongest of us.” He shrugs, smiling down at Neil. “It’s anyone’s race, really. I just like watching them goof off and get competitive. Reminds me of when we were younger.”The thought of the twins bickering and playing as little merlings is enough to draw a smile to Neil’s lips. He might not like Aaron much, but he knows perfectly well how devoted Andrew is to his brother. “They were close as kids too?”“Closer,” Nicky says, his smile turning sad, “It’s… well. Easthaven changed them. You don’t go through something like that without coming out different on the other side. They still love each other of course, but… it’s more complicated now. Messier.” He reaches for his bracelet, fidgeting with the shells, “It’s been years, but they still haven’t figured out how to be normal brothers again.”Neil returns his gaze to the twins. Aaron is turned towards Andrew, gesturing at the diving platform. “First one to make it around the tank twice and touch that wins,” he argues.“Fine,” Andrew answers flatly, “But we have to go through the caves too. No shortcuts.”“Fuck off,” Aaron complains, “You know I always forget which way is out.”Andrew raises an eyebrow at his brother, completely unsympathetic. “Tough shit. Caves, or we don’t race.”“Asshole,” Aaron grumbles, “Fine. We’ll do it your way.”“Good luck!” Nicky shouts cheerily, “May the best mer win!” The twins turn to glare at him in unison before taking their places. Nicky ignores their ire, lifting a hand in the air. “On your mark,” he calls, “Get set. Go!” The twins take off at top speed, diving under the surface faster than Neil can blink. He watches as they glide under the water, so quick that they’re reduced to little more than two shapeless blurs. “Jesus,” Neil says, “I’ve never seen either of them move that fast.”“That’s because they’re both lazy,” Nicky jokes, “They’d much rather sleep all day.”The twins quickly zip past the curved glass wall, disappearing into the cave entrance on the far side of the tank. Neil glances over at Nicky. The mer’s usual smile is still plastered on his face, but his eyes are downcast and somber, fixed on the bracelet around his wrist.Neil bumps their shoulders together, unsure of how to help, what to say. “I’m sorry,” he settles on, nodding at the puka shell bracelet, “Erik told me about Germany.”Nicky’s smile seems to waver, his bottom lip quivering dangerously. He lets out a shaky breath and laughs weakly. “It’s alright,” he says, “I mean. I knew it was coming. We both did.” He sighs, his misery bleeding through the false cheer, “I guess I’d just hoped things would turn out differently. That he’d get to stay, or that I could follow him.”“Follow him,” Neil repeats, watching the twins reappear from the caves and start their second lap, “You mean become human.”Nicky does a double take, his eyes wide. “How did you-?”Neil shrugs. “Andrew told me about your mer legends,” he says, “About the sailor and the moon goddess. He said you believe they’re true.”Nicky nods, wiping at his eyes. “There has to be some truth to it, right? Stories like that don’t come from nowhere.”The desperation in the mer’s voice is so palpable, Neil doesn’t have the heart to disagree. “Maybe,” he says, “I’d like to think so.”The twins appear again, darting out from the opposite end of the caves and racing towards the platform. They’re so close that it’s impossible to tell which one is ahead. Neil leans forward as they draw closer, his eyes fixed on Andrew. The mer is neck and neck with Aaron, gliding effortlessly through the water. For a second, Neil is sure that it will be a tie, but then Andrew puts on a final burst of speed, bursting out of the water and grabbing the platform seconds before his twin. Aaron swears, wheezing in exhaustion as he clings to the platform’s edge. Andrew ignores him, his chest heaving with exertion as his eyes land on Neil.Neil grins at him, tugging out the stone pendant from where it’s hidden under his wetsuit. He presses his lips to the stone, ignoring Nicky’s gasp and keeping his gaze locked on Andrew’s. The mer’s eyes narrow in response, and he gravitates towards Neil like a magnet. Neil pushes off from the rock, sliding back into the water to meet him. Andrew’s hands find his waist easily, fitting in the dip between his hip and his thigh like it’s where they belong. “Well done,” Neil says, teasing and soft, “That was amazing.”“Shut up,” Andrew tells him. He lifts a hand to Neil’s necklace, thumbing idly at the leather cord, “I didn’t know you were wearing this.”Neil hums, resting his hand on top of Andrew’s. “I haven’t taken it off since you gave it to me.”“You’re fucking joking.” Neil glances past Andrew towards Aaron. The mer’s nostrils are flared in anger, his eyes locked on the stone hanging from Neil’s neck. Aaron’s gaze shifts to Andrew, who is studiously ignoring him. “You gave him that?” he demands, aggression rolling off of him in waves, “What happened to a deal’s a deal, Aaron’?”Andrew stiffens, his eyes snapping to his twin. “This has nothing to do with our deal.”“Like hell it doesn’t!” Aaron growls, “You knew what it meant to give him that. How is that any different from what I want? From what Nicky wants?”“Hey,” Nicky says, his eyes wide, “I didn’t say-”“Only because you’re too scared to,” Aaron snaps, “You want out of this just as badly as I do. Tell me I’m wrong.”Nicky falls silent, his eyes full of guilt. “So much for never breaking promises,” Aaron says bitterly, turning back towards his brother, “You told me no when I wanted out, that I was stupid for wanting to follow her, and then you turned around and gave this idiot a courting gift.”“Andrew,” Neil says, “What does he mean?”“It is not the same,” Andrew grits out, ignoring him, “I am not the one clinging to fairytales. I am not the one trying to leave.”