8:57pm

Hmhm, we're back bAbyyyYYY~

Whewie you ready for DRAMA!? And ANGST!? 'cus I'm nOT-

Trigger warming: bad guys, threats, death, violence, mentions of blood, slight gory death

Au
—

"We can't tell anyone" Roman insisted, gazing at his two close friends sternly. "What will they do to us? Sell us? Experiment on us!? We can't even tell our parents! No one but us" he pressed firmly, Patton and Virgil shared a glance, both of them stricken with their own fears and anxieties, much like Roman.

"I don't want to be a mermaid" Patton whispered, tears pricking his eyes. Roman looked over at him with a sympathetic gaze, "I know, Pat. But let's look on the bright side- we have powers! And can explore the sea, get to Mako island incredibly quickly! This is impossibly cooler than being a normal human!"

Virgil scoffed, "being a normal human won't get us experimented on"

"As long as you keep it a secret, we'll be fine" Roman replied.

"I can keep secrets. I'm more worried about you" he fired, Roman's eyebrows drew together in a glare. "Me!? I can keep secrets!"

"Not when it could give you attention-!"

"Guys!" Patton cried, tears slipping down his cheeks. "Please... please don't fight" he then begged in a soft voice, "please" he added, gripping the sleeves of his cardigan tight. Virgil instantly quietened down, avoiding Roman's gaze as he awkwardly comforted his friend who cried into his shoulder. Roman leaned back on his bed and sighed, eyes drifting towards the window.

"We can't tell anyone?" Patton murmured forlornly half an hour later, when he had calmed down and the room stayed quiet for too long. "Not even my dada?"

Roman shook his head, and although it hurt to see Patton so upset Virgil agreed, "we can't risk anything, Pat, not until we understand what's going on" he explained quietly, carding a hand through his hair. Patton sniffled and began crying softly again, he couldn't remember a moment in his life where he lied to his dad and he didn't want to start now, but could he betray his friends trust like that? What if something happened to them? It would be his fault. He would've put them in danger.

"Okay" Patton managed, voice shaky. "I promise I won't tell"

"Good... lets just all go home and.. try and sort it out tomorrow" Roman suggested and his two friends nodded. Like usual, and mostly due to his courteous behaviour, Roman walked his two friends home. Luckily on the way they passed by Virgil's place, then further down a few streets they reached Patton's.

"Stay safe, our precious padre" Roman smiled gently, pressing a kiss to his forehead. Patton forced a small smile in return, still feeling a horrible pit in his stomach. "You too, Ro" he replied and walked up to his house, Roman waiting until he shut the door behind him before he turned and headed home.

Inside, Patton let out a breath, going to walk up the stairs but flinching when a voice disturbed him. "You're totally not trying to hide something from me" he said, Patton tensed then inwardly cursed (heck), how does he know already!? Patton is the worst at lying! He hoped he could've hid out in his room and plastered on a smile the next morning, but he knew that wouldn't happen.

He needed to lie, think of something, anything!

"I was just..." he hesitated, fumbling with his hands. "Thinking about dad.." he whispered, hoping that would work, but when he took one glance at Deceit's face he knew it wouldn't. "It hurts that you would lie to me" he murmured, crossing his arms over his chest, "but it hurts more you'd use Remus' death as that lie"

Patton chewed his lip, his father had a knack for making people feel terrible about lying, even if he advocate for it. "I'm sorry, dada" he murmured, hugging himself tight. "I-...I just-... I want to tell you" Patton hastily wiped his eyes, "but I can't. It's not- it's not just my secret.."

Deceit nodded his head slowly, then gestured up the stairs. "You may continue, then"

Nodding softly Patton walked on by and rushed to his room, closing his door and sliding down onto the floor. He hated this- he hated every part about this. He wished he never let Roman convince him to go to Mako island with him, he wished he didn't slide into that damn moon pool - he wished, above all, that he didn't have to lie to his dad. Truly, that's what hurt the most.

The next day Patton was a wreck. He barely left the house presentable but that wasn't high on his mind. Surprisingly, neither was the mermaid stuff. He was entirely focused on his father, his expression straight after hearing Patton's pathetic lie, and his tone of voice when he let him go. He couldn't face him before leaving, afraid he'd crumble and tell him the truth on the spot.

He found his two friends on the secluded beach not many people knew about; they agreed to yesterday when Roman was walking them home.

"Woah, Pat" Virgil's voice twisted with concern as he finished the gap between them and curled an arm across his shoulders, "whats up? You look...hurt"

Roman drew nearer too, head tilted in worry. Patton shook his head, "I-I can't do this" he admitted quietly, "I can't lie to him. I can't"

Virgil and Roman shared a look as Patton broke down in Virgil's arms. They knew all night long Patton was most likely to reveal their secret, he had the strongest bond with his father they had ever seen between a parent and child - really, it was cruel to try and make Patton keep it from him. They were just scared. They both knew Deceit, he was protective over his son and his son's friends due to a... past experience of losing a loved one, but turning into a mermaid wasn't some every day teenage drama.

Nevertheless, they couldn't bare Patton's pure, heartbroken cries and they both silently agreed on the spot they'd all tell Deceit today.

Once Patton calmed down and they told him they'd go with him to tell Deceit - he was against it at first, insisting that they didn't have to tell him simply because he couldn't keep it a secret. But again and again Roman and Virgil countered his argument with their own until they were all laying on the beach, legs tired from standing for so long, gazing up at the cloudless sky.

"How should we tell him?" Virgil chewed his nail, Roman chuckled; "I think we should all walk into his office, pour water on ourselves and let him see our magic in action!" He proclaimed, Virgil rolled his eyes while Patton managed a soft laugh. "Ro, shut up" Virgil grumbled.

