Drowning & Floating (Ziam & 1D in The Little Merman)

C̷h̷2★𝔻𝕠𝕟'𝕥 𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕘𝕖𝕥 𝕨𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝔹𝕖𝕝𝕠𝕟𝕘

  

The grotto is Zayn's favorite place. It's a small, simple space that nobody seemed to know about since the only entrances were a hole covered by seaweed and the top of the grotto, which was too close to the surface for any merfolk to want to swim by. The grotto was a place of solace where Zayn could escape from it all. It was where he didn't have to worry about being royalty. It was where he could dream. Where he could sing. Where he could draw. Where he could write down the things Niall tells him about humans and imagine being in the world of humans.

Zayn's love of humanity was barely known, and even the very little even his own family knew was frowned upon.

Zayn was considered odd for liking humans and everything they were and had. After all, the merfolk were happy where they were. Maybe at one time the species connected, but since then, the merfolk have made their own culture, their own written language, their own wealth that they knew the humans would want to steal.

Zayn had heard stories of the greed of humans for as long as he can remember, but ever since he first saw a painting of a human in a sunken ship, he wondered how such amazing creatures who invent so much cool stuff could be so terrible. Humans didn't seem to be like how the merfolk said.

Zayn's father said humans would steal from the Marinatio.

Zayn's sisters said humans were scary meanies.

The children they played with said humans had sharp teeth, dark eyes, long claws, and gross skin.

The mermaids said humans are grubby kidnappers.

The mermen said the humans are arrogant idiots.

The mer-creatures said humans are horrible to each other and anyone and anything they see.

Ultimately, all merfolk believed the humans were untrustworthy.

Zayn disagreed with all that they said. In the stories Zayn found, humans were just like the people of the sea. They had the same dreams, hopes, thoughts, feelings, passions, fears, drama and romance that merfolk had.

Zayn put the large mirror near where he kept his accessories. Some gold bracelets reminded him of the gold in his Father's crown. He though of a talk he had with his Father a few days ago. Poseidon was telling Zayn about his duties as a royal. When Posiodn brought up the fact that Zayn would have to stop leaving the castle and stop talking about humans, it had upset Zayn. Zayn thought about showing his Father the grotto in an attempt to show him that humans aren't that bad, but instead they got into an argument. It ended with King Posidon asking a question that's been ringing in his head since it was asked.

"What is the matter with you?"

The thing was, Zayn felt like he wasn't wrong in the way he lived. However, the scorn at Zayn's interest in humans, his disinterest in the throne, interversion, unique thinking, and bisexualness was enough to make Zayn believe that something really was wrong with him.

"What's wrong?" Louis snaps Zayn out of his deep thoughts.

Zayn sighs. "Maybe Father's right. Maybe there is something the matter with me. I just don't see how a world that makes such wonderful things could be bad."

(singing beautifully~) Look at this stuff. Isn't it neat?

Wouldn't you think my collection's complete?

Wouldn't you think I'm the guy,

That lad who has everything?

Look at this trove, treasures untold

How many wonders can one cavern hold?

Looking around here, you'd think

Sure, he's got everything

I've got gadgets and gizmos a-plenty

I've got whooz-its and whats-its galore

You want thing-a-mabobs? I've got twenty

But who cares? No big deal. I want more;

I wanna be where the people are

I wanna see, wanna see 'em dancin'

Walkin' around on those...

What do you call 'em? Oh, feet

Flippin' your fins you don't get too far

Legs are required for jumpin', dancin'

Strolling along down the...

What's that word again? Street

Up where they walk

Up where they run

Up where they stay all day in the sun

Wanderin' free,

wish I could be

part of that world

What would I give

if I could live

outta these waters?

What would I pay

to spend a day

warm on the sand?

Betcha on land

they'd understand

That I'm sick of swimmin',

I'm ready to stand

And I'm ready to know what the people know

Ask 'em my questions and get some answers

What's a fire and why does it...

What's the word? Burn?

When's it my turn?

Wouldn't I love,

love to explore that shore up above?

Out of the sea,

wish I could be

Part of that world.

(song ends)

"Oh Zayn." Louis sighs, leaning next to him.

"What are we going to do?" Zayn asks.

Louis thinks for a second. "Oh! Maybe we could play that game you found... what was it called? Champs? No.... best? Chest? Oh! It's called chess! It's that black and white board!"

Zayn shrugged. "Sure, that'll take my mind off things.

As Louis was digging for the chess board and pices, Zayn suddenly noticed something large and dark moving over the top of the grotto. At first he thought it was a shark, but then he remembered how shallow that area is.

Zayn swam to the top of the grotto and popped his head out of the water. He gasped at the sight before him...

It was a large boat, except unlike the ones Zayn had explored, this one was intact completely. It was pristine and afloat.

Zayn saw shining bursts of color coming from it. (fireworks) He heard many people aboard the ship. It sounded like a party. Zayn wanted to get a closer look.

Zayn and Louis swam to the boat, watching as someone threw the anchor over the edge.

Using the rope of the moored anchor, they climbed so they could sit on top of a window frame and look through the poles of the railing on the side of the ship.

From there Louis and Zayn could clearly see the party.

There were many men dancing around, sharing drinks with eachother and laughing heartily. There were also people setting off the fireworks. Some people were playing instruments and singing. Another man came from the cabin holding snacks, and people instantly crowded him.

It was quite the sight to see, especially for Zayn, but he wasn't looking at the party anymore... he was staring at...

him.