“You really expect me to believe that?” Aaron says. He glances at Neil before switching to merspeak, clicking so fast and so angry that it makes Neil’s ears ache. Andrew goes terribly still, his grip on Neil’s waist tightening. When he finally responds, his voice is sharp and cutting, loud enough to make Neil flinch. Aaron hisses in reply, baring his long teeth. Neil’s pulse jumps at the mounting tension, the prickle on the back of his neck telling him to run. He remembers all too well the feeling of Aaron’s hand around his throat, claws digging threats into his jugular. Andrew finally seems to notice his growing discomfort and releases him, nudging him gently towards Nicky. “Go,” he murmurs, “We’ll talk later.” “Sending him away so soon?” Aaron mocks, “What, don’t want him to find out you’re a goddamned hypocrite?”Neil opens his mouth to bite back, but Andrew just shakes his head. “Just go,” he urges, “Let me deal with this.”Choosing to relent for now, Neil sighs and climbs back up onto the rocks. The sounds of enraged hissing rises in volume as Neil slips under the railing, grabs his diving gear and heads towards the locker rooms to shower and change. Nicky’s pleas for them to stop fighting echo unheard through the halls, ringing in Neil’s ears even as he scrubs saltwater from his skin.It’s nearly an hour before the sounds of the twins’ argument has faded to silence. Even so, Neil waits in the locker room for another ten minutes before deciding to emerge. Aaron and Nicky have both disappeared, leaving Andrew alone on the rocks, his back to Neil.“Where’d Aaron go?” Neil says, slipping under the railing and dropping down beside him. Andrew glances at him, all signs of anger tucked carefully away behind his impassive mask. “To lick his wounds, I suppose,” Andrew replies, a sneer creeping into his voice, “Nicky went to smooth things over, as usual.” His tail swishes in agitation where it hangs in the water. “I should have seen this coming. Fool me once.”“What did he mean?” Neil asks. When Andrew gives him a quizzical look, he taps on his necklace, “About courting gifts.”Andrew’s expression turns stony. “It’s nothing.”“Andrew…”“I know it doesn’t mean the same thing for you,” Andrew continues, “You’re human, I don’t expect you to understand. I don’t have any expectations at all, so don’t get worked up about it.”Neil considers him, considers the tense line of his shoulders and the way Andrew won't quite meet his eye. He might not speak mer, but he's learned to read Andrew pretty well. Whatever meaning is behind the necklace, it makes Andrew feel exposed. "Maybe I don't know what it means to mers," Neil begins, "But it means something to me. It's important to me." He looks at Andrew, leaning forward to catch his eye, "Will you tell me what it means to you?"Andrew stills. "It's a… mer custom," he says hesitantly, "Giving gifts to show our… intentions.""Like singing?" Neil questions.Andrew twitches, his ears flushing pink. "Yes," he replies, "Like singing."Neil smiles, touching the stone around his neck. "I think I do understand, actually. We humans… we're not so different in that regard." Andrew lets out a long breath, his shoulders lowering slightly. "Is that so?"Neil hums in affirmation, tucking his knees to his chest. Beside him, Andrew rolls over onto his front and lies down, crossing his arms under his head and closing his eyes. The water sloshes around as his tail finally settles. Neil studies the line of Andrew's back, curiously watching the dorsal fins relax, flattening against his spine as the merman dozes. "Staring," Andrew mumbles, his eyes still closed.Neil smiles, unashamed at being caught. "Can I touch you?"Andrew nods, not even bothering to lift his head. Snorting quietly, Neil traces a finger down the merman's spine and over the curve of his dorsal fins, smiling delightedly when they react to his touch by flaring up. Andrew twitches, but makes no move to stop him, so Neil does it again, stroking lightly along the fins until they're fully extended. "That tickles," Andrew complains, squinting up at Neil with one eye open.Neil smirks, amused at his grumpy expression. "Should I stop?"Instead of answering, Andrew closes his eyes again. It’s implicit permission to continue, so Neil does, feeling the smooth scales that cover Andrew’s strong back under his fingertips.“You do realize,” Neil says after a while, “If you continue on like this, you’ll lose them either way, right?”Andrew opens his eyes again, glaring up at him, “They made a promise.”“And they’ll keep it, if you force them,” Neil agrees. He presses his palm flat to Andrew’s back, feeling the rise and fall of the mer’s breath, “But at what cost?”Andrew props himself up on his elbows, his eyes narrowed dangerously, “If you have something to say, then say it.”Neil pulls his hand away, turning to face Andrew head on. “Why not let them out of the deal?” he asks, “You’ve always said there’s no chance they can become human anyway, so what’s the harm in letting them try?”Andrew scoffs, his tail flicking in annoyance. “I will not break promises just to indulge their childish fantasies.”“Why?” Neil asks, genuinely curious, “Because of your principles?”“Because it’s just a story,” Andrew replies, his tone final, “It’s not real.”“If you really believed that,” Neil argues, “If you really thought it was all made-up, you wouldn’t still be holding on to that promise so tightly.” “Don’t presume to know me,” Andrew snaps, sparks of anger cracking through his veneer of indifference, “I don’t break promises and I don’t back out of deals. They knew the terms and conditions when they agreed. I do not care if they’ve changed their minds.”There’s a tense pause, and Neil knows without asking that if he missteps here, if he pushes too hard and says the wrong thing, Andrew will shut down and shut him out, possibly forever. “Look,” he says, “Say you let them out of the deal. If you’re right and they can't become human, then they’ll have to accept that and let Katelyn and Erik go.”  