8:42pm

Who wants to follow me on twitter and create a chaotic GC?

If so, follow me on Twitter (@ DearestRoman) and leave your Twitter @ in the comments to THIS line uwu thanks homos and hets
(GC = groupchat)

No more college until the New Year 🥳
Be honest how many of y'all have already said 'see you next year' or, the destroyer, 'SEE YOU NEXT DECADE-'

Because I have. No shame.

Au
—

A blur of blue shot through the ocean like a bullet, darting over and under rocks with yellow chasing right behind.

"This is unfair! You've always been faster!" Yellow screeched, slowing to a stop which blue noticed, looping around he returned to yellow's side, his pale lips pulled back into a wicked grin, revealing his sharp fangs. "This is why we practice, you spend too much time in your cave"

Yellow rolled his eyes, crossing his arms over his bare chest. "Thanks for the callout" he murmured, eyes slowly lifting up to the surface. Blue watched them widen and he quickly looked up, grasping at yellow's arm and pulling him behind a tall rock, the two looking at the boat slowly passing overhead.

"Think they saw us?" Yellow asked quietly, blue couldn't say but knew it would be in their best interest to stay hidden until the boat completely passed.

From the corner of his eye, he saw yellow's mischievous smile beginning to form and blue winced. "Whatever idea you may have-"

"Oh come on! Please? I've always wanted to follow a boat"

Blue furrowed his eyebrows in confusion, "but why? What ever would you gain from such an action?"

Yellow shrugged, watching closely the further and further it got away. "Our ancestors used to!"

Blue's expression changed to exasperation, "correction; your ancestors. Besides that was when you ate humans"

Yellow felt a frown tug at his lips, "yeah, that wasn't very nice of us...still! Come on, we're so close to land, can we see? Please?" And blue couldn't say no to his puppy-dog eyes, so with a sigh and a reluctant nod he agreed and yellow chirped in excitement, pushing around past the rock and ducking to the seabed, quickly catching up with the boat but not getting to close. Blue, on the other hand, was a little more brave (besides, he hasn't been a merman all his life, humans never bothered him) so as yellow stayed low and safe, which blue honestly preferred, he stealthily swam to the surface, the top of his head breaching, dull eyes gazing at the side of the boat that seemed to be owned by a family - a mother, father, with their son, daughter, and their partners.

Blue sunk down and slowly circled the boat, yellow watching in astonishment at his bravery. Or stupidity? No, no...blue has been one of the most intelligent merman in their home. Not as intelligent as the older mers though, they had been around for much, much longer and were very wise.

Blue couldn't say he regretted agreeing at this point, hearing the sound of humans speaking almost brought back a sense of nostalgia...he hadn't heard it in so long, six years specifically. He poked above the surface again to listen, staying close to the side of the boat to avoid obvious detection.

"Only twenty more minutes" the older man waved off, "can you get anymore impatient?"

"I didn't want to be here anyway" the younger girl groaned, sitting halfway onto a man of similar age's lap. "I was forced here by all of you!"

"You used to love the ocean" another boy piped up, seemingly her brother, who drank from a glass of champagne. "Used to" she emphasised, eyeing him with a glare.

"Alright, alright" the older woman waved her hand, "it's nice we're all here as a family" she ended it at that and the girl didn't complain any further. Slowly blue sunk back down, all the way to yellow who excitedly asked him what he heard, to which blue gave an half-assed answer, but yellow could see he was in a world of his own so didn't bother him. They carried on following in silence, sometimes yellow would murmur how 'cool' this was but blue didn't give much of a response.

Finally, they were nearing land - still quite far away but close enough for the two mers to back off a little, follow at a distance.

Yellow made a noise and took a detour to the right, gazing up at a chain that hit the seabed, going up and up all the way to a red, metal thing. "Whats this?" He asked his companion curiously, blue took a double take, pausing his movements when he realised exactly what it was. Eyes wide he hurried over, delicately touching the chain covered with seaweed and small shells.

"It is a navigation buoy" blue responded, swimming upwards. Yellow glanced at the boat, making sure it was a safe distance away before breaking the surface alongside his companion who seemed mesmerised over the red contraption. "I haven't seen it in so long" blue added as clarification for his fascination over something so mundane. Yellow watched as blue hoisted himself up and sat on the side, slowly leaning on the red metal bars behind and gazing out at the calm sea.

