🎈Oscar and Mer 🍆🪼🔮🐌🤕💻💞 🔨

XXII

Now it was Oscar's turn to notice that Mer seemed to be avoiding him. Oscar figured he didn't know what to say to him about what happened and let the merman be. They'd eventually find something to work with and settle things down. The only thing that they would talk about was food and watching TV. Oscar mostly stayed in the studio to crank out more paintings and Mer would putt about in the other areas of the house. It was civil but the tension was thicker than usual and Oscar was starting to get a little uncomfortable with it all.

After a few more days, he finally couldn't take it and went to Mer's room, knocking on the door. He opened it a little and Oscar cleared his throat.

"Um... I... Look, I'm sorry that I got a little dramatic and everything. I wish I didn't do that but..." Mer opened the door a little more. "I just... I feel like I've failed you. I know you said you don't think of it that way but it's just..." He sighed, unsure what to say. "I'm sorry I was ignoring you and everything but this tension is too much."

Mer didn't say anything and also didn't look right at him. He fidgeted for a moment and then moved the door so he could lean on the jamb.

Can we get more clothes?

Oscar gave him a confused expression. "More clothes? Is there something wrong with the ones we got?"

Mer looked a bit frightened and swallowed. They... they don't fit right anymore.

Oscar frowned. "I don't get it."

Mer straightened up and turned sideways for Oscar to see. Oscar turned his head again in confusion.

"What am I supposed to look at?"

Mer made a face and pulled up the shirt all the way. Oscar looked at Mer's stomach, seeing the bump that had never been there before and he looked up at Mer with a slow glance.

"What...?" he asked slowly and quietly.

Mer just kept the shirt held up and swallowed, unable to figure out a way to form the words with his hands, his mind, the pen. Hell, if he could talk, he wouldn't even be able to say them. This wasn't necessarily unheard of for his kind but it was unheard of for him... and most definitely Oscar.

Oscar just stared at the milky white taught skin that was attached to his best friend. Where abs used to be was a little dome, as tight as a drum. It was unmistakable... but it had to be impossible. Not necessarily because Mer was a man but it was because... Oscar suddenly looked up at Mer and his eyes widened as he threw his hands over his mouth.

"OH GOD!" he screamed. "Oh my god! Oh my GOD!"

Mer put his shirt down and stepped towards him but Oscar backed away, looking at him with a horrified expression. Mer blinked in confusion as he tried to walk closer but Oscar took another step back.

"Okker-"

"What have I done?" he said softly. Mer turned his head quizzically. "Oh my god, Mer, look what I caused." He looked up at him. "I'm sorry... I'm... I..."

He suddenly bolted out of the house, leaving Mer in utter confusion for a moment when he realized what Oscar meant. Without warning, tears welled up in his eyes and trailed down his cheeks. Oh Oscar...

************************

Kyle opened her door and frowned. "Why do you look like that?"

Oscar had his jaw clenched, trying not to cry.

"Can... Can I come in?"

Kyle moved her mouth to the side but opened the door more as Oscar took in her apartment. It was quaint and somewhat tidy save for all the papers that were scattered around the couch.