Chapter Four- Relationships Exposed

Atem laid in bed staring at the ceiling with a smile. He could be human and he now had a boyfriend. Yesterday had been the best day of his life and knew there would be more just like it. He got out of bed and swam out of the room. He met up with Seto in the hall and recalled Yugi suggesting he ask Seto if he had a boyfriend and what his name was if he did, but decided that now wasn't a good time. Instead he said, "Morning, Seto. Got plans today?"

"Just hanging out with friends. How about you?"

"I was going to do some pearl harvesting. I…want to make a pearl necklace." Atem's cheeks burned red.

Seto smirked. "Ah, I see. Girlfriend or boyfriend?"

"Boyfriend. We've been friends less than two years and yesterday it came out."

Seto patted a shoulder. "I'm happy for you, cousin. I too have a boyfriend. We met a year ago and became a couple six months ago."

"Really? Seto, that's wonderful.'

"Thanks." Seto swam off before Atem could ask for the name. he was surprised he let it slip that he had a boyfriend. But then again, Atem admitted having one and Seto felt like telling someone about his relationship. Thing is, I can't say it's with a human and I'm not going to the marketplace; I'm meeting Joey.

Atem unearthed a clam and opened it to find a lovely white pearl. He put it in a nearby bag before swimming over to the docks near Yugi's city. He thought he might find a lot of pearls under a dock where most merpeople wouldn't go. He found a space under a pair of tankers and started digging. He found some pearls buried in the sand and a few in clams. He checked his bag and nodded. He had a decent amount to make a good necklace. Maybe one or two more, he thought. His eyes raked the ground and they landed on a large bulge almost in the back of the dock. Oh, that looks like a really big clam! He went over, dug in the sand, and, just as he thought, a really big clam was revealed. He pulled it free, cracked it open, and gasped loudly. Nestled in the clam was a blue pearl! It was as big as the one he had given Yugi not that long ago.

"Congratulations, young merman. You have been blessed," an aged voice spoke up. Atem looked around and saw an old mermaid, yet he could see through her!

"Who are you? What are you?" he asked.

"I am a spirit who lived within that pearl. I had waited for a merperson to find it so that I could be set free and reveal the pearl's power. You see, blue pearls can grant a human the ability to become a merperson whenever they touch seawater. They need only to hold the pearl which will enter their bodies and grant the ability. Now, I can rest in peace. Thank you." The spirit faded away.

Atem lifted the pearl and stared at it, stunned. This pearl allows humans to be merpeople? This is like how I become human. I could give this to Yugi and he'll gain a tail! He smiled as he put the pearl in the bag. He put the bag on and looked up to see the shadow of a human swim across the surface. He stayed where he was. I'll wait until he's far enough away that he won't see me if he dives down.

He waited and once he deemed it safe, he darted out of hiding and in the direction of home. He spotted Seto heading his way and both nodded in greeting. Atem glanced back and saw Seto heading for the surface. Curious as to why, Atem turned around and followed his cousin under the surface. Where is he going? I should warn him, though. He's heading in the direction of that human. He saw Seto glide toward the human and his jaw dropped when he saw Seto kiss the boy who was blond. Seto's boyfriend is human? His mind reeled as Seto took the boy's hand and they ducked down.

"Seto!" Atem called.

Both boys looked over and Seto paled. "Atem!" he exclaimed, sounding panicked.

"Atem?" the blonde repeated. "As in Yugi's friend?"

"You know Yugi?" Atem asked, forgetting about Seto for a moment.

"Yeah. He's my pal. Name's Joey." He held out his free hand.

"Oh! So, you're Joey." Atem came up and shook the hand.

"Wait," Seto cut in. "Atem, you befriended a human?"

"Yes, but he's my boyfriend now. And you can't criticize me over that, Seto. I'm certainly not going to."

"All right, I won't."

"Hey, Atem," Joey said. "Yug said you and Tea met yesterday but he never said you were a merman which makes sense."

"You made another friend?" Seto asked.

"I did and Seto I learned yesterday it we can leave the water."

"What!?" Seto gasped.

Atem nodded enthusiastically. "Yes and when we do, our tails become legs. The water reverses the change."

"We can become humans?"

Joey grinned. "That's great! Really." He yanked up. "Come on, Seto. I want you to see my world."

"I don't know, Joey."

"Do it, Seto," Atem urged. "I enjoyed my time yesterday and with Joey, I'm sure you'll have a good time."

"Well, all right. I'll use the chance to see your boyfriend. I have to know if he'll treat my little cousin right."

Atem rolled his eyes. "Don't bother. Just enjoy yourself."

"Atem's right. Yugi's busy doing inventory with his grandpa. Nice meetin' ya, Atem."

"Same here, Joey." Atem watched as the couple swam off and then returned to heading home. Amazing, he thought. Seto and I both fell for a human, but Yugi and I were friends before confessing love yesterday. Seto and Joey have been a couple for six months according to my cousin. It makes sense; I doubt they would have fallen in love right away.

I do hope Seto likes being human. He may not be as interested in the human world like I am, but he does love Joey and that just might make a difference. Yugi will be available tomorrow and that's when I'll surprise him with the necklace and the pearl. Atem swam into his room, sat at his desk, and gathered up the seaweed that he would string the pearls on. He examined each pearl, polished those he chose to use, and organized them into the pattern he wanted. Once all of this was done, he began stringing them on using his neck as a model as to where the pearls would rest and how much seaweed to use. He finished just as Aknadin called him for dinner.

Seto followed Joey to the cove where they sometimes met and would have picnics together. Seto had sampled some of the human food Joey provided at times and Joey would sample merpeople food when it was Seto's turn to bring the food.

Joey stood once in the shallows and walked onto land before turning to see Seto still in the shallows. "Come on, Seto."

Seto shifted slightly as he slowly crawled closer, water giving away to equal parts water and land, and then to dry land. "Joey, if this doesn't work please roll me back into the water."

"You doubt Atem's word?"

"No. He's always been honest with me growing up. He'd have no reason to lie to me…now." Seto saw his tail glow before finishing his sentence. The tail split into a pair of legs and a simple outfit of black pants, blue shirt, and a white jacket covered his body. He stared at his legs, hardly believing they were his. "I'm really human now," he said in awe.

"You sure are," Joey said, offering his hands. Seto took them, allowing himself to b pulled onto his feet. Seto stumbled as he tried to stand. He eventually stood still and then attempted to walk. He found walking easy, having seen Joey walk before. Soon, he and Joey were heading for town. "Joey, what is Yugi like since we can't see him?"

"Yugi's our age though he looks younger. He's also sweet and kind. He looks like Atem in eye and hair color, but with less yellow."

"Ah. So he could almost pass for Atem's twin."

"Yup. So, let me show you my favorite places in the city," Joey said as they finally reached the city.