Work Text:
It wasn’t possible to ignore the call of the ocean forever when you’re a creature that belongs to it.
Scott did what he could to live a life as a regular person, though as a selkie it was incredibly difficult to. He always felt the desire to go back to the water.
Some days it was easier to ignore then others, but that pull was a constant in his life.
Despite everything he had been taught as a kid, about staying away from humans, about living constantly in the ocean.. Scott still desperately wanted a normal human life, so even if it meant having to jump through a few hoops, he was willing. He would spend most of the year in the town he called home, it was within walking distance of the ocean which made visiting frequently possible. But during the summer months, he would spend out constantly in the ocean, telling most of his friends he was going on a trip to another country and just wouldn’t have phone access, it wasn’t really even a lie.
Returning from these trips usually caused no issue, he’d return in the middle of the night and just stay at home resting until some time in the afternoon then finally respond to his friend’s texts and maybe go out and see them. Or he would just stay at home and spend some time with his roommate. Usually he’d mostly stay home.
Scott poked his head up from behind a large rock, a huff coming from it when him noticed a group of people walking along the beach, talking and goofing off with each other without much of a care.
Normally he wouldn’t pay them any mind, he’d just become human again and walk past the people, but of course that couldn’t be the case. He knew these people, and they knew that he hadn’t been in town for the past few months.
While selkies weren’t known to be real, other then a few rumors, Scott showing up randomly at a beach without announcing he was back to anyone was not something he’d do, and quite frankly wasn’t how he wanted to announce his presence, it wasn’t worth the small amount of risk it might bring his way.
He lowered his head when one of them pointed to him with a shout. If he could talk in this form he’d certainly be muttering to himself about how stupidly observant Grian can be.
He heard the voices getting closer and went back into the water, quickly swimming away from the three as he heard Jimmy saying something about never usually seeing seals in this area.
Scott swam further into the ocean to avoid being spotted again by the self proclaimed ‘bad boys’. He knew nothing would happen if they did see him, they may be idiots who get themselves hurt constantly, but they aren’t cruel to anything that doesn’t deserve it. That didn’t change the fact that he just didn’t have the energy to put up with them right now, even if they did think he was just some random seal.
He just swam for awhile, enjoying the feeling of the water rushing past him for a bit longer then was necessary. He stopped when he was much farther then he needed to be from where he saw the bad boys, once again climbing out of the water, hiding under a dock that went off over the water.
Scott looked around, sighing in relief when he saw no one, finally shedding the seal skin from around himself, stepping into the sand as a human for the first time in months.
He shivered, wrapping the pelt around himself like a blanket as a breeze of cold air hit him almost immediately.
Now more than ever he was glad he didn’t live too far from the beach.
Brushing his long hair over a shoulder to keep it from getting too wet because of the pelt, he made the journey to his house, taking the spare key out and unlocking the door.
He poked his head in, sighing in relief when he didn’t see his roommate. Seems luck was again on his side, and Martyn was either not home or asleep.
Scott went inside, taking a quick shower to get the sand covering his body off, then finally collapsed on his bed to sleep.
Scott stepped into the kitchen the next morning with a small smile on his face, pulling his hair up into a ponytail. Martyn had already woken up and was in the kitchen, playing music from his phone quietly while he prepared some breakfast for himself. Rather than the usual humming he did when Scott was home, he was singing quietly to himself.
He thought about just standing there for a moment longer, just watching Martyn as he worked. It was nice seeing him be this carefree. But he’d rather have his roommate’s attention on himself after months of not seeing him.
“Mind making me some while you’re at it?” Scott asked, stepping into the kitchen fully.
Martyn jumped, spinning around to face him, “What- When did you get back?!” He laughed, reaching over to turn off the stove before going over to Scott and pulling him into a hug.
Scott laughed, patting him on the back, “Last night. Didn’t think you’d appreciate being woken up at three am.”
