Arthit glared at Kongpob " You lied to me again, human?😡😠 "
He felt so betrayed. " You keep lying to me again and again. Why don't you understand that it's really important for me to learn human language, culture & art. Everyone thinks Arthit is a worthless fragile prince. My Mae & por let all my brothers go to the world tour to explore & strengthen the relations with other oceanic states. But, when Arthit's fourteenth birthday came... Do you know what they did with Arthit? "

" Arthit , I did not lie– " Arthit was in no mood to listen.

" They locked Arthit up in a cold & dark  basement prison, so Arthit won't run away. They gave Arthit delicious food but in cold and dark basement! Arthit didn't eat for three months, Kongpob😭😭. "

" I'm sorry, I - "

" Do you know how everyone hates the prince who gets up locked in a basement prison? Only criminals gets locked in prison, Kongpob. But, they locked up Arthit .... Not even, P'pick came to rescue Arthit😭. If not for P'Krist, Arthit would still be lying in that dingy prison cell. P'Kit called Ai Knot who broke the bar with his tentacles, silver doesn't burn octopus but it burns mer-man. Arthit still have burns from when he tried to break out of the prison , see ..."

Arthit showed his hands, which indeed had faint discoloured skin, it was barely visible on his pale skin. Kongpob gasped when Arthit pointed to his lower body - underbelly scales were quite charred and grayish. Kongpob didn't like that colour - at all.

He clenched his fist, unmistakable rage bubbling under his skin for the idiots who dared lock up this extremely  irritating but naive and totally  innocent mer-man.

Seeing the mer-man flinching away in fear, eyes comically wide and hands trembling crazy, Kongpob scooted closer and held the arm of the merman in his hand and caressed his skin with his thumb. Poor fellow.

" Arthit, I – " Kongpob got cut off by Arthit's distraught rant

" Arthit doesn't wants to be laughed at , Kongpob😔. No one thinks Arthit is strong enough to be mer-prince. They just awarded the honorary title of deputy commander. They didn't let Arthit fight even if Arthit wanted to😒😒. Arthit wants to prove his worth, Kongpob. 😭"

Stream of pearly tears fell through Arthit's eyes. " Arthit wants to show everyone that he is strong and intelligent 😭😭"

" You are strong, Arthit " in attempt to placate the crying, distraught merman Kongpob put his arm around the merman. As soon as his arms touched Arthit, a crackling sound thundered loud in the room & Kongpob found himself naked in the middle of the hall downstairs.

" Fucking hell, merman. I was trying to soothe you. " Kongpob yelled from the ground floor. It was a small grace that no one was around to witness his state of undress.

🐰🐰🐰🐰🐰🐰🐰🐰

Arthit hung his head low " This human keeps lying to me again & again, only you are my true friend bright bird. You teach me new words. Prince Arthit thanks you. " He expressed his gratitude in a hoarse voice while wiping his tears.

" A friend in need is a friend indeed. " The bird chirped.

" So true. Arthit doesn't like your small prison, Bright bird. Prison is bad....Arthit doesn't like prison and cold & dark 😥😢"

" Arthit is beautiful. " The bird chirped.

Arthit raised his head and gaped at the bird " Even when crying? " He asked surprised.

" Ugly. " Bird supplied.

" I know. " Arthit wiped his face clean and smiled brightly " now"

" Beautiful like an Angel.... Muah 😘" the bird chirped.

Arthit momentarily forgot his pain. " You are so sweet bright bird..." He giggled.

" Thank you, your highness " Bird greeted.

" Arthit doesn't like that this human keeps lying to Arthit. Arthit needs to learn human culture, Bright bird. Arthit is going to leave this place. Do you want to come with me ? " Arthit asked.

" Yes. Friend in need is friend indeed. " Bright bird chirped.

" But, Arthit doesn't know how to break your prison, Bright bird. " Arthit threw an apologetic look.

" What's going on here ? " Kongpob stood dauntigly at door, his hands propped up at his hip, he was glaring at Arthit " no one is going anywhere. "

" You can't keep me in prison human. " Arthit yelled.

" Arthit is beautiful " Bird yelled at Kongpob.
" Yes, I know. But, Thank you for saying Bright bird." Arthit nodded.

" This is not a prison. " Kongpob countered.
" This is my home & yours too - as long as you would want to live here. You can eat, sleep & stay happily. You can roam around wherever you want, how is it a prison? "

Arthit stayed quite, pondering over Kongpob's words. Its true that Kongpob had given him this dry pond in this small room in his home. He is caring for him, brought him a great friend. He has also given him food. He doesn't keep him in the dark. White magical sticks and balls are always illuminated in this room Arthit lives in.

This human is really caring despite being stingy about his knowledge.