He gasped out, which made both his friends laugh. Of course he wasn't offended, in fact he was uplifted, anything to make his loved ones smile. "Why don't we-"

Buzz, buzz, buzz

Patton pulled out his phone from his pocket, instantly hitting answer and sitting up. "Dada? Hey.." he murmured, both Roman and Virgil sat up too, sand raining from their clothes. They gave each other a side glance, wondering what would happen, if Patton would tell him over the phone or... what.

"You left without telling me" he stated, with no malice or anger, just spoke as if he were simply stating facts. Patton slowly wrapped an arm around his stomach, "I'm sorry, I.. I needed to talk to my friends"

Deceit paused on the other end, each silent second that went by the more and more Patton wanted to burst into tears. "I see" he murmured, Patton sniffled; "It-it was urgent" he tried to justify, but he knew it wouldn't be much good. Deceit had made a few rules since the loss of his husband, Patton's father. That if he were ever to leave the house he'd tell him - he didn't have to say exactly where, or why, only the general location and when he would be back. It was simple and Patton never felt intruded on, or like he was giving away his privacy. It was for Deceit not to worry, not to worry over losing someone else...

"I-I'm sorry, dad"

"It is fine"

Patton shook his head, "if I can't lie to you you can't lie to me" he retorted, Deceit sighed.

"The world is a dangerous place, Patton. Remus isn't the only person I've lost. All I ask is for you to tell me when you plan to leave, and yet even that is too difficult"

"I didn't mean- ugh" Patton ran a hand through his hair before standing up suddenly, "I knew if I spoke to you I'd start crying!"

"You can text, can you not? Or have you lost your phone? Oh wait. I'm talking to you on it"

"Dad, stop it" Patton whimpered, covering his face with his inner elbow, "hmm, stay safe, Patton" with that he hung up and Patton dropped his phone, Roman quickly catching him before he would do the same. "I-I need to see him" Patton hiccuped, barely gasping in any air between his sobs that racked his body. "Definitely, come on" Roman looped his arms under his thighs and picked him up, letting Patton curl around him and sob his poor heart out as Roman and Virgil hurried as fast as they could to Deceit's home.

They weren't annoyed with Patton's dad, he wasn't the one to make Patton upset. Patton was crying because of what he had to do to his father; lie. He hated it, hated it so, so much. He promised himself he'd never do it again. Not for anyone, not for any reason. They've both been through an incredibly painful loss and having anything less than their close bond would ruin them both.

Roman put Patton down on the porch and he instantly fell through the doorway, hurrying through the house into the conservatory where Deceit was lounging on an arm chair, silently reading from his book. Wordlessly Patton gently took it from his grasp, slid down onto his lap and hugged him tight. Deceit didn't move at first, making a glance at Roman and Virgil who both took the hint and left them alone.

Then, Deceit hugged him back, reclining in the seat and soothingly rubbing his hand up and down his back.

"I love you, dada" he cried against his neck. Deceit smiled, "I love you too"

Although Roman an Virgil were worried at first, in the end they realised they had nothing to be concerned over. And they both felt a little silly, including Patton. After the two had hugged it out and moved to the living room where Patton's friends waited, Deceit sat down and listened to every word of explanation the three boys said. In their rush they jumbled a lot of things together, but Deceit got the gist.

"You're all mermaids?" Deceit inquired, they nodded. He tapped his chin, eyes trailing off to look at the fire-place mantel. A picture of him and Remus stood right in the middle. Both smiling towards the camera, hugging each other in that loving way Deceit missed so much.

"I see" he gently brushed some hair from his eyes, leaning back in his chair. "All apart of parenthood" he shrugged, the three boys gazed at him in shock.

"You don't...care?" Roman watched him closely, Deceit smirked lightly. "The world is a mysterious place. I'll believe in anything"

Patton stood up from where he sat beside his friends and hugged his father again. The three boys were lucky to have Deceit in their life. They tried to keep it between the four, but of course that didn't last. One of their closest friends, Anna, found out in the end too. But she was extremely observant, and usually discovered people's secrets before they found them out themselves.

Of course she was shocked, a little frightened, but she got used to it quick. Besides, seeing them swim was something beautiful to behold...

—

"It's nearing your anniversary" Thomas commented to his friend in his native mer-tongue as they darted through the ocean. "You do not need to remind me. I am better at remembering dates than you are" Logan responded, his friend rolled his eyes fondly. "You don't need to call me out every time!"

Logan suddenly stopped batting his tail, the two of them coming to a halt right in front of a long, thick chain, rusted over time, covered in all sorts of life from the sea. He turned to his companion; eyebrow risen. "Thomas, you are twenty seven years old and I have to remind you to get out of bed each morning" although supposed to be an insult, Thomas laughed heartily at his friend who couldn't help but crack a smile.

"Let's not waste anymore time" Thomas nodded and the two swam up, carefully breaching the surface and making sure no boats were nearby before hauling themselves up onto the dark red navigation buoy, scaring away the seagull who was perched on the top. While Thomas kept on look out Logan reached between the metal bars behind them and grabbed a small box wedged inside the buoy, pulling it out and pushing the lid open. Inside were two letters instead of one.

Ever since Logan returned to land the first time from life undersea and started dating Patton again the two decided to really try and make their second attempt count. And it's worked. Logan always visits Patton during the entirety of November through to February and even while he's out at sea the two keep communicating, either at their set dates to meet at the buoy, or through letters like this. However, he hasn't had two letters before.

"That is odd" he found himself murmuring, Thomas looked over to see. "Maybe another friend gave you one? Roman?" He suggested, Logan shrugged softly. "They usually all write on the same note" he replied, opening up the one labelled from Patton. It was the usual sweet and soft message, how everyone is getting along at home, how much he loves him, misses him - it never failed to make Logan smile and feel his heart burst in his chest.

