In Deeper Waters

See? Nothing that is a part of you could ever be bad.

Thank you for saving me." "Thank you for not being afraid of me.

Can I touch you?” Tal asked, stepping closer. “Yes.” Tal wrapped his arms around Athlen’s shaking body and held on. “I’ve got you.” “I know.” His breath was cool on Tal’s neck. “For how long?” “Until you tell me to let go.

You’re my beloved,” Athlen said, his voice a vibration against Tal’s lips. “And you’re mine.” They kissed, and kissed, and Tal would’ve thought it a fairy tale if not for the sand in his collar, and the water in his boots, and the ache of his body. But he wouldn’t trade it for anything else.

Who was this boy who valued sea glass the same as pearls and gold? Who was he to smile shyly and tease Tal and touch him casually and make his heart race?

The world isn't kind" Tal said as Garrett held him at arm's length, the flames of the torch flickering from the ground, casting both in eerie shadows. "But that doesn't mean I cant be.

Tal frowned and took Athlen’s hand in his. He laced their fingers. “But I’d like for you to be... I want you to be...” “Yes?” Athlen stepped closer. He licked his lips. “You want me to be what?” “Mine.

Do you love him?” Tal but his lip. “Yes.” “He’s a merman. You are human.” “Yes.” “Does he love you?” Tal shrugged. “I don’t know.” “Is he truly the last?” “Yes.

His imagination must have taken pity on him in his last moments, because a vison of Athlen suddenly appeared before him, staring at Tal with his wide sunlight eyes, his pretty red mouth open. But the feeling of Athlen's webbed hands holding Tal's face was shockingly real, soft, and gentle. Tal's first kiss was rough and frantic, Athlen's mouth bruising against his own, a tight seal of Tal's lips.

Tal shook his head. "You are a wonder." "As are you," he replied, voice somber, free of teasing.

Tal rested his forehead against Athlen's. His heart beat wildly. Magic and desire scorched through his veins, his body set aflame. "I won't leave without you. I promise." "Thank you." Tal didn't know what awaited them beyond this moment, but this was the chance he thought he'd missed. He wouldn't miss it again. Closing the scant distance between them, Tal tilted his head. His pulse thudded hard under his skin as he brushed his chapped lips over Athlen's, trembling and unsure, terrified in equal parts that he might be pushed away or pulled closer. It was the briefest of kisses, and Athlen's mouth was slippery and cool before Tal inched away, breaking the gentle suction. He shivered as Athlen cradled his face in his hands and drew him back to kiss again. Tal surged forward, bold and eager, hungry for every sensation, his fist clenched in the fabric of Athlen's shirt. Athlen returned each fervent press with an intensity of his own, lips parted, mouth hot and willing, and as clumsy as Tal felt.

Tal used his sleeve to rub the moisture from his cheeks. He was a prince of Harth. He didn't need to cry over odd boys who made him smile, then disappeared. There would be other boys. Athlen was merely the first.

Tal trailed his fingertips over Athlen’s cheek. Athlen didn’t flinch away this time. Instead he nuzzled into the touch, eyes remaining closed, but the wrinkles of pain around his eyes eased. Tal leaned in and kissed Athlen’s jaw, then the corner of his slight smile, then he pressed his open mouth to Athlen’s parted lips. Athlen sighed into it, melting into the kiss, mouth open and pliant, head tipped back as Tal cradled it, his fingers running through the thigh copper hair. Tal pressed a little harder, a little more urgent, a fierce want brewing in his veins.

You saved me," Tal said. Athlen muttered a grin. "You saved me first, remember? I was returning the favor.

Athlen frowned. Without thinking, Tal weakly raised his hand and traced the curve of Athlen's mouth with clumsy fingers. Athlen clucked his tongue when Tal grimaced at the action, but Tal wasn't sorry for it, not when Athlen's took his hand, wrapped his own knobby webbed fingers around Tal's, and held them close to his chest.

Athlen lifted Tal's hand closer, his breath warm and rhythmic on Tal's skin, before he pressed a kiss to the palm... "Your magic is wonderful," Athlen whispered, "I'll remember you.

This close, Tal tipped his head back to meet Athlen's unwavering gaze. He spied the light line of freckles that spread over the bridge of Athlen's nose, and the dimple in his cheek, and the slope of his neck as the collar of his shirt slipped sideways. Tal's blood pounded and his head swam, and he didn't know if it was due to illness or something else, something about Athlen's proximity and the strong cage of his arms and the salty smell of his skin.

A wave of emotions swirled within him, but the one that floated to the surface was the joy that Athlen thought he was wonderful.

There was a scant inch between them, and Tal's magic shuddered. His skin prickled with the want to be touched, straining toward Athlen's heat in a way he'd not experienced before. This close, he smelled the sea on Athlen's skin and could trace the constellation of freckles on Athlen's nose and cheeks.

Athlen smelled of seaweed and salt and crisp ocean wind. The scent reminded Tal of the depths of the blue, the cool rush of water, and the beaches near the castle, smooth stones and swirling eddies, coarse sand on the soles of his bare feet.

Death, he discovered, was simple, not the terrifying and daunting fate that had loomed over him during his time on the ship. It was easy to give in, to let his eyes slide half closed, to let his body drift in the rhythm of the sea. His pain dulled - the scorch from his chest and shoulder became distant, as if it weren't happening to him at all. But he still felt regret over the thought of never seeing his family again, of never seeing Athlen again...

Heart aching, he decided then he wouldn't allow his magic to become a weapon, even for his own family. He'd rather be locked in a tower or exiled off the known map than become the monster his heritage predicted he'd be.