âHey Fishstick.â Fingon let out a long breath. âWe need to talk.â The merman was by Fingonâs side in the blink of an eye. He smiled, teeth sharp, and kissed him. Fingon let him. Coppertop huffed and pulled away. He raised an eyebrow. Theyâre browner than his hair, Fingon thought. But still with that copper tinge. I want to smooth one---Focus!
Fingon ran a finger along Coppertopâs arm. The wet, rubbery skin felt cool underneath Fingonâs fingertip. He took a deep breath. âCoppertop, we canât,â he gestured between them, âYou and me, no more.âÂ
Coppertopâs pupils moved side to side. Fingon watched him think. The merman cocked his head and chirped.Â
âGood question! I really like you. Youâre handsome, smart, funny, brave, kind.â Youâre breaking up with him, not proposing. Stop. âThe thing is, Coppertop, I donât think itâs rightâŚuh, good,â he amended at Coppertopâs confused look. He tried to think through the words he knew the merman knew. âYou are not bad. I am not bad. But us,â his voice shook, âweâre bad together.âÂ
Copertop shook his head, hair flying.Â
âWe are.â Fingonâs eyes burned. âI am in charge of everything for you. Your water. Your food. Your toys. Where you go. You canât do anything without me.âÂ
Coppertop trilled angrily. The shrill screech hurt Fingonâs ears. Coppertop gestured with his hand and arm. âI donât know what youâre saying, but I know youâre disagreeing. And thatâs another thing. I can only understand the big picture. Not what you actually are saying.â He played with one of his braids. âI donât even know your name.âÂ
Coppertop screeched the same sound over and over again, fingers tangled with Fingonâs. âI canât say it, Coppertop. Iâm sorry!â He let go of his hand. âWe can stay friends, but only that.âÂ
Coppertop shook his head again.Â
âIâm sorry!â Fingon promised in a thick voice. âBut itâs not good. Not with you stuck here.â Coppertop snorted in derision, chin jutting haughty. âI know you donât care, butâŚI do. Itâs for the best. You, me, no more.â He wiped at his eyes. Coppertop wasnât convinced. His face darkened when Fingon scooted away.Â
He chirped, scowling, and dove into the water. With a flip of his tail, he doused Fingon and disappeared into his alcove.Â
Dripping, Fingon bowed his head and shuffled upstairs to change into new work clothes.Â