“Everything indicates-“

“Shut up, you idiots!”

Both officers flinched a little, seeing the man slam his fist on the wall. Everyone knew each other in town… and they had never seen him show more than a contemplative blank stare, much less this raw anger. Ethan snarled again, his chain necklace rattling as he averted his gaze from Matthew’s disordered living room. Not an easy task.

“He must be somewhere! You have not seen him in the water or the reefs, and I’ve trailed the whole damn beach for you! So he must be somewhere in the cay, inland!”

He was not home. He had checked multiple times already while going back and forth between the town, the shop, and even his own house.

The officers raised their hands, trying to calm him down.

“Ethan, he could be somewhere, yes. And we will look, for certain, it’s our job.” They exchanged glances, neither wanting to let out the next words. “But, considering his state of mind in the past months, he may have-“

“He has nothing!”

Ethan had enough. Both policemen yelped when he shoved them towards the door, not wanting to hear anything else. They stumbled out the house, feeling the cold air of the night. Ethan grabbed the door and roared before closing.

“You have not found a corpse in the sea, have you?! So he is NOT dead! He is somewhere! Until you find anything that proves his death, keep on looking! Or I will change careers again and take your jobs! Now, move your asses!”

The door was slammed shut, loudly. Both men exchanged stares again, terrified of a man that did not look or sound like his usual self at all.

Inside, Ethan let himself fall back against the door, huffing. He brushed his rough hands along his eyes. He felt fear, something he always kept down, now pounding.

The man lowered his gaze after a minute, something nudging him. He glared, because Shamira finally stood up from the corner where she had been hiding, both her and Kalani startled by his yells. Both animals were now looking up at him, with a look that seemed too intentional, too fixed. The bird was chirping while she let out silent barks.

Ethan truly feared; he never let anyone know it, but he did. Part of him considered that Matthew could have really gone into the water… to not come out. But part of him did not want to accept that, not only because he loved him. Matthew was not someone who would do that with a clear mind. That text had not been written under the influence of meds, it was well thought and articulated. It said he would come back, somehow; it was full of that stubbornness that defined him.

He pulled out his phone and read once again, angry that it had been called a suicide note by those two.

“Ethan, I’m leaving, found a way out. I’m sorry to tell you like this, but I can’t go find you right now, I would miss my chance, ship’s sailing soon. I will apologize, face to face, when I can. I’ll be fine; I’m just going to roam. Try not to worry, alright? Maybe you will stop doing it while I’m gone.”

The words just did not make any sense at all; because they sounded optimistic. He really was doing better. He had seen him smile, he had been eating more. The dark circles around his eyes were gone. He looked damn hopeful to see another day.

The human’s eyes narrowed, seeing something glint at his feet. The dog raised her head high, and he slowly kneeled. He finally noticed her collar and what hanged from it. Shamira closed her eyes, Kalani relaxing slightly, because he let out a thoughtful whisper.

“This…”

Ethan stared at the small trinket tied on her collar. It seemed to be made of coral, white, with a beautiful glint to it. It was soft to the touch, a lot of rocks seeming to have been pressured together. Matthew could have not crafted it. And the town did not sell anything like it. He knew. This seemed to hold meaning, made with care, not to appeal to fashion or trends. The coral that formed it looked real, not fake like some sold in the docks.

Someone made this, for Matthew.

Ethan stood again, his gaze staring at nothing. His usually tranquil mind tried to think firmly, with sense. He tried to puzzle together what he knew. There was hope, cheerfulness. He remembered his laughs, his looks when he seemed to recall jokes in his head. He went to that damn beach a lot more often, and came back home much later.

He was seeing someone.

Ethan’s eyes filled with hope and worry at the same time. Matthew met someone one day. He was hanging out with a person on that beach, for multiple days. Someone gave this to him. And yesterday, that someone did something dreadful.

He may be…

Everyone knew Matthew was depressed. His departure could be assumed to be a desperate one, suicide. It was so easy to just think he brought himself into the sea, seeking death. It would be the perfect alibi for anyone holding ill intentions. All were sure that he left everything on the sand willfully… but someone could have forced him to, to further hint his demise, in order to allow an easy abduction. Matthew could be somewhere, alive.

