Tanked

Azalyss grew faster than I expected. Synris said it was a healthy rate though. He was an incredibly quick learner as well. He was maybe half a year, honestly, it’s hard to tell in here, and he already knew our language and some of the human’s language, enough to get by anyway. He was really sweet too. If either Synris or I needed it, he’d translate for us and he’d never part with us. He insisted on staying by one of us at all times.

“Momma, I’m hungry...” He threw himself in my lap.

“Synris will share the snacks in his box,” I answered him. Synris was really good about sharing, putting Azalyss first.

“I ate it all,” Azalyss groaned.

I looked around, not sure what to do since I couldn’t exactly kill the fish here for him. For once I was grateful when the humans showed up, finally they chose a good time.

“There, go ask a human” I nodded and pushed his side to get him moving.

Since Alazyss’ birth the one diver continued to check on us. He was the only one I welcomed and the only one that seemed unafraid to play with Azalyss. For some reason, the others were scared to play with him but this one wasn’t.

Azalyss also gave, or told us his name was Jackie. Jackie was really the only one that Azalyss liked but at least the others were being tolerated.

The weird thing though is that Jackie has been showing up more and more lately. He’d even come when it wasn’t feeding time. But now was feeding time so I didn’t dwell on it.

I should have paid more attention then.

Azalyss unhappily swam over to Jackie and explained his problem in the human tongue. Jackie seemed to understand and fed him while his diving partner fed the fish. Azalyss was apparently really hungry though as he ended up eating both mine and Synris’ share.

“Hmm, growth spurt again?” Synris had settled beside me while I was watching our son.

“Must be. Are you sure growing at that rate is normal?” I was worried. I don’t recall ever having grown that fast and Synris I’m sure didn’t either. It was unnatural.

“Yes, Ayrice. I promise, just trust me,” he laid his head on my shoulder.

“...Alright,” I mumbled back, tolerating his touchiness.

“Don’t get me wrong, I love the little thing, but I wish we could get some alone time...” Synris sighed.

“I’ll pass on that. And don’t even ask, you know why.” I shrugged him off and gave him a look.

“Hey, hey, quit churning the water. I’m not pushing anything,” he moved back a bit and laid his hands palms up in the sand.

I didn’t answer as I looked back to Azalyss. The one diver had left, no doubt to bring more food, while Jackie stayed. He was playing with Azalyss, some weird hand game again.

Synris really didn’t like Jackie. I didn’t know why, Azalyss and I both liked him but Synris couldn’t stand him. So, I wasn’t surprised to hear Synris growling beside me when he saw Azalyss playing with him.

“Hush, will you? Jackie won’t do anything,” I pushed his nose with my finger, wishing he would just stuff it.

“He could. The divers have taken you before, what if he takes our son? What will you say then?” Synris had his eyes locked on the two as he moved closer to me again.

“Jackie wouldn’t take him to hurt him. Jackie’s a good human.” I answered decidedly.

“Yeah, until he proves he isn’t,” Synris snorted.

I sighed, at least Synris wanted to protect Azalyss. Honestly, it was reassuring. As far as I knew Synris really did care about Azalyss. He was careful and tried his best to keep from getting rough with him, he would double check with me if he wasn’t sure about what to do and he tried to help take care of Azalyss whenever he could. It made me happy to think he really did care about our son at the least. But it was annoying that he couldn’t trust the one human I did, especially as he accused the human of being a blowhole like he was himself.

“Come on, you’re about to make the water boil. It’s not like he can do anything quickly,” I put my hand on Synris’ chest reassuringly, trying to calm him before this turned into something it didn’t need to be.

He had moved to hover over me protectively as he stared down Jackie’s side.

“He’s lucky he hasn’t given me proof yet,” Synris snorted again and just laid on me.

“H-hey!” I tried to push him off as he laid across my tail.

He jumped in response and moved to push me down and lay on my chest.

“Synris come on!” I hit the top of his head, not enjoying this situation at all. It felt too similar to old places, I wasn’t ready for that.

“I am on, quite literally on you in fact,” he smiled.

“Get off then!”

“Why? You’re warm.”

“You’re heavy and uncomfortable!”

“You calling me a manatee now?”

“Yes! now get off.”

“Just for that I’m calling Azalyss,” Synris huffed and turned his head, “Azalyss!!! Babe!! Azzzzaaaalllllyyyysss!!!” He sang practically, summoning our son to team up on me. Stupid slug.

Azalyss came immediately, “Yeah?”

“Lay on momma with me,” he laughed and Azalyss giggled too.

“No don’t. Ignore him- no!!” I huffed as Azalyss laid on Synris’ back.

They laughed as I glared. Jackie was watching but I couldn’t see his expression. Human body language was pretty hard to read too but something about him made me uneasy. I couldn’t figure out why.

My thoughts were torn away from him though when Synris hummed softly in my ear. My attention was back on him as his finger slid over my gills. I screeched but it did nothing to prevent Synris from tickling me. He was truly evil.

Azalyss sat on his back and laughed at me as I screeched and laughed and tried to get away, but they had me pinned. Synris kept tickling me. I was laughing so hard I barely noticed Azalyss leave us.

When Synris finally stopped though he leaned over me and pressed his lips to mine. This wasn’t the first time since before Azalyss was born he had tried going farther than a hug...but I was in a good mood now.

I smiled and kissed back, relaxing a little as I let him have his way for a bit. He didn’t do anything besides kiss me and rub my sides, he was being gentle too. When he moved away, he smiled briefly then turned and looked for Azalyss; apparently, he knew he’d left.

His smile only grew when he saw Azalyss eating food from the other diver. But I noticed Jackie again, watching me from near the other diver. Again, I couldn’t see his expression, but something gave me the feeling that he was really displeased.

I shrugged it off and blamed Synris for making me paranoid. I should have listened.