Chapter Seven- Family

Joey looked around as Seto guided him through the marketplace which was collection of shops. It didn't look too different from human shops except there were no streets or cars and all the owners and customers were merpeople. He did notice some shops were absent such as electronics and clothing. It was obvious why they were missing, though Joey did see a bra shop and a bridal shop that sold veils. Seto showed him the shop where he bought the necklace and explained the money system. Joey listened carefully, having decided he would live in the sea. Seto introduced Joey to his friends Isis and Kisara who were engaged to each other. They were pleased to meet Joey and happy that Seto found his match.

"It is wonderful that you and Atem both found someone," Isis said as she and Kisara left.

"Wait. They know about Yugi?" Joey asked.

"Oh, right. I'm surprised Yugi didn't tell you. Atem found a blue pearl the day he found out about us."

"Oh! So, Yug can be a merman too. I think he didn't tell me so I wouldn't feel bad or jealous."

"Make sure to tell him you can change too and will be living here once we're married."

"Got it. So, where's your house?"

"Follow me." Seto swam to a house with a small seaweed garden in front and through the front door. "Father?" he called. "I have someone I want you to meet."

An elderly merman with an off-white tail swam in. He tilted his head at seeing Joey. "Seto, who is this?"

"Father, this is my fiancée, Joey. Joey, this is my father, Aknadin."

Joey held out his hand and Aknadin took it with a warm smile. "Fiancée, eh? Yes, I see the necklace. Please, tell me about yourself."

"Well, I, uh, live with just my dad. My mom and sister live in another town. I'm eighteen like Seto and like spending my time with him and my two best friends."

"Father, listen to this. Joey lives in the same city as Yugi and they're friends."

Aknadin chuckled. "How interesting. What are the odds that my son and nephew would fall for two boys that are friends? Just extraordinary. I insist you stay for dinner, Joey. I want to know more about my future son-in-law."

"Uh, okay." Joey felt a home cooked meal sounded better than a takeout/delivery meal as the former didn't cost anything. Besides, Dad's probably passed out drunk right now.

"Uncle!" Atem's voice sounded. "I hope it's all right that I brought company for…dinner." Atem paused when Joey turned before finishing his sentence. Yugi floated beside Atem and was also surprised.

Aknadin smiled at his nephew. "It's fine, Atem. It's good to see you again, Yugi. Seto told me you and Joey here are friends." He gestured at the blonde.

Yugi nodded. "Yeah, best friends."

"Well then I'll get dinner started and leave you four to talk." Aknadin swam off and Seto pointed up to the next floor.

"Seto, where did you find a blue pearl?" Atem asked.

"I didn't intentionally find one. It was attached to Joey engagement gift and I thought it was a sapphire. It wasn't until Joey touched it and it glowed that I realized it wasn't a sapphire."

"You're engaged?" Yugi asked Joey.

Joey grinned. "Sure am. When Seto and I marry, I'll be staying in the sea but I'll still visit of course."

"Atem and I haven't' decided yet. I asked Grandpa in a hypothetical way if I had to choose between Atem and me living with him or with Atem's family, which he would prefer. He said he just wants me to be happy but would prefer for us to be with him."

"You plan on posing a similar question to Father?" Seto asked.

"Not quite as similar. I'm going to ask questions about possible human-merperson relationships."

Joey and Yugi both felt uneasy at dinner. Aknadin had been grilling them about almost everything about them. They understood he was doing his job as father and uncle, but it was still uncomfortable. They had to fabricate some answers as the truth would reveal that they were humans.

Atem jumped in once there was a pause in the questioning. "Uncle, I was wondering something."

"Oh, well ask my boy."

"We know that in the past, we co-existed with humans. I wonder if there had been any romance between the two." He notice the others paying close attention.

Aknadin stroked his short beard. "I suppose there were some as odd and difficult as hand contact must be maintained if they wanted to swim underwater. As we know, it's dangerous for us to leave the water so only dates in the shallows would work. But since the betrayal, contact with humans is discouraged if not forbidden. They pose a greater danger to us now than ever before. If any of us were caught or spotted, it would put all of us in danger. I don't want any of you to express any interest in humans or their world."

"But a human and a merperson could love one another?" Atem pressed. "Especially if the human promises to keep our existence secret?"

"Yes," Seto piped in. "Isn't it possible for us to know instinctively which humans are trustworthy?"

"Yes, we can do that, but humans tend to talk and keeping a secret is hard for them. Now, not another word on the subject."

"Well, I say that settled our decision," Atem said as the quartet surfaced. "When, we marry I'll be moving in with you, Yugi."

"Seto and I could visit you," Joey said. "I decided to live in the sea when Seto and I marry."

Yugi shook his head as he and Joey crawled onto land. "No offense, but the things your uncle said about humans…"

"I know. Not all humans are everything he said. You kept our secret for nearly two years."

"Joey has kept it for one year," Seto put in.

"And I don't intend to break it, especially since I'm a merman too," Joey said.

"Same here," Yugi said as their tails became legs. He stood and added, "So, you have lessons tomorrow and the day after?"

Atem nodded. "I'll come to your house in two days."

"Meet me in the market in two days, Joey," Seto said.

"Okay. See you then." Yugi and Joey waved as Atem and Seto ducked down before heading home to sleep as did their beloveds.

Aknadin laid in bed, staring at the ceiling. His questioning of Yugi and Joey had gone well and convinced him that both would make wonderful family members. It was clear that Atem loved Yugi and Seto loved Joey. They'll take care of each other, I can tell.

Atem's questions, however, concern me. Why ask about human-merpeople romance when he loves a merman? Seto also showed interest in the subject, but why? It is natural to be curious, but some things should not make one curious. Humans are dangerous creatures, everyone knows that. I think the two of them need a refresher course and the timing is good as they are scheduled for two days' worth of lesson. Their budding curiosity about humans ends here. Aknadin sighed as his eyes closed and he fell asleep.