The sun was high in the blue cloudless sky. The waves lapped gently on the beach as seagulls cries out over head. It was a perfect and calm day in every way. Matthew surfaced from his swim, his shoulder length blond hair waving in the gentle breeze. He looked around nervously, his lavender eyes scanning along the beach. Not a single person was on the beach today. They were probably all be in the harbour today, Matthew had seen a ship on the horizon earlier. He'd watched it sail closer and now it was must of port. He swam along the shore line and over to a large rock along the beach. Matthew swam over and started to pulled himself out of the water. With one flick his tail he was able to get a better position on the rock. His red and white tail shimmering in the sunlight. From his position on the rock he could looks across to the harbour, being the cautious person he was he also knew he was partially hidden from view. He gazed upon the harbour, watching the humans go about their daily routines. The ship had docked and lot's of men seemed to be getting off. He sighed as he saw lovers reunited with their partners. He had never felt such emotions towards another and felt slightly envious towards the happy couples. Another person who envied the happy couples was Alfred. He walked down the plank with his bag slung over his shoulder. He walked trough the crowd of happy couples reunited after the long voyage. No one was here to meet him though, no one ever came to see if he'd made it back safely. Sighing sadly he continued his long walk along to the beach. Matthew noticed the lone figure walk away from the crowd. He then realised he was walking down to the beach. Letting out a small squeak he slid down behind the rock. Matthew saw the guy walk down and sit on the sand. Alfred gazed out to sea, watching the waves move along the beach.

"Well... after all that. I'm back again and no one's waiting. But I'm cool with that." He told himself. He knew the last bit was a lie, he hated the fact no one ever came to see him. While he was away his fellow sailors were always talking about going home. Seeing their partners and families, it was what kept them going. Alfred had no one, the only thing that kept him going was the chance to go to new places. Also it was a job that supported him, so he was thankful for that at least. Matthew looked over to him and recognised him. Many times when ships came in he had seen him many times. His light golden hair with that funny little flick at the front, his bright blue eyes. He noticed that he always left the harbour alone, never anyone to greet him. Matthew enjoyed seeing the blond return though he knew he could never approach him. Knowing he couldn't even speak to him made Matthew smack his tail angrily in the water, making a small splashing sound. Alfred heard the small splash and looked across to the rock. His eyes becoming lost in the lavender ones that looked back at him. Matthew looked back into the blue eyes that caught his, trying to hold his tail underwater became impossible. Alfred felt like he'd see the guy behind the rock before. Standing up he started to walk towards the rock. Matthew panicked as he saw him approach. He slid down off the rock now just over waist deep in water so he hid his tale. Matthew wants to swim away right now, but he couldn't. He couldn't move As Alfred saw the guy disappear behind the rock he picked up the pace. Reaching the rock he climbed up, smiling when he found Matthew hadn't swam off.

"Hey you okay?" Alfred asked softly looked down to Matthew. Matthew let out another squeak trying to hide his tale.

"Y-Yeah..." His voice sound more like a whisper. "I-I'm fine."

"You sure? You seem kinda nervous." Alfred asked, his blue eyes full of curiosity. Matthew closed his eyes trying not to get lost in his blue eyes. Matthew nodded vigorously.

"Yes! I'm fine!" He tried to reassure him. Alfred looked around.

"You out here all alone?" He asked softly, still trying to place where he had seen the guy before.

"Yeah, j-just came out for a swim you know." Matthew said laughing sheepishly. In his head he yelled at himself for being so awkward.

"Cool. I've just come back from a 3 month voyage. Still though..." Alfred looked across to the harbour. "No one seems to wait for me like the others."

"I'm always here." Matthew muttered quietly, hoping it was quiet enough so Alfred didn't hear him.

"I think I've seen you before, the last time I came home. You were only there for a moment." He smiled softly. "What's your name?" Matthew returned the soft smile.