No, not could. He had to be. He was not dead.

Shamira whined, because Ethan bolted out into the streets again; this time to search in the forests, secluded areas where someone could hide until they could go away unnoticed.

He had to find him.

———

 

Alon kept watch, intently. Meanwhile, Matthew hid against a sunken reef, hugging himself while he kept on taking breaths. Not hurting, not fearing; but for sure, not comfortable.

They waited there for a long time. The sound of those motorboats echoed for hours. It began to fade while the sun set, gone away completely once the night began. There was silence, but they still did not dare move. Neither of them was sure that they were finally alone.

Now the moon rose high, again sending shivers down Matthew’s spine. Seeing it made him bow his head down, avert his gaze. It did not help that the water levels rose slightly.

No human would roam through the darkness.

Matthew opened his eyes more when he felt a current, still trying to adjust to seeing in the water. He did not move while Alon drifted down to him, looking him over; his head leaned side to side, his silver eyes narrowed, like if he was trying to see if he was in any pain.

Alon was surprised to see Matthew smile sadly, not meeting his eyes, but making a shaky thumbs-up. Because he still did not know how to speak. He was… fine, more or less.

Two hands were slowly raised, calmly. Alon tried to pick his attention, with calm moves and motions, which Matthew tried to understand.

Alon pointed at him, and then moved his hands and tail upwards, between him and the surface, back and forth.

“…nt t… …o up?”

Up.

Alon saw some recognition in those tired hazel eyes. He smiled sadly as well, seeing Matthew nod quickly, frowning. There were multiple nods, almost pleading. His tail moved, again erratically, fins puffing at the thought of air.

Of course, he wanted to surface, even if he was still wary of being seen. He just had to warn him, he could not just grab him and startle him, not again. He hated to see Matthew fear. His heart felt relief when he swayed closer and he did not cower. Still, he kept his hands up, to show he would not make any sudden moves.

Matthew’s hug on himself did tighten when Alon grabbed him, gently. His tail moved in reflex, hitting his without meaning it. It did not matter; once he secured him in his hold and made him see he was not rushing, he began to move. He pulled him away from the rocks.

Both swam up. Alon felt guilty amusement, because Matthew was trying to move his own tail to aid him. Obviously, he did not know that he was only lashing blindly. Those moves would turn him upside down if he were to sway alone.

Alon halted right below the surface. Matthew gave him a questioning look; his tail began to move more, as if to show he really, really wished to just surface, now. He could reach it with his hand.

A stern shake of head was the answer to his confused glances. Alon frowned at him, and again, he heard echoes of words.

“Y… …ave to l… water out…”

Realization dawned in Matthew. More when Alon opened his own mouth and bubbles came out, to not leave any doubt.

Matthew finally obeyed, pushing all water out in a long sigh, trying to focus. As soon as he was done, he felt Alon pull up.

“Gh-ahh.”

The air felt cold. It felt strange to feel it flow in after so long. His eyes blinked dazedly for a minute, vision blurry. But soon, it fixated, and the first thing he saw was worried silver eyes looking down at him, intently.

Alon had a gentle hold around him, shielding him from the small waves that hit against them. He let out a nervous whisper, staring at his trembling frame.

“Are you alright?”

Matthew grumbled and huffed as he shook his head, bothered by his soaked hair.

“Y-yeah. Think so.”

They both fell silent, heads turning, looking around them nervously. There were no signs of anything on the beach, or boats souring the waves. They were truly alone.

“It’s safe.”

“M-maybe, I hope. W-what-” Alon met his eyes once more, feeling as much doubt. “What do we do now?”

Alon took a deep breath, looking up to the sky. The stars and moon were the only light around them.

“First, I’m going to let you lay on some rocks again. I doubt it’s a good idea to hold you and float all night.”

“R-right. I don’t want to tire you.”

“It’s not that, I could do it. But I doubt you will rest in the water. You can barely float upright.”

“Y-you- You would have problems with legs! You would fall for sure…!” Matthew pointed down with his hand, annoyed. “S-so don’t judge me, I have never had these!”