Yellow tried to do the same but flopped around and sunk back down, which made blue crack a smirk.

"Don't look at me like that" yellow whined, blue helped him up and yellow complained that it felt weird to...'sit' as blue called it, quickly falling back to the ocean, feeling much more free. After a few minutes blue came back down, turning in the direction of the boat.

"I have a question" Yellow turned to blue with a grin, "shoot!"

"Can you turn... 'human'?"

Yellow tilted his head, then shrugged. "I think so! Only if I'm completely dry, but I can't stay up for long! Born merfolk can't go long without salt water" he explained and blue nodded, turning towards the land again. "Would you want to?"

This made yellow light up like the starry night sky, nodding hurriedly. "Yes, yes, yes!" He clicked excitedly, "I've always wanted to!" He added like an excited child and blue nodded, "then let's go"

Happily the two swam closer to land, splitting off from the boat that sailed towards the marina. Instead blue took yellow to an island, underneath a roof of a cave and up into the open. The pool was circular and directly above an opening to the bright blue sky. Yellow surfaced and looked around the secluded area in wonderment, "woah!" He breathed, holding himself up using the side of the pool. "What's this place?"

Blue swam up beside him, it hadn't changed a bit, not even in six years. "I turned into a merman here" he responded, this time in English instead of his learnt merfolk language. Yellow seemed a bit surprised but quickly adapted, born merfolk were pretty good at learning and replicating languages. "That's awesome! How? What did you do?"

Thinking back it seemed like so long ago, sometimes blue wondered how lucky he was to be in the situation he was in, bullied by whats-his-face, taken here, falling down a hole leading to this! Maybe it wasn't luck, maybe it was fate, certainly blue felt more merman than human, he did a few months after originally changing...maybe the ocean always knew this would happen and called out to him, either way blue would be forever grateful, as it led to him finding his true forever home.

Without hesitation blue recalled what happened on that fateful day, unable to leave out even the tiniest bit of information - he remembered it all perfectly and felt the need to relieve the day over, even through memories and words. By the end yellow was astonished, "wow...why would anyone do that?" He asked, referring to whats-his-face (blue couldn't be bothered enough to remember). "Some people are certainly not the nicest" yellow made a noise of agreement, then pulled himself up onto the land, his tail still mostly submerged but that was due to it's impressive length, just slightly longer than blue's but only because blue was human-turned-merman.

"What are you doing?" Blue questioned, watching as he pulled his tail out and let it flop to the side, soaking the once dry land with water. "Getting my legs, remember?"

"Ah, yes but I was going to show you the mainland...however this is a good idea, it will give me an idea how bad you are on your legs" blue pulled himself up too, setting himself down beside his friend and using his power of wind to dry them both off, yellow watched with a smile. However, while blue changed yellow did not. "I suppose you need to be more dry" blue murmured, half focused on that, half focused on himself...he hadn't seen his legs in so long, and could see his fingers were still as sharp as when he were a merman - his gills had shrunk but not entirely vanished, and feeling along his neck he touched his closed gills, still (he guessed) noticeable.

"Wow" yellow gazed, "you look great, bud" he smiled and blue managed a smaller one in return. "Thank you" he murmured, using yellow's support to stand up. Although a little wobbly he managed, pulling yellow away from the puddle of water (even if he was very heavy) before drying him off further. It took much longer than blue but in the end he took in a sharp breath of air as he felt his whole body tingle and change, eyes closed sharply, feeling his tail split off into two. It wasn't painful, simply extremely weird. He didn't like it much but when he opened his eyes he gasped when seeing legs!

"I...I'm like a human!" He giggled, poking at the pale flesh with fascination. Blue smiled a little, squatting down to his level. The fins on his elbows and back were slightly longer than his, but his gills were closed like his own. However not for long, they'd need water eventually, unlike blue who could go the rest of his life never touching water again - like he'd want to.

"Can you stand?" Blue asked, yellow tilted his head to look at him.

"Can I what?"

