Oceans and Merfolk

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Comments

[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.]

[ignoranceisblight]

[It's for the best if Vasha doesn't give Veritas his pelt immediately. Veritas does apologize, but he really wants Vasha to recover as much as he can!

Veritas is more than happy to let Vasha stay with him, though. He does admit at one point that he's definitely a lot more anxious without Vasha around.

Veritas is curled up on the sofa with a book when Vasha finds him, but he looks up when the selkie approaches.]

Vasha?

[takesitall]

[Vasha just holds his pelt out to Veritas.]

I want you to have it, Veritas.

[ignoranceisblight]

[... It's been four months, and Vasha's in significantly better shape than he was when Veritas found him. Veritas does feel... a bit better about taking it now. He sets his book aside and reaches out for the pelt.

He carefully takes it, holding it almost reverently. After a few moments, he reaches out for Vasha, too.]

[takesitall]

[Vasha promptly joins Veritas on the sofa, curling up in his arms.]

I trust you with it, Veritas. I trust you with me.

[ignoranceisblight]

I'll take good care of it. I'll take good care of you, Vasha, I promise.

[He hugs Vasha tightly, then pulls back a bit. He opens his mouth to say something else, pauses, thinks for a moment, then leans forward to press a quick kiss to Vasha's lips.]

[takesitall]

[Oh.

Vasha smiles and leans in for another kiss.]

You already do.

[ignoranceisblight]

[He smiles shyly, happily giving Vasha another kiss.]

I still wanted to put it into words... especially since you gave me your pelt and all.

[takesitall]

I appreciate it.

[Nope, another kiss.]

And you'll give it back to me when I need it, right? Obviously you will, but...

[He needs to hear it.]