Haru always wondered if the birds flying in the sky was anything like how swimming in the sea felt. They glided through the air so effortlessly, and darting through the water took little effort as well. Once in a while he'd see a gull plummet down into the water to catch a small fish and shoot right back up, flapping their wings to go settle on a nearby piece of land to enjoy their meal.

But right now it was dark - very dark. He probably wouldn't be able to swim so easily if he didn't know this path like the back of his hand. It took a few days of convincing his parents to leave. They urged him not too. But in the end, they realized they could not make Haru budge on his decision - he was going to stay with the human he had fallen in love with.

They insisted on at least going with him, but he didn't want to have a sad and emotional parting. Plus, he thought that maybe his parents would try to convince Makoto not to take Haru with him. There was a heaviness in his heart to leave his parents and the village he grew up in. This was the only life he had ever known. But more than anything, he wanted to be with Makoto. He was willing to give all of that up to see him.

Haru had swam these waters so many times, but his heart was beating more than it ever had. He was excited and nervous - the only thing on his mind was to get to Makoto, to see him again. All he wanted in that moment was to see Makoto's kind smile, to say his name in that gentle way he always did, to be engulfed in his warmth.

And then there was a bright light amongst the darkness. So bright, Haru had to close his eyes from how blinding it was. He stopped mid-swim. It shown so brightly even through his closed eyelids. He could tell the light was slowly beginning to fade, and thinking it was safe to look, he opened his eyes...

Haru was met with a dimly illuminated ceiling. It wasn't the surface of the water or the house that he lived in with his parents.

That's right, he lived with Makoto now. There was no way he could be in the ocean. He looked over beside him to see Makoto fast asleep, facing towards him. Haru scooted closer and wrapped an arm around the larger man's body, burying his face into his chest. Makoto's natural scent felt so comforting.

Makoto stirred a bit and made a low grumble before speaking up lazily. "Haru?"

"Sorry, I woke you up," Haru mumbled into his chest.

"Its alright, I probably had to get up soon anyway," Makoto's voice was gravely as he gently stroked Haru's head.

"I think... I remember part of how I got my legs," Haru spoke again.

"H-Huh? Really?" Makoto sounded a little more alert now at the announcement.

"Sort of," Haru lifted his head. "I remember that I was on my way to the beach, and suddenly there was a blinding light. I don't remember what happened after that, though."

"Wasn't that just a dream?" Makoto asked.

"I don't know... it felt real. It seemed more like a memory than anything."

"Hmm..." Makoto pondered a bit. "You don't... really think that fairy tale could be true... could it?"

Haru shrugged, "Its possible. If I suddenly gained legs, I don't see how its any less weird for there to be some sort of mystical power that gave them to me."

"That's true..." Makoto thought the idea of this 'goddess' actually being real sounded ridiculous, but the fact that mermaids exist in the first place... Well, anything could happen now, really. Makoto closed his eyes in thought, but soon felt Haru grab onto him again. He opened his eyes to see Haru's head burrowed into his chest. He let out a chuckle. "Do you want to try going to the store with me today?"

Haru looked up, slight eagerness in his eyes. "Can I really?"

"Of course," Makoto ran his fingers through Haru's hair. "You look like any other human now, and you've been walking fine with the cane."

Makoto had bought a simple cane for Haru to use since he now seemed to walk fine as long as he had some support or something to lean on. And it would be great for Haru to start getting used to interacting with other people. He had only previously went on a few drives with Makoto without getting out of the car.

It took them a while to get ready after lunch (and it was easy to convince Haru to put on a shirt with the prospects of leaving the house). Haru seemed a bit eager and nervous to be going out into public for the first time (he didn't count the police station...) as he stared out of the car window.

Once Makoto drove into the supermarket parking lot and turned off the car, he looked over at Haru. "Ready?" He asked with a reassuring smile. Haru gave a quick nod. "Alright, I'll come help you out of the car," Makoto said as he undid his seat belt and opened his door.

This was a whole new experience for Haru. Even though he had legs now, the only places he had been besides Makoto's apartment was the pool and the police station (unfortunately). He had never actually been in a place crowded with people like he saw on the television at home. His walking was a little unsteady; not just because he was still getting used to it, but because his nerves were starting to shake him a bit.