“You could’ve texted me, dude!” Martyn lightly punched his arm as he stepped back, a grin on his face as he smiled up at him, “I missed you! You were gone longer than usual.”
Scott shrugged, “I know, but that’s your fault for forgetting, I warned you.” He reminded him.
Martyn groaned, “I know, I know.. But I didn’t think you actually would this time! You give me that warning every time!”
“And every time I could be gone longer than I originally planned.” Scott poked him on the cheek with a laugh, “What are you making anyways?”
“Just some eggs, wouldve made something more special if someone,” He shot Scott and teasing glare before focusing back on the stove, turning it back on in the process, “Told me he was back.”
Scott rolled his eyes, hopping onto the counter that was out of Martyn’s way, “I’ll keep that in mind, I’ll make sure to wake you up at three am next time I get back.”
“I didn’t mean wake me up, I meant a text or something!” Martyn argued.
“Too late.”
Martyn muttered something to himself under his breath and Scott couldn’t help but laugh.
He missed moments like these when he was gone. As much as he missed everyone when he was gone, without a doubt he missed Martyn the most. The man was his roommate, and probably one of the people he cared about the most. Though perhaps that came from the fact that he was in love with him.
“So, what’s your plan for the day?” Martyn asked, putting some eggs on a paper plate and passing that and a fork to Scott, then cracking another egg to put on the pan.
Scott shrugged, “I told Cleo I’d come and see her the day I got back, so I’ll probably run by the Clockers diner at some point. Other than that, nothing.”
Martyn smiled, “Good. The two of us are hanging out together whenever you finish that up.” He pointed the spatula at him, “I found some good movies while you were gone. Movie marathon tonight?”
“Movie marathon tonight.” Scott agreed, “I can pickup some food on my way back from seeing Cleo?”
Martyn nodded, “Sounds like a good plan to me.”
Cleo set down their cup of tea with a raised brow, clearly not liking something they had heard during Scott’s rant, “Youre an idiot Scott.”
Scott quickly looked up at that, “What?”
Cleo had taken her break to spend time with Scott when he stopped by the diner, though of course that was after basically prying Scar and Bdubs away from him after they practically tackled him. The two were in the outside seating of the diner.
They were the only one who Scott had told about him being a selkie, though he had suspicion that some others knew, particularly the ever nosy Bigb and Pearl, she was the only one he told.
“With this whole Martyn thing.” She rolled her eyes, “Everyone knows about your little crush. Everyone but him that is.” They picked up their drink, taking another sip before continuing, “You should just tell him before someone else does. You know how horrible everyone is at keeping secrets. Do you know how often I have to keep Scar and Bdubs from telling him when you’re gone? It’s too many. You owe me, by the way.”
“Thank you for that. But no, I’m not telling him. Do you know how awkward that would make things?” Scott groaned, leaning back against his chair, “I’d rather keep things the way they are, even if you insist he likes me back, I’m not so sure. Besides, if I did.. It wouldn’t be fair to him.”
Cleo raised a brow, “Not fair how?”
“I’d be lying to him, Cleo! Y’know about-“ He gestured to himself, specifically his pelt that he wore like a cloak, “-That? It’s not fair for him to be in a relationship with someone who’s lying to him constantly about where they’re going and what they’re doing! He deserves better than that.”
“Do you not trust him?”
Scott fell silent for a moment, at a loss for words before managing an, “Excuse me?”
“Martyn. Do you trust him?” Cleo asked, linking their hands together and resting their head against their linked fingers.
“Of course I do-“ Before Scott could finish his sentence, Cleo cut him off.
“Then why can’t you tell him, Scott? You’re right. He deserves a partner who can tell him the truth about things. But why can’t you?”
“I… Its not that simple, Cleo..”
“It’s not?” She tilted her head, “Then what pushed you to tell me. Was it not trust?”
“It was.. But Cleo, you’re my best friend, of course I told you.” He sat up a bit more, “It was terrifying to do.. I was raised to keep this a secret from everyone, no matter how much I trust them. Its not easy to just.. Go against that. That fear is engraved in my mind.”
