Chapter Text
Grace sat exhausted on the bathroom floor, head resting in his arms as he hunched over the side of the bathtub. The room echoed with distressed splashing and clicking and he sighed.
This was not how he wanted to spend his night. He had just gotten home from wrangling hundreds of middle schoolers at a school trip to the aquarium and he was running on empty. He just wanted to eat junk food as he watched brain numbing TV, but instead, he was sitting on the tile floor after wrangling a different type of creature, one that had apparently hitched a ride in his coat pocket.
It splashed him angrily, making its displeasure at the situation known, like it hadn't been the one to put itself in this position in the first place.
He winced as harsh squeaking hit his ears and he lifted his head to see what it was doing now. It was attempting to climb the side of the tub in vain, its body too small and slippery to do so.
"Bud, that's not gonna work." He sighed. The little creature turned and hissed at him before returning to its escape attempt.
Grace took the time to really look at him now that he wasn't trying to catch the bugger.
If he was honest, it looked like what you would describe a merman to look like. Just much smaller. The lower half was like a normal fish, or eel, in this case. It was mostly black with the exception of small red spines that ran from his neck to about 3 quarters down, transitioning to a frilly ribboned caudal fin, edges lined with that same red that ran the rest of length of the tail. Red dotted patterns lined the entire tail like a stone path, less markings the further down you went. He had what were likely pectoral fins that sat just below the transition line, lined in red similar to his caudal fin.
The upper half was what was interesting though.
It was very human, despite the size and the few fish features that covered him. He had little fins that stuck out on the sides of his head where ears would normally be, the left side heavily damaged, matching his skin and missing left arm. He had gills on either side of his neck that flared with each click and hiss, revealing red frills underneath. On his remaining arm he had claws that looked like they could do some real damage, and he was glad he hadn't used them on him when he finally caught him again and dropped him in the bath.
He had curly black hair that ran past his shoulders, slightly obscuring his left eye, but he could still see the red iris that contrasted his other dark brown eye. A set of teeth ran the length of his cheeks, connected to the main mouth that housed even more sharp teeth. He had learned the little guy had a quadrisected mouth, his hand now sporting the worlds weirdest bite mark to prove it. If he had to guess, he was probably around 15 to 20 inches from head to tail, his fish half taking up more then half that length.
He figured he had to have come from the aquarium he had been at, but he hadn't seen or heard about anything like him. He wasn't even sure how he had gotten into his pocket in the first place. He would have to bring him back tomorrow since the place was closed for the day. He was probably a new species being studied and he didn't want to be arrested for accidently stealing a rare undiscovered species.
With his major injuries, it was also possible they were trying to rehabilitate him, but with his missing limb he likely wouldn't survive in the wild long.
The little guy slid down the wall one last time before crumpling into a worn out heap under the shallow water. Sad little warbles bubbled up to the surface and guilt squeezed his chest.
He was just scared and probably wanted to go home.
"I'm not gonna hurt you, I promise. Let's just relax for now and I'll bring you back once they open back up tomorrow."
He did not like that.
His thrashing started back up instantly, ear piercing squeaks and clicks erupting from him again as he pushed himself as far away from Grace as he could, pressing himself into the back wall, eyes wild and gills flaring rapidly.
Grace frowned. Apparently, he didn't like the idea of going back there. He supposed it made sense. If he wanted to be there, he wouldn't have snuck into his pocket. But why? Did he just want back home in the ocean? Or did they do something to him?
His eyes landed on his missing limb and scarred side.
"Okay. Not a fan of that idea. Did they hurt you?" He pointed to his injuries, the creature following his gaze with his own. "Did they do that to you?" He wasn't sure why he was even asking. It wasn't like he could respond to him.
He blinked before slowly nodding and Grace short circuited.
Thankfully, his brain reconnected quickly as rage bubbled up. Why the hell were they hurting him?! Weren't aquariums supposed to protect any kind of sea creature, educating others to help reduce harm to them? What were they doing that would result in a missing arm?! He quickly cinched the rising anger, a skill he had to learn over the years to keep his job. He took a deep breath to settle his heart and give himself time to respond in a more calm manor.
