THE WATERS :: ZAYN

species

???

Zayn opened his eyes to a head full of hair.

"God," he whispered, moving away and trying to get Solana's hair out of his mouth. He yawned, his arm coming from under her as he turned over to get up.

Downstairs, he walked in the kitchen to feed his dog, petting him on the head and continuing about his business. Zayn's phone rang on the kitchen table and he quickly answered it so Solána could get more sleep.

"Hello?"

"Zayn!"

"Huh?" he didn't recognize the voice and it was too damn early to be yelling, "who is this--"

"It's me, Dr. Brock," and then it clicked, it was Zayn's old boss, the one he didn't particularly like because he was nosey, "have you found any new species?"

"What species?" Zayn sat down on a stool and watched Rhino drink his water.

"Anything new? I have a job offer for you."

"No, disrespect sir," Zayn tried not to roll his eyes, "but I left for a reason. I'm not interested in any new species."

"I know you've got something," the doctor now sounded stern and Zayn was not here for it.

"If I had it I wouldn't tell you. But I don't, so. I've literally been on vacation and I'm still studying this squid--"

"Forget the squid. What about something else? A new fish? Two headed sharks? What else do you have?"

"Just the squid," Zayn clenched his jaw and he was close to snapping, "now if you'd be so kind to not call me anymore, that'd be great--"

"Zayn--"

"Bye," he set the phone down, staring at the ground and huffing, "God."

"Who was that?" Solána was walking in the kitchen with tired eyes. She went to the fridge and grabbed a grapefruit. For some reason she really liked to eat them.

"My old boss," Zayn sighed and moved so Solána could stand between his legs, "he wants me back but I left because of him and the business."

"The killing and stuff?"

"Yeah. He said he wanted a new species."

"I heard," she sat on his lap and sighed, "why didn't you tell him about me?"

"Because, honestly, do you want to die?"

"I can't, though. It's impossible, I think. I tried."

"Solána--"

"But I don't know."

"You tried to kill yourself?" he asked timidly.

"Yeah," she shrugged as if it wasn't a big deal and he frowned, "it was afterwards and I realized that I was super lonely and I hadn't seen anyone like me either. So...I think I was in Japan and y'know people use harpoons and stuff and I let them see me and one guy shot me right in the gut."

Zayn flinched, putting a hand to his mouth as Solána casually ate the grapefruit like an orange.

"Went right through. I was so happy," she smiled and he just didn't understand her at all. There was so much he found out about her every day. "I sank to the bottom of the ocean and thought I died but...I found out I was still alive but my body was numb. I took the harpoon out and my skin started sealing until there was no longer a hole in my stomach and the organs that weren't there had reformed. Scary."

"Scary is an understatement, Solána."

"Eh," she shrugged again and Zayn stuffed his face in her back, "what are you doing?"

"Nothing," he sighed, feeling his phone vibrate on the table again. He picked it up and dropped his jaw in shock, "oh my God."

"What happened?"

Zayn pressed to end the call before Solána spoke again, standing and cursing up a storm. "Oh my God, I didn't end the call."

"Why is that bad?" she moved to fully sit on the counter, "what's wrong?"

"That means he could have heard about your shit and he could know you're a mermaid and he could be coming at any time," he pulled at his hair and put the phone down, "why am I so stupid?"

"You're not stup--"

"Oh my God."

"They're coming for me?" she asked worriedly, "wait--"

"I'm so sorry, Solána, I swear I didn't mean to--"

"Zayn, it's okay--"

"It's not," he interrupted, looking at her and trying not to get more upset, "I...I fucked up. They're gonna poke you and grope you and manipulate you into giving them what they want. You're just the start of everything. They're worse than anything I could ever do to you."

Solána just stared at him as he paced around the room. He was freaking out and she was totally chill -- not really -- because...she could sense trouble miles and miles away and if so, she had a plan. She wasn't so keen on telling him the plan but she definitely had one.

"We're going to be fine," she mustered and Zayn frowned, "I promise."

"I'm supposed to say that to you," he just scoffed and rolled his eyes, "don't do this, please."

"Okay," she totally gave in and he pulled her closer. His forehead touched hers and he chanted her name over and over. "What?"

"I'm sorry--"

"Don't be sorry, okay?" she caressed his face and he just nodded, "Zayn, don't beat yourself up."

"Too late," his lips rested on her forehead and he tried not to think about losing her.

"It's okay, I promise," she put her hands on the sides of his face and made him look at her. Her eyes were captivating and soon Zayn was relaxed, his eyes not so wide and his lips spreading to a small smile.

"Thank you," he muttered casually as he sighed and closed his eyes.

Solána blushed, feeling the heat on her cheeks while he just chuckled deeply and gripped her waist. "What are you doing?"

He leaned forward and kissed the surprised mermaid, his lips touching hers. Their noses pushed together and he heard a small noise come from her throat before she wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

Solána kissed him one last time and pulled back to see his face. Zayn's eyes were dilated while he licked his lip.

She looked at him for a bit longer before hugging him. "Stop worrying. I have a plan."

"What is it?" at that, she pulled away and kept staring at him, "Solána--"

"I'll tell you later," she cut him off and shook her head, "I'll make breakfast."

???

OOUUU😓

I'm stressed already