It took countless tries and many failed attempts before yellow was standing, his legs were shaky (unsurprisingly) but blue knew it would be like teaching a newborn how to walk. "How do humans do this!?" He exasperated, out of breath as he took small steps wall to wall of the cave, blue sitting on a rock while watching. "Humans find it much more tiring to swim than walk, try put one in your situation" he countered and yellow sighed, "you're right, you're right, you're right-"

"What have I told you about pandering to my likeness of being right?" Yellow merely giggled and carried on practicing his walk, even if his pace was that close to a snail, he was getting better and for that blue was proud. Just a little over an hour later blue finally decided he was equipped enough to walk amongst humans. The only issue was yellow was naked and blue had on a simple pair of boxers, which wouldn't hide their merman appendages at all.

"What do we do?" Yellow asked when this was brought up, sitting at the edge of the pool but not dipping back into the water yet, unlike blue who instantly lowered his legs in, them replacing with a tail. "I suppose what we could do...although we'd have to be very cautious and avoided" he began, scratching his chin. "There is a marina not too far away with many docked boats, we can search around them in hopes of finding clothes inside. Sometimes people leave spares inside in case they were very spending a night out in their boat in the ocean" he explained and yellow nodded along, liking the idea - they could return the clothes, right?

Yellow stood up and dived back into the pool, wincing when his body changed back. He'd have to get used to that... following blue's lead they swam around the coast, a distance away from the beach as many people were swimming that day. Seeing so many humans made yellow gaze in wonderment, he's never been typically afraid of the species but knew what they could do if they were to discover him, which is why he was very aware of keeping himself hidden from their curious gaze.

"There" blue clicked, pointing to the bottom of the lightly swaying boats. Yellow nodded and ducked towards the seabed while blue rose towards the surface, making sure to lead yellow to the less-populated section of the piers, luckily it seemed to be a quiet day.

Ushering him up, yellow swam beside him, poking up above the surface and holding onto the wooden posts of the pier. "You keep an eye out, I shall search the boats" yellow nodded and helped blue climb up and onto the pier, he changed himself into a human as fast as he could, hoping onto the nearest boat and rummaging through the cupboard and boxes in hopes of finding something.

Unfortunately he only collected a single jacket, but that was better than nothing. He carried on across the next few boats, leaving the clothes he found in a pile closely to where yellow was waiting, ready to make a call if he saw a human.

Grabbing one last pair of trousers blue deemed their collection as good as it will get. Hurrying over he pulled on the trousers a size too big, and the jacket that hung over his body like a blanket. At least it covered him up. "It will be safer to change you in a more private area" blue murmured, looking around the marina and spotting a few heads in the distance.

He also knew that would be rather difficult, he didn't want to walk around on land by himself and worried yellow would he caught - he didn't want to be separated from his companion for long. In a desperate search his eyes landed on a tarp covering a smaller boat and a light bulb sparked to life in his mind.

Leaving yellow's clothes, he hurried over and peeled off the tarp, stretching it on the pier before yellow and making sure no one was looking before dragging him up and out (with yellow helping of course). It didn't take long to cover him entirely with the tarp, but to his horror it looked like he was concealing a body. "I'll have to change you quick" blue murmured, putting his hand in the tarp, drying off his friend with increasing urgency.

"We'll be fine" yellow thought best to try and reassure his companion but knew until he changed he'd be on edge. It took longer than on the island as now he couldn't exactly be dragged from the puddle the excess water he produced, but in the end, ten minutes later he made the similar warning noise, gripping his friend's hand as he felt his body shift and change to one of human form.

"Put this on" blue handed over the clothes and yellow changed as fast as he could (with the basic assumption of how clothes worked from watching blue).

"Do you think we'll be okay?" Yellow asked once dressed, sitting up to push away the tarp which blue scooped up, throwing back over the boat haphazardly but without caring much. "Why wouldn't we?" He countered and yellow shrugged, grabbing blue hands and hauling himself up, stumbling over his feet as if they were both left, but he wouldn't be a natural with walking, this is the second time he's used his legs.

"Okay...where now?"

And blue? Didn't really know. When he realised how close he was to his old home he didn't really think much about what he'd do, he simply wanted to get on land and be here. He guessed his main priority would be to see his family but..what if they don't want to see him? What if they're angry with him? Annoyed? Hurt? He didn't exactly leave with a proper goodbye...and they couldn't come see him, only merfolk is allowed the location of their underwater home. And his family? They were humans, bar Remus, but he hadn't seem him since the last, he's heard from him but just simple calls that don't even last five seconds.

"Logan?"