Then he opened up the second note, the envelope didn't say who it was from but when he saw the handwriting he knew instantly. His stomach coiled as he read it.

Come home. Now. It's urgent.

"Thomas, go back without me" Logan quickly stuffed the letters inside the box, leaving it carefully wedged in the buoy. Thomas gazed at him ludicrously, "huh? You don't usually go back in June-"

"I know, but something has happened. Something Patton doesn't know, by the looks of thing only Deceit knows. Stay safe for me, okay?"

Thomas chewed his bottom lip, lowering back into the water with Logan. Before they could split their separate ways Thomas brought his close friend into a hug, "you stay safe too" he whispered, gently pressing a kiss to his forehead before parting. Logan nodded promisingly before sinking under water and darting to land, Thomas watched him go beside the buoy, wondering what could have happened.

On the journey to land, Logan had to stay low and out of sight - it was summer and there were many more boats, trawlers and divers out this time of year. He knew making it to their secluded beach would be tricky so he took a detour to Mako Island, if there were ever an emergency and Logan couldn't reach the main land they kept a small dingy hidden underneath shrubbery on the island, he'd use it to get to the marina without revealing to anyone he was a merman, and it was exactly what he did.

Parking the boat wasn't so difficult, with many free spaces beside the piers. Turning off the engine he jumped up onto the wooden platform and kept his face ducked low; to everyone here he was technically still dead. Sometimes it hurt to think about; he truly loved Janet and Bob like parents, and he missed Missy incredibly. He had seen pictures of her, all grown up, very interested in botany. Logan was incredibly proud of her; he just wished he could say it to her face.

As years went by, his friends graduated college, all trickling back to this small town to find their own houses, their own jobs. Roman having an incredible time with his job at the theatre, getting recognised wildly - even outside of the local area. Virgil mostly stayed online, his passion for art enabling him to get paid for his beautiful creations. Patton worked as a school counsellor and loved every second, able to help any child in need and doing a good job at it - that's what the children say. And Anna had her own business, which she built from the ground up - a determined young girl, ready to grow bigger and bigger each year. Logan didn't have a single doubt that she would.

Logan.. sometimes felt left behind, almost. He didn't go to college or university, his last job being an assistant with his da-.. with Bob at the laboratory. But if he had a choice to go back in time and stay on land or carry on with the life he lived now he wouldn't change a single thing. He supposes it's the human in him, no one wants to be left behind or forgotten, he certainly isn't in that regard, it just feels odd sometimes. That one day his friends are going to have families, grow old, while he'll be in the sea, watching them go.

Maybe they'll forget about him, tell their kids he was a myth. Or maybe... he's just being stupid.

Rapping on the door to Deceit's house, it opened a few seconds later, revealing the man in all his glory. Dark clothes, scarred face, ingrained smirk.

"Salutations" Logan nodded his head slightly, Deceit chuckled fondly. "Hello, shall we?" He gestured inside and Logan nodded, stepping through the doorway and glancing around the quiet house. Distant memories of them all together floated through his mind as he slowly trailed after Deceit to his office. And every time, every time, he remembered standing with Deceit by the kitchen counter, watching him look through the box of memories, his and Remus' memories. Back when they thought he had died. It seemed so long ago now.

"Remus is off on an exploration" Deceit explained, sitting at his desk. Logan closed the door and took the seat opposite, raising an eyebrow. "And the others?"

Deceit eyed him for a moment, "they're out. Roman's probably taken Virgil on another date. Patton's in school, Anna's incredibly busy, the usual"

Logan nodded along to his explanation, almost trying to further along the inevitable. Everything seemed so perfect, he didn't want things to change. Deceit silently watched him until he pulled open a draw to his left, pinching the corner of a thick piece of card. Eyes sweeping over it, he placed it on the table, twisted it around and pushed it towards Logan who leaned forward to get a closer look.

It was letters clipped from a newspaper, making it impossible to trace someone by their hand writing. Although Logan didn't think about that; his eyes traveled across each word again and again, trying to believe it but he didn't want to. It... it couldn't be.

'Your game is up. I know what all of you are. Come clean and we won't kill you'

Logan felt his stomach twist in agony, worried he may throw up his breakfast into the bin beside Deceit's desk. They knew- someone knew about him, his family. Maybe they weren't careful enough, as years went by they had all become rather lax, sometimes forgetting they were so... different. And look where that's gotten them.

"De, I.." his eyes trained on the words, glowering darkly, as if trying to kill whoever made the note, even if they weren't here. "What do we do?"

Deceit snorted and hid the card back inside his draw, locking it shut. "What do we do?" He repeated, then shook his head. "No, no. What do I do, along with Remus. You need to go home"

Logan suddenly lunged up from his chair, "What!?" He squawked with indignation, "you can't... I apologise, Deceit, but you cannot be serious?"

Deceit rose up too, planting his hands firmly against his mahogany table. "I am completely serious. Who knows what they will do to you?"

Logan's eyes narrowed, heart plunging in betrayal. "You don't care what could happen to your son?"

The simple notion made Deceit's eyes sharpen with pure ice, "don't you dare" he growled out steadily, "of course I care. But when we look at him, we see a human. When we look at you, we see... a creature. You are not like us anymore, Logan. Logan Atlas died many years ago, what happens if someone sees you? Reveal you to be alive? What could happen? What could happen if they capture you, and torture you until you finally tell them where your home is?"

