Hello everyone! It's great to see you all here for chapter 2! I was going to post this over the weekend but then I saw that there is no new episode of South Park tonight so I decided to post this chapter to make up for it. I hope you all enjoy.
Disclaimer: I do not own South Park nor do I own The Little Mermaid.
Chapter 2
The Teal Scale
"Prince Craig! You finally came back!" Tweek shouted from his favorite flat rock.
"I have been searching for you this whole time, my little merboy!" Prince Craig replied with a dreamy smile.
Tweek blushed and laughed light-heartedly as he was pulled from the rock by sea birds. The bright sun shone down on the two as Tweek was placed next to Craig. The clear blue sky seemed to smile as the two reunited with each other.
"I'm so happy to finally have you back by my side!" Craig shouted in joy as he embraced Tweek in a strong hug.
"I am so happy to finally be reunited with you, my prince," Tweek sang as he took in the spiced scent of the prince.
"Let's never be apart again," Craig cheered before laying a sweet kiss on Tweek's forehead.
"Oh, my prince, I would never leave your side again," Tweek sang in jubilation.
With that, the two performed the song they shared from the night they met. Tweek's sweet voice echoed through the air as Craig plaid on his flute. Tweek's heart swelled with joy as he held Craig close.
"Oh Craig I am so happy to see you," Tweek shouted.
"But Tweek," Craig replied, his tone less joyful. "It's late and you need to get up!'
"What…?" Tweek looked to Craig, confused by what he said.
"Tweek you slept in again!" Craig scolded.
To Tweek's horror, Craig's gorgeous face transformed into that of his father.
"Tweek! How are we to run a proper business if you sleep in like this?" his father's floating head scolded.
With that the floating feeling Tweek had felt when with Craig vanished and was replaced with stress and dread.
…
Tweek groaned as he rolled around in his sponge bed.
"Ah! I-I'll be out in a minute, Dad!" Tweek shouted from under his kelp sheets. The sheets were pulled over his head and his teal tail poked out from under the dark green sea duvet.
"Well, get down to the cafe right away! Your mother needs your help opening," demanded before swimming out of his only son's room.
Tweek sighed as he shut his green eyes yet again. He longed to be with his Craig. He had not seen the dark-haired boy since that night 7 years ago. The only time he was able to meet with his prince was in his dreams and currently Tweek desperately wanted nothing more than to go back to sleep and be with Craig.
He groaned once again before rolling out of his bed. If he didn't get a move on his father would come back and heckle him more and when his father heckled him, Tweek's frustration would only grow.
He swam over to the small window in his room and closed his eyes. He took a deep breath before opening his mouth to sing. Just like all the other merfolk in the kingdom, Tweek started his morning by singing the song he held deep within his heart to help strengthen the barrier around the city. His teal pearl glowed softly as he sung the sweet song he shared with Craig so many years ago.
As Tweek ended his enchanting song, a small light floated from his pearl and out the window. Tweek watched as the small teal ball floated up and became one with the large glowing barrier. He let loose a sad sigh as he looked past the barrier to the ocean's surface. He could tell that it must be early, for the sun's light was not yet reflecting through the waves.
As it often did, Tweek's mind wandered yet again to his prince. Resting his ching in his hands, Tweek looked dreamily up at the early morning surface. He could not help but wonder if his dark-eyed prince also dreamt of ever reuniting with Tweek, if Craig ever looked out over the ocean longing to see Tweek yet again. Whenever Tweek's thoughts wandered to where Craig must be and if Craig even remembers that night, he would feel an ache in his chest and a yearning to sprout legs and live amongst the humans.
Tweek only looked to the heavens a moment longer before reluctantly pulling himself from the windowsill to start his day. He lazily picked up his old shell comb and floated over to his full length mirror. His bright green eyes stared back at him as he studied his reflection.
Tweek had grown quite a bit in the past 7 years. He was not a scrawny merboy anymore but a squat merteen. He was much shorter than most merboys his age, despite growing so much. The doctor had told his parents he should have been at least 6 inches taller to be at a normal length. When out on the town, other merfolk would sometimes even mistake him for a mermaid from behind. Tweek tried not to let it get to him but he often worried he might be sick with some sort of disease causing him to be so short. His parents and the doctor reassured him that he was healthy otherwise, but Tweek could not help but worry that he might someday come down with a crippling bone disease or something.