"You can hold on to me, if you need," Makoto's words seemed to indicate that he was sensing Haru's change in demeanor.

Haru didn't want to cause trouble for Makoto, so he slowly hooked his free hand around Makoto's arm while steadying himself with his cane.

They made it to the front of the store and Makoto walked over to the carts. "Do you want to push the cart? It's something you can hold on to, so it'll help you walk too."

Haru had seen several commercials and shows of people pushing carts through grocery stores, and even though it seemed silly, he was a little excited to be doing something that was so normal to humans.

"Alright," he said in conformation.

Makoto pulled out one of the carts and brought it in front of Haru. Haru grabbed onto the handle as Makoto placed Haru's cane into the cart.

"Now you just push!" Makoto said with his usual kind smile.

Haru pushed the cart towards the doors of the store and jumped a bit as the doors slid open automatically. Makoto chuckled a little as they walked inside.

The amount of sensory stimulus was a little overwhelming. The beeping of the cash registers, the low murmur of the customers talking, the soft music playing over the intercom, the fluorescent lights shining from the ceiling, and that smell that only supermarkets have of various foods and products all packed into one location.

"We don't need much, it shouldn't take long," Makoto said in what seemed like a reassuring voice.

Haru nodded and followed Makoto who beckoned him to one of the isles. Haru made very sure to keep his balance as well as not running into the other shoppers. It wasn't very crowded, but he didn't want to take any chances.

Despite it being a little nerve-wracking at first, a few isles and some things thrown in the cart later, Haru was starting to calm down a bit. Now he just realized how bizarre it was to finally be in a place like this. A place he never thought he'd ever end up in - walking amongst humans who didn't even pay him any mind. He was a human just like them now, after all.

"Here's your favorite part!" Makoto seemed pleased with himself as he led Haru and the cart over to back of the store.

Haru's eyes widened as he say freshly caught fish laid out on ice lining the back of the store. Some were behind glass cases and already cut to show the glistening meat that made his mouth water.

"I'm guessing you'd like some mackerel?" Makoto chuckled as he caught Haru staring daggers at the raw fish.

"Yes," Haru gave a short but eager response.

Makoto ordered some cuts of mackerel and tuna (Makoto's favorite, and Haru quite liked it as well).

After the fish was wrapped and handed over, Makoto led the way to the check-out counter. They had to wait in line behind an older lady who only had a few items, but took a while to pay. As they waited, Makoto began putting their items on the counter, and Haru began to help as much as he could without taking one hand off of the cart.

Makoto grabbed Haru's cane after the cart was emptied and handed it to Haru. "We need the cart to set the bagged groceries in, so you'll have to use this for a little while."

"Hello, Tachibana-kun! How are you today?" The middle-aged woman at the register greeted as she started scanning the items.

"I'm fine, Mrs. Kawashima, thank you," Makoto replied with a smile.

"You always come alone - I'm surprised to see you've brought someone," she glanced over at Haru.

"Ah, this is my... roommate, Haruka," Makoto gestured to the other man.

"H-Hello," Haru said quietly.

"Hello, dear," Mrs. Kawashima said warmly. "Is your leg okay?" Her eyes fell on his cane.

"Oh, yeah, he just twisted his ankle pretty bad and got a rough sprain," Makoto answered for him.

"The poor thing! Out and about on a bad ankle when he should be at home letting it heal. I would expect as a fireman you'd take better care of your friend, Tachibana-kun," she tutted at him as she continued to scan the produce.

"Ahh, I know, he should be resting..." Makoto said nervously.

"I wanted to leave the house," Haru said rather bluntly.

"Well, I guess you can't be cooped up for too long. But once you get home, rest that leg right away!" She scolded in a motherly fashion.

After everything was packed and back in the cart, the two said their goodbyes to Mrs. Kawashima and headed to the car.

"Sorry about that, Haru. I always go to this store, so I know a lot of the employees," Makoto sighed.

"Its fine. She seemed okay," Haru shrugged.

"And I had to tell her a few lies... sorry," Makoto gave another sigh.

"You had to. Not like you could tell her I only started walking a few weeks ago.

"That's true," Makoto chuckled.