"M-My name is Matthew, Matthew Williams." He held his hand out to Alfred. "And you?"

"I'm Alfred Jones." He took Matthews hand and shook it. "So what drinks you here?" Matthew smiled and let go of Alfred's hand.

"Oh um, just swimming. That's all I ever do. Swim. I'm here everyday." He said slightly embarrassed at the fact.

"Wow. You must be one strong swimmer." Alfred smiles sheepishly. "Can I join you?"

"Sure." Matthew agreed without even thinking. AS he slowly realised what he had said fear began to grip his heart. 'Oh no!' he panicked.

"Cool." Alfred grin and climbs off the rock. He moved back to the beach and started to unbutton his shirt. Matthew felt his heart beginning to race. How the hell was he not going to get caught? He looked over to Alfred. He felt himself blush. He was trying not to gaze at Alfred's toned chest, and failing miserably at it. 'I must look like such a weirdo.' Matthew thought. Alfred after taking of his shirt proceeded to undo his belt and trousers. Sliding those down he was now just wearing a pair of black shorts. He walked down into the sea and swam around to find Matthew. Matthew snapped out of his trance and back away a bit while thinking. 'He's gonna see, he's gonna see!' He panicked, quickly dropping down so only his shoulders were above water level.

"Are you okay?" Alfred asked, hoping that Matthew wasn't going to back out.

"F-Fine. I'm fine." Matthew said shuffling back until his back bumped into the wall. Alfred tilted his head in confusion.

"Well... come on then." Alfred offered his hand. Smiling softly to Matthew. Matthew gritted his teeth as he reach out slowly to take his hand. 'I'm going to regret this!' he thought as Alfred pulled him away from the rock and towards him. Matthew closed his eyes and just let Alfred pull him along. Relaxing as the water went by him, Alfred's hand holding his. His eyes shot open though as he felt his tail brush against Alfred's leg. Alfred looked down to the red and white tail near his leg. He looks up at Matthew with a slightly confused but gentle expression. "So... that's why you were so nervous." Matthew nodded, feeling tears prickle the corners of his eyes.

"Y-You probably think that I'm a freak." He said hiding his face.

"No..." Alfred said softly. "I could never think that of you." He pulled Matthew into a hug. Trying to comfort him.

"Y-You couldn't?" Matthew stuttered, hugging back.

"I can, I don't really mind that your a merman. I think you are a wonderful shy person." Alfred brushed one hand through his hair, looking into Matthews eyes. Matthew blinked lavender eyes at Alfred and smiled, blushing slightly.

"R-Really? Y-You really think so?" He asked.

"Sure. I've been all over the world, but never have I met anyone like you." Alfred smiled hugging him closer, resting his chin on Matthews shoulder. Matthew smiled at the close contact. "We're very cautious of humans. We prefer to stay underwater, but.. I like it up here."

"Whys that then?" Alfred asked curiously. Matthew pulled back a little so he could see Alfred's face again.

"It gives me hope." Matthew said smiling softly.

"Hope?" Alfred asked, looking back to the town. "How so?"

"T-That even though I can't find someone that loves me at home, that I'll be able to find someone up here who does." He said, his blush going deeper.

"I started travelling looking for someone who would love me." Alfred chuckled turning back to Matthew. "It looks like I maybe should of looked around more here." He whispers, brushing his lips across Matthews neck. Matthew smiles then whimpers as he feels Alfred's lips trail across his neck. "I'm not going to fast am I?" Alfred asked. Matthew shook his head, not trusting himself to speak. Alfred smiled and gingerly kissed Matthews lips. Matthew felt his face heat up even more, closing his eyes. He nervously kissed back. They moth wished the moment would hold, but it was not to be. A massive wave rolled up and drenched the couple. The cold water washed over them, Matthew just relaxed as he was used to it. Alfred on the other hand was a different matter. Caught off guard he shuddered under the wave. It crashing him back to reality. He shuddered. "Well I didn't see that coming." He managed a smile.

