Beyond the Shallow Waters ★ Maylor

Chapter 11

Roger got really excited when Freddie told him they were going to go shopping. He'd get to see more of the human world beyond this house and the beach.

Roger need clothes of his own, so did Freddie. God only knows where Freddie got his. Where did he get his?

They let the rain slack before they hurried out to their cars. They fought over whose car they were taken so they just took both. Freddie rode with John and Roger with Brian. Roger was so fascinated with the machine. He already loved them and wanted one despite not knowing how to drive one. He messed with the radio, the A/C, the glove box, anything that looked fascinating.

"Oh, what's this?" He asked Brian pulling a square box out of the glove department.

"That's a CD. It's music. Here, let me show you." The blonde handed the case to Brian, who took out the circular thing and inserted it into the car.

Hey, hey mama said the way you move
Gon' make you sweat, gon' make you groove
   
Roger had never heard anything like it! He was so entranced by it.
    
"It's Led Zeppelin, what was on your shirt the other day. It's a band, this is their fourth album." Roger listened to the hazel-eyed man with such intent.
    
"It's so- AWESOME! How come you didn't show me this day one?!"
    
Boy was he gleaming.
    
"So you mean you have nothing like this under the ocean?" Roger shook his head.
    
"No, we have dreary, slow songs or...just...vocalizing. Freddie writes some great songs though. I occasionally do."
    
"Really? That's really cool. I know you already know I write song, but Deaky writes songs too. He even wrote one criticizing me." Roger furrowed his eyebrows.

"Why'd he do that?" Roger was so confused about how John could do that.

"Oh, he got pissed off at me. He called it 'Back Chat.' I supposedly back talk and criticize way too much." Brian laughed it off. He remembered when Deaky brought it to him. He was pissed off as much as John had been. It doesn't bother him much now.

They continue on their way to the nearby city that was hardly 30 minutes away. There were a mall and plenty of other good stores.

John, in the meantime, had also let Freddie borrow some of his clothes. So there he was getting out of the parked car in bell-bottoms and platform boots. Compared to Roger, still in sweats and a t-shirt, it was like a blast to the past.

"Surprised you two are still alive, considering you're a speed demon." Brian's pestering didn't please John.

"Fuck off." John cursed, rolling his eyes. He grabbed Freddie's hand and pulled him off.

"Don't worry. We'll catch back up with them. Come on, I'll take you on a little tour."

Brian showed the younger boy around the humungous place. So many humans! Never in his life did he think he'd be this close to humans. He practically skipped along, he was so happy. Roger soaked in the new sights, the mouthwatering smells from the food court, and just the radiance of being human.

They weren't ten minutes into walking around before Brian's phone rang. It played a song too, just not one Roger's heard before. Brian listened as Brian replied to whoever was on the other side.

"Okay, be right there." Brian hung up, place the phone back in his pocket.

"Was that John?" Brian nodded.

"Yeah, they're at Old Navy's. Freddie wants you to see if he looks good in the outfits he'd pick out." They hurried over to the other side of the mall and into Old Navy's. Brian searched for the changing stalls and finally found them.
    
"Rog Darling! You're finally here now, do I look good in this?" The outfit Freddie was wearing was rather causal. He wore light, slightly ripped jeans, a blue tie-dyeish sweater, and white shoes. He did a quick spin to show it off more.
    
"It looks good, Freddie." Freddie smiled, going on to the next outfits.
    
After Freddie's clothes (and a few pairs of jeans for Roger) had been paid for, Brian took Roger to another store.
    
"I know you couldn't find anything in there but I'll bet you'll find some good shirts here." Brian pulled the blonde in a store called 'Hot Topic.' Roger was living for this place. It was way more exciting than the other store. Brian showed Roger all the band shirts and Roger grabbed a Led Zeppelin one as soon as he saw it. Even, Brian picked some out for him.
    
In the end, Roger ended up with: 2 Led Zeppelin shirts, 1 Beatles shirt, 1 AC/DC crop top, and A Little Mermaid croptop. He fought with Brian long and hard to get The Little Mermaid one. They met back up with the other two at the cars. John wanted to go to a thrift store and Brian complacently agreed.
    
John ended up finding Freddie and himself more vintage outfits while Brian helped Roger.
    
While Brian looked through the racks of clothes, Roger returned to him with a big fur coat and pink, sparkly shoes. Rog looked up at Brian with puppy dog eyes until he caved in.
    
Roger left the store feeling satisfied. Brian, on the other hand, wanted to know why Roger wanted the coat despite IT BEING THE MIDDLE OF THE SUMMER.

On their way back, they decided to stop at the local restaurant for dinner. Brian had to force Roger to leave the coat in the Jeep, letting him wear the pink converse instead. Roger began to pout but Brian just ignored it. If Roger wore that out in the heat right now: 1. It would kill him and 2. He'd get looks.

