A/N: Okay, I'm going to admit this right now: I'm stalling the meeting with Yao's parents. But it will be next chapter.

Chapter XXV

Ivan woke up to Yao leaving through the front door. It was about seven or so and Ivan had been curled up at the bottom of the pool, sound asleep. But Yao's hasty exit awoke him, causing him to sit up and peer over the side of the pool as he saw the sweater-wearing Chinaman's back when he pulled the door closed behind him.

He has left to go to town. That was Ivan's only thought as he sunk back down to the bottom of the pool and went back to sleep.

-xXx-

He woke up again, almost two hours later, to the sound of Yao entering the front door followed by a draft of crisp, chilly air. He went into the kitchen as Ivan sat up and rubbed the sleep from his eyes.

"Good morning Yao-Yao." Ivan greeted.

The Asian poked his head out of the kitchen.

"Morning Ivan." he replied, "Hungry?"

"Da."

"I have some leftover plain rice, how's that for you, aru?"

"Okay, that sound good."

"Let me just put this stuff away."

-xXx-

Yao did not eat with Ivan. He ate as he worked, trying to put dishes away, and clean up the kitchen. He had music playing as he ran around, trying to clean and organize and tidy everything. He rearranged and put different decorations on his walls. He spent the entire day doing this, and he scarcely interacted with Ivan at all. He took no breaks, not even one for lunch. All he stopped long enough to do was pour himself a couple of cups of ice water. He turned on the TV, and gave Ivan a touch screen tablet and a portable gaming system to entertain himself with. He also gave him paper and a pencil to draw with, and told him not to distract him while he worked. So Ivan spent the day keeping quiet and to himself while his partner raced about the house.

"What time are your parents coming?" Ivan asked.

Yao was switching his Sanrio pillows with oriental decorated ones.

"18:00." he answered, "That's in an hour and a half, and they're usually late, anyway."

"Why are you switching the pillows?"

Yao looked up, "Isn't it obvious? My parents don't approve of cute things, aru. That's why I put them away. My dad says it's immature. So I'm trying to make my house look more grown up."

Ivan was confused. "You shouldn't have to change anything for anyone."

"You don't know my parents, aru." Yao snipped. Ivan was slightly taken aback at the Chinaman's edgy tone.

The sweaty Asian huffed and then plopped down on the couch. "I'm sorry, aru. This whole thing really stresses me out."

"Then why don't you take break, da? You have been working all day."

"I'm done for now, all I have left to do is put these away, put you in the upstairs bathroom and get ready. Then I have to finish making the food."

"Oh, that's right..." Ivan had nearly forgotten that he was not going to be meeting Yao's parents, he was going to be upstairs in the bathtub while Yao was stuck with his parents downstairs. From the vibe he got from him, he could infer that he was not fond of them, and they did not seem like very nice people. He did not like the idea of leaving Yao to face his parents alone, but it wasn't his place, and he could not do anything anyway, with his useless tail.

Yao sat for a few more moments, before getting up again. He put the pillows in his closet and then turned back to Ivan, "I'm going to go shower." He went upstairs.

-xXx-

He returned a bit later, wearing a robe, his wet hair hanging loose passed his shoulders.

"I filled the bathtub for you, aru." he said, "Come on."

Ivan put his arms around Yao's neck, and the human lifted him out of the water. He carefully carried him up the stairs, trying his hardest not to let the large fins scrape the floor or bump into anything and knock it over, so his hard work did not go to waste.

He carried him into his now clean room, and lowered him into the tub.

"Comfortable, aru?"

"As I ever will be in bathtub." Ivan answered.

"Then I am going to go get dressed, aru." With that, he fixed his robe, which was hanging off one shoulder, and then he closed the door behind him and went into his actual room to change.

Ivan looked around the bathroom. It was a bit untidy. The sink had a brush, comb, toothbrush, mouthwash, and toothpaste next to it, and there was a hand towel in a heap underneath the ring it was supposed to be hanging on. A towel hung on the rack beside the tub, and Yao's washcloth was draped over the side. His shampoo, conditioner, and body wash were on a rack on the wall in front of where Ivan was sitting. The kawaii panda shower curtain matched the clock that was on the wall. There were also some clothes on the floor, and some draping over the hamper. Ivan decided he liked Yao's personal bathroom more than the one downstairs. The bathroom also smelled good, because of the scented candle that was lit in it.

He picked up his bag from the floor next to the tub, and began to examine all the shells. Although he wanted to do something with them, he did not know what yet. He had enough that he could make something out of them. He thought about it. That was when he remembered something. Toris and Felicija both had matching shell necklaces. He could make matching shells for he and Yao to wear. The jewelry was a symbol of love.

It is also one of the symbols of binding yourself to someone. Said a voice.

Ivan knew that.

Do you really love him enough to bind yourself to him?

With all my heart...I do.

Vanya, dear. You are a FOOL! You do that, you are going to doom yourself to be cursed on land forever! You would give up even more control than you already have lost? What are you? A submissive subordinate!?

I'm a merman who has dishonored...who has been shunned by his family. I am a merman whose only remaining happiness is the human that I love. It does not make a difference whether I am cursed or not. I don't care. I love him. I know in my heart I do. I always have. Binding myself would only make me happy. That would mean he would be mine forever. Until the day we die. I would never have to be without him again. And, I will get legs like Taika got when she bound herself.

How can you be sure you will get legs, Vanya? What if you don't? Then you will be stuck as a submissive, helpless immobile creature in confinement on land. You will never be able to regain any control or dominance over your life again.

I will get legs. I just know it. How did Taika get legs? When she chose to live like a human, da.

You think it's by magic, Vanya? You are a fool. Who knows how long it will take to get them, if ever. You optimistic fool. You will lose everything.

Everything but the chance at a happy life with my Yao-Yao. And that is enough to make me happy. People do stupid things for love, da? Well, so what. I know this love is genuine and true. I know he is the one for me, because I feel it every time I am around him. It just feels...right. That is why I am doing this. That is why I am sacrificing my freedom to roam the sea. Because I love him. We love each other. And once I get my land-legs, I can go wherever Yao goes. I can finally do all the things I see couples do on the T.V.; The dinner dates, the walks, the holding hands, the hugging, the cuddling. I can be the one to pick him up like a bride for once. I can do all of that. When I become a human, I will be completely happy. When I become human, I am going to marry him.

You are such a fool, little Vanya.

Maybe you think so. Maybe I am. But do you know what? Frankly, my dear, I do not give d*mn, da?

-xXx-

Yao came into the bathroom, wearing a green button up and black slacks. He combed and brushed his hair, and then pulled it back into his usual ponytail. He looked at Ivan, "Do I look okay, aru?"

"Yao-Yao, you always look amazing. Don't worry."

The Chinaman smiled, and then got down in front of the tub, and kissed the merman.

"Thanks, aru. Wish me luck."

"Good luck, Yao-Yao."

With that, the Chinaman took a deep breath and turned and left the bathroom.