# Aquata Cove - Chapter 33

Author: Mirron Tenshi
Tags: Gay Romance, Human, Kissing, Parents, merman

Aquata Cove
Chapter 33: Meet The Parents

 


 


 
-RRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRR-

 
Merrick pushes the loud vacuum cleaner back and forth,
brushing the carpet in lines, and leaving the aligned trails of clean paths
left by the machine. Now that Adam, Yuri, and Jamal taught him how to use
appliances, cleaning utensils, and other such tools, he has a lot more to do
around the house. 

 
After pushing the vacuum onto the last patch of carpet, he
turned the vacuum off, and began to unplug and coil up the cord. The merman
would loop the power cord onto vacuum, before he turned and smiled as Roxas
approached him. He chuckled as he lowered himself down, and laid himself onto
the floor. 

 
His hand met with the cat's face as Roxas brushed off
against his palm, and rolled onto the floor. Merrick giggled as he dug his hand
into Roxas's fluffy belly fur, and rubbed playfully. The cat mewled in
response, and started to lightly kick at Merrick's hand with his hindlegs.
Merrick laughed as he ruffled his hand onto the cat, before it wrapped its
front legs around his wrists, and started to nibble on him.

 
"Heh, having fun, Blondie?" Merrick turned his head and
smirked as Nick stood against the doorframe, wearing only a smile and tight,
green camouflage underroos. Merrick stopped teasing Roxas and rolled onto his
back.

 
"Naw. Just playing with the cat." He replied as he pus his
hands on the back of his head, making no big deal about being completely naked,
as usual. Nick smirked as he walked over, and squat down to sit on Merrick's
lap, "Heh, I have no idea how you hu- people - come up with ways to make
clothing so... Strangely enticing~" 

 
Nick rose a brow at that comment, "'You people'? And what's
that mean, huh?" He asked as he pressed his clothed bum onto Merrick's soft
equipment.

 
"I'm sure I have no idea." Merrick said with a flirty grin.

 
"You know, I'd usually dick with you and call you a racist,
but I wouldn't say that exactly~" He said as he felt a fast-approaching
stirring on Merrick's groin. Merrick simply blinked.

 
"What's a racist?" 

 
"Nevermind~" Nick said as he pushed and ground his hips down
onto Merrick's crotch. "When are you gonna come over and sign up to work at
Lovers, huh?" He asked as held himself above Merrick, "Wouldn't mind seeing you
round there."

 
"I thought about that. It'd certainly be something to do
while everyone else is gone," Merrick replied casually, as if they were
discussing this over coffee instead of naked on the floor, "But Adam said that
I wouldn't qualify since I don't have any... What he called, 'Credentials'." He
said, before smirking, "Besides, I wouldn't want him thinking that there was
anything going on between you and I." Merrick said as he spanked Nick's rump.

 
"Ooh~" Nick wraggled his eyebrows playfully, "Now you givin
me mixed signals~" He giggled before getting up, and helping Merrick up to his
feet, "Seriously though, not that I would ever move in on you, it doesn't help
wit-chu naked alla time, man." Nick said as he gave two play pats on Merrick's
butt. He smirked as he saw Merrick's penis already semi-hard.

 
"Dammit, Nick!" Merrick said as he looked at his stirring
member, "Gah, can you at least show me how to work with Adam's comp-"

 
*Knock knock knock*

 
"Ah, hold that thought," Merrick said as he turned around
and approached the door.

 
"What- Ah, Merrick! Man, hold up!" Nick said as the naked
blonde turned the doorknob. Nick gapped as Merrick opened the door, seeing a
mid-aged couple standing at the doorway.

 
"Hello?" Merrick said. The man is clad in a yellow and blue
Hawaiian shirt with faded khakis, with brass-framed glasses on his face. He has
grey-brown hair in a frumpy fashion on his head, with a scruffy circle beard
stubble on his mouth. Right next to him, his wife, a spry woman with mid-long
auburn hair, a light pink blouse and black, curt trousers, both of them holding
a suitcase.

 
"H-Hullo..." The man said as his eyes quickly looked over
Merrick, feeling more awkward as he stood there, "Are we interrupting
anything?" He asked.

 
"No, why do you ask?" Merrick asked.

