A man sighed, staring at the distance tiredly. A parrot chirped and curled more on his shoulder as he finally stepped off the railing, walking away from it slowly. He felt the warmth of the sunset as his hands laid on the helm, his boat rumbling to life again, having drifted without course for a long while.

The reefs near the southern coast were left in silence again, for the man left with his vessel, grudgingly. Another day had passed since the waters became warm, once more without a sign of what he waited for. The dusk settled, and no more eyes gazed over the tides. All was silent, but only for a while longer. Voices soon echoed from the reefs, when bright eyes glinted in the waters.

“You could have said something.”

Another voice resonated, answering the first, its tone sardonic.

“Yeah, no. If we are doing this, we are doing it alone.”

A third whisper flowed through, even if nothing but shadows could be seen between the waves.

“Are we really doing this?”

The murmurs continued in the middle of the night, the sound of the sea making them seem ethereal.

“You were the ones to think of it.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Don’t get too cocky there, you only proposed teaching me your crazy spell thing. He was the one to wonder if this could be done.”

“But I vouched for it immediately! I still have to prove I’m better than you!”

“Are you still holding onto that stupid argument we had?”

“It’s not stupid! I have to defend my dignity and honour! I must prove myself!”

“G-guys-“

“Oh, right, prove yourself. I can’t wait to see how you do on my level.”

“Oh, you’ll see! Get those sparks out, you eel!”

“Because you know you can’t manage by yourself, don’t you Flipper?”

“Shut up, we need to cooperate! We will have time to argue later!”

“Matthew, Iara, stop, please. Let’s just do this calmly and-“

“Fine, don’t complain when you can’t even stand! Let’s roll.”

A shadow jumped off some rocks, diving into the water, a bronze glow glinting sharply with it. A second figure was fast to dash and follow with a snarl, a more furious azure light tangling in the dark waters. It took a minute for a third shadow to sit up and lower itself, a tired sigh echoing as a reluctant silver gleam flowed.

Had any human been at the beach, they would have seen those three figures swim around each other, whispering underwater with sudden solemnity. They stopped circling and neared the shore, three fins sinking in shallow water as the glows intensified. Those bright eyes sharpened, long breaths let out, a small trail of blood soon flowing up. It was a while until the lights faded and flickered away. The beach then fell silent, once more.

Not for long, however. A figure emerged out of the waves, crawling fiercely on the sand with a raspy gasp, only to slump down with a growl. It only took a second for another to follow, more strongly, but clearly distressed and soundless. While those two trembled and tried to edge away from the waves, a third figure stood as if nothing, walking out of the shallow water with a tired stern gaze.

After a shake of head to get the water off his hair, he stepped calmly in front of them. Her azure eyes narrowed as she sat up onto her arms, letting out a frustrated snarl. Meanwhile, those silver eyes were staring at the sky, having rolled onto his back to try to process it all. There was amusement in hazel eyes, which eyed them smugly but seriously. His laugh echoed to them faintly, because they were panting for air and trying to come out of their daze.

“So, how does it feel to have legs, guys? Think you can stand?”

Iara looked up at Matthew with a scowl, not liking the smug grin on his face. There was no more worry in him, for he was seeing a perfect change, his blood having mixed perfectly with their glows.

“J-just you wait! I’ll show y-you-!”

She yelped, because her legs wobbled when she tried to sit up and stand tall, only managing to fall onto her hands. Her face almost touched the sand again, strongly. Matthew rolled his eyes and averted his gaze, even if there was no other light other than the moon. Iara would have shaken a fist at him if she could, because he walked away towards a palm tree, letting them slump and try to calm down alone.

While Iara struggled stubbornly and Alon stared at the sky dazedly, Matthew kneeled near the tree. He let out a long tired sigh, having felt the exhaustion of the change as well. His hand reached for something they left there this morning, planning beforehand. They had argued this many times. He took everything they hid into his hold, securing one quickly around himself.

After a minute, Alon blinked, seeing Matthew walk back to him. He crouched slowly at his side, handing him something with a calm whisper.