Andrew says nothing, but the fact that he’s still here is enough permission to go on. “But if you don’t release them,” Neil continues, “Then they’ll never forgive you. They’ll always believe that there could have been a chance, that they could have become human after all. They’ll blame you for it, they’ll resent you, maybe even come to hate you. Even if they’re physically here, you’ll still lose them in the end. Do you really want that?” Andrew remains silent. Neil lets it drop, knowing that another push would be too far. Instead, he looks into the depths below, trying to pick out Sunshine amongst the other sharks. It’s not hard to do; he’s the only shark without a dorsal fin in the tank, and Neil quickly spots him swimming near the bottom.Andrew shifts in his peripheral vision, but Neil doesn’t look, knowing that he’s already pushed far enough for one night, that whatever trust he’s built with Andrew is teetering on a knife’s edge. He pretends not to notice Andrew pulling himself back up onto the rocks again, pretends not to notice when Andrew settles beside him on the ledge, his pinky brushing against Neil’s thigh. “...And If I end the deal” Andrew says quietly, breaking the silence at last, “What then?” He keeps his gaze firmly locked on the circling sharks below them, refusing to meet Neil’s eyes. “I… do not wish to be alone again.”It’s an admission of fear, of vulnerability, of a chink in Andrew’s armor. “You won’t be,” Neil assures him, just as quiet, “No matter what happens between us, I will still be here. I won’t let you be alone.” He hooks his pinky around Andrew’s, squeezing gently, “I promise.”Andrew looks down at their joined pinkies, his mouth pulling into a puzzled frown. Neil waits; for a question, for Andrew to pull away, anything. It doesn’t come.Instead, Andrew sighs, long and weary, and leans against him, his head dropping onto Neil’s shoulder. "What about me?" he says, all the fight gone from his voice, "What if I became human?"Neil hums, gingerly resting his cheek on the crown of Andrew’s head. "I thought you said it wasn't possible.""It's not," Andrew says, endlessly stubborn. He squeezes Neil’s pinky tight. "Tell me anyway.""Well," Neil muses, "You could come live with me. I don't have much, but I'd share everything with you. My bed, my food, even my clothes. All of it would be yours too."Andrew hums, his tail brushing against Neil’s leg. "Go on.""I'd take you to Eden's for dinner and drinks. We could go on long walks, or go to the movies. I could teach you to read, teach you to drive." He sighs, pressing his nose into Andrew’s hair, "Maybe we could even go see the ocean together."Andrew pauses. "I thought you hated the beach.""You don't need to be on a beach to try sailing."Andrew falls silent at that. Neil lets the conversation drift, his eyes falling closed. It’s nice, having Andrew close to him, feeling his body heat, hearing the soft noise of his breathing. "Does it bother you?" Andrew asks after a while, "That we can't do those things."Neil shakes his head, knowing Andrew can feel it. "Does it bother you that I don’t know merfolk customs, or that I can't sleep underwater and wrap my tail around yours?""No," Andrew says, "Not really.""I chose this, Andrew," Neil says simply, "I chose you. Even if this is all we can ever have, it is enough for me."Andrew pulls his pinky away. Neil lets him go, willing to give him space, but then Andrew takes his hand fully and laces their fingers together. "You might change your mind," he warns softly."So might you," Neil replies. Andrew’s palm is rough against his, the tips of his claws resting carefully against Neil’s skin, "That could happen regardless, even if we weren't human and mer." He drags their joined hands to his lips, pressing a firm kiss into Andrew’s knuckles. "Either way," he adds, "I could never regret you."Andrew sucks in a sharp breath and turns his face into Neil’s shoulder. “I hate you,” he grits out, “You are the actual worst. The bane of my existence. I should have drowned you and fed you to the sharks when I had the chance.”Neil grins, squeezing his fingers and lowering their hands onto his lap. “Better luck next time.”Andrew glances up at him. It’s not all that late yet, but the mer already looks exhausted. “You should probably go,” he rasps, “Before Aaron decides to come pick a fight again.”Neil nods, releasing their joined hands. Despite his words, it takes Andrew longer than normal to let him go. “I can sleep here, if you want,” Neil offers, sensing his reluctance, “Abby has a cot in her office.”“No,” Andrew says, shaking his head. He cups Neil’s face firmly, his expression stern, “Go home. Sleep in your own bed. I will still be here in the morning.”Neil sighs, nodding. “Alright. Good night, Andrew.”The mer pulls him in, pressing a wordless kiss to his forehead before at last letting him go. Neil gets to his feet, slipping back under the railing and grabbing his things, all too aware of Andrew’s eyes on his back. He thinks of Andrew the whole way home, so caught up in his thoughts that he’s almost surprised when his apartment building comes into view. Paranoia zips up his spine at allowing himself to be so careless. His father’s people might be dead, but Neil isn’t foolish enough to think that the FBI aren't still keeping tabs on him, even after leaving WitSec. Neil glances back to see if he’s been followed, but the street is empty. He doesn’t spot any unusual cars in the parking lot, either. Everything seems normal.Sighing in relief, Neil hurries up the stairs, his keys held tight in his hand. His apartment is blessedly empty, but Neil still still scopes the space out, inspecting the windows and checking out the crawlspace under the bed. When he finally deems the place untouched, he collapses onto his bed with an exhausted grunt. Maybe it was his mother’s ghost, or maybe it was just the stress of the day getting to his head. Or maybe, he thinks grimly, after all this time, he was finally starting to crack.Sighing quietly, Neil pulls himself upright, changes into his sleep clothes and heads into the kitchen to find something for dinner.