 
"I-I-I'm sorry," The woman asked, trying VERY hard to keep
her eyes from drifting down, "A-Are we at the- At the um... Bryant Residence?"

 
"What?" Merrick asked curiously, "What does that mean... And
is there something wrong?" He asked, "You're looking as if-"

 
"Merrick, man!" Nick said as came in, and grabbed the
doorknob, "Uno momento, porfavor!" With that, he shut the door closed on the
couple.

 
"... Did we just get greeted by two naked young men?" The
woman asked.

 
"Don't get any ideas, Donna." The man said with gritted teeth.
The woman scoffed as she whacked her husband on the arm.

 
"I said the same thing about that damn shirt!" She said as
she pulled at his sleeve.

 


 
~~~

 


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

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

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

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

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

 
"No se permiten mujeres." Nick said.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 


 
~~~

 


 
"So, you wanna tell me why your mother and I was greeted by
a couple of naked fellas?" Luther said as he and Donna sat on the couch with
his wife. Adam scratched the back of his neck.

 
"I am so sorry..." Adam apologized, his face heavy with heat,
"I've sent you a picture of what Merrick and me, right?"

 
"He had clothes on!" Luther said, with a bit of a forced
laugh, "Good lord, son, does this sort of thing happen here a lot?"

 
"I-I... Well-"

 
"You know, Adam," Donna said, "When your grandparents told
you to take care of the house, and I told you not to worry about it..." She
stifled a laugh, "This ISN'T what I had in mind! Hahaha!" 

 
"I know, Mom, and it's not like I turned this place into an
orgy house or something..." Adam said, chuckling nervously.

 
"But you weren't even home. And then there was that Mexican
kid there too. I can't help but think that-"

 
"No, Dad, he's not fooling around behind my back. Nick comes
over a lot since he and Jamal started going out, and Nick is... VERY causal."

 
"Wait wait wait," Luther said, "I thought Jamal was into
women."

 
"Jamal's into a lot of things." Adam said, "... OK that came
out wrong!" He said quickly as his parents laughed, "As for Merrick, he's... Ok,
I didn't tell you guys before because I didn't want you to get the wrong idea..."

 
"Well, spit it out, boy!" Luther said.

 
"See... Merrick's a nudist..." Adam said, feeling a purge of
reluctance from the statement, "And we don't make him wear clothes unless we're
going out, and even then, he wears as little as possible."

 
"Is THAT all?" Donna said, "I think it was more dramatic
when you wrote that he had social problems."

 
"Ok, so, you're alright with him?"

 
"If we weren't we wouldn't have bothered." Luther said, "I
never met anyone who was socially impaired, but we'll try not to come off as
too pushy." He said, nodding.

 
"Ha! Speak for yourself!" Donna scoffed, "I've always had
experience with shy people," She said proudly.

 
"Yes, I know," Luther rolled his eyes, "Your time with
loonies..." He said. Donna slapped the back of his head, "Ow!" 

 
"They're not LOONIES, Luther!" She glared, "Say that one
more time, I'll yank half your hair out!"

 
"I'm just joking, love!" He said as he rubbed his head.

 
"At ANY rate," Adam said as he stood up, "I think I'll have
Merrick join us now," He walked a few steps, before stopping and turning to
them, "Just... Try not to ask too many questions, please? As I said, he's VERY
shy."

 
"Of course, son," Donna said, "Go on, we're really eager to
meet him." 

 
Adam nodded, and went to the hallway. He huffed and sighed
as he thought to himself, 'Here we go again...'.

 
He opened the door to his room, where Merrick is on the bed,
pouting and squirming slightly in the clothes he's wearing - a simple blue and
white polo shirt, and a pair of cargo shorts.

 
"Ungh, I hate these... These things," Merrick groaned as he
plucked at his clothes, "How do humans get around, covering themselves up with
all these sails on??" 

 
"I know, babe," Adam said as he sat down on the bed, "I'm
sorry, it won't be long, I promise."

 
"You know," Merrick started, "When you told me your Mother
and Father are coming over for a while, I assumed you were going to prepare me
for it."

 
"Their flight came in earlier than expected, my bad," Adam
said, "It's only for a couple of weeks. Just... It's just gonna be like when you
first met Jamal and Yuri."