When inside, they were seated and began to look through the menu.

"I want fish." Roger stated, still pouting.

"Just fish?" Brian asked him, getting a nod.

"You know you can try something new." John tried to tell him.

"He's right, darling. You've given other things a chance, do try something new." Roger crosses his arms and sunk lower in his chair.

"Roger, stop pouting. You look like a 5-year-old."

"Fine, I'll try something bloody new." Roger looked over the menu, not seeing anything really stand out.
    
The waitress came back with their drinks and they began to order. Brian ordered a salad, John and Freddie got Chicken Alfredo, and poor Roger got popcorn shrimp. Brian was the one who ended up pickinh for him.
    
"What even is popcorn shrimp?" Roger grumpily asked.
    
"Breaded shrimp so hush." Roger rolled his eyes and turned his vision away from everyone. Though, who he made eye contact with, sent a shiver down his spine.
    
"Um, Brian..." He calmly turned back to the taller man and whispered to him.
     
"What is it now, Rog-" He looked away from Roger and saw for himself. Brian stiffed and Roger sat up straight.
    
"Code Red." He whispered until his breath to the other too.
    
They couldn't go anywhere, Prenter had already saw them and was walking over.
    
"Ah, it's nice to see you boys again. Hey, haven't I seen you somewhere's before?" He inquired, gesturing to Roger. Roger panicked but he had to remain calm to not pull any suspicion.
    
"You might have, back in London that is. We're just coming to visit Brian and John. We were in a band all together once." The other three were shocked at how quick Roger came up with an explanation and a good one at that. Prenter scratched his face and thought.
    
"I could have sworn I saw you Friday night." Roger gulped, the memories hitting him hard.
    
"You couldn't have, I wasn't in town yet. I didn't arrive until the next morning." He gave a nervous laugh and smile.
     
"Hmm, well I guess I should bother you anymore, your food will come soon. I've got to get back to my own table, See you around." None of them realized how much they were holding their breath up Paul walked off.
     
"Let's get out of here as soon as possible after we eat. That was too close for my own liking." Roger shivered, completely terrified. He never wanted to have a conversation with that man.

———

Prenter paced around in his living room. He swore he'd seen that blonde hair somewhere. That other guy, what was it, Freddie! He looked familiar too. Then it hit him, they looked like the mermen he spotted the other night. The ones that got away from him, they couldn't be. If it was them, how were they now human? Magic maybe?

A roar of an engine caught his attention. He peaked through his curtains and sure enough, it was them. He watched as they all got out of their cars.

Could that blonde be that one that got away from me? The merman was injured, there must be some evidence.

The idea that Paul thought of was not particularly favored. If there was any evidence, it would be in the trash. The trash trunk did not come until tomorrow morning so he had to search tonight. He'd wait till they were all asleep then showtime.

———

Instead of watching a movie this night, Brian decided they'd play a game. They had to wait for Freddie to get out of the shower before they could begin.

Freddie had his hair wrapped up in a towel like John had shown him before his shower, and a new pair of pajamas on when he re-entered the kitchen. He took his place at the table and thus the game of scrabble began!

————

Despite all the murderous looks from John, Freddie beating him (because he was letting him), and Roger's whines from losing, Brian was having fun. It wasn't long before they all began to tire out. They cleaned up and all said their goodnights. Roger hopped on to the bed once he entered Brian's room. Brian laughed and walked to the other side. Roger lifted up the covers, allowing Brian to slide in. For another night, Roger wrapped his arms around the taller man.

"Hey, Brian?"
    
"Do you think he fully recognized me today?" Brian thought hard about what the blonde had to say.
    
"I'm not sure. If he did, he didn't show it." Brian rested his chin on the top of Roger's head as he spoke.
    
"I hope that he doesn't remember." Roger twirled Brian's hair, resting his head on his chest. "G' night!"

"Goodnight Roger." Brian closed his eyes and held the younger boy close. If Prenter did recognize Roger as the merman he spotted the other night, Brian was going to fight long and hard to protect him.

———

"Alright, 3:00 am." Prenter dressed in all black, flashlight on his hip, walked out the door. He quietly snuck over to the trash can that was sitting in the driveway. He took his flashlight and search through the trash. He had gloves on but it made it no less icky. A speck of dark red caught his eye. It looked like a gauze with dried blood. He was quick to grab it and what was inside the folded fabric wasn't something he expected: an iridescent scale.

———

Dun Dun DUN
Another cliffhanger, I know. This story is getting deeper and I love writing it. Thank you once again to all of you reading it! <3
Also I have a quick question: So recently, I've been writing a Queen Frozen AU! And was wondering if anyone would be interested and it would be something they'd like to read. Just let me know, have a great day! <3