“Here is yours.” Matthew placed some of the clothes they made onto him, not asking him to move yet. “Are you ok?”

Alon nodded slightly, laying his hands over his chest and clothes, too tired to say much.

“Y-yes. J-just trying to assimilate it.”

Alon had agreed to this, knowing well what it would take. To him, it was a good idea, since Matthew would come back to land in any case. In fact, he was the one to suggest changing, even if he was apprehensive about it. Still, it was more shocking than expected, no matter how many times they had argued its implications. The brunet shook his head, remembering well how it felt to turn into something foreign.

“Take your time. Legs are not that complicated.”

Alon waved a hand, letting it fall with a thud when Matthew stood again to let him rest. He was not surprised to look back and see Iara tripping and falling repeatedly onto her hands, never giving up. There was extreme tiredness on her gaze, but at the same time the determination to prove him wrong. And so, he went to her side and coughed, her eyes glaring up at him.

“Stop being so impulsive, dammit.”

A small growl escaped her when he handed her the last seaweed cloth they made. He was glad that she did not refuse to take it, having asked her nicely beforehand. Still, she grabbed it angrily, scoffing as she sat on the sand to tie it.

Matthew sat in front of them calmly and waited a few minutes, for them to steady their breaths. Both former merfolk were examining their bodies, one with wonder and the other with curious nervousness. After a while, the human decided to get it over with already.

“Alright, you have never walked. And when you do, you are going to do so like the drunkest of drunks. Still, we have to get to my home. You’re smart; I can teach you the ropes of having feet for fins. But only if you’re patient.” His hazel eyes narrowed, because he saw her try to stand again, ignoring his last sentence. “That was specifically for you, Ia.”

The mermaid growled and plopped backwards again, her hands latching onto one of her feet angrily. Her teeth showed as she complained.

“Why the hell do you humans have fleshy stumps at the end of your feet? They are useless, unlike fingers!”

“They are called toes. Don’t put your weight on them, but on your heels. And no comments about my anatomy, I did not criticize your fins and tails.”

Someone interrupted, coughing.

“You did when you were a merman.”

Matthew pouted at Alon, crossing his arm at him.

“Only my fins. My two very long thin silvery fins. You have never had ones like those, have you?”

“No?”

“Then that’s it.”

Iara charged back into the argument.

“Aren’t those fins like arms for you? We have arms! So it’s more familiar to us than-“

Matthew grumbled, done with the matter.

“Why the hell are we discussing fins and arms, when we should be talking about legs?” He stood again, huffing and glaring tiredly at them both. “Okay, we have to get to my home before morning, or we will have to go back to the water, or call Ethan. And I’m sure you don’t want to change again, nor be half-dressed in front of him. So-“

“I don’t mind that last thing, and you know it! We could have changed on that boat, but YOU didn’t want to!”

Alon whispered, fumbling with his hands.

“Actually, I wouldn’t want to change near Ethan either, knowing how-“

“Al, have you gone full human?”

“What?”

“Now you worry about clothes too!”

“N-no, I do not! What I mean is that without our tails, we would not be able to conceal what humans are embarrassed by! It would be awkward and -”

Iara ignored Alon’s reasoning.

“Matthew, what have you done to Al?!”

“I did nothing, Ia! What are you blaming me for?!”

Matthew’s eyes widened, because Iara managed to stand, even if her legs wobbled and trembled. She pointed at him dramatically, lamenting.

“You helped him change with your blood and glow! And now…! He suffers the curse of shame!”

“The what…?”

Iara let a long exhale, averting her gaze.

“There’s nothing I can do now! So I will try to live with it…” She glared down at her feet, tensing. “Let’s not waste any more time. I want to see where you live!”

Alon and Matthew blinked, because Iara raised one foot strongly to try to walk.

“Wait-“

Too late, they watched her fall face-first onto the sand. She stayed motionless for a minute, neither of the three saying word, pondering the first flop; because there were more to come, for sure. The three knew it well, as much as she would try to deny it later. Matthew began to try to help Iara stand and then take small steps slowly. They spent an hour like that; something that Alon was grateful for, because he was able to stay still unbothered.

