Aquata Cove Ch. 24

"Merrick... I'm so sorry..." Adam muttered, "That's terrible..."

"He... He wanted to become... The best hunter in the sea..." Merrick sobbed, "Hi-His mate... She was so caring and clever... Now they're... Now they're..." Merrick groaned as he cried more.

"Shhhh, shh shhh shh, it's gonna be ok, baby, it's alright. Let it out, honey..."

The door opened, and in came Jamal, "Oh hey, I just came to get mah-" He then saw Merrick crying hysterically on Adam, "Merrick? Ain't he supposed to be gone?" He then noticed the weeping sounds, "What's the matter, what happened?"

"His pod was attacked," Adam said sadly. He slowly shook his head, "Most of them didn't make it..."

"Awww nah..." Jamal said, "I... I just came to git mah wallet..." He said as he went to his room for a second, and pocketed his item, before coming to the weeping male, and gently stroked Merrick's very soft back, "You ok, kid?" Merrick merely moaned and shook his head, "Aight... Take yo time, is gonna be aight, ok?" He said softly, and reluctantly left.

"C'mon," Said Adam as he got up, and carried Merrick off the couch, "Lets have you rest in my bed. You've had it rough, babe..."

Adam carried his boyfriend into his room, and gently laid Merrick down. He tucked the merman into the bed, softly laying the blanket on him. He stroked along Merrick's hair, "Ok, I'm gonna go make us something to eat, ok, hun?"

"No..." Merrick said as he shook his head, "Please don't go..."

"It's ok, Merrick, I'll just be in the kitchen-"

"Please, no," The merman pleaded, his swollen eyes closed, "Please, I need you here, Adam, please stay here..." Adam sighed, and nodded.

"Alright... I guess I can order Chinese in a little while. I don't feel like cooking anyway." Adam then climbed onto the bed, and lay himself right behind Merrick, over the covers, and right next to him. The merman sniffled and wept softly as he felt his human right there. Adam looked up, hearing the pitter patter outside again. "Huh. Looks like it's raining again... That's strange..."

"..." Merrick peered outside from the pillow, and breathed deeply as more glittering tears formed in his eyes, "... Mother..." He muttered quietly. He closed his eyes, and nestled in the bed.

~~~

Adam stroked his lover, his sobs becoming quieter and quieter until Adam surmised he had fallen asleep. He sighed and gently kissed Merrick's neck, nuzzling him lovingly, and moving back.

"...?" He blinked, and narrowed his eyes. Adam carefully moved on the bed, and switched the lamp on his nightstand, and looked closely at the merman, "That's odd..."

On the back of his neck, just below his golden hair, is an ornate, elaborate, heart-shape symbol, black in color, imprinted on Merrick's flesh.

"Since when did Merrick have a tattoo?"