Logan swallowed thickly, eyes slitting like ones of a cat, the fins on his elbows and back standing up and nearly tearing through his clothing. "I would never do that. And you can never insinuate I would"

Deceit shook his head, "they'll find a way. And if not they'll kill you. I won't let you hurt Patton like that. I told you this to make sure you stay away"

Logan took a few steps back from the desk, then began to pace the room, because Deceit made sense. And he hated that. Hated how right it seemed that he should stay home, away from this mess and let his friends deal with it. Once Remus comes back he could defend them all, everyone knows he's alive - whoever wants to hurt them wouldn't have the high ground to reveal such a thing. But with Logan they did, if presuming they knew about them all - they'd must want them all, or at least the most 'mer'. It hurt that it made sense, it aches his heart and pulled at it's strings, because he wanted to help but he... couldn't.

"I can't believe you'd be so against it" Deceit carried on, rounding the edge of his desk to lean against the front, crossing his arms over his chest. "What in Poseidon's oceans do you mean!?" Logan roared back.

"I mean" Deceit gritted, "I recall making a similar demand of you. I made sure you were to stay away from the ocean after you so recklessly swam into a net. You were completely and utterly against it, so much so you still went back. Don't think I didn't know, I'm not a dumbass. Even if Remus didn't tell me you stunk of sea water, I could tell. You went against my orders like a disobedient, bad behaved child. Nothing I expected from you. And now I tell you to stay in the water, you refute?"

Logan clenched his jaw and strode right up to Deceit, "this is a completely different situation and you know it. Do not compare moments of my past to this, this is serious. I cannot leave my loved ones behind to possibly be captured, killed and experimented on simply because I have the chance of making this worse. I can't" with his voice breaking out on the very last word, and tears welling up in his eyes, Deceit finally softened his expression and unexpectedly yet not unwarrantedly dragged Logan into a hug which the merman returned gratefully, the fins finally relaxing from their painfully tense position, painful due to being pressed up to his restricted clothing.

"I knew from the second I decided to tell you it would be difficult. But Logan, you must think about the bigger picture. The merfolk population isn't as nearly vast as humans, and I would despise sending them further into hiding until it reaches the point their children will grow up never knowing what the surface looks like, or how it feels to have the sun shining against their skin. More people than us know merfolk exist, but fortunately the people who do keep it a secret. And the people who wouldn't have were killed. Your species is precious and you cannot risk them for us" Logan listened and took in every word, letting them settle in his chest and weigh heavily on his heart.

Deceit was right, it was all well and good to say you wouldn't reveal secrets under torture and scrutiny, but in the moment who knows what could happen. Who knows how they would use Logan to find more. The idea made him shudder and hold Deceit tighter.

"What about Remus?" Logan whispered shakily, the only other one of them who knew. Deceit pressed a delicate kiss to Logan's head, "I will talk to him when he returns. For now, you must get home. Please be careful, and make sure no one is following you, not even a merfolk"

Logan nodded and pulled away, wiping his eyes with his sleeves. "May I.. may I see them?"

Deceit nodded softly and Logan waited in the living room while Deceit called up his son and his friends. In no time at all Patton was bursting through the front doorway and grinning brightly at the sight of his love, throwing his arms around him in a tight hug. "Logy!" He giggled, cheerfully placing a kiss against his lips. "Why're you here? It's still months until November!"

Logan glanced at Deceit briefly, and he nodded softly. "I... need to tell you something" his tone of voice sent worry crashing through his system and Patton slowly sat down on the couch with his boyfriend, holding both his hands tight. "Someone knows about us, about mer's"

Patton gasped, eyes widening in fear, glancing between his boyfriend and father. "And I cannot be here for that. Nor can I visit the buoy. I cannot risk being tracked back to my home. If our-..." he paused, "if my species is discovered I cannot bare to think what may happen to them. I do not know how long I should stay away for, but I fear I cannot return during November. Maybe I should wait a full year, to be safe"

Patton's bottom lip wobbled at the thought, he shuffled closer and rested his head on Logan's shoulder. The mer didn't mind and placed an arm around his waist. "What... what will we do?" He whispered, looking towards his father who neared them. "We will protect ourselves. Maybe go on a trip somewhere. I don't know" he admitted, "but I do know we need to keep Logan and his home safe. Which means he must leave"

Patton sniffled and hugged tighter against Logan, the two leaned on the back of the couch and cuddled there until Roman and Virgil and Anna showed up, concerned at the sudden appearance of Logan, unfortunately for them their concerns were met. Deceit explained to them what had happened and why they couldn't see Logan again for awhile, which broke all their hearts. So many years without him had been rough already, letting him go for another was worse.

"I know this is a horrible situation" Deceit murmured to delicately break the silence, "but we should take reassurance in the fact Logan and his home will be safe from... from us. From humans"

"I'd kill every last one before they hurt Lo" Anna seethed, "not if I do first" Roman spat angrily, Virgil rolled his eyes. "Good luck with that. Let's just focus on the people who know"

"Virgil's right, mass genocide would not help the situation" Logan piped up.

Anna and Roman both huffed but didn't say another word. "And we can't come with you? To hide?" Patton murmured, thighs laid across Logan's lap, leaning against his chest. "No. Only merfolk can know where we live. Besides, it is incredibly far down. You could only last there for five minutes before you would need to return to the surface for air" he explained, Patton sighed out forlornly.

"We can't turn into... you?" Roman questioned, Logan quirked an eyebrow. "If you mean my species, no. It took me months to start growing out my fins, when I arrived I didn't even have my gills. It were the elder-mers, there are only two, who gave me my gills. After that I evolved accordingly. If they see mer in you they will change you, you three simply... have a tail. You're only human" he explained matter-of-factly. Roman huffed again, "nothing that those elder-guys can do?"

"Elder-mers" he corrected sternly, then shook his head. "No, they use their powers to protect our home. They aren't here for the humans, even if those humans have mer-tails. I'm sorry, my home cannot risk anything"

"What a shitty situation" Anna muffled against her hands, "what the fuck do we do?"

