Ash wished he didn't have a shift at ten that morning. Emma had been lucky that she had the day off and could sleep in and process everything. As a manager he got higher pay, but also more hours, and it was days like this that he wished he could take a mental health day.

It was about two-thirty when Zane walked in. He made his way toward the counter to order head slightly lower than usual.

"Hey mate, I'll have apple and ginger, thanks."

"Rough morning?" Ash asked as he started to make Zane's drink.

Zane chuckled, "Slept most of it to my dad's disdain. I'm surprised you're even working today. I'm dead"

"Yeah, well, I might be a merman, but life goes on, right?"

Zane nodded in understanding. "The girls been here?"

"Nah. No Lewis either, just you. I take it you haven't talked to Rikki?" Ash asked.

"No, I took her home last night and then headed to mine and crashed. Woke up a couple hours ago."

"I wouldn't be surprised if everyone just took some time to think."

"Yeah, I guess." Zane sighed. "It's a lot to take in."

"Yeah, I think I've compartmentalized. Work helps keep my mind off everything."

"Look we… Lewis and I… we're here if you need to talk."

"Do you need to talk?" Ash asked gently.

Zane hung his head a little but didn't answer the question. To Ash this was an answer in itself. He was about to say something, when another customer started to make his way over to the counter. "Hi, I'll be right with you." He turned back to Zane. "I'm off in thirty. Meet at the cove?"

Zane nodded then took his juice outside leaving Ash to deal with the customers.

The next thirty minutes passed by quick enough, and soon he was changed and down at the cove where Zane was waiting for him.

"What are we doing?" Zane asked as Ash came down toward the sand.

"I thought we could use some stress relief. You up for some friendly competition?"

"Remember what happened last time?" Zane smiled.

Ash remembered the pool challenge and the mess that made for them. It was shortly after finding out 'The Secret' he realized that there was more going on that day than just a game of pool. There was a silent agreement between them not to compete again if for nothing else than to spare their relationships.

"This time it'll just be you, me, and the ocean. We still don't know who's the fastest." Ash pointed out with a smile, tempting Zane into his antics. "What do you say mate?"

Zane smiled a dangerous smile, "Last to the Moon Pool pays for the other's next date?"

"You're on."

And with that the two mermen ran toward the surf, dove under the waves, and donned their strong tails. They raced at speeds they had once only dreamed about. Ash took a slight lead as they sped over the reef, but Zane managed to pull ahead just as they were approaching the island. Zane raced toward the underwater entrance just seconds before Ash swam through. He surfaced disappointed but not upset.

"Everyone bow to the true champion!" Zane touted, seemingly back to his normal self.

"Hmm, maybe this time mate, but I almost had you." Ash laughed a little also feeling better.

It was then that the two realized that they weren't alone in the cave. They both looked up to see Lewis sitting cross-legged at the edge of the pool.

"Hey you okay mate?" Ash asked, feeling a little guilty for interrupting Lewis' quiet moment.

"Yeah, just came here to think. It's worked for the girls, so, thought I might try it."

The tone turned somber, the two floated there while Lewis sat in silence. The desire to say something weighed heavy on them, but all remained unsure what they should say.

Lewis broke the silence. "If you could, would you… that is… do you ever wish that you were…?"

"Normal again." Ash supplied. "Sometimes, but not often."

"I don't. Life is so much fuller like this," Zane answered with sweeping gesture to his tail. "What's up? Didn't think you of all people would be having regrets."

"I'm not," sighed Lewis, "But, Cleo gave me a funny look last night when we were talking about being human again. Then later she says she's done hoping for a cure, and its time she accepted who she is."

"It sounds like she's thinking about the future. I'm pretty sure that's what Emma was thinking about."

"But then who knows what women think." Zane added unhelpfully from his lounging position.

"What does the future look like?" Lewis asked ignoring Zane's comment. "College, career... marriage... kids? Have you guys thought about it?"

Ash went to speak then paused, had he thought about it? He hadn't thought too much about his career, but if he kept striving toward business like he had planned he would necessarily be keeping a double life. He then thought about family. He knew that he loved Emma, and in the back of his mind he supposed he'd eventually marry her, maybe have a few kids. He now knew they'd most likely have tails, but he figured every family had its challenges.

He realized though what Lewis was asking: as great as all this was, were they willing to make the sacrifices that would inevitable? Business would certainly have moments that risked exposure. He hadn't told his parents or sister about his tail, which was fine. But if he had kids? Would he tell his family then, or isolate himself even more from them?

They still had time. They could find a spell to make them normal before their seventh moon cycle. All of this really hinged on the girls. Were they ready to sacrifice everything they had ever known to be with them?

Even before he knew Emma was a mermaid, he could tell that there was something special about her. Finding out the truth hadn't changed much, other than that Ash was finally able to see her with her guard down. Everyday his love continued to grow, until all he could see was a future together with her. Last night, finding out their kids would be mer, that they were now part of this long forgotten society, that they had a heritage they could only begin to imagine; it just made everything come into focus. He was actually excited for it. Maybe that's what scared him: how okay with all this weirdness he was.

Zane answered before Ash could, "Rikki and I have talked a little about marriage. Nothing in the near future. But one day... yeah."

"Cleo and I haven't really, other than planning to go to college together. After last night that just seems… shortsighted."

Ash, having finally gathered his thoughts, turned to Lewis and spoke. "You have to ask yourself mate, 'Do you love her?' Do you love her enough to make all the necessary sacrifices? Will you love her even if this all gets crazier? Because I have no doubt it will. If you love her enough that the details don't seem important, then I reckon everything will fall into place."

"Do you truly love Emma?" Lewis asked.

"I do." He said passionately believing his words. "To the point where, I can't see a future without her."

Zane genuinely smiled at him while Lewis nodded pensively, clearly still mulling over the swarm of thoughts in his head.

Ash took a sigh finally relaxing and allowing his whole body to sink into the water.

A/N: Hey Everyone! After a few lore heavy chapters, I thought we could all do with a bit of fluff. Time for a guys relationship talk in the Moon Pool!

As always, Leave a review if you are enjoying the story so far! New Chapters coming soon!

Much love,

Odd Lady :)