Chapter 10 - TEN

                     ADRIEN MORGAN

For a very long time, I have lived a life of utter simplicity. I dedicated my time and effort to making sure that Azrael and I  lived a comfortable life.

As two grown men,we found ourselves in a situation where we wanted to be independent but couldn't achieve it at home where we were domesticated. So we had to leave our world,home, and family behind so that we could start afresh.

Land was the best alternative for our home. We had to adapt one way or the other. I can't say that it was a bed of roses when we were in our early days here on land.

We did not know their language,mannerisms, or the food they ate. God! The fabrics they used to cover themselves with were our worst-case encounter.

Where we come from,in Oceania,we don't need to cover up. In fact, we never cover up. Our true form is  considered the most beautiful and most appealing to the eyes.

Merfolk were created uniquely from other sea creatures, not even sirens,who have similar features to ours can reach our beauty standards.

Currently, we are able to blend in with society and follow trends as they come and go. After every twenty years,Azrael has to disappear from the face of the world, change his appearance, then return to the lime light and take over from where he stopped.

For all the years we have spent here on land, Azrael and I have lived by several names and occupations. We have lived among normal humans like them.

Humans are a very complex species,some are welcoming,sociable, and tolerant. While others are devil sprouts,they live by greed and envy.

I have lived here long enough to tell tales about how humans have endangered other species wherever they are occupied. Some are rumored to be extinct like the vampires and faes.

Being the crown prince back in Oceania, I had to take on the role of being the leader of those merfolk that transmigrate to land. Everyone is supposed to go through me and report back to me. So, I am responsible for their welfare as long as they stay on land.

That is a lot of responsibility considering some find love here and choose to sire offsprings with humans. We have a criteria we follow before someone opens up to their mate about our existence.

I don't want to cause trouble to our endangered species if humans find out that we exist and what we are really capable of.

We have to keep our existence entirely secret and let them continue believing that we are just mythical creatures.

Now that Azrael finds love in a human,I have to somehow intervene and make the final decision of whether he gets to know or not. I have to be extra careful tonight so that no mistakes are made. One tiny slip could cost us more than we could handle.

I think if all goes well,I might propose love to Julian. Currently, I'm starting from square one,getting to know each other. Soon,we will be going onto level two,friendship, and then companionship. I don't want to rush things between us because I want him for a mate. Yes,he is all I want, so I won't risk it ending before it even starts.

Merfolk can only love and mate once in their lifetime. Our species is so complex that everything has to be revised before we take action. Having sexual intercourse is one thing, and mating is another. The moment you find someone you love and they love you back,you are supposed to mate.

True mate couples,whether of same gender identification can be blessed with children. Those children are special and always bear rare abilities. Such children could be either born in their natural form with a translucent glow or with legs,especially those bore among human-merman intercourse.

Then other couples that selectively choose to mate with random people,not their mates, have it hard conceiving. The chances are just low for them, not non-existent,that is for Heterosexuals. The same sex couples can not bear children with each other, unlike True Mates.

Legends say that when you meet your true mate,chances are high, you will know by the attraction you feel towards them, and your mate will charm you. While others say it is their natural scent that will inform you,some just leave it at you and will definitely know.

It's complicated.

I hope Azrael and his boyfriend are True mates,he has been waiting for decades to finally find his mate,and always prayed it was a male because he fancies men more than women even though he can bed both.

I, on the other hand, have also been patiently waiting for the right one,to love,live, and die together. I am not so sexual like my incubus of a brother. I could swear he had beded half of the population of the world even though I was older than him.

We are complete opposites of each other but always got one another's backs.

I am stutled out of my train of thoughts by someone behind me. I don't have to look to know who it is.

He walks over to the chair next to me in front of the hearth. I like sitting here and relaxing while watching the wood burn away while heating up the room.

"Earth to Adrien! What has gotten you so occupied you could not tell I have been standing there for what now,seven whole minutes?" Azrael asks with concern.

Have I been out that long!

"You should have called me or tapped on my shouler to get me out of my thoughts. Stop sassing like it is wrong to think, " I retaliate

"Hmm, my bad. Okay,penny, for your thoughts!" I swear this boy is persistent. Can't he just brush it off.

"I was thinking about our lives lately. You found someone you wanna settle down with. I was hoping he could be your true mate,maybe you would stop clinging onto me like a koala." Azrael's face heats up at my sincere confession. He ignores my comment and jumps into my chair,sitting across my lap and giving me a bear hug.

"Aww, my big brother really loves and cares about me. I can't thank you enough for everything." He cries loudly,I feel his tears wetting my shirt, but I keep him in my hold. Moments like these are rare in our dynamic.

"Don't worry, brother. True mate or not, I will still keep pestering you until you get your own. Except if I become a father, "

His sensitive ass tears up as he holds me tighter. He pulls back with teary cheeks and snot,still seated on my lap.

"Look at you,you are such a baby, and you dare think of having one! Have you looked in the mirror to see how you look now?" Honestly,gross or not, I don't mind Azrael's face. He is my brother and I love him and he knows it.

"I don't mind,I love you bro" he says with a wobbly bottom lip. He sure deserves the best things this world has to offer.

"Okay, get off my lap, you big baby. I need to get ready. We have to meet with your boyfriend at your house. I hope you two did not have a change of mind."

"Oh, take your time, brother,he is still at work. He will be joining us after his shift at the café has ended." Azrael informs me.

I release a breath and proceed to the master bedroom to get ready. I walk into the closet to pick out the clothes I need for our dinner at Azrael's place. He didn't even give me a theme. I pick out the easiest outfit,a light blue long-sleeved button-down, and black slacks. I will complete it with some simple suede shoes.

I lay out my outfit on my bed and proceed to the bathroom ensuit and take a calming bath.

After my bathroom routine,I dried myself and walked out to change into fresh clothes and go get my brother his man.

"Okay, let's do this."

A/N

This chapter is more of a filler.

I wanted to let you in on the lives of both Adrien and Azrael.

In the next chapter,I'm introducing another character.

Stay safe

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