Oh! It means this human has adopted him as pet. " Does this mean I'm your pet now? " Arthit asked.

" what ? .....No😬" Kongpob yelled.

" Then I will not stay. 😠"

" Arthit, it's not good to be a pet. You can't be a pet, alright ? "

" Why? Bright bird is a pet too. He is very well taken care for. Even P'Kit is a pet."

" Who is P'Kit ? "

" My twin brother. He is 5 minutes older than me. He fell in love with devil prince, P'Sing and entered the hell secretly. He became his pet then later his soulmate. Its so romantic, Kongpob 😍"

" Nothing is romantic in being a pet, Arthit 😣😔"

" It is😣. You said owner treats a pet good. You said Bright loves Bright bird a lot and doesn't keep her in prison. He takes care of her & love her a lot. Its good & romantic 😣."

" Yes, but – "

" Then, why can't you be my owner ? Arthit wants good and romantic. Arthit wants to become a pet, Arthit wants Kongpob to be his owner. If Arthit becomes your pet then you will have to be nice to Arthit. Then, you can't lie. You will have to truthful because you will love Arthit when he become your pet. "

" It doesn't work like that. I can't lov– "

" You won't love Arthit even when he becomes your pet ? Why human? 😭😭. You said owner loves his pet... Arthit want to learn or everybody will mock Arthit, becoming a pet is a must. Do you want everybody to laugh at Arthit, human ? "

" No but – "

" Will you take Arthit as pet 🤗? "

" Do you promise to love him and be by his side in sickness and health ? " The bird chirped up.

" Will you shut up spouting vows ? " Kongpob threw the bird an irritated look " I'm in the middle of something, here... "

" Humans have a ritual for adoption of pets too, bright bird😳 ? " Arthit wondered.

" Vows " The bird quipped up while staring at Kongpob, he even snapped his beak at Kongpob with murderous intent.

" Human take vows for pets ? Such a commitment! " Arthit wondered.

" Commitment is must in any relation" the bird preached.

" Shut up " Kongpob glared at the bird.

" Don't yell at my friend, Kongpob😡. Or Arthit is leaving your house with his friend😒😒. .."

Arthit turned to the bird " Let's go Bright bird. "

" Friend forever. " The bird yelled loud.

" True... Arthit will lay his life for you Bright bird" Arthit pledged, his eyes brimming with tears at loyalty of his avian friend.

" No one is going anywhere. " Kongpob interrupted.

" Arthit has decided that he will only stay at his owner's place. Even though you don't find Arthit desirable. There will be many human who will want Arthit as his pet, they will even teach Arthit ways of human world. .. not everyone is stingy and decieving like you Kongpob.  " Arthit retorted, mixture of hurt and fury swirling in his eyes.

What does this human think? That no one will want Arthit? Arthit is a royal, who won't want a royal pet? P'Sing instantly kept P'Kit as pet. Why isn't this human keeping him as pet? Is he not good even as a pet 😢?

Crawling out of the tub, Arthit slithered on the smooth cold tiles of bathroom, with great difficulty he dragged his body to Bird's cage.

The moment he touched the cage, the pendent in his neck glowed bright blue and the lock broke.

Arthit took the bird out and kissed it's beak  " you can do magic, bright bird! I knew you are quite magical my friend😇 " Arthit petted the bird lovingly 
" let's go. "

" Hold on, stupid merman." Kongpob yelled " Where are you going? You will dry out half way. And P'Bright will kill me if I let you take his Babo." 

The bird snapped it's beak dangerously
" You are Babo ( fool) , you dumbwit "

" You should not say bad words to our host Bright bird. It is unbecoming on people of our stature. " Arthit gently scolded the bird.

" Sorry, your highness " the bird croaked. Arthit smiled caressing the bird's head " My sweet avian friend 😘"

After calming the bird,Arthit turned to his human host

" Arthit thanks you from the bottom of his heart, human. Any mer of North will never heart you. Allow Arthit to take his leave now" Arthit bowed his head, Bright bird took a short flight and landed on his shoulder.

" Don't go Arthit. Outside world is not safe. Did you forget about the hunters? What will you do if hunters catch you ? " Kong warned, worried.

" Arthit has no choice human😔. Arthit has to prove his worth💪... Good bye🙏" 

" Bright bird, can you take us out of this house by magic? " Arthit asked the bird, hopefully.

" Abracadabra " The bird yelled.

Arthit closed his eyes but nothing happened.

" Try once more, Bright bird. Arthit trust in you" Arthit assured the bird.

" Abracadab– "

" Stop"  Whatever happens, Kongpob can't let this naive mer-man wander to outside world. Taking quick decision, he fell to his knees and crawled near Arthit, capturing palm of mer-man in between his own hands, he murmured the words he never thought he could even think.

