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The way the sun was beating down on Nicholas's neck was torturous. Every inch of skin was now covered in a thin veil of sweat, building up in the worst places as the man attempted to scale a few large rocks. Honestly, he rather be home working on the last few chapters of his book. Yet here he was anyway. Two bags of takeout sushi in either hand, and his sunglasses balancing precariously on the tip of his nose.
“Damn fish better be thankful.” He couldn't believe he was saying this, but he was paying a visit to his new merman friend.
Nick had learned quickly that the mer was a little too trusting of humans. The blonde would never hide, or even bat an eye at passersby when he was visiting with the man. The fish would just smile and happily flap(?) his tail in the shallow water, preening like a proud bird. It would have been cute, if not for the fact that the beach at this time of year was always bustling with tourists and locals.
A few days after Nick had found the mer he had run into a strange woman. She said she was a marine biologists (Meryl he thinks her name is?), and her questions were nothing short of odd. It was enough to scare the author into moving his new friend into a more secluded area of the beach. Though despite his efforts that didn't stop the mer from stealing shit from beachgoers who got a little too close to the deep end of the water.
Quickly, he made his way into the clearing. Right away he saw the merman, laying on his normal rock so he could soak up some sun rays. He was curled up like a cat, rolling about in delight before those striking blue eyes locked right onto Nick’s form.
“NICO!” Right away he yelled out in glee, tail flapping up and down wildly as excitement filled his features. His joy was infectious, but at the same time Nick couldn't help but glance about for any other wandering eyes.
“Vash! Shush! No one is supposed to see you, remember!?” Right, he had learned the mers name finally. Vash. A strange name for a strange individual. It was nice to call him by something, but maybe teaching the merman some English was far from a good idea.
“NICO! LOOK!” Yeah, Vash didn't seem to care what he had to say. Instead he was preoccupied with wildly swinging something above his head. Nick just sighed, and took his normal spot next to the blonde.
“Ok Needle-Noggin, what did you find this time?” He had learned quickly that Vash had a love for all things human. He would collect random things tossed into the water and then bring them to Wolfwood in hopes of learning what it was or its use, but that didn't stop the mer from finding the weirdest crap possible.
“Wait. Is that a fucking insulin pump?” Quickly, the man snatched the object out of Vash’s webbed hand. It was wet, but there was no mistake about what it was. “Jesus Christ, you stole someone's insulin pump!?” Vash just smiled.
Yeah, the blonde wasn't the brightest bulb, but he knew he had good intentions. Though he supposed “good” was a little debatable in this situation. End of the day he was just curious, and he knew he didn't mean any harm. Vash tried to push the insulin pump closer to him, a silent plea for Nick to accept his “gift”, but of course that idea was plain ridiculous.
“No, Vash. I don't want it! You need to bring that back to whoever owns it!” The mer in response just coked his head in confusion, looking more like a lost puppy than anything else. He should have expected that.
“Ok, guess I'm the one finding the owner.” Not how he wanted to spend his day, but nothing much he could do. At least Vash was happy, purring in delight the moment Nick tucked the pump into his pocket.
“Anyway, I brought us some lunch. Sushi, since you really liked that last time.” He held up the two bags, watching as childlike wonder crossed the merman’s face. One thing that Nick has learned is that Vash really loves food. Really loves food.
Last time Nicholas made the mistake of only bringing one bag of takeout, thinking that the two of them can just share, and was shocked when the blonde went feral in response. The moment he saw the spread of sushi he let out a crazed growl, snatching the box from Nick’s grasp and shoving pieces of sushi into his cheeks until he looked like a chipmunk. Vash did leave a few for him, but they were covered in salt water after the mer’s attack. Yeah, he didn't need a mouthful of ocean for lunch.
“This one is yours.” Carefully he opened the styrofoam box, revealing rows upon rows of rolls and sashimi. Nicholas couldn't help but laugh as the merman instantly began to drool at the sight. He supposed it made sense, some fish did eat fish after all, but a part of him still felt it was a little bit of cannibalism.
“And this one is mine so I better not see your webbed fingers in my space!” He made sure to point his chopsticks at the mer in emphasis. Nick was eating lunch today, and an overgrown fish was not going to stop him! Coincidentally, as he watched the mer eat he began to think. He always called Vash a fish, but what type of fish even was he?
