A Bone in His Teeth

by Kellen Graves

“Why haven’t you been eating what I brought you?” “I have. It’s not enough. But thank you for the offerings.” Eridanys scoffed again, just like Alba expected him to, making him smirk in reply. “S’not so hard, see? Sayin’ thanks.” Eridanys’ white tail thrashed a little more, making the water bubble. “You should thank me for keeping the drowned souls away even while I wasn’t there.” “Thank you.” Alba decided not to mention how some still got through. That annoyed the merrow further, for some reason only god knew, muttering and avoiding Alba’s eyes. “When will you be back?” “Around sunset, probably.” “Then I will watch the house while you’re away.” “Alright. Thank you.” More agitation. Like he’d emotionally prepared for a bigger fight. Alba teased a little further, adding: “I’m sorry for snappin’ at you the other day, by the way. Was childish of me.” “Good!” The tail whipped back and forth hard enough to make the water lap against the rocks. “And I am sorry for leaving!” “Alright. Thank you⁠—” “And I am sorry for not being more grateful! For your help! Thank you!” “You’re—” But Eridanys plunged into the water, making Alba choke on a sharp, surprised laugh. He watched the faint glow of the moonlit creature roll and writhe deep underneath, swimming fast in a dozen circles before surging back up to the surface again. Looking more agitated than ever, like uttering a single one of those words made bugs crawl under his skin. “I would like to sleep in the house at night again!” “Alr...

Underwater angry zoomies. SO CUTE

“Last night you told me when your leg hurt,” Eridanys went on stubbornly. “I expect you to do the same even when we’re going about our business. Do you hear me?” Alba sighed, swallowing back the instinctive rush of irritation that came with being told what to do. Especially in a tone like that—but it was a little too big to hold down entirely. “Is that really how you want to say such a thing to me?” “What do you mean? Why wouldn’t⁠—” “Try again,” Alba said, tucking the handful of pearls in the pocket of his jacket. “Or I’m going to get annoyed.” Eridanys made a sound like he wanted more than anything to argue, before clapping his mouth back shut, puffing up his chest, crossing his arms before uncrossing them again. “I—!” he barked, but gulped that back, too, finally managing a new approach: “I would like for you to tell me when you’re uncomfortable! So that I can take care of you! That’s all! Don’t make me say it again!” Alba laughed behind his hand, deciding that was good enough. Eridanys turned on heel, stomping off and kicking at a deflated clump of soggy seaweed before stomping back again. “Please!” he insisted in frustration. “Yes, alright,” Alba assured, fighting back another laugh. “Thank you. And try not to take it so personally—askin’ for help isn’t my first nature. Had that beat out of me quick. Not even my second, I don’t think.” Eridanys inhaled sharply through his nose. Alba didn’t hear an exhale follow it. “I want to know that you feel like you can rely on me...

He would be doing underwater angry zoomies if he could.