#reed of the sea

[reedwojiraocean]

character dynamic

... he's considering it

[letmeinimafairy]

A lonely pine tree on a cliff by the sea, painted on a beautiful picasso jasper. Didn't want to paint it over too much, it already has landscape outlines.

[ballad-of-the-lamb]

Thy Ballad, I have a question for thee. What inspired you to make the designs for the cat and the lamb? I've not really seen many who puts the lamb as a more muscular force, while having the cat more of a stick figure that looks like he can't compare to the lambs lift

i like big bitches

[rossthren]

Snakes!

[guppygiggles]

Let's Get Physical!

What: Tickle fluff with a dash of mild hurt/comfort.

Word count: ~2.3k

Universe: Sea & Sky AU

Who: Avery, Casper, Finnegan.

Description: Avery gives Finnegan a physical. Emotional bonding and cuddling between the three of them. Just a little oneshot with a bit of tickling for everyone!

Friday afternoon couldn't have come soon enough.

As I made the short trek home from the bank, my eyes trained on the lighthouse as it stood tall against the afternoon sky. After glaring at my computer screen and paperwork for eight hours, it was a relief to stare at something beautiful and distant. I rolled my tired shoulders, wincing in pain as I did. Maybe I could talk Avery into giving me one of his expert massages… Not that I deserved it, I thought, after how neglectful I’d been him and Finn all week. I frowned, remembering how many times I'd fallen asleep watching TV with them -- I definitely needed to make up for lost time this weekend. I shuffled up the stone steps and turned the lighthouse’s antique doorknob, wiping my feet on the strawberry-print mat as I entered.

“Caspeheher! Hehehehelp!”

No sooner had I walked through the door – key still in-hand – than my arms were full of triton as Finn crashed into me, nearly knocking us both over. He squeezed me as if he hadn't seen me in weeks, giggling as he nuzzled his face into my neck. With some effort, I deposited my keys and wallet into the plastic tray and shuffled out of my shoes, just in time to watch Avery appear in the foyer. He was grinning in that characteristic, long-suffering way of his as he shook his head.

“What are you doing to this fish?” I asked, chuckling as Finn scrambled out of my arms and hid behind me.

“Well, I was just trying to give him a routine physical,” Avery replied, “but as you can see, it isn't going well.”

“He’s lying!” Finn protested, laughter riding beneath his words. “He was tickling me!”

I quirked an eyebrow at Avery, who rolled his eyes upward, offering a sheepish grin-and-shrug combo that told me everything I needed to know. For the first time that day, I giggled.

“Do you need an assistant to help with this patient, Dr. Nimbus?” I asked playfully, reaching back to pinch Finn's side without taking my eyes off the cloudman, eliciting a ticklish squeal.

“Why, yes! Thank you for offering, I believe that would be quite helpful!”

“What?! You traitor!” Before I could snatch him, Finnegan darted past me and was scampering back up the stairs with a gleeful laugh. I wondered why Avery didn't stop him… until the elemental floated gracefully over to me, pulling me into a deep and comprehensive embrace. I sighed with relief, my eyes automatically closing as I laid my head on his chest, listening to the quiet storm inside his body. Bergamot and old paper wrapped around my olfactory nerve like a warm blanket – I was finally home.

“Hi, dewdrop.”

“Hey, peach.”

“How was your day?”

“Tiring… This audit is wearing me out. I'm really sorry I haven't been much fun to be around this week… I promise I'll make it up to you and Finny.”

“You know you don't have to apologize for that, sweetheart. We're both so proud of how hard you work, and we understand when you're tired.” Avery's large, soft hand stroked my upper back. As it did, I felt his fingers get curious around my shoulders, pressing and palpating my achy muscles. I flinched through a cocktail of ticklishness and pain. “Oh, oh… Sorry, did that hurt? My goodness, you are tense. You've been hunching over your desk again, haven't you?”

I blushed a little. No matter how many times Avery tried to correct my posture, I always fell back into old habits as soon as work got too stressful.

“Aheh… Maybe a little… Sorry.”

“Oh, Casper… Tsk, tsk, tsk,” he chided, his touch turning softer and playing around my shoulders and neck, making me laugh and squirm.

“Ehehe~! Okay, I'll- ahaha! I'll w-work on ihihhihit!”

