Selkie

Chapter 3

Mathias stares at the ring. This is a joke, right? This can't be real. An... attractive person like this man wouldn't just propose to him in under a day. That's insane...

Mathias has many thought running through his heads, some negative, others really negative, and the one thought everyone gets; 'Is this guy okay mentally?'.

Although, it is a pretty ring. Blue. Is it a sapphire? No, it looks too clear. Is it a diamond? Wow, a blue diamond. Must have cost a lot. Wait, it looks old - is it a family heirloom? Is he really serious about this?!

Mathias looks up at the proposer. The Man is nervous. Shy looking and flustered. Mathias notices his stance, shoulders stiff, avoiding eye contact, slight shaking. Is he scared? Of Mathias' answer? Or something else?

Mathias gulps and asks the final thought in his mind, a thought he thinks is the reason why this is happening. Gripping onto the door frame in hesitance, "Did... someone... dare you to do this?"

"Dare?" The Man generally looks surprised, which concerns Mathias slightly. Was he serious after all? The Man now looks confused and he's using his thumb to play with the ring, his voice emphasising his fearful and hesitant confusion. "What is..."

"Were you forced to do this?" Mathias asks slowly so not to alert the man into some pumped adrenaline rush. He is really concerned now. He's thinking that the man's 'friends' forced him into this, and by the looks of his childlike innocence, maybe he's too naïve or persuasive to say 'no'?

"Yes?" The man tilts his head slightly. Did he just answer with a question? Was he not sure or just confused in general. Poor guy. Mathias forgets about that and just smiles relieved.

"Oh thank goodness..." He laughs quietly and meets the man's eyes, noting his jumpy behaviour as he does so. "For a moment there, I thought you were serious..."

"Um... I..." The Man honestly has no idea what to say. He looks lost. Honestly, it's kind of cute in a childish innocent way.

Mathias smiles still and reassures the older with his... 'mum' voice "It's okay. Peer pressure can make people do weird things."

"I... uh..." He's blushing red. He hides the ring to his side, looking embarrassed. He's now speaking in a slightly shaky voice "They wanted for me... to you... um..."

"Mate, it's okay. I understand." Mathias is still smiling, now feeling calm and a little bubbly. This guy is adorable, too bad he has bad friends "But, you can hang out with me if you want."

"Um... okay..." The Man nods and hides his hands behind his back but underneath his coat. He's smiling softly, looking a little worried, but he's calm... too calm... it looks fake.

"We can hang out now if you want." Mathias offers, now feeling bad for whatever reason. He's not sure. Now that he gets a good look of this guy, he's never really seen him before. Sure, there are a lot of people he doesn't know, but he at least gets Déjà vu whenever he sees a face. "You look foreign, I can show you around."

The Man is silent and still looking nervous. After a few seconds of him sorting through his thought, he nods. "Thank you..."

"Let's go." Mathias walks outside, he makes it a few steps away before he notices the man staring at him. "Why are you staring?"

"Your clothing is interesting." The Man smiles childishly looking a little cheeky. Finally, some emotion other than anxiety. Wait... what is he talking about?

"My..." Mathias looks down at his attire. Does he not like dolphins? Mathias always thought they were cool. Plus they're long and warm. Wait... He's in his pyjamas! IN PUBLIC! "I'll be back, please wait here!"

Mathias rushes back inside, unlocking the door and sprinting to his room, not bothering to close the door.

The man blinks, not moving from his spot until he walks over to the door to close it. Doesn't that boy know not to leave his nest exposed?

"I'm back!" Mathias opens his door, which he could have sworn he left open, to find the man kneeling by some pot plants. He puts his hands to his waist looking like Peter Pan to display his fluffy green hoodie-parka, opened to show his beige button-up, worn out khaki jeans and black boots. The Man looks back at him standing straight, hiding his hands behind his back again waiting. "I'll show you around."

The Day was spent by the two exploring the town. Mathias had shown the man around, to the borderline of the castle, the outside of the House of Manannan, a quick scroll through the streets. Mathias didn't bother exploring inside the tourist spots, claiming 'I don't have money right now, I can't pay to go inside', to which the man nods looking confused but understanding.

Mathias walks slower for the man to catch up from looking around. The man watches and listens carefully as the younger points out each building explaining what each is. A florist's, restaurants, daycare, schools, shops. The Man keeps nodding taking in all the information he is given.

After about 3 hours, Mathias finally makes it to the beach. No one is present, not even tourists.

Mathias turns to the man spreading out his arms briefly to emphasise his improvised tour, smiling "So, that was Peel."

"Why does no one explore the beach?" the man's question sparks Mathias' attention as the older is staring over the beach, he has a mystifying and longing look in his eyes.

"It's winter, it's too cold." Mathias sums up letting his arms fall to his sides. He eyes the coat the man has as the older continues to stare at the beach. The pattern is seal-like, maybe he likes seals? "But I think sometimes seals like swimming over there."

The Man looks over to him and smiles, Mathias can feel his cheeks warm up a bit like the last time. It worsens when the other speaks. "Oh, that's interesting."

Mathias stutters before looking over to the rocks, mentally calming down to ask, "Do you like seals?"

"I... like them." The Man also looks at the rocks, smiling still. Now having a warm look in his eyes. "They feel like home?"

This again sparks some interest for Mathias, "Do you live near them?"

"You may say that." Mathias looks up at the man when he answers mysteriously. The Older's dark eyes almost appearing black and soft... like a seal's.

"Anyway, that was Peel, I hope you enjoy your time here, sir." Mathias, having led the older to a hotel, holds out his hand, allowing the older to confusingly shake it.

"I don't like being called sir..." the Older laughs a bit, looking around confused, "It makes me feel old..."

Mathias releases his hand and, being curious for whatever reason he has no idea about, asks a question he was wondering for a bit, "What's your name?"

"My..." the Man looks troubled. Mathias notices his slight panic, confused why he would react this way. He observes as the man opens his mouth then closes it, this repeats three times before he finally answers, "My name is Selkie."

"Like the mythical seal person?" Mathias blinks tilting his head. What a strange name. Although, 'selkie' does have other names in other cultures, maybe that's the English translation? Mathias wonders why one would have to translate their name. Strange. But somewhat cute. "That's really cool."

Selkie smiles brightly, but still shy. "What... what is yours?"

"Mathias."