Reflective Detective One Shots!

Mermaid AU? Mermaid AU.

[Researcher Rodger and Merman Glisten tehee]

Rodger sighed, the cold morning sir of the ocean filling his lungs. He was a researcher, and his main goal? Study and interact with a group of merfolk in this area on the ocean. His colleagues were currently getting to work with cameras and notes. They'd been out before, and the merfolk seemed to be able to recognize them now. A specific merman seemed to take a particular interest in Rodger, however, and that merman called himself Glisten.

The merman in question peaked out from the water at the boat. Glisten smiled, swimming up to the boat. He reached up, though the boat itself was too tall for Glisten to reach his new favorite human. Glisten seemed to pout a little, his golden scales shimmering in the early morning sun.

"Rodger! Come on!"

Glisten called from the water. Rodger took a deep breath, "Just a minute, Glisten, let me put on my suit. I'll be right in!"

Glisten nodded, seemingly satisfied for now. He dived back beneath the surface of the water, disappearing for a moment. The rest of the pod seemed to wake up, and approach the boat. Rodger watched as Cosmo, one of his shipmates, tossed some fish into the water. Another merman, Sprout, smiled up at him. They were close friends, it seemed.

"Cosmo, can you toss some fish to Glisten while I suit up? I don't want him to get bored."

"Sure, Rodger!" Cosmo nodded. Rodger would have smiled back if he were able, but instead, his eye simply curved slightly upwards. Rodger found his diving gear and got suited up, he could hear the splashing and chatter of the merfolk in the waves.

Rodger moved to the ladder, where Glisten was waiting for him. Glisten seemed immediately overjoyed at Rodger's presence, and he swam in large circles around the area. Rodger let himself sink into the water, a mask covering his eye and giving him oxygen to breathe.

"Rodger! I've missed you! Other boats came by, but they were quite rude, to be frank!" Glisten crossed his arms. Rodger could assume other researchers had come by in their absence. Rodger's team took breaks so that the pod did not become reliant on them for food, as they handed out treats and such during their visits. Other groups were not so careful, however, and Glisten's distaste for them was obvious.

Rodger merely nodded. He couldn't exactly talk, so Glisten did it for him. Glisten swam around Rodger, smiling. He was by far the most social of the group.

"You know, I found something that you may like! Let me find it!"

Glisten swam off, his golden tail shimmering until the light no longer reached him. Glisten returned soon after, a handful of old jewelry in his palms. A few rings, and even a pearl necklace. Rodger would smile if he could, but alas, he couldn't. He held out his hands, humming.

Glisten smiled. A few of his pod mates watched on as he gifted Rodger these precious items. Of course, Rodger had no way of knowing that Glisten was trying to court him, but his pod got the message and didn't try to do the same.

Rodger was about to surface again before Glisten lightly bumped against him. Glisten nuzzled into Rodger's hand before backing off, letting him return to the boat with his presents. They were about to get on their way, though it seemed Rodger's crew noticed the jewelry.

"Where did you get that?" Cosmo was the first to ask.

"Glisten gave it to me. I'll have to have it looked at when we make it back to land," Rodger said when he took off his mask. Cosmo blinked, almost giggling.

"Rodger, Glisten had his eyes on you. You may want to keep that in mind before accepting any more presents."

Rodger blinked his eye. It seemed to finally dawn on him, these shiny presents were special. Rodger blushed as the boat began to move, he could spot Glisten waving from the water.

"...What did I get myself into?" He sighed.