Trying not to obsess over why he was so short, Tweek made a futile attempt to brush his wild golden hair only to give up after a few tries.
'At least I can say I tried,' Tweek thought as he tossed the comb aside.
After giving his messy hair a ruffle, Tweek studied his tired face. Large dark bags hung under his green eyes, making it look as if he needed a few more hours of sleep, which he did. Though he was much better at getting to sleep at night, he still had trouble settling down. He often feared the barrier would fall and a giant squid would reach in through his window and gobble him up.
Giving a small involuntary twitch, Tweek's eye wandered down his body. Tweek was not a very fit merboy. He was not skinny by any means, nor was he terribly fat. His mother often told him he was huggable, like a sea sponge. Most merboys his age had strong firm stomachs and large muscular arms, but Tweek's belly was soft and ever so slightly protruded out, and his arms were stubby without a single muscle to speak of. He often promised himself that he would work on firming up his muscles and losing his small belly, but never got around to it.
Tweek's eyes then wandered to his bright teal tail. Tweek would never admit it aloud, but his favorite part about himself was his shimmering tail, for Craig has told him on that night that he liked it. Whenever Tweek thought of that compliment, he often felt a warmth spread from his chest. No one ever complimented him on anything before, nor had it ever happened again.
Most merfolk told him that his bright tail was a liability. That he was an easy target for predators and would someday be snached up by a gian squid and eaten alive. As a child, these thoughts haunted Tweek, but since that night with Craig he was able to see the beauty in his tail.
The other bit that Tweek secretly liked about himself was his beautiful singing voice. When he talked, his voice was high pitched and hard on the ears, but when he sang he could lull even the most angry of see monsters to sleep. Also, when he sang he felt as if he was able to somehow connect with his beloved Craig. Craig has told him that he liked his singing voice. When Tweek thought of the compliment, he could not help but sing with all his heart.
With one last look at his reflection, Tweek left his room and made his way down to the cafe. His house's bedrooms sat on the third floor, the very top floor of the house, with the living area being on the second floor and their family cafe taking up all the first floor. Tweek entered the cafe from the back room that connected the second floor to the cafe.
The cafe was none too impressive. The far walls were made of windows that looked out to the street. The dining area consisted of ten medium tables that could seat about four merfolk each. He swam up to his mother who was currently setting some sea treats into a display case at the front counter.
"G-Good morning, Mom," Tweek squawked as he twitched involuntarily.
"Why, good morning sleepy-head," his mother greeted in a soft tone. She was a small merwoman with a mauve tail. Her mauve tail did not sparkle nearly as brightly as Tweek's, but shimmered nonetheless under the enchanting glow of the barrier.
"Dad said you needed my help," Tweek replied with a nervous flip of his tail.
"Oh, yes," she replied as she thought for a moment. "Why don't you finish up filling the display case while I prepare to open."
"Ngh-! Okay," Tweek replied with another involuntary twitch as he took his mother's place behind the display case.
Tweek hated it when they opened shop. It's not that he didn't like meeting the other merfolk who came in, he just couldn't stand the pressure of the morning rush of merfolk stopping in on their way to work. When things got too busy, he was often unable to keep up with the demand for fast service. Just thinking about it made Tweek tug at his hair.
"Ah, yes, my beautiful wife and dutiful son hard at work," Tweek's father said as he burst in through the back door.
"Agh!" Tweek greeted as he hit his head on the top of the display case.
"Good morning dear," Tweek's mother greeted in her calm voice.
"Yes, everything looks in order here at Tweek Bros Seabean House," Richard Tweak, Tweek's father, sighed as he looked out over the small cafe. Much like the other two in the family, was also a smaller merman. He had a dusty gray tail that barely shimmered beneath the barrier's glowing light.
"Yes, once Tweek is done setting out the treats we can open," Mrs. Tweak replied as she finished setting out the last chair.
"If someone had not slept in so late we could already be open," Mr. Tweak laughed, thought Tweek could not help but feel it was a jab at him for sleeping in so late.
"Sorry, Dad," Tweek mummbled as he set out the last treat. Most mornings always started with his father indirectly chastising Tweek in some way.