Logan blinked from his revere and turned to his friend Thomas. "I.." he took in a shaky breath, "I would like to see my family" he confirmed, remembering back to those years ago when he first met Remus...he was in the same predicament, so sure his family didn't want anything to do with him, now Logan wished he was a little more sympathetic. But he knew Remus was wanted, he didn't know if he was, but he supposed he'd have to answer that himself.

"Great! Where are they?"

"That's the problem, I don't know" he sighed, supposing his best bet would he to go to Deceit's place. Then he was suddenly stricken with a thought.

"Oh Newton" he whispered, Thomas rose an eyebrow. "They think I am dead"

"They what!?"

"Not-not my family, but everyone else. What if I am recognised?"

Thomas recognised the panic seeping through his eyes and he was quick to place both hands on his shoulders and turn him to face him, "Lo, bud, you're hardly recognisable compared to when we first met" Logan supposed this was true, he had managed to snag his reflection through the windows on the boats - his hair was longer, corse and rough, his skin was paler and he didn't have his glasses.

"I suppose I need to keep my head down" and the two were off, hurrying across the pier bare foot, ignoring the humans they passed by although Thomas did gaze at a few - he couldn't help it, they were fascinating! Luckily with the sun high up in the sky they still had plenty of day time left, but the main thing Logan was worried about wasn't the time of day, it was if they'd want to see him again - after so long.

He didn't even think if they'd all still live here anymore, he wouldn't be surprised if most had moved away for college.

Waves of nostalgia washed over him gently as he walked down the familiar street, remembering the first time he 'hung out' with the others, Patton, Roman, Virgil and Anna. They all rushed away from the boys with water guns...now he understood why they were all desperate to get away.

He also remembered heading down here in the dead of night holding a box, a box that meant the world to the man who helped save his life from his biological father. He remembered his face when he saw it, opened it and gazed at every precious object inside.

He also remembered taking his old friend down here, walking him up to the same house they were heading to now - he remembered his fear, but then saw the relief in his eyes when his family embraced him, loved him - when he was handed that small, velvet box and given the answer he's probably waited for for awhile.

Yes...

Logan missed them, he missed them all. But he couldn't give up who he truly was - couldn't give up his home - for his love for them. He would hate to be miserable around them, he'd only make them feel worse in the long run. He could have gone about leaving better, he knows that now, but he knew he made the right choice to leave six years ago. He just hoped, like Remus, he was still loved.

Before he knew it he was standing before the door, holding up his clenched fist but not knocking. Thomas was right beside him, giving him an encouraging smile.

"You've got this, bud" he whispered and that was all Logan needed. He rapped on the door and waited, waited some, and waited some more. "They may be out.." he suggested, Thomas shrugged, he didn't know how humans worked or what they did. Sighing, Logan tried again, and a third time but avoided a fourth - maybe they knew he was here and didn't want to answer.

"Can we go in?" Thomas asked, not really understanding human etiquette. But now that he suggested it...

Logan opened up the door, the old smell cupping his face like a comforting embrace. A smile wavered on his face as he breathed in and stepped inside, right up to the small table in the foyer. He noticed there was two picture frames sitting amongst the other ornaments decorating it - the one on the right was of him, Remus and Patton when he was just a baby and the left...him, Remus, Deceit and Patton, when he and Patton were still together. That made his heart clench, oh Patton...how he still loved him so.

Thomas looked at the pictures too, smiling when he recognised Remus.

"AHH! NO! Get back here!"

The two mermen looked up in surprise, quickly hurrying through the house towards the kitchen, there was a window which looked into the backyard and Logan stiffened when he saw them all...

Deceit and Remus were sitting under the shade of a large umbrella, watching Roman, Patton, Virgil and Anna dashing around holding water guns - the only one who was soaked being Anna, Logan noticed instantly the others were using their powers to deter the water. He supposed it was a good exercise to keep their magic sharp.

"That's them?" Thomas asked and Logan nodded, throat dry.

"You ready to see them?"

And Logan shook his head, to which Thomas rubbed his shoulder understandingly. "That's okay, bud, take your time...why don't I talk to Remus? I could give the hint that you're here...see what their reaction will be"

Logan swallowed thickly, "that would-work-that would be great, t-thank you, Thomas" he stumbled over his words, still a little shell-shocked seeing them again, together, after so long. "Keep breathing buddy, everything will be fine" Thomas gave him a quick side hug before heading over to the doorway, pushing it open and walking up the pathway to the garden.