“And Martyn is someone you want to be in a romantic relationship with.” Cleo sighed, lifting her head up, “Look, Scott.. I know this isn’t easy for you, and I’m not trying to play down your issue here.” They set a hand on his arm, only continuing when he looked them in the eyes, “But if you want any shot at this relationship, he needs to know. You say you want things to stay how they are, that he doesn’t need to know, but we both know you’re going to crack eventually and tell him. And that relationship will crash and burn if you don’t tell him.” She patted him on the arm before pulling back, “At least think about it, okay?”
Scott sighed, but nodded, “Yea.. I will. Thanks, Cleo.”
Cleo nodded, “Now.. We’re going to move on from your boy problems. I wanted to meet to talk to you about your trip, not about your relationships.”
Scott rolled his eyes, but laughed anyways, “Of course. I won’t bring it up again. Well, I actually went to a few new places this time..” He told her about his journey, maybe adding a few overdramatized element, like a few more scary elements to the story of when he almost got caught. He had a feeling they knew, judging by their occasional eye roll with certain details, but they entertained the story anyways.
“Sounds like you had more fun then we did here.” Cleo told him, “Nothing interesting ever happens here.”
Scott shrugged, “There’s been a few occasions. I think me coming back is always pretty interesting.”
They rolled his eyes, “Only because a majority of the town knows you. Not hard to accomplish when the town is this small though.”
Scott shrugs, “I just have such a lovable charm about me.” He waved his hands in a dramatic flourish.
“I never said they liked you,” Cleo laughed, “It’s pretty fifty-fifty on that. But they certainly know you.” She grabbed a napkin, crumbling it up and tossed it at him.
Scott laughed, picking up the napkin, “How rude. I’m lovely!”
“Lovely is one way to put it.” They shrugged, glancing at their phone, standing up when they saw the time, “I have to get back to work now. I’ll see you soon?”
Scott stood up as well, picking up the napkin to throw away, “Of course you will. I’ll be bothering you until we can hang out properly.”
“Oh I know you will.” She rolled her eyes, “I’ll see you then, Scott.” She headed back inside the diner.
Scott waved to them, then started walking home.
He stopped as he walked across a spot where the beach could faintly be seen, a hand going to rest against the coat wrapped around his shoulders like a cloak. The call was strong, it always was when he first gets back after months..
Scott shook his head and kept walking home. He promised Martyn they’d spend some time together today, and he didn’t plan on breaking that promise just to go on a swim. He’d have time tomorrow.
For now, he had a movie marathon to enjoy.
Scott tugged his pelt further onto his shoulders, brushing the sand off what he could reach. He never saw much of a point in hiding his pelt, it didn’t have the same magical properties myth held. Someone could take it, and while it would cause him problems, he wouldn’t have to obey their every command. It was easier to just keep in on him and pass it off as some weirdly designed cloak instead of going out of his way to hide it. Him hiding it was more suspicious he thought. Besides, it brought him comfort, even if it was extremely annoying when he was walking along beaches.
“You ready to tell me why we’re here yet?” Scott questioned, taking a few quicker steps to catch up to Martyn, having paused while adjusting his pelt, “I don’t get what was so important that you had to drag me outside for it.” The two had just finished another movie, and Scott thought they were either going to watch more, or be done for the day. Not go on some adventure outside.
“You’ll see, just come on.” Martyn jogged ahead, slowing to a walk when he reached the dock that stretched across the water, any of the remaining people packing up and leaving as it got dark.
It was the same dock Scott had used to shield himself when he came back last night, Scott realized.
Martyn sat down at the edge of the dock, crossing his legs to keep his pants or shoes from getting in the water. Scott sat down beside him, though removed his shoes to put his feet in the water, already wearing shorts.
“Did you drag me out here just to sit outside?” Scott teased, looking up from the water to look at Martyn, who wasn’t even sparing him a glance.