She soon showed how determined she was. She swatted Matthew’s supportive hold off and stood proudly on her own, finally walking alone. Yet, as foretold, like a drunken woman. But he decided not to comment on it, not wanting to discourage her or have to run away. Alon grew shy and more nervous when he was neared again, while Iara walked clumsily not too far.

“Can you try to stand, Alon?”

“Uhh…” He sat up slowly, trembling. “I- I don’t know.”

Matthew pondered for a minute how to proceed. He had expected Alon to be nervous, but now he could see that he was too apprehensive of his body, much like he was in his first days as a merman. He did not want to pressure him, so he tried to encourage him instead.

“I know that standing does not look easy to you, and it really isn’t. But it’s not that bad, and I will help you. And you know what? After we walk to my place, you can rest all you want on my comfy sofa, and take your time to learn to walk. You will have all the time in the world, with no one to bother us inside my house.” Alon still did not seem very motivated, until the next words were let out. “There’s also food and drinks, we could-“

“S-smoothies?”

Matthew did not know if to laugh, the merman’s eyes glinting as if he heard the most beautiful word ever.

“Yes, smoothies, sure. All kinds of strawberry flavoured things, many of which you haven’t tasted yet. But for that we need to-“

Matthew dashed forward with a yelp, because Alon tried to stand suddenly. He did not know how to approach their impulsive enthusiasm, but it was obvious that it was going to give him lots of work. The merman stared shakily at the sand, holding onto him for dear life. A few words escaped him, nervously and faintly.

“I’m too far f-from the ground.”

Matthew snorted silently, having to raise his gaze a lot more to see his face, unable to float at the same level anymore.

“Well, you are freaking tall.”

“It was n-not like this with my tail.”

“Because you always sat on it or leaned to not loom over us.”

Alon’s hands tightened around Matthew’s arm, his feet fidgeting on the sand. His height really made him feel like he was going to fall over at any moment. But soon, he began to calm down, because Matthew was not letting go. He was supporting him all the while, even if sometimes he would almost pull him down with him after a stumble. His silver eyes closed for a moment, listening to his reassuring words, whispered.

“If you don’t feel capable, you can go back to the water. I can go see Ethan alone, without you having to worry; I would come to the beach in no time.”

Matthew raised an eyebrow, because Alon tensed and opened his eyes, suddenly growling under his shaky breath.

“N-no.” He glared at Matthew softly, hating the idea of leaving. “I want to see your home, like you saw our sea. I’ll be fine, I j-just need to focus and stop feeling whatever I’m feeling.”

Matthew sighed faintly as Alon laughed a little, still glancing at his new feet with slight apprehension.

“Did you feel like this when you grew a tail?”

“I don’t know. What are you feeling?”

“I’m feeling like I’m putting all my weight on my fins, which are too far away from each other. I know that if I move my feet too close to each other, I will trip and fall to a side. And I just keep on doing it on reflex.”

“It was kind of different for me, I think. It was like if my legs had been sewed together, and I was not able to move them, all tied up; which would always make me roll to a side or upside down. Luckily, you were there to help.”

“Right…” Alon looked at him with the same trust, now as confused as he had been. “S-so, how must I walk?”

Both of them raised their gazes when a laugh echoed faintly. They stared pokerfaced, seeing Iara stumble like a lunatic along the shore, cackling at her own clumsy bounces in the distance.

“Well, you- You just have to walk like her. But not like her. Am I making sense?”

Alon nodded slowly, seeing Iara try to run, keyword try.

“Clear as water.”

“Okay. Now, see how she kicks her leg forward, only to fall over? Don’t kick, rise slowly your foot, and set it down gently ahead of you. I’ll hold you.”

“I shouldn’t try to swim through sand either, right?”

Matthew sighed, seeing her moving her legs like if she was playing on snow.

“Right.”

It took multiple tries for Alon to not crumble after a single step, each time moving his hands at his sides in a panic. After a couple of hours, Matthew let go of him, asked to do so.