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By the end of the week, the twins still aren’t talking. They show up at breakfast together - Aaron sullen and Andrew indifferent - but they don’t look at each other or speak. Nicky ends up mediating between them, a reluctant, nervous referee caught between angry glares and pointed sighs.Neil tries to stay out of it. He’s already done what he can to push; what happens next is up to Andrew.That doesn’t stop him from worrying, though.He’s still worried about it when he comes back to the aquarium late that night, a plastic bag from 7-11 with a pint of ice cream and two plastic spoons in hand. The hallway is dark and quiet when he pushes open the employee entrance, which is strangely still unlocked.Neil frowns and flicks on the light. It’s odd; normally, if the door is unlocked, it means someone - usually Erik or Katelyn -  is still here.But both of them normally keep the hall light on until they leave.Maybe someone forgot to lock the door before they left?He pulls the door closed behind him and heads up the stairs. The top side of the tank is empty; there’s no sign of any of the mers. Neil sighs, walking over to the diving platform and setting down the plastic bag.“Hello, Nathaniel.”Neil freezes, the blood in his veins turning to ice. That voice… he knows that voice. It’s haunted most of his nightmares since he was small, since he was old enough to hold a blade, since she had dragged him by the collar into his father’s basement for one of her lessons.The cock of a gun snaps him out of his memories. Neil turns and finds a red smile, teeth bared and menacing. Lola Malcolm has more lines on her face than he remembers, her platinum blonde hair is now a mousy brown, but her eyes are just as cruel, just as dead. There’s a new scar on her cheek, a harsh line carved from the edge of her temple all the way down to the corner of her mouth. It makes her smile more deranged, more violent, than ever before.It’s an adrenaline shot to his heart, jump-starting his pulse. He shifts in place, his feet ready to run before his brain has even caught up. Lola’s smile widens, and she taps the gun pointed at him playfully. “Ah, ah, ah,” she scolds, almost teasing, “Don’t even try it, little runner boy. I’ve spent far too long trying to track you down to let you slip away now, haven’t I?”Neil’s mind races, running through all possible escape routes and coming up empty. He’s cataloged every exit in the building by now, and every single one of them requires getting past that gun. Time, time, he needs more time. “You’re supposed to be dead,” he says at last, backing up slowly. His heel nearly slips when he reaches the edge of the platform hanging over the water below.“Oh, come now,” Lola says, condescending and sweet. She comes closer, until the barrel of her gun is pressed to his head. “Don’t tell me you bought that little cover story too. It was good enough to fool the FBI, sure, but you? The son of the Butcher?” She laughs, “You ought to know better. Didn’t your cowardly bitch of a mother teach you anything?”Rage bursts to life in his chest at the insult, his fury bright enough to temporarily smother his fear. “My mother taught me everything,” he snaps, his voice shaking with anger, “That still doesn’t explain how you survived.”Lola laughs again, an edge of mania creeping into her voice. “Did you really think Romero would betray me?” she mocks, “No. He knew I wanted vengeance, and he did what he could to help me get it. I planted the evidence and disappeared, and he took all the credit for my untimely demise.” She raises her free hand, wiggling the stumps where two of her fingers used to be. “Such a good brother, isn’t he?”“It’s clever, I’ll give you that,” Neil says, still stalling, “Shame you couldn’t think of a plan like that while my father was still alive.”Lola’s smile drops, her face twisting into an ugly sneer and her finger twitching on the trigger. “Enough talking,” she barks, “On your knees. Now.”Moving as slowly as he can, Neil drops to his knees. Annoyed with his delay tactics, Lola strikes him with the gun, knocking him down and dotting his vision.“That’s better,” she whispers, saccharine, “Looks like you remember how to be a good boy after all.”“Fuck you,” Neil spits. He presses a hand to his temple, wincing when it comes away sticky and red. “Not yet,” Lola replies gleefully. She kneels down next to him and presses the gun to the back of his head, “First, I’m going to kill you. Slowly, of course. We wouldn’t want to rush our fun now, would we?” She grabs a fistful of his hair, yanking hard. Neil yelps at the pain, his eyes watering. “Besides,” she adds, “Guns are so tacky.”“So knives, then,” Neil grits out, “You’re getting predictable in your old age, Malcolm.”