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Connor is a mermaid. Notice how I say, mermaid, rather than ‘merman’? Ever since he was still a child, Connor yearned to be like the other mermen. He had an infatuation with them and thought them everything he wanted to be and more.
His mother, Cynthia: a mermaid. His sister, Zoe: a mermaid. As much as Connor yearned to be something he was not, he hated the thought of being indifferent to them either. So he kept his distance.
He spends most of his time underwater alone, and miserable. None of the other mermaids want to be his friend. He’s unique, and they don’t like that. Connor doesn’t accessorise with seashells, Connor doesn’t braid his hair, and Connor doesn’t have pearly whites or shiny lipstick, unlike the others. He soon became invisible. And labelled a freak.
The mermen? They make fun of him. They don’t like him. Connor doesn’t like himself, either.
They are a popular family among the other sea folk. Larry is constantly running errands, or rushing off to work. Cynthia is well known amongst the other mothers in ‘town’. And Zoe is an amazing singer. Singing means a lot to sea folk. If you have a pretty voice, a pretty face, and a good enough dance people will soon become familiar with you, and want to be your friend.
Connor is sad. He is alone, and he is angry. Nobody likes an angry mermaid. Nor an abnormally masculine one. Now, sitting alone and afraid, after a particularly nasty argument, Connor looks up yearningly at the sky. What he’d give to explore the surface up above. Mermaids were disgraced from society. If his feet were to do so much skim the ground he could be killed. Little does anybody know that’s what Connor wants to happen more than anything. He falls into a heavy slumber. He’s tired of hiding.
*
Evan Hansen doesn’t come from a particularly wealthy family. Unlike Connor, his mother is constantly searching for the next little titbit to support her and her son. This means that she has to work, a lot. And although Evan knows it isn’t her intention to neglect him, he can’t help but feel alone. He rarely crosses paths with anyone, and when he does it never amounts to anything. They either don’t see him, or they don’t care.
Currently, he’s staying the summer with his mother and her sister's family. They have a nice little suburban house, near the coast. And as much as Evan hates travelling and being around his cousins, he can’t help but smile a little as he looks out the window of the guest bedroom he’s staying in; the crisp, blue skies, the warm sunshine and the natural beauty of summer before him.
As much as Evan wanted to continue staying on at Ellison state park, the place held too many distressing memories after last summer, breaking his arm and the ‘fall’. It felt safer to stay in seclusion. Just as Evan is surveying his temporary bedroom, his aunt walks in. He steps aside in embarrassment, trying to pretend he wasn’t just marvelling over the great beauty right in front of him.
“It’s nice, right honey?” his aunt asks, in her familiar southern drawl. Evan nods nervously, ready to be done with this whole conversation before it’s even started. “Your mother is at work, Evan. Well, Heidi. I need something. Could you be a dear and walk to the store for me? We’ve run out of milk, and I need to start preparing dinner for tomorrow.”
Another nod and Evan pockets the 3 dollars his aunt has gifted him. He steps outside of the house (almost tripping over the patio in the process) and manages to safely make it to the store without anything terrible happening, like a normal functioning human being. As he bags the milk, something occurs to him. He’s yet to explore the beach. And whilst he’s going to be staying here pretty much the entire summer, he just knows his cousins are going to ruin it for him when he finally gets the chance. So he decides to go off and take a little stroll by himself.
‘I’ve done it countless times,’ Evan thinks. ‘What difference will it make that I’m gone an extra 10 minutes?’
So off he goes.
As he’s nearing the shore, Evan frowns. The beach is abnormally empty. If he’d known there weren’t going to be any crowds he would’ve at least packed some swim trunks. He sets down the bottle of milk and sits on the warm, crisp sand. The wind blows his hair back, just right, and he closes his eyes in a moment of beautiful tranquillity.
Gasping. Choking. The tide rising, and someone submerging. Water, everywhere. Long brown hair, longer than you could imagine and piercing blue eyes make their way to the shore. A long, and painful deep breath and said eyes meet brown ones, frozen in fear. Shaking. Terrified.