The brunet watched tiredly while the two moved along the beach, one very slowly and with extremely slow steps, the other very chaotically and mindlessly. Both failed all the same; he lost count of how many times they dropped onto their knees and hands. Even then, there was progress. He kept a close eye on both, trying to lead them, explaining or giving examples. He never thought he would teach something as simple as walking, but there he was. Two determined dorks were listening to him, a bigger dork. He lost track of his own words too many times.

The night was still young, midnight. But he knew they couldn’t stay there all night; his home would provide shelter and privacy. He had thought of going back to it the second Iara said his change was reversible. And so, he had not left his keys with his clothes for Ethan to find. The merfolk watched as the human dug under some small rocks, a familiar spot near some wooden stairs. He grinned brightly when he retrieved the now rusty keys.

“Guys, have you ever seen a forest?” They shook their heads, exchanging looks. Matthew laughed and nodded to the stairs, which led to the path he always followed to meet them. “I hope you like them, because it’s a fairly long walk. Are you sure you want to go ahead? I mean, we could wait for Ethan in the morning, even if we are only wearing some seaweed. We would be okay camping on the beach.”

Matthew would not really mind waiting the night on sand, they made fires before. He expected Iara to be stubborn, but he was surprised to see Alon puff his chest as well. Both of them refused.

“I want to see your home, and cuddle on a real bed! The night is the best moment to do so!”

“I want to see the kitchen and that thing you call fridge. We didn’t have dinner while waiting for Ethan to go away.”

The human smiled warmly, seeing the pure wonder in their eyes. They did not doubt to jump to land like he did into the sea. They really cared, as much as he did.

“Okay, we will hang a lot of blankets around the couch and have a cup of soup, if there’s some. We have a lot of time; no one will see us walking in the streets because it’s late. My home is a little secluded, so please, take it easy and don’t try to run. Let’s walk calmly, I don’t want you to trip and break an ankle like I did.”

They both nodded, trusting his guidance in a foreign strange land.

“Alright, I’ll follow you for once, Matt. ”

“I couldn’t run away even if I wanted to.”

“Good, let’s get going.”

They slowly headed for those stairs. He had to help them up, a lot of minutes spent trying to warn them of possible tumbles. When they got into the path, both merfolk glanced with wonder at all the trees looming over them, the cay dense in its core. It took them two hours to reach the town. And all the while, Matthew kept watch on their feet and their grip on him. He never let go of Iara’s hand, while Alon held onto his opposite shoulder.

His hazel eyes scouted the dark streets for any possible late walker, something that never happened, but still made him paranoid. If anyone saw them roaming with seaweed for clothes in the middle of the night, it would surely cause alarm. He led them through silently, having to pull at them when they halted to stare at a street lamp like if it was a monument. While they walked, Iara kept on asking in which of the weird buildings he lived in.

When she whispered “are we there yet?” for the eighth time, he finally could snarl and say yes. They fidgeted on their nervous feet as he took his keys, opening a door to a middle-sized two-story house. Matthew had no time to welcome Iara in; he refused to even react as she bolted past him. He instead smiled to Alon, who was fidgeting in front of the door, fumbling with his hands as always.

Alon could only glance apprehensively at the dimly lighted room in front of him, even if Matthew was welcoming him into it. It was a small entrance with stairs at its end; to its right, there was a room he could not see, but Iara was already in there.

Matthew stayed put while Alon stepped in shyly, closing the door behind them. Their eyes were trying to adjust to the dim light inside, because the moonlight was gone. The merman was so focused on that fact, that when a faint click echoed, he was blinded and startled.

“Ah!”

“…!”

Matthew stared pokerfaced while the two gawked at the ceiling lamp. Alon had almost tripped backwards, while Iara glared at it like if it was a sudden fourth presence. Clearly, turning on the lights without warning was a mistake. She soon made the first of the many weird exclamations that were to come.

“You have a giant flashlight on the ceiling!”

He had tried to explain electricity before. They got the concept of artificial light, but not the notion of different objects.

