Oceans and Merfolk

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Comments

[takesitall]

You're family, Veritas. We take care of our family.

[ignoranceisblight]

[He squeezes a bit tighter before letting go. Once he has, he reaches for Vasha's hand again.]

[takesitall]

[And Vasha takes his hand, admiring the house.]

Nice and open, too. Probably plenty of space for your wings.

[ignoranceisblight]

Yeah! I can have them out more often here...

[takesitall]

They were always so pretty, you know. I bet they're even prettier now.

[ignoranceisblight]

[Veritas smiles shyly.]

Do you want to see them now, then?

[takesitall]

Can I? It's been so long...

[ignoranceisblight]

[He nods, shifting to his partial siren form. He spreads his wings a little so Vasha can see.]

[takesitall]

Can I touch?

[So pretty.]

[ignoranceisblight]

Of course!

[takesitall]

[And so he does, marveling at how soft and pretty they are.]

I think they're my favorite color.

[ignoranceisblight]

[Veritas sighs happily at Vasha's touch.]

Yeah?

[takesitall]

Mhm. It's like the darkest part of the sea, but more welcoming.

[ignoranceisblight]

[He smiles a little, loosely wrapping both of his wings around Vasha.]

[takesitall]

[He chuckles, stepping closer so the wings cover more of him.]

Much warmer, too.

[ignoranceisblight]

It feels good when you touch them...

[A pause.]

Oh, ah, when you stay here, would you want to share my room?

[takesitall]

I wouldn't mind.

[He smiles, still touching the feathers.]

I doubt I can sleep alone, anyway.

[ignoranceisblight]

[He nods.]

I can't blame you at all. [As he reaches out to fuss with Vasha's hair a little.] I'll... definitely want you to stay close whenever you're here, you know?

[takesitall]

You will? Why?

[ignoranceisblight]

I mean... you were gone for four years, I missed you a lot. And... the closer you are, the easier it'll be for me to protect you.

[takesitall]

Veritas...

[Nope, time for a hug. He wraps his arms around Veritas and just squeezes for a moment.]

[ignoranceisblight]

[And Veritas hugs back tightly.]

[takesitall]

Thank you, again. Just...goddess, Veritas.

[ignoranceisblight]

... so glad to have you back, Vasha...

[takesitall]

[Despite Vasha's insistence otherwise, both Veritas and his family refuse to let him give his pelt to Veritas right away. He needs more time to recover and let his pelt heal before he does that. They may be right, but he's so annoyed by it. Still, he listens.

Some months pass. Vasha ends up spending most of time with Veritas, quietly admitting one night that while he can't sleep alone, having the pod so close is stressful. Maybe one day he'll be able to, but for now he can't manage with that many people. Veritas is safe, though. He can sleep just fine with Veritas. In Veritas's bed. Under Veritas's blankets. After eating Veritas's food.

Honestly, they're all lucky he waits the four months he does before deciding to try and track down Veritas, pelt in hand.]