Evan gasps and stands up, his sneakers kicking at the sand, shaking fingers trying to grasp at the bag beside him. He screams. He doesn’t know who this person is or why they were underwater but he doesn’t care. His main priority is his safety and fleeing the beach.
But upon further inspection, Evan notices something. Said stranger is looking petrified, shaking all over. No malicious glint in their eyes, just fear. It triggers some morsel of pity inside of him. He hesitantly reaches out his hand, his fingers skimming over the stranger's back. “What- what are you? Who are you?”
Connor whips his head back, thick eyebrows furrowed, prepared for battle. “Don’t fucking touch me! Where- what?” He trails off, upon noticing he’s standing. Not swimming. He’s standing on two human feet. No scales, just legs.
…And he’s naked.
“Holy shit!” Connor quickly covers himself up with his hands, sinking into the ocean. Evan must’ve caught on by now, as he’s respectfully avoiding eye contact, face on fire.
“Do- do you need help?” Evan fumbles, wondering if Connor is clinically insane or something and he has to call the cops. Oh god, what if he has to call a mental asylum? Remembering that Connor is naked, he quickly scrambles to do something. “Do you- are you, you're a girl, right? I can't- I can't tell.”
Connor frowns and Evan can't understand why. “I guess.”
“You guess?” he asks, more confused than anything.
Connor shrugs. “I don't like to call myself one. I guess?”
“You’re transgender?” Even guesses, on a whim. Connor shrugs again, looking confused. Evan sighs. They can figure this out later, if Connors not an axe-wielding murderer, that is. He shrugs off his shirt and pants and hands them to Connor, he can pretend he was swimming in his boxers. “Put these on.”
“How?” Connor frowns. Evan can feel himself starting to get angry.
“Look, um, is this some kind of joke because it's not funny? You should know how to put on clothes?”
Turns out, Connor is indefinitely better at looking angrier than Evan. “What the fuck? Why would I lie about something like this? I almost fucking drowned. I don't know how to put on clothes because I'm not a human being, dipshit.”
Evan gasps. “You’re- you're a mermaid- a merman? Holy shit.”
“Well, not anymore, apparently.” Connor scowls. “Now help me not be naked.”
Evan stumbles up away from the sand and into the water, nearing Connor’s back gently, as if afraid he’ll snap. He gently brushes Connor’s wet hair out of his face and over his shoulder, earning himself a whimper. He shivers, trying not to pop a boner over this frightened and clearly distressed stranger. He gently pulls the shirt over Connors's head, careful not to touch his chest, and helps him to pull up the jeans, closing his eyes to give Connor a bit of privacy.
They slowly and surely step out of the water, Connor stumbling a little and Evan having to support him by gently touching his back. They make their way safely to the shore. Connor brushes his fingers over the yellow sand and whispers, “It’s even brighter up here than I imagined.”
The corners of Evan’s mouth lift into a smile, which drops into a frown. “Holy shit- holy shit. I have what’s basically an illegal immigrant with me who is wearing my clothes and doesn’t even know his- his? Identity. We should probably give you a name.”
“Connor,” Connor says immediately.
Evan looks at him in surprise, then rubs his temple between his index finger and his palm. “I’m staying at my aunt's house. I can’t just leave you here! You- you have to come with me. Maybe I can… maybe I can hide you?”
Connor snorts.
“Okay, maybe not then.” Evan tries to ignore how his heart flutters a little upon hearing Connor’s giggle and seeing his smile. “I’ll tell my mom the truth. We’ll get you showered and give you some clothes and- and we’ll feed you.”
Blue eyes meet his, and Evan does a double take. Connor is beautiful. Pale, clear skin. Gorgeous blue eyes. Rich, reddish brown hair. He’s everything Evan wants and more. He notices Connor’s nails are painted, black he notes. Connor must like black, which is peculiar for a mermaid, let alone a merman. Evan can feel himself falling head over heels for the guy and he’s only just met him. God knows what disaster will unfold when he arrives home with a stranger.
