Chapter Seven- The Dinner Date

"So, when does the club open?" Lance asked as Shiro drove past it. The place looked closed.

"After dark," Keith replied. "We'll go after dinner." Keith silently added, If Lance loves me back, going dancing will be the perfect way to celebrate.

"So until then, where will we go?" Lance asked.

"The mall," Shiro answered.

"What's that?"

"It's a place where lots of stores are located. It's like the stores we went to yesterday but they're all in one big building."

"Sounds interesting."

Lance's jaw dropped as they entered the mall. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. It's like an indoor marketplace, he thought as they walked. There were clothing stores, toy stores, electronic stores, and many others. He didn't know where to start browsing. Shiro and Keith seemed to sense this for they started showing Lance their favorite stores. Keith led him to a book store where the two of them pored over books on the ocean and aquatic life. Shiro showed him his favorite music store where they browsed through the different genres.

"This is great," Lance said. "I love the mall."

"Hey, Lance. Want to check out the pet store?" Keith asked, nodding his head in the direction of the store.

"Sure." They entered the store and Lance gazed around. There were countless animals and supplies for them here that Lance was amazed at how this space was able to hold them all. "Humans actually keep snakes as pets?" he gasped as he stared at a cage that contained a large snake.

"Some do," Shiro answered. "Most people have dogs, cats, birds, or fish as pets."

"Fish?" Lance repeated.

"Not ones from the sea," Keith assured him. "Freshwater fish."

"Oh, good." Lance looked around until he found the fish tanks and went over to them. He went up close to the largest tank and began to murmur to them in fish speak, stunning Keith and Shiro.

"What?" he said when he turned back to them after several minutes and seeing their expressions. "I'm a merman. Being half-fish makes me capable of speaking to fish and other sea creatures." He saw Keith's eyes lit up and also saw a bit of envy. I guess I can understand that. He'd probably love to talk to sea creatures.

Keith and Shiro continued to show Lance around, the former feeling himself loving Lance more with every new thing he learned about the merman. I wonder what else Lance can do.

Hours later, they left the mall to head to dinner. Shiro let Keith and Lnace off first so they could sit together, just the two of them. He parked the car, went in, and managed to sit at a table alone near Keith and Lance's table. He couldn't hear what they were saying, but he could see what was going on.

"Lance, please tell me about merpeople. Do you live in a city, a village? Do you have a money system? What do you do for fun?"

Lance laughed. "Whoa, easy. Okay. I actually live in a kingdom that is governed by a governor and the shaman. The governor enforces the rules of the sea king and the shaman performs ceremonies, and even magical rituals. We use dead clams and sand dollars to buy things. We have one big central marketplace. I enjoy exploring sunken ships and the open waters. We swim races, read, talk, and of course become human to sunbathe. Speaking of bathing, I found out last night that if my legs get wet, they become a tail after several minutes. Apparently it doesn't matter if it's seawater or freshwater."

"It all sounds amazing. It must be cool to be a merperson."

"I suppose so but I love being able to be human. Your world is awesome with so many amazing wonders. I wish I could live here, but my family would miss me."

"You said you have a large family. Would they be okay with you befriending humans?"

"I think some would once I explain that you and Shiro have always believed we existed."

"And if you fell in love with one? What then?"

"Well, if they didn't accept that, then I probably would move to land to be with the one I love."

"I see." Keith shifted uneasily. Is he possibly in live with me?

"Keith? You okay?" Lance asked, noticing the shifting.

Keith took a drink of soda. "Yeah." He took a deep breath. "Lance, I know we haven't known each other very long but I feel like I know everything about you. I…I love you. I have the moment I saw you."

Lance's eyes went wide before a big grin appeared. "You love me? Oh, Keith. I love you, too. I also fell for you when I saw you on the surface."

Keith smiled. "Great. Lance, I confided to Shiro how I felt about you and asked him not to tell. I told my parents last night that I love you."

"You told Shiro?" Lance laughed before adding, "I told him too and also asked him not to tell and I told Veronica before I left to meet you and Shiro. She also promised not to tell."

Keith also laughed. "We both confided in Shiro. You trust him like I do."

"Yeah, I do." Lance slipped a hand into a pocket and pulled out the ring, but kept it under the table. "Keith, among my people, a couple is considered married when one wears a ring, but a wedding by the shaman re-confirms it. So, Keith. Will you be my husband?" He presented the ring.

Shiro watched as silence reigned between the two boys until they were halfway through their food. He breathed a sigh of relief. I was afraid they were both losing their nerve. He saw Keith's lips moving fast and suspected he was asking questions, most likely about merpeople. He is so curious about the sea, more than I am really. He saw Lance laugh before talking, no doubt answering. They do seem made for each other. I hope one of them confesses soon.

He saw Keith shift uneasily. Is he close to making the first move? He watched Keith take a drink before speaking. He watched the lips and saw them form the words, I love you. Shiro refrained from punching the air. Keith had confessed! He knew Lance would confess too but the moment of truth would be when Lance proposed. Would Keith accept or reject?"

He saw Lance pull out the ring but keep it under the table. He saw Lance talk again and then reveal the ring. He leaned forward slightly in anticipation of Keith's answer.

Keith stared at the ring and then at Lance's face before looking at the ring again. He wants us to be husbands? I never expected him to propose or that merpeople marry so easily. Either way, I have only one answer.

Keith looked up at Lance again and smiled. "Yes, Lance. I'll be your husband." He held out his left hand.

Lance beamed as he slid the ring onto Keith's finger and interlaced fingers. "I'm happy you said yes. I understand if you want a wedding to make it legal among humans. I would prefer it be a private one, just family and friends."

"My parents would insist on a wedding. Naturally, they'll want to meet you once I show them the ring. I'll be using the human term engaged as being married already may shock them."

"True. Now, let's celebrate by dancing." Lance pulled Keith away from the table and headed up front to pay with a happy Shiro behind them. His best friend was married and he was happy that he had played a part in bringing about a new chapter in Keith's life.