“Close.” Martyn told him, “I wanted to watch the sunset with you.” His gaze never shifted.
“Oh..” Scott looked over, noting the sun was beginning to set in a burst of pinks, oranges, and purples, “I see.. Why?”
“Thought it would be nice.” Martyn shrugged, leaning back against his hands, “We used to do this all the time a few years ago, remember?” There seemed to be more there, in the way he couldn’t seem to stay still, glancing at Scott for a moment before looking back at the sky. He seemed nervous.
Scott nodded, letting it go for now, “Of course I do, it was one of those nights that you asked me to move in with you, wasn’t it?”
Martyn nodded with a laugh, “It was. I don’t know why I was so nervous! We had talked about it even before then!” He didn’t look back at Scott this time.
Scott looked back at Martyn, however. The fading sunlight casting a soft glow on the blond’s face. A soft smile was on his face as he watched the sky. Scott couldn’t help but think that he looked quite beautiful like this.
“I missed spending nights this.” Martyn spoke up again, breaking Scott out of his thoughts.
Scott looked away from him, looking at his own lap for a second and taking a deep breath before looking back at the sky, hoping Martyn wouldn’t look at him and see the red tint to his face, “I did too..”
The two fell into silence, remaining that way long after the sun had set, instead looking at the stars in Martyn’s case, while Scott was paying more attention to the water, small waves lightly brushing against his legs. He occasionally was glancing back at Martyn though, he couldn’t help it, something about the moment made him especially hard to take his eyes off of.
The silence was broken when Martyn pulled out his phone, turning on some music.
It was quiet, barely breaching the silence, but Scott still found himself nodding along to the music.
After a few songs, Scott once again looked over at Martyn, a confused look slowly overtaking his face, “Everything okay there, Martyn?” Something seemed off about him once again.
Martyn jumped a bit, looking back at Scott for the first time in awhile, that he noticed anyways, “Me? Oh yea, course I’m fine.” He grinned at Scott, and it was almost a convincing smile.
Scott didn’t quite believe him, but nodded anyways, “If you say so..”
Scott wasn’t sure how much longer the two of them just sat there, but when the silence was broken, it was Martyn this time, “Might want to head back soon. It’s getting late.” He laughed, “We were here longer then I thought..”
Scott hummed, “You can head back. I think I’m going to go for a night swim.”
Martyn gave him a confused look, glancing down his body then back to his face, “Now? And in that?” He asked.
Scott shrugged, “Why not?” He would have to purposefully get his clothes wet now.. But it would be worth it. Being this close to the ocean for so long was only making the pull to dive in stronger then it was after leaving Clocker’s diner.
“Your struggle I guess.. I’m heading home. I don’t feel like getting all wet.” He laughed, standing up and offering a hand to Scott.
Scott took his hand and stood as well.
“More of your loss. Night swimming is pretty relaxing.”
“I think you’re just weird.” Martyn rolled his eyes, “I’ll get some dry clothes set out for you for when you get back. See you back home?”
“See you then.” Scott nodded.
Martyn nodded. For a moment, he hesitated, opening his mouth like there was more to say, but then shook his head. Simply waving and walking away.
Scott was too distracted by the water to linger on that train of thought for long. He headed under the deck again, covering himself fully in his pelt, and went into the water. He closed his eyes in bliss as the water surrounded him as he went deeper and deeper into the ocean.
As he swam around in the water, Cleo’s words came back to him. Telling Martyn.. Perhaps it would be worth it.
Cleo was right about things almost slipping out when he was just spending time with him.. He was so close to breaking the silence of the night to tell Martyn about him being a selkie, and sometimes even to tell him about his feelings. The only thing stopping him was how nervous Martyn seemed.
He had to tell him, he decided. He really didn’t want things to stay the way they were. He wanted to pursue a relationship with Martyn. Even if that meant having to face some fears..
Scott brushed the sand clinging to his shirt off, having put it on again after another swim.