"We leave" Deceit stated, "we find somewhere remote"

"Remote? Oh wonderful, easy to be killed!" Roman declared.

"We won't be the ones killed" Deceit corrected and they all gazed at him with wide eyes, "Remus can kill. He has the instincts of a creature. If this is an attack from a government-based group you all would have been rounded up and taken away. This is an isolated group who wants the findings of merfolk for themselves, if we kill them before they can hurt us, the better"

"And Remus would even agree to that?" Virgil exclaimed, still reeling from the idea of murdering people.

"He's Remus. Have you met him?"

"... touché"

"So-what, we up and leave our lives to try and kill people who might not even follow us? I can't just leave my business like this- I'm at a pivotal moment!"

"You're always at a pivotal moment" Virgil pointed out, she sent him a glare. "Whether or not you're not entirely human doesn't matter. They know you know and I cannot imagine what they might do to you" Anna groaned, then stood up and whipped out her phone. "I need to make calls" she grumbled and left the room to hide away upstairs.

"We do not know how many people are after us. Can Remus take on so many?" Logan pointed out. Deceit let a slight smirk play at his features.

"Before Patton me and Remus had an... adventurous, if you will, life. I know how to defend myself, I also know how to kill. With Roman's and Virgil's power we'll be fine"

Patton lifted his head, "what about mine?"

Deceit gazed at him softly, "I cannot let you in their sight. If I lose you, or let you get hurt, I..." he faltered at the thought, "I don't know what I'd do" he added quietly, Patton didn't say another word and buried his face back into Logan's shoulder.

"This seems like a stupid plan" Virgil murmured, "this plan is the only thing we have" Deceit countered, "unless you have a better idea?"

Virgil huffed, his hair blowing up but sprinkling back down his forehead. "I don't want to be killed"

"Then don't leave us" Logan piped up, "because they will find you and take you, if you all don't stay together you will be individually caught and killed"

Virgil paled at the thought, Roman finally felt calm enough to turn to his husband and gently comfort him before he'd have a panic attack. "What about their families?" Logan asked.

Deceit, although hating it, shrugged. "It's hard to tell whether they know or care if their families don't know. If they'd kidnap them to get to us, or kidnap them for information they don't have. We'll just have to hope they focus on us"

"Hope isn't enough-" Roman hissed, Deceit whirled to face him. "Roman, I'm having a hard time already, I cannot deal with incisive remarks. I can't promise you what may or may not happen, but right now I need to protect all of you, not your families. So for one moment can you just stop"

Roman wanted to fight back, to yell, roar, make a whole scene but he could see the pain within Deceit's eyes, the worry, the fear he so desperately tried to mask. He was scared-nay, terrified, what might happen to his family, and he couldn't argue with a man so frightened. Virgil gripped him tighter too, a way to tell him to cease.

With one last longing look at the man, Roman turned away and hid his face against Virgil's hair.

"I need to leave" Logan stated, slowly unwinding himself from Patton. "Before it is too late. De..?"

The man met his gaze and nodded slightly, he'd protect them.

Logan managed a stiff smile before facing Patton, cupping one cheek and pulling him into a sweet, lingering kiss. "I'll be back when I can" Logan promised quietly, "stay safe for me, and don't do anything stupid" he advised. Patton couldn't even muster up a chuckle, instead kissed his boyfriend once more, signing out sadly. "I'll try, Logy... I promise"

After hugging his other friends goodbye, Logan left the house and made a beeline for the marina. He settled on returning to the water alone, bringing along someone would only put them in danger, and years living in the ocean gave him the ability to protect himself from danger. With a ducked head he untied his small boat and hopped in, thankfully more boats had come back from their days out which made a less likely chance to be caught by anyone. Specifically the people he wanted to avoid.

Leaving the boat hidden on Mako Island, he ran and dived into the waves, tingles sprinkling all over his body as his legs formed into his long, elegant tale. The gills on his neck flared open, fins protruding from his back, arms and tail growing long and pointing sharp. They could slice through any fish, tear a shark to shreds if necessary. He also learnt how to flare the scales on his tail to make him seem larger to whatever aggressor comes in his path.

Swimming out to deeper waters, he poked his head above the surface to get one look of the land. Of his old home. He'd miss his friends, especially Patton. He prayed to whatever deity who may listen that they would be okay.

Sinking below the waves and towards the seabed, he faced his home and swam off in the direction. As always it was long and tiring, but never not beautiful. He could see parts of the ocean captured by glowing fish, waving plants, majestic turtles. Or simply watch the sun pour through the water in beams, twinkling the surface. He loved it, and would happily make the trip a hundred times if he could. But unfortunately he couldn't for awhile - not when he needed to protect his home.

The moon was high in the sky by the time Logan reached home, hidden from view, so many miles down it was almost impossible for humans to travel to. He passed under a few archways and slowly traversed the pathways made from pebbles, small houses dotted all over the place, either accompanying one or more merfolk.

Logan lived with Thomas, neither of the two had any plans to move out, they both enjoyed each other's company and didn't particularly want to be alone.

Their home was surrounded by beautiful plants Thomas insisted they grew, luckily they didn't need any maintenance or they would surely have died. Smiling lightly at the thought, the thought of the two living together as humans, he passed through his doorway and towards their area secluded for sleep. Their bedrooms were separated, but that didn't stop Thomas sometimes cuddling up next to him when he felt a little touch starved. Logan never minded - he told Patton about it and the human squealed in delight.

Poking his head in to see Thomas, he felt confusion wash over him when he realised he... wasn't in his bed. He then looked across the whole house, checking his own bed too, but Thomas was nowhere to be found.

