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Clear blue water, vast endless sky, cool, salty sea air.
The quiet and peace was something Sherlock had grown accustomed to since he’d chosen to live on the coast. Though there where occasions when thunderclap and hurricanes would keep him awake all night, most days, he would would wake up with the beautiful scenic view of the ocean with it’s soothing sound– soft waves, warm sunlight and fresh, morning air.
A view that is obviously normal when you're living by the sea.
But Sherlock’s case wasn’t exactly so.
For each morning, a creature that seem to have stepped– swam– out of myth and legends would be lingering outside his home.
A merman. Who– right now– nonchalantly lay on his back atop the low deck of Sherlock’s floating house, relaxed and comfortable; the soft rays of sunshine bathing the white and gold scales of his body, a gentle rippling shimmer; his shining long tail very faintly brushing back and forth against the wooden floor.
As if he sensed Sherlock coming, the merman’s eyelids fluttered open to reveal a pair of breath-taking blood-red eyes.
The merman hears the sound of two people moving about inside the human dwelling. Their footsteps, low murmurs, the sound of foreign, unfamiliar objects, so it no longer surprised him when a pair of said footsteps emerged from the closed door with a loud slam.
The scent of cigarette, apples, and chemicals coming close.
“Liam.”
There he is, the song in my heart. The merman opened his eyes with a welcoming smile, those alien, ruby-red eyes of his alive and warm with affection, “Good morning, Sherly.”
Sherlock crouched down next to William, something in those blue, blue eyes of his.
It’s only been a few months since the two of them decided to. . . live together, if you can call this set up that. But William doesn’t care about names, as long as he can be with his beloved human everyday. That was what mattered.
The merman brushed his tail across Sherlock’s bare feet, a habit of his. “Sherly, what is it?”
Sherlock’s gaze skated over William’s body, “More like– what’s wrong with you?”
“Hmm. . . I ate too much.”
“Heh. . .” Sherlock blandly responded, but then his eyes widened as a huge possibility hit him, “Ah! You snuck in the kitchen again, didn’t you?!”
William’s answer was a fake, innocent smile. “Oh, did I now?”
“You’re really. . . !”
“I’m fine, Sherly.”
Not convinced, Sherlock tugged William up to a sitting position, “What are you feeling? Is your stomach hurting? Intestines? What about your–”
The merman continued to laugh at his adorable human lover, “Sherly, I’m fine, really. I’m just so full that I can’t move.”
“I told you not to eat too much human food!”
“But your cooking is so delicious.”
“I ain’t falling for that, you sly little headstrong merman.”
William lied back down and closed his eyes, “I just need a few more minutes.”
Equally annoyed and uneasy, Sherlock decided to sit down next to William and just wait. His hand automatically reaching out to caress William’s damp hair, “Really. . . what am I going to do with you. . .”
“Sherly?”
“What?”
“You didn’t kiss me yesterday.”
Baffled, Sherlock scratched the back of his nape, “It’s not like we can kiss every day you know.”
There are times that Sherlock would go away on weeks long expedition with Billy for their job and research. He hated leaving William like that, but they can’t just abandon their work. And he knows William more than understand that.
“Then,” The merman once more opened his stunning eyes, even more beautiful and vivid under the daylight sky, “Kiss me each day we’re together.”
“. . . fine.” Anything for you. Smiling, Sherlock leaned down to first kiss his lover’s eye, before meeting William’s waiting lips. The merman’s hand shortly came up, pushing his fingers through Sherlock’s unbound, wavy hair as they shared a slow, passionate kiss.
A pointed cough came not long, reminding them that they were not alone. They drew apart, and saw Billy standing by the door looking over at the two, clearing his throat once more, “Ehem, we should be going now, Mr. Ponytail.”
“Ah, right.” Sherlock waved off a hand just as William sat back up, “Just give us at least two more minutes, Billy.”
“Five.” Says William.
“Five.” Sherlock repeated.
“Five.” Billy agreed. “And no more.”
“Thank you, Billy.” William warmly smiled, before turning to Sherlock, unashamedly resuming their kiss without warning.
Billy had no choice but to return inside the house and just check their packed belongings for the third time.
I can’t even imagine what those two might be doing when I’m not around, Billy thought, stealing a glance over the open windows. Though seeing the two happy genuinely warms his heart every time, it had taken Billy a while to get used to it– the fact that his senior at work has a merman for a lover.
It reminded him of his own long lost loved one, taken from him a little too early. . .
Just before the memories could claw in the back of his mind, in the depths of his soul, the door opened up to reveal Sherlock, who still has a faint flush of pink across his cheeks, the side of his hair and white shirt, damp, “Let’s go.”
Meanwhile, William was waving at them from outside. Billy laughed, “You keep complaining about how his lips taste like rotten fish but you kiss him like there’s no tomorrow.”
“. . .”
“Can’t say no to your precious Liam, huh?”
“Shut up, Billy.”