When we arrived back at the building, the human had a troubled look on his face gesturing to what he called blankets. He ate some food and shut himself in a room.   Did I do something wrong? I thought we shared a moment there. I don’t understand…I saved him because he risked his life to save a helpless pup. The simple brave action spoke volumes.   

My mind drifted further about him. His soft blue hair is dark like the night sky.  It’s rare for humans  to have such shades; perhaps it’s a gift from his ancestors long ago. He had beautiful golden eyes  filled with conviction but also pain he tried very hard to hide. A cute face  and a thin frame. Even his voice was lovely to me.  

Does he have trauma I triggered? Wait, does he think I only want his body? “Haah…” I flopped onto the squishy rock.  Well I blew it now,  I won’t find one like that human any time soon. He’ll probably kick me out for making out with him.  I certainly won’t be able to get used to him. 

I can’t afford to lose a place on the land.  Those bastards will track me down again with their fancy gear. And pluck off my scales one by one to sell to other bastards immortality.  

I woke up to my muscles aching. I must’ve been tense. Why do I not feel the ocean current brushing my body?  I opened my eyes, yeah that’s right. I’m staying here now. I should make him food. A small weight landed  on my chest accompanied by a noise.

“Mow.” The fluffy creature he called a cat looked at me with her green eyes wide. She sniffed me and began licking my skin. Her raspy little pink tongue tickled me. I bit my lip to keep from laughing.  But a laugh escaped my lips regardless.  As my body briefly shook she looked up with disdain, her wet nose touching me briefly. She turned around her fluffy butt  in my face and  her tail  brushed against my nose.  She wandered around my torso in a circle then settled on my chest, her face right next to mine. She vibrates loudly and closes her eyes. Was her name Matcha?  

Sometime later I heard the door open.  Matcha promptly hopped off my chest meowing at him.

“I’ll feed you alright? You’re not starving Matcha.” 

With Matcha off my chest I sat up.  He looked cuter than he did yesterday. His  hair all ruffled and sticking up in places. His shirt loose and slightly oversized while his pants swirled around his ankles. I just wanna run my hands through his hair and make him smile.  He caught me  looking and blushed but didn’t say anything. Is he still upset?

“You never gave me your name human.”  I cocked my head slightly as I leaned over the squishy rocks back.  “I’m Nagisa”

“Reid.” 

The silence felt awkward as Reid turned his back to me grabbing things to probably make food for himself while Matcha meow-whined at him.  Pawing up his leg.Even his back side is cute…  he grabbed two flat things and put food on it.  Then scooped something for his cat.  Who happily crunch on it. 

“Nagisa, food is ready.”

I stood up brushing my clothes off. It’s so pleasant  hearing from him say my name.  I sat myself down , just  he kept glancing up at me and blushing.   The food was really good. I’ve been used to just plain fish and seaweed.   I kept stealing glances  at him. I want to know more about Reid, I want to grow our connection but…”Do you resent me for kissing you?” I said,  troubled.

Reid swallowed his bite he hesitated. “It's complicated…but I do want to know, are you just flirting for my body, is that all you wanted?” 

“No. I found you intriguing from the moment I first saw you in the storm.” I felt my cheeks get warm. His face flushed, he looked away,  pain in his golden eyes. What made him like that? Who would damage him so bad that badly he's scared of his own feelings.  “Do you want to see some otters?”

“How? Do you have a boat or something?”

I smiled at him. Maybe this will help him trust me at the very least as a friend. “Do you have water clothes?”

“Water clothes?”  Reid looked confused. 

“You know the black and blue water clothes that are tight that you humans wear underwater in the kelp forests?”

“Oh, you mean a wetsuit?” he asked

“Yeah that.” So that's what they're called. “What would you say to going to see sea otters up close?”

His eyes lit up. “I don’t have any diving gear toi breathe underwater. I’m not like you.”

“Just give me a slight kiss and you’ll be able to breathe underwater temporarily.” I explained.

“Why would you do that for stranger?” Reid said skepticaly.

“Only one as cute as you.” Wait a minute should I not flirt? I’m not sure but I can't help it! He's so cute! 

“Let’s go to my car then  just give me a second to get  dressed.”

“You’re wearing clothes already.” I pointed out.

“I won’t wear my  pyjamas in public.”

I picked at my clothes. Just I remembered these are too small. The coat  squeezed my arms and the shirt stretched uncomfortably against my chest and torso. “I’m not sure your clothing will fit me”  

Reid gave me a once over his face lingered on my chest his ears turned pink and he quickly looked away. “Oh yeah…I  didn’t notice yes it is. Let’s get you some clothes.” Without another word he walked off into his room. 

………

We arrived at what Reid called  a clothing boutique. 

I whistled as I walked in. “This is a nice place, are you taking me on a date?” I smirked.

Reid’s face reddened. “No!” He turned his head away from me. “It’s not like I like you!” 

I smirked again at his reaction.

“Stop smirking!” Reid exclaimed.

I laughed. I wandered around and I found something that looked nice. “How much is this?” I asked.  I turned and didn’t see Reid. Instead an older looking woman rushed over. 

“Hello there young sir! Do you want to buy this jacket?”

“Sure.” It looks nice. I'd wear it. 

“It’s 100 $ on discount it’s normally 140$. It’s a good sale honey.” 

“Okay, I’ll get it then.” I agreed.

“You shouldn’t leave with just one item!” She led me around tossing clothes into my hands 

“I think I’m good now ma’am.”

“Excellent! Come over back and you can pay.”

“I don’t have  the money.”

“Your wife  is paying how sweet of her.” She smiled a me.

“Ma’am I’m not married and right now I’m not interested in women.”

“Never mind that whoever’s with you can pay for this.”

Just in time Reid showed up.   “There you are, you suddenly disappeared . Let me look at those price tags.”

“Awww were you worried about me darling?” I grinned.

An annoyed expression crossed Reid’s face “No.” he examined the pieces of paper. “This is hundreds of dollars. Nagisa, she tried to trick you and by extension me to spend an obscene amount of money.”

The woman huffed and walked away. “Cheapskate..”