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Who would have guessed that Ryland would end up here? Sitting on the edge of a boat in the middle of the ocean, eating cheerios as his merman (boyfriend? husband? mate?) laid his head on Ryland's lap.
The scientist certainly wouldn't have thought things would end up like this when he was still teaching middle school students.
Simon had his arm wrapped around Ryland's legs, which were dangling into the water. Ryland had taken to wearing just swim trunks when he went to see the merman. Otherwise, all of his clothes ended up soaked. Ever since he'd shared food with Simon, the merman had been very physically affectionate.
Rocky had suggested that Ryland just reject the cuddles, but how was he supposed to say no?!? How was he supposed to look at Simon's big, pleading eyes and push him away?
Also, it had been a long time since Ryland had gotten so much physical affection. He and Rocky would hug and fist bump and jostle each other. It wasn't like this though. It wasn't the absentminded stroking of a claw on his calf as Simon purred against his thigh.
Occasionally, Ryland would feed Simon a cheerio. The merman would always purr a little louder in response. There was so much research Ryland wanted to do on mer courting customs around food. Connection was spotty at best out at sea—at least, it was on the Mary—so Ryland was not-so-patiently waiting until they got back to Homebase.
From trial and error, Rocky and Ryland had discovered a system to mealtimes. Simon wouldn't make a fuss if Ryland got his own meal. If Rocky handed the meal to Ryland, Simon would hiss and/or make betrayed chittering sounds. Extra cuddles and cooing from Ryland were required to cheer up the merman
("No, it's not manipulative if he's genuinely hurt. Like you wouldn't pout up a storm if you thought Adrian was letting someone flirt with them!")
The system that everyone liked best was discovered by accident. One day, Rocky had placed a plate of food next to Ryland—it was actually Rocky's food, and the mechanic was telling him to fetch his from the kitchen because he wasn't a homewrecker—but Simon snatched the plate of food. He'd then presented it to Ryland with a proud look on his face.
So, they let Simon "steal" the meals from Rocky. Simon hissed less at Rocky, Ryland wasn't invading Rocky's kitchen anymore (the mechanic didn't trust him within ten feet of a stove), and Ryland thought it was pretty darn cute how happy Simon was.
"Get your ass up here and into some real clothes! It's time to go," Rocky shouted—interrupting Ryland's idle thoughts—from across the boat.
Ryland frowned and Simon hissed half-heartedly at the interruption to their breakfast cuddle.
After a few placating pats, Ryland succeeded in shooing Simon from his lap. The mer lightly scraped his teeth over Ryland's knee in a kind of peevish retaliation. It didn't hurt, but it made the scientist's mind go some interesting places.
...did mermen have a set mating season? Did they enjoy sex the way a human would?
Questions to research later.
Standing, Ryland stretched and put his dishes to the side before securing the back of the boat.
"Hustle, lover boy! We're losing daylight!"
"I'm moving! Jeez." Ryland sent one last glance over the side. Simon's head poked up again, and his hand came up for a little wave.
Smiling, Ryland waved back before going about his day.
They had finished collecting samples; therefore, they were heading back to Homebase. The house/lab that Ryland lived and worked in was on this private beach protected by nature activists and the scariest woman on the planet. Stratt had basically rewarded Ryland and Rocky with this gig after they figured out why several of the world's reefs were dying. (Turns out that a mutated virus from starfish had disrupted the ecosystem; they named it astrophage).
It was great! Ryland and Rocky got to go out to sea every couple of months for samples, Ryland would study said samples in the lab while Rocky went home to Adrian (the mechanic would, of course pester him into being less of a hermit), and then they got to do the whole thing again!
At first, Ryland had wondered if Simon would follow them home ("No, I'm not worried, Rocky. I hardly know him! Stop making that face!); however, Simon swam beside the boat as it made its journey home. He did disappear under the depths at times, but he always came back for breakfast and dinner. Ryland assumed that Simon was feeding himself when he disappeared. Excited though the merman was whenever Ryland fed him, there was no way he could subsist off of nibbles from a human's plate.
While Rocky piloted the boat, Ryland's tasks consisted of taking care of his samples and some menial chores. Nothing huge. He would often finish early and go to hang out with Rocky. They'd put on movies or just talk.
That day was a talking day. When they reached a comfortable silence, Ryland asked, "What should I tell Stratt?"
Rocky hissed a breath between his teeth. "I dunno. How...open is she about this kind of stuff?"
"I mean, she's never said anything against it."
"Okay, but that's not necessarily permission for you to see other people."
"Excuse me?" Ryland repeated, confused. "What do you mean 'see other people'?"
Looking at Ryland like he was the crazy one, Rocky said, "You're her #@&$%, right?"
"I don't know that term."
"You know, the boy that she gives nice things to. You are like her little pet."
There was a moment where Ryland stared at Rocky—slack-jawed—before nearly screeching, "You think I'm her sugar baby?!?"
"If that's what you call it in English," Rocky said with a shrug.
"But, I'm not!!!"
"You're not?!? Then, why would you care what Stratt thinks?"
"Because, I'm bringing a stranger—who has suddenly become my—my something—" Ryland still wasn't sure how to define his and Simon's relationship. "—back to what is essentially my workplace!"
The mechanic put on a thoughtful face before shrugging and saying, "I wouldn't worry about that."
"You're no help."
****
That evening, after Rocky had gone to bed (not without yelling at Ryland to not even think about fucking the merman while they lived on the same boat), the scientist was carefully untangling Simon's hair with his fingers. The merman's hair was so beautiful. Black and luscious. It was a shame that Ryland didn't know how to braid. Maybe...he could learn someday.
If Simon stuck around long-term.
Ryland still wasn't sure what all of these customs meant to Simon. Who knew how long this arrangement was supposed to last? Or, if Simon would be patient enough with Ryland's ignorance? For all he knew, the merman would get fed up with all of his cultural missteps and leave.
Ah, frick, he really was already so attached to Simon. Ryland had always gotten attached to people who liked him—or pretended to—way too easily.
The night breeze was a bit too chilly for just wearing swim shorts. Despite some light shivering, Ryland toughed it out for a little more cuddle time.
It was actually Simon who removed his head from Ryland's lap and wordlessly urged him to go back inside.
While Ryland was aware that this was probably a considerate gesture on Simon's part, he couldn't help but be a bit...anxious. He had been worrying over the practicalities of this relationship all day. He had fretted about the cultural differences, language barrier, and all sorts of practical complications. Not to mention, he couldn't be sure what this was exactly to Simon. Ryland couldn't ask because of the language barrier! He had to make guesses upon guesses, and it stressed him the fudge out!
The physical affection soothed Ryland's worries though. Perhaps, that was why he leaned over to kiss Simon on the forehead. He was taking a small comfort to hold with him.
When Ryland pulled away, he saw how stunned Simon was. Fudging fudgsicles, had he overstepped?!? Did mermen even kiss?!?
Before he could panic too much, Simon reached up to put his clawed hand on the back of Ryland's head. The merman gently encouraged him to lean forward until cool lips were pressed against his forehead.
His whole face burned with a no-doubt crimson blush. When Simon leaned away, Ryland had the urge to pull him back into his arms. To keep him close despite the damp and the cold.
Ryland didn't do that though. Instead, he gave Simon a dopey smile and breathed, "Goodnight."
The merman copied the word as best he could with his chirps. It was pretty much unrecognizable, but Ryland was utterly charmed.