Malik wasn't happy. Not at all.

He had made it clear to Kadar and the human that they would not meet again. Kadar had pleaded with him to reconsider but Malik had not fallen for it this time. He had decided that the dangerous visits to the surface would end.

Altair had seemed disappointed as Malik had told him this. Disappointed yes but he had seemed to understand Malik's reasons. Kadar's wellbeing came first to him and that wellbeing would exclude Altair from their life from now on.

Malik had decided to forget the human altogether and return to his normal life. It had been many sunrises since he had seen the human. Over a week to say in human way. Yet Malik found himself constantly wondering if the human would still go to their meeting point….just to see if they truly not would come. To his dismay he found himself just as captivated by the human world as his brother. The very brother who had strangely stayed obediently at home.

As he dwelled in these thoughts he didn't notice that he had swam to the shipwreck he and Kadar had argued at previously. He only took note of where he was when something unnaturally shiny caught his eye.

He swam closer and saw it was an object much like the one Altair had called a sword. Malik supposed this was a sword also, only fashioned a little different. Malik didn't even attempt to touch the weapon but it made him think about Altair all the more. The human had said his own kind was after his life.

Malik couldn't understand that aspect of humans. Why would they seek to rob a life of one of their own? Why consider one of your own a threat to you?

He swam around the wreck slowly, deep in thought so much so as to not notice his mother who had appeared as if from no where.

"What troubles your mind son?"

"Nothing Mother. Do not worry yourself over me."

Malik attempted a smile and swam past the Queen of the seas only to find her soon infront of him again.

"You are a well matured male now Malik, not a mere young one as your brother. You should know better than to lie to me. I have seen your thoughts stray on more then one occasion. It has started to worry your Dear Father and I."

The Queens voice remained calm and gentle as always yet it was stern and full of a mothers authority. Yes, Malik knew better. But he could not tell her about the human. He would not see Kadar to trouble.

"I am sorry Mother. I'm merely a little distracted. I must sort this out on my own.…Do not worry."

This time his smile was much more a success.

"Very well. But be sure to sort it quickly." That said She swam away towards home.

Malik watched as she went and knew she was right. He would have to sort his thoughts quickly. But he couldn't find a way to erase the human and his world from his mind.

Only one insane way came to him and he feared it would make him think of the human male all the more.

As Malik started to swim towards the surface he truly hoped Altair had taken his words to the heart and not be there.

ooo

Altair sat upon his usual perch. He knew the merman brothers would not come again but he couldn't help himself. This was the only place he could find a moments peace.

He didn't deny of missing the two. Kadar was lively and already a good friend. And as sour and moody as Malik was, even he was endearing in his own way.

It was probably better this way though. This way they and their world would stay hidden from the world and those who didn't need to know of the existence of something so wonderful.

He should have been happy to learn of such a wonder as a life much like humans existed in the world, but instead he was sad that he had been able to be a part of it for such a short while.

He was a bit bitter towards Malik for ending the meetings to talk an spend time as friends with the two.

Just as the thought of Malik crossed his mind the water erupted before him, an arm shooting out and grabbing the front of his shirt, yanking him into the water. He had a strange sensation of déja vù as he was pulled underwater.

He almost panicked when before he was released and he could resurface to breathe.

Altair barely managed to gasp at the air and wipe the water from his eyes as his shirt was grabbed again and he was shoved back against the side of the rock.

He found Malik's black eyes glaring at him. The merman hissed at him.

"What are you doing here?" Malik's voice was as captivating as it was those few times Altair had heard it and he found that he had strangely missed it.

As his confused and bewildered mind cleared he realized that despite what Malik had said, here he was all the same.

"I could ask you the same!"

"I came to make sure you don't come here again." Malik growled at him, leaning a bit closer. Scowling even deeper.

Somewhere in the back of his mind Altair thought that it was the first time Malik had touched him beyond hitting or pushing.

"I am sorry to inform you but I have come to this part of the shore many a time before I met you two!"

Which was true as the sea always calmed him down. Even though Altair wasn't fan of the whole swimming thing and such, watching the sea was the one thing that eased his mind.

Malik was about to answer as they both stilled and fell silent. There were voices coming from the shore. Altair gestured Malik to be silent, most likely unnecessarily but did so anyway. Then he peered around the rock to see a couple talking and laughing together. He watched as they walked upon the sand and he wished they would pass by quickly. He noticed Malik looking at the pair as well, with a curiosity he had never seen the merman show before.

It seemed the Gods did not hear his request today as the couple stilled to show their affections to each other.

Altair wanted to curse out loud but dared not.

Dammit he hated to be in the cool autumn sea for any length of time. If he had been sitting on his rock, the couple would have gone past quickly for sure.

"What are they doing exactly?" Malik asked very quietly.