"And let's not scare off any customers today with any shouting like yesterday," Mr. Tweak added with another laugh, thought it did not sound too genuine.
Tweek gave a violent, involuntary twitch as he muttered a weak "Jesus, I try…"
"Now dear, let's not start with that," Mrs. Tweak sighed as she swam to her husband's side. "You know Tweek is trying his very best even if he does mess up from time to time," she hummed as she gave her husband's shoulders a soft squeeze.
Tweek's mother often stood up for him when his father would get started on Tweek's quirks. Tweek appreciated it, but he knew his strange ticks were grating on his parents. He often felt they would be much happier if they could be rid of him. He would not be scaring off any more customers.
An awkward silence hung between the small family. Tweek could tell that his father wanted to say more, but would not dare in front of Mrs. Tweak.
"Now, shall we open for business?" Mrs. Tweak suggested, breaking the tense atmosphere.
"Yes… I'll go unlock the door," Mr. Tweak said with a clap of his hands. With that he swam off to the entrance.
"Tweek, dear, why don't you go to the serving station and pass out the food to the customers," Mrs. Tweak softly suggested.
The serving station was at the far end of the front counter. It was the simplest job, where all one had to do was add the garnish to the food and pass it to the customer. It was the best job for Tweek for he didn't have to memorize any orders, nor did he really need to talk with anyone.
With that, the small family got to work, each focused on their own tasks for the day.
…..
The day dragged by at a sea snail's pace. It was late afternoon when suggested Tweek take the rest of the day off to go out and play. Tweek took the offer all to eagerly, though he would never admit that he had no friends to play with. He often lied to his parents, saying he wanted to go out and hang with the other merboys, but in actuality Tweek would spend all his free time at the ocean's surface.
On this particular evening as the sun set over the horizon, an early summer's breeze wafted through the air. Tweek sat atop his favorite flat rock and watched as the sun dipped down into the ocean. The sun's enchanting rays painted the ocean's surface with an orange glow, making it look as if it were lava. Tweek loved the serenity that came when the sun dipped down past the horizon and the stars slowly dotted the sky.
Tweek came to this rock almost everyday. He would come and sing the song he and the prince shared 7 years ago, wishing that someday the prince may return to him. As the sun dipped down out of sight and the stars began to dot the night sky, Tweek hummed the calming tune. As the half moon rose high into the sky, Tweek's humming turned into full on singing. His sweet voice swept out over the sea, putting all creatures within ears' reach to sleep. When Tweek sang like this, he, too, felt his worries subside ever so slightly. When he sang on his rock, he would close his eyes and imagine his prince with him playing his small fluet.
Tweek longed for another moment just like the magical one 7 years ago. Every night he would wish upon every night star to return his prince to him so that he could feel the wonders of true joy yet again.
On this particular night, Tweek's singing grew stronger and stronger as he wished on every star. The beautiful twinkling stars reflected in his pleading green eyes as if they knew some unspoken secret that they've been keeping from him. Tweek closed his eyes and reached one arm out as he hit a particularly high note, and that's when he heard it. The sound of a flute.
Tweek's voice subsided as his breath caught in his throat. His heart beat with an excitement he had never felt before. The flute's sweet tune lingered even after he stopped singing. Afraid of disappointment, Tweek slowly opened his green eyes. As his green eyes cracked open, Tweek let loose a breathy gasp for there in front of him high up on a ship sat his dark-eyed prince.
Tweek's shimmering green eyes were round as a full moon as he took in the beautiful man. Craig had grown so much in the past few years. His jawline was pronounced, his neck muscular, his soft, dark hair styled a bit longer, but his dark blue eyes shone like the night sky just as Tweek remembered. Tweek felt his heart do a flip in his chest as he blinked in disbelief.
"Is it really you?" Tweek croaked as he leaned forward still in disbelief.
Prince Caig lowered the flue as he leaned over the rail squinting at Tweek, for Tweek did not realize he was in the shadows of the rocks.
"Who's there?" Craig demanded before getting a glimpse of a teal tail. He let loose a surprised gasp.
Tweek shifted ever so slightly on the flat rock so that half of his boy was illuminated by the moon's light
As Tweek shifted into the light the prince gasped yet again.
"It's you! It's really you!" Craig said in disbelief, for his family has assured him that the time he had met Tweek had been a mere dream.