“You'd better, or you'll be in for a much more serious tickling than this!” Avery teased, continuing to tickle a bit more before stopping, his eyes tender as he looked at me. “Really, though… I'll give you a nice massage later, okay? I don't want you to be in pain.”

I felt my ears flush as I turned my attention to the foyer wall, my mind wandering to Avery's cool, pillowy doctor's hands coated in massage oil, squeezing and kneading my bare shoulders…

I cleared my throat, meeting his eyes only briefly, as if staring too long would allow him to read my mind.

“Don't we have a fish to torment?”

“Ah, yes! I'm sure he's up there getting impatient… which makes me worry for the state of our home. Shall we?”

He gestured to the stairwell. I took a step forward, then halted, eyeing him warily.

“... After you.”

Avery grinned. “No, really. I insist.”

“You’re a doctor; such a title affords you the right to go first, don't you think? Please permit me to offer this token of my respect.”

I watched him try not to laugh. So was I, but I was better at it.

“...You flatter me. Very well, I'll lead on.”

I let Avery believe I wasn't going to do anything. I was certain that by the time we’d passed the halfway point, I'd convinced him of my innocence. Surely if I'd planned on doing something, I would've by then. Right?

Right…?

Wrong. With about ten steps in the winding staircase to go, I reached up and gave the elemental a quick scribbling along both of his sides. Avery gasped in surprise, followed by a flurry of defeated, yet joyful laughter.

“Oh, you cheeky little-”

Just like Finnegan had done to me earlier, I ducked under Avery's hands as he reached back to snatch me, clambering to pass him on the staircase. Unlike Finn, though… dodging Avery's hands didn't guarantee my safety, as a forceful gust of wind knocked me backwards and right into his arms. I screeched with laughter as he lifted and tossed me like a sack of potatoes over his soft shoulder, my legs kicking as he easily carried me the rest of the way.

“Oh, no you don't,” he admonished, reaching up to tweak the crease at the top of my thigh with his thumb and forefinger. Panicked laughter filled the living room we now stood in as I thrashed, but none of my wriggling did any good; he was simply too strong. Avery chuckled as he gently pinched, forcing a torrent of squealing, frantic laughter from me, until he deposited me carefully on the couch.

“Did you know I was going to do that?” I asked, still giggling.

“I had a suspicion… but I will concede that you lulled me into a false sense of security.”

“Yessss!” I cheered, earning another lighthearted glare as he reached down with both hands, quickly wiggling his fingers along my sides and belly. I curled into a ball on the couch, filling the room with my hysterical squawking as he tickled any spot he could reach.

“You might be a systems admin, but you moonlight as a troublemaker, don't you?”

“NOHOHOHOOO!”

“I think you doooo~” He lilted, worming his fingers under my arms, between my neck and shoulder, and any other ticklish creases I created with my defensive posture. I was still screeching as Finn appeared in the doorway.

“Don't worry, Casper, I'll save you!” His bare, webbed feet made a sound like a duck running as he charged Avery, who whirled on him before Finnegan had a chance to try anything, easily scooping the triton into his arms and nuzzling into him.

“EEEEEHEhehehee!” Finn laughed, his fingers squishing Avery’s soft head as the cloudman kissed his neck.

“And they say chivalry is dead,” Avery tittered, taking a seat on the sofa beside me, Finn still in his arms. “Will you please let me finish your physical, brave warrior? I'm almost done, I promise... I just need to check your belly, now.”

Finn sighed dramatically, then sprawled across Avery's lap, adjusting his body such that his head rested on my thigh. I grinned down at him.

“Hi, Finny-Finn-Finn.” I swept his hair back and leaned down to kiss his forehead. The warmth of his scales was always a bit of a surprise, especially compared to Avery's chilly skin.

I was expecting Avery to go in for the kill, but as I watched him methodically inspect Finn's abdomen, I realized he was conducting a legitimate physical. He gently pressed and palpated the softer scales of his belly as he used his free arm to keep the merman’s squirmy legs still. Finn giggled, and I couldn't blame him; I'd been on the receiving end of plenty of physicals from Avery, too, and I knew those fingers tickled no matter how professional he tried to be. In the back of my mind, I knew it was likely a conflict of interest for Avery to treat us… but since he was the only doctor in Port Oleander – and more importantly, one of the few on land who could treat merfolk – I supposed an exception had been permitted.

