You and I, We Mer-Maid for Each Other

≋ chapter six: homeward and heartward bound

It had been nearly a month since Keith learned the truth about Lance. A Friday afternoon. That was when Adam sprung something on him that seemed sudden.

"Friends of ours that live a few hours away," he explained as he packed his suitcase until it was stuffed. "Also a same-sex couple. They recently got their little boy from the same agency we're looking at."

"So you want advice," Keith said, nodding in understanding. Shiro smiled at him as he threw his duffel bag into the pile. He was a light packer. Only took the essentials. Adam, not so much.

"They've been a really big help," Shiro breathed. He sounded really happy. "But there's a LOT to go over, and besides, we wanna meet the little guy. If it goes well they might be able to put in a good word for us."

Keith smiled at them.

"Sounds like a plan. Are you both planning to stay the whole weekend?"

"Assuming nothing comes up." Adam smirked. "You've got the whole place to yourself."

Keith felt his own expression become a little mischievous, and at that, Shiro's smile faded. Keith stifled a laugh.

"You can have people over, but nobody fishy, alright?"

"I don't even know any fishy people!" That was technically a lie, but Keith had a feeling that Shiro meant "shady" when he said "fishy" and not "men with tails".

"Make sure to lock the doors when you aren't expecting anybody! And don't just laze around and order takeout. There's plenty in the fridge, you should be able to make something nutritious. And—"

"Takashi, honey," Adam interrupted. "He's twenty-two. I think he'll manage."

"Sure, he'll manage, but—"

"We should be going."

Adam shoved Shiro out the front door. Shiro continued to play the role of the big brother until the door slammed, reminding Keith that he should still get up early and warning him not to skip breakfast or stay up too late or avoid going outside. Keith shook his head. Shiro still seemed to think of him as a kid from time to time.

Of course, Keith immediately called Lance. Lance was surprised to actually hear his voice, as they normally communicated via text if not in person. Lance had been wanting to see his house, but he feared that Shiro didn't like him very much. That was a fair assumption. Shiro's first meeting with Lance had been an awkward one. (And Keith wasn't about to admit it, but he also preferred to talk to Lance in private and wouldn't want his brother or his brother's husband around.)

Keith didn't have to worry about work on the weekends. They truly did have the place to themselves. Lance was sure he could spend the whole time there, as there was a pool and a very spacious bathtub that was exclusively Keith's. If Lance needed to submerge himself he had plenty of ways to do so, and for a long time.

Just for fun, Keith drove his little wagon machine (he still didn't have a better name for it) to the beach and Lance rode in it with him back to the house after tossing his things in the back. On the way, Keith explained how they had come to own such a nice house. Shiro had made good money before turning his focus to conservation work, and Adam had scored no small amount in prize money in his competitive swimming days. There was a very nice house, practically a mansion, off of this beach that had fallen into disrepair. A beautiful beach manor once upon a time, but it had lost value as the beach had become trashed and abandoned. Shiro and Adam, with Keith's help, fixed that house up and made it an incredible, state-of-the-art place to live. They'd likely do the same to the beach.

Kosmo had it out for Lance the moment he came in through the front door. He could sense it— that Lance was not a human being. He stiffened at the sight of him, his tail a straight line and his teeth slightly bared. Keith waved him down and stroked his neck until he settled, but he still flinched as Lance patted his head.