Anxiety soon spiked as he raced out the house and towards their 'castle' of sorts. A much bigger building where the elder-mer lived. The two were much larger than the average mer, bigger than a blue whale, and couldn't even fit into their merfolk's homes if they tried.

The building was empty, everyone was asleep after all, the only ones left being the guards to protect the elders. They allowed Logan to go on through, and he did with rapid swings of his tail.

"Logan" one of them greeted, she had hair that reached her waist, course and sharp from centuries in the saltwater. "Thomas has not returned with you?" She questioned, tilting her head. Logan swam closer and gravely shook his head.

"I sent him back before I went to land. I didn't want him to be involved in whatever problem my family had. It appears I made the wrong decision" he explained, the second elder who always kept her hair short, barely touching her ears, leaned closer. Her head was the size of Logan's body, but he wasn't intimidated, no one was. They were their protectors.

"What was the problem?"

"They..." he slowly ducked his head in shame, "I do not know how many, but humans know of us. Not of our home, but my family. I'm afraid of what they may do to them. I was sent back in case I lead them to our home"

The elder-mer with the longer hair lifted Logan's head gently, "it is not your fault, Guppy. Things like this happen, but I can sense Thomas. He is in danger, and you must help him"

Logan tensed, hands clenching to fists. "Where is he!?"

"On land. You must find him. You must" the second elder spoke, then slowly closed her eyes. Logan did the same, and saw Thomas in his mind, curled up, terrified in a tank too small for his long tail. Anger turned his blood boiling and with a determined nod he twirled around and left his home for a second time, this time not to visit a buoy collect a note from a loved one and write one in return - this time to save someone who was taken away from him. And he'd make sure it would never happen again.

—

"So, we leave today?" Roman confirmed, sitting on the couch next to his husband who held his hand tight, mulling over their situation while chewing his thumb nail. "Unfortunately" Anna responded.

She had to give command to others who work for her business, she could trust them wholeheartedly but being a perfectionist at heart it was hard to let all control go. "I don't like it either, but we must" Deceit replied, turning to his husband who waltzed into the room as graceful as a newborn deer, in his hand a metal dented bat. "I love it" he grinned evilly, "I haven't killed anyone in so long! This will be wonderful"

Anna eyed him, "you sure he's safe around people?"

Deceit narrowed his eyes, "he's safe until provoked. So don't provoke him"

Anna returned his slight glare, but stayed silent for her own good. Patton had been quiet since Logan left yesterday afternoon, he didn't like this situation at all but saying goodbye to Logan was the hardest part. He had already ducked out from their lives for six years, he always talks about how much he loves his home undersea, he doesn't talk about it much but Patton is deeply insecure that Logan will one day never return, too happy where he is now to ever remember to come home. Well, to his old home.

"How long are we staying there?" Virgil finally spoke up, voice gravely. He didn't sleep much last night and only woke up ten minutes ago. "Until we have blood on our hands" Deceit responded calmly, Virgil wobbled his bottom lip then looked up at Deceit, but wasn't confident enough to hold eye contact. "I'm not killing anyone"

"Not even for Roman?"

"Don't" Roman held up a hand, "don't put him in that position. If he doesn't want to kill then-"

"This is more than your comfort zone" Deceit cut him off, rising swiftly from his chair. "This is between the safety of merfolk and us. People who do not abide by the rules of secrecy face our wrath, otherwise many merfolk will be killed. They have the same thoughts and emotions as us, I would want the blood of idiots on my hands, rather than an entire species, simply because money-hungry bastards can't control their boner over mansions and fame" Deceit didn't mean to rant, but being married to a merman made him increasingly protective over the species.

"Jus' protect yourself as much as you can" Remus settled, "I'll do the killing" he added with a gleam in his eye.

Just as silence settled over the six, a sudden pounding on the door made them all alert, eyes widening in fear. Instinctively Roman and Virgil raised their hands, ready to use their magic. Patton rushed over to his parents, hiding behind them as Deceit grabbed a gun and Remus held his bat tighter. Anna looked across all of them, groaned and walked over to the door.

"They won't come straight to our home, dumbasses" she called, "and if they do, remember me as heroic"

Yanking open the door, she gasped in surprise at seeing Logan. "Uh- aren't you supposed-?"

"Yes, I'll explain now" Logan replied, slamming the door shut and running into the living room, breathing heavily.

"Logan, why-" Patton began, hurrying to his side.

Logan looked at Deceit, "it's Thomas. He's been taken"

—

"Are you sure it's this way?" Virgil questioned once again, the seven of them stuffed inside of one car, driving directly to where Thomas was trapped. "Yes" Logan replied stiffly. The elder-mers powers stretched to any of their merfolk across the globe, giving Logan a direct pathway to his closest friend.

"This is a trap" Roman commented, "they know we will try and save him, they're prepared"

"They're not prepared for a serial killer" Deceit replied, sitting in the passenger seat. Anna was the best driver of them all, she spent many of her adolescence swerving cars around abandoned parking lots and hitting speeds illegal on normal roads. She could speed them out of a predicament in a moment.

Remus, squashed against the door in the back, swung his bag lightly.

"Wait- how many people has he killed..?" Virgil asked, sitting on the seats in the trunk of the car, Patton beside him. "That..." Deceit hesitated, "is unnecessary information"

Anna snorted, "I think it's very fucking necessary and badass"

Deceit quirked an eyebrow, "you were scared of him not an hour ago"

Anna rolled her eyes, "I'm not scared of anything. I just wanted to make sure we wouldn't all be dead by the hands of an insane guy"

"I'm not insane!" Remus defended, "just demented"

"Let's just focus on getting there!?" Virgil changed the subject and everyone quietened down, Logan who sat in the middle between Roman and Remus (who refused to sit next to each other. They were as bad as brothers) gazed at the floor. He didn't know what they could've done to Thomas already. Whether he was alive or dead. As a born-mer he needed specific requirements to survive, seawater direct from the ocean and a certain amount of fish every day. The people who captured him have only seen human-turned, which was Logan's biggest worry as the most notable difference between them is human-turned didn't need water to survive, but born-mer do. Staying in their human form for too long could and will kill them.