“Silence,” Lola snarls, pushing his head down towards the water, so close his nose touches the surface. "Second," she continues, "I'm going to kill your precious merman."Neil stills, terror turning his blood cold. "I don't know what you're talking about.""Liar," Lola sings, cold and cruel, "I overheard your little conversation in the bar. I'll be sure to let him know it was you who caused his suffering. And he will suffer, Nathaniel. I can promise you that."Rage, white-hot and scorching, surfaces again. He will not let her touch Andrew. "If you lay a hand on him," Neil spits, his head throbbing in pain, "I'll-""You'll what?" Lola mocks, "Flail and flounder like a dying fish? No. I'll have my revenge, Junior, and there's nothing you can do to stop me."Neil struggles against her hold, but the barrel of the gun pressed against his skull reminds him not to fight. “They say drowning is one of the most painful ways to die,” Lola muses, and Neil can tell from her voice that her awful smile is back, “Let’s you and I test that theory, shall we?”Before Neil can muster a retort, Lola shoves his head down into the water below. Neil tries to fight her off, water filling his nose and stinging his eyes, but it’s no use. His lungs start to ache, his need for oxygen becoming more urgent by the second. Neil clenches his jaw, fighting to hold his breath, but then his vision flickers and he reflexively swallows, sucking in a mouthful of water.He chokes, coughing uselessly as liquid fire fills his lungs. His muscles burn as he tries to throw Lola off, but her nails dig harshly into his scalp and she does not move.There’s a dark shape below him, growing larger by the minute. Neil stares down at it dumbly, his vision too blurry to make it out. He closes his eyes, too overwhelmed by the sting to keep them open anymore. His mind feels disconnected and jumbled, his brain too starved of oxygen to piece any thoughts together. Distantly, it occurs to him that he must be dying. He’ll never get to see Andrew again.The thought has barely passed through his mind before something big barrels into them. He registers Lola’s muffled scream, and then her hand goes slack and the barrel of the gun pointed at his head disappears. He can’t tell what’s happening, but then there are hands on him, pushing him up and out of the water and rolling him onto his side.Neil retches, water coming up painfully from his lungs as he heaves. Every breath is agony and bliss, his lungs screaming with every inhale but miraculously still working. He’s alive. He opens his eyes, disoriented. Lola is gone, and in front of him is a terrified but familiar face. “Nicky,” he rasps, clutching at the mer’s arm, “What-?”“Oh thank fuck, you’re alive,” Nicky sobs. He pushes back Neil’s hair fretfully, “We thought- I thought-”“I’m okay,” Neil wheezes. He struggles to sit upright, his exhaustion making him dizzy, “Lola, where did she-”“Andrew got her,” Nicky says, glancing down at the tank worriedly. Panic is a lance through his chest. “Andrew!” he tries to shout, but his voice is still too weak. He crawls to the edge of the platform, looking down into the abyss. “We have to go after him,” he tells Nicky, “She could hurt him, she had a gun, we-”“No,” Nicky says. He takes Neil’s arm to steady him, “Aaron is with him. He’ll be fine. She won’t get the chance.”“But-”“No buts,” Nicky says firmly, tightening his grip on Neil’s arm, “You’re staying here.”A tense few seconds pass in silence. Neil peers down into the tank, looking for a sign, for anything, but it’s impossible to tell what’s happening from here.And then, to his utter relief, he sees a familiar form rising to the surface, the blue and black fabric of his armbands visible even from here. His heart leaps in his throat when Andrew surfaces, and then Neil is moving, jumping into the water before Nicky can stop him. “Andrew!” he calls, desperate to get to him, to make sure- he has to make sure- He’s barely made it a few feet before Andrew’s hands are on him, pulling Neil into his arms, into the safety of his embrace. Neil flings his arms around Andrew’s neck, all of his attention focused on the steady rise and fall of Andrew’s rib cage where it’s pressed against his. Alive, alive. Andrew is alive.  Andrew is talking in fractured, urgent clicks, but it takes a few seconds before Neil’s head clears enough to try and soothe him. “I’m okay, I’m okay,” he tells the distressed mer. He pulls back, his hands finding Andrew’s cheeks, eyes darting frantically over his worried expression. “You’re not hurt, right?” he asks, “The gun, she didn’t-?”Andrew shakes his head, fingertips tracing the gash on Neil’s temple. “You’re bleeding,” he murmurs, his brow creasing in fury.“It’s nothing,” Neil dismisses, unable to fully hide his pained wince, “Just a scratch.”“She almost drowned you.”“But she didn’t,” Neil counters, “You saved me.” Andrew doesn’t seem to have a response to that, so Neil takes his hand, pressing a firm kiss to his palm. “Thank you,” he murmurs.“Shut up,” Andrew croaks, but his fingers curl around Neil’s cheek all the same.Neil glances down then, trying to see the bottom of the tank, but the water is too deep. “Lola,” he begins, “Is she-?”“Dead,” a voice calls out. Neil glances behind Andrew to spot Aaron, his face like stone. The mer turns to his brother and jerks his head. “Help me move her before she stinks up the tank.”Andrew nods, reluctantly releasing Neil. “Stay here,” he instructs softly, “Wait with Nicky. I’ll be right back.”