Elick squirmed around and fumbled his hands together. His lips quivered and he couldn’t come up with a good excuse. “I…I…uhm, he can stay, right?” Elick looked down the hallway and pointed. “We’ve got the room, right?”

His mother sighed and shook her head. “Of course, he can stay.” She slammed her hands down, jerked her head towards Elick, and slowly walked towards Mallard. He stood taller than her and his silver hair billowed in the light around them. She narrowed her eyes and put her hands on her hips.

Elick felt sick to his stomach as she observed Mallard closer. He wondered what Mallard might be thinking as some strange woman looks at him like a vicious wolf. If they are found out, this is it, Elick’s secrets will be revealed, and he’ll be in trouble. He feared being beaten up or kicked out for going against their expectations. It wasn’t like Mallard was his boyfriend or something serious, but that alone was enough to convince his family to complain.

“Alright,” his mother said. “Elick! She clasped her hands together, making Elick flinch. “Pay attention.”

Elick jerked and twitched. “Huh? What?” He backed away and looked down. “S-so, what is it?”

His mother scoffed and walked away. “What’s wrong with you? It’s fine. He can stay…not like you have any other friends to invite over.”

Elick gave a sigh of relief. He was happy nothing dramatic happened. He quickly looked up at Mallard with a big smile stretched across his face. Through the corner of his eye, he could see his mother still watching them with her arms crossed. Elick felt a cold chill ripple throughout his body as he scurried into the hallway. “This way Mallard, I’ll show you to your room.”

Together, the two made their way into the spare bedroom that sat across the hall from Elick’s room. With a flick of the light switch, the room burst with colorful blue walls and white accents. Mallard looked surprised and gave a wide smile. His eyes looked as though they were sparkling with joy.

“Are you alright?” Elick asked.

“This room, it looks as if I’m swimming in the ocean,” Mallard said.

Elick narrowed his eyes and raised a brow. He couldn’t see how this room looked like the ocean other than the color on the wall. It was a small room with medium sized furniture that barely left any room to squeeze between the bed and dresser. Elick shrugged. “If you see the ocean, then I won’t stop your imagination.” He sidestepped over to the bed and pulled the blankets down. “You’ll sleep here, tonight.”

Mallard pointed at himself. His mouth was agape, and his eyes were wide and baffled.

Elick nodded. “Yes, you will sleep here.” He flopped onto the bed and rolled off the front. He moved in close enough to whisper to Mallard. “We’ve got to keep you in here until I figure out what to do with you. I can’t have my parents finding out.” Elick’s tension and worries came and went as quickly as new thoughts could appear. He was still trying to make sense of this mystery man who claims to be his missing pet fish. What was their connection and why did it have to happen now?

Mallard grabbed Elick by the shoulders and looked him in the eye. “Are you alright, Elick?” He brushed his hand against Elick’s face and rubbed his cheek. “You look worried.”

Elick took a deep breath. He grabbed Mallard’s arms and put some distance between them. He looked up and tilted his head in wonder. This was the first time Elick was able to appreciate Mallard for who he was without being excited by his naked body. In this moment, Mallard’s calm and mature aura put Elick at ease yet again. “I am worried, Mallard, but somehow, when I look at you…my worries go away.”

Mallard nodded and kissed Elick’s forehead. “I’m glad to hear that.” Then, he clasped his hands together with Elick’s and pulled him into a warm embrace. “I promise you; I will do everything I can to make you happy.”

Elick stared into the hallway, it was as if his happy moment started to fade away. Why is this strange man so adamant on making him happy? To his knowledge, Elick didn’t owe anyone anything and hadn’t made any partnerships, romances, or business deals. His mind felt overworked and his eye twitched. Before his parents get suspicious, he must learn more about Mallard’s identity but in the meantime, he’d like to enjoy this strange friendship. Where should he begin to look is the question that plagues his mind.

“Elick.” Mallard gently shook Elick out of his daze. “Look at me. Tell me what’s wrong.”

Elick looked up, his eyes were glassy with tears. He pushed Mallard away and rubbed his face. “I don’t know. I just don’t know.” He sat on the edge of the bed. “What am I doing? You’re a strange man, and I don’t know you.” He flailed his arms around and wouldn’t let Mallard get close. “I can’t keep pretending you’re my fish. That’s impossible. I must admit it. You’re just some random guy who I had a one-night stand with.”

Mallard grabbed Elick by the arms and hugged him tightly. “But I am your Mr. Fishy! You named me!” He put his head in Elick’s lap. “I can’t live without you! I…I don’t remember. It’s all fuzzy, but I know I want to be with you. I must help you.” Mallard nuzzled his cheek against Elick’s legs.

Elick tried to pry Mallard off, but he wouldn’t budge. “How can you expect me to believe that? What person dedicates themselves to someone they’ve never met?” Elick flopped back onto the bed. “I’m no one special. You have no reason to believe in me or help me.”

Mallard placed one hand after the other along Elick’s body until he crawled on top of him. He wrapped his arms and legs around Elick and squished him close. “Your grandmother told me to keep watch over you.” Mallard winced and writhed in pain. He looked as if he had a sudden migraine. “Your grandmother…why do I remember that?”

Elick pried away and looked down at Mallard. “What do you mean, my grandmother?”

“As a fishy, your grandmother…she rescued me. I think. She saved me somehow, somewhere, and I promised to do her a favor in return.”

“That’s impossible. How can you help me? How could you help me if you were a fish?”

Mallard looked away; he frowned with a face full of confusion. “It’s all so fuzzy. I don’t understand. Was I always a fishy?”

Elick trembled and buried his face into his knees. “W-was my grandmother, a witch or something?” He peaked over at Mallard. “I thought she was a sweet old church lady.”

Mallard nodded. “She was the kindest, most loving, person I ever met. She loved to garden and visit the seaside. She appreciated all things, but she was no witch.” He wrapped his hands around Elick and pulled him on top.

Elick looked back at the door. “No…someone will see us.”

“Your grandmother loved you and your family very much. She just wanted you to be free and happy.”

Elick scoffed.

“I don’t understand, Elick, but we can figure it out together.” Mallard winced. It was as if he was trying to remember something. He squinted his eyes tightly together and strained his face. “It’s…it’s as if I see the ocean, your grandmother, and a broken ship.”

“Is that supposed to mean something?”

“I don’t know, but I’ll try to remember.”

“Elick! Mallard! I’m getting dinner read, will you come help?” said Elick’s mother.

Elick leapt off Mallard and hurried to the door. He looked back feeling confused towards the man lying on the bed. He shook his head and hurried to his mother.