Mermay 2021: 13

 "Yes." Aizawa lifted one of his legs, staring at it critically. "They're not as attractive as my tail, but they walk better."

"Huh." She pushed open the front door. "I have a million questions, but let's shower and clean up first." She led him further into the house, Aizawa looking curiously around each time she flicked on a light switch. Her home was cozy and designed with a definite theme in mind: there were all manner of undersea statues, light fixtures, knickknacks and books. Most were shark related, he noticed with amusement.

"Here."

He pointed at the door she indicated. "The bathroom?"

"Uh huh." She shuffled wearily to the shower and turned on the water. "You read up on human habits on the tablet back at the aquarium, right?"

He nodded, then reached out to grab her before she fell. "You need help."

"Yeah." Elly sighed. "I know. You probably do, too." Then she smiled at him, a mischievous kind of smile that got his pulse racing. "We better get in together, then."

He didn't see her undress since he was only too happy to tear off the restrictive human clothing he was wearing. Aizawa pulled everything off until he got to his feet. The cloth wrapping was disgusting at this point and stuck in many places. He winced when he tried to unfasten it.

"Ugh."

"Leave it," Elly suggested. "When it gets wet it will come off easier. Pulling it might cause unnecessary bleeding."

Aizawa grunted in affirmation and stood up, staring down as she was dropping her clothes into a bin. "I'm not sure I like the fact that <i>this</i> -" He gestured at himself in distaste, "is how you first see me. This body isn't natural." He made a face. "I look ridiculous."

"Really? I think you look just as handsome." She laid a hand on his shoulder and he finally saw her.

If he had been in his mer body his ear flaps would have shot straight up. In this one, however...

Elly glanced down at his stiff member and smiled. She kissed him on the cheek and stepped into the shower.

<i>Another stupid thing about this body</i>, he thought wryly, fighting back a blush.

"You coming?"

"Yes."

Aizawa had some reservations about being under a steady deluge of fresh water, but his human body was capable of withstanding it. It felt strange to be in the presence of so much all around him yet breathe air instead. He followed her actions and used the soap to lather his body. The strips binding his feet loosened and, once revealed, the sores stung as water swirled around them.

Elly was the one to speak up, however. "Ow. Damn it."

"What's wrong?"

"This stupid bruise," she grumbled, touching the side of her face gingerly. "That bastard sucker punched me and it still hurts."

"That won't do. Let me see." Aizawa carefully washed her face and hair, checking for any more wounds. "No more blood. But the bruise is going to get more colorful before it dissappears."

"I know." She wrinkled her nose. "It feels much better clean, though. When we get out I'll take some painkillers."

"You know," he murmured, "Showering is a pretty pleasant experience."

"I'm glad you like it." Elly smiled up at him. "And, if you'll turn around for me I can wash your back."

"Hmm." He pushed his wet hair out of the way and nodded. Her hands rubbed him gently clean, mindful of the sunburn but enough to relax sore muscles and bring relief. When it was her turn he tried to be as thorough, and laughed a little when she let out a loud sigh. He was surprised to find he was actually upset when they had to get out. They dried off with fluffy towels and Elly opened the medicine cabinet to fish out a bottle of ibuprofen.

She shook the bottle and glanced over at him in the mirror. "You want a couple?"

"Yes." He took them from her and leaned across the counter to get a drink. His hair got in the way and he blew it back in irritation. When he was in the water all the time it detangled itself but currently the length was nothing but knots! Swearing faintly under his breath he tried to run his hands through it.

"Relax."

He blew out a huge gust of air and slumped onto the toilet lid. "How? This is uncomfortable!"

"I'll fix it for you." She squirted something out of a bottle and rubbed it through his long, black locks. After a few minutes she drew a comb out and gently worked it through the mass of hair. It was soothing, and he rested against her warmth while she combed, dried and tied it back in a loose ponytail.

"Thanks." His ears were stained a light pink from all her attention, and she wasn't finished yet.

"You look very handsome with your hair tied back." She sighed and began digging through the cabinets again. "Your feet are a mess, though. They're clean, but I need ointment ...petroleum jelly will work, let's see, and gauze pads. Lots of sterile pads."

He watched her fuss over him with only one complaint. After she was done and sat back on the edge of the bathtub, he reached out to touch her cheek.

"This? It's okay now, what -"

"You need to be taken care of, too," he told her with a big, toothy smile.

"Oh?" Her breathing quickened as he tugged her close. His gray eyes were sleepy but filled with amusement. "What's so funny?"

"I don't have sharp teeth now." Aizawa pressed his mouth to hers, flicking his tongue at her lips and inside when she parted them. He groaned as their tongues met and intertwined, loving the closeness of the human kiss. After awhile he dropped his hands lower, squeezing and rubbing her body, and was pleased when she let out a little moan as well.

"'Zawa..."

"Cute," he laughed softly.

"You are." She paused. "But there's something bothering you."

"We need to send a message to my friends."

"Oh!" Her eyes widened and she stood, tugging on his hand. "We better get dressed, then! They're probably worried sick!"

She insisted he put on fresh clothes but it was next to impossible to find anything he could wear. In the end he tugged the stolen jeans back on. After digging in her dresser for a long time they also found an oversized nightshirt she had worn so much it was stretched out. It fit, however poorly, and then they started looking for shoes. This was the biggest problem since Aizawa couldn't wear the old ones. They were ripped and stained with blood and worse, falling apart at the seams. Elly eventually settled on giving him a pair of socks with the biggest pair of sandals she owned to protect his blisters.

"Your backyard is the beach," he commented softly when they reached the kitchen. A sliding glass door led right out onto a small wooden deck with a few chairs. Elly flicked on the outside lights but also paused to gather a flashlight from a kitchen drawer for the rest of their way.

"It is. So, how are you going to tell them you're okay?"

"I'll send a message. They're close by." He stepped off the deck onto the sand, frowning as the sandals slid awkwardly around. "These are difficult to walk in."

"Yeah, I thought they might be. Sorry, but it's the best I can do for now."

She helped him cross down to the water's edge. It was low tide and not very choppy, so he simply knelt and stuck his head underwater for a few seconds. When he came back up some of his hair had come free of the ponytail and fell in wet strands along his stubbled cheeks. He brushed them back, grinning.

"So?"

"They're safe. And happy we're okay, too."

"Oh, thank god." Elly sagged with relief, plopping down with a thud on the wet sand. "The base told me they'd sent divers out and I was panicking the entire time."

He sat with her, throwing an arm around her shoulders. She cuddled close without thinking and his grin grew wider. They sat there watching the moonlight play on the ripples of water until it grew too cold.

"We should head back in. I've got some leftovers we can heat up for dinner, and I'm exhausted. "

"Is there a place for me to sleep?" Aizawa asked curiously. "I know humans sleep on beds but I only saw you only had one."

"You can sleep with me. I'm your mate, right?" She giggled faintly at the startled look he gave her. "What? You called me that."

"But -" He arched one eyebrow as high as it would go. "We haven't, ah, actually mated yet. If we share the same sleeping area it might be awkward..? I don't understand how this is funny," he grumbled when she laughed harder. He pushed with his arms, shoving as hard as he could to get back on his feet.

"It's not. I'm sorry, Aizawa." She choked back the rest of her laughter, pressing a hand to her mouth for a moment. "You're just so considerate. We're both too tired for, well, <i>that</i> right now, is all."

He stared at his wobbly legs in resignation and then shrugged and offered her a hand. "True. Food and sleep sounds more appetizing at the moment."

"Food and sleep it is."