He didn't seem to wish being seen by this random couple but apparently was too intrigued to dive to the safety of the ocean. Altair had already lost any interest in the couple other than to see them go away. Yet he peeked around the rock only to see, for his dismay and utter horror, the stupid couple removing their clothes.

There were only two reasons to do so and Altair didn't know which idea he hated more. He wanted to dash his head against the rock or just drown himself on the spot. And what made the situation even more awkward was Malik staring at the couple.

"You don't...just shut up and stop staring at the stupid one and stupid two." Altair hissed at the merman.

Malik just looked at him briefly as if to say 'make me' and continued to spy on the couple.

As the sounds of the couples love making carried to where Altair and Malik were hiding, Altair wished the sea would swallow him. He felt his face redden from embarrassment for having to listen to it and for the fact that Malik was still watching. The merman looked confused but far too interested.

Altair had no option but to suffer through it even though it seemed to go on forever.

It would however, have been worse if the damn idiots had discovered him at this point.

When the couple finally left after what seemed forever, Altair climbed back on his rock annoyed and embarrassed. Usually he wouldn't have given these things much thought as it wasn't his business if some fools wished to expose themselves like that. For some reason it disturbed him greatly that Malik had witnessed it.

"Tell me.…what was that exactly? You seem distraught by it."

Altair looked down at Malik.

The merman couldn't seriously be asking him for an explanation as to what sex was but, Malik still seemed overly interested.

"Ofcourse I am! That should be done in a room somewhere private. Not on a beach! And it is called sex, making love, if you insist on knowing."

"Well they seemed to enjoy it.…if I understood their body language correctly.…Humans are difficult to read afterall."

Altair groaned and wished he could disappear again. He was so not okay discussing this with a clueless merman.

"Besides I do not understand that word."

"It's an intimate act between two humans when they love each other. Is that enough information? I really don't see why you need to know all the details?" Altair explained, wanting to forget the whole thing already.

It seemed Malik wouldn't let him.

"So you mean a mating ritual then? Hm.…It's so different from us."

"Yeah sure, fine. Whatever you wish to call it." Altair gave up.

He hung his head for a while as he braced his elbows against his bent knees.

Suddenly he felt very tired. He picked a damn fine day to come to seek peace and quiet. This was exactly the opposite.

Altair lifted his head only to see Malik right infront of him nearly fully out of water. Altair was so shocked to see Malik on the dry land that he missed completely the part where the merman leaned in and kissed him. It was merely a peck on the lips but the touch was soft and warm albeit a little awkward.

Only as Malik retreated did the act fully register in Altair's brain. He was too stunned and speechless to react properly other than stare at the merman wide eyed, mouth agape.

"That felt weird.…Maybe I'm not doing it right.…" Malik mused as Altair still tried to form proper words.

"What do you think you're doing!?" He finally exclaimed.

Malik just cocked his head to the side as if he didn't know why Altair seemed so utterly shocked.

"It looked interesting so I decided to try it. As it is all I can do from all that.…It sure looks easier than it is though." Malik said calmly pursing his lips in thought.

Altair shook his head.

"You are a man! You don't do that to another man! Dammit Malik!"

Malik seemed slightly confused as to why not.

Altair was about to snap the reason at the merman when he realized what exactly Malik had said. He stared at the merman who continued to support himself on the stone, still out of the water, tail lashing behind him.

"Wait...you don't know what kissing is?"

"So that was called kissing? No….we do not do that….why shouldn't I do that to you. I only wished to try it and you're the only one here at the moment."

Altair stared a moment longer before he answered.

"Because in human world it's frowned upon for two men share such affections. In my country anyway. Somewhere, in other countries than mine it's forbidden and deemed a punishable act."

"Well just because it is so doesn't mean it never happens….right?"

Altair had to nod in agreement.

"So I don't see any proper reason not to try it, if it's merely frowned upon." Malik smirked at Altair and pushed himself off the rock and back into the sea.

Altair found himself speechless again for who knew how many times that day.

"Though it does sicken me slightly that you're a human and not of my own kind."

Altair frowned at Malik. If he'd been a merman he would have probably growled as was Malik's habit when he was upset.

Altair got up and turned to leave but nearly lost his balance as he was about to jump when Malik spoke.

"Wait a moment."

Altair turned to glare at the merman who was in the process of picking four or so scales of his wrist with a look of discomfort.

Well who wouldn't feel discomfort tearing his own skin off?

Altair watched as Malik closed the scales in his fist and mutter something he didn't care for Altair to understand. After that the merman proceeded to give the scales to Altair.

He took them with confusion plainly written on his face.

"Take them.…If you should need to see me.…throw one into the ocean and I will be there."

With that Malik turned tail and left.

Altair was far too confused for it to be healthy.

One second, Malik seemed to hate him then the very next he was almost friendly.

Altair didn't understand any of this anymore as he looked at the small, smooth scales cradled in his palm.

One or them was more white than blue.

He noticed he liked that one the best.