“That’s not a giant flashlight, Ia.” Matthew stepped closer, explaining while she stared. “That’s a lamp. It’s what we use to light our homes. Like the ones outside, but inside.”

He never had imagined he would explain a lamp. Iara mouthed the word slowly with narrowed eyes, storing the term in her brain for future questions. While she kept on glaring at the light, Matthew noticed that Alon had wandered into the kitchen. He slowly neared with a warm smile, seeing him lean to look down at the oven and counters carefully. His silver eyes were full of wonder, his hands slowly daring to lay on the surfaces like if they were to disappear.

“Is this a kitchen?”

“Not the best, but yes.” Alon’s eyes glinted as Matthew pointed at each appliance, explaining gladly. “That’s the fridge, where the food is preserved with cold. That’s a microwave, it heats things very quickly. That’s an oven; I tend to burn things a lot with it.”

Alon brushed cautiously the pans, knives and pots, opening some cabinets slowly. He never touched anything without looking at Matthew first, waiting for non-verbal approval. He still was apprehensive of man-made things.

“These are not that different from the ones we use in the sea.”

“Well, everyone uses plates to serve food, both merfolk and humans.”

“But they are not made of coral and rocks.”

Alon stood up and laid a hand on his chin in thought. Underwater, the three had been using their glows both for light and for heat. They had multiple handmade pots in their ship, but no appliances like these. Matthew left him to wonder alone, perhaps debate all the things he had told him this last year.

The brunet ventured past the small kitchen table, heading for the adjacent living room. He was not surprised to find Iara there, inspecting the small TV rather harshly. A lot of pillows were on the floor, the couch was a mess. How she managed to disappear from the entrance, jump on the couch, wreck it, and then stare at the TV in just a single minute, he did not know. He sighed and kneeled to put the cushions back onto the sofa, warning tiredly without bothering to look at her.

“Ia, please, don’t break the TV.”

“Television… Is it that big screen you told me about, that’s like a huge phone?”

“More or less.” Matthew turned around, ruffling his hair in thought. “C-could you two just wait a minute, without breaking anything, while I go to my room for a sec? I need to pick up some clothes to-“

Iara finally looked away from the black screen, giving up on pressing buttons wildly. The cord was out.

“Room?” She bounced to her feet, making him groan as she latched onto him with a sly smile. “I want to see it!”

Alon roamed into the living room, not having dared touch a thing without supervision. Just in time to see Matthew push Iara gently onto the sofa, a hand up to scold her.

“Later, listen to me first, please.” He looked at them both, frowning, motioning around him. “I know you have many questions and you want to see it all, but there are things that I need to make clear first. Like, we should really get this seaweed off, I don’t like it.”

She pouted, hugging her most precious handmade fabric.

“I’m not taking off my neckerchief, Matt, no way.”

“You can keep it on; it won’t stand out that much. What I’m saying is that at least I must give you something we humans wear. I have some spare clothes, pajamas. I’ll search for more fitting ones tomorrow, or the day after. As well, I need to show you the bathroom, the basics of the kitchen and everything you must not mess with. Ethan has kept this place on check, and I don’t want to ruin that.” He raised his hand in front of him and took a step back, without looking away from those sharp azure eyes. “Just. Sit. There. Give me a minute, please.”

She puffed her cheeks and crossed her arms, but she nodded slowly, agreeing grumpily.

“Fine.”

Alon sat at her side calmly as Matthew let out a sigh of relief, turning for the stairs.

“Thank you. Be right back.”

They heard him run up to the second floor, both leaning slightly on the sofa to try to peek. They leaned back when they heard a door open, followed by rustling noises, nothing they could see.

The two began to glance around them instead. There were too many objects they were curious of. The only things they understood fully were the table and chairs, easy to grasp and comprehend. There were some things they knew humans used, because merfolk were curious and observant. But still, they were not familiar with everything around them.

Alon smiled, seeing a small painting on a wall. Any that fell into the sea soon crumbled and dissolved. His hands brushed the soft sofa, more comfortable than the big bundles of cloth made of plants and scales. The living room was nothing out of the ordinary. There was a TV, a table, the couch, some small wooden furniture, and a stereo.