Alon ignored his sullen grumbles. He looked over his shoulder. Some rocks were a little away, slightly closer to the cay. They looked big enough to rest on if one did not move too much.

Matthew snarled when Alon leaned him onto his shoulder, to be able to swim more precisely. His long black tail pushed them both forward, while his drifted awkwardly at their side.

Those rocks were humid, and slightly tangling with seaweed. But Matthew tried to ignore it, not wanting to complain. He huffed as he pushed himself onto them with his arm, his clumsy tail, and Alon’s help. Only the sound of waves could be heard as he curled on himself, finally able to lay down, rest a little. They both looked away, not knowing what to say, or what to think. All had fallen into chaos, in so little time. And neither knew why.

Matthew frowned, seeing Alon just lean against the rocks with his arms crossed, like if he was standing guard. His face was serious, his gaze was never leaving the coast ahead.

“Alon.”

Those silver eyes glanced sideways, noticing that call; his body did not move an inch, however. Nervous thoughts flowed in Matthew’s mind, but empathy had taken over; he was not stupid, he could see his tiredness.

“You can’t just float there…” Alon frowned, because Matthew moved a little, leaving some space on the rocks. “Y-you guys sleep too. You swam for a lot of time and now you really should-“

A rumble echoed. Both blinked, Alon finally turning to face the rocks. Matthew cursed and snarled silently, his hand fast to slam onto his stomach. His expression was now cagy. He was not glad to hear the next firm whisper.

“…I should really find something to eat.”

“No, I’m fine. It’s-“

Alon was not stupid either.

“Matthew, it’s been a full day since I found you. Did you even eat anything before she neared you?” Matthew curled on himself, even more, hugging his tail against his chest, burying his forehead on it. “Of course you did not. You are reckless. You need to eat.”

“I’m fine. It’s not import-“

“It is.” Alon smirked tiredly, shrugging, knowing Matthew would stop arguing with the next words. “I have not eaten anything yet either. So…”

There it was, a conflicted snarl. So Alon raised an eyebrow, shaking his head at him with faked urgency.

“Think you can manage while I go snatch something for dinner? Or shall we starve? Seagulls are the most dangerous thing around right now, and I doubt they will want to peck you, not with your obstinate snarls.”

Matthew puffed his fins, letting out an offended angry huff.

“O-of course I can be alone! I’m not scared of any fucking birds! So you can go! Eat, dammit, because then you might finally sleep!”

“Good.” Alon sunk slightly, giving him one last glance. “Be back in a minute. Let’s see what I can catch.”

Matthew only gave him a grumble as he submerged. Once he was out of sight, he let his lower fin cover him, feeling a small breeze.

Alon’s tail moved faster now, more fiercely. He was fast to sink deeper, nearing the bottom. His eyes seemed to narrow… and sharpen. There was only one thought, Matthew’s wellbeing. And for that to be assured, he needed to hunt.

He swam near the rocks where he left Matthew, scouting the dark, his figure as black, concealed. It took him little time to spot a fish, a little farther away. It was a tuna, smaller than others in deeper waters. But it was enough, for now.

Alon’s frame leaned, his muscles tensing. His fin and tail seemed to bend slightly, gradually. He neared slowly, still having some distance to cut. Hunting was something he was better at in the night. He would have to dash soon, for prey did not stay oblivious for long. Sure enough, the fish jolted when he got too close. It tried to swim away. Key word tried.

The killer whale could slam his tail fiercely, having a huge impulse in his advantage. He swam a huge distance in just a second, leaping onto the unfortunate fish.

Alon huffed, managing to catch it fiercely in his hands; he never liked to bite. He never liked to hunt either. But… they had to eat. And so, his tail raised, his eyes giving the fish an apologetic but firm look.

That tail moved down for a brutal slam. After that motion, the currents in the depths finally settled; no more movement was evident below the reef.