He gently takes Connor’s hand and leads him out of the beach and up his aunt’s driveway. Before he can sneak Connor inside, the front door swings open and his aunt steps out, an astonished smile on her face. “Evan! You took forever. 30 minutes, what would you Mother think-“
Her mouth drops upon seeing Connor. A mysterious boy…on her front doorstep. It’s no secret that Evan doesn’t have any friends. “I can explain.”
“Evan.” Oh boy. “First you disappear for a whole thirty minutes when I only ask of you to get me some milk from the grocery store. Is that too much to ask? Then you bring home this utter and complete stranger, who is wearing your clothes, who is wet from top to bottom. I mean, look at those curls!”
Evan throws an anxious glance at Connor, who is looking unamused. He thinks he can see the slightest hint of a smirk on his face. The cheeky little shit.
“What would your Mama say, Evan?” She scowls. “Now, would she be happy? Tell me what happened immediately. Be honest, are you two in a relationship?”
Evan can feel himself blushing and opens his mouth to protest. He wonders if Connor is aware of how serious the situation really is.
“I’m his boyfriend.”
*
“What the hell!” Evan gasps, laying into his now supposed ‘boyfriend’. “Why would you say that!? What about your family? Are they mermaids? Are they even alive? I’ve seen too many Disney movies. What about-“
Connor scoffs, cutting Evan off mid-rant. “Oh, please. My parents? They couldn’t care less even if they tried.” The words sting a little but Connor wills himself to continue talking. “What would you have told them if not that? It makes perfect sense that my parents would kick me out.”
“But-“
“So what if they think we’re dating?” Connor frowns. “Are you repulsed by me or something? We just have to play pretend for a few days. Until… I become a mermaid again. Or I get… living arrangements?”
Evan gapes at him. “You can’t be serious.”
Connor smirks.
Evan sighs. “You’re stubborn. Oh my god. I can’t believe this. Dinner was a disaster.”
Dinner, in fact, was not a disaster. But this is Evan Hansen we’re talking about and he overthinks anything and everything. Evan’s family were… indifferent to Connor, but Heidi and his aunt were more than welcoming.
Heidi felt terrible upon hearing that Connor's parents had kicked him out for being gay and reassured him to stay for as long as he needed. Connor was beyond thankful and offered to help her set the table, which she accepted. Evan decided not to let her in on the fact that Connor doesn’t know how setting a table even works.
It was Connor’s most peaceful family experience he’d had in years.
Now, the two boys are squashed up in the single bed occupying Evan’s aunt’s guest bedroom. There isn’t a lot of room and they are pressed up very, very close together. It’s uncomfortable, but they can’t exactly complain. They’re supposed to be dating.
Connor presses his nose into Evan’s shoulder and whimpers quietly. Faintly. Barely audible. Evan bites his lip and averts his eyes, wondering what it means when Connor whimpers and why he does it. He shifts a little and whimpers again, a little more forcefully, and rolls his hip. Evan just hopes he isn’t in any pain.
He rolls over, onto his back, and hogs up all the space on the bed. Evan huffs, and rolls his eyes. He gently touches Connor’s hip, not wanting to hurt him, and turns him over onto his side so he has more space.
Connor, however, does not react to this the way you might be expecting him to. He groans quietly, gradually slipping into a higher pitch. Evan can feel his heart slamming out of his ribcage. If Connor’s having a dirty dream he should be distancing himself. But he can’t find the willpower to.
He wonders why Connor’s subconscious would be conjuring up something like this. He just became a human. Shouldn’t he be having a scary dream? Shouldn’t Evan be, I don’t know, waking him up? He reaches over to tap Connor on the shoulder. Big mistake.
Connor gasps and then whimpers, his shoulders tensing and his head thudding into the pillow below him. Evan shudders. If he wasn’t hard before he’s definitely hard now. He tries to will his boner to go away, to no avail.
He decides to be brave. He has to be brave. In a brief moment of courage, he gently shoves Connor in the shoulder, who gasps and sits up, burying his head in his hands and whimpering.
“Hey, hey!” Evan gasps, quickly steadying his… friend? Boyfriend? Ex merman? “I’m here. It was just a dream?”