The two blinked, because her hands found something between the pillows. They leaned close to inspect the strange object, looking at it with narrowed eyes. If they still had tails, they would be swaying side to side to reflect their awe. Alon said nothing when one of her fingers began to loom over it, lowering slowly onto one of the many buttons that plagued the surface, what they would describe as a screen-less phone.

As they exchanged doubtful glances in the living room, another pondered in his bedroom. Matthew smiled nervously, looking down at what his scavenging brought.

He had quickly grabbed his old clothes, and now he felt better with them on. Even though his shawl was nice, he had missed wearing non-seaweed garments, to be honest. He also had found some spare pajamas that would fit her, even if a little slackly. The only problem was that no shirt of his would fit Alon, at all. He was a killer whale, huge, and that had not changed as a human; he was still tall and muscular. He could maybe wear some of his more loose pants, but still, they would not reach his feet.

Matthew slumped slightly, wondering what to do. Until his thoughts were silenced. He jolted as noise blasted from the lower floor: very loud music, coupled by panicking yells.

“Iara, what did you do?!”

“I only pressed a button!”

“Turn it off! Off!”

“I’m trying!”

“Oh god, we’re going to die!”

“How the hell are we going to die?!”

“I don’t know, but it hurts my ears! Make it stop!”

Matthew ran down the stairs, the clothes wrapped over his shoulder. Sadly, he dropped them when he gasped and winced, as soon as he set foot into the living room. The loud music pierced his ears, as much as the ones of the two very anxious merfolk cowering on the couch. Iara was sitting with her feet on it, slamming all the buttons of a remote, making the volume rise and fall. Meanwhile, Alon was covering his ears, leaning away so much that he almost made the couch fall backwards.

Iara growled and raised her arm, ready to fling the remote onto the stereo, having no idea how to turn it off. Just as she roared to launch it, another hand snatched it away. She stared at her empty hand, while Matthew snarled and pointed the remote. The music died out abruptly, which made Alon open his eyes at last, pokerfaced.

The three stood there, silent, for a minute. Matthew then turned around, giving them a look that hinted how exasperated he was. He raised an eyebrow, because they only shied and began to look everywhere but at him.

“One minute guys, I’m gone for one minute…  What will you do if I’m gone for two? Burn the house?”

Iara smiled apologetically, but at the same time not, giving him one of her well-practiced puppy eyes.

“Sorryyyyy.”

“You’re not, and you know it.” He rolled his eyes, picking up the clothes from the ground. “You’re forbidden of touching that remote, forever. At least you, Ia, I’ll maybe consider lifting the ban on you, Alon.”

“Why him but not me?”

“Because I know you pressed on it. It was not him, I fucking guarantee it.”

Alon coughed and contained a snort, seeing Iara plop herself angrily onto the side of the sofa, unable to fight facts. He soon glanced at what Matthew held, leaning his head curiously.

“Are those for us?”

Matthew nodded awkwardly, handing him some pants, but no shirt.

“Yeah, for now… They are only provisional. I will get better ones soon.”

Iara looked up from the pillows, blinking and soon pouting at what Matthew handed her: pants, and a comfy t-shirt. His hazel eyes narrowed, hearing her grumble under her breath, hiding her face on a cushion.

“I’m not wearing that.”

Matthew blurted slightly, giving her a glare.

“What the hell do you mean? It’s the only thing I have! You’re not running around covered with seaweed in my house!”

She waved slightly her feet, curling on herself indignantly.

“I’m not trapping my legs in that thing!”

Matthew gave her an incredulous shake of head, showing off the pants in his hand.

“That you’re n-not wearing them?” He laughed nervously and pointed at Alon, who was already looking at himself wearing pants. “Ia, look, he has no problem with it! It’s comfortable and warm!”

Alon nodded, smiling a little in agreement.

“It really is. The fabrics we make feel different out of water.“

The two exchanged looks, because Iara slammed her face onto the pillow again, lamenting.

