Fish out of Water

Chapter 3: Apart of Your World

Warning(s): None

Alex was asleep on the bed, his hands flatly tucked under his cheek. Miles stood up, tossing and turning all night, though it didn't phase Alex. He simply observed Alex throughout the whole night. Observing the way he slept and the position that he was in. Alex looked like he had slept peacefully, well he was in a bed, not a rock or...seaweed or anything. He also hummed once in awhile in his sleep. The humming sounded like a lullaby a mother would sing to her child. It was light and airy and carried off a very soft tune. Nearly sounding relaxing, but Miles still couldn't sleep.

While Alex was asleep, Miles got out of bed, slowly, and walked into the kitchenette.  His newspaper and notebook was scattered and apart from each other on the counter. He picked up the newspaper, looking through the pages. Though he came across something strange, an unusual topic about mermaids and mermen. It was dated from last year as well.

Miles murmured out the summary of the topic, attempting to read it and not wake up Alex. "A group of mermaids and mermen were spotted by the beach by a couple and their child. Though they did seem harmless, all they did was sing tunes. Almost as if they were attempting to lure people to them, but the people had a chance to resist the attempt to lure. Photographers gathered around them before they shrunk and swam off. There is no footage of it except for a few rare photographers of the encounter." Miles looked over his shoulder, seeing that Alex was still sound asleep.

The humming from Alex came back, sounding just as soft as before. Miles couldn't help but smile at the sound as well as the sight of Alex. He easily mistook Alex for being a woman just because of his hair, but finding out he was a man, he still couldn't help but find him to be gorgeous.

The night went on peacefully. Miles finally fell asleep, though he fell asleep pretty late.

- 🐚 -

Alex woke up right when the sun came up, fluttering his eyes open. Blinking a few times once he spotted the sun. He couldn't help but smile once he saw it. Before he was thrown on land, he always loved seeing the sun through the small waves of the water. But, the sun was always blurry from his view. He finally got to see a clear view of it and loved every inch he got to witness. Alex looked to the seat by the window, seeing that Miles was asleep on the chair, smiling at the sight. He's found humans and their way of life so fascinating for a long time. Alex can't believe he was launched onto their land, landing in their pool.

He got up from the bed, sliding off of it. Feeling rather tall with human legs. He walked at a slow pace, wandering over to the kitchenette. Peeking at the mini fridge, opening it. The only things he was able to find was Chinese take-out that was barely eaten and smelled new. As well as a few bottles of water. Huffing at his lack of discovery, closing the fridge shut.

Alex walked over to the counter, staring at the pattern of it before his eyes scanned over the newspaper and notebook.

The newspaper part was open to an article about mermaids and mermen. Miles must be really curious. His curiosity only made Alex smile wider.

The notebook was closed and it had a cute plant collage on it.  He opened the notebook and saw that only a few pages were full. All the pages were numbered, stopping at 113. His eyes scanned over each sentence unusually fast. Having every word stick in his memory.

Alex read a short story that was so innocent, it could easily pass as a children's book. It was based on an owl with a broken wing that had difficulties trying to fly. He pouted at the story until a puppy came along, helping the owl. The puppy grew up, being able to carry the owl everywhere it wanted to go. The story stopped there. Alex huffed, closing the notebook and putting it down. He glanced over at Miles, smiling at the sound of his soft snoring.

- 🐚 -

"I need to start looking for an apartment today." Miles stated, petting the cat before looking to Alex. He glanced down at the newspaper right after, looking for the apartment list. Miles bit his bottom lip in concentration.

"I can help you look." Alex softly smiled, holding the glass mug with both of his hands. Sipping the water from it, looking to Miles. "Though I am a stranger."

"It's no problem, mate. I wouldn't mind."

"Really?" Setting the mug down gently, his soft smile only growing wider.

"Sure. If I had a problem, I'd tell you. I just don't want to make you feel uncomfortable."

"You are not. I don't want to invade a human life." Alex looked down, observing the water inside the mug.

"You're not. You're fine. I have a question though."

Alex looked back up, batting his eyelashes. This caught Miles off guard, though Alex didn't mean it. Miles went silent, staring at Alex. Alex asked, tilting his head, "What is your question?"

"Oh! Um.... Is this your first time on land?" Miles cleared his throat, looking to Alex with a smile.  His hands folding onto the cold counter.

"Yes. It is quite weird here. Though I do like it." Alex gave a warm smile before looking down at the counter. Observing the tile pattern in it. He still found the pattern to be unusual. "This pattern bothers me." Alex frowned, looking to Miles.

Miles couldn't help but laugh at the childish frown, shaking his head. "It's cracked, Alex."

"Oh. It does look destroyed."

"Yeah, I didn't pick the best motel. I was tired." Miles chuckled.

"This is my first time sleeping on land too. The bed was comfortable." Alex stated, leaning off of the counter. He ran over to the bed, hopping onto it. Jumping on it a few times before collapsing on his back.

Miles giggled at the gesture, causing Alex to giggle back. He walked over to the bed, "I'll get you an outfit. We've gotta go apartment hunting, mate!" Miles exclaimed, showing off a tooth-baring smile.

(This took me awhile! I'm so sorry that it did. I got a bit discouraged and slacked off a bit. I'm gonna try and work some on one-shots and another Milex fanfiction soon!)

Hope you enjoyed the chapter!