“Fuck.” Connor buries his head in his palms and whimpers again, before looking away in embarrassment. “I always have dreams like that. I’m sorry. I don’t know what it is or what it means but… they feel so fucking good.”
“Okay, that’s enough detail!” Evans's voice cracks and he almost cracks with it. “Let’s just… go to bed?”
Connor nods, a small frown on his face, and settles down. The dream is soon forgotten.
*
A few days have passed, with Connor staying with the Hansens. He spends almost all day every day by the shore, waiting to hear from his sister, his father, or his mother. His heart hurts. Despite their indifferences, he doesn’t want to leave them behind. He doesn’t want to leave them with a burden, doesn’t want them to think he’s run off or, even worse, hurt himself.
Sometimes Evan joins him on the beach. Occasionally he holds Connor’s hand to comfort him. Or he strokes Connor’s hair. He’s learned that one’s his favourite. But still, nothing from the Murphy’s. Nothing from any of the sea folk, nothing at all.
It’s driving Evan crazy how beautiful Connor is. Not a day goes by when he doesn’t think of him, sitting alone and sad on the beach. All by himself. He only hopes that Connor won’t do something stupid. Like, drowning himself In a desperate attempt to regain relevance with his family.
On one particular evening, Evan wakes up to find their small-and-very-cramped-up bed empty. He checks the bathroom, the living room and the kitchen, but still, Connor is nowhere to be seen. That’s when he begins to panic. What if Connor ran away? What if he’s been captured? He throws on his sneakers and his backpack and runs out the door, still in his pyjamas. He runs down the street, into the road. Past all the closed storefronts and the amusement park and down the steep, wooden steps that lead into the beach. Praying that this stranger that he’s gained so much love and affection for is safe and sound.
That’s when he sees him. Connor, laying idly on the sand, staring out in the distance, a small frown on his face. He looks lost in his own thoughts. Evan notices how bright connors eyes are. So bright yet so sad.
He sits down next to him. Connor glances at him with brief surprise but doesn’t say anything. They both stare off into the distance together.
“You know, it’s funny,” Connor says. “I always longed to be a human. And I was right. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. When I became a human I met you. I love you, Evan. But… my family.”
Evan nods in quiet understanding. Connor gives a sad smile.
“Evan… about those dreams I’ve been having.” Connor looks away from the ocean and into the starry night sky, his eyebrows knitting together in quiet concentration. “I… I don’t understand…-”
“I know, Connor.”
“No, no let me finish. It’s just…” Connor sighs in frustration and shakes his head, seemingly getting worked up over nothing. “I used to just imagine…the mermen, and the mermaids. But now all I can think about and dream about is you. I dream of you touching me in weird places and…”
His tongue darts out to lick his lips and he brushes his hair out of his eyes. Evan can feel his heart rate triple almost double speed.
Fuck. Evan is fucked six times to Sunday.
“Connor-“ Evan tries to cut him off, but Connor isn’t done reporting what he’s learned.
“I tried that… thing that you showed me.” Connor mumbles, breathless. “It showed me that my dreams are normal but I still don’t understand. I don’t understand what that feeling is. I don’t understand…I don’t understand sex.”
“Connor, I-“ Evan’s voice cracks slightly. “Connor I don’t understand either. Um, I can’t understand. I mean I understand what sex is but I can’t really-“
“Tell me about it.”
Evan takes a glance at Connor. He knows he won’t be able to deny him for long. Especially when he’s in those black boxer shorts.
“Sex is, erm, it’s good,” Evan whispers nervously, as he finally looks away. “Um, you touch someone in places and it makes them feel good. It’s called pleasure. And… yeah.”
Connor nods solemnly. “Evan… whether I’m stranded here forever or I get reunited with my family, I don’t care. I want to have sex with you… please?”
Evan sighs.
“Connor we shouldn’t. You know we shouldn’t.” But he knows he doesn’t mean it.
“Please, Evan?” Connor whispers, drawing himself closer until their noses are rubbing together. Connor, just… looks so innocent. He looks like sex.
Evan gives in to the temptation.
*
“So what? Are we supposed to just ‘sit’ around on our asses whilst my child is stranded somewhere? Probably dead?” Larry Murphy seethes. “Find me my son!”
