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Peter’s life was never easy. His parents were murdered by the organization, which hunts for merpeople. They were extremely rare and even one of them is worth thousands of dollars. After their death, he’d lived with his uncle Ben and aunt May for many years before a random fisherman killed Ben. During that time the kid learned how to speak like human people do and some most important basics about their life. Peter and May decided to leave their beloved water and start a new life on land in order to be safer. You might ask: How is that even possible? Well, they had special medallions which let them live outside the water. It was the last gift from uncle Ben before he died. They looked rather simple- a small seashell on a chain. But it had the power to change their tails into human legs- they couldn’t live on land without them. Moreover, those medallions could hide fangs, claws, and pointy ears.
To look like ordinary person Peter went to high school and May started working at a hospital. It wasn’t so bad after some time. They had their own apartment in Queens and a stable financial situation. They’ve been seen as a normal family who wanted to start a new life in New York after some tragedy. Well, it wasn’t a lie.
It’s been almost two years after Ben’s death. When he was a child, Peter never thought about living among people. Firstly, it was overwhelming, because as a merman he had enhanced senses- he could hear everything, taste much more than an ordinary human, smell much more (it’s not that useful when you spend lots of time at school) and generally, his senses were just much better than people’s. And secondly, he just didn’t use to understand what people were talking about.
He remembered when he wanted to join the school swim team, but it could be very irresponsible. One moment and his medallion could snag, and a second later boom!- a merman in the school pool. Sensation guaranteed.
But fortunately, he met Ned who showed him robotics club and AcaDec. He found it shockingly enjoyable. Two boys momentarily became friends and after a while, guys from AcaDec “adopted” Peter, so he was never alone.
If you want to be late for school, be late with style. At least this is something Peter heard a lot. Today wasn’t his best try.
“Hello, Mr. Harrington! I’m so sorry for being late, my bus was really belated,” Peter quickly apologized. His teacher just smiled and told him to sit down.
‘Well, not so bad’, Peter thought. He sat next to Ned. His friend greeted him and they both started paying attention to the class.
***
“Dude, you have to go with me there after school! I don’t wanna go alone!” Ned was begging Peter during their lunchtime to go to the opening of the newest comic book store. “I can’t wait to get that new box with the Star Wars figurines, oh come ooonnn!” Parker just smiled and said, “Yeah, okay if you want me there so bad, then why not?” he laughed.
Truth be told, he wanted to spend this afternoon studying for their Spanish Quiz- he wanted to know fluently as many languages as possible. But he had a soft spot for Ned and he didn’t want to disappoint him.
“But you know, after that I have to go home. I need those good marks,” Peter said. “Yeah, yeah, no problem bro,” Ned assured.
After school, they went to the opening. Ned was running through all the aisles to find what he wanted. Peter was browsing some magazines and movie titles (this comic book store was super extra big and their stock was impressive). After a couple of minutes, he found something that he thought was odd to be in that kind of store. He found a DVD version of “Mako Mermaids”. In his view, that show was total bullshit. But seeing those girls with tails reminded him of his own people, which gave him a little nostalgia.
“Hey Peter, what did you find here?” Ned asked unexpectedly. Then he saw the title and said, “ ’Mako Mermaids’? Really? Peter I really don’t want to judge you, but this show is for little girls.”
“Yeah, I guessed that,” he answered. After a few seconds, he said: “You know what, it’s getting late and I have to go home. I hope you don’t mind,” he smiled apologetically.
“Sure. Bye Pete! Be careful there! Remember I’m coming to you tomorrow!”
“Sure thing, pal!” Peter laughed. He went out of the store and went to the nearest bus stop. The way from Midtown to Queens is not the shortest, so he pulled out his headphones and turned on some music.
May wasn’t at home when he came back. So he grabbed some snacks (mostly seafood) and turned on the TV. After a couple of minutes, he decided to go to his room and study for his Spanish Quiz. Maybe it was Friday, but he really wanted to get the highest mark.
It’d been more than 3 hours since he came back home when he heard that someone was opening the door. But he recognized those characteristic footsteps- May. He chilled and went to greet his aunt.
***
“Peter! Wake up!” May yelled, “Ned will be here in half an hour!” That was what woke up Peter. He couldn’t wait to meet his friend. But right now he needed to clean up his room and eat something. He really wanted to take a bath without his medallion, so he could feel more like true himself, unfortunately, he overslept and didn’t have enough time for that. He got up from his water bed and did what he had to to be fully awakened.