Haru waited in the car as Makoto packed everything in. Once Makoto got into the driver's seat, started up the car, and made his way out of the parking lot, Haru spoke up again.

"How come you told her I was your 'roommate'?"

"Ah, well..." Makoto rubbed his neck. "Its kind of hard to tell other people you're my... boyfriend."

"Why?"

"Well," Makoto paused. "People aren't really used to seeing two men or two women together in a relationship."

"Is it not normal?" Haru asked.

"Its not like its a bad thing..." Makoto scrunched his face a bit trying to think of a way to best explain, "Its just... not as common as a man and woman being together. And some people don't really get it."

"... Is it difficult for you to be with another man?" Haru continued to question.

"No! Of course not!" Makoto glanced over at Haru before putting his eyes back on the road. "If you love someone... it doesn't matter what gender they are. All that matters is that you two feel the same way. Some people... I guess they don't understand that. But I could never regret being with you, Haru."

Makoto reached out and grabbed Haru's hand tightly. "And I just want to protect you. I wish I could tell everyone we're together, but I don't want the wrong people to hear about it."

Haru lightly squeezed Makoto's hand in response. "Is it dangerous for us to be together? Why don't some people want people of the same gender to be together?"

"I don't know..." Makoto sighed. "Its silly, if you think about it. But I can assure you - you'll never be put in any danger, Haru. I'll make sure of it."

"Okay..." Haru responded.

He held on to Makoto's hand all the way to the apartment.

"Do you want to help cook?" Makoto asked after he put out everything to make dinner.

"Is it okay if I try?" Haru questioned back.

"Of course! You seem to really like cooking shows, so I figured you'd like to try it out yourself."

Haru seemed reluctant at first. Fire wasn't something he was very accustomed to. Sure their were underground geysers that shot out jets of incredibly hot water, but everyone knew to avoid those. Haru new fire was just as hot, and sometimes, maybe hotter. And the way the flames danced seemed unpredictable and unsettling.

But the flames on the stove were low and controlled. The incredible amount of heat they gave off still made him wary, but somehow, he managed to get through with helping Makoto prepare their meal. Makoto let him do more simple things like prepare the rice and chop up the vegetables (Makoto seemed more concerned about Haru holding a knife than being by the stove). Haru watched the fish simmer in the pan, but Makoto was the one who flipped them over.

This was... pretty fun. This was something Haru got to help Makoto do. Finally. He had been feeling guilty letting Makoto do all the work, even though it wasn't his fault that Haru didn't quite get the hang of being human yet. Haru hoped that he'd be able to help Makoto out more often in the future.

"You did great!" Makoto said happily as he took the fish off of the burner.

"Really?"

"Yes! For your first time, I think you did quite well."

Haru appreciated the comment silently as he watched Makoto plate the food.

The two enjoyed their meal together while they watched one of Haru's new favorite dramas. The food tasted good as usual, so Haru was glad he didn't mess it up.

"Hah..." Makoto patted his stomach while leaning back on the couch. "That was good - I'm stuffed."

Haru wasn't quite finished with his plate, "Did yours taste good?"

"Of course! Haru-chan chopped the vegetables really well. I'm glad you didn't hurt yourself while doing it."

"I've always been handy with... knives." Haru wasn't sure if thats what he'd call them, but there are sharp tools the mermaid often use for cutting up their food as well, amongst various other things like kelp and tough sea plants.

"Ah, I'm always learning something new about you," Makoto smirked and gently stroked the back of Haru's head.

Haru slowly finished the rest of his meal, but all the while being very alert to Makoto's arm now around him, which somehow distracted him from even being able to taste the last of his food. The young man gently placed his plate down on the table and leaned closer to Makoto so that their bodies were touching. Makoto gave Haru's shoulder a light squeeze, Haru resting his head against Makoto's chest as the drama on television played.

As much as Haru enjoyed this show, again, all he could think about was Makoto's touch. The body warmth he was feeling that was not his own almost made him feel like melting. The sound from the television seemed like just a buzz as Haru's breathing became more shallow. He really did love spending time with Makoto like this - being close to him, spending the day together.

Haru rested his hand on Makoto's thigh. He sensed a slight response from Makoto's body, but the other man didn't say a word and continued watching the television. When Haru slowly moved his hand up, he could feel Makoto's body tense.