“Okay,” Neil says numbly, watching the twins disappear before returning to Nicky’s side.Five minutes later they return, dragging Lola’s stiff corpse between them. The two mermen haul her body onto the platform, grunting from the weight and rolling her onto her back. Her face is colorless, her eyes glassy and her red lipstick smeared. Andrew’s diving knife stands proudly in the center of her chest, like a stake driven through the heart.Neil laughs, slightly hysterical. “She’s dead,” he gasps, tears stinging his eyes, “She’s really dead.” He’s still laughing when Andrew tugs on his hand. Neil goes without fighting, letting the mer pull him into his arms again without complaint. Andrew doesn’t say anything, but he doesn’t need to. Neil just holds on, clinging to the mer like he’s a lone rock in the middle of a raging hurricane, until his laughter fades to shocked silence.“Is it over?” he asks Andrew quietly. His adrenaline rush is starting to fade, the ensuing fatigue quickly setting in, “Is it really over this time?”“It’s over,” Andrew confirms. He cups the back of Neil’s head, his touch gentle, “You’re safe now. I’ve got you.”Neil closes his eyes, his body limp with exhaustion and relief. Lola is gone - for good this time - and Neil is home

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

In the hours following Lola’s death, chaos erupts at Foxhole Aquarium.Neil calls Wymack first, using the landline phone in the man’s own office. He’s never seen Wymack look as old as he does rushing into the aquarium that night, sleep-rumpled and world-weary with Abby tailing behind him. Abby gasps at the scene, but Wymack doesn’t even glance at Lola’s sopping corpse, too busy checking Neil over for injuries and talking quietly with the mers. And then Neil tells them everything. Who he was, why he came here, how Lola had found him, why she had wanted him dead. As he’d long suspected, Wymack knew he was previously in WitSec, but he hadn’t known why. Not until now.Dozens of questions and lengthy discussions soon follow, and then Neil asks to borrow Wymack’s cell phone and dials again.Browning answers on the third ring, but it still takes nearly forty-five minutes for the feds to show up. While they wait, Neil wraps himself in the spare blanket Abby had fetched from her office and curls up by the water’s edge next to Andrew. The mer has settled a little since Wymack’s arrival, but he still keeps a tight hold on Neil’s hand.Not that Neil minds. He likes Andrew’s hands, especially when they’re on him. In the end, Browning wants to handle it quietly. Neil and Wymack are both happy to agree, eager to avoid the media circus that would come from another human being drowned by a mer, though Neil suspects that the FBI are more interested in covering up their blunder than anything else. Browning also wants to reenter Neil into WitSec. He drags both Neil and Wymack aside and launches into a speech about the gravity of the danger Neil is putting himself and everyone else in by staying.When Browning is finished, Wymack nods, turns to Neil and says with utter calm, “What do you want to do?”“I-” Neil starts. He looks back at the tank, where all three mers are still huddled by the platform. Nicky and Aaron are talking quietly, but Andrew’s eyes are laser-focused on Neil. “I want to stay,” he tells Wymack, “If that’s alright.”“Nathaniel,” Browning begins again, impatient, “You are a valuable asset, it is too risky-”“Was,” Wymack corrects mildly, shrugging when Browning glares at him, “Neil was your asset. Now he’s a free man who can decide for himself.” He looks back at Neil and claps a hand on his shoulder, “As long as you want a job here, you’ll have one. Be it as Neil Josten, or someone else.”Browning frowns, his volume rising, “You’re making a mistake-”“If all you’re going to do is lecture me, then you can leave now,” Neil cuts in, “I would prefer your people deal with the mess, but it’s not necessary. I’m perfectly capable of hiding bodies on my own, in case you’ve forgotten.”Browning’s face reddens, his chest puffing up. “Are you threatening me?”“It’s not a threat,” Neil says coldly, “It’s a fact. Calling you tonight was a courtesy. I already gave you everything you needed long ago. Your failure to clean up loose ends is not my problem.”Browning gives him an ugly look before sighing. “We will need the security footage,” he tells Wymack, “To confirm Nathaniel’s story.”“Gladly,” Wymack tells him, nodding towards his office, “Follow me.”