They spent a great time with each other. Ned showed him some new games on a computer, they ate pizza (Ned had pepperoni and Peter a simple margarita because he hates meat) and watched the first 3 movies of Harry Potter.
After that Ned said he had to go home because he promised to help his parents with something. Peter said goodbye to his best friend and cleaned up a little, so aunt May wouldn’t be angry with him for the mess they’d left.
It was late evening and May had a double shift, so Peter had their whole flat for himself. Finally, he had free time to do what he’d wanted before Ned came- a long bath. He topwater up their bathtub and jumped into it. Next, he took his medallion off and the next thing he was in his true form- pointy ears, fangs, claws, and his breathtaking long tail with red and blue scales. He had two colors of his scales because of his parents- his father had red scales and his mother had blue. He took a deep breath and smiled to himself. He put on his headphones and started watching some YouTube videos which were sent on the AcaDec group chat.
Ned forgot his phone. How? He had no idea, but he had to go back for it. He rang a few times to Parker’s door but no one answered. That was weird because he knew Peter would be at home during that time of the day. He was so desperate to get his phone back (he didn’t want to get yelled at because of it)and was a bit concerned about Pete, so he found a spare key under the mat to that door. But the door was opened, so that was very concerning. He started to worry about his friend much more than before.
Peter was unaware of what was going on. Of course, he had his super senses, but right now he was so focused on that video of cute cats that he didn’t hear the door ring. He had a good time, that’s what mattered then.
Ned found his phone on Peter’s bed. He’d screamed a few times his name but no one answered. Because of that he decided to look around and maybe find a clue what might have happened. He saw that there was a light on in the bathroom.
“Peter? Are you there? It’s Ned, I forgot my phone and came back for it. I hope that it’s not a problem,” he said. No answer. He knew it would be a bad idea to walk into that bathroom because he’d watched many horror movies in his life, but he was too curious. He opened the door(since he was more and more worried that something must have happened) and he knew he would never forget that view.
“PETER?!” Ned yelled. Peter finally was starting paying attention to what was going on. He immediately took his headphones off. He was so screwed.
“WHAT ARE DOING HERE?!” Peter yelled back with at least one octave higher than usual.
“I’ve come here because I left my phone and then I was worried because the door was open and ohmyGodwhatareyou?!” He dropped his phone on the floor. After a second he asked again: “Peter, what are you and what are you doing?”
“I’m taking a bath,” he simply answered.
“You didn’t answer my first question.”
“Okay, you’ve got me. Give me a minute and I’ll come to you,” Peter promised.
“Wait, are you a mermaid? Did I see fangs?”
“Ned, I said something.”
“Okay, okay, I’ll wait then.”
After two minutes Peter walked out of the room and came to Ned. He saw how his friend was looking at him. His face was showing curiosity and anxiety at the same time. Peter’s own anxiety was growing bigger and bigger.
“You cannot tell anyone what you saw there,” Peter demanded, “No one can know what I am, because otherwise someone will be after me and May, and we don’t want that.”
“But dude, you’re a freaking mermaid!” Ned said with a shock in his voice.
”Merman, Ned. Merman.” Peter felt a little offended.
“Tomato tomatho, you have to tell me everything! This is the best day of my life!” Ned said cheerfully.
Peter smiled a little and said, “Okay, but you have to promise me that you will never say anybody the truth about me, please.” He begged.
Ned answered, “You don’t have to worry about it, pal. Your little secret is safe with me.”
“Thank you.”
Peter told him his story in the possible shortest version after many requests from Ned. Then he assured he would answer Ned’s question at school since Ned really had to go home.
'I am so screwed now,’ Peter thought after closing the main door.
***
Monday unrelentingly arrived. Peter knew it would happen, but he still had hope he wouldn’t have to go to school. But he didn’t have that luck. During the weekend Ned was bombing him with lots of questions about him. Peter answered some of them but still wanted to talk about them in person.
After he came to school (this time he was before the classes started, so he was lucky), Ned saw him and immediately ran to him. “Hi Ariel!” he greeted his best friend.
“Who’s Ariel?” Peter asked with amusement in his voice.
“You don’t know who is-“ he faked his shock, ”- you know what, we’re gonna watch that movie. And I don’t take ‘no’ as the answer,” he smiled. Then they walked to the classroom.
Finally, Ned understood some weird stuff about Peter. His best friend always liked to sit as near to the aquarium in biology class as possible, his disgust for meat and love for seafood (and sushi). Also how he could remember all those facts about water animals. Now it made total sense.
Ned was asking different questions. They weren’t so discreet, but it was a work in progress.
