Chapter Eight- New Homes

Yugi picked absently at his eggs the following morning. Atem had decided he was going to live on land and Yugi felt awful about it. How could he just decide like that and what about Grandpa? Would he really be okay with Atem living here, someone he barely knows?

"Yugi?"

The short boy looked up to see his grandpa looking at him, concerned. "Are you all right? Are you just not hungry?"

Yugi looked into the older man's eyes and felt he could trust him with the truth. Whoa. I'm not a real merman but I seem to have the instincts of one. He put his fork down. "Grandpa, I have some things to tell you about Atem. The thing is he's…he's-a-merman." Yugi looked down.

"Is he now?" The tone in his grandpa's voice made Yugi look up to see a knowing smile. "Yugi, I've known for a long time that merpeople existed. You see, your mother was a mermaid, fell for your father, and chose to live as a human."

"Mother was a mermaid!?" Yugi gasped.

"Yes and when you were born, she made it clear that you were fully human."

"Not anymore. Atem found a rare blue pearl that can give humans the ability to be merpeople when in contact with seawater. That pearl lives inside me now."

"Oho! Amazing! What color is your tail?"

"Purple. Up until I got my tail, Atem held my hand so I could breathe underwater."

Solomon nodded. "Yes, your mother did that for your father. So, have you two been dating long?"

"No. Only about a week or so. We've been friends for a year and a half now."

"I'm glad you told me and now your hypothetical question is clear to me. Whether you stay here or live with Atem, we're still family."

"That's just it. Atem's uncle has some harsh views about humans. He doesn't suspect that I'm human but his views made Atem choose to live with us. I've been wondering if he's making a hasty decision and I was worried if you'd be okay having him here when you barely know him."

"I know him now and it sounds like he's like your mother if he's choosing to live as a human."

"He's interested in our world. Living here would be a dream come true for him."

"Now, I feel you two need a refresher course that will take two days which I think will be effective."

"What lesson are you reiterating, Father?"

"Humans, Seto. You two seem to be forgetting how dangerous they are and the dangers they pose to us."

"We haven't forgotten," Atem protested.

"I want to make sure. Your questions last night concerned me."

"Concerned you?" Atem asked, confused. "We were just curious."

"A curiosity you shouldn't have."

"I'm afraid I have to disagree," Atem said.

"Do you?"

"I leaned it's not dangerous to leave the water. I dared to do so and saw my tail become legs."

Aknadin's jaw dropped. "You were human!?"

"I was. I actually walked among humans and saw their city."

"Atem, this is why these refresher course are necessary. We must not interact with humans."

Seto was silent during the exchange. He too felt these courses weren't necessary, but saw no reason to say why. Atem has a reason: He's decided to live on land with Yugi. Joey's decided to join me in the sea.

"Uncle, I love interacting with humans and learning about them. If that angers me then I'll leave now and go live with Yugi."

"It actually disappoints me that you feel this way. Very well. Go ahead, pack, and swim off to be with your beloved merman. You are welcome to visit. I won't keep you and Seto apart because of your interest."

Atem rose and swam out of the room while Aknadin looked at his son. "Do you object to these courses?"

"A little," Seto said slowly. "However, I think the finer points of the dangers would be necessary."

Atem surfaced and headed for land, a small bag in one hand. Yugi would be surprised to see him so soon but he would explain. Perhaps we should tell his grandpa the truth; I sensed he was trustworthy when I first met him. Must run in the family. He pulled himself onto the dry sand and laid there for a few minutes, knowing he could still swim in the sea and visit his family. After all, Aknadin still loved him despite his interest in humans and Seto understood why Atem chose to move out. His tail glowed and split into legs. He stood with complete confidence, grabbed his bag, and headed for his new home.

Solomon was sharing a photo album with Yugi that showed his mother as a mermaid and it was clear to him that his parent truly loved each other. I feel the same way about Atem and his decision wasn't hasty at all; we can still swim in the sea. The sound of the doorbell prompted Solomon to close the album and Yugi to head for the door, wondering who was there. He opened the door and gasped. "Atem! I wasn't expecting to see you until after tomorrow."

"There's been a change in plans. I've moved out of my uncle's home. He had planned to give Seto and me refresher lessons about humans and how dangerous they are. I refused to revisit those lessons and said if my refusal upsets him, I would leave."

"Obviously it did." Yug stepped aside to let Atem inside. "I told Grandpa you're a merman and it turns out that my mother was a mermaid who did exactly what you're doing: You fell for a human and chose to live as a human."

"Really? Well that explains your fascination with the sea."

"Seems I can sense trustworthy people too and that's why I told Grandpa."

"He did and I'm glad he did," Solomon said, entering the hall. He took Atem's free hand in his own two. "I would be happy to have you live here. Yugi said it would be your dream come true to live among humans and learn more about our world."

Atem smiled. "He was correct, Mr. Moto."

"I prefer Grandpa from you as you will be family the day you and Yugi get engaged and then married."

"Okay…Grandpa."

Joey headed for the cove to change and was surprised to see Seto there, apparently waiting for him. Joey ran into the water, his green tail appearing instantly. He flicked his fins to move toward Seto who gave him a kiss. When they parted, Joey said, "I thought we were meeting in the market."

"I changed my mind. I've got news for you. Atem-,"

"I know. He moved out of your dad's house and is living with Yug and his grandpa."

Seto smiled. "I figured you already knew but I thought I mention it anyway."

"Yeah and Yugi told me that his mother was a mermaid before choosing to live with Yugi's dad."

"Interesting and now Atem's done what she has done."

"He seems real happy."

"Of course. He's with his boyfriend and living his dream of being among humans and learning about your world."

"Well, my dream is to marry my fiancée, live in the sea, and learn about the world that will be my home."

"And so you shall. But, first, let's do that house-hunting we neglected."

"Sounds perfect. I want us to have our own place by our wedding day, the day I be a merman more than being human."

"So do I, Joey." Seto and Joey dived down and headed for the city to find the house that would serve as the place for their future lives together.

The End