 
Merrick grimaced, and sighed as he bowed his head, "I hate
this..." He mumbled as he shook his head, "I feel like I'm always lying..." Adam
frowned as he scooted right next to the merman.

 
"I know, sweetie..." He nudged and kissed Merrick's cheek, "I
wish I didn't have to put you through this either..." Merrick stared at the floor
with half-lidded eyes. He took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled.

 
"... It's fine..." Merrick responded, "I have to protect the
secret of merfolk... Even if it means I have to be someone else..."

 
"Merrick..." Adam gently moved in and hugged his lover.
Merrick nuzzled affectionately against him. He really wishes they didn't have
to hide like this. It's almost like taking a step back into the closet. But
Merrick feels keeping this secret is necessary, and so he has to do his part in
keeping the secret as it is.

 
"Alright..." Adam said as he got up, "They're ready for you
now." The blonde nodded as he too got up, and followed Adam into the living
room.

 


 
---Several Hours Later---

 


 
"Hahhh..." Merrick sighed as he leaned on the bathroom sink.
He irked as he yanked the shirt off of his body, before pushing his pants down,
"Finally..." He turned on the water faucet, and put his hands under the small
cascade of water. His hands gleamed as they instantly transformed into blue and
silver. He rubbed some water onto his face, murring and groaning pleasantly as
the cold water refreshed him.

 
He splashed his face and shook, huffing in relief from the
clothes and the sprits of water on his face, "I guess it went well enough." He
mumbled to himself. Donna and Luther seem like nice people - almost like with
Jamal and Yuri, except for an obvious age difference. He still can't help but
feel bewildered, however. They are Adam's parents, after all. He feels a more
judgmental air about them - as if he was being subtly scrutinized. 

 
After washing his face, Merrick buried his face into a
towel, and dried his head, while also brushing his hands with it. His flesh
slowly morphed back into human-type before he picked up the discarded clothes,
and turned to enter Jamal's room - Adam decided to lend his room to his
parents, so he and Merrick is sleeping in Jamal's room while he sleeps over at
Nick's apartment for the time being. 

 
"Well, hi there~" Said Adam as Merrick entered the room.
Merrick looked, and grinned as he saw Adam on Jamal's bed, wearing a rather
tight undershirt, and some snug tighty-whities. Merrick could already feel his
member stirring as Adam laid there, stretched out with his legs spread, and his
hands holding the back of his head. Merrick giggled as he tossed the clothes
aside, and slowly crawled onto the bed.

 
"What trickery do humans make to have clothing look so...
Enticing~?" He said as he put a hand onto Adam's package, and rubbed it around.
Adam grinned as Merrick cupped his round bulge.

 
"It's an artform, babe. Sometimes, small amount of clothing
can be incredibly sexy~" 

 
"So I see~" Merrick said as Adam's bundle became firmer
after a few seconds.

 
"Besides, since you're so used to nudity," Adam explained,
"Lewd clothing like this gets to be a huge turn-on." He said as he saw
Merrick's penis already erected.

 
"Mmm~" Merrick murred as he stopped fondling Adam's pouch,
and crawled up onto him. 

 
"C'mere..." Adam whispered as Merrick came up to him, and
glued his lips onto his mouth. Merrick moaned lightly as he sat his naked butt
onto Adam's fuzzy abdomen, and laid himself down onto his human as he felt his tongue
push into his mouth. 

 
Adam closed his eyes as Merrick meshed his lips with his as
their tongues rolled and dug into one another. Merrick breathed deeply through
his nose as he aggressively pushed his mouth against Adam's lips. 

 
Merrick's hand dug under Adam's white undershirt, and pushed
it up to feel onto Adam's happy trail.

 
Suddenly, the door opened "Hey Adam have you seen my- WHOA!"
Luther said as his eyes boggled, seeing the naked blonde male straddled ontop
of his son. Merrick yelped as he dismounted Adam.

 
"DAAAD!" Adam yelled as he covered his large dented
underwear with the blanket.

 
"SORRY!" Luther yelped as he turned quickly and slammed the
door, "Was wondering if you had any spare toothbrushes." He said behind the
door.

 
"NO!" Adam replied.

 
"Alright! ... Goodnight and... Have fun!"