“Does any of this hurt, Finn? Has your belly been hurting at all, lately?”

“N-no, it's not hurting. Uhm… my belly hurt last night, after dinner, though…” He admitted.

I frowned, unable to recall him saying anything about a stomach ache. Last night had been my turn to cook. I wasn't a great cook to begin with, and admittedly… it was difficult to prepare meals that both Finnegan and Avery could eat; the elemental couldn't digest any food that was too dry, and Finn’s rainbow trout biology was primarily carnivorous. Soups, stews, and curries were common in our house – dinner last night had been red curry with chicken.

“What kind of hurt? Was it stabbing, dull, hot, achy…?” Avery asked, concerned.

“Hot, especially when I was laying down in bed.” Finn looked away from me. Avery and I exchanged a glance.

“I'm sorry, Finn… I probably made it too spicy. I won't make that again. Why didn't you say anything? I would've gotten you some medicine to help you feel better.” I stroked Finn's hair back again, my face etched with guilt. Now that I was thinking back to the previous night, he had seemed more quiet than usual… but I had been too tired to comment on it, chalking it up to him being tired, too. I kicked myself; Finn was never tired. The only time the triton lacked energy was in the five – maybe ten – minutes wherein he would go from bouncing off the walls to being dead asleep. Had I been more observant, I would've realized that.

Finnegan's eyes were serious as he looked back at me, an expression that seemed foreign on his gamine face. He looked away again, though, as he started to speak.

“It's just… you've been working so hard this week, Caspy, and I didn't want to hurt your feelings or make you worry about me.”

I couldn't bring myself to meet Avery's eyes again as an arrow of regret pierced my heart. I really had been disconnected from them all week.

“Finn… nothing is more important to me than you and Avery, okay? I’m sorry I've been so busy this week, I should've paid more attention to how you were feeling. Please don't suffer in silence again, okay? If your tummy hurts – or anything hurts – please promise you'll tell us from now on.”

Finn's tail swished uncomfortably… but he managed a smile, looking up at me again.

“Okay, I'll tell you from now on… I promise.” He shifted his gaze to Avery, whose hands were still resting on his scaly belly. “Am I done, now?”

It occured to me then that the part of the physical Finnegan disliked wasn't the tickling, it was staying still. Avery's concerned expression relaxed; a rainbow after a storm.

“Yes! You're a very healthy fish, Finn. Just keep remembering to soak in the tub at least once a day when you can't go swimming, so your gills stay healthy and your scales don't dry out.”

“Okay!” He was already off the couch, stretching his arms over his head and swishing his tail, as if laying across our laps for ten minutes had made him stiff. I shook my head, grinning. “I'll go for a swim right now, actually! Love you, Caspy! Love you, Avery! Bye, bye, bye, bye!” Each ‘bye’ grew progressively quieter as he descended the stairs, tail thumping clumsily the whole way down.

Once he was out of earshot, I looked down at my hands.

“I feel so bad… he got sick because of me, and he didn't even say anything.”

Avery shifted, pulling me into his arms again. I rested against his soft, cool body.

“He got a bit of a tummy ache from eating something too spicy, not an incurable disease, hehe. You won't make that dish again, and he'll tell you next time something doesn't agree with him. No need to worry yourself sick, okay? Life is unpredictable and stressful, sometimes… but we're your family, Casper. We understand.”

I snuggled against Avery's side as he held me, my throat constricting as he said the last few words. He looked down at me, and then I felt my favorite little tickle under my chin, coaxing me to look at him.

“Now… I believe I need to tend to my other patient, hm? Why don't we start your weekend with a little physical therapy on those shoulders? I swear, you're wound up tighter than an eight day clock.” He brought me up with him as he stood, strong arms carrying me bridal-style in the direction of the bedroom, giving me no room to protest.

Not that I would have. My fingertips fiddled with the collar of his shirt, the ghost of a coy smile dancing across my lips.

“Alright, doctor… but you'll have to let me return the favor, afterwards. After all, I've got a whole week's worth of lost time to make up for. Think you can handle that much…?”

The shade of cerulean that rose in his cheeks told me he caught my meaning, and I watched his wisp of surprise turn into a bashful giggle.

“Can't wait, dewdrop.”

[vertigoartgore]

Christian Goussale's cover for the French Fantastic Four album "S.O.S Atlantis" (Les 4 Fantastiques N°34, 1984).