He was going on them a lot more lately, ever since accepting he was going to tell Martyn. It gave him time to think.
It was a bit bolder, this time, going out in the afternoon instead of at night, but he wanted to enjoy the sun for once while he swam. He once again found himself under the bridge. Somehow, it was becoming the spot he felt safest to switch between forms and use to hide his things, even if all things considered it wasn’t the most well hidden of places.
He took a deep breath, ready to head back home.
On his way back home, he ran into Martyn, who smiled at him, “Oh hey. Thought you were going to be out for a lot longer.”
Scott shook his head, “Left before you woke up. You usually don’t leave the house this early.. What’s the occasion?” Scott asked, stepping out of the gras and onto the sidewalk.
Martyn laughed, “Just going on a walk. Want to join me.”
Scott didn’t even have to think about it for long, an excuse to hang out with Martyn? He wouldn’t pass up that, “Sure. Anywhere specific we’re headed.”
Martyn shook his head, “Just walking, now come on!”
The two fell into a casual conversation as they walked, though Scott suddenly stopped the conversation and pointed to something not too far from them, “Want to stop here for awhile? We could sit on the haybale?” He mostly just wanted an excuse to rest his legs, which were beginning to ache from all the walking right after his swimming.
Martyn shrugged, “Why not.” A smile appeared on his face before he ran towards the haybale, practically tackling it to climb up.
Scott laughed as he walked over, just climbing on it normally.
Martyn stretched his arms out as Scott sat by his side, “We should stop by the ocean after this. Maybe watch the sunset again?” He suggested.
Scott nodded, “I like that idea. I’ll probably go night swimming after that too.”
Martyn shook his head, “Whats your deal with all this swimming, dude? You were just there! Plus, night? Really? I’d understand more in a pool, but the ocean?”
Scott was silent for a moment. He could tell him. He could tell Martyn now about everything..
“Just… Enjoy it, I guess. Swimming.. Been doing it a lot since I was young.”
He couldn’t bring himself to do it, looking away from Martyn and to his legs, which he was lightly kicking against the haybale.
Martyn went silent for a moment too, “…Right. Sorry. I didn’t mean that in a- I didn’t mean to offend you, Scott. That wasn’t an insult.”
Scott looked at him again, “No.. Martyn, you’re fine. I’m not offended. It’s just.. I.. Don’t really have a reason for it.” He settled on, “Like I said, I’ve been doing it since I was young. Night swimming especially is just my own little routine, I guess.”
Martyn nodded, slowly, “Okay.. Who knows, maybe some day I’ll join you.” He laughed, looking away from Scott, “Maybe I’ll finally understand the appeal.”
“Maybe you will. I’d love for you to join me sometime.”
“I’ll think about it.”
The topic moved away from the ocean, instead the two just talking and joking around with each other, both just laughing and enjoying each others presence, even if that nearly led to Martyn getting shoved off the haybale.
Their laughter was beginning to die down after a particular joke Martyn had made. Martyn had stopped laughing a little before Scott, Scott still covering his mouth slightly with his fist, his eyes closed as the last few laughs escaped him.
Martyn found himself staring at Scott when his own laughs ceased, just looking at him with a small smile on his face.
The next words from Martyn were sudden, “Scott.. I think I’m in love with you.” His hands twitched up slightly, about to cover his mouth, but he kept them down.
Scott stared back at Martyn, his heart now beating quickly in his chest, “You.. What?” He couldn’t find the words to reply properly, too surprised by the confession.
Martyn looked away, but not before Scott saw how his face was turning red, “Shit- Just forget I said anything, dude. I didn’t mean to- Just forget it. Let’s continue our walk, yea?”
As Martyn moved to slide off the haybale, Scott suddenly grabbed his arm, “Martyn wait, I.. I love you too. You just caught me by surprise.”
Martyn met his eyes again, and a look of hope seemed to light up in his eyes, “You do..?”
Scott nodded, “I do.. I’ve been wanting to tell you for awhile..” Not only that, but some other things too..