"A-Are you alright?" Matthew asked concerned, looking over Alfred.

"Yeah." Alfred grinned "I've been through worse." Matthew smiled touching Alfred face only to quickly draw back.

"Y-You're freezing!" He said alarmed. Alfred looked over the water to the setting sun. "I need to get home and wrap up warm."Matthew felt his face drop.

"O-Oh." He said "Right..."

"Hey... it doesn't mean I can't come back tomorrow and see you." He gave Matthew a final hug. As he turned to leave Matthew grabbed Alfred's hand, he was on the brink of tears and is able to whisper out. "D-Don't go."

"Don't cry Matthew. I'm sorry but I've got too. I won't last very long out here at night. I can't stay warm. But I promise I will come back tomorrow." Alfred was also on the brink of tears. He didn't want to go either, but he knew he couldn't stay out for much longer.

"I-I could temporarily turn you into a merman, o-or I could go with you." Matthew said, he was desperate now, he didn't want Alfred to go and he didn't exactly know why.

"You can change?" Alfred asked confused. "How long can you hold it for?"

"A-As long as I stay dry." Matthew stated. "I-I'm one of the few with the ability."

"Does that only apply to water? So you can drink and stuff?" Alfred asked, worried and just wanted to check the do's and don'ts.

"Yes and yes." Matthew says nodding. Alfred smiled.

"So let's get going." He scoops Matthew up and holds him bridal style. Matthew let out a small squeak and he gasped.

"N-No. T-They'll see me!" He said in a panic. Alfred lowered him down so he was back in the water but is still held him. "So how we gonna do this?" He asked.

"I'll swim to shore, it's not that far, t-then we have to wait a bit so I can get dry." Matthew said blushing slightly.

"Okay. I think I've got a spare towel in my bag. So I'll see you there." Alfred asks smiling as he started to move around to the shore. Matthew nodded and quickly followed him, struggling to get onto shore, but he makes it and sighs. He flicked his red and white coloured tail and smiled. Alfred dried himself off and got dressed. He went over to Matthew and put a small towel around his shoulders. Matthew jumps a bit and smiles up at Alfred, taking the towel and quickly drying himself off. He winced as he felt his tail begin to shift into legs. "Here wear these." Alfred offered Matthew a spare shirt and trousers blushing slightly.

"T-Thank you." Matthew said. He remembered that he was naked, and put on the clothes. "T-They're a bit big."

"Don't worry about it. I've got more clothes at my house. I'm sure we can find some that fit you better." Alfred smiled, offering to help Matthew stand up. Matthew took the offered hand and stood up only to fall back down.

"I'm sorry, I haven't walked in a long time." He said sheepishly.

"It's okay. Take your time." Alfred smiled, helping him up and supporting Matthew until he felt ready to walk. Matthew clung to Alfred's arm before nodding. "O-Ok, w-we can go." He said, blushing a bit.

"Cool." The pair walk up the beach and through the town. There is a lot of people about the town, lots of men are getting drunk in bars celebrating their safe return. Alfred kept Matthew close making sure he didn't lose him. Matthew moves closer to Alfred, stumbling a couple times, but staying close, because he was scared. Sensing Matthews discomfort Alfred wrapped an arm around him. "My home isn't much further." Matthew nodded and narrowly avoided a drunken man staggering towards him. Alfred took him down a side street to a small house just outside of the town. "Here we are." He opens the front door and steps inside. Matthew followed him, smiling.

"It's very nice." He mumbles, falling forward. Alfred caught Matthew and scooped him up. "Lets go to bed. It's really late. Matthew nodded and yawns. "O-Ok." He mumbles. Alfred carried him upstairs to his room. He lay Matthew down on the bed, turning away to get himself ready for bed. He returned to the room to see Matthew snuggled up in the covers. Seeing Matthew sleeping peacefully in his bed, he smiled softly moved to the sofa and slept there.