“I’m surrounded by fools! Why must clothes be a thing?!”

“You are the fool, Ia. You are wearing these pajamas, hear me?”

“Make me!”

“I’m n-not going to make you!” Alon decided to just sit calmly while they rambled, seeing them go at it again. “You won’t get out of this house until you wear real clothes! I’m can’t show you how humans live if we don’t pretend you are sane!”

“You humans are insane!”

“We don’t have tails that conveniently conceal everything! Clothes are needed in our society! Now stop pouting and wear them!”

Alon let out a long sigh, because Matthew dashed forward, to try to force the shirt onto her. He missed; she jumped off the sofa and scrambled on the floor like a cat scared of water. The sofa was now free, and so, the merman leaned back to ignore the chaos. She was running around the table and couch, chased very persistently.

“Ia, for fucks sake, we talked about this!” He halted, seeing her use the table as a shield between them, ready to run if he made a move. “I warned you would have to dress if you wanted to stay these days!”

“You want me to dress, huh?” She bolted, because he tried to circle the table and catch her. “Very well, I demand a dress! I have seen humans wear them!”

“A dress?! Ia, I don’t have any!”

“Why not?! They are comfier! You should have one!”

“I don’t wear dresses!”

“I thought all humans did?!”

“Typically, only girls do! Everyone could, but I personally choose not to, and-! Why the fuck am I discussing fashion choices with you?!”

“I don’t know! But…!” Matthew gasped, seeing that his momentary inner debate had allowed her to dash away. “You are not catching me now!”

She opened the door at the end of the living room and jumped in, while he just stood there staring. Alon gave him a look, because he was not chasing anymore, strangely calm even if he let out a sigh.

“You are not going to stop her?”

“Don’t need to.” Matthew rolled his eyes, grinning mischievously. “She has stuffed herself into a closet.”

Iara squinted inside it, patting with her hands, not having expected such a small space. There were things hanging around her. She glared at the door again, hearing a knock and Matthew call, but she noticed that he was strangely smug about it.

“Get out of there and dress.”

“Let me think… No.”

Matthew leaned on the door, staring at his hand as he mocked her.

“Fine, stay there forever. Or you wear these pajamas, or you check out what you have around. You can choose.”

“What I have-?”

Iara could not see in the dark. She slowly raised a hand, letting it glow, lighting her surroundings like they did in the waters. Her eyes widened, a small gasp escaping her, finally seeing what hanged in the closet. Matthew nodded with a satisfied hum, containing a cackle.

“That’s right.” She stared blankly at the clothes, face to face. “Jackets! Lots of them! There are thick ones, small ones, raincoats, vests, the coat that Ethan always forgets, and I think there’s even a black suit! I haven’t worn that one much. Do you see anything you would fancy?”

Her angry roar echoed through the entire house. Matthew loved the fact that he had found his phone in his room, at hand when she finally surrendered and got out. He was happy that she did not know how to erase the video as well. She ended up wearing the pajamas, with one last frustrated growl. Then she sat back on the couch to listen to him, even if she would not stop glaring.

Matthew took an hour to explain some things seriously. Very important stuff, like how they should not put their fingers into the electric outlets. As well, things that were not dangerous but possibly troublesome, even if he found them awkward to explain.

Once he made sure the most basic things were clear, he checked the time. They had a couple of hours to sleep before he would have to pick his phone and reveal their presence to Ethan.

He was grateful that he had kept the house on check. Though he was not surprised he did, given that this place had been owned by their late relatives. There was no way either of them would sell it.

Ethan expected him to return, change again. But he wondered how he would react to Iara’s and Alon’s stay. Honestly, he pondered how he would handle it himself. All that made him anxious, but he just focused on resting for now.

He smiled as he wrapped all the blankets over the three of them, making a big pillow and blanket bed by the couch. The two had hidden well their exhaustion below their excitement, and could not avoid dropping limp at his sides, soon falling asleep.

He had been alright in the sea, thanks to them. And so, he would make sure they were okay on land. No matter how chaotic or tiresome.