Before he knew it water was flying in his direction but he wasn't surprised, water was flying everywhere. With a simple flick of his wrist it was thrown to the side which gave everyone a quick answer; he was a merman.

"THOMAS!" Remus screeched so loud even Deceit flinched, the family paused their water gun battle to watch the two embrace tightly, Remus giggling excitedly while throwing Thomas away from his chest but gripping his shoulders tight to not let him fall. "You're here! Why..." he frowned, "why are you here?"

"That is what I would like to know" Deceit drawled, coming up behind the stranger.

"Who's Thomas, dad?" Patton skipped up, smiling at the merman who smiled right back. Remus quickly understood the implications of him being here and looked up, over towards the window. He couldn't see much but knew someone was inside; Logan...

"I'm here..." he bit his lip, "I'm here to see Remus" he excused, not knowing if mentioning Logan so soon would be a good idea. "You're a mermaid too?" Anna asked, giving him a quick once over. Thomas nodded, even pulled down his jacket to reveal his gills. "Yep! But I'm born-merman, not like you...I can't be here for long" he chuckled, already feeling the effects of lack of water start to take their toll.

"Oh, uh...would you like us to take you back?" Virgil offered, scratching the back of his neck. "I-uh..." Thomas glanced at the house, "well I..."

"Came with someone" Remus finished and Thomas nodded. "Oh, where are they?" Patton smiled, looking towards the house to try and spot them.

"I think" Deceit moved to stand before the house, "we should let Remus go first...to make sure they're safe" he suggested and Remus couldn't be more glad his husband was intelligent, "yep! Every one of you shit-eaters stay here! Bury yourselves for fun while I'm gone!" He suggested all the while running inside the house, slamming the door behind him and catching sight of Logan who took a few steps back.

"Nerdy wolverine" he sighed out, and Logan felt a warmth flood his system. Quickly Remus pushed up from the door and the two embraced in a hug, but not for long. "Let me look at you!" He gushed, tugging down his jacket, in awe at the gills across his neck. "A real mermaid...just like me! I knew you would be! You dolphin-licker you!" He babbled out excitedly and Logan smirked, batting away his hands to pull back up his jacket, just in case.

"Thank you, Remus. I could not have done it without you"

"I know" he grinned widely, then tilted his head. "Why didn't you come outside?"

"I...didn't know if I would be wanted"

And, of course, Remus let out a cackle. "Hm! You sound so familiar..." Logan rolled his eyes, knowing he was referring to himself back when he first came home.

"Of course you're wanted juicy butthole! They've all missed you!"

Logan cocked an eyebrow, "now tell me the truth"

Remus sighed, "okay they were a little mad-"

"The truth" Logan reinforced and Remus sighed again, so dramatic.

"Okay! Fine! They were pissed! But just because they didn't understand! But I made them understand, besides it's been six years nerdy wolverine! They've gotten over it" Logan supposed he was right, and did feel terrible but he did suspect that was what happened. He knew he'd have to talk to one of them to get an in-depth answer, Remus wasn't really the person to talk to about that sort of stuff.

"Come on! They've been dying to see you again, are you really gonna leave them another minute!?"

And Logan was swayed, quickly following Remus outside and across the garden. Roman was facing the house the most, so was first to see Logan over Deceit's shoulder and partly hidden behind Remus. For a moment he didn't know how to act - seeing his brother in the flesh made him freeze up, truly he had dreamt of this moment, to finally get another moment with his brother, tell him everything he wanted to before - and if he were to return, get a proper goodbye.

Tears welled up in his eyes and he shoved by everyone else, sprinting to Logan who was quick to run too, catching him halfway but that didn't stop the two from tumbling to the ground in a mess, Roman clenching him tight, so tight in case this wasn't real, this was a dream, or Logan would slip from him again.

Roman sobbed into his shoulder without any signs of stopping, letting out a few wails and cries too, which broke Logan's heart to hear. He supposed they'd be upset with his leaving but he didn't realise he hurt them this much...he felt even worse than before.