*
The mermen look at each other in surprise. Could a mermaid turn out to be a merman? How does it end up this way? But they aren’t about to deny Larry, not this time. This time it’s serious.
“Okay, erm,” starts Gus. “What’s his name?”
Larry frowns. “Connor. That’s what alias he’ll be… using. I don’t care about any of that. Please, just find him. Bring him home.”
The two men can see Larry starting to lose his composure. They feel for the man, the feeling of losing your child. They know that they have to do something. But the ocean is just so large. And Connor is just so small. It’d take months, years even to find him. If he’s still alive, that is.
It’s been a long and dark couple of days for the Murphy family, and they can only fear for the worst.
It’s no secret that Connor hasn’t always been the brightest, hasn’t always been the most bubbly. He sometimes struggled with hurting himself, or idealized death; the finality of life.
Cynthia begs the townspeople to do something. Begs Larry, her husband and even begs Zoe. Find him. Keep him alive. Do something. But to no avail.
It’s as if Connor’s disappeared and he’ll never be seen again. Connor’s parents are beginning to lose hope. Zoe, however, is indifferent to her parents. Zoe knows how much Connor detested being a mermaid.
Deep down, Zoe detests it too.
Whilst, yes, she is certain in the fact that Connor may have taken his own life, something in her is telling her to trust her gut feeling. There’s this old urban legend that Zoe and Connor used to be infatuated with. That if a mermaid or a merman rises to the surface, they might start walking. Part of her wonders if that’s what happened to Connor. If he’s out there, in the real world. If he’s having the time of his life, or captured. What if he’s locked up somewhere? What if he’s been killed?
Zoe knows it’s risky. She knows she and her family could face the same fate. But Connor is her brother. Despite their differences, he is her brother. And she has to do something.
Not just for the sake of Connor. For the sake of Zoe, Cynthia and Larry, too.
“We need to talk.”
Cynthia and Larry look up. Bloodshot eyes turn in Zoe’s direction.
“Yes?” Larry asks finally, breaking the silence.
“It’s about Connor.” Cynthia purses her lips and closes her eyes as if Zoe is about to tell her some earth-shattering news. “I don’t think he’s killed himself.”
The silence stretches out even longer than you’d imagine.
“Why do you say that?” Larry frowns. “Who’s been telling you such things?”
Zoe rolls her eyes. “I have, Dad. I’m telling you, Connor isn’t dead.”
“Zoe, I have tens of thousands of mermen looking for your brother.” Larry sighs, more frustrated than anything. “If Connor was alive, they would’ve found him already. They’ve started searching for any DNA-“
“No.” Cynthia gasps, bringing her hand up to her mouth.
Zoe can feel herself starting to grow impatient with her father, and angry. “Dad, why would I lie about something like this? I’m telling you, Connor is alive. There’s still hope. We need to check the shore!”
“The shore?” Cynthia asks, in surprise. Her eyes anxiously make their way to her husband. “But- mermaids are…”
“Forbidden to go on the shore,” Larry says quietly.
“I know,” Zoe says, regaining composure. “It’s dangerous. But we wouldn’t stay have to stay up there for long. We could stay in the water. Maybe Connor could be there, waiting for us.”
“This is ridiculous!” Larry snaps. “If Connor’s stranded on the shore somewhere he can just swim back down!”
“What if he’s human?”
“Human?” Larry murmurs caught off guard.
“Yes, human,” Cynthia says, much to Zoe’s surprisement. Usually, Cynthia is the one who does all the talking for the family, but since Connor’s disappearance, she’s been quiet, lost in her own sad and private thoughts. “It’s worth a try, Larry.”
“You know what?” Larry sighs. “I’ll go. I’m not risking both of your safety. I couldn’t face the death of all the people I care about.”
Zoe frowns sadly.
“But if it takes us one step closer to finding Connor, then I’ll do it.”
Connor lays in the arms of Evan, who has since taken on the role of his temporary caregiver. All is well. The starry night sky is beautiful, as is the beach. Peaceful. Everything Connor has always wanted and more.