 
"Oh my God," Adam scowled as he took a pillow, and pushed it
down his face, where he proceeded to growl and groan into it.

 
"... I WANT to continue, but I don't want to..." Merrick said,
"Is this normal?"

 
"Mmm-hmmmfffff" Adam said muffled, while nodding his pillow
up and down.

 


 
~~~

 


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

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

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

 


 
~~~ The Next Day ~~~

 


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 
"God bless ya, kid," He said.

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

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

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

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

 
"I don't understand." Merrick said.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 
"Hobbies?"

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

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

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

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

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

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

 
"Oh, you mean you go fishing?"

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

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

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

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

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

 
"Ah, I see..."

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

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

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

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

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

 
"Strange kid..." He mumbled.

 


 
~~~

 


 
Donna stretches as she feels the sunlight in her sweats.
Just before she inserts her headphones into her ears, her eyes glance to the
side. Over by the old cliff, is Merrick, sitting on the edge - wearing just
some boxers, from the looks of it. 

 
Curious, she jogged on over to him, and walked up behind
him, "Not thinking of jumping, are you?" She asked. Merrick turned around, and
looked up at her. The way his eyes looked... He looks as if he was expecting her.

 
"No..." He said as he turned back to the sea, "Just...
Remembering, I guess..."

 
"Ah, ok..." Donna glanced at his neck, her eyes locking onto a
tribal heart symbol on his flesh, "That's a neat tattoo you got there."
Merrick's fingers tensed on the rock, "I think it's pretty." 

 
Merrick put his hand on the back of his neck, "It's..." He
paused for a moment, "It's more of a grim reminder to me. Thanks though." He
said as he lowered his hand.

 
"Oh, I see..." The woman couldn't help but notice a sense of
melancholy from the blonde man. His voice carries a hint of longing as he gazes
over the ocean, "Something on your mind?"

 
"A lot, really..." He responded.

 
"Need to talk? I'm a psychologist." Donna offered.

 
"What does that mean?" Merrick asked, his voice giving off
just a hint of subtle aggression, as if he doesn't really want to talk.

 
"It's someone who is trained to talk to people about their
problems. Talk them through their troubles, make them feel better."

 
"Maybe, but chances are..." Merrick said, "You won't
understand me..."

 
"Well, maybe not, but it helps to talk at least. I can't
tell you how many of my patients have told me that."

 
"That just means they're trying to cope with their pain.
Would bringing it up REALLY help with dealing with it."

 
"That's exactly what psychologists are for," Donna said as
she sat down next to the young male, "It's not always easy, but talking people
through there problems and resolving their conflicts is what we specialize,"
She patted his shoulder, "Come on, Merrick. Let's talk." After a short pause, Merrick bowed his head, "... I miss my
p..." He stopped briefly before continuing, "... My family..."

 
"Ah, I see." She said, "When was the last time you talked to
them?"

 
"Almost 2 years now, I believe..." He said.

 
"You have a big family?" Donna asked.

 
"... You could say that..." Merrick answered, "We were always
traveling... We never stayed in one place for too long..."

 
"Who do you miss most?" 

 
"... I miss my best friend... He had a big dream... And now I
can't see where he will go with it now that I'm gone..."

 
"What was his dream?"

 
"He..." Merrick bit his lips as his fist clenched, "He wanted
to be the best at hunting fish..."

 
"Wow, that sounds neat," Donna said as she nodded, keeping
her eyes on Merrick's face. Something's off about the way he's acting, "Anyone
else?"

 
"My Sister..." Merrick told her, "When I was..." Merrick paused
again, holding back a tear, "She begged me not to leave... She didn't understand
that I had no choice...

 
"... My Father..." He said, his hand harshly gripping his arm,
"He was strict, stern, and always seemed to be kinder to my Sister than to me -
or to anyone else for that matter...

 
"... And I feel like I let my Mother down most of all..." He
said, his stomach heavy with grief, "When all was said and done, she still did
not resent me..." Merrick started to tremble as his form tensed up.

 
"Listen, Merrick..." Donna said as she put her hand onto
Merrick's hand, "They may have kicked you out for being who you are... But that
is their fault, not yours..." Merrick's teeth gritted as he sat there, shaking
with rage "You are who you are, and they shouldn't have done this to you..."
Donna said softly, "Someday, they will understand you-"

 
"NO!" Merrick suddenly blurted out as he stood up. Donna
scrambled around, and looked up at him, "YOU don't understand me!" He said as
his eyes watered, "You don't understand a single thing about me!

 
"M-Merrick, calm down," Donna said she stood up, "This is
natural for you to feel angry-"

 
"Is THIS what psychologists do?!" He demanded, "How is
forcing me to talk about my pain supposed to help?! My family is gone, and I
can NEVER see them again!! How is thinking about that supposed to make me feel
better?!" He shouted.

 
"Because keeping it bottled up inside of you isn't healthy!"
Donna responded, "What we do is try to get everything out in the open, and
understand the deep meaning about how and why we feel about such things..." Donna
sighed as she rubbed her fingers on her temples, "Alright, look, I'm sorry I
brought it up, I was only trying to help-"

 
"I KNOW how I feel! I understand EVERYTHING that's happened
to me! My pain runs deeper than you can ever understand!" He seethed as a tear
ran down his cheek, "How dare you invoke the wounds of my heart?! If THIS is
what a psychologist does to people, then-"

 
"Merrick?" Came a voice. Merrick and Donna turned their
heads to see Yuri in her morning kimono, "What's going on here? Why are you
yelling?"

 
Merrick sighed forcefully, and turned to walk in her
direction, "Nothing." He snarled as he strode past her. Yuri watched after him
a few seconds, and turned to the mid-aged woman. 

 
"I have... Never seen him this angry," Yuri said as she shook
her head and slowly approached Donna, "What happened?"

 
"It's my fault," Donna said as she shook her head tossed her
hands up, "I tried to help him get over his problems, and he just blew up."

 
"... Listen," Yuri said, "Merrick has... A very complicated
past. A lot's happened that he holds himself responsible for, and talking about
it just makes it worse."

 
"Yes, I know that NOW." Donna said, rather aggravatingly,
"Adam already told be his parents kicked him out when he came out of the
closet. But there was no reason for him to snap at me."

 
"I know, and I'm sorry for him, but..." Yuri sighed, "Like I
said, it's... Very complicated."

 