"Logan, Lo, fuck...Logan" Roman repeated, hiccuping and sniffling roughly. Logan gripped onto him tighter, clenching his eyes shut tight. "I'm here, Roman. I am here" he responded which made Roman cry harder and louder.

The others were a mess too, Patton had crumpled to the floor in tears, Deceit kneeling by his side to give him comfort while Virgil and Anna kept their tears at bay, watching beside each other and holding hands tight.

Remus watched from the side with Thomas who felt incredible to witness such a thing, a family reuniting.

"I love you" Roman whispered brokenly.

"I love you too" Logan responded without hesitation. Slowly the two boys were sitting up, Logan mostly in his brother's lap as the two hugged. Luckily their clothes were thick enough to catch their tears, avoiding issues with their tails for now. In Logan's case even more.

Once the two boys finally separated, Logan stood up and rushed to Patton, the man split from his father and tackled Logan into a hug, hiding his face in the crook of his neck while Logan pressed his face into his shoulder, the two sharing such a sweet, loving, caring embrace. "Don't you leave without saying goodbye ever again!" He whispered harshly but lovingly all the same.

Logan chuckled between sobs, "I won't, I won't.." he promised, clutching Patton tight. "Oh, Lo, Logy...Logy Bear" he whispered the nickname reserved for their relationship, the pet name Logan adored so, so much - it made his skin tingle and heart hammer rapidly, and right now it was no different.

"Oh, Love" he couldn't help but respond which made Patton let out a cry, sniffling. "I mi-missed you, so freaking much!" Patton lamented, still buried against him. "I missed you too" Logan responded without missing a beat, he meant it, he didn't know how he lived so long without him.

Patton slowly, hesitantly leant back, his grin so wide Logan was worried it hurt, but he was grinning all the same. "Look at your fangs" he whispered, cupping his face and brushing their noses together. "So beautiful" he whispered and that meant the world to Logan; because it told him Patton embraced his merman qualities even if he was in his 'human' form.

"Thank you, Patton, I-...thank you" Patton giggled and helped Logan to his feet, pulling him into another, shorter hug before pushing him in Virgil's and Anna's direction. He hugged Anna first (well, she rushed up and hugged him) so Logan quickly hugged back, he had truly missed all of his friends. So, so much. Now he realised just how much he loved being with them again.

"I hate yet love you so much" she whispered and Logan laughed a little, "I love you too Anna" he whispered and she grinned, pulling back. "Ugh...don't bother me with the sappy shit"

Logan snorted, "I shall try not to"

He then turned to Virgil who was staring at the ground, fiddling with his sleeves. Logan lifted a hand and placed it on his shoulder, making Virgil quickly look up at him. "So, someone changed into a fucking badass" he commented, the two laughing afterwards. "I shall take that as a compliment"

Relieved they were still as close as ever, Virgil pulled him into a hug and pressed his face into his shoulder. "You better, fucker, cus' don't think I've forgiven you yet! You better make it up to us"

Logan smiled, "I will, I promise"

Unfortunately their hug was cut short when hearing a gasp and a slight groan, Logan turned sharply to see Thomas collapsed to the floor, holding his head.

"Thomas?!" He fretted, kneeling by his side. "Water-he needs sea water" Logan quickly realised, Roman shuffled over and scooped him up into his arms. "I'm the fastest" he explained, face still red from his emotional moment earlier. "I can run him to the ocean- you can try and keep up" he winked, once Logan ushered him on he rushed around the side of the house, sprinting to their enclosed beach.

"I suppose having a family of merfolk one never catches a break" Deceit drawled, the others chuckled a little but were quickly chasing after Logan who left to follow Roman instantly, although so many years spent in the ocean with his tail rather than walking on land with his legs left him more of a problem than anything.

"You're useless, nerdy wolverine!" Remus commented, coming up behind him and scooping him up bridal style. The young man let out a yelp, clinging onto his friend who cackled and managed to keep up a steady pace with the others, everyone able to see Roman in the distance who, impressively, didn't falter even while carrying a person.

Some pedestrians nearby watched them all curiously, wondering what on Earth they were doing, carrying people while running...but obviously didn't have the chance to ask as they were all going pretty quickly. It didn't really linger on anyone's minds after coming up with a possible, logical solutions.