[ranticore]

When u have the time, could we enjoy a chubby selkie? They just look a lot like my own species and i wanna snuggle them

👍 this one's a basket-weaver

[neon-glowing-rainbow-stims]

*.✲ﾟ*｡✧ ~ Mesmerize ~ *.✲ﾟ*｡✧ (reefaquariumfish)

(Learn how to help save and protect coral reefs!)

[tobymybaby]

In the fazbear frights Alive au Julius has gotten his ass beaten by people younger, the same age, and older than him for

Mott : for Tripping Chris and calling Payton ugly

Tabitha : for stealing Toby beanie

Toby and Devon(they beat him together): for trying to steal Reggie's and Mick's money

Alec: for picking on Hazel

Pete: for picking on Chuck and for calling Maria(Pete's crush) awful things

Kesley:Julius was pushing his buttons and said something that made him really pissed

Porkchop(Chris dog): the dog bit him for trying to hit Chris

Jinx(oswald cat): she scratched his face once

Oswald: for picking on him and Gabriella

Reed: One day the bullying is to much and Reed snaps

[rraaaarrl]

By the blood red light of the full moon....Namor, wereshark !

(you agree 😳)

I leaned into some sort of bioluminescence because, why the hell not!

[elisa897]

Gavin: "It will remain our little secret, okay Nines?"

Nines: "Of course, detective"

[reedwojiraocean]

gey

erm... what gave that away...?

[letmeinimafairy]

Another reed field on a blue piece of sea pottery. I think rustic ceramic beads would be good for this one

Available

[razberrypuck]

finn tidestrider is the top contender for the title "world's sluttiest absent father" I think

[anskupics]

Branta canadensis — Canada goose

[guppygiggles]

Hidden Depths

What: Exposition with a dash of hurt/comfort.

Word count: ~3k

Universe: Sea & Sky AU

Who: Avery, Casper, Finnegan

Description: Finnegan finally opens up about where he's from. There is a lot of crying, cuddling, and emotional tenderness in this. Brief mention of illness. No tickling, sorry, but I will probably follow this up with some tickling in the near future.

I knocked gently on the bathroom door. 

“Finn, are you in there?” 

“Yeah?” 

“Can I come in?” 

“Why?” 

“Because I have to pee, and we only have one bathroom, dude.” 

“...Okay, fine.” 

I opened the bathroom door. Finnegan was in the bathtub, anchor-print curtain drawn closed. Beyond the curtain, an open springline window filled the tiny room with morning sunlight and fresh air that carried the promise of fall. It was still too warm for Finnegan to swim in the ocean, so a cool, daily bath was necessary to keep his scales moistened and gills healthy. I was used to hearing him splashing and enjoying himself, but today he was quiet. Only the curtain separated us as I sat down on the toilet seat. 

The faucet dripped.

My toes flexed against the bath mat. 

A seagull squawked as it passed the window. 

I sighed, craning my arm to turn the sink on and drown out the silence. Finally, relief. I finished up quickly, not wanting to invade Finn's privacy any further, but a small voice stopped me as my hand touched the doorknob. 

“Casper?”

“Yeah?”

“Will you stay with me…?” 

I paused. Turning around, I could barely make out Finn's silhouette through the thin curtain; he was sitting with his arms and tail wrapped around his legs, head lowered to his knees.

“Yeah, I can stay... Are you alright?” 

I lowered the wooden toilet lid and sat down on it. Finn took a while to answer. 

“I dunno.” His voice carried an uncharacteristic distance. 

“Do you want to talk about it…?” 

“I don't know right now.”

“Ah… Well, that's okay, you don't have to. Do you want me to just chill in here? It's my day off, so I can stay as long as you want.” 

“Yeah. I just don't wanna be alone.”

At least this was normal. Contrary to Avery and I, Finnegan didn't even like to do solo activities by himself; everything for him was improved with company… Apparently, even bathing. I had a feeling that he did want to talk about what was bothering him, but I wasn't going to push. I pulled out my phone. Quietly enjoying someone's company was normally a non-issue for me, but, well… it was a bit different in the bathroom. 

“Do you want me to put some music on?” 

“Yeah. Can you play that one song I like?”

I opened my music app. Finnegan's playlist was pinned to the top of my feed – I played the first song, then opened Pokemon Go. 