 
~~~

 


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 
As well, they hear voices.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 
---

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

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

 
"Eat that!" She shouted.

 
---

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

 
---

 


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

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

 


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

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

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

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

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

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

 
---

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

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

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

 
---

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

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

 
"What?? What makes you say that??"

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

 
---

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

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

 
---

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

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

 
---

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

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

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

 
---

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

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

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

 


 
~~~

 


 
Dinner is reaching its awkward end. Adam nervously glances
side to side as Merrick sat beside him at the table, while Donna and Luther
were both staring at the blonde eating his slice of chicken. 

 
Luther kept a sharp eye on Merrick as he hate, trying to
figure out where all those fins and scales went. Donna tilted her head a little
as she tried to make out SOME trace of the creature she saw today.

 
Could this boy REALLY be the same fish they saw playing with
Adam, Yuri, Jamal, and Nick?

 
Adam swallowed, and put down his fork, "*Ahem*... U-um... Merrick?
Is there something you want to say to Mom?" He said. Merrick gave Adam a heated
glare, before sighing, and turning his head to look at the woman.

 
"... I'm sorry I yelled at you yesterday morning," Merrick
said begrudgingly, "I was out of line, and I shouldn't have shouted."

 
"O-Oh, what?" Donna said, just snapping out of trying to
study Merrick, "Ah, that's alright, I already forgot about that."

 
"... Really?" Adam asked.

 
"Yes! Don't worry about it," Donna said, "Water under the
bridge!"

 
Merrick sighed again, and pushed his dish, "I'm not hungry,"
He said before getting up, "I need some air." As soon as he left the front
door, Merrick scowled as he yanked off the shirt Adam had him wear.

 
"... I uh..." Luther said awkwardly, "I need to take my pill..."
He said before wiping his mouth with the napkin, and left the table too.

 
After a pause, Adam broke the silence, "Merrick has... A few
problems..."

 
"I know, sweetheart," Donna said, "So does your father, but
that never stopped me." Adam chuckled at that, "I think it's safe to say that
dinner is over though," Donna said as she stood up and picked up hers and
Luther's plates.

 
"No, Mom, I got this," He said as he took the plates from
her.

 
"You sure?" 

 
"Yes, it's your vacation. Just make sure Dad takes the right
pills."

 
"Ok, honey." Donna said before turning around and walking
away. Adam looked after his mother while he gathered the dishes. He groaned as
he went to the sink.

 
"This isn't going well at all..."

 