Roman avoided the marina and main beach, not wanting to be caught as much as possible. They hadn't really visited the secluded beach for awhile, simply because they all had their own lives now...going out for swims in the ocean simply wasn't their life anymore. They supposed that was about to change, even if just for a day. Unbeknownst to them, it would be nice, really, really...nice. They didn't realise how much they needed to embrace all of themselves to be completely happy

Sprinting across the sand water splashed everywhere as Roman reached it, feeling that familiar tingle spread through his body. In his arms Thomas was very weak, his gills were opening and his ability to breathe through his mouth not functioning properly, but as soon as he was splattered with sea water he relaxed in relief, dropping into the ocean and turning back to his normal self instantly - along with Roman but it wasn't his normal self.

"Thank you" Thomas smiled, quickly sinking under the water to let his gills hydrate. While he swam deeper Roman stayed towards the shallow end to wait for his friends who took off their clothes to avoid them getting wet - even if they didn't have to come in they had the urge to, which did come often but they never made it known thinking they were the only one.

Anna and Deceit stayed to the side, Patton and Virgil hurried in, Remus dived in elegantly while Logan...hesitated. Weird, right? He loved the sea more than any of them...yet he waited by the ocean's edge, watching his friends laugh and dunk under water, swimming around Thomas who giggled and played with them.

Anna pushed up from the rock and walked over, nudging his shoulder with her own to gain his attention. "So...whatcha waiting for?" She asked curiously, Logan sighed and tugged the jacket closer to his body.

"Admittedly I feel a little...insecure" he murmured, staring at the sand. "I-my merman form has changed quite a lot and I..." he drifted, "I don't want to be treated differently"

Anna curled an arm around his shoulders, "dude, seriously? We'd never treat you differently for that! Remus explained everything about what would happen...in the end we all accepted it, besides Remus looks fucking sick, so if you look anything like him you're cool in my books" Logan managed a light smile at that, thanking her quietly.

"Go on, Lo, we want to see you in your element" with an encouraging nudge Logan nodded and pulled off the clothes he stole, taking a breath before jogging into the water, diving just as swiftly and gracefully as Remus which made his friends whistle and cheer. Under the water he formed his long, beautifully blue, shimmering tail and swam up to his friends who all ducked under to see him - he saw their face twist with astonishment as they swam closer to get a better look at his true merman form.

"They're so impressed Lo!" Thomas commented in the traditional merfolk language, which made Logan's friends flinch and duck backwards - unsurprisingly, the language is basically a screech mixed with clicks and cackles - similar to a dolphin.

Logan swam up and broke the surface, his friends following suit.

"What the fuck was that" Virgil instantly asked, Thomas laughed brightly. "It's our language! It sorta comes naturally if you live with us long enough...right, Lo?"

The merman in question nodded, "yes, although not helpful in situations where one had to be quiet" he commented, to which Thomas nodded in agreement.

"So...you really found your place" Patton smiled a small, painful smile that Logan saw through. "Yes, I did. Thank you for understanding...although I do apologise for leaving. I know if I were to stay it would make us all unhappy. I should have said a real goodbye but after Remus suggested the idea of home and took me there-" he sighed and glanced to the side briefly.

"All my life I have been longing for a home, a place where I belong. I suppose I would have taken up any chance I got and I did, even if it meant leaving behind the ones I loved. I still love you all but finding my home meant the world to me, and I won't regret what I did, and I am sorry for that" he explained, his friends all smiled softly, including Patton who swam closer and drew him into a gentle hug.

"Oh don't worry about that now, specs! We're glad you found your home" Roman reassured, Virgil nodded. "Yeah, what he said, it's cool Lo"

Patton leaned back but kept his arms around his shoulders, "that's all in the past now, Logy, we're all happy for you, knowing how much home means to you...we wouldn't have wanted to keep you here only to be sad all the time. We still love you...I still love you, and I hope we can become close again"

His eyes stung a bit but he managed to keep tears at bay, in the end the four gathered in an awaken, half-under-water-sea hug which Thomas watched, giggling but feeling full of warmth all the same. Remus suddenly sprung up beside him and smiled at the scene, even if he was quickly distracted by some seaweed.

"So, what now?" Virgil wondered once they all leaned back.

"I say dinner? I'm starved!" Roman exasperated, Virgil rolled his eyes and nudged him. "I mean with Logan and Thomas, moron" he made a few 'offended noises' but after Virgil gave him a quick kiss he soon silenced.