‘Can you talk to fish?’ (yes, he can)
‘How can you breathe here, if you need water to live?’ (he has lungs)
‘ Have you always understood what people were talking about?’ (he learned that skill as a kid)
`Do you lay spawn?’ (no, gross)
‘How long is your tail?’ - this one was asked a little too loud because two people looked at them with their faces saying ‘weirdos’. Peter just shook his head and said silently, “Six feet.” “Wow,” Ned said.
That’s how his first two classes passed. Now they had physics class with Mr. Harrington, who was a warden of their AcaDec group.
“Hey everyone, please be quiet for a moment!” Mr. Harrington asked, “Before we start I have an announcement- our principal booked tickets for Academic Decathlon to New York Aquarium! So we have a field trip there on Friday,” he started “I need the agreements from your guardians until Wednesday if you want to come.”
The rest of the school day was quite good. Peter and Ned joked a lot, MJ even joined them during lunch. People usually say that she is too scary to be friends with her, but Peter didn’t think about her in that way. He thought that she was really nice and it’s good to be friends with her, so no one would stick to them like glue- he liked it that way. It worked in almost every situation unless it was Flash- he didn’t care and still would try to bully Peter, not that Peter would care less.
***
“May!” he screamed as he walked home, “Are you at home?”
“Yes, in the kitchen!”
“Okay!”
Peter put his backpack on the floor and walked into their kitchen. “How was your day, sweetheart?” She asked while giving him a kiss on his forehead.
“It wasn’t that bad you know. I nailed my Spanish Quiz! Oh, and Mr. Harrington said we have a field trip to New York Aquarium! Isn’t it fantastic?” he was over the moon to be able to see something familiar to his natural home after all this time.
“Yes, it is darling. I wish I could go with you,” she smiled sadly. “But first things first my dear boy. Go and wash your hands before dinner.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
***
That week passed quite fast. Peter was really excited to go on that field trip with his friends. He was going to see parts of his home after all. So when he heard his alarm clock, he immediately got up and smiled to himself.
He and Ned were talking all the time about what they would see there. Everyone was excited. Even Flash, who would just say that his parents take him there every weekend so he could focus more on his homework or some different kind of bullshit (MJ was sure he was lying about that, the others too) couldn’t change their good moods. Ned asked Peter if he could help him feed otters and stroke a dolphin. ‘Yeah, it could be fun to see’ Peter thought, but enthusiastically said yes.
The place was breathtaking. They were walking through a glass corridor under tons of water, where you could see many fish species and lots of water animals- especially sharks. Peter almost felt at home. The whole group was walking there when Ned noticed something weird. A bunch of fish was following Peter- he was walking next to the glass and they just looked like they could feel he belonged to them. What was weirder, nobody seemed to notice it.
“Peter,” Ned said shyly, “ I think you have a group of your fans here.” Parker looked to his right. His eyes went big.
“That’s not what I expected if I can be honest” he admitted, “ Just give me a second,” Peter asked.
‘Guys, it’s rude to tail’ Peter said to his followers in his mind.
‘Why are you there and not with us?’ fish said ‘We love merpeople, they’re good companions!’
‘Yes, and I love you too guys but please, I’m in disguise and I want to keep it that way,’ Peter asked.
‘We haven’t seen any of your people here for years but fine. But dear boy-‘ they asked, ‘be careful there! And please, visit those places, where you can interact with us without any problems! We need some real fun,’ they begged.
‘Sure thing, guys!’ Peter laughed in his mind.
“Wow, that was impressive,” Ned admitted, “And totally not scary. Not at all.” Peter truly laughed.
“Dude, you haven’t talked to a shark then. Come on, we have some places to visit.” Peter clasped his arm over Ned’s shoulder and they walked out of the corridor.
“Wait, did you say ‘a shark’?”
“Yup. Now let’s go, I can’t wait to see what do they have here.”
They didn’t notice that MJ was close enough to them to hear what they were talking about. Maybe she was just sketching what she was seeing in front of her but she still was fully aware of what was happening around her. And now she had so many questions without answers. But there was one thing she knew- Parker was hiding something and she wanted to know what.
They went to the place, where they could see dolphins. Ned was so excited that he almost fell into the water. Peter caught him in the last second before the possible disaster.
“Thanks, man. By the way, you’re strong, like really strong.” Peter blushed a little.
“Yeah… I know, thanks.” Peter always felt a bit uncomfortable when someone was complimenting him.
The rest of the group finally came to the last place they were supposed to go. In that place was an employee who was taking care of the dolphins. She greeted them and said they had to be careful but equally had fun since mammals had a good mood that day.