"Nope, absolutely not going back after hearing that." He worried the inside of his cheek as he thought. Sure, he could say that, but what would happen once they realized he was gone and that Grace was the one that had him? He couldn't return him to the ocean, if that was even where he came from, with his physical condition. He'd be practically ringing the dinner bell and offering the little creature on a silver platter.
But he couldn't just keep him either. He lived in a shitty little apartment and was rarely home due to being a school teacher and it wasn't like he could bring him to school with him. He wasn't some pet fish.
He rubbed his face, his glasses falling to hang off his chin as he groaned.
"Quite the pickle we're in. You can't go back there," He scowled as he thought about what they were doing. "It wouldn't be smart to release you, and I doubt you want to stay with me or any other humans."
He tapped the side of the tub as he tried to think. The good news was that it was now the weekend, so he didn't have to worry about leaving him alone yet. The bad news was that he had about 2 days to figure out what to do with him.
A soft chirp pulled him from his spiraling and he looked down to find he had stopped pressing himself into the wall and was looking at him, head tilted in confusion. It was incredibly cute.
"What's up? You have a question?"
The little guy furrowed his brow and seemed to think for a moment. He pointed to Grace before scowling and then pointed at himself before tilting his head again.
Grace had to repeat the motions in his head a few times before he got it.
"Are you asking why I'm worried about you?"
He nodded and Grace's heart broke. He wanted to run over to that cursed place and throw whoever did this to him into traffic. Okay. Maybe that was a bit much. But he was so pissed off at the fact he was hurt enough to question why anyone would care about him.
"Because you are a living thing. That's it. You breathe, and I breath. We are both carbon based and just because we look different, doesn't mean we should treat each other differently. I see all living beings as equal and should be treated as such. You didn't deserve what happened to you and I'm sorry humans were cruel to you."
He narrowed his eyes at Grace like he didn't believe him, further crushing the teachers soul. What could he do to prove it to him? Maybe he could try giving him food? What did he even eat? He had sharp teeth and claws so he was likely a predator.
He clapped his hands as he remembered he had some cooked shrimp in his fridge he had gotten the night before, startling the tiny fish man.
"Oops, sorry. Just- stay here, I'll be right back!" He bolted out of the room, nearly tripping over a chair when he made it to the kitchen. He grabbed the little container as well as his laptop to write notes down on. He may be a teacher, but he was still a scientist.
He was pleased to find he had stayed exactly where he had been, the guy perking up as he sniffed the air. Grace smiled as he placed the laptop on the floor next him when he sat back down. He held the shrimp in his lap and pulled one out and dangled it over the edge for him to see.
The sharp teeth on the sides shifted as his gaze locked on to the morsel, a low rumble emanating from him as his tail twitched. He decided to simply drop it into the water, not wanting to get closer to those teeth and end up with another bite mark.
He sat back to give him space, pulling the laptop onto his lap and began writing his observations. He heard the small splash as the little guy lunged for the food.
[Likes: Shrimp]
He typed as loud crunching echoed through he room. He glanced over and dropped in another one, seeing he had finished the first. He stared at this one with wide eyes, glancing up at Grace with a look that said: Can I really have another one??
"You can have as many shrimp as you want."
He reached for it, eyes glued to him, like he was going to rip it away from him at the last second. He relaxed once his claws were around it and took a bite, savoring this one now that he knew there was more.
"Do you have a name?" He asked once he was finished with the second one. He paused before shaking his head slowly, extending his hand to ask for another snack. Grace chuckled as he gave him another one.
[Large apatite. (perhaps not given enough food?)]
"Can I give you one?"
He shrugged, focused on his meal.
Grace pulled up a list of names and began listing them off, letting him choose his own name. He seemed to appreciate that.
Finally they found one he liked; Simon. Grace thought it fit him actually.
"Simon. Well, it's nice to meet you Simon! I am Grace. Uh, Ryland Grace but everyone just calls me Grace."
[Chose 'Simon' for a name. Did not have one before. What was he called then?]
Simon made a short warble, it starting high-pitched before suddenly dipping into a deeper chord.
"Was that you saying my name?" He asked in awe. Simon nodded.
