Rhink One Shots

Flooded | Part 2

- Rhett. - the dark haired peeked through the bathroom door. - You need to stop always replacing water just because it's not warm enough. - he continued, trying not to get distracted with the innocent look the blond man was giving him while holding a yellow rubber duck Link had gotten him earlier that week. - Seriously, if you want to keep living here and eat well, that needs to stop. I can't afford everything at the same time... - the last sentence was almost a sigh, as Link remembered the numbers that showed up on his water bill.
- But... But I'll get sick if the water-
- You survived this long in the sea. Room temperature water won't harm you. - Link replied, wondering it that was too harsh, at the same time feeling like a coward since he still was on the other side of the door, almost not looking at the other guy. Link figured he disliked saying "no" to Rhett as the other made everything around him seem so fragile. But this time it had to be done. Or Rhett would learn the hardest way when the hot water would be completely turned off from Link's apartment.
- What happened? - the blond asked with the same soft innocent tone as before, which made Link roll his eyes at the urge to discard the subject and let the other use all the water he needed.
Link sighed and walked into the bathroom. He pulled the chair that was now part of the furniture of the small room, and put it closer to the tub, in front of Rhett, sitting there after. He leaned on the back of the chair, throwing his head back and looked up, for some reason fighting the urge to squint his eyes as the lights on the ceiling shined pretty brightly into his view.
- I can't afford that. The price on the water bill is getting too high because of it. And if you don't want to be eating pasta and rice for the rest of your time here, then we need to take measures. - when he finished, Link looked forward again. His eyes took a few seconds to recompose as Link blinked a couple of times to get away the little imaginary lights that floated around Rhett. Still, he could see the funny face of disgust Rhett made, probably with the reminder of him trying pasta and rice some days ago, for the first time. Link was surprised to see how much he hated them.
- Can't we do something? - Rhett asked, the grip around the duck became stronger. - Isn't there another way to solve this?
Link didn't know what he was expecting from the blond. He came here with zero expectations either to see consent or denial from the guy. Maybe that's why he found this worried reaction from Rhett quite funny. It was almost like he told him something absolutely impossible to fix.
- How did you survive in the sea? - Link asked, aware of the stupid smile on his face. He was holding a chuckle back, which probably made the smile looking even stupider. But Rhett's expressions amused him too much.
He had such an innocent mind and feelings, something that gave out a huge urge in having someone to take care of him or he wouldn't know how to function. Perhaps living alone for so long and not having close friends for quite a while made up this lunatic idea in Link's head that he actually enjoyed - needed - to have someone to take care of. That probably was it. Why else he would let a complete stranger, a creature of the seas that he only knew from the books, stay in his house. And even more, made a lot of effort in making him feel comfortable and satisfy his needs.
Even though he ignored it most of the time, Link still found it extremely odd how something like this happened to him. The sudden moments of self-consciousness made him pinch himself just to make sure this was reality. He stayed up till later some nights, researching about what humanity could possibly know about mermaids. But absolutely nothing was certain. Almost all of the facts were just mythology. Everything based on human minds meeting the world of the fairytale. All of that very dubious compared to what Rhett told him from time to time. Humans had quite an imagination sometimes. 
- Do you even try to listen to me? - Rhett interrupted Link's thoughts, making the dark haired slightly jump on the chair. He had completely lost himself. Couldn't blame Rhett's annoyance since it wasn't the first time this had happened. But Rhett couldn't blame him either. Link was tired from work...
- Sorry, I... What were you saying? - Link rubbed one of his eyes, carefully slipping his fingers under the glasses. He noticed how Rhett had changed positions. A part of his tail was now pressed against the wall while his back leaned against the other part of the bathtub, his head hanging outside of the tub, giving Rhett an upside down view of Link. The dark haired wondered how such position was comfortable for him since Rhett appeared to be quite tall if he stood up.
A small smile appeared on Rhett's face. - We use our tales. - he said. It took Link a couple of seconds to remember what they were talking about. - Sometimes when it's too cold, we find a calm place and wiggle them quickly, and the water around becomes nicer. - he explained. Suddenly, Link heard a loud water noise. He closed his eyes, expecting for water to hit him at any second. Did Rhett really think that showing him what they did, right here, in the bathtub, would be a good idea?! But nothing happened. No water, no wet paints, no bathroom being flooded by water.
Link slowly opened his eyes, realizing he had also held his breath. Instead, he saw a huge mermaid tail extended across the wall. Link had just now noticed how unique of a color it had and how many details there were that he had never even seen. It had small fins under the bigger ones on the sides. He had a sudden desire to touch it. See how it feels under his fingers. Touch the fins. Learn how they function. But, of course, he would never ask Rhett for that.
- You could start bathing with me instead of taking separate showers. – Rhett suggested, making Link realize he slightly zoned out again.