"I've been waiting for you, my prince," Tweek replied ever so shyly.
"I-I can't believe you are actually here," the prince replied with a blink of his eyes as if he were failing to get a hold of himself. "Everyone said you weren't real but I knew you had to be."
Tweek smiled in reply as his bright green eyes stared into Craig's dark blue gaze. He felt his heart do another joyous flip. A moment of magical silence hung in the cool air.
"I've been looking for you… Hoping to see you again," Craig said, adding even more to the enchanting moment. He squinted his eyes in an attempt to get a better look at the merboy on the rock.
"Oh, my prince, I am so happy to see you again," Tweek sighed with joy.
A happy silence hung between the two teens with only the sound of the ocean waves. Tweek's heart swelled with joy knowing that his prince had indeed been thinking of him all this time. His prince had not forgotten that magical night. Tweek wanted nothing more than to leap onto the boat and be with Craig. He didn't even care if other humans were aboard it, for he did not want to go another moment without his prince.
"Please, take me with you!" Tweek pleaded as he shifted off the rock into the water.
Craig only seemed surprised for a moment before smiling softly.
"I promise this time I will grab you and pull you in," Craig said as he reached a hand out over the rail.
Tweek smiled brightly as his heart swelled with joy. He could not believe that this was actually happening to him. He was finally going to be reunited with his prince. Part of him insisted that it must be a dream but he knew that every last bit of it was real.
Before Tweek could ready himself to dive under water, he felt a strange tug on his fin, as if the ocean current was trying to pull him away. He looked down and gave his fin a sharp tug to find that the unnatural current tried to pull him in a completely other direction.
"Is something the matter?" Craig shouted from the rail.
Tweek shook his fin roughly as he looked up to his prince. He opened his mouth to reply but his voice caught in his throat as lighting dashed across the sky and loud thunderous bang shook the air. Only moments ago the sky had been crystal clear, but now it was covered in angry black clouds. As if out of nowhere, an angry wind rushed through the air and the ocean's waves began to toss Tweek and the ship about. Panicked screams could be heard from up on the ship.
"Craig!" Tweek shouted as he looked up to find his prince hanging on to the rail for dear life. Before Tweek could do much more, a large wave smashed down upon him, pushing him deep under water. Tweek desperately tried to orient himself as he tumbled under the large ship, the ocean's angry current tousled him about like a rag doll. Tweek's body filled with dread not for himself but for the safety of his beloved prince.
After much effort, Tweek was able to pull free from the odd current, allowing him to break the rough ocean's surface. Tweek's desperate green eyes searched the ship for his dark-eyed prince but he was nowhere to be seen. Another large flash of lightning shot from the sky and struck the ship. Panicked screams could be heard from up on the ship as an angry orange fire began to burn.
"Gah! Craig!" Tweek desperately shouted as he tried his best to locate his prince, though there was not much he could do from in the water. Tweek took notice that several smaller boats with humans in them were being lowered into the sea in an attempt to escape but Craig was not among any of those humans.
With a sudden jerk the ship spun unnaturally, crashing into the rocks that protruded from the ocean floor just as another clash of lighting smashed down into the center of the ship causing the ship to creak and moan as it split in two. Water began to fill the ship, causing it to sink fast.
"No! Craig!" Tweek shrieked in horror. "Oh God! How could this be happening? Gah!" Tweek sputtered as he dove under the water in an attempt to get as close as he could to the carnage.
'I have to find Craig! I just have to,' Tweek's mind screamed as he desperately searched through the debris.
He dodged this way and that as his terrified green eyes searched the carnage for his prince. It only took a moment for him to see a dark-haired figure being dragged down by a rope. Tweek knew right away that it was his prince.
With the speed of a tuna, Tweek shot to where his prince struggled to free himself from the rope. Craig gave one last thrash as bubbles floated from his mouth.
"Oh, please no!" Tweek gasped as his shaking hands freed his prince's leg. Without missing a beat, Tweek took Craig into his arms and shot for the surface. The prince was heavy but the adrenaline pumping through Tweek got them to the surface in no time.
"Gah! Craig, please be okay, please!" Tweek begged as he made sure to keep the prince's head clear out of the water.
The prince sputter up some water with a gargled cough. His dark eyes cracked open and for a moment he gazed into Tweek worried green eyes. The two held the gaze for only a second before Craig passed out yet again.