Despite their closeness, however, Evan has been fighting off terrible terrors inside of his head. Ever since that night on the beach, where they clumsily made love, and then again in Evan’s aunt’s house- (multiple times, in fact), it’s all too risky. Evan knows that Connor is missing his family. He misses his home. And as selfish as it is, Evan can’t help but wish that Connor can stay here forever. With him. Secluded and close to him and all his to keep. He wants to shower Connor with love and affection. But deep down he knows the truth. He has to find some way to reconnect Connor with his family.
Connor opens his eyes, and his fingers skim over the water. “This place is beautiful. You never truly appreciate the ocean until you’re on land, seeing it for yourself in full flesh.”
Evan smiles.
“I’m getting used to walking,” Connor reminisces softly. “I love the feeling. You can’t get very far whilst swimming.”
Evan laughs, “What, aren’t mermaids like, pro swimmers?”
“I guess,” the corners of Connor’s eye crinkle, his steady smile turning into a frown. “I don’t know. It’s complicated. I was so good at swimming fast, and then I just, wasn’t anymore as I got older. My legs gave way and I just felt so alone.”
“I understand,” whispers Evan, leaning in and putting his arms around Connor’s shoulders. Said the boy looking up at him gratefully, the faintest dimples on his cheeks and those beautiful lips that Evan just wants to kiss. Touch. Anything. As far as he’s gotten already, Connor hasn’t kissed Evan yet and Evan can’t fathom why that would be.
Connor stands up and brushes the sand off of his knees. “Well, we should probably get goi-“
The sound of water interrupts all the momentum that the two had built. Evan gasps and steps back, Connor throwing himself in front of him almost immediately. Evan thinks it’s sweet how Connor risks his destruction for those he cares about, his loved ones.
A man emerges, gasping for air, and just before Evan can make out his face Connor runs out into the water. Evan clumsily grabs Connor, trying to grasp hold of him, concerned for his safety. He runs in after him. Just as he’s about to reach Connor, he stops suddenly, making Evan almost fall on top of him. The man swims towards them and wraps his arms around Connor, cradling him to his chest. Evan sees the surprise on Connor’s face and the way his eyes become glassy. But he regains composure almost immediately.
“Connor!” said the man exclaims, then does a double take when he sees Connor’s legs. “Connor! What- you’re human. Zoe was right! How did this happen?”
Connor smirks.
“Connor! Do you have any idea how much trouble you’re in?” Larry seethes. “I have hundreds of young fine men out looking for you, your mothers in shambles, Zoe isn’t talking to anyone. And then- this? You’ve been here all along?”
Connor shrugs. “I don’t care.”
“You don’t care?” Larry gasps, thick eyebrows furrowed together in contempt, and perhaps, shock.
“You said my name.” Connor shrugs, and then turns to Evan, leaving Larry utterly and completely bewildered. “This is Evan. He saved me.”
Larry ‘steps’ aside, giving Evan an anxious yet relieved glance. “You’re Evan.”
Evan quickly fumbles to compose himself upon realizing this man is a family member or friend of Connor’s. “Um, yes, I’m Evan?”
Connor nods, then pulls a face. “Evan, this is my dad. Larry.”
The two exchange awkward stares at each other, and Connor looks down at his now very wet feet. “So, what now?”
Larry cocks his head at him in confusion.
“Im a human,” Connor explains. “You’re all sea folk. So what, do we just not see each other now? Is this it? Do we see each other every 2-3 business days or something?”
“You’re not funny, Connor.” Larry sighs. “Im going to go and speak to your mother and Zoe about this. You better be here when I come back. We need to… talk.”
Connor nods, and Larry submerges.
*
“Mmmh, Evan…” Connor murmurs, biting his lip, Evan’s head between his thighs. He tugs lightly, earning himself a surprised moan.
“That’s it, Connor, just a good boy for me.” Evan murmurs, content in making him feel good, pressing kisses in between his legs and his thighs.