After a second said mammals swam to the group but they were keeping a distance. There were heard ‘awww’ and ‘ah's and many more signals the teenagers were eager to spend some time in that place.
The employee said to take a few steps back, so one of the dolphins could swim closer to them. “Pebble! Come here! You have guests!” She screamed happily. Said dolphin swam and finally showed up. Peter could tell that this mammal could feel he was different. It emitted characteristic sounds like it was happy. At least it looked like that. But it said bellicosely, ‘Stop calling me Pebble! It’s humiliating! That’s not my name!’
Peter smiled and then asked in his mind, ‘So, what’s your name, pal?‘ The animal looked a bit confused and answered, ‘Dude, you can understand me? Finally! But it means that you also belong to the water, don’t you? Never mind, my name’s Bob and that’s Mieke- my good friend, he’s very shy.‘.
‘Nice to meet you, Bob!’ Peter greeted the animal.
“Hey, Penis Parker! I was talking to you!” Flash shouted. Peter was so occupied with the talk to Bob that he didn’t hear what Flash was saying.
“Say that again, then,” Peter simply answered.
“I was saying that we have to go now but I see that maybe you’re so stupid to understand that simple statement.” Peter was used to hearing Flash’s roasts but he didn’t care. He can handle it.
“Eugene, remember who understands more than three languages and knows more than we all taken, and who needs Google Translate on every Spanish class,” MJ answered and smirked. Flash just looked askance at her and walked away.
“Thanks, MJ,” Peter smiled friendly.
“Yeah, whatever loser.”
Peter crouched and stuck out his hand, so Bob could swim close enough to him and be stroke. He showed Ned to come closer and do the same- he promised after all. The employee was so shocked she didn’t react- after a few seconds, the boys stood up like nothing happened and walked away. (MJ couldn’t resist and sketched that moment.)
“Best day ever!” Ned screamed on the bus. But everyone seemed to have a good time there. Mr. Harrington said they have to remember all the things they’ve seen there because that knowledge might be useful during Decathlon contests. Betty sent on their AcaDec group chat their group photo in front of the tank with sharks. Ned noticed nine fish behind Peter which wanted to be as near to him as possible. It looked oddly funny. He showed that to Peter, who just laughed and said he would print it. ‘Those sneaky mothertruckers,' Peter thought.
*TIME SKIP TO THEIR VACATIONS*
Peter couldn’t wait for their vacation in Montauk. They booked a cottage just for their three (Peter, Ned, and MJ). MJ finally found out the truth about Peter ( long story short: Peter was very reckless and Ned didn’t help at all; swimming pool at midnight during their Decathlon Finals in Washington D.C. plus MJ’s insomnia were not a good combination). Since then she calls Peter ‘Ariel’. At first, Peter could feel a little offended since he finally watched ‘The Little Mermaid’ with Ned but he got used to it.
“You have to go on the beach at night! It’s so beautiful then!” May said cheerfully while driving them to their cottage. “I’d love to stay with you but someone has to earn money to pay a rent,” she smiled.
“Don’t worry, Mrs. Parker, I’ll keep an eye on these two idiots,” MJ smirked.
“Hey!” They both yelled offended. May just laughed. They were talking about how the Atlantic looks beautiful in Summer and much more.
At the location, they said their goodbyes to May and walked to the cottage. It was a really nice place-a small kitchen, a comfy living room with a fireplace, a small bathroom, and one big bedroom(thankfully, the bedroom wasn’t clattered). It wasn’t a big deal since they took their sleeping bags. They left their stuff in the bedroom and went for a walk. The weather was nice, so they wanted to take advantage of it.
They’d been walking for a few hours before it got dark. They decided to go back to their cottage and eat something before going to the beach. They wanted to go there at night because it would be far safer for Peter to really enjoy swimming than normally during the day. Moreover, they wanted to break some rules- just for the morals.
They were over the moon to spend their free time together. Everyone could swim well (Peter could help them if something happened), they laughed as Peter showed them some of his underwater tricks. They knew he wouldn’t hurt them. Maybe his appearance could tell something different but Peter was a cinnamon roll, who loved his best friends. They accepted his true nature and it was something that he will never forget.
“Hey, guys! Look!” Ned pointed at the Moon. “It’s so beautiful!”
“Like May said,” Peter smiled, “I’m so happy you’re with me here, guys.”
“Me too, pal. Me too,” Ned smiled widely.
“Yeah, whatever,” MJ said but she truly smiled, so they knew what she meant.
They were enjoying the moment for a very long time.