- What? – he asked confused.
- I can hear it when you're showering.
Link blushed for some reason. Having a separate toilet in his room was a big plus in this situation. But it was also a disadvantage since sometimes Link caught himself so relaxed under the warm water that the time passed way quicker than he wished.
The dark haired sighed. – Whatever. I'll ask for more hours at work. – he answered and got up from the chair.
- Wait! – he heard Rhett, a warm hand grabbing his wrist. Link turned around again, looking down at the silly figure of Rhett still with his head hanging from the bathtub. – Where do you work?
Link made a pause before answering to wonder if Rhett really cared about the answer and to figure out how he could explain what he was about to say. – You know airports?
- It's similar with airplanes... - Rhett said with a lower voice, almost like he was afraid he had said something stupid, then letting go of Link's hand. He also changed position, submerging his entire tail under the water again.
- Yes. – Link sat back on the chair. – Airports are where the airplanes land and departure. – he made a pause in case Rhett wanted to say something. The blond just nodded, curiously looking back at Link. – So, daily, millions of people pass through airports and, sometimes, people who work at the airports mess up the work they have to do and fail at delivering those people who travel their belongings. You know like, suitcases and stuff. So, my work is to deliver those to the homes or hotels of the people who didn't get them in time.
- Oh! – Rhett answered looking down at his fingers as if he needed some time to process or imagine all the new information. – So, it's like you deliver them presents! You're making people smile!
Link chuckled. – Or blame me for what happened and tell me I'm doing a horrible job. – he answered. Yeah, no smiles... That's what happened most of the time.
- What? Why?
- You have too much hope in humans, Rhett. This world doesn't work like that. Don't think people are nice.
- You're nice. – Rhett shrugged.
What an ingenuous mind Rhett had... - Not. – the dark haired giggled.
- You are. – the blond insisted, this time giving Link a nice smile to which the dark haired couldn't help but genuinely smile back. – Tell me more about you. – he continued, going back to that goofy position, hanging his head off the border of the bathtub.
- Uh... I live alone? – he answered, almost as a question. Rhett's eye roll seemed a lot funnier from that perspective. – Okay... Ahm... I don't know, I'm not very interesting.
- What's your favorite food for breakfast? – Rhett gave him a push, making Link tilt his head at the unusual question.
- Cereal. – he answered, observing Rhett slightly squinting his eyes at what he said. – You don't know what cereal is?
- Nu-uh. – the blond negatively shook his head.
- I'll get you some, tomorrow.
Rhett's face lit up with a smile. – Okay. Ahm... Do you like plants?
- I'm not good at keeping them... Do you?
- Oh yeah! – the other said in an excited tone. – I used to bring all types of greens to my house! Also, the sea is full of them. – he chuckled.
And with that start, Link completely lost track of time. They talked and talked and time just didn't seem to exist. Nor the world outside. Nor anything else around. It was so natural and comfortable, that the dark haired didn't even bother to interrupt their conversation, or even look away from Rhett. He just let it happen. To be honest, he didn't even keep track on that. Link only realized that they probably have been talking for a while now when his back felt too sore to be sat down and his eyes were starting to get heavy.
Rhett had his head lying on his arm, which was extended across the border of the bathtub. Link noticed that the other guy was also getting sleepy. His eyes blinking slower and slower while Link told him a story about a drunk passenger who he had to take to his hotel room and put him to bed while the other didn't cooperate and for some moments mistook Link for his lover. Rhett softly giggled at the situation together with the dark haired as the other realized how actually stupid that was.
- I think we should rest. – Link said, stretching his body as he got up from the chair.
- Yeah. – Rhett just agreed with his eyes closed.
Link said nothing more, figuring that Rhett was possibly already asleep. He didn't bother to put the chair back in the corner, simply making his way to the door the quietest he could. He opened it carefully and started to walk out, his intention suddenly being interrupted by a raspy but at the same time soft voice.
- Link?
He turned around to look at Rhett. – Yes?
- No need to get extra hours at work. – Rhett simply answered and closed his eyes again.
As Link lay on his bed, taking a moment to let the pain on his back vanish a little, he glanced at the clock on his bedside table. His eyes widened when he saw 3:20am shining on the object. They really got distracted from the world...
That night Link dreamed with Rhett under the sea, excitingly showing Link all the places he knew while the other wasn't even impressed at the huge fishtail he had below his belt.

A/N: I was supposed to update (Don't) Find Me but there was an issue so that has to wait a little bit more, I'M SORRY IF YOU DON'T LIKE THIS AU I PROMISE OTHER UPDATES ARE COMING SOON! This chapter came out so simple and quite domestic I don't know LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK :D
P.S.: the art was made by mythicalgays on tumblr and has nothing to do with this fic! I just found it very adorable ^_^
P.P.S.: I decided to do like a "facts about me/Q&A" for 50k reads. Is that okay? I figured it would be fun to tell you some random facts about me and you could tell me some about you too and we could get to know each other a little better! (By the way, please send questions if you have any!).