Connor groans softly and his hips stutter as he cums, the orgasm shaking him up, his legs falling flat against the bed. Evan laps up his cum gently and then gets up and moves into the bathroom, grabbing a wad of wet tissues and cleaning Connor up. He then lays beside him and gently cuddles him and strokes his hair until he falls asleep, feeling so much affection for this boy he barely knew not even a couple of weeks ago.
“Connor.” Evan hisses. “Connor, your family are at the door!”
“What?” Connor groans, rolling over onto his side, and interlocking his fingers with Evan who yanks him up off the bed and onto the floor. “Okay, what the fuck! What’s your problem?”
“Your parents are here. Right now!” Evan gasps, panicking. “And your sister- my mom- my moms answered the door and she’s going to lay into them and what do we do??”
“Evan, my parents are mermaids.” Connor rolls his eyes.
“Well not anymore, apparently.” Evan scowls, parroting Connor from when they first met. Connor is tempted to roll back into bed and get some sleep but the look of urgency on Evan’s face is enough to overpower all his faculties.
He runs out of the bedroom barefoot (which is impressive, considering he’s never run before in his life. It’s more like a stumble), and comes crashing into the doorframe, causing a very surprised Heidi to almost double over in shock. “Wait, I can explain!”
But before he can get the chance to, Cynthia gasps and runs up to him, enveloping him in her arms. “Connor! You’re safe!”
Connor offers her a sad smile.
“I knew it.” Zoe murmurs, causing her father to growl a very exasperated ‘Zoe!’.
He raises an eyebrow and turns to Heidi. “Miss Hansen, my folk were mermaids-“
Zoe, Cynthia and Larry gasp.
“-But, we aren’t anymore. I see no reason to hide this from you. Our lives aren’t in danger. I’m sorry I lied to you about them being homophobic and kicking me out.”
Evan nears the kitchen, listening in on the very odd and unexpected family reunion.
“Me and Evan,” Connor gulps. “Me and Evan are…-“
Those beautiful blue eyes turn in Evans's direction. Connor doesn’t know how to do it. How to let Evan down after all the beautiful moments they shared? All he’s done to help Connor. How fucked up his sleep schedule might now be. He can’t bail on Evan now. That would be a dick move.
“Me and Evan are dating. We didn’t…lie about that.”
“I thought not.” Heidi sighs. Larry throws a half amused half confused eyebrow drop in his direction. He quickly looks away.
Evan nears the hallway and Cynthia seems to spot him. “This is Evan?”
Connor speaks for him. “Yes. When I rose to the surface he helped me. He gave me his clothes and made me feel safe.”
He moves towards Evan and holds his hand. Evan turns towards him and cups his cheek gently. Everybody looks away in embarrassment everyone but Cynthia.
“Oh, how sweet!” She smiles, causing Connor to blush and scowl at her, but with not as much venom as he might have before.
“Hold on a minute,” Connor sighs. “You guys gave up your lives as mermaids, right? Why?”
Larry clears his throat. “We became an unhappy family when we became popular among the sea folk. I knew you guys missed your old lives. Deep down, I did too.”
Connor gawps at him.
“We decided, why to live without you and be unhappy as mermaids, rather than leave our old lives behind and live with you?” Larry murmurs awkwardly. “So, um, yes, we made that decision.”
Cynthia nods tears in her eyes. Zoe shakes her head, unamused.
“Money can’t buy happiness,” Heidi intervenes helplessly. Cynthia nods in agreement.
“Oh, yes,” she says. “We didn’t realise how unhappy we were with our lives until it was too late.”
As the Murphys and the Hansens get talking, arranging living arrangements and employment, Evan steps into the living room with Connor.
“So, this is it?” He laughs awkwardly. “You’re, um, you’re leaving? We don’t have to pretend anymore?”
“Are you kidding?” Connor scoffs in surprise. “Did you not hear what I said about you? I want us to date. For real this time.”
“You mean it?” Evan gasps, surprised.
“No, I’m just fucking around with you. Obviously, I mean it.” Connor snarks. Evan laughs, and moves towards him, gently caressing his palm.
“You’re beautiful.” He murmurs as if the words have been waiting a lifetime to be spoken.
“I know.” Connor whispers and kisses him.