"Gah! No!" Tweek shrieked, but found that, although shallow, the prince was still breathing.
In a panic, Tweek looked about himself, unsure of what he should do. The ocean tossed him this way and that but with the ship now sunk it seemed as if the storm had done its duty and was ready to head on to its next victim.
"Oh God, what do I do?! What do I do?!" Tweek mumbled in a panic as he tried his best to keep the prince's head above the water. His terrified green eyes then looked upon the shore in the cove. Without a second thought, Tweek took off towards the shore.
The prince was a heavy load, and it took all of Tweek's strength to drag him up onto the shore. By the time the prince was safely up onto the sand, the sun was beginning to rise up into the sky. In utter exhaustion, Tweek collapsed onto the prince, laying his head upon the prince's chest. In an attempt to calm himself, Tweek closed his eyes and was happy to hear the faint thumping of his prince's heart.
"Thank God, you're alive," Tweek sighed as he savored the beautiful sound of Craig's heartbeat. Tweek rested his head upon Craig's chest for only a moment more before pulling himself up and off the prince.
The bright morning sun shone warmly down on them. The sky was clear yet again without a hint of there ever being a storm.
Tweek looked down upon the face of his prince. The sun kissed Craig's soft skin, giving Tweek a perfect close up view of his beloved prince. Tweek ran his shaky finger along the prince's soft lips feeling him inhale and exhale. Tweek smiled softly down at the beautiful sight.
Wanting to make sure the prince was really going to be okay, Tweek removed the largest, most sparkling scale from his tail and laid it upon the prince's chest. Taking a deep breath Tweek began to sing the song he held so deep within his heart. As he sang, the scales on his tail and the one upon the prince's chest began to glow with green healing magic.
As Tweek's voice reached out into the sea and up onto the land, he gazed down at his beloved prince. He brushed a stray hair from the Craig's face a his chest swelled with joy. Joy that his prince was alive, joy of being reunited with his prince, and joy to know that his prince never forgot about him.
Craig's dark eyes cracked open at the sound of Tweek's sweet singing voice. He looked up to see a heavenly glow from the sun radiate from behind Tweek's head. His blurry gaze could make out bright green eyes and soft golden locks of hair. Tweek smiled brightly as the two gazed into each other's eyes. As Tweek's song ended, Craig took Tweek's hand in his own and gave it a squeeze.
"I've been looking for you for such a long time," Craig croaked as he closed his eyes in an attempt to stop his head from spinning.
"And I've been waiting for you, my prince," Tweek replied softly, as he gave Craig's hand a soft squeeze.
Just then, panicked voices and rushed footsteps could be heard from the steps leading down the the beach.
"Gah! Oh, gosh!" Tweek gasped as his heart gave a startled flip, causing him to release Craig's hand. He could not be found here like this. They would surely blame him for the prince's condition. People were coming and they would make sure Craig was okay. The prince was safe now. As he turned to return to the ocean, Tweek felt a hand grasp his arm firmly.
"Please don't go! Not after I've finally found you," Prince Craig pleaded.
He looked back to see Craig desperately trying to come to his senses.
"Oh, my dear prince! I must go but I promise I will come back to your side so please wait for me," Tweek urged as he looked over his prince once last time. Craig's eyes cracked open for only a moment allowing them to share a longing gaze for that second.
"I'll wait for you," Craig replied in a tired voice.
"Prince Craig, is that you?" came a voice from the stairs.
With that, Tweek knew his time was up. He leapt from the prince's side and plunged back into the sea just as some humans rounded the corner. He took refuge behind a large rock, peeking out to make sure the humans really did find the prince.
A man with a rather large head, a smaller girl with red hair and a twitchy, sandy-haired boy all gathered around the prince.
"Big brother, are you okay!" the little girl gasped as she slumped down next to Craig.
"Ahh FUCK! I told you I saw something down here," the twitchy boy gasped as he crouched on the other side of Craig.
"Is he dead?" the small girl asked as she studied her brother.
"SHIT!" the sandy-haired boy screamed involuntarily.
"Now you two, the prince is not dead, m-kay," the large-headed man said in a drawling voice. "If you look closely you will see he is still breathing, m-kay."