Roman suddenly hissed, startling Logan from his thoughts. "Could you stop flaring those things!?" He licked the blood from his wrist where his skin caught the fin on Logan's arm. "Sorry, it is rather difficult to draw them in when I'm so.." he swallowed and didn't finish, he wouldn't want to admit his true feelings before his friends. He had been so tense the pain of his fins against the clothes had been unbearable, so he was shirtless.

"Don't worry" Remus smirked, "the poison doesn't kick in for at least two hours"

While Roman gasped and began babbling in worry, Virgil leaned forward and swotted both Remus and Roman. "Shut it, both of you. Ro, stop being a dumbass. There is no poison" while offended he did calm down, but sent his husband a glare anyway.

"There it is" Anna called, pointing to a building in the distance. It wasn't too big and looked rather run down, as she parked the car a distance away someone left the building and slowly walked towards them. "Remus?" That was all Deceit had to say before his husband threw himself up through the open sun roof, jumping off the car and sprinting towards the man who stopped, whirled and ran too. But Remus was faster.

The others watched in horror as Remus tripped him to the ground and smashed his head until it was flattened against the ground. The only person not phased left the car, tucking his gun under his shirt into the waistband of his trousers.

"Well, shit" Anna sighed, "kinda always wanted to know what that would be like. I don't anymore"

"That's disgusting" Roman commented, "how could he be a father to sweet, pure Patton!?"

"He tries his best, Ro. I still love him" Patton replied, although his head was ducked and stomach jolting.

Deceit walked up to the car, motioning Anna to wind down her window. "I'll leave this with you" he handed her another gun he had kept secret in the glovebox. "I trust you will do anything to protect my son" he added.

"So I'm staying in the car with him?"

Deceit nodded, "we need you ready in case we need to make a quick escape. And Patton cannot come inside, I won't allow him to come into any danger"

She nodded firmly, "I'll protect him with my life"

Deceit gave her a look of gratitude before ordering everyone else out the car. "Stay safe, please" Patton called, tears welling in his eyes. Logan turned around and pressed a swift kiss to his lips. "We will. I promise"

They all left and walked towards the building, Remus and Deceit taking lead while Roman, Virgil and Logan followed quietly.

"What if this isn't the place? What if that guy was innocent?" Virgil began to worry, "this is the place" Logan replied confidently, "I know it. The elder-mers wouldn't get it wrong"

Virgil nodded, forcing himself to look forward and not back at the mess.

They all entered the building to see it was mostly ruins, rubbish strewn everywhere, desks broke, chairs on their sides. The only thing that could lead to anything was a hatch on the ground, which Remus yanked up. Making sure the coast was clear, they all snuck down the metal ladder and down the dark hallway. There was only one door right at the end, once close enough they pressed against the wall and Deceit peeked through the small window.

Inside he could see five others, three men, two women. And Thomas, floating in his tank.

One woman was beside the tank, using a control panel to send electric shots through Thomas' body, as seen through his consistent spasms. The men were all sitting at a desk, analysing data on their computer screens. The last woman was leaning against the wall, eating a donut.

Deceit ducked down, jaw clenching. He couldn't see how anyone could hurt a living creature like that, especially one so intelligent.

"What's the plan?" Logan whispered, Deceit and Remus shared a look. "We kill them"

"Are...is...I mean- is that the right thing to do?" Virgil replied, halfway to having a panic attack. Remus nodded, but he'd be up for killing anyone, so he focused on Deceit. "If we let them out with their information, it could lead to the death of thousands of human-turned mers and born-mers"

"Let's just talk to them first" Roman tried to suggest, "then we kill them. We need to know as much as we can"

"Roman's right" Logan added, "we need to know how they discovered us"

Remus sighed when Deceit agreed, supposing he could wait for a few minutes. Deceit waved them to wait, then pushed open the door and gracefully walked inside, hands folded behind his back. Instantly everyone looked over, the three men jumping from their desk and withdrawing their tasers.

"No need" Deceit smirked gently, "I'm not here to fight. I'm here to take back my friend" he gestured to the tank where Thomas still spasmed, but not as much. The two ladies stood in front of the tank, glaring menacingly.

"You won't take away our research"

"Your research is a living being"

"A creature, a monster. Who knows what they could do if they rise up against us?!"

"Honey, they're sea creatures. Taken from their home they're rather useless, what would they have against land creatures like us?"

"Their powers" the other lady added, "which you know all about. Don't you? You and your mermaid friends. How could you hide such a thing from humanity?! We need to know! To protect us"

"Humans fear of the unknown is everyone else's biggest killer. Merfolk have been around for thousands of years before humans, why would they attack now when they could have when we were weak and didn't have such weapons as guns?"

"So they can show off, have more fun killing us" one of the men replied, "isn't it obvious? We cannot let these monsters roam freely. They must be detained and analysed, we need to know their strengths and how to defend ourselves from them before it's too late"

Deceit chuckled softly, "I would believe you" he taunted, "but that's not the truth. If it were, you wouldn't have kept this a secret. You're doing this for the money, for fame. Isn't that right?"

They all shared a glance, "so what?" A man shrugged, "we'll help ourselves while saving humanity"

Deceit sighed, "my biggest sorrow in life is... being a human"

With a simple hand motion his friends burst through the door, Remus ready with his bat, Roman and Virgil with their powers - and Logan with sheer anger at seeing his friend in that tank.