***The dust has barely settled when just two weeks later, the aquarium is in uproar again. This time, it comes in the form of two naked, fully grown men crawling out of the mer tank, bare-legged and unsteady on brand new feet. Nicky throws himself into Erik’s arms with an overjoyed shout, his wobbly knees giving out just as Erik manages to catch him. Erik clings to Nicky like a lifeline, eyes wet and smile wide as he laughs in exhilarated disbelief.Aaron, for his part, is far quieter. He accepts the towel a shell-shocked Dan brings him with a silent nod, wrapping himself up and sitting down by the edge of the tank. Katelyn comes running up the stairs a few minutes later, shaking like a leaf. Aaron holds his arms out to her and she bursts into tears, stumbling towards him and collapsing into his embrace. Aaron just strokes her hair while she cries, his own eyes suspiciously damp. To say that the others are shocked is a massive understatement. Abby screams when she spots Nicky, still naked and chattering away to Erik without end. Kevin paces back and forth, muttering to himself about the impossibility of it all. Even Wymack looks speechless, rubbing at his eyes tiredly while Dan struggles to explain the situation.Neil takes it all in silently, not saying anything. In truth, he’s just as shocked as the others, though not entirely for the same reasons. He doesn’t get a chance to ask Nicky or Aaron in all the confusion, but the questions echo in his mind all the same.Eventually, the situation calms enough that somebody brings Aaron and Nicky some clothes, and the two are relocated to Abby’s office for an exam, Katelyn and Erik following close behind them. Meanwhile, Wymack calls everyone else into the break room for a mandatory meeting and swears all of them to secrecy. “We cannot let the public find out about this,” he says, “Do you hear me? If word gets out, those two will be whisked away to God-knows-where and spend the rest of their lives being poked at by government scientists. We cannot allow that to happen.”“So what do we do?” Dan asks, “I mean, people are going to notice two of our mers are gone. Not to mention the board-”“Let me worry about the board,” Wymack says, “As for the public… for now, we’ll tell them that Nicky and Aaron are in quarantine while they recover from an illness. If this… change turns out to be permanent, we’ll tell them that both mers asked to be released to the wild, and per our policies, we honored their request.”“We’ll need to figure out where to hide them while this all blows over,” Jeremy muses, “Help them acclimate, get identification, all of that.”“One step at a time,” Wymack says calmly, “Let’s just focus on getting them a place to sleep first. We can figure out the rest after that.”“They can stay with us,” a voice says from the doorway. Erik enters the breakroom, a smiling Nicky tucked under his arm. Katelyn follows in shortly after, steadying Aaron with a hand at his back. Nicky and Aaron are now both dressed in borrowed clothes - likely Erik’s, based on the way the cargo shorts nearly reach Aaron’s ankles.It strikes Neil with some amusement to realize that, as a human, Aaron is now several inches shorter than him.“Erik is right,” Katelyn says. She smiles at Aaron, her eyes full of adoration, “We’ll look after them.”“What about Andrew?” Matt says. He shrugs when the others look at him, his eyes locked on Neil, “He’ll be alone now, right? Will he be okay?”Neil stirs, feeling a sudden rush of affection for his friend. “He won’t be alone,” he tells Matt, “I’ll make sure of it.”“Hey,” Aaron says, piping up for the first time since he’d crawled out of the tank. The others’ heads all swivel to look at him, but Aaron’s eyes are on Neil, piercing and serious. “Take care of him,” he says sharply, “Or there will be hell to pay.”Neil meets his eyes, refusing to back down. “You know that I will.”Aaron holds his gaze for another moment before looking away, seemingly satisfied. “Good.”***Later that night, Neil finds Andrew alone, sitting on the edge of the rocks.The mer’s back is to him, his head tilted down towards where most of his magnificent tail hangs in the water below. Neil wonders what could be going through his mind. He can already think of a few good guesses.True to form, Andrew senses his approach before Neil even speaks. “Took you long enough,” the mer drawls as Neil slips under the railing and takes his place by Andrew’s side, “I’m surprised you weren’t here hours ago, ready to ply me with more of your questions .”“I was a little occupied,” Neil answers, nudging his shoulder against Andrew’s gently. The mer leans against him in response, steady and warm. “Besides, I figured it was better to wait until we were alone, so we could talk uninterrupted.”“Hm,” Andrew grunts. He taps a finger against Neil’s palm in question. Neil hooks his pinky around Andrew’s, suppressing a grin when Andrew squeezes him tight. “Go ahead then.”Neil hums thoughtfully. “So,” he begins, “It wasn’t just a fairytale after all.”Andrew glances at him, eyebrow raised. “Rubbing it in already?”“Just an observation,” Neil says lightly, “You should be more worried about your brother rubbing it in than me.”Andrew rolls his eyes, looking away. “He already did.”