" Arthit, third prince of Northern seas, will you do me the honours of  being my pet ? "

" Really ? " Arthit beamed.

" Romantic " the bird chirped up.

Arthit beamed at the bird " Arthit too will get good and romantic bright bird. Can you believe that ? "

" Thank you, human " Arthit threw his body on the human's, his heart filled with gratitude and happiness. Now he will learn the human world. Kongpob who didn't suspect this sudden attack, fell on his back.

" Oww..."Kongpob groaned. Arthit was unaware of the pain and agony the human under him was going through. He happily laid atop Kongpob, caging the human underneath his bear hug. His soon to be owner! Arthit is going to be a pet! Yay! 🎉🎊

" Thank you so much Kongpob. Arthit promises to become the best pet for you😘🤗. "

" Sure... Can you please roll down... You weigh like 300 pounds😩😫. "

" I weigh? I am lightest merman Kongpob! 😣😒" Arthit scoffed.

" I thank my lucky stars for that " Kongpob groaned.

" You do ? When? Can I meet them😇 ?"

Kongpob heaved a deep sigh . 🤦
" Will you please let me breathe now? "

Arthit rolled down Kongpob's body who took big gulps of air in.

" When is the ritual Kongpob?"

" What ritual 😳? "

" Pet vows 😣"

" What vows ? There is no such thing.🤦 "

" Do you think you can decieve me😠 ? My friend Bright bird says there are vows then there are vows. Do you think you will just lie to me and I won't to know ? " Arthit glared.

" I'm not lying. " Kongpob pleaded.

" Tsk..Tsk..commitment phobic " the bird chirped up.

" Watch out you evil bird, one of these days I will wring your neck in your sleep. " Kongpob threatened.

The bird flew from Arthit's shoulder to his hand and buried it's head in nook of Arthit's neck.

" There...there.. don't worry Bright bird" Arthit caressed the bird's head " Your friend is here. If this human harm a single feather on your body...owner or not, Arthit will feed him to his pet sharks. "

" Promise 😢" the bird chirped.

" Arthit vows on our friendship Bright bird. Anyways, this human is not my owner till he take pet vows. If he harms you, I can feed him to sharks without any guilt. "

" Brothers for life" The bird chirped up.

" You are a she not a he bright bird🤦..you are my sister. " Arthit corrected.

The bird gently nipped on skin of Arthit's neck. " Ouch... Fine, brothers for life , Bright bird"

The bird rubbed his head against Arthit's cheek " Brothers for life. 🐦"

" Come on... " Kongpob squatted near Arthit, ready to pick him up " let you get back in to the tub with your minion, merman. "

" No" Arthit shook his head and stared at Kongpob adamantly " not until you take pet vows. "

" There is no such thing, Arthit!"

"Height of commitment phobia" the bird chirped.

" I know right...." Arthit nodded gravely, he was holding the bird close to his chest.

Kongpob lunged at the damned evil bird who was adamant on making his life hell.

" Human 😡👿" Arthit broke his flight midway by grabbing his throat in death grip.
" Stay away from my friend. You are not my owner yet. Arthit won't feel guilty in breaking your neck."

" Vows..." Kongpob gasped short of breath.

Arthit instantly loosened the grip," you will take vows🤗 ? "

Kongpob rubbed his throat " Who the fuck says you are not strong ? You just choked the hell out of me ...with only one hand " Kongpob scoffed.

" Arthit didn't want to human ... But you were going to hurt Arthit's friend. 😔" Arthit hung his head low. " Arthit is really sorry "

Kongpob mellowed seeing Arthit's saddened face " fine...let's say it was a misunderstanding. Now, let's get you in the water."

" Kongpob ? "

" Yes. "

" You admitted that Arthit is strong when he choked you. Should Arthit choke everyone who says he is weak? Will they accept then, that Arthit is strong? "

Kongpob lightly hit the back of Merman's head. " Oye stupid merman, you don't go around choking people"

" No ? Then, how will people accept that Arthit is strong 😭? "

" I'll tell you, later. Right now, we have other things to do"

"  We have pet vows, right ? " Arthit asked hopefully, Kongpob nodded awkwardly.

" Yessss! " Arthit beamed making grabby hands at Kongpob so he could pick him up.

Depositing the merman in the tub, Kongpob put the bird's cage away. Bringing a low stool from his room, he sat near the edge of Arthit's bathtub.

" Okay, now what vows do you want me to take ? " Kongpob asked.

" I don't know. ... Bright bird tell me – "

🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦

A/N : Let's see what has Bright bird has dished out for Kongpob 😂🤣🤣. " What do you think the bird should suggest? "

Its only Bright bird right now & Kongpob is already pulling his hair. What will happen when Bright & Krist joins the crew ? 🙈