 
~~~

 


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

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

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

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

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

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

 
"Would YOU want to know if I were going out with some fish,
Donna?"
"I should hope so," Donna said before giving Luther a light slap on the head.

 
"Look, maybe we should just-"

 


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

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

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

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

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

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

 


 
~~~

 
Merrick gazes up at the full moon as he sits on the familiar
cliff, wearing just some satin shorts, and his discarded clothing on the sandy
turf. He prays silently to the Sea Mother Atargatis, seeking for a sense of
soothing peace in his soul. He wants nothing more than to just jump into the
water right now. He feels so far away from his real self, despite having a good
time at the cove.

 
"... Hm?" He hears footsteps. He turned his head to see three
people coming towards him. Merrick turns himself further to see it's Adam
leading his mother and father to him. He groaned as he stood himself up to face
them.

 
When they reached him, they said nothing, merely looking
over him. Merrick's eyes looked straight into the eyes of the three humans
before him. They don't need to say a word for him to know what this is about.

 
"My Mother," Merrick began, "Is an Arctic Veil Mermaid. My
Father is a Navyn Fish Merman." He said, to the astonishment of Adam's parents.
"I was the Son of the two leaders of my pod, and I was to take my Father's
place in leading my pod when I came of age.

 
"I wasn't 'kicked out of a house' for simply being gay. I
was banished from my pod for the crime of mating with a human, and a male
besides. So it is virtually the same thing, if you wish to see it that way."

 
Merrick turned himself around, and tapped the back of his
neck, "You see this symbol on my neck? This 'grim reminder' of mine?" He
pointed at the tribal heart design imprinted on his flesh, "All banished
merfolk are branded with the symbol of their crime. This image on my skin is
the symbol of Forbidden Love." He turned back around, seeing Donna's hands over
her mouth, and Luther looking at him dumbfounded. This kid... This isn't the
grumpy blonde they have been passing by in the house for the last few days.

 
"I'll never know whether my pod hates me or not for being
what humans call homosexual - I broke two of our laws, and so I was punished
for it. What they feel and think of the matter is irrelevant.

 
"I can never see my pod again. And on top of that, I can't
even go into the ocean anymore because a creature that hunts banished merfolk
is after me, no matter where I am in the sea. So in a way, I am banished from
the ocean itself. I may never have a true home again." He said as a sparkling
tear rolled down his face.

 
"If I have seem unpleasant, it's because of all this in my
mind, and the fact that I have to hide my true identity from the human world,"
He turned his face to Donna, who has moistening eyes herself, "And talking
about it doesn't help. I am sorry for my outburst yesterday, Donna, but talking
about what happened to me will never help me in the slightest." He then turned
his head to Luther, "And I am still adjusting to this different way of life,
Luther. All I know is to hunt in the sea. I still know nothing of life of human
society, and quite honestly, I am very reluctant to learn. I will not abandon
who I am." 

 
Merrick huffed as he put his hand to his eyes. He sniffled
as he tried the wipe away the tears, "This is what it is to be a rogue..." He
muttered. The merman felt the older man walk up to him, and pat his shoulder.

 
"It's ok, son..." Luther muttered, "It's ok..." Donna came up to
him too.

 
"I'm sorry, Merrick..." She said. Merrick eased up when Adam
came to him, and hugged him too. 

 
"We're here for you, Merrick..." Adam said lowly.

 
It's not the pod he misses so much, but a human family will
do...

 


 
~~~

 


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 
"Why was he just glaring at you? I'd feel a little tiffed if
you talked like that to me."
"I told you before, contact with humans is strictly forbidden," Adam said,
"Come on. Just meeting him pisses me off." He said as he started to jog away.

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

Source: https://sofurry.com/view/771871

Previous: https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/752045-aquata-cove-chapter-32.md
Next: https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/793837-aquata-cove-chapter-34.md