[Speaks like whales and dolphins and might have his own language. He understands english but doesn't seem to speak it.]
Simon pointed to him and then the laptop and tilted his head.
"What am I doing?"
He nodded again.
"Just writing some notes so I can keep track of everything I learn about you. It also just helps me remember things. I don't have the best memory." He gave an awkward smile as Simon swam closer. Not by much but it was progress! "You would think I would have a better memory given I am a teacher and scientist but-"
Simon hissed suddenly, pushing himself backward again and began shaking.
"Whoa! What's wrong?" He tried to think what could have set him off. All he had said was that he had a bad memory and the he was a teacher and-
Oh.
He was an idiot. Of course there would be plenty of scientists there if they were studying, or whatever the hell they were doing to him.
"I'm not gonna hurt you! Please believe me, I want nothing other then you happy and healthy. The fact that anyone could want anything other than that makes my blood boil."
Simon stared at him for a long moment, eyes glancing between him and the laptop.
He pointed at himself and then at the computer again.
"Hmm? What, you want to see the computer?" Another nod. "Not sure about that. Water and tech don't really go together."
Simon frowned and pointed again, reiterating what he wanted.
Grace shook his head.
"I'm sorry, but it's still no. Why do you want the laptop so bad?"
Simon flicked his tail in frustration and clicked angrily at him.
Grace pinched the bridge of his nose and took a breath.
"Okay, how about this. I can't put the laptop in the water, but, maybe, I can take you out to look at it? You were in my pocket for a while so you might be able to be out of the water for small periods of time. Can you?"
Simon nodded enthusiastically and swam closer to the wall closest to Grace.
"That means I will have to pick you up. Are you okay with that?"
Simon paused at that, shrinking back a bit as he thought about being handled. He shook his head and swam back to Grace and looked up at him with a determined expression.
Grace sighed and placed the computer on the closed toilet and pulled himself up on his knees, leaning over the edge of the tub.
"Okay, I'm going to pick you up now, so please try to stay still and please don't bite me this time." He reached down, cupping Simon between his hands and very slowly brought him up, Simon clutching onto his thumb as his tail curled around him. He was very light and his tail was a bit slimy but nothing too bad. He shifted so he could see the screen, making sure to keep his dripping hands above the bath mat and away from the computer.
Simon chirped and pointed at the keys then at himself, looking back at Grace to further get his point across.
"Wait, do you want to type something?"
Simon lit up and pulled at his fingers to encourage him to move him closer.
"Remember, water is bad for it. How about this; I let you down on the ground and I'll dry my hands. From there you can point to what keys you want and I'll put it in. Deal?"
Simon agreed and Grace put him down carefully before wiping his hands on a nearby towel and bringing the laptop to sit in front of them.
Simon started pointing immediately, Grace chuckling at his enthusiasm.
"Hold on, hold on, give me a second."
[No tests.]
So he could also read and write. Type? Either way it was fascinating.
He turned and narrowed his eyes at Grace. Grace put his hands up in surrender.
"That's fair. No tests, I promise."
Simon studied him before relaxing a bit and began pointing again.
[Thank you]
Grace stared at the two words before he broke into a smile.
"Hey, no need to thank me. But you're welcome." He waved his hand to side to side to further his point.
Simon's gaze followed it before he began pointing again.
[Sorry]
Grace tilted his head.
"What are you sorry for?"
He pointed at his hand, the wound still red and angry but no longer bleeding.
"Oh, that? It's alright. You were just scared and trying to protect yourself. I get it. Doesn't even hurt that much anymore honestly."
[Give hand]
Grace lowered his hand to him and stared as he licked the injury, warbling apologetically. Little tendrils slipped out of his gills and laid across the bite marks. He sucked in a breath as tiny shocks danced up his hand, noting the pain subsided a bit.
"Okay. That's new. And insanely awesome." He mentally smacked himself. Awesome? Really? He cleared his throat. "Thank you, you didn't have to do that."
[Grace help. I hurt]
"It's okay, really! I don't blame you for that reaction in the slightest, especially given what you've been through, and I don't even really know much other then humans hurt you."
[Humans hurt. But Grace kind. Like Grace.]