“I have too!” Martyn laughed, though there was more of a hint of nerves to it then usual, “Dude, when I brought you out to look at the sunset I was planning on telling you then, but I chickened out!”
“Are you serious..?” At Martyn’s nod, Scott laughed, “I knew there was more to it then just wanting to hang out!”
“Yeah, yeah.. You caught me.” Martyn grabbed Scott’s hands, “So.. What does this mean for us?”
“What do you want it to mean?” Scott asked, squeezing both his hands rather gently, “I want to pursue this. But do you?”
“Wouldn’t have wanted to say anything if I didn’t want to at least try it.” Martyn laughed quietly, tearing his gaze away from their hands to look up at Scott, “So.. Will you go on a date with me?”
Scott laughed, “I think this already is one, Martyn.. Why don’t we go out to eat before going to see the sunset again?”
Martyn nodded, “Yes! I know just the place actually.” He let go of Scott’s hands and hopped off the haybale, turning and offering a hand to Scott to help him down. Scott took his hand, climbing off the haybale.
Rather than letting go, Martyn intertwined their fingers, leading Scott back to the side walk.
“Oh? Already holding my hand on the first date? Scandalous..” Scott teased, using his free hand to cover his mouth to hide his quiet laugh.
Martyn rolled his eyes with a smile, squeezing his hand, “Quiet, you.”
Scott bursted into the Clocker’s diner, nearly out of breath, “Cleo I fucked up!”
Scar looked over from where he was stood behind a counter, “Oh hello Scott!” He waved, not questioning his entrance at all, “Cleo isn’t here quite yet!”
“She’s not?” Scott frowned, going up to the counter anyways, “When will she be?”
“Hmm.. In about..” Scar picked up the pocket watch attached to his hip, examining it with a slight squint before dropping it and turning to look at the back, “Bdubs! What time is it?! My clock is broken!”
“It’s- HUH?!” That shout came from the back and Bdubs poked his head out, “How did you break your clock?!”
Scar shrugged, still smiling. He very clearly didn’t have much care about it, “I don’t know! What time is it? Scott here wants to know when Cleo will get here!”
Bdubs muttered something under his breath as he grabbed his clock, flipping it open, “Her shift starts in thirty minutes, so any time now. Happy?” He closed his clock with a loud click.
Scar nodded, “Very! Bye bye now Bdubs!” He waved to him.
Bdubs groaned but went back into the back, doing who knows what.
Scar leaned against the counter, his head resting against his hand, “Well! You heard the man, Scott. She’ll be here anytime! Anything you want while you wait?”
Scott ordered some food, sitting down with a sigh.
“So..” Scar started after giving Scott what he ordered, “How did you mess up?”
Scott shook his head, “Don’t worry about it, Scar.”
Scar shrugged, “Can’t say I didn’t try.”
Cleo showed up a few minutes after Scar finally stopped trying to make conversation with Scott, their eyebrow raised upon seeing him sat at the table, “Scott? What are you doing here?” She asked,
Scott stood up, having finished his food a moment ago, “Can we talk for a moment? Outside?”
Cleo nodded, albeit slowly, “Sure.. Scar, Bdubs, will you be fine for a moment longer?”
Bdubs, who had come out from the back at some point gave her a thumbs up, “We sure will!”
Cleo nodded, then waved for Scott to follow them outside.
Once the two were out there, Cleo sat at one of the outside tables, crossing their arms and glancing to Scott, “Well? What did you want to talk about.”
Scott practically collapsed on the chair, his head in his hands, “I fucked up..” He sighed, “Martyn and I are.. Dating now?”
Cleo just looked more confused, “I don’t see the issue here Scott.. Didn’t you want that?”
“I did! No- I do! I’m happy!” Scott looked up at her, “Cleo, I didn’t tell him about..” He gestured to his pelt, “Y’know..”
Cleo stared at him, then sighed heavily, “Scott.. Scott why wouldn’t you tell him?”