The two crouching next to the prince looked closer and saw that he was indeed breathing.
"Ah, SHIT," the boy screamed yet again.
"Now, Ruby, please head up to the castle and tell you mother that we found him, m-kay," the large-headed man instructed calmly.
"Yes, Mr. Mackey," Ruby, the young girl, nodded as she pulled herself from the sand and ran up the stairs.
"Now, Thomas, help me try to awaken his highness," Mr. Mackey drawled as he addressed the sandy-haired boy.
"FUCK!" Thomas replied with a slight shake.
Tweek watched from behind the rock curiously as this whole exchange took place. This was the first time he was seeing other humans outside of Craig.
As the two checked over the prince, he started to fully come to.
"Ohh, my head," Craig groaned as he rubbed his aching eyes.
"Oh SHIT! Are you okay, your highness?" Thomas shouted.
Craig blinked a few times before looking up at Thomas. The sun's rays shone from behind Thomas's head.
"You're still here," Craig said as he lifted his hand and stroked Thomas's cheek.
"FUCK!" Thomas replied in confusion.
Tweek felt jealousy boil in his stomach as he watched his prince mistake another boy for him.
"Gah! No! I'm the one who saved you, Prince Craig," Tweek squawked with anger, pulling at his hair.
As Craig came to, his smile melted into that of confusion. He looked up at Thomas, fully taking in the sandy-haired boy.
"You…. You're not him…" Craig sighed as he sat up slowly. His dark eyes wandered the shore line looking for Tweek. "He can't have gone far."
"Your highness, what are you talking about?" Thomas asked "ASS!"
"The boy, with the golden hair and green eyes…" Craig mumbled as his eyes darted around hoping to catch sight of such a boy.
"FUCK!" was the only reply Craig got from Thomas.
"Prince Craig, this boy here is Thomas. He saw you from up on the cliff while on his stroll, m-kay," Mr. Mackey explained.
"Was there not another person with me?" Craig asked as his attention went back to Thomas. "A boy with blond hair and green eyes! He would have been singing!"
"FUCK! I… It was so high up! I don't know," Thomas replied in bewilderment.
"He was a boy. My age. Beautiful golden hair and bright green eyes and a sparkling teal fish tail," Craig explained like a madman.
Tweek's cheeks went pink at the compliments Craig listed off.
"Oh, gosh, not this again," Mr. Mackey sighed. "Prince Craig, we have told you time and time again that mermaids do not exist, m-kay," Mr. Mackey explained in exasperation. "He is normally so logical," he added under his breath.
Craig looked Mr. Mackey in the eyes and stuck up his middle finger.
"Now that is not a very nice thing to do, Prince Craig, m-kay," Mr. Mackey snapped. "Now if you are feeling better we should get you back up to the castle to let the doctor take a look at you, m-kay."
Craig did not reply to Mr. Mackey but looked out over the sea. His sharp blue eyes caught the sight of something golden poking out from behind a rock, but when he blinked it was gone.
"ASS! Oh, gosh, what is that," Thomas said, breaking Craig's concentration. He pointed to the large teal scale on Craig's chest.
Before anyone else could touch it, Craig picked up the delicate scale and held it between his thumb and index finger. The sun shone down on the large scale causing it to shine and shimmer in its light.
"A mermaid...?" Craig whispered under his breath as his dark blue eyes studied the beautiful scale.
….
Well, that is it for chapter 2. I hope you enjoyed it. I had a splendid time writing it. I love the creek.
I wonder what Craig could possibly be thinking? What will Tweek do next? Will they be able to be together again? How will they accomplish it!? This shall all be answered in the next chapter so stay tuned.
Chapter three will probably come out at the end of next week. I have it written it is just going through some editing at the moment. I had all last weekend to pump out chapters one and two but this weekend I am not as free. I will be busy this weekend cosplaying so I will not have as much time to write so the next few chapters will come out probably a week apart or so.
As always I want to thank my beta reader, Teenage Mouse. She was quick to check over chapter 1 and 2 even though it was very sudden so let's all thank her, too. If you have time, please take a look at her work.
I also want to thank you for all the kind comments, follows, bookmarks and all that great stuff. I love hearing from my readers so please do leave a comment if you want. I'd love to hear from you.
You can also reach me on Tumblr at Pastaprincess.
See you all soon!