As Caribbean Blue by Enya filled the tiny bathroom, I heard water sloshing as Finn readjusted, laying back in the tub and resting his head on the sloped side. He was quiet. Swirling a pokeball in a circle with my finger, I tried in vain to catch a Shelder. 

“Are there video games where you're from, Finn?” 

“Not really. We had games but not electronic stuff.” 

“What did you do for fun?” 

He was quiet again, for a long time. I wondered if he'd heard me. I looked over at his silhouette again; still and somber, head tilted down. I could've sworn I heard a wet sniff, but I wasn't certain. 

“Finny…?”

“I didn't have a lot of fun there.” 

I winced. In my effort to make smalltalk, I'd forgotten that Finn usually avoided talking about his life before he met us. 

“Oh… I'm sorry.” 

“It's okay.” 

The next song on Finn's list played �� Pacific Ave by Pearl and the Oysters. The breezy, poppy track contrasted harshly with the tone of our conversation… or lack thereof. I tried to focus on catching Pokemon. I wished Finn would just talk to me; what was he so worried about? 

An answer came sooner than I expected. 

“I lied to you.”

“What…?”

“I lied to you and Avery about what really happened. When you found me, I told you that I was traveling and I got lost during that hurricane… that’s kinda true… but it's not the whole truth.” He exhaled deeply. Water moved in the tub as he shifted again, his tail peeking through the curtain as he turned away from me. 

I waited with bated breath for him to go on. 

Finn had been living with us for six months. When he’d washed up on the rocky shore of Avery's lighthouse, he was in bad shape; cuts and bruises all over, barely conscious, and sick with an illness Avery had called “septicemia.” He'd made a cloud bed for Finn right next to ours, tending to him around the clock for over a week before he finally came to. At first, he was shy and exceedingly polite… but as he grew more comfortable and we grew closer, an inquisitive and playful side emerged. He said he didn't have anywhere to return to, so we said he could stay as long as he liked; we set up the spare bedroom for him. He spent most of his time diving for treasure and catching fish, and I had to admit… between mine and Avery's busy schedules, the extra income and fresh seafood were both more than welcome in our home. I could concede to being a little naïve at times, but dishonesty was not something I expected from someone like Finn. 

He continued, “I'm from Merrobridge.” 

My eyebrows raised in recognition. I didn't know a lot about merfolk – they were not a populous race, and what was known about them tended to be shrouded in mystery given that the majority of their civilization existed deep underwater – but Merrobridge was a vast coastal hub, partially on land and partially beneath the sea, where nearly all merfolk trade took place. I hadn't considered it before, but it made sense that rainbow trout like Finn would make their home there, considering they were an amphidromous* species. 

“I didn't tell you ‘cause I was afraid you would make me go back.” 

My brows furrowed. 

“I mean… why would we make you go back? You're an adult, you can decide if you want to live there or not.” 

Another deep sigh from the other side of the curtain, followed by more silence. I paused the music. 

“Finnegan… listen. I'm not mad that you lied to me, okay? Whatever it is, we'll figure it out. Like… I'm not forcing you to tell me, but if you're going to tell me… I need you to tell me everything.” 

A tiny whimper from the other side of the curtain wrenched my heart; he was definitely starting to cry. I was tempted to pull it back, but my respect for his privacy stayed my hand… and in this state, I wasn't sure how he'd react. I'd never seen him like this before.

He spoke so quietly, then, I strained to hear him. “The two empresses who live in Merrobridge and rule over the entire merfolk kingdom… They're my moms.” 

My heart skipped a beat. Stunlocked on the toilet lid, my fingers rose to my lips as realization crept through my veins like frost. 

“Finn…”

“I couldn't live that life, Casper!” He cried, his small voice reedy and choked, “I knew the hurricane was coming… I planned for weeks. I left a note saying for them not to look for me, that I'd come back one day, you know? I didn't want them to think I died or anything… I just wanted the hurricane to make it hard for them to follow me… but I timed it wrong, and got caught in it. I thought I was going to die!” 

Then, he really cried; Finnegan cried like someone who'd been waiting months to cry, like someone who'd forgotten how. 

I couldn't stand it any longer. The curtain rod screeched as I pushed the fabric back. As he cried into his hands, I put my arms around Finnegan's trembling, wet shoulders. 

