An Ocean of Freedom (BoyxBoy)

Ch. 6

Kai and Daniel, had fallen into a quite routine, after a few days. Daniel would do his rounds, and then spend the rest of his time at Kai's tank. To be honest, he spent more time there, than at his on sight apartment. However Kai enjoyed the company, and Daniel found that he did to. It could get tiresome talking to creatures that couldn't talk back.

So Daniel would make different meals for Kai and they would eat together, talking about their respective lives. Kai really enjoyed eating human food, and learning about the different technology that the surface had.

"I do not understand why you would pay for something that is everywhere."

"Welcome to the human world."

Often Daniel would sit on the ledge of the tank and watch Kai swim around. He was so fast and graceful in the water. Daniel like comparing it to the way humans and other sea creatures swam.

Today was one of those days. Of course it was coming from the fact Kai was so agitated. He needed to move around to keep from going crazy. Daniel knew it was coming from the fact he was trapped in a tank that was a bath tub compared to where he used to live. It was easier for them to both avoid that fact, however.

Daniel had tried to help, by bringing Kai his favorite food and drinks, but it didn't seem to be helping any. It was probably the fact he couldn't get Kai to come near his side of the tank in general though. Before it had gotten this bad, he had offered to walk the kid around the park, but understandably being in a situation where he could not move made Kai nervous.

"You're going to make yourself sick." Daniel called. Merman or not, swimming in circles was not good for you. He was of course ignored.

Daniel got up and walked the ledge of the tank, hoping to intersect with Kai at some point or another. Maybe he could get him out of the water and bribe him ice cream.

That of course is not what happened. Daniel instead slipped on the slick edge of the tank and fell in.

Thank god he had turned up the heater in Kai's tank, or else it would have shocked and probably drown him. It only took him a moment to reach the surface and catch his breath. However, Kai had grabbed a hold of him and quickly pulled him back over to the ledge of the tank.

"Kai. Calm down. I'm fine."

"But the water, you... Last time..."

Kai was still holding him close, arms around his waist to keep him from going under the water. "I'm fine. I promise. Come sit with me.

Kai nodded, and let Daniel climb back onto the edge. In return, Daniel helped pull Kai up, to sit next to him.

Kai was panicking, that much was for sure. He was running his hands over Daniel to make sure he was ok. "Last time... When I pulled you into the water. You almost died. There was blood and you..."

"Kai, I'm not going to drown, by going for a swim. I promise you."

"But..."

"Humans can swim very well... What happened last time was different." Daniel explained. He gently took Kai's hands off of him, in hopes he could console him at least a little bit.

"Then what happened to you that time?"

"Humans aren't made to dive very deep. It's possible with training, but not out of the blue like that. It was the water pressure that hurt me, not the water itself." Daniel explained, hoping he made sense.

"I am sorry. I was not trying hurt you, I just wanted..."

"I know. I promise you, it's ok. Plus, I know you don't feel that way anymore." He smiled, and gently pushed the wet strands of hair from Kai's face. He looked so young. Daniel could see every bit of panic he felt. "How are you feeling? You haven't stopped moving all day.

"Like I am going to die from fear, but that is your fault."

Daniel rolled his eyes. "I don't want to hear it. I want to know why it took you thinking I was going to drown, to make you sit still."

Kai frowned. "It's too quite. Since I am the only one in this prison, the water is so still.... it is almost deafening despite there being no sound."

"Kai. You know you can come out with me anytime."

"Yes, but it is not the same. I feel the vibrations through the water, and it is uncomfortable for them not to be there." Kai explained, fidgeting around. It was better sitting next to Daniel right now, but he was in the water every other time.

"Maybe I can find something to help with that later. Do you interact with any sea creatures back in the ocean?" Daniel wondered if he could get him a pet or something. Did merpeople have pets?

"I do not know your word for them on the surface... they are hunters, big teeth, and their skin feels like sand."

"Kai.... Are you talking about a shark?"

"They have the fins, yes?"

"Sharks? Like the perfect predator, eating machines, sharks?"

"Yes! That sounds correct!" Kai exclaimed. "My language calls them żaroks."

"Uh huh. Sharks? Really?" Daniel wondered what strings he would have to pull to get Kai a shark. Hey Dr. Janis. Could I barrow one of your sharks? The merman in my care really needs a friend. Well he could try at least, for Kai.

"They work well for temporary hunting companions do to their dislike of their own species. We are quite similar in that aspect."

"Maybe I can do something for you, later than." Daniel said. "But for now, maybe a swim will help." With out a real warning he jumped into the water, splashing Kai.

"Daniel!" Kai shouted diving in after him.

"I'm fine, Kai."

"Please do not do that again." Kai said staying close, just in case Daniel had the chance to go under again.

"Come on. Swim with me, I promise I won't die." He took Kai's hand, and swam backwards.

"This is not something you should chance." Kai tried again.

"I think you're just worried I would beat you in a race."

"...Daniel. Your kind has little ability to move in the water, and no tolerance to depth. You beating me is not possible."

Daniel laughed at the fact that Kai seemed rather offended. "Won't know unless we try." And he took off across the tank.

Daniel was a strong swimmer, and often did so against ocean currents, but he knew Kai would beat him. He just didn't know to what extent. In the end Kai had done five laps around him before he made it the other side.

Kai looked impossibility smug by the end of it. It was kind of cute to be honest.

"Guess that answers that." Daniel laughed. "But I'm not dead. So stop worrying, ok?"

Instead of replying, Kai tackled him, causing them both to sink in the water. However, it was only a few feet.

Kai hugged Daniel tight, nuzzling him neck.

Daniel took it as a sign, that he was at least helping a little bit.  He smiled and held Kai back.