"Don't do this" a woman took a step closer, "would you really betray your kind like this!?"

Deceit snorted, "what did I just say? I'd betray my kind a million times over to protect another"

"They won't hurt us. They just want their friend" the man furthest away sneered, still holding his taser tersely.

Deceit in a swift motion, practiced over many years, withdrew his gun, aimed and fired. The shot landed right between his eyes and the humans screamed as their friend fell to the floor. In shock, they didn't have time to use their weapons, Logan whipped water from a spare tank and threw it across the tasers, Virgil froze them to uselessness and finally Remus could attack.

He tackled on the two other men as Deceit turned to the women. At first he felt for the opposite gender, but as years went by, and as he killed more and more corrupted, pure evil women, he suddenly didn't care. Blasting them both in the head, Logan sprinted across the room and yanked the lid from Thomas' tank, reaching in and pulling his head above the water.

"Thomas?" He whispered, stroking his cheek. "Thomas, Thomas... please" he carried on, Roman gently taking the wires out from his skin.

"It-" Logan breathed in sharply, "it's not seawater" he whispered, "he's..." unable to bring himself to say it he slithered down to the ground and sobbed heavily into his hands.

Then, a whisper trickled through his ears.

Bring him home

"The elders can bring him back!" Remus yelled, dunking under the water and pulling Thomas up into the air. "We need to get home, now"

—

"Anna, how fast can you drive!?" Roman who made it to the car first asked hurriedly, she roared the engine to life and smirked. "Faster than you could imagine"

Once everyone was in and Thomas was laid across the laps of the adults in the middle row (even if he was too big to fit comfortably) Anna spun the car around and hightailed it to the ocean. Knowing her town like the back of her hand she could avoid the main road and take shortcuts through fields and back streets to be undetected by police.

"Will he be okay?" Patton whispered to Virgil after the latter told him what had happened. "The elder mers can bring him back" Virgil replied, squeezing his hand reassuringly. Patton looked over at Thomas' pale face, tears streaming down his cheeks before he could even realise. Somehow, he knew.

They made it to their secluded beach in record timing, Logan and Remus both took Thomas to the ocean and didn't say a word as they bolted to their home. The rest of them all sat silently in the car.

"We must make an oath" Deceit began, "to never-"

"Way ahead of you bud" Anna turned around and stuck out her hand. "Never, ever mention this to anyone. Not even your damn pet"

Everyone placed their hand onto hers and agreed.

A few days had passed and everything returned back to a relatively normal state, Patton carried on his job in school, Virgil created much more art to distract himself, Roman acted in a few plays in his theatre and Deceit stayed home, waiting patiently for Logan, Remus and Thomas to return.

On the fifth day he heard a knock at his door. Putting down the newspaper, he straightened himself out and slowly opened it. Logan stood on the other side, emotionless, pale, ruined.

Deceit slowly shook his head, "I'm...sorry, Logan"

He knew. He somehow knew before even opening the door.

They sat down on the couch, the atmosphere struck with solemn silence.

"He was alone" Logan whispered, "alone as he died in that tank. They didn't know. Didn't know he needed seawater. He-" his breath hitched, "he died peacefully in... in his sleep. It was too late when we reached home. They couldn't bring him back"

Deceit wrapped an arm across his shoulders as comfort, his own throat clogging. Thomas was so sweet, and didn't deserve to die in such a way.

"I can't help but think what if I wasn't adopted by Roman's parents" Logan then changed the subject, eyes glued to the ground. "If I were taken in by another family. I never would have met you, or Thomas. Never would have become a merman. Thomas would be alive"

Deceit pondered that for a moment, he was right. But it didn't mean anything. "I hate to break it to you, Logan, but that doesn't matter. If you met Thomas or not. Everyone's story comes to an end, whether it be too soon, or not soon enough. Thomas lived a great life with you in it, without who knows what could have happened to him. He was happy with you, and wouldn't have given up your friendship for anything. Which is why you shouldn't do the same. Embrace him, his memories, your friendship. Nothing said and done can be changed, which is why wallowing is pointless. Grief is necessary, important, acceptance even more so. The sooner you smile at hearing his name the better. Remember him as your friend, rather than someone who if you didn't meet would be in a different position"

Logan stayed silent, he didn't like that answer, but knew it was right. He could blame himself for years - but that wouldn't bring back his friend.

"Why did you let me go to the ocean?" Logan murmured. "You knew I was disobeying your punishment. Why didn't you stop me?"

Deceit pulled back his arm and moved to sit forward, leaning against the sofa cushions. "Because... because I don't know. I don't have as much of a profound answer as you would want, unfortunately. But I did realise what was happening, I knew you would leave. A rite of passage, I suppose. You didn't belong here, as a human. Which is why Logan Atlas died. I was convinced I was doing the right thing, by protecting you, but it occurred to me I was being selfish. Just because I lost Remus once doesn't mean I'm allowed to hold all of you back. One day I'm worried I'll be alone, a silly thought, but it's my biggest fear. If you all became mers and... left me behind" his admittance wasn't even voiced to Remus, or Patton. But it felt right to say now, in this moment.

Logan leaned back beside him, "none of us could leave you behind. You're their father figure, someone they love"

"And you?" Deceit smirked.

"You're.. my mentor. You pushed me to be better, while still protecting me from being stupid. You let me go and weren't angry at me when I came back. I have nothing in my heart for you but love. And nothing could change that"

Deceit's smirk fell into a smile, he hadn't anticipated that response, but left him feeling incredibly warm. "I'll take pride in that" he chuckled. "Will you be okay?"

Logan paused for a moment, slowly letting his eyes drift over to the window, gazing at the open ocean in the distance.

"I will be" he murmured.

"One day"

—
Okay- nO more continuations to this story line fhdnsnana

1:40am