“Oh, god… Finny…” God dammit, I was starting to cry, too. I did my best to keep my voice steady so he wouldn't hear. “Finn, honey, it'll be okay. We'll figure this out, okay?” 

“I miss my moms - choke - and my s-sister! Wh- what if they think I'm d-dead?!” 

I couldn't refute this concern; it was a real possibility, given how long he'd been gone. I didn't know his family or the dynamics of normal relationships among merfolk, though, so I couldn't say. Any human mother would be worried to bits… well. Not mine, but I wasn't going down that road right then. 

“Can we call them? Or send them a letter or something, just so they know you're okay?” I offered, rubbing his back. 

“I can't be e-emperor! I can't sit there and study and work and read and talk to people all day like they want me to, I'm just… I can't!” He wailed, deep sobs echoing off the white and blue tiled walls. 

“Shhh, shhh…” He was too hysterical to listen to me; I would have to wait until he calmed down. I had no idea how we would even get in touch with his family – I was aware of the existence of land-sea communication stations, but I had no idea how they worked, or even where to find one. 

There was a soft knock on the door. 

“Casper? Finnegan? Is everything okay in there…?” Avery’s gentle, concerned voice asked from the other side.

I wanted to shout back “no!”, but I figured that would only freak Finn out more. 

“Can Avery come in?” I whispered, tucking a few strands of wet hair behind his finned ear. 

“I-I guess…”

“Come in!” 

Even with the window open, I hadn't realized how stuffy the bathroom had become until Avery opened the door – the cool draft on my face, much like his presence, was a massive relief. 

“Oh, goodness… what's going on in here?” Avery asked, standing over me as I knelt at the side of the tub, arms still around Finn... who turned away from Avery, hiding his face. The lighthouse bathroom was definitely not built to be occupied by three people at once; I couldn't blame Finn for feeling crowded and self conscious. 

“Um, well… Actually, Avery, why don't you and I talk in the living room? Finny, do you want to meet us there when you're ready?”

He nodded, sniffling. I kissed the top of his head, then closed the curtain.

+++

“He's… a prince?” 

Avery sat on the edge of his reading chair, leaning forward with his elbows braced on his knees, fingers laced together. His brow creased as he chewed his lip with his delicate teeth, something he typically did when working on complex research. 

I flopped onto the oversized sectional, propping my bare feet on the armrest. My back hurt from leaning over the tub. “Yeah, basically. He said his moms are the two empresses of the merfolk kingdom. He has a sister, too.”

“Why did he leave…?” 

“He didn't really say. He pretty much just said he couldn't live that life, and like… I mean, you've met him. Can you imagine Finn as an emperor? I can't really blame him, either, that sounds exhausting.”  

Avery sighed and leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest. In that moment, his posture and contemplative expression were reminiscent of the way I imagined Atticus Finch. It was a long while until he spoke again. 

“What does he want to do?” 

I sighed, lifting my hands in a shrug. “I don't know. He says he misses them, but he doesn't want to go back. I think he's mostly just worried they think he's dead.” 

The sound of Finn's heavy tail thumping down the stairs brought our conversation to a halt. He appeared on the landing wearing black gym shorts and my favorite navy t-shirt, which featured a great white shark biting a surfboard made of binary data in half, underlined by jagged font proudly summarizing the scene: “Mega Byte.” His eyes were puffy from crying, and his cheeks and fins were flushed a deep green. I normally would have teased him for stealing my clothes, but I decided to save it. 

“Awww, Finny… come here.” I patted my chest. 

Finn sauntered over and collapsed onto me, nuzzling under my chin as his wet hair seeped into the collar of my shirt. Though he was shorter than me by a couple of inches, Finn was heavier, mostly due to his thick tail which spilled over the edge of the couch. The pressure of his warm body against mine was pleasant. I rubbed his back as he turned his head to face the couch. It seemed that he still didn't want to look at Avery – perhaps he was still embarrassed. 

“Finny… why don't you want to go back home? Are you not allowed to say you don't want to be emperor one day?” 

He shifted uncomfortably and sniffled. I was worried he would start crying again, but thankfully he kept it together. 

“My moms raised me to be prepared for this… I'm the oldest, so I'm supposed to inherit the throne, but that life isn't for me. Luney would be much better at it… she's serious and smart and she even likes studying and meeting with all those stuffy ambassadors and going to events and stuff. I just want to swim and fish and look for treasure! And I want cuddles, too,” his arms tightened around me, hands clutching my shirt, “merfolk don't cuddle… touching is frowned on, especially in public.” 

