Beyond the Shallow Waters ★ Maylor

Chapter 9

Brian looked through the door hole, only to see that it wasn't Prenter. He was relieved that it wasn't but he still didn't know who it was. They had medium, dark black hair, and aviators on like the ones they had given Roger.

Brian twisted the deadbolt and opened the door. Brian didn't even get the chance to say hello before Roger shouted out.

"Freddie?!"

Before Freddie, even got a chance to say anything, he was nearly tackled.

"I never thought I'd see you again!" The blonde sobbed, pulling back to point out the obvious.

"How are you human?" He inquired, pulling the raven-haired prince in.

"It's a long story but speaking of things, are you okay?" Freddie removed his glasses and Roger could see they were filled to the brim with concern.

"I've been safe ever since the other night. Brian here stitched me up, but now it's gone and heal magically since I got these legs." Roger lifted his leg, hopping slightly on one leg.

"Thank you for looking after him." Brian nodded to the young prince.

"You're welcome, Your highness." Brian started to bow but Freddie stopped him.

"Oh stop that shit. You don't have to bow or call me that. Just call me Freddie, dear." He smiled at the now blushing giant.

"Freddie, Can I ask you something?" Roger asked, diverting Fred's attention from Brian.

"Yes, Darling. You can ask me anything."

"What's with this necklace?" Freddie's smile faded and he lowered his head. He removed his glasses and wiped his brow.

"Can we sit down for this?" The other two nodded and led him to the living room. As soon as John and Freddie's eyes met, they both froze. A smile tugged at the corner of John's mouth.
    
"H-Hi." John greets the also once merman who, in return, smiled back at him.
    
"Hi yourself." He took a seat next to John on the couch and looked him up and down.
    
"Now can you please explain the necklace to me. It has something to do with me becoming human so tell me. I know Mina gave it to you." Roger sat on the other side of Freddie, Brian taking the chair.
    
"For years I've kept the secret about that pendant. Mina told me I could never let anyone know about it. If it fell into the wrong hands, lives would be at stake. The necklace is ancient. It's magical and protects you from danger. It senses the danger and actives. It only protects the person wearing it though. That's why I suppose I didn't get hit the other night. So after I led the humans away, I came back to you. I placed it around you in hope that you would be okay till I got back." Freddie finally finished his explanation and Roger fell into thought.
    
"So it turned me human...to protect me?" Freddie nodded. Roger looked down at the necklace, taking it into his hand. It must sense that Paul is still out there. Roger still wanted to know how Freddie turned.

"So if I had this, how did you change?" Freddie just seemed to brush off the question.

"Oh, just magic darling. It was just an old, old spell. Now, what will it take for me to get some food around here?" With that, Freddie changed the topic and was following John into the kitchen, who offered to make him something. Roger could tell something wasn't right but he wasn't going to continue to pester Freddie about it. Brian noticed something was up because Roger had started frowning.

"What's wrong?" Roger broke from his trance and looked up at the hazel-eyed man.

"Oh, I was just thinking." He glanced down at the necklace, then to the floor.

"You seem to get lost in thought a lot." Roger laughed softly before replying.

"So do you." It was Brian's turn to laugh now. Brian gazed at the Roger. Roger's smile was so precious and then Roger's ocean eyes met his. The way his eyes shined and eyelashes fluttered, he was so gorgeous. Roger flicked his gaze down to Brian's lips for a split second. Slowly, they leaned closer to each other. Their lips almost touched when a loud bang care from the kitchen.
    
Both of them jumped up and ran into the kitchen. Pans were scattered across the floor.

"Sorry, It was an accident. I tripped." Freddie explained, looking a bit embarrassed. He frantically tried to pick them up. His face was dusted with red. It seems like he was still having trouble learning to walk. Being human though, he was nailing it. He'd learned and cared more about the land world than I did.

"Don't worry, it's okay. You're just like Roger was a few days ago. You'll get the hang of walking. As you said, it was an accident and we all make mistakes." John brightly smiled at the raven-haired man, whose face turned an even darker shade of red. Freddie's mouth curved up in a smile.

"You're so kind." Brian scoffed after the response from Freddie.

"Only to you and Roger. Only to you two." Brian turned and walked back into the living room. John rolled his eyes and got back to his previous actions.

Roger turned on his heels and went back to the living room as well. Brian had pulled out his 12-string, making a few adjustments. He strummed the instrument with elegance and hummed along with his tune. Roger hadn't heard this one yet. It was rather beautiful. He could hear Brian quietly sing the lyrics.

     Dear friend goodbye
     No tears in my eyes
     So sad it ends
     As it began

"That was beautiful." Roger praised the brunette as he finished. Brian grinned sweetly.
    
"Thank you, I wrote it when I was a teenager. I'm glad someone else likes it." They sat in silence for a few seconds before Brian broke it.
    
"Would you like to go for a walk on the beach?" Roger nodded and hopped up. Brian placed his guitar down and slid open the patio door.
    
"Deaky, we're going for a walk!" After he heard the response of "Okay!," he shut the door.

"It looks like it's gonna storm later." Roger informed, looking up at the dark, grey sky.

"You're right, it looks like it will." As they walked along, Brian remembered. He meant to tell Miami about this ordeal and it slipped his mind. He grabbed Roger's hand and pulled him along.

"What are you doing?!" Roger yelled, stumbling as he was pulled along, running.

"I have to take you to someone! I forgot! He needs to know about you!" Brian sights set on Miami's shack as it came into view. Jim caught sight of him as he ran up to the building, poor Roger in tow.

"Miami!"

"Hello, Brian. Decided to come work on your off day?" Brian shook his head and pulled Roger closer to the counter. Roger was gasping for air after he tried to keep up with the taller man

"No, I have someone for you to meet. This is Roger. Roger, Jim a.k.a. Miami. Miami, Roger."

"It's nice to meet you, Roger." They shook hands and Brian went on to explain their problem.
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I feel like this story isn't making sense sometimes. I'm trying my absolute hardest to make sure everything pieces together. I hope this wasn't a bad spot to leave it off either. Thank you to all that is reading this though! :)