“I’ve been planning on it! I was going to tell him- Way before confessing! But then he confessed to me and I didn’t know what to do!” He waved his hands around a bit wildly, “I wasn’t going to just- Tell him then!”
Cleo pinched the bridge of their nose, “Scott.. You need to tell him. Soon rather than later.” They lowered their hand, reaching over to set a hand on his arm, “You can’t avoid this forever. If you want this relationship to work out, which I know you do, you need to tell him.”
“I know. And I want to.. I’m just worried about his reaction.”
“If I’m going to be honest Scott, if he reacts badly then he wasn’t fucking worth it in the first place. And I’d be there to help you if it goes badly enough. But this is Martyn we’re talking about, it’s going to be okay.”
Scott sighed, “I know..” He ran a hand through his hair, “I know. I’ll tell him.. Tonight.”
“I’m holding you to that.” Cleo laughed a little, standing up, “Is that all you wanted to talk about?”
Scott nodded, “Yea, wouldn’t want to hold you up anymore. Thanks for the sudden talk.”
“Anytime. Call me and tell me how it goes.” They patted him on the back as they walked past, “I’ll be there immediately if I need to beat someone’s ass.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Scott laughed.
-
“You seem nervous.” Martyn squeezed Scott’s hand, “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m sure..” Scott was currently bringing him to the beach, having decided to tell him there. He had been thinking about it all day since him and Cleo talked, and in case Martyn thought he was joking and wanted proof, just doing it at the ocean was his best bet.
Martyn nodded, though the frown that was on his face didn’t go away, and he moved to be walking closer to Scott then he had been before.
Scott led them both under the bridge, sitting down in the cooler sand with a sigh.
Martyn sat at his side, his frown only deepening, “There a reason we’re under here?” He brought Scott’s hand into his lap, setting his other hand against it before looking up at him again.
Scott nodded, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath before finally meeting Martyn’s eyes, “I need to tell you something really important. Something that I.. Probably should’ve told you sooner.” He set his hand on Martyn’s other one, “And I need you to know I’m being entirely serious when I say this.”
Martyn’s frown turned into more of a look of worry, “Yea.. Okay..”
“Do you know what a selkie is?” At Scott’s question, Martyn’s expression got a hint of confusion to it, but he nodded anyways, “Did you know they were real?”
“Scott, what- Where is this-“
“I’m a selkie, Martyn.” Scott said those words before he could chicken out again, even if it was at the cost of cutting Martyn off.
“A.. Huh?” Martyn just looked even more confused.
“A selkie. I can.. Show you..? If you want?” Scott offered, nodding to the water. Honestly he just wanted to get past Martyn’s confusion and get to his true feelings on the matter, bad or good.
Martyn nodded slowly again, and Scott let go of his hands.
He pulled his pelt over his his head, letting it completely cover his body. When he looked at Martyn again, it was undeniable that a seal was now looking at him.
“Holy shit…” Martyn’s eyes went wide, and he hesitantly moved closer to the seal, holding a hand out.
Scott bumped his head against his hand, getting a quiet laugh from Martyn, “Dude this- Okay this explains a few things..”
Scott ducked his head down, pushing the pelt back to be resting against just his back, “Understand the night swimming now?” He teased.
“Yea.. Yea I think I do..” Martyn grabbed his hand again, “So.. Selkies are real.. Is anything else?”
Scott shrugged, “I only know about selkies because I am one. I can’t speak for anything else.”
“Right.. Sorry, just trying to process the fact that my boyfriend isn’t entirely human.”
Scott laughed, “Take your time. I’m just relieved I told you. It’s been eating me for days now.” He shifted in the sand a little to be sitting next to Martyn again, “I had sort of convinced myself you’d have some terribly reaction and hate me..”
“Hate you? No, I don’t think that’s possible.. Just trying to wrap my head around this..”
“Take your time.”
Martyn leaned against Scott then, occasionally throwing a few questions about selkies out, which Scott gladly answered.