“Figures,” Neil huffs, shaking his head. He squeezes Andrew’s pinky to get his attention. “So, they broke the deal,” he continues, “How?”Andrew considers him silently before replying. “They didn’t,” he says at last, “I let them go.”Neil stares at him. “Because you didn’t expect the legend to come true.”Andrew huffs, looking away. “I don’t really know what I expected,” he admits quietly, “All I knew was that you were right.” His tail swishes slowly in the water, creating ripples along the surface, “One way or another, I was going to lose them in the end. The only question was how . ”His voice is as flat as ever, but Neil can still hear the pain hidden in Andrew’s voice. His heart stutters when he thinks of what comes next. Would Andrew return to the sea, now that his family have left him? “So what now?” Neil asks, his throat burning, “What will you do? Will you stay here?”Andrew shakes his head. “No,” he replies, looking back at Neil and squeezing his pinky again, “I think it’s time I left this place behind.”His words hit Neil like a punch to the gut, one that he should have seen coming. He’d known, he’d always known, that if Aaron and Nicky were to succeed, this was the most likely outcome. That hadn’t stopped him from hoping.He tries to picture it again; life without Andrew, a void that could never again be filled. The thought is too terrifying, too vast in its emptiness. Neil is no stranger to loss, but this might be the thing that finally breaks him.“Don’t go,” he whispers. It feels as if his ribcage is cracking open, “Don’t go where I can’t follow.” Unbidden, the tears filling his eyes begin to fall. Andrew stares at him silently while Neil wipes at his cheeks, embarrassed. “Sorry,” he chokes out, “I know it’s too much to ask, I know it is, but-”He can feel Andrew’s eyes boring into the side of his head, but Neil doesn’t dare look. He lets out a shaky breath, his heart an open wound bleeding into his lungs. “Stay with me,” he begs, “I’ll do anything, whatever you want, so-”Andrew claps a hand over his mouth, cutting him off. Neil’s eyes widen, but before he can react, the mer is pulling him close by the nape, guiding Neil’s face into the crook of his neck. Neil exhales a ragged breath, his tears flowing in earnest.“Stop it,” Andrew says, his breath warm against Neil’s ear, “I’m not leaving you, idiot.” He combs clawed fingers through Neil’s hair, his voice uncharacteristically gentle, “I don’t want to stay here. I want to follow you. Wherever you go, I’ll go too.” He hesitates for a moment, a note of uncertainty creeping in, “If you’ll have me.”“You mean-” Neil starts, his mind struggling to catch up.“If Aaron and Nicky could manage it,” Andrew says, “Then so can I.”Neil pulls back, looking at Andrew searchingly. Andrew's expression is calm, his gaze steady and certain. It feels dangerous to be so hopeful, and yet- “Are you sure?” he asks, “You don’t have to- to change for me. I meant it before, when I told you this was enough for me. You don’t have to give up who you are.”Andrew plucks at the leather cord around Neil’s neck, tugging out the stone pendant from where it’s hidden under his shirt. "I am not doing this for you."There is an edge in his tone, an unspoken meaning tucked between syllables, but the message is clear.
I am not doing this for you. I am doing this for me.
Andrew rubs a clawed thumb over the black stone, his expression pensieve. “You told me before that you chose me,” he murmurs, tapping on the stone, “That you chose this. ” He releases the necklace, meeting Neil’s gaze, “I’m choosing this too. I’m choosing you.” "Andrew-" Neil begins."You also told me," Andrew continues, ignoring the interruption, "About the life we would have if I were also human." He takes Neil’s face into his hands then, wiping away a stray tear with his thumb. "I want that life with you," he says, “All I need from you is an answer."For a moment, Neil allows himself to envision it again. He imagines waking up next to Andrew, his blonde hair sun-soaked and sleep-tousled. He imagines long drives down the coast, Andrew driving one-handed with a palm on Neil's thigh. He pictures the two of them sailing, watching the sun set over an endless sea.“Yes,” Neil says. He reaches for Andrew, pausing just long enough for the mer to nod before threading his fingers into Andrew’s hair, “My answer is yes,” he breathes, “I want that, more than anything. I- Yes.”Andrew doesn't hesitate. He pulls Neil in for a fierce kiss, and for a second, Neil swears he can feel Andrew smile against his mouth. He clutches at Andrew’s hair, unable to stop his own grin from spreading across his face. Andrew inhales sharply, and then the mer shudders and groans.  Something shifts in the water below, and then Andrew pulls away with a soft gasp.When Neil opens his eyes, Andrew is still there. Gone are his scales, his gills, his sharp claws and teeth. In place of his long black tail are a pair of legs, bare and pale and strong. Andrew is looking at them with almost childlike curiosity, his lips parted in quiet awe. He looks back up at Neil then, the corners of his mouth quirking upwards in a barely-there smile. “Come on,” Neil says. He takes Andrew’s hand, his heart swelling with so much joy that it hurts. Andrew's palm is warm in his, both familiar and new, “Let’s go find you some clothes.”He pulls Andrew to his feet, helping him climb back under the railing on unsteady legs. Andrew leans heavily against him, his brow furrowed in concentration as he takes his first few wobbly steps. Smiling, Neil secures Andrew to his side with an arm around his waist, and together they walk towards the locker rooms, side by side.