Matthew was sprawled face up now, his eyes fixed on his own tail. He slowly raised it again, faintly. It felt heavy out of water, yet he could only wonder, because he more or less understood how to move it now. His head leaned as he coiled its lower fin sideways. He stared at all its articulations; it could fold a little on itself if he focused. After a while, he looked as well at his two long silvery fins. Those two unnerved him more, they were not easy to control. They seemed to outstretch or open on their own accord, depending on his position. Then… there was the one at his back. It was still really uncomfortable to lay on it. It itched each time he tried to make it fold. It looked like a crescent moon; its points faced outwards, its longer lower edge looming over his tail.

It all shined slightly with auburn and bronze hues, even his dark fins. Iara’s tail always glinted in beautiful gray, while Alon’s in deep black and bright white. His colours did not blend with any waters, not tropical, not icy.

While he pondered, he did not notice the shadow moving up from below. A fin broke the surface, nearing. There was a splash.

“Ah!”

Alon halted dead on his tracks; Matthew had almost made himself a ball, flinching blindly. He broke the surface near him, too near, taking him by surprise.

“It’s me.”

One hazel eye dared to open, slowly peeking from below a fin, the caring whisper echoing. Alon sighed while Matthew uncurled, shying away in embarrassment. He tried to excuse his constant jumpiness, not wanting him to think he considered his presence dangerous.

“S-sorry- You guys don’t make any sound until you come out.”

“I know. My bad, should have surfaced a little away to warn you.” Matthew looked down, because Alon raised something onto the rocks. “I have something.”

He had taken some time to gut and cut the fish, knowing it would not be a good idea to do it in front of him. Matthew still looked at the slices with apprehension, because it was raw. No head, no fish scales or bones, but still crude, only wrapped slightly with small seaweed.

Alon thought Matthew would refuse to eat. It was less complex, much less elaborate than other raw fish he had prepared for them. There was less time, it was late, both were stressed and sleepy. It was a relief to see him sigh and try to see the good side of things.

“Thanks, Alon. It’s… food.”

“It’s something. I know it’s not much, but I will be thankful if you take it.”

Matthew shrugged and reached nervously for one piece; he held it up at his eye level while he tried to joke.

“Hey, you could have just brought me a whole damn fish, maybe even uncut. So this is much, much better than what it could have been.”

She rarely gutted the fish she caught, and rarely had qualms about it…

“Hm.”

Matthew blushed when Alon pushed himself onto the rocks, taking the offer from before. There was not a lot of space; the end of his black tail had to hang over the edge, unable to curl like his. They almost were brushing, side to side; luckily, they could focus on eating. Which both did gladly to not think or pay mind to how close they were.

The food was gone after a while.

Alon was leaving Matthew some space, not wanting to bother him. He was not leaving either, knowing he still had many questions, still anxious. The two of them did not speak for a long while, they just ignored the situation.

But Alon could not avoid noticing that Matthew was shuddering more as the night went on. And it was not due to the uncertainty and dread of what was to come. The breeze was cold. Merfolk felt warmer in water. They rarely slept on the surface.

Matthew was hugging himself with a deep frown, trying to feel his own warmth. He had no clothes, only his own fins now. It did not help that the rocks were damp.

Can’t even make a damn fire; this is-

A silent gasp escaped him, his bitter thoughts cut off. He shook for a moment in surprise, feeling arms pull at him, a tail carefully tangle near his. Matthew blushed madly, seeing Alon hug him close, his face red as well. His silver eyes were closed, yet the nervousness and bashfulness were still evident in his expression. Even then, he was squeezing him, ignoring his own shyness. His hold was helping him feel warmer, not as cold.

It would be very easy for Alon to just dive and sleep on his own nest, where he could avoid any cold currents. But he stayed by him instead. He knew that Matthew would not be able to sleep underwater, nor on the rocks while freezing. Even if it was cold for him too, he was used to icy waters, much more prepared for it.

Matthew knew those facts as well… So he slowly relaxed, letting his tail and fins slump. Alon blocked some of the freezing wind with his own figure, shielding his. His hazel eyes closed slowly, a small dejected smile on his face, grateful.

Both tried to fall asleep, even if a million thoughts ran in their minds. They did not only worry about themselves but for her too; bitterness or not.