The man was there again. Sitting on the edge of the rocks, looking over the ocean with that horribly longing look. Everything about the man mad Matthew think sharp. Sharp eyebrows, sharp chin, sharp hair sticking straight up. Maybe sharp was the wrong word. He had sharp features but Matthew had seen what muscles laid under that nice white button up shirt. A wonderful expansion of muscle that made Matthews stomach flip. Thick maybe? Toned? Matthew thought lazily as the man slipped off his suit coat laying on the rocks next to him and stretched a little. Damn it why can't he just take off the damn shoes? Matthew wondered biting at his lip from his hiding spot before glancing up at the sun.

It was almost time to go. He blew a bubble in the water in annoyance. He'd been coming here for weeks. All he wanted was to see the mans…what did Alfred call them? Tips? Tops? Toes? Yes toes was what his brother called the little things that were attracted to the ends of humans Foots? Feet?

Alfred claimed to have seen some once. Matthew wasn't sure he believed his twin as Arthur kept them both on a pretty tight leash when it came to spying on the humans. "It only brings trouble." Arthur insisted.

"Trouble what trouble?" Matthew wondered softly to himself. "No trouble at all watching from way out here." Matthew chewed at his lip annoyed again wondering what would happen if he want up to the man. Not showing off anything important of coarse…just maybe talking to him from his spot in the water they both spoke the same language.

Weeks he'd been watching and waiting. It wouldn't kill him to at least get a closer look he reasoned with himself glancing at the sun again before sliding under the water and propelling himself forward under the surface with practiced ease. Half way there Matthew popped the top of his head up out of the water keeping his nose under the surface and his eyes above as he tried to slow his heart rate. The fucking human was looking right at him. As water rippled around him and a wave washed over his head in passing before letting him surface again.

The man's normally smooth face scrunched up in a frown and he leaned a little forward. "Hello?" He called. 'Fuck' Matthew muttered under the water before lifting a hand and waving. Might as well go all the way now. He though, Alfred would, sliding back under and finishing the gap between them. "Hey." He greeted surfacing again keeping a safe distance away from the man on the rocks so he could make a fast get away if he had to.

"Are you allowed to be swimming in there?" The man asked and Matthew let his eyes trail up the human's shoes to his pants and the legs hidden underneath. God he would give up his left gill to see the strange split limbs naked though he's read that humans are touchy about nakedness.

"Why wouldn't I be?" Matthew asked softly frowning at the question.

"They closed this part of the beach to swimmers because they don't have enough life guards." Rock man said leaning closer to the edge to get a better look at Matthew who was immensely glad for the dark water hiding his lower half from view.

"Life guards?" Matthew mimicked. He wasn't sure what the man was talking about but guessed it had something to do with swimming and safety from his tone of voice. "I'm not worried I'm a good swimmer." He said smiling at the irony of that statement.

Rock guy snorted resting his arms on his bent legs, the part Arthur told him were called knees. "Whatever you say pal." He replied before looking back over the water with that longing look again. A gentle wave pushed Matthew a little forward and he thought something over.

"What is it you are looking for?" He asked drawing the amber eyed man's frown. "I just mean… If you want the ocean why not just swim in it? The water feels great."

"I don't swim." Rock man muttered looking away from Matthew's horrified face.

"You can't swim!" he squeaked.

"I CAN swim, I just don't." Rock man said sharply as another wave pushed Matthew forward so his hands braced against the rocks to keep himself still. Matthew relaxed, but just a little.

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Don't you swim?" Matthew was looking at the legs again wishing he could just reach forward and touch it.

"I just don't."

"That's a stupid reason." He replied gnawing at his inner lip as he raised one hand slowly.

"What do you know?" Rock man snapped as Matthew inched his hand forward.

"I know that not swimming when you look at the water the way you do is stupid." He replied back smartly fingertips just brushing the pant leg when suddenly Rock man stood grabbing Matthew's arm and jerking him upright onto the rock yelling something about being harassed before they both looked down at Matthews dripping wet red tail before looking back at each other again eyes wide.

"Mermaid?"

Matthew jerked back with all his might pushing the end of his tail off the underside of the rock he was half on now forcing them both into the ocean.

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