Vash’s tail and fins were incredibly frilly and flowy. The red scales sparkling in the sun as he shoved fistfuls of sushi into his mouth. He kind of looked like one of those Betta fishes you would get at the pet store in little cups of water, but at the same time his sharp teeth made him think of something else.
“Hey Vash. What type of fish are you? Goldfish? Red snapper?” The merman didn't respond, too engrossed in his food. “I bet that marine biologist would have a field day with you. She was blabbing my ear off before I got here. Talking about dolphins or whatever.” She was a lot more excited about the topic than he was, asking him if he had seen any marine life during his time at the beach. Of course he said no, but that didn't stop her from starting a conversation. It honestly had made him uncomfortable, but thankfully he was able to get away after a few minutes.
“Also I finally heard from Livio, my brother. I think I mentioned him to you last time? Well, he's not doing so well. Checked himself into a psych ward for a bit just to be safe.” The reason Vash began to call him Nico was because of a conversation he overheard with Livio. The two were chatting over speakerphone (on Nick’s new phone since his old one was toast), and the moment he heard the affectionate nickname it was as if a light had gone off in Vash’s fishy brain. He didn't have the heart to correct him, and to be honest he didn't mind so much.
“I’m gonna pick him up when he gets out. Think we can use some time together after all the shit in our lives.” He wondered if he could introduce Livio to Vash? With the mers lack of self preservation he knew he wouldn't care, but he wasn't sure how his little brother would feel.
“Nico!” Wolfwood was snapped out of his thoughts by a familiar voice. Vash had his normal dopey smile on his face, hand outstretched to hand him something. He hoped it wasn't someone else's important life saving medicine.
“That for me?” Vash didn't respond, probably not knowing exactly what he said. So, he held his hand out. Waiting patiently until all of the sudden something soggy was dropped into his palm. It was a piece of wet tuna.
“Oh, thanks.” It took all of Nick’s willpower to not make a face in disgust, but he persevered. Especially when he saw how happy Vash was, he couldn't hurt his feelings. So instead he tossed it when the mer wasn't looking. He was not eating that no matter the puppy dog eyes that Vash gave him.
“I admit though, you're good to talk to. Maybe it's because you don't have a clue what I'm saying? I don't know, but it's a weight off my chest.” As odd as it sounded Nick was telling the truth. Therapy was never his style (even if Livio believed he needed it). The idea of having to tell someone you don't know every personal detail about yourself just seemed so off putting. Uncomfortable even. I just felt easier to talk to Vash since he didn't even know what was going on.
He took a peek at his phone, watching as the time turned to the next hour. It was getting late, and he still needed to finish that manuscript for his editor.
“Shit, I gotta go.” He slowly rose to his feet, and the moment he did Vash’s expression changed. His joy had melted away, replaced by sadness and disappointment. He was sad everytime Nick had to leave, and it hurt to watch.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Needle-Noggin. Not the end of the world.” His words didn't help though, and soon Vash was wiggling towards him. Determination on his face as he pulled himself onto the sand and desperately tried to follow the man. Nick just dragged him back into the water.
“You can't follow me! Can you imagine what people would say if they saw you!?” God, if only Vash understood what he was saying. Instead, the merman whimpered sadly. His face sank into the water to hide the tears that seemed to be welling up in his eyes. Damn, that hurt.
“I’ll see you tomorrow. Promise. Just be good, and don't steal a wheelchair or something.” Nick laughed at his own, but Vash didn't follow suit. He wanted to stay a little longer, but he knew it would just make leaving harder. So he just packed up the trash, sending a few glances the depressed mers way as he did so.
“See ya, Vash.” He gave one last goodbye before turning on his heels and making his way back to civilization. He did give the blonde one last look, watching as his bright blue eyes slowly disappeared from view. The sadness evident even from feet away.
If someone had told Nicholas D. Wolfwood he would befriend a cute merman he would not have believed them. He didn't even have friends despite Livio! Nonetheless would he think he could somehow befriend a literal merman! It was still unreal.
As Nick ended up back at the beach it took a lot to not turn back around. The sun was setting now, and he knew he needed to get back home before it got dark, but it just felt wrong. Like being alone was weird.
Nicholas D Wolfwood felt like a completely different person, and he had no idea if that was a good thing.