"...Haru?" Makoto asked tentatively.

Haru looked up at green eyes that seemed to show nervousness.

Makoto saw eager blue eyes. Haru's mouth hung open slightly, as if eagerly waiting for something.

It was hard to say who initiated it first, but in the next moment, their lips had met in kiss.

Haru let out a soft sigh as he opened his mouth for air, Makoto taking the opportunity to deepen the kiss further. Feeling the blood rushing through his body, Haru shifted to move on top of Makoto's lap without separating their mouths. It was a bit hard to sit straddled on Makoto's lap considering the fins he had his whole life up to this point pretty much felt like the equivalent of keeping your legs close together, but it was almost as if his body was moving on its own.

Makoto seemed to freeze for a moment, but continued kissing Haru and gently set a hand on the small of Haru's back.

This position and Makoto's soft and slow movement of his lips against Haru's - he knew he was starting to feel aroused. Giving an experimental rut against Makoto, he rubbed his hardening member against the other man's lap.

"H-Haru..." Makoto's voice was low and gravelly. His mouth ghosted over Haru's jaw planting wet kisses down to his neck.

Haru let out a soft moan as he again rutted against Makoto, who lightly sucked the base of Haru's neck. Haru hooked his hands around Makoto's neck, steadying his breathing.

Without much warning, Haru felt himself being lifted up and into Makoto's arms. "Wh-What?"

"Let's... go to the bedroom," Makoto said in a slightly shaky voice as he began to walk quickly while holding Haru in his arms.

Haru was whisked away and lay down onto the bed (although Makoto was eager, he didn't want to actually toss him on).

Their lips met again in a passionate kiss, Makoto hovering over Haru with his hands and legs on either side of him. Haru wrapped his arms around Makoto's strong back and drew their bodies closer, he could now tell that Makoto was feeling much the same as their hardened members rubbed against each other.

Makoto began to kiss down Haru's neck again while his hand wandered up his partner's shirt. Haru gave a brief whine as Makoto began to massage his chest, slightly squeezing his nipple between his fingers.

"Take it off... the shirt..." Haru breathed. He was more than happy for the shirt to be removed - he couldn't take it off when they got home since Makoto said cooking without one wasn't safe.

The shirt was a bit roughly taken off, and after it was, Haru reached for the hem of Makoto's. Understanding what he was getting at, Makoto proceeded to take his shirt off as well.

Haru's hands wandered up the body of the man who was straddling him. Makoto's body was actually quite different from his own - broader, bigger muscles that could pick him up with ease. Of course, considering his job, he'd have to have a lot of upper body strength. His wide torso almost seemed intimidating, but Haru knew how gentle Makoto actually was.

Makoto gently placed his hand on one of Haru's that was rubbing his body, bringing it up to gently kiss each of Haru's fingers. He then laced their fingers together and leaned towards Haru to give him another kiss on the lips.

Haru eagerly accepted the kiss, his free hand moving to cup Makoto's hot erection through his pants. Makoto didn't waste much time letting go of Haru's hand and reaching for the button of his jeans to undo. He sloppily pulled them down along with his underwear, releasing his erect cock for Haru to see.

Haru had seen Makoto naked plenty of times, but had never seen his cock so hard like this. Haru grabbed for the band of his baggy sweatpants (Makoto promised to take him clothes shopping one day) and tried wriggling them down.

Makoto leaned back over Haru to help him pull down his pants. A bead of precum glistened at the tip of Haru's erection and Makoto rutted his member against his lover's.

Haru let out a soft moan as Makoto gave another thrust of his hips and embraced Haru, their bodies close together as their cocks continued to rub against one another.

Haru grabbed the back of Makoto's neck as they met in a sloppy kiss, Haru's tongue eagerly seeking out Makoto's mouth as low growls of passion escaped his lips.

Makoto reached down between them and took both of their cocks in his hand, a few more beads of precum wet the heads of their members, Makoto sliding down his hand to coat their heat in them. Makoto let out a low groan as he began to move his hand up and down faster along their lengths.

"Ahh, Makoto!" Haru said in a raspy voice between kisses.