“Wait, dude-“ Martyn sat up more and looked up at Scott, “-Is this why you disappear for months on end? And don’t contact anyone?”
Scott nodded, “Call of the ocean is a real thing like I said. Going swimming almost daily helps, but sometimes just being in the water constantly for months is just what I need. That’s why I leave.” He shrugged, “I honestly don’t even bring my phone with me, I hide all that stuff in my room and have just been hoping you won’t find it.”
“Well duh.. I don’t go through your stuff.” Martyn sighed, leaning against him, “I feel like a complete idiot- Who all knew this?”
“Cleo’s the only person I’ve told. I think Pearl and Bigb know too though.”
“What do they not know?” Martyn rolled his eyes.
“Exactly.”
“I feel a bit better for not realizing now..”
Scott smiled at him, a feeling of fondness pooling in his stomach, “I’m glad. Because you’re not an idiot. With this anyways.”
Martyn laughed, “Thanks, Scott. Both for that and.. A genuine thank you for telling me. You mentioned it wasn’t easy and just.. I’m glad you did.”
“I’m glad I did too.”
“Welcome back to the sand, Scott.” Martyn laughed, as Scott climbed back onto land, the sand feeling a bit off against his flippers after he’d been doing nothing but swimming for hours.
He pushed the pelt off his head and went to Martyn’s side to sit, “You didn’t have to stay the whole time.” Scott pointed out to him, laughing quietly when Martyn was immediately leaning against him.
Martyn hummed a quiet noise of contentment when Scott wrapped his arm around him, “I wanted to. So I did. Was mostly just on my phone anyways, dude.”
“I saw.”
It had been a few weeks since both confessions, and things were going better than Scott ever could’ve hoped. Martyn was doing everything he could to understand the selkie part of Scott, showing more interest in going to the beach with him. And in turn, Scott did what he could to show more interest in activities Martyn enjoyed.
“The sun is about to set.” Scott told Martyn, “Want to go onto the bridge and watch or go home?”
“Watch.” Martyn stood up and offered a hand to Scott, “I started that again just to try and confess to you but it made me realize how much I enjoy it.”
Scott nodded in agreement, taking his hand and standing.
The two kept their hands held together as they walked to the bridge, sitting on the edge of it. Martyn leaned against Scott, and Scott wrapped his arm around him again.
Martyn put on some music when no conversation came, the two just enjoying the view and the other’s presence.
Scott looked over at Martyn a few songs in, smiling at him despite his gaze not being met, “I though doing this with you was nice before.. Wow I was wrong.”
Martyn laughed, “You just like cuddling with me, dude.”
“I do.” Scott confirmed, “But you like it just as much as I do.”
Martyn shrugged, turning to look up at Scott, “And?”
Scott didn’t reply, just staring at him. Martyn looked back at him, head tilting to the side a little.
Before Martyn could ask the question that Scott could tell was on the tip of his tongue, Scott asked one of his own.
“Can I kiss you?”
Martyn blinked in surprise, “You-“ A matching blush to Scott’s own spread across his face, “Of course you can.”
Scott smiled, breathing out a sigh of relief as he reached up to cup Martyn’s face, his thumb gently stroking his cheek. Martyn rolled his eyes at the soft action, grabbing Scott by the collar of his shirt and pulling him into a kiss. Which, despite his initial surprise, Scott was quick to reciprocate.
They both slowly pulled back from each other, breaking the kiss. Scott laughed quietly, his hand still cupping Martyn’s cheek, “Way to take initiative.” He teased.
Martyn rolled his eyes again, but leaned his face into the touch, “Can’t just ask to kiss me then take your sweet time.”
“I was trying to have a nice moment with you.”
“I think the moment is still nice.”
Scott laughed, “Youre impossible.”
Martyn shrugged, “But you love me for it.”
Scott smiled softly at him, leaning closer to him again, kissing him once more, though this one much shorter then the last.
“I do.”