I stroked my fingers through his wet hair, listening. Avery listened, too, watching quietly behind his folded hands. I guessed he could relate to this, in a sense; cloud people did cuddle, but it wasn't like human touch, which he obviously enjoyed. 

Finnegan didn't say it, but we all knew there was another reason; we were close. As he rested against my body and we discussed the prospect of him going back home, my stomach was tying in knots – that was the last thing I wanted, but ultimately, I couldn't allow myself to be motivated by self-interest. If I could truly say I loved him, I had to do what was best for him. My throat tightened as I wondered if this might be the last time I cuddled on the couch with him – I quickly compartmentalized that thought. 

“Did you tell your parents you felt this way, Finn?” Avery asked. 

“I tried… but when I did, they just dismissed it or acted like I was being ridiculous. I know they love me, but I don't think they knew how serious I was about not being emperor… it's supposed to be my duty, but… I should be able to choose how I live, it's my life! I didn't ask to be born royalty…” 

A thought occurred to me, then, that made my stomach drop. My chest felt tight; I was almost afraid to ask the question.  

“I know you said you left a note, but… do you think your parents would try to bring you back? A prince disappearing is something I would expect to see in the news, or whatever… I mean, are Avery and I in danger…?” 

I glanced at Avery, and the look on his face told me he was already considering this. Finn finally turned to meet Avery's gaze.

“Merfolk are secretive, especially the higher classes… the last thing they would want to do is alarm anyone, or show incompetence by telling the world their prince is missing, even if it makes it harder to find me. The citizens probably just think I'm away on business, meeting with dignitaries and establishing relationships with other countries or something… I did have to do that, sometimes… but Jelly and Mina probably sent a private search party for me.” 

Incompetence. Dignitaries. Establishing. These were not words that Finn used in normal conversation, and I blushed a little at my surprise that he knew them. I’d never believed him to be stupid, but he'd clearly had a more advanced education than he let on. It also struck me to hear the illustrious empresses Nigella and Wilhelmina referred to as “Jelly and Mina,” but I supposed if you had two moms, it would be important to differentiate them somehow. 

What a revealing few hours it had been; I was starting to feel overwhelmed, and as he opened his mouth in a sharp, toothy yawn, I could tell that Finn was, too. He must have been exhausted from all that crying. 

Avery was not the reactive type; his method of working through problems, no matter how pressing or emotional for those around him, was to absorb information and ask questions when appropriate. He was great at comforting, too, but Finn seemed more receptive to that from me at the moment. I surmised he was afraid of disappointing Avery; not that Avery had ever shown disappointment in him. I wondered if this spoke to Finn's upbringing, too. 

As the elemental spoke again, I knew that the information-gathering phase of his process had reached its conclusion. 

“I think we should send a letter to your parents, Finn… Just so they know you're alright. It may help if I write one, too, so they can be reassured that you're in the care of a doctor. I have some research to finish today, but I can help you with it tomorrow. Besides, I want you to rest after that confession.” He stood up, walking over to where the two of us laid together on the couch and kneeling beside us. His cool, soft hand cupped Finn's warm cheek, his thumb rubbing gently along his scales. “That was very brave of you, Finnegan, thank you for telling us. I know it's hard, but we'll get through this together, okay? I'm so proud of you.” 

Finn's lips warbled, his hand raising to hide his fresh tears. Avery smiled gently, leaning down to place a tender kiss on my lips. 

“I have to get back to my research, now… will you two be alright?” 

“We'll be just peachy. I'll make sure he takes a nap… I think we both need one, honestly.” 

The tall elemental straightened, then, taking a blanket from the back of the couch and draping it over us. As he started up the stairs, I called after him – quietly, as I could already feel Finn's breath falling into a sleepy rhythm, “Don't work yourself to death, cloudman… there are people who love you, y’know.” 

His bashful chuckle echoed down the stairwell, and I drifted off slowly to the memory of his laugh. 

+++

*An amphidromous fish is a type of diadromous fish which migrates between fresh and saltwater.  Unlike anadromous and catadromous fish, which migrate explicitly for the purposes of breeding, amphidromous fish migrate for other purposes. Source