"Haru... Haru..." Makoto breathed as he separated their mouths to rest his head in the crook of Haru's neck.

Makoto held their cocks loosely in his hand as he began thrusting his hips, rubbing his dick rhythmically against Haru's. Haru let out low but arousing moans as he dug his fingers into Makoto's back.

Makoto sucked and licked the base of Haru's neck as he picked up the speed of his hips. It felt like there was a fire burning in his groin. This sensation was so hot, it nearly did feel like it was burning, but at the same time he had never felt something so good. He lifted up his head to kiss Haru yet again who was now a panting mess. Haru took ragged breaths in between kisses as Makoto began to move his hand up and down along with his thrusts to take them over the edge.

"I'm... cumming..." Haru nearly whined into Makoto's mouth.

"Me too... Haru," Makoto said between ragged breaths.

Makoto's cock was throbbing and ready to release. Haru came first, a low and long moan coming from his throat as his hips bucked up into Makoto's his semen spurting out between them. After a few more strokes came Makoto's intense orgasm, letting out a throaty moan next Haru's ear, repeating his lover's name a few times as he squeezed ever last bit out of both of their cocks.

They both lay in a spent pile, Makoto wondered if he was too heavy for Haru, but Haru didn't seem to mind, and the heavy breaths he was taking seemed to indicate he was breathing just fine. Makoto lifted his head to give Haru a chaste kiss, running a gentle hand through his lover's hair.

"Want to take a bath?" Makoto asked in a soft voice.

"Yeah," Haru's voice cracked a bit and Makoto smiled.

"You two seem lovey dovey~" Nagisa commented as he took a sip of his milkshake.

"Hah, well..." Makoto nervously rubbed his neck. Haru was currently clinging to his arm on the other side of the booth.

"I'm glad your relationship seems to be going well," Rei commented. "Has it been difficult adjust to life as a human, Haru?"

"Some things are difficult, but I can adjust quickly to most of them," Haru responded.

"Oh, yes! The other day Haru helped me cook even! I was really proud of him, I guess watching all those cooking shows paid off," Makoto nodded.

"Oooh, I want Haru-chan to cook for me!" Nagisa said cheerily.

"Nagisa! Don't just invite yourself like that," Rei scolded.

"Its fine, I will cook for you two once I get the hang of it," Haru responded.

"Yay!" Nagisa cheered.

Rei sighed, "Well, thank you, Haru. I will wait with anticipation. I guess these kinds of things like cooking with each other also brings you closer together?"

"Yeah, I had a lot of fun getting to do something like that with Haru," Makoto smiled.

"We also made love afterward," Haru interjected nonchalantly.

"H-Haru!" Makoto said in a half scream, half whisper. His face immediately began to turn red.

"Woo, finally! You know you have to please Haru-chan once in a while, Mako-chan, or else Haru-chan might leave you and go back to the ocean," Nagisa lectured.

"N-Nagisa..." Rei's face was red too, to the point he didn't have much strength to yell at him.

"Well, we didn't go all the way, but it felt really good," Haru continued.

"Haru, please!" Makoto whined, his ears felt like they would burn off.

"Oh, I forgot we weren't supposed to talk about that. Sorry. Pretend I didn't say anything."

Nagisa simply laughed while Rei shifted in his seat without saying a word. The rest of that dinner was a bit awkward.

Makoto guessed there was still a lot that Haru had to learn.

End of Chapter.

I know, it has been too long, and I'm sorry. ;~; I have just really been struggling with writing lately, as well as having some personal issues going on. This doesn't mean I will stop writing, but please understand if updates do take a long time. I still want to write! I'm just having a difficult time getting my life together. I hope everyone understands, and thanks for being so patient.

But enough of that. I figured I'd come back with this fic on a big day - Makoto's birthday! Happy birthday, flawless angel Mako-chan! (Its still his birthday for me as I post this, at least) I really and truly hope that this chapter is a good one to come back to. I hope this fic can still be brought up to reader's expectations! It was my first time writing an h-scene in a good while, so I hope this was satisfying enough. I hope this chapter was written well too... But argh, I'm getting too worried about it. I'll just hope its a good one!

Before I keep going on and on, I'll end it here. Thank you so much for reading and all of the support. And I will see you next time. :*