Grace was about to burst from cuteness aggression. Simon was nervously fidgeting with his tail as he looked up at him. The blonde buried his face in his hands as he tried to compose himself. He had just met him and he would already kill anyone that touched him.
He felt a wet clawed hand touch his knee and a panicked warble ring out. He looked down to find a worried Simon, looking up at him.
"I'm okay. Just give me a minute."
Simon waited, not lifting his hand until Grace dropped his with a deep breath.
"Sorry. I'm happy you like me. Much prefer that over you being scared of me."
[Grace promise? No go back?]
"I promise." He said, suddenly serious.
Simon's next message was a long one. And the saddest.
[They made me. Was experiment. Wanted to see how strong. Lost arm in test. Not happy I failed. Wanted to terminate me.]
"They were going to kill you… So you escaped…" He whispered as he stared at the words on the screen, fighting back tears. Simon nodded. He had reached his limit. No amount of cinching could stop the cascade of rage that burned through his being. "I need to tell some one. They can't keep doing this."
[Bad idea. Only evidence me.]
"I can send an anonymous tip that they are abusing animals and doing harmful experiments on them."
[Better. Still bad.]
"But it's better." He pulled out his phone and began doing just that.
[Grace sure? Big risk.]
Simon typed, now dry enough to do so.
"Well I can't just sit and do nothing! The least I can do is try."
He wrote as many details as he could while leaving him and Simon out of it. It wasn't much but hopefully it was enough for them to investigate it. Realistically, nothing much would come from it, but it would eat him alive to go about his days, knowing something was happening, and having done nothing to stop it.
"Whelp, that's that. Now I guess we just wait. Could take months though, if they do anything that is." He put his phone off to the side, returning his attention on Simon.
[I stay? With Grace?]
"Oh! I mean, if that's what you want. Pets are allowed here, not that you are a pet! Just that we shouldn't get in trouble if I put in a tank or something. That is if you would even want that." He took a breath to steady himself. "Yes, if that's what you want."
[I want. Like Grace.]
He was going to be the death of him.
[More shrimp?]
And his wallet.
Grace yawned as he made his coffee, TV on in the background as he went about his morning routine.
Simon sat on his shoulder as he moved through the kitchen, the perch being his favorite spot. Grace didn't mind but he did have to put a small towel under him to prevent his clothes from getting wet or slimy. Besides, it was such a stark contrast to their first meeting months ago, and it warmed his heart to know he trusted him enough to want to stay close.
He turned to lean back on the counter to watch the screen, the news playing as he took a sip, humming in content as the bitter taste hit his tongue and his soul.
Suddenly Simon growled, something he hadn't heard in weeks. He glanced down, concerned, and saw Simon with his fins and spikes flared as he grimaced at the TV.
He followed his gaze to see an older woman on screen, light brown hair tied back into a tight braid, left eye scarred and a milky white.
His eyes widened as he realized what was being said.
The woman was named Ava, and she had been running an illegal operation of animal testing below the aquarium. There had been many reports of suspicious activity but an anonymous tip gave them what they needed to finally get a warrant. She and a handful of scientists were arrested and the place was forced to close down until further notice. He doubted it would ever open again.
"Holy moly! They actually did it! Simon, this is amazing!"
[Simon safe?] The translator spoke. A program on his laptop that sat on his kitchen island.
"Yeah bud. You're safe." He smiled softly as he scratched under his chin, a soft purr rolling out of him. His brain stuttered as Simon turned his head and licked Grace's cheek, curling up around his neck as he purred.
[Thank you.]
Grace smiled as he held him against his neck with his free hand.
"Of course. Why don't we celebrate tonight, hm?"
Simon perked up.
[Shrimp?]
Grace laughed into his mug as he took another sip.
"I expected nothing less. Sure, and I have a little extra money so I think I'll buy some crab for you to try."
Simon chirped as he licked him again, Grace giggling at the ticklish sensation.
"It's a plan. Now, what should we watch?"
[Plants!]
"Again?" Simon hissed gently, no actual bite to it. "Well, we are celebrating your freedom and safety so I guess I can't really argue. Nature documentary it is!"