"I don't know" Thomas looked at his companion who was still focused on Patton who had cheeks twinged pink.

"I think you should stay for awhile, Lo" that gained his attention, he quickly looked at Thomas who smiled softly. "Being with your family will do you good, bud"

"But-" he couldn't detest that, however... "what about you?"

"I have a family, Lo" he chuckled but the merman shook his head, "not that, I mean, how will you get home?"

The merman chuckled again, swimming closer to his companion. "You seem to forget I'm a born-merman, Lo. I've lived in the ocean all my life and I know you don't like it but I can protect myself better than you can" Logan looked the other way, a tad embarrassed, but knew he was right.

"I appreciate your concern though" he added, pulling his friend into a hug.

"Stay safe, Lo, I love you" he murmured, Logan hugged back. "I love you too, and you stay safe as well"

Thomas nodded, "I promise! See you soon, but not too soon!" With a wave he sunk under water, end of his tail flicking up and splashing against the surface, splattering into all of their faces. They laughed it off however, watching as Thomas shot through the water, creating ripples that spread off in the distance.

"So...you're staying with us?" Patton smiled, Logan nodded timidly. "If that is okay"

"It's more than okay, nerd! We'd love to have you, but...stay inside of Deceit's house, yeah?" Roman suggested and that pained Logan's heart, he wished he could see Bob, Janet and Missy but knew, deep down, it would cause complications and dangers to not only him but them all...however he knew, from Roman, they were okay and that's all that mattered to him.

After explaining the situation to Deceit and Anna (who both seemed joyed Logan decided to stay for awhile) they all hurried home before Logan could be recognised. De and Remus set up the guest room upstairs while the young adults lounged in the living room, catching up (mostly with Logan explaining his new life, what it's like living under water, his new appendages and so on).

And they all enjoyed it. Seeing Logan again improved their day impossibly, especially Patton who seemingly couldn't stay away from him for long. Thankfully Logan felt the same, the two boys were painfully in love it was hard to watch...

Later in the evening the others unfortunately had to leave, after they shared hugs and promises of hanging out tomorrow they all left, leaving Deceit, Remus, Logan and Patton behind.

"Why don't you two get some sleep? It's not like Logan traveled a long way today" Deceit commented and the two agreed, Logan even letting out a small yawn which set Patton off who giggled tiredly.

"You're right, dad, sleep well" he stood up and hugged both parents, Logan simply smiled and murmured 'goodnight' before following Patton up the stairs.

"Hey, Lo?"

The man paused outside the guest room, "wanna...talk? Before going to bed?"

And Logan couldn't say no, in fact he did want to privately talk with Patton for awhile but didn't want to leave the others while they were still here. They entered Patton's bedroom, flicked off the lights and laid down in his comfortable double bed, remembering the nights they would cuddle when they were a couple...and the memories made them smile, yet feel a pang of pain collide their hearts.

"I've missed you" Patton breathed, staring at the ceiling, his eyes slowly becoming used to the lack of lights while Logan's instantly adapted.

"I have too" Logan murmured in response.

"And I...wanted to tell you something" Patton steeled his nerves and sighed out, "the thing is...ever since we broke up I...I...still like you, the feelings never faded and I don't know why, all I know is that I love you but I don't want you to feel pressured to like me back because you probably don't feel the same I only wanted to tell you because I felt like you deserved to know" he may have word vomited but...rambling in awkward, anxious situations was his speciality.

Logan froze up a little, not really expecting Patton to like him back, so strongly too..he should have guessed from their 'moments' they've shared through the day but...if they did get back together, would it work? Or would it fail like the first time?

Logan turned his head to face Patton who worried his bottom lip between his teeth. "Patton, of course I feel the same, I can't recall a time where they ever faded..." he admitted and Patton sagged in relief.

"And I...would be up for trying something, only if you are"

Patton shuffled closer, eyes brighter, "really?" He whispered, excitement lacing his tone. Logan smiled, his heart already warming increasingly. "Really" he confirmed and Patton made a squeak of happiness, burrowing his face into Logan's chest and hugging him tight. The man laughed and hugged back, pressing his lips against the crown of Patton's head.

"I love you too, Patton"

And yes, he squeaked again, to Logan...it was the cutest thing in the fucking world.

—
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3:02am